https://youtu.be/g4Fny0Zz5j8

" Most mothers are instinctive philosophers."

—Harriet Beecher Stowe

(Paris, France, 3:00 PM)

The mother and son had arrived at the City of Lights where they had landed at the Louvre Museum. The two saw the glass pyramid at the center of the place. It was remained untouched by the invaders as they noticed and began walking and exploring the tourist destination. Entering the place, they noticed some paintings, installation, and sculptures done in the past. The boy was astonished to see the works of the artists which he had never seen it before. He was fond of seeing some interesting and unique works of art which he kept praising and analyzing every artwork he witnessed.

Just going further, he looked intently at the famous Leonardo da Vinci painting and amazed to see the woman in the portrait. Carol smiled at her son and gently patted his shoulders.

" Never seen that before, Kid? " she asked.

" Yes, " he nodded. " Is this a painting of a human lady? "

" Yep, the people called it, the Mona Lisa. " his mother replied and explained. " Many centuries ago, the painter Leonardo da Vinci made this portrait. "

" Interesting. "

" Okay, Kid. Let's move on. "

Carol served as a tour guide to her son as she kept explaining further about the objects being displayed. Despite of being a former US Air Force pilot and an Avenger, she also appreciated art in her younger years and had knowledge in some of them. Suddenly, they spotted a familiar exhibit which they both amazed to see it. They were photographs, portraits, and sculptures of the heroes who existed before the Kree-Lizard invasion. The hybrid smiled and saw his mother's displays on the corner when Carol blushed harder and smiled back.

Then, they saw a wax statue of Steve Rogers or Captain America standing inside the glass pedestal. There was description of the hero and the artwork in French and English which the boy intently read it and felt amazed. For the first time, he saw just a lifeless model of his favorite hero which he just heard from the MTF and read from the magazines.

" So, you really wanted to meet him, Kid. Too bad you never have a chance to do it, " Carol said.


" A friend told me he was a great soldier. I wish I could be like him, " the lizard boy answered.

" Actually from your stories, you're almost doing the same thing as he did, " she continued and gently rubbed her son's back. " You may be a hero in progress, but you still have to learn and train further. "

" You mean it takes time to be like him? "

" Yeah, but in your heart, you're getting there very soon. "

" Maybe, I will, " he sincerely smiled while looking at the statue.

" Okay, Kid, " she called his attention. " We still need to go more sightseeing around Paris. "

" Right. "

After visiting the Louvre, the mother carried her son and flew above the streets of Paris. They passed and landed by the Cathedral of Notre Dame situated on the island around Seine River. They entered the place of worship which it was still standing for several centuries. Carol explained to him that there were bells ringing every Sunday to call the people in going to church. The boy understood and saw the mosaic and glass art which he had never seen before. He was amazed to see everything inside.

Then, they headed their way to the Champs Elysees up to the Arc de Triomphe where some other buildings were still standing and some were dismantled during the invasion. The boy was curious of why the famous arc was still standing despite of the unending onslaught for decades. Carol kept explaining some structures were being preserved despite of the effects of weathering or damages of any cause. Her son understood and nodded, but he felt sad to see the silence of the streets.

" Kid? " Carol called his attention and noticed his silence. " Are you okay? "

" I'm just imagining how lively these streets were, " he said. " Now, I'm seeing nothing just like the places I have been. "

" I see, " she nodded. " I came two years ago to visit a friend in Moulin Rouge, but he decided to leave France to Ethiopia. "

" Why? "

" He had a very important mission to do, but I do know he's looking for someone. "

" I hope he found that person. "

" Right, " she said. " Anyway, there's one famous place I want you to see. "

" Where? "

" The Eiffel Tower Grounds. "

Reaching Champs de Mars, it was nearly evening when the sun had gone down from the skies. The bright yellow radiance from the Eiffel Tower was seen as the mother and son went strolling on the grounds. They were pleased to see the tourist attraction even the invasion was still on going.

" I've never seen this tower before. It is really radiant and beautiful, " the boy commented and smiled in seeing its light.

" Kid, it has been like that for centuries, " Carol replied. " This tower is a symbol of Paris. "

" Symbol of Paris? "

" Yeah, it's like a famous landmark, " she explained and raised her right hand in interjection. " This tower was created around 2 years and caused a lot of problems for the artists. "

" How come? "

" Like, they harshly criticized it for being extravagant as they hated the idea. They thought this tower could cause a great disaster in France. "

" I don't think so, " the boy raised his eyebrows in doubt and looked at the tower. " It's still standing until now. "

" Right, it has witnessed wars, disasters upto this current problem, " she replied. " Someday, we'll get to have a closer visit when this war and invasion is over. "

" Sounds fun! I hope to go there and see it together. "

" You will, my dear boy. "

https://youtu.be/RfAHBVMguDQ

While walking around the place, a group of Kree and Lizards surrounded the mother and son. Carol was indeed right from her premonition earlier. They would end up in danger as they were present in Paris. The Kree-Lizard boy was frightened to see the same people who had been chasing him. The elderly half-Kree woman illuminated her both hands and stood in-front of her tall hooded son. The enemies pointed their weapons at the two.

" BACK OFF! " she angrily cried. " YOU WILL NEVER GET MY SON! "

" Don't you realize this boy has caused problems for us?! He's like the delinquent Kree Eternal Methu-Selah, " the Kree soldier asked. " He has raided our places where we operated and released our slaves! "

" SO WHAT?! YOU GUYS ARE DOING HORRIBLE THINGS TO THESE PEOPLE! JUST LEAVE HIM ALONE! "

" Take him! "

The guards took the Kree-Lizard boy as he couldn't break free. He kept wailing and struggling to let go which the guards tightly held his arms and legs along with his tail. Carol fought by blasting her bright yellow photon energy. The soldiers dodged and took her down. Her hands were still illuminating when her eyes watered down onto her face.

" MOM! "

" SVET! " she yelled with a hint of frustration as her hands were still radiant.

" Take the boy away! " the commander sternly said.

" Yes, sir! " his soldiers responded.

" NO! WHERE ARE YOU TAKING ME! LET ME GO! " the boy rasped. " MOM! "

" SVET...AMNON! " Carol loudly cried and tried to break free from the men. " LET HIM GO! LET HIM GO! "

The soldiers took the boy away as Carol helplessly watched her son and got separated from him. The boy kept crying as he never wanted to be captured by the enemies when he brought him into the air fleet just beside the streets. The other men pushed the elderly half-Kree woman down and left her. She wanted to fight back, but they instantly departed and followed their company going into the vehicle. Carol wept and failed to save her son from this ambush captivity. The evening had become unfortunate for her which she had cherished and raised him for two years, despite of the problematic situation they both faced. Carol looked at the gloomy skies and the radiant tower as she cried.

" AMNON! "