"The plan failed! Not only are the Destroyer and Laufey dead, but even Magneto got his face smashed in by that kid. The situation's a lot messier than we thought."
Ultron's rough, metallic voice crackled through the communicator, cold and humorless.
"What?" Thor's hand clenched around the armrest of his throne, the air trembling with divine energy. "You're joking."
The Asgardian god's voice dripped with disbelief and barely-contained rage. His eyes flashed like storms gathering over a dying world. "That brat again… He's just a mortal! Don't tell me you're feeding me lies, Ultron. Are you trying to push me into a fight while you sit back and watch?"
He knew how powerful Magneto was. The idea that some earthling could take him down? Insanity. Unless that "kid" had somehow climbed to an impossible level of power—something Thor's pride refused to accept.
Ultron's response came with static and a faint sneer. "Believe what you want, Thor. I've got no reason to lie. If you doubt me, ask your own dogs to confirm it. You'll get the same report soon enough."
Thor's golden eyes narrowed. With a flick of his fingers, one of his soldiers stepped forward. Whispered words followed. The longer Thor listened, the deeper the lines of fury carved into his face. By the end, the armrest beneath his hand was nothing but dust. The throne room fell silent, the tension thick as thunderclouds.
"…Fine," he said at last, voice low and dangerous. "How do you want to cooperate?"
Ultron chuckled darkly. "Simple. We stick to our deal. But if you actually want to kill that brat, you'd better start paying up. Because once he reaches his peak, even you won't stand a chance. Just some friendly advice."
Thor's jaw tightened. "I don't need reminders. Don't fail me, machine."
The line cut off. For a long moment, Thor said nothing. His eyes flickered with conflict before settling into a cold, deadly calm. He called out, "Bring me Loki."
Moments later, the Trickster God strolled into the hall, chin high, expression dripping disdain. "What now, brother? You look like you've bitten into a lemon."
Thor's voice came out sharp enough to cut steel. "Watch your tone. This isn't the time." He rose from his throne, lightning crawling along his shoulders. "The Destroyer and Heimdall are dead. Killed by that human boy. You're going to Earth. Bring me his head."
Loki's smirk froze. "You can't be serious." His tone cracked halfway between disbelief and outrage. "You want me to face him alone? Even Heimdall fell! Are you trying to get me killed?"
He threw up his hands in protest, backing away slightly. "No way. Absolutely not."
Thor stepped forward, his divine aura pressing down like a thunderstorm. The floor itself quaked under his power. "Afraid? The great Loki Laufeyson, scared of a human? Pathetic."
The god of mischief swallowed hard as lightning streaked across the ceiling. His body stiffened, heart hammering under the crushing pressure.
"Relax," Thor said at last, tone softening—barely. "You won't be alone. Once you reach Earth, you'll contact Ultron and Magneto's remaining forces. This list," he handed over a sealed scroll, "contains every ally we still have there. Together, you'll crush Ryuuto. Simple enough."
Loki took the scroll with trembling fingers. "Fine. I'll do it. But this isn't bravery—it's suicide with better lighting." He turned sharply and left, vanishing through a shimmer of green light.
Thor remained in the empty hall, his mouth curling into a cruel smile. "Enjoy your last few days, boy."
Meanwhile, back on Earth, Ryuuto lounged on a sofa between Gwen and Susan, half-watching the evening news and half-turning a strange, rune-covered map in his hands.
"Shion, this map looks like it was drawn by a drunk ghost," he muttered. "You sure it's not fake?"
[Heh, maybe it's your brain that's fake. Don't stare at it—feel it. Calm down and use your energy. You'll see.]
Rolling his eyes, Ryuuto sighed but did as told. Closing his eyes, he placed both hands on the map. A spark of white light flared beneath his palms. Then—there it was.
A single glowing dot pulsed at the center of the map, bright and mesmerizing, like it was calling him.
"Whoa… you weren't kidding."
[Told you so. There's probably something huge waiting there, master. Better get moving before someone else does.]
Ryuuto grinned. "Alright then. Let's see what kind of 'huge' surprise you're hiding this time."
...
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