"Bastet. Close the portal."
"Yes, Master."
At Leon's command, Bastet thrust the Mind Stone Scepter into the energy barrier formed by the Space Stone.
The Mind Stone's energy counteracted it directly, severing the upward flow of spatial power.
Without that supply—
The portal above Stark Tower destabilized.
It flickered for less than two and a half seconds before collapsing entirely under reality's own restorative force.
Like a shallow wound—
Sealed clean.
Below, Steve Rogers and the others stared blankly at the sky.
The shattered city.
The fires.
It almost felt unreal.
Until War Machine landed beside them and delivered the obvious question:
"So… you just closed the portal."
"How exactly are Tony and Leon getting back?"
"…." ×6
The six grounded Avengers exchanged looks.
That… was a good question.
Above, Bastet stood alone on the edge of Stark Tower, the Mind Stone Scepter in one hand, the Ancient One's Ring on her finger.
She had no interest in joining the others.
In her eyes—
Aside from Bruce Banner, who could become the Hulk—
The rest were merely enhanced mortals.
Not worth comparison to her master.
Would you strike up conversation with ants?
Livestream – Global Broadcast
Arcee's voice rang out passionately:
"The streets of New York became a battlefield. The military only just arrived—but under the leadership of Captain Leon, the Avengers have already secured the situation!"
"What magnificent heroes!"
"It is through their sacrifice that New York escaped nuclear annihilation and alien slaughter!"
"We must praise the Avengers—
And praise their great leader—Captain Leon!"
"After eradicating the invaders in a single strike, Captain Leon has led Iron Man and Thor—along with thirteen nuclear missiles—through the portal!"
"They are taking the fight to the enemy's homeworld!"
"An eye for an eye!"
"To protect not just New York—but all of Earth!"
"Even if they do not return—
They go without fear!"
"Pray for their triumph!"
"May humanity's glory endure!"
The chat exploded.
"May humanity's glory endure!"
"Captain Leon is incredible!"
"He makes me feel safe just watching him!"
"My whole family lives in New York—thank you, Captain Leon!"
The screen flooded so fast Arcee was nearly obscured.
Outer Space – Chitauri Mothership
Passing through the portal, the three of them emerged into open space.
Leon no longer depended on Earth's atmosphere.
Thor, nearly fully restored, endured the vacuum with minor discomfort.
Tony, though still human, had prepared. The Mark VI Armor's deep-space survival systems activated seamlessly.
The portal snapped shut behind them.
Silence replaced adrenaline.
Tony blinked.
"Wait."
"How are we getting back?"
"Same way we came," Leon replied lightly.
"…Fair enough."
They turned.
Ahead loomed the Chitauri Mothership—a colossal structure resembling a four-legged arachnid, dwarfing anything seen from Earth.
Countless Chitauri soldiers swarmed around it.
Leviathans were few—most had already fallen in New York.
With the portal gone, the mothership redirected all hostiles toward the three intruders.
A cosmic swarm surged forward.
Leon grinned.
"How about a competition?"
"First to destroy the big one wins."
"And whoever kills fewer minions buys the drinks."
Tony rolled his eyes.
"Put the nukes down before you talk."
If Leon just hurled thirteen nuclear warheads and counted the kills, there wouldn't be a contest.
"I'm not using them."
"I never planned to."
"That'd be a waste."
"…What?"
"Then why did you have Fury launch them?!"
"You'll see."
"Guess my ass."
"Start!"
Tony shot forward instantly, appointing himself judge and participant.
Thor hurled Mjolnir and followed.
Tony avoided brute force.
He seized control of Chitauri energy weapons mid-flight and turned them back on their owners.
Minimal exertion.
Like a pianist playing invisible keys—
With a flick of thought, enemies detonated in clusters.
The more weapons he commandeered, the faster the harvest.
Thor, meanwhile—
Fueled by grief and awakening divinity—
Unleashed lightning as though it were basic attacks rather than ultimate abilities.
Thunderstorms erupted continuously.
His kill speed rivaled Tony's—perhaps exceeded it.
Tony glanced back.
"Leon? Giving up already?"
Leon floated calmly, unmoving.
"No rush."
"Let it cook."
"If I start too soon, you two might as well have stayed home."
Tony smirked.
"What, you out of juice after that beam in New York?"
"Out?"
"I'm afraid of being too much."
And just like that—
Leon moved.
He hurled the thirteen "firecrackers" backward with telekinesis.
Aionsega, his war-god shield, detached from his wrist and intercepted them, preventing premature detonation.
Then—
Leon released the armor fusion.
His body expanded.
Rapidly.
Violently.
From 1.94 meters—
To over one hundred meters tall.
A colossal, black-scaled, wingless dragon emerged in the void of space.
Tony stared in absolute horror.
Before him stood a cosmic kaiju.
Then—
A roar shattered the silence of the vacuum.
A roar that seemed to echo through space itself.
"ROOOOOOOOAAAAARRRRR—!!!"
The Dragon's Roar resounded across the stars.
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