Tony sent out an invite for those wishing to attend to come to the Common Rooms at 7pm that evening. With the help of Pepper, Happy, and others they had set it up in something of a 'formal' way. It reminded Tony of a press conference, but with the number of folks interested who was he to say no? Plus, the seating arrangement could fit people more comfortably there and after that little incident at the portals earlier today, he wasn't about to try to hold it in there (how confusing would that be for some poor sucker to fall through?).
Screens had been set up to display the information to everyone and the Collector stood looking bored near the front as people filtered in. In the back, pizza and snacks were laid out if anyone was hungry or had missed dinner. And Tony stood near the front, whispering something to the Collector, a quiet argument he actually wasn't going to win.
When the time came, Tony took a breath and stepped up in front of every.
"Hi. Thanks for coming. I figured we could all use a crash course on what the hell is going on with the Stones and the Big Purple Alien. So, I'm going to lay it all out there. Again. FRIDAY?"
The screens came on and up came an image of none other than Thanos. It was something procured from Nebula's memory banks. "This is Thanos. He's a- what was it?" Glancing to the white-haired immortal, Tony remembered. "Titan. Right. Anyway, for those not in the know, his grand scheme is to destroy half the universe to 'cleanse' it or some crap. He thought he could do so by gathering something powerful- probably one of the most powerful forces in the universe: the Infinity Stones"
Tony snapped again (he knew the irony, yes) and another image popped up. Five stones, floating together. Those from the future would know them anywhere. "These are the stones in question. There are six of them- were six of them. We're unsure of the location of a couple. Anyway, turns out our new friend Taneleer here knows a thing or two about them. I know a lot of you in the room have personal experiences with these." His eyes landed on Natasha for a second before going over to the likes of Wanda. Carol. Thor. Strange. "But, I'm going to hand the podium to him to explain."
Slowly, the Collector approached, looking a bit put out before starting. "Before creation itself, there were six singularities. Then the universe exploded into existence and the remnants of these systems were forged into concentrated ingots. The stones, it seems, can only be brandished by beings of extraordinary strength. Entire civilizations were once mowed down like wheat in a field by those who held singular stones." He showed an image of the planet being decimated by the power stone on the screens then turned to the others.
"Once, for a moment, a group was able to share the energy amongst themselves. But even they were quickly destroyed by it. Thus, until now, I had not believed it even possible for a singular being to hold all six stones." And yet, it appeared that was what was fated to happen.
He paused and observed the crowd. "Each stone is unique. Each stone is part of our universe. Without the six, it is said that the universe cannot exist in balance." He turned to show the stones one by one as he explained them.
And as he spoke, his eyes traveled to parts of the room, as if sensing those who possessed the powers of the stone.
Toward the Guardians. "The Power Stone. Able to decimate entire worlds- galaxies, if honed correctly."
His eyes found Carol's. "The Space Stone. Capable of harnessing the very energy of suns."
Shifting his gaze, he almost smirked at Strange. "The Time Stone. Whoever possesses it has the power of bend time to their whim."
Then he turned to Wanda. "The Mind Stone. Which grants the user the ability to warp one's perspective and unlock what is dormant inside their minds."
Then he starred at Natasha. "The Soul Stone. It holds the souls of those it takes and bends the user's will to control life or death itself."
Then, he closed his eyes with a sigh. "And the Reality Stone. The power to warp and turn reality itself." He seemed frustrated at that one, opening his eyes again.
"You have those amongst you touched by this power. But there is an obstacle. Two of the stones are missing from this universe. And cracks have already begun to form. Time. Space. You think it a coincidence?"
He looked at Tony who didn't look pleased, arms crossed over his chest. "Nothing is a coincidence. Everything has it is the reason. And you all."
His eyes gazed about the room at those who were from other universes. Landing on the likes of Diana. Dick. Fancy. Kara. Kate. Martha. Donna. And anyone else not of this universe. It was like he was staring through them. Seeing their realities. He could easily identify them now and he took a long pause.
"Your fates are now tied to this universe as well. There is a reason you are here. What that is? I don't know. But, the stones do not work without purpose."
He finished and Tony stared in silence. It was grim. Almost an ominous prophesy.