"No, they're getting close to my core.
Peter, there's something wrong with your friends. Let's stop and deal with them before continuing!"
Sensing that Gamora and the others, led by Hawking's Shadow Clone, were about to reach his core, Ego's expression changed drastically.
His core brain was his most vulnerable spot. Without protection, even a high-energy bomb could destroy it, taking him down with it. He could not afford to be careless.
"Now!"
Just then, a voice rang out, and Hawking appeared beside Star-Lord.
At his words, Star-Lord immediately stopped channeling Celestial Power. Instead, he transformed it into a massive hand that seized Ego's body and yanked hard.
"You killed my mother. Die!"
Before Ego could react, the giant hand tore him cleanly in half.
"Avada Kedavra!"
Hawking followed up at once, using the Killing Curse's annihilating nature to end Ego's avatar's regeneration. At the same time, the damage from the Killing Curse prevented Ego's true body from concentrating its consciousness.
"Move!"
Meanwhile, the Shadow Clone's group had reached Ego's core brain without encountering any resistance.
Hawking brought Star-Lord over with Apparition.
"Mantis, you're up."
Seeing Hawking's true body and Star-Lord appear, the Shadow Clone turned to Mantis.
Mantis said in a trembling voice, "I-I really don't know if I can do it."
To her, Ego, this father of hers, was simply far too powerful.
Drax stepped forward to encourage her.
"You may not believe in yourself, but I believe in you!"
Encouraged by Drax, Mantis gritted her teeth, pressed both hands to the ground, and activated her ability.
The Celestial Power that had just begun to surge around them immediately died down again.
"I was just saying it. I didn't think you could actually do it. You're pretty impressive for someone so small."
Seeing that Mantis had truly restrained