Chapter 12

Bygone Memories

(Part 2)


-Murphy's Residence - August 2095-

The sound of the clock ticking reverberated loudly. It was the only sound that the walls of my house were reflecting. Right now, I was sitting on a chair, silently and still. However, in my mind, I was screaming and squirming as a very familiar dark feeling made home inside my guts.

And the reason for that was because of the man sitting across from me.

Mark Grayson, the former Invincible superhero, and the current Emperor of Viltrumites, was my second father from space. He had taken care of me when I was kid. He poured me nothing but unconditional love, which I receive with so much happiness.

But…he was also the reason I was in this predicament. The truth of my uncanny birth, one that made me a tainted boy, came from him. And because of him, I began to question everything and as I questioned everything…I began to fall apart.

And I was still falling apart, especially right now.

I glanced up and focused my eyes on my second dad. I noticed that his frown tensed up a bit.

I guess he too was nervous about how he would talk to me, knowing that he had indirectly caused me to commit attempted suicide.

"Marky." Finally, he broke the ice around the room. "You're finally awake."

"Yes. It seems I am." I answered weakly and cast my eyes down. We both felt completely lost. I assumed that he did not know what to say to me. I guess news of my awakening had completely surprised him.

"I woke up from my coma two months ago. How did you know that I woke up?"

"Abe, he contacted me through the deep space satellite communication. The message from earth usually takes two months to arrive to Planet Neue Viltrum."

Deep Space Satellite? Planet Neue Viltrum? "You're living on another planet?" I asked, quizzically. This was the first time I heard about this.

The Viltrumites had lost their home planet during the Viltrumite War, so most of them lived on Earth. Now that they had a new planet, then it answered one of the mysteries that I had noticed after I woke up from my coma: Why I do not see Viltrumites on my planet anymore?

"Yes, Marky. It's called 'Neue Viltrum'. Its one of my main projects right now and the reason why I kept leaving this planet before. I was searching for a home for our people and I found one." he explained and I saw life returning to his eyes.

However, I was not having it. "Is that why you left me alone for seventy years?"


The heavy atmosphere returned and I could see the depressing darkness in my second father's eyes reemerge again.

"Marky…I'm sorry that you woke up alone. Other than finding a new planet for the Viltrumites, I'm also busy making our nation open to everyone. I'm forming peace treaties with a lot of alien civilizations, signing contracts, alliances, and such." He made a side-glance to his left, a sign that he was clearly feeling shameful for leaving me alone.

Pressing him seems too awful. Fuck me and my stupid brain. I cursed myself as I felt a bit of guilt. Mark was the leader of the Viltrumites – of course, he has a job to keep his people in line. And not only that, he was also busy making his people a good and kind civilization. I understood how incredibly busy he could be.

However…that didn't mean I completely forgave him.

"So, you're going to use your job as a convenient excuse to not visit me at all."

"No, I-I visited you many times before. It's just that things got busy lately." He reasoned with honesty, which I could see in his eyes. But then again…his explanation struck me as empty.

I let out a small, frustrated sigh. There was no use pressing my second father further. I should get straight to the point.

"I heard about what happened to Terra and her child," I began as the feeling of sadness made home inside of me again. "I'm sorry for your loss." I told him and watched Mark's frown deepen more. From the looks of it, the weight of losing his potential grandchild still affected him greatly.

And now that I had come to the subject of Terra, I suddenly wondered where she was and why wasn't she here to meet me?

"Where's Terra?"

"She's in Neue Viltrum," Mark paused with hesitation before he continued. "She really wanted to meet you. However, she could not. She's scared of going back to Earth because of her miscarriage."


I clenched both of my fists as a pang of guilt and sorrow hit my guts with a tremendous-like force. Terra, my second sister from space, was a strong woman who did not easily get scarred. She was wise and knew how to defend herself from danger. The news of her being too fearful to go back to earth because of her miscarriage was new and very terrifying to me.

Terra, the terror and horror that you felt at that time must've been so strong that it was enough to traumatize you not to go back. And because of that, I feel more like shit. Fuck…fuck…fuck…I cursed and screamed inside of my mind as I wished to go back in time, back to that fateful day, and change my decision.

"I should've talked to them that time."

"Markus?"

I ignored Mark's voice. Tears began to trail my cheeks. The sadness inside of me was so overwhelming that I could no longer control it. I must get to the heart of this conversation immediately or I might lose myself to my tears.

"Dad…do you truly love me as your son?"


The question hung around the room, making the air much heavier and very uncomfortable. It was just a simple question, and yet its weight was crushing me. Silence loomed before the two of us, which was occasionally broken by the clock's ticking sound. Each second that passed felt like hours to me, but I waited, although impatiently, as I bit my lower lip.

"Marky." Finally, the silence was broken apart by the man's low and soft voice. I looked up and saw Mark's face shift into a solemn expression. "Before I met you, when I only knew you by your name, my feelings for you were nothing but curiosity." He paused, fidgeting his fingers – a sign that he was very nervous right now.

"However…when I first laid my eyes on you, I immediately knew that I had to love you. No- I loved you the moment I heard your voice. You looked just like me, your eyes filled with dreams and your smile wide and filled with hope and kindness. It was eerie, but it did not scare me. Instead, you made me happy." His solemn expression shifted again, this time to a very kind smile that I was very familiar with.

"Marky…I loved you so much, and it broke me when I realized that, someday, I would have to reveal the horrifying truth regarding your birth." He sniffed as his eyes began to gleam. Tears were building up on both sides. "But I had to reveal the truth to you, because I want to love you with honesty. No room for illusions, secrets…and lies. Just pure love."


I absorbed his words, digesting the feelings within it, and I detected no lies. My second father was telling the truth and I found more proof as I saw tears trailing down both of his cheeks.

"I am so sorry, Markus…for lying to you, but please believe me when I say this: I love you so much…my son."

I sat still in my chair as my father gave his answer to me. He spoke with so much honesty in his voice. He was telling me the truth. Mark loved me like a real father would love a son. He had given me happiness and made my childhood good.

However, the fact that he lied to me remained. He may have given me a good childhood, but since he lied to me, he unintentionally derailed it. And because of that, he had shattered my so-called good life into tiny pieces.

His love may have lifted me before, but it also almost destroyed me.

So, despite telling the truth to me, despite declaring his paternal love to me, I felt no love for him. Because I was no longer proud of being his son.

Instead, I was left with shame, the same shame that I had felt back on that dreadful day.

Shame and pride, love…and hatred – powerful feelings mixed and swirled inside my guts. It was sickening and it made me feel like throwing up. What I should feel at this moment, I did not know anymore.

I truly loved Mark as my second father. However…I just did not know if loving him again was the right thing to do.


"You truly loved me, Dad?" After I let out a heavy sigh, I begun. "You gave me happiness when I was a child. You devoted so much time to me, although a bit limited." I watched as Mark sniffled and wiped some of his tears away as I continued.

"I thank you for accepting me as your son. I thank you for loving me unconditionally." I poured out my answer and the feelings that I wanted to convey to him. Yes, I wanted to thank Mark for everything. He gave me happiness and dreams. And he was the sole reason why I became a superhero.

However, I must reveal the truth about my true feelings to him.

"But, Dad…you lied to me. You made me believe that I was your son that was born out of love. I lived an oblivious life. And because of the truth, you hurt me greatly." I said as my voice shifted into a serious tone. My second father, on the other hand, reacted to my words. His eyes went wide and his frown contorted to a panged one as he realized his wrongdoing.

"I understand that you chose to lie to me because you didn't want to hurt me. But you should've told me much earlier because if you did, I wouldn't be in this mess. I wouldn't have attempted to commit suicide, Molly wouldn't have died…and Terra's baby would have been born. You could've a grandchild by now."

"Ma-Marky-!"

"Dad…I truly want to fly with you. I want to love you back as my dad. But because of the truth…my feelings for you are all shattered and broken." I put my hand over my chest and clenched it hard, creating a poor imitation of what I was truly feeling inside. "I-I don't know if I could love you anymore-"

It all happened in seconds, but before I could react, I found my face suddenly buried in the chest of Mark. His warm and welcoming scent filled with my nostrils and it made me suddenly feel at home.

"You can! You can still love me and I'm so proud that you're my son. Oh Marky…I'm truly sorry-!" His embrace tightened as he began to sob.

"Dad-!" As for me, I couldn't control my emotions at all. All the negative feelings that were gnashing my insides had disappeared except for one.

Sorrow.

And it burst inside of me. Tears began to flow uncontrollably from my eyes. Mark had hurt me with his lies, but I couldn't hate him for what he had done. His actions were all beyond good and evil. It was out of pure love.

I moved both of my hands and hugged him back. I buried my face into chest as I cried in anguish.

Our sobs and snivels filled the room, echoing through the uncaring walls that slowly absorbed our despair. We both looked pathetic, but I didn't give a shit anymore. I wanted to love Mark again as my second dad, which was why my mind had already created a second goal.

Other than healing myself, I must regain the feeling of my paternal love to Mark, and I would do it because he was one of my loved ones.

He was my family.


After a couple of minutes of crying to our hearts' content, we found ourselves sitting in the dining area. I was supposed to eat lasagna for dinner, but since Mark was here, we settled for bowls of ice cream.

Mark's ice cream was blueberry flavored while I got strawberry. We were eating at a slow pace, pausing for a moment as we glanced at each other.

"Ice cream for dinner…I wasn't expecting this."

"Me too. But it's the only thing I can serve you right now." We both looked at each other and made a low chuckle.

Today was certainly a weird day for me. I saw the brutal change of society, and then I got a visit from my second father with whom I had a dramatic crying match. Now we both ended up eating ice cream for dinner.

Now how fucking weird was that? Well, to humans it would be very odd, but we were Viltrumites, a once warmongering alien species. Our normal was slightly different from humans, so…I guess all that ends well, ends well.


After we ate, we both found ourselves sitting on the front porch, breathing the warm air around us. The sky above us was already dark. The night was a relatively moonless one. Stars were scattered around, dotting and shining above us with their dim lights.

I was not a smoker or anything, but I got curious about Touko's gift, so I opened it and tried one.

"Marky? You're smoking?"

"Well…there is a first time for everything. Plus, I'm always curious about what it tastes or feels like." I lit up the stick and took a breath.

News flash – it fucking sucked. I coughed and groaned. The nicotine, tobacco and other shitty elements entered and trailed the surface of my esophagus. Those things were poisonous, and yet somehow, I kind of felt calm.

"How was it?" My second father asked with curiosity and I answered him weakly.

"It was shit, but…I feel calm all of a sudden." I glanced to him and smiled welcomingly as I extended the pack to him. "Want one?"

"No thanks." Mark said, eyeing me with mild curiosity as I took another whiff. My second inhalation of the smoke was completely smooth. It seemed I already got used to this one and that made me blow more smoke to the air.

Silence had once again stood between me and Mark as we both observed the sky once again. Although there were some heavy feelings still swirling inside of me, I felt completely at peace with him. It was like I was back in the earlier days, before I knew the devastating truth about me.

"Marky, come with me." Suddenly, Mark spoke and called me, making me look at him.

"Come with me to Neue Viltrum. We can start all over again there. You and me, we can both fly again in the sky of my new planet." He said to me with serious and determined eyes. I knew what he meant by that.

Neue Viltrum – the thought moving to another planet was very weird for me. First, I never imagined myself moving off this planet. Second, I could truly start anew there. I could live with my second father, and be with Terra and Ms. Eve. They all supported me and loved me. I could have a good life there.

Mark's offer was very tempting…However, I must decline it for now.

"I would like to, but I cannot. Not yet, anyways." I said as I took a whiff of my cigarette. "Molly died in my stead on this planet. I've got to make it up to her or I'm not gonna be able to live in peace. Plus, I'm not well yet. I'm not yet healed." Mark softened his smile as I reasoned with him. He understood me.

"I understand…but what will you do here?"

"I'm going to pick up my mask as a hero once again. This time, I'm not going to stop until I achieve my dream." I said with a growing fortitude in my voice. My mind was clear and I remembered my dream from an almost bygone memory of before.

"I thank you for letting me carry your mask, Dad. I became a superhero because of you, and I never regretted choosing to follow in your footsteps." I said thankfully to Mark, whose eyes become glassy again. My words must have made him want to cry again out of joy.

"I know your dream. You want to become a superhero that everyone looks up to, am I right?" he asked me as his smile widened with gladness. He moved closer to me and put his hand on my cheek. "Marky, I will support you on this. I hope you achieve this dream."

I smiled at him as I moved closer and hugged him again.

My mind was not well yet, but I knew I was getting there. Mark had showed me his love and I accepted it one more time. I was no longer alone. There were still people who loved me and cared for me. And because of that I must not let them down.


After our second cry fest on the porch, we found ourselves inside the house again. The night was already deep and I bet my father was very tired from his travels. I wanted to give him a room inside my house, but my bedroom was the only room that had a bed.

"So, uh, do you need a place to stay? My room is the only place that has a bed." I asked as I looked up to the second floor.

"Well…yes, but where will you sleep?" my father asked me with concern, but I merely shrugged and pointed at the sofa.

"I can survive on the sofa." I said with assurance and the older man merely smiled at me. He moved his hand to the sleeve of his pants and took something out. It was a small cube object that was the same size as a domino. Its surface was obsidian black and I couldn't tell if it was made of rock or metal.

"What's this?"

"I found this in the old room of my father, Nolan Grayson, back on the Viltrumite Warship. It's a small quantum storage." My father looked at it with reminiscing eyes before he moved the object closer to me. "This is from Nolan, and its for you."


Nolan? Grandpa? Nolan Grayson, the former and infamous hero Omni-Man, the traitor of mankind and the late Emperor of Viltrumites…and my grandfather. He had many names, many hats, and many sins. And yet, when I came to know him, I couldn't help but feel awe for him. This man, who was once heartless, had created something so wonderful.

My second father, who was the very, and living, definition of kindness.

I didn't know my grandfather because I never met him. He died during the Kamikaze attack, which was done by the heinous Viltrumite named Thragg, the former Regent.

And since I never met him, then I'm pretty sure he never met me. But this little cube had proven me otherwise. For me to receive something from him, it told me that, somehow, he knew me from before.

"For me…?" I took the cube from my old man's hand. Cold. The object cooled the palm of my hand as I held it to the light above.

"Press the surface twice. It contains an object and a message to you." Mark said as I sat on the sofa again and pressed the surface of the cube. The cube came to life as gentle white light lit up and trailed the surface before it suddenly began to hover over the palm of my hand.


"Markus Murphy, if you're hearing this message right now, that means you already know the truth of your…unfortunate conception." The deep voice filled the room and it made me gulp down in nervousness. If a person heard this kind of voice, they might think that the one who owned it was some kind of a dark god from the netherworlds. But I knew who owned the voice and he was not a god.

I glanced to my left and saw my father staring down at the device. His face shifted to a thoughtful one as the voice of the long-gone former emperor spoke more.

"You might not know me, but I know you very well. Rest assured, I will give you an explanation as to how I know you." He cleared his throat and I prepared myself to accept his explanation.

"The first time I saw you, you were small and sleeping inside a crib. I was visiting your mother, Anissa, to inquire as to why she had two children. Viltrumites can only create one child regardless of their partner, and she was the only one who was blessed with two offspring. But…I know exactly as to why she had two. Nevertheless, she knew what she did was wrong and so she complied to let me see her children…and that leads me to you."

So, he did see me before. My heart beat hastened as I waited for more words to come out from the cube.

"Marky, when I first saw you…I felt goosebumps. Your face was exactly like Mark, and I couldn't help but feel happy with you. I lifted you up and cast a smile at you before you lightly punched me. I know for sure that you will grow into a fine man and a warrior, probably equal to my boy, Mark." He paused and cleared his throat. I could tell that he was truly proud of me because his voice was upright and filled with anticipation.

"I made a deal with your mother. I will let her grow you into a fine man. In exchange, she would be the one to reveal your uncanny birth. Also, I asked of her to let me see you whenever I wanted to. So…Marky, if you ever discover the harsh truth, I want you to come to me. I want you to cry over my shoulder and let me comfort you." My hands shook as his voice shifted into a kind and caring one. His words made my heart swirl inside. I couldn't help but tear up again.

"And the reason for this is very simple: you're my family. You're my little prince and a bundle of joy. And Marky, from the very bottom of my heart…I love you."

"Oh…" I sniveled as I let out another round of tears. Grandpa Nolan knew me, and what's more, he loved me as his grandson.

"Oh, by the way, I have a gift for you. I missed your first birthday, you see. This won't be my last gift to you, because I promised myself that I would always be present at your birthday parties. The gift will pop out after this message ends…which should be now. Goodbye, Marky." Nolan said with a hint of hurry before a loud beeping sound echoed out of the cube.

The cube made several beeping sounds before it released a white light out of its surface. The lights danced in front of my face before it gathered into a single ball, which burst into another object. The object began to fall, but I caught it with my other hand.

"This…is his gift to me?" The object was a large hunting knife. I rubbed my fingers over the silver ivory-like handle of the knife before I pulled it so I could see its blade. The blade was stunning – black obsidian and shiny. I could see my reflection on it and the words written on the surface.

'My Little Prince'


I reread the words a couple of times, and after a minute of staring, I broke down and started crying. "I-He-he actually loves me. I want to say I love him. It's unfair that I didn't meet him!"

"I know. He's a good man." My father hugged me and there I cried again on his chest.

The night was already deep and the longest part of the day. Damn, I really wanted this night to be over with because I was pretty sure three rounds of crying would certainly hurt my eyes.


Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Invinicble and the anime Kara no Kyoukai. Names, Places and Events are purely coincidence, if one exist in real life then its purely coincidence.

Special thanks to Pure Red Crane for beta-reading.

Hey guys, welcome to my new chapter. And this chapter...HAS LOTS OF FEELS! CUASE ITS A FEELER ARC, DUH! Anyways, this chapter contains interactions between Markus and Nolan, although through a recorder.

Its kinda unfair that Markus never meet him in the comics so I thouht, why not just leave him a message? Or that, he did see him but the boy was too young to remember him. So I think and made up some possible scenarios as to how he met him and how he felt as he saw him. And this chapter is eventually born!

Alright, I would like to thank everyone who chose to read my fanfic. I do hope my story had entertained you, thank you for choosing my story. You guys are the best.