Malekith's war to consolidate the different realms under his rule had come to a standstill. His allies Laufey, Sindr and the Queen of the Angels of Heven have already fallen in battle. The heroes of Asgard and Midgard were slowly retaking the territories he had granted to his allies across the globe. He was in desperate need of a way to reverse his losses. As if by fate, while he was surveying the ruins of the Valaskjalf in Asgard, Malekith had come across an ancient tome which mentions a child whose sacrifice would grant her slayer the power to kill the god of thunder. Clutching the tome closely, he called upon the Enchantress and in the vaguest terms, dispatched her to search for the child.
After weeks of anticipation, Malekith receives the much awaited message from his herald. He quickly assembles a cadre of Dark Elves and together with his lieutenant, Kurse they marched upon the Black Bifrost.
"You better have good news, Amora. The very success of our campaign is at stake here," said Malekith as he and Kurse step out from a portal into what is known as the Calico Basin near Las Vegas, Nevada
"Our war effort is in shambles. The forces of Asgard and Midgard are slowly advancing upon our allies," griped Malekith as he approached the Enchantress.
"I have found her, Milord. She resides on an island called Themyscira," replied the Enchantress as she beckoned for Malekith to look into a scrying pool.
"The child?" Malekith smirked as he looked into the scrying pool.
"Yes, Milord! The child whose power shall make you stronger than Thor!" replied the Enchantress.
Malekith's eyes flick from one image to another as he looks into the scrying pool. He smiles as his mind fills with visions of himself achieving ultimate victory.
"We may encounter difficulties in acquiring the child, Milord," said the Enchantress.
Malekith turns to Amora. "What? What did you say, Amora?"
"The child has two of the most powerful beings of this universe for parents, Milord. Likewise, several members of the pantheon know as the Olympians have placed the child under their protection," added the Enchantress.
Malekith snaps. "You mean this search is all for naught?"
The Enchantress smirks. "No, Milord. Before your arrival, I have taken the liberty of reaching out to a disaffected member of the Olympians and he has offered to help us if certain concessions would be agreed upon."
"What-What is it he wants?" asked Malekith his anger slightly receding.
"He only wants to be the king of Olympians, Milord."
"So be it. It is but a small price to pay considering the child's importance to our cause. But before we press forward with our schemes, set a meeting with your Olympian turncoat. I would like to meet him face to face."
"As you wish, Milord."
The Enchantress smiles to herself. Stupid fool! You really think I am blind as to the child's importance to your cause? I am not some barmaid who has cheese curds for brains! When the time is right I shall take the child's power for myself and be queen of the realms. And why must I stop with one universe? I will be queen of this universe as well!
In Themyscira, Ares stands in the middle of the Colosseum. The sound of his ragged breathing echoed within his helmet. Before him stood his latest pupil, Calista - daughter of his half-sister Diana, Queen of the Amazons and her Kryptonian consort, Kal-El.
"Begin!" bellowed Ares, smashing his spear on his shield for emphasis.
Calista makes a running start and leaps into the air. With a roar she swings her spear straight for Ares's head.
"You telegraph your moves, little goddess," said Ares as he quickly brings up his shield to block the strike.
Calista grins when Ares falls for her feint. At the very last instant, she withdraws from her forward attack by performing a tumble.
Before Ares could react, Calista blurs to his side and with an upward strike flings his shield into the stands of the Colosseum.
A blow on Ares's forearms disarms him of his spear. Once disarmed, Calista using the butt of her spear hits the god of war with successive strikes to the head, shoulders and rib cage.
Gasping for breath, Ares holds up a hand and says, "I've had enough, little goddess. Methinks we should call it a day."
"Why, Uncle?" asked Calista as she removed her helmet. Her raven locks falling to her shoulders.
"I have grown tired. I think my age has finally caught up with me," chuckled Ares.
"You're so funny! Gods don't grow old," replied Calista.
"Oh, we do. When faced with the likes of you, little goddess," said Ares as he placed a hand on Calista's shoulder.
"What am I, Uncle Ares?" asked Calista as she frowned.
"You remind me of your mother when you frown like that," chuckled Ares. "You are all that is good in this universe."
Calista looked up to Ares a look of confusion on her face. "What do you mean, Uncle?"
"That my little goddess is for you to find out," replied Ares as he touched his forefinger on Calista's nose. "Come, let us have lunch. You still have to get ready for your learning sessions with Euboea."