Niel floored the accelerator, and the car shot forward like an arrow. Drivers on the road noticed Niel’s sudden movement and, influenced by some inexplicable force, began to move aside, clearing a path for him as if making way for an ambulance.
Up ahead, Hawkeye encountered trouble. Every intersection they approached had red lights. While they wouldn’t normally obey traffic signals, the real problem was the sudden influx of rule-breaking drivers running red lights, severely disrupting traffic and slowing their speed significantly.
This slowdown allowed Niel to close the distance. Realizing the situation was turning against them, Loki noticed the world seemed to conspire against them in those few minutes.
With no time to find the cause, Loki opted for brute force. Raising his scepter, he unleashed a blinding light from its tip. The light spread out, causing multiple explosions and flipping cars out of their path. With the obstacles cleared, their speed increased again.
Niel kept reporting Hawkeye’s position, as it was the only thing he could do. Although he couldn’t keep up, Kingpin’s men, familiar with the area, managed to stay close to Hawkeye, knowing every street and alley.
As time passed, the ten-minute mark was quickly approaching. Once Loki’s luck reverted, Hawkeye’s skills shone through. A couple of sharp turns left most pursuers in the dust.
However, Niel and his team had delayed Loki long enough. A blue streak approached rapidly from the sky—it was Tony Stark in his latest armor.
Hawkeye noticed Tony closing in through the rearview mirror and redirected towards an underground route to minimize Tony’s aerial advantage.
“Jarvis, control all nearby surveillance and lock onto the target,” Tony ordered. Having learned about Loki’s abilities from Nick, he knew relying on personal observation could be risky. “You direct the attack. Make sure not to harm any civilians, but we must capture Loki.”
“Yes, sir.” Jarvis locked onto Loki. Mental manipulation had little effect on an AI, as it lacked subjective perception.
Just as Hawkeye neared the underground entrance, a massive object fell from above, blocking the way—a destroyed heavy truck.
Hawkeye braked hard, stopping just in time. The dust settled to reveal Kingpin’s handiwork, having pushed the truck off the overpass.
Loki, Barton, and Selvig exited the car with the path blocked. Loki wasn’t afraid of the pursuers but felt fighting here wasn’t fitting for his grand plans. Yet, the quick support had disrupted his strategy.
Seeing the targets exit the vehicle, Tony halted mid-air, about twenty meters from Loki, watching warily.
Kingpin’s men emerged from their vehicles, using them as cover, and aimed at Loki’s group. S.H.I.E.L.D. agents secured high points, forming a unified front against Loki alongside Tony and Kingpin.
“Loki! You have no escape! Drop the scepter and surrender!” Tony shouted.
Kingpin remained silent, not one to seek the spotlight. In the underworld, those who did usually died quickly. The eerie gas swirling around him showed he was ready to attack.
Loki glanced at Kingpin’s massive form and then at Tony in his armor, laughing suddenly. “Do you think a fat man, an iron suit, and a bunch of riffraff can stop a god?!”
Everyone watched Loki’s performance, thinking he had lost his mind. This chase would’ve been pointless if Loki had the power to break through.
“Ridiculous!” Loki’s smile vanished as he raised his scepter and struck the ground with its base.
Recognizing Loki’s move, Jarvis immediately reacted. Tony’s suit opened all missile ports, launching micro-missiles.
As the scepter hit the ground, Loki’s power surged through it, amplifying and shattering the ground. Debris flew everywhere, affecting all around.
Tony’s missiles hit the debris, breaking apart rocks headed for him before he could spot Loki, a purple beam shot from behind the debris.
At the last moment, Tony’s internal systems diverted all power to a shield. The shield barely formed as Loki’s attack hit, sending Tony flying back.
“Under attack, outer armor severely damaged. Recommend temporary retreat,” Jarvis warned Tony.
Stabilizing mid-air, Tony saw Loki charging. This pursuit had embarrassed Loki, and now he wanted to show his power.
Tony glanced at his suit’s display; his other devices were still en route. They couldn’t match the suit’s speed, so he had to endure Loki’s next attack.
Loki’s scepter traced a blue arc in the air, aimed directly at Tony’s heart.
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