There are two kinds of fools in the world.
The first kind are those born with limited intelligence true fools, by nature or misfortune.
The second kind, however, are far more dangerous. They believe themselves to be clever, yet every step they take drips with stupidity.
Loki, god of mischief and chaos, belonged firmly in the second category and perhaps, in his own special way, he was the only one of his kind.
It wasn't merely that his schemes often failed; it was that he sabotaged everything and everyone around him his father, his mother, even his own brother. A fool by arrogance, a genius only in self-destruction.
What made it worse was his belief that he was the smartest being in the room.
As Nolan Locke gave him a look that could only be described as "concern for the mentally challenged," Loki's face twitched in irritation.
Once again, the urge to kill rose within him.
But Loki prided himself on being a rational man or so he liked to think. He forced the rage down. Everything had to follow his plan. He still needed time.
Nolan's earlier words left everyone uneasy.
On one hand, his logic made perfect sense. On the other, the conclusion was unsettling: Earth's safety depended entirely on powers far beyond its control.
Tony Stark didn't say anything at first.
Only after Loki was locked up and the others had dispersed did he pull Nolan aside for a private talk.
"So tell me," Tony asked, his tone sharp, "why do you think Odin wouldn't dare invade Earth?"
That was what had caught his attention the one line no one else had noticed.
Nolan smirked, his gaze turning toward the distant horizon, where the hidden sanctuary of Kamar-Taj lay unseen.
"Not long ago," he began, "I met a very powerful sorcerer the Sorcerer Supreme."
His voice carried just enough weight to grab Tony's full attention. Nolan didn't bother to mention the rest of that memory the part where that "very powerful sorcerer" had terrified him beyond measure.
Ignoring Tony's puzzled and skeptical expression, Nolan went on.
"Based on the information I've gathered, there's been an unbroken line of protectors watching over this planet. They're called the Sorcerer Supremes. Their order has existed for centuries, passing down the knowledge of magic through generations. And along with that power, they've carried one sacred duty: to guard Earth against cosmic invasions."
He paused for effect, then continued quietly, "And this generation's Sorcerer Supreme is said to be the strongest in history. As long as she's alive, no god, no alien, no demon can threaten this world."
Tony blinked, completely thrown off.
Of all the possibilities he'd calculated, this wasn't one of them. He had considered weapons, political manipulation, maybe secret government projects but not… wizards.
"If that's true," Tony muttered under his breath, "then what the hell kind of world am I living in?"
Nolan shrugged lightly. "Same world as before just a little bigger than you thought."
As he spoke, his eyes darted around, as though half-expecting the Ancient One to appear out of thin air. The thought alone sent a shiver down his spine.
Of all the beings Nolan had encountered gods, soldiers, monsters none unnerved him like her.
She could twist reality itself, pull him into mirror dimensions with a flick of her wrist. Against that kind of power, even his most advanced technology was useless.
Good thing, he thought, this body's just an android shell.
But even that thought gave him little comfort.
Because with someone like the Ancient One, even thinking too loudly might give her insight into all his possible futures.
It was a terrifying notion.
Still, for Tony, Nolan's words opened a door to a new perspective.
He wouldn't believe it blindly but he would investigate.
History always leaves traces. If these "protectors of Earth" truly existed, Tony would find proof. And if Nolan could discover them, then so could he.
He didn't trust anyone else but he did trust his own intellect.
And if the world really was protected by some mystical guardian, then maybe, just maybe, he could afford to push his experiments a little further.
Somewhere far away, in the ancient halls of Kamar-Taj, the Ancient One smiled faintly as she gazed through dimensions at Nolan's location.
"Such an intriguing young man," she murmured.
At that exact moment, aboard the Helicarrier, Loki was locked inside a transparent containment cell.
He looked around with mild amusement.
"This cage," he remarked, "doesn't look like it was built for ordinary prisoners."
His gaze shifted toward Bruce Banner.
"If I'm not mistaken, this was designed to hold… the other guy, wasn't it?"
Bruce's expression tightened.
Of course he knew the truth. The reinforced cell equipped with a drop mechanism wasn't for Loki. It was meant for him, in case the Hulk ever lost control.
If he ever went berserk, they could eject the entire cage mid-air and let him fall thousands of feet.
Even knowing that, hearing Loki say it aloud still stung.
Loki smiled, sensing the discomfort. He understood the fragility of human hearts better than anyone.
Once the others left, he closed his eyes and reached out with magic, whispering commands to his hidden pawn Hawkeye, already under his control.
The next day, Nolan entered the cell area.
"You look rather comfortable," he said with mild amusement. "So, tell me what's your ace? That scepter of yours?"
Loki's heart skipped, though his face stayed calm. He ignored the question.
Agent Coulson stepped forward nervously. "Dr. Locke, this area isn't safe for civilians "
"Oh?" Nolan interrupted, smiling faintly. "You mean it's not safe for outsiders to be here?"
Coulson hesitated. His silence said enough.
There was only one true outsider aboard this ship and he was standing right here.
Loki chuckled softly. "See, Doctor? You helped them capture me, and yet look how they treat you."
Nolan laughed. "Loki, your tricks are getting old."
Just then, Thor entered the room.
The moment their eyes met, Loki's expression shifted sharp, calculating.
He could see the anger radiating from his brother. And an enraged Thor was exactly what he needed.
Nolan glanced between them, his eyes glinting with hidden meaning. Then, without a word, he stepped out of the room.
He didn't go far. He stood just outside, listening.
Inside, Thor's voice thundered with fury, echoing through the metal halls.
Loki, in contrast, stayed eerily calm.
"Five… four… three… two…" he whispered under his breath.
At "zero," Thor slammed his fist down on the control console.
"Thor, wait!" Coulson shouted but too late.
The cell doors opened. Thor charged inside, swinging Mjolnir.
The doors immediately sealed behind him.
Coulson turned just in time to see Loki standing free his illusion flickering away like mist.
Before the agent could react, Loki thrust his scepter forward, the glowing tip aimed at his heart.
But before the strike could land, a figure moved between them Nolan.
The scepter struck armor instead of flesh, sparks flying.
Loki snarled as his strike was blocked.
Nolan smiled faintly. "I don't like many agents, but you're one of the lucky few."
Coulson exhaled shakily. "Thank you, Dr. Locke."
If Nolan had arrived half a second later, he would've been dead.
Turning to Loki, Nolan's smirk deepened. "Nicely done. Your brother's locked up. What's next?"
Inside the cell, Thor roared in rage, pounding against the reinforced walls but even a god couldn't break through that containment chamber immediately.
Loki sneered. "Unexpected interruptions aside, the plan is already in motion. You can't stop it, Nolan Locke."
He slammed his hand on the release control. The bottom hatch opened, and Thor's cell plummeted into the clouds below.
By the time anyone reacted, Loki had vanished.
Nolan sighed. "Stop him? Why would I?"
If he had wanted to stop Loki, he could have done it long ago. But he hadn't.
Because he needed this invasion to happen.
Yes, it would cause chaos. People would die. But it would also awaken the world.
Only by facing the terror of the cosmos could humanity realize how small and how vulnerable it truly was.
This war, to him, was more than destruction. It was a lesson.
A large-scale drill for the coming era.
A thunderous explosion rocked the Helicarrier.
The ship tilted as fire tore through one of its engines. Hawkeye swooped in from outside, his eyes cold, his arrows striking with deadly precision.
Down the corridor, Loki marched calmly, his scepter gleaming.
At a junction, he came face to face with Bruce Banner.
For one brief second, both men froze. Then Bruce's body began to tremble.
"Raaaah!"
The Hulk burst free, roaring in fury.
Loki's grin widened.
"Perfect."
He tapped the Hulk's chest with the glowing scepter. The light flared and the monster's eyes glazed over.
Moments later, Hulk's fists smashed through steel walls, tearing the ship apart as if it were made of paper.
Loki's laughter echoed through the chaos.
"Now then," he said, smiling wickedly, "let the fun begin."
By the time Tony and the others arrived, the scene was mayhem.
Seeing the Hulk standing beside Loki, Tony blurted out, "You've got to be kidding me. He brainwashed the Hulk? How the hell do we fight that?"
No one had an answer.
They all froze.
Except the Hulk.
"Smash!"
The monster charged, roaring as battle erupted once more.
And somewhere, far above the chaos, Nolan watched it unfold, a faint smile on his face.
It had begun the first true war of Earth's new age.
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