Marvel : I am Thor Chapter 291 - 295

Chapter 291: Red Queen Canon

Sanctuary II hovered menacingly in the sky, raining destruction upon the battlefield below. Even with their combined might, the Avengers seemed powerless to reach it. Without Captain Marvel, who was still tied up in Asgard battling Surtur, their options were dwindling.

Dodging another missile by a hair’s breadth, Tony Stark shouted into his comms, “Friday, can the drones climb to the altitude of Sanctuary II?”

“No problem, Sir,” Friday’s voice replied, steady as ever. “But you need to understand, the drones’ firepower won’t breach their defenses.”

“That’s not the plan,” Tony said, his mind racing. “I want the drones to get close to the launch ports and fire at the shells just as they’re leaving the barrels.”

“!!!” Friday paused, her tone shifting to one of caution. “Sir, have you fully considered this? Using the drones like this could destroy the entire system. Those drones are our last line of defense against world-ending crises!”

Tony sighed, his voice tinged with grim determination. “Friday, look around. Isn’t this the biggest crisis we’ve faced yet?”

After a moment’s hesitation, Friday relented. “Understood, Sir.”

As the next wave of artillery prepared to launch from Sanctuary II, a swarm of drones surged skyward. Dodging fire from the enemy cannons, they closed in on the launch ports, firing continuously at the shells as they emerged.

“BOOM!”

The shells exploded mid-air, sending shockwaves rippling across the battlefield. The explosions didn’t damage the heavily armored Sanctuary II, but the drones, lightweight and unprotected, were obliterated by the chain reactions.

From the ground, the scene was a mesmerizing display of lights and smoke. Dots of flames burst across the sky as each shell was intercepted. The Avengers on the ground could only watch in awe, unaware of the immense cost of this tactic.

Tony grimaced inside his suit, watching the destruction of countless drones. “This isn’t going to last,” he muttered.

Just as hope seemed to dwindle, a blinding beam of light streaked across the sky from the distant horizon. Before Sanctuary II could react, the beam pierced through its hull with devastating precision.

“BOOM!”

The massive spaceship erupted into flames, its interior torn apart by the explosion. The fiery blast engulfed the entire vessel, sending pieces of debris raining down into the ocean below. The once-mighty Sanctuary II crumbled, its remains sinking into the sea and sending towering waves crashing against the shores.

Doctor Strange, who had been holding back the floodwaters, looked up and muttered under his breath, “NMP!”

On the battlefield, the Avengers were equally stunned.

“Who just took out the big spaceship?” Rocket Raccoon asked, his voice dripping with suspicion. “I thought only that glowing lady could do that, and she’s not even here!”

Spider-Man squinted at the sky, tilting his head. “It looked like some kind of intercontinental missile. Maybe it came from the North Pole? Could… could it be one of those old Soviet superweapons?”

The thought made Peter Parker shudder.

“Not likely,” Tony muttered. “Even a hundred Tsar Bombs wouldn’t pack enough punch to do that kind of damage to Sanctuary II.”

Meanwhile, in New Asgard, a group of non-combatants gathered around a holographic projection of a girl bathed in red light. The Red Queen, the artificial intelligence governing the castle’s defense systems, stood proudly as the others showered her with praise.

“Good job!” Maya Hansen said, smiling. “I always thought you were just here to look cute. Who knew you had something like that in your arsenal?”

Blushing slightly, the Red Queen replied, “This was a last-resort defensive weapon designed when the castle was first built. The master called it the Devastator. It’s powerful enough to destroy the moon, but it has one major drawback: it takes an entire month to recharge.”

Helen tilted her head curiously. She reached out instinctively to pat the Red Queen on the shoulder, only to remember at the last second that the AI wasn’t a physical entity. Flustered, she said, “You know… I’ve been thinking. Maybe I could create a body for you—something made of vibranium. I’ve done it before. It would make you a lot more versatile.”

The Red Queen shook her head furiously, her holographic form flickering slightly. “No, no! Vibranium isn’t reliable enough. The last vibranium robot had its neck broken...”

Her voice trailed off as she muttered something unintelligible, her tone uncharacteristically shy.

What the others didn’t know, but the Red Queen did, was that she had other reasons for refusing. As a super-intelligent AI, she was keenly aware of the flaws in humanoid vibranium bodies. While they appeared nearly perfect to the untrained eye, they lacked certain essential features. For instance, she couldn’t ignore the fact that Vision, for all his brilliance and power, had critical limitations that made him far from ideal.

Chapter 292: The Unexpected Intruder

The destruction of Sanctuary II dealt a heavy blow to Thanos. Standing amidst the chaos, he stared silently in the direction of the wreckage, his expression unreadable.

“ROAR!”

Hulk’s furious roar shattered the momentary stillness. Charging forward with unrelenting rage, he delivered a thunderous punch to Thanos’ head, sending the Mad Titan flying. Thanos tumbled across the battlefield, rolling to a halt as dust rose in his wake.

Hulk, unfazed by Thanos’ stoic demeanor, only felt his rage intensify. In his mind, the so-called “purple sweet potato” was just standing there, dazed, as if indifferent to everything happening around him. Hulk, now in his World Breaker Hulk form, felt an overwhelming need to release his strength.

Before Thanos could recover, Hulk was upon him again.

The shattered remnants of Thanos’ armor, already weakened by Wanda’s Chaos magic, offered no protection. With a mighty uppercut, Hulk struck Thanos’ jaw, sending him soaring into the air.

Mid-air, Thanos adjusted his posture, preparing to retaliate with a crushing blow of his own. But just as his fist began to swing, Wanda’s crimson energy enveloped his arm, wrenching it back mid-strike.

“BOOM!”

The next punch from Hulk landed squarely on Thanos’ face. The impact was so powerful that Thanos momentarily saw stars. He swore he felt his cheek dent from the sheer force of the blow.

“BANG! BANG! BANG!”

Hulk unleashed a relentless barrage of punches, each one shaking the battlefield. Thanos struggled to counterattack, but Wanda’s Chaos Magic continuously disrupted his movements, slowing him down just enough to leave him vulnerable. For a combatant of Thanos’ caliber, even the smallest delay was catastrophic.

Thanos roared in frustration, his fury mounting with every second. For the first time, he felt a chilling realization creeping over him: If I don’t do something soon, I might actually die here.

Suddenly, a strange energy ripple spread across the battlefield, unseen yet palpable. Hulk, mid-swing, froze as his vision began to blur. The world around him twisted and distorted, and Thanos’ battered form vanished before his eyes. Instead, flashes of memories—both familiar and alien—assaulted his mind.

Voices echoed in his ears, their words cutting deep:

“This device will extract the Hulk serum from your body...”

“If you dare to destroy Hulk, prepare for imprisonment!”

Hulk’s thoughts spiraled, dragging him back to the days when he was hunted relentlessly by General Ross. The fear, the pain, the desperation—it all came flooding back.

“AHHHH!” Hulk clutched his head, roaring in anguish as he fell to his knees.

Across the battlefield, the Avengers were similarly affected. Each found themselves trapped in their worst nightmares.

Tony Stark saw a vision of defeat: a broken battlefield littered with the fallen. Among them was Steve Rogers, his shield shattered, his voice a hoarse whisper as he clutched his chest and rasped, “You could have stopped this.”

Natasha Romanoff relived the sacrifice on Vormir. In her vision, Thor leapt off the cliff to complete the ritual, yet he never returned. The realization of the permanent loss hit her like a hammer.

“No! No, this isn’t real!” Natasha cried out, her voice trembling with despair.

Other Avengers screamed in terror, their voices echoing across the battlefield:

“Help me! I don’t want to die!”

“Get away! Get away from me!”

Amidst the chaos, soldiers and allies fled in every direction, their faces pale with fear and despair. Even the most hardened warriors were paralyzed by their own horrors.

Only those with extraordinary mental fortitude managed to shake off the effects, though even they were visibly shaken. Doctor Strange and Wanda Maximoff were among the first to recover, their minds steeled against the nightmare’s grip.

“What’s happening?” Wanda ask, her voice sharp.

Strange’s gaze darkened as he scanned the battlefield. “It’s not a spell. This… this is her.”

“Her?” Wanda echoed, confusion and urgency mixing in her tone.

Thanos’ forces were unaffected. Seizing the opportunity, they advanced mercilessly on the now-vulnerable Avengers. With weapons raised, they prepared to deal a devastating blow to their incapacitated enemies.

Realizing the imminent danger, Strange acted swiftly. The Eye of Agamotto on his chest glowed faintly as he cast his spell. Though the Time Stone was gone, the Eye retained traces of its power. A faint green energy seeped from the relic, enveloping the battlefield.

“Time, stand still,” Strange intoned.

The chaos froze. For one fleeting moment, the battlefield became eerily silent.

Strange turned to Wanda, urgency in his voice. “This isn’t just an illusion. This is Nightmare. She’s manipulating their dreams, trapping them in their worst fears. In this state, she can siphon their energy to grow even stronger.”

Wanda’s expression hardened as Strange continued. “Nightmare doesn’t just create dreams—she modifies them, twisting them into something far worse. If the victims can’t break free, their souls will be trapped in her dimension forever.”

“How do we stop her?” Wanda asked, her voice steady despite the weight of Strange’s words.

“My spell will hold her influence at bay for one minute,” Strange explained. “That’s all the time I can buy. Scarlet Witch, you’re the only one who can break her hold.”

Chapter 293: The True Picture

Wong slowly regained consciousness, his mind still clouded by the lingering effects of the nightmare. Among the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj, he was second only to Doctor Strange in power and skill. As he gathered his bearings, he overheard Strange’s explanation to Wanda and frowned.

“Nightmare?” Wong muttered, his voice hoarse. “Didn’t the teacher seal her away long ago? Even if she’s unsealed, without enough nightmare energy as a power source, how could she affect so many people—including the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj?”

Strange’s expression was grave as he replied, “Because of the Mind Stone.”

Wong’s eyes widened in realization. The creation of nightmares, Strange explained, was a high-level manipulation of mental energy. For most individuals, the effects were devastating, rendering them helpless and trapped in their worst fears. But sorcerers, fortified by their mental strength, were typically resistant.

However, the Mind Stone amplified Nightmare’s power to unprecedented levels, allowing her to overwhelm even the strongest minds.

Wanda’s eyes followed Strange’s gaze toward a corner of the battlefield where the chaos seemed unnaturally calm. A figure stood shrouded in shadows, holding a glimmering, golden gemstone that pulsed faintly in the dim light.

“Do you see her?” Strange asked abruptly.

“See what?” Wong replied, still looking around in confusion.

Strange didn’t answer. Instead, he turned to Wanda. “Only you can see her, and only you can stop her.”

Wanda stepped forward but paused, her voice steady yet uncertain. “And if I fail?”

Strange hesitated, his expression conflicted. “Then the entire universe will become a cold, lifeless void.”

Wanda’s gaze hardened. Without another word, she flew toward Nightmare. As she approached, her Chaos Magic surged, piercing the veil that concealed Nightmare. The entity’s shadowy form became visible, her emerald-green energy crackling ominously.

“...”

With a burst of power, Wanda unleashed her Chaos Magic directly into Nightmare’s mind. The clash of their energies created a violent storm of crimson and green, swirling with an intensity that obliterated everything in its path.

Nightmare’s once-ethereal form solidified, her piercing eyes wide with shock as she realized she had been exposed. The storm surrounding them grew even fiercer, dark green and deep red energies intertwining in a deadly dance.

The static field of time created by Strange began to falter. As the spell’s effects dissipated, the frozen battlefield came to life again, and the Avengers awoke from their nightmares.

“Is it over?” Wong asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Strange shook his head. “No. It’s far from over.”

He gestured toward the storm at the battlefield’s edge, where Wanda and Nightmare were locked in combat. “She’s forced Nightmare to withdraw her power and face her directly. If Wanda wins, the nightmare ends. But if she loses…”

Strange’s voice trailed off, but the unspoken words hung heavy in the air: If she loses, the universe will fall into darkness.

The battlefield around Nightmare’s location, close to Thanos’ army, had become a no-man’s land. The collision of energies was so intense that it vaporized everything within its radius, leaving only a barren void. Even the formidable Chitauri and Thanos’ vanguard soldiers were reduced to dust.

This was a battle between two of the most powerful forces in the universe, and no one dared to interfere. Even Strange, with all his skill and the faint remnants of the Time Stone’s power, knew he could do nothing but watch.

Meanwhile, in the Dark Dimension, Thor faced Dormammu in a desperate battle. The mighty Power Stone glowed in Thor’s hand, its energy barely holding back Dormammu’s overwhelming strikes.

“Return to your realm!” Thor bellowed, his voice echoing through the dark void. “You may be stronger, but I will not let you destroy Asgard!”

Dormammu’s laughter boomed like thunder, shaking the very fabric of the dimension. “Negotiate? Is that all you can do, Thor? Your desperation betrays you.”

Thor’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

Dormammu leaned closer, his immense form dwarfing Thor. “Do you not wonder how Surtur—who was stranded on Titan—arrived in Asgard? Do you not question how he crossed such vast distances?”

Thor’s expression darkened. He had suspected as much, but Dormammu’s words confirmed it.

“It was you,” Thor said, his voice low and venomous. “You brought him here.”

Dormammu’s twisted grin widened. “Correct. You see, I have no interest in defeating you here. My goal is far greater. I offer you two choices: watch Asgard burn, or surrender it to the darkness. Let it become part of my domain.”

Behind Thor, Jean Grey stood, her fiery gaze shifting between him and Dormammu. Worry etched her features as she whispered, “What are you going to do?”

Thor didn’t answer immediately. The fiery anger in his eyes gave way to icy resolve. “There’s a third option,” he said finally, his voice like steel.

Dormammu laughed again, louder this time. “A third option? That’s the best joke I’ve heard in eons. Even the Ancient One wouldn’t dare claim to kill me. What makes you think you have the power?”

Thor’s eyes, cold and unwavering, locked onto Dormammu’s. “Because I do.”

Without turning, Thor spoke to Jean. “Break the seal. Release your full power.”

Jean’s eyes widened in shock. “Are you sure? You don’t know what will happen—”

“Do it!” Thor interrupted, his voice filled with unyielding authority.

Chapter 294: Dark Phoenix

For the Avengers, the nightmares seemed to last only a fleeting moment, as if they had been caught in a brief trance. On the chaotic battlefield, there was no time to question what had happened. The battle raged on, unrelenting.

The duel between Hulk and Thanos, however, had changed. With Wanda’s interference suddenly absent, it was now a one-on-one fight.

Unaware of what had transpired, Hulk felt a surge of confidence. His earlier success, with Wanda subtly aiding him, made him believe he could reduce Thanos to a battered purple husk. He lunged forward, his massive fists swinging with raw power.

If it had been the fruit farmer Thanos of the past, Hulk’s confidence might have been justified. But this Emperor Thanos was a different beast entirely, his strength magnified many times over.

Hulk’s punch was intercepted mid-swing, Thanos’ massive hand clamping around his fist like an unbreakable vice.

“Huh?!” Hulk’s confusion turned to disbelief as his other fist, swinging in from the side, was caught just as easily.

Under Hulk’s incredulous gaze, Thanos slowly pushed his arms apart, the green titan’s strength seemingly irrelevant.

“BOOM!”

A left uppercut from Thanos rocked Hulk’s jaw, sending him spinning in a full 360-degree arc. Before Hulk could recover, Thanos delivered a devastating right hook, turning the raging behemoth into a helpless punching bag.

“BANG! BANG! BANG!”

Blow after blow rained down on Hulk. The once-proud titan of rage was now at Thanos’ mercy, his confidence shattered as the purple juggernaut pummeled him into submission.

Meanwhile, in the Dark Dimension, the battle had reached a breaking point.

The collar restraining Jean Grey’s powers shattered as the Phoenix Force surged forth, unrestrained for the first time. The release was cataclysmic.

Jean screamed as flames erupted from her body, illuminating the Dark Dimension with blinding brilliance. A realm that had existed in unbroken darkness for eons now resembled the surface of a blazing star.

“BOOM!”

The energy’s shockwave obliterated countless celestial bodies, their remains scattering across the void. Dormammu, positioned at the epicenter of the blast, bore the brunt of the eruption.

“What is this power?!” Dormammu’s voice trembled with uncharacteristic fear. “This… this is not a force of this universe! Who are you?! Stop it! STOP IT!”

For the first time in his existence, Dormammu felt true terror. The energy radiating from Jean was ancient and primordial, a force born at the dawn of creation itself. It was chaos and eternity, destruction and renewal, all at once.

Fortunately for Dormammu, the Phoenix Force was still immature. While it was powerful enough to wound him, it had not yet reached the level needed to annihilate him outright.

“You cannot succeed!” Dormammu roared defiantly. “Your power is vast, but it is not enough to destroy me! You can only cause me pain!”

Jean said nothing, her expression blank, her power unrelenting.

Thor, standing beside her, answered instead. “Perhaps not now,” he said coldly. “But that will change.”

Thor reached into his armor and withdrew both the Tesseract and the Aether, their combined energies glowing with unimaginable intensity.

Dormammu’s massive eyes narrowed in suspicion. “What are you doing?”

Thor didn’t answer. The Tesseract and Aether released twin beams of energy, converging to tear open the fabric of the Dark Dimension. A crack appeared in the void, small at first but widening as energy poured through.

The rift faltered briefly, its edges wavering, but then a blazing light erupted from within. Flames spilled forth, their intensity matching the fiery power of the Phoenix Force.

The flames surged toward Jean, drawn to her like a moth to a flame. They engulfed her, merging with the Phoenix Force already within her body.

Jean screamed, her voice raw and unrestrained. Her hair erupted into wild flames, her skin glowing with golden cracks that pulsed with unstable energy. She was no longer in control; the power of the Phoenix Force overwhelmed her, pushing her body and mind to the brink.

Thor’s expression darkened as he watched. He had known this would happen. The influx of energy was excruciating for Jean, and once released, the force could not be contained. Yet there was no other choice.

The energy surge lasted for a full minute, during which neither Thor nor Dormammu could move. The Dark Dimension itself seemed to hold its breath.

“BOOM!”

The flames receded suddenly, coalescing around Jean. They formed the shape of a majestic golden phoenix, its wings spread wide as it hovered protectively around her.

Jean floated motionless within the flames, her appearance transformed. She was no longer merely Jean Grey—she was Dark Phoenix, her power fully realized.

The crack in space closed abruptly, sealing the Dark Dimension once more.

In another universe, far from the Dark Dimension, an ominous voice echoed across a barren void.

“It’s gone,” the voice hissed. “The energy appeared here, but it has vanished. Who dares steal what is rightfully mine?”

The voice paused, seething with frustration. “We must find the one who absorbed it. That power belongs to me!”

But even as the voice raged, its search would be in vain. The Phoenix Force had crossed into another universe, pulled irrevocably toward Jean Grey. Unless fate conspired to draw them together again, this force would remain beyond reach.

Chapter 295: The Darkness Is Shattered

“What’s going on here? What the hell happened?”
Dormammu’s voice trembled, a rare crack in its usually imperious tone.

"Perhaps we can talk?" it suggested, its tone uncharacteristically tentative.

"Negotiate terms now?" Thor’s voice was sharp, cutting through the tension like a blade. "It’s too late for that!" His eyes burned with defiance, unwavering as he stared at the cosmic entity before him. The swirling flames of the Phoenix Force descended once more, hurtling toward Dormammu like an unstoppable inferno.

“Ah! Stop it!” Dormammu’s voice rose to a frantic shriek, a cacophony of fear and pain.

The Phoenix Force had initially been like a mere spark against Dormammu’s vast, shadowy form—a drop in the ocean of darkness. But now, it had become a surging river, an unrelenting tide of power.

“Stop! I can leave! I swear never to invade Asgard again—no, I promise never to set foot in this universe!”

For the first time in eons, Dormammu was truly afraid. The cosmic overlord, who had ruled the Dark Dimension with an iron grip, now felt his very essence unraveling. His form began to disintegrate, a sensation utterly foreign to him. Dormammu was facing the one thing he had thought impossible: death.

The flames intensified as Jean floated above the battlefield, her red hair whipping wildly in the torrent of energy. Her once-clear blue eyes now gleamed with a haunting golden light, and intricate patterns of Phoenix energy etched themselves across her face. She looked like a goddess of destruction incarnate.

Suddenly, Jean hesitated. She paused the relentless onslaught of the Phoenix Force, turning her gaze to Thor with conflicted eyes. Deep within, she knew the truth: if she pushed further, she risked losing control entirely.

Dormammu noticed the hesitation instantly, his laugh ringing out like a death knell. “You can’t control it, can you? If you kill me, you’ll destroy your friends too!”

Jean’s entire body trembled as buried memories resurfaced. She saw flashes of her childhood—a car crash, her mother’s lifeless body, and the aftermath. Her uncontrollable abilities had caused it, and her father had given her to Professor Xavier in despair.

Thor had told her the truth years ago, and now, faced with Dormammu’s taunts, the weight of her past threatened to crush her resolve. The full power of the Phoenix Force was unimaginably terrifying, more destructive than anything she had ever unleashed before. What if it happens again?

She looked at Thor, her eyes pleading for reassurance.

“Don’t worry,” Thor said firmly, his voice steady despite the chaos around them. “No matter what happens, I’ll take you home.”

Dormammu’s laughter erupted once more, mocking their defiance. “Stupid mortals, always bound by emotions! Emotions make you weak!”

Jean’s expression hardened, the hesitation in her gaze replaced by unwavering determination. “No,” she said, her voice ringing with newfound strength. “You’re wrong. My emotions make me strong!”

With that declaration, the Phoenix Force roared to life again, exploding outward in a violent surge that engulfed the entire dark dimension.

In a shadowy corner of the battlefield, Mordo watched in horror as events unfolded. Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced his chest. He clutched at his heart, but it was too late. His flesh began to dissolve, transforming into streaks of dark energy that spiraled upward. The energy streaks coalesced and surged toward the heart of the Dark Dimension.

“No... my lord! Why are you doing this? Please, no—!” Mordo’s anguished cries were swallowed by the dark currents as his body vanished completely.

Across the Earth, similar scenes unfolded. Sorcerers aligned with Dormammu, who had drawn upon his power, suddenly found themselves consumed by an inexplicable force. Their forms disintegrated into streaks of black energy, rising into the sky before disappearing altogether.

“What’s happening?” Wong asked, his voice filled with shock and confusion.

“They’re Dormammu’s believers,” Strange replied, his tone heavy with grim understanding. “Dormammu is desperate. It’s recalling all of its power to fight back. From the moment they accepted its power, this fate was sealed—Mordo included. He’s gone.”

“What?” Wong’s jaw dropped in disbelief. “How is this even possible? Not even the Ancient One could force Dormammu into such a state!”

Strange didn’t respond immediately, but the worry etched across his face spoke volumes.

“No! You can’t kill me!” Dormammu bellowed, his voice thick with despair. “Darkness is eternal! The Dark Dimension will never disappear!”

Thor’s eyes narrowed, his expression icy and resolute. “The darkness may persist, but you won’t,” he said coldly.

Thor’s words cut deep, their truth undeniable. “You were once a mere necromancer who stumbled upon the Dark Dimension. To claim its power, you abandoned your mortal body and let your soul be consumed by the flames of dark magic. You became a monster for power, and now you’ll face the consequences.”

Dormammu writhed, his colossal form breaking apart under the unrelenting force of the Phoenix energy.

“No... darkness will not vanish! I am eternal!” Dormammu’s final screams echoed as his body disintegrated into primordial dust.

A faint soul emerged from the collapsing remnants, darting away in a desperate bid for survival. In its fragmented thoughts, it clung to a single hope: if it could escape, it could one day rebuild itself.

But before it could flee far, an irresistible force pulled it back toward the battlefield.

“No!!!” Dormammu’s final cry was lost in the void as the Phoenix Force obliterated every last trace of his existence.