The atmosphere over Chicago crackled with tension as two forces faced each other in the night sky.
Far above them, the battle between Emperor Thragg and Grand Regent Thragg continued somewhere beyond Earth's orbit, but here, a different confrontation was brewing.
On one side stood Roberta, her form hovering with unnatural grace, the Battle Beast coat held protectively against her chest, her energy field ensuring not even a speck of dust would touch the precious garment.
Beside her, Nolan maintained a defensive stance, while Viltrumite Mark and Royal Mark flanked their positions. Royal Conquest and Mohawk Mark completed their formation, each ready for combat.
Opposing them were the 44 remaining Viltrumites of this universe, their white uniforms gleaming in the moonlight.
At their head stood Original Conquest, his scarred face twisted in barely contained bloodlust.
General Kregg, Anissa, and Lucan positioned themselves as commanders, their presence alone keeping the other Viltrumites in perfect formation.
Original Conquest flexed his newly reconstructed metal arm, the advanced alloy gleaming as he tested its responsiveness.
With deliberate slowness, he punched his left palm, creating a thunderous boom.
"Why should we not kill them all now?" he growled, his voice carrying across the night air. "We have the numbers. And these traitors," he spat the word, glaring at Mohawk Mark and Viltrumite Mark, "deserve death for turning against the ideals of Viltrum."
"Our Grand Regent will deal with their Emperor," Kregg added, his confidence in his leader absolute. "We should clean up these lesser matters while they battle."
Anissa's lips curved in a predatory smile as she studied the opposing group. "It won't even be a challenge. Six against forty-four? The odds are... delicious."
Pink energy began to emanate from Roberta's form, one arm still cradling the Battle Beast coat while her other hand rose slowly.
The energy started as a subtle glow but rapidly intensified until it enveloped the entire area in a magenta light that turned the night sky into an alien landscape.
Her eyes transformed into pools of pure energy, power radiating from her in waves that made even the hardened Viltrumites shift uncomfortably.
The air itself seemed to bend around her, reality distorting at the edges of her influence.
"You speak of numbers," she said, her voice carrying an otherworldly resonance that seemed to come from everywhere at once.
"Let me explain something about molecular manipulation without mental blocks." The pink aura intensified further, wrapping around all but the four strongest Viltrumites.
"Only you four - Conquest, Kregg, Anissa, and Lucan - have the unconscious strength to resist my ability to alter atomic structure. The rest..."
She raised her head, and forty Viltrumite warriors found themselves completely immobilized within her power.
Their bodies began to distort slightly, demonstrating her absolute control over their molecular structure.
Several tried to break free, their legendary strength useless against her fundamental control over matter itself.
"Shall we test how much pressure a Viltrumite can withstand before they pop like overfilled balloons?" Roberta asked, her tone clinically detached despite the horrifying threat.
"I estimate the blood rain would be visible from several states away. Your losses would be... substantial. And then you four would still have to face us - and trust me, I'm just getting started."
Original Conquest's scarred face contorted with rage, but a flicker of uncertainty crossed his features as he watched his fellow warriors struggle helplessly in Roberta's grip. Even with his enhanced strength and new metal arm, he recognized the threat her power posed to their forces.
"You wouldn't dare," Kregg snarled, though his usual confidence wavered slightly. "Such an act would bring the full might of the Viltrum Empire down upon you."
"Your Empire?" Roberta's laugh was cold, devoid of humor. "Your Empire consists of exactly forty-six living Viltrumites, and I currently hold forty of them in the palm of my hand." She demonstrated by closing her fingers slightly, causing the trapped warriors to cry out in pain as their molecular structure began to compress.
"Consider your position carefully," she continued, her free arm still cradling the Battle Beast coat protectively while her other hand conducted this symphony of potential destruction.
"You four might survive this encounter, might even manage to kill some of us in the process. But your race? Your precious Empire? I could end it right now."
Anissa took an aggressive step forward, her fists clenched. "You're bluffing. No one could possess such power."
"No one?" Roberta's voice carried a dangerous edge as her glowing eyes fixed on Anissa. "I am not 'no one.' I am one chosen by the Emperor himself as worthy to stand beside him. One he trusts enough to guard his precious coat."
The pink energy surrounding her intensified further, causing the very air to crackle with power. "Would you like to test your theory against forty of your comrades' lives?"
Before anyone could respond to Roberta's declaration, a voice rang out across the Chicago sky - deep, commanding, and carrying an edge that made every Viltrumite present freeze instinctively.
"Enough."
Something hurtled through the air toward General Kregg, who caught it reflexively.
His eyes widened in shock as he recognized what he held - a partially melted skull, still warm to the touch, bearing the unmistakable bone structure of a Viltrumite.
Emperor Thragg descended from above, his enhanced form now noticeably taller and more imposing than before, his naked body bearing no signs of injury despite the epic battle that had just concluded.
His expression was impassive as he regarded the assembled warriors, but his eyes carried a dangerous light that made even Original Conquest take an involuntary step back.
"Your Grand Regent," Emperor Thragg stated, his voice carrying easily across the night air, "chose pride over evolution. His remains should serve as a reminder of where that path leads."
A slight blush colored Roberta's cheeks as she beheld Emperor Thragg's enhanced form, her eyes traveling over his physique with a barely masked appreciation.
Though she maintained her composure, her gaze lingered perhaps longer than strictly necessary, committing every detail to memory.
Gathering herself, she floated forward, her voice steady despite the pink tinge still evident on her face. "Emperor, allow me to assist with your attire." Though a small part of her mourned the loss of such a view, duty and propriety demanded action.
Thragg nodded his assent, and Roberta's molecular manipulation abilities went to work.
Pink energy flowed around him, matter coalescing into the traditional red-white uniform of the Emperor, complete with the Viltrum Empire's symbol proudly displayed on his chest.
The fabric formed perfectly to his enhanced frame, each detail precise and immaculate.
Then, with graceful movement, she flew slightly above and behind him. The Battle Beast coat, which she had protected so carefully, was now ready to return to its rightful owner.
With delicate precision, she draped the white fur over his shoulders, her fingers brushing against him as she secured the clasps.
She took special care positioning Battle Beast's head on Thragg's left shoulder, ensuring it sat exactly as it should - a trophy and memorial both, now adorning the powerful Emperor.
Emperor Thragg stood resplendent in his restored regalia, the Battle Beast coat adding to his already overwhelming presence. His enhanced form seemed to dominate the very sky itself, the Chicago lights below casting dramatic shadows across his features.
General Kregg stared at the skull in his hands, his fingers tracing the partially melted bone structure. "Impossible," he whispered, though the evidence was undeniable. "The Grand Regent was... was..."
"Was unwilling to evolve," Emperor Thragg completed the thought, his deep voice carrying absolute authority. "He chose destruction over elevation. That choice was his right - but his death need not be yours."
Original Conquest's metal arm creaked as his fist clenched. "You killed our leader," he snarled, though there was more uncertainty than threat in his voice.
"I offered him guidance," Emperor Thragg corrected. "I offered him a chance to fulfill our father's vision. He refused." His gaze swept across the assembled Viltrumites, still held in Roberta's power. "What choice will you make?"
Anissa was the first to understand the shifting winds of power. Without hesitation, she dropped to one knee, pressing her fist to her chest in the traditional Viltrumite salute. "Emperor," she declared, acknowledging his new status.
Lucan followed immediately after, then General Kregg, who gently set the skull down before kneeling.
Original Conquest remained standing longest, his scarred face a mask of conflicting emotions, his loyalty to the Grand Regent warring with the ideals of Viltrum he respects, before finally submitting with a growl of acceptance.
For as was Viltrum's ideals, the strongest and wisest of them all rules, no matter how much one may dislike it.
Roberta gradually released her hold on the other forty Viltrumites. One by one, they too knelt, until the night sky was filled with warriors paying homage to their new Emperor.
"Rise," Emperor Thragg commanded. "The Viltrum Empire enters a new era. One of true elevation, not mere conquest.
Those who accept this path will find their strength growing beyond anything they imagined possible. Those who resist..." He left the sentence unfinished, though his meaning was clear.
The skull in Kregg's hands was testament enough.
"Your numbers have remained few, no they've even lessened." Emperor Thragg stated, addressing the assembled Viltrumites.
"Forty-four warriors, all that remains of a once-mighty race. Under the Grand Regent's leadership, you maintained power through uncontrolled fear and brutality. That ends today."
He gestured toward Earth below them. "This world will not simply be conquered - it will also be elevated. Its people will not be enslaved, but integrated and evolved.
The breeding program will proceed under my direct supervision, with volunteers who understand our greater purpose."
Original Conquest shifted uncomfortably. "And those who find this new direction... difficult to accept?"
"Will be given time to adapt," Emperor Thragg replied, though his tone carried a subtle warning. "But not indefinitely. The Empire moves forward. Those who cannot or will not evolve with it will be left behind."
His enhanced form seemed to grow even more imposing as he continued. "You have seen my power. You have witnessed what true evolution can achieve. This is but the beginning. The multiverse itself awaits our guidance."
General Kregg stepped forward, his fist still pressed to his chest. "Command us, Emperor. Show us this new path."
"First," Emperor Thragg declared, "you will return to Viltrum. Inform the High Council of the changes that have occurred. Then, prepare for my arrival. The Empire's capital must be made ready for a new era."
He turned to Roberta, who still hovered nearby. "Your demonstration of power was... impressive. Remember that loyalty is rewarded in my Empire."
A slight blush colored her cheeks again as she bowed her head in acknowledgment. "Thank you, Emperor."
With a gesture, Emperor Thragg dismissed the Viltrumites. They departed in perfect formation, their white uniforms gleaming in the moonlight as they accelerated toward space.
As the night fell silent once more over Chicago, Emperor Thragg's words echoed in the minds of all present: The multiverse itself awaits our guidance.
A new age had begun, and none could predict where it would lead.
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(Author note: Hello everyone! Hope you all liked the chapter.
So this world will be conquered now, do tell me whether you found the Viltrumites reactions in character and logical or not.
Also, tell me, how do you think Original Mark and Original Nolan will react to all this?
Well, I hope to see you all later,
Bye!)