Battle Beast floated in space, battered and bruised, his body floating in the void like a ragdoll. Nolan hovered nearby, watching his opponent carefully. His breathing was slow and steady, though his knuckles were cracked and bleeding.
The silence between them was deafening.
"You..." Battle Beast panted, blood floating from his lip in tiny bubbles. "You have beaten me."
Nolan stared down at him, his expression unreadable. "I have."
A tense pause filled the empty space.
Battle Beast grinned. "Then… kill me." His voice was filled with grim acceptance. "I have faced countless foes. None have ever bested me like this. I came to die, knowing that my death would be a worthy end. So do it."
Nolan shook his head. "I don't kill out of spite. I kill to protect."
The words hung in the air, cold and serious.
"You want to die?" Nolan's eyes narrowed. "Then you can choose. Fight me again, when you're ready, or you can live. But you'll answer to me from now on. I'm not letting you wander the stars after this."
Battle Beast blinked, incredulous. He had never been shown mercy in this way. "You… You're not going to finish it? You've beaten me. You could destroy me."
"I don't need to," Nolan replied, voice low but unwavering. "I want something more from you."
"More?" Battle Beast said with a laugh that had a hint of disbelief. "You're a warrior. You don't make deals."
Nolan's eyes sharpened. "I'm offering you a chance to be something greater. Join me. Join my family. You will fight by my side, not as an enemy, but as a son."
Battle Beast's jaw dropped. "Son? What—"
"You heard me. You're a warrior, I respect that, but you're also lost. You have no home. No place to belong," Nolan said, his tone softening slightly. "I've fought with people like you — who've been thrown to the edge of the universe and have no reason to return. I'll give you a reason. You'll be part of my family. If you agree, I'll train you, and we'll face each other in combat once a year. But only once. You'll grow, become stronger — I'll help you."
Mark, hovering nearby, blinked rapidly, caught in a mixture of disbelief and confusion. He couldn't believe what his father was saying. Dad? Offering Battle Beast a place in the family?
Cecil's Command Center
Cecil, watching from Earth, had his hand to his face. He was visibly stunned. "I've never seen Omni-Man back down from a fight… Let alone offer something like this. This is insane." He glanced at his technicians. "We might be witnessing something no one ever expected."
Back in Space
Battle Beast's heart pounded in his chest. "You… you would do this? After everything?"
"Yes," Nolan answered firmly. "Because I see a fighter in you, and I respect that. I won't let you die here in the cold vacuum. You deserve more. I'll give you purpose."
Battle Beast looked down at his shredded armor, his body aching, his pride wounded. He had never known mercy like this. For the first time in what seemed like an eternity, his mind shifted, a new thought creeping in.
Finally, after a long silence, Battle Beast looked up, his gaze steady. "I… I accept. You've beaten me. You've shown me a warrior's honor, and for that, I'll fight by your side. But only once a year, Nolan Grayson."
Nolan nodded. "Once a year. And when that time comes, I will push you to your limit. Every year, you will grow stronger, or I will destroy you."
Battle Beast grinned through gritted teeth. "A worthy challenge. You truly are a warrior."
Nolan extended his hand, and for a moment, the space around them seemed to still, as if the universe itself was holding its breath.
"Then welcome to the family, Battle Beast."
Battle Beast took Nolan's hand, shaking it with a strength that matched the battle they had just fought.
Back on Earth
Mark was still in shock, staring up at the sky. "You… you're serious about this?"
Nolan flew back toward Earth, his cape billowing in the wind. "I am. Battle Beast has potential. I'm not just going to kill him because he's strong. He deserves a chance to be something better."
Mark couldn't find words. He had never expected this. His father, the one who had once been the ruthless conqueror of worlds, now seemed to be offering a second chance to someone who had terrorized countless civilizations. What does this mean? Mark thought, his mind reeling. What are you doing, Dad?
In the Grayson Household
Inside, Debbie was sitting at the table, reading over a few reports, when the door opened and Nolan walked in. The kids were already gathered around, and Naruto and Sasuke were happily discussing their training with the other kids.
Nolan stood in the doorway for a moment, scanning the room. Mark was standing next to him, still processing everything that had happened.
"You're back," Debbie said, looking up at him.
"I'm back," Nolan said, his voice steady.
Mark shook his head. "Dad, I don't get it. You just… you let him live. After everything he's done—"
"Sometimes," Nolan said quietly, "you have to let the warrior in someone choose their path. Battle Beast is a monster. But he can also be something more. I'm giving him the chance to be something better. For all of us."
Debbie stood and walked over to Nolan, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You really think this will work?"
Nolan looked at her, his expression firm. "I do."