Chapter 44 – EGO

[A/N: This will be the last double-release for this story. Enjoy!]

[2014 – April]

It was a few days after Quill and the rest of them left, when I decided it was time to take care of another name on my imaginary list – Ego.

Ego was one of, if not the only living Celestials, with an unhealthy obsession of converting all life in the Universe into an extension of himself.

Well, in this case it was unhealthy for him, because his intentions had made him a target of mine that was to be eliminated.

I hadn't told Peter about his Celestial-father, as there was really no reason to.

I did like him as he was a funny guy and had a good heart without an inflexible moral compass, unlike Captain America. But beyond that, we weren't really that close, nor did I want to overcomplicate my own plans.

I also didn't really care, if he found out someday, as I was sure that Peter would understand my motives. And if he didn't and tried to attack me? Well, I have never been one to spare my enemies.

Watching Silver play around with the Cosmic-Rod, I had taken from Ronan, in front of the house, a smile danced across my face at her innocent curiosity.

Wanda was meanwhile napping in the shade of a nearby tree, as was Penelope.

Seeing them enjoying such a peaceful moment, I didn't feel blessed.

Blessed would mean that someone or something had granted us this peace, but I knew better.

I had created this peace with my own hands. Paid the price for it in blood and death.

The thought that coursed through my mind, as I watched my family for several long minutes, was that it had all been worth it. And that everything I would have to do to ensure the continuation of this happiness would also be worth it.

Slowly walking up to Silver, while she was sitting on the verdant grass, fiddling around with the warhammer. I knelt down next to her and addressed her gently.

"I am going out for a bit. It will only take a few minutes, an hour at most."

Looking at me with her own bright crystal gaze, Silver leaned in and whispered in a conspiratorial tone in my ear: "Can you bring me a present, Daddy?"

"Of course, sweety. But you know that those aren't cheap?", I whispered back, playing along with her.

Silver's petite hands grabbed me by my shoulder and chin, as she placed a soft kiss on my cheek.

"Was that enough?", she asked with a serious expression, which made her angelic face look adorable.

"A kiss from my little princess is worth as much as a star, so of course it's enough.", I replied with a gentle smile, causing her to break her serious countenance and laugh happily.

Giving her small kiss on her forehead, I gave her one last goodbye, before I vanished in cloud of cobalt blue fog.

…

[Ego's Planet]

Arriving on Ego's planet was easy enough, as the images from my past life served as a target and with my perfect memory, recalling them required no effort.

As soon as I appeared in the exposition hall, where Ego had left numerous figurines as some sort of record of his journey, I directly used my Spatial Sense to scan the living quarters nearby.

As luck would have it, Ego's humanoid avatar and Mantis were currently resting on the planet.

A simple wave of my hand and Mantis disappeared from the planet, as I didn't want her to be caught up in the following destruction.

I had already arranged for Mantis to be taken care of by the Nova Corps. They were to help her adjust to living a normal live – her own life.

I also made sure to grab a particularly beautiful lilac flower and wrap it in a cocoon of protective energy, before storing it in a space pocket.

Roughly a week of adjusting and familiarising myself with the Power Stone, had done wonders to my control over its power, though control wasn't necessary for what I had in mind.

Searching within myself, I felt the incredible volatile energy of the Power Stone, waiting to unleash pure destruction upon my surroundings.

Locked away and contained by nothing more than my own will.

And the next moment, I just let go.

Akin to a volcanic eruption, purple streams of annihilating cosmic energy poured out from my stationary form, wrecking havoc in the hall. A chain reaction of molecular destruction was set in motion, spreading through the surroudings like an incredible contagious infection.

In the distance, I could hear Ego roar in anger, but I paid him no mind, solely focused on the endless current of energy flowing through my veins.

More and more violet lightning arced across the land, deconstructing molecular compounds with the greatest ease, as if they were the nemesis of all life.

Ego's avatar had long since been swallowed by the lilac wave of destruction and the same wave was also rapidly nearing his core.

A core that could withstand even nuclear explosions without sustaining damage, couldn't last mere moments against the superior force of the Power Stone.

A last cry of pain, fear and indignation resounding through the whole planet, as the essence of Ego's being fell victim to the ravenous purple storm surrounding it.

…

[Xandar – Outskirts – Residence of the Maximoff Family]

"What are you thinking about?", Wanda asked me later that night, as she raised her head from my chest, causing long strands of her hair to brush over my bare skin.

We were currently in bed enjoying each others warmth and company, having indulged in each other until a few minutes ago.

Lightly brushing over the smooth skin on her back with my fingers, I answered: "Thanos. He is the last one remaining."

Wanda knew that the threat he represented weighed on my mind, even though my power now vastly surpassed, what he could ever hope to cope with.

Pausing for a moment, she simple said: "Just, be careful."

"I will be.", I replied quietly.

I didn't plan on taking Wanda with me, when I finally took action against Thanos. Not because I didn't trust in her strength, but with Wanda being pregnant, I didn't want to take any risks.

Additionally, I myself was more than enough to deal with him and the Black Order.