113 Cosmo the Dog and Howard the Duck

AN: Sorry for the delay. Was pretty busy the past week and also feeling stuck in writing :( The main reason is that my mind is leaning more on a new story I'm writing after this one ends.

I won't be dropping this as I wanted to at least reach the end. The ending is something I already thought of since the start, it's just the in-between plots and arcs that needs some thinking.

There's still quite a few arcs left so this will take a while before it finishes. However, I don't think it would reach 200 chapters...we'll see.

Anyways, here is the chapter. enjoy!

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True to his name, the Collector indeed has amassed quite a collection.

Benjamin could see all sorts of unique species and races encased in glass tubes. There were also all sorts of weapons hanging on the walls or shelves along with unique-looking items.

Selene looked at the creatures and saw something that made her pause in confusion.

She tugged at Benjamin's clothes and pointed at a particular glass tube.

"Hey, is it just me, or is that a dog in a space suit?"

"Nope. I'm seeing it too."

Benjamin saw the dog and was similarly confused for a moment before remembering that this should be Cosmo. The space dog with telekinetic abilities who later joins the Guardians of the Galaxy.

So she was still here at this time…

At this moment, a white-haired figure approached them followed by a pink-skinned alien.

"Ah, dear guests. Welcome to my humble…collection."

It was none other than the Collector.

The Collector turned to Proxima while smiling.

"I see you have brought one of the Mad Titan's Black Order. How much is she?"

Proxima's eyes narrowed and killing intent oozed out of her.

However, she didn't make a move since she felt it would only lower herself to do so.

Benjamin glanced at him and slowly spoke.

"I believe you're mistaken. We're not here to sell anyone. But while I'm at it, I'll be taking this dog here."

The Collector sighed in regret.

"That's too bad. I was willing to pay double her bounty. As for the dog, I'm afraid none of my collections are for sale."

Benjamin chuckled.

"Who says I'm buying?"

The Collector's smile froze.

"You-"

"Hmph!"

Before the Collector could say anything, Benjamin snorted and unleashed his Telekinesis to shatter every glass tube, freeing all the captured creatures and beings.

The Collector was also thrown to the far wall from the shockwave and collapsed along with his servant.

Not caring about them, Benjamin took Cosmo the space dog and started walking out.

As he was at the door, he paused and turned to speak to the Collector.

"Know this. The Mad Titan's reign is over! Now is the era of our Great Ruler, Corvus Glaive! You'd do well not to cross our path!"

After leaving such cringe-worthy line worthy of a third-rate villain, Benjamin left along with Selene and Proxima who were looking at Benjamin in confusion.

Benjamin saw their looks and shrugged.

"What?"

"You…Is it fine to do that?"

Selene asked.

"Why not?"

"Uhh, nevermind…"

Selene gave up.

Anyway, she didn't care what happens to the Collector.

The way she sees it, a person like him who treats living beings as collection, would sooner or later meet his doom.

Benjamin just accelerated the time frame.

What surprised her more was that Benjamin didn't finish off the Collector and instead pretended to be Corvus' lackey.

Thinking up to that point, Selene once again remembered that none of them mattered to her anyway so she simply didn't bother anymore.

On the other hand, Proxima was somewhat amused.

This new boss seems to be quite a hooligan…

Then again, considering how he had handled Thanos, it didn't seem as much of a surprise.

Still, she spoke.

"Although the Collector is quite weak, he has tons of connections throughout the galaxy. Isn't it best to end him right now?"

Benjamin smiled.

"No hurry. Let him play around with Corvus for a while."

"If you say so."

Proxima nodded and didn't speak anymore.

Suddenly, someone spoke from behind them.

"Are you guys leaving already? Mind taking this old duck along?"

"Hm?"

Behind them was a duck wearing a three-piece red suit and vest with a white shirt and red necktie.

Selene was confused again.

"Is that a talking duck?"

"Correction. I am a handsome talking duck."

"..."

Selene glanced at Benjamin who just shrugged.

"Don't look at me. I've seen a talking pig already. A talking duck isn't really anything new."

"..."

Selene was speechless.

Is this really the kind of world we live in?

She thought that by following Benjamin in space, she would see all sorts of cool aliens similar to the movies she watched.

Yet what did she see?

Space dog, talking duck, and she also saw talking rocks and talking trees in the Collector's place earlier.

Is this what alien creatures are?

Selene sighed.

She hugged the space dog in her arms and looked at it.

"At least this dog is cute and doesn't speak."

"Woof!"

[Technically I can't speak but I have this cool collar that lets me speak!]

"..."

Selene was speechless again.

Benjamin chuckled and patted Cosmo's head.

"That's not all that you can do, right?"

"Woof woof!"

[I can also move stuff with my mind! But I'm not good at it yet!"]

Selene glanced at Cosmo and asked.

"What are you, a psychic type Pokemon?"

"Woof?"

[Pokemon? What's that? Can you eat it?]

"..."

While Selene was questioning Cosmo, Proxima asked Benjamin.

"So what do we do with this thing? You're not seriously considering on bringing it along, are you?"

"Rather than bringing it along…hey duck. What's your name?"

"They call me Howard the duck!"

"Howard, what can you do? Other than talk."

Howard shrugged.

"I can shoot guns?"

"How about being a mascot?"

"Uhh, sure?"

"Good. I'll take you to Earth then. From now on, you're the EPD mascot!"

Benjamin laughed.

He wondered how Fury would react if he saw Howard.

Looking at Howard the Duck, he strangely feels that he would get along with Jake.

Looks like Boyle has another competition coming along.

Benjamin chuckled.

He opened up a portal and tossed Howard over to Fury before immediately closing the portal.

As he closed it, he could barely hear Fury shout.

"Motherfuc-"

Benjamin laughed.

Anyway. That duck was Fury's problem now.

Selene asked.

"Aren't you going to send Cosmo over too?"

Benjamin nodded and turned to Cosmo.

"How about you? Do you want to go to Earth as well?"

"Woof!"

[Earth! Yes! Back home!]

"I can't let you go back to your home there yet. I'll send you to someone I know with similar powers to you so you can control your abilities first."

Benjamin opened up a portal to the X-Mansion and found Jean.

Unlike with Fury, he explained to Jean first who accepted and took the dog in.

Once that was settled, Benjamin went back to Knowehere and continued their tour.

There wasn't much to see anymore though. At best, Proxima showed them to a few pubs where they tried some alien alcohol.

It tasted like gasoline…

Since there was nothing else to see in Knowhere, Benjamin and Selene left to their next destination while Proxima left to begin the task Benjamin gave her.

Find Corvus and capture him!

As Proxima prepared for her journey, Benjamin and Selene had found the next Jump Point to their destination.

Nidavellir.

Home to the Dwarves. The best forgers known to the Nine Realms.

This place used to be full of heat.

At the center was supposed to be a star surrounded by rings. However, the star seemed to have died out now and the rings were frozen shut, no longer rotating.

Benjamin sighed.

After Thanos, it seems Asgard has been too busy dealing with other matters and was unable to deal with the problem here.

That or even Asgard can't solve this problem.

Wait…is it my fault? I sent Thor to deal with the Grandmaster after the battle with Thanos so he wasn't able to resolve the situation here?

Benjamin's face paled with guilt.

A-anyway. I'm here now! I'll just solve the problem myself!

"Let's go down to take a look."

Benjamin drove the DeLorean to one of the rings and landed inside.

Inside, they saw several huge figures lying drunk on the ground here and there.

Selene frowned.

"Are these…the Dwarves you mentioned? Why are they big? They're obviously giants!"

Benjamin shrugged.

"Hey, it's not me who called them that in the first place."

Rather than that, different from the movie that Benjamin remembered, it seems that not all the Dwarves were wiped out. However, they all had their arms encased in metal, disabling their ability to forge anything.

One of the Dwarves woke up and frowned as he saw the intruders.

"What do you want? Can't you see? We're closed for business! Go away!"

Benjamin smiled and introduced himself.

"Hello. I'm here to help you guys reopen for business!"