A majestic rainbow bridge descended from the heavens, like a stairway to paradise, or perhaps a shimmering cascade of light.
It radiated hope and authority, as if tipping the scales of the battlefield in New York once more.
Reinforcements from Asgard had arrived...
Two people....
Why only two people?!
Was this a game of Dynasty Warriors or what?!
Kagura stared at the figures emerging from the Bifrost—Thor and Loki—with a deadpan expression and a tangle of emotions.
"Thor, I'm glad you finally realized Earth is under attack. So, how many came from Asgard?"
"Two. Me and Loki!" Thor replied with complete confidence.
"Asgard was just attacked by the Dark Elves."
"We suffered heavy losses—the temple's defense system is completely down, the throne room is wrecked, and the entire city's shielding system has failed."
"We can't spare any more troops at the moment."
He added, "Thankfully, Father and Mother are safe. Otherwise, I don't even want to imagine what we'd do."
"They're both okay? That's good." Kagura nodded. "Well, I suppose it's better than nothing. At least we already took care of that cursed warrior who sent you flying last time."
In the original MCU timeline, Asgard's queen Frigga, Thor's mother was killed during the Dark Elves' invasion by that same cursed warrior.
Frigga, the strongest mage across the Nine Realms and second only to Odin in Asgard's ranks, gave her life to protect the Aether from Malekith.
Her death had deeply enraged both Thor and Loki.
But that was the MCU timeline.
Here, thanks to Kagura's intervention, Frigga's fate had changed.
She would continue to live on as Thor's mother and face the future alongside Asgard's royal family.
"Those damned Dark Elves," Thor muttered, looking up at the sky where Iron Legion units were engaged in combat.
"They're bold enough to blatantly invade Earth right under my protection!"
He squinted. "Wait… are my eyes playing tricks on me? Are there more Iron Man now?"
"Ahem, not exactly…" Kagura scratched her head. "That's Tony Stark and his Iron Legion."
"In any case, we need to support him—whether it's his suits or my fortress city, either could be overwhelmed by the Dark Elves' fleet at any moment."
"Got it." Thor began spinning his hammer. "Loki, you coming with me?"
"No thanks. Fighting's your department, brother," Loki waved him off. "I'll stay here for now. Isn't your main priority to protect her?"
"Fair enough!" Thor grinned. "This is thrilling! Feels just like the Battle of New York two years ago!"
"Cough, cough…" Kagura shook her head. "My memory of that battle's probably quite different from yours."
"Anyway, Thor, please help Mr. Stark fend off the Dark Elves. I'll figure out how to deal with that massive warship."
"Oh, and by the way, reinforcements from Rhodes Island Industries are on the way, and Griffin Security should be arriving soon too."
"Just a heads-up—they probably won't include anyone you know, so don't go attacking them by mistake!"
"Understood. Don't worry, I'll protect Earth!"
With that, Thor shot into the sky with a crack of thunder, flying toward the chaos over New York.
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"Alright, Kagura, let's hear your plan." Loki watched Thor disappear into the clouds and smirked knowingly.
"I didn't think you were the type, but it seems you and I are alike, good at using others to our advantage. I like you more and more."
"Come on, don't say it like that. It's not using people just requesting assistance," Kagura said with a playful smile.
"Thor's strength is indispensable right now. He's the best suited to hold the frontline… one of the only two who can easily take down a Dark Elf gunship."
"Only two? Don't tell me you're counting me?" Loki raised an eyebrow. "What makes you so sure I didn't come here just to kill you myself?"
Kagura didn't flinch. "You figured it out, huh? But actually, I wasn't talking about you."
"I was referring to me. And if you're wondering why I'm not up there helping Stark directly..."
She turned toward the looming black cross-shaped mothership. "It's because I have a bold idea."
"Let me guess… you want to hijack that ship, don't you?" Loki grinned. "If that's the case, you might need my help, Kagura."
"Can I trust you? Or maybe... can I rely on your skills?" Kagura wasn't surprised that Loki had guessed her plan.
Say what you will about his antics, but when it came to brains, Loki was among the top in Asgard.
...Then again, that might just say more about how many fools there were in Asgard.
"To be honest, Kagura, I still don't get it why do you trust me so easily?" Loki seemed genuinely puzzled, staring at the silver-haired girl in front of him.
"But since you asked… I suppose I have no choice but to show you what the God of Mischief can really do!"
———————————————————————
Silence.
An awkward pause filled the air.
"…Well?" Kagura tilted her head. "Weren't you going to show me the power of the God of Mischief?"
"Uh…" Loki looked up at the enormous ship hovering in the sky. "Do you happen to have a way to get us up there?"
"…You… can't fly?"
"Nope!" Loki said, visibly frustrated. "Do I look like I have a fancy spinning hammer?!"
"Fine, come here." Kagura sighed. "But I'm warning you if you touch anywhere weird, I will stab you."
"Relax, I'm not into my own sister," Loki chuckled, stepping over and politely placing his hands on her shoulders. "Alright, now what?"
[Charged 3D Maneuver Gear: Activated]
"WHOA WHOA WHOA—W—T—F—!"
With Loki's scream trailing behind them, Kagura blasted into the sky using her gravity-defying 3D maneuver gear, heading straight for the Dark Elves' looming mothership.
"I didn't know you could fly! You're starting to remind me of Thor! That's NOT a good thing! AH—SLOW DOWN—!"
"Cortana, deploy the drone swarm. Engage the enemy." Kagura spoke into her comms mid-flight.
"Would you like to assign priority targets?" Cortana responded.
"Have them focus fire on the enemy mothership. I'm not expecting them to break through—just keep the enemy distracted. I'm planning to infiltrate that beast."
"Confirmed, Master."
Cortana's voice echoed calmly, "VF-1 variable drones: formation set. Commencing assault."
Across the sky, sleek trails of light sliced through the clouds like silver phantoms darting through the heavens.
They moved with a grace and power no existing military on Earth could match, looking as if they'd come straight from the future.
The VF Experimental Drone Squadron, property of Rhodes Island Industries… had entered the battlefield.