"Huh? This isn't Midgard? Then what is this madness? Two Earths in the universe?" Thor muttered in confusion, his eyes reflecting the bewilderment sparked by Supergiant's statement and the coordinates displayed on the star chart.
Unlike Supergiant, who had only visited Earth once, Thor had a deeper understanding of it. As someone who had lived on Earth for extended periods and knew of Asgard's historical ties to it, he was keenly aware of its unique qualities.
Earth was a realm of extraordinary mystique, teeming with unexplainable powers and beings of immense strength. Even without figures like Robert or Clark, Earth stood out in the vast cosmos as a hub of miraculous phenomena.
This awareness made the emergence of a second Earth all the more baffling for Thor. Was this some entity's attempt to replicate Earth's wonders, or a bizarre quirk of the universe itself?
"Whatever the nature of this Earth, it doesn't matter. We're going in to capture Gamora. Her companions are occupied with new enemies, leaving her vulnerable. We'll take Nebula first to force her cooperation, then secure both her and the Soul Stone," Supergiant declared, steering the ship decisively toward the new Earth as Thor remained lost in thought.
Meanwhile, within the new Earth's atmosphere, Brute Bear landed before the High Evolutionary, his face eager to please. "Your Majesty, I've successfully lured them here—"
Before he could finish, his body was flung upward as the High Evolutionary's cold gaze fixed on him. "Why are you alive when everyone else in your team is dead? Your mission failed, and yet you dare return without taking responsibility?"
"Cough! Your Majesty, I still have value! I can lead the charge and provide more intelligence on 89P13's team…" Brute Bear stammered, terror in his eyes. He had communicated with the High Evolutionary en route, and there had been no hint of reproach then. Now, having brought the Guardians here, he found himself facing unexpected wrath.
Desperate to save himself, Brute Bear groveled, emphasizing his worth.
With a loud thud, he was dropped to the ground.
"Very well," the High Evolutionary said coldly. "You'll lead the vanguard. But if you fail to impress me, you know the consequences."
"Understood, Your Majesty. But there's something else—you must be wary of the tree being among them. He transforms the environment into a forest, creating a battlefield advantage. That's how we lost before…" Brute Bear said humbly, bowing low.
"A tree being? A mere forest is insignificant… Hmm?" The High Evolutionary dismissed the warning with a sneer, but his confidence faltered when the Guardians' ship appeared above. His heart skipped a beat—a rare premonition of dread.
Despite his advanced evolution, the High Evolutionary had never considered himself invincible. This humility had kept him hidden from the Avengers in past encounters. Now, this unsettling sense of foreboding stirred a deep unease within him.
Onboard the Milano, Star-Lord stared at the figures surrounding the High Evolutionary. "That's a lot of enemies—more than in Orgocorp. And they look stronger, too."
Rocket Raccoon's eyes burned with hatred as he glared at the High Evolutionary. "It's him! That bastard!" he growled, his body trembling with fury.
Meanwhile, Tony Stark and Reed Richards focused on the new Earth itself. Upon entry, Stark had ordered an environmental scan.
"J.A.R.V.I.S., what's the analysis?" Stark asked.
"Air composition is 97% similar to Earth's. Gravity matches perfectly. Ultraviolet radiation…" J.A.R.V.I.S. began listing data, revealing an Earth nearly identical to their own, albeit pristine and untouched by pollution or war.
"This is incredible! It's perfect for interstellar colonization. Cleaner and more hospitable than Earth. We need soil samples, oceanic data, and ecological studies," Stark exclaimed, his excitement mounting.
"Agreed. I wonder what kind of life inhabits this planet…" Reed Richards echoed, equally enthralled. For scientists, the discovery of a second Earth was exhilarating, overshadowing concerns about the High Evolutionary.
Their minds raced with a singular thought: Research! Research! And more research!
"Let's head out. Our little raccoon is ready to pounce," Robert said with a shake of his head. "Besides, if we wait any longer, Thor's ship will rear-end us."
With a hum, a beam of light transported the Guardians and Avengers directly before the High Evolutionary.
The High Evolutionary's eyes widened in shock as he recognized the Avengers among the newcomers. "The Avengers?! How…?"
His initial confidence wavered. The presence of the Avengers explained the premonition that had haunted him earlier.
Internally, he cursed the Avengers for interfering. Was the Guardians of the Galaxy their surrogate child, demanding this level of involvement?
Regret filled him. He now wished he hadn't drawn the Guardians to his base. The Avengers, unlike the Sovereign, wouldn't leave easily.
"You bastard!" Rocket's rage boiled over, and he fired an energy beam directly at the High Evolutionary.
A violet barrier appeared, effortlessly absorbing the attack.
"I have no intention of opposing the Avengers," the High Evolutionary began, but Ash interrupted him, darting forward. "We don't need the Avengers to deal with you. The Guardians can handle this!"
Ash's newfound power drove him to act. Having missed earlier battles, he sought to prove himself now.
His goal wasn't to kill the High Evolutionary but to capture him for Rocket. Ash understood the depth of Rocket's hatred and believed vengeance should come from the wronged.
As Ash neared, the High Evolutionary's violet aura flared, hurling him aside like a toy. Ash crashed to the ground, unhurt but deeply humiliated.
"Is that Kryptonian?" Tony Stark murmured, surprised by the High Evolutionary's strength. Ash, while not as powerful as Clark or Kara at their prime, was still formidable. Yet the High Evolutionary had repelled him effortlessly.
Before anyone could process this, Adam charged next, his golden energy blazing. Though Adam had just learned to fly, his radiant energy lent him a dramatic flair, resembling Captain Marvel.
But even Adam's light show couldn't pierce the High Evolutionary's defenses. Suspended midair, Adam struggled as the High Evolutionary studied him.
"A Sovereign? And such a powerful one! My experiment succeeded!" the High Evolutionary exclaimed, realizing Adam was one of his creations.
"You're Adam, aren't you?" he asked excitedly.
"How do you know that?" Adam replied, startled.
"Because I named you. I created you. Come to my side—be obedient, for everything you are is my gift," the High Evolutionary declared, placing Adam gently aside.
As Adam processed this, Rocket seized the moment, firing another blast. Though the High Evolutionary blocked it, his temper flared.
"Hulk!" Robert called out, turning to Mordo. "Trap him and the High Evolutionary in the mirror dimension. Hulk, don't kill him—just leave him alive."
With a flash, portals appeared beneath Hulk and the High Evolutionary, transporting them into an empty, mirrored Earth.
"What is this place?" the High Evolutionary muttered, violet energy rippling defensively.
Above him, Hulk loomed, fists raised and ready to strike.
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