Budget Cuts & Dragon Guts

Pavitr swung through the air, Mumbai's humid breeze rushing past him.

As he got closer, he squinted at the absolute madness unfolding below.

A giant freaking dragon was roaring, flames shooting everywhere. The remains of an exploded cave system lay in ruins. Some weird-looking foreigners were fighting it—

And in the middle of the chaos?

A man in red spandex casually standing there like this was a regular Tuesday.

Deadpool turned, saw Pavitr land nearby, and immediately pointed at him.

"HEY! Look, everyone! We got a discount Spider-Man!"

Pavitr blinked.

"Excuse me?"

Deadpool cupped his hands around his mouth. "OH, WAIT—SORRY, SORRY. I MEANT CULTURALLY ENRICHED SPIDER-MAN! My bad!"

Pavitr stared at him, unimpressed. "You do know I can hear you, right?"

"Of course! That's why I'm saying it out loud!" Deadpool put his hands on his hips. "Also, real quick, before we continue—WHERE THE F*** DID THE BUDGET FOR THIS COME FROM?!"

Everyone ignored him.

Deadpool sighed dramatically, looking up at the sky.

"OH WAIT—WE HAVE NO BUDGET. BECAUSE THIS IS A FANFIC." He turned to Pavitr. "See? This is why I don't even bother asking for a raise."

Pavitr crossed his arms. "You're an insane person."

"And you're fashionably late!" Deadpool shrugged. "Typical Spider-Man behavior."

Pavitr sighed, pinching his nose. "Okay, leaving aside whatever psychological issues you have, why is there a DRAGON in Mumbai?!"

Before Deadpool could answer, the dragon let out a deafening roar, sending a shockwave that nearly knocked them off their feet.

Pavitr flipped midair, landing gracefully. Deadpool?

He just stood there.

"Okay, that was kinda hot."

Butcher, who was busy emptying a whole-ass shotgun into the dragon's face, turned toward Deadpool.

"If you don't shut your f**ing mouth* and HELP, I swear I'll slit your damn throat before that thing even gets the chance!"

Deadpool gasped dramatically. "WILLIAM. PLEASE. AT LEAST BUY ME DINNER FIRST."

Butcher cocked his shotgun.

"Alright, alright, fine, yeesh." Deadpool pulled out his katanas, stretching. "Let's go slay a dragon before HBO sues us!"

And just like that, the battle for Mumbai continued.