"Red Queen, the Titan units have entered cold start mode. The Mechanical Domain plan is ready for activation. Terminators T-1000 in S1 and S2 sectors, prepare for deployment."
Nolan Rock issued his commands with methodical precision.
Greenwich was not in the United States but in London, England. This meant that if he needed to intervene, it would be a genuine overseas operation.
He wasn't certain Thor could handle Malekith alone, so preparation was essential. Ideally, he wouldn't need to act personally, but if he did, he didn't want to be caught off guard.
Following Nolan's commands, the Hive Base sprang to life.
Red Queen's computational power was immense, yet coordinating such a complex operation required more than pure machinery.
As Nolan finalized the preparations, Bruce Banner approached.
"Nolan, do you need my help?"
Nolan considered for a moment, then nodded.
"I'm not sure yet, but if you're available, head to Greenwich immediately."
"I'm on it!"
Bruce did not hesitate. If a crisis truly erupted, he had to be there. Without delay, he boarded LockTech's hypersonic transport craft, designed not for human comfort but for the fastest possible deployment of mechanical troops.
This concept had emerged after the battle in New York. Future crises were inevitable, and speed could mean the difference between success and catastrophe.
As Bruce settled into the craft, Red Queen's countdown began.
"Five seconds to launch: five, four, three…"
At the final count, a tremendous force propelled the ship forward. Bruce felt the air leave his lungs, his entire body battered by the violent acceleration.
A roar escaped him. The transformation was immediate, and the Hulk emerged.
Nolan's actions did not escape Tony Stark.
Tony immediately assessed the situation, and upon realizing the potential danger, he insisted on joining the battle.
Watching Iron Man soar away, Nolan smiled. This was as it should be. Malekith was one of the Nine Realms' most formidable beings. Reinforcements were not only welcome but prudent.
Meanwhile, after a grueling battle, Thor and Jane Foster made their way to Earth.
They understood the situation clearly.
Malekith intended to exploit the alignment of the Nine Realms, using the power of the Aether to plunge the realms back into darkness.
Sensing the convergence, Malekith was exhilarated. Soon, he would claim dominion over the Nine Realms.
Greenwich, London.
The massive clock tower rang out its steady chimes. The Thames shimmered, occasionally disturbed by passing vessels. The scene appeared serene, almost picturesque.
Suddenly, the river churned violently. A massive ship tore through the water, slicing toward a bridge like a razor.
The bridge crumpled under the impact, yet the ship pressed on, striking the grounds of Greenwich University before coming to a halt.
The doors opened, revealing Malekith. He surveyed the terrified crowd, a cruel smile spreading across his face.
Dark Elves poured from the ship, attacking indiscriminately. Their energy weapons struck like instruments of death.
At that moment, Dr. Erik Selvig and his two assistants were examining the spatial fluctuations.
Selvig had begun to piece together the phenomenon. As one of the few Earth scientists with a deep understanding of the cosmos, he combined mythology with scientific observation to infer that the fluctuations indicated the alignment of the Nine Realms.
During such times, the barriers between realms weakened, occasionally breaking entirely. To mitigate this, he had built a spatial interference device, hoping to stabilize the situation.
Yet, as Malekith emerged, Selvig was frozen in disbelief.
Aliens.
Before he could react further, Malekith's gaze fell upon them. He gestured, and several Dark Elves charged.
Just as they were about to strike, a thunderous roar split the air. Lightning arced across the sky, scattering the attackers.
Thor and Jane Foster now stood before Selvig, resolute.
Thor's eyes locked on Malekith.
Malekith's frown deepened. He had expected Thor to have been eliminated by his cursed warrior. Yet here he was, meaning the warrior had failed. Cold fury filled Malekith's gaze.
"Thor…" he muttered.
But Thor did not speak. The man before him was the killer of his mother and Loki.
"Malekith!"
Thor's roar echoed as he swung Mjolnir, charging directly at the Dark Elf king.
Malekith laughed, unfazed. Even the cursed warrior had been his creation. Now, armed with the Aether, he felt invincible.
As Thor's lightning-studded hammer struck, Malekith unleashed a surge of Aether, clashing with the thunderous energy. A deafening explosion erupted, scattering energy across the battlefield.
Thor, undeterred, reached Malekith and struck a powerful blow.
Unprepared, Malekith was knocked back, yet he recovered quickly, his expression a mix of disdain and mild surprise. Thor's strength had increased, but it was merely an inconvenience to the Dark Elf.
As Thor charged again, Malekith's punch drove his head into the ground. Without pause, he continued his relentless assault, cracking the earth beneath them.
Grasping Thor with the Aether, Malekith sneered.
"This is the power you pride yourself on, son of Odin?"
Witnessing this, everyone was stunned. This was Thor the God of Thunder whose might had once shocked the world in New York. Even Hulk had been subdued in comparison.
Yet now, after only a few exchanges, Thor was being overpowered.
Thor gritted his teeth, ready to resist, when suddenly Malekith was hurled backward. Thor landed hard but unharmed.
A roar shattered the air. The Hulk had arrived!
Soon after, waves of T-1000 Terminators joined the fray. Thor's initial irritation at Hulk always muscle over brain vanished instantly. Seeing the Hulk now, his morale soared.
Malekith's suppression had been real; continued combat could have been fatal for Thor. Now, Hulk's presence leveled the field.
As meteors streaked across the sky, Iron Man, Tony Stark, joined the battlefield.
"What on earth is happening here?" Tony exclaimed.
He had just detected massive spatial energy fluctuations via JARVIS and arrived without hesitation.
Without allowing time for explanation, Malekith rose, anger in his eyes. He had not been challenged like this for a long time, and it enraged him.
Now, facing Iron Man, Hulk, and Thor the combined might of Earth's greatest he had no room for arrogance.
Civilians still caught in the chaos cheered the heroes, voices ringing with hope. Tony Stark even waved back, ever mindful of his reputation.
Suddenly, even louder screams rose from the distance.
Nolan Rock emerged from the battlefield, clad in his Mjolnir-powered combat armor. Dark Elves surged toward him, but his plasma warblade cut through them effortlessly.
Step by step, Nolan advanced, as if strolling through a park rather than a battlefield. His presence was dazzling, drawing even Malekith's attention.
Tony Stark scowled. He had never despised anyone who loved showing off more than Nolan, who effortlessly stole the spotlight.
Nolan approached the group and looked at Thor.
"So this is the legendary Malekith? It seems, Thor, you didn't manage everything yourself."
Thor's expression twisted with sorrow.
"You're right. I failed. Mother is dead, Loki is dead. If I had not faltered, none of this would have happened."
Nolan froze. Thor's mother was still dead? He wanted to scold Thor, yet seeing his grief, he swallowed his words.
It was enough punishment already.
"Save your grief. Now, how do you plan to deal with this one?" Nolan asked.
Thor hefted Mjolnir, glancing at his allies.
"Smash his head!"
The Hulk roared in agreement. Even Tony's gaze turned scornful at Malekith.
Nolan shrugged. The plan was reckless but not impossible.
Drawing his plasma warblade, he whispered, "Malekith, ready?"
In an instant, Nolan vanished.
A metallic clang rang out as his blade struck Malekith.
Strike without waiting. Why bother giving him time to prepare?