Earth-717: Avengers Vol 1
Chapter 12: New World
Reed blasted away another Skrull with his pulse rifle as Tasha, Thor and Johnny flew into the hangar. Reed beckoned them over as Herbie and the Repair-Bots activated the Rogue One, which had been mostly repaired. Reed then looked over at Herbie as the Repair-Bots floated into the ship.
"Will it fly, Herbie?"
"Well, Doctor Richards, I believe that under normal circumstances I would appreciate a bit more time in order to check all of the propulsion systems and . . . ."
"Will it fly?!"
"Yes, I believe so!"
"Good enough! Get her in the air so that we can leave as fast as possible!"
Herbie then boosted towards the pilot's seat and powered up the Rogue One. Tasha then hurriedly looked around as the Exile's Intent continued to lurch.
"Where's Cap's team?"
Tasha was answered by a voice coming from the other end of the hangar.
"HERE!"
Tasha looked over to see Carol flying towards the ship, with Hulk and Ben sprinting behind her. Susan brought up the rear of the group in a flying force field bubble that also had Steve and Torgo inside. Soon enough, everyone piled inside the Rogue One as a handful of Skrull stragglers rushed out of the hangar and made a break for the escape pods.
Susan, Steve and Torgo were the last ones inside as the loading ramp closed. Ben shouted as Hulk's body shoved against him because of how crowded the ship was.
"Go back to puny form, ya green jerk!"
Carol raced into the pilot's seat.
"HANG ON!"
The Rogue One rocketed out of the hangar at maximum speed.
Back in Veranke's throne room, the Skrull Queen cried out in pain as she tried to push herself off the floor. Her skin was bruised, and she was bleeding from her mouth. Some of her ribs were broken, and her dress was completely ruined. She had several cuts across her arms and legs, and she had almost no strength left.
Still, Veranke crawled, trying to get closer to her hologram table. She moaned and coughed, spitting out more blood on the carpeted floor as she clawed her way past her destroyed chair. The emergency alarm sounded, alerting everyone on board the Exile's Intent that the ship was going to explode because of the loss of the reactor.
Struggling to breathe, Veranke grabbed at the hologram table's control panel. Using her right hand, she punched in a specific key code that only she knew. A few seconds later, the holographic image of a man's torso and head appeared over the hologram table. His hands were folded together, and his clothing looked heavily futuristic.
He slowly turned his head and looked down at Veranke.
"Please," said Veranke. "T-The, the . . . . the Avengers, they . . . . they ruined everything! G-Get me out of here . . . . please!"
The man sneered.
"I told you not to underestimate them."
Veranke coughed again.
"T-They were, were even more p-powerful than you said! I, I, I did everything I could! I did what y-you told me to! Please, I n-need help . . . ."
"I can't help you anymore," said the man. "I told you everything that was going to happen in advance. You had the knowledge of the future in your hands. I helped you fulfil your prophecy, and still you were defeated. It seems that the Avengers will continue to stand in my way, even when they don't even know it yet."
Veranke sobbed.
"Please . . . . help me . . . ."
The man glared at her.
"You have failed! I will find another way!"
"NO! PLEASE, LORD KANG! DON'T ABANDON ME!"
Kang sat back in his chair.
"Farewell, destiny's queen."
Veranke looked utterly defeated as Kang's hologram faded. She held out her hand in yearning before lowering her head and continuing to sob. She then turned her head and looked behind her as a wave of fire from the next room rushed towards her.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
"YES!"
Rhomann pumped his fist into the air as all of the crew on the bridge of the Valiant threw up their arms and cheered. Nova Prime sat down on her chair and smiled as the crew members started hugging and giving each other high fives. The same was true on the bridge of the Executor, where Ronan nodded in approval as the Kree crew celebrated the victory.
"Well done," whispered Ronan.
The Rogue One was just far enough away from the Exile's Intent as it exploded. The gargantuan vessel burst apart at the seams before transforming into a huge ball of fire. The fire then sucked in the remaining pieces of metal, imploding in on itself before completely blowing apart. As it did, all of the remaining Pariahs powered down, no longer receiving energy from the Keystone.
As Carol flew towards the fleet of Nova and Kree vessels, the Rogue One's connection to the shared frequency was re-established. They could hear all of the cheering from the fleet, and soon enough, Mar-Vell's voice came through the speakers.
"Carol! CAROL!"
"I hear you," she said.
"CAROL! YOU DID IT!"
"We all did," she said, her breathing heavy.
Carol then looked back at all of the heroes inside the Rogue One.
"We all did."
As the Rogue One rejoined the fleet, the crews on the remaining Skrull and Mekkan ships all stared at each other, in complete shock that the Exile's Intent had been destroyed. Inside her Pariah, General De'Lila sat back in her chair and slowly placed her hand on her forehead. After a few minutes of silence amongst her and her crew, she then activated the emergency communicator.
"This is General De'Lila, speaking to all Skrull and Mekkan forces. I am giving the order for an immediate surrender. Stand down and cease all aggression. The Exile's Intent has been destroyed. Queen Veranke . . . . is dead. We lost. It's over."
As the Skrulls surrendered, one lone shuttle broke off from the fleet. This was a personal shuttle flown by Kl'rt, who had escaped the destruction of the Exile's Intent on his own. While he heard De'Lila's order, he did not heed it. Instead, Kl'rt fumed and flew away, silently swearing to some day have his revenge.
The Avengers and the Fantastic Four walked into one of the large halls on board the Valiant, and they were met with thunderous applause. Hundreds of Nova and Kree officers were on board, and they all cheered and smiled as the two teams of heroes entered. Herbie floated in and around the members of the teams, waving with his small arms.
The crowd parted to allow the heroes to approach a suspended platform at the end of the hall. Standing on the platform were Nova Prime, Autarch Cordon, Majestix Lilandra, Ronan the Accuser, Princess Anelle and Torgo. Standing with them was the newly appointed Krylorian member of the Galactic Senate, Senator Velamina.
Mar-Vell, Sar-Torr, Adora, Mikaela, Quinelle and Tarcel were all in the crowd near the platform. Rhomann was also there, standing with his wife Camaria and his daughter Duranna. Carol gave a small wave to Mar-Vell.
"My friends," said Nova Prime. "Today we are here to honour the incredible service you have done for the galaxy. While you come from a planet that only recently became known to the galactic stage, your bravery and selflessness have preserved a civilization that has stood for thousands upon thousands of years."
"It is very rare to find heroes of such calibre," said Cordon. "Men and women who are willing to stand in the service of others, and do what is right regardless of the cost. Your actions have been noticed by an entire galaxy, and your war against Queen Veranke is one that will never be forgotten. My planet is free again, because of you."
"You united a galaxy when all hope seemed lost," said Lilandra. "When we failed to act, you made us see the path we needed to take. The alliance between the Nova Corps and the Kree Empire would never have happened without you, and our war would certainly have ended in a far different manner without your interference."
"On behalf of the Nova Corps, and all of its people, we sincerely thank you," said Nova Prime. "And in light of your actions, we award each of you the Star of Xandar, the Nova Corps' highest honour."
Mikaela walked out of the crowd with a case. She then opened it, revealing that there were ten star-shaped golden medallions inside, each one with a ribbon. All of the heroes took one and placed it around their necks, with Mikaela nodding at each hero in return. Tasha winked at Mikaela as she took hers. At the end of the line, there was one medallion left.
"Who is this one for?" asked Susan, the last person in the line.
Mikaela then looked down at Herbie.
"Him."
Herbie bounced up and down.
"I get one?! I get one?!"
"Of course," said Mikaela.
Susan took Herbie's medallion and smiled as she put it around his neck. Herbie started dancing side to side, ecstatic that he had received a medallion. Mikaela then closed the case and returned to her place in the crowd.
"You have the sincere gratitude of the Kree Empire as well," said Ronan. "I have been asked by the Supreme Intelligence to personally extend our thanks. Because of your actions, Hala still stands, and that is a debt that we can never repay. From now on, Earth can count itself as an ally to the Kree people and the Supreme Intelligence."
"And the same goes for the Skrulls," said Anelle. "You saved my life. Veranke imprisoned me, her own sister, because she believed that I was a threat to her rule. I would certainly have died alone if not for your help. Now, I can do my part, by leading the Skrull Empire to a peaceful future. You have saved not just my life, but the dignity of my people. From the bottom of my heart, I thank each and every one of you."
"To the Avengers," said Nova Prime. "Earth's Mightiest Heroes."
"And to the Fantastic Four," said Anelle. "The World's Greatest Family."
The Avengers and the Fantastic Four turned around as everyone in the crowd clapped again. The heroes all smiled as they were honoured. Bruce then looked up and down the line at his peers.
"You know how we have to celebrate this, right guys?"
"PIZZA PARTY!"
Ben threw his hands into the air as the elevator opened, and a delivery crew started wheeling in hundreds of pizzas piled on carts. The party was being held at the Fantastic Four's headquarters in the Baxter Building, which was now filled with people.
All of the Avengers and the Fantastic Four were present, along with Herbie. Other guests at the party were James Rhodes, Natalia Romanova, Joseph Chapman, Nick Fury, Maria Hill, Victoria Hand, Phil Coulson, Melinda May, Leo Fitz, Jemma Simmons, Betty Ross, Katherine Waynesboro, Pepper Potts, Jane Foster, Salia Petrie, Michael Rossi, Captain Mar-Vell, Princess Anelle and Torgo.
"Fuckin' pizza!" shouted Joey. "Right on!"
Tasha also finally got to reconnect to Janice.
"Glad to be back, ma'am. Also glad that you didn't die, but that's definitely second."
As the pizza boxes were opened and people started eating, Herbie alerted Ben to another person arriving in the elevator. Ben walked over to it, and his eyes lit up with joy upon seeing who was on the other side.
"Alicia."
Alicia stepped out of the elevator and moved towards Ben.
"Hello, Ben. I got your message. I, uh . . . . I understand you've been on quite the adventure."
Ben then grabbed Alicia with both hands and pulled her close.
"Alicia, baby, listen. I'm so, so sorry. About all of it. Way I acted, ruined that date, goin' AWOL on ya . . . . all of it. I'm a jerk, and I screwed up, maybe cost myself the best thing that's ever happened to me, and . . . ."
Alicia reached out and gently caressed the side of Ben's face.
"It's alright," she said. "It's all in the past."
Ben smiled.
"Anybody ever tell ya you're one helluva gal?"
Alicia shrugged.
"I might have heard it once or twice."
As the party went on, friendships were rekindled, stories were shared, and everyone simply enjoyed each other's company. Even Nick Fury managed to crack a smile at one point.
"Crazy to see everyone in one place, eh boss?" asked Coulson.
"Yeah," said Fury. "Crazy."
Rhodes and Natalia told Tasha about the ordeal that they went through while the Avengers were gone in space.
"So that was you?" asked Tasha. "You blew up that thing? With Russkie sexpot here?"
"That was us," said Rhodes. "Had help from Union Jack over there and a couple of teenage mutants. But they left. Pietro said he had to get back to finding his sister, and Amanda said she had to get back to finding herself."
"Wait," said Natalia. "She called me Russkie sexpot. Are we just letting that go?"
Thor and Jane were sitting together at a table with Bruce, Betty and Katherine. Thor was in pure glee at the taste of the pizza.
"You were right, Doctor Banner! This pizza, I like it! ANOTHER!"
"I told you!" said Bruce.
Susan nearly spit out her drink when Fury told her the news.
"A whole new United Nations?!" asked Susan. "Really?"
"It's true," said Victoria, who was standing with Fury. "After the invasion, world leaders started talking again. Realized that the division was too costly."
"But . . . . what about Doom?"
"He's been invited back," said Fury. "Same as the Cabal. They saved a lot of lives during the attack. So they've been . . . . forgiven, so to speak."
Carol revealed all of the details of her adventure to Salia and Michael.
"So, let me get this straight," said Salia. "You basically went on your own Star Trek adventure with me, and now you also went on your own Star Wars adventure too?"
"What can I say?" asked Carol. "I'm sort of a big deal."
Mar-Vell walked up to Carol and stood behind her, wrapping his arm around her waist.
"You certainly are," he said.
Carol smiled and leaned her head back against Mar-Vell's body. Salia then rolled her eyes as Michael laughed.
"I guess it was a very good Star Wars adventure," said Salia.
Fitz and Simmons jumped up and down in front of Reed.
"You have to tell us everything that happened, Doctor Richards!" said Fitz.
"Yes, yes, absolutely everything!" exclaimed Simmons. "If you miss anything, we'll never forgive you!"
The two then held their hands together.
"Pleaaaaaaaase?" they asked in unison.
A while later, Susan walked past the bathroom, where she could hear faint voices coming from the other side.
". . . . was basically all me."
"Wow, Johnny, you sound so brave . . . ."
Raising an eyebrow, Susan then opened the door. Inside, she found Johnny passionately kissing Anelle. Susan's eyes flared up with rage.
"JOHNNY!"
Johnny let go of Anelle and turned to look at his sister.
"What?! Nothing's happening, I swear . . . ."
Susan grabbed Johnny by the ear and pulled him out of the bathroom as Anelle giggled.
"You can't just go around and start making out with alien princesses!"
"Awh, come on, Sis! She's not even a princess anymore! She's technically a queen . . . ."
As the party went on, Steve found himself standing alone at one of the windows overlooking the vast city of New York. Seeing this, Tasha sauntered up to Steve and stood beside him.
"How you doing, Cap?"
Steve glanced at Tasha.
"Me? I'm good."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
Tasha nodded and looked out at the city.
"You see this?" asked Steve, folding his arms over his chest. "We did that. We made sure it was still here."
"Hell yeah," said Tasha. "But I guess this sort of thing is just another day at the office for you, huh? Suicide missions? Saving the world? Been there, done that. You think just because you're like a hundred years old that you're better than us?"
"Better? No. Wiser? Maybe. I was around when polio was still a thing. You're all newborns compared to me."
Tasha narrowed her eyes at Steve.
"Is that right?"
Steve chuckled.
"So," said Tasha. "The Avengers. Gotta say, badass name. You think we can still make it work? In case the world ever needs us again?"
"Yeah," said Steve. "I think so. But for today . . . . today I think, we should just enjoy the view."
Tasha smiled.
"Yeah," she said, putting her hands on her hips. "That . . . . that I can do."
Steve and Tasha looked out at the city together one last time.
THE END
The Avengers Will Return
Epilogue
At an unknown point in the timeline, Kang sat back in his chair. He was inside of a spherical device, with walls composed of pure white. He tapped a few buttons on his holographic keyboard, which caused a grid of video recordings from various years to all play on his screen at once. One of the videos showed the destruction of the Exile's Intent. Another showed Reed Richards flying back to Satriani in the Rogue One to return the Keystone to Jemiah.
A small white orb floated up to Kang's side.
"My Lord," said the orb. "What do we do now? The Avengers have formed. One day, they will stand against you, as they did in the previous timeline."
Kang folded his hands together.
"I will watch, and I will wait. Veranke may have failed me, but there is always another opportunity. I will find a way to destroy them before they become too powerful. Besides, why should I worry?"
Kang put on a villainous smile.
"I have all the time in the world."
