The world had begun to shift. The power struggle in New York had left its mark, but something far greater loomed on the horizon.
Alexander could feel it.
Something was coming.
The underground SHIELD research facility trembled as alarms blared through the halls. Scientists scrambled to their stations, trying to stabilize containment procedures as the air pulsed with an eerie, unnatural energy. The very walls seemed to hum with a deep vibration, as though responding to a force beyond comprehension.
In the heart of the chaos, Nick Fury stood before the glowing cube—the Tesseract. The artifact pulsed violently, radiating unstable energy patterns far beyond anything SHIELD had predicted. Something had activated it.
Dr. Erik Selvig, the lead researcher on the project, frantically typed on his console, sweat beading down his forehead. "Director, we have a problem! The Tesseract—it's responding to something! It's opening a portal!"
Fury's eye narrowed as a sudden vortex of blue energy tore through the space before them. The swirling mass of energy expanded, creating a rip in reality itself. The sheer force of it knocked over equipment, sending scientists stumbling away from their stations.
And then—he stepped through.
A tall, armored figure with piercing green eyes and a knowing smirk. Loki.
The Asgardian trickster stepped through the portal with effortless grace, his golden horns gleaming under the harsh artificial lights. The golden staff in his grip pulsed with an ominous glow. He barely gave them time to react before he struck.
With a single motion, SHIELD agents were thrown aside like ragdolls, their bodies crashing into walls and equipment. The energy from his staff warped the air around him, twisting and bending space itself.
Fury barely had time to draw his weapon before Loki's staff shot forward, knocking him back. The Director crashed against a steel console, groaning as sparks flew from a ruptured power line nearby.
Loki's smirk widened as he turned toward the Tesseract, the artifact gleaming in his presence. He reached out, feeling its energy resonate with his own power. "This world is already lost," he mused, his voice silky yet filled with a dangerous certainty. "You simply do not know it yet."
With a single motion, he seized the cube. The moment his fingers curled around it, the facility erupted into chaos.
The storm had begun.
From a rooftop overlooking the city, Alexander Carter felt it.
A shift in the very fabric of the world, an unnatural ripple that sent a shiver down his spine. He closed his eyes, reaching into the abyss, allowing the shadows to whisper their secrets to him.
Something powerful had entered this world.
Noctis materialized beside him, his presence silent but heavy. "You felt that too, didn't you?"
Alexander's violet eyes opened, gleaming in the moonlight. "Yes. Something is coming. And it's not just another war between men."
Vasili stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "SHIELD is moving. The world's governments are shifting into a state of panic. Whatever happened, it's big."
Alexander exhaled, his mind already working. Loki. The Tesseract. The beginning of the invasion.
His knowledge of this world's events gave him an advantage, but now, he had to decide—would he stand by and let history play out, or would he interfere?
For the first time since arriving in this world, he was at a crossroads.
The weight of the decision pressed on him. If he interfered too soon, he could draw too much attention from forces beyond even SHIELD's understanding. If he waited too long, the world would suffer.
And he wasn't sure yet where he truly belonged.
Back in the Helicarrier, Nick Fury was already assembling his response. The command room was alive with urgency, screens flashing red alerts, incoming reports flooding in.
Loki had the Tesseract. SHIELD had suffered massive losses. But they still had one option.
"Get me Romanoff. Get me Barton. And bring in Stark, Banner, and Rogers."
Maria Hill gave a slow nod, her posture rigid. "We're doing this, then?"
Fury's expression darkened. "We're assembling the Avengers."
Coulson hesitated, adjusting his earpiece. "And what about Carter?"
Fury remained silent for a long moment before responding. "Leave him for now. If he moves against us, then we deal with him."
Hill's brow furrowed. "And if he moves with us?"
Fury exhaled, rubbing his temple. "Then we keep him in check. He's unpredictable, and that makes him a liability."
Hill nodded, but she wasn't convinced. Deep down, she knew Carter wouldn't just sit this one out.
As the night stretched on, Alexander remained still, his thoughts swirling in the abyss.
He knew what was coming. The Chitauri. The destruction of New York. The arrival of gods and monsters.
But what was his role in all of this?
Would he remain in the shadows, watching as events unfolded? Or would he step into the chaos and shape the battle himself?
The cold wind brushed against his face, the city lights glowing beneath him. He had built a life in this world, carved a name for himself. But now, this was no longer about control. It was about survival.
The gods were coming.
And if Alexander wanted to survive them, he needed to be stronger.
As the winds howled around him, he made his choice.
The shadows thickened, wrapping around him like a cloak.
He would not remain idle.
The world had changed, and it was time for him to make his move.
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