" We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard. "
-John F. Kennedy
(MTF Facility: Paris, France: 5:30 PM)
Within four corners of the silent grey walls, a young pink Kree man spent minutes into hours to decipher which wire he would choose to remove the bomb attached from the equipment. Amnon felt jittery and shaking as he saw how the time was quickly running. He was holding the plies on his right hand and a magnifying glass on his left. This time, there were colored wires attached to the rectangular bomb.
Amnon couldn't decide on which wire he would take it off. He eyed them and used his magnifying glass to zoom on the green wire. The pink Kree placed his other tool on his left and thought to remove it. He took out his plies as he was sure to defuse it. Carefully taking it off, Amnon was able to eliminate it, however the bomb instantly exploded. The pink Kree was immediately rolling away from the blast and coughing.
" Ça suffit pour aujourd'hui, Montmartre. Vous pouvez sortir de la pièce. (That's enough for today, Montmartre. You may get out of the room.) "a male voice from the intercom spoke.
Amnon heard the reminder and slowly stood up from the floor. His face was blemished with shades of ash and smoke as he was still coughing and leaving the testing room. The other MTF personnel murmured and laughed at him when the pink Kree was becoming annoyed to see them.
" Pourquoi riez-vous les gars? (Why are you guys laughing about?) " Amnon asked and raised his eyebrows in doubt.
" Vous ne pouvez pas tirer et diffuser une bombe, Montmartre? Je suppose que tu es un chat effrayé! (You can't pull and diffuse a bomb, Montmartre? I take it, you're a scaredy cat!) " the French MTF trooper taunted.
" Peut-être qu'il joue juste à la poule mouillée! Il ne peut pas supporter la fureur de sa demi-sœur aînée! (Maybe, he's just playing sissy! He can't take his older half-sister's fury!) "his colleague added.
" Peut-être que SCP-682 l'a laissé mort pour de bon en premier lieu! C'est dommage! (Perhaps, SCP-682 has left him dead for good in the first place! What a shame!) "
Hearing such insults from the French MTF troopers, Amnon slowly grimaced and crossed his eyebrows. He was unhappy to deal with them and thinking to ignore them, however he was blocked by another male trooper who flirtingly smiled. His other colleagues loudly laughed at the pink Kree who became more uncomfortable than ever.
" Quel est le problème, beau. Pourquoi avez-vous l'air si effrayé? Je veux sortir avec toi ce soir. (What's the matter, handsome. Why you look so scared? I wanna hang out with you tonight.) "the MTF trooper maliciously grinned, winked, and gently touched the Kree's shoulders, pretending to be seductive at him." Je veux savoir si tu es intéressé à me rencontrer. (I wanna know if you're interested to meet me.) "
Seeing his other colleague flirting at him, Amnon's flashbacks in the slave den began to reoccur. He remembered one time that a gay lizard accuser had stalked and maliciously seducted him as a Kree-Lizard hybrid. This time, the young pink Kree was sweating in fear and feeling a tremendous disgust at the MTF trooper's actions, even though it was a joke. The others kept laughing at him. Amnon instantly took the man's hand off his shoulders and thought of not making any troubles.
" LÂCHEZ-MOI! (GET OFF ME!) "Amnon angrily exclaimed and instantly stormed out of the room.
The group were dumbfounded to see him running away. The pink Kree couldn't tolerate such antics from his colleagues which their words triggered and reminded him of his bleak past. Just then, Commander Roosevelt and Lord Hood noticed him fleeing away while they were conversing.
" Montmartre, " the MTF official called him when Amnon panted and ceased running. " Are you all right? "
" Sirs, why don't you thoroughly ask your subordinates? " Amnon replied and pointed at the room where the group had remained. " They will explain what happened. "
Lord Hood got intrigued and turned to Roosevelt as they shared glances and looked at Amnon with concern. The pink Kree had nothing to say and walked away. Reaching the most peaceful side of the facility, he saw a blind Japanese man in a green shirt, standing in front of him.
" Look, if you're gonna cause another trouble, I guess you should stay away from me, " the pink Kree seriously spoke.
" I didn't have an intention to harm you, young one, " the Asian man sincerely smiled and politely spoke. " The winds have told me what those men did to you. I have understood you are afraid and frustrated at them. "
" Winds? "
" Yes, " he nodded. " I am an Inhuman who lives for more than two centuries and controls the air. "
" Okay, I see, " Amnon replied and understood. " So, you want to talk to me? "
" Of course. Forgive me for I have not introduced myself, " the man calmly replied and bowed. " My name is Asuga Hasekura. I came here all the way from Japan. The winds can hold many secrets and carry those words. So, I just simply listen. "
Amnon became intrigued at the Japanese man and thought, " Maybe, this guy will surely give me some clues. Perhaps, this is something to do with me and Old Man Methu-Selah. Let's see how this conversation goes. " Then, he responded with the same gesture and spoke, " It's nice to meet you, sir. The name's Amnon Montmartre. "
" Your name is very familiar, " Asuga smiled.
" What do you mean? "
" Your mother and I talked more about you. "
" I guess we have a lot to talk about, " the Kree answered. " I know a place where we can stay and eat while conversing. "
" Certainly, it is interesting, Montmartre-san. "
The two men headed to a Japanese room, took a platter of sushi, and two cups of green tea. The dining area had a small wooden table, standing in between the two red pillows. The potted bonsai trees and the pink tatami mat had welcomed them. This place is the most serene and the rarest part of the MTF Facility in Paris. Amnon assisted Asuga to sit down as he took his seat. Then, the Kree sat down and watched Asuga how to use the chopsticks, as he got curious.
" So, you're a blind person, yet you can manage eating by using those, " Amnon surmised and struggled to hold and use his chopsticks.
" It takes time to return to your usual things, Montmartre-san, " Asuga replied, after he ate his share and took a sip of his tea.
" Yeah, right, " the pink Kree nodded and understood what the Japanese man meant. " So tell me, did terrigenesis turn you into an Inhuman? "
" Yes, you may call it the magic blue crystal that forms rocks once you get exposed to it, " Asuga explained. " I have experienced that more than two centuries ago. I used to be a ninja fighting against the clans during the Edo period back in Kanagawa prefecture. In the forest, I got captured by the enemy faction. One of their men slashed my body and took my both eyes as they had ended my life. "
" In Japan? "
" Yes. "
" Then, what happened? "
" I got exposed to that terrigen material and I never realized what was going on with me, until I woke up in total darkness and broke the rocks within my body, " Asuga continued. " It was Methu-Selah who saved me. He told me I died and regained my life as an Inhuman who controls the wind and the air, aside from longevity. "
Amnon nodded and curiously asked while eating his share of tuna maki, " So, what happened to your eyesight? "
" It's no longer part of me, Montmartre-san. It's hard to accept at first, but I gradually realized that winds and air have let me see the beauty of this world. "
Amnon finished eating his share and drank his cup of green tea. He fully understood what the calm and blind man had said. The pink Kree had seen and experienced how the world was beautiful in his journeys, but it was tainted by the five decade invasion. Asuga noticed Amnon's long silence and sensed the blonde Kree's loneliness and fear. He chewed his last bite of the tuna maki and cleared his throat, by ingesting his cup of green tea.
" Montmartre-san, " Asuga broke his silence and carefully wiped his mouth with a tissue. " The winds have told me that you have endured such hardships in your journey from your previous form. I had already understood what you are after. You found family and new friends, but some never fully understood and accepted you. "
The young Kree man understood and heavily sighed as he spoke, " This is so true, sir. First, Buck and his people harmed me here in Paris. Secondly, Skouro is struggling to remember that time I have escaped. Lastly, some MTF people and my older half-sister bullied me over the past few weeks. Mr. Hasekura, if you were in my shoes, how would you feel? "
Asuga listened and remained silent before he would speak. He was thinking of his response and holding his cup of tea. Amnon waited for him to speak up and finally emptied his drink.
" It is very unbearable to experience similar things in the past. Now, you are dealing with the same challenge all over again, " the Inhuman calmly replied. " I know you have more tragic parts of your life which you have never shared with everyone. You need to seek someone who could help you aside from your family. "
" I guess I should find one. "
" And another thing, Montmartre-san. Harsh words of other people do not matter. They will stumble and make you fail further. You have the right to push and pursue what truly makes you happy. You deserve to rewrite your story. "
" Yeah, that's what my mother had said to me before. "
" The most important thing that you can do with them is to forgive and treat them with kindness. "
Amnon was enlightened to the Japanese Inhuman had spoken of. He fully understood what he meant and sincerely smiled at him.
" I know it's hard to do this, but I will keep it in my mind to do it, " he replied.
" I know you can do it, Montmartre-san, " Asuga smiled back and nodded. " Don't give up. "
(SEVERAL DAYS PASSED)
Amnon had become more overworked and exhausted than ever as he was still taking his training and part-time janitorial shifts. He was not taking any rests and days-off , which he wanted to prove to anyone he was worthy to be part of the Rebel Forces and the MTF. In those days, the pink Kree was still receiving such disdainful insults from other people and ignoring them. Amnon was still focusing on his work and training. His older half-sister and former SO never came near to him, but Ella became more concerned of his younger half-brother's status and saw him taking a lot of responsibilities. She felt guilty and regretted what she had done to him.
This time, Amnon had finished his lecture sessions and began to take his janitorial overtime shifts. He was in the restrooms when he began scrubbing each toilet for the rest of the evening. While working around the place, he was loudly coughing, experiencing high fever, and ignoring it. Suddenly, Commando Buck Henderson entered the place, washed his hands at the sink, and heard someone coughing at the cubicle. He saw Amnon covering his mouth using his right hand and holding a scrubbing brush using his left, leaving the cubicle. The Kree janitor and trainee coughed and felt shaking as he instantly fell down.
" Oh, crap! Amnon! " Buck anxiously exclaimed and immediately walked over to him. " You're sick, what the hell?! "
" Buck… " Amnon coughed and abruptly spoke with a hoarse voice. " I'm...okay… I can…"
" Look, you're not okay! I'll send you home and have a rest! You can't push through like this! "
The MTF Commando carefully helped the pink skinned Kree stand up and slowly walked him home that evening. Amnon kept coughing as his body temperature rose. They reached the flat when Buck immediately knocked on the door. The Kree Eternal instantly opened the door as his girlfriend stood beside him.
" Amnon needs your help! " Buck anxiously exclaimed. " He has a fever and keeps coughing! "
" Mr. Henderson, I predicted this a few days ago, yet he refused to listen to me and his mother, " Methu-Selah seriously answered and turned to Carol as she nodded and looked at them with concern. " Bring this boy to us, we'll take care of him. "
" Thanks, but I'm sorry if we let him get sick. I know you two will be totally upset and…"
" Buck, it's not your fault, " Carol calmly answered as her boyfriend carefully carried his ailing son into his room. " You did what you had to do. And that's it. You don't need to explain further. You're all good. "
" Thanks, Carol, " he slightly smiled and nodded no furiously.
" You're welcome. Instead, I should say to you, ' Thank you for bringing my son home.' "
Buck remained silent and ashamed as he never felt being appreciated by a retired heroine turned mother. At first, she was very harsh at him as she saw how Buck and his troopers treated her son. This time, Carol smiled back and waited for him to respond.
" You're welcome, ma'am. Goodnight, " he replied and waved goodbye at her.
" Goodnight, Mr. Henderson, " she waved back and entered the flat, closing the door.
Repetitively travelling through the stairs, Carol had taken a glass and pitcher of water, a bowl of chicken soup, and a bottle of antibiotics which she placed on Amnon's bedside. Then, Methu-Selah prepared a cold basin of water and a face towel, just another table near to the bed. The elderly half-Kree took the white face towel and made it wet by placing it into the basin. She carefully squeezed and waited for its dripping to finish. Carol carefully placed it on her son's forehead as Amnon felt a slight discomfort and moaned with his hoarse voice.
" Mom...It's cold… " he lowly spoke and coughed.
" Kid, don't waste your voice, " his mother seriously reminded. " You need to take some rest before you get back to work. "
" Mom...I…"
" Rest first, understood? "
Amnon nodded and coughed as he was lying down on the bed in his pajamas. In his new body, this was the first time he got ill. His sight was wobbling as he was experiencing migraines and a high fever. Carol took out the thermometer and placed it on the right palm of his hand. It took seconds into minutes when it finally beeped and showed her son's body temperature at 300F or 148.89C. It was beyond normal human temperature as Carol sadly sighed.
Methu-Selah watched his son's coughing and moaning as he understood an unpowered Kree was suffering from a human illness. He looked at his girlfriend who was still wiping and cooling off the son's high temperature.
" Methie, we better get him a doctor, " Carol said with concern. " He has the flu, but his fever is not very normal. This would be pneumonia, if he doesn't get treated immediately. '
" I know, Carol, " the Kree Eternal nodded. " He must be over fatigued from work and easily gets infected. If our friends in the MTF could understand our physiology, they could help treat our son. "
" I think I should give Skouro a call right now, " she answered. " Is there a way you can relieve from his fever while I'm taking a phone call? "
" I will try, but still he needs a doctor to have a look at him. "
" Okay, just do what you need to do. I'll be right back. "
The elderly half-Kree lady left her son's room. Methu-Selah remained sitting beside Amnon who kept coughing and moaning in pain. His father took the wet face towel from his son's forehead and placed it on the basin. He was squeezing and gently placing it on his forehead. Amnon slowly opened his eyes and saw his father was doing it.
" Master… I'm sorry…" Amnon slowly spoke and silently wept, losing his voice. " I just want to prove to anyone that I can be better than my old self or 682, but they keep taunting me…" Then, he loudly coughed. " Then, Ella hates me more…Skouro doesn't remember me much…I don't know if there are people who can help me. Now… I made you guys worry…I have disobeyed you…"
" Son, your mother and I have known how dedicated you are. You're in the process of rebuilding your life for the second time, " his father calmly answered, gently patted his son's forehead with a wet cloth, and held his right hand, secretly transferring a portion of his Light Soul Energy to Amnon. " Some people don't understand what they have been through. They intend to think and say malicious things to you. All I can say is you have to keep doing what is right like you have done before. Just kill them with kindness and respect. Soon enough, they will accept and respect you. "
The pink Kree's body got illuminated and fell asleep after the Kree Eternal relieved him from his high fever. His body began to sweat. Methu-Selah gently touched his son's palms when his fever slowly subsided and kissed his forehead. Then, he stood up from his seat and opened the door.
" Sweet dreams and get well soon, my son, "Methu-Selah smiled and thought, watching him sleeping peacefully." You will achieve your true peace and joy in life very soon. "
(THE NEXT DAY)
After meeting the Rebel Force's physician, Amnon was still resting and recovering in the room when Skouro and Ella both paid him a visit. The doctor prescribed him with the right medication when Amnon's parents understood the instruction. Just then, the family invited the two ladies and the doctor for breakfast.
When the doctor left, Methu-Selah had to take care of Amnon inside the room. The three women talked in private in the living room. Ella sat down in between her mother and Skouro at the couch. She was feeling guilty for what she had done to her half-brother and spoken ill of him. Carol and Skouro both understood as Amnon told all and waited for her to confess.
" Ella, do you have something to say to her? " Skouro curiously asked.
" Look, I was just carried away because of my anger, " the Kree-hybrid Australian woman humbly spoke and explained. " Mum, I really hated you for abandoning me and Dad, back then. Then, it blew out of proportion when I met Amjoe. I was supposed to help him. I didn't realise I had been so harsh towards him and you. I took them personally. It's all my fault why I made him that way. I'm so sorry. I have been so wrong. "
" Ella, I'm glad you admitted your mistake, " Carol replied and sadly sighed. " But I should be the one to apologize in the first place and responsible for raising you. We both knew that this unending invasion had separated us, but Amnon is the one who binds us together. It's not too late for us to rekindle and rebuild. "
" I just don't know how to start…"
" There's nothing wrong in restarting those missing times with Carol and redeeming your relationship with Amnon, " the Dark Angel added and clasped her both hands. " Ella, it's your chance to make it or break it. "
The Kree-Aussie woman sighed and remained indecisive as her guilt and shame began to rise. The elderly half-Kree woman and the Dark Angel both looked with concern at her. Ella silently wept and couldn't contain herself when her mother instantly put her arms around her. Skouro felt sorry and gently rubbed Ella's back. Both of them pacified her when sorrow and forgiveness had visited the flat.
" I'M SO SORRY! "
" Ella, we forgive you, " Carol assured her daughter.
" If Amnon's here and gets well, he is willing to forgive you too, " Skouro added and sweetly smiled. " I'm absolutely sure he will be happily looking forward to getting along with you and Carol. "
(Lord Hood, Commander Roosevelt, Buck Henderson, and Skoúro Valour belong toFlashlightMan)
(Asuga Hasekua belong toKnightfall077)