Taros paused, conflicted. "Won't this mean great sacrifice on your part…?"

Carol's features hardened into a determined smile. "No. For me it's not hard." She clenched a fist. "Have you forgotten what I look like in battle?"

Taros allowed a small smile. "Never."

Carol glanced around. "Where's Fury? He's not with you. Is he on the S.W.O.R.D. station or at S.H.I.E.L.D.?"

Taros hesitated. "Actually… the U.N. arrested him."

"Arrested?" Carol's expression sharpened. "What happened?" Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on ɴovᴇl(F)ɪre.ɴet

United Nations Headquarters

Inside the Security Council chamber, delegates from every nation sat tense, awaiting Fury's interrogation. This was outside of their usual purview, but with both S.H.I.E.L.D. and S.W.O.R.D. under Fury's leadership implicated in global crises, the Council took charge.

Fury sat alone in a wooden armchair at the center. Maria Hill quietly distributed thick binders of documents—evidence, testimonies, contradictions—to each country's representative.

Hill, now Deputy Director of the Avengers, maintained her composure. As she outlined Fury's accomplishments, she also revealed a shocking fact: half of S.W.O.R.D.'s personnel were confirmed Skrulls.

Suddenly, the door slammed open. Security moved in, but a woman in red and blue armor strode past them. A guard raised his baton, but Carol effortlessly pushed him aside. Moments later, the meeting dissolved into chaos.

Local security tried to halt her, but she stepped around them, spotting Fury. "Motherfucker… Carol?" Fury sounded stunned yet relieved.

Carol picked him up and they took flight and exited the building before security could mount a response. Minutes later, they landed in a run-down Brooklyn apartment.

Brooklyn Safe House

The apartment was modest—bare walls, a rickety bed, two chairs under a single hanging bulb.

Carol dusted off a chair and sat across from Fury, who slumped forward.

"This is your hideout?" she asked, concern in her tone.

He managed a tired chuckle. "It's enough. And since I interrupted that hearing, I might be totally off the radar soon."

Carol studied him. "You should have let me come back sooner."

Fury looked away then back. "Is this a trivial matter worth bringing Captain Marvel back over?"

"You're my nuclear button," he said with fond irony.

Carol smiled. "I'm more than a weapon. Coming here felt right."

After catching up, Fury asked, "Taros told you everything, right? S.H.I.E.L.D., HYDRA, even Superman?"

Carol nodded.

"And the million Skrulls?"

Carol confirmed she knew, yes. "I won't let them drift in space. Not by my design."

Fury narrowed his eyes. "So… what are you thinking?"

Carol leaned forward. "Superman is Earth's most powerful protector now. I plan to demonstrate strength through him—not confront him."

"And you're okay with the losses I've suffered because of your actions?" she pressed gently.

"I wanted you to be his equal, make him respect you," he admitted quietly.

Carol shook her head softly. "That's not my plan. I'll be careful. I have a plan to solve the Skrull crisis soon."

Fury nodded, relief washing over him. "I've always trusted Talos. But learning he brought millions of Skrulls—it shook me."

"My trust is shaken," Fury confessed. "I can't keep them here forever."

He stood. Calmly he said, "Take me back to the UN. I have to own this. If not, I become a fugitive."

Carol sighed. "You sure?"

"I'd rather be accountable. I'll help you manage this aftermath. You don't want to be branded a wanted criminal."

Carol weighed it, then nodded. "I'll make them understand who I am. Then Fury's return will make sense."

He smiled wryly. "I'll be waiting."

Carol launched into the air. Photon energy flickered around her, eyes glinting with resolve. She headed to a luxury Brooklyn building, armed with Fury's intel and a cloud of purpose.