Atop
a windy Mount Wundagore, Thor and Sif pledge their love. She speculates that
her lack of mention in the Eddas, along with the Warriors Three and Beta Ray
Bill, may mean that they will lead to Asgard’s victory on the coming day of Ragnarök.
Meanwhile, Odin catches Heimdall, Beta Ray Bill, and the Grand Vizier watching
the two lovers though a magic viewer, an act which he has expressly forbidden.
He gives Sif his blessing for she has chosen Midgard and he vows to face
Ragnarök alone. When the other pledge their fealty, Odin replies that all will
desert him on that day, surprising them….
The
High Evolutionary has decided to leave Wundagore in its war-torn land of the
former Yugoslavia and return to New York City; the Godpack and Animutants are packing
things up for the trip. Blitziana snipes at Sif, making comments to Jane Foster
as well but Jane knows she never had a chance with Thor. Her son Jimmy Kincaid
looks forward to returning home….
Thor
and Sif fly to NYC to prepare for the others’ arrival. Thor once again assures
her that there is nothing between him and Blitziana, describing the Godpack as
difficult to handle and full of bitter anger as they do not know what they were
before the HE had evolved them into Godlings, hoping that walking among humans
may do them good. They arrive at a rooftop restaurant where Thor needs no
reservation and they are given a table. Soon they are surrounded by fans and
celebrity watchers. Then War Machine swoops down and strikes Thor a mighty
blow, taking him by surprise. His second hit knocks Sif over the edge of the
roof and she catches on and drops floor by floor to safety on the sidewalk. There
she tries to evacuate the area lest anyone be harmed by falling debris while
Thor faces his new enemy. Suspecting that this is an impostor in the War
Machine armor, Thor puts his foe in a strong hold and WM reveals that he is
Loki, having seized control of James Rhodes, seeking revenge now that Thor has
broken their truce (last issue). Loki then gives Thor a choice: kill Rhodey or
watch him destroy the city….
The
High Evolutionary and companions are flying the Wundagore III to their
new home; HE is treating the unconscious Count Tagar with bio-retardant rays.
The ship hits and air pocket and the rays are deflected onto Blitziana, giving
her a vision of her previous life: she was the girlfriend of a street punk
named Billy; Billy was gunned down by an enemy called Bristle so she scooped up
Billy’s automatic and shot Bristle in the back, killing him. She was
apprehended by the police to face the penalty of the law. Blitz knows these are
not visions but memoires that will haunt her….
Thor
hurls Mjolnir at War Machine who charges it with his own power and deflects it
back to its owner, causing injury. WM unleashes more and deadlier attacks on
the Thunder God but is shaking, having trouble controlling his power. Thor
seizes the advantage and delivers a powerful blow with Mjolnir which causes
Loki to flee, leaving Thor to catch the plummeting hero. Thor discovers that
Rhodey is unharmed and was fighting Loki’s control within. So, the heroes part,
with Thor meditating on how he and Loki will both be doomed on the day of
Ragnarök….