The story of Captain America was on a continuous loop at the New York museums all year round.
Yet, hearing Captain America himself recount the events of World War II, everyone listened with rapt attention. He spoke of Hydra, the Howling Commandos, and the weapons forged from the Cosmic Cube.
And then, he spoke of the final battle with the Red Skull, his decision to crash the plane, and the date he had missed.
As a woman, Pepper Potts was naturally the most moved. She wiped away a tear and said to Captain America, "You should go see Agent Carter. I heard she's still alive, though not in good health. I'm sure she'd want to see you before she passes."
"I know, I know," Captain America nodded repeatedly. "I just didn't know how to face her. But tonight, I've decided. I'll go see her tomorrow, so I won't have any regrets later."
"The right decision!"
Pepper Potts picked up her glass and lightly clinked it against Captain America's.
"Sorry, Captain, I think your date plans will have to be postponed. Something big has happened at S.H.I.E.L.D. regarding... the Cosmic Cube!" Natasha announced to everyone with a serious expression after hanging up the phone.
Not long after Natasha finished her call, Coulson personally arrived to deliver some materials about the Cosmic Cube.
These documents were top secret, so he didn't dare send them over the network.
More importantly, he also needed to meet Qin Xiao and the others to ascertain the Avengers' stance.
Qin Xiao and the others' attitude was certainly not an issue—especially Qin Xiao's. After all, these were two Infinity Stones.
Furthermore, the Mind Stone in Loki's Scepter would later be related to two of the Avengers' super-powered combatants.
Scarlet Witch and Vision.
Of course, if handled properly, Quicksilver could also be saved.
***
In a remote galaxy, within a desolate asteroid belt devoid of any starlight, lay a wasteland of shattered planets and moons. Some were missing vast chunks; others had crumbled into landmasses of varying sizes, drifting aimlessly through the cosmos.
Far away on Earth, the gem on Loki's scepter flashed with light. His astral projection materialized in this desolate place.
A Chitauri Elder, seeing Loki's projection, spoke with a hint of impatience.
"Our Chitauri army is ready and waiting!"
"Do not rush me!"
Loki refused to let Asgard's prestige falter before a race he considered utterly inferior. He materialized his Asgardian armor before continuing.
"I will lead the Chitauri army to victory in this glorious war!"
"Glorious war? Against the ants on Earth?" the Chitauri Elder sneered.
*Ants on Earth?*
Loki used to think the same, but now...
The image of the Ancient One flickered in his mind. If Thanos hadn't assured him that the Sorcerer Supreme would never interfere, he might have reconsidered this plan.
"If your army is truly as invincible as you claim, then the people of Earth are indeed nothing but ants," Loki replied coolly.
"Are you questioning us? Questioning the Chitauri army? Or questioning Lord Thanos, who bestowed this Scepter upon you!" the Chitauri Elder roared in fury.
"He gave you a new mission. He granted you the Scepter, giving a wretched exile like you a second chance to reclaim everything you lost!"
"Silence! I am the King of Asgard, merely betrayed! Listen, this is all a transaction: I help you secure the Cosmic Cube, and you lend me your army to conquer Earth!" Loki's astral form unconsciously tapped the Scepter.
"Conquer Earth?"
The Chitauri Elder let out another scornful laugh.
"Your ambitions and ideals are truly childish. A tiny planet like Earth... You should learn to broaden your horizons. The Cosmic Cube can lead us to conquer the entire universe, do you understand, Asgardian?"
"If I recall correctly, the Cosmic Cube isn't in your hands yet, is it?" Loki said with a faint smile.
"Are you threatening me?" The Chitauri Elder extended his hideous claws toward Loki.
"I am merely reminding you: prepare your army and ensure they obey my command. I *will* deliver the Cosmic Cube to you!" Loki spat.
Closing the astral connection, Loki cursed bitterly in his mind.
Although he was a descendant of the Frost Giants, Loki had always prided himself on being an Asgardian, and he was deeply proud of it.
To think that he had now fallen so far that he had to endure being threatened by a Chitauri right in front of him!
This made the already sensitive Loki feel even more miserable. He was determined to conquer Earth, then fight his way back to Asgard and reclaim his rightful throne as king.
And then, he would find an opportunity to annihilate that disgusting Chitauri race.
While he was inwardly seething with rage, Dr. Selvig had already calculated the conditions and various elements needed to fully activate the Cosmic Cube and create a stable wormhole.
"The only thing we're missing now is Iridium. This material can be found in ordinary meteorites, and many countries have collections of meteorites that have fallen from the sky. You'll need to find a way to acquire it," Dr. Selvig said to Hawkeye.
"Is there anything I can do?"
After the recent conversation, Loki's desire for victory in this war had grown even stronger.
Upon hearing that a crucial element was missing, he immediately stood up and asked Hawkeye.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. will definitely figure out what Dr. Selvig can do. To get it smoothly, I need you to help me distract those S.H.I.E.L.D. people and keep an eye out!" Hawkeye said, shaking his bow and arrow from the equipment case.
***
At Stark Tower, the group spent the entire night analyzing data.
Of course, it was mainly Tony and Dr. Banner who worked through the night, utilizing Dr. Banner's expertise in gamma rays to track the Cosmic Cube, which primarily emitted gamma radiation.
However, Loki—controlling both Dr. Selvig, a top-tier scientist, and Hawkeye, a top-tier agent—was not lacking in technology or resources from the start.
The gamma rays emitted by the Cosmic Cube were completely shielded, and the search program Dr. Banner had hastily created failed to detect any trace of it.
On the other hand, S.H.I.E.L.D., using facial recognition across most of the world's surveillance cameras, managed to pinpoint Loki's location.
Stuttgart, Germany, 28 Königstraße.
A gala was being held there tonight. Among the guests was the owner of a private laboratory that Hawkeye needed—a laboratory that contained the Iridium Dr. Selvig required.
One more chapter to go!
-----------------------
Completed English PDF of this fan-fic on my Patreon shop if you want to support and own the full fan-fic in one go. Just grab the PDF and binge the entire story from start to finish!
Guys, I've uploaded some High Quality english translated fanfic on my Patreon shop! Feel free to check it out-if you're interested, you can grab a copy and support me there.
Here are a few titles of recently uploaded fanfics:
New Addition
" Marvel: Body of Steel, but Becoming Homelander "
" Marvel & DC: The Laid-Back Daily Life of a Comedy Character "
" Marvel: Eyes of the Black Hole "
" Becoming a God in Marvel "
" Marvel: Invincible Talismans "
" Marvel: Awakening Abstract Abilities at the Beginning "
" Marvel: Fused with Broly at the Start "
" Marvel: Starting as the God of Destruction "
" Superman in Marvel—Will I Get a Copyright Warning? "
many more are available 145+
Your support means a lot-thanks in advance, legends!
patreon.com/SuperTL
(End of Chapter)