" Slavery is founded in the selfishness of man's nature - opposition to it is his love of justice. These principles are an eternal antagonism; and when brought into collision so fiercely, as slavery extension brings them, shocks and throes and convulsions must ceaselessly follow. "

- Abraham Lincoln

(Rouen, France, 8:00 PM)

Just after dinner, the Kree-Lizard boy and his mother had finished eating and wrapping up all the dinnerware as they headed back to the room. They saw the other residents returning to their respective rooms on the second floor. Carol thought of something which she remembered her son's stories before meeting him. She intently looked at him and composing a question in her mind before she would tell.

" I wonder how he got here after all the long journey he had, " she curiously thought. " Well, I have to ask him further later on. "

" Mom, I still have to finish some of the writings from Dr. Vandark, " he said and yawned.

" Kid, you still need a shut-eye, " the elderly half-Kree woman reminded. " You have overworked all day to finish your writings. "

" Okay, " he smiled and noticed his Flerken sitting on his chair. " It's just a last paragraph to translate. "

" By the way, so you told me that story of how you met Yuri the Flerken, right? "

" Yes, why? "

" Remember the first night, we have met? " she asked and intently looked at him.

" Yes, you asked Allen to shoot me and then healed me afterwards, " he replied. " What about it? "

" I'm just wondering how you got to Rouen. "

The Kree-Lizard boy remained silent and entered the room along with his mother. They both sat on the bed as he began to recall those days before he met his mother. It took time to remember anything from his mind, until he snapped his fingers.

" Aha! I remember! "

" What is it? " Carol curiously raised her voice. 

  " I rescued someone from the slave den, " her son answered. " She's an ordinary human fighter who joined the tournament against the Kree. "

" You rescued some of those people, several times in different places. So, how come you met another one? "

" It's just I pretended to be the highest bidder to those people who handled and managed that place in Reims. Honestly, I didn't understand what they were saying, but I was glad that Tahu, Michelle, and Dr. Halsey were with me. "

" Interesting, can you tell me of that story? "

" Okay. "

(Six Years Ago: Reims, France, 8:35 PM)

   The Kree-Lizard boy entered another slave den which he decided to watch a tournament of slaves. Just inside his cloak, Tahu and Michelle were with him. In his comms, he had Dr. Chris Halsey and Jared Coulson monitoring him. He was walking around the hallway and eyeing on the people coming and going the premises. There were Inhumans who were preparing themselves for the tourney.

" Got anything new here? " Tahu asked.

" Nothing, it's just a group of contenders for their tourney, " the boy answered and moved his head around. " If I could find something interesting, you guys can watch around. "

" Got it, " Michelle nodded.

" Just stay on the east wing benches, Svet, " another male voice added. " The highest bidders are positioned there. "

" Right. "

The hybrid followed the instruction and found his seat. A pink-skinned Kree turned to him and raised his eyebrows as the boy gave him an evil smirk and sat. The rest of the patrons suspiciously glared at him which they noticed a lizard like him who could be one of the highest bidders. The French-speaking Kree announced the tournament would start around thirty minutes. The boy yawned and became bored while waiting for the event to start. The voices from his earpiece had spoken and turned his attention to his people monitoring him.

" Svet, the tourney will start within thirty minutes, " Jared translated the message and said.

" I know, I have to wait for a decade to start, " his friend lowly exaggerated. " These people are freaking me out, Jared. Like they are all staring at me right now. "

" Relax, just play along with them. We're right behind you, if this escalates. You just need to intervene. "

" Got it. "

 He kept looking around the audience and hearing such loud murmurs from the people around him. The Kree-Lizard boy intently listened to the conversation of two Rigelian men which he got interested. They mentioned a tournament arena in New York City where some of the most powerful people on Earth and in the cosmos converged together. The boy got puzzled and scratched his chin which he wondered how he could get into the place. The two insect Faunus noticed his long silence.

" Svet? " Michelle raised her voice and called his nickname. " Is there something wrong? "

" Have you guys been to New York City? " he curiously asked.

" No, " she instantly replied. " Why? "

" Some men mentioned a slave den in that place where people held their grand tournament. "

" Oh, I heard of it from Commander Bav-Tek, " Tahu said. " It's not an ideal place to stay. "

" Why? What is it? "

" Firstly, it's dangerous. There are a lot of deaths happening there. One damn mistake, you'll be eaten by the roaches. Secondly, the overlord lives there. He manages everything across the globe. If you have an important business with him, he will generously entertain you. So, ergo, a tyrant. Lastly, once you get there, you'll never come out alive. "

The Kree-Lizard boy widened his eyes in shock and nervously gulped from what he had heard from his companion. Of course, he would never wanted to come there. The people kept staring at him when he gave them a nervous grin and waved his left hand in greeting. They ignored him as the event was starting. Finally, the announcer introduced the contender who was a brunette female in her early twenties. Pretty and enthusiastic, she gave them a confident smile which she was really prepared for the fight. Then, on the other side of the arena, her contender was a blue skinned muscular female. The warrior Kree woman was more aggressive and menacing. Her looks was ready to slaughter any contender which she could face. 

   " What does he mean? " the hybrid asked.

" Kayla Montoya versus Ilya-Sov, " the other lizard translated. " The fight is about to start. " 

The referee signaled the two fighters to initiate. Ilya-Sov took her Vibranium mace which it could badly hit and cause any fatal blow on her opponent. Kayla on the other hand, was observing her attacker and studying her attacks in how to overthrow the Kree warrior. The blue Kree readied to hit the human as Kayla quickly dodged her attacks. She kept evading and running from her mighty opponent and thought of how to take her down. Finally, it was her turn by kicking the Kree woman down on her gut. Ilya angrily yelled and thought of hitting the human when she tried to blow the brunette using her mace. Kayla grabbed the weapon and kicked the woman's legs. She instantly hit the Kree woman and smiled.

" How's that blue freak?! " the brunette fighter taunted and laughed. " You're gonna be defeated with a pulp! "

" You Terrans are useless, weak, and foolish! " Ilya-Sov indignantly spoke and regenerated. " Let's see if I can let you see your own demise! "

" Oh, no..."

" Try me! "

The Kree-Lizard boy widened his eyes in shock which he had seen a blue woman tackling down the human fighter. Kayla was struggling to break free as she couldn't handle the Kree warrior's super strength. The brunette felt like being strangled and kicking her legs on the ground. The pink-skin referee didn't officiate the fight, rather he spent watching it. The hybrid boy instantly stood up from his seat when everyone noticed him. He rushed himself near to the fighting grounds and halted the fight.

" Stop! " he cried using his Russian accent.

" Who are you, monsieur? " the pink-Kree referee indignantly asked with his French accent.

" My name is Boris Ivanov, the Russian Lizard. I'm going to buy this slave and adding her to be one of my concubines! "

" What did you say? "

" I said my concubines! "

Everyone loudly laughed at the Kree-682 hybrid as he turned around. The patrons murmured and glared at him as the boy looked at the unconscious human fighter and felt pity at her. Tahu, Michelle, Dr. Halsey, and Jared listened at the laughter from the premises.

" Svet, " the engineer's voice rang on his ear. " If this would be a big problem, Jared and I ask you to leave. "

" But the girl..." he muttered.

" You can rescue her, just go if you need to! " the other lizard added.

" Are you talking to yourself, monsieur?! " the Kree-French patron tauntingly asked and yelped. " What's the matter? "

" He's a spy! " the Rigelian man added and pointed at the hybrid. " My companion and I are suspiciously looking at him while he's listening! "

" Now, what?! I'm in big trouble! " the boy anxiously thought and kept looking at the girl. " I'm being cornered for numerous times! I guess I have to face death once again. "

" Svet, if you wanna save the girl, then do it! " Tahu the wasp man lowly spoke.

The Kree-Lizard boy took a deep breath and dashed towards to the fighting ground. The guards were following him when he instantly carried the girl. Ilya-Sov took her mace and readied herself to hit him. Suddenly, the two insect Faunus couple quickly left their companion and stung the Kree woman as she excruciatingly yelled. The other patrons whined and murmured for the tourney had been interrupted by an intruder. The hybrid kept running and carrying the brunette fighter away from the people who wanted to kill him.

Michelle grew up in size and saw some daggers scattered on the floor as she threw them onto the guards' heads and torso. They all fell down with blood splattered on the floor. Tahu on the other hand stung more incoming wave of guards as they yelled in pain. Jared Coulson entered the place as he joined Tahu and Michelle in battling the guards. Dr. Halsey and his daughter were busily rescuing the other surviving slaves from the premises. The father and daughter saw the hybrid carrying the unconscious girl. 

" Svet, thank goodness, " Jade smiled and sighed in relief.

" She's the one I'm talking about, earlier, " the boy answered.

" We need to wait for Jared and the other two to return, " Dr. Halsey replied and monitored his watch for the other three. " Oh, cheese! Where the heck is Ignatius?! "

" Dad, he's the final blow, right? " the dark-turquoise haired girl said and gave him a suggestive look.

" Oh, oh, right! "

 Just then, they heard a sudden explosion as the other three got escaped. The Kree-Lizard and his companions instantly closed their eyes and covered their ears. Suddenly, they saw a long-haired Kree-hybrid man grinning and walking over to them. Ignatius Knightfall shrugged and laughed as everyone turned their attention to him.

" Piece of cake, we did it! " he beamed. " We got one slave den down, we still need more to go! "

 " You're just in time, pal, " Tahu chuckled.

" Yeah, at least we did it, " Michelle commented and sighed in relief.

" Svet, who's that girl? " Ignatius turned to the hybrid and the unconscious fighter as he smiled.

" Oh, her..." the Kree-Lizard boy said. " This is Kayla Montoya, an ordinary human tourney slave. I think she's got injured. "

" We need to get back quick. "

 Suddenly, Kayla slowly opened her eyes as her vision was blurry to clear. Seeing the hybrid, she got surprised and found herself being carried. The boy carefully put her down and helped her to stand-up. His teammates turned their attention to her.

" W-Who are you guys?! What's going on?! Where am I? " she asked.

" You're safe now, Kid..." Michelle the bullet ant-lady replied, approached, and put her hands on the girl's shoulder. " My name is Michelle Hellfire. Our friend, Svet, rescued you from the battle arena. You almost got yourself killed. "

 " Killed? By my opponent?! "

" Yeah. Luckily, Svet rescued you from that monstrous mob and your opponent. "

Kayla turned to the Kree-Lizard boy and asked, " Are you Svet? "

" Yes, why? " he curiously replied.

" I just want to thank you for what you've done earlier, " she answered and smiled. " I almost met my death from that lady. "

 The Kree-Lizard boy and the fighter girl got infatuated by looking at each other, but the hybrid thought of his girlfriend back in Russia whom he had left. He tried to control his sudden emotional burst and turned to his companions when they laughed. Kayla noticed her rescuer's long silence and raised her eyebrows.

" Svet? Are you okay? " she asked.

" Oh, nothing, " he nervously chuckled and scratched his head. " You reminded me of my girlfriend who lived in Russia. She's tough and feisty like you. "

  " That's interesting. "

" I'm just curious how did you get here? "

" Well..." Kayla sadly paused and started composing her words which she was recalling a memory. " I got abducted those blue people in Chicago two months ago. My family got killed by them. They put me with this black metal thing on my neck. They called it an inhibitor or ID pass. This could help me to survive for the rest of my life before I would meet my new master. If I won that tourney, those guys would send me to Europa and live there as a warrior slave. "

" I'm sorry to hear that, " he sincerely spoke. " Don't worry, you're safe with us along with your people here. "

" Thank you. "

 " Guys...." Jared interrupted the conversation while holding his device and turned to his companions. " I'm sorry to let you know, our headquarters in Troyes got destroyed and infiltrated by our enemies. "

" What the hell?! " Ignatius exclaimed.

" Damn, now what?! " Dr. Halsey added and heavily sighed. " Where are we going to stay?! "

 " Most likely, we're going back to Upstate New York. "

" New York? " Kayla repeated the name of the place as she smiled. " I need to come with you, guys! "

" Well, not in Manhattan, " Tahu added. " It's not safe to live there. "

" But what about Svet? " his wife asked. " We can't leave him alone here before he meets the Kree Eternal. "

" Right, " Jared sighed and looked at his friend with a concern. " I guess, someone has to help him find a place to live and hide from his detractors. It will be very dangerous for him to remain with us. "

" Wait, I think I can help, " Dr. Halsey held his smart watch and released his female AI. " Cortana, I need your assistance. We need Svet to find him a new home. "

" GPS activated and scanning, " Cortana replied and stood still.

" How long is she doing this? " Michelle asked.

" About ten minutes, " the engineer answered. " She needs to locate a possible hideout and residence for Svet. "

" Got it. "

Cortana finally had an answer and found a location which she had used her GPS. The Kree-Lizard boy was curious of what would she say before he would go next. Everyone paid attention to the AI.

" Svet can settle in Rouen, " she spoke. " He can take a walk for 3 to 9 minutes going there. "

" Where in Rouen? " Tahu the wasp man asked.

" An abandoned 20th century mansion, he should hide from there. "

" Tahu, I think we should be with him going there, " his wife said and turned to the Kree-Lizard boy. " Svet, we're taking you there. "

" What? Why? " he raised his voice and asked. " Where are we going? "

" To Rouen, " Michelle instantly said. " Look, Smolder asked us to guide you all the way from Russia whether if you find your hero or not. We just need you to keep you safe. "

" Svet, we need to go, " Tahu added. " We can't let you go to New York and join our friends. "

The Kree-Lizard boy heavily sighed while looking at the rescued slaves and his companions. Jared Coulson realized his best friend had to go to another place. The two lizard hybrid friends again would be separated for some reasons.

" I'm sorry, Bud..." he sadly spoke and bowed his head down. " I guess, we have to split. "

" I know that, Jared. I guess, we'll see each other soon. "

" Yeah... I'll find you..."

" Thanks for everything..."

" You're welcome, Bon voyage, mon'ami. "

Tahu, Michelle, and the hooded hybrid waved goodbye to the others. Jared and the raiding team also waved their hands along with the slave den survivors. The group had separated their paths, as the Kree-Lizard and his companions had gone to the road to Rouen. Minutes later, they ended up in a forest and found the exact place where Cortana had instructed them. The boy looked intently at the old mansion and deeply thought how come it was still standing despite of the dreadful and destructive invasion. The two Faunus couple looked at him and noticed at his long silence.

" Svet? " Michelle called him. " Are you okay? "

" Yeah, I'm fine. I think this is my new home, right? " he said.

" Well, yeah. " Tahu nodded.

" Will the Kree Eternal find me here? "

" Maybe, but we know he's also searching for you. "

(Six Years Later: Rouen, France, 8:50 PM)

" So, that's why you ended up here, " Carol spoke and intently looked at her son. " I mean, Tahu and Michelle helped you to live here. "

" Yes, we spent our first few days here, " the boy replied and laughed while sitting on the bed. " At first, it was very frightening which I thought this place has evil spirits going around, but they're just cobwebs and spiders. Then, Yuri the Flerken found me here. "

" Then you made it as a safe haven for the freed people from the slave den? "

" That's what I have decided, but still I need to know who owns this mansion. For six years I have been staying here, I have no idea about it. All I do is doing some cleaning, finding food from the forest, and saving people who want to escape from the enemies. "

" If you have time tomorrow, you can find anything in the attic, " his mother suggested and gently patted her son's shoulders. " I'm sure you can learn about this large house. "

" Right. "