Between the Never
Court was in session. In the space that exists outside of the universe, the massive three-faced golden judge known as the Living Tribunal sat on his throne. His attention was grabbed by a being whose appearance was shaped like a man, but was filled with the void of space with various planets and stars shining. He was Eternity and he was afraid.
The Tribunal looked to the left of Eternity and saw the flip side of his coin, mighty Infinity who was a great golden goddess. To the right was the sister to Eternity and truly sister to all of the beings known as the Endless, Death. She was merging her forms on this day. She wore her long purple cloak, but the hood was down showing her pale features and dark black hair. An ankh hung about her neck. The other members of the Endless, Destiny, Dream, Desire, Despair, Delirium and even wayward Destruction were in attendence. Lucifer Morningstar yawned slightly at the events. He had better things to do.
Above them were the huge heads of Lord Order and Master Chaos, flanked by their various agents who eyed one another warily. Luckily their supreme agent, the In-Betweener was keeping them from attacking one another. How sad that the agents of Order and Chaos were not as civil as their masters.
Love and Hate stood side by side even as Death's counterpart, horrible Oblivion made its appearance. The Supreme Kai, stood near Tsunami, observing the mighty gathering. Leviathan, Mephisto, and the Malbolgia had just arrived as well, having been informed by dread Dormammu himself that the meeting was in place. Despite the animosity between Eternity and Dormammu, neither being raised a hand to one another. The trinity known as the Vishanti kept to themselves, watching and waiting. The world devourer known only as Galactus likewise was a loner, on the outskirts of the group.
Numerous Celestials kept silent vigil, as did the race of the Watchers. The remnants of any Guardians were there as well, conversing with the man who became a god, Solar. Chronos, god of time struck up conversation with the mysterious Stranger, while Eon regarded neither being and instead tried to read the expression on the face of Eternity. Emissaries from the 5th dimension had also arrived, which created hostilities with all present, as there was no love lost between any of the others and they.
All however, made no effort to attack the other. The Tribunal was of course there, flanked by three fearsome beings. To either side of the Tribunal were angels, angels of death. To his right stood Hal Jordan, now draped in the green cloak and hood that signified he was now the Spectre. To the Tribunal's left was what appeared to be a cowboy, with his guns holstered. He was known as the Saint of Killers, a tortured soul who had taken up a mission to challenge the Almighty. He was rewarded for challenging the norm of the universe and now served at the hand of the Presence.
More imposing still was the figure above the Tribunal. Golden locks draped about his head and shoulders, a huge flaming sword in his hand. Giant golden wings sprouted from his back. He was the Archangel known as Michael.
"I believe that is everyone." Michael said to the Living Tribunal.
"Then let the hearing begin. Eternity, what is it this time?" the Tribunal asked, a hint of annoyance in its great reverberating voice.
"Something has gone horribly wrong. There is a presence within me. I sense that the First Evil has risen." Eternity explained.
"We are aware of such events." The Tribunal responded.
"What will you do then?" Eternity asked, fearful.
"Nothing." The Tribunal responded.
"Mighty Tribunal, surely you cannot be serious! Your intervention must occur. Already I feel it within me, spreading like a cancer." Eternity explained.
"Again, we are aware of such events Eternity. The First Evil has given up its station in Hell and come to your plane to exist. It is now greatly reduced in power and can be dealt with simply enough." The Tribunal explained.
"If it pleases the court, I would like to express my own opinion." Death said speaking up.
"Proceed."
"As you all know, I am not simply an avatar of Death like the Spectre or the Saint. I am Death, and as such I am connected to all things living because they will one day come to my grasp. The First Evil now numbers among the living as it has taken physical form, thus I feel it. I also feel the extent of its power. It may seem reduced in power by current standards, but it is growing." Death explained.
"I sense the same." Tsunami, goddess of life added, "The First's power seems to be growing. I fear with every life it takes, its power will grow exponentially. It may not seem a threat now, but it will eventually. That I feel is reason enough to strike now."
"The time to strike is not now. This is not to be the battle of gods, but the battle of the lesser beings, not our own." The Tribunal stated.
"As it is seemingly always the case." A new voice rang. The Assembly did not need to turn to know who had spoken. Slowly, their number parted as Adam Warlock, wielder of the Infinity Gauntlet strode forth.
"Warlock."
"Tribunal."
"What do you seek to add to these processions?" the Living Tribunal asked.
"Merely a shred of insight. Why is it when events of such magnitude occur, the higher ups determine it is always the battle of lesser beings?" Warlock asked.
"Life is struggle. Struggle breeds strength. It is betterment to them to take upon these responsibilities." The Tribunal answered quickly.
"In principle I agree, but not when the battle courts extinction. When the Beyonder arrived, the great powers of the universe were humiliated. Later it was found that they were merely "studying" the threat. When Thanos gained control of the Gauntlet I now wear, you Tribunal refused to interfere, stating that it was merely survival of the fittest. Nature taking its course. Time and again, a threat has arisen and you have refused to interefere. How very odd." Warlock stated.
"You border on contempt Warlock." The Tribunal replied.
"As is always the case. I merely think there is more to this than meets the eye. There is something at play here. Perhaps there are certain…. inadequacies in your potency." Warlock said with a slight smile.
"What are you implying?" the Tribunal asked.
Warlock looked at the various beings in attendence, then back at the Tribunal.
"I imply that you and perhaps your kind are mere braggarts like the Morningstar." Warlock added.
Lucifer smiled, "Choose your words carefully Adam. I do not recognize this court's authority or fear that trinket on your hand."
"Nor do I fear you. So it would appear we are fairly even." Warlock regarded Lucifer.
"ORDER!" the Tribunal commanded, "You try my patience Warlock."
"If your patience is not infinite why should your power be?" Warlock asked.
There was silence. Finally, Eternity found his voice.
"You're an idiot Warlock."
"Am I? Why not simply make the galaxy that houses the First explode and destroy it now in its infancy?" Warlock asked the embodiment of all that is.
"The Tribunal has ruled that this is the battle of the lesser beings." Eternity defended.
"I heard no gavel." Warlock stated.
Lucifer strode forward and looked Warlock in the eye.
"If you are so concerned with the intent of my other, then why don't you do something? Snap your fingers and end its existence." Lucifer challenged.
"I will do no such thing. Interfering would throw some plans of mine into disarray." Warlock explained.
"Oh? So I see. Adam Warlock, the God-Slayer, wielder of the Infinity Gauntlet, and hypocrite. Bravo." Lucifer smiled.
Warlock did not flinch.
"I never said I would not deal with the First. I will do it my way, as a man. Eternity, consider your problem, and as such my own, at an end. Now then, Michael if you would be so good to call your dog off I will depart." Warlock stated, going eye to eye with the Morningstar.
"Michael does not control me Warlock." Lucifer stated, his face like stone.
"No, the Morningstar walks to the beat of his own drummer, as always. Adam Warlock does the same. We are of the same mold Lucifer. I'd hate to have a confrontation." Warlock replied, just as vigilant.
"I know. I'd hate to see one such as myself taken from creation. There are so few like us."
"Indeed. But should confrontation arise Lucifer, I will not back away from you simply based on your reputation and power. I would try to cripple you."
The eyes of both beings flashed as they stared one another down. The Tribunal looked to Michael and his lieutenants to support should this battle come to pass. Lucifer however merely began to laugh.
"I like you Warlock. You make me laugh. I'd hate to have to destroy you." Lucifer said as he turned away from Warlock.
"I'd hate to be destroyed." Warlock replied. He then looked to the Tribunal, "Do not worry yourself. I'll handle the situation myself. IF that is the ruling of the court?"
The Tribunal spoke, "It is."
"Excellent. Well if that trivial pursuit is at an end, I believe I'll go and protect my reality. I bid you all adieu." Warlock said, fading from sight.
"This session is at an end. Resume your current activities." The Tribunal ordered. Cosmic being after cosmic being faded from the courtroom, Galactus leaving with his hand to his mouth as if deep in thought.
"Return to Elysium. I have business to attend to." Michael said to the Spectre and the Saint of Killers. Both left without so much as a protest.
Michael, Lucifer, and the Living Tribunal were the last three that remained. The three looked at one another.
"He's aware you know?" Lucifer smirked.
"That he is." Michael replied.
"That one has always been wily. If indeed he does know, then action must taken." The Tribunal replied.
"I think Warlock would find that a jest." Lucifer replied.
"There is little funny about the situation." Michael interjected, "A billion, billion eons of work has been thrown into disarray. Warlock is dangerous. He must be dealt with."
"When?" Lucifer asked, amusement gone from his face.
"Not as of yet. But soon." The Tribunal added.
Lucifer smiled again, "Alas poor Adam. I knew you well."
Warlock appeared on the bridge of darkened starship. He then went and sat in one of the chairs in the room.
"So how did it go?" an attractive green skinned woman asked.
"As well as could be expected Gamora. Things are dim, but there are not yet without hope." Warlock replied.
"Do we strike then?" Gamora, the most dangerous assassin in the universe asked.
"We do." Warlock replied.
"Excellent." A deep, rasp of a voice joined their own.
"How soon before we can be to earth, barring usage of the Gauntlet?" Warlock asked.
"About a day's time as Terran hours are measured." The voice replied.
"Excellent. That gives us time to plan and also it gives the First time to act so that we know the extent of its power." Warlock said.
"I was thinking the same. Who do you think our contacts should be?" the voice asked.
"My omniscience has pinpointed exactly who we should go to in order to win this war. Set the coordinates for the state of California in the United States. Your sensors should pick up a surge of mystical energy emanating from a certain point." Warlock explained.
"The Hellmouth." The rasp answered.
"I should have realized that you knew about that point." Warlock replied.
"You should know by now, old enemy, there is precious little that Thanos of Titan does not know." The voice's owner, a massive hulk of a man with blue and gold battle armor and purplish skin said, "To earth then."