News of the alien invasion and the fall of Washington spread rapidly across the internet.
Initially, people thought it was fake news spread by an unscrupulous media outlet.
That was until videos emerged showing the Dark Elves' flagship unleashing a barrage of fire, devastating Washington D.C. with overwhelming force.
At this point, people still believed it was a promotional video for some movie.
It wasn't until official media from various countries stepped in to confirm the news, urging the public to follow instructions and seek refuge in underground air-raid shelters, or to find shelter on their own, that they realized the serious situation.
At Avengers Tower, upon learning of Washington's fall, everyone quickly arrived in Washington D.C. via a portal to provide support.
Jarvis's voice sounded in Tony's suit's built-in earpiece. "Sir, Nick Fury has sent a message, marked 'Extremely Urgent'."
Tony opened it, glanced at it, and immediately informed the other combat personnel.
"Don't rush into Washington yet, Tony. If you've already set off, evacuate immediately. The military has gone mad, they're launching missiles at the alien fleet above Washington D.C. as if they're free. Among them are quite a few nuclear bombs stockpiled from the last century."
Everyone's faces showed horror, and their steps involuntarily halted.
"To eliminate invaders, they're throwing nuclear bombs at their own capital? Insane, absolutely insane." Loki exclaimed dramatically.
Thor, though silent, nodded in agreement.
They didn't know that in another timeline, they had done something even crazier—to stop Hela, they resurrected Surtur, triggered Ragnarok, and destroyed Asgard.
Natasha said, "The military truly has gone mad. Don't they know that once a nuclear bomb explodes, Washington D.C. and its surrounding areas will become a wasteland for decades, even centuries? By then, the Pentagon, across from Washington D.C., will have to relocate."
Gwen couldn't help but say, "The most urgent matter is what to do about the people in Washington."
"If a nuclear bomb explodes above Washington, even if they can escape the shockwave and thermal radiation, it will be very difficult to escape the nuclear radiation."
"Ultron, can you estimate the number of surviving civilians in Washington D.C.?"
After scanning the battlefield, Ultron gave his conclusion, "When the alien warships arrived in Washington D.C., the population within Washington D.C. was approximately 950,000."
"The alien warships' bombardment primarily targeted buildings, with an estimated 150,000 direct fatalities. However, most of the survivors are buried under the rubble. If they don't receive timely treatment, the number of casualties will rise sharply."
Wanda asked, "Can we intercept the missiles? Teleport them away with a portal spell?"
"No, the missiles are too fast, and the risk is too great. Besides, not all of us can fly."
Tony rejected Wanda's suggestion and quickly made a decision.
"Act now! Those with portal spells and those without, cooperate! Save as many people as you can!"
"Alright!"
At Tony's command, the people of Asgard, the Avengers, Gwen, Erin, Wanda, and G'iah all sprang into action.
Under Ultron's guidance, they divided into different areas, racing against time to clear the rubble, rescue the buried civilians, and teleport them away.
As they worked, countless missiles streaked across the sky, heading towards their location.
If a nuclear bomb were to explode above Washington, they would be exposed without protection to the shockwave, thermal radiation, light radiation, and nuclear radiation.
"Lord Lucas, they are your friends, aren't you going to help?" The Watcher asked.
"People won't be grateful for how many they saved, they'll only resent who they didn't save."
On a small hill, Lucas drank a glass of lemonade, pointing towards Washington D.C. and commenting on the situation.
"Watcher, do you see it? The energy of resentment is accumulating, while the energy of gratitude is scarce."
"Look, there's a person over there. He just got rescued, and he's already complaining about why Gwen didn't save him first."
The Watcher merely smiled, adding two more slices of lemon and refilling Lucas's glass with water.
Most beings in the Universe were like this, he had long grown accustomed to it.
"Lord Lucas isn't planning to intervene? That's truly a pity." The Watcher sighed.
Lucas glanced at the Watcher.
He wondered what the Watcher was pitying, he clearly had the ability to save these people too.
As if hearing Lucas's thoughts, the Watcher explained, "The Watchers swore an oath not to interfere in the affairs of the Universe, not wanting to influence the development of later civilizations. However, the life or death of these people before us has little shockwave on the development of civilization."
"Following my heart, I still hope they can survive. It's just that—"
The Watcher pointed to the Four Realms allied fleet above Washington D.C.
He implied that if he were to save these people, the Four Realms allied fleet might mistakenly believe he was a member of Earth, affecting their judgment of Earth's combat strength. This violated the Watchers' principles.
Lucas lowered his head and took another sip of lemonade.
He would act, but not now.
On the horizon, several missiles streaked across the sky, heading towards the Dark Elves' fleet. At several times the speed of sound, they were invisible to the naked eye. Their position could only be determined by the long contrails they left behind.
"Retreat! Everyone retreat!" Hill's voice rang out in all combat personnel's earpieces.
"You all go first, I can still save a few more people. I have Spider-Sense, I'll teleport away when there's danger." Gwen said firmly.
As the others successively teleported away, she frantically moved more rubble, trying to save a few more people.
"I have Spider-Sense too."
Seeing this, Erin also wanted to join in.
However, before Erin could act, Tony grabbed her.
"Erin, come back! You don't even know portal magic, why are you getting involved!"
Tony pushed and shoved, teleporting Erin away.
"Gwen, missiles are expected to hit and explode the alien fleet in one minute. Watch your time."
After a warning, Tony also teleported away.
At this point, only Gwen was still actively rescuing people in the ruins.
And Thor.
Thor felt that a mere nuclear bomb explosion's shockwave, thermal radiation, light radiation, and nuclear radiation were just like taking a bath to him.
As Tony and the others left, the people in the ruins also seemed to understand something.
Some struggled and shouted, hoping to be rescued first.
Some bowed their heads in silent mourning.
A small number of people, however, urged Gwen and Thor to leave quickly—even though they had not yet been rescued.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
A black electric arc flashed, and the six earliest arriving missiles were intercepted by the Dark Elves' fleet, exploding instantly.
(End of Chapter)
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