" I think a hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people. "

- Maya Angelou - 

(ONE MONTH LATER: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, 3:30 PM)

Mar-Vell had taught everything for his Kree-Lizard companion which he was indeed a fast learner in becoming a street beggar. The boy enjoyed mentioning numbers which he kept memorizing and counting money to other things. Then, he learned the names of days in a week and months in a year. They spent wandering around the streets where their begging and scavenging exploits were still on going. He got used to eat food from the garbage.

Although he still had nightmares every evening, the older pink-Kree beggar became his accountability partner aside from being his mentor. He got used to hear them and never grew tired of pacifying the boy. From Beverly Hills to Downtown LA, the two enjoyed their road trips.

This time, they ended in the alley of Chinatown district where they kept finding for more food on the dumpsters. Mar-Vell and his companion were scattering and scavenging for food and other things.

" I found something for our snack, " the boy called his friend's attention. " It's left-over food. "

" What is it and how many? " Mar-Vell asked.

" Two pieces of cookies and four Oranges. "

" Good! It's time for our intake! " he grinned and took his share of the fortune cookie and two pieces of Oranges. Mar-Vell noticed the Kree-Lizard boy wanted to crack the fortune cookie with his strong hands. He exclaimed, " Hey! Hey! Hold it right there! You're gonna crush that thing into crumbs! "

" What do you mean? " he paused and curiously asked.

" That ain't no ordinary cookie! It's a fortune cookie, for Pama's sake! Don't you dare to crush it! " the pink Kree grabbed the cookie from his companion. The Kree-Lizard hybrid was still clueless and scratching his rough scaly head.

" What is a fortune cookie? "

" It's invented by some Earth people in China. They like to put something in there and you'll read what's inside. "

" You mean a person's dreams? "

" Yeah, something like that, " the homeless Kree nodded and carefully cracked his friend's cookie.

After cracking the shell, Mar-Vell gave a small paper to his friend. The Kree-Lizard took and opened it as he kept staring at it. The bearded blond alien waited for a long time for his friend to read. The boy sadly sighed and returned the paper to him.

" I'm so sorry, Mar-Vell. I can't read it. I only know is to count numbers and tell what day or month is it. I just don't know what it says there. "

" I see. You found it hard to read, right? "

" Yeah. "

" Okay, I'll read for you. Don't worry, " Mar-Vell opened and read it, " You're the builder of your own future. "

" What does that mean? "

" Well, you make your own goals and dreams in life. I know for certain that it will be greater than what you're thinking of. "

" I still don't know, but I'm happy and free to live as a street beggar. I've been doing this for a month. "

" Really, are you sure? "

" It's better than being locked-up in the four corners of the MTF Containment Cell. I could see a lot of people here in the outside world. Besides, I know how to hide myself and pretend to be a sickly beggar. "

" Well, yeah. But eventually, you're gonna be on your own and find a better disposition in life..." Mar-Vell wryly smiled. " Anyway, that sounds nice to hear from you. "

" How about you? Have you read your fortune? "

" Right, thanks for reminding me of that, Boy, " he nodded and gently cracked his cookie. He opened his paper and silently read. " Take the chance, while you still have the choice. "


Mar-Vell sadly sighed and grimaced while closing the paper. The Kree-Lizard hybrid noticed his gloomy expression and got concerned at his friend.

" Mar-Vell, are you alright? What does the cookie says? "

" Well, it's just I found a blank paper, " the homeless pink Kree lied, wearing a fake smile. " You know I better take another fortune cookie I think. I'm out of luck these days. "

" Why did you say that? "

" It's a lot of factors, Boy. I never had a real normal life, a wife and some children to be with, and some stuff which the world goes around. It's very complicated after all. "

" Same here. I guess we're both on the same page. "

" Right...."

The two sat down on the ground, peeled their oranges, and started eating them. The Kree-Lizard hybrid remained silent and spent watching the crowd coming and going. On the past few days, he lived a street beggar's life and went hiding from his MTF captors. He was very thankful of his new friend who had been his constant companion, Mar-Vell. He may be the second person who helped him aside from Skouro the Dark Angel. This moment, he saw a kissing couple from a distance as the boy got interested and remained speechless for a moment. Mar-Vell slapped his friend's back as he moaned.

" Hey, what's that for?! " the hybrid exclaimed.

" You're staring at the man and the woman on the streets! " he loudly laughed. " What's wrong? Never seen anyone being in-love? "

" Well... I don't even know why they are doing it. Is it good? "

" Of course! When a man and a woman are both meant for each other, that means that they're in love. "

" What is love? "

" Okay...I'm gonna be explaining everything to you again...." Mar-Vell scratched his head and raised his right hand in interjection. " Well, it's a strong positive state when two persons get to know each other for some reasons. Like that guy will do everything in taking care of his wife. It's the same thing with that girl. "

The Kree-Lizard nodded and understood as he kept staring at the couple. Somehow, the moment of love from them had inspired him to change his outlook in life. He had never experienced that state when he was at the MTF containment cell. The pink-Kree turned to his companion and tapped his shoulders.

" Mar-Vell, when shall I experience that feeling? " he curiously asked.

" Once, you're ready when you have found the right person to be with. "

" I see, " he replied and turned to the small puddle of mud. The boy sadly looked at his monstrous reflection. " In my horrible image, no one will ever find me when I fall in-love with someone else. "

" Wait... what?! Hey don't say that! " his fellow beggar raised his voice. " It doesn't matter if what you look or how you have been. It's how you care that counts. Okay?! "

" But I don't know if I can do that. "

" Listen, you have to start finding love within yourself before other people. I understand you have a very unstable condition, but you need to love yourself, first. "

" Love myself? "

" Yeah...I think that's the only cure for you to mend your broken and shattered heart, " Mar-Vell smiled and gently patted his friend.

" I guess so, " he slightly smiled and kept watching at the couple.

The bearded pink Kree and his tall hooded companion had walked away from the streets where they were surrounded by the sea of crowd from all walks of life coming and going. The Kree Lizard hybrid moved his head to and fro as he got afraid if the men from the MTF were hunting him at this moment. Mar-Vell sensed his companion's apprehension and turned to him. The fear of being caught and contained once again was running within the boy's mind.

" Hey, are you good? " Mar-Vell curiously asked.

" Y-Yes, why are you asking that? "

" You seemed so uneasy right now. Perhaps, you're not used with the large and noisy crowd at public places. " he answered. " You'll get used to it when time grows longer, but for one thing I want you to keep your eyes open for suspicious beings aside from those bad guys. I don't want you to get involved with much trouble. "

" What do you mean? "

" There are more alien lifeforms aside from the Kree: Lizards, Skrulls, Shi'ar, and the such. "

" Yes, you have mentioned me of the Kree and the Lizards along with the Skrulls several days ago. They're not from this world, right? If I encounter one, what should I do? "

" Hmmm...good question, " Mar-Vell seriously muttered. " As much as possible, you should stay away from them, especially those who have violent and skirmish intentions. They may take down your life instantly. "

" So, I should run away? "

" Yes, that's the safest thing to do even it sounds cowardly: RUN AND DON'T LOOK BACK. "

" I got it. "

" Secondly, don't trust anyone whom you don't know. You may trust your friends, but I want you to keep in mind if they are trustworthy. "

The Kree-Lizard hybrid understood his friend's advice as he remembered the days when he got locked up and being beaten by some fellow subjects to death. That reminded him how dangerous they were which it almost cost his life. The second advice gave him an idea of to whom he could count on. Skouro Valour of the MTF and Mar-Vell were those people who had helped him. If he encounters those beings in the future, he should be prepared for defending himself. This time, he turned to his fellow homeless friend and felt relieved.

" I know I could trust you, Mar-Vell, " the boy answered. " You have taught me everything. You're the only person I could count on for now. "

" Thanks for the compliment, Boy. " he smiled. " Yeah, you can always count on me. We will stick each other, no matter what until, we could find a cure for your prolonged trauma. "

" Sure. "

(CHINATOWN, LOS ANGELES, 9:00 PM)

Mar-Vell fell asleep after drinking two bottles of expired red wine which he found it earlier on the garbage area. The Kree-Lizard boy sat beside him as he started counting the stars again to fight his sleep.

" One hundred fifty, One hundred fifty-one, One hundred fifty-two, One hundred fifty-three, One hundred fifty-four, One hundred fifty-five..." he continued and said to himself. " Counting stars in the sky is more tiring than walking around the streets. I wonder how Mar-Vell could get to travel out of this world. Did he also count stars before? "

Then, he heard such threshold from the surroundings and turned around his head. A loud wailing and gunshot were heard from a distance. The boy got terrified and remembered his friend's words. He thought of waking up his bearded companion and shook his body.

" Hey! Hey! Wake-up! Mar-Vell! WAKE-UP! " he yelled and kept shaking his body. The pink-Kree was still on his deep sleep which he was too difficult for him to wake up. " Come on, wake up! "

He heavily sighed and left him on the corner. He followed the sounds emanating from a house. The boy was still hiding and avoiding himself not being noticed by anyone else. He saw some figures leaving the house, bringing some weapons out of this world. The Kree-Lizard hybrid boy was shocked to see what was really going on. He waited for his chance to find out what happened.

Finally, it was the right time to get into the house. Entering and looking at the place, he was surprised that a pool of blood was seen on the floor. That reminded him of those days being brutally abused before. The hybrid boy was trembling in fear to see such bloodshed happening around.

" This is not a good idea to trespass this place, " he thought and gulped. " I'm sorry, Mar-Vell I broke the rules you have given me. I need to find out what is going on. "

The Kree-Lizard hybrid boy took a deep breath and proceeded walking around the place. Suddenly, he heard a sobbing inside the room. He slowly turned his head and looked at the door. The tall hooded boy walked over and tried to open it.

" Damn, it's locked! " he angrily thought. " How am I going open it?! "

The boy had an idea when he kept knocking the door. This was the only way to catch an attention from someone inside the room.

" Hello...Hello...Hello...Can somebody hear me? " he asked and still knocked on the door. " Hey! Hello? " 

Suddenly, someone unlocked the door and opened it. The Kree-Lizard boy entered the room. He checked around and found out no one was there.

" Is this another tactic from the MTF? " he nervously thought. " If it were, I might get caught into their trap. "

He decided to leave this place when he remembered what Mar-Vell said earlier. Then, he was surprised to see a little Asian girl crying and curling up. She was wearing a pink striped shirt and blue shorts. Her magenta ribbon touched her jet-black hair. The Kree-Lizard hybrid boy remained speechless, seeing the girl in despair. He understood how terrible she had experienced. It reminded him of those horrible days. He was contemplating to save her from those murderous intruders.

" I know this is too difficult, but I have to do it, " he thought and took another deep breath.

The girl looked at the tall hooded being as she got frightened to see him. The boy never had an idea of how to confront the child. He pacified himself and cleared his throat. The girl was about to scream when she was still seeing him.

" Okay, this is it..." he determinedly approached her and said, " Don't be afraid of me, I'm here to help. "

" W-who are you? " she shakily asked. " A-are you the o-ones who come here to my house? "

" No, I don't mean to hurt you. I just want to know what's going on? "

The girl looked at him in doubt as she couldn't believe a clueless monstrous being had come to enter her house. The Kree-Lizard boy was waiting for her to respond as he knelt down to the child's height. His sharp blue claw-like nails carefully touched the child's face, thinking not to wound her. The girl widened her eyes in shock and wept. The boy felt the same sadness like hers and hugged her. Finally, the hybrid learned to gain compassion and trust out of this skirmish.

" It's okay to cry, little one. " he calmly said. " It's okay. I'm right here. "

" Mommy and Daddy are both gone! " she cried. " They're all gone! "

" I'm so sorry to hear that. I'll protect you from those who killed your parents. I'm right here. "

" What's your name? "

" Chen..."

Chen was still clinging at the tall hooded hybrid. For the first time, he experienced how to love anyone by
comforting and saving a child from a sudden crime. That made him to gain trust to anyone else. It was his first time to act as a hero, even he looked monstrously terrible.

Then, he decided to take Chen out of the house and keep her safe. He carefully carried her into his arms and hurriedly went away from the house. The loud siren and blue and red lights were coming around the streets. The Kree-Lizard hybrid boy thought of getting away into trouble along with the little girl. He immediately ran as he could, avoiding not to be caught by the patrolling cops.

Rushing away from the crime scene, he panted and arrived in the alley where Mar-Vell was found sleeping. The pink-Kree slowly opened his eyes and saw his companion carrying a little girl on his arms. He widened his eyes to his surprise which he never realized his companion brought a child from elsewhere. He immediately stood up and crossed his arms. The tall hooded being anxiously gulped to see his fellow beggar's angry disposition. Chen was terrified and looking away from the man. She couldn't take any more trouble.

" Boy, I told you to stay away from any trouble! " Mar-Vell angrily yelled. " What on Hala have you been thinking bringing a child here? "

" Mar-Vell, I'm so sorry. I broke the rules, " the Kree-Lizard hybrid sadly replied as the girl got afraid to see the bearded blond alien man.

" What are you thinking, Boy?! We're street beggars, not social workers! " Mar-Vell angrily raised his voice. " Yeah! Good job that you saved the girl out of those thugs! Can't you see? We can't have another person with us! We're gonna be in big trouble for kidnapping! If those guys find out, I'm gonna be in jail and you're gonna return in that containment cell of yours! "

" Mar-Vell, she has lost her parents, " the Kree-Lizard hybrid reasoned. " I saw her weeping in her house and..."

" And what?! I don't want any excess baggage here! We can bring this kid to the orphanage and that's it! "

" But Mar-Vell...."

" I said... To the orphanage! No more buts! "

" Fine, we're going to take her there, but we can't abandon her! "

" YOU IDIOT! " the beggar clenched his left fist and readied himself to attack.

" MAR-VELL, WE HAVE A CHILD HERE! I DON'T WANT TO HURT YOU! I'M NOT LIKE 682! "

Mar-Vell felt more agitated than ever. The Kree-Lizard hybrid sadly sighed as Chen wept. The homeless pink-Kree drank his bottle of wine and seemed remorseless to the human girl. He was not satisfied at his friend's actions.

" Have you lost what you're truly intended? Like were you even supposed to be a hero before you ended up like a street rat? " the hybrid clone asked with a concern.

Mar-Vell became more infuriated at the Kree-Lizard boy and Chen as he threw an empty bottle of wine to them. They both avoided being hit by pieces of shattered glass. The child went crying as she couldn't take the drunkard Kree's hostile behavior.

" SHUT UP!! " the pink Kree angrily yelled.

" Mar-Vell, please stop this! Chen is crying! "

" YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW I FAILED AS A HERO! CAROL HAS BECOME THE NEW CAPTAIN MARVEL! I FELT SO LEFT - OUT AND UNDERRATED! SHE WAS TOO DAMN OVERPOWERED AND FAMOUS! " he ranted. " PEOPLE ADMIRED HER SO MUCH! HOW ABOUT ME?! HUH?! I WAS THE REAL HERO LIKE HER! I HELPED HER ACTIVATED HER PART LIGHT SOUL BECAUSE OF THAT ACCIDENT AND TRAINED HER! SHE HAS FORGOTTEN ABOUT ME! NOW, THIS IS YOUR FIRST HEROIC ACT! SAVING A LITTLE GIRL! THEN, WHAT'S NEXT? YOU'LL END-UP SO MUCH DAMN TROUBLE! "

" Why did you have to say that? "

" I said it, because I don't want you to end up useless and forgotten like me! IN SHORT, DON'T BE A HERO! "

" No... Mar-Vell. You're wrong, " the Kree-Lizard firmly replied. " It doesn't matter if everyone forgets you. You're not a failure. You're still a hero to me. You have taught me everything for a month. I'm very grateful for that. If I never met you in the first place, I could have been an experiment inside the MTF. "

" Really? Then, you're waiting for your death sentence? "

" Look, I'm trying to blend in. It's all because of... YOU! "

Chen stopped crying as she listened at the two men arguing. The Kree-Lizard looked at her and carefully put her down. He sadly sighed and turned to the drunkard.

" Even I still have 682's skirmish experience, I want to break free of that bondage, " he continued. " This is my only chance to reinvent myself by saving this child. This is just the beginning of doing the right thing! "

Mar-Vell's tears dropped on his face as he looked at the girl and his hooded friend. He knelt down and wept. The Kree-Lizard hybrid hugged his fellow beggar and the child.