Chapter 3

Sakaar wasn't a very forgiving place, as Brunnhilde's ship was being tailed by a fleet of the planet's deadliest pilots. What was supposed to be a diplomatic mission to find allies in the cosmos for New Asgard turned into a chase for vengeance.

"SHIT! CAN ANYONE READ ME?!," Valkyrie shouted out to the communications device on her ship, "THIS IS BRUNNHILDE OF NEW ASGARD CALLING FOR AID!"

A few shots from behind her almost took off her ship's right wing. The Asgardian dipped down to get out of her enemies' s scope. Unfortunately, it wasn't working.

"I REPEAT! THIS IS BRUNNHILDE OF NEW ASGARD CALLING FOR HELP!," the ruler called out, "I'VE GOT A SHIT TON OF MERCENARIES ON MY ARSE AND I'D RATHER NOT DIE TODAY!"

Valkyrie began to mutter to herself, "Become new ruler, he said. It would be an easy job, he said. You can trust me, I'm the mighty, all-knowing Thor, HE SAID! FOR THE LOVE OF ODIN, WHERE IS THAT WOMAN?!"

She could've just stayed here working for the Grandmaster or she could've been having fun somewhere on Alfheim, but nooo! She had to say yes to helping out Dumb and Dumber kill their evil sister! Now, she's running a damn nation, everyone was either begging for her help or trying to kill her, and she had to stay sober for this mission for FOUR DAYS!

A beeping alarm came from the warrior's dashboard, "Warning! Massive energy signature detected!"

"Oh, what in the Hel now?!," Valkyrie groaned.

Out of nowhere, a blazing light caught her attention. It was like looking into the sun. The sound of explosions rattled the ruler's ears as she tried to get a look at what was going on.

"Your highness,'' came a voice from the dashboard, "Need a hand?"

Valkyrie looked up to see a blonde woman in red and blue looking down at her, burning like a supernova. Captain Carol Danvers gave the Asgardian a smile, as she hovered before her ship.

"Well, if it isn't the Kree Captain," Brunnhilde noted, "Would it hurt for you to pick up the damn pager once in a while?"

"Aw, don't tell me you came all the way to Sakaar for little ol' me," Carol jokingly mused.

"We've got some stuff to talk about," Valkyrie told her knight in glowing armor, "You know a place where we can chat?"

…

"You are my type of guy," Brunnhilde gleamed as she downed another bottle.

The bar the two were at was filled with criminals, but they were the type not to draw attention to themselves by starting some type of fight with the two heroes. As the valkyrie chugged down the drink, Carol watched her carefully, starting to grow impatient.

"I'm guessing you didn't cross galaxies just to get wasted," Carol commented.

"Trust me, they do not sell this brand back on Earth, I'll tell you that," Brunn smirked, "No, I need your help. The whole of Earth does."

"What's going on?," Danvers asked.

"That team of yours wants you back," Valkyrie answered, "Those Avengers of yours."

Carol scoffed. She remembered working with that group during the aftermath of the Snap. They weren't exactly the best company, but she had respect for them. Plus, it was a whole team named after her! At least she knew Fury had taste.

"I thought they disbanded after Thanos."

"They're coming back together," Valkyrie explained, "New group and all. Apparently, our names are on the roster."

"Hm. And what makes them think that I would join them?," the captain asked quizzically.

"From what I can tell, the Skrulls are doing much better now," Valkyrie pointed out, "And a good number of the planets you were sent to help are doing far better now. Even this hellhole."

"Yeah, the people running this place sure have it out for you," Carol responded.

"Yep," Valkyrie took another swig, "So, you in or out?"

Carol thought it over. She missed Earth. She really did. She missed the Louisiana nights. She missed messing around with Fury. She missed her family. But she couldn't go back now.

After the Blip, she finally got them back. Her Maria, her Monica. But they were different. Staying with the Skrulls all these years caused the captain to forget about the shackles of time and age. While she remained as young as when she first got her abilities, time moved on for them. Maria may have forgiven her for the years she missed, but Monica was a bit more...hesitant.

Plus, this was a team! Last team she was on ended up betraying her. No, there was too much baggage.

Carol shook her head, "Look, I'm flattered and everything, but I'm more of a solo act. Your welcome for the save, by the way."

"Of course," Valkyrie smirked, "As is the Kree way, right? Not to work with those lower than you?"

The captain's fists clenched, "I'm not a Kree."

"Yet you still wear the uniform of one of their soldiers," Valkyrie scoffed, "Look, I'm not good with emotions or sympathy or any of those made up words Bruce told me about, but I'm going to take a stab at it. The metaphorical stab, not the literal one."

"Oh boy," Carol exhaled, ready for some awful advice.

"I've tried running away from my responsibilities before. Tried to get away from the place I called home. Wasted my time drinking and working for whoever paid. Believe me, I would guzzle liquor until I blacked out," Brunnhilde reminisced, "Then I realized that running didn't solve anything. I had to go back, I had to fix things back home. I think what I'm getting at here is that you can't run forever."

Carol listened closely, sympathizing with the woman sitting next to her, "What's your game in all of this?"

Brunnhilde bitterly let out a laugh, "...I've seen too many people die on my watch."

She took another swig of her bottle and hopped off of her seat, "Well, once you decide to get off your arse and help out, you know where to find me."

Carol watched the warrior walk out and began to think it over. How was she going to live her life?