"Thor, hold Ultron off. I'm going to find Tony—I have an idea."
Karl spoke suddenly, then flew straight toward Tony's position.
Thor immediately rushed forward, hurling Mjolnir. Karl caught the hammer midair and flung it behind him.
Blue and purple lightning intertwined around the weapon. The moment it struck the pursuing robots, it detonated violently.
Thunder roared. Lightning raged like wild serpents.
Everything behind Karl was instantly reduced to ashes.
Thor burst out of the smoke and charged straight at Ultron, colliding with him midair. The two crashed down together—right into the ruined church where the anti-gravity device was located.
Thor sprang to his feet and engaged Ultron in brutal hand-to-hand combat.
They traded blows evenly—until Ultron suddenly pulled a massive stone pillar toward himself and smashed it down onto Thor.
Thor reacted a fraction too late.
BOOM!
The pillar struck him head-on, sending him flying. He crashed through a wall before finally coming to a stop.
Mjolnir slipped from his hand and clattered to the ground.
He was exhausted.
Not just him—everyone was.
Ultron's army was endless and tireless.
But they weren't.
Even Thor, an Asgardian, had limits.
Let alone the others.
---
Tony's Dilemma
Tony hovered near one of the anti-gravity engines.
After scanning it, JARVIS reported:
"The engines are sustaining the city's ascent. If they are tampered with, it will trigger a reverse acceleration—causing the city to fall immediately, amplified by the engine's force."
"F*ck… damn it, Ultron!" Tony cursed.
"I never should've created him!"
He had no options left.
Tens of thousands of civilians were still in the city.
He couldn't destroy it now.
But if he didn't—
half the planet would be gone.
Tony stood trapped between saving tens of thousands… or saving the entire Western Hemisphere.
"JARVIS… the base is held together by vibranium. If Thor or Karl destroys it—"
"It would destabilize the structure," JARVIS replied immediately.
"But it would not be enough. The impact upon descent would still be catastrophic."
Tony clenched his jaw.
"What if we seal the opposite end… force the anti-gravity particles to collide?"
"That would vaporize the entire city," JARVIS said.
"All life within it would be lost."
---
The city had already risen above the clouds.
It was approaching the upper atmosphere.
---
The Line Is Drawn
Within the city, the Avengers had temporarily pushed back the robots.
But no one knew when the next wave would arrive.
"Tony, any ideas?" Steve asked, shielding civilians as he guided them into a supermarket.
"…Not yet," Tony replied quietly.
"Unless we blow the whole city."
A heavy silence followed.
"…Then you'd better figure out how to get out," Tony added.
Steve didn't hesitate.
"That's not what I'm asking for."
"I need a solution—not an evacuation plan."
The meaning was clear.
They weren't planning to leave.
They were ready to die here if necessary.
---
"Cap," Tony said, his voice turning steady,
"the higher the city goes, the worse the impact radius. We need to decide—now."
"Tony…" Natasha began,
"the people here can't escape. If blowing the city—"
"Not until everyone is evacuated," Steve cut in firmly.
His tone allowed no argument.
"But Cap," Natasha countered immediately,
"saving them means sacrificing everyone below. The choice is obvious."
"No," Steve said.
"As long as there's one person still here—I'm not leaving."
He understood her logic.
But he refused to accept it.
"I didn't say we were leaving," Natasha said with a faint smile.
Steve turned to look at her.
"At least… this won't be the worst way I could die."
Her tone was light. Almost casual.
---
Standing Together
One by one, everyone gathered.
All the Avengers.
All the civilians.
Even Hulk, leading a group of survivors.
Steve looked at them—then at the people behind them.
And suddenly, he smiled.
Hulk.
Gwen.
Skye.
Wanda.
Clint.
Even Erik.
They all stood before him.
Behind them was a growing crowd of civilians.
"Captain America…" Erik said, stepping forward.
"I have to admit—you're persuasive."
"I've spent my whole life killing people."
"This… is the first time I've tried to save them."
There was no time to call Wakanda.
Even their fastest ships wouldn't make it in time.
Erik exhaled.
For the first time in his life—
He felt at peace.
---
Everyone turned toward the edge of the floating city.
Below them was a sea of clouds, glowing softly under the sunlight.
Calm.
Beautiful.
Their hearts, too, grew quiet.
---
"Wanda," Gwen said softly,
"go find Karl. You can fly."
"After this… he'll need you."
Skye nodded.
"We can't fly. And we're not running."
"We won't abandon everyone and live with that."
But Wanda shook her head.
"No."
"I won't leave you."
"And I believe… Karl will find a way."
Her eyes were unwavering.
She believed in him completely.
"He will."
Gwen and Skye took her hands.
"Yeah. He always does."
The three of them stood together, hands clasped tightly.
Resolute.
---
Natasha looked out over the clouds, smiling faintly.
"Not many people get to see a view like this… right before they die."
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