Thor's Landing

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When Loki spoke, an elderly man in the crowd raised his head. He slowly stood up, meeting Loki's gaze, and said, "I will not submit to someone like you."

Loki smirked. "You will never find someone like me again."

"There are plenty of lunatics like you."

Loki's expression darkened. He raised his scepter, the tip glowing blue. "Everyone, watch closely. This old man will serve as an example."

Just as Loki fired, Steve appeared in front of the old man, shield raised. The energy blast ricocheted off the vibranium, slamming back into Loki and sending him sprawling.

Moments earlier, Kai had teleported Steve and Tony onto the scene just as Loki was giving his speech. Steve, seeing the people forced to kneel, was about to charge in, but Kai held him back.

"Wait," Kai whispered.

They watched as the old man stood up to Loki. The moment Loki attacked, Kai gave Steve the signal and teleported him in front of the old man just in time.

Loki crashed onto the ground, his expression turning furious.

Steve took a step forward. "The last time I was in Germany, I faced a man who wanted everyone to kneel too."

As Steve walked, the crowd, emboldened, began standing up.

Loki narrowed his eyes. "A soldier. A man left behind by time."

Steve tightened his grip on the shield. "At least I still have time. But *you* are about to run out of it."

Just then, a fighter jet flew in overhead, broadcasting a message:

"Loki, put down your weapon and surrender immediately."

Loki responded by blasting the jet with an energy beam.

Steve took advantage of the distraction, hurling his shield into Loki's chest. The impact knocked Loki back, but the shield rebounded into Steve's waiting hand.

Steve closed the distance, and the fight turned hand-to-hand. He landed a punch on Loki's face, but Loki blocked the next strike with his scepter. With a powerful swing, Loki slammed the scepter against Steve's shield, knocking him back.

The fight continued—blow for blow—until Loki disarmed Steve, sending the shield flying. Now weaponless, Steve fought with his bare hands, but Loki's Asgardian strength started overwhelming him.

Loki smirked, pressing the scepter against Steve's forehead. "Kneel."

Steve twisted out from under it, rolling away before kicking Loki in the chest.

Just as their battle reached its peak, music blasted through the square. The unmistakable sound of AC/DC's *Shoot to Thrill* echoed through the speakers.

Tony's voice followed. "Hey, Steve, I'm here."

A streak of red and gold shot through the sky, and before Loki could react, Tony fired twin repulsor blasts, sending Loki skidding across the pavement.

Tony landed smoothly in front of Loki, deploying his full arsenal—missiles primed, shoulder-mounted weapons locked, palm cannons charged.

"Go ahead, Bambi," Tony taunted.

Steve retrieved his shield, standing beside Tony. Faced with the two of them, Loki hesitated—then, with a resigned sigh, raised his hands in surrender.

Kai, who had been watching from the sidelines, smirked. "Well, that was easy."

S.H.I.E.L.D. agents landed shortly after, ready to take Loki into custody. But before they could, Kai stepped forward.

"Tell Fury we'll be handling Loki ourselves. No helicarrier transfer."

The agents looked at each other, uncertain. Loki, however, was visibly surprised. This wasn't part of his plan. He *needed* to be on the helicarrier.

Without waiting for a response, Kai teleported away with Loki, Steve, and Tony.

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### Aboard the S.H.I.E.L.D. Jet

As the agents flew back, the sky suddenly darkened. Thunder rumbled.

The plane jolted violently, as if something massive had struck it. Moments later, the rear hatch was *ripped* open.

A figure stepped inside—long golden hair, broad shoulders, red cape billowing in the wind. His stormy blue eyes scanned the cabin.

Seeing only the pilot, he stomped forward, grabbed him by the collar, and lifted him effortlessly.

"Where is Loki?" Thor demanded.

The pilot, already connected to Nick Fury's comms, barely had time to react before Fury's voice crackled through the speakers.

"Loki's not there."

Thor's grip tightened. "Then *where* is he?"

Fury answered, "Kai took him. If you want Loki, go find Kai."

Thor frowned, muttering to himself. "*Kai… Li…* You mean *him*?"

His expression shifted from confusion to realization. He turned back to the pilot. "Where is he?"

Fury relayed Tony's villa's location. Without another word, Thor released the pilot and *leapt* from the plane, disappearing into the storm.

The pilot exhaled sharply. "Sir… what the hell just happened?"

Fury's voice was calm but firm. "Just get back here. This isn't something you need to worry about."

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