Soul Stone Theory: What you need to know before seeing Black Panther

Black Panther hits theaters this Friday, and it will be the last Marvel film before the highly-anticipated Avengers 3: Infinity Wars. Yet the question still remains, where the hell is the Soul Stone?

If you know anything about anything, then you know that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been teasing the world about the Infinity Stones since as early as 2011.( If you don't know anything, about anything and are just here to support the culture—fine with me! Luckily, I have the time to break this down for you. )

And if you have been following the movies closely, you know that out of the six total stones—five have revealed themselves to the world across five different Marvel films. Currently, the whereabouts of the Space, Reality, Power, Mind and Time stones are all known.

Many fans believed that the final stone (the Soul Stone) would be revealed in Thor: Ragnarok.

However, spoiler alert: that was not the case.

When joined together, these six infinity stones will give the holder of the infinity gauntlet God-like abilities. Essentially, in the hands of the wrong person/supernatural alien-being (*coughsThanoscoughts*) multi-universe domination is imminent. So much so, that not even a united Avengers will be able to stop him.

But, in order for impending doom to take place, all six stones must be uncovered!

Which brings us back to…. where the hell is the Soul Stone!?

According to this long suspected fan theory (so far debatably accurate), the infinity stones have been revealing themselves in places, objects and other supernatural unexplainable shit seemingly to spell out the name of the one destined to enact this destruction, Thanos.

Here is the breakdown:

T-Tesseract

The Tesseract holds the Space Stone.. We first see this force being used in Captain America. Then again in 2012, when it was stolen by Loki and recovered by the newly formed Avengers. And lastly, we see the Space Stone back in the hands of the God of Mischief at the end of Thor: Ragnarok (because duhhh, when your home is being destroyed you’re going to need a little insurance.)

H- unknown.

Again, Soul Stone! Where?

A-Aether

If you haven’t seen Thor: The Dark World well...you’re not alone. However! Ask yourself, do you know about the powers of the Reality Stone? The Aether is less of a physical container and more of an ancient force surrounding the stone (a.k.a supernatural unexplainable shit). Once the Asgardians gained control of the Aether, they were unable to guard it because at the time they were protecting the Space Stone. Therefore they passed it on to the Collector—where it still resides...for now.

N-Necklace

If you’ve seen the 2016 film Doctor Strange, then you know that the fifth infinity stone was found to be around Strange’s neck, as he used the power of the Time Stone to…. set back time. Now rather than debate chain or necklace or even that the name of the necklace is in fact the Eye of Agamotto isn’t really relevant. It’s an N—it fits, and it is still around Dr. Strange’s neck as seen in Thor: Ragnarok. (Has anyone considered the N could in fact be the Neck? Just saying.)

O-Orb

Guardians of the Galaxy takes place light years away from all of the other Marvel movies and it is arguably one of the most important. Why? Because it showcases just how powerful the Power Stone truly is (yes, wiping out planets powerful.) Everyone’s favorite demi-God, Peter Quill stole the stone in the first Guardians film and that resulted in an intergalactic manhunt from Thanos’ minions. Luckily, the Guardians were able to realize their united strength and saved the day. The Orb, which holds the Power Stone now rests in the hands of the Nova Corps (the police force of the planet that was almost obliterated) safe...for now.

S- Scepter

The Mind Stone might in fact have the most complicated journey of them all. You see, Thanos HAD the Mind Stone. He was five steps ahead of everyone. He’s always known the end game. Except, he gave the stone to Loki in the first Avengers in the form of a scepter. Loki used the power of the Mind Stone to control his enemies and capture the Space Stone. When Loki was defeated, the scepter was taken into S.H.E.I.L. D’s custody, but at the time it wasn’t confirmed that this was in fact an infinity stone.

Now we know that some time in Captain America: Winter Soldier the scepter was taken by Hydra for human experimentation, to which it is recovered in Avengers: Age of Ultron by the team. From there Stark and Banner go rogue and “accidentally” create the A.I. murderer, Ultron. The Avenger fight back against him and Vision is somehow born from the Mind Stone.Phew! Currently, the Mind Stone is still in Vision’s head ...for now, which is not good news for Vision.

OKAY. Now that everyone is caught up with what everyone should already know, we can finally get into why you are here. THE SOUL STONE!

According to the T.H.A.N.O.S. theory, the first time anyone will see the Soul Stone or witness its abilities will be in the form of something (or someone) starting with the letter H. That’s easy enough to decipher right?

Well, what exactly are the abilities of the Soul Stone? History tells us that the stone has the ability to…. control souls. The wielder of the Soul Stone can capture and imprison souls in what is known as the Soul World, see into someone’s soul and bend it to his or her will. Basically, control life and death as we know it.

If Thanos gets his hands on all six of these stones he will be unstoppable. Which stands to reason that unlike the other five stones, this last one needs to be almost impossible to get to. Others have speculated that the H in the T.H.A.N.O.S, and the holder of the Soul Stone has to do with Heimdall ( actually a really great theory.)

As the gatekeeper to Asgard, Heimdall has the ability to SEE all things in the nine realms (meaning he is connected to every person and every soul)— far more power than your average Asgardian. Not only this, but in Age of Ultron, Thor has a vision that predicts the acquisition of all six stones and in that vision...Heimdall is blind.

Coincidence? I think not. One could infer that his gift of sight was taken away because a certain stone was no longer in his possession?

HOWEVER, in all four of the Marvel films that he has appeared, there has been no actual proof (or end-credit clue) that he actually possesses the stone. Which can only mean that this is not the most concrete option.

So, where the hell is the Soul Stone!?

Something stood out in the Infinity Wars trailer that didn’t quite fit with the storyline as it currently stands and that is—why are they fighting in Wakanda?

The same Wakanda that has purposely remained in isolation from the outside world to protect their technologically advanced nation. Hmmm. So, it stands to reason that Wakandians wouldn’t be so quick to enter into a war on their own land if it did not directly benefit their nation. So, what’s the reason?

Maybe, there’s something even more valuable than vibranium that they want to protect? Maybe the heart of their nation runs on a power that someone wants to get their hands on. MAYBE a freaking SOUL STONE!

Now, how does the Soul Stone relate to the T.H.A.N.O.S. theory? Well maybe you missed it, but they have to protect the HEART of Wakanda. Heart...H…. theory made.

You need more proof? According to director Ryan Coogler, “The Heart-Shaped Herb is how Black Panther achieves his powers. The Heart-Shaped Herb is what Black Panthers over the generations would consume, once they earn the title, which gives them their physical edge.”

INTERESTING! So, this mysterious “heart-shaped herb,” is what grants Black Panther his powers...the same powers that allow the current Black Panther to connect with the SOULs of the past Black Panthers. Very interesting indeed.

There’s really only two options here. The Soul Stone is going to be revealed in Black Panther or the Soul Stone will be revealed in Black Panther.

Well, do you feel prepared yet? When you see Black Panther this week make sure you pay attention to where the hell the Soul Stone is, because it will be there. And if you’re equally ready to watch them protect the stone, as you are to find out where it is, you can catch Avengers: Infinity Wars in theaters May 4th.