MTS: Marvel and Beyond

Chapter 164: Chapter 164: Time Criminal

A sudden voice sounded behind the dark-skinned woman, B-15, causing her to stiffen. Her pores contracted, and the hairs on her body stood on end. After securing the time collar on Loki's neck, she rolled forward immediately, creating distance between herself and the stranger.

Raising her time baton defensively, she pointed it at the man and asked with caution: "Who are you?"

Alex smiled and replied, "Just a traveler..."

Before he could finish his sentence, other TVA agents attempted to ambush him, swinging their batons to alter his flow of time.

Though the TVA agents possessed strength comparable to that of Captain America, they were still far too weak to face Alex.

With a snap of his fingers, several agents froze in place, unable to move.

Seeing this, B-15's pupils contracted sharply. "You've stopped their time... Are you a fugitive time criminal?"

She instinctively stepped back, realizing the man before her was incredibly dangerous and likely beyond her capability to handle.

Alex's smile widened as he shook his head. "No, dear agent. The power of time doesn't belong solely to the TVA. When one's personal power reaches its peak, they can command time without relying on scientific devices."

B-15's expression grew more serious. The ability to manipulate time purely through personal strength, without using devices like the Time Stone or TVA equipment, was something she had never encountered in her centuries of service.

"Hey! What is this? Let me go!" Loki suddenly returned to normal time flow as the force restraining him dissipated. "Who are you people to dare attack the great God of Mischief? You're all utterly disgraceful!"

At this point, Loki was still the cunning, arrogant, and self-absorbed figure striving to prove himself—far from the future Loki who would become the God of Stories, willing to sacrifice himself for the multiversal order.

Enraged after being subdued by a strange group, Loki's pride was deeply wounded. Seeing that Alex and B-15 ignored his ranting entirely, his self-esteem took another hit. Gathering his magical energy, he prepared to launch an attack.

Before he could act, however, B-15 pressed a button on her controller, instantly resetting him to his original position. The magic Loki had gathered dissipated completely.

B-15 then struck Loki again with her baton, forcing his time flow back to one-sixteenth of its normal speed.

---

From the moment the TVA squad appeared, Alex began analyzing their technology.

He was impressed by their devices, including the time baton, collar, and controller. These tools gave Alex tremendous inspiration, allowing him to significantly enhance his own abilities to manipulate time flow using Blue and Red techniques.

Additionally, Alex had now developed the ability to absorb energy and create matter. With this newfound understanding, he could instantly replicate a device capable of traversing time and parallel dimensions, similar to TVA technology.

Admiringly, he remarked: n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"I must say, Kang the Conqueror, the creator of the TVA, is a genius. To control time and traverse parallel worlds using technology alone is truly remarkable!"

Hearing this, B-15 barked angrily:

"It seems your knowledge of the TVA is flawed! The TVA was created by the Time Keepers, not some Kang the Conqueror!"

Alex shrugged nonchalantly and didn't bother to argue: "Ah yes, yes, you're absolutely right. The TVA was created by those so-called Time Keepers, not Kang the Conqueror.

And of course, you've always been loyal employees of the TVA—never assassins, blood-soaked enforcers, or, heaven forbid, time criminals with your memories erased over and over again!"

"What are you talking about? Explain yourself!" B-15 frowned deeply, instinctively feeling that Alex's words held immense significance for her.

But Alex had no inclination to clear up her confusion. Instead of aimless acts of kindness, he found it far more amusing to stir up trouble. Without further explanation, he began walking toward the golden portal, casually saying to B-15: "Let's go. You still need to escort us time criminals for interrogation, don't you?"

After fully analyzing the TVA's technology, Alex had grasped their limits entirely.

To put it bluntly, until the God of Stories showed up, Alex was invincible in the TVA. Even within its walls, where extraordinary powers were supposed to be suppressed, he could still unleash his abilities.

After all, while artifacts like the Eternal Flame or the Casket of Ancient Winters might be restrained, forces like the Celestial Core and the Phoenix Force were entirely beyond the TVA's reach.

B-15 stared at Alex in shock.

Fully aware of his overwhelming strength, she had already steeled herself for death. But then, she heard something utterly unexpected—this enigmatic man intended to return to the TVA with her!

Her heart surged with joy.

After all, within the TVA, no one could use extraordinary powers. Although she didn't know what Alex was planning, she was certain he was walking straight into a trap!

Maintaining her composure, B-15 and the other TVA agents led Loki toward the portal, ignoring Alex entirely. They intended to deal with him once they were safely back in the TVA's domain.

One by one, the group stepped through the golden portal and entered the TVA.

It was as if they'd passed through an ordinary door and into another world.

Alex found himself in a dimly lit chamber. Ahead, a Skrull was being interrogated.

The moment they arrived, B-15 and the agents wasted no time. Tossing Loki aside, they lunged at Alex with full force.

These agents were formidable fighters. If Alex had truly been unable to use his extraordinary abilities, they might have overwhelmed him with their martial skills alone, forcing him to rely on sheer physical strength to defeat them.

But as Alex had expected, even in the TVA, his powers remained untouched.

With a snap of his fingers, time around B-15 and the agents froze once again. Their bodies were immobilized, though their consciousnesses remained active.

From their frozen expressions, it was clear they couldn't believe what was happening.

How could this mysterious man still wield his extraordinary powers?

Had the TVA's suppression systems failed?

Alex snapped his fingers again, breaking the silence with a wry smile:

"I trust you now understand the gap between us.

From here on, don't speak. Lead the way and help me take control of what is rightfully my TVA.

Oh, and you—don't even think about sneaking off."

He directed his gaze at Loki, who had been inching toward the exit.

Caught red-handed, Loki froze, his body stiff with tension. Attempting to wriggle out of the situation, he stammered: "Well, uh, sir, I don't think there's any need for me to tag along. After all, I know next to nothing about this TVA business, and I have pressing matters to attend to..."

Alex smiled mysteriously.

"No, this is your destiny. You must come along."

Afterward, Loki was processed as a time criminal. His clothing was disintegrated, replaced by the standard-issue prisoner uniform, and he underwent a series of bizarre registrations before being brought to meet the Judge.

Alex, however, was escorted by B-15 and other agents via the "employee channel," bypassing the usual interrogation procedures and arriving directly at the Judge's chambers.

When Alex and Loki finally reunited, they were escorted together by B-15 and the agents toward the courtroom. Along the way, dozens of TVA employees were stationed along the path, standing ready in a heavily guarded formation.

Clearly, by now, word of Alex's presence had spread. The TVA was fully aware of this anomaly—someone who could still use extraordinary powers within their domain.

Loki's face turned slightly pale. He subtly distanced himself from Alex, glancing toward him and muttering:

"Hey, buddy, it looks like they're not exactly thrilled about us being here. If they catch us, I doubt things will end well.

How about we work together, you know—mutual benefit? Let's get out of this cursed place together!"

Loki, fully aware of Alex's power, still didn't know that extraordinary abilities couldn't normally be used within the TVA. He figured that if they teamed up, escaping would be well within reach.

But Alex simply shook his head with a smile: "No. When the time comes, I'll leave on my own. But you, my friend—you need to stay here. This place needs you."

Loki couldn't make sense of Alex's cryptic words, but he realized that the mysterious man had no intention of collaborating with him.

For the TVA, this was an unprecedented event.

In all the countless years of its existence, the TVA had never been in such a state of chaos.

Today was destined to be different.

The TVA, which governed countless parallel universes, was now dealing with an intruder—a time criminal who had invaded their sanctum.

What shocked them even more was that their advanced systems couldn't retrieve any meaningful information about the intruder. The only record they could find was the name "Alex" from one particular universe, along with details of his incredible exploits there. Beyond that, they had nothing.

This left the TVA bewildered and fearful. Who was this intruder? How had he accomplished this?

The initial response team consisted of a few dozen agents, but as time passed, their numbers grew steadily.

By the time Alex and Loki were escorted into the courtroom, nearly the entire TVA staff had gathered there. All eyes were on the two of them, their expressions solemn and wary.

Loki, unnerved by the sheer scale of the assembly, was visibly shaken. Though he prided himself on being the God of Mischief, even he couldn't maintain his composure in this bizarre space.

Trying to lighten the mood, Loki leaned toward Alex and whispered:

"Hey, buddy, are you sure you won't reconsider my plan? I mean, look at them—they look like they're ready to tear us apart."

Before Alex could respond, the Judge seated above them banged her gavel and barked:

"Order!"

Loki immediately stopped talking and began scanning the room, calculating the best route for an escape.

Judge Ravonna Renslayer looked down at the two of them from her elevated position and said calmly, "Time criminals Loki and Alex, you are charged with violating Sequence 7-20-89. What do you have to say in your defense?"

Loki hesitated, hoping Alex would speak first. However, Alex was busy curiously examining the three statues behind Ravonna and showed no intention of responding.

With no other choice, Loki sighed and spoke: "Madam, a god doesn't plead! This absurd drama is amusing, but I have more important matters to attend to. I'll be leaving now!"

Ravonna, of course, had no intention of letting him go. As their debate heated up, Loki tried to shift the blame onto the Avengers but failed. Left with no other option, he decided to act.

He shot a glance at Alex, hoping for assistance, but Alex remained motionless. As two TVA agents approached to escort him away, Loki spread his arms wide and exclaimed dramatically: "My crime? It's this!"

He clenched his fists and attempted to summon his magic.

Loki had already identified the perfect escape route. If he could just create chaos with his magic, even without Alex's help, he was confident he could slip away.

But when he tried to channel his energy, nothing happened.

No, stay calm, he thought. It's just like when I was a child—sometimes spells fail. I just need to focus.

Slowly, deliberately, Loki attempted again. He gathered his magical energy, formed the spell in his mind, and tried to unleash it.

Still nothing.

He tried once more.

And failed again.

The surrounding TVA agents couldn't contain their laughter, watching Loki like he was a jester performing a comedy routine. Embarrassed and increasingly frustrated, Loki stammered: "Wait... just give me a moment..."

"Don't push me!"

Despite his growing desperation, he could not activate any magic.

Judge Ravonna, smirking, leaned forward and asked with mock curiosity, "What is he doing?"

B-15, struggling to suppress her laughter, replied as seriously as she could, "Ma'am, it appears he's attempting to use his powers."

After countless failed attempts, Loki finally gave up. He looked bewildered and muttered to himself:

"Why the hell isn't this working?"

Ravonna's smirk deepened into a mocking smile. "Magical powers? They don't work here, Mr. Laufeyson. This court finds you guilty and sentences you to reset. Next case!"

But her smug expression faltered when Loki's outburst followed:

"This is ridiculous! It's not fair! Why can't I use magic, but Alex can still use his powers? You bureaucratic clowns! Not only do you arrest people without cause, but you also play favorites. You have no right to decide my fate!"

At Loki's words, the laughter from the TVA staff instantly died. An uncomfortable silence filled the room.

Punishing Loki wasn't the real challenge—he was merely the opening act.

The real problem was still standing next to him.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

Alex strode forward, brushing aside the two agents trying to restrain Loki. He looked up at Ravonna with a mocking smile and said:

"Well said!

How utterly absurd—time criminals with wiped memories pretending to be righteous while aiding the true villains in destroying countless parallel universes and erasing billions of lives.

When did criminals get the right to judge other criminals? Don't you agree, dear Ravonna?"

The room erupted in shock.

All the TVA agents broke into hushed discussions, unsettled by Alex's words.

However, as the initial chaos subsided, the agents regrouped, responding with loud jeers and mocking Alex. They accused him of fabricating lies to avoid punishment.

Yet, beneath their harsh voices, who could say whether some of them weren't trying to drown out their own doubts and fears?

°°°

Hungry for more chaps? Then check out our pătreon!

Link: /BaphometFiction

I post 20 advanced Chapters of this fanfic there.