---
(Inside a comic book store)
The TV was on, broadcasting breaking news about Omni-Man's recent betrayal.
The store owner was deep in conversation and hadn't noticed the news.
He was chatting with a customer.
A kid who had come in to buy comics noticed the TV and said,
"Could you turn up the volume, please?" the young boy asked.
"Sure," the store owner replied, turning it up.
"Shortly after defeating the alien invasion, Omni-Man was seen killing civilians," the reporter said. "Witnesses claim they saw him murder Immortal, one of the Guardians of the Globe."
---
Debbie was at home doing laundry.
She carried a basket full of dirty clothes through the house.
As she passed in front of the TV, the news caught her attention.
"Witnesses say Omni-Man just killed Immortal. It looks like the Guardians are fighting him… Something's going on," said the reporter.
"We don't know much yet. All we know is they're currently in battle. From what we can see, Omni-Man appears to be attacking Immortal unprovoked."
Debbie, who had been standing, sat down on the couch, still holding the laundry basket. Her expression turned somber and thoughtful.
Just as she was watching, the phone rang. She stood up and answered it.
"Debbie, we need to talk. I want you to come here,"
"Cecil?" Debbie asked, confused.
---
"Son, we need to talk…" Nolan said, covered in blood, staring at Mark.
"You damn traitor!" shouted War Woman, swinging her mace and striking him.
"You bastard!" Martian Man added, landing a punch.
Mark felt dizzy. His vision was starting to blur.
---
Red Rush sprinted in and pulled Immortal out of the fight. He was still alive—badly injured, but alive.
Immortal would only truly die if his body was completely torn apart.
Red Rush carried him far away to safety. After being helped, Immortal tried to say thank you, but his mouth was full of blood.
"I know…" Red Rush whispered, looking back toward the others.
---
Martian Man and War Woman struck Nolan in the face at the same time.
He felt the impact and stumbled back. The hit had clearly hurt him—at the very least, it left him disoriented.
Nolan clenched his fists, ready to strike back.
Mark couldn't believe this was his father. He thought maybe someone was controlling him.
He flew at Nolan and punched him hard, sending him flying—though it was obvious Nolan allowed the hit to land.
Mark grabbed his father's head, searching for any kind of device that might be controlling him.
They were moving fast. The flying Guardians followed close behind.
"Someone's controlling you…" Mark said, shaking Nolan's head.
"Dad… Dad… Please, tell me how to stop this," Mark begged.
"Mark…"
"Stop controlling my dad! Please!" Mark shouted, still checking Nolan for a device.
"That's enough," Nolan said, grabbing Mark's arm and hurling him through the air.
"It's me, Mark. It's really me."
Mark looked at him in disbelief.
"I didn't want it to come to this, but I have no choice," Nolan said.
"It's time you learned where I really come from…"
Nolan and Mark had moved far from the other Guardians, though they were still approaching fast.
"I'm from Viltrum, but it's not exactly how I told you. We built a perfect civilization, but it wasn't easy…"
(Flashes of Viltrumites fighting and killing each other in the Great Purge)
"To achieve our full potential, we had to eliminate the weak from our society. It was a long, brutal process."
"In the end, only half our population survived—but those who did were unstoppable."
"When I was born, Viltrum had already become the greatest empire in our galaxy. There was one race that nearly defeated us… but we won."
"We set out to make Viltrum the ultimate power in the galaxy."
"When I was old enough, I went to war. It was hard… but I always believed in our cause."
"Some species resisted, of course, but none lasted long. Soon, our empire ruled thousands of worlds."
"But as our territory grew, our expansion slowed," Nolan said.
"We needed a better way to conquer planets."
"So each of us was assigned a world to weaken from within. I was one of the lucky ones," Nolan continued.
"I couldn't tell your mother why I was here… but that part is finally over," he said.
"Now we have to prepare Earth to join the Viltrum Empire."
Mark listened in shock, tears streaming down his face.
"Mark, this is good news. We can finally fulfill our purpose, our destiny."
"You lied to me…" Mark said, his head down.
"You couldn't have known the truth… not before getting your powers. Not until I was sure," Nolan said.
"Sure of what…?" Mark asked.
"Sure that you're a Viltrumite."
"And if I wasn't? I'd just be another human for you to conquer?" Mark asked, his voice rising.
"No, that's not—this doesn't make sense."
Mark got closer, pointing a finger in Nolan's face.
"You love me. You love Mom. I know you do!" Mark shouted.
Nolan turned his head away, looking conflicted.
"Do you have any idea how long we live?"
"The older we get, the slower we age. Our DNA is so pure that you're practically pure ."
"You'll live for thousands of years, son. Do you understand what that means?"
"Everyone you know and love will be dead long before you even look thirty. That's not something I wanted for you…"
"This world isn't yours, it's theirs. But we can help. We can stop wars, end hunger, provide technology centuries ahead…"
"I was already doing that. If it weren't for me, this planet would've burned long ago."
"All we need to do is welcome Earth into our empire."
"I truly love your mother, but… to me, she's more like a pet."
"A pet?" Mark said, stunned.
"This is the only way, Mark," Nolan said, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't touch me," Mark snapped, furious.
"Calm down."
"I won't calm down! This is insane! What do you expect me to do—help you enslave my friends for some alien empire I don't even know?"
"This is my life. These are my people."
"We have a duty to Viltrum…"
"I don't give a damn about Viltrum! I don't care if I live a million years—this is my home, and I'm not letting you destroy it!" Mark shouted.
"You don't know what you're saying… and I can't let you interfere," Nolan said.
"I know exactly what I'm saying," Mark replied, readying himself for a fight.
"So be it," Nolan answered.
---
The Guardians were closing in—War Woman, Martian Man, and the rest.
They were all furious at Nolan's betrayal.
---
Cecil was at GDA headquarters, watching the entire conversation through drones and satellites.
Everything Nolan said had been heard by Cecil and his agents.
And, unfortunately… Debbie heard it all too.