Everyone in the hall tensed at the sudden, shrill laughter that echoed through the chamber. A cloaked figure descended gracefully from the high ceiling above.
The mysterious intruder removed her cloak, revealing a thin, pale face with striking features. She studied Captain America and Falcon with undisguised interest before slowly scanning the assembled dignitaries.
"So many Galactic Republic supporters gathered in one place," the pale woman remarked with a malevolent smile. Her gaze settled on Padmé, who discreetly placed her hand on her holstered blaster.
"What extraordinary luck. Senator Amidala, it's truly an honor," she said with an exaggerated bow. "Count Dooku and Viceroy Gunray would be most eager to speak with you personally."
"I know who you are. You're Dooku's assassin—Ventress," Padmé stated coldly, her eyes never leaving the intruder.
"Oh? My reputation precedes me," Ventress replied with feigned surprise. "Then you should get better acquainted with me before I take you away and dispose of your friends."
"You're not taking her anywhere," Captain America declared firmly as he stepped protectively in front of Padmé, with Falcon positioning himself at Cap's side.
By now, every clone trooper and security guard in the hall had their weapons trained on the uninvited guest, causing Asajj Ventress to smile with sinister amusement.
"Please, gentlemen, don't do anything rash," Ventress cautioned lightly.
Without warning, she unleashed a powerful Force push that knocked down many of the armed personnel instantly. Captain America instinctively raised his shield to block the invisible assault, while Falcon immediately deployed his wings and took to the air.
Ventress frowned, noticing that her Force attack had failed to affect the two strangers.
"She's got some serious power," Falcon observed warily as he drew his weapon.
Captain America nodded grimly, adjusting his grip on his shield.
Ventress couldn't suppress a sardonic laugh as she studied the two men. "How interesting. You two wish to challenge me?"
She unclipped two hilts from her belt, igniting them to reveal blazing crimson lightsaber blades.
"You know, you talk just like every generic villain I've ever faced," Falcon remarked casually.
The taunt visibly angered Ventress. These strangers clearly had no idea whom they were dealing with. She decided to teach them a painful lesson, though inwardly she remained cautious. Something about these two unusual opponents warned her not to underestimate them.
Ventress prepared her attack, leaping forward with Force-enhanced speed. She raised her twin lightsabers above her head and brought them down in a vicious strike.
She had expected the shield-bearer to be overwhelmed by her velocity, but was surprised when he reacted with astonishing quickness. Captain America sidestepped her lightsaber strike before countering with a powerful kick to her midsection that sent her flying backward.
As she regained her footing, Ventress suddenly sensed another threat. She reflexively raised her lightsabers to deflect the incoming projectiles fired by Falcon. To her shock, instead of being redirected like blaster bolts, the bullets liquefied upon contact with her lightsaber blades. Several molten metal droplets splashed onto her skin.
Ventress roared in pain while simultaneously directing a Force push toward Falcon. Having anticipated this, Falcon maneuvered with precision, dodging the invisible attack and maintaining his aerial position.
She glared up at him with contempt. "A flying man? You must hail from some primitive backwater world to rely on such pathetic weaponry."
"Really? Then why is your face burned by this 'primitive' technology?" Falcon taunted.
"You'll pay for that!" Ventress snarled.
She channeled the Force to augment her physical abilities, launching another lightning-fast attack. This time, however, her target wasn't the airborne Falcon but Captain America.
The experienced super-soldier reacted instantaneously. He seized one of Ventress's wrists as she appeared before him and struck her other arm with his shield, causing her to drop one lightsaber. The two engaged in close-quarters combat until Captain America gritted his teeth and hurled her upward with tremendous strength, perfectly positioning her for Falcon's aerial attack.
Falcon delivered a devastating kick that sent Ventress crashing to the floor, where she landed heavily, coughing from the impact.
"Don't move," Captain America warned as Falcon landed beside him, both aiming their weapons at the downed assassin.
By now, the remaining clone troopers and security guards had recovered, joining the Avengers with their blasters trained on Ventress.
Lying on the ground, Ventress glared at Captain America and Falcon with undisguised fury.
In mere moments, these two strangers had defeated her with nearly flawless coordination. Who were they? How dare they humiliate Count Dooku's apprentice in such a manner?
Ventress knew the rational course would be to retreat, but overwhelming rage clouded her judgment.
She could not bear the thought of reporting such an easy defeat to Count Dooku. Fury consumed her reason as she surrendered to the dark side of the Force, channeling her hatred into another Force blast—this one far more powerful than before.
The shockwave knocked back the surrounding soldiers once again. This time, even Captain America and Falcon were caught unprepared, thrown heavily to the ground by the invisible surge. Many of the nobles and politicians were similarly affected, some losing consciousness from the impact.
Seeing her opponents finally subdued, Ventress rose to her feet, her remaining lightsaber blazing with crimson intensity as she prepared to finish what she had started.
Captain America struggled to raise his shield in defense, but Falcon remained motionless, temporarily stunned by the attack.
Ventress noticed the winged man's vulnerability and turned her attention toward him. Just as she stepped in his direction, an invisible force struck her directly in the chin.
The unexpected blow left Ventress reeling. She stumbled backward, clutching her jaw as she collapsed heavily to the floor.
Captain America pulled himself up with effort, breathing a sigh of relief as a familiar figure materialized before his eyes.
"Ant-Man!" Captain America exclaimed.
"Hey, Cap," Ant-Man greeted cheerfully as his helmet retracted to reveal a grinning face. "Good to see you're still in one piece."
"Brother, am I glad to see you," Falcon groaned painfully from the ground.
Ant-Man and Cap each took one of Falcon's arms, helping him to his feet.
"Cap, I know timing isn't great, but who is she? Where are we? Where's everyone else?" Ant-Man asked rapidly.
"We'll discuss this later, Scott," Captain America replied, his eyes fixed on Ventress as she struggled to stand. "We need to deal with her first."
"Yeah, that makes sense," Ant-Man agreed, his helmet re-forming around his head.
Falcon deployed his wings once more, weapon ready, and hovered above them, prepared to engage.
Ventress quickly assessed her situation. This new opponent possessed abilities she'd never encountered before. Combined with the extraordinary skills of the other two, she realized continuing this fight would surely lead to her defeat.
Her only viable option was escape.
Without hesitation, Ventress pulled a smoke bomb from her belt and hurled it to the floor. The hall filled with thick smoke, and when it cleared, she had vanished, leaving the three Avengers staring at the empty space where she had stood.
"That was intense," Falcon remarked as he holstered his weapon.
"But we drove her off, didn't we?" Ant-Man said with a shrug.
"Yeah," Cap muttered, securing his shield on his back. His thoughts lingered on Ventress until he became aware of the many eyes fixed upon them.
Captain America turned to find everyone in the hall staring with expressions of shock, awe, and disbelief.
Ant-Man and Falcon also noticed the attention, with Scott shifting uncomfortably under the collective gaze.
"So, uh... Cap," Ant-Man whispered, "where exactly are we?"
Captain America could only sigh as he contemplated how much more complicated their situation had just become.
"Scott, to be honest, I don't know either."
"So we're definitely not in Kansas anymore?"
"That's been established. We'll talk later," Captain America replied quietly, glancing at the Naboo citizens who watched them with amazement and gratitude after their defeat of Ventress.
His mind raced with thoughts of their missing teammates, their home, and their next steps in this unfamiliar galaxy.
Yet despite their uncertain circumstances, he understood one thing clearly: wherever the scattered Avengers had landed across this galaxy, they would continue to fight for justice and protect the innocent—no matter what strange worlds they found themselves in.