Su Zhan awoke to the gentle light filtering through the viewport of the Dark Elf ship. The first thing he noticed was Lady Sif lying beside him, her hair spread across the pillow, her eyes already open and watching him with a soft, thoughtful gaze. The memory of their night together brought a faint smile to his lips, but the reality of their responsibilities quickly returned.
"Are you awake?" Sif's voice was quiet but steady.
Su Zhan turned to look at her, his own voice gentle. "You should rest more. You barely slept."
Sif shook her head, determination flickering in her eyes. "I must return to Asgard. They need to know that Malekith is dead, and the Dark Elves are finished." She hesitated, her expression softening. "Will you come to Asgard to see me?"
"Of course," Su Zhan promised, his tone sincere. "Not only will I visit you, but one day, I will make it so you can stay by my side forever."
Sif's lips curved into a rare, genuine smile. "I will wait for that day, Su Zhan."
They dressed in silence, a comfortable, bittersweet air between them. Su Zhan escorted Sif to the ship's control deck, where the last surviving Dark Elf was already at the helm, awaiting orders. He had become Su Zhan's reluctant but obedient servant, desperate to avoid the fate that had befallen his kin.
"I will take you to the entrance of the secret passage," Su Zhan offered, a note of reluctance in his voice.
Sif shook her head, her warrior pride shining through. "No. I can return on my own. If you escort me, who will watch the Dark Elf and the ship? I would not want to risk him escaping with it."
Su Zhan smiled, though he could not hide the reluctance in his eyes. "I will miss you."
Sif's voice was soft, but resolute. "I will miss you too."
He pulled her into a tight embrace, holding her for a long moment. Their lips met in a lingering kiss, neither wanting to let go. At last, Sif gently broke away, her hand trailing down his arm as she turned and stepped into the passage that would take her back to Asgard.
Su Zhan stood there, watching her silhouette recede until she vanished from sight. Only then did he turn back to the ship, calling for the Dark Elf. There was still much to do, and he was determined to master every aspect of the vessel. He spent the next two days learning the ship's systems, repairing the hull breach he had made during his explosive entrance, and ensuring the craft was fully under his control. The Dark Elf, under Su Zhan's watchful eye, explained every function and protocol, his fear keeping him honest.
As the rare cosmic alignment known as the Nine Realms Convergence drew to a close, Su Zhan readied the ship for departure. He intended to return to Earth, but the unpredictable nature of the converging realms meant that travel between worlds was far from straightforward. With the ship's advanced navigation systems, he initiated the journey, bracing himself for whatever the universe might throw his way.
The vessel slipped through the chaotic space, buffeted by cosmic winds and swirling energies. When the turbulence finally subsided, Su Zhan peered through the viewport, searching for familiar landmarks. Below him stretched a vast expanse of blue ocean, and in the distance, a great red bridge arched between the mainland and an island.
"The Golden Gate Bridge?" Su Zhan muttered, recognizing the iconic structure. He was back on Earth, though he could not be sure if it was the same San Francisco he remembered or a version altered by the whims of the multiverse.
Down below, the sudden appearance of an alien spacecraft above the bay caused immediate panic. Cars screeched to a halt, pedestrians pointed skyward in alarm, and within moments, emergency services and news crews were converging on the scene. The last time a ship like this had appeared, the Battle of New York had left the world shaken. Now, the people of San Francisco feared another invasion.
It was not only the civilians who noticed. S.H.I.E.L.D. satellites picked up the ship's arrival within seconds, and Nick Fury, ever vigilant, was soon watching the live feed from his command center. He rubbed his forehead, already anticipating the headaches this would bring.
"Get me the Avengers," Fury ordered. "And someone tell Stark to keep his finger off the panic button."
The Dark Elf ship hovered steadily above the bay, its engines humming quietly. An elevator descended from the belly of the ship, and a ramp extended to the water's edge. Su Zhan stepped out, the wind tugging at his coat as he surveyed the city he had returned to.
In the distance, a familiar shape streaked through the sky. Iron Man, in his latest suit, led the approach, a Quinjet following close behind. Su Zhan grinned, unsurprised that Tony Stark was the first to arrive.
Iron Man landed with a flourish, his faceplate sliding open to reveal Tony's incredulous expression. "You again? I should have known. Tell me this isn't your new ride."
"Why not?" Su Zhan replied with a smirk. "It's my trophy. I brought it back from Svartalfheim."
Tony circled the ship, his expression a mix of amazement and envy. "This isn't Earth technology. You have to let me take a peek under the hood. Come on, I'll make it worth your while—think party, supermodels, champagne, and all.
Su Zhan rolled his eyes. "If you want one, go get it yourself. This one's mine."
Before Tony could press further, Captain America emerged from the Quinjet, shield in hand, surveying the scene with calm authority. "Is this an invasion, or are you just showing off?" he called out.
Su Zhan shook his head. "No invasion, Captain. Just bringing home a souvenir. Tell Director Fury there's nothing to worry about."
"Why don't you tell him yourself?" Steve Rogers replied, holding out a secure phone.
Su Zhan took the call. Nick Fury's voice was dry as ever. "You're making quite a name for yourself. First you assemble a team, now you come back with an alien warship. What's next, Su Zhan?"
Su Zhan chuckled. "Just doing what needs to be done. I took care of Malekith, brought back his ship, and picked up a Dark Elf for questioning. As for the ship, don't even think about studying it. It's mine."
Fury sighed, resigned. "I figured as much. At least tell me where you plan to park that thing."
"I'll handle it," Su Zhan replied, ending the call with a satisfied grin.
He turned to Tony and Steve. "If there's nothing else, I need to find a place to store my new ship."
With that, Su Zhan boarded the elevator, rising back into the vessel. The engines roared to life, sending gusts of wind swirling across the bay. The ship lifted gracefully into the sky, leaving the Avengers and the watching crowds in stunned silence.
Steve Rogers shook his head, unable to hide his frustration. "That guy is going to give me gray hair."
Tony, on the other hand, was grinning. "I kind of like him. He's got style."
As the Dark Elf ship disappeared into the clouds, Su Zhan looked down at the city below, a sense of satisfaction settling over him. He had returned to Earth not as a fugitive or an outcast, but as a force to be reckoned with. The world was changing, and Su Zhan intended to shape its future, one victory at a time.