CHAPTER 257: CHAPTER 257

---Evening---

As we were wrapping up another long day of political discussion, the soldiers guarding the door announced the prime minister’s arrival. Unaware the Caspiel Empire had one, I turned to Praetorate Avirax for an explanation.

"My apologies, Emperor Stark. He rarely makes an appearance around the palace anymore, so I had completely forgotten about him.", Avirax stated, giving me an apologetic grin. "His name is John Smith. He has held the post since the Caspiel Empire came into existence."

"Oh, what race is he?", I inquired curiously. ’If I remember correctly, The Doctor sometimes goes by John Smith when dealing with humans.’

"He is a Perpetual.", Avirax remarked, further confirming my suspicions. "Let him though!"

Opening the massive doors for him, a familiar-looking man casually strolled into the room wearing a fez. Sporting his signature blue suit and brown trench coat combo, The Doctor warmly greeted everyone with a tip of his hat. Reciprocating his gesture, the other ministers and nobles bowed their heads to him, respectively.

"My apologies for the long absence, everyone. I have been tied up dealing with some issues along the eastern fringes of our territory.", The Doctor spoke, turning his gaze to me. ’Wait a moment, have I arrived in the wrong time period?’

Fumbling around in his pockets for his watch, he pulled the well-worn device out and had a look. Satisfied that he had arrived exactly when he intended to, a pensive look settled on his face.

"You must be Victor von Stark, Aremus and Isabella’s descendant.", The Doctor spoke with a fond smile. "My name is- "

"You are the Lord President of the Time Lords and sole survivor of your people, correct?", I replied with a grin. "It is nice to finally meet you, Theta Sigma."

Unable to contain himself, The Doctor burst into a fit of laughter as he nearly fell to the floor. Needing a moment to compose himself, he wiped a few tears from his eyes before nodding his head affirmatively.

"Haha, hearing that old nickname really takes me back. I have not been called that in... gosh, a few hundred million years or so.", The Doctor chuckled, tipping his fez to me. "It is a pleasure to meet you for the first time, Victor. We have a lot of work to do, and only a short time to do it in."

"How about we sort things out over a meal? My family and I would love to host you this evening.", I offered, rising from my throne.

"Sounds like a plan to me; I am starving.", The Doctor accepted. "Do you mind if I bring a friend along with me?"

Agreeing to his request, The Doctor called his companion in, who had opted to hang back in the hallway. Sheepishly entering the room, Rose Tyler greeted everyone before rushing to his side. Having heard everything from the hallway, she bowed her head to me and my wives.

"No need to stand on ceremony, Rose.", I spoke, catching her off guard. "Any friend of The Doctor is a friend of mine."

"Wait! This is the man we have been searching for?!", Loki gasped, leaping out of her seat. "We need your- "

"Help reconnecting the Realm of the Gods to the Mortal Plane?", The Doctor said, enjoying the surprised look on her face. "I came here today to discuss it with Victor, among other things. We can get into the nitty-gritty over dinner."

Unsure what was going on, the ministers and nobles looked at us like we were speaking a foreign language. Promising to explain everything to them tomorrow, I dismissed everyone for the night before teleporting away to the New Genesis.

---3rd Person POV, Tzeentch’s’ Territory---

After weeks of ignoring Nemesis’ steady advance into their territory, Khorne and Tzeentch united to put the newcomer in their place. When they engaged her personally on the field of battle, it resulted in their unceremonious defeat. Overwhelmed by her power and strength, they would have died had it not been for the interference of their minions. Giving their existence to save their leaders, both Chaos Gods were spirited away from the battlefield, humiliated and utterly broken.

"Well... how are they?", Mortarion inquired, watching Magnus limp into the room. "Are they completely spent, or is there some hope left for a rebound?"

"It is not looking good.", Magnus spoke, falling into the empty seat next to the bloodied Angron. "Neither of them is in any shape to fight, nor do I believe they will be anytime soon. Khorne is making plans to go down in a blaze of glory in a final duel against Nemesis. As for Tzeentch, his mind and will were broken by Nemesis. What remains has retreated into the depths of his psyche to cope with the trauma."

Disappointed, but not completely unexpected, the Primarchs knew they had a critical decision to make. Should they remain here and fight to the bitter end or attempt to make amends with their father and brothers? While neither option sat well with them, they had to make the best of the hand they had been dealt.

"I think the choice is clear. We take our chances and attempt to reconcile with our family.", Mortarion remarked, thoroughly exhausted from all the fighting and heavy losses his legion had taken. "While they will most likely execute us on sight, I would rather die by their hands than be devoured by that bitch."

"Want to... Go... Home...", Angron wheezed, seeking an end to his miserable existence.

"Well, we can improve our odds a bit if we hand over the slaves in our possession.", Magnus insisted. "If we get moving now, we can reach Terra by- "

Slamming their fists down onto the conference table, Lorgar and Perturabo rebuked their brothers. While they did not want Nemesis to devour them either, returning to Terra was not an option for them. Still burdened with hatred for the Emperor of Mankind, they adamantly refused to rejoin his service.

"There is a third option we have yet to consider: leaving this galaxy entirely and making a new base of operations elsewhere. We know it is possible because Aremus was able to do it.", Perturabo stated.

"This is precisely why both of you should have attended our weekly meetings.", Mortarion sighed. "Thanks to Abaddon’s stupidity, our legions have bounties on their heads. It takes one whisper, and our nephew will be on our asses. He killed Nurgle and brought Slaanesh to heel; do you honestly believe we will fare any better?"

"Dying by our nephew’s hands is better than either option presented thus far.", Lorgar said, crossing his arms.

Realizing Lorgar and Perturabo would never budge on this matter, the three Primarchs decided to part ways with them. It was not a decision they made lightly, but one that was necessary for their survival. Staggering to their feet, Magnus and Mortarion bid them farewell as Angron hobbled to the door.

"You are making a mistake, you fools.", Perturabo spat.

"No, we are choosing to take a calculated risk while you are risking everything on blind luck.", Magnus retorted, giving them a sympathetic look. "Leaving this galaxy means you will be unable to rebuild your legions. Just remember that."

As they shooed the others away, Lorgar and Perturabo began making plans while their brothers fled.

---Victor POV---

After sharing a nice meal with The Doctor and Rose, we got down to business. Handing over all the data I had, he pored over the documents with a fine-toothed comb. Once he had a firm grasp on the situation, The Doctor looked at me with a serious expression.

"My usual tricks won’t work this time. Our only option is to use the Time Stone, but I am wary of using it.", The Doctor spoke. "Using such a powerful relic carries a great deal of risk. One miscalculation could permanently damage the time stream."

"Be that as it may, we do not have much of a choice. If we are to survive the coming storm, we need their power and support.", I reminded him. "Once this matter is resolved and Nemesis is defeated, the stone will be returned to you. I swear on everything I hold dear."

Staring into my eyes for a few moments, The Doctor reluctantly agreed to lend it to me for a bit. Fishing the stone out from his coat pocket, he tossed it to me with a playful smirk.

"You keep the bloody Time Stone in your pocket!?", I gasped, catching the stone.

"Can you blame me? Anyone who knows about it would automatically assume it is hidden somewhere aboard the TARDIS.", The Doctor laughed. "No one ever thinks to check my person because it is too unbelievably stupid."

While I could understand his thought process, it was still incredibly reckless. Should it ever fall out of his pocket and into the hands of someone evil or an idiot... we would all be royally screwed. Choosing not to chastise him as he was lending me the relic, I kept my concerns to myself for the time being.

"Thank you for trusting me, Doctor.", I said, slotting the stone into my right gauntlet. "I will tackle undoing Nemesis’ handiwork in the morning."

"There is no need to thank me, Victor. I know you are a good man.", The Doctor spoke. "We become excellent friends in the future and help each other out on multiple occasions. Just remember, you owe me big time for this favor."

With the Time Stone in hand, I had Jarvis begin analyzing its energy signature so we could track down the other four stones. While I was preoccupied with analyzing the raw data, my wives excitedly leaned over the table. Asking him for details about their future selves, they wanted to know everything he could share with them.

"You do understand, if I tell you, your future will most likely change. When people are told about the future, they tend to make it a reality on their own timetable instead of letting it occur naturally.", The Doctor asserted.

Upon hearing that, my wife hesitated and backed down, while Slaanesh took the initiative.

"Since knowing the answer could change our future, I will ask something very simple. How many adorable babies do Victor and I have within the next five hundred years?", Slaanesh questioned.

"I see some things will never change.", The Doctor laughed with a mischievous smile. "You have fifteen children with a sixteenth on the way."

Clapping her hands enthusiastically, Slaanesh gave me a coy smile while my Amallyn, Isha, and Lileath glared daggers at me. Raising my hands in a defensive posture, I asked him to further elaborate on the subject. Respectfully declining to do so, as it could ruin things for us, The Doctor politely excused Rose and himself.

"Get back here, Doctor!", I shouted as my wives closed in around me. ’You son of a bitch! It is you who owe me now.’

"We need to have a nice, long conversation... dear.", Lileath insisted, tugging on my arm. "You too... bitch."

Shakily rising to her feet, Slaanesh ran over to join us with a smug expression.