Before the chapter I'll just add this quick note. A lot happened in the last month and a lot of things I planned were altered. I'm gonna continue the story but I'm just not gonna make any more plans. To much chaos right now to make something consistent.

Prologue: The Fall and the Call

Vilgaxia was no longer a world of conquest and glory—it was a world on fire. The once-proud capital, home to the mightiest warriors and engineers of the cosmos, was reduced to rubble. Towers lay in jagged heaps, monuments cracked and burning, and rivers of molten metal flowed freely across the ruins. This was the apocalypse Albedo had unleashed in his blinding rage.

But none of it mattered now. All that mattered was the throne room ahead.

Albedo advanced, his small Galvan frame trembling with exhaustion and fury. He was bruised, bloodied, and battered, but he pressed on, each step heavier than the last. The Ultimatrix on his wrist blinked faintly, its green glow the only steady light in the charred halls.

Inside, the throne room loomed like a massive cave, its obsidian walls scarred with cracks from the distant explosions still shaking the planet. Vilgax sat upon his throne, the flames reflecting off his jagged armor. His massive sword rested across his lap, its edges dulled by countless battles. His crimson eyes burned with contempt as he regarded Albedo with what could only be described as amusement.

"You've come a long way, Albedo," Vilgax rumbled, his voice echoing through the chamber. "And for what? To die here, in the ashes of my world? To join my people in their destruction? How utterly predictable."

Albedo stopped at the base of the steps leading to the throne, his red eyes blazing with hatred. "No, Vilgax. I'm here to make you pay. For everything you've done to me. For every betrayal, every insult, every moment you've made me feel small. You've used me for the last time."

Vilgax chuckled darkly, his massive frame leaning forward. "Used you? You speak as though you had value to begin with. You were never more than a tool, Albedo. A means to an end. You fancy yourself Azmuth's equal, yet you lack his brilliance. You think yourself greater than Ben Tennyson, yet you've never surpassed him. And now, you dare challenge me, the greatest conqueror in the cosmos?"

"You betrayed me twice!" Albedo roared, slamming his hand onto the Ultimatrix.

In a flash of green light, his body transformed into Heatblast. His rocky, magma-lined frame pulsed with intense heat, flames flickering around his hands. "And now, I'll burn you to ash!"

With a roar, Heatblast unleashed a torrent of fire, the inferno surging toward Vilgax with destructive force. But Vilgax didn't flinch. His mechanical tentacles shot forward, forming a shield that deflected the flames to the sides.

"Fire?" Vilgax sneered, his deep voice cutting through the roar of flames. "Ben Tennyson wielded Heatblast with creativity and precision. You wield him like a blunt instrument."

Before Albedo could react, Vilgax lunged, his sword slicing through the air with blinding speed. The blade struck Heatblast's shoulder, molten rock cracking under the force. Albedo staggered back, releasing a wild burst of fire in desperation.

Vilgax sidestepped the attack effortlessly. "You mistake anger for power," he taunted, his glowing eyes narrowing. "But anger makes you sloppy, predictable."

Snarling, Albedo slammed the Ultimatrix again, transforming into Big Chill. His ghostly, insect-like form took to the air, wings shimmering as frost gathered around him. He unleashed a freezing blast, encasing Vilgax in a thick block of ice.

For a moment, Albedo hovered above, breathing heavily. Then, with a deafening roar, Vilgax shattered the ice, his rage burning brighter.

"You thought that would work?" Vilgax growled, his tentacles lashing out. One struck Big Chill mid-flight, sending Albedo crashing to the ground.

The impact forced him to revert to his base form, his small Galvan body trembling as he scrambled to his feet. "You're just prolonging the inevitable!" he spat, slamming the Ultimatrix again.

This time, he transformed into Humungousaur, his massive dinosaur-like frame shaking the ground as he roared. He charged at Vilgax, his colossal fists swinging with earth-shattering force.

The blows came fast and heavy, each one powerful enough to crush stone. But Vilgax moved with impossible speed, dodging every strike and countering with precision.

"Strength without skill is meaningless," Vilgax said, driving his sword into Humungousaur's side. Albedo roared in pain, his blood splattering across the throne room as he stumbled backward.

"You're nothing but a brute," Vilgax continued, his voice filled with disdain. "Tennyson wielded Humungousaur with intelligence. You, Albedo, are nothing but a child throwing a tantrum."

"You… dare… compare me to him?" Humungousaur growled, slamming his fists into the ground and sending a shockwave rippling through the chamber.

Vilgax leapt over the wave effortlessly, landing behind Albedo and striking him with a brutal blow from his tentacle. The force sent Humungousaur sprawling, the Ultimatrix deactivating as he reverted to his base form.

Gasping for breath, Albedo activated the Ultimatrix again, this time transforming into XLR8. The sleek, velociraptor-like alien darted across the battlefield in a blur, his claws striking at Vilgax from every angle.

But Vilgax was ready. Anticipating Albedo's speed, he released an energy pulse from his armor, catching XLR8 mid-strike and sending him crashing into the far wall.

"You've lost, Albedo," Vilgax said, his voice cold and final. "You lack the discipline, the focus, the will to be anything more than a failure."

Albedo groaned, struggling to his feet. His vision blurred, but his determination burned brighter than ever. "I'm… not finished yet."

With trembling hands, he activated the Ultimatrix one last time, transforming into Chromastone. His crystalline body glowed with accumulated energy as he unleashed a blinding beam of light toward Vilgax.

The attack struck Vilgax head-on, engulfing him in a brilliant explosion. Albedo staggered, his breath ragged as he watched the smoke clear.

But when it did, Vilgax stood unscathed, his jagged armor scorched but his body unbroken. "Is that all?" he asked, his voice dripping with disdain. "Tennyson would have known how to finish me by now. But you? You're just a pale imitation."

Albedo's body trembled as his energy reserves faltered. Vilgax advanced, his massive sword raised high.

"You thought you could defeat me, Albedo," Vilgax said, his voice filled with scorn. "But all you've done is confirm what I've always known: you are nothing. A failure as a scientist. A failure as a warrior. A failure as a conqueror. And now, a failure as an assassin."

With one final, brutal swing, Vilgax drove his sword into Chromastone's chest. Albedo screamed in agony as the Ultimatrix deactivated, his small Galvan body collapsing to the floor. Blood pooled beneath him as he gasped for breath, his vision fading.

Vilgax loomed over him, triumphant. "You fought like a coward, clinging to your rage. And now, you'll die as nothing."

But Albedo's lips curled into a bloody smile. "You… don't understand. This isn't over."

Vilgax frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"I rigged this palace… this entire planet… with explosives," Albedo whispered. "Tied to my heartbeat. When I die… you go with me."

The first explosion rocked the throne room, cracks spreading across the walls as fire consumed the palace.

"You—" Vilgax began, but his voice was swallowed by the chaos as Vilgaxia erupted into flames.

As the world collapsed around him, Albedo allowed himself one final, grim thought: Even in death… I win.

.........

Albedo floated in the boundless expanse of the White Hot Room. There was no up, no down—only endless light that seemed to stretch in every direction. The weightlessness was disorienting, but Albedo's mind remained sharp, piecing together the fragments of his memories. He had died. Vilgax had killed him, and the last thing he remembered was the cataclysmic destruction of Vilgaxia.

Now he was here. Wherever here was.

"Ah, Albedo," came a familiar, wry voice that seemed to echo in every direction. "Still alive, in a sense. I'd say welcome, but you've already made quite the entrance, haven't you?"

Albedo turned sharply—or at least, the sensation of turning overtook him—and saw Professor Paradox standing in the void, his usual bowtie and suit perfectly in place, as if the chaos of the universe had no effect on him.

"Paradox," Albedo growled, his tone sharp. "What is this? Where am I?"

"You," Paradox said, gesturing grandly to the light around them, "are in the White Hot Room, a realm that exists beyond life, death, and time itself. Lovely, isn't it?"

"Lovely?" Albedo snapped. "I'm dead, Paradox. Stop playing games and tell me why I'm here."

"Patience, Albedo," Paradox said, his smirk never faltering. "I'm not the only one here to greet you."

Another voice spoke, calm and resonant, with an air of authority and compassion. "Indeed, Albedo. You are not here by accident. You have been brought here for a reason."

Albedo turned, and his breath caught in his throat. A man stood before him, radiating an overwhelming presence. His form was human—an elderly man with silver hair, a warm smile, and tinted glasses perched on his nose. He wore a casual button-up shirt and khakis, hardly the appearance Albedo expected from a being of infinite power.

"Who… are you?" Albedo asked, his voice uncharacteristically hesitant.

Paradox stepped forward, gesturing to the man. "May I introduce The One Above All, the supreme being of the Marvel Multiverse. You'll forgive his… relatable appearance. He's using the form of his favorite human, someone rather special from this universe. A man named Stan Lee."

"Stan Lee?" Albedo repeated, frowning. "And why would someone so powerful take the form of a human? You expect me to believe this is the highest authority in existence?"

The One Above All smiled warmly. "I take this form because it reminds me of the best humanity has to offer. Creativity, hope, and the ability to bring people together through stories. Stan was a remarkable man—perhaps one day you'll understand why I admired him so much."

Albedo's frown deepened. "If you're so powerful, why bother with me? I've failed countless times. I'm nothing more than…" He hesitated, his fists clenching. "…a shadow of what I could have been."

The One Above All stepped closer, his tone soft but firm. "Failure is not the end, Albedo. It is a lesson, a chance to grow. You have spent your life consumed by anger and hatred, driven by your need to prove your worth. Now, you have an opportunity to redeem yourself. To become something greater."

Albedo glared up at him. "Redeem myself? For what? I didn't ask for this."

"You didn't ask for death either," Paradox interjected, "but here we are. You're being given a second chance, Albedo. A chance to prove you're more than your failures."

Albedo crossed his arms, his voice sharp. "Why? Why me? Surely you have others who are better suited for this."

"Ah, but that's precisely why we chose you," Paradox said with a knowing grin. "You are uniquely qualified for the task at hand. You've experienced failure and betrayal, and you understand the cost of both. Your intelligence rivals that of The Maker, and your tenacity—while misguided—makes you a formidable opponent."

"The Maker?" Albedo asked, narrowing his eyes.

The One Above All gestured, and the light around them shifted, forming images of a man in a white lab coat. His sharp features and cold, calculating expression exuded an aura of menace.

"Reed Richards," Paradox explained. "Or rather, The Maker. An alternate version of Mister Fantastic, the so-called smartest man in the Marvel Universe. In his original timeline, he was a hero, but in another, he became… this."

"What is he doing?" Albedo asked, watching the images of The Maker manipulating strange machines and bending timelines to his will.

"The Maker has traveled to a newly formed universe," The One Above All said. "It is young, its foundations fragile, and he seeks to mold it into his vision of utopia. He has altered the histories of its people, gained control over its timeline, and created barriers that block interference from cosmic entities like myself."

Paradox's tone grew serious. "He's dangerous, Albedo. His intellect is unmatched, and his influence has already taken root. He's manipulating DNA, reshaping civilizations, and twisting the very fabric of reality to suit his whims. The damage can't be fully undone, but you can stop him from achieving total control."

Albedo's fists clenched. "And you think I can stop him? Why me? What's the catch?"

The One Above All stepped forward, his tone unwavering. "Because you are capable of change. You've lived a life of obsession and destruction, but now you can channel that determination into something meaningful. This is your chance to become more than what you were."

Paradox smiled. "And of course, we'll need to make some adjustments to better suit you for the task."

Before Albedo could protest, the light around him shifted again. Energy coursed through his body, reshaping him cell by cell. His small Galvan frame expanded, his limbs lengthening and strengthening. When the transformation was complete, Albedo found himself standing in a human body he recognized all too well.

He looked down at his hands, his pale skin laced with faint veins of energy. His body resembled Ben Tennyson's at age eighteen—athletic, strong—but with clear differences. His hair was jet black, his eyes a deep, almost unnerving dark brown, and his complexion slightly paler. His frame was more muscular than Ben's, but it still bore an unmistakable resemblance.

Albedo scowled. "This again? Why must I always look like him?"

Paradox raised a finger. "Ah, but this time, there's a method to the madness. You're in a human form because you'll need to blend in with humanity in the Marvel Universe. And who better to emulate than a form you've already lived in before?"

The One Above All added, his tone calm, "This is a familiar starting point, Albedo. You've worn this form before and know its capabilities. But you are no longer bound to it. With your new abilities, you can alter your appearance or even revert to your Galvan form whenever you wish."

Albedo flexed his fingers, testing the strength of his new body. "It feels… powerful," he admitted grudgingly. "More capable than it did before."

"Indeed," Paradox said. "Your new body is that of a mutant. You are now among the rarest and most powerful class of mutants: Omega Level. Your ability is DNA manipulation—you can reshape yourself and others with precision and ease."

Albedo's dark eyes gleamed as he considered the possibilities. "DNA manipulation… fitting. My entire existence has revolved around genetics. It's about time I became the ultimate lifeform."

The One Above All's voice turned solemn. "Power alone does not make you ultimate, Albedo. How you use it will determine your worth. This is your chance to rise above your past and become something greater."

Albedo met the being's gaze, his expression hardening. "Fine. I'll stop this 'Maker.' If this is my chance to prove that I'm more than my failures, I'll take it. But I'm not doing this for you or some cosmic notion of redemption. I'm doing it for myself."

Paradox smiled knowingly. "Redemption is never simple, but it's a start. Now, go forth, Albedo. Your story is just beginning."

The White Hot Room dissolved into blinding light, and Albedo felt himself hurtling toward his new destiny, the echoes of The One Above All's voice lingering in his mind.

"Redemption is not given—it is earned. Go, and prove yourself worthy."