**Chapter Ninety-One: The Fall of Loki?**
"You're playing with fire, Commander. This isn't an energy you can control," Nick Fury argued with a group of councilors at S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters.
"Have you ever been in a war? Senator, in a real war, you don't want to be controlled by others," Nick Fury retorted.
"Are you saying that Asgard has declared war on us?"
"It's not Asgard; it's Loki. He doesn't represent Asgard."
"What about his brother? What is Thor's stance on this?" a congresswoman asked.
"At the moment, Thor has no ill will towards us. I've arranged for aid from Trudheim Manor and persuaded Captain America to join the effort."
"You have the best team of agents in the world at your disposal, but you're relying on a group of 'freaks' to save the world?" a congressman interjected sharply.
Nick Fury replied firmly, "They are not freaks; they are extraordinary individuals with unique abilities. I also need a special response team."
"They may not follow orders perfectly and might even lose control," Fury acknowledged. "But if used properly, they will be the most suitable candidates."
"Why do you trust them?"
"Seventy years ago, we trusted them, and that's why we won the war."
On the other side, evil forces were pushing Loki.
"The Chitauri are getting restless. When will you open the portal?"
"It won't be long. As long as your army is as formidable as you claim," Loki said coolly.
"Are you questioning our army? Questioning the one who gave you the scepter?" The voice on the other side grew angry. "Don't forget who gave you this opportunity! At that time, you were defeated..."
"I am the king of Asgard! I have been betrayed!"
Loki, now agitated, declared, "Don't forget, the Tesseract is in my possession now! Before I open the portal, I have the final say on what happens next!"
"Fine, people of Asgard, go fight your battle. When you fail, your so-called kingdom will be forgotten! The entire universe will no longer have a place for you. I will show you what a real nightmare is!"
Loki's image vanished.
"Will he succeed? According to our information, his brother is also on Earth," Ebony Maw said, bowing to the brooding Thanos.
Thanos paused, his normally purple face darkening. For countless years, he had been the aggressor, and no one had ever dared to attack his domain. Yet Thor had not only breached his Sanctuary but had also stolen his daughter.
Even if Thor wasn't directly involved, it was a significant insult.
Despite his efforts alongside the Black Order, he had failed to stop Thor, an event Thanos considered his greatest humiliation.
"He is merely a pawn, a scout. Success or failure isn't crucial. The Infinity Gems must be gathered for a grand plan. Until then, whether we have one or two makes little difference."
"The locations of the four gems are confirmed, with only the Reality Gem and Soul Gem remaining. Any leads?" Thanos asked Gamora.
Gamora shook her head, expressionless. "No, I've searched many places but found nothing."
Thanos nodded, unconcerned. He had never doubted Gamora.
"I have a feeling this will all come to a head soon," he said to himself.
In Berlin, a crowd was being held back in the streets. Loki stood on a high platform, wielding his scepter with force.
"I said, kneel!" The light from the Mind Gem flashed, and the crowd slowly fell to their knees.
Seeing this, Loki was visibly pleased. He declared, "Isn't this right? Your kind is born to be subservient!"
He grew more animated. "Humans are like this. The allure of freedom robs you of true happiness! You crave power and status, and are eager to be enslaved!"
"You are inherently servile and destined to be ruled by the strong!"
An elderly man with white hair broke free, stood up, and shouted, "Not by someone like you! I have lived many years and seen many shameless people like you!"
The third princess, angered and embarrassed by the old man's defiance, snapped, "Look at this old fool; he will be your example!"
He raised the scepter, and a burst of energy shot out.
A figure clad in stars and stripes leaped in front of the old man, raising a shield to block the blast.
Steve Rogers stood tall, saying, "Last time I was here, someone also tried to put themselves above others, demanding submission."
Loki scoffed. "A private? You're outdated."
"It's not me who is outdated. I must say, you fall short compared to your brother," Steve provoked Loki unintentionally, causing him to charge forward angrily. The two engaged in combat.
A meteor streaked across the sky as Stark's cavalier voice crackled through Natalia's communication device. "Agent Romanov, did you miss me?"
A smile played at the corner of Natalia's mouth. "Think again. I never knew I had such an influential nephew."
"Dammit!" Stark's face darkened. Having a senior acquaintance wasn't terrifying, but having that acquaintance bring a whole entourage was.
Stark channeled his frustration into action, unleashing a powerful laser barrage that sent Loki flying.
Loki landed, removed his mask, pointed at Stark, and readied a laser cannon. "Drop your weapon and raise your hands, Bambi!"
Although Loki intended to feign capture, his recent frustrations led him to lash out. The nickname Stark had given him only added to his irritation. He slowly lowered his scepter and, taking advantage of Stark's momentary relaxation, quickly stabbed him in the chest.
The weapon didn't penetrate.
"Why isn't it working? It's always worked before!"
Stark, initially startled, quickly understood. He reassured, "Hey, man, if you don't pay attention, you'll die. We already know you're not cut out for this, so don't make it worse…"Chapter 92: Loki's Conspiracy
"Bang!" Loki, furious, struck Stark with his staff, demonstrating the adage that "talking too much brings about its own downfall."
Loki raised his staff high and shouted at Stark, "Mortal, dare to insult the gods, and you shall pay the price..."
Before he could finish, a bolt of lightning struck his celestial aura, and at the same time, he was hit hard on the back of the head, causing him to crash to the ground.
He looked up angrily to see a valiant female warrior in black armor holding a hammer, and he was momentarily stunned.
"Wow!" Seeing a truly beautiful warrior for the first time, Tony whistled excitedly and nudged Steve beside him. "Old Popsicle, I'm starting to believe the story of Mulan is true!"
Steve, looking serious, replied, "Tony, don't use casual nicknames. This is Miss Jane from Trudheim Manor. You should address her as Auntie."
"Damn it, I shouldn't be talking to you!" Stark scowled and took a few steps back.
Meanwhile, Loki looked at the hammer in Miss Jane's hand. Even though he had heard about it, he was still shocked to see it: "My brother actually gave Mjölnir to you? Unbelievable."
He was in disbelief, "It's a precious hammer, and you're using it for this..."
"Oh, this is big news!" Tony suddenly felt how wise it was to join this operation...
Miss Jane didn't react much to the allusion but had a slight smile at the corners of her mouth.
In the communicator, Thor's voice came through: "Beat him hard, just keep breathing!"
"Got it!" Jane responded briskly, swinging the hammer.
"Foolish mortals, do you think you can challenge the gods with Mjölnir?" Loki sneered, raising his scepter and charging...
A few minutes later—
"Impossible!" Loki lay on the ground, immobilized by the hammer on his back, and he could do nothing but accept defeat.
Loki was captured and temporarily imprisoned in a special cell on the space carrier.
It seemed the biggest problem had been resolved, but everyone's attention shifted to another matter—why did the Tesseract attract the attention of alien planets?
Whether it was Tony Stark or Steve Rogers, they all had doubts about S.H.I.E.L.D. As Nick Fury attempted to explain, Captain America slammed a new weapon on the table.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. is making weapons from the Tesseract, just like HYDRA did seventy years ago."
Nick Fury began to explain, but Stark cut him off.
"Come on, there's no need to deny it. I've already analyzed it."
"No wonder it attracted the attention of alien planets."
"It's said that HYDRA's actions woke the attention of an evil alien named Supergiant. Fortunately, Thor stopped her."
"Unexpectedly, S.H.I.E.L.D. today is doing the same thing. The world hasn't changed at all."
Captain America was also filled with righteous indignation.
Natalia suddenly realized, "No wonder Thor anticipated this incident but didn't warn us. It's because S.H.I.E.L.D. is up to something shady. Even if he had warned us, it would have been useless. Why are you doing this, Director?"
Jane Foster nodded in agreement with her statement.
Nick Fury responded with a blank expression, "It's because Thor's appearance made many people realize the existence of other civilizations. Humanity needs strong enough weapons to protect itself."
"But we all know Thor and Asgard mean us no harm," Natalia argued.
"Yes, he doesn't. But what about other planets? If there's an Asgard, there are likely other planets, and those planets may not be friendly."
Jane Foster interjected, "Thor said that S.H.I.E.L.D.'s development of weapons attracted Loki. The Tesseract's energy fluctuations signal to other planets that Earth is preparing for a high-level war. It was the same seventy years ago and the same seventeen years ago."
"To face foreign threats, we must have the power to make the enemy fear us."
"Like nuclear deterrence? That's truly effective," Stark said with sarcasm. "Who would have thought we'd return to the era of carrying nuclear buttons? Quite interesting."
"A man who made his fortune selling arms actually has the position to make such statements?"
The debate grew more intense, shifting from the initial topic to personal attacks.
The unique sensitivity of women made Natalia and Jane Foster realize something was wrong. The team seemed to be disintegrating even before it fully formed.
No one noticed the scepter containing the Mind Gem emitting a faint blue light.
No one noticed a group of people with strange lights in their eyes infiltrating the Helicarrier, led by Hawkeye.
"Boom—" A massive explosion shook the ground, interrupting the crowd preparing to act.
"Not good!" Natalia was the first to notice the problem. She shouted, "Calm down, we're being affected by the scepter!"
"Engine No. 3 malfunctioning! It's not critical for now, but we can't fix it!" Hill's voice came through the communicator.
"I'll fix it!" Stark quickly moved toward the direction of the malfunction.
"Boom—" Another series of explosions rang out, and a large number of enemies rushed into the space carrier.
Everyone in the room snapped awake. Just as they were about to react, another violent explosion caused the floor to crack, and Natalia and Bruce Banner, who were far from the door, fell through the gap.
A heavy steel pipe crashed onto their legs.
Despite the severe pain, Natalia had no time to address it. She urgently shouted to Banner, "Hold on! Don't let it out!"
Unfortunately, without transforming into the Hulk, Banner was just a frail scientist lacking the endurance of an agent. The intense pain caused him to scream, and his heartbeat rapidly approached 200...
Natalia, enduring the pain, finally managed to free her leg from under the steel pipe. Before she could assess her injuries, a huge roar echoed, and her heart sank.
Seeing the Hulk approaching with a ferocious expression, Natalia didn't hesitate any longer. She turned and fled.
Chapter 93: Phil Coulson's "Sacrifice"
In the breach of the Helicarrier, Stark piloted the armor while instructing Captain America to assist.
"Go to the engine control panel and tell me which switches are overloaded."
"Okay." Steve jumped a few times, reached the control panel, and opened the cabinet.
"Looks like it's just a bunch of circuit boards..." he replied in a rather unhelpful manner.
Stark's expression darkened.
"Boom—"
Natalia fell heavily to the ground, cornered by the Hulk. Hulk charged forward, lifted her high, and prepared to deliver a powerful punch.
Natalia raised her arms in a futile attempt to block, the magic bracelet barely absorbing the impact of three punches. Her hands were numb, and as Hulk delivered another heavy blow, she closed her eyes in despair, thinking—would someone rescue her at the last moment as they had twelve years ago?
"Bang——" The anticipated death didn't come. Instead, a sharp electric shock rang out.
She opened her eyes hopefully to see a figure in black armor and a red cloak standing in front of her...
"Jane, we can't fight him head-on. Avoid direct confrontation!" Although the equipment resembled Thor's, Miss Jane's strength was well-known to her, so she quickly advised.
Miss Jane, gripping the hammer tightly, remained silent and watched Hulk with vigilance. In the previous clash, she realized her strength fell short compared to Hulk's and knew that only by leveraging Mjölnir's power could she have a chance.
Hulk didn't attack immediately but looked confused. Miss Jane's armor triggered some memories of a similar battle against a massive foe who had a deep-seated hatred?
But even Hulk, despite his lack of intellect, could distinguish between a man and a woman. After a few seconds of contemplation, Hulk swung his fist.
Miss Jane, well-prepared, swiftly dodged the punch and struck Hulk's armpit with Mjölnir.
Hulk roared in pain, and a fierce green light flashed from his eyes. He charged forward in fury.
Natalia rushed to assist, and together they fought Hulk.
In a concealed corner, Thor observed their cooperation and nodded in approval. He was determined not to let Natalia be harmed and had arrived on the space carrier through a portal when the explosion occurred. If Miss Jane hadn't arrived in time, he would have rescued her himself.
With the teamwork between Natalia and Jane, Hulk was unable to cause them further harm for the moment, and Thor turned his attention elsewhere.
"Hey, congratulations! You have triggered the Hawkeye-related mission: Mind Barrier. Completing the mission will earn you a reward!"
"Mind Barrier: Agent Barton was controlled by the Mind Gem and became a key element of Loki's plan. This incident is considered a significant personal shame. Henceforth, he will undergo training to resist Mind Control magic."
"Mission Objective: Restore Agent Barton, who has been mind-controlled, to normal. Mission Reward—Immunity to any Mind Control magic."
In a corridor, Clint Barton was moving swiftly, trying to create chaos and buy time.
Thor descended from the sky and landed in front of him.
Hawkeye quickly notched an arrow, aiming it at his allies without hesitation.
Noticing the intense blue light in his eyes, Thor realized that the control over him was still strong.
Typically, mind-purifying magic could resolve such situations, a skill mastered by Queen Mother Frigga.
However, Thor lacked this ability. Although skilled in both magic and combat, most of his magical knowledge was offensive in nature.
If mind purification failed, then physical intervention was the alternative!
"Bang bang bang..." When Natalia and Jane Foster arrived, dragging Bruce Banner, they saw Thor delivering powerful blows to Hawkeye's head.
"Oh my God!" Miss Jane exclaimed. Despite being controlled and temporarily an enemy, the brutality of the fight was shocking.
"Hey, Agent Barton is still a S.H.I.E.L.D. colleague. Don't beat him to death!" Natalia joked.
"Ding! Congratulations, the mission Mind Barrier is complete: immunity to any Mind Control!"
Having completed the task, Thor threw Hawkeye aside and handed him over to an agent who had already been stunned.
"Don't worry, I'm not serious. There's something wrong with this guy's mind. I'll wake him up." Thor reassured them and asked, "How's the situation? Where's Loki?"
"The engine has been repaired. Loki has escaped and disappeared. Moreover, Agent Phil Coulson is dead." Natalia's face was somber. She had been close with Phil Coulson.
In fact, Coulson was well-liked by most people.
"Sad news, Loki escaped and killed Agent Phil Coulson." Nick Fury announced gravely. Stark, Steve, and Bruce Banner, who had just regained consciousness, all looked serious and listened silently.
Thor frowned.
"I admit that S.H.I.E.L.D. has used the Tesseract to create weapons. But I never placed my hopes on that but rather on a more ambitious project."
"That's my vision, Stark should know. Let's call it—The Avengers!"
"No matter how powerful a weapon is, it needs exceptional soldiers to wield it. We must gather the best people in the world, so when the world needs them, they will unite to defeat enemies we cannot."
"Phil Coulson believed this until his death. He believed in heroes."
"His death is my responsibility. But now, we must focus on the larger picture."
Neither Stark nor Steve responded.
"Loki's goal is to open the portal, which requires a substantial amount of energy. We might start with the various nuclear power plants." Stark proposed.
"No, I know Loki. His character means he wouldn't choose a sparsely populated area for his plan. He would prefer a densely populated location with significant and iconic buildings," Thor advised.
Stark's expression turned pale with realization: "Damn it! This bastard must be targeting my building!"
Chapter 94: Chitauri Invasion
Stark hastily donned his badly damaged armor and stumbled out.
Natalia glanced at Thor and, seeing he didn't stop him, said immediately: "The Stark Building is the most likely target, and the population around it is the highest concentration. Let's go there first!"
Steve, Bruce Banner, and the others quickly followed.
"I'm going too!" A determined voice spoke as Clint Barton, fully armored, appeared at the door. "I have a lot of responsibility for this, and I need to make amends."
Natalia nodded and led everyone to board a fighter plane, heading towards New York.
"Should we call her back?" Nick Fury asked Thor.
The crisis was escalating beyond expectations, and he thought about the communicator left by Captain Marvel.
Thor shook his head. "No need. The invaders are likely just cannon fodder. As long as the Guardians on Earth are present, we won't face any truly formidable enemies."
He paused before continuing, "Besides, Earth needs this ordeal to awaken those who are complacent in their peace. Otherwise, when the Guardian will leave in a few years and a full-scale invasion occurs, an unprepared Earth may not withstand the assault."
This statement revealed two key pieces of information: one, Earth would face a catastrophic invasion in a few years, and two, the Avengers had failed to prevent the conflict from erupting in New York.
"Hill, quickly alert the evacuated New Yorkers!" Nick Fury said, sweating profusely.
"However, Washington's top officials will not agree to evacuate a city of 8 million! Even if approved, it would take at least a month to arrange!"
"Damn it!" Nick Fury's face turned a deep shade of frustration. He had already faced severe consequences...
"Calm down!" Thor intervened, "You should trust the Avengers. They will do their utmost to protect the civilians. Besides, it's not the aliens who can truly destroy New York; it's the politicians."
Thor made this statement with a meaningful look and then turned to Hill. "Hello, Hill, can you show me Coulson's body?"
Hill was surprised, and Nick Fury's eyes flickered as he whispered, "Take him."
On a hospital bed, Phil Coulson lay unconscious. His breathing had stopped, but the electrocardiogram monitor still showed fluctuations.
"Are you planning to save him with the GH-325 drug still in the experimental stage?"
"Yes," Nick Fury said gravely, "Most subjects in the experimental phase had mental issues upon recovery. But there's no other choice."
"You don't have it, but I do!" Thor said, producing a bottle of potion. "Extremis is undiluted. How about the Tesseract?"
Despite the high cost, Nick Fury agreed. After this disaster, he was eager to offload the troublesome Tesseract. Moreover, the cube was still in Loki's possession.
After administering Extremis, Coulson's wounds began to heal slowly.
"His injuries are under control, and his life is stable. He just needs time to recover." Thor said, then opened a portal and departed.
Atop the Stark Building, a blue beam of light shot into the sky, as if communicating with the heavens.
Stark removed his broken armor and waited for the Mark Seven to power up, buying time.
Loki laughed maniacally: "We have an army! What do you have to counter it?"
Stark replied flatly, "We have Hulk."
"The big guy? I thought he was lost."
"We also have Thor. Though he's a pain, he's reputed to be quite effective against you."
Loki's smile faltered, and he said angrily, "Pissing me off won't help you. I'm eager to see what happens when you and your teammates turn on each other."
He raised his scepter and touched Stark's chest.
But nothing happened.
"Damn it, I've never failed! Why can't I succeed even without armor?" Loki fumed.
Stark taunted, "I told you it wouldn't work, but you wouldn't believe it..."
Loki grabbed Stark by the neck, enraged. "My army is coming, and you will all bow before me!" He threw Stark off the building.
At that moment, the Mark 7 launched, quickly flying out to catch Tony.
Simultaneously, at the end of the beam of light in the sky, a vast black hole grew larger, and grotesque alien creatures descended from unknown spacecraft.
"It's incredible, like a sci-fi blockbuster!" Stark muttered as he faced the overwhelming Chitauri in the sky.
"Boom..." The immense explosion finally caught the attention of the crowd below.
Wreckage rained down, and the people fled in panic amid cries of alarm.
"Damn it, it's too late. The war has already begun!" Steve lamented, shouting, "Jane, Natalia, you go support Stark! Banner and Clint, help evacuate the people!"
The crowd dispersed, and he pointed to a group of stunned policemen: "This isn't a fight you can handle. Leave it to us, and you focus on rescue efforts!"
The policemen were bewildered, unsure whether to comply.
At that moment, a Chitauri soldier charged at a frightened child by the roadside. Without hesitation, Steve lunged in, raised his shield, and dispatched the Chitauri soldier with a single blow.
The astonished child looked up, shouting excitedly, "Captain America! You're Captain America! I knew Captain America would protect us!"
Captain America? The policemen were stunned, then noticed the shield and their expressions changed instantly.
"Follow your orders, Captain!" the lead officer said solemnly.
In a remote corner, Bruce Banner and a group of people were trapped in an alley by a squad of Chitauri soldiers.
Looking at the terrified people behind him, Banner sighed.
He turned back with a gentle expression and said, "Don't worry, there's nothing to fear!"
Then, he turned around, his muscles swelling and tearing through his clothes.
"I'm sorry, but you've made me angry!"
A thunderous roar erupted.
Chapter 95: Nuclear Peace Settlement
"Boom———————
The crowd gaped as Hulk swung a car like a battering ram, smashing through a Chitauri soldier. This was the first time they had witnessed both the terrifying Chitauri and the super-powered Hulk in action.
It was clear: aliens truly existed!
"Oh, this is bad." Tony Stark, who had just dispatched a large number of Chitauri, noticed ten massive Leviathans roaring in the sky not far away.
He launched a barrage of missiles at them, but they seemed unaffected.
He turned to attract the Leviathans' attention and opened the communication channel. "Requesting support. There's a giant shrimp here, and my attacks seem ineffective!"
"Lead them to the lower city. Hulk is over there!" Steve's voice came through.
"Understood!" Stark quickly flew upwards, launching missiles to draw the Leviathans away, and headed in Hulk's direction.
Hulk was like a tiger among sheep, tearing through Chitauri soldiers with ruthless efficiency. Their weapons barely scratched him, while his sheer size and strength allowed him to dispatch them effortlessly.
"Hulk, get angry!" Stark shouted as he flew over, pursued by a Leviathan.
Hulk roared, charged forward, and delivered a powerful punch. The Leviathan's head caved in, and pieces of its armor flew off.
Stark immediately fired a dozen missiles, which penetrated the remaining armor. A massive explosion erupted from within the Leviathan, bringing the mighty creature crashing down.
"Huhu———" Stark sighed in relief, only to see two more Leviathans appear in the distance, flying towards them.
A deluge of Leviathans fell from the sky, their enormous bodies breaking apart upon impact.
Hulk clapped his hands and moved on to his next target.
The ordinary Chitauri could be left to others; his focus was solely on the colossal Leviathans.
Loki, meanwhile, was in a fighter plane, patrolling the battlefield and causing chaos.
A hammer flew from a distance, destroying the plane that couldn't evade it, causing Loki to crash heavily onto the balcony of the Stark Building.
"Surrender! Then close the portal!"
Loki rose from the ground, holding up his scepter, glaring at Jane Foster. "I refuse to believe that I can't defeat you!"
He angrily leaped toward her.
Although Loki, as a giant from Jotunheim, was physically formidable, Jane Foster, having been empowered by Mjölnir and trained by Thor, was not inferior to him in the least.
On the Helicarrier, Nick Fury observed the endless Chitauri on the screen with a grim expression.
If cannon fodder troops were this challenging, how severe would the final battle be?
"Sir, the council is calling!" Hill announced.
Nick Fury's expression darkened. Normally, the council wouldn't interfere with S.H.I.E.L.D's operations, but when they did, it often meant trouble.
He recalled Thor's words—true destruction wouldn't come from aliens, but from politicians!
With a stern face, he answered the video call.
A congresswoman spoke, "Director Nick Fury, after unanimous discussion, the council has decided to use nuclear bombs on New York..."
"I will not carry out such a foolish order!"
"Your warship is the closest to the battlefield; immediately dispatch a fighter plane..." another councilor ordered, but was cut off by Nick Fury.
"Once again, I refuse to execute such an order! Unless my team is completely defeated, I will never drop a nuclear bomb on my own people!"
"If you can't stop them, the whole world will be doomed!" The congress members were stern.
"If a nuclear bomb is used, the damage will be irreparable!" Nick Fury ended the call abruptly.
To these politicians, civilian lives were expendable. In their eyes, using a nuclear bomb on 8 million people was merely a matter of finding someone to blame.
Moreover, the bomb might not destroy the portal but would certainly annihilate New York in the process.
"Bang——" Hulk punched Loki, sending him crashing into the building.
Loki stood up, fuming, "Enough! You insignificant humans, I am a god! Do not humiliate me further..."
Before he could finish, Hulk, growing increasingly impatient, grabbed Loki by the leg and slammed him repeatedly against the ground, left and right, twisting his neck and limbs.
After a savage beating, Hulk threw Loki onto the ground with satisfaction and remarked, "Weak god!"
Loki lay on the ground, disoriented, the blue light in his eyes fading.
The Chitauri legions in the sky seemed to multiply endlessly.
Chitauri soldiers in their fighter planes fired indiscriminately. Even Hulk, despite his strength, was overwhelmed.
"Natalia, you need to touch the Tesseract with this scepter to close the portal. I'll cover you and create an opening," Thor shouted to Natalia beside him.
Thunder rumbled as Thor unleashed a massive lightning storm, destroying Chitauri fighters and easing the Avengers' burden.
Natalia grabbed the scepter and sprinted towards the roof.
Thor closed his eyes, gathering energy for a few seconds, then unleashed a thunderbolt of unprecedented power. The bolt focused to a few centimeters in diameter and struck the Tesseract's barrier.
"Boom..." Amidst the deafening noise, a crack appeared in the barrier, shrinking rapidly.
Natalia dove through the crack, brandishing the scepter as she aimed to place it on the Tesseract.
"Wait!" Stark called out urgently.
"There are more enemies, and the longer we delay closing the portal, the greater the losses!" Captain America reminded.
"I know. But, I have a nuclear bomb here. If it detonates in New York, the entire city will be obliterated!"
Stark, carrying the nuclear bomb, charged forward without hesitation.
Chapter 96: Tesseract in Hand
A few minutes earlier...
The flight crew on the space carrier received a message: "Commander Fury's authority has been revoked, and Order 7A11 is in effect!"
"7A11 has been confirmed and is ready for execution!"
"Sir, there's an anomaly on the deck. A plane took off without authorization!" Maria Hill exclaimed anxiously. She guessed the reason for the unauthorized takeoff and shouted into the communicator, "The takeoff was not approved! Stop that plane immediately! Attention everyone, intercept that aircraft!"
Nick Fury realized that the council had bypassed him and issued the order. Grabbing a bazooka, he rushed to the deck and aimed at the plane's wing.
Just as he sighed in relief, another plane sped off the runway and took off, leaving no time to prevent it.
Fury angrily threw the rocket launcher aside and picked up the communicator. "Stark, do you read me? A plane carrying a nuclear bomb is headed towards New York. It will arrive in about three minutes!"
Stark was shocked. With New York in chaos, a nuclear explosion would result in countless deaths and injuries.
He abandoned fighting the Chitauri and channeled all the energy into his thrusters, heading towards the approaching nuclear bomb.
"Damn it! Those idiots in the council are actually dropping nuclear bombs on their own people!" Natalia cursed.
"Leave it to me. I have experience in space."
Thor knew it was risky for Stark to deliver the nuclear bomb into the portal. While it had worked in the past, there was no guarantee of survival this time. He pushed Stark aside, grabbed the bomb, and charged towards the portal.
"Natalia, close the portal immediately!"
Natalia was momentarily stunned but then shouted in panic, "No, I'll wait for you to return!"
"Fool, the nuclear bomb won't harm me. I can use space magic to return immediately, no matter where I end up! Close it now to prevent nuclear shock and radiation from affecting the city!"
"Believe in Your Highness; he once fought his way through my father's headquarters!" Nebula, who had appeared unexpectedly, said.
She knew Thor's strength well and believed that anyone capable of causing chaos in Thanos' sanctuary would not be threatened by a nuclear bomb or a mere Chitauri.
Natalia gritted her teeth and shouted, "Come back alive!" She then ruthlessly shut down the portal control on the Tesseract.
A loud noise echoed through the sky as the portal began to slowly close.
Thor charged through the portal and vanished into thin air. Moments later, the portal completely disappeared.
With the nuclear bomb in hand, he approached the Chitauri mothership, stopping at the front. He sneered at the terrified Chitauri commander behind the glass: "Thank Thanos for sending me the Mind Gem! Oh, you have no chance."
A bolt of lightning shattered the cabin glass, and the nuclear bomb was thrown inside. A golden halo appeared behind Thor, and he disappeared into it.
On Earth, the Avengers battled to fend off the steadily advancing Chitauri forces. Alongside the Avengers, Nebula, Minerva, War Machine Rhodes, Falcon, Sam Wilson, and others joined the fray, making the situation dire.
Suddenly, a Leviathan in the air lost control and fell heavily. Simultaneously, Chitauri soldiers plummeted from the sky.
"No, Thor hasn't returned yet!" Natalia suddenly exclaimed, causing everyone to tense up.
"Damn it, I should have gone!" Stark exclaimed, with Steve and the others displaying complex expressions.
"I want to know who authorized the nuclear bomb!" Natalia demanded, her fury evident as Black Widow's intensity became palpable.
"Wait, Mjölnir tells me Thor is fine!" Jane Foster intervened. "As old partners for millennia, they share a connection."
The Avengers sighed in relief.
Nick Fury, aboard the Helicarrier, also felt a sense of relief seeing the nuclear bomb sent into the portal and the Chitauri falling.
He resolved that these cold-blooded politicians must not be allowed to control the Avengers, or it would lead to even greater disaster.
"I'd like a glass of wine, if you don't mind."
In the Stark Building office, Loki, who had regained his sanity, surrendered to the Avengers, something he was used to by now.
The elevator door opened, and a team of commandos entered. The leader, Sitwell, said, "Hand over the scepter. We'll ensure its safety."
Natalia eyed him warily but handed over the scepter. Despite her mistrust, it wasn't the time for confrontation.
"Attention, this item is extremely dangerous. It was controlled by it."
Sitwell nodded, "I'll keep watch. As for the Tesseract..."
"Your chief has agreed to hand it over to me."
Thor's voice came from behind. "Sorry I'm late." Thor's space teleportation was imperfect, and he had ended up at the edge of the solar system, causing delays.
"Speaking of which, if it weren't for my divine nature, ordinary magicians wouldn't dare attempt interstellar teleportation. Just the vacuum of space alone can defeat most ordinary mages."
Thor seized the Tesseract and examined it.
Sitwell was stunned, and his team raised their guns, aiming at Thor. "Put down the Tesseract! This belongs to S.H.I.E.L.D!"
Thor smirked, "You're joking, right? My father placed the Tesseract on Earth to prevent its misuse. When did it become S.H.I.E.L.D's property?"
"Sitwell, lower your gun. Thor is not the enemy!" Natalia commanded.
Stark also raised his hand, readying his laser cannon. "This is my territory. I suggest you don't act impulsively."
At that moment, Nick Fury's voice came through the communicator: "Lower the weapon! The Tesseract belongs to Asgard!"
"But Secretary Pierce said..."
"I am the director now!"
Sitwell hesitated but eventually lowered his gun with a scowl.
On the Helicarrier, Nick Fury explained to Hill and the others, "Not only did I promise him, but the Tesseract's energy is too dangerous and could attract malevolent forces."
"Earth is not prepared for high-level conflict."
Chapter 97: The Legendary Doctor's History
In a dark corner of the universe.
A gloomy voice echoed—
"Earthlings are not as weak as we imagined."
"They're resilient, rebellious, and it's difficult for them to be controlled by others."
"Most importantly, that damned Asgardian is aiding Earth. He's offended us more than once."
The figure of a tall, burly man turned slowly, revealing a cruel smile on his purple face.
"He won't have the chance to be arrogant for much longer. Odin is aging. When Odin is gone, he will pay for his actions."
"According to the latest information, it seems that the traitor Nebula is also on Earth."
"Let her be. She will face the consequences of her betrayal in due time."
....
"Cheers!"
Having won this grueling battle, the Avengers needed to unwind.
Stark initially suggested going to a nearby barbecue restaurant, but Thor's strong objections led to the venue being moved to the Stark Building's banquet hall.
Thor knew the barbecue place was not up to his standards.
"Tomorrow morning, I'm taking Loki back to Asgard for judgment. What are the plans for everyone else?" Thor asked.
"Oh, you are leaving again, what can I do? I can only cry in secret..." Natasha pretended to wipe away tears, her tone filled with mock sorrow.
"Come on, everyone knows you're the renowned Black Widow, so stop pretending to be a damsel in distress!" Thor laughed and teased Natasha, who shot him a knowing look.
"There's a fascinating celestial phenomenon recently. I plan to study it in detail after you leave." Jane Foster said, resting her chin on her hand, her tone excited. She had been training daily with Thor, leaving her little time for her own research.
"I promised Pepper that after this, I would take off the armor and spend some time with her."
Thor thought for a moment and asked, "Haven't you considered removing the shrapnel from your body? Although the reactor sustains life, it also consumes more energy for the armor. Do you plan to live with it forever?"
Stark smiled wryly and shook his head. "I've considered it, but I have a lot of shrapnel, and it's finely fragmented, making removal very difficult. Due to my identity, many doctors are hesitant to take the risk."
Being Iron Man and one of the richest men in America makes most doctors hesitant to operate.
Thor thought for a moment and said uncertainly, "You'll need the best surgeon. Perhaps I have a candidate."
He picked up his phone and dialed a number.
"Hi, is this Dr. Palmer?"
"Yes, this is she. Are you... Thor?" A timid female voice responded.
"Yes, I am. I'm inquiring if there's a surgeon named Strange in your hospital?"
"You mean Dr. Stephen Strange? He was transferred recently. His surgical skills are the best in our hospital, though he's not widely known yet. How do you know him?"
"That's not important. What matters is I have an opportunity to make him famous. If he succeeds, he'll gain worldwide recognition!"
"May I ask who the patient is?" Dr. Palmer asked, curious. For someone to be mentioned by Thor, the surgery must be for a high-profile individual.
"Tony Stark, the famous Iron Man. Is he famous enough?"
After hanging up, Stark asked curiously, "What's the name of the doctor you mentioned? Dr. Strange? I haven't heard of him. Is he reliable?"
Thor laughed. "Trust me, if he can't do it, no one in the world can."
"But he has a temper and can be quite difficult, not as easy to deal with as I am," Thor added.
"No, when did I lose my temper? And are you sure you are easy to talk to?"
When Jane Foster was unconscious, she had visited Dr. Palmer. At that time, Thor had only noticed her beauty, but it hadn't registered with him.
Later, when she left, Thor received a business card with the full name: Christine Palmer.
While not widely known, she worked with someone significant: Stephen Strange—an outstanding individual who had watched 14 million futures without spoilers, the sorcerer who made himself drink endless beer, and the appointed successor of the renowned Doctor Strange!
Setting aside his magical future, Dr. Strange's medical skills were exceptional. Even War Machine Rhodes, who suffered a severe spinal fracture in the future, would find such a surgery trivial in his hands.
In the middle of the night, after a hearty meal, the Avengers turned on the TV to watch the news.
"Although this episode was confirmed as an alien invasion causing massive damage, the superheroes known as the Avengers have brought relief to many, and their presence is something to celebrate. It's wonderful to have them here," the host cheerfully reported, followed by interviews with the public.
"I love you, Thor!" a blonde woman shouted into the camera.
Thor's face turned slightly red, and he murmured, "I'm not that kind of person!" Suddenly, he was met with a series of contemptuous glances.
"Oh my god, I met Captain America! I want to marry him!" Steve looked embarrassed, his true affection being for Bucky!
"Did you know? At that critical moment, the Hulk appeared. Oh my god, he is so handsome when he fights monsters, full of raw power! I used to think he was a monster, but I apologize for the misunderstanding. The Hulk is a hero!"
Bruce Banner felt a surge of excitement from the Hulk within him.
"These so-called superheroes are responsible for the damage this city has suffered! They caused it and then walked away. I suggest they be put on trial!" A congressman's harsh words drew attention. Stark and Steve fell silent.
A glint of concern flashed in Thor's eyes.
Chapter 98: A Warning
"Yeah, I always feel these so-called heroes are unreliable. It's best to keep an eye on them. I don't want to depend on the character and morality of a few individuals for our safety."
Another middle-aged man with a large belly spoke up, garnering considerable sympathy. This person appeared to be somewhat notable as well.
"Natalia, look up the names of the congressman and the man with the big belly, along with other relevant information."
Everyone present was taken aback, and Steve quickly intervened: "Thor, don't be impulsive!"
"Yes, there are over 300 million people in the United States, and there are always a few idiots. Do you think you're living in a utopia?"
Thor smiled and shook his head, indicating they needn't worry: "What are you thinking? I'm just putting this guy on a blacklist. If there's a world crisis in the future, I won't have to worry about these individuals and their families."
He then sneered, "Anyway, they don't believe in the Avengers, so why trust politicians who would rather launch nuclear bombs?"
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Thor alone looked somewhat amused. The idiotic congressman had deliberately created hidden dangers for the Avengers and incited public sentiment against them. It was clear he was being used as a pawn by certain parties.
This kind of vile politician was characteristic of those who sided with inhumans but attacked superheroes.
"Are you leaving tomorrow? It won't be decades, will it? I don't want to keep waiting around," Peggy Carter joked.
"Definitely not. If you're worried, you can come back with me."
"Forget it, I'm not ready yet." Peggy shook her head. "By the way, do you need me for anything?"
"Can't I call you if I don't need anything?" Thor asked, puzzled.
"If it's okay, you should go straight to the manor."
That was a strong reason. Thor then said seriously, "Have you encountered any exceptionally skilled hackers at S.H.I.E.L.D. over the years? They must be completely trustworthy. Many in S.H.I.E.L.D. are not quite like us."
Peggy Carter's expression became serious. "There is one hacker who is exceptionally skilled and absolutely trustworthy."
"Over 20 years ago, a member of S.H.I.E.L.D. accidentally rescued a baby during a mission. I originally planned to send her to an orphanage, but I noticed the child was different, so I adopted her. You know, a lonely woman always seeks companionship."
Peggy gave Thor a look and continued, "Later, I discovered she had a remarkable talent with computers, so I arranged for her to receive special training at the Agent Academy.
Although she is young, her hacking abilities are unparalleled. I dare say there are few in the world who can match her skills."
"Currently, she is with S.H.I.E.L.D. Oh, and she has always admired you!" Peggy added, a touch of amusement in her voice.
As a legendary hero from World War II, Thor had always been highly popular. Recent events had only increased his fame, making him a hero to many young people.
Especially for Skye, who as a child had been captivated by tales of Captain Blake and had become a devoted fan of Thor. It was quite a story...
"My God! Are you Captain Blake? No, I mean His Highness Thor. It's amazing to finally meet you!"
Late at night, in the living room of an apartment, a mixed-race young woman looked at Thor excitedly, her eyes shining with admiration.
Thor was slightly confused—how was this fan girl different from what he had imagined?
Skye continued, "You know, you look so handsome today! Oh, you're a true savior!"
"Stop, stop!" Thor couldn't handle her enthusiasm and quickly got to the point: "I need the assistance of an exceptional hacker, one I can trust completely. Can you help?"
Skye patted her chest proudly. "The best hacker on Earth is right here! As for trust, do you think I'm someone who would betray you?"
She moved closer and grabbed one of Thor's arms, shaking it with enthusiasm. A hint of mischief sparkled in her eyes.
"I'm not worried about betrayal, but I am concerned you might make mistakes," Thor thought to himself.
Thor gently pushed her hand away and whispered something in her ear.
Skye looked a bit shocked but nodded in agreement.
Early the next morning, Thor took Loki back to Asgard.
Bored, Stark turned on the TV and watched the news.
Last night, he had inquired about Dr. Strange. He was indeed an excellent surgeon, and after making an appointment, he would be able to perform the operation that afternoon, thanks to his connections.
Suddenly, the screen flickered, and the normal report shifted to another screen filled with various documents and materials.
"Is this... bribery, gangster collusion, hidden assets, various criminal records?"
Stark muttered, "This revenge is quite severe..."
At the same time, all viewers watching this news channel saw this content.
Several major newspapers received a thick stack of materials in the middle of the night, detailing the dark history of a high-level congressman, and today, it became the headline news.
The FBI acted swiftly, inviting him for questioning and freezing all his assets, including those of his family. With overwhelming evidence, even the powerful figures behind the scenes dared not interfere.
To many, this was seen as a victim of political infighting, ending his career.
Only a few knew this was a form of retaliation—a strong response to previous provocations and a warning to others.
In this position, few are completely clean; it depends on whether anyone is capable of investigating them.
"Dammit! Who told me that this information was completely deleted and overwritten? How can it still be retrieved?"
"Are all newspapers so careless? They receive the information and publish it without verification? These guys are only interested in traffic!"
"And why were the backgrounds of the three major broadcasting companies compromised simultaneously? Are their defense systems that weak?"
In an office in Washington, a big boss roared angrily.
A bespectacled programmer, looking distressed, said, "Report to the Speaker, according to our anti-tracking results, the attack originated from the home of Congressman Williams. It seems he exposed himself willingly..."
Chapter 99: Jane's Potential
"You did it?"
Peggy Carter asked Skye angrily. Finding data deleted for many years and paralyzing the systems of the three major broadcasting companies in one night is a rare feat. To obtain that special data...
And there's only Skye who had the motive.
Skye smiled sheepishly and nodded. "I didn't fabricate the facts; the information is all true. Besides, this person isn't a good individual. It wouldn't be much of a punishment for him to spend his life in prison."
Peggy's expression grew serious. "Bringing down a problematic congressman is one thing. But have you considered the broader implications? If this information is released, it will cause major upheaval."
Skye shrugged. "It's not time to make it public yet. He said he hoped never to use it."
"Then when will it be made public?"
Skye cleared her throat and said, "Here's a paraphrase of His Highness Thor's original words."
She raised her voice, mimicking Thor's tone: "Politicians will always prioritize their own interests. Just like S.H.I.E.L.D., they will eventually come to us superheroes.
This is just a test. They lack the power to control us. What they are likely to do is incite the public and use emotional manipulation to achieve their ends. On that day, I will expose their true nature to everyone.
Do you understand now?"
Peggy Carter's face darkened. "You don't need to repeat that last part."
"Oh, I added that myself," Skye said with a grin.
Peggy Carter fell silent, contemplating the words. After a long pause, she smiled wryly and nodded. "You really make things difficult for me. But I've retired anyway..."
"It's fine to be used as a pawn by others, but it's a problem if you provoke me in the process."
A group of soldiers escorted Loki towards the hall. Thor chatted with them, saying, "It's also because this guy has his own dirty secrets; otherwise, it would be hard to catch him."
Loki complained, "As far as I know, even if there's no real issue, you would still find a problem with him."
"Stop talking nonsense," Thor retorted. "I'm a law-abiding citizen! You're definitely the one who would do something like this, like pretending to be someone and sneaking into the White House..."
Loki groaned, thinking, Why is there someone more shameless than me?
Frigga approached, her face showing concern as she looked at Loki.
"Mother..." Loki blurted out, then quickly masked his expression with indifference. "Are you proud of me?"
Frigga's expression grew more worried. "Don't make things worse. Your father is very angry right now."
As Loki was about to speak, Odin's voice came from the throne: "Let me speak with him."
Turning to Loki, Odin said sternly, "Don't you understand the depth of your crimes?"
"There's nothing to say. Wherever I go, there's destruction and death. And I, as a benevolent god, should rule over Midgard and its people. I'm destined to be king!"
Odin sighed. "All this stems from your desire for the throne."
"No, this is the power I deserve!" Loki's voice grew louder.
"Enough!" Odin roared in fury. "The right you deserve is death! You were abandoned on a cold rock at birth. If Frigga hadn't shown pity, you would have died long ago!"
"Then give me death now!"
"No! You will never see Frigga again. I will imprison you in the dungeon forever!"
"And Thor will be king."
Odin waved his hand, and the guards took Loki away.
On the balcony, Thor looked out over the bustling scene below.
When disaster strikes in a few years, if you can't resist it, all this will be for nothing.
"Can you tell me about her?" Odin suddenly approached him.
"Yes. But which one are you referring to?"
Odin's lips twitched.
Thor's behavior isn't problematic to the Asgardians. Even Odin had three wives, though only Frigga remained until the end. Thor's obsession with hammers for a thousand years, which only recently changed, could be attributed to prolonged depression.
Considering the Asgardians' lifespan and perception of time, it's like taking a nap. Many of their daughters-in-law have already...
If it weren't for the fact that Frigga, a witch, noticed nothing unusual, Odin might have suspected his son of being possessed.
The only consolation is that his beloved Sif hasn't waited in vain all these years.
"That mortal who wielded Mjölnir."
Of course, he was referring to Jane Foster. Natalia only received Mjölnir's power temporarily because the hammer recognized her worth. Once the hammer left, she reverted to a mortal state.
But Jane is different. She is now the new Thor, a true deity with a godhead.
"She has a high degree of compatibility with Mjölnir, even surpassing you," Odin said gravely. "The reason she can lift Mjölnir is not due to any curse but because Mjölnir truly recognizes her."
"I even have a feeling that even if I could no longer lift the hammer, she would still be able to."
Thor nodded silently. He already knew Jane had great potential, but he hadn't expected such high praise from Odin.
He thought for a moment and said, "Yes, I sensed a long time ago that Mjölnir was not really my weapon of kingship. It helps me use my power better and focuses my abilities. An artifact of the same caliber as Gungnir should not be so ordinary.
My intuition told me that Mjölnir's answer was on Midgard. So, I left it on Earth until Jane lifted it. She didn't let me down."
Odin nodded and patted Thor on the shoulder. "Although I wish the future god-king hadn't fallen for a mortal, I must admit, you have a good eye."
Chapter 100: No One Needs To Be Responsible
Thor was slightly taken aback by Odin's attitude.
In the original timeline, Odin had strongly opposed Thor's relationship with Jane Foster and had actively tried to prevent it.
Odin noticed Thor's confusion and said with a gentle smile, "The lifespan of humans cannot be compared to that of Asgardians. Even the most common Asgardian lives for over 5,000 years, while mortals live up to a century at most. Asgardians have never had examples of merging with mortals, and it has often led to endless loneliness after a few decades of happiness. I do not want this fate for the future god king."
"And now, though I don't fully understand why, it seems you have resolved this issue and freed them from the constraints of their lifespan."
Thor nodded.
"Most importantly, Ragnarök is approaching. On that day, this realm that countless beings yearn for will face catastrophe. A new Thor will bring immense help."
Thor was surprised and immediately retorted, "No, Ragnarök won't happen."
Odin shook his head. "The future is not static. I know you have changed many things through your own efforts. But Ragnarök was foretold thousands of years ago. Do you know what that means?"
Thor murmured, "It means it's harder to change?"
Odin nodded. "Your mother predicted many times that, although the endings differ, in every future, Surtur will be reborn in flames. Even if you do nothing, this moment will come."
Thor's expression grew serious. Odin's meaning was clear: even if he did not use Ragnarök against Hela, other forces might still bring about its occurrence.
On Earth, in a major conference room, military and political leaders were engaged in a heated debate.
"This is an affront! This is a contempt for the law! I propose the immediate arrest of everyone at Trudheim Manor!" a council member with a white beard said sternly.
"Ahem..." Nick Fury cleared his throat beside him. As S.H.I.E.L.D. Director, he had the right to attend the meeting.
"Firstly, there is no evidence against them. Everything at present is mere speculation. Moreover, you need to consider the consequences of such actions. There is more than one god at Trudheim Manor. Even if Thor is not on Earth right now, our military would have a hard time posing a threat to them. Unless..."
Nick Fury glanced around with a smirk, "Drop another nuclear bomb on New York."
The room fell silent.
"We have Captain America as well!"
"The heroes from decades ago, even if they assist, won't make a difference."
"We have the Hulk!"
"I look forward to seeing your friendly exchange with the Hulk."
"We still have Iron Man!"
"Stark is currently in the hospital."
"Mr. Stark, how are you feeling?" Happy and Pepper asked Stark, who was lying in the hospital bed, with concern.
"Very well. I feel lighter than ever. I can finally get a good night's sleep tonight."
"Do you have any regrets about removing the reactor?"
"Not at all. Reactor or no reactor, armor or no armor, I'm Iron Man."
"Excuse me, the doctor is here for rounds."
An emotionless voice cut through Stark's speech. Stark snorted.
Though Doctor Strange was indeed highly skilled, he had a peculiar personality and was just as irritating as Thor had described.
"Outside, you are a billionaire, philanthropist, great inventor, and Iron Man, but here, you are just my patient, and you must follow my orders."
Stark was not one to be easily intimidated, even by Thor. He would usually fight back when challenged. But the cold reactor in his chest reminded him that his life was still in others' hands, forcing Stark to comply.
He had hoped recovery would be straightforward, but now he was being asked to remain in the hospital for half a month for recovery and observation.
To make matters worse, Pepper was completely on the doctor's side...
In reality, Strange was concerned that Stark might disobey the medical orders and harm himself, which would affect his reputation...
"By the way, what's the media saying outside? How do the public view us?" Stark suddenly asked Happy.
Happy, a large man with a jovial demeanor, thought for a moment and replied, "Most people are expressing their gratitude. They see you as the heroes who saved the world. However, some believe the Avengers should be held responsible for the damage to New York, at least partially."
"Ugh..." Stark sighed, "We need to compensate the citizens affected as much as possible. They are all innocent."
"Actually," Happy pondered for a moment and added, "None of the parties involved are obligated to cover the war's damages. If compensation is to be provided, the government should handle it."
A person like Stark, with his empathy for war victims, would likely struggle to understand this. He shook his head. "I was aware of that, but I considered it charity... Anyway, Stark Industries isn't short on money."
Since returning from Afghanistan, Stark had developed a deep empathy for the victims of conflicts.
Upon learning about Stark's actions, Thor, who had just returned to Earth, sighed.
"What's wrong?" Peggy Carter, who was beside him, asked with concern. "Isn't it good that someone is willing to take responsibility?"
Thor shook his head. "Yes, he did well. Stark knew he wasn't obligated to compensate, but he still made an effort. However, many people won't see it that way. Even if he did a good deed, people will think it's what he should do."
"Although Stark Industries is wealthy, it's not enough to cover the losses of all New York. And this war won't be the last battle."
"Personally, he did the right thing and took on responsibility he wasn't required to. It seems to have saved the Avengers' reputation. But in the larger scheme, this creates the illusion that the Avengers should pay for the damages caused by evil."
"In reality, he only needs to provide basic living allowances to those who are struggling and have nowhere else to turn. That's a job for the government."
"Charity breeds resentment; never underestimate human greed."
---
Chapter 101: Skye in the Rebellious Period
After listening quietly, Peggy Carter was stunned for a moment before sighing, "Your words are quite harsh."
Intellectually, she still agreed with Thor.
Thor shook his head, "It's not that I'm cruel. In my view, as long as it doesn't betray humanity's position, superheroes should have no constraints so they can develop better. Compared to that loss, Earth faces imminent destruction."
No one can guarantee that Thanos will only cause half of the destruction in the end. What if the policy changes in advance?
"In the face of a world-ending crisis, I don't want anyone holding me back, nor do I want those we protect to still be a drain."
"That's why you asked Skye to gather this information as a trump card?" Peggy asked.
Thor nodded, "Although physical strength is more useful than reasoning, dealing with people constantly trying to manipulate situations is quite annoying. I will release this information at the most opportune moment so that we can take revenge before the ultimate battle arrives. Those who can fight without worry."
"Well, I trust you and will handle things well."
"Here, this is another document you requested. It's the only one, so keep it safe. Also, don't reveal that I gave it to you!" Skye handed Thor a USB flash drive.
Even though she was a member of S.H.I.E.L.D., helping Thor with this sort of thing was essentially betraying S.H.I.E.L.D. But since the founder Carter didn't object, Skye reasoned it was acceptable.
Thor took the USB flash drive, nodded in satisfaction, and thanked her, "Thanks. If there's anything you need, I'll do my best to help."
Skye rolled her eyes and smiled, "Okay, I haven't experienced what it's like to have a boyfriend at my age, so please do me a favor."
Thor grinned and hugged her, "Alright, I'll take you home tonight!"
"Ah..." Skye screamed, quickly struggling and blushing as she said, "Forget it, forget it, I'm afraid Auntie will kill me."
Thor gave her a contemptuous look, "Don't dare to act tough, cowardly!"
Skye shot him a glare, "Old-fashioned people from decades ago with your weak charm, scum!"
Skye suddenly felt her idol's image shattering. Although she was a bit amusing, she had helped him a lot.
Thor handed her a modified communicator.
"This one has been altered. If you encounter a problem that can't be solved, press the communication button. I can receive it within two galaxies. There aren't many things in this world I can't handle."
Skye showed an expression of "I believe in you," "Then, if I want to be a superhero, can you help me too?"
"That's not certain," Thor said meaningfully.
Skye was momentarily stunned, her face lighting up with excitement, "Really? Tell me quickly, what is my super ability? How can I awaken it?"
Hell, are agents this sensitive...
In fact, he didn't know much about Skye's situation and wasn't very familiar with the S.H.I.E.L.D series from his previous life, so he had to muddle through.
He tapped his index finger on Skye's smooth forehead, "What kind of super ability do you want? Haven't you heard? The poor rely on mutation, and the rich rely on technology! Are you poor?"
Skye looked puzzled.
"Do you know Iron Man? He's just an ordinary person, and now he's on par with the most famous superheroes. When are you going to ask him for an armored suit? Are you a superhero?"
Skye looked disappointed, "Forget it, that guy is obsessed with his armor, and it won't work for anyone else. Besides, his armor can't be used without the relevant skills. Look at Rhodes; he just turned the armor into a humanoid fighter."
Thor smiled, she was spot on.
Stark's Iron Man, with all his imaginative weapons and laser cannons, will in the future feature various weapons made of nano-metal elements.
As for War Machine Rhodes, his combat style is similar to that of a multifunctional fighter—either machine guns or missiles, with various conventional weapons. Compared to Iron Man, it falls short.
Not to mention the increasingly bizarre functions of Iron Man's armor—refrigeration, drying, urine purification...
Uh, really? Are you going to drink your own urine?
To summarize, Iron Man's armor evolution is: MK2, MK3, MK4...
War Machine's evolution is: MK2, MK2 change, MK2 change again, MK2 magic change...
Later Anti-Hulk armor also follows Stark's control over it. However, in Bruce Banner's hands, it became a bulky piece of equipment.
Skye took the communicator and left contentedly.
Later, Thor received a call from her in the middle of the night.
"060 bang—bang—"
Looking at the two large human-shaped holes in the roof and the floor of the second story, Skye was stunned.
"I just wanted to test the effect. Why did you come in?" Skye wanted to cry but had no tears.
She knew Thor was fast, and wearing pajamas was no excuse for such things. The problem was—how many years did her mother spend decorating the house!!!
"Oh. I was just worried that you were in danger, so I rushed here immediately. I didn't have time to knock on the door."
Thor said seriously.
The more beautiful a woman is, the more she will deceive people. I must teach a lesson to suppress this kind of attitude!
Seeing Thor's demeanor, Skye didn't know what to do and remained silent with a mournful face.
In fact, after spending some time with her, she discovered that Thor was far from as decent as he appeared on the surface. If she continued to complain about the hole in the roof, Thor would most likely take the opportunity to invite her to his manor...
In the dark room, a deep voice sounded, "I'm afraid the plan will need to be implemented ahead of schedule."
A frantic voice rang out, "Hail HYDRA !"
Chapter 102: History's Legendary Crucifixion Day
"This is no longer a world where politicians can decide everything."
"Pierce's plan only works on mortals, and it's up to them to deal with ordinary enemies."
"To combat so-called gods, only those with similar super abilities can do it."
"Let's start the great experiment now. Failure doesn't matter. I have issued a call for volunteers. We have no shortage of test subjects. The bodies of those who fail will be discarded. But as long as someone succeeds, revenge will be within reach!"
"This is an age of miracles, and nothing is more terrifying than miracles."
A display screen in the room shows Thor pointing at the sky with thunder pouring down.
On the other side of the room, a mysterious scepter is placed on a shelf. The scepter's head is a gemstone emitting a dark blue light.
Outside Sokovia's base, a man and a woman are walking together, supporting each other.
"Pietro, are we really going in?"
"Yes, this is the only way we might achieve revenge."
"Actually, I don't really care about revenge, as long as we all stay safe..."
"Wanda, you're too soft-hearted..."
The impact of the New York battle was immense, and the first thing that came to the forefront was the reality of superheroes. Laser weapons, aliens... People realized these things were real. Even the existence of magic began to be accepted by many, except for a small number of staunch atheists.
Stephen Strange is one of them.
He believes Thor is just an ordinary person with a special constitution. "It's just an ordinary discharge phenomenon. Electric eels can do it too."
"The so-called magic and the power of faith don't exist. They are just phenomena not yet explained by science. There is no spiritual power; humans are just made of atoms.'"
"But I'm not human."
Thor spread his hands. He didn't know why he was debating with the future Doctor Strange.
Recently, Thor had been quite free; Jane was away for some relaxation, and he had resumed astronomical research. Natasha was busy and couldn't accompany him all the time. Steve could, but lately, he's been focusing on learning about modern times.
Moreover, simple sparring without divine power was improving slowly.
Hela was a potential sparring partner, but she was too moody. One moment she was a kind elder sister, and the next, she was the stern mother figure. The little needle pokes your chest...
Strange was interrupted by Thor and then reacted, "No, not only humans; aliens are material as well. You just have stronger physiques, longer lifespans, and some abilities. Within the scope of science, if modern humans appeared in the Middle Ages, they would also be regarded as gods."
"Two boring people." Christine Palmer frowned, while Nebula and Minerva nodded in agreement.
Strange had operated on Stark, and she was the second-in-command. After the successful operation, both gained fame. They knew that without Thor, Stark would not have trusted them so easily, so they came to thank him.
Thor was about to retort when a system voice suddenly sounded in his mind.
"Drip, congratulations to the host for triggering Doctor Strange's exclusive mission: Mysterious Realm. The future Doctor Strange is now a staunch materialist. Shake his beliefs and make him accept this mysterious world."
"Mission objective: Show Strange a phenomenon that completely conflicts with scientific ideas. Mission reward: Skill—Soul Astral."
"Soul Astral:
Passive effect - The soul can be separated from the body. After separation, the soul is physically immune and cannot launch physical attacks but will suffer from soul damage and magic attacks.
Active effect - Focus, slap the opponent's chest, and push their soul out of the body. When the opponent resists, the success rate and effect duration depend on their determination.
Soul Astral is a powerful skill. Haven't you seen the Hulk mastered by the Ancient One? The downside is that it requires close quarters and concentration. It is generally suitable for dealing with particularly rough-skinned enemies.
As for how to complete the task, pure thunder won't work. Strange has already determined that he is similar to an electric eel."
"Mr. Strange, I will show you how small the world you see is."
Thor gestured, and a golden circle appeared beneath Strange, who fell down with a plop...
"What's happening? A major change?" Christine Palmer looked confused.
"It's nothing, just a free fall. Don't worry, the terminal velocity of a free fall on Earth is about 50 meters per second, so he won't burn up."
It suddenly occurred to him that Doctor Strange had used this trick on Loki with great effect.
"Miss Palmer, are you interested in working at my research center? Maya and Betty need an assistant with substantial medical knowledge."
Thor was happily trying to recruit her, but at that moment, Strange was in distress.
He had been in the living room and suddenly found himself hundreds of meters above the ground, with a snow-covered mountain below.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa..."
Just as he thought he was about to fall to his death, a golden halo of sparks appeared in front of his eyes. In the next moment, he found himself back at an altitude of several hundred meters.
The distance was reset, but the falling speed remained. Under gravity, he fell even faster.
More tragically, unlike Loki, Strange had no extraordinary physical abilities to endure the fall.
At first, he could still scream, but as his speed increased, his mouth filled with cold wind, and he struggled to close it.
It felt as though his mouth was turning into a pea shooter from a video game.
At Kamar-Taj, the Ancient One sighed, waved a hand, and placed a protective aura around Strange to prevent him from being killed.
While it's beneficial for a successor to experience the mysteries early, they shouldn't be put in mortal danger.
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Chapter 103: Insight Plan
"Drip! Congratulations to the host for completing the mission related to Doctor Strange—Mysterious Realm—and receiving the reward: Skill—Soul Astral."
The free fall lasted about ten minutes, and Thor heard the system announce the task's completion. He waved his hand in satisfaction, and Strange's falling speed began to slow.
A few seconds later, Strange landed with a thud.
Seeing Strange's distressed state, Thor felt a bit sorry.
"Uh, should there be...?"
Strange gasped for air and said hopelessly, "I've been in free fall for ten minutes!"
"Ten minutes, and this is the result? Far from Loki's performance."
"It's truly terrifying. I always thought bungee jumping was scary enough!" Strange continued, still shaken. "Don't you have something a bit less thrilling?"
"Yes!" Thor slapped his chest, and then a translucent version of Strange floated out of his body.
This sight shocked everyone in the living room.
"Oh! Is this the soul?"
The soul state didn't last long; Strange was back in his body within a few seconds.
The duration of the soul's separation from the body depends on willpower. It must be said that Doctor Strange's willpower is impressive, allowing him to recover in just a few seconds. It is this kind of determination that enables him to face Dormammu with such intensity!
"I'm beginning to doubt the education I've received over the years," Strange sighed.
"There's no need to completely dismiss it," Thor patted him on the shoulder. "In advanced civilizations, science and magic are inherently intertwined."
Christine Palmer hesitated to join immediately; she needed to think it over. After all, she had only met Thor twice and suspected he might be trying to recruit her to stay at the manor...
Thor was indifferent. In fact, he was more interested in the research center as a hobby than a career focus.
...
"Sir, please allow me to introduce S.H.I.E.L.D's new project.
Since Iron Man's emergence, various crises have arisen in recent years. The Abomination, Iron Man, and even the aliens during the New York battle have caused significant harm to our people.
Yes, we have the Avengers, but they can only address problems after they occur. What we need is prevention."
Alexander Pierce was presenting to the council.
"Even the Avengers can't prevent crises entirely. What else can you propose?" a female congresswoman asked.
"Insight Plan! By monitoring the entire world, we aim to identify and neutralize threats during their incubation period, bringing global safety into view!"
"Minister Pierce, please explain further."
"Dr. Zola's algorithm, through precise calculations, identifies all potential threats to this world and eliminates them before they can act, rather than waiting for disasters to occur before seeking the Avengers."
Pierce's description seemed convincing, but the council remained skeptical. They worried about the potential for panic and questioned the reliability of Zola's algorithm.
"We can't give you an immediate answer. I hope you understand."
Leaving the hall, Pierce's sympathy vanished, replaced by a grim expression. He picked up his phone and dialed a confidential number.
If they need more time to decide, he would intensify the pressure!
...
Alexander Pierce, the former director of S.H.I.E.L.D., had promoted Nick Fury to take over as director. Even after retiring, he continued to contribute as a senior figure.
No one suspected that he was actually a member of HYDRA.
Originally, he wasn't anxious about the Insight Plan, but Thor's power made him feel threatened.
What worried him more was Thor's close relationship with Peggy Carter. If he wanted to control S.H.I.E.L.D., he could easily reinstate Peggy Carter at any time.
A few days later, news alarmed the council: a secret S.H.I.E.L.D. ship had been hijacked by pirates, with high-level agent Sitwell taken hostage.
Fortunately, Captain America and Black Widow responded promptly, defeating the pirates and recovering the ship.
...
Despite this, the incident was a blow to S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Security Council, who were furious.
...
"It's not right," Natasha analyzed to Thor.
Though they had enough motivation and strength, the fact that a secret ship was hijacked indicated that a high-level mole might be within S.H.I.E.L.D., potentially causing more significant issues. Additionally, Steve and Natasha seemed to have an unusually smooth operation.
"It's normal. Reaching this level in a hastily arranged game isn't too bad," Thor replied with a slight smile. The plot had advanced a year ahead of schedule, and their opponents were unprepared.
...
"A setup? You mean this was orchestrated by Agent Sitwell? What's his purpose?" Natasha asked, having heard Thor's suspicions about Sitwell.
"Sitwell is just a pawn, not the mastermind. Prepare yourselves; S.H.I.E.L.D. is about to change."
"Are we finally going to expose HYDRA? What should we do next?" Natasha asked, excited.
"You know more about agent work than I do. Do you need me to teach you? Oh, and no beauty tricks are allowed!" Thor remembered that in the original plot, Natasha and Captain America were quite different. Despite the changes in history, he felt it was worth mentioning.
"Are you unwell?" Natasha glared at Thor and waved her magic bracelet. "Everyone who underestimates me as a woman regrets it. It could grow into a forest!"
"With these three new space carriers, we can use satellites to analyze an enemy's DNA before they act and neutralize them first. Criminals will be arrested before they can commit any crimes," Nick Fury explained the Insight Plan to Steve.
"According to the law, shouldn't someone be proven guilty before being punished?" Steve questioned.
Captain America was confused by this new approach.
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