The Avengers arrived belatedly aboard the Quinjet. It had taken them two hours to locate Loki...
Iron Man, eager to make a grand entrance at Umbrella and bask in public gratitude and admiration, rushed over excitedly, only to find that the task awaiting Tony Stark was nothing more than cleaning up the aftermath.
"It's like walking into your bedroom to find a stunning seductive woman lying on the bed in sexy lingerie, striking an alluring pose... just as you're about to pounce and show off your prowess, she apologetically tells you it's 'that time of the month'... Maybe the analogy isn't perfect, but it sums up my mood right now." Tony's faceplate flipped up as he complained to Sean, who was leisurely walking out from the main spire of the building.
Heavens knew how long he had been waiting for this opportunity. A man of the Stark family was always destined to be the best.
Unfortunately, this rule didn't seem to apply when it came to Sean.
In an astonishingly short time, the man had achieved the kind of glory that had taken two generations of Starks relentless effort to attain, whether in wealth or power.
The only area where Tony felt he might still outshine him was his identity as a superhero; the flying and indomitable Iron Man armor, the power to save the world.
"Opportunities will come," Sean shrugged, "Umbrella's security can handle small-scale situations like this."
Loki, who was covered in dust and grime, was cuffed in alloy restraints and escorted onto the Quinjet by Captain America.
As for the HYDRA soldiers, they were tossed into a fleet of black sedans by Agent Coulson. Their next stop likely wouldn't be pleasant.
Unexpectedly however, Hawkeye, who had also participated in the operation had vanished. He was originally positioned as external support, meant to retrieve the iridium and deliver it safely to Dr. Selvig before making a full retreat.
"Looks like something big is about to happen?" Sean smiled cryptically.
"Relax, Iron Man can handle it," Tony said, tapping his chest plate, the armor emitting a metallic clang.
He still hadn't realized the scale of the crisis awaiting him. Nick Fury had withheld critical information, and the Avengers were far from reaching a point of mutual trust.
A formidable alien army loomed beyond the stars, ready to descend in an unstoppable metallic tide and crush everything in its path.
"How's your 'Ultron' coming along?" Sean asked casually.
His gaze swept over the disheveled Asgardian prince. Since Loki had provoked him, it was time for the Sentinel to make an early appearance.
Rather than enduring a long wait before confronting the infamous cosmic tyrant, it was better to bring this dangerous game to an early end.
"Hmm, not bad. Still a baby in its cradle," Tony replied in a hushed tone.
He waved Sean off. Compared to fighting alongside a team of Avengers, he preferred working alone. Once the Ultron program went live, the world would finally know true peace.
"Maybe soon, you won't need a bunch of mutants protecting you anymore." Brimming with self-satisfaction, Stark ignited his repulsors and shot into the sky, leaving a blazing trail as he chased after the departing Quinjet.
"Such an insufferable arrogant bastard," murmured Emil Blonsky, now back in human form, "Boss, the archer is locked up in Sector Three, the 'Garden of Eden' in Babel Tower. There's also a HYDRA agent who is practically scared out of his mind."
Sean nodded, setting aside thoughts of the Avengers for now. His first priority was securing the first Infinity Stone...
....
The Quinjet cut through thick clouds, the dark sky obscuring the stars and moon.
Loki, the instigator of chaos, sat restrained in the rear cabin with his face bruised and his bones aching. His cold and cunning eyes darted around, no doubt weaving fresh schemes and lies.
Captain America glanced at the seemingly subdued Loki and muttered, "Something's off. This was all too smooth, too easy..."
As a veteran of World War II, Steve sensed something amiss. This dangerous figure had previously stolen the Tesseract from S.H.I.E.L.D. with bold force.
Logically, if he were planning something, he should have maintained secrecy. Even if he needed certain materials, there was no reason to make such a spectacle of it. To openly appear knowing S.H.I.E.L.D. was hunting him defied common sense.
"For a hundred-year-old man, your observational skills aren't bad," Tony quipped in his signature dry humor, "That outfit of yours looks like something from an aerobics class. Ever thought of being a fitness instructor? Your physique would definitely attract a lot of female clients."
Steve turned away, refusing to engage. He had known Tony's father, Howard Stark, and still carried something of an elder's mindset toward the younger Stark.
But as a man of old-fashioned discipline, Steve disliked Tony's flippant attitude, especially in a fellow superhero. That cavalier approach to responsibility was hard to swallow.
Back when he was a soldier, every day meant facing gunfire and watching comrades fall. A single moment of carelessness could lead to irreversible tragedy, like Bucky falling from the train. If only he had reached out faster, maybe he could've saved him...
The Quinjet soared through the clouds when suddenly, thunder rumbled and lightning split the sky.
Lounging in the back, Loki smirked as his eyes gleamed with mischief.
A massive figure crashed onto the Quinjet's roof. Blinding lightning tore through the clouds, and a powerful gust of wind sliced through the air like a blade.
Thor, god of Thunder, clad in armor and wielding Mjolnir, smashed through the hull and sent Iron Man crashing to the floor with a single swing.
Grabbing Loki by the throat, Thor dragged his grinning brother toward the open hatch and leaped out.
The entire confrontation lasted less than two minutes. A furious Tony shot after them, repulsors flaring as he vanished into the stormy darkness.
"How much dark energy did Odin expend to send you to Earth? Traveling the Nine Realms isn't as easy without the Bifrost," Loki taunted as Thor hurled him to the ground, "Long time no see, brother."
"I'm not here for a reunion. Where is the Tesseract?" Thor growled, setting Mjolnir aside as he hauled his troublesome sibling up.
Heimdall had spotted Loki stealing the Cosmic Cube on Earth, news that had deeply troubled Odin.
The All-Father knew the secrets of the Infinity Stones. He knew the Tesseract would draw the gaze of Thanos.
He couldn't allow his wayward adopted son to make a catastrophic mistake that would endanger the peace of the Nine Realms, hence why he sent Thor to intervene.
"I thought you were dead. We mourned you. Mother wept day and night, missing her son. And yet here you are, trying to start a war on Midgard!"
Loki's expression darkened. He wasn't entirely sure how things had come to this. Was it his own ambition, or Odin's deceit?
But one thing was certain... there was no turning back now. The Mad Titan was not known for mercy.
If Loki failed to deliver the Tesseract, as the Chitauri elder had warned, no corner of the universe would be safe for him...