-Months ago, first month after Thragg and co left
The morning sun filtered through the reinforced windows of the Viltrumite Administration Tower, casting long shadows across the luxurious chamber that occupied the entire eastern wing of the 50th floor.
The room - once the GDA's strategic planning center - had been repurposed as private quarters for high-ranking Viltrumite officials.
Conquest stood at the center of the massive circular bed, his scarred, muscular form glistening with sweat.
Around him lay twenty women, all between nineteen and twenty-five, their bodies limp with exhaustion.
Some still trembled with aftershocks, others had simply passed out. The sheets beneath them were torn and damp, evidence of hours of...vigorous activity.
"Adequate," Conquest grunted - his speech far more measured, when not excited like he normally is during a fight - surveying the scene.
He rolled his shoulders, showing no signs of fatigue despite the marathon session that had begun shortly after midnight. "You may leave now."
The women who remained conscious stirred weakly, exchanging glances that mixed awe, fear, and a peculiar pride.
Being accepted to be with one of the highest ranking Viltrumites was considered an honor now, especially after the... experience they had last night.
"Will... will we see you again, sir?" one brave soul ventured, a slender brunette who had shown more stamina than most.
Conquest's scarred face remained impassive. "If your genetic profile proves compatible." He didn't bother with false promises or tender words.
Viltrumites - Conquest didn't care that Kregg, Nolan and others did - didn't coddle their breeding stock, no matter how pleasant the encounter.
He stepped from the bed.
Female attendants rushed forward with his uniform, heads bowed respectfully. Conquest dressed himself, ignoring the women as they gathered themselves and their belongings.
By the time he fastened the last clasp on his white uniform, the room had cleared except for cleaning staff who waited at a respectful distance.
The reinforced door slid open as he approached, revealing Rex Splode leaning against the opposite wall.
The former Teen Team member wore civilian clothes - faded jeans and a vintage band t-shirt that proclaimed "Mötley Crüe: Shout at the Devil Tour '83."
"Dude," Rex said by way of greeting, pushing himself off the wall with exaggerated casualness. "twelve hours? Seriously? With twenty of them? I'm not sure whether to be impressed or terrified."
Conquest's scarred face remained impassive, though something that might have been amusement flickered in his eyes. "Both would be appropriate."
"I mean, I've had some marathon sessions in my day," Rex continued as they began walking down the corridor, "but that's just... excessive, man. Don't you get tired? Or bored? Or, I don't know, hungry?"
"Viltrumite stamina exceeds human capacity by several orders of magnitude," Conquest replied matter-of-factly. "And hunger is irrelevant during mating."
Rex shook his head, falling into step beside the massive Viltrumite. "Right. Forgot I was talking to the an alien super man who probably bench presses mountains for warmup."
The corridor opened into a vast atrium where dozens of humans and a handful of Viltrumites worked at various stations.
The moment Conquest entered, every human dropped what they were doing and bowed deeply. The Viltrumites offered more restrained salutes - fist to chest in their traditional manner.
Rex walked comfortably at Conquest's side, nodding casually to people he recognized. The contrast between them was striking - Rex's relaxed slouch and civilian clothes against Conquest's rigid posture and pristine uniform.
Yet the fact that Rex walked freely beside one of the Empire's most feared warriors spoke volumes about their unusual relationship.
"So," Rex said as they entered a private elevator, "Kregg really ordered you to take time off? That's hilarious. What did he say? 'Conquest, you're working too hard, go get a massage and chill'?"
Conquest's lip curled slightly. "The General believes I grow... restless when confined to administrative duties for too long. He fears I might seek out combat unnecessarily."
"And would you?"
"Perhaps." Conquest crossed his massive arms. "It has been a month since the Emperor's departure. A month of peace." He practically spat the last word.
The elevator opened onto a rooftop garden that offered a panoramic view of the city. Once reserved for the GDA Director, it had been transformed into a private dining area for Viltrumite leadership.
A long table had been set with enough food to feed fifty humans - or one hungry Viltrumite.
"Damn," Rex whistled, taking in the spread as they were seated. "You guys really don't do anything small, do you?"
Conquest didn't bother responding, instead attacking a platter of steaks. Rex ordered coffee from a nervous attendant and selected a modest breakfast for himself.
For several minutes, they ate in silence - Rex sipping his coffee while Conquest devoured enough calories to power a small city.
The sun climbed higher in the sky, glinting off the very much distant Palace on Mount Everest where Thragg would rule upon his return.
For now, it remained empty, maintained by a skeleton staff, awaiting its Emperor.
For none deserved to rule from there besides him - Kregg refused to do so.
"So," Rex said finally, setting down his coffee. "I've been wondering something."
Conquest grunted around a mouthful of food, which Rex took as permission to continue.
"The breeding program. I've noticed something... specific about your choices. And Kregg's."
"Speak plainly," Conquest demanded, pausing his consumption.
"Virgins," Rex said bluntly. "You guys - the highest-ranking Viltrumites - you only sleep with virgins. What's up with that? Some kind of weird alien purity fetish?"
Conquest fixed Rex with a cold stare that would have sent most humans running. Rex merely raised an eyebrow, waiting.
"It is not a 'fetish,'" Conquest finally replied, his voice carrying an edge of contempt. "It is a matter of spiritual resonance."
"Spiritual... what now?"
Conquest set down his utensils, his full attention on Rex for perhaps the first time that morning. "You humans understand so little of the universe's true nature. Sex is not merely physical, not merely genetic. It is a binding of energies - what you can call souls."
Rex blinked, clearly not expecting this response. "Uh... okay?"
"When two beings join physically for the first time, there is a spiritual exchange - a resonance created between their essential energies. This resonance can never be fully replicated with subsequent partners."
Conquest's expression grew distant, almost contemplative. "For Viltrumites of sufficient power and awareness, this resonance is... perceptible."
"You're saying you can see souls?" Rex asked incredulously.
"Not see. Sense." Conquest made a dismissive gesture. "Lower-ranking Viltrumites lack this sensitivity. But for those of us who have achieved mastery over our smart atoms - the Emperor - and for those who are old enough like myself, or the General who've studied much about it, the spiritual dimension is known to us as real as the physical."
Rex leaned back in his chair, processing this information. "So... you prefer virgins because their spiritual energy hasn't been... shared with anyone else?"
"Precisely. The connection formed is stronger, purer. The genetic material more receptive to enhancement."
Conquest resumed eating, though at a slightly less frenzied pace.
"Huh, I, uh, see..."Rex stated, as he began to process, until suddenly he nearly choked on his coffee. "Wait - does that mean Amanda was a virgin? Monster Girl? No way."
Conquest's eyes narrowed. "Of course. You doubt my words?"
"No, no," Rex backpedaled quickly. "Just... surprised. I always thought she and that grandson guy-"
"They never consummated their relationship," Conquest stated flatly. "I have reviewed her GDA files thoroughly."
----------------------
Years earlier, GDA Headquarters, Interrogation Room 7
Amanda sat hunched over a metal table, her hands wrapped around a steaming mug of coffee she hadn't touched. Across from her, Agent Diana Chen activated a recording device.
"This is Agent Chen, interviewing Amanda regarding the incident at 2243 Oakwood Lane, July 17th. Amanda, in your own words, can you tell me about your relationship with Michael Crenshaw?"
Amanda's fingers tightened around the mug. "We met at the Natural History Museum. I was there for a school project - this was before my powers, before everything. He worked in the Ancient Civilizations exhibit."
"And he was how old?"
"Twenty-four. I was seventeen." Amanda's voice grew defensive. "It wasn't like that. He was sweet. Respectful."
"In what way?" Chen prompted.
Amanda's expression softened slightly. "He never pushed. We'd been dating for three months, and he hadn't even kissed me. I thought... I thought maybe he wasn't attracted to me."
---------------------
(Flashback inside Flashback)
Six months earlier, Amanda's apartment
Amanda stood before her mirror, examining her reflection. She tugged at her shirt, adjusted her hair, applied another coat of lip gloss.
"What am I doing wrong?" she whispered to her reflection, eyes bright with unshed tears. "Why won't he touch me?"
The memory of their date earlier that evening played in her mind. The perfect dinner, the walk along the riverfront, the moment outside her door when she'd leaned in - only for Michael to turn his head so her lips met air instead.
"I should go," he'd said, his voice strained. "It's getting late."
----------------------
GDA Interrogation Room
"He always had excuses," Amanda continued, staring into her coffee. "It was never the right time, or the right place. I started to think there was something wrong with me."
"And then?" Agent Chen prompted.
"Then he called one day. Said he had something special planned. That he'd found a place where we could be together without... interruptions." Amanda's voice cracked slightly. "He seemed different. Excited but nervous."
"What happened when you arrived at the house?"
Amanda's knuckles whitened around the mug. "It wasn't what I expected. This old Victorian on the outskirts of town. He said he'd bought it. Fixed it up for us."
"And inside?"
"She was waiting. His grandmother." Amanda's voice dropped to a whisper. "Sitting in this ornate chair like some kind of... queen. Michael went white when he saw her. Started babbling about protections and wards he'd placed."
---------------------
Oakwood Lane, The Incident
The old woman rose from her chair with surprising grace, her eyes never leaving Amanda.
"So this is the girl," she said, her voice carrying the hint of an accent Amanda couldn't place. "The one you would betray your heritage for."
"Grandmother, please," Michael begged, stepping between them. "I've prepared everything. The house is warded. Our bloodline will be safe."
"Fool boy," the old woman spat. "You think a few amateur wards can hide what you are? What you would do?" She pointed a gnarled finger at Amanda. "She is nothing. A vessel you would pollute our bloodline with."
Amanda backed toward the door. "Michael, what is she talking about? What's happening?"
The old woman's eyes locked with Amanda's, and something ancient and terrible gazed out from behind them. "You want my grandson's touch so badly? Then let me give you a gift."
She began to chant in a language Amanda had never heard, her fingers weaving complex patterns in the air. Michael lunged for his grandmother, but some invisible force held him back.
"No! Grandmother, stop! Please!"
Amanda felt it then - a crawling sensation under her skin, as if something foreign had entered her bloodstream. She opened her mouth to scream, but no sound emerged.
"When you take the form of the monster," the old woman intoned, "remember it was your lust that brought you here."
-----------------------
GDA Interrogation Room
"The rest you know," Amanda concluded, her voice hollow. "Every time I use my powers, I age backward. The stronger I get, the more years I lose. Some gift."
Agent Chen's professional demeanor softened slightly. "Did you ever see Michael again?"
Amanda's laugh held no humor. "I tried. A week later. I thought... I don't know what I thought. That he could help me reverse it, maybe."
"And?"
"He wouldn't even touch me. Said he could see the curse on me now, like some kind of... aura." Amanda finally looked up, her eyes red-rimmed but dry. "The look on his face... like I was contaminated. Ruined."
---------------------
-The Present
Rex stared at Conquest, the half-eaten breakfast forgotten. "Jesus. I had no idea."
"Few did. Only reason she apparently spoke, was to be as thorough as possible to find the grandmother and grandson," Conquest replied, his tone matter-of-fact.
"The curse was genuine magic. The General and myself have studied Earth's history, and obscure ones. We could not find anyway to break it - nor did we desire to besides the age reversal thing. Found nothing, so we created that device for age acceleration."
The reason being that the Viltrumites greatest weakness is their almost completely zero talent in anything magical and spiritual was something Conquest didn't say - you didn't just out your weakness like that.
At that both fell silent, Rex because he once more began to process, and Conquest because he wanted to simply eat.
Eventually, they finished their breakfast before making their way back to the elevator. Instead of returning to the administrative levels, Rex pressed the button for the ground floor.
"Kregg ordered you to take time off," he reminded Conquest when the Viltrumite raised an eyebrow. "And since you're stuck with me as your babysitter today, we're going out. See the city. Get some fresh air."
Conquest grunted but didn't object as they descended. "The General's concerns are misplaced. I do not require 'recreation.'"
"Yeah, yeah, you're the perfect Viltrumite warrior. All duty, no play." Rex rolled his eyes. "But humor me, alright? I've been cooped up in this tower for days because of your 'training.' I call it that, but it was more like taking a vacation with Satan..." Rex of course, muttered that last part.
Conquest himself though heard it, and couldn't help but smirk, finding it more a compliment than anything.
-------------------------
The streets outside the tower had changed dramatically in the month since Thragg's departure.
Construction crews worked more efficiently, repairing and upgrading infrastructure that had been neglected for decades.
The crime rate had plummeted to near zero - partly due to improved conditions, mostly due to fear of Viltrumite punishment.
People gave Conquest a wide berth as they walked, many bowing or averting their eyes.
"So," Rex said as they walked through a newly renovated park, "heard any good gossip lately?"
Conquest's scarred face registered confusion. "Gossip?"
"Yeah, you know. Who's sleeping with who. Office politics. The juicy stuff." Rex grinned. "For instance, I heard something interesting about Anissa and The Immortal."
This caught Conquest's attention. "What about them?"
"Word is they've been spending a lot of time together. And not just for Guardian business." Rex waggled his eyebrows suggestively. "Apparently, they were seen leaving his penthouse at dawn yesterday. Separately, but only about five minutes apart."
Conquest considered this information with surprising seriousness. "Anissa has not participated in the breeding program."
"Maybe she's got her eye on quality over quantity," Rex suggested. "I mean, The Immortal is literally thousands of years old and strong enough to go toe-to-toe with Viltrumites. Gotta be some good genes there."
"Hmm." Conquest's expression turned thoughtful. "A Viltrumite-Immortal hybrid would be... interesting. Their offspring could possess significant potential."
"See? Gossip can be strategic intelligence." Rex laughed, then as he suddenly felt his stomach gurgle, he sighed, shooting Conquest - who was looking towards at the construction workers - a nasty look, thinking to himself, 'Damn this geezer. He's messed my entire body up with his training from Hell. I'm already hungry again.'
Of course when Conquest was turning his gaze back towards him, Rex immediately looked away, and fixed his expression as he nodded toward an upscale restaurant across the street. "I'm getting hungry again. Let's grab lunch."
Conquest not one to refuse food - especially when there was no duty, for besides duty, food was his greatest pleasure, silently accepted.
The restaurant staff nearly had collective heart attacks when Conquest ducked through their doorway.
Within minutes, they had cleared the main dining room, ushered out other patrons with promises of complimentary future meals, and prepared the best table.
"The perks of hanging with Viltrumite royalty," Rex commented as they were seated and immediately presented with the restaurant's finest offerings. "No reservations needed."
"I am not royalty," Conquest corrected. "Merely high-ranking."
"Close enough for the humans," Rex replied, helping himself to an appetizer. "So, I've been meaning to ask - why me?"
Conquest looked up from the three entrees he'd been served simultaneously. "Clarify."
"Why have you been letting me tag along? I mean, we've been hanging out almost daily for weeks now. Training together, meals, strategy sessions."
Rex gestured between them. "Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. But you're not exactly known for your love of human company."
Conquest was silent for a long moment, consuming a steak that would have fed a family of four. Finally he spoke.
"You are... less irritating than most humans. You do not waste time with pointless moral objections. You understand power and its purpose." He paused, seeming to choose his next words carefully. "And you have potential, despite your human limitations."
Rex blinked, genuinely surprised. "That's... probably the nicest thing you've ever said to me."
"It was not intended as a compliment," Conquest replied, though something like amusement flickered in his eyes. "Merely an observation."
"Still taking it as a compliment," Rex grinned. "So, what's on the agenda for the rest of our day off? More food? Sightseeing? Please don't say another breeding session. I don't think I can handle waiting outside that door again."
"The beach," Conquest stated decisively.
"The... beach?" Rex repeated, certain he'd misheard.
"Yes. The Emperor has advised a section of coastline for Viltrumite use. Calling it a place for 'relaxation of the mind'. I wish to inspect it."
Conquest rose from the table, leaving behind enough currency to buy the restaurant food ten times over. "Come."
Before Rex could protest, Conquest had lifted him with one arm and launched them both out of the building, into the sky.
Rex's startled yell was lost in the rush of wind as they accelerated to speeds that would have torn a normal human apart.
Minutes later, they touched down on sand. The beach stretched before them, completely deserted despite the perfect weather.
It having had Thragg been seen by the locals to frequent it sometimes, having been seen sitting alone to relax, and see the waves crashing onto the sand, being the reason.
Fearing that if they dirty it or something by littering, or some other thing, a Viltrumite may sense,
Crystal-clear waters lapped gently at the shore, and not a single piece of trash or sign of human presence marred the landscape.
"Holy shit," Rex breathed, taking in the view. "This is... awesome."
"It is adequate," Conquest agreed, removing his uniform top to reveal a torso covered in battle scars.
He stretched out on the sand, the sun gleaming off his gray-white skin. "The Emperor ordered this area cleared and restored to its natural state. It serves as a testing ground for environmental restoration techniques that will be implemented globally."
Rex kicked off his shoes and wiggled his toes in the sand. "And here I thought you guys just wanted a private beach."
"That too," Conquest admitted.
Rex set up a beach chair and umbrella he found stored in a nearby shed, settling in beside the sunbathing Viltrumite. "So where's everyone else today? The rest of the Teen Team, I mean."
"Dupli-Kate is visiting her family in Minnesota and Shrinking Rae is assisting with medical research." Conquest recited this information without opening his eyes. "They have been granted similar recreational periods."
"Huh. Didn't realize you kept such close tabs on us."
"All assets are monitored."
Rex snorted. "Assets. Right." He leaned back in his chair, watching the waves. "You know, a month ago, I would've been plotting how to blow you up for saying something like that."
"You would have failed," Conquest stated matter-of-factly.
"Probably," Rex agreed with surprising ease. "But I would've tried anyway. That was kind of our thing, you know? The Teen Team. Fighting impossible odds, saving the day, all that heroic bullshit."
"And now?"
Rex considered the question seriously. "Now... I don't know. The world's changing. Maybe for the better in some ways. Crime's down. Infrastructure's improving. People aren't starving or dying of preventable diseases as much."
He glanced at Conquest. "Hard to fight against that, even if I don't love how we got here."
Conquest opened one eye to study Rex. "Your pragmatism is why the Emperor allowed your team to retain limited autonomy. Others would have been eliminated for their resistance."
"Lucky us," Rex murmured, though there was less bitterness in his tone than might have been expected.
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the pristine beach, their conversation turned to the past.
"You fought in the what?" Rex asked, tossing a stone into the waves.
"Rigellian War." Conquest repeated, his scarred face illuminated by the orange glow of sunset. "A young officer then, barely three centuries old."
Rex whistled. "Three centuries. 'Young.' Still can't wrap my head around that."
"We were sent to quell their expansion," Conquest continued, his voice taking on an unusual cadence, almost storyteller-like. "The Rigellians had developed technology that threatened Viltrumite interests. Their defense system was... impressive."
His eyes grew distant. "They had created a neural network linking their soldiers. Ten thousand minds functioning as one. When we attacked their capital, they responded with perfect coordination. My squadron was surrounded."
Conquest's massive hand traced a pattern in the sand. "I watched my commander fall. Then my second. Then my third. Until I alone remained, surrounded by fifty of their elite guards."
"What did you do?" Rex asked, genuinely captivated.
"I remembered something my trainer had taught me - their neural link was their strength, but also their weakness."
A cold smile crossed Conquest's face. "I tore the lead guard in half, slowly enough for his pain to cascade through the network. As each felt his agony, they hesitated. One by one, I eliminated them as they struggled to disconnect from the shared pain."
He closed his fist, erasing the pattern he'd drawn. "By sunset, I stood alone. The neural network collapsed. The planet surrendered the next day."
Rex stared at Conquest, his expression a mixture of horror and reluctant admiration. "That's... Jesus. And they made you an officer after that?"
"No," Conquest replied. "They made me a general. The youngest in Viltrumite history. Of course, before the Great Emperor Thragg took that title from me." Though the last part instead of bitterness was stated with pride.
"Remind me never to piss you off," Rex muttered, trying to mask his discomfort with humor. "Makes our fight against those Flaxan invaders look like a playground scuffle."
"You fought well against the Flaxans," Conquest acknowledged unexpectedly. "For humans with limited abilities."
Rex blinked, surprised by what almost sounded like a compliment. "Well, we didn't tear anyone in half, but we got the job done."
"Different methods for different circumstances," Conquest said with unusual philosophical tone. "Victory is what matters, not the path taken."
"If you say so," Rex replied, unable to fully suppress a shudder at the casual brutality.
Though part of him was also quite fascinated by it - the whole universe being so big, and all, he never before these Viltrumites, thought much about it.
Besides the whole protecting earth. Hearing a story about a war from who the fuck besides God knows how long ago, was quite interesting.
History of other worlds, not something he really thought about before.
"You know what's weird?" Rex said finally as the first stars appeared overhead. "A year ago, if someone had told me I'd be chilling on a beach with one of an alien emperor who conquered my planet's top lieutenants, swapping war stories like old buddies, I'd have said they were insane."
"We are not 'buddies,'" Conquest corrected, though without his usual harshness.
"No," Rex agreed, studying the Viltrumite's scarred profile against the darkening sky. "But we're not enemies anymore either. I'm not sure what that makes us."
Conquest rose to his feet, sand cascading off his massive form as he donned his uniform top. "It makes us practical. You have adapted to changing circumstances. A survival trait the Emperor values."
"High praise," Rex said, standing as well. "So, back to the tower?"
Conquest nodded, gathering Rex under one arm before launching them both into the night sky.
-----------------------
(Author note: Hello everyone! I hope you all liked the chapter.
So, I'm back after my long break from this fic. Gained some more writing experience, hope you guys like it.
So... How did you like the slow chapter? I wanted one more focused on developing some characters rather than immediately getting back to plot.
Also, Amanda's AU story. Yeah, I like writing AUs, and well, I kinda found Amanda's canon origin story way too out of the blue.
Well, my greatest problem with it, there is no expansion of it.
We don't know why the grandson of some old hag that can apparently curse someone to become a monster like Amanda - a monster, who if reverse aged to a baby, is one able to make Conquest, Anissa, and a couple of other viltrumites, fucking scared.
Like is she able to make multiple of this shit? Cause if she can Earth would've had a far better chance against Viltrum.
Like, if she curses a baby, does the baby, by virtue of being a baby, be that big of a monster? Like how does this curse even work?
So yeah... I made the grandson also able to use magic.
And that he didn't get together with Amanda in anyway, because of him fearing his grams sensing it, so was preparing a place for wards and all that stuff, but she well found out, and we are here.
I basically wish to explore the more magical aspect of things on Earth from henceforth, before we go the "God of War" world.
Maybe a bit about demons, Hell and the like.
Well, I hope to see you all later,
Bye!)