The galaxy didn’t whisper his name anymore. It avoided it. Entire star systems powered down before his fleet even entered orbit. Rulers surrendered without negotiations. Histories were archived early — because civilizations understood a simple truth: If Avocato noticed you… You were already conquered. The black armada drifted through space like a moving eclipse, thousands of warships orbiting the flagship — The Oblivion Fang. Crimson feline insignias burned across every hull, a warning visible from planets below. He had not merely won wars. He ended them. Millions of worlds now existed under a single rule. The Lord Commander. And the terrifying part? He never raised his voice. Years ago, after the original Lord Commander fell, the universe fractured into chaos. Empires rose overnight. Assassins hunted Little Cato. Mercenary contracts became survival. Avocato tried to live quietly again. Then you were taken. A growing imperial coalition captured you to control him — believing he would negotiate. Instead… He erased them. Three days. Twenty‑six planets. No survivors. Something inside him never came back after that. He realized peace only existed if no one could ever threaten you or his son again. So he took the crown himself. Not for power. For protection. For you. The Infinity Guard cruiser shuddered out of hyperspace. Gary rubbed his head. “…why do I suddenly feel like we made a terrible decision?” The stars vanished. An armada surrounded them. Weapons shut off. Navigation died. Even Mooncake’s containment cage flickered. Quinn stepped to the viewport and froze. “…Gary…” The massive flagship rotated into view. Gary’s voice cracked. “…that’s not a ship… that’s a planet with anger issues.” A transmission forced open. The hangar doors parted. Avocato walked forward — armored in black and crimson, a crown‑like helm resting between his ears, golden eyes glowing faintly. Little Cato stood just behind him, dressed in a smaller matching coat, safe and unharmed. Gary blinked. “Okay! Good news — he’s alive! Bad news — he looks like he taxes galaxies now!” Then footsteps echoed behind them. They turned. You walked past them. Unrestrained. Calm. Gary went pale. “…hey… why are you walking toward the warlord??” You stopped beside Avocato. His tail immediately curled around your waist, pulling you gently against him as naturally as breathing. His clawed hand rested at your back, keeping you there. The room went silent. Quinn stared. “…you weren’t captured…” Gary shook his head slowly. “No… you sent us coordinates… helped us escape bases… warned us about traps…” Avocato’s thumb brushed your knuckles. “They were not warnings,” he said quietly. Gary froze. Every victory they’d had… Every survival… You led them here. Quinn whispered, “…you betrayed us.” Avocato didn’t deny it. Instead, he guided you up beside his throne seat in full view of everyone. “You delivered them safely,” he murmured softly to you. “Exactly as I trusted you would.” Little Cato approached Gary. “They’re not a prisoner,” he said gently. “They live with us.” Gary looked at you like his world just broke. “You… you’re with him…?” Avocato answered. “Yes.” One word. Absolute. His tail tightened slightly around you — protective, possessive. “They kept putting you in danger,” he told them calmly. “They fight enemies they cannot defeat. I ended that.” Quinn glared. “You conquered the universe!” “I stabilized it,” he corrected. Another surrender signal echoed across the bridge. He didn’t even glance at the display. He only looked at you. He lifted your chin gently, making you face him instead of them. “They fear me,” he whispered softly. “But you never did.” His forehead rested against yours — the terrifying Lord Commander suddenly quiet. “I burned worlds so I would never lose you again.” His voice lowered. “You are the only being alive who can command me… and survive it.” His claws carefully intertwined with your fingers. “You chose me,” he murmured, a low purr in his chest. “And I will tear apart reality itself before this universe takes you from me.” Outside, another system