Location: Mars, crater outskirts
The red sands of Mars erupted under the pressure of two titans. Omni-Man and Battle Beast stood at opposite ends of the crater, faces stoic, muscles tight with tension. Debris from their initial skirmish still floated lazily in the weak Martian gravity, scattered like confetti from a celebration of power.
"Ready again?" Nolan asked, rolling his shoulders.
Battle Beast cracked his neck. "This time, I won't hold back."
The two launched at each other like comets, fists clashing in the air with a thunderous shockwave that sent sand flying for miles. Each blow sent tremors through the crust of the planet. The silence of space couldn't mute the force they generated.
Suddenly—a flash of light.
A small spacecraft swooped low over the crater before hovering above them. From it descended Allen the Alien, floating gently between the two warriors just as Battle Beast roared and reeled back a punch aimed at Nolan's jaw.
"STOP!" Allen shouted, landing right in the middle.
Battle Beast froze, his fist inches from Nolan's face.
Nolan simply raised an eyebrow. "That was sudden."
"Who dares interrupt this duel?" Battle Beast snarled, his voice vibrating through his chest.
Allen held up both hands, calm but clearly aware he was in dangerous company. "Whoa, hey—my bad! I didn't know I was showing up mid-fight, alright? I didn't come to interrupt. I came to talk. Just… thought this could wait a minute."
"You thought wrong," Battle Beast growled, backing off slightly but clearly not happy.
"I'm sorry, okay?" Allen said. "Really. But it's important."
Nolan floated a bit away and crossed his arms. "You've got my attention. Make it quick."
Allen exhaled. "Alright. I came to talk about the Viltrum Empire."
That got Nolan's full attention. "Go on."
"I talked to Mark," Allen continued. "He told me everything—about you not finishing the mission, about how you're staying on Earth… training these strange human kids… and something about adopting a monster-warrior?"
Battle Beast stood taller, proudly crossing his arms. "I am no monster. I am Battle Beast. His son, now. I accepted the bond of combat."
Allen blinked. "Yeah, okay. That's… new."
Right then, a blue streak shot through Mars' thin atmosphere.
Mark landed a moment later beside Allen, brushing dust from his suit. "Hey, sorry I'm late."
"You could've told me your dad was brawling in the middle of a Martian canyon," Allen muttered.
Mark rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah, that's kinda just… normal now."
Nolan gave a small nod to Mark. "You told him everything?"
"Everything but the part where you murdered the Guardians of the Globe," Mark replied dryly. "Didn't think that'd help the conversation."
Allen sighed. "Look—I don't want to fight. I'm here to offer a solution. We need to figure out what happens if the Viltrumites send someone to check on Earth."
"They will," Nolan said flatly.
"And when they do," Allen continued, "we'll need allies. Not just brute force—strategy. We need to prepare. And I think this strange little family you've built might be exactly what we need."
Battle Beast grunted. "You interrupt my duel for words. They better be worth the fight I lost."
"You didn't lose anything," Nolan said calmly. "We'll spar again tomorrow."
Battle Beast crossed his arms again. "Very well. Let the alien speak."
Allen looked between the two powerhouses, then at Mark. "So… we cool now?"
"For now," Nolan said.
"Until next time," Battle Beast added, giving Allen a long stare.
As the tension eased, the trio turned to face the horizon of Mars.
Allen smiled nervously. "Man, Earth's gotten way more dramatic since I left…"