" The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. "

-Nelson Mandela

(REBEL FORCES/MTF FACILITY, PARIS, FRANCE, 3:30 PM)

After hearing Lila's discourse in the group therapy and discussing it with everyone, the session was finished. Everyone had left the room except for Amnon and Elder Steve Rogers who remained sitting and waiting for anyone to leave. The young pink Kree man curiously titled his head and stared at the star spangled shield which it was attached to the American centenarian associate therapist's back. Amnon was staring at it and recalling himself reading a French article of Captain America. He also saw a wax statue of the former Avenger in the Louvre museum. Elder Rogers smiled and noticed the group therapy patient. 

" I've just realized I met a former Kree-SCP 682 hybrid who turned out to be one of my greatest admirers, " Rogers said and started a conversation. " Now, you have become one of my patients along with Dr. Schnee. I'm so glad that I have met and befriended you for a span of three months. " 

" Yes, sir, " Amnon sincerely smiled back and nodded at him. " It all started when I heard some people from the Foundation facility in America had talked more about you. They said that you're the greatest fighter in the world. Sadly, they never knew more about you. I have read a French article that tells you in detail. " 

" Really? Do tell, Amnon. " 

" I hope I can remember or memorize it, but I can try to mention a few lines, " the Kree said and snapped his fingers, recalling a paragraph from that magazine article. " Captain America a combattu pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale et s'est retrouvé figé dans le temps. Enfin, il a cherché une seconde vie en rejoignant les Avengers et le SHIELD. (Captain America has fought during the Second World War and ended up frozen in time. Finally, he has sought a second life in joining the Avengers and SHIELD.) " 

Elder Rogers nodded and  sincerely smiled when he heard Amnon's response. He was also recalling his younger years before the prolonged Kree-Lizard invasion occurred. Somehow, he sadly sighed and looked at the window. Amnon noticed the former Avenger's silence with concern and deeply thought of it before he could ask any questions. 

" Mr. Rogers, are you all right? " he curiously asked and tilted his head.

" It's just I reminisce about the past, Kid, " Rogers seriously replied. " I wish this war is over. " 

" Same here, sir. You already knew about my story, I took it. " 

" My wife Ruby and I got physically separated along with our children, grandchildren, grandnephews, and a few great descendants, " the former Avenger answered. " Before I volunteered myself as an associate therapist, I ended up in hiding and dying in Sokovia. Those were the days when I was under survival mode. " 

" Did you mean the invaders found you? " 

" Yes, those lizard men along with their blue skinned friends shot and struck me in the chest. I was about to meet the brink of death. It was fortunate that they found me and had my operation. For that matter, I won't see my great grandnephew, Joshua who is also a member of the Rebel Forces. " 

" I'm sorry to hear that Mr. Rogers. " 

" Amnon, you don't have to apologize. It's not your fault. " 

" But still, I didn't even know you had a surviving relative in times like these. He could have been grieving for you if it happened. " 

" No, nonsense! After this invasion, I will be reuniting with him and the others. You'll be meeting them soon. "

" Right. Did the Foundation scientists help you to get well? "

" Yeah, " Rogers nodded. " The surgery was very disturbing at first. They have replaced my heart into an artificial one. Then, they let me infuse Kree blood and their own super soldier serum. Lastly, I've been taking a Divine Blessing serum to keep me alive. " 

Amnon widened his eyes in shock upon hearing the centenarian's story which he couldn't believe. He already knew that some branches of the Foundation were ruthless and destructive like the ones he had encountered before. He sadly sighed when Rogers gently patted the young Kree man's shoulders. 

" You were so fortunate that they treat you with the most respect. " 

" Look, I have understood how extremely harsh they had done to you, " the elderly man calmly spoke. " Amnon, I'm really sorry if that happened to you. Honestly, I've asked a lot of questions to Methu-Selah, Carol, and Dr. Schnee about your experiences in a couple of days. I've realized you had witnessed and involved the worst days of your life. If I were in your shoes, I could have died early. You had seen enough, but you managed to make friends with other people on your trips. " 

" Indeed, it was, Mr. Rogers, " Amnon sadly said. " There are times that I never wanted to discuss those things, especially the most sensitive ones. They're too painful to remember everything. " 

" I'm glad you have been so open and receptive in joining us. You're making an initiative to seek help and heal those mental wounds and scars. "

" Thank you, sir. It's an honor for me to be with you in helping me. " 

" You're welcome, Kid, " Rogers sincerely smiled and nodded when he carefully removed his star spangled shield, showing it to him. " Do you know what it is made of? " 

" I have no clue, sir. " 

" Vibranium is one of the strongest metals in this universe, " he explained. " It came from a meteorite that landed 10,000 years ago somewhere in Wakanda and Antarctica. It absorbs sound waves and other vibrations, including kinetic energy for it makes this metal stronger. " 

" So, that's why you're able to defeat those bad guys before? " 

" Yep, " the former Avenger nodded and placed his shield beside him. " Upon hearing your testimony a few months ago, your life reminded me of this shield. Your previous form looked dangerous, but your human spirit remains strong despite your hardships. You're a true hero inside, Amnon. I admire your history. " 

The young pink Kree remained speechless and surprised that he couldn't believe his long time favorite hero and volunteer therapist had commended him. Amnon had been reading Captain America's story in a French magazine. He was composing his thoughts before he could respond.

" Kid? " the centenarian therapist noticed his long silence and curiously cocked his eyebrow. " I'm sorry. Did I say something off? "

" Sir, after all that has happened to me in the past months, " Amnon broke his silence and sadly spoke. " I don't deserve to be called a hero. When Kasius brought me into the slave den and made my life upside down, I was disgraced and manipulated to slaughter many people. Everyone in the MTF thought I was…." 

Elder Rogers listened and carefully handed him the star spangled shield. Amnon paused talking and received it, intently looking at it.

" Like the Vibranium shield, you violently hurt people. But you have the will and the power to change its purpose, you can protect them, " he seriously said. " Amnon, think of those days you protected and spared the people before you met your mother. You may be broken, but you're slowly and gracefully redeeming yourself from your darkest days. You are a resilient prince. "

" Sir? " 

" Someday, they will fully understand and accept you, " Rogers  sincerely smiled. " It will take time. "

" Right, I guess you knew everything, " Amnon nodded and returned the shield from his other therapist. " Thanks for letting me hold this shield and a conversation we have. " 

" You're welcome, " he sincerely smiled and placed his shield like a backpack. The former super soldier made a friendly fist bump to the young pink Kree and said, " You have gone a long way, Kid. I have heard everything from your mother and Dr. Schnee. Keep on fighting no matter what. "

" Yes, sir. I will. " 

Elder Steve Rogers remembered seeing Methu-Selah the Kree Eternal and his son after Veelic tormented the male patients and the two therapists. He heard of the Kree prince from the half-Psychowrathian and intently looked at Amnon who had uncanny features from his old man. His golden locks were inherited from his mother. The former Avenger curiously cocked his eyebrows and scratched his chin. The young pink Kree tilted his head and wondered of the elderly man's stare. 

" Mr. Rogers, are you okay? " Amnon asked with concern. " Why are you looking at me like that? " 

" Your father has been so happy and proud to be with you, Amnon, " Rogers sincerely answered and gently placed his hand to the younger blonde gentleman. " You should be grateful that you met him along the way. I noticed your changes which make you feel more inspired than before. He's raising and guiding you for several days. " 

" I don't understand, Mr. Rogers. What are you talking about? Who's my father? Where is he? " 

" He is with you all along, Kid. You're unaware of who he really is. He's your main support person aside from your mother. " 

Amnon couldn't comprehend what he was hearing. He never reckoned who his father really was. He curiously cocked his eyebrows and ended up thinking. 

Elder Rahne Sinclair kept looking at the survivors who were formerly displaced and enslaved. Now, they were joyfully reuniting with their loved ones. The scarlet haired wolf mutant lady gloomily eyed them and sighed when she walked away. She never wanted to revisit that memory of being separated from her sons after her spouse's demise. Rahne didn't want to mingle with any Rebel Forces members or the MTF troopers. She's been uncomfortable dealing with them for years. 

Supposed to step out of the facility's premises, Rahne heard heavy drops of rain and a loud thunder after a lightning streak. She sighed heavily and thought of going home to her flat. Suddenly, she moved her head around and saw another elderly woman with long curly blonde locks. The wolf mutant lady recognized her when she slightly smiled. 

" You seem to be stranded in that rain, I take it? " she asked and walked over to her. 

" Yeah, Heavy rains in Paris reminded me of Krakoa, " Rahne answered when her unique Scottish accent rang into Elder Carol Danvers's ears. "  So, are you waiting for your boy, Carol? " 

 " Definitely, " Carol nodded and looked around, waiting for him to leave the therapy room. " He seems like he's taking a long time to talk with Steve or Dr. Schnee. " 

" I thought he had an individual session with Dr. Schnee every Monday like I do. "

" Maybe, they talk of something. Is it okay with you to talk privately while we're waiting for my son? " 

Rahne nodded and slightly smiled, " Yes, of course. I guess I need a different person to spend time and have a chat. "

" Thanks, Rahne. Let's go somewhere quieter than here. "

Carol and Rahne walked around the hallway and headed at the hallway near the therapy session rooms. The two elderly women found a bench and sat down. The scarlet haired wolf lady deeply thought as she was uncertain of how she could start the conversation.  

The blonde half-Kree looked at her with concern and initiated the conversation as she asked,  " Tell me, Rahne. How long have you been staying in Paris? "

" Six years, Carol, " Rahne instantly answered. " I moved here after my exile to Krakoa. "

" For how long have you remained there? " 

" I can't remember…Everything was too bleak. " 

Carol refrained herself in reading the former X-men member's mind and let Rahne to open up. The mutant had a hard time recalling those early years of the Kree-Lizard invasion in which she had seen so much bloodshed and chaos. Suddenly, there was a flashback of her Asgardian spouse being cornered and murdered by a group of Kree and Lizards in America. Rahne was a witness of her husband's demise. She was about to attack the invaders in her lupine form, but she was carrying her twin sons inside her. Rahne was so helpless that she had nothing to do, but to run and spare herself and her unborn sons. 

" Rahne? " Carol called her attention when the Scottish wolf lady got startled from her silence. '' Is everything okay? " 

" I'm just fine, " Rahne replied and wore a false smile, hiding her insecurities. " Just fine, Carol. " 

" Are you sure? You don't seem okay to me. Look, I know you have been doing some therapy with Dr. Schnee and Steve, " Carol answered with concern. " You can talk it over with me. " 

" Well, I…I just don't know how to start this, " she hesitantly spoke and sighed, composing her thoughts. 

 " I can wait, Rahne. No worries. " 

" All right. Hrimhari and I had a house near Xavier's Academy. We lived peacefully back then,  " she continued. " I was pregnant with twin sons before this invasion happened. My late husband and I were so looking forward to having a normal family. But that late evening, those same monsters came to intrude our home. They murdered him as I was about to fight and avenge his death. I couldn't do it, I held back and ran away. I never wanted to lose my children. " 

" What happened? Where did you go? " Carol asked and kept listening.

 " When the blue and pink skins along with their lizard friends had made some of the X-Men killed and displaced in action. I asked Scott and Lila to escape from this madness. We decided to leave America for Krakoa. Months later, I gave birth to Ethan and Tier and raised them without a father. We spent almost five decades living in peace. " 

" So, have you been hiding throughout the invasion? " 

" Yes, " she nodded. " Krakoa was a safe-haven for us back then, seeing my sons had grown up with families of their own. Until that day, those savages had occupied the island once again and took my own kind as their slaves. Some of us fought back and died. They took my son Ethan. From that skirmish, Tier made up his mind and joined the rebellion. " 

" Did you know what happened to them? " 

" I had no idea where they were right now. I lost my entire family because of...them! I was so afraid to fight back! They were so horrible! " Rahne covered her face and bitterly wept. " I felt so hopeless and weak. I've been thinking they had died and joined their father! " 

Carol felt pierced and sadly sighed when she heard a story from a fellow mother who lost her family. She remembered how she got separated from Ella and Amnon from her tragic times. The elderly half Kree understood how she had been through. She said nothing and hugged the wolf lady when Rahne fell into tears. Sadness had lingered around the hallway when Carol had nothing to but to pacify and condole her. 

" Rahne, I'm sorry for what happened to your family. I have really understood that this war has made us separated from them, " she broke her silence and gently rubbed her friend's back. " Eventually, we will see your sons coming and reuniting with you. If we find them, then you can go home to Krakoa in peace. " 

After discussing with Elder Steve Rogers, Amnon from a distance saw his mother and a fellow patient who were talking to each other. He decided not to disturb those two elderly women and waited for them to finish. The young pink Kree noticed Rahne wept and rubbed her face with a handkerchief. 

" I wonder why she was crying, " he curiously thought.  " Perhaps, this is something to do with her home country and family which Dr. Schnee and her have been talking about in their own session. "