S.H.I.E.L.D. had failed to notice that one of the teleportation points had taken on a purplish-red hue!
Shendu stood atop the throne he had built for himself.
He raised his scepter high.
"Come forth! My soldiers, my armies!"
All the teleportation points across New York shone in concert, their light shooting into the heavens.
They formed a wondrous image above this disaster-ridden city.
The starry sky, previously devoid of light, seemed to grow even deeper.
To everyone looking up, that sky now harbored death and danger.
"Something's wrong." Shendu looked up at the sky. "There's an aura of magic and dimensions within the army. Was this Thanos's doing? Did he channel dimensional energy associated with death into his troops?"
Across the multiverse, many scientists and sorcerers had discovered through research how to apply magical energy and dimensional energy to machines.
Tony's classic "anti-" armor series was one example.
It was certainly plausible that Thanos possessed such capabilities.
"Interesting!" Shendu's pupils gradually widened, and a rare smile appeared on his savage draconic face.
Though that smile was rather ugly and revolting, Shendu's imposing presence was still worthy of praise.
Shendu walked to the highest point and laughed arrogantly. "Come forth and wage war! Destroy the enemies before you!"
The desolate, boundless starry sky began to respond, as though dimensional power were descending to bolster them.
The teleportation points in the streets began to shine with a distinctive light.
Within just a few breaths, the gateways officially opened!
The battle had begun!
"What's going on? JARVIS, bring up the low-altitude surveillance and satellite feeds." Tony lay in his hospital bed. His injuries had long since mostly healed.
His main priority now was to rest and replenish his depleted spiritual power.
Being drained of spiritual power truly felt awful. Tony felt utterly empty,