"When the blue beam of light descends upon New York, it is our Lord who opens a passage to the world of all things."
"For us, this is an opportunity to change our destiny."
"Pick up the weapons in your hands. Anyone who stands in your way is your enemy."
"Whether you aspire to wield extraordinary power or resign yourself to mediocrity, you must fight here and now."
Inside an empty, abandoned factory, a large number of teenagers, no older than sixteen or seventeen, gathered in tense silence. All eyes were fixed on former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Riel, who stood on a makeshift high platform, holding a pale golden crystal ball. Its faint glow bathed him in an eerie light, making his figure seem larger than life.
Agent Riel's face was twisted in a fervent expression as he shouted his intoxicating rhetoric. With every word, the crystal ball emitted weak ripples that radiated outward, their influence palpable. It wasn't just light emanating from the artifact—it seemed to resonate with the emotions of those present, amplifying their fears, hopes, and ambitions.
Below him, the group of teenagers began to stir, their faces alight with a mixture of anticipation and fervor. Among them, however, were a few S.H.I.E.L.D. operatives masquerading as part of the crowd. These young agents held blue-glowing gems, their faint light forming a protective aura around them, shielding them from the full brunt of the crystal ball's influence. Their expressions mirrored the fanaticism of their peers, but their eyes betrayed their calculated detachment.
Occasionally, their gazes flickered toward a charred corpse lying near the factory entrance. The burned remains served as a grim reminder of the consequences of defying Riel. Though inexperienced, the agents were resolute; they had been sent to uncover Riel's plan and expose Loki's schemes.
But Riel, once their colleague, had succumbed to Loki's sway, becoming little more than a pawn in his game. Now, he sought to mold these reckless teenagers into cannon fodder for an assault on the mysterious World of All Things.
Riel raised the crystal ball high. "The great god Loki has gifted us the chance to rise above the ordinary! Seize this opportunity. Fight without hesitation, for hesitation is the enemy of greatness!"
The crystal ball shimmered, its light pulsating in rhythm with Riel's words. It was more than a symbol of power; it was a weapon. Earlier, when a rebellious teenager had attempted to shoot Riel, the ball had effortlessly deflected the bullet before releasing a laser beam that reduced the assailant to ash. That single moment had cemented Riel's authority and silenced any dissent.
From pistols to grenades, weapons had been distributed among the crowd. The teenagers clung to them, their fingers trembling on the triggers. The atmosphere was taut, the line between belief and fear blurred.
As Riel's voice rose in fervor, the pale golden crystal ball in his hand began to vibrate. Its glow intensified, shifting hues from gold to blue in seconds. The ripples it emitted grew stronger, spreading outward like waves in a storm.
"The passage is opening!" Riel exclaimed, his voice carrying over the murmurs of the crowd. "Prepare yourselves! The future lies beyond this beam of light. Will you be a dragon or a worm? Prove yourselves now!"
Before the crowd could react, a massive blue beam descended from the factory ceiling, casting an otherworldly glow over the scene. Without hesitation, Riel sprinted toward the beam, the crystal ball reverting to its golden hue as he entered. His audacity ignited a chain reaction, and the crowd surged forward, desperate not to be left behind.
The undercover S.H.I.E.L.D. agents hung back, exchanging wary glances. As the last teenager disappeared into the light, their leader activated a communicator. "Director Coulson, all subjects have entered the unknown portal. We suspect it leads to the World of All Things. Awaiting further instructions."
Coulson's calm yet firm voice came through the line. "Acknowledged. Mission parameters remain clear. Task one: send an agent through the portal to confirm the destination. Task two: secure the area and neutralize anyone exiting the beam. Use non-lethal force."
"Understood," the agent replied, nodding to a muscular colleague. "Pierre, you're up. Scout the destination and return immediately."
Pierre hesitated only for a moment before stepping into the beam, weapon at the ready. The others formed a defensive perimeter around the glowing portal, their hands tight on their tranquilizer guns.
Vientiane World
In the bustling streets of the trading district, Wanda Maximoff stood at the center, her purple wand gripped tightly. Her expression was a mix of focus and anticipation. Reports had warned of an impending attack, likely involving waves of cannon fodder manipulated into serving an unknown master.
Her mission was clear: protect the Vientiane World , minimize damage, and avoid unnecessary casualties. Killing was forbidden, even under dire circumstances. Wanda's mentor, Lockhart, had emphasized restraint, knowing that any reckless action could jeopardize their already precarious position.
A sudden disturbance broke her train of thought. In the middle of the street, a massive blue vortex materialized. Out of it poured dozens of armed teenagers, their faces filled with a strange mix of desperation and fervor.
"Is this… the Vientiane World ?" one of them shouted, his voice tinged with awe.
"Yes! Grab whatever you can!" another hollered, his gun raised as he fired indiscriminately at nearby shop windows.
Bullets ricocheted harmlessly off glowing barriers that shielded the storefronts. Magical defenses, meticulously maintained, rendered the attackers' efforts futile. Yet the chaos grew as more intruders emerged, their frenzy escalating.
Wanda waved her wand, muttering an incantation. A pale golden barrier shimmered into existence around her. She turned to her fellow sorcerers. "Focus on defense. Use stun and containment spells—nothing lethal!"
Her words were met with determined nods as the apprentices moved to intercept the intruders. Scarlet beams of light shot from their wands, striking down attackers one by one. Yet, the teenagers continued their reckless charge, some even tossing grenades in desperation.
Explosions echoed through the streets, but the enchanted barriers held firm. As the smoke cleared, Wanda's eyes scanned the crowd, her heart heavy. These were mere children, manipulated into risking their lives for an unworthy cause.
She whispered, almost to herself, "Loki… what have you done?"
New York Temple
Lockhart stood in the grand hall, surveying the unconscious bodies of intruders scattered across the floor. His mind raced with questions. What was Loki's endgame? The attack on the Vientiane World was clearly a distraction, but for what purpose?
"Kaecilius," Lockhart said, turning to his companion, "if you were Loki or Mephisto, where would you strike next?"
Kaecilius hesitated, then replied, "The New York Temple is a likely target. Disrupting it could destabilize the global magical defense array, leaving Earth vulnerable to invasion."
Lockhart nodded, his thoughts aligning with Kaecilius's analysis. But something didn't add up. Why deploy cannon fodder for such an elaborate scheme?
His musings were interrupted by a sudden burst of light outside the temple doors. The vibrant colors of the Bifröst danced across the courtyard.
The doors burst open, and a familiar figure strode inside. Clad in golden armor and a crimson cape, Mjolnir in hand, stood Thor.
"Lockhart," the god of thunder bellowed, "long time no see!"
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