-"Wait!" I shouted, raising all four of my arms in front of Hulk.
-"I'm not your enemy! I'm just… I'm just trying to fight them, the invaders!"
Nothing. His green eyes glow with fury, and before I can react, a single punch sends me flying several meters back.
The wall behind me cracks as dust and debris rain down all around.
I gasp, but I get back up. Every hit of his is a brutal reminder that I'm up against a force of nature, and reasoning isn't on his agenda.
-"Hulk… we can fight together" I try again, panting and ducking under a swing that shatters a nearby streetlight.
-"Look around! There are too many enemies! If we keep this up, we'll just waste time and more people will die!"
Another punch slams into my side, sending me spinning across the asphalt like a ragdoll. My vision fills with smoke, flashes of light, and Hulk's roar.
Through the haze, I spot four Leviathans advancing in the distance.
I try to stand, but each of his hits feels like a concentrated earthquake.
I shield myself with my arms, trembling under every blow, but I hold my ground.
-"Alright… if you won't listen," I mutter through clenched teeth. "You leave me no choice but to act."
The Leviathans are getting closer, roaring and smashing everything in their path.
A spark of inspiration runs down my spine: I can use Hulk's fury to take down the Leviathans while we fight, turning his power—and mine—into a focused weapon of destruction.
-"Alright, big guy… stay with me" I whisper, bracing myself for my next move. "We're taking them down."
Hulk roars and charges. This time I don't dodge—I redirect his momentum straight into the first Leviathan.
The collision is brutal. The Leviathan crashes to the ground, kicking up a massive cloud of debris that scatters the Chitauri squad behind it.
-"That's it… keep going," I think, gasping as I leap forward and slam all four fists into another Leviathan, shoving it into Hulk's path. "Perfect!"
Each of Hulk's blows now becomes part of a pattern: I guide him between the Leviathans, dodging Chitauri fire from all directions.
His fists smash into them, slamming Leviathans into each other and nearby buildings, while I use my arms to keep them lined up for the next hit.
-"Damn… this is way more intense than I thought," I think, feeling every impact and the sheer weight of Hulk's strikes. "But it's working. Each one of these beasts is going down faster thanks to us."
Another massive, metallic Chitauri soldier tries to flank us.
I grab it with one extra arm, hurling it toward Hulk, and the green giant smashes it with a deafening roar, sending it crashing into an oncoming Leviathan.
Explosions of metal and fire light up the avenue as Chitauri forces scatter, attacking anything in sight in their confusion.
-"One more step… one more hit" I pant, narrowly dodging a blast that explodes inches away from me.
My breath pounds like a drum, and my arms tremble.
-"I just have to keep pace while Hulk does all the heavy lifting."
The last Leviathan charges furiously, slamming into the ground and kicking up pillars of rubble. I lead it into a final collision: Hulk crashes into it, I slam it with everything I've got, and the Leviathan crumples into the combined wreckage of the others, finally pinned.
The avenue falls silent, broken only by Hulk's final roar and the crunch of the Leviathan's remains. The surviving Chitauri retreat, confused and scrambling to regroup.
I'm gasping for breath, my four arms shaking.
Hulk turns toward me, his green eyes still burning with fury but carrying a flicker of understanding. For a moment, it feels like we're fighting as a true team, channeling raw strength and destruction to control the battlefield.
-"Nice work, big guy," I whisper, sweating and grinning beneath my helmet as I glance at the still-approaching Chitauri. "But this fight isn't over yet."
BEEP… BEEP…
-"Crap."
My body reverts back to normal.
Hulk stares at me, confused, his eyes narrowing.
In the distance, Chitauri soldiers open fire. I duck low, trying to minimize the impact.
Hulk reacts instantly, stepping in front of me; I can't help but look up at him.
Without my helmet, his breath would've blown my hair clean off; the blasts slamming into his back don't even seem to faze him.
-"YOU… WHERE RED THING?"
His thunderous voice shakes me to my core. I can't help but step back.
The emerald giant studies me for a moment, then grabs me by the torso; I can't react before I'm hurled skyward at breakneck speed.
He lands on top of a building and sets me down.
-"WHERE RED THING?… TALK OR HULK MAKE YOU TALK!"
His patience is running thin; he towers over me, his massive steps forcing me back.
-"Look, that 'thing' was me, okay? I…"
I try to explain, but Hulk stomps closer, looming over me.
-"REALLY? THINK HULK STUPID? HULK SEE DIFFERENCE. YOU NOT."
The ground shakes with every step. I feel like a kid being cornered by a school bully.
-"No! I'm not saying you're stupid, I'm just trying to say… that… that…" I scramble for words—how do you explain something like this to an enraged caveman?
I've got it.
-"It's like you and Banner. That red guy… that's another form of me, it's… " I search for the right words. "It's like another version of me."
The emerald giant pauses, studying me closely.
-"YOU… LIKE HULK?"
His words come out clumsy, trying to understand, comparing my situation to his.
-"Kind of. Not exactly like you, but similar. That red guy is me, just stronger, more useful. Like you—capable of more."
He shifts into a calmer, more thoughtful stance.
-"YOU BECOME STRONGER…" he squints at me, "…BUT NOT STRONGER THAN HULK. HULK STRONGEST."
I nod rapidly.
"-Right, yeah, not stronger than you, but I can do more things—like help people, help… smash aliens."
His posture relaxes as he leans down slightly to look me in the eye.
-"YOU SMASH BUGS TOO? HELP SAVE CITY?"
Finally.
-"Yes, I want to help. Smash bugs and save the city. See this?" I show him the symbol on my watch. "Whenever I transform, this symbol's there. So if you see something with this, it means it's me… alright?"
I can't help but smile under my helmet. Having a conversation with Hulk… someone so unique… is an experience in itself.
A terrifying, but thrilling, experience.
The green giant nods.
-"GOOD. BUT TURN RED FIRST. YOU TOO FRAGILE. YOU BREAK EASY."
He leaps off, leaving a crater in the ground. I watch him go, smashing into a Chitauri ship and scattering unlucky soldiers who crossed paths with the green brute.
-"Yeah, I know… guess I'll just have to wait," I mutter, glancing down at my watch as it recharges. "Until then, I can only hide."
I look up at the sky; the portal continues spewing Chitauri and Leviathans.
As long as that portal stays open, all of our effort will be for nothing.
================================================================
Smoke blanketed the streets like a gray fog, while Chitauri energy blasts ricocheted off the charred remains of burned-out cars. Steve and Natasha dashed side to side, dodging debris and returning fire. The entire city burned under the alien assault.
-"This is getting out of hand way too fast" Natasha muttered, shooting down two Chitauri soldiers descending on gliders with precise shots.
-"Welcome to a typical Tuesday in New York" Steve quipped, hurling his shield and knocking out three enemies before catching it mid-spin.
An explosive arrow whistled down from above, obliterating another glider before it could reach them.
-"Above you, guys," Clint's voice crackled through the comms as he nocked another arrow, perched on the ledge of a crumbling building. "Try not to die. I've got great aim, but I don't work miracles."
Steve tapped his communicator.
-"Stark, we need backup. We've got two Leviathans inbound and way too many foot soldiers to hold them off."
Tony's voice came through, laced with interference and the sound of explosions.
-"Negative, Cap. Kinda busy with three others trying to turn me into scrap metal. Hold your ground."
Clint loosed another arrow, pinning a Chitauri right behind Natasha.
-"By 'hold your ground,' I'm assuming he means 'run,' right? Because that'd be my recommendation."
Steve tightened his shield onto his arm and glanced at Natasha.
-"Better get those legs ready."
-"Always ready," she replied, adjusting her pistols.
The roars of the Leviathans echoed just two blocks away. The three Avengers braced themselves to sprint when a deafening crack of thunder shook the sky.
A beam of light struck down like a pillar from the heavens, sparking and hissing with energy. Thor descended from above, floating over the avenue with Mjolnir raised high.
-"Stand back, comrades!" he boomed with a thunderous voice. "I shall deal with these beasts!"
The Asgardian god soared toward the Leviathans, his hammer crackling with lightning. The sky lit up as he lifted his arm, ready to unleash all his might on the monstrous creatures.
But before his thunderbolt could fall… the ground trembled.
A deep rumble, like the groaning of a mountain, rippled through the street. The pavement split apart as massive emerald-green crystal spires erupted violently from below, impaling both Leviathans at once.
The biomechanical serpents shrieked and collapsed, skewered by towering shards that pierced straight through their bodies.
The escorting Chitauri had no time to react. Dozens of crystalline spears burst up around them, skewering ships and warriors alike, transforming the street into a deadly forest of jagged emerald.
Thor halted mid-flight, lowering himself to the ground with Mjolnir still raised, stunned.
-"This… is not my doing."
From his high perch, Clint was speechless.
-"Well… that's new."
Steve turned to Natasha, disbelief in his eyes as the eerie green glow bathed the battlefield.
-"Thor? Asgardian magic?"
Thor narrowed his eyes, examining the crystals.
-"No. Though magic can craft wonders such as this… there is no sorcery in the air."
Steve pressed his comm again.
-"Stark, you got any friends who can skewer Leviathans with crystal mountains?"
Tony's reply was immediate, though muffled by the sound of weapons fire.
-"No. And if I did? Trust me, I would've invited them sooner."
Natasha crossed her arms, pistols still in hand, brow furrowed.
-"Thor, did you bring any extra muscle with you?"
-"No," he said seriously, lowering Mjolnir. "And I assure you again, this power is not born of magic."
A tense silence fell over the team, broken only by distant explosions and the glow of crystal spires reflecting off broken glass. Then, a firm voice echoed from above:
-"Because it's not magic!"
All eyes turned skyward.
Between the skyscrapers, a figure streaked through the air, sliding down ramps and platforms of emerald crystal forming beneath their feet with every leap. Each landing created a burst of light, a dazzling emerald reflection dancing across the ruined streets.
Clint let out a low whistle.
-"Now that's one hell of an entrance."
With a final leap, the mysterious newcomer vaulted forward and landed gracefully in front of the team.
A towering, imposing figure stood before them, its entire body composed of translucent green crystal that caught and refracted the dim sunlight like a living gemstone.
The creature's frame was broad and angular, arms and shoulders jagged like sharpened blades, radiating power and resilience. Its torso was smoother and more uniform, contrasting the sharp geometry of its limbs. Its head was marked with symmetrical, alien-like lines, sharp yet focused.
Over its left pectoral, a distinct plate was embedded in its crystalline armor.
-"I'm guessing that was you," Cap said, gesturing toward the massive Leviathans still twitching on their crystalline stakes.
The newcomer gave a faint smile.
-"Someone had to do it."
He stepped forward, voice calm and firm, though there was no arrogance in his tone.
-"There isn't much time to explain. I'll say this: I'm on your side, and I want to stop this invasion."
Natasha raised an eyebrow, keeping her pistols trained on him.
-"And we're just supposed to take your word for that?"
Clint landed gracefully nearby, arrow drawn but not loosed.
-"Come on, Nat. The guy just wiped out enemy troops and two Leviathans. If he wanted us dead, he'd have done it already."
The stranger turned to the sound of approaching engines. More Chitauri forces poured from the portal, two fresh Leviathans weaving between skyscrapers.
-"Look, if you want, you can shoot me later. But right now? We stop this, and we shut that damn portal!" he barked, raising his hand. A towering crystal wall erupted behind them, intercepting a barrage of enemy fire.
Steve braced his shield against another blast.
-"He's right, Natasha. This isn't the time for suspicion." He turned to the others. "We're not surviving this without every ounce of help we can get."
Cap sprinted forward, intercepting two incoming gliders. He vaulted off the hood of a wrecked car, flung his shield with precision, and took down three Chitauri in one clean strike.
Natasha rolled across the cracked asphalt, firing point-blank at advancing soldiers trying to flank Steve.
-"Right side!" Clint shouted, loosing an explosive arrow that shredded a glider midair. He swung from a cable arrow to a leaning streetlamp, gaining a vantage point to rain down fire from above.
The crystal warrior spread his hands wide, summoning towers of crystal from the rubble. Platforms lifted Natasha and Steve, letting them leap between vantage points. Natasha capitalized on the height advantage, mowing down squads that never saw her coming.
Thor landed with a thunderous crash, the ground splitting beneath his boots. Mjolnir spun in his grip before he hurled it like a missile, smashing into a Leviathan's jaw and recalling it with a flash of lightning.
-"Magnificent!" Thor roared, sparks dancing around his armor. "A warrior who sculpts weapons from the very earth itself! Asgard would welcome you with open arms, crystal-born!"
-"Focus on staying alive, please," Clint grunted, firing another arrow.
-"Oh, fear not for me, archer!" Thor bellowed, splitting a glider in two with a lightning bolt.
The stranger leapt forward, manifesting a massive crystalline spear that impaled multiple Chitauri in a single sweep. A ramp of solid emerald appeared beneath Steve, propelling him into the air as he plowed through three more soldiers with his shield.
Between shots, Natasha murmured into her comm.
-"No records of anyone like this in S.H.I.E.L.D."
-"Yeah, well, there wasn't a file on Thor either," Clint replied, loosing arrows with deadly precision. "Compared to a literal god, a crystal guy isn't all that shocking anymore, Nat."
Suddenly, a deafening hum shook the battlefield. A low, growing vibration that sent a chill down their spines. Natasha glanced skyward, her eyes widening.
-"That… can't be good."
Out of the smoke, emerging from the glowing portal, a colossal Chitauri warship appeared—far larger than any they'd seen before. Its front cannons charged with pure energy, lighting up the sky with a blinding blue glow.
Steve barely had time to shout.
-"Take cover!"
The energy beam fired, tearing through the air like a lance of destruction. Time slowed. Thor raised his hammer, Clint fired his grappling arrow to escape, Natasha dove behind a crystal barricade… but none of them would be fast enough.
The stranger moved first.
His fingers elongated, morphing into flawless, reflective crystal surfaces. His arms shifted into sharp, angular panels, adjusting their angles with mechanical precision.
The blinding energy struck him head-on. His crystalline body refracted the beam, bouncing the blast away like a perfect mirror. Emerald light and searing blue plasma illuminated his focused expression as he reinforced the crystal armor with a second layer of glowing energy.
The redirected blast struck the Chitauri warship dead-on, piercing through its plating.
-"Now!" he shouted, bracing as the beam ricocheted back toward its source.
Thor lifted Mjolnir and unleashed a torrent of lightning at the massive ship.
The combination was devastating: the reflected blast and the electric bolts pierced through the armored hull. The ship rapidly lost altitude, descending dangerously toward the city with a deafening roar.
Just then, Tony's voice came through the communicator:
-"Cap, Natasha… if that thing crashes as it is, the engine's explosion could wipe out several city blocks. My scanners confirm it. You need to cushion its fall somehow. And fast. I… I'll go inside and make sure the engine doesn't blow."
Steve glanced at the crystalline being.
-"Can you use your crystals to cushion the ship's fall? If it crashes, it'll be catastrophic."
The Petrosapien rose into the air, plunging his arms deep into the asphalt.
The ground shook violently. From beneath the rubble, massive crystal spikes erupted, rising just in time to partially hold the ship and keep it from crushing the nearby buildings. The ship collided with the pillars, and the immense weight made the structures groan. It didn't look like they'd hold for long.
-"Impressive strength," Thor said, laughing amid the lightning as he watched their new ally growl and dig his hands into the ground to summon more pillars.
Diamond drove his arms deeper, focusing all his energy. More pillars emerged, reinforcing the crystal network holding up the ship. Each impact of the hull against the crystals sent tremors through the entire street, but he didn't falter.
Clint fired strategic arrows to take out Chitauri attempting to advance, while Natasha moved swiftly, using the crystal platforms to shoot from elevated angles. Steve hurled his shield and blocked enemy attacks, leaping between pillars and debris. Thor unleashed waves of lightning onto the weaker structures and the ship's hull to slow its descent.
-"Keep it up! We'll cover you!" Steve shouted, seeing how the pillars were holding the weight and the ship was partially contained.
The alien said nothing; his glowing eyes stayed focused as he drew more crystal from the earth.
Tony entered the ship through a side opening using his repulsors, heading straight for the engine to prevent an explosion. Tony's urgent voice echoed through the comms:
-"If I don't make it in time, we're toast. Don't touch anything while I'm working on this."
The ship rocked on the pillars, but the crystal support system remained stable thanks to Diamond's relentless effort.
The Avengers kept defending the area, eliminating the remaining troops, as the ship's engine was being secured.
Thor called out enthusiastically in the middle of battle:
-"Your resilience is admirable! Keep pushing!"
Diamond growled, channeling even more power to strengthen the pillars and stop the ship from crushing the city. Each column was forged with supernatural strength, and the ship's weight was evenly distributed across dozens of crystals erupting from the ground, holding it steady until Tony could secure the engine and prevent the explosion.
The battle raged on around them as the ship remained suspended on the pillars, a hair's breadth away from crashing onto the city.
Tony Stark flew through the ship, his fingers dancing over controls as the engine vibrated violently.
-"Guys, guys, relax," he said through the comms. "Everything's under control. I just need a few seconds to stabilize this… and done."
As he adjusted the final settings, he added,
-"And hey, if something blows up, at least we'll have it on Twitter."
Suddenly, communications went silent. Outside, the Avengers stared wide-eyed at the ship as Iron Man shot out like a cannonball, blasting through the hull at breakneck speed—a streak of red and gold metal hurtling through the sky.
Thor reacted instantly, launching himself upward and extending his arms to catch Tony mid-flight. With a graceful descent, he brought him back down to the group of heroes.
-"Thanks, buddy," Tony said, adjusting his helmet and taking a deep breath. "That was… intense."
When he looked up, his gaze fell on Diamond. His jaw dropped slightly, and he couldn't help but quip:
-"Wow… someone went way overboard with the photo filters."
Before anyone could reply, a hovercraft detached from the ship, closing in quickly.
A massive, fully-armored creature with six arms stared at them coldly from atop the glider.
-"Organic creatures without strategic value, cease resistance, and you will be exterminated painlessly."
The Avengers and the new kid watched him, preparing for battle.
Captain America stepped forward, shield raised.
-¡¡"Avengers… Assemble!!"
================================================================
I posted the chapter last night, but honestly, I was exhausted. Between writing it and trying to find a proper English translation, it was already 3 in the morning.
I reread it and wasn't happy with it, so I ended up deleting it. I think this version is much better.
I hope you enjoy it, and sorry for not uploading it yesterday.
Thank you so much for all your support and comments! I really take them to heart.
"Remember, there are two versions, Spanish and English, which you can find on my profile."
Take care, everyone! :)