146: The Coming War

S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters

Nick Fury had piles of information before him, all the data Hill had gathered on Andrew Wilson. And based on surveillance, Andrew hadn't left home during the time The Emperor killed Magneto.

Fury wearily pinched his nose bridge. To uncover the Emperor's identity, he had even visited Tony yesterday to no avail. Tony also didn't know the Emperor's true identity.

"Andrew, are you really The Emperor?" Photos of Andrew were scattered on the desk, showing him at various ages. It wasn't that Fury didn't want to believe Andrew was the Emperor - he just couldn't accept it.

After all, he had recently clashed with Andrew a little. If Andrew was the Emperor, recruiting him to the Avengers would clearly be difficult. And the Mutant Brotherhood issue wasn't yet resolved, with Mystique's whereabouts unknown.

Only now did Fury feel how hard the S.H.I.E.L.D Director role was. Previously all of New York was balanced under him, though conflicts happened frequently. But the overall equilibrium had held until Lingpin's death and the successive messy events.

Now Fury struggled with what to do next. Just then, rushed footsteps came from outside before Hill burst into the office anxiously: "Director, there's an issue with Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S!"

Hearing Hill's report, Fury's already restless mood darkened further. Was this the so-called when it rains, it pours? Although mentally swearing, Fury remained calm outwardly: "What happened there?"

"Dr. Selvig's research would've gone normally today. But strangely, the Tesseract's energy suddenly went wild. Per Dr. Selvig's readings, if not halted soon..."

Hill paused, speaking gravely: "The entire research base may be submerged by the Tesseract's energy riot."

Hearing Hill's account, Fury immediately stood: "Prepare the helicopter, we'll head over directly. Have Agent Coulson and Barton wait for me."

"Evacuate all other staff first!"

"Understood Director!" Under Hill's order, they swiftly departed via the helicarrier deck. On route, Fury said nothing, just stared out in thought.

Meanwhile, in the distant universe...

Ebony Maw faced the dark expanse before him, palms outstretched, wrinkled face smiling. The next moment, a cloud mixed with blue energy appeared from thin air, slowly expanding.

Seeing this, Loki excitedly rose from his meteorite perch, asking: "Did it work?"

"Certainly, Asgardian. Once the Space Stone's energy in the Tesseract builds to a certain level, the doorway to Earth will open."

"How long will that take?" Loki impatiently regarded Ebony Maw. But under the other's murderous gaze, he quickly looked away.

Ebony Maw snorted: "Asgardian, know your place. You are but a loser in the fight for your realm's throne. Our king pities you and lets you conquer that weak planet, to be its king!"

Though very dissatisfied at Ebony Maw's words, Loki still bowed his head silently. His attitude pleased Ebony Maw, who continued:

"Remember, even after becoming Earth's king, you still remain Asgard's loser! Not an equal to us."

Ebony Maw's body rose as a gray remote-shaped object floated from his palm towards Loki. "This is the Chitauri fleet control center. With it, you can mobilize their entire army."

"The space coordinates are inside too. Use the Tesseract to open the space portal, and conquer Earth with the Chitauri."

Ebony Maw's voice faded as Loki grabbed the control center. Though looking resentfully as Ebony Maw left, Loki muttered: "One day you'll kneel before me too."

Holding the Chitauri control center in one hand, the spectral scepter in the other, Loki watched the growing space door excitedly. The dissatisfaction in his face shifted to elation.

"Thor, that Earth you dream of will soon be my kingdom. And I'll personally deliver that woman's head to you."

At the space door, crackling sounded. As it expanded rapidly to roughly human height, Loki jumped in without hesitation. Sensing Loki's departure, the floating Ebony Maw glanced back coldly before continuing on.

Soon Ebony Maw arrived before a massive throne and gently bowed: "Sire, the Asgardian has departed for Earth. With the Chitauri Army, it should soon fall. We'll have three Infinity Stones then."

On the throne, a huge figure lazily raised a hand, eyes slowly opening after hearing Ebony Maw's report. In the pitch black, glowing purple eyes were visible.

"No matter. Let him scout Earth's foundations first."

"Any word on Gamora's whereabouts?" Ebony Maw bowed his head shamefully. "No sire, still searching. But it should be soon."

"Very well. Onward to the next planet. Kill - half of all life on the planet..."

Four figures materialized kneeling behind Ebony Maw: "Understood!"

Asgard

Heimdall stood alone before Odin, having just reported what he witnessed. Hearing it, Odin said evenly: "The Tesseract - I left it on Midgard before. That war is still fresh in memory."

Heimdall listened to Odin's recollections without comment, having also participated in that war. It was the conflict that defeated Jotunheim's frost giants and established Odin's place among the Nine Realms.

He didn't ask why Odin had abandoned something as important as the Tesseract on Earth. As a subject, Heimdall was very proper. Hence Odin's great trust in him.

After a while, Odin ceased reminiscing and said: "Heimdall, I've felt uneasy lately. The seals on Hell seem to be loosening."

"It's nearing the time for that one person's return." Hearing this, even the usually unflappable Heimdall changed expression: "Your Majesty, the seal won't last much longer. At least wait until Prince Thor matures."

Odin shook his head. "Nothing is certain yet. But it is timely - Loki is on Earth too now."

"Thor will surely try stopping him. Let the brothers first test themselves against their sister."

Heimdall raised his greatsword, colorful energy rippling around the blade. "The dark energy has been gathered. I can send Prince Thor to Earth anytime."

"Don't worry. Let's see if the mortals can handle Loki first. My little son isn't weak either..."

Odin's gaze was deep, peering across the vast distances to see what transpired on Earth.

Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S. Underground Lab

Hawkeye walked beside Fury as Dr. Selvig reported to them both. "Anyway, the Tesseract's energy is out of control now, and a new wormhole seems to be forming..."

"No, no..." Selvig reconsidered. "It's more like a door opening."

"A door?" Fury's brows furrowed as he continued: "Space-traversing technology, right? Isn't that what I asked you to research?"

"Wasn't the P.E.G.A.S.U.S Project started to study this?" The original aim of Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S was to develop a warp drive via the Tesseract for interstellar travel. It had failed, giving birth to Captain America instead.

Now with Selvig rediscovering this technology, Fury's excitement was obvious. But Selvig looked at him matter-of-factly: "That wasn't our initial goal. It suddenly manifesting this way is most worrying."

"What's so worrying? It's just a door opening right?" Fury ruthlessly cut Selvig off.

"If we can master this tech, it'll be invaluable for S.H.I.E.L.D and the whole planet!" He painted Selvig a beautiful vision, but Selvig just smiled derisively.

Whether the tech could truly benefit the whole world was unclear to Selvig. But for America, it would be another means of controlling the planet - precisely America's current actions.

"I'm not some fledgling, no need to spin dreams for me. First, evacuate all staff. If the Tesseract's power grows uncontrollable..."

"No Doctor, I don't think that'll be an issue. Maybe this is the Tesseract's true potential."

Just then Hawkeye, who had been silent, spoke sharply: "Fury, have you considered something else? The door has two sides."

Hum! As he finished, a powerful energy wave erupted from the Tesseract. Caught off guard, Fury fell. Then a beam fired from its center, striking space nearby.

The lingering smoke around the blue energy expanded further on impact. Fallen to the ground, all stared at the scene before them, shocked. Especially Selvig, whose eyes were wide as if deranged:

"No...impossible! How could the Tesseract's energy activate forcibly like this..." The fluctuation that felled Fury's group instantly spread to the entire facility. Only at the island's furthest edge did the stirred-up waves fully dissipate.

New York Sanctum

Ancient One quietly brewed tea, rosary beads in hand. Suddenly she clenched her fist, crushing a bead instantly.

Gazing towards the sea, her expression was complicated. After a while, she muttered: "Greed always brings disaster..."

Elsewhere

"J.A.R.V.I.S, prepare the remote Mark 7 test. IR calibration is on. Ready?" Tony had infrared calibrators on his wrists, raising his hands slightly to await the Mark 7 flying over to fuse with him. But J.A.R.V.I.S didn't respond.

"J.A.R.V.I.S?" Still getting no response, Tony called tentatively again: "No strange bugs I hope?"

"No sir. I detected an odd energy fluctuation so I immediately began tracing the source."

Hearing J.A.R.V.I.S's explanation, Tony also asked curiously: "What energy fluctuation? More important than my Mark 7 trial!"

"Unclear sir. But the waveform is very similar to your chestpiece's new element arc reactor."

This time even Tony felt uneasy: "What? Have you located it exactly?"

J.A.R.V.I.S sounded almost disappointed. "No sir. It appears to originate from a S.H.I.E.L.D. facility. I cannot pinpoint quickly."

Tony stroked his chin thoughtfully: "Could it be...those people up top doing more research?"

New York International Airport

Gwen and Andrew stood in the waiting hall as Anna prepared to board her flight. "Cousin Anna, Goodbye!" Gwen bid her farewell happily.

"Have a pleasant trip!" Andrew also smiled and waved.

Happily waving back, Anna went to check-in.

Watching her leave, Gwen murmured: "The warrants were filed this morning. Cousin Anna left first to let things proceed smoothly over there, then she'll return once done."

Andrew nodded, also knowing the raids on Oscorp would begin first thing next morning, fully prepared. To take down the entire corporation in one sweep.

"Andrew, should I help Dad and the others tomorrow?" Gwen asked. "In case if they encounter Green Goblin again, Dad and the rest may not be a match."

Andrew nodded: "Sure, go ahead. But focus on staying safe."

"Got it!"

Suddenly Andrew looked up, frowning slightly: "This energy fluctuation...what is it?"

To be continued...

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