Chapter 176: Evacuation

[Third Person's PoV] 

As Tony and the others approached Sokovia, Tony said, "I'll help with the evacuation. I can create a light construct large enough to carry people and fly them away from the battlefield."

Wanda, standing a few steps in front of him, chimed in, her thick Sokovian accent adding a distinct allure to her words. "I'll assist," she offered, her fingers curling slightly as a scarlet glow enveloped her hands. "I can be persuasive. It'll help in convincing people to leave without too many questions."

Melissa, standing close to Tony, cast a wary glance at Wanda. There was a subtle shift in her posture as she edged closer to Tony, her demeanor protective, almost possessive. Wanda noticed this and couldn't help but let a mixture of amusement and disdain flicker across her features. To Wanda, Tony was just a boy, and Melissa's silent territorial display seemed almost laughable.

With a teasing smile playing on her lips, Wanda remarked, "I'm not going to steal your boyfriend~."

Melissa's eyes narrowed, and she scoffed, her voice laced with defiance. "Not that you could."

"Oh, she very much could," he said, a mischievous grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Melissa's elbow connected with Tony's side before he could react, causing him to double over slightly, a loud "OooUghhh" escaping his lips as the air was forced out of him.

Wanda chuckled softly, while Pietro, leaning casually against the wall, shook his head in exasperation. "Idiot," he muttered under his breath.

Melissa turned away with a huff, her lips pursed in a pout. "Bastard," she mumbled, her irritation evident.

Captain America, ever the voice of reason, stepped in with a firm, commanding tone. "Focus. Sokovia is just ahead."

Tony closed one eye, concentrating.

"What are you doing?" Stark asked, glancing at him.

"Accessing a piece of my suit I left with Ultron. It seems he found it after discarding his old body and transferring into one made of Vibranium," Tony explained.

"What else do you see?" Natasha asked, trying to get a clearer picture.

Tony's eyes suddenly glowed red, startling the others, as a hologram projected from him, showing Ultron holding the piece of the suit in his hand, waiting in what appeared to be a chapel.

"He's waiting, and if I had to guess, it's for you," Tony said, deactivating the hologram and looking at Stark.

Without hesitation, Stark walked over to a concealed compartment in the jet's wall. He tapped a hidden panel, and the wall slid open to reveal his suit, standing ready. He stepped into it, the suit closing around him with a series of mechanical clicks and whirs. The eyes of the suit and the arc reactor glowed with a bright blue light as it powered up.

With a final glance at his team, Stark activated his thrusters, falling backward out of the jet. The others watched as he descended, the glow of his suit fading into the distance.

The jet's hatch opened, and Wanda and Tony were the first out, followed closely by the others. They split up, each focusing on their part of the mission.

Wanda cautiously descended toward the ground, her movements tentative and unsteady. Though she had used her powers many times, levitation was still a relatively new skill, one she hadn't fully mastered. As her feet touched the ground, she stumbled slightly but quickly caught herself, a blush creeping up her cheeks. She glanced around, hoping no one had noticed, but her eyes met Tony's amused gaze.

"Oh, shut up," she scoffed, clearly embarrassed.

Tony shrugged nonchalantly. "I haven't even said anything."

Wanda narrowed her eyes and decided to ignore him, focusing instead on the task at hand. She curled her fingers, and a soft, scarlet glow wrapped around her hands. The energy flowed outward, weaving through the air like a living thing. It filtered through windows and slipped under doors, seeking out every opening. The tendrils of crimson light slithered into the minds of the unsuspecting inhabitants.

Inside their homes, families gathered around dining tables or lounged in living rooms froze mid-action. Their eyes glazed over with the same scarlet hue, and as if drawn by an unseen force, they rose from their seats, moving in unison toward the exits. In a matter of moments, lines of people, entire families, began marching out of their homes, heading toward the designated safe zones.

Tony let out an impressed whistle. "Talk about scary~"

"Just do what you're supposed to be doing," Wanda snapped, glaring at him with a mix of irritation and embarrassment.

Tony raised his hands defensively. "Alright, alright."

He flew toward the gathering crowd, positioning himself above them. From below, a radiant red light began to materialize beneath the feet of the evacuees. It expanded rapidly, taking the shape of a massive cargo plane with enormous propellers. The propellers whirred to life, lifting the plane and its passengers into the air, transporting them safely to the outskirts of Sokovia.

For the next group, Tony conjured a grand mansion that floated above the ground, carrying its occupants away to safety. He continued his efforts, finally crafting a large sailboat with realistic sails that flapped in the wind. The vessel, styled like a pirate ship, bore the symbol of the Avengers on its mast, a reassuring sight for the evacuees.

"All civilians are safely secured and out of harm's way," Tony reported over the comms.

"Good work, you two," Steve's voice crackled through the communication line.

Tony hovered above the city, surveying the scene below. With a focused gesture, he began forming a protective dome around the remaining civilians. The dome shimmered as it expanded, enveloping not just the people but the surrounding area, ensuring maximum safety.

Once the dome was fully formed, Tony descended and landed beside Wanda, who was eyeing him curiously.

"What?" Tony asked, noticing her expression. "Fallen in love with me already? I'm flattered, but I'm a man of commitment. Sorry if I gave you the wrong impression."

Wanda stared at him, unimpressed. "I was just going to ask for your name..."

"Oh..." Tony chuckled, his cocky demeanor faltering for a moment. "It's Tony Stark."

"I'm being serious," Wanda said, rolling her eyes.

"So am I," Tony replied, his tone softening. "My name is Tony Stark. I'm just... from another universe."

Wanda's eyes widened slightly, her curiosity piqued, but she quickly masked it with a calm exterior. "Interesting," she said, her tone laced with skepticism. "Another universe, huh?"

"Yeah," Tony nodded, the grin returning to his face. "It's a long story, but we've got bigger things to handle right now."

Wanda gave a small nod, deciding to shelve her questions for later as for some reason she could tell that he wasn't lying. For now, there was a mission to complete.

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