The end of time. The Void.
Purple lightning storms raged across the sky. The colossal cloud-beast known as Alioth was bearing down on the few tiny specks hiding behind a rocky outcropping, its massive, abyssal mouth—capable of consuming an entire dimension—opening wide.
It was soul-crushing despair.
Loki tightly gripped his dagger, his palms slick with cold sweat.
Maria Hill and Natasha, though wearing those ridiculous battle suits, didn't have time to worry about their image. Their faces were whiter than the white-and-purple spandex.
"It's over... this thing can't be stopped by magic..." Loki muttered, his eyes glazed over.
Just when they thought it was the end.
Vwoom!
An orange portal, like a miracle, tore open in the void behind them.
The blonde man, wearing an expensive suit, hands tucked into his pockets, and a lazy, elegant smile on his lips, strolled out as if taking a pleasant afternoon walk.
He was their nightmare, and yet, their only savior in that moment: Frieza!
"M-Master?!"
Loki's eyes went wide, and he nearly wept with joy. For a brief moment, he found Frieza's demonic face more comforting than Odin's. "You came back for us! I knew you wouldn't abandon your loyal servants!"
Hill and Natasha exchanged glances. Though they hated to admit it, the sheer tension in their bodies instantly eased the moment they saw him appear.
It was like falling into a lion's den, only to have a T-Rex stomp in. The T-Rex might be scarier, but at least the lions won't touch you now.
"Oh dear, the air quality in this place is simply atrocious."
Frieza didn't even glance at the massive beast lunging toward them; he just waved his hand dismissively at the dust near his nose.
"It's not proper for a boss like me to let my staff work in such a disgusting environment, you know."
ROOAAARR—!!!
Alioth seemed enraged by the tiny creature's indifference, letting out a soul-shaking roar. The enormous purple smoke accelerated instantly, intending to swallow the oblivious blonde man whole.
"So noisy."
Frieza frowned slightly, a flash of displeased crimson visible in his eyes.
"How dare a mere, filthy gas cloud make such a racket in front of the great me?"
"Truly... an ill-mannered savage."
Frieza slowly raised his right hand. On his index finger, the familiar, destructive purple energy sphere instantly materialized.
This time, he put a little more effort into it.
"Back off! Destruction Ball!"
Fwoosh—BOOOM!!!
The purple energy sphere shot out like a speeding meteorite, vanishing into Alioth's colossal body.
What followed was a blinding, intense explosion that illuminated the entire Void!
The terrifying energy shockwave blasted a huge hole right through the continent-sized purple cloud!
Alioth let out a cry of pain, its massive form forcibly receding.
"Incredible... so strong!" Loki stared, dumbfounded.
He could actually blast back a time-eating monster like that? Was this guy even human?
However, Frieza's frown deepened.
He noticed that although the cloud had dispersed, the laws of time were rapidly forcing it to reassemble.
"Tch, so it really is a Multiversal watchdog, huh?"
Frieza thought it over.
This thing had no physical body, made purely of temporal and spatial energy. Physical and energy attacks were effective, but total annihilation would be tough.
He'd need to go Golden Frieza and completely vaporize this dimension to stop it.
But for now...
"Forget it. Squabbling with a giant wad of air is beneath me."
Frieza decisively pulled out the stolen Time Twister device and tapped a few buttons.
"Time to go. Back to the office."
He glanced at his employees, who were still staring in shock.
"What? Would you rather stay here and be dessert for this overgrown marshmallow?"
"No! No! We're coming! Right now!" Loki shook his head furiously and was the first to dive into the portal.
Hill, Natasha, and Wanda didn't hesitate, quickly following him through.
Frieza took one last look at the rapidly reforming monster and scoffed.
"I'll deal with you next time."
With that, he elegantly stepped into the light.
New York, Manhattan, Penthouse of the Frieza Tower.
Vwoom!
The orange portal flashed, and several figures appeared out of thin air.
The sunlight outside the windows was bright. Their ordeal—killing at the TVA headquarters and fighting a monster in the Void—felt like a dream.
Frieza checked the wall clock.
Only one second had passed.
"That's the beauty of the Time Twister."
Frieza was in a good mood. He walked back to his executive chair, crossed his legs, and settled in.
"Alright, despite a minor hiccup, our personnel roster is now complete."
He swept his gaze over his still-shaken subordinates.
"Loki, start organizing today's schedule."
"Hill, Natasha, continue the recruitment process. Tonight, I intend to personally select the members for my Ginyu Force."
Frieza's voice turned slightly serious, his crimson eyes carrying an intimidating pressure.
"Remember, I want the elite. Guys who look suitably evil and have real villain charisma. Don't bring me any low-lifes or rotten fruit just to fill the quota."
"Oh, and clean up the mess and the bodies in the rest of the building."
"Y-Yes, Master."
Exhausted in mind and body, but under the dual threat of the soul contract and the brain bomb, they could only meekly accept their orders and retreat.
Once he was alone in the office, Frieza slowly opened his system panel.
[Current Accumulated Fear Value: 415 Billion / 500 Billion.]
"Ohohoho..."
Frieza let out a satisfied laugh at the sight of the long number.
The trip to the TVA hadn't permanently dealt with the mastermind, Kang, but the Fear Value was definitely maximized! The final destructive wave that wiped out the TVA headquarters was a colossal payday!
"Just under a hundred billion left until I unlock my Third Form."
Frieza's eyes glittered with greed.
Alioth had reminded him that while his current power was unbeatable on Earth, it still wasn't enough on the scale of the Multiverse.
He had to get stronger, and fast!
Not just for the enjoyment of conquest, but for survival!
He casually pulled out the handful of Infinity Stones he had stolen, which looked like polished marbles.
Red, Purple, Blue, Green...
They sparkled brilliantly in the sunlight.
"What beautiful colors," Frieza mused, toying with the stones that could drive the entire universe mad.
"A shame I don't have the golden Gauntlet. I can't harness the full power of these stones without it."
He knew that one Infinity Gauntlet was in Odin's Vault. It was a fake, though the Gauntlet itself was real, even if the stones weren't.
That hardly mattered.
The other one was either still with the Dwarf King on Nidavellir, or already commissioned by Thanos.
"Should I raid Asgard just to grab that Gauntlet and make do?"
Frieza stroked his chin, then shook his head.
"No rush."
"Earth is still the richest crop of Fear. The biggest cash cow."
"Once I've harvested all the fear on Earth and unlocked a stronger form, then I'll pay Asgard a visit."
"And when I do..."
A look of extreme cruelty spread across Frieza's face.
"Descending upon the God Realm with my cosmic army, and dragging that old coot Odin off his throne—now that is going to be a glorious scene, won't it?"
"Ohohoho..."
Meanwhile.
In a secret S.H.I.E.L.D. base beneath New York.
For the first time, the Ancient One, the Sorcerer Supreme, lost her aura of serene control.
Just moments ago, looking through the Eye of Agamotto, she had seen the Sacred Timeline—which had been flowing like a steady river—suddenly shatter into countless fragments of chaotic code.
The organization known as the TVA, the entity that maintained the timeline's stability, was gone!
In its place was a chaotic, insane future, filled with variables.
And the source of it all pointed to one man: Frieza!
"Sorcerer? Is everything alright?"
Captain America, looking haggard and bearded, asked worriedly. Nearby were Tony Stark, tinkering with equipment, and Dr. Banner, silently hugging his knees.
"The situation is worse than I imagined."
The Ancient One was brief and direct.
"The one called Frieza... he has just committed an act that could unravel the Multiverse."
"As much as I want to banish him to the Dark Dimension right now..."
The Ancient One sighed, her eyes showing deep apprehension.
"I cannot."
"His power is growing too quickly, so fast that even time itself cannot keep up with him."
Hearing the Sorcerer Supreme admit defeat, Tony's hand shook, and the wrench he was holding clattered to the floor.
"Even magic is useless? Then what are we waiting for? To die?"
"No."
The Ancient One's gaze swept over everyone in the room.
"We still have a chance."
"Our priority now is to gather every force we can. To unite."
"I heard that Frieza is openly recruiting his own legion?" The Ancient One asked.
"Yeah, it's gone viral online. Black Cat, Bullseye, even Doc Ock is lining up for an interview," Tony said, pulling up a virtual screen showing pictures of villains queueing up.
"If he's recruiting, then so are we!"
The Ancient One stated firmly.
"In this world, there are more than just criminals clinging to power. There are many protectors hidden in the shadows."
"The Inhumans, the Mutants, the street-level heroes..."
"And perhaps..." The Ancient One looked at Thor, who had been silently sitting apart.
"We need Asgard's help."
Thor, who had been staring at the floor, still feeling broken after his hammer was crushed, suddenly snapped his head up.
In that moment, the lightning in his eyes flashed once more.
"You're right."
Thor stood up. Though Mjolnir was gone, his warrior spirit was returning.
"That monster didn't just insult me, he insulted the honor of Asgard."
"I must go home."
"A threat this terrifying is not something Midgard can face alone."
"I must petition the Allfather to unleash the true power of Asgard!"
Cap took a deep breath, picking up his somewhat worn shield.
"Then let's move out."
"Whether he's a god or a devil,"
"As long as there's a single Avenger left standing, he won't be allowed to do whatever he wants on this planet!"