## Chapter 216: The Beginning of the Avengers
Tang Song kicked out, sending the Ghost Rider, bound like a Zongzi by Soul-Hooking Chains, tumbling to the ground.
Clang, clang, clang—
The Ox-Head Ghost God, standing four or five meters tall, dragged his three-pronged Sai towards the bound Ghost Rider. He raised the Sai and thrust it down towards the Ghost Rider's Heart.
The pitch-black Sai, its three tips gleaming with cold light, touched the Soul-Hooking Chains.
The equally pitch-black Soul-Hooking Chains seemed like air; the three-pronged Sai pierced directly into the Ghost Rider's Chest. When the Ox-Head raised his hand, he directly pulled out a struggling mass of Flames.
Inside the Flames were two aspects in one body: a flame-shaped Flame Angel with broken wings and a Human Soul, twisted together like a lamp wick, tightly intertwined.
"This is the Spirit of Vengeance!?"
Tang Song examined the Flame Angel pierced by the Sai with some curiosity. The struggling Flame Figure was like a small, fiery Fish speared by a harpoon, constantly thrashing.
The Flame Figure, its wings broken, roared, shouting at Tang Song, "Look into my Eyes!"
His Eyes glowed Red Light.
This was the Ghost Rider's most lethal Weapon, the Eye of Judgment, derived from the Spirit of Vengeance, which could ignite a Creature's sin like firewood.
It wouldn't harm the Physical Body but would directly burn the Soul.
"Crack!"
White Impermanence, wearing a tall hat inscribed with "Peace Under Heaven," struck the Flame Figure's Head with his Dirge Cudgel, wrapped in white paper.
The White Impermanence Ghost God Phantom, also four or five meters tall, held a Dirge Cudgel as thick as an adult's waist. Yet, he wielded it with effortless ease, precisely avoiding Johnny's Soul and heavily smashing it onto the Flame Angel's Forehead.
Crack! The two Souls, intertwined like a flaming lamp wick, separated. The Spirit of Vengeance was directly knocked flying by the blow.
Clatter! Black Impermanence, whose tall hat was inscribed with "Fortune at First Sight," shook his Chain. The Soul-Hook Chain extended with a clatter, directly locking down the Spirit of Vengeance.
He sent it into the Ghoul White Bone Banner behind him!
Tang Song snapped his Fingers, and the Soul-Hooking Chains binding the Ghost Rider scattered, revealing a Middle-aged Man riding a Motorcycle, wearing a Leather Jacket, and with some Russian Blood. Aside from being somewhat bald, he looked weathered and experienced.
"Hmm!?"
Tang Song stroked his Chin, looking at the former Ghost Rider before him. His Divine Sense swept the surroundings, but there was no sign of Mephisto.
That Old Devil, it seemed he really wasn't here! But it didn't matter. Tang Song looked at the Parchment Scroll, the Contract of San Venganza, in his hand, feeling Blackheart's Mental Imprint within the Great Desolation Bell. With these, he'd see how many Arrows he could shoot at that Old Devil Mephisto! "Bring this old gentleman, we're leaving!"
"Yes, Boss!"
Several Big men appeared before Tang Song, kneeling on one knee to salute him. Then, one Big man walked over, grabbed Carter Slade by the Neck, and hoisted him onto his Shoulder.
Another person packed up Johnny's Motorcycle, and another carried Johnny on his Shoulder, silently retreating into the Darkness.
As Tang Song gave the Order, the originally empty Cemetery came alive. Big men tore off the Concealment Talismans on their Bodies, revealing their Figures. Hundreds of Shadows flickered in the Cemetery's Shadows. These Big men put down the Shoulder-Mounted Rocket Launchers in their hands.
From the Rocket Launchers, they unloaded Rocket after Rocket—
The outer casings of these Rockets were covered in densely packed Demon Subjugation Talismans and Lightning Spirit Marks. Even the Launchers of the Rocket Launchers showed similar Patterns.
And these Big men were all agile and nimble, many of them maintaining their Black Ghost Wolf Form and Lizard Form.
Upon receiving the withdrawal Order, these Big men formed groups of three to five and retreated from the Cemetery in batches.
Not long after these Big men withdrew.
Rustling sounds of Soil turning rose from the Cemetery. Next to each Tombstone, the Soil turned, and White Bone Skeleton Claws stretched out from the grave Soil. Then, Skeletons drilled out from Underground one by one.
These Skeletons weren't under every Tombstone. From High Altitude, the Bearing of these Skeleton Demons in the Soil was clearly that of a profound Magic Array—
"Treacherous Human Brat!"
In a deserted Unfinished Building several miles away from the Cemetery, Mephisto, wearing a black overcoat, stood on the Rooftop, leaning on his Cane. Before him, two bloodshot Eyeballs the size of Basketballs stared intently at the distant Darkness.
The Eyeballs, without eyelids, rolled around.
The Hell Creature known as the Eye Demon projected the scene from the Cemetery several miles away before Mephisto's Eyes one by one.
Mephisto watched as Blackheart was captured by Tang Song using the Great Desolation Bell, without much surprise in his Eyes.
Blackheart, that "son" who was ambitious but lacked talent and was arrogant yet incompetent, was merely a Tool to Mephisto.
If he wanted, he could create thousands upon thousands of these so-called "Hell Princes."
He didn't feel any pain if a few died.
Even with the Contract of San Venganza falling into the hands of Tang Song, a Human, Mephisto, the Old Devil, remained quite calm.
The talk of using the Fallen Holy Spirits of San Venganza to establish a new Hell in the Mortal Realm was just a rumor he spread to trick his "Old Friends."
Over the years, his "Old Friends" had been trapped by the rumors he released.
One Dimensional Evil God, in particular, personally came to the Mortal Realm for this so-called Infernal Realm, only to be crippled by the Ancient One and Odin working together.
Mephisto, the Old Devil, seized the opportunity to reap the benefits, taking over his Dimension, and adding the Skull of that Dimensional Evil God to his Collection in his Palace.
But when Mephisto saw the White Bone Skeletons that Tang Song had Ambushed in the Cemetery crawling out from Underground, Mephisto couldn't help but curse.
Just by looking at the hundreds and thousands of White Bone Skeletons standing there, Mephisto's Human Physical Body inexplicably felt a sense of Danger. What he didn't know was that the Bearing of these Skeleton Demons was a Demonic Path Magic Array called Hundred Ghosts Refining Souls.
This vicious Demonic Path Formation used the Souls of these Skeleton Demons as firewood, burning their own Origin/Source.
When activated, the Hundred Ghosts Devouring Souls Formation could combine the Strength of these Skeleton Demons and amplify it hundreds of times.
Therefore, in the Jambudvīpa World, this Demonic Path Formation had another Name: "Hundred Ghosts Devouring Immortals"! Legend had it that using three hundred and sixty-five White Bone Demonic Gods as the Formation's core, treating these White Bone Demonic Gods, comparable to the Core Formation Stage, as single-use Magic Treasures, could slay Immortals.
Of course, this was just a Legend. At least Tang Song hadn't seen a single instance in the Jambudvīpa World Source.
However, there was a verified case of someone using three hundred and sixty White Bone Demonic Gods to fight a wounded Nascent Soul Grand Cultivator. That unlucky fellow was a Dragon King from the outer Sea, who was Refined into a Corpse Dragon by someone from Heshan Dao and became one of the Heshan Dao Mountain Gate Protectors.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—
The Skeleton Demons that crawled out from Underground transformed into crystalline Bone Beads and flew into the Sky.
Mephisto took a step, intending to go to the Cemetery to investigate.
However, the cunning Old Devil paused, tapped his Cane, and waved his hand, sending the two summoned Eye Demons back to Hell. He then turned and left the deserted Unfinished Building, heading in the opposite Direction of the Cemetery.
The Sky gradually brightened.
The Cemetery was silent, save for the occasional cawing of a few Ravens landing on the Tombstones.
In this eerie Atmosphere, the Soil Layer in the Cemetery parted like quicksand, and thirty-odd Silver Armored Corpses, looking as if cast from Silver, rose from Underground.
And thirty kilometers away from this Cemetery, on the side of a Barren Hillside, an Armed Squad that had waited all night and just received the withdrawal Order began to intensively dismantle the Missile Launcher.
On the Missile Launcher, a thick Missile with a red tip and red star was aimed at the Horizon.
This Missile launching Team didn't have many members, only a dozen or so. However, they were very fast at dismantling the Missile Launcher.
Four or five people, transformed into Lizard Form, carried the dozens of tons heavy Missile on their Shoulders and hands, using only some simple Tools, and lifted it onto a Heavy Military Truck at the foot of the Hill.
From receiving the withdrawal Order to completing the retreat, they only took less than half an hour. The two Heavy Trucks disappeared onto the Highway near this wilderness.
Two days later, in the Lakebed Quiet Room of Tang Manor.
There were now two people kneeling before the Altar, worshipping the Straw Doll in the center. Unlike Wolverine Logan, who was dazed and under a Magic Art.
Johnny's Head hit the Azure Jade Brick with a loud thud each time he kowtowed. One of his Eyes had a clear black and white Pupil, filled with Rage and the anticipation of imminent Revenge.
His other Eye was Pitch black, like a Demon's Eye. In this Pitch black Eyeball, one could see the struggling Shadow of Blackheart.
At this moment, the Straw Doll on the Altar had four Wooden Arrows stuck in it—
Beside the Altar, Amelia, wearing a Blood-Colored Long Dress, held a Parchment Scroll. Streaks of Black Energy surrounded the Parchment Scroll, and faintly visible within the Black Energy were distorted, grotesque Faces.
"What you said is true. As long as we can complete our Revenge against Mephisto, we are willing to be crushed to dust!"
As Amelia's promise was made, countless roars from Vengeful Spirits echoed in the Lakebed Quiet Room. Countless Black Energy surged towards Logan, attaching themselves to him.
Soon, Logan's bare upper Body was covered in bulging Blue Veins. Thick Blue Veins were visible on his Face, Neck, and even his eyelids. These raised Blue Veins made one wonder if he would explode the next moment.
From the outside, Logan's Body had nearly doubled in size.
"Mephisto!"
Logan opened his bloodshot Eyes, and a strange, aged Voice came from his Mouth, filled with almost bone-deep Hatred.
Logan picked up the Wooden Bow beside him, which looked like a child's Toy, drew the Bow, and aimed an Arrow at Mephisto's Throat before shooting it.
The fifth Arrow was obliquely inserted into the Straw Effigy's Throat, where Mephisto's Name was affixed!
In the vast Hell Dimension, in the Palace of the ancient Devil, the Hell Lord Mephisto.
The Crimson Devil, leaning on his Throne, was in a deep Slumber, snoring thunderously.
Inside the Palace, the Demon Lords were all silent, fearing they might wake the sleeping Mephisto.
During this time, Mephisto seemed extremely lethargic, but no Demon Lord dared to question it.
This group of Demons under Mephisto, although they didn't know the story of A Certain Cao (Cao Cao) killing in his sleep, they all knew that the Great Lord they served was cunning and violent.
Except for his "Princes," although some Devils saw that something was wrong, no Demon dared to step forward and wake the sleeping Mephisto.
"Two more Arrows. If this Ancient Evil Curse, the Nail Head Seven Arrows Book, can curse Mephisto to death, then I can arrange it for Thanos!"
Tang Song, who was drinking Tea, was contemplating arranging a "three-warmth" (a euphemism for death) for a certain purple Titan Giant when he suddenly sensed an Energy Fluctuation from the Sky. He looked up and saw a golden, complex Magic Array, adorned with Rune Script, lit up above the Clouds. It was like the most beautiful, most dazzling Electric Arc pulsating in the Clouds.
A few seconds later, a thick Light Beam, invisible to ordinary people, shot towards the Earth like a War Spear. The brilliant Radiance struck the Ground, stirring up waves of surging Energy Storms. "What a crude Teleportation Method!"
Tang Song held his teacup, standing by the Window, waiting quietly! Amidst the flickering Light, a Black Raven shot down from the Sky like an Arrow towards Tang Manor.
The palm-sized Raven passed through the Glass of Tang Song's Study as if passing through Water Ripple and landed on the Coffee Table in front of him! "Hello, are you Tang?"
The Black Raven tilted its Head and looked at Tang Song. "I am Huginn. Leader sent me to find you!"
Tang Song waved his hand, stopping the many Bodyguards in the Courtyard who wanted to take Action. He took out a few bags of Dried Fruit from his Pocket on the Coffee Table, tore open the bags, poured them into his hand, and fed them to the Black-feathered, Golden-Eyed Raven.
From the commotion just now, the Raven before him should be from Asgard. Its Leader was self-evident, naturally Odin!
"Caw, okay, you're a good person!" Huginn pecked at the Dried Fruit in Tang Song's palm twice, tilted its small Head, and gave Tang Song a "good person card."
"Leader wants to talk to you!"
A Golden Light Projection shot out from Huginn's Pupil, displaying a Projection in the Room.
Odin was wearing Armor.
Golden, inscribed with countless Rune Script, with golden Electric Arcs, like Lightning, pulsating on the Body of the King of Asgard.
His long white Hair fluttered in the Wind. The wrinkles on his Face did not make Odin look older or weaker.
On the contrary, when those wrinkles furrowed, he still looked like a Lion King patrolling his Territory, his mountain-like Authority still heavy, still oppressing all living beings.
A golden Eyepatch covered his Eye, but it wasn't fixed with a strap like Nick Fury's. The golden Metal Eyepatch was also carved with Epic Stories of Asgard, as if it were a part of Odin himself.
"Several days ago, the Gatekeeper Heimdall saw abnormal Energy Vibrations erupting in various parts of the Universe. According to the Time flow of your World, it should have happened over half a month ago. In that Energy outburst, a Planet was destroyed. Loki was also there; he was with Corvus Glaive, one of Thanos's Subordinates!"
"I thought you would lock Loki up!" Tang Song spread his hands! Logically, since Odin personally entered the fray and wrestled with him back then, Loki should have seen Odin's intentions. Given Odin's Personality, he would never let a Loki who knew the Truth cause Trouble outside.
He could even imprison his own daughter until his death; would he really go soft on an adopted son just because he was old?! Odin sighed, "He slipped out of Asgard, with Thor's help!"
Odin's words were filled with helplessness towards his own foolish son, Thor.
"I placed the Dragon Jewel on Midgard. It controls the Power of Space. Thanos is obsessed with it; he dares not come personally, but based on my understanding of him, he might use Loki!"
Tang Song smiled, "I understand, King Odin intends for me to..." Tang Song made a gesture of cutting a Throat: "...help Prince Thor solve this Trouble? No problem!"
Odin sighed, his single Eye staring intently at Tang Song for a long time: "I want you to spare his Life!"
"What makes you say that? Prince Loki hasn't provoked me. I've always been magnanimous!"
Tang Song smiled very gently, with the demeanor of a high monk who wouldn't harm an Ant while sweeping.
A sharp glint also flashed in Odin's single Eye.
"Thanos's Strength is very powerful. Although he has no intention of ruling Territories, he has many followers. I hope you will act accordingly!"
The golden Phantom dissipated with Odin's last sentence.
The Black Raven flapped its Wings and flew up, not forgetting to wave its Wings at Tang Song: "Goodbye, Tang, thank you for the Dried Fruit. Come find me in the Golden Palace sometime!"
A Light Beam descended from the Sky, and the Black Raven disappeared into the Horizon with the Light Beam.
New Mexico, Nick Fury's Secret Security Base. Piercing Alarm Sounds echoed throughout the Base.
"All Personnel, please note, withdrawal Order confirmed, please evacuate immediately using designated Vehicles! Please note this is not an Exercise, please evacuate immediately, please evacuate immediately!"
"All Personnel, please note, withdrawal Order confirmed, please evacuate immediately using designated Vehicles! Please note this is not an Exercise, please evacuate immediately, please evacuate immediately!"
"All Personnel, please note, withdrawal Order confirmed, please evacuate immediately using designated Vehicles! Please note this is not an Exercise, please evacuate immediately, please evacuate immediately!"
Numerous Research Personnel were nervously evacuating under Agent Coulson's Command.
Under the cover of Night, a Quinjet landed at the Base. It was Nick Fury, who had just returned from the Wakandan Battlefield.
"How bad is the situation?"
Nick Fury, wearing a Black Windbreaker and an Eyepatch, stepped out of the Quinjet.
As soon as Nick Fury got off the Aircraft, he looked at Phil Coulson and asked! Agent Coulson walked ahead, leading Nick Fury in a hurry towards the interior of the Base: "The worst-case scenario. We have no idea what happened?"
"Four hours ago, Dr. Erik Selvig detected an Energy Pulse from the Cube."
"I didn't authorize the Doctor to conduct tests!" Nick Fury's single Eye flashed with Suspicion.
Agent Coulson said, "He didn't conduct tests! He wasn't even in the Room! It was automatically triggered!"
"It just activated itself like that?" Nick Fury asked in surprise!
Nick Fury took the lead, walking towards the Laboratory: "What level is the Energy at now?"
"Rising. After confirming the Doctor couldn't shut it down, we ordered the evacuation!" Agent Coulson explained! "How long will it take to evacuate everyone?" Nick Fury asked! Agent Coulson replied, "We can evacuate everyone in half an hour! But we need to ensure Hydra doesn't detect this Base, so we only have twenty-five minutes."
Nick Fury turned back and looked at Phil Coulson, saying, "Hurry up!"
"Inventory all Items, transport all relevant Items, especially the second batch of Prototypes manufactured using the Cosmic Cube! That's our key to dealing with Hydra!"
"Yes, Director!"
Agent Coulson turned to make arrangements!
Things were not going smoothly. Nick Fury's Complexion grew darker. Hydra was making him overwhelmed.
He needed Weapons, powerful Weapon support for his Actions, which was also the Reason he secretly developed the Cosmic Cube. He didn't expect the Cosmic Cube to have Trouble!
Arriving at the Base's Laboratory, Nick Fury walked up to the Cosmic Cube, which was flickering with blue Electric Arcs, and looked at Dr. Erik Selvig, who was wearing a White Coat, with some Suspicion.
"Dr. Erik Selvig, what's going on?"
"The Cosmic Cube suddenly released an Energy Pulse. I'm trying to shut it down!"
Dr. Erik Selvig operated the Computer, staring intently at the Energy Value on the Computer screen. This Doctor with dual degrees in Astrophysics and Physics had been recruited by Nick Fury to his new S.H.I.E.L.D. after the Thor and Destroyer incidents!
"I failed, this Thing can't be shut down!" Dr. Erik Selvig worked at the Computer for a long time, still unable to shut down the Cosmic Cube. He said to Nick Fury with some frustration.
"Try pulling the plug!" Nick Fury said, staring at the Cosmic Cube.
Dr. Erik Selvig sighed, "This Thing is an Energy Source itself; it's constantly emitting Radioactive Material."
Nick Fury watched the Cosmic Cube emitting Energy like electric Sparks.
"How harmful is this Thing?"
Dr. Erik Selvig shook his Head, "It's currently emitting some low-frequency Gamma Rays, which are not very harmful to the Human Body. However, the Data shows its Energy is increasing. I think it will reach its peak soon!"
"Isn't this what we've been pursuing, drawing Energy from the Universe!" Nick Fury stared at the Cosmic Cube, still somewhat Suspicious, "Then what's wrong with it? Was it activated by something?"
Dr. Erik Selvig's Tone was a bit strange, "The Cosmic Cube is a Portal connecting to Outer Space. You know, Doors are usually two-way..."
Nick Fury's Complexion changed. Just as he was about to speak, a Researcher who was busy nearby stood up.
"Doctor, another Pulse!"
Waves of Energy surged from the Cosmic Cube, and the entire Base seemed to Vibrate.
The blue Energy Beam rotated like a fan, casting a thick blue Energy Beam the size of a thigh. The Energy Beam expanded, transforming into a blue Light Gate.
A handsome Man wearing Golden Antler Armor and holding a Scepter walked out of the Gate.
"It's been a long time, Midgard!" Loki held the Mind Scepter in one hand and struck a pose of intoxicated Embrace with the other.
"Stop, put down the Weapon in your hand!"
Nick Fury looked at the mysteriously appearing Loki, drew the Handgun from his waist, and pointed it at him.
Numerous Armed Personnel of the new S.H.I.L.D. aimed at Loki.
"Weapon? You mean this?" Loki extended his hand, playfully pointing at the Mind Scepter in his hand.
"This is a Scepter from a Deity ruling a savage Planet!"
Loki waved the Scepter in his hand, and several Energy Beams shot out from the Scepter, blasting away a dozen Agents surrounding him.
"Bang! Bang!"
Nick Fury fired directly at Loki. Two shots went through Loki's Illusion and hit empty Space.
"Midgardians, your ancestors once called me the God of Magic!"
A dozen Illusions of Loki appeared simultaneously, holding the Scepter in one hand, spreading the other, and looking up at the Sky at a forty-five-degree angle.
Among the Stars outside the Nine Realms, dozens of Warships' Jump Drives activated simultaneously. One hexagonal Solid Wormhole after another illuminated the Star Zone.
The uniquely shaped Chitauri Warships, like black Monsters with spread Wings, jumped into the Jump Window one by one. After a few minutes of continuous jumps, they appeared in the Space outside the Nine Realms in an all-encompassing manner.
"We cannot cross Asgard's defenses and enter Midgard!"
"Don't worry, our Allies will handle everything for us!"
The Chitauri, Cosmic Mercenaries, also known as Galactic Locusts, were a race that had lost their Homeworld and were infamous throughout the Universe. They had been besieged by major powers in the Milky Way Galaxy, but unfortunately, they had pledged allegiance to the Cosmic Overlord Thanos.
In the Milky Way Galaxy, no one dared to provoke that Madman, including the powerful Kree Empire! In a Secret Base in New York, the Atmosphere was tense.
"Developing new Weapons using the Cosmic Cube? Is this something your S.H.I.E.L.D. did? Don't tell me these are Weapons left over from the WWII Period. I've infiltrated your Database; these Energy Weapons are fresh out of the oven!"
Tony Stark swiped open the Projection Screen in front of him, and Data appeared before everyone's Eyes: Weapon Manufacturing Procedure, Factories, including coding and deployment status.
"I thought things were different now than before, but it seems nothing has changed!" Steve Rogers, wearing the Tight Suit Phil Coulson designed for him, had an expression of indescribable emotion and Anger on his Face.
Using Military Force to monitor the World and develop High-Powered Weapons of Mass Destruction, how was this different from Hydra? "We are just preventing Supernatural Crime!"
Agent Hill defended herself, covering the scrape on her Face!
"Alright!"
Nick Fury looked at the Avengers he had summoned.
The Secret Base was taken over by Loki from the other end of the Cosmic Cube, and Dr. Erik Selvig was also controlled by Loki.
Originally, he wanted to use the Avengers to retrieve the Cosmic Cube, but he didn't expect that they, who had just returned from the Wakandan Battlefield, would be fixated on S.H.I.E.L.D.'s use of the Cosmic Cube to manufacture High-Powered Weapons of Mass Destruction!
Nick Fury chose to reveal the details, "In March 1942, the **Organization**, obsessed with collecting various Mysterious Items, took a deep blue Square Gem from Tønsberg, Norway. This Gem is known as the Cosmic Cube."
Steve Rogers raised his Eyebrow! These Matters were stories, History, to others, but to him, they were real experiences.
"A **Military Officer** named Johann Schmidt led a team of scientists to Research the Cosmic Cube. They discovered that the object appeared from the outside to be a perfectly standard Cube, with a length, width, and height of 15.7 centimeters each. Its Material seemed to be an unknown Mineral Structure, and a Ribbon-like Streamer floated in the center of the Cube."
Nick Fury said calmly with a gloomy Face, "Strangely, no matter how precise the Measurement Equipment Schmidt and others used, the Cosmic Cube's length, width, and height remained constant, neither increasing nor decreasing, as if fixed by some Rule.
Furthermore, no matter how they tried, they couldn't create even a Nanometer of a Wound on the Cosmic Cube's surface. Any Energy applied to the Cosmic Cube would cause the Cube to gradually emit Radiant Energy.
And the Total Energy of the Radiant Energy, compared to the Total Energy applied just now, showed an Exponential Growth Trend."
In other words, the Cosmic Cube could receive Energy and release more Energy—this completely violated the Law of Conservation of Energy and could be called a "Perpetual Motion Machine with a special Structure."
"Interesting." Tony nodded, spreading his hands, "A Perpetual Motion Machine, that's a Paradox in science."
Nick Fury took a deep breath and said hoarsely, "This peculiar Effect concerning the Law of Conservation of Energy was immediately noticed by **scientists**.
They attempted to decipher the Mystery of Infinite Energy from the Cosmic Cube and use it to manufacture unprecedentedly powerful Weapons to help the Third Reich conquer the World."
"However, they failed." Steve Rogers said! "That's right, they failed." Nick Fury narrowed his Eyes, as if recalling some distant memories, and said softly, "Captain, who had already been injected with the Super Soldier Serum, stopped him.
That **Military Officer** named Johann Schmidt—who later became Red Skull—clashed with the Captain. After a fierce Battle, the Captain and the Cosmic Cube fell together into the Antarctic Ice Sheet."
"Perhaps you should have left it in the Sea; that's where it belongs."
Captain America folded his Shoulders, staring at Nick Fury with a solemn expression!
"It concerns Infinite Energy, Captain. Earth's Resources are limited. Cracking the secret of the Cosmic Cube is equivalent to opening the Door to the Universe for Earth!"
"So you used it to manufacture Weapons!" Captain America said with some Mockery, "I always thought only Red Skull would do that!"
Nick Fury exhaled a breath of Turbid Qi and said softly, "After the victory in WWII, the Federation, as a victorious nation, took over some of the **scientific Research achievements** and obtained the records of Red Skull and others regarding the Cosmic Cube.
Our scientists have been analyzing the Cosmic Cube, attempting to re-decipher the Mystery of Infinite Energy."
"Huh?"
Thor grinned, wiggled his Finger, and said playfully, "Should I praise your exploratory Spirit? Or should I praise your optimism? Even we Asgardians dare not casually utilize the Power of the Dragon Jewel!"
Nick Fury gritted his Teeth and said with difficulty, "That's not because of you!"
"Because of me!"
Thor, who had learned about Loki from the Gatekeeper, rushed to Midgard in a hurry. He didn't find Loki but was invited back by S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents while visiting Jane.
Unaccountably saddled with a big accusation, Prince Thor was unhappy and tightened his grip on Mjolnir! "Because of your arrival, because of your and your Younger Brother's messy Matters, Half a Town was leveled. What could we do? And those damned Hydra; we can't fight on two fronts. If we don't actively develop Weapons, should we just sit here and wait for death?!"
"We Asgardians have no Malice towards you. The peace of the Nine Realms has always been guarded by Asgard!"
Thor's Complexion was a bit awkward. Cough, cough. Could he say that this wasn't his doing, but his Father's and yours, the Midgardians'?
"Then your Secret Base was blown up."
Tony Stark took over the conversation, looking at Nick Fury and saying, "What happened during your exploration of the Cosmic Cube?"
"...Just a few hours ago, the Cosmic Cube's Energy Fluctuation climbed to a historical peak, and a Teleportation Gate opened inside the Base."
Nick Fury said in a deep Voice, "Thor's Younger Brother, Loki, the Evil God from Norse Mythology, appeared and stole the Cosmic Cube. We suspect he is plotting a larger Conspiracy."
"Hey! Don't look at me!" Thor looked at everyone staring at him, somewhat annoyed, "Loki was imprisoned in Asgard's detention Room, but he secretly slipped away. I received Information that he now has a Chitauri Military under his Command, waiting just outside the Nine Realms!"
Thor certainly wouldn't say that he was accidentally tricked by Loki, which gave Loki the opportunity to slip away! "An Alien Army!" Natasha Romanoff sat aside, her Complexion changing upon hearing Thor's words.
"The Chitauri, famous Mercenaries in the Milky Way Galaxy. I don't know how Loki got involved with them. Currently, this Military is blocked outside the Nine Realms, but the Cosmic Cube can open a Space Gate. When that happens, this Military can directly bypass Asgard's defenses and appear directly on Midgard!"
A formed Alien Military. For a moment, the Avengers all became serious.
"I need enough Spectrometers. With the Cosmic Cube's Gamma Rays, I can estimate its approximate range!"
Dr. Banner, looking somewhat disheveled, stood up and walked over to Nick Fury: "How many can you mobilize?"
"Obviously, not many!" Nick Fury glanced at Dr. Banner, "We need to find someone to help..."
He instructed Hill, "Agent Hill, coordinate with Dr. Banner, find our reliable Network of Contacts, and contact all laboratories we can reach without alerting Hydra. Oh, and Doctor, how do we operate this? How do we transport these Spectrometers here?"
"You don't need to. Just notify those laboratories to set up the Spectrometers on the Rooftop!"
Dr. Banner spread his hands!
"Tony, I hope you can help Dr. Banner. I need to confirm the Cosmic Cube's Position as soon as possible. I don't think anyone wants to see an Alien Fleet start a War on Earth!"
"Happy to cooperate!"
Tony took off his Sunglasses and glanced at Thor:
"Speaking of which, you came to Earth to stop your Younger Brother, didn't you bring any Military with you? You know your Younger Brother has a Fleet!"
Thor pondered for a moment: "To be precise, I came to save him!"
A young Man with a high Nose bridge, tall and handsome, with slicked-back Hair like it was plastered with hair gel, paired with a faint Smile at the corner of his Mouth, could cause a psychological fatal blow to Middle-aged Women.
He was the God of Trickery and Lies, the God of Mischief and Deceit, a Shapeshifter, a Sky-Walker, a descendant of Frost Giants, and the adopted son of All-Father Odin, the Norse Chief God.
This Evil God, who walked out of Norse Mythology, was standing in a certain Underground Tunnel, holding his Scepter and deep in thought.
Not long ago, his nominal Older Brother, Thor, the God of Thunder, was reprimanded by Odin for his mistakes and banished to the Mortal Realm—specifically, New Mexico in the American Federation.
Loki, who had long been jealous of Thor, wanted to seize this opportunity to replace Thor and become the first in line successor to the Norse Chief God.
Unfortunately, the Conspiracy was exposed. Not only was Thor alive and well, but All-Father Odin also revealed the Truth that Loki was actually a descendant of Frost Giants.
Most importantly, this made him realize his Identity: a Whetstone. He was merely a Whetstone Odin used to Temper Thor.
Loki, who had long considered himself the "Future King of Asgard," suffered a Huge Blow, both physically and mentally exhausted. After escaping from Asgard, he chose Self-Exile.
A Great Existence saved him, bestowed upon him a Scepter with Infinite Power, taught him Ancient Knowledge, and gave him a new Mission.
They reached an Agreement.
That Great Existence would dispatch a Chitauri Military, hand it over to Loki's Command, and have him launch an Invasion of Earth, ultimately reclaiming the Cosmic Cube.
Loki had no right to retreat. His Ambition burned like Flames. There was no one behind him.
Hours ago, through the Cosmic Cube's subtle Sense, he Teleported himself from Imaginary Space into the S.H.I.E.L.D. Base and caused widespread Destruction.
With the Scepter bestowed by that Existence, Loki repelled Nick Fury and successfully Brainwashed Dr. Erik Selvig and a group of S.H.I.E.L.D. Members, making them serve him.
It must be said that S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Employees were indeed among the most Elites Intelligence Personnel in the World. In just a few hours, these people were able to collect Supplies, organize Teams, and set up a Temporary Outpost in the Underground Tunnel through their Network of Contacts.
Dr. Erik Selvig, who majored in Astrophysics in University, was standing in the Isolated Sterile Plastic Tarp Laboratory at this very moment, looking at the Cosmic Cube with a dazed expression.
That light blue Square Crystal lay quietly in the Swirling Inner Groove of the Instrument. The occasional fleeting Streamer was even more dazzling and mesmerizing.
Just by staring at the Cosmic Cube, one could faintly hear indistinct Voices whispering in their Ears, telling them the Ancient Knowledge buried in History.
"No, not just Knowledge, but Truth..."
Dr. Erik Selvig muttered to himself, then suddenly looked up and said to Loki, who had quietly approached, "To truly utilize the Cosmic Cube's Infinite Energy, we need Iridium Metal, at least a ton of Iridium."
Iridium, atomic number 77, atomic weight 192.22. There are two naturally occurring Isotopes of Iridium, Iridium-191 and Iridium-193. In addition, there are over thirty artificially synthesized Radioactive Isotopes, with Mass numbers ranging from 164 to 199.
Loki was an Evil God, not a fool. Although he didn't know what Iridium was, he understood the importance of knowing how to use people effectively.
"Iridium has extremely low content in the Earth's crust, yet its uses are very extensive.
Aircraft Engines, Underwater Pipes, Solid-state Lasers, Gamma Ray radiography, Gamma Ray therapy, and the surface coating of X-ray Telescopes all require Iridium.
Furthermore, because the content of Iridium on the Earth's surface is extremely low, the total annual demand and output are only about ten tons, and the sources are too scattered, making it difficult to gather enough in a short Time."
Dr. Erik Selvig said honestly, "There is a large amount of Iridium in the Private Vault of a certain Zaibatsu in Eastern Europe!"
"Then go get it!"
Loki grinned. He picked up his Scepter and tapped it on the Ground. He felt the endless Power surging from the Scepter, and a trace of infatuation and arrogance flashed across his Face.
However, he quickly furrowed his Eyebrow: "Be careful! Don't attract too much attention!"
His previous experience made him realize that this Planet was not as harmless as he had imagined. Some Individual Life Forms possessed Powerful Destructive Force that could even contend with the mighty King Odin.
Asgard, as the realm of the Norse Gods, had developed various Terrifying Creations centuries ago.
Including but not limited to the Bifrost, which could Teleport individual Gods to any Location in the Nine Realms;
Mjolnir, forged from Stellar Remnants;
A Shield that could envelop all of Asgard; Anti-Gravity Spaceships; High-Energy Particle Beam Weapons that could be put into practical Combat; Compared to these Black Technology, Earth's Technology indeed seemed somewhat crude.
But what truly made Asgard formidable in the Milky Way Galaxy was King Odin's Military Force. The existence of Midgard could actually contend with King Odin!
Thinking of the last time, when Odin took Control of the Destroyer Armor and fought a miraculous Midgardian, Loki frowned.
He was not his foolish, reckless, and useless Older Brother. Before the Chitauri Military truly entered Midgard, he had to proceed cautiously! Thinking this, Loki looked at a S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent and asked, "How is the person you were told to investigate? Is it a Deity from another Pantheon, or a Demon from Hell!"
"No," the Agent replied.
"Then who is he?" Loki raised his Eyebrow, gripping the Scepter tightly, his Finger knuckles turning pale.
"Tang Song, New York's youngest Billionaire, the founder of Tang Group, and also the largest Underworld Boss in the Federation!"
The Agent answered honestly! "I didn't expect there to be an existence of this level on Midgard. However, only a Brute would use Strength mindlessly; smart people use their minds to plot. As long as the Chitauri Fleet breaks through the blockade..."
Loki muttered to himself, straightening his back again, and asked the Agent, "What is the relationship between that Tang Song and S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
"Not particularly good."
The Agent replied truthfully, "Nick Fury is very wary of him!"
"Is that so..."
Loki narrowed his Eyes, squeezed the Scepter, and decided, "Go retrieve that Iridium Metal. As long as the Chitauri Army reaches Midgard, this realm will have only one King!"
(end of chapter)