POV Thanos
'What am I missing?'
I was tired of asking that question, but it seems these damn ruins caused me no end of confusion and trouble. Right now, I've found what I was looking for, but for some reason it isn't working properly. It moves and seems to be able to alter reality as promised, but the more important ability, the ability to cleave history, wasn't working.
'Maybe I need more energy to get it working.'
My thoughts were interrupted by a call.
'Might as well take a break.'
"Lord Thanos," Ebony Maw greets me.
"What is it?" I ask with a blank tone.
"The invasions against the Xenomorphs have ended, but we have found no sign of the Mind Stone. But I have done as you commanded and gathered a large army using every means I have. The army is several million strong; you've but give the command, and we shall begin the invasion," Ebony Maw reports.
I ponder for a moment and look back at the weapon I had uncovered.
"Prepare them for mobilization. We shall strike soon. You will be in charge of finding and retrieving the Time Stone, likely in the hands of the remaining Sorcerers. I shall handle the Allfather. Use the Dark Elves to strike Alfheim. The Jotuns alongside Surtur and his minions can strike Asgard while I keep the Allfather busy," I order.
"Understood. What of Nidavellir and Vanaheim?" Ebony Maw asks.
"Vanaheim will be handled by a new army I have found. Nidavellir will be left for last. Once I have dealt with the Allfather, I shall deal with them personally," I say firmly.
"As you command, Lord Thanos," Ebony Maw replies.
I consider if anything else needs to be addressed.
"What of the Shi'ar Empire?" Ebony Maw warns.
"Hmm, what about them?" I ask with a pondering tone.
"They have struck at the Xenomorphs after we stopped, but they suddenly pulled back. They might be planning an invasion of the Milky Way," Ebony Maw warns.
I narrow my eyes and think about what they might be planning. The Shi'ar were not known for their willingness to retreat. If they attacked, they wouldn't stop until the job was finished.
"Are there any hives left?" I ask.
"Yes, we have information on at least 3 more hives that remain. We believe that there might not be much more than that, but we aren't certain," Ebony Maw reports.
Considering things from all the angles I can come up with, there are only a few things I could think of that could cause them to pull back. Especially when the job isn't finished.
"Have they lost any of the Imperial Fleets?" I ask.
"They had lost a portion of the 3rd fleet due to sabotage from the Blue Devil," Ebony Maw reports.
The Shi'ar had 5 Imperial Fleets that were the creme of the crop, the pinnacle of their armed forces. They had other fleets, but they were mostly patrol fleets and hardly a threat. As for the Blue Devil, she was someone I didn't even want to deal with. Too chaotic and unpredictable.
"What about news related to the Gladiator or his daughter?" I inquire.
"Hmm, now that you mention it, the Gladiator hasn't made any public appearances in quite some time. I seem to recall a report that his daughter has been seen on occasion but always under guard. You don't think that something actually hurt the Gladiator, do you?" Ebony Maw says with surprise.
"It is one of the few things that could scare the Shi'ar enough to retreat. The Xenomorphs don't have a fleet, so they couldn't destroy one of the Imperial Fleets, but there has always been the legend of the Xenomorph Empress," I comment.
"I don't mean to offend Lord Thanos, but that legend has been around for practically time immemorial. Surely someone would have discovered them by now; even during our campaigns, I sensed no such indication of a strong telepath," Ebony Maw says with clear skepticism.
"It's just a theory. In either case, we can watch for any signs of Shi'ar involvement. If they start making moves, then we can deal with them or let them strike at Asgard for us. Even if I am wrong and the Gladiator is fine, I am more than confident I can deal with him and his daughter at the same time," I say firmly.
"Very well, I shall do as you command," Ebony Maw replies calmly.
The call ends, and I get to work on creating additional power sources for the weapon and gathering the lesser machines for Vanaheim. When I was done, I wanted the Nine Realms to be a broken mess, unable to resist my efforts to collect the Infinity Stones.
POV Shift Carol Danvers
"Carol! It's been too long. How are you?" Gloraga asks with a smile.
Gloraga was an old friend of mine who runs a nice rest stop in a less-traveled sector of space. She always had a bed for me when I needed it.
"Sorry I haven't been around lately, but I have been trying to get the Kree and Nova to establish an armistice. And I'm doing fine," I reply with a slightly tired smile.
"Ah, heard about that, nasty business that; have any info you can share?" Gloraga asks.
"Sure, I was the one who hunted down the people responsible for the attack, but they killed themselves before I could get to them. But I don't think it takes a genius to know who would want the war to continue even after all these years," I reply with a frown.
"The Shi'ar," Gloraga comments with a grim tone.
"Most likely, but there is still a chance that the warmongers amongst the Kree could be behind it," I say with a nod.
"Figures. The Shi'ar have been acting a little odd lately," Gloraga comments.
"How so?" I ask.
"Well, rumor has it the Blue Devil damaged the 3rd Imperial Fleet; some say that is why they pulled back from the Xenomorph hives, but me personally, I'm not so certain," Gloraga says with that look in her eye.
"What is it?" I ask.
"Look, take this with a grain of salt, as I can't really confirm any of this, but the few patrons I get from the Shi'ar say that their empire's guardian angel hasn't been seen in quite some time. Most shrug it off as the Gladiator being on some far-off mission for the Empire. But... It's a stupid idea," Gloraga says while shaking her head.
"Just tell me," I demand with no heat.
"What if... The Xenomorphs killed the Gladiator, and that is why they have pulled back. They are scared of losing their only other Strontian. Sure, maybe it really was because the 3rd fleet took damage, or maybe cause the rumors of a flaming angel are causing issues, but I feel that isn't the case. I know it's crazy, but that's what my gut is telling me," Gloraga says with uncertainty.
I try not to let my skepticism show, but Gloraga knows me better than that.
"Sigh. As I said, it's crazy," Gloraga says with an annoyed sigh.
"No, no, I'm not saying you're wrong. But you have to admit that a Xenomorph, no matter what caste they are from or how numerous, couldn't ever beat me, so it seems unlikely that the Gladiator couldn't, at the bare minimum, escape. Last I checked, Xenomorphs haven't developed flight," I comment.
"I know that; let's just forget I said anything," Gloraga says with an upset tone.
"Well, before that, you said the Shi'ar retreated, right?" I ask.
"Yeah, what about it?" Gloraga asks.
"So they didn't finish the job?" I ask with an interested tone.
"Yeah... Wait! Don't even think about it! Even if I am wrong, the Shi'ar retreated for a reason, and the Mad Titans' forces have done the same. It's a terrible idea to go and clear out what remains," Gloraga argues.
"How many hives are left?" I ask while ignoring her statement.
"Carol, please don't!" Gloraga pleads.
"How many hives?" I ask again.
"Sigh. I hate how stubborn you can be. You don't have to prove anything. The hives are far away from any civilization, and nobody even lives around there. Why don't I tell you about Sakaar?" Gloraga offers with a strained smile.
"I can handle it. Now tell me, or I will find another source," I demand.
"Sigh. Fine. Three hives. I can get you the coordinates. But... Can't you leave it alone for me? My gut has never steered me wrong, and for all we know, the Shi'ar stumbled upon something they couldn't beat," Gloraga says with a worried tone.
"Hah! Are you talking about that old spacer tale about the Xenomorph Empress? Please, even I know that is nothing more than a scary tale. If it really existed, we would have found it already. And the Shi'ar wouldn't keep such a detail to themselves," I say with an amused tone.
"For your sake, I hope you are right. For the sake of the universe, I hope it is just an old tale and nothing more. But if you go, then at least be careful; I know you think you are invincible, but for me, please take care of yourself," Gloraga says worriedly.
I roll my eyes.
"Fine. I'll be careful. This shouldn't take me more than a week or two. I've cleared out hives before, and none of them could get past my energy field," I say confidently.
I hadn't faced someone I couldn't beat before, or at least escape from before. Sure, the Gladiator could be someone I can't beat, but we have never fought before, so I was pretty sure I would win. And if something did kill him, then I could prove that I am even stronger than him by killing his killer.
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Author's Note:
Bonus Chapter for those who get today off. Just to make it clear, Carol is overestimating herself here. I don't believe she would win against the Gladiator, but Carol Danvers is pretty arrogant and full of herself, so I feel it fits. Too bad she isn't a Strontian, as then she might be one of the strongest cause of how confident she is in herself. Until next time, Ciao.