Silently the Mad Titan gazed at the glowing Infinity Stones in his gauntlet. It had been a week, a week since all madness had broken loose. He had his most powerful asset complete once more and with it the means to save his daughter at last.
With the Mind Stone he had the means to free Weiss from the nightmare that was holding her. Yet for a week straight he had been hesitant…she was still safe in the Upside Down, or as safe as she could be as the remnants of the parasite of that witch still held her mind hostage.
His Collective had been dwindling down. With Raven and Silver still missing in action and Gorr unable to be reached his group had dwindled down to a handful of members. His goal, to bring balance to the multiverse….did it mean anything now, was it worth now that his beloved daughter was suffering and he was unsure if he could save her now.
What if he couldn't reach her, what if she was already too far gone and he was unable to bring her back…could he live with himself then…
He was interrupted in his thoughts by a voice saying "my Lord Titan."
He looked up and saw Silco, Malthazard and Yoru walk inside with the latter carrying something over her shoulder. Thanos only saw what it was once she placed it on the table.
It was the lifeless body of Helmut Zemo.
"Oh Helmut…" Thanos said as he looked over his deceased comrade with a sad expression. Without turning away he said "where did you find him?"
"On the Remnant where young Jaune came from" Silco answered.
Thanos didn't turn away, instead he placed his hand on Zemo's chest and recited a small prayer ending with a solemn "I'll miss you dear friend."
He then walked away from the group, still facing away and his arms behind his back.
"This was Gojo," he said ominously "it was a warning, he's coming after us, one by one."
Though the group behind him didn't react, Thanos could sense the dread coming from them. They had done everything in their power to stay away from Satoru Gojo and steer clear of him, but instead now, he was coming for them.
"With all due respect my lord but we all know what this is all about. This is all Henry's fault, it's he that Gojo is after. If we just hand him over…" Silco started before being cut off by his boss.
"We will do no such thing," Thanos said forcefully though not loudly before turning around and facing the group "Henry has caused collateral but he is still a part of the Collective and as such he is under our protection…at least until we have reached our last resort options."
Nobody argued with him, as was the natural status quo of the Collective. Thanos began pacing back and forth, scratching his chin and in deep thought.
"Any news on Raven or Silver?" he asked.
Silco shook his head "nope not a sign my lord."
"And what about the Relic of Creation. Has there been any progress?" Thanos continued.
Again Silco shook his head "we handed it over to Strucker. But he has found out nothing yet, it will take him more time…"
"Time we don't have time Silco! Satoru Gojo is picking us off one by one and we need a way to halt him before we all bite to dust!" the tone in the Mad Titan's voice betrayed his fear and desperation, as did the frightened look in his eyes. He glanced at the dead body of his comrade and sighed.
"Might I offer a suggestion my Lord Titan?" Malthazard inquired as he stepped forward. Thanos nodded in response.
"It may be a bit unorthodox but if we keep one of Gojo's loved ones hostage maybe we can deter him from seeking us out."
"So your solution is adding more fuel to the fire Malthazard. Are you sure your time in captivity hasn't had an impact on your usual impeccable strategic mind" Thanos retorted.
Malthazard grinned and raised his one good hand "ah yes but not just any loved one. One that means a lot to either one of his two faithful accomplices."
Thanos raised an eyebrow, he got what Malthazard was going for but clearly still had his doubts.
"Bold plan of you Malthazard, but we cannot risk going to his world and…"
"Ah yes so we find someone who is not currently on this world" Malthazard said.
Then it dawned on the Mad Titan "my daughter's doppelganger…"
"Yes and if I'm not mistaken, Adam Taurus's former lover. If I recall correctly you made that portal that saved them from the prison realm. So you know where they are, and they could still be there, right for the plucking."
Thanos thought this over. He had created that portal out of instinct when he saw his daughter, or rather his daughter's identical double be in danger, it was almost like a reflex, he didn't think it through he just did.
"You are right Malthazard. I do know where they are."
He didn't have time to formulate a plan as Asa immediately stepped forward from behind the pair of men and knelt in front of her adopted father and said.
"Father let me go and retrieve them. I promise I will not stop until I found them."
Thanos raised his eyebrow at his adopted daughter, looking straight into her eyes, the lack of golden pupils making it clear that this was Asa and not Yoru talking.
"Are you certain of this daughter. Your sister's world might be under our grasp but without her to keep the charge there is way of knowing what kind of lawless bandits have taken over" he said.
"Do you think I'm not capable of handling myself father?" Asa asked.
"I think you are very capable Asa…"
"Then let me do this father! With all due respect but look around you, we are reduced to a handful of members. Master Shredder is lost to us, the Baron is dead and he is coming for us. This is our chance to get the leverage we need to tip the scales in our favor. I can do this father and I will succeed, that I can promise you."
She kept her head down as she knelt, not meeting her adoptive father's gaze. Thanos turned his gaze over to Silco, who simply nodded in response.
"Very well then daughter. Go to Remnant and bring those two girls here. Alive" Thanos said, placing specific emphasis on that last part.
A still kneeling Asa clenched her fist and did her best to hide her angry grin as she rose her head up and said with a very determined voice.
"Your will be done, father."