Steve's reaction was the opposite of Tony's.
"He doesn't sound like he's lying," Steve said calmly. "And if we factor in what Rowan saw of the future, it's not impossible. The invaders Rowan mentioned could be Asgardian forces."
Bruce nodded, thinking it through. "A lot of myths may have started as misunderstood history. To ancient people, modern technology would look like magic. If Odin, Thor, and Loki are extraterrestrials, then Asgard could simply be an advanced alien civilization that visited Earth long ago. That would explain the legends."
Tony frowned, then slowly exhaled. "If that's true, and Loki really is behind this… then the 'alien invasion' Rowan saw might be Loki trying to secure his throne by killing Thor first, then turning his attention to Earth."
Thor's head snapped up. "That's impossible. Loki would never try to kill me, and he would never invade Midgard."
Tony stared at him like he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "You're kidding, right? Big guy, how are you still missing it? Who kept pushing you toward Jotunheim? Who benefited most when you got exiled? With you gone, he gets the throne. It's the most obvious setup imaginable."
"I went to Jotunheim by my own will," Thor roared. "Loki tried to stop me!"
"If gods all think like this," Tony muttered, "then maybe we don't need to worry about an invasion after all."
Rowan stepped in before it escalated further. "My abilities tell me he isn't lying. And I sensed something inside him, similar to the hammer. Immense power, sealed away."
He continued evenly, not bothering to correct their assumptions. "If he truly is the God of Thunder, then stopping Loki from becoming king may prevent a war between Asgard and Earth."
That was enough. The outcome mattered more than the details.
Thor's anger faded, replaced by exhaustion. "Even if you believe me, you cannot help. Without my father's forgiveness, I cannot return to Asgard."
"There's always a way," Rowan said, placing a steady hand on Thor's shoulder. "Let's head back to town. And first, let's all try lifting the hammer."
The idea caught everyone's interest.
Logan went first. He grabbed the handle, muscles tensing, veins standing out. The hammer didn't move.
Tony tried again, reinforcing his suit's output. Nothing.
Bruce and Betty tested it briefly, then gave up. Bruce wisely chose not to involve the Hulk.
Finally, Steve stepped forward.
No one expected anything. Even Steve himself didn't.
Rowan narrowed his eyes. If Odin truly wasn't intervening, then Steve was the one person here with a chance.
Steve wrapped both hands around the handle and pulled.
The hammer came free so easily that he nearly stumbled backward.
"…Huh," Steve said in surprise. "It's light."
Power surged through him in an instant. Instinctively, he raised the hammer and pointed skyward.
Lightning split the clouds and slammed into the ground nearby.
Thor stared, stunned. "How… how is this possible?"
A mortal held Mjolnir. A mortal wielded thunder.
"Give it back!" Thor shouted, rushing forward.
Steve immediately handed it over without hesitation.
The hammer dropped to the ground the moment Thor touched it.
It didn't move.
Silence followed.
"Well done, Captain," Rowan said, eyes bright. This was enough. Even if Thor failed, Steve with Mjolnir could stop what was coming.
Far away in Asgard, Loki watched the scene unfold through magic, his expression shattering.
"A mortal?" he whispered. "Impossible."
...
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