Bang! Bang! Bang!
Muzzles spat tongues of fire and custom Vibranium bullets and High-Frequency Shock Rounds wove a net of death inside the cramped bedroom.
At the same moment, the Vibranium dagger in Maria's hand, carrying every ounce of her fury and hatred, shot like a viper's tongue straight for Frieza's heart.
Had the target been any creature native to this Planet, such a close-range ambush would have spelled certain doom. Yet the man sitting on the bed didn't even bother lifting an eyelid.
Clink-clank—!
A crisp cascade of impacts rang out—not the sound of steel piercing flesh, but more like nails striking diamond.
The armor-piercing rounds halted several centimeters from Frieza's skin, blocked by an invisible wall of air. They twisted out of shape and clattered onto the expensive carpet.
As for Maria's death-defying stab?
Tap.
Frieza merely extended his left index finger, the tip casually pressing against the dagger's point.
It didn't budge.
The supposedly unstoppable Vibranium dagger hung motionless in mid-air, and no matter how hard Maria ground her teeth or bulged her veins, it advanced not a millimeter.
"Is this your grand plan?" Frieza tilted his head slightly.
His crimson eyes sparkled with playful contempt, his tone steeped in disappointment. "How terribly crude, ladies. I'd expected S.H.I.E.L.D.'s finest to bring at least a flicker of surprise."
"A sultry dance, perhaps? Or a glass of drugged red wine?"
"Not this feral-cat scratching."
"Shut up, demon!"
Maria's eyes were bloodshot with rage. Every glimpse of that evil face caused her brain to replay the sight of Fury's death.
"Die! Just die!"
She released the dagger, flailing with fists and nails, her frenzy shedding every trace of an Agent's calm, leaving only an Avenger's despair.
Watching her hysteria, Frieza wasn't angered. The corners of his lips curled in a smile that might even be called appreciation.
"Oh-ho-ho-ho… delightful, truly delightful."
"I prefer eyes like yours to the trembling trash I usually meet—brimming with hate, fury, and the foolish courage of one who knows it's impossible."
With a lazy flick, he sent Maria flying, making her crash against the wall.
"Cough…"
Maria slid down in pain, yet never took her eyes off him.
"If you wish, I could offer you a place. My legion needs a suicide-squad Captain burning with vengeance. How about it?"
"Dream on! I'll drag you to hell with me!" Maria spat blood-flecked saliva.
"A pity." Frieza murmured.
While Maria held Frieza's attention, Natasha and Sharon, lurking on the flank, finally moved.
They knew physical attacks were useless, the only hope lay inside that suit pocket.
"Sharon—now!" Natasha yelled, hurling an Electric Disc to blur Frieza's vision.
Sharon rolled like a nimble cat, diving for the bedside coat-rack.
The instant her fingers touched the suit, she slipped inside and seized two Infinity Stones.
A heavy weight settled in her palm. The two gems, glowing with uncanny light, were actually in her grasp.
Success?
Sharon could scarcely believe it—everything had gone unbelievably smoothly.
"Got them, Natasha!" She shouted, voice trembling as she clutched the gems.
Joy blazed in Maria's formerly desperate eyes, even the ever-cool Black Widow felt her heart race.
They were Infinity Stones—the primordial power of the Universe.
With them, they had a chance to turn the tables.
"Quick, Sharon—use the Mind Stone!"
Natasha reacted instantly. "Space Stone's too wild, use Mind Stone to control him, just like Loki controlled Barton."
They knew ordinary people struggle to activate a stone without equipment, but the Mind Stone is inherently invasive, contact might be enough.
Without hesitation, Sharon raised the gem glowing with pale yellow light, aimed at Frieza, and focused every ounce of her will.
"Stop… right now!"
Bzzt!
Sensing her intent, the Mind Stone erupted in a blinding yellow beam that lanced straight between Frieza's brows.
The light sank into his skull.
Frieza's originally scarlet eyes were instantly veiled by a faint yellow glow. His whole body froze as though paralyzed, the smile on his face solidifying.
It worked?
The three women in the room held their breath as one, hearts leaping into their throats.
"Stand straight!" Sharon cautiously barked the order, cold sweat appearing on her forehead.
She prayed desperately inside, begging the damned gem to work.
The next second.
Under the trio's disbelieving stares, the almighty cosmic emperor who treated Earth as a toy actually, slowly, straightened up. Though not fully upright, it was clearly a sign of control.
"My God... we really did it..." Maria covered her mouth, tears of joy spilling over.
"Don't stop! Keep tightening the hold!" Natasha shouted. "Make him spin—confirm full control!"
Sharon clenched her teeth, the gem in her hand blazing brighter. "Spin!"
Frieza's stiff body began to rotate on the spot.
One turn, two turns.
"Haha... hahahaha!"
At the sight, Maria burst into near-maniacal laughter. She staggered to her feet and scooped up the fallen Vibranium dagger.
"What cosmic emperor? What invincible power?"
"Before the Infinity Stones, you're nothing but a pitiful puppet."
Murderous intent flared to its peak in Maria's eyes as she strode toward the spinning Frieza, dagger leveled at his throat.
"This blade is payback from Director Fury!"
"Die!"
The blade sliced the air, plunging down with vengeful relish.
Almost there!
One thrust and the nightmare ends—Earth is saved!
However—
At the very millisecond the tip neared Frieza's skin—
Clack.
A slender hand caught Maria's wrist with perfect precision, freezing every motion.
All movement ceased in an instant.
The supposedly "controlled" Frieza halted mid-spin. The yellow shimmer in his eyes receded like a tide, revealing once more those terrifying scarlet irises.
Eyes brimming with amusement, no less.
"Oh my..."
Frieza's voice was calm and mocking—nothing of a puppet about it.
"That little spin just now—was it up to standard?"
"I reckon my acting deserves an Oscar. Oh-ho-ho-ho..."
In that instant, the room's temperature seemed to plunge to absolute zero.
Sharon nearly dropped the gem, her entire body plunging into an icy abyss.
Useless?
It was useless?
"H-how..."
Maria's eyes bulged as she stared at the face inches away, terror spreading like wildfire.
"You were... you were under the Mind Stone's control..."
"Mind control?"
Frieza chuckled, contempt oozing from his bones.
"Are you truly ignorant of power?"
"A mere pebble trying to enslave a cosmic emperor with a Power Level of 530,000 ?"
Frieza leaned closer, the dreadful pressure nearly suffocating Maria.
"In this Universe, might is absolute truth. When power reaches a certain height, such feeble mental interference isn't even fit for a lullaby."
"I simply played along to watch your so-called 'hope' crumble."
With a light squeeze, Frieza snapped Maria's wrist, the Vibranium dagger clattering to the floor.
"I must say, your despair..."
He inhaled deeply, an enraptured look on his face.
"...is absolutely delicious."
[Ding! Detected Maria Hill's extreme despair! Fear Points +2,000!]
[Ding! Detected Sharon Carter's shattered psyche! Fear Points +1,500!]
[Ding! Detected Natasha Romanoff's fear! Fear Points +1,500!]
Listening to the system prompts, Frieza smiled in satisfaction.
With a casual wave, an invisible surge of air swept the two gems from Sharon's hand back to hover above his palm.
"All right, farce over."
Frieza tossed Maria aside and settled back on the bed, surveying the three Agents now stripped of all will to resist.
"Since you ladies enjoy barging into a man's bedroom at night..."
He stroked his chin, his gaze roaming their curvaceous figures, eyes turning suggestive.
"...why don't we indulge in something more befitting the midnight hour?"
"Loki."
Frieza called toward the doorway.
Loki, who had been trembling outside, rolled in at once. "M-Master! Here!"
"Fetch that soul contract."
Frieza pointed at the women on the floor, his grin turning utterly wicked.
"Have these three ladies sign it."
"My villa happens to be short of a few maids to pour tea, warm beds, and fold quilts."
"Top S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents should be quite adept at housework, don't you think? Oh-ho-ho-ho..."