Chapter 126
Avengers
Arc 8 - Ch 18: Helicarrier
Thursday, May 03, 2012.
Location: Shield Helicarrier, Atlantic Ocean
Dozens of SHIELD police escorted Loki, hands bound, through the helicarrier's corridors. Despite his captivity, Loki wore a smile that suggested everything was proceeding according to plan. The procession passed the helicarrier lab, where Bruce Banner examined the Chitauri scepter. The scientist looked up from his work. Loki caught his gaze and nodded with a knowing look that made him uncomfortable. He rubbed his head, feeling a strange pressure building behind his eyes.
Meanwhile, Tyson remained strapped into the co-pilot's seat of the Quinjet, pale and drained. The rapid use of Amora's Enhancement magic had taken a severe toll. Natasha stayed with him, as did Amora, while the others departed.
"How long is he going to be weak like this?"
Amora frowned. "I do not know. Hours, maybe days. I have never used Enhancement magic on someone so rapidly in succession."
Natasha glanced toward the open ramp. "Can you keep our conversation private?"
Amora stood in the center of the cockpit, raising her hands. Golden energy flowed from her fingertips, forming intricate patterns in the air. The symbols resembled ancient Norse runes that pulsed with ethereal light. As she whispered words in an old Asgardian tongue, the runes expanded outward, coating the interior of the cockpit in a translucent golden barrier that settled into the metal, becoming invisible except for a faint shimmer. The ambient sounds from outside immediately dampened.
"None shall hear our words now," Amora said. "The ward will hold for an hour at most."
Tyson stirred in his seat, his eyes fluttering but not fully opening. His breathing was shallow, and sweat beaded on his forehead.
"We need to do something. Things have changed. I need to inform him."
Amora moved closer to Tyson. "I need you to borrow my strength, love."
Natasha was surprised by the term of endearment, surprise flickering across her face. She watched as Amora leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on Tyson's forehead.
The moment their skin made contact, Amora winced. The control Tyson had over his power was tenuous in his weakened state. She felt a sharp sting of pain she hadn't experienced since the first time she had kissed him, when his absorption ability had been uncontrolled. The pull was immediate and hungry, drawing energy from her in a way that made her gasp softly against his skin.
Color returned to Tyson's face. His eyes opened, clarity replacing the previous haze.
Natasha leaned in and kissed him as well, feeling the same painful sting as his power instinctively drew from her. The sensation was like touching a live wire, but she held the contact until she saw more strength return to him.
Tyson looked at both women with regret as Natasha pulled back. "I'm sorry. I feel so weak. It"s hard to control it."
"It's fine." Natasha brushed hair from his face. "We have a problem. Fury has been compromised. Your doctor, Sofen, reported she saw him with Loki and Dr. Sterns. But he is here on the helicarrier, acting normal."
"Fuck." Tyson struggled to process the information. "And Sterns?"
"MIA," Natasha replied. "Same with Barton and Selvig."
"And Dr. Sofen?"
"Safe in the RAFT in New York."
Tyson nodded. "Okay, well, if you think Fury is compromised, just punch him in the face hard enough. He'll snap out of it."
Natasha stood. "Simple enough, I'll take care of it." She turned to Amora. "Keep him safe." Without waiting for a response, she left the Quinjet, moving toward the bridge.
Amora began unstrapping Tyson from the co-pilot's seat. "Let us get you to a bed."
"I need to be in the briefing," Tyson protested weakly.
"You need rest. You will be of no use to anyone if you collapse during a crucial moment."
Tyson didn't have the strength to argue as Amora guided him toward the exit. His legs threatened to give way with each step. As they made their slow progress through the corridor, agents moved aside, casting concerned glances at his condition.
Natasha strode onto the bridge. The massive windows offered a panoramic view of clouds drifting by as various SHIELD personnel worked at their stations. Nick Fury stood at his command station.
"Congratulations, Agent Romanoff, on capturing Loki," Fury said. "Now let's talk about your—"
Natasha's fist connected with Fury's jaw before he could finish. She had carefully calculated the force needed. Too little would fail to break Loki's control; too much would knock Fury unconscious or, with her strength, worse.
The sharp crack echoed across the bridge. Agents spun in their chairs and drew weapons As they realized what the sound meant. Multiple laser sights centered on Natasha's chest.
"Stand down!" Maria Hill ordered, but the agents held their positions.
Fury staggered back a step. For a moment, his eye seemed to flash with an unnatural blue sheen before clearing. He blinked several times, then raised his hand toward the security team.
"Hold your fire." The agents lowered their weapons, though their expressions remained wary. Fury worked his jaw back and forth, testing for damage. "Thanks. Mind telling me how long I was compromised?" Fury asked.
"Dr. Sofen reported seeing you with Loki and Dr. Sterns during the facility evacuation."
Fury's expression darkened. "The last thing I clearly remember is securing the Tesseract. Everything after that is... hazy. Like trying to recall a dream."
Maria Hill asked, "Sir, should we implement Cognitive Recalibration Protocol for all personnel who had contact with Loki?"
"Negative. We don't have time to punch everyone on this carrier. Focus on essential personnel who had direct contact while he had the scepter. I'm going to go have a chat with our fallen deity." He turned back to Natasha. "Nice right hook, by the way. Though next time, maybe aim for the other side of my face. I've got enough problems with this eye."
Fury walked through the helicarrier until he reached the detention section. The corridor was eerily quiet compared to the bustling activity on the bridge.
Loki remained within the cuffs, sitting calmly inside a large transparent cell held by hydraulic rigs. The god of mischief looked perfectly at ease despite his confinement.
Fury approached the control panel. "In case it's unclear, I'm not under your control anymore." He fixed Loki with his one-eyed stare. "Good move, trying to turn me. Too bad it didn't work out for you."
Loki merely smiled.
"So you know, if you try to escape, if you so much as scratch that glass..." Fury pressed a button, which opened a hatch underneath Loki's cell. The sudden rush of air created a deafening roar as the pressure differential attempted to equalize. Loki peered as much as he could from within the glass confines.
"Thirty thousand feet, straight down in a steel trap," Fury announced over the howling wind. "You get how that works?!"
He closed the hatch. The sudden silence felt almost as jarring as the noise had been. He pointed at Loki.
"Ant."
Then he pointed at the button that would drop Loki into the steel trap.
"Boot."
Loki's smirk never faltered. If anything, it grew more pronounced. He rose from his seated position. "Clever turning my words back on me. And it's an impressive cage. Not built, I think, for me."
Fury crossed his arms. "Built for something a lot stronger than you."
"Oh, I've heard." Loki glanced toward one of the security cameras mounted in the corner of the room.
In the briefing room at the back of the helicarrier's bridge, Natasha, Steve Rogers, Thor, and the others watched Loki and Fury through the screen.
"The mindless beast, makes play he's still a man," Loki said.
Bruce Banner shifted uncomfortably at the table.
Loki paced within the confines of his cell. "You were never important. You didn't matter for the plans." His voice carried no malice, just a matter-of-fact certainty that somehow cut deeper than any insult. "You were a convenient ally, and now you're an irrelevant enemy."
"Yet here you are, in my cage, while I stand free. Seems like you miscalculated."
"Did I?" Loki tilted his head slightly. "Tell me, Director Fury, do you feel in control now? Free of my influence, standing there with your primitive technology and your collection of monsters and misfits?"
Steve straightened in his chair, studying Loki's expressions and mannerisms.
"I don't need to feel in control. I just need to keep you contained until we find the Tesseract."
"How desperate are you that you call upon such lost creatures to defend you?"
"How desperate am I? You threaten my world with war. You steal a force you can't hope to control. You talk about peace, and you kill 'cause it's fun. You have made me very desperate. You might not be glad that you did."
"Ooh. It burns you to come so close. To have the Tesseract, to have power, unlimited power. And for what? A warm light for all mankind to share, and then to be reminded what real power is."
"Well, you let me know if 'real power' wants a magazine or something." Fury walked off, leaving Loki in his cell. Loki looked back at the camera, smirking directly at them.
The screen went dark as Fury cut the feed. The briefing room fell into silence.
Bruce was the first to speak, removing his glasses. "He really grows on you, doesn't he?"
"Loki's gonna drag this out," Steve said. "So, Thor, what's his play?"
Thor turned away from the blank screen. "He has an army called the Chitauri. They're not of Asgard or any world known. He means to lead them against your people. They will win him the Earth. In return, I suspect, for the Tesseract."
"An army," Steve repeated. "From outer space."
"So he's building another portal," Bruce concluded. "That's what he needs Erik Selvig for."
"Selvig?" Thor's head snapped up.
"He's an astrophysicist," Bruce explained.
"He's a friend," Thor corrected.
Natasha leaned forward. "Loki has him under some kind of spell, along with one of ours."
"I wanna know why Loki let us take him," Steve said. "He's not leading an army from here."
Bruce shook his head. "I don't think we should be focusing on Loki. That guy's brain is a bag full of cats. You can smell crazy on him."
Thor's expression darkened. "Have care how you speak. Loki is beyond reason, but he is of Asgard, and he's my brother."
"He killed thirty people in two days," Natasha said.
Thor paused. "He's adopted."
"I think it's about the mechanics." Bruce brought the conversation back. "Iridium. What did they need the iridium for?"
"It's a stabilizing agent," Tony announced as he entered the room with Agent Coulson. He finished a quiet conversation with the agent before turning his full attention to the group. "Means the portal won't collapse on itself like it did at SHIELD. Also, it means the portal can open as wide and stay open as long as Loki wants."
Tony walked to Fury's command station with casual confidence, surveying the bridge through the windows. "That man is playing Galaga!" He pointed to a crew member. "Thought we wouldn't notice, but we did."
He covered one eye, mimicking Fury as he examined the various screens. "How does Fury see these?"
"He turns," Maria Hill replied.
"Sounds exhausting." Tony returned to his explanation. "The rest of the raw materials, Agent Barton can get his hands on pretty easily. The only major component he still needs is a power source. A high energy density, something to kick start the cube."
"When did you become an expert in thermonuclear astrophysics?" Hill challenged.
"Last night. The packet, Selvig's notes, the Extraction Theory papers. Am I the only one who did the reading?" Tony turned to Natasha. "How's the kid?"
"Tyson is resting. He's out of commission for who knows how long."
Thor nodded. "The journey he made to retrieve me was long. Asgard has recognized his service. The Allfather himself bestowed upon him a title of honor. Valravn. It is not given lightly."
Logan, who had been leaning against the wall, straightened up. He had remained silent throughout the briefing, observing the dynamics of the group.
"I'll go check on him," Logan said. "Might be able to help get him on his feet." Without waiting for acknowledgment, he strode out of the briefing room.
Steve watched Logan leave before refocusing. "Does Loki need any particular kind of power source?"
Banner removed his glasses, twirling them absently. "He's got to heat the cube to a hundred and twenty million Kelvin just to break through the Coulomb barrier."
"Unless," Tony interjected, "Selvig has figured out how to stabilize the quantum tunneling effect."
Banner's expression shifted. "Well, if he could do that, he could achieve Heavy Ion Fusion at any reactor on the planet."
"Finally, someone who speaks English." Tony gestured toward Banner.
Steve looked between the two scientists. "Is that what just happened?"
Tony approached Banner with an extended hand. "It's good to meet you, Dr. Banner. Your work on anti-electron collisions is unparalleled. And I'm a huge fan of the way you lose control and turn into an enormous green rage monster."
Banner looked down. "Thanks," he replied quietly.
Nick Fury strode into the room. "Dr. Banner is only here to track the cube. I was hoping you might join him."
Steve leaned forward. "Let's start with that stick of his. It may be magical, but it works an awful lot like a HYDRA weapon."
"I don't know about that," Fury said, "but I would like to know how Loki used it to turn me and two of the sharpest men I know into his personal flying monkeys."
"Monkeys?" Thor frowned. "I do not understand."
"I do!" Steve exclaimed, pointing for emphasis. "I understood that reference."
Tony rolled his eyes at Steve's excitement, while Cap looked genuinely proud of himself for catching something from his era.
Tony turned to Banner. "Shall we play, doctor?"
Banner nodded. "Let's play some."
As Banner and Tony walked out, their conversation already diving deep into scientific terminology, the agent who'd been playing Galaga earlier turned discreetly. He watched as everyone else dispersed to their assigned tasks, then went back to his game.
— Rogue Redemption —
The small bedroom on the helicarrier felt cramped with four people inside, three of them standing around the bed where Tyson lay unconscious. Natasha had entered right behind Logan to join Amora, who stood beside the bed.
Logan surveyed the room. "Must think the kid's important for him to get his own room on a can like this."
"He is important," Natasha stated.
"Don't I know it," Logan muttered.
"We all know it," Amora added. A moment of understanding passed between the three of them. Each of them knew about the future Tyson had described.
"What went wrong? Why is he like this?" Natasha asked, gesturing toward Tyson's still form.
Amora sighed. "It was supposed to be a quick pickup. Boost him, grab Thor, come back, then he gets sick and is out for an hour or two. But when we arrived on Asgard, the Allfather was holding court and bestowed titles upon us. I know enough of Earth to know you care little for such things. But it was important. One cannot simply ignore Odin's wishes."
"Important enough that he's left like this for who knows how long?"
"Yes. Without a doubt."
Logan stepped forward, his hand reaching for Tyson's.
"He can't control his absorption," Natasha warned.
"Wouldn't be the first time." His fingers made contact with Tyson's skin, and he winced slightly at the familiar sting of energy being drawn from him. The veins in his arm darkened momentarily as his healing factor worked against the drain.
Amora watched this exchange. "I cannot say how long he will be like this. But with him recovering, we may have our own roles to play."
Logan maintained contact for several seconds before pulling away, flexing his hand. "I'm not much for all this cloak and dagger. Just tell me what I need to do. We're down a man while Loki's planning whatever he's planning."
"Not necessarily. As I said, we may have our own roles to play. Tyson has shared knowledge with each of us for a reason."
Tyson groaned, his eyelids fluttering open to reveal the concerned faces hovering above him. "Yeah, so that when I save the day, you all know how awesome I am."
Logan snorted. "Yeah, kid, you look totally awesome right now."
"Was almost puking in Odin's throne room the awesomeness you speak of?" Amora teased.
Tyson let out a weak chuckle. "I'm sure I wasn't the first. Aren't your parties supposed to be legendary?"
"As fun as this is, how do you feel?" Natasha's practical nature cut through the banter.
"Not well." Tyson pushed himself up slightly against the pillows.
"There are more complications. I punched Fury. He gave me a quick rundown. Loki has another with him that you didn't mention, a woman who wears armor and carries a sword."
Tyson's brow furrowed. "Who the hell could that be?" He paused. "Did he say she was green, or blue?"
"He didn't say, but that seems like the kind of detail he wouldn't leave out."
"Not Gamora or Nebula." Tyson's eyes took on a distant look as he mentally sorted through possibilities.
"Her name is Angela," Amora said. "I was watching when they arrived. She seems to be a fighter, like Thor or Lady Sif."
Tyson shook his head. "I don't know who she is, but we'll handle her when it comes time, just the same. But you're right. We all do have roles to play." His focus returned to the room. "Loki will escape, and Banner will Hulk out. The woman is a wild card, but so are you two." He gestured to Logan and Amora.
"Nat, your priority is Barton. I know you're stronger now, I'm not doubting you, but don't fight Banner." He turned to Amora. "The same goes for you."
"Logan, stay away from the scepter, it'll fuck with your head. But you can fight the Hulk, just don't let him get his hands on you."
"What are you going to do?" Natasha asked.
"I'm going to see the scepter."
"I don't think that's a good idea. You're weak, and you said that it manipulates people."
"It does, and you might be right, but this is one of the few chances I'll have to get my hands on it."
Natasha wasn't satisfied. "Why don't we just stop Loki now? We know where the scepter is, and we know where the Tesseract is going to be."
Tyson shook his head slowly. "The invasion needs to happen. It can't be stopped. I know it sucks, but I'm absolutely certain. That part of the vision cannot be changed. The Tesseract needs to stay in play, but the scepter doesn't."
"I'll help you," Amora stated.
"Guess it's about time for me to go talk to our guest," Natasha said, already moving toward the door.
Logan pushed off from the wall. "I'll walk around till I find someone to punch." He fixed Tyson with a pointed look. "Stay away from the scepter, don't get grabbed, I got it. We're trusting you here, kid."
A small smile touched Tyson's lips despite his exhaustion. "I know. You guys are the best. It's why I keep you around."
"Sure it is." Logan turned to follow Natasha out of the room.
As they departed, Amora remained by Tyson's side. "Cast whatever you have in the way of mental defenses," he said. "I don't know if it'll be enough, but I need you to remain safe from the scepter's influence. Oh, and bring Nexus, too."
— Rogue Redemption —
Inside the lab on the helicarrier, Banner hunched over the scepter, with Tony standing nearby, manipulating holographic displays that floated around him.
"The gamma readings are definitely consistent with Selvig's reports on the Tesseract," Banner said. "But it's gonna take weeks to process."
"If we bypass their mainframe and direct a reroute to the Homer cluster, we can clock this around six hundred teraflops."
Banner gave a small smile. "All I packed was a toothbrush."
"You know, you should come by Stark Tower sometime. The top ten floors are all R&D. You'd love it. It's Candy Land."
Banner's smile turned wistful. "Thanks, but the last time I was in New York, I was captured by the military, and my blood was used to create an Abomination that nearly destroyed Harlem."
"Well, I promise a stress-free environment. No tension. No surprises."
Without warning, Tony jabbed Banner with a miniature electrical prod.
"OW!" Banner's body tensed.
Steve walked through the doorway. "Hey!"
"Nothing?"
Steve strode forward. "Are you nuts?"
"You really have got a lid on it, haven't you? What's your secret? Mellow jazz? Bongo drums? Huge bag of weed?"
"Is everything a joke to you?" Steve asked.
"Funny things are."
"Threatening the safety of everyone on this ship isn't funny." Steve glanced at Banner. "No offense, Doctor."
Banner waved it off, returning to his work. "No, it's alright. I wouldn't have come aboard if I couldn't handle pointy things."
"You're tiptoeing, big man. You need to strut."
"And you need to focus on the problem, Mr. Stark."
Tony's playful demeanor shifted. "You think I'm not? Why did Fury call us, and why now? Why not before? What isn't he telling us? I can't do the equation unless I have all the variables."
Steve paused. "You think Fury's hiding something?"
"He's a spy. Captain. He's the spy. His secrets have secrets." Tony gestured toward Banner. "It's bugging him too, isn't it?"
"Uh...I just wanna finish my work here and..."
"Doctor?" Steve prompted.
Banner sighed. "'A warm light for all mankind,' Loki's jab at Fury about the cube."
"I heard it."
"Well, I think that was meant for you."
Steve turned to Tony. "Stark Tower? That big ugly..." Tony gave him a look. "...building in New York?"
"It's powered by Stark Reactors, a self-sustaining energy source," Banner explained. "That building will run itself for what, a year?"
Tony nodded. "That's just the prototype. I'm one of the only names in clean energy right now. The kid and his gaggle of scientists are the other."
Banner's eyes narrowed. "So, why didn't SHIELD bring Tony or any of them in on the Tesseract project? Mirage was working with SHIELD for over a year. I mean, what are they doing in the energy business in the first place?"
"I should probably look into that once my decryption programmer finishes breaking into all of SHIELD's secure files."
Steve's eyes widened. "I'm sorry, did you say...?"
"Jarvis has been running it since I hit the bridge. In a few hours, we'll know every dirty secret SHIELD has ever tried to hide." Tony reached into his pocket and pulled out a small bag. "Blueberry?"
Tyson walked in, assisted by Amora at his side. His steps were unsteady.
"I'll take some," Tyson said, eyeing the bag.
Steve frowned. "Shouldn't you be resting?"
Tony handed over the blueberries without hesitation. Tyson popped a few into his mouth.
"Yeah, I should be. But no rest for the weary, or wicked, or whatever." He leaned slightly against Amora.
"Anyway, Dr. Banner, you're right. Sorry, overheard, enhanced senses, and all that. SHIELD brought me in on this stuff early on," Tyson continued. "I was at Project Pegasus for a few months. They were using the Tesseract for several experiments." He paused to eat another handful of berries. "Selvig was working in Phase 3, his work involved wormholes. I was stationed on Phase 4, guarding the team working on a faster-than-light speed engine."
Tony's fingers paused over his holographic display.
"But Phase 2," Tyson said, "that's what you'll be interested in. Phase 2 was the continuation of weapon research done by HYDRA during World War 2." Steve's jaw clenched. "On this Helicarrier are some of those weapons. SHIELD had them moved here when things started to go bad in the facility." Tyson knew he was taking a risk sharing all this, but better it came from him than them discovering it on their own. Everyone in the room knew and trusted him.
"You knew about this?" Steve's voice was tight.
"The US military and SHIELD snatched up a lot of the German and HYDRA scientists. When Thor showed up last year, and Asgard sent what was essentially an armored drone that destroyed a town, it made SHIELD nervous. Their agents, besides me, couldn't do anything to effect it."
Tony and Banner exchanged glances.
"Bringing us together was one line of defense. The Phase 2 weapons were another."
Banner removed his glasses. Tony's expression hardened. Steve looked like he'd been physically struck.
"I know this is a sore spot for you Cap," Tyson said. "But look at it from a military leadership perspective. Not much has probably changed there since your time."
Steve paced the small space. "That doesn't make it right. We were supposed to be better than this."
Tony turned back to his screens. "Well, this confirms what I suspected. Fury's been playing us from the start."
Banner leaned against the lab table. "The question is why. What's the endgame here?"
Amora spoke for the first time. "Perhaps your Director Fury fears what he cannot control. It is a common weakness among those who hold power."
Tony pointed at her. "The lady makes a good point."
Tyson finished the blueberries and tossed out the empty bag. "Look, I'm not defending SHIELD's actions. But I understand the reasoning. After New Mexico, they realized how outmatched Earth would be against advanced alien civilizations."
"So their solution is to use the very weapons that nearly destroyed the world during my time?" Steve challenged.
"Fear makes people revert to what they know. And what SHIELD knows is weapons."
Tony's display pinged. "Well, it looks like my decryption program is making progress. We'll have the full picture soon enough."
Banner moved closer. "I'm curious about this Phase 4 you mentioned. A faster-than-light engine? Using the Tesseract?"
"Reed Richards was the lead scientist working on it. When the Tesseract activated, it also activated the engine. I had to launch their ship because, apparently, activating a warp drive inside the atmosphere is a no-no. They're... well, they're somewhere out there now." He gestured vaguely toward the ceiling.
"In space?" Banner asked.
"So there are civilians lost in space because of this?" Cap echoed incredulously.
"Reed Richards and his team knew the risks. They're brilliant scientists. If anyone can find their way back, it's them."
"I met Richards once at MIT. Brilliant. Almost as smart as me."
Amora helped Tyson to a nearby chair. "You should conserve your energy," she said.
"I'm fine," he insisted, though he didn't resist sitting.
"So what's our play here?" Steve asked. "If SHIELD is developing weapons based on the Tesseract, and Loki has the Tesseract..."
Tyson waved away the concern. "SHIELD won't be developing weapons with the Tesseract any further, or anything else. When we regain it, it'll be going with Thor back to Asgard."
"Does SHIELD know that?"
Tyson made a so-so gesture. "Fury knows. Whether he's informed the World Security Council is another matter." He shifted in his seat, wincing. "Look at it like this. Asgard has been protecting us from extraterrestrial threats for centuries. Since that incident last year, we've been cut off from their protection. It only makes sense for us to find ways to protect ourselves." He gestured toward Thor, who had just entered the lab and stood silently by the door. "With the Tesseract, they can fix their transportation method, the Bifrost, and we won't need to protect ourselves when big brother is watching from afar."
Steve crossed his arms. "How do we know they won't abuse it?"
"They had control of the Tesseract until it was left on Earth. It's an old bag for them. They kept it safe in Odin's vault."
Thor nodded, stepping further into the room. "The Tesseract belongs on Asgard. No human is a match for it."
"No offense, but I think we humans have done alright with it so far," Tony shot back.
"Is that why it's currently in the hands of my brother?" Thor retorted.
Dr. Banner didn't buy into the quips and asked, "So where does that leave us?"
"You still need to locate the Tesseract. That hasn't changed." Tyson answered, "But there's a problem."
"What's that?" Tony asked.
Tyson pointed to the scepter. "That thing." He looked at Banner. "You've been scanning it? What's it putting out?"
Banner moved back to his workstation and pulled up several holographic displays showing complex energy readings.
"It's... unusual. The gamma signature is consistent with the Tesseract, as I mentioned earlier, but there's something else." He manipulated the display. "There's a secondary signature that doesn't match any known energy source we've cataloged."
Tony moved closer. "It's almost like it's broadcasting something."
"Exactly. The energy isn't just contained within the scepter; it's emitting a specific frequency. Low-level, but constant."
"And have you noticed any effects since it's been on board? Anything unusual about people's behavior?" Banner hesitated, glancing at Tony. But Tyson continued without waiting for an answer. "It's affecting our emotions. The scepter doesn't just control minds when it touches someone; it subtly influences everyone around it. Makes them more aggressive, more suspicious."
"Are you saying it's controlling us right now?"
"Not controlling. Influencing. Heightening tensions that are already there. Making us more likely to turn on each other."
Thor moved closer to examine it. "My brother has always been skilled in magic, but this... this is beyond his usual abilities."
"It's feeding on your discord," Amora observed.
"It's not just a weapon; it's a catalyst. A way to tear us apart from the inside."
"Divide and conquer," Steve murmured.
"Classic strategy. And it explains why Loki surrendered so easily. He wanted to be brought aboard." Tyson struggled to his feet, and Amora immediately moved to support him. "We need to isolate it. Contain the influence. Or more aptly, isolate us from it." Tyson hesitated for a moment before he said, "The Avenger's Initiative. That's us. We're the backup plan for when things go wrong. We're supposed to work together. The Avengers." He smiled wistfully. "But if we're a team, right now we need to be more like a track team. Everyone has their specialties, but we're not all playing on the same court. If we stick together, this scepter will tear us apart."
"Tony, suit up. I'm sure you can interface with Jarvis and monitor things from there." Tyson's usual playful, carefree demeanor shifted as he began giving orders.
Tony nodded, already moving toward the door.
"Cap, the bridge seems like the best place for you. If we end up in a battle, you have the most experience. Unless you think there's a better place for you."
Steve considered this. "The bridge gives the best vantage point for coordination. I'll head there now."
"Doctor Banner, I'd go find your zen place, somewhere not near the scepter or Loki. You've been working the most closely with the scepter and have been the most subjected to its influence."
Banner removed his glasses, cleaning them on the edge of his shirt. "I could use some air. Maybe the observation deck on the lower level."
Tyson turned to Thor. "You know your brother best. Whatever you think."
"I should speak with him. Perhaps I can reason with him."
"Okay, that's part of a plan," Tony said, pausing at the doorway. "What are you going to be doing?"
Tyson nodded to the scepter. "I'm going to have a chat with the scepter."
Banner's eyebrows shot up. "Is that wise? You don't look so great."
"I'm the only psychic here, unless one of you is hiding a power..."
No one answered.
Tony hesitated. "Look, maybe we should rethink this. You're barely standing as it is."
"I'll be fine. Amora will be with me. If anything goes wrong, she can intervene."
Amora nodded, though her eyes remained troubled.
"We're not leaving you alone with that thing. Not in your condition."
"We don't have time for debate. Every minute we stand here arguing is another minute Loki's plan moves forward. We need to act now, and if any of us can mitigate the scepter's influence, it's going to be me." Tyson faced the group. "Look, I know the risks, but this is our best shot at disrupting whatever he has planned."
Tony exchanged glances with Steve. "Fine," he conceded. "But Jarvis will monitor your vitals remotely. Any sign of distress, and we have Glinda here pull the plug."
"Agreed," Tyson said.
Steve shook his head. "I don't like this."
"None of us do," Banner said quietly. "But he's right."
Thor stepped forward to place a heavy hand on Tyson's shoulder. "Be cautious, Valravn. Weapons of great power are not to be trifled with, and this..." he glanced at the scepter, "this is certainly one of them."
Tyson managed a small smile. "I'll be careful." He held out his hand. "Might I borrow some of your strength?"
Thor nodded and held out his hand. They shook for a few seconds before releasing. Tyson stood up straighter. "Thor. You're far stronger than you know."
The group began to disperse. Tony paused at the door.
"Just so we're clear, if you get yourself killed doing this, I'm going to be very annoyed."
Tyson's smile widened. "Noted."
As the others filed out, Amora moved to stand beside Tyson. Once they were alone, save for the glowing scepter on the lab table, his confident facade faltered.
"Are you certain about this?" she asked.
Tyson gazed at the scepter, its blue light reflecting in his eyes. "No. But you know what's coming. I'll have to face Thanos eventually. If I can't handle the power of an Infinity Stone, better to know now so I can make other plans and contingencies for the future."
Her fingers intertwined with his. She held his grasp for a few seconds. "Then I shall anchor you. If I sense anything amiss, I will do what I can to pull you back."
Tyson squeezed her hand before releasing it.
He approached the table where the scepter lay, its blue crystal pulsing. "I can feel its power from here." He stopped just short of the table's edge and reached for the adamantium he wore, pulling at it with his ferrokinetic abilities. The metal responded instantly, floating through the air to hover before him.
He concentrated, and the adamantium began to shift and flow like liquid mercury. Within a minute, an exact replica of Loki's scepter took shape, floating in the air before him.
"Impressive," Amora remarked.
"Actually, that should have only taken a second. My power is moving as sluggish as my body."
Where the gem would be located, he used his power to carve into the adamantium.
"I need a drop of your blood," he said.
Tyson released his claws and poked his palm, a few drops of blood welled up before his healing factor took over, which he allowed to fall onto the carved symbols.
Tyson placed his hand over the area, closing his eyes. He began to mutter, and the symbols began to glow with a soft blue light, until the replica matched the intensity of the real scepter.
"It is difficult to tell them apart visually," Amora commented, circling the floating replica, "but the aura cannot be copied. Any being with mystical senses will know the difference the moment they scan it."
"I don't need the aura. I just need a deception that will last for some time."
The two scepters lay side by side, nearly identical to the naked eye.
Tyson took a deep breath. He reached out and grasped the original scepter, wrapping his fingers around its handle. The moment his skin made contact, energy surged through him. It wasn't painful, exactly, but it felt like every nerve in his body had suddenly come alive.
"Are you alright?" Amora asked, noticing his slight flinch.
"Yeah. It's... communicating, in a way. Not with words, but with sensations." He held up the pulsing gem at the end of the scepter. "The casing is merely a shell. The true power lies within."
He extended the adamantium claw from his right index finger. He pressed the tip against the crystal casing, applying steady pressure. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, with a sound like cracking ice, the adamantium penetrated the surface. He carefully guided his claw around the perimeter of the gem, slicing through the material that held it in place. As the last connection was severed, the blue casing fell away, revealing what lay beneath.
The Mind Stone glowed with brilliant yellow light, far more intense than the blue shell that had contained it. It was smaller than Tyson had expected, but the power radiating from it was unmistakable.
"The Mind Stone," Amora breathed. "One of the six Infinity Stones, created at the dawn of the universe."
Tyson stared at the stone, mesmerized by its pulsing light. He could feel the stone calling to him, promising knowledge beyond imagination, power beyond measure.
"Here goes nothing."
Without further hesitation, he reached out and grabbed the Mind Stone with his bare hand.
— Rogue Redemption —
The Mind Stone's power surged through Tyson's body in a torrent of pure cosmic energy. Yellow light coursed through his veins, illuminating them from within as if his blood had been replaced with liquid sunlight. The sensation wasn't painful; it was transcendent, as though every cell in his body was awakening to a higher state of existence.
Amora watched as Tyson's form began to glow, the yellow radiance of the Mind Stone enveloping him. She raised a hand to shield her eyes from the intensity.
"Tyson! Can you hear me?"
But he could barely register her words. His consciousness expanded outward like a tidal wave. In an instant, his awareness extended beyond the confines of the laboratory, beyond the metal walls of the helicarrier, reaching out in all directions simultaneously.
He felt the minds of everyone aboard the vessel. Fury's determined focus. Banner's careful restraint over the beast within. Tony's brilliant calculations. Steve's steadfast moral compass. Thor's concern for his brother mingled with duty to protect Earth. Natasha's complex web of thoughts, always analyzing, always three steps ahead. The barriers within Natasha and Amora's minds.
What? But he didn't have time to dwell, since it didn't stop there. His awareness continued to expand, racing outward at an impossible speed. He felt the coastal cities teeming with millions of minds, each one distinct yet part of a vast, interconnected tapestry of consciousness. New York City blazed like a constellation of mental activity, eight million souls, each with their own desires, fears, memories, and dreams.
Further still, his consciousness reached across the continent, across oceans, until he could sense every human mind on the planet. Billions of individual consciousnesses, each one as complex and unique as a fingerprint, yet all connected in ways they could never comprehend. Languages, cultures, beliefs, all the artificial boundaries humans created, melted away in the face of this shared consciousness.
It reminded him of his experiences with Jean Grey inside Cerebro.
Jean…
He remembered her and what she'd done… But this wasn't the time to dwell on it.
Holding the Mind Stone was different than being inside Cerebro. That had been overwhelming, the sheer volume of mental activity almost painful to process. This was... manageable. The Mind Stone didn't just amplify his abilities; it refined them, organized the input, and made the impossible comprehensible.
It didn't make sense. He knew he should be overwhelmed. No one should be able to process this much information. Yet he was. The Mind Stone wasn't just a tool or an amplifier. It was interfacing directly with his consciousness, translating the incomprehensible into something his mind could grasp. It was as if he'd spent his life seeing in two dimensions and suddenly gained the ability to perceive depth.
Realizing he needed to regain control before losing himself in this ocean of consciousness, Tyson began to pull back. Like reeling in a fishing line that had been cast to the horizon, he withdrew his awareness, past the distant continents, past the coastal cities, back to the helicarrier, and finally into the laboratory where his physical body stood, still glowing with the Stone's power.
As his consciousness settled back into his body, Tyson pulled back even further until he found himself in a familiar mental landscape.
The White Room.
This was his core self, the center of his psyche, a small, spartan space that served as the holding space for the other minds he had absorbed.
The white room was exactly as he remembered it; clean, minimalist, with white walls and a few pieces of furniture. He'd created areas within his mind for the other consciousnesses, so none remained in the White Room. But something was different. There, on the far wall, was a door that hadn't been there before. Its edges glowed with the same yellow light as the Mind Stone.
Tyson approached the door cautiously. As he drew closer, he recognized it.
The entrance to the Hallway of Possibilities.
The corridor in his mind was where all the psyches he had absorbed resided, each behind their own door. He had visited this place a few times before, usually to access specific powers or memories he had absorbed from others when boosted by Amora. He'd been able to see the connection to the White Room from the Hallway of Possibilities, but never from the White Room side.
And even more surprising. The door was open.
The familiar hallway stretched before him, lined with doors. Each represented a person whose powers and memories he had absorbed through his life-draining touch. But something was drastically different.
Every single door along the hallway stood wide open.
Every door.
With Amora's enhancement magic, he had been limited to opening one door at a time.
Now, all the barriers had fallen. Every power, every memory, every skill he had ever absorbed was simultaneously available to him. He could feel Juggernaut's unstoppability, Azazel's teleportation, Illyana's connection to Limbo, Jubilee's plasma generation, and dozens more.
All accessible simultaneously.
The Mind Stone hadn't just enhanced his existing abilities or given him new ones. It had completely unlocked his potential, removing the barriers that had always limited how much of his absorbed powers he could access at once.
But that wasn't all.
Two new doors at the beginning of the hallway caught his attention. All the other doors were standard-sized doorways to the individual psyches he'd touched. But these new ones were larger, more suited to a stadium or conference hall.
Tyson approached the first of these large doors cautiously. "What the hell is this?"
He extended his hand toward the handle, hesitating momentarily before making contact. The moment his fingers touched the handle, sensations exploded through his consciousness.
Fire. Burning and cleansing. Visions flashed before his eyes: planets being reduced to ash, galaxies collapsing and reforming, civilizations rising and falling across eons. Through it all, he sensed a consciousness so vast and ancient that his mind could barely comprehend its existence; a force of nature given sentience, a cosmic entity that had witnessed the birth and death of stars. But most overwhelming was the psychic power that emanated from beyond the door. It dwarfed anything he had ever experienced, making even the combined mental abilities of every telepath he had ever absorbed seem like candles beside the sun.
Tyson yanked his hand away, stumbling backward. His breath came in ragged gasps as the residual energy dissipated.
"The Phoenix Force," he murmured, remembering Amora's warning about a dormant connection to this cosmic entity. She had mentioned it in passing, as though it were a curiosity rather than a direct line to one of the most powerful forces in the universe. He shook his head firmly. "Not today." He had no desire to open that door. Some thresholds were not meant to be crossed, some powers not meant to be wielded casually.
Turning away from the first door, Tyson's attention shifted to the second new door.
Amora had mentioned this, too, he recalled. She had assumed it led to memories from before he woke up in that truck in Canada, from before this life as Tyson Smith began. She hadn't been able to access it. But now, with the Mind Stone's power flowing through him, Tyson could see this door clearly for the first time. It stood before him, no longer hidden.
"Why were you locked away?" Tyson asked quietly, studying the door. "I remember my life on Earth. I remember the Marvel universe. The comics, the movies, the shows. I get why that knowledge was hidden from Amora, but why was this door hidden from me?"
The question wasn't rhetorical. He genuinely wondered what memories or knowledge could be so significant that they needed to be sealed away, unreachable even to himself. Was it something traumatic? Knowledge too dangerous to possess? Perhaps something about his true nature that would fundamentally change how he viewed himself and the world? Or the answer to the few things he didn't know.
Why was he here? And how did he get here?
Tyson placed his hand on the handle. Unlike the Phoenix door, this one emitted no overwhelming energy, no cosmic visions, and, well, no sense of anything.
For a moment, he hesitated, wondering if some doors were meant to remain closed, some secrets meant to stay buried. But the pull was too strong, the mystery too compelling.
If these were his memories, his past, then he had a right to know them, needed to know them to understand who he truly was.
With a deep breath, Tyson turned the knob and pushed the door open. Without further hesitation, he stepped across the threshold and entered that second large door, closing it behind him.