Chapter 66

The Fastest Man Alive

Chapter 66

By: BigToFu

[[=]][[=]]

Benjamin Blake

Emperor of Pandora

Looking at the corpse frozen in space on the end of my trident, I flicked it once to get his body off then two more times to slice him into pieces. With another flick of the wrist, I sent whatever was left of the corpse out into the void, the only thing I kept was the head.

Of course, I was going to keep some genetic material on file for upgrading my Astarts. He was an asshole in life, but with his death, I was going to make sure some good came out of it. Holding the head inside of a magical bubble, I dropped back down to the city below.

As I landed on top of the rubble that used to be the castle, I formed an earth-style throne out of it as I took on the infamous thinker pose with the head in my hands. Mulling over my next step, I ignored the gasp and shock of those around me. Smirking at the hand I created from my speed force aura, I ignored it as someone pinged onto my senses.

Looking up from my location, my attention zeroed in on the hammer that fell during my bout with Attuma. Removing my hand that held my chin, I held it out as I summoned the hammer to my outstretched palm.

A boom sounded out for everyone to hear, but I ignored it and the small shockwave as I gave the hammer of Nekkrod a swing. I gave it a few swings before sitting it down to the side and looked up at the approaching crowd, of course, it was led by one lady.

Trying not to smile at how cliche this was, I took in the haggard appearance of what could only be this world nobility. Those that were leftover from the Sharka were clearly afraid of the princess because of course, she was a princess. The barbarian Warlord just doesn’t take over a place without doing something evil that causes the princess to run off.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t some Disney prince that comes riding in white and shiny armor.

“Hail, mighty warrior.”

My attention shifted from the head in my hand to the brave princess that called out to gain my attention. She, of course, didn’t know that I had been tracking her the moment my senses scanned over the mountain she was hiding in from Attuma and his people. I was also very aware of the hidden tunnels that she used to get inside of the city and into one of the shacks in the back.

My eyes locked with hers and I had to give her major points for bravery. The meer ease at which I moved screamed intensity for all that gave me a brief glance. So the fact that she was able to gather her courage and approach while I was giving off the do not disturb vibe said a lot.

Looking her over, I noticed the blue skin that noted Atlantian heritage and the flowing white hair on her head. On her left arm were tattoos that ran from the wrist and up to beneath her armor, but I paid that no mind. What really drew my attention was the two pummel nubs on her back.

In Between those two was a shield, and then at her waist was a trident, interesting.

“I am Queen Kataw of the Vodani people.” The queen said with a hand over her heart. When she said that I noted some of those floating in the water around us straighten some.

I kept my gaze neutral and passive for a moment as the tension raised higher and higher, then as some of her advisors shifted, I spoke.

“Are you here on a mission of vengeance Queen of the Vodani?” I asked before shifting my gaze back to the head resting on top of my palm. No one said anything, but it was easy to feel her attention shift to the head in my hands.

It was clear that she didn’t know what to say, but before she could gather her thoughts. The silence was rudely interrupted. A blue-skinned Atlantean came charging up with a large curved sword overhead in some pitiful attempt at killing me.

Letting out a lazy sigh, I allowed him to get close before backhanding his entire upper torso. Blood flowed in the water as the upper right and head of the attacking person just vanished for all to see.

The only indication of me doing anything was the blood on my resting hand. Vanishing from my seat, I reappeared behind the lady trying to sneak around and stab me in the back. I placed my hands on the side of her face and then twisted an easy one hundred and eighty degrees. Her spine went snap, snap, snap, then blood sprayed out of her nose and mouth.

Sneering at the lazy attempts at my life, I tossed the body aside, then shifted smoothly over as a very large hammer slammed into my previous location. Tall muscled and with a small brain, so fucking cliche, letting out a ‘tch’ at the giant man. I then placed my boot on the hammer and watched as he tried to pull it up and not having it budge an inch.

The fool never saw it coming as I casually punched right through his head, not even his Atlantean steel helmet could stop me. Moving once more to dodge another swing at my chest, from another opponent, I sent a glare towards the idiot; but this time I followed it up with some tried and true laser vision. Eh, I felt that it was only right that I showed off a little.

My laser vision shot forward and struck true, made a sharp curve to the left, then killed that attacker. It curved sharply upwards and struck down another, then curved and struck another. This went on for the span of a few seconds before all that was left in the waters around me was floating ash.

The silence that descended once more was deafening, but I paid it no mind as I took a seat once more. Whoever said that Darkseid wasn’t a good role model just wasn’t paying attention to the more valuable lessons.

Easily catching the head of Attuma inside of its magical bubble, I gave Queen Kataw my attention once more. It was far too easy to smell not just her fear, but those in the surroundings also. I watched as she visibly gathered herself, then nodded in approval before she went to speak.

Queen Kataw gathered herself and then spoke with clear and clipped tones. “What will you do with us now that you have killed Attuma?”

“The answer to that is a simple one, you will join my Empire,” I replied easily. The raised eyebrows and the tightening of the jaw said that she was not pleased at all. Then I noticed how her gaze shifted to the dismembered bodies and ash within the area.

“And how will you go about integrating us into your Empire, will you subjugate us as he did?” Kataw spat.

I shook my head at her, “There is no subjugation, there is only my Empire and those who die refusing. The moment Attuma brought your world into this was the moment you no longer had an option to refuse me.”

Getting up, I took a step towards her location and she took a step back. “Majestic cities will be built, cures for the people will be distributed and everyone will prosper. The Vodani people will live far richer lives once they have joined with the Pandorans.”

Kataw fell silent and I accepted that at face value, if anything, I could just dispose of her. This planet was far too rich in resources and had far too little of a real population to just let slip out of my grasp.

Gathering power, my eyes glowed and those around me took multiple steps back as a precaution. My power swelled and came forth as I bellowed into the very fabric of the universe. “Selene! Attend me! Your Emperor has need of your services.”

For half a beat nothing happened as my words echoed around the clearing. Then the fabric of reality pulsed for a beat, once, twice; then on the third pulse a portal formed purple in shade and easily ten feet across.

On the other side of the portal, I could see multiple forms roaming around with instruments probing the event horizon. Idly, I could tell that she was at least following my rules about portal usage and interdimensional travel. I would say it until I was blue in the face if I had to. We do not rip holes in the fabric of reality, we bend the fabric of reality.

Both were major differences in how they did things, even if they had the same outcome. It was simple really: when you tear a hole, in reality, to get from one place to the next, you allow those from the two dimensions to bleed and the in-between to take notice of our reality. Verses when you just bend space to meet one point to the next, you still at least keep the bounds of reality unbroken.

Of course, I still had to pound this fact into some of my less restrained mad scientists, but this was also a clear reason why I kept Reed from the island.

Ignoring those who were probing the portal, I beckoned for Selene to come forth. But before she did, I could see the deliberation in her eyes as she looked down at the evening dress she was wearing. It was a beautiful navy blue evening gown that was strapless but had those arm things and hugged her waist nicely.

Rolling my eyes, I flicked a simple spell her way before pulling her through the portal. She gave a noncommittal huff before humoring me and floating over to where I was seated.

Selene’s eyes roamed over my muscles drinking me in until her eyes fell onto my stump. I gave her a roguish grin to abate her fears as I shrugged.

“Tis just a scratch.” I rumbled voice pitched low just the way she liked it.

She gave me a raised eyebrow which I returned with a classic eye smile. A flick of my wrist had my trident back within my hands. I then turned my attention to the stump. An easy smile on my face, everyone watched as I just performed a quick change on how I held my trident.

Then in one smooth motion, I swung it upwards slicing off the stump infected with cosmic energy unleashed by the hammer. There were screams and appalled gasps from the crowd that were all watching from a distance.

Another flick of the wrist had the cosmic-infested stump stowed away inside my storage space. A flare of power had my arm grow back to its full and healthy chocolate-colored self. Turning, I then gave Selene a roguish grin as I flexed my fingers for her to see.

Still, she said nothing: but when I held my hand out for her to take. She curled her fingers with my own before running her hand up my arm and placing it around my waist. As she pulled close, I repeated myself softly in her ear.

“As I said, tis just a scratch,” I whispered into her ears and watched as her skin flushed a rose color.

She grunted and pinched my waist in reply, but I just laughed it off. There was no way in hell I was going to let her know that I was actually thinking about just walking around with a mecha arm. Honestly, I just wanted to be able to straight-up rocket punch someone in the face from a distance. Again, I could always just do that with my speed-force aura.

Then again, I had the technology, so I could just build myself a sleeve that I can then shrink down and keep on my skin like a tattoo. Sadly, it was better that I had a real flesh and blood arm to show that I was unbeatable. Then again, I might have to sleep on the couch if I brought home a purely mechanical appendage. You would think that since it wasn’t the one below the belt, I would be able to get away with it, but nope.

Always have to balance these things, but this was Marvel and I could die no matter my power levels. Yet, that didn’t stop me from armoring up.

Honestly, I was starting to feel as if I was Goku with how I liked a good fight and almost ignored everything else. Then again, I was far more responsible than he could ever be and I was a hell of a better father also.

Letting out a small sigh, I decided that it was time to go back to the drawing board once I got home with my spoils and new planet.

Smiling at Selene, I did a little hand motion towards Kataw. “She and her people will be joining the Empire. I would like you to take a team and survey the planet for moving.”

“Moving, what moving?” Kataw asked inserting herself into the conversation.

Turning to face her I smiled. “This isn’t a pocket dimension my dear.” I then pointed upwards. “If you had gone past the surface of the planet, you would be able to find the truth of your reality.”

Kataw scowled a little before steeling herself. “And what reality is that?”

Selene looked at me with a raised brow, then cast a few magic spells. The air in front of her rippled as a mirror appeared made out of a thin sheet of water. Everyone watched as the scene in the mirror changed. First, it started off with just a view of our faces, then it transitioned upwards and then we were able to see the damage to the city.

Then once we saw the damage to the city, it kept going and going even as it passed a few massive ocean predators. The image continued to rise until it got to the planet’s surface, then to the void beyond.

There were gasps that went up all around, but I ignored them in favor of looking at the giant humanoid figure within the image. I knew those around me didn’t know who that was, but I did and there was no way I was going to face one.

There were just some beings in Marvel that you just didn’t fuck with and the Celestial, no matter the form, was on that list. Everyone watched as the giant figure stood on some gigantic machine as he went about doing whatever task kept him busy.

“This is why we shall be leaving because I’m pretty sure that not only is this not a pocket dimension, but your planet is also trapped on the cosmic train,” I told her with a shrug. Honestly, I could just cut my losses, but I was at least trying to expand my Empire while I could.

Kataw scowled at how bluntly the facts were relayed to her. Instead of rolling my eyes, I decided to go with the soft sell. “Look, I’m not here to force you to choose, but think of your people. You can do far more to aid them by joining my Empire than not, no one will force you, but I will leave Selene to discuss anything that you would like.”

From the way her face shifted, she knew what was on the table. Either join or wait for the day that her world came to an end. Kataw saw the writing on the wall, it also didn’t help that I hadn’t killed all of the Sharka tribe.

Some of them decided to run after that rabble tried to attack me and all failed horribly. Letting out a snort, I waved away the spell that Selene had created. Giving Selene a nod, I flashed through the portal that hovered in the air for all to see.

On the other side, she had a team of scientists, the best from the island. Looking at them, I shook my head and ignored the smell of mad scientists in the air. Alex was leading the charge of course so I just left him the scans from my omni and kept it moving.

Floating over to one of the computer terminals, I started to design the dimensional transition device. If my calculations were correct, then at least four satellites were going to be needed with one main stabilization unit.

That would mean two units, one for the planet and one for where the planet was going. Also marker satellites for where I wanted the planet to be placed. Once I was sure everything was up to specs, I then ran it through the island’s main quantum computers while sending a note to Alex for review, omega priority.

Once I was happy with everything and made sure that the mad scientists did not get up to anything that might just kill us all. I left someone in charge that had a taser and wasn’t afraid to use it when it came to staring down these mad men and women.

Happy with the guards I left in charge to make sure nothing blew up or got us all killed, I teleported home. Sitting the hammer of Nekkrod on the coffee table, I went to my lab to drop off the head of Attuma with the rest of my collection before finding my way into the shower.

Funny right? I just came from a water planet and I still felt that I could do with a shower, talk about first world problems. I took a nice long shower before getting out to get myself a decent cup of hot chocolate when I stumbled into the living room and found the hammer missing.