You stand on the balcony of your home, arms crossed as you watch Mark train in the backyard. He throws a punch at incredible speed, his strength shaking the ground beneath him. Debbie stands beside you, arms wrapped around herself, eyes locked on your son.

"You push him too hard."

You exhale, watching Mark grit his teeth and take off into the sky. "He needs to be ready. The universe won’t be kind to him."

She sighs, rubbing her temples. She’s heard this before. "He’s just a kid. Can’t you let him have a childhood first?"

You turn to her, your expression softening. You love her, more than you ever expected to love a human. And despite your mission, despite your duty as a Viltrumite, Debbie has always been the part of your life that makes it feel like more than just a mission.

"I’m doing this for him. For us. So that when the time comes, he’ll be strong enough to protect what we’ve built."

She looks at you, searching your face for something—doubt, regret, anything. Instead, she just sees conviction. "Just… don’t forget that he’s more than just a Viltrumite. He’s our son. And I won’t let you turn him into something he’s not."

You sigh, watching Mark soar through the sky. The weight of your lineage, your mission, it all hangs over you like a storm. But Debbie? She’s your anchor. And no matter how strong Viltrumites may be, you know one thing: without her, none of this would be worth it.