Bab 59: The Avengers ( Part 2 )
The trio slowly moved to the Central Command Centre of the Helicarrier as its engines roared to life, lifting the massive ship into the sky and taking off. The hum of its turbines reverberated through the corridors as its cloaking technology slowly came into play, making its exterior transparent.
Maxim looked around the Helicarrier, inspecting every little thing. The layout of this behemoth wasn't displayed in the film, so he had to learn the various aspects in order to have a good mental layout in case of emergency.
The group was walking in relative silence, all the while Maxim thought of his plans. They were quite simple:
#1 - Retrieve the Mind Stone
#2 - Save Agent Coulson
#3 - Save more lives in New York
Those were Maxim's major goals. Of course, he could do other things, like stealing the Tesseract, but it would be more beneficial in the long run for him to allow Thor to take it to Asgard, since he'll obtain control of it anyway if his plan with Hela comes to fruition.
The group moved in silence at first, each lost in their own thoughts. Maxim, however, was meticulously calculating his next steps. He couldn't afford to let anyone suspect he had foreknowledge of what was to come. His expression remained calm, even as his mind raced.
"You're quiet," Natasha commented, her tone laced with curiosity.
Maxim glanced at her, his lips curling into a faint smile as he gave a light nod and spoke, "Just taking it all in. Very impressive piece of engineering this is."
"Indeed. Makes you wonder what else S.H.I.E.L.D. has up its sleeve. The world sure has changed huh." Steve said, still looking around and admiring the advanced technology on full display.
Bruce, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up, his voice hesitant, "So… do we have any idea what we're walking into?"
"Fury will fill us in," Natasha reassured him, "For now, we focus on working together. This isn't any of our first missions, but it might be the first of this scale."
Maxim simply nodded, remaining enigmatic. He knew exactly what they were walking into, but he adhered to the Reincarnator / Transmigrator's #1 Rule: NEVER REVEAL YOUR KNOWLEDGE!
Maxim and Bruce just nodded and Fury spoke. "Someone else will be arriving relatively soon. You guys can wait around for a bit." He said and Maxim nodded.
He looked towards Natasha, who was also free, and the duo stepped away from the bustling command center, moving to the hallway as the hum of the engines faded away.
"You've been busy," Natasha said, breaking the silence. Her tone was casual, but her sharp gaze betrayed her curiosity.
Maxim chuckled lightly, slipping his hands into the pockets of his coat, "You could say that."
Natasha tilted her head slightly, "How's Yelena?"
Maxim's expression softened just enough to reveal a hint of genuine warmth, "She's doing well, though she misses you. A lot. And she's not the only one. Most of the Widows do, you did help save them after all."
Natasha smiled faintly, a mix of emotions flickering across her face, "Yeah, well… it's complicated."
Maxim nodded knowingly, "I get it. You've got your own path to walk. But you should know, you're always welcome in Madripoor. No strings attached."
Natasha crossed her arms, leaning against the wall as they paused near a viewing port. She gazed out at the vast expanse of clouds, "Maybe I'll take you up on that offer someday. After all, I've always wanted a vacation. Spy work rarely ends y'know."
Maxim chuckled, his tone light. "Madripoor and vacation don't usually belong in the same sentence, but I'll take it as a compliment while I'm rebuilding the place."
The duo fell into light conversation, chatting away but miscellaneous things before they were interrupted by the ship's intercom,
"Agents Romanoff, Novikov, and Banner to the conference room. Director Fury is waiting."
Natasha straightened, rolling her shoulders as if preparing for a fight. "Guess playtime's over."
Maxim gave her a faint smirk, stepping back into stride with her. "Duty calls."
When they reached the conference room, the doors slid open with a soft hiss. Inside, Nick Fury stood at the head of a sleek table, his imposing presence commanding attention. Agent Hill was stationed nearby, her tablet in hand as she monitored the Helicarrier's systems.
The group all took their respective seats, and Fury began speaking, "Here's the situation: Loki, the Asgardian, arrived on Earth uninvited. He attacked one of our facilities, took the Tesseract, and left a trail of bodies in his wake."
Steve frowned, "The Tesseract… I thought it was supposed to be secure."
"It was," Fury replied, his tone sharp. "Until Loki decided otherwise. He's got some kind of scepter that's amplifying his power. It's unlike anything we've seen before."
Natasha leaned back in her chair, her sharp eyes narrowing, "So, what's the plan?"
Fury gestured to Bruce, "We believe the Tesseract is emitting low levels of gamma radiation. Dr. Banner's expertise makes him the perfect candidate to track it."
Bruce shifted uncomfortably under the sudden attention. "I can set up a system to detect it, but it's not going to be simple."
"Nothing worth doing ever is," Fury said, "Start working on it. We need to locate Loki and figure out his endgame before he causes any more damage."
Bruce nodded, rising from his seat, "I'll get to work."
As Bruce left the room, Fury addressed the others. "We need to act fast. Loki's already shown he's not afraid to use force, and the Tesseract in his hands is a threat we can't afford to underestimate."
Maxim's expression remained neutral, though his mind was already formulating how fighting with Thor, that would be a perfect chance to test his powers.
"Understood," Steve said firmly, "We'll get it done."
Fury nodded, "We're tapping into all global surveillance networks, cameras, phones, computers, to track Loki's whereabouts. Once we have a lead, it's up to you two to handle it."
The group just nodded and Fury left not long after, leaving them to their own activities. Banner went to quickly locate the Tesseract, working with S.H.I.E.L.D personnel whilst Steve, Natasha and Maxim chilled in the conference room.
Soon, an agent at one of the panels yelled towards them, "We got a hit on Loki. Stuttgart, Germany!"
"Cap, Novikov, Natasha!" Fury commanded, and the three immediately stood up, getting ready. Natasha and Cap quickly got into their own outfits, while Maxim headed towards the Quinjet.
Soon, Captain Steve Rogers, clad in his signature uniform and holding his iconic Shield arrived alongside Natasha, and the trio entered the aircraft, Natasha heading to the pilot's seat as Maxim and Steve sat down.
The jet took off and swiftly moved throughout the air towards Stuttgart, Germany. Time ticked by and they waited patiently until Natasha's voice broke through the comms, "We're approaching the target. Loki's in the plaza, just outside the gala. He's taken hostages and is making a spectacle of it."
Steve stood, securing his shield on his arm, "A spectacle? That's not very subtle."
Maxim smirked slightly, checking the blades hidden within his coat. "Subtlety doesn't seem to be his strong suit. Chaos, on the other hand…"
As the Quinjet slowly parked in a good position, Steve glanced at Maxim, his brow furrowing slightly. "You're going into a fight looking like that?"
Maxim leaned back in his seat, a faint smile playing on his lips, "Of course not."
He closed his eyes for a moment, and his form shimmered as tendrils of shadow began to envelop him. His casual attire melted away, replaced by a sleek, spectral outfit, with a haunting, enigmatic presence.
It was the same SuperSuit he had created prior. ( Chapter 26 ). Of course, with special enhancements over time to adapt to his new abilities.
The outfit looked the same, dark and angular, fitting him like a second skin, with an ominous electric purple glow from his visor. No distinct facial features are visible. no eyes, nose, or mouth, only an eerie, void-like visage.
His entire face looks as though it exists in another dimension, obscured by shadows that flicker faintly, suggesting movement or a subtle life of their own.
Natasha glanced back from the cockpit, raising an eyebrow. It was the first real time she had seen Maxim in his full form, and she just had one word, "Dramatic."
Maxim simply shrugged, "Why not make an impression?"
Steve stared at him for a moment, his expression a mix of surprise and amusement. Finally, he shook his head, strapping his shield securely, "The world's really changed."
Maxim's voice was low, almost amused, "You have no idea."
The Quinjet came to a hover just above the plaza, its ramp lowering. The team moved to the edge, the distant sound of Loki's commanding voice echoing through the city. Below, civilians knelt in fear, their hands on their heads as Loki loomed over them, his scepter glowing with ominous energy.
Steve glanced at Natasha and Maxim. "Let's move. We've got a god to deal with."
Maxim's voice was calm, his visor glowing faintly as he surveyed the scene below. "Time to see if gods bleed."
Bab 60: The Avengers ( Part 3 )
The scene in the plaza was extremely eerie, a grim atmosphere cloaked the environment as the citizens were struck with fear as they tried to move away, sensing the impending danger.
Loki stood at its center, a commanding and almost regal presence in his Asgardian attire. His emerald green cape swayed lightly in the evening breeze, and his scepter pulsed with a foreboding glow as he confidently looked out to the crowd.
The crowd were terrified as they all shuffled away, screaming as they saw him closing in on them. Loki himself had a cold, cruel smirk on his lips, raising his scepter high and slamming its base into the ground, clones of him appearing all around the various exits.
"Kneel," Loki commanded, his voice resonating with unearthly authority. The civilians hesitated, a few glancing at one another as if silently seeking courage. His eyes flashed dangerously, "I said, kneel!"
The demand struck like a thunderclap. Reluctantly, they all obeyed, out of fear and apprehension, lowering themselves until their foreheads nearly touched the ground.
Loki stepped up onto the elevated platform, the clink of his boots echoing ominously. The entire plaza was silent, to the point everyone could hear a pin drop. Everyone held their breaths out of fear as they gazed towards Loki.
"Is this not simpler?" he asked, his tone mocking as he spread his arms wide, holding the Scepter gleefully, "Is this not your natural state? It's the unspoken truth of Humanity. That you crave subjugation. Your identity....You were made to be ruled. In the end, you will always kneel."
A stillness followed his words, the weight of fear binding the crowd in silence. People looked at each-other, fear in their bodies as they prayed to the gods internally to save them.
But then, an old man rose. His frail frame seemed insignificant against Loki's towering presence, but his defiance was palpable.
"Not to men like you," the man said, his voice steady despite the danger.
Loki tilted his head, amusement flickering in his expression. He chuckled and gripped his scepter that trailed wisps of energy, his gaze locked on the man as he spoke, "There are no men like me."
"There are always men like you," the old man replied firmly, his tone carrying the weight of a lifetime's worth of conviction as he affirmed his standing.
Loki's smirk hardened into a sneer, looking to the wider crowd with an arrogant grin, "Look to your elder people. Let him be an example." He raised his scepter, its tip charging with a burst of deadly energy before it shot off.
Before the blast could crash into the old man, Steve landed on the ground, raising his shield and redirecting the energy blast back to Loki.
The Asgardian couldn't react quick enough, and the energy blast crashed into him, sending him tumbling backwards onto the ground and into the crowd. Loki's eyes snapped in anger, as he looked up, spotting Captain America confidently striding towards him.
"You know," Steve said, standing tall as he addressed Loki, "the last time I was in Germany and saw a man standing above everybody else., we ended up disagreeing."
Loki narrowed his eyes, his disdain evident as he slowly stood up, his grip on his Scepter growing firmer, "A soldier...The man out of time. How quaint."
Steve raised his shield, his stance firm, "The guy who disagreed with me didn't end well. Care to try your luck?"
Before Loki could respond, the air crackled with an otherworldly energy. The vibrant greens and golds of his magic were suddenly overshadowed by a towering wall of shimmering purple light that erupted in front of him, cutting him off from the civilians and isolating him with Steve Rogers.
The wall wasn't solid in the traditional sense; it rippled like liquid starlight, cosmic and divine, with swirling patterns that suggested the vastness of the universe.
It loomed tall and impenetrable, radiating a quiet but commanding power that seemed to hum in defiance of Loki's presence.
Loki's expression darkened, his smug confidence faltering as he stared at the spectacle, "What trickery is this?" he hissed, his grip on the scepter tightening. He shot an energy blast at the wall, but it was just absorbed, deepening his confusion.
The crowd, now shielded by the mysterious barrier, murmured in awe and confusion. The old man who had stood against Loki remained rooted in place, gazing at the wall with a mix of astonishment and gratitude.
Then, they ran, their fear replaced by excitement and freedom as they finally escaped Loki's grasp, moving to the nearby authorities who had stationed themselves there to help.
Steve's eyes flicked briefly to the wall, wondering if this was another one of Maxim's unique abilities before he turned back to Loki. His stance remained unwavering, "Not so untouchable now, are you?"
Loki's lips curled into a snarl, "This is no mortal magic," he muttered, stepping back to assess his surroundings.
Behind him, the shadows twisted and elongated, slithering across the ground like a sentient creature before it coalesced into a humanoid form.
"Looking for me?" Maxim's voice cut through the tension, shadowy and cold, devoid of emotion.
Loki whirled around, his scepter raised, only to be greeted by Maxim's imposing figure. His sleek, spectral suit glinted faintly in the light, and the electric purple glow of his visor burned like twin stars in the void where his face should have been.
"You dare interfere, mortal?" Loki spat, his voice laced with fury and disbelief.
Maxim tilted his head slightly as he spoke, "Mortal? You're not the only one with divine tricks, Loki." He took a step forward, his form seeming to flicker like a shadow in the wind, "But I prefer my actions to speak louder than my arrogance."
Loki sneered, his confidence returning, "Very well, let's see what you mortals can do."
With a flick of his scepter, Loki sent a burst of energy toward them. Steve raised his shield to block it while Maxim dissolved into shadows, reappearing instantly behind Loki.
He struck with a blade conjured from pure darkness, aiming for Loki's exposed back.
Loki whirled around, his reflexes faster than expected, parrying with his scepter. "Impressive," he admitted, his tone laced with irritation. "But you'll find I am not so easily bested."
Steve tossed his shield, having it crashing against Loki's chest and bouncing back to his hand as the duo engaged the Asgardian.
Maxim's hand slowly swirled, and a sharp Katana appeared in his hand. 'Yamato', a blade he had gotten from the Vergil template, its edge impossibly sharp.
He darted forward, vanishing into the shadows mid-step and reappearing beside Loki, his katana arcing toward the Asgardian's side. Loki spun just in time, meeting the attack with his scepter. The collision sparked with raw power, sending a ripple of force outward.
"You're fast," Loki admitted, his voice laced with disdain as he shoved Maxim back with a surge of green energy, "But you lack the strength of a god."
Maxim just chuckled as his glowing visor locking onto Loki. His tone was cold, cutting through the tension. "That's quite funny coming from you."
With a flick of his wrist, shimmering Mirage Blades materialized around Maxim, spectral swords forged from his energy. They hovered like a deadly halo before launching toward Loki in a coordinated assault.
Loki's smirk faltered as he swung his scepter to deflect the ethereal weapons, the effort forcing him to shift his focus. One blade grazed his armor, leaving a faint scorch, while another embedded itself in the ground near his feet, pulsing with energy.
Taking advantage of the opening, Steve Rogers charged, his shield raised high. "Heads up!" he called, hurling the shield with calculated precision. It spun through the air like a missile, slamming into Loki's scepter and knocking it aside.
Loki stumbled back, momentarily disarmed, as Steve caught the returning shield and closed the distance. The two exchanged blows, with Steve's combat skills slowly overpowering and frustrating Loki.
Maxim seized the opportunity, slashing downward with Yamato, forcing Loki to pivot to avoid the blade, only to face a barrage of Mirage Blades closing in from all sides.
Loki growled, summoning a burst of green energy to dispel the blades, but the effort left him open.
"Got you," Maxim muttered as he shadow-stepped behind Loki, striking with a quick, precise cut aimed at his legs. The Yamato's edge sliced cleanly, forcing Loki to stagger as he turned with a snarl.
"You insolent mortals!" Loki bellowed, his arrogance cracking under the relentless assault. He slammed the base of his scepter into the ground, creating a shockwave that sent both Maxim and Steve skidding back.
Steve quickly regained his footing, raising his shield as Loki charged him. Their weapons collided, the force of Loki's scepter meeting the vibranium shield sending sparks flying.
"You talk too much," Steve retorted, shoving Loki back with sheer determination.
Maxim, now circling like a predator, took advantage of Loki's focus on Steve. He raised Yamato, and with a flick, opened a portal in the air behind Loki. A series of shadowy slashes emerged from the portal, forcing Loki to split his attention once more.
The distraction worked. Steve slammed his shield into Loki's chest with all his strength, sending the Asgardian stumbling toward Maxim. Without hesitation, Maxim surged forward, his fist flying towards Loki's face as he punched him, sending the Asgardian crashing to the floor.
Loki rolled across the ground, looking up as his nose was bleeding heavily, his face bruised as his eyes were wide with shock, staggering before he snarled at the duo, "You will regret this," he hissed, his tone venomous.
Steve raised his shield, standing firm beside Maxim. "The only one regretting anything here is you," he said, his voice steady.
Maxim's visor glinted ominously as he tilted his head toward Loki, "Stand down, if you fight again, we won't hold back."
For the first time, Loki hesitated. His gaze darted between Steve and Maxim, both ready for another fight and the Scepter that was far from being in arms reach. Growling, he surrendered, leaving the plaza silent once more.
Maxim sheathed Yamato with a calm precision, the sound of the blade clicking into place breaking the tension. Steve looked at him, breathing heavily but offering a small nod, "Nice teamwork."
Maxim turned, his form flickering slightly as the Mirage Blades faded. "Yeah you too." His voice carried a faint edge, though there was a glimmer of respect in his tone.
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