Invasion

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Kai sent Selvig back to the platform and said to Tony, "Tony, be careful. I have to go back and get the others."

"Okay, got it." Tony waved him off, signaling Kai to go without worry. Kai then returned to the villa to bring everyone to Stark Tower.

Jarvis reminded Tony, "Sir, that barrier is pure energy and cannot be broken."

"Yeah, I can see that."

As he spoke, Tony slowly descended, landing on his suit removal device, then walked toward his office. Loki followed closely behind.

Meanwhile, Kai returned to the villa and saw everyone fully armed, ready for battle. Without wasting time, he transported everyone directly to the rooftop of Stark Tower, where Selvig stood in a daze.

Noticing Tony's absence, Kai immediately knew Loki was trying to control him. He rushed downstairs and found Loki pressing the scepter against the arc reactor on Tony's chest.

Just as Loki expected to see Tony fall under his control, he realized something was wrong—the scepter wasn't working. He tapped it against Tony's chest again, but still, nothing happened.

Loki whispered, "There's never been a problem before!"

Tony smirked. "Performance issues happen."

Frustrated, Loki grabbed Tony by the neck. "You will all fall before me." Then he threw Tony out the window.

Tony crashed through the glass, tumbling toward the streets below. Having just removed his suit, he was completely unarmored. Before he could plummet further, Kai raised his hand, catching Tony in midair and pulling him back to safety.

Up on the rooftop, Banner and Yinsen were examining the device, searching for a way to shut it down.

Suddenly, a surge of blue energy erupted from the device, shooting into the sky and opening a massive portal.

On the other side of the portal, the Chitauri army had been waiting. Seeing their gateway open, they swarmed toward Earth, eager to begin their invasion.

Kai, Tony, and the others on the roof watched in grim silence as wave after wave of Chitauri warriors poured through on their hovercrafts.

Tony sighed. "Well, guys, here comes the welcoming committee."

Without hesitation, he launched into the sky, meeting the first wave head-on, firing repulsors and missiles. But there were too many of them—hundreds of soldiers broke past him, descending into the city below, unleashing chaos.

On the streets, civilians panicked, running in every direction as explosions erupted around them.

Kai turned to Steve and the others. "The battle has begun. Do your best to hold them back."

Steve nodded. "Then let's give them everything we've got."

Nearby, Loki stood, watching the destruction with a triumphant grin.

Kai's eyes narrowed. In an instant, he teleported behind Loki, reaching out to grab him. But this time, Loki was ready. Sensing the attack, he sidestepped just in time, narrowly avoiding Kai's grasp.

The two locked eyes.

"You think I'd fall for the same trick twice?" Loki taunted. "I'm not that foolish."

Kai smirked. "Oh? Let's test that."

He unleashed a burst of mind magic, catching Loki off guard. Though Loki fought against it, his movements faltered for a split second—just enough time for Kai to close the distance and slam a fist into his face.

"Still think it's useless?" Kai asked before delivering another series of blows.

Loki stumbled back, dazed, as Kai reached for him again. But instead of simply capturing him, Kai decided to make sure Loki wouldn't be a problem.

With a wave of his hand, he stripped Loki of his weapons and bound him with multiple enchantments. Then, he opened a portal beneath Loki's feet—one that looped infinitely.

Loki fell through the portal, reappearing above it, only to drop again in an endless cycle.

As Loki realized his predicament, his smug expression vanished. "You—!"

Before he could finish, Kai clapped his hands together, sealing the portal shut, leaving Loki trapped.

On the battlefield, Steve led the charge against the Chitauri, cutting off as many as he could before they reached the civilians.

Then, something massive emerged from the portal—a leviathan.

The colossal, armored creature slithered through the sky, carrying even more soldiers inside its body. As it passed between skyscrapers, its cargo doors opened, releasing more troops onto rooftops.

Steve's voice came through the comms. "Kai, Tony—are you seeing this?"

Tony, still mid-air, replied, "Yeah, I see it, but I still don't believe it."

Kai sighed. "We can't let these things run loose in the city. Banner!"

Banner, who had been standing nearby, turned toward Kai. "Yeah?"

Kai met his gaze. "We need the Hulk."

Banner exhaled and took off his jacket. "You know, I'm always angry."

In an instant, he transformed, muscles expanding, skin turning green. Hulk roared and then, without hesitation, charged at the leviathan. With a powerful leap, he landed on its back, tearing into its armor.

Meanwhile, Steve noticed a group of civilians cornered by Chitauri soldiers. He called out to the others, "Everyone, focus on the enemy, protect as many people as you can!"

The battle for New York had begun.

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