Disclaimer: Goes without saying but I do not own Bruce Banner nor the Hulk nor any other Marvel character herein included. They're the properties of the original creators as dictated by official documents, whom you can find out more about in Wikipedia or something. Stan Lee, Marvel Comics, etc.

The Anolians and every related character/lore are invented by me, as is the overarching plot, but obviously, I don't own it. Still Marvel.

Rating: T for a bit of violence. I censor profanity like they would in a comic, if I ever use it.

PART 5: The Rebellion

Carol watched the world thoughtfully as she flew. How many worlds had she seen? Had she ever been to a world and just visited? Or had she fought on every world she had been to? And that was just on that universe. On that timeline. It was hard to tell, really.

"You sure you're up for this? You seem on edge," Geena said, not emoting a lot of confidence.

"The only thing getting me on edge is the team. If you all just listen to me, I'll be fine. We'll all be fine."

"When haven't we?" Geena asked, confused, and Carol didn't have an answer to that. That was true, they hadn't, and yet she felt like they did. Because of all the resistance. "I mean, we're not robots, we're speaking our mind. That should be okay?"

Again, Carol didn't really have an answer for that. It was just that cap had never had to deal with it. Outside of Clint. And Tony sometimes. And the Hulk. And a bit with Hank. Natasha went rogue that one time, but outside of that. Well, there was also Pietro a few times. Spider-man didn't really listen-and Wolverine who-okay, I'm definitely wrong about that one. Huh, why does it feel like everyone just listens to him all the time?

Before she could think of an answer, they arrived. Sunfire was in the air, engulfed in flames, but otherwise just hovering in wait. Below him was Nova, and a huddle of roughly twenty Anolians. They were sitting all together, all in Nova's sights, who was standing on firm ground with his hands aimed at them. He was also waiting.

Carol looked around and, outside of a few broken trees, saw no real damage done. No dead bodies. "Really good job," she said.

"Thanks!" Nova grinned happily. Geena stepped out of Carol's grasp and looked up.

"Come down, fireman," she called out above.

"It is Sunfire," Shiro yelled down, squinting annoyed. "And I will not. We do not want to be setting things on fire, correct?"

Carol winced and then rolled her eyes. He was following her orders and staying back, so Nova had taken care of them all by himself. Carol noticed his uniform was singed on the elbow.

"You're okay?"

"Totally not a problem," he said excitedly, then he pointed to one of the Anolians. "I think he's the leader here."

Carol approached the Anolian in question, who was made of more yellowish stuff. Its opaque yellow eyes met her, and his expression squinted. "So. Ignorant foreigners have come to the aid of the vile presidency."

"Not necessarily," Carol said, taking a knee so she could regard the Anolian more respectfully. "You've been at peace for a very long time, and now that you're not, the Kree want to come and stomp you to a cinder. We convinced them to give us a chance first. To talk to you and figure out what's going on. And how we might help you guys get things back to how they were before."

The rebels shuddered with anger, but only the leader spoke. "There is no getting back, not as long as the presidency holds power. They have corrupted our ideals, our laws, and our customs. They tried to weaponize the gods!"

"Ha," Nova said, fisting his hand. "Knew it. Every time."

Carol gave him a reproachful look, hoping it would motivate him to stay silent, before turning back on the Anolian.

"So you say," she accused. "According to the presidency, that's pretty much what you were doing. You convinced the Chosen to surrender the gods, and now they've left your planet open to the Unseen. Isn't that right?"

"What? No!" The Anolian suffered a spasm and sap shot out of its ear, falling dejectedly on the ground.

"Ew," Nova reacted, and Geena shuddered, stepping away completely in agreement. "Gross."

The rebel leader ignored them, though, choosing instead to focus on his yelling.

"The Chosen came to us! The presidency wanted to use their powers unlawfully, to take them unto themselves so they didn't have to surrender their post! We're supposed to switch every great season, after Tunhak! Trying to stay goes against all of our customs! So the Chosen took the powers away! We are trying to take down the presidency so that the Chosen can return to their rightful place! Here, together with each other, and us, they can stand against the Unseen. But separated as they are, they will be hunted down, and then we will all be doomed!"

Carol frowned. Her ear buzzed with her team chiming in.

"Lies," Sunfire said. "Find out where the rest of them are and let's put an end to this. Or the Kree will."

"This makes total sense, those presidents were super shifty!" Nova said, getting an approving look from the Anolians.

"I dunno about this. Neither of these stories add up," Geena said, "and I'm worried about what they have in common."

"They mentioned one chosen was still around," said Wonder Man in her ear.

"Good point, ask about that Chosen. Let's talk to him," War-Machine said, almost as if it was an order.

"I have an opinion too, guys, I think-"

Mr. Immortal ended up taking the short end of the stick, as that was the moment her temper flared.

"Keep. Radio. Clean," Carol punctuated, yet again. It was annoying that she had to do so. She turned to the Anolian out of reflex, wanting to check with his facial expression for signs of sincerity. Obviously, she had no idea since the Anolians had faces too foreign to read properly. "Do you have any proof of this?" Carol asked instead.

"Please, out-worlder, please believe us!" They head-butted the ground powerfully, almost digging holes, which concerned her momentarily. But it didn't cause them any damage. It was probably just something they would do as supplication. Still, it was impressive to see all twenty of them doing it. "Our world, our way of life, and all our lives! They are in your hands! Help us, please! Help us!"

Carol gritted her teeth. She had no idea what to do. Who to believe? In fact, did she have any right to even do anything at that point? It was one thing to meddle in the affairs of a planet if the situation was clear, and the grievances obvious, but a completely different one with the situation being what it was.

What her teammates had said finally clicked.

"The presidency mentioned that a Chosen was still on the planet. Where is this person?" Carol asked. "Are they with you?"

There was a pause, and it was a suspicious pause, a pause to think. Still, the Anolian straightened up and faced her.

"No. In the event of our capture, so we cannot reveal his location, we were not told where he was hidden. But he stands with us, that much is for certain! Please, be on the right side of history!" They started digging their heads into the ground again, back and forth. "Save our world! Save us! Bring down the presidency!"

"They make a mockery of us. Unleash me," Sunfire demanded, and Carol glanced up at him annoyed.

How could he make light of that decision? But more importantly, how could she make the decision at all? How should she proceed? Her team would be waiting for her call, and the longer she hesitated, the less they would respect it, no matter what it was. She knew for a fact that any decision was better than indecision, but in that situation?

To come in and alter the course of planetary history? How should she proceed? Who was in the right?

Shaking her head, she decided that's what she needed to do. Something constructive, irrespective of its potential for success.

"You will tell me where your leadership is," Carol demanded. "I will make them sit down with the presidency, and under our supervision, you will talk this out."

The Anolians balked, all together.

"They are evil and traitors! Never! They need to unite with the earth, or there is no future for us!"

"Are you the leadership?" She asked, stubbornly.

The Anolian gulped and faced the floor, tensely.

"One of them. But I am telling you, there is no peace to be made. There is only victory and salvation, or defeat and doom."

"We'll see about that," Carol said, and the silence in her radio worried her, but she continued. "Wonder Man. Tell the presidency we are coming to them, and we're bringing them a leader of the rebels." She glared down at the Anolian and emphasized her next words.

"To talk."

Part End: Thank you for reading, please consider leaving a review if you have the time.

When in doubt, figure things out! Still, what a situation to be in for our Carol on her very first mission as a team leader. Check back next part when they find this missing Chosen and discover where the truth lies.

This story and Spider-man: Repulse are heavily connected by lore, even though they're not connected by plot. All my marvel stories are in the same universe, and following an overarching plot. Just in case you want to give that a read.