Chapter Thirty-Two: The Battle of New York Begins!

"Are you alright?"
The white mask was lifted, revealing a face Natasha never expected to see!
Yes, Natasha knew Angel. To be precise, she knew every employee who had joined the Illuminati.
At this moment, seeing Angel clad in battle armor, Natasha even felt an impulse to resign from S.H.I.E.L.D. and join the Illuminati instead. To be handed an Iron Man suit upon entry—what kind of benefit was this!
"I'm fine..."
Forcing down the odd sensation, Natasha stood up with Angel's help and hastened to explain for the fallen Hawkeye, to prevent any further harm: "He's my colleague, just under Loki's control..."
"Oh, I know. Just knock him out and he'll regain his senses. I'm off to provide support—you find a place to treat yourself."
"Thank you..."
Before Natasha could finish, Angel raised her hand and blasted open the damaged door with a laser, rushing out of the room. Natasha gave a wry smile. After this war, she would definitely try to join the Illuminati herself... or perhaps, as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, she could get a suit for free?
On the deck, Rhodey and Tony exchanged a glance, then each flew toward Engines One and Three.
"Hao Yun, we're off to repair the engines. You hold off the intruders!"
"No problem, Mom, you take the rear, I'll lead the charge—regroup in the middle!"
Hao Yun transformed his nanobots into two long whips, unleashing the full power of his Level 5 electric manipulation. For the moment, he perfectly cosplayed Whiplash Ivan Vanko, surging into the bridge like a true villain.
The intruders, just about to fire, didn't even have time to aim before a blue electric whip cracked down, shattering their rifles and sending them convulsing to the floor.
Elsewhere, another group of intruders—trying to intensify the explosions and blow up Engines Two and Four—ran straight into Angel piloting Big Hero. Rocket fists flew, blasting the group into chaos; not one remained standing unscathed.
With Hao Yun and Angel attacking from both sides, Loki's already limited forces were easily dispatched. Except for those they intentionally let escape—Loki's group, who managed to seize a fighter—every other intruder was brought down.
The two damaged engines were swiftly repaired by Tony and Rhodey, restoring power to the Helicarrier. The sky fortress was saved.
Inside the bridge, Nick Fury's face was grim as he turned to Hill.
"What are the casualties?"

"One hundred and eight agents dead; all intruders have been apprehended. Loki has escaped, Thor was deceived into the containment cell and is missing. The only good news is that Hawkeye has regained his senses. Also... Agent Coulson has fallen."
"Damn Loki! I knew his capture was a ruse!"
Nick Fury slammed his fist on the screen. He had hoped Coulson would be his successor as director of S.H.I.E.L.D., but now... now Coulson was dead, right here!
In the conference room, Tony arrived with Hao Yun and the others, his expression... almost gloating?
"Coulson is dead,"
Nick announced as soon as he entered. The Captain fell silent. Tony, momentarily sobered, bowed his head in respect.
It had to be said, Coulson's personality was truly admirable. Though Tony often disagreed with him, he respected the man.
"These cards were found in Coulson's coat. Sadly, he never got the chance to ask for your autograph,"
Nick Fury placed a stack of cards on the table, addressing Captain America, then turned to Tony.
"Tony, I need your help."
"Heh, do I need you?" Tony sneered. "You only ever soften your tone when things are out of your control. Remember at my press conference, when you wanted to expose Hao Yun to the world? I swore then—I would never join your kiddie team.
Now you want to use someone's death to draw us in, instead of contacting the United Nations and officially requesting our help? What, are you going to use public opinion to control us again after the battle? Sorry, the Illuminati is just a civil organization.
I'm only here today because I don't want the organization my father built destroyed by some alien. As for saving the world, that's too heavy a burden for me. Armies and agents—that's what you rely on most, isn't it?"
With that, Tony turned and called his companions: "Everyone, let's go. We haven't finished today's research projects!"
Hao Yun quietly checked in with his system, obediently leading the group away.
The Captain stood, wanting to stop them, but couldn't find the words. Disappointed, he glanced at Nick, then turned to return to his quarters.
"Nick, you really are disappointing. Even now, you're still scheming. Enough—I'll prepare. Let me know when you find Loki."
With that, the Captain left, not even bothering to converse further with Nick.
Nick looked silently at Hill and Natasha, gritted his teeth, and headed for the communications room.

................
At the Illuminati's base, after defeating Loki's team, the group cheerfully removed their armor for Jarvis to run diagnostics.
"Tony, when do you think they'll issue a call for help?"
Rhodey slung an arm around Tony Stark. Honestly, his direct confrontation with the authorities was just too cool—especially when S.H.I.E.L.D. outranked the military.
Tony smirked. "Heh, with S.H.I.E.L.D.'s efficiency, forget an official statement—they probably can't even mobilize the military."
"What? So what do we do? Just watch New York get invaded?"
Angel was anxious. Was this a joke? Nearly ten million people in New York—how could they stand by and watch them die at the hands of aliens?
"Relax. We've already issued warnings to the residents around the Trident Building in the name of Stark Industries. And with Thor and the Captain present, nothing too catastrophic will happen right away. Besides, just because we're not moving doesn't mean the Spectrum Towers aren't either."
Tony chuckled; they'd spent two years preparing for the Battle of New York. Now, every Spectrum Tower was equipped with a new-element arc reactor. In terms of firepower, the enemy might not even be a match.
"Tony, come quickly—they've begun their operation!"
Banner called the group over. On the 3D projection, atop the Trident Building, a group of people bustled. Standing at the edge, dressed in golden armor and crowned with antlers, was none other than Loki himself.
Tony and the others gathered to watch. Meanwhile, Hao Yun lounged on the sofa, checking his latest check-in reward.
"Congratulations, Host, for arriving at a Marvel classic scene: the Helicarrier battle—check-in successful!"
"Congratulations, Host, you have obtained a set of training methods for Observation Haki; Observation Haki can now be upgraded directly to Intermediate level! Extract now?"
Excellent—gaining Observation Haki before the great battle was like having immortality on a battlefield with no strong opponents!
"Extract!"