"Hey hey, no need to rush like that. Can't I look at it a little longer?" Hearing Nick Fury's words, Tony Stark looked up with irritation as he examined the Tesseract.
"Seriously, what's with you today? You look all gloomy and worried."
"That's none of your concern. Just put the Tesseract down. I already told them—you can study it as much as you like after the experiment is over. Just make sure to give us a copy of your research report."
But Nick Fury didn't explain and just hurried Tony along.
"Yeah, yeah, I got it. What, is it your time of the month or something? You're way too anxious." Tony shrugged helplessly.
After all, they were on Fury's turf, and Tony didn't want to push it too far. Plus, since he was being allowed to study it anyway, there was no need to rush.
"Leave it to me, I'll start inputting energy now."
Tohka then stepped up to the large machine and reached out to inject her energy.
"Stop right now!!!"
But at that moment, both Nick Fury and Tony shouted at her in unison. Seeing Tohka about to pour energy into the machine nearly gave them a heart attack.
They'd both been traumatized by previous explosions caused by her—whenever she approached delicate instruments, their nerves would spike.
"Huh? Why? Don't you two have urgent business? Didn't you want to get this experiment over with quickly? How come you're suddenly so in sync? Wait, do you like each other or something?"
Tohka tilted her head in confusion, unable to understand why these two were acting like this. Weren't they the ones rushing to run the test?
"Who the hell would be into that guy? My preferences are perfectly normal."
Hearing Tohka's words, Tony gave the one-eyed director a look of disgust. But he didn't stop moving—he casually set down the Tesseract and started walking toward the door.
"Hold on, let's move to the other room. Oh, and be careful." added, with a hint of kindness before both men hurriedly left the room.
"Tch, those two are so weird."
Watching them flee like that, Tohka didn't bother to dwell on it. She simply placed her hand back on the machine and began channeling her spiritual energy into it.
As her power flowed in, the machinery lit up with radiant light. Soon, the energy was transmitted into the Tesseract, and the previously calm cube began to glow again.
"So... is it going to explode?"
Watching the Tesseract react, Nick Fury nervously asked the technicians beside him. Even though last time's explosion was Tony's fault, who's to say it wouldn't happen again?
"Come on, have a little faith. The machine I built this time won't explode as long as Tohka doesn't use more than half her full power." Tony puffed up his chest and assured him confidently.
Last time was a prank—this time, he claimed it was a work of conscience.
"What did you say? It can still explode?"
Nick Fury instantly broke into a cold sweat. Based on what Tony just said, the thing could still blow up.
"Did you at least tell that little girl inside?"
"Eh?" Tony froze.
Only now did he realize he forgot to warn Tohka. He started sweating too.
"Um... well... she should know how to moderate herself, right?"
But even Tony himself stammered while saying that. That girl might not start trouble, but if something did happen, she'd definitely make it as big as possible. All he could do now was pray she triggered the Tesseract quickly.
"Not good! All parameters are maxed out, but the Tesseract still hasn't activated. And Tohka's energy output is only increasing!"
Just then, the very scenario Tony and Fury feared most began to unfold. As Tohka poured in more power, the data on the computer screens all turned red—and kept rising.
"Tohka, stop! It's going to explode!" Tony shouted toward the inner chamber, hoping to stop her.
"It's no use, the room is soundproof. She can't hear us. Quick, inject energy into the safety system—this explosion will be worse than last time!"
The previous explosion was intense, but Tohka hadn't used much energy.
This time was different. Even through the glass, they could feel the turbulent waves of energy inside—not just from Tohka, but from the Tesseract itself.
"..."
Regardless of what anyone said, Tohka wasn't going to stop now.
Because as she poured in her power, she felt something calling to her. At the same time, deep within her consciousness, the previously dormant World Tree began to emit a brilliant light.
"Brace yourselves—it's coming!" someone shouted.
The energy shielding of the entire aircraft carrier began to concentrate around the chamber. Then, a blinding light flashed—so intense it left everyone temporarily blind.
On the other side, sparks flew from the machine in front of Tohka as energy surged. Realizing it was going to explode, she activated her energy shield.
Just as she predicted, a massive explosion erupted. Yet she didn't stop transmitting energy. She had already donned her spirit armor, and the Tesseract was now floating in front of her. A radiant light burst forth, but she had been prepared for it and wasn't blinded.
"This is bad, Director! With Tohka's energy infusion, the surrounding space has become dangerously unstable! That unstable space is now spreading downward through the carrier! What the hell are you people doing?!"
At that moment, Hill appeared on the monitor. She had known about the experiment—but not about it going off the rails like this.
"I got it. Wait—what the hell is that?"
Fury and the others finally regained their vision. They saw that while Tohka and the Tesseract were still there, a large hole had been blown open in the carrier's floor. Through it, they could clearly see the ocean of clouds below.
At the same time, the sky above New York began to ripple violently.