Chapter 48: The Arrival Of Malekith

"Is this the place?" asked Clint, crossing his arms.

"It is," replied Natasha.

"A rift to another space... where an Infinity Stone is trapped."

"Now that's something," Clint muttered, his gaze drifting toward the metallic sphere resting on a table.

"And we're sure that thing is going to work?"

Tony picked up the sphere with one hand, holding it like something sacred.

"Who do you think designed it? It's built with cutting-edge Stark tech, courtesy of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s resources, and based on Tesseract analysis. If this doesn't work… nothing will."

"Classic Stark," Clint muttered, resigned. "And what about Kamar-Taj?"

"Those carnival magicians S.H.I.E.L.D. found?" said Tony, frowning. "They claim to be busy with 'more important things.' Hmph."

"Thirty minutes left," Natasha cut in, steering them back on track.

"Let's go," added Steve. "This isn't the time for distractions. We're almost there."

The group approached Jane, who was intently studying the data projected on the screens. Despite the gravity of the moment, her expression was calm.

"You seem pretty relaxed for someone being targeted by an Infinity Stone..." Gwen commented, then quickly added, "Ah… no offense."

"I trust Thor," Jane replied with a small smile. "Though I guess I'm a bit nervous. Technically… this is like meeting my father-in-law, right?"

Her tone sparked a few quiet laughs, and her calmness spread to the rest. This time, they weren't facing an alien threat alone. They had Asgard's support—and Odin himself.

Even S.H.I.E.L.D. had deployed teams, though more interested in studying the Asgardian army than fighting. Stark, of course, didn't miss a detail.

He moved to the computers beside Banner.

"What do we have?"

"It's incredible, Tony," Bruce replied. "The energy output from this rift is comparable to the sun. But its concentration... it's like using a star to charge a phone. Just this data alone could revolutionize decades of energy development."

"Too much talk, Doc," Stark interrupted, checking the data himself.

He was right. Though the numbers were astonishing, the machines couldn't capture even a tenth of what was happening. For the world, this system could change everything. For him, it offered nothing new.

"Five minutes," Natasha announced.

"By the way," Steve interjected, "isn't Wanda coming?"

"My sister said she had something important to do. But don't worry," Pietro replied, dashing in circles at high speed. "I've got it covered."

Steve glanced at Natasha with concern. Natasha nodded, a bit uneasy.

"What he said. And don't worry... she won't take unnecessary risks," she added, then turned to Pietro with a firm look. "Right?"

Pietro gave a trained salute.

"It's time," said Natasha, just as a violent, liquid red surge burst from the rift.

The Aether.

It raced toward Jane at inhuman speed... but before it could reach her, Pietro was already standing in front of her, holding the sphere.

The liquid was drawn in by an invisible force, as if something inside the sphere was calling it. The sphere vibrated… then silence. It was contained.

Jane exhaled in relief, placing a hand on Pietro's shoulder.

"Thank you."

"Don't mention it, sis-in-law. That's what we're here for."

"Sis-in-law?" Jane repeated, confused.

"Ignore him," said Natasha before Pietro could open his mouth. "He likes to talk nonsense."

"I hate to interrupt the family talk, but we've got company," said Tony, his suit already activated.

The group stepped outside the factory. The sky, once clear, was now swarming with dark, menacing ships—like nightmares made real.

One, massive and imposing, took position at the center.

"Well, at least we know where the boss is," Tony quipped.

The ships began charging energy. Alien weapons aimed at the factory.

"Pietro! Insert the sphere into the panel, now!"

Pietro vanished. A second later, the beams fired—but an energy shield enveloped the factory. The attack bounced off harmlessly.

Pietro returned, panting.

"Nice work, kid," said Clint.

Pietro just nodded in response, not mentioning he'd spent almost two minutes searching for the right slot… and yet, for the rest, it had been a blink.

"How long will the shield hold?" asked Jane.

"Infinity Stones are the oldest energy in the universe," Bruce explained. "Even the Big Bang couldn't destroy them—it merely crystallized them. In fact, it's possible they chose that form themselves. They're so powerful, only another Stone could break through. So, theoretically..."

"Forever," Natasha interrupted.

"It's completely indestructible."

"So we're safe in here?"

Jane asked.

"We are..." Natasha replied, staring at the horizon with concern. "But the rest of the world isn't."

The largest ship landed. The ground trembled as the ramp lowered, spewing a cloud of dust.

From within, the Dark Elves emerged.

At least a hundred. Tall, lean, with pointed ears and faces twisted by malice.

At the front stood Malekith. Half of his face was completely shrouded in darkness—not shadow, but an absence of light itself, a consequence of his attempts to plunge the universe into darkness.

A crooked smile twisted his lips.

"Avengers… using the Aether to protect yourselves. Clever."

"Should I be flattered that we're known across the galaxy?" Tony quipped.

"Thanos knows you. And the universe knows Thanos… or fears him."

"Still sore we took his little rocks?" said Tony.

"You have no idea who you're facing. Thanos has destroyed empires far stronger than yours."

Malekith stepped forward.

"We didn't come for you. We just want the Aether. Hand it over, and no one gets hurt."

"Hurt?" Tony mocked. "We're completely protected in here."

But Malekith smiled even wider.

"You are. But what about the rest of the planet? Many wouldn't care. The Aether is far more valuable than those lives. But you… you do care. That's what makes you heroes."

Before Tony could fire back with one of his trademark quips, Steve stepped forward.

"You won't hurt anyone, Malekith. We'll stop you."

The Dark Elf narrowed his eyes.

"Oh really? You… and what army?"

All the Avengers looked up.

The sky was no longer dark. It blazed with gold.

Thousands of Asgardian soldiers descended from above. Gleaming armor, winged mounts, spears at the ready. An entire army. A clear answer.

Malekith's expression darkened.

"Asgard..."

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