The arrival of Iron Man marked a new era. People were beginning to grow accustomed to the idea of superheroes. In the coming years, Earth would face crises far greater than those of the past millennia. Many extraordinary individuals, who might have remained hidden, would step forward. After all, times of trouble give rise to heroes.
From Thor's perspective, there could never be too many heroes. While only a handful of top heroes might be strong enough to confront Thanos directly, his vast army would require countless heroes to hold the line. Without these everyday heroes, even the strongest among them could be overwhelmed by sheer numbers.
So, the next step was clear…
…
In New Mexico, a Thor-themed park had sprung up. Once a barren landscape, it had become a tourist hotspot ever since a mysterious hammer fell from the sky ten years ago. People flocked here, hoping to lift the hammer—but so far, none had succeeded. Even an old man named Stan Lee had once tried towing it with a car, only to fail spectacularly.
Stan Lee, who wasn't short on funds, had since invested in developing the area, turning it into a popular local attraction. And today, three special guests were visiting the park.
Leading the way was a girl with dark hair and an intelligent, playful gleam in her eyes. Despite her good looks, she preferred to rely on her brain rather than her appearance—she was driven and determined. Behind her were a long-haired girl, slightly less striking than her friend, and an older man.
As they walked through the entrance, Thor, sitting on a nearby bench with a newspaper, glanced up. He recognized the girl instantly, even though he'd never seen her or looked into her background.
Jane Foster. In another time, she'd been his girlfriend, and in some parallel worlds, she was even a female Thor.
"There's nothing exciting in this park, Jane. You're crazy to have come all this way!" complained Daisy, the girl walking behind Jane.
"I didn't come here for fun. Based on what I've found, this hammer could really help my research…"
"Sure, sure," Daisy teased, grinning. "You just have a thing for your boyfriend's hammer!"
Jane blushed slightly, quickly composing herself. "Shut up! How many times do I have to tell you, I don't have a boyfriend!"
"Oh, right. His name's Blake, right? I saw a suit in your closet with his name on it. And guess what—I heard recently that 'Blake' is just Thor in disguise!" Daisy couldn't help laughing, delighted at her friend's flustered reaction.
Jane sighed. During her high school years, she'd gone through a brief phase of celebrity admiration, though the only famous figures she knew by name were Captain America and the lesser-known Captain Blake. The suit, bearing the name "Donald Blake," was a memento from that time, stashed away until Daisy had stumbled upon it while cleaning her room.
As a staple attraction at the park, attempting to lift the hammer was a must for all visitors. Naturally, Jane and her friends wouldn't miss the chance to try.
…
Outside the park, Thor waited patiently, sensing that something significant was about to happen. And then, it did.
A powerful wave of energy surged across the landscape as a vortex appeared in the sky. A tornado quickly formed, crackling with lightning. The sky darkened, casting the park in near-total eclipse. All around, circuit breakers tripped, and machinery shorted out, throwing visitors into a panic.
But Thor merely smiled.
"I've been waiting for you, Faux Thor."
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