Bigger, age of ultron

prologue

"Mother, come on!" a young girl's voice called, giggling. Soft, quick footsteps shuffled closer, and a tiny huff came from her mouth. She crawled on the soft bed, curls dangling in her line of view. She laid on the bed next to her mother, facing her. She reached her hand out, gently placing her hand on her mother's face, waiting for her to awaken.

Isadora's eyes fluttered open, feeling the touch of her child. A smile spread across her face as she sat up, wet hair sticking to her bare shoulders. The two pressed their foreheads together as the bedroom door was pushed open.

"My Lord," a voice called to Isadora, making her look up from her daughter. "So sorry to interrupt, but the Council would like to speak with you. Immediately."

Isadora looked back to her daughter, who looked up at her a little disappointed. It was supposed to be the day where she put her duties on the back burner and just spend time with family. But, she knew that the kingdom needed her.

"It's okay," her daughter muttered. "I understand." She held her head down, making Isadora feel worse about having to leave.

She lifted the child's head to make her look into her eyes. "We will have our time, Teara. I promise." Teara looked up, smiling. An infectious smile, one that made the whole room light up.

Oh, how she wished she'd never made that promise.

_______________

"My Lord, you're here!" a councilman said as the twelve members stood to honor their superior. "Someone is trying to steal the Phaeria!"

"Have respect, Zachariah," Psevra, the Head Councilwoman, scolded. "You know not to speak until she sits."

"We have no time for formalities, Psevra! The entire planet is at stake!"

Isadora held up a hand, rendering the whole room silent. She watched as the Council got in order before she sat down. "Zachariah, what have you heard?"

Zachariah stood, wringing his hands before placing them behind his back. "They call him the Mad Titan," he said. "He looks to 'balance' the universe."

"How?" Isadora asked. "Surely, he's found a more effective way than how he's been doing it." The people of Phaeria were well aware of Thanos and his plot to balance the universe. People from different worlds often sought out refuge on Phaeria and Isadora was more than happy to give it.

"Oh, he has," Psevra spoke up. Isadora turned her attention to the woman sitting across from her. "He's finding a way to be able to wipe out life with a snap of a finger."

A new voice groaned from the end of the table. "Save the theatrics for the plays, Psevra." He perched his feet onto the marble table, leaning back in his seat. "I know entertaining men is the only thing you're good at, but why don't you wait until later."

"Excuse me," Isadora spoke, raising from her seat. "That will not be tolerated in this kingdom." She didn't recognize the younger man as Phaeria native. She tilted her head, watching freezing cold water drop onto his head. A smiled graced her face as the man sputtered, removing his sopping wet boots off of the table. "What's your name?"

"Junius Hadalf—" the man started to introduce.

"On your feet," Isadora commanded.

Junius sighed, ignoring the squelching of his boots as he stood. "Junius Hadalf," he repeated.

"Junius, what do you know about the Mad Titan?" she asked, watching his nonchalant demeanor harden.

"I know he goes around, planet to planet, kills exactly half of the people and then leaves. I know he's the reason I'm here, half of my body still in tact since I was the odd one out." He undid some of the buttons on his shirt, showcasing the metal plating that was now his chest. "I have to say, your doctors are amazing, and I thank you for your hospitality."

"You're welcome," Isadora said. "Anything else?"

Junius swallowed, going from anger to what Isadora could only assume was grief. "He's going after the sisters next. My sisters. The Infinity Stones."

Isadora looked over to Zachariah and Psevra, waiting for them to deny it. When they didn't, her face dropped. She knew what the Infinity Stones were. It was their power that forged the Phaeria that fueled the planet. If Thanos got his hands on any of the six, stopping him would nearly impossible to do, even with Phaeria on her side.

"Where are they now, your sisters?" Isadora asked.

Junius shook his head. "They required my brain to not give up the whereabouts, My Lord. I can't say."

Isadora pursed her lips, exhaling through her nose. "And there's no telling where he is now," she mumbled. "Okay, Psevra, you take a squad to guard Phaeria. Zach, you are to reinforce the army and guards—"

"Wait, y-you're not planning to fight him are you?" Junius asked, watching as the Council started moving to Isadora's order. "You can't stop him."

"We have to try," Psevra spoke up. "You know he's not going to go about this peacefully, Junius."

"So, you'd risk the lives of your men to try and do what?" Junius held his arms out, shrugging. "Delay the inevitable?"

"You don't understand—"

"No, you don't understand—!"

Isadora slammed her hand down on the table, sending a crack down the middle. "If we lose that Phaeria, this entire planet will be destroyed, along with everyone on it, including my child. So, you'd better believe I will use every single one of you to make sure this planet still stands." She looked at Junius. "You want to do something? Keep my daughter safe."

The now silent man nodded, holding his hands behind his back. Not one person of the Council had every seen or heard their ruler speak like that. "Meeting adjourned."

AUTHOR'S NOTE
Wow, okay, we've reached the end of the prologue. This wasn't anything interesting really, just setting up the characters. All of the characters who are named will be important later in this... story? Series? I honestly don't know yet, but, stay tuned for the first chapter!!