"Shit" though Carol as she looked away respectfully while trying to appear non threatening at the same time. It didn't work
The room exploded into mayhem. The glowing girl stood protectively in front of the goth girl and launched the most unfocused photon blast Carol had ever seen. It barely pushed her back an inch and it reminded of the time when she was just discovering her powers. She had been barely out of the medical unit when Yonn Rogg had started her training, which was bizarre because according to every record she had the Gibborim were supposed to be powerful ancient creatures. Was this another lie by the Kree?
She was so distracted by the impotent photon beam directed at her and her own thoughts that she didn't notice the goth girl pull out a glowing staff and point it her
"Be gone" she yelled furiously
Carol felt as if a giant fist had punched her as she was launched out of the room travelling several hundred feet to slam hard into the nearby hill, as she tried to blink away the darkness she groaned as she realized that it was not darkness but soil. She was literally buried halfway into the hill. Well this was embarrassing; it's been a while since she had let her guard down to the point where someone could take her by surprise to such a degree. She should have known better then to underestimate teen girls.
As she pulled herself out of the hill she quickly looked around to make sure that nobody had seen. Then she began spitting out sand and dirt and trying to get it out of her clothes. God she hated sand, she would murder for a glass of water and a shower right now. But this would have to wait, for now she had to fix the mess back in the mansion. Flying slowly and with raised hands towards the room she saw that the two girls had gotten dressed and were joined by several other teenagers. A young Latina kid with glowing eyes holding a heavy broken column, a handsome boy that seemed to charging some kind blaster gloves, a young black kid seemed to be holding a simple baseball bat and another young girl with purple hair and glasses who was standing next to a dinosaur….an actual dinosaur. What the fuck?
"Relax. I come in peace" said Carol as calmly as she could while addressing the two girls in question. She braced herself in case the girl used ….whatever the hell this staff was, a kinetic blaster maybe? She had never seen one so powerful but who knew
"Lights out" growled the goth girl with her eyes turning a strange shade and that was the last thing Carol saw before she lost consciousness and collapsed on the ground
When she woke up she sensed that it had only been a few minutes. She also sensed that she was tied up on a chair with..what felt like duct tape. Thanks to her years of training both in the Air Force and with the Kree she knew how to play possum so nobody else noticed that she was awake giving her the perfect opportunity to eavesdrop
"Are we sure that this is going to hold her? I am pretty sure I could easily snap through this"
"I mean she seems to be more like Karolina right? Karolina can you break free from this?"
"I don't think so. But I guess I could fly with the chair?"
"Oh good idea. We should tie the chair!"
"Ok but we are assuming she is as strong as Karolina. What if she is stronger? After all Jonah easily kicked Karolina's ass and he is obviously a lot more powerful than her. What if this weird woman is like him?"
"He didn't kick my ass easily!"
"Ok sorry"
"Are we sure that she is even like Karolin? She seems to have a different glow. More yellowish then rainbow"
"I mean Jonah was more on white spectrum so maybe everyone has different colors?"
"Jonah is the very definition of a white man"
"Ok maybe we can go into this later Gert. Even if the bindings don't hold we should be able to deal with her seeing as how Nico already took her down once. The real concern is whether or not she has told anybody else where we are. We should consider moving. It's already bad enough that Topher knows "
"Hell no. I don't want to go back to the homeless camp. That was awful"
"We may not have a choice. If she works for our parents they could be coming next. We are not safe here"
"Shouldn't we find out if she actually works for our parents before we destroy our whole lives here?
"We should totally interrogate her!"
"Yes because we are so good at interrogations. We couldn't even find out anything about Topher before that weasel snaked out during the night"
"I am sure he will be back!"
"And who else could she work for? Or do you think she is just a random super powered woman chilling around L.A?"
"Why not? It happens in New York all the time. I mean Spiderman, Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage the freaking Avengers!?"
"Yeah but we are not in New York Molly. We are in L.A. The only freaks around here are us"
"Call my girlfriend a freak again and see what happens"
"I apologize. I should have used a better term. I supposed I have internalized a lot things and…."
"So how should we go about interrogate her?"
"Oh I know. We will get a bright lamp and throw a glass of water in her face! That's how they do it in the movies."
Carol already had a mouthful full of dirt and got taken out by teen today so she decided she might at least spare herself this embarrassment
"You know I wouldn't mind a glass of water "she said with her usual smartass tone startling all the teens in the room" And instead of interrogations how about we have a simple talk. Hi I am Carol"
Now that she no longer had to keep her eyes closed she got a good look at the kids and they were very much kids. Was the Gibborim using them for some purpose? Or was this just an innocent kid who accidentally got stuck with powers from some Gibborim artifact? The latter seemed more and more likely
"What the hell!? You said she would be down for hour"
"She was supposed to! She must be really strong"
"Hi I am Molly" said the smiling Latina girl cutting the pointless argument before it escalated. She had a cat hat on and was absolutely adorable
"Molly…you can't just" the anxious purpled haired girl started standing protectively next to the Molly and seemed be struggling with what to do before she looked behind her and seemed to get new confidence" I am Gert. And this is Old Lace"
Carol turned around and saw that the dinosaur had moved to stand mere inches behind her head. Maybe a few decades ago she would have been scared but now with her powers and after seeing Jurrasic Park with her family this was just super cool. She had to find a way to get Monica and Maria to meet it.
"Hey Molly and Gert. And hello Old Lace aren't you a beautiful boy" said a grinning Carol
"She is a girl" huffed Gert seemingly annoyed that Carol wasn't intimidated by her friend
"Sorry girl and you are …" she asked the rest with a smile
"Huh…Chase" the pretty boy who seemed to be just as uncomfortable as Gert but in a different way
"Alex" said the scowling boy who had gotten ahold of his bat again. He seemed to be serious paranoid one in the group
"Nico" said the goth girl while grasping her staff and moving protectively in front of her girlfriend
"Hi I am Karolina" The Gibborim said with a hesitant wave
"So are you saying you don't work for our parents?" Alex said
"I have no idea who your parents are" Carol said truthfully. Whoever these kids parents are she was about to have some words with them. Kids should not be terrified of their parents
"See I told you that she was just a hero passing by!" Molly said as she jumped excitedly" Do you know Spiderman!?"
"Molly we can't just trust her!" Alex said in frustration
"I am afraid you friend is right" Carol said as she kept her tone calm and hopefully reassuring
"You mean we can't trust you?" asked a devastated Molly
"No I mean I wasn't just passing by" Carol took a deep breath and decided to take a gamble. Looking Karolina straight in the eye she said" I know you are a Gibborim"
Carol paid close attention to see whether the girl would slip or not. Was she a Gibborim or just an unfortunate human? She seemed confused just like all her friends. Maybe she was like her and her powers were a result of an accident. But just as she was getting hopeful the purpled haired girl let out a loud laugh
"Wow what was the first hint? Was it the billboards, the Vanity Fair cover or her Met Gala appearance?" Gert said with heavy sarcasm
"…huh?"said a confused Carol
"Karolina is the daughter of Leslie Dean. You know the Leader of the Church of Gibborim. She has been the young face of the Church since she was a child. Were you investigating the Church?" asked Alex
"The Church of fucking what?" Carol nearly screamed. The Accusers have been itching for any reason to attack the Gibborim. If it wasn't for the Supreme Intelligence direct orders they would have gone on a suicidal mission to avenge the humiliation ages ago. If they ever found out that Earth had such a thing as a Church of Gibborim they would bomb it back to the stone age just on principle
"The Church of Gibborim is the ninth largest religion in the USA and growing by the day? How have you not heard of them?"
"Because I spent most of the last two decades in space and the only thing I know about the Gibborim is that they are an extremely dangerous and ancient alien race" snapped Carol and immediately felt guilty. She didn't mean to go off on the purpled haired girl but her nerves got the best of her
"I am an alien" said Karolina in a soft voice and a stunned expression on her face and now Carol felt even guiltier. She had no idea how you were supposed to break it to someone that they are not human but this was definitely not it
"So Nico how was it to have an encounter of the fourth kind?"asked a grinning Chase only get punched in the shoulder
The kids spent a few minutes dragging each other until Karolina finally interrupted
"Tell me everything"
It took a long time for both sides to get familiar with each other's stories. Carol began by giving the basics to help build a trust with the kids. She had to admit she kind of enjoyed sharing her story. The look of awe and excitement on the kid's faces was really sweet. Even Karolina seemed to temporarily get out of stupor to listen in rapt fascination
The mood turned more somber when the kids shared their own story and what a messed up story it was. Finding out that your parents were killing children? Carol had her issues with her own parents but as shitty as they were she couldn't imagine them murdering children. She also seemed to have found the actual Gibborim. The one called Jonah and who seemed to be in charge of everything. She had no idea that Gibborim could have children with other species but the revelation was the final nail in the coffin. There was no way she was leaving Earth until she made sure that this kid was protected. The entire galaxy would be after a Gibborim hybrid and the things they would do to her would make Mengele seem like a saint
" I think I know why they were killing the kids" said Carol after a moment. The box they described tickled her memory. There was an obscure procedure that involved literally stealing the lifeforce of sentient beings to heal yourself or prolong your own life. It was banned by every single galactic government. Not only was the procedure utterly barbaric but it also had horrifying side effect on the mental state of anybody who used it. People just went absolutely and violently insane usually after a single procedure. She didn't even want to think of just how unhinged this Jonah must be if he had been through more than fifteen" True Gibborim are energy beings who simply use organic ones as hosts. But humans are weak. The body of whomever this Jonah taken over must be falling apart. These procedures could be what is keeping him together. Keeping him strong"
"So we are talking body snatchers here" Alex said deep in thought" Could our parents have been taken over as well"
All the kids looked at Carol with hope in their eyes. The thought that their parents were victims instead of monsters was a very appealing one to all of them
"Based on what you told me….it's not very likely. I am sorry" Carol hated disappointing the children but giving them false hope could be worse and potentially very dangerous.
All the children seem to take this news hard the disappointment and pain written all over their features. All except Karolina and Nico. Ever since Carol had told her about the Gibborim she seemed to be borderline catatonic and her girlfriend held her close whispering constant reassurances
"I am sorry…I .." Karolina started breathing hard and tearing herself away from the goth girl…." I just…."
And ran upstairs to what was most likely her room. Her girlfriend quickly went after her determined not to leave her alone. Molly and Chase also seemed ready to follow her but Carol stopped them
"Don't. She is already overwhelmed. Give her some space"
"Speaking of space…did you just say that you spend two decades in space?!" the purpled haired girl asked
"Are you an alien as well?" added Molly with childish excitement
"Well I guess it's only fair. I used to be a pilot in the Air Force…."
Nico cursed under her breathe as she tried and failed to keep up with her Amazonian girlfriend and her gorgeous but ridiculously long legs. By the time she reached the top of the stairs she already in their room.
"Karolina" she said softly
"Please leave Nico. I just want to be alone"
The Witch hesitated, she was not good with emotional stuff and a part of her wanted to get out, wanted to revert back to her old self who pushed everybody away. But she couldn't, not after hearing so much pain in her girlfriend's voice
"As someone who spend nearly two years alone trust me it doesn't help" said Nico as she sat next to Karolina
"All this time I kept wondering what I am, where my powers come…..I thought they were a blessing but now I know. I am just a monster" Karolina said her voice breaking with the last words
"I guess that we can be monsters together then. Honestly it will be a relief not to pretend that I am good anymore" said Nico as she tried hard to keep her tone nonchalant
"What?" said a startled Karolina" Nico you are a not monster!"
"Oh come on Karolina you don't have to pretend anymore. I know what I am. I know how dark my powers are. I know that I am my mother's daughter. Just another monster like her"
"Nico your powers are beautiful and so are you. You are nothing like your mother. You are kind and good and …." seeing the smirk on Nico's face Karolina finally understood what she was doing" That was not nice"
"You know what's not nice? Hearing someone insult the people you love. So don't ever try this again. You are good person Karolina. No matter where you come from, no matter who your family is you are good. This is the only thing I know for sure in this world" Nico emphasized this by gently holding Karolina's hand
"But I am not…." sniffled Karolina" I have been meeting with Jonah"
"I am so shocked" said Nico in a dry tone
"You knew?" gasped Karolina
"I suspected it was something like"
Honestly she taught that Karolina was probably stalking her family from afar to make sure that they are ok but it was a close enough guess
"The whole excuses with taking a walk in the woods? Not very convincing seeing as how I know how much you hate the outdoors"
"I don't hate the outdoors!" said Karolina defensively
"Remember when we were twelve and on that school field trip and you literally climbed on me because you saw a rabbit?"
"Ok I told youthat I thought that this was a coyote and besides rabbits can be very dangerous. Have you seen their teeth Nico? They are huge!"
"And remember when you ran straight into a door because a butterfly was chasing you? And remember when ….."
"Ok I get the point"
"Look I get it ok. You want to understand where your powers come from , who you are. Trust I have often felt that urge as well."
"But I knew that he was a monster. I just ,….." Karolina trailed off looking miserable
" Was trying to find something good despite all this?. Hoping to find the good in people doesn't make you a monster Karolina. In fact it makes you the opposite"
"Thanks Nico" said Karolina as she gently kissed her and finally gave her a true smile
"You are welcome. And I will be here every time you need me to remind you that this is good" she said as she put her hand on Karolina's chest
"Yeah…my boobs are pretty great"answered Karolina with a smartass smirk
"I meant your heart you dork"said Nico as she couldn't help but laugh and hug Karolina" Now let's go back to the space lady and figure out the plan
Carol was a slightly overwhelmed by all the questions but also quite amused. The kids seemed to have endless questions about her story, especially about Goose. It's been a while since she has been around the infectious excitement of kids. They reminded her of Lieutenant Trouble and how much she missed her home. As soon as she was done with this she was heading straight for Maria. She was due for some vacation.
Seeing the girls coming back from upstairs she knew that the time for questions was over
"Ok guys I will tell you more about this later and yes Molly I will try to introduce you to Goose" seeing the confused looks on Karolina and Nico's face she added "Long story you will find out later. But anyway now we need to go. Taking down your parents and Jonah won't be easy but I know a way"
"You do? How?" asked a skeptical Alex
"I happen to know the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. Your parents may be billionaires but they have also colluded with a hostile alien power. S.H.I.L.D will eat them for breakfast"
She knew that Fury and his agency have done a lot of blunders but they were quite influential and Fury had no qualms to charge ahead even against powerful figures so she was quite pleased with the fact that she would be able to help this kids so fast. Which is why she was puzzled when she saw their faces
"Why are you all looking at me like this?"
"Yeah….I don't know how to tell you this but…..S.H.I.E.L.D is gone" said Chase awkwardly
"What do you mean gone?" asked a baffled Carol. Agencies didn't just disappear like this
"Well it turns out that it was massively infiltrated by Nazis who were going to use their tech to slaughter like gazillion people so Captain America and Black Widow stopped them and leaked all the info. Then the World Governments pretty much dissolved S.H.I.E.L.D"
"Oh for fuck's sake" cursed Carol. Because of course that nothing could be damn easy for once