Chapter 117: The Evil God Loki Appears and Forges the Ice Flame Sword with Vibranium:
"Doctor, what's going on here?" Nick Fury's tone was sharp as he entered the experimental base, having abandoned the first Avengers meeting. He brought Agent Barton along but left Agent Hill behind to manage operations.
Dr. Erik Selvig looked worried as he greeted Fury. "The Tesseract is behaving strangely. It's not just active—it's as though it's trying to do something on its own."
Fury frowned. "Is that supposed to be a joke? You haven't tried shutting down the power?"
Selvig shook his head as he guided Fury towards the instrument housing the Tesseract. "The Tesseract generates vast amounts of energy. Even if we cut the power, it could still activate itself if it reaches a critical point."
"Isn't that what we wanted? To harness energy from across the universe?" Fury replied, irritation simmering beneath his calm exterior.
"True, but it's not ready," Selvig muttered, staring at the readings on the console. "The Tesseract is emitting interference and radiation; my calculations are incomplete."
As Fury glanced at the Tesseract, he noticed it glowing intensely. "And this radiation—how dangerous is it?"
"Just low-level gamma rays," Selvig replied, but Fury's gaze remained wary.
"Where's Agent Barton?" Fury asked.
"He's up top, watching the activity from the rafters." Selvig replied.
At that moment, Hawkeye, Clint Barton, slid down a rope to join them. "Doctor's in the clear; he's on our side," he said, glancing at Selvig. "But the real question is what's on the other side of that door. This Tesseract is a gateway—it might be open from both ends."
Selvig adjusted data on the console as he responded, "Not yet!"
Suddenly, a brilliant blue-white light erupted from the Tesseract, sending a shockwave through the entire base. The light coalesced, forming a massive portal. Through it stepped a tall figure, clad in dark leather with slicked-back hair. His cold, calculating expression held both confusion and malice, and in his hand, he carried a staff embedded with a blue gem that glowed like the Tesseract.
"Sir, drop your weapon," Fury ordered.
The stranger, Loki, glanced at the staff in his hand, then pointed it toward Fury, sending a blast of energy his way. Barton pushed Fury aside, dodging the beam. Gunfire erupted, but the bullets had no effect on Loki, who moved with ease, dismantling the lab's guards with bursts of energy from his staff.
In moments, Loki stood face to face with Barton, pressing the staff to Barton's chest. Barton's pupils glowed faintly blue, his will bending to Loki's control. Fury, meanwhile, seized the Tesseract, placing it in an aluminum case as he attempted to slip away.
"Put the case down," Loki ordered, his voice cold. "I need it."
Fury turned, trying to keep his tone calm. "Who are you?"
"I am Loki, from the realm of Asgard," he replied. "I bring a purpose you cannot understand."
Erik Selvig, who had just gotten back to his feet, froze. "Loki? Thor's brother?"
Fury continued, "We don't have any quarrel with you."
Loki scoffed. "And ants don't quarrel with the boot." Fury's face tightened. "So, you're here to stomp on us?" he asked.
Loki smirked. "I bring peace. True freedom requires submission."
As Loki controlled Selvig with his staff, Barton approached him. "Boss, Fury is stalling. This place is about to go up in flames."
"Several hundred meters of rock above us," Fury added, "like an underground tomb."
Loki turned to Barton. "Then let's leave." Barton promptly raised his gun, shooting Fury in the chest and seizing the aluminum case.
Hill, just arriving on the scene, saw Barton and Loki escaping in a vehicle. Fury's voice came through her earpiece, "Hill, Barton's turned. He's with them!"
Hill took off in pursuit, gunfire ringing out as Barton fired at her from the fleeing vehicle. Loki, seated in the back, unleashed another blast, sending debris and rock cascading around her. Despite her efforts, she lost them as they exited the base.
Above ground, Fury barely escaped as a massive explosion ripped through the facility, collapsing it in on itself.
At Avengers HQ, Natasha Romanoff and Ethan Hayes were enjoying a quiet moment when her phone rang.
Ethan leaned back with a smirk. "You should answer it."
Natasha shook her head. "No one interrupts us now." But after a moment, she saw the caller ID—Phil Coulson. Her expression grew serious, and she answered.
"Phil?"
"Natasha, Barton's turned," Coulson said, his tone grim.
She inhaled sharply. Barton was a comrade and close friend. "Understood, I'll be back soon."
She hung up, turning to Ethan. "Barton's in trouble. I need to get back to base."
Ethan offered, "Want a lift?"
Natasha hesitated. Normally, she wouldn't want Ethan at the Avengers base, but time was critical. "Alright," she agreed.
Within minutes, Ethan had used his Sling Ring to open a portal directly to Avengers HQ. The sight of the golden portal startled the agents on guard, but they relaxed as Natasha and Ethan emerged.
Agent Hill strode over. "Stand down, everyone. They're with us." She cast a brief, slightly annoyed glance at Ethan as he released Natasha's waist.
Natasha quickly made her way to Coulson, leaving Ethan and Hill standing together.
"You know, Hill, you're a super soldier now. You need a weapon that matches your strength. Regular bullets won't always be enough," Ethan observed.
Hill looked at him, intrigued.
"I have something in mind," Ethan murmured, closing his eyes. A fragment of Vibranium from a museum in Los Angeles flew to his hand, breaking through distance in a flash.
"What's this?" Hill asked, eyeing the fragment.
"Vibranium—a perfect material for a warrior," Ethan replied. His hand glowed as he began to melt the fragment with controlled flames, manipulating the metal's atomic structure with Psychokinesis to reshape it into a gleaming sword. Frost coated the blade, tempering it with the power of his ice abilities, fusing fire and ice to create a masterpiece.
In minutes, the Vibranium had transformed into a sleek, enchanted sword, its surface etched with intricate patterns of frost and flame.
"It just needed a hilt," Ethan added, shaping a handle from base materials to complete the weapon. With one final motion, he crafted a scabbard to match, fitting it seamlessly.
He handed the sword to Hill, who accepted it with awe, feeling an immediate connection. She sensed a surge of energy, as if the sword had bound itself to her.
"Next time someone threatens you, show them this sword," Ethan said, smiling.
Hill gazed at the sword in wonder. "It feels… alive," she murmured.
Ethan chuckled. "Let's just say it has a bit of magic in it."
As Hill marveled at her new weapon, Ethan was notified of his new skills: Atomic Layer Forging and Magic Enchantment. Surprised and pleased, he made a mental note of his expanding abilities.
Hill felt a surge of confidence as she held the sword. This was a gift unlike any other—a true weapon worthy of a super soldier.
Back in the conference room, Nick Fury met with the Avengers team, delivering his grim message. "Loki has the Tesseract. We're at war now."
The Avengers exchanged determined glances, each ready to answer the call.
Natasha joined them, her eyes steely. "Let's get Barton back."
Tony Stark, Bruce Banner, and Steve Rogers each nodded in agreement. The Avengers were now officially assembled, prepared to face the evil god Loki and the impending invasion.
Fury's expression was fierce. "We move forward with everything we've got. We're calling in the Avengers."
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