Chapter 193: The Portal Opens
They had received word from Tony, understanding the importance of meeting up to ensure they were on the same page.
With Tony off entertaining their friends from the universe, they saw no reason to linger.
"Director, they—" began a female agent, pausing as she observed the relaxed demeanor of the newcomers.
"...Don't worry about them; as long as Earth is safe, that's all that matters," Nick Fury interjected.
He had considered intervening but realized after witnessing Tony's attitude that it was futile to expect these powerful beings to submit to his authority.
However, he felt somewhat reassured seeing that the friends Tony had brought back seemed friendly and unlikely to cause trouble.
On another front, Tony piloted the spaceship back to Stark Manor with Reno and the others.
"Before we head out, I forgot to mention that my wife, Pepper Potts, is also a member of the Void Sect," he said. "Just a heads-up—she's never left Earth, so please don't say anything bad about me."
"Don't worry, I get it," Kael replied, clapping Tony on the shoulder with a hearty laugh. "In the universe, wealthy folks tend to have their flings, but since your wife cares, I won't say a word."
"Right, I understand," Leicy added knowingly.
Reno nodded in agreement, while the Seer simply acknowledged the exchange.
Just then, an advanced-looking spacecraft descended onto Stark Manor, and Pepper emerged.
When she saw Tony step out, flanked by unfamiliar faces, she noted their confident postures and physiques, indicating they were not ordinary.
"Hello, I'm Pepper Potts, Tony's wife," she introduced herself politely.
"Hi there! I'm Kael, a friend of Tony's and a member of the Void Sect," Kael greeted with enthusiasm.
Quick introductions followed, and soon Tony had arranged a lavish feast to welcome his friends from afar.
As fellow members of the Void Sect, they felt at ease, enjoying the meal while chatting about Tony's adventures in the universe, which earned him unanimous praise.
Their compliments were genuine, as Tony's genius truly impressed many on Void Island, including this group.
Pepper felt reassured, hearing praise for Tony, knowing he hadn't forgotten his duties, and had caused no trouble for Mr. Harvey.
The meal lasted for hours, with Tony generously providing a feast of food and drink.
In the days that followed, the four newcomers got a taste of Tony's extravagant hospitality.
After the warm welcome, Tony gave each of them a hefty sum of money to grab a bite on their own but reminded them not to draw too much attention. If they wanted anything, they should let J.A.R.V.I.S. know.
Being considerate of local customs, they agreed to follow Tony's advice.
Four days quickly passed.
Together with Eric and Bruce, Tony had figured out how to reliably open and close the portals in just a week.
The location chosen for the opening was none other than Stark Tower in New York.
On this day, New York basked under a clear sky, making for perfect weather.
However, the arrival of troops and aircraft, along with the evacuation of civilians, created a tense atmosphere in the once-bustling city.
This scene sparked chaos and protests, but the U.S. military understood the gravity of the situation and paid no heed to the demonstrators.
They swiftly arrested those protesting under the pretext of obstructing law enforcement.
Atop Stark Tower, Loki and Eric stood watch, while the Avengers team and Reno's group took their positions on the rooftops of nearby taller buildings.
At precisely 1 PM, after clearing out most of the demonstrators, Nick Fury looked at the remaining crowd with a mixture of concern and resolve.
"Eric, let's get this started," Tony commanded, having observed the situation through the city's surveillance systems.
They had given ample time for evacuation; those who chose to stay behind had made their decision.
When disaster struck and the skies tore open, those who failed to escape would have only themselves to blame.
Tony's goal was to win this war between civilizations, to instill fear in the Chitauri.
If the enemy persisted in their assault on Earth, the planet could face annihilation.
With Tony's command, a brilliant blue beam shot into the sky from Stark Tower.
It appeared as though a massive hole had opened in the heavens, with an incredible vortex of energy swirling above.
Most of New York's residents gazed in awe, their eyes wide.
"Is the apocalypse upon us?" one exclaimed.
"Let it all end; then I won't have to pay my mortgage," another chimed in.
"The apocalypse sounds great! I can loot whatever I want," a third added, gazing at the radiant beam.
To those still protesting in New York, this was the signal of the impending assault by the Chitauri—not the end of the world.
But if no one could stand against them, then their arrival would feel like doomsday.
For many planets had already fallen to the Chitauri before Earth had even entered the fray.
Moments later, a massive creature resembling a turtle emerged from the rift, flanked by countless Chitauri soldiers clad in grotesque armor, piloting various flying vessels.
Like swarming bees, they poured out from their hive, a harbinger of chaos.
The remaining protesters, unable to discern the details of the numerous small ships, clearly saw the enormous turtle-like creature, its armored shell, and weaponry.
This sight brought a chilling realization: this was no natural disaster but an invasion by an unknown species.