Deep in the Universe, The Dark Quadrant.
The colossal hull of the Sanctuary II hung silently in the dead, silent starry sky like a gargantuan beast.
On the throne.
Thanos rested his chin on one hand. His deep, oppressive eyes stared down at the Chitauri envoy prostrated below.
The air in the great hall seemed solidified, broken only by the envoy's rapid breathing caused by fear.
"You're saying..."
Thanos spoke slowly, his voice low like grinding stars.
"The three armed satellites surrounding Xandar, along with its resource companion star, vanished at the same instant?"
"Y... Yes, Great Master."
The Chitauri envoy buried his head even lower, trembling like a sieve.
"According to the final images transmitted by the probes, it was a dark red energy burst. That energy level reaction... instantly maxed out the spatial readings in that sector, followed by utter nothingness."
Thanos's eyes flickered slightly.
"Did Galactus pass through?" Thanos asked.
101 Novel Network, remember us.
If it was that ancient entity who fed on planets, it would make sense.
"Answering Master: no trajectory of the Power Cosmic was detected, nor were any traces of Galactus's Heralds found."
"Oh?"
Thanos slowly sat up straight, a hint of gravity appearing on his purple face.
"Not Galactus, nor those Celestials who call themselves creators..."
"In this universe, there aren't many things capable of such pure destructive power."
Thanos stood up and walked to the massive porthole, looking out at the endless sea of stars.
In his mind, an image of a purple gem surfaced.
"The Power Stone."
Thanos murmured to himself.
"Only that Infinity Stone, representing the ultimate power of the universe, could tear apart celestial bodies so easily."
"It seems someone beat me to it."
"And it's a brute who doesn't know how to control their power."
Thanos turned around, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
The Infinity Stones were indispensable pieces of his destiny plan; he absolutely could not allow them to fall into others' hands.
Especially into the hands of an existence that could threaten his great cause of balancing the universe.
"Ebony Maw."
"I am here, Master." The gaunt, black-tongued strategist floated out from the shadows.
"Adjust course."
Thanos waved his large hand, his golden armor clinking crisply.
"Target: Xandar."
"I want to see just who is squandering my treasure."
---
Xandar, now Planet Frieza 002.
Sunlight once again spilled onto the devastated land.
Frieza sat in the luxurious lounge on the top floor of the Nova Corps headquarters, having taken only a short nap.
Just the time it took to have afternoon tea.
When he walked to the floor-to-ceiling window again to overlook the city.
"Ohohoho..."
Frieza couldn't help but let out a satisfied chuckle.
"Is this the efficiency of a high-level civilization?"
"Compared to those monkeys on Earth who still need to dig dirt with shovels, the productivity here is indeed much more pleasing to the eye."
Outside the window.
The plazas and streets, which were originally full of ruins and corpses, had now been cleaned spotless.
Countless strangely shaped engineering robots and gravity suspension devices were shuttling busily.
Collapsed buildings were quickly repaired by nanobots, and broken roads were restored to their original state under molecular reconstruction technology.
More importantly.
That huge three-pointed star flag printed with the character "Fu" (福 - Fortune/Blessing, also the first character of Frieza) was flying high at the highest point of the city.
On every huge holographic billboard, the original Nova Corps recruitment ads...
Had all been replaced with Frieza's elegant smiling face.
Even the roadside broadcasts were looping hymns of praise to the Galactic Emperor.
Orderly.
And filled with that comfortable atmosphere of being enslaved.
"Not bad, truly not bad."
Frieza swirled the red wine in his glass, his scarlet eyes twinkling with pleasure.
"It seems Charles and Erik, these two, have quite a talent for being butlers."
"Just give them a little pressure, and their potential can be infinitely developed."
Thinking of this, Frieza looked out the window at the vast sky.
Since the territory had been received and the rule was on the right track.
Then, as a Galactic Emperor who paid attention to quality of life, it was time to consider the issue of travel.
"Although this Emperor can traverse the universe in the flesh."
"However..."
Frieza looked at the soles of his shoes with disgust.
"Flying around all the time not only easily dirties my expensive leather shoes, but floating constantly is also tiring."
"As an Emperor, how can I fly around foolishly like that big blue boy scout Superman?"
"It has no style at all."
He needed a ride.
A ride that fit his status, was comfortable, and didn't require him to move his feet.
"Natasha."
Frieza called out the door without turning his head.
"Master, I am here."
Natasha, wearing the white and purple combat suit, immediately pushed the door open and entered, bowing her head respectfully.
Although her heart still resisted, her body had become incredibly honest under that damn contract.
"Go, call that old man who plays with magnets over here for me."
"Yes, Master."
Natasha didn't waste any words and turned to leave.
Less than two minutes later.
A faint sound of metal friction came.
Magneto, Erik Lehnsherr, wearing that Ginyu Force uniform, floated into the office, maintaining the air of a grandmaster.
"Subordinate Erik greets the King!"
Magneto knelt on one knee, his movements as standard as if he had practiced for two and a half years.
In his eyes now, the initial unwillingness was gone, replaced by a fanatic worship.
This was the charm of power.
After witnessing Frieza's power to destroy stars with a wave of his hand, Magneto had completely realized the truth.
Being a dog for such a powerhouse wasn't shameful! It was called following destiny!
"Rise."
Frieza turned around and waved his hand casually.
"Erik, I heard your control over metal is quite good?"
"Answering the King: as long as it is metal, in my hands, it moves as I wish."
Magneto said confidently.
"Even if it's the liquid iron in this planet's core, I can pull it out to dance for you."
"Very good."
Frieza nodded with satisfaction.
He extended a finger and traced a circular outline in the air.
"In that case, this Emperor now gives you a glorious mission."
"I want you, right now, immediately, at once."
"Build me a personal small aircraft."
"Aircraft?" Magneto paused. "My King, the Nova Corps hangar has the most advanced single-soldier fighters..."
"That junk is too ugly, and uncomfortable to sit in."
Frieza interrupted him with a look of disgust.
"I want a custom model! Understand? Custom!"
As Frieza spoke, he used purple energy to outline a rough shape in the air.
It was a circular cockpit, slightly pointed at the bottom and open at the top.
Like a cut eggshell.
"Specific requirements..."
Frieza stroked his chin, putting forward the suffocating demands of a client:
"First, it must be compact, seating only me alone."
"Second, it must be comfortable. The inside must be lined with the softest velvet, like sitting on a cloud."
"Then, it must be able to hover. Speed doesn't need to be too fast, but it must be stable! Even if I drink red wine inside, not a drop can spill!"
"Most importantly..."
Frieza pointed to the side of the design drawing.
"Here, here, and here, use the hardest alloy, or Vibranium. In short, it must look textured."
"And paint it in a gold and white color scheme!"
"This is called—The Emperor's Small Hover Pod!"
Magneto looked at the "egg-like" blueprint, the corners of his mouth twitching wildly.
Th... This is the aesthetic of a Galactic Emperor?
Passing up those streamlined supersonic fighters just to sit in an egg?
Is flying out in this really intimidating? Won't people think it's a giant baby stroller?
But looking at Frieza's narrowing scarlet eyes.
Magneto shuddered and immediately swallowed all his complaints.
"What? Is there a problem?" Frieza's voice turned cold.
"No! No problem!"
Magneto looked up sharply, his eyes bursting with the determined light of "even if I have to build a toilet, I will build a work of art."
"The King's aesthetic is simply ten thousand years ahead of the universe! This design concept of returning to simplicity is the pinnacle of industrial design!"
"Your subordinate will do it right away! Using the top alloy of Xandar! I guarantee to build you the most comfortable, most noble Hover Egg in the universe within one day!"
"Mmh, go on."
Frieza waved his hand, looking like a teacher pleased with a teachable student.
"Remember, make the cushion softer. This Emperor's waist is very precious."