Alan had no idea that there was another legend about the origins of the Infinity Stones.
Long ago, all the Infinity Stones belonged to the Goddess of Vengeance. When her consciousness was shattered, it gave rise to these stones. However, unlike the six Infinity Stones Alan was familiar with, there was actually a seventh stone—the Ego Stone.
When the Ego Stone is combined with the other six Infinity Stones, they form a complete entity—the Goddess of Vengeance herself.
And as long as the Ego Stone remains intact, she can use its power to resurrect herself endlessly.
---
In the distance, Rocket Raccoon seemed to have finished repairing the ship. He climbed up a tree and peered into the forest beyond.
"Uh... I think you guys might wanna take a look at this."
Rocket jumped down, his face filled with disbelief. Alan immediately took to the air, flying toward where Rocket was looking. Quill, too, activated his mask and turned his gaze forward.
What they saw was a diamond-shaped mechanical pod embedded deep in the earth, as if it had crashed down from a great height.
"What is that?"
Quill, curious, called out to the others before flying ahead to investigate. Rocket Raccoon cursed at him for being sneaky and took off running—he was convinced there was treasure inside and didn't want Quill to claim it first.
Alan stood up, watching the two with concern. Fearing potential danger, he decided to fly over as well.
Quill was fast, reaching the pod in the blink of an eye.
The crash site was surrounded by shattered rocks and debris, with the pod itself sitting in the center. It was roughly half the height of an average person and appeared to be an escape pod. Scattered around it were various mechanical parts.
Rocket Raccoon arrived just moments later. Seeing Quill already there, he rushed forward and yanked the hatch open.
But the pod was empty.
Rocket's excitement faded, replaced by disappointment.
He turned to Quill suspiciously. "Did you already take everything that was in here?"
Quill, squatting beside the pod, ignored him. Instead, his eyes locked onto something sticking out of the ground—a flying arrow.
And not just any arrow.
It was Yondu's.
His heart tightened. Quill rushed over, grabbed the arrow, and scanned his surroundings anxiously, searching for Yondu.
If Yondu's arrow was here, then that meant Yondu was somewhere on this planet.
This escape pod had likely been his means of arrival, but why was his arrow left behind?
Yondu would never part with his weapon like this.
Which meant… he was in danger.
Without hesitation, Quill soared high above the forest, scanning the landscape in all directions.
Rocket Raccoon, confused by his behavior, squinted up at him. "What the hell are you doing?"
Quill landed and was about to answer when he noticed Alan arriving. He held up the arrow and explained, "This is Yondu's. He must've escaped to this planet."
Alan examined the arrow in Quill's hand—it was indeed Yondu's. But where was he?
Just then, footsteps echoed through the silent forest.
Rocket Raccoon's sharp ears picked up the sound immediately. His gaze snapped toward the source, where a shadowy figure darted behind a tree.
He let out a fierce shout. "Who's there?!"
Without waiting for an answer, he charged forward.
Alan and Quill exchanged glances before following closely behind.
As they approached, a figure finally came into view—a woman.
But not just any woman.
She had antennae protruding from her forehead.
Mantis?
Alan recognized her instantly.
He stepped forward, blocking Mantis's escape route, while Quill and Rocket flanked her from the sides.
Quill wasted no time demanding answers.
"Where is Yondu? The person who came out of that escape pod—where did they go?"
...