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Chapter 103: Washington Bathed in Gold—This Is Divine Power!
🕑 Added 2025-03-15 13:53:08 +0000 UTCAt this point, how could Pierce not realize that he had been exposed?
What baffled him was how the other party had found him so quickly.
It shouldn’t be possible!
He had carefully transferred all HYDRA members out under various plausible reasons. Now, the only ones inside S.H.I.E.L.D. were genuine agents, with at most a few spies from other organizations—none of whom had any direct ties to him.
Moreover, even if someone had uncovered HYDRA’s infiltration, they shouldn’t have been able to trace it back to him.
His interactions with lower-level HYDRA operatives were handled through intermediaries. Almost everyone who knew about his involvement in the nuclear attack was already dead.
The few who remained had long since relocated to other regions—far beyond discovery.
Even the agents he had dispatched to New Mexico to retrieve Mjolnir and capture Magneto had no idea who had issued the orders.
So how had they found him so quickly?
Even if they knew he was HYDRA rather than a legitimate S.H.I.E.L.D. director, Asgard had never directly antagonized HYDRA. Even if the gods were aware of their presence, why would they go out of their way to pick a fight?
Pierce refused to believe that Nick Fury and his allies had been able to offer the Asgardians something substantial enough to persuade them to take action.
With no other option, he decided to stand his ground and deny everything.
He knew that as long as he kept denying it, he had a chance to survive. But the moment he admitted the truth—he was as good as dead.
A Dangerous Confrontation
"Pierce! The security of two nations is at stake. What reason do you have to refuse?"
Nick Fury’s voice was sharp, his gaze locked onto Pierce. Even though the man was doing his best to mask his emotions, Fury’s decades of experience as a spy told him that something was seriously wrong.
Could this really be the mastermind?
They had spent a whole year conducting an exhaustive investigation, yet somehow, they had completely overlooked the real culprit!
If Aaron hadn’t personally intervened, they would have remained in the dark, blindly patting themselves on the back for rounding up all the supposed participants.
Damn it. They had made a massive mistake.
"Fury! Watch your words!"
Pierce snapped, trying to regain his composure.
"I am the former Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Chairman of the Security Council. Every document I handle is classified at the highest level. I cannot allow outsiders access to such information—it would compromise national security!"
"If you allow someone to probe my mind, do you have any idea how catastrophic that would be?"
"And what proof do you even have that I was responsible?"
"Even if he is a so-called god from Asgard, he should understand that this world no longer belongs to them. Humanity rules now. We rule."
Pierce’s voice grew more heated.
"This isn't ancient mythology anymore! They are relics of the past—fading from relevance as time moves on."
"And tell me, what right does he have to question a high-ranking American official?"
"By status alone, I am no less significant than he is in Asgard."
Pierce refused to meet Aaron’s eyes. Instead, he focused on Fury, raising his voice in defiance.
His mind was racing. He could not allow anyone to probe his thoughts—not even Charles Xavier.
He had secretly funded numerous anti-mutant research projects. If anyone uncovered that information, his fate would be sealed.
Nick Fury frowned.
Pierce’s logic was flimsy, but it wasn’t entirely without merit.
The information in his mind was indeed classified. Letting it leak would be a national security disaster.
Even Fury himself had taken precautions. He had asked Tony Stark to develop a device capable of temporarily blocking telepathic intrusions. He wasn’t sure if it would work, but anything was better than nothing.
With classified state secrets on one side and Asgard’s wrath on the other, Fury found himself caught in a dilemma.
As he debated his options, Aaron’s patience wore thin.
He had no obligation to adhere to American laws.
And he certainly had no interest in playing this drawn-out game with Pierce.
As he slowly stepped forward, Pierce’s expression twisted in panic.
"Stop! You can’t do this!"
His voice cracked with desperation.
"Your actions will spark a war between our nations!"
"We have shown good faith—why are you indiscriminately targeting America’s elite?"
Aaron simply raised his fist and shook it.
"Why? Because of this."
Pierce’s heart pounded. He instinctively reached for a communicator in his pocket. With one press of a button, he could signal the military to launch an attack.
Of course, General Ross was still in command, and any large-scale military operations would require his authorization.
But Pierce didn’t need the entire military—just his HYDRA operatives within it.
After decades of infiltration, HYDRA’s reach extended far beyond S.H.I.E.L.D. Using his influence as both the former Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Chairman of the Security Council, Pierce had planted loyalists deep within the armed forces.
And right now, he was prepared to use them.
If war broke out, Ross would have no choice but to respond in full force.
"Idiot."
Aaron barely acknowledged Pierce’s threat.
With a wave of his hand, Magneto’s helmet, which Pierce had been wearing for protection, crumbled into dust.
Pierce’s face contorted in horror.
"Tch!"
Realizing that he had no other option, he pressed the button.
At the same time, he pulled out a pistol and fired.
His frantic actions only confirmed Fury’s suspicions—Pierce was guilty as hell.
"Get me General Ross! Tell him to restrain his forces—do not let this escalate into war!"
Fury barked orders, his mind racing.
If this turned into a full-scale conflict, the consequences would be devastating.
Even if the U.S. resorted to nuclear strikes and exhausted every possible resource to defeat Asgard, they would still suffer massive casualties.
And realistically? They were more likely to lose.
At that moment, Ross received Fury’s message.
He was just about to order a ceasefire when a deafening roar erupted from the distance.
Dozens of armed helicopters lifted off.
Tanks and armored vehicles rumbled forward.
HYDRA’s operatives in the military had mobilized thousands of soldiers.
It wasn’t a full army, but it was enough to trigger chaos.
The rest of the military, caught off guard, hesitated. Some units were unsure whether to act.
"Damn it! Who gave them the order to move?! Tell them to stand down immediately! Or they’ll all be court-martialed!"
Ross was livid.
If this sparked a war with Asgard, there would be no way to contain the fallout.
But when his orders were issued—nothing happened.
The rogue forces ignored him.
They had already begun their attack on the Triskelion.
A war had begun.
Suddenly, an immense golden shockwave rippled outward from the Triskelion.
The entire Washington area was engulfed in golden light.
From space, the clouds above the city glowed as if dyed in divine radiance.
Every energy detection system in the area went berserk. Alarms blared as power levels skyrocketed beyond measurable limits.
Scientists panicked.
In New York, a certain sorcerer stood up in shock.
"What is this power?"
Meanwhile, at Kamar-Taj, the Ancient One observed the phenomenon.
Her magicians whispered in alarm.
"A dimensional lord?! Has one invaded Earth?!"
But the Ancient One knew better.
"No. It’s him."
Her voice was calm, yet solemn.
"The God of Magic has returned from Asgard."
"And it looks like someone has made a very foolish mistake."
Outside the Triskelion, the battle had begun.
Inside, Pierce sat motionless, his face drained of color.
Because at that moment, he realized—
He was already dead.
Meanwhile, on the other side—
Upon learning of Aaron’s arrival, Charles rushed over with the X-Men.
After passing through multiple security checkpoints, they finally arrived in Washington by air, just in time to see the military advancing toward S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters.
“Did we arrive too late?” Ororo’s expression was grim.
Charles frowned. He had believed their intervention would prevent a conflict with Asgard, yet it seemed war was now inevitable.
What went wrong?
Hadn’t they done enough?
Even the former president had been held accountable to quell the anger. Was that still not enough?
“Professor, what should we do? Do we stand by, or…” Ororo looked to Charles for direction.
“No! Jean is still inside! We can’t leave her in such a dangerous situation!”
Logan unsheathed his claws, his gaze shifting toward the army below. He looked ready to leap down at any moment to rescue Jean and play the hero.
“Logan’s right,” Scott agreed. “This is a war between the U.S. and Asgard—Jean shouldn’t be caught in the middle. And in her current state… I’m afraid any provocation could set her off.”
Scott was prepared to defy the military for Jean.
However, none of them realized that Jean was no longer herself…
Charles didn’t hesitate. Scott was right—Jean’s safety was paramount.
If her other personality surfaced, the consequences would be catastrophic.
Perhaps even more devastating than an all-out war between Asgard and the U.S.
“Ororo, contact Nick Fury. Find out where Jean is.”
“Scott, pilot the jet. I’ll handle the troops. Once Jean is safe, we’re pulling out immediately!”
“No matter who wins this war, we can’t leave Jean here.”
Charles gave his orders. Their mission was clear—rescue Jean and stay out of the larger conflict.
Neither Asgard nor the U.S. were forces they could afford to antagonize.
Either one had the power to crush them effortlessly.
Charles refused to gamble with the future of mutantkind.
Just then—
A golden shockwave exploded outward from the Trident Building.
In seconds, it engulfed the entire Washington area.
From space, one could see the clouds turning gold.
Energy detectors across the region went berserk, their alarms shrieking.
Monitors displayed energy levels skyrocketing beyond measure, sending scientists into a panic.
Meanwhile, in New York—
A certain magician sensed the disturbance and shot to his feet.
“What… an incredible surge of magic power!”
“It’s covering such a vast area… Could it be a Dimensional Lord breaching into our reality?!”
He dared not investigate recklessly.
Such an overwhelming force could only mean one thing—a Dimensional Lord of unfathomable power had entered their realm.
Yet, as guardian of the New York Sanctum, he could not abandon his post.
At the same time—
Kamar-Taj detected the anomaly.
A panicked magician rushed to inform the Ancient One.
“Sorcerer Supreme! A Dimensional Lord has invaded!”
“A Dimensional Lord?”
“Impossible. None of the three Sanctums have reported a breach. How could a Dimensional Lord invade Earth unnoticed?”
“I don’t know, Master! An unprecedented surge of energy has been detected in the U.S.—greater than anything we’ve seen before! There’s no explanation… unless it’s a Dimensional Lord!”
“If that’s true… do you think the Sorcerer Supreme will personally intervene?”
As murmurs of concern spread, the Ancient One—who had been deep in meditation—rose and made her way to the observation chamber, accompanied by Mordo and her finest disciples.
When they saw the golden energy consuming Washington’s skyline, their expressions turned grave.
“What… what kind of power is this?”
“Master, which Dimensional Lord do you think it could be?” Mordo asked, sweat trickling down his brow.
“No… it’s him! That’s his energy signature!”
“He’s returned from Asgard!”
“It seems someone has gravely offended him.”
The Ancient One studied the energy carefully before exhaling in relief.
Terrifying as it was, it was not the work of a Dimensional Lord.
It was far worse.
“This isn’t a Dimensional Lord doing,” she confirmed. “It’s him—the God of Magic.”
“Him?! But why?!”
“It seems the politicians failed to provide a satisfactory resolution.”
“Are they actually trying to wage war against him?!”
Mordo was stunned by the sheer recklessness.
Was the U.S. insane?
How could they dare to provoke him?!
The God of Magic was practically a walking dimensional entity.
Even Kamar-Taj tread carefully around him, and yet the U.S. had chosen to pick a fight?!
Mordo had to give them credit—such boldness was rare.
“Master, should we intervene? This could have devastating consequences.”
The Ancient One shook her head.
“They brought this upon themselves. We will not interfere.”
“Humans must learn their place.
If they refuse to show respect, then even if they survive this time, retribution will come tenfold in the future.”
She had no intention of antagonizing Aaron over this.
As long as he did not seek to annihilate humanity, there was no need to intervene.
Inside the Trident Building—
“Sir, you need to see this.”
“What is it, J.A.R.V.I.S.?”
Tony was debating whether to leave immediately to stop the war, but the footage from J.A.R.V.I.S. made him freeze.
A cold dread crept up his spine.
Turning toward the window, he saw it—
The sky had changed color.
Others noticed it too.
Agents rushed to the windows, momentarily forgetting the battle outside.
They gazed in awe and terror at the golden sky.
Was this divine intervention?
Outside—
The slaughter had begun.
