The year 2012 — the most extraordinary year in this world. If Steve was the beginning, and Tony Stark opened a new era, then this year would mark the moment the world truly changed — the year when superheroes would face their first true challenge.
In a barren desert stood one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s most important research bases — the site of the Dark Energy Joint Task Force. They were studying the Tesseract, attempting to open portals to other planets, even other worlds.
If Fury had asked Melin for advice, he would have told him plainly: "You're courting death."
Pandora's Box was not so easily opened. Inside were happiness, love, and friendship — but also plagues, sorrow, and disaster.
Humanity, which hadn't even stepped beyond its own planet, was now trying to connect with other civilizations. If that wasn't suicidal, what was? Worse yet, they had chosen to open the door inside their own home — wasn't that just inviting the wolf in?
But Fury didn't care about such things. Anything within his grasp had to be fully developed — and the consequences could wait until after they happened.
Like now.
The entire base was under evacuation. Personnel filed out in order, while one helicopter descended against the flow, landing in front of the main building. Fury and Maria Hill jumped down.
"How bad is it?" Fury asked Coulson, who had been waiting there.
"This is as bad as it gets, sir. We don't know how bad," Coulson replied, leading them down toward the underground lab as he spoke. "Four hours ago, Dr. Selvig detected a surge of energy from the Tesseract…"
"NASA didn't authorize any tests."
"He didn't perform one. He wasn't even in the lab — it activated on its own."
"It turned itself on?"
"What's the energy level now?"
"Still rising. Once we confirmed the doctor couldn't shut it down, we ordered evacuation."
"How long to clear the facility?"
"Thirty minutes to full clearance."
"Make it faster."
"Yes, sir."
They all felt the urgency — no one wasted a word. Each spoke briefly, quickly exchanging vital information.
After assigning tasks to Coulson and Maria Hill, Fury entered the lab to question the scientist.
"Talk to me, Doctor."
"Sir," Selvig said, setting down his instruments. "The Tesseract is behaving… irrationally."
"Are you joking?"
"No joke, sir. The Tesseract isn't just active — it has a will of its own."
"You didn't try unplugging it?"
"It's an energy source itself. We cut power, it turned itself back on. If it reaches peak output…"
"Isn't that the goal?" Fury interrupted. "To draw energy from the cosmos?"
"We're not ready yet. My calculations still need refining. It keeps emitting interference and radiation — low-level gamma rays, harmless."
Fury froze for a second, recalling a certain green giant. His eyes widened. "Still harmful."
He pressed for more details. "Where's Agent Barton?"
Selvig sneered. "The little hawk? Nesting in his perch, no doubt."
He understood surveillance was protocol, but accepting it was another matter. Nobody liked having eyes constantly on them — especially in a country that valued freedom and privacy.
At Fury's call, Hawkeye Clint Barton descended from his vantage point to stand beside him.
"I told you to keep watch, Barton."
"Can't see far unless you're up high."
"Did you see what triggered it?"
"No movement in or out. Dr. Selvig's clean. No interference from our end — if there's a problem, it's not here."
"Not here?" Fury frowned, an ominous feeling creeping in.
"Right. The Tesseract's a door to the other side of the universe, isn't it? Then… it should open both ways."
Barton's words were like a switch. The Tesseract pulsed again — the whole facility and even the ground shook.
Energy danced across its surface. Fury shouted for the scientists to fall back and drew his weapon, joined by agents who surrounded the portal.
Finally, as energy reached its limit — Pandora's Box opened.
A doorway to the cosmos split open, and a man in green armor stepped out, his grin sharp and cruel — clearly not a friend.
Yet Fury still believed the situation was under control. "Sir, please put down the spear."
Loki glanced at the scepter in his hand, then smirked wider. The tip glowed — and a blast of energy fired.
If not for Barton's quick reflexes pulling Fury aside, that shot would have blown him sky-high.
The soldiers opened fire, but the bullets only sparked harmlessly off Loki's attire. Within moments, he slaughtered them all.
Noticing a few survivors who seemed different, Loki used his scepter to seize their minds — then turned to Fury, who was trying to sneak off with the Tesseract.
"Put the box down. I really do need it."
"No need to get nervous," Fury said, stalling for time, planning escape.
"Oh, I have every reason. I came all this way for it." Loki began to monologue proudly, still finding time to deflect blame. "I am Loki, of Asgard, and I come with a glorious purpose you cannot understand."
"You're Loki? Thor's brother?" Selvig blurted in surprise.
But Fury knew this was no time for small talk. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s knowledge of Asgard was shallow — ever since Melin and the Sanctuary became involved, Coulson's only encounter with Thor had been that first arrest after Thor failed to lift Mjölnir, where he mostly talked to himself.
"We've got no quarrel with you."
"Ants have no quarrel with boots."
"So you plan to crush us?"
"I bring good news — a world without burden." Loki's smile darkened as he turned his scepter toward Selvig, who quickly fell under control. "Freedom. Freedom is life's greatest lie. Accept that, and you'll find peace."
"Your so-called peace reminds me of its opposite," Fury said dryly. "And if you really are from Asgard, a god — you should know Earth isn't some playground for other deities. The Sanctuary is watching you. Aren't you afraid?"
Loki's grin twisted into rage at the mention — his face contorting with hatred.
…
"So what exactly did you do to end up like this?" Melin asked, amused as he looked at Fury — one arm and one leg in casts, slumped in a wheelchair. Though his face was uncovered, the fresh scars showed they'd only just healed.
"What? Aren't you supposed to be a god? Don't you know everything?" Fury shot back bitterly. His mood was foul, but after so many dealings with Melin, he didn't bother with formalities.
"I'll correct you on that," Melin replied, shrugging. "I can know anything happening on Earth — but only if I want to know. As for where you go, who you capture, or what dangerous toys you're playing with — I couldn't care less."
"You— fine. But this was supposed to be your job. Now we're taking the blame. Don't you think you owe us an explanation? Or is that 'god' title not working so well anymore?" Fury grumbled.
"Director…" Coulson began, trying to calm things down — but then stopped. His breath hitched; his knees nearly buckled.
The air itself seemed to press down — like a colossal hand squeezing their hearts. It became impossible to breathe.
"I should remind you, Fury," Melin said calmly, voice echoing like thunder beneath the still air. "I may not like looking down on mortals from above… but don't push your luck."
As he finished, the crushing pressure intensified — just for a heartbeat — but enough to make them feel death's breath on their necks.
Then it vanished. Melin, meanwhile, sipped his tea as if nothing had happened.
"Cough— huff…" Fury gasped, pain flaring from his wounds. His recent recovery was ruined — if luck held, he could still walk. If not, he'd be back in a hospital bed.
"Melin, sir," Coulson said carefully, "Loki of Asgard has arrived on Earth. According to our intel, he's the Norse god of fire, lies, and mischief. You once said the Sanctuary's duty is to defend the world from invading gods. Now that another god has come, shouldn't the Sanctuary take action?"
Melin actually liked Coulson — polite yet brave, knowing when to be respectful and when to stand firm, unlike Fury, who always acted like everyone owed him something.
But this time, Coulson was wrong. They didn't know — this Loki was not that Loki.
"You've read Norse mythology?" Melin asked.
"Yes, sir. After learning of your existence, we collected myths from every pantheon — textbooks, legends, fairy tales, ancient grimoires — everything we could find." Coulson's tone implied that their data on gods was extensive.
"Then you know Thor?"
"Of course. The God of Thunder — that was him in New Mexico, wasn't it?"
"Good. Then you must know Thor's relation to Loki?"
"Yes — brothers. We confirmed it through Dr. Selvig and the others."
"Click, click… Coulson, should I call you clever or foolish? Was Loki ever Thor's brother in mythology?"
"No… wait — are you saying…"