POV Thanos
"Grrk!" Other struggles to breathe as I hold his throat.
I toss him to the ground.
"You've failed. The Mind Stone was stolen, and your Chitauri were incapable of finding anything or stopping it," I say with displeasure clear on my face.
"A thousand pardons, my Lord, it shant happen again," Other says while prostrated.
Before I could continue to admonish him, Ebony Maw floated over.
"What is it?" I ask while moving back to my throne.
"I bring news, my spellcraft has alerted me to the intruder's identity. It's just that..." Ebony seems uncertain.
(AN: I decided to make him a mage since I think it would make sense for Thanos to have a mage in his group, and who better than the guy who can summon fireballs. Also, he uses internal magic reserves, not external. )
"Speak," I order.
"It was a Xenomorph, My Lord," Ebony reports.
I pause and frown.
"That could be quite dire. A Xenomorph Queen with the Mind Stone could control every Xenomorph in the Universe at once," I say with slight concern.
While I wasn't scared of fighting a Xenomorph Queen, one with the Mind Stone would be a very unenjoyable experience. They are already psionically inclined.
"Yes, but I feel it seems off that a Xenomorph would act so... Intelligently. I've confirmed with our spies and scanners that there are no hives within 1000 light-years of us, so it should be impossible for a Queen to be controlling one from a distance. Not to mention the intruder used a Magical Cloak that granted invisibility," Ebony points out.
"Hmm, Other, gather your fleets, you will destroy every last Xenomorph Hive until you retrieve the Mind Stone, don't bother returning until you have it or another Infinifty Stone," I order Other.
"Yes, Lord Thanos, it will be done," Other says before leaving.
"My Lord?" Ebony asks.
"You believe that this could be a plot by another group, but I don't believe that is the case. I've studied Xenomorphs as a possible army; they can't be controlled. Every attempt will fail, even though I couldn't bend them to my will. If I had the Mind Stone or the Soul Stone, I could, but without them, it's not possible. At least not with such fine control," I explain.
"I see, it seems I was mistaken," Ebony humbly bows.
"Maybe, but it doesn't mean we shouldn't intensify our efforts. I want you to lead the Black Order to search the cosmos to find an Infinity Stone. I don't care what you do, just get results," I order while staring off into the stars.
"Yes, Lord Thanos," Ebony says before leaving.
What I failed to mention to him was that there were very few who knew the Mind Stone was in that Sceptre, and even fewer who would be willing to risk a fight with me. The power requirements alone would make the Mind Stone basically useless to almost anyone outside that small list. Even I wouldn't dare use the Stone mindlessly. It was one of the main reasons I hadn't just used the stone myself. The other being, I had to wait for the right time to strike.
'That old man should be kicking the bucket soon enough. But I need more info on the Sorcerer Supreme.'
If I had to, then I would fight Odin, and I was fairly sure I could win, but at the same time, I knew the fight wouldn't be clear-cut. But I wasn't confident in facing both the Sorcerer Supreme with the Time Stone and the Allfather at once. Not to mention other threats that the small world seems to attract.
'Speaking of those threats, I suppose it's about time I take a trip to Limbo. Belasco should be able to get me the info I needed. And maybe we can cooperate.'
POV Shift Ancient One
Gasp
I am knocked out of my vision with a sharp gasp and a full-body feeling of weakness. My head was slick with sweat, and I could feel that pull from death even now. It was growing stronger by the day.
'Not yet. Just a little longer.'
"You're dying quite soon," Odin says as he appears in my courtyard.
"Allfather, I was not expecting a visit," I say as I go to stand up.
"Please sit. There is no need to stand on ceremony," Odin says while gesturing to sit as he does the same.
"What brings you here?" I ask.
"Sigh. The Space Stone has been stolen," Odin says with a weary sigh.
"It has?" I say with slight surprise.
"Yes, and Heimdall can no longer see it or the one that took it," Odin says with a slightly worried tone.
"Then that is grim news indeed. I had just finished an Augury and was confirming the results when you arrived," I reply with a frown.
"What did you see?" Odin asks.
"The Soul and Power Stones have been found and claimed. And now it seems the Mind and Space have also been stolen," I say with a worried frown.
"Four stones? Truly, have they been taken by the same person?" Odin asks with deep concern.
"I cannot say, my visions have been clouded. As if a great veil has been cast over the universe. But whoever stole the Mind Stone stole it from The Mad Titan himself," I warn.
"This is grave news indeed. If they were truly all taken by the same person, then they are fools. No one should have that many Infinity Stones in one place," Odin says grimly.
"Indeed, but there is nothing to be done. I cannot see them, nor do I know where to find them," I say calmly while sipping some tea.
"Can you keep the Time Stone safe?" Odin asks while looking towards the Eye of Agamotto.
"Yes, I can. I have a feeling that I won't have to worry about that," I respond calmly.
"Hmm, very well. That wasn't the only reason I came here. I offer you a deal," Odin says while taking a cup of tea from me.
"What do you need?" I ask.
"I will give you the Uru you want now, in exchange, I want a favor that can be repaid at a later date by any Sorcerer Supreme or Sorcerer of Kamar Taj. Of course, this favor will be invalid if my son truly must be banished as you suggest," Odin explains.
"What changed?" I ask.
"Sigh. I see the same arrogance and pride that my firstborn had all those years ago. I still want to believe that Thor can become a worthy King, but with how turbulent things are becoming. I am not certain anymore. I feel that the Twilight of the Gods may happen soon," Odin says wistfully.
"You speak of Ragnarok? Hmm, I feel you may be able to rest easy," I say cryptically.
"Have you seen something?" Odin says strongly.
"It was a glimpse. There exists someone, someone that can prevent Ragnarok from happening, perhaps in a way that no one thought possible before. But I don't know where they are, only that they likely exist here on Earth," I say with closed eyes as I try to recall the image I saw.
"How do I find them?" Odin demands.
"Haven't you been paying attention? You don't find them. They find you... Or perhaps they will find your son, predicting the future is a difficult and messy business," I respond.
"Sigh. Very well. Then I will have patience. The Uru you want is with King Eitri; he's expecting you with the ingredients you said you would collect," Odin says as he stands up.
"Then I bid you farewell, Allfather," I say.
"And the same to you, Ancient One. I do hope you succeed. But if you don't, do you have a successor picked out?" Odin asks.
"Wong is the only candidate available, but he lacks the power to be the Sorcerer Supreme. Until a better candidate can be found, he will serve as temporary Sorcerer Supreme," I reply.
"Hmm, very well," Odin says with a nod, and then his projection vanishes back to Asgard.
I summon Wong to my quarters.
"You shall act as Sorcerer Supreme while I am gone," I say while handing him a small book.
"I understand," Wong says with a bow.
"If I do not return, the Allfather will deliver my possessions to you. At that time, you will enter my chambers, and on my desk, there is another book. Read it. It should tell you everything you need to know," I add.
"I-Is there anything I can do to help?" Wong asks.
I was about to decline his offer, but rethink my decision.
"While I must do this myself, you can help me by making a portal to Nidavellir," I reply.
"Of course, Master," Wong replies and gives me one lat bow before he opens a portal to Nidavellir.
I bid him farewell and leave him with confidence. Wong might not be strong enough to be the Sorcerer Supreme by himself, but he is still a strong and capable Sorcerer.
"It's about time you showed up. All of Nidavellir has been waiting to forge this ring for you. I intend for this to become my best creation yet. So I hope you really brought ingredients of equal value," King Eitri says with a smile.
I take the pouch I carry with me at all times and hand it to him. He takes a look inside, and his eyes light up with wonder.
"You didn't disappoint. I dare say, this will be the greatest creation I will ever craft," King Eitri says confidently.
"Good, then you should instruct me on what I need to do to help," I reply.
"A-Are you sure. I don't mean to be rude, but you might not survive casting such intense magic," King Eitri cautions.
"I'm certain. All I ask is that if I perish, my belongings are returned to Kamar Taj," I request.
"You have my word," King Eitri says firmly.
A Few Days Later...
I slump to the floor, and I can tell that I am barely holding onto life at this point. It was thanks to my immense magical prowess that I was able to force my soul to remain in my body.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! It worked, we did it! It's! It's beautiful!" King Eitri shouts in glee.
A dwarf comes over to me and lifts me up so I can come over to the pedestal where the final product was sitting. As I stare at it, I feel a faint whisper in a language I can't understand.
"It's beautiful," I say in wonder as I hold the ring in my fingers.
[Image Here]
I slip the ring onto my finger and suddenly feel much better. Whole once more.
"The ring is truly my best work. Though I don't recognize the language on it, I assume you did that with some spell, it was a nice touch," King Eitri compliments.
"Yes... What does it do?" I ask.
"It should give the wielder eternal youth, a source of power and magic, immunity to time manipulation, immunity to hellfire, and all lesser variants of fire, soul protections strong enough that perhaps only an Infinity Stone could overcome it, flight, amazing regeneration, telepathy, and I think some form of mind-influencing magic, fear-based, it seems like," King Eitri explains.
"How much magic power?" I ask.
"Even if they used some really strong magic, they could easily use this for thousands of years before it started to run out. Of course, that would only be for the source of magic power; all the other enchantments will never falter. You should also be able to recharge the ring if you find another source of magic power," King Eitri says.
"Good enough, thank you, King Eitri," I say humbly.
"No, thank you, I've never gotten to make such a legendary artifact. I dare say even if Hephaestus was still around, he couldn't do better. I mean, the heart and blood of a Prince of Hell? Still get goosebumps thinking about it," King Eitri says with a wide, proud smile.
I bid him and the other dwarves farewell and returned to Kamar Taj this time feeling better than I had for months. But deep down, I knew that was an illusion. My soul was far too damaged and weakened to keep me tethered to my mortal coil for much longer. Unless I retired and didn't use much magic for the foreseeable future. But I knew that was unlikely to happen; there would always be more threats to deal with.