The transport hummed as it carried them back toward Earth's surface.
Nick Fury leaned against the bulkhead, arms crossed, while Carol Danvers stood near the viewport, still thinking about the fear she'd seen etched into Kree and Skrull faces.
She turned suddenly.
"Hey," Carol said, looking at the Skrull who had stayed behind to escort them.
"You said Kree and Skrull fear him."
The Skrull met her gaze.
"Are there others?"
The Skrull nodded without hesitation.
"Many."
Fury raised an eyebrow.
"How many is 'many'?"
The Skrull's lips tightened.
"Races older than your stars.
Empires that once challenged Celestials.
Worlds that survived extinction events."
A pause.
"They do not simply fear the Phoenix Monarch."
Carol frowned.
"Then what?"
"They respect him," the Skrull said quietly.
"As a true god."
Not Like Other Gods
Fury's eye narrowed.
"So he's like the others then. Thor. Zeus. Odin. Gods with lightning and temples."
The Skrull's reaction was instant.
"Do not compare him to other gods," he said sharply.
The sudden edge in his voice made both Fury and Carol straighten.
"Those gods rule," the Skrull continued.
"They conquer.
They demand worship."
He looked at Fury's coat pocket—at the badge hidden there.
"The Phoenix Monarch does not."
Carol listened carefully.
"Then why does everyone fear him so much?"
The Skrull exhaled.
"Because despite his power… he chooses restraint."
Silence.
"He does not wage war for dominion," the Skrull said.
"He does not conquer realms."
Then his voice dropped to a whisper.
"But if someone crosses a line—
if they threaten the things or people he cares about…"
The Skrull looked up, eyes burning with memory.
"…that is when you realize you have made the greatest mistake of your life."
Understanding Settles In
Carol slowly nodded.
"That's worse than a tyrant," she murmured.
"That's someone who could end everything… and usually doesn't."
Fury let out a low whistle.
"Well, I'm glad I found his merch instead of his bad side."
The Skrull inclined his head slightly.
"A wise outcome."
The Unspoken Insurance
Back on Earth, as the transport doors opened and fresh air rushed in, Fury reached into his pocket again.
He didn't show the badge.
He just felt its weight.
From that day on, it stayed with him.
Not as a threat.
Not as leverage.
But as insurance.
A silent reminder that somewhere in the universe, there existed a being who did not rule by fear—but whose name alone could stop wars before they began.
Carol glanced at Fury as they walked.
"You're not giving that thing up, are you?"
Fury smirked.
"Are you kidding?"
He tapped his coat.
"This," he said, "is staying with me."
Far away, beyond time and realms, the Phoenix Monarch remained unaware—or pretended to be.
And the universe, for once, was grateful for his indifference.