The Blood Parrot Gang incident was growing worse by the day.
Protests increased, with massive crowds filling the streets, court entrances, and even police stations—disrupting the normal operation of the city.
In response, some officials approached Tony Stark privately, making promises and seeking his help.
After all, if things continued this way, no one could predict what would happen next.
Meanwhile, Fox TV, long prepared for an opportunity like this, launched a new sensational program — "Mysterious Files."
Its slogan: Investigating the world's supernatural and unexplained phenomena.
Western audiences, already fascinated and easily drawn to religious or supernatural stories, quickly became obsessed.
The first episode focused on the legend of vampires — exploring myths, rumored sightings, and even showing "vampire mummies" on camera.
With the addition of "expert" commentary and various organizations fanning the flames to distract the public from the Blood Parrot Gang scandal, the show exploded in popularity overnight.
Encouraged by the success, Fox soon aired the second episode.
This time, the crew visited one of America's most infamous haunted mansions.
When bizarre "supernatural events" suddenly occurred during filming, the footage captured the imagination of the entire nation. Online discussions about it quickly overshadowed public concern over the Blood Parrot Gang.
The third episode became the biggest hit yet.
Its central figure was Kelly, a young woman reportedly tormented by an evil spirit.
Facing the camera, Kelly described how she and her friends had once played a psychic game — only to actually summon something terrifying.
Since that night, she claimed, she had been haunted every evening by a female ghost.
At first, the audience laughed it off — until the program aired the footage captured by a night-vision camera.
In the recording, the room's temperature dropped sharply.
Objects began to levitate.
Then, as Kelly slept peacefully, her blanket was suddenly ripped away — and she was violently pulled off the bed by an invisible force.
The scene shocked viewers across the country.
Some skeptics scoured the replayed footage online, looking for evidence of digital trickery — but no trace of editing or fakery could be found.
Then Kelly's father, Kenny, appeared on camera. Exhausted and desperate, he described his daughter's suffering and begged a priest for help.
When the show revealed that Kenny was actually a New York State senator, public belief in the story skyrocketed.
"Oh my God, this is terrifying. Could ghosts really exist?"
"I can't believe it—but a senator wouldn't fake this just for attention, right?"
"I just hope that priest they invited can save her. She's so beautiful…"
"Wait, what about the Blood Parrot Gang trafficking case?—What? My comment just got deleted? Account suspended for 180 days?!"
Under the coordinated manipulation of multiple forces, Mysterious Files' ratings soared. It broke viewing records and became a nationwide phenomenon.
Christmas Eve — Southeast Street, Manhattan.
"Have you been watching Mysterious Files lately?" Natasha asked with a teasing smile, sitting beside Linen in the front seat of his car. Outside, crowds filled the streets, waiting to witness Manhattan's twice-a-year sunset phenomenon.
"It's just Tony's way of redirecting public attention," Linen replied, opening a pizza box and handing her a slice.
"Thanks." Natasha smiled, taking a bite. "Well, it's working. The show's gone viral. People always love supernatural mysteries."
She paused. "By the way, I heard that you—"
"Look," Linen interrupted.
The golden sun hung low in the sky, slicing through the steel skyline and flooding the avenue with amber light. Clouds glowed in brilliant hues under the sunset, and the crowd erupted in cheers as the city basked in the warm afterglow.
Watching the sunlight fixed between the two towers, Natasha leaned forward, resting her chin on her knees. "I can't even remember the last time I saw something this beautiful," she murmured.
"As a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, I'm always running from mission to mission," she said quietly. "After seeing so much corruption, filth, and darkness, sometimes I wonder if I've forgotten how to appreciate beauty."
She turned to Linen, her eyes reflecting the sunset's glow. "When I was a kid, I dreamed of being a doctor—or maybe a lawyer. I thought saving lives or bringing justice was the coolest thing in the world."
She laughed softly. "But life had other plans. What about you, Linen? What did you want to be when you were little?"
Linen thought for a moment before answering. "Honestly? Back then, all I wanted was to escape the control of my so-called adoptive father—the leader of the Digital Gang."
Natasha fell silent. She already knew about Linen's past from the spoiler system—the torment, the violence, the years of struggle.
"Actually," she said after a pause, "I became an agent because I was forced into the Red Room. Do you know about it?"
"It's a place where girls were trained to be assassins and spies. The torture there... still haunts me."
"I went in with my sister. Later, Clint and I destroyed the Red Room together—or so I thought."
Her tone grew heavy. "But after what I saw in the theater, I'm not even sure we really did. I don't even know if Yelena is still alive…"
Before she could continue, Linen's expression suddenly changed. He jumped down from the car, scanning the area.
"What is it?" Natasha followed, hand on her weapon.
A ripple appeared in the air before them—and then Loki, wearing a gray uniform emblazoned with the TVA logo, materialized.
"Finally… found you," Loki gasped. "Linen, listen to me—I don't have much time. You don't know me yet, but it doesn't matter. Things will spiral out of control soon."
"Thanos—the purple Titan you mentioned—he's invaded the Time Variance Authority and stolen several Infinity Stones! Multiple versions of the same Stones existing in one universe will—"
His body flickered like a glitching hologram.
"The TVA… Thor told me to find you… don't—"
Static filled his voice.
"Trust me, Linen… the future—"
And just like that, Loki vanished into thin air.
Natasha blinked. "That guy… he said Thor sent him? That was Loki, right—Thor's brother?"
Linen nodded slightly. "I don't know."
He had to play dumb. At this point in the timeline, Loki hadn't yet led the Chitauri invasion of Earth. Pretending ignorance was safer.
But inside, his mind raced.
TVA Loki?
Why had Loki—before becoming the God of Time—appeared now, searching for him?
Did Thanos really attack the TVA and steal the Infinity Stones?
Had he been captured—or was he the one invading?
Why would Thor send Loki to find him?
And who was "Richard"? Could it be Reed Richards, Mr. Fantastic from another universe?
The more he thought about it, the worse his headache grew. There were too many questions—and too few answers.
Natasha smiled, sensing his frustration. "There's no point overthinking. Too few clues, too many unknowns. Come on, let's grab dinner. I know a great barbecue place."
Linen nodded. "Alright. My treat."
The two of them left the car behind, their minds heavy with uncertainty.
Elsewhere — aboard a distant ship.
Loki jolted upright in bed, drenched in sweat.
"Damn it… that dream again!"
Ever since letting go of the Spear of Eternity and being rescued from cosmic turbulence by a mysterious ship's captain, Loki had been haunted nightly by strange visions: sitting on a throne surrounded by green energy… dozens of other Lokis sharing their stories… even a crocodile version of himself.
Absurd. Impossible.
He was the Loki of this universe — the one and only God of Mischief.
Chuckling, he took a sip of water and stared at his reflection in the mirror. His thoughts wandered to Thor, Odin, Frigga… and the Titan who strangled him to death.
Heh.
When Thor had told him those things on Earth, he'd hesitated — clearly lying.
A knock came at the door.
"Who is it?" Loki asked.
"Loki, the Great Master wants to see you," came the reply.
"I know." Loki smiled thinly, forcing his expression into one of charm and confidence.
Maybe he could use the Titan's power to reclaim everything he'd lost.
He stepped out of the room.
Moments later, a faint shimmer rippled through the air where he'd stood.
A glowing portal opened, and Sylvie stepped through, sword in hand.
She searched the room carefully, muttering to herself, "Loki said he left something here… Could it be that events unfolded differently in this universe? Maybe this version of him hasn't found it yet."
Frowning, she checked her time pad, sighed, and vanished in a flash of light.
Meanwhile, on Earth…
In a quiet restaurant, Tony Stark and Steve Rogers sat surrounded by diners chatting about Mysterious Files.
Tony smirked. "This show's sparked a national craze. Once public attention shifts, you'll be free to move wherever you want, Cap."
Steve nodded. "Thanks. But what about that girl, Kelly? I saw the unaired footage — both priests failed to exorcise the spirit."
"Then we'll find Linen," Tony said with a shrug. "The whole show was originally suggested by one of Linen's senior partners. It was meant to make his paranormal studio famous."
He grinned. "Now it's doing double duty — both a distraction and a promotion."
"And once my interview airs tomorrow, and public curiosity peaks, I'll step in front of the cameras and endorse Linen myself."
Tony's eyes gleamed proudly. "After all, I'm a shareholder in that TV network."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks to [Junior Chan] And [GraphicTrigon]for joining my Patreon page!🎉Your support means the world to me. 🙏
You can visit my Patreon page:
Patreon.com/PhoeniXcel
There are 70+ advanced chapters available for you to read.
Your support would be greatly appreciated.
Check out my new Marvel fanfic!
[Marvel: Kidnapping Iron Man at the Start]