-Broadcast-
Tony circled around Cull Obsidian, firing his chest beam. Once again, the alien's shield absorbed the blast.
Cull Obsidian held the shield in his right hand while his left hand grabbed the mangled wreckage of the taxi they'd destroyed earlier. With a grunt, he hurled it at Tony.
Tony barrel-rolled through the air, dodging easily. The wreckage flew high overhead.
Spider-Man swung back into the fight on a web line, spotted the flying debris, and immediately shot a web at it. The strand stuck to the twisted metal, and Peter used his enhanced strength to yank it back down—redirecting it straight at Cull Obsidian.
The heavy wreckage slammed into the alien's back, staggering him forward.
-Real World-
"Little Peter is quite awesome! You can't imagine how embarrassed he was when he fought Toomes and Quentin Beck!" Natasha couldn't help but admire Spider-Man's skills.
In reality, the younger Peter had been following her to learn various fighting techniques and had achieved solid progress. Even without his spider powers, he could handle several opponents his age simultaneously.
Mysterio glanced at Natasha and corrected her, "Please add the word 'liar' after that guy! Otherwise, it will lead to misunderstandings!"
Natasha covered her mouth and laughed. "Okay! The big liar Quentin Beck!" She winked at Mysterio.
Mysterio turned his head away. He felt it would be better not to say anything!
Tony grinned, realizing that Mysterio was also one of those whose reputation had been damaged by his alternate self!
-Broadcast-
On the main street, Ebony Maw raised both hands. Bricks from a demolished building rose into the air, floating around him like a swarm of hornets. With a slight gesture, the bricks reshaped themselves, edges sharpening into deadly spikes.
With a thought, the stone spikes shot forward in a dense cloud, aimed directly at Strange and Wong.
Strange's hands moved swiftly, opening a portal directly in the projectiles' path. The spikes flew through the gateway and disappeared.
Wong simultaneously opened another portal beside Ebony Maw. The stone spikes emerged from it at high speed—turned back on their creator.
Ebony Maw's eyes widened. He raised his hand quickly, telekinetically grabbing a parked car and positioning it as a shield. Most of the spikes embedded themselves harmlessly in the vehicle's body.
But he'd overlooked one critical detail: car windows are just glass.
One spike punched through the rear window and continued its trajectory, slicing across Ebony Maw's forehead near his temple. The alien sorcerer cried out in pain, stumbling backward.
He touched his head, and his fingers came away wet. Looking at them, he saw his own blood. The wound was mere centimeters from being fatal—if the spike had hit just a bit more to the right, his skull would have been pierced.
Fury replaced surprise on Ebony Maw's face. He gestured sharply at a fire hydrant nearby. The metal cap exploded off, and a pressurized column of water erupted with tremendous force, striking Wong and launching him backward. He crashed to the ground several meters away.
Strange conjured a magical whip—the Eldritch Whip—and lashed it toward Ebony Maw. The golden energy coiled around the alien's torso, and Strange yanked hard.
But Ebony Maw used the momentum, rushing toward Strange instead of resisting. He seized the sorcerer and hurled him bodily into a nearby brick wall.
The whip dissipated as Strange lost concentration. Before Strange could recover, Ebony Maw gestured, and bricks flew from the wall, encasing Strange and pinning him upside down against the building.
Ebony Maw floated closer, his expression one of dark amusement. "Your powers are inconceivable! You must be popular with children."
He reached toward the Eye of Agamotto hanging around Strange's neck. His fingers touched the amulet—
Golden light exploded outward. Ebony Maw snatched his hand back with a hiss of pain, staring at the glowing brand now seared into his palm.
Strange managed a tight smile. "It's a simple spell, but quite unbreakable."
Ebony Maw's eyes narrowed to slits. "Then I'll take you to him," he said coldly.
He grabbed Strange's Cloak of Levitation and ripped him free from the wall, then slammed him into the ground.
Strange rolled and immediately pushed himself up, his hands already moving in casting patterns. Green symbols appeared on his forearms, rotating and pulsing with temporal energy. The Eye of Agamotto began to open—
Vines erupted from the ground, wrapping around both his arms. They yanked downward with tremendous force, pulling his hands down and forcing the Eye closed before the spell could activate.
More vines followed, coiling around his body like serpents. Ebony Maw floated above him, hands clenched, and the vines constricted.
"If I die," Strange gasped out, "you'll never get this off."
Ebony Maw paused. The threat had merit—he couldn't risk the spell being permanent. But there were other options.
"Oh, I don't seek your death," Ebony Maw said with a cruel smile. "You'll only wish for it."
He tightened his fists. The vines constricted brutally, cutting off Strange's air supply. Within seconds, Strange's eyes rolled back, and he went limp, unconscious.
Ebony Maw gestured upward. A section of concrete street broke free and rose into the air, carrying Strange's unconscious body. It began floating toward the massive ring-ship hovering above the city.
The Cloak of Levitation, which Ebony Maw had dismissed as merely clothing, suddenly came to life. It wrapped around Strange, pulled him free from the vines, and shot away at high speed.
Ebony Maw's head snapped around. "NO!"
The Cloak carried Strange through the urban canyon, weaving between buildings. It passed directly over Tony, who was still engaged with Cull Obsidian.
Tony caught a glimpse of the flying cape and its unconscious passenger. "Kid! That's the wizard! Get on it!"
"On it!" Spider-Man immediately disengaged, shooting a web line and swinging after the Cloak.
Ahead, Ebony Maw pursued on a platform of levitating debris, his robes billowing dramatically behind him.
Spider-Man swung hard, gaining speed. He rounded a corner—
Without even looking back, Ebony Maw flicked his wrist. A street sign tore free from its post and flew at Spider-Man like a discus.
"Whoa!" Peter twisted in midair, landing feet-first on the sign as it hit him. He rode it like a surfboard for a moment before launching another web. "Not cool!"
Ebony Maw crossed his arms, then thrust his fists outward. Streetlights all along the block tore free from their bases and slammed down toward the Cloak.
The Cloak dodged frantically, zigging and zagging, but there were too many. One streetlight caught it squarely, and the impact sent Strange tumbling through the air.
Spider-Man shot a web line, the strand catching Strange just before he could hit the pavement. "Got you! I got you, wizard! Sorry I can't remember anybody's name!"
-Real World-
"This portal is so useful!" Tony exclaimed in admiration as he watched Strange and Wong use the portal to turn Ebony Maw's attack against him.
Wanda nodded thoughtfully. The portal could be used for attack or defense, and also for escape or repositioning. It was an extremely versatile spell.
"Wow! Isn't this guy so elegant?" Scott couldn't help but remark as he watched Ebony Maw, who seemed to have everything under control.
Especially the scene where he casually waved his hand and batted the rushing Spider-Man away like an afterthought. It caught Mysterio's attention. Such style! It was a shame he didn't have telekinesis, or he'd show off like that too!