Loki's surprise attack could be described as a complete success.
After the assault, S.H.I.E.L.D. had only barely restored the Helicarrier's power system, but most of its combat capability had been lost.
A heavy atmosphere hung over the entire Helicarrier.
Damaged equipment, casualties among the crew—everything cast a dark shadow over everyone's hearts.
Tony and the others were in extremely low spirits, sinking into deep self-doubt.
Once overflowing with confidence, they were now questioning their own abilities.
However, Nick Fury was a seasoned strategist.
He skillfully used Coulson's death to rally the team.
Coulson had always been well-liked by everyone.
His kindness, bravery, and loyalty had left a deep impression on each of them.
His death, combined with the imminent crisis, was like two heavy blows smashing into their hearts, jolting them awake from their self-doubt and forcing them to pull themselves together.
Relying on his exceptional intelligence and analytical skills, Tony quickly pinpointed Loki's location.
It had to be said—narcissists really did think alike.
Tony put on his battered armor and was the first to fly back to New York.
The others boarded the remaining fighter jet, with Hawkeye now serving as the pilot.
Having been controlled by Loki and committed grave mistakes, Hawkeye was filled with guilt and remorse.
He swore silently that even if it cost him his life, he would stop Loki and atone for his sins.
Wes Elwin was curious about what it felt like to be mind-controlled—but this was clearly not the right time to ask.
When the jet arrived over New York, the sky above the city was already packed with Chitauri forces.
Those half-mechanical, half-biological alien creatures covered the city like dark storm clouds, sending chills down the spine.
Tony, meanwhile, had been thrown out of Stark Tower by Loki.
Fortunately, the newly developed armor's remote-tracking auto-deployment saved him.
While falling, he quickly suited up and soared back into the sky.
After rejoining the others, he shared the latest intel, giving everyone a clearer understanding of the situation.
Dr. Banner arrived at the battlefield on a motorcycle, wobbling all the way.
At this point, all the original members of the Avengers were finally assembled.
As for Wes Elwin—he had never considered himself an Avenger.
He wasn't that noble.
He had come to New York with his own private motives.
The New York Sanctum appeared, to outsiders, to be nothing more than an ordinary building.
Yet this place was not only one of the key nodes of the Earth's defensive barrier set up by the Ancient One, but also a junction connecting the multiverse and various supernatural phenomena.
The Ancient One stood quietly on the rooftop, gazing at the wormhole in the sky.
Her eyes were deep and serene, as if she could see through everything in the world.
Wes drifted over, his movements light and graceful.
"It's been a long time, Sorcerer Supreme," Wes said, his voice carrying a hint of respect.
The Ancient One turned her gaze toward him.
"I already know why you're here."
"And?" Wes asked.
"The future holds countless possibilities. Even the Vishanti cannot see through them all."
Her words were filled with profound meaning.
Wes understood what she meant.
With her tacit approval, his last concern was gone.
After Wes left—
a refined, weakened version of the Hulk appeared.
None of that concerned Wes Elwin.
The war had already begun, and all of New York had descended into chaos.
Those fighting the Chitauri were not just the Avengers.
Street-level heroes, militias, the military, the police, gang members—even ordinary civilians—had all risen up in resistance.
At the moment of life and death, old grudges were cast aside.
Everyone stood united against a common enemy.
With courage and conviction, they defended this city.
They defended their home.
However, humanity's outdated weapons were utterly incapable of inflicting meaningful damage on the Chitauri.
Endless waves of Chitauri poured out of the wormhole, flooding into New York like a tide.
And this was only the vanguard.
Once Loki fully opened the wormhole using the Space Stone and the main Chitauri force descended upon Earth, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Not just New York—
the entire planet would be mercilessly enslaved.
The only way to stop it was to defeat Loki and force him to close the wormhole.
But at this very moment, every Avenger was tightly entangled by the Chitauri army, unable to break free.
"Wizard! Wizard! Where is the wizard?! We need help—now!!"
Tony's voice roared through the comms channel, filled with urgency.
At the moment, he was being relentlessly pursued by a whale-shaped mechanical bio-weapon.
The mechanical creature looked ferocious and terrifying.
Its massive body was like a small mountain, tearing through the sky and stirring up violent gusts of wind.
Tony constantly changed directions in midair, trying to shake it off, but the creature stayed right on his tail.
Despite their enormous size, these mechanical beasts were astonishingly fast.
Their bodies were covered in weapons—energy cannons glowing with dangerous light, razor-sharp spikes, and gleaming blades.
Above the skies of New York, they could effortlessly level buildings, leaving devastation in their wake.
Tony was being pressed harder and harder, nearly driven into a corner.
Just then, Wes's voice descended upon every Avenger's ears like heavenly music:
"Leave these 'whales' to me."
There were quite a few of these so-called "whales."
They were the Chitauri's primary weapons for siege warfare.
Even U.S. military weapons appeared utterly powerless against them, barely able to inflict real damage.
But Wes had his own methods.
"Gravity Charm—fourfold."
As Wes finished the incantation, several nearby "whales" instantly felt an overwhelming pressure.
They plunged straight out of the sky, crashing down with thunderous booms.
Their enormous size, combined with their heavy armaments, made their weight terrifying.
Under four times the gravity, even power systems far beyond Earth's technology could not sustain them.
The mechanical whales smashed into the ground, kicking up massive clouds of dust and shaking nearby buildings to their foundations.
Wes's magic temporarily relieved some of the pressure on the Avengers.
"Beautiful work!!"
Tony's excited voice suddenly rang out over the comms.
On this brutal battlefield, it was as if everyone had been injected with a powerful stimulant—their exhausted bodies instantly flooded with renewed strength.
Steve's voice followed through the earpiece, carrying urgency and hope.
"Wes, how many times can you use that kind of magic?"
His question reflected both concern for the situation and reliance on Wes's abilities.
"At least a few dozen times," Wes replied—deliberately understating it.
His voice was calm and steady, instilling a sense of reassurance.
°°°
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