Aftermath..?

NEW YORK IN RUINS: WHO'S PAYING THE PRICE?!

By Jonah Jameson, Editor-in-Chief, Daily Bugle

Ladies and gentlemen, we all witnessed it. The skies over New York City ripped apart like a scene from a bad sci-fi movie, aliens pouring in from who-knows-where, and buildings toppling like dominoes. And who comes to the rescue? The Avengers. The self-proclaimed "Earth's Mightiest Heroes." Well, let me tell you something, folks—if this is what heroism looks like, then in for a world of hurt.

Let's dissect this piece by piece, apparently, no one else the media has the courage to reveal the truth. All I see on TV are glowing headlines: "Avengers Save New York," "Heroes Defend Earth from Alien Invasion," blah, blah, blah. your eyes, people! What did we really witness?

We witnessed destruction and chaos as entire city blocks were reduced to rubble. Businesses, homes, and livelihoods were wiped out the blink of an eye. And for what? Because some alien named Loki had a temper tantrum? Because SHIELD—yes, I'm looking at you, Nick Fury—decided to poke the cosmic bear with their "Avengers Initiative" and hope it wouldn't maul us all?

Let's start with the big green in the room. Or should I say, the wrecking ball. Yes, I'm talking about the Hulk. You've seen the footage—a giant rage monster leaping from building to building, smashing anything and everything in his path. I'm sure Bruce Banner is a brilliant scientist, but the minute he transforms into that oversized gamma gorilla, all bets are off. Who's going to compensate the small business owner whose storefront was turned into rubble because the Hulk to use it as a landing pad? Not Avengers, that's for sure.

And then there's Tony Stark, aka Iron Man. Billionaire playboy, tech genius, and apparently, a guy who thinks it's okay to turn Manhattan into his personal battleground. Stark Industries may have deep pockets, but do you think he's cutting checks to every displaced family? Of course not! He's too busy basking in the spotlight, making quippy one-liners, and patting himself on the back for "saving the world."

Oh, and let's not forget the guy with the hammer. Thor. An alien god. Yes, you heard me right, folks: a god. And what does he do? He summons lightning storms and smashes things with his magical hammer like he's auditioning for a demolition derby. Do we even know if this guy has a visa? Or are we just okay with letting celestial beings crash here whenever they feel like it?

And then there's the so-called leader of the group, Captain America. Steve Rogers, the star-spangled man with a plan. Sure, he's got a clean-cut image, but let's not forget that he's a soldier. Soldiers are trained for war, not urban disaster zones. I'll give him credit for helping civilians during the chaos, but let's not act like he's above reproach. The man's carrying around a vibranium shield like it's some kind of superhero badge. You know what vibranium is worth? More than the GDP of most countries. Maybe pawn that shield and pay for some of the damage, huh, Cap?

But you know what really grinds my gears? The newest addition to this ragtag group of so-called saviors: Viridian. Yeah, that's right, the teenager with the fancy green suit. A kid. Running around in the middle of an alien invasion, punching extraterrestrials like it's some kind of video game. Who gave this kid the green light to join the Avengers? Does he even have a driver's license? Who's responsible if he messes up and costs lives?

Let me tell you something, folks. This isn't heroism. This is recklessness. This is unchecked power run amok. These people—the Avengers, SHIELD, the whole lot of them—think they're above the law. They think they can come into our city, tear it apart, and walk away without answering for the damage they've done.

Let's talk numbers. You think this alien invasion didn't come with a price tag? According to initial estimates, the damage to New York City is in the tens of billions of dollars. Tens. Of. Billions. That's money that could've gone to schools, hospitals, infrastructure. Instead, it's going to clean up the mess left behind by the Avengers and their alien playmates.

And who's going to pay for it? Not Tony Stark. Not SHIELD. Not Thor or the Hulk or any of the others. No, it's going to be us. The taxpayers. The hardworking men and women of New York City who had no say in any of this. We didn't ask for aliens to invade. We didn't ask for a team of so-called heroes to use our streets as a battlefield. But we're the ones who are going to be stuck with the bill.

But it's not just about the money. It's about accountability. Who's holding these people responsible? Who's making sure the Avengers don't cause more harm than good? Because let me tell you something, folks: unchecked power is dangerous. History has shown us that time and time again. And the Avengers—for all their flashy suits and superpowers—are no exception.

Take Viridian, for example. What do we really know about him? He's a teenager with a fancy suit and some kind of powers. But where did those powers come from? How did he get involved with the Avengers? And most importantly, who's keeping him in check? Because the last thing we need is another loose cannon running around, causing even more destruction.

And don't get me started on Nick Fury and SHIELD. These are the people who brought the Avengers together in the first place. The same SHIELD that's been operating in the shadows for years, doing who-knows-what with taxpayer money. The same SHIELD that apparently thought it was a good idea to keep the Tesseract—a cosmic cube of unimaginable power—in a lab right here on Earth. And what happened? Loki got his hands on it and unleashed an alien invasion. Great job, Fury. Really top-notch work.

But you won't hear this from the mainstream media. Oh no. They're too busy singing the Avengers' praises, talking about how they "saved the world." Saved the world? They barely saved the city! And at what cost? How many lives were lost? How many families were torn apart? How many people are now homeless because their apartment building got turned into a pile of rubble?

And let's not forget the psychological toll. Do you think people are going to feel safe in this city after what happened? Do you think they're going to sleep soundly at night, knowing that another alien invasion could happen at any moment? Knowing that the Avengers might show up and turn their neighborhood into a warzone?

This is the reality we're living in, folks. A reality where so-called heroes are allowed to do whatever they want, without any oversight or accountability. A reality where ordinary citizens are left to pick up the pieces after the Avengers have had their fun.

So what's the solution? I'll tell you what it is. Accountability. Transparency. We need to hold these so-called heroes responsible for their actions. We need to make sure they're not causing more harm than good. And we need to make sure that the people of New York City—the real heroes who are out there every day, working hard and trying to make a living—are not left to bear the burden of the Avengers' mess.

Because if we don't, then what's stopping them? What's stopping the Avengers from turning the next city into a battlefield? What's stopping them from causing even more destruction in the name of "saving the world"? Nothing. And that's a scary thought.

So the next time you see a headline praising the Avengers, remember this: they may have saved the world, but they've left New York in ruins. And someone has to pay the price. Let's make sure it's not us.

This is Jonah Jameson, bringing you the truth, whether you like it or not.

As the final moments of the battle for New York unfolded, the Chitauri fleet was disintegrated in a brilliant flash of green light. The nuke, transformed by William's energy, vanished through the portal, dragging the alien army to its doom. But the cost of that heroic act was immense. William, his energy reserves completely depleted, collapsed into unconsciousness. His body fell like a ragdoll, the aftereffects of the massive strain too much for him to handle.

"NO!" Tony Stark shouted, his eyes scanning the sky. He saw William's motionless form plummeting toward the Earth below. Without hesitation, Iron Man rocketed into the air, repulsors blazing, pushing his suit to its limits to intercept the fallen Saiyan.

The wind whipped around them as Tony closed the gap, stretching out his arms to catch William before he hit the ground. "Gotcha!" Tony grunted, his suit whirring as it absorbed the impact. William's limp body crashed into his arms, and Tony quickly stabilized him, gritting his teeth as he hovered, his repulsors straining under the combined weight.

William's head lulled against Tony's shoulder, his breathing shallow and faint. Tony's heart raced. Despite the chaos of the moment, he couldn't help but feel a surge of concern for the man who had just saved New York and perhaps the world itself. "Stay with me, William," Tony muttered, a sense of urgency in his voice. "I'm not losing you after everything."

Iron Man descended slowly, the city's skyline stretching out below them. The Avengers watched from a distance, their eyes filled with a mixture of awe and concern as Tony gently set William down on the Heli carrier.

"I need a med team. Now!" Tony barked as he landed. The medical staff rushed to William's side, immediately hooking him up to life-support devices. His heart rate was weak, and he remained unresponsive. It was clear that William had pushed himself to his limits, and his body was in critical condition.

For days, the Avengers kept a vigil by his side. Even with their advanced technology, they couldn't pinpoint the full extent of what had happened to William. His body slowly began to heal, but it wasn't enough to wake him from the deep unconsciousness he had fallen into.

Tony spent most of his time in the med bay, his usual sharp demeanor replaced by an anxious vigilance. "Come on, buddy. Don't make me regret this," he muttered under his breath, watching William's condition stabilize but not improve fast enough.

Williams mind drifted, his body lying motionless in the aftermath of the Battle for New York. The city had been saved, the Chitauri invaders defeated, and the portal to their realm sealed. But the cost had been great. He had pushed himself beyond his limits, using every last drop of his energy to push the nuke through the portal and obliterate the alien fleet with his ki blasts. The world around him had faded, his body on the brink of collapse.

Now, in a place far removed from reality, he stood in the vast expanse of his system space—a planet within his inner consciousness. It was a surreal world of swirling colors, shifting landscapes, and infinite potential.

As Viridian's mind floated in the void of his inner space, a familiar yet distant screen flashed before him. His heart raced as the rewards of his victory began to unfold in his system space. However, the true reward was not simply a power boost, nor a new weapon—it was the unlocking of his true Saiyan potential, a transformation that would forever alter the course of his destiny.

Quest Completion: Battle for New York

Mission: Prevent the Chitauri invasion and protect Earth from destruction.

Objective: Defeat the Chitauri and close the portal.

Completion Status: SUCCESSFUL

Quest Reward:

Unleashing of Saiyan Potential:

The Zenkai boost has awakened the dormant power of your Saiyan bloodline. This is not just a power increase—this is a true transformation. Your Saiyan heritage has been fully unlocked.

Effect: Your combat abilities have increased significantly. Your strength, speed, and ki control have been enhanced. Every battle will make you stronger, faster, and more capable of adapting to your enemies.

Saiyan Tail Growth:

In response to the awakening of your true Saiyan nature, a tail has formed representing your inner beastly nature This physical trait, long dormant in your bloodline, has now returned.

Effect: A Saiyan tail grows from the base of your spine, granting you additional strength, balance, and agility. The tail can also be used for offense, delivering powerful blows. Furthermore, it allows one perfect control of their Great Ape Transformation.

Zenkai boost x2: In response to the damage you have taken and ki expenditure you have earned a 2x zenkai boost.

His body responded before his mind could fully process it. A strange, almost electric sensation spread down his spine, a tingling that grew in intensity until, with a sudden whoosh, a long, prehensile tail emerged from the small of his back, wrapped in the familiar green fur that matched his hair. The tail swung lightly behind him, its weight a curious, unfamiliar presence. He could feel the power surging through it, as though it was an extension of himself. His senses heightened as he felt the new weight and balance shift in his body, and he instinctively adjusted his posture, sensing a sudden connection to his heritage that he'd never felt before.

Unknowing to William outside his body Thor and Tony were freaking out because William seemed to be growing a tail.

Location: SHIELD Helicarrier – Secure Operations Room

Nick Fury stood alone in the dimly lit operations room aboard the Helicarrier, a series of digital screens surrounding him. Each one displayed a report, a live feed, or a damage assessment from the recent Battle of New York. The invasion was over, but the aftermath was just beginning. Fury's single good eye scanned the data, his jaw tight with the weight of what had transpired.

Fury tapped a touchpad, pulling up a comprehensive report from SHIELD's Ground Operations Unit. The numbers were staggering:

Civilian casualties: 74 confirmed dead, 523 injured.

Estimated economic damage: $160 billion.

Infrastructure impact: Four city blocks rendered uninhabitable, dozens more severely damaged.

"Seventy-four people," Fury muttered under his breath. His voice was a low growl, filled with restrained frustration. "And that's just what we've confirmed so far."

Agent Maria Hill's voice crackled through the intercom. "Director, Mayor Bloomberg's office is requesting a briefing. They're also demanding to know who's paying for the reconstruction."

Fury scoffed. "Tell the mayor to take a number. Right now, we've got bigger problems than figuring out how to spin this mess."

Fury switched to another screen, this one detailing the actions of each member of the Avengers during the battle. The files were extensive, annotated by both SHIELD agents on the ground and satellite observation logs.

Iron Man (Tony Stark): Successfully intercepted the nuclear missile and redirected it through the wormhole.

Notes: Stark's actions were decisive in ending the invasion. However, collateral damage from his earlier engagements with the Chitauri was significant.

Fury's thoughts: "Stark may have saved the day, but he's going to hear from me about all the unnecessary property damage."

Captain America (Steve Rogers): Organized civilian evacuation efforts and maintained defensive lines with NYPD.

Notes: Rogers demonstrated exceptional leadership under pressure. Minimal collateral damage attributed to his actions.

Fury's thoughts: "At least someone knows how to focus on the big picture."

Thor: Neutralized the bulk of the Chitauri ground forces using Mjolnir and summoned storms to disrupt their aerial fleet.

Notes: Effective but uncoordinated at times. Damage from lightning strikes reported in several areas.

Fury's thoughts: "God of Thunder, my ass. Next time, maybe aim your storms a little better."

Hulk (Bruce Banner): Eliminated Chitauri Leviathans and ground forces with brute force.

Notes: Immensely powerful but uncontrollable. Destruction caused by Hulk is second only to the Chitauri.

Fury's thoughts: "Banner's a double-edged sword. One we can't afford to unsheathe unless absolutely necessary."

Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff): Secured the scepter, which was critical in closing the wormhole.

Notes: Operated with precision and efficiency. No civilian casualties linked to her actions.

Fury's thoughts: "Romanoff's the kind of operative SHIELD was built on."

Hawkeye (Clint Barton): Provided aerial support and precision strikes on key Chitauri targets.

Notes: Reliable and effective. Operated independently with minimal oversight.

Fury's thoughts: "Always hits his mark, but we need to keep him in the fold."

Viridian (William): Assisted with neutralizing Chitauri squads in heavily populated areas. Played a pivotal role in dealing with the nuclear missile threat.

Notes: When Stark intercepted the nuke, Viridian took initiative, launching himself after the missile and helping Stark push it through the wormhole. Once through, Viridian unleashed a devastating energy blast that destroyed the missile mid-flight, ensuring no fallout would harm Earth.

Fury's thoughts: "The kid proved he's got guts and power, but he's still raw. With proper training, he'll be an asset. Without it, he's a liability."

Fury turned his attention to a screen displaying data on the Tesseract. Currently contained within a secure SHIELD facility, the cosmic artifact was now under round-the-clock surveillance. A separate file outlined Thor's request to return it to Asgard.

Hill's voice came through again. "Sir, do we have a decision on the Tesseract? Thor's preparing to leave."

Fury sighed. "Let him take it. It's too dangerous to keep here. But make sure he understands: if it comes back to Earth, it better not be because someone's looking to settle a grudge."

Another screen flickered to life, displaying clips from various news outlets. One headline caught Fury's attention: "NEW YORK IN RUINS: WHO'S PAYING THE PRICE?!" The byline read: Jonah Jameson, Daily Bugle.

Fury chuckled grimly. "Jameson never misses a chance to stick it to us."

The video played, showing Jameson in full rant mode. "This so-called 'Battle of New York' was nothing more than a playground brawl for the Avengers! And who's left to clean up the mess? Us, the taxpayers! Nick Fury and his secret spy club need to answer for this catastrophe!"

Hill's voice interrupted again. "Damage control is asking for a statement to counter Jameson's narrative. Suggestions?"

Fury shook his head. "Let him bark. The people who matter know the truth. Focus on the cleanup and recovery efforts. Actions speak louder than words."

A final report showed details of the Chitauri forces. After their mothership had been destroyed, all units died immediately, their doesn't appear to be any survivors. SHIELD teams were already deployed to handle any potential survivors.

Hill's voice was calm but firm. "Director, we've confirmed that some Chitauri tech has fallen into civilian hands. We're tracking black market activity already."

Fury pinched the bridge of his nose. "Great. Last thing we need is some idiot reverse-engineering alien weapons in their basement. Mobilize retrieval teams. I want every piece of Chitauri junk off the streets yesterday."

Fury leaned back in his chair, the weight of the reports pressing down on him. The Avengers had stopped the invasion, but the cost was immense. Lives lost, a city scarred, and questions that needed answering. The world was now aware of threats beyond comprehension, and SHIELD stood at the center of it all.

He tapped a final note into his datapad:

"The Avengers initiative is no longer just an experiment. It's a necessity. But necessity doesn't mean perfection. We need to be better prepared for what's coming. Because if this was just the beginning, we're in for one hell of a ride."

Fury stood, his gaze hard and unwavering. The battle might have been won, but the war for Earth's survival had just begun.