Nolan stood in the doorway of the kitchen, watching as Sasuke and Naruto practiced with the Rasengan and Chidori scrolls outside. The sound of their training filled the air, but Nolan's mind was elsewhere. His thoughts kept circling back to Mark. It had been hours since he stormed out of the house, and Nolan knew he couldn't let this sit for much longer. Mark needed to hear the truth, or at least the part of it Nolan was willing to share.
He turned to Debbie, who was sitting at the kitchen table, still clearly worried. "Debbie," he started, his voice soft but firm, "I'm going to go find Mark."
She looked up from her coffee, eyes wide with concern. "Nolan, you think that's a good idea? He's really upset, and you haven't exactly been honest with him. He might not—"
"I know," Nolan interrupted, his expression serious. "But I need to talk to him. We need to clear the air. He's my son, Debbie. I won't let this go on much longer."
Debbie exhaled heavily, her fingers gripping the edge of the table. "I understand, but just... be careful. You know how he can get."
Nolan nodded, then turned and walked toward the door, his mind made up. It was time to face Mark.
The cool night air hit Nolan's face as he flew through the sky, his thoughts racing. Mark had been distant ever since the conversation about the Viltrumites. Nolan had been trying to protect him, trying to shield him from the harsh truth of what being a Viltrumite really meant. But Mark deserved to know, even if it meant breaking the fragile bond they had.
The city came into view, and Nolan spotted Mark's familiar silhouette sitting atop a tall building, looking down at the streets below. He landed quietly beside him, his boots making barely a sound as he touched down.
Mark didn't immediately turn around. He kept his gaze fixed ahead, his fists clenched at his sides. Nolan knew the tension between them was thick.
"You're not going to say anything, are you?" Mark's voice was low, angry, but there was an underlying hurt in it. "You just… you just want me to accept everything, right? All those lies, everything you've kept from me."
Nolan took a deep breath and sat down beside him, looking out over the city with a heavy heart. "Mark, we need to talk. I know you're angry, and you have every right to be. I've kept a lot of things from you. Things I didn't want you to know."
Mark's eyes flashed with bitterness. "You mean things like how you're really an alien, or how you killed the Guardians of the Globe? Is that the kind of thing you didn't want me to know?"
Nolan winced, but he didn't turn away. "Mark, I did what I had to do. The Viltrumites... they have a mission. And I've been trying to protect you from the truth about it. But I realize now that I can't keep lying to you."
Mark's fists clenched tighter, and his voice cracked slightly. "What do you expect me to say, huh? You want me to forgive you for everything? To just accept the fact that you've been killing people in the name of some alien empire?"
Nolan's gaze softened, but his voice remained firm. "I'm not asking for forgiveness, Mark. I'm telling you that I've made mistakes, that I've been wrong about a lot of things. But I want to fix it. And I can't do that if we keep living this lie."
Mark was quiet for a moment, the weight of his words sinking in. Finally, he spoke, his voice quieter, more uncertain. "So what now, Dad? What happens next? You're just going to leave everything behind?"
Nolan swallowed hard. This was the moment he'd been avoiding, the moment he knew would change everything.
"I'm quitting being a superhero, Mark," Nolan said, his voice steady but with a hint of regret. "I can't keep doing this. I can't keep pretending to be the hero, fighting for something that doesn't align with who I really am anymore."
Mark's head snapped around to look at him, his eyes wide with disbelief. "What? You're... quitting? But you've been fighting for Earth your whole life. What do you mean, 'quitting'?"
Nolan took a deep breath and faced his son. "I've been part of the Viltrumite Empire for far too long. But I can't be a part of their mission anymore. It's not right. I've seen what it does to people, to planets. And Earth... Earth deserves better. You deserve better."
Mark's jaw tightened. "So you're just going to walk away from everything? From being a hero, from being my dad?"
Nolan lowered his gaze. "I've already done enough damage, Mark. I can't keep putting this burden on you. You're right to be angry with me, and I don't blame you. I've lied to you, I've betrayed you. And I need to make things right."
Mark shook his head, clearly struggling to process it all. "So what, you're just giving up? You're just going to leave Earth to defend itself?"
"I'm not giving up," Nolan said, his voice softer now. "I'm going to train others. I'm going to train people who can protect this planet, people who aren't bound by the lies of the Viltrumites. I've already started with Naruto and Sasuke. They're strong, and they're going to help protect this world."
Mark's expression faltered, the anger in his eyes shifting to confusion. "You're training kids now? That's... that's your answer? To just walk away from everything and teach them to fight?"
Nolan met his son's gaze. "Yes, Mark. That's my answer. I don't want to be the villain anymore. I don't want to be a part of an empire that conquers planets. I want to help Earth in the way it deserves. And if that means stepping back and letting others take the lead, then that's what I'll do."
Mark didn't respond at first, his eyes flicking between his father and the city below them. Finally, he let out a deep breath. "I don't know if I can forgive you for everything you've done, Dad. But... I'll try. I don't want to lose you."
Nolan's heart clenched, but he knew this was just the first step. There was a long road ahead.
"You won't lose me, Mark," Nolan said softly. "I'm still your father. And I'll always be here."
They sat in silence for a while, neither of them knowing what to say next. The city stretched out before them, and for the first time in a long time, Nolan felt like maybe, just maybe, he was doing the right thing.