Chapter 8: Arrival in New York
The city stretched beneath him, a vast, bustling metropolis filled with life. From this height, New York looked like something out of a dream—endless roads, towering skyscrapers, and millions of people moving in every direction, unaware that he watched from above.
"I made it."
Alex hovered in place, letting the cool wind wash over him. It had been months since he had seen civilization, and the contrast between this chaotic, lively city and the frozen silence of Antarctica was almost overwhelming.
He expected to see chaos, smoke rising from burning buildings, Ultron's machines tearing through the streets. But New York was... peaceful.
"So the Ultron arc hasn't started yet."
That meant he still had time—time to plan, time to find Wanda. His heart clenched at the thought of her. Had she been safe all this time? Did she still remember him, or had the battle against Ultron already consumed her thoughts?
BOOM!
The ground trembled as a massive explosion rocked the streets. Alex's eyes widened as he turned toward the source.
A green behemoth was sent flying backward, crashing into a building and shattering concrete like it was paper.
Hulk.
Alex's breath hitched as his gaze shifted upward.
And then he saw him.
Tony Stark—Iron Man—descended from the sky in his massive Hulkbuster armor, landing with a force that cracked the pavement. The metal giant stood tall, red and gold plating gleaming under the city lights.
"Go to sleep, big guy."
Tony's voice was calm, but his stance showed urgency. This was no ordinary fight.
Alex had read about this moment in the comics, had seen it in the movies, but seeing it in real life was something else entirely.
"Holy shit... It's actually happening."
Tony's repulsors fired in rapid succession, striking Hulk in the chest and forcing the beast back. But Hulk barely flinched.
ROOOOAAAAAR!
With pure rage in his eyes, Hulk lunged, his massive fists colliding with the Hulkbuster's reinforced armor. The sheer force of the impact sent shockwaves through the street, flipping cars and shattering windows. Civilians screamed and ran for cover, desperate to escape the battle.
Alex floated above them, completely unnoticed, his presence masked by his unique bioelectric signature.
He clenched his fists as he watched Tony get tackled through a building. He wanted to help.
But he didn't.
Not because he was afraid, but because he knew how this fight ended.
This was a moment that needed to happen.
Hulk had lost control, but Tony would put him down without killing him. If Alex interfered, it could change everything.
"Tony Stark... the man who would one day save the universe at the cost of his own life."
A lump formed in his throat as he watched Tony fight with everything he had, desperately trying to subdue the Hulk without causing too much collateral damage.
He had always admired him—not just for his intelligence or his power, but for his will. Despite his flaws, despite his arrogance, Tony Stark was a man who fought for others.
"If only he knew what was coming..."
Another explosion. Another crash. The battle raged on.
Alex took a deep breath and let the wind carry him higher, away from the chaos. He had seen enough.
"This isn't my fight... not yet."
His focus now was Wanda. He had to find her before it was too late.
.