Stark Industries, underground laboratory.
Peter looked at everything around him, his jaw nearly dislocating from shock.
Before him stood a massive mech that, even in this desperate situation, still exuded the violent aesthetics of industrial design.
The Hulkbuster Armor Mark II (Vibranium Modified Version) stood silently on the maintenance platform.
"Cool... this is so cool, Mr. Stark." Peter's fingers hovered in mid-air, wanting to touch it but not daring to.
"It's like... like if a Gundam and King Kong had a baby."
"Peter, stop using such weird analogies."
Tony, sporting dark circles that could qualify him to play a panda, held a welding torch and snapped back without turning his head.
His voice was hoarse, but his speaking speed was alarmingly fast, as if Earth would explode if he slowed down by a second—which was practically the truth.
"Hold out your wrist. Let me take a look at that web-shooter thing."
Peter obediently held out his hand.
Tony glanced at it, raising an eyebrow. "The chemical formula is interesting, and the tensile strength is incredible. Looks like your little brain isn't entirely filled with teenage hormones."
"Listen up, kid."
Tony tossed the welding torch aside and scrolled through a pile of holographic projections, pulling up a blueprint for a red and gold suit with four mechanical tentacles on the back.
"I doubt that perverted demon would appreciate you showing up to his party in pajamas. This is the Iron Spider suit. I crammed Wakandan Vibranium into it."
Tony turned around, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Peter, his tone more serious than ever before. "Two days. I only have two days to finish it. It might let you survive an extra second or two against that monster's punch. But sometimes, a second or two is all you need."
"I'll do my best, Mr. Stark."
Peter straightened up, even though his legs were still slightly trembling.
—
Meanwhile, at the Frieza Island estate.
Frieza had just finished a tedious and boring day of ruler life—meaning sunbathing in his private pool.
"Oh dear, how forgetful of me."
Frieza sat up from the lounge chair, elegantly sipped the iced juice handed to him by Natasha, and tapped his head.
"I almost forgot something important. We still have a new employee who hasn't signed their employment contract."
He recalled Wanda, who had been tossed into the corner, her eyes vacant.
"Loki."
"Present! My Lord! Your loyal Deputy Captain is always ready!"
Loki, dressed in the embarrassing bodysuit, appeared before Frieza in a perfectly executed power-slide kneeling pose, holding high a piece of parchment glowing faintly green.
His proficiency in the task was heartbreaking.
Frieza nodded in satisfaction, took the contract, and walked with graceful steps toward the corner of the hall.
There, Wanda was curled up, her mind imprisoned by the power of the Mind Stone.
Frieza snapped his fingers.
Buzz!
The Mind Stone's yellow aura receded.
Wanda abruptly opened her eyes. Red chaos energy instantly erupted from her fingertips, and her eyes burned with hatred fierce enough to incinerate everything.
"I will kill you!"
Without hesitation, a crimson energy blast shot straight toward Frieza's face.
"Hmph."
Frieza didn't even lift an eyelid, he simply extended a single finger and flicked it gently.
Pop.
The ball of chaos magic, powerful enough to tear apart a tank, instantly vanished into thin air like a popped balloon. Immediately afterward, an irresistible force pressed Wanda firmly onto the floor, rendering her immobile.
"What a fiery little wildcat."
Frieza looked down at her, a cruel smile appearing on his lips.
"I know you hate me. After all, I personally put a hole in your brother's forehead. That scene... tsk tsk, truly tragic and beautiful."
"Bastard! Devil!!" Wanda shrieked, tears streaming down her face.
"Go ahead, curse all you want."
Frieza shrugged indifferently, then pulled a handful of colorful gems from his pocket and scattered them across the carpet like candy.
Clink-clank.
Those were the Infinity Stones he had stolen from the TVA.
"See them? The Infinity Stones."
Frieza nudged an orange Soul Stone with the tip of his shoe, his voice full of temptation. "In this universe, this Soul Stone is just a rock. But..."
He leaned down and whispered into her hate-filled ear. "As long as I find the original Soul Stone of this universe..."
"I can resurrect your brother."
Wanda's struggling instantly ceased.
She stared blankly at the gems on the floor, then at Frieza's demonic face.
"You... you're lying..."
"Do I need to lie to an ant?" Frieza scoffed.
"Look at my power. Is resurrecting one person really difficult for me?"
"Sign it."
Frieza tossed the soul contract down in front of Wanda.
"Offer your soul and submit to me absolutely. In return, I promise you a future called 'Resurrection.'"
This was, of course, an empty promise.
Frieza couldn't be bothered to resurrect a fast-running grunt. But that didn't stop him from exploiting this obsession to completely control the witch with limitless potential.
Wanda's hand trembled as she looked at the contract, recalling the tragic sight of Pietro's death.
Despair and hope intertwined.
Finally, she bit her finger and pressed her bloody print onto the parchment.
Buzz!
Soul bound.
Frieza felt the new connection and displayed a look of pleasure.
"Excellent. Welcome to the Frieza Force."
He clapped his hands, and Loki immediately walked over, holding a set of clothes.
It was a black, high-cut leotard paired with white stockings and a set of fluffy bunny ears.
The classic bunny girl outfit.
"Loki, take the others out." Frieza commanded.
"Yes, my Lord."
Only the two of them remained in the room.
"Put it on." Frieza sat on the sofa, his gaze predatory.
Wanda bit her lip, but under the compulsory command of the soul contract, her body moved uncontrollably.
Moments later.
A Scarlet Bunny Girl, her face etched with humiliation yet radiating breathtaking sexiness, stood before Frieza.
"Oh-ho-ho... not bad. Very promising."
Frieza nodded in satisfaction, scrutinizing his perfect new collection piece.
"Well then, let's begin testing your work capabilities tonight, my little witch."
...
Time flew by.
The next day, Frieza did nothing but indulge in his debauched, emperor-like lifestyle within the mansion.
Outside, the world was already turbulent with activity.
Night fell over the secret S.H.I.E.L.D. base in New York.
Earth's final resistance force had assembled.
Steve stood at the forefront, backed by Tony in his brand-new Vibranium armor, the Hulk, and Clint.
To the left were all members of the X-Men, led by Charles.
To the right were the Fantastic Four, with Reed pushing the massive anti-matter cannon.
The Ancient One was there with Wong and a host of Mystic Arts practitioners.
There was also a figure in a red and gold suit, Spider-Man, who looked slightly out of place yet was brimming with fighting spirit.
Even T'Challa, the Prince of Wakanda, joined them in his Black Panther suit.
Steve asked gravely, "Has Thor not arrived yet?"
Clint replied, "Heimdall sent word that the forging of the axe has reached its final stage. The Bifrost will descend directly onto the battlefield tomorrow morning."
Steve nodded, then added, "Captain Marvel has entered the solar system and is rushing here at full speed."
He then cast his gaze toward the final patch of shadow. Sitting there was a man with long, flowing hair, his eyes vacant, and the golden energy surrounding him extremely unstable.
The Sentry.
"That is the final trump card." Steve took a deep breath.
"Do not awaken him unless absolutely necessary."
Silence fell over the group.
Tony glanced at everyone and said in a deep voice, "This battle is for the future of humanity."
—
The time arrived for the start of the Frieza Games, as proclaimed by Frieza.
Sunlight pierced the clouds, illuminating Madison Square Garden, which had already been transformed into an open-air ruin.
The place was deserted, save for hundreds of trembling reporters packed into the highest section of the stands. They were Frieza's designated audience, tasked with broadcasting the Frieza Games live to the entire planet.
On the central field below the stadium, the armies of the Avengers were already poised and ready.
Suddenly—
BOOM!
A terrifying, overwhelming pressure descended from the sky.
Everyone looked up in horror.
In the sky, several figures, enveloped in purple aura, floated slowly toward them. Leading them was the supremely elegant Emperor of the Universe, Frieza, clad in a white suit.
Behind him, Apocalypse, Erik, Azazel, and a host of other villains wore standardized combat uniforms, radiating menacing energy.
[Ding! Global despair detected! Fear Points +50!]
[Ding! Fear Points +50!]
...
Watching the continuous stream of notifications pop up before him, Frieza's smile grew bright.
This broadcast was a perfect idea.
He floated in mid-air, looking down condescendingly at the ant-like heroes below.
Then, he slightly spread his arms and used his Ki to amplify his voice to every corner of the venue.
Frieza tilted his head, narrowed his eyes, and spoke in a tone that was soft yet wicked, "Everyone..."
"It's been a long time."