Chapter 12: 12. Goliath vs The Destroyer
The earth shuddered as the massive Destroyer's body crashed into the hot sand of the New Mexico desert, sending shockwaves rippling through the ground. Clouds of dust rose into the air, obscuring the sun and casting long shadows over the barren landscape.
For a fleeting moment, Loki felt a sense of hopelessness. The events had unfolded so suddenly and violently that he hadn't even had time to process them. All he knew was that something enormous, most likely one of the mythical giants of Midgard, had flung him far from the human village.
"What the...? Damned Giant! They shouldn't exist! Where am I?" His angry voice echoed from within the armor. There were only myths about these giants—tales of their immense strength and unkillability. They were the antithesis of Frost Giants, elusive even to his magical searches. Loki had scoured these lands, confident in his ability to detect any such beings. The Midgard Giants were said to emit a powerful aura, making them easy to find through magic. Yet, somehow, they had escaped his notice.
Frantically, Loki tried to regain control of the Destroyer. So the Giants had managed to elude his magic, but no matter! He possessed the Destroyer itself, a weapon forged by Odin specifically to combat Cosmic Beings. What could a mere giant do? Nothing! This particular giant did exude a golden aura and immense power, but it was nothing compared to the might of the Destroyer.
"Get up!" Loki bellowed, giving a mental command to the armor. Obediently, the armor rose just as the giant and Thor landed in front of him.
"You dare attack me, you lowlife? You will pay for this!" Loki's voice thundered with fury. His hatred was palpable—being tossed about like a ragdoll by a creature from Midgard was a grave insult. It made him dizzy with rage and humiliation.
Loki was in a hurry. He needed to deal with Thor and eliminate the giant to proceed with his plans. He was already regretting sparing his brother. This time, he would find a more permanent way to imprison him. The God of Deception always had a plan, and this time, it was simple: as long as he had the Destroyer's power, he would crush this problem.
The giant and Thor stood before him, their stances resolute. The giant's hands were free, and Thor stood by his side. The golden aura enveloped the giant once more, while lightning crackled around Thor. Mjolnir returned to Thor's hand, filling him with power that crackled and surged outward. But Thor hesitated. "Brother, please stop!" he pleaded, desperation and sincerity in his voice.
Thor didn't want to use force. Despite everything Loki had done, they were brothers. They had grown up together, shared memories and bonds. Thor believed he could reach those memories and change his brother's mind.
But Loki remained silent.
Instead of answering, the Destroyer's magic activated. Energy began to surge from the empty armor, channeling straight to the helmet. The helmet lowered, and with a blinding flash, the Destroyer fired its devastating beam.
The battle had truly begun.
Goliath and Thor ducked as the Destroyer unleashed its devastating beam. Thor's lips formed the words, "Sorry, Brother," before he swung his hammer with all his might at the colossal armor.
Right behind Mjolnir, Goliath took great strides, his every step causing the earth to tremble and shift. Loki, now calm and calculating, switched the Destroyer into battle mode, his eyes fixed on the unfolding confrontation.
The Destroyer crossed its arms in defense as Mjolnir struck with a deafening *boom*. The impact was tremendous, sending shockwaves through the ground. The Destroyer remained standing, its stance unwavering, but the force of Thor's hammer was undeniable, pushing it back despite its resistance.
Goliath was already closing in, his smirk widening. "Come here," he growled, his voice echoing with confidence and power. He followed up Mjolnir's attack with his own mighty strike. The Destroyer, though larger and seemingly invincible, faced an even greater force in Goliath. The giant's eyes glowed with a bright golden light, and his glasses were tucked casually into his back pocket.
With a swift, powerful motion, Goliath threw a second punch. Another *boom* resonated through the desert as the Destroyer was pushed back again. The sheer strength of Goliath's augmented arms was overwhelming, each blow driving the Destroyer further away. Determined to maintain his advantage, Goliath grabbed the Destroyer.
His massive hand encompassed nearly the entire shoulder of the metallic behemoth. The Destroyer raised its head, and through the notches in its helmet, Loki saw Goliath's smirk. With precise, unstoppable force, Goliath's right fist struck the helmet.
*Boom!*
"Stop-"
A second punch followed immediately.
"This-"
*Punch!*
"You-"
*Boom!*
"You mere mortal!"
Loki's voice was filled with frustration and disbelief.
Goliath laughed right in Loki's face, a booming, mocking laugh that would be seared into Loki's memory. "BWHAHAHA! YOU WANT TO FLY AGAIN?!" he bellowed, his voice dripping with derision, ensuring both Loki and Thor could hear his taunt. He relaxed his fist, placed his other palm on the Destroyer's shoulder, and looked up at the sky where Thor hovered. "Thor, here's a package!"
With a surge of power, Goliath's aura blazed brighter, his hands pressing into the Destroyer's shoulders. To Loki's fury, Goliath lifted the Destroyer off the ground and began to spin. Loki, still mentally connected to the armor, screamed in discomfort. "CURSE YOU!"
"Curse you too, horn boy!" Goliath's taunt was the last thing Loki heard before being flung skyward, hurtling straight towards Thor. The laugh, that infuriating laugh, echoed in his ears as he flew.
"Your evil has come to an end, brother," Thor declared, his voice filled with both sorrow and determination. Lightning crackled around him, obedient to his will. Thunder roared in the heavens, responding to his call. The storm clouds gathered, and with Mjolnir's guidance, a bolt of lightning struck the hammer, infusing it with raw, electrifying energy. Thor's gaze was stern, filled with the weight of responsibility. Once again, Loki had forced his hand, but this time, Thor was ready.
He glanced down at Goliath, who was making exaggerated gestures, pointing at himself and then at the Destroyer. Thor frowned, puzzled by his new ally's antics. "Hmm? Maybe throw it back?" Thor pondered aloud, but there was no time to dwell on it. The Destroyer was already within striking distance.
Thor's resolve hardened. "By Odin's name, I-" he began, his voice booming with authority. But Goliath's gestures persisted, urging him to act quickly. The Destroyer's body was closing in fast.
"-Send you back!" Thor finished, swinging Mjolnir with all his might.
The hammer connected with the Destroyer in a blinding flash of light and power. Loki's scream pierced the air, a sound that filled Thor with a mix of regret and resolve. He never relished hearing his brother's anguish, but it always came to this.
Down below, Goliath wore a beastly grin, his attitude equally savage. He prepared himself, drawing his knees together and crouching slightly. His hand, the one he'd longed to use in battle for years, squeezed into a tight fist.
His enhancements might have been limited to glowing eyes, but knowing the durability of the Destroyer's armor and seeing who was controlling it fueled his determination. He wanted to deliver a message, to instill fear, to teach Loki a lesson that would resonate. He aimed to make Loki think twice before daring to threaten Earth again. It was a long shot, but Goliath would make his point clear: Don't mess with Earth.
He gathered power into his hand, the glow intensifying until his fist was hidden by a blinding golden flash. "3..." Goliath muttered, counting down the moments until the Destroyer landed within his strike radius.
"2..."
The flash faded, revealing his hand now clad in a magnificent gauntlet. The gauntlet was forged to match the size of his massive arm, entirely gold with glimmers of black streaking along its sides. The fingers were dark and sharp-tipped like claws, and the knuckles bore several layers of intricate golden plates. From wrist to forearm, a huge, sharp plate extended, adorned with two glowing protuberances that emanated a fierce golden light. The overall shape of the large plate resembled the head of a monstrous beast, fierce and unyielding.
"1!"
With a powerful, determined cry, Goliath raised his armored fist. Rising from his crouched position with incredible speed, he delivered an earth-shattering uppercut to the head of the Destroyer. The force of the blow flipped the Destroyer's massive body over, redirecting its trajectory away from Goliath. His fist held onto the Destroyer's helmet, guiding it with precision, and with a final, decisive movement, he slammed the Destroyer into the ground, sealing it there.
*BOOM*
Goliath leaped back and instantly shouted to Thor, "Lightning, now!" Without hesitation, Thor summoned the storm.
A cataclysmic explosion followed.
Loki didn't even have time to scream.
*BOOM*
The crater, already immense from Goliath's devastating punch, was filled with searing lightning that struck the Destroyer directly. The land, already scarred and broken, seemed to solidify under the immense power, raising clouds of dust and obscuring the Destroyer from view.
Goliath stood on the sidelines, his gauntlet removed with bright flash.. Thor descended from the air, Mjolnir swirling to clear away the dust near the crater. Goliath lowered his goggles over his glowing eyes, his smirk slightly diminished but his mood unchanged. He stepped to the very edge of the crater, revealing the aftermath of their combined assault.
There was no Destroyer.
"Hmm?" Goliath muttered, stepping closer.
Thor turned to him, his expression one of calm resolution. "The Destroyer has been sent back to Asgard, Goliath. To be restored. Thanks to your strength, it has been made possible."
Goliath, still processing, raised an eyebrow. Thor saw the question in his eyes and answered instantly, his gratitude evident.
Goliath nodded, smiling kindly. "It is always a pleasure to fight alongside such a warrior."
Thor laughed heartily. "Great battles forge great friendships. But I beg your pardon, my friend. Asgard needs my help.
"Need help?" Goliath offered, his respect for Thor apparent.
"Thank you, but as you said, this is a family matter."
"Then good luck, Thor Odinson," Goliath said, extending his hand.
"And to you, Goliath," Thor replied, clasping Goliath's hand firmly.
With that, Thor ascended into the sky, a streak of lightning following him as he raced back to Asgard. Goliath watched him go, feeling a sense of camaraderie and respect for the god of thunder. The battle was over, but the bond forged in combat would live. He hope, Thor turned out to be a very pleasant man.
" Heh... "
The desert was silent once more, the echoes of their epic clash fading into the distance. Thomas let out a tired exhale, " It's time to go home."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Black_Cyclop
Black_Cyclop Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone