2nd Generation Gwen looked at Tony's expression during his final moments in space: "Tony Stark must have been heartbroken when he couldn't reach Miss Potts! He was prepared to die, but the person he loved most had no idea what was happening!"
"Exactly! He didn't know he would survive. He went up there fully expecting to die alongside those aliens, but he couldn't get through to her at the most crucial moment."
George nodded after hearing his daughter's observation: "That's why he'll develop severe anxiety disorders afterward! The psychological impact of facing imminent death is definitely not something ordinary people can handle!"
Tony wasn't focused on the emotional aspects like the others. When he saw the Chitauri command ship, he immediately instructed JARVIS to begin analyzing its structure and capabilities.
When he observed how all Chitauri forces on Earth ceased functioning after the nuclear explosion destroyed their mothership, he immediately noticed something significant.
"They're not autonomous organisms - otherwise it would be impossible for them to stop functioning after the command ship was destroyed. They're more like robots, or sophisticated biological weapons!"
"That makes perfect sense!" Banner agreed with the assessment.
"If we encounter these Chitauri forces again in the future, maybe we can try disrupting their connection to the command vessel? We might not have to fight such a desperate battle!"
Rhodes supported Tony's tactical analysis: "I think that's definitely worth exploring!"
[Meanwhile, Loki struggled to his feet and was about to turn around when he sensed something was wrong. He rolled his eyes upward twice before slowly rotating his body to face his captors.]
[The Avengers were standing before him in a semicircle, staring at him with cold determination. Hawkeye had already drawn his bow and nocked an arrow, ready to execute him at any moment as payback for the mind control.]
[Loki quickly assessed his precarious situation and attempted some levity: "If it's all the same to you, I'll have that drink now."]
Back on Asgard, Queen Frigga observed Loki on the sky screen, then turned and began walking toward the exit.
Odin called after her: "You're going to see him now?"
"Yes! He must be in tremendous emotional pain right now! We all understand what Loki truly desires, and you should pay closer attention to him."
Odin said nothing in response, but silently raised his hand. Two ravens flew through the window and landed on his outstretched arm.
If observers were paying attention, they would have noticed that when Thor first came to Earth to find Loki during the events of the first Avengers crisis, these same ravens had been watching from the sidelines. Odin had never given up on Loki, but he was poor at expressing his feelings, and Loki couldn't understand Odin's complex emotions.
Frigga glanced at the ravens perched on his hand, and knowing Odin's character, she chose not to pursue this topic further.
"My child made grave mistakes, but fortunately there's still hope for redemption! As his mother, I must offer him comfort."
Odin sighed deeply and said nothing more.
[The scene shifted to the aftermath of the battle, with major media outlets providing continuous coverage of the unprecedented event. Multiple television screens displayed news anchors delivering their reports.]
["Despite the enormous destruction caused by what has now been confirmed as an extraterrestrial invasion..."]
["This group of superheroes known as the Avengers has provided not only relief to countless people, but genuine cause for celebration!"]
[There were numerous interviews with ordinary citizens, and many people had begun imitating the Avengers' appearances - growing beards like Tony Stark, getting tattoos of Captain America's shield, and other forms of tribute.]
[A familiar elderly man also appeared on one television broadcast. He was playing chess with another senior citizen, and when approached by a reporter, he said: "Superheroes in New York? Give me a break!"]
[There were also some thoughtless negative comments, with a man in an expensive suit speaking from a podium.]
["These so-called heroes should be held accountable for the destruction this city has endured! Where were they when the real damage was being done? Where are they now?"]
["The Avengers have raised so many questions, but it's as if they've simply vanished from the face of the Earth! No accountability!"]
["What? This is their fault? Captain America saved my life!" The blonde woman who had been rescued by Captain America in the bank was also interviewed, her voice filled with indignation.]
[Meanwhile, Thor brought Loki, who was gagged and restrained in Asgardian chains, to an open area in Central Park.]
[Behind him stood Tony, Captain America, Banner, and the other Avengers, with SHIELD agents maintaining a security perimeter in the background.]
["Regardless of where they are, I just want to say... thank you!"]
[The camera slowly pulled back to reveal the World Security Council members observing the situation.]
["Where are the Avengers now?"]
[Director Nick Fury stood with his arms crossed and responded calmly: "I'm not currently tracking their whereabouts. I'd say they've earned the right to some private time."]
["And what about the Tesseract?"]
["The Tesseract is where it belongs - out of our reach."]
[The scene changed to show Dr. Erik Selvig positioning a specialized containment device while a SHIELD technician carefully placed the Tesseract inside it. Tony, Captain America, and the others observed from a safe distance.]
[This apparatus had been constructed overnight by Dr. Selvig and was designed to harness the Tesseract's power on a much smaller, controllable scale.]
[Upon learning about this arrangement, one of the councilmen expressed obvious displeasure: "You don't have the authority to make that decision!"]
["I didn't make it. I just didn't argue with the god that did."]
["So you're just going to let them take it? And the war criminal Loki - he should answer for his crimes!"]
["Oh, I think he will."]
[Thor was saying his farewells to Dr. Selvig, while Natasha and Hawkeye were engaged in quiet conversation, the content unknown but clearly amusing to Hawkeye based on his smile.]
[Thor handed one end of the Tesseract's containment device to Loki, and Loki obediently grasped his assigned end alongside his brother.]
[Thor nodded respectfully to everyone present, then activated the device. The Tesseract immediately emitted brilliant blue energy that enveloped both Asgardians before they disappeared from sight under everyone's gaze.]
[After everything was concluded, Captain America approached Tony and they shook hands in mutual respect. Natasha handed a travel bag to Banner, who then got into Tony's car and departed with him.]
[Back in the SHIELD conference room: "I don't think you understand what you've unleashed. You've created the Avengers, but they're dangerous!"]
[Director Fury remained unperturbed by their concerns: "They surely are. And the whole world knows it. Every world knows it."]
["But isn't that the point? We've shown our strength. It's a statement of our ability to defend ourselves."]
[After placating the council members, Nick Fury ended the video conference and left the room.]
"It wouldn't be beneficial for us if the Tesseract remained on Earth. Our planet is already attracting too much cosmic attention."
"Fortunately, they only know that Thor took the Tesseract with him. They're unaware of the Aether particles. That's encouraging news!"
But what Tony and the others didn't realize was that given the choice between the Tesseract and the Aether particles, Thor had decided to remove the Aether from Earth instead.
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