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The barren world where they had landed was temporary. Javier knew it was only a matter of time before the Asgardians or someone worse tracked the Tesseract's energy signature. With Mantis at his side, he stared at the artifact in his hands, its pulsating glow reflecting his conflicted thoughts.
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Javier: "We can't stay here. We need a place off the grid—somewhere no one would look for us."
Mantis: "You already have a place in mind?"
Javier nodded, his smirk betraying a mix of confidence and weariness.
---
Javier: "Sakaar. It's chaotic, dangerous, and crawling with gladiators. But the Grandmaster runs it like his playground. He might notice us eventually, but we'd blend in for a while."
Mantis: "Grandmaster? That doesn't sound good…"
Javier: "He's eccentric, but we'll deal with that if it comes to it."
---
He focused on the Tesseract, its energy humming in sync with his determination. A swirling portal formed before them, its edges shimmering with unstable light.
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Javier: "Hold on tight."
---
Gripping Mantis's hand, Javier stepped through the portal.
---
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Arrival on Sakaar
The air was hot, thick with the stench of oil and burning metal. The sky above was a kaleidoscope of swirling colors, its beauty marred by the sprawling junkyard city below. Sakaar was as Javier remembered it from the Marvel comics—a chaotic, lawless world built on scraps and survival.
Mantis clung to his arm, her eyes wide with awe and unease.
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Mantis: "This place… feels so loud."
Javier: "That's Sakaar for you. Everyone's either trying to survive or trying to kill someone else."
---
They moved through the crowded streets, weaving between scavengers, traders, and fighters. Javier kept his hood up, shielding the Tesseract from prying eyes.
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Mantis: "Why here? It doesn't feel… safe."
Javier: "Exactly. Nobody expects anyone to hide here. It's perfect for now."
---
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Building Trust
In the shadow of a towering junk pile, they found a small, abandoned shelter. It wasn't much, but it offered privacy and a chance to regroup.
Mantis sat cross-legged on the floor, her antennae twitching as she observed Javier working on a makeshift power dampener for the Tesseract.
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Mantis: "You're always protecting me. But… what about you? Do you ever feel scared?"
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Javier paused, his hands stilling over the device. He glanced at her, his expression softening.
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Javier: "Scared? All the time. But I don't let it stop me. I've got you to look after now."
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Mantis's cheeks flushed faintly, her gaze dropping to the floor.
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Mantis: "No one's ever said that to me before."
Javier: "Get used to it. You're stuck with me."
---
She smiled, her antennae tilting toward him in a gesture of gratitude.
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Mantis's Mistake
As they settled into their new environment, Mantis began to explore Sakaar on her own. Her curiosity often got the better of her, and she found herself wandering through bustling markets and scrap yards.
One day, she came across a gathering of spectators watching a gladiator fight in one of the smaller arenas. Fascinated, she moved closer, unaware that her presence—and her glowing antennae—had drawn the attention of several guards.
---
Guard 1: "What's this? Haven't seen her around before."
Guard 2: "She doesn't look like a fighter. Might be worth reporting to the Grandmaster."
---
By the time Mantis realized her mistake, it was too late. The guards had already begun following her back to the shelter.
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The Grandmaster's Interest
Back in their hideout, Javier was working on stabilizing the Tesseract's energy field when Mantis rushed in, her expression frantic.
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Mantis: "Javier! I think I made a mistake!"
Javier: "What did you do now?"
---
Before she could answer, the door burst open, and a group of heavily armed guards stormed in. Behind them, the Grandmaster sauntered in, his expression one of amused curiosity.
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Grandmaster: "Well, well, well. What do we have here? A mysterious stranger and his… glowing companion."
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Javier stood, shielding Mantis behind him.
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Javier: "What do you want?"
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The Grandmaster's eyes gleamed as he stepped closer, inspecting Javier and the Tesseract with interest.
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Grandmaster: "You've got something that doesn't belong to you. And I do love shiny objects. Care to explain how you ended up here with such a… unique artifact?"
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Javier's mind raced. He knew the Grandmaster's reputation and the danger of underestimating him.
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Javier: "We're just passing through. The Tesseract is none of your business."
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The Grandmaster chuckled, his grin widening.
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Grandmaster: "Oh, but you see, everything on Sakaar is my business. And you… you've caught my interest. Let's talk."
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Javier clenched his fists, his mind already strategizing an escape. But for now, he played along, knowing that confrontation with the Grandmaster would require careful planning.
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End of Chapter 74: Escape to Sakaar