Asgardian Twilight

Checkmate, Bitch

The Bifrost had never been host to such a battle as the one between Hela's Butchers and the combined might of Heimdall, The Revengers, the gladiators of Sakaar. But even that battle paled in comparison to the clash that awaited. Hela's fury was unbridled, her desire to kill all who opposed her was only further ignited by the blast of lightning that had sent her hurtling across the sky.

"Don't try to take her on alone," Thor said as he looked over at Dean and Brunhilde. "We do this together."

Hela broke into a run, her arms flailing about as large, sharpened blades popped from the sky around her and rushed to meet them. Lightning flowed from Thor's hands, shattering the blades before they could make contact. Dean erected a shield of light, deflecting whatever Thor missed. When the opposing sides were almost upon one another, Thor leaped through the air and landed with a resounding crash in front of Hela.

"That was impressive, brother," Hela called out as she ducked a streak of lightning and retaliated with a host of spears.

Thor shattered the weapons as Hela manifested them, their powers matching one another in a deadly stalemate. The speed and ferocity with which they fought was truly astounding, and as Thor's newfound lightning powers surged within and around him, he was filled with the hope that perhaps they could actually win this thing.

"If only you weren't opposing me," Hela lamented. "You could have joined me."

Thor ignored her words and, seeing an opening, struck her midsection with a blast of lightning that knocked her across the Bifrost. She conjured a spear that stabbed into the Bifrost. When she approaching it, she grabbed it and spun around, launching herself back to Thor and hitting him with a large, obsidian war hammer. The blow didn't wound him, but it did grant Hela the chance to move past him to the pests that sought to move in and aid him.

Brunhilde was upon Hela first. Their swords clashed as Brunhilde furiously attacked. Every ounce of pain and helplessness she had felt since that fateful day in Niflheim surfaced and fueled her. She fought with such rage that even Hela was astounded.

"I would expect nothing less from a Valkyrie," she chuckled. "But I seem to recall slaughtering all of you. Well, not all."

Brunhilde slashed the blade across Hela's midsection, then made to stab it through her chest when her hand was suddenly gripped. Dean moved in and fired a beam at Hela's face. The blow stunned her briefly. Rolling her eyes, she threw a horde of blades at him. He formed a shield but the force was enough to throw him backward.

"Now," Hela said as she gripped Brunhilde's throat with her free hand and lifted her off of the Bifrost. "I do remember you. I remember your love saving you from me. How kind of fate to deliver you to me, that I can truly exterminate your kind!"

Thor righted himself and took off in a streak of lightning toward Hela and Brunhilde.

Dean was knocked from the bridge by Hela's attack. As he was preparing to fly back up, Hulk suddenly leaped from the water beneath him and grabbed him as he jumped up to the bridge. He set Dean down and grinned.

"Thanks Hulk," Dean said. "Ready to smash her?"

Hulk nodded happily, then charged down the Bridge to where Hela was restraining Brunhilde. Thor had just landed near them, punching Hela's back so hard it sent her flying across the bridge with a resounding crackle. Hulk rushed forward and gave a horrific uppercut, knocking Hela high into the air.

Thor spied Heimdall in the distance. He gave Thor a curt nod, then jumped onto the ship with the others. The ship remained in position, with Heimdall watching from the ramp.