Carol and the Supreme Intelligence stood facing one another.
The atmosphere had reached its peak, and logically, the next step should have been Carol unleashing her power, destroying the Supreme Intelligence, and walking away in triumph, allowing the story to end on the perfect note.
But before Carol could make her move, someone spoke up.
"Are you sure it's a good idea to say all that?" Daniel asked quietly, his voice carrying a hint of grievance.
"Why does it feel like you've stolen all my spotlight? You're the protagonist now, and I've somehow become a random extra.
Wasn't I the one who suggested coming to Hala to smash this giant 'computer'? How did you make it sound so noble?
I came here to help you get revenge, that's all. I just don't let anyone hurt my family.
But when you tell it, suddenly we're here to protect the weak? Are we really that great? Do we have to make everything so emotional?"
The energy surrounding Carol flickered, and floating in the air, she nearly stumbled before spinning around and glaring at Daniel.
"Shut up!"
She had spent so much effort building up the mood, only for Daniel to destroy it in a single sentence.
"But I'm telling the truth! Didn't we come here just to blow up this computer? We really didn't think that much about it."
Daniel sounded genuinely wronged.
"I only thought of all that just now! Is that not allowed?"
Carol's voice was laced with anger, and right now, she wasn't interested in destroying the Supreme Intelligence anymore; she wanted to beat up her annoying brother instead.
If only she could beat him...
Hmph!
I really want to smash that stupid head of yours!
You're impossible!
She had racked her brain coming up with that speech and was completely immersed in the moment...
And then this idiot interrupted everything.
Right now, Carol felt like she was about to lose it.
"Oh, come on. Are you really that noble?" Daniel shot back.
"It was just a spur of the moment idea. I know you better than that. Let's hurry up, blow this thing up, dump Talos on whatever random planet we find, and then go have some fun.
How about we become space pirates? I'll make you my first mate. They're all aliens anyway, so I won't feel guilty robbing them.
I'm going to become the Pirate King!"
Daniel shouted dramatically, fully embracing his chunibyo fantasy. Through the communicator, Talos heard every word, at first, he had been thrilled.
Carol really is a wonderful person, what incredible ideals...
Then he heard Daniel's speech, and black lines instantly formed across his forehead.
...
For exactly one second, Carol was tempted, but then she shook her head.
"No, I mean it."
She looked Daniel straight in the eyes.
"I'm serious, Daniel."
The smile slowly faded from Daniel's face.
"You've made up your mind?" he asked.
Carol nodded.
"For the past six years, I destroyed countless civilizations under their lies, and now it's time to repay that debt.
They may not be people from Earth, but they're still living beings. They may not look like us, but they can think, they have feelings. So, shouldn't we respect every life?
Daniel, we're both powerful, and we have the ability to make this universe a better place.
For us, it only takes a little effort... a little time... and we could help thousands upon thousands of civilizations. Wouldn't that be a good thing?"
Daniel fell silent and began to think.
The siblings chatted as though the Supreme Intelligence didn't even exist, and neither of them cared what it thought. For two people overflowing with confidence, or perhaps arrogance, their attitude was simple.
We're standing right in front of you, openly talking about killing you. If you've got the ability, stop us, otherwise, we'll keep talking. No... we're actually hoping for a fight.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Intelligence was perfectly happy to let them ignore it, as it secretly issued orders to the Kree military.
Wave after wave of Kree soldiers was converging on the palace, while every available weapon system was being activated.
The longer Daniel and Carol kept talking, the happier it became.
....
After thinking for a while, Daniel finally spoke.
"You make a good point, I support you."
Carol's eyes lit up. She knew exactly how powerful Daniel was, and with his help, there wasn't a force in the universe capable of stopping them. And one more person like Daniel could save countless civilizations.
"So, you'll join me?" she asked hopefully.
"We'll protect them together?"
"You misunderstood."
Daniel shook his head.
"I support you... spiritually."
"I don't have ideals as lofty as yours, and honestly, I have absolutely no interest in becoming the universe's volunteer police officer. I can't even be bothered being one on Earth."
Carol looked at him with utter disdain.
"Next time, make yourself clear."
She rolled her eyes.
"You go be your cosmic police officer." Daniel stretched lazily. "I'll go become the Pirate King, just don't get in my way."
"If you start targeting the weak..." Carol replied firmly, "I'll stop you."
"Sure."
Daniel grinned smugly.
"As long as you can beat me."
"You..."
Carol was furious, her chest rising and falling as the light around her flickered with her emotions.
"Haa..."
Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to calm down.
"If I can't beat you, that's fine. I'll go back and tell mom and the others everything you've been doing. I'll complain about you."
Then she added with a mischievous smile, "And I'll tell Susan you've been flirting with alien girls behind her back while traveling through space."
"Tsk, tsk."
Daniel clicked his tongue.
"So, the mighty Captain Marvel protects people by tattling? How impressive."
Having accidentally exposed the little fantasy he'd been keeping to himself, Daniel felt a tiny bit guilty and immediately tried changing the subject.
"Now where's my phone? I remember taking a picture of someone crying not too long ago. So, the famous Captain Marvel secretly wipes away tears too, huh?"
Carol finally snapped, flying over and kicking Daniel so hard he slammed into a wall.
"You're too violent."
Daniel stepped out of the hole in the wall as though nothing had happened.
"Alright, alright. I'll stop teasing you," he said, smiling.
"Even though I can't do what you're planning... I really respect you, Carol."
"Go do what you want to do, I'll always support you from behind, and if you run into someone you can't beat, don't be stubborn.
Run first, then call me, and after that we'll come back together and settle the score."
He tilted his head towards the smiling Supreme Intelligence standing nearby.
"Once we deal with this thing, let's split up after we leave Hala. You go do what you believe you should."
He looked at her sincerely.
"Go help them, I'm genuinely happy you've found something worth dedicating your life to.
I’ll probably come around and help whenever I get the chance. Being a part-time hero doesn’t sound too bad.”
Daniel was smiling, but the sincerity in his eyes couldn't have been clearer.
Jokes were jokes, but deep down, he admired Carol for having a purpose in life, unlike himself.
He was simply too powerful, and everything had become too boring, because as long as he got serious, almost anything came effortlessly.
Yet he didn't possess the sense of duty needed to become a superhero, so all he could do was eat, drink, and wander wherever he pleased. One day, even that life would probably grow dull, but there wasn't much he could do about it.
He sighed.
"Being too outstanding is a pretty troublesome problem to have."