Chapter Text
The Cosmic Cube flashed and then turned as black, and as cold as the deepest reaches of space. Several puzzled Elders stared in amazement at the blackened cube. A tremendous roar erupted at the gates! Black Bolt led a horde of cheering Inhumans into the Arena of Judgement. Galactus had vanished!
“It cannot be…” The Grandmaster muttered angrily.
“Again we have failed.” answered the Gardener. “the Cube depleted itself before Galactus fell.”
“Brothers, we cannot win all the time.” The Runner stated as a good-natured and wide grin spread across his boyish face. “Perhaps we should leave here.”
“Not before i congratulate our opponents on a contest well fought,” The Champion began. “Mortals, there are few beings who can match wits with we-who-cannot-die. This victory is rightfully yours.”
The Elders then disappeared.
Medusa approached. “The Cosmic Cube is secure, Attilan still stands, and Galactus is gone, accept our humble thanks; we are safe once again.”
Uatu appeared before Medusa. “Perhaps, and perhaps not. But, these mortals have fought well and deserve the gratitude of many races more than the Inhumans.”
It was then that the Guardians realized they had other matters to attend to as a full Kree fleet had just came into view above Attilan. After receiving a message from Sentry robot 9168, the Kree dispatched a hastily constructed fleet to Attilan to retrieve their stolen cube. When a commando team was unable to recover the cube and only a broken robot from Trista’s tomb, it was decided the Kree would attempt to intimidate the Inhumans. “Attention, Inhuman scum! The Kree empire has come to reclaim its stolen property. Unless you return our Cosmic Cube to us, we will level your entire precious city. You have 10 seconds to respond.”
When the Guardians agreed to help the Inhumans with the Kree threat, the Inhumans graciously decline needing any assistance. They claim to negotiate using the deadened Cosmic Cube as a bartering tool. As the Guardians of the Galaxy board a ship to travel back to the Alpha Flight space station, they watch the result of the Inhumans handing over a useless and blackened Cube. The Kree’s retaliation was met with the truly awe-inspiring and devastating power of Black Bolt, the king of Inhumans who destroyed the entire Kree fleet. The Guardians watch the ships exploding like fireworks in the distance as they flew through the remaining dust particles and meteorites of Ego towards the space station.