The Supreme Intelligence appeared before the two of them in Daniel's form.
"Hello, Daniel."
The Supreme Intelligence smiled warmly at him, looking remarkably approachable, then turned towards Carol with an exceptionally gentle gaze.
"Vers... welcome home."
Carol shook her head.
"My name is Carol Danvers, not Vers."
"As long as you're willing," the Supreme Intelligence replied with the same smile, "you will always be our Vers."
"Oh? So, I can be your Vers again and continue being deceived into slaughtering innocent people for you?"
Carol's emotions immediately flared because she could tolerate many things, but hearing the Supreme Intelligence bring up her past reminded her of everything she had done over the past six years, and instantly, all the guilt came rushing back.
"That wasn't deception, Vers."
Wearing Daniel's face and even speaking with Daniel's voice, the Supreme Intelligence answered calmly, but the tone made Daniel want to punch it into oblivion. Goosebumps spread across his body.
Since when would I ever speak that gently? Disgusting.
"It's Carol Danvers."
Carol corrected it once again.
"Very well, Carol. We simply wanted to help you integrate into the great Kree family."
"Tell me honestly, during those six years, weren't you happy fighting? You're a born warrior. You were made for battle, and the Kree have no shortage of battles to fight."
The Supreme Intelligence spread its hands as it spoke.
"The moment I learned that every battle I'd fought had only helped your invasions, the only thing I felt was regret. I love fighting, but I value life even more, so serving the Kree Empire for six years is the greatest regret of my life, even if I didn't know the truth back then."
Carol clenched her teeth.
"That wasn't invasion, it was protection. We protected those backward worlds. We went to their planets and helped them develop.
Even today, many members of other civilizations live within the Kree Empire. The Kree Empire is an inclusive nation."
"Protection?"
Carol laughed coldly.
"Your version of protection is invading other people's homes killing, looting, and conquering. Those who submit receive just enough benefits to become your servants, while those who resist... you wipe them out."
"When a civilization leaves its homeworld and steps into the stars, bloodshed is inevitable. We merely helped them reach that stage sooner."
The Supreme Intelligence spoke matter of factly.
"The Kree themselves once went through the same phase."
"Oh, spare me."
Carol cut it off.
"I've already seen what the Kree truly are. The Kree Empire is, at its core, nothing more than a civilization of bandits. Your rise began with slaughter."
She raised her arm as she continued.
"Don't think I don't know your history. The Kree Empire grew from a primitive civilization on a single planet into an empire spanning countless star systems, and every step of that rise was stained with blood. You've always been like this."
"During the month I spent on Earth... I questioned Talos. I questioned Rogg. I've learned your history inside and out."
Carol stepped closer to the Supreme Intelligence.
"Let me tell you a story. Though, admittedly, you know it even better than I do."
"A very long time ago... on Hala, in the Large Magellanic Cloud, there lived two primitive races: the blue-skinned humanoid Kree and the telepathic plant species known as the Cotati."
She glanced at the Supreme Intelligence before continuing.
"Back then, the Skrulls weren't wandering the galaxy as refugees like they are now. They had already developed advanced technology and begun exploring space. One day, a Skrull expedition discovered Hala, and they wanted Hala to join the Skrull Empire, but Hala had two intelligent races. The Skrulls declared that only one could represent the planet, so they devised a test."
"Each race would send a group of representatives. The Skrulls transported them to separate barren planets, and whichever group developed their planet better would earn the right to represent Hala."
"The Kree were taken to one barren world. Using the materials provided by the Skrulls they built magnificent palaces. The Cotati, meanwhile, barely constructed anything.
Instead, through their telepathic abilities, they nurtured the native vegetation creating a breathtaking garden."
"What infuriated the Kree was that the Skrulls chose the Cotati. Consumed by rage, the Kree exterminated the Cotati overnight, and when the Skrulls returned to complete the formalities, the Kree ambushed them."
"The Skrulls never saw it coming. They were wiped out on the spot. The Kree seized their spacecraft, and that became the turning point. They began studying Skrull technology."
"The Skrull homeworld never learned what had happened. They assumed the expedition had simply been lost."
"Years later, by the time the Kree had built a mighty empire and launched their invasion of the Skrulls... the Skrulls finally realized... that much of Kree technology closely resembled their own."
"And you..." Carol stared directly at the Supreme Intelligence.
"You only exist because the Kree were influenced by the Skrulls. The Skrulls worshipped gods. The Kree just copied them... and created a fake god."
When she finished speaking, she simply looked at it.
The Supreme Intelligence laughed.
"An interesting story. Aside from a few minor details... it's largely accurate. It isn't unusual. The universe has always operated this way. The strong survive, and the weak are eliminated."
"The Kree worked harder. That's why we've surpassed the Skrulls, and that's why we're now one of the three great empires of the universe."
"They're nothing but bandits!"
Talos roared furiously through the communicator.
"In the beginning, the Skrulls never focused on developing weapons! We loved peace! It was the Kree who forced us to build weapons! They dragged us into war!"
Carol ignored Talos's furious shouting and kept her eyes fixed on the Supreme Intelligence.
"I regret it, I truly do. I regret becoming the Kree Empire's weapon for six whole years. My hands are stained with blood."
"Back then, I knew nothing. I believed I was fighting for justice. I thought I was protecting the weak, but now... I understand. I was helping invaders, and I killed countless innocent people."
Carol slowly looked down at her own hands.
"There are also countless Kree on Hala who have been deceived by you. Daniel was right, you should never have existed and now I'm going to destroy you."
As her voice fell... energy erupted from within her. Power surged around her body, lifting her into the air.
"I'm going to destroy you! After you're gone... I'll travel across the universe. I'll spend the rest of my life atoning for everything I've done. I'll protect this universe!"
"From this day forward, I am Captain Marvel. Not a weapon of the Kree Empire, but a guardian for every civilization in this universe that needs one."
"I will protect them and I will make sure invaders like you never succeed again."
"Every civilization deserves to be cherished. Every civilization... is a precious treasure of this universe, and they all deserve the chance to grow peacefully."
"And I will give them that chance."
"The lifespan of a single individual is insignificant compared to the lifespan of an entire civilization."
"I don't know how long I'll be able to do this, but unless I die, I will never stop."
"And I believe... I won't be alone. There will be countless others who inherit the same mission."
"That... is why I exist. That... is why I was given these powers, and I will use them well."
"I will protect this universe."
Carol's voice echoed throughout the entire hall.