Battle of New York (II)

New York's streets had become a devastated wasteland. Twisted metal wreckage and shattered chunks of concrete lay piled everywhere, while the city's once-thriving landmarks had been reduced to ruins. The piercing shrieks of alien beasts sliced through the air like blades, weaving together with the deafening roar of artillery into a chilling symphony of doom. Li Stark piloted his armor in circles above the ruins. Its surface was damaged in several places, exposing scorched wiring beneath, while the energy indicators flashed an urgent, dangerous red and alarms echoed relentlessly in his ears. Over the communications channel, arguments between the Avengers and the Midtown High students rose one after another, every heated word hammering against his tightly wound nerves.

"Enough!" Li Stark's voice suddenly exploded over the comms, his hoarse tone carrying unprecedented resolve and fury. He brought his armor to a hover and swept his gaze across the ravaged city below—the convenience store he used to visit was now reduced to a warped sign swaying in the wind, while the lively park from his memories had long since been torn beyond recognition by alien claws. "Look around! This city is dying! And we're still arguing over so-called experience and authority? Are we going to stand by and watch our home be completely destroyed?"

Steve Rogers swung his shield, precisely blocking an energy beam. The impact drove his body slightly backward and left a charred mark across the shield's surface. He panted, his uniform covered in dust and dark red blood, his face blackened by smoke, yet his eyes remained as steadfast as steel. "The kid's right. We're Avengers, not a disorganized mob that only knows how to fight among ourselves!"

Tony Stark streaked past in his armor like lightning, his repulsors firing blazing energy that shot down an alien fighter attempting a sneak attack. Fire from the explosion reflected off his armor. He snorted, and though his voice still carried a trace of arrogance, its earlier sharpness was gone. "If you don't want my nephew looking down on you, then show me what you've got. Li, tell us your plan."

Li Stark took a deep breath and spoke quickly and clearly. "Wanda's magic can disrupt the enemy's magic array. Thor's lightning can work with her to destroy the array's core with overwhelming energy. Hawkeye can snipe from the high-rises and use his precision arrows to clear out long-range threats for the ground forces. Hulk has incredible strength, so he can hold back the large monsters and disrupt their attack rhythm. Claire and Jill can provide flexible support on motorcycles; their mobility will let them respond quickly to emergencies. Ashley can analyze the data in real time and give everyone the enemy's weaknesses and battlefield updates. Gwen should keep livestreaming, give the public hope, and calm them down. My uncle and I will strike the alien warships from the air and stop more enemies from coming through."

With the initial plan set, everyone began trying to work together. But combat habits formed over years and deeply ingrained prejudices were not so easily erased. Wanda stood amid the ruins and slowly raised her hands. Scarlet Magic flowed around her like burning flames, gradually gathering into a massive magical net that was ready to cover the battlefield and disrupt the enemy's magic array. Yet just as the spell was about to take shape, Thor raised Mjolnir, and lightning crashed down from the sky like a waterfall. The two powerful energies collided with a thunderous blast, exploding into blinding light overhead. The violent shockwave swept up rubble from the ground and hurled it wildly in every direction.

"Could you wait until I'm ready?" Wanda's eyes reddened with urgency. Her magic became unstable with her emotional turmoil, flickering bright and dim. "Not only will this fail to disrupt them, it'll expose our position!"

Thor landed atop a crumbling building, lightning crackling around him. His gaze was filled with impatience. "Warriors of Asgard do not wait! Opportunities vanish in an instant. Should we wait until the enemy is ready before we strike?"

Elsewhere, Claire and Jill rode their modified motorcycles through streets choked with rubble, their engines roaring deafeningly. With their exceptional driving skills, they expertly led a massive alien beast toward a trap Captain America had prepared in advance. But Hawkeye, trying to eliminate the target quickly, fired an arrow without warning. The arrow struck the beast precisely in the shoulder. In pain, it unleashed an earth-shaking roar, instantly changed direction, and charged toward a nearby group of civilians instead.

"Clint, you ruined the plan!" Steve roared as he rushed at the beast. His shield slammed into its hard shell with a deafening crash, and the immense impact made his arm go slightly numb.

Hawkeye stood at his sniping position atop a high-rise, his brows furrowed and his voice unwilling to yield. "I was taking out the enemy! Who could guarantee it would obediently walk into the trap?"

At that critical moment, Hulk came charging in with a roar, each footstep making the ground tremble. He leaped high into the air, then brought down his enormous fist like a meteor, knocking the beast flying with a single punch. Its huge body crashed heavily into the ground, kicking up dust that filled the sky. Hulk turned and glared at everyone, fury burning in his eyes as veins bulged beneath his green skin. "Too much talking! Shut up! Hulk just wants to fight!"

Amid the chaos, Loki and Amora's scheme continued advancing at a rapid pace. Beneath Stark Tower, the magic array shone ever brighter. Purple runes whirled madly through the air as the rift in space-time continued expanding, releasing a teeth-grating tearing sound. More huge, grotesque alien creatures poured out. Strange light emanated from their bodies, and every one of them carried an aura of destruction. Watching the arguing Avengers and the main group on the surveillance feed, Amora curled her lips into a cold smile. Her crimson eyes brimmed with contempt. "Let them perish in their own conflict. Foolish insects will never stop our plan."

As Li Stark watched the situation descend into chaos once again, despair welled up within him, as though he had fallen into an endless abyss of darkness. But soon, he remembered the difficult times he had endured with his companions—the nights spent researching in the laboratory, the moments when they supported one another in the face of danger, and their unwavering oath to protect this city. Those memories were like a beam of light that dispersed the gloom in his heart, and his gaze became firm as iron again. He flew his armor above the others and activated the loudspeaker at maximum power, his voice ringing across the battlefield. "Every one of us has our own way, our own pride. But right now, Earth needs us to become one! These friends of mine may not have the power of gods or the skills of elite agents, but they have courage and wisdom, and they've proved themselves through crisis after crisis! And you—you are Earth's hope. You are the heroes in people's hearts. Are you really going to let everyone down?"

Gwen hid behind a wrecked car, the livestreaming device in her hands trembling slightly as it filmed the brutal battlefield. Her voice choked with emotion, yet remained resolute. "Everyone, look. The Avengers and a group of brave young people are fighting for us. They argue too. They have conflicts too. But I believe they will unite to protect us! Let's cheer them on!"

On the livestream, countless citizens in shelters waved handmade flags, their cheers rising into the sky. Their voices were filled with the desire to live and their trust in the heroes.

Steve Rogers looked at the citizens, whose morale had surged, and felt warmth rise in his heart. He walked over to Thor, patted his shoulder, and looked at him earnestly. "Maybe we should try working together, like we used to. Only by uniting do we stand a chance." Thor fell silent for a moment, then nodded slightly. Even the glow of his lightning no longer seemed so violent.

Tony Stark flew to Li Stark's side. His tone was still somewhat stiff. "Kid, don't drag me down." Yet his eyes were full of trust and expectation, along with the concern of an elder for a younger family member.

Hawkeye contacted Claire and Jill on his own, guilt in his voice. "Sorry. I was too impulsive just now. Tell me your route, and I'll clear the way for you."

Feeling the trusting gazes around her, Wanda's unease gradually faded. Her magic became steady and powerful, scarlet light illuminating her resolute face. Hulk crouched on the ground and muttered, "Fight together! Beat all enemies!"

When the next wave of alien attacks arrived, the Avengers and the Midtown High students finally began truly working together. Wanda's Scarlet Magic formed an impenetrable barrier that blocked the enemy's magical attacks. Ripples spread across the magical shield as it reflected all incoming energy. Thor's lightning descended from the heavens, striking in precise coordination with the enemy weaknesses Ashley had analyzed, and every bolt dealt fatal damage to the alien creatures. Hawkeye's arrows streaked through the sky like meteors, darting between high-rises and protecting the ground forces. Claire and Jill maneuvered their motorcycles through the battlefield like twin black bolts of lightning, guiding enemies into traps. Li Stark and Tony Stark formed an iron defense line in the air, their armor's energy cannons firing continuously and shooting down alien warship after alien warship. Explosions flared across the night sky, illuminating their unwavering figures.

However, although their unity had gradually turned the tide of battle, Loki and Amora would not surrender so easily. An even greater crisis was quietly brewing in the darkness. Their evil conspiracy was like a vast net, slowly closing in around them.