Somewhere in the universe, at Thanos' base.
Today was a special day for those within the base.
Thanos, the last hope of the Eternal Titans, had brought back a baby from his home planet, Titan—a real, living baby.
His name was Lothar, a baby boy with a red tail extending from his backside.
Before the four generals of the Black Order, Thanos formally announced that Lothar was now his adopted son, even though Ebony Maw's tests confirmed that the baby did not belong to the Eternal Titan race.
A life form not of Titan's bloodline, yet found among the ruins of the devastated planet—Ebony Maw, the mastermind of the Thanos army, instinctively sensed something amiss. However, the meaningful gaze from his master made him swallow his doubts.
Thanos was the supreme ruler of this dark domain—the one and only god. His word was law. Those who disagreed could look to the bleached bones buried beneath the floating throne for guidance.
Ebony Maw valued his life, so instead of questioning, he began chanting hymns in praise of Thanos, celebrating the arrival of a new adopted son.
Lothar, with his tiny limbs unable to resist Thanos' mighty arms, lay quietly in his embrace. His cold, sharp gaze swept over the demons and monsters singing hymns beneath the throne.
To little Lothar, these creatures resembled nothing more than the nightmarish demons from his mother's bedtime stories—grotesque and misshapen.
The four standing beneath the throne were particularly bizarre:
A frail figure that looked like it could be toppled by a breeze. A snarling brute draped in tattered cloaks, wielding a long blade. A hulking giant carrying an enormous battle axe, exuding brute force. And lastly, a woman who appeared the most normal by comparison, though no less dangerous.
Lothar desperately wanted to understand what they were saying, but the language was utterly foreign to him. He didn't know where he was, what these creatures were talking about, or what the man who carried him from the ruins intended to do.
His infant mind couldn't comprehend such complexities.
Eventually, overcome by thoughts of his mother, the little boy drifted into slumber.
Seated upon his throne, Thanos gazed at the sleeping child, a faint smile curving his lips. He didn't know where this child came from, but he knew the boy had witnessed the fall of Titan.
Amid the catastrophic destruction that reduced the mighty Titans to cosmic dust, only this child—who was not even of Titan's race—survived.
Was this not the will of destiny?
Thanos could sense the immense potential within the infant's small frame. To him, it was further proof that he was chosen by fate.
In the moment Thanos had reaffirmed his life's purpose, destiny had delivered a child with the makings of a great warrior into his hands.
This was the universe's acknowledgment. Its encouragement.
The road ahead would be difficult, but Thanos was willing to press forward—no matter the cost.
The path was treacherous, but the future was bright.
...
Three years later.
Sanctuary, Thanos' domain.
Now three years old, Lothar stood unsteadily in the middle of the ruins, clad in a custom battle suit designed by Thanos himself. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, his small body battered and bruised.
A powerful fist sent him crashing back into the rubble he had just climbed out of. His red tail hung limp, its once lively motions now stilled.
"Stand up, Lothar."
Hands clasped behind his back, Thanos gazed at the wreckage. Only the tip of Lothar's red tail remained visible amidst the shattered debris.
For a moment, all was silent—until the rubble began to shift.
Lothar gritted his teeth, forcing himself to rise. The stones could bury his body, but they could not extinguish the flame burning in his heart.
His youthful face was marked by unwavering determination. Though still tender, his eyes never lost their defiant gleam.
No matter how many times Thanos struck him down, he always stood back up.
He, Lothar—the last hope of the Saiyan race—would never fall.
For three years, he had witnessed his adoptive father's unmatched might, leading the Black Order to countless victories.
If he wanted to avenge his people and kill Frieza—wherever that monster might be hiding—he had to learn to fight from Thanos.
"Very good, Lothar. You've passed this test."
Thanos' voice carried a rare note of satisfaction.
A prodigy sent by fate itself—able to endure rigorous training since the age of two, advancing at an astonishing pace.
What fascinated Thanos most was how Lothar's strength grew exponentially after every near-fatal injury. He still didn't know what race the boy belonged to, but one thing was clear:
This child was born to fight.
Stronger with every battle. An indomitable warrior.
Even Thanos could not foresee Lothar's true potential.
There was only one problem—the red tail.
A known weakness of his kind, yet easily remedied by the Mad Titan.
From the day Thanos adopted him, he concocted a special nutrient solution to strengthen the boy's tail.
Now, Lothar's tail was no longer a weakness but a deadly weapon.
"Come, it's time for your treatment."
The cold harshness faded from Thanos' face, replaced by a rare warmth.
The treatment—another of Thanos' inventions—was tailored specifically for Lothar.
After discovering that the boy's power skyrocketed every time he survived a near-death experience, Thanos developed an extreme recovery method.
"Yes, Father."
A bright smile broke across Lothar's bruised face—he had passed another trial.
Back at the base, he stripped off his tattered suit and donned a breathing apparatus before leaping into the green liquid Thanos called the "Fountain of Life."
Green—the color of life.
For the past year, this had been his daily ritual. Whether after training or battle, Lothar soaked in the liquid to heal his wounds.
Thanos claimed it not only restored him but extended his lifespan with each immersion.
Every time Lothar submerged himself, his life stretched a little further—a secret gift from his adoptive father.
Compared to the potions used by Ebony Maw and the others, the Fountain of Life's effects were far more potent.
A fitting remedy for a warrior destined to reshape the universe.
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