Chapter 134: Loki Returns
After returning from Asgard, there were no new developments, and no supervillains appeared to threaten the peace. Dave used this time to learn the secrets of Kamar-Taj, as well as to master the spells he had copied from Asgard. As Diana had pointed out, each source of power seemed to subtly influence his personality. Now, he found himself genuinely enjoying the process of learning and mastering magic, all while aiming to develop new spells from his growing arsenal. While Dave immersed himself in his studies, events were unfolding at a hidden S.H.I.E.L.D. facility.
"Doc, are you ready?" Fury asked, looking at Dr. Selvig—the same scientist who had been at the site when Thor first arrived on Earth with Jane Foster and Darcy.
"I am," Selvig replied, standing next to the Tesseract encased in the machine. "We can now start harvesting its endless power," he added confidently.
Fury nodded, but what he missed was the unnatural glint in Selvig's eyes. Unbeknownst to him, Selvig was being controlled by Loki. Far away, on another planet, Loki smirked as he watched events unfold through Selvig's eyes. At the same time Selvig activated the machine, Loki muttered, "Time to return." The image of Dave flashed in his mind, and his smirk grew darker. "This time, mortal, I will win," he murmured, gripping the Chitauri Scepter.
For the past few months, Loki had tirelessly trained with the Scepter, refining its powers. The Scepter, which housed the Mind Stone, has helped him grow stronger, he had grown even more potent than originally he was supposed to be during his first invasion of Earth. This time, Loki's strength had been honed, partly due to his grudging acknowledgment of the humiliation Dave had caused him. and Acknowledging there is someone powerful on Midgard.
"Come forth, my little pawn," Loki whispered as Selvig activated the machine. Selvig, thinking he was extracting energy from the Tesseract, was unknowingly creating a portal. Through this portal, Loki and his Chitauri army would once again step foot on Earth, determined to seize victory.
As the machine worked, the portal began to form, drawing the attention of Loki and the Chitauri elders surrounding him. However, the portal soon began to fluctuate, its instability evident. Loki stood abruptly, his expression darkening. "It's not properly built," he muttered before stepping toward the portal. Without hesitation, he entered it before it could collapse on itself.
On the other side, Fury observed the machine's erratic behavior. "Doc, is something wrong?" he asked calmly as sparks flew from the device.
"The load is too much. We need a stabilizer," Selvig replied, hastily adjusting the controls.
Fury nodded with a sigh. "Another failure. Well, at least this time it activated," he said, trying to look on the bright side. Selvig nodded as he continued to work. But then, a bright blue glow intensified in the room. Alarms blared as the energy coalesced into a shimmering blue form.
"Formation!" Fury barked. Agents raised their weapons, aiming them at the glowing figure. Slowly, the form solidified, revealing Loki, standing tall and menacing in his Asgardian attire. His sharp gaze swept across the room.
"Loki?" Black Widow muttered, standing beside Hawkeye. Her grip tightened on her weapon.
"It's him," Fury confirmed grimly. "The same Loki who caused the mess in Asgard."
The trickster god smirked, clearly amused. "Mortals, you know my name," Loki said with mock delight, his voice dripping with arrogance.
"I was in Asgard when I saw you get pummeled by Dave," Black Widow quipped, her tone cold and unwavering.
Loki's smirk faltered briefly before he chuckled, masking his annoyance. "You are fearless," he said, his tone shifting to one of mild Irritation. "You must be Thor's warriors, yes?"
"She is earth warrior," Fury interjected, stepping forward.
Loki turned his sharp gaze to Fury. "We have no quarrel with Asgard," Fury began, his voice calm yet firm.
Loki shrugged nonchalantly. "One cannot have a quarrel with ants," he said, his smirk returning.
Fury narrowed his eyes. "You think you can crush us easily?" he asked, challenging Loki's arrogance.
Loki's grin widened. "I don't think—I know," he replied, his confidence unshaken.
"It would be best if you leave while we're being civil," Black Widow warned, her voice icy.
Loki raised an eyebrow at her. "Fearlessness is admirable, but foolishness is not," he replied. He extended his hand, summoning his scepter, which glowed ominously as he stepped forward.
The agents opened fire, but Loki merely waved his scepter, a shield of magic deflecting the bullets. He advanced effortlessly, his power overwhelming as agents fell back.
"You mortals never learn," Loki sneered, launching a wave of energy that sent the agents flying. His smirk grew as he moved further into the facility, his gaze set on his target—the Tesseract.
Loki began his massacre as Black Widow steeled herself, determined to stop him. Her movements were precise and fearless as she charged at him, her demon swords crackling with energy. She aimed a swift strike at Loki, recalling the techniques Dave had once taught her. However, as she plunged her weapon into Loki's chest, it passed through his body harmlessly, as if he were nothing but a projection.
"I am here," Loki's voice echoed mockingly from across the room. He stood at the far end, holding the glowing Tesseract cube in his hand. Black Widow turned to face him, her expression unreadable.
"Or am I?" came another voice, as yet another Loki appeared, smirking. The trickster began to multiply, his copies surrounding her, each one more taunting than the last.
"You are a good," one of the illusions declared arrogantly, while another of Loki's copies engaged Hawkeye, disarming him effortlessly. Yet another Loki approached Selvig, his steps deliberate, and waved the scepter to keep him under control.
"But you..." Loki's voice deepened as one of his illusions stepped closer to Widow, pointing the glowing tip of his scepter at her chest. "...you are mine."
A brilliant blue light burst from the scepter, illuminating Widow's face. Her eyes widened for a moment before they flickered with an unnatural glow, the influence of Loki's magic taking hold. Her body stiffened, and her mind clouded, succumbing to his control.
"Ah, much better," Loki said, his tone dripping with satisfaction as he watched the once-determined Widow lower her weapons, now an unwilling pawn in his growing army of the enthralled.
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