Chapter 84 - 84: The Commander is Waiting for You

Ronan's breath was ragged. His once-mighty frame trembled as his life force rapidly drained away. Yet—even at the brink of death—his pride remained unshaken. "Don't get ahead of yourself… Earth warrior," he rasped, blood bubbling in his throat. "In this universe… cough… there are beings far beyond your comprehension…" Gene tilted his head slightly, his V-shaped eyepiece glowing ominously. "Oh? You mean Thanos, the Mad Titan?" he asked casually. Ronan let out a dry, broken laugh. "He is… nothing like me," the Kree warlord muttered. "If you truly knew what Thanos is… you wouldn't speak his name so lightly." His voice grew weaker, but there was a chilling certainty in his tone. "As long as Thanos sees something as a threat, he will stop at nothing to obliterate it. One way or another… he will come to Earth. Perhaps after hearing of my defeat… or when his grand plan reaches its conclusion." Ronan's fading eyes locked onto Gene's. "When that time comes… Earth will burn in the fires of war. And every last human will die screaming." Gene's scarlet visor pulsed in the dim light. "You've got it all wrong," he said coldly. "Do you really think I'm the strongest warrior on Earth?" Ronan's mouth twitched as if he wanted to argue. But he couldn't. His strength was gone. The light faded from his once-mighty gaze. And just like that— Ronan the Accuser, feared across the cosmos, scourge of Xandar, and enforcer of the Kree Empire… Was dead. Cut down by an Earthling he had once looked down upon. For a long moment, silence. The surrounding Kree soldiers stood frozen, their eyes locked onto Ronan's lifeless body in utter disbelief. This was the Accuser. The invincible warrior they had followed through countless wars. And yet— Here he lay, motionless, lifeless, defeated. The shock was so overwhelming that they forgot to even pull the trigger. Gene turned his gaze to them, his visor gleaming like a predator scanning its next prey. "Alright," he said, voice eerily calm. "Who's next?" The remaining Kree soldiers flinched. They hesitated. Gene scanned the battlefield once more before adding, "If there's no next challenger…" He took a step forward. "Then bring me your commander. I want to talk." For a few moments, no one dared to speak. Then, a Kree officer gulped audibly. "The… The Commander…" he muttered, as if saying the words made them real. And then, after a pause, he added, "What are your orders, Lord Commander?" Gene smirked slightly under his mask. "Spread the message—all Kree forces on Earth must surrender immediately." The Kree soldier stiffened. "But, Lord Commander… our communications have been cut off." Unbeknownst to the Kree, Skynet and Red Queen had already severed all of their connections to the Kree network. Earth's defenses were no longer compromised. Gene didn't even blink. "Don't worry about that," he said smoothly. "I'll take care of it." __ Meanwhile – New York City The battle raged on. Iron Man soared through the skies, dodging energy blasts as Mar-Vell, fought beside him. "Mar-Vell—twelve o'clock!" Tony shouted, and Mar-Vell instantly reacted. His silver-white pistol fired a dark green energy beam, disintegrating a Kree soldier who had been preparing a sneak attack. But they were surrounded. More and more Kree soldiers poured into the battlefield. Tony's armor was battered, its energy critically low. "It's looking bad," he muttered. "We might actually die here." Even Earth's mightiest heroes were struggling against the Kree forces. Then— Something strange happened. The Kree soldiers… froze. All of them. Their weapons still in hand, bodies tense… but unmoving. A flicker of confusion crossed their expressions. Then—one by one— They dropped their weapons. Raised their hands in surrender. "What the hell?" Tony's eyes widened. "Is this some new special attack?" Mar-Vell, still gripping his weapon, frowned. "Maybe… a Spirit Bomb?" he joked dryly. "Haven't you ever watched Dragon Ball?" Tony blinked. "Wait… are you telling me these Kree actually surrendered?" A slow grin spread across his face. "Hah! I knew it! I told you, folks—when Earth's heroes stand united, even the Kree Empire has no choice but to bow!" Thor, standing nearby, gave a hearty chuckle. "Well said, friend!" (Although… they had only been fighting together for a short while. Hardly 'friends' yet.) Hulk, who had been happily smashing, suddenly frowned. Searᴄh the nôvel_Fire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. No more resistance? The green behemoth grunted in frustration, smashing a few more surrendered Kree before reluctantly stopping. But Mar-Vell? Mar-Vell wasn't celebrating. Something felt wrong. "I don't like this," he muttered. The Kree never surrendered. Not unless something major had happened. "Mar-Vell, what's up?" Tony noticed his tense expression. He hesitated, then spoke slowly. "I think…" His fists clenched. "I think Ronan is dead." Tony froze. "You serious?" Mar-Vell himself couldn't believe it. Ronan the Accuser—a warrior who had terrorized the universe for decades. Dead? Here? On Earth? Impossible. And yet— A shadow lingered in his mind. A dark figure she had been trying to ignore. "The Black Devil…" she whispered. The name alone made her shiver. At that moment, the Kree battleship, which had been looming over New York like an executioner's blade, suddenly rose into the air. The city, once shrouded in its massive shadow, was once again bathed in sunlight. __ Aboard the Kree Warship "Are you saying this is some kind of trick?" Pietro asked suspiciously. "Maybe Ronan faked his death! Maybe that so-called 'commander' is actually— Ow! Wanda! Why'd you hit me?" He rubbed his head, looking at his sister in betrayal. Wanda crossed her arms. "If Ronan had won," she said calmly, "we'd all be dead by now." Pietro swallowed hard. The Kree warship docked onto its mothership—the Dark Aster. A lone Kree officer approached them. Tension filled the room. The Kree's expression was grim. He bowed slightly. And then—in a low, respectful voice— He said: "Everyone… The Commander is waiting for you on the bridge." -------------- T/N: Access Advance Chapters on my P@treon: [email protected]/MPHFics