Natasha was struggling against an Ultron sentry. Captain America rushed over, throwing his shield and shouting, "Romanoff!"
"Thanks!" Natasha acknowledged, grateful for the assist. She whipped her Widow's Bite around another sentry's neck, restricting its movement, then used the recovered shield to block a third robot's attack.
As the third robot lunged, Natasha ducked, simultaneously slamming the shield into its foot. Before it could recover and strike, she thrust the shield into its face, staggering it backward.
Seeing Captain America beside her, she immediately tossed the shield back to him. He leaped, catching the shield mid-air, and brought it down with the added force of gravity onto the sentry's head, finishing it off.
Everyone was fighting with all their might, and Tony Stark was no exception. He was constantly searching for a way to foil Ultron's plan.
"The anti-gravity engines will reverse! If triggered, they will generate a reverse thrust! The city will fall rapidly!" Friday's analysis was delivered in her usual, even tone, but the information was dire.
Tony grimaced. "Damn it." He needed a solution, and fast.
He began to brainstorm aloud. "The core is vibranium! If I had Thor strike it..."
But Friday interrupted before he could finish the thought. "It would fracture! It wouldn't solve the problem! The impact would still be devastating!"
Tony didn't give up. "Maybe we could contain one end! Double the atomic activity and send it back!"
Friday immediately warned him of the consequences. "That would vaporize the city! Including everyone on it!"
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"Oh! my god! Is Tony Stark going to destroy the entire town? What about the people on it?"
"Damn Ultron! Damn bastard!!!"
"Oh my! This is terrible! There are so many people up there! The Avengers are still fighting up there too!"
"I hope they can solve this safely!"
"God bless! Amen!"
Countless people watching the sky curtain began to curse Ultron or pray for the residents and Avengers above to return safely.
Even J. Jonah Jameson's Daily Bugle, always eager for a sensational story, published articles about how Tony Stark was going to solve the Sokovia crisis and speculation on what would happen.
Toby's Spider-Man laid today's newspaper on the table. He also felt he was powerless. Even if he had been in this scenerio, he wouldn't have been much of a help.
Because even Otto and the first generation Connors had to admit that blowing up the entire city's land mass was the best response, followed by sending the land directly away from the Earth, so that it would never return!
Apart from these two methods, even if Tony used some method to make it land slowly on the Earth, it would still cause a huge disaster. A slight earthquake would be inevitable.
More seriously, it might also cause various disasters, and even the extinction of surface organisms. Otto believed that Tony would never take such a risk, and besides, time was running out.
The altitude of Sokovia was obviously getting higher and higher, the oxygen content was gradually decreasing, and the temperature was also constantly decreasing. If this continued, even if the destruction plan was not implemented, the people above would not be able to hold on for long and would die from lack of oxygen and cold.
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Captain America, having cleared the enemies in his immediate area, began directing civilians to safety. He contacted Tony. "The next wave could hit any time. What's your play, Stark?"
"My play? I have a bad play. Maybe we blow the city before it hits the ground. Assuming you can evacuate everyone." Tony's voice was grim, the weight of the situation pressing down on him.
Captain America's response was immediate and unwavering. "I asked for a solution, not an escape plan!" He was still clinging to the hope of a miracle, a way to save everyone.
Tony pressed the point, the reality inescapable. "The destruction radius is increasing! We have to make a choice!"
Natasha, overhearing their conversation, interjected. "Captain! These people can't leave! If Stark blows up the city..."
Captain America cut her off, his voice resolute. "Everyone has to be safe!"
Natasha understood his intent perfectly. She posed the stark question. "Are we saving the people up here, or the people down there? It's not a hard choice!"
But Captain America was steadfast. "As long as there's anyone up here, I'm not leaving!"
Natasha tilted her head slightly. "I didn't say we should leave. It's not a bad way to die, all things considered."
Captain America looked back at her, and they shared a somber moment, gazing up at the clouds above.
"Wow! Where else are you going to see a view like this?" Natasha remarked, a touch of bittersweet awe in her voice, acknowledging that this might be the last sight they ever saw.
Just as they were resigned to sharing Sokovia's fate, a voice boomed out, cutting through the tension. "Glad you like the view, Romanoff! It's about to get better!"
Their eyes widened in disbelief as a massive shape ascended from below, slowly revealing itself.
The sheer scale of the arrival couldn't be missed. Everyone still on Sokovia—civilians and Avengers alike—turned to look in the direction of Nick Fury's voice.
Pietro, his face lighting up with surprised hope, immediately began sprinting towards the nearest concentration of civilians!
"Nice, right? I pulled her out of mothballs with a few old friends. She's a little dusty, but she'll do!" Nick Fury stood in the command center of the Helicarrier, a faint smile playing on his lips. Behind him, countless agents bustled with activity.
Captain America, squinting at the Helicarrier, smiled with relief and a touch of exasperation. "Fury! You son of a bitch!"
"Ohoho! You kiss your mother with that mouth?" Fury chuckled, a hint of his old swagger returning. He remembered a certain someone telling people not to swear.
Maria Hill, seated at a console, reported. "Altitude is 5500 meters! And climbing!"
"Deploy lifeboats, prepare for deployment! Three! Two! One! Deploy!" A young handsome officer ordered, numerous lifeboats launched from the sides of the Helicarrier, heading towards various locations on Sokovia.
Pietro, standing before Captain America and the others, watched the scene unfold, a sense of awe washing over him. "Is this S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
Captain America, his voice calm and steady, affirmed. "This is what S.H.I.E.L.D. is supposed to be."
"This is...pretty good," Pietro admitted, nodding his head. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s arrival at this critical juncture had dramatically increased his opinion of the organization.
Seeing the lifeboats approaching, Captain America gave a quick, decisive order. "Get everyone on board!" He then turned and sprinted towards the building behind him, ready to continue the evacuation.