Time shifted slightly backward.
In a dim stretch of interstellar space, a massive throne hovered in the void.
Upon it sat Thanos, clad in full golden battle armor.
At the base of his throne, standing close enough to touch it, were his two adopted daughters—
Gamora, green-skinned and composed.
Nebula, blue-skinned, cybernetically enhanced.
Flanking the lower tiers stood Proxima Midnight and Corvus Glaive, ever vigilant.
Kneeling on the lowest step was a woman cloaked in white.
Her black-and-silver combat suit clung tightly to a figure both regal and lethal.
White-hot eyes.
Crimson lips.
A proud, queenly smile.
Her skin carried a faint azure tint—alien, unmistakably.
Supergiant.
"My lord," she purred, raising her hands reverently. "See what I have brought you."
Resting in her palms was a dark silver orb, lattice-like in structure.
The Orb.
Thanos did not move at first.
"The Orb," he said calmly.
Gamora stepped forward without being asked and retrieved it from Supergiant's hands.
Nebula, who had begun to move half a second too late, subtly withdrew her foot.
Show-off, she thought bitterly.
Thanos turned the Orb in his hand as if polishing a collector's trinket.
Silence filled the chamber.
Then—
Nebula's cybernetic eye flickered.
Incoming data.
She leaned toward Thanos' ear.
"Father. Ebony Maw is dead. The Chitauri army has been annihilated by the humans of Earth."
A pause.
"Shall we respond?"
The others heard enough.
Thanos exhaled softly.
"Ebony Maw and the Chitauri are expendable."
He squeezed the Orb.
It shattered.
Within it lay a glowing purple gem.
The Power Stone.
"This," Thanos said quietly, "is what matters."
Nebula frowned slightly.
"The Mind Stone remains on Earth."
Thanos smiled faintly.
"To take, one must first give."
"What is mine will return to me."
"The Mind Stone is merely… in temporary custody."
"Those unworthy who grasp at it invite only destruction."
He closed his fist around the Power Stone.
A surge of violet energy erupted outward.
Nearby stars trembled.
Then—
They collapsed silently into cosmic dust.
The display left even the Black Order breathless.
Proxima and Corvus felt only pride.
Supergiant felt ecstasy—
The stronger Thanos became, the closer she came to the death she longed to receive at his hand.
Nebula felt awe mixed with fear.
Gamora smiled.
But beneath it—
Fatigue.
Doubt.
She had once believed in Thanos' vision.
Balance.
Order.
Now she felt only exhaustion from endless slaughter.
She wanted to leave.
To escape.
But she was buried too deep in blood.
"Gamora."
Her name cut through her thoughts.
She dropped instantly to one knee.
"I am here, Father."
Thanos regarded her for a long moment.
"Black Dwarf has vanished. Drawn into a wormhole mid-mission."
His gaze swept the chamber.
"Which of you will retrieve my lost lamb?"
Nebula tried to speak.
Nothing came out.
Supergiant's eyes gleamed.
"I will, my lord."
Nebula clenched her fists.
Of course you will.
Supergiant bowed elegantly and departed.
Her loyalty was to Thanos alone—never to his daughters.
When she was gone, Thanos descended from his throne.
He lifted Gamora's chin gently.
"My daughter. Is something troubling you?"
She pulled away, unable to meet his eyes.
"I am… tired."
"May I take leave?"
For a moment, Thanos' expression softened.
"Do you remember our travels when you were young?"
"You always chased danger."
"I am not a child anymore!"
Her voice trembled despite her effort.
"Please, Father."
She lowered her gaze.
After a long pause, Thanos sighed.
"Very well."
"But wherever you wander… remember to return home."
"…Yes."
Her answer was barely audible.
Beside them, Nebula's fists trembled.
Jealousy burned through her like acid.
Thanos never looked at her that way.
To him, she was only a weapon to be improved.
Why?
Why was she never enough?
Love curdled into resentment.
Resentment curdled into hatred.
But fear kept her silent.
Always silent.
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