Taneleer Tivan was happy.
For most of his life, happiness had been a feeling reserved for acquisition. It came when he discovered an artifact no one else possessed, preserved the last work of a dead civilization, or secured something rare enough to make others envious.
Over the last few million years, that had changed.
Since the death of his wife, Tivan had believed true friendship was something he would never experience again. Mortals aged too quickly. Even the longest-lived species became temporary when measured against his existence.
Then he met Ord Zyonz.
Ord was like him, the last survivor of a forgotten species, sustained across the ages by the Power Primordial. Their first meetings had been cautious, as neither man was accustomed to meeting someone like himself. In time, caution gave way to understanding. Tivan found a friend and, eventually, something closer to a brother.
That friendship gave him an idea.
There had to be others.
Immortals like him were scattered throughout creation, enduring an existence no ordinary being could understand. If Tivan could find them and bring them together, none of them would have to face eternity alone.
The group could offer more than companionship. United, they might become a significant power among the cosmic forces shaping the universe, a brotherhood whose collective age and influence could not be ignored.
The second immortal Tivan found possessed gifts far stranger than the Power Primordial.
After knowing him for many years, Tivan had learned that he went by many names: Ion, Max, the Green Lantern, and the first herald of Galactus. Their first meeting had taken place on a dying world millions of years earlier, and their paths had crossed many times since.
Ion had listened when Tivan explained his plan.
More importantly, he had agreed to help.
Together, they found others. When their number finally reached the minimum they had agreed upon, Tivan sent word that it was time to gather and announce their brotherhood to the universe.
That time had come.
Tivan stood in one of the largest chambers of his ship and watched Ion lead a line of people through the crowd. The Green Lantern had one hand on the shoulders of a six-legged alien in ceremonial armor, while several dozen beings followed behind him. Some belonged to species Tivan recognized. Others had apparently wandered into the celebration and decided not to question it. The line curled around tables, crossed a raised platform, and nearly collided with a fountain before Ion steered it away at the last moment.
At the center of the hall, En Dwi Gast played music using a collection of instruments. The melody matched Ion's movements as the line behind him grew larger and larger.
Tivan's attention shifted to a large couch near the wall.
Ord Zyonz sat at one end, calmly holding a drink, while Tryco Slatterus occupied the other. Tryco remained rigid, his arms folded and his expression sour as he watched Ion dance. The bruises from their battle had healed, but his pride had not.
Ion had explained the fight in unnecessary detail.
Tivan could sense the strength within Tryco. He was powerful, yes, but Ion was simply stronger, especially after Galactus had infused him with the Power Cosmic.
Tivan shook his head.
Convincing the Devourer to grant him power, then leaving his service, was an impressive achievement. Ion possessed more than strength. He was clever, persuasive, and difficult to refuse once he decided what he wanted.
Tivan envied him.
Not only his power, though there was certainly that. He envied the ease with which Ion moved through eternity, laughing with strangers and treating cosmic beings like troublesome neighbors.
Tivan crossed the hall and waited until the line passed him.
"Ion."
Ion continued for a few more steps before releasing the alien in front of him and floating out of the line. It continued without him, immediately becoming less coordinated.
"We need to leave," Tivan said. "The others are waiting."
"Right. The gathering."
Behind them, En Dwi Gast increased the volume of the music.
Ion turned toward Ord and pointed at both him and Tryco. "Can you get those two to the planet?"
Ord inclined his head. "I will, brother."
"Thank you, brother."
Tryco scowled.
Ion looked at him. "Cheer up, Tryco. I did promise you a rematch."
"I am stronger now."
"I can tell."
"I am ready."
"Then we'll fight after the ceremony. Gast has been itching to organize a betting pool for the rematch."
Across the hall, En Dwi Gast lifted one hand without interrupting the music, confirming that he had heard every word.
Tryco's expression softened into a confident smile.
"Good."
Ion looked back at Tivan.
"Let's go."
Tivan nodded. "Let us."
========
Maht Pacle was the easiest to collect.
They found him on a war-torn planet, assisting an army in its attempt to seize a fortified valley. Explosions covered the horizon while artillery tore through the hills.
Maht stood in the center of the battlefield with rocket launchers attached to both sides of his body. Smoke rose from the weapons as he laughed and fired another volley toward the enemy position.
The ridge disappeared beneath a chain of explosions.
Ion and Tivan landed beside him.
Maht glanced at them, then launched two more rockets before facing the soldiers around him.
"Hold the line until I return."
One of the officers stared at him. "How long will you be gone?"
Maht looked at Ion.
"Let's make this quick."
==========
One by one, the immortals arrived.
They gathered on a silent planet beneath a clear sky in one of the oldest galaxies. The ground had been prepared in advance, with a wide circular platform placed at the center of an empty plain.
Taneleer Tivan stood beside Ord Zyonz. Ion took his place near Tryco. En Dwi Gast rolled a pair of dice across his knuckles while Maht Pacle adjusted one of the launchers attached to his body. Seginn Gallio watched the stars overhead, Kamo Tharnn stood with his hands tucked inside his sleeves, and Cort Zo Tinnus studied the others with the calculating gaze of a merchant estimating the value of a new market. Tath Ki sat cross-legged on the ground, apparently contemplating something more important than the gathering.
Together, they formed a circle.
"Well," En Dwi Gast said, catching his dice. "Now what?"
Ion looked around the circle.
"We're missing one."
A golden streak appeared in the sky before anyone could speak. It crossed the atmosphere, circled the planet once, then returned and stopped above the platform. A man made entirely of golden energy descended into the open space beside Ion.
"Sorry I'm late."
Ion stared at him. "You know, Gilpetperdon, for the fastest being in the universe, you sure are late a lot."
The golden immortal grinned.
Laughter moved through the circle, even drawing a brief smile from Tryco.
Tivan waited until the noise settled before stepping forward.
"I am certain each of you understands why we have gathered here," he said. "We have different origins, different purposes, and different methods, but we share the same inheritance. The Power Primordial sustains us. We were born from some of the earliest life in this universe, and each of us has endured long after the passing of our species."
Ion smiled faintly at that description but did not interrupt.
"For ages, we have existed alone," Tivan continued. "We have gathered knowledge, wealth, power, and influence, yet we have rarely shared those things with one another. I propose that this change today."
Cort Zo Tinnus tilted his head. "You are proposing an alliance."
"A council," Tivan corrected. "None of us will rule over the others. We will remain free to pursue our chosen paths, but we will share knowledge about the cosmos we inhabit and provide aid when one of us faces a danger too great to confront alone."
Maht Pacle rested a hand on one of his launchers. "What if two of us disagree?"
"Disputes between members will be settled through contests agreed upon by both sides," Tivan said. "They will not be allowed to grow into wars. No member will claim another's territory, possessions, or resources without permission."
En Dwi Gast's eyes brightened. "Contests, you say?"
"Agreed contests," Tivan repeated, looking directly at him.
Gast smiled innocently and returned to rolling his dice.
"This council will not bind us," Tivan continued. "It will show the universe that we are united by a shared origin and a common understanding. Alone, we are survivors. Together, we will be a power no cosmic force can dismiss."
He spread his arms toward the gathered immortals.
"We are the Elders of the Universe. Let the cosmos tremble before our combined might."
Ion applauded. Maht Pacle raised both fists and fired a pair of rockets into the sky. They exploded high above the plain, filling the air with light. Gilpetperdon cheered, Gast applauded, and even the more reserved members offered their approval.
When the noise faded, Tivan spoke again.
"The Power Primordial does more than preserve our bodies. It responds to purpose. Our immortality remains strongest when our lives possess meaning, and each of us has already chosen a pursuit worthy of eternity."
Kamo Tharnn gave a slow nod.
"To mark this union," Tivan said, "I suggest that each of us take a title, a name that reflects the pursuit by which the universe will know us."
He placed a hand against his chest.
"I will be known as the Collector."
Tryco stepped forward at once. "Then I will be the Champion. The Champion of the Universe."
En Dwi Gast looked down at his dice, considered the question, then smiled.
"I shall be the Grandmaster."
Ord Zyonz brushed a small seed from the sleeve of his robe. "I will be the Gardener."
Gilpetperdon vanished in a golden blur, circled the platform several times, and returned to his place.
"The Runner."
Tath Ki opened his eyes.
"I am the Contemplator."
Kamo Tharnn inclined his covered head. "The Possessor."
Seginn Gallio's artificial eye shifted toward a distant star.
"I will be the Astronomer."
Cort Zo Tinnus adjusted the front of his expensive coat.
"The Trader."
Maht Pacle grinned and tapped the side of a rocket launcher.
"I shall be the Obliterator."
The group turned toward Ion.
He looked from one Elder to another, then down at the glowing emblem across his chest.
"And I shall be the Guardian."
The Collector nodded.
"So it has been decided. From this moment onward, we are brothers. We are the Elders of the Universe."
A long silence followed.
The newly named Elders stood in their circle, waiting for something to happen. The wind crossed the empty plain, moving the edge of Ion's cape and carrying dust between their feet.
The Runner looked around.
"So, now what?"
Ion glanced down at his hands. The Power Primordial inside his body felt sharper, strengthened by their shared declaration.
"I do feel different," he said. "Don't you?"
The others examined themselves.
The Champion clenched one fist, and the ground beneath him cracked. Golden light flowed more brightly through the Runner's body.
"Oh, yes," the Grandmaster said. "Definitely more powerful."
"I told you this was an excellent idea," the Collector said.
The Runner looked at him again.
"Now what?"
The Champion stepped toward Ion.
"Guardian, I believe it is time we fought."
Ion smiled. "Sure. Why not?"
The Grandmaster produced a stack of glowing tokens from inside his robes.
"Place your bets here, my brothers."
"I would rather join the battle," the Obliterator said.
"You may enter during the second round," Gast replied. "The first match has already been established."
Ion laughed and rose into the sky. Tryco followed, rolling his shoulders as primordial energy gathered around his body.
They had barely reached the clouds when space exploded above them.
Black and white light spread across the sky, twisting together without mixing. The force stopped both fighters in place. Space bent around the disturbance like cloth caught in a violent wind, folding inward as a figure emerged from its center.
Its body was entirely white.
One half of its face was black, divided from the other by a perfect vertical line. One eye burned crimson, while the other remained pale and empty. The warped fabric of space wrapped around its form like a cloak.
Below, the Elders looked upward.
"What is that?" the Collector asked.
Ion lowered his hands. "I have no idea."
Every face turned toward Kamo Tharnn.
The Possessor searched the knowledge within his mind, then slowly shook his head.
The being raised one hand.
"BE NOT AFRAID," it said, its voice reaching through the planet and the space around it. "FOR I AM THE IN-BETWEENER."
The crimson eye fixed upon the assembled Elders.
"AND I REQUIRE YOUR HELP."
.
.
The Elders.
The In-Betweener