Upstate New York, Avengers Headquarters.
After S.H.I.E.L.D. was disbanded and the threats of the Shadow King and Ultron were eliminated one after another, the Avengers moved their base from bustling downtown New York to this quieter, more spacious site outside the city.
Today, the new base was hosting a rare meeting of the entire team.
The reason was simple: Thor had returned.
"Everyone, something happened in the universe not long ago."
At the head of the conference table, Thor looked travel-worn and grave. "A mysterious figure attacked Xandar. The Nova Corps was nearly wiped out, and the Cosmic Orb was stolen."
He paused and looked around at their varied expressions.
"But afterward, the Black Order arrived on hearing the news and intercepted the attacker. A fierce battle broke out, and the Cosmic Orb vanished in the chaos."
"So I think Midgard should be on its guard..."
"Uh, hold on." Tony Stark lounged back in his chair, cutting Thor off. "Before you ask us to sound the alarm, can I ask our friend from Asgard to explain what the 'Black Order' is?"
"And Xandar, the Nova Corps, the Cosmic Orb..." Natasha Romanoff folded her arms and held out a hand helplessly. "I know this might be urgent to you, Thor, but Earth is a long way from everything you're talking about."
Thor took a deep breath and patiently began to explain.
"The Black Order is a band of raiders active across the universe. Warlords, really. They're powerful enough that even Asgard is reluctant to cross them, because they're genuine madmen."
"Xandar is in the Andromeda Galaxy, about two and a half million light-years from here. It's ruled by the Nova Empire, one of the most prosperous civilizations in the universe."
"As for the Cosmic Orb..." Thor lowered his voice. "It's a