Thanos possesses enough power and passion to carry out Death’s dark task, but it would take even him centuries to accomplish it. Gazing into the Well of Wisdom, he finds the solution: the Infinity Gems. With these immensely powerful objects, he can complete his assignment in mere seconds. 

Six of the Elders of the Universe, a unique group of ultrapowerful cosmic beings, possess the Infinity Gems. After he secures the blessing of Mistress Death, Thanos travels to the Nexus of All Realities, where the Elder the In-Betweener is imprisoned. The Titan is powerful, but he is also cunning, so he tricks the In-Betweener into believing Thanos has come to save him. After the two tear down the prison, Thanos turns on him and steals the first gem—the Soul Gem. 

Next he goes to Tamarata and challenges the Elder the Champion. Thanos fights the Elder and, in the end, tricks him into destroying his own planet. In exchange for Thanos saving his life, the Champion must give him his Power Gem. Out of options, the Elder agrees. The Mad Titan now holds two of the six Infinity Gems. 

The Time Gem is in the possession of another Elder, the Gardener. He has used it for centuries to create the most magnificent garden in the universe. Thanos offers the Elder the option of giving away his gem without a fight, but the Elder refuses. The Titan uses the Power Gem to enhance the Time Gem, accelerating the growth of the plants, which take over the Gardener’s body, leaving his gem open for the taking.

If anyone knew what Thanos is up to, they would shiver in fear, as he is on track to become the most powerful being in the universe.