" For small creatures such as we the vastness is bearable only through love. "

- Carl Sagan

(DREAM SEQUENCE)


The Kree-Lizard hybrid walked around in a large room where he spent his cosmonaut training days with the Ryliea family. He was all alone as silence and darkness greeted him. Looking around for people, he saw a bright light at the farthest corner of the room. The boy followed the light where it came from. He walked over and saw a large mirror attached on the wall. He came closer, but his reflection was not a green-skinned reptilian humanoid one, but a blue skinned Kree with a short silvery-white hair and two emerald irises in his eyes. His face was practically uncanny except for this skin color and the scales on his face. The boy was curiously wondering, why did his own reflection had no long blue scar running on his face.


The hybrid and his reflection looked intently at each other and examined their facial expressions. They did exactly the same thing without any difference like widening of the eyes, slapping of the cheeks, and showing off some teeth. But the only one thing that could differentiate was the hair. The boy touched his head as his blue-skinned reflection did the same thing, placing his hand on his smooth fine hair.


" Well, you look more handsome than I am, " he spoke to his reflection, but he never realized he was speaking to himself. His reflection was just copying his mouth movement while talking. " Why are you copying me? Who are you, anyway? "


Still, there was no response from his blue-skinned mirror image. They both held their hands on the smooth mirror. The Kree-Lizard boy became more intrigued than ever as he wondered how his own reflection was different from his reptilian-hybrid shell.


" Are you me or someone else? " he curiously thought and kept looking at his reflection.


(Rouen, France, 1:15 AM)


Elder Carol Danvers was about to meet her slumber as she closed her son's journal and placed it on her side table. Suddenly, the boy instantly woke up from his dream and sat-up. The old half-Kree woman immediately gave him a glass of water as he drank. She looked concerned at her son.


" Don't tell me, you're dreaming of 682 again? " she teased and watched him emptied his glass.


" No, it is not, " the hybrid responded and placed the glass on his bedside. " I saw a man in the mirror! "


" Do tell, go on. "


" I was in the room looking for Old Smolder and his family. Then, I saw a reflection of the Kree Eternal who looked and sounded like me. I got surprised to see him at first. "



" Did he attack you? "


" No, he was copying of what I did in the mirror and I talked to him. "


Carol remained silent as she remembered some years ago when she and the Kree Eternal got involved with the MTF's Project Marvel. The elderly blonde thought of telling him the truth as soon as she could, but something had held back in her mind. She was too anxious of the boy might get confused. Was it the right time to interpret his dream and disclose the facts? The boy waited for her response and noticed his mother's silence.


" Mom? " he called her. " Is there anything you can say about it? "


" That was very interesting dream you got there, Kid, " she smiled and gently patted his back. Then, she thought of something to say and spoke, " Well, sometimes dreams can turn into reality. I don't know when it will come true. "


" Really? "


" Yeah, " Carol nodded. " Someday, you will find the Kree Eternal on your own and get you fixed. "



" Right. I'm glad I never dream of that monster when I found you, " the Kree-Lizard hybrid smiled back. " I started to sleep peacefully when you're with me. "
 

   " Likewise, " she kissed his forehead and tucked his blanket for him to sleep. " Come on, Kid. You need to meet your sleep or else you'll be starting to count sheep! " 

" Goodnight, mother. "


" Goodnight, my dear son. "


Carol watched the boy yawning and closing his eyes, however she remained sleepless and began thinking of Methu-Selah, the Project Marvel subject, and him. Then, she looked at the stars and waited for his slumber to come.


" I really wanted to say this to you, " she thought and sadly sighed while touching his head. " But you might get confused at this time, I know you're looking for your father and waiting for him to help you out. It's not the right time. Only Hala knows if you have decided to discover the truth on your own. I promise I will take care of you, no matter what. " 

Being sleepless, she began to read again her son's journal and took it from the side table. She turned the pages and searched where she had stopped. Carol found a page where the boy remained his stay with the Ryliea family. 

https://youtu.be/3scgW-aghr4

(TWENTY FOUR YEARS AGO: YURI GAGARIN COSMONAUT TRAINING CENTER, STAR CITY, MOSCOW, RUSSIA)

It was just this afternoon when the Kree-Lizard boy spent working with Enenra inside the ISS module replica. They were making some tests and experiments in Russian which Smolder and Trifa instructed. On the other hand, Shadra was busily preparing some snacks from the pantry.


" Khoroshaya rabota, rebyata! Vy prekrasno razmestili eto oborudovaniye! (Good job, boys! You have perfectly placed that equipment!) " Smolder spoke overcomms.


" Kontrol' poletov, my vse gotovy! Chto dal'she, komandir? (Mission Control, we're all set! What's next, commander?) " the Kree-Lizard replied with a smile as Enenra was beside him and gesturing a thumbs-up.


" Pochemu by vam vsem ne perekusit'! Vy chasami analizirovali i proveryali, chto vy tam sdelali!(Why don't you all get some snacks! You spent hours in analyzing and testing what you have done there!) "


" Da, moy partner goloden i nastaivayet na tom, chtoby ya sdelal pereryv. My v puti. (Right, my associate is hungry and insisting me to have a break. We're on our way.) " 

Enenra shot his webs to make his own escape hatch as the Kree-Lizard found his way down to the other hatch. The two boys made their way out and headed to the room where Smolder and Trifa were stationed. His older sister held a tray of bread and some cold glasses of orange juice. They all got into the table and started eating.

 " My! This is delicious! " the hybrid exclaimed in delight. " I wonder where did you get some food in times like these? "


" Well, the Rebel Forces delivered us some food every two weeks, " Trifa answered. " Like they sequestered from our enemies. Aside from that, we have fruit bearing trees around the compound. "


" That's good. "


" You know my family and I decided to move to Russia after what happened to Remnant. It has become the most dangerous country after all the Kree and the Lizards invaded our planet. "


" Oh, right. " the boy nodded. " So, you managed to return and live here. "


" Russia is my second home aside from Remnant and the Low Earth Orbit, " the former astronaut answered and finished drinking. " It was a big decision to move the rest of the family. Despite of the terrible situation and the language and culture barrier, we managed to live normally, even we're isolated. "

    " How did you get out? "


" My wife and children are Spider Faunus. We can easily leave the compound as long as we need to, " he raised his right hand in interjection. " They can shoot webs, move faster, and release venom in order to bring down our enemies. They are good huntsmen if we remain in Remnant, but they could be great cosmonauts once the space program returns. "


" That's cool! "


" Six months ago, my husband and I rescued you from your attackers, " Trifa added. " Actually, you passed out after that incident. " 

The Kree-Lizard hybrid boy remained speechless and recalled that evening on the streets of Moscow where he was found by Solaris and Darkvile. Facing his supposed death, Old Smolder Ryliea rescued him from them. He had no idea where his family took him. The only vivid memory was Shadra found him inside his room and gave him something to eat. Her smile left him a long lasting impression that he would never forget.


Waiting for him to speak up, the boy stared at Shadra and went blushing. Enenra snapped his fingers to call his attention. The Kree-Lizard boy got startled as the younger spider-Faunus boy loudly laughed at him.


" Hey, Svet! Are you okay? " he asked.


" What? Why?! "


" You're staring at my sister! "

" Someone tells me that you and my daughter are getting along? " Smolder asked in suspicion and turned to the Kree-Lizard boy. " Is that true, Svet? "


The hybrid nervously gulped as he couldn't stand the family's eyes on him. Sweating in fear, he took a table napkin to wipe his face and drank his water. Shadra softly chuckled as she covered her mouth. Trifa curiously raised her eyebrows and finished eating her last bite of bread.


" Well..." the boy broke his silence and admitted. " I really like her as a...friend! Yeah, I like her a lot! " 

" Really? " the older Spider Faunus woman asked.


" She's the most amazing and kindest person I have ever met. I had a girlfriend once, but I lost her. Now, I don't know if how I could treat her the same way I did before. "


Everyone turned into their uttermost silence. For Shadra, she was blushing and smiling as her parents noticed her. Smolder turned to him and composing his thoughts.



" So, you had a special loved one before? " he replied. " Well, you never made it as a serious relationship. How come? "


" I was supposed to save her, " the boy sadly sighed. " But the enemies hindered me to do it, I failed to rescue her and at the same time, she had cancer. " 

" I'm sorry to hear that, Svet. Anyway, we will have a talk later. "


" What talk, Old Smolder? " he curiously raised his voice.


" Of how, I courted and pursued, Trifa! " he laughed as his wife was blushing.

 " Really, dear? " she chuckled. 

" Well, let's settle this matter after dinner, then? "


" Right, " the Kree-Lizard boy nodded without hesitation.

Several hours later, the former astronaut and the Kree-Lizard boy spent talking in hours which they discussed on how he courted his wife after his graduation in Atlas Academy and his years in the Remnite Space Agency. The hybrid intently listened to his mentor and learned tips in how to treat and respect women, especially dealing with Shadra. Finally, the two ended up laughing and joking when Smolder left his room.


" So, remember what I have explained to you, Svet. Okay? "


" Sure, thanks, " he nodded and smiled. " I will! "


" Goodnight, Svet! "


" Goodnight, Old Smolder! "


The boy returned to his room and lied down on his bed. He was smiling and going to have his second chance in courting someone. He truly deserved to have someone in his life, thinking of how to blossom his relationship. The Kree-Lizard was about to shut his eyes after his mind drifted-off into his dreams.

      In the following days later, the boy thought of checking around Shadra after doing some chores and training drills. He started to pick flowers in the compound just like he did to his late girlfriend before. Enenra noticed him as he went stretching his legs for a warm-up.


" Svet, is that from my..." he asked.


" Keep it down, Enenra, " the hybrid shused. " She might hear us! "


" I gotcha, Svet! See you later! "


" Sure! "


The hybrid searched around the place where he started looking around for her. He went to the Soyuz simulator, but she wasn't there. He headed himself to Mir module and thouroughly kept finding Shadra, still she's not also there.


" Is she playing hide and seek? " he wondered and went to the ISS module. " Seriously, this is too tiring. Possibly, this is how Old Smolder met his wife. I gotta make sure she's there! "


He entered into the hatch and went to the hallways and rooms resembled like the International Space Station. The Kree-Lizard boy never gave up in finding her, until he reached at the window area of the module. A dark haired young woman dressed in black smiled at him as the boy gave her flowers. Shadra was pleased to receive it and kissed his forehead when he was blushing in blue.


" How thoughtful of you giving this bunch of flowers to me! Thank you! " she smiled.



" You're welcome. I managed to find you here which I spent more than an hour going elsewhere. "



" Good job, space cossack! " Shadra laughed. " You made it your way to test your logic, patience, and endurance. Yet, this is how mama did to papa before they got married. "



" Well, I guess it's your birthday like they have said to me. "



" You're right! Infact, I'm turning twenty-five today! Thank you! "



" You're welcome! "

    Shadra and her friend left the module as Smolder, Trifa, and Enenra watched the two of them. They both got embarrassed and blushed in looking at each other. The whole family went laughing afterwards.


Moments later, they celebrated Shadra's birthday at dinnertime when they spent eating and talking about their lives before and during the invasion. The Kree-Lizard boy mentioned of his long journey from California, USA to Moscow, Russia. Smolder also shared of his experiences in space, his marriage with Trifa, and his life with his two children in their stay in Remnant to exile to Russia. They all exchanged of their stories as they enjoyed their evening. Also, Shadra showed her first weapon she had made since she was fifteen. The boy got impressed to see it which it was a transformartional staff made of Vibranium.


After dinner, Shadra exhibited her combat skills by testing her weapon to the wooden dummies. She used the staff to strike down her wooden enemies and pressed it which it released two blades on both sides. The spider Faunus lady slashed every dummy and sliced them down. Her parents were impressed along with her friend.


" Welp, that's my sister! " Enenra smiled and joked. " It's her birthday to do some show-off! "


" Really? You made a weapon last week, right? " she asked.


" Yeah, I need some final touches. You know, what I mean? I want it to look cooler! "


" Okay, guys, let's all go to bed! " Trifa called the two. " The birthday celebration is over! We still have work tomorrow! "


" Mom..." the two spoke in unison.


" We have work tomorrow, " Smolder added. " We need to go early. "

     Enenra sighed and then he yawned as he waved to his family and new friend. They all greeted him while watching him leaving. Shadra was still not tired nor sleepy. She looked at her parents and gave them a suggestive look.


" What is it now, Shadra? " her father asked.


" Papa, Mama. Can I extend my time in talking with Svet? " she asked.


" Shadra, it's too late! " her mother replied with a concern. " You two can't stay up late. It's dangerous to remain outside. "


" But it's still my birthday! Please! "


" All right, " she sighed. " At least, you have him as your escort. " 

" I'm going to join her for a walk, " the hybrid replied. " I promise not to harm your daughter. She's used to talk to me. "


" Good, " Smolder smiled. " Just take care of yourselves out there. "


" Right, " the two nodded in unison.


The Kree-Lizard boy and the Spider-Faunus girl went outside the training center and walked along the road. They noticed the sky which the stars were different this evening. While strolling around, they saw fireflies glowing and fluttering around them and then going to the lake. They were amazed to see how these flashing yellow bugs roamed around.


" Surely, this is so beautiful, " Shadra smiled and got pleased. " You know, this is my first birthday I spent with a friend like you. "


" Why? " the hybrid curiously asked.


" I spent everyday to year with the rest of the family. We have been all isolated from this space agency compound for more than a decade. Only the rebel forces came here to visit us. They rarely came for anyone's birthdays. "


" So, you all have been hiding from our enemies? "


" Well, yes, " she replied. " But sometimes, we go to the streets of Moscow, if we need to. My parents say the city is not safe to live anymore.


" It is true, " the Kree-Lizard boy answered. " I have seen the worst things. Here, it is more peaceful and ideal place to live in. "


" You know, when this war is over. I really want to go to Mars someday. "


" Mars? "


" The red planet, " Shadra smiled and pointed at the twinkling red dot on the sky. " Before the invasion happened, my parents told me many people wanted to live on that planet instead of Earth. "


" Why is that? "


" Earth had too much people to let them dwell. If I go to Mars, I might be the first huntress to go there. "


" That's interesting. "


" How about you? " the Spider Faunus asked. " Are you still finding the Kree Eternal anywhere on Earth and in space? "



" Yes, I hope he won't get scared of seeing me, " he chuckled.



" Of course, he's not! You silly! " she laughed. " He's going to be happy to meet you! "

" Right. Maybe he will be, just like what I saw before, " the Kree-Lizard nodded and changed his topic. " Shadra, if you go to Mars, will I ever see you? "


Shadra blushed harder and sadly sighed. The dark-haired Spider Faunus woman looked intently at him as the Kree-Lizard gently held her both hands. He was longing for love since he lost Nancy some years ago. For several days to months, he found Shadra to warm his heart, however he felt sad to hear of her dream fulfilling to go to the red planet and live there.



" Well, it's my dream, Svet, " she answered and smiled. " But for now, I still help my family and join to fight this war. I am still seeing you. Once the war is over, I will go there. "



" I respect your decision, Shadra. If that dream makes you happy, I will also feel the same way, " he smiled back and hugged her. " When you return, I hope I can see you alive and fulfilled. "



" I didn't realize you as a horrifying looking monster are the second most loving and understanding guy next to my father, " she hugged him back. " Thank you, Svet! "

 " You're welcome! I'm starting to fall-in love again. " 

" Tell me, who? "



" With you..." he kissed her cheeks as Shadra blushed harder than before and laughed.



" Svet! You have a great sense of humor, you know? " she laughed and kissed his scaly cheeks. " I do feel the same, too! "



" I'll be honest. I felt sad of your decision, but it's your dream. You have to go for it. Do what makes you happy. "



" Same here, when you talked about finding the Kree Eternal, I'm feeling off. But then again, this is what love is all about. We understand and respect each other. It doesn't mean to be selfish, erotic, or whatever. It's how we care for each other. "



" I truly understand, that, " he gently touched her face and yawned. Shadra again laughed at him as the boy got embarrassed. " What? "



" We need to get some sleep, " she replied. " Let's go inside. "


The two headed inside the building as the Kree-Lizard boy escorted her to the room. Shadra smiled and kissed his cheeks again before going into her room. He did the same thing as he went on his way to his room.



" Goodnight, Svet! " she greeted him.



" Goodnight, Shadra! " he responded.