Chapter Thirty-Three: Return to Earth

Arthur left Jotunheim and continued searching through the rifts for other exits. He found many—one led to a world of flames, another to a land of birdsong, blossoming flowers, and dense forests.

Upon stepping through the fifth exit, Arthur found himself inside a cave. Emerging from the cavern, he looked out to see where he had landed. Before him stretched a vast forest.

Releasing his spiritual sense, Arthur discovered many animals nearby, but no sign of humans. He soared into the sky, glancing down at the mountain beneath his feet—a solitary island surrounded by the endless expanse of the sea.

Arthur descended to the shore and gazed at a soda bottle washed up on the sand—Coca-Cola.

He had finally returned to Earth!

Overcome with excitement, Arthur shouted with joy, then suddenly leaped into the air and dove headlong into the sea, vanishing from sight.

…

In the western reaches of California, at a secret S.H.I.E.L.D. military base, chaos reigned. The facility, dedicated to Tesseract research, had come under attack. The Tesseract had activated itself, and Loki had stepped forth, seizing control of Barton and taking both the Tesseract and Dr. Erik Selvig with him.

Nick Fury surveyed the ruined base. Coulson and Hill asked, “What do we do now?”

“Officially initiate the Avengers Initiative! We must recover the Tesseract at all costs!” Fury’s eyes blazed with determination.

He summoned every S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, ordering all personnel to assemble on the Helicarrier.

“Recall Natasha; have her approach Dr. Bruce Banner. I’ll contact Stark personally. Arthur went to Asgard and hasn’t returned yet?” Fury instructed.

“No word from Arthur yet,” Coulson replied.

“That kid! Well, he’s never agreed to join the Avengers anyway—can’t count on him this time.” Fury shook his head, helpless.

Fury held a meeting with S.H.I.E.L.D.’s top brass, proposing the official launch of the Avengers Initiative to counter Loki. The leaders remained skeptical, wary of the challenge in controlling such superpowered individuals.

But Fury laid out the stakes, explaining that Loki posed a dire threat to Earth at any moment.

In the end, he convinced them, and they gave the go-ahead for the Avengers Initiative.

Fury went to Steve Rogers’ quarters, another S.H.I.E.L.D. military base. Steve Rogers—better known as Captain America—had only recently awoken from his decades-long slumber, still adjusting to the world seventy years after his time.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Captain America pummeled a punching bag, his fists flying faster and faster. He had been at it for two hours—just part of his daily routine.

He punched with increasing speed until, at last, the bag burst and flew off, scattering sand everywhere.

He grabbed another bag and hung it up; he had prepared eight in total.

“Can’t sleep?” Fury’s voice came from the doorway.

“I’ve slept for seventy years, sir. I think I’ve had enough rest,” Steve Rogers replied, glancing at Fury.

“Then you should get out for a bit—see the world.”

“When I went to sleep, the world was at war. I woke to find they told me we’d won, but no one said what we lost. And now you want me to return to the world?” Rogers said quietly.

“I want you to help save it,” Fury responded, handing him a file.

Rogers glanced at it—it was information on the Tesseract. Years ago, he’d fallen into his long sleep while stopping Hydra’s Red Skull from using the Tesseract to conquer the world.

“Howard Stark recovered it from the sea while searching for you. The Tesseract is the key to unlimited energy,” Fury explained.

“Who took it?” Rogers asked.

“His name is Loki. He’s not from around here. If you join, there’s much you’ll need to learn. The world’s grown stranger than you remember,” Fury said.

“At this point, I don’t think anything could surprise me,” Rogers replied, gathering his things.

“I bet you ten bucks you’re wrong. The mission file’s in your apartment. Can you tell us anything about the Tesseract?” Fury asked.

“You never should have fished it out,” Rogers said, not looking back as he walked away.

Fury was left speechless.

…

On a New York beach, a figure emerged from the sea and walked toward the sand—it was Arthur.

Having crossed the Atlantic, Arthur was finally back in New York. Gazing at the familiar Atlantis Restaurant, he felt an immediate warmth in his heart.

The Atlantis Restaurant was just as he’d left it, bustling with customers, business as lively as ever.

“Sorry, sir, we’re full at the moment. Could you wait a bit?” A young woman approached, dressed in a waitress uniform—someone Arthur didn’t recognize.

Arthur was momentarily bewildered. What was happening? He glanced around the restaurant, noting the unfamiliar staff. Had he walked into the wrong place? Impossible—this was unmistakably the Atlantis Restaurant.

The decor was unchanged; business was as booming as ever. If anything was different, it was the Iron Man posters on the walls and a statue of Iron Man at the entrance—undoubtedly Tony’s idea.

“I’m looking for Jack. Is he here?” Arthur asked the waitress.

“Oh, you’re looking for Manager Jack! He’s out inspecting the other branches—he won’t be back until evening,” she replied.

So they’d opened more branches. Arthur let out a long sigh of relief—he’d been worried he’d crossed into some parallel universe.

“Who’s in charge here now?” Arthur inquired.

“Our manager is Logan Zhao—he’s in the kitchen. Should I call him for you?”

“No need, I’ll find him myself. I know my way around here,” Arthur said, heading toward the kitchen.

In the bustling kitchen, three chefs and two assistants were hard at work. Of them, Arthur only recognized Logan Zhao.

“Logan!” Arthur clapped him on the shoulder.

Logan turned and, seeing Arthur, exclaimed with delight, “Boss! You’re finally back!”

Handing off his task to another chef, Logan drew Arthur aside.

“Boss, where have you been? You disappeared for a year! Even Mr. Stark didn’t know where you went.”

“Oh, I went on a trip through outer space—there was no way to contact you for a while,” Arthur replied.

“Still joking as always, boss,” Logan said, shaking his head.

Arthur was speechless—telling the truth and still not believed. He asked, “What about the others? What’s going on with the restaurant?”

Logan explained, “On Mr. Stark’s advice, we opened four new branches in other parts of New York. Each of the team took charge of one, and Jack became general manager, overseeing all the restaurants.”

“Well done—all of you! That’s amazing! Let everyone know: come to my place tonight for a gathering. But first, get me something to eat—I haven’t had a proper meal in a year,” Arthur said happily.

“Absolutely! I’ll whip up a few of your favorites. We’ll all get together tonight,” Logan promised.

“And bring some food along, too—I bet my villa’s empty,” Arthur said.

Sitting on the beach, Arthur savored Logan’s egg-fried rice and a few homemade dishes. After half a year without a taste of home, he felt utterly content.