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Inside, however, Anthony was grumbling:
"Go with you guys to the Dark World? Are you kidding me?"
"That place is a wasteland—pitch-black, no audience. Where would I farm popularity? You got any hair to lose?"
"Besides, I already know you're bound to lose."
"The Aether Particle is an Infinity Stone, the embodiment of cosmic law. Thor, you think you can destroy an Infinity Stone with your little hammer? Keep dreaming."
"By the time Malekith absorbs the Aether and the Convergence lines the Nine Realms up in a row, he'll definitely sense the other half of the Aether on Earth."
"All I have to do is comfortably return to Earth, sip some soda, and wait for the boss to come knocking."
"Then, with Earth facing another alien invasion under the eyes of all humanity and the lenses of the World… I step in and take Malekith down."
"That's maximizing profit!"
"I get the Stone, farm the fame, and save the World while I'm at it."
Now that's what I call… winning big.
…Operation commence.
Jane Foster, too weak to stand, was cradled in Thor's arms.
Loki took the controls of the Dark Elf scythe-fighter.
"You actually know how to fly this thing?" Thor asked skeptically.
"I'm a god, Thor," Loki replied, fingers dancing over the console. "And the interface is pretty intuitive… mostly."
Boom—!
The ship lurched skyward, clipping two stone pillars on the way.
"Watch where you're going!!"
"Shut up! I'm adjusting the sensitivity!"
Watching their craft roar out of the Heavenly Palace.
Anthony took off alone and landed before Heimdall.
Heimdall still stood his post, blind to the Dark Elves yet ever vigilant.
"I'm returning to Earth, Gatekeeper," Anthony said. "By Odin's order… well, more or less."
Heimdall gave him a long look, then wordlessly slid the guardian sword into its slot.
Boom—!
The Bifrost Bridge ignited.
Anthony vanished from Asgard… Washington D.C., White House.
Rain poured, thunder rolled, as though heralding some ominous future.
The Oval Office fireplace blazed, yet President Matthew Ellis still felt cold.
His whiskey glass was empty, but he kept swirling it; ice clinked against crystal.
"You mean…" Ellis's voice was hoarse as he stared at the planet's strongest superhuman, "…they're coming? Aliens again?"
Anthony perched casually on the edge of the presidential desk like an old friend, his star-spangled cape dripping rainwater onto the carpet.
"Not just aliens, Matthew," he said, lifting a crystal decanter from the cabinet and pouring himself a drink as if in his own living room.
"These lunatics want to turn the Universe into a dark forest. Dark Elves—just the name tells you they don't worship the Light."
"Dark Elves…" Ellis loosened his tie and slumped into his chair. "God, I thought those were bedtime stories. What about S.H.I.E.L.D.? Why hasn't that one-eyed Fury reported this?"
"S.H.I.E.L.D.?" Anthony snorted. "By the time those bureaucrats finish their paperwork, the Dark Elves' ships will be barbecuing on your South Lawn."
He leaned in, eyes locked on the President, voice turning grave.
"Listen, Matthew. Crisis is opportunity."
"Opportunity?"
"Ever seen Independence Day?" Anthony gestured toward the stormy window.
"The movie?" Ellis blinked.
"Exactly! Before the aliens attacked, the President was just a politician taking heat. And after?" Anthony pointed outside. "He flew a fighter jet into the sky, became a hero, the leader of all mankind."
"You're the President, Matthew. You're the face of this nation. During the Battle of New York, it was the Avengers' show, Nick Fury's spotlight—you were just a background extra hiding in a bunker."
Ellis's face twitched; that was his sore spot.
"But this time it's different. Now the whole World knows Earth is a juicy target. Fear is spreading…"
"And fear, Matthew—fear is the best glue," Anthony said, voice dripping persuasion. "The people need a strong leader, a President who can flip alien scum the bird and boot them back where they came from."
"Picture it, Matthew." Anthony sketched an grand vision in the air. "You standing atop the ruins of Capitol Hill, announcing to a battered World that we've driven the invaders back. How do you think the public will see you?"
"You'll eclipse Roosevelt, eclipse Lincoln! You'll be the fifth face on Mount Rushmore!"
Ellis's breath quickened, fear in his eyes giving way to ambition.
"And all I need…" Anthony smiled, sliding the glass toward the President, "…is your cooperation. Since S.H.I.E.L.D. is blind and deaf, let my Vought take over defense. Give me authorization, stand on my platform, crush the bureaucrats who only know how to bicker."
"We'll share the glory."
President Ellis stared at the amber liquid for three seconds.
Then he knocked it back in one gulp.
"Done." Ellis slammed the glass down, eyes turning fierce. "To hell with S.H.I.E.L.D. Homelander, take us to victory."
"As you wish, Mr. President." Anthony inclined his head, the perfect curve of a smile on his lips.
"This is my Earth. I won't let anyone take it away."
…New York, Vought International HQ.
In the CEO office, Jessica Jones clutched the window frame so hard the alloy frame bent and warped.
Her face was paper-white, cold sweat beading, dark-red pulses flickering beneath the skin of her neck—the Aether Particle stirring inside her.
"Damn it… damn it…"
Cursing under her breath, she fumbled a bottle of painkillers from the drawer, upended a handful into her mouth, and swallowed them dry.
It didn't help; the soul-scorching pain still surged in waves.
Bang!
The office door burst open.
Jessica spun around, red light flashing in her eyes. She instinctively turned away, snatched her shades from the desk, and slipped them on.
"Who told you to come in! Get out! I said not without my order—"
"Is this how you welcome your boss, Queen?"
That familiar voice, laced with teasing, yet reassuring.
Jessica froze.
Three seconds later, she slowly turned around.