Once Harry finished healing Natasha's wound, his hands lingered just a little too long on her shoulder, as if still unsure she was safe. His breath was ragged from the mix of adrenaline and fear. He leaned back on his heels, brushing a strand of her hair away from her face. Relief flickered in his eyes, but it was fleeting, shadowed by the storm of emotions battling within him.
"Babe, I'm fine," Natasha said softly. She winced slightly as she pushed herself up into a seated position.
Harry frowned, his hand still hovering near her as if he couldn't bring himself to fully release her. His magic continued to hum faintly in the air like an invisible shield protecting her from any residual harm. The weight of what had just happened pressed down on him, visible in the tension in his shoulders and the tight set of his jaw.
She grabbed his hand firmly, pulling his focus back to the present. "Listen to me," she said, her tone commanding now. "There are more important things than my well-being right now." She tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing in the direction of the chaos beyond them. The distant sounds of alarms, metal groaning, and explosions echoed through the Helicarrier, reminding them both that the battle was far from over.
"You need to focus," she urged. She squeezed his hand before letting go, a silent promise that she'd be fine. "Get this mess under control, Harry," she added, her eyes locking with his. "I'll be right here when you're done. But first, save the ship. Save the team."
"Fury, I need a status report," Harry called out into his earpiece, his voice tense as he glanced around the room, still wary of Loki's potential tricks.
There was a brief crackle of static before Fury's voice cut through, strained and broken up by the noise of the battle on his end. "The bridge is—" Fury paused, the sound of something shattering in the background punctuating his sentence, followed by a distant yell. "Overrun!" he barked, his voice rough as if he had to raise it over the chaos.
Harry could hear the rapid staccato of gunfire through the earpiece, muted but constant, as if it was right next to him. Then a heavy thud, like something massive crashing against metal.
"Engine 3's out... damage from the initial attack," Fury continued, the strain in his voice making it clear he was still moving, probably dodging debris or attacks. "Engine 1's been knocked offline by Barton's damn virus."
Another pause. Harry's heart rate quickened, feeling the urgency of Fury's situation as he waited for more information. He could hear something—a low rumble, like the groan of the Helicarrier's metal frame under stress.
"The ship's in freefall," Fury added, his words clipped as though he had to shout over an explosion. There was a short burst of static, followed by the faint roar of engines—then silence, broken only by Fury's laboured breathing. "We've got Migs all over us... missiles inbound every few seconds."
Another loud crash. It sounded like something had hit the bridge hard. Harry tensed. "Fury, what's your status?"
"Hulk's tearing the ship apart with Thor," Fury finally ground out, his voice punctuated by the clang of metal and distant roars that carried through the comms, faint but unmistakable. "Loki's turning every agent he comes across—mind-controlling them. The numbers... the numbers are growing by the minute."
His voice dropped as if he'd ducked under something. "We're losing control down here, Potter," Fury muttered before the connection crackled again.
"Tony, how's the repair on Engine 3?" Harry asked urgently, his voice steady despite the storm of thoughts racing through his mind.
There was a sharp burst of static before Tony's voice came through, laced with frustration. "Cap! Hit the lever!" Tony's words were tense, barely audible over the sound of turbines in the background.
"I'm working on it!" Steve shouted back, his voice breathless, likely straining as Harry imagined him wrestling with the mechanism. The background noise of the earpiece was a whirlwind—grating metal, clattering tools, and the unmistakable thrum of the Helicarrier's engines sputtering in and out of life.
Another crash. Harry's heart quickened. He could almost picture it—the shaking platform, Steve trying to get to the lever while Tony hovered nearby, shouting over the noise.
"I need a minute here!" Steve's voice was strained now, his words punctuated by the howling winds. Harry's ears picked up the groaning of metal as if the entire Helicarrier was on the verge of collapse.
"Lever, now!" Tony's voice was sharper this time, filled with urgency.
"Oh... oh," Tony whispered, the tension in his voice sending a chill down Harry's spine. That wasn't a good sound. A series of rapid clicks and a loud metallic thunk rang through Harry's earpiece. Harry's mind filled in the blanks—the chaos on the platform, Steve gritting his teeth as he finally yanked the lever, the brief flicker of hope that followed.
Then, a pause. Silence stretched out, broken only by the whirring hum of machinery revving to life. Harry felt himself holding his breath as if time had stopped.
Then finally, Tony's voice returned, this time with an exasperated sigh. "Engine 3 is back online."
Harry released a breath he didn't know he was holding, relief flooding through him even as the lingering tension from Tony's earlier uncertainty still hung in the air.
"Hill, status report," Harry ordered, his voice tense as he tried to focus amidst the chaos around him.
A brief crackle of static came through before Hill's voice responded, steady but clearly strained by the situation. "Major systems are still offline. We've lost most of our avionics, weapons, and navigation controls... but," she paused for a moment, as if confirming something, "the descent has stopped. We're not crashing, but we're barely holding altitude. The ship is still unstable."
Harry let out a breath he hadn't realised he was holding. At least they weren't plummeting to their deaths anymore. "Good. Stabilise what you can. Tony—" he switched the channel, his voice hardening, "get JARVIS to scrub Barton's virus. I want control of the Helicarrier back."
"Yeah, yeah. Just give me a second to take a breath." Tony shot back, his voice tired but still carrying that familiar Stark swagger. There was a brief pause, then Harry could hear the sound of metal clanging through Tony's earpiece as he worked. "That little virus of Barton's is a stubborn one. JARVIS, run a bypass on their encryption. Let's go."
"How long?" Harry pressed.
"Uh, not long. Just gotta dig through the mess Barton left manually," Tony said, voice slightly distracted as he worked. "Don't worry, I'll have control of this flying fortress back in no time."
Harry switched back to Hill's channel. "Hill, keep me updated on the ship's stability. We can't afford any more drops. Tony's working on getting us full control again."
"Roger that. We're working on manual stabilisers to hold what we've got," Hill replied, her voice sharp with focus. "I'll keep you posted if anything changes."
"Steve, Phil," Harry called out as he shifted his attention to the ship that was getting overrun by Loki's minions. "We need to neutralise all hostiles now—we can't afford any more chaos. Steve, lead the offensive. Engage the enemy head-on, and subdue them. Non-lethal if you can—knock them out, restrain them—but if they're putting lives at risk, don't hesitate to take them down. Whatever it takes to get control back."
There was a pause, the weight of his words sinking in. Harry's mind flashed back to those harrowing days in Afghanistan, leading men under fire, making decisions in the heat of combat. His voice sharpened, his experience lending it the kind of authority that couldn't be questioned. "Remember, you've got limited manpower. Make every move count. Use the environment to your advantage—narrow corridors, choke points. Hit hard, hit fast."
"Got it," Steve replied, the sound of his shield clanging against his back as he prepared to spring into action. "I'll clear the lower decks and secure the bridge."
Harry shifted focus without missing a beat. "Phil, you've got the most field experience here—take charge of SHIELD's agents. Organise them into strike teams, cover Steve's advance, and hold the critical positions. I want the bridge locked down and the runway secured. Don't let Loki's mind-controlled lackeys breach any command posts or critical sections of the ship."
Phil responded immediately. "I'll redirect units to key areas, containment teams on every deck. We'll hold the bridge and push back anyone compromised. You'll have full control soon."
"Good," Harry replied, his voice steel. "Use force if you have to. These aren't just mindless drones—they're being controlled by Loki, so assume they'll fight with everything they've got. But if we can incapacitate them, I'll reverse the mind control once this is over."
"Understood, Captain," Phil responded, his respect for Harry clear in the way he used the title. He knew Harry's reputation as an SAS captain and that experience was going to be what turned this battle in their favor.
"Phil, remember to communicate with your teams—every movement counts. If you get split up, fall back to pre-arranged zones. Make sure no one gets isolated. And keep an eye on Loki's movements. We can't afford more of our men getting turned. If you spot him, alert everyone immediately and stay away from his scepter."
"Will do. I'll keep our forces coordinated," Phil assured him, a brief pause as gunfire and shouts echoed through the background. "We'll keep the lines secure."
"Steve," Harry's voice cut in again, "move swiftly, but be smart. Don't let Loki's tricks pull you into a trap. His goal is to create confusion—don't give him the upper hand."
"Roger that," Steve replied, already moving into the fray. "I'll clean up the mess."
The comms were filled with the sounds of movement, metal scraping, and the occasional shout. Harry's orders were clear, crisp, and decisive, returning to his soldier persona, directing his team with the authority of a man who had seen war firsthand. His confidence and presence steadied everyone, even amidst the chaos tearing through the Helicarrier.
"Rhodey, what's your status?" Harry's voice came through Rhodey's earpiece, steady but urgent.
"Not great, Harry," Rhodey responded, the sound of rapid missile fire and explosions crackling in the background. "The foreign jets are down, but now our own aircraft are turning on us—rogue agents have hijacked them. They're targeting the other engines. I'm holding them off, but there are too many of them. It's getting messy out here."
Harry gritted his teeth, his mind racing. "We can't afford to lose another engine. The ground teams are locking down the runways, but you have to keep those jets grounded, Rhodey. Whatever it takes. If even one of those aircraft gets airborne, it's either going to attack the Helicarrier or serve as Loki's escape. We can't let that happen."
Rhodey let out a sharp breath. "Understood. I'll do what I can to keep the skies clear. But Harry, the numbers are piling up out here. I'm good, but I can't handle all of them for long."
"Use all the firepower you need. Full force, Rhodey. I trust your judgment—just don't let a single jet off this ship." Harry's voice was hard, commanding, the weight of the situation hanging in every word.
Rhodey's reply came through gritted teeth. "Copy that. Grounding every last one of them, by any means necessary."
The comms buzzed with the sound of Rhodey's War Machine armor unleashing another round of heavy fire. Harry's heart pounded in his chest, but his voice remained calm as he issued the next round of orders.
"Tony," Harry called out, his voice firm and focused through the comms.
"I'm working on it!" Tony replied, his tone sharp with frustration. The sound of rapid typing and electrical feedback crackled in the background. "These lines of code are a nightmare, but I'm almost there."
"Good. As soon as you've wiped that virus, get out there and support Rhodey. Ground every aircraft, whatever it takes," Harry commanded, his words steady despite the urgency.
"Roger that," Tony muttered, still clearly irritated but fully aware of the stakes.
Harry turned his attention to Natasha next. "Natasha, get to the medical bay. Get yourself checked out."
Natasha scowled, shaking her head. "But I can still fight—" she started to protest.
"Not now," Harry cut her off, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You've already pushed yourself too far. Make sure the injury is properly healed. I'm not an expert in healing magic, and I won't risk your health just because you're too stubborn to sit this one out. Go."
Natasha hesitated, her jaw clenched in frustration, but she could see the worry in Harry's eyes, buried beneath his calm exterior. With a reluctant nod, she gave in. "Fine. But once I'm cleared, I'm back in this."
"We'll see," Harry replied, a ghost of a smile tugging at his lips, but the weight of the situation kept it brief.
As she turned to leave, Natasha paused, her voice softening as she asked, "What about you? What are you going to do?"
Harry's eyes darkened with determination, a smirk pulling at his mouth. "Me? I'm going to subdue a Hulk."
"Are you sure you're ready for this?" Natasha asked, her concern breaking through. "Haven't you burned through most of your magic handling everything so far?"
Harry gave her a wink and a half-smile. "I got a few power-ups of my own when I was off-world." He held her gaze for a moment before turning his attention to where the Hulk and Thor were tearing into the metal framework of the ship. With a subtle flick of his wrist, something sleek and dark extended from his hand—a wand.
Natasha's eyes widened. "You have a wand?"
"Courtesy of Odin, just before I left Asgard," he replied, letting the weight of the Elder Wand settle in his grip. She watched as he advanced, energy radiating off him like a storm barely contained.
With a smooth wave, Harry directed his magic toward the two raging titans, and thick steel cords sprang from the walls, twisting around Hulk's limbs in an attempt to pin him down. The ropes strained against the brute force of the Hulk, but they held steady, giving Harry and the others the opening to regain control.
Thor threw a glance at Harry as he stepped into the fray. "Finally, you join us. I thought I was the only one who would be enjoying this battle."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Apologies for making sure the ship didn't crash and burn," he replied dryly, gesturing at the still-sparking walls. "Somebody had to keep this thing in the air."
Thor let out a booming laugh. "Well, now that you're here, think you can calm our green friend?"
Harry smirked and raised his wand, circling cautiously toward the enraged Hulk. He murmured a series of calming charms, each one sending a soft, silvery glow toward Hulk, dissipating into the air as if barely a whisper. The Hulk's roars continued unabated, and Harry's brows rose slightly.
"Didn't even make a dent," he noted to himself, but there was no alarm in his voice.
"Perhaps the beast needs a bit more than your charms, wizard," Thor said, sounding both amused and curious.
"Oh, this is just the warm-up," Harry replied, still watching the Hulk with a calculating eye. "I've got a few more tricks up my sleeve."
Thor cast a glance at the Hulk, who was still thrashing and bellowing, then turned back to Harry. "He's more beast than man right now. Letting him wear himself down may be the only way."
Harry nodded, considering the advice. "True, but I've got a better shot at calming him down. My magic is more adaptable for situations like this." His voice held a note of confidence as he flexed his fingers around the wand, feeling an electrifying surge flow through him. "Besides, we can't let Loki turn the entire Helicarrier into his personal army. You're best suited to find and deal with him, keep him from pulling any more tricks."
Thor hesitated, clearly torn. "And you're certain you'll manage alone?"
"Completely," Harry assured, eyes flicking back to the raging figure of the Hulk.
Thor held his gaze a beat longer, then nodded, pounding his fist against his chest. "Very well, friend. I leave the green beast in your hands," he said, before he turned and sprinted down the corridor.
As Harry stepped toward the Hulk, he could feel a pulsing wave of power building inside him, stronger and clearer than it had felt in months. It was as if the repaired bond with Natasha had unlocked reserves he hadn't known he possessed, and he welcomed the sensation, allowing it to fill him completely. His magic crackled around him, eager and ready to be tested.
"All right, Banner," Harry muttered under his breath, a flicker of anticipation in his eyes. "Let's see if this is enough to reach you."
Harry locked eyes with the Hulk, an unflinching calm in his gaze as he flicked his wand to release the steel bindings that had barely held the creature. As the last chain clattered to the floor, the Hulk rose slowly, his massive frame towering over Harry, muscles taut with raw, uncontrollable rage. His chest heaved as he took in Harry's defiance, and for a breathless moment, the two simply stared at each other—a wizard and a beast, sizing one another up.
The Hulk snarled, a deep, guttural sound that vibrated through the air, then let out an earth-shaking roar, spraying spit across Harry as his feral eyes burned with fury. The force of it ruffled Harry's hair, but he stood rooted, unfazed, meeting Hulk's rage with a smirk.
With a flick of his wand, Harry cast a quick cleaning charm, brushing off the Hulk's saliva with a subtle shake of his head. "You're going to have to do better than that," he muttered, a glint of mischief sparking in his eyes. He raised his wand, taking a steady stance, and added with a challenging grin, "Let's dance."
The Hulk charged, bellowing with fury, but Harry swiftly conjured thick metal barriers, forming a cube that boxed the green giant in, sealing him from every side. As the cube hovered above the floor, the Hulk's fists hammered relentlessly against the walls, each blow denting the metal until the shape of his fists bulged outward. Harry muttered calming charms, sending wave after wave of pacifying energy into the box, but Hulk's rage only seemed to intensify.
Just as the metal box began to buckle, Harry flung it across the hangar, where it crashed against the far wall. The Hulk tore through the wreckage, his eyes blazing with fury. Without a pause, he grabbed anything within reach—chunks of debris, machinery, even steel beams—and hurled them at Harry with all his might.
With an amused smirk, Harry began transfiguring each piece of flying debris into something harmless—a hulking engine part became a fluffy teddy bear that bounced off the wall, a jagged metal shard morphed into a bouquet of daffodils mid-flight, and even a heavy toolbox turned into a beach ball, rolling harmlessly to the side. Each transformation sent a soft thud echoing through the hangar as harmless objects piled up around them.
The Hulk's rage escalated, his growl echoing through the ship as he scooped up a massive steel crate and hurled it at Harry with all his strength. With a casual flick of his wand, Harry transformed it into a giant plush dinosaur, which flopped harmlessly to the floor in front of him. Chuckling, Harry tilted his head. "Is that all you've got?"
Enraged, Hulk roared louder, the sound rumbling through the metal walls, and charged straight at Harry. This time, Harry held his ground, letting the green giant close the gap, fists swinging. But as Hulk's fist bore down with crushing speed, Harry vanished with a sharp crack only to reappear behind him, grinning.
"Missed me," he said playfully, tapping his wand on his palm. The Hulk spun around, fists ready, but Harry simply vanished again, reappearing just out of reach. Each near miss only seemed to fan Hulk's fury, and Harry's smirk grew as he watched the monster's frustration mount.
Each time Hulk's fists barreled toward him, Harry vanished with a sharp crack, reappearing just beyond reach and casting another wave of calming charms as he went. He layered them thickly, each spell designed to dull the raw rage pulsing off Hulk in waves. Between his spells and the dodges, Hulk's frenzied swings grew sloppier, his movements heavy as he staggered, frustration mounting with every missed punch.
"Getting tired yet, big guy?" Harry taunted, grinning as he watched Hulk's wild swings slow down, the green giant panting as he blinked in confusion from the charm's effects.
Just as Hulk shook off the momentary haze and lunged at him again, Harry conjured a massive, shimmering bubble of water, trapping Hulk within it. Water swirled around the enormous figure, suspending him in mid-air as he clawed and kicked. The green fists pounded against the watery prison, but Harry held his wand steady, keeping the torrent controlled. Hulk's movements became slower, his roars muted by the water. Every inch he swam forward, Harry shifted the current, keeping him disoriented and blocking his escape.
Harry raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Got some lungs on you, haven't you?"
The Hulk's eyes blazed with defiance, and he thrashed harder, refusing to surrender. Even as seconds passed, his rage sustained him, his superhuman endurance showing no sign of faltering. Harry focused, tightening the pressure of the watery sphere, determined to wear him down—but Hulk was relentless, eyes narrowed in stubborn fury as he fought to resist.
The struggle stretched on, each heartbeat stretching the tension. Finally, Hulk's fierce gaze dimmed slightly, showing the barest signs of strain, and Harry could see the exhaustion creeping in. Just as the monster's fists slowed, Harry allowed the water bubble to collapse, dropping Hulk back to the hangar floor in a sputtering heap.
"Stubborn as they come," Harry said, lowering his wand but keeping it ready.
The instant the watery prison dissolved, Hulk stumbled to his feet, dripping and furious, but Harry was already moving, his wand a blur as he unleashed a volley of powerful spells. Blinding blasts of fire and crackling arcs of lightning shot forth, forcing Hulk back, each hit keeping him too disoriented to retaliate. He was relentless, barely letting the giant take a step before another spell slammed into him, a streak of raw magic ripping through the air like a cannonball.
Harry's voice was steady, his words sharp as he layered calming charms over each attack, twisting Hulk's rage tighter and tighter into exhaustion. Spells struck from every angle, each one driving Hulk further into submission as if bound by invisible chains. The monster staggered, bewildered and worn, his mighty fists faltering as his breath came in heavy, ragged gasps.
"Come on, big guy," Harry muttered, casting yet another wave of calming magic, amplifying its effects with each attack. The once-unbreakable green titan sank down, his knees hitting the floor with a thunderous clang, his strength finally no match for Harry's ruthless onslaught.
Gradually, Hulk's furious breaths slowed, his massive frame shuddering as the calming charms took hold, wrapping his rage in a dense, magical quiet. With a final, guttural growl, the green faded from his skin, muscles shrinking as Hulk's monstrous form melted back into that of Bruce Banner.
"Good to have you back, Doctor," Harry said with a smirk as Bruce blinked, still recovering from the transformation. His gaze landed on Harry, taking in the calm, collected expression and the faint glow of magic still fading from the air.
Bruce managed a hoarse chuckle, rubbing his forehead. "So… this is why Natasha thought you were scarier than the other guy." He shot Harry a lopsided grin. "She might've undersold it, actually."
Harry raised an eyebrow, pretending to be affronted. "Scary? I was just helping you calm down, that's all," he said, though the faint smirk tugging at his mouth suggested otherwise. "Ask Nat; I'm practically famous for my cheerful, non-threatening demeanour."
Bruce's grin widened as he shook his head. "Sure, because casting what, three calming spells and a giant metal box to trap me is just… normal day-to-day business for you?"
"I don't know how many calming charms, if we're counting," Harry replied with a shrug. "But hey, I like to be thorough." He gestured toward the scattered remains of the battle across the hangar, and Bruce let out a long, tired laugh.
"Right, I can see why she said 'scarier,' then," Bruce said, humor lacing his voice as he eyed Harry. "Point taken."
Harry couldn't resist a laugh himself, nodding as he tapped his comm. "Fury, the Hulk is no longer a threat." Pausing, he glanced back at Bruce. "But just to make sure, Doctor, any objections if I throw in one more calming charm? Just for old times' sake?"
Bruce held up a hand in mock surrender. "By all means, go ahead," he replied with a grin. "After today, I'll take all the calm I can get."
"Good job, Potter," Fury's voice crackled through the comms. There was a rare note of approval. "We're taking back control across the ship as we speak."
Harry nodded, wiping a bit of debris from his shoulder as he keyed in his next check-in. "Hill, status?"
"Stark's locked down the virus," Hill replied. "We have full control over the ship's navigation and security functions. It'll hold."
"Good work," Harry said, taking a breath before moving on. "Steve?"
There was a pause, and then Steve's voice came through, steady and resolved. "Thor and I swept through the lower decks. Hostiles are neutralized, though… no sign of Loki. He slipped away."
Harry's jaw tightened, but he kept his tone calm. "Copy that." He shifted gears. "Phil, your status?"
"No sign of Loki on the upper floors, either," Phil responded. "But I've managed to subdue Agent Barton. He's on his way to the medical bay for treatment."
"Good thinking," Harry replied, nodding at Phil's foresight. "Keep him secured; we don't know what kind of control Loki still has over him."
Finally, he tapped the comm again. "Rhodey, how's it looking outside?"
There was a hum of static before Rhodey answered, his tone grim. "No more planes are getting off the deck. Took a bit of fire to keep 'em grounded, but it's done. I'd bet Loki slipped off, though—one got through using a mess of decoy jets as cover."
Harry exhaled, a mixture of satisfaction and tension settling over him. "Understood. Everyone regroup. We need to be ready for whatever comes next." For a brief moment, Harry allowed himself a feeling of pride—this team, with all their differences and strengths, had come together.
"Listen up," he said, voice steady, addressing the entire team. "This was just the beginning. We've secured the Helicarrier, but Loki is still out there. Let's be ready to bring him in, together, and end this."
Author's Note:
So while I was writing 49, when Natasha said that Harry scares her more than the Hulk, I had it in my head that while she meant it in a more psychological way, I wanted Harry to prove physically that he was stronger than the Hulk. And to have that proof right after they made up was just icing in the cake. This chapter was called tipping point because now Harry is in the driver's seat finally. I hope you liked him taking charge and the fight with Hulk. The water scene is taken directly from Order of the Phoenix "Dumbledore vs Volde." I wanted to end the fight there with Hulk suffocating, but reading through the wiki I found that Hulk has a lot of lung capacity and that he can survive underwater for a very long time. But overall, it has come out good. I hope everyone is excited for the Battle of New York.
With only one subscription tier for $5, you get complete access to the library and up to chapter 185 of this story. So, if you want to read ahead, check out my P.A.T.R.E.O.N @Bivz643.