Invincible: Blood of Krypton

Star-Man PT.2

"Honestly, I think you might've missed a few steps, Mark," Nolan said, rubbing his eyes.

Mark folded his arms. "Seemed to work just fine to me."

Nolan sighed, placing a hand on Mark's shoulder. "I don't think you're ready. It may not look like much, but you did way more damage than needed."

Mark brushed his hand away. "Hit me."

"What?" Nolan blinked, surprised.

"Hit me now! Do it! I wasn't ready before, but now I am." Mark paused, his voice rising. "I can take it! Come on!" His fists clenched, and his eyes glistened with unshed tears as he swung at his father. Nolan dodged effortlessly.

"I'm not going to hit you, Mark," Nolan said, his voice calm as he sidestepped another punch.

"You never hit me before, okay? It scared me!" Mark's breath hitched. He hesitated, then threw another punch. "It wasn't too much! I could take the pain!" He swung wildly, his fists missing every time.

"I'm strong!" Mark yelled, increasing the speed of his punches.

"I know you are," Nolan began, but Mark cut him off.

"No, you don't! You think I can't handle this!" Mark's voice cracked with frustration as his punch was caught mid-swing by Nolan.

"Oh, son..." Nolan looked at Mark with a mixture of sadness and understanding.

"I'm strong enough, Dad. My whole life, I've wanted to be just like you. But now... I realize I don't need to be you. I need to be better. Please... let me prove I can do this," Mark's voice softened as he finally gave up, his fists dropping to his sides.

"You will be, son. You will," Nolan said, pulling Mark into a hug. "Let me make this up to you."

The scene transitioned to Mark and Nolan standing in front of a prom dress shop.

"You're taking me shopping? For... prom?" Mark asked, raising an eyebrow. Prom had already passed—was his dad that out of touch?

"Not exactly," Nolan said with a smirk. He pressed the buzzer beside the door.

"Were you seen?" a gruff voice came through the intercom.

"Do you know who you're talking to?" Nolan replied. A chuckle followed, then the click of a door unlocking.

They entered and descended into a backroom filled with superhero suits. Rows of them hung on display, ranging from iconic outfits to ones from obscure heroes.

Mark's eyes widened. "You're getting me a supersuit?!"

Nolan chuckled as Mark rushed down the stairs, excitement bubbling over.

"There he is! Nolan's boy," an older man said, smiling as he approached. He extended his hand. "Name's Art Rosenbaum, kid."

Mark shook his hand, still a little confused. "I'm Mark. Uh... I don't think my dad's mentioned you before.."

Art laughed, "Not surprised he hasn't. Typical Nolan." He turned to Nolan. "You've raised quite the kid here."

Nolan grinned. "He's a teenager, Art. He barely remembers anything he doesn't see in the mirror every morning."

Art chuckled. "Well, I got your message. Does the kid have an idea for a suit yet?"

Both men looked at Mark expectantly. "Well... I hadn't really thought about it. I like this suit I've been wearing, but... I want something more. I want people to feel like everything's going to be okay when they see me. Like they can look up and know, 'A hero's here. Everything's going to be fine.'"