Invincible: Blood of Two

"If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter," ...Blaise Pascal

The streets of Liberty City were chaos. Civilians screamed and scattered, scrambling from collapsing buildings and writhing, mutated reptiles that once were men, women and even kids. The Lizard League had returned, and this time, their plan was more diabolical than usual— to turn an entire city into lizard hybrids with a modified airborne mutagen. They'd hijacked a chemical plant and were already dispersing the toxin into the skyline.

Above the skyline, the Guardians of the Globe were already in motion.

A swift red figure darted through the street—this was Red Rush. He wore a form-fitting crimson suit adorned with his stylized superhero initials, "RЯ", prominently displayed on his chest. His attire included transparent, red-tinted visors, and his boots produced audible skids at each abrupt halt. Speaking into his communications device in a rapid cadence marked by a Russian accent, he reported, "Evacuation is nearly complete—the north quadrant is clear."

"Don't forget the alley behind 34th," said Green Ghost, whose superhero name reflected her ability as she phased through a bus to reach a child hiding inside. She reappeared next to Red Rush, holding the child while wearing a green suit that covered her entire body. "Last one on this block."

"Why do lizards always choose Tuesdays?" Red Rush remarked, handing the child off to paramedics at near-blur speed.

Positioned atop a substantial metal beam above the chemical plant, Immortal—a tall, muscular Caucasian male attired in a blue jumpsuit accented with white and yellow stripes—confronted Komodo Dragon, recognized as the League's most formidable member. The intensity of their encounter generated powerful shockwaves, akin to the report of cannon fire. Immortal, identifiable by his steel-blue eyes and the prominent "I" insignia, engaged the reptilian opponent whose scaled arms enhanced his imposing presence. Although Komodo Dragon initially matched Immortal in strength, he was rapidly being subdued.

"Have you ever considered joining a gym rather than causing disruption in cities?" Immortal said firmly.

Komodo responded with a hiss and attempted to strike Immortal's face, but was countered by a forceful, steel-plated punch to the jaw sending him flying straight down.

Beneath them, Martian Man an extraterrestrial entity with light olive skin. His head is distinctly rectangular and elongated. His eyes entirely yellow. He wore a suit featuring light yellow across the chest and mid-arms, with light purple adorning the upper and lower body; each section is accented by white outlines. His arms, capable of shifting into a gelatinous form, deftly deflect acid projectiles from Salamander who seemed to be a mix of humanoid and reptilian features. He had scales and a long tail with him extending his tongue to snap like a whip at the martian.

"You exhibit a level of aggression that is concerning," Martian Man remarked.

Aquarus, the blue-skinned King of Atlantis with fins on his back and arms, wore green and white Atlantean armor outlined in yellow. He aimed at the salamander and unleashed twin jets of high-pressure water from his hands, sending it flying. "And disturbingly slimy," he finished.

"Watch the tail," Martian Man warned, just as Salamander recovered and spun, slashing with his claws & barely missing his throat.

On a nearby rooftop, Darkwing—a tall, well-built African-American man—crouched in the shadows, studying city blueprints on his tablet. His dark costume featured a black mask with white eyelids, a sharp cape, and a single-pointed cowl, accented by light grey on the chest and thighs. His voice came through the comms.

"I found it. They're targeting the old subway lines. Vents link directly to the water grid. If the mutagen hits the pipes, it's game over."

At that moment, Queen Lizard—characterized by a physique reminiscent of a Komodo Dragon yet distinctly feminine features—stepped out from the shadows behind him. "A perceptive little bat," she remarked crisply.

Darkwing turned slowly. "Didn't anyone teach you not to sneak up on people?"

She hissed as she lunged after him slashing at his face just for him to dodge as her claws slashed through the walls he was just in front off a moment ago. Blades flashed, smoke filled the air. Queen Lizard attacked fiercely, but Darkwing was faster, moving like a living shadow.

A block away, a skyscraper groaned, on the verge of collapse. Omni-Man hovered beneath it, arms extended upward, holding an entire corner of the structure with little strain.

"Need a hand there, big guy?" War Woman asked, identifiable by two large braids with gold hair ties, wore a plain azure cape and armor covering her from neck to toe, except for her shoulders and upper arms. Her gauntlets, greaves, breastplate, and belt were gold with brown trim, while the armor on her thighs and abdomen were white. She broke the pavement after restraining some mutated lizards and propelled herself into the air, flying beside him.

"Nah," Omni-Man grunted. "Just your typical Thursday."

"You think Lizard League actually thought this would work?"

"They're persistent. I'll give them that."

"Persistent and stupid," War Woman added, then flew off to finish the cleanup.

Moments later, Queen Lizard was down, unconscious beside Darkwing, who dusted off his cape.

"Think that's the last of 'em?" Red Rush zipped up beside him.

Darkwing nodded. "For today."

From above, Omni-Man checked his wrist communicator. A text from Debbie: "Marcus gets his results today. You promised."

"Duty calls," Nolan muttered, then shot off in a crimson blur, leaving the Guardians of the Globe to handle cleanup as Immortal shook his head at him.

Meanwhile — Back in America

Marcus sat beside Debbie outside the principal's office, legs swinging beneath the chair.

"I swear to God, if that man doesn't show up on time…" Debbie muttered under her breath. "He could save the planet from an alien invasion and still be late for dinner."

Marcus chuckled, trying to mask the anxiety bubbling inside him.

A gust of wind burst through the hallway window. Nolan arrived in a split second, hair windswept and his changed clothes still smudged with leftover soot.

"Sorry," he said. "Traffic."

Debbie glanced upward and remarked, "You just made it, hero," as she brushed soot from his shoulders. Marcus, still astonished each time he witnessed his father's speed, thought to himself, "One day, that will be me."

The door opened. "Grayson family? Come on in," Principal Colan said warmly.

They took their seats. The principal looked over his glasses. "So, how's everyone doing today?"

"Anxious," Debbie replied, arms crossed. "Let's get to it."

Colan chuckled. "Right. I'll be honest—Marcus is one of the most impressive students I've ever evaluated. He scored at the collegiate level in all categories."

Debbie blinked. Nolan raised a brow.

"College?" Marcus repeated.

Colan nodded. "Technically, we could put you in twelfth grade today."

Marcus's mouth opened. He had not expected that.

"However," Marcus said slowly, "Can I start at eleventh instead?"

Colan tilted his head. "Any reason why?"

"I want to ease into it. Make sure I earn it."

Debbie looked at Nolan, who nodded with a proud smirk.

"He's got a good head on his shoulders," Colan said. "I was going to recommend eleventh anyway. He can start next week."

He handed Debbie a list. "Here's what he'll need. And he can enjoy the rest of the week off."

The Grayson's left the office grinning. Outside, Debbie hugged Marcus tight.

"You did it!"

Nolan smiled. "I always knew you were special."

"Can we go celebrate?" Marcus asked.

Nolan smiled mischievously. "Berlin okay?"

Later That Evening

They touched down in the backyard just as Mark was walking home from school. He stopped, eyes wide.

"Where'd you guys go?!"

"Berlin," Marcus replied casually.

"What?! Why?!"

"To celebrate," Debbie said. "Your brother's moving up to eleventh grade."

Mark's face fell slightly. "Oh... that's cool. I mean… wow."

Marcus knelt beside him. "Hey, remember our deal? You keep your grades up, we train together. I'll always have time for you."

Mark sniffed. "It's just… I don't want you to leave me behind."

Nolan stepped in, placing a hand on Mark's shoulder. "You won't. You're our son. We'll always lift you up."

Mark nodded slowly. "Okay. I'll catch up. I promise."

"That's my boy," Debbie said.

They laughed, hugged, and ate cake from Berlin as the stars twinkled above.

Elsewhere – GDA Headquarters

The command room was illuminated by the blue lights of the Global Defense Agency. This organization is responsible for safeguarding Earth from criminal, extraterrestrial, paranormal, and supernatural threats, and oversees the activities of individuals with superpowers.

Cecil Stedman, dressed in his trademark black suit and trench coat, stood smoking a cigarette while eyeing the holographic monitor. Deep bags beneath his eyes told of years without rest.

"That chemical incident in Liberty City's wrapped up?"

"Mostly," said Donald Ferguson, holding a tablet. "Omni-Man and the Guardians stopped the Lizard League. There were some casualties, and several people were injured or mutated, but a cure is currently under development."

"Good," Cecil muttered. "And the kid? Marcus Grayson?"

Donald raised an eyebrow. "Passed with flying colors. Our agent, Mr. Hargreeves, confirmed. The boy's already operating at college level."

Cecil exhaled smoke through his nose. "Hmm. He's half-Viltrumite too. Keep eyes on that one."

"You think he's a threat?"

"No. But he's interesting. And in my line of work, interesting never stays harmless for long."

The monitor zoomed in on Marcus's school photo, his youthful face half-lit.

"Let's see what this kid becomes."