The first rays of morning sunlight streamed into the extravagantly luxurious master bedroom of the Long Island estate.
Frieza slowly opened his eyes. A flicker of satisfaction crossed his scarlet gaze, showing no sign of fatigue from the great battle... ahem, the exhausting night's labor.
With the physique of the Emperor Frieza, even without any of those little blue pills, he was still the undisputed galactic overlord in that department.
He turned his head to look beside him.
Tsk, tsk, tsk.
The scene was, shall we say, a bit rough.
Felicia Hardy, known as the master thief Black Cat, was curled up in the corner of the bed like a boneless, exhausted kitten, her signature silver hair messy and frazzled.
And the noble White Queen, Emma Frost, had lost her diamond-like composure, sprawled out across the blanket, too drained to even move a finger.
"Oh dear, oh dear..."
Frieza sat up on the bed and stretched elegantly, a teasing smirk on his lips.
"It seems the Earthlings' physiques are indeed too frail."
"This is nothing. Your Lord Frieza hadn't even finished his warm-ups."
Frieza shook his head. While he was internally scoffing, the pleasure derived from this sense of conquest was very real.
Just then, the bedroom door was gently pushed open.
Sharon Carter, dressed in a black-and-white maid uniform, walked in with toiletries on a tray.
Seeing the embarrassing scene on the bed, a flash of sadness crossed Sharon's eyes, but it was quickly suppressed by that damned Soul Contract, transforming into immediate subservience.
"Master, your wash kit, please."
Sharon knelt by the bed, holding up the tray, her movements so precise they were flawless.
"Hmm, well done."
Frieza reached out and gently pinched Sharon's youthful, collagen-rich cheek, treating her like an obedient pet.
"While you may not be as skilled in your duties as these two professionals in bed, your obedience is something your Lord Frieza greatly appreciates."
"Keep it up, and you'll be the head housekeeper of this villa."
Sharon bit her lip and lowered her head, responding, "Yes, thank you for the honor, Master."
After a quick wash, Frieza changed into a brand-new white suit.
Although he preferred to change into his Second Form without clothes and wander around, since it made him stronger.
But in this civilized place called Earth, dressing like a person was necessary.
After all, image management was crucial for the universe's biggest real estate tycoon.
Exiting the bedroom, Natasha Romanoff and Agent Hill were waiting by the door.
Both were still wearing those incredibly embarrassing Ginyu Force uniforms, looking as though they had completely given up on life.
"Good morning, my dear commanders."
Frieza was in a great mood and waved to Natasha.
"Since we are officially taking over Earth, the old tower we built is a bit unworthy of my status."
"Natasha, this glorious task is yours."
Frieza pointed toward the distant Manhattan skyline outside the window.
"Tear down Frieza Tower and rebuild it! As for the design..."
Frieza stroked his chin, the image of the Frieza Force headquarters flashing in his mind.
"It should be in the style of a spaceship! It needs to be circular! It needs to be able to fly! And it should ideally be decorated with a few planet-busting cannons!"
Natasha's mouth twitched.
Circular? Able to fly? Planet-busting cannons?
Are you building an office tower or a Death Star?!
But she dared not speak her mind and forced herself to nod: "Yes, Master. I will contact the construction team immediately..."
"That's the spirit!"
Frieza nodded with satisfaction, then raised his hand and elegantly traced a circle in the air.
Zzzzzz—
The blue energy of the Space Stone surged, and a portal appeared out of nowhere.
"Come, let us go provide some on-site guidance."
At the same time.
Light-years away from Earth.
Asgard, the Realm of the Gods.
Inside the golden, glorious palace hall, Thor knelt in the center.
His red cape now looked dusty, and his face was etched with despair and anxiety.
Without his hammer, he lacked his usual swagger and confidence.
On the high throne above.
Odin, the Allfather, watched his disappointing son, his one eye gleaming with complex emotions.
"Father!"
Thor looked up, his voice hoarse, "I have returned! But I came back not for myself, but for Midgard, for the safety of the Nine Realms!"
"That guy, Frieza, is a demon! He is a monster more terrifying than Surtur!"
"He crushed Mjolnir! He destroyed an entire city with a single blow! He even boasted that he would rule the entire universe!"
Thor grew more agitated, clutching the ground tightly with his hands.
"Father! Please send the army! Only the forces of Asgard, only your intervention, can stop that madman!"
However.
Facing his son's plea, Odin merely let out a long sigh, his voice sounding a century older.
"Thor..."
Odin spoke slowly, his voice deep and authoritative, "Heimdall has already told me everything you speak of."
"That mortal's power is indeed disturbing."
"Then what are you waiting for?!" Thor exclaimed, panicking. "Any later, and Midgard will become a wasteland!"
"But I cannot intervene."
Odin shook his head, his tone brooking no argument.
"Why?!" Thor's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Because of Ragnarok."
A flash of weariness crossed Odin's sole eye.
He had to suppress his sealed firstborn, Hela, while maintaining the balance of the Nine Realms; his divine power was significantly diminished.
If he were to desperately fight a monster of that caliber for the sake of one planet now...
Asgard might be destroyed first.
"That is the calamity of the Midgardians, and it is their own karma."
Odin closed his eye, leaning back on the throne. "I am old, Thor. I do not wish for the warriors of Asgard to bleed out for a foreign war."
"Father! How can you say that!"
Thor sprang to his feet, his eyes filled with disappointment. "You are the Guardian of the Nine Realms! If you stand aside, billions of innocent lives will be slaughtered by that demon!"
"That is a matter between Frieza and the people of Earth," Odin's voice grew cold. "Stand down, Thor."
Seeing his father's indifference, Thor's heart sank.
He clenched his fists and turned to leave.
If his father wouldn't act, he would go himself! Even if it was with his bare fists, even if it meant death, he would die on Earth!
"Wait."
Just as Thor was about to walk out of the hall, Odin's voice sounded again.
This time, it carried less authority and more reluctant paternal affection.
"While I cannot send an army, I can point you toward a path."
Thor spun around, hope reigniting in his eyes.
"Without your hammer, you are like a tiger without its teeth."
Odin stated slowly, "Go to Nidavellir. Find Eitri, the Dwarf King."
"There is a weapon there, one that was originally meant for your sister, or perhaps for you, the King's weapon."
"The Stormbreaker."
"It is a relic capable of summoning the Bifrost, one that can even cleave through the rules of the cosmos."
Odin looked at Thor, his gaze profound.
"If you can obtain it, perhaps you will be worthy to stand before that Frieza and fight this one battle."
"Stormbreaker?"
Thor murmured, a light bursting forth in his eyes, more intense than ever before.
"Thank you, Father!"
Thor bowed deeply and rushed out of the hall without looking back.
Watching his son's departing figure, Odin sighed again.
"I hope he makes it in time..."
"That Frieza fellow... I cannot even see through him myself..."