HELL'S KITCHEN - DAWN
Hell's Kitchen was a whirlpool of chaos.
News Anchor : " As dawn broke today, the remnants of the night's devastation were laid bare—a massive crater, several meters deep and spanning nearly an entire block, marred the landscape as if summoned by dark sorcery. Miraculously, no civilians had been reported injured, yet the questions loomed large.
Witnesses spoke of eerie flashes of green light slicing through the night, followed by shadowy figures vanishing moments before the dojo—a neighborhood fixture for decades—was swallowed whole. Local news buzzed with speculation, leaving law enforcement and emergency services scrambling for answers.
INT. BEN'S APARTMENT - MORNING
Ben stirred awake, his head pounding like a funeral drum. The weight of the previous night pressed down on him, each throb in his skull a reminder of the battle he had just gone through the previous night. Every muscle in his body ached, sharp pangs flaring with every movement.
The morning light filtered through the blinds, illuminating his desk, where his inspired by a red-hooded design, sat damaged on the nearby desk—its left side entirely blown away, leaving the circuitry exposed. The left side of his face bore a few light scratches, still raw but not severe.
With a groan, he rubbed his temples, trying to will the pain away. Suddenly, a soft green glow bathed the room as a holographic interface flickered to life above his desk.
"Good mornin', sugar," came Olivia's warm, Southern Texas drawl, her voice smooth but tinged with concern. "Hate to break it to ya, but your quiet little vigilante night didn't stay quiet. Wanna see the news report?"
Ben let out a frustrated sigh, still rubbing his temples. "No need, Olivia. I saw the highlights on my way out of the crater."
A holographic avatar materialized beside him, her glowing form both calming and pragmatic. "While I gotta hand it to ya for evacuatin' all those folks with XLR8, you didn't exactly stay under the radar. SHIELD's drones were all over the place. And sugar... they found some of those crystalline shards you left behind."
Ben winced. "Diamondhead residue? They should know by now that's just a side effect of my powers. And don't I usually leave those crystal laying around everywhere I go as a walking crystal chandelier."
"True, but they're still analyzin' the site. So far, they don't know much, but they're watchin'. You're on their radar now."
Ben swung his legs over the bed, grimacing at the stiffness in his limbs. "Of course they are. They've been aware of me for ages. Can you track those drones? I need to know how much they saw."
"Already on it, darlin'. But the longer you stick to this pattern, the higher the chance they'll figure you out."
"I don't have time to play it safe," Ben muttered, pulling himself to his feet. His voice hardened with determination. "That crater wasn't an accident. I need to figure out who—or what—caused it before someone else gets hurt."
Olivia's avatar flickered, her tone growing more serious. "The energy signature from that green light matches readings we've seen in Japan. This might be bigger than we thought, sugar."
Ben glanced at her, resolve shining through the exhaustion etched on his face. "Then let's get to work."
News Anchor:
"…local law enforcement has cordoned off the area for investigation. Meanwhile, sources claim that federal agencies have already begun their inquiries into what officials are calling a 'highly unusual' incident…"
--- INT. HELICOPTER - OVER THE DESERT - THREE WEEKS LATER
The steady thrum of rotor blades filled the cabin. Below, the endless sea of golden dunes stretched across the horizon. Nick Fury sat by the window, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
Maria Hill approached, tablet in hand. "Preliminary reports from the Hell's Kitchen incident are in," she began, her voice steady against the whirring blades. "Our field agents recovered crystalline shards—alien in origin—from the crater. Early analysis points to the entity codenamed Shifter."
Fury raised an eyebrow. "Tennyson? The shape-shifter? What's his dossier say?"
SHIELD had been keeping tabs on Ben Tennyson for years, ever since his first public appearance as XLR8 in 2009. Despite their extensive resources, they had yet to crack the full mystery of his abilities—how he could transform into various powerful forms. However, SHIELD's analysts, led by Fury's intuition, uncovered Ben's secret identity six months after his debut.
Recognizing Ben's potential, Nick Fury added him to the Avengers Initiative list before the program was ultimately terminated by the World Security Council. Despite this, Fury kept a close eye on Ben, intrigued by both his capabilities and the incredible rise of Tennyson Industries.
Hill swiped through her tablet, displaying a classified file. "Benjamin Tennyson, age 21. Founder of Tennyson Industries. First appeared in New York in 2009, reportedly rescuing civilians during a fire. Genius-level intellect, but his abilities set him apart—transformations into alien forms, each with unique capabilities."
She hesitated. "There's a gap in his civilian records. No trace of his identity before 2009. SHIELD resources turned up nothing."
Fury leaned forward, scanning the report. "And the connection to the crater?"
Hill swiped to another file. "The dojo destroyed in the incident was linked to the Hand—a criminal syndicate operating in New York for the past six months. We believe Tennyson targeted them, but his methods were calculated. Civilians were evacuated moments before the explosion."
Fury tapped his fingers on the armrest, deep in thought. "What do we know about the Hand?"
"Not much," Hill admitted. "They're secretive, with ties to global crime. Their operations hint at ancient rituals and a fixation on something called the Black Sky. Whatever they're after, they're careful to stay in the shadows."
Fury's expression darkened. "Keep eyes on both Tennyson and the Hand. This is bigger than a vigilante cleanup."
--- DEEP SPACE
In the cold void of space, two figures stood cloaked in shadow.
"The Tesseract has awakened," a voice hissed, low and foreboding. "It resides on a small, human world. They seek its power, but they will never wield it as we do."
Another voice, menacing and guttural, replied, "He is ready to lead. Our forces will follow. The world will be his, and the universe yours."
In the dim light, Loki, the God of Mischief, held the scepter, its energy coursing through him. Unbeknownst to him, the Mind Stone embedded within exerted its influence. His eyes darkened momentarily, but his Asgardian will resisted full domination.
The Other, leader of the Chitauri, grinned with jagged teeth. "Retrieve the Tesseract, and the Earth will be yours to rule."
Back on Earth
A helicopter flew over a barren mountain range and descended into a sprawling S.H.I.E.L.D. base. The loudspeaker blared:
"Evacuation order confirmed. All personnel, proceed to your designated vehicles. This is not a drill."
The helicopter landed, and from it emerged a woman in a sleek black S.H.I.E.L.D. uniform, followed by a tall man in a leather trench coat, his left eye concealed by a black eyepatch. Director Nick Fury strode purposefully across the landing zone.
An agent wearing sunglasses approached. "How bad is it?" Fury asked, his voice cutting through the whir of the helicopter blades.
"We're not entirely sure, sir," replied Agent Coulson, removing his sunglasses.
The three entered an elevator descending into the base, where chaos reigned as personnel scrambled to evacuate. Coulson began briefing Fury. "Dr. Selvig detected a surge from the Tesseract four hours ago. It wasn't part of any scheduled test."
Hill frowned. "It just turned itself on?"
Coulson nodded. "He couldn't shut it down, so he ordered the evacuation."
As they neared the lab, Fury barked orders. "I want Phase Two prototypes shipped out immediately."
Hill hesitated. "Sir, is that really a priority?"
Fury's voice was steely. "Until the world ends, we act like it intends to keep spinning."
In the lab, Dr. Selvig stood by the Tesseract, visibly troubled. "The Tesseract is... misbehaving," he explained.
"Is that supposed to be funny?" Fury asked, unimpressed.
"Not at all," Selvig stammered. "It's active, and it's emitting low levels of gamma radiation."
Hearing Selvig words, Fury turn his attention away from the Tesseract to Dr Selvig, " That can be harmful. " Said Fury in a low voice looking at Doctor Selvig. Recall the green raging giant in his files.
".."
" Where's agent Barton?" Asked Fury, changing the subject.
" The Hawk? Up in his nest as usual. " Answered Selvig to Fury's question, looking up towards the ceiling railings.
Up high on a lage overlooking the room. Was a Blonde hair man with bright blue eyes setting up top support railing. " Agent Barton report. " Fury his voice coming from the man's earpiece.
Who immediately calmed down to the ground floor. Barton met up with Fury who began berating him. " I gave you this detaile so that you could keep an close eye on things. "
" I see things better from a distance. " Replied Barton back to Fury. As the two walked towards the Tesseract, before stopping right next to it.
" Have you seen anything that might set this thing off?" Questioned Fury at Barton who kept his eyes on the Tesseract.
" Doctor its spiking again. " Said a woman in a lab coat.
" No one's come or gone and Selvig clean. No contacts no I.M. If there any tempering.. Sir it wasn't from this side if something set this thing off. " Explained Barton.
"..."
Hearing Barton words Fury stared at Barton seriously with his single eye. " At this end?" Questioned Fury, his mind now racing on the possibility of potential an extraterrestrial threat.
Barton looked away from the Tesseract and at Fury serious expression, before turning his attention back at the Tesseract. While answering Fury question. " Yeah the cube is a doorway to space right? Doors open from both sides. "
DR. SELVIG typing away on the keyboard and sees on the monitoring, his worst nightmares becoming true. Suddenly- the Tesseract THUNDERS and SHAKES the entire facility.
Big enough where both Agents Hill and Coulson could feel it on they're different ends of the facility. The flaring rings and glow of the cube spout out brighter and louder, like a boiling pot of water.
The Tesseract's energybuilds up into a BEAM much like the Bifrost Bridge, which hits at the end of a platform that is wired to the CMS device. The great maelstrom beam FIRES the TESSERACT energy. The beam the starts forming a VORTEX, which then opens up a portal.
A BLACK HOLE IS CREATED. From the portal, the blackness of SPACE, beautiful and mysterious, strewn with a billion stars appears and a GUST of BLUE ENERGY CLOUDS fill the room, blindin everyone.
The Tesseract's energy forms into a cloud that reaches to the top the facility's vacuum chamber ceiling. It's abnormally quiet. Then... HEAVY BREATHING is heard from the platform that now had smoke.
SHIELD GUARDS slowly approach, weapons in hands. From the swirling portal emerged Loki, scepter in hand. Smoke and blue light filled the room as he rose to his feet, smiling wickedly.
INT. P.E.G.A.S.U.S. BASE – TESSERACT TEST CHAMBER – NIGHT
The dimly lit chamber hummed with unstable energy. Loki stood in the center, his scepter glowing with a malevolent light. His cold, calculating gaze swept across the room. Fury, flanked by Barton, stared him down.
"Sir, please put down the spear!" Fury barked, his voice steady, though the tension in the air was palpable.
Loki tilted his head, feigning curiosity. Slowly, he examined the scepter in his hand, then without warning, unleashed a blast of energy.
WHOOOMPH!
The beam streaked toward Fury and Barton.
Barton reacted instantly, tackling Fury to the ground. The energy struck a console behind them, erupting into sparks and fire.
Loki fired again, more blasts tearing through the room, sending SHIELD personnel scattering. Gunfire erupted as agents opened fire on the intruder. Bullets ricocheted harmlessly off Loki's armor.
With supernatural agility, Loki leapt from the platform. He landed amidst the agents, cutting through them with ruthless precision. His knives flashed in the low light, and his scepter released bursts of energy, hurling agents across the room.
Barton scrambled to his feet, raising his weapon.
Loki moved like a shadow, effortlessly closing the distance. He grabbed Barton's wrist, forcing the weapon down.
"You have heart," Loki murmured, his voice low and almost admiring. He pressed the scepter's glowing tip against Barton's chest.
Barton's eyes widened as the blue energy coursed through him. His pupils darkened, consumed by an unnatural void. Slowly, his expression softened into eerie compliance. He lowered his weapon and stood at attention.
As Loki turned his attention to Dr. Selvig and other SHIELD personnel, Fury seized the moment. He darted toward the Tesseract, grabbing the glowing cube with his gloved hand. The energy singed his fingers, but he held firm, placing it back into its case.
"Please don't," Loki said, his tone calm but edged with menace. Fury froze, turning to face him.
"I still need that," Loki added with a smirk.
"This doesn't have to get any messier," Fury said, trying to stall.
"Of course it does," Loki replied, his eyes gleaming. "I am Loki of Asgard, and I am burdened with glorious purpose."
Selvig, now on his feet, recognized the name. "Loki? Thor's brother?"
Fury took a step back, his hand inching toward his weapon. "We have no quarrel with your people."
"An ant has no quarrel with a boot," Loki shot back, dismissive.
"You planning to step on us?" Fury retorted.
Loki smiled, spreading his arms wide. "I come with glad tidings... of a world made free."
"Free from what?" Fury asked.
"Freedom," Loki said, his voice dripping with contempt. "Freedom is life's great lie. Once you accept that in your heart..." He spun suddenly, pressing the scepter against Selvig's chest. Selvig's eyes turned black, the same vacant stare as Barton's.
"...you will know peace."
"Yeah, you say peace," Fury countered, "I kind of think you mean the other thing."
Before Loki could respond, Barton stepped forward.
"Sir, Director Fury is stalling. This place is about to blow. He means to bury us."
Fury smirked. "Like the Pharaohs of old."
Selvig checked a monitor. "The portal's collapsing in on itself. You've got maybe two minutes before this goes critical."
Loki glanced at Barton, who nodded. Without hesitation, Barton raised his sidearm and shot Fury in the chest.
INT. P.E.G.A.S.U.S. BUNKER – NIGHT
Loki, Barton, Selvig, and a handful of mind-controlled SHIELD agents strode through the loading bay. Barton carried the case containing the Tesseract.
Agent Hill watched them from a distance, suspicion etched on her face. She moved toward Barton, but he barely acknowledged her.
"Who's that?" she asked, nodding toward Loki.
Barton didn't slow down. "He didn't tell me."
Hill's hand hovered near her weapon, but before she could act, a thunderous rumble shook the facility.
INT. P.E.G.A.S.U.S. TEST CHAMBER – NIGHT
Fury groaned, clutching his chest. His body armor had absorbed most of the impact, but the pain was real. He grabbed his comms device.
"Hill, do you copy?!"
EXT. P.E.G.A.S.U.S. TUNNEL – NIGHT
Loki's convoy sped through the tunnel. Hill, now in pursuit in a Jeep, opened fire. Barton returned fire from the passenger seat, forcing her to swerve.
In the rear truck, Loki stood tall, unleashing energy blasts from his scepter. SHIELD vehicles flipped and crashed as the convoy barreled ahead.
EXT. DESERT – NIGHT
The convoy burst from the tunnel, speeding into the open desert. Above, Fury's helicopter roared into view.
Fury, missile launcher in hand, aimed at the lead truck. He fired.
Barton swerved, narrowly avoiding the explosion. Loki retaliated, firing a beam of energy that struck the helicopter. The chopper spun out, trailing smoke and flame.
Fury leapt from the wreckage just before it crashed, rolling to the ground.
He rose, battered but alive, and watched as Loki's convoy disappeared into the night.
Fury grabbed his comms. "The Tesseract is with hostile forces. Sound the general call. I want every available asset searching for that briefcase."
Agent Coulson's voice crackled through the device. "What do we do?"
Fury stared into the night sky, determination hardening his expression.
"We prepare for war."