Thor (1998 series) #57

Volstagg gathers the children around him to tell a story of Thor. When the kids point out that the pages of his storybook are blank, Volstagg tells them that this story is so recent that it will be recorded in the book as he tells it. So…

Once upon a time, Odin, ruler of Asgard, died and his son Thor took the throne. Thor decided to use the Odinpower to move Asgard over New York City so he could watch and protect the mortals who needed his guidance. Then it was discovered that a massive new structure had appeared on the moon, launching an object to Midgard. It landed in the Canadian wilds, a giant creature which disgorged machines to create a device that would harness the energies of the sun to strip the Earth’s surface of all matter. Thor confronted the creature, demanding to know what it was planning but the Gardener did not reply save by dispatching monsters to fight Thor while continuing to build the device. The mighty Thor fought the Gardener and its monsters for hours without effect. But the energies channeled through the moon caused to shatter into a multitude of pieces, creating earthquakes and tsunamis all over Midgard. Thor, in his humility, had chosen not to use the Odinpower but now he realized the need if he would save Midgard. So he flew into space, drawing the Gardener behind him and brought all the fragments of the moon together, reassembling the rock, with the Gardener trapped in the center. Thor, drained of power, drifted until he fell to Earth, crashing through the roof of simple Asgardian home. Entering into a light state of Odinsleep until his strength is recovered. Volstagg notes that many doubt the story but they need only step outside to look at the moon to know it is true….

Many of the children question the tale as unrealistic. A girl asks Volstagg if he believes the tale. Volstagg admits that he does, as he checks the sleeping Thor in the next room….