Flicker ✦ STEVE ROGERS¹ [✓]

10 | UNITED

KATO DIDN'T THINK SHE'D EVER BEEN THIS NERVOUS.

She'd never fought in any sort of major battle before. She always did random acts of kindness that would go under the radar, never fighting anyone out of fear of hurting them. But this was different. This was an enemy - one that would have no problems with killing her and the team if they got the chance. Which meant that Kato would have to do something she hadn't done in four years. She would have to kill.

And that scared the hell out of her.

"Let's do a head count here."

Tony's voice through her earpiece caught Kato's attention. The team was in the quinjet, speeding over Manhattan as they raced towards Stark Tower. Well, the others were in the quinjet. Kato was flying beside the quinjet, keeping pace with it as the aircraft sped through the city. And even though the wind whistled in her ears, she could hear every single word of Tony's conversation with Loki. Thankfully, their plan to distract Loki seemed to be working so far. Kato just hoped Tony's signature humor wouldn't backfire and get them all killed.

"Your brother, the demigod," Tony went on. "A super soldier, a living legend who kind of lives up to the legend; a man with BREATHTAKING anger management issues; a woman who's so strong she could give the Hulk a run for his money; a couple of master assassins, and you, big fella, you've managed to piss off every single one of them."

"That was the plan," Loki replied smugly.

"Not a great plan," Tony said. "When they come - and they will - they'll come for you."

"I have an army."

"We have a Hulk."

Kato couldn't help shake her head at the billionaire's words. Even though Loki didn't know it (or at least she hoped he didn't), Tony was bluffing at this point. Neither Bruce nor the Hulk were anywhere to be found; who knew how far away they were at that point. Not to mention Thor was gone, too - most likely either trapped somewhere or dead. Two members of the group were missing, and they needed all hands on deck if they wanted to win.

"I thought the beast had wandered off," Loki said.

"You're missing the point," Tony said firmly. "There's no throne, there is no version of this where you come out on top. Maybe your army comes and maybe it's too much for us, but it's all on you. Because if we can't protect the Earth, you can be damned well sure we'll avenge it."

Kato shook her head, this time with a smile. "Good one, Shellhead."

"Kato," Steve said through Kato's earpiece, catching her attention. "Are you absolutely sure you're up for this?"

"For the last goddamn time, Steve," Kato said, rolling her eyes. "I'm fine. So please stop asking, or I swear to god I will take your shield and shove it up your ass. And trust me, it is possible."

"How would that even work?" Clint asked, more so to himself than to Kato.

Kato shook her head. "You don't wanna know."

"Uh, hello?!" Tony's voice sounded in their ears, catching Kato's attention. "Earth-to the Avengers! I don't know if you remember, but in case you forgot, we have ALIENS to deal with!"

Clint and Natasha quickly piloted the quinjet forward without another word. Then, when Kato looked out the window, her eyes went wide and her jaw dropped. She couldn't believe what she was seeing.

"Holy shit," Kato said softly.

A beam of sky blue light had shot up from the top of Stark tower, and a swirling blue hole was torn into the sky. The portal quickly expanded, and moments later the Chitauri poured out of it, unleashing on the New Yorkers that filled the streets. The blasts ravaged across the city, blowing up cars and setting storefronts aflame. An explosion ripped out the windows of the top corners of buildings, flame and stone rained down, and a domino-effect of explosions rippled across the bridge.