Marvel's What If..? Episode 2 is a heartfelt tale of how T'Challa has been loved as a hero beyond the confines of his hometown in Wakanda throughout the universe. He became the legendary outlaw that Quill always wanted to become and he got fame across the galaxy with his greatness that even Thanos was good. In his mission, what are the Embers of Genesis that they are retrieving from The Collector?
What are the Embers of Genesis in Marvel's What If..? Episode 2
The heist of T'Challa as Star-Lord is centered on the retrieval of the Embers of Genesis which is stored in the collection of Taneleer Tivan and the idea was shared to him by Nebula who, kind of, looks like Jessica Rabbit with her blonde hair all over. In the mission, he is joined by the Ravagers including a reformed version of Thanos and Korath.
The goodness of T'Challa radiates so well that in this alternate reality, Thanos belongs to the good guys despite still having thoughts about his genocide. The mission proposed by Nebula is for them to steal the Embers of Genesis, and while it would not be easy considering that The Collector, Taneleer Tivan, is known there as a galactic kingpin, with the Black Order on his side – Proxima Midnight, Cull Obsidian, Corvus Glaive, and Ebony Maw.
It was an elaborate heist, and Nebula had to do a triple cross to get the Embers of Genesis. The Ravagers would even have to be captured and T'Challa being enclosed in one of the glass displays of The Collector to make it all work. At the end, when Thanos had to fight off Cull Obsidian and Proxima Midnight, his daughter, Nebula, went back to save him by pouring a few seeds on Cull Obsidian.
Related: Who is the Dog T'Challa Adopted in Marvel's What If..?
We see the effect of the Embers of Genesis like that of Jack and the Beanstalk where various roots grow from the ground and it has the ability to terraform any planet or surface it is placed in with only a few seeds. Such a creation could stop hunger in planets across the multiverse, it could even bring back into life planets that lost life.
Its effect in Knowhere was beyond amazing. It turned the lifeless head of a celestial into an overgrown vineyard with various stems coming out of the holes of the skull. In such an instant, life comes back to the place as if it was a jungle. With Embers of Genesis falling into the MCU, it could revive places that are already inexistent, maybe even reconstruct Asgard if possible.
All episodes of Marvel's What If...? Season 1 are available to stream on Disney+.