Nick Fury stood in his secret research base, staring intently at the mysterious energy cube on the table — the Tesseract.He understood its potential and longed to harness its power to protect Earth from future threats.However, his decision was met with skepticism from Dr. Erik Selvig.
"This is bad. The Tesseract's energy levels are continuously rising — it's going out of control," Selvig said anxiously.
The cube suddenly burst into dazzling light, waves of energy rippling outward. Everything on the table was hurled away and crashed to the ground.
"Hey! Are you guys okay?" Nick Fury shouted.
"I'm fine," Selvig said, slowly getting back on his feet.
Just then, an even stronger burst of energy erupted from the cube.A blinding flash — and Loki appeared before Fury, clad in magnificent Asgardian armor, radiating menace.
Loki sneered coldly at Fury.
"Midgardian… you humans always crave power, don't you? Looks like this little cube has caught your eye as well."
Fury's expression darkened. Shocked by the sudden intruder, he slowly raised his arm.
"Who are you?"
S.H.I.E.L.D. agents immediately sprang into action, opening fire and trying to subdue Loki.But Loki, a true god of Asgard, effortlessly evaded their attacks and struck back with his magic, taking them down one after another.
Whoosh!
An arrow streaked toward Loki's illusionary projection.
"Ah, another little mouse," Loki smirked.Before Hawkeye could react, Loki appeared right in front of him with a flash of magic. With a triumphant grin, he pressed the scepter to Hawkeye's chest, enslaving his mind.
"You seem capable. Then serve me — faithfully."
Fury's anger flared. He knew if he didn't act fast, Loki would seize the Tesseract and plunge Earth into chaos. He braced himself, waiting for an opening to strike.
But Loki only smiled.
"Consider this a small punishment."
He waved his scepter, and the surrounding agents fell under his control. Then, taking the Tesseract, Dr. Selvig, Hawkeye, and several enthralled agents, Loki disappeared into the night.
Fury listened as distant gunfire echoed — then faded.A moment later, Natasha Romanoff rushed in.
"Clint?" she demanded.
"He's been compromised," Fury said grimly, recalling the scepter in Loki's hand.
"So what now?" Natasha asked, watching him sink into thought.
"It's time to initiate the Avengers Initiative."
Meanwhile, Loki, on his way out, waved his scepter toward an unseen corner.The controlled agents immediately raised their weapons, aiming at the darkness.
"You think your tricks can fool a god?" Loki sneered at the empty space. "You're a coward, hiding your filthy face from divine eyes."
A sinister voice replied,
"Loki, do you truly call yourself a god just because you hold a toy like that? If not for the Temple's watchful eyes…"
From the shadows emerged a man in a black sorcerer's robe, his face hidden behind a mask.With a gesture, two portals ripped open, and two monstrous black tentacled creatures lunged toward Loki.
Loki's face darkened.
"Dark magic? So you're after the Infinity Stone as well?"
Raising his scepter, Loki ordered his enthralled agents to open fire.Bullets tore through the air, hitting the creatures. They roared in agony, but dark energy swirled around them, shielding their bodies.
Loki remained calm, analyzing the battle. He knew this fight was far from trivial.
He unleashed a surge of magic, blasting one creature backward.Then he conjured a glowing orb of lightning, striking the other and severing one of its tentacles.
The black-robed sorcerer laughed coldly.
"Still the same arrogant fool, Loki. You will never match the power of dark magic."
"Who are you?" Loki demanded, frowning.Something about the man felt familiar, yet Loki couldn't recall him.
"Who I am doesn't matter," the masked man said softly. "Do you desire greater power?"
Loki chuckled.
"Whether it's dark magic or divine might — they're merely tools to me. I am the master of both chaos and order."
With a furious roar, Loki released a shockwave that knocked the sorcerer backward.He tightened his control over the agents, directing them to keep firing until the last tentacled creature was obliterated.
Watching the mysterious figure retreat into the shadows, Loki muttered coldly,
"Dark magic may tempt, but it's not your true strength. You're just another pawn of corruption."
The masked man smirked faintly.
"You'll come looking for me again."
And then he vanished.
Applause thundered across the hall.
After a brief but enthusiastic exchange, Beck's production team decided to cast Quentin Beck as the superhero Mysterio.
"What?" Quentin Beck was stunned, overwhelmed with emotion — unsure whether to laugh, cry, or cheer.
Beck (the producer) patted his shoulder teasingly.
"Forget your past. Forget who you were. Start fresh — as a superhero."
Quentin nodded blankly at first… then smiled.
Excitement flooded through him. He finally had a chance to become a hero — to save the world, to prove his worth.He knew challenges and responsibilities awaited him, but he believed he could rise to them.
"Congratulations, Quentin! We can't wait to see your heroic performance!" a team member exclaimed.
Their support and enthusiasm filled Beck with confidence.He took a deep breath and said firmly,
"I'll give it everything I have. I'll be a fearless guardian — a warrior for justice!"
But as he spoke, a sinister grin slowly spread across the producer Beck's face.
"Tony Stark… when my 'Mysterio' rises and captures the world's admiration, the world will no longer need you. But first… I've prepared a little gift."
"A prelude to Mysterio vs. Iron Man."
Leaving the stage, Beck strode toward his lab — unaware that an Invisible Man watched silently from the shadows.
Bang!A file hit the desk hard.
"That Beck… he's been secretly hoarding company weapons," said Nathan Hawk grimly.
"He thinks the company doesn't pay him enough," Wesker replied coldly.
"Hah, Wesker, didn't expect you to crack a joke," Hawk smirked. "Still — that's enough money to buy five Iron Man suits."
"Since we've merged Hammer Industries' resources, we can now mass-produce the Iron Legion — especially Eisenach's prototype armor," Wesker said, switching slides on the screen.
"Dr. Rima Sengo's improvements to the reactor's core elements made it more durable. But based on recent footage, it seems Stark's current energy source has evolved again."
Wesker played footage of Iron Man in action — his power levels astonishing.
Hawk nodded approvingly.
"Excellent. I trust you'll finish the job. But as for Beck… keep him around."
Wesker understood instantly — Hawk planned to use superheroes to destroy Beck at the right moment, exposing his crimes and boosting both the company's power and his own reputation.
A new conspiracy was already unfolding — one that Beck knew nothing about.
At the Stark Residence
"You're not welcome here."Tony Stark's tone was ice-cold as he glared at Nick Fury and the agents who had just entered uninvited.
"Tony, something serious has happened. The world needs your help," Fury said calmly.
"Oh really?" Tony smirked.
"Last I checked, you guys claim to be the world's peacekeepers. You're so powerful — yet now you need me?"He chuckled."Shouldn't you be telling me I need you — not the other way around?"
Fury shook his head.
"Tony, you're too cynical about us. But we'll wait for your answer. Just know this — something big is coming. Only if we stand together can we survive it."
Tony shrugged indifferently.
"We'll see. Come back when the world's ending."
He gestured toward the door — the universal signal for get out.
"We'll be in touch," Fury said as he turned to leave with his agents.
As soon as they were gone, Tony said sharply,
"Jarvis, pull up everything major that's happened in the past few weeks."
"Right away, sir."
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