Trick 150: Getting laughed at

Ace was stunned and shouted "Aunt Peggy?!" Peggy looked over and smiled happily "Ace. How are you, darling?" Ace hugged her, smiling happily as he separated, holding her arms "Great! And you! Wow! What's going on with you!?"

Peggy chuckled "Nothing really, seeing how I'm dead and all. But you, what happened?" Ace smiled "Thanos killed me a few years ago, anyway I had twins! Margaret and Jack." Peggy was stunned, saying "Really!"

Ace nodded and said "They're so cute! Not the sharpest but cute!" Yao chuckled, rubbing her eyes with one hand. Thanos pursed his lips in amusement as Peggy looked at Ace funnily, "That's great, Darling. Are they also…"

Ace blinked before shaking his head, saying "Shouldn't be! I haven't seen 'em! Speaking of which, I haven't seen anybody." Yao spoke "The people 'killed' by the Soul Stone reside within the Soul Stone. They wouldn't be here…"

As she turned to Thanos, smiling gently "Which is why you should be on your best behavior. Half the Universe is inside the Gem, the Mistress is not happy." Thanos snorted, "I didn't know. Even if I did, it doesn't matter. The Universe needed correcting. I corrected it and died, my mission is over."

Ace nodded and waved "Yeah! So anyways, they should be fine. I set up so many magical barriers and enchantments to go off after I die, even if Thanos tried to get in with all 6 stones it would take him a long time… and he's here! So there's nothing to worry about."

He held Peggy's hand, bringing her along as he said "By the way! Steve was crying at your funeral, did you know? I even…" before he started chattering endlessly. Hela rolled her eyes, saying "When he's done, we're starting training again." before leaving to go do whatever.

Yao let out a breath and smiled, "Such a simple creature that boy." Thanos smiled and nodded, "Too kind." Yao nodded, sighing "Yes. Too kind, indeed. However, you are too cruel." Thanos looked at her as she smiled, "Culling half the universe is not cruel?"

Thanos frowned and replied "I-" Yao held up her hand, saying "I know why, Dione. However there are many ways to correct something. I'm not saying that you were incorrect, however there are many means before universal genocide was necessary. However, If I know my dear little saint boy, you will atone for your sins in the future."

Thanos frowned and said "I thought we were even." Yao looked at him and smiled in amusement "You thought of death again, didn't you?" he looked away and she laughed softly "You should know him by now. He would never kill another intelligent being. He hasn't harmed a soul since birth, despite many situations where it would've been the better option."

She shook her head and smiled gently "No, perhaps you may even enjoy your atonement. It depends on him." Thanos looked at Ace as he laughed with Peggy, smiling brightly.

Thanos asked "How does he do it?" Yao shrugged and said "I don't know. Truthfully, I haven't fully understood it either. Not even Chthon's temptations can shake his will, he is truly a marvel. But…" she looked up at Thanos, smiling "Isn't that what makes him so unique?"

Thanos looked at Ace for a moment before nodding, "Truly… A strange man." Yao smiled gently, looking back at Ace as she agreed, "Quite."

After chatting with Peggy and playing with Vanessa, he threw himself back into training.

15 more years passed.

Ace and Hela made it to the top 16, battered and bruised as they finished off their opponents one by one.

It had been 30 years in the Realm of Death for Ace, although it still felt like yesterday, the only thing he could say was that it was really strange here.

Ace and Hela looked up at death as she said "Congratulations on making it this far. You've all met the requirement to become Hell Lords, now you have the option to opt out and leave with your prize, or continue."

She continued with an indifferent look on her tremendously gorgeous face, "Know that you will either return to your former post, or become the lowest form of Hell Lord by opting out. Should you stay, you will gain a higher rank. However, should you win, you will receive a choice as well as the privilege to return to life with benefits. The choice and benefits will only be known to the team that wins. You may choose now."

Hela raised her hand but Ace grabbed it, she glared at him, saying "I got what I came for! I'm done!" Ace looked at her, saying "I need first place!" Hela shouted "I'm not risking everything for you!"

Ace stared into her eyes, saying "Hela. Trust me!" She looked at him and frowned silently.

The rest of the 16 teams looked at them, not saying a word.

All the talkative and emotional candidates had been weeded out. The ones that remained were the truly cruel and vile ones. The silent ones who eliminate quick and easy without emotion or delay.

Needless to say, none of them were opting out.

Ace looked at her saying "Look at them." Heal muttered "They're the most ruthless individuals in the Universe." Ace nodded and said "But they're not invincible! They had to die to come here!"

Hela looked at him and he pointed up, turning to the rest as he continued "The most ruthless. The strongest. The evilest in the Universe. Think about how many lives ended in their hands! The cost to kill each and every single one of them! How many precious lives were sacrificed for them to end up here…"

He clenched his fist and frowned tightly, "Under no circumstance will I let these scourges return to the Universe!" the other combatants frowned slightly, narrowing their eyes at him.

Ace looked at all the different shapes and sizes of them, not afraid at all as he said "I will eliminate each and every single one of you!" before turning to Hela, saying firmly, "Even if I have to do it alone!"

Hela looked at him with a frown as the crowd looked at Ace before bursting into laughter, "He thinks he's a hero! Hahahah!" "Oh no! The Saint has descended! Hahahah!"

Almost the entire crowd laughed at him, Mephisto sat on a throne and burst into cackling laughter as he held his face and stomach.

Yao snorted with a gentle smile, Peggy clenched her fists, muttering "Come on, Ace!" Vanessa cheered "Yeah, Ace!" Thanos stared at Ace in shock, while Lucifer smiled miserably "Oh boy. Way to paint a target on your back, kid…"

Satan was sitting down in a disguise, shouting "THAT DAMN KID! I'LL KILL 'IM!" the rest of Lucifer's lieutenants rubbed their foreheads while Belphegor slept in his seat.

Hela looked up and said "You can't fight them alone." Ace looked at her and she sighed "I really hate you." as a sword appeared in her hand, adding "Whatever. Maybe I'll go to Valhalla if I die again."

Ace grinned and looked up, putting his hands on his hips, "Come on!"

Death looked at him before saying gently "None have opted out. Begin the first round."