Thanos (2003 series) #9

Thanos has come to the Kyln, a giant deathrow prison/power station/pilgrimage site at the edge of the expanding universe called the Crunch. By pure coincidence 1 of the 3 most dangerous prisoners has broken out of the top security Creche and started an uprising. She's called the Maker, but used to known as the Beyonder and the Cosmic Cube Kosmos.

Back in the portal town of Frontline, 2 of the Omega Core members are arguing because Cole let Thanos go into the Kyln when Swag didn't want to. And now that news of the insurrection has come out Swag says "I told you so!" but Cole's still hanging on to coincidence. And anyway nobody knows why the nano-sentinels injected into the prisoners haven't kicked in to kill them. Their compatriot Kika returns from being debriefed and sends Swag in for his turn. She wonders how he'll react when he learns that Cole blamed it on *him*. The answer is loudly.

Inside the Kyln (actually 1 of many) which is offline due to the rioting workers (prisoners), Moloka Dar is complaining to Gladiator that he brought Thanos to his gang (last issue) and they let him go. Kallark points out that they can't *make* the Titan do what they want but he's relying on him to do it anyway because their Badoon associate read his aura. Thanos' philosophy is currently in flux and he's seeking answers. Then Gladiator flies away and a prisoner asks Dar why the Shi'ar hero is in this prison. Moloka says it's for treason.

Thanos himself is with the Cleric (from the last 2 issues) who says stories about the Maker are confused and he's not sure she actually exists. But he like others has experienced intrusive memories and voices when getting too near the Creche, which many believe are from whatever god they believe in. At that point they're surrounded by weapon-toting prisoners.

Inside the creche we see 2 large cocoons and a small 1. 1 of the large ones is broken open and a tall woman with white hair, very pale skin and stars in her eyes stands beside it. She considers the small cocoon and releases its occupant, a tiny naked female with gossamer wings and a punk hairstyle.

Thanos doesn't react to the hostiles but waits for their leader to appear. It's the red-haired female Mynx, an acolyte of Maker who controls this part of the Kyln. The Cleric backs away (because she tortured him for info about Thanos last issue) but she says she's not looking for a fight because the Titan would win. She also warns him not to trust the Cleric because he'll always back the winning side. The Maker joins them. Thanos recognises her as the Beyonder, and she knows she knows him from somewhere she can't place. She asks him of they were 'special' and he says very. But when she asks if they were good special he says no. This angers her so she causes a massive explosion.

Gladiator is watching from far enough away to survive. He sees a large crater with Maker hovering above it. She babbles about a flash of memory of a 'consort to all creation' who she had a 'good special' bond with, and that they're destined to be together. She has some miniaturised people in the palm of her hand including Mynx and the Cleric. And she casts them into the air telling them to fly home.

Gladiator's comrades Peter Quill, Ch'ak and the Badoon who can read auras are monitoring the destruction and wonder if Thanos is dead. Kallark says he's alive because they need him to be. But all we see is the Titan lying in the ruins. And he's found by the little winged female.