"... Don't know where, don't know when." Vera Lynn's voice was a respite. The US had begun Operation Overlord a month ago, and the losses had been notable. German forces were struggling, but that didn't mean the Allies had had it easy. Cordelia Bradford ran through the ward carrying bandages, dumping them onto the bed as her colleagues tended to their most recent patient. The French Resistance had been hit hard, and the young man in front of her was one such member. Tall, well cut, and muttering in French about a 'Noelle'. Cordelia would have to ask about them later, if their patient survived. It was a pretty name, Noelle.

She wanted kids, eventually Grandkids… She'd have to talk to Oscar about it. When the war ended she should marry him. Move to a nice house in her hometown. Right beside the lake. They could take a canoe out and enjoy the tranquillity.

“Signal Received. Beginning Genetic Combination Process.” Announced a voice to the empty interior.

In a cave in Norway, a ship from the stars whirred to life. Clicks and thrums bid the world welcome. Emergency lights illuminated the smooth glass container at the back. A humanoid form appeared within. It was being constructed, the process of Kree Technology creating life. It needed a spark, a soul, and there was one adrift.

Noel Tiberius Bradford's fingers twitched. They weren’t real- no, they weren’t physical. He was floating in the Astral Plane. A world of thought made colour, like the connective nerves of reality itself. His soul almost burned away to nothing. The dying embers of consciousness held together by sheer unconscious determination. He'd taken the sacrifice play, a last resort to kill The Sentry. To protect the one he loved so dearly. He had many names, many identities, many prior lives If he was to come back to Earth, he would have to know himself. Deep within the recesses of pure thought and consciousness, Noel had little choice but to relive memories he never knew he had, and to sift through heritage of spirit and flesh. It was his willpower that allowed him to recuperate.

There was someone waiting for him, but he couldn't remember whom.

Noel was guarded here, by Mar-Vell, by Thunderbird, by Pixie, Rictor, Gambit and Magma. And the spirit of the Nega-Bands. Vulnerable, but not so easily killed. Captain Marvel was a man of many friends, and not all stood among the living.

Noelle made her way into the wartime Hospital with fresh bread and jam. She’d been fortunate that the bakery hadn’t been smashed to pieces in the latest battle. Baguette sticking out the top of the paper bag, Noelle takes a seat beside her fallen friend with a smile.

“Hey, Marcel.” Noelle said softly, kissing the sleeping freedom fighter on the forehead. He was a tan man, coming up from Nice as a child. Noelle had grown to care about him a great deal, and the two were in many ways inseparable.

Noelle caught eyes with the Nurse. She seemed familiar, a face she hadn’t yet met but… Would come to know. A shiver ran down Noelle’s spine, and she turned her attention back to Marcel. “I brought bread. Maria sends her love, she’s helping the Allies find routes East.”

Marcel stirred, eyes opening wearily as he looked towards Noelle. The bandages had been wrapped tightly about his midsection. He’d taken a hit to the stomach, but it seemed as though luck was on his side. He lifted a hand, putting it to Noelle’s face. “She never could sit still.” Marcel responded softly, patting Noelle on the cheek as he sat up in the bed. Noelle caught a glimpse of the name badge on the Nurse.

“Gran?” The word tumbled out before it could be filtered. Cordelia looked at them strangely and shook their head.

“Gran? She’s the same age as you, Noelle.” Marcel laughed, reaching into the paper bag and pulling out the bread. “Did you hit your head? Maybe you should get checked out.”

“No. No, I'm fine. Nevermind. I’m just tired is all. Long nights.” Noelle’s head swam. It felt heavy. Something… Was off. Like this was all wrong. All… False.

“You sure? You look… Kinda pale.” Marcel said. Cordelia turned her head around again, looking at Noelle, concern across her face that soon fell into horror.

Noelle felt her body give way. And the floor rushed to meet her.

Noel continued to float amongst the unconscious.

Who was she?