The mission had gone sideways faster than a helicarrier in a hurricane. Typical Fury. Typical everything.

The Grandmaster's lair was a kaleidoscope of shimmering energy and gaudy gold, like a casino designed by a deranged alien with a penchant for disco balls. Energy blasts ricocheted off the walls, each one leaving behind a faint ozone stench that made Y/N's nose wrinkle.

"This place reeks of desperation and bad interior design," Venom snarled, tendrils flickering under Y/N's skin like agitated snakes. "Let me out. Let me fix it."

"Not unless 'fixing it' involves less property damage," Y/N muttered, diving behind a crumbling pillar as another blast sizzled past their ear.

The Grandmaster himself was a spectacle—gold robes that shimmered like liquid sunlight, a grin that screamed I've never heard the word 'no,' and a staff crackling with energy that looked like it had been stolen from a rave.

"Oh, come now!" he called, twirling the staff like a baton. "You're no fun at all! I expected more from Earth's... what do you call yourselves? 'Defenders'? 'Avengers'? 'Overpriced babysitters'?"

Spider-Man swung overhead, his web-line catching a chandelier that looked like it belonged in a space opera. "Yeah, well, we're more of a 'kick-your-butt-and-ask-questions-later' kind of team!"

"I like the spider," Venom admitted begrudgingly. "He has spirit. And his blood smells... intriguing."

"Focus," Y/N hissed, rolling to their feet as another blast shattered the pillar they'd been hiding behind.

The Collector, meanwhile, lurked in the shadows like a vulture waiting for roadkill. His cold, calculating gaze made Y/N's skin crawl. He wasn't fighting—just watching, cataloging, hungering.

"He wants to add us to his collection," Venom growled, tendrils bristling. "Let him try. I'll wear his spine as a necklace."

"Not helping," Y/N snapped, leaping over a pile of shattered alien artifacts that looked suspiciously like someone's attempt at a toaster.

The Grandmaster fired another energy bolt, the blue-white blast arcing toward Y/N with unerring precision. "Dance, little Earthling!" he crowed.

"Great, he's got jokes," Y/N grumbled, bracing themselves.

With a fierce growl, they lunged, Venom's tendrils erupting from their arms like black lightning. The blow connected with a satisfying thud, knocking the Grandmaster off balance. He staggered, his grin faltering for the first time.

"Yes!" Venom roared, surging forward. "Let me feast*!"*

But the Grandmaster wasn't out yet.

Before Y/N could press the attack, his ornate staff crackled with energy and slammed into their stomach. The force sent shockwaves through their body, and they gasped, staggering back as pain blossomed through their core.

"Y/N!" Spider-Man's voice cut through the haze of agony, his web-line snagging the Grandmaster's staff and yanking it away. "You okay? You look like you just lost round one to Thor's evil cousin or something."

"I'm—" Y/N coughed, regaining their footing as Venom's tendrils surged around them protectively. "Fine. Just caught off guard."

"Let us handle this now," Venom snarled, their voice a guttural roar. "I will tear him apart."

"Not yet," Y/N muttered, straightening up despite the ache in their gut. "We finish this together."

"Uh, cool team spirit and all, but duck!" Spidey shouted, flipping over the next energy blast heading Y/N's way.

The blast hit the wall behind them, sending shards of alien metal raining down. Y/N dove for cover, Venom's tendrils lashing out to shield them from the debris.

"This is taking too long," Venom growled. "Let me loose. Let me end him."

"Not unless you want Fury to bench us for the next decade," Y/N shot back, peeking out from behind the rubble.

The Grandmaster was advancing, his staff glowing brighter with every step. "Oh, I do love a spirited fight!" he said, his voice dripping with mockery. "But really, darling, you're out of your league."

Spider-Man landed beside Y/N, his lenses narrowing. "Okay, new plan. You distract him, I web him up, and we get the heck out of here before his brother decides to join the party."

Y/N nodded, Venom's tendrils coiling around their fists. "Distracting him sounds like a great way to get vaporized."

"Hey, you're the one with the indestructible alien suit," Spidey said, shrugging. "I'm just a guy in spandex."

"He's not wrong," Venom purred. "Let me take the hit. I'll enjoy it."

"Fine," Y/N muttered, stepping out from cover. "But if I die, I'm haunting you both."

The Grandmaster's grin widened as Y/N charged, Venom's tendrils lashing out like whips. "Ah, there's the spirit!"

SCENEBREAK

The stasis pod hissed as it sealed shut, the cold metal pressing against your back like a tomb. The fight with the Grandmaster had left you battered, your body aching with every breath. The energy from his final blast still pulsed through your veins, a dull, throbbing reminder of how close you'd come to losing.

Spider-Man's voice cut through the haze, softer than usual, stripped of its usual bravado. "You okay, Y/N?" he asked, his masked face hovering just outside the pod's translucent barrier. "I... I should've been there. I'm sorry."

You tilted your head, the cool metal against your forehead a sharp contrast to the burning in your stomach. Despite the exhaustion, you managed a small smile, your voice rasping but steady. "You did what you could, Spidey. We both did. It's not over yet."

"Not by a long shot," Venom growled, his voice low and protective, a rumble in the back of your skull. "We'll get out of here. We're not done."

"Yeah," you added, more confident now. "Just... need a break." You closed your eyes for a moment, focusing on your breathing. "Thanks for being there... even when I didn't make it easy."

Spider-Man hesitated, his gloved hand resting against the pod's surface. "Of course," he said, his usual upbeat tone laced with something gentler, more sincere. "We're in this together, Y/N."

The pod hummed softly, the stasis field wrapping around you like a cocoon. But even as the fatigue threatened to pull you under, a new resolve burned in your chest. The mission wasn't over. The fight wasn't over. You'd find a way out. You always did.

The Grandmaster's smug grin was the first thing you saw when the pod's light shifted, the stasis field flickering as he strode into view. His turquoise face glowed with self-satisfaction, his gold robes shimmering like liquid sunlight.

"Well, well," he drawled, flicking his fingers in the air as if conducting an invisible orchestra. "The Earthling's awake. Good." His voice dripped with mockery, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "You know, this whole thing is getting old. But I do love a good game. Especially when it's you playing."

You gritted your teeth, the defiance in your eyes never wavering. Despite the weakness in your limbs, you weren't giving in to his games—not now, not ever.

"Let me out," Venom snarled, tendrils flickering under your skin. "I'll tear that grin off his face."

"Not yet," you muttered under your breath, your gaze locked on the Grandmaster.

Before you could retort, a second figure stepped into view, his presence like a shadow cutting through the Grandmaster's gaudy light. The Collector's sharp features were set in a scowl, his eyes narrowed with contempt.

"Brother," he said, his voice clipped and cold, "I told you, I'm done with the games." He stepped forward, his movements deliberate, his tone laced with frustration. "This is the last time. We either finish this, or we both lose. Enough of your theatrics."

The Grandmaster tilted his head, clearly entertained by the conflict, but his brother's words seemed to hit a nerve. For a moment, his smirk faltered, a flicker of something—irritation? Worry?—crossing his face.

"Fine, fine," the Grandmaster said with a dramatic wave of his hand, as if brushing off the Collector's concerns. "You know how much I love a good challenge." He turned his attention back to you, his gaze narrowing in a playful yet threatening manner. "But don't think for a second that this ends just because you've woken up. I'm enjoying this too much."

The Collector stepped closer, his icy demeanor unwavering. "If you truly want to get out of this alive," he said, his voice devoid of warmth, "you'll have to play by my rules."

"We don't play games," Venom growled, his voice a low, menacing rumble. "We fight to win."

You managed a weak smile, despite the pain still coursing through your body. "Sounds like the Collector finally knows how to speak my language." You met his eyes defiantly, letting the silence hang for a moment before continuing. "But it's going to take more than you to keep me down."

The tension between the two brothers was palpable, the air thick with unspoken threats. The Collector's patience was clearly running thin, his sharp features hardening as he stepped closer.

"Let's see how long your defiance lasts," he muttered, his voice a low, dangerous whisper.

"Bring it on," Venom snarled, tendrils bristling under your skin.

You squared your shoulders, the resolve in your chest burning brighter. The fight wasn't over. Not by a long shot.