Back in New York, the sky was tearing apart.
As energy pulses from the portal sliced through the air, Tony Stark clenched his jaw and scanned the battlefield from his HUD.
"This thing's shielded. Our energy weapons can't even scratch it," he muttered. "We have to find Loki. He's the only one who knows how to shut it down."
Thor landed beside him, lightning dancing across his armor. "Where is the Goddess of Judgment? Bella should have sensed this chaos."
Tony frowned. "You tell me."
Thor looked around the flaming rooftops and rubble-strewn streets, but there was no trace of her. "She's… probably on vacation."
---
Thousands of miles away, Bella was on vacation.
On the dazzling shores of Guillermo Cay, Cuba, Bella and Angie were living in a paradise of sun, sea, and silence.
The island in May was a warm dream—turquoise waves lapping at white sands, flamingos wading in the shallows, and tropical seagulls circling above.
Wearing summer dresses and sun hats, the two women sat on wooden stools outside a beachside tavern, sipping cold beer and nibbling on local Cuban cuisine. Cosmo, the golden retriever, and Nina, the eternally unimpressed blue cat, lounged at their feet.
Laughter, sunshine, and peace.
Angie was scrolling through her phone, reviewing their next stops. "So after this, we hop to Mexico for tacos, then Costa Rica for the waterfalls—maybe even ziplining?"
Bella leaned back, eyes half-closed. "Whatever makes you happy."
But then, something strange happened.
The rustic television hanging above the tavern bar—a set normally reserved for soccer matches and salsa videos—flickered. The screen turned black, then a live news broadcast appeared.
The feed was chaotic.
The anchorwoman's voice trembled with terror as she stood amid dust and destruction.
"Just three minutes ago, a massive rift appeared over Manhattan, tearing open the sky. From this breach, alien ships—hundreds of them—poured out, firing on civilians. Preliminary estimates say thousands are dead, tens of thousands injured…"
In the background, buildings exploded, people screamed, and alien vessels buzzed through the air like hornets.
"The Iron Man suits are in the air—dozens of them. They're engaging the enemy."
The woman ducked as an energy blast detonated nearby.
"A man in red armor with a hammer is here as well—wielding lightning."
Bella's beer bottle slipped slightly in her hand. Her relaxed expression hardened.
"What about our military? Why is there no response?" the reporter cried. "Where is the protection we were promised?"
A strange silence fell over the tavern.
Tourists, locals, bartenders—all stared at the screen. Murmurs broke out. Panic settled into the edges of every voice.
If America couldn't defend its capital city… what chance did a tiny island like Cuba have?
Angie stood up. "Bella… what the hell is happening?"
Bella didn't answer. Her eyes narrowed as she watched the alien forces.
The Chitauri.
She recognized them immediately. Organic-mechanical hybrids, bred for war and destruction. Savage. Coordinated. Efficient. Their motherships moved like serpents through the air, their soldiers descending like locusts.
But none of this should have happened.
The events unfolding on-screen were never supposed to occur this way—not after Bella had changed Loki's trajectory. He was supposed to be isolated, unconnected from Thanos or the Chitauri.
So… how?
Her brow furrowed. Was Loki working with someone else?
Just as Bella was about to rise, a faint golden shimmer flickered in her eyes. She turned her gaze toward the distant sky—and instantly locked onto something flying toward the island.
A Quinjet.
It was approaching fast, its engines screaming. Her senses immediately picked up on it—more importantly, on the presence within.
One of them radiated rage like an inferno. The others carried focused intent. One… was familiar.
Hulk? Bella's mind connected the dots.
And then, another thought struck her. They're not heading to Cuba by accident.
"They're coming for me," she whispered.
"Bella?" Angie asked, her voice trembling now.
"I need the bathroom," Bella replied quickly, forcing a smile.
Angie raised an eyebrow. "You want company?"
"No need. I'll be back soon."
Classic excuse.
Bella knelt down beside Cosmo and whispered, "Protect Angie. If anyone comes near her… go full savage. I'll give you roasted sausages after."
WOOF! Cosmo's tail wagged like a turbine. Mission accepted.
Bella patted his head, smiled faintly, and slipped away.
---
Onboard the Quinjet, tension filled the air.
Two S.H.I.E.L.D. agents sat in the cockpit. The pilot tapped a control panel. "We're approaching the island. Ready on command."
"Confirmed," said a voice behind them.
Clint Barton—formerly known as Hawkeye—sat silently in the cabin. Fully geared, bow in hand, eyes emotionless. His pupils glowed faintly blue.
He was still under Loki's control.
Beside him sat Bruce Banner, expression unreadable. Several other agents surrounded them, including a young woman in tactical gear with a serpent tattoo crawling up her neck.
Suddenly, the woman's eyes widened. "She's here," she muttered. "She sensed us. She's fast."
The others stood at attention, weapons gripped tightly.
BOOM!
The ceiling exploded.
A figure tore through the jet like a comet, crashing through reinforced steel and landing in the cabin in a swirl of dust and raw energy.
The entire Quinjet shook violently. The alarms screamed.
Before anyone could speak, Barton reacted.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
He fired three rounds from his sidearm, aiming at the intruder's head.
All three bullets stopped midair, pinched between two fingers.
"...Bella," Barton muttered, his voice hollow.
The smoke cleared.
Standing before them was the Goddess of Judgment, clad in dark Asgardian combat armor, her long blonde hair whipping behind her, eyes glowing with golden fury.
She dropped the bullets.
"I take it," she said coldly, "you were sent to stop me."
The agents raised their weapons. Banner's breathing deepened.
The woman with the tattoo stepped forward. "Loki's orders. He said you're too dangerous."
Bella smiled. "Smart man."
"But you won't get past us," the agent added.
Bella's smile faded.
"Then I guess we do this the hard way."
Energy radiated from her body like a shockwave, cracking the walls of the Quinjet.
---
Back on the island, Angie sat alone in the tavern, watching the broadcast with a thousand thoughts racing through her mind.
Beside her, Cosmo growled lowly, his body tense.
From the beach, a strange vibration rippled through the sand.
The wind shifted.
Something had changed.
----------------------------------------------------
Get membership in patreon to read more chapters
Extra chapters available in patreon
patreon.com/Dragonscribe31
-----------------------------------------------------