Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Avengers Assemble Once More

Steve Rogers saw many people fleeing under the overpass, while the Chitauri fired their guns at them.

“I have to save them! You two handle this,” Steve Rogers said to Barton and Natasha.

“Captain, gladly!” Barton had been itching for a real fight.

Steve leapt off the overpass and ran toward the civilians, while Natasha and Barton took on the Chitauri above. Barton landed arrow after arrow, Natasha fired with both pistols, their teamwork almost flawless.

“This reminds me of Budapest!” Natasha remarked.

“Our memories of Budapest are very different,” Barton replied.

“Need a hand?” Arthur descended from the sky, his trident pinning a Chitauri to the ground. He pulled out the trident and asked.

“Just in time!” Natasha said.

Arthur joined the fray, his trident unleashing blue energy that obliterated the Chitauri.

“That weapon of yours is impressive!” Barton praised.

“Being controlled wasn’t pleasant, was it?” Arthur teased Barton.

“I was going to introduce you to Maria Hill, but now I’m not in the mood!” Barton retorted.

“Spare me, I still think Natasha is more beautiful.” Arthur flattered Natasha.

“If you want to invite me to dinner, wait until we’re done here!” Natasha, a seasoned veteran, was unfazed and kept fighting.

Steve Rogers reached a pair of New York police officers, instructing them to rescue people inside the buildings and lead everyone outside to the basement or subway.

The police chief was skeptical at first, but after Steve effortlessly took down three aliens, he obediently began organizing the rescue.

Enemies on the ground kept multiplying, and the four continued to battle. Suddenly, thunder crashed and Thor descended, landing beside Arthur.

“How’s it up there?” Steve Rogers asked.

“The energy shield from the Cube can’t be broken!” Thor replied.

“Thor’s right, we handle these monsters first!” Tony’s voice came through the earpiece.

“How do we handle them?” Natasha asked.

“Work together! And I still have a score to settle with Loki!” Thor said.

“Is that so? Get in line!” Barton wanted payback for being controlled by Loki.

“Leave Loki to me. His scepter can close the portal! We need to get the scepter!” Arthur declared.

“Really? Then you go after Loki, Stark handles the airborne enemies—” Steve hadn’t finished when he heard the sound of a motorcycle behind him.

It was Dr. Banner, somehow arriving on a motorcycle.

“Hope I’m not late, things look terrifying here,” Banner said.

“I’ve seen worse!” Natasha replied.

“Sorry!” Banner said.

Suddenly, a red figure dropped from the sky onto a nearby bus roof. “I’m here, Arthur!”

It was Peter Parker, clad in his new Spider-Man suit, designed and built by Tony Stark.

“You’re here too?” Arthur asked.

“Mr. Stark sent me to help,” Peter replied.

“This is Spider-Man, Peter Parker, my classmate!” Arthur introduced him.

“Arthur Yorn, Dr. Banner, we met once before.” Arthur extended his hand to Banner.

“I remember, you’re the kid who fought Abomination with me last time.” Banner shook hands with Arthur.

“Banner! Perfect timing, you’re just in time for the show,” Tony Stark flew in from afar, a massive Leviathan trailing behind him.

“I don’t think this is a show,” Natasha said.

“Let me handle it.” Arthur raised his trident, about to fly toward the Leviathan, but Banner stopped him.

“I’ve got some rage to vent—just in time!” Banner strode toward the Leviathan, his body expanding and turning green. He punched the Leviathan’s head as it approached, halting its advance and sending its massive body crashing toward the group.

Arthur leaped and delivered a side kick to the Leviathan’s body, Tony fired two missiles into it, Arthur’s powerful kick sent the Leviathan aside, and Tony’s missiles exploded inside it, making it howl miserably and collapse lifelessly...

Chitauri from all directions roared at the eight: Iron Man, Captain America, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Thor, Hulk, Aquaman, and Spider-Man stood together—the Avengers were officially assembled! Arthur and Peter Parker insisted they weren’t counted in that number!

Loki sat in an alien ship, watching the eight below. “All forces, attack!”

Immediately, three more Leviathans and countless Chitauri ships flew out from the portal.

“Captain, give the order!” Tony said.

“Alright, listen up! We hold the line until the portal is closed! Barton, head to the rooftop, observe the battlefield, report enemy movements! Stark, hold the blockade, don’t let them escape beyond three blocks!” Steve Rogers commanded.

“Can I get a lift?”

“Of course!” Stark took Barton and flew off.

“Thor, guard the portal, summon lightning to slow their advance!”

“Arthur, chase down Loki, get the scepter and close the portal! Natasha, Peter Parker, and I will hold ground! Hulk, smash!”

Arthur soared into the sky, trident in hand, Hulk leaped and smashed Chitauri climbing the building walls. Peter, Natasha, and Captain America fought enemies on the ground...

Thor flew to a clock tower, raising his hammer to the sky. Instantly, clouds gathered and massive lightning struck Mjolnir. Absorbing the lightning, Thor unleashed an even stronger bolt at the portal, blasting a Leviathan and countless ships emerging from the portal, exploding them on the spot!

“I see Loki!” Barton called from the rooftop.

“On my way!” Arthur soared into the air, using his heightened senses to spot Loki aboard the ship.

Arthur accelerated toward Loki, who noticed Arthur gaining on him and smiled slyly.

Loki turned and flew toward Stark Tower, Arthur gave chase, firing energy blasts from his trident, but Loki seemed to dodge every attack with uncanny agility.

Chitauri soldiers kept pouring out of the portal, intercepting Arthur, countless lasers fired at him. Arthur dodged left and right, counterattacking with energy blasts to bring down enemies.

Yet, blocked by Chitauri soldiers, Arthur fell further behind Loki, who was about to dash into the portal.

“No! Loki’s escaping! Without the scepter, the portal can’t be closed. I can’t let him get away!” Arthur gritted his teeth and accelerated after Loki.

Thor noticed what was happening and struck at Loki with lightning, but Loki evaded skillfully. Thor could only blast the enemies in Arthur’s path, covering him as he tried to stop Loki.

Arthur pushed his speed to the limit, but Loki drew closer to the portal and suddenly vanished through it.

Arthur gritted his teeth and plunged after him, entering the portal and finding himself in space. His body was now strong enough to survive in the vacuum.

Arthur saw Loki heading for the massive Chitauri warship and sped after him.

Countless Chitauri ships surrounded him, but Arthur paid them no mind, focusing solely on catching Loki and seizing the scepter.

Under a barrage of laser fire, Arthur dodged and pressed forward toward Loki. Loki stopped his ship ahead, turned, and faced Arthur.

“This is the gift I prepared for you. Take your time enjoying it! Hahaha!” With that, Loki’s body became transparent and disappeared.

Arthur immediately realized he’d fallen for Loki’s trick for the third time.

He’d sensed something was wrong earlier but hadn’t thought much of it. Now, he faced the massive Chitauri warship, innumerable enemy ships, and five Leviathan beasts leering at him...

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