A While Ago – Central Park, New York City
The park had been completely cleared. Not a single bystander remained.
Iron Man had just completed the handoff with Penguin Logistics, now carrying a secure case containing the Tesseract as he walked towards a corner of the park.
On the other side, Thor and Steve Rogers escorted their prisoner—Loki.
Thor, responsible for Loki's transfer, walked on his left, while Captain America stood guard on his right.
Their caution was evident—they were determined to prevent Loki from pulling any last-minute tricks.
Loki remained tightly restrained in the bindings designed by Kagura Hitomi.
It was an impressive device.
Using a vibranium framework, it locked down every joint and muscle point capable of exerting force.
Once applied, it was inescapable unless the captive possessed strength exceeding the design's limits.
Science, logic, physics, and mathematics had combined to create an unbreakable restraint.
The trio known as "Shield, Hammer, and Iron Suit" gathered in the open clearing of the park.
"Do you have the Tesseract?" Thor asked.
"Right here," Tony Stark lifted the case slightly. "You should be thanking us. If not for us, you wouldn't be taking your charming little brother back to Asgard."
"Indeed. I owe you my gratitude," Thor nodded. "Loki is a prince of Asgard. No matter what he has done, it is Asgard that must judge him fairly and justly."
"I get it," Stark said. "Keeping a so-called 'god' locked up on Earth would be a logistical nightmare. So take your brother and head home."
"Thank you for understanding," Thor said.
"I assure you, every crime Loki has committed on Earth—every life he has taken—will be accounted for in his trial. Asgard will not be unjust."
"Great, then I suppose this is goodbye," Tony said, giving a small wave. "By the way, does your 'Rainbow Bridge' work on demand?"
"Yes. Heimdall, its guardian, can see everything across the Nine Realms and open the bridge whenever needed."
In this version of reality, it seemed Asgard's Bifrost Bridge had not been destroyed during Loki and Thor's earlier conflict.
How Loki had ended up drifting in the dark corners of space remained unknown.
Perhaps it was another case of the butterfly effect shaping the world's course.
"Oh, and one more thing—hand over the Tesseract," Thor added. "It must be safeguarded in Asgard. It's far too dangerous to remain on Earth."
"About that…" Tony tilted his head. "Don't you think the Tesseract should stay here, under the Avengers' protection?"
"It's been on Earth for centuries—it belongs to humanity. I don't have the right to just hand it over to Asgard."
"Stark." Thor frowned. "Humans should not wield power they cannot control. The Tesseract will only bring you catastrophe. You will gain nothing from it."
"I agree with that sentiment," Tony admitted, "but I don't believe humanity will never be ready for it."
Tony always saw further than most. He could envision the future beyond what others considered possible.
He tapped the Arc Reactor in his chest.
"For example, this was inspired by the Tesseract."
"It's a crucial step in human progress, a key to overcoming the Fermi Paradox's great filter. You can't just take away our chance to advance and tell us it's for our own good."
"Tony!" Steve Rogers interjected. "We shouldn't keep something this dangerous on Earth. Give the Tesseract to Thor. Keeping it away from Earth is best for everyone."
"Really, Steve? You think so too?" Tony gestured at him.
"Maybe we can't control it now, but we have the right to keep it until we can. No matter what, it should be Earth's decision."
"Tony, I've seen what happens when people try to 'control' it," Steve said. "Don't play with fire."
"If we can't control it now, then giving it to Asgard is the right choice."
"Steve, listen," Tony said, holding his ground. "I don't want to claim the Tesseract for myself."
"But I don't think we have the right to make this decision for all of humanity. You spent seventy years as an ice cube—the world has changed, old man."
The argument escalated.
Loki, meanwhile, watched with amusement.
If one thing was certain, it was that patience would always reveal the Avengers' weaknesses.
A group of heroes with vastly different abilities, no real unifying force, and no single leader to hold them together—cracks were inevitable.
Now was his chance.
Summoning the power of the Casket of Ancient Winters, Loki began to chill the restraints on his back.
No machine, no matter how advanced, remained durable at near-absolute zero. And as a Frost Giant, Loki was immune to the extreme cold.
Until now, he had been under constant surveillance—either locked in containment or watched closely by Thor.
Even if he had broken free before, he would have only been recaptured and placed under even tighter security.
But now, things were different.
As the Avengers' argument grew more heated, Loki shattered the frozen restraints and prepared to make his move.
"No matter what, keeping the Tesseract on Earth will bring endless disaster! You can't handle the cost of using it!" Thor said, visibly frustrated.
"Oh really? But it's been here for so long—it belongs to this planet," Tony countered.
"Human civilization will need it to progress. Our future lies in the stars. We can't stay trapped on this planet forever."
Tony's voice was unwavering. "I won't hand over humanity's hope just to accept Asgard's protection. We are not livestock or pets under your care!"
Thor sighed. "Firstly, the Tesseract originally belonged to Asgard before you ever found it."
"Secondly, you and Nick Fury both only want it to gain more power. Stark, you cannot—"
'BOOM—!'
Before he could finish, Loki made his move—breaking free and striking Tony in the chest with a powerful kick.
The case containing the Tesseract tumbled to the ground.
"Loki?!" Thor recovered quickly, gripping Mjolnir. "What are you doing?!"
"Oh, my dear brother." Loki grinned, his signature smirk returning. "Did you really think I had no other tricks up my sleeve?"
He raised the Casket of Ancient Winters and crushed it in his hands. "You remember this, don't you? A relic of Jotunheim."
"But after drifting through the darkness of space for so long, I realized—it's just a toy."
A freezing storm erupted as the Casket shattered.
"If I can't use your people to open a portal, I'll have to discard this little trinket. After all, I have a planet to conquer."
Captain America instinctively leaped back to avoid becoming a human popsicle—again.
"Loki, stop!" Thor swung Mjolnir, but the freezing wind forced him back.
"It's too late, my dear brother."
Loki hurled the shattered remains of the Casket toward the Tesseract.
"Let me introduce you—to my army!"
The explosive collision of immense power created a massive portal, stretching across the entire New York sky.
The unstable gateway wouldn't last long—but it was large enough to summon the full force of the Chitauri fleet.
"Oh, great," Steve muttered as he pulled himself up from the icy debris, looking up at the darkened sky.
"We're in big trouble."