It was supposed to be a simple family day. Nolan had decided that, after everything that had happened—training, fighting, and more training—it was time for a bit of fun. A break from the chaos, just to unwind and bond. He bought an old bus for the family—one that would fit everyone comfortably. It was all set. A trip to the zoo, where they could see the animals, let off some steam, and just enjoy a rare moment of normalcy.
The bus was packed, and everyone was excited. Mark was still feeling the weight of his recent battle with Anissa, but he was doing his best to shake it off. Naruto, Sasuke, and Itachi were bouncing around, excited to see the animals. Minato and Kakashi were as calm as ever, though even they couldn't help but smile at the kids' energy. Battle Beast, despite his intimidating demeanor, had been looking forward to the outing more than he cared to admit.
The trip was going smoothly. As they rolled up to the zoo, Mark was sitting by the window, looking out with a distant expression.
"Alright, everyone! Zoo time!" Nolan announced enthusiastically as he pulled the bus to a stop. The doors opened, and they all piled out.
They walked through the gates, the sounds of excited chatter and animal calls filling the air. The kids immediately ran toward the lion exhibit, and Nolan watched them go with a proud smile. His family was safe, happy, and they deserved this peaceful day.
But that peace was short-lived.
Out of nowhere, a loud explosion rattled the air, followed by screams of terror. People in the zoo were scrambling, some running in every direction, some cowering in fear. Nolan's head snapped toward the source of the explosion.
A figure cloaked in black appeared in the distance, standing atop a large building. His silhouette was unmistakable, and the power radiating from him sent a shiver down Nolan's spine.
"Looks like someone's decided to ruin our family day," Nolan muttered under his breath.
"Who is that?" Mark asked, frowning as he squinted in the direction of the villain.
"I don't know, but it doesn't matter," Nolan said, turning to the rest of the family. "Get inside the bus. Stay out of sight. This is a job for Mark."
Mark's expression darkened. "Dad, I—"
"No arguments," Nolan cut him off. "You're a superhero. This is what you trained for. I'll be nearby, but I need you to handle this on your own. It's time to step up."
Mark hesitated, but only for a moment. He knew his dad was right. He had to start taking responsibility.
"I'll do it," Mark said, determination filling his voice.
"Good. You've got this." Nolan nodded, a proud smile playing on his lips.
As Mark headed toward the scene, Nolan watched him go, then turned to the others. "Stay here. It's safer inside."
The rest of the family scrambled back into the bus, but Nolan stayed outside, watching Mark approach the villain. He could sense the tension in the air, the same feeling he had every time a battle was about to begin.
Mark approached the villain cautiously, his fists clenched at his sides. The man on the building smirked, noticing Mark's approach.
"Well, well, well. A hero. How quaint," the villain said, his voice dripping with mockery. He jumped down from the building with ease, landing with a ground-shaking thud.
Mark didn't flinch. He stood his ground, ready for whatever came next.
"Who are you?" Mark asked, his voice steady.
The villain laughed. "I'm the one who's going to make this zoo a whole lot more interesting. You heroes are always so predictable."
Before Mark could respond, a group of other heroes appeared, rushing in to handle the situation. They surrounded the villain, prepared to engage. Mark stood back, watching the scene unfold, but after a few minutes, it became obvious that they had things under control. The villain was powerful, but not enough to take down a group of trained heroes. They fought, but Mark realized he wasn't needed for this battle.
He stood there for a moment, then turned and walked back to the bus. He wasn't sure if he should feel relieved or disappointed, but one thing was certain—he wasn't needed here.
As he walked back toward the bus, he heard a voice behind him.
"Leaving so soon, kid?" The villain shouted from a distance, but Mark didn't turn around.
He stepped back into the bus, where his family was waiting.
"Everything okay?" Nolan asked, his tone casual.
Mark sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, they've got it handled. I didn't really need to do anything."
"Sounds like a typical day for you, huh?" Nolan chuckled.
Mark nodded, still feeling conflicted. "Yeah, guess so. Just weird when you think you're needed and then you're not."
"Don't worry about it," Nolan said, patting him on the back. "You did your part by being there. You're learning, and that's what matters."
"Yeah," Mark agreed, feeling a bit better. He glanced back at the zoo, where the sounds of fighting had faded, leaving only a slight echo. "I guess the zoo's not as fun when someone tries to destroy it."
Nolan chuckled. "You're not wrong about that. But hey, we're here to have fun, so let's not let some villain ruin it, alright? The animals aren't going anywhere."
Mark grinned. "Right."
The family piled back into the bus, and Nolan started the engine, heading deeper into the zoo. This time, they were determined to make the most of it.
As they continued their trip, Mark found himself feeling a little better. The day might have started with an interruption, but it was far from ruined. There would be other battles, other villains, but for now, he could enjoy a peaceful day with his family—something that felt harder to come by these days.
"Alright, kids," Nolan said with a smile. "Let's go see the elephants."
The kids cheered, and for a moment, everything was perfect again.