Chapter 133

Lydia's eyes fluttered open, a dull ache in her mind as the dream - or rather, Sir's visit - faded. She noted the time on the room's digital clock, the blue numbers glowing in the darkness, only a few hours having passed since she had fallen asleep.

She turned her head to the side, taking in the sight of Carol sleeping soundly next to her. The dim light from the clock cast a gentle glow on Carol's face, accentuating her serene features. Lydia took a moment to study Carol's peaceful expression, a stark contrast to the worry and strain she had seen on her face earlier.

With a loving tenderness, Lydia bent forward and planted a light kiss on Carol's forehead. The kiss was a ghost of a touch, careful not to wake her. Gently disentangling herself from Carol's arms, Lydia slipped out of the bed. Her feet made no sound on the cold floor as she moved towards the viewport.

The grand expanse of space unfurled before her, a symphony of distant stars, celestial bodies, and galaxies. It was a sight that never ceased to amaze her, the beauty and vastness of it all serving as a reminder of the insignificance of their individual existences.

With her hands resting against the cold glass, Lydia's gaze was drawn to her own reflection. Her face looked back at her, drawn and troubled, the cosmic power within her casting an otherworldly glow in her eyes.

She slowly raised her hand, the faint shimmer of cosmic energy swirling around her fingers. A profound frown creased her forehead as she observed the energy. It was an intruder in her body, a thief that had made her pay a hefty price. As Lydia closed her hand into a fist, she was all too aware of the ticking clock within her, a grim reminder of the time she had left. The power was intense, compelling, but it was also a silent harbinger of the end.

The gentle shimmer of cosmic energy transformed Lydia's attire in a blink of an eye. Her casual wear flickered and morphed into her formal Empress attire, a stately and sophisticated dress that enveloped her in regal elegance. The vibrant red of the dress contrasted with the luminous aura of cosmic energy that surrounded her, commanding attention and respect.

Lydia left the room quietly, leaving the sleeping Carol undisturbed. She started to wander the ship, her mind too restless for sleep, her feet leading her down the familiar corridors. Despite the early hour, several crew members were still active, conducting late-night checks and performing duties that required round-the-clock attention.

As Lydia walked past, the crew members immediately recognized her, bowing their heads in respect. Their greetings echoed softly throughout the corridor, their voices filled with deference and reverence. "Empress Lydia," they murmured, each person she passed showing the same level of respect.

As she moved through the ship, Lydia's mind was occupied, her face reflective and deep in thought. It was clear that the burden of the crown weighed heavily upon her, even in these quiet moments of solitude.

Eventually, Lydia found herself in the galley. The lights were dim, creating a soothing and tranquil environment. She spotted Astrid in the corner, her attention fully engrossed in the tablet she was reading. Beside her sat Reed and Sue, quietly chatting while enjoying a late-night meal.

The sight brought a faint smile to Lydia's face, a small comfort amidst her thoughts. Astrid, engrossed in her work even at this late hour, Reed and Sue finding comfort in each other's company - it was a moment of peace, a small bubble of normality in the grand scheme of cosmic events.

As Lydia approached, Astrid was the first to notice her. She looked up from her tablet, and the expression in her eyes shifted. Worry lines formed around her eyes, a clear indication of her concern. " Lydia," Astrid greeted, her voice steady but the concern in her eyes never wavering.

"Are you okay?" Astrid asked, her tone as gentle as her gaze. Her fingers still held the tablet, but her full attention was now on Lydia.

Lydia smiled in response, trying to reassure Astrid. "I'm fine, Astrid," she said, her voice steady. "Really, there's no need to worry."

The interaction did not escape the attention of Reed and Sue. They paused their conversation, turning their attention towards Lydia.

Reed's keen eyes took notice of a particular detail. He gestured to Lydia's arm, his eyebrows furrowing in curiosity. "Lydia," he began, his tone carrying a hint of concern. "Where's the device we made for you? I don't see it on your arm."

Lydia glanced down at her arm, the absence of the device becoming apparent. She sifted through the flurry of recent events in her mind, the memory of the device crumbling to dust coming forward. "I believe... it turned to dust," she admitted, her voice carrying a hint of uncertainty.

Reed's face turned a shade paler at her words. "Turned to dust?" he echoed, disbelief clear in his voice. The device they'd created was designed to withstand even the most severe cosmic energies, and its disintegration was an unsettling notion. He had been hoping to go through the device's readings, to study the cosmic energies that Lydia had absorbed.

"I had hoped to analyze the readings," Reed said, disappointment seeping into his voice. "To better understand what exactly happened during the battle."

Astrid, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, finally spoke up. Her eyes still held concern for Lydia, but she tried to hide it behind a professional demeanor. "Perhaps," she started, choosing her words carefully, "it would be a good idea to run some tests. Just to ensure that everything is okay with you, Lydia."

Reed and Sue exchanged a glance, nodding in agreement with Astrid's suggestion. The three of them were quite concerned about Lydia's state, her reassurances notwithstanding.

"I concur," Reed chimed in, "It's important to understand what's happening, Lydia."

Sue, ever the voice of warmth and understanding, added, "We're just worried about you, Lydia. That's all."

Lydia nodded, understanding their concern. But she insisted once more, "I'm fine, really." Then, redirecting the conversation away from herself, she asked, "What's the status of the other fleets?"

Astrid took a moment to study Lydia's face before responding. "The fleets are currently working on rescue and recovery operations," she reported. "Casualties are high, but less than initially expected. We have several teams working on it. The scene... it's a lot to take in."

Astrid flipped through a few more reports on her tablet, her eyes skimming the data with practiced efficiency. "Also," she continued, "The Asgardian fleet has left the battlefield. Hela... she's back onboard. She says she's awaiting your command."

Lydia raised an eyebrow at the news. Hela, notorious for her unpredictable and ambitious nature, could have easily slipped away amid the chaos. "Interesting," she mused aloud. "I wouldn't have expected her to stick around."

Astrid shrugged, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Seems like she's full of surprises," she replied. "The Shi'ar and Nova Empire fleets are nearly ready to depart as well."

Before Lydia could respond, Astrid's expression hardened. She looked Lydia directly in the eyes. "And there's something else, something... concerning." She took a deep breath, then spoke with grim determination, "During the chaos, Thanos managed to secure the fake Power Stone. According to our intel, he's now heading for Earth, most likely in pursuit of the fake Mind Stone... the one Vision has."

Lydia's chuckle resonated in the room, filling it with a light-hearted energy that felt out of place given the weight of Astrid's recent news.

"You know," she began, her gaze lingering on the distant stars outside the viewport, "it's amusing how Thanos thinks he's being so clever."

Turning to face Astrid, Sue, and Reed, Lydia continued. "With the help of Wendy Lawson and Astrid, we developed replicas of the Power, Mind, and Space stones."

Reed's brow furrowed with interest. "You mean... you created counterfeits?"

"Exactly," Lydia nodded, "We created miniature versions of the stones using nanotechnology and further minimized them using Pym Particles. Each of these nanites contains the energy of their respective stones. When the energy is harnessed, they effectively mimic the effects of the original stones."

Sue raised an eyebrow. "That's... remarkable. I never thought such a feat was possible."

"Neither did Thanos," Lydia said with a grin. "Our plan worked perfectly. Thanos took the bait and walked away with our fake Power Stone, completely oblivious to the fact that the real Space Stone was right under his nose."

Leaning back in her chair, Lydia's eyes sparkled with a mix of amusement and satisfaction. "The fool doesn't realize that the real Space Stone is stored safely in the mirror dimension, the same place he pilfered the Power Stone from."

A soft, triumphant laugh escaped Lydia's lips. "It's almost too easy," she mused, looking around at her companions, "Our plan is working perfectly."

Sue's brow creased in concern as she asked, "Who's this Thanos?"

Lydia turned to Sue, her countenance hardening a bit. "Thanos," she began, her voice carrying a hint of foreboding, "is a titan from the moon Titan. He's exceptionally powerful and incredibly ruthless. His goal is to collect the six Infinity Stones and use them to wipe out half of all life in the universe. He believes that this would restore balance."

The room fell silent at Lydia's words, the gravity of the threat sinking in.

As silence stretched out, Lydia's eyes flickered towards Reed, an idea sparking to life in her mind. She broke the silence, "Astrid, please set course for Earth and prepare my ship for departure. It's configured as a mobile lab, it could be useful."

Astrid nodded and began to make the necessary preparations. Lydia turned to Sue and Reed, her eyes gleaming with a mischievous excitement, "Would you two care to join me? I think you might find it enlightening."

Reed looked puzzled, exchanging glances with Sue, "Enlightening how?"

Lydia's smile broadened, "Well, I'm not just offering a ride back home to see it again. I'm proposing a chance to explore the very laws of the universe. Interested?"

Reed turned his gaze to Sue, their eyes locking in a moment of shared understanding. He offered a single, firm nod in response. Lydia watched, her smile broadening at their unspoken agreement. The allure of the unknown was just too potent for their inquisitive minds to resist.

"That's settled then," Lydia said, a sparkle of satisfaction twinkling in her eyes. "After our trip to Earth, you can continue your research at the station we visited. It's situated within the borders of the Genoshian Empire, far from prying eyes."

Reed and Sue exchanged another glance, absorbing Lydia's proposal. Reed's brow creased in thought, "There were certain... restrictions that made our previous research challenging."

Lydia gave an understanding nod, her gaze serious. "I'm aware. I can promise that those restrictions will be lifted. Your contributions won't go unnoticed, Reed, Sue," Lydia assured. Her tone was one of sincerity and respect, carrying the weight of her promise. Their collaboration was more than a mere transaction - it was the beginning of a profound partnership in the exploration of the cosmos.

"Reed, I must thank you," Lydia began, her gaze softening, "Your invention was pivotal in turning the tide of the war against Annihilus."

Reed looked somewhat taken aback by her words. "I... it was my pleasure, Empress. We all had our part to play."

Before he could continue, Astrid's voice interjected, "Empress, the ship is ready."

With a slight nod, Lydia turned her attention to her companions. She raised a hand, her fingers glowing faintly with cosmic energy. "Hold on," she said, and in an instant, they were aboard the ship.

The vessel hummed with energy, intricate displays of alien technology pulsating with life. It was unlike anything Reed or Sue had ever seen, far beyond the capabilities of Earth's technology. Reed's eyes widened in fascination, drawn to the elaborate systems and the possibilities they represented.

In a matter of seconds, the ship was underway. The streaking stars outside the viewport gave way to the familiar blue sphere of Earth, their journey complete in what felt like the blink of an eye.

"Remarkable," Reed breathed out, his gaze roaming the ship's interior, captivated by the Genoshian technology. "Lydia, this Empire you've built... it's beyond comprehension."

Lydia watched him, a hint of pride in her eyes. They were only just beginning to scratch the surface of what she had achieved, and it was just as fascinating for her to observe their reactions. It was a reminder of how far she had come, and the power she now held.

Lydia's gaze fell on Earth, her home, her origin. She felt a pang of nostalgia as she watched Sanctuary II descend on the planet, unleashing hordes of minions in its wake. She could almost feel the tension, the panic, and the determination that coursed through the veins of its inhabitants.

"Reed, Sue," she began, turning her attention away from the viewport. Her voice was calm, measured, almost serene amidst the chaos unfolding beneath them. "Head to the lab, grab whatever instruments you need. I'm sure you'll find the Genoshian tech quite intriguing."

Without another word, the pair moved towards the ship's laboratory, their faces alight with the anticipation of exploring the advanced technology at their disposal.

Meanwhile, Lydia closed her eyes. She could see it all, the heroes who had chosen to support the Superhero Registration Act and those who had chosen to remain hidden, now coming together to fight against Thanos' army. The X-Men, too, had joined the fight, standing tall and defiant in the face of adversity.

A soft smile played on her lips. Earth was her home. Her birth planet. And despite all the conflicts, all the fights, it was united now, against a common threat. They would not go down without a fight. And with Lydia watching over them, they would never be alone.