The battlefield was chaos.
Hulk roared as he smashed through the Chitauri ranks, his massive fists sending enemies flying in all directions.
With every thunderous step, the ground shook beneath him. Plasma blasts from enemy weapons bounced off his skin, barely leaving a mark as he rampaged through the alien horde.
One particularly bold Chitauri soldier leaped onto Hulk's back, trying to drive an energy spear into his neck.
Hulk snarled, reaching over his shoulder and grabbing the creature like it was a ragdoll. With a single, violent motion, he slammed it into the ground, leaving nothing but a smear on the pavement.
"More!" Hulk bellowed, his eyes wild with fury. "Smash!"
The Chitauri hesitated for a split second before a fresh wave surged forward. It didn't matter. Hulk welcomed the challenge.
Across the battlefield, Captain America coordinated a precise strike with Hawkeye and Black Widow.
"Clint, take down those flyers," Steve commanded through the comms. "Nat, with me—we're moving on that command node."
Hawkeye was already in motion, drawing back his bow. His arrow released with a twang, piercing straight through the eye of a Chitauri pilot. The alien lost control, spiraling downward and crashing into a group of its own kind.
"Nice shot," Steve muttered before charging forward. His shield slammed into an enemy, knocking it unconscious instantly.
Natasha rolled under incoming blaster fire, coming up behind another soldier and jamming her Widow's Bite into its exposed neck. The Chitauri convulsed violently before collapsing.
"We need to take down that relay tower," Natasha said, pointing to a structure emitting a pulsing blue light. "That's controlling half of their ground units."
Steve nodded, gripping his shield tightly. "Then let's move."
They weaved through the battlefield, cutting down Chitauri as they advanced toward the tower. It was slow progress, but with each enemy they eliminated, the tide of battle shifted in their favor.
On the far side of the city, Thor gritted his teeth as pain lanced through his body. The wound from Loki's energy dagger burned unnaturally, a dull ache that refused to fade despite his Asgardian healing factor.
'Loki… what have you done?'
The blade had been laced with strange magic, something he didn't recognize. His body was healing, but slower than usual. He had no time to dwell on it. Another Leviathan roared as it descended, its gaping maw opening wide.
Thor spun Mjolnir in his hand, summoning a storm above. Lightning crackled as he hurled his hammer with all his strength. It struck the Leviathan square in the jaw, sending electric currents surging through its body. The creature convulsed before crashing into the streets below, flattening a squad of Chitauri beneath its massive form.
Breathing heavily, Thor landed atop the Leviathan's corpse, scanning the battlefield. Civilians were still trapped, running in fear as Chitauri pursued them. He clenched his fists.
'I cannot afford to fall now.'
Ignoring the pain, Thor launched himself forward, striking down more enemies and clearing a path for the fleeing civilians.
Meanwhile, high above the battlefield, Tony Stark soared toward Stark Tower. His HUD displayed battle analytics—damage reports, casualty numbers, and Chitauri fleet positions. But his focus was locked on a single red marker: Loki.
The tower was in ruins. Smoke curled from broken windows, and fires raged along the upper floors. The penthouse, once a symbol of his success, now stood shattered beneath the weight of war.
And there, in the center of it all, stood Loki.
The god of mischief was calm, his green and gold armor pristine despite the chaos around him. He twirled his scepter idly between his fingers, watching Tony approach with an amused expression.
"Ah, Stark," Loki greeted as Tony landed. "I have been expecting to meet you."
Tony's helmet slid back, revealing his hardened expression. "Yeah, sorry about the delay. Been busy saving the world and all."
Loki smirked. "How noble."
Tony took a step forward. "Cut the act. You're stalling."
Loki tilted his head. "Am I?"
Tony wasn't in the mood for games. His suit's sensors picked up abnormal energy readings from the scepter.
Whatever Loki was doing, it wasn't just about opening a portal for Thanos.
"Let me guess," Tony said, folding his arms. "You got your orders, played your part, and now you're just waiting for the real show to begin."
Loki chuckled. "You know I've studied you a little bit."
"Oh, being stalked by a God is a first for me. Just so you know I don't swing that way." Tony responded.
Loki ignored the comment and continued, "You always think you're the smartest man in the room, don't you?"
"Well, I try."
Tony's fingers twitched. He was already analyzing attack angles. Loki was strong, but Tony had prepared for this. The Infinity Suit could counter magic—at least, in theory.
But Loki wasn't attacking. He was just standing there, watching. Waiting.
That was what bothered Tony the most.
"You know, I've been thinking," Tony continued. "This whole invasion—it's too… messy for you. You're all about control. But this? This is chaos. Which means you're not the one in charge here."
Loki's smirk faltered just slightly.
Gotcha.
Tony pressed forward. "So who is it? Thanos? Someone else?"
Loki's gaze darkened, "You seem to know more than these others."
For the first time, his amusement faded, replaced with something unreadable.
"Ask yourself this, Loki," Tony said quietly. "Do you truly believe you hold all the pieces?"
Loki's gaze narrowed. 'What is he playing at?' he wondered.
Loki couldn't think of anything that Stark could do to foil his plans.