Heisenberg paid no mind to the fearful rich, striding directly toward a figure that surprised him.
He approached Tony Stark and Pepper Potts.
"Ahaha, I can't believe you'd actually attend a gala like this."
Heisenberg slapped Tony's shoulder casually, prompting Tony to grimace.
"Don't get chummy. We're not friends!"
"Tsk, still that sharp tongue. Are you sure that's how you feel?
Did you forget the wedding invitation you sent me?"
Heisenberg teased, grabbing a glass of champagne from a passing tray.
Typically, at formal galas, the drinks are low-alcohol, suitable for both men and women, and easy to sip.
Otherwise, if someone gets drunk during serious conversations…
It gets awkward.
Taking the drink, Heisenberg clinked his glass with Tony's.
But as Tony raised his glass, Heisenberg dodged and clinked with Pepper instead.
"Nice to meet you, Ms. Pepper. I must congratulate you!"
Before Pepper could respond, Tony interrupted, annoyed.
"Darling, we don't drink with rude people like him."
"Tsk, while congratulating you, I must pity you for marrying a jealous husband, haha!" Heisenberg retorted.
Tony clenched his jaw. This guy really gets under my skin!
"A wise man never talks to someone whose brain is all muscle!" Tony struck back.
"Hmm, you sure? My brain's packed with Kryptonian tech, just 100,000 years ahead of Earth. Wanna learn?" Heisenberg countered.
"You have knowledge but don't use it. Are you proud of such stupidity?" Tony didn't back down.
"Why should a Kryptonian drive Earth's tech leap? That's Earth's job. Can you handle it?" Heisenberg pressed on.
"Everything comes down to facts. You, with your so-called superior intellect, are playing house with us, tens of thousands of years behind!" Tony went for mutual destruction.
"Are you talking about our last fight? If so, that was indeed child's play. You're right!" Heisenberg capitalized.
"Look, you're resorting to fists again. I, a man of brains, don't chat with those who think with their fists!" Tony made a last stand.
"That's mocking my lack of brains. But are you sure you want me to use all my intellect on this Earth?
Are you sure?"
Heisenberg smirked, and Tony finally fell silent.
Compared to Heisenberg, who now relies on strength in New York, Tony wouldn't want Heisenberg evolving into a scientist.
A scientist beyond his time is far more destructive than a brute.
If Heisenberg had pushed Earth's tech upon arrival, escalating it wildly…
Sorry, if the world deemed him uncontrollable, he'd become the enemy of all nations.
That's why Heisenberg avoids the scientific path.
Trust him—it's not laziness.
Meanwhile, seeing Tony fall silent, Pepper smiled helplessly.
She gently lifted his arm and spoke up for her husband.
"By the way, Mr. Heisenberg, where's your date? I haven't seen her."
…
Heisenberg stared blankly at Pepper.
"You win!"
He said.
"Your lover's just as sharp-tongued!"
"Your lover's just as cunning!"
Heisenberg and Tony blurted almost simultaneously.
They paused, then…
"Don't copy me!"
"Don't copy me!"
…
"You win. Soon-to-be-married men are different!"
"You win. Staying single is different!"
…
"Fuck!"
Heisenberg laughed and cursed, then patted Tony's shoulder amicably.
"You're kinda fun sometimes. I'll accept you as a friend now."
"No, I won't!" Tony shook his head firmly.
Heisenberg was puzzled: "Still mad I beat you up?"
"Fuck, don't remind me. Why did I even come to this gala?!"
"Who knows? Let's sit. It's my first time being invited by a city leader—feels fresh."
Heisenberg made small talk, and the three found a seat, chatting while ignoring the mayor's speech.
After all, politicians' words are worthless.
…
Meanwhile, unknown to anyone on Earth…
On the Chitauri flagship across the galaxy, Loki desperately communicated with the increasingly dormant Tesseract!
"Fuck fuck fuck!!!"
He sat cross-legged on the teleportation pad, cursing nonstop.
He'd been sitting like this for over 70 hours!
Don't ask how he counts time—Asgard's time concept is similar to Earth's.
For instance, when they mention Odin, they know he's lived over 5,000 years, and Thor over 2,000—it's the Nine Realms' standard.
Wait, Thor's 2,000 years old?
Can't tell…
Cough.
Loki stood up helplessly, racking his brain. Why had things gone wrong?
He'd implanted a mental suggestion in the Midgard scholar controlling the Tesseract, urging its activation.
For two months, it worked as planned.
But at the brink of success, everything changed!
"Something's happened in Midgard. The Space Stone won't reactivate. I must manipulate it while it's still somewhat active, opening a portal just big enough for me!"
After a brief frustration, Loki regained focus.
"I still have one advantage: the Mind Stone. But the scepter alone isn't enough to harness its power!"
Loki gripped the scepter, placing his right hand on the Mind Stone at its tip.
"I must use the Mind Stone directly to communicate with the Space Stone!"
He bit his lip, prying the Mind Stone from the scepter.
The yellow gem landed in his palm, instantly searing his hand.
"Ahhhh, fuck!!!"
Loki clenched the gem, his hand's veins turning yellow. He didn't let go.
Amid excruciating pain, he felt immense mental power—worth dying for.
Loki loved it!
"Show yourself, damn Space Stone!!!"
Loki roared in agony, his amplified mental power radiating outward.
In an instant, he located the Space Stone!
"Good. Connect, seize, manipulate! I need its power!!!"
As Loki's voice grew more pained, his right hand glowed blue.
The light intensified until the yellow Mind Stone in his palm was completely enveloped in blue.
"Done, haha… ahhhh!!!"
Ecstatic yet tormented, Loki forced his hand open.
"Return!"
He slammed the blue-encased Mind Stone back into the scepter.
The scepter, once yellow, now emitted a blue glow. The Mind Stone, once blue-encased, appeared entirely blue!
Without hesitation, Loki slammed the scepter to the ground.
Thud!!!
The entire Chitauri ship shook.
In that instant, Loki vanished from the cosmos, arriving in distant Midgard.
…
Meanwhile, Heimdall, Asgard's eternal gatekeeper with the ancient Vanir rune-eye, froze.
"Loki's in Midgard?!!!"
He muttered, then left the repairing Bifröst to find Thor, drinking with Sif.
Since Thor returned from Midgard and told Sif about his true love…
She'd been challenging him to drink more often.
Thor enjoyed it—brothers should drink together.
No matter how many times you challenge me, I'll never lose, Sif!
But today was unexpected. Thor, drinking toward the palace gates, suddenly saw Heimdall!
Too bizarre—Heimdall leaving the Bifröst?!
"Pfft~ cough cough…"
Thor choked.
"Damn, I finally won! You bastard, weren't you boasting about always winning?!"
Sif stopped drinking, patting Thor's back. He was genuinely choked.
But Thor ignored her concern, realizing why Heimdall was there.
The Bifröst must be fixed! He could see his love in Midgard!
"Heimdall!!!"
Thor shook off Sif, rushing to Heimdall.
He embraced him, whispering,
"You're here for me, right? Good news?"
"Indeed. I've found Loki's trail!"
"Haha, great! I'll ask Father to send me to Midgard to find Lo—"
Thor froze.
Wait…
Wasn't he supposed to see Jane Foster?!
Why Loki?!
Wait!
Loki's found…?
Well, Thor suddenly felt this news was even better!
He could find his brother and see his love—the happiest thing ever!
As Thor's thoughts raced, Heimdall was stunned.
"Thor! How did you know Loki's in Midgard? Did you already know?"
Heimdall felt he'd misjudged Thor.
He'd thought Thor a simple prince.
But now, seeing Thor hide Loki's location…
Indeed, Odin's son isn't a fool!
All an illusion!
But when Thor heard Heimdall's surprised question, he froze, then turned ecstatic.
"By Odin! Loki's in Midgard? I'll ask Father to force the Bifröst to send me there!!!"
Without hesitation, he swung his hammer, dashing husky-like toward Odin's palace.
How could he not be thrilled? Finding his brother and seeing his love—the ultimate happiness!
Watching Thor leave, Heimdall's brow furrowed.
Thor wasn't hiding Loki's location—he was clearly thinking about his Midgard girlfriend.
I actually thought Thor was smart.
This is the true illusion!