"It's not easy getting back up from a fight. Whether it's physical or mental conflict that happens, there's never an easy way to recover from the fight. Including the one that involved Invincible fighting his father Omni man a year ago, which has left an impact on not just him but the rest of the world who saw him as a hero. Yet out of all the things that he went through as well as had to endure during his beating, he had help from an unlikely creature that stood by his side at the mountain where he was almost killed. Sledge, an intergalactic bounty hunter who along with his crew had crashed onto the planet and became its latest addition of 'heroes' to help keep things together helping out with disasters as well as capturing the outlaws they had caught in space. Each of the group had taken a liking to their adoptive home as well as made friends amongst their residents, yet they were still watched by others who did not trust them. Including Mark Grayson who might one day end up like his father, if he is pushed to the edge."
Morning-Center of the city
The day started like any other being causal and calm with the low level crime activity, that was until there were sounds of thumping going on amongst the buildings as people were fleeing in terror from what was going on. Police were spotted at the scene as they were firing upon a colossal figure that was walking past the alleyway and destroying the sidewalk. It was a massive red cyclops with black pants and armed with metal gauntlets that were punching through buildings with ease as well as looking around the humans that were fleeing from him.
"I want to be president of America and be an astronaut!"
Shouting amongst the humans as the giant walked over to step on a nearby gas station which exploded underneath his foot. Barely feeling anything, the explosion harmed several people and leaving them injured on the ground. Just as the massive cyclops was about to step on them unemotionally, he felt someone tapping on the right side of his shoulder. Turning around confused at who was behind him, the giant was greeted with a fist that collided into his face and sent him tumbling to the ground and shaking the entire block. Taking a moment to see what him, the cyclops steadied his vision to see a familiar figure which was his former captor, Sledge. Who was in his magna form and standing over him as he was just as big as he was.
"Nothing's changed hasn't it Giant? You hear about something big and you want to be it, no wonder your bounty was so high. Always aimed for the bigger prize."
Sledge responded to him as the cyclops was one of his bounties that he had on his ship in the cargo bay. He had a device that was able to keep his giant form at bay and not letting him escape, yet now without the technology to regress him down to size. His fully strength was restored and now he planned on taking it out on his former captor, the giant kicked him in the stomach and launch's him off his feet sending Sledge across in the air and about to hit the street. Luckily, he was stopped by three individuals who caught him during the fall by Black Samson, Monster girl and and Robot who were able to stop Sledge from destroying the street.
"I thought we'd agree that we come at him together as a team than going off solo to avoid collateral damage."
Robot questioned Sledge's decision in taking on the giant head on as the three heroes pushed him back up onto his feet as the giant bounty hunter ignored the leader of the guardians and rushed towards the cyclops. They looked at the two fight as well seeing at the ground was Sledge's team helping out with getting civilians out of harm's way, from Poisandra speeding pass the debris to helping people avoid getting objects dropped on them to Fury slicing the objects apart. Wrench was on the sidelines working on a device that could possibly subdue the giant but was avoiding getting caught in the fight.
"These guys aren't the type to talk plans, just stomp on shit and leave us to handle the clean up!"
Shouted Rex who jumped over several cars and threw his explosive pucks at the giant's feet which were able to affect him. The red cyclops noticed the human as he tried to step on the explosive hero, only for Wrench to pull him from the side to avoid him from getting squashed.
"That's technically not true. I mostly clean up their messes, but right now I've been working on a device that could possibly stop him. Yet it's difficult due to your primitive technology."
He explained to Rex as Wrench continued on his gadget while the hunters and guardians continued to fight the giant as it seemed like they were overpowered. Each of them displayed a different display of moves towards the cyclops but to no avails as he was able to swat them away like they were flys. The giant's gaze noticed Fury who was slicing falling concrete as he remembered the lion from the prison ship.
"You're the one that stole my snacks!"
He shouted in rage as the giant reached out to grab Fury leaving the alien to be unprepared by how to react to the encounter. Feeling Fury in his hand and thinking about how to crush him, the giant opened his palm to not see Fury which left him confused since he felt something in his hand. Taking a closer look, he saw a someone growing out his palm which was Shrinking Rae as she was able to deliver a sucker punch to his face forcing the giant to topple onto a building. Falling in midair, she was caught by Sledge as he placed her back on the block as he continued to hold him off for Wrench to get the device ready.
"Wrench! Stop messing with that toy and handle those fires!"
Black Samson spoke to him since he was the only person that could take care of the flames that had erupted from the stores behind him. Unable to respond back due to his focus on the device, Wrench soon had gotten it working as he was about to activate it. However before he could a billboard was about to land on him, unknowing of the falling sign. He was pushed out of the way by Dupli-Kate as she used one of her clones to save in which resulted in her clone dying at the same time.
"I think your going need more than a toy to take this guy down. And next time please keep your eyes open."
She warned him as Wrench looked over seeing his device had broken under the billboard which left the robot to yell in annoyance at the hours, he spent working on it. Seeing the fires going ablaze, he pulls out his axe and summons water from several broken fire hydrants to put out the fires. As that was going on, Poisandra had finish getting civilians out of the way and saw how her boyfriend was continuing to fight the giant.
"When is this going be over already? There's a new store opening up and I promised Curio, I'd take him there."
Complaining about how the battle was taking too long and wanted to do something fun with her patchwork monster friend who was currently being watched by Mark's mother since he was possibly the only one that was helping her out with what happened to Nolan. She was only answered by the sound of Black Samson being kicked to the side by the giant as it seemed the fight would be continuing until someone found a way to knock the giant down to size. Robot, who was avoiding the cyclops and Sledge had scanned the area for a way to stop the ongoing battle as he found something vital that would give them the advantage.
"There's an abandon parking lot underneath the Giant's feet. Sledge, hold them there while Rex and I set up explosive charges."
Advising the bounty hunter as the armored alien couldn't respond as he was right now locked in a headlock and couldn't escape from it. Firing off several explosives near the street at the right position, Robot didn't notice Sledge's foot coming right in front of him as he hits it by accident was sent flying over to hitting an nearby car. Off balance from the crash and trying to regain focus, he noticed the Giant's foot coming right over him which left him unable to react at the moment.
"Rudy!"
A voice cried out as he was quickly saved by Monster girl as the pair avoided getting stepped on by the Giant. The two saw how the Giant was able to overpower Sledge and uppercuts him back which caused the hunter to step on one of Robot's explosives, the chain reaction sets off right under him sending Sledge into the parking lot below him. Both teams saw how the plan failed with the giant cyclops smiling at seeing Sledge falling down into the hole.
"I won. I won!"
He shouted at his winning and jumping multiple times causing several windows to shatter due to the momentum he was making. Both groups got annoyed at how they would now have to push the giant into the hole in order to end the fight, that was until they heard in the air what sounded like a sonic boom going off as if it came from a jet. Hearing the sound from behind, the giant turned around seeing an incoming projectile as it looked like a cannonball coming directly at him. Unable to catch it in time, the flying object hits him directly into his chest sending the giant into the hole that Robot and Rex made along trapping him down below.
"Dog pile on the cyclops!"
Fury shouted as half of the group rushed into the hole to possibly try and knock out the cyclops before it got the chance to get back up. Meanwhile with Rudy and Monster Girl, the two saw what had been able to knock the giant's balance off. It was Invincible who came in to help out with the giant size fight, looking over to see Robot and Monster girl alright along handling the situation. He shoots off into the air without saying anything as the boy saw how the team had things handled, seeing Invincible going off. Monster girl heard a hissing sound coming from robot as the metal suit opened up showing Rudolph who collapsed on the ground almost frighten like which left her to change back to her normal form to see if he was alright.
"I don't know what happen. My heart was pumping too much and my adrenaline started to become overwhelmed by emotions, this never happens to me."
Rudy explaining what he was feeling as he didn't know what was happening since he had been used to being on the field in his suit after the brain transfer into a actual body. Though right now during the moment he was experience several emotions he couldn't handle, Amanda couldn't help herself but laugh to what he was feeling since it was the first time she noticed him acting scared.
"It's called 'fear' Rudy. We all get it, surprised that you have to feel from almost getting stepped on by a cyclops. But there's a way to replace it, which is with some good old fashion beating."
She informed him about the emotion he was going through and how to deal with it as she changes back to her monster self and jumps into the hole to join the others. While the others were having their fun with beating the giant, Wrench was the only one who didn't participate as he handled the fires and made sure nothing else would burn down.
"Wrench. Why is it that Invincible doesn't join us? With his added strength the battle would be over in seconds."
Robot questioned Wrench on why the half Viltrumite wouldn't participate in handling the fight as the two heard several grunts and punching sounds from the parking lot as the two teams were handling the giant. Seeing how loud the fight was going, Wrench walked over to the side with Robot to explain why Invincible didn't want to stick around for the rest of the fight.
"Today is rather personal due to how it's the first year since the he had with his father."
Reminding him about how the day was when Mark along the rest of the world had discovered the secret of Omni man's background along about where he came from. Rudy remembered it himself when the guardians saw the recordings, especially how the fight took him as well Sledge and Omni man across the world. Just as he continued to think about the graphic memory, the two heard that of huffing coming from the hole as they saw both teams out of breath and tired from the fighting they had with the giant.
"Sledge. Please tell me there no more guys like that you hunted. Because if there are, I'm blowing your ass up to Timbuktu."
Rex expressing an annoyed response to how this was one of the numerous criminals that he and his team had captured along let escape from his ship after they arrived to the planet. Lately they've been on lookout for anyone who might be off world since Sledge's bounties had a act with starting trouble, such as the Giant coming in and proclaiming to be president. As things were settled down and the chaos had eased up, they heard the sound of lighting coming from behind them as it was Cecil Steadman who came in to look around the damage that happened around the streets.
"This take down took too long and the public has paid the price, especially the several hundred thousand dollars in property damage."
The director said without even saying hello or praising them for stopping the giant which infuriated Fury since it wasn't easy taking down the cyclops due to how they didn't have Wrench's technology to help detain him. Sledge stopped the alien lion from shouting since he wanted to see what else the old man had to say to them.
"This wasn't exactly easy for us. The more of Sledge's people we find the more unprepared we are. At least no died and got caught in the fight."
Black Samson pointing out how he didn't tell them about how the Giant was one of the people he captured during his time in space. Which left the bounty hunter to grumble about it since it was his business, not there's. Cecil looked over at the beaten cyclops as he was right now unconscious as well sleeping from the beating he had taken.
"He's my problem. For right now you all need to clean up your act, especially with the new muscle I brought in to help clean up this mess."
Cecil brought up how they needed to act organized as well handle their fights in a professional manner. Both groups were taken by surprise of two floating figures flying above Cecil as they looked up seeing a shocking sight that took everyone by surprise, it was Immortal who seemed like himself but with a serious expression as he looked down on them. The other man by his side had a yellow padded suit and glasses with braided hair who was smiling at the group of heroes and aliens.
"Immortal will be handling duties as leader of the Guardians, it's only due to Robot's new change in becoming human. This is Bulletproof, he's new but has a lot of experience in handling crisis situations."
He introduced the two to them as well moving Robot's position as leader which took them by surprise since the Immortal was the original leader. Bulletproof taking a moment to look at the aliens that came to Earth and started working with Cecil couldn't help but let out a smirk at them.
"No offense but you guys look like your from an eighties cartoon show. Is space really that corny looking?"
The new hero asked them which got most of the hunters upset at his question on their appearance as well wanted to start shouting at him. Though there was much needed cleaning of the area which they'd have to handle since Giant was there bounty. Immortal looked at the Guardians and already took command as he had them start cleaning up the area, much with the hunters since he wasn't fond of them since they were the last aliens he battled before losing his team to Omni man. Cecil however wanted Sledge's attention as he had the green skin alien walk over to the side so he could have a private conversation with him.
"You bring a wannabe Invincible and old geezer back? Thought you'd bring in someone that could actually help out with the group."
Sledge making a remark about the two additions as it would only make more drama since Immortal didn't seem that thrilled seeing a new team of heroes taking the title of his old team who he considered friends. Though that wasn't the reason why Cecil brought Sledge over to speak with him, bringing out his phone he shows him a recording of Mark swooping in to push the giant into the hole and leaving without say anything to them.
"He's been going off on his own handling small time crimes. Super villains, bank robberies and natural disasters. Your supposed to be keeping an eye on him."
He reminded him about the reason why he had Sledge and his crew be taken out of GDA prison was to keep tabs on Mark due to how strong he'd eventually be due to being Nolan's son. Though now keeping a closer eye since there might be a day he could end up being like him, though Sledge didn't see it since he wasn't there when he saw Mark almost beaten to death by his father.
"He's trying to distract himself because of what today is. If you happened to check up on him then you know, hell. Even Eve can't get to him since he's distracting himself with his 'job'. I'll handle it."
Sledge told him how today was affecting him and forcing Mark to do things without telling Cecil. Especially how he was avoiding any kind of contact with him or anyone close to him, the director sighs at how he was handling the matter as it seemed the kid would be impossible to talk to personally if he was occupying himself with crimes. Deciding to play at his own pace, he pulls out a tablet which Cecil shows Sledge a recording of several robberies happening at laboratories around the country. While the green scaled alien wouldn't care about Human technology getting stolen from labs, he was interested that it was the Mauler Twins that we're doing the stealing.
"You might remember these two from the prison you were in. They escaped and are building something, neither or the GDA know about what their making. But it's big and possibly life threatening, if Invincible and tell him about this if he wants to do some actual good."
Cecil giving him orders on tracking down Mark and getting him back on track as well focused on looking after the world he's been trying to protect. Sledge merely grunts at the order since he wasn't the human's agent and disliked being bossed around, he took a moment to kick start his jets which launched Sledge right off the ground and traveling to the direction where Mark was flying off to. Cecil watched from below thinking about how the half Viltrumite was going off on his own handling crisis without informing him or the chance of endangering things around him, while he knew Mark was trying to stray away from his father's true intentions. He couldn't take the risk of letting him go off on his own, the director merely thought that if he went off the rails it would leave Sledge to handle it by himself.
Night Time-The Docks
The morning had passed and Sledge had spent hours chasing down Mark from crime to crime trying to tell him about what was happening with the Mauler Twins. Finally able to reach him and instructing him about where the two escaped prisoners would be, Invincible flew towards the docks near the shore to see where the creation of whatever device the blue twins were doing was happening. Sledge on the other hand, was out of breath as he was sitting by the side of the building with Mark due to how much flying he did for the day.
"Cecil doesn't trust me to handle things on my own, doesn't he?"
Mark questioning Sledge on how that he had gotten the notion of distrust from Cecil since what had happened with Nolan. While he couldn't sugar coat it for the young man since he had been through almost all kinds of pains from physicality to mentality, the bounty hunter had no choice but to give it to him straight.
"Yeah. He doesn't trust me since I let a bunch of criminals go running around on your world, but I don't care. But you might already know the answer to why he might not trust you."
He responded towards Invincible with a question he might know to sense Cecil had kept tabs on him since Omni man left. Taking another look at the building where the twins might be at and there being no activity happening, he decided to indulge in the alien since he owed him from taking the same punishment he received from his father.
"I'm just trying to prove to everyone I'm not him. That I want to help people and not let them see me as someone to fear, but it seems unlikely since my dad left the impression on others how they think I'll be him. Even the guys who protect the planet think so."
Trying to explain what he's been doing for the city as well the people around him that Invincible would be their protector, not conqueror. Yet people seem to still distrust him and would possibly make plans if he'd try to turn on them, Sledge who listens only walked over to slap him upside Mark's head so he could stop acting broody and depressed.
"Then stop doing it for them and do it for yourself dumbass. That's what I do whenever I'm on the hunt, think about myself then others. Because I think you might want to with what's happening in there."
Sledge stated on how he should focus on himself than the opinions of others as they saw the lights in the building going off as well showing an green glow from inside. Getting serious about what might be happening and hearing whatever machine was going on, the two used their methods of flight to come crashing through the rooftop to see what was happening with the Mauler Twins. Taking a moment to examine the scene, they stared at a massive metal rod with several people strapped into it. Near the control panel was the twins who noticed Invincible and Sledge floating above staring at whatever experiment was happening and seemed ready to handle the two.
"Invincible, wait!"
A voiced shouted out towards the young man as Mark looked up seeing one of the people in a chair that seemed to be the center of the machine. Sledge wanted to start shooting at the twins and the machine but was stopped by him since he was confused about what was going on.
"You don't understand. This is for the betterment of our world, it will protect us from everything!"
The man explained at how it seemed whatever the device was designed for would help humanity as well the planet. Though when he heard about 'betterment' about helping everyone left Mark to think about how Nolan suggested that having the empire here would make Earth stronger than ever. Seeing the look on his face if not complying, the man lowered his head in sadness at how he didn't want to fight either him or Sledge. Leaving no choice but to halt them, the man opened several green portals above the two which had individuals landing on them as they were unable to avoid the surprise ambush. The twins noticed something particular about the 'help' their benefactor had called upon as they were alternate versions of themselves from different worlds.
"The hell is this Angstrom? You said that we were special across the multiverse."
One of the Maulers questioning as one of them got hit with their alternate versions by Sledge as the green scaled hunter saw how it was a fair fight. Firing several shots at them from his blaster, he was able to wound them but unable to kill them due to their durability. Knocking him to the side and crashing into several boxes, Mark was having his fill of beatings as the multiple Maulers were overpowering him. He avoided to the best of his ability and tried to withstand the lethal blows he was being given, but eventually was stomped onto the ground by a Mauler and continued to be stepped on.
"Don't kill them! I don't want anyone to die!"
Angstrom shouting over the Mauler's as the sight of seeing the boys bashed and almost bludgeoned to death. Yet the numerous Maulers didn't respond as they were enjoying the moment and taking it slow so they could savor the kill. Unable to accept this moment of how the two didn't know what he was trying to accomplish and fixing his mistake on bringing the alternate Maulers to this Earth, he decides to take matters into his own hands as he was going to deactivate the machine. What he didn't know during the process of the device had gone into critical failure due to him leaving his chair, the Maulers noticed it and rushed over to try and stop Angstrom from leaving. Just as he stood up and from his chair, the machine begun to overload and started a chain reaction that led to an explosion that killed the people around the device as well everyone in the room and sending the entire building crashing on itself.
Later
In the aftermath of the destroyed building and dead Mauler bodies that was left behind was Mark who was left half bruised and his costume burned off during the explosion. He looked around seeing no trace of anyone surviving the explosion along whatever device that the Mauler's made had been destroyed in the process, he was starting to feel unwell at how this was the same type of fear he was expressing during the fight that he had with his dad. His mind continued to wander off in fear and regret before not hearing what sounded like thumping from underneath the rocks. Getting back to the moment and running over to see if there was survivors, Mark lifted most of the destroyed remains and uncovered a surprising sight he didn't expect. Sledge, who had most of his armor destroyed due to the force of the explosion as well him over what seemed to be a half burned female Mauler Twin who appeared unconscious.
"Bout time you heard me. Now help me up with the blue lady here, maybe she can explained what the actual hell was happening."
Sledge announced as he noticed his mask had been destroyed in the process as it made him annoyed at how it took human technology to destroy his armor that he's worn for a millennium. Deciding to help out with carrying the unconscious Mauler woman, the two take her with them to see if they could get Cecil to have her explain what was happening at the building. Not knowing underneath the rubble was another Mauler with a burnt face and not dead, looking over to see the intruders making their leave. It was the perfect time to make his escape since it gave him the advantage that he died during the explosion, yet he heard a weakly groan from the debris as he walked over to see if it might be another twin who survived the destruction.
"My god."
He spoke in horror as it was Angstrom who had been horridly mutated by the device overloading. Most of his head as well entire back had become what looked like a brain, it left the man to hold his head trying to focus on himself but only hearing thoughts from other versions of himself who were sitting on the device. The half deformed Mauler twin could see how Angstrom was acting and trying to recollect his lost experiment and how he had mutated himself.
"He, killed so many of my friends. So many families, the whole world burning. Burning because of him!"
Armstrong shouted in rage as he was seeing through the eyes of one of his alternate versions of either Mark or Sledge terrorizing his home and killing everyone that he knew. The half burnt Mauler didn't know how to approach the mutated man as he witnessed the human's facing having expressions of confusion and anger in distorted manner.
"I need, him dead. I won't stop until he knows my pain. I won't rest until I kill Invincible!"
He called out in the air making a promise to himself as he waved his hand to open a green portal in front of him and running off in a panic manner as he would now plot the downfall of the half Viltrumite boy. This left the half deformed Mauler to be by himself as well giving him the chance to get patched up and prepared due to how the experiment was to make Angstrom the smartest mind across the alternate earth's and make a perfect society, yet now he can tell he would put all his efforts on killing Invincible and anyone else that was close to him.