601

Corvus' Revenge

Someone had taken control of the Hulk. That seemed to be the only explanation.

As the Chitauri Legion rampaged through New York, Forseti formulated a hypothesis:

The Mind Scepter.

If he remembered correctly, in the original storyline, Thanos' forces acquired the Mind Gem early on, which became the Mind Scepter.

In this scenario, it was likely that remnants of Thanos were using the psychic scepter.

Forseti couldn't dwell on it. The Hulk charged at him again.

"Roar!"

Forseti dodged swiftly, then grabbed the Hulk and slammed him forcefully into the ground. The mighty Hulk was now subdued, transformed from aggressor to victim.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Forseti repeated the process of grabbing and throwing the Hulk several times until Bruce Banner emerged weakly, having reverted from the Hulk.

To his surprise, despite returning to human form, Bruce remained under mind control.

Bruce growled angrily, attempting to attack despite his comical appearance.

"Ahhh!" Bruce yelled in frustration, but ended with a bewildered whimper.

Forseti turned, spotting an unexpected figure — a bald old man.

"Charles?" Forseti exclaimed.

It was Professor X who had restored Bruce's senses, smiling warmly. "It's an honor to see you again, Sun God."

His smile faded quickly as he turned serious. "Thus far, I've freed everyone in New York from mind control, except one."

Forseti quickly guessed who it was. "You mean Eric?"

"Yes," Professor X confirmed, "Eric's helmet shields against my telepathy. I need your assistance to break his control."

"I can help," Bruce offered.

Professor X shook his head. "We will handle Eric. You must deal with the aliens."

"The Avengers assemble!" Steve Rogers called, with Black Widow, Hawkeye, and Iron Man already in position.

Bruce nodded decisively. "Understood."

He joined the Avengers.

Due to the timeline's self-correcting nature, what followed was a familiar scene to Forseti.

"I'm always angry!" Bruce transformed back into the Hulk, smashing into the oncoming Leviathan, a classic moment recreated.

However, Forseti had no time for nostalgia. He headed straight for Magneto alongside Professor X.

In the concrete jungle, Magneto was causing more devastation than the Leviathan.

Manipulating countless metals, he created a storm of destruction, declaring, "Humanity shall perish! The future belongs to mutants!"

Professor X appeared burdened, even despondent.

Magneto's rampage and words, though influenced by mind control, could potentially worsen the plight of mutants in the future, jeopardizing all of Professor X's efforts.

Alas... Professor X sighed inwardly.

"Sun God, once you remove Eric's helmet, I can end his control," Professor X said to Forseti.

Forseti nodded, spreading his holy light wings and soaring into the air towards Magneto.

Magneto had already spotted him.

Mind control didn't dull his awareness. He recognized Forseti's strength and immediately redirected the metal storm, assaulting Forseti from all directions.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The storm intensified, buildings collapsing as steel projectiles assaulted Forseti.

Yet, most were ordinary steel, akin to bullets in power, incapable of truly harming Forseti, only slowing his approach.

Gritting his teeth, Magneto redoubled efforts, diverting more metal fragments to halt Forseti's advance.

"Boom!"

High-rises crumbled around them, engulfed in smoke and debris.

Nevertheless, it was all in vain.

Forseti pushed through the storm, seizing Magneto's helmet.

...

Meanwhile, in New Mexico.

"Follow me," Loki instructed Donald.

As they proceeded towards the nearly deserted SHIELD base, Donald followed, bewildered.

Suddenly, without warning, a long-handled blade shot forth, gleaming with deadly intent.

Swift and silent, the blade struck from behind, catching him off guard.

He managed only a slight evasion, but the blade pierced his right chest, cleaving a bloody hole through him.

"Ah!" Loki cried out, collapsing, his lung grievously wounded.

"Loki!!" Donald exclaimed, rushing to his aid.

Lifting Loki proved futile due to his injuries.

Only by his own strength did Loki manage to rise, his consciousness wavering.

Loki had nearly lost an entire lung.

Were it not for the Aesir, he wouldn't have the strength to stand.

Loki trembled violently, eyes cloudy, fixated on the approaching figure in black.

General Corvus Glaive...

Loki recognized the ambush. One of Thanos' Black Order, Corvus Glaive, notorious for his skill and treachery.

"Long time no see, Your Highness Loki," Corvus Glaive sneered, satisfied with his sneak attack.

Loki tried to speak, but only trembled, lips bloodless and quivering.