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alt title(s): Green Rock
"And, of course, there's something I call quantum flux, which is like the binding force behind everything in the universe. Plus, it can cause time travel. And it's an energy source, too."

An object or technology with powers so diverse and magical that it can cause almost any effect as needed by the plot.

If an actual substance, a common variation is to have it come in different colors, each with a varying set of effects. This occasionally ties in with Elemental Rock Paper Scissors, with each color variation attuned to a different classical element.

The name refers to the Kryptonite meteor rocks used in almost every episode of Smallville, most often in the early seasons. These Green Rocks, in addition to functioning as Clark Kent's Kryptonite Factor, have been known to: give people random superpowers, turning them into the Monster Of The Week; help people recall memories; make cars go faster; and send a phone call back in time, among many other things.

If the effects are controlled by a character instead of being random, that's a Green Lantern Ring. When it is exotic, difficult to find and you must have it to power the Applied Phlebotinum, it is Unobtainium. When the Green Rocks are crystals that double as a Gotta Catch Them All, it is a Mineral Macguffin.

Contrast Magic A Is Magic A, which is where something has a variety of, but internally consistent, powers.

When it is a standing device to attract weirdness to the characters, it is a Magnetic Plot Device.

Related to Phlebotinum Du Jour. For less-exotic variants, see Lightning Can Do Anything, I Love Nuclear Power and Genetic Engineering Is The New Nuke.


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Green Lantern RingApplied PhlebotinumHard Light