Brothers

The Avengers arrived late in the Quinjet. It took them two hours to locate Loki. Iron Man had rushed excitedly to Umbrella, eager to show off in front of Sean and win the public’s gratitude and admiration. Instead, all that awaited Tony Stark was the simple task of cleaning up the mess.

"It’s like having a gorgeous, smoking-hot girl on your bed, dressed in sexy pajamas and striking a seductive pose. Then, just as you’re about to pounce and prove yourself, she apologetically tells you that it’s not a convenient time of the month… Maybe that analogy isn’t quite appropriate, but it perfectly describes how I feel right now."

Tony’s faceplate flipped up as he complained to Sean, who strolled out from the main tower at an unhurried pace. God knew how long he had waited for this opportunity.

The men of the Stark family would always be the best.

Unfortunately, that rule clearly did not apply in front of Sean. In a very short time, he had achieved the glorious accomplishments that two generations of the Stark family had struggled for, whether in wealth or power.

Tony felt that the only thing he could surpass this guy in was being a superhero: the Iron Armor that could fly through the skies and burrow through the earth, and the power to save the world.

"There’ll always be another chance." Sean shrugged. "Umbrella’s security forces can handle a small situation like this."

The filthy, battered Loki was fitted with Alloy Handcuffs and escorted onto the Quinjet by Captain America. Coulson’s agents threw the Hydra soldiers into a line of black sedans. Their treatment from here on out probably would not be pleasant.

Unexpectedly, Hawkeye Barton, who had also taken part in this operation, had vanished. He had originally been part of the outer support force. Once he obtained the iridium, he was supposed to withdraw with it and safely deliver it to Dr. Selvig.

"Looks like something big is about to happen?" Sean smiled inscrutably.

"Relax. Iron Man can handle all of this." Tony tapped his chest, and the Iron Armor gave off a metallic clang.

He had yet to realize what kind of crisis he was about to face. Nick Fury had concealed part of the information, and the members of the Avengers had not yet reached the point of trusting one another.

A powerful alien army lingered beyond the stars, ready at any moment to become a torrent of steel and crush everything in its path.

"How’s your ‘Ultron’ coming along?" Sean asked casually.

His gaze swept over the wretched Asgardian Prince. Since Loki had provoked him, the Sentinel should be prepared to make an early appearance.

Rather than endure a long wait and confront that notorious Cosmic Overlord, it would be better to end this dangerous game sooner.

"Mm, not bad. Right now, it’s still a baby lying in a cradle," Tony said in a lowered voice.

He waved at Sean. Compared with fighting alongside a bunch of Avengers, he preferred going solo. Once the Ultron Program officially went online, the world could finally welcome true peace.

"Maybe someday, you won’t need protection from a bunch of Mutants anymore."

Stark was brimming with confidence. Flames burst from the Iron Armor’s thrusters, drawing a striking trail as he caught up with the departing Quinjet.

"What an irritatingly arrogant bastard." Blonsky, back in human form, muttered softly. "Boss, the archer kid is locked up in Sector Three, Eden in Babel Tower. There’s also a Hydra agent who’s nearly scared out of his mind."

Sean nodded. He would set the Avengers aside for now. The first thing he needed to do was obtain the first Stone.

The Quinjet passed through thick clouds. The pitch-black canopy hid the stars and moon. Loki, who had caused such a huge mess, was secured in a seat in the rear cabin. The Asgardian Prince’s face was covered in wounds, and every bone in his body ached as though it were breaking apart. His cold, cunning eyes shifted as he spun some unknown scheme and lie.

Captain America, dressed in the Stars and Stripes Uniform, glanced at the seemingly obedient Loki and said quietly, "Something’s wrong. This has all been too easy and too smooth."

As a veteran of World War II, Steve sensed something suspicious. This dangerous unknown figure had previously seized the Tesseract from S.H.I.E.L.D. by force. Logically, if Loki intended to carry out some scheme, he should have remained low-key and secretive. Even if he needed to acquire certain materials, there was no need to make such a huge spectacle. He knew S.H.I.E.L.D. had mobilized all its forces to hunt him down, yet he still appeared openly. That was far too abnormal.

"For a hundred-year-old man, your observation skills are pretty good." Tony, wearing the Iron Armor, began showing off his particular brand of dark humor. "What you’re wearing looks a little like an aerobics outfit. Ever considered becoming a fitness coach? Your body would definitely attract plenty of female clients."

Steve turned his head and did not argue with Tony. He had known Tony’s father, Howard Stark, and he could not help feeling somewhat like an elder.

But as a rather old-fashioned "old man," Steve disliked Tony’s flippant attitude. Especially for a superhero, that careless way of doing things was difficult for him to accept.

When he had still been a soldier, he faced the hail of bullets on the battlefield every day. Companions could die at any moment. Any negligence or carelessness could lead to a massive mistake that could never be undone.

Like his friend Bucky falling from the cliff. If Steve had managed to grab that hand, he could have saved his companion’s life.

The birdlike aircraft flew between the clouds. Suddenly, dark clouds spread overhead as thunder rolled and lightning flashed. Loki, leaning against his seat in the rear cabin, flickered his eyes, and a faint smile appeared on his face.

A tall figure crashed down onto the top of the Quinjet. Blazing lightning tore through the dense clouds, and powerful air currents sliced like blades. Thor, wielding a war hammer and clad in armor, directly smashed through the aircraft’s hull and knocked Iron Man, who had raised both hands, to the ground.

He seized the smiling Loki by the throat and dragged him through the open hatch, leaping out with him. The entire sequence took less than two minutes. Tony climbed back to his feet in a fury, flames erupting from his thrusters as he vanished into the dark clouds and lightning moments later.

"How much Dark Energy did Odin have to use to send you to Earth? After the Bifrost was destroyed, traveling through the Nine Realms isn’t as convenient as it used to be." Loki was viciously slammed to the ground. He looked at the enraged Thor. "Long time no see, brother."

"I’m not here to catch up. Where is the Tesseract?"

Thor lowered his hammer and hauled up his troublemaking brother. Heimdall had discovered Loki’s appearance on Earth and learned that he had taken the Tesseract, which greatly worried Odin.

The King of Asgard knew the secret of the Infinity Stones, and he knew even more clearly that the Tesseract would draw Thanos’s covetous gaze. He could not allow his rebellious adopted son to make an irreversible mistake and endanger the peaceful lives of the Nine Realms, so he hurriedly sent Thor to stop him.

"I thought you were dead. We mourned you. Mother wept day and night, missing her son… Yet you came to Earth intending to bring about a war!"

Loki’s gaze was complicated. He did not know why he had reached this point. Had it all begun with his own swelling ambition, or Odin’s hypocritical deception?

But no matter what, he could not turn back. That notorious Cosmic Overlord was never merciful. If Loki could not offer up the Tesseract, then just as the Chitauri Elder had said, in this vast universe, he would have nowhere left to hide.