Germany.
28 Kuning Street, Stuttgart.
A lavish high-society gala was underway.
Loki appeared at the venue. The man giving a speech was oblivious as a wicked smile curled across Loki's lips.
The guests mingling back and forth had no idea that disaster was about to strike.
Loki needed a decoy, and he would be that decoy.
He had ordered Barton to steal the components needed to build the portal machine. They still lacked one crucial key to open the door.
A feint to draw attention elsewhere. The cunning God of Mischief.
He wore a suit that accentuated an Asgardian prince's nobility and elegance. The tip of the Mind Stone Scepter in his hand glowed blue.
Walking down the spiral staircase, he murmured, "Let's liven this place up."
He knocked down a security guard with a swing of his scepter.
As chaos erupted among the crowd, he charged forward, seized the gala's host, and pinned him to a stone table.
He took out a device and plunged it straight into the man's eye.
As the device scanned the man's retinal data, it transmitted the information elsewhere.
At another location, Barton led his team into the man's laboratory. In front of a securely locked door, he activated a device that projected a holographic eye.
He used the retinal data to open the final door.
Loki's mission had gone smoothly.
But he wanted more than that.
Savoring the terrified screams, he strolled outside.
He conjured the magnificent attire he had worn when ascending Asgard's throne.
Amid the panicked crowd, he created illusions to block everyone's escape.
He displayed a god's power before mortals, planting his scepter on the ground as it emitted a dazzling blue light.
"Kneel before me!"
Death closed in on the crowd as insignificant humans faced an Asgardian prince.
Loki