When Nick Fury, supporting his strained lower back, returned to the command room together with Corin, front and back, Agent Coulson was talking with his idol, Captain Rogers, about his collection.
"Found him. Seventy nine percent match."
"Stuttgart, Germany, 28 Königstrasse."
"Looks like he didn't bother hiding at all."
On the satellite surveillance feed, Loki appeared at a gala, dressed impeccably.
"Captain. You're up."
Nick Fury formally issued the Avengers' first combat mission to Captain America. Capture Loki.
———
The scene shifted. Inside a carefully designed building, people in formal attire were tasting fine wine, their eyes searching for targets worth attaching themselves to.
In one corner of the hall, a classical orchestra played string music led by violins.
Steve Rogers, Captain America, arrived at the mission prep room to the flowing classical music. Hanging on the wall was his iconic suit.
The gala's security level was high, but that was nothing for the battle hardened Hawkeye, Clint Barton.
In the darkness, arrows shot from a compound bow silently tore open the guards' defenses.
And the aircraft carrying Rogers sped toward the gala site.
Before long, Clint had cleared all the guards around the vault room.
What appeared before him was a high security anti theft door, using the most advanced civilian retinal scan technology.
The gentle violin music gradually turned aggressive. Loki, graceful in his movements, stepped down the spiraling vintage staircase in time with the rhythm.
At the musical turn, Loki swung the scepter in his hand and instantly killed the target's bodyguard in a single strike.
The entire venue erupted in screams.
Only when he grabbed someone by the collar and hurled him onto a statue platform did it quiet slightly.
Loki pulled a specially made device from his coat, something clearly designed for extracting eyeballs.
Small, sharp, and cruel.
With a shrill scream, Loki mercilessly plunged the device into the man's eye.
As the spiral blades spun at high speed, the poor man convulsed in agony, yet a god's hand pressed on him, leaving him unable to move.
On the other end of the device, Clint aimed an identical instrument at the vault door's retinal scanner.
As Loki's device completed the extraction, a holographic projection of an eyeball slowly appeared inside Clint's device.
["Retinal scan authenticated. Unlocking."]
The thick security door opened. Inside a pop out safe, sealed iridium metal reflected a special gleam.
"What a simple job."
Clint looked at the iridium element in his hand and let out a cold laugh.
Back at the gala, Loki watched the people scattering in panic, a faint smile appearing on his face.
Yes, he brought them fear, and from that fear Loki felt his own existence.
Filled with ambition, Loki held the scepter and slowly walked to the front. With a flash of golden light, his British style outfit transformed into the attire of the God of Mischief.
The iconic curved golden horned helmet, both imposing and mocking.
Deep green and gold tones, accented with black leather and metal plates, symbolizing cunning and divinity.
A fitted long robe and layered armor, exquisitely textured and complex, with a green cape adding a touch of flow.
It gave Loki an aura of lavish gloom.
Casually crossing the street, Loki casually fired a long range basic attack, knocking over the police car rushing in to support.
One illusion after another appeared in the direction the crowd was fleeing, all repeating the same words.
"Kneel before me."
When everyone gathered together like sheep herded by a sheepdog, Loki slammed the scepter heavily into the ground and shouted,
"Kneel!"
The gems on every Loki's scepter burst with pale blue light at the same time, bringing overwhelming pressure.
One. Two.
People knelt down before Loki in droves.
"Isn't this easier?"
"Aren't you born for this?"
"The servility in your bones forces you to submit sooner or later to your rulers."
Seeing everyone kneeling before him, Loki felt indescribably pleased and seized the chance to mercilessly mock them.
The more he spoke, the more excited he became, the smile at the corner of his mouth growing more unrestrained.
At that moment, an elderly man with thinning but completely white hair slowly stood up, looking very much like Colonel Rogers.
His aged eyes looked at Loki with disdain.
"But it won't be someone like you…"
He took over Loki's words.
Loki knew the mortal before him could never understand the radiance of a god. With a seemingly tolerant smile, he said, "But I am unique."
"There are way too many shameless people like you."
The old man snapped back without fear, straightening his slightly hunched back as best he could.
Loki felt the urge to kill one to warn the others. He slowly pointed the scepter at the old man.
"Look at this old man. He is your example."
Before he finished speaking, the Mind Scepter fired a pulse of energy straight at the man.
Clang!
At that instant, a blue figure dropped from the sky and landed in front of the old man. A smooth round shield deflected the scepter's attack and slammed Loki to the ground.
Captain America, Steve Rogers, appeared at the critical moment.
He held a red, blue, and silver concentric ring vibranium shield, with a large star at the center.
A deep blue close combat suit with stars and stripes elements, a star emblem on the chest.
S.H.I.E.L.D. had upgraded Captain America's suit, combining retro aesthetics with modern tactical design.
"I remember the last time I came to Germany, there was someone who put himself above everyone else. He ended up getting taken down," Seeing their protector arrive, the crowd that had been kneeling began to stand up one after another.
At that moment, Black Widow Natasha piloted a jet over the square. Heavy machine guns flipped out and locked onto Loki.
"Loki, drop your weapon and surrender."
Through the loudspeaker, Natasha's pleasant voice issued a stern warning.
But how could a god easily surrender to mortals?
Loki swung the scepter again, hurling a basic attack energy wave at the aircraft, which Natasha barely dodged.
At the same time, Captain America unleashed his signature move. The shield throw.
Boing!
The shield flashed with metallic light as it knocked Loki back.
Cap charged in and engaged Loki in close combat, but his strikes caused no damage at all to Loki's godly body.
He was quickly suppressed and pinned to the ground.
Looking down at Captain America being beaten by Loki, and the many civilians in the square, Natasha in the cockpit couldn't attack and couldn't help but sigh,
"This guy is too cunning."
Suddenly, a playful voice sounded over the aircraft's broadcast.
"Agent Romanoff, miss me?"
At the same time, the control screen in front of Natasha showed its system being rewritten. Noisy rock music suddenly blared, echoing across the square.
In the distant sky, a streak of sparks rapidly approached. The steel figure raised both hands mid air and fired energy cannons, blasting Loki far back onto the steps.
Clang!
Armor collided with stone steps, sparks flying, producing a huge sound.
The steel body landed stylishly, slowly stood up, raised an arm, countless weapons on the suit locking onto Loki at once.
Iron Man, Tony Stark, had arrived.
"Bring it."
JARVIS was already prepared for battle.
But seeing Iron Man, Loki seemed to lose all desire to fight. Light flashed, and the divine armor on his body gradually faded away.
Slowly, Loki raised both hands.
He actually surrendered.
Captain America, panting heavily, came over to Tony, looking at everything in confusion.
'Where did that enthusiasm for beating me go?'
'Why did he stop fighting the moment Tony showed up?'
'Does he pick his opponents when he fights?'
'What's wrong with him?'
Thinking this, Captain America adjusted the shield in his hand and greeted Tony.
"Mr. Tony."
The iron helmet shifted slightly, looking a bit aloof.
"Captain."
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