Special Delivery!

Alfred cleared his throat as he straightened up. "Ah, yes. A delivery came for you, Master Bruce." He watched this costumed man take the brown paper package and tore it open from one end of the rectangular box to the other, pulling a white box out from the large, gaping rip. He opened the flaps and saw 6 ovular jewels, each a spectral color.

Batman breathed out in astonishment, "They do exist..."

"Sir?" the butler asked.

"Infinity Gems or Soul Gems. There have been a select few who whisper of them, mentioning that whoever possesses them together will become all-knowing and all-powerful." Alfred gasped 'my word...' with a hand over his mouth, and then lowered it when something came to mind.

"And someone entrusts you with their protection? Well, your reputation for getting the job done, and ensuring the limited longevity of Man, must take great precedence with whomever delivered the Gems." Batman agreed that might be the case as he picked up the red gem. He had never felt so powerful in his entire life! He used his newfound super strength on a few training dummies, and tested more of what abilities the jewel bequeathed him with: super speed, flight, laser vision, elasticity, etc.

"This is fantastic," Bruce grinned widely.