At Death's Door

The bright, spacious conference room held an oval meeting table.

Steve Rogers sat down and placed his shield beside the leg of his chair.

Natasha sat back in her chair, her gaze fixed on Nick Fury.

Hawkeye silently adjusted his bowstring, his fingers brushing over the arrowheads as he inspected them, his attention on Nick Fury.

Bruce Banner looked around at everyone, confusion on his face as he turned toward Nick Fury at the head of the oval conference table.

Thor wore black armor, a scarlet cape draped down his back to his heels. He stood proudly to one side, gripping Mjolnir's handle, his anxious eyes steady as he waited for Nick Fury to reveal Loki's location.

The Iron Man Armor stood to one side as piece after piece detached from Tony Stark. Tony Stark, dressed in a suit, calmly stepped out, while the armor behind him gave off faint clicking sounds as it reassembled completely and stood in a corner.

Tony Stark swept his gaze over the others, pressing his fingertips against the clean white tabletop. "Nick, stop keeping us in suspense. We're all here. As for that brat, I kicked him over to your logistics department."

Nick Fury swept his gaze across everyone in the conference room and said:

"I know every one of you is exceptionally capable, but this time is different. We are very likely facing an invasion by extraterrestrial forces.

First.

Thor, when you hear Loki's true identity later, I need you not to run off after him immediately. You and I both know that Loki has the Mind Scepter. Alone, you are no longer a match for him. On the contrary, you would only fall into Loki's hands and ruin our plans to deal with him."

Nick Fury turned to look at the anxious