A few seconds later, Heimdall's voice echoed inside Thor's mind.
"I can't see her precise movements, Thor. She's been masking herself constantly with sorcery."
"But just now… she cast a spell and exposed her position."
A set of coordinates projected directly before Thor's eyes.
"Stark Tower?"
He paused, then corrected himself, brow furrowing sharply.
"No… it's called Avengers Tower now."
Thor stared at the location, his eyebrows knitting into a deep scowl.
"What in the Nine Realms is she doing there?"
-----
New York City. Manhattan. Avengers Tower.
The atmosphere inside was relaxed—lazy, even—like the calm after a storm.
Tony Stark lounged at the bar with one leg crossed over the other, casually swirling a martini in his hand.
Bruce Banner sat on the couch, tablet in hand, still obsessing over the data model of the scepter.
"Hey," Tony said after a sip, "where's Clint? He said he was bringing a new friend. I'm hoping for a hot one."
"He said he's already on the way," Natasha Romanoff replied, glancing at the time. "Should be here any minute."
Ding.
The elevator doors slid open.
Clint Barton stepped out.
And behind him—
A woman followed.
A dangerously seductive woman.
"Whoa."
Tony whistled, setting his glass down.
"Legolas, what's this about?"
He pulled off his sunglasses, eyes darting between Barton and the woman with open amusement.
"If I remember right, Laura's still pregnant, isn't she? You shopping for a sexy stepmom for your kid?"
Banner shot Tony a helpless look—the here we go again kind.
Natasha, however, frowned.
The moment she saw the woman, something felt deeply wrong.
"And you are…?" Natasha asked carefully.
"This is Lorelei," Barton said.
"She helped me on the way here. I think… she should lead us. As our Queen."
"Queen?" Tony snorted. "Wow, Clint, things getting freaky lately? Roleplay?"
"Shut up, Tony."
Natasha's instincts screamed danger.
Her hand slid quietly toward the holster on her thigh.
Lorelei smiled.
She stepped past Barton, gliding into the room, stopping right in front of Tony.
"So… you're Stark?"
Her gaze hooked into him. Her voice was honeyed poison.
"The mortal blacksmith who hides inside iron shells?"
Tony blinked, then straightened his jacket, flashing his best grin.
"Correction—genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist. But if you like 'blacksmith,' I can forge you a sword."
"I don't need a sword."
Lorelei raised her hand, icy fingers brushing Tony's cheek.
The chill sent a shiver through his entire body.
"Look at me, blacksmith."
She leaned close, whispering into his ear—magic woven into every syllable.
"I only need… you."
"Yes… my Queen."
Tony's eyes glazed over.
Like a loyal knight, he stepped obediently behind her.
"Hey! Bitch! Get away from him!"
Natasha reacted instantly, yanking her gun free.
Whoosh—!
An arrow sliced through the air, knocking the Glock clean out of her hand.
"Clint! Have you lost your damn mind?!" Natasha shouted.
Barton didn't answer.
He simply drew another arrow, its tip aimed squarely at her forehead.
"Don't move, Nat," he said coldly. "Don't ruin the Queen's mood."
"Queen…"
Natasha's heart sank.
Clint was controlled.
Just like Loki had done years ago.
"Banner—run!" she shouted.
Seeing Natasha attacked, Banner's instincts kicked in.
"HULK—!"
His skin began to turn green. Muscles swelled.
Note: Hulk's rage can be provoked—but it cannot be mentally controlled.
"Shhh…"
Lorelei was suddenly beside him.
She gently pressed one finger to Banner's lips.
"What a strong beast."
"But you need to calm down, my warrior."
Something miraculous—and terrifying—happened.
The green faded instantly.
Banner didn't transform.
Nor did he regain his clarity.
Bruce Banner, one of the greatest minds on Earth, now stared at Lorelei with worshipful devotion.
"I am calm…" he murmured.
"I will obey you… my Queen."
He stepped to Barton's side.
In minutes—
Three of the Avengers' strongest men were gone.
Only Natasha remained.
"Damn it…"
She knew exactly what this was.
Mind control.
Male-targeted.
Devastatingly effective.
"You're the last one, little wildcat."
Lorelei turned toward her, eyes cold with disdain.
"I don't like the way you look at me."
"Kill her."
The order was soft.
Final.
Click.
Barton drew his bowstring.
Tony's wristwatch unfolded into a repulsor cannon.
Banner grabbed a chair.
Friends. Teammates. Someone she loved.
Now—her executioners.
"Goodbye," Lorelei said with a dismissive wave.
Just as Tony's repulsor began to glow—
BOOOOOM—!!!!
A thunderclap detonated through the tower.
A massive bolt of lightning shattered the floor-to-ceiling windows, glass exploding inward like a storm of knives.
A figure descended amid wind and thunder, red cape billowing, hammer in hand.
"LORELEI!!"
Thor's voice roared like the sky itself.
"Your game is over! You're coming back to Asgard with me!"
The sudden gale knocked Tony and Barton back, breaking their attacks.
"Thor?"
Lorelei looked at him—and smiled, amused rather than afraid.
"Oh? My dear Thor."
She flicked her hair gracefully, voice dripping sweetness.
"After all these years, you greet me by trying to arrest me?"
"I hear you've found a new lover."
"That mortal woman—Jane Foster?"
Thor's expression darkened instantly.
"Do not speak her name!"
"Hmph. Heartless man," Lorelei scoffed.
"Six hundred years ago, you were on your knees, begging me to love you."
"Enough!!"
Thor's face flushed crimson.
He glanced back at Natasha, painfully aware his ancient humiliation was being aired publicly.
"That was your sorcery! I'm immune now!"
"Immune?"
Lorelei laughed softly.
"Perhaps. You are stubborn."
"But—"
She pointed at Tony, Barton, and Banner.
"Barton told me these are your friends."
"If you no longer love me…"
Her eyes hardened.
"Then let them entertain you instead."
"Attack."
Tony Stark raised both hands, face empty of emotion.
The Mark 43 armor wrapped around him instantly.
"Sorry, blondie," Tony said flatly.
"The Queen orders your death."
--------------
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