Even after Thor left, the mood in the secret base was anything but light.
"We can't put all our eggs in one basket."
Steve Rogers looked out at the dimly lit sky. His determined face showed clear signs of exhaustion, but his eyes were still stubborn.
"Thor is off calling in reinforcements, and we need to get moving, too."
Captain America turned to the remaining, weary members of the team.
"Even though I haven't been thawed out for long, and I don't have many contacts in this new world... I remember S.H.I.E.L.D. had some sealed files."
"The people who were once considered threats or unstable elements might be our last lifeline now."
"You mean those classified enhanced individuals?" Clint Barton frowned. "That's playing with fire."
"The whole planet is already in a bonfire, Clint, what do we have to lose?" Tony Stark gulped down a mouthful of cold coffee, the bitterness helping to clear his head slightly.
His fingers flew across the holographic projection he had pulled up.
"Cap's right. And I know more than just files."
Tony brought up several top-secret documents, emblazoned with two special logos—a capital '4' and an 'X'.
"While I was cracking into Director Fury's private server—don't look at me like that, I know you all wanted a peek—I found some interesting stuff."
"Those four scientists from the Baxter Building, while their physical mutations make them a bit... weird, their brains are absolutely top-tier. Especially that Reed Richards; I won't admit he's smarter than me, but he is certainly an expert in stretching."
Tony paused, then switched to another image: a school located in Westchester.
"Then there are these mutants. Professor Charles Xavier is supposed to have the most powerful mind on Earth. If Frieza truly has a mental component, maybe Professor X can give him a nice little lobotomy."
The Ancient One, who had been silent, nodded slightly, tapping her folding fan gently against her palm.
"Mister Richards' intellect in this dimension is indeed remarkable, and Professor Xavier's psychic power touches upon certain fundamental laws."
The Ancient One's gaze was profound:
"This is the correct path. Wong and I will prepare a dimensional sealing spell at the Sanctum. While it won't kill him, it might buy us enough time to temporarily trap him."
"Good!"
With a clear direction, the look of despair in everyone's eyes finally began to lift.
"Banner, you go to the Baxter Building. You're a scientist, you'll speak their language," Tony quickly assigned the tasks. "I'll go to the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters. Hopefully, I can convince the bald headmaster."
"Let's move out, everyone."
...
Later that day, Nightfall.
The top floor of the Frieza Tower in Manhattan.
The lights were blazing, and luxurious crystal chandeliers lit the massive hall as bright as day.
Frieza sat on the boss's chair that symbolized absolute power, swirling a glass of crimson liquid—a '92 Romanee-Conti. (Note: Adjusting the vintage to a more recognizable, expensive year in US culture.)
In front of him stood a line of potential recruits, each with unique and often grotesque appearances.
These supervillains, who made police terrified and gave superheroes massive headaches outside, were now acting like grade-schoolers waiting for a teacher to check their homework, heads bowed and not daring to take a deep breath.
Natasha, wearing her humiliating battle uniform, held a tablet and was acting as the temporary HR manager.
"Next, Flint Marko, alias Sandman."
A massive man in a striped shirt stepped forward. Without a word, his body instantly dissolved, scattering into a swirling cloud of sand that kicked up a mini-sandstorm in the hall. He then coalesced into a gigantic, dense sand mallet and smashed it onto the floor.
"Your Highness! I can turn into sand! Physical attacks don't work on me! I can bury those superheroes alive!" Sandman declared his loyalty in a booming voice.
Frieza gently waved his hand to clear the dust, wrinkling his nose in distaste.
"Making a mess of the whole room... Still, that ability would be good for a containment trap, I suppose."
"Barely acceptable. Stand to the side."
Sandman was ecstatic and quickly retreated to the designated area.
"Next, Curt Connors, The Lizard."
A large lizard in a white lab coat crawled up, his severed arm instantly regenerating.
"Regeneration?" Frieza glanced at him. "Hmm, you'll make a decent meat shield, at least you're more durable than those throwaway Chitauri grunts. And if I ever feel like having grilled lizard tail, you can offer a fresh, custom cut. Not bad."
Lizard shuddered but obediently moved to the acceptance area.
Next, Doctor Octopus, with his four mechanical tentacles draped over his back, strode up with an arrogant look.
"My Lord, with my intellect and these arms—"
"Too ugly."
Frieza cut him off without even looking. "A few flimsy metal claws hanging off your back is visually irritating. And what's with that gut? Our Corps doesn't recruit pot-bellied middle-aged men. Scram."
Doctor Octopus: "???"
Before he could protest, Loki, who was standing nearby, instantly kicked him out.
"Next!"
Rhino, thanks to his heavy armor and thick hide, barely passed and was classified as a 'heavy lifter.'
Then, when Black Cat (Felicia Hardy) and Emma Frost (The White Queen) stepped forward, Frieza's eyes clearly lit up.
Black Cat's tight leather suit showcased her curves; the White Queen was coolly elegant, her diamond skin gleaming under the light.
"Do we even need an interview?"
Frieza waved his hand, flashing a purely appreciative smile.
"Instant pass! You two will be my Personal Secretaries, Numbers Two and Three. High-value talent like this is key to boosting our corporate image! Oh ho ho ho..."
Following them, Magneto, Erik Lehnsherr, floated into the room. Even in this situation, the master of magnetism maintained his air of gravitas.
"Control over magnetic fields?" Frieza sensed the energy surging through him. "Excellent. In a city built on metal, your destructive power is equal to half an army. Approved!"
The next few recruits—Mysterio, Sabretooth, Bullseye, and Taskmaster—while having flashy abilities, were considered little more than glorified street performers in Frieza's eyes. But to fill the ranks, they were grudgingly accepted.
It wasn't until the final four stepped up that Frieza put down his wine glass and leaned forward slightly.
There was Apocalypse, the oldest known mutant in the Marvel Universe, with his blue skin and heavy, ancient Egyptian vibe.
Beside him were the teleporting demons Azazel (Red Devil) and Nightcrawler (the blue-skinned one).
And finally, Sebastian Shaw, the Black King, in his suit, who could absorb all energy.
Looking at the appearance and powers of these four, a bolt of inspiration instantly flashed through Frieza's mind.
The color scheme... the power configuration...
Weren't these the absolute perfect candidates for the Ginyu Force?!
"Yes! This is perfect!"
Frieza was so excited that he actually clapped, his scarlet eyes shining as if he'd found buried treasure.
"Apocalypse! That massive build, the blue skin—you are a born Captain Ginyu!"
"Shaw! You can absorb energy and take a beating—you are Recoome!"
"Nightcrawler! Fast, teleportation ability—you are Burter!"
"Azazel! That red skin—who else could you be but Jeice?"
Frieza grew more and more enthusiastic, jumping up from his throne.
"As for Guldo..."
He scanned the room and his gaze finally landed on Loki, who was in the middle of maintaining order in his tight uniform.
Short? Relatively speaking.
Weak? Compared to the others, maybe a little.
Has superpowers (magic)? Check!
"Loki! What are you waiting for? Fall in! You are the Vice-Captain from now on!"
Frieza swept his hand, officially solidifying the identity of this newly cobbled-together team.
"Starting today, you five will be my most elite, most powerful, and most stylish strike team!"
"I've already decided on the name: The Ginyu Force!"
"Now! Immediately! Start rehearsing your iconic entrance pose!"
"Apocalypse! Raise your hand higher! You're the captain, act like it!"
"Loki! No slacking off! Your pose is the worst, get lower!"