Ambush
“To the Avengers!” Rex cheered, a drink in his hand.
The clones and Jedi in the bar cheered.
Said team smiled and gave finger salutes.
“Hey, everyone!” Sam shouted. “Cap is drinking tonight! Anyone wanna try to outlast him?”
“I’ll give it a shot!” one of the troops shouted.
Steve snorted. Then he sat down across from the soldier and ordered a drink.
“Alright, place your bets! Place your bets!” Pietro exclaimed.
Clones walked up to him and started.
Natasha shook her head fondly.
“They’re all gonna lose.”
“This’ll be fun to watch,” Rhodey said.
His smile fell slightly when he saw that Anakin was heading for the door.
“Hey, Anakin! Where are you going?”
Skywalker stopped.
“Jedi business. Can’t stay. Sorry.”
The colonel wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
“Come on, man. You and Sam both caught Dooku. This is your night. Enjoy it.”
Anakin rolled his eyes fondly.
“I have to go. But I’ll see you guys later.”
The Jedi Knight walked right out the door.
“Ten bucks says it’s a hookup.”
Rhodey raised a brow at the redhead.
“Pretty sure Jedi are celibate.”
“I thought he was rebellious.”
Rhodey mulled it over.
“Okay, but with who?”
The ex-assassin shrugged.
Two Hours Later
Many clones had been in a drinking game against Rogers.
Only one was still even trying.
“Just keep it going Cap!”
“Hardcase! Hardcase! Hardcase!”
“Don’t worry boys! Nothing can take me down!” the hyperactive clone said right before he fell to the ground, passed out.
The clones all cursed as Pietro and Sam cheered.
The men reluctantly handed the two Avengers their credits.
“That was quite the display, Steve,” Kenobi praised.
“Thanks,” he responded, taking a sip from his drink. “So, will the War be over after Dooku’s trial?”
“The Senate might be able to use him to negotiate a treaty.” Then he sighed. “But it might not be enough.”
“What do you mean?”
Obi Wan hesitated.
“When I was Dooku’s prisoner, he told me that he had a Master named Darth Sideous. That he was the one responsible for this war.”
“What?”
“Yes. Now I don’t believe this next part, but he also claimed that Sideous was in control of the Senate.”
Rogers’ face became ashen and a chill ran down his spine.
“You’re serious?”
The Jedi gave the Super Soldier a confused look.
“Does this frighten you?”
“…Did I ever tell you about Project Insight?”
Dooku hadn’t spent this much time on Coruscant in ten years. The last time he was here he killed a close friend and joined the ancient enemy of the group he’d dedicated his life to for decades. The people who had raised him when all his father did was abandon him. The people he knew more than anyone.
It felt strange.
The Council had initially wanted to place him in the Temple, but the Chancellor insisted that GAR Command Center would be more suited.
If only they knew how he’d given me my lightsaber.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the shield door opening.
The Count looked up to see a young man in a blue suit with platinum blond hair.
Pietro Maximoff.
“Your trial before the Senate will be in two hours. I’m here to escort you to your transport.”
Dooku raised a brow.
“If that is the only reason, then why are you not carrying any new restraints? Why are there no clones with you?”
“They’re outside the cell.” He looked at said clones and raised his hand with all five fingers, meaning ‘five minutes.’ “You’re right though. I can because I have a few questions. For starters, why did you start the Separatist Movement?”
The Sith glared at the Avenger.
“As a Jedi, I went on many missions across the Galaxy. And on every planet there was the same thing. People suffering from the policies of a corrupt Senate that fails the Republic it represents. I refused to allow this to continue. That is why. I wouldn’t expect you to understand.”
Pietro stared at him. Then he touched his earpiece.
“FRIDAY?”
“All signs show that he’s telling the truth.”
He crossed his arms.
“I actually do.”
Dooku gave him a look meaning ‘go on.’
“My home country was like the Outer Rim. War torn and impoverished. My sister and I had to grow up on the streets because Our parents were killed in a civil war. While that happened, the superpowers of the world were profiting from it.”
“Truly?”
Maximoff nodded.
“Now I have another question. Why did you join the Sith?”
The Count’s eyes narrowed.
“Why does that concern you?”
He shrugged.
“Just trying to understand, is all.”
Dooku looked down and sighed.
“How much do you know about the Jedi Order?”
“That they’re the peace keeper of the Republic.”
“Yes. And for the past thousand years since the last Sith Empire, they served as part of the Judicial Forces. As the Republic’s attack dogs for any unrest.” The Sith Lord looked at the Avenger with a fierce gaze. “They blindly serve the Senate. A Senate that has lost all interest in the common good. The Jedi have failed the people we serve. But then I met him .”
Pietro straightened up at that.
“Darth Sidious agreed with me where the Council would not. He promised me that we would bring peace and order to the Galaxy. Tell me, isn’t that what you Avengers strive for as well?”
“It is. But how do you know you can trust him?”
“What?”
“My sister and I once worked for a guy named Ultron. He wanted to bring peace to our world. He had our complete trust. It wasn’t ‘til later that we learned he wanted to bring peace by killing everyone on the planet .”
Dooku’s eyes widened.
“He took advantage of our pain and used us for his own plans. So I’ll ask you again. How do you know he’ll keep his word?”
The Count was silent before an idea came to mind.
“Perhaps you are right. And perhaps…we should be allies.”
The speedster’s brow furrowed in confusion.
“What are you talking about?”
“You Avengers fight for the good of the people. So do I. We are more capable of accomplishing this if we stand together. Join me. All of you. We can save the Galaxy from Sidious. The Republic’s corruption. And the Jedi’s hypocrisy.”
“ …Who is he?”
“I…I still have need of him.”
“Well, we don't.”
One of the guards knocked on the cell before they could continue.
“It’s time, Mr. Maximoff.”
Pietro nodded as they came in and cuffed Dooku.
No words were said as they left the building.
A large squadron of the Coruscant Guard met them outside. With them were the rest of the team.
The speedster zoomed right to them.
“Well?” Cap asked.
“He believes what he says.”
“So he does care,” Nat noted. “Good. Did you tell him about Ultron?”
“Yes. If he’s anything like me, he might start to have doubts.”
“Sure it’ll make him talk?” Sam wondered.
“It might,” she said.
“You guys sure we should be doing this?” Rhodey asked. “I mean, this isn’t our war.”
“After what Obi Wan told us? Yes. I’m not letting another HYDRA scenario happen if I can help it.”
Natasha frowned.
Sam shivered.
“Alright,” Cap began. “Sam and Rhodey, I want you both flying right beside the gunship he’s on. The rest of us will be on the other’s just in case. We’ll also have Anakin, Obi Wan, Windu with us.”
The team nodded. Everyone loaded up and took off. Pietro with Windu. Steve with Obi Wan. And Natasha with Anakin.
Steve turned to Kenobi was frowning deeply
“Something wrong, Obi Wan?”
“I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”
Maximoff stared at the Jedi Council Member.
“You look just like someone we know. You know that.”
Mace tried not to show his annoyance.
“You’re from Tatooine, right?” Natasha asked Skywalker.
“Yes.”
“Do you know an Owen and Beru Lars?”
Anakin whirled on the ex assassin.
“What?”
“I met them on Tatooine. They were very nice to me. And they said they knew you.”
“I uh, I met them before the War started.” Then he noticed something in her wording. “Wait. Beru Lars ?! Did they get married?!”
Natasha nodded.
“Huh.”
The escort flew across the upper levels. The Senate Building was getting closer and closer.
Not today , Dooku thought.
With a small move of his hands, the Count’s lightsaber flew out of his sleeve and floated in the air. The blade activated and cut right through his cuffs.
The clone's eyes widened.
“Put your hands-!”
Dooku let out a strong Force push and sent the soldiers flying out onto the s=cityscape below.
“He’s loose!” Sam shouted into the comms.
Falcon and Warmachine flew close to the gunship. The two fired their rotary canon and blasters respectively at the Sith.
The aging Force-user expertly dodged and blocked each blast, twirling his crimson blade and body around as if it were some kind of dance.
He sent a Force push Rhodey’s way and the Colonel went flying.
“Whoa!” he shouted as he came closer to the ground.
The armored man hastily thrusted out his arms and legs and fired from his repulsors to ease his fall.
As this went on, Sam Flew for the Count and tried to kick him. But the Sith saw it coming and spun out of the way. He swung his saber at his opponent and cut through his jetpack.
Sparks flew as the wings began to short out.
But before the aviator could fall, he was held back by an unseen force.
Sam turned to see Dooku lazily extending his arm.
“I told you I would not underestimate you again.”
Then he let him go, and the Avenger began to plummet to the cityscape.
That was until Obi Wan extended his own arm and began to pull the man up.
Dooku stretched his arms out and Force-Lightning engulfed his transport.
Steve leaned down and grabbed his friend’s arm and brought him into the gunship.
“You alright, Sam?”
“I’m fine.” He turned to see that Dooku’s gunship was falling to the ground. “But he’s getting away!”
“I’m on it!” they heard on the comms.
Rhodey then flew right past them and straight for the Count.
The Sith Lord leaped out the gunship and gracefully landed on a rooftop. The gunship crashed and exploded in a ball of fire behind him.
Okay, I gotta admit, that’s really cool , Warmachine thought.
The Avenger fired his repulsors at his opponent.
Dooku blocked the beams but fell, to his surprise.
I must remove him from this fight. He’s too dangerous.
The Count stood up and stared down the armored man hovering above him.
“Unless you want me to pulverize your ass, you’re gonna put the laser sword down.”
The old man said nothing as he sent a torrent of Force-Lightning at Rhodey.
Now since electricity is drawn to metal, he couldn’t dodge the attack.
Rhodey screamed in pain as the lightning coursed through his armor. Smoke began to come out of the arc reactor as it was completely fried.
The armor shut off and Warmachine collapsed to the ground.
Before Dooku could do anything else, a fast moving object hit him in the arm.
Dooku fell to the ground and looked up to see nothing but silver wisps. Then he was hit again and skidded across the roof.
He could see now that the other gunships had landed on a larger roof nearby and their occupants were now heading his way.
The Count staggered to his feet and closed his eyes.
“I do not need my eyes to see you, Avenger.”
He reached out with the Force, and “saw” Maximoff moving around him.
Gently raising one hand, the Sith Lord froze the speedster in place.
Pietro groaned as he struggled to move.
The Count walked up to him.
“Do not worry. I’m not going to kill you. You’ve earned my respect. And admiration.”
Pietro continued to struggle.
“Tell me something, Quicksilver. Your sister has abilities similar to the Force. Do you really think the Jedi will be so welcoming to her?”
The speedster paused.
“No. They will fear her. Cast her out. Maybe even go as far as to…contain her. She will not be safe.”
The two locked eyes and Maximoff saw an intensity in the older man’s gaze.
A pit formed in his stomach as he realized that Dooku wasn’t lying.
“But I would do no such thing.”
Pietro’s brow furrowed.
“When the inevitable time comes when you can no longer trust the Republic and the Jedi, send her to me.”
That stunned Quicksilver.
“Do not take this next action personally. I simply cannot have you following me.”
Then he hit him on the head with the blunt end of his saber, knocking Maximoff out. He gently lowered the young man to the ground and looked up to see the other Avengers and Jedi getting closer.
The Count walked to the edge and lazily jumped into the flow of traffic, and gracefully landed on a passing ship.
The clones, Black Widow, and Falcon fired a few shots at the Sith, but stopped as the distance grew.
Romanov turned to her companions.
“We’ll take care of Rhodey and Pietro. You guys go.”
Cap, Kenobi, Skywalker, and Windu nodded, and jumped onto another passing ship.
Anakin climbed down to the cockpit and knocked on the glass. The pilot’s eyes widened upon seeing this.
“Hey! Jedi business! We’ll pay you a million credits if you can bring us next to that ship,” he said pointing towards Dooku’s ride.
The Jedi and Captain barely managed to stay on as the ship zoomed across the cityscape faster than any other vehicle.
Once they were close enough to their escaping prisoner, the group leaped off with their weapons drawn and landed beside him.
“Think you could get away that easily, Dooku?” Anakin taunted.
The four began to corner him to the edge.
“Nothing is ever easy, Skywalker.”
“You can’t win this, Dooku,” Windu said with a glare.
The former Jedi smirked.
“Fortunately, I do not need to win.”
The group looked to see a tunnel approaching.
The Count deactivated lightsaber, took one step back, and fell into the city below.
They ran to the spot just as the ship flew into the tunnel.
After a few moments the Jedi turned off their sabers.
“He’s not dead. Is he,” Steve assessed.
Obi Wan shook his head.
After using the Force to break his fall, and stealthily navigating through the streets, Dooku reached the location where his ship had been hidden. He walked inside and sat down as it took off.
Not long after sitting down, the comms terminal procured the hologram of Darth Sidious.
“The Senate has just been informed of your escape. They were not pleased,” h said with a grin.
“Good. Now our plans can continue?”
“Yes, my apprentice.”
Dooku nodded but a frown wormed its way on his face.
Sidious tilted his head.
“I sense something troubles you, Lord Tyrannus.”
The Separatist leader was silent for a moment.
“My thoughts are clear, Master.”
The Dark Lord of the Sith stared at him.
“Very well. Move forward with the next step.”
“It shall be done, my Master.”
The transmission ended, but his frown didn’t. His conversation with the Avenger, Maximoff, played in his head. There was something that had been planted inside him since the day he joined the Sith. Something that that discussion had only begun to feed.
Doubt.
Forces of Infinity Vol. 2
When Captain Steve Rogers and Grandmaster Yoda went to the moon of Rugosa, they and their clone companions would face many challenges. It was a struggle. But it was also a learning experience, and would be the beginning of a great change in Captain America’s life.
-An excerpt from The Fight for Justice, by Luke Skywalker
King Katuunko scans over the moon of Rugosa with his visor. He hovers in the air with his two guards beside him, on what can only be described as a giant coral-like plant.
“We are getting no signal from the Republic, Your Highness,” one of his guards informed.
The Toydarian King turns his vision to Space. Then he lifts his visor.
“I don’t see anything. It’s not like the Jedi to be late.”
“Greetings, King Katuunko,” they hear from behind.
The three fliers turn to see Asajj Ventress, accompanied by two battle droids. She bows before him respectfully.
The guards point their rifles at her, put the King pushes them down.
“Who are you?”
“I am only a messenger, Majesty. My master wishes to speak with you.”
Using the Force, she places a holo-communicator on the ground, and the image of Count Dooku rises up.
“Katuunko, great King of Toydaria, forgive my intrusion.”
“Count Dooku. I heard you had Republic custody.”
“Yes, a minor inconvenience. But focusing on more relevant matters, I am aware that Master Yoda and Captain Rogers hope you will allow the Jedi to build a Republic base in your system in exchange for protection , correct?”
“Your spies serve you well, Count.”
“I ask, how can the Jedi and Avengers protect youif they can not protect themselves?”
In the Republic envoy ship, Steve Rogers listens to the transmission from his teammate.
“That lightning was different from Thor’s. Instead of my suit absorbing it, the arc reactor was completely fried.”
“Does that mean these Sith are stronger than Thor?”
Rhodey shook his head.
“Not according to FRIDAY’s data. Thor’s is stronger but this stuff is less like electricity and more like pain itself.”
Steve nodded.
“So what happens now? Can you make another?”
The Colonel released a heavy sigh.
“The reactor itself isn’t too hard. But the element for the chore is something else. I used my suit’s spare supply of it the first time. And I can’t salvage it because that Space magic made it dangerously radioactive. FRIDAY tried to see if there was any in this Galaxy, or at least a suitable replacement. She ran the numbers and came up dry.”
Cap frowned.
“So until we get home, you're not using your suite.”
“I’m afraid so.”
“Terrific,” he complained.
“Hey, I’m still a good pilot, and strategist.”
“Hey, Rhodey! You ready to head out?!”
“That Anakin?”
“Yeah. Master Plo got ambushed in the Abregado system. Anakin, Ahsoka and I are gonna look for survivors.”
“Alright. You three be safe out there.”
“We will, Cap.”
The transmission ended and Cap looked out the window at the moon below.
“Toydarian Royal Delegation, this is the Royal Envoy. Please respond,” a clone officer said into the comms.
The sound of a cane was heard as Master Yoda walked onto the bridge.
“General, Captain, the Toydarian’s beacon is active on the moon, but all our transmissions are being jammed.”
Yoda hums while Steve straightens up.
A Separatist frigate jumps out of Hyperspace and fires upon the Republic craft. The crew hold onto anything they can as the ship shakes.
They try to fly away from their attackers, but another frigate emerges as well.
“Too late it is. Sprung is the trap,” Yoda says.
“I must get you both to safety,” the officer says.
“You boys get out of here,” Steve orders. “The General and I will get to the surface.”
Back with Katuunko, he looks at the Separatists with skepticism.
“I suppose you and your droid armies can do better?”
“Without a doubt. I sense you are one who respects strength , Your Highness. Our droid armies outnumber the Republic clones a hundred to one.”
“ Perhaps , but I have heard that a single Jedi equals a hundred battle droids. And then there are the Avengers, who are unlike anything the Galaxy has seen in centuries.”
Yoda, Rogers, and their clone escort start walking out the bridge.
“Quickly now. Reach the surface we must.”
“In an escape pod , sir?! The enemy will fire at anything we launch!”
“Then launch all of them you will, hmm?” he said with a smile, causing the Avenger to snort.
The escape pods launch from the Republic vessel and head to the moon below.
“Master Yoda’s powers have been greatly exaggerated. As have the Avengers.”
“That remains to be seen, Count.”
“Indeed. But when you decide to join us, my apprentice will contact me.”
Dooku bowed as the transmission ended.
Yoda sat calmly as the escape pods around them were destroyed one by one. Soon they were the only one left, but the firing soon stopped.
“That was a close one!” Rys said.
“General, Captain, I think we’re out of range,” Thire said.
“I agree. But entering another trap we are.”
That got the fours’ attention.
“Are you sure?” Steve asked.
“A disturbance in the Force there is.”
The King watched as the Republic ship retreated.
“My lord, Master Yoda and Captain Rogers’ warship has fled the system. What further evidence do you require of the Jedi and Avengers’ weakness?”
Before he could respond, his comm beeped and he answered it to see Lieutenant. Thire.
“This is King Katuunko. Speak.”
“Master Yoda and Captain Rogers would like to talk with you, sir.”
The Lieutenant was replaced by the Jedi and Avenger.
“A pleasure it is to hear your voice, Your Highness. Master Yoda of the Jedi Council this is.”
“And I’m Captain Steve Rogers of the Avengers.”
Katuunko nodded in respect.
“Master Jedi, Captain, I thought perhaps Count Dooku had frightened you off.”
“We’ll be a bit late. But we’re still close to you.”
“Unaware we were Count Dooku was invited to our meeting.”
“The Count invited himself. He assures me that in this time of war, his droids can offer me greater security than your Jedi and Avengers.”
Steve snorted.
“Sure. Let him believe that.”
“Your Majesty might prefer more than words,” Ventress said, gaining the attention of the three.
“What do you have in mind?”
“If Yoda and Rogers are indeed the mighty warriors you believe they are, let them prove it. Allow me to send my best troops to capture them. If they escape, join the Republic. But should the droids defeat them, consider an alliance with the Separatists.”
Steve and Yoda shared a look, already knowing what their answer was.
The King frowned.
“I did not request their presence here to test them in battle.”
“Accept the challenge we do, Your Highness. Arrive by nightfall, we will.”
The transmission ended and Katuunko flew right into the assassin’s face.
“Master Yoda and Captain Rogers must be given a fair fight.”
“My dear King Katuunko, I would have it no other way,” she lied.
The Republic group looked across the landscape.
“Beautiful this moon is, hmm?”
“It kinda is,” Rogers answered. “If I had the time I’d sketch it. If you like this then you’d love Earth. Maybe we can take you and some of the other Jedi there once we find a way back?”
“Hmm. To travel to a world in a different galaxy…Amazing the universe is.”
Their conversation was cut short by the sight of a droid transport landing in the distance.
“There’s got to be a full battalion in there, probably packing armor, too,” Rys said.
They heard a sound similar to a chainsaw and looked to see Jek holding a rotary canon.
“We’ll have something for them.”
“Carry only what you need. Too much weight, slow you down it will. Destroy Ventress your weapons will not. Come. Hurry we must,” he said as he walked in the wrong direction.
“Uh, Yoda? The rendezvous point is that way.”
“As is our enemy, Captain. To reach our goal, a straight path we will not follow.”
“Huh.”
“Let’s move it, boys,” Thire ordered.
Ventress contacted Dooku as the droids marched behind her.
“I am deploying my forces, master.”
“Yoda has made a grave mistake straying this far from Coruscant. But the Avenger is still a great threat to this alliance. Do not underestimate him.”
“I will see they get their fair fight .”
She ended the transmission and turned to the droids.
“Find, Master Yoda and Captain Rogers.”
“Uh, what do they look like?”
“Rogers will be the brightly colored man with the shield, and Yoda will be the small, shriveled green one… with the lightsaber !”
She activated her red blade in the droid’s face.
“Small, huh? And a shield ? Don’t worry, Supreme Leader, we’ll take care of them.”
The droids and tanks moved through the coral jungle.
“I think I see them. They’re hiding deep in the trees! Fire on Sector 11,” 224 ordered.
The tanks fired their rounds and the blasts exploded close to the Republic envoy.
Steve raised his shield while the clones raised their blasters. All Yoda raised was his hand gesturing for them to stop.
“At ease be, my friends. Within range we are not.”
The droids continued to fire to no avail.
“Uh, hold it. Hold it .”
They didn’t.
“I said hold it! Wait. That’s far enough!”
They didn’t stop.
“I mean it! Stop! I said stop~ !
The droids and tanks finally stopped.
“We’re too big to fit in there.”
“No, we’re not. Watch this,” one of the tank pilots said before driving it into the trees, crashing, and getting flung out the hatch.
224 clutched his head in frustration.
“You were right,” the pilot said.
“Next time, listen to orders!”
Steve, who could hear everything, let out a laugh. He couldn’t help it. They were funny.
“Those tanks are too big to follow,” Thire observed.
“See, see? Size is not everything, hmm? Smaller in number are we, but larger in mind ,” the old Jedi said emphatically with a gesture to his head.
He then ran off with his trademarked mirthful laugh.
“Do you have any idea what the General is talking about?” Rys asked.
“How should I know? There’s no figuring a Jedi master.”
As they followed Yoda, Steve thought about what he said. The Captain was reminded of an old German scientist from way back when. He remembered how he was impressed by his heart and his mind, not his strength.
Steve knew his answer to Rys’ question.
Yes, I do.
Their turned around and scanned the area with his enhanced visor.
“Sirs, there are two patrols coming on foot.”
“Now is the time to face the enemy, Lieutenant. Ambush them we will!
“We’ll flank them from the South,” Thire ordered his men.
“I’ll head West,” Steve said.
“Right, let’s move!” Rys exclaimed.
The group split up in three ways.
The clones hid behind the trees as the B1’s walked past them. Once it was enough, Rys shot one’s head off.
“What was that?!”
He fired again.
“Blast him!”
The droids opened fire but stopped when Yoda started jumping around them.
“Look! A little green lifeform!”
“You bucket head! That’s the Jedi!”
“He isa little one. Blast him!”
They shot at the Jedi but lost him in the trees.
“Split up by squad and spread out!”
“Roger, Roger.”
“Roger, Roger.”
One squad moved close to the clones.
“Okay, clankers, suck laser!” Jek said before firing his rotary canon.
Rys and Thire joined him and the droids were gone in moments.
“Where’s the General?”
“Don’t know. We got separated.”
Blaster fire flew from behind and they turned to see a squad of B2’s.
“Fall back. There are too many of them,” Thire ordered.
Elsewhere, the droids searched for Yoda and Steve.
“Remember, we’re looking for Captain Rogers as well. We’ll stay here and deal with Yoda. The rest of you find the Avenger.
“Roger, Roger,” half the squad said as they left.
“He’s around here somewhere.”
Yoda leaped from a tree and landed on a droid’s back, laughing.
“Hey, get off of me!”
Don’t move,” another droid ordered before shooting at Yoda.
The Jedi hopped off and the blast hit the droid’s head. He landed on another one and they shot it too.
Finally he landed in between them. They continued to make the same mistake and fired just before he jumped again and blew their legs off. They tried to follow him as he came down but just shot each other in the heads.
The other B1’s marched through the trees, but stopped when a shield flew in and cut some of them in half.
“It’s Captain-AAAAAGH!”
Steve caught his shield and started bashing the remaining droids to pieces.
He looked to see they were all gone and smiled.
That quickly went away upon hearing a rolling roise.
The Captain sighed upon seeing three droidekas standing before him.
“Let’s get this over with.”
“The Jedi and Avenger destroyed our advanced troops.”
“Ha! Master Yoda and Captain Rogers are living up to my expectations,” Katuunko said with a smile.
“Commander, have you pinpointed their location?”
“Affirmative. The clones gave away their position. Our heavy troops are moving to engage them now.”
The King watched the explosions in the distance with a frown.
“I hope the General and Captain reach the rendezvous point,” Rys said as they ran through a canyon away from the B2’s.
“We’re sure buying them time,” Jek noted while firing his rotary canon.
They continued to run. But as Thire sht as their pursuers, one of them shot a rocket at him. The explosion threw him to the ground.
Jek and Rys saw him struggling to get up and ran to him.
Rys hefted him up by the arm.
“Lieutenant, can you walk?”
“I think I’m okay.”
“Die, Republic dogs!”
Yoda then leaped over the droids and blocked their blasts. The clones took this opportunity and took cover behind some rocks.
“What are we gonna do, sir?” Thire asked.
Yoda turned off his lightsaber, sat down, and closed his eyes.
“What’s the general doing?” Jek asked.
“Keep blasting,” Rys said.
Yoda raised his hand and suddenly one of the droids lifted up.
“Hey, what’s going on?!”
He turned the droid around and it fired upon its own.
“Get out of the way! All of you. I’m having a serious malfunction.”
Yoda then lowered it directly in front of the others.
“ Don’t shoot ! I’m on your side.”
They shot it to pieces.
Yoda sent a massive force push that destroyed the remaining droids.
“Ha! You found us just in time, sir,” Thire said.
“Left behind no one will be.”
“There you are,” they heard from behind.
They turned to see Steve limping towards them. His suit was a mess and he looked tired, but he seemed relatively fine.
“Captain!”
“What happened?”
He shrugged.
“Ran into some droidekas.”
“Republic troops are injured. The Jedi and Avenger are in full retreat Supreme Leader.”
Ventress smiled wickedly
“Good. Pursue them without delay.”
“The contest is not over yet,” Katuunko countered.
Be pulled out his comm and contacted the Republic group.
“Master Yoda, Captain Rogers, I hear you’re having trouble with the droid army?”
“I wouldn’t call this joke of an army trouble,” Steve said with a smirk.
“Look forward to our meeting I do.”
Ventress Force Pulled the comm form the King’s hand and crushed it.
“They won’t elude me for long,” she sneered.
The Republic group walked up to a cave.
“Are you sure we should go in there, general? There’s no way out,” Thire said. He hand one arm slung over Rys and the other over Steve.
“Now rest we must.”
Not being able to argue, they followed him in.
Rys turned on a lamp and placed it down on the floor.
Jek looked through the bag to see what else they had.
“We’re low on ammo, sirs. Only two grenades and one rocket for the launcher.”
“Againsts a battalion?” Rys scoffed. “Forget it. We’ve lost.”
“I’ve been through worse. We’ll be fine,” Steve said.
“Sir, you have been through worse. You’re a supers oldier . And we’re just clones.”
Steve frowned at this.
“So certain of defeat are you, hmm?” Yoda said as he cut a rifle in half.
“With resect, general, maybe you and Captain Rogers should go on. Let us slow them down,” Thire suggested.
Yoda welded the pieces together into a makeshift cane.
“All around us is that which we need to prevail. Yes. Hmm.”
He gave the cane to Thire, who placed it bellow his armpit.
“Come, sit. Your helmets, remove them. Your faces I wish to see,” the Jedi encouraged.
They removed their helmets.
“You as well, Captain.”
Steve took it off.
“There’s not much to look at here, sir. Except for Captain Rogers, we all share the same face,” Thire said.
“Decieve you, eyes can. In the Force, very different each one of you are.”
The four paid close attention to the Jedi Grandmaster.
He walked up to to Rys.
“Rys, always focused on the enemy are you,” he said, tapping him with his cane. “For inspiration, look to yourself and those beside you.”
He walked up to Jek.
“Jek, concerned about weapons are you.”
He gestured to the bag.
“Weapons do not win batles.”
He closed it with his cane.
“Your mind, powerful it is. Hmm. Outthink the droids you can.”
He walked up to Thire.
“Thire, rush not into fights. Long is the war. Only by surviving it will you prevail.”
Finally he walked up to Steve.
“Captain. Been at war a long time, you have?”
Steve nodded.
“A warrior you are. But not all you are. Always fighting, you need not be.”
Steve was speechless. The truth is that fighting was all he knew how to do at this point. It’s all he ever wanted to do.
Well, not all he ever wanted. But his chance for that , for her , had passed him by.
Yoda turned to the clones.
“Clones you may be. But the Force resides in all life forms. Use it you can to quiet your mind .”
They heard a loud noise from outside and walked out to see the remaining Separatist forces passing them by bellow.
“Tanks. Is that the best they can throw at us?” a rejuvenated Rys scoffed.
“Yeah, but I’ve only got one shot left,” Rys said.
“Greet them, I will.”
“Me two,” Steve said.
Yoda shook his head.
“No, Captain. Fight less you should. Handle this I shall.”
“General, you don’t plan to take that whole column by yourself?” Thire asked with reason.
The Jedi giggles.
“Have you four I do! Outnumbered are they. Know the time to help me you will,” he said before leaping down in front of the enemy.
The droids stopped in their tracks.
Yoda sat down and closed his eyes.
224 looked out from his tank.
“It’s the Jedi! Block his escape! Prepare to fire!”
The droids and tanks aimed at the old Jedi.
“Supreme Leader, we’ve found the Jedi.”
“Excellent. Where is he?”
“He’s just sitting here in front of our tanks.”
“Shoot him! Shoot him now !”
Yoda opened his eyes.
“Quickly! Ready, aim, fire! Fire !”
Yoda jumped high into the air before the blasts could even reach him. He landed and activated his lightsaber.
He ran through the droids, cutting off their legs as he went.
“He’s gone under the tank!”
Indeed he had. The Jedi cut a whole in it from beneath and jumped in.
There was muffled blaster fire from inside.
“Oh no!”
The back door opened as two droids tried to run out.
“ Run for it !”
They shouted before before being pulled back in and cut to shreds.
“But I just got promoted !” 224 complained as Yoda sliced him up.
The Jedi hurled his pieces into the sky.
They flew right by Steve and the clones.
The Captain let out a laugh.
“Doesn’t look like the general needs help to me,” Thire praised.
Yoda leaped off the tank and from one droid to another, destroying them. Then he landed on the barrel of another tank.
We’ve got him in our sights!” the pilot exclaimed.
Yoda jumped out of the way and the blast struck the only other tank and destroyed it along with all the droids around it.
The Jedi hopped into the remaining tank’s hatch, cut it open, and hurled the pilot into the sky.
The droid screamed as this happened.
Katuunko chuckled.
“That’s a lot of smoke for a surrender .”
Ventress pulled out her comm.
“Report. What’s going on over there? 224, come in!”
A droid’s hologram was shown, but it wasn’t the commander.
“Where is 224?!”
“Destroyed, Supreme Leader. They have overrun our position and-GAAAGH!”
Captain Rogers’ shield cut right the droid.
Looks like he’d now joined the fight.
“I think perhaps all those stories about the Jedi and Avengers are true.”
“The fight isn’t over yet, Majesty.”
She pressed a button on her wrist.
The clones watched in mirth as Yoda cut through the droids while Steve watched his back, blocking every blast directed at him.
He’d decided to join in saying, “What could go wrong?”
“Their cutting them up!” Thire exclaimed.
The clones laughed.
“We’ve got trouble,” Rys said, pointing to a group of droidekas. “The clankers ent reinforcements.”
“The General and Captain are too busy with that tank. They won’t see them coming.” An idea came to mind upon looking at a nearby ledge across the canyon. “I think I know how to deal with them .”
Yoda and Steve slid under the tank, and used their saber and shield to cut along the bottom. They got up from under it and it exploded.
That was the last of them.
At least it was before ten droidekas came in.
The two blocked the blaster fire the best they could. Yoda hopped onto his shoulder and he crouched behind his shield.
Thire fired the rocket at the ledge. Steve and Yoda saw this and ran. It exploded and sent the pieces tumbling down, crushing the droids.
“Yeah!”
“Yeah!”
“Great shot, sir!”
“That’s giving it to the clankers.”
The three began to climb down.
Yoda sat on a rock where two flying lizard like creatures landed on him, while Steve watched in amusement.
“Hmm. Learned something today, have you Lieutenant, hmm?”
“I think we all did, General.”
Steve silently agreed.
Yoda hopped down to them.
“Come, behind schedule are we. Not polite to be late.
“You were right, Count Dooku. One Jedi and Avenger are not worth a hundred battle droids, more like a thousand . Each . I’m sorry, but I will be joining the Republic.”
“I urge you to reconsider, wise King. I promise you won’t regret it.”
“Your agent also promised me Yoda and Rogers would get a fair fight. I do not deal with those who break their words,” the King said with anger.
“So be it. Perhaps our negotiations will be more fruitful with your successor . Ventress, kill him.”
The assassin activated her sabers.
The King’s guards flew in front of him and shot at Ventress. She blocked their blasts and sent a Force Push, knocking them out.
Ventress swung her blades at Katuunko…
…But her arms were frozen in place just before she could reach his neck.
She could see Yoda holding his arm out, while Rogers and the clones stood behind him.
The droids raised their blaster but were quickly shot by Jek and Rys.
“Jedi Master Yoda, Captain Rogers, I am very pleased to meet you at last,” Katuunko said like there weren’t two lightsaber blades close to killing him.
“Share the felling I do, King Katuunko.”
He pushed Ventress back.
“Dooku. Looks like your errand girl has failed you again ,” Steve said to the Sith.
“I don’t fear either of-,”
She was interrupted by the shield hitting her in the head causing her to fall flat on the ground, clutching her head in pain.
Steve caught it with an annoyed look.
“I’m not really invested in antagonistic one liners.”
Yoda Force Pulled her lightsabers to him.
“Strong you are with the Dark Side, young one, but not that strong. Still much to learn you have. Surrender you should.”
The only response she gave was a groan before passing out.
Yoda turned to the hologram of his former apprentice.
“In the end, cowards are those who follow the Dark Side.”
“It’s a pity I wasn’t there in person, my old master.”
“A pity indeed, my fallen apprentice.”
The pair glared at each other.
Before Dooku could end the transmission though…
“Why didn’t you kill my friends on Coruscant?”
The Count stared at Rogers.
“You could have, but you didn’t. Why?”
The Sith only stared at him before flickering away.
Yoda turned to Katuunko.
“Perhaps now, begin negotiations we can.”
“That is not necessary, my friend,” the King said as he drew his sword. “You have my faith.” He turned to Steve. “ Both of you. Toydaria would be honored to host a Republic base. My people are at your service.”
He covered the blade and gave it to Yoda.
Both Jedi and Avenger held a determined gaze.
“We’ll do our best, Your Majesty.”
Mid Credits Scene
“Kid! How many times do I have to tell you?! Don’t walk on the ceiling!” Tony chastised Peter.
“But it’s so much fun!”
“Get down! Pepper makes me clean your footprints up!”
“Alright, fine.”
Peter got down and crossed his arms.
“You wanted to see me, Mr. Stark?”
“Yeah. Is it true you made Carol a dating profile?”
Peter’s eyes widened as he began to stammer.
“I-I was trying to help! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to pry into her personal life like that!”
Tony raised his hand placatingly.
“Oh no, no, no. I’m not scolding you. I just want to know what you put in it. Maybe check out the pictures,” he said slyly.
“Wha-oh. Oh .” The two shared a conspiratorial smile. “I’ll give you the username and password.”
“Can’t leave our girl with a subpar profile, after all.”
“ Right . The username is Warbird, and the password is BossAssBitch1995.”
“Warbird?”
“She said that if she had to have another code name, it would be Warbird.”
Stark began typing on his phone.
“Okay, I’m in. Let’s get Danvers a special someone and have fun doing it!”
After Credits Scene
How Forces of Infinity Vol. 1 Should Have Ended
“What the fuck happened to my friends?!” Tony shouted at Selvig.
“They’ve been transported to a galaxy far, far away. They could have landed anywhere in it.
In the other galaxy, the frozen corpses of the Avenger float in the cold vacuum of Space.
Vision comes into view and looks around.
“Well, this is not ideal.”
FAST FORWARD
A wounded Steve throws his shield at Grievous as he fights Shaak Ti and Ki Adi Mundi.
Grievous catches the shield with his foot then jumps at the Avenger and stabs him in the heart.
“STEVE!”
“HaHa! Yeah! I was gonna throw the shield back at him, but I decided to just stab him instead. It just makes more sense. And I’m keeping the shield. I feel like I’ll need it.”
THREE YEARS LATER
Obi Wan hangs from the platform as Grievous marches his way. He pulls a blaster towards him and shoots at the General.
Grievous suddenly whips out the shield and blocks the blasts.
“Deflected!”
He hurls the shield at Kenobi and knocks him off the edge.
The Jedi screams as he falls to his death.
“Yes! Wow. If I didn’t have this, I might have died.”
FAST FORWARD
“ Allow me to offer my personal doctors to attend to Captain Rogers, ” the Chancellor offers.
“Yeah~ I think we’ll pass,” Sam says.
“ What? ”
“We don’t know you. For all we know you’ll take his blood or something.”
“ No I wouldn’t! Anakin! Tell them I wouldn’t! ”
Skywalker looks between the two.
“I want no part in this.”
“ God damn it! ”
FAST FORWARD
The Avengers sat in the Temple Library with Jocasta Nu.
“Is there a way back to our galaxy?” Cap asked.
“Why yes. There are these space whales that migrate between galaxies. They should take you to yours.”
“Wait, why wasn’t this in the real chapter?” Pietro criticized.
“Oh, because the author did not know about that piece of information at the time. You see, he wrote that chapter before Ahsoka came out.”
“So…we ride them home?”
LATER
The Avengers ship flies into the mouth of a Purrgil.
“Yeah! We’re going home!” Cap shouts.
The others cheer in joy.
The Purrgil swallows them.
“…So much for that plan.”
FAST FORWARD
The Stealth Ship dodges the lasers heading for it.
“We missed,” the Tactical Droid says.
“Fire the torpedoes!” Trench commands.
“You’re not gonna talk to them and try to goad them first?”
“No! Kill them now and get it over with! I don’t want to become a cyborg or something!”
“Yes, sir.”
The torpedoes launch and strike the Stealth Ship. The crew screams as they explode.
FAST FORWARD
Steve hurls his shield at Ventress.
Then she jumps away and it cuts Kenobi in half.
“OBI WAN!”
He runs and crouches next to him.
“FRIDAY, what are his vitals?!”
“Cap, he’s dead.”
“OBI WAAAAAAAN!”
BUT THIS IS HOW IT REALLY SHOULD HAVE ENDED
Dooku stares down at Anakin and Sam. As he whips out his lightsaber, a giant beam of light shoots down from the sky, and lands in between them.
A hammer flies from the portal and hits the Sith in the face. It goes back and is caught by Thor. With him are Tony, Scott, Hope, Peter, Bucky, Fury, Maria and Carol.
“Guys!” Sam shouts. “You’re here!”
“That’s right, Birdbrain 2. We’re taking you all home.”
LATER
All the gathered Avengers sit down with Batman and Superman at the Cafe.
“So, then the others came in, took down Dooku, and brought us home,” Cap finished.
“What about Wanda and Vision?” Batman asks.
“Yeah, did you guys just leave them there?” Superman adds on.
“They’ll turn up eventually,” Tony waves them off.
“What about the Sith hiding in the background? Isn’t he gonna be a problem?”
“Nah. I made a machine that can detect Force-Sensitivity. The Jedi will find him in no time.”
“So then, what? You’re just gonna leave the Galaxy for good?”
“Heck, no!” Scott said. “There’s way too much cool stuff there.”
“Hey,” Batman said to Nat.
“Hey.”
“You look great.”
“Thank you.”
“Heard you took down a rancor.”
“I did.”
“Wanna show me how you did it?”
“Absolutely.”
The two got up and walked away.
Everyone blinked.
“What the fuck just happened?!” Pietro exclaimed.
“Oh, come on! I think it’s cool!” Peter said.
“That’s another thing, isn’t he a minor?”
“What?!” the ones who didn’t know shouted.
“So?” Tony asks.
“You put a kid on the team, Tony? Why?” Cap responded.
“Hey, he’s Spider-Man! He’ll be fine.”
“Tony, I’m gonna have to bring you in!” Superman says.
“Oh, please. You think I don’t have kryptonite tank missiles?”
“…Do you?”
“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t.”
“He’s still a kid, Tony.”
“Hey, this is where he belongs. He’s home.”
Everyone looks at him suspiciously.
“Oh, I see! He’s a replacement Iron Man!”
“…Did you hear that Capsicle lost to Grievous?”
“Really?”
“No, please don’t start singing,” Steve begged.
“ Sooooooooooo, ” everyone began.
“ Unless you’re a plane,
Or some ice,
Or a brainwashed buddy,
Or a General Grievouuuuuus,
Then you don’t necessarily have to yiiiieeeeelllllld!”
“I hate you all.”
“So, Black Widow got her own chapter. Does this mean she’ll get her own arc? Maybe about her origin?”
“Eventually,” Fury began. “Maybe after a few more Volumes and big events. Now’s just not the time. But after all that, then we can finally tell her story.”
“I don’t know. Seems like after that cool chapter there’d be some interest.”
“There’s no interest.”
Natasha and Batman suddenly slam on the window from outside. They were kissing fiercely.
“Holy crap!”
“Oh, I think there’s a lot of interest.”
“She’s messing around with the competition! You gotta stop them!”
“Oh, just let her have her fun, Nick,” Maria says.
The End