The night had not yet faded, but the Triskelion was brightly lit, like a city that never sleeps. The aftershocks of the Pegasus Institute explosion were still reverberating, and the entire S.H.I.E.L.D. was on high alert, with all Agents recalled to headquarters awaiting investigation.
However, no one expected that the real storm would not come from the outside.
—It came from within.
4:20 AM, S.H.I.E.L.D. Central Corridor.
Gunshots suddenly exploded, breaking the silence of the corridor.
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!" A S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent had just shouted when he was taken down by a burst of bullets. Blood splattered on the pristine white wall, a shocking sight.
Coulson quickly pressed against the wall for cover, his pistol rapidly cocked. Beside him, Melinda Mei's eyes were cold and sharp as she whispered, "It's not an external enemy… it's our own people."
"HYDRA," Coulson gritted his teeth, a hint of disbelief flashing in his eyes.
Just minutes ago, the entire S.H.I.E.L.D. communication system suddenly crashed, followed by former comrades-in-arms turning their guns without warning, slaughtering the unprepared S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents.
—This was a rebellion from HYDRA.
4:25 AM, Central Command Room.
"All units, attention! Immediately execute 'Shield Breaker' protocol!" Pierce's voice echoed through the entire building via an encrypted channel.
The next second, all Agents infiltrated by HYDRA acted simultaneously.
The monitoring room was occupied, the armory was controlled, and escape routes were blocked.
—S.H.I.E.L.D. was being devoured by its own shadow.
4:30 AM, East Wing Safe House.
Coulson led the remaining dozen loyal Agents, struggling to break through the blockade, attempting to evacuate the building.
"We need to find more help!" Coulson growled, directing the team forward.
However, as they turned the corner of the corridor, everyone's steps suddenly halted.
—Rumlow's special operations team had already blocked all exits.
Fully armed assault team members stood in formation, their cold gun muzzles pointed at them.
"Surrender, Coulson," Rumlow stepped out from the team, a mocking smile on his lips. "You have nowhere to run."
Coulson tightened his grip on his pistol, his eyes resolute: "Do you think this is how you win?"
Rumlow shrugged: "No, we already won."
He raised his hand, and the special operations team behind him raised their weapons in unison.
"Fire."
—Gunshots roared like thunder, and muzzle flashes tore through the darkness.
4:35 AM, S.H.I.E.L.D. Triskelion, Archives.
Steve's fingers hovered above the keyboard, the blue light of the screen reflecting on his tense face. Natasha stood behind him, vigilantly watching the corridor.
"These files…" Steve's voice was low, "must be exposed."
Natasha was about to respond when a burst of intense gunfire suddenly erupted from a distance. Both of them looked up, alerted.
"That's not a drill," Natasha quickly drew her pistol, checking the magazine with practiced ease.
Steve immediately shut down the terminal and grabbed his shield: "Sounds like a firefight, coming from the East Wing."
Another tremor from an explosion, and the lights in the archives flickered a few times. Alarms blared piercingly, and red warning lights began to spin.
"It seems HYDRA within S.H.I.E.L.D. has made its move," Steve's eyes were filled with determination. "We need to get out."
Natasha nodded: "I'll go to the cafeteria to find Hill; she's still drugged there. You go support the other Agents."
The two exchanged a look, reaching a tacit understanding without needing further words. Steve pulled open the archives door, and the faint smell of gunpowder already permeated the corridor.
4:40 AM, S.H.I.E.L.D. West Wing Corridor.
Steve moved quickly along the wall, his shield ready to block at any moment. Turning a corner, the sight before him tightened his heart—three S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents were pinned behind cover by six fully armed assault team members.
"HYDRA!" one of the Agents shouted, "They suddenly—"
Before he could finish, an assault team member had already raised his weapon. Steve unhesitatingly threw his shield, the disc cutting a perfect arc, precisely knocking down three enemies.
"Get down!" Steve shouted as he rushed into the fray. The remaining Agents immediately reacted, coordinating with Captain America to launch a counterattack. In less than ten seconds, all six HYDRA Agents were down.
"Captain!" a young Agent exclaimed excitedly, "The whole building is in chaos; we don't know who we can trust!"
Steve picked up his shield: "Stay vigilant. If you see any suspicious behavior, subdue them immediately."
Meanwhile, in the Staff Cafeteria.
Natasha silently pushed open the cafeteria door. Four special operations team members and Hill were slumped unconscious on the dining tables. She quickly scanned her surroundings, and after confirming it was safe, took a small syringe from her tactical pouch.
Hill quickly awoke after the injection. She abruptly looked up, her eyes instantly becoming alert: "Romanoff? You—"
"Shh," Natasha made a silencing gesture. "HYDRA launched an attack."
Hill immediately noticed the unconscious special operations team members around her: "Why aren't you waking them up?"
Natasha's green eyes gleamed with caution: "Because I'm not sure if they are HYDRA."
Hill frowned, quickly checking her communication device: "Damn it, the signal is blocked." She tried several emergency communication protocols, but all showed transmission failed.
"Pierce is their leader," Natasha handed Hill a pistol. "At least 40% of the Agents have been turned."
Hill took the weapon, skillfully loading it: "What about Fury?"
"Lost contact fifteen minutes ago," Natasha's voice carried a hint of worry. "We need to find Captain America immediately, and then—"
The cafeteria door was suddenly burst open, and three fully armed Agents rushed in. Natasha and Hill simultaneously raised their guns, but hesitated for a moment when they saw the S.H.I.E.L.D. emblem on the uniforms of the newcomers.
"Commander Hill!" the leading Agent shouted, "We are ordered to escort you to the safe house!"
Hill was about to respond when Natasha suddenly noticed that the safeties on their firearms were all off, and their fingers were slightly trembling on the triggers. Her pupils suddenly contracted—
"Get down!" Natasha abruptly tackled Hill to the ground, firing her gun at the same time.
A bullet grazed Hill's hair, precisely hitting the leading Agent between the eyebrows. The other two 'Agents' immediately opened fire, and the cafeteria instantly became a battlefield.
Hill rolled behind cover, her heart pounding: "Damn, how did you—"
"They're nervous," Natasha calmly changed her magazine. "Their fingers are trembling on the trigger."
The two formed a defensive formation back-to-back. The only sounds in the cafeteria were the shattering of tableware from bullet impacts and the heavy footsteps of the enemies.
4:45 AM, S.H.I.E.L.D. Eastern Safe Zone.
Steve's shield cut through the smoke, precisely hitting a HYDRA Agent in the head. With a dull thud of metal impact, the enemy fell to the ground.
"Captain!" Coulson's voice came from behind cover, with obvious surprise.
Steve executed a tactical roll to Coulson's side, his vibranium shield firmly held in front of him: "Casualties?"
"Three lightly wounded, one seriously wounded," Melinda Mei reported quickly, her MP5 submachine gun constantly locked on the end of the corridor. "We're surrounded."
A new storm of bullets arrived, sparks flying off the cover. Rumlow's voice came through the loudspeaker: "Surrender, Captain America! The entire building is under our control!"
Steve ignored the provocation, quickly scanning the S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents around him. Including Coulson's team, they only had twenty-three people left. At the end of the corridor, at least thirty fully armed HYDRA Agents were gathering.
"Communication status?" Steve asked in a low voice.
Coulson shook his head, his face grim: "All channels are blocked. We are completely cut off from the outside World."
Mei suddenly pointed out the window: "Look over there!"
Through the bulletproof glass, they could see a large mass of HYDRA forces gathering in the plaza outside the building. Armored vehicles, heavy weapons, and at least two hundred armed personnel had completely surrounded the building.
"Damn it…" a young Agent muttered, "We're surrounded."
Steve took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over each tired face: "We need reinforcements."
"Arbitrators?" Coulson's eyes lit up, but then dimmed again. "But we can't contact them at all."
Steve's brows furrowed when he heard that all communications were blocked. He looked around at the exhausted but still steadfast Agents, his eyes gradually hardening.
"Listen, guys," he raised his voice, gripping his vibranium shield tightly, "The Arbitrators couldn't have failed to notice what's happening here. They must already be on their way."
Coulson wiped the sweat from his forehead: "But communications are completely cut off, how would they know—"
"Trust them," Steve interrupted, his voice steady and powerful, "just as I trust each and every one of you. Just hold on a little longer—"
Before he finished speaking, a blinding blue light suddenly shot in from outside the window, illuminating the entire safe zone. Everyone instinctively raised their hands to shield their eyes, looking at the light source in confusion.
"What's going on?" Mei raised her weapon alertly.
The entire building suddenly began to shake violently, and dust fell from the ceiling. The lights in the safe zone flickered on and off, and alarms blared intermittently.
"Earthquake?" an Agent exclaimed.
Steve steadied himself, looking out the window. He saw no light source, yet noticed that all the HYDRA Agents outside were looking up at the sky.
The blue light, originating from the Triskelion's rooftop, shot straight into the sky, dyeing the night a strange blue.
————
Arbitrator Tower
Inside the control center, a holographic projection clearly displayed the real-time battle situation at the Triskelion. Tony's armor was already donned; he leaned against the control panel, his fingers lightly tapping his armguard, his gaze fixed on the projection.
"Data shows the HYDRA rebellion is quite significant in scale," Chen Tian analyzed calmly, his fingertip gliding across the holographic interface. "The enemy numbers are about 300, and perhaps more."
2B's mechanical pupils flickered with cold light: "Master, civilian evacuation is 87% complete. Some civilians are unwilling to evacuate."
Uchiha Madara leaned in the shadows, his Sharingan faintly visible in the darkness: "Such a boring wait."
Barton adjusted his quiver restlessly, his fingers constantly tapping the bowstring: "How much longer do we have to wait? Every minute, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s casualties are increasing!"
Banner patted Barton's shoulder, his tone calm: "Calm down, Clint. Chen Tian has a plan."
Tony chuckled: "The Old Ice Pop and his team can hold on. We need to stick to the plan."
"Plan? What plan?" Hawkeye paced back and forth, annoyed. "We could clearly now—"
Just then, the holographic projection suddenly flickered violently. On the Triskelion's rooftop, a dazzling blue light burst forth, shooting straight into the sky.
Tony abruptly stood up, his armor's faceplate instantly closing. The scanning system locked onto the blue light: "Chen Tian, that's—"
Chen Tian's eyes sharpened. He stared at the blue light, slowly nodding: "Tony, activate the 'Angel Wing' rescue protocol. Send out all rescue robots and medical pods to the combat zone. Ensure civilian safety at all costs."
Tony immediately raised his hand, and the AI within his armor responded swiftly: "Jarvis, execute Protocol Alpha. Deploy rescue units at full speed."
2B's long blade hummed as it unsheathed, her mechanical pupils locking onto the target: "Combat system ready."
Uchiha Madara straightened up, his Sharingan slowly rotating: "Finally, something interesting."
Dr. Banner took off his glasses and took a deep breath: "I hope Hulk won't be needed this time."
Barton finally stopped, his brows furrowed: "Wait, you already knew this light would appear?"
Chen Tian didn't answer immediately. His gaze remained fixed on the blue light. After a moment, he spoke: "Barton, we're going to war with aliens."
"Aliens? What the hell? There are really aliens?" Barton's voice suddenly rose.
Chen Tian took a deep breath, "Yes, the Chitauri."
The next second, Chen Tian abruptly turned around, "Move out! Tony will handle air support, 2B and Madara will handle ground cleanup, and Dr. Banner will be medical backup."
"What about me?" Barton asked eagerly.
Chen Tian looked at him, "You go meet up with Steve and Natasha, and the remaining S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents." He took one last look at the blue light, "Prepare for war!"
————
Triskelion Rooftop.
Loki stood on the rooftop, his golden helmet gleaming in the blue light. The Mind Stone in his hand emitted a golden-yellow energy, reflecting the blue light shooting up from the rooftop.
Pierce stood behind him, looking up at the sky. The blue light had expanded into a huge vortex, and space seemed to be torn apart, with strange energy flickering in the dark crack.
"My Lord, your army is about to arrive," Pierce said respectfully to Loki.
Loki spread his arms, the light from the scepter illuminating his handsome yet crazed face. His laughter echoed in the wind, filled with arrogant pride: "Look, Pierce, this is the power you humans have always dreamed of!"
The vortex in the sky suddenly expanded. From within the dark crack, a colossal entity slowly emerged—
It was a hideous head, covered in metallic scales. The roar of the Leviathan beast came from the portal, shaking the entire building.
"Midgardian ants!" Loki shouted, his voice piercing the clouds, "From today, you shall bow to—"
Boom—!
A blinding bolt of lightning suddenly struck, precisely hitting Loki in the chest!
"Ugh ah—!" Loki was caught off guard. He was flung back by the violent power of the lightning, crashing heavily onto the edge of the rooftop. The scepter flew from his hand, rolling several meters across the ground.
He struggled to his feet, his golden helmet askew, a look of shock and Fury flashing in his eyes.
"Loki!!"
A furious roar came from the sky. Thor, wielding mjolnir, flew swiftly, enveloped in the power of lightning, his red cape flapping wildly in the strong wind. His eyes burned with angry flames, his voice booming like thunder: "You dare—!"
Loki wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and sneered: "Oh? My dear brother, you've arrived just in time."
Thor landed heavily, mjolnir striking the ground and sending out a shockwave. He glared at Loki, "Close the portal, now!"
Loki slowly stood up, the scepter automatically flying back into his hand. He tilted his head, a mocking smile on his face: "Why? Don't you think Midgard needs a true ruler?"
Thor tightened his grip on Mjolnir, lightning flickering in his eyes: "You're mad!"
"Mad?" Loki laughed, "No, I just see further than all of you!"
Before he finished speaking, the Leviathan beast in the portal had fully emerged. Its massive body obscured the sky, and its deafening roar seemed to announce the arrival of doomsday.
Thor looked up at the terrifying beast, his face changing dramatically: "Loki, do you have any idea what you're doing?!"
Loki's smile grew even crazier: "Of course I do—I'm bringing order to this World!"
Thor stopped wasting words, fiercely swinging mjolnir. The power of lightning instantly erupted, shooting straight towards Loki!
Loki quickly raised his scepter, and a golden-yellow energy barrier appeared in front of him. The moment the two forces collided, the entire rooftop trembled!
"You can't stop me, Thor!" Loki growled through clenched teeth.
Thor's eyes burned with battle intent: "Then let's see!"
————
Inside the Building.
Steve and Coulson stood frozen by the window, gazing up at the suffocating sight in the sky. Several Leviathan beasts coiled out of the portal, their massive metallic bodies obscuring the sky. Each one was as terrifying as a mythical sea monster.
Even more frightening, countless Chitauri soldiers were leaping from the beasts, swarming the ground like locusts.
"Oh my God..." An Agent's gun unconsciously dropped, his voice trembling, "We... what do we do?"
Coulson instinctively reached for the pistol at his waist, only to find his hand trembling slightly.
Mei's lips were tightly pressed, a hint of uncertainty appearing in her eyes for the first time.
Even Steve gripped his vibranium shield, unsure how to boost morale at that moment.
Just at this desperate moment—
"Miss me, Captain?"
Tony's signature teasing voice suddenly boomed in the night sky. The next second, a blue and white meteor streaked across the sky. The originally gold and red Mark-Eclipse armor had transformed into a blue, white, and black color scheme, with six mechanical wings spewing dazzling photon flames, leaving a brilliant trail in the night sky.
Tony, in 'Light Angel Mode,' was unstoppable. Wielding two Deep blue laser swords, he charged towards the nearest Leviathan beast. Upon contact, the laser swords danced like a flying rainbow.
The beast let out a deafening roar as its metallic shell was cleanly sliced open, its internal organs exposed to the air.
Tony didn't stop. With all six mechanical wings fully extended, he became a blue and white lightning bolt, weaving around the giant beast. Each strike precisely hit a vital point.
On the ground, the S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents collectively gaped.
"He... he alone..." Coulson shook his head in disbelief.
Steve finally found his voice, a smile spreading across his face: "Looks like our rescue has arrived." He raised his shield high, his voice booming, "Everyone, prepare to fight! The Arbitrators' support is here!"
As if to confirm Steve's words, a purple beam of light shot from afar towards a Leviathan beast.
The purple light beam instantly vaporized the entire Leviathan beast. The residual energy in the air slightly distorted the air.
At this moment, everyone found their communication systems restored, and a clear static sound suddenly came from Steve's communicator. Then, Chen Tian's steady voice sounded in his ear:
"Steve, it's time."
Immediately after, the entire communication channel suddenly erupted with synchronized engine roars. Chen Tian's voice, broadcast across all frequencies, resounded through the battlefield:
"Arbitrators! Attack!"
------------------------
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(End of Chapter)