Xandar

Dark Astern, the ship used to transport Ronan to Xandar, held immense power. Regarding the shadow coming from above him, it was the first time when Nagato felt mesmerized by a material thing.

He had arrived here just a few moments ago, and his ship was out of fuel. All the Xandar officers were assembling and getting ready to face their ultimate battle, while civilians were leaving to seek shelter. The city was in turmoil, hence, no one noticed the escaped prisoner standing in-between them.

"I can feel it." Nagato extended his hand towards the ship, turning it into a fist. The first enemies appeared in sight, deforming from the Dark Astern itself and diving towards the city. Almost all the Xandar soldiers began arose to begin the bloodbath.

Nagato didn't heed his surrounding at the moment, closing his eyes and trying to detect the exact location of the Infinity Stone. The air was hefty with its agonizing power, and Nagato could almost sense the danger descending upon this world.

"I see." Nagato eventually opened his eyes, settling his gaze on the very front of the ship. His dark coat moved back and forth as he rose into the air, causing the surrounding people to stop in shock.

Some soldiers recognized the youth, for his face was broadcasted all over the Xandar to declare him as an enemy of ultimate threat. However, it was too late to even try to arrest Nagato since he was already flying towards the ship at incredible speed.

-

"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!" Rocket gripped the top of his head, looking back and forth as to search for any enemies. "We are actually just a bunch of morons! Ronan is clearly impossibly strong, and we are trying to steal the stone right from his own ship? That's just seeking death!"

"Don't shout, Rocket." Quill reminded him, trying to keep up with the pace of others. "We are already inside. It's too late to be overthinking the plan right now."

"Can you both just stay quiet? How can we catch Ronan by surprise if you talk so loudly?" Gamora grunted, rushing forth to investigate the intersection between the two rooms. Everyone, even Groot, nodded slightly and continued to search for Ronan's chamber.

Eventually, they reached a room distinctive from others, and all of them turned exceptionally quiet. Glancing at each other with firm eyes, they made their way to the entrance.

However, Gamora, who was the first to look inside, immediately took a few steps back and gestured everyone to stay quiet. Ronan the Accuser was indeed present, standing in the middle of his room and glowing with dazzling purple color.

However, he wasn't alone, and it was a man Gamora couldn't recognize no matter how much she studied him. "Just what the hell is happening?" she whispered to herself.

-

Nagato stood before Ronan the Accuser, glaring at the shining hammer in his hands. There was a moment of uncomfortable silence as both of them studied each other.

Ronan's eyes beamed with power and incredible anger. However, a hint of confusion was still clear. "What are you doing here? You don't seem to be a Xandarian. An assassin?"

"It doesn't matter who am I," Nagato answered, not budging from the spot. The powerful force coming out of the enemy's weapon almost seemed to engulf him entirely, his expression somewhat worsening.

Someone having even the scantiest ability to control an Infinity Stone was out of his expectation, and fighting with such a persona was definitely dangerous. Nagato could feel it - Ronan was the most terrible foe he had ever faced.

"So, you are after the stone." Ronan noticed Nagato constantly glancing at his weapon, the moment of confusion turning into more anger. "Did Thanos send you? I already said that I will deal with him afterward."

"You can't comprehend the power you hold." Nagato ignored the pressure omitting from the enemy. "This power should never fall into hands like yours, for you will destroy the entire structure of the universe. Hand it over to me."

"Who the hell are you to tell me this?" Ronan grunted, his voice growing louder from the inexplicable rage. He gripped the weapon more firmly, preparing to annihilate yet another incompetent human.

"I know how it feels. This hatred. The urge to destroy every person who has come even close to causing you pain. I still feel it." Nagato suddenly muttered, forcing Ronan to stop his attack for now. "However, if you hand that stone over to me, eventually I can cease you of that suffering. No... I can halt everyone of such fate."

"You speak of impossible, mortal." Ronan retorted.

"I have always thought of it as impossible as well. Yet, I know for a fact that with the power of all stones, I can make it possible." Nagato extended his hand forward, glaring at the enemy. "Now, hand it over to me."

"Don't command me what to do," Ronan said, almost yelled, as he stretched the hammer behind his back. "If I want to change the world, I will do that myself! And right now, all I want is Xandar destroyed!"

"I see, so that's your answer." Nagato got into a fighting stance, his eyes bearing no emotion. That's why talking was useless in achieving his intentions, for his goals were beyond the understanding of mortals.

He wanted to create a place with no such thing known as hatred.

Seeing Ronan preparing a powerful strike with his hammer, Nagato rushed forth to attack first. Quickly forming multiple hand signs, fire erupted from Nagato's mouth and spread across Ronan's chamber.

Ronan stopped the violent energy forming through his weapon, surprised, but not worried, by the sudden onset. The fire didn't leave even a scratch on his skin as he realized the enemy was no longer visible in sight.

Fighting against someone with such an incredible amount of natural force was troublesome, and Nagato understood that. That's why he obscured the enemy's vision first, trying to not come into direct battle with him.

"I have to defeat him, no matter what," Nagato whispered to himself, standing on the ceiling and looking at Ronan, who was bathed in flames, from above.

***

Question: Do you guys enjoy the story so far? Or do you perhaps have some suggestions? The start was pretty rough, but I am trying to cover all the plotholes and misunderstandings in the future chapters.