Just as everyone was enthusiastically discussing tactics, Betsy quietly walked up to Thor's side.
She turned slightly to the side, close to Thor's ear, her warm breath brushing against Thor earlobe. Her voice was extremely low, only the two of them could hear it, and her tone carried a hint of knowing teasing.
"You've been fooling around with other women again. You still smell like someone else, is it Madelyne?"
Upon hearing this, Thor coughed twice, glanced instinctively to the side to make sure no one was paying attention, then lowered his voice and said with a serious expression:
You might be smelling something wrong.
Upon hearing this, Betsy rolled her eyes dramatically, lightly poked Thor's arm with her fingertip, and said in a tone that carried no hint of jealousy but rather an undeniable air of authority.
"After this is over, spend a few days with me."
Looking into her earnest eyes, Thor smiled helplessly, nodded gently, and whispered, "Okay, I promise."
While the two were talking in hushed tones, a heated argument had broken out at the head of the command center.
Unsurprisingly, Tony Stark and Steve Rogers once again had a major disagreement on the battle plan.
"I still maintain that we should take the initiative!" Tony pointed to the cosmic star map on the holographic projection, his tone resolute, his face full of radicalism.
"With such a terrifying fighting force at our disposal, we can completely catch them off guard and utterly crush their vanguard before they even reach Earth!"
Steve frowned, shook his head, and spoke in a calm and firm tone, with an unquestionable attitude.
"No, that's too reckless. We don't yet fully understand just how powerful Thanos and those dimensional demons have become."
He pointed to the Earth and said in a deep voice,
"According to the information Thor brought back earlier, Thanos's combat ability was already comparable to ours even before he was enhanced by the cosmic artifact."
Now that he possesses two Infinity Stones and has a large number of dimensional demons as reinforcements, there's absolutely no need for us to take this risk. Our primary concern should be the safety of Earth."
" Old Popsicle, have you been sleeping in ice for 70 years and gone mad?" Tony retorted immediately, his tone full of disdain.
"Operation plans must be adjusted according to the capabilities of the personnel!"
You saw that little guy's stats too, a base punching power of billions of tons! Then there's Logan, Ororo, and Bobby —two Omega-level Mutant —plus two Mighty Thor, Banner, and me and Strange, two top-tier sorcerers. In a head-on fight, we have an absolute advantage!
"Advantages don't mean we can ignore risks!" Steve's voice deepened, his eyes sharp as he looked at Tony.
"Can you be sure Thanos doesn't have a backup plan? Can you be sure where they'll launch their surprise attack? If we take the initiative and move away from Earth, it's like exposing Earth's back completely. If they launch a flanking attack, who will be responsible?"
"Why can't I be sure?" Tony shrugged, his tone brimming with certainty.
"That purple sweet potato devil's brain is filled with nothing but his twisted theory of cosmic balance and the Infinity Stones!"
All his actions were aimed at obtaining the remaining Infinity Stones!
"With the jewels in our hands, we control the choice of the main battlefield. Why can't we be more aggressive? Are we going to wait for him to bring his army to our doorstep and set up the battlefield in New York, Washington, or the civilian neighborhoods?"
The two argued back and forth, neither able to convince the other.
This is a disagreement that has lasted for more than a decade: one is radical and adventurous, believing in technology and the advantage of being first; the other is steady and conservative, always putting the safety of civilians first. They have never been able to truly reach an agreement.
The surrounding Avengers were already used to it. Banner helplessly rubbed his forehead. Natasha and Clint exchanged a glance, both seeing helplessness in each other's eyes. Wanda stood aside with her arms crossed, watching quietly. Black Panther T'Challa remained silent throughout, not saying a word.
While the main battlefield was ablaze with activity, a different undercurrent was brewing in a corner of the operations room.
Emma Frost, carrying a bottle of 1982 Lafite, strolled over to Madelyne, pulled out a chair, sat down, picked up a wine glass, poured herself a full glass of red wine, and gently swirled the glass, the scarlet liquid drawing graceful arcs on the glass.
She took a sip of red wine, glanced at Madelyne beside her, a meaningful smile playing on her lips, and slowly began to speak.
"You had a good time last night, didn't you?"
Madelyne's brows furrowed instantly. She turned her head sharply to look at Emma Frost, then glanced instinctively in Thor's direction. She immediately guessed his intentions, and a cold look appeared on her face as she retorted without any politeness.
"What, are you here to assert your sovereignty now?"
Emma Frost chuckled softly, swirled the wine in her glass, and looked up at Madelyne with a playful glint in her eyes. "What number are you?" she asked.
Upon hearing this, Madelyne froze, the coldness on her face stiffening. She looked at Emma Frost, somewhat bewildered, and frowned as she asked:
"What number?"
Seeing Madelyne's completely unaware reaction, Emma Frost's smile deepened, and she instantly knew the answer.
She didn't say anything more, nor did she pay any attention to Madelyne, who was standing there dumbfounded. She picked up her wine glass, stood up, and slowly walked towards Thor.
Meanwhile, Tony and Steve, who had been arguing for a long time, finally compromised.
The two eventually reached an agreement to make the main battlefield the border plains of Wakanda.
The area is far from civilian areas, with open terrain suitable for large-scale military operations. Moreover, Wakanda possesses the world's most advanced Vibranium defense system, which can minimize collateral damage from battles and firmly protect the Infinity Stones, giving Thanos the situation.
" Wakanda is willing to open its borders and provide the battlefield and all the resources needed for this battle."
Black Panther T'Challa, finally spoke. He stood up and addressed the crowd, his tone calm and solemn, carrying the responsibility of a king.
" Wakanda's Vibranium barrier will cover the entire battlefield, with all weapons, equipment, and combat troops on standby."
With T'Challa's assurance, the battle plan was finalized instantly.
Tony snapped his the Snap, and Strange, standing beside him, followed suit, drawing a circle with his own hand. Two portals, crackling with golden sparks, instantly opened up in the war room, leading to the open plains on the border of Wakanda.
"Alright, guys, let's get moving!" Tony clapped his hands and shouted to the crowd.
" Rhodey, take my armored troops and set up firing positions ahead of time;"
Scott, go and adjust the Pym Particles Device; prepare for the gigantic operation.
Clint, set up sniper positions on the surrounding high ground. Pietro, you scout the surrounding terrain with him to make sure there are no ambushes. The rest of you, come with me to set up defensive lines and energy barriers!
At his command, the Avengers immediately sprang into action, heading towards the portal.
In just over ten minutes, the once bustling war room on the top floor of Avengers Tower was mostly empty.
On the holographic projection, a model of Wakanda's terrain and battle plan were still lit up, and the aroma of red wine and faint energy fluctuations lingered in the air.
In the end, only five people remained in the entire operations room.
Thor, Emma Frost, Betsy, Madelyne, and Wanda, who stood silently to the side.
Thor glanced at the three women before him, his gaze finally settling on Emma Frost and Betsy. He raised an eyebrow and asked:
"What? You're going to fight those dimensional demons too?"
Emma Frost held her glass of red wine, took a slow sip, and spoke calmly, yet with an undeniable certainty.
"Of course. It's a good opportunity to see just how my strength compares to these dimensional demons."
Betsy stepped forward and stood beside Thor, her fingertips shimmering with psychic energy, her tone concise and firm.
"I'm the same as her."
Thor's gaze slowly moved and finally landed on Madelyne, who stood at the very back, remaining silent the entire time.
Of the people present, Madelyne was undoubtedly the weakest.
Faced with those dimensional demons who could destroy the world at any moment, her combat power was almost useless, and she might even be in danger.
Madelyne met Thor's gaze without flinching.
She simply gazed at Thor, her red lips parted slightly, her voice soft yet carrying an unwavering determination.
"Wherever you go, I'll go."