[Tony continued flying toward the overpass ahead when he spotted Captain America on the bridge, surrounded by enemy forces. He immediately moved to provide support.]
[First, he eliminated two enemies with long-range repulsor blasts, then dove down to tackle several more Chitauri warriors before landing beside Captain America to help finish off the remaining threats.]
[During the engagement, Tony and Captain America discovered an innovative tactical combination. Tony fired his repulsors at Cap's shield while Captain America angled the vibranium surface to reflect the energy beams outward in a fan pattern, successfully eliminating multiple enemies with the dispersed energy.]
[Seeing that most of the immediate threats had been neutralized, Tony didn't linger on the ground. He left the area in Captain America's capable hands and took flight again to eliminate Chitauri forces that were scaling the exterior walls of nearby skyscrapers.]
[Meanwhile, Hawkeye used a precise arrow shot to eliminate a Chitauri warrior that had been climbing toward his position, then immediately ducked low to avoid two energy blasts fired in retaliation.]
[He was clearly someone who didn't let attacks go unanswered. Seeing the enemy craft that had targeted him, Hawkeye drew another arrow and fired it directly at the pilot without hesitation.]
[The arrow struck the back of the pilot's head with lethal accuracy, causing the assault craft to immediately lose control and plummet downward, where it was crushed by a passing Leviathan.]
[At that moment, Hulk was riding on the back of another Leviathan. He grabbed the smaller Chitauri warriors that had climbed onto his back and hurled them away, then directly seized one of the creature's dorsal spines and ripped it completely off.]
[The Chitauri forces on the creature's back were powerless to stop Hulk's rampage. He punched through the Leviathan's armored hide, creating a massive dent in the creature's back.]
[Thor was also fighting on the same Leviathan, constantly swinging Mjolnir to knock away enemies approaching from all directions.]
[Hulk was so caught up in the excitement of battle that he grabbed a piece of torn metal plating and drove it deep into the Leviathan's back like a spear. Seeing this opportunity, Thor immediately channeled his strength and hammered the entire metal plate deeper into the creature's body.]
[The Leviathan immediately screamed in agony and crashed through the wall of a nearby church before falling heavily to the street below, motionless.]
[Hulk and Thor stood side by side, surveying their defeated opponent. Suddenly, without warning, Hulk delivered a powerful punch that sent Thor flying across the street. It was obvious that he still remembered their previous altercation aboard the helicarrier.]
"Hulk really knows how to hold a grudge!"
"He was clearly enjoying himself - look at that satisfied expression!"
"This should be called 'Hulk's Payback'!"
"Poor Thor! He got sucker-punched for no reason!"
"Thor must be thinking: 'What did I do to deserve this?!'"
The multiverse audience was thoroughly entertained by Hulk's unexpected retaliation.
Banner scratched his head with obvious embarrassment at his alter ego's behavior.
Captain America was contemplating the tactical combination he and Tony had just discovered. He hadn't realized his shield could be used in so many creative ways.
[After being unconscious for an extended period, Dr. Erik Selvig finally regained consciousness. Before he could fully process his situation, he saw alien aircraft flying everywhere in the sky above him.]
[On the streets below, the National Guard had finally arrived in force, with numerous armored vehicles and soldiers rushing to establish positions throughout the affected blocks. They set up defensive perimeters at Grand Central Terminal and the 42nd Street subway station.]
[Captain America used both hands to firmly grip a Chitauri warrior's weapon as it attempted to stab him, twisted it aside with superior leverage, then eliminated the alien with two powerful punches before pausing to catch his breath.]
[Clearly, even someone with Captain America's enhanced physiology was being taxed by the continuous high-intensity combat.]
["Cap! We've got civilians trapped in the bank on 42nd and Madison!"]
[Before he could rest for even a moment, Hawkeye's voice came through the comm with another urgent situation.]
["I'm on my way!"]
[Inside the bank, a large number of terrified civilians were huddled together for protection. Several Chitauri warriors had taken position on the upper level, looking down at the trapped humans with obvious hostile intent.]
[One of the aliens produced what appeared to be a grenade from its equipment. Captain America entered the building at precisely that moment and immediately threw his shield to knock the creature down. The explosive device fell to the floor, emitting a continuous electronic beeping sound.]
[The two remaining Chitauri immediately turned their weapons toward him. Cap dove behind an overturned desk and kicked it forward to use as mobile cover.]
[Both alien warriors were knocked down by the improvised projectile. Captain America rushed forward and delivered a devastating punch to one creature's midsection before throwing it off the building's upper level.]
["Everyone get down!" Captain America managed to shout just before another Chitauri grabbed him from behind and drove an elbow into his back.]
[The alien he had initially knocked down with his shield had recovered and was now firing energy blasts directly at him.]
[Fortunately, Captain America executed a backward flip to break free from the grapple. The energy blast missed him but struck the Chitauri that had been restraining him, killing it instantly. However, the impact also dislodged Captain America's mask.]
[The grenade's warning signal was becoming increasingly urgent. The remaining Chitauri attempted to pick up the explosive and throw it toward the civilians. Seeing the imminent threat, Captain America immediately rolled to retrieve his shield.]
[The grenade detonated just as the alien was about to throw it. Captain America leaped up and positioned his entire body behind the vibranium shield.]
[The massive explosion obliterated the Chitauri warrior and sent Captain America flying out of the building, where he landed heavily on a car parked outside.]
[Captain America remained motionless on the vehicle for several seconds before managing to get back on his feet. Firefighters and National Guard soldiers immediately began organizing the evacuation of civilians from the bank to safer locations.]
[Among the rescued civilians was a blonde, blue-eyed young woman who kept staring at Captain America with obvious admiration. His heroic rescue had clearly made a profound impression on her.]
[Meanwhile, aboard the helicarrier, Agent Hill's voice carried a tone of regret and resignation: "Director Fury, the Council has made their decision."]
[The camera shifted to show Nick Fury, who showed no surprise at this development: "I recognize the Council has made a decision. But given that it's a stupid-ass decision, I've elected to ignore it."]
["Director, you're closest to the action! Order the jet to proceed with the bombing run!"]
[Fury interrupted before the councilman could finish: "That's the island of Manhattan, Councilman!"]
["I will not order a nuclear strike against a civilian population unless every other option has been exhausted!"]
["If we don't act now, everything could be lost!"]
[Director Fury responded with firm conviction: "If we launch that nuke, we guarantee it!" He then terminated the communication.]
"Oh my God! They're actually going to nuke New York!"
"Yeah, didn't you already know that was coming? Tony Stark will have to deal with that missile!"
"Damn those politicians! They don't care about the lives of countless innocent civilians!"
"They should all be voted out of office!"
"Impeach them all!"
Tony turned off the heated online comments that had erupted after news of the nuclear strike authorization broke, rubbing his temples in frustration.
"Looks like someone's in political trouble," Captain America observed with a slight smile.
"Yeah, but that's not our problem to solve," Rhodes shrugged, completely unconcerned about the political fallout.
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