The storm outside rages, the Quinjet shaking as lightning streaks across the dark sky. Natasha Romanoff is steady at the controls, her hands firm on the yoke. Beside her, Clark Kent sits, relaxed despite the turbulence.
NATASHA
(eyeing him, smirking)
You're awfully calm for someone in a metal box being tossed around in a storm.
CLARK
(grinning)
I've flown through worse. Besides, I trust your skills.
NATASHA
(mocking)
Careful, Smallville. Flattery won't get you everywhere.
CLARK
(playfully)
I wasn't trying to flatter. Just stating a fact.
Natasha raises an eyebrow but hides her smirk. Their moment is interrupted by a loud CLANG from the back of the jet.
Steve Rogers and Tony Stark stand guard near Loki, who sits cuffed and restrained, his eyes flicking to the storm outside. His usual smugness is gone, replaced with unease.
TONY STARK
(to Steve)
You feel that? I mean, I know turbulence, but this—this feels personal.
STEVE ROGERS
(tense, watching Loki)
Stay sharp. He knows something.
LOKI
(smiling, darkly)
Oh, I know many things, Captain. Like what happens when thunder calls for me.
The storm intensifies, thunder booming directly above them. Suddenly, a HUGE BANG echoes across the roof of the Quinjet, shaking the entire craft.
TONY STARK
(loudly)
Well, that's definitely not standard turbulence.
The sound of the bang reaches the cockpit. Natasha grips the controls tighter.
NATASHA
(frowning)
What the hell was that?
CLARK
(serious now)
Trouble.
Clark stands and begins heading to the back of the Quinjet.
Tony triggers the hatch, opening the rear of the Quinjet to investigate. The wind roars as the storm rages, rain and lightning flashing against the night.
TONY STARK
(sarcastic)
Yeah, let's just open the door. Great idea, Tony.
Suddenly, Thor drops from above, landing inside the Quinjet with the force of a thunderclap. The impact throws Iron Man into Steve Rogers, sending them sprawling.
Thor's eyes burn with fury as he strides toward Loki.
THOR
(booming, commanding)
You dare to take my prisoner?
Loki smirks, as if he's been expecting this.
LOKI
(mockingly)
Always so dramatic, brother.
Thor grabs Loki by the collar, his grip unrelenting as he prepares to leap back into the storm.
THOR
(to the team)
This is Asgardian business. Stay out of it.
Thor turns to jump—but before he can, there's a sudden WHOOSH.
In a flash, Clark Kent appears, moving faster than the eye can see. His hands snap out, grabbing Thor by the neck with one hand and Loki with the other. The sheer force of his presence halts them both in their tracks.
Thor's eyes widen in shock. Loki gasps, struggling against Clark's unyielding grip.
THOR
(stunned)
Who—?
CLARK
(firm, calm)
We're not done here.
Thor strains against Clark's grip, lightning crackling around him, but it's futile. Clark's strength is absolute, and Thor can't budge an inch.
Thor's hand tightens around Mjolnir as he glares at Clark Kent, still holding both him and Loki by their necks.
THOR
(angrily, commanding)
Release me, mortal, or I shall show you the true power of a god!
Without waiting for a response, Thor raises Mjolnir high, lightning crackling around the hammer as he brings it down with full force on Clark's side.
The impact echoes like thunder, the Quinjet shaking from the force. Steve Rogers, Tony Stark, and Natasha Romanoff stagger to keep their footing.
But Clark barely flinches. The hammer connects with his body—and stops cold. There isn't even a scratch on him.
Thor's eyes widen in shock.
THOR
(breathless, disbelieving)
Impossible.
TONY STARK
(quietly, to himself)
Well, that's... new.
Clark doesn't even glance at Mjolnir. His calm eyes meet Thor's thunderous gaze.
CLARK
(firm but calm)
Thor, stop. I don't want to hurt you.
Thor hesitates, stunned by the futility of his attack. The storm raging outside begins to settle slightly as his resolve wavers.
CLARK
(continuing, steady)
I understand your anger. But swinging your hammer around isn't going to solve anything. We need to talk.
Thor finally lowers Mjolnir, still bristling with frustration but now more wary of Clark.
THOR
(reluctant)
You are no ordinary mortal.
Clark gently releases Thor and Loki, stepping back. Loki collapses to the floor, gasping and rubbing his neck.
CLARK
(quietly)
No, I'm not. And I'm not your enemy.
Thor studies Clark for a long moment, his expression shifting from anger to grudging respect.
THOR
(gruffly)
Very well. Speak. But know this—I am watching you.
Clark nods, his expression unchanging.
INT. QUINJET – CARGO AREA – MOMENTS LATER
Thor stands near Loki, his gaze flicking between his brother and the rest of the team. Loki looks irritated but subdued, keeping his usual smirk in check.
STEVE ROGERS
(to Thor)
Your brother has taken something called the Tesseract. He's also been using his scepter to take control of people—good people.
Thor's face hardens at the mention of the Tesseract.
THOR
(to Loki, furious)
You fool! Do you understand the chaos you have unleashed?
LOKI
(casually, though strained)
Oh, don't be so dramatic, brother. It's all part of the plan.
CLARK
(stepping forward, his tone sharp)
No more games, Loki. You've manipulated enough lives.
TONY STARK
(cutting in, gesturing to Clark)
Yeah, what he said. And let me just add, we've got a bit of a zero-tolerance policy for mind control around here.
NATASHA ROMANOFF
(to Thor)
What do you know about the Tesseract?
Thor exhales heavily, setting Mjolnir on the floor beside him.
THOR
(somberly)
The Tesseract is a source of immense power. It was hidden on Midgard for a reason—to protect the Nine Realms from its corruption. If Loki has it...
STEVE ROGERS
(serious)
...then we're all in danger.
Loki chuckles, earning a glare from both Thor and Clark.
LOKI
(mockingly)
Such a grim assembly. You mortals really should learn to enjoy the spectacle of your impending doom.
Clark steps closer to Loki, his imposing figure silencing the god's mocking tone.
CLARK
(low, warning)
You don't scare us, Loki. And you're not as clever as you think.
Thor's gaze lingers on Clark for a moment before nodding.
THOR
(to the team)
We must retrieve the Tesseract before its power grows beyond control. If Loki has allies, they will come for him—and for you.
TONY STARK
(sarcastically)
Oh, good. More uninvited guests. Can't wait.
The tension in the Quinjet is palpable as the storm outside fades completely, leaving only the hum of the engines.
STEVE ROGERS
(to Natasha, calm)
How far are we from the Helicarrier?
NATASHA ROMANOFF
(straightforward)
Ten minutes out.
Clark glances at Thor, his expression softening slightly.
CLARK
(to Thor)
We'll need your help.
Thor looks at him, his pride bruised but his resolve steady.