"Lockhart, I confess I know little about Captain Marvel. What course of action would you recommend?"
Grindelwald's voice carried a note of uncharacteristic deference as he addressed his fellow wizard. Lockhart stood beside him, regarding the frozen forms of Nick Fury and the Skrulls with profound weariness.
In truth, S.H.I.E.L.D. itself meant little to Lockhart—the organization's capabilities paled in comparison to his magical prowess. What concerned him was the connection between Fury and Carol Danvers, the cosmic-powered human who could shatter stars with her bare hands. For her sake alone, Lockhart had consistently avoided direct confrontation with S.H.I.E.L.D., limiting his interventions to eliminating the HYDRA infestation lurking within its ranks.
From Lockhart's perspective, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s schemes and operations were childish machinations—barely worthy of notice, let alone concern. Their global influence, however, provided occasional utility. When mundane tasks required attention, a modest application of resources could persuade the organization to handle such matters discreetly.
In essence, S.H.I.E.L.D. represented nothing more than a labor force with unusually extensive resources—hardly deserving of serious strategic consideration.
Which made the current situation all the more vexing. This mortal organization, previously deemed beneath his notice, had somehow blundered into matters of profound magical significance.
"Gellert, are there additional Skrulls beyond those residing in this village?" Lockhart inquired directly.
His knowledge of the shape-shifting species remained incomplete, drawn primarily from fragmentary film memories from his previous life. The Captain Marvel movie had provided some context, but many details remained unclear.
"Indeed," Grindelwald replied. "According to the memories I extracted, a substantially larger settlement exists on the far side of the Moon. Many Skrulls have found sanctuary there."
Lockhart's gaze shifted to Talos, still frozen in the form of his student. His mind worked rapidly, evaluating the complexities of their current predicament.
The situation was neither catastrophic nor trivial—primarily, it was entangling. Yet from another perspective, these Skrulls represented a potentially valuable resource. Their mimetic abilities transcended mere physical replication; they had successfully simulated wizarding bloodlines and magical energy patterns with astonishing accuracy.
Such capabilities explained their former status as galactic conquerors. The strategic applications were immediately evident.
Grindelwald observed Lockhart's contemplative silence without interruption. Instead, he focused his attention on Talos with undisguised fascination. While Nick Fury, despite his unique position, remained merely a Muggle, these alien entities warranted serious consideration.
Both wizards recognized the immense potential value these shape-shifters represented.
Suddenly, Lockhart broke his silence. "Gellert, have you conducted research regarding wizarding bloodlines? What conclusions have you reached?"
The question might have seemed abrupt, but recent events had brought this subject to the forefront of Lockhart's mind. Just days earlier, his discussion with the Ancient One had touched upon this very topic. Though his theories had not earned the Sorcerer Supreme's explicit approval, the pointed reminder had been clear.
Bloodlines.
When they had first met, the Ancient One had specifically directed Lockhart's attention toward wizarding bloodlines. His initial investigations had yielded few results, causing his focus to drift elsewhere. But the Ancient One's recent emphasis suggested significance he had overlooked—prompting Lockhart to reorient his research accordingly.
"Bloodlines?" Grindelwald echoed, momentarily surprised by the apparent non sequitur. Nevertheless, he had conducted extensive research on this subject in his youth and could speak with authority.
"The wizarding bloodline has inspired numerous theoretical frameworks," he began thoughtfully. "The predominant theory suggests our lineage descends from ancient beings who achieved transcendence during primordial winters."
"This foundation explains the current distinction between pure-blood and mixed-blood wizards. Pure-blooded individuals generally demonstrate superior talent and often manifest unique magical affinities."
Grindelwald's expression grew more animated as he continued. "However, despite centuries of investigation, the only conclusively documented aspect remains pure wizard bloodlines themselves."
His voice took on a slight edge of frustration. "I once attempted to introduce wizarding blood to ordinary Muggles, hoping to produce even Squibs—individuals with magical awareness but limited casting ability. These experiments uniformly failed."
"The only successful hybridization occurs through natural reproduction between Muggles and wizards. Some unknown force appears to regulate magical transference between our kinds."
Lockhart nodded thoughtfully, absorbing this information.
Simultaneously, Grindelwald's gaze returned to Talos, a new light of understanding dawning in his eyes. He seemed to grasp the direction of Lockhart's thinking.
"How do you propose we handle these S.H.I.E.L.D. operatives?" Grindelwald asked, shifting focus to their more immediate concern.
"What choice do we have? We cannot simply eliminate them," Lockhart replied with clear frustration. "We'll modify their memories—remove all knowledge of the Skrulls."
He gestured toward Talos. "We'll relocate the remaining subjects to the Vientiane World for safekeeping and further research."
Nick Fury, still immobilized, displayed no fear at this pronouncement. His eyes remained fixed on the two wizards, calculating and defiant to the last, though he surely recognized that his continued existence stemmed solely from his connection to powerful allies.
Without that protection, his fate might have mirrored HYDRA's devastating elimination.
Despite their paralysis, Coulson and Natasha felt a measure of relief wash over them. Survival, however compromised, offered possibilities that death did not.
"Omnia Quantum Videri!"
With practiced precision, Lockhart executed the complex wandwork of his most refined memory charm. Silvery-white light erupted from his wand, taking on an almost sentient quality as it flowed into the minds of Fury, Coulson, and Natasha.
The magical energy moved with purpose—seeking, identifying, and methodically excising specific memory chains with surgical precision.
Within moments, the silvery light withdrew from their consciousness, coalescing into luminous spheres that floated gently into Lockhart's outstretched palm. He closed his fingers around these memory orbs, then opened his hand to reveal nothing—the extracted memories had been banished to non-existence.
The S.H.I.E.L.D. agents now stared forward with vacant expressions, their eyes unfocused and minds temporarily adrift.
Next, Lockhart raised his right hand and extended it with deliberate intent.
Bzzt!
Under Grindelwald's watchful gaze, a distinctive energy pattern manifested—familiar yet alien. The bodies of Fury and his agents transformed into prismatic light before dissolving completely, transported elsewhere by Lockhart's will.
Dream magic, Grindelwald recognized.
Without pausing, Lockhart raised his wand skyward. Multicolored dream magic erupted from its tip, expanding rapidly overhead.
A vast phantasmal landscape materialized above them—an ethereal reflection containing rolling grasslands, majestic mountains, and winding rivers. This spectral realm slowly descended, encompassing everything below.
Grindelwald observed with quiet appreciation, understanding the dual purpose of Lockhart's display. Beyond merely relocating the entire Skrull village to the Vientiane World, Lockhart was sending a subtle message: many beings in this new reality wielded power beyond Grindelwald's comprehension.
Before such forces, even accomplished wizards were insignificant—much as Lockhart himself appeared at this moment.
Bzzt!
The phantom landscape enveloped everything, absorbing the physical reality into the dream realm. Energy patterns shifted, becoming indistinct. The sunlight, grass, buildings—all transformed into ethereal echoes of themselves before fading entirely.
Within seconds, Grindelwald found himself staring into empty darkness where the Skrull village had stood moments before. He considered, with academic interest, the precise dimensional coordinates where Lockhart had relocated the community.
"Gellert," Lockhart said with a hint of anticipation in his voice, "shall we take a journey to the Moon?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Support me at p@treon.com/goldengaruda and check out more than 60 chapter of this or more early access chapter of my other fanfic translation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~