Conquest of Viltrum 2.0 Part I

Leaving Sakaar, more specifically, leaving my bed and Caiera was more difficult than I expected. That first night was by no means short, we were both warriors and had a great deal of stamina that was aided by our own stubbornness and physiology.

Caiera was the first to tire, it was obvious by the sluggish movements of her hips to the point she would take moments of just being still, letting me thrust into her. But she was stubborn, so long as I was willing to keep going, so was she. She may have submitted, for the time being, however that didn't mean she was just going to let me outdo her.

Like I told her, what a woman.

As for me, well I was aided more so by Kryptonian physiology, but due to the suns weakness on Sakaar, my stamina wasn't limitless. I eventually reached a limit, but I also wasn't willing to be outdone by Caiera who despite being exhausted, kept going.

That night and the next morning were an example of what happened when two very stubborn people clashed. It was a constant battle until we both just fell asleep from pure exhaustion, not waking up until the next day. Which, after a bit to eat, we went at it all over again.

Of course, we had other responsibilities that required our attention. I was preparing our military for departing into the stars. My force was not large, comprised mostly of Spikes and the few hundred infected hosts that made up the remainder of their horde. The offer of being able to wander freely through my empire, feasting upon cosmic energies as was their original task before crashlanding upon Sakaar, even being offered a planet for their children to inhabit had gained me a useful ally.

How useful they'd be in the long term was currently unknown. They were a one-time thing within the Marvel comics universe, the true depths of their power unknown but that didn't matter. Right now, I already had a valuable ally within Beta Ray Bill.

As for Caiera, well she was working alongside Miek and the Governers to rebuild Sakaar.

But the nights we spent together were truly a wondrous occasion. So much so that I actually held off on my expansion plans by an additional two weeks, just to enjoy those moments a few more times. Then again though, I've made it no secret that I'm a man who does follow his desires.

However, the moment had arrived, we departed from Sakaar and made our way for Viltrum. I had considered heading towards the Vega System which was closer. Yet I decided against that because, besides Tyran'r, I didn't have any enemies there just yet. Best not to make anymore and focus on my current enemies, the Vrangs and Viltrumites. Eliminate those two first, take my time and consolidate my rule and then look towards expanding further.

So the question then had been, who did I go for first, the Vrangs or the Viltrumites? Well, the answer was clear, the Vrangs may possess larger numbers, but the fact I brought them to heel single-handedly showed that they weren't the biggest threat. The Viltrumites on the other hand were the bigger threat.

Not a massive threat, I had taken them out on my own before and I could do it again, much easier this time around. This time though, I also had Korg and Beta Ray Bill at my side, making the task that much easier.

"We'll be pulling ahead of the Spikes on a smaller ship," I explained to the two men in question. "The Viltrumite are quite powerful, but their biggest strength is their experience. These are aliens who have lived for at least a few centuries each. Some as long as a thousand years. However, besides one man, none will have the strength to match either of you."

This would be my little test for the two.

Korg was strong, but he was also skilled. But compared to me and Beta Ray Bill, he wasn't much of a threat. As for Beta Ray Bill, his strength was a match for my own, but his lack of skill was his biggest detractor. From what I knew both had been training alongside each other under the tutelage of Hiroim as well as training with me.

"So who are we facing?" Korg asked.

"Bill, you'll be taking out their leader, Nolan Grayson. I've met the Emperor only a handful of times, but I don't know the true measure of his strength. However, he will not be as strong as you, that I'm certain of." I said, Beta Ray Bill nodding his head. "However, he can fly, is fast and as I said before, will have lived for a long time, enough to gain vast amounts of experience in combat."

There was no response from the Korbinite, but I saw his fist clench in anticipation. His defeat at my hands was no doubt fresh upon his mind, it irked him from what I could tell. Not too difficult to understand, he was meant to be the protector of his people. He had not only failed in that, but he then lost a fight, something he hadn't ever done before.

Talk about a double-whammy.

Then I looked to Korg. "As for you, your target will be General Kregg. Not as strong or as physically gifted as the Emperor. But highly intelligent. I have no doubt it was he who was behind the betrayal that led me to Sakaar. Don't underestimate him."

Ultimately though, this was a test to see how they would handle a foe that could fly. I knew from my own personal experience that this world was vast with people possessing all sorts of unique powers and abilities. It didn't matter how powerful a future warrior could become if they themselves couldn't adapt and grow stronger.

Beta Ray Bill for example, sure he was able to beat Thor one-on-one without Stormbreaker. But during the course of that fight did Thor ever use his control over storms? No, he didn't, he engaged in a contest of strength, a brawl. If he had, Beta Ray Bill would have been defeated.

There is no guarantee that I can get Beta Ray Bill to gain Stormbreaker, I would try my hardest to make that the case, but it wasn't a hundred percent guarantee. Even without Stormbreaker and the power of Thor, Beta Ray Bill was a physical beast and one that was useful. But only if he was able to learn to adapt and overcome foes with all sorts of power.

I had struggled more against Grand Regent Thragg than I had against Doomsday because whereas the latter was a mad beast with no skill. Grand Regent Thragg was highly intelligent and skilled, knowing how to maximise his movements and utilise every ounce of strength he had to maximum effect. I then encountered a Green Lantern who fought in a completely different way to either Doomsday or Grand Regent Thragg.

Three different enemies, three different fighting styles and three different power sets. There was many more out there and if I couldn't adapt, I would never succeed. If Korg and Beta Ray Bill couldn't do the same, then their use to me in the future was limited, even if I did like them.

-X- Line Break -X-

"My Emperor," General Kregg bowed, entering into the room where Nolan, ruler of Viltrum was training his son, Mark in the ways of combat. He had yet to showcase any Viltrumite powers and that worried General Kregg, what happened if the boy never had any? So far they had done a good job in keeping that secret from the rest of the world, but that wouldn't always remain the case. Eventually, word would get out.

However, more worrying news was taking precedent.

"We have spotted an invading fleet entering into our borders." They had been spotted a few hours ago and were making rapid progress. They'd reach Viltrum in a matter of days.

"Is it the Coalition of Planets?" Nolan asked, the Prince, Mark Grayson looking between the two men with wide eyes. He was young, probably not remembering any of this in the future to come.

That had been Kregg's initial thoughts also, after their defeat at the hands of Tah-Rao and the death of Grand Regent Thragg and later, Conquest, the Coalition had made a move. They had been in a constant state of war and thanks to the actions of the traitor, Thaedus war had broken out. The casus belli made it so that not even the Green Lanterns could intervene in the conflict only ensuring civilian casualties were kept to a minimum.

With the deaths of their most elite warriors, the Coalition of Planets had made a move. Just a probing attack to judge their strength, Emperor Nolan had made an appearance on the battlefield personally and crushed the probing strike. Since then, they had heard nothing, but Kregg had been wary of a possible future invasion.

However, this was not it.

"No, it is not the Coalition." He shook his head, lips twisting into a frown as he felt a bead of sweat dribble down his cheek. The state of nervousness by Grand Regent made Nolan also nervous. "I believe Tah-Rao has returned."

There was a moment, Nolan pausing to grasp the full weight of those words. "Are you sure?" He questioned.

Nolan had never fought against Tah-Rao, but he had heard of what he did. Battling and defeating the former Grand Regent Thragg, the man who had stood as the strongest of their race after the death of his father. How he defeated the Champion of the Viltrumite army, Conquest alongside dozens of their elites and the Green Lantern, Tyran'r the Mighty. Those feats alone would make anyone a legend, simply dying in that final conflict would have carved Tah-Rao a place in history.

But he had survived and Nolan had feared his return, they all had.

Kregg had told him what Tah-Rao had promised. Their people would be thrown into the frontlines, battle after battle uncaring of the losses they incurred. All but threatened to make their race go extinct.

"Send out a distress signal," Nolan ordered. "Tyran'r proposed this alliance, we shall see if his word holds any truth to it." Kregg nodded his head, turning on his heel and leaving the room.