Invasion (2)

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Then Steve asked Yinsen to take him to the ground to help rescue civilians. Yinsen had already gone to Tony's office, found his suit, and put it on.

Since he was the only one who could fly, Steve had him act as a transporter, moving civilians to safety while also providing air support.

As soon as Steve landed, he spotted a group of police officers nearby and immediately took command.

"Get people inside these buildings. If they panic, they might run straight into the enemy's line of fire. Take them to the basements or subways—don't let them run into the streets. Block off all paths leading to 39th Street!"

One officer hesitated. "And why should I take orders from you?"

Before Steve could respond, several Chitauri soldiers landed nearby. They scanned the area before charging straight at him.

Without missing a beat, Steve raised his shield, blocking two attacks before taking down the soldiers with swift, precise strikes.

The skeptical officer, now thoroughly convinced, snapped to attention and immediately began directing his team to follow Steve's orders.

Meanwhile, Hulk had jumped onto the back of the leviathan, pounding at its armored hide. But the creature's defenses were too strong—it barely reacted to his blows.

Tony saw what was happening and flew ahead of the massive beast, launching a barrage of missiles. Explosions rippled across the creature's body, finally getting its attention. It roared and turned to chase after Tony.

As it did, its massive bulk scraped against a nearby building, causing it to collapse.

Steve, still on the ground, saw panicked civilians trapped inside the structure. He sprinted forward to rescue them, but more and more Chitauri soldiers descended around him.

Barton and Natasha spotted Steve's predicament and rushed to assist, fighting off the growing wave of enemies. But despite their combined efforts, they were slowly being overwhelmed.

Then, suddenly—a bolt of lightning struck from above, arcing through the Chitauri and electrocuting them in an instant.

Thor landed in front of them.

Steve glanced up at him. "How's it looking up there?"

"The energy around the cube is impenetrable."

Before Steve could respond, Tony streaked past overhead, the leviathan still on his tail. "He's right. So let's focus on taking these guys down first!"

Tony led the beast in wide loops through the sky, searching for an opening. Just then, Hulk found a weak point on its back and tore his way inside.

Tony saw his chance. He stopped mid-air, turned, and fired a concentrated blast of energy into the beast's open mouth. Then, accelerating forward, he shot straight through its body, leaving a burning trail in his wake.

The leviathan groaned as its massive form began to shudder. It spiraled out of control before crashing into the streets below.

Tony circled back and landed near the others, staring at the fallen creature. "Where's Hulk?"

A second later, a furious roar echoed from inside the beast. Then—its stomach exploded outward. Hulk burst free, roaring in triumph.

Tony sighed. "Okay, big guy. It's dead. No need for overkill."

Hulk snorted but finally backed off, stomping over to join the group.

With the leviathan down, the Chitauri forces in the area turned their attention toward the Avengers, screeching as they charged forward in waves.

Meanwhile, Kai had just finished taking down another squad of Chitauri near the portal. Looking down, he saw Tony and the others being swarmed.

With a flick of his wrist, Kai teleported to their side and unleashed a wave of freezing magic. Ice surged forward, instantly encasing the approaching Chitauri in solid frost.

But even as those enemies fell, more poured through the portal, along with additional leviathans soaring through the skies over New York.

Kai, Tony, Steve, Banner, Yinsen, Thor, Natasha, Barton, and the rest of the team stood together, staring down the overwhelming force before them.

Kai exhaled. "Alright. Steve, you're in charge."

Steve nodded. "Alright, listen up. Hold them back until we can close that portal!"

"Barton, get to the rooftops. We need intel on their movements."

"Tony, hold this perimeter. Anything that gets within three blocks—burn it down."

Barton looked over at Tony. "Think you can give me a lift?"

Tony smirked. "Just don't let go."

With that, he grabbed Barton and took off, dropping him at a sniper position on a rooftop.

Steve continued, "Thor, get to the portal entrance. Slow them down as much as possible."

He turned to Natasha. "You and I will hold the ground fight."

Then Steve looked at Hulk.

Hulk grunted.

Steve smirked. "Smash as much as you want."

Grinning, Hulk let out a delighted growl before launching himself into the nearest group of Chitauri, scattering them like ragdolls.

Steve turned to Kai. "We can't let them spread. Keep them contained—and those big guys? They're all yours."

Kai teleported onto a rooftop, surveying the massive leviathans circling above. He focused, then with a sharp motion, slashed through space itself. Invisible blades of energy severed the creatures one by one, sending them plummeting to the streets below.

At the same time, Tony rained missiles down on the Chitauri soldiers, while Thor summoned lightning to disrupt the flow of reinforcements.

With their combined efforts, the pressure on the ground forces eased significantly.

Back on the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier, Hill turned to Nick Fury.

"Sir, the council is online. They want to speak with you."

Fury scowled and walked into the conference room, closing the door behind him.

Meanwhile, in New York, Kai saw the enemy forces thinning and took the opportunity to track down Selvig.

On the ground, Natasha eyed a Chitauri hovercraft zipping through the sky. She turned to Steve.

"I need a ride up there."

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