Chapitre 286: Chapter 286: Odin Falls, Hela Emerges!
Seeing Thanos' throne, the Collector's eyes shone with excitement.
He remembered Thanos' attack had caused him considerable loss, and he couldn't help but itch with irritation every time he thought about it.
If he could add the throne, a symbol of Thanos' authority, to his collection, it would certainly be a satisfying revenge!
In comparison, Surtur's crown, though unique, wasn't as appealing to him. The Fire Giants were not rare, and while the crown had its value, it paled in comparison to Thanos' throne.
The death of Grandmaster had long been dismissed from his thoughts.
After millions of years, brotherly love and such things had faded in importance. Even when Grandmaster was alive, he would not hesitate to betray him for a trinket. Now that Grandmaster was dead, it mattered even less.
Having happily completed the trade, Clark immediately opened a portal and returned to Earth.
He felt no regret trading Thanos' throne for the crown.
Initially, when Clark got the throne, he thought about sitting on it and showing off, like Thanos flying around in his chair, oozing coolness.
But once he actually got the throne, he realized it was impractical!
Sitting on it at home?
Boring! Showing off without an audience is like a night parade in brocade robes, what's the point?
And taking it out for a spin?
No way!
Others have Maseratis, Lamborghinis, and here Clark is, sitting in a chair?
Although the throne was technologically advanced and precious, no one knew that.
If he did that, people might think he was performing some art installation rather than admiring or envying him.
That'd be a failure!
In the end, after owning the throne for over two months without finding a use for it, Clark found it useless and irksome.
Better to trade it for the crown with the Collector and get it out of sight.
Satisfied, Clark returned to Earth, but his legend swept across the universe again, two months later.
Grandmaster is dead, killed by Prince Clark!
This news was more shocking to the universe's powerhouses than Clark killing Ronan or destroying a whole army of Thanos.
There are countless strong beings in the universe, with some falling at any moment. Ronan and Thanos' Black Order weren't top-tier universal powerhouses, so their deaths weren't surprising. It was just one powerful being defeating another, shocking but acceptable.
But Grandmaster was different. As a Celestial Elder, they were known for being immortal.
Not aging, not getting sick, also not dying in battle, and not being killable!
This had become a universally accepted fact.
But now, this fact was shattered.
By Asgard's Prince Clark!
Such an event had never happened since the universe's inception.
With this feat, Clark's fame was inevitable.
Whether it was the Shi'ar Empire, the Kree Empire, the Skrulls, or any other power, they etched his name into their memories and placed him on their lists of beings not to provoke.
Now, the universe belonged to Clark's era!
If someone wanted to surpass him, they'd need more impressive feats, like... killing a star-eater?
But was such a thing even possible?
Time flew like flowing water, and two more months passed. Earth returned to peace, and the Avengers Tower was rebuilt.
During this time, Clark stayed indoors, focusing on refining his burgeoning power.
At his Los Angeles villa, Clark sat cross-legged in mid-air, manipulating a unique energy in his hands. It morphed into various shapes: a tree, a mountain, a pyramid, the Statue of Liberty, the Great Wall...
He was honing his control over his power through this kind of sculpture-like training.
Before crossing over, Clark was deeply influenced by martial arts and fantasy novels, holding high standards for control over one's power.
Crude control was unacceptable.
His power needed to be strong and meticulous.
As he molded the energy into various forms, Clark frowned slightly, evidently not fully satisfied with the results.
Suddenly!
The energy in Clark's hands, shaped like the Champion Tower, trembled violently and dispersed, then absorbed back into his body.
Just then, he sensed a familiar psychic wave, an image of a frail Odin.
The old man smiled apologetically at Clark and shook his head, "Clark, I'm sorry, I can't hold on any longer."
With that, the image disappeared as if it had never existed.
"Sigh..." Clark sighed deeply and muttered to himself, "So, Odin brother couldn't make it until the Nine Stars Alignment and the emergence of Ether particles. The best plan to deal with Hela is no longer viable. Time to initiate the backup plan."
Saying this, he teleported to the strait of Tønsberg.
There, Odin and Frigga were embracing each other, sitting on a smooth stone, enjoying the view of the strait. Sensing Clark's arrival, Odin calmly spoke, "Clark, I apologize for causing trouble by ending my life sooner than expected."
Clark shook his head resignedly, "It's also my fault. I didn't handle things well on my end, leading to the Ultron situation that forced your hand. I share the blame."
Odin didn't continue on that topic.
Everything that needed to be said had been said. Now, he just wanted to quietly watch the sea until the end of his life.
"Whoosh!"
Suddenly, the Bifrost Bridge, radiating seven colors of light, descended from the sky, leaving the figures of Thor and Loki, who looked like Odin, before disappearing again. Upon seeing the real Odin, Loki immediately dropped his disguise.
Thor placed the Eternal Flame before Clark, speaking gravely, "Uncle Clark, this is the Eternal Flame. Be careful with it."
Nodding, Clark took the Eternal Flame and advised Thor, "Go talk to Odin. He might have something to say to you."
Thor and Loki approached Odin.
Odin, looking kindly, said, "My children, I've failed in my duties as a father. I've caused you much suffering. Thor, Loki, you are my proud sons."
Perhaps it was the lucidity that comes before death, but Odin was unusually gentle in front of his sons.
"After I leave, you must listen to Prince Clark regarding the battle against Ragnarok. His authority will even surpass the royal power during this time. Do not defy him. Understand?"
They already knew Odin's intentions and nodded in agreement.
Clark added, "I have a backup plan to fight Hela. I'm quite confident we can protect Asgard. Rest easy."
"Thank you," Odin said, then fell silent, peacefully gazing at the turbulent sea before closing his eyes for the last time.
Odin passed away, his body turning into specks of light, drifting up to the sky like fireflies.
Clark, witnessing this, felt a moment of solemnity and sighed. A sad melody filled the air.
"Dark skies hang low, bright stars in tow, insects fly, insects fly, whom do they miss so dearly…"
Respect and impression points flooded in from Frigga, Thor, and Loki.
They had been holding back their grief, but Clark's music finally broke their restraint, tears streaming down their faces.
Clark noticed something interesting from the impression points.
Previously,
Loki's impression points showed 'Loki Laufeyson'. But now, it changed to 'Loki Odinson', indicating Odin's acceptance of him as his true son.
Was this also a sign of Loki's redemption?
"Hahaha…"
Amidst their grief, a discordant female laugh echoed. Everyone turned angrily towards the source, seeing a middle-aged woman in a dark green bodysuit and cape, with long dark green hair, emerge from a distorted space, smugness written all over her face.
Seeing this green-clad woman, Thor and Loki instinctively stepped forward, protecting Frigga, as Thor asked fiercely, "Are you Hela?"
Hela scanned Thor, Loki, Frigga, and Clark, and declared triumphantly, "Right you are, my foolish brothers. Prepare to bow to your queen."
Pausing, she added, "Kneel!"
Thor burst into anger, "How dare you!"
"Planning to fight me?" Hela casually adjusted her hair, which then spiked up strangely, looking like a spider's web.
With a flourish, she wielded two sharp short swords – her signature weapons, the Swords of Night Sky.
Her battle form was greener than ever.
Seeing Thor about to swing Mjölnir, Clark intervened, "Don't rush, let me handle this."
Thor obediently stepped aside, "Alright, uncle."
"Uncle?"
Hela looked back in confusion, having overlooked Clark, the most powerful being present.
Clark, hands behind his back, nodded to Hela, "Indeed, I'm your uncle, dear niece. Stop this fuss and return to your realm of the dead. Let me re-seal you, okay?"
"Insolent fool!" Hela lunged to attack, but before she could move, Clark immobilized her, posing her seductively.
Clark chuckled as Hela's bewildered face, "That's more like it, niece. Since you're dressed up, why not dance for us?"
To the beat of the music, Hela unwillingly began to dance.
"Good and evil will be repaid, the heavenly way cycles back. Don't believe me? Just watch, who escapes the Pure Land's fate?"
Hela, Thor, and Loki's impression points surged.
Thor and Loki, familiar with Clark's capabilities, were still stunned. They never imagined he could easily make Hela dance without a fight.
Ignoring their astonishment, Clark quickly opened a three-meter diameter portal, "Hela's strong. Return to Asgard and prepare for battle. I'll delay her as long as possible."
With a wave, Clark sent the dancing Hela through the portal to another corner of the universe.
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État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
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