Every action has a consequence. I know that better than anyone. My father, a true hero, once sealed a canister of nerve gas with his bare hands. That single act saved thousands of lives, but would later cost my father his own. The gas was carcinogenic.

Yeah, that means my father contracted cancer as a result of his heroism. It was inside him, in remission for years, until it decided to creep through his body and kill him.

There was nothing anybody could do about it.

My father had these Nega Bands on his wrists, like what I wear. These bands charged his body with cosmic energy. It was this energy that kept the cancer in remission, until it mutated itself into developing an immunity.

Sadly, it was this energy that blocked every attempt made to cure the cancer that was killing my father. The one thing that kept him alive was also the one thing that ensured his death.

Talk about ironic.

All the top scientists were working on my father. Reed Richards, Doctor Strange, Tony Stark, Hank McCoy, Henry Pym, Vision. Even Simon Williams and Thor tried to help, though I have no idea what they contributed. Every attempt that those geniuses made to cure my father were thwarted by the power of the Nega Bands.

Sometimes I wonder, if the Nega Bands hadn't been an issue, if any of the cures would have worked. You'd think they would have at least tested the treatments on normal cancer cells. Unless they were afraid. Afraid of having an actual cure in their grasp, but that it wouldn't be of use because it couldn't get past the cosmic energy.

Even heroes get afraid, but that just wouldn't be fair. If they did have a cure, so what if it wouldn't work on my father. Other people die of cancer, and their bodies aren't infused with cosmic energy. The men that tried to save my father, they didn't at least try to administer those treatments to others? First they can't even be bothered to try until one of their own succumbs, and once they fail with him they just decide all the other victims can fuck off? That's just not right.

Hell, I wasn't there, I don't know how their research was going. My father was a Kree, his cancer had mutated, the cosmic energies were blocking treatments. Any treatment that could have helped him, it might not have been accessible to humans. I know that the tunic my father wore, the one that slowed the degenerative process, is way outside the price range of most cancer victims.

Hell, I'm not here to dwell on the past, or to philosophize the merits of allowing a species to solve their own problems. I'm here to rationalize what's happening to me.

To my Cosmic Awareness.

It's a funny thing, to be Aware. As I understand it, my father used it to be Aware of what was going on around him. At any particular moment, my father could be Aware of everything that was going on, everywhere. No precognition. No postcognition. Just the there and now.

With me, it hasn't worked like that. I don't see the present, I see the future. Only, most of the time it seems like it's happening right in front of me. It's so realistic sometimes, I once fought an entire battle against a foe that didn't show up until the next day. I try to learn, but so far I can't even trust my own senses. Everything that happens around me, I'm questioning the reality of it.

I'm scared that I might end up hurting somebody. Even if I could control this, I'd be scared.

Because I'd still be able to see the future. I'd have to handle the pressure of dealing with things before they happen, of judging people because they actually do anything.

It's like the Hitler dilemma. You know, if you had the chance to kill Hitler as a baby, would you do it?

I had a flash several days ago. It was so realistic, so horrible, that I was almost overwhelmed by the size of it.

I saw the planet Earth implode into the Microverse. I saw both universes become one, and so both were destroyed in the process. And it's not just those two universes, but the billions upon billions of other microverses that exist within our universe, and the megaverse that our own universe exists within. And so many others, all universes within universes within universe, all turned in upon themselves and destroyed.

The end of everything, and it will all be my fault. I don't know when, but I know how.

It will happen if I die. Or if Rick Jones, the human that I'm molecularly bonded to, dies. If one of us dies, the bond shatters, and the other one dies too. And, because we serve as a gateway between the Microverse and our native universe, a chain reaction will take place, destroying everything.

Did you get that? Yeah, it was hard for me to take in too. I mean, nobody wants to die in general, but this is pressure. Everything that exists, will cease the moment Rick Jones and I die.

I don't think Rick knows. Usually, we share the flashes of Awareness, but that doesn't seem to be the case here. I'm not going to tell him, either. It's, well, it's just something that he doesn't need to know. Hell, I wish I didn't know.

What could he do about it, anyway? I've already thought of everything that could be done. We could both get placed in comas, eating and breathing through tubes, kept alive artificially for years. No, anything like that would only prolong the inevitable.

I've thought of going to someone for help. Mentor on Titan. Reed Richards. The Avengers. It's possible that they could help. Richards could get me placed into the Negative Zone like how it had been with Rick and my father. Or maybe they could find a way to allow for Rick and I to survive separately.

But I'm not going to do those things. Because it's possible that, instead of fixing the problem, their tinkering around to could do something to our molecular bond. We might not have to die for the implosion to occur.

I know, at least I hope I know, that the universes have some years left. From what Rick told me about the Destiny War, he loses an arm in the future. He becomes a regular adventurer, apparently, older and grizzled. So, at least I know that we'll survive until at least the Destiny War.

That is, I hope. Possible futures are tricky. It's always possible that, in his call for Avengers, that Rick reached across time, and not just along it.

Hunh, I wonder if my father felt like this when he was dying. Helpless. No matter what you do, you just can't win. Eventually, you die.

I just get the added benefit of taking all of existence out with me.

The Supreme Intelligence is a son of a bitch.

I don't just mean about how he treated my father. I mean about everything that bastard has done. He orchestrated the near extinction of the entire Kree species, led them into slavery under the Shi'ar, all for the sake of an experiment. An attempt to jump-start their evolution.

I can only imagine why he participated in bonding me with Rick Jones on a molecular level. Because my future self asked him to? Rick was out of it at the time; he couldn't tell me anything about it. A deal was made, I'm sure of that.

That's one of the reasons I'm flying through space at the moment, intending to confront the Supreme Intelligence. The reason I gave Rick, at least.

The other reason is to ask the Supreme Intelligence about repairing the molecular bond. To make it so that the fate of the everything won't depend on mine and Rick's good health. After all, it was the Supreme Intelligence who did it in the first place. Who could possibly know more about it than him.

Or her. Or it. Or whatever the hell that big head is.

Well, if it has a big head, then it must be a....

No! This isn't the time for jokes. I need to keep thinking serious here. I'll make penis jokes after I can die without reversing the Big Bang in the process.

Not too long ago, the Supreme Intelligence had been hiding out on the Blue Area of the Moon. When he was discovered, SHIELD set up a base there to keep on eye on the sentient big brain. Unfortunately, the Supreme Intelligence vanished after the Destiny War.

Pretty big feat for a guy that can't move himself. Maybe he called in a favor from Kang or something.

If that's the case, I may never find the Supreme Intelligence. Not only could he be anywhere in the universe, he could also be anywhen. Or he might even be outside of time, or in another dimension entirely.

Only way I can find him is with my Cosmic Awareness.

I've never tried it like this before. I've never really tried it at all. My Awareness has always come randomly, showing me flashes of the future. Concentrating on the here and now, focusing on finding one individual within the entire universe, might not even be possible. Or if it is, it could be years before I discover how.

The everything might not have years, however. I have to try, and hope that somehow, I can find the Supreme Intelligence.

Hurtling through the depths of space, I attempt to become one with the universe. My features darkening, mirroring the cosmos themselves, as for one brief instant, I become Aware.

I hurry to halt my flight, to avoid slamming into the steel wall that had just appeared before me. I still crash against it, so hard that I bounce off and roll along the floor below me.

If this is another flash, it sure is realistic.

I'm on my hands and knees, struggling to rise. Blood is dripping from my face, onto the floor. My ribs hurt, feel like they're moving with a life of their own. Couldn't have been from the impact. I'm going to get my ass kicked later on.

I looked up. There, floating in a giant jar before me, rests the Supreme Intelligence. Looking down on me, it utters two words.

Serbin-8.

Then, just like that, I'm floating in the nothingness of space. I'm no longer Aware, but I know what I needed to know.

The eighth planet of the Serbin System. Though I've never been there before, I know exactly where it is.

I'm flying through space again, on a straight bee-line for the Serbin System.

Genis-Vell, son of Mar-Vell, is on his way. The Supreme Intelligence, the once and future ruler of the Kree, mentally projected into the mind of the man who stood before him.

They were the only inhabitants of the large room. Half of the room was composed of the Supreme Intelligence, and the elaborate equipment that was necessary for keeping it alive. The room's other inhabitant was a Kree. Pure, with blue skin. He wore the uniform of a Kree Captain. It consisted of a green helmet, green boots and gloves, and a largely white uniform with green at the shoulders and waist. On the chest was a green emblem, a ringed planet.

However, this man was also equipped with items that no Kree Captain would be issues. On his wrists were Nega Bands, and gripped in his hands was an Universal Weapon. Only Accusers were ever allowed to wield Universal Weapons.

He was Captain At-Las, loyal soldier to the former Kree Empire. Upon hearing the Supreme One's pronouncement, Captain At-Las smiled with anticipation. The Universal Weapon in his grasp crackled with energy.

"At last, I will prove myself, Supreme One," Captain At-Las exclaimed. "When this abomination arrives, I shall crush him beneath my boot. For I am Kree, and he is only the copy of a half-breed!"

I look forward to seeing that, protected the Supreme Intelligence. However, Captain, I urge you to curb your overconfidence. The son of Mar-Vell, though his Kree blood is thin, nevertheless wields great power. His 'mother' was a weapon of Thanos, the Mad Titan, and I suspect that she was Eternal in her origins. Also, like his father, the son possesses Awareness of the Cosmos.

Captain At-Las scoffed at this. He raised the Universal Weapon high. "Let him be aware of this! Let him be aware of every blow I strike, of every bone I shatter! Let him be aware, and let him despair!"

The gigantic head that was the Supreme Intelligence seemed to nod. Oh, he won't be Aware. I am more than capable of overcoming that particular advantage. The Supreme One smiled. The son of Mar-Vell has come. Prepare yourself, Captain.

Captain At-Las turned around, towards the sound of a distant rumbling. They were underneath the surface by over five hundred kilometers. The installation was lined with reinforced titanium, was shielded against all possible sensors. Even if one could penetrate through, the outer chambers were defended by-

The Captain's thoughts were interrupted by the explosive shattering of the wall before him. Behind the cloud of settling dust, there stood the one that Captain At-Las hoped to killed.

The son of his hated rival, Captain Mar-Vell.

The dust settled, and there he stood. Genis-Vell. The son of Mar-Vell, conceived posthumously by Mar-Vell's lover, Elysius, using Mar-Vell's and her own genetic material. Afterwards, she artificially aged her newborn son, to protect him from the enemies of his father.

He has been through much in his young life. He has battled the Shi'ar Empire, taken his father's title from the second Captain Marvel, and ultimately followed in his father's footsteps when he merged with Rick Jones. He possesses the Nega Bands, and is Cosmically Aware.

Someday, he will be known throughout the universe as it's protector. He will grow to become more beloved and revered than his father. He will combat countless foes, both alone and as an Avenger, and always he shall prevail. He will come to save all of time, finally striking a deal with the Supreme One itself to save the life of his father's dearest friend.

Today, he stood within the large hole he'd punched into a three-foot titanium wall. His uniform was in tatters, the pieces of five Kree Sentries were scattered behind him. He faced Captain At-Las and the Supreme Intelligence, and he spoke.

"Hi, I'm Captain Marvel. Maybe you've heard of my father. Apparently he used to work for your company. I'm come to complain about his retirement benefits."

Lowering his Universal Weapon, Captain At-Las rushed towards Captain Marvel. "You're mocking words reveal your fear, traitor's spawn! Die!"

Nearing Captain Marvel, Captain At-Las brought his Universal Weapon into a sweeping arc. Captain Marvel saw the move coming, however, and leaped over the attack with a little assist from his Nega Bands. Twisting and flipping over At-Las' head, Captain Marvel landed on his feet behind the Ultimate Weapon-wielding maniac.

"And your loud words reveal you're less than sane state of mind," Captain Marvel replies in a voice imitating Captain At-Las. "I mean, really, who talks like that? You really need to watch MTV one in a-"

At-Las moved faster than Genis could have thought possible. With the reflexes of one born into combat, Captain At-Las swung around and slammed the Universal Weapon against the side of Genis-Vell's head.

The force of the blow threw Captain Marvel across the room. Captain At-Las leapt after him, Universal Weapon raised high. When Captain Marvel crashed to the floor, he had no chance to recover before the Universal Weapon struck the back of his head.

Captain At-Las looked down with contemptuous glee at the sight of Genis-Vell, lying stunned on the floor. "Pathetic battle skills," he spat. "Mar-Vell would not have fallen so easily. The lowliest private would not have fallen so easily. You are no Kree!"

With that hateful cry, Captain At-Las kicked Genis-Vell harshly in the ribs. Captain Marvel skidded across the floor, coming to a stop near the Supreme Intelligence. The sum total of all Kree Intelligence looked down at the young Kree hybrid with disappointment.

Genis-Vell rolled off of his back. Slowly, painfully, he claws at the ground, struggled to rise from his knees. He had his head raised, was up onto one knee, when Captain At-Las swung the Universal Weapon against his back.

"Aaarrrrgghhh!" Captain Marvel screamed. His back...every nerve of his body...was on fire. The force of the blow drove him against the jar containing the Supreme Intelligence. Genis-Vell's face was pressed against the glass, inches from the "face" of the Supreme Intelligence.

With a pained groan, Genis fell back, and he lay there on the floor. Beaten.

Captain At-Las stood over his fallen foe, Universal Weapon raised. The head of the powerful, hammer-like weapon crackled with energy. With a sadistic smile, Captain At-Las looked to the Supreme One.

"May I strike the blow, Supreme One? May I slay the son of the most vile traitor the Kree Empire has ever known?"

The Supreme Intelligence looked down at Genis-Vell without pity. First, he shall beg. Plead for your life, son of Mar-Vell. Ask for my mercy, and you may live. I assure you, had your father come to me begging forgiveness, he would have lived.

With great effort, Genis-Vell raised his head, looked at the Supreme Intelligence. It knew the questions that burned within his mind, and the Supreme Intelligence smiled at Genis-Vell.

Yes, it would have been a simple matter for me to bypass the photonic energies of Mar-Vell's Nega Bands, the Supreme Intelligence sent directly into Captain Marvel's mind. Captain At-Las was out of the loop. Only the most primitive method would have been to remove the bands and drain the energy out of Mar-Vell's body. Of course, one would only have had one chance to administer a cure before the cancer ran its final course unchecked. And it would have to be the exact cure for that particular type of mutated cancer. Hmph, your father never had a chance in the hands of those simpletons.

Leave it to the Supreme Intelligence to refer to Reed Richards, Tony Stark, Hank McCoy, and Doctor Stephen Strange as simpletons.

The Supreme Intelligence appeared to narrow it's eyes at Genis-Vell. Come boy, beg. You don't want the everything to end, do you?

"You...you know," Captain Marvel whispered. "You know what will happen."

Precisely. And now that you've wasted my time, you're life is now forfeit. But beg, and I'll sever the molecular bond, so that you don't take the everything with you.

Captain Marvel said nothing.

Very well. I will gladly sacrifice myself to witness such a disaster. It looked at Captain At-Las. Take this whelp's life.

With a smile of rapture, Captain At-Las raised his Universal Weapon high over his head. He held it there for several seconds, savoring the moment, before sending it whistling down towards Genis-Vell's head...

.....Where it was blocked by a pair of Nega Bands, glowing bright with photonic energy. At the last second, Captain Marvel had raised his arms into a cross-guard. Photonic energy crackled over Captain Marvel's Nega Bands, reacting against the power of the Universal Weapon.

Beneath the Nega Bands, Captain Marvel stared up into the hateful face of Captain with an eerie calm. Then he threw is arms apart.

A wave of photonic energy erupted from the Nega Bands. The Universal Weapon shattered, and Captain At-Las was thrown back against the wall Captain Marvel had battered threw.

His arms raised at his sides, Captain Marvel raised himself off the floor and turned to face Captain At-Las. His feet were several inches off the ground. Captain Marvel glowed with photonic energy, the whole of his body resembling the symbol on his chest.

With a raged cry, Captain At-Las moved to his feet and faced off against Captain Marvel. His own Nega Bands were glowing. But they were faint, while Captain Marvel resembled an exploding star.

Captain At-Las snarled. "Whatever powers you wield, you are no match for a true Kree!"

Screaming out a curse in Kree, Captain At-Las flew at Captain Marvel, his fists outstretched.

Calmly, Captain Marvel remained where he levitated, awaiting Captain At-Las' attack. At the last moment, he brought his arms forward, and clasped his hands down on the firsts of Captain At-Las. The maddened Kree's rush was abruptly halted, but there was still momentum to carry him forward.

It was the momentum that Captain Marvel had counted on, when he kicked up and out with both legs. Captain At-Las felt the impact against his jaw, compounded by his own momentum, and the jaw shattered as Captain At-Las was sent flying back away from Captain Marvel.

Or rather, Captain At-Las would have, if Captain Marvel hadn't still maintained his grip. A body moving at incredible speeds, only to suddenly halt so quickly, couldn't happen without some damage.

Both arms of Captain At-Las became dislocated at the shoulder. Only the great density of a Kree's body prevented the arms from being torn completely from their body.

Unfortunately for Captain At-Las, his military instincts refused to allow this great pain to send him into unconsciousness. So, when Captain Marvel released his grip, it was a semi-conscious Captain At-Las that fell to the ground. Blood was dripping from his mouth, and his arms were at unnatural angles.

His opponent having been rendered utterly helpless, Captain Marvel turned from him, still floating over the cold steel floor. He turned from Captain At-Las, and faced the Supreme Intelligence.

The face of Captain Marvel was black as space, speckled with flecks of white that could have been stars. At that moment, he was one with the universe. Captain Marvel was Cosmically Aware.

Impressive, the Supreme Intelligence uttered into Genis-Vell's mind. Utilizing your Cosmic Awareness, you knew exactly what it would take to defeat At-Las. Tell me, Genis-Vell, what other truths have you gleaned from the vast tapestry of the universe?

"I know that when I die, I won't take the everything with me," answered Captain Marvel.

Correct. When you and Rick Jones first bonded, it simply became one of many possibilities. More likely the survivor of your symbiotic relationship would simply remain trapped in either this universe or the Microverse. Even that astronomical possibility was negated when I brought Rick Jones back into this universe and the two of you re-merged, fixing the earlier instability.

"An instability that I know you brought about," Captain Marvel said with an accusing voice. "Tell me Supremor, was that by design, or an accident?"

Neither. It wasn't my doing, the Supreme Intelligence mentally replied. You should consult your Cosmic Awareness before jumping to conclusions, Genis-Vell. The instability was brought about when you broke through the stasis field. Be fortunate that I foresaw that occurrence, and placed you into the Microverse rather than the Negative Zone.

"So, even foreseeing that I could break through the stasis field, you didn't realize that a molecular instability would result?" Captain Marvel asked, a slight smile on his lips. He'd just beaten the Supreme Intelligence in a logic trap.

Or did he?

Of course I knew the risk. I simply chose to deal with the problem when it presented itself. Why else would I have transported Rick Jones out of the Microverse?

Captain Marvel's smile fell. He silently cursed.

Even Cosmic Awareness is no match for my limitless intellect, the Supreme Intelligence boasted. Indeed, who do you even think gave you Cosmic Awareness?

Captain Marvel gaped. "Well, I figured it was past on by my future self."

And where did he get it? From his future self, who in turn acquired it from his future self? That is paradox. And it was not the Destiny Force either, because it is you who possesses the Cosmic Awareness, not that foolish whelp Rick Jones. And because you are a Kree, the Destiny Force does not reside within you.

"Okay then, I'm listening," Captain Marvel said. "Or thinking. Whatever. How did I become Cosmically Aware?"

I gave it to you, of course.

Even Cosmic Awareness didn't help Captain Marvel see that revelation coming. It made no sense at all to him. The How seemed impossible, and as for the Why… "Why? I mean, it's not like you had to, unless it was part of the deal you made with my future self."

It wasn't. The deal was simply that I merge you with Rick Jones in order to save his life.

"And what did you get in return?"

If your Cosmic Awareness won't tell you, I certainly won't.

Frustrated, Captain Marvel frowned. "All right….how did you give me Cosmic Awareness? From what I've heard, only the cosmic heavyweights like Eon and such can pass the Awareness around. You may be worshipped by the Kree, but you're no god-like entity."

The mouth of the Supreme Intelligence opened. It looked very much as though it were laughing at Genis-Vell. You have no comprehension of the mental powers that I wield.

"I have more than a comprehension that they don't extend into knowing the future. Or of becoming one with the Universe." Captain Marvel crossed his arms. "I think you're lying."

The Supreme Intelligence smiled. And what does your Cosmic Awareness tell you?

Captain Marvel shrugged. "It's not telling me anything."

Precisely. Were I lying, your Cosmic Awareness would sense the wrongness of it. Even if I thought that I were telling the truth with every fiber of my being, it would not be enough to fool the vaunted Cosmic Awareness.

Captain Marvel still wasn't swayed. He was already sure of the lie, so his Cosmic Awareness didn't have to clue him in. "You're toeing around the real subject, Supremor. You drew me here for some reason. What was it?"

The Supreme Intelligence was still laughing at Genis-Vell. To test you, of course. You're father was the greatest soldier the Kree had ever known. That is why he was given the title of Protector of the Universe. Though I have seen that you will grow into a great warrior, your current exploits have hardly impressed me.

"And now?" Captain Marvel asked, drawing himself up.

The deep, infinite eyes of the Supreme Intelligence glared down at Genis-Vell. Now, I am more convinced than ever that you are a nothing. Your combat skills proved less than adequate against a Kree soldier, whom you defeated only because of your superior power and Cosmic Awareness. Furthermore, I see that you an untrusting fool who thinks too much of himself.

Captain Marvel barked out a laugh. "I think too much of myself!? I'm not the one with a head the size of a small moon. You make John Bryne look unsure of himself."

Now those great eyes had filled with anger. So young and stupid. So undeserving of the power of the omniscient. The greatest power of God Himself.

You have heard of his great plan, surely. Of God's infinite wisdom. This was what the Supreme Intelligence lived for. Demonstrating it's vast intellect. That is Cosmic Awareness. To know everything that is happening everywhere at everytime. And further, to know every infinite possibility of everything. To literally know The Everything. That is the power of God. But to know all of that and retain one's sanity, to formulate and work towards this great plan, that is what truly identifies God.

With a sigh, Captain Marvel dropped his arms to his sides. "Thanks for that pointless little lesson in theology. I'd say it caps off this whole waste of time rather nicely. As fascinating as all this has been, there's a snail race taking place on Earth right now. If I hurry, I should be able catch the end."

Captain Marvel turned in mid-air, made as if to leave, and it was then that the Supreme Intelligence struck. A great bolt of mental energy shot forth from the sentient composite of all Kree intelligence, and struck Genis-Vell in the back of the head.

Without a sound, Captain Marvel fell face-down onto the floor. Behind him, the Supreme Intelligence watched with impassion and curiosity.

It was eager to see if Captain Marvel could shoulder the burden that only God has ever borne successfully.

I float amidst a vast swirl of colors. A virtually kaleidoscope of light and sensations, engulfing my senses to the point where I feel as though I am drowning.

Never did I comprehend the true power of Cosmic Awareness. It was as though my mind were a great dam, allowing only a small trickle of Awareness through. Now the dam has been burst wide open, and I am truly, completely, Aware.

Aware of everything. Aware of the Everything.

There is a thirty-three percent chance, that means in one-third of all possible realities, that humanity will come to rule the whole of the universe. I'm not thinking about that, or about the fact that in all other realities the universe is saved only because humanity destroys itself. I just can't help but wonder how there can be a percentage of infinity. Come on, infinity is abstract. It cannot be added to, subtracted from, multiplied or divided in any way.

Maybe my mind is still trying to cope with all these perceptions, and is trying to make form of something without form. If that's the case, then my mind isn't doing a good job of saving itself.

All the things that are happening or will be happening, those are the worst of it. Those are possibilities. There's a chance that all or none of them will happen. Nothing is certain of anything.

No, its the past that is the worst. Everything that has ever happened everywhere, I see in hindsight. Every tragedy. Every moment of pain and suffering, I see the beginning of. The very first victim of the bubonic plague. The damned psychos who perpetrated the Inquisition. The very first African family that was destroyed because of slavery.

Worse still, I see what could have been so easily averted. The planning stages for the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand. The one corporate decision that, as minor as it seems, perpetrated the Stock Market Crash of 1929. A seemingly insignificant cancellation that prompted a massive conspiracy to destroy a prominent Massachusetts family. The years of delicate preparation that ended in the fall of two buildings.

And those are just the tragedies commonly known to the people of Earth. I see the past of the whole universe, all the way to the birth of Galactus himself with the Big Bang. I see the Celestials rise into being, how each Elder of the Universe amassed their power. The Stranger is no longer one to me, for his entire life has been lain bare before my eyes.

This is the true power of Cosmic Awareness, and I find myself staggering against it. I am an Eternal, possessed of vast mental powers engineered by the Celestials themselves. But I am also Kree, uncreative, untouched by Celestial science but always envious of what they have done.

I struggle to maintain some semblance of sanity. But much as I try to focus on one thing, to ignore the past and the infinite possibilities, my mind refuses to close. The light is blinding me.

Then, I find something to focus on. A smudge of darkness amidst the blinding sea of primaries. Pure, deep black. And within it, a man of gold, with a jewel of glowing green hanging upon his forehead.

Floating within the darkness, the golden man extends his hand towards me. "Come," he said. "Return to the darkness."

I take his hand. I sigh in relief as the darkness engulfs me. I am blind again.

He stood before the Supreme Intelligence, unimpressed with the grandeur of the being he faced. He was a sorcerer to the cosmos, his body hidden beneath a blood-red cape that was clasped around his neck by a skull pendant. Of his head, shadowed the high collar of his cape, all that was visible were his blond hair and a dull green glow emanating from his forehead.

With a sweep of his arms, the cape parted, revealed the man beneath. He was tall and lithe, his skin the color of shining gold. The lining of the cape was also golden, as were his boots, bracelets, and ornate belt. His clothes were red and black, both colors dark and foreboding. Deep black gloves covered his hands and merged with the black sleeves, broken only by the golden bracelets.

In his right hand was held a long golden staff, as long as he was tall. This was topped by a sort of bird's head, with a beak and large feathered ears. This staff was held out before him, it's end ground into the floor, the head angled towards the Supreme Intelligence.

He was Adam Warlock, and the unconscious form of Captain Marvel between him and the Supreme Intelligence.

"You shall not have him," Warlock told the sentient computer.

The Supreme Intelligence considered the being standing before him. It sensed the power emanating from this artificial man, this creation of four human scientists. It also sensed the power of the Soul Gem, bonded to Warlock's forehead. The Supreme Intelligence possessed no soul, and so it was not afraid.

He is already mine, the Supreme Intelligence informed Warlock. His mind slowly unravels beneath the onslaught of his own Cosmic Awareness. Soon he shall succumb to the myriad of choices that lay before him, and he shall beg me to make the decisions for him.

Rhythmically, the Soul Gem on Warlock's brow pulsated. "His mind is weakening, but his soul remains strong. He is battling to retain his sanity, displaying a strength of will reminiscent of his father."

But he is not his father, the Supreme Intelligence reminded. He is a callous and disrespectful child, undeserving of the great gift that he has been given.

It was here that Adam Warlock gave a slight smile. "It is good that you do not test your lies upon me. Nevertheless, it is not your place to question the decision of Lord Chaos and Master Order. They have chosen him to maintain the universal balance."

And what are the Kree but the ultimate representation of order? At my direction, Genis-Vell shall be the greatest soldier the universe has ever known. Greater even than his father. I care not for the agenda of those beings who deem themselves greater than I.

"They do not deem. They simply are," said Adam Warlock. "You are I are artificial constructs, outside the natural order of things. You may feel that this gives you the right to meddle in things that aren't your concern -"

Now it is you who are speaking lies, Him, there was anger in the mind-voice of the Supreme Intelligence. You also choose to meddle in the natural order of things, working to fulfill your own agenda. That is why you oppose me here and now. Because our agendas cross with this pawn. Cease this prattling of destinies and cosmic guardians, Godslayer! I am unmoved by your words.

Warlock raised his staff. "Very well. Where common reason has failed, only two avenues remain. Neither of us desire a battle, for the soul and the mind cannot go to war against one another without dire consequences. That leaves a bargain, something I know that you are no stranger to. Name your price, in exchange for this man's mind."

The Supreme Intelligence did not answer right away, for he pondered the offer made to him by Adam Warlock. It stared at him with those large eyes, considering. Finally, it smiled and nodded.

I could demand anything of you, and I have no doubt that you would fulfill it without hesitation. I cannot help but wonder as to how important Genis-Vell is to your schemes. And of course, because you exist outside the realm of Chaos and Order and therefore immune to Cosmic Awareness, he would be an unwitting pawn.

When Adam Warlock opens his mouth to speak, the Supreme Intelligence interrupts him.

I'll hear no more from you on this matter! It was your folly to display this boy's worth to you, thus leaving me the power of negotiation. I have decided what the mind of Genis-Vell shall cost you, Adam Warlock.

The Supreme Intelligence named his price.

Without hesitation, Adam Warlock bowed his head. "Though it grieves me that you would ask so high a price of me, I know that when weighed against the whole of the Everything that it is I who bargains. You shall have that which you desire, Supreme Intelligence."

It was here and now that the Soul Gem pulsated with great frequency, and ultimately a thin beam of light green energy appeared between the gem and the Supreme Intelligence. This exchange was brief, lasting only a few seconds. When it had ended, the Supreme Intelligence was smiling.

Ah yes, what you have given me was worth a billion Genis-Vell, of this I have no doubt. Take your little Cosmic Protector, but leave with the knowledge that you have imbued me with the means to gain infinite power!

Somberly, Warlock nodded his head, a grim expression on his face. "The means I have given you, Supreme Intelligence, but you will find acquiring the power another matter entirely. Our business is at an end. I wish you no luck in future endeavors."

With a loud rap, Adam Warlock pounded the butt of his staff against the hard floor. An eerie dull glow emanated from the Soul Gem, expanding outwards to encompass Warlock and Captain Marvel. Within a second, they had both dissipated into nothingness.

Alone, save for the unconscious form of Captain At-Las, the Supreme Intelligence was left to savor his victory. An object materialized before it, floating in mid-air. The Forever Crystal.

Created during the Destiny War , the Forever Crystal is all the remains of Chronopolis, the former temporal fortress of Kang the Conqueror. It is a temporal artifact of great power, capable of creating divergences that exist simultaneously with the same reality, and can even erase whole timelines with a thought. That was how Immortus used it, at the direction of the Time Keepers. That was until the Avengers arrived, and stopped them. Immortus was ultimately killed by the Time Keepers, who were in turn killed by Kang the Conqueror after a new Immortus was created from him using the Forever Crystal.

In the end, the Forever Crystal's true purpose had been to power a temporal cannon, meant to destroy all timelines the Time Keepers had deemed unmanageable. Utilizing the Destiny Force, Rick Jones destroyed the temporal cannon, but the effort left him mortally wounded.

The Supreme Intelligence was there at the end, and the Captain Marvel from the future implored on Supremor to save Rick Jones' life. The Supreme Intelligence agreed to do this, by molecularly bonded Rick Jones to the present-day Genis-Vell, but he exacted a harsh price.

Though destroyed by Captain America, the Forever Crystal remained whole, only lost amidst the length and breadth of the timestream. In exchange for it's assistance in saving the life of Rick Jones, Captain Marvel used his Cosmic Awareness to find it for the Supreme Intelligence. Though the Supreme Intelligence knew that Captain Marvel would not have agreed to such a thing unless he was Aware that it would play out favorably, the Supreme Intelligence was certain that it could overcome the 'destinies' foretold by Cosmic Awareness.

Looking at the Forever Crystal it possessed, the Supreme Intelligence smiled.

THE END