New York, United States - May 2012
Matthew was in an Erebus Consulting board meeting when his phone vibrated. He glanced discreetly at the screen and saw a message from one of his mystical informants:
"Massive energy disturbance detected. SHIELD base in the desert. The Tesseract is active."
Matthew felt his pulse quicken.
"Loki. It's already begun."
He stood up from the conference table, interrupting his CFO in the middle of a presentation on quarterly projections.
"Excuse me," he said in a tone that brooked no argument, "I have an emergency. Sarah, you're in charge. Approve everything we discussed. I'll see you in a few days."
She left the boardroom, ignoring the confused looks of her executives. In the elevator to her penthouse, she dialed a number she had saved specifically for emergencies.
"Fury," the director's voice sounded in the third ring.
"Director Matthew Harkness, how long until you admit you have a massive problem with the Tesseract?"
There was a tense pause.
"How the hell...?"
"I have eyes everywhere. Mystical eyes that detect when someone activates an artifact of cosmic power. It's Loki, isn't it? Thor's brother."
"That's classified information."
"Fury, stop messing around. We both know you know I know things. Is it Loki or not?"
Another pause.
"Yes. He arrived through a portal, stole the Tesseract, and mind-controlled several of my agents, including Clint Barton."
"Hawkeye. Shit." Matthew stepped out of the elevator in his penthouse. "What are they doing to stop him?"
"We're assembling a team. Stark, Rogers, Banner, Romanoff. And Thor is on the way."
"The Avengers," Matthew murmured, smiling despite the gravity of the situation. "Finally."
"Does this amuse you?"
"No. But it's... significant. Director, I'm going to offer you something. Information. I have intel on Loki that could help."
"What kind of information?"
"The kind of person only a god who has studied other gods for decades would have. Send me the location. I'll go there personally."
"I don't know if that is..."
"Fury," Matthew interrupted, "Loki isn't playing around. He has an army waiting. An alien army that's going to invade Earth through a portal he's going to open above Manhattan. And you alone won't be able to stop him."
"How do you know that?"
"Because I'm a fucking god of the underworld who has access to information you didn't even know existed. Now, do you want my help or not?"
Fury sighed, and Matthew could hear the calculation in his mind. Finally:
"The Helicarrier. I'm sending you the coordinates. But Harkness, if this is some kind of trap..."
"It's not a trap. He's a guy tired of waiting in the shadows deciding it's time to start playing more actively."
He hung up before Fury could reply.
The Helicarrier - Six hours later
Matthew arrived at the Helicarrier in his private jet, which was escorted by two SHIELD Quinjets. When he landed on the tarmac, he was immediately surrounded by armed agents.
"Welcome aboard, Mr. Harkness," said an agent in a neutral tone. "Director Fury is expecting you on the bridge."
"What hospitality," Matthew smiled, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Lead me."
As she walked through the Helicarrier's corridors, she could feel the tension in the air. SHIELD agents were on high alert. And she could sense something else: powerful presences. Very powerful.
"The Avengers are here," he thought, getting excited despite himself. "I'm going to meet the fucking Avengers."
They arrived at the bridge, a massive room filled with screens and staff working frantically. And there, in the center, was Fury, surrounded by the people Matthew had only seen in movies in his previous life.
Steve Rogers, Captain America, with his suit that screamed "patriotism" but somehow didn't look ridiculous.
Tony Stark, in jeans and a Black Sabbath t-shirt, probably because the guy couldn't dress formally even under threat of death.
Natasha Romanoff, who recognized him immediately and put her hand near her weapon.
And Bruce Banner, who looked uncomfortable and as if he would rather be anywhere else.
"Harkness," Fury greeted him with a nod. "You got here fast."
"I have a private jet and a sense of urgency," Matthew replied, studying each of the Avengers. "So, this is the team that's going to save the world?"
"Who the hell are you?" Tony Stark stepped forward, with that characteristic arrogance Matthew had seen a thousand times in the movies. "And why did Fury let you on his secret ship?"
"Tony Stark," Matthew smiled, extending his hand. "I'm a fan of your work. The suits of armor are impressive. Although the Mark VI has a flaw in the arc reactor's power regulator that you should look into."
Tony looked at him in surprise, ignoring the hand.
"How do you know about the Mark VI?"
"I know a lot of things," Matthew lowered his hand. "Matthew Harkness. Entrepreneur, occasional philanthropist, and in my spare time, reincarnated god of the underworld."
"God of the underworld?" Steve Rogers took a step forward, his expression skeptical. "Like Thor?"
"Similar, but different. Thor is from Asgard. I'm... more complicated. But the point is, I'm here to help."
"We don't need help from a civilian," Steve said in a firm but not hostile tone.
"I'm not a civilian, Captain. I'm someone who knows things about Loki that you don't. And those things could save your asses."
"He's right," Fury chimed in. "Harkness has demonstrated access to information we don't. And if he says he can help, I'm going to listen."
"Great," Tony crossed his arms. "Then enlighten us, god of the underworld. What do you know about Reindeer Games that we don't?"
Matthew walked towards the center of the group, feeling all eyes on him.
"Loki isn't working alone. He has a benefactor. Someone who gave him the scepter, who gave him the army, and who has much bigger plans than simply conquering Earth."
"Who?" Natasha asked.
Matthew hesitated. How much to reveal? Mention Thanos now? No. Too soon. It would cause unnecessary panic.
"I don't know his name," he partially lied. "But I know he's powerful. More powerful than Loki. More powerful than Thor. And he uses Loki as a pawn."
"How do you know this?" Bruce Banner spoke for the first time, his voice calm but inquisitive.
"I have sources in the mystical world. Beings who see things you cannot. And they all agree: Loki is the distraction. The real danger comes later."
"Fantastic," Tony murmured. "Because one mad god trying to conquer the planet wasn't enough of a problem."
"But that's for later," Matthew continued. "Now, you need to focus on Loki. And you need to know this: the scepter he has controls minds. You already knew that. But it also amplifies negative emotions. Anger, fear, mistrust. If you're all together in an enclosed space, you'll start fighting. It's inevitable."
Steve and Tony exchanged glances, and Matthew could see that they had already had some kind of confrontation.
"And how do we prevent that?" Steve asked.
"They can't. The scepter works passively. But they can recognize when they are being influenced. When they feel irrational anger, an impulse to attack a teammate... stop it. Breathe. Recognize that it is not entirely you."
"That's helpful," Fury admitted. "Anything else?"
"Yes. Loki wants to be captured. It's part of his plan. When they catch him—and they will—it won't be the end. It will be the beginning. He wants to be inside, sowing chaos, while his real plans unfold outside."
"And what are your real plans?" Natasha asked.
"Open a portal above Manhattan. Bring in an alien army called the Chitauri. And basically declare war on all of humanity while sitting in a tall tower with a smug grin."
Everyone remained silent, processing that.
"Manhattan," Tony finally said. "I guess that means my tower. Because of course it does."
"Probably," Matthew agreed. "It makes symbolic sense. Stark Tower, the symbol of ego and human power, being used as a gateway for the invasion."
"Great. I love the symbolism."
"So, what do you suggest we do?" Steve asked, naturally slipping into leader mode.
"Do what you're already doing. Find Loki. Stop him. Close the portal. Save the world." Matthew smiled. "I'll be in the shadows, making sure nothing gets too out of hand."
"The shadows?" Tony raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to fight us?"
"This is your moment, Stark. You are the Avengers. I am... something else. But if things get really bad, if you need extra help... I'll be around."
"I don't like this," Steve said. "I don't like having an unknown player operating without coordination."
"And I don't like working under other people's command," Matthew replied. "So we're at an impasse. But Rogers, let me tell you something: I respect what you stand for. I respect your commitment to doing the right thing. So I promise you this: I won't interfere with your team unless it's absolutely necessary. This is your fight. You guys are Plan A. I'm Plan Z."
Steve studied him, those blue eyes assessing him as only Captain America could.
"Okay," he finally agreed. "But if you do anything that endangers civilians..."
"I won't," Matthew interrupted. "I have many flaws, Captain, but harming innocents isn't one of them."
Twelve hours later - Stuttgart, Germany
Matthew watched from a nearby rooftop as Loki put on his dramatic show at the gala. He could see everything: Loki demanding that people kneel, the old man resisting, Cap arriving just in time.
"Acting exactly as predicted," he murmured, smiling.
The fight began. Cap vs. Loki. Then Iron Man flew in, AC/DC's "Shoot to Thrill" playing (because Tony Stark is so dramatic). Loki surrendered almost immediately.
"Too easy," Matthew observed. "Exactly as I said. He wants to be captured."
He watched the Quinjet take Loki away, with Cap, Tony, and Natasha on board. He knew what was coming. Thor would show up, there would be sibling drama, and eventually they'd all end up on the Helicarrier.
"Time to move," he decided, opening a shadow portal to his jet. He had to get to the Helicarrier before the situation exploded.
The Helicarrier - Containment Cell
Matthew arrived just in time to see Loki being put into the glass containment cell designed for Hulk. Fury was giving his intimidating speech about dropping the cell from 30,000 feet.
Loki looked completely calm. Smiling, even.
"Enjoy the show," Matthew murmured from the shadows where he watched, invisible. "Because your plan is about to go to shit very soon."
He continued watching as the Avengers dispersed. Tony and Bruce were analyzing the scepter. Steve was investigating on his own. Natasha was being called in to interrogate Loki.
"Everything is unfolding just like in the movies," he thought. "But there's something different. A variable."
"I."
Because his presence, however subtle he had tried to be, had changed things. The Avengers were more mentally prepared. Fury knew there was a bigger player behind Loki. The pieces were in slightly different places.
"I have to be careful," he reminded himself. "The butterfly effect is real. A small change can cause massive consequences."
He decided to stay close but not interfere. Not yet. This part had to develop naturally.
Two hours later - The explosion
Matthew sensed the bomb before it exploded. A disturbance in his mystical senses, a premonition of imminent death.
"Shit. Barton's bomb."
The explosion rocked the Helicarrier. Alarms blared. People screamed. And worst of all: he felt the Hulk awaken.
"Fuck, fuck, fuck."
He materialized in the hallway near where Banner had transformed, just in time to see the Hulk roar and begin his rampage.
Natasha was nearby, clearly terrified but trying to remain calm. Thor appeared from another direction, attempting to stop Hulk.
Matthew knew he shouldn't interfere. He knew this had to happen. But when he saw a SHIELD agent, a young woman who couldn't have been more than twenty-five, trapped under rubble in Hulk's path...
"Oh, fuck it."
It materialized between Hulk and the agent, her eyes glowing violet, shadows exploding around her.
"STOP!" his voice resounded with divine authority.
Hulk stopped, confused by this new presence. He growled, taking a step forward, clearly considering crushing Matthew.
"You don't want to do that, green giant," Matthew said, holding his ground. "I know you're angry. I know you want to break things. But she," he pointed at the terrified agent, "is not your enemy."
Hulk roared in his face, saliva flying all around.
"Charming," Matthew didn't move an inch. "Listen carefully, Bruce Banner. I know you're in there. And I know you don't want to hurt innocent people. So I'm going to give you a choice: you can go over there," he pointed toward an empty section of the Helicarrier, "and break all the things you want. Or you can stay here, and I'm going to have to put you to sleep. And believe me, it's not going to be pleasant."
For a moment, he thought Hulk was going to choose the violent option. The green giant's muscles tensed, preparing to attack.
But then, something changed. Hulk's eyes, usually filled with blind rage, showed a glimmer of something else. Recognition. Perhaps even respect for someone who hadn't run away.
Hulk growled once more, then turned and leaped to another part of the Helicarrier, smashing things but avoiding people.
Matthew sighed with relief, turning to face the trapped agent.
"You're okay," she said, lifting the rubble with her shadow powers. "Breathe. Everything's going to be alright."
The agent looked at him with enormous eyes.
"Who... who are you?"
"Just some guy trying to help. Now go. Evacuate. This place is going to collapse."
She nodded and ran.
Matthew sensed a presence behind him and turned around to find Steve Rogers staring at him.
"You stopped Hulk," Steve said, clearly impressed. "Without fighting."
"I spoke to the part of him that's still Bruce," Matthew shrugged. "Sometimes words work better than fists."
"You should have been a teacher," Steve smiled slightly, then his expression turned serious. "We need to get to the bridge. Fury's going to need help coordinating the evacuation."
"Go. I'll make sure there are no more victims trapped."
Steve nodded and ran off.
Matthew stood there, feeling the vibrations of the damaged Helicarrier.
"It's already begun," he murmured. "The Battle of New York is hours away. And I..."
He looked at his hands, feeling their power pulsing.
"I'm going to have to decide how much I'm willing to reveal."
Because he knew that when the Chitauri arrived, when the portal opened and thousands of aliens invaded Manhattan...
It was going to be impossible to remain completely in the shadows.
END OF CHAPTER