Four - Divide and Conquer
Gallifrey - Space
Millennia Ago
In order to conquer, they first had to divide.
Thanos's balancing missions had already begun and were fully underway long before he met Adonia and she joined in his cause, assisting him in his life's mission.
Having been 'cursed with knowledge' from a young age, Thanos had striven to start - and complete, for that matter - his mission as soon as was possible. He did not want to see what happened on Titan happen to other planets and worlds, and he knew what he had to do to prevent that, that which he had seen take place and believed to be inevitable.
Adonia wandered across Gallifrey, which was a raging battlefield. Aided by the Chitauri, Thanos and his own army had invaded the planet, ready to once again carry out their mission of equally dividing the population, cut it perfectly and exactly in half.
The citizens were separated into two groups, dragged apart from one another by armed soldiers.
Adonia's crossing of the battlefield led her to the main square of the city, the front of the fray.
Thanos strode over to join her, removing his helmet and bowing his head. "My Lady. Tell me, what do you think?"
"You certainly have a system down. And now the divide takes place?"
"Yes."
She address the restless crowd. "Citizens, hear me and rejoice. For you have had the privilege of being saved by the great Titan, Thanos. And know also that you are helping contribute to the Great Balance of the Universe. Now go in peace and meet your maker."
Thanos was about to give the signal for his soldiers to open fire upon the one group, but she held up a hand asking for him to wait. Then, she snapped.
It was a simple gesture, but with great consequence. In a bright flash, half of the population vanished, just like that. Cut perfectly in half by the power of the Stones, all six together, without a blast being fired or a drop of blood spilled.
She instantly felt a great rush, the rush of souls entering the Soul World within the Soul Stone, hundreds of souls all at once.
Thanos turned to her. "You see, Titan. Perfectly balanced now. As all things should be." She looked up at him. "Where to next?"
Sanctuary II, Thanos's Ship - Space
Millennia Ago
They understood each other.
Lady Infinity, Elder of the Universe, Keeper of the Infinity Stones, and Thanos, the Mad Titan, Galactic Warlord. Together, they made a formidable and unstoppable team.
He was the one his people saw as a monster, who they cast out. She was the Elder of the Universe whose power everyone was always after to gain for themselves. It was always about her power.
"We understand each other, Titan," she told him one day while they were traveling to their next destination, the next planet they would invade and conquer. "You know, I would say that we balance each other. In fact, I think we are perfectly balanced - as all things should be."
He smiled at her words. "After my planet died, I had nothing, no one. I was alone, and have been, almost ever since. Almost. And I thought I never would, need anyone. I was alright with that, I had a new vocation. And then I met you." Now he looked up to meet her curious gaze. "And having you at my side, I see what I've been missing all along."
"I see."
I know you said you never stay in one place for too long, but would you stay here with me?"
"Let us see: ask me."
"Will you stay?"
"Perhaps."
"Will you stay with me?"
"Hmm." She feigned consideration. Then she chuckled. "Oh Titan, I can be anywhere and everywhere all at once, but I would be honoured and happy to stay here with you."
Northern Moon - Space
Millennia Ago
Their now shared conquest carried them all across the galaxy. Adonia had become a secure ally to the Titan Lord, a permanent part of Thanos's army, leader of his armies. She even started wearing his colours, blue and gold armour.
She felt the heavy weight of all the souls they had snapped away, carrying them with her, always, those souls transferred to the Soul World, the Soul Stone itself being the gateway. But she saw the progression of their mission - already some of the already-divided planets were beginning to thrive, no population strain on the resources.
From that moment forward, following that day on Gallifrey, Thanos relied on the Stones to assist him in his mission. No more mass executions by weapons, but an instant divide by a simple snap. All thanks to Lady Infinity and her Infinity Stones.
Again and again they carried out the same mission: invade a planet, divide the population, and only then would Adonia perform her snap. The gesture had certainly captured Thanos's attention.
He found Adonia on a cliff side overlooking the city, their latest mission. The screams and blasts of the commotion below were just audible from here.
She spoke without turning to face him. "The people were right, this is the best place from which to look over the whole city," she remarked as he joined her. "And, also, the best place from which to watch the city fall." Finally, she turned to face him. "Another successful mission, Titan."
"Indeed. They do not see it now, do not know it yet, but in time they will. They all will see eventually. Their children and their children's children will live rich, fulfilling lives. One day, the future generations will come to thank us."
"So optimistic."
"You've seen the planets already beginning to thrive."
"Yes, I have. And like those, this one too shall follow. Down the same path of a wealth of resources for the whole population." She glanced down at the Stones, all six, all brightly coloured and each one unique and special, hovering above her hand. " We have the power to reshape the reality we hold, and we are doing exactly that. Another planet balanced. Perfectly balanced-"
"As all things should be," he finished for her.
"Exactly."
They chuckled, leaning in to share a kiss, the screams of their victims echoing in the distance.
So evil! And yes, I did make a Doctor Who reference! ;) I was having some trouble coming up with some planet names, so I thought I'd borrow from another favourite sci-fi universe! ;) I would love if these two universes did a crossover! I believe I remember the Doctor mentioning Asgard in one episode...
Part of Thanos's dialogue was inspired by a deleted scene from Infinity War.
Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed, as always! :)
