The figure that emerged from the shadows was a monster of galactic legend. Taller even than Thanos, with a cephalopoid head from which thick tentacles dangled and limbs as gnarled and powerful as ancient tree roots, he was a walking nightmare. He was Vilgax.
By a strange twist of fate, Vilgax had arrived in this universe not long ago, cast adrift by a cosmic anomaly he mistook for a simple wormhole. Arrogant and assured of his own supremacy, he had immediately come into conflict with the most powerful being in his immediate vicinity: Thanos. The battle was brutal, but despite his towering frame and immense strength, Vilgax was ultimately defeated.
Thanos, however, saw the value in his vanquished foe. Vilgax's power far exceeded that of any member of the Black Order. With his forces depleted, the Mad Titan was in no position to discard such a formidable warrior. He made an offer.
Vilgax, in turn, recognized the need for a temporary alliance. To fulfill his own ambition of universal conquest, he first needed to understand this new reality. And so, the two galactic conquerors struck a bargain, a partnership of convenience born from mutual respect for power.
While Thanos spoke of the Infinity Stones, Vilgax's mind was elsewhere. When the Titan mentioned the Plumbers and their leader, Ben, a flicker of recognition ignited in Vilgax's mind, connecting the dots to a rumor, a legend he had pursued for most of his life: the Omnitrix.
At the mere thought of it, Vilgax's small, crimson eyes gleamed with avarice. Ever since he was young, when he had witnessed a brief, dazzling display of its power, he had coveted the device above all else. He knew its history—that the Galvan, Azmuth, had created it, and that a fellow Chimera Sui Generis, Myaxx, had aided in the collection of its genetic samples. He had searched for Myaxx for years, but the trail had long gone cold.
For Vilgax, the obsession was absolute. A weapon containing the genetic code of every sentient species in the galaxy—such a thing was a tool of creation and destruction far beyond the crude power of the so-called Infinity Stones. In his estimation, no colored rock, no matter how powerful, could compare to the god-like potential contained within that small device.
He, of course, kept this assessment to himself. Cooperating with Thanos was merely a means to an end. It was convenient that Thanos's greatest enemy was also his own. The enemy of his enemy was a useful, if temporary, friend.
Still, Vilgax would never be as servile as Ronan. Though Thanos had bested him, he was no one's lackey.
"Now that you have the Stone," Vilgax growled, his voice a deep baritone that seemed to emanate from the very deck plates, "we should strike the Plumbers' headquarters at once."
He spoke as if he were the one in command. The thought of the Omnitrix being within his grasp was so potent that every tentacle on his chin quivered with anticipation. The cybernetic cylinders embedded in his flesh began to pulse, pumping performance-enhancing steroids directly into his mutated musculature. The surge was agonizing, a fire that burned through his veins, but to Vilgax, pain was merely a catalyst for strength.
"Patience," Thanos rumbled, his voice a placid sea next to Vilgax's storm. Now that he possessed the fake Power Stone—a fact he kept to himself—he felt no urgency to rush into another confrontation. "The stones in their possession are of little concern. Few in this universe know how to properly wield their power. The Asgardian, Loki, may be able to utilize the Space Stone, but he cannot begin to unlock its full potential. The two stones in their hands do not grant them an insurmountable advantage."
He paused, his gaze shifting to Ronan, who stood frozen in a state of shock and disbelief. "More importantly," Thanos continued, "a promise was made."
Ronan's head snapped up. He had been certain the Titan would discard their agreement the moment he had the stone. Yet here he was, not only honoring it but making it a priority.
As if reading his thoughts, Thanos added, "I may be a great many things, Kree, but I am not a liar."
Vilgax bristled with impatience. Honesty was a triviality. Wasting time and resources to help a pathetic zealot like Ronan destroy some backwater planet was strategically unsound. But he held his tongue. The Sanctuary II was Thanos's ship, the Outriders his army. Here, Vilgax was not the feared galactic Warlord, but a guest. He had waited decades to claim the Omnitrix; he could wait a little longer.
He receded back into the darkness, his triangular, scarlet eyes glowing like embers in the gloom. He would watch. He would wait. And he would see for himself if these Infinity Stones were truly as powerful as Thanos claimed.
Back on Sakaar, the atmosphere in the Grand Arena was electric. After watching a few matches, Peter learned from Loki that anyone could sign up to compete. Eager to test his mettle against alien warriors, he leaped at the chance. To his surprise, T'Challa joined him.
What followed was less of a competition and more of a demonstration. Peter, his strength and agility amplified by the symbiote, moved like a blur, dispatching Sakaaran champions with effortless grace. T'Challa was no less impressive, his fighting style a dance of deadly precision, his vibranium suit absorbing every blow before he returned them with decisive force.
The stone-skinned Kronan, Korg, wandered over to Loki, his rocky jaw slack with amazement. "Loki, buddy, where'd you find these guys? They're incredible! They're strong enough to enter the Championship Challenge."
"The 'Championship Challenge'?" Felicia asked. She had remained in the stands, finding the idea of fighting for the entertainment of a crowd distasteful.
Korg happily explained. "It's a special match against the reigning champion! The last champion was our King, Ben. And the one before him was the Red Wind Queen, Looma." He stroked his rocky chin thoughtfully. "You know, I gotta say, King Ben and Queen Looma make a perfect match! A real power couple!"
Felicia's posture stiffened almost imperceptibly. She crossed her arms, a single silver eyebrow arching dangerously. "Is that so?" she purred.
"Cough! Cough!" Loki began hacking violently, trying to catch Korg's attention, winking so hard his whole face contorted.
The Kronan, however, was completely oblivious. "Oh, for sure! You should have seen it! The Red King couldn't get her to look at him twice, but our King… he conquered her heart! None of us will ever forget the day King Ben turned into that four-armed fellow and went toe-to-toe with her in the arena! It was so romantic! Hey, Loki, you okay? Your eye keeps twitching. Did some of my rocks get in it?"
He took a step away, genuinely concerned he'd accidentally blinded his friend.
Loki stared at him, his face a mask of utter despair. He finally gave up, his expression going completely flat.
"Korg," he said softly, his voice devoid of all hope. "You're already dead."
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