Chapter 31: Party

Steve, Natasha, and Clint found themselves locked in a fierce battle with the Chitauri on the ground.

Their movements were swift and calculated as they fought off the relentless onslaught of the alien forces, each displaying their unique combat skills.

As they managed to eliminate a group of Chitauri in their vicinity, a sense of foreboding washed over them. Their attention was drawn upwards, and their eyes widened at the sight that greeted them—a massive creature emerging from the portal.

Steve immediately reached out to Tony through their communication devices. Concern laced his voice as he sought confirmation, "Tony, do you see what we're seeing?"

Tony's response came through, his tone filled with a mix of disbelief and determination, "I'm trying to wrap my head around it, but I'll handle the big guy. Hold your ground."

Understanding the gravity of the situation, Tony propelled himself toward the menacing Chitauri Leviathan.

The trio exchanged a brief glance, silently acknowledging the urgency of the task at hand.

Steve's steely gaze never wavered as he led the charge against the remaining Chitauri, rallying Natasha and Clint by his side. With synchronized movements and unwavering resolve, they engaged in combat, strategically taking down their adversaries.

However, as they swiftly assessed their surroundings, they realize that they were heavily outnumbered by the encroaching Chitauri soldiers.

Natasha's determination shone through as she cracked her knuckles, preparing for the imminent confrontation. With a hint of wry humor in her voice, she remarked, "Looks like we're in for a lengthy battle."

Before she could finish her sentence, a sudden bolt of lightning cascaded down from the sky, striking down a significant number of Chitauri soldiers within their vicinity. The electrifying display was followed by the dramatic entrance of a figure landing with a resounding thud directly in front of them.

Their eyes widened as they took in the sight before them, recognizing the figure that had joined their ranks.

It was none other than Thor, God of Thunder, who had descended upon the battlefield, his mighty hammer Mjolnir firmly in his grip.

Clint posed the question, "Loki taken care of?"

Clint's question hung in the air, his voice laced with uncertainty. The dark expression on Thor's face spoke volumes, prompting Clint to answer his own question with a somber shake of his head.

"I guess not."

Steve approached the group, his gaze fixed on Thor, as he sought an update. "What's happening up there?"

Thor, his expression grim, continued channeling his lightning to vanquish the remaining Chitauri soldiers. He spared a moment to respond, "The cube's powers are too strong. It's impenetrable."

Tony's voice crackled through the communication device, joining the conversation. "We need to deal with these guys first."

"How do we deal with them?"

Natasha questioned, her eyes scanning the sky where the destructive creatures wreaked havoc upon the city.

"As a team," Steve responded with unwavering determination.

Thor shook his head, his expression determined. "I have unfinished business with Loki."

Clint arched an eyebrow as he meticulously prepared his arrows. "Yeah? Get in line."

"Enough!" Steve interjected, his gaze fixed on the Chitauri forces. He stepped forward, his voice commanding. "We need to keep Loki's attention on us. Tony's up top—"

Before Steve could finish his sentence, the distinct sound of an old motorcycle engine filled the air. All eyes turned towards the approaching figure, revealing Dr. Banner casually riding the motorcycle.

Stepping down from the motorcycle, Dr. Banner took a moment to survey the chaotic scene before him. His eyes scanned the destruction and mayhem unfolding in the city, and a solemn expression crossed his face.

"This all seems horrible."

Natasha, standing nearby, said, "I've seen worse."

Dr. Banner's gaze met hers, a mix of understanding and regret evident in his eyes.

"Sorry about that," he replied, acknowledging the turmoil she had endured during his Hulk episodes.

Meanwhile, Tony's voice crackled through the communication device once again, breaking the brief exchange.

"Banner there?"

Steve nodded and confirmed, "Yeah, he's here."

Tony's tone carried a note of determination. "Alright, I think I know what to do now..."

Without wasting a moment, Tony unleashed a powerful blast of energy from his weapon, directing it toward the formidable Chitauri Leviathan. The creature let out a resounding cry of pain and anger, and its attention swiftly diverted toward Tony.

"Now, I've got its attention, step 2..." Tony muttered to himself as he soared through the sky, closely pursued by the colossal Chitauri Leviathan.

Closing in on the location where his fellow Avengers stood, Tony's voice crackled through the communication device, addressing Captain America. "Cap, tell him to suit up. I'm bringing the party to him!"

Confusion washed over the faces of those on the ground, their attention abruptly drawn to Tony's enigmatic statement.

The sight of the enraged Chitauri Leviathan trailing behind him only heightened their bewilderment.

"I don't see how that's a party," Natasha remarked, her voice filled with dazed incredulity.

Amidst the looming threat of the approaching creature, Dr. Banner seemed to grasp the underlying meaning behind Tony's words. With a sense of determination, he stepped forward, ready to face the giant creature.

"...Dr. Banner!" Steve called out, his voice filled with urgency. "Now might be a good time for you to unleash your anger."

Dr. Banner's gaze remained fixed ahead as a small smile crept across his face. "That's my secret, Cap. I'm always angry."

With those words, Dr. Banner's transformation began. His body expanded, muscles bulging beneath his now green skin. The remnants of his clothing were torn apart, leaving only tattered pants covering his lower body.

Witnessing the incredible metamorphosis, Tony's face lit up with a satisfied grin.

"Alright, let the party begin!" Tony exclaimed as he surged ahead, expecting the Hulk's ferocious power to decimate the colossal enemy before them.

However, to everyone's astonishment, a swift, black blur obscured their view, accompanied by a resounding thunderous impact.

The Chitauri Leviathan plummeted toward the ground with incredible force, crashing into the earth and creating a massive crater. The resulting explosion of dust shrouded the area, obscuring any visibility of what transpired within.

Hulk stood in perplexed silence, his mighty roar muted by the unexpected turn of events. The rest of the team, equally stunned, exchanged bewildered glances.

"What in the world just happened?" Clint's grip tightened on his bow, his voice laced with confusion.

Steve, regaining his composure, took charge. "We need to get closer and find out."

As they approached the edge of the crater, their vision still hindered by the lingering dust, they could discern the lifeless form of the creature, its massive frame punctured by a gaping hole.

Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed from within the depths of the hole, capturing their attention. "Hey, guys! I'm not late, am I?"

Astonished, the team turned their gaze toward the source of the voice.

Emerging from the depths of the crater, the figure revealed itself to be none other than Alex. Their disbelief grew as they tried to comprehend the immense power displayed by someone of his stature.

"...Ghost?" Steve questioned, his voice tinged with awe and disbelief.

Brushing off the inquiry, Alex averted his gaze from the fallen creature and winced. "Oh, shit. Fury's going to have a fit about the damage I caused."

Natasha remained silent, her astonishment rendering her speechless. She had heard whispers of the Ghost's ability to hold his own against the Hulk, but witnessing his incredible strength firsthand left her utterly dumbfounded.

"ROAR!!!"

As Hulk unleashed a thunderous roar in Alex's face, expressing his discontent at having his potential prey snatched away, the team immediately tensed, readying their weapons.

However, Alex remained unperturbed, simply shrugging off Hulk's display of aggression.

"Come on, Big Guy. There should be more of those," Alex remarked casually, his nonchalant demeanor contrasting with the rising tension.

Following Alex's gaze, the team directed their attention toward the portal, where the sight of three additional Chitauri Leviathans emerging sent a shiver down their spines.

"Seems like we have more of a party, huh," Steve muttered, his voice laden with determination, as they prepared to face the incoming threat head-on.