Toss Up (Danny Rand)

Double Shift (Part 2)

"As tempting as that sounds, I'll pass!" I say and White Tiger growls, pouncing at me as Spidey takes on Nova and Power Man on his own. I dodge her swipes, being careful not to hurt her too badly as I grab her by the waist with my tails and send her flying across the rooftop. I panic when I see her near the edge, nearly toppling over to the side, but she catches herself and I let out a relieved sigh.

"Losing focus is a sure way to defeat, Shadow!"

I'm knocked back by a punch to the gut, seeing the eerie green light of Iron Fist's chi infused punch. I hiss as the energy burns at my skin and right myself to avoid his barrage, flipping away from his attacks. I summon a portal beneath me, appearing above him, and send a hard kick to the back of his neck. He recovers a lot quicker than I expect, grabbing my ankle and slamming me down onto the rooftop full force.

I don't know if it's the adrenaline or the fact that I've been battered by that Snake mutant, but I hardly feel it as I kick flip out of his hold and get back to my feet. We circle one another and I hear him let out an amused chuckle.

"I know you're in there Iron Fist! You're stronger than this stupid gas!" I plead, hoping to snap him out of it.

"The Goblin has strengthened us, love. It can do the same for you too!" he rushes me and I block his quick jabs with my tails, biting back the pain. His chi feels like acid to them now, and I feel my eyes water from the sting. "Look at you—battered a bruised!" I grab his wrist, tossing him over my shoulder with a tail, but he easily lands on his feet, giving me no room to breathe. "If you accept Goblin's gift, we could all be together! We will rise as one under his rule!"

"Not with what he has planned!" I drop low, sweeping him off his feet, and then I'm suddenly airborne. I look up to see Nova as he lets out an insane laugh, swooping me high into the air and tossing me down to the rooftop. I flip through the air, not knowing what was up or down before I feel a net catch me and I thank Spidey for the save.

"You're not even fighting back with all you've got!" Nova cackles, sending a blast of green energy that burns a hole through the net that caught me. I land in a crouch, letting out a yelp and jumping away as Iron Fist punches the ground where I was just standing and creating a decent-sized crater.

"It's because she's weak!" he snarls. "Afraid of the power inside!"

I fumble at his words, and he comes in close and punch me hard in the stomach. I let out a choked gasp as I'm sent flying back to the doors that led to the apartments below.

I look up blearily to see Nova hovering above me, a cruel smile on his lips. "Look at her—she's about to cry!" he taunts as I struggle to sit up. I'm running on fumes and it's only a matter of time before my aching body gives out.

I know this isn't them; I know it's their minds warped by the gas, but part of me can't help but remember when I was under that simulation...

I have to keep going... I can't let them down...!

I gasp when I see Spidey get knocked back, sliding to a stop in front of me as Power Man and White Tiger join in.

"Tears won't save you now, you know." Power Man says, his shades glinting in the dark.

"They won't save us." White Tiger sneers. "Maybe if you stayed, Goblin wouldn't have gotten us."

"I... I had to..." I struggle to say, my eyes stinging.

"Always away on your little missions with your father. Away from us. Away from me." Iron Fist hisses, fists glowing as they close in on us.

"You let us down when we needed you the most," Nova says, and I can't bear to hear more as I put a hand to my ear.

"CAST, go!"