Avengers: Infinite Wars

by free man writer

The Clone Wars are in full swing with the galaxy divided. The Jedi lead the clone army against the infinite droid army of the Separatists. Yet a wild card enters the fray. The Avengers. From there, newer, more sinister and deadlier threats emerge and The Galaxy, no, the universe, shall never be the same again. Phase 3. Co-written by Jebest4781.

61. Rising Tension

And here we are with arc number three of season three.

Getting along with these arcs quite nicely, nice progression overall.

Now then, gonna say this right out the gate.

This will only be two chapters.

Last three arcs were essentially four to five chapters each and its a boatload of crap to go through.

47, 48, 49 and 50 was the season 2 closer and Ultron's coming out party.

51, 52, 53, 54 and 55 Dr. Strange origin and Earth catch up

56, 57, 58, 59 and 60 Anthology and Wanda mini arc.

Why did I list out the numbers? To accentuate the GIRTH of the three arcs Jeb and I just went through.

This time around, lot shorter and simpler.

However, as the season and story goes on, these massive arcs will become more commonplace, especially with what we're building up to. So much work to do.

Also READ THIS PART HERE IMPORTANT NOTICE AND CLARIFICATION.

So, this isn't really a spoiler by any stretch, more over being a slight timeline fill in. Whilst the previous arc focused on what the lost Avengers were doing, the reason Jeb and I put so much focus on Wanda in particular is…

A: She had the biggest story to tell amongst the three

B: This was an arc we had planned post Wandavision and

C: Her arc took place at the same time as when ULTRON MADE HIS MOVE.

So to put it plainly, no help came to Dathomir or were aware of what was going on despite Zalem's plans cause the entire galaxy was in the middle of survival mode from Ultron's offensive. Neither Jedi or Sith detected what happened on Dathomir because there was a monumental oh SHIT disturbance in the Force/Galaxy. Fear and panic literally made it sore of impossible for them to feel the problems going on upon the planet Dathomir.

Yeah, now that that's out of the way, let's continue.

Let's get to it then.

Rate Read and Review and as Always Have Nice Day.

Avengers Infinite Wars Chapter 61: Rising Tension

"We're still on rotation for the most part but cleanup has been our main priority. After Jabiim, Ultron has gone dark with only smattering reports of him cropping up."

"Are you sure it is wise for you to be moving about as you are, Matt? Were you not injured too long ago?"

"I'll be fine, Chirrut." Matt Murdock, Lawyer by day and Devil of Hell's Kitchen by Night said in a calm fashion. "This isn't my first rodeo."

"But it is your first war." Said a more gruff tone with a tired tinge to it.

"Isn't it for all in this galaxy?" Matt said in return. "At least we're still standing, Baze."

"What was that phrase you told us?" The gruff warrior asked in slight amusement. "Count your blessings?"

"Seeing as I was raised to be a good Catholic boy, it's a phrase that's been drilled into my head." Matt remarked.

Chirrut Imwe hummed aloud, corners of his mouth curling upwards. "I hope your friends are doing well. Have they all recovered?"

"For the most part. Captain Rogers was released from the medical wing of the temple a week ago. The rest of us are all up to shape." Matt stated. "But what's this you said about Jedha calling in unexpected help?"

"Ah yes, the Mandalorian Protectors." Chirrut remarked. "A number of high ranking individuals on Jedha believed that with how the galaxy is on edge, it would be optimal in bringing in the best help one can find."

"And they're not alone." Baze added in. "We did not get many Mandalorians but that's due to who accompanied them. A new group of mercenaries that have been calling themselves The Ravagers."

"The Ravagers?" Matt repeated. "They sound… unique."

"Not the most inviting name, yes, but their actions speak for themselves." Chirrut said with a small smirk. "They appear to be working partners with the Protectors and have been assisting in keeping a semblance of peace."

"Semblance being the key word." Baze cut in. "Everything's hanging off the edge of a vibroblade. Anything remotely wrong and-"

"Panic, mass hysteria." Matt finished with a low voice. "I'm amazed we haven't already gotten it yet."

"People understand more than they let on when it is needed." Chirrut stated. "I feel it. The feeling that if they are to revolt and panic, things will only become far more dire. But… Baze is right. It hangs on a thread."

"It's no better here." Matt stated. "Every day I hear the Senate halls are filled with the sound of politicians yelling at each other on what to do after this whole Ultron mess."

"They are dealing with a new enemy outside their understanding." Chirrut remarked. "An enemy that plays to no side."

"That's one way of putting a genocidal, extinction-oriented murder machine." Murdock wryly commented.

"Mass extinction." Baze repeated in a troubled voice. "Is this truly what this Ultron wants?"

"This isn't his first attempt." Matt revealed, startling his two friends. "Back on my home world, he came uncomfortably close to accomplishing his goal. And that has in the span of a few days. If Ultron has been here since the arrival of the Avenger…"

"Dark times are coming." Chirrut gravely said. "I fear even the Force will not be able to tell us what's to come."

There was a moment of silence between the three of them as the overwhelming sense of foreboding permeated around them and across the galaxy itself.

Since Ultron's initial attack on the galaxy followed by his victory on Jabiim, that's all the galaxy was feeling.

Terror coupled with the fear of what was to come.

Matt let out a sigh, breaking the silence as he tapped his walking stick upon the ground several times.

"I guess I can only say for us to stay in touch, keep one another updated for whatever happens."

"Seems like that's all we can do." Baze grunted in agreement.

"We shall stay in touch my friend." Chirrut promised. "If anything happens…"

"I'll let you know. You do the same."

"Take care Matt." Baze said with a small salute before he and Chirruts' holo-transmissions blinked out.

The blind lawyer of Brooklyn could only shake his head as he turned to leave the room.

'How did it come to this?' Matt mentally asked himself.

A few months ago, he was on Earth taking out small time thugs and one big crime lord. Then he got up and was recruited by the Avengers of all people and then he found himself smack dab in the middle of a galactic war.

He wasn't sure where that last part in the brochure Stark spoke of was supposed to be when he was first brought in to join Earth's Mightiest Heroes.

The Devil of Hell's Kitchen briefly recalled an old mentor of his, Stick and how he once spoke of a war to come. He was fairly certain that this wasn't the war he spoke of.

Folding away his walking stick, Matt walked down the halls of the Jedi temple to the rooms that had been given to him and the rest of his friends and comrades to stay in.

He had passed by a number of Jedi, nodding to several of them who greeted him before his ears perked up upon hearing a familiar set of voices at the room he was headed towards.

"Are you sure you don't want any help?" Asked a female voice with clear worry in her tone. "I know how busy you've been and I just feel like-"

"Babe, don't worry about it." A male voice said in response, holding an assuring tone. "You've got your own set of problems and people that need you and I got my own. If I do need any help, you'll be the first one I call… after the Avengers, Jedi and Republic army."

"Sam~~" The woman's voice whined, eliciting a laugh from the avian Avenger.

Matt couldn't help but smile to himself upon hearing this.

The small exchange went on for several more moments until something on the woman's side called her attention.

"Oh, I need to take care of this." She said. "Will I see you later tonight?"

"Promised, didn't I?"

Though he couldn't see it, Matt assumed the lady Sam was speaking with was positively beaming.

"I love you." She said sincerely and Murdock had to hold back a coughing laugh from hearing Sam mumble an earnest 'I love you too' back at her.

Smirking to himself, he knocked on the door before it opened up.

"Matty."

"Sam." Matt greeted him with a nod. "Was that Dani? Heard her voice just a second ago."

Sam squirmed which brought an amused smile to the blind lawyer. He coughed into his hand and murmured in confirmation that it was indeed Dani.

Not that he needed it with his super hearing and all.

After Sam and the group he had journeyed with to save Steve returned to Coruscant, the Avengers were met with the amusing sight of a rather attractive pink skinned alien practically pouncing on Sam and smothering him with kisses. Apparently she had been worried sick about Sam not contacting her and didn't give a chance to answer as she just kept kissing him.

Peter seemed to be aware of the woman as she greeted him kindly enough after breaking away from Wilson. She was rather excited in meeting the Avengers team given how she was chatting animatedly to each one.

When asked who she was in relation to Sam, Dani jumped into his arms, surprising him slightly and proclaimed herself to be his girlfriend.

The Avengers were slightly surprised upon Sam not declining the notion and he stated he actually has grown to truly care for Dani.

This of course was met with more open displays of affection from the woman.

Her species being called Zeltron were apparently known for their very public showings of affection for the people they've grown to care for.

They are known to produce pheromones to people that they're attracted to and it was a rather fairy tale moment so to speak when Dani spoke of how she met Sam.

During the rampage of the Zillo Beast, one of the large creatures' limbs struck a balcony she was standing on and Sam swooped in to catch her.

The reaction was almost instantaneous as she described how manly, majestic and heroic he looked in catching her like a maiden in a story book of old.

That only added more fuel to the fire on means in which to make fun of Sam now who saw this on the face of his friends upon seeing the way Dani acted around him.

Though from the comments Matt heard, the aviator had nothing to be ashamed of as, in Rhodey's own words, she was "stupidly hot and attractive. Something out of every man's fantasy."

So some semblance of Sam's pride returned.

"She was just checking up on me." Sam said off handedly.

"She seems to do that quite often." Matt noted with a small smirk.

"Yeah…" Sam rubbed his neck and Murdock detected his flushed face and lips twitching upwards. "She's real sweet about it."

"Have you taken her out on a date by any chance?"

"Four." Sam stated. "All of them ended up in bed."

Matt quirked a brow at that. "Are you not certain that she's not just being with you for-"

"That's what I thought at first." Sam cut him off before he finished. "But… apparently she's more than that."

Daredevil remained silent, signifying for Sam to further elaborate.

"She actually does something I've done on Earth." Wilson spoke with a fond look and tone. "Since this war began, she's met with some refugees and even Clones and other soldiers from certain planets and let them talk about the things they've seen in the war. Helping through it all."

"Like your old work at the VA in DC." Matt said, recalling a previous conversation he had with Sam about what he did before joining the Avengers.

"Yeah, it is." Sam said with approval. "She's got a good heart. Cares a lot for people and likes helping them."

"Like you."

Sam shook his head, appearing a bit bashful. "Don't think I'm all that helpful."

"Saving the world from HYDRA and being an Avenger while also helping a Veterans support group is what I would consider extremely helpful and beneficial to the world." Matt countered in a tone he would normally reserve for a courtroom.

Sam stared at the Manhattan native before guffawing slightly. "That was your Lawyer's voice, wasn't it?"

Matt simply adjusted his tie and cleared his throat while his lip twitched upwards. "I will neither confirm nor deny such a statement, Mr. Wilson."

Falcon only snorted at the response. "Should have figured you'd say that."

Daredevil simply hummed for a moment before "looking" about so to speak.

"Where is everyone?" He asked with Sam shrugging.

"Around." He vaguely said. "I know Rhodey and Pietro are out in the city, least I think they are. Nat's with Steve, Scott and Hope. Peter is… I dunno where the kid went off to and T'challa was meditating I think."

Matt simply nodded.

"We also got a meeting later on with the Jedi." Sam brought up. "Take a guess as to what the purpose of it is."

"Ultron."

"Ultron."

Matt let out a tired sigh.

"Wonder when it'll be anything else but him."

"Hey now, we still dove headfirst into a war in a galaxy."

"I don't think most of us technically had all that much of a say in it."

"Still, we got ourselves involved." Sam crossed his arms with a conflicted look. "Not sure if that was the right decision."

"Did you even have a decision at first?" Matt inquired with Sam thinking back to when he woke up on the planet of Naboo with Steve and Scott.

The aviator shook his head. "No, I think that choice was made for us when we saw those walking tin cans attack an innocent town."

Murdock grimaced at the thought of the innocent being caught up in war, something that only deepened at the self-reminder of Ultron's attack on the whole damn galaxy.

"You gonna join the meeting today with the Jedi and Troops?" Sam asked the blond lawyer who shook his head.

"I think I'll take some time for myself." Matt said. "Meditate. Take in the moment of respite we have before things go to shit."

Wilson snorted. "You're not wrong. I'll see ya later Matty."

Daredevil nodded and turned to leave.

Separating from Falcon, Matt went elsewhere having no destination in mind.

Wandering for some time, hearing more commotion here and there from passing clones and Jedi, he needed a better place to clearly think.

It wasn't long before getting to the temple gardens as it's perhaps one of the few open places where a sense of serenity is present. Not because of the Force, but out of respect.

It would be there would he run into another teammate of his, who was relaxing by one of the bigger trees in the vicinity.

"Prince T'challa."

"Matthew." The Royal heir of Wakanda said with a small nod and grin. "Have I not asked you to refer to me only by my name?"

"Force of habit." Matt responded airily. "Comfortable."

"I am." The Prince admitted with a calming exhale. "This area reminds me of the gardens back home in Wakanda."

"I'd say this is a lot like Central Park, only far more cleaner even with Manhattan's best efforts in keeping it clean."

"I'd be inclined to agree with you but that would be showing my bias towards home." T'challa freely admitted.

Matt snorted and opted to seat himself next to the Prince.

"Didn't feel like we have much time to talk." Matt said.

"Hmmm?"

Matt gestured to seemingly nothing. "Just as soon as you came back we rushed off to Jabiim, fought a losing battle then Cap needed rescuing while the galaxy continued to burn."

T'Challa momentarily gazed at his friend, adopting a contemplative look.

"Hmmm, I do suppose you are correct in this regard." The Prince mused aloud. "We didn't really have all that much time to talk about what we can even do out here other than battle after battle."

"There's much honestly that-"

"...Is something amiss, Matthew?" T'challa asked, brow raised at how the blind man went silent and inclined his right ear upward.

"Huh…" Was Matt's response after a few seconds. "I wonder how long he has been up there."

"Who?"

"Someone I think the two of us should talk to." Murdock said plainly. "Do you mind coming with me, T'challa? I believe he could use some friends to speak with."

"If it seems that important to you." The Prince of Wakanda said with a nod, now walking alongside Murdock. "But I would like to know who it is you're referring to."

Elsewhere…

Peter Parker sat at the edge atop the roof of the Jedi Temple being directly above the primary entrance to the building.

He gazed out at the Coruscant skyline with his knees propped up to his chest, arms wrapped around them and head resting atop his forearms.

The Queens native had a melancholy expression as his eyes lazily drifted about at the multitude of ships flying about in the air.

His gaze then drifted over a number of locations with a high concentration of transports, cranes, republic citizens, Clones and even some Jedi hard at work in cleaning up debris that still was still visibly scattered across the city planet.

The web head had actually spotted War Machine once or twice flying about and the silver-blue blur of Quicksilver running around assisting the cleanup.

From what he's heard from his friends in the Clone Coruscant guard, cleanup will be taking a while due to just how extensive of an attack Ultron pulled off.

Honestly… it wasn't the damage that rattled Peter.

It was the constant, seemingly endless stream of bodies that kept being found and immediately placed in a body bag or casket once found.

He had been helping since his recovery from Jabiim though for today, he just wanted time for himself.

Just a day where he can be alone with his thoughts which were filled with everything he had gone through and what he had left behind.

All in all, doin' great.

Letting out a sigh, Peter pulled out his phone and turned it on, going over to images to sift through some old pictures.

He couldn't help himself as he immediately went to one of the oldest images that he still had.

It was of him a month before he got his powers seated at a cafe in Manhattan with a laughing Aunt May on his left and a smiling Uncle Ben on his right.

This was one of the last few times the three of them spent time together.

Peter smiled at the old picture before scrolling through his collection.

Him and Ben at the Museum.

Aunt May making a small celebration for the start of his sophomore year.

His best friend Ned Leeds and him holding up a new chemistry set.

Getting a great image of a grinning Stark, an amused Clint Barton and a neutral but slightly smiling Matt Murdock.

Eventually the photo album went into the newer entries of his time in the foreign galaxy. The handful of worlds he's visited, the people and locations he interacted with.

Whilst these were quite enjoyable, filling him with tales which shall last a lifetime, a sense of sadness glossed over them in a way.

"So this is where you've been all day."

Peter barely tilted his head before seeing Matt Murdock casually seat himself to the right of the teen.

"Something on your mind, Peter?" Asked the regal voice of T'Challa to his left. "You appeared to be troubled."

The webhead snorted. "That's one way of putting it."

"We're here to listen if you want to talk." Matt said quietly.

"What's there to talk about?"

"Plenty of things, surprisingly." The lawyer said in kind. "But… we'll only go if you are willing."

Peter nodded his head slowly and the trio remained there for a number of moments with none uttering a sound or word.

There was only the ambient sound of ships flying about in the background blended in with the rest of the city noise.

After some time pondering, Peter finally spoke up.

"Do you think it'll be normal?" The Spider-themed hero asked the two.

Both men looked at him strangely.

"What do you mean?" Matt asked.

"This." Peter said, waving his hand out to the city. "All this. After all this, after everything we've done. If we return home… Will it ever be normal again? Can the life we know go back to what it was?"

"Rather philosophical and contemplative of you Peter." T'challa noted. "Would you care to share this knowledge with my sister?"

Despite his melancholy mood, Peter couldn't help but snort at the humorous question, lightly nudging the prince in response.

"If she's willing." He then let out a sigh. "But…"

Matt and T'challa were silent for a time, contemplating on the young teens words.

Peter went on. "I'm just a high school kid, you're a lawyer from Manhattan, T'challa… well, I can say your life was pretty interesting even before you came to America."

The Prince of Wakanda snorted at that last comment though he made no motions in denying such a claim.

"But now, with us being in the middle of a literal space war, when or if we ever return to Earth, will it ever be the same for us?"

Once more, silence befell the trio as they all thought on the young teens words.

After a few seconds…

"No… no it will not be the same." T'challa said with an almost reluctant acceptance. "Nothing can ever return to normal. Such a life becomes alien for us all. War changes people. Conflict changes people. Experiences change people. Nostalgia can only go so far. What we have gone through since our arrival here…"

"I still wish to continue my pursuit of being a Lawyer." Matt admitted. "It was something drilled into me by my father. But even I know that when we do get back to Earth, I can safely say that I will never be able to look at things the same way."

"I'm actually more amazed how alike we are than not." Peter stated thoughtfully.

"It is easy to assume then that with sentience comes the same problems that plague civilization and society as a whole." Panther remarked. "Though I will use what I have learned in my time here when the time does come for me to become King of Wakanda. Learning what I have seen now is making me realize that my people are becoming too stagnant in our ways. Changes must come about to further advance Wakanda and allow it to prosper in the future."

"What about you, Peter?" Matt asked, turning to the teen. "You still need to finish High School."

Peter snorted upon hearing this statement. "Are you sure? Kinda don't see all that much of a point to it by now."

"I'd imagine your aunt would be very insistent you finish your education." Said the Daredevil. "And if you do opt to finish High School, you'll have one hell of a few lessons and stories to tell to your class."

"Like anyone from school would believe me… if I can return to school." Parker glumly said.

"Don't our suits have cameras built in within them?" Matt inquired. "Besides, there's always private lessons to consider."

"I can imagine a number of people back on Earth who can help fund and take part in it." Said the Wakandan prince. "Shuri could perhaps volunteer. Stark… may be limited."

"Limited?" Peter said in confusion.

"I believe you'd be relegated mostly to yourself in terms of continuing your education." T'challa elaborated. "If not them, then perhaps one of your superiors may pull a favor with Colonel Fury to get you some teachers to fill the time you've lost."

"Have you met the guy?"

"No, have you."

"No…"

"Huh…"

"If he's like Mace Windu, then he could be reasoned with." Matt said. "The other Avengers have spoken of how they both look the same in appearance and demeanor."

"And yet from what I heard from Mr. Stark and Natasha, Fury is decisive, capable, wry, principled, a bit more of a lit fuse."

"I believe that's only if you test him." Matt said. "Barton spoke of the Colonel's patience with Stark. By that point, everyone else is child's play."

"What about our secret identities?"

T'challa frowned at this but Matt actually froze for a brief second.

"I mean, won't it be somewhat suspicious that we come back around the same time as Black Panther, Daredevil and Spiderman? The world doesn't know who we are beneath our masks."

"That'll be an issue to come across." Murdock admitted.

"Perhaps you may have to keep a low profile on your hero persona if you decide to go back to public school."

Peter shook his head. "No. I can't do that. That would be irresponsible of me and god knows what's happened on Earth since we got zapped here."

"Then I guess the best we can do is wait until the time comes for us to face this problem."

Peter hummed aloud.

"Thanks for listening guys." He said softly.

His fellow New Yorker patter him on the back.

"You coming to the meeting?" Matt asked.

Peter shook his head. "I think I'm gonna stay up here by myself a while longer."

The two men nodded at the teen and got up to leave him be.

Some time had come and gone for the webslinger as he resumed staring towards the distance. Him brooding and contemplating his life after all these drastic turn of events.

Eventually growing tired of the view for the day, Peter made his way back inside the temple. It was then did he see a familiar face walking nearby.

"Barriss?"

The Mirialan Padawan turned to the New York native with an expression of surprise that brightened upon seeing him.

"Peter." She said with a wide smile, walking over to him. "How are you?"

Peter snorted slightly. "How am I? I feel like I should be asking you that question. You looked like something was bothering you. Is everything alright?"

"Oh? Oh, apologies." The Padawan quickly said. "I was deep in thought and I had just finished meditating a while ago. But still, how are you Peter? Are you well?"

Peter shrugged. "Can't really complain honestly."

She gazed at him a bit analytically after hearing him say that, squinting her eyes at him.

This weirded him out slightly. "What?"

"Are you sure everything's alright?" She asked. "You yourself seem troubled."

"Do I?" Peter said, somewhat nervously.

"Yes you-"

*Grrrrooowwwlll*

The Queens native flinched and looked around wildly for a moment.

"Whoa! What was that?!" He said in alarm. "Did you hear-"

He froze upon seeing Barriss's wide eyed look, hand over her stomach as the loud growl was heard again.

Coming directly from the Padawan.

The two were silent for a moment until Parker couldn't hold back his chuckle.

"Hungry?" Peter asked with a small grin, laughing now at the flushed cheeks of his friend.

She puffed her cheeks a little, slightly miffed on the teasing.

"My treat."

"You have credits?" Barriss asked in surprise.

"Well yeah, plagiarism in space pays." He said cheekily.

"...If you're offering."

This made the New York native to smile a bit more.

"Would you like to walk or take the scenic route?"

Barriss adopted a thinking posture, bringing her forefinger to her lips and let out a small, playful hum.

It didn't take long to come to a decision.

Swinging between the litany of buildings, Spiderman was carrying the Mirialan padawan, who was yipping and screaming in excitement.

"This is amazing!" She said aloud with joy.

Peter laughed. "Can't you jump around with the Force?"

"This is far different from what I've been trained in." Barriss said, tilting her head back with her eyes closed, enjoying the feel of the wind whipping against her face. "I wouldn't mind doing this for myself from time to time."

"Well, if you were anyone else other than a gymnast, I'd discourage it but since you're a Jedi… Who knows, maybe I can show you the basics."

"I may perhaps like that." She said happily. "I believe Ahsoka would jump at the chance."

Peter laughed again. "Of that, I have no doubt."

The duo soon arrived at the popular joint known as Dex's Diner, the two making some people jump back due to the methods of their arrival.

Upon entering, they saw a packed house with practically every booth and seat taken.

It filled Peter with a sense of nostalgia as it reminded him of home.

The sight of some Earth dishes helped.

"How unfortunate." Barriss murmured in disappointment at seeing such a packed house. "Perhaps we can take our meal to go."

Before Spidey was able to respond, a jovial voice called out from behind the bar.

"Peter!"

The two turned to see a four armed alien hobbling out of the kitchen with a wide grin in place.

"Hey Dexter." Parker said cheerfully, the Besalisk Diner owner coming right up to the New Yorker.

"Come 'ere ya little tyke." Dex said, going in for a four armed hug which Peter returned. "What can I do for ya, my friend?"

"Just a table for two or perhaps some seats at the bar."

Dex waved him off "I got a table opened up a few seconds ago. Just need to get it cleaned."

"Are you sure? Looks like you've got a long line already."

"Bah, for you and the Avengers, there's always a table open for ya." The Basilisk diner owner cheerfully stated, patting Peter on the shoulder.

The Mirialan padawan looked on, curious with what's going on.

"How is it you know each other?"

Dex gestured with two thumbs to the Earther. "This here lad and his compatriots have been a gold mine since Obi-wan introduced them to me. Ever since they showed me some of their native homeworlds list of recipes, business has been booming. With all the revenue I've been getting, I'm gonna open up some more establishments across Coruscant. Force, with the rate that it's goin', can even go off-world. Maybe Naboo or Alderaan. Friendly Republic territory."

The two were soon brought to a booth and Dexter pulled out, of all things, a note pad.

"So what'll it be for the two of ya?" He asked. "On the house, by me."

"Dexter, you can't-"

"What's a few measly credits for the kid that brought Pizza to me?" Dex countered before Peter could even finish. "Now, come on, what'll ya have?"

The duo gazed at the menu for a few minutes before giving Dex their orders.

"Alright, comin' right up." He declared, leaving the two to themselves.

"I'm not really gonna let it be on the house." Peter said straight away in a conspiratorial fashion. "The tip I leave will be more than enough to cover our meal and then some."

Barriss only smiled approvingly at her friend, leaning back into her seat to get herself comfortable.

The two conversed whilst waiting for their meal. Both tried to keep it away from the present war and conflicts. They merely wanted to have a good time and not sour it by bringing up certain topics.

It was rather easy and pleasant, telling stories on growing up and topics of interest such as the science, history and cultures of their respective homes.

This continued onward as they ate their meals, joking about and lamenting on pleasant times in their respective pasts.

Once they had their meal, Peter made sure to leave a healthy "tip" on their table before bidding Dexter goodbye.

The two were back to web swinging, Barriss clutching on to Peter tightly with a content feeling washing over her during their rather aimless trip all around Coruscant.

They continued this for a while until Offee asked if they could relax for a bit.

Landing atop a random rooftop of a Highrise building, the two teenagers looked onward as Barriss wanted to rest from her excitement.

"That was wonderful." She proclaimed happily. "You do this all the time?"

"Well not all the time, but it does help get around all the more quicker." Peter remarked.

"I can see that."

The pair were silent for several moments, not saying a thing until...

"Hey Barriss."

"Hmmm?"

"Thanks."

She looked over at him with a bemused smile. "Whatever for?"

"Just… I guess I didn't realize I needed this." Peter said, feeling a lot lighter suddenly. "I'm just glad I actually got to do something incredibly normal. Just me and a friend eating out and not thinkin' about anything too serious."

The Padawan learner looked over at him in surprise which turned into a warm smile.

"I should say the same." She said kindly. "I never actually did something like this, you know. This was a lovely time. I hope we can do it again sometime in the future. Perhaps Ahsoka will be able to join us next time."

"Yeah, that would be great." He said, facing her with a wide grin. "Though I will need to figure out how you both can hang onto me at the same time while I swing around."

Offee shrugged. "I think we can figure something out."

"Alright then, a promise for next time."

She smiled at him and suddenly felt her heart rate go up a few ticks.

It was subtle in a way yet she felt it all the same.

A slightly constricting feeling welling up in her chest that she couldn't fully explain what it was. She thought of her talk with Ahsoka a while back and believed that perhaps this was one of the feelings she had developed after spending so much time with her and the boy in front of her.

Barriss stared at Peter, getting lost in his gaze when several images flashed before her eyes.

Peter, battered, bruised and broken after Jabiim.

And after that, Ahsoka lay right next to her while slowly losing her healthy orange skin color to a near translucent degree. All due to her being infected by a virus on Naboo.

The Padawan let out a gasp of horror when the visions subsided.

The New York native quickly noticed this and became concerned.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa." Peter went right up to Barriss, hands on her shoulders as looked at her with open worry. "Barriss, are you ok?"

That feeling in her chest tightened and she coughed into her hand, rolling her shoulders slightly yet Peter didn't remove his hands.

"I-I'm s-sorry." She said quickly. "I-I don't know what came over me."

"It's quite alright. But would you mind telling me what happened?"

Instead of answering vocally, she tried to compose herself. Yet the visions she saw felt too strong for her on a personal level.

Barriss didn't know what was happening. She had been able to deal with her emotions in the past, but now it's becoming difficult.

She tried suppressing it, ignoring it, forcing it down but it had the opposite desired effect.

It was quickly overwhelming her and after one last failed attempt, she stopped.

Thus she started to weep.

Peter's eyes widened at the sight of his friend openly crying.

"Hey, hey, Barriss." He subconsciously placed his hand upon her cheek and wiped a tear away.

She let out a shaky breath, closed her eyes and leaned into his palm, shaking all the while.

The Padawan heard her name and opened her eyes, looking up to a concerned Spiderman who looked conflicted as he didn't know what to do in this situation.

"Talk to me, Barriss." He said softly. "What's wrong?"

Offee gazed at the kind and worried brown eyes of the teen she has grown to care for. To become attached to.

Something of which was forbidden in the order that she was a part of.

Whilst forming attachments is an odd topic to dwell into, it's highly discouraged in the Jedi Order with going into a further state.

Yet the Mirialan padawan couldn't help herself with so much happening in these past months.

She was so certain of herself a short time ago but now…

Now, after everything she has experienced, everything she's still going through…

The Jedi Padawan was starting to realize just how frightening these new feelings can be to someone like her who was always instructed to be wary of them.

"I-I… I saw you and Ahsoka hurt. You both were…" She stammered out, shutting her eyes tightly, being unable to finish the sentence as more tears continued to stream down her face and onto Peter's hand.

Peter's eyes widened to the size of small saucers, not expecting such an answer.

He opened his mouth to try and find something to say yet his distraught friend moved before he could say anything.

Barriss clutched Peter's shirt tightly before pulling him in close, wrapping her arms around his neck whilst burying her head in his chest.

She felt him place his hands around her and held him tighter than before. Peter rubbed his hand up and down her back gently, feeling her form slacken yet her grasp upon him remained firm.

"You're ok Barriss, I'm here, I'm here."

-Scene Cut-

Back within the halls of the Jedi Temple, a lone Jedi walked one of its many halls, this one leading away from the Jedi Archives.

The man was in his thirties with dark black hair and soft brown eyes whilst wearing black robes compared to the usual brown and beige that most Jedi would wear.

He held a troubled and somewhat distraught look as he held a datapad that he was scrolling through with his expression becoming more and more crestfallen as he kept on reading.

"This shouldn't be possible, it shouldn't be-OOF."

"Oh crap, sorry about that." Said an apologetic voice.

The Jedi grunted, waving the apology off. "You have nothing to apologize for, friend. It was I who didn't see where I was going. I'm-"

He looked up to see who he bumped into and blinked upon seeing that he stood before three members of the illustrious Avengers.

"You're the Avengers." The Jedi said in slight astonishment, bowing slightly a moment later. "It's an honor to meet you."

"A pleasure to meet you too." Cap said, holding his hand out. "Steve Rogers."

The Jedi shook the super soldiers' hand. "Barel Ovair. Jedi Scholar at your service."

Said Scholar then looked over to the two other Avengers standing next to Steve. He hummed in thought.

"Hang on." He said. "I feel I must be able to guess who the two of you are since you are all the holo-net talk about half the time."

"Only half?" The armored man asked jokingly. "Tony wouldn't stand for half."

The red haired woman snorted while Master Ovair gazed upon both of them analytically.

"You must be… Colonel James Rhodes. I've heard some of the troops refer to you as War Machine."

Rhodey grinned and nodded.

Barel glanced at the red haired woman, snapping his fingers.

"Natasha Romanoff." He said. "I admit how you infiltrated those bounty hunters was rather funny to hear."

"You heard about that?" Widow blinked in surprise.

"Hard not to, given the small band took the Senate Building and a number of its members hostage." The Jedi revealed with a laugh. "It has become a popular story amongst the Clones."

"Well great, can't use that trick again if everyone knows about it." Nat deadpanned, eliciting a laugh out of the scholar.

"My goodness." He said good naturedly. "To meet the Avengers so suddenly like this. Though I do admit, I'm surprised we haven't met sooner… then again, I have only recently returned to Coruscant."

"You say you're a scholar?" Steve asked with clear intrigue.

"Always has been my passion." Ovair declared, his comment matching the look in his eyes. "I have always found the studies and mysteries of the Force fascinating. I've traveled across most of the known galaxy and studied at a number of temples, both active and inactive."

"There's more?"

"You thought the one here on Coruscant is the only one out there?" Questioned Barel. Seeing their nods, he gave a brief shrug. "Granted the place we're standing in is the only active location at this time, but there have been countless others in the past."

"Only one?"

"Yes." Ovair now had a more glum look. "Ossus was once the home of the Jedi. The temple there still stands with all of its knowledge that has yet to be transferred there still residing within its walls. Such a pity."

"But isn't there like… I think Master Fisto once told me that there are ten thousand Jedi." Widow remarked.

"Nine thousand." Was Ovair's glum correction. "This war has stretched my brothers and sisters thin across the galaxy. Before this war, many of the temples were occupied as places to train and learn more about our Order and the Force. But upon the onset of the war, Jedi went from occupying palaces of knowledge to palaces of war."

"These places all sound very important." Steve noted. "Are you sure it was a good idea to just leave them abandoned?"

"They all come and go, due to conflicts and revisions of the Jedi Order. Expansions, divisions, factions, etc." Ovair remarked. "But the benefit to the temples is they are difficult to access unless you are knowledgeable about the Force. That and we send constant teams to inspect and keep them secure while making sure nothing is amiss. That was the duties I had just returned from actually."

"Kinda came back at a rough time." Rhodey said with a slight wince.

"I know. I was completely floored and unprepared for this Ultron making his presence known." Barel said with a solemn expression. "It's why I actually extended my leave, going to several other of the closest temples to make sure that nothing had happened to them. Thankfully, they stand untouched."

"Good to hear." Rogers said with a nod before he remembered their encounter a literal few seconds ago. "Don't mind me asking, but you were in a bit of a rush just now. Something the matter?"

The Jedi scholar nodded, expression becoming grave. "Something of serious matter, Captain Rogers. One that must be brought to the attention of the Council at once."

"The council?" Nat repeated for confirmation.

"Yes, yes, this is very serious and I must speak with them at once." Ovair declared.

"Well good timing then." Rhodey stated. "We're actually on our way to meet with the Council and some of the Clone Captains and Commanders right now."

"Truly?" The Scholar asked in slight surprise, seeing the three of them all nod. "What for?"

Steve's jaw clenched slightly. "Ultron."

Ovair's expression shifted into a somber one and nodded. "Then it was fortunate that we ran into one another. Shall we?"

"After you, Master Ovair." Roger said.

Barel laughed slightly. "No need for such formalities Captain. Just my name is enough."

"Same courtesy on our end." Rhodey spoke up.

"Very well then." Ovair said and the four of them went off to the selected room for the meeting that was to take place.

The quartet soon arrived at their destination, walking into the designated meeting room and saw a large crowd inside.

Nearly half the Jedi Council was present with Yoda, Windu, Fisto, Mundi, Luminara, Plo Koon and Obi-wan. There was also Aayla, Anakin and Ahsoka.

The Clones in attendance were Rex, Fordo, Thire, Ponds, Gree, Wolffe, Jet, Bacara and Cody.

Of the Avengers, there were only four being Scott, Hope, Sam and T'challa.

"Looks like we're all here." Windu declared, gazing at the three Avengers who entered into the room when he blinked upon seeing the additional Jedi who walked in behind them.

"Some time it has been, Master Ovair." Yoda greeted the Scholar with a nod.

"Master Yoda." Barel bowed at the Grandmaster of the Jedi. "I bring to you good news from the temples I inspected with my Padawan. All are secure and accounted for with no damage to them."

"That is indeed good to hear." Luminara said with a small smile. "It's good to see you again, Ovair."

"And you Master Luminara." Ovair said, grinning at her. "Apologies if I have not been able to tell you sooner but congratulations on your promotion to a Jedi council member."

Unduli's expression fell slightly. "I wish it was under better circumstances."

Hearing this, Scott and Hope shared a look of remorse and guilt.

"Your arrival is a surprise, Master Ovair." Plo spoke up with his baritone voice reverberating off the walls of the room. "And with the Avengers no less. Has something happened?"

The Jedi Scholar stepped into the center of the room. "I had intended to tell my findings to the Council in private but in light of what I have learned, I believe this is information that all here should learn."

And like that, those gathered within the chamber all had their attention on the Master scholar.

"I have something… terrible to tell you all." Ovair's expression grew grave and disturbed. "Upon my return to the temple, when I learned of Ultron's attack, I rushed straight to the Jedi library. I was grateful to know that nothing was touched by that droid menace, Master Jocasta telling me so."

There was a brief pause amongst the large assembly of people in attendance.

"However…" Barel winced at his own word. "When I checked the archives, I discovered that a number of artifacts have been taken."

A grim silence befell the room as all gazed upon the Jedi Scholar.

"What was it?" Obi-wan asked, breaking the silence.

With a reluctant sigh, he walked up to the center and inputted the data from his pad that he carried into the center projector.

A moment later, a holographic Lightsaber was on display for all to see.

"A lightsaber?" Sam Wilson said aloud in confusion.

Barel shook his head, grim countenance yet to leave.

"Not just any lightsaber, but one which belonged to Exar Kun."

Several members of the Jedi Council froze, alarm evident upon their faces. Something that several of the Avengers and Clones caught on.

"...Okay… and?"

"You don't know your Jedi history, do you?"

Sam shot the Jedi a flat look. "Sorry. We've been more preoccupied with knowing the general knowledge of the galaxy, understanding the basic language, etc. None of the deeper topics."

Ovair had the decency to look a bit sheepish. "Oh, uh… right, my apologies. Ok… so how do I explain this in a condensed manner…"

He snapped his fingers, inputting more commands into his datapad.

The projection of the lightsaber shrank and a moment later, it was held by a human male that appeared in his early to mid-thirties.

He had slicked back black hair, three scars upon his right cheek and some sort of symbol that looked as though it was carved into his forehead. The lightsaber in his hand now had two blue blades coming out while striking a battle ready pose.

"This is Exar Kun." Ovair stated. "A Jedi turned Sith from over 4000 years ago."

"Four thousand years?" Scott whistled. "And you still got pictures of him?"

Beral took the comment in stride. "Many in fact. He was once a very popular member of the Order, who was highly skilled in swordplay and ambitious in expanding his knowledge of the Force due to his strong connection to it. Yet his fellow members started to believe he was expanding his thirst for power. It became very concerning when he eventually left to fully dwell on his own studies and research. Through a number of events, which would be too long to list out, Exar Kun became a Dark Lord of the Sith."

"A fallen Jedi." Steve murmured, arms crossed. "Wasn't this Dooku fella who runs the Separatist once a Jedi too?"

Yoda gazed down at the ground in slight shame and Anakin's robotic hand tightened momentarily.

"Evil can rise from anywhere." Kenobi said somberly. "Even from an order based around the protection of good."

Much as one would want to continue this more than likely philosophical debate, T'challa opted to keep the meeting focused on what was present before them.

"Then what's so special about his lightsaber if you're so concerned about it being missing?"

"A few things actually." The center portion of Exar's Lightsaber was highlighted and an outline of a gemstone lodged within the blade was made clear. "The first is it's Kyber crystal. It being the earliest known one in history being tainted and converted into being a dark side object, far predating synthetic crystals which the Sith typically use."

"You mean the traditional red?" Anakin was the one who asked.

The historian nodded as he continued. "Second, Kun created the very first double bladed lightsaber." Ovair patted his own double bladed lightsaber on his hip. "Which the legacy of its influence continues to this day. And one of the last well known factors of his lightsaber is being a symbol."

"A symbol?"

"There is a cult, or at least rumored, to still exist out in the galaxy which worships Exar Kun as a deity. They prophesied his return -time and time again- and enacted many atrocities to his name. He exalted so much death and destruction upon the galaxy with his Lightsaber that a piece of his soul or his presence -so to speak- was entrenched within the makings of the blade itself."

"Wait, what?" Sam spoke up in bewilderment. "You telling me we're dealing with a Horcrux?"

"A what?"

"It does kinda sound like it." Nat murmured with a nod of her head.

"Actually reminds me of Sauron and the One Ring." Steve said below his breath.

"What are you guys talking about this time?" Anakin asked with a dry look. "Some more earth references we have yet to get?"

"Oh shit, we still gotta show you guys Lord of the Rings." Scott said in astonishment.

"Guys." Hope spoke up, massaging her temples. "Can we please… just not right now? We're already getting sidetracked here."

Several of the Avengers mumbled out an apology.

Wasp looked back to the Jedi Scholar. "You were saying?"

Ovair cleared his throat, nodding at her in thanks before resuming. "Exar Kun's Lightsaber is essentially a Sith relic, constantly exuding the Dark Side of the Force. If any who are untrained, weak or easily susceptible, the saber itself will influence you to take it up as your own weapon before it slowly and definitely corrupts you to the Dark Side."

"Sounds like the One Ring." Scott said beneath his breath, nudging Steve who nodded.

"And what's worse is that influence will lead one in seeking out the resting place of Exar Kun where rumor has it that his spirit still survives to this day." Ovair said. "The lightsaber wants to be found and returned to its Master."

"Scratch that, it is the One Ring."

Steve barely held back his chuckle.

"Some typically believe it's at Korriban. Others think it's at one of the other Sith temples he ventured across the galaxy." Beral said. "That is of course the resting place of practically all the known Sith Lords of the past. But I believe he resides at his favorite one of all at Yavin IV."

"How can you be sure?" Windu inquired.

"Though some knowledge has been lost over time, there are consistencies that have persevered and remained to this day." Ovair said with confidence. "And one of those is the connection between Kun and Yavin IV. If my notes and research are believed to be correct, that is the planet in which he fell to the Dark Side and that is where he made his final stand. If his spirit has indeed remained, that is where it resides."

"So what does this have to do with now?" Plo asked. "I understand the importance of this archive being lost but I feel there is more to your report than just this."

"Yes Master Plo, there is." Ovair said seriously. "From the records I have looked over, the Lightsaber was stolen during Ultron's attack on Coruscant."

…

…

…

"Fuck." Rhodey blurted out.

"Grave this revelation is." Yoda said with a disturbed expression.

"You mentioned there were other artifacts missing, not just Exar Kun's lightsaber." Fisto said in clear concern, his usual easy-going smile completely gone.

"Correct." The Jedi Historian typed away some more to project a few other items.

First was a left handed, gold fingerless armored glove that would have covered halfway up any hand and down slightly past the wrist. The second another appeared another fingerless glove that was bronze with chains coming off the back of it with a red jewel at the center. The other appeared to be a holocron, but it was pyramid shaped and was primarily black. Lastly it was a wooden quarterstaff with aged, torn wraps along its length.

"Is there anything significant with them?" Steve asked.

"Yes. They all are connected to Exar Kun." Ovair thus listed them off. "The glove was the converted amulet of one of the ancient Naga Sadow, an infamous Sith Lord. The Dark Holocron was Exar Kun's creation. And that amulet there I believe was gifted to him by one of Sadow's twisted experiments known as the Massassi once his fall to the Dark Side was complete."

"And Gandalf's stick?" Sam said, nodding his chin at the wood.

The historian ignored whatever Falcon mostly said, due to him not getting the reference in the slightest. "The staff belonged to Exar Kun's Jedi Master, Vodo Siosk Baas. It is so powerful and durable, it can continuously withstand lightsaber blows and not get broken or scuffed in the slightest. That was until he was slain by his former pupil where it broke in half. The fabric is the only thing keeping it together after all these years."

"That's a handy stick." Scott commented.

"So he took all this for himself?" Rhodey asked, a troubled look on his face.

"But why would Ultron decide to take these in particular?" Windu asked, looking at Ovair.

"I wish I knew." The Jedi Scholar said. "I'm not an expert on this advanced droid to understand him in the slightest."

"I saw Ultron collecting Kyber crystals and Lightsabers on Jabiim." Anakin said in concern. "Now he's got Exar Kun's saber and all this and… Force me."

"It appears the situation grows worse by the hour." Kenobi said with a deep frown and a tired look.

Captain Rex, who had been relatively silent in all this, looked at the Avengers with a hard look.

"Captain Rogers." He said with the utmost respect. "All of you have fought Ultron before. Has he done something like this when you first encountered him?"

"Oh yeah, totally." Nat confirmed for him. "Stole a whole litany of tech and crazy metal in his hair brained scheme to bring about extinction on our planet."

"But he is a droid." Bly muttered with a troubled look. "What would he need Force artifacts for?"

"Did he seem like just a droid to you?" Rhodey rhetorically asked with a raised brow.

The Commander of the 327th bit the inside of his cheek, grunting in discomfort.

"Rhodey." Nat dryly said. "Don't scare everyone more than they already are."

The Colonel shrugged. "Sorry bout that."

"But I know when I speak for everyone here of our concern for these actions." Obi-Wan said with a contemplative look. "What would Ultron possibly want with these artifacts?"

"Better yet, how did he find out about them?" Aayla tacked on.

"He may have gotten into the temple's servers and archives, found out about them before taking them for his own research." T'Challa said. "Ultron is an AI that was made through unconventional means, from what I know. He most likely has been in the servers for some time now, watching and observing us all before he made his move."

"How do we know he's not doing it right now?" Windu asked darkly.

Rhodey poked at his armor. "Tap and Karen have created a security system specifically for that reason. The two were made after him with multiple fail safes and they've been purging, rerouting and restructuring all the systems that Ultron has been through to keep him out."

"Certain of this precaution, you are?" Yoda inquired with narrowed eyes.

"Tony made them both." Steve said confidently. "If there's anyone in the universe who knows how to counter Ultron, it's him."

"Wish he was here right about now." Sam said, shaking his head.

"And to answer your earlier question, the last time Ultron gathered a bunch of stuff that he needed for his "peace in our time" plan, he created his own meteor to hurl at the Earth." Romanoff said, ignoring some of the bug eyed looks shot in his direction from those who had yet to hear this story.

"But this time he's dealing with Force stuff." Scott said with a glum look. "So… god knows what he'll do this time."

"But he's not organic." Cody spoke up in confusion. "Shouldn't it be impossible for him to use the Force?"

"You think the Force is gonna stop him?" Sam rhetorically asked. "Ultron managed to steal something from right under our noses. He'll figure out a way to use what he's taken.

"This is just a cavalcade of bad news." Anakin couldn't help but say.

"I'm sorry." Ovair said earnestly, bowing his head. "I feel if I had been here, perhaps this wouldn't have happened."

"Nothing to apologize for, you have." Yoda said, sternly tapping his walking stick on the ground. "Unprepared and caught off guard, we were. Defense of Coruscant and its people, our priority was."

"You can't blame yourself for not being here, Ovair." Koon said, patting the Jedi on the back. "You had your responsibilities already. It is us that failed."

"More like we did." Steve said self-deprecatingly. "Ultron was our enemy. Our problem. We thought we destroyed him and instead he followed us to your galaxy."

"You do remember you came here in the middle of a war, right?" Anakin reminded him wryly.

Some of the tension was alleviated from the room.

"Glad that we were able to pile on more problems."

"So what do we do now then?" Kenobi asked the group as a whole, though it mostly was directed at the Avengers. "Ultron seems to be gathering arms from all sides and utilizing what has been left behind to create his own army."

"You guys are more familiar with him than us." Anakin, picking up for his former Master. "What could he possibly want with these relics?"

"Weapons are the easiest go to in this instance." Natasha said straight away. "Anything and everything he could use at his disposal in killing us all."

"Sounds lovely." Was Plo's baritone response.

"It's likely his means of making counter measures against both you and the Sith." Steve noted.

"The Sith?" Fisto raised a non-existent brow slightly. "Are you certain he would not choose to work with them?"

Rogers, Rhodey and Romanoff all shook their heads at the same time.

"Not in his MO to work with others. Not anymore at least." Nat stated. "No… I honestly wouldn't be surprised if he's already confronted the Sith. Back on our homeworld, Ultron found a terrorist we had been pursuing for some time and went out of his way to kill him."

"If he were to ally with them, it would only be towards his own benefit before discarding them at some point in time." Steve said with a grim tone.

"So now, we basically have a third party in the war." Ahsoka said to herself.

"That was a given from the get-go with him attacking the entire galaxy." Hope said with a shrug.

The discussion between this large gathering went on for another half hour or so with many discussions on what to do next and how they were to counter not only the Separatists but Ultron now.

Eventually, it winded down with the main key topics being touched upon.

As the meeting within the council chambers ended, a smaller meeting took place with the Avengers and a few others.

Anakin, Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, Aayla, Koon and Ovair remained with their Clone Captains and Commanders with Steve, Nat, Sam and Rhodey remaining as the Avengers contingent.

"Well now, this is just getting worse by the hour." Anakin said straight away upon all of them gathering up together. "So what's Ultron gonna do next? Blow up a continent? Steal the plans to a super weapon we don't know about?"

"Please don't tempt fate like that." Sam said in a rather serious manner. "With Ultron, that shit is all but likely."

"That's disconcerting." Kenobi said with a frown.

Rhodey glanced over to the Jedi Scholar of the group.

"Have to ask, but why those artifacts in particular?"

"Pardon?"

"Why would he want all that crap including a walking stick of all things? What does he gain from it?"

"I'd like to know that myself." Ovair stated. "I would have hoped you have an idea since he is your enemy."

"Also why were these things kept in this temple in the first place?" Sam asked. "Won't that paint a target on this place?"

"We've kept all those relics and artifacts in this temple for thousands of years." Ovair said, a hint of pride in his voice. "The temple hasn't been this savagely attacked since the Sith wars from a thousand years ago."

"Most don't know it, but the reason is due to us safeguarding these nefarious objects from any and all individuals who may become tempted with their influence." Plo Koon said sagely. "More so now with Dooku, his acolytes and other forces at play, which may become more dangerous than before."

"Honestly… I fear what we do not know will come but we must be ready for anything by this point." Kenobi wisely said. "Being on standby is all I feel we are able to do. We cannot actively seek Ultron since he can be anywhere at any given time."

"He's right, unfortunately." Rogers said, nodding at the bearded Jedi Master. "We don't have Tony or Vision with us to help narrow down the search and we can't risk Tap and Karen until their work is done with reinforcing the network and communications here on Coruscant."

"Sitting around and waiting for something bad to happen?" Anakin dryly asked, not wanting to hear an answer. "That just sounds like sooo much fun."

His old Master let out a weary sigh. "I fear what this war is doing to me when I find myself agreeing with Anakin more and more."

"And why is that a bad thing?" Skywalker said in a faux-affronted manner.

A small laugh was shared between the group before saying their momentary goodbyes and dispersing amongst themselves for the time being.

-Scene Cut-

Raxus

Capital Planet of the Confederacy of Independent Systems

The planet was surrounded by five orbital shipyards built in the shape of rings orbiting the planet. Nearly ten dozen fleets were either docs or flying around the planet itself.

Starfighters were on constant rotation though nearly half were made up of manned ships now. There were droid starfighters such as the vultures and tri-droid starfighters though they were always accompanied by a squadron of sentient manned ships.

On the planet's surface, a meeting took place within the Separatist Parliament building.

"I am tired of just standing around waiting to be attacked." Voe Atell, leader of the war faction of the Separatist Parliament said aloud in frustration. "We sit here like wounded bantha whilst the Republic is undoubtedly marshalling their strength and that Ultron is waiting for another chance to attack."

"And what would you have us do?" Asked the latest member to join the Separatist movement. "Marshall an army and march upon the doorstep of the Republic and demand a surrender?"

"Yes!" Voe threw her hands up as if that were the most obvious thing in the galaxy. "We need to strike at the Republic hard and fast. Take out one familiar foe first before focusing towards the unknown one."

"And leave ourselves vulnerable?" Mina Bonteri asked rhetorically. "Have you gone mad, Voe? The entire galaxy is still recovering from Ultron's declaration of war. He already took Jabiim all by himself as a mere statement. From both the Republic and our Confederacy. Why in the Force would you wish to further instigate escalation?"

"Not instigate, END!" Atell shot back vehemently. "The Republic is weak and vulnerable right now. If we were to attack Kamino and take it out, we would at least have less enemies to worry about."

"Perhaps there is another way of resolving our issues." Said a Quarren Senator.

"I'm up for listening to anything other than Voe's dribbling." Spoke another female Senator with a bored look, ignoring the glare directed at her from Atell.

"One may block off trade routes. One may cut off supplies. Or even blockade a planet. But for how long? Those issues can be resolved in time." Voe said with an impassioned speech. "No, what I figure is to hurt the Republic more than they can ever think of. Something which will take years to recover. Perhaps it may even be its death blow."

Mina gazed upon her primary rival in the Confederacy with a wary and concerned look. "What is it you're suggesting?"

Voe's eyes became rabid and fierce. "Take out the one place the Republic greatly holds dear as of this time. Their army supplied from Kamino."

Many gasps and shouts of shock rang through the Separatist Chamber of Parliament.

"Are you mad?"

"Attacking Kamino? That's suicide."

"You're basically asking us to throw out half of our forces if you want us to destroy Kamino of all places."

"We have an entire new system willing to help us in this endeavor." Voe said, gesturing to a gaunt and pale looking male with a smarmy air to him. "He abandoned the Republic because it had abandoned him like all of us."

"He abandoned the Republic out of fear." Mina said in a neutral tone. "Lest you forget Voe, a number of our own did the same and have become independent or rejoined the Republic."

"Cowards." The green skinned senator spat out. "Traitors, the lot of them."

"Some would say that's what we all are." Said a Teal skinned, bald male alien with a sigh.

"And it's not just my system willing to assist in this regard." The newest member of the Confederacy said with an air of cockiness.

"What say you, Count Dooku?"

All turned to the head of the CIS who stood at the podium, being physically there rather than through transmission.

It has become a shockingly common occurrence now to see the Count of Serenno actually be in attendance for these meetings but the times demand it.

He was quiet for several moments, thinking and processing. Before long he finally addressed the others.

"All sides sound reasonable enough, but one holds more weight once presented." Said the former Jedi Master. "Taking this into consideration, I see merit in Voe Atell's proposal."

Said Separatist senator practically beamed, seeing he gained the upper hand over his political rival.

"Count Dooku." Mina pleaded. "I must insist, this is not the path we must go down. Peace may be an impossibility perhaps but a ceasefire. A moment of truce between both sides to focus on the bigger threat. Ultron. Is he not a greater adversary?"

Count Dooku's shoulder sagged and he shot Bonteri a sympathetic look.

"My Lady Bonteri, I agree with you wholeheartedly." He said, voice sage-like and wise. "I know the perils of which you speak of and it's one of the reasons I would readily agree with you."

Mina smiled, a glimmer of hope entering in her eyes.

"But I can't dissuade such a notion."

The Senator of Onderon's expression shattered into one of sorrow and disbelief.

"Mina." Dooku's voice became softer now but was still heard by all in attendance. "If there was any other way, I would wholeheartedly agree and take part. But I come from not only the Republic, but also the Jedi order. If need be, they are more than willing to do far more atrocious acts if they see the chance in doing so to keep themselves strong. You need look no further than what they had done to the planet of Mandalore. And as much as I wish to rid myself of the memories, I will tell you the things I had to do for the sake of "galactic peace" for the Republic."

Bonteri's shoulders sagged in defeat, leaning both her hands upon the podium she stood in front of and trembled.

"I'm sorry Mina, but I will not allow the Republic a chance to pounce upon a weakened animal." Dooku stated. "I have seen it happen before too many times."

He then turned to the rest of the assembled Parliament.

"All those in disagreement."

Only a third of the CIS senate raised their hands in opposition.

"And all those in agreement?"

The other two thirds all, silently raised their hands.

"The majority stands. The attack on Kamino will commence."

-Scene Cut-

"-What is love? Oh baby, don't hurt me

Don't hurt me No more

No, I don't know why you're not fair

I give you my love, but you don't care

So what is right and what is wrong?

Gimme a sign-"

"How and why do you still listen to that shi- is that you singing?"

"You like it?" The vibranium armed man asked with a proud grin. "Me and my boys recorded that last year. Number 10 on iTunes."

Brock Rumlow AKA Crossbones gave the weapons dealer known to Nar Shaddaa as Ulysses Klaue a look of annoyed bewilderment.

"You, your Spotify or Cloud and your music." He said with a roll of his eyes.

"Hey, this is one of my hovels, I get to set up the atmosphere. If I were at yours, I'd be listening to whatever you're interested in. I bet it's nothing at all."

"90's SNL shit ain't my thing."

"His transcends SNL." Klaue said passionately, bobbing his head in a familiar fashion that made Rumlow groan aloud.

"Will you please shut that shit off already?"

"What was that?" The music got louder. "I can't quite hear you. You're gonna have to speak up."

He so wanted to pull out a gun and either shoot Klaue or the speakers carrying on the essential music to the song.

His hand was heavily leaning towards the former, the source of it all.

Rumlow had to remember -yet again- this so-called source of his annoyance was also the source of his newfound weapons and gear.

"The hell is that music?" Said one voice.

Crossbones then saw a handful of familiar faces coming into Klaues' place of business. Each of them still as he remembered them.

"Sounds like something starting to sweep most of the galaxy on the holo-net." Spoke another of their group.

"The fuck do you bastards want?" Rumlow asked venomously, glaring heatedly at the four individuals standing at the entrance to Klaue's establishment.

"Is that any way to speak with old business partners?" A female Zabrak in dark red and black robes spat out.

"We were merely work associates for a one time gig, nothing more." Brock said, gauntlets forming around one of his arms, the edges alight with a blue energy. "If you're here for payback cause of last time…"

"So glad you asked." The Zabrak sneered, reaching for a Lightsaber on her hip.

"Kadrian." A weequay male said patiently. "We are here for assistance, not to start a fight."

Kadrian Sey hissed and retracted her hand.

The helmeted individual next to Sey snorted, making the Sith acolyte glare at him heatedly.

"Good to see we have some reasonable people here." Rumlow snarked, intentionally shooting a smug grin at the woman.

"Shove it up your-"

"Any reason why you lot come seeking me out?" Klaue asked politely in a cordial manner.

"Why do you think they're seeking you and not me?" Said the HYDRA agent.

"We're here for both of you." The Weequay stated, stepping forward. "My name is Sora Bulq, here on behalf of the Separatists."

"Uh-huh." Brock said with narrowed eyes. "So what the hell do you want?"

"To begin with, we require your services. Our masters will handsomely pay you both on an upcoming assignment." Spoke the fallen Jedi Master.

"For reasons beyond my understanding." Sey said beneath her breath.

"Kadrian." Was Sora's sharp response to her comment.

She bowed her head and stepped back but leveled a murderous glare at the HYDRA agent turned mercenary.

"Word has started to spread of your unique black market- can you turn that music off already?" Bulq abruptly asked as the music was still blaring aloud.

"I can turn it down, but I'm not shutting it off." Klaue said with a room brokering no argument.

"Would you kindly-" The music began going down to a reasonable level, "thank you."

The former Jedi master cleared his throat and resumed where he had left off.

"Now, as I was saying, word of your expertise within the Black Market dealings on Nar Shaddaa and even the Outer Rim has been spreading and has recently gotten to us as well."

Klaue's chest puffed up in pride. "Glad to see my reputation is doing wonders now."

Bulq turned to Rumlow.

"And you. Details relayed by my associates of your last mission together made our masters consider hiring you once again."

"Really?" Rumlow said disbelievingly. "After all that bullshit from Naboo?"

"You're the one who betrayed us." Sey growled.

"And like you weren't planning on it either."

"Sey." Bulq's voice was now deadly. "One more outburst…"

Kadrian grit her teeth, looking between her superior and the man who is the bane of her existence before stepping back and exiting the establishment.

"Now that that's out of the way…" Bulq looked to the other two Acolytes that had come with him and the two stepped forward.

A pair of suitcases filled with credits were handed towards the arms dealer and mercenary. Of course by the analytical eye, the container given to Klaue was bigger than Rumlow's by some margin.

"Why is he getting paid more than me?" The Merc asked in an affronted manner.

Klaue only chuckled, snapping his case shut. "Don't you know how to run a business, Rumlow? No, of course not. I'm a supplier and I need to use my funds to provide my product."

"Your given amount will be the down payment for a contract. More will be provided as you keep supplying us with what you have."

"Depends on what's requested, my dear fellows." Spoke the arms dealer. "Be sure to give me your contact information so I'd-"

"What's the job anyways?" Rumlow interrupted, looking at Sora Bulq specifically.

"We plan an assault on the cloning facilities of Kamino." The Weequay Dark Jedi stated plainly.

"Kamino? The heart of the Republic's army?" Klaue said in surprise, making Rumlow look at him.

"You know it?"

"Information is just as important of a trade as weapons." Klaue instantly said.

The Weequay Acolyte appeared to give the arms dealer a look of respect and approval.

Brock remained skeptical and gave the lead Force-user a sharp glare.

"If we are legitimately joining you schmucks in a legit battle against the Republic on a planet which literally supplies their army, we need more than just us."

"A number of our fellow Acolytes and General Grievous himself will be there." The helmeted Acolyte quickly said.

Brock shook his head. "It ain't gonna be enough. Not nearly. Anyone else you plan on bringing?"

"Durge, the Gen'Dai bounty Hunter."

"Yeah I heard of him. Starting to become popular again after 60 years or so. I have to say it now but Durge won't be enough." Rumlow said. "He'll undoubtedly have his hands full with what heavy duty Avengers will be there like War Machine and Quicksilver. No, what we need is a new player to throw them off their game. A ringer."

"How can you be certain the Avengers will even be there?" The helmed Acolyte inquired.

"With how dire the situation will be, the Republic will request their new shining stars to be present." Klaue said as though it were obvious to see. "They'll want all the help they can get if you're trying for something that crazy."

"And who is this "ringer" you speak of?" Sora inquired. "I take it you have one in mind."

Rumlow nodded his head. "Yeah, I do. Ran into him recently during a job again, met him several times after. He's real deadly and efficient and drives a hard bargain. Not just in credits but something more… personal. If I can call it that."

"Being what?"

Rumlow merely eyed the weapons attached to their belts, in which Sora and his fellow acolytes quickly caught on.

"Lightsabers?"

"You thought your pal Grievous was the only collector out there?"

"Why would he want ours?"

"Who said about yours? Just lightsabers in general." Rumlow shrugged. "Anyways, it's something about honoring his ancestors or some dumb shit like that, I don't know. I didn't really bother asking."

"Well what can you tell us about this Mercenary?" Bulq said with a level of impatience now.

Rumlow rubbed his scarred chin and hummed in thought.

"Let's just say that the best way I can describe this bastard is… he's a master at his craft."

-Scene Cut-

Coruscant

Within the personal office of the Chancellor, Sheev Palpatine sat at his desk with his hands intertwined and expression dark.

He had been finding himself in this state more and more over the past few weeks after his confrontation from Ultron.

That vile Droid had the audacity to stand before the Dark Lord of the Sith and gloat.

Gloat to him!

Darth Sidious.

The man who would be the last in the thousand years of Sith under Darth Bane's Rule of Two.

He who would at last enact the millennia long plan of getting Revenge against the Jedi and the Republic.

But now… all that was planned was threatened to be derailed by this despicable walking piece of scrap metal!

As if those irritating and infuriating Avengers weren't enough, now they had to have brought along one of their own enemies into the mx.

This was not how the game is meant to be played. Well, not the one the Dark Lord was more familiar to participate in.

It was getting into more and more unfamiliar territory.

The Force was of no help which only served to further enrage the secret Sith Lord.

Not long ago, he and his Old Master Darth Plagueis enacted a ritual that bent the will of the Force firmly more towards the Dark side. They had succeeded and they believed that the fall of the Jedi was now inevitable with the Force being against them.

But then, like that, it all threatens to fall apart.

The arrival of the Avengers almost a year back coupled with later additions and now this Ultron…

Never before has Sidious felt such tension with a boiling rage threatening to explode out from him.

But right now, he needed to focus.

To get things back on track and make sure that all that has been worked for wouldn't be ruined by some freaks from a backwater planet.

Not long ago, Sheev received word from his Apprentice, telling him of the proposal the Confederacy had decided to follow.

This was something that he had actually been planning for a while now.

He just didn't figure it may occur so soon. This wasn't meant to be for at least another few months.

But given the drastic turn of events, a number of parts of the overall grand plan had to be shifted and adjusted to an annoying degree.

After some time processing and discussing further with Dooku on what needed to be done, Palpatine worked his fair share on making things flow accordingly.

It was at this point did he make some calls and arrange some meetings.

It was later on in the day, elsewhere on Coruscant when a few things occurred for the Republic's new poster team.

While a great number of their members were taking care of their own issues or helping others, one member was by herself as she was watching over Mara Jade.

The Black Widow was finding this to be a nice means of comfort. An escape from the life she knew for years.

It was rather enjoyable playing with the little tyke as it stirred certain feelings within the spy. Ones which she didn't know if she could part with that easily.

She was currently on her bed, watching contentedly as Mara crawled around her legs to reach for toys that had been bought for her.

If she were able to stay like this all day…

A ringing came from her belt, snapping her out of her air of peace. Nat looked down to see her handheld holoprojector beeping.

She took it off her belt and held it up, turning it on to see…

"Paddy?" Nat said in an unsure voice. She saw the Senator from Naboo holding a determined and grim countenance.

"Hey Nat." She said, her serious expression breaking slightly to offer her friend a small smile. "You're probably going to hear this soon, but I wanted to inform you now."

"...Okay… what's going on?"

"Do you remember a discussion you had with several Senators aside from myself?" Amidala asked.

"You mean with Mothma and Organa?" Nat said, seeing her friend nod. "Yeah, what about them?"

"Not them, the discussion."

Nat frowned and thought about what particular detail was being implied here. She subconsciously moved the holoprojector up slightly from the small hands of Mara Jade who was trying to reach for it.

"You mean… the Clones and where they came from?"

Padme's head nodded vigorously.

"Apparently this may be an opportunity for you and the others very soon."

"I don't follow."

"I received word not long ago that Kamino will be attacked. Primarily the cloning facilities."

Years of training and experience was able to get Natasha to filter out most surprises on her expression. She nodded in understanding, but curiosity was more present.

"Wouldn't the Jedi normally get notified of this first then my team and you?"

Padme shook her head. "I've been keeping an ear on everything cause… well… I would like to stay informed of all the madness going on in the galaxy."

Romanoff couldn't help but grin at that. "So, I guess I've been rubbing off you."

"Those stories of yours have been an influence, I can't deny that." Amidala remarked in a whimsical 'What can ya do?' manner.

A moment later, Widow's expression changed into that of a stone cold agent.

"So Kamino." She said for added confirmation. "The place where the Clone army magically came from."

Amidala nodded again.

"You do know that in the heat of battle, it'll look suspicious if I up and wander away to collect data that I know will be extremely classified." Nat stated. "Steve probably won't like it."

"I don't like doing this either but…" Padme clutched the fabric around her sleeve tightly. "We don't have the chance to exploit an opportunity like this. So many questions with so little answers. We just wanna know the truth on how things came to be without us knowing for so long."

Nat then grinned. "Don't worry Paddy. Rare chances is where I thri- No Mara, this isn't a toy."

Mara Jade only let out a small whine that demanded the holoprojector.

Padme giggled aloud, the serious demeanor both shared all but gone now.

"You have your hands full."

"Gee, what makes ya say that?" Nat rhetorically asked, now holding the projector up above Mara who was trying to reach for it. "Come on fat one, ya gotta earn it like I did."

Alright, so continuing on our roll with this story and the start of a new one over on Jebest's profile.

It's called Key Of Dreams, be sure to check it out, it's a Kingdom Hearts and Sandman (Neil Gaiman's Sandman) and Young Justice crossover that Jeb recently released. Please give it a whirl, I beg of you.

Jebest4781: It may not entirely be Young Justice focused, but a bit of a base as I plan on incorporating other DC materials into it to perhaps change things up from the one DC Earth. There have been other stories on the site which went through this method to spice things up considerably.

FMW: Yeah, YJ serves as a slight foundation whilst Jeb and I use a greater degree of DC's material to form the story. So then back on this story, battle of Kamino is here though circumstances are MUCH more different then in canon. Instead of Sidious planning out the battle, the Parliament basically demanded it. And things are gonna be a lot crazier than what we saw in the show.

Jeb: Indeed. Things are starting to act out of Palpatine's initial control, even if he had predicted it to a degree. All he can do now is work with the flow and divert them to his end goals.

FMW: Also, at this moment, I have seen Eternals, Jeb will see it soon enough and afterwards, we'll both give you our opinions on the film and whether or not it will play a role in the story. And by that I mean IT WILL NOT. Though not in the way one may think. Like we said earlier a number of times now, there will be few if anything taken from Phase 4 to be added into the story because this story is bloated enough and we don't want the headache of incorporating what's being presented in Phase 4 to just be needlessly shoved into what has already been planned.

Jeb: All that could be done is just references and influences with particular Marvel lore being melded with Star Wars. While they won't be outright shoved into everyone's faces, one just needs to step back and regard them as they're given slow spoon feeds. After some time the big picture of certain topics will be revealed after the groundwork has been laid out for the overall presentation.

FMW: Yeah, like seeds or throw away lines here and there to be used in the story. We don't wanna destroy our brains cause they're already always teetering on the edge with everything that we already have planned not just for this but all of our collabs.

So with that all said, thanks again for reading, tune in for the Battle of Kamino next chapter.

Rate Read and Review and as Always Have Nice Day.