" Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles."
―Ralph Waldo Emerson
(PARIS, FRANCE, 9:30 PM)
" One dish, glass, and a pair of utensils, then we're all done and get some shut eye, " Carol said and turned to her boyfriend as he kept wiping the clean and wet dishes with a towel. Then, she asked him, " Methie, aren't you even tired after all that whole day of general cleaning? "
" Sleep is very pointless to me, even if I sense some danger in all other parts of this planet. And then, our son has some onset of his repetitive nightmares, " Methu-Selah answered.
" If I heard this same phrase from that boy before, " she sighed, finished rinsing the drinking glass with water, and gave it to her boyfriend. " Absolutely, you and Amnon do sound and think alike. "
" Indeed, but I am worried about him hearing he had been abused by 682 and such. This time, he has mentioned to us that he experienced being sexually harassed by a male reptilian in that same slave den, " he heavily sighed and sadly bowed his head, placing down the glass and towel into the countertop. " I couldn't do anything right to spare our child from such tragedies he had been. I felt like I'm the worst father in the universe. I should have helped him in the first place. "
Carol sincerely looked at the Kree Eternal, gently held his hands, and said, " Methie, ever since Amnon was in that facility, you were there observing him. From that time he had gone, you never ceased looking and following him. Amnon had been searching and travelling all those years looking for you. Almost three years ago, you had that vision of meeting and taking care of him. That kid asked a lot of questions which I tried to answer. Now, it came true. He is truly happy to be with you. It's not too late for you to fill-in and fix his empty and broken heart. It's because you're his real father. He has been looking for a father's love for years. "
" You're right, Carol, " Methu-Selah smiled. " It's about time to have my part in taking care of him and catch up on those missing years as a father and son. Thank you for being with him after I left you in Rouen. After all, my predicted death as Methuselah Belladonna was no accident, it was destiny to meet our son and reunite as a family. "
" Well, you have plotted it out in the first place, " she kissed his left cheek and sensed her son was not yet sleeping in the bedroom. " Methie, did you notice Amnon went somewhere else? "
" Right. Like myself, he's sleepless and thinking too much. I know exactly where he is. "
The Kree couple finished washing and wiping the dishes and headed into the apartment's rooftop. They saw the blonde pink Kree silently gazed at the luminous dots in the dark sky and then looked at the radiant sturdy Eiffel Tower from a distance. Methu-Selah and Carol shared glances and thought of letting him alone, but their son overheard their footsteps and turned his attention to his parents. He was slightly smiling at them when they walked over and stood beside him.
" Aren't you supposed to have some shut eye tonight? " Carol asked and gave him a suggestive look. " You have training tomorrow morning. You can't stay up late. "
" I know that, Mom, " Amnon replied and chuckled, placing both of his hands on his khaki pants's pocket. " You don't have to tell me twice. "
" You would be supposed to say, ' Sleep is very pointless to me ', " his father joked and then changed the topic, crossing his arms. " I know you have a lot to talk about today. "
" You mean, I'm grounded for curfew? "
" No! That's nonsense! " Methu-Selah laughed. " You have been with your new friends from the Group Therapy session, right? "
" Yes, " Amnon nodded.
" You have to tell us more about it, " Carol interjected.
" Well, how should I start, " Amnon released his right hand and scratched his chin, thinking of what he had done throughout the day. " Commander Roosevelt and I had a talk this afternoon. "
" Is this pertaining to your training? " the Kree Eternal curiously asked.
" It's just that I have difficulty focusing these days. "
" Is it your memory of 682 or the other people who bantered you? " Carol asked.
Amnon heavily sighed and gloomily looked at his parents. He understood that their Kree Cosmic Awareness and Seventh Sense were active at this moment. He refused to disclose that grim and disgusting memory of that homosexual reptilian guard, but his parents had understood of that sexual predator back in the New York Slave den.
" Mom, Master, you know who I was referring to, " he seriously spoke. " That monster, the one who seduced me. I never wanted to talk about my experiences with him. " The pink Kree grimaced, paused, and angrily clenched his right fist, " It's just...if everyone finds out... they would tell me how horrible I am... "
" So, you got raped before you got controlled by Kasius? " his mother asked.
" Y-yes, he almost tried to do it, but I ran away from him! Then, he asked his fellows to beat me up! " he wailed. " I know I felt horrible and violated. I couldn't fight back! Draco was a psycho! "
Methu-Selah and Carol saw their son covered his face as he was in tears. They instantly hugged him instead of harshly criticizing him. Throughout the years, Amnon was in deep psychological pain from his detractors. He never deserved those kinds of experiences as he had nothing to do, but to cry. He refused to tell his friends in the Rebel Forces and the MTF of his sensual days in the slave den before being manipulated and groomed as Kasius's SCP-682.
" Amnon, we understood how dark you have experienced back there, " his father calmly said. " We will never judge you for who you are. "
" Why? Why did you stop me from taking my own life? "
" Because you are an important part of our family. We love you, Amnon, " Carol sincerely replied and touched his wavy golden locks. " Remember, you told me that you have been longing for a real family? It did come true. We have reunited. You had a new body and met your sister. This is what you have been searching for in the first place. "
" Your mother's right, Amnon. We have been worrying about your condition back in that slave den, " Methu-Selah interjected. " Whatever you have seen, heard, or felt there, it's a bleak memory that you will soon learn and outgrow. We're here to support you. "
Amnon remained speechless and heard of what his parents mentioned. Love and concern grew deep inside his heart which he had been longing for. At this moment, he felt so helpless and hurt which he had endured and witnessed such trauma he experienced.
(SIX DAYS LATER)
" Krakoa was a wasteland, " Rahne silently wept and rubbed her eyes with a tissue when everyone paid attention to her story. " We lost our homes and families during those early dire times. My husband fought harder along with our friends and perished, but those brutes were mercilessly taking children and women away. My sons Tier and Ethan were one of them. I saw how they had been taken away from me, but I resisted. Now, I don't know if they're alive. "
" I'm sorry to hear that, Ms. Sinclair, " Dr. Schnee calmly spoke. " Upon hearing your story, I know how horrible you have been. So, have you been experiencing any flashbacks or nightmares of the same incident? "
" Yes, they have been recurring frequently, " she answered and kept wiping her eyes. " I felt darkness coming over me. "
" Did they prevent you from using your powers or turn you uncontrollable? " Elder Rogers asked.
" Both. "
Elder Rogers and Dr. Schnee shared glances and understood what the wolf mutant had been. The rest felt sorry for her. Amnon remained attentive as his mind started to form questions for her. Arnav and Chandresh both whispered in their native tongue as they wanted to ask her.
" How long have you been experiencing that? " Arnav asked.
" Fifty years, lad, " Rahne answered. " There were times I reached the gloomiest point in my life that I never wanted to use my powers."
" It seems this is very hard for you to live like that, " Uldrin calmly spoke. " Sometimes, I feel that way too. It's hard to use your powers when you have experienced such traumatic memories. It seems like you don't feel like saving the world, but we have to fight back and do it. "
" I know. "
" Have you ever tried taking your life? " Amnon queried. " Like being hopeless and guilty? "
" Why did you ever think of that senseless question, Montmartre? " Elder Scott Summers sneered and chuckled. " Isn't it obvious that Rahne has been suffering the same insanity as we have?! "
" Look, Mr. Summers. This is a support group, right? " the pink Kree calmly replied. " I'm trying to get a gist from Ms. Sinclair if she has those feelings? "
Rahne sighed and never wanted to see anyone arguing. She deeply thought of the Kree's question and recalled those episodes of extreme loneliness. Elder Rogers and the others were waiting for her to respond.
" I do, " she broke her silence. " It happens frequently. I need further help in my situation right now. I can't just deal with this anymore. I feel like giving up! "
" We're sorry to hear that, Ms. Sinclair, " Chandresh interjected. " For us, it's very difficult for you to have these low periods. It's easier said than done if you try to look at the brighter side of life. I hope you will attain your true happiness after this. "
" Thank you..."
" Rahne, I think I need a one on one session with you this coming Monday morning , " Dr. Schnee replied and turned to the bespectacled mutant man. " As for you Scott, your haughtiness has gone beyond the limits of our therapy here. "
" Why would I even bother staying here?! " the former X-Man pouted, rolled his eyes with disgust, and angrily crossed his arms.
" Scott, behave yourself, " Lila sternly whispered and looked at the group. " One nasty mishap, you might be out of this program. Are you even ashamed that everyone is glaring at you? "
Elder Rogers helplessly eyed the brunette man with red glasses and then called the group's attention, " Is everyone in this group willing to share their experiences aside from Rahne? "
Amnon heard the former Avenger's question and felt contemplated to start sharing his long story. His older cousin Samara gave a convincing look and smiled. The pink Kree was compelled to tell his experiences, since no one would ever believe him. Elder Rogers and Dr. Schnee gave him an encouraging smile as he heavily sighed and began composing his thoughts. Uldrin and the others turned their attention to him.
" Amnon, is there anything you need to tell us? " Dr. Schnee asked.
" I guess so..." he hesitantly replied and placed his right hand on his left arm. " I'm not so sure if you guys are willing to pay any further attention to my story. Some of you will find it unbelievable. "
" There's nothing wrong with telling yours, " the former Avenger interjected. " We understand you're uncomfortable sharing it. It's necessary to release your negativities here. "
" We are a support group, " the African-American psychotherapist added. " We're here to listen and help you. "
" Right, " Amnon nodded and cleared his throat as everyone paid attention to him. " I know you won't believe me in this and hope you will all understand me. I was a Kree-SCP 682 hybrid clone being kept at a Foundation facility in California, fifty years ago before this invasion happened. I was harshly treated as an experiment. "
Upon hearing the pink Kree's introduction, everyone in the group exchanged glances and murmured in disbelief. The two therapists remained calm and shushed the members. Uldrin was surprised that his new friend happened to be a former Kree-Reptilian hybrid whom he had met before.
" Amnon, ignore these people, " Elder Rogers said. " Please continue your testimony. "
" In my previous form, I was physically abused by the original 682 and the other SCP objects. I never fought back at them or anyone before, until I met someone who talked to me for a while and helped me escape that hellish facility after that earthquake. I wandered away as the people from the MTF kept chasing me. I met many people along with my exile and fought against the invaders, but those repetitive nightmares from 682 often stumbled me. "
" Did you ever seek a family on your trips? " Samara looked at her younger cousin with concern and asked as she sparked interest in his story.
" I did, " Amnon replied. " I met my mother here around two to three years ago. She took care of me, but I got kidnapped by those same invaders around the Eiffel Tower grounds. "
" Oh, dear..." Lila commented and sadly sighed. " You ended up as a slave for them. "
" Yes, in New York City. I spent six months working hard labor, got sexually harassed, beaten up, and brainwashed to be the tyrant's accuser! I never wanted those to happen. That's why I need your help! "
Amnon covered his face and wept as the rest of the group therapy members felt sorry for him. Samara gently patted her younger cousin's shoulders. Elder Scott Summers completely brushed off his empathy at the newest member.
" Heh, it seems Montmartre is the alleged and indestructible SCP-682 murdering clone. I don't think he can be trusted here! " the elderly mutant scoffed.
" Scott, what are you talking about?! " Lila raised her voice. " This lad is a victim of these misfortunes! You can't judge someone from his experiences! "
" Really?! I hardly believe Danvers has adopted the most dangerous being as her son! I have heard the rumours from the MTF people here that this boy should have been a potential monster! Aren't you all even aware he became a killing machine for the Kree and the lizards a few months ago! He slaughtered the slaves and the rest of our people! " Summers heatedly replied and indignantly pointed his finger at Amnon. " You let your people kill my wife, Jean, fifty years ago! I won't forgive you and your so-called mother! Now, you're in a new body and begging for everyone's mercy?! "
" Look, I never wanted those things to happen again! I was manipulated before! " Amnon loudly cried. " Can't you even understand?! I don't know anything! "
" I will make you understand your consequences and DIE, LIAR! "
" Stop it! "
" Scott, what on Earth?! He's just a child! " Lila exclaimed.
" He's a child, Really?! Does a child kill millions of lives on this planet?! "
" Scott, that's enough! " Elder Rogers yelled.
" Mr. Summers! " Dr. Schnee called the mutant's attention.
" MR. SUMMERS, LET ME GO! " Amnon sharply yelled.
" THIS IS FOR JEAN! YOU DESERVE TO DIE, NOT HER! "
Elder Summers instantly grabbed Amnon's shirt collar and radiated both eyes. The Kree was defenseless and threatened to see an overpowered senior citizen trying to kill him. He wanted to defend himself, but he was still powerless. Elder Rogers, Dr. Schnee, Lila, and Rahne instantly grabbed the elder mutant away. Uldrin, Samara, Chandresh, and Arnav took Amnon away from the clutches of the raging mutant. The pink Kree felt humiliated and wept when he immediately exited the room. Uldrin sadly sighed and remained silent for he couldn't say anything at the group.
" Amnon! " Samara called her younger cousin's name and thought of following him.
" Good riddance, he ain't coming back! " he loudly laughed. " It's too late, Samara! He's gonna leave for good or better yet, he's going to commit suicide! "
" Mr. Summers, that's very offensive for you to say that, " she seriously answered.
" I'm just telling the truth. There's nothing wrong with that. "
" Mr. Summers, why did you have to do this to Amnon? " Arnav asked with concern. " He really needs our help! You're not supposed to terrorize him! "
" You guys don't understand?! He's a former murderer and his damn predecessor was one too! Why did you even defend him?! "
" That man helped us to reconcile along with Uldrin! " Chandresh spat. " He's broken just like us! "
" Broken?! Really?! Why do you even care about him?! "
" Scott, please..." Rahne cried. " Your anger has grown wilder than ever! You need to stop this! "
" You guys don't understand! His fellow Kree and Lizards killed my beloved wife fifty years ago! That scoundrel must pay! "
" He has nothing to do with Scott. He doesn't even know, " Uldrin interjected.
" I don't even care! "
" I think this session is enough, " Dr. Schnee seriously spoke and crossed his arms. Then, he turned to the bespectacled mutant. " Mr. Summers, I think I shall assign you with Dr. Bastille's weekday anger management class. I have patients aside from you who need more help. Amnon is one of them. You made him upset. I guess your traumatic episodes lead you into your violent tendencies. "
The former X-man stormed out of the room. Then, others thanked the two therapists and left. Elder Steve Rogers heavily sighed and looked at his co-worker. The African-American psychotherapist felt sorry for the Kree Eternal's son.
" I don't want to doubt Amnon's testimony, but I need to find out what triggered him to experience those things, " Dr. Schnee calmly broke his silence. " I guess I need a one-on-one session with him aside from Rahne. He has a severe mental issue which he tried to conceal and make himself as a normal person. "
" Indeed, he's telling the truth. He doesn't fabricate his story. "
" Still, we need to verify his claims, then we can help him. "
" So, you need to do an in-depth assessment and interview? " Rogers asked.
" Yes, " he nodded and took out the patient's folder. " Amnon's profile is insufficient in my records here. The Foundation personnel didn't allow me to gain access to the previous Kree-682 hybrid files and the Project Marvel. "
" They're too confidential, Oswald. We need another way to take information. Perhaps, I need to have a conversation with Danvers and her partner one of these days. They need to be informed about their son's mental health. "
" Good idea. What do you mean by her partner? Who are you referring to? "
" The Kree Eternal, Methu-Selah, " the former Avenger explained. " A lot of people here had witnessed his act in saving that Kree-682 hybrid's insanity from Ethiopia a couple of weeks ago. Then, Commando Buck Henderson and his troops' assaulted him here in Paris. Fortunately, Ms. Danvers came to intervene in that confusion. "
" Sounds very rough with that boy. "
" Indeed. "
" I see, " Dr. Schnee nodded. " Then, you recommend Amnon for my next plan. "
" Certainly, yes. He really needs our help, Oswald. That boy's future is at stake, if his mind never gets into his shape. "
(Uldrin Vanasoul from Knightfall077)