There wasn't a single pane of intact glass left in the city—everything had been shattered into tens of thousands of fragments during the terrifying tremor when Sokovia first began to rise. As the slowly ascending city finally pierced through the thick clouds, there was a brief, surreal moment when sunlight refracted off the shattered glass across the streets, transforming the city into a crystalline fairytale.
"You won't die here, because an empty sky carrier, large enough to hold everyone, is en route. Immortal City's engineering teams repaired it, and even tracked down former S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel from across the world," the android commander said with satisfaction as she listened to the Avengers' astonished reactions. She stood on the command bridge, gazing down through reinforced glass at the clouds below, glowing white under the sun. "Nick Fury doesn't have the means to launch that damaged carrier anymore. Only Immortal City could restore its engines in such a short time. He'll be saying hi to you all soon… He's faster than I expected. That bastard didn't even pay a dime!"
The clouds churned as if sucked into an invisible vortex, and an older-model sky carrier rose through them—its technology clearly less advanced than the Sisterhood's battleships. Instead of Immortal City's electromagnetic drives, it used1 four massive propellers. But the Avengers recognized this ship instantly—it was one they had boarded before.
"Why aren't any of you surprised?" Nick Fury's voice crackled over the comms. He was smiling. "Yeah, I still owe Solomon a chunk of change. The guy doesn't come cheap. I've got no idea when he built up this kind of power."
"While you were all busy maintaining your so-called peace and ignoring the real threats," Tita replied coldly, not willing to let Fury off the hook. She couldn't understand why the Monarch would dedicate Immortal City's scarce resources to these worthless humans. "Right now, theoretical temperatures up here should be around minus twenty degrees Celsius. You've got a few minutes to talk before you start freezing. The Monarch forbade me from saying it, but I'd honestly enjoy watching you all turn to ice. And you, Tony Stark—I know what you're planning. Once Immortal City's ships are gone, you'll make your move. But here's a cruel truth: the Sokovians who stayed on the ground outnumber the ones up here. They started fleeing the city as soon as things seemed off. Guess who taught them to react like that?"
The android's words left the Avengers speechless. Even Stark had no retort—especially since he knew that much of the Sokovian rebel equipment had originated from Stark Industries. They all knew how unwelcome Americans were in Sokovia. Even Thor didn't get a free pass. Though the Avengers weren't the root cause of Sokovia's political unrest, to the average civilian, Americans were Americans—Avengers or not, it made no difference.
This time, however, the Avengers were showing the best of humanity as they tried to clean up their own mess. And even the most reluctant Sokovians would accept their help.
"As long as they never find out Ultron was Stark's creation," Tita sneered. "Nick Fury, still waiting to lick blood off someone's ice cream cone?"
"There's no need for that kind of anger, ma'am," Fury said.
Agent Hill's calm voice broke into the comms. "Lifeboats have been deployed. Preparing for separation. Three… two… release."
Wanda and Pietro rushed to Steve Rogers' side just in time to see eight large lifeboats, each equipped with powerful thrusters, detach from the sky carrier's flanks and disperse toward the city's edges. Though their design was simple, the technology was far from primitive. Using jet propulsion at this altitude carried a real risk of destabilization. The lifeboats bore the insignias of both the Sisterhood and Immortal City, and the engineering team had even taken time to repaint them accordingly.
The moment Ultron realized civilians were about to escape, he activated his reserve robot army. At the same time, he was forced to divert part of his force to stall the advancing Sisterhood. The shoddy robots were no match for the girls in powered armor, wielding chainswords and explosive rifles. Ultron could only rely on sheer numbers to buy himself time.
As one wave of robots flew toward the unarmed S.H.I.E.L.D. sky carrier, ten assault transports loaded with munitions launched from the Crucifix Rose and the Penitent. They streaked across the sky, unloading devastating firepower that tore the robotic wave to shreds.
Even those that slipped through were picked off by the sky carrier's supercannons and auxiliary guns with precise accuracy.
This airspace now belonged to the Sisterhood. No unauthorized aerial units could leave Sokovia alive.
Colonel James Rhodes, War Machine, didn't even know what to say as debris rained from above. "This was supposed to be my moment," he muttered, just after takeoff. "How am I supposed to brag about this at parties now?"
"Catherine," Tita called through the comms, connecting to the frontline. "Report mission progress."
"We've completed the array setup and are retreating toward the city's edge," the swordmaster replied cheerfully. The real purpose of the heavy weapons teams had been to break through obstacles and speed up the deployment of the prefabricated magical array. Wiping out Ultron's army was just a bonus.
"I think we can use the Steel Wings to jump straight to the landing bay. Thoughts?"
"If Royal Guard Zero's physical condition allows." Tita switched to the Avengers' channel. "Stark, after the evacuation, if you're not going to act, then Immortal City will take care of Sokovia. Everyone is to withdraw. Wanda Maximoff, Pietro Maximoff—the teleportation chamber aboard the ship is ready. The Monarch ordered me to guarantee your safety. I believe He's already told you how to access it."
"What are you planning?" Stark demanded. "We can't just abandon the vibranium helix tower. Are you going to let this city crash into the ground at terminal velocity? With the anti-gravity engine still active, its acceleration will exceed the meteor that wiped out the dinosaurs! Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions—the whole of Europe will be a lava pit!"
"The Monarch has a way to solve that."
"Where the hell is he?"
"That's Immortal City's secret." Tita glanced at the parchment Solomon had entrusted to her. Elegant ink had appeared on it a minute ago—that was how the Sisterhood received their orders. This command came directly from Solomon, and only Tita could read it. Not even Stephanie knew the full content. It was only now that Tita fully understood why the Monarch had them carry spell components—and the blood of innocents.
And now, they had more than enough of the latter. The Avengers had failed to save everyone.
"The Monarch made a promise," she said with a cold laugh. "He won't abandon the lives of those Sokovians below, because you don't have the right to decide their fate. In His eyes, their lives are worth far more than yours."
"I'm so sick of all these secrets!"
"One last instruction—do not tamper with the copper rails placed next to the Orthodox church in the city center. Unless you want to see everyone consumed by hellfire. Thor, did you hear that?"
"I heard it… you goat-dropping witch!" Thor choked out a few words, his face red from the strain. Ultron's vibranium-forged hand was clamped around his throat. Not even the Sisterhood's automated turret could help him now. "I am Thor… son of Odin… As long as I draw breath… I'm running out of lines. Are you ready?"
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Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 256)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 336)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
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