152: The Scheme of The God of Mischief

Somewhere on Earth

Hawkeye, wearing a hoodie that half-covered his face, looked warily around the streets. After making sure no one was following him, he walked into a small alley and quickly came to a door.

After a few knocks, the door slammed open. Hawkeye looked around vigilantly again before going inside and saying to the people there, "Sir, I've brought the food."

Loki glanced at Hawkeye, marveling at the power of the mind-controlling scepter in his hand. This group had become completely obedient puppets to him. If Loki had this artifact when Asgard was attacked, the outcome of his fight with Thor would have been less certain.

"I don't eat such common food. You can share it with the others," Loki dismissively told Hawkeye.

The others in the room were hungry after following Loki's orders. They stepped forward and took the food from Hawkeye's hands. Only Dr. Selvig remained focused on his work. In front of him, the Tesseract in its case emitted a faint glow.

Loki approached Dr. Selvig and asked impatiently, "Well? Is there a way to activate the Tesseract?"

"Sir, everything is ready, but..." Dr. Selvig replied hesitantly.

"But what?" Loki demanded.

Dr. Selvig explained, "To activate the Tesseract requires a powerful burst of energy to shock it. Its temperature must be instantly raised to a critical level to open a spacetime portal."

"The problem is, such capable equipment is controlled by the military and S.H.I.E.L.D."

Loki understood that with his current limited strength, attacking those institutions would be suicidal. Although Earth was a weaker civilization, he couldn't do this alone.

Was there really no other option? Loki paced, racking his brain, but the trickster god was stumped.

Dr. Selvig also seemed troubled. He stood, scratching his head and mulling over countermeasures.

Suddenly his eyes fixed on a poster on the wall - none other than Iron Man, Tony Stark.

"The arc reactor!" Dr. Selvig exclaimed. He recalled Tony's arc reactor technology. Stark had recently made bold upgrades, converting his old company's energy to power Stark Tower. The new energy was supposedly 100% renewable and pollution-free. Dr. Selvig had attended one of Tony's speeches about it.

Dr. Selvig quickly pulled up the location of Stark Tower on his computer. Just last night, the building had been fully converted to the new energy system.

"Sir, look here!" Dr. Selvig called excitedly. "I've found a suitable power source!"

Hearing the good news, Loki hurried over.

After Dr. Selvig explained, Loki smiled slyly. "Then let's occupy Stark Tower directly. It will be our first base for conquering Earth."

Hawkeye, who had been silent up until now, spoke up. He couldn't contribute to the science discussion, but combat was his domain.

"Useless. Tony's abilities are formidable in that iron suit," Hawkeye pointed out. "And I'm certain Nick Fury has recruited him for that secret Avengers team meant to oppose us."

Hearing this, Loki just smiled disdainfully. "Then we'll be sure their little team is dismantled completely. When it comes to causing dissension, I am a god."

"Barton, give me all the information you have on them," Loki ordered.

"Yes sir," Hawkeye replied obediently.

In Asgard,

Heimdall watched Loki's every Earthly move before withdrawing his gaze to Odin's chambers. After hearing Heimdall's report, Odin decisively tapped his throne.

"Summon Thor and have him prepare to go to Midgard. We'll use dark energy to send him over," Odin commanded.

Soon after, an excited Thor came before Odin and asked eagerly, "Father, will you really allow me to return to Earth?"

Seeing Thor's excitement, Odin suddenly regretted exiling him to Earth.

It seemed that place now occupied Thor's interests, not the Asgardian throne. Odin hid his displeasure, as this trip would be instructive for Thor.

"Thor, prepare to go to Midgard," Odin stated simply.

"Yes, Father!" Thor answered, barely containing his excitement. Finally, he could go back!

But Odin's next words doused Thor's enthusiasm like icy water. "Your brother Loki is on Midgard now."

"What?!" Thor was shocked.

Why was Loki on Earth too?

Before Thor could inquire further, Odin continued gravely, "I sense he is filled with hatred and a hunger for power. He seeks to conquer Earth and rule it."

"You must stop him!" Odin commanded.

Thor protested, "Father, Loki could not do such things alone! Someone must be manipulating him!"

Odin looked pleased by Thor's critical thinking for once. "I agree, I suspect the same," Odin said.

"So your mission is not only to stop your foolish brother, but also uncover who is behind this scheme!"

"I will find them, Father!" Thor vowed resolutely.

Heimdall, who had been standing by, spoke up, "My prince, please come with me."

At Odin's nod, Thor left Asgard with Heimdall.

Not long after the two departed, Odin sat alone on his throne, eyes closed in meditation.

Suddenly his eyes flashed open, glowing golden with lightning as he gazed at the endless starry sky beyond Asgard.

"Mephisto..." he uttered ominously.

"Who are you fighting against?"

To be continued...