Chapter 176

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Kaecilius and the dozen other sorcerers watched the events unfolding atop Stark Tower, their eyes filled with a mixture of anticipation and confusion.

Just by observing, they had a premonition that something significant was about to happen, especially with the inside information from their contact within S.H.I.E.L.D., who had briefed them on the Tesseract's capabilities.

Such a divine object, coupled with advanced technological equipment, clearly indicated that the other party had grand ambitions.

At that moment, one of the sorcerers among Kaecilius's group couldn't help but recall the great demon's prophecy. The words of the demon seemed to echo in their minds once again.

The Earth would soon face its destined fate; it would be invaded. A great war would begin, a war that would have far-reaching consequences, possibly leading to the Blip event?

The sorcerers' hearts filled with even more curiosity and expectation. What exactly did the demon's prophecy entail?

As they pondered this, back aboard the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier, Steve Rogers, having figured out Loki's plan, hurriedly sought out Natasha Romanoff.

Bursting into the medical room, he warned, "We need to move."

"Where to?" Natasha asked, puzzled.

"I'll tell you on the way."

Before Natasha could respond, Clint, who had just emerged from the washroom, chimed in, "I can fly."

Soon after, the group donned their uniforms, grabbed their weapons—bows, shields, and more—and hurried towards a waiting jet.

Meanwhile, on the Helicarrier, Director Nick Fury was flipping through Captain America's cards, the ones left behind by Coulson.

Maria Hill, the slim, attractive agent in a black uniform, approached.

"Sir," she said, noticing the blood-stained cards in Fury's hands, unable to stop herself from asking, "Weren't those cards originally in Coulson's locker, not his jacket?"

Fury didn't deny it. He admitted openly, "They needed a push."

Clearly, he had employed a small trick, taking the cards from Coulson's locker, staining them with blood, and presenting them to the team as if they had been found on Coulson's person.

At that moment, Fury's earpiece crackled to life.

"An unauthorized jet has taken off from Platform Six!"

Nick Fury glanced up, just in time to see a jet speeding away. In an instant, he knew it had to be Steve and the others.

"Found Loki, have they?" Fury muttered.

After watching the jet for a few seconds, he turned his attention back to the Helicarrier, his tone firm as he issued orders through his earpiece. "I want communication systems back online, no matter what it takes!"

He then hurried toward his office, giving Maria Hill additional instructions as he went. "I need updates constantly."

"Yes, sir," Hill responded.

Simultaneously, Thor, regaining his confidence, lifted Mjolnir, summoning bolts of lightning from the skies.

Meanwhile, Tony was flying alone in his Mark armor, heading straight for Stark Tower.

While Stark and the others were making their moves, Syd had already arrived near the center of New York, close to Stark Tower. From his vantage point, he spotted Tony Stark approaching from the distance.

"It's about to start..." Syd thought, his eyes filled with anticipation as he waited for the opportune moment to seize the Tesseract and the Scepter.

As for the consequences of seizing the Tesseract in broad daylight, he wasn't concerned in the slightest.

At that moment, under the watchful eyes of Kaecilius, Syd, and others, the massive technological apparatus atop Stark Tower began to hum to life.

The Tesseract, positioned at the center of the apparatus, began to glow with a brilliant blue-white light, slowly rising into the air. Bolts of energy crackled around the Tesseract, and a constant buzzing filled the air as it started to spin.

It was releasing its energy...

By then, Tony Stark had reached Stark Tower.

"Sir, I've shut down the Arc Reactor, but the Tesseract is still powering up!" JARVIS warned.

As Tony flew closer to the building, he spotted Dr. Selvig operating the equipment. He issued a stern warning, "Shut it down, Dr. Selvig!"

However, under Loki's control, Selvig felt no fear. He called back, "It's too late!"

"It's already unstoppable!"

"It's going to show us... a whole new universe!"

"Fine!" Tony snapped, raising his gauntlet and firing a repulsor blast at the equipment without hesitation.

Boom!

The energy blast shot out, but as soon as it reached the device, a blue energy shield, clearly powered by the Tesseract, sprung up, absorbing the blast.

Not only did the shield repel the attack, but it also reflected the energy back with immense force!

An explosion echoed as the energy shockwave blasted Tony Stark away, sending Dr. Selvig crashing into the building, knocking him unconscious.

Watching this unfold from a distance, Syd contemplated the situation.

It seemed that, as Selvig had said, there was no way to stop the device now—at least not without something related to the Infinity Stones.

Generally, only a stone could counter another stone, or destroy it. The only way to stop this device was with the Mind Stone, or another stone's power.

Or perhaps, a power related to the energy of the stones.

"I wonder if my Chaos Magic can stop this thing?" Syd mused, curious.

He wasn't sure if the Chaos Magic he had mimicked contained the power of the Mind Stone. If it did, it might stop, or even destroy the Tesseract. If not, then it would be a moot point.

Tony Stark seemed to come to a similar realization.

JARVIS's voice chimed in.

"Sir, that's pure energy—it can't be penetrated."

"Yeah, I noticed," Tony muttered, adding, "Initiate Plan B!"

"But sir, the Mark 7 isn't ready for combat yet," JARVIS cautioned.

"Doesn't matter—we're out of time!" Tony insisted, preparing to deploy his newly developed suit.

Landing on the armor deployment platform atop the tower, robotic arms began removing his current suit piece by piece.

At that moment, Tony spotted Loki standing in one of the building's floors.

Instantly, irritation and anger flared across Tony's face.

Loki noticed him too, smiling nonchalantly.

Tony ignored him and walked into the building.

"You're here to beg for mercy, I presume?" Loki taunted as they closed the distance between them.

(End of Chapter)