As they approached Stark Tower, the fighting intensified. The streets were a battlefield, with Chitauri ships raining down energy blasts while the Avengers fought to hold the line. Iron Man flew overhead, firing at the Chitauri with repulsor blasts. Captain America was on the ground, shield raised as he coordinated SHIELD agents and police forces to defend the streets.
"We need to get to Stark," Metis said, his eyes locked on the towering figure of Iron Man as he zipped through the sky. "He's the key to stopping this."
"Easier said than done," Natasha replied, glancing up as another wave of Chitauri descended from the skies.
Metis didn't waste time. He sprinted forward, firing as he ran. Natasha was right behind him, covering their flank as they pushed toward the tower's entrance. Chitauri soldiers landed in front of them, but Metis's system was already feeding him tactical information, predicting their movements before they even made them.
He ducked under an energy bolt, rolled forward, and fired a shot directly into a Chitauri's head. The alien fell before it could even react. Natasha took out another with a quick burst from her pistols, then kicked a third into the side of a car before finishing it off with a headshot.
Chitauri Unit Defeated: +100 XP.
Chitauri Unit Defeated: +75 XP.
They reached the base of Stark Tower just as Iron Man landed hard in front of them, his suit battered but functional. He looked up, eyes glowing behind his helmet's visor.
"Good timing," Tony said, repulsor cannons already primed. "Could use some backup up there. Loki's not exactly making it easy."
Metis nodded. "We're here to help."
Tony glanced at Natasha. "Get him to the portal, then. Loki's too busy with me."
"On it," Natasha replied without missing a beat.
Together, the three of them moved into the tower. Inside, chaos reigned. Chitauri soldiers filled the space, their weapons firing in all directions as they tried to hold off the Avengers. The walls were cracked, the floors littered with debris.
Iron Man took point, leading the charge as they fought their way through. Metis and Natasha followed close behind, covering him and taking out Chitauri soldiers as they went. The system hummed in Metis's mind, feeding him tactical data as they moved.
Chitauri Unit Defeated: +100 XP.
Level Up: Level 9 Achieved.
They reached the upper floors, where the portal to the Chitauri's realm was still wide open, swirling with energy. Loki stood in the middle of the room, his eyes gleaming with triumph as he held the scepter in his hand.
"This ends now, Loki!" Tony shouted, raising his repulsor cannons.
Loki turned slowly, a smile playing on his lips. "Oh, I don't think so, Stark."
Metis's system flared in his mind, warning him of imminent danger. He moved, grabbing Natasha and pulling her out of the way just as Loki raised the scepter and fired a blast of energy. The floor cracked, sending chunks of debris falling into the levels below.
"Get him!" Tony yelled as he flew toward Loki, repulsor cannons blazing.
Metis didn't hesitate. He darted forward, his system guiding him through the chaos as he closed the distance between him and Loki. Natasha moved in tandem, her guns trained on the Asgardian trickster.
Loki smirked. "Futile."
But Metis had learned to trust his system, and as Loki raised the scepter for another attack, Metis fired. The shot wasn't meant to hit Loki—it was meant to knock the scepter from his hand. The plan worked. Loki stumbled, momentarily disarmed.
"Now!" Metis shouted.
Tony fired, and the room exploded in light as Loki was blasted across the floor, the scepter clattering away from him.
Natasha rushed forward, grabbing the scepter before Loki could recover. "Got it."
Metis moved to her side, his system still buzzing with the energy of the fight. "Let's shut this portal down."
With Natasha holding the scepter and Stark focusing on containing the Chitauri, the final phase of the battle was about to begin.