"It's not often for change to happen in a city full of civilians, villains, heroes and a small ratio of creatures from space. Ever since the day that Omni Man left Earth, Mark Grayson has been doing his best to try and be better. Which involved picking up the slack of becoming the next great hero, as well assuring to the people that he wouldn't go evil like his father. Though it's been troubling for a bit, however with his new relationship to Eve thanks to his rather 'unique' friends from space. It's gotten rather easy, except that they weren't the peaceful kind of aliens but the bounty hunter kind. Luckily they themselves have made a home here, as well haven't tried to break anything. Still, the lingering fear of any of the prisoners that Sledge he had captured were still out there, wandering in the shadows."
Rooftop-Morning
On a normal morning within the city that had fully gotten repaired and now was back to it's normal self. On patrol and looking over the city was Mark, who was right now drinking a slushie as he saw nothing happening. In the back resting on a chair was Sledge, who was right now observing a phone he was given by Cecil since he needed to 'blend' in as a civilian when he wasn't aiding Mark.
"Seriously. What's the deal with this crap, my ship could have gotten better connection than this."
Sledge complaining of how he couldn't understand this, along got aggravated of how he didn't know how to get it working. The armored alien tried to get the settings to the right mode but merely made the phone flash himself in the face.
"Ah fuck this crap!"
Now angered as he threw it across Mark's side, however the yellow suit teen was able to grab it before the phone flew right off the building and crashing into the street. Mark chuckled at the sight of Sledge getting upset at the phone, more or less about to destroy a phone.
"If you had thrown this, it either smack right into someone killing that person. Or break a national landmark, and I knew that from experience when I threw a garbage bag from a fast food joint to the United Kingdom."
Mentioning how he accidentally threw something with that kind of momentum which was sent across the country. Since he remembered hearing it from the news, along that it taught him how to ease up on throwing things. Mark took a look at the screen to see a photo of Sledge looking idiotic as he laughed a bit at the image.
"Alright I'm a idiot for almost going do a homerun. Now give it back."
Sledge saying in a annoyed tone as he tried to grab the phone back, however Mark was much more faster than Sledge as the black haired Viltrumite continued to mess with him a bit more. Flying right above him, Sledge got rather upset due to how he had the advantage of flying without the need of a jetpack. Gripping his fist, he got more upset leading to Sledge suddenly growing.
"Shit!"
Mark shouted as he avoided getting catch by Sledge's large hand, though as he took the moment. Sledge looked at himself smiling at how he noticed himself becoming big again. The flying teen noticed his friend's new size along looked surprised of how he manage to use his power.
"Wow. It takes getting you annoyed to unlock your, 'giant form'? What are you calling it again?"
Asking the green alien seeing how for the past weeks Sledge has been trying to master it for a while. The only time that he's been able to use it was when he was eaten by that giant monster. After that moment, the bounty hunter has been focusing on mastering this new power.
"Giant form? That's for geeks and rookies. No, I was thinking. Magna mode."
Answering him on how he wanted to have a name that would both be awesome along powerful. Smiling underneath his armored mask, Mark merely shook his head at the mention of the name that Sledge had came up with.
"When did you learn Latin? Cause that word means 'great'. So your basically saying 'great' mode. Now that is for rookies."
Explaining to him about the room which made Sledge grumble towards him as well slowly revert back to his average size. Seeing this saddening defeat, Mark throws back his phone in which right where Sledge had caught it. The device begun making several bleeps which got the bounty hunter rather excited, while Mark was left a bit confused.
"Finally. The mode that Wrench put it in works, I can finally track my bounties."
Doing a exposition about what else his phone could do, including that of a alien tracking device. Floating downwards to Sledge's side to look at the screen, it showed a whole background of the city layout as well of the buildings. Right now it apparently was showing three alien signatures that was located at Machine Head's old penthouse. The reaction on Mark's face merely looked sadden due to how he knew what might be happening.
"What's with the look? You noticed anyone that might be from me and is in there?"
Sledge asked seeing how if Mark knew anything then he should say it, however the masked kid shakes his head due to how there was something else there. Remaining quiet for a bit, he breathed in since it was the same place where the two had felt extreme pain and almost died.
"After we spent a whole week at the hospital. I decided to check the penthouse, and right now. Titan is in control, and has not only that Gold Digger fella of yours. But Bones and Slammer, their apparently his body guards since he took over."
Informing him that while Sledge was recovering from his injuries, Mark healed much quickly as well wanted to see what happened at the penthouse. Instead of it being taken by GDA agents, it was loaned off to someone who offered all of Machine Head's criminal activities as well several other crimes that he was involved. Titan, who then took ownership of the building.
"That rock headed bastard? Who now has three of my bounties? All those together make around sixty bullions."
Finding out that after helping out that rock man, he not only takes the penthouse for himself. But apparently has three of his aliens under his custody and now as personal bodyguards. Pulling out his blaster he planned on going right to the penthouse and blowing it up. However Mark stopped him seeing how there was much more he needed to explain.
"There's more, he hasn't been involved with any criminal activities. So far he's been looking after his family, and just trying to stay legit. Which is possible it might not be true."
Giving him a bit of a positive side that those monsters that they and the rest of the guardians battled haven't done anything illegal. Sledge shook his head not trusting the idea that rock head decided to go legit. More or less have his monsters be at arms length making sure they didn't cause any trouble.
"We can't exactly crash in and start attacking. Besides, bet there other creeps out there your trying to find right?"
Suggesting to Sledge that unlike space where there seemed to be no rules, there were here on Earth which irritated Sledge since he caught them fair and square. Mark could tell there was another reason why his 'friend' seemed rather upset this morning.
"The only 'creep' out there is the reason why me and my crew as well a ton full of expensive criminals are on this planet. And I don't know if he exploded on that ship or crashed here."
Informing Mark that out of the numerous aliens that he's been after, there was one that appeared to be the reason for Sledge ending up here and having his new look. The young adult was still confused since he wasn't informed on who this 'creep' was. In which with how the both have spilt the same blood as well dealt with a lot of drama, it would be alright to tell Mark who he was chasing down.
"Snide. The guy that we were chasing after, before we came here. The guy had a huge bounty on him, he was responsible for destroying ten planets. Some of them had life and the others he did it to prove he was dangerous."
Starting off the story of this formidable outlaw that seemed possibly as dangerous as the Viltrumites that his dad told them about. Since they had conquered worlds to bring them into the Viltrum empire, however this psychopath destroying planets out of intimidation and anger. Sledge was able to make the phone show a hologram of what Snide appeared to be, which was a ammonite creature with a yellow eye as well a red core on his chest.
"Me and the crew had napped another outlaw when we heard about when he stole a experimental weapon. Whatever it did was strong enough to send us flying into it, like a black hole which shot us half ass from where we were to here."
Explaining about that of a teleportation device that was possible of bringing them here to Earth and causing this trouble. Which didn't seem that unusual since last month he had went to Mars with Fury. So interdimensional travel didn't sound so far fetched.
"Ok. So we possibly have another mad man that could destroy this planet without breaking a sweat. Do you think it's possible he survived the crash? Since he kind of got sucked in by this 'void' weapon."
Mark asking that if this creature had survived the journey. More or less if he could be tracked down, Sledge merely remained silent not knowing if Snide could have survived the crash. As the pair continued to have the moment between one another, Mark was receiving a call from his phone which apparently was coming from none other than Robot.
"Invincible. We need you to come to base, along with your friends. There's something you all need to see."
Requesting for his and the hunters reports seeing how just as Sledge had finished their conversation about Snide. They had gotten a call that required their presence, meaning it was important.
"Guess it's time to see the new and improved Guardians of the Globe."
Informing Sledge as he did a small head start in flying up in the air, while for Sledge had to activate his jets. Making sure that his jets were activated, he soon begun to launch up in the air like a missile and begun to fly. Mark moved past him as the green skin alien flew west.
"Damn it, hey Sledge! You need me for the directions to the base!"
Shouting to his friend as he flew right after the armored alien seeing how he might be going to his base where the others were out. More or less tell them about being invited over to the Guardians base as they apparently wanted to see them.
The New Guardians of the Globe HQ
Being inform by the invitation, Invincible lead the group of bounty hunters to the base where they walked down a small tunnel where they would meet the team. As everyone was noticing the rocky terrain of the environment. Fury, out of the bunch was getting annoyed of how far they were walking since this seemed important.
"Couldn't we had at least video call these people? The walking I've done was more than enough when I was on Mars."
The cat complaining of how they weren't even close to meeting the others, until coming out to a bright light. They had finally arrived at the Guardians main room, where they saw a huge monitor with several windows showing the city. It had some advance equipment within the cave as well looking much more serious than the old base.
"Do you think they have pets? Like bats? Because Fury calls me a lazy cat whenever I'm laying on the couch. I wanna meet the Guardian's pet."
Curio asking as well not taking the situation serious since he possibly didn't know what was going on. Continuing to wait, they soon heard a pair of doors showing that of the new guardians to greet them. Rex, was in front while the others followed.
"Well look who it is, suppose best friends apparently bounty hunters. Should have guessed since you man there Sledge looks like a wannabee Boba Fett."
Making a remark to Sledge as the armored alien gripped his fist seeing how while he may have been less of a ass since the fight at Machine Head's building. He apparently still had a smart mouth, which could still get on anyone's nerves.
"Pardon us but you invited us to see something important, what is it?"
"A message."
A voice from behind the Guardians answering Wrench's question since this wasn't exactly a greetings but of vital urgency. Coming from behind the hero team was a light brown skin male with orange hair, and light brown eyes. Invincible and the others looked confused at the sight of the kid. More or less of who he was since he apparently had the guardians by his side.
"Aw. There letting kids join the team? He's so adorable."
Poisandra stating as she rushed over to give the 'kid' a hug seeing how he did look rather cute. The others looked surprise at the sight of the pink haired alien girl, more or less the kid since he was nervous at close he was to her chest.
"Poisandra? It is me, Robot."
Introducing himself to her which made Mark as well the aliens looked shocked at the sight. As well leaving Poisandra to slowly place him back down and shake her hands of how she remembered who Robot was. Along noticing on the side Rex removing his mask which looked much like the kid, only more mature. This side made Fury laugh in a obscure manner of how he recognized it.
"Holy hell, you just hugged a mini Rex!"
Laughing at how Poisandra apparently hugged a younger version of the obnoxious hero, leaving her to be disgusted at the sight and return to Sledge's side. Robot however, remained calm since it was a shock for the team.
"My actual name is Rudolph Conners. And this body is, rather complicated in making since it required DNA from someone I. Didn't have permission to get, as well taking time to accept."
Explaining how he had borrowed that of Rex's blood to clone himself a real life body that he could interact with others. It still felt messed up along looked hard to accept this, though Mark still wanted to know about this recent call.
"Ok. Before this turns into some sort of soap opera episode, can you tell us what exactly is going on? Please."
Invincible trying to keep everyone on track since they were brought here for a important reason. Walking over to the side was Black Samson who was willing to do the same since this new reveal was taking up much time. Typing in several keys he was able to bring up a image of a small neighborhood that had been destroyed.
"Cecil has made several reporters keep their noses out of the attack, since this attack revolves a message for Sledge."
Samson explaining to the aliens of how this was a message for him, Rudolph coming over to the monitors was able to make the image go horizontal view where the buildings and several rocks were able to display that of a strange symbol.
"We've already hit up books of what this symbol means. And judging how it's alien its possibly for you guys."
Monster Girl telling the group as Sledge took a better look at it like if it was a riddle, more or less something that the five aliens could figure out. Wrench took a moment to have his optics do a complete scan trying to figure out what it was.
"It's a message. The symbol represents vendetta, as well this type of destruction can come from one monster. Snide."
Sledge explaining to them as it made the bounty hunters got unnerved of who was responsible for this. In which meant the same alien who they had been chasing across the galaxy had survived the trip, as well now on Earth. Possibly trying to get revenge of his own, the Guardians could tell from the expression on the aliens faces that this was a foreboding sign.
"Fucking A, another problem coming from someone within the group. Unlike Invincible, it came from you all who were responsible for the monsters we fought at Machine Head's place."
Rex calling out on unlike Mark's dad who wasn't exactly all good, this problem came from Sledge and the others who came down with possibly a whole army of wanted aliens. Fury, growled at the explosive human since he remembered being there when he fought by their sides.
"And maybe you should consider it a problem now that unlike those clowns we fought, Snide is a serious threat. And I think you should let the big boys handle it. Or your kid version since he's more mature."
The alien lion responding back at Rex as the two were slowly beginning to charge their abilities possibly going to start fighting each other. Both teams begun to try and defuse the moment while in the back, was a pair which was Shrinking Ray and Curio who were watching the group arguing on who's fault it was and how they could handle it.
"I hate arguments. No one ever wins in the moment."
"I know little buddy. It leaves people like us on the sideline to watch."
The glasses wearing woman responding to the stitched up monster as the two groups continued their conversation. Turning back to the monitor, Shrinking Ray noticed something on the screen which looked like a clue. She turned back seeing the group of masked humans and aliens arguing further, this had to end quickly.
"Don't suppose you have anything in that handbag that could stop idiots from yelling?"
Ray asking him in a kind manner as the feline face nodded to her as Curio opened up his bag pulling out numerous items. Apparently just like the others, Curio had been given a unique ability that involved holding various items. Pulling out a airhorn, Ray covered her ears as the stitched up monster pressed it. Leaving a powerful sound to come right at the group making them all cover their ears. It stopped the argument and turned to the pair.
"Ray found something important."
Curio said as the others looked confused at what he meant, in which they looked at the monitor where the symbol was made. Rudolph walked to the console where he saw it to, right underneath the concrete he pressed a key making it zoom in where they noticed a newspaper with it untorn as well easy to read.
"Iron Mile under construction, few months needed until opening."
Reading the sentence as it appeared to be a location spot where Snide was at, meaning that it would be obviously a trap that Snide was setting up for them. A moment of silent had engulfed the cave seeing how they had a idea where they would be heading.
"Just a thought. Maybe we should turn our aggression towards him instead of us? Seeing how where suppose to be going after bad guys?"
Duplikate suggesting as the others could agree that with how ill tempered everyone had seem to get. Snide would be the perfect punching bag, which had the group agree in going after him.
"So it's settled, we should go in and take him down before he destroys any other neighborhoods."
Black Samson suggesting as they would make sure they were fully equipped for whatever they might face. As they did so, Mark along Sledge and Poisandra looked at the symbol seeing that this was almost like what Omni Man did.
"Poisy? I want you to take Curio and meet up with Mark's girl."
Sledge making a call to his girlfriend to take herself and Curio to meet up with Eve since if they would be going after a creature responsible for destroying ten planets all by himself. He wanted her to be with someone that could protect her as well Curio.
"Like hell I will, the times you and Mark have gotten your asses kicked. Was when we weren't there, and now that your both dating powerful women. We're not letting you get killed."
She stated to them of how that this was a lesson that Mark needed to learn, that after getting almost killed multiple times. Some people will care, but after you get a girlfriend with powers that defy almost anything. It's better not to do anything dangerous behind her back.
"Got a problem with that Invincible?"
Turning to Mark seeing if he had a problem with not telling Eve about that he might get almost hurt or have his bones broken again. From the look that Poisandra was giving him, he shook his head confirming he had no problem with it. Poisandra merely huffed at the boys while grabbing Curio as she ran right out of the base in a pink blur, leaving the boys speechless.
"So, who took more in charge in space?"
The black haired teen asking Sledge in which the armored bounty hunter merely groaned in a annoyed tone of how it was pain where Poisandra when something like this happen. She would take control of the moment, and win the argument. So they would have to get everything ready and possibly end Snide before the girls come to aid them. However Sledge never fought Snide before, so he won't know how to fight against him. So they would have to be on their game when they come against a destroyer of ten planets.
