High in the sky, Ramuh suddenly moved.
With a casual sweep of his staff, the ground beneath him turned a deep, earthen brown, the transformation rapidly expanding outward until it covered a radius of nearly a hundred meters before finally stopping.
In the next instant, countless bolts of lightning erupted from the ground. Thunder like coiling dragons surged and slithered across the area, and within moments, the hundred-meter radius had become a vast sea of lightning.
Within this thunder domain, innumerable Chitauri were swallowed by the storm. Under the assault of lightning, they were reduced to dust, utterly unable to flee—many didn't even have time to scream before being wiped from existence.
Beneath the thunder sea, all life was devoured by lightning.
Ramuh lifted his gaze. The spatial rift was still pouring out vast numbers of Chitauri—Leviathans included.
He raised his staff and pointed.
At once, countless bolts of lightning obeyed his command, blanketing the rift itself. Any creature emerging from the tear was condemned the instant it reached New York, instantly disintegrated into powder.
For a time, not a single Chitauri soldier managed to emerge. On the ground, those already present were struck down one by one by falling lightning, and the Chitauri numbers across New York began to plummet at a terrifying rate.
This drastic reduction greatly eased the pressure on Tony, Steve, and the others. Their movements were no longer so restricted, and they began to gain the upper hand.
---
On the Helicarrier, Nick Fury watched the satellite feed with a grim expression. First, there had been winged, clawed monsters—now this colossal, human-shaped being. How much power did Lucas truly possess that Fury still didn't know about? And this thunderstorm was far more terrifying than the previous tempest—several times stronger. Those alien creatures didn't even stand a chance.
"Director," Hill said as she stepped forward, glancing at the apocalyptic figure on the screen. "The World Security Council is requesting a meeting."
Fury nodded. "Patch them through. I'll talk to them directly."
The video feed connected. Five council members were already waiting, and the moment they saw Fury, they spoke without hesitation.
"Director Nick Fury," a woman's voice declared, "the World Security Council has reached a decision. Effective immediately, you are relieved of your position as Director of S.H.I.E.L.D."
"I expected as much," Fury replied coldly. "You people have always made the most foolish decisions. Which is why I choose to ignore you."
He didn't bother hiding his contempt. These politicians cared nothing for the situation on the ground or civilian lives—only their so-called interests.
"Director Fury, we are aware of the situation in New York. We can immediately deploy fighter jets—"
Fury cut them off sharply. "That's Manhattan. An international hub. Have you even considered the consequences?"
Hill stood beside him, listening to every word. She had been placed at S.H.I.E.L.D. by the Council and was meant to be loyal to them, but their words filled her with disappointment—and anger.
"I will not authorize a nuclear strike on Manhattan," Fury said flatly. "There are countless civilians still there. That is absolutely unacceptable. And besides—"
He pulled another screen closer and pointed to the towering figure displayed on it.
"Do you see that? What do you think that is? After you launch a nuclear missile, are you certain you can bear that thing's wrath?"
His anger was palpable now. In that moment, Fury finally understood why Lucas distrusted S.H.I.E.L.D.—and the government—so deeply.
"I'm telling you this plainly," he continued. "With every weapon currently at our disposal, there isn't a single one capable of restraining that being. All you'll accomplish is enraging it. And the consequences of that… I doubt any of you want to see."
"Director Fury, there's no need for alarmism," an elderly man with white hair said calmly. "There is nothing a nuclear weapon cannot resolve. I believe that applies to this entity as well. Moreover, whether this unknown being may become a future threat remains uncertain. All dangers must be eliminated at the root. If your people fail to resolve this crisis, everything will be lost."
In his eyes, Ramuh—Lucas's manifestation—was also a threat, one that could be erased if necessary.
Fury let out a bitter laugh. "If you launch a nuclear missile, that is what truly becomes irreversible. And your lives will end with it. Don't say I didn't warn you."
He ended the call without waiting for a response. He had no desire to look at their detestable faces any longer.
Turning back, he focused once more on the battlefield over New York.
---
At that very moment, a fighter jet sat ready on a carrier deck, a nuclear warhead mounted beneath its wing. The pilot had already started the engines.
"Director Nick Fury has been stripped of all S.H.I.E.L.D. authority. All commands will now be issued directly by the World Security Council. Take off immediately and prepare for deployment."
The order came through the comms. The pilot donned his oxygen mask and initiated launch procedures.
As the engines roared, the jet began taxiing toward the catapult.
Boom—!
Nick Fury burst onto the deck, seized a rocket launcher, and fired a single round straight at the aircraft.
Explosion—!
One wing was blown clean off, and the jet skidded to a halt, listing violently.
But almost immediately, another fighter jet launched into the air—also armed with a nuclear warhead.
"Motherf—!" Fury snarled. "Those damned politicians are suicidal!"
He threw aside the launcher and sprinted for the command center.
"Tony! Steve! Do you copy?!" Fury shouted into the comms.
"What is it?" Tony replied from the air, dodging indiscriminate violet lightning while clearing remaining Chitauri. "Make it quick—I'm busy!"
"Tony, a fighter jet carrying a nuclear missile is heading your way. You must intercept it—no matter what!"
Fury spoke at breakneck speed. Every second increased the risk of launch.
"What?!" Tony exclaimed.
The channel was open to everyone. The moment Fury's words were heard, shock rippled through the team. They were on the verge of stopping the Chitauri—and now a nuclear strike? Were those politicians out of their minds?!
Sure enough, a fighter jet streaked in from the distance, white contrails trailing behind it. Tony immediately ordered JARVIS to lock on, then glanced at Ramuh in the sky, staff raised.
Though Ramuh possessed his own awareness, he still obeyed Lucas's will—and thus already knew what Fury had said.
Ramuh turned his head, watching the approaching jet, and also saw Stark racing toward it.
"Target area reached," the pilot reported. "Repeat, target area reached."
The bomb bay doors opened, awaiting authorization.
"Launch approved."
The order was given.
The pilot pressed the button, and the nuclear missile shot forward like an arrow loosed from the bow.
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