[ Rogers, clad in his iconic uniform and gripping his shield, strode forward with steady determination toward Loki. Rogers said as he walked, his voice calm yet firm: "You know, last time I came here, I saw someone trying to trample on everyone else, and we ended up fighting each other." ]
[ Loki rose smoothly from the ground, a sly grin curling on his lips. "Outdated relic." ]
[ Rogers replied without hesitation, his tone resolute. "It's not me who's out of date." ]
[ Above, a fighter plane roared past, its weapon ports locking onto Loki. The sharp voice of the Widow came over comms: "Loki, drop your weapons and surrender now!" ]
[ In response, Loki whipped his hand upward, unleashing a surge of energy. Rogers reacted instantly, hurling his shield to intercept the blast, the clang reverberating like thunder. Panic rippled through the streets below. Screams filled the air as civilians scattered in terror. ]
[ Rogers charged forward, shield in hand, striking with precision and fury. Loki, wielding his scepter, met him blow for blow, their clash ringing like steel on steel. With a powerful swing, Loki shattered Rogers' defense, his scepter smashing the shield aside. He struck Rogers squarely in the back, sending him sprawling through the air. ]
[ Loki extended his arm, the tip of his scepter glowing ominously as he leveled it at Rogers' head. "Kneel!" he thundered. ]
[ "Not happening!" Rogers snarled, rolling aside. He seized the scepter mid-strike, twisting his body to land a sharp kick to Loki's head. ]
[ From the cockpit above, the Widow frowned, her eyes narrowing as she tracked the brawl below. "Their speed… I can't get a lock." ]
[ The two combatants clashed in a blur of motion, bodies entwined, weapons flashing. A gunner tried to line up a shot, but their movements made it impossible. The tension mounted. Just as Loki raised his scepter for another strike, a familiar voice chimed in over Widow's comms, smooth and playful. ]
[ "Romanov, miss me?" At that moment, the jet's systems lit up, music blaring triumphantly as if heralding a hero's entrance. A knowing smile tugged at Romanov's lips. ]
[ Then, from the darkness of the night sky, a blazing streak of fire arced downward like a meteor aimed straight for the fight. ]
["Tony," she breathed. ]
[Tony Stark rocketed in, palms glowing with crackling energy. He released a searing blast that struck Loki head-on, hurling him backward with a deafening boom. Tony landed with a dramatic flourish, one knee on the ground, his gleaming battle suit illuminated in the flashing lights of chaos. He rose to his feet, hands raised, palms charged with energy, as tiny weapon pods deployed from his shoulders. ]
The live broadcast chat erupted in a frenzy of cheers and disbelief.
"Tony! Unstoppable!"
"The cleanest rescue ever, hands down!"
"Tony Stark, you're a god!"
"Did you see that? He sent Loki flying!"
"Iron Man, still the king! Loki doesn't stand a chance!"
"Hah! Loki's on the back foot now!"
"Crush him, Tony! He's the key to opening that portal!"
"Villains like Loki shouldn't be breathing!"
"Tony's armor looks even more advanced!"
"Different design this time, but is the firepower higher?"
"Explosive entrance, BGM and all!"
"Welcome to the stage, Big Brother Tony!"
"Tony, you're loved!"
[ Tony and Rogers stood shoulder to shoulder, facing Loki like immovable sentinels. Realizing he was outmatched, Loki smirked faintly, deactivating his weapons and raising his hands in mock surrender. ]
[ Tony retracted the suit's arsenal, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "That's more like it." ]
[ Rogers let out a breath and nodded. "Mr. Stark." ]
"Coward, Loki's such a coward!"
"Why give up so quickly?"
"He folded? I thought he'd fight!"
"Pathetic. Total letdown."
"Tony and Cap standing together… feels surreal."
"Yeah, like two eras clashing."
"Wait, something's wrong. Loki shouldn't be this weak."
"He has teleportation, he could've escaped!"
"This doesn't feel right…"
"Please, Tony's weapons probably scared him stiff!"
"Loki's strapped in the jet now!"
[ Inside the aircraft, Widow piloted with calm precision. The Director's voice came through the comms: "Any word from him?" ]
[ "Not a single one," she replied. ]
[ "Bring him back immediately. We're out of time," the Director ordered. ]
[ In the cabin, Loki sat bound, his expression unreadable. Tony's eyes stayed fixed on him, sharp and wary. ]
[ Rogers glanced between them, uneasy. "Something's off." ]
[ Tony smirked. "What? Our rock star surrendered too easily?" ]
[ Rogers muttered, "He's powerful. This feels… wrong." ]
[ Tony arched a brow. "You're pretty strong yourself, for a guy your age." ]
[ He sized Rogers up with a playful grin. "Square dancing lessons? Looks like aerobics to me." ]
[ Rogers stared back in bafflement. ]
[ Tony chuckled. "I get it, this is all new for you. Popsicle life for decades will do that to a man." ]
[ Rogers sighed. "Fury's looking for you. He didn't exactly explain why." ]
[ Tony glanced out the window, his tone turning reflective. "Yeah. There's a lot Fury doesn't say." ]
[ Suddenly, the sky outside roared. Lightning cracked across dark clouds, thunder booming as if the heavens themselves were at war. ]
[ Widow looked up, startled. "Where's that lightning coming from?" ]
The audience watching froze, anxiety creeping through their voices.
"Thor. It's got to be Thor, Loki's brother!"
"He's coming to save Loki!"
"Wait, didn't Loki try to kill him last time?"
"Could just be a storm, not him."
"Relax, Tony's here. We're good."
"Still… Tony keeps mocking Cap. That banter though."
"Classic Stark. Always teasing, always charming."
"He is adorable, by the way."
"Tony's mouth never rests…"
At headquarters, the Director studied the feed, his expression hardening. He barked fresh orders to mobilize those with supernatural abilities, preparing for an escalation.
The jubilant atmosphere from earlier had evaporated. A grim tension filled the air. The expert group, too, watched with sharp focus. Something was wrong. Terra's fate was shifting. Loki wasn't merely a threat; he might be the very source of the evil spreading across the world.
A clip replayed on the monitors, Loki's earlier conversation with the armored creature now bearing heavy weight. His words had revealed too much: his power to open the channel, to summon the Chitauri army. Capturing Loki was critical. If they held him, at least, for now, the portal would remain closed.