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Chapter Eighty-Nine: Tesseract Lost

"Sir, could you please put down the spear?"

Although it was clear that the situation was dire, Nick Fury still attempted to negotiate.

Loki scanned the surroundings for a moment before swinging his staff. A surge of energy struck the nearby agents.

"Bang, bang, bang—" The agents, who had been on high alert, fired back, but they were no match for Loki.

Despite being routinely defeated by Thor, Loki's Royal Frost Giant heritage made him physically stronger than most, including Steve Rogers. Dealing with a few ordinary agents was well within his capabilities.

In just a few exchanges, nearly all the surrounding agents were on their knees.

"Oh? This one's not bad," Loki remarked, as he jumped in front of Hawkeye, who was slowly trying to rise and resist. He aimed his scepter at Hawkeye's chest.

Hawkeye's expression shifted to one of struggle, his eyes rapidly turning blue, and he lowered his weapon.

Loki smiled with satisfaction and moved over to the trembling Dr. Erik.

Nick Fury observed in shock as he discreetly placed the Tesseract into a box, closed the lid, and prepared to leave.

"Put the box down. I need it. I came all this way for it."

Loki addressed Nick Fury loudly, "Let me introduce myself. I am Loki, from Asgard, on a mission of great importance that you cannot comprehend!"

"Loki? From Asgard?" Nick Fury, privy to some information that others weren't, blurted out, "Are you Thor's brother?"

"Do not utter that name to me!" Loki roared in anger. "I am the true ruler of Asgard!"

"Alright, alright, calm down. Regardless of who the true ruler is, we should have no grievances between us, right?" Nick Fury interrupted.

Loki cast a disdainful glance at him and said calmly, "Ants and your shoes have no enmity. I'm here to deliver good news."

"Your so-called freedom has bound you. Surrender to me, the great god of mischief, and the Earth will enjoy eternal peace!"

Nick Fury frowned. Why does this guy mimic Thor so much? He attempted to buy time, but renegade Hawkeye spotted him, and Loki knocked him down, seized the Tesseract, and left.

In the parking lot, Maria Hill watched as Loki and Hawkeye made their exit and quickly realized what was happening. She drove fast to intercept them.

Despite her skillful driving and marksmanship, she couldn't match Hawkeye's strength and was unable to stop Loki.

…

"Boom——" A loud crash echoed as Nick Fury, Phil Coulson, and Maria Hill, who were injured, activated their communicators to share what they knew.

"The Tesseract has been stolen, and we've suffered casualties."

Hill emerged from the wrecked car and shouted, "Many have been buried alive. I don't know how many will survive. They need rescue!"

"Call in the rescue teams and tend to the wounded," Nick Fury ordered. "Assemble everyone who wasn't involved in the rescue efforts and retrieve the Tesseract. Phil Coulson, return to the base and issue a seven-alarm alert. Given the current situation, the battle here is over."

"Understood. However, the enemy's strength is beyond our expectations. We may struggle to handle them with our current resources," Phil Coulson warned.

Nick Fury remained silent for a moment before responding, "Then we'll deploy—the Avengers."

…