The morning sun cast long shadows across the Grayson household as Thragg stood in the backyard, observing Mark's attempts at controlled flight.
The young half-Viltrumite hovered unsteadily about ten feet off the ground, his face contorted with concentration.
"Straighten your posture," Thragg commanded, his deep voice carrying easily through the morning air. "Flight isn't about muscle; it's about will. You're fighting gravity when you should be ignoring it."
Mark adjusted his stance mid-air, wobbling slightly before finding a more stable position. "Like this?"
"Better," Thragg acknowledged with a slight nod. "Now accelerate forward. Slowly."
As Mark attempted to comply, Nolan emerged from the house dressed in his Omni-Man uniform, cape billowing slightly in the breeze. He paused, watching his son's training with a mixture of pride and concern.
"His form is improving already," Nolan remarked, approaching Thragg.
"He has potential," Thragg replied, not taking his eyes off Mark. "Raw, undisciplined, but present. The Viltrumite bloodline runs strong in him."
Nolan nodded, then cleared his throat. "I've arranged a meeting with Cecil Stedman at Global Defense Agency headquarters. He's expecting us in one hour."
"And the Guardians?"
"They'll be there as well. Cecil was... surprised by my request."
Thragg turned to face Nolan fully. "Surprised, or suspicious?"
"Both," Nolan admitted. "Cecil doesn't trust easily. And a sudden meeting with an alien leader he's never heard of before raises every red flag in his playbook."
"As it should," Thragg said with a hint of approval. "Caution is appropriate when facing the unknown. I would think less of him otherwise."
Mark, who had been eavesdropping while attempting to maintain his hovering position, lost focus and dropped several feet before catching himself.
"Focus, boy," Thragg called out. "Distractions in flight can be fatal."
"Sorry," Mark mumbled, rising back to his previous height.
Thragg turned back to Nolan. "We should depart soon. First impressions are crucial."
Nolan nodded, then called out to his son. "Mark, that's enough for now. Come down."
As Mark descended, somewhat awkwardly but with more control than he'd shown the previous night, Debbie appeared at the back door.
She had been unusually quiet all morning, processing the revelations about her husband's true mission and the implications of Thragg's arrival.
"You're leaving?" she asked, her voice carefully neutral.
"Yes," Nolan replied. "The Grand Regent and I have a meeting with Cecil and the Guardians."
Debbie's eyes narrowed slightly. "And what exactly are you going to tell them?"
"The truth," Thragg interjected before Nolan could respond. "Or at least, a version of it that serves our purposes."
"Our purposes," Debbie repeated, the words bitter on her tongue. "And what about Earth's purposes?"
Thragg regarded her with interest. This human woman consistently showed more courage than most beings he had encountered across the galaxy. "In this case, Mrs. Grayson, our purposes align with Earth's survival. Which I assure you is my intention."
Debbie held his gaze for a moment, then looked to Nolan. "Be careful," she said simply, before retreating back into the house.
Mark landed beside his father, looking between the two Viltrumites. "So... what happens now?"
"Now," Nolan said, placing a hand on his son's shoulder, "you stay here with your mother while the Grand Regent and I handle diplomatic matters."
"What? No way!" Mark protested. "If you're meeting with the Guardians, I want to be there. I've been waiting to meet them my whole life!"
"This isn't a fan meeting, Mark," Nolan said firmly. "This is a delicate diplomatic situation."
"The boy should come," Thragg stated, surprising both Graysons. "His presence will be educational. And it demonstrates our commitment to integration rather than conquest."
Nolan hesitated, clearly uncomfortable with contradicting Thragg but equally reluctant to expose Mark to potential danger. "Grand Regent, with all due respect, Mark has barely manifested his powers. If something were to go wrong-"
"Nothing will go wrong," Thragg said with absolute certainty. "And if it did, I would ensure the boy's safety." He turned to Mark.
"However, you will observe only. You will not speak unless spoken to. Is that understood?"
Mark nodded eagerly. "Yes, sir - I mean, Grand Regent."
Nolan sighed, recognizing that the decision had been made. "Very well. Mark, go change into something... appropriate."
As Mark rushed into the house, Nolan turned to Thragg. "Cecil is dangerous in his own way. He's been preparing contingencies against various scenarios, one being an invasion from Viltrum wouldn't surprise me."
"Good," Thragg replied. "I respect preparation. It shows foresight." He looked up at the clear blue sky. "But no contingency he has developed will be effective against me.
Remember that, Nolan. No matter what happens in this meeting, no matter what weapons or threats he may present, I cannot be harmed by anything in the universe."
Nolan nodded, though his expression remained troubled.
Mark emerged from the house wearing jeans and his early hero red costume top.
"Ready!" Mark announced, bouncing on the balls of his feet with barely contained excitement.
"Then let us depart," Thragg said, rising a few feet into the air. "Nolan, you will lead the way. Mark, you will fly between us. Try to keep pace."
With that, the three took to the sky, accelerating gradually to accommodate Mark's developing abilities.
As they rose above the clouds, Thragg observed the young half-Viltrumite's face light up with the joy of flight -
a pure, uncomplicated pleasure that reminded him, distantly, of his own first experiences with his powers despite the intense grueling training he's had since birth.
The Global Defense Agency headquarters was nestled deep beneath the Pentagon, accessible only through heavily secured entrances and a labyrinthine series of checkpoints.
As Omni-Man, Mark, and Thragg descended toward the main entrance, they were immediately surrounded by a squadron of armored agents, weapons trained on them.
"Standard procedure," Nolan explained to Thragg, who merely nodded, unperturbed by the show of force.
A slender man in a well-tailored suit emerged from the building, his stern face partially obscured by dark sunglasses despite the overcast day.
Cecil Stedman approached with measured steps, hands clasped behind his back, his expression unreadable.
"Omni-Man," Cecil greeted, his voice as neutral as his face. "And this must be your son. Congratulations on the powers." His gaze shifted to Thragg, and though his expression didn't change, there was a subtle tension in his posture. "And you would be the Grand Regent."
"Cecil Stedman," Thragg acknowledged with a slight inclination of his head. "Your reputation precedes you."
"Does it now?" Cecil's eyebrow raised fractionally above his sunglasses. "Funny, I can't say the same about you. Until yesterday, the name 'Thragg' wasn't in any of our databases."
"That is because I have not visited Earth before," Thragg replied simply. "Though I have monitored it from afar."
Cecil's lips thinned slightly. "Well, we're all very honored by your sudden interest in our little planet." The sarcasm in his tone was subtle but unmistakable.
"If you'll follow me, the Guardians are waiting inside."
As they entered the facility, Mark whispered to his father, "Is that really Cecil Stedman? The head of the GDA? The guy you sometimes talk about how annoying he is during dinner?"
"Yes," Nolan replied quietly, his tone slightly annoyed at Mark's comment. "Remember what the Grand Regent said. Observe only."
They were led through a series of security checkpoints, each more sophisticated than the last.
Thragg noted with interest the various scanning technologies employed - some of which were surprisingly advanced for Earth science, though still primitive by Viltrumite standards.
Finally, they reached a large conference room where the Guardians of the Globe were assembled.
The original team stood as they entered:
The Immortal, his eyes narrowed with suspicion;
War Woman, battle-axe strapped to her back;
Darkwing, shrouded in his cape;
Red Rush, vibrating slightly with nervous energy;
Martian Man, his alien form shifting subtly;
Green Ghost, partially translucent;
And Aquarus, his scaled skin glistening with moisture.
Behind them, on a raised platform, several monitors displayed the faces of what appeared to be world leaders and government officials, watching the proceedings remotely.
Mark's eyes widened at the sight of the heroes, his excitement barely contained despite his promise to remain silent.
"Guardians," Cecil announced, "may I present Omni-Man, whom you all know; his son, Mark; and Thragg, Grand Regent of the Viltrum Empire."
The tension in the room was palpable. The Immortal's eyes narrowed as he studied Thragg, clearly recognizing the threat level the Viltrumite represented.
"Welcome to Earth," The Immortal said, his voice carrying the weight of centuries. "Though I must admit, the circumstances of your visit are... unusual."
"Indeed," Thragg replied, taking in each Guardian with a calculating gaze. "But necessary. I come with a proposition for Earth - one that will determine the future relationship between our worlds."
"Before we get to that," Cecil interjected, "perhaps you could explain why a representative of an interstellar empire we've never heard of has suddenly appeared on our doorstep?
And why Omni-Man, who has been Earth's protector for twenty years, never mentioned your existence before?"
All eyes turned to Nolan, who remained stoic under the scrutiny. "My mission was to evaluate Earth's compatibility with Viltrumite physiology, not to provide a comprehensive galactic history lesson.
I was also tasked with protecting this planet while conducting my assessment."
"Your mission," War Woman repeated, her hand drifting toward her axe. "And what exactly was the nature of this mission, Omni-Man?"
Thragg stepped forward, commanding the attention of everyone in the room. "Nolan was sent to assess Earth's suitability for Viltrumite integration.
Our race faces extinction due to a plague that reduced our numbers from billions to mere thousands. We seek compatible genetic material to rebuild."
The bluntness of his statement caused a ripple of reactions among the Guardians. Red Rush's vibrations intensified.
Green Ghost's form became more transparent. Darkwing's hand instinctively moved imperceptibly toward a concealed weapon.
All not liking where this was going.
"Let me get this straight," Cecil said, his voice dangerously calm. "You sent Omni-Man here to prepare Earth for... what exactly?"
"For a new era," Thragg stated, his deep voice resonating through the chamber. "I am here to offer Earth something unprecedented: complete integration into the Viltrum Empire under my direct rule."
A murmur ran through the assembled officials on the monitors. One of them, a woman in military dress, leaned forward. "And what would this 'integration' entail, exactly?"
"The elimination of your world's most pressing problems," Thragg answered without hesitation. "Disease. Hunger. War. Crime. The extension of human lifespan. The creation of a society as close to utopia as your species can achieve."
"At what cost?" The Immortal demanded.
"Acceptance of Viltrumite authority," Thragg replied simply. "Earth would become a protectorate of the Empire, under my direct governance.
Your existing political structures would remain in place, but ultimately answerable to me."
"So we trade our freedom for your protection," Darkwing said, his voice low and gravelly. "Sounds like subjugation with extra steps."
"Call it what you will," Thragg responded, unmoved. "The benefits would be immeasurable. Your species would be elevated beyond anything you could achieve on your own in centuries.
You would be treated with respect, not humiliated or degraded. But make no mistake - this aspect is not negotiable."
Cecil removed his sunglasses, revealing eyes that had seen too much and trusted too little. "And if we decline this generous offer?"
"Then I will personally ensure Earth's conquest," Thragg stated matter-of-factly. "It would take me approximately one hour."
The threat hung in the air, all the more chilling for the casual way it was delivered. Red Rush exchanged glances with War Woman, who subtly shifted her stance to a more combat-ready position.
"You seem very confident in your abilities," The Immortal observed, floating slightly off the ground, his ancient eyes fixed on Thragg.
"It is not confidence," Thragg replied. "It is fact. However, I would prefer the peaceful path. It offers advantages for all involved."
One of the monitors flickered as a distinguished man in a suit leaned forward. "Mr. Thragg-"
"Grand Regent," Thragg corrected without looking at the screen.
"...Grand Regent," the man continued, visibly irritated. "Surely there's room for negotiation here. Perhaps a mutual defense treaty, technological exchange-"
"There is no negotiation," Thragg interrupted. "I am not here to bargain or plead. I am offering Earth a choice between peaceful integration and forceful subjugation.
The outcome will be the same; only the method and the cost in lives differ."
The tension in the room thickened. War Woman's hand now rested openly on her axe. Red Rush had stopped vibrating, his body coiled like a spring. The Immortal ready for battle.
"You come to our world," War Woman said, her voice tight with controlled anger, "and threaten us with conquest if we don't submit? You'll find Earth isn't so easily cowed."
Thragg regarded her with mild interest. "Your resistance would be admirable if it weren't so futile."
He looked around at the assembled Guardians, then at the monitors displaying Earth's leaders. "Perhaps a demonstration is in order."
He turned to face the Guardians directly, his massive frame somehow seeming even larger as he crossed his arms over his chest. "You may all attack me at once. In fact, I insist upon it."
The Guardians exchanged glances, clearly suspicious of the offer.
"Nolan," Thragg commanded without looking back, "you will join them."
"Grand Regent," Nolan protested, stepping forward. "This is unnecessary-"
"It is entirely necessary," Thragg cut him off. "You have been Earth's greatest protector for two decades. Show them your full strength, unleashed against me. Hold nothing back."
He turned slightly to address the Guardians again. "If you can make me move from this spot - even an inch - I will be more... open to negotiation."
The Immortal's eyes narrowed. "And we're supposed to believe you'll honor that?"
"My word is absolute," Thragg stated. "But your skepticism is understandable. Attack, and see for yourselves the futility of resistance."
Cecil stepped back, pulling Mark with him toward the edge of the room. "This is a bad idea," he muttered, though whether to Mark or himself wasn't clear.
War Woman was the first to move, drawing her axe in one fluid motion. "I don't know what game you're playing, but if you want a fight, you've got one!"
With a battle cry that echoed through the chamber, she charged, her enchanted axe swinging in a deadly arc toward Thragg's neck. The Viltrumite didn't flinch, didn't blink, didn't uncross his arms.
The axe connected with his neck - and stopped as if it had struck solid adamantium. War Woman's eyes widened in shock as the impact reverberated up her arms, nearly causing her to drop her weapon.
Red Rush moved next, a blur of motion as he circled Thragg, delivering hundreds of punches in mere seconds.
Each impact produced a sound like thunder, but Thragg remained unmoved, his expression unchanged.
Darkwing launched a barrage of specialized projectiles that exploded on contact with Thragg's skin, engulfing him in smoke and fire. When the smoke cleared, Thragg stood exactly as before, not a mark on him.
Green Ghost phased through him, attempting to disrupt his molecular structure from within - a tactic that had worked on even the most durable enemies in the past.
But as she emerged from his body, her face was contorted with pain and confusion. "It's like trying to phase through something while not even having powers," she gasped.
Martian Man transformed, growing to match Thragg's size, and attempted to grapple with him.
Despite his shapeshifting abilities and considerable strength, he couldn't budge the Viltrumite an inch.
Aquarus summoned a torrent of water with enough pressure to cut through most things in the world, directing it at Thragg's face. The water simply flowed around him, not even forcing him to blink.
The Immortal, watching his teammates' futile efforts, finally launched himself forward with the full force of his ancient power.
His fist connected with Thragg's jaw in a blow that would have shattered mountains - and it was the Immortal who recoiled in pain, bones in his hand audibly cracking.
Throughout it all, Thragg stood perfectly still, arms crossed, expression impassive.
Nolan, who had been watching with growing dread, finally stepped forward. "Enough of this," he growled, and launched himself at Thragg with all his might.
The impact when Omni-Man struck Thragg created a shockwave that rattled the reinforced walls of the chamber.
Nolan put everything he had into the blow, his face contorted with effort - and achieved exactly the same result as the others.
Nothing.
Not even a flicker of discomfort crossed Thragg's face.
Nolan struck again and again, each blow more desperate than the last, until he too recoiled, cradling his injured hand, breathing heavily from exertion.
Inside Thragg's mind, a he contemplated his most recent understanding.
Since regaining his memories of his human life, he had developed a new sensitivity to his smart atoms - the microscopic particles that gave Viltrumites their incredible strength and durability.
He could feel them now better than ever, control them in ways he could never before.
He could maintain his structural integrity in ways he never could, rendering him impervious not just to damage, but to the very sensation of pain itself. He could increase his strength more than ever before.
It was as if his human understanding of vulnerability had given him the key to transcending it completely.
The Guardians regrouped, preparing for another assault, but Thragg had seen enough. "Sufficient," he declared, and with a casual motion, uncrossed his arms and raised his right hand slightly, clenching it into a fist.
The mere action - not even a punch, just the formation of a fist - created a shockwave that sent all the Guardians flying backward.
Nolan and The Immortal were pushed back several yards, while the others nearly crashed into the walls of the chamber.
Silence fell as the dust settled. Thragg lowered his hand and turned to face the stunned officials on the monitors.
"As you can see," he said calmly, "your strongest defenders are powerless against me. This demonstration was but a fraction of my true capability." He swept his gaze across the room, taking in the battered Guardians, the shocked expressions of Earth's leaders, and the wide-eyed stare of young Mark.
"If you refuse my offer, I will conquer this planet as promised. It would take no more than an hour as I stated before, and only that long because I am willing to minimize casualties. The choice is yours - peaceful integration or forceful subjugation."
Cecil stepped forward, his composure remarkably intact despite what he had just witnessed. "You've made your point, Grand Regent. But surely you understand that a decision of this magnitude requires consultation, deliberation-"
"You have one day," Thragg interrupted. "Twenty-four Earth hours to reach your decision. If I do not receive an answer by then, I will take your silence as refusal and act accordingly."
He turned to Nolan, who was still nursing his injured hand. "We are leaving. Follow me."
As Thragg strode toward the exit, the Guardians parted before him, their earlier bravado replaced by a grim realization.
At the doorway, Thragg paused and looked back at the assembled humans. "One day," he repeated. "Choose wisely."
With that, he departed, Nolan following behind him after a moment's hesitation and a troubled glance back at the Guardians - his colleagues for years, now potentially his enemies.
For even in the original timeline, Nolan did his best to kill them as fast as possible to not hesitate and rethink his actions.
Mark, forgotten in the chaos of the demonstration, hurried after them, struggling to process what he just saw.
Behind them, in the conference room, the voices of Earth's leaders rose in panicked discussion, their words overlapping in a cacophony of fear and desperate strategizing.
But Thragg paid them no mind as he ascended toward the surface. The demonstration had served its purpose. Now Earth would either submit willingly or be forced to kneel.
Either way, the Viltrum Empire would expand.
And Thragg, Grand Regent soon to be Emperor, would rule it all.
--------------------------
(Author note: Yeah, Thragg is stronger than canon. And by quite a decent amount.
For those who read my Sukuna fic, and know Emperor Mark, you all understand the potential Thragg has with this new... understanding of weakness.
Though I will say, Thragg is still nowhere near Emperor Mark from that fic in power. He's still at the basic of the basics.
Well, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, and I hope to see you all later,
Bye!)