Chapter 14: The Battle of Sokovia

Novi Grad, Sokovia 2015

The TARDIS materialized on a street corner near the edge of the city, which was now rising high into the air. The Doctor, Clara, and Fitz ran outside and were shocked by the scene around them. Much of the city's buildings and infrastructure had been destroyed. Rubble and fire were all that could be seen on the ground. The air was polluted with smoke and debris. Ultron's robot minions were also flying through the air. People ran for their lives through the broken streets. The Doctor, Clara, and Fitz noticed that they all seemed to be running in one direction. They followed the crowd to the very edge of the town. They could tell by the way the sky was moving that the city was still ascending. They also saw Coulson's giant S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier parked in the sky near the town. On the edge, Captain America and Black Widow were working to get civilians onto air shuttles that would transport them to the safety of the helicarrier. Two more new avengers, Scarlet Witch and Falcon, were also helping, though the Doctor didn't recognize them. The Doctor was horrified by the destruction around him. He could see why Coulson wanted him to come here and help. The Zygon threat seemed like nothing compared to this. However, the Doctor knew that when the Zygon plan was complete, the destruction could be even worse than what he was seeing now. He was wearing a wrist communicator, so that he could keep in touch with Jack Harkness and Agent Simmons in London. The communicator started to beep. Jack had a message.

"Doctor." He said. "This is Jack. We couldn't stop the Zygons in London. They got on the plane, but we got on with them. We'll get them when we land in Russia. How are things in Sokovia."

"Call back later Jack." The Doctor said. "Ultron is really doing a number on this city. It's literally flying in the air. I don't know how high it can go."

"Are the Avengers there?" Jack asked.

"Yes." The Doctor said. "I'm really busy over here Jack. Call back later."

The Doctor then hung up on Jack.

"What do we do?" Fitz asked.

The Doctor didn't answer. Instead he ran towards Captain America so that they could discuss how best to assist. The Doctor reached the Captain as he was guiding civilians into air shuttles. Clara and Fitz trailed behind.

"Hello again." The Doctor said. "How can I help?"

"Please proceed to the shuttles sir." Captain America said. "We'll get you out of here safely."

The Doctor was momentarily confused by the Captain's response until he remembered that he had regenerated since last seeing him. Clara and Fitz then arrived.

"Doctor." Clara said. "You can't just run off like that."

"Clara? Fitz?" The Captain said. "What are you doing here? Where's the Doctor?"

"This wrinkly old man is the Doctor." Clara said. "He's the same man who helped us stop the Dalek-Chitauri Invasion."

"So I'll repeat." The Doctor said. "How can I help?"

While Captain America was puzzled, he didn't have time to question it. Soon, Black Widow ran over when she caught sight of Clara and Fitz talking to Steve. They explained to her as well that the Doctor had regenerated. Falcon and Scarlet Witch, curious about what was happening that would make Captain America and Black Widow stop working, also came over. These two new Avengers were helping in the fight. Falcon, aka Sam Wilson, used his wings to fly around and help people as well as shoot at Ultron's robots. Scarlet Witch, aka Wanda Maximoff, was using her psychic powers and telekinesis to help. Natasha introduced them to the Doctor. There were other new additions to the team as well that were fighting in other sections of the city, including Vision (a powerful artificially constricted man using the power of the Mind Stone), War Machine (a friend of Tony Stark who uses a similar Iron Man suit), and Quicksilver (Wanda's brother with the power of super speed). The Avengers told the entire story of Ultron to the Doctor. The Time Lord then told the Avengers all about the Zygons, but they all agreed that this business here in Sokovia was more important at the present moment. The Avengers then received a message from Tony Stark and Thor, who were fighting with Hulk and Hawkeye in other parts of the city, saying that they needed urgent help. The four Avengers then left to help their comrades, leaving the Doctor, Clara, and Fitz to stay and help guide people onto the shuttles.

"I wonder what P.E. will have to say about this." The Doctor said.

"Who's P.E.?" Fitz asked.

"Clara's boyfriend." The Doctor said.

"His name is Danny." Clara said. "He's probably watching this on the news. He's actually in Moscow today for his friend's bachelor party."

Clara suddenly remembered that there were Zygons trying desperately to get to Moscow.

"Aren't the Zygons going there on a plane right now?" Fitz asked.

"I need to warn him!" Clara said.

"Focus on not getting killed right now." The Doctor said. "When this is over, I'm hoping the Avengers will help us."

"We'll help too." Fitz said. "I don't mean just me and Jemma. I mean the old S.H.I.E.L.D. team. May and Skye will happily help us. I know they will."

"Coulson doesn't think so." The Doctor said.

"He's got a lot on his mind." Fitz said. "We've all been through a lot recently, but I know they'll help."

"That's good to know." The Doctor said.

The Battle of Sokovia raged on for about another hour. The Doctor, Clara, and Fitz were able to successfully assist in getting civilians onto the helicarrier and then transporting themselves to the helicarrier inside the TARDIS. The Doctor refused to leave his beautiful time machine in a floating, crumbling, war zone. The Avengers were able to destroy Ultron and get out of the city before it exploded in the sky, an explosion that would have caused an extinction event if it had hit the ground. Unfortunately, Quicksilver was killed in action. After the battle, the Avengers regrouped on the helicarrier to meet with the Doctor, Clara, Fitz, and Nick Fury in order to discuss what to do next. However, the Hulk decided to abandon the team. Bruce Banner wanted to find solitary peace after the battle and flew away in a stolen quinjet. The team sat at a long table in a conference room where the TARDIS was parked to debate. The Doctor briefed them all about what was happening with the Zygons.

"Unfortunately," Fury said, "we can't have all the Avengers helping with the Zygons. Ultron just tried to wipe out mankind. We'll need some to help us deal with any aftermath of that, hunt down any spare robots that might've escaped, and deal with the press. The original Avengers have more experience, so I would think they should help with the Zygons and the newer people can stay behind."

By "newer people", Fury meant Falcon, Scarlet Witch, War Machine, and Vision. These new heroes all nodded their heads and agreed to do what Fury suggested.

"My wife is going to give birth to our third child soon and she's already stressed about the battle in Sokovia." Hawkeye said. "I need to be with her."

"We understand." Clara said. "You should be with her."

"And I will." Hawkeye said. "But I can't turn my back on my friends when they still need me. I'll help with the Zygons, but consider this my last mission."

"Me too." Iron Man said. "After this is over, I plan to leave the Avengers. I created Ultron and it almost destroyed the world, but so will these Zygons if I don't help you stop them."

"You can count on my help." Captain America said.

"And mine." Black Widow added.

"I will also assist before returning to Asgard." Thor said.

"The Zygons are on a plane to Moscow right now." The Doctor said. "Jack Harkness and Agent Simmons are already on board. They should be landing in a few hours. Good thing I have a time machine. Have a little rest and then we'll head off to Russia in the TARDIS. I know you've just done a lot with Ultron."

Clara then stepped out of the room to call Danny Pink on her cellphone. After a few rings he answered.

"What's up?" Danny asked. "Have you seen Sokovia on the news? It's devastating."

"Yes I'm very well aware actually. Are you anywhere near the Moscow airport?" Clara asked.

"Ya...How'd you know?" Danny asked.

"I didn't. I just need you to meet me there. I'll be there soon...in the TARDIS." Clara said,

"The TARDS!" Danny said. "Clara, you said you stopped traveling with him."

"I know. I'm so sorry." Clara said. "I promise I'll explain it all later and I won't lie about it. There's aliens coming to Moscow and they want to conquer the Earth. Please just meet me there and I'll tell you everything."

"Alright." Danny said. "I'll be there."

After the Avengers had some time to recuperate, they piled into the TARDIS with the Doctor, Fitz, and Clara. Fitz had been on the phone with Coulson, who said he may be able to send help, but it's unlikely, given that the situation with Jiaying has escalated and that they were now at war with the Inhumans. Nick Fury and the new Avengers watched the TARDIS fade away from the conference room on its way towards Russia, to fight the Zygons.

3W Institute 2015

From her office, Missy also watched the TARDIS disappear. Her army had grown quite sizably after the battle in Sokovia. She smiled, for soon, they would rise to attack the entire planet and no one would stand in her way. After all, even a Zygon is powerless to stop a Cyberman.