Chapter 11: Galactus on Trial – Mojo's Showdown
The flashing lights and frenetic energy of Mojo's interdimensional studio filled the air like a storm about to break. The talk show, Galactically Correct, had become the centerpiece of the multiverse's obsession with the trial of Galactus. The gargantuan cosmic entity was more than a defendant—he was a symbol of existential fear and hope for countless worlds.
Tonight, Mojo had promised the biggest spectacle yet. Six special guests were announced, three from Capcom and three from Marvel, their identities shrouded in mystery until the last second. The interdimensional audience buzzed with anticipation, their reactions broadcast across the cosmos.
"Sentient beings of every conceivable dimension!" Mojo bellowed, his metallic throne scuttling into position on its spindly legs. His grotesque grin stretched impossibly wide. "Welcome to tonight's Galactically Correct! The only show where cosmic debates turn into cosmic battles! Tonight, we tackle the biggest question of all—Galactus: Devourer or Cosmic Hero? And we have a panel guaranteed to break records—and maybe break a few bones!"
The crowd erupted, their cheers echoing through the vast studio as Mojo gestured theatrically to the stage. "Let's meet our guests!"
The Panelists Enter
A spotlight landed on the first guest, who strode confidently into the arena. Towering and imposing in her purple suit, She-Hulk waved to the crowd with an assured smirk.
"Representing Marvel's legal minds and limitless strength—Jennifer Walters, the She-Hulk!"
She-Hulk adjusted her glasses, addressing the crowd. "Let's hope this circus doesn't end in another courtroom brawl—though I'm ready if it does."
The second spotlight revealed the stoic figure of Ryu, his iconic white gi and red headband instantly recognizable. He walked silently to his seat, his presence as calm and deliberate as his movements.
"From Capcom's world of martial arts mastery, the eternal seeker of strength—Ryu!"
Ryu bowed respectfully, drawing chants of "Hadouken!" from the crowd. He took his seat, glancing briefly at She-Hulk.
The third spotlight erupted into green flames. From the inferno emerged Loki, reclining on a throne of emerald energy. His devilish grin and sardonic wave ignited a mix of cheers and boos.
"And now, from Marvel's Asgard, the master of mischief himself—Loki!"
Loki twirled a dagger lazily in his fingers. "Such fanfare. Let's hope the debates tonight are as entertaining as my entrance."
Next, the spotlight shifted to reveal Mike Haggar, former mayor of Metro City. He marched onto the stage, wielding a steel pipe over his shoulder and flexing for the crowd.
"From Capcom's streets of justice and suplexes—Mike Haggar!"
Haggar took his seat, nodding curtly at the others. "Let's settle this with words, but I'm ready to swing if it comes to that."
The fifth spotlight revealed Storm, her regal white attire glowing under the studio lights. Her commanding presence silenced the audience momentarily before erupting in cheers.
"From Marvel's X-Men, the weather goddess and queen of the skies—Storm!"
Storm floated gracefully to her seat, her voice calm and measured. "This debate demands balance, and I will ensure it."
Finally, the sixth spotlight illuminated Dante, clad in his red leather coat and carrying his iconic twin pistols, Ebony and Ivory. His cocky grin and swaggering gait electrified the crowd.
"And from Capcom's demon-slaying realm, the legendary Devil Hunter—Dante!"
Dante leaned back in his chair, spinning a pistol lazily. "Galactus, Dormammu, cosmic chaos—sounds like just another Tuesday for me."
Mojo clapped his stubby hands together. "What a lineup! Now, let's dig into the big question: Is Galactus a necessary cosmic force, or is he the ultimate interdimensional menace?"
Chapter 11: Galactus on Trial – Mojo's Showdown
The Debate Begins
The studio buzzed with the energy of a thousand dimensions tuned in, Mojo's grotesque grin reflecting the light of dozens of holographic screens surrounding the stage. Each screen flashed iconic images of Galactus: consuming worlds, standing over dying planets, and hovering ominously in space. Mojo, ever the showman, leaned forward in his throne, his spindly mechanical arms gesturing toward the panelists.
"Well, well, well, Jennifer!" Mojo bellowed, his voice crackling with excitement. "As the legal eagle on the panel, tell us, does Galactus even deserve a trial? Or should we just call it a day and fire up the execution laser?"
She-Hulk straightened her blazer and leaned into the mic, her tone measured and confident. "Mojo, this isn't a matter of public opinion or ratings. Galactus is a force of nature, not a person with malicious intent. He operates under cosmic laws we can't fully comprehend, and his actions, though catastrophic, are part of the universal balance."
The audience buzzed with murmurs, some nodding in agreement while others jeered. Mojo's grin widened as he leaned back in mock contemplation. "Cosmic laws, huh? Fascinating. But what about this?"
With a dramatic flourish, Mojo snapped his fingers, and a screen behind him displayed an image of a planet being devoured by Galactus. The vibrant colors of the planet's destruction filled the room. Screams of its doomed inhabitants echoed faintly in the background. The audience gasped.
"Balance or not," Mojo said, pointing to the screen, "this doesn't exactly scream 'necessary evil.' What do you say to that, Mr. Haggar?"
Haggar slammed his pipe onto the table with a loud clang, making several audience members jump. "I say, spare me the legal mumbo-jumbo! Galactus destroys worlds. He doesn't care about balance—he's just a cosmic bully with a big appetite."
She-Hulk turned toward Haggar, her emerald brow furrowing. "And what would you do, Mike? Punch him into submission? This isn't Metro City; this is the multiverse. Galactus doesn't act out of malice. He's driven by forces beyond our understanding."
Before Haggar could respond, Loki chuckled from his emerald throne, twirling a dagger between his fingers. "Ah, mortals and their quaint little arguments. Galactus is neither hero nor villain. He's a puppet—a very large, very destructive puppet. Dormammu pulls the strings, and Galactus dances. The real question isn't whether Galactus deserves a trial; it's whether you mortals deserve to sit in judgment of him."
The audience broke into a mix of laughter and applause, with a few boos peppered in. Mojo leaned forward, relishing the tension. "Ooh, Loki, you sly dog! Always turning the tables. But what about you, Storm? Where do you stand?"
Storm's silver eyes glinted as she spoke, her voice steady and commanding. "Galactus's existence may serve a purpose, but his methods are unacceptable. Balance or not, his actions disrupt life as we know it. Entire civilizations are wiped out. There must be another way."
Mojo clapped his stubby hands. "Another way, you say? Fascinating! But hold on—let's hear from the man with the biggest guns in the room. Dante, care to weigh in?"
Dante leaned back in his chair, spinning one of his pistols lazily. "Look, I'm not saying Galactus is a saint. But if he's being played by Dormammu, then the real bad guy isn't him. Let's take out the puppet master and call it a day."
The audience roared in approval at Dante's straightforward approach. Loki rolled his eyes dramatically, muttering, "How very typical."
Finally, Mojo swiveled to Ryu, the last to speak. "And you, silent warrior? What wisdom do you bring to this cosmic conundrum?"
Ryu's voice was calm yet firm, cutting through the rising tension. "Galactus's actions are not driven by malice. If we can understand his purpose, perhaps we can find a solution that spares lives and preserves balance."
Mojo Stirs the Pot
Mojo's grin stretched impossibly wide. "Ooh, we're getting spicy now! But let's really turn up the heat, shall we?"
He snapped his fingers again, and the screen behind him displayed a montage of planets ravaged by Galactus, overlaid with haunting music. Screams echoed through the studio, and the audience gasped.
"Look at this destruction!" Mojo shouted, his voice dripping with mock outrage. "Entire worlds turned to rubble, their people annihilated. Still think he's just a force of nature, She-Hulk?"
She-Hulk slammed her fist on the table, cracking the surface. "That's manipulation, Mojo. Showing horror without context doesn't prove intent. Galactus's actions may be catastrophic, but they're not evil."
Haggar stood abruptly, pointing his pipe at She-Hulk. "You're defending a planet killer! How can you justify that?"
She-Hulk rose to her full height, towering over Haggar. "Because I believe in justice, not vengeance! Galactus isn't the only one at fault here. Dormammu is manipulating him, and if we don't address that, we're just treating the symptoms, not the disease."
Loki clapped slowly, his grin sly. "Bravo, Jennifer. Such passion! But you're missing the point. Mortals like you can't hope to comprehend the true scale of this conflict. You're playing checkers in a game of chess."
Storm rose from her seat, her voice cutting through the noise. "Enough! This isn't about mortals versus gods. This is about finding a way to protect innocent lives."
Dante stood, twirling Rebellion. "I say we skip the debate and get to the action. What do you think, Mojo?"
Mojo cackled, his metallic throne vibrating with excitement. "Now you're speaking my language!"
Chapter 11: Galactus on Trial – Mojo's Showdown
The Battle Erupts
The air shimmered with energy as Mojo's booming laugh filled the studio. The audience roared with excitement as the stage transformed into a chaotic battlefield. Energy barriers surrounded the contestants, locking them inside, while holographic announcers screamed, "FIGHT!"
The panelists barely had time to register the shift before the attacks began.
Round One: Storm, Loki, Haggar vs. She-Hulk, Dante, Ryu
Loki launched the first assault, his emerald energy bolts exploding across the stage. "This is too easy," he taunted, conjuring multiple copies of himself to confuse his opponents.
Ryu charged forward, ignoring the illusions. "Hadouken!" he yelled, sending a massive energy ball that obliterated several clones. Loki smirked and teleported behind him, raising a glowing dagger to strike.
But Dante was already there, vaulting over Ryu's shoulder. "Not today, trickster!" he shouted, slashing with Rebellion. The demonic blade clashed with Loki's dagger, the impact sending sparks flying.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the stage, She-Hulk faced off against Storm. Lightning crackled around Storm's hands as she hovered above the battlefield. "You can't win this, Jennifer," Storm warned. She unleashed a massive bolt of lightning, striking the floor where She-Hulk stood.
She-Hulk grinned, her green muscles tensing. "Oh, you think that'll stop me?" She leapt into the air, grabbing a massive chunk of the stage and hurling it at Storm like a meteor. Storm countered with a whirlwind, breaking the debris into harmless pieces, but She-Hulk was already airborne, delivering a thunderous punch that sent Storm crashing into the energy barrier.
Haggar roared as he swung his signature steel pipe at Dante, who dodged nimbly, firing Ebony and Ivory in rapid succession. "C'mon, big guy! You're making this too easy!" Dante taunted.
Haggar smirked, surprising Dante with a quick spin that knocked the guns out of his hands. Grabbing Dante by the leg, Haggar executed a Spinning Pile Driver, slamming the demon hunter into the ground so hard the stage cracked.
Combo Moves and Teamwork
Ryu dashed to Dante's side, helping him up as Haggar prepared for another attack. "Let's work together," Ryu said, his calm tone belying the storm in his fists.
Dante nodded, smirking. "Let's light this guy up."
The two unleashed a devastating team combo. Ryu launched a rapid series of punches and kicks, his strikes glowing with energy as Dante followed up with slashes from Rebellion. As Haggar staggered, Ryu and Dante leapt into the air, combining their attacks: Ryu's Shinku Hadouken merged with Dante's Million Stabs, creating a spiraling vortex of energy that sent Haggar flying into the wall.
On the other side of the stage, Loki was weaving his illusions again, surrounding She-Hulk and Storm with dozens of false copies. "You mortals are so predictable," he sneered.
But She-Hulk had had enough. "Let's see how well you handle this!" She smashed her fists into the ground, sending a shockwave that destroyed Loki's clones. At the same time, Storm summoned a hurricane, trapping Loki in a whirlwind.
"Jennifer, now!" Storm yelled.
She-Hulk leapt into the air and delivered a crushing elbow drop, slamming Loki into the stage. The trickster groaned as the crowd erupted into cheers.
Super Combos and the Turning Point
Realizing the battle was slipping away, Loki and Haggar regrouped with Storm. "Time to even the odds," Loki growled. He raised his hands, summoning a massive wave of emerald fire that engulfed the battlefield.
"Look out!" Ryu shouted, barely dodging the flames.
Dante grinned, pulling out Pandora, a massive demonic weapon. "Two can play that game." He unleashed a barrage of missiles that collided with Loki's fire, creating a spectacular explosion.
Storm took advantage of the chaos, summoning a Lightning Storm that struck Ryu and She-Hulk simultaneously. As they stumbled, Haggar charged forward, swinging his pipe in a wide arc.
But She-Hulk caught the pipe mid-swing, snapping it in half. "Not so tough without your toys, are you?" she taunted. She hurled Haggar into Loki, sending both crashing into the barrier.
Ryu and Storm squared off next, their energies crackling in the air. "Let's finish this," Ryu said, charging his Metsu Hadouken. Storm countered by summoning a Hailstorm, but at the last second, Ryu's Hadouken broke through, blasting Storm into the ground.
The Final Blow
With Loki, Haggar, and Storm struggling to rise, She-Hulk, Ryu, and Dante came together for a final coordinated attack.
"Time to wrap this up," Dante said, firing a volley of bullets to pin their enemies down.
Ryu followed up with a devastating Tatsumaki Senpukyaku, his spinning kick creating a whirlwind that swept Loki and Haggar into the air.
Finally, She-Hulk leapt high above the stage, her fists glowing with energy. "Game over!" she roared, slamming down with a seismic blow that knocked out all three opponents.
Mojo Gets His Comeuppance
As the dust settled, the panelists turned their attention to Mojo, who was still floating above the stage, cackling gleefully. "What a show! What drama! The ratings are through the roof!" he exclaimed.
She-Hulk cracked her knuckles. "You used us for entertainment, Mojo. This wasn't a debate—it was a setup."
Mojo shrugged, his grin faltering slightly. "Hey, you signed up for this! Don't blame me for giving the people what they want."
Ryu stepped forward, his gaze steely. "You've manipulated us long enough."
Before Mojo could respond, the team attacked. She-Hulk grabbed his mechanical throne, ripping it apart with her bare hands. Ryu delivered a Shoryuken to Mojo's bulbous face, sending him flying. Dante capped it off with a stylish flip, slamming Rebellion into Mojo's throne, destroying it completely.
Mojo landed in a heap, groaning. "No… my ratings…"
The Aftermath
News and social media exploded with reactions. The public was divided, with hashtags like #GalactusOnTrial and #DevourerOrDefender trending worldwide. Protesters took to the streets, some condemning Galactus as a menace while others argued he was a misunderstood force of nature. Interviews and debates dominated the airwaves, with pundits taking sides on the issue.
Backstage, She-Hulk pulled out her phone and dialed a number. "Phoenix? It's Jennifer Walters. I think I just got a taste of what you're dealing with. I'm offering my services. Whatever you need, I'm in."
Phoenix's voice crackled over the line. "Thanks, Jennifer. We're going to need all the help we can get."
As the team left the shattered studio, they knew the trial was far from over. But they also knew one thing for sure: Mojo wouldn't be exploiting them again anytime soon.