The Grandmaster's Map; the Energy Gap Within Beckett
To be precise, ancient deities like the Grandmaster have absolutely no credibility with Thanos. In Thanos's eyes, they're all the same—irresponsible.
The balance of the universe should have been the responsibility of these exceptionally gifted gods, but in the end, it was he, a remnant of the Titans, who took action to achieve it.
How could Thanos, whose dream is to retire to the countryside and grow melons and vegetables, possibly still have any trust in such an irresponsible god?
"I know that there is no basis for mutual trust between us."
The Grandmaster didn't care about Thanos's attitude. It was normal for Thanos not to believe him. He didn't trust Thanos either, otherwise why wouldn't he just walk in through the main entrance openly?
"But now the universe is in imminent danger, and neither you nor I have any other choice."
"The existence of the Heart of the Universe may seem like just a legend to you, but don't forget, my brother holds many secrets of this universe."
To increase the credibility of his words, the Grandmaster directly brought up the Collector.
"The map of Vormir came from him; you can ask daughter of Odin about that. Fortunately, after my brother got involved in the battle, I found an ancient map in his storeroom."
"Guess what's hidden at the end of this route on the map?"
With a flick of his wrist, an ancient and worn map flew out from the Grandmaster's wide sleeves and slowly unfolded before Thanos's eyes.
The intricate patterns formed by the golden threads caught Thanos's eye.
"[The Heart of the Universe] ".
At the end of the golden lines on the map was a round, fluorescent spherical object. Given the Grandmaster's calm and collected demeanor, Thanos could easily guess what it was.
Only...
Is this really something the Collector should collect?
Thanos recalled the figure who had once trembled before him and Odin, and doubted the veracity of those words.
If the Collector really had this thing, how could he have swallowed the humiliation of being beaten in the first place?
What do you want to do?
His mind was racing, but his face remained impassive. Thanos, seated on his floating throne, crossed his fingers and asked aloud, as the five Infinity Stones embedded in the Infinity Gauntlet shimmered under the starry sky.
Space, time, power, Mind Stone, reality.
The Grandmaster expression was serious, involuntarily twitched his eyelids and took several steps back. "They actually collected all five Infinity Stones."
"Thanos, I admire your persistence."
With a total of five Infinity Stones, only the last soul is needed to complete the mission.
Thanos's plan, which was considered incredibly foolish by these ancient beings, is now only one step away from success.
The Grandmaster sincerely admired the unwavering determination in the heart of the man before him.
He wouldn't have had such patience if it were him.
Why spend thousands of years searching without knowing the consequences when you could be enjoying eating, drinking, and having fun?
"I won't ask the same question a third time."
"Now, answer me the Grandmaster."
What exactly do you want?
The calm Thanos showed no sign of being fawned over; on the contrary, he now exuded an aura of being ready to fight at the slightest provocation.
For Thanos, the moment the Grandmaster produced that map, his suspicions reached their peak.
If that map is real, why would the Grandmaster need to come to him instead of taking the power of the Heart of the Universe himself?
"I want to protect this universe."
The Grandmaster looked directly into Thanos's eyes and answered without the slightest hesitation.
"Listen, Thanos, you know I've never been interested in fighting, and I'm not good at it either."
"But you are different."
"Whether it's you or your son, you are far more sensitive to combat than I am, and I believe you should be aware of that as well."
"Also, I have high hopes for your son."
He sighed, and a hint of melancholy flashed across the corner of the Grandmaster's eyes at just the right moment.
"His talent far surpasses that of any other race in the universe I know, given that he was able to improve his strength to this level step by step despite the repulsion and restrictions imposed by the rules of the universe."
"Yes, he did destroy my Sakaar, but that doesn't mean there's an irreconcilable hatred between us."
"Sakaar is just one of my toy collections."
"I can still enjoy Sakaar anywhere else, even if I lose my place in this universe, then I won't have any chance to enjoy myself at all."
"I can see very clearly what is more important."
"Besides, if I help your son take that final step, wouldn't my position be even more secure after the war?"
The Grandmaster's tone was so sincere that even Thanos couldn't find anything amiss.
Are you overthinking it?
Thanos pondered, his eyes flashing.
"Alright, I've finished speaking." Seeing that Thanos hadn't responded for a long time, the Grandmaster shrugged. With a wave of his hand, the ancient map covered with golden patterns flew to the armrest of Thanos's throne.
Believe it or not, it's up to you.
"By the way, the reason I know your plan failed is not because of any leak, but because [Eternity] chose Son of Odin."
"And my choice is you."
"Or rather, your son."
After leaving behind the secret message of "Eternity," The Grandmaster's figure instantly merged into the ripples of the void and disappeared.
Thanos looked down, his gaze fixed on the map on the armrest.
Letter?
Still don't believe it?
"Hmm?" Thanos raised an eyebrow as he pondered, his gaze falling on a spot in the base beneath his feet.
"Your His Highness Beckett!"
Side hall, the nutrient tank area.
Gates, the butler cat with a checkered apron tied around his waist, pushed a food cart filled with clothes, gazing expectantly at the open hatch.
A pale arm removed the respirator from his mouth, and his naked, muscular body emerged from the nutrient tank amidst thick fog. He accepted the loose-fitting black Battle Suit handed to him by Gates; the red tail that usually coiled around his waist was now nowhere to be seen.
"How long was I unconscious, Gates?"
"Two days, Your His Highness Beckett." The butler cat scratched his head, and two beams of light from his eyes intertwined in front of Beckett to form a screen displaying various physical data of Beckett during his coma.
"Defect?"
The rapidly flashing data, and the conclusion reached after multiple verifications, made Beckett frown.
An energy deficit had appeared in his body?
"Yes, Your His Highness Beckett."
"Your lost tail... disrupted the perfect balance within your body, resulting in an energy deficit."
The housekeeper cat, with its little hands tucked in, carefully observed Beckett's expression, trying to find less harsh descriptive words to explain the various conditions occurring in Beckett's body.
[Dark, Said!]
The Saiyan, his face grim, no longer had a tail he could control, and his eyes blazed with resentful rage.
"Your His Highness Beckett, Lord Thanos has sent a message requesting that you come to the main hall of the base to see him."
"I understand." Beckett walked away, his figure gradually disappearing from Gates' sight.
The four-watch plan is cancelled, I'm sorry. (bows)
Staying home for too long isn't a good thing either; a series of troubles follow. There are blind dates, studying, and taking certification exams—all of which seem so easy in the eyes of the elders...
Well...
I know it's for my own good, but we have to consider the actual situation...
Worried, annoyed...