Chereads / Marvel in Between Flesh and Steel. / Chapter 98 - Machine Man 95 : Conclusion.

Chapter 98 - Machine Man 95 : Conclusion.

Alex stood atop the wreckage of the fallen Destroyer, the cold desert wind of Puente Antigo sweeping across the barren landscape, kicking up clouds of sand. His dark, blood-red eyes flickered beneath his white armor and black, his breath heavy from the battle that had pushed him to his limits. The landscape was marred by destruction, shattered rocks, and the remnants of cosmic energy still crackling in the air. The wrecked metallic shell of the Destroyer lay motionless, its glowing core dimmed, the once terrifying threat now silent.

While on Asgard, Loki can't help but curse, "Damn it! Stand Up! I would not be bested by some unkown demi god! Get Up!" as he tried to imbued the Gungnir with more energy.

 

Alex climbed up from the crater, his armor still pulsing faintly with the dark energy of ARK ONE. His body ached from the battle, and he could feel the strain of maintaining control over the dark emotions coursing through him. As he caught his breath, a plume of dust appeared in the distance. His enhanced vision picked up a vehicle speeding toward the battlefield. Thor, Jane, and their companions were arriving.

 

But before Alex could react further, a low, resonant hum filled the air. The ground trembled beneath him. His eyes widened as he turned to see the shattered remains of the Destroyer stir.

Alex can't help but curse, "Fuck! Can you just stop."

Odin, observing the scene from his astral form high above the void, raised an eyebrow. His voice carried through the astral plane, amusement lacing his tone. "I didn't expect him to be able to harness the power of the emotion spectrum," he said, his gaze fixed on Alex.

 

Beside him, the Ancient One's serene face showed a trace of concern. "But it's of the darker nature. You can never tell what will happen if one loses control."

 

Odin's gaze shifted toward her, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "It's fine as long as he controls it, you and I both know, that we sometimes have to dabble in to the darker side of things for the greater cost." he said confidently. But his eyes betrayed the excitement of a god who hadn't enjoyed such a spectacle in ages. As if not yet satisfied with the outcome, Odin extended his hand once more, imbuing more power into the Destroyer.

 

Below, Alex felt it, the surge of energy rippling through the air, revitalizing the Destroyer. Its body began to glow, the cracks in its armor sealing themselves, and the air shimmered with a deadly heat as its core reignited. Alex could only watch as the Destroyer rose to its feet once again, this time more powerful than before.

"Dammit," Alex muttered under his breath, his legs barely supporting him as exhaustion weighed him down. His armor flickered weakly, the energy reserves of ARK ONE nearly depleted. He clenched his fists, feeling the remnants of his dark power swirl within him, knowing the battle wasn't over.

 

The Destroyer, now fully revived and brimming with power, stood tall before him, its metal body radiating energy from Odin's infusion. The ground trembled beneath its feet, but Alex wasn't about to back down. With a sudden burst of speed, he rushed forward, channeling the last of his dark energy into his right arm. His fist glowed with crimson-black energy as he closed the distance.

 

"Take this!" Alex growled, launching a straight punch directly into the Destroyer's chest. The impact was immense, the dark energy surging through the Destroyer's metal body, sending it flying back several meters, its massive body thumbling and skidding against the ground.

 

The Destroyer staggered for a moment, but quickly recovered, its mechanical head snapping back toward Alex with a chilling metallic hiss. The glow in its eyes intensified, and with a loud hum, it began charging up its deadly beam, the golden energy building in its core.

 

Alex's heart pounded as he leaped into the air, twisting his body mid-flight. He lashed out with a vicious kick, striking the side of the Destroyer's head just as the beam was about to fire. The force of the kick was enough to turn the Destroyer's head off course, its glowing eyes momentarily dimming from the attack. Alex landed in front of the machine, panting, his energy fading fast.

 

But the Destroyer wasn't finished. With a roar of grinding metal, it raised its head again, burning light flooding its eyes as it prepared to unleash its devastating attack.

 

At that moment, Alex heard the screech of tires on the rocky terrain. He turned just in time to see a vehicle skidding to a halt nearby, a cloud of dust kicking up around it. Thor leaped out of the car, his eyes widening in horror as he saw the Destroyer preparing to fire.

 

"Jane! Selvig!" Thor shouted, running toward them. Jane, Selvig, and the others were still scrambling out of the vehicle, unaware of the imminent danger.

 

"No!" Alex shouted, his body moving on instinct. He tried to attack the Destroyer to shift the direction, desperately trying to stop it before it fired. But he was too late.

 

The Destroyer's eyes flashed a blinding gold, and with a deafening crack, it unleashed its beam.

 

"Jane!" Thor shouted, his heart racing as the beam charged to fire. Without hesitation, he ran toward her, knowing he wouldn't reach her in time. The beam, now fully charged, fired with a deafening crack, a devastating blast of energy hurtling toward Jane and the others.

 

Thor didn't think, he acted. Throwing himself forward, he placed his body between Jane and the oncoming blast, bracing himself for the impact. The searing heat of the energy approached, and Thor closed his eyes, ready to take the hit.

 

The blast connected with Thor's chest, and for a split second, it seemed like he would be overwhelmed. The energy crackled around him, threatening to tear him apart, yet he stood firm. The ground beneath him trembled, rocks and debris floating into the air as the power of the Destroyer raged against his body.

Up above, in the heavens, Odin watched the scene unfold from his throne in Asgard. His single eye focused intently on his son, recognizing the sacrifice Thor was making. The All-Father closed his eye, a silent acknowledgment of the lesson Thor had finally learned: humility, selflessness, and the heart of a true king.

With a heavy sigh, Odin whispered, "He is worthy."

Instantly, in SHIELDs temporary base, Mjolnir, Thor's mighty hammer responded to its master's call. It shot through the sky like a bolt of lightning, moving so fast it tore through SHIELD outpost. The hammer cut through the atmosphere at the speed of light, heading directly for its master.

 

Thor, still shielding Jane and the others, felt a familiar tug in his heart. His eyes widened in surprise as the storm raged overhead, and he felt the air around him crackle with electricity. The Destroyer's beam pressed harder, but then, as if sensing the shift, the attack began to wane.

 

From the corner of his eye, Thor saw it, Mjolnir, racing toward him. The hammer streaked through the air, spinning rapidly, before stopping just inches from his outstretched hand. The moment it connected with his fingers, a surge of power coursed through Thor's body. His eyes snapped open, glowing with the energy of a god reborn.

 

Lightning exploded from the sky, striking Thor directly. His clothes disintegrated, replaced by his regal Asgardian armor, shining metal plates covering his chest and arms, and a long red cape billowing behind him. The storm raged around him, his power fully restored. His grip tightened around Mjolnir, and the sky responded with a thunderous roar.

The beam from the Destroyer faded entirely, unable to withstand the godly might now emanating from Thor. Jane and the others looked on in awe, their eyes wide as they witnessed Thor's transformation. The man they had once known as a mortal stood before them as the God of Thunder once again.

 

Thor grasped Mjolnir with a fierce smile, the storm clouds gathering above him as his godly might returned. "Now," he said, turning toward Alex, "let's finish this."

 

Alex, his body weakened but still standing, nodded. With a deep breath, he summoned the last of his energy. His armor flickered, the dark power of ARK ONE still pulsing through him, though barely. "Let's give it everything we've got."

 

The Destroyer, sensing the renewed threat, charged again. Controlled by Loki, it unleashed another barrage of powerful energy blasts, its immense strength now fully restored by Odin's intervention. Alex and Thor dodged the blasts, each one leaving craters in the ground where they struck.

 

Thor swung Mjolnir, calling upon the storm. Lightning crackled around him as he charged at the Destroyer, his hammer striking with the force of a thunderclap. The Destroyer stumbled but quickly retaliated, firing a concentrated beam at Thor. With Mjolnir spinning in his hand, Thor deflected the blast, sending it careening into the sky.

 

Alex, meanwhile, moved in from the opposite side. Despite his drained energy, his movements were precise, fueled by the dark emotions ARK ONE had channeled. With a powerful leap, he closed the distance and delivered a crushing blow to the Destroyer's side, his fist glowing with the last remnants of his power.

 

Together, they fought like a well-oiled machine. Thor's lightning strikes created openings, and Alex exploited each one with swift, devastating attacks. The Destroyer, for all its power, was overwhelmed by their combined assault.

 

As the fight reached its peak, Thor looked at Alex. "We need to end this, now!"

 

Alex nodded. "On three."

 

Thor swung Mjolnir high, summoning a bolt of lightning so massive it lit up the sky. At the same time, Alex tapped into the last reserves of ARK ONE, black and red energy swirling around him.

 

"One!" Thor shouted.

 

"Two!" Alex's fists crackled with dark power.

 

"Three!" Together, they unleashed their final attacks.

 

Thor hurled Mjolnir forward, the hammer surging with the power of the storm, while Alex delivered a final, devastating rider kick imbued with the dark energy of ARK ONE. The combined forces of lightning and darkness collided with the Destroyer in a blinding explosion of power.

 

The ground shook as the Destroyer's armor cracked and shattered, its core exploding in a brilliant display of energy. The shockwave knocked Alex and Thor back, but as the dust settled, they saw it—the Destroyer was no more. Its immense power had been obliterated, its form reduced to nothing but twisted metal and smoke.

 

Breathing heavily, Alex stood beside Thor, his armor flickering and fading. Thor, still gripping Mjolnir, smiled at his ally. "Well fought," he said.

 

Alex chuckled, his dark pupiled eyes returning to normal. "Let's hope that nothing stronger will come out." Alex knew it's finally over, for real now since Thor has regained his power and Odin has gotten his kick for this theatrical play for his son's growth. He couldn't have wish for it to be better, except for the part where he has to use an Unstable power of the Ark One.

 

As they looked over the wreckage, Odin's voice echoed once more through the astral plane, unheard by only the Ancient One and those powerful enough to see through it. "I suppose I got carried away," he admitted, a trace of amusement in his voice. "Well done, both of you."

 

The storm clouds began to part, and the sun slowly set over the desert. For now, the battle was over, and the two warriors stood victorious.

 

As the desert sun cast long shadows over the barren landscape, the familiar hum of engines filled the air. A convoy of sleek, black SHIELD SUVs approached, led by Agent Coulson. Dust kicked up in their wake as they stopped on the outskirts of Puente Antiguo, the heat shimmering off the cracked earth. Coulson stepped out, adjusting his suit jacket, and approached Thor with a respectful nod.

 

"Prince Thor," Coulson greeted, his voice measured but respectful, recognizing the Asgardian's regal stature. "It's an honor to meet you again."

 

Thor returned the nod, his eyes gleaming with newfound respect for the humans. "Know this, Son of Coul. You and I fight for the same cause, the protection of this world. From this day forward, you can count me as your ally."

 

Coulson smiled, turning to Alex with a hint of delight in his eyes. "Thank you, Prince Thor," he said, then added, "But could you debrief me on what happened?"

 

Alex stepped forward, his expression calm, but his mind racing through the events of the battle. "The Destroyer came through a portal, sent by Loki to eliminate Thor. We fought it off, but not without significant damage. Fortunately, we managed to stop it before it could cause more harm." He left out the part about his battle with the Destroyer in outer space. After all, he had asked Skynet to hacked all the satellites and telescopes that could have observed the fight. Any analog telescope might catch a glimpse, but Alex didn't care, his speed and the intensity of the battle would make it impossible for anyone to discern what had truly happened. As for Fury's aliens friends he didn't care, it would be better if they know about it, so he can send them a message that there are some people in Earth they cannot messed with.

 

The group, including Thor, Jane Foster, Darcy, and Dr. Selvig, along with several SHIELD agents, followed Coulson to the spot where the Bifrost had first opened. The desert wind howled across the desolate landscape, carrying with it a sense of anticipation. The area where the Destroyer had first appeared was scorched, the ground cracked and smoldering from the heat of the Asgardian magic.

 

Thor stood in the center of the group, his eyes scanning the horizon as he called out, "Heimdall! Heimdall!" His voice echoed across the vast expanse of the desert, but there was no response. Grim-faced, he turned to his companions.

 

"We are stranded," said Fandral, a hint of worry in his voice as he glanced up at the sky.

 

Thor called out once more, his tone growing more desperate. "Heimdall! If you can hear me, we need you now!"

 

For a moment, there was only silence. Then, the sky above began to crackle with energy. The air shimmered, and a swirling vortex of light began to form high above them. The clouds parted, and the Bifrost opened, a brilliant rainbow bridge of energy cascading down from the heavens. The swirling colors of the Bifrost—vibrant reds, blues, greens, and yellows—danced across the sky, illuminating the barren desert with a celestial glow. The air vibrated with a low hum as the portal solidified, creating a pathway back to Asgard.

 

Thor turned to Jane, his expression softening as he reached for her hand. "I must return to Asgard. My people need me. But I give you my word, I will return for you." His fingers gently brushed against hers, and he leaned down, kissing her hand.

 

Jane smiled, though her eyes were filled with sadness. "Deal," she whispered, before pulling him into a tight embrace. Their lips met in a passionate kiss, a silent promise exchanged between them.

 

Sif approached Alex, her armor gleaming in the light of the Bifrost. "It has been an honor, warrior of Midgard," she said, her voice steady but with a trace of respect.

 

Alex, now back in his human form, smiled and nodded. "The honor is mine, Lady Sif. Good luck in your battles ahead."

 

Volstagg, the burly Asgardian warrior, approached with a grin, his massive hand slapping Alex on the back with enough force to nearly knock him over. "Ah, it's been a fine fight! When we meet again, perhaps you could craft me one of those armors you wear… maybe with a bit of red in it!" He let out a hearty laugh, his jovial spirit unwavering.

 

Alex chuckled, rubbing his back. "We'll see what I can do."

 

The SHIELD agents, led by Coulson, stood at a respectful distance, watching the Asgardians with a mix of awe and curiosity, some who are spies and working for a different group can't wait to return and make their report. Jane, Darcy, and Dr. Selvig stood nearby, their expressions a mixture of wonder and sadness as they prepared to say goodbye to their newfound friends.

 

Thor, with one last glance at Jane, stepped onto the Bifrost. The shimmering light enveloped him and his companions as they prepared to return to Asgard.

 

As the rainbow-colored vortex began to rise, Thor turned one last time to look at the group of humans who had helped him reclaim his honor. His eyes met Jane's, and with a final nod, he disappeared into the heavens, the light of the Bifrost carrying him away to face Loki and whatever awaited him in Asgard.

 

The desert fell silent once more, the only sound the soft breeze whispering across the cracked earth. Alex, Jane, and the SHIELD agents watched as the swirling light faded from the sky, leaving behind nothing but the endless blue horizon.

 

Coulson turned to Alex, his voice low. "I hope you can answer a few question and do you think they will be all right up there?"

 

Alex smirked, glancing at the now-empty sky. "As long as SHIELD is paying me, as I said before as long as you got money, I will answer and If anyone can handle Loki, it's Thor." He adjusted his jacket, turning away from the horizon. "Let as make our way to your abode Son of Coul." Said Alex as if mimicking Thor way of speaking. Darcy and the rest hearing this smiled, but what they didn't know is the fight above will force the lovers away for not seeing each other again for quite some time.

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I hate to do this, but I'm putting this fanfic on hold. Been quite busy as of late specially with the coming holidays. Not sure when this fanfic will be back. Thanks for liking this half arse fanfic.

If I ever return to continuing this, I might do a complete re-write.

Thanks again, cheers~.