View source for 7419/Thanos in Hyperspace when the Quasar Fell (I)

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2021/08/18
|Location=Hyperspace
|Synopsis=The crew of the Milano with friends attempt to take out Thanos once and for all. Things do not go as planned. The Black Order are not an easy fight, though some fall. Thanos, however, has mastered Hyperspace energy and brings the battle to Phyla-Vell, evaporating her. The crew of the Milano manage to escape and are headed to Half-World with Rocket in stasis on the verge of death. Somehow, Mantis cheated death entirely, which is only fair since Black Swan did the same thing. The quantum bands found a new worthy wearer: Ava.
|Cast of Characters=2800,2006,177,1997,1981
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:2800|Phyla-Vell (2800)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hyperspace is not a place one goes for a casual visit. Staying here requires a huge amount of power. How it is Thanos parked The Sanctuary II here is a technology lost to the ages, somehow acquired by him. He's been hiding here for years now - sending out the Q-ships on missions to find the Infinity Stones.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Milano found where he was hiding thanks to a bug Phyla-Vell placed on Nebula. Nebula may have found it, but for some reason didn't raise the alarm. Some part of her still loathes Thanos, deep down in her core.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The problem with invading Sanctuary II isn't just Thanos - it's the Black Order. The brothers and sisters of Gamora and Nebula. Those chosen by Thanos for their extraordinary talents and potential to be his family.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The eerie glow of hyperspace surrounds them as they prepare their final preparations. Sanctuary II is looming closer in the distance and the device Phyla installed, Kree military technology, has cloaked them from sensors on their approach.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2800|Phyla-Vell (2800)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Phyla-Vell took on Thanos once before. She lost. The knot in her stomach is very real and her expression has become more and more dour the closer they get. This time though, she's not going it alone. The Protector of the Universe is bringing allies - The Guardians of the Galaxy and the lover of her late mother Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'm not generally big on plans. So if you've got one I'm all ears. I say we rush in there, kill anything that gets in our way, jump Thanos and end him once and for all." Her lips remain tight as she looks at Team Kill Thanos or TKT. Much better than TPK. "I know I'm asking a lot of you all.. the mad titan is.. formidable. But he's just one man. A titan yes, I'm half titan. But still just a man."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2006|Mantis (2006)}} has posed:'''<br>Mantis is here only by happenstance. The fact she was brought along to fight Thanos is questionable, given her general lack of concern and upbeat demeanor during the approach of what could very well be a mission of suicide. Right now, she's smiling. Ear to ear. Leaning over a D&amp;D gameboard she found on Earth and brought and has now made to resemble a dungeon of her own design that in absolutely no way at all resembles the throneroom of Thanos. <br><br>"Captain Marval and Phyla-Vell you are both ''tanks''." Speaking from across the room where they've gathered. Peter is a thief, so he does double damage with his backstab ability..." Even holding up the book she'd gotten that indicates that this is, in fact, true. "Drax, you're a barbarian, so I want you to use your berserker ability when you inevitably do something that draws his ire.." And what will Mantis be doing? <br><br>She pulls out a little plastic table from one of her pouches, puts it in the center of the makeshift map, and points at it with two fingers. "I'm going to flip the shit out of that." <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:177|Carol Danvers (177)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Carol is sitting in a jumpseat with her eyes closed. Faint glimmers and whisps of cosmic energy curling around her and her gear as she just tries to focus her mind on the here and the now. She doesn't have any weapons visible. Her suit is it's usual variation of a Kree Starforce design that she has completely made her own over time.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Also while she may not be physically tired but she just seems tired in general. She has regrets over the last week but zero time to deal with it. First finding out her ex had a daughter and that daughter wanted to go stop Thanos and rescue someone named Nebula was a real shock. The Shi'ar invasion made it impossible to spend any meaningful time with Phyla or Quill's band of misfits to really plan for this. Add to that dealing with some cleanup with Lobo and the Metalaks in Metropolis and the last couple of weeks have been way to full of alien drama.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She did take some time to really soak in energy floating in solitude close to the sun before meeting up with the Milano and hitching as ride to deal with a what amounts to a mad god on his home turf. Hence the whisps of uncontainable energy.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When Phyla talks about not much for a plan she blinks her eyes open. "I mean if the files I have on the Black Order are anywhere near accurate... the plan will quickly devolve into fight everything in our way and try to take a shot at Thanos. I would suggest we at least... try to get as close as possible to his throne room without setting off every alarm though. Quick. Brutal. We have no intel on which of the order will be on Sanctuary II right now. We have no idea of the exact layout."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She can't help but have a very bad feeling about today. Her seventh sense gnawing at her.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"That said.. the main thrust is to buy time and distraction to get this nebula out and take the shot we have correct?"<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mantis gets her attention though and she peers at the gameboard getting up to walk over. "Uh.. yeah sure..."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1997|Drax (1997)}} has posed:'''<br>Drax has spent time in what anyone else would call a meditation.&nbsp;&nbsp;He has been quiet and still like a simmering pot.&nbsp;&nbsp;He has also been watching Mantis with her gameboard, occasionally sneaking the most stealthiest peeks one could conceive of.<br><br>"I will tear him limb from limb," Drax says solemnly with slightly forceful breathing.&nbsp;&nbsp;"That will draw his ire."<br><br>"Mantis' plan is good.&nbsp;&nbsp;Flip that table.&nbsp;&nbsp;I will make sure he sees it."&nbsp;&nbsp;Drax looks over to Carol and nods.&nbsp;&nbsp;"The quickest way from us to Thanos is a straight line."&nbsp;&nbsp;But Guardians hardly go in straight lines.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1981|Peter Quill (1981)}} has posed:'''<br>Star-Lord knows this is going to be a helluva fight but hey they beat Ronan and an Infinity stone with the power of friendship, now they had Captain Marvel, Ghost, Vance and Finley. "We've got this" he tells himself as much as the others. <br><br>"Good thinking Mantis," he says patting the bug alien on the shoulder before looking at the others, nodding to Drax as he chimes in. "Buut I agree with Captain Marvel though, we move in quick and quiet, get as close to Thanos as possible before we make some noise. Carol, Phylla and Drax take point on Thanos the rest will pile on when we can and keep the Black Order off your backs." <br><br>He looks the group over. "We can do this, we just got to keep it together and be the heroes the galaxy is learning we are, so, unless we've got any brilliant additions to the plan in our pockets, let's do this." <br><br>Barring any interjections he hits a button on the console and Europe's 'Final Countdown' blasts over the Milano's speakers. (Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNiTxUEnmKI)<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2800|Phyla-Vell (2800)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The final moments of approach, Phyla-Vell holds her breath. The Milano enters one of the cargo ports. There are Chitauri soldiers and Sakaaran tending to gliders and attack needles. They don't seem to think the Milano arriving is a problem. After all, who would be stupid enough to fly right on to The Sanctuary II without an invitation?<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The strange music hits Phyla's ears and she slowly starts to tap her foot to the beat. "Venus? that's in Sol right?" It's a welcome distraction. Her body flares with cosmic energy for a moment as the ship rocks as it settles in to the cargo bay.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"No turning back now. This is it. The.. uhm. Final Countdown." She holds out a fist to the team, "We've got this. Thanos won't know what hit him. The other team will rescue Nebula. The Universe will be protected and guardians or whatever the heck it is your catch phrase is." She walks to the airlock passage and her body erupts in cosmic energy, "Punch it." An energy sword and shield form in front of her and coalesce in to real physical matter from energy alone and she steps out in to The Sanctuary II.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2006|Mantis (2006)}} has posed:'''<br>Klack-tak-klaklak... <br><br>Mantis lets dice fall out of her hand to roll across the gameboard when Drax agrees with her plan. Both antenae rotate forward as if they too are eager to know the results. Results that have her expression going very grim, "One of you will not make it." Pointedly looking at Phyla-Vell for what draws out to a presumably uncomfortable five or six seconds... <br><br>Her hand comes up to cover half her mouth, the other pointing across her body at Peter... while slowly shaking her head. <br><br>Subtle. <br><br>So subtle. <br><br>All of this dread evaporates when music blasts over the speakers, however! <br><br>"OH! It is the song about the last numbers! The final count down." Back to jovial ol' Mantis, wiggling her buggy alien butt all around the gameboard table. In one of her many revolutions, she reaches out a single finger and indeed does flip that table sitting in the center on their way off the Milano in step with the others boarding the omenous vessel where the mad Titan keeps all of his furniture. Furniture that shall not survive the wrath of the Guardians of the Galaxy! <br><br>"I'll go find his table." Stage whisper. <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:177|Carol Danvers (177)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Carol stares at Mantis. It is a penetrating stare. That bit there doesn't sit well with what her gut is already telling her but she has no idea what Mantis's tricks might be to be honest<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Carol blinks as the Milano starts to play a song that was released when she was a kid. One old enough to listen to what was on the radio too. Yeah she is older than she looks by a good long shot, don't worry about it. "Final Countdown.. well I guess that is appropriate Quill."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To be fair to what Captain Marvel and Quill said about quick and quiet. They are landing in one of the cargo bays. "Put down everything that could raise an alarm, fast, brutal as need be, do not let them raise the alarm and we need to move on from here as fast as possible towards the seat of Thanos's power." she sounds way more sure about this course of action than she is in on the onside.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She steps away from Mantis's gameboard and cracks her neck as her helm masks up fully, also lifting her hands and cracking knuckles as well as she walks after Phyla out into Sanctury II with the team. That cosmic energy she was able to keep mostly contained with just some whisps escaping starts to flare about her fists as she launches herself into the air above Phyla and looks fast for clumps of Sakaaran's that could raise an alarm, and fires off a blast to make sure they don't get any opportunities.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1997|Drax (1997)}} has posed:'''<br>Drax tilts his head with a quite serious expression and tracks Mantis' prediction.&nbsp;&nbsp;His eyes settle on Peter.&nbsp;&nbsp;"What will you not be making Quill?!"&nbsp;&nbsp;Surely Quill would tell him, not keep him in the dark.<br><br>But when the mini table is suddenly flipped, Drax lifts up his arms and cheers jovially.&nbsp;&nbsp;"Do it just like that," he insists to Mantis as if it were a family vacation, "When we get there."&nbsp;&nbsp;Mantis' gameboard and her fiddling with it has seemed to give Drax something to keep his cool, of a sort.<br><br>Drax draws his daggers and goes full tilt, letting out a battle cry.&nbsp;&nbsp;He will charge.&nbsp;&nbsp;He will charge all the way to Thanos!&nbsp;&nbsp;(as if he knows where)&nbsp;&nbsp;For now, direction is not a challenge.&nbsp;&nbsp;INWARDS!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1981|Peter Quill (1981)}} has posed:'''<br>Peter's heart drops into his rocket boots when they connect to the docking port. "Figured it fit," he says to Carol before looking over at Mantis. "It's all going to be fine and I'll make it Drax," right Drax, he drops the metaphor. "I will survive, we all will." <br><br>Of course the odds were better for that if they hadn't docked where they docked and been met with a horde of Thanos' soldiers. <br><br>"What Captain Marvel said!" he shouts and opens up on the Chitari. One makes a run for a button and Peter lifts his blaster and shoots the button with a full power blast. Hopefully that'll stop it from working and not y'know set off the alarm for the enemy.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2800|Phyla-Vell (2800)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Phyla's lips twitch in to a small smirk at the threat of Peter's upcoming demise by Mantis. With Carol taking the high ground and the team gathering to assault them, Phyla engages the enemy. Sword slices cleaning through their bodies and shield deflects back blaster fire from Chitauri power staffs.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She even gets in to the groove of it, doing a few decorative twirls just because she can. As one Sakaaran runs for the alarm she points her sword and her cosmic energy whips out along its length and lances toward him, evaporating him in to ashes.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The other team, Team Rescue Nebula, or TRN, comes out behind them and also engages the enemy giving Team Kill Thanos the time to move on ahead and deeper in to the ship. The quiet corridors, heading toward Thanos' throne room.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2006|Mantis (2006)}} has posed:'''<br>"Backstab!" Mantis points at Peter with a grin wide as a shark! Cheeks dimpled as she steps off a half wall run, swings her foot around in a roundhouse kick on one of the Chitari making a move for a side room. A blade whistles out of her hand after a spin on her left knee, buried in the back of another! "Magic-missile!" Her left hand slashes across her body and hurls a spear-dart connected to a chain held in her grip, "Magic Hand!" The dart stabs between the shoulderblades of another Chitari, the chain connected yanks in her hand and pulls him back off his feet! <br><br>"Berserker attack!" BIG GRIN at Drax rushing headfirst into the fight, black eyes look over at Captain Marvel, nose wrinkling in jubilation. "Told you my plan was going to work." All while advancing! Forward retreat style. <br><br>She's moving again, looking in side rooms, antinae peeking, searching, blinking black eyes. Even if it's just a straight line, she has a mission. She must check all the rooms, "You shouldn't over look the potential for side quests. That's how we'll level up before the final boss." <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:177|Carol Danvers (177)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As the other team makes noise it might be a really good distraction to get the punch Thanos in his face team to the throne room.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not that Carol isn't blasting as she moves swiftly towards what looks like a control station and just letting the aliens shoot her wiht their energy weapons shrugging them off it appears. A holo-display springs up in front of her hands and she intefaces with the display while blasting a Sakaaran who tried to get too close to her.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;&lt;Okay .. big old room with an excellent view.. got it&gt;&gt;<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She hovers up away from the terminal and heads faster, lancing an arc of photonic energy to deal with anything in the way and also mark which corridor everyone should hustle down. &lt;&lt;This way&gt;&gt; even if the corridor they are heading down to said Throne room seems way ... way too quiet to Carol.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1997|Drax (1997)}} has posed:'''<br>Drax is also taking the energy weapons like a champ, though it's not like there aren't sensitive parts that might be sore.&nbsp;&nbsp;The big guy straight up checks someone through a panel and just uses his momentum off of that like a pinball on some inexorable mission.&nbsp;&nbsp;It was loud, probably louder than they meant to be, but a guy just get so excited.<br><br>Slllt!&nbsp;&nbsp;Sllllt!&nbsp;&nbsp;The next two in his way get quickly dispatched with a soft spray of blood from their throat off of his daggers.&nbsp;&nbsp;When he sees the signal, he adjusts his heading and starts slamming heads off the walls of the corridor should anyone stand in his way.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1981|Peter Quill (1981)}} has posed:'''<br>Woo. No alarms. Though there is the distant noise of the other team making their way through the massive ship in the distance. TKT makes quick work of the first wave of guards then push on towards the throne room, giving Mantis a thumbs up at the 'backstab' remark. <br><br>As the corridors quiet and they get closer to Thanos' throne room he asks Mantis, "So if Phylla and Carol are Tanks, Drax is a barbarian and I'm a thief, what are you?" <br><br>Peter needed /something/ to keep his mind off the bad feeling creeping into the back of his mind.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2800|Phyla-Vell (2800)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The number of Chitauri and Sakaaran's who randomly appear and shoot at them dwindles as the crew cleans them up one at a time. Carol at the computer, checking the map of the ship finds their destination. "Excellent view.. right.." Phyla-Vell says wryly. Outside is Hyperspace. A brown beige tinged with oil like rainbow colours that swirl about. Once you've seen it a few times the novelty wears off - space though, space is always pretty.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The throne room is large, spacious. Like Sanctuary I, Sanctuary II was built from an asteroid. The rock is carved to form large curved walls. A gigantic window gives the view of Hyperspace as predicted and there sitting on his throne in the middle of the room is the man himself - Thanos.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Standing by his throne are two of his black order children - Cull Obsidian with a large hammer resting by his side and on the other arm is Yabbat Ummon Turru, aka Black Swan, who looks up as the intruders enter. Immediately she lifts an arm and a force field spreads around the throne itself.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Thanos looks up at the strangers approaching; well, one isn't a stranger. "Phyla-Vell," he says in his deep voice in a tone that suggests appreciation that she has brought the fight to him. "I see you brought friends with you this time." Seeing him in person once again, the memories of their last encounter flood back in to Phyla's mind.. the screams of Moondragon.. the blood and pain and anguish as Thanos and Phyla became locked in battle only to come to a stalemate.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;---<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hours ago, on the Milano, Gamora made a point of speaking to the group that was going after Thanos, and anyone else who would listen. "... My Father can not fly. He can not read minds, or fire energyy from his eyes or fists. He doesn't wield magical powers." Gamora had told them. Her eyes had grown intense. "He doesn't need to. Thanos is *the* most dangerous person in the Galaxy. I don't care how strong you are, or what you think. His *presence* can stifle you with its pressure. When you face him... you can't hold anything back. You can't play around. You *can not* give him space. His death must be swift and unceremonious. You are there to *kill* him. That's *all* you are there to do."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Gamora's eyes had closed slowly, and when she next spoke, her voice was softer, though no less tense. "... That's all you're there to do. I understand what my Father deserves. I understand... that he's hurt people here. But as wrong as he is... as... *horrible* as he's been... in his own sick way, it's all come from a place of compassion. It's real. It's not sane, but it's real. If the opportunity presents itself... please... *consider* not making him suffer needlessly."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There had been a moment of silence. It had seemed Gamora was going to leave it there. But she had one more thing she... *really* needed to impress upon them. "But whatever else happens..."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Don't let him take you alive."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2006|Mantis (2006)}} has posed:'''<br>Mantis is actually really stealthy when she understands that she's suppose to be! Standing near to the wall, it doesn't require a master of ninjitsu to keep a low profile next to the likes of Drax who is steadily slamming heads against said walls. Every time, Mantis stops short, and reaches out to pat the unconscious guard on the head as they go down to the floor in a grunty, unconciousy heap. "nighty nighty." <br><br>Alwasy smiling. <br><br>Antinae rotating around her head as she progresses with the group, hands crossed just below her abdomen! Peter's question draws her black gaze, "Oh! I thought you would never ask. I'm a cross class sorceress and monk. I studied the book extensively so that I could maximize combat prowess for this adventure. I think they are colloquially known as a Red Mage." Dimples! <br><br>"You should have done more research on classes before you rolled your character, Peter Quill." Tsk tsk sound as they near the throne-room. "Thieves have very few hit points and you are surely going to die." <br><br>Once they're in the throne room and Black Order persons are errecting force fields, Mantis takes on a whole new persona. A persona that's, at least on the surface, a bit more serious! Even if she is still grinning. She has a knife in each hand as she circles around Black Swan. "Are you a good witch or a bad witch?" Like Swan, Mantis has an aura around her. An empathic shield like the radiant quantum energy wisping off Captain Marvel only less solar! It's more like emotional and stuff. "I'm going to flip that table!" Player Mantis has entered the combat! <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:177|Carol Danvers (177)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fast. Brutal. Efficient. Team Kill Thanos is nothing if not that as they make for the Throne room. The view if it wasn't in hyperspace would be amazing. It is also pretentious as only someone who thinks they are above everyone else would design it and this ship to begin with.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Carol takes in Cull Obsidian, Black Swan, and Thanos. On one hand she thinks they got lucky. Only the Mad Titan and two of his 'Children' are present, but she worries in that same moment about the other team going after rescuing Nebula. So many of the order not accounted for right here right now. Pray they are out on missions.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;&lt;Take out Black Swan, we need that shield down as fast as possible.&gt;&gt; and well she isn't insulted Thanos doesn't know whom she is. Her work in Starforce was... to put it mildly black ops and the work since then has for the most part been so concentrated around Sol. True there are rumors and the Supreme Intelligence knows more than most, but her path and Thanos's mad crusade just hasn't crossed.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Which changes today.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She doesn't slow down though bringing both hands around and letting loose a starship quaking blast of cosmic force right full body into Cull to try to take him out before he can even get on the field as it were, maybe she can blast him right through a bulkhead if it doesn't down him she hopes. Leaving Swan and the forcefield to the Guardians it seems for the moment at least.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Best laid plans of mice and men.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1997|Drax (1997)}} has posed:'''<br>Drax listened to Gamora, but did he really listen?&nbsp;&nbsp;The Kelosian has never shared more thought out plans than a volume's worth of ways to swiftly kill Thanos.&nbsp;&nbsp;The answer is no.&nbsp;&nbsp;No Drax doesn't listen.<br><br>"THANOS!&nbsp;&nbsp;I HAVE COME FOR YOU!" Drax rages as Carol lays out the plan.&nbsp;&nbsp;He launches himself at the forcefield with both daggers drawn.&nbsp;&nbsp;HE WILL STAB THIS FORCEFIELD DOWN IF IT IS THE LAST THING HE DOES!&nbsp;&nbsp;"YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN," he thunders.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1981|Peter Quill (1981)}} has posed:'''<br>"Clearly," Peter replies about not researching his character. "Anyhow good luck in the 'Red Mage'" he wishes Mantis before the doors open and their foes are in sight. Drax's reaction is pretty much what Peter expected, and so shaking his head he puts down his mask and takes to the air, "Mantis try and do your sleep thing on Swan, I'll flank around and backstab to distract her!" then he hits the little thing he rigged up for his walkman, playing what's on it in the background of their comms saying "We got this guys!" as he fires and the music starts up. <br><br>Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjcOJmoJwpk<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2800|Phyla-Vell (2800)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Thanos looks somewhat perplexed for a moment as he stares at Drax throwing himself and daggers at the shield Black Swan created. "How curious. Who are you to harbour such anger." He doesn't seem to be mocking Drax but also doesn't seem to be terribly concerned.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As futile as the attack seems, it is actually a good way to eventually get through that shield. Kinetic force will drain it and Phyla-Vell knows this too. She points her sword and blasts much like carol did at the shield. Black Swan clenches her fists as she focuses hard on keeping the shield together for her father.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Cull Obsidian does not fair well when he's blasted by Carol, demonstrating that for all the glow and brovado the cosmic energy of Carol and Phyla are no joke. He flies back and crashes in to the wall. With a groan, he stands back up slowly; inky black blood is leaking from his abdomen and he stumbles forward, raises his hammer, and charges forward fervently. As Gamora warned, they are fanatics and they are willing to die for their Thanos.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;From behind the throne steps out the reason he is not concerned. Supergiant, who places her fingers to her temples and sends out her mental powers to the group. She forces her will upon them.. KNEEL BEFORE THANOS. She is not even inside the shield and seems unconcerned by this, such is her hubris. The stronger the will the greater the joy as she imposes herself upon them all. KNEEL BEFORE THANOS.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Phyla's arms shake and her brow knits, sweating beads. Supergiant was not someone she had faced before. As bad as magic is, mind control powers are far worse. She shakes all over as she drops to her knees.. ironically as the music blasts in to her ears: 'You're the best.. arooouuund'.. Of the group, only two seem to have a hope. Peter somehow is fighting back against that command, but so too is Mantis, her emotional field unpenetrated by Supergiant.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Thanos hasn't even bothered to stand up yet. "Poor Phyla-Vell. You've come all this way for your revenge. And for what? to kneel before me? Who is this then?" He asks of Carol, "Your sister? and you brought a ravager with you too... and you," he says looking at Mantis, "You I like."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2006|Mantis (2006)}} has posed:'''<br>"You have a ball-sack for a chin!" Mantis has been spending entirely too much time with Rocket and Peter, the latter for her hurled insult and the former for the hurled dagger at Thanos' forcefield. "Ball-sack face!" She's in mid-super duel with Black Swan, however! Empathy verse Weirdo telepath from Terra person, when Supergiant steps into the fray! <br><br>Mantis, being Mantis, knows instinctively why she is here now. <br><br>Even if the others don't. <br><br>"All of my research into the books of lore from ''Morningstar Gaming Mountain'' suddenly become very useful..." She rolls over her shoulder to face the powerful mentalist, antenae pointing at her as she feels the tapping of some weird projection upon her mind that is held at bay by her powerful empathic shield. <br><br>"I searched deep into the monster manual, to the great beasts that bring dread upon the persons of Galaxia! You are a Beholder! And while your saving throughs against psionics are unparrelled..." The agile bug alien leaps from foot to foot to build up speed, extending her shield out like a projectile aimmed at the mentalist. It wont stop her, but if she can get close enough to ''touch'' her? <br><br>Her hand is reaching out as if she's going for a punch, <br><br>"Roll for initiative bitch!" <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:177|Carol Danvers (177)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Carol grits her teeth and clenches her jaw.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There is absolutely nothing she despises more than psionic mother fuckers trying to mind control her and her friends. They are such utter pains in the ass and to be honest at least it isn't Super Giant and Black Maw. The combo would be likely overwhelming. Not that she is very sure their egos could fit in the same throne room on the bright side.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Captain Marvel manages to not just fall right to her knees though she does stagger on the command waivering. Also she has Cull coming back from the blast wounded but looking to get some payback.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'm ... not her sister." Carol grits out and then reaches up to catch the inevitable hammer swing down at her in her hands. Which probably crumples the floor even in this room.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Her intent as cosmic energy flares up all around her is to use his own momentum and a whole lot of force to pivot and throw him and his hammer into another wall where he can catch his own hammer face first.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She really hopes Mantis wins her initiative roll.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1997|Drax (1997)}} has posed:'''<br>Even as Drax continues to slice and dice the forcefield, he can feel his mind begin to give way, his legs shaking with the quick but epic resistance.&nbsp;&nbsp;He came here for his daughter, for his wife, for their peace.&nbsp;&nbsp;He did not come here for this, yet before the mighty Thanos, Drax is brought to his knees.<br><br>"I am Drax the Destroyer.&nbsp;&nbsp;You killed my daughter and wife," well Ronan did but let's not split hairs for the sake of the line, "Prepare to die!"&nbsp;&nbsp;He lets out another wail and just keeps stabbing...and yelling...and wow that adrenaline just does not wear off or whatever Kelosian hormone is kicking right now.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1981|Peter Quill (1981)}} has posed:'''<br>Supergiant's command echoes in Peter's mind sending a wave of pain through his head worse than the time Yondu talked him into ordering a Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster on his eighteenth birthday. He drops to his knees for a moment but then the pain is gone and there's just the music. <br><br>Peter gets to his feet. "Hey, asshole, you need to do better than that to take out a Guardian of the frickin' Galaxy!" he takes out his graviton mine and slides it along the floor coming to a stop behind Supergiant as Mantis makes her move. <br><br>Peter smiles under his mask, "Backstab time!" he shouts clicking on the mine, it's pull hopefully enough to keep her in place for Mantis to knock her the hell out!<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2800|Phyla-Vell (2800)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Supergiant focuses all her attentions upon Mantis and she feels something perhaps never felt before; an attempt not to just to subjugate her but to -possess- her. Supergiant is trying to take over Mantis's mind entirely.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Thanos regards the kneeling Drax and clicks his tongue, "I pity you. To shun the gift I gave you and your people. Your lose was their gain, a sacrifice worthy of their lives to let others live." Finally, the big man stands up at full height and lifts up his giant double bladed sword.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Villain speech, they always have to have one, "Before the stars, the planets, magic, celestial, quantum.. there was darkness. Nothingness. It had a name, a name it chose for itself. It hungers and it hates what we are, what we have. It wants to consume us all and return the universe to true void. Trillions of people go about their lives ignorant of this, they fight, they war, they invent new ways to waste the precious resource of life and energy given to us. We fly amongst the stars, we breed, we consume, we devour, we do everything in our power but unite in a common loss."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He regards Carol for a moment, then looks back to Phyla, "The Infinity Stone, that's what brought you here. With the infinity stones, I will unite the universe in despair by taking away half of all who live. This will give us the time to come together as one and fight the darkness off once and for all. Someone must be that villain, and it shall be me, for the good of all remaining life. And you Phyla, you burn 100,000 times brighter than any other. You waste your time settling border disputes and destroying space ships and making trinkets, all the while draining the life away from what little time we have left. And for that, Quasar, you must die."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He touches a button on his wrist and the chair he had been sitting on starts to pulse intensely with energy that is blinding to Carol and Phyla, but just looks like hyperspace energy to everyone else. He spreads his arms and the energy shoots from the chair in to his body and he cries out in pain as it fills him to the brink of even his Titan heritage.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The last thing Supergiant concerns herself is physical violence. She is immune to just about all kinds of damage and her will is indomitable. Why she works for Thanos? she couldn't be bent to his will. No, he was kind to her and she opened her heart up to him. She loves the man.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When Mantis launches at her and touches her, she doesn't even concern herself with phasing out, not immediately. But that was a mistake. The battle field between the two changes drastically even as the compulsion forced upon all the others ends; the two become locked in combat in a psychic landscape.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And that battle lasts all of but a moment before suddenly, despite being invulnerable, she still lives in a physical universe. Supergiant is yanked backwards by Peter's graviton mine and pinned to the floor.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Phyla jumps up and focuses all her energy on the shield, an intense beam blast cutting through it, "Carol.. we can do this! focus on the shield." Captain Marvel is, however, right in that a large hammer comes crashing down on her; caught by her hand and bending the floor beneath her. He keeps trying to push, trying to crush her in to the floor.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2006|Mantis (2006)}} has posed:'''<br>Whether it was the intrusion upon her mind where Super Giant attempted to take control of her or the momentary battle on the psychic plain, Mantis' expression becomes something not many have ever seen. Her black eyes crease downward with the curve of her lips into a pronounced frown. Suddenly seperated from the psionic mistress, she walks towards where she's fixed to the ground by the force of a graviton mine. Through the energy radiatingout of Thanos' chair towards Carol and Quasar. Through the bits of concrete thrown by the crack of the ground beneath them when Carol catches Obsidian's hammer. <br><br>She settles down to sit beside Super Giant with her head cant to one side and reaches out to stroke her hand down across her forehead. "I'm sorry nobody treats you well." Her words are the embodiment of soothing, an echoing sound akin to how people remember their mother's. "You don't have to assist a guy with balls for a chin though, I'll treat you kindly." Smiling in that awkward way of hers as the battle, likely, begins to rage in earnest all around them. <br><br>"But first I have to go kill that stupid bad witch okay? Don't try to mind control my friends. It's not nice." Her finger taps Super Giant on the nose, "Boop." before she stands back up and spins on her heels to face Black Swan. Hurling her other knife at the womans back. <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:177|Carol Danvers (177)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Unfortunately it seems that the push on her mind to kneel and stop fighting was enough to prevent Carol from flinging Cull Obsidian into another wall. She did manage to catch that downward swing of his mighty hammer. "Son of a ...." she grits out. &lt;&lt;He is channeling hyperspace somehow, the energy is incalculable watch out!&gt;&gt;<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;On the bright side Mantis and Quill won the roll for initiative and that psychic presence is off her and she can think and move much more clearly now. So she digs her fingers into the head of the hammer, crushing it even as it is trying to crush her.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She slowly pushes back up fully to her feet without the strain on her mind trying to also force her into the floor. Yes it keeps bending under them both now but she seems to be a smidge stronger than Cull.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There is a flash of cosmic energy in her arms and she shatters the hammer between her hands crushing it into chunks of metal. Leaving her with two shards and him with ... well a very fancy stick.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She flings one of the shards exceptionally hard at his right eye.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1981|Peter Quill (1981)}} has posed:'''<br>Cocking his head in surprise as Mantis boops Supergiant. "What the hell?" he mutters and for a moment he keeps his blasters levelled on Supergiant before letting them move off towards Black Swan, trying to lay down some cover fire as Mantis flings a blade.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2800|Phyla-Vell (2800)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Phyla-Vell tilts her head, "Fine then, I'll... do it myself." Stubborn to the end, she drops the shield and sword and brings both her hands up before her, blasting the shield as the cosmic energy starts to blend with quantum energy. The combination is far more intense as she engages the Q-bands. Phyla walks toward the Throne and Thanos as the shield protecting him begins to crumble. It disappears with a puff of sparkles.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Hyperspace is its own unique flavour of creation. One of the unique realms, like the cosmic and the quantum. No one has ever tamed Hyperspace as far as anyone knows. But now they know it can be done - because Thanos has done it. His feet lift off the floor as he begins to fly. Quasar matches him, her glowing body is filled with rage and vengeance.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Phyla's sword returns to her as Thanos's sword starts to spin and the two engage in aerial battle. Energy flashes about wildly as they duck and weave and fly. But those keeping score already know how much energy Carol and Phyla have expended... and in Hyperspace, cosmic energy does not come to recharge them.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Supergiant struggles against the graviton mine, trying to reach behind her to deactivate it but she must suffer the indignity of Mantis _caring_. Her eyes widen a touch as she is approached.. and then as Mantis rises up after kind words, she shimmers and becomes intangible, slipping through the floor, free from the graviton mine.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Cull thinks he's winning this fight.. until he isn't. Carol's pushing back harder than he can push down. His expression turns to frustration.. and then horror as his hammer is crushed by the oddly dressed Kree warrior. Then the shard hits his eye and he stumbles back, crying out in pain and cupping his face.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Black Swan is exposed briefly and she starts to move her hands quickly, like a sith lord deflecting Peter's blasts at her away. She lifts up in to the air and starts to telekinetically throw things toward Peter, unawares Mantis is coming for her too.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2006|Mantis (2006)}} has posed:'''<br>''In my heart I know I should have stayed with Super Giant and showered her with attention. Like that time I caught Rocket crying after watching Starman. He said it was just allergies, but I know it wasn't allergies. He felt a lot better after I pet him even if he did bite me.'' Mantis says to herself as she darts out of the shadows behind Black Swan, reversing her grip on the knife clutched in her fist as she builds up speed in her quiet run! Ninja mode engaged! <br><br>She is only marginally aware that Quasar and Thanos are doing that cool Aerial Anime fight stuff that she saw on the television at Morningstar Games! She'd stood there for a good three hours watching! It was very entertaining! <br><br>''I'll send her a nice letter when I get back to the Milano. Hello, Beholder beast, I know that you evaporated into the floor but I'm pretty sure you're not dead. That's why I put this letter under my pillow where you could find it. Like the tooth goblin.'' <br><br>Mantis leaps into the air towards Black Swan's back, double gripping her knife as she comes down, trying to stab it inbetween her shoulder blades! "I have triple classed as a rogue! Backstab!" <br><br>''I think I just killed the bad witch, you'd be pretty proud of me, I think.'' <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:177|Carol Danvers (177)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The whole business in hyperspace is a problem.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Carol is starting to regret not having more time to study the problem to be honest. If she had been thinking they would have split into three teams, even if it meant bringing more people into the scrum. They absolutely needed a team to take out the hyperspace engine or stablizers or whatever is keeping Sanctury II stuck in Hyperspace because it is becoming blindingly obvious, literally so thanks to the energy, that fighting here is a big old advantage for balls for chin as Mantis would put it and not for Team Kill Thanos.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;&lt;Be. Right. There.&gt;&gt; she says over the comms and to the room as she follows up the hammer shard to the eye by stepping forward, cupping her hands around his own cupped hands and blasting an energetic amount of cosmic energy right into Cull's cupped face.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Like a lightning rod. If the Black Dward lives, he will definitely remember Carol. If he doesn't well his brother Corvus Glaive or sister-in-law Proxima Midnight probably will.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That is a future Carol problem though.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She turns away stepping as she does towards Phyla and Thanos. She did say she would be right there right.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1997|Drax (1997)}} has posed:'''<br>"You know nothing of gifts.&nbsp;&nbsp;Gifts are freely given, not taken.&nbsp;&nbsp;There was no sacrifice.&nbsp;&nbsp;Only laziness.&nbsp;&nbsp;It is easy to kill."&nbsp;&nbsp;Drax ends up quiet.&nbsp;&nbsp;He has waited so long.&nbsp;&nbsp;He waits longer as he watches the fight between Thanos and Phyla for what moment, who could say.&nbsp;&nbsp;He's probably looking for an opening in the fight.<br><br>Drax lets out a frustrated growl and launches himself at Thanos with his blades out like a flea jumping on the back of a dog ready to feast.&nbsp;&nbsp;"THIS IS YOUR SACRIFICE!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1981|Peter Quill (1981)}} has posed:'''<br>Peter left Earth years before the movie came out but he still knows the 5 D's of Dodgeball and he demonstrates them now! Dodge, Dip, Duck, Dive, and uh... Dodge! Zipping on his jets around the objects Black Swan chucks at him. "Not bad, but you're dealing with St. Charles Middle's Dodgeball champion, bitch," he says before putting Black Swan in his sights. "Now dodge this!" his middle fingers pull the stun triggers on both blasters as Mantis steals his backstab schtick! <br><br>Still he gives her a double thumbs up around both blasters. She did good.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2800|Phyla-Vell (2800)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Black Swan doesn't even see it coming. How could a little Mantis do this? the knife in her back. Back stabbed. For real. Her mouth opens in surprise and a dribble of purple blood flows from her lips. She looks down at a device flashing a light on her belt. A shaking hand reaches down and she presses the button.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Reality Incursion Device activates and the last few small moments rewind. She can still feel the pain in her back where the dagger embedded in to her. But this time, this time she flies a little more to the side so that Mantis misses her.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But this time Peter's weapon hits her with dual lethal blasts and she falls from the sky and crashes to the ground. Shuddering, a s device on her belt flashes a light and she reaches down in her last dying moments to press its button.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Time rewinds for her again and this time she ducks underneath Mantis and lets Peter's blaster shots hit the back stabber instead.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Cull Obsidian staggers back as the shard is driven deeper in to his brain. He stands there for a moment, his other eye open wide in terror as he contemplates the notion of death for one last time.. then falls backwards and hits the floor.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Thanos feels the blades of Drax the Destroyer, mightiest warrior here for vengeance as much as Phyla-Vell, embed in to his back and shoulder. He grunts and Phyla manages to cut Thanos across the wrist. His spinning blade sword hurls toward Peter.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Phyla moves in to stab Thanos, driving her sword in to his chest. He coughs up some blood, then wraps his meaty hand about Phyla's neck and begins to squeeze. "None of you know how close to oblivion we all are," he splutters, feeling the weight of Drax dragging those blades in to him. "No matter what it costs me, I will save us all."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;His eyes begin to glow intense and then a might BOOOOM of hyperspace energy lances out of his vision and envelops Quasar. She hasn't even the time to push home her sword stab advantage as she evaporates before their very eyes. Not even her quantum bands remain.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Thanos reaches behind him and grabs Drax.. "And you little man, so full of self righteous dignity. I would applaud you," he says coughing up blood again, "if you weren't in my way." He throws Drax toward Carol.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2006|Mantis (2006)}} has posed:'''<br>This is not how she saw this playing out at all! <br><br>Well, the first time it played exactly like she saw it, but not the second or third... <br><br>Leaping through the air, both hands drive the dagger deep into Swan's back. Even giving Peter a thumbs up and a big beefy grin when her head pops up with a smear of Swan's purple blood across her face! She feels time shifting and she's flying through the air again, only this time no dagger thwaking. No thumbs up. And no purple blood on her face! <br><br>She hits a knee and rolls, dagger scattering across the floor when she plants forward with too much momentum and ends up scampering towards it, only to be yanked backwards as time rewinds. Again flying through the air, she sees Swan duck... <br><br>Both elemental pistols hit her right in the chest. <br><br>It stops her forward momentum rather suddenly, knocking her out of the air like someone swat a paper airplane to the ground. Turned over on her side in a heap with black hair splayed out across her face and her antenae laying on the ground motionless. <br><br>Empty black eyes stare at the battle raging, a haze settling over her vision with every beat of slowing beat of her heart. It's playing out like a sliding picture movie, brow furrowing, she sighs one last time and closes her eyes. <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:177|Carol Danvers (177)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The whole rewinding of time feels trippy at the edge of Carol's senses. Blip. Blip. Blip. What the hell is going on here.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Regardless it doesn't change Cull Obsidian's fate, he doesn't have a reality Incursion Device on his belt, though perhaps Thanos will rebuild him despite his failures.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Speaking of failures though Carol's eyes go very wide as Thanos gets tag teamed and shrugs it off with a blast of energy unlike anything she has ever first hand witnessed. She just stands there frozen as she watches Phyla get vaporized. Literally vaporized as far as Carol can tell "NO!!" she yells the pain evident in her voice.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then there is the bigger problem.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;No not Drax being thrown at her. The problem that as far as she can tell Thanos has a whole lot more hyperspace energy where that comes from.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;So Carol reaches up to catch the Destroyer launched at her and even as she pivots and throws him pretty hard as she can down the hallway they came in she barks a sharp order over the comms. To both teams honestly &lt;&lt;We have to fall back. NOW!&gt;&gt;<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She had a sense this was bad, the whole thing, but in the end it wasn't bad for her living ... just others... so it never crystalized in her Seventh Sense just how bad this truly was.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Quill better get Mantis<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1997|Drax (1997)}} has posed:'''<br>Drax digs downward with all of his force on the dagger, hanging lodged between bone.&nbsp;&nbsp;To stab again would be a mighty feat and he's trying to do it as if he were climbing an icy mountain.&nbsp;&nbsp;When he's yanked, he grips tightly, but one blade remains lodged in Thanos' back.<br><br>Faced with the murderer of his family, the Kelosian guffaws.&nbsp;&nbsp;"Little?&nbsp;&nbsp;HAHAHAHAHAHA," and Thanos gets barbecue breath in the face.&nbsp;&nbsp;That's right.&nbsp;&nbsp;Drax's lunch was better than yours.&nbsp;&nbsp;And he continues laughing even as he gets hot potato'ed into a retreat.&nbsp;&nbsp;Send you a postcard Thanos!&nbsp;&nbsp;Wait.&nbsp;&nbsp;Retreat?!<br><br>"NOOOOOOOO!"<br><br>P.S.&nbsp;&nbsp;Cinderella left behind his dagger.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1981|Peter Quill (1981)}} has posed:'''<br>Peter grins as they take down Black Swan... <br><br>Time resets. Peter grins as they take down Black Swan. "Didn't dodge that, did you?!" he taunts. <br><br>Time resets. <br><br>Peter's eyes go wide as his shots hit Mantis. "Nooo!" he shouts in shock and rage. <br><br>Thanos' sword hits him then, kocking him into the bulkhead and sending him sliding to the floor. A normal Terran should be cut in two but he's still there, broken arm, likely broken ribs and a whole mess of other injurie but he's still alive. He crawls towards Mantis before the flare of hyperspace energy pings something inside him and he looks up in time to watch Phylla die but not soon enough to do anything about it. <br><br>An angry wordless roar leaves his lips as he aims his weapon at Thanos and pulls the trigger over, and over raining lethal bolts towards the Mad Titan until Carol's command comes over comms and he glances towards Mantis' prone form. He drops his blaster and fighting through the pain he grabs her up and begins to retreat.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2800|Phyla-Vell (2800)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"... My Father can not fly. He can not read minds, or fire energy from his eyes or fists. He doesn't wield magical powers." Gamora had told them.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Over the comms the team can hear Vance Astro saying "Team. Rocket is down. Med-Evac required."<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Black Swan has no choice but to fly back to Thanos and erect a new shield. It's a lot weaker than the one before, but enough to stop Peter's returned fire. Thanos looks down at Peter and hmphs softly, "You should have gone for the heart." To a now gone Phyla-Vell.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He rests a hand on Black Swan's shoulder. "To the infirmary," he says taking the wounds and the sword stuck through him and the daggers in his back with grace and dignity that he doesn't deserve. The pair begin to fly away as what looks like Proxima Midnight, with spear and shield, a limping Ebony Maw, and Corvus Glaive enter from the far side of the room. Maw says, "Sire! You are hurt." He begins to do magic to help the Titan escape too.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2006|Mantis (2006)}} has posed:'''<br>In a void of black, Mantis sits at a table like the one she'd laid out her gameboard on the Milano. She's hunched over staring at it, rubbing her chin with a hand whose elbow rests upon her knees, the other dangles across her thigh as she inspects the pieces on the playing field. Rocket is laid over, Mantis' own piece is laid over, along with Phyla-Vell's. Thanos, she'd chosen a dragon for him, is retreating into a cavern of stone with several unidentified pieces representing the other members of the Black Order. <br><br>In her dream scape, Mantis taps a finger against her bottom lip. Lips quirked curiously to one side, like a pout. She goes to say something, but stops herself when she remembers she can't talk here. There's no sound in this place. She's unaware of Peter carrying her still form away when the retreat is called, unaware of the other members of the Guardians trying to drag Drax away against his protests, or even the need for a med evac for Rocket, aside from what she'd heard just before darkness settled. <br><br>Rather than feel sorry or sadness, she reaches for her piece on the board... A black haired woman in flowing gowns that she'd picked out specifically because she thought she was beautiful with her pointed elven ears. With the piece clutched to her chest, she stands from her seat and walks a few steps away from the table... then turns, hooks her fingers beneath one edge, and flips the whole board! <br><br>Grinning ear to ear with her tongue peeking out from between her teeth. <br><br>Mantis takes a slow breath in Peter's arms... <br><br> "two levels in fighter..." She murmurs, it hurts a lot more to talk than she remember it hurting last time she talked. ".. all those extra hit points..." <br> <br>

:'''{{#var:177|Carol Danvers (177)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It just keeps getting better and better. Not. There is absolutely no chance the remaining Guardians can take four of the Black Order and Thanos, whom isn't nearly out of this fight on with Phyla gone. Mantis down. Peter wounded. Drax flying down a hallway screaming.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not that Carol doesn't want to try, at least some part of her, that isn't the responsible one. Gods this was all a mistake.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Captain Marvel fires a stream of photon blasts to provide cover for Peter and Mantis to get to her shouting "I'll be back Thanos!" it is a promise she absolutely intends to keep. Though next time she will rip this ship out of hyperspace first. Maybe bring a couple Kryptonians she knows. But she does intend to be back.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&lt;&lt;Get to the ship Drax, help your friends!&gt;&gt; she turns and takes Mantis from the wounded Quill. Hell with her free hand she scruffs the wounded Quill and propels herself the way she threw Drax with both the wounded Guardians in hand.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To the ship.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:1981|Peter Quill (1981)}} has posed:'''<br>"Huh?" Peter asks as Mantis speaks, but holy shit, Mantis is talking that means she isn't dead, he didn't kill her... he's never felt more relieved. "Looks like the HP came in handy," Peter tells her as he continues to make his way back to the ship. It didn't feel this far coming in, but then every step sends jolts of pain through his body. <br><br>Then Mantis is lifted from his arms and a moment later he's lifted too and he just lets himself go limp. Carol had them, nothing was going to make today okay, but at least the comfort of that knowledge came close. <br><br>"We'll get him," he murmurs to Carol. "This isn't over."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:2800|Phyla-Vell (2800)}} has posed:'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Thanos with the support of his black order makes his way to the infirmary, but not before he hears Carol yell out that she'll be back. A wicked grin crosses his features for Thanos never shies away from a fight.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;On the Milano.. Rocket is covered in blood in a stasis chamber which is active. Gamora is passed out against a blood stained wall and Groot is tending to her wounds. Ava... is wearing Quasar's quantum bands. Vance looks to be explaining something dire to her and in the cockpit, Finley has stopped trying to control the Milano.... there is Nebula, giving orders. Not just that, but she is piloting the ship, with a hyperspace exit jump planned: Half World.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Milano jumps.<br><br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To Be Continued.....<br> <br>
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