Judgment of the Endless (MarvelxDC)

After Mr Nobody freed the villains from Gaia Prison, the event sparked what would become the slow but dangerous rise of the Villains' Guild.

This prison, located in a pocket dimension, had been home to some of the most dangerous beings in existence—gods, aliens, demons, mutants, and humans, all neutralised and sealed away from the multiverse.

Each of them had been taken down by powerful heroes or cosmic entities, locked away to protect all of reality.

For a year after their release, the villains had not returned to Earth. Instead, they bided their time, hidden in the void between dimensions, scheming and plotting. Their escape was not chaotic—Mr Nobody had made sure of that.

After the initial eruption of power and freedom, the villains were left stranded in the wastelands of their prison's former ruins, cut off from the worlds they once sought to conquer.

With nowhere to go and no way to return immediately, they formed alliances out of necessity.

---

In those early days, the villains realised they had one common goal: revenge. But that would not be enough. Revenge alone wouldn't ensure their survival, let alone victory, once they set foot back into the universe.

They needed structure, a plan, and most importantly, unity. Lex Luthor, Loki, and Dr Doom, each brilliant in their own right, quickly understood the need for a united front.

It was Luthor who first suggested that they form a guild, a coalition of villains with shared resources and strategies. This wasn't about mutual trust or friendship; this was survival.

And so, the initial discussions began.

The Joker, of course, was dismissive at first, finding the idea of any kind of order among villains hilarious.

"A guild of villains? HA! We're villains! We don't do structure!" He'd said, tossing a bomb into the air, laughing as it exploded in the distance.

But Luthor's calculated pragmatism couldn't be ignored.

"You want to survive when we return to our worlds? We need power, resources, and most importantly, a plan. The heroes are better than ever, and we can't face them alone anymore."

Over time, more prominent figures joined. Loki, ever the opportunist, saw potential in leading such a guild and aligning with those who could further his own ambitions of ruling not just Asgard but all realms.

Magneto, focused on his eternal cause of mutant supremacy, saw a chance to forge alliances with those who shared his disdain for the human race.

Despite their massive egos, the villains knew one truth—if they fought amongst themselves, they would fail. If they worked together, they would become unstoppable.

[Somewhere in Space]

The wastelands of Gaia Prison's remnants became their headquarters, a bleak and desolate plane that they slowly transformed into their fortress.

Using Doom's technological genius, Luthor's wealth and intellect, and Loki's magic, they built a hidden stronghold between dimensions, a fortress invisible to even the gods.

For a year, they gathered more villains, some who had been imprisoned for so long they had been forgotten by the universe. Powerful figures like Mephisto, Darkseid, and Dormammu were contacted through cosmic channels, slowly bringing together an army of titans that could rival any force of heroes.

But they remained patient. They knew that if they were to return to Earth or any dimension, they needed to be stronger, more organised.

They built armies, trained, and experimented with their abilities. The weaker villains were sent on missions to gather intelligence from the multiverse, while the leaders plotted their ultimate return.

---

It was during one of their regular meetings, deep within the heart of their fortress, that the announcement of Seraphis came.

A crackle of light burst through the dark, hollow chamber as the cosmic messenger materialised. His voice boomed, reverberating through the fortress as every villain present stopped in their tracks.

"Eternus has decreed that a galactic tournament will be held, proposed by the Endless, to settle the greatest of rivalries."

For a moment, silence followed the proclamation. Then, murmurs broke out among the villains. The Endless? A galactic tournament? This was something unexpected.

Darkseid was the first to speak, his deep, menacing voice filled with intrigue. "A tournament... to settle a rivalry? What cosmic foolishness is this?"

Loki, always the one to scheme, smirked as he leaned forward. "Perhaps not so foolish. This could present... an opportunity."

The Joker, lounging on a twisted throne of his own making, kicked his feet up and cackled. "A cosmic showdown! I love it! But what's in it for us, huh? What's the prize for little old us?"

Magneto, ever the strategist, nodded. "It would be foolish to ignore this. The heroes will certainly be involved. This could be the perfect distraction while we prepare our return."

The villains grew more interested as they discussed the possible outcomes of the tournament. While they couldn't participate directly—at least not yet—they saw the potential for manipulating events in their favour.

They could influence the players, cause chaos from the shadows, or even use this tournament as a diversion for their true plans.

---

After the announcement, the Villains' Guild was more determined than ever. The tournament was a sign that great changes were coming to the universe, and they needed to be ready.

They intensified their preparations, with Dr Doom and Lex Luthor working on dimensional gateways, ensuring they could strike when the time was right.

The Joker and his faction began planning how they could cause chaos during the tournament, using their unpredictable nature to disrupt the heroes. Loki whispered plans to Doom and Magneto, suggesting ways they could influence the tournament's outcome from behind the scenes.

They sent scouts, including minor villains and spies, back to Earth and other dimensions, gathering intelligence on the heroes' movements.

They needed to know everything about the tournament, its participants, and the heroes who would undoubtedly be drawn to it.

And so, the Villains' Guild waited, lurking in the shadows, plotting their return. The tournament would be a pivotal moment in the multiverse, and when the heroes were at their weakest, distracted by their own challenges, the villains would strike. 

Their time was coming.

[Elsewhere]

In the shadowy expanse of The Fourth World, Darkseid's domain, where the very fabric of reality bent to his will, a sliver of madness crept in.

It was a disturbance, a ripple in the otherwise impenetrable void of his realm. Mr Nobody, in his usual abstract, fluid form, drifted through the chaotic waves, slipping between dimensions, before finding himself in the domain of the God of Tyranny.

Darkseid's throne loomed large, a monolith of dominance amidst the swirling fires of his forsaken world. The New God sat in grim silence, his eyes gleaming with the power of the Omega Effect.

Mr Nobody, feeling the pressure of this presence, coiled around himself like a ribbon before solidifying into his half-tangible human form.

He raised his arms theatrically. "Darkseid! The one, the only! Still brooding on your rock of suffering, I see?"

Darkseid didn't move. His imposing figure cast an enormous shadow, the very air around him heavy with malice.

His voice came low, rumbling like thunder across the wasteland of his realm.

"Why have you come here, insignificant anomaly?"

Mr Nobody twirled in place, hopping onto a nearby ledge, ignoring Darkseid's disdainful glare. "Oh, you know, the usual! Just a little chit-chat, catch-up, perhaps stir the pot a bit! You see, I've been so bored. Life gave me this glorious mission to cause chaos on Earth, but—"

He threw his hands up in frustration, "—it's all so… predictable! Heroes this, villains that. Where's the fun, where's the pizzazz?"

Darkseid's eyes narrowed, but he remained silent, listening. Nobody paced, gesturing wildly.

"But then it hit me! What's more chaotic, more dramatic, than a full-blown invasion of Earth? Oh, yes, I know you've tried before. Yawn! But this time, you'd have a secret weapon: moi."

The flames in the throne room flickered. Darkseid's interest piqued ever so slightly, though his expression remained stoic.

"Speak plainly, fool."

Mr Nobody grinned, his form shifting from solid to wavy, mimicking the chaotic energy within him.

"Imagine it: you, launching an assault on Earth while all those pesky little heroes are distracted by… well, me! They'll be so busy dealing with my mischief that they won't even see your Parademons coming! Plus, they've been getting soft under that Darius fellow's special training sessions. What better time to strike?"

Darkseid stood, his towering frame casting a long shadow over Mr Nobody. His eyes glowed with the red light of the Omega Beams, his power palpable. "Why would I need your madness, when my Parademons can reduce Earth to ashes?"

"Ah, but it's not just about destroying Earth, is it?" Mr Nobody tilted his head, an almost conspiratorial tone entering his voice.

"It's about domination, about showing the universe that even someone as untouchable as Darius can't protect it. And isn't it far more entertaining to watch them squirm before you crush them?"

There was a pause as Darkseid considered the offer. Mr Nobody leaned forward, eager for the reaction.

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