Chapter 79: What If...

[Location: Xandar

At Xandarian Headquarters, deep within the core of the Nova Corps, the room buzzed with urgency. Nova Prime stood at the centre of the command hub, her face stoic but the tension clear in her eyes.

The massive screens surrounding her flickered with incoming reports, each more alarming than the last.

"Nova Prime!" a voice called out, breathless. A young officer rushed forward, handing her a tablet displaying fresh data.

"We've just received multiple urgent reports from our scouts near the edge of the Milky Way Galaxy."

She scanned the report, her eyes narrowing. The flag that bore down across the cosmos was unmistakable. Thanos. His name alone sent a chill down her spine. "An armada... of this scale?" she muttered, her tone grim.

The report detailed massive ships, brimming with weaponry, all bearing Thanos' insignia. The Mad Titan had never launched an assault of this size without reason.

(A/N: In galactic terms, an armada refers to a massive fleet of spacecraft, usually warships, organised for large-scale space battles or invasions across different star systems or galaxies. Their size and power are designed to dominate entire regions of space or wage interstellar warfare.)

"Their trajectory," Nova Prime began, "they're heading towards a small planet... Earth."

The officers exchanged glances. Earth—a seemingly insignificant planet on the galactic scale, yet it had been the centre of so many conflicts recently. This couldn't be a coincidence.

Before Nova Prime could react, another officer sprinted forward. "Prime, another report just came in!" His voice quivered as he displayed the data. "This one... it's worse."

The screen filled with another armada—darker, more foreboding. The ominous ships bore the unmistakable signature of Apokolips.

The twisted designs, the raw, brutal power they exuded were enough to send fear across the room. Apokolips was not just a planet—it was the seat of Darkseid, the conqueror of worlds, the embodiment of tyranny.

And now, his forces were moving towards the same destination.

"Two armadas... heading towards Earth?" Nova Prime whispered, her mind racing. "This can't be a coincidence. Something—"

She stopped mid-sentence as the weight of the situation dawned on her. Two of the universe's most powerful entities, Thanos and Darkseid, were converging on the same location.

This was beyond a simple invasion—it was something far greater. Earth was in more danger than it had ever been.

"Contact Captain Marvel," she ordered. "And... prepare our forces. We may not have much time."

---

[In the Council of Watchers]

[Location: Unknown]

In the vast expanse of the cosmos, hidden within the folds of time and space, the Watchers gathered. Their forms were ethereal, towering figures who had observed the rise and fall of galaxies since time immemorial.

For aeons, they had silently monitored the events of the universe, bound by their sacred oath of non-interference. But now, something stirred—something too significant to ignore.

"Brothers and sisters," began Uatu, the Watcher assigned to observe Earth. His deep, booming voice reverberated through the meeting chamber, an endless, swirling nexus of light and stars.

"There is a matter that demands our attention."

Around him, the other Watchers shifted, their celestial gazes fixed on Uatu.

"The convergence of two great forces... two tyrants, both of them moving towards Earth," Uatu continued, his expression betraying concern. "Darkseid and Thanos."

Murmurs rippled through the gathering. The mere mention of these names sent waves of unease across the Watchers.

They were beings of immense power, and their collective destruction had the potential to reshape entire galaxies.

Ikon, one of the elder Watchers, floated forward. "We are bound by our oath, Uatu. We do not intervene, no matter the peril. You know this." His voice was calm but firm.

Another Watcher, Aegon, interjected. "These are not ordinary threats, Ikon. Earth is at the centre of something far larger. Two of the most dangerous forces in the universe, converging at once—it could be catastrophic. Billions of lives are at stake. Can we really stand by and do nothing?"

"We must," Ikon stated sharply. "We observe. We record. That is our purpose."

"But what if—" Ydra, a younger Watcher, began.(A/N: See what I did there? Wink wink)

"What if this time, we are wrong to remain neutral?" another added, their concern clear.

A heated debate began to unfold among them. Some argued that this was the moment where their non-interference policy could bring about more harm than good, while others insisted that their oath was sacred and that they could not break it, no matter the danger.

Uatu, however, remained quiet, watching the chaos unfold. He had observed Earth for centuries. He had seen its heroes rise and fall.

He knew that this planet, small and seemingly insignificant compared to the vastness of the universe, had a way of drawing cosmic forces towards it.

But he also knew something else—something the others hadn't considered.

After a long silence, Uatu finally spoke. "We have no need to worry," he said, his voice carrying a weight of certainty. The other Watchers turned to him, confused.

"Have you all forgotten?" Uatu continued. "There are forces on Earth capable of dealing with this threat."

"Cosmic beings?" Ikon questioned.

"Yes," Uatu confirmed. "Earth is not defenceless. Even now, it houses entities of immense power. Have you forgotten that one of the Endless, a being whose strength eclipses even Darkseid and Thanos, walks among them. His presence alone shifts the balance."

The others exchanged glances, surprised at the revelation. They knew of the cosmic entity, Darius, but to hear that his presence was so crucial came as a shock.

"Not only Darius," Uatu added, "but beings like the Phoenix, the Sorcerer Supreme, and others... Earth is more than capable of defending itself. This is not our battle to fight."

A moment of quiet descended upon the Watchers. One by one, they nodded, accepting Uatu's reasoning.

"Then we will continue to observe," Ikon said with a finality in his tone. "Let the cosmic forces of Earth handle this. It is not our place."

With that, the meeting concluded, the Watchers fading back into the folds of the cosmos, their ever-watchful eyes fixed on Earth, waiting for the inevitable clash of powers.

The fate of the planet was now in the hands of its inhabitants, and those who secretly guarded it.

[Elsewhere]

In the vastness of space, aboard Darkseid's warship, the colossal flagship of the Apokoliptian armada glided through the black sea of stars.

Its jagged, ominous form exuded power, a moving fortress brimming with the cruel technologies of Apokolips, and at its heart, in the throne room, Darkseid brooded.

The towering god of tyranny sat on his obsidian throne, his crimson eyes glowing faintly with latent energy as he gazed out through the massive viewing window before him.

Beyond, the stars streaked by, distant galaxies left in their wake as they moved ever closer to their intended target: Earth.

The silence was broken by the echoing sound of heavy doors sliding open. Enter Granny Goodness, the ever-loyal and malevolent commander of Darkseid's elite soldiers.

Following behind her was a figure who looked out of place among the rigid ranks of Darkseid's usual legions—a hulking, leather-clad, chain-wielding, space-biker with a devil-may-care attitude. The infamous Lobo.

Granny Goodness bowed respectfully, but her voice was tinged with pride. "Lord Darkseid, I present to you a new recruit. A most powerful and ruthless being, as you requested."

Lobo stepped forward with his trademark swagger, a toothpick in his mouth and a wicked grin plastered on his face. His white skin glistened under the low light of the throne room, his long, wild black hair spilling over his shoulders.

"So, this is the big boss, huh?" Lobo chuckled, looking Darkseid up and down with zero fear. "Ain't as tall as I expected."

Darkseid didn't move, his cold gaze locked on Lobo. He exuded an aura of overwhelming dominance, one that would have brought lesser beings to their knees. But not Lobo. Lobo, the self-proclaimed Main Man, was far from ordinary.

"Lobo," Darkseid finally spoke, his voice a deep, rumbling growl. "You are known across the galaxies for your... talents. You revel in destruction and chaos."

Lobo laughed, popping his toothpick from one side of his mouth to the other. "Damn straight, I do. You lookin' to hire the Main Man for a job or what? Gotta say, Granny here was pretty convincing, but I ain't cheap."

Granny Goodness smiled devilishly behind Lobo, but Darkseid's expression remained unchanged. "I do not bargain, nor do I negotiate. You will serve Apokolips and in return, I will offer you something greater than money."

Lobo raised an eyebrow. "Greater than money? That's a tall order, pal. I'm listening."

Darkseid's red eyes glowed a little brighter as he leaned forward, his presence filling the room with even more menace. "You will have the privilege of fighting the greatest forces this universe has to offer. You will have a part in conquering Earth, a world that has stood in defiance of beings far greater than yourself. And once it falls... you may indulge in whatever spoils you desire. No one—nothing—will be able to stop you."

Lobo's grin widened. The promise of unfiltered chaos and violence was music to his ears. "Now you're talkin'. Sounds like my kinda party."

"But," Darkseid's voice lowered ominously, "fail me, and your immortality will be meaningless. I will ensure that you feel suffering beyond what you could ever imagine."

Lobo snorted, clearly unfazed by the threat. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. Work for you, have a blast wreckin' stuff, and if I screw up, I get squashed. Sounds fair." He took a moment, looking around the room, clearly unbothered by the enormity of Darkseid's empire or the oppressive atmosphere.

"So, when do I get to start cracking heads?"

Darkseid stood from his throne, his massive form towering over the room. "Soon. Earth will fall, and you will have your opportunity to test yourself against its defenders."

Granny Goodness stepped forward, her voice syrupy sweet. "Lobo, you'll be given access to the full might of Apokolips' resources. Your missions will be crucial in softening Earth's resistance. Darkseid himself has chosen you for this... honour."

Lobo rolled his shoulders, cracking his neck. "Honour or not, as long as there's carnage, count me in. The Main Man's got a reputation to maintain."

Darkseid, already turning his attention back to the view of the stars ahead, gave one last instruction. "Go with Granny Goodness. She will provide you with details of your first assignment. You will destroy, and you will do it in my name."

Lobo turned to Granny, his interest piqued. "Sounds like fun. You heard the boss lady, let's get goin'. I got some pent-up aggression that needs releasing."

As Lobo followed Granny Goodness out of the throne room, Darkseid remained still, his eyes narrowing as he contemplated his next move. The invasion of Earth was coming, and the universe would soon bear witness to his might.

Behind him, the star map showed the looming convergence of Apokolips' forces and the small planet known as Earth. Soon, all would bend to his will, and he would be one step closer to the Anti-Life Equation.

Lobo, meanwhile, was already picturing the devastation he would cause. A big, nasty grin spread across his face.

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