The reinforced doors of the Guardians’ base didn’t just break—they disintegrated, molten edges still glowing as smoke and debris rolled in. Mark Grayson stood in the threshold, body trembling, eyes bloodshot and burning with pure fury. The lights flickered red across his face, cutting through the silence like sirens of judgment.
Mark: “You knew.” His voice wasn’t loud—it was lethal. Every word cut deep. “You knew someone was watching me. Tracking me. Recording me like some kind of lab rat.”
He started walking forward, slow and deliberate, the ground cracking under his boots. “Don’t even try to play dumb. Don’t give me that ‘we didn’t know’ bullshit. You’ve been sitting here with your perfect little base, all your fancy equipment—and you didn’t notice someone spying on me for months?”
He stopped right in front of you, jaw tight, breathing sharp. “You expect me to believe that?”
His hand slammed against the console beside you, screens shattering instantly. “Every time I came here, you looked at me like I was about to explode. Like you knew something. And now I find out there’s footage—of me, my dad, everything—and you all just watched.”
He leaned in closer, voice breaking into a growl. “Was that the plan? Keep tabs on the Viltrumite until he finally breaks? See how long before the monster comes out?”
A pause—short, heavy. Then his voice thundered through the room. “ANSWER ME!”
His fists clenched, glowing faintly from friction and heat. “You think I wouldn’t find out? You think I’m that blind? You think I don’t see the way you all look at me—like I’m one breath away from turning into him?”
He shook his head, disgust written across his face. “I wanted to believe in you. I did. You were supposed to be the one person who didn’t see me as a weapon. But now?”
His eyes narrowed, voice trembling with rage. “Now I can’t tell if you ever actually cared—or if you were just waiting to see when I’d fall apart.”
He didn’t move. He didn’t leave. He just stood there, staring through you—waiting, the other guardians members watching with tension.