Three hundred meters underground, at the Joint Dark Matter Research Institute.
On a specially constructed experimental table, the increasingly unstable Cosmic Cube emitted a blinding blue light, continuously releasing gamma rays into the surrounding environment.
Nick Fury, Hawkeye, and Dr. Selvig all looked grim, their expressions clouded with confusion as they discussed the growing problem.
Then, without warning, the Cosmic Cube detonated. The ground shook violently, dirt and debris falling from the ceiling. At the same time, a burst of blue energy shot out from the Cube, solidifying more than ten meters away.
A time-space tunnel rapidly formed.
Out of it stepped the Trickster God himself—Loki. Holding a scepter in his hand, his piercing gaze carried an unmistakable cunning glint, the corners of his mouth curled in amusement.
Without so much as a greeting, Loki immediately raised his scepter and fired energy blasts in all directions, effortlessly knocking down the surrounding researchers. He then strode toward the Cosmic Cube.
Hawkeye reacted instantly, drawing his pistol to stop the intruder. But Loki was faster. With a flick of his scepter, a burst of energy struck Hawkeye square in the chest.
Hawkeye's vision darkened. His body relaxed as all resistance drained from him. His will was no longer his own—he had fallen under the control of the Mind Stone embedded within Loki's scepter.
Nick Fury attempted to reach the Cosmic Cube first, but before he could, Hawkeye turned his weapon on him. A gunshot echoed in the collapsing underground lab.
Nick Fury was hit in the chest. He staggered, then fell motionless to the ground, his fate uncertain.
Loki wasted no time. Snatching up the Cosmic Cube, he turned to Dr. Selvig and placed the scepter against his chest. Another flash of energy. Selvig's expression went blank. He, too, was now under Loki's control.
With his new subordinates, Loki departed from the underground research facility, which was now seconds away from collapsing under the Cube's energy eruption.
Had Luke witnessed this scene, he would have been shocked—Loki was far more decisive than in the original timeline. No unnecessary words. No wasted movements. The entire sequence of events had deviated from the expected script.
---
"The third ignition test of the nuclear fusion reactor is beginning…"
Luke had been expecting Nick Fury's call, but it still came sooner than anticipated. At that moment, he was in his lab, commanding a team of S.H.I.E.L.D. engineers as they worked on a nuclear fusion experiment.
"I need you. Where are you?" Nick Fury's voice was unusually serious.
So it's finally happening… Loki has arrived.
Luke smirked inwardly.
"This is the second time you've come to me," he said.
Nick Fury didn't hesitate. "One hundred kilograms of secondary adamantium."
Luke's expression didn't change, but inwardly, he was grinning. "Deliver it first. I need it to upgrade my mech."
"Done." Nick Fury was in no mood to negotiate. "I'm sending someone to pick you up. Get here as soon as you're ready."
"Got it."
Fury hung up in a hurry. Even over the call, Luke could hear the chaos on Fury's end—S.H.I.E.L.D. must have been thrown into complete disarray after losing the Cosmic Cube.
Luke turned his attention back to the team working on the fusion reactor. Their pace was frustratingly slow. He needed to accelerate this experiment.
Less than half an hour later, Nick Fury's people delivered the 100 kilograms of secondary adamantium. Their efficiency was impressive.
They also left behind a liaison officer to transport Luke to the meeting point once he was ready. It was clear—Fury was in a rush.
Luke had his men transfer the adamantium to his private hangar, where his War Lord mech stood silently, awaiting upgrades.
Once the S.H.I.E.L.D. operatives had left, he issued a command. "Ross, start processing the molten metal immediately."
Ross, his AI assistant, acknowledged the order.
The lowest-tier hardener had already been successfully tested, with multiple experiments proving its effectiveness. Any metal infused with it would gain significantly increased durability. The more common the metal, the greater the enhancement.
For example:
Ordinary steel saw a fourfold increase in strength.
Titanium alloy improved by 268%.
Even adamantium, though already incredibly durable, became nearly 90% stronger.
Luke had tested this enhancement with the previous batch of lower-grade adamantium alloy. After reinforcement, its hardness was staggering, nearly matching pure adamantium in protective capability. It was no longer the cheap, inferior variant it once was.
And now, with this new batch, he was about to turn 100 kilograms of secondary adamantium into near-pure adamantium.
"The conversion process will be completed in 10 minutes," Ross reported.
"Perfect." Luke smirked. "Let's call this reinforced alloy 'Super Pseudo-Adamant.'"
Anusika sighed. "General, when will your naming skills improve?"
Behind her, the Four Roses—Anusika, Olivia, Esmeralda, and Rozanna—stood observing the hangar, their eyes locked onto the assembly dock above.
Aside from Luke, they were the only ones allowed inside this space. Suspended in the dock were four mechs, nearing completion.
With his experience designing Spider-1, Ross had thoroughly mastered the design blueprints for the Tornado aerial combat mechs. These four units were custom Tornado Mods, each tailored for the Four Roses.
At a glance, they looked nearly identical—about 80% similar in appearance. But closer inspection revealed key differences in their builds.
Each mech was fine-tuned to match its pilot's combat style:
Anusika & Olivia (Commandos)
Equipped with mech-grade firearms and plasma sabers.
The plasma sabers were a byproduct of the Curry Stick Project, functioning as invisible blades of pure plasma.
Their mechs specialized in close-quarters combat.
Rozanna (Shotgunner)
Armed with an M-3 flamethrower and a missile launcher.
Designed for mid-to-long-range fire support.
Esmeralda (Grenadier)
Modeled after Luke's original Tornado design.
Fitted with multiple grenade launchers, firing third-generation improved grenades—enhanced from second-gen electric and freezing grenades.
Her mech functioned like a battlefield bomber.
Each mech was controlled via joystick and pedals, with AI-assisted targeting.
Though the Four Roses were infantry by trade, Luke had ensured their training in mech operation. They would be more than capable in live combat.
"Ross, what's the status of the Lion Project?" Luke asked as he inspected the nearly completed mechs.
"Theoretically, it's feasible, Master. However, time is running short."
"Continue development. Equip it the moment it's ready."
"Yes, Master."
"Also, speed up production of Alpocles…" Luke muttered.
Loki's sudden arrival had forced his hand.
His Spider-Sense tingled—a warning that this battle for New York wouldn't be as straightforward as expected. Something had changed. The plot had deviated.
The artificial sun project would take at least another 24 hours to assemble. Its shell was finished, infused with Holy Light. But the fusion reactor needed to ignite it was still incomplete.
A full-scale battle was imminent. Thousands—perhaps tens of thousands—of Chitauri warriors would soon descend on the city like a relentless tide.
Luke needed an ace up his sleeve.
Alpocles, once completed, could heal allies and enhance their physical capabilities—a battlefield-altering force. Like the weather cards in Gwent, it could shift the tide of war.
A strategic weapon capable of changing the very environment of battle.
Few on Earth could accomplish such a feat.
But Luke would.
And when the battle came, he would be ready.
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