Back to You [An Endgame Continuation]

Reality•:

§ Ｔｈｅ Ｒｅａｌｉｔｙ Ｓｔｏｎｅ§
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"Where to start, um— The Aether. First it's not a stone.. someone called it a stone. It's more of an angry sludge sort of a thing, so someone's going to need to amend that and... stop saying that." Thor- 2019.

As soon as I set foot on Asgard, I could tell something was different. The ancient aura in this place was almost like something out of mythology, and then I realized this was literally the home of Gods and Goddesses. The air was warm and sweet against my skin, and buildings that were probably millions of years old littered my view. When I looked up, the sky above me held pastel colors and stars that melted together and reflected onto the sparkling teal oceans in the distance, and it took my breath away. I could imagine what my old self would think about all of this existing in the same universe.

I could hear swords clashing together in the distance, and my arm band told me I had 20 minutes before the stone needed to be reset. But looking at all the wondrous carvings and statues around me, I struggled to believe what Thor had told me about the prophecy. Would this entire civilization be blown into pieces only three years later?

A piece of hair landed on my lips and I casually brushed it away to tuck it behind my ear.

My eyes narrowed. I looked down at my clothes, and I froze. Chainmail trailed up my arms and snaked down my legs, paired with huge black boots and silver plates decorated on my chest. I rushed to one of the shiny golden pillars, and in its reflection I saw stubble lining my jaw and Thor's bright blue eyes looking back at me. Bruce had programmed my brace to disguise me as Thor for this time jump.

"Damn you, Banner," I growled, and my eyes widened.

Oh my God. I was Australian.

I couldn't believe it. I had specifically told Bruce while we were planning to not disguise me for any of the time jumps because there was a chance it could be irreversible.

"No, Bruce! We can't chance it."

"Do you seriously think Jane is going to let you come into her room to stab her with a needle? That place is swarmed with guards and the less people you come into contact with the better."

"You don't understand. I can't be Thor."

"If you can wield Mjolnir, you're practically Thor."

"That was different-"

"You can do it."

"No, I can't, Bruce."

He blinked at me in his veiny green skin. "Yes you can."

"No. I can't."

"Yes you can," he replied at lightning speed, enjoying this game.

"No I-"

"Yes you can." He smiled at me cheekily.

I looked at him, deadpanned, and walked away.

He seemed defeated, but then watched me walk for a moment. He turned his head to the side. "You know what, Scott was right!" He said over my shoulder. "You do have America's ass!"

Apparently my disagreement didn't stop him, and I felt my face, awestruck. This day couldn't get any weirder, but if I was appearing like an ancient god, I had to play the part. I generated the hammer in my hand, its energy pulsing through me but failing to relax my tense shoulders.

Putting aside all discomfort, I decided to start moving up the tower, and as I preceded up the stairwell, I noticed my armor was making enough noise to wake an army. Never one for subtlety, Thor.