MSI: Episode 1 Pt. 3: Introduction First Immunity Challenge

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE

Three mats lay out on the sand, each with the color corresponding to each tribe. A few yards away a triangle drawn in the sand with dark paint. Silver rope shaped in a triangle overlapped the sand triangle. Each of the triangle’s corners had rope attached with nine harnesses connected.

Every tribe teleported in on their mat. Squirrel Girl appeared on her own mat directly across from the three tribes.

            “Welcome—” Squirrel Girl paused and stared into space.

            All the tribes did the exact same thing. No one moved. No one looked elsewhere. Except for Jean Grey. Her eyes closed transmitting the plan. Seconds past. It only seemed like Squirrel Girl had a hiccup in her speech more than a telepathic link.

            “—to the first Immunity Challenge.” She grinned, found Jean Grey and winked. “It’s going to be a blast.”

            “I’ll show you a blast.” Deadpool pulled out his gun and pointed it at her.

            “Wait.” Wiccan held up his hand. “What exactly happens to us when we’re voted off?”

            “Oh, Deadpool wants to go squirrel hunting?” She wagged her tail and then smiled Wiccan as if a showcase girl for a game show. “You’re put into a holding cell with a fantastic entertainment center.”

            Deadpool continued holding the gun pointing at Squirrel Girl. “Tell me when? I want to watch my bullets make a squirrel pelt. I’m sure I could get a pretty penny for her hide from some Chinese fool in New York.”

            “That sounds boring,” Thing grumbled.

            Squirrel Girl shrugged. “Mojo could care less what happened to the losers. I urged he should care and got you all more.”

            Emma Frost shot forth her hand and like an orchestra of powers, the rest of the heroes called forth their powers. Jean Grey, Psylocke and Emma Frost closed their eyes and amplified their teams the best their minds could handle. Cyclops, Iceman, Human Torch, Storm, Wiccan, Scarlet Witch, Thor Gambit, Black Widow, Deadpool, Iron Man, Spider-Man and Captain America gave their all in shooting their range powers. The colors bright and electric. They focused their abilities on Squirrel Girl for a few seconds and stopped.

            The smoke lifted and Squirrel Girl stood with one hand on her hip and the other holding an object. She grinned from ear to ear. “Universe remote.”

            Jamie Madrox laughed. “Don’t you mean universal remote?”

            She shook her head. “Universe.”

            Mr. Fantastic’s eyebrows lifted. “Interesting. I’ve heard of this device. A Watcher made mention of it one time.” One of his hands stroked his chin. “How were you able to acquire it?”

            Human Torch snapped his finger to ignite his thumb. He blew it out and then snapped his finger again to recall the flame. “She beat Dr. Doom by herself. She beat Thanos by herself. She beat…” he turned to look at Deadpool and laughed. “…him by herself. She could probably—”

           

            “No, Matchstick Prick, I called in a favor.” Squirrel Girl wagged her tail.

            Beast squat on the ground. “What being owes you a favor?”

            She folded her arms. “All, eventually.”

            “I’m outta here.” Deadpool teleported. He reappeared right where he left. He growled and teleported, again. And again he appeared in the same spot. He glared Nightcrawler.

            Nightcrawler shrugged. He teleported. Appeared right where he was as well.

            They both scowled at Squirrel Girl. She held up the remote, shook it and said, “No telly porty.”

            Psylocke closed her eyes to call upon a second wave of attack. It commenced. Squirrel Girl sighed, pressed a button, shielded herself and then she pressed a pink button. All the heroes froze.

            “I really hate doing that.” She gestured toward them all. “But you silly heroes leave me no choice.” She stroked the remote. “I could do so much worse, but the AX babies need you.”

            “AX?” Psylocke asked.

            “A and X. AX for short.” Squirrel Girl lifted the remote. “Promise to be good little heroes?” She shook her head. “First, before I release you from this frozen state of mind, I must inform you that each of you were injected with a chemical that reacts to the environment you’re in making you forget most of your recent past as well as what has occurred to bring you here. You’ll only be able to recall that you are playing a game and need to win. Once you are off the game, your memory will be given back to you, unless, of course, you win a spot on the jury.”

            “Jury?” Iceman asked.

            “Yes, the people that’ll pick the winner of the game.” She flipped the remote in the air and caught it.

            “What is it that we’ll win?” Invisible Woman asked.

            “Good question woman that could probably turn this entire dome invisible and see where we are floating.” Squirrel Girl waited before continuing.

            Captain America turned to Invisible Woman. “Didn’t you try that already?”

            “I fear if I try, it’ll only weaken our resolve to leave.” Invisible Woman held her right upper arm with her left hand, unable to decide what to actually do. “I can’t do what she wants me to. I’m too weak. I can try to do a partial. It might make me useless in this challenge.”

            Captain America put his hand on her shoulder. “It’s okay, Sue. We’ll figure it out later.” They both return their attention to Squirrel Girl, as did the rest of the heroes.

            “Smarty, smart the both of you. I guess that’s why you’re over there and I’m over here.” Squirrel Girl walked over to the triangle. “There’s a triangle marked in the sand and here’s a triangle shaped vibranium-adamantium hybrid of rope. It’s unbreakable and unvibrateable.”

            “Not a word,” Deadpool mumbled.

            “I heard that, ugly.” Squirrel Girl winked at him.

            Deadpool stared at a camera in the lens. “More like she heard I mumbled something.”

            “Same difference.” Squirrel Girl shrugged.

            He shook his head. “Not really.”

            She held up the remote. “Dare me. I’ll send you somewhere no one knows exists and I certainly don’t think you can survive the edge of the universe.” She aimed it at him and pressed a button.

            Deadpool flinched. “Words cannot hurt you, she who uses squirrels to do her dirty work.”

            “You flinched. I just released the frozen hold on all of you.” Squirrel Girl snapped her fingers and three squirrels bounced in the sand and stopped right in front of Deadpool. All three made the I’m watching you gesture with their index and middle fingers. They squeaked their disapproval.

            Deadpool flinched again.

            “I did not.”

            Squirrel nodded.

            “I hate you.” He pointed at her. “And you.” He pointed at the camera. “NO. I’m pointing at YOU.” He pointed at the camera again. “Ugh…”

            “Just make squirrelpool babies already.” Wolverine spit on the sand.

            Squirrel Girl made a disgusted face. “More like repulsive face.” That too. She ushered everyone to move over toward the triangle. “You each will strap yourself into a harness and prepare to play a good old game of tug-of-war. It does matter where you position yourself. The first tribe that has one person that goes one foot over the line, loses. And the tribe that pulls them to lose is the winner.”

            “How can you tell?” Cyclops asked.

            “The tribe that’s pulling and isn’t struggling to stay away from the line is the one that is actually doing the work,” Squirrel Girl said.

            “We need more than rice. I can’t think well right now.” Cyclops held his head.

            “First tribe pull another tribe over the line, wins this.” She held up piece of rope that held two huge walnuts dipped in gold. “Tribal Immunity!”

            “That looks like two large nuts,” Deadpool said.

            “Walnuts,” Squirrel Girl corrected. She moved her hand up and down and the walnuts bounced off one another with a crack. “And they make little sparks.” She grinned pointing at the sparks with her other hand. “You know you wanna play with these.”

            “That’s just—”

            Thor put his hand over Deadpool’s mouth. “Don’t urge her to speak more.” He smiled toward Squirrel Girl. “Please continue m’lady.”

            She bowed. “And do you want to know what you win?”

            No one really cheered or said yes. They stared at her like hungry children.

            “You win the chance to get more food on the island as well as hunting gear to help you track and gather.”

             “I don’t need the gear.” Wolverine tapped his nose. “To help track or,” he released his claws, “hunt.”

            “No, but you need something to hunt. The winner either decides to share all the animals, or keep them for themselves. No matter what they decide, the gear is theirs to keep.” Squirrel Girl picked something off the remote. “I’ll give you a few moments to strategize.”

            Squirrel Girl stepped back to her mat area. The cameras floated around the tribes filming their planning.

            Human Torch tossed his hand up, and a fireball appeared. He juggled it. “Hey, tail lady, we can use our powers? Telling us we can’t is totally ruining our awesomeness.”

            Squirrel Girl clapped her hands. “Yes. Your awesomeness isn’t soiled. In all challenges you may use your powers. Except, not to harm another player enough to cause bleeding. Bruising, okay. No broken skin.” She gestured slicing hers. “Example, Jean Grey,” Squirrel Girl slightly bowed, “couldn’t pull people off the rope and throw them across the beach. You can keep a tribe from pulling or advancing, but you can’t remove their team from the rope. In any challenge you may make it difficult for a tribe to win, you cannot force them from the play of the challenge.” She caught each hero’s eyes. “Including you, Deadpool. No teleporting people away. Understood?”

            Deadpool laughed. “A lot. I’m laughing a lot.” He pointed a gun at Squirrel Girl. “You think you can stop me—”

            Thor thwacked Deadpool with Mjolnir. “Will thy just shut up?”

            Deadpool fell to the ground, his head bleeding.

            “We cannot alter our situation. We will have to play it out. Stop upping the difficulty.” Thor returned to discussing the plan with his tribe.

            Squirrel Girl laughed and then clamed up. “Right. Five more minutes.”

            Tribe Tippy-Toe strapped into their harnesses. In order from gatekeeper (the person who had to keep the tribe from crossing the line) to bringing up the rear (the person who was where the rope ended) the line-up was as follows: Thing, Beast, Captain America, Wolverine, Wiccan, Invisible Woman, Nightcrawler, Storm and Jean Grey.

            Tribe Monkey Joe strapped on their harnesses in the following order: Thor, Human Torch, Vision, Deadpool (who was still rubbing his head) – “Cause it hurts.” –, Gambit, Domino, Jamie Madrox, Black Widow and Emma Frost.

            Tribe Slippy Pete put on their harnesses in the following order: Rogue, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Cyclops, Iceman, Mr. Fantastic, Kitty Pryde, Psylocke and Scarlet Witch.

            Squirrel Girl hopped up on top of a floating silver disc where Forge appeared. “He’s here to see how well his creation goes.”

            “Looks like it’s going to be awesome.” Forge rubbed his hands together.

            “Be silent. Don’t make me send you back.” Squirrel Girl peered down on the heroes. “On your mark.”

            All the heroes grabbed hold of the vibranium-adamantium rope.

            “Get set.”

            The first three on each tribe tensed up ready for anything the other two tribes were going to pull.

            “Go.”

            The Gatekeepers on each tribe started off about five feet from the line that if they crossed, they’d lose.

            Thor of tribe Monkey Joe yanked as hard as godly possible, almost elbowing Human Torch in the face.

            Human Torch dodged  “Don’t knock out our plan B.”

            “I apologize, Johnny, but we cannot lose.” Thor yanked on the rope again.

            Thing and Beast of tribe Tippy-Toe feet dug into the sand, trying to keep from slipping over the loser line.

            “Any time, Susie.” Thing shouted.

            “I got it.” Invisible Woman closed her eyes and reached out with her right hand. Invisible poles projected right in front of Thing. “It’s there.”

            Thing slid toward the line and the poles stopped him. He placed one foot on either and braced himself. “We’re not going anywhere Goldilocks.”

            Beast turned around and allowed his back to press up against Thing’s back, bracing Thing from budging. “I have your back.”

            Jean Grey opened up Thing’s mind, giving him more access to his strength.

            Neither Jean Grey or Invisible Woman were helping in holding the rope. They needed all their concentration on their task. Thor would pull and they would move, but not enough to jolt their focus.

            “Wiccan, what do you have for us, son?” Captain America boots dug up the sand. He looked funny in shorts with those boots.

            “I’m trying to think of something,” Wiccan said through gritted teeth.

            “Better think quicker, bub, we’re about to be dragged into being losers,” Wolverine said.

            “Storm?” Captain America shouted.

            Wind picked up around Thor and his team. It didn’t keep Thor from pulling the other two teams closer and closer to the edge.

            “Are you okay Invisible Woman?” Beast could clearly see her from his position.

            Her face strained. Her eyebrows furrowed so deep that he couldn’t tell if she had eyes anymore. “I can only do so much. Make a move.”

            “Wiccan, we need you.” Captain America’s biceps flexed.

            Wiccan’s heart beat faster and faster. He couldn’t think.

            “Is it just me or is the rope hot?” Beast asked. It felt like it was on fire.

            Rogue of Tribe Slippy Pete was sliding toward the line. “Hope y’all have a better plan than this.

            Cyclops blasted a hole before Rogue’s feet. “Brace yourself.”

            She slid right into the hole and pushed her feet against the wall of sand. “This ain’t gonna hold for long.”

            Iron Man put on his thrusters and blasted them enough to pull to help the tribe regain their position.

            Spider-Man webbed everyone’s feet he could, to help them gain some sort of traction.

            “I detect a rise in the rope’s temperature,” Iron Man said.

            “I can feel it. This isn’t good. Hot potato isn’t the name of the game.” Spider-Man glanced over at the Human Torch. “Unless you’re the human flame.” He paused a second. “Oh, you know, this is the first time I’ve ever wanted to be retardant.”

            “Iceman.” Cyclops commanded.

            “On it.”  He focused on the section of rope before Rogue and flash freezed it to cool down the heat. It worked.

            “Scarlet Witch, we need something fantastic,” Mr. Fantastic said. He had stretched himself into a parachute of sorts to catch the wind Storm had created to give his tribe a bit of help in slowing down Thor’s incredible strength. “It’s only a matter of time before our resistance tires out.”

            “Psylocke,” Cyclops said.

            She read his mind. “I’ll try.”

            Kitty Pryde, Psylocke and Scarlet Witch were not pulling. Their strength wouldn’t help. They were the brains and the alternate thinking of this outfit. Kitty Pryde kept an eye out on the other tribes and what they were doing. Psylocke helped everyone keep focus and battling Jean Grey or Emma Frost from infiltrating anyone’s mind. Not easy. She wasn’t as powerful as Jean, but with Emma Frost in the battle, it helped keep Jean from focusing only on her.

            Scarlet Witch raised her hands and set out a few hex bolts. One hit right around Thing and the other hit Deadpool. No bleeding happened.

            Jamie Madrox on tribe Monkey Joe had multiplied several times, but no amount of multiples would actually help Thor do any better, so he absorbed the dups. Black Widow anchored herself the best she could, but knew that wouldn’t help if Thor lost. Domino tried to wield her luck to their advantage, but nothing came about. Emma Frost concentrated on keeping Jean Grey and Psylocke away. Gambit could charge the rope and have it explode, throwing all back from the rope in hopes that someone from his tribe would give a good pull to win the game, but he might disqualify them due to someone weak bleeding like that Wiccan kid.

            “I calculate our winning at 95%.” Vision pulled as hard as Thor, but showed no strain in his facial features. “Except percentages do not matter with the Scarlet Witch.” He eyed a hex bolt heading their way. “We better pull as hard as we can.”

            Thor pulled harder and took a few steps backward. Tribe Slippy Pete slipped closer to the edge, but Tippy-Toe remained in the same position. Invisible Woman’s eyes were still closed, concentrating on keeping the invisible poles up. She shook her gritted teeth.

            And that was only the first five minutes.

            “It’s working out better than I could have imagined,” Forge said.

            Squirrel Girl maneuvered the silver disc around the tribes to get a good look at who was where. “It looks like Tribe Monkey Joe has it in the—” She saw the hex bolts hit targets. “Spoke too soon.”

            The floating cameras moved around the tribes capturing every angle. The dinging of viewership could be heard by only Squirrel Girl. She nodded and grin with each rise in popularity. The allowing of powers during challenges made for an exciting battle. She told Mojo that. He was afraid that they might turn on the cameras and cause too much damage to the studio. She convinced him that she could handle her friends. All except Deadpool. He’s a little less easily controlled.

           

            The hex bolt hit Deadpool in the feet. He slipped in the sand falling on his butt. He kicked his legs and tripped Vision. Leaving Thor to handle the pulling of Thing, Beast, Rogue, Iron Man and Spider-Man. Which he could handle just fine if it weren’t for what happened next. Vision fell forward and tried to balance himself by holding onto Human Torch’s shoulders. He phased the both of them. Human Torch phased through his harness. Vision remained phased. Human Torch solidified, hit the ground and ignited like a grenade. He turned the surrounding sand into glass.

            Deadpool pulled Gambit, Domino and Jamie Madrox down. Jamie Madrox’s dups ran around trying to help the tribe back to standing.

            “Who threw the banana peel down?” Deadpool shouted. “Help, I’ve fallen and I’m hungry. Feed me Seymour. Feed me.” He kicked his legs as if he was a crying baby. “I’m turning red under the mask. I promise. The color of shame. Deadpool down. A great title for a yoga pose. Squirrel Girl would do that pose all day long.”

            “If I weren’t the host, I’d beat you into a pulp.” She punched her fist into her palm. “And I hate pulp. I like straight juice.”

            Thor maintained a good hold on the rope and gained major ground pulling the tribe Slippy Pete within a foot from the line. He still couldn’t get Thing to budge. Invisible Woman’s poles were holding up despite her almost sweating blood.

            “I have a headache. I have to stop.” Invisible Woman dropped the invisible poles.

            Psylocke grinned. “Did it, Scott.”

            Thing dropped to the sand and couldn’t regain his footing. Thor dragged them to the line. Four feet. Three feet. Two feet.

            “Jean!” Wolvierne shouted.

            Jean Grey turned into the Phoenix. Embodied in the flames shaped as the bird, she rose. She broke free of the harness and reached out for the rope with her telekinetic powers. With the rest of her energy she pulled as hard as her strength would allow. Thor slid across the sand, shocked anyone could out do him.

The flames of the Phoenix petered and Jean hit the ground, passed out. Having nothing but rice to eat left her weak. She gave her team a few feet from Thor, but that was it.

            Thor laughed.  “You cannot beat the mighty—” He slipped on the glass and fell forward. His arms held on tight and his face plowed through the sand like a bulldozer being pulled to be the loser of the immunity challenge.

            Thor’s fingers crossed the line. Tribe Tippy-Toe jumped for joy. Wolverine’s claws sliced through the connection freeing him and his harness from the rope. He ran to check on Jean. Storm high-fived Nightcrawler. Thing massaged his biceps.

            Wiccan scratched his head. “That’s it?”

            Black Widow shook her head. “What are they doing? The game is still—”

            “NOW!” Cyclops commanded.

            Tribe Slippy Pete yanked on the rope one final time. Thing flew across the line falling into the sand face first. He pushed himself up and spit to clear his mouth.

            “And tribe Slippy Pete wins!” Squirrel Girl shouted. “Well done.” She lowered the silver disc.

            Forge clapped his hands. “That worked out way better than I could imagine.”

            Squirrel Girl groaned. “You talk too much. Go and work on the next challenge.” She hit a button on her remote. Forge was ported away.

            She hopped off the sliver disc and handed Mr. Fantastic tribal immunity. “Congratulations. Now, what is your choice?”

            “My, what big nuts you have, Mr. Fantastic,” Deadpool chanted.

            “The better to impress your mom with,” Spider-Man sang back.

            “Mr. Parker, that’s just so nasty.” Deadpool covered his already covered mouth with his hands.

            “Wade, I got your nasty right here.” He webbed Deadpool in the face.

            “Children do not try this at home.” Deadpool pulled off the webbing. He stared at it in his hand. “I’m almost hungry enough.”

            “Stop flirting.” Squirrel Girl positioned her hands in the air like stop signs for crazy. “We are not playing the dating game.”

            “He’s so my type, masked and witty.” Deadpool playfully put his index finger near his mouth. Or where one would assume his mouth would be. “Oh, I know it’s there.”

            Squirrel Girl snapped her fingers and five squirrels bounded out of nowhere. Deadpool jumped and hid behind Thor. Thor sidestepped allowing the squirrels to glare at Deadpool.

            Mr. Fantastic turned to his tribe and they discussed it for a few seconds. “We will allow all tribes to partake in the animals.”

            Squirrel Girl nodded. “How polite of you Mister Fantastic. Tomorrow all will be blessed with animals. We never said what kind.” She faced tribe Monkey Joe. “I’ll see you at tribal council tonight. You have a few hours to figure who’s going to get the boot.” She held up the Universe Remote. Her thumb hovered over a button. “Losers be gone!” She pressed. Monkey Joe teleported back to their beach.

            Rogue picked up the bag of hunting gear from Squirrel Girl. “Thanks honey. Do you have to groom that?” She pointed at the tail.

            Squirrel Girl’s tail moved into her grasp. “I preen.” She picked at it.

            “That sounds disgusting.”

            Squirrel shrugged. “I’m part animal. It doesn’t bother me.”

            “Stop flirting.” Deadpool’s voice boomed.

            Squirrel Girl turned as if being spun by a professional dancer. “My squirrels are everywhere.”

            Deadpool laughed. “I’ll kill and eat each one you send. I like squirrel. Not a lot of meat, but that doesn’t bother my swords. They’ll slice—”

            “Squirrel Girl we humbly apologize for the nuisance that is Deadpool. Mjolnir won’t be enough to keep him down.”

            “Thank you godling. You’re a sweetheart.” She turned back to Rogue. “You want to shampoo my tail?”

            Rogue made a face as if she smelled garbage juice. “I’ll pass.” She lifted the bag and walked back to her tribe.

            Squirrel Girl shifted her weight onto one foot, pushing out her hip to one side. Her tail whipped back behind her, wiggling. “You are safe. Until next immunity. Toodles.” She pressed a button and Tribe Slippy Pete and Tribe Tippy-Toe teleported back.