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[Frog] Chapter 199: Take a Break
🕑 Added 2024-12-06 03:35:33 +0000 UTCAsgard's Palace.
Odin gazed upon the battle unfolding on Earth. Ever since Alan defeated Mephisto and left, a sense of unease had lingered within him.
As a being with All-Father-level strength, it had been a long time since he had felt this way.
Even Odin himself couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason for this anxiety—was it because Hela had escaped her confinement? Or was it because the Emperor was on his way back to Earth?
After much contemplation, Odin finally stood up.
"Heimdall, I must personally go to Midgard. Continue searching for Hela's whereabouts."
Hearing that Odin intended to leave Asgard and travel to Earth, Heimdall's expression immediately changed.
"My king, if you leave, and Hela returns to Asgard during your absence, what then?"
"If she sets foot on Asgardian soil again, it's highly possible—"
Although Hela was severely injured, Heimdall was well aware that if she returned to Asgard, any injury she had would heal instantly.
Her power was directly linked to Asgard.
To put it bluntly, once Hela returned to Asgard, she would be invincible.
Given Hela's cunning and capabilities, Heimdall couldn’t help but suspect that this might be a ploy to lure Odin away from Asgard.
Odin, understanding Heimdall's concerns, shook his head.
"Rest assured, Hela won't be able to return in the short term. What worries me now is Loki's safety."
"You’re concerned that the Emperor might return to Earth now?"
Odin nodded solemnly.
"Based on the abilities the Emperor has recently demonstrated, it wouldn’t be surprising if he possesses some means of cross-dimensional travel."
"That's why I must go and see for myself... and perhaps..."
Odin left the rest unsaid, but Heimdall understood. Odin also intended to locate the newly unsealed Hela.
"Go without worry, my king," Heimdall said with determination. "I will keep a close watch on Hela’s movements and defend Asgard."
Heimdall pounded his chest with a clenched fist in a salute.
Odin, gripping his scepter, was about to strike it against the ground when his expression suddenly shifted.
"He's... already here?"
Hearing this, Heimdall's eyes flashed with golden light as he looked toward Earth.
There, he saw the Emperor, riding the Lightshadow Steed, breaking through space and arriving on Earth. In the process, he saved the woman who had been forced to jump off a building under Loki’s control.
"This... how is this possible!" Heimdall exclaimed in disbelief.
In this universe, apart from the Space Stone, how could there be a movement speed faster than the magic of Asgard's realm?
Odin's expression shifted between shock and concern. Without waiting for Heimdall to speak further, he struck the ground with his scepter.
A multicolored rune array appeared beneath him, and a pillar of rainbow light shot into the sky, engulfing Odin and teleporting him toward Earth.
"Loki, Thor..."
Heimdall’s concern now extended to the two brothers.
Originally, if Loki were to be defeated, Thor would have likely brought him back to Asgard for Odin’s judgment.
Odin, being their father, would impose a punishment that seemed severe on the surface but would ultimately be inconsequential.
After all, no matter what Loki did on Earth, it would be of little concern once he returned to Asgard.
But if Loki fell into the hands of the Emperor on Earth, the outcome would be entirely different...
...
Earth.
After Alan's return, the Red Queen managed to intercept Tony and the others' communication channel.
In other words, Alan could hear their conversation loud and clear.
Currently, a nuclear missile was heading in their direction.
"Master, the nuclear missile is equipped with a closed independent system. There's no way to intercept it," the Red Queen explained.
"It’s rapidly approaching. If it detonates at Stark Tower, all of Manhattan and the surrounding area for kilometers will be obliterated."
The Red Queen had refrained from informing Gwen earlier, knowing that telling her would be futile and might hinder her performance in battle, making things worse.
"I understand. Activate the medical system at home and have Gwen bring Anna there," Alan instructed calmly.
"Although the Mind Scepter's control has been lifted, Anna is still physically weak. Conduct a thorough examination."
"Understood, Master."
Alan glanced at Loki, who was writhing in pain on the ground. With a cold smirk, his gaze shifted to the Mind Scepter lying nearby. With a simple motion of his hand, the scepter flew into his grasp.
Through the Emperor Armor, Alan could clearly see a small yellow gem hidden within the large blue gem—one of the Infinity Stones, the Mind Stone.
"Emperor, we need the scepter in your hand to close the portal," a voice called out.
"Otherwise, the entire Earth will suffer."
Alan looked around at the ruins of Manhattan, now almost unrecognizable. He responded calmly, "There's no need for such trouble."
"What do you mean?"
"You can all rest for a while. Leave the rest to me."
Hearing Alan's confident, almost arrogant tone, Black Widow frowned.
"Are you saying you'll handle all these aliens on your own?"
Before she could finish, Tony's voice came through her earpiece.
"Agent Romanoff, did you just mention... Emperor?"
"...Yes, him," Black Widow replied, annoyed. "A conceited, arrogant guy."
But to her surprise, Tony burst into laughter.
"Well, that's a relief! Now I can safely take this nuke through the portal."
"Wait, Tony!"
"What do you mean by that?" Black Widow immediately asked, shocked by Tony's dangerous idea.
Carrying a nuclear missile through the portal?
The other Avengers also heard Tony's words, and Steve Rogers pressed his earpiece, shouting, "Tony, is there no other way?"
"As of now, no," Tony replied.
"This is the only option. If this thing detonates anywhere on Earth, it’ll be catastrophic."
Steve Rogers angrily punched a Chitauri soldier to death.
After all these years, no matter how many administrations have come and gone in the U.S., their approach hasn’t changed—it’s still sickening.
But Tony, unexpectedly, displayed such a selfless spirit.
Not long ago, Steve had questioned Tony inside S.H.I.E.L.D., asking what he would be without his armor.
Now, Tony’s actions were a slap in the face to that question.
"Are you so sure that this Emperor guy can help us?" Hawkeye asked while fending off enemies.
Before Tony could respond, Black Widow interrupted.
"Wait, Emperor... he's gone."
"What?"
"Gone? What do you mean?"
Steve couldn’t believe it. The person Tony trusted so much had vanished? Did he run away?
Black Widow couldn’t explain it either. "I don’t know. He was holding the scepter just now, and then... he vanished."
Without the Mind Scepter, they couldn’t even close the portal.
Meanwhile, the Chitauri army continued to pour into Earth.
Only Gwen, holding Anna in her arms, believed that Emperor must have left for a reason.
"Miss Gwen, after the battle, please bring Miss Anna home.
The medical room is being prepared for a comprehensive examination," the Red Queen reminded her.
Gwen gently placed Anna on a sofa inside the building.
"I understand."
She then turned to look at Loki, who was drenched in cold sweat, trembling as he struggled to stand.
"I found him," At that moment, Tony had located the nuke and was ready to channel all remaining energy into pushing it through the portal.
But just as he was about to act, a hand rested on his shoulder.
"You’re out of energy. Take a break."
"I’ll handle things from here."
...(To be continued)...
