No matter how bad things get, the unknown is always the most frightening.
Nick Fury understood the crisis at hand and didn't hesitate. He gave the order to evacuate the entire S.H.I.E.L.D. experimental base at once.
He personally went to the lowest level of the facility to check the situation.
The Tesseract had activated itself, emitting energy outward that could not be shut down.
Agent Hill watched the evacuation and voiced her worries. "Sir, evacuation might not help."
Fury replied flatly, "Should I tell them to go back to sleep?"
Hill pressed on. "If we cannot control the Tesseract's energy, hiding anywhere will not make a difference."
The Tesseract, also known as the Cosmic Cube, was recognized by S.H.I.E.L.D. scientists as a source of infinite energy. The energy it could unleash if it went out of control was enough to threaten the entire planet. Even burrowing to the center of the earth would not save anyone.
Agent Hill believed their only hope was to focus their efforts on stopping the Tesseract now.
Fury insisted, "I need you to make sure the Phase Two prototypes are safely transferred."
Hill did not understand. "Sir, I do not think that is what we should be focusing on right now."
The Phase Two prototype weapons were important, but compared to a global catastrophe, they were not the top priority.
"Unless the world is ending, we still have to keep living," Fury said, turning to stare at her. "Inventory everything and get all related equipment loaded onto the trucks."
Hill could only obey. "Yes, sir."
Fury then went to the underground lab.
There, the staff continued to monitor the Tesseract.
The Tesseract was mounted in a machine similar to Tony Stark's arc reactor.
Dr. Erik Selvig was there, but he had no way to shut down the anomaly.
Fury suggested the classic solution for electronics. "Try unplugging it?"
Selvig looked at him, exasperated. "The Tesseract is energy itself."
Unplugging it would do nothing. It did not even need an external power supply.
The Tesseract was also emitting interference and radiation, including gamma rays that could turn people into giant green monsters. Selvig insisted the levels were low and harmless, but Fury could not help thinking of the Hulk and was not convinced.
"Sir, another pulse!"
The researcher monitoring the readings shouted anxiously.
The Tesseract flared, releasing a powerful surge that could be felt throughout the base.
Agent Barton, Hawkeye, was on hand for security. Both he and Fury tensed as the blue light swirled like an aurora, spiraling into a focused energy beam that shot out and formed a portal.
At the center of the portal, light exploded and faded, and a figure appeared.
He held a scepter, and the shimmering aura faded from his body like mist. Black hair, a sharp and sinister face, and strange green Asgardian armor marked him as someone not of this world.
The Tesseract had teleported someone here.
S.H.I.E.L.D. agents drew their weapons and approached the intruder.
Fury called out, "Sir, please, put down your scepter."
Barton's instincts screamed danger.
Loki had arrived.
He looked at the scepter in his hand, then turned his left hand to reveal a glowing blue cube—the Tesseract.
His gaze was cold as he looked at the Tesseract, now dimly glowing in the machine.
"I should have come sooner," Loki murmured, looking up at the mortals before him.
Thanks to these fools who kept activating the Tesseract and sending its energy into the universe, he had been able to sense it and use that energy to teleport here.
Since you do not know how to use it, let me take it from you.
He smiled wickedly, and the scepter in his hand fired a blue blast.
If Barton had not reacted instantly, Nick Fury might have died on the spot.
S.H.I.E.L.D. agents opened fire, but bullets could not pierce the defenses of a god.
Loki's arrival would bring war.
Thor, without his power, could defeat everyone here. Loki, with his magic and artifacts, was even more dangerous.
Loki quickly overwhelmed the agents, but he needed a few subordinates.
Barton tried to fight back, but Loki touched him with the Mind Scepter. In an instant, Hawkeye, one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s best agents, fell under Loki's control.
Seeing the situation turn dire, Fury grabbed the Tesseract and tried to escape.
Loki spotted him immediately.
Fury could only mutter under his breath, "Motherf—"
***
New York.
"This is your job, Orlov."
John was setting a carved rune amulet on the table, picking up a new one while talking to Orlov on the phone.
"Damn politicians," Orlov grumbled from Washington. "Stark Industries has developed new energy too, and now the politicians are all changing sides."
"Competition drives innovation," John replied casually. "Your arms business was never a monopoly."
"That's different," Orlov tried to argue.
Moss interrupted, "Sir, Ms. May is calling."
"Alright, that's it. Enjoy the atmosphere in Washington. Last time I went, I could not even get through the door," John said, ending the call.
The line switched to May.
Her voice was full of excitement. "You will not believe my luck, John."
She held up two winning tickets. "Seven days at a Miami Beach hotel!"
"Congratulations to you and Peter," John said, putting down his carving knife and picking up a quill to write on a wooden plaque. "Just don't let the boy get too tanned."
May smiled and half-joked, "I wanted to invite you."
John shrugged. "I was just there not long ago."
"Alright," May said, not pushing. "Peter's school is also organizing a trip."
Of course John knew. He had donated the money for the trip.
With the coming war in New York, he did not want his future neighbor Spider-Man to be crushed by falling debris.
The call ended, and Ferdinand called next.
Today was full of surprises.
Ferdinand's voice was panicked. "Did I get fired, Boss?"
"No."
"Then why did I get paid early this month, and with three thousand extra?"
Ferdinand was worried. He had finally found a good job. Had he done something wrong?
John replied, "You have worked for me for a year. If you think you do not deserve a raise, I can take it back."
"No, no, no!" Ferdinand said quickly, relieved. "I will not let you down, Boss."
John added, "You have a week off starting now."
"Boss, be honest, are you firing me?"
"If you do not want the vacation, keep working until you die," John said, amused.
That was the boss's tone, and Ferdinand felt a weight lift from his shoulders.
He did not know why, but whenever his boss spoke kindly, it made him uncomfortable.
It just so happened his mother had won a Miami travel voucher at the supermarket. What a coincidence that it was John's hotel.
Ferdinand planned to take his family on a trip, never suspecting a thing.
With everything arranged, John placed the last amulet on the table.
He looked at the Destroyer armor.
"It's about to begin."
***
Loki, now in possession of the Tesseract, began his plan with his new followers.
They established a temporary base.
Loki stood on the steps, lowering the Mind Scepter.
He flipped his hands and summoned the Casket of Ancient Winters.
This relic, which he had kept by his side while ruling Asgard, had vanished with him after his failed attempt to destroy Jotunheim.
He took a knife with his left hand and cut his palm.
Blood dripped along the lines of his hand onto the Casket of Ancient Winters.
The casket glowed blue, sending out a wave of cold air.
A blue light entered Loki's body. Frost formed on his face, and his breath froze the ground.
A mysterious sense of guidance filled his mind.
Loki had come to Earth for two reasons.
To rule and to search.
He could feel that the core he sought was somewhere on this planet.
Thanos?
Once he had the Casket of Ancient Winters and the power to freeze the Nine Realms, would he have anything to fear?
Loki's eyes glimmered with blue light.
Father, you will pay for your mistakes.
"I will show you who is truly fit to be king."
***********
✨ 300 gems = 1 bonus chapter
✨ 500 gems = another bonus chapter
Get access to advanced chapters at my P@treon.
[email protected]/meowthtl