Universal Avengers

”Ya know you don’t realise just how big this bloody planet is until you have to go through it with a fine tooth comb” Talos griped as they went through the last domicile looking for remnants of the Supreme Intelligence.

They had found intricate wires woven through practically every building that they had visited so Talos was watching Yon-Rogg like a hawk as they found yet another S.I. system in a bedroom no less. Yon-Rogg had spouted something off in Kree that the universal translator couldn’t translate and he had assured Talos that he really, really didn’t want to know what it meant. “Calm down Yon. I swear I can see steam coming out of your ears mate. Yeah, I know it’s a disgusting betrayal of trust but we’re sorting it, right?” he had told Yon-Rogg as he tried to calm the newly appointed General down. It was a total 180 degree turn from the calm cool and collected Kree that he was used to seeing, to “I’m having a total meltdown and I don’t give a shit” mode in seconds.

”I’m sorry. But a bed chamber? It’s a very personal invasion of privacy, and for what? Just to see if Starforce or Accuser personnel are discussing their work with their mates? And anyway, what if we did? All! of our mates are all above reproach and should be afforded the same respect as we are” Yon-Rogg raged. He forced himself to take a deep breath and calm down and made a point of apologising again. “This last week has been a trial to say the least and I miss my little ones greatly. I do not mean to take it out on you my friend. You have lost just as much as I have. I feel like I’m stuck in a nightmare and I just want to wake up but I can’t.” Yon-Rogg stood in what Talos had called the Kree battle stance. Yon-Rogg had closed eyes and clenched his fists, he could feel the rage bubbling to the surface once more and finally he just exploded and punched a hole in the newly appointed treasurer of Hala’s bed chamber wall exposing yet more S.I. tech. causing an exasperated growl to escape Yon-Rogg, “I give up” he huffed and sat down on the bed with his arms crossed, a scowl and a pout on his face.

Talos couldn’t help it. He burst out laughing as he looked at the Kree General having a full blown tantrum. Yon looked at Talos and rolled his eyes, but when he caught sight of his reflection in the mirror and saw an adult version of Jose-eph in what Vers had called “full Strop mode” he started to laugh also, “ I do look ridiculous don’t I?” he grinned.

”Yeah mate. You kinda do” Talos agreed. “You do know what this means though don’t you?” unfortunately he did.

”We’re going to have to go back to the beginning and do this all over again.” Yon-Rogg sighed as he threw himself backwards onto the bed while slapping both hands over his face.

The Starforce team had been sent to Xandar for yet another team bonding experience. There had been a lot of Xandar/Kree run test missions since the peace treaty. The Nova Prime, Supreme Intelligence and Kree Emperor thought that it would make a great bonding experience for the two peoples. It hadn’t necessarily sat well with either sides warriors though. The Kree saw the Xandarians as overgrown children and the Xandarians saw the Kree as barbarian’s hell bent on conquering the Universe and it caused no end of problems. But still they were forced together, time, and time again.

”I wonder what it is this time?” Dee-Sea grinned; “I must admit the team bonding experience that they ran last time was fun” Yon-Rogg rolled his eyes. The team bonding experience that they had been subjected to last time they were on Xandar had resulted in an all out brawl and a rather painful dressing down by the Supreme Intelligence as apparently it is the Commanders fault if anything goes wrong at any given time, even if it was a Xandarian that started the whole debacle by play thumping Bron-Char on the arm and Bron-Char returning the playful bump with a little too much gusto, sending said Xandarian into a group of Aakon. The mission wasn’t a complete failure though; the Kree and Xandarians were at least fighting side by side, so in effect Yon-Rogg had thought it had been a great success.

Corpsman Rhomann Dey smiled an overly cheery smile as he greeted the Starforce team. “Good morning my friends” he sang and Yon-Rogg had to suppress a smile in return. Dey reminded Yon-Rogg of his young students. He was basically an overgrown child who knew battle strategies and was more than a half decent soldier.

”Good morning Corpsman Dey.” Everybody returned with a less than enthusiastic reply. In fact they sounded bored out of their skulls.

”Is it possible to have a private word with you Commander Yon-Rogg?” Rhomann asked trying to keep an even tone as he walked by Yon-Rogg and into the Command Strategic Planning room. He couldn’t fool Yon-Rogg though. He had picked up on an element of excitement in his voice and that had piqued Yon-Rogg’s curiosity.

”Ok Rhomann, spill it.” Yon-Rogg grinned as the door shut securely behind him and the intelligent glass misted over.

”Captain Marvel. I mean Carol, um, your Vers. She’s gone into labour. Nova Prime has agreed to a little mission for you to run on your lonesome to go see your child born. You should leave at once. I’ll put the teams through another bonding exercise.” Rhomann smiled as he bounced up and down like an overgrown child.

”Just do me a favour and keep them away from the Aakon this time Rhomann.” Rhomann blushed as he too recalled that particular bonding exercise.

”Oh. Hah. Yes. That was an unfortunate error on my part. I had miscalculated the Kree strength when I play bumped Bron-Char. Although I do think the exercise can be classed as a success. I mean we were all fighting on the same side were we not?” Rhomann laughed, Yon-Rogg couldn’t help but laugh too.

”Yes my friend. That we did. Now, what do I tell my team and Superiors when I am questioned on my new mission?” getting past the Supremor was getting harder with each visit to Terra.

”Oh. I’ve sorted that. I might have been trying to think of something on the way here and walked past the Aedian representative. Wonderful race, they are both empathic and telepathic and I must have been thinking too loud because the representative came over to me and offered you fake mission.” Rhomann smiled as Yon-Rogg reminded him to take a breath

”Yes. Ah. Well, the representative said to say that they needed a strong soldier to take them through Aakon space; they had said to say that they had heard about the Starforce team that had defeated the Aakon in the last bonding exercise and requested you to assist them in their endeavour. Oh and they’re going to teach you a fool proof way of keeping your Supreme Intelligence from reading your mind. I think they’re going to teach you telepathy or something when you get back to Xandar. But anyway you better shift your butt or you’re going to miss the birth of your first born.” Rhomann’s explanation had made Yon-Rogg very nervous for some reason, but Fury had told him once ”Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth” which seemed to fit in well here although he found himself thinking that if the people of Troy had done this very thing the city would not have fallen.

Yon-Rogg arrived at the Avengers headquarters and was met by Thor. The two men spent a moment looking each other up and down before Thor outstretched his hand in an all too familiar Terran greeting that Yon-Rogg recognised, so he took Thor’s hand into a firm shake, while bowing his head in his own greeting. “You must be Yon-Rogg. I must say they could have knocked me over with a feather when they said the child’s father was Kree. But Lady Carol is a good judge of character so you must be alright.” Thor grinned at the slightly aghast look Yon-Rogg was giving him. “Just kidding” he boomed with laughter, “I’m sorry. I just couldn’t resist. I am Thor, King of Asguard, come the child is almost here and I believe Lady Carol wishes you to be present when the young one makes an appearance.” Thor had a wide and very proud smile on his face when he delivered this information to Yon-Rogg.

”She wants me in the birthing chamber to witness the birth?” Yon-Rogg’s heart skipped a beat. Rarely was a father allowed to witness the child’s birth. It was the highest honour and a Kree female rarely agreed that a Kree father should be given such an honour.

”Lady Carol loves you deeply my friend. You must be a good man to have won such a woman’s heart and soul so completely.”

”Thor, if you knew half of the things I have done in my life. Including how Vers and I met you would not call me a good man” Yon-Rogg sighed as the past events played out in his memory.

”I have heard the stories my friend. I believe the Terran term used is you were stuck between a rock and a hard place. Trust me when I say no-one would have done things differently, not even I. We have all done things we are not proud of. I myself was cast out of Asguard once for nearly starting a war between the realms. It is not something I am proud of, but it happened and I cannot change it. It is done and lives in the past. It is the future we should be concerned with now. Now go and witness your child’s entrance into this world” Yon-Rogg listened and he took Thor’s words to heart. He thanked him and entered into the birthing room to support his mate and greet his newborn offering his thanks for the God of Thunders kind words.

His Vers greeted him with a glorious smile before crying out in pain as another contraction hit her. He was close to tears himself; he did not like to see her in pain. He walked over to her and took her hand in his; raising her hand to his mouth and kissing her knuckles softly. “You’re at the wrong end” she told him and laughed at the uncharacteristically scared shitless look he had on his face as he walked to the foot of the bed to view the birth.

”One more push Carol” the midwife smiled and soon the babe was out in the world and screaming her lungs out. The midwife gasped as she looked the baby over. Blue? she had thought, but what she had said was, “What unusual eyes” as she cut the cord, cleaned the little one up and presented her to her mother.

”She has her father’s eyes” Carol said proudly and grinned as the midwife turned to inspect Yon-Rogg.

”So she does. Such beautiful eyes.” she smiled and winked at Carol as she left the parents on their own with the new born.

”Thank you.” A very embarrassed Yon-Rogg smiled uncharacteristically shyly as the midwife walked by. He nodded a farewell to the midwife as he made his way to his mate’s side.

”Would you like to hold her?” Yon-Rogg nodded while not keeping his eyes off of his daughter. She was perfect, and, blue. He felt such pride in that moment.

”She is perfection my love. May I suggest exposing her to a little more nitrogen though? It will make her skin turn pink so that she will fit in here on Terra. What are we naming her?”

”To be honest I’ve not had a minute to myself. I’ve not really thought about it, and I kind of like her blue skin colour, she shouldn’t have to hide herself here. There are mutants out there with her colouring and they seem to be doing ok” It took a lot of bickering back and fore before Carol relented and agreed to a makeover for their daughter, but it was agreed that when she did eventually get to Hala she would be presented in glorious colour. It would be one in the eye for Yon-Rogg’s pig headed brother whose child was born pink. ”Funny how pink is ok now that his child is pink” she thought, but something good did come out of it as the two brothers were now getting on famously and this made Yon-Rogg happier than she had seen him in a long time.

”How about Mar-ie? In honour of your mother.” Yon offered. He knew that her mother wasn’t very present in his mate’s life, but what his mate did remember was heart-warming. That was until the woman walked out on her family.

”I would like that” and she truly did. Her mother wasn’t a bad person; she just didn’t understand why she didn’t take her with her when she left. She must have known that Carol’s life would be hell once she had gone.

”Welcome to the worlds my little Mar-ie.” Yon-Rogg whispered softly as he placed a tender kiss on the babe’s forehead. Carol watched her mate with pride as he melted in their daughter’s presence.

Yon-Rogg had been given 24 Earth hours to spend with his new family and looked on as the clock ticked away. He so hated that Terran devise, it was stealing his time from him. He would have to leave too soon.

The human Tony Stark had made his way over to him and peaked at the sleeping babe in Yon-Rogg’s arms. “She’s beautiful. Couldn’t help but overhear you’ve named her Marie? A beautiful name for a beautiful babe” Yon-Rogg couldn’t help but notice the look Tony gave Mar-ie, it was an odd look, longing perhaps?

”Thank you. We put a Kree spin on her name though. We pronounce it Mar-ie.” Yon-Rogg corrected Tony while still looking at his daughter in awe. Tony merely nodded and smiled at the Kree Commander that had been brought to his knees by a tiny little baby. “Do you have children Tony Stark?

”Tony. Just Tony and no. I’m still trying to convince my girlfriend to marry me. She thinks I’m an overgrown child myself.” He laughed causing Yon-Rogg to huff a quiet Pff and grin at the one they call Iron Man. Yon-Rogg had merely smiled and told Tony that he would make a great father one day and asked him if he would like to hold Mar-ie.

”Um. Sure, if it’s ok with you that is,” Tony held out his arms and nervously took the tiny bundle from Yon-Rogg. He looked at the sleeping babe and just melted. “You are a little stunner Miss Mar-ie. You know something young lady there are quite a few people who will move heaven and Earth for you here, and I’m one of them” Yon-Rogg watched as Tony talked to his daughter and smiled. His daughter would be in safe hands here on Earth while he was home on Hala, this much he was certain of.

Back on Xandar Yon-Rogg made his way to the Aedian ambassador to thank her for her assistance. The door opened before he made his presence known, then he remembered, “Telepathic and Empathic” he smiled as the strange looking humanoid beckoned him inside her quarters.

”Greetings Yon-Rogg of Hala. Thank you for accepting our offer. I just need to reactivate a long dormant synapse in your brain so that you may show your Supreme Intelligence exactly what you want to show them. This will keep you out of further predicaments with them as you can now start feeding them false reports.” Now that would be very useful Yon-Rogg thought. He was expecting some drawn out and lengthy procedure, but all the Aedian did was touch a finger to the back of his head. “Now the lessons will begin”.

”Lessons?”

”Yes Commander. I have just broken down a wall that is erected when all humanoids are very young. You are now very much like us. Your telepathy will kick in shortly as will you empathic ability, the latter of which you will definitely need to mask from your Supremor. I do believe that telekinesis will be a side effect of this procedure also. This will benefit you in the future, of this I am certain.

”Were the games a success?” The Intelligence asked on Starforces return to Hala and Yon-Rogg simply answered yes before recounting everything that had happened on his fake mission. To his amazement the Intelligence listened and accepted everything he said. Right down to the fake dog fight with the Aakon deep space glider that he had thrown in for good measure. “Good. We like hearing about successful missions Commander. It is good that we do not need you take you in hand again.” Oh how this new ability was going to come in handy. The Supreme Intelligence was completely fooled. This was going to make life a whole lot easier.

”Yon you need to shift your arse” Carol called up the stairs to her mate, “We’re going to be late and Nova Prime is worse with tardiness than you are” she yelled.

”All right, all right. I’m coming.” Yon-Rogg yelled back as he straightened his epaulettes’ and brushed his hands over his jacket in a last ditch attempt of making it sit right. He hated all the pomp and circumstance that came with state visitations

”Well don’t you look dashing” Natasha teased as Yon-Rogg strutted down the stairs causing him to blush, she couldn’t help it but she let out a little, “Aww” at which just made Yon flush brighter. He still couldn’t get used to unnecessary compliments.

”Well I did tell you my man cleans up well” Carol grinned, causing Yon-Rogg to roll his eyes and shake his head with a loving smile.

”Carol Susan Jane Danvers Rogg. What am I going to do with you?” he grinned as he took her in his arms and kissed her softly. He suddenly stopped dead in his tracks, opened his eyes and looked at her in shock, “Was that? Did I just feel?”

”Yes hunny. You felt a baby kick” Carol was beaming as the room came to life with cuddles, kisses and congratulations. But most of all it was the look of adoration on Yon-Rogg’s face that made her float to cloud 9. ” It had been a long time since she had seen a look of joy on her mates face and it was a wonderful feeling.

”Will the rest of the Avengers be joining us this evening Natasha?”

”Please Yon-Rogg, Just Nat” she smiled and told him the rest of the Avengers would be waiting at the great hall for them.

The transport pulled up outside the great hall and everyone started to make their way up the astronomical amount of steps, “Shall we?” Nat asked as they finally reached the top and was awarded with a smile and a “We shall” from Yon-Rogg while offering both his arms to his Vers and Nat and walking them both through the great hall doors.

The state meal went without a hitch and everyone seemed to be enjoying the ball. Even Yon-Rogg had to admit it was a good evening. It had been the first ever state event that he had actually enjoyed. The company was interesting and there wasn’t one toxic person amongst them. It was a refreshing change.”

Fury tapped a glass to call for attention. “Ladies and gentleman please enjoy the rest of the evening. The Kree, Xandarian and Terran delegations will now be leaving to discuss a future event that will hopefully benefit the whole Universe.” He gave his best politician smile, bowed and promptly left the room which had sprung to life with chatter as they tried to figure out what he had meant.

”Are you sure that this is going to work?” Nova Prime asked. The first time in over a year she had felt hope.

Tony had been warned to be on best behaviour so he smiled his sweetest smile which even Yon-Rogg had to admit looked like a smirk. “The science is exact. Everything on the model works perfectly but it’s going to take some time to build the machine and test it properly” he explained.

Nova prime nodded, taking in everything that Tony had told her, “How long do you think it will take?” she desperately wanted to see her mate again and yes, she even missed Rhomann Dey.

”I don’t want to make any mistakes so this is going to take, oh about, 4 years.” Tony stated as he ran through a few numbers in his head.

”4 Years?” Nova prime shrieked. she was horrified.

”Yes. Sorry Nova Prime, but Rome wasn’t built in a day”

”What’s Rome?”

”Doesn’t matter. What does matter is that this machine is perfect and works perfectly. I don’t want anyone lost in time or worse, killed. We’ve lost too much as it is.” Tony explained and was relieved when Nova Prime nodded in agreement. He had really expected more of a song and dance, but to be honest he was glad there hadn’t been.

”Talos and I will have to make sure that everyone on Hala is ready for the return of the old regiments. They will expect to start where they left off and we need to make sure that they cannot spark off the war again. Once they realise that they have been for want of a better word, retired and that the Supreme Intelligence has been dismantled and deleted there will be an uprising. These people will have countless years experience in comparison to my new Starforce. Plus the Accusers will be returned also. Could I call on your assistance if need be Nova Prime?” Yon asked half expecting to be given his marching orders.

”I would be honoured General. It is imperative that this peace we have enjoyed over this last year is maintained.” She smiled. “You know if someone had told me before all this happened that there would be peace with the Kree I would have laughed in their face. At least we have something to thank Thanos for”

”Agreed” Yon-Rogg stood and raised his glass to propose a toast “To the return” he shouted down the table, everyone echoed the toast and started sharing stories of past events with their loved ones who were currently missing. The atmosphere was electric. For the first time in over a year there was hope.

Yon-Rogg was on his way to Terra for an emergency Avenger meeting and had been thinking about Mar-ie and Nico-las non-stop for the best part of two hours now and the fact that his mind was elsewhere was not lost on Talos. “What’s that phrase Maria is so fond of? Where’s your head at?” although he had a rough idea because he found himself thinking more and more about Soren and his missing friends lately.

Yon-Rogg sighed and smiled ruefully, “I’m sorry Talos. So much of my life was spent being programmed by that infernal machine that it was easy to control my thoughts and emotions. Now that they can’t interfere I find my mind wandering more and more and I always wind up thinking about my kids.

He paused for a brief moment as if to try and decide how much to tell Talos. He was his friend now he kept telling himself and found himself side glancing to look at Talos in the seat beside him. “Did Vers ever tell you about the day our Mari-ie was born?”

”Just that you had everything planned like a military battle strike and it all went to hell in a hand basket. She said she aint never seen you look so frazzled.” Talos looked over to Yon-Rogg and grinned. “She really let you witness the birth?”

”She did. It was a great honour. You know the Xandarians and the Aedian helped extract me with a fake mission? When I got back to Xandar I met with the Aedian ambassador and she altered something in my head so it would allow me to lie to the S.I. She said it would have side effects other than the Telepathy, Empathy and Telekinesis. I think those side effects are starting to kick in. I feel different and I am not sure why.”

Talos listened with interest. “For an Aedian to assist they must have seen something. You know it’s rumoured that they can see the future? Think the timing on these side effects are suspect though. Might be prudent to get Tony and Bruce to give you the once over when we get to headquarters.” It was then that Talos picked up on something that Yon-Rogg had said, “Telepathy, Empathy and Telekinesis? You tellin me you can read my mind?”

”Yes, I can read your mind, but don’t panic, that is something I never do. I consider it a violation unless I am given permission to do so. I do agree with you though, the timing for the side effects are very suspect indeed.”

Yon-Rogg configured the landing sequence and smiled as he saw Vers and Jos-Eph waiting for them on the lawn of the Avenger Headquarters. “I’m missing so much of his youth” he mused quietly but still audible enough for Talos to hear, Talos merely rose up out of the co-pilots seat and gently patted Yon-Rogg on his shoulder as he walked by as he made his way toward the ramp.

”I know exactly how you feel mate. But it’ll be worth it in the end.” He told his friend as he walked by. “Carol darling, you’re looking absolutely gorgeous as always.” He shouted down from the ramp. “Tall, sandy and brooding will be joining us shortly” he grinned. “Bet he’s rollin them eyes as we speak “ he whispered in her ear when he drew level. He noted the growing bump and started thinking about his Soren while she was carrying their precious hatchling. Carol gave him a sympathetic smile before drawing him into a bone crushing hug. Talos patted her on the back and kissed her forehead before turning his attention to Jos-eph. “Hey Joe, how bout you come and fill Uncle Talos in on what’s been going on, on Terra while Mommy and Daddy play grown up for a bit”, he grinned as he took the boy from a grateful Carol’s arms, she mouthed a thank you as he did so.

”So, Tall, sandy and brooding huh?” Carol asked Yon-Rogg as he drew level with her.

”It’s been a rough few weeks Vers. I’ll tell you about it later. Right now all I want is to kiss and hold my mate for a while. If that’s ok with my mate that is?” he smiled as she held out her arms to him and sighed in contentment as the two of them embraced.

”I’ve missed you too my love,” she told him as she took in a deep breath to burn his scent into her memory. “Bedroom, now” She ordered, and whom was he to argue?

”Finished visiting with the Mrs?” Tony grinned at Yon-Rogg, that knowing smile on the Terran’s face was exasperating but Yon-Rogg knew exactly where he stood with this man and the thought made him smile which in turn made Tony’s grin even wider.

”Yes thank you” he had learned was the correct vocal response. “I need to ask you a, um. What is that word?”

”Favour?”

”Yes. Favour. “ Tony stared at Yon-Rogg waiting for him to speak, then eventually earned Yon-Rogg an, “ I’m waiting”. Yon-Rogg just smirked which again caused the same response from Tony. Yon could never remember a time when he had smiled so much. Well, not taking into account all the time he spent with Vers that is.

”I foolishly allowed an alien race to alter something in my brain a decade ago.” The look on Tony’s face (sigh), “Yes, yes I know. But I really wanted to see my first born enter the Universe and they were a means to an end. They mentioned side effects and I’ve been feeling strange of late. I was hoping that you would be able to run a scan on me to see what is going on inside my head.”

”A chance to see what is going on inside the great Yon-Rogg’s head. How could I refuse?” Tony joked.

”A chance to see what is going on inside the great Yon-Rogg’s head. How could I refuse?” Yon-Rogg blinked and stared at Tony with a look of shock and what was fast becoming panic.

”Tony observed Yon-Rogg carefully,” what’s wrong Yon?.”

”You said that twice.”

”No I didn’t”

“But I heard you say it twice” Tony sat back in his chair while he assessed the situation unfolding in front of him.

”My lab. Now.” Tony eventually told the equally confused Kree General.

Yon-Rogg knew Tony would not refuse his request of a scan and had changed into his training gear beforehand for comfort. It was a good job he had, as looking at the scanner; metal would not have been his friend. He lay down on the cot that would slide into the machine and tried to relax while he waited for the procedure to begin.

”Now, I’m just going to place some sensors on key areas of your body, it’ll help me go through you data.” Tony explained, but the strangest thing happened as he touched Yon-Rogg as he placed the first sensor on his body. The world shifted. Yon-Rogg found himself on a battlefield. He saw Dr Strange hold his index finger in the air, it was a gesture Yon-Rogg found confusing Wait for what?. He looked around and saw the mad titan’s people fighting with his new family. That was when he saw something that made him panic. Tony had tricked the titan and was wielding all of the infinity stones.

”And I, am Iron man” he had said as he snapped his fingers causing all of their enemies to vaporise into dust clouds. Then watched in horror as his friend died before his very eyes.

”Um. Yon? Why ya cryin?”

Yon-Rogg hadn’t realised he was crying until that very moment, “Let’s just say I hope my mind is playing tricks on me my friend. Because if I have just seen the future the price paid I too high” Everyone had returned, but any loss on the newly formed Universal Avengers was not acceptable. He needed to alter this possible future. Failure was not an option.

”Not a word” a voice inside his head said, “I’ve already looked into this. I’ve done all the calculations.”

”Did you factor me into the calculations?” silence, then, “No” the voice told him. “Then don’t you think you should?” Yon-Rogg asked. Tony watched his friend talk to himself and quickly set about placing the rest of the sensors in place so he could see what was going on. The last time he saw someone doing what Yon-Rogg was doing right this minute it had turned out to be cancer. Oh how he was wishing he was going to be wrong.