The real Nova Corps finally arrived on the scene to find Mobius awaiting them. He led them to Sylvie and the Skrull, reverted to his natural form: green skin, pointed ears, a furrowed chin, and beady black eyes, dressed in a colorful Sakaaran suit with a red cape.

"Hey, there you are!" Mobius casually greeted. "As promised, my friend and I uncovered the true identity of your murderer for you and subdued him. Name's Muraitak the Skrull. Now, I could go on a long spiel about his story and motivation, but today we're gonna let him do that himself. Go on."

"Thousands of years ago, long before the Kree started this war, I was a Centurion in the Nova Corps. I was sent on a mission to a faraway world for reconnaissance, but I was caught in a wormhole that stranded me on Sakaar. I befriended the Sakaarans, was able to blend in with the nobility there to avoid fighting to the death against the Grandmaster's champion, and was making a good living with my winnings from wagering on the tournament he held. A good living, at least, until the Time Detectives overthrew the Grandmaster, freed all the imprisoned fighters, and ruined everything! So I took my chance to escape as well; I made my way back to Xandar alright, but little did I know it was now thousands of years in the future, and no one even knew of my existence! No one, that is, except Corpsman Senn, when I asked him: he was the first Corps member I met after returning. He told me all I needed to know: I killed him first and hid his body, so no one could trace my next killing to the real me. Then I shapeshifted into the detective that took away my easy life on Sakaar and killed the Centurion to get my Nova Force powers back."

"That's crazy: you could have just explained your situation to Nova Prime and had your powers and position restored! Why go on a killing spree?" Saal questioned.

"Because I don't want to be loyal to Xandar anymore, especially not after you let the Skrulls become scattered and vilified by the Kree! You were supposed to protect them! So, I decided I'm through with protecting Xandarians! Anyhow, I simmed the late Senn, keeping an eye on you, Mr. Paradox, so you wouldn't interfere with my plans. I never expected you to call in the blonde and a dragon, though!"

Sylvie smiled. "Only when there's criminal ass that needs kicking, and Loki's not around to kick it."

"So, when you were in the right position to frame Mr. Paradox as well, you brought Senn's corpse out from your hiding spot, leading us to believe he'd just been murdered!" Saal summarized. "I think that's as good a confession as any! Corpsmen, take him away!" They cuffed the still-enchanted Muraitak and took him into custody. "Mr. Paradox, I was wrong to falsely accuse and try to arrest you. If there's anything I can do to make it up to you, anything you need from us-"

"We need our Loki!" Mobius and Sylvie exclaimed in unison.

"Right, of course. I will personally take you to him and free him at once."

Saal led Mobius and Sylvie to the Kyln. He looked around for a guard to ask for Loki's exact whereabouts, but the guards surprisingly weren't at their posts. "That's peculiar: where is everyone? It's still hours from the execution time yet. They wouldn't-" He stopped when he noticed where the guards were, huddled around a very large group of prisoners of various species, many with menacing appearances. As they got closer, they heard what sounded like Loki's voice coming from the center of the room.

"And Thrym just gapes at him and says, 'Hey, what is this?! Certainly something is amiss with my bride!' So I tell him, 'That's no bride, that's my older brother!'" The other inmates and guards burst out laughing as Loki chuckled. "And then Thor struck everyone in the room with his hammer, except me, of course. True story! I still fit in into the dress I wore!"

"Hey Loki, the case is solved! You can come home now!" Sylvie announced.

"She's right! Loki Odinson is cleared of all charges, and the real murderer is coming shortly to take his place on the execution block!" Saal confirmed.

"And?" Mobius and Sylvie simultaneously pressed the Denarian.

"…And I give him my sincerest apologies for wrongfully arresting him and threatening him with the death penalty. Our evidence was false, and he was framed by the Skrull, Muraitak. That is all."

"A Skrull, huh? Then, ladies and gentlemen, I bid you farewell and good luck." Loki eagerly returned to his friends. Mobius filled him in on the details of the case, and Loki told him the information he'd discovered about their prank caller in return, as they left the prison. They then returned to the Nova Headquarters to receive their reward.

"Detectives, on behalf of the people of Xandar and the Nova Corps, I'd like to thank you for your services and once again offer our apologies for falsely accusing you of murder. As for your reward…"

"Yeah, could I get reimbursed for my poor destroyed jet ski, or just pick out a new one?" Mobius asked.

"I can do better than that. On top of your promised pay, it would be my pleasure to give you my own top-of-the-line model! It's not only the fastest and most luxurious, it's also extremely durable, made of nearly indestructible material! And yes, it also plays music."

Mobius's eyes lit up as he was offered the glorious jet ski. "Ohhh, thank you so much! Man, what a beautiful machine! We've gotta try it out right now!"

"And you, Mr. Odinson, is there something I can offer you as compensation?"

"Hm. Do you have any ice cream shops?"

"Yes, in the city center."

"That'll do."

"WOWWWWW! THIS IS AMAZING!" Mobius shouted over the roar of the speeding jet ski.

"AND INCREDIBLY FAST TOO!" Sylvie added.

"'TIS INDEED GLORIOUS!" Loki agreed.

"Ahahahaha, this is so much fun, especially when I'm not in a life-or-death chase! Now, let's see what tricks this baby can do!" Mobius flipped a switch, and the vehicle leapt into the air, skipping through the lake like a small stone. They waved at the other people out on the water as they rode the waves in a truly beautiful union of form and function. As their ride coursed along, Mobius's mind flashed back to eons of his life ago on Earth, speeding along the ocean, with a woman and a dark-haired boy holding onto him as they pointed out the ocean life. Mobius blinked, seeing Sylvie and Loki in their place, and smiled contentedly. "Just riding around on my jet ski, me and my family." Mobius fondly said. The trio of time travelers cheered and laughed merrily as they sped forward, riding into the Xandarian sunset.