"They've already been lured away by the Mutant Brotherhood. None of them will make it back to New York anytime soon."
Ultron's metallic laughter echoed through the air like a corrupted radio signal. He sounded… smug. The kind of smug that made you want to unplug him permanently.
"Ultron, are you serious?" Lauf's face twisted in disbelief. "Our lives are on the line here—you better not be joking!"
"You think I joke?" Ultron clapped Lauf's shoulder with a hollow clang. "Everything's under control. Relax. That kid won't be a problem for long."
Lauf and the Destroyer exchanged looks, relief flooding their faces. "Hah! That's more like it! We knew we could count on you to take care of that human brat!"
Ryuuto scoffed, lightning crackling faintly around his hands. "A bunch of tin cans and clowns, talking big like you own the world. You think you scare me?"
He already knew time was running short, but there wasn't an ounce of hesitation in him. Even cornered, he was the type to smirk back at fate and call it names.
"Ryuuto, should I go handle the Green Goblin?" Gwen asked, tense but ready, her eyes flicking toward the chaos over the city.
Before Ryuuto could answer, Ultron raised a hand. "Leaving? Sorry, sweetheart, but the show's just getting started."
He and his goons stepped forward. Dozens of alloy-plated drones emerged from the shadows, weapon ports opening with an ominous hiss.
Ryuuto exhaled, unimpressed. "So that's your grand plan? Fine. Let's make it interesting."
He bit into his thumb. Blood beaded on his skin, glowing faintly with crimson light.
"Summoning Technique!"
A thunderous BOOM ripped through the sky.
The ground split open as something enormous erupted from the depths—a massive serpent covered in black scales and bristling with lightning. Its tongue flicked, tasting metal.
"Oi, I smell offerings," hissed Ten Thousand Snakes, its eyes glimmering gold.
The serpent lunged, tail crashing down like a meteor, instantly pulverizing a dozen drones into scrap.
"Ugh! Just metal and oil. Disgusting."
"Do me a favor and hold them off. I'll treat you to something fresh later," Ryuuto grinned.
The serpent gave a low, hungry rumble of satisfaction as Ryuuto turned to Gwen. Without a word, he grabbed her hand and vaulted into the air. They disappeared into the smoke, streaking toward the chaos ahead.
"Damn it! He's getting away!" Lauf shouted. "Ultron, move your shiny butt! We have to chase them!"
"Yes! Heimdall's death must be avenged!"
But Ultron didn't move. His glowing eyes dimmed slightly, the smirk fading into something cold.
"Do you two even have the power left to chase him?" he muttered. "We didn't come here to win today."
"What the hell does that mean!?" Lauf roared. "You dragged us into this fight for nothing?"
Ultron turned, his mechanical tone unreadable. "Not nothing. Now we know exactly how strong that kid really is."
He glanced toward the distant explosions lighting the city skyline. "Withdraw. All of you."
The drones immediately disengaged, retreating in perfect formation.
"Let's go. Don't make me repeat myself."
"Tch. You'd better not let us down, Ultron," Lauf spat, glaring as he followed.
Ultron didn't bother responding. His attention was already fixed on the storm raging miles ahead—the place where Green Goblin was making his final stand.
Across the city, the scene was chaos incarnate.
Green Goblin hovered over the skyline on his glider, cackling as dozens of Falcon-class fighter jets circled him like vultures. Below, armored riot vehicles blocked every street.
"Final warning!" a voice shouted through a megaphone. "Put down your weapon and surrender immediately, or we'll open fire!"
Goblin sneered, his face twisted in contempt. "You people never learn. Ants shouldn't shout at gods."
He tossed a pumpkin grenade, its glowing fuse painting his grin in hellish orange.
"Go back! Fall back!" officers screamed as the grenade exploded midair, showering the street in a roaring blaze.
"Command, requesting permission to engage!"
"Permission granted! Fire missiles and erase that lunatic from my sight!" the commander barked.
The sky lit up with streaks of white smoke as the jets unleashed their payloads.
Green Goblin's laughter drowned it all out. "Too slow!"
He darted between the incoming missiles, his gloves flickering with crimson light. Laser fire burst from his fingertips, slicing through the air and ripping into the jet engines.
One by one, the aircraft spiraled out of control, crashing down in flames.
The officers below could only watch in horror as their weapons failed to even touch him.
"Idiots," Goblin growled, his grin widening. "If you wanted a show, I'll give you one."
And somewhere in the distance, a crimson flash split the smoke—Ryuuto, racing straight toward him like a storm given form.