Chapter 11: Natasha
Natasha had to admit, Asgard was a beautiful city. The mix of shiny futuristic buildings that floated above the ground and quaint stone shops lining cobbled streets made Natasha want to go sightseeing and do some touristy shopping.
But now really wasn't the time.
Asgardian civilians ran past her, fleeing the Chitauri chariots as they swooped in over the city. The deep pounding of explosions was ceaseless, nearly drowning out the frightened cries of the people under attack.
Natasha pushed through the crowded streets, heading towards the sounds of the attack rather than away. "Go!" she yelled to the Asgardians. "Get out of here and find somewhere safe!"
She turned towards a side street as four chariots sped down it towards her and the civilians beyond. They shot up everything in their path, setting buildings alight and kicking up showers of rubble.
Natasha raised her gun and aimed at the first craft's pilot. She didn't wait to see the chariot spiral into a wall before firing at the next two crafts. They lost control and crashed. The shower of shrapnel as they exploded forced her to duck, and then the fourth one was almost on her.
Something massive and green soared over Nat's head and snatched the fourth chariot out of the air. Hulk smashed the doomed craft into the side of a building with a roar and dropped the pieces to the ground.
Natasha smiled as he faced her. "'Bout time you showed up."