𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐬

20) The Aether

⚠️Warnings: mentions of suicide, gore⚠️

The pink lady began explaining everything to Wanda, although Wanda wasn't really listening.

Her eyes scanned the place, looking for any sign of the reality stone or the Aether. That's what the infinity stone should be in, according to Thanos. How he knew that, Wanda didn't know.

"Forget the show and tells, take me to the Collector." Wanda said after a bit of walking.

"Of course! Right this way."

The two turned in their path, no longer walking straight and now going down a new area.

It was a large place. Shelves were lined up and many different items were stacked up everywhere. It looked like it was a souvenir shop for things all around the galaxy.

The went through a small door at the end of the room, and it led to a much smaller area. One that seemed to hold all the valuable items. Including, Wanda noticed, an Aether with a red glow in the middle.

"Carina! What have I told you about walking in here unannounced?" A man shouted from the back of the room.

He turned around, revealing a lock of white puffy hair coming from his head. He wore a red suit and a coat with many different skins and furs all over it.

"Ah, my bad. I see we have a visitor." He said as soon as he noticed Wanda.

He did have a steady glare on Carina though.

He made his way over to the two, looking at Wanda with question. With a quick scan of his mind, Wanda answered his question he had for her.

"No I have not brought anything to sell. I would like to look at your infinity stone. Then I am going to take it."

The man stopped short, his mouth partly opened as he thought of what to reply.

"Well I believe your luck has run it's course because I am not holding an infinity stone here." He said.

Wanda stepped closer.

"Your mind says differently."

The man's eyes widened a touch and he took a step back.

"I know you. You're the Scarlet Witch. What buisness do you have in a small place like this? I heard you travel to grand cities."

"Like I said. I'm here to take your infinity stone. If I do not take that, then I take yours and your assistant's life." Wanda said, her voice calm.

"You cannot harm me. I am one of the most powerful men in the Galaxy." He said confidently. "And I can give you any amount of money you want to leave me and my business alone."

"I'm being very patient with you. You have one more chance to turn over the Aether to me. I know what it contains."

The man's gaze turned to the glowing artifact near the edge of the room. He then glanced behind Wanda, to Carina. He did a small gesture with his hand, one Wanda didn't fully understand. But she didn't care after the Collector spoke again.

"Please, take it." He said willingly.

He stepped out of the way and Wanda narrowed her eyes. She summoned magic, pulling the Aether over to her incase there was a trap on the way over.

When she turned around, Carina was gone.

Her first guess was that he was summoning security, and that guess was right.

When she turned her head back around to look at the Collector, she saw him carrying a large blaster aimed straight towards her. As he fired off a purple blast, she summoned a magical shield to block her, but she was a moment to late and she flew into the back wall, the Aether falling in front of her.