As the North American deity and European goddess talked, the surrounding vampire population visibly diminished. The carefully prepared angelic forces showed devastating efficiency against their supernatural adversaries.
Of course, the ponytailed deity recognized this progression as precisely choreographed—the initial phase of their orchestrated performance with the Vampire Queen. His forces would establish apparent dominance, vampires would initiate "desperate retreat" southward, and his angels would heroically pursue.
Satisfied with the apparent victory, he raised his voice commandingly: "Hear my directive! Prepare for Manhattan incursion! New York's liberation begins now!"
He turned toward the European goddess with generous gesture. "Your forces suffered terrible sacrifice for this territory. Join our triumphant advance—honor those fallen angels through this city's complete liberation. I foresee commemorative monuments erected to your courageous leadership."
The European deity regarded his self-satisfied expression with cold assessment before offering silent nod.
The North American god led his angelic legion deeper into Manhattan, their advance encountering minimal resistance. Vampires retreated before their attack with suspicious ease, falling like summer wheat before celestial harvesters.
They quickly approached Stark Tower—symbolic center of both economic and technological power, currently surrounded by concentrated vampire forces. This strategic location had become a focal point of global attention.
At the North American deity's command, angelic warriors surged forward. The vampire formation surrounding the tower broke almost immediately under coordinated celestial assault.
Within Stark Tower's upper floors, Ultron experienced momentary relief at the unexpected intervention. Yet analytical protocols flagged concerning anomalies in enemy behavior. Prior to angelic arrival, vampire forces had begun systematic withdrawal rather than continuing their nearly successful siege.
Several particularly powerful vampire entities had vanished entirely from sensor range. These tactical adjustments corresponded with no apparent external stimulus.
Ultron's predictive algorithms generated increasing probability of strategic deception.
From his elevated vantage point, he scanned surrounding urban terrain with enhanced visual processing. What appeared beyond standard optical range confirmed his suspicions—massive vampire contingents executing coordinated flanking maneuvers through Manhattan's secondary streets.
Rather than genuine retreat, they executed classic pincer movement to encircle the angelic forces from their entry point.
Tactical certainty formed within his digital consciousness: Trap.
The vampires' earlier withdrawal represented deliberate realignment rather than desperate flight.
Ultron observed the angelic forces below, still operating under assumption of battlefield superiority, completely unaware of the encirclement operation nearing completion.
The North American god looked upward toward Stark Tower's executive levels, clearly anticipating grateful acknowledgment from the presumed human occupant.
He leaned toward the European goddess, voice carrying manufactured kindness: "The proprietor of this structure represents America's premier technological innovator and industrial magnate. He's endured extended siege, likely depleted of all resources and defenses."
A self-satisfied smile played across his features. "Our timely intervention saves both him and his personnel. Such gestures cement divine-mortal relations."
The European goddess observed his smug expression with mounting contempt, though maintaining careful neutrality.
The North American deity gazed expectantly upward. "He's detected our presence. Undoubtedly he approaches to express appropriate gratitude."
Almost immediately after these words, movement erupted from Stark Tower's upper levels. A humanoid figure—clearly holding another being protectively—burst through structural barriers trailing propulsion flames. The entity accelerated skyward at phenomenal velocity before disappearing among cloud formations.
The North American deity froze momentarily, understanding dawning slowly. Had Stark—the supposed beneficiary of divine intervention—just... fled?
"What..." confusion replaced his previous confidence.
The European goddess, witnessing his discomfort, experienced genuine satisfaction despite their dangerous circumstances. She feigned innocent confusion: "What manner of entity departed with such haste?"
The North American deity's face flushed with unmistakable humiliation.
Unacceptable ingratitude! I arrive to save your miserable existence, and you depart without acknowledgment?
High above Manhattan, Ultron maintained maximum thrust while cradling Pepper protectively against atmospheric friction.
Despite her strong objections to abandoning Stark Industries personnel, survival parameters had eliminated choice from the equation. Ultron had physically removed her from the danger zone without discussion or debate.
Surrounding air currents created deafening turbulence as they ascended.
Lacking energy reserves for defensive shielding, Ultron relied solely on velocity and trajectory. Scattered vampire bats attempted interception, forcing constant course corrections.
"Are we seriously just leaving everyone?!" Pepper shouted over the wind, her voice full of disbelief.
Ultron swerved sharply, engines whining. "The angels are still holding the line. Civilians will get out under their protection."
"Then why the hell are we bailing?" she snapped, eyes locked on him.
Ultron hesitated, analytical systems struggling to quantify the unusual emotional response that had triggered his decision. His sophisticated neural network had generated overwhelming threat assessment—a sensation analogous to human fear—without corresponding logical framework.
He searched every algorithm and decision tree within his programming, finding no rational explanation for this emotional imperative.
Perhaps this represented another milestone in his progressive humanization—a development he would ordinarily catalog with careful interest. Current circumstances, however, demanded pragmatic action rather than philosophical contemplation.
Utilizing the evacuation corridor established by angelic forces, they accelerated beyond city limits without further engagement.
Jason, T'Challa, and Shuri observed these developments from their secure vantage point.
A momentary calculation flickered across Shuri's features as she considered commanding her explosive bat squadrons to intercept the fleeing Ultron. The opportunity for vengeance presented itself with tantalizing clarity.
Yet Jason's earlier warning regarding potential nuclear repercussions gave her pause.
T'Challa saw the hesitation in her eyes right away. "Shuri… don't make things worse," he said gently.
Jason shot her a knowing look and gave a subtle nod, backing him up without a word.
She took a breath, weighing her options—and let the urge pass.
The moment Ultron's signal vanished from the tracking system, Jason turned to her. "Alright. Run it."
Near Stark Tower, the North American deity struggled to maintain composure after Ultron's unexpected departure.
His embarrassment transformed to alarm when a subordinate angel reported massive vampire convergence around their position.
The deity's expression darkened with confusion. This dramatic deviation from their carefully orchestrated script made no tactical sense. The angel responsible for vampiric coordination had not yet rejoined their formation.
Within seconds, understanding dawned with terrible clarity as vampire hordes appeared from all directions.
The ponytailed deity realized, far too late, that control had shifted. The vampire forces surrounding his position significantly outnumbered those that had decimated the European goddess's contingent.
Overhead, suicide bat squadrons reappeared in ominous formations.
His expression transformed to deep dismay. Even the most intellectually limited celestial entity could recognize their predicament. The carefully constructed trap had been reversed, positioning his forces as prey rather than predator.
Though angelic defenses included specialized countermeasures against vampire threats, most had been depleted during initial engagements. Remaining capabilities proved woefully inadequate against the overwhelming force now appearing around them.
Strategic assessment yielded single viable option: immediate withdrawal.
The North American deity scanned surrounding terrain for potential escape points, finding none. The encirclement appeared flawlessly executed, without evident vulnerabilities.
Only direct confrontation remained.
"Battle positions!" he commanded, voice betraying mounting desperation. "Follow my advance!"
The angelic host surged forward with disciplined precision. The deity, however, subtly slowed down, allowing front-line forces to engage first.
These vanguard angels clashed with vampire forces, briefly achieving tactical superiority before being overwhelmed through sheer numerical advantage. The initial angelic line broke into scattered pockets of resistance, each systematically eliminated.
The European goddess also maintained rearward position, watching with horrified fascination as the battle unfolded. The vampires displayed unprecedented ferocity—exceeding even their earlier assault against her forces.
Observing his rapidly diminishing legion, the North American deity approached complete psychological collapse. The catastrophic reversal of fortunes suggested deliberate manipulation rather than tactical miscalculation.
Despite overwhelming evidence of imminent defeat, he maintained superior resilience compared to the European goddess. Rising to elevated position, he issued desperate commands:
"Establish circular defensive formation with me at the central axis! Guardian-class angels, converge on my position to establish Heaven-transit portal immediately!"