Chapter 57: The Battle of Manhattan

The S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier hovered over the ocean, its imposing presence reflecting the power of the organization it represented. Inside, a growing tension gripped each member of the team. Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, Natasha Romanoff, and Thor were returning from a mission with Loki, captured and imprisoned in a cell designed to contain even the most powerful of prisoners.

Bruce Banner was in a separate room, trying to track the Tesseract. His work with Dr. Selvig before he was controlled by Loki had given him a deep understanding of the energy emanating from the cube, but frustration was growing as the tracking became more complicated.

In the control room, Tony, Steve, Natasha, and Thor were in a heated discussion about the true purpose of the Tesseract.

"So that's it?" Tony said, his eyes blazing with anger as he glared at Nick Fury. "S.H.I.E.L.D. Are you using the Tesseract to make weapons?

"We are preparing for a threat," Fury replied, his voice deep but firm. "We are no longer alone in this universe, Stark. You of all people should understand that. What happened to you in New York was no coincidence."

"That doesn't justify making weapons of mass destruction!" Steve retorted, crossing his arms, clearly uncomfortable with the idea. "That's not the right path."

Thor watched in silence, reflecting on what was being discussed. He knew the power of the Tesseract better than anyone else in the room. He knew how dangerous it could be in the wrong hands, and even though he trusted Fury to protect Earth, the idea of ​​using such a powerful object for weapons bothered him deeply.

"Asgard has immense power, but we have never used the Tesseract for war purposes," Thor said, his voice deep and calm. "I suggest caution."

As the discussion continued, Ward, who had remained in the shadows since Loki's capture, watched closely. He knew the tension within the team was dangerous, but he also knew that the real threat still lurked.

Suddenly, a tremor ran through the Helicarrier, interrupting the discussion. Alarms sounded, and the unmistakable sound of an explosion echoed through the halls. Ward, who was standing near the entrance to the control room, immediately drew his weapon and prepared for action.

"What was that?" Tony shouted, already activating his armor. The Iron Man armor fit perfectly to his body as he prepared for combat.

"We're under attack!" Fury exclaimed, turning to the monitoring screens. "Barton and others are invading the Helicarrier!" Natasha stood still for a moment, processing the fact that her old partner was now against them. But there was no time for hesitation. She glanced at Ward, who was already moving toward the exit.

"We have to stop them," she said, her voice full of determination.

Ward nodded, picking up his radio and giving orders to the other agents spread across the Helicarrier.

"All agents, focus on repelling the invasion. Don't let them reach the core!"

As the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents mobilized, Grant followed Natasha toward the hallways, where Clint and his team were shooting their way through. Chaos took over the bowels of the Helicarrier, as gunshots and explosions reverberated everywhere.

During the attack, Bruce Banner, who was trying to remain calm and control his emotions, was unwittingly caught up in the explosion and attack by Barton and his men. The stress, fear, and pain of seeing so many injured agents around him ended up pulling the trigger he feared most.

Screams echoed through the room as Banner transformed into the Hulk. His eyes opened, now radiating fury, and he began to destroy everything around him. Thor, who was nearby, was the first to try to restrain the green giant.

"Banner, try to control yourself!" Thor shouted, but it was too late.

The Hulk wasn't listening. He roared in rage and attacked Thor with devastating force. The two fought intensely through the corridors of the Helicarrier, each blow shaking the enormous flying structure. In a powerful movement, Hulk threw Thor out of the Helicarrier, the god of thunder falling towards the ground below, but he managed to catch himself with the hammer Mjolnir and, with great effort, regained control of his flight.

Meanwhile, Grant and Natasha tried to stop Clint and his team from sabotaging the Helicarrier's main systems. Clint was fighting lethally, each arrow fired with deadly precision, but Natasha, knowing his movements better than anyone else, managed to temporarily disarm him.

"Barton, you need to wake up!" — she screamed, as she tried to restrain her former partner, but he was under mind control, unable to respond.

As chaos took over the Helicarrier, Loki took the opportunity to make his move. He had was to be held in a containment cage designed to capture the Hulk should he become a threat, but Loki, cunning as ever, found a way to manipulate the situation to his advantage.

When Thor finally returned to the Helicarrier after his battle with the Hulk, he confronted Loki in an attempt to stop him. Thor approached his cell, trying to reason with his brother.

"Loki, it's over. Surrender now and spare yourself any further destruction." Loki, with his piercing gaze and evil smile, replied:

"Do you really think it's over, brother?" Before Thor could react, Loki tricked him using one of his illusions. He switched places with his illusory image, trapping Thor inside the cage where he himself was imprisoned.

"What have you done?!" Thor exclaimed, furiously banging against the walls of the cage.

"Just getting rid of an obstacle," Loki replied with disdain. — Enjoy the view while I destroy everything you swore to protect.

Loki activated the lever that controlled the cell, and Thor was thrown out of the Helicarrier, falling towards Earth. He only managed to escape at the last moment, summoning Mjolnir to cushion his fall.

As Loki made his escape, he encountered Phil Coulson in the hallway. Coulson, ever true to his duty, drew a prototype S.H.I.E.L.D. weapon, pointing it at Loki.

"You will not pass," Coulson said, his voice firm, but Loki only smiled.

"It is a shame that you have so much faith in those who will fail."

In one swift movement, Loki stabbed him in the back with the scepter, and Coulson fell to the ground, seriously injured.

The news of Coulson's death hit everyone like a hard blow. Grant, who had arrived on the scene moments later, looked at the body of his friend and mentor, feeling a huge weight. He knew that Coulson would live, but it was hard to see a friend like that. Maria Hill, who had also arrived, had tears in her eyes.

"He always believed in you," Fury said, with a silent pain in her voice. "If he were here now, he would say that we can still win this."

It was then that something changed. Coulson's sacrifice united the Avengers in a way that nothing else had done before. Tony, Steve, Natasha, Thor and Bruce realized that they were not just fighting Loki. They were fighting for something bigger and for the memory of a friend who believed in them.

Ward, always in the shadows, prepared for his role. He knew he couldn't be directly in front of the Avengers, but he was determined to help in any way he could.

"We're going to get Loki," Steve said, his voice determined. "And we're going to end this."

They soon discovered that Loki had taken up residence in Stark Tower, using the Tesseract to open a portal that would bring an army of Chitauri to Earth. It was the beginning of the Battle of Manhattan.

The Avengers flew to Stark Tower in full formation. As the portal opened and Chitauri ships began to invade the skies of New York, the battle began. Thor, Tony, Natasha, Clint, Steve, and the Hulk fought tirelessly against the invading forces, destroying the ships and engaging the alien soldiers.

Grant, operating in the shadows, provided tactical support to the Avengers, neutralizing Chitauri soldiers who infiltrated the streets, helping to protect civilians, and ensuring that no threat came near the heroes. He knew he would not be recognized as an Avenger, but he was willing to do whatever it took to protect them.