Chương 90: Chapter 90: Asgard's Invitation and the Debut of S.P.E.A.R. 

Receiving Thor's call, Luke immediately headed over to a highly secure S.H.I.E.L.D. medical facility. 

Of course, he wasn't visiting Thor because the Thunder God had foolishly managed to get himself tased and knocked unconscious again. He was visiting Dr. Erik Selvig. 

A few days prior, Dr. Selvig had been heavily mind-controlled by the Mind Stone within Loki's scepter. Out of 'deep concern' for his old friend's well-being, Nick Fury had 'generously' invited him to stay in a S.H.I.E.L.D. hospital for a few days to act as a human guinea pig while their scientists attempted to study the lingering effects of the Mind Stone's control mechanisms. 

Truly worthy of S.H.I.E.L.D., their daily routine of actively courting disaster never ceases. 

Luke complained internally as he finally located Dr. Selvig's private ward. 

Nodding casually to the heavily armed S.H.I.E.L.D. agents guarding the door, Luke peered through the observation window. 

Inside, Thor was chatting animatedly with Jane Foster. Meanwhile, a completely subjugated, miserable-looking Loki was standing by the bed, expertly utilizing his legendary knife skills to meticulously peel an apple for Dr. Selvig. The peel was coming off in one, perfectly continuous, paper-thin ribbon. 

Luke shook his head helplessly. It seemed Thor and Jane were basically inseparable at this point. He pushed the door open and walked in. 

Seeing Luke enter, Loki's eyes instantly lit up like a rescued hostage. He unceremoniously shoved the perfectly peeled apple directly into Dr. Selvig's mouth and hurried over to Luke's side. 

"Uncle," Loki greeted him respectfully, then turned to glare at Thor, who was still deeply engrossed in his conversation with Jane. 

"Your Uncle has arrived. Shouldn't you greet him properly?" Loki casually flicked his wrist, sending a minor pulse of green magic to forcefully separate the two lovebirds. 

"Uncle," Thor didn't seem particularly bothered. He stood up cheerfully and greeted Luke. Jane, however, shot an annoyed glare at Loki before smiling warmly at Luke. 

After briefly exchanging pleasantries with Dr. Selvig and Jane, Luke looked around the small ward. 

"Where is Sylvie?" 

"She went to visit her Master. That was actually one of our primary objectives for returning to Midgard," Loki answered quickly, subtly pulling Thor closer to his side to prevent him from drifting back to Jane. 

"We originally intended to formally visit you first, but Thor absolutely insisted on coming here immediately," Loki sighed helplessly, shooting his brother a highly judgmental look. 

"Well, you've seen me now, so it doesn't really matter. Why exactly did you guys return to Earth?" Luke asked, glancing at Thor, who had somehow already managed to slip back over to Jane's side, completely ignoring his brother and uncle. 

"Now that Midgard is fully aware of Asgard's existence and our involvement in the recent conflict, the All-Father has decided to formally invite representatives from Midgard to attend the upcoming realm-wide banquet. He also wishes to personally discuss a few critical matters with them," Loki answered smoothly, effortlessly slipping into his role as a royal diplomat. 

"So, the All-Father is finally willing to let Earth sit at the big kids' table," Luke chuckled. "So, are you guys planning on taking them back right now, or what?" 

Loki shook his head. "Midgard is currently entirely fractured. There are far too many independent factions and nations. Although the All-Father only extended invitations to a select few prominent factions, coordinating the logistics is still incredibly tedious. Therefore, we delegated the responsibility to S.H.I.E.L.D., instructing them to contact the relevant parties and organize a centralized meeting point. Tomorrow, we will gather the representatives and utilize the Bifrost to transport them to Asgard simultaneously." 

Luke nodded, understanding their itinerary. 

"So, are you guys just going to sit in this tiny hospital room until tomorrow?" 

Loki sighed, a look of profound exasperation on his face. "We initially intended to have S.H.I.E.L.D. arrange appropriate accommodations for us, but Thor... just look at him!" Loki tried to point at Thor, only to realize Thor had once again slinked back over to Jane. 

"Honestly, it's a blessing your father didn't hand the throne over to him," Luke shook his head. He suspected Thor, realizing he was no longer burdened with the immediate responsibility of ruling, had decided to completely let loose. 

"Do you want to come hang out at my place first?" Luke offered. He couldn't be bothered to watch Thor anymore; the Thunder God was acting like a desperate teenager in a long-distance relationship who had finally managed to visit his girlfriend. 

Loki nodded eagerly. "Actually, I would very much prefer not to stay in any S.H.I.E.L.D.-arranged accommodations. The last time I was a 'guest' of theirs, I caused them a rather significant amount of... collateral damage." 

Luke didn't even need to imagine how many highly trained snipers and heavily armed tactical teams were currently surrounding the hospital. Honestly, considering what Loki had done to the Helicarrier, Nick Fury possessed massive, Vibranium-sized guts for allowing Loki to even walk into a S.H.I.E.L.D. medical facility without immediately locking him in a vibranium cage. 

Waving dismissively at the incredibly tense S.H.I.E.L.D. agents watching them from the hallway, Luke drew a Sling Ring portal connecting directly to Kamar-Taj. 

"An incredibly convenient application of magic," Loki remarked cautiously, stepping through the glowing portal and watching it snap shut behind him. 

"It's not entirely convenient. You absolutely need to wear one of these things to cast it," Luke raised his hand, showing Loki the brass Sling Ring. 

To open a spatial portal, a Sling Ring was an absolute requirement. Even the Ancient One needed to wear one to draw a portal. Currently, Luke hadn't figured out a way to bypass this specific magical limitation. 

(Author's Note: In the beginning of the Doctor Strange movie, when the Ancient One "accidentally" lets Kaecilius escape and takes off her hood, she is clearly wearing a Sling Ring. Later in the story, I will find a way for Luke to bypass the need for a Sling Ring.) 1

Luke handed his Sling Ring to a Shadow Ninja that silently emerged from the floor to hold it for him. He then led Loki through the bustling marketplace alleys surrounding Kamar-Taj. By the time they exited the market, they were carrying a massive mountain of local street food. 

"So, how was the food prepared by the Shadowkhan?" Luke asked, taking a bite of a savory skewer. He glanced back at Loki, whose arms were currently overflowing with bags and boxes of food. 

"Uh... it was actually quite exceptional. They are incredibly fast learners. The Royal Chef claimed several of them were already skilled enough to graduate," Loki replied. While he was speaking, another Shadow Ninja seemingly popped out of nowhere and aggressively shoved yet another bag of spicy snacks into his already overflowing arms. 

Why aren't you making your magical shadow-servants carry this?! Loki screamed internally. 

He watched enviously as a Shadow Ninja holding a small piece of paper with a shopping list quickly purchased a massive stack of goods from a vendor and sprinted off. Is he literally using them as a supernatural food delivery service?! 

However, despite his internal complaints, Loki absolutely did not dare ask a Shadow Ninja for help, nor did he dare ask Luke to open a portal to make the trip easier. 

Over the past few days, Odin had not only been actively teaching Loki the necessary qualities of a true ruler, but had also severely lectured him on the importance of respecting his elders. And, of course, the most crucial factor ensuring Loki's absolute compliance was the terrifying fact that Luke still possessed the blackmail videos. 

Luke, walking casually ahead of Loki, felt a slight twinge of regret. Kicking Loki in the chest had felt incredibly satisfying the last time. He had honestly considered giving the God of Mischief another swift kick just to relive the pleasant memory. 

Leading his reluctant, royal pack-mule into the Ancient One's private pavilion, Luke immediately spotted Sylvie happily chatting with the Sorcerer Supreme. 

Having finally been freed from the eternal, terrifying threat of the Time Variance Authority, Sylvie's personality had become significantly brighter and more lively. She was even managing to make the usually stoic Ancient One chuckle softly. 

The Ancient One noticed Luke's arrival first, prompting Sylvie to turn around. Seeing Loki struggling under the massive mountain of snacks, Sylvie immediately rushed over to help him carry the load, completely naturally. 

Luke casually sat down at the low wooden table directly opposite the Ancient One. 

"I hear you're also heading to Asgard in a couple of days?" Luke asked, noticing an incredibly ornate, golden envelope bearing the royal seal of Asgard resting on the table. 

He casually wiped his greasy fingers directly onto Loki's pristine green tunic—ignoring Loki's furious, silent glare—and reached out to grab the invitation. 

The Ancient One smoothly intercepted his hand, using her elegant wooden fan to gently but firmly block his greasy fingers from touching the pristine parchment. 

"Indeed. After all, I am recognized as the leader of one of the most powerful, influential factions on Earth," the Ancient One replied smoothly, securely tucking the invitation into her robes before casually picking up a spicy skewer from the pile. 

Luke nodded. "Why didn't I get an invitation?" 

"Because you are officially recognized as a member of the Asgardian royal family. You are one of the hosts, Uncle," Sylvie smiled brightly. 

Luke nodded, accepting the logic. He turned his attention to Sylvie, smoothly changing the subject. "So, how have Odin and Frigga been treating you?" 

Sylvie's smile widened. "Father and Mother have been incredibly kind and generous to me. Yesterday, Mother even spent several hours teaching me highly advanced spellcasting techniques!" 

"Oh? Trying to poach my Master's disciple?" Luke turned to look at the Ancient One with a raised eyebrow. 

The Ancient One's expression remained perfectly serene. "The vast majority of the advanced spellcraft currently practiced within Kamar-Taj relies heavily upon drawing energy from a specific, external source. To prevent any unforeseen complications should that certain someone suddenly decide to cause trouble, it is highly pragmatic for her to learn alternative magical disciplines as a contingency." 

She was practically pointing directly at his nose and calling him out. Luke laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. He quickly reached into his pocket, pulled out several highly compressed Dark Energy Crystals, and handed them to the Ancient One. 

"Here, keep these on you. Just in case you need an emergency battery." 

The Ancient One smoothly pocketed the priceless cosmic crystals without a word of thanks. The four of them then settled into a comfortable, relaxed conversation, enjoying the food. 

The atmosphere in Kamar-Taj was peaceful and pleasant. However, across the globe, the situation was significantly more tense. 

The true purpose of Thor's arrival had been officially relayed by S.H.I.E.L.D. to the leaders of the invited nations and organizations. Staring at the impossibly ornate, golden invitations resting on their desks, the world leaders wore expressions of profound, heavy solemnity. 

The moment they had received absolute confirmation that the mythological realm of Asgard actually existed, they had known this day would inevitably arrive. 

Historically and mythologically, Asgard claimed dominion over the Nine Realms, and Midgard (Earth) was explicitly included in that territory. Even though Asgard had remained completely isolated from Earth for centuries, their sudden, highly public reappearance meant humanity would inevitably have to deal with their 'overlords.' 

"What is the status of our preparations?" Within the Oval Office, the President looked grimly at his Secretary of State. 

"We have initiated emergency protocols and recalled our most elite, experienced diplomats from across the globe. We have meticulously selected a primary delegation to represent our interests during this unprecedented diplomatic mission to Asgard." 

The President nodded heavily, his voice laced with deep anxiety. "I pray this mission proceeds smoothly." 

However, he wasn't particularly optimistic. The terrifying intelligence report Nick Fury had submitted regarding Asgard's true military capabilities had reached his desk. As a leader who understood the brutal realities of power dynamics, he had absolutely no guarantee that an overwhelmingly powerful, highly advanced alien empire would simply allow humanity to maintain its total autonomy. 

Meanwhile, on the other side of the planet, within a massive, highly advanced nation... 

Director Zheng Xian of S.P.E.A.R. (the Asian equivalent and rival to S.H.I.E.L.D.) had just finished a secure briefing with his superiors. He stared at the golden Asgardian invitation in his hand, rubbing his temples in frustration. 

"Why are we being forced to initiate formal diplomatic contact with Asgard now? The 'God-Forging Protocol' is so incredibly close to completion!" 

Unlike S.H.I.E.L.D., Zheng Xian had known about the definitive existence of Asgard for a very long time. 

Centuries ago, the ancient precursors to S.P.E.A.R. had actively engaged with extraterrestrial entities. They had successfully repelled an alien invasion fleet, and had even managed to successfully negotiate with a member of the legendary Celestials, convincing it to depart Earth peacefully. Through these cosmic encounters, they had acquired definitive intelligence regarding the existence of localized, planetary deities, such as the Asgardians. 

Therefore, they had been actively preparing comprehensive contingency plans for inevitable contact with Asgard for generations. As their technological and supernatural capabilities advanced, these plans were constantly refined and upgraded. 

Several years ago, S.P.E.A.R. had officially launched a highly classified, incredibly ambitious initiative: the 'God-Forging Protocol.' 

This protocol was the culmination of centuries of meticulous observation, study, and compilation of the cultivation and training methods utilized by countless super-powered individuals within S.P.E.A.R. 

Thanks to a profound cultural difference compared to the West, when super-powered individuals emerged in this region, they rarely engaged in chaotic, individualistic vigilantism or villainy. Instead, they focused heavily on intense internal cultivation, discipline, and achieving perfect, absolute control over their abilities. 

Elite S.P.E.A.R. strike teams, such as 'The Immortals,' 'The Eight Immortals,' and 'The Dynasty,' were composed entirely of these highly disciplined, perfectly trained superhumans. And S.P.E.A.R. possessed thousands of them! 

Leveraging this massive database of superhuman experience, S.P.E.A.R. was attempting to compile a comprehensive, universal 'Cultivation Manual' designed to systematically awaken and enhance latent superhuman abilities within ordinary humans. 

Through rigorous, systematic study of this manual, an ordinary human's physical and supernatural capabilities would be drastically enhanced. An individual with average talent was projected to achieve a baseline power level roughly equivalent to a standard Asgardian warrior. Those with exceptional talent would achieve significantly higher power levels. 

This protocol was designed to exponentially increase the overall strength of their nation. And the compilation of this revolutionary manual was nearing its final stages. 

If they could wait until the baseline strength of their massive population was drastically elevated, they could then utilize the resulting feedback data to further refine the cultivation methods for their elite strike teams like 'The Immortals.' Once that was achieved, they would possess absolute confidence when negotiating with Asgard. 

Possessing such a terrifyingly solid foundation, Zheng Xian naturally wasn't nearly as anxious or panicked as the Western leaders. After all, S.P.E.A.R. was vastly different from S.H.I.E.L.D.; they didn't rely on hastily assembling a ragtag team of unstable individuals during a crisis. 

He carefully reviewed the invitation, finding no hidden traps or unusual demands. Zheng Xian ordered his subordinates to proceed with the pre-established diplomatic protocols. 

Receiving confirmation from his team, Zheng Xian breathed a sigh of relief. He took a sip of hot tea and gazed out the massive window of his office. 

He was currently sitting inside a colossal, highly advanced ring-shaped aerial fortress hovering thousands of meters above the ground, surrounded by a heavy escort of sleek, heavily armed aerial battleships. If Nick Fury ever saw this majestic fleet, he would literally drool with envy. 

While the various global factions reacted differently, they all ultimately assembled their elite diplomatic teams and accepted Asgard's invitation. 

Back in Kamar-Taj, Luke was thoroughly enjoying the relaxed gathering. His newly acquired niece, Sylvie, was incredibly lively and talkative, significantly improving the atmosphere. 

However, amidst the laughter and conversation, Luke maintained a highly vigilant eye on Loki, constantly monitoring the God of Mischief for any signs of narcissistic behavior toward Sylvie. 

If you start showing any weird, narcissistic romantic interest in your female Variant... sorry, but you are being permanently exiled from this family! 

The next morning, Luke woke up early. He hadn't returned to his small apartment; he had spent the night in a luxurious guest room within Kamar-Taj. 

After all, considering he was the primary financial sponsor who was paying to completely rebuild the entire complex, it was only natural he claimed a room for himself. 

He dispatched a few Shadow Ninjas to wake up Sylvie and Loki. After gathering the Ancient One, Luke called Thor to check their status. Learning that they were still at the hospital, Luke drew a portal and instructed them to step through. 

When the portal opened, Luke raised an eyebrow in surprise as Jane Foster and Dr. Erik Selvig eagerly stepped through behind Thor. 

"You're taking them to Asgard?" 

Thor nodded with a massive, goofy smile. "I originally intended to bring Jane back with me a few days ago, but the situation with the Chitauri was far too urgent. Now that things are settled, I want to show her my home!" 

Luke nodded, understanding Thor's reasoning. But he looked at Dr. Selvig in confusion. "I get why Jane is going, but why are you tagging along? Didn't S.H.I.E.L.D. want to keep you under observation?" 

Dr. Selvig rolled his eyes. "It wasn't exactly my idea to be locked in a hospital room. Besides, at my age, traveling and experiencing new things is the best way to keep the mind sharp and the body healthy." 

Hearing Dr. Selvig—a man with greying hair—claim that running around across the galaxy was good for his health, Luke felt it made perfect sense. He slowly turned his head and stared pointedly at the Ancient One. 

The centenarian Sorcerer Supreme merely rolled her eyes and completely ignored his silent, highly disrespectful implication. 

Chuckling to himself, Luke drew another portal. The group stepped through and arrived on a heavily secured, highly militarized island. 

This was a remote island located in international waters. S.H.I.E.L.D. had designated this as the central rendezvous point to prevent various nations from playing petty political games with diplomatic visas and flight clearances. 

Currently, the waters surrounding the island were teeming with various international warships, and the airspace was heavily patrolled by fighter jets. On the island itself, dozens of elite diplomatic delegations were waiting in temporary command tents for the designated departure time. 

Luke scanned the area. Loki had informed him previously that Odin had only extended invitations to five specific nations and S.H.I.E.L.D. No other organizations had met the All-Father's incredibly high standards for diplomatic recognition. 

As Luke observed the surroundings, the various delegations noticed their arrival. Immediately, several teams of diplomats dressed in pristine suits began marching purposefully toward them. 

Luke absolutely despised dealing with politicians. He practically shoved Loki forward to act as the primary royal liaison, while he quickly retreated to hide behind the group. 

The vast majority of the diplomats completely ignored Luke, focusing entirely on Loki and Thor. However, one specific group intentionally bypassed the princes and walked directly toward him. 

"Mr. Luke, would you be open to a brief conversation?" a familiar, comforting language echoed beside him. 

Luke turned and saw two individuals standing near him, offering polite, respectful smiles. 

"Hello. I am Luke," Luke replied, feeling a genuine sense of warmth upon hearing the familiar accent and seeing their faces. 

"I am S.P.E.A.R. Agent Clairvoyant." 

"I am S.P.E.A.R. Agent Clairaudient." 

Seeing Luke's friendly demeanor, the two agents smiled warmly in return. 

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