" Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one."

– C.S. Lewis

(YURI GAGARIN COSMONAUT TRAINING CENTER, STAR CITY, MOSCOW, RUSSIA)

" Come on, Svet! You can do better! " Enenra happily exclaimed and kept shooting webs at his Kree-Lizard hybrid friend for their Saturday morning combat training.


" I'm trying, Enenra! " the boy replied and dodged at the younger Spider Faunus's attacks.


Enenra shot a web towards him as the hybrid got trapped into a myriad of webs. He attempted to break free by using his super strength to wreck everything. The boy recalled of his combat training days with Peter Parker or Spider-Man more than twenty years ago in Canada. The spider Faunus lad got surprised to see what his friend had done.

" Woah! This is so cool! " he happily beamed as his friend panted. " You've done a good job, Svet! "



" Thanks, " the Kree-Lizard boy sighed in relief and rubbed his sweaty forehead. " That was a tiring one. "


" Yeah, " the teenage spider nodded and shrugged. " Maybe, we should that everyday. "



" Good idea, Enenra. Your sister could have joined us. "



" If she can keep up! "



" Right. " 

   Suddenly, the two young men heard voices emanating from the compound gate where Smolder inspected and interrogated the visitors coming to Star City. The Kree-Lizard boy got curious of who were the people which the former Remnite astronaut was talking to. The voices seemed familiar which the boy heard and recognized them from a distance. Enenra intently looked at his friend and noticed his silence.


" Svet? " he called his friend's attention. " Are you okay? "


" Yeah, I heard someone familiar before. "


" Who? "


" I think they're my friends before I came here. "


" Oh, we'd better check that out. "


The Kree-Lizard boy and his Spider-Faunus friend observed the newcomers as Smolder opened the gate. There was a truck which it entered the compound and parked at the corner. Leaving the vehicle, there were four men who unloaded some crates and boxes from the back. A tall elderly man dressed in red assisted and guided his companions. A fellow brunette Russian carried a box along with the dark-haired Japanese man and his tan-skinned Egyptian buddy. Indeed, the hybrid boy was right. They were his friends who helped him to live in this former Soviet country.


The Egyptian man called his companions as they all turned their attention to the hooded Kree-Lizard hybrid. The hybrid happily beamed and excitingly waved his arms as he recognized his friends.


" It's him! " Bombos recognized his friend. " Nukeo-san, it's really him! "


" Our comrade! " Nukeo smiled.


" Da! He's the one! " Pavel added.


" Finally, it's a great reunion after all! " Alexi laughed.


" Bombos, Nukeo, Alexi, Pavel! " the hybrid boy called out their names.


The four men paused their work and rushed to their long-lost hooded friend. Smolder and Enenra got astonished to see him recognized these men from the rebel forces. The boy was very happy to see them after months of being separated. The five of them made a big group hug and some loud laughter which the Star City had never heard.

 " Svet, did you know them? " Smolder asked.


" Yes, " the boy nodded. " They're my friends! "


" Did he call you, Svet? " the Russian Inhuman curiously queried.


" Yeah, that's my nickname here. It means "light" in your language. "


" That suits you! "


" How did you learn that language? It seems you have a lot to talk about, Svet-kun, " the Japanese mutant winked and placed his right hand on his friend's shoulder.


" Of course, it will take more than a day! " the Kree-Lizard boy laughed harder, touching his abdomen.


" Can you let us hear a phrase or a sentence, please? " Bombos requested.


" Vy vse yeshche lyubite vzryvat' veshchi! (You are still enjoying making things exploded!) " he responded in Russian. " Vy prosto delayete eto dlya udovol'stviya! (You simply do it for fun!) "


" What? "


" He says you're having fun making things go boom! " Alexi translated the boy's response.


Bombos understood that thought and loudly yelped. Indeed, this Egyptian demi-god mutant hybrid was well known for his explosives. The Rebel forces needed an enhanced person like him to stop the enemies even in a very violent and horrible way.


" That is so true! "


" Well, I'm glad you guys ain't just delivering some food here, " the former astronaut smiled as he felt pleased to see them. " You're also reuniting with Svet. "


" Smolya, I think it's the best that you took him for sometime, " Pavel answered and stretched his arms. " You know, he could live in a more peaceful environment, like away from those foolish invaders. "


" You're right about that, Pav, " he nodded and scratched his beard. " By the way, aside from any food delivery, am I gonna expect good or bad news? "


" Let's start with the bad news, Smolya, " Alexi shrugged and explained. " Death tolls in Moscow and other cities are still on the rise. Like the slaves are constantly being killed once they refused to follow the orders. Then, our fellow members of the rebel forces also experienced the same fate. "


" Oh, crud. Alexi. "


" Yes, I am really serious. Moscow is no longer safe to live. "


" How about the good news? "

" The good news is..." Pavel snapped his fingers and smirked. " We will make Star City a secondary base of operations here in Russia. Commander Bav-Tek assigned this place as an extension for the Rebel forces. "


" That's interesting, Pavya, " Smolder nodded and turned to the Kree-Lizard boy. " I believe our friend has been staying for more than six months to be a cosmonaut trainee under my wing. If you guys are here to make it an extension, I'm willing to support before the space program resumes. "


" Your cause is also our cause, Smolya. "


" Anyways, we brought a bottle of vodka to celebrate! " Bombos grinned.


" Where did you find that? " Nukeo asked.


" Old Alexi taught me to steal from the Kree-Lizard stash! Those freaks don't deserve to drink like humans do! "


" Bombos-san..." his Japanese friend facepalmed.


" What?! They don't deserve vodka! "


" Heh, Good job, Pharaoh! " Alexi giggled.



" Anyways, we'll be preparing for lunch and dinner for you guys, " Smolder added. " We'll be happy to have some kitchen volunteers! "


" Sure, " the four men replied in unison. 

(MOMENTS LATER)

The Kree-Lizard boy guided his four friends which they made a tour in the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center. He showed and explained the rooms and equipment used for training drills for cosmonauts and astronauts. Then, he also demonstrated how they worked. Bombos, Nukeo, Pavel, and Alexi got more interested which they asked questions for him. The hybrid boy was willing to answer those and then he showed the module replicas of Soyuz, Mir, and the ISS. Everyone got amazed in what they had seen all over the place. This time, they ended up sitting at the lobby and had their conversation.


" So, Svet, you spent months training as a spaceman? " Bombos asked.


" Yeah, I really like it, " the boy answered. " I really want to become an astronaut. "


" That is very interesting, Svet-kun, " Nukeo smiled. " But how about your plan in meeting the Kree Eternal? Are you willing to find him in space or on Earth? "

The boy remembered of having a scenario back in the centrifuge. He was daydreaming which it turned to be a hallucination in seeing the mysterious Kree in space. His cosmonaut training drove him to find the man who could help him free of his bondage of 682 in his mind. He remained silent as his friends looked at him.


" Svet? " Alexi called his attention. " Is there something wrong? "


" Oh, right! " he nervously chuckled. " I'm still not forgetting that, but wherever he is. I really need to find him. "


" Good, " Nukeo nodded. " It's just the Kree Eternal asked us to take you to France, if ever you meet him. But since, you are taking your cosmonaut training, there's a possibility that you can meet him in space. "


" Did you have any news of him? " the boy asked. " Of where he is or how is he doing right now? "


" Well, we don't know, " Pavel sighed and looked at his three companions. " We never had an encounter with that mystery man. I have just recruited to the Rebel Forces three weeks ago, thanks to these three. Learning about the Kree Eternal, we have no idea where he is right now. "

   " We have seen him more than five years ago, " Bombos explained. " First, he saved my life. Then, he rescued us back in Bilibino and directed us to help Svet and eventually we joined the Rebel Forces. Still, Captain Methu-Selah showed us a new journey. "


" And now, we are going to help the boy, right? " Alexi suggested.


" Right, " Nukeo smiled and nodded.


" We're going to talk to Smolya of our next plans in Star City and Svet, as well. "


" By the way, " the boy broke his silence and changed the topic. " Do you guys wanna see the Centrifuge? "


" Centrifuge?! " the four raised their voices in unison.


" It's a very wild ride for a cosmonaut training, " he explained and grinned. " This will test you how to endure yourselves in space. "


" I don't think so, Svet! " the brunette Inhuman nervously laughed and scratched his head.


" Eh.....me too! " Nukeo wryly smiled and gulped. " I don't know if I can manage that! "


" I'm too old for that crazy ride, " Alexi shrugged. " Being a cosmonaut is not my thing, boy! "


" You will meet your challenger, Bombos the Great! " the Egyptian mutant proudly beamed and put his both hands on his waist. " I accept the challenge from the Awesome Wanderer Svet! "


" Bombos-san, are you even serious?! " his Japanese friend raised his eyebrows. " That ride will end up puking your food! "


" I don't care! I'm gonna do it! "


" Then, Challenge accepted! " the boy smiled and shook the mutant's hands.


" Bring it on, Svet! " 

Just then, the Ryliea family and the others watched the Egyptian mutant's proud challenge in riding the centrifuge. Trifa and Smolder operated the system as they saw Bombos made his thumbs-up before initiating the ride. The centrifuge began to move in a lower level from 1G to 4G. Bombos was still smiling and laughing. His Kree-Lizard hybrid friend remained smiling and silent.


" Can you guys make it faster! " he exclaimed. " This is like a merry-go-round after all. I want it wilder! "


" Okay, as you wish, " Trifa answered and increased the test ride's acceleration from 4G to 7G. Then, she carefully watched his vitals on the monitor and got anxious. " Oh, what a daredevil..."


" Yep, he is! " Smolder chuckled.


" This is more like it! " Bombos happily beamed and felt shaking from his seat. " This is so awesome! "


" I can't believe it, " Nukeo facepalmed.


" Well, he is surely happy for this, " the hybrid boy laughed.

    " He is reaching to 8G, " Shadra observed the acceleration and the vitals. " Mama, Papa, we should take him out of there. "


" Right, you and Svet should take him out of chamber, " Smolder instantly ceased the centrifuge.


The two waited for the ride to stop and helped him to be released in the chamber. Bombos was dizzy and laughing as his companions looked at him with a concern. Shadra and her boyfriend assisted the Egyptian to remove the straps and belts. Then, he stood up and felt shaking.


" This was fun! " he loudly yelped and began to throw up.


The others became disgusted at him as the food from lunch was disgustingly released on the floor. Enenra covered his mouth and nose which he was not pleased to see it. Nukeo, Pavel, and Alexi got annoyed at him.


" Seriously? " Pavel sighed.


" Probably, he's not used with this ride, " Smolder replied.


" What do you mean I'm not used? " Bombos faintly spoke and then raised his voice. " I'm loving it! This is the greatest ride ever! "


" Really? " Shadra curiously raised her tone.


" Yeah! I have never ridden anything like it! " 

" Congratulations, you have reached 8G! " Enenra commented and teased. " Svet got 9G! He has beaten you! "


" Wait, is that true? "


" Yeah, " the hybrid laughed.


" Svet, you cheater! " Bombos defiantly replied and turned to the Kree-Lizard boy. " No one dares to defeat the Great Bombos! "


" Well, it was just a chance! " he shrugged.


Everyone laughed at the two and heard their hilarious exchange of words which it turned out to be joking and laughing. Smolder and the others enjoyed their time while the boy was taking a mop to clean-up his friend's mess on the floor.

(Later that evening)

The members of the Rebel Forces and the Ryliea family had their supper and conversation which they discussed about their previous lives before the invasion. The Kree-Lizard boy got even more interested in listening and joining the conversation while they were eating. Also, Bombos, Alexi, and Pavel shared their jokes about the enemies which everyone laughed. The whole Star City compound turned into a house of laughter and friendship, despite of its gloomy and abandoned surroundings.


" You know what, " Nukeo broke his silence and finished drinking. " Svet is the only person who reunites us here in this isolated place. He brings us to be together. "


" True, " Pavel nodded. " We could have been fighting against those enemies to death. But Smolya, thanks for letting us live here. "


" Yeah, I agree with that, guys, " Smolder smiled. " Svet is the first reptilian hybrid who got interested with the space exploit. But anyways, if those freaks come to our turf, we're ready to go full blown battle. "


" We hope to make it happen, " Trifa added.


" For our motherland! " Alexi beamed and offered a toast to everyone as they all cheered.

  " There is one thing I would consider, " Shadra said. " If Svet were leaving Russia to France, how could he get there? "


" Well, that's the point dear, " her mother replied. " Your father and I planned to send him to Baikonur for his first trip to space and he could land somewhere in France. "


" That's why we have been training him for more than six months, " Smolder added. " If the Kree and Lizard warships locate him, Svet could maneuver the Soyuz craft. "


" Good idea, Smolya, " Alexi nodded and scratched his beard. " It may be a good way to let him go, but our enemies have already taken the aerospace. We cannot move further to let him through his travel. "

 " So, what will be an alternative? " 

" How about me? " Pavel raised his left hand in interjection. " I can drive a truck across Europe. "


" Then, we will put Svet inside the space capsule, " Bombos added. " So, Pavel and him can go to France and the people will think it's a museum display to be transported. What can you guys say? "



" What if the enemies find him? "



" That will be a big problem, " Nukeo sighed and leaned on his seat. " But I also have a proposal, we can send him off undergroud. "



" You mean the sewers? " Enenra raised his voice and lost his appetite in eating for the second time.



" Yes, that could be a possibility. "



" Eww!! "


" Maybe, we could ask Carol Danvers's help? " Pavel added and turned to Smolder. " She can bring the boy to France. What do you think? "



" Pavya, we're not even sure where she is right now, " the former astronaut replied and turned to the boy. " We need a concrete plan to send-off Svet. "

The Kree-Lizard boy remained silent as he intently listened to the conversation. He was thinking that going to space was the best option, but his safety was also his concern. The other alternatives could be another solutions, but would it guarantee him to get a safe and good journey?


" Svet? " his Spider-Faunus girlfriend noticed his long silence and held his right hand. " Is there something you should tell us? "


" Oh, yeah, " the hybrid boy broke his silence and wiped his mouth after drinking. " They are good options for me to leave this country. But I'm not pretty sure if how I would get there. The enemies are still after me. I have questions in how to find the Kree Eternal before I get to France. "


" Good point, " Trifa agreed and looked at the others. " Anything to suggest? "


" If you're looking for someone and you need to go to France, " the elderly Russian man in red answered. " I can let you meet the Bradford twins. "


" Where were they from, Alexi? " the boy asked.


" They were from the secret division of the CIA. During the Kree-Lizard invasion, these brothers exiled to Europe and went on hiding. I met them a decade ago. They are good hackers, conspiracy trackers, security intels, and navigators. They are geniuses. "


" Interesting. "


" This is where I got my information. It's from them and I have been paying  for their services. They may help you find the Kree Eternal on your way to France. "


" Really? "


" Of course, they are! " Alexi beamed and took another glass of vodka to drink. 

   Suddenly, they heard of a loud knock on the door as Enenra quickly stood up from his seat. Smolder signalled him to open it when his son nodded and followed. Opening the door, there were two blonde bespectacled men in front of him. The first one was semi-balded man wearing a dark green jacket and a black shirt. He was more serious than his long-haired bearded brother who appeared to be shy and timid. The short-haired one knocked his brother's elbow, implying him to behave seriously.


The others turned to the attention to the newcomers as Trifa thought of bringing them something to eat. The twins both sternly glared at them. Enenra was just scratching his head when he intently stared at the brothers.


" Who are you looking for guys? " he asked.


" We are looking for Commander Smolder Ryliea, " the semi-balded one spoke.


" Our boss sent us here, " his long-haired brother added.


" That would be me, gentlemen, " the former astronaut stood up from his seat and approached the newcomers. " May you introduce yourselves? "


" I'm Terry Bradford, " the first one replied. " And this is my brother, Larry. "


" Our boss has told us to come into these premise. You need our help. " Larry added.


" Well, yeah. I think we should discuss that tomorrow, gentlemen. I believe Commander Bav-Tek assigned you here along with Alexi. "


" Yes, " they spoke in unison.