Joining Forces

The light from the stargate behind them faded.

The Warship slowly decelerated from its faster-than-light travel, and the view outside the window changed from pure white to a Planet that made Spider-Man instinctively hold his breath.

This is a Planet completely covered by cities and technology.

The towering buildings stretch from the ground all the way to the edge of the atmosphere, layer upon layer, like some kind of giant coral reef made of Crystal and light.

Every building radiates a pale golden light, which intertwines and flows along the twilight line, enveloping the entire Planet in a warm halo.

Countless aircraft weaved between the buildings, their long, slender tails resembling a school of fish swimming in a coral reef.

Further away, several small satellites, converted into space stations, orbit the Planet. Their surfaces are covered with energy pipes and take-off and landing platforms, on which are densely packed starships of various sizes.

"This is the capital of the Shi'ar Empire." Korath stood in front of the control panel, his voice carrying a restrained pride befitting a soldier.

"Chandilar has a population of approximately 80 billion and is the largest administrative center, cultural center, military command center, and trade hub in this star system."

Spider-Man was pressed against the window, his hands gripping the glass, his eyes wide open behind his mask.

"Eight hundred billion," he repeated. "Eight hundred billion people. The entire Earth only has a little over seven billion people, and your Planet alone is crammed with eight hundred billion?"

"Our vertical city structure can accommodate more," Korath explained.

"The actual carrying capacity of Chandilar is approximately 150 billion, while 80 billion is only the current registered permanent population."

Spider-Man turned his head and looked at Russell upon hearing this.

"Russell," he said, "Is beginning to feel the weight of the phrase 'highest level of hospitality' more and more."

Russell stood by the window, hands in his pockets, his expression still casual and calm.

He looked out the window at the Planet covered by urban technology, at the distant flowing lights and shuttling spacecraft.

"The Shi'ar Empire," he said softly, "Is, as a Level 5 civilization, the most powerful empire in this star system after the decline of the Skrull and the Kree."

Korath commanded the Warship through the Planet's outer defenses, past the space stations and energy shields surrounding the Planet, and towards a massive complex on the surface.

The complex was built on a plateau, surrounded by other buildings that were all shorter than it, like stars surrounding the moon.

The surface of the buildings is covered with a flowing, liquid Crystal -like material that reflects a pale golden light in the sunlight.

As for its size... Spider-Man, looking down from above, estimated in his mind that it was roughly equivalent to the entire Manhattan Island.

"We are about to proceed to the Royal Audience Hall," Korath said, bowing to Russell and the others. "Her Majesty the Queen will be waiting for you there."

The Warship landed on the take-off and landing platform in front of the complex.

Korath led them out of the cabin, through security gate after security gate, and down corridor after corridor.

The corridor was spacious enough for a small starship to drive in, the walls were covered with flowing Crystal material, and the ceiling was transparent, allowing a view of the city above.

The building's top extends to another height, where there are gardens, plazas, and even more buildings, as if an entire city has been stacked on top of each other.

Spider-Man walked in the middle of the group, turning his head back and forth.

"This is much more exaggerated than Times Square. Times Square at most has a few big screens and billboards."

Here... here it's like stacking the entire Manhattan on top of each other and then stacking it again.

"This is nothing compared to the advanced civilizations we've visited. This is at best a slum, so it's best not to look around," Ebony Maw coldly warned.

"I can't control myself." Spider-Man waved his hand. "Do you know how a penniless guy in Queens feels when he sees this? It's that feeling of 'Am I in the wrong movie?'"

Ebony Maw ignored him.

Before long, they came to a huge, glowing door.

This door is so tall it could fit a building inside, and its surface is engraved with intricate patterns that flow slowly under the light.

A row of guards in ceremonial armor stood before the gate, their armor gleaming coldly under the lamplight.

Korath stepped forward and said a few words to the guard.

The guard nodded, turned around, and pushed open the door.

Behind the door was a huge, domed space.

The dome is transparent, allowing you to see the sky and the layered cities outside.

In the center of the hall was a high platform, upon which rested a huge Throne made of some kind of flowing liquid Crystal.

A figure sat on the Throne.

To be precise, it was a woman.

Her face didn't look much different from an Earthling's, but her skin was light blue, her eyes were golden, and her hair was silver-white, hanging down her shoulders like a flowing river.

She wore a white robe that seemed to be woven from light, with light flowing and intertwining on it to form intricate patterns.

Her posture was steady and quiet, carrying a certain composure befitting a ruler.

Lilandra, Empress of the Shi'ar Empire.

Korath stepped forward and knelt on one knee.

"Your Majesty," he said with exceptional respect, "Mr. Russell and his companions have arrived."

Lilandra stood up.

She descended from the platform with steady steps, the light on her robe flowing and shifting with her movements.

She walked up to Russell, stopped, and nodded slightly.

"Mr. Russell." Her voice was soft, but every word was clear.

Welcome to the Shi'ar Empire.

Russell nodded slightly.

"Your Majesty, he thanks you for your invitation."

Lilandra looked at him, her golden eyes filled with undisguised kindness.

You are younger than I imagined.

"You're more approachable than I expected," Russell said.

A smile crept onto Lilandra's lips.

"You saved Kree Lal and defeated Galactus. I've actually wanted to take action against Galactus for a long time, so you helped solve a major problem for the Shi'ar Empire."

She further explained:

Do you know what Galactus means to the Shi'ar Empire?

"I don't know." Russell shook his head.

"He devoured seventeen of our colony Planet," Lilandra said. "In the past three hundred years, each of them had hundreds of millions of inhabitants. We sent fleets, special forces, and our most powerful warriors, but none of them returned."

Her voice seemed calm, but it revealed the helplessness of an emperor of a five-star civilization.

"Luckily, you had this Spider-Man in the red and blue bodysuit with you, which ended Galactus's continued persecution of the universe."

She looked at Russell.

"When Commander Korath told me about your methods for dealing with Galactus... I was a little skeptical. You know how absurd it sounds?"

Russell nodded again.

"Know."

Lilandra remained silent for a moment.

"But it is indeed true. Our sensors confirm that the Cosmic Energy of Galactus has returned to zero, as have the Cosmic Energy of the three Herald of Galactus."

Spider-Man in the red and blue bodysuit, you are now the new host of Cosmic Energy.

As she spoke, she turned her head and looked at Spider-Man.

Spider-Man was standing in the middle of the group, gripping the edge of his mask with both hands, as if he wanted to pull it down to get some air.

He felt Lilandra's gaze fall on him and immediately stood up straight.

"Hi." He waved. "I'm Spider-Man, the Cosmic Spider-Man, a friendly neighbor in New York City. Thanks for the compliment."

Lilandra looked at him and smiled slightly.

"Thank you so much for saving Kree Lal, you and Mr. Russell."

Spider-Man paused for a moment, then scratched the back of his head.

"You're welcome." His tone was not at all arrogant. "It's what I should do."

Lilandra turned around to face Russell.

"Mr. Russell, the reason I invited you to the Shi'ar Empire was not merely to express my gratitude."

"Oh," Russell nodded, "Actually, I knew."

Lilandra looked at him.

You know?

"You just said that Galactus devoured seventeen of your colony Planet, and in the last three hundred years, all the fleets, special forces, and your most powerful warriors you sent there never returned."

"It has no odor whatsoever; you can't do anything about Galactus."

He paused.

"Now that Galactus is gone, Galactus doesn't mean the threat is gone. There are other dangers in this star field, such as Dimension Demons and predators from other universes."

He looked at Lilandra.

So you need an ally.

Lilandra remained silent for a few seconds.

"Yes." She nodded. "I do need an ally, an ally who can deal with those cosmic-level beings."

She pointed at Spider-Man.

"Or rather, a Cosmic Spider-Man."

Spider-Man blinked.

"Me?" He pointed to himself. "I'm just a penniless nobody who can't even afford rent. I'm just a nice neighbor wandering around Queens. I'm just a nobody."

"Don't be modest," Russell interrupted him.

Spider-Man looked at him.

"You're not your ordinary Spider-Man anymore," Russell said, quoting the famous line that defined Spider-Man's life. "With great power comes great responsibility."

"Okay," he said, a little reluctantly, "I'll give it a try."

Lilandra nodded to Russell.

"Mr. Russell, if you wish, the Shi'ar Empire is willing to ally with you, with Earth, and with the Cosmic Spider-Man- Man."

She extended her hand.

"The Shi'ar Empire will be your most loyal ally."