Chapter Nineteen: A Conversation with Loki

The Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant is situated along the Hudson River in Westchester County, approximately thirty-nine kilometers from New York City. This power station is capable of supplying electricity to two million households, accounting for a quarter of the power supply for both New York City and Westchester County.

At present, the plant has encountered an anomaly: a significant portion of its output energy was abruptly siphoned away. The personnel in charge had already begun to initiate emergency procedures and were preparing for evacuation, but then the plant’s power output returned to normal. The crew is currently investigating whether the issue lies with faulty monitoring equipment or with the power station itself.

...

"Loki, who is the presence behind you? What is his true purpose? And where have you hidden the Cosmic Cube?" Originally, Dr. Banner had pinpointed the Cube’s approximate location, but a sudden explosion not only caused the scanning data to be lost, but also sent Banner, transformed into the Hulk, plummeting from the ship. Thus, Fury had no choice but to turn his attention to Loki.

"Why should I tell you—someone who won’t even let me read a magazine?" Loki looked at Fury with a smile, and as Fury’s brows knit, about to speak, Loki interrupted him: "Threats are meaningless to me. What role are you assuming as you talk to me now?"

"Thor, he’s yours," Fury rolled his eyes. Though Loki had committed many wrongs, if he truly was being controlled, harsh measures might only earn Asgard’s displeasure.

Thor looked at Loki with excitement. "Tell us, brother. I knew you weren’t really like this."

"And what kind of person am I?" Loki cut off Thor, his tone sharp. "Cruel? Cunning? Ruthless? Sorry, that’s exactly who I am. And the one beside you is no different."

Thor was momentarily at a loss, recalling their argument in the lab. But he knew the greatest danger now lay with the invading Chitauri army. "Brother, just tell me, and I’ll grant you one request."

"Oh?" Loki gave Thor a look of interest. "If I said I wanted the throne, then?"

"Don’t test me, brother!" Thor clenched his fists impatiently. "The throne isn’t mine to give, nor should it be ours to decide. If you truly wish to be a king, you must learn what it means to become one."

Loki rolled his eyes, mocking, "So Odin’s banishing you to Midgard actually taught you how to be a king?"

"That’s right, brother. My time in Midgard showed me that a king must protect his people, even at the cost of his own life," Thor explained earnestly to Loki. "Not bring them war. Tell me, Loki, and I will beg our father to forgive your crimes."

...

"Is your mercy truly accepted by your people?" Loki looked from Fury to Thor. "It seems you’ve got your answer."

Thor was about to speak, but Loki cut him off again. "Since my foolish brother still chooses to protect those he doesn’t wish to protect, I see no reason not to tell you."

...

Atanis helped Barton regain his senses and quietly left the room. Before departing, Natasha handed him an earpiece for communication.

After dealing with the remaining affected agents, Atanis entered the command center.

Tony was there with Steve, waiting for the others. Earlier, while repairing the ship’s damaged engine, his armor had suffered heavy damage and he was now biding his time for news from the rest.

"You’re here, Atanis." Steve greeted him first as he entered. In this battle, Tony had shown his courage, and with the effects of magic gone, the tension between Steve and Tony had eased.

"So, did little Bambi tell the truth?" Tony asked, knowing Atanis had gone to lift the curse from Loki.

"I’m not sure yet. Thor and Fury are questioning him," Atanis shook his head. As he spoke, Fury entered with Thor and Loki.

"Director Fury? What’s going on?" Steve instinctively picked up his shield upon seeing Loki.

"No need to be nervous, everyone. Loki is here to give us information. Afterwards, I’ll arrange for him to stay at a five-star hotel," Fury said helplessly. Regardless of his crimes, Loki is an Asgardian, and for diplomatic reasons, he could not be held captive any longer.

Loki turned to Steve with a wicked grin. "Relax, soldier. I won’t do anything. After all, the scepter isn’t in my hands now, is it?"

At the mention of the scepter, Fury and the others immediately looked at Atanis. Since Atanis had restored everyone’s minds, the scepter had remained in his hands.

Atanis nodded. "This scepter originally belonged to the Protoss, but it was stolen. One reason I came to Midgard was to retrieve it."

Fury’s mouth twitched, unsure what to say, but Tony quickly responded, "The scepter isn’t important right now. Hurry and tell us where you hid the Cosmic Cube."

...

Upon receiving the specific location, the S.H.I.E.L.D. ship began heading that way. Tony suited up and flew back to Stark Tower—his current armor couldn’t support further combat and needed to be replaced with the newest set.

Steve and his group piloted the Quinjet ahead toward the destination, while Thor and Atanis flew there themselves.

As for Loki, S.H.I.E.L.D. could only assign personnel to protect and monitor him, settling him in a hotel reserved for diplomatic guests, complete with magazines and gourmet cuisine. Loki dined and glanced at magazines, utterly indifferent to the imminent war.

The Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant staff, after investigating, found no issues and could only suspect a fault in the detection system. At that moment, they received notification from S.H.I.E.L.D. ordering immediate evacuation from the vicinity.

Thor and Atanis were the first to arrive, discovering Dr. Selvig beside a device near the power station.

A column of blue light shot skyward, opening a modest portal above the nuclear plant. Swarms of Chitauri soldiers poured forth. Atanis and Thor tried to attack the device to shut the portal, but its energy shield easily repelled their strikes. A battle was inevitable.

Fortunately, there were no inhabitants within ten kilometers of the plant. Unfortunately, the power station was not far from New York City; should a leak occur, the entire Manhattan area would become a radiated wasteland.