[SI] A Harsh Self Reality Check (Thing & Captain Marvel)

[John Kilroy]

Carol sat at the bar enjoying herslf sipping on her virgin pina colada. She had made a promise to herself that she was going to take more breaks and try to be friendly again...be herself again. She had realized recently the undeniable truth that she was a screw up an absolute mess, and while she was sure that everyone of her friends or rather ex-friends could have told her that. somrimes one needed a self-reality check. One thing was clear howerver. She hated what she was, what she became. 

Now she was reaping the consequences of her actions she was alone listening to the bar music, the song made her wince a little as the lyrics of it felt a little pointed. It's as if the universe itself was telling her she was a massive screw up A fraud, a bad guy, an anti-hero, the source of all her own problems.


so one could only imagine when she saw a familiar man of rocks. She waved at him giving him a joyful grin mouthing a hello and inviting him to take a seat next to her. She hadn't had many interactions with him, so she hadn't had the opportunity to pee him off...maybe...hopefully? Oh, who was she kidding she was the face of SRA enforcement. EVERYONE hated her. Still, she was desperately waving the Thing over. She just wanted someone to talk to.

[Rift]

Ben Grimm entered the bar determined to try and relax even if just for a little bit. The situation with the Fantastic Four had been strained for a while now and that meant he had tried to keep himself busy as best he could. When Sue Storm and he parted ways with Reed over his support of the SRA, Ben had tried to stay out of the ensuing fisticuffs between the superhero community to varying degrees of success. In the aftermath, with both the Avengers and the Fantastic Four not what they were and a number of friends and allies now considered criminals for refusing to comply with registration, membership with either team was a double-edged sword. That didn't mean he could sit back and do nothing, not with all the bad things happening in the world, and so he'd accepted working as something of a freelance agent for S.H.I.E.L.D. which meant he'd been involved in various ops to some degree or another. Unlike hanging with the Four there was rarely any downtime between missions.

Guess that's to be expected. The Four, we're not just a team, but a family. All these acronym and alphabet agencies though? They don't seem to believe in things like rest, relaxations, or even turning off yer communicator, he thought sadly.

Truth was it wasn't the workload that bothered him so much as feeling as if the missions left him a little hollow. Sure he was helping people, maybe even saving lives, but the endless sea of blue and white uniforms and spy craft experts meant he barely had time to learn any names. They other agents were skilled and some were terrific people, but in the end they were coworkers. Not friends and definitely not family. It made the job more taxing.

Yeesh, listen to me whinin' and cryin' 'bout work folks not being besties with me. I guess it is just weird cause when you get down to it, I'm a regular Kevin Bacon of the hero world. I always know someone or have worked with someone who knows another. Even if it is just at a glance! Feels weird throwing myself into work and not even being familiar with the guys and gals fighting alongside ya!

Because those feelings had been growing and since he had finally received a few hours away from it all he thought he'd treat himself to a night out. Some good bar grub while he kicked back and watched whatever game might be on was just the kind of mind clearing nonsense that he needed.

It was then that he noticed someone over at the bar. Unlike other patrons who were looking at him either in shock or fumbling to take a picture on their phones, the woman was waving at him and motioning him over. Lifting the brim of his fedora he instantly recognized Carol Danvers. He'd worked with her a time or two before and even if they were not the most bosom of buddies, he liked her. Aside from being a fellow pilot, she'd put her life on the line same as any other hero brave enough to tackle the dark forces of the world. And since she'd been to space a number of times, he knew that she and the Four had some friends and enemies in common.

Shucks, I remember when she was Ms. Marvel. Used to chat with Sharon about her from time to time. Can't imagine things have been easy for her, not since she kickstarted the events that led to the whole registration mess, he thought.

Carefully moving his way past other patrons he took a seat next to her, wincing as the barstool crumpled a bit under his weight.

"Heya Danvers! Nice to see a friendly face and always a pleasure to sit with a genuine Avenger!" he said, smiling wide. "Heh, been a moment or so since we was able to catch up. How are you doin' Cap?"

It was then that he realized there was a drink in hand. He'd heard from others, sometimes in whispers, that Carol and Stark shared a particular weakness for the bottle. If she was here tossing her sobriety out, he could take a good guess how the stress of what happened in Texas and the fallout thereof had taken on her.

Of all the places I coulda picked to walk into tonight, it happens to be this one! Looks like she could use a sympathetic ear and what else is the Idol of Millions for but to help out his fellow crestfallen super types when the chips are down?

[John Kilroy]

"Oh please don't call me Captain Marvel. J-just Carol please." She circled a finger around the rim. "As for how I'm doing, I'm just an absolute mess, managed to chase away all my friends and I've proven to be an absolute jerk....*Sigh* I'm a screw-up...I'm a screw-up I'm a screw-up I'm a screw-up!!! I let myself be mind raped by the shadow king and destroy McKinny as a result, I try to do the right thing by backing the SRA and then Hellzone and the devilgate riots happen. Every time I try to do something right I just make things worse!" tears started to fall from her eyes.

"I've seen the way they look at me. They see me as a pretender an insane zealot and a crusader who doesn't deserve the mantel she's taken...and honestly. They're right."

She sighs. "I advocated and enforced the SRA because I was trying to see the bigger picture, and help humanity prepare for the galactic stage, a new upcoming age, but what I didn't understand or at least forgot about humans is that to them the biggest picture is only as beautiful as the smallest drop of paint. People will unite but they value themselves and each other enough to where will not sacrifice themselves and their principles for the sake of that unity. On the service, people seem weak and disorganized on the surface, but try to challenge them and they are an unstoppable wall of resolve. It's. Admirable to be honest...and here I am trying to destroy that...and to who's benefit really? 

She took another drink.

"The Superhero Registration Act was a mistake. That's all there is to it. That's what my heart tells me. The problem is I'm torn between my faith and duty...and my heart."

Carol looked up to Ben and had a slight smirk.

"You know the book of Revelation, mainly Revelation 20:4-6?"

[Rift]

Ben listened to her, trying to keep his expression as stone-like as his skin.

Looks like I was right. She's hurtin' and I think she might even be a bit tipsy. All dat built up guilt can really do a number on a person. Heck, she's had one too many to the point she almost sounds like one of those mooks that are always goin' on and on 'bout taking over the world! But dat must be how it feels to her, like she is the bad guy after all the stuff that's gone down. She got so caught up in trying to redeem herself, to prove she ain't evil just 'cause of what that creep Shadowking had her do, she embraced what must of seemed like the only way to fix things, he thought.

"Rings a bell. Sumthin' 'bout those that don't take the Mark of the Beast I think?" he replied in answer to her question about the passage.

He knew he had read it at least once, but being Jewish he hadn't really committed it all to memory. If he was right, it concerned him where her line of thinking was going. Was she comparing her supporting the SRA to accepting the Mark of the Beast? Were these just ramblings because she was drinking again for the first time in a long while? He wasn't sure.

"C'mon Carol, I know stuff has been rough, has been fer lots of folks, but yer friends must know you ain't ta blame. Mind control stuff is part of this whole hero business. Dat Texas stuff is on Shadowking, not you, and if it hadn't been you it woulda been someone else. Registration has been in the old government pipeline for ages. They just needed an excuse to get it rollin' and you were a convenient excuse," he told her.

Reaching over he picked up a small dish of peanuts on the bar as delicately as he could and tossed them back. Chewing, he thought over what to say next. It was hard to convince someone determined to shoulder the blame for something that they were not at fault. He knew from experience that just saying it didn't change feelings.

She'd get along just great with the Webhead, he thought. He collects guilt like I did baseball cards as a tyke.

"And if this is about following old Shellhead's lead, that's on him. He founded the Avengers and like Stretcho thinks he had the biggest brain in every room so it only makes sense so many believed in him. 'Sides if just working fer Stark makes ya guilty, even Aunt Petunia's favorite nephew is in fer some lashes. I may not of followed the tin man into brawling with other heroes, but lemme tell ya sister, it ain't been no ballpark knowing he's technically my boss long as I am workin' fer S.H.I.E.L.D." he explained. "Heck, I ain't no big brain like Reed and Susie, but if Ol' Blue Eyes had ta guess I'd say Tony's doin' the same thing you are and tryin' to make up fer past sins by doin' what he think is the opposite of how he was in the bad old days."

[John Kilroy]

Carol shook her head. "Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. Many Religions and empires have prophecies similar to this. Christians, Skrulls, Shi'ar...and they all share the same root, a prophecy of a vast galactic empire where peace, prosperity, and freedom rein for an innumerable amount of time with Earth at the center of it all. Kind of makes you wonder what makes this blue marble in the middle of the vastness of the cosmos so special huh?"


Carol took another sip of her drink. "Up until very recently I always considered myself a very religious person, and I guess...After everything I've seen and everything I've gone through. I guess there was a part of me that became delusional Like it was somehow part of my duty to fulfill this overarching prophecy of unification so that we could be prepared for literally any threat that came our way. Ultron, Galactus, The Symbiotes, The Brood, because if WE didn't unite the world, some other entity from the vast reaches of the galaxy would, and they would be a lot more... malevolent about it but...The Registration act isn't a harbinger of unity. It's been a harbinger of destruction. Is unity truly worth it if it's brought by the use of force, deception, and betrayal? Is it worth losing your honor, your self-respect, your friends?

she took another drink. "I don't know what I believe anymore. and no I'm not drunk this is a virgin pina colada, I'm just feeling MIGHTY LOW."

[Rift]

"Well, I dunno about all that. Every time the Four have run into the Skrulls we didn't exactly have theological discussions. I got the impression they are more barbarian than philosopher. They just came off as another bunch of space jerks trying to conquer everyone they thought of as weaker. Same kind of bullies and tyrants we got down here, but a little uglier and able to hit a heck of a lot harder," he responded.

He briefly flashed back to one of the many times he'd knocked the Super-Skrull for a loop and tried not to smile. They were hard fights, but worthwhile ones.

"Faith is a good thing Care Bear. Everyone that has it struggles at some point and starts ta ask questions, but dats just part of being human, mutant, er whatever ya are. And makin' mistakes is part of it too. A bit of introspection is good, but it don't mean you gotta give up on what you believe. Sure, you made some choices that didn't pan out. We all do, especially in this business, but you gotta brush yerself off, stand up, and do better next time," he said.

As the bartender neared he smiled and said, "Nothin' hard fer me pal. Just give me a sody pop and bring me some of dem spicy chicken wings. Five or six helpin's oughta do."

Much as he had been planning to kick back with a brewski he didn't feel right drinking in front of Carol, not as down as she was and especially not if she'd been resisting temptation by going for a non-alcoholic drink.

"So maybe you got a bit full of yerself, thinkin' you could play a big role in some cosmic design. Reed and Stark both think they are smarter than anyone else and always have the answers. Tony thinks it is on him to save the world and he's a long history of trying to do what he thinks is right only fer it to blow up in his face later. Stretch get's so up in his own head he comes off as cold and has ta be reminded that his big brain don't give him the right to act for everyone else as if they'd just understand. Thor thinks he's an actual genuine god and ends up biting off more than even he can chew at times. And old Jade Jaws gets so full of himself he might actually believe he's stronger than the Idol of Millions!" he said, trying to make a point while also lightening the mood.

Taking a swig from the soda that was set down in front of him, careful not to crush the can, he savored the cola before continuing.

"Point is even the best of us can get caught up in believing our own hype. Don't mean our faith is wrong, just our thinkin' when it comes to where we fit in the grand plan, but our importance ain't fer us to decide. I like to think we all need a little humbling now and then. And you know what Reed, Tony, and even Banner all have in common beyond ego's bigger than Galactus' backside? They make mistakes, they feel bad, and then they pick themselves up, dust themselves off, and decide to do and be better. Its what sets 'em apart from the Vick Dooms of the world. So the SRA was a mistake? Lots of folks, including a certain bum from Yancy Street, have been sayin that since jump. Know what ya do now dat you are seein' the light? You find a way to bring people together that don't involve lockin' 'em up and expecting obedience. Do it the way another Captain we both know would. You gotta inspire 'em. Don't just tell 'em how things will be better if everyone cooperates, show 'em. Reach out to the Defenders and others. Mend some fences and show the world what us super types can do when we play on the same team."

Finishing the soda he set it down and reached out, his massive hand resting gently on her shoulder.

"I'm tellin' ya Carol, one flyin' ace to another, you are in a position to do this better than almost anyone. Rogers opposed it from the start so sayin' it again now is like putting oldies on repeat. Tony is so committed to the cause and beholden to politicians and red tape that he can't back out now and not just because admitting he was wrong is to Iron Man what pullin' teeth without anesthetic is fer regular folks. But you? You flew the bird head-on into the flames and so far you've been able to pull ahead of the bandits on yer tail, but the canyon wall is ahead. But you can pull up and plot a new flight plan. It's gonna be hard, but if anyone can do it, it's you. And you'd be showin' all the other folks on both sides that there can be a different way."

Taking a bite out of some of the food he'd ordered, he shrugged. "But what do I know? I'm just a yutz from Yancy Street with a purty face."

[John Kilroy]

Carol couldn't help but grin. "Now hold on. As far as I know, the Skrulls didn't force their enemies to turn into cows and then break thier minds to make them believe they actually were cows...and then said brainwashed cows almost get sent to the slaughterhouse All thanks to a certain leader of the Fantastic 4. They didn't...thankfully but that didn't stop rumors in the government for a while of skrulls cows tainting the meat supply. in fact, I'd like to thank Reed Richards for swearing me off beef from Earth. For all I know, anytime I order a burger or a steak I might accidentally be eating someone's Cousin Vinnie who was kidnapped, transformed, and brainwashed into a cow!"

She laughed. She was joking around somewhat BUT any form of identity death did freak her out. Not even her worst enemies deserved such a fate.

"Not that I have any sympathy in particular for the Skrulls, but. Something about that level of brainwashing just...freaks me ouit.  to be unable to distinguish yourself from the mask you've been forced to take up, to be unable to know which perception of you is real and what isn't, To be changed down to your very soul, your real self almost completely extinguished never to be seen again even in the afterlife..."

Carol shuttered. 

"I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy."

She took a drink. 

"I can tell you this. The Skurlls and the Kree have had a rivalry that has lasted for eons. From what I know of the Skrulls, they...they weren't always like how we know them now. They were once a proud warrior race. They started out as peaceful until the Kree reversed engineered Skrull technology and attacked the Skrulls planet. After that day the Skrulls came to believe that there were two kinds of beings in the galaxy...the conquerors...and the conquered. So the Skrulls chose to be conquerors they created a vast empire that spanned thousands of galaxies and millions of wars. But like all empires, their empire fell...when that empire died, I guess that warrior spirit, that sense of honor died with it. Life traumatized them. I guess in that small way I can relate."

she took another drink. "Remember when I said that the Skrulls have a similar prophecy to Revelations from what I remember translated into English it goes something like this.

"And the Great Eater shall come and blot out the sun and undo the world in a Great Wave but do not dismay, Rejoice for you shall find hope in the Milky Way Galaxy, a world of blue will be the home for all that believe, for the Terrans and the Skrulls shall unite into a mighty kingdom that cannot be conquered either by those of the stars or those of Hell, and they shall bring about a golden age that shall last a thousand generations for all that believe. This has been written for Kly'bn loves you."

Carol took another drink. "Is it true? Well... I mean, every religion thinks that it's the true religion, but I'm sure the Zelots believe it to be true. Still I can't help but wonder. Can a zealot be so tunnel-visioned that they misunderstand or miss the point entirely? Is that how I lost my own way?"

she couldn't help but smile and blush when the Thing referred to himself as a simple Yutz. She rubbed the side of his cheek.

"Ben, Ben look at me look at me. You are not a Yutz. You're one of the strongest most noble warriors I've ever met...and an even nobler friend. Your heart is as tender as your body is strong, and everyone would do well to follow your example. I hope the Lord Blesses you as he did Jacob...with many children and a blessed life" She gave him a kiss on the cheek, an affectionate one but not a flirty one. She didn't want to do anything else for fear of offending him or Alicia Masters. 

"Sorry, If I'm so sappy and poetic...whew if I act like this sober, Imagine how I'd act drunk." she blushed.

*Writer's Note: I'm not joking. the cow thing DID happen. see: Fantastic Four #2



  

[Rift]

There were times, few as they may be, that Ben Grimm truly appreciated his rocky exterior. Times like this when the orange stone-like skin helped cover the fact that he was blushing. Sure he called himself the "Idol of Millions" in a joking manner, but every now and again he'd meet someone that genuinely looked past the monstrous outside and appreciated him for him. Coming from someone else in the crime fighting business made it even more surreal.

Always gets ta me, but I ain't gettin' a big head over it. It's just nice ta know I'm making an impact on folks, he thought.

"D'awww shucks Danvers, ya almost got me misty eyed over here," he replied, genuinely grateful for the compliment.

Turning to look at her, he shook his head.

"Back in the early days we was all just makin' it up as we go, Stretcho included. Reed likes ta seem like he's always calm, cool, and collected but for as big a brain as he has he's still human. Might be a mile ahead of you and me, but now and then these whacko situations pop up that even his best Einstein impersonation ain't up for and he has ta come up with something on the fly. I'd like ta think that given a chance to do things over he'd of come up with a better solution than turnin' folks into a bunch of future Happy Meals," he responded.

Of course I can't swear to it. There are times I just don't get my old pal anymore, 'specially since he signed on to team Iron Jerk, he thought.

Reaching out he gently laid a massive hand on her shoulder.

"Carol, lemme tell ya, mistakes have been made all around. Everyone makes 'em, but the consequences weigh all that much heavier when ya have powers and take on the responsibility of protectin' the public. And there ain't a person alive, powered or not, 'dat hasn't gotten a little full of themselves and believed their own hype only to have it come back and kick 'em in the backside. The important part is not being defined by those mistakes, paying attention to that kick, and doin' better afterwards. So maybe you got caught up in thinkin' yer the hero and the only one that can fix stuff. Like I said before Reed does it. Stark could practically write a book series about it. Heck even yours truly has done it. Long as you realize the story ain't about you and do better next time, it makes mistakes worth it. Only time all hope is lost is if ya refuse to learn from 'em and keep repeating 'em. Dat's what makes us different than Doomsie, Moleman, and them other jerks. We admit we goofed and we do better the next time."

Signaling the bartender for a refill he shrugged.

"Side's, think of it this way, being the center of prophecy puts all the weight on yer shoulders. Being a part of the story but not the focus lets ya share that weight with others. And you know some of the broadest, strongest shoulders around and I ain't talkin' 'bout Shulkie and Ol' Jade Jaws. I got yer back and plenty of others will too."

[John Kilroy]

Carol sighed not saying a word rather just lamenting in deep thought. Thinking of things left unsaid and things that could have been.

*I wish you only knew. I wish I could tell you everything and call upon your wisdom. But I know if you were to know everything you would hate me...and I would not blame you. How could I? After everything you have seen and everything you've gone through how could you not? Maybe in another life things could have been different. Maybe in another life, we could have been close friends...or even something more...but not this one. In this, Your heart belongs to another woman and no matter how much I may wish otherwise I know you'd never accept the real me if you saw it. we are of two opposing sides and for both of our sakes we can only remain as associates, and I don't even know how much longer that can last.

Yet…For as long as I can remember I was raised to be a fighter for my kind we've come to believe its in our very blood, to always be on the lookout for the next battle, the next struggle, the next mountain to conquer. Yet, why is it that now sitting here next to you, I feel the most content? Why is it that in spite of my nature the thought of being in your embrace and us just sharing a moment together, no war, no SRA no political differences no bounds to duty just…peace, our mountains conquered if just for a moment.... brings me joy? Thou who are eternal why have you do you allow me these feelings? Are these desires for peace and love not of one who is unworthy?*



She wrapped her arms around Ben’s shoulders in a loving hug. “I know you do big guy and I know that if I were to ask you, you’d bear the weight of the universe for however long it was necessary if it meant giving me some semblance of comfort, because that’s the kind of person you are you’re a true hero in ever sense of the word…but”.



*TELL HIM THE TRUTH…BREAK FREE OF THESE CHAINS YOU HAVE IMPOSED UPON YOURSELF...*



She could tell him the truth….



*...IN MY YOUTH I WAS MISTAKEN…SOMETIMES THINGS DO CHANGE...*



She could reveal everything to all of them,..



*...SOMETIMES THINGS MUST CHANGE…TO BE BETTER…STRONGER….*


She could ask for help….



*...BUT ONE THING REMAINS EVER UNCHANGING...*


Even if it meant undoing everything she worked for, she could stop the conflict here and now…



*…I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU.*


She again sighed and shook her head. “No…this is a cross I must bear alone for a time. I wish things could be different, but they can’t not for now.”



*...SIGH. SHE'S TOO YOUNG, SHE IS NOT READY. SHE DOES NOT UNDERSTAND...*


*GIVE HER TIME MY LOVE…GIVE HER TIME...*


Carol looked to Ben and sobbed deeply. 


“I...I can't do this anymore...!”

she buried her face in Thing's chest. "Please don't hate me.." she said in a muffled voice. 

[Rift]

Ben listened to her talk, feeling that he had said most of what he had to and could at this point. He knew Carol was proud. It came with military service and the whole costumed adventurer life. Even if she wanted to reach out for assistance there was a good chance she wouldn't, but at least she knew that there was help ready if and when she got to that point.

'Sides, you can't say nothin' about remaining the strong silent type. How often have you tried to pretend yer as rocky on the inside as you are out? In this biz, sometimes things are personal and you just have to face it yourself. Like Webhead and Goblin or the Four and Doomsie, he thought.

"I hear ya, but when you need somebody to take over with the heavy liftin', you know who to call," he responded.

In truth Ben kinda wished he'd handled the whole Civil War incident differently. Sue and he both reacted angrily to Reed's decision to support Tony and the Pro-Registration side. He knew that Richards tended to think big, that he hadn't rushed into the situation without analyzing it seven ways from Sunday, but that didn't mean he agreed. In retrospect he felt bad because he'd not only walked out on Reed and away from the overall conflict, but he hadn't been there for Sue or Johnny who was left trying to navigate the fallout between not only the family, but his friends as well. In that regard he had regrets, but he also knew it was nothing compared to Carol.

Easy to say that the conflict was gonna happen one way or the other, that if it wasn't her it would have been someone and something else that triggered it, but I ain't the one who was used as a weapon. I ain't got to see the looks on the faces of friends or those who have to handle the aftermath of what went down in Texas. Even if folks do forgive her and realize it ain't her fault, I can see how she may not be able to see it herself. Plus some of the folks that were hardcore anti-registration are some of the thickest skulled, angriest folks around and that was before the government got involved. Hornhead and others ain't the most forgiving types.

As she started crying he reached out and gave her a hug.

"Awwww, look Carol, I know I ramble on and bell ache about clobbering jerks, but I ain't one much fer hate. Heck, even when it comes ta the likes of Mole Man or Galactus' heralds I can't quite get up the fire enough to straight on hate 'em. Strongly dislike and sometimes pity sure, but you? Yer a friend and a hero. Yer one of us kid and ain't none of what went down was yer fault. You tried makin' do with a bad situation. That's all anyone was doin', even Stark jerk that he is," Thing replied. "'sides, anyone holdin' it against ya, specially in this business, needs ta take a moment to look back 'cause there ain't one of us costumed loonies that hasn't made mistakes or ended up being played fer suckers by the bad guys."

[John Kilroy]

"No...no no no no no no...you don't understand...." She began to hyperventilate. "I...I...I...I'm not Carol Danvers!"

Fortunately for her, it didn't seem like any of the patrons heard her. Before even allowing the Thing time to react she pulled him into the unisex bathroom with her. She quickly closed and locked the door so that know one could get in. She then leaned onto the sink and began to hyperventilate once more before calming herself down. 

"I-If I told you the truth, you would not believe me so...I-I'm going to show you. Just please understand I don't want to fight you."

She took several deep breaths. Every part of her screamed that this was a bad idea, but the other part of her screamed that she just couldn't take this anymore. She couldn't take the pressure alone anymore. She was at her breaking point. She closed her eyes hard and gritted her teeth as if she were in pain. In away she sort of was.

Her hair started to darken and lengthen going from a short, gorgeous blonde to an equally gorgeous main of Raven Black. hair. Her skin started to turn green and vertical vein-like marks appeared on her chin as her ears lengthened and came to an elf-like point. When she opened her eyes, they went from a shade of ice blue to a shade of blue-green and they looked Catlike. This was not Carol Danvers at all this was a Skrull but oddly enough she showed no sign of aggression quite the opposite in fact she looked like a terrified house cat who was fearful of getting beaten.  Despite probably being old by human standards, she looked like a youth. what would be the equivalent of 18-20 to many, she'd be just a kid.

 

"M-My name is Veranke Sa'l Dard'van...Q-Queen of the Skrull Kingdom....What's left of it. I know what you think of my kind and given your experiences that disdain is deserved but I...I don't want to fight. I just...I want to talk."

[Rift]

As she stammered on about not being Carol Danvers, Ben grew concerned. He'd known that ever since her encounter with Rogue years prior, Carol had struggled with some mental issues. He was no doctor and he certainly wasn't a shrink, but he could imagine what that ordeal could do to a person. Having something like PTSD following your mind being overpowered mad sense to him. Not that he actually knew what she had gone through or how she'd been in the aftermath, but there were rumors around the superhero water cooler. Having been on just about every team there is short of the X-Men and a few more obscure groups, he'd been in position to hear plenty of gossip even though he hated indulging in it himself.

She can't be that bad off though. It ain't like Moony Loony thinkin' she's twenty different broads. But if this is some kinda break brought on by all the stress she's under, she's gonna need a lot more than a pep talk from the Blue Eyed Thing! he thought.

Before he could really think of how to respond however he'd been pulled over into one of the restrooms. He knew he shouldn't have been shocked since he'd seen first hand how strong Captain Marvel really was, but seeing the pretty blonde who seemed so tiny next to him did cause a bit of a disconnect despite knowing what she was capable of.

"Whoa, slow down Carol! I know tellin' an upset lady to calm down ain't the brightest move a fella can make, but you aren't making any sense! Nobody is gonna fight you," he said.

Before he could make heads or tails of what was going on he watched, eyes widening as the form of his friend and ally Carol Danvers fell away replaced by green skin, pointed ears, and the unmistakable visage of a Skrull. Then she spoke, revealing her identity, and a flabbergasted Ben Grimm stumbled backwards, his lower back striking the door handle, nearly crushing it inwards as he did.

Blinking rapidly as he did not believe his eyes, his mind raced in attempt to keep up with what he was seeing. His friend, a fellow hero, pilot, and Avenger was not his friend at all. She was a Skrull and he'd had plenty of run-ins with them over the years, enough to know that they were not to be trusted when they were bothering to show their actual faces.

"You just want to talk!" he exclaimed. "That's rich sister, coming from an alien that decided to sit out there pouring her lyin' little heart out, pretending to be my friend just a few minutes ago!"

Seething he stepped forward, massive index finger wavering mere inches from her nose.

"Where's Carol? How many of you creeps are out there pretending to be people? And just why shouldn't I knock yer green hide through the wall and have S.H.I.E.L.D. or Iron Man or even the Four toss you in a cell so dark Matchstick couldn't light it up?"

[John Kilroy]

Vera instincivly bacled up. Her fight-or-flight instincts started to kick in but if she did that all she would do was escalate the situation, The one thing she didn't want to do. So she took some deep breaths, composed herself and gently held Ben's finger. "Ben, Ben look in my eyes. You know better than anyone how the eyes are the window to the soul and how they always tell the truth." It was always said that the eye was the window to the soul and that a wise and virtuous person could see through any deception by looking at one's eyes. the Dard'van also believed this. In fact it was how they were able to tell which identity a Skrull was if they suffered Ge’hadar.

"Look into my eyes when I tell you the feelings I expressed back there at the bar, I was speaking as myself it wasn't me pretending to be Carol the only part where I pulled from Carol's memories was McKinney and the Civil War, in fact, I'm honestly surprised I didn't give myself away earlier.  I meant every single word I said to you and even now I still mean them.


She took a deep breath "to your questions...Carol is somewhere out there trying to hunt down Shadow King. She didn't tell anyone because she said and I quote. "This is my fight and something I have to atone for alone." We met in a bar when she was going through one of her benders not too long after the heroic Civil War Happened and I volunteered to fill in for her until she succeeded in her quest for atonement. I didn't kidnap her. She gave me enough DNA samples...mainly pee and blood to last years. 

 As for how many Skrulls have been pretending? To be one of your fellow heroes, just me as far as I am aware. If you mean pretending to be human. I mean hundreds of Thousands we've been living alongside you for centuries. In fact, the very founding of this country has ties to our people's unity."

she smiled. "you and Johnny Storm met my father once. I'm guessing it was the result of time travel Shenanigans. in the 19th century, he took on a human guise and called himself David Crockett. Even if you don't remember meeting him I know you know that name. He represented Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives and served in the Texas Revolution. When my grandfather came to this planet he took on the identity of George Washington...yes THAT George Washington...Benjamin Franklin was a skrull too. He was actually a close advisor for my grandfather. Actually when he and my grandfather first came to Earth Ben became a member of  the Brotherhood of the Shield the predecessors of S.H.I.E.L.D., which by the way how do you think S.H.I.E.L.D is...or rather were so good at what it did?" She smiled. As much as her circle disliked subversion, they did take pride in their peoples natural intrigue and thier ability to uncover plots before they have the chance to get off the ground. 

her look turned into one of Sadness.  "Your civil war was actually part of our own Civil War. The United States was never meant to be a nation of Slavery. You see in the beginning when Kly'bn The Eternal One and Sl'gur't The Great One first ascended into godhood, they saw a great vision of the future. In their vision. We would go to from a great mighty empire, and that empire would be a mighty one that would last for millions of years. That empire would fall however when the world eater would come to but after that empire fell, a world of Blue would become the home of our people, the world you know of as Earth. it was foretold that our two species would unite and create a new kingdom, one so powerful and unyielding that neither forces above or below would be able to shake it.It would be a kingdom of freedom and prosperity that would last for over ten thousand generations. They wrote down these prophecies and gave it to their high priests and priests who would form the holy order we call the Dard'van. 

My Family has had members in the high priesthood since the beginning. They believed that the true fulfillment of prophecy was through a unification of brotherhood, a unification of peace. In fact, the United States, was meant to be as...well a Herald. A shadow of the glorious kingdom we believe is to come to come. It was a way to show both the people of Earth and The Skrull Empire that such a Federation was possible...That Kly'bn's words were true and that he and Sl'gur't loves us...but others within the Dard'van had a very different idea of what Unification meant. They believed that this second Kingdom would be founded the same way the first one was...through conquest and enslavement.  A Great Scism happened, and the half that broke off from us  and called themselves The Illum'inati ...yeah that little Think Tank Stark and the rest of them came up with are named after a group of Religious Heretics that have spent the better part of five centuries trying to enslave the human race. Real Heroic there but I digress. 

Do you Remember when In the year 1776, A Skrull arrived on Earth and briefly disguised himself as Thomas Jefferson during the writing of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. The Skrull attempted to to affect the writing of the Bill of Rights so that slavery was still allowed in early America so that humans would be prepared for a life of slavery during an eventual Skrull invasion. You guys stopped it but, in a way, the Apostates still won. Slavery was allowed under the 3/5ths compromise in an effort not to spark a religious holy war Between the Dard'van and the Illum'inati that could tear the United States Apart. But...you've read your history you know what happens. The War still happened in its own way. Unfortunately a lot of America's problems can be traced back to this shadow holy war between the Dard'Van and the Illum'inati. Those conspiracy theories you've heard all your life about green reptilians that can walk like men and that have been manipulating events to enslave the human race. Those stories didn't pop up in a vacuum. I can tell you this. With the destruction of our home planet at the hands of Galactus and the fulfillment of prophecy drawing nigh, I cannot help but believe that the war between our two orders is reaching it's climax. The people within my council and I subtilty introduced the SRA to prepare for not only the Illum'inati's invasion if and when it comes, but also to prepare earth for the new age to come. To ready it for the intergalactic stage... but you saw the mess the SRA has turned into.

She let out a sigh. "To answer your last question. There is nothing I can probably do or say that can convince you to not hate me or my kind, to lock me up or brainwash me into being a cow. But please I beg you do not show wrath against the others. There are tens of thousands of Skrulls some of whom have spent their entire lives here, who have only known this planet...this nation as their home. They wish to serve their countries and live their lives. Please do not punish them because of me.  if you are to punish, then punish me, but please let me fix the mistakes I've made as Captain Marvel first. I tried so hard to be the leader I thought the world needed. The kind of Queen that my fellow Skrulls needed, the kind of leader that Carol Danvers would have tried to have been...and all I did was screw things up, I helped introduce a Registration act that was meant to put you on equal terms with your government and instead they used it to enslave you and put you at amenity with the very people you were trying to protect. I burned down so many friendships and dragged Carol's name through the mud trying to salvage everything and keep it together..."

Tears filled Vera's eyes. "Like I said...I'm a screw-up. I've dishonored everyone and no number of apologies can change that. I'm unfit to be a queen or an empress..."


She knelt before Ben, not in mockery or trickery but in genuine humility that could not be faked. Still, There was fear in her eyes, as she was genuinely terrified at the idea of her fellow Skrulls being forcefully turned into cows, and it showed in her eyes. "I surrender myself to you, do with me what you will. Destroy my soul and turn me into a cow if it pleases you but please I beg you...don't punish others with such a cruel fate because of my sins. Let the punishment be on me and me alone."

She began to weep once more as she did at the bar, not for herself but for her kind. She could only hope that Ben could see the truth in her eyes. 

[Rift]

Ben's rocky brow remained furrowed as the Skrull spoke, his arms crossed over his broad chest. Over the years he had encountered plenty of villains of every stripe. He and The Four had seen places, planets, and realms of existence well beyond anything most regular folks could even imagine let alone hope to visit. He'd fought on alien worlds, smacked Hulks upside the head, went rounds with one of if not the best combatants in existence, told Galactus just where he could stick his giant stupid hat, and even died. He'd experienced some of the strangest, whackiest things in existence.

With all that history of squaring off against the forces of evil and exploring the unknown he wasn't sure what he was expecting to hear from the so-called Empress. A Doc Doom-esque villainous monologue about how inferior humans were, threats about taking over and nobody being able to stop it, or maybe even one of the vintage "obey me and I'll spare your loved ones" speeches wouldn't have surprised him. Instead of any of the usual villainous explanations he got...this.

He listened to her story, his face remaining in a scowl that would make the Hulk think twice about crossing him. It was certainly not what he was expecting. A tale of secret Skrull forces on Earth for ages, claiming they were the good guys all along and had actually helped found the good ol' US of A. A story of shaping history from the shadows and trying to make nice with humanity all while not revealing who they were nor their true intentions. It sounded almost as if the Skrulls, according to her, were doing mankind a favor and paving the way for some grand alliance that would usher in a new age of peace and prosperity. Given his past experiences with the Skrull it was even more unexpected, most of them not willing to get to the discussion phase of things and jumping straight to throwing fists.

As she finished her story, Grimm unfolded his arms, looked deep into her eyes and...burst out laughing.

It was a thunderous guffaw that had to of been heard elsewhere in bar over the music and sports games.

"Bwahahahahahahahaha! That's just, wow! Thanks fer the laugh yer highness I ain't had a chuckle that good in a long time. Yous guys founded America, the warrior race of shapeshifters who have been trying to blacken the eye of the whole planet done up and created a bastion of freedom because some of yer high up muckety-mucks think a little blue backwater planet was to be a new home? I swear on my Aunt Petunia that of all da stuff I've heard come out of the mouth of conquerors, crooks, and evil jerks that has gots to be the funniest thing I've ever heard."

Wiping a tear from his eye he held his hands out, palms facing each other. "Of all the stories you could'a spun you actually went with the 'I'm not sayin' it was aliens, but its aliens' meme. I mean, I know the general perception of the public at large is that the Ever-Lovin' Blue-Eyed Thing is the dumb member of the Four. I ain't no super brainiac like Reed is or Susie was. I ain't got the flashy personality of Johnny-boy, but old Benjamin J. Grimm ain't a total dunce!"

Clearing his throat and trying not to burst out laughing again, he reached out and slammed a fist down ontop of a nearby trashcan, the metal folding as surely as if it had been in a press.

"You get points for originality Greenie, I'll give ya that. I appreciate the laugh and hey, maybe you've been drinkin' whatever passes for Kool-Aid out there in space so much that you even believe all this junk. Maybe yer a religious fanatic of a different stripe than some of the other Skrulls I've met. But yer trying to sell me this bill of goods that Carol Danvers ain't been kidnapped and locked away in some weird Skrull prison or power sapping tube or sumthin of the sort. That she, a hero and an Avenger, just up and chose ta take off without telling anyone? That someone in the armed services just willing let you impersonate her, compromising her friends on the Avengers and possibly even her country's national security so that she can nurse a grudge against some Shadow guy that the X-Men could probably help her find without all the need fer subterfuge? Gimme a break sister. She may have her issues 'cause of all she's been through and I know plenty of folks in the super crowd that think they gotta be lone wolves, but she ain't dat reckless. Now one last time 'for I really get my blood pressure up. Where. Is. Carol."

[John Kilroy]

Vera sighed. "Yeah, I didn't think you'd believe me at face value. Fine. I'll contact her."

Vera pulled out a communicator. she had sworn to Carol that she'd only contact her in case of an absolute emergency, and as much as she didn't want to consider it an emergency, for Ben's sake and for her own, Vera was going to treat it as such. after a few secounds there was a beep and there was a holographic image of Carol flying. She wasn't wearing her classic black and gold or the captain Marvel outfit. She was just wearing something resembling a basic flight suit with some shoddy white shoulder and leg pads or as she often called it her "Depression outfit." Yep...Vera clearly wasn't the only one feeling "Mighty low."

"Honey, What's wrong? did Hydra attack? Are you hurt? Do you need me to..."

Without saying a word Vera moved the image to face Ben, Carol's face just dropped. "Ohhhh...ok....Ah see." She said softly. Her voice was filled with a sense of sadness and for several seconds that seemed to stretch out into eternity that was all she could say.


in a strange twist of events worthy of a soap opera, Vera had in fact been telling the truth at least as far as the whole meeting carol at a bar and Vera agreeing to take her place was concerned. Whether she was telling the truth about everything else or not would be something that would require a lot of scholarly research that just wasn't a concern at the moment, not compared to the fact that  Carol had gone secretly AWOL after the civil war trying to hunt down the Shadow King to no success. Was it stupid? Yes, Was it reckless? Most definitely. Was it something that would get her court-martialed if not arrested? you ain't whistling Dixie, brother. The thing about Carol though, when she fell she fell apart. While McKinney wasn't as bad for her as say her entire incident with Rogue, it was enough to shatter her confidence and sense of self-worth. Even though the courts were able to prove she wasin't in control of herself when the incident happened, she still felt the blame. She felt like it was on her and her alone to atone for a tragedy she was the face of, and avenge the victims that had died as a result, and this was something she felt like she had to do without help from anyone. Consequences be darned. 

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She had expected this day would come sooner or later. In fact she had actually expected it to come much sooner. She knew that the Skrulls were capable of mimicking people almost perfectly but there were people...and then there was Carol Danvers. Honestly, Vera had held out far longer than she had any right to. Carol had expected that if anyone was going to uncover the switch it would either be Tony or Logan. Logan she imagined while being peeved for a bit would at least be able to understand why she did what she did. Tony well...was Tony. 

The fact that Ben of all people was the one to find out first...that hurt. She loved Ben not in the way Vera loved him, but Carol did see him as that slightly older brother who just clicked with his sister. The two were siblings in arms. Both were top-shot pilots both had a strong sense of right and wrong...and of course, both loved to kick butt and chew bubblegum...especially when they ran out of bubblegum. They could talk to each other about everything...if Carol would bother taking advantage of it. 

So to do this to him...to play secrets and intrigue and switcharoo, it hurt her. and even in hologram for one could just see the look of shame and guilt on her face. she could just hear Ben now.

*"Awww Carol why'd you do it? Why didn't you ask us for help, I know we weren't there and all but don't you trust us to know we have your back?"*

*That burning you feel? It is shame!* She thought to herself. She then took a deep breath. "Hey Ben...Ah guess Ah have some explaining to do."

She reached down to the ground and leaned against a wall. "No Ah'm not being held hostage. Yes Ah know about Veranke,  Yes Ah know what Ah did is stupid and reckless. Yes Ah know it was wrong it's just..." Her voice began to crack. "Ah...Ah..." she wanted to say something she wanted to give a justification...but her words were caught in her throat. "It's all my fault...Mckinny, the heroic civil war...I'm...a washed-up screwup. 

"Carol you can't blame yourself for the SRA we..."

Carol held up your hand. "Ver Ah know what you're trying to do but...Ah need you to stay out of this one...actually you mind if Me and Ben talk alone for a bit?" 

Vernake was reluctant at first but then nodded and sat the communicator down on the bathroom floor. She then shapeshifted back into Captain Marvel. "I'll be in the bar if either of you need me."

Once Vera walked off Carol let out a sigh. "It's funny. Ah look at her and Ah see myself in her...maybe a bit too much." She then looked to Ben and let out a defeated sigh and turned to Ben. "Alright let me have it. It was dumb of me to go AWOL it was dumb of me to not ask for help and it was dumb of me to let a teenage Skrull princess impersonate me while Ah went hunting for a grudge. Fun fact did you know she's legitimately Millie Bobbi Brown." She gave a nervous smile trying to ease the tension but the smile soon gave way to a frown and a sigh "Ah guess I thought that if Ah took down the Shadow King on my own Ah could somehow avenge the people who died at Mckinny...and redeem myself."