In the Quantum Realm.
Satan and the other Dimension Lords had gathered together.
"Everyone, the Celestials have sent word. The Celestials are tied down by the Cosmic Locusts and have no chance to intervene."
The Dimension Lords immediately grew excited.
"Really? Then we can make our move?"
"I can't wait. I haven't devoured a Fixed Star in thousands of years."
"I'm going to devour an entire universe! Ha!"
Satan smiled at their excitement, then raised a hand for quiet. "What are we waiting for? Let's get started!"
Off in a corner, Thanos watched the excited Dimension Lords and sank into thought.
He felt that a vast game was unfolding across this Multiverse, and these Dimension Lords were merely pieces on the board.
The safest move would be to recall his subordinates and stay off that board.
But he couldn't bear to give up the Fixed Stars they sacrificed to him every day.
Forget it. With so many lords attacking the Reality Universe, the Celestials couldn't possibly single me out... Like hell they couldn't.
This was obviously a Celestial scheme. They were using the Dimension Lords as cannon fodder. If I joined in now, I'd be handing the Celestials a knife.
Above All stood behind the Celestials. With what little power I have, I'd better stay out of this mess.
With that settled, he ordered all his subordinates to return once they had finished their current sacrifices.
Except Wanda and Quicksilver.
He still needed the two of them to test his theory, and neither was sacrificing Fixed Stars, so there was no rush.
While he was thinking, Nightmare approached him.
"Friend, want to work together? I know the coordinates of a Reality Universe. The Ancient One there is a nuisance, though."
The Ancient One in this Multiverse was particularly slippery. Even