Drift Of The Multiverse: [Marvel] [Resident Evil] [DC] [Bleach] [DB] Chapter 92

"?" Ethan pointed at himself and thought for a mont about what might have happened recently in this world that would prompt S.H.I.E.L.D. to seek him out. It didn't take long for him to guess. "What do you need my help with?"

"We just need assistance identifying sothing," Coulson replied.

That answer confird Ethan's speculation: S.H.I.E.L.D. must have found Thor's hamr. The magical nature of the artifact had likely reminded them of him—the only mysterious individual they were acquainted with.

"That shouldn't be a problem."

Ethan and Tony's research had reached a temporary stopping point. They had both learned much from each other, and Ethan had gained so valuable items from Tony as well. They both needed ti to digest the knowledge they'd acquired rather than rushing into new experints.

With no pressing tasks at hand, Ethan figured taking a trip to et Thor might be worthwhile. After all, Asgard's seamless blend of magic and technology had long been on his list of interests.

"Are you leaving now?" Tony asked.

"You can take care of your own business first," Coulson replied, his tone as polite as ever.

Coulson had a way of leaving a positive impression, largely because he made an effort to consider others' needs. These gestures might seem small, but goodwill is built from the accumulation of such little things.

"Then give a mont. I don't have much to pack," Ethan said.

"Wait," Tony suddenly interrupted, raising his hand to stop their conversation. "I'm bored lately. Don't you think it'd be better if you had one more person tagging along?"

Tony had indeed been restless. With Pepper managing Stark Industries and his research with Ethan temporarily on hold, he had nothing to do. Having spent so much ti recently discussing strange and fascinating topics with Ethan, he had grown curious about the so-called gods and their associated mysteries. Since Coulson was here to consult Ethan about sothing supernatural, Tony naturally wanted to see it for himself.

"I don't mind," Ethan replied. "But the location is pretty far. Are you sure you want to co?"

"Where is it?" Tony asked.

"New xico," Coulson answered.

Tony hadn't expected New xico, but it wasn't a problem. Between his personal transportation and S.H.I.E.L.D.'s likely preparations, getting there would be no issue.

"What's in New xico?" Tony asked.

"We don't know exactly," Coulson admitted. "That's why we ca to ask the expert for help."

Ethan quickly packed a few bags. The equipnt he had created here had been condensed into a pendant he now wore around his neck.

"Do you need us to help transport anything?" Coulson asked.

"No need," Ethan said, shaking his head. "I'll take it with ."

In addition to his own gear, Ethan carried a few items Tony had gifted him. He had also placed a custom order with Tony for so additional tools, which he planned to collect before leaving this world. Since he had no designated place to store the rest of his belongings, it was more convenient to keep them on hand for imdiate use.

"Well then, the plane is parked outside. We'll discuss the specifics on board," Coulson said, before turning to Tony. "Are you sure you want to co along?"

"Of course! Why wouldn't I?" Tony exclaid, already suited up in his Iron Man armor. "Let's go!" He figured he could take off the suit on the plane if needed and could always fly ho if the trip turned out to be uninteresting.

Tony hadn't given much thought to potential dangers. After all, how risky could identifying an object really be?

Thanks to Ethan's influence, Tony's armor had undergone several design upgrades. Previously, his suits required robotic assistance for equipping and removal. Now, Tony could don or shed his armor anywhere, a convenience he deeply appreciated.

Outside Tony's villa, a Quinjet awaited them. Its conspicuous presence had drawn protests from Tony, though his complaints were ultimately futile.

From the mont he boarded the plane, Tony began voicing his dissatisfaction. Coulson deflected his criticisms with calm responses until the jet stabilized mid-flight. At that point, Coulson handed Ethan a stack of docunts.

"This ti, we need your help identifying what this object is, what it does, and whether it poses any dangers."

The docunts included photographs, written descriptions, and scientific analysis reports. Ethan skimd through the scientific reports but quickly determined they were irrelevant. His understanding of such reports had improved thanks to Tony's tutelage, but in this case, they provided no useful insights.

Handing the reports to Tony, Ethan said, "Here, use these to pass the ti."

Tony, expecting that Ethan might need his assistance, was caught off guard by the comnt. Rolling his eyes, he refused. "I don't take things handed to by others, you know that."

Tony's quirk of avoiding direct exchanges had been a source of irritation for Ethan in the past. But as with all quirks, it wasn't sothing easily changed.

"What's wrong with the reports?" Tony asked.

"Nothing. They're just useless," Ethan replied.

Ethan then focused on the photos and written descriptions, which were far more helpful.

"Thor's hamr…" he muttered to himself. "It's quite different from the versions in the comics and movies."

If this were the comic version of Thor's hamr, Ethan might have been tempted to claim it for himself. However, the movie version was far less appealing. As he had learned from Thor: Ragnarok, Mjolnir wasn't so much the source of Thor's power as it was a tool to help him control it.

This revelation significantly dampened Ethan's interest in the hamr. Asgard's technological knowledge was far more intriguing.

"Do you have any thoughts?" Coulson asked.

"Yes," Ethan replied.

"Oh? Do you know what it is?" Coulson asked, his curiosity piqued.

Ethan nodded confidently. "It's a hamr."

"…"

Coulson was beginning to understand how Ethan could get along so well with Tony, they shared a similar sense of humor.

"Just kidding," Ethan added with a smirk. "I'll need to see it in person to make an accurate judgnt. Also, I need to make a call." He pulled out his phone and asked, "Does your plane have reception?"

"Uh… it should, I think," Coulson replied hesitantly. He wanted to remind Ethan that the matter was classified and shouldn't be shared, but he reconsidered. Ethan's associates were unlikely to be ordinary people, and they might even know more secrets than S.H.I.E.L.D.

However, Ethan's first sentence during the call nearly made Coulson spit blood.

"Arthur? How have you been? I've got nothing to do, so co over and see sothing interesting."

"…"

Ethan wasn't trying to be careless. rlin had entrusted him with the task of broadening Arthur's horizons, and Ethan took that responsibility seriously. Since he finally had so free ti, he saw no reason to leave Arthur behind.

Arthur had already t the Amazons of Themyscira and the demigoddess Diana. eting the Asgardians would provide another valuable perspective on divine beings.

"Is this… appropriate?" Coulson asked, uncertain.

"Don't worry," Ethan said, ending the call. "My friend isn't an ordinary person. You won't have to worry about secrets leaking or causing panic."

"Well… alright," Coulson relented.

The plane reached its destination quickly, landing at a temporary S.H.I.E.L.D. camp. Multiple defensive periters had been established to prevent anyone from approaching, let alone catching a glimpse of the mysterious artifact.

"This is Clint Barton, in charge of the camp's defenses," Coulson introduced as they exited the plane.

Clint, an unassuming man with a sharp gaze, approached and greeted Coulson before sizing up Ethan.

"This is the expert we invited to examine the artifact," Coulson explained.

"An expert?" Clint asked skeptically. He had been away on missions and didn't know Ethan's background. Given his initial impression that Ethan was one of Tony Stark's assistants, Clint was surprised to learn Ethan was the actual authority.

"Well, sort of," Ethan replied. "Your organization probably knows for my expertise in this field."

As Ethan spoke, he sensed soone using magic to locate his position. Recognizing the familiar energy signature, he imdiately knew who it was.

"Let's wait a mont," Ethan said. "My companion should be arriving shortly."

"Right now? Here?" Coulson asked, bewildered. Ethan hadn't disclosed the location during his phone call, so how could soone arrive so quickly?

No one answered him. Tony, fully aware of what was about to happen, simply smiled in anticipation.

"This is going to be fun," Tony said, instructing Jarvis, "Make sure you record everything."

"Understood, sir. Though I must say, your behavior is a bit… unsavory."

As Clint and Coulson looked on in confusion, a glowing ring of light suddenly appeared in the open space before them. The circle rotated as it expanded, eventually growing to the size of a door. Through the portal, they could see a completely different scene.

A blond-haired, handso young man stepped through the glowing portal. As he approached, the ring of light behind him gradually faded, vanishing as though it had never existed.