Morag, Outer Orbit
The Golden Crow emerged from warp, hovering above the barren planet. Its red surface was cracked, dust swirling in thin air—a desolate world.
Wanda, at the viewport, asked, "Something good here?"
Kara's super vision scanned ruins. "Ancient civilization remnants."
James, piloting the ship downward, said, "We're here for something."
The ship landed on a highland, hatch opening. They stepped onto cracked rock, sand carrying an ancient, decayed scent. A half-collapsed temple loomed on a cliff, black stone walls etched with unknown runes.
Wanda's chaos magic formed a sword, senses sharp. "Something's off."
Kara nodded. "Faint energy traces."
James led, calm. "Stay close."
They entered the temple, broken steps crunching. Dim light filtered through ceiling cracks, illuminating dust. A circular altar held a floating purple gem—the Power Gem.
Wanda's pupils shrank. "An Infinity Gem?"
Kara, surprised, said, "A cosmic power source, just sitting here?"
James grasped the gem, its purple energy erupting, trying to consume him. Golden light flared from his skin, suppressing it. "As the Kree records said," he murmured. "Morag's civilization tried using it and was destroyed."
Wanda, awed, asked, "Such power in a tiny thing?"
James stored it. "It's condensed universal energy."
The temple trembled, stones falling. Kara's super vision pierced the rock. "We triggered a self-destruct!"
"Out," James ordered. They exited calmly as the temple collapsed into rubble.
Back on the Golden Crow, Wanda eyed the gem. "We got one last time, now another Power Gem."
James held it. "In my hands, it's a tool. Maybe for you two."
Kara raised a brow. "Next stop? More gems?"
James looked to the stars. "Right. Vormir, to meet the Soul Gem."
The Golden Crow warped away.
Vormir, Outer Orbit
The ship emerged, hovering over a dark red planet of cracked valleys and cliffs, torn by ancient forces. Wanda frowned. "This place feels wrong."
Kara's super vision detected underground energy. "Strong readings below."
James's gaze locked on a floating altar atop a peak, an orange-yellow gem glowing. "The Soul Gem's there."
They landed on a cliffside platform. A figure in tattered black robes turned—Red Skull, once Hydra's leader, now the Soul Gem's guardian, his face gaunt, eyes hollow.
"Wanda Maximoff, Scarlet Witch, chaos magic's avatar," he rasped, eyeing Kara with confusion. "You're not of this universe?" Then, to James, his pupils shrank, voice trembling, "And you—who are you?! Your soul—I can't read it!"
James ignored him. "Hand over the Soul Gem."
Red Skull laughed hoarsely. "You think it's that easy? To claim it, you must sacrifice your loved one—an eternal rule!"
Wanda and Kara froze, shocked. "Sacrifice?!" Wanda gasped.
Kara scowled. "What kind of rule is that?"
James, calm, stepped forward and leapt off the cliff.
"James!" Wanda cried, chaos magic reaching for him, but he plummeted into the abyss.
Red Skull gaped. "He… jumped?"
Kara smirked. "He'll be fine."
Abyss Below
James accelerated, landing in a void-like domain, cut off from reality. No light, no sound, only darkness. He sensed the Soul Gem. "I know you hear me," he said. "Come out, or I drag you out."
Silence, then an ethereal voice echoed in his mind, taunting, "Come."
James grinned. His eyes blazed gold, soul detaching, extending infinitely. His consciousness surged, locking onto the gem's source. "Found you." He grabbed it.
BOOM! The void shook, orange light erupting. The Soul Gem appeared, forced into form.
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