Chapter 89: Cancerverse
"Is this the most meaningful thing you can think of?"
Steve Rogers stared at Raven with confusion. This strange figure made no sense to the super-soldier's trained mind.
Here stood someone who clearly had the respect of the golden-armored Emperor and his sons, yet he cared about the simplest things.
"Fresh fries dipped in ketchup are the most delicious thing in this world that can heal the deepest sorrows!" Raven declared, hands on his hips.
"Isn't that the most meaningful thing in existence?"
Steve nodded despite his confusion. He didn't understand the logic, but Raven's certainty left no room for argument. "Alright... could you please hurry up?"
"Loki Beast, did you hear that? Hurry and make your wish!" Raven turned to the horned figure wearing the Infinity Gauntlet, his voice mixing encouragement with impatience.
"I am not 'Loki Beast'—I am Loki," the God of Mischief protested, though he moved to comply.
The Emperor and his sons showed power that left little room for defiance. Loki raised his gloved hand and prepared to snap his fingers, focusing his will on getting the most delicious and perfect fries and ketchup in the universe.
It should have been easy. The previous wishes had worked without trouble, reality bending under the Infinity Stones' power.
Yet as Loki tried to channel that cosmic might toward such a simple desire, the universe itself fought back.
Loki felt his life force bleeding from his body. Only Raven's steady hand on his shoulder, channeling some unknown energy into his failing form, stopped him from turning into a dried husk.
The Infinity Stones blazed with fury, their light threatening to blind everyone watching. The Infinity Gauntlet itself grew white-hot, its metal straining against forces that could destroy entire star systems.
Loki's scream tore through the air as he struggled to bring his fingers together. What had once felt as simple as breathing now felt like trying to move entire worlds. Each finger carried the weight of cosmic law itself, reality's rules screaming in protest against his wish.
The heroes watched in stunned silence as the God of Lies writhed in agony from trying to conjure a serving of fried potatoes.
"My apologies," Loki gasped, letting his hand fall. "I cannot... the power would turn me to ash."
Raven shook his head in disappointment. "Loki Beast, you have failed to meet my expectations." His gaze swept across the heroes before settling on the green-skinned scientist. "Dr. Banner, would you like to try the Infinity Gauntlet?"
Banner's eyes widened behind his glasses. "Me?"
Raven nodded with satisfaction. "Yes. You have qualities that may work better."
Bruce Banner looked toward his fellow Avengers—Captain America, Black Widow, and Iron Man—seeking their advice. Each nodded their agreement. If fulfilling Raven's simple wish would let them restore those Thanos had erased, then any price seemed worth it.
"Alright," Banner agreed. "I'll try."
The transformation began with a low growl that came from Banner's very bones. For months after their return from space, the Hulk had stayed hidden, refusing to emerge even during Wakanda's desperate hour.
Through painful negotiation and compromise, Banner had finally made peace with his other self, regaining access to that terrible strength.
His clothing shredded as green flesh expanded, muscles swelling to sizes that rivaled even the towering sons who watched with interest. The Hulk's massive frame cast shadows across the battlefield, his presence radiating barely contained fury.
The Infinity Gauntlet, which Eitri the Dwarf King had forged in stellar fires, adapted to its new wearer. The Hulk flexed his now-gloved fingers, feeling the six Infinity Stones pulse with universe-shaping power.
He made the same wish that had nearly destroyed Loki, focusing his will on getting the perfect fries and ketchup. The Stones erupted with terrifying energy, their combined might flowing through the Hulk's body like molten metal through his veins.
Even his legendary healing struggled against such cosmic forces. The Hulk's roars echoed across the battlefield as he fought to stay conscious, his massive form trembling under the strain.
Before he could even attempt the snap, his legs buckled, sending him crashing to his knees.
"Just a serving of fries, why is this happening?" Thor's confusion showed as he watched the mighty Hulk suffer. His own experiences with the Infinity Stones had been painful but not impossible.
"Perhaps the wish involves some special vocabulary," Tony Stark observed, his analytical mind cutting through the chaos. "Like 'most delicious' or 'perfect.'"
The genius billionaire's insight struck at the heart of the matter. The universe operated according to fixed laws; perfection demanded infinite power to achieve. No "most delicious" food could exist in absolute terms, for such a thing would violate the very foundations of reality.
"Unable to bear the cost?" Raven's disappointment showed as he watched the Hulk's struggle. His wish for the ultimate food slipped beyond reach.
Through their mental link, the Emperor's voice reached him: "I could attempt it myself."
"No," Raven refused without hesitation. The golden-armored Master of Mankind anchored them, guaranteeing their safe passage through the dangerous currents of the multiverse.
If the Great Bird of Change had pursued them once, the united might of the four Chaos Gods might follow next time. The Emperor could not risk something as trivial as fried potatoes.
Though privately, Raven almost hoped the Chaos Gods would attempt another assault. He had preparations in mind, surprises that would teach them the price of venturing beyond their familiar realm.
"Bring me a serving of super delicious fries and ketchup," Raven changed his request, removing the impossible absolute from his wish.
This time, success came easily. The Hulk managed his snap, and reality produced a steaming serving of golden fries with perfectly portioned ketchup. Valdor caught the food with practiced grace, passing it to his charge.
The first taste sent visible shivers of pleasure through Raven's frame. "The Infinity Gauntlet produced this, truly a masterpiece."
While Raven savored his cosmic fast food, the Hulk seized his opportunity. This time, his wish carried far more weight: the safe return of every soul Thanos's mad crusade had erased. The Infinity Gauntlet unleashed power that made his previous attempt seem trivial by comparison.
His screams tore through the air, but he endured. His right arm blackened and charred under the cosmic forces, but still, he held on. With a final, desperate effort, he snapped his fingers.
The effect hit immediately and globally. Across Earth and throughout the galaxy, figures began materializing from motes of golden light. Families reunited with tears of joy, heroes returned to resume their duties, and the dead walked among the living once more.
The Hulk collapsed, his massive frame trembling with exhaustion, but the deed was done. The Avengers rushed to tend his injuries while around them, the restored celebrated their resurrection.
Yet not all had been made whole. T'Challa, the Black Panther, found his prayers to Bast met with silence. The panther goddess had withdrawn from Wakanda entirely, abandoning her chosen people for reasons beyond mortal understanding.
"Could the goddess be missing?" T'Challa murmured, his composure cracking. "But she is divine, how could she simply vanish?"
The question hung unanswered as Steve Rogers approached Raven's group. "On behalf of the Avengers, I formally invite you to join our ranks."
Raven looked at the super-soldier with genuine surprise. "You're not joking, are you?"
"Of course not. You resolved this crisis entirely," Steve replied with characteristic sincerity. "Having you as part of the Avengers would be an honor."
"We appreciate the offer, but we lack the time to fulfill such duties," Raven declined. Soon they would depart this universe entirely, making such commitments impossible to honor.
Steve's disappointment was brief, replaced by practical concern. "Then can I ask what you plan to do with the Infinity Gauntlet and the Stones?"
"If possible, could you spare us a Mind Stone and a Time Stone?" The request was carefully diplomatic. "We need the Mind Stone to potentially restore Vision, and Doctor Strange requires the Time Stone to combat entities like Dormammu."
"I can part with those Stones," Raven agreed, "but I have one condition: change the Avengers' emblem."
Tony Stark stepped forward, his curiosity piqued. "Change it how?"
"To fries and ketchup," Raven announced with complete seriousness.
Valdor's expression remained carefully neutral while the sons exchanged knowing looks. Raven's behavioral patterns had become entirely predictable; his affection could be purchased with quality fried food, and his cooperation secured through culinary tributes.
After a brief consultation, the Avengers agreed to the modification. Such a small price for two Infinity Stones seemed almost criminally generous.
The remaining Stones and the Gauntlet itself, Raven distributed to Loki and Gorr. "The Multiverse War approaches, and the battles ahead will test even the mighty. You will need these tools for survival."
Both recipients stared in shock at their gifts. Such cosmic artifacts were beyond price, yet Raven handed them out like battlefield awards.
"Having subdued Alioth and gained the Infinity Stones," Loki mused, "perhaps being 'Loki Beast' carries certain advantages after all."
The irony was not lost on him; years of scheming and warfare had failed to secure even one Infinity Stone, yet aligning himself with Raven had brought him six. Sometimes choosing the right allies mattered more than personal ambition.
Using the Gauntlet's power, Loki retrieved Angron from Sakaar. The son materialized without his usual weapons, instead carrying official documents marked "Scrapyard Raw Material Recycling Plan."
Clearly, the revolution had succeeded, and reconstruction had already begun.
"Father. My Lord Raven." Angron rendered proper honors to both leaders before joining his brothers, who had gathered to exchange tales of their recent adventures.
Each had faced unique challenges during their separation, experiences that had broadened their understanding of warfare beyond their home galaxy.
"Shall we participate in the coming Multiverse War?" Raven asked the Emperor privately.
"We shall," the golden giant replied after observing his sons. "They require exposure to conflicts beyond our realm."
Raven nodded his agreement. "With you handling the heavy combat and me providing tactical coordination, we should dominate any opposition, assuming the ancient powers of this reality remain dormant."
The Emperor's response carried an undertone of amusement that seemed almost out of character. "Why don't you first demonstrate this 'tactical coordination' you speak of?"
Raven blinked in surprise. Where had the Emperor's usual stoic dignity gone? How had he developed such unexpected humour during their brief partnership?
Valdor struggled to suppress his smile at witnessing Raven's bewilderment. Finally, someone had managed to deflate this bird's confidence.
Indeed, the Emperor remains the Emperor. If anyone can handle this corvid, it's the Emperor.
The anticipated period of peace before the Multiverse War never came.
Conqueror Kangs from parallel realities launched attacks against their variants, while entities like the Scarlet Witch and corrupted versions of Doctor Strange began crossing dimensional barriers, leaving chaos in their wake.
But the gravest threat emerged in the form of the Cancerverse, a reality where the fundamental concept of death had been eliminated.
In that cursed universe, heroes fearful of mortality had embraced ancient evils known as the Many-Angled Ones, sacrificing every death deity to achieve twisted immortality.
Without death to drive the cycle of renewal, all life became eternally preserved in grotesque parodies of existence. The Cancerverse swelled beyond its dimensional boundaries, its hunger driving it to expand into parallel realities.
Their Conqueror Kang, transformed into a writhing mass of immortal flesh but retaining vast knowledge, opened portals for the Cancerverse's armies.
Endless hordes of corrupted beings poured through, consuming and converting entire universes into extensions of their blasphemous realm.
When the invasion reached reality, Raven and the Emperor brought their sons to witness this new form of warfare.
The sight of Cancerverse entities, writhing masses of tentacles, tumorous growths, and unnatural appendages, shocked even warriors accustomed to the horrors of their galaxy.
"How can such abominations exist!" Angron's disgust was evident as he carved through a corrupted creature. "They violate every natural law!"
"My eyes have indeed been opened," Dorn agreed grimly. The sight of life preserved through cosmic horror was more disturbing than any battlefield death.
Initially, the sons handled lesser entities in the Cancerverse with ease. But as corrupted versions of Celestials, Odin, and even Galactus emerged, the conflicts became genuinely dangerous.
Even with their enhanced capabilities, victory against such foes would require significant sacrifice.
Having achieved their purpose, broadening the sons' tactical experience, the Emperor and Raven prepared their departure.
The universe they left possessed sufficient strength to resist the Cancerverse, especially with Loki wielding the Infinity Stones and Alioth, while Gorr's God Butcher abilities proved especially effective against the corrupted divine entities.
As they bid farewell to their temporary allies, Raven opened a space-time tunnel back to their origin reality. The Emperor and his sons stepped through, leaving the Marvel Universe to face its multiversal crisis.
During their journey home, Raven catalogued their acquisitions: knowledge of the Black Death Sword's forging, Time Variance Authority technology, Tony Stark's various innovations, and numerous other advanced techniques.
All would be presented to the Emperor upon their return to enhance the Imperium's capabilities. The rewards had been substantial, though Raven silently admitted he had nearly forgotten to inventory them properly.
Fortunately, the Emperor had never inquired about such details; his focus remained on the strategic implications of their multiversal journey.
____________
Check out the Patreon for advanced chapters right now:
👉 patreon.com/Mr UmU
https://www.patreon.com/Mr_UmU
_______________
Frieren: My Master Serie Don't Know How to Love ~: 40+ Chapters
Warhammer 40K: The Emperor's Raven: 45+
1960: My Uncle is the Director of the FBI: 65+