Thor arrives at Avengers Mansion, only to trigger one of the
security systems, the one with giant metal tentacles. Captain America frees him
and they go inside for a private conversation. Thor turns back into Eric Masterson
and tells Cap his story: how he had been bonded to Thor for some time
but now the real God of Thunder has been banished to some nameless limbo while
his powers were given to Eric….
In Asgard (situated in the Negative Zone), Sif confronts
Heimdall over his choosing to banish Thor and refusing to tell her where the
God of Thunder has gone. They don’t know they are being observed by a one-eyed
bat creature who is a spy for Annihilus, who now knows that both Odin and Thor
are unavailable, paving the way for his destruction of Asgard….
Eric finishes up his story to Cap, changes back to Thor and
takes off for Asgard and, to his surprise, he instantly finds himself on the
Rainbow Bridge. The Warriors Three are guarding the bridge and they fight Thor,
but he realizes they are pulling their punches, though he’s not sure why. He
saves Volstagg from falling off the bridge and avoids any further fight by
flying off to the city…
…where Balder has found Sif to have cut her hair and donned
the attire of Sword Maiden; she is going on a sacred quest to find her beloved Thor.
Noise indicates they are needed elsewhere and they race to the throne room
where new Thor has fought off the Crimson Hawks to confront Heimdall. Thor
tries to fight Heimdall but discovers he cannot beat the Odin Power so he heads
to where Odin lies in his Odin-Sleep, intending to hold the All-Father hostage.
Sif and Balder arrive to give him battle. Thor shatters the floor to upend the
two and he holds Heimdall and the Hawks at bay by threatening to harm the
helpless Odin. But hen he sees the inscription on the hammer and realizes he is
not being worthy of Mjolnir and so surrenders. At this, Heimdall says he has
proven himself worthy. But then, Annihilus triggers a beam that teleports Odin
to his ship and he announces to all Asgard that they are to surrender to him or
the All-Father will die….