AN: This will be my first ever work done so go easy on me guys! So basically I became obsessed with Invincible and now I wanted to write about it, because of my disappointment with the lack of Invincible fanfics I decided to write my own as you can clearly see. Without further ado let's get on with this shall we?

I own neither Invincible or any other works shown throughout the series

This is going to be a long one, grab your popcorn.

Chapter 5: Bounce Back

Stepping through the portal, the world feels oddly still. The fresh morning air is a stark contrast to the chaos I left behind. The sun is barely rising, casting a pale light over the empty city streets. It's early, maybe 6 or 7 AM, and as far as Earth is concerned, only a day has passed. For me? It's been sixteen months of non-stop survival and training in the Flaxxon dimension. I've come back different—stronger, sharper—but I have to play it cool.

Before I can even catch my breath, Robot's voice buzzes through the earpiece.

"Invincible? Is that you? Your signature just appeared by the portal."

I glance at the spot where the portal was moments ago. "Yeah, it's me. I'm back."

Within minutes, the Teen Team arrives. Eve's the first to land, her expression a mix of relief and curiosity. Rex and the others touch down a second later, with Robot immediately scanning me for any abnormalities.

Eve's eyes narrow slightly. "You alright? You were gone a long time..."

"Yeah," I nod, keeping my tone steady. "I'm fine."

Rex steps forward, eyes wide in disbelief. "Fine? Dude, you went through a freakin' portal to another dimension! What happened in there?"

I sigh, already piecing together a story. "I got captured when I first went through. The Flaxxons tried to hold me, but there were other prisoners there—people they'd taken during earlier invasions. I spent months working with them, planning. We managed to lead a revolt and take out their leadership."

Rex blinks, his tone still incredulous but more curious now. "A revolt? Like, with alien prisoners? You... what, led a full-scale revolution?"

"Pretty much," I say with a shrug. "It was the only way to escape."

Robot looks up from his scanners. "The readings from the portal indicate there were significant temporal shifts. It seems plausible. Sixteen months on their world, while only hours passed here."

Eve tilts her head, still studying me. "Sixteen months... you were really stuck there that long?"

I nod again, keeping my expression neutral. "It was rough, but I adapted. Learned a lot."

Rex, despite his usual skepticism, seems genuinely interested now. "So, what did you do for all that time? Just fight?"

"Fought, trained, learned their tech," I explain. "It wasn't just about getting out—it was about surviving long enough to find a way back."

Eve steps closer, her concern clear. "That's... a lot to go through alone. You sure you're okay?"

I manage a small smile. "Yeah, I'm good. Just glad to be back."

Robot, still analyzing the data from the portal, nods. "The portal's energy signature matches what we've seen before. It seems the Flaxxons have exhausted their resources for now. You've done well."

I shrug, trying to keep things casual. "Just doing what needed to be done."

Rex chuckles, shaking his head. "I've gotta admit, that's pretty badass. Leading a revolt? You've got guts."

I flash him a quick grin, keeping the mood light. "It wasn't easy, but it worked."

Eve smiles softly, relief finally settling in. "Well, we're glad you're back. Things were quiet here, but we kept expecting another attack."

Rex crosses his arms, still processing everything. "So, what now? You gonna start leading revolutions on Earth, too?"

I laugh, shaking my head. "I think I've had enough of that for a while."

The team slowly starts to relax, spreading out to check the area. Robot continues monitoring the residual portal energy, but I hang back, staying quiet. I can't let myself slip up with my story. The destruction I caused, the planet I left in ruins... that's not something they need to hear. Not now, not ever.

After answering a few more questions from the team, I realize it's time to wrap this up. I need to leave, fast. As curious as they are, I've got much bigger things on my mind. Nolan.

"Hey, I should probably head home," I say, keeping my tone casual. "My mom's gotta be freaking out right now. I've been gone way longer than she's used to."

Eve nods understandingly. "Yeah, she's probably worried sick. You should go check in."

But that's only part of it. The real reason I need to get out of here is much more pressing. Nolan's likely already awake by now. I remember in the original timeline, he woke up shortly after the Flaxxon attack. With things going the way they are, I can't afford to just stand around and wait. I need to start preparing for what's coming.

Rex smirks, his usual sarcasm bleeding through. "Go ahead, man, be the good son. We've got this."

I return the smirk but feel the urgency building up inside me. "Thanks. I'll catch up with you guys later."

With that, I take off into the sky, leaving the team behind. As the wind rushes past me, my thoughts are already on what's ahead—Nolan waking up, and Allen's impending visit. Allen may not be a threat, but he's a key player, someone I'll need in my corner. And then there's my father... I have to plan for that, for when everything starts coming to a head.

As I fly home, my mind churns with plans. Nolan's awake, back from the GDA hospital, and probably at the house with Debbie by now. I can't let my guard down around him, not when I know the path we're on. A confrontation with my father is inevitable, and unlike the original Mark, I'm prepared to fight him to the death if it comes to that.

But Allen's visit is something I need to be ready for, too. He's not a threat—he's a future ally, someone who'll play a big role in the grander scheme of things. Allen's connected to the Coalition of Planets, and through him, I'll have a direct line to Thaedus—the Viltrumite traitor who nearly wiped out his own race with the Scourge Virus. Thaedus is the key to crippling the Viltrumite Empire.

I'm aiming to get the Coalition's full attention on Earth, make them understand how important our planet is. When Nolan and I clash, I need Allen to bring back the right message to Thaedus. The more pressure I can put on the Viltrumites from all angles, the better chance I have of having Thragg closer when I link my bloodline back to Argall, then I just have the Viltrumites kill Thragg and they follow me after. I might have to plan to kill Thaedus if he thinks I'm a threat and might continue the Viltrumite conquest.

As I approach the house, I take a deep breath, reminding myself that for now, I need to act normal. Keep Nolan in the dark. Play the game. But my mind? It's already three steps ahead.

I step into the house, and the mood hits me like a wave. Debbie's sitting at the table, her arms crossed, practically vibrating with worry and anger. Across the room, Nolan's grinning like I just won some kind of trophy. Yeah, great, Dad. Super proud of your kid for hopping into another dimension—must be a Viltrumite rite of passage or something. Meanwhile, I'm preparing to kill him. He's so proud, so unaware, it's almost funny.

"Mark!" Debbie's voice cuts through my thoughts, sharp and concerned. "Are you okay? Do you have any idea how worried I've been?"

I try to stay calm, rubbing the back of my neck. "Yeah, Mom, I'm fine. Really."

Nolan's smile stretches wider, clapping his hands like I just aced some cosmic test. "That's my boy! Dimension-hopping already, huh? You're getting stronger, faster, than I thought."

I flash him a tight smile, the irony not lost on me. If he only knew what I've been planning. How much I've been preparing. He's so proud, so full of himself, completely oblivious that I'm ready for the inevitable showdown, when he takes off the mask. He thinks I'm becoming the perfect Viltrumite, but I'm becoming something else entirely.

Debbie shoots him a look, not buying into his happy routine. "Nolan, this isn't some Viltrumite achievement! He's not out there training. He was gone for a day and I didn't know where he was."

I raise my hands, trying to calm her down. "Mom, it's fine. I'm back now, okay? I handled it."

She's still upset, but Nolan's too busy being the proud dad to care. He thinks this is just the next step in my development, but he has no idea. I'm not just getting stronger. I'm getting ready to put his old ass in the ground.

Once the conversation with my parents winds down and I drop the bomb that I'm over a year older now, Nolan's grin doesn't fade. If anything, it widens. There's a certain gleam in his eyes—one that's a little too eager.

"Mark," he starts, his voice casual but with an edge of excitement. "You've grown stronger. A lot stronger, from what I can tell. What do you say we test it out? A little sparring—father and son?"

I can feel my pulse quicken. Sparring with Nolan again? The first time, he beat me down easily, but now? After everything I've been through, I'm way stronger, faster, and more than ready to punch his face. Part of me is tense—the thought of facing my father head-on knowing what's coming—but another part of me is excited. I've been waiting for this, to see how I measure up to him now. Not as Invincible, but as a warrior.

I give him a nod, unable to hide the small grin creeping onto my face. "Yeah. Let's do it."

Debbie looks between the two of us, her worry deepening, but she knows there's no stopping this. She mutters something under her breath about 'boys and their fighting' before stepping out of the way.

We head out to the backyard, and the moment I step into position, the air feels charged. Nolan's relaxed, casual, like this is nothing to him—but I can tell he's eager to see just how far I've come.

I roll my shoulders, feeling the strength that I've built over those sixteen months in the Flaxxon dimension. This isn't just some sparring match. It's a test, a preview of the inevitable showdown between us. And as much as I've prepared for it, I can't help but feel a surge of anticipation.

Nolan cracks his neck and smiles. "Don't hold back, Mark. I want to see what you've got."

I nod, smirking, my muscles tensing. "I was about to say the same thing, let's see if your old bones can keep up."

Then, without another word, we lift off from the ground then head to our usual training spot.

As soon as Nolan mentions sparring, I know we aren't doing this in the backyard. He gives me a nod, and I follow him into the sky, heading to a wide, open area far from prying eyes and collateral damage. It's a place where we can go all out.

When we land, I feel the tension mount. This isn't just some casual sparring session. It's a real test—a chance to see just how much I've improved and how far I've come. Nolan's grin hasn't faded, but there's a glint in his eyes now. He's curious. He wants to see what I'm made of.

"Let's not hold back," Nolan says, flexing his fists. "I want to see what you've really got, Mark."

I nod, feeling the adrenaline course through me. "You asked for it."

We launch at each other almost simultaneously. Nolan's fast—just as fast as I remember—but this time, I'm not trailing behind. I dodge his first strike, feeling the air ripple as his fist misses me by inches. It's exhilarating, being able to match his speed, the two of us moving like blurs through the air.

I counter with a punch to his ribs, and it lands, but the impact isn't as deep as I'd hoped. Nolan barely flinches. "Good. You're faster, but speed's not everything," he says, his tone more focused now.

Before I can respond, he moves again, and this time, his punch connects squarely with my side. The force sends me flying backward through the air, crashing into a distant mountain. I groan, feeling the ache in my ribs, but I'm not down for long. I push off the rock face, shaking it off as I shoot back toward him.

I engage him with a barrage of punches, and to my surprise, some of them land. Not many, but enough to make Nolan step back. He's stronger—no question—but my hits are getting through. I can feel the shift. Every time he lands a blow, the pain fades a little quicker. Every punch I throw, I feel a little stronger. My body is adapting faster than ever.

Midway through the fight, Nolan lands a punch that sends me skidding across the training ground. My vision blurs for a second, but I recover faster than expected. I shake my head and charge at him again, this time flying straight at him, my fist aiming for his jaw.

He blocks it, but I can see the surprise in his eyes. "You've really improved," he says, still grinning, but there's a hint of seriousness now. "But you're not there yet."

He lands another hit, and this one rattles me. I feel the daze creeping in, but it goes away the same moment it arrived. I grin and swing again, aiming for his midsection. My fist connects with a satisfying thud. For the first time, Nolan steps back a little more than he expected and grips the targeted area with a grimace.

By the end of the spar, we're both hovering in the air, breathing heavily, bruised, and slightly bloody, but still locked on to each other. The difference between us is closing. I'm not at his level in strength and durability yet, but I'm not far off. I wipe some sweat from my forehead, grinning despite the pain.

Nolan floats back slightly, clearly impressed but still in control. "You're getting there, Mark. Faster than I thought."

I grin back, catching my breath. "Just give me a few more weeks."

Nolan laughs, but it's a little more subdued now. "We'll see."

As we fly back, I can feel it—the gap between us is closing. I'm not even close to my peak yet, and still I feel that it's not going to matter as my peak will increase with stronger opponents. When the time comes he'll find his strength falling short and then realize how truly fucked he is.

After returning from the sparring session with Nolan, the energy in the air is still tense when Cecil suddenly teleports into the house. I can tell from his expression that this isn't just a social visit.

"Sorry to interrupt," Cecil says, his voice sharp with urgency, "but we've detected someone from Mars approaching Earth. We're not sure what their deal is, but they're headed our way."

Debbie steps forward, crossing her arms with a determined look. "Nolan's not going," she declares flatly. It's not up for debate, and Nolan just smirks, raising his eyebrows but letting her take charge.

Nolan shrugs, glancing at me. "She's not going to let me, so…" His expression says it all: this is my chance.

"I'll do it," I offer before anyone can argue. "I can handle it."

Cecil nods, looking me over, and I can see the wheels turning in his head. "You sure?"

"Yeah, I've got this," I say confidently, already thinking about how this is a meeting I've been expecting for a while—Allen the Alien. He's no threat, but he's someone who's important. In the comics, Allen eventually becomes a friend, an ally, and a vital link to the Coalition of Planets. This is the start of something much bigger, and I know it.

Nolan claps a hand on my shoulder, grinning. "Knock some sense into the guy and send him back where he came from."

I give him a nod, my mind racing with everything I know about Allen. "No problem."

As I prepare to leave, my heart races—not out of fear, but excitement. Allen's visit isn't just another mission. It's my chance to start making real connections, setting the stage for when the Viltrumites become a serious threat. Allen may not realize it yet, but this meeting is going to be a game-changer.

I shoot into space, scanning for the incoming threat. I already know who it is—Allen the Alien—but I play it cool, acting like I'm just ready for another fight. My mind races with what I know about him, but I need to let Allen explain everything himself. Don't want to seem suspicious.

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch movement. He's fast, but I'm faster. Before Allen can land a sneak attack, I spin around and block his punch. His fist slams into my arm with a satisfying thud, but I barely feel it.

He looks surprised, floating back slightly, telepathically saying, "Oh, you shaved the mustache."

I narrow my eyes, trying not to laugh. "Uh, what?"

Allen doesn't waste time, throwing another punch. This time, I sidestep and counter with a sharp jab to his ribs, sending him hurtling into a nearby satellite. He recovers quickly, flying back at me with determination.

"You call that protecting the planet?" he teases, aiming another hit. "I expected more."

I dodge effortlessly, already knowing how this'll play out. "I'm not who you think I am."

The fight continues, with Allen trying to land punches, but each one bounces off me like I'm made of stone. I can tell he's strong, but compared to what I've been through? He's nothing. My punches land with precision, sending him flying back each time.

Allen charges at me again, only to crash into the moon after a solid right hook. He sits up, shaking his head. "Okay, timeout. Let's talk."

I float over, crossing my arms. "Talk? Now?"

"Yeah, I don't make the rules, but I'm calling a timeout," he says, grabbing a chunk of moon rock and sitting on it like it's a chair. "Look, I'm an evaluation officer for the Coalition of Planets. My job is to check if your planet has someone strong enough to defend it. You know, in case Viltrumites show up."

I raise an eyebrow, pretending not to know. "Uh-huh. And you think you're on the right planet?"

He blinks. "Well, yeah. Urath, right?"

I smirk, shaking my head. "This is Earth, dude."

Allen's face falls as he realizes his mistake. "Ah, crap. Wrong planet." He scratches the back of his head, clearly embarrassed. "Well, this is awkward."

I float over and sit on a nearby chunk of moon rock. "Yeah, you're way off. But don't worry, it happens."

Allen chuckles, nodding. "Thanks for not vaporizing me. Name's Allen, by the way."

"Invincible," I reply, offering a friendly grin.

He pauses, looking me over. "You know, you actually live up to the name. Not bad. You're way stronger than the last guy I fought here."

I nod, already knowing how much stronger I am compared to canon. "Thanks. Guess Earth is in good hands, huh?"

Allen smiles, standing up. "Looks like it. But seriously, watch out for the Viltrumites. They don't play fair."

I hover for a second, debating whether I should drop the bomb. "Yeah, about that… I'm a Viltrumite. But I grew up on Earth."

Allen's eyes widen in shock. "You're a Viltrumite? And you're not trying to conquer Earth?"

I grin. "Nope. Earth's my home. If any Viltrumites show up, I'll be right there, fighting with the Coalition against them."

He nods slowly, clearly processing what I just told him. "A Viltrumite, willing to fight for Earth and against his own kind. You're gonna be a game-changer, Invincible. But trust me, the others? They won't make it easy."

I watch as Allen floats backward, getting ready to leave. "If Viltrumites show up, come and let me know. I'll be there to help."

Allen gives me a thumbs-up, still clearly trying to wrap his head around everything. "I'll make sure the Coalition knows. I'm sure hearing the news about a rouge viltrumite back home will surely turn some heads to the cause."

As I head back toward Earth, a smile creeps across my face. The pieces are falling into place. I've got Allen and the Coalition on my side. Thaedus will come next. Things are changing, and I'm not dreading a certain Battle Beast as much now, as I have a way that will ensure I survive while also getting a potential sparring partner.

After everything that's happened—wiping out the Flaxxons, facing off with Allen, and making my way back to Earth—I've started to feel more at ease dealing with threats, even with the Teen Team. I may not be officially part of the team, but I've been helping out enough to where they prefer I don't just take off after patrols are over.. Even Rex, though still clearly insecure, has started to lay off. Well, mostly.

We're all gathered in the Teen Team's HQ, planning out the night's patrol. Robot's running the usual tactical breakdown, assigning people in pairs. As he glances my way, I can tell he's already got a plan.

"Dupli-Kate, you'll team up with Invincible tonight," Robot says, his voice calm and practical. "You two can cover more ground."

I shoot a glance at Rex, half-expecting some snarky comment, but surprisingly, he keeps quiet—though I can tell from his expression he's not thrilled about me tagging along with Kate. Dude, your girlfriend is legit right next to you. I think, deadpaning at him.

Dupli-Kate looks over at me, a little reluctant at first, but she nods. "Alright, sounds good."

I smirk. "Don't worry, I'll do all the lifting." I pause for effect. "Literally."

She raises an eyebrow, already sensing where I'm going with this. "Wait, you mean—"

"Yep," I say, moving closer. "I can carry you. We'll cover the city faster if we're flying."

Kate looks slightly hesitant but eventually sighs. "Fine, but no funny business."

"Scout's honor," I say with a grin.

Without another word, I lift her up, flying us into the night sky, high above the city. The rush of the wind and the bright city lights below make it feel like we're truly on top of the world.

As we soar through the air, I can feel Kate relaxing slightly in my grip. "I have to admit," she says after a while, "this is faster than usual."

"Told you," I reply, keeping an eye on the streets below. "We can cover way more ground this way."

It doesn't take long before we spot something—a group of guys breaking into a warehouse down by the docks. I set us down, and Kate immediately duplicates herself, surrounding the thugs before they even realize what's happening. I step in, flying in quick succession taking out all the thugs. Kate barely get's any action, only getting to duplicate and essential wall them in.

"See? Efficient," I say, dusting off my hands.

Kate just shakes her head, trying not to smile. "Maybe Rex is right about something you show off."

Once we've dealt with the thugs, we take back to the skies, continuing our patrol. The night's quiet after that, with nothing more than the usual city noise. It's a good change of pace, and having Kate along makes the patrol feel like less of a grind.

By the time we get back to HQ, the rest of the team is wrapping up their own patrols. Rex shoots me a glance but doesn't say much, just a quick nod.

"Good work out there," Robot says as we all settle in. "We'll debrief tomorrow."

After the patrol, we all gather at HQ, swapping stories about what we encountered. It's mostly the usual stuff—thugs here, petty crimes there—nothing too serious. Rex, though, seems to be looking for some action.

"So, Invincible," Rex says, his trademark smirk plastered on his face. "You serious about taking an explosion to the face?"

I lean back, already knowing this is going to be good. "Yeah. Totally. I'm telling you, Rex, you couldn't even scratch me."

Rex's eyes light up as he turns to Robot. "Come on, Robot, you gotta let us do this. Just a quick test, no big deal."

Robot hesitates, glancing between the two of us. "I don't think it's necessary—"

Rex cuts him off, grinning. "Invincible is cool with it! What's the harm? We've got the training facility for this kind of stuff, right?"

I nod, playing along. "C'mon, Robot. Let's see if Rex is able to dish it out."

Kate chimes in, shaking her head with a reluctant smile. "This is a terrible idea."

Robot, despite his initial reservations, finally gives in. "Fine. But only if it's done in the training facility—and I'm supervising."

Eve sighs, already resigned to the chaos that's about to happen. "This is a bad idea"

"Maybe," I say with a grin as Rex and I head to the facility.

Inside the training room, Rex starts hyping himself up, loading one of his explosive battens to get as big of an explosion as he can. "You ready for this, man?"

I smirk, standing in front of him. "I was born ready."

Rex pulls back and throws the baton with as much force as he can muster. The explosion erupts with a flash, and I brace myself. There's a loud boom, and when the smoke clears, I'm still standing, completely unfazed—except for one thing. My mask has been blown clean off.

Eve stares, since she knows you haven't told anyone on the team who you are out of costume. Robot let out a mechanical sigh and said my name. "Mark Grayson, aka Invincible, apologies if you feel that I have revealed your identity but well." He points to the remains of my mask.

And Rex?

"Wait," Rex says, pointing at my face. "You're—Mark?! From Eve's school?!"

I rub the back of my neck, a little sheepish. "Oh… right. Uh, guess it slipped my mind that I hadn't told you guys who I was."

Eve shakes her head, laughing under her breath. "I knew it was going to be a bad idea."

Kate crosses her arms, a bit stunned at the explosion, but a little bit at the fact that I hadn't taken damage as she never got to see the full effect of my durability.

In my head, I'm running through everything else I've been juggling. Between my dad's inevitable showdown, destroying the Flaxxon dimension, meeting Allen, and now keeping an eye out for Battle Beast, revealing my identity to the team kind of fell through the cracks.

"Well, guess the secret's out now," I say with a shrug, trying to play it off. "But hey, at least we know Rex's explosives still don't stand a chance."

Rex, clearly stunned by the reveal, can't help but laugh. "You're one cocky bastard, you know that?"

"Yup," I reply, grinning. "But I'm a cocky bastard that can take explosions to the face."