Supreme Court.
Two more figures entered, completing the circle of ten elders seated solemnly around the round table. The heavy silence in the chamber carried a lingering sense of dread, as if the echoes of what they had just witnessed still haunted the room.
Elder Gladwin was the first to break the silence. His voice was low, steady, yet laden with urgency. "Everyone, during the Terra Earth Era, although the true hand behind those catastrophic events has not been fully exposed, there are key details we can piece together."
The other elders turned toward him attentively.
"First," Gladwin continued, his expression grim, "the historical anomalies from that age were likely not accidents, but the direct consequence of the alien race known as the Chitauri."
He gestured subtly as if brushing aside lesser concerns. "Compared to the laughable notion that artificial intelligence destroyed the world, such theories are mere distractions. The real threat lies elsewhere."
He leaned forward, his eyes sharp. "Second, the humans of the Terra Federation did not go extinct as those clips claimed. Evidence suggests that humanity in that age may have actually stood victorious over the Chitauri. If that is true, then the strategies they employed could be of invaluable importance to us."
A murmur swept through the chamber, but Gladwin pressed on.
"Third, the references we've gathered, the Nine Realms, the World Tree, the throne upon which an unseen presence sits, the vastness of the universe, and the wielder of the scepter, these are not random fragments. They form a chain leading to the conclusion that the greatest crisis in Terra Federation history has already emerged. The Chitauri's influence is far-reaching, perhaps deeper than we imagined."
The elders shifted uncomfortably in their seats. Indeed, the idea of an AI apocalypse now seemed absurd. The true threats were cosmic, ancient, and merciless. If Earth were plunged into such danger, what would await the Federation?
Hyeon spoke, his tone carrying the weight of leadership. "Preparations must begin immediately. The colony project is necessary, but it will not be enough on its own. We must accelerate weapons development capable of facing threats like the Chitauri head-on."
Everyone nodded gravely. The Terra Federation's military research lagged precisely because it had enjoyed centuries of peace. R&D operated under peacetime protocols, with no urgency to anticipate war. But now the possibility of a foe impervious to bullets loomed over them.
"This must be prioritized," Hyeon concluded.
"Aye."
"Aye."
"I propose," another elder added, "that we integrate privately formed defense organizations into our central structure as sanctioned branches. This would strengthen us immediately."
"That's a sound approach."
Elder Sith, who had been silent until now, raised his head. "There is another angle we can pursue."
All eyes turned toward him.
"S.H.I.E.L.D." The name alone sent a ripple through the room. Sith's voice carried a note of excitement rarely heard in these solemn halls.
"During the Terra Earth Era, S.H.I.E.L.D. uncovered threats well before the public had any inkling. In the timeline of the Immortal Warrior cycle, they scoured the planet for gifted individuals to stand against the Chitauri's forces. That is a strategy we can replicate." He stood slowly, letting his words settle. "We, too, have awakened abilities among our ranks, especially with the Network connecting and revealing potential. If we gather them under a unified command, an elite task force, we may one day rival even the enemies of the cosmos."
The room grew alive with murmurs of approval.
"Feasible."
"Aye."
"Seconded."
Gladwin nodded thoughtfully. "If this is established, the Immortal Warrior would make a fitting leader for such a unit."
There was a pause, then every elder gave a decisive nod. "Approved."
Across the Terra Federation, the footage replayed endlessly, shared on every platform despite attempts at government regulation. The public's fascination had only grown; curiosity was now a fire no law could extinguish.
The livestream's audience grew rapidly as viewers watched the next segment unfold:
[ A gunship roared above a jagged mountain ridge, revealing a massive basin illuminated by bright floodlights, a hidden fortress humming with activity. ]
[ Suddenly, alarms pierced the night. Automated announcements blared: "Attention all personnel! Evacuation protocols in effect! Dark Energy Joint Task, Pegasus Initiative, Sector West…" ]
[ Scientists streamed out of facilities in orderly waves; the evacuation had begun. A helicopter touched down. Agent Coulson stood by as the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. emerged, his coat whipping in the wind. ]
[ "Status report," the Director demanded. ]
[ "Frankly, sir," Coulson admitted, "we don't know anything yet." ]
[Deep within the underground complex, teams moved quickly toward the core site.]
["Dr. Erik Selvig detected a spike in the Tesseract's energy output four hours ago," an agent briefed. "This wasn't a controlled test. The Cube activated itself." ]
[ "Self-activation?" The Director's tone sharpened. "Current energy levels?" ]
[ "Still climbing, sir. Selvig says he's lost control entirely." ]
[ "Then evacuate all secondary prototypes. Secure Phase Two assets," the Director ordered. ]
[ "Sir, is that truly the priority?" Hill asked, puzzled. ]
[ "Until the Earth itself falls, we do our jobs," he said firmly. ]
They descended deeper into the heart of the facility. A towering device cradled the glowing Tesseract, its unstable pulse casting eerie light across the room.
Spectators watching the livestream gasped.
"Is this the Cosmic Cube? S.H.I.E.L.D. had it all along?"
"Then why did they say someone else was after it?"
[ The Tesseract flared suddenly, discharging arcs of energy that forced technicians to recoil. ]
[ "It's not just active," Selvig explained nervously, "it's responding. We've tried shutting it down, but it reboots itself every time we attempt to do so. Radiation output remains low-level gamma." ]
[ The floor trembled as alarms screamed. ]
[ "Any sign of interference?" the Director demanded. ]
[ "No one's breached the perimeter," Hawkeye replied. "If someone is playing games, it's happening on the other side." ]
[ "Other side?" ]
[ "The Cube is a doorway," Hawkeye said flatly. "Doors work both ways." ]
[ The device erupted with a violent pulse, sending a beam of energy skyward. A rift tore open in midair, a swirling gateway between worlds. From its depths, a figure emerged: Loki, eyes alight with cold fire, a scepter crackling in his grip. ]
[ "Drop the weapon!" the Director barked. ]
[ Loki smiled darkly and unleashed a concussive blast, scattering agents like leaves in a storm. Bullets tore through the air, but he teleported with ease, dismantling the defense with frightening precision. In moments, the facility fell silent under his control. Loki appeared beside Hawkeye, scepter raised. ]
[ "You have great skill," he murmured, driving the scepter's point into Hawkeye's chest. ]
[ Blue energy coursed through the archer's veins, darkening his eyes. Slowly, Hawkeye lowered his weapon and stood at Loki's side, a puppet bound by alien will. ]
Viewers erupted in outrage.
"Mind control?! That thing can bend people to his will!"
"He came through the Tesseract's portal… this is how Terra fell!"
"Was Loki the one chosen to destroy us?"
The fury of millions simmered behind their screens, helpless as they watched history's nightmare unfold again.