In the camp of the Kang Dynasty, three leaders suddenly flew to the front. They were the immortal supreme being—Kang the Immortal, the majestic Scarlet Centurion clad in a flowing crimson robe, and Rama-Tut, wielding ancient wisdom and dominion over time itself.
They hovered in the center of Manhattan's sky, less than a hundred meters from the Reed Council's warship, immediately drawing every eye in the sky and on the ground.
Simultaneously, on the far horizon, three figures burst forward through the air with matching authority. These were the founders of the Reed Council, each one a beacon of glory from their respective universes.
One Reed, clad in monastic robes from a dimension ruled by ascetic wisdom, emanated a calm so profound it stilled the wind. His eyes glowed with the insight of someone who had glimpsed the patterns of all existence.
Another Reed, dressed in a sharply tailored suit, moved like a diplomat but radiated an aura of endless strategy. Every subtle gesture hinted at an intellect so deep it bent outcomes around him.
And then there was the Reed who needed no introduction: Mr. Fantastic, chairman of the Council itself, garbed in a high-tech combat suit. His presence radiated controlled power and transcendent understanding, as if physics were merely a suggestion.
Though their appearances differed, the three Reeds shared one commonality: each wore their universe's Infinity Gauntlet, complete with all six Stones. Their gloves shimmered with omnipotence.
Behind them surged an army of Reeds from across the multiverse—each unique, each deadly.
One Reed had evolved into a living stone titan. Another bore Captain America's shield and the bulk of the Hulk. Still another had become a cold-blooded machine, soulless and precise. Each was a paragon in their universe, a survivor of unthinkable trials.
But none of them looked down.
They ignored the military scrambling below, the panicking civilians, the collapsing skyline.
Their eyes were locked only on each other.
The air thickened. Time itself seemed to hesitate. The moment their gazes crossed, something primal twisted in the hearts of both factions.
Kang the Immortal scowled the moment he saw the Reed Council arrive.
He wasn't afraid of them—not exactly. But he knew their arrival meant the situation was no longer simple.
The Kang Dynasty and the Reed Council were natural enemies. And this time, Kang had only come because of a message from Golden Sentinel Kang: a Celestial was about to be born on this planet.
Ordinarily, that wouldn't have been enough to draw the personal attention of Kang the Immortal or his elite.
But this wasn't just any Celestial. This was a Titled Celestial —an entity so rare that even across the infinite branches of the multiverse, their number could be counted on one hand.
They didn't merely destroy worlds. They redefined the rules of existence.
Even Kang the Immortal had to admit: this was a temptation worth risking everything for.
He'd expected it to be another efficient operation. But the moment he saw the Reed Council… he knew better.
Still, Kang didn't retreat. Instead, he tested the waters.
He slowly turned his head toward the Speaker of the Reed Council. A thin, sardonic smile played across his lips.
"Well, well, Reed," Kang said smoothly. "What a coincidence. I didn't expect to see you on this rock."
His voice wasn't loud, but it rang across Manhattan like thunder across a canyon. Every citizen froze. Every hero held their breath. From Illuminati agents to terrified civilians, everyone listened.
Speaker Reed didn't hide his contempt.
His gaze swept over Kang with glacial disdain. "I have no interest in dealing with lunatics. Leave this world now, or suffer the consequences."
The smile fell from Kang's face.
He hadn't expected such a direct rejection.
So be it.
"Don't tell me," Kang said, his tone turning razor-sharp, "you want the Celestial power for yourselves?"
A beat of silence.
"Fine," Kang hissed. "Then let's fight."
The temperature in the sky dropped like a stone. Every Reed and every Kang braced for violence. Warships trembled. Energy fields crackled.
But Speaker Reed raised a hand.
"The title of Celestial is not something you're qualified to touch," Reed said coldly. "Unless you want Celestial Leader and the others hunting you down."
Kang's eyes narrowed.
"I'm here on other business," Reed continued. "The Sinner is on this planet."
The mood shifted.
Reed's words sent a ripple through both factions.
Yes, the Reed Council was aware of the emerging Titled God. But their true target was the Sinner—a being once known as Alex Ray, or possibly his successor.
Not only had the One Above All issued a multiversal bounty on him, but the Reed Council had old debts to settle.
Alex Ray had once shattered them. Their numbers had been decimated by him. The Council had not forgotten.
Kang blinked, mildly surprised.
He'd expected the Reeds to act as the planet's protectors, not fellow predators. Now it seemed their goals didn't conflict.
"Funny," Kang muttered. "I thought you'd defend this world. Guess I overestimated your altruism."
He sneered. That was the key difference between the Council of Kang and the Reed Council: the Reeds pretended to care about innocent lives. Kang had no such illusions.
But Reed's next words were even colder:
"If Earth must burn to birth a Titled Celestial, then that's simply the path of cosmic evolution," he said. "We're not here to rewrite fate."
A wave of horror swept through the streets.
Their conversation echoed down into the crowds below—uncensored, uncaring.
People sobbed. Screamed. Prayed.
"It's over!" someone shrieked. "Not just New York—Earth is done for!"
"Where are the Avengers?! Where's Doctor Strange?!"
"Isn't anyone going to save us?!"
At Illuminati headquarters, federal forces panicked. Orders flew. Jets scrambled. Emergency alerts pinged on every terminal.
They couldn't let this continue.
And yet…
When the army's first response arrived—drones, missiles, powered exo-suits—it didn't matter.
Kang barely glanced at the assault.
"Pathetic," he muttered.
With a flick of his hand, his warriors surged forward. In a blur of motion, the offensive was destroyed. Smoke and wreckage rained from the sky.
"Capture all of the Eternals," Kang commanded calmly.
As his soldiers fanned out, Speaker Reed turned to his own.
"Find Alex Ray," he said flatly. "We will end this debt today."