Sensors recently detected strange radioactive properties around the Rock. Physics professors immediately began x-raying the popular landmark, only to discover that the Soul Stone—one of a collection of powerful gems—was somehow buried inside.
“Once we started chipping into it, we discovered the Soul Stone deep within it,” said Professor of Physics Seamus Lagan.
It’s possible the stone’s radioactive properties “awoke” and began building after it was disturbed during the Rock’s relocation in 2012, when the monument splintered into two pieces when it was set onto its new base.
The stone, like the other six, originates in outer space. Professor of Physics Glenn Piner, having recently worked on research for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, hopes to use those resources to estimate where in the cosmos the stone is from. How it came to Whittier, let alone inside The Rock, is yet another mystery surrounding an already enigmatic artifact, Piner said.
The presence of the Soul Stone at Whittier poses an imminent danger. The stone is one of several sought by Thanos, an alien bent on destroying half the universe with the powers that the stones bestow. Reports show he’s on his way here from the deeper reaches of space, and likely to arrive on Earth in a matter of weeks to collect the infinity stones present on the planet.
Once Thanos reaches Whittier, it’s unclear which—if any—Avengers can come to protect the Soul Stone. The Hulk has been on the campus before, but the powerhouse is currently off planet, and Iron Man relocated from his Southern California home to upstate New York several years ago. Johnny Poet may be the College’s primary line of defense.
Johnny’s application to join the superhero team was squarely denied. He has pointed out that the pen is mightier than the sword—and, as his application read, “have you seen the size of this pen, it’s barbaric”—but to no effect.
“Best of luck out there against Thanos,” Piner said to a visibly nervous Johnny Poet. Lagan pointed out that the mad alien is purple and likes to wear gold, so perhaps deep down, he’s a Whittier fan and will go easy on Johnny.
