The crater still smoked from the earth-shaking clash. Rubble stretched for blocks. The skies were split, as if still trembling from the shockwaves of the battle that had just ended.

  Mark Grayson — Invincible — lay broken and bruised at the heart of it all.

  His body ached. Blood clung to his lips. His vision swam.

  “I really got folded by a dude who smiles that much…”

  He groaned, dragging himself up slowly. His body trembled, trying to stand tall even as pain screamed from every nerve.

  The man named Goku had already left. A warrior in orange who showed up from another world, beat him in a match of pure strength… and dipped like a nomad in search of stronger fights.

  Mark wasn’t sure if he was more embarrassed… or inspired.

  ?

  A flash of energy tore through the sky. Something new was arriving.

  A circular portal ripped open in midair, humming with Chaos Energy.

  Out of it shot four figures — vibrant, fast-moving, confident. Sonic the Hedgehog burst forward first, blue streak blazing, followed closely by Tails, Knuckles, and Amy. Shadow moved through last, silently, watching from a distance like a phantom.

  They weren’t from this world — Mark knew that immediately.

  But judging by the scanners in Tails’ hands and the battle-ready looks on their faces… they weren’t exactly here for a friendly visit.

  Tails looked at the destruction, wide-eyed.

  “W-What happened here…?”

  Knuckles cracked his fists. “Whatever it was, he’s still standing.”

  Amy narrowed her gaze, readying her hammer. “Looks like trouble.”

  Sonic strode forward, cool and unbothered.

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  “Yo. Big guy. You causing all this chaos?”

  ?

  Mark barely had the strength to reply. He was bleeding, dazed, and already done fighting for the day. But pride — Viltrumite pride — wouldn’t let him go down easy.

  He forced himself upright, wiping blood from his face.

  “Great… more people to fight me today?”

  His voice was dry. Bitter. And defensive.

  Sonic smirked. “Guess that’s a yes.”

  They squared up.

  No more words.

  ?

  BATTLE BEGINS – Sonic’s Team vs Invincible

  Sonic blurred forward first — speed like lightning. For a second, Mark swore he saw Goku again. The way he moved… the afterimages… it was haunting.

  He barely dodged the spin dash.

  Knuckles came in swinging, no finesse — just raw hands. A haymaker caught Mark’s shoulder and spun him around. Mark retaliated with a brutal punch to Knuckles’ gut, but the echidna grinned through the hit.

  Amy dashed in next, her hammer swinging wide — CLANG! It caught Mark’s arm, nearly denting his Viltrumite armor.

  Tails hung back, deploying gadgets — sticky traps and energy pulses, trying to slow Mark’s movement.

  ?

  Mark yelled mid-fight, voice hoarse:

  “I’M NOT YOUR ENEMY!!”

  But his body kept reacting — his instincts were still in battle mode.

  He didn’t want to hurt them. But his fists… they wouldn’t stop swinging.

  ?

  TURNING POINT – The Realization

  While the others fought, Tails scanned Mark’s vitals.

  His eyes widened.

  “Guys… he’s injured. Internal bleeding, bone fractures… he’s not fighting to win — he’s fighting not to die.”

  Sonic blinked. He zipped in front of Mark’s next punch — and stopped it with a hand.

  Sonic, voice low and serious:

  “…He’s fighting like someone defending, not attacking.”

  Amy lowered her hammer. “You think… he’s like us?”

  Knuckles looked away, grumbling. “Tch. Then we’ve been fighting the wrong guy.”

  ?

  THE VIBE FLIP

  Mark collapsed to one knee, panting.

  “I’m… a hero. From my world. I just fought a guy named Goku… and got wrecked.”

  Sonic gave a low whistle.

  “Goku, huh? Sounds like Knuckles on steroids.”

  Mark chuckled weakly. “Pretty much.”

  Sonic stepped forward, holding out his hand.

  “You’re alright, Mark. You survived Goku? You’re good in my book.”

  Knuckles grinned. “Strong too. Might wanna spar again when you’re not half-dead.”

  Amy pulled a med kit from her bag and started patching up Mark’s arm.

  Shadow watched from the shadows, arms crossed.

  “…Interesting. Another warrior with pride,” he muttered.

  ?

  FINAL SCENE – A Cold Presence Lands

  Just as peace seemed possible, Tails’ scanner beeped.

  “Uh… guys? I’m detecting another power level heading this way…”

  Mark’s eyes went wide.

  “…No. It’s him.”

  The wind picked up. The skies darkened.

  Heavy footsteps landed.

  And there he stood.

  Cape flowing. Eyes cold. Mustache unmoving.

  Omni-Man.

  “So… these are your new friends, Mark?”

  Mark stood frozen. The Sonic team turned, battle-ready once again.

  Tension filled the air.

  The next storm was coming.

  ?

  TO BE CONTINUED…

  “Chapter 3 drops this Wednesday on Royal Road and Wattpad. Rift Strong Always!”