Thor in 2004
by Ragnarok

Through whatever twist Thor realizes what a bad dude he is in the future, and uses the Odinpower to turn back the clock to the moment right after he was nuked and right before New York and Asgard were destroyed. Rather than exacting revenge on the Smiths and killing Jake, he transports Asgard and all its denizens back to its original dimensional plane. Thor is back in his 2003 body, but he and he alone knows what happened, ie: The Reigning.

When Loki and others question his motives and reasoning he silences them and softly tells them it is over. The baffled Asgardians ask him what he means by over. Looking up Thor replies that it was over the moment Odin died, he just didn't realize it. Standing tall and raising his voice Thor states that he has been blind. The death of Odin was a time for change in Asgard and on Earth, but not the kind he had initiated. In fact, Odin's death was the final curtain falling on the drama that had consumed Odin's life. Ragnorak. Through Odin's planning and fate many of the old prophecies had been made moot. Jormungand was dead, Nagflar was destroyed by Skurge, Balder had escaped Hel, and Odin died fighting Surtur. Still, in his death the Twilight of the Gods as they were known had come.

The time has come for new purpose, new paths, and . . . new leadership. Thor can no longer rule and so Odin's other son must take up the mantle. As a stunned crowd looks around, Jake Olson makes his way forward only to be cut off by an opportunity seeking Loki. Loki claims he is next in line for the throne if Thor is so eager to cast it off, not this mortal with immortal memories. Thor agrees with Loki that Jake is not the leader rather a piece he has been missing. Thor uses the Odinpower to take his human side back into himself. As he does so he explains to Jake that he assimilates his own human memories and lessons but the need for the shell of a life that was Jake Olson EMT is no longer necessary.

Loki seems almost giddy as he makes his way up the stairs to the throne. Suddenly a large, strong hand grabs the God of Mischief by the shoulder and pushes him aside. Loki turns to look up at a figure nearly twice his size striding towards Lord Thor. My brother Vidar, you are the one Odin said would rule the Gods after Ragnorak, and so you are the one that must now take up that responsibility. Vidar nods, accepting the fate Odin had mapped out for him long ago, and Thor passes the full measure of the Odinpower to his half brother. The bewildered Asgardians look up to their new Lord.

Thor slowly strides out of the great hall. Amora turns her back on him as she curiously eyes Vidar and Sif merely stands stunned and silent beside the Warriors Three. As Thor exits only Balder follows him out of the hall. Thor expresses that it is good to meet his friend without the confinements of the throne being between them. Balder says he understands what its like to err while steering Asgard's course. Thor smiles and mutters that Balder has no idea of the depths of his failure. Thor also asks Balder to stand by his decision and support Vidar. In the ancient texts and by Odin's own words Vidar was the one who would rise and rule the gods after Ragnorak. The texts also spoke of Balder returning, and that these two principal gods would preside over Asgard. Thor asks that Balder bring his experience and skills to the throne by aiding Vidar in any way. Thor's final words to Balder are Trust in Odin.

End Issue.

Next Issue.

Thor arrives at Avengers mansion to make ammends. A surprised Cap opens the door to find the Thunder God sans helmet and cape looking a bit more humble than noble. Being old friends, and understanding the difficulties that lie in a hero's path, Cap forgives him almost instantly. However, as they sit and talk it becomes clear that it will not be so easy for the rest of the team, the UN, the USA, or the world to embrace Thor again as an Avenger, let alone a person. Thor vows that he will prove himself once more, in fact he feels the need to earn respect and honor again more than Cap could understand. Thor leaves with Cap saying he'll see what he can do, but that he can't stay at the Mansion and should lie low for awhile until Cap calls him.

A still dejected Thunder God agrees and walks out. Realizing his very prescence might cause a number of reactions from the NYC populace, Thor uses his hammer to transport himself to a desolate and deserted island. There he sits, there he remembers what its like to feel alone as only a lost god among mortals can, there he allows his mind to fill with the full measure of regret. With no celestial home, no father, and no friends he is alone. Suddenly, as the bitterness wells up in him, a soft light glows behind him, and he hears the words "My Son!"

Meanwhile in Asgard, Vidar takes quickly to the Allfathership as if born to it. Balder's council has proved invaluable and the two quickly become friends. Vidar finds Balder's advice about avoiding a certain blonde haired gold digging goddess especially useful and plans on making Balder his Grand Vizier. Though all seems well in the realm, a dark and bitter shadow stalks the realm unseen. Loki sits in his castle brooding over recent events. His entire life the Asgardians looked down upon him because he was the scion of giants, and now they accept a half giant as their ruler!

Then again, if they did it once perhaps they'd do it again. Plots must be laid and alliances forged. While Loki does not have the power or the throne, Thor is out of Asgard (seemingly for good) and Odin is gone. The current ruler has no idea whom he deals with, ah yes, perhaps life is better than Loki had thought. With that he disappears to meet an old friend.

Back on earth, Thor turns around and is bathed in a soft pink light. "Mother" he cries. Gaea accepts her son into her arms and the two disappear.

In Asgard, Tarene cannot sleep, haunted by dreams of a strange but familiar woman. She wakes up and strides towards her bathroom to get a hold on herself. As she looks in the mirror, she sees her features have changed, she seems older. Suddenly her own reflection reaches through the mirror, grabs her and pulls her in.

A portal opens upon the spot where Thor had been sitting. The Thunder God walks out of the portal, looks back, smiles and then begins to whirl his hammer. He suddenly stops, puts Mjolnir in his belt and flies off.

End Issue.
 

Thor: Champion of Earth, Prologue.

Picking up from where we left off...............

Manhattan, NYC finds itself plagued once more by Crusher Creel, the Absorbing Man. However, the police are baffled because the thief/Thorite/baffoon seems to have no purpose. He is recklessly and wantoningly tearing up Manhatten without any apparent reason.

Out of the skys a familiar yet different form falls to face Crusher, it is Thor. Ceasing his destruction, the Absorbing Man smiles as Thor alites before him. Creel calls him another paper messiah and a cop out. He bellows about how he gave up his old life and ways in deference to Thor only to be betrayed. He always knew Thor was a sucker that couldn't take the heat, and now he has the proof.

Without a word, Thor stops before the threat and tells him to cease immediatley. Crusher grumbles someting about betrayl and shoves his hand into the ground. Creel screams about how the power and strength of New York bedrock is now his and asks Thor what he's gonna do about it. Thor, with humor and pity in his eyes, relates to Creel that he is no longer the foe Crusher once knew. No, he has come to know his mother, and she can be a frightful thing to know! With that, Creel finds himself pinned to the ground, unable to move. In a last ditch effort against this strange power that assails him, Crusher lashes out with his ball and chain.

The projectile hurls towards a young woman and her red headed infant son. "Magni" screams Thor right before unleashing his faithful mallet to block the blow and save the mother and son. As Thor rushes towards the petrified twosome, the child asks him what did you call me. Thor responds with a pat on the head and a grimace.

Thor grasps the ball and chain, seizes the Absorbing Man, and waits for the authorties. As they arrive, Crusher questions the Thunder God as to how he beat him so easily, and the police tell Thor to hold his ground. Thor responds to neither request and takes to the air.

"Now is the time." Says Loki. He sits in a chair of ice surrounded by Frost Giants. Loki tells their leader how Asgard is now led by a giant and how the time of the giants is nigh. He teases the ruler of the frost giants with images of giants ruling three of the nine worlds, maybe more, and asks his ally Utgard-Loki what he's willing to do to see it come to pass.

Back on Earth, Thor deals with the fallout from his intervention. Cap chastizes him, but Thor brushes off the criticism with his conventional, I know best attitude. A worried Cap states that based on Thor's recent actions he can't just let this kinda thing go anymore.
He asks for answers. Thor tells Cap that he's not ready to hear them.

As Thor flies off alone, his thoughts dwell upon his recent meeting with his mother. While her words and insights were a balm, they also force him to face his destiny and undertake a crusade that he doesnt know whether or not he can handle.
******FLASHBACK SEQUENCE**********************

Gaea accepts Thor into her arms and explains to him that his recent failures where necessary in order for Thor to accept his true fate. Yes, Odin is dead, and yes Thor failed as an Allfather, but that is because such a role is not in Thor's nature. Gaea explains that Thor is a hero, a champion. This has always been the role where he strived and succedded, this is the role he was meant for. She hopes that Thor does not blame his father or mother, but the training, the experience, even the Reigning were all necessary steps. Now Thor understands and now he can act. Thor is a champion, and his mother has a cause for him to champion. As an elder goddess she has felt the ramifications of many would be conquerers. Many tyrants, not unlike the future Thor, lie in an unsuspecting future. With the knowledge Thor now holds of his future, Gaea asks Thor to safeguard hers and the planet's future from other would be/ could be rulers.

In a nameless dimension, a glowing figure hovers above Tarene's form. As the young designate stirs, she stares into the face of something beyond her, something she fears, and something she will become.

In the northwest US wilderness a figure walks alone. Suddenly, Thor drops from the sky in front of said figure. The solitary man asks what Thor wants from him. Thor replies by saying "Dr. Banner, I would speak to thee about the Maestro."

End Issue.