As the jet slowly landed on the Helicarrier’s deck, I could already see everyone except Ancient One rushing at us despite the low amount of air in the atmosphere.
“Did you get it?” Director Fury asked as soon as he reached the jet.
“Yes, here it is.” I said as I put the box containing the Tessaract in his hands.
“To think that we would get the Tessaract so easily while even evading an attack on the Helicarrier narrowly. I am truly grateful to Ancient One for this help.” Director Fury said as he looked at the Tessaract, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
“What are your plans regarding the Tessaract now, Fury?” Thor asked now that the Tessaract was in our hands.
“We will discuss what to do with the Tessaract once we have finished the matter with Loki. He is still under mind control after all.” Director Fury said, reminding us that Loki was still mind control.
“Soldiers! Take out these intruders and lock them up. I will see what can be done with them once this whole matter is finished.” Director Fury ordered the soldiers.
“Speaking of the intruders, I found your agent Barton who had been mind controlled.” I told Director Fury.
“That's great news! Bring Barton to the lab once he has regained consciousness.” Director Fury ordered.
“That Barton was one crazy guy though. He actually launched a freaking bomb arrow at us inside a freaking jet without thinking what would happen to it.” Mr. Logan said as he was reminded of Agent Barton.
“Then, how come I see no damage anywhere inside the jet?” Mr. Stark questioned.
“You have to thank Albion for that. He blocked the entire explosion by enclosing the bomb inside his fist and he received not a single burn while doing so.” Ms. Ororo answered with a smile, clearly proud of her student.
“How did you do it?” Mr. Stark asked, shocked by this feat of mine.
“It is because of my enchanted suit.” I said while making the runes engraved on my glove glow in order to show the enchantments.
“Magic sure is convenient.” Mr. Stark said upon the seeing the enchantments.
“That it is.” I said with a smirk.
********************************
“Ancient One, I must thank you for your help. The plan went off without any problem because of your portal.
Although I am still sceptical about the Sorcerers and the whole existence of Magic, with this act of yours, I am sure that your motives are similar to us. As such, I promise you that you will be treated as a friend by us.”
Director Fury said in a solemn voice, thanking Ancient One as we re-entered the lab.
“So, do you believe me now when I say that the staff is dangerous enough that I can't trust SHIELD with it?” Ancient One asked calmly.
“Although I am still a little sceptical, I will take your word for it until I see any other proof.” Director Fury said, ready to believe Ancient One for now.
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“I don't want to impose but I need your help in this whole mind control matter especially since Loki himself is believed to be under mind control.” Director Fury asked Ancient One for help.
“Indeed, this act is very frightening. It should be damn impossible for someone to mind control my brother Loki, an Asgardian and one of the strongest mages in Asgard.” Thor said, implying how hard it was to control Loki's mind.
“We will check the matter with Loki later but first I need my agent free from his grasp.” Director Fury said, favouring his agent first.
“Director! We have brought Agent Barton. However, he has not said a single word since he has regained consciousness.” As if on cue, several soldiers appeared along with Agent Barton in handcuffs.
Now that I had a proper look at Agent Barton, I noticed that his eyes were a very unique shade of blue which was clearly different from the picture I had seen of him.
“Hello, Fury.” Agent Barton greeted Director Fury in an emotionless tone.
“Agent Barton, have you forgotten what you have done for SHIELD till now? How many times you have put your life on line to save the innocent? How much you have sacrificed?” Director Fury asked Agent Barton furiously.
“I have forgotten nothing, Fury. But my allegiances have changed now.” Agent Barton answered in a cold tone.
“Does even your family mean nothing to you now?” Director Fury asked in a sorrowful tone, realising what state Agent Barton was in.
“Yes, they don't.” Agent Barton replied once again in that emotionless tone.
“It is useless to try to get through to him as long as he is in this state, Director.” Ancient One said as she looked at Agent Barton’s condition.
“Professor Xavier, check out his mindscape with the girls. Since he is only a normal human, it should be easy to enter his mindscape. I need to have the complete data before I can try to cure him.” Ancient One instructed Professor Xavier.
As per her instructions, Professor Xavier and the girls entered Agent Barton's mind to find out his mental state after making him unconscious.
After around 5 minutes, Professor Xavier and the girls opened their eyes, having finished their analysis.
“How is it?” Agent Natasha asked anxiously.
“It is similar to Loki's mental estate although not as worse as his. Agent Barton's mind has only been caged, thus enslaving him. But Loki’s mind has been controlled much more insidiously. Several directives have been installed inside Loki’s mind, making it look like he is doing any actions on his own will when he is actually just obeying the commands.” Professor Xavier explained what he understood about this whole mind control situation.
“Hmm… It seems that it would not be that hard to heal Agent Barton.” Ancient One said upon hearing the whole analysis.
“Professor, send me what you have found inside Agent Barton's mind through telepathy.” Ancient One asked.
“Are you sure?” Professor Xavier said, hesitating to enter Ancient One's mind, even though he had permission.
“Don't worry. I have a lot of mental safeguards against telepathy in case you actually do anything insidious.” Ancient One assured Professor with a smile.
“If you say so.” Upon hearing her words, Professor Xavier closed his eyes and connected Ancient One through his telepathy.
“Indeed, it should not be too hard.” Ancient One said as she finished digesting the whole information.
“Give me a little space. I am going to try healing Agent Barton.” Ancient One declared, causing us to distance ourself from her and Agent Barton.
“Hope it works!” Saying these words, Ancient One summoned The mysterious staff which had mind controlled everyone including Agent Barton.
She touched Agent Barton's forehead with the tip of the staff and the staff started giving a soft blue glow.
Suddenly, the blue crystal on the star started giving a golden glow instead. As it did so, several golden threads started releasing from Agent Barton's head and entered the staff's crystal.
After around a minute, the whole phenomenon ceased and the staff returned to its original state. Ancient One then put it back where she had taken it out from.
Agent Barton slowly opened his eyes which now looked normal and then started looking around. Suddenly, he bowed his head as low as he could in his position towards Director Fury.
“I apologize for everything I did. I am ready to receive any punishment you may give, Director.” Agent Barton said in a respectful as well as guilty tone.
“It was not your fault, Agent Barton. As such, you don't need to worry.” Director Fury said, reassuring Agent Barton.
“You need to be wary of Loki even if you have obtained the Tessaract. Everything has already been completed for portal creation. The only reason we had not created the portal was because only Loki knew the actual coordinates.” Agent Barton informed us about the progress of Loki's plan.
“You don't need to worry, Agent Barton. Soon, Loki will leave behind his plan and peacefully return to Asgard.” Ancient One reassured Agent Barton in a cryptic tone which we understood the meaning of.