Loki remained unaware of the HYDRA team's tragic fate...
His attention was fixed on the trembling warehouse manager, Benjamin, who had shakily risen to his feet. A sinister smile curled on the Asgardian prince's handsome face.
He spoke, "I need some iridium. Can you hand it over?"
Dr. Selvig's reactor required extensive equipment and materials, with iridium being the most crucial. To open a stable interstellar portal, a continuous and powerful energy source was essential... one capable of harnessing the Tesseract's spatial-warping capabilities to expand a quantum tunnel.
Benjamin nodded frantically. Umbrella had indeed recently procured a large quantity of iridium for Mr. Vanko's Laboratory No. 3.
As one of the rarest elements in Earth's crust, with an average concentration of just 0.01 parts per million, iridium boasted an exceptionally high melting point, hardness, and corrosion resistance, making it ideal for alloy additives.
In particle physics, iridium was also indispensable for antiproton production. High-intensity proton beams had to strike an ultra-dense conversion target, which needed to withstand the thermal shock waves generated by the impacting particles...
"I appreciate your cooperation." Loki waved his golden scepter, smiling approvingly.
Human subservience pleased him. Once the Chitauri army conquered this planet, he would reign as its absolute sovereign, taking the first step toward subjugating the Nine Realms.
With Earth's abundant resources and cutting-edge technology, he could mass-produce expendable armies and launch his campaign across the cosmos.
Well-versed in Asgard's affairs, Loki had long recognized Odin's decline. The Allfather was no longer the undefeated warrior of millennia past. Now, he was a fading lion. His once-indomitable ambition was dulled by age. The king clung to his throne, reminiscing about past glories.
Odin's power was waning. His forced awakening from the Odinsleep had left him weakened, and his confrontation with Laufey, King of the Frost Giants, had further deteriorated his condition... so much so that even Frigga, his beloved queen, fretted over his health.
A strong ruler would never rush to name an heir unless faced with one undeniable truth: he was old...
Even by Asgardian standards, the once-mighty conqueror who had ridden Sleipnir and wielded Gungnir was now in his twilight years.
It was this realization that had emboldened Loki to risk leading the Chitauri into the Nine Realms.
In Asgard's prime, no civilization would have dared provoke them, not after Hela and the Valkyries had carved their legend across the stars, leaving even the mighty Nova Corps and cosmic tyrants wary of Asgard's might.
"How sluggish..."
Loki's brow arched as he watched the HYDRA operatives complete their mission, hauling out a crate of iridium from Umbrella's warehouse. Yet S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Avengers were nowhere to be seen.
His brazen appearance had been calculated to draw their attention and allow himself to be captured, both to divert their focus and buy time for Selvig, and to infiltrate their ranks for sabotage.
As a master of deception, Loki had studied the Avengers' profiles provided by HYDRA.
The Hulk, their most dangerous asset, the arrogant Iron Man, and the rigid Captain America. Coordinating such a fractured team would be impossible. Their weaknesses and conflicts were glaring.
"This is my preferred method. Knowledge and cunning are the mightiest weapons. That oaf Thor could never grasp such subtleties!" Loki muttered bitterly.
He still seethed over Odin's choice of Thor as heir. By every measure, he was the better candidate for Asgard's throne.
*ROARRR!*
A sudden thunderous roar shook the building.
Loki turned to see a massive yellow-green giant crush the iridium-laden SUV underfoot.
Sensing imminent defeat, the HYDRA soldiers opened fire, only to be intercepted by a squad of black-uniformed warriors.
Their leader, a young man, wielded flames like tidal waves, reducing the resisting soldiers to ash in an instant.
A gleaming metallic figure charged through the hail of bullets, plowing into the panicked HYDRA ranks. Each swing of its fists sent mercenaries flying.
These black-clad warriors were Umbrella's mutant strike force, trained by Emil Blonsky himself. After rigorous drills, they had mastered coordinated combat, effortlessly dismantling HYDRA's defenses.
Loki's composure faltered...
With the Avengers absent, lingering served no purpose. He tightened his grip on the scepter, preparing to vanish in an illusion.
Fate, however, had other plans.
The towering behemoth (Blonsky) burst into the lobby, his spiked back and mountainous muscles radiating raw power. Each step shook the floor as he barreled toward Loki.
Before the Asgardian could react, a massive fist sent him crashing into the wall, embedding him like a swatted fly.
"As Umbrella's first intruder, you'll receive 'exceptional' hospitality." Blonsky's voice rumbled.
Summoned by the young CEO, he had mobilized the mutant squad with lethal efficiency. According to the Red Queen, most invaders in the main tower had been neutralized, and some fools had ventured into Babel Tower's bio-modification labs.
He could only hope they hadn't been shredded by the resident monstrosities.
Those who crossed the CEO rarely met pleasant ends... a lesson Blonsky knew all too well.
"Enough! You insignificant vermin! I am a god!" As the yellow behemoth advanced, Loki wrenched himself free, his princely visage contorted with rage.
He was Asgard's heir, born to rule lesser beings!
"I will not be–"
*THUD!*
Loki's declaration ended abruptly as his face met the floor.
*THUD!* *THUD!* *THUD!*
The God of Mischief became a 'divine' wrecking ball in Blonsky's grasp, each impact cratering the tiles.
"Such a weak god."
Blonsky dangled the self-proclaimed deity upside down, eyeing his dazed expression before shaking him like a dusty rug.
*THUD!* *THUD!* *THUD!*
Loki lay sprawled in the wreckage, battered and blank-faced, his once-elegant robes now in tatters.
'Earth is... terrifying...'
The thought flickered weakly in his mind before darkness took him...