A deafening explosion rocked Sanctuary II, sending tremors through its hull.
Thanos steadied himself, his expression darkening. "Report. What just happened?"
An officer hurried forward, his face pale. "My lord, a large number of hostile spacecraft have launched a coordinated attack! Our frigates are being overwhelmed!"
Thanos' eyes narrowed. "Who dares? How many are there?"
The officer gulped. "Too many, my lord. They're coming in waves. The largest contingents are Asgardian battleships, Xandar's Nova Corps, and the Ravagers."
Thanos' fist slammed into the console, shattering it. "A motley band of opportunists! Cowards, the lot of them!"
Most of these groups wouldn't have dared to confront him directly under normal circumstances. But now, with his forces spread thin and Sanctuary II still under repair, they had chosen to strike while he was vulnerable. Their coordinated assault was cutting deep, turning his once-dominant base of operations into a toothless tiger.
"You don't have time for this," came the smooth, calculating voice of Mordo from the shadows. "Your forces will never recover their former glory after today, win or lose. This is your final chance. Summon my master, and victory is yours."
Thanos clenched his fists, his rage dissipating into cold calculation. Mordo's words carried weight, but Thanos hated relying on others. Still, desperate times called for desperate measures.
Northern Manhattan Battlefield
The tide of battle had turned dramatically with the arrival of Ant-Man's enlarged ant army. The Vanguard and Chitauri forces, once overwhelming, were now being torn apart by the sheer strength and numbers of the colossal insects.
Thor observed the battlefield from the Holy Place, his expression calm but watchful. He had foreseen this development. The ant army wasn't just a stroke of luck; it was part of a plan months in the making. Using Wilson Fisk's vast resources, Thor had secretly funded Dr. Pym to create an unprecedented stockpile of Pym particles. The investment was paying off spectacularly.
Despite the favorable situation, Thor's grip on Stormbreaker tightened. The enemy's losses were mounting, but Thanos was nowhere to be seen. Thor knew the Mad Titan wouldn't accept defeat so easily.
On the battlefield, Ant-Man, standing amidst the chaos, was enjoying an unlikely moment of pride. Commanding an army of ants felt surreal—he had never imagined himself in such a position.
Behind him, a glowing golden portal quietly materialized. It was subtle, almost unnoticeable amidst the chaos, and most nearby fighters paid it no mind, assuming it was another Kamar-Taj sorcerer summoning reinforcements.
But Tony Stark noticed the discrepancy. His HUD zoomed in, analyzing the portal's energy signature. His stomach dropped. "Scott, watch out!" he shouted. "That's not one of ours!"
Before anyone could react, a massive golden glove emerged from the portal, gripping Ant-Man's back. Thanos stepped through, his presence an imposing storm on the battlefield. His left hand wielded the Overlord Skyblade, its edge gleaming ominously.
The Mind Stone on his gauntlet glowed, and Scott's eyes glazed over as his will crumbled. Controlled in an instant, Ant-Man's swarm of ants ceased their attack, moving aimlessly for a moment before redirecting their attention toward the Avengers.
"No," Tony muttered, his heart sinking as he watched the tide of battle shift.
Above, another portal opened, and Mantis dropped through, landing gracefully on Scott's head. Her gentle hands pressed against his temples.
"Sleep," she whispered.
Ant-Man collapsed, unconscious, his giant form crashing to the ground. Tony wasted no time, rushing forward to drag Scott to safety. The ant army dissolved into chaos, scattering without their leader's command.
Thanos grinned, his movements calculated and deliberate. He hurled the Overlord Skyblade into the fray, the spinning blade carving a path of destruction. Wherever it landed, limbs were severed, and lives were lost.
Hulk roared, raising his massive hammer to intercept the blade. He swung with all his might, the impact reverberating through the battlefield. But the Overlord Skyblade's force was too great. Hulk's hammer was ripped from his hands, and the blade struck him across the chest before boomeranging back to Thanos. The green behemoth staggered, green blood spilling as he fell back, wounded and dazed.
Black Panther saw an opening and charged, his vibranium claws gleaming as he aimed for Thanos' throat. But the Mad Titan was faster than expected, his bulk moving with deceptive agility. Thanos caught T'Challa mid-leap, slamming a gauntleted hand into his chest. The Wakandan king was sent flying, landing unconscious several meters away.
Thor watched the carnage from above, his expression dark. Thanos was proving once again why he was considered one of the universe's most dangerous beings. Despite his injuries and the setbacks his forces had suffered, the Mad Titan was still a force to be reckoned with.