The Night the Tesseract Was Stolen – Nathan's House
Nathan had just returned after dropping Thalia off. The night air was quiet—but not for long. Raphael had informed him about the Tesseract being stolen right as he'd reached Percy's house.
After checking on Jessica—still fast asleep, safe for now—Nathan climbed up to the rooftop. The stars above were faint against the city glow, but they made a decent backdrop for strategizing the future. He sat down cross-legged, metal fingers drumming against his knee.
Their plan had originally been simple. Raphael had insisted he not interfere with the New York invasion. This battle would mark the formation of the Avengers—a key pivot in the events to come. Preserving it was critical.
But then Raphael interrupted his thoughts with a new update:
[Michael has just issued a command across Angel Radio. Every angel is now on alert for Loki and his scepter. They've been ordered to seize it if found.]
Nathan blinked. "Wait—Michael? Michael's involved now?"
Raphael responded smoothly,
[I hacked into the angelic frequency back when we met Castiel. Their communication is structured around intent, not language. Interpreting it was effortless.]
"Okay, but why now?" Nathan asked, shifting slightly as the wind picked up. "What would Michael want with the scepter?"
[It's not the scepter itself—it's the Infinity Stone inside it. Specifically, the Mind Stone. With Lucifer free, Michael's preparing for the inevitable confrontation. If he believes the stone can give him an edge, he'll pursue it without hesitation.]
Nathan frowned, resting his arms over his knees. "But why only the Mind Stone? Why not the Space Stone too?"
[That's the unknown. Either Michael only recently learned of the Stones' existence… or someone else is feeding him selective information.]
He nodded slowly. "So there's another player involved. Someone nudging Michael just enough to stir the pot—either to help him win, or just to cause chaos."
[Exactly. If Michael knows of the Infinity Stones but not where they are, that explains his sudden interest in the scepter. It's the only one he can identify and locate.]
Nathan glanced at the sky. "If he gets his hands on even one, it could spiral. What if the Stones react to each other somehow? Could he sense another nearby?"
[Possible. But unverified. We simply don't have enough data.]
"Well, we do," Nathan corrected. "We just don't know what to trust. Multicross rules make everything unpredictable."
[Agreed. Our problem is no longer the Chitauri invasion—it's keeping Michael out of it. If he intervenes, the entire timeline destabilizes. Not to mention the risk of the Avengers not forming at all.]
Nathan groaned. "So I have to stop Michael from getting the Mind Stone, make sure the Chitauri show up on time, and stay hidden throughout?"
[Also factor in Archangel Raphael. Unless something changes, he should still be operating under Heaven—under Michael's orders.]
"Great," he muttered, rubbing his temples. "Two Archangels, one alien army, and one fake Norse god with mind control."
What followed was a flurry of thoughts and calculations, exchanged back and forth between Nathan and Raphael. What took half an hour in real time happened in a fraction of a second through Thought Acceleration. Plans were formed. Contingencies laid out.
But one thing still nagged at them—the deeper rules of time itself. The flow of events. The turning points.
So Nathan transformed again. It took nearly eight grueling hours of trial and error to unlock the form he needed.
Clockwork.
Finally, with Raphael's help, he peered into the timestream.
The New York Battle, it turned out, wasn't a fixed point in time—but it was still vital. A junction. Without it, the Avengers wouldn't form. Superheroes would stay separate. Alone. Uncoordinated against future threats.
Clockwork couldn't see the future like a prophecy, but his species had an instinctual awareness of timelines. Through him, Nathan could follow the currents and shape their understanding of what must remain intact.
And from that knowledge, the real plan began to take shape..
[Plan: Infinity Guard
Primary Goals:
Prevent Michael (and by extension Heaven) from acquiring the Mind Stone or any other Infinity Stones.
Ensure the Battle of New York proceeds as it should.
Keep your identity and involvement secret from all major cosmic factions.
Strategic Outline:
1. Disrupt Heaven's Focus:
Feed half-truths to Lucifer to provoke him into action against Heaven. The goal isn't to ally with him—but to keep Michael or Archangel Raphael preoccupied. Their attention must remain divided or misdirected during the key window.
2. Replace Loki with Gabriel:
Leverage Gabriel's natural instinct to run from celestial drama. Trick or pressure him into impersonating Loki. If successful, this maneuver ensures that the Mind Stone falls into the hands of someone not aligned with either Heaven or Hell. Whether it remains with Gabriel or "Loki," it's easier to recover later.
3. Secure the Stones (if possible):
If any opportunity arises to acquire an Infinity Stone without derailing the plan, take it. Ownership of even one could drastically increase your influence and options in the Multicross.
4. Maintain Secrecy:
Under no circumstances should your identity or larger agenda be exposed to either Heaven's forces or Lucifer's camp. Use proxies when necessary—recommended candidates include:
The Ancient One (Best Candidate if secured due to high influence and powe.)
Sam and Dean Winchester (Being the vessels they could be used if necessary.)
Crowley (as an expendable but useful pawn in demonic channels)
]
Somewhere in Los Angeles – Elysium Productions Studio
A red light blinked Recording in Progress above a poorly soundproofed door. Inside, the set smelled of stale smoke and overused velvet. A fake fireplace flickered in the background, though no one remembered who turned it on.
In the director's chair sat Gabriel—former Archangel, now very much enjoying his anonymous life as "Richard Trickman," a moderately successful porn producer. Sunglasses on, sandals up, licorice between his teeth. The only halo here was the brand of beer in his cooler.
"Alright, cut!" he called. "Jenna, your moans sound like someone stepped on a raccoon. Let's try something less horror movie, more soft jazz, okay?"
The lights flickered.
Gabriel didn't look up. "If that's the AC again, I swear—"
But it wasn't.
The air changed.
Not cold. Not divine. Just… alert.
"Really?" Gabriel sighed, turning. "Can't a guy enjoy a peaceful mortal retirement?"
Nathan stepped out of the shadows near the lighting rig. No glowing entrance, no ominous music. Just calm presence—and the faint shimmer of the H-Omnitrix at his wrist.
"I'm not here to ruin your peace," Nathan said.
Gabriel raised an eyebrow. "Could've fooled me. You're not one of mine… So what's a time-hopping, universe-surfing kid doing in my den of sin?"
Nathan shrugged. "Looking for someone smart enough to run before the sky falls."
"Cute," Gabriel said, sliding off his sunglasses. "That a warning or a threat?"
"Neither. Just a heads-up. Michael and Lucifer are heading for a rematch."
Gabriel stared for a long second.
Then laughed. "Of course they are. Heaven and Hell just love dragging the rest of us into their family reunions."
"They won't care who gets caught in the middle," Nathan said. "Which includes you."
Gabriel rolled his eyes. "Yeah, no thanks. I'm good with my current gig. Bad lighting, worse actors, but at least no one's trying to smite me."
"I'm offering you a clean exit," Nathan replied. "There's a role that needs filling. Just long enough for you to disappear again."
Gabriel narrowed his eyes. "What kind of role?"
"Loki."
The name hit harder than it should've.
Gabriel blinked. "Wait. That Loki? God of mischief, pretty-boy with horn issues? We used to swap prank notes centuries ago."
"He's about to make a big entrance on Earth. And once he does, Odin's coming. Hard. Even Loki knows it."
"And let me guess… he wants out."
Nathan gave a short nod. "He's agreed to slip away quietly—if someone covers for him just long enough to keep Heaven and Hell off his back."
Gabriel leaned back in the chair. "You're not telling me everything. Why do you care?"
Nathan didn't answer directly. "Let's just say a lot of pieces are moving right now, and your part could make everything easier—for all of us."
Gabriel was quiet. Then said, "Can you keep Michael and Lucifer off my back while I do this?"
Nathan's expression didn't change. "I can make preparations. Enough to keep both sides distracted for a while."
Gabriel exhaled through his nose. "You've got balls, kid. Coming in here and asking me to wear someone else's chaos."
Nathan's tone was even. "You've done worse for less."
A pause.
Then Gabriel chuckled. "Yeah. I have."
He stood up, stretching. "Alright. I'll think about it. But if this gets me burned, I'm throwing your name into every heavenly complaint box I can find."
"Fair," Nathan said. "I'll prepare for the distractions."
Nathan, in his Deadman form, slipped away with ease. He knew Gabriel wouldn't trust him—not fully—which was why he'd carefully staged their meeting to make it seem like he was on Loki's side. It wasn't a lie, not entirely. Just enough truth to keep Gabriel curious and cautious. By the time the plan was in motion, it would be too late for the archangel to back out. And truthfully, Gabriel needed a way out of the coming war just as much as anyone.
Next Stop: The New York Sanctum
Nathan stood before the old townhouse nestled at 177A Bleecker Street, right in the heart of Greenwich Village. The air smelled faintly of incense and old magic. Cloaked in shadows, his Deadman form shimmered briefly as he knocked on the door with two firm raps.
It creaked open a moment later, revealing a man in ceremonial robes. Nathan recognized him from Raphael's notes—Daniel Drumm, the current guardian of the Sanctum.
"I'd like to meet the Ancient One," Nathan said politely, stepping inside.
Drumm gave a knowing nod, expression unreadable. "She expected you would come. Sooner rather than later."
"Well, considering what she's wearing around her neck, I'd expect nothing less," Nathan replied with a half-smile, not directly naming the Time Stone—but he didn't need to.
Drumm didn't respond. Instead, he turned and led him wordlessly through a conjured portal. A golden ring spiraled into existence, and they stepped through together.
The air on the other side was brisk, tinged with mountain chill. The scent of snow and incense filled Nathan's nose as he took in the surroundings—Kamar-Taj, nestled in the heights of Nepal.
"Greetings, Otherworlder," came the serene voice from within the courtyard.
She stood there, clad in her familiar yellow robes, exuding the calm of someone who had seen lifetimes unfold.
"Greetings to you as well, Ancient One."
"Would you care for some tea?"
"If you've got biscuits too, then absolutely." Nathan grinned. Truthfully, he hadn't eaten since last night's dinner with Jess and Thalia.
A short time later, they sat beneath a quiet pavilion. Nathan happily munched on a few sweet biscuits as the Ancient One poured a fragrant cup of herbal tea.
Once she saw his appetite briefly satisfied, she finally spoke again.
"Now then, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit, Mr. Nathan?"
"Haven't you already seen the future?" he asked, half-curious, half-teasing.
"The future is not a stream—it's a well of possibilities," she replied with a faint smile. "Even then, my sight falters when something from outside this universe disrupts the flow so deeply."
Nathan sipped his tea, then set it down gently. "Fair enough. Let's keep things simple, then. You know about the upcoming battle in New York, right? Loki, the Chitauri, the Avengers."
The Ancient One inclined her head. "A critical convergence. Difficult to miss."
"Well, during that chaos, Archangel Michael plans to steal the Mind Stone. He's already moved angels onto Earth. The operation's subtle, but the pieces are being placed."
"I see…" She leaned back thoughtfully. "So that's the reason the skies are suddenly filled with wings. I wondered."
"I need a favor," Nathan continued, tone turning serious. "Can you… bait Lucifer? Push him to attack Heaven around the same time? Draw Michael's attention away."
She raised an eyebrow. "That wouldn't be difficult. But if the heavens descend en masse, even Loki and SHIELD won't stand a chance of defending the scepter."
"Oh, don't worry. I've got contingencies for that too. All I need is Lucifer to make the first move."
The Ancient One studied him quietly, her fingers steepled.
"You've already tricked Gabriel into helping you, haven't you?" she said, amused.
Nathan chuckled. "I'd ask how you knew, but that feels like a trap. Anyway, yes—he's agreed. In his own hesitant, snarky way."
She nodded, pleased. "Then yes… I'm in. Infinity Stones in the hands of either Michael or Lucifer would be disastrous. I'll see that Lucifer turns his gaze skyward."
"Thank you," Nathan said, rising.
The Ancient One refilled her tea, calm as ever. "Good luck, Nathan. You're threading quite the needle."
"Yeah," he muttered. "And I don't even sew."