The Convergence of the Realms—a phenomenon that occurred only once every few thousand years. Even someone as knowledgeable as Heimdall was witnessing it for the first time.
Greenwich
Mycroft sat in the library, casually flipping through a classic literature book. The library was nearly empty, save for a few suit-clad, bespectacled agents standing in various corners.
"Why not clear everyone out?" John asked, looking through the window at the pedestrians outside.
Mycroft replied calmly, "Someone has to witness the coming of a great miracle."
"Politicians," John smiled, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. "You always know how to maximize public opinion."
"You seem different," Mycroft said, closing his book and placing it on the table, his fingers interlaced. "In the past, you wouldn't have asked such a question."
"Maybe so," John shrugged. "Things have to change eventually."
Mycroft stood, buttoning his jacket with one hand, and joined John by the window. They watched birds flit across the sky and disappear as the realms began to bleed into one another.
"Our needs align, which is why we're friends," John said, pointing to himself. "The appearance of wizards." Then he pointed to Mycroft. "And the British people need to break America's monopoly on heroes."
On the surface, the Avengers were S.H.I.E.L.D.'s world-protecting heroes, but no one could deny they were an American organization, created and led by Americans. The world's most powerful nation, producing the world's protectors? Smart people said nothing. No one wanted a group of Americans barging into their country, enforcing their own brand of justice above local law. America was the biggest arms dealer to the Arab world, yet it claimed to be cleaning up terrorists in the name of justice.
Mycroft didn't want his country to become the next New York, nor did he want the Avengers meddling in his nation's affairs. The birth of the Miracle Children was inevitable. The Avengers were only a handful of individuals; they couldn't possibly cover the whole world. And every time they acted, the TV proclaimed "God Bless America" once more.
Mycroft didn't deny it. He looked at Jane and Dr. Selvig, who were hurrying over. "For this operation, I only brought what you need."
No army. No police. Just ordinary people, and the agents in the library. Mycroft chose to trust John, so he didn't bring in forces that might cause chaos or increase casualties.
John understood. When he saw Thor arrive, he chuckled. "We still have the Avengers, don't we?"
Ahead, in Greenwich, the water rippled as a massive Dark Elf warship arrived, its sword-like hull stabbing into the ground and towering above them. Daisy, nearby, grabbed her intern Ian and ran for her life.
The agents in the library tensed. They were elite, but this was their first time facing aliens. The last time humans fought aliens, it had been the Avengers and the US Army. Mycroft watched, seeing the alien technology firsthand, and even this powerful cabinet member grew serious.
He told an agent, "Authorize M-02 weapons, battle ready."
The agent nodded and led his team downstairs.
"M-02?" John asked, puzzled.
"The Miracle Children isn't just a superhero organization," Mycroft replied.
A superhero team needed huge financial and technological support. Under Mycroft's leadership, the entire structure was ready—superheroes backed by a special forces unit. The M-series weapons were their own research product, divided into multiple types, each rare and highly lethal.
With Mycroft's authorization, the agents went to their cars and opened the trunks. High-tech guns were pulled out. Agents slotted in purple crystals, and the weapons glowed with a violet light. They spread out. One metallic sniper rifle had an authorization lock.
A buzz-cut agent slung the weapon and found a vantage point in Greenwich. Once in position, he spoke into his comms: "M-02 ready, requesting permission to fire."
Mycroft replied, "Permission granted."
The lock disengaged. The sniper aimed at the Dark Elf warship. He closed one eye, his body perfectly still. Strangely, the gun seemed alive—as he breathed, his body gradually became transparent.
John noticed and narrowed his eyes. "Magic."
"We established diplomatic ties with the wizarding world; we couldn't just do nothing," Mycroft said proudly. "M-02 Ghost—the world's most covert assassin. Over the years, we've bought magic crystals and, after extensive research, made these weapons."
Don't underestimate human ingenuity. With Mycroft's backing and early magical trade, Section Seven had developed powerful magical technology. Magic provided endurance; technology brought innovation. Combining both, they'd created the M-series weapons, much like S.H.I.E.L.D. had with their own advanced tech.
"This is your confidence for launching the Miracle Children?" John laughed. "No wonder you're so sure of yourself."
"Britain has no Iron Man or Captain America. We create heroes in our own way."
If you wanted a superhero team, Britain was the original—after all, long ago, they had King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. With the M-series, they could create a modern Round Table. That sniper was one of the candidates.
Everything was ready.
Mycroft looked at John. "What about yours?"
"They'll show up," John said confidently.
Crisis loomed. Even the scholarly crowd in the library couldn't help but gather and gawk, making the area lively.
The massive, aerodynamically improbable Dark Elf warship dropped an elevator, from which Malekith emerged, his soldiers following behind him. Malekith glanced up at the sky over Greenwich, which was warping and showing scenes from the Nine Realms. He could sense that the other part of the Aether was here.
His gaze met John's in the library.
Thor landed heavily in front of him.
Malekith looked away from John and at Thor. "You didn't need to come so far, Asgardian. Because Death will soon pay you a visit."
He strode toward Thor, now fearless with the Aether's power. Thor gripped his hammer, ready to avenge his "dead" brother.
"Your universe should not exist," Malekith declared, thinking of his defeat by Bor. "Your realm and your family will be erased."
The Aether glowed on his body. With a wave, it formed into arrows that struck Thor and sent him flying.
The battle began.
[Chapter Complete]
***
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