The Power Stone was one of the six Infinity Stones, the remnant of a singularity that predated the universe, representing the element of power. It was used by the Celestial Eson the Searcher until it was contained within the Orb and hidden for millennia on a Morag temple.
The Orb containing the Power Stone was coveted by Thanos, who employed the Kree warrior Ronan the Accuser in 2014 to retrieve it for him. However, before Ronan could acquire the Orb, it was stolen by Star-Lord, prompting a galaxy-wide hunt that resulted in the Orb being given to the Nova Corps for safe-keeping. Thanos later retrieved the Power Stone from the Nova Corps in 2018 and inserted it into his Infinity Gauntlet, using it in conjunction with the other five stones to eliminate half of all life in the universe. Following the completion of his life's goal, Thanos destroyed all six stones to prevent his work from being undone.
In 2023, the Avengers initiated a Time Heist in order to resurrect the victims of the Snap, with War Machine and Nebula sent back in time to 2014 to retrieve the Power Stone from Morag from an alternate timeline. Following the Battle of Earth, where Iron Man used all six stones to kill Thanos and his army at the cost of his own life, Captain America time-traveled to the alternate 2014 to return the Power Stone.
History[]
Origin[]
- "At the dawn of the universe, there was nothing. Then... boom. The Big Bang sent six elemental crystals, hurtling across the virgin universe. These Infinity Stones each control an essential aspect of existence."
- ―Wong[src]
The Power Stone is used by Eson the Searcher
The Power Stone is a remnant of one of the six singularities which existed before the universe. After the universe came to be, the Big Bang forged the remnants of these singularities into six elemental crystals, dubbed the Infinity Stones, and hurtled them across the universe.[1] The Power Stone represented the destructive nature of the universe, and was incredibly powerful, capable of annihilating entire planets. The Power Stone was used by the Celestial Eson the Searcher to destroy planets and civilizations until it was forgotten inside the Orb for millennia.
A group failing to use the Power Stone
It was later in possession of a group of eight beings who attempted to harness the Stone's power by sharing it between them, linking themselves together. The effects were short-lived as the energy of the stone disintegrated the group after only a few moments. Eventually, the Orb, and the stone inside it, were hidden on the planet Morag, where it was stored it in a secret tomb beneath a vast ocean that would recede only once every 300 years.[2]
Quest for the Orb[]
Collector's Demonstration[]
Once the Orb had been found by Star-Lord, he found himself on a mission with the Guardians of the Galaxy to sell it before Ronan the Accuser could find it and use its power for evil. The Guardians took the Orb to the Collector where he used his technology to open the Orb while explaining the history of the Infinity Stones, marveling at the Power Stone when it was finally revealed to him as he prepared to pay for it.
Carina is destroyed by the Power Stone
However, the Collector's assistant Carina saw an opportunity to gain the power to kill her master and attempted to grab the stone to use it, only for its power to violently rip through her body, destroying her entirely as well as much of the Collector's Museum. The Guardians attempted to escape with the Orb, only to be found by Ronan and his soldiers, as Nebula was able to defeat Gamora and took the stone into her own possession to return it to Ronan, much to the Guardians' horror.[2]
Ronan's Betrayal[]
Ronan takes possession of the Power Stone
- "Yes, that was our agreement. Bring you the Orb, and you will destroy Xandar for me. However, now that I know it contains an Infinity Stone, I wonder what use I have for you."
- ―Ronan the Accuser to Thanos[src]
Upon learning that the Orb contained the Power Stone after acquiring it from the Guardians of the Galaxy, Ronan the Accuser questioned his need for Thanos' assistance in his quest for revenge. Ronan ripped the Orb in half and took the Stone from it, consuming its energy and causing explosions all around him before attaching the Stone to his Universal Weapon in order to control its power. He became so powerful that he was no longer afraid of even the Mad Titan himself, who watched in silence and anger at the betrayal and cut off contact soon without being fazed by Ronan's threats to kill him.[2]
Battle of Xandar[]
Ronan attacking the Nova Corps' armies
- "Xandar, you stand accused. Your wretched peace treaty will not save you now. 'Tis the tinder on which you burn!"
- ―Ronan the Accuser[src]
Unfazed by his enemies' attack on Xandar and filled with more power than all of them combined, Ronan the Accuser responded standing before the fleet of Nova Corps' Star Blasters and accusing them before sentencing them to destruction. He then used the Stone's power to fire a powerful blast from the Universal Weapon which destroyed the Nova Corps' entire fleet, as the burning remains of the army flew to the ground below and Ronan looked at the destruction with a sense of satisfaction watching all of the pain he was causing.
Ronan attacks the Guardians of the Galaxy
While he continued to watch the battle unfold, Ronan found himself confronted by the Guardians of the Galaxy after they subdued his bodyguards and shot Ronan in the chest with the Hadron Enforcer. Ronan then easily overpowered the group with a single shockwave blast from the Power Stone using his hammer. Smiling to himself at the desperate and pathetic attempts to stop him that were proved worthless, Ronan the Accuser mocked the Guardians of the Galaxy and prepared to unleash the Stone's power to annihilate Xandar.
The moment before he could unleash the power, he became distracted by Star-Lord, who had challenged him to a dance-off. This distraction allowed Rocket enough time to repair the Hadron Enforcer allowing Drax the Destroyer to fire it at him, managing to destroy Ronan's Universal Weapon, disarming him and leaving the incredibly powerful Power Stone flying in the air before him. In a desperate move to gain the advantage in the battle and kill each other, both Ronan and Peter Quill attempted to catch the Stone during the split second it hung unprotected in the air before them. Despite Ronan's best efforts to regain the powerful weapon, Quill was a moment faster and quickly caught the Stone.[2]
Ronan's Destruction[]
Guardians of the Galaxy use the Power Stone
- "You're mortal! How?!"
"You said it yourself, bitch. We're the Guardians of the Galaxy." - ―Ronan the Accuser and Star-Lord[src]
The moment the Power Stone was touched by Peter Quill's hand, it unleashed a massive amount of energy, causing a shock-wave which threw Ronan backwards as flames engulfed the group. As Ronan watched on with a sense of delight, the Stone's incredible and almost uncontrollable power nearly killed Quill as his body was slowly ripped apart from the inside by the Stone. Ronan laughed as he watched Quill screaming in horrific pain.
Ronan being destroyed by the Power Stone
However, Ronan witnessed Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, and Rocket come together as a team and grab each other's hands, helping with the burden of the Stone's power and gaining complete control over it. He looked on in horror and demanded to know how that was possible for a human to survive such power and Quill informed him it was because together they were a team, before directing the Stone's energy at Ronan, destroying his body and killing him. Shortly after his destruction, Gamora quickly contained the stone inside the orb, ending its strain on the four of them and putting an end to the shock-wave.[2]
Stored Away[]
Following the Battle of Xandar, the Power Stone was stored in the Nova Corps Headquarters vault and remained untouched for four years.[2]
Infinity War[]
Acquired by Thanos[]
The Power Stone in Thanos' Infinity Gauntlet
In 2018, Thanos in his quest for the Infinity Stones, went to Xandar to retrieve the Power Stone. After decimating Xandar and the Nova Corps, he acquired the Power Stone and inserted it in the Infinity Gauntlet.
He then used the Stone to torture Thor and to obliterate the Statesman. He also used the Stone in unison with the Space Stone to torture Nebula.
Thanos obliterates a massive piece of debris
On Titan, Thanos used the Power Stone's energy manipulating powers when he battled Tony Stark, Peter Parker, Doctor Strange, and members of the Guardians of the Galaxy. He used the Stone to destroy a large piece of debris sent by Stark, blast energy repeatedly at Peter Quill, and later a shockwave, knocking out Drax, Quill, and Nebula.
Thanos telekinetically ripping apart a moon
His most notable feat was using the Power Stone to crush Titan's moon so he could hurl the pieces at his enemies. He then used the Power Stone to send out a beam of energy at Strange when he dueled with him after dodging all of the fiery rays of energy with a simple powerful leap and later to destroy Strange's use of the Mirror Dimension by empowering the Gauntlet with the Power Stone's energy.
Thanos also used the Power Stone to send a beam of energy that almost overwhelmed Stark's shield and then to send him flying with a concentrated beam that heavily damaged the armor. His final use of the Power Stone in the battle was to emit its energy from the Gauntlet to act as a barrier to deflect Stark's repulsors while simultaneously walking towards Stark, allowing him to quickly end the attack by punching off the armor's helmet.
Thanos blocks Okoye's Vibranium Spear
Upon arriving in Wakanda, Thanos used the Power Stone to knock away Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes and then to stop Okoye's spear in mid-air and knock her away. After completing the Infinity Gauntlet, Thanos used all the Stones in conjunction to enact the Snap, successfully wiping out half of the universe.[1]
Destruction[]
Three weeks after the Snap, Thanos destroyed all the Infinity Stones, including the Power Stone by using the stones' powers on itself, in order to eliminate any possibility of undoing the Snap.[3]
Alternate Universe Versions[]
Theft of the Power Stone[]
In 2023, the Avengers initiated a Time Heist via the Quantum Realm where they used time travel through the Multiverse into alternate past timelines and acquire all six Infinity Stones in order to resurrect the victims of Thanos' Snap. Arriving in an alternate 2014, War Machine and Nebula were sent to Morag to retrieve the Power Stone from the Temple Vault, where War Machine knocked an alternate Star-Lord unconscious. After Nebula successfully retrieved the Orb, War Machine used the Quantum Realm to return to his timeline, bringing the Orb with him.
The Power Stone is put in the Nano Gauntlet
After successfully transporting the alternate versions of the Stones to their timeline, the Power Stone was extracted from the Orb and placed in the Nano Gauntlet. Using the Gauntlet, Bruce Banner harnessed the power of the six Stones to resurrect the victims of the Snap, albeit losing the ability to use his right arm.
Thanos wielding the Power Stone
However, moments after the Blip, the Avengers Compound was destroyed by missile strikes fired by an alternate Thanos, who had time-traveled from the alternate 2014 timeline to the main timeline. Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor fought Thanos before they were given assistance by the newly resurrected heroes. Obtaining the Nano Gauntlet, Thanos was attacked by Captain Marvel, forcing him to use the Power Stone to blast her away, rendering her unconscious.
The Power Stone is returned to 2014
However, the stones were then stolen from him by Iron Man, who sacrificed his life by using all six stones to kill Thanos and his army. Following Stark's funeral, Rogers was sent back in time by Banner in order to put back the Infinity Stones to whence they were taken, and journeyed to the alternate 2014 to return the Power Stone, albeit without the Orb.[3]
Seized by the TVA[]
Multiple Power Stones under the possession of the TVA
While capturing Variants and pruning timelines, the Time Variance Authority seized Infinity Stones from alternate timelines, including numerous Power Stones.[4]
Found by T'Challa[]
Star-Lord arrives to steal the stone
- "Besides, wouldn't you rather use it to jump-start the Krylorians' dying star, save their system from extinction?"
- ―T'Challa to Yondu[src]
In an alternate 2008, T'Challa found the Orb containing the Power Stone on Morag and brought it back to show the Ravagers.[5]
Zombies[]
Zombie Thanos with the Power Stone
In an alternate 2018, Thanos was able to obtain the Power Stone before setting off to Earth. However, once he got to Earth, he became infected by zombies.[6]
Age of Ultron[]
The stone in Thanos' Infinity Gauntlet
In an alternate 2015, Thanos collected the Power Stone and inserted it on the Infinity Gauntlet. The Power Stone was then seized by Ultron and was used to destroy Asgard and other planets in the universe. Ultron then used the Power Stone in combat against The Watcher in the Nexus of All Realities. The Stone was also used in conjunction with the other Stones to obliterate other universes. The Power Stone was caught in a tug-of-war by Erik Killmonger and Arnim Zola resulting in Strange Supreme trapping Killmonger, Zola, and the Stones inside a pocket dimension.[7]
Infinity War[]
A deceased Thanos with the stones
In an alternate universe where the Illuminati was formed, Thanos made it to Titan with four Infinity Stones. However, the Power Stone was not strong enough to defeat Doctor Strange and the Darkhold.[8]
Capabilities[]
As the Infinity Stone that embodies both the sustaining and destructive forces of the universe, the Power Stone grants its wielder tremendous energy manipulation capabilities. Due to the amount of energy the Power Stone releases, it is the most destructive out of all the Infinity Stones in terms of raw power. Like all Infinity Stones, the Power Stone is among the most powerful artifacts in the universe, with only beings of an extraordinary constitution being able to use it while less powerful beings would erupt in a violent explosion. The more powerful the being is, the longer it takes for the Power Stone to destroy.
The Power Stone can also be used via a conduit, such as the Universal Weapon or Infinity Gauntlet, preventing the need to touch the Stone while still being able to utilize its power. If multiple beings are linked together, the Stone's power is distributed among each of them, making it easier to withstand the Stone's effects, as demonstrated by the Guardians of the Galaxy. Attempting to use the Stone without any safety measures is extremely painful, even for incredibly powerful beings. The Power Stone Group, as shown in the Collector hologram, were disintegrated when attempting to harness the Stone's energy, and Star-Lord's skin was quickly burned from holding the Stone with his hand despite his half-Celestial biology. However, Thanos was able to hold it in his hand and wield it briefly without suffering significant damage, showing that a sufficiently powerful entity can use the Power Stone without protection safely for at least a brief time.
Wielders of the Power Stone are able to project fiery purple energy beams and waves, strong enough to destroy an entire planet. The Stone's energy also enhances the user's strength and durability made possible by instilling the brunt of its power into its wielder, to the extent that Ronan the Accuser was able to withstand a close-range shot from the Hadron Enforcer, a weapon powerful enough to destroy a moon, and walking away unscathed from the wreckage of the Dark Aster after it crashed into the surface of Xandar.
When used with the Infinity Gauntlet, Thanos, having a more comprehensive understanding of its abilities, was able to shatter a gateway to the Mirror Dimension sent by Doctor Strange. He also displayed the ability to manipulate its destructive energy for smaller tasks, such as torturing Thor by pressing the Stone to the Asgardian's head, causing him to shout out in pain, and charging objects with the Stone's energy, causing them to overload and violently detonate. Thanos was able to slowly overload and detonate the Statesman after retrieving the Space Stone.
When facing Iron Man, Thanos was able to concentrate the Stone's energy into beams powerful enough to heavily damage the Avenger's armor with a single blast. Thanos was also able to project a force field of energy that was powerful enough to block Iron Man's repulsors at full charge. A blast from the Power Stone could even knock out a being as powerful as Captain Marvel, while a sustained blast could presumably kill any being in the universe, including Ronan the Accuser.
Thanos also displayed that he is able to combine the Power Stone with the other Stones to enhance its powers and make it capable of achieving a more wide variety of effects. Combining the Space Stone and Power Stone, Thanos can also manipulate and redirect outside energy, absorbing and channeling the explosive power of Iron Man's missiles into a concentrated beam of fire. After the Infinity Gauntlet was completed, the Power Stone was used in tandem with the five other Infinity Stones to wipe out half of all life in the universe with a snap of Thanos' fingers.[1]
Alternate Versions[]
| Origin | Status | Creators | Owners | Users |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Resident Thor | Active | - | Thanos | Thanos |
| Cosmic Time Heist | Active | - | Avengers | Bruce Banner Thanos † Tony Stark † |
| TVA Realities | Inactive | - | Time Variance Authority | - |
| Ravager T'Challa | Active | - | - | T'Challa |
| Zombie Outbreak | Active | - | Thanos | Thanos |
| Age of Ultron | Active | Ultron † Erik Killmonger |
Ultron † Arnim Zola Erik Killmonger Peggy Carter | |
| Illuminati Assembled | Active | - | Thanos † | Thanos † |
| Forerunner Steve Rogers | Destroyed | Thanos † | Thanos † | |
| Loyal Daughters of Thanos | Active | - | Thanos | Thanos |
| Disfigured Steve Rogers | Active | - | HYDRA | Steve Rogers Wanda Maximoff Destiny Defying Multiverse Hero |
| American Super Soldier Army | Active | - | S.H.I.E.L.D. | Howard Stark Hero of the Multiverse |
| Phase Two: Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy | Active | - | Peter Quill Nova Corps |
Ronan † Peter Quill Gamora Drax Rocket |
| The Cosmic Quest | Active | - | Thanos | Thanos |
| Avengers: Endgame | Active | - | Avengers | Bruce Banner Thanos Tony Stark |
Appearances[]
Trivia[]
- In the comics, the red Power Gem gives the owner access to all power and energy that ever has or will exist, and can back the other gems, boosting their effects. Its most basic powers grant its user unlimited stamina and can increase the user's strength to unlimited levels depending on how much the gem is drawn upon. It allows the user to duplicate practically any physical superhuman ability and become invincible. It was used by the Champion of the Universe, Thanos, Nebula, Adam Warlock, Drax the Destroyer, Thor, Magus, Rune, Lord Pumpkin, Loki, Galactus, She-Hulk, Titania, Mister Fantastic, Odeni, Hood, Red Hulk, Xiambor, and Namor.
- Eson the Searcher, Guardians of the Galaxy, Ronan the Accuser, Hulk, Thanos and Iron Man are the only beings to have successfully used the Power Stone thus far, with the latter three using it in conjunction with all of the other Stones.
- Thanos used the Power Stone on its own far more than he did with the other Stones, likely due to its raw power and flexibility of use, as well as the fact he'd had it in his possession the longest. It was also the Stone most used in conjunction with other Stones, such as when he used it to destroy Titan's moon while using the Space Stone to pull the debris towards Iron Man or when he used it in conjunction with the Soul Stone to destroy Doctor Strange's astral copies during their fight.
- The Power Stone is one of the only two Infinity Stones that were never on Earth prior to Thanos inserting it into the Infinity Gauntlet, the other being the Soul Stone.
Behind the Scenes[]
- During the production of Guardians of the Galaxy, the Power Stone was meant to be red just like its comic book counterpart. However, this was later changed to purple in post-production when it was decided that the red Aether from Thor: The Dark World was in fact the Reality Stone.[9][10]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Avengers: Infinity War
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Guardians of the Galaxy
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Avengers: Endgame
- ↑ Loki: 1.01: Glorious Purpose
- ↑ What If...?: 1.02: What If... T'Challa Became a Star-Lord?
- ↑ What If...?: 1.05: What If... Zombies?!
- ↑ What If...?: 1.09: What If... The Watcher Broke His Oath?
- ↑ Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
- ↑ Stephane Ceretti on Twitter - April 8, 2020
- ↑ James Gunn on Twitter - April 8, 2020
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