Story continued from THOR (2009) #603
Balder comes upon the mortally wounded Bill Junior, lying at the feet of Loki’s assassins. The thugs claim that Bill challenged them but Bill whispers to Balder of his discovery that Loki is aiding Doctor Doom in vivisecting Asgardians to gain the secret of immortality (THOR #603). The henchmen attack the King and he slays two of them, with Bill killing the one about to stab Balder. Bill asks Balder to tell Kelda that he loves her—and then he dies….
In Broxton, the three modified Doombots attack Don Blake on Loki’s orders but Sif, who heard them coming, intervenes and saves Don’s life. She calls the Warriors Three out of the diner and they give battle to the robots. The foes focus their deadly heat beams on the heroes but Volstagg orders the others behind him as he withstands the onslaught which burns off his clothing. Don recovers his stick just as he is blasted by a Doombot; gravely injured, he strikes the staff on the ground and becomes Thor, casting Don into the void as protection. The Doombots are destroyed.
In Latveria, Kelda is told of Bill’s death and, learning that Loki was involved, vows revenge; she transforms into a whirlwind and speeds off to find the Trickster God. Balder orders a Viking funeral for the heroic Bill. Balder asks where the exiled Thor is but Heimdall cannot see him, only Don Blake….
In a hospital a doctor informs Don that his left leg will be permanently lame; Don doesn’t mind, as he already owns a cane….
Story continues in THOR (2009) #604