Chapter 9
Collector's Museum, Knowhere
"We're approaching the Collector's museum, be wary." Star Lord informed Iron Man and Captain America. "The last time we were here, the damn place blew up."
"How'd that happen?" Rogers asked.
"We attempted to sell the power stone to him, but one of his assistants tried to steal it. As she touched the stone, she indirectly destroyed the museum." Quill replied, as the Milano landed next to the vault. The Guardians, Stark, and Rogers went through the now ruined doors, finding the Collector having a drink with a duck who was able to speak.
"Taneleer Tivan." Gamora approached the being. "We've come for one of the infinity stones."
"When you last came here, destruction followed." The Collector said, sounding defeated. "Why should I help you?"
"Yeah, what the fuck makes you bastards think you can just walk in here and make demands?" The duck spat, clearly drunk.
"Silence, Howard, I can handle this." Tivan said. "But I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't bullshit us," Peter Quill said. "We know that the Asgardian dropped off the Aether, also called the reality stone, here to keep that and the Tesseract from being close to each other."
"Very well, it's true that I have the reality stone." The Collector said. "But why should I give it to you, after what happened with the power stone?"
"Because if you don't, you will be hunted by Thanos." Rogers warned. "He's already gotten the space and power stones, and the rest of our team recently called to tell us that he had gotten the mind and time stones." Taneleer's eyes widened in fear, before reluctantly saying, "Fine, I'll give you the stone. But mark my words, if Thanos comes for me, I will ensure you will regret this."
"Yeah, right." Rocket scoffed. The raccoon shot Howard the duck a nasty glare as the drunk duck flipped him off. Tivan approached a secret compartment at the center table, and after pressing a series of buttons, withdrew a small container with a red glow.
"Here is the stone you seek." the Collector said. "I know not why Thanos wants it. I have studied the stone ever since the Asgardians left it in my care, and it seems to be no more than a box of liquid."
"That is because you lack the imagination to comprehend the stone, elder." Thanos said, entering the museum through a portal. The Avengers and Guardians prepared to attack, but Thanos raised his hand, and used the time stone to freeze the heroes in their tracks.
"Now hand over the stone, Tivan." The mad titan said.
"I'll never obey you." The Collector defiantly replied.
"Your choice." Thanos shrugged, and with lightning fast reflexes, knocked the Collector down and took the stone.
"How-?" Taneleer asked, confused.
"Just another power the time stone grants." Thanos said bluntly, before shattering the reality stone's container. Then, using the power stone, Thanos applied enough force to concentrate the liquid into a solid stone. The mad titan took the now formed reality stone and placed it on the ring finger of the gauntlet.
"Finally, only one more stone." Thanos said aloud, before turning to the Collector. "Now, see what the reality stone is truly capable of!" The reality stone began to glow, and the Collector saw what appeared to be Hell.
"No, make it stop! If I had realized then… that it was this powerful…" the Collector said, helpless and crawling desperately on the floor of the museum.
"But you didn't, and now, your mind will shatter like glass." Thanos said bluntly. Turning to the frozen Avengers and Guardians, Thanos said, "There may be some use of you yet," before using the reality stone on the heroes as well. "Your friends have betrayed you, they are working for me. You must stop them from giving the final stone to Thanos." Thanos then laughed and exited using a portal from the space stone.
As Thanos left, the heroes were unfrozen not sure what happened. They then saw the Collector, who was madly crawling on the ground, before stopping, dead. Iron Man scanned his body, concluding, "Heart attack. Somehow he was literally scared to death."
"Hallucinations?" Rogers said, as Stark nodded that it could be.
"Either way, we need to get to Avengers Tower. The Avengers we left there are actually working for Thanos." Stark said.
"Can't argue with that." Rogers said, everyone agreeing. The Guardians, Steve, and Tony then boarded the Milano, going back to Earth to stop what they thought was the rest of the Avengers working for Thanos.
