The crack of thunder rumbled through the air, and the ground trembled underfoot as a sudden blast of energy surged from the distance. The sound was unmistakable—a collision of cosmic forces, a violent disruption in the air. Nolan's eyes snapped toward the direction of the noise, his senses alert as the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.
"Mark," Nolan's voice was calm but commanding, "stay close. We've got visitors."
Cecil's voice crackled through the comms, and Nolan could hear the tension in his tone. "Nolan, what's happening? What was that noise?"
Nolan didn't waste any time. "Viltrumites. Three of them, it seems. Low-level, but they're here."
Mark turned to face his father, his expression serious. "Three? You think they're here to check on you?"
Nolan shook his head. "I don't know. But they're coming in fast. Let's handle this quickly."
He looked back at the new Guardians of the Globe. "You guys—stay focused. Attack the other two. Mark, we'll take the one together."
Mark nodded, his fists already charged with energy, ready to leap into action. He'd fought the Viltrumites before, but this time felt different. His heart raced, and his mind buzzed with excitement and anticipation. He had a chance to prove himself.
"Minato, Kakashi, Naruto, Sasuke, Itachi," Nolan said, addressing the group of his sons and allies. "Stay out of sight. Don't show yourselves unless absolutely necessary."
Naruto immediately nodded, his usual energetic demeanor dialed back in response to Nolan's orders. Sasuke and Itachi exchanged a look, silently agreeing with the plan. They didn't need to ask questions. Minato and Kakashi stood by, prepared but waiting for their moment.
Nolan's gaze shifted to Battle Beast, who was already preparing himself for the battle ahead. "Battle Beast, don't get too excited. These Viltrumites are weak compared to you. I want you to stay back and watch. Don't get involved unless things go south."
Battle Beast grunted, clearly not thrilled about the restriction, but he respected Nolan's command. "Fine," he muttered, crossing his arms over his chest as he stared at the incoming threat. "But if it gets interesting, I'm jumping in."
Nolan shot him a quick glance, but he didn't argue. Battle Beast could be impulsive, but he knew when to pick his battles. For now, Nolan needed him to be patient.
He turned his attention to Cecil, who was nervously pacing back and forth on the other side of the room. "Cecil, don't worry," Nolan said, his tone unshakable. "These Viltrumites are weak. Maybe not that weak, but they're nothing we can't handle. If things go wrong, you can step in. But trust me, they won't."
Cecil opened his mouth to respond, but before he could speak, the unmistakable figure of the three Viltrumites appeared in the sky. They descended rapidly, their massive forms cutting through the clouds with unnatural precision. Nolan narrowed his eyes, focusing on the group of invaders. They were strong, no doubt, but he could tell they weren't the top-tier warriors of the Viltrum Empire.
The first Viltrumite, a tall and muscular figure, landed in front of Nolan and Mark with a crack of the earth beneath his feet. His eyes gleamed with cold confidence. "Nolan Grayson," the Viltrumite said in a low, grating voice. "The traitor. We've been sent to remind you of your true purpose."
Mark stepped forward, eyes flashing with anger. "I'm not a traitor. I'm protecting Earth!"
The second Viltrumite, a woman with dark hair and a battle-worn expression, landed beside her comrade, sizing up Mark and Nolan. "You are nothing but a coward. The Viltrum Empire does not allow weakness."
The third Viltrumite, smaller but with eyes that burned with a fierce, sadistic light, grinned as he cracked his knuckles. "Let's see how strong you really are."
Nolan's gaze remained calm, even as the tension in the air thickened. "Mark," he said quietly, his voice a low growl, "take the left one. I'll handle the leader. The others—stay out of sight."
Mark nodded, his eyes locking onto the Viltrumite on the left. "Got it."
The battle erupted almost immediately. Mark charged at the Viltrumite, their blows clashing with deafening force as the ground beneath them cracked and shifted. Nolan flew towards the leader, his fists already crackling with energy. The Viltrumite leader barely had time to react before Nolan slammed into him, sending him flying back through the air.
The remaining Viltrumite, the woman, tried to engage with the new Guardians of the Globe. But their teamwork was impeccable, and they quickly overwhelmed her with their combined strength. Sasuke and Itachi's Sharingan worked in tandem to disorient her, while Minato and Kakashi used their speed to strike with precision. Battle Beast stood back, watching with narrowed eyes, a hint of boredom in his gaze.
Nolan's voice was steady as he continued to batter the Viltrumite leader. "You've made a mistake coming here. Earth is not your conquest. Now leave, or you'll regret it."
The Viltrumite leader growled, pushing himself back to his feet. He was stronger than Nolan had anticipated, but it wasn't enough. He attempted to land a blow, but Nolan dodged it easily and retaliated with a crushing punch to the Viltrumite's chest. The leader was sent tumbling through the air, crashing into a nearby mountain range.
Mark, having dispatched his opponent, turned his attention to the leader. But before he could act, Nolan's voice rang out. "It's over. They won't be coming back anytime soon."
The three Viltrumites, battered and broken, scrambled to their feet and quickly retreated, disappearing into the sky.
Nolan turned to Cecil, who had been watching from a distance. "I told you not to worry," Nolan said, the faintest trace of a smile on his face.
Cecil, though relieved, didn't seem entirely convinced. "That was too close. What if they send more next time?"
Nolan's expression hardened slightly. "When they do, we'll be ready. But for now, Earth is safe."
Mark landed beside him, his chest heaving with adrenaline. "That was too easy."
Nolan nodded, but his eyes were distant. "This was just a warm-up. When the real fight comes, we'll need to be stronger."
Cecil took a deep breath, then looked over at the group of new heroes. "They're getting stronger every day. But you're right. We'll need all the strength we can get."
Nolan turned to face his son and the others, a steely resolve in his eyes. "We'll be ready. We have to be."
As they all regrouped, the weight of the coming storm loomed overhead. The Viltrumites were coming—and this was just the beginning.