**
"However, the bullets mainly hit his clothing at the time. We're not sure about the material, but there wasn't a single scratch. Nor did it seem to slow him down at all," Nick Fury said. "We haven't tried aiming for the head, though."
Link thought for a moment and then said, "Looks like I'll need to switch to a shotgun, using slugs this time. Let's see what effect that has."
Nick Fury nodded in agreement. "Your room is stocked with weapons and ammunition. When the time comes, you can provide fire support for Cap."
"Even just slowing Loki down will be a big help."
Link nodded and said, "Got it."
They waited, knowing it would take time. Soon, Black Widow returned and joined them, waiting for updates.
Global searches weren't quick, unless the target revealed themselves.
By evening, Loki showed up in Stuttgart, Germany, on Königstrasse 28, where a party was being held.
"Cap, Link, Natasha!" Fury commanded, and the three immediately stood up. Link returned to his room and grabbed a Benelli M1014 shotgun.
He poured two boxes of slug rounds into a tactical pouch, strapped it to his lower back, grabbed several magazines for his Glock 17, and hooked them onto his belt. Then, he headed out.
A Quinjet was already waiting. Captain Steve Rogers, clad in his uniform and holding his shield, joined him, and they both boarded the aircraft.
Black Widow piloted as Link sat down, checking his gear. He loaded the slugs into the shotgun, one by one, and adjusted the stock.
"Let's hope this bad boy does the job," Link said. "Otherwise, it'll be hard for me to back you up."
Steve Rogers looked at him. "Just make sure your aim is true."
"Always," Link replied with a grin.
The jet moved swiftly. The Helicarrier was already stationed over the Atlantic, so Europe wasn't far.
Loki took his time after entering the party hall, waiting. He was clearly expecting SHIELD to show up.
Link contemplated the situation. Loki still intended to get aboard the Helicarrier, but why? Didn't Hawkeye know about Bruce Banner's situation?
If he did, how could Loki's plan work?
As these thoughts swirled in Link's mind, the Quinjet arrived. Below, a crowd was kneeling, while Loki was in the midst of giving a speech. Captain Rogers instructed Black Widow to open the rear hatch, and without hesitation, he jumped out from about 30 meters up.
Link activated his wrist device. A hoverboard materialized beneath him as he leaped after the Captain.
"Nice!" Black Widow commented.
"I'm heading down!" Link called out as he descended, shotgun ready, watching Loki from above.
Loki glanced at Captain America, then at Link and the Quinjet. He smirked before suddenly raising his scepter, firing a beam of energy at the jet.
Black Widow quickly dodged, while Captain America charged forward, engaging Loki in hand-to-hand combat.
But Cap was losing ground.
"Boom!" The sound of Link's shotgun echoed as he fired a slug round just as Loki was about to land a hit on Captain America. Slug rounds contain only one projectile, unlike traditional buckshot. With all the kinetic energy concentrated in a single bullet, it packs a powerful punch—if it hits.
The effect wasn't immediate, but Loki faltered, his movement interrupted as he winced in pain. Though the slug didn't injure him, it had definitely slowed him down.
Captain America seized the moment to counterattack. They began to work together, trading blows. Just then, music blared from the Quinjet's speakers as Tony Stark arrived in his Iron Man suit, firing two energy blasts at Loki, sending him flying backward.
Stark landed, his weapon systems primed and aimed at Loki.
Link hadn't expected Stark to show up. Did Fury send him?
"Hey, your backup's here," Stark's cocky voice echoed.
"What are you doing here?" Link asked as he landed.
"Never mind me. Is that your hoverboard?" Stark asked, curious.
"Yep, Swallow-style hoverboard," Link replied. He touched his wrist, and the board disassembled, retracting into a bracelet on his arm.
"My god, you've mastered nanotechnology?" Stark exclaimed.
Captain Rogers, uninterested in their conversation, said, "Shouldn't we take him in first?"
"Fine!" Link approached, confiscating Loki's scepter as the Quinjet landed. Black Widow stepped out with handcuffs.
They cuffed Loki and brought him on board, but Stark couldn't help but ask, "Is that really nanotechnology?"
"Sure is. Interested?" Link grinned.
"Of course! If I had nanotech, I could carry my armor with me anywhere," Stark said excitedly. "What's the deal?"
"Knock knock," Link tapped Stark's chest arc reactor. "We trade. But neither of us gets to commercialize the other's tech."
"Deal! But who developed it?" Stark asked.
"Trade secret!" Link replied with a laugh. "For now, Osborne Corp has no plans to go commercial with it. I used it to create a combat suit and hoverboard."
"This time, I didn't wear my suit, and honestly, I couldn't manage an Iron Man-style armor anyway," Link said, patting the handgun on his thigh. "I prefer firearms."
Stark proudly declared, "Not everyone can be Iron Man!"
Suddenly, thunder cracked in the sky, causing Loki to visibly flinch.
Captain America, noticing Loki's reaction, asked, "You afraid of thunderstorms?"
"I just hate the guy who brings them," Loki muttered.
"Thud!" A figure landed on the Quinjet.
Stark put on his helmet and moved to the back of the jet. Link quickly tapped his wrist again, summoning his combat suit.
Thor descended, shoving Stark aside and grabbing Loki before leaping out.
Stark, undeterred by Captain America's protests, gave chase.
"Link!" Captain America turned to him.
"I'll take us after them!" Link replied. He tapped his wrist, and the hoverboard appeared again. Grabbing Captain America's arm, they dashed out of the jet. Rogers was momentarily stunned.
The hoverboard quickly caught up with them. It connected to the back of Link's suit, the thrusters engaging as they soared forward, chasing Stark.
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(End of Chapter)