The variants all waited about. A blue portal opened in the room and Thor, Skaar and Namor stepped out. They all immediately fell silent once Kang stepped in.
Beast roared and got in a defensive position beside Monica and Captain Marvel, Cyclops prepared to take off his glasses, Wong summoned orange mystical shields to his hands, and everyone else got on guard.
"Not to fret! He's on our side. It's a long story," said Thor. "The idiots who left for the rings have been captured, and we must save them."
"And kill my variants," added Kang darkly.
Reed suddenly stepped forward.
"So, you're my descendent I've heard so much about."
"Now isn't the time for introductions," said Kang in a dismissive tone.
"It is if we're to work together," added Sue.
"Quite simple!" exclaimed a younger Charles Xavier. "I see their minds. They speak the truth."
"Then we gotta rescue the others," stated Mystique.
"But how?" asked Cyclops.
"Brute force," stated Kang calmly.
"I'm afraid he's right," said Beast.
"Well, it'll take one hell of a hit," said Sam.
"It's worth the risk," said Captain Marvel.
"I don't feel like dying today. Have fun, y'all," said Rhodey.
"It's decided, then," said Namor.
Kang opened another portal.
He, Thor, Namor, Skaar, Riri, Monica, Carol, Vision, Sam, Elijah, Bucky, Ava, Yelena, Mystique, Kate and the Fantastic Four all went through.
"Not to worry, yee of little patience," stated Deadpool. "I'll get us outta here. Really, I will. Don't you get annoyed! That's right, damn it, I see you, miss recastie."
Cassie rolled her eyes.
The red-suited annoyance had spent two hours trying to come up with a plan, and had a hole in his lower abdomen where he had accidentally impaled himself.
Wolverine was attempting to scale the walls, but to no luck. Even this wall was too dull for adamantium.
Suddenly, something began to form on the wall. It started out small, but got larger. A blue portal had been made. A young, black man in a red armor stepped out. He looked about cautiously, and whispered.
"Listen, it's a long story and I don't have a lot of time. You can trust me. I'm not my variants. I can get you all outta here."
"And, just who are you?" asked Scott.
"I'm Kang. Sort of. My real name's Nathaniel, just call me Iron Lad. It's what the older guy said."
"Older guy?" asked Shang Chi.
"Yeah! My uh, mentor. There's really no time, just please come."
With that, the young variant scurried back through the portal.
"He seems nice enough," stated Shuri, who followed. She was soon followed by the others.
Kang and the others appeared in a room in the giant ship.
"All right," began Thor. "Whoever is coming to commit mass murder, feel free to join."
Thor, Kang, Namor, Skaar, Carol, Monica, Riri, Reed and Johnny Storm all went down a hallway in search of the variants.
Vision used his intellect to scan rooms for living individuals. He walked along a steep staircase, followed by the others, in twos. Ben walked directly behind him, (he was big enough and counted as two) with Elijah and Sam behind him, followed by Kate and Yelena, followed by Sue and Mystique, and Bucky and Ava.
The semi-handicapped assassin was somewhat protective of his ghostly companion, and often stood along the unsafe edges of the staircase.
She snickered.
"You totally have a thing for me."
"Again, I dunno what the hell that even means!" said Bucky, as Ava took pleasure out of his ignorance and frustration.
"Ahead," said Vision. "Life-forms. They're here, but they're with a variant. He..." Vision trailed off.
"He what?" asked Sam.
"He's different from the others. He's a mere adolescent."
"Gee, that's reassuring," remarked Elijah.
The young Kang came into veiw.
"Right here, just down this ha..." the Iron Lad trailed off as the two groups bumped into one another.
There was a long, awkward silence.
"Mission accomplished," mumbled Bucky.
The Kangs had all assembled in their arena. They were all having a meeting, the trillions of Kangs seated while upon a large black railing, Immortus, Rama Tut and the Centurion were speaking.
"We have gained something that will help us win... against these self-righteous Avengers," said Immortus. "A key... to a new era. A beginning... of a new dynasty!"
Centurion held the rings above his head, earning cheers from the audience.
"But... that isn't all! We've taken back tokens rightfully ours! Items lost to the multiverse."
Rama Tut held the bangles high, and the crowd cheered once more.
Immortus stepped forward and held up some Pym Particles. The crowd went nuts.
"With these... we can become the strongest beings... within time! Within no limits... but our own!'
The crowd whooped and shouted in approval.
The small group that sought to kill them were off to the side, hiding and listening.
"Very uncivilized," muttered Reed.
"And to think, these are your frickin' grandkids," said Johnny.
"When do we attack?" asked Monica.
"We wait until the meeting is over," said Kang. "We will catch them off guard."