"Ugh! Who's idea was it to host this meeting so early?" Thor complains cradling his left temple.
"You're the one who decided to spend the last few days drinking!" Nick Fury snaps at Thor. "You had all the time in the world to get rested up."
"Here. Drink this." Valkyrie says, handing Thor a strange bottle. "It'll help."
"What is it?" Thor asks, sniffing the bottle hesitantly. "It smells like vodka."
"I don't know what Vodka is." Valkyrie responds, "but it's the quickest way to cure a hangover."
"You snuck liquor into the Xandar justice hall?" Nick Fury snaps angrily.
"I didn't sneak it!" Valkyrie answers. "I got it off that guy." He points across the way at a heavy set man endowed in gold smiling and waving at people across different balconies.
"Is that Zeus?" Thor asks, trying to concentrate. He turns back toward Valkyrie. "And why aren't you hung over? You drank as much as I... Maybe more."
Valkyrie points at the bottle and gives Thor an annoyed 'Drink it!' glare. Thor studies the bottle for a moment longer before taking a large swig. "Ahhh..." He grumbles while clenching his eyes. Valkyrie smiles enjoying Thor's discomfort.
"I have a question." Rocket interrupts. "Why did they shove all of us in here, with you guys?"
Nick Fury looks past Rocket to see the five Guardians, Bruce, Natasha, Clint, Peter Parker, Wanda, Vision, Sam, James, Scott, Hope, Hank, Janet, T'Challa, Oyoke, Bucky, Tony, and Steve Rogers in a wheelchair. They are all crowded in a small floating circular balcony overlooking a large courtroom type auditorium. There are many other balconies floating freely around the room with various alien life forms inhabiting them. Most of them seem distracted by the spectacle which is the Terran balcony.
"I asked most of you to sit this one out," Nick Fury says angrily, "but did anyone listen?"
"I mean, why didn't we get our own balcony?" Rocket grumbles back. "Or them?" She points at Thor and Valkyrie who are now clearly drinking again. "Our captain is from Terra, but they're Asgardian. Where's their platform?"
"It's probably because Asgard was destroyed." Bruce answers. "Their people are on Earth now."
"Asgard was destroyed?" Peter Parker asks in shock.
Nick Fury redirects her glare toward Peter.
"And why are you still here?" Nick Fury asks angrily.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Fury, I just felt like this would be the educational chance of the century." Peter Parker responds. "I'm learning so much."
"Oh, you're learning something?" Nick Fury asks. "I'm glad this Universal tragedy is working out for you." She turns away to watch the center of the auditorium. "And don't call me Mrs!" She shouts over her shoulder.
Peter Parker makes a sad guilty face, unsure if she should stay.
"Hey!" Bruce Banner steps in. "Leave her alone, she's right. This is possibly the biggest historic moment of her lifetime. She has every right to be here as much as any one of us."
Nick Fury starts to turn and protest but she is suddenly interrupted by Thor and Valkyrie shouting.
"Dr. Strange! Yea!" Thor says as Dr. Strange comes flying upward from somewhere below. Nick Fury turns around to see what is going on.
"The council has asked that you settle down in preparation for the hearing." Dr. Strange tells them.
"Hey!" Rocket shouts. "Why are we all stuffed in here, with them? Can't we get our own floaty thingy?"
Dr. Strange studies the clearly overfull area and realizes Rocket is right. She looks around the auditorium before spotting another empty spot. Using her magic, she is able to move it closer to everyone. The second platform begins to rotate as Dr. Strange tries to align the doors. However, before she can finish Rocket leaps on the edge and jumps to the new platform. Almost as if on queue, the rest of the Guardians follow in a similar yet clumsy fashion, making a lot of noise as they do so. A handful of laughs come from alien spectators. Dr. Strange chooses to ignore it.
"I used to idolize Zeus, as a kid." Thor is telling Valkyrie when he is interrupted by Rocket.
"Heads up!" Rocket says pointing. "Creepy guy in black is watching you like a piece of meat." Thor follows Rocket's gesture and sees an odd fellow with long hair wearing tight black leather. He is watching them with a very apparent sneer.
"You know that guy?" Valkyrie asks.
"No." Thor responds. "Probably somebody I pissed off." They both start laughing along with Rocket.
"I think it'd be best if I separated you two." Dr. Strange says as she uses her magic to move the Guardians a little further away. She doesn't wait for a response before floating back toward the center of the auditorium.
"She's hot!" Valkyrie tells Thor.
"Hmmm.. who?" Thor looks at Valkyrie then to the Sorcerer Supreme. "Dr. Strange?" He asks.
"Yeah." Valkyrie responds. "Not gonna lie."
"I didn't know you were into..." Thor has to think for a moment. "Girls? Boys? What are you into?"
"Can you two shut up?" Nick Fury steps between them aggressively. "It's starting."
"Oh, it's starting." Thor says redundantly, turning toward Valkyrie. They smile at the carefree sarcasm.
The many alien races and attendants floating around, slowly begin to quiet also, except for a few laughs and snickers from Zeus's balcony.
"Citizens of the Nine Realms," The auditorium booms with a female voice. Thor has to grab his temples as the sound reawakens his headache, "and the outlying planets." The volume seems to adjust as the announcer Irani Rael continues speaking. "It is no secret as to why you were all summoned here."
"Why are we here?" Zeus calls out from his floating balcony. He does not look sober in the least. Valkyrie chuckles while several alien species from surrounding balconies look on in annoyance.
"Your majesty, you are here because..." The announcer gives Zeus a simple update on the purpose of the gathering.
"Wait, why doesn't he know?" Peter Parker asks, a little shocked that someone wouldn't know about something that impacted the entire universe.
Thor chuckles at the question before answering. "That is Zeus, the God of lightning, King of all Gods."
Peter Parker studies Thor, trying to process what was just said. "The upper gods tend to not concern themselves with matters of the mortal world." Thor says casually, like it makes sense.
"There are upper gods?" Peter Parker asks, in utter surprise.
"Will you two be quiet?!" Nick Fury snaps at them. Peter apologizes and Thor just shrugs his shoulders. They go back to listening to the announcer.
"It is because of Thanos' actions, the infinity stones have once again been brought together, and are currently but separately contained in secure locations across this planet, Lord Zeus." The announcer finishes explaining.
"What did I miss?" Peter Parker asks.
"She was just explaining how we got here." Sam whispers. Peter looks at him and nods. She can't help but notice Sam looks a little different, but can't figure out why.
"Half the Universe, huh?" Zeus asks. "I was wondering why so many of you looked so... different." He glances around laughing with a wide smile. For a moment his eyes rest on the man in black who had been watching Thor earlier. Zeus chuckles. "No matter. The stones have no effect on my kingdom, and the Gods of Olympus have no interest in them. Decide what you must." Zeus waves, turns away, and walks to the nearest seat. "They dragged us out in here for this fiddle faddle." He grumbles. "Don't they know there's a God killer wandering these parts?" He harrumphs toward a lady in waiting.
"We will take your concerns into consideration when deciding where to disperse the stones." The announcer tells Zeus. "As for the rest of you." She continues. "I am sure it's no secret how dangerous each of these stones is, individually let alone together. It is for this reason, we have decided to separate the stones and distribute them throughout the Nine Realms."
A collecting gasp seems to fill the auditorium.
"In the interest of keeping their location secret, each of your planet's leaders will be contacted by a representative from Nova Corp, and you will each be given a chance to plead your case for possession of one of the infinity stones." A murmur starts to ripple through the crowds of different alien species. "I strongly recommend you think heavily on which stone you wish to petition for, as no realm or planet will be allowed more than one stone."
"Wait a minute!" Rocket shouts. "That's bullshit! You can't just leave us like this!"
The audience of aliens from all over, start speaking up all at once. The Guardians are clearly not the only ones upset. There is a loud howling from one corner causing Thor to turn and glare.
A loud boom fills the air, causing the auditorium to get absolutely silent except for one resonating voice. "SILENCE!" Dr. Strange thundered above everyone else.
"The Commander of Nova Corp is speaking!" Captain Marvel shouts as he comes flying downward toward the center. He lands hard and it causes another booming sound.
Rocket can't help but notice, Captain Marvel has a slight purple hue to his energy. She turns toward Star-Lord and whispers aloud. "He's still got the power stone." Star-Lord looks at Captain Marvel and nods.
Star-Lord steps forward and recognizes Commander Irani Rael. She glares toward Star-Lord, recognizing who she is also, despite the changes.
"I believe what my friend is trying to say," Star-Lord says, surprised that sound has returned to the room. "What do we plan on doing about the curse? Are we going to undo the changes Thanos caused, and fix everything?"
"It's not a curse!" A deep voice interjects. The Guardians amongst others turn toward another balcony, filled with dark elves. "Harudeen was riddled with disease and sickness. Many of us have been at war for decades. The snap has helped many, and put an end to that. We know peace now!"
"This curse has plunged our political system into chaos!" Someone else shouts from a different platform. The dark elves look up, one of them even smirks when they realize it is the light elves complaining. "Our ruling class was based on a delicate balance of all things..."
"None of your political systems will matter unless we can restore the Nine Realms!" a third voice shouts. They all turn to see a giant with stone hands. "Asgard is gone now, and with Nidavellir in shambles, we are all in constant danger."
"Yes, yes!" A random well dressed woman chimes in from elsewhere. "The Nine Realms should be reassigned, and the stones entrusted to the new worlds. Sakaar is more than capable of handling those duties."
"After what you did, you're lucky you aren't in Prison Gast!" Someone else shouts at the woman.
"Uh, call me Grandmaster." She tries to correct them.
"What about our dead?" Rocket tries to shout as the room begins to erupt again. People are shouting in every direction once more.
"Silence!" Dr. Strange shouts, using her magic to mute the room once more. When everyone seems calm and concentrated she continues to speak. "The fact of the matter is, in the wrong hands, any one of these stones can distort reality and wreak havoc across the universe. All of us even having this conversation is a miracle in itself. Using the stones again could have immeasurable conseque..."
"Who's side are you on anyway?" Rocket shouts at her. "I thought you were with them!" Rocket points at the Avengers. "Don't you want to at least heal your friend?" She points at Captain America. "Or bring back your dead?" She turns back toward Dr. Strange, getting somewhat emotional. "We've all lost loved ones!" She pleads.
Dr. Strange wants to answer, but she feels somewhat guilty and understanding.
"No one understands more than the people in this building." Irani Rael answers for her, in a sympathetic voice. "The Nova Corp, Asgard, Sakaar, Nidavellir, Midgar, and even your team have suffered heavy losses." Despite the distance between them Rocket can feel her gaze. "But, if we use the stones again, it would risk making things worse, Guardians." She addresses the team. "If that happens, everyone would have died in vain... Even Gamora..."
The Guardians feel a wave of emotion hit them upon hearing Gamora's name. The reality that she may truly be gone forever suddenly sets in. They all begin to look down in sadness. A few of them start tearing up.
"Even if you were to wish everyone back," Another new voice shouts out. They look up to see the odd man in black leather, sitting on the edge of his balcony looking down at them. "The one known as Gamora was not killed by natural means." Rocket begins to glare at this strange man. "She was sacrificed to obtain the Soul Stone. That is where she is now, and her death cannot be undone." The man smirks almost joyously as he says this. He then notices the Avengers. His gaze turns back toward Thor, causing him to frown again.
"Who is this asshole?" Rocket shouts aloud. "Why do you know so much about Gamora?" Rocket asks him. "Hey, my eyes are over here, pervert! Stop staring at muscles over there."
The man in black shifts his gaze back to Rocket and sneers openly.
"That's Enough!" Irani shouts toward Rocket. "The option of using the stones is not up for debate!" She says. "We can spend hours trying to justify it, but in the end, it's clearly too dangerous." The Guardians turn back toward Irani, except Rocket who is still growling at the man in black.
"It has already been decided." Irani continues. "The respective leaders from each of your planets will plead your case, and should your reasoning be sound, your planet will be entrusted with guarding one of the infinity stones. In secret!" Imani adds that last part with emphasis.
"And what about planets without stones?" Another voice shouts. They turn to see a frost giant amongst others in one of the balconies. "Are we expected to remain defenseless against the others? Need I remind you of the havoc wrought us by Asgard nearly ten years ago?"
"The Nova Empire has no intent in trusting any of the stones to a planet that has a history of violence and abusing their power, nor any form of weapon even remotely similar, Laufeyson." Irani answers aggressively. "And if I remember right, it was your brother who caused the damage."
"He's no brother of mine!" Laufeyson shouts angrily. Dr. Strange does not waste any time muting his shouts.
"Either way, planets who possess a stone, will be forbidden from using it. Doing so will result in confiscation by the Nova Empire, and reassignment." Irani looks over the room and tries not to miss anyone, so they know there are no exceptions. Her eyes finally rest back upon the Frost giants. "If it's any consolation to you, Laufeyson," Irani continues. "Asgard was destroyed, therefore they are exempt from pleading a case."
"Asgard was not destroyed!" Thor shouts in protest. "Its people live on."
"Yes, but you have no home. 'No place to hide a stone." Irani says as she turns toward Thor.
"Asgard is not a place, it's a people." Thor responds. "My people are currently seeking refuge on Earth... Uhm... Midgar, I mean."
"And are you the current ruler of Midgar?" Irani asks.
"NO!" Both Nick Fury and Tony Stark seem to panic-shout simultaneously.
"Your honor..." Nick Fury says hesitantly. "Earth, I mean Midgar, is still a developing planet. We currently have no overall ruler or ruling government."
"Your planet will be required to establish a leader or point of contact in order to participate in future hearings for the nine realms. Especially if you plan to continue getting involved in matters outside of your solar system."
"This feels eerily like being in a courtroom back on Earth." Clint Barton mumbles.
"Tell me about it." James Rhodes tells him.
"Who're we going to get to represent us?" Natasha asks. They look at Nick Fury.
"Hell no..." Fury tells them. "Don't look at me. What about you?" She points at James Rhodes. "You're the one with experience in politics."
Rhodes thinks about it for a moment. "I suppose it makes sense." He says, hesitantly.
"We have a King!" Peter Parker shouts aloud unexpectedly.
The Avengers and Thor turn to her and realize she was not actually talking to the group, but to Irani instead.
"Do you?" Irani asks.
"Yeah!" Peter answers, happy to help. She turns around and points to the ruler of Wakanda. "King T'Challa from Wakanda! Can he.. I mean she represent us?" Both T'Challa's and Oyoke's eyes light up in surprise. Peter Parker notices the other Avengers looking at her in disbelief. She realizes she wasn't paying attention and may have jumped the gun. "I'm sorry..." She tries to apologize.
"Very well then." Irani tells the Avengers. "For the purposes of this hearing, King T'Challa will be assigned temporary ruler of Midgar until someone official has been decided upon. In the meantime, I advise each of the other kingdoms and planets to take your time organizing your case for possession of an infinity stone. For those of you not participating, I hope you understand, in the interest of keeping the Universe safe, the information said and obtained during these cases and their results will be kept secret from the public."
Irani continues to talk to the crowd as the Avengers try to wrap their heads around these recent developments.
"What just happened?" T'Challa asks, somewhat confused.
"I think they just made you the King of Earth..." Oyoke tells her. His eyes slowly change from surprise to humored delight. He can't help smiling toward his king, at the thought.
"Congratulations, your highness." James Rhodes says, patting T'Challa on the shoulder. "You're the first King of Earth.
"I can't say I'm not happy that it's a person of color." Sam Wilson says, giving T'Challa a very hearty handshake. "But you've definitely got my vote."
"I guess, congratulations, My King." Bruce says, giving a little curtsy.
"King of Earth?" T'Challa asks, feeling the words in her mouth for a moment. She can't resist smiling.