Earth's night sky, dotted with twinkling stars, was torn with a flash of incandescent light. A golden capsule was streaking across the firmament, leaving behind it a luminous trail that traversed the constellations like a divine arrow. Inside, a small being whose destiny was intertwined with that of the blue planet: a baby whose fate was about to change.
The capsule, forged in the shipyards of a distant planet with impossible metals and arcane technologies, glided through the atmosphere with the grace of a shooting star. Friction with the air ignited its surface, transforming it into a fiery comet that illuminated the night, causing the eyes of men to raise, perplexed, towards the firmament.
The moonlight illuminated the landscape with a silvery glow, creating dancing shadows that glided across the sand and rocks.
The monotonous sound of tires against asphalt was the only thing that broke the silence of the night, as Debbie Grayson drove forward with determination in the darkness. Her hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, her eyes squinted against the glare of the headlights cutting through the blackness of the night.
Suddenly, a sudden flash in the sky caught her attention, followed by a dull rumble that echoed in the distance.
Finally, the capsule impacted in an arid desert, far from any civilization, near a lonely road winding through the vastness of nothingness. The earth shook and the sky rumbled with a dull rumble. The capsule plunged into the sandy soil, raising a cloud of dust that quickly dispersed into the dry air.
The desert landscape, so accustomed to stillness, seemed to hold its breath.
At that moment, a car was crossing the lonely road, its sole occupant, a woman in search of answers on an introspective journey, witnessed the wonder. The glow in the sky caught his attention, and the roar that followed forced him to stop abruptly. With his heart pounding, he got out of the car and headed toward the source of the impact.
As the dust settled and the flames died down, the capsule was exposed, its surface now cooled and covered with frost. A halo of mystery surrounded it, a reminder that it had arrived from a world beyond the stars. From its interior, a tiny viltrumite baby emerged.
His eyes, deep as ink black, opened to the new world that stretched before him. His tiny, fragile figure, wrapped in blankets of unfamiliar fabrics, seemed to emit a light of its own, a dangerous serenity. Even as a baby, he carried with him the heritage of an invincible race, the conquerors of the cosmos, whose power rivaled that of the gods.
She possessed a wound on her forehead that was barely a furrow, a thin, pale line lost in the folds of her skin. Though small in size, its presence was undeniable, an inconspicuous but significant mark of the crash upon landing, as it appeared fresh.
A soft cry broke the silence, echoing like an echo of destiny, marking the beginning of a new era. The winds whispered its arrival, and the elements seemed to bow to its presence. He was not just a visitor; he was a harbinger of change, a spark in the vast fabric of destiny.
The woman, still with her heart beating rapidly, approached cautiously. Her eyes, at first incredulous, were filled with wonder as she beheld the diminutive stranger to the stars. However, she did not yet understand that this being was not simply a visitor from another world. He was a Viltrumite, and with his arrival, the history of Earth became irrevocably intertwined with that of Viltrum.
The woman, still not knowing whether it was her maternal instincts speaking or that she had been moved by the helpless visitor from the stars, took him in her arms. She gazed up at the firmament, her distant home, now become a tiny dot in the vastness of the cosmos. A silent vow formed in her heart: she would protect this child, raise him as her son, not knowing that in his tiny arms lay the strength to transform the world.
Thus, in the stillness of the night, under the blanket of stars, an epic began. The Viltrumite baby was among us, and the Earth would never be the same again.
5 YEARS LATER
Debbie was frightened after Mark's arrival in this world, she had decided to name him after his father. The reason for her uneasiness was that she was sure that at some point the government was going to investigate what happened to what was inside the capsule that crashed to earth and that they were going to trace everything back to her son. However, for some reason no one came. Maybe they didn't think it was important what was inside or gave up, or maybe it was a blessing from heaven, inviting her to take care of her son without fear. Whatever the answer she really didn't care, she loved Mark and would do anything to protect him, whatever I went through.
The years went by and Mark and his mother lived very happily in a house on the outskirts of town. His mother was a real estate agent and a very good one at that.Little Mark was living a good life, On a day like any other, Mark Grayson woke up with an uneasy feeling running through his body. As he got out of bed, he felt a strange energy vibrating inside him, as if something inside him was waking up.
It was a quiet spring day, the sun was shining on the suburb where Mark Grayson resided. He was an ordinary boy, with an ordinary life, but something extraordinary was about to happen.
Mark had a dog he had named Max, his mom had given him a year ago and he was his best friend, after all little Mark was too shy to make friends with the kids in his neighborhood. His mom had insisted him many times to go and play with the other kids but he didn't care much about that, he already had his mom and Max. Why did he need more? worried the little boy from the stars.
That day Mark had gone to look for Max to play with him, but the dog was not there. With a heart full of worry, Mark hurried to look for him, searching every part of the house and then every nook and alley in the neighborhood. Finally he found him; he was stuck under a car parked on the sidewalk and couldn't get out.
It was then that, with his heart pounding in his chest and without a second thought, he felt an indomitable strength welling up inside him as he ran to the car.
With a superhuman effort, Mark lifted the car with ease, freeing Max and carrying him to safety. It was in that moment of urgency and desperation that Mark discovered his extraordinary powers: a supernatural strength that allowed him to lift heavy objects with ease.
When Debbie, his mother, arrived on the scene, she gasped as she witnessed her son's amazing act. At that moment she realized that her son was more special than she knew him to be. However, this meant that from now on it would be much harder to hide Mark's true origin.
2 YEARS LATER
Debbie Grayson watched in awe from the back porch of her home as her son, Mark, practiced alone in the vast field behind their home. Since discovering his extraordinary powers, he had been practicing as much as possible how to control his abilities, and in one such instance he also discovered that he could fly, which excited him even more. Little Mark had already decided what he wanted to be when he grew up after discovering what he could do, he wanted to be like the heroes in his comic books or the ones he had learned about in real life, like Captain America. So Debbie had been at a bit of a loss as to how to guide Mark on his path as a potential hero. However, she was determined to instill in him the core values that every hero should possess.
Every afternoon after school, mother and son spent time together discussing ethics and morality, the meaning of responsibility and service to others. Sitting on the back porch, Debbie would talk to Mark about the importance of compassion and empathy, even though in her heart she knew she didn't have the experience to teach him how to control his powers.
"Remember, Mark," Debbie was telling him in her calm but firm voice, "a true hero is not only strong because of his abilities, but he is also strong because he has the power to do whatever he wants but still chooses to do the right thing. What I mean is that your powers can be a blessing or a curse, depending on how you choose to use them."
Mark listened intently to his mother's every word, feeling the weight of her responsibility on his shoulders, but also the warmth of her support. Even though Debbie didn't know how to help him with his powers, she was determined to educate him in the values that defined a true hero.
SEVERAL YEARS LATER
As he grew older, he explored the limits of his abilities on his own, learning to control his powers and use them to protect those around him. Despite the challenges and difficulties he faced, Debbie was always there to support him, reminding him that the most important thing was not what he could do, but who he was at his core.
Despite that, it hadn't all been rosy. After all, as he grew older, Mark learned to hide his abilities, fearful of the reaction of others if they discovered his true nature. He kept his strength in check, pretending to be fragile and vulnerable, and went to great lengths to avoid situations where his speed or stamina might give him away.
Despite his efforts to go unnoticed, Mark could not prevent situations from arising in which his powers were unintentionally revealed. Once, during a school soccer game, he stopped a ball headed toward a classmate with impressive speed. Another day, he saved a boy from being hit by a car, rushing to his rescue at incredible speed.
Although his actions were altruistic, Mark knew he had to keep his abilities hidden from the world. He feared that if people found out what he really was, he would be shunned and feared rather than accepted and loved as one.
As the years passed, he struggled to find a balance between his desire to help others and his need to keep his powers secret. He learned to control his strength and speed, using his intellect and physical abilities to stand out in school and in his community without drawing attention to his true nature.
Despite the challenges he faced, Mark never lost sight of his sense of duty and his desire to make the world a better place. He silently bore the burden of his powers, knowing that someday, when the time was right, he would use his gifts to help those in need, regardless of the consequences to himself.
And well, the years passed and young Mark became a man, so it was time to move on and try new horizons and finally taste the long-awaited freedom.
In a house in the distant town of St. Marys, Pennsylvania, stood a 20 year old young man, named Mark Grayson, physically, he is an athletic and muscular young man, with a stocky build that reflects his superhuman nature. He possesses above average height, with an erect, self-assured posture that denotes confidence and determination. Her broad shoulders and well-developed back are indicative of her superhuman physical strength.
Her face is proportionate and attractive, with sharp, defined features. He has a strong jaw and prominent cheekbones that give him a manly and determined appearance. His eyes are large and expressive, reflecting a mixture of determination, kindness and occasionally, the weight of his responsibilities.
Mark's hair is dark and short, neatly and practically styled. With a fringe that frames his face, but doesn't quite hide his eyes. Overall, his physical appearance conveys a combination of youth, vigor and power, elements that are characteristic of his identity as a superhuman.
[MARK POV]
The day had finally arrived, today I would finally leave this small town and travel to the Big Apple itself. So after getting up from my bed, I looked at myself in the mirror and said to myself, 'Ok relax, remember what mom said, keep up appearances and everything will be fine.'
"Hi I'm Mark Grayson, I'm new in town nice to meet you." I said with a smile extending my hand towards the mirror as if wanting to shake the one the object didn't have. "Nono, too formal, hi I'm Mark how are you doing?" I said trying to sound confident but not feeling convinced until a shout interrupted me.
"Mark, come downstairs breakfast is already served." Said my mother evidently wanting me to come downstairs.
"I'm coming." I said quickly, not wanting to keep her waiting. I quickly flew downstairs where the delicious classic breakfast of eggs and tocino was served.
"Mark, what did I tell you about flying inside the house?" My mother said with a scolding look.
"Not to do it because we don't have the money to rebuild the house...again." I said quickly with a crestfallen look thinking I had pissed her off.
Seeing that I was sorry, quickly my mom changed her expression to a more understanding one and put her hand on my shoulder.
"I'm sorry son, but I've told you a thousand times, this house is not made for superhumans." She said as she removed her hand from my shoulder and sat back in the chair, going back to reading the journal she seemed to be immersed in a reading with.
As I began to eat, enjoying the delicious culinary work my mother had prepared, I came to pry some of what the cover of the newspaper said.
Iron Man saves the United Nations from a coordinated attack by Hydra. Cool, Iron Man is the best.' I thought as I savored the delicious bacon. 'God so delicious, I will really miss this food when I leave.'
The reason for my trip to New York was mainly to finally begin my journey in becoming a superhero was that with the beginning of the rise of different superheroes, numerous supervillains have also emerged to challenge them. Many of them are located in New York, I don't know why, but they all seem to congregate there. And that brings me to the next situation, I still hadn't decided on a superhero name. After all I couldn't go out fighting crime with my real name, I would have supervillains knocking on my door before I knew it.
Obviously I had already thought of a few but none seemed to convince me. 'oh well I'll think about it later, after all I still have time.' I thought quickly as I finished my breakfast.
"Hey mom, I'll go finish getting my stuff ready to leave after all in an hour I have to be at the bus station." I said wanting to finish getting everything ready.
"Sure son I understand." Said my mother who although she was smiling, I knew that inside her there was sadness, after all she was finally leaving the nest to go to the big city.
Once upstairs I quickly assembled the suitcases with everything I would need, clothes, wallet, valuables, Seance Dog comics. 'Everything I need is in here.' I thought as I finished closing the suitcases.
Once I was done, I quickly went downstairs where my mother was waiting for me with teary eyes.
I quickly went over to hug her. "Mom I'm going to be just fine calm."
"I know son, it's just that only yesterday you were still my Little boy and now you are leaving to follow your dream to the big city, I just wish we could have more time." She said to me as tears escaped her eyes.
"Don't worry mom, I will call you every day, ok?" I said trying to reassure her.
"All right son. 'She said as she wiped her tears with her arm and broke the hug. 'You know son, you remind me of me at your age, wanting to get out of the house and take the world by storm." My mother said as she seemed to reminisce about old times, other times. "The point is, that kids your age think they're invincible, and it holds them back, makes them careless. The thing is you are different, you actually are Invincible." Said my mother.
At that moment I had an idea. 'I know what I want my superhero name to be.'
After that my mother was about to say goodbye until I saw her expression change subitamnte. "Oh how distracted I almost forgot, here's the key to the apartment." She said as she handed it to me. "Take care of it and I don't want any damage inside this one, after all the apartment was your grandfather's and it was one of the things he gave me after he passed away." She said with a sad countenance as she remembered.
"Don't worry mom, I'll keep it tidy." I said as I put the key in my pocket.
After that, I said my last goodbyes to my mother and flew off with my bags to the bus station to embark on a trip that I didn't know what it would bring but hopefully mostly positive things.
Why I was going by bus instead of flying directly. Simply because in New York there would be many more eyes on the sky than here and it would be risky to be seen flying out of nowhere without a suit.
Once I arrived at the station, I boarded the bus that would take me to fulfill my dream, I waited.
[END OF MARK POV]
The sun was slowly rising on the horizon, tinting the sky in shades of pink and orange. As we left the station, the bus was gliding down the road, leaving the serenity of the countryside behind and entering an increasingly urban landscape. Passengers, still drowsy, looked out the windows as the vegetation transformed into a series of buildings and industrial structures.
As the bus moved on, small towns gave way to large highways, and the traffic became denser. The bustle of trucks and cars was constant, a cacophony that contrasted with the initial calm of the trip. In the distance, the skyscrapers were beginning to appear on the horizon, an unmistakable sign that the city that never sleeps was near.
The bus made a brief stop at a gas station, where passengers took the opportunity to stretch their legs and buy some refreshments. The fresh air revitalized everyone before resuming the final journey. As we resumed our journey, the scenery became even more city-like, with traffic lights and advertisements illuminating the road.
Finally, the bus entered Manhattan. The huge buildings, with their glass and steel facades, stood imposingly on both sides of the road.
The bustle of the city was palpable, with people hurrying along the sidewalks and the constant blaring of horns. The vibrant energy of New York was unmistakable and contagious. As the bus pulled up to the terminal, the passengers disembarked, ready to immerse themselves in the fast-paced life of the Big Apple. And among them was young Viltrumite Mark Grayson.
The terminal was full of rushing people, rolling suitcases and voices mingling in multiple languages. After getting his bearings for a moment, he stepped outside and was greeted by the vibrant energy of the city.
He walked to the cab stand, where a line of yellow vehicles waited to take passengers to their destinations. He boarded the next available cab and gave the driver the address: an apartment on the Upper West Side, where his mother had lived for several years.
The cab ride was a tour through the heart of Manhattan. The great skyscrapers and neon lights of Times Square glowed brightly, though the afternoon sun still illuminated the streets. Traffic was heavy, but the driver maneuvered skillfully between vehicles. The traveler looked out the window, watching the city move at a frenetic pace.
Passing through Central Park, the mood changed momentarily. The lush trees and greenery offered a visual respite from the asphalt and concrete. Finally, the cab arrived at its destination: a red brick building with an elegant facade, typical of the area.
I went inside and took the elevator up to the 5th floor where my mother told me she was going to be. I opened the door and looked inside.
Mark's apartment, a modest one-bedroom in New York, was small but cozy. Upon entering, a single window let in daylight, illuminating the cramped but well-organized space.
To the left, a blue sleeper sofa served as a seat and bed, optimizing the space. In front of it, a cheap wooden coffee table held some books and a succulent plant. A small, wall-mounted television completed the living area.
The tiny but functional kitchen had a two-burner stove, a microwave and a small refrigerator. A pair of white cabinets and open shelves held Mark's utensils and supplies. A folding table with two chairs served as a dining room.
The bathroom, just off the entrance, was basic but clean, with a shower, sink and toilet. A built-in closet, small and hidden behind a curtain, held his clothes and belongings.
Despite its humble size, the apartment reflected Mark's simple style, with personal touches such as framed photos and a few souvenirs from his travels. In this small space, Mark had found his own corner of peace in the bustling city.
"Well there's no place like home." I said only to be interrupted by the microwave door falling shut. "I guess." I said finally sighing.
Meanwhile in another part of the city. The S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier stood towering over the skyline, an engineering marvel that defied gravity and imagination. Floating majestically in the sky, its colossal structure combined the solidity of an aircraft carrier with the lightness of a spacecraft, creating a presence that inspired both awe and fear.
From a distance, one could see the intricate design of its metal hull, replete with panels and antennae that glowed in the sunlight.
Four massive repulsor energy thrusters emitted an intense blue glow, lifting the craft above the clouds and allowing it to move with surprising grace for its size. Along its deck, planes and helicopters rested like steel birds, ready to deploy at a moment's notice.
Inside it was one of four prisons for supervillains in the world, the prison was known as The Big House was a miniaturized prison located inside the Helicarrier, designed by Henry Pym to lock up supervillains inside in a miniturized form. The supervillains locked in this prison were just the general mass of everyday supervillains.
Inside was the famous scientist Henry Pym also known as Ant-Man conversing with one of the inmates.
"I wanted to ask you a question, uh, Mr. Pym," said Hank Pym. Hank Pym said.
"-- 'Mad Thinker' will suffice." Said the inmate.
"Okay." Hank Pym said.
"A SHIELD-monitered conversation you with Whirlwind. You said something was going to happen. We'd like to know what." Hank Pym said as he leaned against the wall outside the cell.
Inside was the Mad Thinker, one of the world's most intelligent supervillains. He had amazing intellect which allows him to think at a fast rate which earned him his name.
"Can you not feel it, Ant-Man? The better question is not 'what', but 'when' ." replied the inmate.
Meanwhile in another part of the Helicarrier was the superheroine known as Wasp, Wasp is a young girl and has blue eyes and short auburn hair. She had a rather shapely figure. She wears a black and yellow backless dress that reveals most of her back over black leggings and has yellow gloves and boots. She also wears yellow headphones that look like the antenna of a real wasp over her ears and a black choker around her neck. And agent Maria Hill personal confidant of the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. himself, Nick Fury. Maria was a rather tall woman with a slender but athletic and voluptuous body. She also had short brown hair with a pixie cut, tan skin and brown eyes. She normally wore a standard S.H.I.E.L.D. uniform, which consisted of a full-body black suit with knee-high black boots, a silver belt around her waist, silver suspenders and white gloves, along with a silver holster strapped to her left leg. His attire was completed with a red circle on his chest with a black eagle inside, as a badge of the organization to which she belonged.
At that moment the 2 were strolling down one of the long corridors of the Helicarrier while talking about some topics.
"Director Fury's offer was very serious, Wasp." Said the agent.
"Hank-- Ant-Man is against it." Wasp said.
"And you?" asked the agent trying to see what she was thinking.
"I wanna help. I wanna do more." Said the heroine sincerely.
"SHIELD will let you do more." Said the agent.
However, both were interrupted by a mysterious lady who passed down the hall a beautiful woman with long red hair, green eyes, and an athletic and muscular yet voluptuous build. She wore a black jumpsuit.
"Who was that?" Wasp asked.
"That's classified." Replied the agent quickly.
"On second thought, SHIELD might be a little too dramatic for me. Everything's always so serious." Wasp said retracting what she had said earlier.
However their conversation was again interrupted by a malfunction in the electrical system that caused the lights to turn on and off abruptly.
"Kind of like that." Wasp said.
At The Vault, located on a remote mountain, the lights flickered before going out completely. Alarms went off, but the electronic containment systems had already failed. Cell locks were unlocked and the villains took advantage of the chaos. The guards were quickly overpowered as the inmates scattered through the facility, smashing everything in their path.
At the same time, in a distant desert stood the imposing Cube Prison, a prison exclusively for Gamma Energy supervillains.
The security and containment systems failed and the prisoners escaped.
Simultaneously, the electrical failure weakened the energy barriers of The Big house cells until they disappeared completely. Seizing the opportunity, Mad Thinker and other inmates got up while Ant-Man was still there and as if recalling the conversation they had recently had, the villain said to the hero. "Boom."
At that moment for some unknown reason, the prison reverted to its normal size which ended up making several holes in the Helicarrier from which parts of the prison protruded.
Within hours, the impossible had happened. All four prisons, considered impenetrable, had failed simultaneously due to an electrical catastrophe. The supervillains, now free, scattered across the world, eager for revenge and mayhem. News of the mass escape spread quickly, spreading terror and uncertainty among the population.
S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, stunned by the magnitude of the disaster, began to mobilize, aware of the impending threat. The fragile balance between good and evil had been shattered, and the world was on the brink of an unprecedented crisis. It was the beginning of a new era of conflict, and the battle to recapture the escaped villains was just beginning.
Fury clenched his fists in restrained fury as he absorbed the magnitude of the disaster. He knew the situation was dire, but his training and experience had taught him to remain calm in the midst of the storm. He turned to the officers present on the bridge, his firm, authoritative voice echoing through the command room.
"¡Someone get to engineering. Tell them to keep us in the air. And shut off that alarm!"
His tone was cutting, his gaze fierce. There was no time to waste. The events unfolding were a direct affront to S.H.I.I.E.L.D.'s authority and a threat to global security. Fury knew it was his responsibility to restore order and capture those responsible.
Fury clenched his fists in restrained fury as he absorbed the magnitude of the disaster. He knew the situation was dire, but his training and experience had taught him to remain calm in the midst of the storm. He turned to the officers present on the bridge, his firm, authoritative voice echoing through the command room.
But beneath his steely exterior, Fury felt a burning anger. The mass escape was a direct blow to the integrity and reputation of S.H.I.I.E.L.D., and he would not rest until every single villain was recaptured and security was restored. With a straight face and clenched fists, he vowed to bring those responsible to justice, no matter how much time or resources were required.
Nick Fury, the man who had seen it all, now faced one of the biggest challenges of his career. But if one thing was certain, it was that he would not back down in the face of adversity. With every resource of S.H.I.I.E.L.D. at his disposal and an iron will, he threw himself into the task with unwavering determination. The world might be on the brink of chaos, but as long as Fury was in command, there was hope of restoring order and safety once again.
At that moment one of several S.H.I.E.L.D. operatives rushed to him with news.
"Director Fury, a report just came in from the Vault." Said the agent.
"Do I look like I have time for this, Quatermain?" replied the then stressed director curtly.
However, the agent was not intimidated and grabbed him by the arm to turn around and insist that he pay attention to him. "Listen to me! Sir, automated reports are coming in from the Vault and the Cube. Their systems have gone offline, and no one is responding from down at the Big House.Something is seriously wrong." replied the alarmed agent.
While this was going on, under a small garbage barge was the raft. Located deep in the ocean near New York City and known only by Nick Fury and a handful of high ranked S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, this prison contained the most dangerous supervillains ever captured regardless of being tech or radiation-based or genetically altered. However, on the top level of the prison was the most dangerous prisoner in the entire prison.
Frankin Hall, a renowned physicist that dissapeared 10 years ago from the public eye. Who had worked for S.H.I.E.L.D. in the past, had been hired by them to continue the secret super soldier serum project. However, something went wrong with the experiment and he ended gaining powers that allowed him to manipulate gravity at will. He wore a blue and white suit with two white belts around his stomach, gloves and boots from the specialised anti-gravity restraint, as well as shoulder pads. During the ten years in prison, he had grown long hair and a beard with grey streaks. Once the restraint had finished shutting down, he awoke to reveal his eyes possessed by his power and a burning thirst for vengeance. How will this affect the world? Only time will tell.
END OF CHAPTER 1
Hello there my little readers, I am here. Well I'll summarize, this is a project I've been working on for a while and I wanted to do it since I love the Avengers EMH series and Invincible so I thought, why not combine both? That's how this idea was born and I finally decided to publish it. For those of you who are waiting for the next chapter of On the Path to Redemption, I'll let you know that it will probably be posted by Saturday or Sunday. Without further news, I bid you farewell.