The central conference room of the Global Defense Agency headquarters had never been designed to accommodate so many powerful beings at once.
The reinforced walls and specially engineered furniture - built to withstand superhuman force - seemed almost inadequate in the presence of the assembled group.
Thragg dominated the space without effort, his massive frame making even the oversized chair beneath him appear delicate.
The Battle Beast coat draped regally around his shoulders, a constant reminder of his overwhelming power.
He sat at the head of the table, the position of authority unquestioned by anyone present.
To his right sat Amanda, the crimson cape with its distinctive white sash marking her as his chosen mate.
Her expression was calm but watchful, studying the reactions of this world's inhabitants.
Beside her, Roberta observed everything with analytical precision, her enhanced molecular manipulation abilities allowing her to subtly scan the room's occupants at the cellular level.
Her eyes occasionally lingered on this world's Cecil, noting the differences in stress markers and cellular degradation compared to the Cecil she knew.
Conquest stood behind Thragg rather than sitting, his scarred face set in its perpetual scowl as he surveyed the room with the wariness of a veteran warrior assessing potential threats.
His massive arms remained crossed over his chest, his posture making it clear he was ready to act at a moment's notice.
Nolan sat to Thragg's left, his familiar Omni-Man uniform a stark reminder to this world's inhabitants of what they had lost.
His expression was complex - a mixture of curiosity and discomfort as he faced the family of his counterpart from this reality.
Alternate Mark and Eve sat beside Nolan, their hands occasionally brushing against each other in subtle gestures of reassurance.
Across the table sat this world's Mark Grayson, his posture tense and guarded. Unlike his alternate self, he wore civilian clothes - the remnants of the dinner date that had been so abruptly interrupted.
Beside him, this world's Eve maintained a protective stance, pink energy occasionally flickering around her fingertips whenever anyone made a sudden movement.
Debbie Grayson sat beside her son, her face pale but composed.
She had not taken her eyes off Nolan since entering the room, studying the alternate version of her husband with an expression that shifted between pain, wonder, and caution.
Oliver bounced in his seat beside Debbie, barely able to contain his excitement despite the gravity of the situation. His eyes darted between Thragg, Nolan, and the two versions of his brother, questions practically ready to burst from him.
Cecil Stedman stood at the opposite end of the table from Thragg, his hands clasped behind his back in a posture that mirrored the Emperor's authority, though on a distinctly human scale.
His ever-present sunglasses concealed his eyes, but the tight set of his jaw revealed his unease.
The good Angstrom Levy completed the assembly, standing slightly apart from the others.
Unlike the deformed, insane version this world knew, he appeared perfectly normal - a dark-skinned man with an intelligent face and alert eyes that occasionally darted to the various dimensional monitors he had set up around the room.
The silence that had fallen after the introductions stretched uncomfortably until Oliver could no longer contain himself.
"So you're really my dad from another dimension?" he blurted out, leaning forward to stare at Nolan with undisguised fascination. "Do you have another me there? Am I cooler in your world? Can I fly faster? Do I have any other powers?"
"Oliver," Debbie admonished gently, though her eyes never left Nolan's face.
Nolan shifted in his seat, clearly uncomfortable. "I... don't have an Oliver in my world," he admitted, his voice softer than most in the room expected. "My Debbie and I never had a second child."
Oliver's face fell slightly. "Oh. So I don't exist there?"
"No," Nolan clarified softly. "The circumstances for things to happen were... different in our reality. Thragg's intervention changed many things."
This seemed to reignite Oliver's enthusiasm. "So Uncle Thragg changed history? That's so cool! Is he really as strong as he looks? I mean, he didn't even flinch when I punched him, and I'm super strong!"
"Uncle...?" alternate Mark mouthed to his Eve, who shrugged with a small smile.
Nolan glanced at Thragg, whose expression remained impassive, before answering. "The Emperor is the strongest being in our universe," he confirmed. "Possibly in any universe."
Oliver's eyes widened with excitement. "So does that make me royalty too? Since Mark is your son, and you're the Emperor's brother, does that make me a prince or something?"
Debbie placed a restraining hand on Oliver's arm. "Oliver, please. This is serious."
"But Mom, this is serious!" Oliver protested. "If Dad is royalty in their world, that means I'm royalty too, right? That's pretty important information!"
Before Nolan could respond, Thragg's deep voice cut through the conversation. "Your enthusiasm is understandable, young one, but we have more pressing matters to discuss.
The threat to your world will not wait while we explore the intricacies of imperial lineage."
Oliver immediately straightened in his chair, his expression becoming serious. "Sorry, Uncle Thragg. You're right."
The corner of Thragg's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly, the only indication that the familial title had affected him at all.
Those who knew him best - Amanda, Roberta, alternate Mark and Eve - exchanged subtle glances, recognizing the minute softening in his demeanor.
Cecil cleared his throat. "Perhaps we should focus on why you're all here," he suggested, his tone carefully neutral despite the tension evident in his posture. "Mr. Levy, you mentioned an imminent threat?"
Good Angstrom Levy stepped forward, activating one of his dimensional monitors. The device projected a holographic display in the center of the table, showing what appeared to be a warehouse somewhere in this world's Chicago.
"This is happening right now," Levy explained, adjusting the resolution. "The evil version of me - your version - has been gathering his forces here for the past several hours.
By my count, he's already assembled at least fifteen evil versions of Mark from across the multiverse."
The image zoomed in, revealing a disturbing sight: more than a dozen figures who resembled Mark Grayson, but with subtle or dramatic differences.
Some wore variations of the Invincible costume in darker colors.
Others were clad in armor that resembled Viltrumite battle gear. A few appeared almost demonic, their features twisted by whatever dark paths they had chosen.
"My God," this world's Eve whispered, her hand finding Mark's under the table.
"How long do we have?" Cecil asked, his professional demeanor reasserting itself.
Levy adjusted the monitor again, checking readings that only he fully understood. "Based on the dimensional energy signatures, I'd estimate less than six hours before they're ready to launch their attack.
Your Levy is still bringing in more Marks from other realities."
"Why so many?" this world's Mark asked, speaking for the first time since they'd entered the room. "If even one of these guys is as strong as me, they could do serious damage. Why does he need an army?"
"Because he doesn't just want to kill you," Levy explained grimly. "He wants to destroy everything you love, everything you've ever tried to protect. He wants to make you watch as your world burns, knowing you were powerless to stop it."
"And these... other Marks," Debbie said, her voice steady despite the horror in her eyes. "They've agreed to this? To destroying an innocent world just for revenge?"
"They're not like your son," alternate Mark interjected, his expression darkening. "In their realities, they made different choices. Worse choices."
"They're monsters," Levy added. "Versions of Mark who sided with Viltrumite conquest in its worst ways, who embraced their heritage at the expense of their humanity."
Original Mark's face paled slightly. "So they're all like... what I could have become if I'd joined Dad?"
"Some are worse," Levy confirmed. "Much worse."
A heavy silence fell over the room as everyone absorbed this information.
Original Mark stared at the holographic display, his expression a mixture of horror and disbelief as he confronted dozens of dark reflections of himself.
"We need to call in the Guardians," Cecil decided, breaking the silence. "Black Samson, Immortal, the Teen Team - everyone we've got."
"Will that be enough?" Debbie asked, voicing what everyone was thinking.
"No," Thragg stated bluntly. "Your heroes, while admirable, cannot stand against this many Viltrumites. That is why we are here."
"And we're supposed to just trust you?" original Mark asked, his voice tight with tension. "How do we know you won't just conquer our world after helping us defeat these evil versions of me?"
The room temperature seemed to drop several degrees as Thragg's gaze fixed on original Mark. For a moment, no one spoke, the weight of the Emperor's attention almost palpable.
"Your suspicion is logical," Thragg acknowledged finally, his tone neutral. "In your position, I would question as well. But consider this: if conquest were my primary objective, why would I announce my presence?
Why bring allies who could corroborate your suspicions? Why not simply wait until your world was weakened by this attack, then strike when resistance would be minimal?"
Original Mark had no immediate answer to this, his brow furrowing as he considered Thragg's words.
"He's right, Mark," Cecil said reluctantly. "If they wanted to take over, there are more efficient ways than this elaborate rescue mission."
"Besides," Amanda added, speaking for the first time, "you've seen what Thragg can do. Do you really think he needs help conquering a single planet?"
Original Mark's eyes moved to Amanda, noting the crimson cape around her shoulders. "And who exactly are you? I don't think we have a version of you in our world."
"I'm Amanda," she replied simply. "In your world, you might know me as Monster Girl."
"Monster Girl?" original Eve exclaimed, her eyes widening. "But you're-"
"Adult?" Amanda finished with a small smile. "Yes. Thragg provided technology that stabilized my condition. I can transform without aging backward now."
Original Mark looked between Amanda and Thragg, clearly trying to piece together their relationship. The cape, the way she sat beside him, the subtle protectiveness in her posture...
"Are you two...?" he began, then stopped, unsure how to phrase the question.
"She is my mate," Thragg stated matter-of-factly. "The first of what will eventually be many, as required for the repopulation of the Viltrumite species."
Original Mark's eyebrows shot up, and he exchanged a stunned glance with his Eve. "Okay, that's... not what I expected."
Oliver, who had been uncharacteristically quiet during this exchange, suddenly burst out with questioned again, not satisfied with not having his questions answered, just like any child.
"So in your world, Dad, are you really royalty? Is that why Uncle Thragg called you his brother?"
Nolan cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation. "It's... complicated, Oliver.
In our world, I was discovered to be the biological son of Emperor Argall, the greatest ruler in Viltrumite history. That makes me, technically, the heir to the imperial throne."
"So you're a prince!" Oliver exclaimed, his eyes wide with excitement. "That's awesome! Does that make Mark a prince too? And me?"
"Oliver, please," Debbie said again, though her voice lacked conviction. She too seemed fascinated by this revelation.
"The imperial lineage is not our primary concern at present," Thragg interrupted again, his patience visibly thinning. "We must prepare for the coming attack. Every moment spent in irrelevant discussion is a moment lost in preparation."
"Sorry, Uncle Thragg," Oliver said immediately apologising again, looking geniunely sad, causing Thragg's expression to once more soften, as he nodded towards Oliver who immediately took it as forgiveness and smiled once again.
"Mr. Levy," Cecil said, turning to Angstrom, "perhaps you could elaborate a bit more on what we're facing and what resources we have available."
Levy nodded, adjusting his dimensional monitors again. "The evil Marks vary in power and abilities.
Some are merely corrupted versions of your Mark - strong, but nothing you haven't seen before.
Others have enhanced themselves through technology and perhaps other things, I can't say for certain, the multiverse is a big place."
The holographic display shifted, showing close-ups of several particularly menacing versions of Mark.
One appeared to be completely scarred, veins protruding from his bald, head, and then another, both in full white Viltrumite attire, though the other not scarred, and there being subtle differences in the clothing.
One marking one as a prisoner, the other as a true Viltrumite Officer.
"The most dangerous," Levy continued, "are those who fully embraced their Viltrumite heritage and received training from their versions of Thragg or other imperial commanders. They're faster, stronger, and more ruthless than your Mark."
"How do we fight them?" original Eve asked, her voice steady despite the fear evident in her eyes.
"Together," alternate Mark answered. "Even the strongest individual can be defeated by a well-organized team."
"Which is why," Cecil interjected, "I insist on activating every hero we have. Black Samson, Immortal, Atom Eve, Rex Splode, Dupli-Kate, Shrinking Ray - everyone."
Still not comfortable with trusting his world in the hands of unknown people, no matter how strong.
"And just like the Emperor told you previously, that won't be enough," Conquest growled, speaking for the first time.
The ancient warrior's scarred face twisted in what might have been a smile. "But it will make for an interesting battle."
"Conquest," Thragg warned, his tone carrying a subtle rebuke.
The warrior inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment. "Apologies, Emperor. I merely observe that the local heroes lack the combat experience necessary for this scale of threat."
"That's why we're here," alternate Eve pointed out. "To provide the experience and power they need."
Original Mark had been silent during this exchange, his eyes fixed on the holographic display showing his evil counterparts. When he finally spoke, his voice was quiet but firm.
"I'm grateful for your help," he said, drawing everyone's attention. "Really, I am. But again, you say you have no intention of conquering out world, but that's right now.
What's stopping you from conquering our world after this 'Invincible War' is over?
After changing your mind for some reason? What then? We go from preventing destruction to being slaves? How is that better?"
Alternate Mark opened his mouth to respond, but good Angstrom Levy beat him to it.
"Look, Mark," Levy said, his tone suddenly informal, almost confrontational, deciding that the best approach to this, was through a bit more familiarity. "I respect you, man. I really do. You're one of the few actually good Marks in the multiverse -
hell, you're the only one who actually survived the confrontation with your dad without joining him or getting killed. That alone makes you worthy of respect in my book."
He stepped closer to the table, his expression intense. "But come on, man, does your world right now look like it's heading toward a good path? You try and you try to do good, but honestly, you suck at being a superhero."
"Excuse me?" original Mark bristled.
"It's not your fault," Levy continued, holding up a hand. "It's not because you're bad at it. It's because you're up against fucking monsters, monsters who, no matter if defeated, will cause the death of millions.
And unlike wounds which heal, those deaths can never be undone."
The room had gone completely silent, everyone watching the exchange with rapt attention.
"How many will have to die until the Viltrum Empire stops their attempts to conquer your Earth?" Levy demanded, his voice rising with emotion.
"Sure, this world's empire is not as big as Thragg's, which spans over thousands of galaxies, whereas this world's hasn't left the Virgo cluster, but does that really matter?"
He began pacing, his gestures becoming more animated. "They're still Viltrumites, and they're still numerous.
Countless will die, and sure, if there was no other option, then it's good - a last stand against an evil tyrant, respectable, honorable, praiseworthy. But there is an alternative here."
Levy pointed at Thragg, his finger trembling slightly. "This Thragg here is the only one who, in thousands upon thousands of dimensions I've observed, is a good Thragg.
Yes, he's a conqueror. Yes, he has done evil. Yes, he destroyed planets, genocided species - but even more than that will die eventually if things remain the same."
Original Mark's face had gone pale, but his expression remained defiant. "So we should just surrender our freedom because the alternative might be worse?"
"Do you even realize how fucked up the multiverse is?" Levy shot back, his voice cracking with intensity. "How many worlds are out there suffering because of evil tyrants? Let me give you an example."
He adjusted one of his monitors, bringing up an image that made everyone at the table flinch.
It showed another Earth, another Mark and Eve, but in a scenario so disturbing that several people looked away - with Mark breaking her neck with a single twitch of his wrist.
"There's a world out there where Mark joined Nolan in wanting to conquer Earth," Levy explained, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper.
"But because of their inefficiency - unlike Thragg here, who literally conquered his Earth in a single day without spilling a single drop of blood - they killed thousands upon thousands. Resistances formed."
He looked directly at original Eve, his expression grim. "Your counterpart in that world was the head of the resistance. And you want to know what happened to her?
That evil Mark as I just showed you paralyzed her from the neck down, and unlike his dad, who saw his Debbie as a pet, that Mark sees Eve as his fucking flowerpot."
Both Marks and both Eves recoiled visibly at this, horror etched on their faces.
"He visits her in the hospital he arranged for her," Levy continued relentlessly, "and does whatever he wants with her. Yes, whatever he wants. I think you understand what I mean."
"That's enough," Cecil said sharply, but Levy was beyond stopping now.
"So much suffering is out there!" he exclaimed, slamming his fist on the table. "There needs to be something done! Someone powerful, almighty, intelligent, wise, compassionate when necessary, and a devil when necessary as well - and that's this Thragg!"
He pointed at the Emperor again, his eyes wild with a mixture of desperation and hope. "It's been my quest for decades to find someone like him, someone who can fix this fucked up multiverse we live in!
Now, will you really oppose that? Let so much suffering continue because you think you'll be made into slaves and humiliated, when you'll actually be elevated, and everyone's lives will be improved?
No more disease, crime, hunger - all the problems of the world gone!"
Levy's voice dropped, becoming almost pleading. "You should understand, the worlds always have rulers, be it out in the open like the Viltrumites, or hidden in the darkness who rule through wealth and cunning.
And always will the evil do the unspeakable hidden in the shadows. It's naïve to think one can stop that by not taking charge."
He fixed original Mark with a final, challenging stare. "And if that isn't what you want - if you want to keep your conscience clean while letting suffering continue - then you might as well take off that costume, since you're no damn hero."
The silence that followed was absolute. No one moved, no one spoke, as Levy's words hung in the air like physical things, impossible to ignore or dismiss.
Original Mark sat frozen, his expression a complex mixture of anger, confusion, and doubt. His Eve had placed a hand on his arm, but he seemed barely aware of her touch, lost in what he'd just heard.
After what felt like an eternity, Cecil cleared his throat. "I think," he said carefully, "that we all need some time to process this. We have preparations to make, and clear heads will serve us better than heated emotions."
He adjusted his sunglasses, his professional demeanor reasserting itself. "I'll begin coordinating with our heroes. The rest of you should get some rest while you can. We'll reconvene in two hours to finalize our strategy."
The meeting broke up with a palpable sense of relief, people rising from their seats and moving toward the exits in small groups.
Thragg stood last, his imposing presence ensuring everyone gave him a wide berth as he moved toward the door, Amanda and Roberta falling into step beside him.
Nolan lingered, clearly wanting to speak with Debbie and Oliver, but uncertain of his welcome.
After a moment's hesitation, Debbie nodded slightly, giving him permission to approach.
Oliver immediately launched into more questions, his excitement temporarily overriding the tension of the meeting.
Alternate Mark and Eve moved to speak with Cecil, offering their knowledge of Viltrumite tactics and weaknesses.
Good Angstrom Levy busied himself with his dimensional monitors, though his eyes occasionally darted to original Mark, watching for his reaction.
Throughout it all, original Mark remained seated, staring at the now-empty space where the holographic display had shown his evil counterparts.
His mind churned with Levy's words, questioning everything he thought he knew about heroism, freedom, and the nature of power.
"Mark?" original Eve said softly, her hand still on his arm. "We should go. Get some rest before... before whatever happens next."
He didn't respond, his gaze fixed on nothing.
"Mark," she tried again, more firmly this time. "Come on. Sitting here isn't helping anyone."
Slowly, as if waking from a trance, Mark turned to look at her. "What if he's right?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "What if everything I've been fighting for is just... delaying the inevitable? What if I'm not really helping anyone?"
Eve's expression softened. "That's not true. You've saved countless lives. You make a difference every day."
"Do I?" Mark asked, the doubt in his voice painful to hear. "Or am I just putting Band-Aids on bullet wounds? Fixing symptoms instead of causes?"
"This isn't the time for an existential crisis," Eve said, trying for humor but falling short. "We've got evil versions of you to fight, remember?"
Mark didn't smile. "Yeah. Evil versions of me. Versions that made different choices." He looked up at her, his eyes troubled.
"What if they're just more honest about what Viltrumites are? What if I'm fighting against my own nature every day, and someday... someday I lose that fight?"
"That's not going to happen," Eve insisted, tugging at his arm. "You're not them. You never will be."
Mark allowed her to pull him to his feet, his movements mechanical. "How can you be so sure?"
"Because I know you," Eve said simply. "Now come on. We need to be ready when they attack."
--------------------------
(Author note: Hello everyone! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter.
So, yeah, do tell me how you found this chapter. I know, this chapter was basically a full Levy show, which I kind of wanted to do, because man is he a guy with wasted potential in my eyes.
Sure, evil Levy is... well, not interesting as I hate his view on things, I find him absurdly stupid, but at least he brought us invincible war.
But a Levy though, who is willing to do necessary evils to fix the fucked up multiverse, to fix other worlds and willing to ally with a Thragg to help him Conquer the multiverse to save it, is an interesting concept to me.
Do tell me what you think about it.
Well, I hope to see you all later,
Bye!)