POV Carol Danvers
I crash through the queen and vaporize it.
"Hah, that was easy. And Gloraga thought that this would be hard," I say with a shake of my head.
I had just cleared out the third hive, and it was just as easy as I had thought. Honestly, I was expecting a bit more of a challenge for what is possibly the last Xenomorph in the universe, but they were as easy as the other hives I had cleared out before. And I didn't even see a speck of evidence to suggest there was any Hive Empress or whatever.
'Well, what now? Should I head back to Gloraga's and get a victory drink?'
I could do that, but I felt it was a bit premature.
'I should do a few patrols in the area. Maybe there is a hive nobody found when they were here.'
With that plan in mind, I rocket off the planet and head towards the coordinates of the last known Shi'ar Fleet, but before I get halfway there, I stop as I see something odd in a nearby star system.
'Is that a person?'
I spotted a person floating in space, or at least I thought I did, but when I looked again, they were gone.
'Was I seeing things?'
I chose to check it out; even if it was nothing but a rock, it would still be worth checking out.
RIIIIIP
One second I was looking around, and the next a man was floating in front of me. He was holding something familiar. It almost looked like my... arm.
"AAAAAAGH!" I scream in agony as the feelings of my torn-off limb make themselves known.
I was so distracted by the pain that I almost didn't have time to dodge the follow-up attack. I counter by shooting an energy beam, but it washes right off my enemy.
"I-Impossible!" I say with growing horror.
I start to panic as this enemy was clearly beyond me, so I do what makes sense. I fly as fast as I can away.
I weave around planets, asteroids, and moons; nothing works as the enemy slowly closes the distance. The panic and pain throttle my mind as I try to find a way out of this, and then I see it.
'The star.'
I spotted a massive star and felt it was the best chance I had.
'I just need more power, and I can beat this guy.'
I put every last bit I have in me to get near the star, and as I get closer, my speed increases as I absorb the Solar Energy. But then it happens.
SMACK
A massive force impacts my back, and I am hurled into the star. The immense power of the star starts to burn me, so I panic and start absorbing as fast as I can to save myself. I feel the energy build up massively, and I feel I am on the cusp of something. Then that damn pest dives into the star to continue the fight. I get so angry at them. How dare they attack me! I was Captain Marvel, the strongest being in the universe!
If I could see myself from the outside, I would notice my eyes and hair starting to glow brightly with the sun's energy. As this transformation continues, I start to overpower my foe, only for them to increase in strength yet again. This keeps going as we continue our battle in the star. I have to keep absorbing energy to keep up with my foe, even as my body starts to burn from the inside and I feel something wrong. But my anger and pride refuse to let me stand down. Even as I notice the purple skin of my foe or the Shi'ar emblem on their chest, I Just. Keep. Fighting.
The star shrinks massively as I take more and more energy, even past what should be my limit, but I would kill this foe no matter what.
CRACK
Then it happens just as I send my hand through the enemy's chest. It was like something inside me snapped, and my mind was cleared, and I realized something was wrong.
"AHHHHH! Get out of my head!" I scream in agony as I notice the immense presence in my mind influencing my thoughts.
"Mate. Find Mate!" the voice demands.
I feel my mind slowly being controlled. It was then that I realized who I was fighting. It was the Gladiator that had gone missing.
"Kill me... Please. Before she controls me again," the Gladiator begs.
I realize what we were facing, and I deeply regret not listening to my friend. But I couldn't let them have us. We would cause untold destruction. There was only one way out of this.
SNAP
I let out all my power at once in a final stand, annihilating both the Gladiator and me.
POV Shift Odin
I feel something change. It wasn't just one thing; it was as if several massive beacons were snuffed out. I sensed around for a moment and then understood.
"Sigh. So Hippolyta has found her rest," I say sadly.
I respected Queen Hippolyta deeply. Her death was a loss to the universe that could not be replaced. I knew she was approaching the end of her life, but it was still sad to see someone as old as her pass. She had known my father, and I had used her advice more than once.
"You felt it," Frigga says sadly.
"Indeed I have. The universe will mourn her loss," I say sadly.
Before we could talk more, Heimdall entered the Throne room in quite a rush.
"My King, I bring dire news," Heimdall reports while kneeling.
"What happened?" I ask.
"Thanos has begun mobilizing his forces. Their target is the Nine Realms," Heimdall reports.
I narrow my eyes.
"Which of the realms does Thanos dare attack?" I say grimly.
"I believe he may attack all of them," Heimdall reports.
"W-What? He would be mad to do so," Frigga comments.
"He has gathered many allies. Laufey and Surtur are likely working with him, and now there is unrest in Vanaheim and Alfheim. Moreover... The Dark Elves have been spotted again," Heimdall reports grimly.
I pause and contemplate this news. It was grim news.
"Prepare the army for an attack. Warn our allies to be wary of any attacks," I order.
"What could he be after?" Frigga says.
Before I can answer, someone does it for me.
"The Infinity Stones," Rio comments while walking into the throne room.
"I wasn't aware you were present today," Frigga comments.
"I just arrived to invite you to Queen Hippolyta's funeral when I overheard what you said," Rio replies.
"You are always welcome here, but I presume you have additional info," I speak up.
"Yes, I do. Thanos has been trying to get his hands on the Infinity Stones but has failed at every turn. Queen Hippolyta gave me a prophecy shortly before she died, telling me that Thanos has obtained some sort of superweapon. Likely his target is you. You have perhaps one or two more battles left in you, and if Thanos can use what he makes to kill you, then nobody will be strong enough to stop him. And if he cripples Asgard and the other realms, he can collect the Infinity Stones with relative ease," Rio explains.
"No one should have that much power," I say firmly.
"What will we do?" Frigga asks.
"That isn't all. What will happen when Odin dies?" Rio comments.
I frown and realize what he is talking about.
"You can speak freely here. I trust both Frigga and Heimdall," I reply.
"Thanos is not a fool. He will have done his research on Asgard. I put it at highly likely that he knows about Hela and will use her to fight you, or perhaps he will fight both of you as you weaken each other. He will not let Hela just become a new Odin. Her power is comparable to yours, and more importantly, she is younger and is far more war-minded. I can't see a reality where Thanos doesn't try something with her. What that is, I can't say," Rio explains.
"A war on many fronts," I say grimly.
"Indeed. I wouldn't be shocked if Thanos strikes all nine realms simultaneously to prevent you from countering it. You're strong, but you can't be everywhere. And Thor will likely have to stay here in Asgard to protect it," Rio comments.
"Sigh. Which means I must make a tough decision once more," I say tiredly.
"Who will you save, who will you protect?" Rio comments.
"Can Earth protect itself even against a massive armada?" I ask.
"Earth is more than safe enough. If anything, I would be worried for those that try to invade us. I can send aid once we have fended off the attack on Earth," Rio offers.
"Don't. Earth is home to up to three Infinity Stones. Not a single one can be allowed to be taken by Thanos," I say firmly.
"Fine. I suggest the dwarves evacuate. They aren't built to fend off an invasion, and I have a strong feeling Thanos will attack them and force them to forge a Gauntlet to hold the stones for him," Rio warns.
"I shall speak with them personally. Would you shelter them?" I request.
"Of course. I have plenty of space to shelter them. In fact, let it be known to those that you trust that Earth can accept refugees," Rio says confidently.
I smile.
"I thank you on behalf of the Nine Realms. Now, we have a war to win," I say.
"If they wish to take Asgard, they shall suffer greatly for it," I say with my kingly aura.