Chapter Thirty-Four: The Avengers Assemble

That evening, in Arthur’s villa, Zhao Long, Jack, and Mike were preparing the ingredients, while Lina, Isa, and Omily were washing the dishes; tonight, they planned to have hot pot. Arthur, meanwhile, was off to the side, working on crayfish, making a spicy dish.

“Boss! You’re so irresponsible. You disappeared for a whole year—longer than last time!” Isa pouted, her voice tinged with grievance as she looked at Arthur.

Arthur noticed the dangerous glances from the group. He knew he’d gone too far this time, left in a hurry, and hadn’t told them—he had truly incurred their wrath.

“I trust you with the restaurant. I’ve been busy lately, and I might be away even more often in the future. I’ll leave the restaurant in your hands,” Arthur said.

“What? You’re leaving again?” Isa exclaimed loudly.

“You’ve got it easy, letting us do all the work while you just wait to count your money. Doesn’t your conscience hurt?” Zhao Long joked.

“That’s easy to fix. The profits from the new restaurant are all yours, and you can keep the old restaurant’s income too—use it to keep things running. If you want to open more locations, that’s fine. From now on, Jack, you’re in charge,” Arthur said.

“I was just kidding, boss. Don’t say things you don’t mean!” Zhao Long said, suddenly anxious.

“I’m not joking. You’re already running the restaurants, and I haven’t contributed anything. From now on, they’re yours. I might seldom get the chance to come by anymore,” Arthur said earnestly.

The group was filled with both joy and sadness. Joy, because their incomes might multiply, and sadness, because it felt as if their boss was giving up the restaurant.

Arthur wasn’t abandoning the restaurant; he no longer needed its income. He was happy to see his friends live more prosperous lives. Besides, his future plans might not even involve Earth—his days with them would be few and far between.

“Come now, let’s not talk about this. Let’s eat. I’m starving!” Arthur said, urging everyone to begin the hot pot.

“Come on! Let’s all toast!”

“To us!”

…

A secret underground base in California, USA.

Many people bustled about, surrounded by enormous scientific instruments and several scientists. Mercenaries patrolled the perimeter. This was a temporary base Loki had found.

Loki had received help from the ancient Titan Thanos, who had lent him a scepter that could control others, as well as the Chitauri army to help him conquer Earth. The condition: Loki must bring back the Cosmic Cube.

He needed to build a device here that could infinitely amplify the Cube’s energy and open a portal through space and time, allowing the Chitauri army to descend anywhere. That way, he could make the world kneel at his feet and show his foolish brother and biased father just how powerful he was.

Loki had heard of Earth’s superheroes; united, they could be troublesome. So he planned to attack first, disrupting their alliance. He already had a scheme in mind.

The controlled Erik said, “We need a substance called iridium.”

Barton investigated and found only a man named Heinrich Seifer possessed it, currently in Germany.

Loki looked at Barton. “I have a plan.”

Barton replied, “So do I.”

…

Above Washington, USA, the massive sky carrier sailed through the air—S.H.I.E.L.D.’s battleship.

Three Avengers had already assembled on board: Natasha Romanoff, Bruce Banner, and Steve Rogers.

Steve Rogers had lost ten dollars to Nick Fury, still amazed that an aircraft carrier could fly. Bruce Banner remained quietly vigilant; in his experience, the American military and government officials all wanted him dead—but none could kill him, not even himself.

S.H.I.E.L.D.’s staff were all gathered aboard. Nick Fury ordered a global search for Loki using every camera in the world. Agents got to work, while Rogers and Banner watched from the side.

Agent Coulson was excited to see Captain America, Steve Rogers; a devoted fan, he’d grown up listening to tales of Captain America. Having previously been away on missions, this was his first time meeting the living legend.

He approached Steve Rogers, stammering, “Um… I… there’s something… If it’s too much trouble, forget it…”

“It’s no trouble, what is it?” Steve Rogers replied.

Coulson hesitated, then said, “I have a limited edition set I spent years collecting. It’s practically new…”

“We’ve found Loki—facial features matched at sixty-seven percent!” At that moment, the bald, bespectacled agent reported.

“Where?” Nick Fury asked.

“Stuttgart, Germany—28 Kunin Street. He doesn’t seem to be hiding,” the agent replied.

“Captain, it’s your turn,” Fury said to Steve Rogers.

Natasha and Steve Rogers piloted a jet toward Germany. Their mission: capture Loki. Dr. Banner stayed onboard, searching for the Cosmic Cube by tracking gamma rays.

Nick Fury called Tony Stark, asking him to assist Rogers and Natasha in Germany.

…

Asgard’s palace.

Thor strode into the gilded hall and knelt before King Odin.

“Father, you called for me?”

“Heimdall has seen Loki,” Odin said.

“Really? Loki’s alive?” Thor asked, elated.

“Yes. Not only is he alive, he’s acquired the Cosmic Cube from the humans of Midgard. He’s allied with evil forces,” Odin replied.

“What? I must go to Earth and find him!” Thor said, anxious.

“Go to Midgard and bring him back, along with the Cosmic Cube. The humans seem intent on using it for something,” Odin commanded.

“Yes, Father. Should I ask Arthur to come with me?”

“He’s already left Asgard. When exactly, I don’t know,” Odin said.

Thor marched toward the Rainbow Bridge; he would need Heimdall’s power to send him to Earth.

…

A grand theater in Stuttgart, Germany, where Dr. Heinrich Seifer was delivering a lecture.

During the speech, a man in formal attire entered, wielding a scepter: Loki.

Loki quickly subdued Heinrich, used a small device to extract his right eye’s iris, and Barton used it in Heinrich’s laboratory to unlock the warehouse, retrieving the iridium.

Yet, Loki didn’t leave. He used his magic to control the crowd, forcing them to kneel. His high-profile actions were intended to draw S.H.I.E.L.D.’s attention.

Just as he was about to kill a defiant old man, Captain America, Steve Rogers, descended from above, deflecting Loki’s energy attack with his shield.

Loki rose and fought Captain America; their battle was fierce and evenly matched. Suddenly, Iron Man, Tony Stark, descended and blasted Loki, aiming his weapon at him, forcing Loki to surrender.

Natasha, meanwhile, targeted Loki with her jet’s cannons. Unexpectedly, Loki raised his hands in surrender.

He allowed himself to be captured, setting the stage for his next move.