(Invincible) Invincible Bond: Chapter 11 - To Help or Not To

Chapter 11 - To Help or Not To

Summary: Doubt takes root, and a choice must be made—one that could change everything.

Mark was training with his dad right now by catching a villain that was trying to run away. Mark was holding him by the leg, upside down, and high in the air.

Mark didn't like it; from all the lessons Eve helped him learn, that was a wrong thing for a hero to do, no matter the circumstances, and Mark had to agree with her. But his dad insisted that this was the best way to get info out of the villain, and he would know best with all of his experience.

His dad looked at him with impatience and said dryly, "You should make him believe you will let him drop."

With that, his dad just grabbed the leg from Mark's hold and released the man to fall. From this height if he hits the ground, he dies. That was the first thing that crossed Mark's mind, and it made him sick to his stomach.

This moment reminded Mark of the most important part of his conversation with Cecil yesterday.

Flashback

"Well then Mark, considering everything you told me, you and Eve did a pretty good job. Thanks," Cecil told him after Mark finished debriefing the director about what went on at Mars and why they were back early.

Mark then looked up at the ceiling before snapping his fingers and looking back at the director, "Hey Cecil."

The older man turned to Mark and asked, "Yes, kid?"

Mark leaned in, remembering what Eve told him, "Do you have anything I can learn from about aliens and all that stuff?"

Cecil froze in his work and narrowed his eyes suspiciously at Mark, "And why would you want that? I thought you were the sort to punch your way out of things."

Mark rubbed the back of his neck nervously, "Fair enough." Then he grew serious, "Eve suggested that to me."

Cecil's narrow eyes returned to their usual size, and he asked with a little curiosity, "Did she now?"

Mark released a deep sigh before saying, "I had no idea about the Martians until Eve told me on the way there, not to say anything on the squids. I'd like to be more prepared; I want to protect those I care about."

Cecil smiled a little, "Way to say it, kid, you make me proud." Then his smile turned into a worried frown, "But to be honest with you, it's the first time I heard about those squids; Martian Man never mentioned them."

After a moment of tense silence, the white-haired man sighed and said, "It's a problem for later; we have enough on our planet for now. I admire your drive, Mark. I tell you what: I will give you some things to go through as long as you promise not to tell your dad about them."

Mark was startled by the request and looked at Cecil wide-eyed, "What, why not?"

Cecil looked like he was debating with himself while staring deep into Mark's eyes with his own piercing blue pair before speaking carefully, "You should know, Mark, that if I tell you this, things will be difficult from now on."

Mark got closer to Cecil and asked in his most serious tone, "Is it a threat to Mom and Eve?"

Cecil, blunt as ever, replied immediately, "Most likely."

Mark's fists tightened, and he demanded in a low voice, "Tell me!"

Cecil sighed and said in a dry tone, "The more we look into the murder of the Guardians, the more it looks like Nolan was the one who killed them."

Mark took a step back; the words struck him like blows from his dad. In a quiet voice, he said, "No, he is a hero."

Cecil shrugged and replied casually, "Is he? He is an alien with an agenda."

Mark's anger grew and overwrote any of his other feelings as he shouted at Cecil, "After all those years, why would he do it now?!"

Cecil's calm seemed to disappear as he shouted back at Mark, "You think I know?! I don't, and it scares the shit out of me!"

Mark's own anger began to diminish under the despair and the confusion. Cecil sighed before he tried to soften the blow, "Look, kid, maybe someone else took control over him, maybe none of this was by his choice, and he really doesn't remember any of it."

Mark's mood began to lift as his hopes tied themselves to that possibility; his apprehension grew, though, with Cecil's next comment, "But even if it is the case, what insurance do we have it won't happen again?"

Mark looked down, having no answer, instead just a desperate question, "What will we do if it does? Who do we have that stands a chance?"

"You." Mark's eyes shot to Cecil's as he clarified, "We have you."

"Are you kidding? I can't even land a punch on him at training; you think I can take him on in a fight?!" Mark asked incredulously.

Cecil shook his head, "Right now? Hell no. But if you sneak over here twice a week for secret training, we will boost you up to have a chance. I will even throw in the info you wanted to read over."

Mark wasn't sure what to say; it felt like a betrayal against his dad. Cecil smiled and said while raising his hand, "If your dad is innocent, you get to grow stronger to protect Eve anyway. So what do you say, Mark? Will you work with me to protect the world?"

Cecil was right. Eve, he had to be stronger so he could protect her if his dad did go berserk. His fists tightened again, and he said mostly to himself, "If these powers are not enough to protect those I care about, far less the world, so what's their point?"

Mark took a deep breath and shook Cecil's offered hand, "I'm in."

Both men smiled at each other and began discussing when Mark would be able to sneak off for training without his dad noticing.

End Flashback

Mark's fists tightened at his sides. Was his dad always like that as Omni-Man, or is there really some kind of mind manipulation going on that was making him worse?

Whatever the truth is, Mark needs to be ready, so if it comes to a fight against his dad, Mark will be at least able to hold his own long enough.

Mark watched as his dad, at his full speed, caught the villain who immediately began to scream everything he knew. Mark felt a small amount of fear passing through him, witnessing the full speed of his father and knowing he is not anywhere close to that level.

After that, Nolan sent Mark home alone so he could deal with the information the villain gave him alone. Mark didn't feel like arguing and just flew back home.

IB IB IB IB IB

As Mark was getting closer to his home, his mind was stuck on the conversation he just had with that criminal, Titan.

Should he help him? On one side, he could hear one voice screaming at him to stay as far away from it as possible, but then the image of the little girl running out of the building with her hand holding her mother's and the pure smile on her face made him reconsider it.

Once he was inside the room, it took him a moment to notice Eve laying on his bed, scrolling at her phone casually. Mark could feel his heart soar and the tension leaving his body. He smiled and said, "Hi there."

Eve looked over her phone with her own smile and said, "Hi yourself. How was training?"

Mark felt all his energy drained from him, so he sat on the edge of his bed, his body bent forward, "It was... intense."

Probably noticing that something was off about him, Eve left her phone on the bed and sat next to Mark, her hand gently rubbing his back as she asked softly, "Hey, is there something wrong?"

Mark froze. He wasn't supposed to tell anyone; even if Cecil didn't ask him to do that, Mark could realize that anyone who knows about it will be in the biggest danger from either Omni-Man or the one who's forcing him to act like that.

Sensing his hesitation, Eve looked deep into his eyes and said reassuringly, "You can tell me whatever it is, Mark. I'm here to help you."

As he looked deep into those green pools of light, Mark found his resolve gone. After all, Cecil's main point was not telling his dad about it, and right now Nolan was out of earshot, so it would be the perfect time.

Holding her gaze, Mark said with as much firmness as he could, "If I tell you, no one else can know."

Eve's eyes glowed in determination, and she gave him a single nod. Mark took a deep breath, "My dad is probably the one who killed the Guardians."

Eve's eyes grew so much it looked like they were about to pop off her face; she put a little more distance between the two of them before asking carefully, "Who told you that?"

Mark looked away from her expected reaction and replied simply with, "Cecil."

Eve frowned and mumbled, "Did the demon detective speak with him too?"

Mark's eyes flew to Eve's face, and he asked quickly, "What demon? And what do you mean 'too'?"

Eve looked away from him before letting out a deep sigh and saying, "I promised your mom I wouldn't say anything to you, but it looks like you are onto him already, so there is no point in hiding it from you anymore."

His mom?!

After that, Eve explained everything. About her conversation with his mom a few days ago, about the evidence left behind for Debbie from the hell detective, and about why they chose not to tell him.

He understood, but even with all of the detective's work, they had no evidence if what Omni-Man did to the Guardians was of his free will or some manipulation.

Mark in return told her everything Cecil told him, and the deal the two made.

There was a tense silence for a moment before Eve spoke firmly, "I want in."

Mark looked at her confused, "I'm sorry?"

"On your training at the GDA," Eve replied as if it was obvious.

Mark could connect the dots and immediately began to shake his head, "Oh no, you are not fighting my dad; are you crazy?!"

"Are you?!" Eve shot right back at him. "Sorry to tell you this, Mark, but you are a far cry from beating Omni-Man alone; even if you train with Cecil for a while, it will take you months, if not years, to be equal to your dad. If we work together, we will have a chance."

Mark shook his head again, trying to deny her very valid points, and retorted, "And what if he kills you?"

Eve narrowed her eyes, "And what if he kills you? We are heroes, Mark; we don't get to play this card with each other."

Mark tried to find another argument, but when none came to mind, he was forced to relent, "Fine. I will talk with Cecil to include you."

Eve smiled the smile she has every time she wins an argument and kissed him on the cheek. She stood up and said over her shoulder, "Dinner is almost ready; we should head down."

Mark just smiled at her and followed her out after changing clothes.

Half an hour later, all four of them sat at the kitchen table and ate their dinner. His dad sat across from him with his mom on his left at the head of the table, and Eve right next to him on his right side.

There was one thing still sitting heavily on his mind; he glanced toward his dad and considered asking him. It could be a valuable way to estimate his viewpoint right now.

With his mind set, Mark asked out loud, "Hey Dad?"

His dad raised his head to look at him, so Mark went on and explained the entire situation to him.

Nolan seemed unmoved, and after Mark finished explaining his dilemma, he casually said, "It's below you; you should stay away from it."

Mark frowned and asked, "How can you say that? Those people need help; isn't that why I'm a hero?"

His dad put down his spoon and said firmly, "Your powers are for greater things. Like destroying meteoroids, stopping alien invasions, to save the earth! Fighting for a single man is useless."

Mark scowled back at his dad and argued, "And what about his daughter?!"

His dad looked angry, but Mark didn't even give him the chance; he turned to his mother and asked, "Mom, you think I should help, right?"

His mom sighed and without looking up from the food spoke, "Actually, I'm not sure about that. This villain could be lying to you to do his dirty work."

Mark was surprised at his mom's response, though he could understand her avoiding eye contact with his dad after what Eve told him they knew.

Nolan jumped at the chance, "Exactly. You should focus on the bigger picture."

Mark was about to retort when his mother cut in again; this time she was looking at him when she spoke, "But those are your powers, Mark, and you get to choose what to do with them."

Mark was surprised by the 180 his mom just did when Eve spoke up and drew his attention to her, "Debbie is right. You have to choose the kind of hero you want to be. But remember, if you're ever over your head, call me."

Mark smiled at her and nodded to show his promise to her. Mark looked back at his parents who were arguing now.

He noticed his mom was still avoiding eye contact with his dad, while Eve's gaze seemed to be trying to penetrate his dad's skull to see what's going inside.

Mark just looked down at his food and began thinking if he should help Titan or not.