While the emotional reunion of Skrull families unfolded across the laboratory, Arthur stood slightly apart from the group, his attention focused entirely on the lunchbox and its contents. The Tesseract called to him, its cosmic energy pulsing like a heartbeat against his magical senses.
He cast a quick glance around. Everyone was distracted—Talos embracing his wife and child, Carol deep in conversation with Maria, and Fury keeping a watchful eye on the proceedings while maintaining a safe distance from the jubilant Skrulls.
No one was paying any attention to him.
Perfect time for some testing.
Arthur wouldn't make the same mistake twice. Direct contact with the Infinity Stone had nearly sent him hurtling across the universe. But there was another approach, one he recalled from the memories of his past life—the way the Sorcerer Supreme had used the Time Stone through the Eye of Agamotto, channeling and directing its power without touching it directly.
He closed his eyes, extending his magical awareness toward the Tesseract. Instead of grasping its power, he wove a delicate filament of his own magic—a bridge, a conduit through which the Stone's energy might flow in controlled amounts.
"Come on," he whispered, focusing intently. "Just a little connection."
At first, nothing happened. Then, like water finding a crack in a dam, a trickle of blue energy flowed along his magical construct. The sensation was extraordinary—not the overwhelming torrent he'd experienced before, but a steady stream that suffused his consciousness.
His innate magical abilities related to space—Apparition, expansion charms, even portal creation—suddenly felt more intuitive. The principles behind them crystallized in his mind with perfect clarity.
Arthur smiled to himself. With practice, he could channel the Space Stone's power without risk, perhaps even create artifacts that would allow him permanent access to a fraction of its abilities. A personal portal device, perhaps, or rings that could fold space between them...
Arthur ignored all the conversation around him and focused deeper. He began a tentative manipulation, trying to create a tiny portal to his room at the Slytherin dorms…
WHIRRRR-CLUNK!
The harsh, mechanical sound of heavy doors cycling open shattered his concentration. The nascent portal collapsed. Arthur quickly severed his connection to the Tesseract, his hand dropping casually to his side as he turned toward the sound.
Six figures in Kree Starforce armor entered the lab, weapons raised, fanning out with practiced efficiency. At their center walked Yon-Rogg, his golden armor immaculate, his handsome face rigid with cold authority.
His gaze fixed on Carol, sweeping over her new red-and-blue uniform with open disdain.
"Fraternizing with the enemy, Vers?" Yon-Rogg's voice was like ice shards. "And what have you done to your uniform?
"My name," Carol replied, her voice low but steady, "is Carol."
Arthur watched, calculating. Six Kree soldiers. Advanced weaponry. Vulnerable humans and Skrulls. Direct magical confrontation was too risky here. Better to let it play out.
"You seem confused," Yon-Rogg continued, stepping forward, his tone dripping with condescension. "These Skrull terrorists have twisted your mind."
"The only one twisting things was you," Carol retorted, anger flashing in her eyes. Her hands clenched. "You lied. About who I am. Where I came from."
"I made you the best version of yourself." Yon-Rogg's eyes held a disturbing possessiveness. "What you are, you owe to me. To the Kree."
Carol lunged, photon energy flaring around her fist. But Yon-Rogg anticipated it, touching a device on his belt. "What's given..."
Crackling blue energy erupted, wrapping around Carol like spectral chains. Her power sputtered, dimmed. She staggered, fighting against the invisible force draining her strength.
"...can be taken away," Yon-Rogg finished smugly.
"You didn't give me these powers," Carol gasped, struggling. "The blast did!"
"And yet," Yon-Rogg countered, stepping closer, "you can't control them."
Desperate, remembering Arthur's words, Carol clawed at the inhibitor on her neck. Her fingers slipped on the smooth metal.
Zap! An energy blast from Yon-Rogg's wrist struck her squarely. She collapsed, unconscious.
"Carol!" Maria cried out, moving forward instinctively.
"Don't!" Fury grabbed Maria's arm, pulling her back. "You can't help her now."
Arthur remained still. Patience, he reminded himself. This was not the time to act.
"Secure the target," Yon-Rogg commanded. Two soldiers lifted Carol's limp form. "Find the energy core. Search everywhere. Everyone."
The Kree moved through the lab like efficient machines, tearing apart equipment, searching the personnel. They patted down Fury, confiscating his gun with contempt. Maria yielded nothing.
They approached Arthur cautiously. He stood passively as they searched him. The Notice-Me-Not charm held; their hands brushed right over the lunchbox, finding nothing.
"No core, Commander," a soldier reported.
Yon-Rogg adjusted Carol's unconscious form over his shoulder. "No matter. Supreme Intelligence will clarify things for Vers soon enough." He nodded to the remaining Skrulls and humans. "Take them to the holding cells. Separate the Skrulls."
Most of the Kree, including Yon-Rogg, headed back towards their ship. Four guards remained, gesturing with their weapons. Arthur, Fury, Maria, and Goose were marched down one sterile corridor, while Talos and his family were escorted away in the opposite direction.
"Any bright ideas brewing back there, tour guide?" Fury whispered, scanning their surroundings.
"Several," Arthur murmured, feeling the reassuring weight of the lunchbox. "Timing, Fury. It's all about the timing."
They were shoved into a stark metal room. Bare walls, cold light. Before the door slid shut, one guard activated a scanner, running it over each captive.
The scanner passed over Goose. It emitted a series of frantic, high-pitched chirps. The guard stared at the display, eyes widening. "Species. Flerken. Threat level. HIGH."
The second guard immediately stepped forward, producing a complex-looking muzzle. With caution, he carefully fitted the device over the cat's head, securing it tightly. Goose merely blinked, seemingly unfazed.
Next, the scanner swept over Maria, then Fury. A single, dismissive beep for each. "Species. Human. Threat level. Low to none."
"That thing's busted," Fury grumbled, clearly insulted.
Finally, the guard pointed the scanner at Arthur. The device went silent for a tense moment, then it emitted a high-pitched, sustained alarm tone. "Species. Human. Threat Level: EXTREME. Recommended action. Eliminate Immediately"
The second guard's weapon leveled directly at Arthur's head. Fury and Maria spun around, staring at Arthur in shock.
"Something you want to tell us, tour guide?" Fury asked, his voice dangerously quiet.
The Kree guards exchanged terrified glances, fingers tightening on triggers. The air crackled with tension.
Arthur met the barrels of their weapons without flinching. A slow, dangerous smile spread across his face—utterly devoid of warmth. The harmless act vanished.
"Well," he said, his voice deceptively light, almost conversational. "I was going to let Carol do all the work and just spectate. But now..." His grin sharpened. "...looks like I'll have to step in."