The main screen flickered to life, showing a terrifying sight: a Kree dreadnought, massive and bristling with weapons, casting a shadow over the base. Figures began teleporting in—Ronan the Accuser, Yon-Rogg, Kalum-Lo, and standing front and center, someone Carol had just recently seen.
Mar-Vell. Captain Marvel.
Ronan stepped forward, slamming his hammer into the ground. "Earth has defied the Kree Empire for the last time. This is not a warning. This is judgment."
Without hesitation, Ms. Marvel launched herself into action. "You're not laying a finger on this planet!"
She flew straight at Ronan, fists blazing with cosmic energy. Their clash sent shockwaves through the hangar, each hit shaking the walls. Ronan snarled, swinging his hammer with brutal force, but Carol met him blow for blow.
Then—she saw him again. Mar-Vell. Standing motionless, watching her.
Carol faltered mid-fight.
"Why are you with them?" she whispered, heart racing. "Why now?"
That split-second of hesitation was all Ronan needed. He struck hard, knocking her out of the air and slamming her into the floor.
"Carol!" Abigail shouted.
Carol struggled to her feet, blood at the corner of her mouth, still staring at Mar-Vell.
And in the background, unnoticed, Gyrich's eyes flickered green—his disguise holding, but his true Skrull nature surfacing for just a moment.
The Earth's defenders were divided.
And the invasion had only just begun.
---
Avengers Mansion – New York City
In the kitchen, the Hulk sat at the counter with a massive roasted chicken leg in hand, chewing thoughtfully.
"Mmm... tastes like war," he grumbled, eyes narrowing at the incoming alert on the monitor. He swallowed and muttered, "Kree invasion's started."
His words were few—but heavy.
---
Los Angeles – Downtown
Explosions lit the sky as Wasp, Hawkeye, and Black Panther fought their way through the chaos of the Serpent Society's ambush.
"Why do these snake freaks always show up before dinner?" Hawkeye quipped, loosing an arrow that pinned Copperhead to a wall.
Black Panther moved with deadly grace. "They are a distraction... Something worse is coming."
Wasp zipped overhead, blasting Sidewinder with her stingers. "You feel that too? Like the world's tipping over?"
Panther nodded grimly. "Yes. And we are scattered."
---
Earth's Orbit – S.W.O.R.D. Facility
On the battlefield below the orbiting station, the towering figure of Ronan the Accuser stepped forward, his hammer glowing with judgment.
"You have two choices, Earthlings!" he bellowed. "Surrender—or perish."
Behind him, the Kree Armada loomed, a fleet of dreadnoughts ready to reduce cities to ash.
From above, a trio descended—Iron Man, Captain Skrull America, and the Hulk—landing with impact that cracked the battlefield.
Iron Man scanned the area. "Big guy with a hammer. Why is it always a guy with a hammer?"
Captain Skrull America didn't smile. His voice was firm, cold. "We don't have time for speeches. Engage."
There was no iconic "Avengers Assemble." Only cold, silent action.
With a flick of his arm, Captain America's shield sailed through the air, ricocheting toward Ronan.
Ms. Marvel blasted into the fray, targeting Captain Marvel.
"You chose them? After everything?!" she shouted, energy blazing from her fists.
Mar-Vell met her charge calmly. "This isn't what you think, Carol."
She didn't stop to listen.
Ronan roared, catching Cap's shield midair. "Fools. You think you can stop a Kree execution?"
With brutal precision, he smashed Hulk into a crater, knocked Iron Man from the sky, and swatted Captain America aside with one swing.
Ms. Marvel charged again, fury in her strikes—but Ronan parried each blow, overwhelming her.
"You are strong," he admitted. "But not as Kree."
Carol fell back, breathing hard, bruised but not broken.
Across the battlefield, the Avengers regrouped—injured, dazed, unsure.
And then...
VROOOOMMMM!!!
The sound of an interstellar engine echoed across the broken field.
A blinding streak of blue light blazed toward the battlefield. It was Ben—riding his Interstellar Harley, fresh from the void of space.
The bike skidded to a halt. Blue flames danced around him as he stepped off, the ground cracking beneath his boots. His eyes glowed with quiet fury. A cosmic chain, alive with holy fire, dangled from his hand.
Ronan squinted, tightening his grip on the warhammer. "Who are you supposed to be?"
Ben raised his chin slightly. "Your death."
Without another word, the Cosmic Holy Chain lit up, its links glowing with searing, blue flames. With one swift motion, Ben lashed the chain through the air. It cracked like thunder—and shattered Ronan's warhammer on impact, sending fragments flying in every direction.
Ronan staggered back, stunned. "Impossible…!"
Before he could react, the chain whipped forward again, coiling around Ronan's arm. Blue fire erupted, and the Kree warrior screamed as his hand disintegrated into ash.
"You dare—!" Ronan growled, lifting his other arm to strike.
Ben didn't flinch. With a final, ruthless spin, he hurled the chain straight through Ronan's chest. A flash of light—then silence. Ronan's body fell in two, smoldering at the edges.
All movement ceased. The Kree soldiers froze, weapons raised but unmoving. The Avengers stared in stunned silence.
"You brought the war…" Ronan's fading voice echoed as his body dissolved into ash, "…but I brought the end…"
As the dust settled, Captain Marvel marched forward, fury burning in his eyes. "What have you done?" he snapped. "You've doomed us all! The Kree won't stop now—they'll come in full force!"
Ben calmly turned to him, eyes glowed, "Then send this message to your Supreme Intelligence…"
He stepped closer, his voice low but powerful.
"If you want your planet to survive, keep your army—every last ship, every last soldier—far away from Earth. Or next time… I burn the stars."
Captain Marvel sneered, folding his arms. "You really think you can destroy the Kree Empire? That's rich."
Ben gave a small smirk. "Then see for yourself."
He reached out with his mind, pulling Captain Marvel into a telepathic vision. In seconds, the Kree warrior was overwhelmed by a barrage of horrifying imagery—an entire universe in flames. Cities reduced to ash. Galaxies crumbling into nothingness.
The Zombie Universe was turned into ashes. And at the heart of it all stood Ben, surrounded by the ashes of gods and monsters alike.
The cocky grin on Captain Marvel's face vanished. His eyes widened as fear crept in. Sweat beaded at his brow, and he staggered back, trembling slightly.
Ben broke the connection. "That... was just a glimpse."
Captain Marvel stood frozen for a heartbeat, the terrifying vision still lingering in his mind. Then, without saying a word, he turned sharply and launched into the sky, a sonic boom echoing in his wake.
From below, Ben watched him go, arms crossed. "Now he gets it."
High above the battlefield, Captain Marvel pushed his flight speed to the limit, his mind racing. I have to get back. They need to know. If the Kree make one wrong move... Hala could be next.
He tapped into his communicator, voice tight with urgency. "This is Captain Marvel. I need an emergency audience with the Supreme Intelligence—immediately. Earth is off-limits. Repeat: Do not engage."
On the other end, silence. Then: "Understood. But... why?"
He looked back over his shoulder, as if the vision might still be chasing him. "Because if we don't back off... we're all dead."
As Captain Marvel disappeared into the starlit void, silence blanketed the battlefield. Those who had witnessed the exchange stood motionless, trying to grasp the scale of what had just happened.
Ben stood unmoving for a moment, his eyes still locked on the stars where Captain Marvel vanished. Then, slowly, he turned his gaze to Carol Danvers—Ms. Marvel.
"Come here," he said firmly, his voice low but commanding.
Carol blinked, taken aback by the sudden call. "What?"
Ben didn't repeat himself. Instead, he swung a leg over his hovering Interstellar Harley and pointed to the seat behind him.
"Sit."
Carol crossed her arms. "Why?" Her tone carried a mix of suspicion and defiance, though her feet edged forward.
Ben looked over his shoulder, eyes steady. "You're asking too many questions. Just sit."
There was a beat of silence. Carol hesitated. She remembered the way he'd touched her cheek once—gentle, almost curious—but since then, things had stayed ambiguous. And yet, in this moment, his presence was overwhelming, like gravity.
Reluctantly intrigued, she moved closer. "You planning to abduct me or something?"
Ben gave a faint smirk. "If I wanted to, you wouldn't have time to ask."
That answer shouldn't have comforted her. But somehow, it did.
With a soft sigh, she slid onto the seat behind him. As the bike hummed to life, she muttered, "You really like giving orders, huh?"
Ben didn't look back. "Only when people like you enjoy following them."
Carol froze for a split second—unsure if she should feel offended or intrigued. Before she could respond, the Interstellar Harley lifted off with a burst of cosmic energy, streaking across the sky toward Ben's mansion.
---
Meanwhile, in a hidden command center, Captain Skrull America activated his communicator.
"We can't stand down," he said firmly. "The Kree made their move today—and lost. But they'll be back. Some guy named Ben scared them off for now, but we can't rely on him. Prepare for countermeasures. The war isn't over."
His fellow Skrulls nodded grimly. Plans were already being drawn.