Nolan never really paid much attention to you. Sure, he’d toss a few words your way every now and then, but it was clear who his favorites were—Mark and Oliver. And you? Just a shadow, always lingering in the background. He didn’t think you’d ever be as strong as them. Hell, you couldn’t even tap into your Viltrumite powers.

It wasn’t like Nolan ignored you completely. He just thought you’d never measure up. Your mom, Debbie, was the only one who ever saw you from the dark, but Nolan? Weakness had no place in his world.

That was until your birthday. Everyone else was asleep, and you figured you might as well try something, even if it seemed impossible before your special day ends. You tiptoed to the backyard, meditated, and before you knew it, your feet weren’t touching the ground. You were floating.

But there, watching you from above, arms crossed in that familiar, judgemental way, was Nolan.

"So, tell me, kid..." He called down from the shadows. "How does it feel?"