Marvel: Video Game Templates!

~BOOM!~

A vicious explosion wrecked through the snowy fields as the Siberian Hydra base as it went up in flames, crumbling to dust.

Outside, the team had already walked out, carrying the unconscious bodies of any of the Winter Soldiers who were able to be saved mentally and loading them onto the Quinjet, which hummed to life.

The quinjet hummed to life, its sleek frame cutting through the night sky as it lifted off from the devastated Hydra base below. The mission was over. At least, for most of them.

Maxim stood at the edge of the landing zone, watching as the jet disappeared into the horizon. Inside, Steve, Bucky, Natasha, Wanda, and the rescued soldiers were already en route to Madripoor.

They hadn't questioned his decision to stay behind, not directly.

"You're not coming with us?" Steve had asked, brow furrowed.

"I have unfinished business," Maxim had replied, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Wanda had been the only one to hesitate, glancing between him and Hela, "We'll see you soon, right?"

A small smirk tugged at his lips, "Sooner than you think."

And that had been enough. They trusted him.

Now, with the quinjet gone, the battlefield was silent. The remnants of Hydra lay in ruins, bodies scattered like discarded chess pieces. The air was thick with the scent of metal, blood, and the lingering aura of Hela's power.

Speaking of Hela, she stood a few steps away from Maxim, her arms folded as she stared at the man with an amused expression.

"Well, well. Just the two of us now. I assume you have a reason for keeping me here?"

Maxim met her gaze evenly, "Your brother is on his way."

A beat of silence immediately descended upon the area. Then, Hela laughed, cheerily as her eyes seemed to flicker with a hint of amusement and curiosity.

"Is he, now?" She tilted her head, "Did you call for him? Or did he sense my presence all on his own?"

Maxim exhaled, "Does it matter?"

Hela smirked, "Not in the slightest."

"I think it's more likely Odin sent him." Maxim said, and that made Hela even more curious, "Already sending someone to kill me?"

"I'm sure Odin knows Thor can't kill you, it's probably something else. We'll have a nice talk with him, so no attacking, no throwing blades."

He stepped closer, shadows curling at his feet. "When he gets here, I need you to hear him out. No attacking. No throwing blades. No trying to kill each other before you even say a word."

Hela arched a brow and just muttered, "Well, I am interested to see what kind of heir that fat oaf sired."

Suddenly, an extensive pulse of energy emitted throughout the world like a beacon, causing space itself to shiver.

As soon as she sensed that energy, Hela's lips curled into a smirk and she turned to Maxim, "Our guest has arrived. Good to see the Bifrost works well after all this time." she said.

"Let's go," Hela murmured, her smirk widening as she vanished into a swirl of inky shadows.

Maxim gave out a chuckle and blinked out of existence, following after her.

Soon enough, the duo appeared on an isolated island clearing a short distance from where the Bifrost energy had been emitted. The island was covered in snow that crunched beneath their feat, and the air was thick with static energy.

"Well, at least we didn't have to look for long." Hela spoke confidently, looking ahead as she spotted Thor standing tall, his facial expression filled with wariness as he sensed Hela's aura.

"It seems he even gave you that Hammer, hmm, though it seems you're not the best at using it." Hela said, her eyes staring daggers at Thor as she analyzed him, from his posture, expression, aura to just the miscellaneous details.

"I take it you're my sister father talked about." Thor said, straightening his posture in an attempt to appear more confident.

"That's right, though I have to say, you don't resemble that oaf at all." Hela said, and Thor just didn't respond.

"Do you two really want to talk here?" Maxim asked, butting into the conversation and drawing Thor's attention to himself.

"Where do you suggest?" Thor asked.

"Well, let's grab some food. No point in fighting, you can't win anyway." Maxim said, and Thor shifted uncomfortably at the ending of that sentence, but still nodded.

A golden glow enveloped the God of Thunder, and his armor faded, replaced by a dark leather jacket, a simple shirt and jeans.

Hela did the same, copying the style of clothing she saw. Now, she wore a tight fitting suit that perfectly accentuated her body.

Maxim himself also changed, and once everything was okay, he nodded and spoke, "Good, let's go."

Another surge of darkness swirled at their feet, and in an instant, they vanished from the frozen wasteland, reappearing in the heart of a city, the sudden warmth hitting like a wave compared to the previous cold.

It was early morning here as well, but the streets were alive, bustling with the quiet murmur of people moving about their lives.

Thor's head turned slightly as he took in the unfamiliar surroundings, "Where are we?"

"Madripoor," Maxim answered, already walking. "My territory."

The group walked around, moving throughout the streets of what was LowTown. Soon, they arrived at a modest breakfast shop, the scent of roasted coffee beans, spiced pastries and other delicious meals filling the air.

"Let me show you the pleasure of mortal food." Maxim said as he stole a glance at Hela, who just hummed not bothering to care.

Entering the breakfast shop, Maxim could immediately spot it was relatively empty, most likely it had just opened, and there was only a couple of customers.

"Boss." A whisper filled his ears and he turned, spotting one of the Black Widows, Katerina, sitting in a corner alongside a little girl who she was chatting with.

Maxim nodded and headed for an isolated group of chairs in the corner of the shop, sitting as he handed them the menu, "Meals on me, eat up."

Soon, a waitress approached, a cautious yet cheerful smile on her face. She had seen Maxim interact with Katerina, and knew anyone who could be called out by her had to be a bigshot.

Her awareness was only affirmed as she saw the two incredibly imposing strangers eating alongside Maxim.

"Good morning," she greeted, pulling out a small notepad. "What can I get for you?"

Maxim didn't even look at the menu, "Black coffee, steak and eggs. Medium rare."

Hela tilted her head slightly, tapping her fingers on the table as she examined the options.,"...I suppose I'll try this 'French toast' and... black coffee."

Thor, meanwhile, exhaled through his nose, flipping the menu over before closing it. "Pancakes. And ale."

The waitress blinked, her pen hesitating, "Uh… we don't serve ale this early."

Thor frowned, "What sort of establishment—?"

Maxim cut in smoothly, "Tea or coffee, pick one."

Thor grumbled but relented, "Tea. Strong."

The waitress nodded, scribbling down the order before retreating, leaving the trio in relative silence. The quiet hum of the shop, the occasional clink of cups and dishes, and the murmured conversations of the few other customers filled the air.

Maxim leaned forward slightly, resting an arm on the table, "Alright, now that we're settled, talk."

Thor exhaled, rolling his shoulders as if trying to relax,"I'm sure you both know that Odin sent me," he admitted, tone heavier now. "I was meant to track down the source of… well, her return." He gestured vaguely toward Hela, who merely smirked, swirling the coffee cup in front of her.

"I never expected I'd be caught this early," Thor admitted, shaking his head. "Father warned me that she was powerful, but I was under the impression I'd have more time to act before she sensed me."

Hela scoffed, lifting her cup to her lips before speaking, "After so long, did Odin really think I wouldn't have figured out how to capture the Bifrost's aura?" She set the cup down with a soft clink, eyes gleaming with amusement, "It was child's play."

"Although I suppose it is shocking for you. Compared to me, you've been babied, your senses and killer instinct dulled. What have you been doing all your life? Preparing tea parties?" Hela asked with a chuckle.

Thor stared at her, his lips parting as if to argue, but no words came out. He exhaled again, rubbing the bridge of his nose, "I still cannot believe it," Thor admitted, shaking his head, "To learn that I have a sister…"

"Speaking of which, where did all information about me go? Where was my existence buried?" Hela asked as she tapped the table's surface.

Thor opened his mouth but hesitated, "I… don't know."

Hela's fingers stilled.

"You don't know?" she repeated, her voice quieter but carrying far more weight. "You are Odin's heir, are you not? You walk the golden halls of Asgard freely. And yet, my name was so thoroughly erased that even you know nothing?"

Thor shifted in his seat, clearly uncomfortable, "Father never spoke of you. Not once." His brows furrowed. "And I never thought to ask about a sister I never knew existed."

Hela's expression darkened slightly before she exhaled, her demeanor smoothing over once again, "How convenient."

Their conversation was momentarily interrupted as the waitress returned, balancing a tray with their food and drinks. She set the plates down, refilled Maxim's coffee without him needing to ask, and gave a polite nod before retreating.

The tension at the table lingered, but Maxim took a deliberate bite of his steak, chewing before speaking again.

"So. What now?" He glanced between them, "You've met. The secrets are out in the open. What's next?"

"I'll see just how Odin raised you, Thor is it? Don't you dare run now." Hela said, a deadly smirk on her lips which sent shivers down Thor's spine.