The two walked out of the Imperial Palace and stood shoulder to shoulder on the raised platform, facing the wind. They exchanged a glance, understanding each other without a word, then rose into the air together.
The skies of the Viltrumite Empire rapidly shrank beneath their feet.
Sparta flew at tremendous speed, with Clayton close behind. Like two meteors, they tore through the atmosphere and plunged into the vast expanse of space.
"Which way?"
Clayton's puzzled voice reached Sparta's mind clearly.
"Just stay close to me."
Sparta's voice likewise echoed in Clayton's mind through telepathy.
They flew faster and faster. Before long, they broke free of Viltrumite's gravitational pull and passed through an asteroid belt. Starlight stretched into streaks on either side of them as their speed reached that of light.
Before long, their speed climbed again, finally settling into a steady pace only after surpassing the speed of light.
Some time later...
Following the coordinates displayed on their wristbands, they arrived at the edge of an unfamiliar star system.
Ahead, a gray-green planet hung silently in the darkness, its surface shrouded in thick clouds. Flashes of lightning flickered faintly through the gaps.
Sparta slowed to a hover, his gaze fixed on the planet.
"This is it."
Clayton hovered beside Sparta, sweeping his gaze over the cloud-wrapped planet.
"What now? Charge straight in? Then rip Tardis's head off?"
His words brimmed with eagerness for battle, and his fists tightened slightly beneath the starlight.
"Tardis isn't an idiot. There must be plenty of powerful fighters gathered on this planet, but... I still prefer the thrill of a fight."
"Schemes aren't for us. My super intelligence tells me it's time to use super strength."
Clayton grinned, baring a row of stark white teeth. "I knew it. Things never get boring with you."