M'kraan Crystal

The M'krann Crystal is an object of immense value to the Shi'ar Empire. If other races knew what the crystal was, it would become one of those potent and contested items in the Universe. Few cosmic entities are willing to speak on it, save to remark that it must be 'preserved at all costs'. The Shi'ar only know it is somehow connected to the Phoenix Force.

Appearance

It takes the shape of a round-cut jewel with a distinctive pink hue and largely opaque interior. It is approximately 2m across and 3m high. Viewing into the facets reveals a miniature city that is far too large to be contained within the exterior dimensions. It emits trace amounts of gamma radiation but otherwise glows with light in the visual spectrum of most humanoids.

The Crystal itself seems nearly indestructible and self-repairing. It weighs at least 100 tons and must be stabilized in a special ark cradle. Introducing energy into the crystal causes it to emit intense bursts of Gamma Rays. Attacking it with physical force triggers a more pronounced response. Scans of the crystal have revealed there seems to be no limit to the energy output.

Origin

The M'kraan Crystal was discovered on an isolated and empty planet that had been scoured clean of life and most structures billions of years in the past. The entire solar system was so heavily saturated with gamma radiation that it kept an entire parsec inaccessible for eons until the Shi'ar found a solution for neutralizing the intense emissions.

The planet was named Maltus in the distant, dim antiquity of the universe. The original inhabitants of the planet were fundamentally connected to the Emotional Electromagnetic Spectrum and could channel those energies at will. The M'kraan Crystal was recognized as a generator of infinite power for the White Light of the Spectrum. Attempts to use this power inevitably obliterated the channeler. A rogue enclave of Maltusians tried to crack into the M'kraan Crystal and the radiation surged vaporized a quarter of the planet's surface. Survivors fled at hyperspace velocity and watched as the radiation leak claimed the entire system. A few returned in specialized suits and erected a memorial around the M'kraan Crystal, warning themselves and future races that it must be protected and to not tamper with it. Many of those survivors emigrated to Oa and became the Guardians of the Universe. The structure and nature of the M'kraan Crystal was used as a template to artificially engineer the immense energetic batteries that house the collective Willpower of Oa and power the rings of their Green Lantern Corps.

Only a few entities in existence understand that the M'kraan Crystal is the physical form of the egg of the Phoenix Force. It contains infinite heat and energy, a 'blueprint' and battery for rebuilding the universe. It is the repository for the energy and potential of all ideologues as they perish and return to their fundamental energies. The Life Entity will be among the last ideologues to be harvested. It will be kept inside the M'kraan crystal until all the stars are dead, life is gone, and even the last helium atoms have dissolved into strings of energy. The Crystal will hatch and destroy the universe to rebuild it with a new one. The city inside the M'kraan Crystal houses the souls of the avatars of the Phoenix Force as well as other entities that the Phoenix Force considers 'essential' for the creation of a new Universe. It was in this manner that Galan was transported from the ruins of the First Firmament to become the avatar of predation-- Galactus.