บท 18: 18: Beginning of testing
18: Beginning of testing
"What do you think of the Sentinels? Although I don't think it adequately conveys what we want," Mark asked, looking at the ceiling, pondering possible names for his new team.
"The Defenders doesn't sound bad, although I think it's missing something." It was more complicated than he thought. He might just say "to hell with it" and go with the previous name, but it didn't feel right, not for his team.
"M-Mark, I don't even know what you're talking about," Amber's trembling voice made him blink in confusion, so he turned to look at her.
Next to him, as naked as he was, she lay there, sweat covering her entire body, a deep blush visible on her face, her breathing still heavy, a testament to the necessary and long de-stressing session they had just finished.
"Oh, right. A new team is forming, a big one, and I'm going to lead it along with Robot." Maybe he should have talked more with her, but he had been quite busy, and when they saw each other again, none of them could keep their pants in place long enough to catch up—until now.
Amber began to regain some clarity in her eyes. She hugged Mark closer, pouting.
"Does that mean you'll be busier?" Although there was a hint of complaint, Mark could see she was just playing. He smiled, stroking her head.
"A bit, but with the world so hectic, it's necessary." He didn't apologize; they both knew things like this could happen. Mark wouldn't neglect his main mission for anything, even if it was a hot blonde waiting for him... well, not too much.
"I know, don't worry, I understand. It just means I need to enjoy the time we have together even more," she said, lowering her voice in the last part, a purr that made Mark raise an eyebrow.
His smile grew when he felt her hand slowly descending down his abdomen.
It seemed there would be a fifth round.
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"You seem happier. Are you excited about this?" Robot asked curiously, seeing Mark so radiant. Mark chuckled a bit and lightly patted his back.
"My Friend, if one day we find a way to build a flesh and blood body for you, you'll understand," he said happily, though he also hinted at something. His intention to help Robot get a "body" He couldn't tell him directly that he knew he wasn't a robot without causing doubt and mistrust, so he could only make his intentions to help him clear.
Robot remained silent for a moment before responding.
"That would be... interesting."
Together they walked through the Pentagon, more precisely towards an area specially prepared in the last few days for the entry tests for their new team.
The news had already been spread worldwide; Earth needed new heroes, and they were "hiring." Mark made sure that even personal invitations were sent to some of the most experienced heroes, at least those registered in the global database.
He didn't know if everyone could join, but he didn't want to leave anyone with potential out of his sight.
Soon they arrived at the place, a heavily fortified area not to protect but to withstand. After all, there would be combat tests here.
"They'll arrive soon," Robot informed, and Mark nodded, putting on a serious expression.
Even so, he couldn't help but mention something that he knew could be a small problem.
"About the issue with Rex and Kate..." Eve was indispensable to the team, and Mark wasn't going to replace her for anything.
He knew she might have a problem if Rex and Dupli-Kate joined the team, so he suggested to Robot to "talk" with them. He didn't expect him to forbid them from coming or anything like that, of course.
He simply wanted him to help remedy things a bit.
"I no longer have any problem with Kate," Eve's voice made him turn to see her entering the place, she was early.
"You don't?" he asked, somewhat doubtful.
"I managed to get her and Kate to talk," Robot said, and Mark almost thought there was a hint of pride in his robotic voice.
"Just like that?" He thought there would be more drama; she seemed quite upset with both of them, after all.
Eve smiled slightly and explained a bit more.
"Although I haven't forgiven her, I understood things a bit better. In the end, it's all Rex's fault."
Once the "courage" diminished a bit and she could talk to her alone, Eve was able to understand the situation better. She wasn't happy, not at all, but she knew it wasn't fair to blame Kate for everything.
It was Rex who had drawn stupid conclusions and taken advantage of Kate's stressed state to get into her pants.
She didn't know if they would ever be friends again, but she understood that in the current situation, they needed all the help they could get.
Mark had told her that her place on the team was definite, and he wouldn't change that for anything or anyone, so she knew that if she wanted it, Rex and Kate would be out.
A childish part of her wanted to do just that—simply leave them behind and move on.
A part of her that knew the dangers ahead understood that she had to swallow some of her pride. Everyone was doing their part, contributing. If she were just a girl throwing a tantrum over something she didn't like, then what kind of heroine would she be?
Of course, she could tolerate Kate's presence, but the same couldn't be said for Rex.
"Kate will attend the trials. As for Rex... Cecil has decided to hire him personally. I don't know exactly for what, but I suppose the job will do him good," Robot said. He had facilitated the contact between Rex and Cecil, after all.
Mark nodded and smiled. Well, that was one less problem to worry about. He felt a bit sorry for Rex, but the guy had messed things up on his own. Maybe in his new job, he'd gain more wisdom or something like that.
"Well, if you're okay with that, then it's fine." Eve nodded and joined them, looking through the large window at the testing "arena."
"Are we really only doing combat trials? Doesn't that seem too simple?" she couldn't help but say. For the planet's new and larger hero team, their trial seemed very... straightforward?
Mark nodded but explained his reasons.
"While tests of another nature would be good, it's undeniable that future threats require high-level firepower and versatility in combat. The technical and scientific aspects are covered by Robot and me, so for now, we are focusing on the combat potential of the new members. Of course, if someone has extraordinary qualities beyond just fighting, we'll include them as well."
Robot nodded beside him, agreeing with his words.
"Over time, we hope to include more versatility, but for now, it's clear what we need to focus on," Robot finished.
Soon the moment arrived, and the candidates began to arrive.
There were many, from different ethnicities, countries, and cultures; after all, it had been a general call to the entire world.
"Well, at least there will be variety," Eve commented, looking with interest at the diverse group of people, raising an eyebrow even higher upon seeing a huge, hairy guy resembling a yeti.
Mark clapped loudly enough to get everyone's attention.
All eyes turned to him immediately, and he smiled, beginning to speak.
"First of all, I want to thank you all for coming today. I know many of you have your own problems to deal with, but the fact that you're here shows that the world can unite even in its most difficult times." First, he had to be grateful, lighten the atmosphere before getting serious.
"A lot has been explained in the news, and I know you all understand what we're up against. I won't beat around the bush: the world is in danger, and most of us here may die when all this is over." Honest and direct, he didn't need cowards among their ranks.
"Aren't you a bit pessimistic for someone called Invincible?" a girl's voice was heard, and Mark directed his gaze towards a... child? He blinked but didn't let the surprise show on his face since he recognized who it was. Even so, seeing her in person was still quite interesting.
"I prefer to call myself realistic. I don't want you to feel obligated just because the world is in danger. We'll do everything in our power to save the day once again, like all the great heroes who came before us, I assure you of that. But if you feel this is too great a responsibility, no one will blame you if you decide to decline." He tried not to sound harsh; it would be bad to give a wrong impression now.
"I've kicked too many evil asses to back down now, cutie," said the "girl," winking, causing several people to make strange faces. Even so, many nodded; they were heroes, their lives constantly in danger, they wouldn't run away at this point.
Mark didn't let his expression change even if he felt unpleasant chills at being flirted with by a "child." He knew she wasn't a child, but it was still extremely weird. He'd have to help her resolve her problem at least to not feel uncomfortable around her.
"I'm glad to see everyone seems motivated. In that case, I'll let Robot explain more about how this will go," he said, about to hand the floor over to Robot.
"Wait!" a loud voice interrupted.
From the crowd, a figure covered in a gray cloth emerged, taking strong and firm steps. Their height, almost two meters, stood out significantly even though there were taller people in the crowd.
They removed the hood that concealed their face, letting their long white hair wave with the movement. On their forehead was a shiny golden tiara, and their blue eyes looked at Invincible with clear animosity.
Mark raised an eyebrow; he didn't recognize this girl, but his sharp senses, honed from fighting with his father, told him she was somewhat dangerous.
Interesting.
Suddenly, the sound of the air being sliced was heard, and a long sword was pointed at his throat.
Mark looked at the blade that had almost cut him, holding the sword between his fingers with force.
Everyone became alert, Eve's hands began to glow, and Robot started to draw one of his weapons.
Mark raised a hand to stop them, looking into the intense eyes of the girl.
"I don't think we have anything against each other. This place is fortified and filled with the most capable heroes on the planet. You know you're at a disadvantage, so why attack me?" He wanted to understand.
The girl snorted and retracted her sword, sheathing it again at her hip.
"You talk about protecting this world, but isn't your father the main responsible for all this?" At her questioning, several heroes looked at Invincible with doubt.
Mark stopped smiling; how did this girl know about it?
"Yes, and that's why I'm here. My father is Omni-Man, the one who killed the Guardians and brought this new threat to the planet," he said loudly for everyone to hear.
The girl didn't seem to expect that he wouldn't deny it at all and instead admitted it openly. Her expression now contained surprise and doubt.
Mark had no intentions of hiding it. Secrets like that were the cause of fracturing teams, and he knew he would have to say it sooner rather than later. Besides, many of the heroes present already had suspicions about it.
"Then why-?" the girl seemed confused, and Mark answered sincerely.
"I am not my father. What he did is unforgivable, and I am not asking for forgiveness," he needed to make that clear. He wasn't seeking to account for Omni-Man.
"I know he hurt many people, but changing the past is not something we can do now. As his son, I know many will judge me, but I was raised better by a human mother who taught me the right values and managed to make a genocidal monster like him betray his own people. That's why I want you to understand that I am not here to try to make amends for his mistakes but to fight for what is right."
For an improvised speech, it didn't turn out too bad. He took a deep breath and continued speaking.
"I know many will not trust me because of this, and I understand. Blind trust is not my goal either; I only hope you give me the opportunity to prove myself through actions and deeds."
The room fell silent for a moment before a tall man with scaly green skin stepped forward.
"I knew Omni-Man for over ten years. I worked closely with him and never saw his true intentions. If we're pointing fingers, then many here will have to raise their hands," many nodded in agreement with him.
Mark smiled at the man, who nodded back. He recognized him from the news, one of the most famous heroes in the United States, Savage Dragon.
"Now, can you tell me why you attacked me?" Having answered her question, Mark thought it was only fair that the girl answered his.
The girl looked at him for a few moments before stepping back and speaking.
"My name is Glory. I am an Amazon. When my people learned of our princess's death, they sent me to find the responsible party," Mark then understood.
More or less, she was like the Wonder Girl of this universe or something like that, right?
"So, you want to kill me since my father isn't here?" he asked.
She remained silent for a moment before shaking her head.
"Perhaps the Amazonian people want to, but I am no longer with them." Many things had happened since she arrived in the world of men that made her realize the Amazonian people were not the paradise she thought they were. She came to understand more deeply why War Woman had decided to flee from them and did the same.
But in spite of everything, she did not forget her mission or the justice in her heart. Perhaps she no longer shared their same interests, but the well-being of the world was still her concern.
"Even so, I have decided to watch you. I don't trust your words, so I will observe your actions, as you said yourself. If I am truly mistaken, I will apologize, but if this turns out to be a deception, I will make sure to kill you," she said, determined and stubborn. She had come to love this world despite spending little time in it and wouldn't let it be destroyed by anyone or anything.
Mark almost smirked but nodded instead. The team needed someone "openly" vigilant against him; it would reassure any other members who had doubts about him.
If someone is watching him, then it should be fine, right? That would likely be the thought of some of them.
Eve furrowed her brow and stepped forward, speaking directly to this girl, "Glory."
"Great speech, but first you need to pass the tests like everyone else. It doesn't matter where you come from; if you don't have the qualifications, any grand talk is useless."
Mark raised an eyebrow; Eve seemed a bit aggressive, huh?
Glory smiled confidently.
"Don't doubt it, I won't fail."
"Then I'll start explaining the process," Robot stepped forward.
It was time to begin.
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Note:
This chapter is short, but the following ones will probably be much longer. You don't know this, but I'll tell you: I've researched too many characters from Image Comics! Too many stories! Many are incompatible in many ways, hahaha.
So there will be modifications. I've said it before, and this is the last time I'll clarify: all the characters presented here are and will be AU versions to a greater or lesser extent, all to maintain coherence in the story.
So if your favorite Image Comics character isn't exactly as you remember, now you know why!
Glory is an example. In this universe, I decided that her story is compatible with coming from the same place as War Woman and being a "young" Amazon beginning her journey in the world of men.
She has many characteristics that I think would be suitable for her character, with a strong sense of justice being one of them.
As you know, suggestions, criticisms, and comments are all welcome.
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