A Mutant Collector Quest

"Back at the Crossroads, eh?" I say, feeling a bit drained from this trip. Not physically drained from the fight, but mentally drained, as even now I can still see Carina's sad, dull eyes.

"Was it really all just a coincidence?… Are your feelings of desire even real, Carina?" I murmur, my thoughts spiraling as I try to piece everything together.

I release a sigh as my power of Logical Deduction keeps leading me to the same unsettling conclusion: even though I chose this path at random, even though I met Carina by chance on her ship, and despite her developing this seemingly inexplicable obsession with me over such a limited time that we both spent together… none of it is accidental. In fact, it is all part of a carefully crafted plan. And the mastermind behind it? None other than the Collector himself!

My power activated the moment I heard her name. And through my meta-knowledge, I recalled her story from the comics: Carina, used as a pawn in her father's schemes to seduce and marry Michael Korvac. The Collector had even remade her specifically to appeal to Michael, gaining his trust and access to his plans. She had followed her father's orders without hesitation, but as the plan unfolded, she genuinely fell in love with Michael. Her love derailed the Collector's scheme entirely, leading to his failure.

But that was Michael Korvac—a cosmic powerhouse on par with some of the most powerful beings in existence. His plans were to dominate the Universe, something the Collector had foreseen through his own cosmic powers, prompting him to act against Michael.

So, if Carina has been sent to me by the Collector, the question becomes: Why? Why would the Collector target someone like me? I am no Michael Korvac, no Thanos. I have no intentions—now or in the future—of ruling the universe. In the grand scheme of things, I am just an ant compared to the cosmic forces that roam this galaxy. Today's encounters have only cemented that truth, these experiences have truly humbled me in that respect. It is one thing to understand your insignificance intellectually, and another to experience it firsthand just how insignificantly small you are in this vast cosmos.

And yet if Carina was really sent specifically for me, was she remade to suit my preferences as well? I can't help but admit—her figure was undeniably captivating. But, I still can't fully understand why she was so obsessively fixated on collecting me. I had even offered her an alternative, suggesting the idea of dating to address these issues gradually. But she didn't take the offer and remained resolute, fixated solely on adding me to her collection.

The only logical conclusion I can draw is that the Collector has seen a future where some version of me becomes a threat—perhaps even a destroyer of the Universe. Much like he saw with Thanos in the comics, believing that Thanos would bring about the end. But that was merely another reality… which is quite an unsettling thought. It means I am not unique, as I already suspected, but this other version of me could very well be the one to potentially rule or destroy an entire universe.

I sigh deeply. Even after deducing the mastermind, the situation feels more confusing than ever.

If I hadn't uncovered this plot and figured out the Collector's schemes, I might have just lied my way into Carina's bed, leaving with the memory of tasting that alien pussy. But the thought of her father controlling her and using her as a pawn had irked me far more than I had expected. So, I tried my best to free her from his grasp… though whether or not I succeeded, only time will tell.

Taking a deep breath, I shake off these spiraling thoughts. A faint smile crosses my lips as I refocus on the present. "Teacher, I am ready to live in the moment!" I yell, my voice echoing in the kaleidoscopic void around me.

The Ancient One's soothing voice answers, calming my restless heart. "Did you figure out what you were trying to?" she asks.

"Yes, teacher… but sadly, I didn't visit any exotic dimensions this time." I say with a wry smile, recounting my experience, though I keep my suspicions about the Collector to myself for now. I don't want another uber-powerful being keeping tabs on me just because of what my future might hold.

"Hah… Time, even when you have little of it, becomes a worry. And when you have too much, it becomes a burden... Long life could truly become a curse," she mutters, letting out a small sigh.

"Have you thought about writing a book someday, Teacher? It would sell like crazy. And even if it flops, I as your dutiful student will just buy out every copy," I say, slapping my chest with a grin, hoping to lighten her mood, knowing she too suffers from the curse of a long life.

She chuckles. "Perhaps I will, someday. But tell me, Luke, have you had enough fun? Are you ready to return?"

"… Not yet," I admit, my grin faltering. "I don't want to end on this note, Teacher. I am still feeling a little pent-up … like I need to punch something. Just one more path, please."

She pauses, then speaks with her usual cryptic wisdom. "The decision is yours, Luke."

I smile wryly wanting to say that she plays the role of Ancient One really well with her half said things!

"Teacher, do you sense anything unusual about these items?" I ask, carefully presenting the Batarang, the green shard, and the pink shard. I am careful to keep all of them in my hands so that whatever protection my astral body is receiving in this space, courtesy of the Ancient One's spell, extends to the items as well. I don't want them frozen or destroyed by the deep void of space I am currently floating in.

"Where did you find that?" Her voice carries a rare gasp of surprise. It's the first time I have ever heard her genuinely caught off guard, and considering she is the Ancient One, I don't imagine it happens often.

"Which one?" I ask, excitement bubbling up. If she is reacting like this, it might mean my theory—that they are items from the DC universe—could actually be true.

"…The pink shard," she says softly.

"These are the things I bought on that ship, Teacher," I reply with a wry smile. I had hoped her attention was on the Kryptonite or the Batarang.

"You, my disciple, are incredibly fortunate," she begins, exhaling deeply. "To stumble upon a fragment of M'Kraan crystal in this vast universe—and with such ease—is nothing short of miraculous."

"M'Kraan crystal?" I ask, feigning ignorance despite my meta-knowledge.

"Even I know little about it," she admits slowly. "What I do know is that the crystal is a sacred artifact, protected fiercely by the Shi'ar Empire. It features prominently in their oldest legends—stories of gods where this crystal is always central."

Another gem, I muse, internally rolling my eyes. Marvel's writers really had an obsession with shiny rocks. I almost wanted to ask if it was part of the Infinity Stone set.

Unaware—or uncaring—of my reaction, she continues, her tone grave. "These may just be legends, but one fact remains undisputed: the M'Kraan crystal is ancient, predating even the Shi'ar race itself. It harbours unimaginable energy… perhaps even unlimited power."

"What kind of energy? What kind of power?" I ask curiously, rubbing the pink gem with my fingers. This alternate universe might have its own version of the crystal, so I can't rely blindly on my meta-knowledge.

"The first Sorcerer Supreme, the all-powerful Agamotto… once wrote about the M'Kraan Crystal," she begins, her voice measured. "He described it as a Nexus of All Realities, a statement that holds true even for its tiniest fragment." She pauses abruptly, as though reluctant to say more.

"So this shard is… a Nexus of All Realities?" I repeat, confused. "What does that even mean? Is it like a gateway? Like the Crossroads?" The Space Stone flashes in my mind as I speak.

"That," she says, her tone turning cryptic, "is a mystery for you to unravel, Lucas. You found it—or perhaps it found you. Either way, you are now its owner, and its secrets are yours to uncover."

"Why do I feel like you are just being lazy, Teacher?" I ask, narrowing my eyes. Despite my skepticism, a small part of me feels relieved that I am allowed to keep the shard, even if I have no idea how to use it yet.

"Well," she replies with a chuckle, "they do say old age makes one lazy… and I am the Ancient One."

I bite back a comment about her humour being as old as her name, fearing she would abandon me here as a lesson. "Alright, Teacher. I will try to figure out its origins and power on my own," I reply with a wry smile, already considering that the Shi'ar Empire might have some answers.

"Good. I suggest going through the ancient texts in the library once you start your study here. You might unearth something there," she says in an approving tone, her voice echoing faintly in your mind.

"And Teacher, what about these other two objects? Can you sense anything unusual from them too?" I ask, holding up the green shard and the Batarang while floating in the endless expanse of space. I can't help but wonder how she can see what I am holding.

"No, they are just ordinary trinkets—a glowing mineral and a sharp weapon. Nothing magical or mystical about them," she responds with a calm certainty. Then, after a brief pause, she asks, "Why? Do you sense something, Luke?"

"No, same as you, Teacher… nothing unusual," I reply, suppressing a sigh as I carefully tuck the green shard, pink shard, and Batarang back into my pockets.

"You should keep the M'Kraan Crystal safe—preferably on your person at all times. Do not lose it or misplace it. Even a tiny fragment of the crystal is incredibly precious," her voice echoes, carrying a weight of seriousness.

"Understood." I nod instinctively, even though she can't see the gesture—or can she? Reaching into my pocket, I pull out the Vibranium coin. With a thought, my Metal Constructs ability springs into action, shaping the coin into a small yet sturdy necklace. At its center, I carefully affix the pink crystal, sliding the makeshift accessory over my head. A grin spreads across my face as I ask, "How's this, Teacher? Maybe it suits me."

Her response comes after a brief pause. "It's practical, but you should keep it hidden. Even though most wouldn't recognize it for what it is, it's better not to draw any attention to it."

"Good point," I reply, glancing down at the glowing crystal resting against my chest. "Besides, I don't think I want anyone seeing me walking around with a pink crystal necklace," I add with a wry smile, imagining the reactions it might provoke. If the girls saw it, they would probably want one for themselves.

Sliding the necklace under my shirt, I activate my Invisibility power to ensure it remains hidden at all times. I make a mental note to design a better way to secure it on my person when I return to my base.

"Now, go on. Choose your path," the Ancient One says serenely, her calm voice reverberating within my mind.

"Yes, Teacher," I reply, my gaze shifting to the myriad paths surrounding me, especially the twenty whose ends I can clearly see.

***

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