Chapter 25: Encounter

Deep in the Cosmos – Ethan's Hidden Lair

Far away from the Vanguards' ship, drifting in the quiet expanse of space, Ethan stood alone in his hidden lair. It was a place of his own creation, a pocket dimension that he had carefully carved out using the power of the spotted dimension. The walls shimmered with an otherworldly energy, constantly shifting as if the space around him was alive.

He stood before a complex machine, the cosmic energy tracker he had built using the energy extracted from Captain Marvel. Its design was unlike anything any civilization in the universe had ever seen, blending advanced technology with the unique properties of the spotted dimension. Every so often, the device would hum softly, sending pulses of energy through the room as it gathered data from across the stars.

Ethan, calm and composed, watched as the readings danced across the device's interface. His black circles shifted subtly on his body, reflecting the power he had absorbed and the knowledge he had gained. Each new step brought him closer to his ultimate goal: complete mastery of the universe's most powerful energies.

He had no doubts that the Vanguards were following him, their attempts to track him across the stars didn't go unnoticed. In fact, he welcomed it.

"They're persistent," he muttered to himself, his voice calm but laced with amusement. His mind wandered back to his encounters with them on Earth. He had toyed with them before, testing their limits, studying their movements. Now, they were coming for him with everything they had.

But it wouldn't matter.

Ethan glanced at the data streaming across his cosmic tracker, the intricate patterns of energy from distant stars and cosmic entities lighting up the screen. "They're still so small-minded," he mused. "They don't understand the scale of what's coming."

His black circles pulsed slightly as he turned his attention back to the machine. He had been conducting experiments ever since leaving Earth, refining his ability to manipulate the energy of the spotted dimension while also perfecting his control over the cosmic force he had tapped into. The extraction of Captain Marvel's energy had been the key, and now he was only one step away from completing his ultimate goal.

"Just a little longer," Ethan muttered, adjusting one of the components of the device. "Then the real fun begins."

He knew the heroes were closing in, but their pursuit didn't worry him. He had planned for this. Every move they made, every step they took, was anticipated. They were simply playing into his hands, unaware of the true scale of his ambition.

His gaze shifted to the portal he had created within his lair, a swirling vortex of black and white. Through it, he could feel the Vanguards' presence, faint but growing stronger. They were getting closer. He could sense their determination, their desperation to stop him.

Ethan's lips curled into a faint smile. "Let them come."

He flicked his wrist, and the portal pulsed briefly before stabilizing. With each passing moment, he gathered more power, more knowledge of the universe. His mastery of the spotted dimension was evolving, and soon, the heroes wouldn't stand a chance.

"They think they're chasing me," Ethan whispered, his voice calm but filled with a dangerous edge. "But I'm the one leading them exactly where I want them."

As he continued his work, refining the tracker and absorbing more cosmic energy, Ethan knew that the next encounter with the Vanguards would be different. They would no longer be an obstacle to his plans. They would simply be pawns, serving a purpose in his grand design.

He was no longer concerned with their pursuit. His focus was now on something much larger, something far beyond the comprehension of Earth's heroes.

The universe itself was his playground, and soon, Ethan would reshape it as he saw fit.

For now, though, he would let the heroes believe they were gaining ground. Let them think they had a chance. It would make their eventual defeat all the more satisfying.

"They'll be there soon," Ethan murmured, turning his attention back to the cosmos. "And when they arrive… they'll realize just how far behind they truly are."

....

The ship jolted as it entered Xandar's atmosphere. The bright, bustling cityscape of the Nova Corps capital came into view, but something was off. Even from high above, they could see that the once vibrant world was marred by scars, cracks in the ground, large sections of buildings twisted by Ethan's tampering with the spotted dimension.

"We're here," Tony said, his voice grim. "Looks like we're too late to stop him from starting."

As the team exited The Vanguard, they were met with a chaotic scene. Nova Corps soldiers were scrambling to contain the damage Ethan's presence had caused, their weapons drawn as they scanned for any sign of him. Dimensional rifts flickered in the air, unstable and unpredictable.

Rhodey, already suited up, flew into the air, his HUD scanning the surrounding area for any sign of Ethan. "I've got movement on the east side!" he shouted, hovering above the city.

The Vanguards moved as one, each hero knowing their role in the mission. Natasha, Clint, and Steve led the ground assault, weaving through the debris with precision and speed. Thor, with lightning crackling around him, took to the skies alongside Rhodey, while Tony and Reed hovered just above the streets, tracking the cosmic energy signature Ethan had left behind.

Peter, cloaked in his new suit, used his enhanced agility to swing through the city, his upgraded web-shooters allowing him to cover more ground than ever before. He darted between the broken buildings, scanning for any sign of Ethan or his rifts.

But just as they began to close in, the ground beneath them trembled, and a massive portal opened in the center of the city. From within, Ethan emerged, his black circles pulsating with an eerie glow. He looked different, stronger, more confident, the energy of the cosmos rippling through him.

His whole body was full of compact but lean muscles, while the circles on him moved continuously.

"You've come all this way," Ethan said, his voice calm, a faint smirk on his face. "But you're too late."

Before the heroes could react, Ethan raised his hand, and multiple portals opened around them, swirling with chaotic energy.

Clint fired an explosive arrow toward one of the portals, but the projectile was swallowed and spat back at him, forcing him to dive for cover. Natasha and Steve worked together to protect the civilians, her quick reflexes and his shield deflecting debris from the crumbling city.

Thor flew down toward Ethan, Mjölnir raised high, lightning crackling in the sky above. But Ethan, without moving an inch, opened a portal in front of him. Thor's strike disappeared into the void, only to reappear from another portal, aimed directly at Rhodey.

Rhodey barely managed to dodge the redirected lightning strike, his suit's thrusters straining to keep him in the air.

"He's toying with us," Tony muttered through the comms, frustration boiling over. "We need to cut off his portal network."

Reed, already analyzing the situation, replied quickly. "We need to overload his energy source. If we can disrupt his connection to it, we'll have a chance."

Banner, feeling the surge of energy within him, began to transform. But this time, it was different. As his body grew larger, his skin turned green, and the familiar strength of the Hulk surged through him, but his mind remained sharp. He was in control. Hulk and Banner, united at last.

"Let's end this," Hulk growled, his voice now clear, with the intelligence of Bruce behind it.

As the team regrouped, they realized that this battle was far from over. Ethan was stronger, smarter, and more dangerous than ever before. But the Vanguards had something he didn't, unity.

Together, they charged, ready to confront the chaos head-on.

The cosmic chase had brought them here, to Xandar. Now, the real battle for the universe would begin.