Chapter Seventy-Eight: Return to Earth

The Dark Realm of Svartalfheim

Thor and Jane Foster both breathed a sigh of relief; at last, the dark elves had been utterly vanquished. Thor gazed at Loki’s “corpse” lying on the ground, but felt no joy at their victory. Jane wrapped her arms around Thor, offering comfort.

Just then, the jingle of a cell phone rang out—it was Jane’s phone. All three were surprised; after all, this was Svartalfheim. How could there possibly be cell signal here? Was Jane using a Nokia?

Jane took out her phone and answered, “Hello?”

“Hi, Jane, it’s me, Richard,” came the voice of the man she’d been on a date with before. The signal was weak, crackling through the phone.

“Richard, where are you?” Jane asked.

“I’m in my office. Today’s been crazy busy,” Richard replied.

Jane stared at the single bar of signal on her phone, astonished. Arthur took out his phone as well—no signal! So much for Apple phones. He vowed to switch to Huawei next time.

“I really enjoyed our dinner together, even though we didn’t order anything…” Richard continued.

“How is there signal in this place?” Jane wandered with her phone, watching the signal fluctuate.

“Is this a bad time? I can call you back later if you want,” Richard sensed something odd in Jane’s tone.

“No, don’t hang up, whatever happens!” Jane insisted, still moving around to test the signal.

Thor and Arthur followed behind. Arthur’s phone finally picked up a signal; he opened Facebook to check for unread messages—sure enough, Wanda had sent him several.

“I just wanted to ask if you’d like to have dinner together again tonight,” Richard’s voice came through the phone, audible to both Arthur and Thor.

Arthur glanced at Thor and couldn’t shake the feeling that Thor’s aura looked a little green—he patted Thor’s shoulder sympathetically.

Thor caught Arthur’s meaning but was unperturbed; he trusted Jane’s feelings for him.

“Sure, no problem. Just don’t hang up, okay?” Jane replied.

Jane led the group to a cave where the signal was strongest. On the ground, she found an old soda can and her car keys, discarded back in her ramshackle London flat.

“Follow me!” Jane called out, guiding the two men forward. After five steps, they crossed through space and found themselves back on Earth.

It was nighttime now; they had appeared right where Thor had last met Jane in London.

“Amazing!” Jane exclaimed to the others.

“Yes, we’re back on Earth, saving us a trip to Asgard,” Arthur said.

“I released Loki without permission. That’s already treason. If I return to Asgard, my father will be furious,” Thor said worriedly.

“Then don’t go back. The Avengers are short-handed right now. Don’t you want to help out?” Arthur asked Thor.

“All right, I’ll go with you to the Avengers base,” Thor agreed.

“My car’s still here!” Jane led them to a battered red van, its windows shattered and covered in graffiti.

Arthur teased, “Your car sure has personality, Jane!”

Jane shot him a look as all three climbed in. Jane started the engine and drove toward central London.

…

In the dark realm of Svartalfheim, Loki’s body glowed green. He transformed into a warrior of the palace, boarded a celestial ship, and returned to Asgard to face Odin, delivering news of his own death.

Odin believed him. This time, Loki had finally deceived both Thor and his father. Now his plan could begin—he would seize control of Asgard completely.

Jane, Thor, and Arthur returned to Jane’s residence. As they opened the door, Darcy saw Jane and was thrilled.

“You just vanished! The whole world’s gone mad! The strange phenomena we saw before are everywhere now,” Darcy said.

Thor hung Mjolnir, the hammer, on a hook behind the door. Arthur watched, amazed—if the hammer could be hung anywhere, could he take it?

Arthur decided to try. Right in front of Thor, he reached out to lift Mjolnir, but it felt as heavy as a mountain. The tiny hook didn’t even bend under its weight, which defied all reason.

Thor folded his arms, watching Arthur with an amused expression. “You can’t lift it,” he said.

“Oh, really?” Arthur’s right hand flickered with red energy, and he easily picked up Mjolnir, tossing it playfully in his hand.

“You’re cheating!” Thor protested, as Arthur played with the hammer before hanging it back on the hook.

“Erik?” Jane spotted Dr. Erik Selvig nearby and called out with delight—it had been ages since she last saw him.

“Jane! Thank goodness, you’re finally back!” Dr. Selvig, clad only in a shirt and underwear, stood up and embraced her.

“You went to Asgard?” he asked.

Jane nodded, then asked, “Where are your pants?”

The assistant nearby explained, “He says going without pants helps him think!”

“Are you all right, Erik?” Thor greeted Dr. Selvig.

At first, Dr. Selvig was glad to see Thor, but then his expression changed. “Your brother didn’t come, did he?” he asked.

“Loki is dead…” Thor replied, his face sorrowful.

“Oh, thank heavens!” Dr. Selvig nearly laughed out loud, but seeing Thor’s serious expression, quickly suppressed it.

“My condolences!” Dr. Selvig hugged Thor, his face barely hiding his joy.

“Thanks,” Thor replied helplessly. Earth’s people had a truly terrible impression of Loki.

“Dr. Selvig,” Arthur greeted him as well.

“Oh, Arthur! Last time in New York, I thought you were a goner!” Dr. Selvig hugged Arthur.

“I almost thought so myself,” Arthur joked.

“Why don’t we get something to eat? It’s rare for the three of us to be together again—how about a drink?” Arthur suggested.

Thor and Dr. Selvig agreed. Darcy and Jane, with the assistant, headed out to the supermarket for groceries.

Dr. Selvig recounted how his research into the alignment of the Nine Stars had led him to streaking and being locked in a psychiatric hospital, then rescued by Darcy.

Arthur sighed. A brilliant mind like Dr. Selvig’s, and yet he’d been confined to an asylum—what were the Avengers doing?

Agent Hill had previously told Arthur the Avengers were short of research talent, and yet Dr. Selvig, so gifted, hadn’t been recruited—what a waste.

“Dr. Selvig, I formally invite you to join the Avengers! I know you’re passionate about astronomy. You could help us study alien technology,” Arthur said.

“That woman, Hill, already invited me before. I didn’t accept. I prefer doing my own research,” Dr. Selvig replied.

So he’d already been invited; Arthur nearly unfairly blamed Hill.

Arthur decided not to press further. With his relationship with Dr. Selvig, he knew that when the time came, Selvig wouldn’t refuse to help.

The three returned with food and drinks. Great! Arthur stood up, determined to show off the culinary skills he’d honed at home with Wanda.

Arthur volunteered to cook. Everyone agreed, having seen his food videos and believing his cooking was the best among them.

Apron tied and sleeves rolled up, Arthur prepared a sumptuous dinner for all.

The five sat together, enjoying their meal. Arthur, Thor, and Dr. Selvig competed in a drinking match, reminding them of their first meeting in that little tavern in the Enchanted Town—a memory to cherish!

…