Today, the grand plan Joseph had been quietly formulating during his time at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters was finally beginning to surface.
His vision was vast and meticulous, spanning not just years, but generations.
Stage One was already in motion—unifying the Mutants, forming a new generation of X-Men, and elevating the status of Mutants in society. His goal was to usher Mutants into the mainstream, making them an integral part of Earth's future.
But that was just the beginning.
Stage Two? Even more ambitious: to create a world where magic and technology could thrive together, side by side, influencing human progress in unimaginable ways.
The linchpin of both stages?
Oasis.
The next critical step: a global press conference to unveil Oasis.
And as always, Joseph was thinking three moves ahead.
The Chitauri invasion had brought more than chaos; it had brought the arrival of two Asgardian princes. In Joseph's mind, that was an opportunity. If the press conference succeeded, then perhaps Oasis wouldn't be confined to Earth at all.
Maybe one day, it would connect to the entire universe.
---
Stark Tower
The aftermath of the battle was still thick in the air, the metallic scent of scorched wires and ozone lingering. Loki, pale and bruised, sat silently in a corner, reeling from the humiliation he'd just suffered.
In a thousand years, never had he faced such utter defeat.
Thor stood nearby, confusion and frustration etched into his face. Beside him, the Human Torch looked equally baffled.
And then—suddenly—Thor's eyes blazed with recognition.
"Loki!"
With a roar of thunder, Thor gripped Mjolnir and propelled himself across the room. He caught Loki by the collar and lifted him effortlessly into the air.
"You've made many mistakes before," Thor growled. "And I forgave them. But this time—you went too far. You've brought disaster to Earth, and I cannot let that go!"
He glanced around, then added sternly, "I'm taking you back to Asgard to face the king."
"Ha ha ha ha…"
Loki's laugh was hollow, his gaze lifeless and full of disdain.
"Oh, big brother," he sneered. "Still as naïve as ever. Do you honestly think I could return to Asgard after all this?"
Thor narrowed his eyes, resisting the urge to strike him down with the hammer. Instead, he flew upwards, breaking through the roof and landing on the top platform of Stark Tower.
He had made a vow to the Avengers—to help protect Earth. But Asgard had its own rules. Loki would be judged by Asgardian law.
Thor's attention drifted to the glowing psychic scepter on the ground, and then to the still-silent Tesseract—the cosmic cube that had caused so much turmoil.
It had once been hidden on Earth by Odin, then stolen by the Red Skull, passed through the hands of S.H.I.E.L.D., and now rested here.
Its presence on Earth felt like a ticking time bomb.
Thor made a decision. He'd return the cube to Asgard, where its power could be secured.
He stepped forward, reaching for it—
"Hey, buddy," a voice interrupted from above.
It was Thunderbolt, suspended midair and frowning. "I don't know what that thing is, but I'm pretty sure it's not yours. Isn't it a little shady to just grab something that doesn't belong to you?"
Thor turned toward him. Thunderbolt—Johnny Storm—wasn't part of the X-Men or Avengers. He'd been pulled in at the last minute by Nick Fury. His knowledge of Asgard or the cosmic cube was limited.
To him, the cube was the rightful spoils of Earth's defenders.
Thor, unimpressed, said coolly, "We Asgardians don't covet what isn't ours. But if this cube remains here, it will only bring ruin. Earth isn't ready for this power."
He didn't get to finish.
"Whether Earth is ready or not isn't your decision to make."
That gruff voice belonged to Wolverine, who now emerged from the shadows, each heavy step lighting up his combat boots as he ascended to the rooftop.
He landed with a thud, eyes sharp and intense. His Adamantium claws glinted, still stained with Chitauri blood.
He glared at Thor. "Touching someone else's trophy without permission? Not a good look."
Thor's muscles tensed. Wolverine's raw power was undeniable. He recognized him as a warrior—a rival.
"X-Men?" Thor asked coldly. "What, you want to stop me?"
"Absolutely."
A portal opened, and out stepped Phoenix.
She pointed toward the downed Loki and then the psychic scepter.
"These don't go anywhere. Not the cube, not the scepter, and definitely not him."
Loki's face contorted at the statement, but Thor's turned thunderous.
Without warning, Thor grabbed Loki again and slammed him onto the ground before them.
"Do you even realize who he is?! He's the prince of Asgard! He's my brother!"
Phoenix didn't blink. "And? He led the invasion of Earth. He's going to be judged here—on Earth."
Thor's temper flared. "He is of Asgard. We have laws. Earth cannot judge a god!"
Another portal opened, and Storm stepped out, her presence electrifying—literally. Lightning crackled behind her.
"God or not," she said, her voice sharp as steel, "he nearly destroyed five major cities. He's responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands. You think being a prince gives him immunity?"
Thor staggered back slightly, sensing the vast energy within Storm.
"I… I'm sorry for the lives lost…" he said hesitantly. "But Loki didn't mean for this to happen. He was manipulated—"
"Manipulated or not, he's still guilty," said a new voice.
Another portal shimmered, and Cyclops stepped through.
Behind him came the others: Iceman, Colossus, Sunspot, Polaris, Clarice… the full force of the X-Men gathered, their expressions hardened by battle.
They surrounded the platform, eyes burning with resolve.
"You sure you want to make this your first diplomatic act, 'Prince'?" Cyclops said dryly.
The threat in the air was palpable.
The message was clear: they weren't bluffing.
Thor's eyes flickered between them, finally realizing he was outmatched—not in power, but in unity.
With a loud clang, he dropped the scepter and stepped back.
"Don't misunderstand," he said, straightening up. "This man… is just my father's adopted son. I have no blood relationship with him."
Everyone paused.
The X-Men exchanged looks. Even the Human Torch blinked.
Loki, still flat on the ground, stared into the sky in disbelief.
"Even the universe has abandoned me…" he muttered.
It was then that Captain America, Black Widow, Hawkeye, and the rest of the Avengers arrived, flying in on a Chitauri airship.
They landed, confused by the tense standoff.
"Thor," said Steve Rogers. "What's going on?"
Nick Fury appeared behind them, his expression stormy.
Thor saw him and brightened. "Director Fury, you're just in time. As Prince of Asgard, I formally request extradition talks for Loki. He must be judged by our laws."
"Extradition?" Captain America echoed, raising an eyebrow.
But before anyone could respond, Phoenix's voice rang out.
"Earth has no diplomatic ties with Asgard. There is no such thing as extradition. If Asgard wishes to dispute this, the Mutant Affairs Bureau will send a delegation to Odin directly."
Everyone froze.
Even Nick Fury seemed caught off guard.
Thor's face twisted.
As a god—no, as an Asgardian raised on divine superiority—this was unthinkable.
The idea that Earth's Mutants could represent the planet in a negotiation with the All-Father Odin?
Blasphemy.
But Phoenix had said it plainly.
They weren't asking permission.
They were stating facts.
"The Earth doesn't have a unified government," Thor argued desperately. "Only the World Security Council or S.H.I.E.L.D. can make those decisions. This… 'Mutant Affairs Bureau' has no official standing!"
"Wrong."
A loud roar of jet engines split the air as Iron Man landed beside them.
His helmet retracted, revealing a smirk.
"The X-Men just saved the world, Thor. If anyone has the right to decide how to handle this situation—it's them."
He shot a pointed look at Fury, who sighed in defeat.
It was true.
Ever since the nuclear strike had failed, the official governments had lost credibility.
And Tony Stark? He had clearly chosen a side.
The Mutants.
And behind him… many more heroes were about to do the same.
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