When the Chitauri army descended upon Asgard, Skynet initiated a global live broadcast...
Wherever people looked up or turned on their computers and televisions, they could see massive billboards and scrolling digital screens all displaying explosive scenes rivaling Hollywood blockbusters.
The worldwide network intrusion caused a certain degree of panic, followed by deeper contemplation and suspicion from all walks of life.
A paper on extraterrestrial space by Jane Foster from Umbrella Corporation resurfaced. Once dismissed as wild fantasy, her theories now appeared to have the potential to become reality.
The endless waves of Chitauri troops and the Asgardian legions charging relentlessly into battle presented images so realistic, they shocked viewers.
Soon after, governments worldwide issued statements confirming these were not promotional materials for any film but actual events. A brutal interstellar war raged beyond human understanding.
Earth was not the universe's only civilization. Humanity, cradled in peaceful ignorance, had opened its eyes for the first time to glimpse the vast cosmos...
...
At SHIELD headquarters along the Potomac River, Nick Fury frowned in contemplation...
Asgard's existence had been exposed to the world, and worse, an unknown alien army had appeared. The live battle footage clearly showed this was anything but friendly. Both sides displayed technological capabilities far surpassing Earth's.
The one-eyed director temporarily set aside the terrifying global network intrusion. Though he had enlisted Stark and Dr. Richards to investigate, their tone suggested finding the mastermind would prove difficult.
The purple figure seated upon the floating throne had shaken the world with his ruthless proclamation.
Even if most didn't yet believe in Asgard's existence, Thanos' words made it clear Earth could well be the next target.
The curtain of peace had been lifted. Every nation and individual on the planet needed to mentally prepare for war.
Within moments, information flooded worldwide through invisible radio waves. The world's most powerful figures, elites standing atop the social pyramid, engaged in heated discussions as public attention reached fever pitch over Asgard's war.
Superheroes; the Fantastic Four, Avengers, and mutants found themselves questioning. If Earth faced such a crisis, what could they possibly do? The endless steel tide, terrifying mechanical leviathans, and the inconceivably powerful cosmic overlord who had felled the mythological All-Father with a gesture.
Superhuman strength seemed inadequate to save the world.
On Asgard's Bifrost, the realm's warriors retreated steadily under relentless assault. Energy beams crisscrossed the sky like a colossal death net, while behind them, continuous explosions tore through the ruined cities and palaces. Flames raged unchecked.
Loki stared blankly at Asgard's shattered remains, sudden emptiness filling his heart. Was this what he had sought all along?
Odin lay grievously wounded, Thor stood powerless, and even their mother Frigga had perished in the violent energy tides. The bloody reality reminded Asgard's prince that war was cold and cruel, devoid of any tenderness.
His dream of ruling the Nine Realms now seemed like a ridiculous joke. What would remain of Asgard after Thanos and his Chitauri legion departed?
With hatred burning in his eyes, Loki glared at the floating throne above, his fists clenching so tightly his nails drew blood.
Around the massive purple figure, an invisible force suddenly erupted. Chitauri who ventured too close were instantly annihilated.
A question arose in Loki's mind: Did Asgard still possess anyone capable of opposing Thanos?
Dark clouds gathered as the cosmic overlord sat upon his throne, his mountainous frame radiating power. Invisible psychic forces collided and canceled out in the void, releasing hurricane-like shockwaves.
Thanos hadn't anticipated that the individual who obtained one Infinity Stone would possess such formidable strength.
While the red-haired woman had been noteworthy, she couldn't fully harness her power. She was an immature host far from her peak...
"I thought you were just another weakling relying on the Stone's power." Their minds communicated directly as Thanos grew more serious.
The dazzling golden figure shone like a sun, holding firm in their psychic battle, seemingly with strength to spare.
"Surrender the Stone, and I'll let you leave alive." Thanos said, his eyes alight with rare excitement.
It had been long since anyone had stirred him so.
"I was thinking the same." The mocking reply held no concession.
A deathly cold psychic storm slammed against the golden figure's radiant flames like a world-freezing arctic front. Two fundamentally different powers collided with thunderous force!
Pure golden flames surged like a rising inferno, battling the icy torrent for every inch of mental terrain. The colossal energies pressed and clashed, making the very void groan under the strain.
Matter annihilated continuously as space neared collapse. The opposing forces released shockwaves like a dying star, sweeping through the area around the floating throne. The remaining Black Order members hastily retreated, while mindless Chitauri cannon fodder evaporated instantly like water droplets vanishing in flame.
"That such opposition to Lord Thanos exists in this barren sector is... remarkable."
Ebony Maw raised a hand, his black robes fluttering as he moved swiftly across the Bifrost's battlefield.
Perhaps he shouldn't interrupt his master's hunting pleasure, but to ensure the Infinity Stones were secured without fail, action was necessary.
When Asgardian warriors charged, Maw flicked his fingers, and invisible threads sliced through the air, sending heads tumbling from spurting necks.
Entering the ruined palace unimpeded, a red-clad figure blocked his path. Flaming hair and elegant gown swayed as violent telekinetic force struck like a cannonball.
"Don't interfere." Jean Grey lifted her chin, cold eyes brewing a fiery storm.
Meanwhile, Sean's battlelust burned fiercely, like raging tides ready to burst from his chest.
His golden frame stood firm in the void, his radiant flames like an ocean of light. He gazed across at the massive purple figure upon the ancient floating throne... One like an immovable mountain clad in gleaming armor, radiating overwhelming pressure.
"One Stone won't grant you victory, little one." Thanos' thunderous voice crashed into Sean's consciousness.
The Titan's eyes opened, unleashing tsunamis of destructive intent.
The Eternal's gaze brimmed with violent aggression, but Sean felt no fear, "I'd like to test that."
Everything he'd done, all his efforts, hadn't they been for this very moment?
Remove this final obstacle, and the world would be his.
"I've crushed countless arrogant upstarts who thought they had reached power's pinnacle. You'll join them." Thanos delivered his death sentence with bone-chilling finality.
"Then come." Sean replied quietly.
Golden light erupted skyward like lightning piercing gloom, streaking straight toward the cosmic overlord!