The tension was palpable as Nolan, Mark, and Battle Beast arrived back on Earth. The familiar blue and green orb was coming into view, and for the first time in a while, Nolan found himself feeling the weight of the responsibility he carried. He looked at Mark, who was already sitting upright, staring ahead with determination.
"Mark," Nolan began, his voice soft yet serious, "I need you to understand something. No matter what happens next, we've prepared for this. You've trained, you've grown, and now you're ready. Don't let doubt get in your way when the fight comes. You're not alone."
Mark turned to his father, a slight frown creasing his brow. "I get it, Dad. I know what I have to do. It's just... I've seen the Viltrimits in action, and they're not like anything we've faced before. They're ruthless. And I'm not sure Earth is prepared for what's coming."
Nolan's gaze hardened. "Earth doesn't have the luxury of being ready. It's never been ready for the fights we've fought. But we don't have a choice. We protect this planet, or we let it fall."
Mark nodded, his jaw set firmly. "I get it. It's just... I want to be sure that what I'm doing is the right thing. That I'm not just fighting because it's what I'm supposed to do."
Battle Beast, who had been silent for most of the journey, leaned in, his deep voice breaking the silence. "The right thing? There's no such thing as the right thing when you're in a fight like this. There's only survival. You fight to survive, and you fight to protect those who can't defend themselves. And you do whatever it takes to win."
Mark glanced at Battle Beast, who had a raw, unfiltered view of combat. "Yeah, I guess you're right. But it's not just about surviving. I can't stop thinking about the lives we're affecting. If we fail... I don't even want to think about it."
"You can think about it after we win," Nolan interjected, his tone firm. "Focus on the fight. The rest will come later."
The ship entered Earth's atmosphere, and the sight of the familiar world below brought a mixture of relief and tension. They were home, but the battle was far from over.
"Let's move," Nolan commanded, standing as the ship touched down. The ship's ramp lowered, and they were met by a handful of the new Guardians of the Globe, who had already gathered in anticipation. Cecil, ever the strategist, stood at the forefront, his eyes scanning the group.
"You're back," Cecil said, nodding at Nolan and the others. "We've got a lot to discuss. The Viltrimits aren't going to wait for us to be ready. They've been sending scout teams to Earth, and every time they attack, they're getting stronger. We need to hit them hard before they establish a foothold."
"Sounds like we're already behind," Nolan remarked. "What's the plan?"
Cecil's face darkened. "We've identified a few key locations where they're operating from. But we can't strike just yet. We need to figure out their numbers, their strength, and their objectives. That's where you come in."
Mark stepped forward. "So, we scout. Find their base, figure out what they're planning, and then we hit them before they can do any real damage."
Cecil nodded. "Exactly. But I'll need all of you to work together. And I'm not just talking about the new Guardians. I need you all to coordinate with us. Nolan, Mark, you've got the most experience with these guys. I'm going to need your expertise."
Battle Beast crossed his arms, his gaze unwavering. "I don't need to be told what to do. I'm in. Let's get to it."
Mark exchanged a glance with his father, and Nolan gave him a slight nod. They were ready. But the reality of the situation hit hard. The Viltrimits weren't just another alien threat—they were ruthless conquerors, and they had no intention of letting Earth slip from their grasp.
"We'll do it," Nolan said. "But I want full intel. I want to know exactly what we're up against before we engage."
Cecil met Nolan's gaze, his face serious. "You'll have it. But time is running out. Every day we wait, they get stronger."
Just then, the ground shook beneath their feet, and the sound of explosions echoed in the distance. Mark's eyes widened, and Nolan's expression turned to stone.
"Looks like they've already made their move," Nolan muttered.
Mark's fists clenched. "Let's go."
With no time to waste, they immediately set off toward the site of the disturbance. As they flew toward the location, Mark couldn't help but feel a sense of dread. They were about to face an enemy unlike any other, and he wasn't sure if they were ready. But as his father's voice echoed in his mind, telling him to focus on the fight, he steeled himself for what was coming.
When they arrived at the scene, the chaos was immediate. The Viltrimits were attacking civilians, their alien forms towering over the panicked people. The new Guardians of the Globe were already on the ground, engaging the enemy, but it was clear they were struggling.
"Get in there, Mark!" Nolan shouted. "Help them out."
Mark didn't hesitate. He rocketed into the fray, his fists flying as he took down one Viltrimit after another. Battle Beast followed closely behind, eager for the fight. The new Guardians were doing their best, but it was clear they were outmatched.
Nolan scanned the battlefield, his eyes locked on the remaining Viltrimits. "This isn't good. We need to end this quickly before they bring in reinforcements."
Cecil's voice crackled over the comms. "We've got backup coming, but it's going to take time. You're going to have to hold them off until then."
Mark's voice was gruff as he took down another Viltrimit. "Don't worry. We've got this."
But as he landed next to his father, he felt a sharp pang of doubt. The Viltrimits weren't just a threat—they were a full-scale invasion waiting to happen. And with every moment they hesitated, they risked losing everything.
Back at the Grayson household, the rest of the family was watching from the monitors. Gebbie stood by the window, her expression worried as she watched the chaos unfold.
"We need to do something," she said, her voice tight with concern. "I can't just sit here while they fight."
Naruto and Sasuke exchanged a glance. "We can't sit here either," Naruto said, his fists clenched. "Let's help them!"
"It's too dangerous," Sasuke replied, his voice calm but firm. "We'll just get in the way."
But Mark's words from earlier echoed in his mind: We fight to protect those who can't defend themselves.
"Maybe we can't fight right now," Naruto said. "But we can do something. We can help them however we can."
Gebbie sighed, a small smile tugging at her lips. "You're right. But we have to stay smart. No reckless moves."
The family watched, waiting, as the battle raged on. The storm was far from over.