New York.
At the top of the Taran Industries building.
John gazed through the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows at the taller building outside.
He raised his left hand, watching a blue thread drift in one direction, gradually materializing in the air.
As the thread stretched farther, a figure at its other end walked into the office.
"I thought you'd go to Stark Tower." John looked at the newcomer. "A neat, delicate bit of magic."
The newcomer had no idea how exalted John's status was, or how much pride he should take in receiving praise from the Wizard King.
He revealed himself, raising the Mind Stone Scepter slightly. The blue light gathering at its tip aimed at John.
Loki was not at Stark Tower. He was here.
The two stared at each other silently for several seconds before Loki lowered the Mind Stone Scepter.
"I always knew you were the most troublesome of them all." Loki walked over unhurriedly. "And the only one I truly found difficult to handle."
S.H.I.E.L.D.?
The great God of Mischief had needed only a little trickery.
Those people had descended into a chaotic mess of accusations.
Apart from his own reckless idiot of a brother, Loki took none of them seriously.
A weeping woman, an archer under his control, a playboy, and the United States Ass, who had been thoroughly beaten by a sorcerer?
They were all mortals in the end.
The great green monster?
Merely a blade in his hand, ready to be used.
He had personally tricked Thor into a prison and then dropped him from the sky.
And just like that, their so-called alliance had shattered.
Only one person remained: the man before him.
"You have no idea how powerful you are, wizard."
Loki opened his palm. That blue thread was his blood.
It