"They're still alive," Talos said quietly. "They're just… dreaming."
"Dreaming…" Fury gritted his teeth.
"Being stripped of your life and locked inside a coffin while you dream?"
"How merciful."
He stared at Talos coldly.
"So what's your real goal now?"
"If survival is all you wanted, hiding in Chernobyl would have been enough."
"Why infiltrate governments?"
"Why replace high-ranking officials?"
"For the future."
Talos's voice was firm.
"We intend to reshape humanity's perception of Skrulls—from the top down."
"We influence media narratives."
"We adjust policies."
"Our ultimate goal is to have governments formally acknowledge the existence of Skrulls and designate a legal territory on Earth where we can live permanently."
"When the time is right, we'll reveal ourselves."
"By then, humanity will already be accustomed to our presence, and the law will protect us."
"We'll establish a nation on this planet."
"We'll integrate into its political system."
"And eventually achieve peaceful coexistence with humanity."
"That's my plan, Fury."
"A revolution… without bloodshed."
"Motherfucker… you've completely lost your mind, Talos."
Fury's voice was filled with disbelief.
"You think if this plan succeeds, you'll simply 'coexist' with humans?"
"When your people hold the power and control this world…"
"Do you really think you'll stop at a little patch of land?"
"Humans will become second-class citizens."
"Slaves."
"Or worse."
"That's called colonization, Talos."
"Dress it up however you want—that's what it is."
Talos fell silent.
Perhaps he truly hadn't thought that far ahead.
Or perhaps…
Deep down, that was exactly what he wanted.
"I want to shoot you right now," Fury growled.
Talos didn't move.
He simply looked at Fury calmly.
"Go ahead, Fury."
"If it makes you feel better."
Fury's finger rested on the trigger.
It trembled slightly.
Twenty years of friendship.
Countless battles fought side by side.
All of it held his finger back.
And besides—
There were still one million Skrulls.
Killing Talos wouldn't solve anything.
Another leader would rise.
And if that leader were more radical…
Things could become far worse.
In the end—
Fury didn't pull the trigger.
"..."
He exhaled slowly and lowered the gun.
"We've known each other for a long time."
"You helped me more times than I can count."
"I owe you."
His gaze hardened.
"Listen carefully, Talos."
"This is the last time I help you."
"You're going to do three things."
"First."
"Release every human you replaced."
"Return them to their lives—no matter how you do it."
"Second."
"Stop all infiltration operations."
"Withdraw every Skrull back to Chernobyl."
"Third…"
Fury pointed toward the door.
"…you're coming with me to meet Homelander."
"Homelander?"
Talos frowned.
"That cape-wearing superhuman?"
"Yes."
Fury nodded grimly.
"As much as I hate admitting it… right now, he's the one who calls the shots on this planet."
"And he already knows about your people."
"If he decides to act first…"
"Your entire race will be reduced to ashes."
"And I won't be able to save you."
"The only chance you have…"
"…is to confess before he makes his move."
"Submit to his terms."
"This is your only chance to survive."
"Trust me, Talos."
"Compared to facing him…"
"…you'd rather face Ronan's fleet."
-----
V.G.D. Global Defense Headquarters
Strategic Command Hall
A massive holographic Earth rotated slowly in the center of the room.
Streams of data flowed across its surface.
But no one was paying attention to the numbers.
The atmosphere was tense.
Every major hero affiliated with Vought had gathered here.
Everyone—
Except Wanda, who was currently guarding the Celestial Seed.
Former Avengers stood alongside the rising members of the Seven.
Every face carried the same determination.
"We're ready, Antony."
Steve Rogers stepped forward first.
He had put on his deep-blue tactical uniform once again.
His vibranium shield gleamed brightly.
"Whatever that thing is," Steve said steadily, his eyes calm with the experience of countless wars.
"Whether it's a so-called Celestial or not…"
"If it threatens Earth…"
"Then the Howling Commandos will stand at the front."
Beside him stood Bucky Barnes.
His new mechanical arm—equipped with vibranium mantis blades and nano-filaments—had been built overnight by Tony Stark.
Bucky pulled the bolt on his rifle with a sharp click.
"I don't care if it's HYDRA or an alien planet."
"Just tell me where to shoot."
"Count me in too."
Tony Stark leaned casually against the table, tapping his fingers.
"I said I was taking a break from being a hero…"
"But I'm still Iron Man."
Nearby, Natasha Romanoff, Bruce Banner, Thor, and the other former Avengers all voiced their agreement.
"Oi oi~"
A slightly exaggerated voice cut in from the other side.
Pietro raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed.
He pointed at himself, then gestured behind him toward the members of the Seven.
"Hey, veterans."
"Did you forget about us?"
"We're the official members of the Seven."
"Homelander's golden partners."
"For a world-saving event like this, leaving us out feels a little unfair, don't you think?"
"Exactly," Angelica, Robbie, and Silas Lawton added.
"We want to see space too."
Two groups.
On one side—the seasoned Avengers.
On the other—the rising Seven.
At this moment, they were all looking at the same man.
The man wearing the stars and stripes cape.
Waiting for his command.
Antony stood with his back to them, listening to the passionate requests behind him.
A faint smile curved his lips.
Being followed.
Being seen as the center of everything.
It was… intoxicating.
"I'm touched."
"Really."
He slowly turned around and looked at the heroes filled with fighting spirit.
"I've seen your courage."
"And courage is humanity's most valuable trait."
"But…"
"Sorry."
"This time…"
"There is no 'we.'"
"There is only 'me.'"
"Why?" Steve frowned.
"More people means more strength—"
"But Steve…"
Antony interrupted him.
"This time is different."
"We're not facing an army."
"Not a swarm of alien monsters."
"Not even a powerful individual."
"Our enemy this time…"
"…is a planet."
"Its size is larger than the Moon."
"In a battle on that scale…"
"Numbers mean nothing."
Antony spoke the harsh truth without mercy.
"You would become nothing more than its nutrients."
"Every inch of land on that planet…"
"Every rock."
"Even the air itself…"
"…is the enemy."
"If I bring you along…"
"I won't just be fighting Ego."
"I'll be worrying about protecting you."
"Saving you."
"And that will hold me back."
The room fell silent.
Everyone knew he was right.
Against a celestial-scale being…
Their attacks would barely matter.
They would be no more dangerous than fleas.
Then someone spoke.
"…What about me?"
--------------
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