Marvel : I am Thor Chapter 261 - 265

Chapter 261: Outbreak

In battle, it’s common sense to strike the weakest points first, and Thanos was no exception.

When he launched his full-scale assault, the Holy Places in Hong Kong and London fell within half an hour. The Avengers hadn’t even had time to mobilize. Thor, despite his might, chose not to intervene immediately. Guarding all three Sanctums simultaneously would spread their forces too thin, leaving them vulnerable to Thanos' overwhelming numbers.

The destruction of the two Sanctums sent shockwaves through Kamar-Taj. The sorcerers recognized the grim truth—this was the prelude to Dormammu’s arrival. The New York Sanctum would now serve as the final line of defense.

Thanos was no fool. He knew the last four Infinity Stones were in Thor’s possession and that the God of Thunder was entrenched in the New York Sanctum. As a result, the city, already a magnet for disasters, became the center of yet another storm.

New York, battered by countless battles, was bracing for the worst once again. The city's history of rebuilding after every war seemed destined to repeat. But this time, the scale of destruction threatened to surpass all that had come before.

In preparation, Steve Rogers, now the President of the United States, pushed through an emergency evacuation order, overriding international protests. The Mayor of New York, Wilson Fisk—better known to some as Kingpin—used his considerable influence to enforce the evacuation, employing both legal and clandestine methods to ensure compliance.

The skies above New York were deceptively clear when the first sign of Thanos' invasion appeared. A massive meteor-like object broke through the atmosphere, turning into a blazing fireball as it descended directly toward the Sanctum.

It wasn’t a meteor—it was one of Thanos' landing ships.

New York lacked the protective shields of Wakanda. Expecting Thanos to land outside the city’s perimeter was a fantasy. He intended to bring the fight directly to their doorstep.

A thunderous roar echoed through the sky as the Black Dragon Princess, transformed into her draconic form, soared upward to meet the incoming threat. She unleashed a torrent of scorching dragon’s breath, the intense heat melting the landing ship into a collapsing heap of molten metal.

Her moment of triumph was short-lived. More fireballs descended from the heavens, too many for even her formidable power to handle alone. She had barely finished with one when another three appeared.

Inside the Sanctum, Thor stood by the skylight, watching the chaos unfold. He sneered at the sight of the invading Chitahuri ships and announced loudly, "No battleship enters my domain."

He extended his hand, and Stormbreaker materialized in his grip.

Outside, the Avengers prepared for the onslaught. A sudden streak of lightning erupted from the Sanctum, Stormbreaker spinning through the air like a bolt of divine wrath. It tore through the nearest battleship, exploding it in a fiery cascade before arcing toward another target.

"Boom... Boom... BOOM!"

The mighty battle-ax sliced through the invading fleet with terrifying precision. Ships that had seemed indestructible moments ago crumbled like paper before its power.

Meanwhile, a squadron of fighter-bombers emerged from Thanos' donut-shaped warship, diving toward the city to provide cover for the landing ships.

Thor raised Stormbreaker, summoning an enormous bolt of lightning. The sky turned purple as the massive discharge split into countless smaller bolts, each striking with deadly accuracy. The entire squadron disintegrated before they could release a single payload.

Thor’s voice boomed across the battlefield, "I said, no flying in New York today!"

High above, Thanos watched the spectacle from his flagship. His jaw tightened as he observed the devastating power of Stormbreaker. The plan to storm New York from above was clearly a failure. Reluctantly, he gave the order to land his forces outside the city and engage the Avengers directly.

Under normal circumstances, Thanos would have unleashed a barrage of firepower from his fleet to soften the opposition. But Sanctuary II, still undergoing repairs, lacked functional weaponry. For now, it served only as a troop carrier.

With a thunderous crash, a landing ship finally made contact with the ground outside the city. Its massive hatch opened, and waves of snarling Vanguard troops poured out, their numbers forming an unstoppable tide. These creatures, one of Thanos' most fearsome assets, weren’t known for their individual strength. But their sheer numbers, coupled with their fearless charge, made them a formidable force.

The Avengers sprang into action. Tony Stark and James Rhodes, both in their Iron Man suits, launched into the sky, unleashing volleys of missiles that decimated the Vanguard ranks. But for every creature that fell, two more seemed to take its place.

The battle escalated further as portals began to open behind the Avengers. Fully armed Wakandan warriors emerged, their vibranium spears gleaming in the sunlight. Their war cries filled the air as they charged into the fray, joining the fight to repel Thanos' forces.

"Must win! Must win!" the warriors chanted, their determination echoing across the battlefield.

Chapter 262: Three-Line Attack

The battle in New York, dubbed "New York War 2.0," erupted with a ferocity far exceeding that of the previous Chitauri invasion.

Unlike the Wakandan War from the original timeline—where only the Avengers and Wakandan soldiers participated—this confrontation included reinforcements from across the galaxy. The Wakandans, Kamar-Taj sorcerers, and Thor’s Asgardian forces united to form a formidable defense. These weren’t ordinary warriors; the Asgardians, with their strength rivaling Captain America’s, tore through Thanos' Vanguard like a hurricane through dry grass.

Thor remained steadfast within the New York Sanctum, his presence ensuring no foe could breach its defenses. From his vantage point, he was the unyielding anchor in a sea of chaos.

A small spaceship descended onto Airfield atop the Stark Tower, its landing gear hissing as it touched down. For the first time, the Guardians of the Galaxy set foot on Earth.

"Is this your hometown, Quill?" Gamora asked, scanning the towering skyline.

Quill inhaled deeply, his expression a mixture of nostalgia and unease. "Yeah. I’m back," he murmured.

Rocket squinted at the distant battlefield, his tone incredulous. "Quill, didn’t you say your hometown was some backwater planet? Doesn’t look like it. This place has top-tier warriors, tech, and enough firepower to go toe-to-toe with Thanos’ army."

He gestured toward the Wakandan and Kamar-Taj troops, both clearly of Earth origin. Combined with Thor’s Asgardian reinforcements, their strength rivaled that of the universe’s most powerful factions.

Quill had no response, his thoughts tangled with memories of the simpler Earth he had left behind.

The New York Sanctum, located on Brick Street in southern Manhattan, became the focal point of Thanos' assault. Leveraging the inherent advantage of an attacker, Thanos’ forces initiated a three-pronged assault, choosing their targets with precision. The defenders, on the other hand, were forced to react, dividing their strength to cover multiple fronts.

The First Line: The Bronx

The northern attack came through the Bronx, cutting a direct path through Manhattan toward the Sanctum. This was the most aggressive assault, spearheaded by Thanos' Vanguard—an unrelenting swarm of cannon fodder supported by Chitauri infantry.

From his perch on the Sanctum's highest balcony, Thor surveyed the battlefield. His Stormbreaker gleamed as he declared, "No battleship will touch New York under my watch!"

A Chitahuri fighter darted into view, only to be obliterated by a bolt of lightning. Moments later, Stormbreaker streaked through the air like a comet, cleaving through a Leviathan before ricocheting toward another target.

The Wakandan forces, led by Black Panther T'Challa, stood firm alongside the Asgardians. Overhead, Tony Stark and James Rhodes rained down precision missile strikes, maintaining air superiority and supporting the ground troops.

A massive black dragon hovered above the fray, unleashing torrents of fire that cleared vast swaths of enemy forces. Its deafening roar was punctuated by the bone-crushing advance of Hulk, who dove headfirst into the Vanguard army. With his boundless strength and near-invincibility, Hulk created chaos in their ranks, scattering the enemy like leaves in a storm.

But the Vanguard were merely the first wave. Though weak individually, their numbers and persistence tested even the strongest defenders.

The Second Line: Brooklyn

The second assault targeted Brooklyn, a route strategically beyond Thor’s immediate reach. Here, Chitauri spacecraft and Leviathan beasts descended in droves, their overwhelming firepower tearing through Earth’s mortal defenses.

Commanding this force was Ebony Maw, Thanos' cunning lieutenant. From his levitating platform, Maw directed the assault with surgical precision. His goal wasn’t the Sanctum itself but the chaos necessary to release Dormammu.

Despite their technological prowess, Earth’s conventional forces crumbled before the Chitauri onslaught. Each wave of defenders was pushed back, the narrow strait separating Brooklyn and Manhattan becoming the final barrier between the invaders and the Sanctum.

Ebony Maw’s eyes gleamed with malice. "Make the Asgardian suffer for his defiance. Let him witness the ruin of everything he seeks to protect."

Chapter 263: True Ambush

An ominous premonition swept over Ebony Maw, his instincts honed by countless battles screaming at him. He raised a hand, his voice sharp. "Wait! Something’s wrong—stop immediately!"

But it was already too late.

The world around him twisted violently, as if reality itself had been thrown into a blender. Buildings warped unnaturally, the ground rearing up like waves in a storm. The streets and walls folded in on themselves, transforming into a disorienting labyrinth where floors became ceilings and vice versa.

The Chitauri soldiers stumbled, their formation crumbling as they tumbled into the chaos. Leviathan war beasts, their limited intelligence ill-suited to such a surreal environment, instinctively tried to fly upward, smashing through distorted buildings in an attempt to escape. But the warped space trapped them, and the massive creatures became entangled with one another, their howls of pain echoing through the twisted battlefield.

Amid the chaos, figures clad in Kamar-Taj’s distinctive robes flickered into view. The sorcerers moved swiftly, their golden magic whips slicing through the air, latching onto Chitauri soldiers, and dragging them into the melee. Blades of conjured light followed, striking down the disoriented invaders.

The Chitauri scrambled to retaliate, raising their weapons and firing wildly. But the laws of space had been rewritten—their blasts veered off course, looping back on themselves to strike their own comrades. What should have been a devastating counterattack turned into an unmitigated disaster.

In the center of it all, Doctor Strange descended, his cloak billowing as he hovered in midair. His expression was calm, almost detached, as he surveyed the battlefield. He raised a hand, weaving the fabric of the distorted space to further trap the Chitauri in a deadly maze.

Ebony Maw clenched his jaw, his confidence shaken but not broken. He now understood the formidable power of the man before him—a man he had once underestimated. But where others might falter, Maw thrived in adversity. A glimmer of determination lit his eyes.

"Enough of this," Maw hissed, stretching out his hand. The manipulation of objects was his forte, and spatial distortion would not hinder his telekinesis.

With a deafening crack, steel bars burst from the concrete beneath Strange, twisting into a massive net. Maw’s hand curled into a fist, the steel net rushing to envelop the Sorcerer Supreme.

Strange’s expression remained unchanged, his calm demeanor infuriating Maw. Just as the net was about to ensnare him, it froze mid-air. No matter how much force Maw applied, the steel refused to budge.

Maw’s composure cracked as he poured more power into his telekinesis, his frustration mounting.

"Telekinesis isn’t your strong suit," a serene voice echoed.

Maw turned sharply to see a young woman suspended effortlessly in the air. Her fiery red hair billowed as if caught in an invisible breeze, her presence radiating raw power. Jean Grey floated above the battlefield, her gaze locked onto Ebony Maw. Unlike Maw, who relied on platforms to stabilize himself, she needed no such aid. Her mastery was evident in her poise.

Jean didn’t move, her control absolute. With a single thought, the steel net Maw had conjured screamed in protest, crumpling like paper before falling to the ground in pieces. Even the raised concrete was pressed back into place, the battlefield restored to its previous state.

Maw’s face twisted with frustration. His most powerful technique had been dismissed with such ease that he couldn’t hide the panic creeping into his expression.

Far to the south, on Manhattan’s coast, the faint hum of engines signaled the arrival of more invaders. Several donut-shaped spacecraft surfaced silently, deploying a detachment of troops led by Corvus.

This third assault was Thanos’ most covert, targeting the Sanctum from the rear while the other fronts kept Thor and the defenders preoccupied. Corvus’s forces were elite, with enhanced weaponry and tactical precision. While the Vanguard at the northern front served as cannon fodder, this southern strike force was equipped for maximum devastation.

Hovering tanks rolled out first, their engines emitting low growls as they moved with ominous purpose. Behind them came Thanos’ most fearsome ground troops—the Gigantic Apes.

Emerging from the ships, these monstrous creatures towered over the battlefield, each as large as the Hulk. Their handlers, skilled Chitauri soldiers, released the chains restraining them, guiding their movements with calculated precision.

The Gigantic Apes roared as they charged forward, their brute strength smashing through obstacles with ease. They fought like berserkers, their massive fists pulverizing everything in their path. Tanks, walls, and even reinforced defenses crumbled before their might.

Unlike the Vanguard, these creatures weren’t mindless fodder. Their sheer power and durability made them formidable opponents, capable of turning the tide of any battle. And with their smaller numbers, they were deployed strategically to inflict maximum damage.

Chapter 264: Massacre

Thor glanced briefly at the southern battlefield before dismissing it with a wave of his hand.

Corvus Glaive? Hardly worth my attention, he thought. Even the combined forces of the Black Order were not his priority. Thor understood Thanos’ strategy all too well; the shortest route to the Sanctum was also the most fiercely defended. That front was meant to drain their resources, not win the war outright.

As Corvus Glaive surveyed the mass of Avengers gathered before him, a sinking feeling settled in his chest. The element of surprise had failed. The defenders clearly anticipated his intentions, concentrating their forces in Brooklyn rather than spreading thin to cover all flanks.

He sighed inwardly, clutching his glaive tightly. Let’s hope the master’s final gambit succeeds…

Glaive raised his voice, shouting over the battlefield chaos, "You ignorant mortals! You cannot comprehend the love Lord Thanos holds for the universe! You are too blind to see the mercy in his plan!"

The Avengers, already briefed by Thor about Thanos’ deluded "mercy," reacted with collective disdain. Captain America stepped forward, his voice carrying the weight of a leader unshaken by such rhetoric.

"Humanity will decide its own fate!" Steve declared. "We will not bow to a tyrant masquerading as a savior. On our soil, Thanos will fall, and his so-called mercy will die with him."

This was Steve’s first battle since becoming President of the United States. Despite fierce opposition from political factions, he had donned his combat uniform and picked up his shield, refusing to lead from the sidelines. His rallying cry bolstered the Avengers and their allies.

"For Thanos, kill!" Corvus Glaive roared, his forces surging forward.

"For freedom and our future, fight!" Steve bellowed, leading the charge.

In Brooklyn, Ebony Maw fought with desperation etched into every fiber of his being. Sweat dripped from his brow, his breath ragged, and his eyes bloodshot from exertion. Despite knowing he was outmatched, he refused to falter in his mission to serve Thanos.

But the difference in power was insurmountable.

Psychokinesis, Maw’s signature ability, was subtle and versatile. It allowed him to manipulate objects and dominate foes in ways few could counter. Yet, it had a critical weakness: when faced with a superior opponent in the same domain, his advantage vanished.

Jean Grey was that superior opponent.

Floating serenely in the chaos, her fiery red hair shimmered like a living flame. She wielded her psychokinesis with effortless precision, overwhelming Maw at every turn. The once-feared Black Order lieutenant found himself unable to lift even a small stone, his powers utterly negated by Jean’s control of the battlefield.

Jean’s lips curled into a cold smile. "Since you’ve run out of tricks, let me show you how psychokinesis is truly used."

She raised her hands, her power surging outward like an invisible storm. Chitauri soldiers screamed in confusion as their weapons were wrenched from their grasp, the guns turning in mid-air to aim squarely at their former owners.

Maw’s eyes widened in horror. "No—stop this!" he screamed, straining against her power, but it was useless.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The battlefield erupted in gunfire, the Chitauri falling to their own weapons. Grenades lobbed toward Jean vanished into distorted space, only to reappear among their own ranks. Explosions rocked the battlefield, scattering soldiers and wreckage alike.

Even the towering Leviathans were not immune. Jean’s psychokinesis ensnared the massive creatures, pulling them down with a force they couldn’t resist. They crashed to the ground like fallen mountains, crushing dozens of Chitauri beneath their bulk.

Kamar-Taj sorcerers paused in their attacks, staring at Jean with a mix of awe and unease. The young woman who had seemed so composed and unassuming now wielded power on a scale that left even seasoned warriors shaken.

Chapter 265: Super God 50-50

Beside Doctor Strange, Wong stepped forward, surveying the battlefield littered with the bodies of Chitauri soldiers. His expression twisted into a mix of awe and discomfort. "What kind of hatred drives someone like this? I’ve never seen a girl so calm while causing such… destruction."

Strange smirked but didn’t respond.

Though he didn’t know Jean Grey’s full story, he had pieced together enough to understand that she wasn’t from this universe. Her demeanor hinted at a life of persecution and rejection in her former world. Here, things were different. Thor had shown her kindness, and Asgard had welcomed her as one of their own, offering a sense of belonging she had never known. To her, Asgard was home.

When Thanos and his forces brought Ragnarök upon Asgard, nearly wiping it out, it was only Thor’s presence that kept Jean from unleashing her full wrath.

Wong furrowed his brow, studying Jean closely. "Why does it feel like she’s holding back? There’s something in her—a power far greater than what she’s using now. It’s terrifying… even worse than Dormammu. If it ever awakens—"

He stopped himself, realizing the implications of his words. Jean was under Thor’s protection, and Wong wasn’t about to jinx their situation with ominous predictions.

"It’s fine," Strange said, cutting him off. "She’s wearing a relic that contains her power. It keeps her from losing control."

Wong’s gaze fell on the faint glimmer around Jean’s neck, a hidden object only a Sorcerer Supreme could perceive.

Strange nodded. "If it ever comes to that, we have Thor."

Wong noted Strange’s phrasing. He didn’t say, It won’t happen. He said, If it happens.

Southern Coast of Manhattan: Corvus Glaive vs. Captain America

The southern battlefield was alive with chaos. Corvus Glaive, one of Thanos’ most trusted lieutenants, scanned the scene until his eyes locked onto Steve Rogers. The star-spangled shield was a dead giveaway.

That’s the leader, Glaive thought. Take him down, and the rest will crumble.

Corvus Glaive smirked. Steve’s physique was impressive by human standards, but he was no match for the enhanced might of the Black Order. Killing him would be a simple task.

Across the battlefield, Steve seemed to read his mind. Without hesitation, he hurled his shield, the iconic vibranium disc slicing through the air with a sharp whoosh, aimed directly at Glaive’s head.

The alien warrior sneered. Pathetic, he thought, swatting the shield aside with his glaive. His confidence grew as he charged forward, intent on finishing the fight quickly.

But before he could strike, a sudden force slammed into the back of his head, sending him sprawling face-first into the dirt.

"Wow, that was amazing!" Peter Parker, perched on a streetlamp, whistled. "Hey, ugly uncle, are you surrendering? No need to bow—we’re not big on formalities!"

Ant-Man chimed in, "Maybe he’s just terrified of Steve."

Quill joined in, smirking as he aimed his blasters. "Or maybe this guy spends too much time kneeling to his big purple boss."

Corvus Glaive growled, his rage boiling over. The disdain of Earthlings was unbearable, their insults cutting deeper than any blade. He saw these people as primitives, their technology barely reaching the level of a backwater planet. The thought of being mocked by such lowly beings filled him with blind fury.

"You’ll regret that," Glaive snarled, launching himself at Steve.

What followed was an intense clash of skill and tenacity. Glaive had the upper hand in raw strength, his weapon cutting through steel like butter. Yet, no matter how many times he attacked, Steve’s shield was always there, deflecting his blows with uncanny precision.

Glaive’s frustration grew with each exchange. This is impossible! he thought. Steve’s attacks lacked the force to deal significant damage, but his defense was impenetrable. Every time Glaive thought he’d found an opening, the shield would intercept him, defying the laws of physics.

For the first time, Corvus Glaive felt the sting of futility. The Earthling’s resilience was maddening, his movements precise and calculated. Glaive realized he wasn’t just fighting a man—he was fighting a symbol.

"Boom!"

Their weapons clashed one final time, and the two combatants separated, panting from exertion. Steve adjusted his stance, a grin spreading across his face.

"I can do this all day," he said confidently.