Inside the S.H.I.E.L.D. base, the Avengers and Director Nick Fury stood around a holographic table, all eyes fixed on Tony Stark.
They were waiting for an answer—after all, Stark had claimed he could contact Kurogai.
"Stark, are you sure you can reach this Kurogai guy?" Steve Rogers asked, crossing his arms.
"It's been half an hour. Nothing's happened."
Tony sighed, his patience thinning.
"If Kurogai sees my message, he'll respond. Just relax, Cap."
Before anyone could reply, a smooth, confident voice echoed through the room.
"Missed me already?"
A ripple of energy shimmered in the air as a tall figure stepped out from a tear in space itself.
Kurogai Alexander Blackwood—his presence immediately commanded attention.
His calm, piercing gaze swept across the group, and the sudden tension in the room was almost tangible.
"Finally!" Stark grinned.
"I was starting to think you'd forgotten about me."
Kurogai smirked slightly.
"It's been a while, Stark. You still like showing off, I see."
Dr. Banner gave a polite nod.
"Good to see you again, Mr. Blackwood. Your abilities seem to have improved even more."
His tone was friendly, but not everyone shared his sentiment.
Captain America and Nick Fury both looked tense, hands subtly shifting toward their weapons.
The last time they'd encountered Kurogai hadn't gone particularly well.
"Relax," Kurogai said dryly, his eyes flicking toward Fury.
"If I wanted you dead, you wouldn't have time to blink."
The agents around the room froze.
Fury raised a hand, motioning them to lower their weapons.
"All right. Let's focus. We didn't bring you here for a fight."
He nodded to Stark, who activated the holographic display.
"A day ago, a S.H.I.E.L.D. facility was attacked by what we believe to be an extraterrestrial being wielding a spear that emits energy blasts. This is the footage. Maybe you can tell us who it is."
The hologram replayed the security recording—Loki striding through chaos, the Chitauri scepter glowing in his hand.
Kurogai's eyes narrowed, not at Loki, but at the weapon.
The Mind Scepter, he thought.
Its aura was unmistakable.
But that was strange—Thanos shouldn't have entrusted such a relic to Loki so easily.
"Kurogai?" Stark called out.
"You recognize him?"
Kurogai came out of his thoughts and met Stark's gaze.
"I do. But information like this comes with a price."
Stark raised an eyebrow.
"Of course it does."
Nick Fury stepped forward.
"What do you want?"
Kurogai smiled faintly.
"Nothing you could offer that I truly need… but Stark, your tower—it's well-built. Let me use it for a while. That's my price."
Stark blinked.
"My mansion? What could you possibly want with that?"
"Do you agree or not?" Kurogai asked calmly.
The billionaire hesitated for a moment, then shrugged.
"Fine. You can borrow it. Just don't blow anything up."
"Good." Kurogai's smile widened slightly.
"In that case, your mystery intruder is Loki—the Norse God of Mischief, son of Odin."
The room fell silent.
Every Avenger froze as the revelation sank in.
Even Fury's usually calm expression flickered with disbelief.
Kurogai turned away, glancing at the holographic image of Loki one last time.
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