Ghosts of the Past

Chapter 24 explanations

Authors notes I don't own Marvel Agents of SHIELD. All I own are my OC's Jack Williams, Shadow, the Katana Killer, Carl Berlin, Henry Radcliff and Cobra.

Also I recommend that all my readers check out the fics written by Angels Anthem, Appa Appa Away, LongLiveTheClones, XxheavendragonxX, Aurora Lunar 0Love This0, Icehockeychic4 Canadiancloneluver, Guardian Kitch, Jemmz, Full-Paragon, Fenrisulven13 and lastly Xpredatorx as they are twelve of the best writers on this site in my opinion.

And please if you read this fic then let me know what you think of it good or bad comments just let me know as I want your opinions on it no matter what they are. 25 people now have story alerts on this fic while 12 people have added this fic to their favourite stories list.

The main pairings of this fic will be Mayson and Jack Williams/Maria Hill but I might add others later on in the fic.

Lastly I recommend my readers have a look at the Agents of SHIELD fics written by charmed4lifekaren you will not be disappointed once you read them, they are amazing fic's and very well written.

Well that's enough of an author's notes on with chapter 24.

Spartax Military high command centre

General Fa Loq stood before the Committee, a group of high ranking senators, military leaders and influential citizens who were to determine who the next Spartax Emperor would be. The Committee had been established for just such a situation, in the event the royal family was completely wiped out. They were to ensure a peaceful transition of power to a new Spartax royal family.

As Emperor Eson had no heirs with his death, the leadership of the Empire was uncertain. For now the committee appointed General Fa Loq as the leader especially with the Spartax Empire now at war with the Nova Empire.

The head of the committee senator Misani said "General. What is the progress of our invasion of Nova Empire territory?"

General Fa Loq showed a holographic display of Nova Empire territory and highlighted areas where their forces were at the moment all the territory they had seized so far in the invasion.

General Fa Loq said "Our invasion caught the Nova Corp off guard. The majority of their forces were at the border of Kree Space and those who were at the border quickly retreated or were obliterated. All the border worlds fell immediately. We've began pushing deeper into Nova Empire territory and the Nova Corp are starting to put up a fight. Our overall forces outnumber them 10 to 1."

One member of the committee asked "What are our losses so far?"

General Fa Loq answered "We've lost just over 5% of our forces and the Nova Corp in all engagements with our fleets lost 65% of their forces, before the rest retreated. The fed left behind in escape pods or disabled ships quickly surrendered and were either killed or taken back here to be interrogated."

Chairman Kozuno who was listening asked "How long will it take before the entire Nova Empire is under our rule?"

General Fa Loq replied "A month chairman, maybe two it depends on how long it takes for our forces to conquer Xandar. Once that planet falls, outlying systems will begin to look out for themselves. Ending all organized resistance to our invasion. I'm glad to see the private sector take a keen interest in matters or state, again."

Another senator asked "Once the Nova Empire is under our rule, when will our forces attack the Kree Empire?"

General Fa Loq answered "We'll attack them once our forces are at full strength following the annexation of the Nova Empire."

Chairman Kozuno said "If we don't press the advantage and attack the Kree once the Nova Empire is beaten and wait to replenish our forces. It'll give the Kree more time to prepare for our inevitable invasion. You'll be making a mistake general. Emperor Eson wouldn't make such a blunder. Does it hurt knowing that no matter what you do you'll never get out of his shadow? Why not bargain with the Kree once we conquer the Nova Empire? Promise them whatever they want and once they are all in one place, then we kill them?"

General Fa Loq angrily said "The Spartax will never, never! Bargain with the Kree. There will be no quarter for them once the Nova Empire is ours."

The general contacted the invasion force commanders and said "Attention all commanders. This is General Fa Loq. Double your efforts. I want the Nova Corp defence perimeter broken immediately."

With that the meeting was over as Chairman Kozuno headed back to his company building and knew his plan to seize power would soon be underway.

Unknown Location

Magnus Rasputin sat in his study as his butler James brought in some tea.

Magnus said "Thank you James. Please pour yourself a cup and join me."

James did so and Magnus asked "Have you ever wondered how I acquired the contents of the box?"

James looked at the small box on the desk and nodded.

Magnus explained "I knew that Odin's family had put the Tesseract here on Earth. I know that family has always liked this planet, so I suspected there were more of the Infinity Stones on Earth. I searched for over 100 years before I found it in Russia. I got the Tsar's wife Alexandra to show me the stone after I seduced her. Once I had the stone I arranged for an assassination attempt to take place which enabled me to fake my death. So to the world, the man I was Grigori Rasputin died in 1916. However Magnus Rasputin still lives."

James was silent for a moment before he said "I'm grateful that you resurrected me after I was killed when the Shadow confronted you sir. But I have to wonder do you think you can honestly defeat Thanos?"

Magnus laughed before he said "I have a plan for Thanos. Right now I had to deal with Thor. He is a threat to my plans. Heimdall can't see me thanks to the illusion charm I placed on myself and I can go around without any interference from Asgardians. Odin was a fool to banish me for my work. If I was able to complete my work Asgard would have a mighty army of the undead and threats to the Realms would be properly dealt with."

James asked "How are you going to deal with Thor?"

Magnus answered "I'll go after who he loves most. That doctor Jane Foster."

Magnus then got the phone and booked a flight to London. It was time to visit the good doctor.

SHIELD HQ

The Milano landed at SHIELD HQ as SHIELD agents surrounded the area and the World Security Council, Maria and Jack were waiting for the Guardians of the Galaxy to exit the ship alongside the Avengers.

As the Guardians of the Galaxy emerged everyone was slightly shocked at seeing a giant tree like creature with them as well as a Raccoon.

Graham Williams stepped forward and said "My name is Graham Williams, the head of the World Security Council who oversee SHIELD. With me are fellow councilmembers Rockwell, Singh, Yen and Hawley. Along with Director Maria Hill, Deputy Director Jack Williams, as well as the Avengers."

Tony Stark introduced the Avengers and as he did Peter Quill was shocked to see Captain America, the famous World War 2 hero alive and well.

He quickly got over the shock and introduced his team.

Once the introductions were done Tony asked "Where did you find the raccoon here?"

Rocket got angry at this and said "I'm not a raccoon."

Before Tony could reply Graham said "Let's go inside and talk somewhere quiet."

The Avengers led the way inside as Peter Quill looked around and thought to himself 'It's good to be home.'

As the Guardians looked around Rocket said "So this is Earth. Doesn't look like much."

Groot said "I am Groot."

Rocket scoffed and said "I saw the planet has a lot of trees. You like the planet due to that alone?"

Groot said "I am Groot."

Jack suddenly asked "What's up with him?"

Rocket replied "Groot has a limited vocabulary."

Jack nodded in understanding as they entered a large conference room.

Graham sat in a chair at the head of the table and was followed by the other World Security Council members as well as Jack and Maria before he said "Be seated."

Everyone sat down or in the case of Groot remained standing as Graham asked "Please start from the beginning. What alien artefact are you Guardians looking for?"

Peter Quill replied "We're here looking for an object known as an Infinity Stone."

Thor was shocked at this and dropped his coffee cup.

Graham asked "You know something about them?"

Thor replied "The Infinity Stones are the most powerful objects in the universe. The Tesseract and the Aether are two of the six Infinity Stones. Each one is capable of great destructive power."

Graham said "An object like that would be very useful in protecting Earth. Something like that could be what's needed next time an alien army come here."

Peter was shocked at this and asked "When did aliens invade Earth?"

Jack answered "Over a year ago. A race called the Chituari. They were working for an Asgardian named Loki. It was only thanks to the Avengers and SHIELD that their invasion failed."

Gamora said "Loki was working for someone else. A powerful being known as Thanos. He is called the Mad Titan by the galactic community and called The Dark Lord by his subordinates."

Graham asked "How do you know this?"

Gamora replied "Thanos wiped out my people the Zehoberei. He took me to raise as a daughter and to be a loyal assassin after he killed my parents in front of me."

Graham was saddened to hear, but learning this being Thanos had nearly wiped out an entire species only made him want to know more about the intentions of the so called Mad Titan.

Graham asked "What does Thanos want with these infinity stones as you call them."

Gamora replied "I don't know but one stone had the potential to destroy a planet if touched to the surface of the planet. Imagine what all of them together could do?"

No one said anything for a few moments as everyone tried to imagine the devastation all of these stones could cause if combined.

Jack then got a text message from the Shield office in San Francisco, Carl Berlin had been found dead a few days ago in a mansion just outside the city.

It seemed things were only getting worse.

Xandar

Nova Prime Irani Rael looked at the holographic display of the battle taking place at one of the outlying colonies on the Nova Empire and watched as the Spartax Empire's ships annihilated the Nova Corp ships.

She looked at the high ranking Nova Corp officers getting reports from other battles going on and saw that the Spartax Empire was certain to win this war unless the tide turned in their favour and quickly.

As she saw these reports her assistant came over to her and said "Ma'am. The Kree Ambassador is contacting us."

Nova Prime was shocked at this and said "Put him through."

The transmission was shown via a display on the wall. Nova Prime said "Mr Ambassador. I must say I'm surprised to hear from you."

The Kree Ambassador said "Nova Prime, my government has been monitoring the situation with the Spartax Empire. If they defeat your empire they'll become very powerful and be a threat to us. I'm letting you know that a short while ago forces of the Kree military attacked Spartax bases near the border."

Nova Prime said "Thank for letting me know Mr Ambassador. I have to go."

With that the conversation ended as a Nova Corp officer entered the room and saluted before saying "I was fortunate to get out of Spartax just after Eson's death. I retrieved the holo recordings of what happened to Emperor Eson. It's as we suspect, some elements of the Empire know the truth and are letting us take the fall to justify war."

Nova Prime said "Show us the recording of Eson's death."

The holographic display was shown with Spartax Emperor Eson in his throne room looking out at the night sky as the guards at the door were killed.

The Emperor looked around and saw a young Luphomoid woman in the room with a sword in her hands.

Eson asked "And who are you assassin?"

The woman replied "Nebula. Adopted daughter of Thanos."

Eson said "Thanos sends one his children to kill me? Is he too afraid to come after me himself?"

Nebula answered "My father is afraid of no one."

Eson scoffed as he said "Funny way of showing it. He should have known I would never become one of his lackeys. Give him my Empire without a fight. Spartax belongs to us and we will die before letting it fall to a plunderer. That's why Thanos dare not make a martyr of me. I have given my people pride and purpose. Rebuilt the empire that was destroyed with the war against the Kree long ago. Kill me and my people will rise up and reap war to avenge me. Imprison me and Spartax will dissolve into chaos. The Mad Titan powerless against the sheer will of my people."

Eson looked at the Spartax Empire symbol on the ceiling and said "My people will choke the galaxy with their dead, before they bow to your father. Thanos will beg me to restore order! He will never..."

Eson was cut off as Nebula stabbed him in the gut with a knife used by the Nova Corp members and as Eson laid on the ground dying looking up at the ceiling, he said "Madness.. The madness… begins."

The holographic display stopped as Nova Prime said "Thanos is causing all of this to get us to fight each which will make all of us who survive this war weaker when he makes his move. The Spartax will never believe this is genuine. They'll think it's fabricated and continue this war."

One corpsman asked "Then what do we do?"

Nova Prime replied "Hope that The Kree can deal a decisive blow against them that the Spartax focus on them and buy us time to rebuild our forces for a counterattack."

A few moments later the Nova Corp leadership saw that the battles with the Spartax had taken a turn for the worse. The Spartax forces had broken through their defence perimeter.

Unknown location

Magnus Rasputin entered his room and had one last thing to do before he got his suitcases and left for the airport.

Magnus took off his shirt showing the tattoos on his arms and chest as he opened nearby a cabinet covered with runes etched into the woodwork. Magnus looked at the statue on the top shelf with the basin on the next shelf under it with a ceremonial dagger next to it.

Magnus picked up the blade and slit his arm deep. As blood from the fresh wound fell into the basin. Magnus said "Kanjigar septum vohnostrum."

Magnus groaned slightly in pain as the knife wound healed and runes like those on the cabinet appeared on his arms to join with the tattoos the man already had.

With that Magnus put the knife back and closed the cabinet before putting on his shirt and getting his suitcases. His flight to London was to take off soon and Magnus was looking forward to meeting Dr Jane Foster.

Authors notes well that's chapter 24 completed please let me know what you think of it read and review no flames though ok.