"S.H.I.E.L.D.? A conscious organization, but what can a swarm of ants accomplish together?"
Loki grinned.
After seizing Barton, he quickly controlled Dr. Erik Selvig, an elderly white-haired scientist with a limp—the man who understood the Tesseract best.
Then, diverging from the original plot, Loki used Barton's skills to swiftly take command of S.H.I.E.L.D. itself.
"See? Instead of fighting for scraps with these ants, following me, Loki, should be your true destiny!"
He laughed manically as Nick Fury's mind was altered, along with that of Maria Hill, his beautiful deputy director.
Within an hour, the entire S.H.I.E.L.D. leadership was in Loki's hands.
One hour later, Washington D.C.
At a high-level congressional meeting, senators examined a shocking proposal:
"Humanity shall submit under the rule of Loki, King of Asgard, opening the era of the Great Universe. Furthermore, we recognize the Saitama people as allies and will welcome their arrival!"
A proposal so outrageous it seemed impossible to pass.
Bang!
Chairman Williams slammed the table, his face iron-blue.
"This is treason! Do you even deserve to be a senator? I call for an immediate review of your authority!"
"I second that!"
"So do I!"
One after another, the senators raised their hands.
All except one—the proposer himself, Senator Stern, the same red-faced politician who once tried to nationalize Iron Man's armor.
As the room turned against him, Stern's eyes flickered faintly blue.
"As expected. Talking reason with ants is useless. I should've known."
"You are ants. Because a god has descended to your world—to lead you into a new light!"
A new voice spoke from behind.
The senators froze.
There—within the chamber—stood a man in a golden horned helmet, clutching a glowing scepter, clad in a black cloak.
Loki.
He had changed his mind.
Why? Because Saitama had once appeared here. From Barton's and Fury's memories, Loki knew the bald man was considered a national ally, even forming bonds with them.
Though there was no sign Saitama would return, Loki wasn't taking chances.
So he adjusted his plan:
Use the Mind Scepter to dominate S.H.I.E.L.D.
Then seize America's leadership.
Through state power, build a massive space-time gateway to the Saitama people's world…
And finally, claim Earth itself.
It was all going smoothly.
"Who are you?! Leave at once!"
"Guards! Guards!!"
The senators shouted, but no soldiers came. The silence outside was deafening.
They scrambled back, some drawing pistols.
Bang!
A bullet was casually caught between Loki's fingers, then dropped to the floor. Their faces paled.
"Be honored. I will show you more, pitiful ants—the true meaning of the universe!"
He laughed wildly, flashing forward.
The scepter tapped their chests, flooding them with alien energy. One by one, the senators calmed, kneeling in loyalty before Loki.
…
Meanwhile, Stark Tower.
Built by Stark Industries, the skyscraper was powered not by fossil fuels but by a new, clean arc reactor designed personally by Tony Stark.
To maintain tradition, the tower was taller than the Empire State Building by 88 meters, its footprint larger than the Twin Towers.
A subterranean expo center could host any device—even the Tesseract itself.
Completed in just six months, it broke records worldwide. A testament to Stark's "low-key" style.
Celebrating the achievement, Tony popped champagne with Pepper Potts—until the phone rang.
"It's from the council," Pepper said.
Tony groaned, answering via hologram:
"You've reached Tony Stark's voicemail. I'm not here, leave a message. Thanks."
Before he could hang up, the door opened.
Agent Coulson walked in.
"You'd better look at this. Big trouble, Stark."
He left behind a folder.
Tony reluctantly opened it—and froze.
Terrorists were once again using Stark Industries weapons to massacre civilians in Africa.
"Tony, you need to go," Pepper urged.
"For the company's sake."
"Of course… I knew this champagne wouldn't last long," Tony sighed, suiting up for Congo.
…
Elsewhere, a training base.
Thud! Thud!
A muscular figure pounded a sandbag—Captain America, Steve Rogers.
Recently returned from his world tour, he still hadn't found Saitama, and S.H.I.E.L.D. had taken him in.
"Steve, take a look at this."
Fury and Hill entered, handing him files.
The Tesseract.
But the science team had hit trouble in a blizzard, even helicopters couldn't reach them.
Steve's expression hardened.
The last time Hydra's Red Skull wielded it, disaster followed. He couldn't ignore this.
"Arrange transport. It must be secured."
He spoke firmly.
"It's ready. Let's move."
Fury patted his shoulder, leading him out.
From the shadows, Loki smiled.
Perfect. Stark was off to Africa. Steve to the Arctic. Neither would return soon.
With senators and S.H.I.E.L.D. under his thumb, his path was clear.
But—
"Sir, we have a problem."
Hawkeye's voice cut through Loki's triumph.
Controlled though he was, fear tinged his tone as he transmitted surveillance footage.
"In Stark's lab vicinity… we've found Saitama. And Bruce Banner."
(End of Chapter)
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