In the Z-86 galaxy of the universe, with the Lothar's command ship at the head, the Black Quadrant's armies blazed a trail straight into another's home. Any planet that dared to get in their way was, without exception, obliterated by a Star Annihilation Cannon. Not a single speck of dust was left.
The golden-winged "L" insignia on the front of Lothar's ship had become a nightmare for the Z-86 galaxy's federal government.
The federal government, with its already fragile military, could only endure in silence, like a bullied child bride, allowing the Black Quadrant's army to rampage through their system.
"Your Highness Lothar, we're about to arrive."
Aboard Lothar's command ship, the loyal sycophant, The Other, bowed respectfully, informing Lothar who was sitting on the central console with his eyes closed.
"Which planets have shown abnormal activity?" Lothar opened his eyes and asked.
"None so far. Our people are constantly monitoring the surroundings."
"Woz."
"The interrupted signal is still not reconnected, Your Highness Lothar. We cannot confirm Ego's location."
Woz, standing on the console, scratched his head. It had no solution for this situation. It could guide a battleship safely through the explosive aftermath of a few or a dozen planets, but over a hundred planets exploding? It didn't have the capability to handle that yet.
"What's the response from the Z-86 galaxy's people?"
"They responded that they don't know Ego, and they've never seen Star-Lord or the raccoon from the footage."
Woz displayed a message of surrender from the Z-86 galaxy's top officials to Lothar.
"Give the order: search."
Lothar immediately dismissed the surrender message, acting as if he hadn't seen it. Why had he brought so many people out here? Wasn't it to use them in a situation like this?
If over a hundred star cores exploded at once, he would be fine, but the Black Quadrant's army would likely be completely annihilated. And if that happened, it would not be something a simple reflection paper could fix. Lothar was fully aware of the consequences.
Spreading fear and panic throughout the Z-86 galaxy, psychologically forcing anyone who might know of Ego's existence to reveal his location—that's what he should be doing now.
"Yes."
The Other took the order, gripping his Mind Stone scepter and leading the charge.
In the Z-86 galaxy, on a quiet planet, the secluded and vibrant environment was full of life. Star-Lord, feeling the power of a god for the first time, was having the time of his life on the plains. Silver energy tendrils soared and burrowed through the ground, giving Star-Lord a brand-new experience.
"Unbelievable, unbelievable!"
"This power..."
Uncontrollable excitement rippled across Star-Lord's weathered face. In a single thought, he could summon clouds and rain, and the sky would change color. A furious hurricane was extinguished with a flick of his finger. The immense power brought Star-Lord an unprecedented sense of intoxication. Standing on the desolate planet, he felt like a god. Just as Ego had said, a god!
"Everything I told you is true, son."
"For all these years, I've been looking for you."
"I even hired space pirates to pick you up, but they always failed."
"And even though your behavior of selling that sort of thing angered me, well, what can I do? You're my son."
"Speaking of which, that is my greatest regret."
"I loved you so much, and yet I only met you for the first time in my twilight years."
White-haired Ego slowly appeared in Star-Lord's vision, his form reflected by the dissipating dark clouds. The sunlight scattered from the sky dappled over his body in a golden, benevolent glow, making the smile on Star-Lord's face slowly fade.
Even though he had been told of his lineage, even though he had awakened his divine power, even though he now knew this old man was his biological father and wasn't lying, Star-Lord's heart still found it hard to forgive him. He could still clearly remember his mother's face and voice as she lay on her sickbed.
"Why?"
"Tell me."
"You're a god. You had the power to save my mother."
"But when she needed you most, you weren't there."
The music playing on his Walkman, amplified by his divine power, spread across the plains. The calm, lingering saxophone melody perfectly matched the atmosphere.
"My child, even gods have weaknesses," the old, white-haired Ego sighed.
"I have an enemy. His name is Lothar."
"Do you understand now?"
"Lothar?" Star-Lord's face changed when he heard the name.
"Wait, which Lothar? Is it the one with black hair, black eyes, a perpetually cold face, and a red tail often wrapped around his waist?"
Star-Lord's sudden, hurried tone and his perfectly accurate description surprised Ego. "You know him?"
"I was sent to the Kyln all thanks to him," Star-Lord said, gritting his teeth at the mention of Lothar, though he knew it was pointless. The power gap was too great; he had no chance.
"...Wait, tell me in detail about your encounter with him." Ego's mood grew heavy, and he no longer bothered to feign kindness. After hearing the story, his face turned as black as a pot, and he extended his hands, searching for something on Star-Lord's body.
"????"
"Hey, what are you doing? What are you touching? Don't touch there!" Star-Lord was startled by Ego's sudden actions.
"Stop moving!"
After a harsh, gravelly command, a grim-faced Ego found a tiny, dust-like micro-detector on Star-Lord's body.
Snap!
The latest technology from the Black Quadrant was instantly crushed to powder!
"Damn it!"
"What did you do?!" Ego's anger flared, and his eyes widened, making him look like a fearsome beast ready to devour someone.
"Wait, what did I do?"
"I didn't do anything! What was that thing?" Star-Lord asked, looking innocent.
"That was our newest detector. It seems you've been paying a lot of attention to the Black Quadrant lately, Ego."
Thump!!!
An arrogant voice and a figure descending from the sky.
Lothar, clad in a black, loose-fitting combat suit, slowly walked out of the splashing mist and dust. He raised his head, his eyes filled with the joy of seeing his prey.
"Lothar!"
"How?!" Star-Lord's pupils contracted in shock.
"How did you find this place?" Ego's face was dark, and all traces of the kindness he had shown to Star-Lord were gone. His core planet had always been well-hidden, even tucked within a massive star cluster to avoid drawing attention. Current technology should not have been able to discover his planet. How did Lothar find him?
"Of course it's because Your Highness Lothar is wise and mighty beyond compare!" Stepping on a megaphone, The Other lavished Lothar with praise from inside the command ship. Countless black cosmic battleships gradually appeared on the azure horizon. Their dark Star Annihilation Cannons were all aimed at the aged Ego.
"Star-killing weapons won't work on me. You know that, Lothar."
Behind Ego, silver tendrils of power burst forth and writhed wildly.
"Kneel," Lothar commanded, unperturbed.
"What?"
"I said..."
"Kneel. Now."
Lothar extended his right hand, pointing at the ground at his feet. A playful smirk on his face trampled Ego's pride as a god.
"Otherwise, die!"
Boom!!!
As soon as the words left his mouth, a golden, arrogant energy wave instantly swept into the sky!
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