(AN: Sorry for the delay! As a head up, my annual family camping trip coming up soon. No chapters for the weeks of 10/6 and 10/13.)
---Evening---
My audience was devastated, silently absorbing the report of how much the universe had changed during their prolonged absence. Briefly touching on Earth Prime's destruction and humanity's resurgence, I quickly got to the declining situation in the Warp. Giving them a glimpse of the ongoing battles, Poseidon interjected himself when Zephrim appeared.
"The large man who is wielding the All-Black sword… Is he the one who killed my brother?", Poseidon questioned, gripping his trident tightly.
"My uncle is indeed the one who killed Hades, but he was not acting of his own free will.", I stated, focusing my scrying magic on his face. "If you look closely, you will notice the white gemstone affixed to his forehead. It is- "
"The Ego Stone…", Zeus interrupted me, with a serious expression. "After our last encounter with Nemesis, I seem to recall we banished her from our reality. Not only that, but we also erected countless safeguards to prevent her from ever returning. Her presence in our reality should not be possible!"
Turning to Hecate and the other Gods of Magic for an explanation, every one of them had no answer for this debacle. As Zeus had correctly stated, there should be no possible way for Nemesis to return here. Since their connection to the Mortal Realm was restored, they suggested reviewing the Akashic Records for details.
"No, we should hold off on taking such drastic measures until all other options have been exhausted. The risk of irrevocably damaging the universe is far too high.", Odin responded. "For now, our energy should be focused on dealing with Nemesis herself. The Soul Stone is already in her possession, and she has nearly total control over the Realm of Souls."
"That explains why Nemesis targeted the Gods of the Dead. With them out of the way, she is effectively untouchable within the Realm of Souls.", the Dagda remarked, rubbing his chin. "How do you propose we handle this situation, Odin?"
"I honestly do not know, but I suspect my son-in-law does.", Odin stated, looking to me with a playful grin.
Turning their collective gazes toward me, I gave my father-in-law a frustrated look. I did have a plan, but I would have greatly appreciated a little forewarning.
"My plan is rather simple. We need to draw Nemesis into the Mortal Realm and forcibly take the Soul Stone from her. To do that, we will need to locate and secure the other five Infinity Stones.", I said, showing them my right arm. "I already located one of them, so only four stones remain unaccounted for."
Relieved to hear I already possessed one of them, they began discussing how to best tackle the problem of locating the others. As the deities tossed ideas around, Zuras' daughter and the other Eternals approached me with heads hung low.
"Lord Stark… How can we best help humanity right now?", Thena inquired. "Our absence is what allowed humanity to destroy the Earth and themselves. While we cannot change the past, we can begin making amends by helping their descendants here and now."
"To be frank with you, there are a multitude of places you could be of assistance to humanity. That said, two places in particular are in desperate need of your assistance right now.", I answered, pulling up a few reports for them to review.
I requested their assistance in dealing with the Necrons and their failed experiments, believing that both issues could be resolved more quickly with their help. After answering a few questions, they had; Thena and her people agreed to commit their strength to my cause.
"Will you need some time to prepare for departure?", I questioned, notifying my grandfather and uncles about our new allies.
"No, we can depart whenever you are ready.", Thena responded, dividing her people into two teams. "Ikaris, you will take charge of the group heading to the Imperium of Man. I will lead the group bound for the Caspiel Empire. Any questions?"
Shaking their heads, everyone was on the same page and ready to go. Handing everyone a communicator, I requested they always keep it on them and make regular reports.
"Well, I'll be. Is that you, Agamotto? I had no idea you were still alive and kicking.", Thena laughed, giving me an inquisitive look. "Does that mean Lord Stark is the current Sorcerer Supreme? If so, I am happy you picked someone a tad bit more competent than that fool, Strange."
Casually chatting with each other for a few minutes, it was clear the two of them had some history. Choosing to keep my nose out of their business, I silently sent Ikaris' team off to Terra. Leaving them in my extended family's capable hands, the rest of us patiently waited for their discussion to end.
"We understand and accept your terms. If we failed humanity a second time… None of us would want to continue living.", Thena remarked.
Sending them on ahead to the throne world of Brigoia, I instructed Thena to find Praetorate Avirax and begin coordinating with him. Acknowledging my orders, she and her team left without another word.
"Just wondering, how long do you think it will be before the festivities start?", I asked Loki. "I only ask because it is nearly time for dinner, and you know how hangry the others can get."
"Based on personal experience, I think it is safe to assume dinner has been postponed. Once they lock in, it is nearly impossible to pull them away from their work. Best to cut our losses and make alternative meal plans.", Loki answered honestly. "Heimdall, please let us know when you find the Headless Celestial."
"I will notify you as soon as I find the beast.", Heimdall agreed with a smile. 'I never thought I would hear her say the word 'please' in my lifetime. Times are certainly changing.'
Politely excusing ourselves, we left Asgard and returned to the New Genesis.
---3rd Person POV, Immaterium---
Seizing the first opportunity that presented itself, Angron, Magnus, and Mortarion fled the warzone with their legions. Losing nearly half of their remaining forces during their escape, the group made their way toward Terra's Warpspace. As they drew near their destination, a fleet of drone ships encircled them.
"Well, isn't this a pleasant surprise.", El'Jonson remarked, opening a channel with their flagships. "What brings you here today, traitorous brothers?"
"You know damn well why we are here, you self-righteous prick.", Mortarion said, secretly happy to see his family again. "Khorne and Tzeentch are on the verge of defeat, Nurgle is dead, and Slaanesh is our nephew's prisoner. With that in mind, we want to atone for our prior transgressions and return home to the Imperium of Man. This is our last-ditch effort to save our legions from total annihilation at Zephrim's hands."
While the Loyalist Primarchs felt they deserved everything they had coming to them, they knew this was not their call to make. Turning their attention to the Emperor of Mankind, he closed his eyes for a moment to think it over.
"Let us say you are permitted to rejoin the Imperium. What is stopping you from betraying us again in the future?", the Emperor of Mankind questioned. "Our homeland has only just recovered from Horus' betrayal, and we are on track to surpass even my wildest dreams. I will not risk humanity's bright future for my fallen sons."
Surprised by his question, the three Fallen Primarchs realized their father was no longer the same man they betrayed. Gone was the aloof, cold-hearted machine of yesteryear; in its place sat an approachable, warm-hearted man. Feeling the full weight of their betrayal all at once, they fell to their knees in unbearable shame.
"There is nothing we can offer that will pacify your concerns, Father. Our sacred oaths were forsaken long ago when we betrayed the Imperial people and you.", Magnus acknowledged. "The only thing I can say is, this time will be different. If we ever reach that point again, I will take my legion and leave your territorial space. No more blood need be spilled over our past grudges."
"For what it is worth, I promise to do the same as well.", Mortarion stated, looking up at his family.
"Make pain… Stop. Spare… Legion.", a battered and beaten Angron pleaded in a ragged voice.
Staring at his three traitorous sons, the Emperor of Mankind came to a decision.
"Guilliman, please ask Victor to come to the palace first thing tomorrow morning. I will need his help purging the Warp's taint from our foolish family.", the Emperor of Mankind said with a soft smile. "The drone ships will escort you to safe harbor for the evening. We will bring you over first thing in the morning. Get some rest, my sons."
Ending the calling there, the three Primarchs began to silently weep for the first time in a long while.