The Immortal stood at the edge of the Pentagon's rooftop, looking out over the Washington skyline.
The early morning sun cast long shadows across the city, glinting off the monuments that had once symbolized human freedom and self-determination.
Now they stood as reminders of a bygone era - still respected, but fundamentally changed in meaning under Viltrumite governance.
He sensed Cecil's approach before he heard him, the director's footsteps deliberately audible as a courtesy to the ancient hero's heightened senses.
"You wanted to see me?" Cecil asked, joining him at the edge. "Must be important to request a meeting outside the usual channels."
The Immortal didn't turn, his gaze fixed on the distant Washington Monument. "Whatever plans you've made, Cecil - stop them. None of them will work."
Cecil's expression remained carefully neutral. "I'm not sure what you're talking about."
"Yes, you are." The Immortal finally turned to face him, his ancient eyes holding knowledge accumulated over thousands of years. "Our situation is what it is now. Thragg rules, and that is how it will be from now on."
A flicker of tension crossed Cecil's face, quickly suppressed. "That's an interesting perspective from someone who's spent centuries fighting for human freedom."
"Resistance is useless," the Immortal stated flatly. "I know you well enough to know you're planning something, Cecil. You just haven't acted yet."
His voice softened slightly. "Don't throw your life away uselessly. You can do far more good alive."
Cecil adjusted his sunglasses, a gesture that might have seemed casual to anyone who didn't know him as well as the Immortal did. "And what makes you think I'm planning anything at all?"
"Because I know you," the Immortal replied simply. "Because it's what you do - what you've always done. But this time..." He paused, seeming to search for the right words. "This time, I'm no longer sure why we should even go against Thragg."
Cecil's eyebrows rose above his sunglasses. "Excuse me?"
"He's been nothing but good to humanity when he could be far worse," the Immortal continued. "Humanity itself has never been truly free anyway. Rights have never truly existed - it's why I've fought for them throughout my thousands of years of life."
He gestured toward the city below. "Power will always be in the hands of a limited few. It's just how our world is.
Better Thragg than the greedy, gluttonous, lustful corrupt people who hoarded all the wealth and did the unspeakable behind the scenes that even we, the Guardians, could never stop."
The Immortal's gaze sharpened. "You should understand what I mean, since you've been fighting that behind the scenes as well."
Cecil remained silent, neither confirming nor denying anything, his face an unreadable mask.
After a moment, the Immortal sighed. "Take my advice, Cecil. If it comes down to it, I can't help you, and I won't choose to go against Thragg. You alive can help a lot more people than dead."
With that, he stepped off the edge of the roof, flying away without another word, leaving Cecil standing alone in the morning light, his thoughts hidden behind dark glasses and decades of practice.
------------------------------
The kitchen of the Teen Team headquarters filled with the comforting aroma of pancakes and coffee as Mark flipped another golden-brown disc onto an already substantial stack.
Eve stood nearby, manipulating her pink energy to simultaneously stir several pots of various breakfast items.
"You're getting pretty good at that," Mark commented.
Eve smiled, a hint of pride in her expression. "Thragg's training has been... intense, but effective. I never realized how much finer control I could have."
"Speaking of control," Rex Splode said as he entered the kitchen, yawning widely, "something smells amazing and I have zero control over my hunger right now."
Dupli-Kate followed close behind, several of her duplicates already helping to set the large dining table. "Where's Amanda? She's usually the first one up."
Mark glanced around, realizing he hadn't seen her that morning. "Maybe she's still sleeping? Yesterday was pretty intense for everyone."
"She wasn't in her room," Eve said, frowning slightly. "I checked earlier when I got up."
"Weird," Rex commented, reaching for a piece of bacon only to have his hand swatted away by one of Kate's duplicates.
"Wait until everyone's at the table," Kate admonished.
Roberta entered next, her new body moving with the precise grace that characterized all her actions. "Good morning. The protein-to-carbohydrate ratio of this meal appears optimal."
Rex rolled his eyes. "Just say 'breakfast looks good' like a normal person, Robot."
"Roberta," she corrected automatically, though without rancor. Her gaze swept the room. "Amanda's absence is notable. Perhaps she left early for training?"
"Maybe," Mark agreed, carrying the stack of pancakes to the table. "Should we start without her?"
As if on cue, the distant hum of the elevator caught their attention.
"That's probably her now," Eve said, moving toward the hallway. "I'll go let her know breakfast is ready."
The others began taking their seats around the table, the casual morning routine a welcome normalcy after the extraordinary events of the previous days. Mark was just pouring orange juice when Eve's shocked gasp echoed from the hallway.
"Eve?" Mark called, immediately concerned. He set down the pitcher and flew across the room in an instant, hovering anxiously. "Is everything okay?"
He froze as he rounded the corner, his eyes widening at the sight before him.
Amanda stood there, looking slightly embarrassed but otherwise normal - except for the unmistakable crimson cape draped around her shoulders.
Not just any cape, but Thragg's traditional regalia, the distinctive white sash pattern immediately recognizable to anyone who had seen the Grand Regent.
"Morning," Amanda said, offering a small wave.
"Is that..." Mark began, unable to complete the question.
Rex, curious about the commotion, had followed. "What's going on? Why is everyone-" He stopped abruptly as he spotted Amanda. "Holy shit, is that Thragg's cape?"
His exclamation drew the others. Kate's duplicates merged back into one as she hurried over, followed by Roberta, all of them staring at Amanda with expressions ranging from shock to confusion.
"Um, yeah," Amanda confirmed, shifting slightly under their collective gaze. "It's... it's Thragg's. Or it was, I guess. He has a new one now."
"A new one?" Eve repeated, finding her voice. "You mean the..."
"The Battle Beast coat, yeah," Amanda nodded. "He decided he didn't need this anymore, so he... gave it to me."
There was a moment of stunned silence as everyone processed this information.
"Thragg... gave you his cape," Mark said slowly, as if saying it aloud might help it make more sense. "The Grand Regent of Viltrum... just handed over his official regalia."
Amanda shrugged, the motion causing the cape to shift around her shoulders. "It's not that big a deal. He has the new coat now, so this was just... extra."
"Not that big a deal?" Rex exclaimed. "That's like saying the Queen's crown is just 'extra jewelry'!"
Roberta studied Amanda with an intensity that might have been uncomfortable if Amanda hadn't been distracted by everyone else's reactions. "The Grand Regent does not make casual gestures," she observed, her tone carefully neutral despite the flicker of something else in her eyes.
"This represents significant symbolic value in Viltrumite culture."
Before Amanda could respond, the sound of heavy footsteps caught everyone's attention. Conquest emerged from another hallway, his massive frame filling the doorway as he scowled at the assembled group.
"What is all this commotion?" he demanded, his voice carrying notes of both irritation and sleepiness. "Some of us were attempting to rest."
His gaze fell on Amanda, and for a moment, he simply stared, his scarred face registering genuine surprise - an expression few had ever seen on the ancient warrior.
Then his eyes widened further as he recognized exactly what she was wearing.
The others tensed, uncertain how the volatile Viltrumite would react to seeing the Grand Regent's regalia worn by a human.
To their surprise, Conquest's expression shifted from shock to something more calculating. He crossed his massive arms over his chest and fixed Amanda with a penetrating stare.
"Did you mate with the Grand Regent?" he asked bluntly.
The question hung in the air for a moment of absolute silence before chaos erupted.
"What?!" Mark and Eve exclaimed simultaneously.
Rex choked on nothing, coughing violently.
Kate's eyes widened to comic proportions. "Oh my God..."
Amanda's face flushed crimson to match the cape. "No! What? NO! It's not like that at all!"
Conquest seemed unperturbed by the reaction. "Then how did you come to possess the Grand Regent's personal regalia?"
"He just... gave it to me," Amanda explained, her face still burning. "I was in his chambers-"
"His chambers?" Kate interrupted, her eyebrows shooting up.
"Not like that!" Amanda protested. "I went to see how he was doing after the Battle Beast fight, and he was trying on his new coat, and we were talking, and I mentioned that I liked his old cape, and he just... gave it to me."
Conquest's expression remained skeptical. "The Grand Regent does not simply 'give' items of personal significance without purpose."
"Well, he did," Amanda insisted. "He said if I valued it, it was mine. That he had no further use for it."
Roberta's voice cut through the discussion, her tone clinically precise. "In many cultures, the gifting of personal items, particularly clothing, carries significant intimacy implications. Among some ancient Earth societies, it was tantamount to a declaration of intent."
"It wasn't like that," Amanda repeated, though with less certainty. "It was just... I don't know, a nice gesture."
"The Grand Regent does not make 'nice gestures,'" Conquest stated flatly. "He makes strategic decisions."
Mark ran a hand through his hair, looking bewildered. "So what are you saying? That Thragg is... what, interested in Amanda?"
"It would be logical," Roberta observed, though something in her tone suggested she found the idea anything but pleasant. "Amanda's genetic profile is exceptional, her cellular structure remarkably adaptive due to her unique condition.
Combined with her demonstrated intelligence and combat capabilities, she represents an optimal genetic partner by Viltrumite standards."
Amanda looked increasingly uncomfortable. "Can we please stop talking about this? It was just a cape. It doesn't mean anything."
"If it meant nothing," Conquest rumbled, "he would have simply discarded it or had it stored with other historical artifacts. The personal bestowal indicates significance."
"Okay, that's enough," Eve intervened, seeing Amanda's discomfort. "Whether it means something or not, it's Amanda's business. Let's give her some space."
Mark nodded in agreement. "Right. And, uh, breakfast is getting cold. We should eat."
The group reluctantly moved back toward the dining area, though the conversation was far from over if the speculative glances were any indication. Amanda hesitated, her hands unconsciously tightening on the edges of the cape.
"Do you want me to take it off?" she asked Eve quietly. "It's obviously making everyone weird."
Eve shook her head. "No, keep it if you want to. They'll get over it." She paused, then added with a small smile, "Besides, it actually looks good on you."
Amanda returned the smile gratefully. "Thanks. I don't know why he gave it to me, honestly. But it... means something to me, I guess. He changed my life with that cellular device. I wouldn't be standing here looking my actual age if it weren't for him."
As they rejoined the others at the table, the conversation had shifted to more mundane topics, though the occasional glance toward Amanda's cape suggested the subject remained on everyone's mind.
Conquest, surprisingly, had taken a seat at the table rather than returning to his quarters. He accepted a plate piled high with food - Viltrumite appetites being substantially greater than human ones - and began eating with methodical efficiency.
"So," Rex said, clearly unable to resist poking at the elephant in the room, "if Thragg has a thing for Amanda, does that make her, like, the First Lady of Earth now?"
Amanda groaned, dropping her head into her hands. "Rex, I swear to God..."
"What?" he defended, grinning. "It's a legitimate question. Does dating the Grand Regent come with diplomatic immunity? Special parking privileges?"
"I'm not dating him!" Amanda protested. "He gave me a cape, that's all!"
"His cape," Kate corrected, unable to hide her own amusement. "The symbol of his authority that he's worn for, what, centuries?"
"Millennia," Conquest corrected between bites. "The regalia has been part of the Grand Regent's formal attire since before the plague."
This casual reference to Viltrumite history momentarily diverted the conversation. Mark looked at Conquest with genuine curiosity. "Really? The same design for that long?"
Conquest nodded. "Viltrumites value tradition and continuity. The regalia symbolizes the unbroken line of authority from Emperor Argall to the present governance."
"So Amanda's wearing something that's basically thousands of years old?" Rex whistled. "That's some vintage fashion right there."
Amanda rolled her eyes, though she seemed relieved by the slight shift in focus. "The material's still in perfect condition. It's lighter than it looks, but surprisingly warm."
"Viltrumite textile technology exceeds Earth capabilities by several centuries," Roberta noted. "The molecular structure would resist degradation under normal conditions for millennia."
"It smells nice too," Amanda added without thinking, then immediately flushed as everyone stared at her again. "I mean - it's just - the fabric has a nice scent, that's all!"
"Like Thragg?" Rex suggested innocently, earning himself a glare that could have melted steel.
"Enough, Rex," Eve intervened again. "Let's talk about something else. Like what everyone's plans are for today."
The conversation gradually shifted to more normal topics - training schedules, patrol rotations, maintenance tasks around the headquarters.
Amanda participated, grateful for the reprieve, though she remained very much aware of the cape around her shoulders and the occasional glances it continued to draw.
After breakfast, as everyone began dispersing to their various duties, Conquest approached Amanda.
His massive frame dwarfed her, yet there was something almost awkward in his demeanor - as if the ancient warrior was attempting a social interaction outside his usual parameters.
"The cape," he said gruffly, "is traditionally worn by those of significant standing in Viltrumite hierarchy."
Amanda looked up at him warily. "Is this where you tell me I'm not worthy to wear it?"
To her surprise, Conquest shook his head. "No. The Grand Regent's decision is not mine to question. I merely thought you might wish to know how to wear it properly."
Amanda blinked, taken aback by the unexpected offer. "Oh. Um, sure. That would be helpful, actually."
With surprising patience, Conquest demonstrated the correct way to fasten the cape, adjusting it to accommodate her much smaller frame.
His massive hands, capable of shattering planets, moved with unexpected precision as he arranged the fabric.
"The white sash pattern represents authority and lineage," he explained. "It should fall here, across the left shoulder, symbolizing the heart's connection to duty."
Amanda listened attentively, finding herself genuinely interested in the cultural significance. "I had no idea it was so meaningful."
"Few outside Viltrum do," Conquest acknowledged. When he had finished adjusting the cape, he stepped back to assess his work. "Better. Still not designed for human proportions, but acceptable."
"Thank you," Amanda said sincerely. "I appreciate the help."
Conquest grunted in acknowledgment. "The Grand Regent's favor is... significant. Whether intended romantically or not, it marks you as someone of importance in the new hierarchy."
Before Amanda could respond to this rather overwhelming statement, Conquest turned and strode away, leaving her to contemplate the implications of wearing what was essentially a symbol of Viltrumite authority.
Later that morning, Mark found Amanda on the rooftop training area, practicing combat forms while still wearing the cape.
He watched for a moment, noting how she had adapted her movements to accommodate the flowing fabric.
"You're getting pretty good at that," he commented, approaching once she had completed a sequence.
Amanda smiled, wiping sweat from her forehead. "Thanks. It's easier now that I don't have to worry about aging backward every time I transform."
Mark nodded, "About that... and the cape... I wanted to apologize if we made you uncomfortable at breakfast."
"It's fine," Amanda assured him. "I get it. It's weird. I'm still processing it myself."
"Do you think..." Mark hesitated, then pressed on. "Do you think Conquest might be right? About what it means?"
Amanda sighed, adjusting the cape around her shoulders. "I honestly don't know, Mark. Thragg is... impossible to read. One minute he's this cold, calculating ruler, and the next he's doing something like this that seems almost... I don't know, human?"
Mark considered this. "He has been different lately. Less rigid, more... engaged, I guess? Eve noticed it during our training sessions too."
"The Battle Beast fight changed something in him," Amanda observed. "It's subtle, but it's there. Like he's allowing himself to experience things more directly instead of just analyzing everything from a distance."
"And you're okay with that? With him maybe being interested in you?" Mark asked carefully.
Amanda was quiet for a moment, her expression thoughtful. "I don't know," she admitted finally. "A month ago, the idea would have seemed ridiculous - terrifying, even. But now..." She touched the edge of the cape, her fingers tracing the fabric.
"He gave me back my life, Mark. My real age, my future. And when we talk, he actually listens to me. Not as a subject or an inferior being, but as... a person."
Mark nodded slowly, understanding more than she might have expected. "I get it. It's complicated."
"Very complicated," Amanda agreed with a small laugh. "And probably all moot anyway. For all I know, this was just him being practical about a piece of clothing he doesn't need anymore."
"Maybe," Mark conceded, though his tone suggested he thought otherwise. "Just... be careful, okay? Not because I think he'd hurt you, but because... well, everything with Thragg has implications beyond just personal relationships."
"Trust me, I'm aware," Amanda said dryly. "If one more person mentions 'optimal genetic partnerships' to me today, I might scream."
Mark laughed, the tension breaking. "Fair enough. Want to spar for a bit? I promise not to bring up your love life."
"It's not a love life!" Amanda protested, but she was smiling as she took a combat stance. "And yes, sparring sounds good. Just don't expect me to go easy on you because you're the Grand Regent's favorite student."
"Wouldn't dream of it," Mark replied, mirroring her stance. "Besides, I'm pretty sure that title might belong to you now."
Amanda's response was a swift attack that Mark barely managed to block, their training session quickly evolving into a friendly and fun sparring match.
--------------------
In another part of the headquarters, Roberta stood in her laboratory, analyzing data with meticulous precision.
Her exterior remained calm, focused, the perfect image of scientific detachment. Inside, however, her emotions were far less ordered.
The sight of Amanda wearing Thragg's cape had triggered a complex cascade of reactions she was still processing.
The primary emotion, which she reluctantly identified as jealousy, was both surprising in its intensity and disappointing in its irrationality.
"These particular emotional responses are inefficient," she murmured to herself, a habit carried over from her days as Robot. "The Grand Regent's interactions with others have no bearing on my objectives."
Yet the statement rang hollow even to her own ears. Since her transformation into her new body, Roberta had experienced emotions with an intensity that sometimes overwhelmed her analytical framework.
This situation was proving particularly challenging to compartmentalize.
Her admiration for Thragg had evolved from scientific fascination to something more complex - a recognition of kinship in their mutual experience of isolation, of being fundamentally different from those around them.
To see him potentially forming a connection with Amanda before her...
Roberta forced her attention back to the data before her, though her thoughts continued to circle the morning's revelation.
If Thragg had indeed bestowed his regalia on Amanda as a sign of favor - romantic or otherwise - it represented a significant development in the Grand Regent's integration with Earth.
It could also represent an opportunity, she reasoned. Amanda's new status might provide insights into Thragg's thinking, his priorities, his evolving approach to governance. Information that could be valuable in Roberta's own interactions with the Grand Regent.
"Adaptation is essential," she reminded herself. "New data requires recalibration of approach."
With renewed determination, Roberta returned to her work, her scientific mind already formulating new strategies for achieving her objectives in light of this unexpected development.
------------------------
Evening found the Teen Team gathered in the common area, the day's duties completed and a rare moment of relaxation available to all.
Rex had convinced everyone to participate in a board game night, arguing that "even superheroes need downtime."
Amanda, still wearing the cape though now more comfortably after Conquest's adjustments, sat cross-legged on the floor, studying the game board with intense concentration.
"Your move," Kate prompted, gesturing to the dice.
Amanda rolled, moving her piece accordingly. "Ha! Park Place with a hotel. Pay up, Rex!"
Rex groaned dramatically, counting out his rapidly diminishing play money. "This is robbery. I'm being financially destroyed by the Grand Regent's girlfriend."
"I'm not his girlfriend!" Amanda protested automatically, though with less heat than earlier in the day. The repeated teasing had worn down her initial embarrassment, leaving more resignation than outrage.
"Fine, fine," Rex conceded with a grin. "The Grand Regent's special friend who happens to wear his clothes."
Eve flicked a game piece at him telekinetically. "Leave her alone, Rex. You're just bitter because you're losing."
"Losing spectacularly," Mark added cheerfully. "I don't think I've ever seen someone go bankrupt this fast."
The casual banter continued as the game progressed. Even Conquest, who had unexpectedly joined them after dinner, observed from a nearby armchair with what might almost have been interest.
"Viltrumites have similar strategic games," he commented at one point, watching Kate execute a particularly ruthless property trade. "Though ours typically involve more complex variables and consequences for failure."
"Let me guess," Rex said. "Losers get thrown into the sun?"
To everyone's surprise, Conquest's scarred face creased in what might have been a smile. "No. That would be inefficient use of potential resources. Typically, the consequence is additional combat training."
"Sounds fun," Rex muttered sarcastically.
"It builds character," Conquest replied with unexpected dryness, earning startled laughs from several team members.
As the evening wore on, Amanda found herself relaxing more fully than she had all day.
The cape around her shoulders no longer felt like a spotlight drawing everyone's attention, but simply a comfortable garment with an amazing history.
As the game concluded (with Kate's decisive victory), the team began dispersing to their quarters for the night. Amanda lingered in the common area, adjusting the cape one final time before heading to bed.
"It does suit you," Conquest observed unexpectedly, having remained behind as the others departed. "The regalia. You wear it with appropriate dignity."
Coming from the ancient warrior, this was high praise indeed. Amanda smiled, surprised and touched by the comment. "Thank you, Conquest. That means a lot."
He nodded once, then turned to leave. At the doorway, he paused. "The Grand Regent does not act without purpose," he said, repeating his words from earlier in the day, not looking back.
"Whatever his intentions, they are deliberate. Remember that."
------------------------
(Author note: Hello everyone! I hope you all liked this chapter!
Do tell me how you found it. Also, yeah, Conquest relaxing, I know, shocking, but Thragg's orders, are Thragg's orders.
So yeah, do tell me how you found it and I hope to see you all later,
Bye!)