Spider-Man. The House Of Venom

It had taken her months to find a way off the planet.

She was stuck. She reached out to try and find the other Skrull survivors, but they had vanished. She had heard about Wakanda but had never guessed that her people would be welcomed anywhere. They were always treated with scorn, always turned away. Even Xandar had promised them a new home and then turned their back on them.

It was by pure accident, as she hunted for scraps of food, that she got a blip from her bracelet. There was a cloaked Asgardian ship somewhere nearby. Confused, she searched, listening as the blips grew louder.

It was a small planetary survey ship, but the interior told her Loki had been here last. It was filled with her clothes and supplies. Vernake bit down a swear and swallowed back her anger. Loki had been on Earth and hadn't even attempted to contact her. Hadn't even contacted the Skrulls to find out if they needed aid. She had abandoned them just as everyone else had.

The shuttle was fueled for long missions. Vernake looked through the flight path and had no idea what Loki had been doing. A visit to a desolate planet, Earth and then nothing. It looked like Loki had taken a holiday. Was it grief or was she looking for something? Whatever it was, there was no mention of it in the ship's logs. Only an ancient book of Asgardian fairytales, which Vernake pawned for supplies. She would have a long trip, first to Knowhere, and then to wherever her people had fled to.

With the cloak, she managed to slip unnoticed out of the atmosphere. She glared in anger at the stolen Kree ships still in orbit. They should have been blasted into atoms for what they did to her people.

⁂

"Look lady, nobody cares where those knife-eared bastards went. All I know is the place doesn't stink as much," said one shopkeeper as he laughed in her face. She was a Kylorian, as no one believed them capable of anything other than whoring themselves.

It was the same story in every shop she visited. The sector the Skrulls had claimed was now desolate. It had been picked clean of everything, and Vernake had no more of an idea now than when she started.

⁂

She didn't even get to land on Xandar Prime. it had been attacked by the Kree and left in ruins. Only official supply ships from Asgard were allowed to approach the planet. She turned her ship around before she approached customs. Flying an Asgardian ship would see her arrested. Being a Skrull would see her executed.

It was worse at Asgard. She had heard chatter on Xandar and Knowhere. Odin was back, as was Freya, and a new sibling had been discovered. Hela was being crowned the Princess of Asgard, while Loki languished in prison.

She finally got some information. Loki had been found out. She had been caught and sentenced to prison until she proved herself worthy. There was no word of the Skrulls, but Vernake knew Asgardian justice. Her people would have been executed as an example. It was just strange there was no news. Odin was a braggart and a blowhard. She would have expected to find her people floating in the space around Asgard, but still, there was no sign of them.

She had considered sneaking into Asgard. Loki had taught her the secret ways, but was it worth the risk? If Loki needed something to prove her loyalty, what better way than her co-conspirator?

No. She knew Loki would betray her to free herself. In fact, it was likely that Loki was the reason she couldn't find her people. What better jewel to offer up than the extermination of a race? She had heard the Kree had been driven back to their homeworld.

With the Xandarian crushed, the Kree decimated, Asgard now sat at the top of the galaxy.

Veranke could never forgive Loki for her betrayal. She would never forgive her for leaving her people to die on Earth. She never even checked to see if the Skrulls survived the Kree attack. Loki had abandoned her, and her people. She had gone on a sightseeing trip, and been captured.

If the situation was reversed, she knew she would have used the Asgardians as pawns to see her plan succeed. she would give anything, and pay any price, and she had, and it cost her her people.

She would have revenge. She would tear the galaxy apart and leave it bleeding at her feet.

The galaxy would feel her pain, and the galaxy would be shown no mercy.

There was only one group capable of toppling them. If she was brave enough to attempt it.

⁂

The stars twinkled above the barren asteroid base that floated where a planet once sat.

He had personally ended all life here. He had personally made sure each body was buried, and then carefully set his plans in motion. This graveyard was a testament to his dedication.

His first act was to destroy his own people.

He was standing staring into the night sky. He was pondering how exactly to punish every single one of his minions who had failed him. Ronan had lost the Power Stone. The Other had lost the Mind Stone, and Gamora had failed to find the Soul Stone. He was not in the best of moods when he heard someone approach him from behind.

“What is it, Ebony Maw?” He asked, not bothering to turn and face his subject. He was wondering if removing the man's limbs would be a suitable punishment. It wouldn't, Maw was a scientist and would adapt. It would be more fitting to use him as an experiment for a change. If he loved his science so much, he should experience both sides of the surgical table.

He heard clothes rustle and the Black Order member bowed. “My Lord, I bring great news. My agents have finally found the Infinity Stones.”

“This? You think a brief mention of the Stones will save you?” As he turned he clenched his fists. “Why should I even listen? Why should I trust someone who has failed me so very spectacularly?”

Ebony Maw went down on one knee. “Forgive this lowly one Sire, but we found not just one Stone, but them all.”

Thanos paused. “Them all? Has someone collected the set? Tell me, and I may spare your life.”

“My lord, you were correct. The Asgardian Loki was seeking the Stones. It was her schemes that interfered with your excellencies magnificent plans, however.”

“Spare me your sycophantic babble. Tell me.” Thanos drew the huge blade from his back and pointed it straight at Ebony Maw's throat.

“Earth, My Lord. The Stones are on Earth.” Ebony Maw took out a small device and the screen lit up, projecting a map of the galaxy. It shifted and showed a pinpoint of blue light, zooming in further to show a spinning globe of green and blue. Thanos took a breath and allowed the tip of the blade to cut a small line across his throat.

“Finally. Prepare the fleet, summon the full might of the Black Order, and if you fail me again, that cut will go all the way through.”

“Yes, my Lord.” Ebony Maw backed away, facing Thanos while keeping his head low.

Thanos stared into the night sky. His plan would finally see the universe set into balance. No one, not the Asgardians, not the Kree or the Xandarians, or whatever life existed on this ‘Earth’ would stop him.

He smiled as he gripped the handle of his massive double-bladed sword tightly.

“No more failures.” His grip tightened. “I guess I need to do this myself.”

As Thanos monologued to himself, Ebony Maw made his way down to the communications area. “Lord Thanos has commanded we depart for Earth. Here are the coordinates.” Ebony handed over the small device. The soldier uploaded the information and they nodded at each other.

Moving away, Ebony twisted slightly, and his visage remoulded itself. Thanos clicked on the communications device. “Daughter, take your allies and head to Earth. Soften them up for me, and I may allow you to reflect on your failures.” The blue-skinned woman on the other end nodded before cutting the channel. “Good,” Thanos said, and as his face reshaped itself, once more Ebony Maw stood in his place.

Ebony Maw returned to the hidden craft. Knowing her mission was started, had two more pieces to move onto the board.

⁂

On Knowhere, a stranger dropped off a datapad. It was sent from location to location, passing dozens of hands. Nobody cared as each one was generously rewarded for their service. As it reached its destination, it was scanned for boobytraps. Once it had been declared safe, a servant girl knelt and offered it up to her master.

The Collector picked it up and checked it for boobytraps one final time.

"Hmm", he rubbed his chin. It was a nervous habit from aeons ago. The thin stripe of colour decorated it. He was the Collector. One who collected specimens for his masters to judge. His strip was red. "Interesting. And all wrapped up in a neat little bow."

"You, Dog. Tell me of this Earth."

In a glass cage, at hearing its master's voice, a golden retriever, sent up from Earth, wagged its tail.

Oh, Earth is amazing Master, they have the bestest nums. Chimkin and Buff. Oh Oh and bicon bits.

Another creature, holding a glass with a martini in it scoffed, "Yeah, I been there. It's full of whores too. Got me some fine grade A Earthian ass while I was there." He sipped his drink, "Why ask the mutt, Collector? Ask ole Howie here about Earth." He was a strange creature, a four-foot-high duck, wearing an evening jacket, and little else.

"Indeed. Why don't you both tell me what you know."

⁂

Two of her targets were now in play. She knew the Collector wouldn't be able to resist the information she had given him. Robots, flying men, and the Infinity Stones.

Now all she needed was her last target, in the ass end of the universe. She hated Sakaar. She had considered bringing her people here but she refused to let them live as scavengers. It would also mean living under the rule of the final member of the Eternal Triad. The Elders of the Universe.

The Grandmaster.

She shuddered thinking about the ancient pervert. Out of Thanos, The Collector and The Grandmaster, he was the worst. He had been given the task of testing, and so he did. Everything. Fighting ability, artistic talent, and worse, sexual prowess. It was said he once deflowered an entire planet to find the perfect mate.

He swung from homicidal rage to mass orgies, dealt in slaves and kept pets. All on the whim of what he called his Purpose.

And in terms of power, he was just as dangerous as Thanos and the Collector.

She didn't even land, instead launched a pod at the planet and then sped away. If she was one of the last Skrulls, she did not want to become his latest plaything.

In the Grandmaster's throne room, Topaz dropped the pod at the bottom of his throne, "mail came. smells like Skrull."

The Grandmaster slid forward, "How very interesting." He tilted his head and leaned back in his chair. "How do you know what a Skrull smells like?"

"Ate one once. Tasted like chicken."

He tilted his head, "Are you sure it wasn't just a chicken?"

She sniffed, "Maybe, it was a small portion. I might go back to Hazaks and ask."

The Grandmaster waved a hand, "Oh don't bother. I had him disembowelled for burning my Klaatu."

"Fair enough. So, do I open it?" The Grandmaster waved a hand, and she knelt and wrestled open the hatch, "It's a pad." She stood and cleared her throat. "The Infinity Stones are on Earth. Blah Blah, More rubbish, oh and the Collector and Thanos have been told."

At the mention of his brothers, the Grandmaster sat up straight. "Well then. If they have been told then I guess we should make it a family reunion. Plus, I do have some new pets to show off. Topaz. Prepare my barge. We head to Earth."

Topaz saluted. "Right, you heard him, Warm up the lube pumps, and polish the whips and chains. We're going to some stupidly named planet." As she walked away, she muttered to herself. "I mean, who names a planet dirt, it's one step away from turd."