Sophia Holmes and the Inexplicable Matchbox (Sherlock/Marvel Fanfic) *Completed*

Chapter Three

"That ... is quite something," dad says.

"What is it?" John asks.

"It's some kind of ... bioluminescent worm," I explain. "But it's much brighter than anything I've seen."

"Could it be one of Baskerville's?"

"No, worse. Fury said it was one of HYDRA's experiments, so it must be a weapon of some sorts."

"Isaac Persano couldn't speak and was completely out of his mind," dad says thoughtfully. "Perhaps the creature has some sort of mind control?"

"Or Persano was just suffering from an extreme case of PTSD," John suggests.

"But then why would we have the case?" I point out. "I've seen mind control before - been under its influence. It definitely has the power to turn people insane, but there's only one thing I know that is that strong." But it can't be that. S.H.I.E.L.D still has that ... unless HYDRA took it during the uprising.

"Loki's sceptre?" dad asks, and I nod.

"Loki, Doctor Selvig, Agent Barton, me and a handful of others were all being controlled by something known as the mind stone," I explain. "It's one of six gems that, when used together, would give the bearer powers akin to a God." And so far, I've encountered three of them. "But the stone doesn't give those under its power the ability to control others by themselves, so either the worm is the stone which is unlikely, or something has acted as an enabler or catalyst to allow it to mimic the powers of the stone."

"But what?" John asks.

"No idea," I admit. "But it only has power over you if you touch it. Flesh to flesh - that's the only way it'll work."

"What kind of mind control can a worm inflict?" John asks, a smile rising on his lips.

"Not much," dad replies, not returning the smile. "The consciousness of the worm would be reflected back onto the victim rendering them practically catatonic." John's smile drops. "No wonder Persano went insane."

"The perfect weapon," I say, rubbing my forehead. "We can't hand the worm back over to Fury until we know what the other component is. We're going to need to need a lab."

"We can't take it to Bart's," dad points out. "It's too high-risk."

"I know someone who might be able to help," I reply. John looks at me questioningly, but I don't answer and take out my phone. "Tony, hi. Listen, I need your help."