Chapter Eight
Analiese

"I appreciate the help, Shuri, I know how busy you are." I say to the princess as she readies the machine.

Shuri grins as the hum of the machine turns on, emitting a white glow. "It's my pleasure. I just hope it works."

"You and me both."

"It will work," Livy says from the work table, making sure the serum we concocted is ready. "I'm confident that between the three of us we can fix Sydney's issue."

"Well if you can't I don't know who can," Sydney says from the edge of the lab. "You three are like the greatest geniuses in the world."

"I'd hardly call myself a genius." Livy protests.

"Nonsense." I argue.

"Any niece of mine is a genius." Shuri proclaims.

"So how is this gonna work?" Sydney asks, eyeing the machine, looking mildly uncomfortable.

"You emit poison from your skin similar to that of a poison dart frog. After more research than you could possibly imagine," I sigh with a huff. I haven't slept in days because of how much research I've had to do. "I found out that the reason why those frogs emit the poison, is because they eat poisonous puffer fish as a diet. The reason why the frogs themselves don't die from the poison they ingest, is because they have a mutated single amino acid that alters the sodium channels in their body. The sodium channels are where the problem lies, what we need to do is destroy the poison that emits from them. Livy and I created a serum filled with single amino acids and the enhanced cure, which already has radiation in it. Those two combined should get rid of your powers."

"How will you inject me if you can't touch me?"

"The machine will inject you for us." Livy explains, handing the serum vile to her aunt, who begins uploading it into the syringe needle attached to the machine.

Sydney nods, beginning to unzip her jacket, hesitatingly putting it on the still closest to her. She walks over towards the machine, careful not to get to close to any of us, and holds her arm out. Shuri activates the machine, and we watch in anticipation as the needle comes closer and closer to Sydney's arm. The needle pierces her skin, making the young woman wince, and then inject the serum. Sydney watches the needle exit her body and pull away, then her eyes go down to her arm, which is bleeding ever so slightly.

"Did it work?" She whispers.

"Only one way to find out." Livy says, taking a step towards her. Livy sniffs the air around Sydney for a second, getting the lay of the land, and then places her hand on Sydney's arm. Nothing happens. Livy is fine.

I can't help the sigh of relief that exhales from the lungs. This reaction is shared by Shuri and especially by Livy, who I am sure is happy to have not been affected by the poison. Sydney stares at her skin in shock for a few moments, and then suddenly bursts into tears. She crumples to the ground, her body shaking in happiness, in relief, in pain. Livy places her hand on Sydney's shoulder to comfort her, looking over her shoulder towards me and Shuri to say: "I'd call this a success."

"Couldn't have done it without both of your help."

To my surprise, Shuri places her hand on my shoulder, giving me a firm nod. "Anything for a colleague."

Livy stands up and steps away from Sydney, giving the young woman a moment to herself. I extend my hand out towards Livy and smile, gesturing for her to take it. "It was a pleasure working with you, Dr. Barnes."

The smile that spreads on Livy's face is unlike any other. I think that's the first time she's been called a doctor. She grips my hand and shakes it back firmly, her tone ringing with joy as she replies: "The pleasure was all mine, Dr. Remington."

"Thank you so much," Sydney says, her voice a broken whisper. "How can I ever repay you?"

I leave the others and get down onto my knees in front of her, grabbing onto both of her hands, watching her eyes widen and fill up with even more tears. "You can repay me by living your life. Don't let the past define you, Sydney. Let it go, focus on your future. It can be whatever you want it to be."

She nods. "I will."

I have helped many people over the past few months, but helping Sydney I think was the most rewarding. Not only did I help her get rid of powers that had done nothing but torment her, but I drove her away from the path of vengeance, down the path that would wreck her life. I hope she stays off that course, I hope she takes my advice and finds a happy, peaceful life. She deserves it.

"I was about to go on my lunch break," Shuri announces, glancing between Livy and me. "How about you ladies join me. My treat."

Livy nods. "I'd love that, Aunt Shuri."

I shrug. "Got nothing else better to do." But I add a wink at the end.

Before we leave the lab, Shuri gestures to the machine, smiling. "I look forward to more collaboration in the future."

Livy and I share a wicked grin, and I speak for both of us as I say: "You can bet on it."

-

Naomi

Daniel Fai was right, the world leaders are very pissed off. They waited a few minutes before unleashing hell though. They allowed Sam to tell them that the looters had finally been caught, and that the missing Stark Industries and Pym Tech supplies have been retrieved. The moment this report was done though, the meeting became a shouting match between the council members, trying to decide what punishment I should receive. They have been declaring that I betrayed them and that I should resign my position.

"I will do no such thing," I say firmly, standing firmly in my decision. "You weren't listening, you weren't acting, I had to do something."

Thanks to the speech I made on TV, the world leaders were forced by their people to give in. They will now be paying for the housing for the enhanced and the adoption center, which will be based in America. The power of the people is real, and often times a beautiful thing. Human beings can be terrible, fickle creatures, but in times of crisis, they really do come together and rally for what's right.

"You had no right." The King of England says with a slam of his fist on his desk.

"She has every right," Zy'aire argues. "She's the representative of the enhanced people. It's her job to voice the issues of the enhanced people to the leaders who can help them best. None of you helped, you were the ones who forced her to do this."

"I am sick of you always taking her side." The French president sneers.

"This is the World Security Council, not a playground argument. If you want to act like children I suggest you do it somewhere else and let the people who actually want to make a difference sit on this council." Zy'aire snaps. I glance over to Soroya and see her grin at her nephew in pride.

"I couldn't agree more, your majesty," Soroya says, her eyes shinning. "If we are done bickering, can we focus on more important issues?"

"Such as?" The US president asks curtly.

"Like how Carol, Thor, and the Guardians are still dealing with the Nova empire issues by themselves. The Kree empire are trying to take over that whole system and we are doing nothing to help. The Kree have been conquering worlds for centuries, they drove the entire Skrull race to live in hiding, these people need to be stopped."

"Ah, but you see, they aren't people. They are alien life, and it's not our job to fix the problems of anyone who aren't human."

"The enhanced are human and you haven't done a very good job at fixing any of their problems." I rightly point out.

"The Nova empire aren't too far from our solar system. If we don't stop them, then they could take over countless other systems, ours included," Sam begins, his teeth gritting. "Thanos destroyed the governments of countless worlds and the Kree have taken advantage of that. We have been ignorant of these issues for decades because you decided that the problems of other creatures were below us. You don't get to make that call anymore, this is bigger than any of us. If we ever want to be remembered as anything but selfish and cruel, then we need to lend our assistance in other systems. We are all living creatures, it is our duty to help those in need. It is our duty, it is our mandate as leaders."

The Russian president rolls his eyes. "I think you exaggerate the situation, Director Wilson."

"Do I? Are you visiting these planets? Are you seeing what's happening there? You know nothing, sir, and it's because you haven't wanted to know anything."

"We have the power to change the universe for the better. If we stay here and do nothing, then the human race deserves the horrible reputation it has, it deserves to be isolated and all alone." I say with a nod the directors' way.

"Spoken like a rebel." The Brazilian president says with a shake of her head.

"'Rebels and non-conformists are the pioneers and designers of change'." I quote.

"Who said that?" The English president asks, confused.

"Indira Ghandi," Soroya replies. Everyone looks towards her and she shrugs, explaining: "Jo read one of her books a few years ago. And she was right. During the blip, the Avengers helped every planet try to rebuild. But after everyone came back, we became isolated and cut off from the rest of the universe. We abandoned everyone in their time of need. I refuse to stand by any longer and deal with frivolous conversations and childish behavior. The Avengers may be an earth based organization, but we are prepared to fight for our right to help other planets with their problems. Naomi had the right idea, we'll let the people decide what they think we should do. This council doesn't speak for earth, the people do."

"You are treading on dangerous ground, Director Roberts." The English president warns.

Soroya shares a look with Sam, the two of them forming mischievous smiles. Sam is the one to reply: "You should keep your tv's on. I'm sure there will be some interesting news playing tomorrow."

With that, they shut off their transmissions, leaving the world leaders to erupt in shock and outrage. Zy'aire and I share a gleeful look, anticipation building for whats to come in the next meeting, before he and I too, end our transmission.

-

Soroya

"Suzzie!" I yell as soon as the holograms disappear. Suzzie runs into our office a moment later, looking startled and out of breath.

"Yes, Soroya?"

"We have planning to do for a broadcast we will hold here in Wakanda tomorrow. Contact Zy'aire and ask him to get in touch with his reporter contacts again. And can you bring us some scratch paper to begin writing our speech?"

Suzzie hesitates for a second, her mouth opening and closing a couple times before she mentions quietly: "Someone is here to see you."

"Who?" Sam inquires.

"It's hard to explain."

Sam and I share a curious glance, growing more alert. "Bring them in." I tell her. She nods, disappearing through the doors again.

When Suzzie returns, she gives us an alarmed look, opening the door for a woman to walk through. This woman looks maybe in her mid thirties. She's wearing a black body suit, except the forearms and chest, which are a teal color, like my own suit. Right below her chest is a metallic gold star. She's also wearing her midnight black hair in a braid, black boots, a black belt with a sword dangling from it, and a scorched black cape. Her left hand happens to be cut off, she's clutching her partly severed arm with her free hand. This woman also has blue skin, sky blue to be exact, and amethyst colored eyes.

She's Kree.

The Kree woman takes a step forward, alarm etched in every part of her body language and expression. "My name is Kieran Harlow. I have come here to warn you." Her voice is low, filled with pain. Her accent sounds like a Manchester English accent, but she clearly isn't from there.

"Warn us about what?" Sam asks, hostility creeping into his tone. He must have pieced together what she is as well.

"The Kree. They're coming."