#27 Dec 2007

he majestic Dark Forest is a scene of much mystery in Asgard. Located outside the protected gates of the fabled city, it boasts trees standing two hundred feet in height, and is said to go on forever. Many are the rumors of children and even adults who have wandered in the Dark Forest, never to return.

Today, however, it is a scene of a much less threatening nature. The Warriors Three, astride individual mounts, make their way through the Dark Forest, cutting through a familiar path, followed by other warriors, each on their own mounts, as they hunt after an Asgardian wild boar.

Fandrall takes the lead, a wide smile crossing his face, as he is followed closely by Hogun and Volstagg. “Volstagg, thy mount doth protest under thy vast weight!” Fandrall jokes with his friend. “Thy mount may be fast, but never will it catch mine.”

“My bulk is the stuff of many legend, ‘tis true,” Volstagg returns, holding the reins on his mount, as he turns quickly around a tree and makes his way close behind Fandrall, “and many more sagas will be written about my performance here today. When I hath the boar in my sights, none of thy efforts will best me in the hunt.”

“Thy eyes ever light up when food is in thy sights, Volstagg!” Fandrall returns, riding his horse, as it leaps over a series of small bushes and catches sight of some movement. “But this boar would only be an appetizer for thee!”

“All great meals must start somewhere!” Volstagg responds, as his horse leaps over the same bushes, but stops for a moment upon impact, adjusting to the increased pressure from the landing.

Hogun, for his part, merely shakes his head, narrowly holding off an urge to smile at the banter between his two friends. His eyes, however, stay focused on the prize…and the end of their quest.

INTERLUDE

ar away from the golden gates of Asgard, in another galaxy, the Shi’ar Empire is working to rebuild after a disastrous series of events that left the empire shattered, and the Imperial Guard altered, with a new mission, and its leader left to rule over the re-building empire.

Thanks to an agreement with the Kree Supreme Intelligence, the Shi’ar were able to move their people into a new galaxy.* The various races within the former empire are now spread out across the new planets created for them. It is a frontier life for the residents on those outer worlds, and not much better for those on the new home world for the relocated Shi’ar.

[*All of this was chronicled in detail in M2K’s Avengers #14-19.]

On the Shi’ar Home world, Gladiator sits in the throne room. It is not a position that he savors, however, having come to his position as the result of the death of Lilandra.** Today, however, he looks troubled, and anxious, flanked by two guards on either side. The guards, of course, could offer little protection if someone was powerful enough to challenge Gladiator.

[**This took place in M2K’s Avengers #19.]

Gladiator stands, waiting, as two familiar figures enter the room. Smasher and Titan, adorned in their costumes, walk into the throne room, making their way down the carpeted walkway leading to the throne, even as Gladiator takes a few steps down, away from the throne, to meet them. The guards look surprised at Gladiator’s movements, but soon realize that Gladiator has still not adjusted to his relatively new position as their emperor.

“Titan! Smasher!” Gladiator calls out, pleased to see his friends and comrades-in-arms. “Thank you for coming.”

“Well, you are the emperor,” Titan points out with a smile.

“So I keep hearing,” Gladiator returns.

“The message was that you needed us for a mission,” Smasher comments, nodding at Gladiator. “What do you need of us?”

“There has been a disturbance in one of our frontier colonies,” Gladiator explains. “I need the two of you to go investigate it. We’ve come a long way since our near-destruction. Fortunately, that fool Proctor over-estimated the destructive capacity of his bombs, and most of our people yet live. But, they have much to get adjusted to, on new worlds. If the accounts are true, and there have been raiders threatening those outer frontiers, it could be disastrous for the empire.”

“I understand,” Titan responds. “We’ll gladly go.”

“Good,” Gladiator responds. “The coordinates are prepared for you. Alert me at once when you have met the threat. Do you need any more men?”

“No,” Smasher replies. “I’m certain that we can handle the situation well enough on our own.”

Gladiator nods. Smasher and Titan then turn on their heels and walk back the way they came. Gladiator looks troubled as they leave, wishing that he could accompany them. He remembers all too well that it was always he who handled such assignments in the past.

END OF INTERLUDE

ack in Asgard, we turn our attention to the star of this book, Thor, who is even now with the Lady Sif. Thor and Sif sit in their bed, covered with sheets and blankets draped over their lower bodies, as they discuss things of importance in their lives. Thor looks over at the lovely Sif, who looks back at Thor, her eyes shining in a way that lights up her beautiful face.

“Lady Sif,” Thor comments softly, holding Sif’s hand in his own, “much hath transpired in recent weeks. Asgard hath undergone attacks by Galactus, Mangog, and Ulik. And our people lost many great warriors in the battle with the villainous Mangog.”

“Aye, milord,” Sif responds solemnly. “Some of the warriors lost were wed to friends of mine.”

“’Tis true, milady,” Thor returns, with a nod. “And their bravery hath assured their place in Valhalla. Indeed, it doth fill me with great pride to know that, no matter the obstacle or the foe to overcome, the warriors of Asgard ever stand at the ready to do their part to overcome any threat.”

“’Tis the duty of us all,” Sif responds without hesitation.

“Aye,” Thor replies. “And thou hath proven thyself to be a warrior worthy of thy station. I am more pleased with thee than ever before.” He runs his fingers along the back of Sif’s hand, as he looks into her eyes. “However, the events of late hath reminded me of how uncertain our future can be, and of how necessary it is to take charge of our lives.”

“I hath never known thee to think otherwise,” Sif responds, her face reflecting curiosity as to where Thor’s comments are leading.

Thor smiles in response. There is much truth to her words. Thor has always been a man of action. He was brash in his youth, and often spoke—or acted—without much forethought. His exploits prior to his banishment to Earth are the stuff of legend, and still spoken of much in the annals of Asgard. However, after going to Earth, punished by Odin to live the life of a crippled surgeon, Thor did learn much humility.

His life went through many changes since that time. Odin’s attempt to teach Thor a lesson in humility brought him much closer to Earth, and divided his loyalty between Earth and Asgard, his ancestral home. This led to much conflict between Odin and Thor, over the divided loyalties—made more difficult for Thor because of his friendships with humans in the Avengers, as well as others.

One thing that did not change, though, was Thor’s unswerving commitment to doing what he thought to be right, and his lack of hesitation to battle against injustice. So, Sif’s comments about him taking charge of his life—and even defying the will of Odin himself on many occasions—is accurate.

“Aye, milady,” Thor agrees. “That can well be said. Today, however, I must do so in a different manner…”

“Of what doth thou speak, Thor?” she asks.

“We hath been together for a long time, milady,” Thor responds, “and I deeply value our relationship, and the time we hath spent together. Thou hath become more than my right arm. I could not now imagine life without thee…”

Sif’s face is suddenly flush, as she starts to anticipate where this conversation is going. She looks up at Thor, her eyes looking for sign of his next comment with eager anticipation.

“And now, milady,” Thor continues, “’tis time that we began our life together anew, and focused on building our family.”

“Art thou…?!” Sif starts to ask, but finds herself suddenly unable to find her voice, so filled is she with excitement.

Thor nods, smiling. “Milady Sif, it is at last time for us to wed.”

Sif nods her head in agreement, for the moment still unable to speak. Thor pulls her closer to him, and their lips meet with increasing passion. Thor rolls over on Sif’s nude body, as they continue to kiss, his hands moving along her body as their passion grows more intense.

---

hile Thor and Sif celebrate their love for one another, in a much darker place in Asgard, Loki focuses emotions quite far removed from those found in Thor’s chambers, as he works on his own schemes, largely against his brother. Loki sits on his throne, bejeweled with rare gems found nowhere but in the darkest pits of Ulik’s kingdom.

Before Loki, beneath his feet, he focuses his attention on a pool of water that allows him to peer into the lives of others through his own mystic powers. In the pool, which ripples slightly, Loki trains his attention on Executioner and Lorelei, who are spending time together. Loki nods is silent appreciation of the fruition of a small segment of his plans.

“Skurge is so predictable,” Loki muses. “If a beautiful woman shows him the slightest attention, he will fall deeply in love with her. This is why he factors so well into my plans. Even though he and Thor hath settled their differences long ago, his infatuation with Lorelei will lead to him doing whatever I wish him to do.”

Loki waves his hand, and the images on the pool quickly disappear, the pool returning to its normal color for the moment, even as Thor catches sight of his new servant, Grueder.

“Lord Loki,” Grueder comments, bowing before the ever-vengeful Loki. “Thy afternoon meal is ready for thee, at thy request.”

“Aye,” Loki returns, walking across the floor. “I shall have my meal at the table overlooking the forest below, as we discussed earlier.”

“Thy food awaits,” Grueder responds. “I shall place it upon the table.” He turns to leave, but Loki’s voice stops him in his tracks. He quickly turns to face Loki.

“One more thing,” Loki calls out.

“Aye, Lord Loki?” Grueder humbly responds, bowing once again before Loki.

“Thy people, the trolls,” Loki comments. “I may have need of them soon.”

Grueder nods in understanding. “During their last battle with Asgard, at the direction of Ulik,” Grueder responds, “they suffered many casualties. ‘Twill not be an easy thing to convince them to join in a battle ‘gainst Asgard at this point…although they would greatly love to see Odin’s rule come to an end.”

Loki nods. “As I thought,” Loki responds. “No matter. They will have their opportunity to join us when the chance doth come. For now, though, I would have them continue to prepare, as I hath instructed them to do. There are some key weapons that they must construct for me.”

Grueder looks up at Loki. “Aye, Loki,” Grueder responds. “That is proceeding well. All will be in readiness when thou art ready.”

Loki turns his attention back to the pool, as Grueder takes that as a sign to finish preparing his meal. He quickly makes his way to the kitchen. Loki, for his part, gestures once more to the pool at his feet. “And now,” he remarks, as an image of the Absorbing Man fills the pool quickly, “’tis time to test one of the things I removed from that fool Galactus’ ship.”

---

ven while Loki continues his schemes, the exact nature of which are known only to Loki’s evil mind, it is now time to turn our attention into the Asgardian Dark Forest, where a great sporting event is taking place, involving the Warrior’s Three and other Asgardian warriors, who are converging on the forest, and riding their mounts in full pursuit of an elusive wild boar.

Fandrall holds his bow in his right hand, even as he pulls on his mount’s reigns with his left hand, holding the reigns tightly in his fingers. The excitement of the hunt fills Fandrall, and he grins widely, as he leads the pack, with Volstagg and Hogun following closely behind him. Behind them is a full entourage of warriors, eager to make their own mark in one of Asgard’s greatest sports.

“Victory is within my grasp!” Fandrall comments, catching sight of the boar moving around a tree and disappearing again into a series of small bushes.

“So thou keep telling us!” Volstagg returns, as his mount continues to strain under his great weight, but continues to move at a great pace. “And yet, the boar continues to elude thee!”

“In truth,” Hogun offers, breaking his normal silence, “he hath thus far eluded us all, despite many close calls.”

“It matters not!” Fandrall responds, still smiling. “The trophy this year will belong to me, as will the adoration of the females of the realm…as yet another great feat is performed by Fandrall the Dashing!”

“Aye,” Volstagg returns, a sly smile crossing his lips. “Their adoration for thee is surpassed only by thine own!”

“I think thy hunger hath gone to thy head, Volstagg!” Fandrall returns.

“Mayhap ‘tis true,” Volstagg responds. “For, in truth, I hath had little opportunity to have even the smallest of snacks, so determined am I to do my duty as an Asgardian warrior in this quest.”

“’Twould seem that thy duty as an eater of vast quantities of food surpasses all other of thy duties!” Fandrall flippantly remarks.

“Ho!” Volstagg calls out, pointing ahead at the wild boar, who is even now re-surfacing from the bushes, out into the open field. “Our prey hath made his first mistake!”

“Aye,” Fandrall responds, leaping from his horse and quickly landing on his feet on the grass below. He swiftly pulls his bow back and fires an arrow that sails through the air, striking the boar in the right hind leg. “’Twill be his last!”

The wild boar continues to move, though limping, heading for another series of bushes. Hogun fixes his eyes on the wild boar, leaping over the head of his horse, and landing on his feet. With one swift motion, he throws a spear that impales the moving boar in the side. The spear pierces the creature’s ribs, and shoots through his mid-section, the tip emerging slightly on the other side. The wild boar throws back its head, making a guttural grunt.

“A throw worthy of Volstagg himself!” Volstagg utters, as he rushes over to the mortally wounded wild boar, who is stunned, but still trying to move out of the way, its instincts still motivating it to try to escape its certain fate. “And now, let the final blow be had by my hand!”

So saying, Volstagg emerges onto the boar, grabbing him around the large neck, and wrestling it to its back. The boar jerks its head forward, trying to impale Volstagg with its wildly curved horns. However, Volstagg is too strong. As Volstagg slams the boar to the ground, its struggles come to an end, and it collapses, no longer able to move.

Volstagg looks back at his two comrades-in-arms, who are now flanked by some frustrated warriors, who merely shake their heads, losing this sporting event to the Warriors Three, who have won many such events over the years. As he looks over at Fandrall and Hogun, he is surprised that they are not looking at him. Instead, their eyes are fixed upward, into the skies. As he looks up, he can see why.

From the sky, a figure is falling toward the ground below. Its body is engulfed with flames and energy, as it nears the ground. Volstagg and the others quickly take to their mounts once more, temporarily leaving the boar to the other warriors present to deal with, as they make their way to the location that the figure is falling towards.

It is a short ride that takes them across a dense landscape that quickly opens up when they see a series of fallen trees, and smoke coming a short distance away. As they near the area where the figure has fallen, they are greeted by a great crater. Hogun and Volstagg are the first to rush towards the crater, which is still smoking. At the bottom of the crater, they are greeted by the sight of…SMASHER!

---

TO BE CONTINUED...

NEXT ISSUE: What is going on in the Shi-ar territories? Who is responsible for what happened to Smasher? What’s Loki up to, and who will he include in his schemes? All this and more in THOR #28!