Converging Plotlines

Nick Fury stood in his secret research facility, staring at the mysterious energy cube placed on the platform—the Tesseract. He understood the Tesseract's potential and wanted to harness its power to protect Earth from threats. However, his decision was questioned by Dr. Erik Selvig.

"Damn it, the Tesseract's energy is still rising. It's getting out of control," Erik Selvig said.

The Tesseract burst forth with a brilliant glow, sending ripples spreading outward. Every object on the table was flung away and crashed onto the floor.

"Hey! Is everyone all right?" Nick Fury shouted.

"Y-yeah, I'm fine." Erik Selvig slowly got to his feet.

Just then, another powerful surge of energy erupted from the cube. A flash of intense light passed, and Loki appeared before Nick Fury. He wore magnificent Asgardian armor, exuding an imposing presence.

Loki looked at Nick Fury coldly and said mockingly, "Midgardian, you've always enjoyed wielding power, haven't you? It seems this gem has caught your eye as well."

Nick Fury's expression darkened. The unexpected visitor startled him, and he demanded, "Who are you?" At the same time, he slightly raised his arm.

The agents swiftly sprang into action, launching an attack in an attempt to subdue Loki. However, Loki displayed the strength of an Asgardian god. He nimbly evaded the agents' attacks and defeated them one by one with his magic.

Whoosh!

An arrow struck Loki's afterimage.

"Looks like there's another little rat." Loki smiled faintly and used magic to appear before Hawkeye while Hawkeye was caught off guard and unfamiliar with the situation. Loki grinned smugly and used the power of the scepter in his hand to control Hawkeye, forcing him to submit to his will. "It seems you have some skill. Then become my utterly loyal puppet before me."

Nick Fury burned with rage. He understood that if he did not act, Loki would take the Tesseract and bring enormous danger to Earth. He focused his mind, found an opening, and launched a decisive attack against Loki.

"Let's leave it at that for now. Consider it a small punishment." Loki gave a mysterious smile, then used the Mind Scepter to control the nearby agents. Taking the Tesseract, Dr. Erik Selvig, Hawkeye, and some controlled agents, he fled.

Nick Fury listened to the gunfire in the distance. Then, as the gunfire faded, Natasha arrived before him and asked bluntly, "Clint?"

"He's been controlled." Nick Fury recalled the scepter Loki had held in his hand.

"Then?" Natasha looked at the contemplative director.

"It's time to launch the Avengers Initiative."

Elsewhere, the departing Loki waved his scepter toward a certain spot. The controlled agents then raised their weapons toward a place where no one could be seen.

"You think your little trick can hide you from a god's gaze?" Loki looked contemptuously at that spot. "Stop hiding and show your lowly face before a god."

"Loki, and you call yourself a god?" An evil voice rang out. "If not for fear of attracting the Sanctum's attention..." A man in black mage robes and a mask waved both hands. A wormhole opened on each side of him, and two dark octopuses charged at Loki.

Loki's face instantly darkened. "Black Magic? Are you here to seize the Infinity Stones as well?" At the same time, he swung the Mind Scepter, and the agents raised their weapons and opened fire.

Bullets rained densely upon the octopuses. They let out pained shrieks, but layers of Dark Energy wrapped around them, blocking the agents' attacks. Loki calmly considered his options, knowing this battle was not to be underestimated.

Loki used his magical skills to release a powerful energy wave, knocking one octopus back. However, the other still harassed him. Loki swiftly dodged and released a lightning sphere from his scepter, blowing off one of the octopus's tentacles.

The man in black mage robes sneered. "Loki, you're still as arrogantly self-righteous as ever. But you will never compare to the power of Black Magic."

"Who exactly are you?" Loki was deeply puzzled. This person seemed to know him, yet Loki had no memory of ever seeing him.

"Who I am isn't important. Do you crave power?" the mysterious man asked.

A cold smile curled across Loki's lips. "Black Magic or the power of gods, they are all merely tools to me. And I am the ruler of chaos and order."

As soon as he finished speaking, Loki unleashed a powerful energy wave that drove the man in black mage robes back. He controlled the agents with his scepter, making them continue attacking the octopuses.

Under the agents' combined assault, the octopuses gradually weakened and were ultimately completely defeated. Loki looked at the retreating mysterious man and said coldly, "Black Magic is not your true power in the end. You are merely a tool seduced by temptation."

"You will come looking for me again." The mysterious man smiled faintly, then vanished.

Enthusiastic applause rang out without end.

After an enthusiastic yet brief discussion, the members of the Baker Team, along with Baker himself, decided to have Quentin Beck play the superhero Mysterio.

"So?" Quentin Beck was both excited and at a loss, unsure of what to say or do.

Baker patted him on the shoulder and teased, "Now, throw away your past—everything you were—and begin a new life. The life of a superhero."

Quentin Beck nodded blankly, then a smile bloomed on his lips.

The excitement in Quentin Beck's heart was beyond words. He finally had a chance to become a superhero, save the world, and display his talents. He knew he would face a series of challenges and responsibilities, but he also believed he was capable of handling them.

The Baker Team members all congratulated Quentin Beck and encouraged him to shine in his new role. They were full of confidence in Quentin Beck and believed he would become a great superhero.

"Congratulations, Quentin! We look forward to seeing the talent you display as a superhero!" one member said excitedly.

Quentin Beck felt the team's support and encouragement, making his resolve even firmer. He took a deep breath and said with determined eyes, "I'll do my utmost to become a fearless protector and fight for justice!"

As Baker watched this scene, he could no longer hide the evil smile on his face.

"Tony Stark. Once my superhero Mysterio appears and begins to bloom into his own future, this world will no longer need you. But before that, I'll give you a little gift first."

"A Mysterio vs. Iron Man prequel gift."

Baker left the scene and headed for his laboratory. What he did not know was that, not far away, Translucent was watching him while invisible.

Smack! A file was thrown onto the desk by Nathan Hawke.

"This Baker actually dared to secretly withhold some of the weapons resources."

Wesker said coolly, "The salary the company gives him probably isn't enough for him."

"Huh? Wesker, I never thought you could make a deadpan joke." Nathan Hawke laughed. "It's at least enough money to buy five Iron Armor suits."

"After integrating Hammer Industries' resources, we can now begin steadily producing the Iron Legion, especially the Eisenach Armor powered by Eisenach Technology." Wesker used the remote in his hand to switch the data and footage displayed on the monitor.

"Dr. Ryoma Sengoku optimized certain elements in the reactor, making them more durable in practical use. But based on the footage we captured, the energy source Iron Man currently uses appears to be different." Wesker switched the screen, which displayed the extraordinary aspects of Iron Man's energy source.

Nathan Hawke nodded in satisfaction.

"Very good. When you handle things, I'm at ease. But as for Baker, leave him for now." Nathan Hawke remained expressionless.

Wesker nodded, understanding Nathan Hawke's intentions. It was nothing more than using a superhero to defeat Baker, the man who had stolen company resources, at a crucial moment, then increasing both the company's and his own influence.

Nathan Hawke calmly formulated his plan. He decided to expose Baker's true nature at the right moment and use a superhero to eliminate him. At the same time, he would take this opportunity to raise the company's influence and expand his own power.

Without Baker knowing, a complicated conspiracy had already begun to brew.

Stark residence.

"You're not welcome here." Tony Stark glared darkly at Nick Fury, who had entered his home without permission, and the agents behind him.

"Tony, something major has happened. This world needs your strength," Nick Fury explained patiently.

"Huh?" Tony Stark looked as though he had heard something hilarious.

"I remember that you people said you were an organization responsible for world peace. You're so powerful, yet you still need me?" Tony Stark mocked him sharply. "And shouldn't you be telling me that you need my strength, rather than that the world needs my strength?"

Nick Fury shook his head. "Tony, you have too many grievances against us. But we will still wait for your reply. We only came this time to tell you that something major has already happened. Only by joining together as a team can we defeat this enemy."

Tony Stark shrugged without answering. "Really? Then let's talk once it happens." He then signaled with his eyes and made a dismissive gesture with his left hand.

"Tony, I'll wait for your message." Nick Fury waved for his subordinates to leave.

After Nick Fury and his group had left.

Tony Stark immediately ordered Jarvis, "Jarvis, pull up all the major events from this period."

"Understood, sir."

Tony Stark let out a breath, then picked up the wineglass beside him and poured himself a glass of red wine.