"If he's rescued, I fear events will still unfold exactly as everyone predicted!" Several stern-looking military and industrial magnates spoke in hushed but heavy tones.
"Frankly, if Loki isn't brought in, it'll be a massive roadblock to uncovering the true source of destruction from that era." Confusion rippled through the gathered crowd.
"Capture him or not, it won't change the truth. It's not Loki, nor even the Chitauri, who shattered the Earth's Age, but something… far more powerful! And if you don't take him, Loki will still carry out his so-called plan of building a new world!"
Both outcomes were grim, a lose-lose scenario that weighed heavily on everyone present. All eyes drifted upward to the massive live-screen, where the stormy night sky crackled with power. With every flash of lightning, an unseen danger seemed to inch closer.
[ Boom! A deafening thunderclap split the air. ]
[ Rogers glanced at Loki, who stood gazing upward, and asked, "What, afraid of thunder now?" ]
[ Loki's tone was calm, his gaze unflinching: "I simply don't care for thunder's theatrics." ]
[ Suddenly, dark clouds churned violently, and a massive figure descended onto the fighter jet in a blaze of lightning. The flickering silhouette revealed itself, Thor, wielding Mjolnir, the Hammer of Thunder. ]
[ Tony snapped on his helmet, opened the hatch, and Thor landed squarely atop it without hesitation. In a single, brutal motion, Thor swung his hammer, sending Tony hurtling backward, then seized Loki and vaulted off the jet. ]
[ "Talk about an untimely entrance," Tony muttered as he picked himself up. ]
[ "Another Asgardian?" Black Widow remarked, eyebrows raised. ]
[ "Friend or foe?" Rogers asked tersely. ]
[ "Doesn't matter," Tony cut in sharply. "Whether Loki escapes or gets himself killed, we still won't get our hands on the Cube." ]
[ Without another word, Tony strode toward the edge of the cabin. ]
[ "Stark! We have a plan of attack!" Rogers barked. ]
[ Tony stopped only long enough to turn, armored suit gleaming. "I've got a plan too: attack." ]
[ With that, the suit's thrusters roared to life, flames erupting as he shot out of the hatch. ]
[ "Looks like I'm keeping score from here," Widow quipped, fingers flying over controls. ]
[ Rogers buckled a parachute to his body with cool precision. "I don't plan to watch." ]
[ "They're all gods compared to us mortals," Widow warned, eyes narrowing. ]
[ "Maybe," Rogers replied evenly, tightening the straps. "But God doesn't dress like that." ]
[ With his shield in hand, he leapt headlong into the roaring sky. From a dizzying height, he plummeted without hesitation. ]
Gasps filled the livestream chat.
"Tony's still the coolest! That confidence, that style!"
"Captain Rogers is insane! He just jumped?! No jetpack, no tech, just free fall?!"
"Please don't die, Cap..."
"Why's Thor even taking Loki? Isn't Loki the villain here?"
"Wait, if Thor's here now… is he planning to stay on Earth?"
"It's terrifying, gods at war, and humans are the collateral damage."
"Cap probably hates every second of this, but down he goes anyway."
"Just let him land safely, please..."
"He's got nothing but a parachute!"
"Every time I see Thor, I can't process that one person holds that much power over thunder."
"Thor isn't just a person," someone corrected. "He's a god, a true being from the realm of the divine."
"But Terra has its own rumors. Plenty of people online claim that there are still unknown gods lurking in this world, hidden passages connecting realms… even a world tree leading straight to Terra."
"Those stories existed back in the Earth Era, too. Probably just as true now."
"Tony's about to fight Thor, isn't he? This is insane!"
"Technology versus divinity. Let's see if that fancy suit holds up!"
[ BANG! Thor hurled Loki to the ground, his voice sharp: "Where is the Cube?!" ]
[ Loki smirked, unbothered. "I missed you, too." ]
[ "Do I look like I'm joking?!" Thor roared. ]
[ Loki rose to his feet, still composed. "You should be grateful. The Rainbow Bridge is destroyed. Do you know how much dark energy Father spent sending you to your precious Earth?" ]
[ Mjolnir hit the ground with a heavy thud as Thor grabbed Loki by the neck. "I thought you were dead." ]
[ "Did you mourn me?" Loki asked, voice mocking. ]
[ "We all mourned, Father—" ]
[ "Did he tell you about me?" Loki cut him off sharply. ]
[ Thor's voice softened slightly. "We grew up together… played, fought side by side. Do you not remember?" ]
[ Loki's expression twisted. "I remember nothing but shadows! Your shadow! You cast me into the abyss! I was born to be a king. I am a king." ]
[ "So you steal the world I love, just to fill some imagined slight?" Thor's grip tightened. ]
[ "Earth needs my protection, Loki," Thor said firmly. ]
[ Loki's laughter was cold and bitter. "Protection? Humans butcher each other for greed while you watch helplessly. I'll rule them, for their own good." ]
[ "So you believe you're superior?" ]
[ "Naturally." ]
["Then you know nothing of true leadership. The throne is not yours, brother." ]
[ Loki strode toward a high ledge, voice rising. "I've seen more of the universe than you! In exile, I learned the Cube's true power. It showed me everything!" ]
[ "Who showed it to you? Who whispers these lies?" Thor demanded. ]
[ "I AM the king!" ]
[ "Not here." ]
[ "Enough!" Thor's voice thundered. "Hand over the Cube. Abandon this madness. Come home." ]
[ Loki's smirk was icy. "Home? I have none." ]
[ Thor's temper snapped as he summoned Mjolnir once more. ]
[ Loki taunted him. "You can't take me, not this time. The Cube is gone, sent far away." ]
[ Thor pointed his hammer. "You've left me no choice, brother." ]
[ A sudden blast of fire streaked from the sky, cutting him off. In an explosion of energy, Thor was thrown backward. ]
"That's Tony! It has to be Tony!"
"He's actually challenging a god!"
"Thor and Loki's family drama is way deeper than I thought…"
"Imagine living in someone else's shadow like that… must've crushed him."
Back in the Administration, the director's eyes gleamed as he watched.
"A weakness," he murmured. "Even gods have them."
When Thor first appeared, they had thought the gods untouchable. Now, watching him bicker and clash with his brother, he seemed almost… human. And humanity could exploit that.
"Sir, the first four candidates have arrived," an assistant whispered urgently.
The director nodded, following the aide to a private meeting room. Inside sat four figures. One was Aldice; the other three, two middle-aged men and a stern woman. All were high-ranking individuals summoned by the Supreme Court, the first to exhibit potential superhuman abilities. More would follow.
"Welcome," the director said smoothly. "I trust you're familiar with one another, so let's skip the introductions. You're here for one reason: to show us your powers."
The four radiated an air of superiority. Even here, in this official stronghold, their confidence bordered on arrogance.
Aldice spoke first, voice level. "My abilities: blood manipulation and infection."
Next was a calm man with piercing eyes. "Yun Ying. I wield the Phantom Spear."
"Arden," said the other man. "Flame control."
"Yasmin Lowe," the woman finished coolly. "Ice aura."
Though outwardly calm, the director's mind raced. These weren't mere enhanced humans. They were true Supernaturals.
"From this moment forward, you are the first generation of the Terra Federation's Supernatural combatants." His words carried weight. He turned toward the projector. "Now, let's review a particular account's memories from the Bai Shi Immortal Warrior database. It may prove invaluable to our plans."
The four exchanged wary glances, their pride momentarily subdued.
"The Immortal Warrior's past life was unmatched," Yasmin murmured, frost curling around her words. "I wonder if he's awakened his powers yet."
These were no ordinary people. Selected from billions, they had reincarnation records spanning a hundred lifetimes, every one of them carrying echoes of greatness.
"They're too strong," one whispered. "The sheer presence of these key figures is overwhelming."
Their gazes turned to the live feed once more.
[ Flames roared as Tony's armored suit slammed Thor into the ground. ]
[ Thor rose, glaring. "Touch me again and you'll regret it." ]
[ Tony's helmet retracted. "Then don't take what's mine." ]
[ Thor sneered. "You mortals have no idea how small you are." ]
[ Tony smirked, eyes glinting. "Is this a Shakespeare audition? Does your mother know you left the house wearing her drapes?" ]
[ Thor's temper flared. "Enough, Tin Man! Loki will answer to Asgard!" ]
[ Tony lowered his visor, voice cold. "Not until he gives up the Cube. Until then, you're in my way." ]
"He's got some nerve, mouthing off to a god!"
"Thor must be fuming right now!"
"This is gonna be good…"
[ Thor spun Mjolnir, hurling it at Tony with terrifying force. Tony braced himself but was sent flying, alarms flashing across his HUD. ]
[" Ow… That hurt," Tony muttered. ]
"That hammer's insane! Not even his armor can block it!"
[ Thor called Mjolnir back with a snap of his hand, lightning crackling around him as he prepared to strike again. Tony launched forward, palm cannons blazing, blasting Thor off balance. He rocketed upward, delivering a brutal knee strike to Thor's chest, knocking the hammer loose. But it wasn't gone for long, Mjolnir zipped back to Thor's hand. He lifted it high, summoning a storm. ]
[ Boom! The sky roared, and lightning coursed down, Thor's godly power crackling in an awe-inspiring display. ]