"Whoooaaaaa! What is going on?!" Mojo asks excitedly. He is watching Cull Obsidian as she continues to grow. "This is amazing! Why didn't anyone tell me she could do that? Gast, did you know he could do that?" He asks the Grandmaster.
The Grandmaster looks away from Thor's fight, barely noticing Cull Obsidian for the first time. "No, I don't believe I knew their race could do that." She looks back toward Black Dwarf, who becomes distracted by the sound of Cull Obsidian hitting the shield around her asteroid. "If I had to guess," the Grandmaster adds, "I don't believe they're supposed to do that either."
"Keep filming!" Mojo shouts joyously.
Cull Obsidian is looking extremely uncomfortable, when Mojo hears loud cheering coming from elsewhere. He taps a control panel on his mechanical leg suit, and a screen showing Drax motorboating Corvus Glaive pops up. He grins wildly. "Oh my! This is Golden! These Earth heroes are amazing! We're gonna make big profits off of them! Big!"
There is a loud electric crack as the shield restraining Cull Obsidian shatters. Despite the release of tension, Cull is clearly dizzy. She starts to sway and the only thing keeping her up is the difference in gravity caused by being too far from the asteroid. She starts to fall forward slowly. Bruce is fairly mobile now, so she and Ant-Man move out of the way.
Black Dwarf watches Cull collapse then turns back toward Thor. He is now very weary that Thor might have a similar trick up his sleeve. His instinct tells him to be cautious, but he chooses to charge Thor anyway. Thor is caught off guard and rushes to lift up his axe.
Before Black Dwarf can reach his opponent, Wasp suddenly appears before him and does not hesitate to shoot three Pym Particle discs toward him. Black Dwarf manages to hit one with his axe, but the other two nail him directly in the chest. He starts growing larger also. His axe joins him for a moment, but stops before he does.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" The Grand Master says, now concerned with the fight again.
Black Dwarf drops his axe which lands heavily in front of Thor. He looks at his hands, then body, and lastly Thor and Wasp. In a panic he raises his foot to stomp on them, but Wasp raises his wrist in a threatening manner. It's a bluff, but it works. Black Dwarf pulls his leg back in a panic and his size causes him to stumble. He is far too big for the asteroid and falls over the side. The artificial gravity stops him from floating off into space.
Wasp turns toward Thor. "That ought to buy us some time. Let's get to the others."
Thor is trying to peer around Black Dwarf's axe, and can see the creature struggling to get back on the right side of the asteroid. "Remind me to never piss you off." Thor tells Wasp.
*** Mantis & Nebula ***
"WOW!" Mantis says excitedly. He is not even watching the fight between Nebula and Black Swan anymore.
Black Swan looks up to see what Mantis is looking at. He sees the shield explode under the pressure of Cull's size. He looks back toward Nebula and they proceed to grapple. "Your friends are very resourceful."
"They're not my friends." Nebula says, pushing back against Black Swan. They grapple for a few more seconds before pushing each other away.
"Then why turn against Thanos?" Black Swan asks, trying to distract her opponent.
"Because he cares for no one!" Nebula answers back. "Because of everything he's done to me!" An image of Gamora flashes through her head, and Black swan is able to see it also with her powers. "And because he killed my only sister, just when we..." Nebula realizes he is giving in to his emotions and drops the conversation.
Black Swan is thrown off by the sudden sympathy Nebula is feeling. She had been led to believe Nebula had betrayed the entire family. She had also assumed he was talking about a biological sister.
"Look, another one!" Mantis interrupts them again.
Black Swan looks at Mantis in disbelief. "Is he always this carefree and airheaded?"
Nebula actually smiles at this. "You should meet their captain." He chuckles.
Black Swan chuckles back, and has to stop himself. 'He's rather charming.' He thinks to himself.
*** Wanda, Vision, and the others ***
Valkyrie is using his sword and taking out Chitauri and Outriders left and right.
"Where have you been these past ten years?" Natasha asks as he clings to the back of an Outrider trying to choke it.
"Living in the trash!" Valkyrie responds with a smirk
Natasha's opponent struggles for a bit more before collapsing on the ground. He looks at Valkyrie, wondering if he was being serious.
"You're friend, there is a real asshole." Valkyrie motions toward the others.
"Who Clint?" Natasha asks, half jokingly.
"Yeah, him too." Valkyrie jokes back. "I mean the quiet red one."
Natasha looks toward Wanda and sees her flying after Vision. She is shooting red energy out and hurling large rocks, speeders, and aliens at him. Supergiant is following close behind.
"Yeah, she's got issues." Clint says, joining the conversation. "Did you know she could fly?" He asks Natasha.
"No actually." Natasha responds, tasering a charging Chitauri. "I knew she could float."
"Yea, me too." Clint says. "We should probably separate her from her new friend."
Clint pulls back an arrow and fires it at Supergiant. It fazes through Supergiant's body without so much as a scratch. Clint lowers his bow and takes on a look of disappointment. "Well, I'm out of ideas." He says half joking. "
"We could try cognitive recalibration." Natasha suggests.
"We could try, but I don't know if I have any arrows left that won't kill or maim her." Clint responds.
An outrider comes flying through the air and lands hard on the ground a few feet from Natasha and Clint. James Rhodes rushes in, stands above the alien and begins blasting it with machine guns attached to his suit. It does not kill the creature, but after trying unsuccessfully to defend itself, it now lays unconscious.
"Hey, are you guys gonna help?" Rhodes asks the two.
"We are helping." Natasha protests.
"We're trying to find a way to get Wanda back on our side." Clint says.
"We don't want to hurt Wanda, and we can't seem to touch that guy." Natasha points at Supergiant.
"Why don't you just take that dude's spear?" Rhodes asks, pointing at Supergiant. "It can probably hurt him."
Natasha gives Rhodes a surprised look. "How do you know that?"
"When Vision got attacked on Earth, he said they used a spear, it sounded just like that one." Rhodes points at Supergiant's spear. "He said he couldn't phase through it."
Natasha and Clint both continue to stare at James Rhodes in awe of his brilliance. "Didn't either of you bother to ask him what happened?" Rhodes asks. "He is your friend and all." The two shake their heads guiltily.
"Alright," Hawkeye says, eager to change the subject. "So, we just need to get that spear." He pulls out a special arrow, points it upward. After pressing a button the back of the arrow shoots downward and clamps into the ground attached to a thin wire.
"Stand back." Hawkeye says as he loads the arrow into his bow and aims at Supergiant. The others give him space as he launches the arrow. It quickly cuts through the air, past Rocket and Groot fighting, overhead, passes through Supergiant's body, and manages to clamp onto his spear.
"Got it!" Hawkeye says with a fist pump. He steps forward and grabs the wire connecting the two. "Now we just have to wait for the tension to pull the spear out of his..."
As soon as Supergiant was far enough, the wire became taut and without so much as a hint of inconvenience he continued to pull the spear, ripping the clamped end out of the rocky ground below Hawkeye.
Hawkeye, who was holding the wire at the time, panics instantly and grips the wire harder. The clamp catches his hand, and pulls him away roughly. "Whoa!" He shouts. Had he not been wearing Tony's armor, the force would have surely dislocated or torn his arm off.
Both Natasha and Rhodes watch Hawkeye fly off. They are both surprised, but neither seem too concerned. Natasha glances at the others and notices something when Clint gets further away.
"Wait, is he still playing that videogame?" Natasha asks. Pointing at Groot.
Groot was indeed still playing his Nintendo Switch, but he was also successfully wrestling several enemies at the same time. He smiled in delight, oblivious of the criticism.
Valkyrie looks away from his opponent toward Groot. "What?! Do we have time for that?" He asks, frustrated.
"Leave my baby boy alone!" Rocket shouts, as he flies by. "He's doing more than you three!"
Natasha and Rhodes look at each other and shrug before running back into the fray.
*** The Dr. Strange Team ***
"Dr. Strange, I don't think we're doing so good." Peter Parker states.
"Yea, she's kicking our asses!" Star-Lord shouts.
"I'll have to admit, she is far more formidable than I had imagined." Dr. Strange adds to the conversation.
"I appreciate the compliment." Ebony Maw croons. She interlaces her fingers and smiles as large balls of flaming rock seem to revolve around her and overhead.
"Is there any way we can determine which of those are real and which aren't?" Star-Lord asks.
"I can if I can get close enough," Spider-Man responds, "but with her speed, that's a little too close."
"It seems she was holding back quite a bit during our first encounter." Dr. Strange responds. "I don't think we're going to get another lucky shot off of her this time."
There is an unexpected explosion from behind the heroes and they turn to see what is going on. The blue flicker of their asteroid's shield losing power catches them off guard as they try to concentrate on the source of the explosion.
"I think that was the shield generator." Peter Parker says. They continue to watch the explosion for another moment when someone comes flying out from it.
There is a trail of electricity as Thor comes slamming down onto the ground with his axe. He lowers his left hand and unseen by the others, Wasp climbs down. Wasp taps the controls on his belt to enlarge then falls to his hands and knees, gasping for air.
"That almost killed me!" Hope tries to shout.
"Yeah, the vacuum of space is not for everyone." Thor tells him. "Hey guys," Thor says, turning toward Dr. Strange, and the two Peters. "What's with all the fireworks?" He gestures toward Ebony Maw.
"Hey Thor," Peter Parker responds. "We could probably use your help." She gestures toward Ebony Maw also, who is actually starting to look a little concerned.
"Whoa whoa whoa! Time OUT!" Mojo shouts as he comes slamming down from overhead. His mechanical legs crack the ground all around him. "You can't just go jumping from arena to arena like that!"
His legs clink loudly against the ground as he crawls toward Thor like a large spider, towering over him.
"What the hell!" Wasp shouts. "That thing is huge!"
"You're one to talk!" Mojo interrupts. "Weren't you just yay high, like five seconds ago." Mojo pinches his fingers to represent Wasps height.
"Dammit Mojo, you slime ball!" Star-Lord shouts. "This isn't one of your game shows, get out of here!"
"That's where you're wrong." Mojo says, turning toward Star-Lord and approaching her. His suit is extremely loud. "Because when you're Mojo, everything is your game show." He says with a grin.
"We don't have time for this!" Thor grumbles and rushes at Mojo with his axe. Lightning starts to form as he raises it overhead and tries to bring it down on his opponent. The attack never completes as one of Mojo's appendages lifts up and catches Thor by the wrist.
Mojo turns back toward Thor. "And when you're the host of a gameshow," Mojo says as he lifts Thor by his wrist. "You have to make sure, everyone plays by the rules."
"Mr. Thor!" Peter Parker shouts, leaping toward them while Star-Lord raises her guns.
In less than a second, multiple mechanical arms shot out of Mojo's seat pointing weapons at everyone, including Wasp who had yet to make any moves. Since Peter was in mid leap, one of the arms had to catch her.
"Now," Mojo continues to talk, "as I was saying. You three, need to stay in your arena, until the show is over." His arm swings Peter around to hold her next to Thor and Wasp. He does not notice part of Spider-Man's suit begins to crawl up his mechanical arm and under his body.
Peter is trying to squirm her way out of Mojo's arm when she hears a crackle come from her earpiece. "Avengers, do you copy?" Nick Fury calls out. Peter wants to answer, but she is still trying to break free.
"Yea, I copy." Bruce Banner answers over the line. "Where is everybody?" She asks.
"That's what we're trying to find out." Nick Fury responds. "We can't get near any asteroids without getting fired upon, but we see explosions, is that you?"
"I don't think so." Bruce responds. "Did you see the really big guy?" She asks.
"Uhm.. Mr. Alien thing." Peter Parker calls out to Mojo.
"What?" Mojo asks, surprised at Peter's casualness.
"His name is Mojo." Thor says, also casually.
"Right, uh, Mojo. Is it alright if I take a phone call?" Spider-Man asks.
"No, you can't take a phone call!" Mojo shouts, wondering why neither of them are taking him seriously.
A little screen pops up on Peter Parker's lenses with a picture of Mojo's legs and text. She tries to read it. "New incompatible device discovered. Would you like to try formatting it?"
"Yes, format it." Peter whispers.
"We're heading back now." Mojo says, turning back toward Ebony Maw, bowing and feigning politeness. "Are you going to be able to handle this?"
Ebony Maw looks very annoyed, but she just nods and waves her hand to dismiss them. Dr. Strange, turns back toward Maw and prepares to start fighting again.
One of Mojo's appendages reaches out and grabs Wasp around the waist. "No shrinking until you're fighting back in the arena!" He tells him. Rippling energy seems to come out the bottom of his mechanical legs as he starts to levitate in the air. He only makes it up half a meter when Peter gets a notification on his mask.
"Format complete." Karen says. "You now have full access to your new equipment." Mojo's legs stop projecting energy and he comes crashing down with all three of his captives.
"Oww!" Mojo screams. "What's going on?"
Peter Parker looks at the schematics and is able to easily will the mechanical legs to release her, Wasp, and Thor. "Whoa, cool!" She says to herself.
Peter Quill, Dr. Strange, and Ebony stop what they're doing, once again distracted by all the noise.
"Are you guys alright over there?" Star-Lord asks, a little confused now.
"Yeah, we're doing good!" Peter Parker answers, before answering Nick Fury's call.
"Who's doing this!" Mojo shouts. "Is it you?" He glares and tries to point at Spider-Man.
"Just a second." Peter Parker dismisses Mojo. "Mr. Fury, this is Peter! I'm with some of the others. What's going on?"
"Mr. Parker? It's good to hear from you." Nick Fury responds. "Who are you with?"
"I'm with Thor, Dr. Strange, and Wasp. We can see Dr. Banner from here." Peter responds. She looks at Mojo, then Ebony Maw, and decides she doesn't want to relay information.
"You know what, let me put you on speaker." The suit does not hesitate and suddenly Nick Fury's female voice is emanating from the suit.
"Peter," Nick Fury says clearly from Peter's suit. "We have eyes on Tony Stark and Rogers. It's just those two against Thanos. Can you see us or them anywhere?"
"Where is my King?" They could hear Oyoke shout in the background.
Peter looks around, but does not see either Nick Fury nor any sign of Tony and Steve. "I don't see anything Mr. Fury, but let me try something. Karen, use Bruce's location and triangulate Mr. Fury."
The system loads for a moment before Karen responds. "Nick Fury is located roughly eight kilometers directly overhead." Peter looks up and the suit guides her to the ship.
"They must be on that asteroid." Peter points toward the only one near the ship.
"Okay Mr. Fury. We have a lock on you." Peter responds. "We have our hands kind of full here, but as soon as we finish dealing with this, we'll catch up to you."
"Just go!" Dr. Strange interrupts. They all look toward Her. "Thanos is more important right now. Get to her, and finish this."
"What about you?" Peter asks. She looks at Dr. Strange then Ebony Maw, who seems to be smiling while she patiently waits with her fingers interlaced.
Dr. Strange looks at Maw, then back to Peter. "I think I can handle her." She winks.
Peter is still very concerned, when Dr. Strange opens a new portal, leading to the drop ship they came on. "Are you sure?" She asks.
"Absolutely." Dr. Strange says, turning back toward Ebony Maw. She turns toward Star-Lord and says, "You go too."
"What?" Star-Lord asks. "No, we started this together. We're finishing it together!"
"Now is not the time for chivalry." Dr. Strange says, creating a portal and forcing Star-Lord through. "Now go!" she shouts looking away from everyone.
Wasp rushes through the portal, followed by Thor.
"Dr. Strange..." Peter calls out. "Be careful." She walks through the portal.
Mojo's legs start to follow, as she protests. "Whoa wait! No! I'm not gonna fit!" He reaches out and it burns his hands when he tries to touch the outer rim of the portal.
"Oh right," Peter Parker responds, "It's probably not a good idea to bring you along."
"You can't just leave like that" Mojo protests. "What about my legs? You can't just leave me like this!" He reaches out toward Peter, but despite his long arms, they don't get near.
Peter Parker turns toward Mojo and points. "Stay!" Peter tells him. The portal closes.
Dr. Strange locks eyes with Ebony Maw. "Now, where were we?" She asks.
Ebony Maw unlaces her fingers and lifts her hands causing large spikes to protrude from the ground. "I think you will find your decision to stay to have been very foolish!" As she says this, the spikes fly toward Dr. Strange and after a brief moment they actually fly through her and impale into the ground behind the doctor. Dr. Strange stands there completely untouched.
"Hey! Careful there!" Mojo shouts. Ebony Maw ignores him. When they both notice Dr. Strange is unhurt, they make concerned faces. "What's going on?" Mojo asks.
Steven Strange smiles mischievously. "I can't believe you just fell for that." She tells Ebony Maw Her body begins to fade away, since it was only a magical projection. "Very foolish indeed." Dr. Strange says with a wink before vanishing.
Ebony Maw looks around and realizes she is now alone on the asteroid with Mojo. She throws her arms down and growls in frustration. Mojo slowly smiles at Dr. Strange's cleverness and starts to chuckle.