The air was still, save for the soft rustling of leaves carried by the breeze. William stood on the balcony of his floating citadel, gazing down at the world he had shaped. Below, Asgardians and Kryptonians moved about, their lives slowly intertwining as they adjusted to this new reality. The sight of it all, gods and warriors from different realms learning to coexist, was something to behold.
Yet, amidst the hum of settlement, William felt it. The weight of two gazes boring into his back. A smirk tugged at his lips before he even turned.
"You're staring," he said, amusement lacing his voice.
Across from him, Sif and Anissa stood with arms crossed, their expressions unified in determination despite their vastly different backgrounds. Sif's golden hair framed her sharp blue eyes, a warrior's conviction etched into every fiber of her being. Anissa, on the other hand, carried herself with a more relaxed confidence, her piercing green eyes shining with something far more mischievous.
"We've earned a break," Sif declared, her tone brooking no argument.
William raised an eyebrow, already seeing where this was going.
Anissa stepped forward with a smirk. "I want to go back to my home universe. It's been too long since I last saw it, and I think it's time you got a proper look at where I come from."
At that, William's curiosity piqued. He'd heard enough from Anissa to know the Invincible universe was… eventful, to say the least. A playground of power, bloodshed, and conquest.
He mused on it for a moment, then shrugged. "Sure, why not? I could use some entertainment."
Sif's brow twitched, catching onto his wording, but before she could comment, William had already reached forward, fingers pressing into the air as if grasping something invisible. Space itself twisted under his will, a vortex spiraling open, swirling with unstable energy as he tuned its frequency to Anissa's home reality.
The portal flared, illuminating their faces with an eerie, shifting glow.
"Alright," he said, motioning toward the gateway. "Let's see what's going on in your world."
Anissa stepped forward without hesitation, her gaze filled with an odd mix of anticipation and something else, perhaps nostalgia, perhaps apprehension. Sif followed next, one hand resting on the hilt of her sword as she strode through.
William took one last look at the peaceful world behind him before stepping into the rift, his body swallowed by the swirling abyss.
And just like that, they vanished from one universe and emerged into another.
A swirly red mist suddenly engulfed the center of the Guardians of the Globe's HQ, swirling like a vortex of crimson chaos. In an instant, it disrupted the otherwise calm atmosphere, catching the attention of every member. The room was filled with an eerie tension as Omniman, with a vicious grin, was just about to tear Immortal in half. His fist was inches away from the hero's neck, the air crackling with the impending violence.
But then, the mist thickened, and Nolan halted mid-punch, his hand freezing just shy of Immortal's neck. His eyes darted, confused, as he stepped back. The atmosphere shifted, and a cold chill swept through the room. His gaze locked onto the source of the mist.
From within the thick red haze, three figures emerged. William Parker, his gaze unwavering and calm, stepped into the light with a confident stride. Anissa and Sif were on either arm, the two women beaming with satisfaction. The moment they appeared, the Guardians froze in place, unsure of the new arrivals, their eyes flickering between them and Omniman.
Nolan's eyes went wide with disbelief. He recognized Anissa instantly, his face twisting into an expression of fury and confusion. "You disappeared..." His voice was strained, like an accusation, his tone dripping with anger. "Where have you been, traitor?"
Anissa's sharp, cool gaze met his, unfazed by his words. She looked up and down at Omniman, his iconic outfit mocking her. She smirked, her lips curling slightly as she replied, "I have nothing to say to you, Nolan." Her tone was calm, almost dismissive, but the weight of her words hit like a heavy blow.
The Guardians, still in shock, exchanged uncertain glances. There was an unease hanging in the air, the tension palpable. They could sense that something wasn't right, though they couldn't place it. The situation had just taken a turn they weren't prepared for.
Before anyone could act or speak, Omniman, seething with rage, dashed toward Immortal. His speed was a blur, but in the blink of an eye, he was upon his target, tearing the man in half with brutal efficiency. The grotesque sound of muscle and bone snapping echoed throughout the room. The Guardians gasped, horror setting in. But before Omniman could strike again, a powerful hand wrapped around his outstretched arm, stopping him mid-movement.
The grip was strong, unbelievably strong. Nolan's eyes widened in surprise as his own strength, usually unparalleled, was matched by the unseen force. He twisted his body, trying to break free, but the hand tightened. He was held in place, as if restrained by something far more powerful than any force he'd faced before.
War Woman, frozen in shock, saw Nolan's deadly intent and braced herself for impact. But in the next moment, her body was flooded with relief as the invisible force that gripped Omniman halted him in his tracks. Her eyes darted toward the source. There, standing with unwavering determination, was William.
"OMNI-MAN! Come to your senses!" shouted one of the Guardians, his voice filled with desperation.
William's voice rang out, calm and authoritative. "He is not mind-controlled." His words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. "This is a cleansing." With a swift motion, he raised his knee and drove it into Omniman's stomach with bone-crushing force. The impact echoed like a thunderclap, and the Viltrumite's breath was knocked from his chest as he was sent crashing backward across the room.
Omniman, gasping for breath, staggered back, his mind racing. The fight had been taken from him. His surprise attack was thwarted, and now he felt vulnerable for the first time in years. His eyes flicked toward William, his face contorting into a mask of rage and humiliation. With a grunt, he powered up, his form becoming a blur as he shot toward the sky.
"Retreating?" one of the Guardians muttered, still processing the sudden turn of events. But William merely shook his head in quiet understanding.
Omniman shot into the sky, his speed breaking through the ceiling, leaving a gaping hole in his wake. The wind howled as debris fell around the room, but the Guardians were too stunned to react. Above, in the infinite sky, Nolan disappeared, heading straight into the vacuum of space. As he did, he activated a communication device embedded within his suit, his voice cold as he issued his orders.
"The one who attacked our planet is on Earth. Send reinforcements. We will not let this failure stand." His words, filled with unbridled fury, carried with them the weight of the Viltrumite Empire's wrath.
William looked up at the hole in the ceiling where Omniman had vanished, the sky beyond now an ominous silence. He then turned his gaze back to the Guardians, who were still recovering from the shock of the battle.
"You should all prepare," William said, his voice steady but carrying an undeniable urgency. "Taking over this planet is the Viltrumites' goal. They don't take failure lying down. Expect to be invaded within the next few days."
His words lingered in the air, a cold warning to those who hadn't yet fully understood the storm that was about to hit Earth.
Unknown to William and the Guardians Omniman had returned to his home on earth and had begun trying to convince his son to abandon earth and those he loves here to join him in the Viltrumite Empire that is to come and soon the scene plays out normally with Omniman leaving a beaten and bloody Mark on the surface of a mountain to fly into space alone with speeds so fast that the blood scorches from the surface of his uniform.
An old man with a scar on his face teleported within the room and the Guardians and him discussed what happened leading up to Cecil noticing the massive man standing with two women in his arm.
"So, are you friend or foe, our response will be determined by your answer!" As Cecil said this a group of invisible guards appeared around William and pointed high-tech weapons at him.
William looks down and meets Cecil's gaze, which causes shivers to run down the old man's spine, "Neither, we are here on Vacation!" As he says this, he and the women in his arms begin to fly off through the same hole Omni-Man left in, which left the room inside suddenly silent as they absorbed William's words.
"Keep an eye on them and let me know what you find!" Cecil says into an earpiece and turns back to the guardians to get a report.
A few hours pass, and Mark is brought into the HQ in a near-death state with his crying mom in tow.
As she watched her son, her heart shattered. The weight of everything that had happened came crashing down on her all at once. "He not only lied to me and thought of me as a pet..." Debbie whispered, her voice cracking with pain. "But he also almost murdered our son."
Her sobs were a quiet, raw cry of betrayal, her face etched with the anguish of a mother who had seen her entire world crumble. She cradled Mark's unconscious body, unable to shake the profound sense of failure that overwhelmed her. The love she had once shared with Omniman felt like a distant memory, tainted by the cruel reality of what he had become.
The room was filled with tension, the air thick with grief and uncertainty. The world was changing, and no one knew what the future would hold. But one thing was clear, there was no going back now.
Elsewhere in a different area of the world.
The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a warm, golden hue over the city as William, Anissa, and Sif walked together through the bustling streets. The day had been perfect, a rare moment of peace amidst the growing tensions that loomed over the planet. They had decided to enjoy a leisurely evening out, blending in with the locals, pretending to be ordinary, even if they were anything but.
William had suggested it, his face lighting up as he glanced between Anissa and Sif. "Why not take a break from everything? We've earned it." The idea of enjoying a simple evening with the two women brought a rare, carefree smile to his face.
Anissa, her blue-green eyes sparkling with mischief, nodded enthusiastically. "I like the sound of that. What's on the agenda for our 'vacation,' William?"
Sif, always the more reserved of the three, smirked. "I trust you have something exciting planned, William?"
With a wink, William led them to a small outdoor café, where the hum of city life surrounded them. They were seated at a table, the air filled with the aromas of freshly baked bread and brewed coffee. As they sipped their drinks and chatted casually, the world outside seemed to fade into the background. But beneath the surface, their heightened senses were always on alert.
"Relax," William said, leaning back in his chair, his golden and red aura faintly flickering in the distance, a reminder of the power that simmered beneath his calm exterior. "We're just here to enjoy the moment."
Anissa and Sif exchanged a glance but didn't protest. They were learning to appreciate these fleeting moments of normalcy. But as the evening wore on, their instincts kicked in, each of them feeling the unmistakable pulse of danger in the air. It wasn't long before they spotted trouble.
A group of armed men emerged from a nearby alley, their faces concealed by masks. They were brandishing weapons, clearly intending to rob the cafe and instill fear in the patrons. The moment they made their move, the trio's attention sharpened.
Anissa's eyes narrowed, a sly grin forming on her lips. "Looks like the vacation's over." She rose from her seat in a fluid motion, her gaze flickering to Sif, who was already poised to act.
William, already on his feet, placed a hand on Anissa's shoulder. "Wait. Let's have a little fun."
With that, the three of them casually strolled toward the group of criminals, their movements relaxed but purposeful. The robbers didn't notice them at first, too focused on their intended victims. But when they turned, they saw the trio standing there, dressed in simple but stylish clothing, perfectly blending in with the crowd.
One of the robbers pointed his gun at them, sneering. "Move along, unless you want a bullet in your head."
William raised an eyebrow, his tone cool and detached. "Is that really the best you can do?" His words hung in the air with a mocking edge that made the robber hesitate.
Before anyone could react, Anissa, in a blur of speed, disarmed the closest man and sent him crashing into a nearby table. Sif, with her usual grace and precision, swept another robber off his feet and sent him tumbling into a stack of crates. Their movements were so fluid and practiced that it almost looked like a choreographed dance.
The remaining robbers, now confused and terrified, began to back away, unsure of how to handle the unexpected resistance. But William's smile grew wider as he cracked his knuckles, his voice calm but carrying the weight of authority. "You're in the wrong place at the wrong time."
With a sudden burst of speed, William dashed forward. He caught one of the robbers by the wrist, twisting it with an effortless motion that left the man disarmed and crumpled on the ground. He spun the man around, using him as a shield to knock the remaining robbers aside. The last two tried to make a run for it, but Sif and Anissa were already there, cutting them off with ease.
In mere moments, the robbers were neutralized, lying on the ground, unable to move or fight back. William, Anissa, and Sif stood over them, their expressions cold but amused. It wasn't about the fight, it was about making sure the message was clear: these were not ordinary people they were dealing with.
William dusted his hands off casually, turning to the nearby patrons who had been watching in awe. "You're welcome," he said with a grin, before giving them a playful wink. "Now, where were we?"
The trio walked away as the police arrived to take the criminals into custody, leaving the scene as if nothing had happened. They strolled down the street, back to their previous pace, blending in with the crowd once more.
"So, that was fun," Anissa said, her tone light as she stretched her arms overhead. "But I think we need a better cover story next time. 'Hero' just doesn't have the same ring as 'vacationers,' don't you think?"
William chuckled, giving her a sideways glance. "You're right. Maybe next time we'll stop a bank robbery in a completely different city. Keep things interesting."
Sif raised an eyebrow. "And next time, I'm choosing the restaurant. I'm not letting you two ruin another meal."
The trio laughed as they walked off into the night, the city lights casting long shadows on the streets. The world around them was still oblivious to who they truly were, but for tonight, they were content to simply be. No villains. No battles. Just a brief escape, even if it came with a little unexpected heroism.