25 Heartbreak.

After training with Eve at the guardians temporary HQ, mark returned home and to his surprise his mom was collapsed onto the floor.

" Mom? Are you okay?"

Mark asked the crying woman.

" I was making dinner... I was making dinner for three... For a minute I didn't realize... I had forgotten he was gone."

Debbie explained to the boy as she cried in his arms.

" It'll be okay mom"

Mark said to the woman as he hugged her.

" Why did you have to fight him, Mark? Why did you have to drive him away?"

Debbie asked in her drunken stupor.

Mark sat on the floor and shed a tear as his mother's words pierced his heart. He lifted his mother up and carried her all the way up the stairs to her bed. He placed her down and covered her up before walking out of her room and going to his.

Mark walked into his room and collapsed onto his bed and went to sleep.

The next day, mark awoke to prepare for school. After completing his morning team, Mark walked down the stairs to see his mom waiting in the kitchen and a plate made for him on the table.

" Thanks mom."

mark said to the woman as he picked up the plate and began eating.

" You're welcome."

Debbie said to the young man as she looked up from her paper.

" Mark?"

Debbie called out to the boy.

" Yeah?"

Mark replied.

" I just don't know what to say. I had been drinking yesterday and... I'm sorry about what I said, Mark. I wish I could take it back... I wish I had never said that. I wish..."

Debbie was explaining to the boy but was cut off during her apology.

" We're going through a lot, mom... I know it. You're the only person that has any idea what I'm going through... And vice versa. I totally understand. To be honest, I think the same thing sometimes."

Mark explained to the woman as he finished his breakfast.

" You shouldn't. You did the right thing, son. That man as hard as it is for me to admit it... That man who we knew and loved never existed. He was a lie. He used me and he used you. It's hard for me to convince myself that the man I loved was never real... But that's what I have to do to get through the day. We have to move on."

Debbie explained to the boy.

" I don't believe that mom. And I know you don't either. Dad was put in a rough place. All of his life he's been loyal to viltrum. But in the short time he's been on earth dad changed. No matter what you might have heard you didn't see his face. He loves you. He loves us. I know he does mom."

Mark explained to the woman before leaving the house for school

Later that day as Mark was getting ready to leave Mark was stopped in the hall by a friend he hadn't seen in a long time.

" Mark!"

Amber called out to the young man as he walked through the halls

" Hey amber. How have you been? "

Mark hugged the beautiful blonde and asked her how she'd been.

" Good, I've been good."

Amber told the man as she fixed her shades.

" Why are you wearing shades inside?"

Mark asked the girl.

" Ugh! I got into a fight with this girl over some guy and got a black eye. Didn't want anyone else to see it."

Amber explained to Mark.

" Ouch! Are you alright?"

Mark asked the girl.

" Yeah, I'm alright. I was actually more worried about you. I heard what happened to your dad and when you didn't show up for a few weeks I asked Eve and she said she hadn't seen you. She was really down when you were gone. And when you came back it's as if a new life was breathed into her."

Amber explained to the man.

' Well, they say a woman glows after sex. And We've made love to one another every day since then.'

Mark thought to himself as he listened to the woman talk.

" I'm sorry to have made you worry so much, Amber. But I promise you I am fine."

Mark explained to the girl when suddenly his Beeper went off.

" Sorry Amber, I missed you, but my job is calling me. I gotta run. Hopefully I'll see you tomorrow."

Mark said to the woman before running out of the school.

" What is it?"

Mark flew through the air over the city's clouds and changed into his suit. Once he was changed, he placed his backpack on a nearby roof before continuing to the GDA Headquarters where he was met by Cecil, Donald, and a fish man.

' Okay, there must be some gaps in ma knowledge. because I don't remember this.'

Mark thought to himself.

" What's going on?"

Mark asked Cecil after the man finished arguing with a fish.

" They want you to marry their queen. When your father killed the guardians, their king aquarus was killed. Their law states that the killer of a husband is required to marry the widow if a suitable mate cannot be found. Apparently, no suitable mate was found. They demanded we turn over omniman but since he's no longer here... They wanted you. Honestly, kid. I'd just as well tell them to shove it... But they got some natural resources that are very valuable to us... And they control all of the ocean... And if we're at odds with them it could cripple the world economy. So, for now... we have to play along. I'm asking you to play ball with them... Just do as they say. In the meantime, we've got our legal team looking for a loophole we can use to get you out of this. We'll get you out of this."

Cecil explained to the young man who looked at him like he was crazy.

" Cecil, you better hope Eve doesn't find out about this. And I swear if I end up having to marry a fish, I will flood every toilet in that building."

Mark said to the man before walking over to the fish guards.

" Come on you stupid Fish faced bastard. Let's go."

Mark yelled to the guard.

He stepped into the cruiser and off they went to the bottom of the sea. After a short trip the guards brought the ship to a halt outside the royal palace.

" Here you'll need this."

The guard said as he handed Mark a mask to breath underwater.

" Thanks."

Mark said to the guard as he placed the mask on. He then swam to the end of the tunnel to meet the queen of the seas and her attendant.

" Ah... At long last, my future husband has arrived."

The woman stated happily.

" Sure ya."

Mark replied.

" You will address her royal highness as your majesty at all times. we will have no disrespect from you earth dweller."

Lethan stated.

" Yeah, whatever look let's just get this over with. Okay. Okay."

Mark said to the man and woman.

The queen smiled and nodded for Lethan to take Mark to get ready. Lethan swam up to Mark and gestured for him to follow him.

Once they were alone mark looked at the man and sighed.

" Look, Lethan right? I can tell you love her royal highness don't you."

Mark asked the fish man.

" Yes! Oh god yes! I can't hide it anymore! I love her... I've always loved her! Ever since aquarus died I've dreamt of replacing him at her side. I'm very sorry, my liege. I know it is treason to say such things, but I cannot contain myself any longer! You must realize how special aquaria is... What an honor it must be to be with her. I'm sorry sire. I'll accept whatever punishment you deem fit for me... No matter how severe."

Lethan explained to the man.

" Buddy, I think you and I are going to get along just fine. You want to be with Aquaria?"

mark asked the fish as he wrapped his arms around his shoulder.

" Well, yes."

Lethan replied.

" Then I have an idea that will help us both out."

Mark said to the man he leaned down and began explaining a plan to Lethan that would help make him seem more suitable as a mate for the queen in his place. After wards Mark followed Lethan to the arena where he would have to fight for Aquaria in front of the kingdom.

" The moment is upon us, people of Atlantis! The time has come for Invincible, son of Omni-man to prove his worth and take his rightful place at our queen's side as our new ruler! Step forward Invincible and claim your destiny!"

Lethan declared to invincible and the people of Atlantis.

" I can't... I'm too scared!"

Mark feigned terror at the sight of the giant creature in front of him.

" You must save the queen! She'll be killed!"

Lethan yelled to the acting Mark.

" You do it! You save her! I can't!"

Mark exclaimed in terror.

Lethan turned and attacked the monster.

" Back Monster!"

Lethan yelled as he attacked the monster, slamming his body into the creature's body over and over again until the creature landed violently on the sea floor unconscious.

" Lethan! Oh, my god! I never knew you to be so heroic!"

Aquaria said to the man as she swam up to him.

" Yes, my queen... My love for you is great... I could do nothing less than risk my life for yours. I have loved you in secret for many years. I could not stand by and allow you to be harmed."

Lethan proclaimed his love for the woman in front of the entire kingdom.

" Oh, Lethan. You have proven yourself worthy to be our king. Take me now! I'm yours!"

Aquaria exclaimed as she welcomed Lethan to her body with open fins.

" Yeah, that's when I know it's time to get the hell out."

Mark said to himself before flying up and out of the sea. As he breached the surface, he looked to see he had received a message from his mother asking for him to pick her up. Mark changed his trajectory and began flying to the location she had sent him.

Mark arrived at the location time to meet his mother's new friend,

" And here he is. Mark this is my new friend, Claire."

Debbie introduced the boy to the young lady.

" Wow Mom, the whole secret identity not a thing anymore?"

Mark asked the woman.

" Boy you don't even cover your face in the first place. Besides this is superpatriot's wife."

Debbie explained to the boy.

" Really? Nice to meet you ma'am."

Mark said to the woman with a smile on his face.

" Thank you Invincible, it's nice to meet you as well."

Claire said to the young man.

" Well, son we better get going you have school tomorrow. Talk to you soon, Claire."

Debbie said to the boy before saying goodbye.

" Goodbye."

Clarie said to the woman before leaving.

" Alright, let's get you home."

Mark said to the woman as he picked her up in his arms, he then flew her home and rested for the rest of the day.