Ever since Leon's public speech here, Manhattan Plaza had become a viral landmark—tourists and influencers flooding in daily for photos and livestreams.
Now, faced with Loki's cold command, the crowd instinctively tried to retreat.
Illusions multiplied instantly.
Dozens of Lokis blocked every exit.
"I said—"
"KNEEL!"
The second time carried weight.
A few people's knees buckled in fear.
Then another.
Then another.
Herd mentality took hold. Within moments, the entire plaza was kneeling before Loki and the hovering figure of Ebony Maw.
Even in a country desensitized to chaos, they understood this was no ordinary incident.
Loki surveyed them with satisfaction.
"That's better."
"You were born for this."
"This is the truth you've always known."
"Freedom is an illusion that steals your peace. You crave subjugation. You worship power. You chase status."
"But in your hearts, you revere strength. You submit to strength."
He pointed the Mind Stone Scepter toward the towering statue of Leon at the center of the square.
A beam of energy obliterated the statue's head.
"Your destined rulers are the Great Titan—and Lord Ebony Maw behind me!"
A frail old man slowly rose to his feet.
He raised his middle finger.
"Leon is our protector. You and that ugly bastard behind you are nothing."
Loki's anger looked convincing.
He fired a dazzling beam of psychic energy—dramatic, but designed merely to induce unconsciousness.
Before it struck—
BOOM!
The clear night sky blackened.
Thunder rolled.
A bolt of lightning intercepted the blast midair.
From the storm descended a silver-armored figure, Mjolnir in hand.
"Loki," Thor declared, "you're coming back to Asgard."
Loki visibly flinched.
He glanced instinctively toward Leon—his anchor point.
This wasn't the scheduled entrance cue.
But Leon showed no surprise. Too many variables had shifted; the original script was merely a guideline now.
He drifted forward beside Loki.
"Thor Odinson," Leon said calmly. "God of Thunder. Loki has pledged himself to the Great Titan. He no longer belongs to Asgard."
Loki dropped to one knee.
His eyes were hollow—overplayed just enough to scream I am clearly being controlled.
Thor noticed instantly.
"No. This isn't you."
"The real Loki would never kneel to a stranger."
He pointed Mjolnir at Leon.
"What have you done to him?"
Leon smiled faintly.
"If you ask me, must I answer?"
"Then I'll make you."
Lightning exploded outward from Mjolnir—a blinding torrent.
Leon flicked a finger.
A blue portal snapped open.
The lightning vanished into it—
—and erupted back out, redirected at Thor.
"What?!"
Thor's instinct was to dodge.
Then he saw the civilians and city lights behind him.
He planted his feet and took the full force of his own thunder.
Electric arcs danced over his armor.
"…I am magnificent," he muttered through gritted teeth.
When the glare faded, Leon and Loki were already ascending.
A massive crackling portal loomed above them.
"Wait!"
Thor spun Mjolnir, preparing for flight.
"Why bring Loki to Midgard? What are you planning?"
Leon's voice carried across the plaza.
"The Great Titan does not hide behind hollow pride. Asgard possesses the means to enforce balance, yet confines itself to the Nine Realms."
"But that era of stagnation ends."
"Beginning with this blue world, the Great Titan will stand as the impartial arbiter of existence."
"In three days, we meet again."
"I shall return as the Titan's First Apostle—bringing conquest without mercy."
Thor roared.
"Not happening!"
He launched—Mjolnir propelling him like a lightning-forged spear.
He closed the distance in a heartbeat.
Leon moved a single finger.
Invisible force slammed Thor out of the air.
He was hurled backward—
CRASH!
A crater bloomed where he landed.
Thor lay stunned, watching helplessly as Leon and Loki disappeared through the portal.
"Damn it!"
He punched the ground again, creating a smaller crater within the first.
The civilians had already scattered.
Then—
CLANG.
A streak of red and gold descended like a meteor.
With a clean superhero landing, Iron Man (Mark VI Armor) stood at the crater's edge.
He extended a hand.
"Need help, God of Hammers?"
Thor grabbed it, rising effortlessly.
"I am the God of Thunder!"
"Sure," Tony said lightly.
Thor studied him.
"You're Leon's brother."
"Guilty," Tony replied. "You Asgardians watch Earth news now?"
Thor's tone shifted.
"Leon is my sworn brother. By age and experience, you should address me as elder."
Tony blinked.
"Hard pass."
"Where I'm from, whoever hits harder is the big brother."
Thor stepped closer.
At 6'6", he typically towered over mortals.
Now?
Tony's enhanced physique erased much of the height advantage.
Thor's brow lifted.
"You propose…?"
Tony's helmet retracted slightly.
"Friendly competition."
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