Matsuo Shin: Infinity

Matsuo Shin: Infinity is a special event which occurred involving the creation of Universe 1337's Infinity Gauntlet

Prologue: Birth of the Infinity Guard

Tasked with the monumental job of hunting down the six Infinity gems, Matsuo decides in his best interest to assemble a team in order to help him to track them quicker then he would normally do by himself. Given several specially created Time Rings by the CIA, he quickly begins the work of assembling his personal "Infinity Guard". Realizing he will need someone with some technical skill and a futurist's view, he travels to Manhattan, New York in 1892 in an attempt to recruit Nikola Tesla. Finding him in the middle of an experiment, Matsuo is able to help him when it starts to go out of control, nearly destroying the entire block and convinces him to join him in his venture. Traveling to Mars in the 50th century, Matsuo and Tesla are soon arrested for a crime they happened to stumble upon. Convincing detective Elijah Bailey of their innocence and discovering the true culprit, the private investigator decides to join their ranks. Realizing they will need some muscle in their journey, the trio find themselves in 10th century Norway and the middle of a war between two clans. Captured, they soon convince the prince of one clan, a man named Jon Haraldson, to help them and quickly leave before things escalate. Searching for their next member, the four are brought into another plain due to a spell by the sorceress Elata. After defeating a monster preying upon her people with the help of Jon's strength and one of Tesla's devices, the magic user gratefully joins them in their quest. Traveling to the broken down Hardcore Station in order to plan their next move, the group soon lose their Time Rings to a young pickpocket named Renn. Managing to recover them, they help her in busting up the crime syndicate controlling the populace, freeing them from their control. Though unsure at first, they decide to take Renn along for her thief abilities. With the Infinity Guard finally formed, the five set out on their first mission.

Episode 1: MIND

Having been told to go after the Mind Gem first, Matsuo and the Infinity Guard use the data passed onto them from the CIA to narrow down it's location to the planet Rus, an apparent center of learning and knowledge. Upon their arrival, they find the entire populace comatose, apart from the leader of the world, a man named Kamo Tharnn, now known as the Possessor. Having discovered the Mind gem, the being had attempted to join his mind with the others of the world in an attempt to speed up their studying capability, only instead it ultimately shut off their minds in the process. Not fully trusting the visitors, he demands they go through three tests before he hand them over the object. The first test is simple enough, being a series of riddles of continual difficulty. While Matsuo is able to solve the first two, he soon becomes stumped by the last. It takes Elijah discovering clues hidden within the riddle itself to be able to solve. The next test is to assemble the great "impossible machine", an example of a long forgotten technology. After a few hours of studying, Tesla is able to reconstruct the device, it's activation beginning a slow terraforming process on the nearby desert. Satisfied by this, Kamo reveals their final test: a battle against the forces of the gem itself. The five suddenly find themselves besieged by mysterious foes in armor, their own attacks apperently doing little against them. Even Matsuo's psychic powers seem unable to affect the creatures. It is only when Elata casts a spell which focuses all their minds as one are they able to see the illusions for what they are. Breaking the dreamstate, the Possessor admits defeat and hands over the gem to Matsuo. As they leave, however, they are unaware of another group of individuals watching them go...

Episode 2: TIME

Taking a trip to the Arctura Library for information, Matsuo soon finds a reference to what appears to be the Time gem in the history of a planet known as Zerus. Traveling to the location, the five find a world of desolation and dust, dominated by the gigantic ruins of a city. As they approach the gates, however, Matsuo, Jon and Renn soon find themselves in a busy metropolis and their two other companions missing. At the same time, Elata, Tesla and Bailey find themselves alone in the dust covered ruins, confused by the other three’s sudden disappearance. Using one of her spells, Elata discovers there are still faint life traces but that they seem to emanate from the past rather than the present. Back in the pristine city, the three soon find themselves under attack by guards and while Renn manages to get captured, Matsuo and Jon quickly hide in the home of a local merchant. They soon learn that there is to be a grand unveiling of a new object which will secure their kingdom’s power. Renn, meanwhile, hoping to help the others find her location, uses her foot to carefully scratch an arrow symbol into the sandstone like rock which makes up her path. Back in the present, venturing into the ruins, Bailey soon finds what seems to be a worn out arrow symbol sketched into the path and several others, leading towards what might have once been a palace. In the past, Matsuo and Jon quickly make their way to the palace, Matsuo using his telepathy to cover their break in, while Jon overpowers a few of the guards, stealing their uniforms for camouflage. Renn is placed in a cell and overhears the guards talking about the fact that the prince believes the object to be a threat to their planet and may make some move to stop his father. Just then, Jon and Matsuo burst in, taking out the guards and breaking the bars open to let Renn out, who quickly informs them of what is happening. In the present, the three discover the broken bars of the cell, the marks on which inform Bailey that it had been done by a bladed weapon, most likely Jon’s sword. Tesla then notices footprints embedded in the worn out floors, leading away from the room and suggests they follow them. In the past, Matsuo, Jon and Renn rush into the throne room, only to find the king about the place on his head a crown with the time gem secured in the center. Before they can stop him, however, the prince and a group of soldiers burst in and charge towards the throne, trying to destroy the crown and the gem inside. Just as they are about to strike, however, the gem suddenly flashes, bathing the room in light. In the present, Bailey, Elata and Tesla discover the throne room with the king, prince, soldiers and their friends still frozen in time. Bailey suggests the gem was set off, causing time fluctuations in the surrounding area and freezing the central area in time. He then suggests they try and set off the gem once again but pull their friends out of its field so that they are not carried off by the resulting energy. Tesla quickly sets up a small primitive battery out of items found in the ruins and attaches wire to the gem while Bailey and Elata prepare themselves to pull out their friends. Activating the charge, Bailey and Elata quickly pull Matsuo, Jon and Renn free while the others in the room quickly crumble to dust as time is restored, leaving behind the Time gem. Quickly collecting the object, the Guard leaves the ruin, unaware that they are once more being watched in the shadows by a robed figure.

Episode 3: SPACE

Going off a tip from the CIA, the Infinity Guard heads to the mysterious station only known as Knowhere. From Bailey and Renn’s investigations, they soon learn the Space Gem is unknowingly being stored at the shop of a local antiquarian. However, as they enter the shop, the power in the station goes out and after being restored, they find the shop owner dead, the gem missing and Renn gone. The group soon comes in contact with band of travelers calling themselves the Guardians of the Galaxy, who are also after the Space gem for their own reasons. Deciding to pool their resources, the group begins their search, trying to discover who is behind the theft. After some investigating, Bailey and the woman known as Gamora learn the culprit to be a being known as Kanjar Ro, a slaver and pirate known for controlling others with his Gamma Gong. The group quickly takes off after the thief, hoping to try and beat Ro before he can properly activate the gem. Tesla and Rocket Raccoon attempt to construct a device in order to track down the gamma signatures from Ro’s weapon, while Jon and Drax bond over their love of battle. Matsuo, meanwhile, is butting heads with Peter Quill, who is insistent on taking the gem after they recover it, wanting to keep it out of the hands of a group known as the “Black Order”. Meanwhile, Kanjar discovers Renn hiding away in his ship, but seems to recognize her, asking her if she is there to “check on him”. Just as Renn is about to answer, however, the Guard and Guardian’s ship attacks, forcing Kanjar to land on a nearby asteroid. Going into battle, Kanjar seems to have the upper hand at first, using his Gamma Gong to force Jon and Drax to attack their friends. While Groot and Matsuo distract the two, Elata uses her magic to disarm Kanjar, freeing their friends, with Quill punching the alien out. Leaving Ro tied up, Matsuo reluctantly hands over the Space game to Peter, wishing them luck in keeping it safe. After the Guardians leave, Renn reveals she had picked Quill’s pocket, taking the gem them. However, when Tesla tries to ask how she managed to stay alive as a prisoner of Kanjar, she becomes defensive. Deciding to move onto their next target, the five leave Kanjar alone on the desolate moon. Once they are alone, a hooded figure approaches Kanjar, revealing their disappointment in his inability to defeat the Infinity Guard. Ro begs his forgiveness, stating he did not expect them to already have a hand in what was going on and requesting that they help him free. Instead, the figure simply vanishes, leaving the pirate alone.

Episode 4: REALITY

Deciding the need for a short break is required, the Infinity Guard arrives on the resort planet of Kiva. While much of the team enjoys the hot springs, Bailey passes up the opportunity due to his Agophobia, something which he had been fighting with the entire trip. Journeying into one of the nearby “recreation centers”, Bailey makes the acquaintance of a local, calling himself Teju, who upon hearing that the detective’s group is on a “manhunt for a unique object”, points out that such an object is being offered as a prize in a local contest. From the description, Bailey quickly realizes that the prize has to be one of the Infinity Gems. Getting in contact with the others, they soon learn that the contest in question is a swimsuit competition, forcing them to enter both Renn and Elata. After some somewhat embarrassing challenges and near failings due to the sabotages of one of their fellow contestants, the two finally win the prize. Much to everyone’s surprise, however, the gem provided as a prize turns out to be a fake, a mere replica of the real one which happened to be worn by the general manager of the resort and leader of the planet, a woman named Besela. Unsure how to proceed, the group is suddenly contacted by Teju, who offers to help them get into the woman’s complex. While Matsuo is suspicious of the local man and his sudden offering of assistance, he agrees to the plan. Using Jon as a distraction by having him pose a rowdy drunk (something which is not too difficult for him to pull off), the rest of the group sneaks into the large pleasure palace which serves as Besela’s headquarters. Elata uses her quickly casts an illusionary veil of the group, allowing Renn to pick the pockets of several guards, getting a hold of the nessicarly key cards to get to the center of the building, a location Teju suggests is where Besela and the gem could be found. Matsuo, however, cautions Bailey in not trusting the man, discovering that he is somehow masking his mind from his telepathy. This unsettles Bailey, as it makes him wonder if Matsuo has been reading their minds without their knowledge. Reaching the throne room and a rather startled Besela, who is wearing the gem on a necklace around her throat, they make short work of her guards with the help of Matsuo’s telekinesis and one of Tesla’s devices. Spotting Teju amoung their group, Besela claims innocent, deciding to tell them the whole story. The planet of Kiva was once a war torn planet, populated mainly by the dregs of society and groups of mercenaries who sought profit through conflict. Besela had been a lowly soldier, disgusted and burned out by seeing so much death. One day, a strange object fell from the stars and discovering it had the power to make the world change based off one’s wishes, Besela used it to altered the planet into a peaceful resort paradise, hoping to wipe away the horrors she had seen, though it requires her to constantly concentrate on the vision of the resort world. As this is revealed, Teju transforms into a monstrous reptilian creature, revealing himself to be a member of a group called the Intimidators who had originally been responsible for several of the wars that had nearly destroyed Kiva and now sought to revert the planet into it’s previous battle torn form. Lunging forward, Matsuo finds he is unable to stop the monster with his psychic abilities, as Teju is immune for some reason. As a result, the creature grabs a hold of the necklace, which starts to change the planet to back into a ruin filled wasteland. However, the process is interrupted as Jon reappears, drawing his sword and taking the monster on in battle. The gem having fallen on the floor, the team each take turns trying to grab at it, while Teju continues to try at his own attempts, each incident warping the planet into a new form based off their wishes. Realizing how much this has been caused by his own carelessness, Bailey manages to get Elata to pin Teju’s tail down with a spell, while Jon strikes a blow to the reptile’s lower nerve cluster. Stunned, the entire teams makes a dive for the gem and with all their willpower, make a single wish, bathing the planet in a white light. As the energy clears, they find the resort back to normal, the monstrous reptile left unconscious. Picking up the gem, Matsuo notes that their will should have been able to stabilize the reality of the world, making the jewel no longer nessicary in maintaining it. Gratful for this, Besela hands them the Reality gem, no longer requiring it. Leaving the locals to deal with the lizard creature, the Infinity Guard decide they have had enough of the resort and leave peacefully. Meanwhile, one of the locals reports to a shadowy figure of the taking of the gem and suggests moving against the group. However, the figure tells the local not to worry, as everything is “in hand”.

Episode 5: POWER

Returning to a CIA base in order to locate the next gem, the Infinity Guard are puzzled to discover two conflicting accounts of where it may be. Deciding that it’s in their best interest to explore both possibilities, Matsuo has the team split up, though Dead-Eyes is less than impressed by the chances the archeologist is taking.

Matsuo, Tesla and Renn follow the rumors of a source of power that can be found on the planet Zell. Arriving there, they discover a wide variety of alien life forms all gathered to participate what appears to be a sort of race. Confronting the apparent leader of the gathering, a being calling itself Gilpetperdon, they soon learn that he does indeed have access to the Power gem and is offering it up as a reward for whoever wins the foot race. Having little choice in the matter, Renn enters the competition, being the only one of the three who can properly pass for a proper athlete (Matsuo not being very fast on his feet and Tesla lacking athletic talent). However, while Renn is the quickest of the group, she soon finds herself totally overwhelmed by the sheer speed of the other competitors. Deciding the gem is far more important then the rules of fair play, Matsuo uses one of Tesla’s inventions to boost his natural telekinesis, boosting Renn’s agility to near superhuman heights and allowing her to get to the finish line before the rest. However, when they go to claim the prize, they learn that Gil does not have access to the gem like he claimed. He does know where the location is and thus the race was a way for him to look for those who could help him to procure it, while offering to share the gem with the others once he has finished with it. Having no other choice in the matter, the three agree and follow Gelpetperdon to the location of the crystal.

Jon, Elata and Baily arrive at a giant floating arena, where they discover a contest of strength officiated by an alien named Tyco Slatterus, who is offering the gem to whoever can best him in battle. Jon is eager to test his might against such a warrior, however, he finds to his frustration that in order to do so, he must first be matched against the chosen champions and defeat them to prove his worth. After several battles against robots, lizard men and other alien, Jon finally makes it to the final battle against Tyco. At first, Jon seems to be the better warrior, quicker at his feet and able to get in far more strikes then his opponent. However, he soon is surprised when the massive alien continues to fight back, the human’s endurance only going so far. Realizing that their friend is in trouble, Elata casts a quick spell, giving Jon the illusion of being at his full strength. With this boosted confidence, Jon manages to overcome Tyco, causing the giant figure to fall out of the ring. Satisfied, he reveals much to their dismay that he does not have the gem but rather knows the location. With Jon’s strength, he is sure he will be able to take the object and offers it to them once he is finished with it. With little choice, the three agree.

The two groups soon find themselves on another world, meeting face to face much to their shock and dismay. Before they can ask any questions, however, another alien appears, this one announcing itself as “The Grandmaster” and revealing that he is the holder of the infinity gem for which they have been searching. He announces that they are to fight against each other for ultimate possession of the object, with the team of three giving the reward to their respective sponsors. When Matsuo protests, Grandmaster makes it clear that Earth shall be destroyed if they do not do as they are told. With no other choice, the six begin to fight, something which irritates Baily as he had hoped not to go through a repeat of this sort of thing again. While the two groups work on a way to defeat the other without seriously injuring their friends, Renn manages to sneak away without being noticed. Spotting this, Matsuo decides to use his psychic abilities to block out the view of Renn from the others, at the same time learning the Grandmaster’s threat against Earth was merely a bluff. Frustrated, Jon finally gives into this anger and prepares to attack Tesla, just as Renn is able to pluck the gem from the Grandmaster’s grasp. With their objection done, the six quickly transport away with their time rings, much to the displeasure and anger of the three aliens.

Episode 6: SOUL

Matsuo wakes up suddenly from a nightmare, only to find his wife sleeping soundly next to him. Kissing her on the cheek, he gets up, changing into his clothes for the day. Pausing in front of a mirror, he becomes aware of someone behind him, smiling and glowing with an unnatural light. Turning, he finds himself alone, just as Thorn comes in, hugging him from behind. When she asks if something is bothering him, he tells her it feels like he has forgotten something.

In his laboratory, Telsa works on his latest creation, a new form of transmitting electricity over a long distance. As he speaks with his assistant, he pauses, seeming to notice a strange light coming from the young man’s eyes. When the boy notices his odd reaction, he asks the scientist what is wrong, at which point Telsa simply shakes his head, commenting that it was nothing.

In a lodge, Jon celebrates his latest victory, having brought peace to the various clans which have been warring throughout the lands. As he drinks another horn full of mead, he happens to spot a shape reflected back in the liquid. Staring at it, he sees it vanish once more, though he is troubled by a memory he cannot recall.

Baily looks over another report of a case which involves some sort of stolen experiment, one which he is certain has a simple source. Listening to his secretary, he becomes suddenly convinced that something is wrong with the room. After a moment or two, though, he realizes that it must be in his imagination and goes back to his investigation.

On her world, Elata sits on a throne, watching over the construction of a new city and marveling at how swiftly the wars have finally ended. For a moment though, she starts to realize that things have come too easy. Her concentration is interrupted by one of her advisors who wonder if something is wrong. She answers that she is not sure…

Matsuo sits in the lobby, talking with his mother, Minerva, about the strange feeling of déjà vu that he is experiencing. Matsumi tells him he’s just being silly and to relax, he’s safe here with all this friends. As Matsuo drinks, he glances out the window at the Castle of Quinox next to Tokyo Tower. The more he gazes, the more he remembers and the more he realizes how wrong the whole situation is. While Matsumi and Minerva try to calm Matsuo down, he begins to find his mind connecting with the others in the group, each as well starting to realize the falsely of their surroundings. Almost immediately Matsumi, Minerva and the others in the hotel tackle Matsuo to the floor, trying to hold him down as the entire structure begins to warp and change around him. Feeling his mind start to become submerged through an outside force, Matsuo desperately reaches out to his companions.

In Telsa’s laboratory, he tries to fend off the monster which once was his assistant with some electrical equipment .However, even as he defends himself, he finds his inventions coming to life and attacking him. Just as he is cornered, his mind is touched by Matsuo’s and the entire location fades away. Jon finds himself fighting off a horde of warriors, each of them with glowing golden eyes, all of them attempting to kill him. Trying to reason with the group, he soon discovers that his words do not seem to reach them. As he is about to rush in to deliver a suicidal attack, Matsuo’s voice reaches his mind, causing the enemies and hall to vanish. Baily attempts to escape the room as it slowly starts to expand, affecting his senses and bringing out his paranoia. Unable to find his secretary or anyone else to help him, he prepares to give into despair, only for Matsuo to dispel the illusion with his words of encouragement.

Elata is silently surrounded by members of her city, her magic seeming to be ineffective against them. Just as they are about to tear her apart, she feels Matsuo touch her mind, causing her enemies to pass right through them. The group slowly wakens to find themselves in a darkened cavern. To their horror and shock, they discover the walls lined with the dead and dying bodies of other travelers, linked together by a strange glowing web. Trying to get a bearing on their surroundings, a voice welcomes them to his humble abode. The source of the voice is a man with strange golden skin, glowing star like patterns on his clothes, glowing gold eyes and long white hair. Introducing himself as Nebulon, he is at first somewhat confused that they were not drained by his illusions, given the ease at which his other victims fell. Renn soon realizes that the being must have the final Infinity Gem that they had been hunting for all this time. As if on cue, Nebulon raises a small green stone in his hand, it’s light dazzling to the eyes. However, Matsuo is prepared for this second attack and using all his will power manages to keep the power of the stone at bay. Using a spell, Elata soon learns the weakness of the being: his link with the very planet itself. With this knowledge, Matsuo is able to plant the illusion of Nebulon floating in the voice of space. With the villain becoming weaker and weaker, Jon takes this moment to punch Nebulon out cold.

Taking the gem, Matsuo is relived that their mission is finally coming to an end. However, before he can react, he is knocked out from behind by Renn, who quickly retrieves the stones off of Matsuo’s body. Before the rest can react, Renn teleports away with her time ring. When the rest try to follow, they discover their own sabotaged. As Matsuo comes around, Elata realizes that Renn had not been seen in the collected dream, which must have meant she had some part in the attack. Whatever the case, Matsuo decides; they must get those gems back, no matter what.

Episode 7: INFINITY

Several months later, Matsuo arrives at Knowhere station aboard a small borrowed space ship. Making his way to a rather busy eating area, the archeologist meets with the rest of the Infinity Guard, each of whom split off in a search for Rikka and the gems. After updating each other on the adventures and harrowing dangers each of them have gone through, he learns from Baily that there have been whispers among some of the lower dregs of the system of a group known as the Black Order. Elata adds that there has been a considerable change of the aura of the local spacial area, suggesting that some form of negative energy is gathering. Jon mentions that numerous soldiers and warriors have been leaving their posts and planets, heading for a location only known as the Dark Throne. Tesla then offers data which he took off a local smuggler, which gives them a definitive location of where the cadre is: the planet Epislon Vega. While Jon is eager to rush into battle, Tesla feels it is better for them to take a more careful approach. Elata, meanwhile, is still bewildered that Renn was a traitor to their cause all this time, though Baily finds that she was the obvious candidate due to her background. Before the discussion can go much further, however, Matsuo announces that they are going to leave immediately for the planet, though not without some assistance first.

On Epislon Vega, within a dark citadel, a loathsome twisted creature watches as the last of the Infinity Gems are placed in a holder. He remarks that his master will be much pleased by the delivery of the jewels and that soon the entire universe will feel the full might of their power. Renn steps out of the shadows and asks if they are planning to attack Hardcore Station as well. The being, known as Ebony Maw, asks Renn if she is suddenly gaining morals and then reminds her that she was taken in as a child and provided training to become a greater thief then any others. Hardcore Station was simply a location she was placed to meet the wandering Matsuo after they had intercepted the Time Lord messages. Renn still argues that the plans do not require the destruction of the location, something which quickly displeases her superior. Before he can argue the point, however, the alarms go off, as a lone spaceship containing the Infinity Guard enters their space. Realizing they’ve been found, Maw orders forces to intercept and destroy the small vessel, much to Renn’s distress.

In space, Matsuo watches as several dark crystal like vessels fly their way and begin to open fire on their ship. However, before they can get very far, the enemy ship is fired upon from above, as the Guardians of the Galaxy’s ship flies into view. Star Lord soon contacts Matsuo, telling him that he owes them for this but for now, he wishes them the best of luck. Seeing the new ship appear and realizing the vessels may not be enough, Maw orders some of his elite mutates to attack the intruders. As he watches, huge bat like creatures fly out and begin to attack the Guardians, swarming their ship and making it difficult for them to get a clear shot. Just as one of them is about to sweep in to directly attack the ship, the creature is blasted away by a beam of energy. Much to Maw’s dismay and anger, members of the Nova Corp sweep in, firing their power blasts and destroying many of the mutates in the process.

Taking advantage of the chaos, Matsuo starts to pilot the ship towards the citadel. When Elata asks what he’s planning, Matsuo reveals that he wants to make “an entrance that none of them will forget”. Bailey wonders if their leader has finally gone insane, while Jon revels in the idea of charging into the midst of war. Tesla exclaims that it’s too late to try and change course, just as the ship crashes hard through the wall of the citadel.

As the Infinity Guard exit, they soon find themselves besieged by a group of mutated warriors of varying size and shapes. Almost immediately, Jon rushes into battle, bringing down enemy after enemy. Elata assists, casting spells to confuse and in some cases kill their foes, while Baily and Tesla accompany Matsuo in search of the gems. Before they can get very far, however, they are intercepted by Renn, who quickly disarms Bailey and knocks out Tesla. She then demands they leave and never return, something which makes Matsuo realize that she perhaps may not be as devoted to their enemy’s cause as they thought. Trying to reason with her, he slowly convinces her to rejoin them and to stop the plans of the Black Order. Agreeing, she is about to lead him to the gems when Matsuo suddenly doubles over in pain. From the shadows, Maw emerges with the infinity gems, revealing that he has his own powers: the ability to project pain into anyone he wishes, no matter who they may be. He then reveals he is doing the same to Jon and Elata leaving them at the mercy of the mutated monsters. Maw proclaims that with the power of the Infinity Gems, his master will have full dominon over all of eternity and with it, he shall reward Maw with the knowledge of the entire universe. During this moment, Renn tries to sneak up behind her former master, only for him to force pain upon her mind as well, acknowledging that he knows her tricks and tactics too well.

Desperate for help, Matsuo reaches out with his mind through the pain, trying to find anything he can use to stop Maw from harming anyone else. Just as he’s about to give up hope, he feels a power touch his own psyche, reaching out to him. Before Maw can react, the Mind Gem flies out of it’s holding place and places itself upon the forehead of the archeologist. Instantly, much to the shock of both Maw and Renn, Matsuo transforms, his skin gaining blue glowing veins, his eyes pulsating with power and his whole body wreathed by a bright blue light. With a mere thought, Matsuo takes the other Infinity Gems, becoming what he proclaims to be a “vision” of himself and his potential. Maw tries to cripple Matsuo with mental angish but the strange being Matsuo has become merely shrugs it off. Speaking telepathically, Matsuo states that if Maw’s foremost wish is to become one with the universe, then he shall give him the knowledge he seeks. Connecting with every mind in the entire universe, including those in the Hotel, Matsuo floods Maw’s brain with the full force of the psychic assault. Screaming, Maw tries to defend himself but is no match for the raw force, dissipating in an explosion of power. Matsuo then reaches out and destroys the mutates and vessels fighting outside the citadel. As Jon and Elata arrive and help Baily and Tesla up, Matsuo proclaims that he now can see everything and know everything and with this power he can prevent any other tragedy from occurring like had happened to his world. He can become a benevolent guardian to them. Elata tries to use her spells to take the gems away from him but he merely brushes off her power. Renn tries to convince him that cannot do this, that he is not thinking properly and that he’ll do more damage than good like Maw before him. Matsuo seems to be having a mental conversation with someone else, as he goes silent and gazes into nowhere. Quietly, he reaches up and removes the mind gem from his forehead, collapsing to the ground as the other gems fall to the ground around him. As they watch, the gems fly into the air and scatter into the far distance. Renn asks why Matsuo let this happen, while he admits that he cannot recall, only that it was the right choice. Baily wonders if all their searching was pointless then but Elata disagrees with him. They were able to keep the gems out of the wrong hands and now, perhaps somewhere, they will find someone to use them for peace.

Episode 8: Epilogue

The Infinity Guard is soon disbanded, each going their separate ways.

Tesla works hard in his laboratory, inspired by his recent adventures to seek out new ways to harness the elements. While he is uncertain he will succeed, he feels confident that at the very least, he might do something for which he can be remembered by.

As Jon rides through the Scandinavian forest, he reflects on his time with the Infinity Guard. He decides that while he might love battle and war, there are times for which peace is the better answer. He pauses as he hears the snapping of a twig in the distance, but as he sees it to simply be a large deer, he moves on to his next adventure.

`` Elata looks over her scrolls and then in the mirror at her now more youthful appearance. Her time through the stars had made her decide she must become more active in her role as her dimension’s Sorcerer Supreme and thus she needs to reinvent herself. Pausing as she receives a report of a threat on her kingdom’s border, she decides to go and seek it out before it can harm anyone else.

Baily prepares to investigate the murder of local rich man Roj Sarton. As he thinks back to the search for the gems, he slowly realizes how he is no longer the man he once was and has changed much in his time with Matsuo and the others. He begins to see how he not only became a better detective but a better man in the process. Thinking perhaps one day he may once again work with Matsuo, he sets out on his job.

Renn eats a piece of fruit, watching as Hardcore Station is being rebuilt to working order. After arriving back, she managed to get a few of the decent people there to start driving out the criminal element and soon after was elected to become the new law in the station, alongside a man calling himself Star Hawkins, an unusual detective. She smiles as she finally realizes she has a purpose in her life.

Inside a cell of the Nova Corp prisons, Kanjar Ro fumes. He had in hands an object of great power and a chance to become something other than a simple slaver. He thinks back to the leader of the accursed Infinity Guard, the Quinoxian from Earth. He swears he will get his revenge on the benighted planet if it’s the last thing he does.

On another world, in the remains of a large city, The Intimidators report to their master, a large glowing humanoid calling itself Korvac. They ask for another chance, as their attempts to grab the Reality Gem were undone by a group of outsiders. Korvac, however, is not interested in their excuses and bades them to leave his sight. As soon as they’re gone, Korvac decides to keep his eyes on the Infinity Guard, in preparation for his next plan.

On an unknown world, The Possesser, The Runner, The Champion and The Grandmaster compare notes on the Infinity Guard. All of them agree, the planet the majority of them came from, Earth, is a place that may be worth further study and use.

Inside the darken caverns where they left them, Nebulon broods over his recent defeat and failure. He swears by every bone in his body that he will be avenged, even if it takes him a thousand years to do so in the process.

In the void of space, upon a dark throne, a large figure sits, reflecting over the death of his closest advisor and the disappearance of the very objects which he had spent so much time trying to get his hands on. He knows that this “Infinity Guard” are potentially dangerous and much stronger then he had given credit for, but then again, he thinks to himself, Thanos never backs down from any challenge.