Episode 10: New World Order - Part 1

The media announcement about the aftermath of the crisis was broadcasted worldwide, detailing the ongoing repairs, constructions, and amendments in various nations. Many heroes with the power to instantly fix a nation, state, or country were restricted by their governments from using their abilities, much to their frustration. The leaders wanted all hands on deck without relying on higher powers for fast progress.

The media also announced the impending declaration of a single world government, set to take place in six days. Every individual across the globe was in the process of recovering from the aftermath of the crisis. Businesses had crashed, and economies had collapsed due to the previous incidents, making the global recovery effort critical. As the announcement spread, people everywhere were adapting to the new reality and the massive changes ahead.

Meanwhile, in the McCoy residence, Mark informed his parents about the exposure of his abilities during the crisis that affected his school. Tony and Tetra stared at each other in shock, taking a deep breath simultaneously. Mark also revealed that Mark Junior was the first to discover his abilities in an unforeseen way, and later, he revealed them to Amada to save his relationship with her. Hearing this, his parents were stunned. Tetra and Tony then questioned Mark if he was still willing to go back to school now that his secret identity had been revealed. Mark stated he would love to go back no matter what.

While they discussed, Terra was outside, eavesdropping on their conversation. She took off the moment she noticed Mark coming out of the house. After Mark left, Tetra informed Tony that her presence was urgently needed at the Guardians' headquarters. She kissed Tony on the lips before taking her leave.

On the other side of town, as Mark ventured out, he noticed Terra following him. Seizing the moment, he caught her off guard, surprising her from above, midair. Drawing her attention, they both ascended to the upper reaches of the atmosphere for a private discussion.

"Why follow me, Terra? Is there something I can help you with?" Mark asked.

"In fact, there is. I want to see how strong the son of Tetra truly is. Maybe taking on Tetroid was just luck, or you might prove me wrong," Terra replied with a smirk.

"And if I refuse to spar with you?" Mark countered.

"Then we'll never know how strong you really are," Terra's words were a challenge, sparking something in Mark.

"Then I have one request if I am to spar with you," Mark said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

"And what would that be?" Terra asked, curiosity piqued.

"That you fight me like a true Tetronian," Mark replied confidently, his determination blazing in his eyes.

"I have no intention of holding back, Tetraman," Terra said, her smile widening. Before Mark could prepare himself, Terra charged at him with immense speed. She delivered a surprise attack, landing a devastating punch on his face. The impact was instant, giving him a bloody nose and sending him hurtling uncontrollably into the ocean below. The water erupted on impact, a massive splash marking his descent.

Terra swiftly dove into the ocean, seizing Mark by the neck and dragging him to the ocean floor. She pummeled him with immense force, causing the ocean to split and creating a shockwave that reverberated across the waters. With a final, powerful punch, she hurled him back to the surface, sending him airborne with a severely bloody nose and fresh bruises.

She rocketed out of the ocean, ascending into the atmosphere to confront Mark once more. Standing face to face with him, her expression turned sinister as she spoke.

"I believe you're familiar with the ways of Tetronian combat. If not, it would be a shame and a waste of your potential to be easily overpowered by your adversaries," Terra taunted. "You can take quite a beating; I'm impressed. But if this is all you have to offer, I might end up killing you. I'll try not to, though, so I don't get on Tetra's bad side."

"Didn't your mother train you?" Terra continued, but before she could finish, Mark caught her off guard with a powerful punch to her jaw. The blow split her lip, stretching her final words as she drifted into orbit. In an instant, Mark appeared above her, delivering a devastating blow with both fists locked together. The impact sent Terra crashing down to Earth at breakneck speed, shattering an island and transforming the surrounding area into a desolate wasteland.

Terra, staggering to stand, finally regained her footing. She retaliated with a powerful magic blast aimed at Mark, who was hurtling toward her at the speed of sound. The clash of their forces sent shockwaves across the ocean, completely vanquishing the island and sinking it beneath the waves. Terra levitated, her left hand stretched upward, creating a magical barrier that met Mark's fist in midair. The energy crackled with intense lightning before her barrier shattered, the force propelling her backward.

Stunned but determined, Terra regained her stance and unleashed a magical lightning bolt at Mark, sending him crashing into the ocean. Mark swiftly resurfaced and charged at immense speed. They fought intensely, their sparring escalating by the second. Each clash of their fists created reverberating impacts, sending shockwaves across their surroundings and roiling the ocean.

Their movements blurred with speed, the air crackling with energy as they exchanged blow after blow. The sheer force of their battle churned the sea and split the sky, their struggle a testament to their unyielding wills.

As they clashed forearms, Terra remarked, "Your fighting skills have improved, Mark—or should I say Tetraman. Your mother taught you well."

"Thanks for the name. I'll keep that. Actually, it's my first time going all out," Mark replied.

"I'm glad I didn't disappoint. If we take things further, Earth won't be enough," Terra said with a sly smile.

"Show me what you've got. Unleash your last trump card, Terra," Mark challenged.

"You asked for it," Terra responded, breaking free from their forearm clash. She vanished, teleporting around Mark and attacking him from all sides. Mark struggled to keep up, and when he finally caught Terra, he was stunned to see another approaching him at blinding speed, knocking him off balance.

Before he could react, Terra's clones apprehended him. The real Terra delivered massive blows, each punch nearly taking him out. She yelled at Mark to show his true strength. Bruised and bloody, Mark faced the onslaught.

Terra then charged all her energy and magic into a single, lethal attack. She thrust her fist into Mark's chest midair, the energy reverberating across the atmosphere and darkening the clouds. Her fist clutched his heart as her clones held him from falling. Mark was dead.

Minutes of silence passed as the atmosphere began to clear. Terra, her fist still embedded in Mark's chest, tried to pull it out but found herself unable to. She realized, too late, that her fist had been sealed tightly within Mark's chest, who now stood healed, stunning her and her clones.

Mark, now fully revived, looked into Terra's eyes with a fierce determination. "I told you, Terra," he said, his voice steady. "You can't kill a true Tetronian."

Mark's body crackled with massive energy, his eyes burning with the intensity of a Tetra beam. His bruises healed as Terra struggled to remove her fist from him. Without hesitation, Mark swiftly used his hand to sever Terra's arm that was stuck in him, causing her to cry out in pain. With a focused gaze, Mark pulled out the remaining part of her fist from his chest, along with his heart that was still gripped by Terra. Terra watched in shock as Mark's body regenerated a new heart.

He set the detached fist of Terra and his heart ablaze, turning them to ash. Terra, now bleeding profusely from her lost arm, was astonished by Mark's display of power. Before she could react, Mark approached her at blinding speed. She barely noticed his movements, expecting him to strike directly. Instead, he vanished and reappeared behind her, stunning her with his speed.

As Terra braced for a devastating punch, she was surprised when Mark stopped just short of delivering the blow. His fist hovered near her face, creating an impact that reverberated across their surroundings and gave her multiple slight cuts on both cheeks. Bleeding, she opened her eyes and saw Mark had regained control of himself.

"Why didn't you finish me off?" she questioned, her voice tinged with confusion and a hint of respect.

"I still have a lot to learn about myself and my developing powers. I'm not a killer," Mark responded with a smile. He then noticed Terra's missing hand and, with genuine concern, asked, "Are you alright?" He barely remembered that he was the one who had cut off her arm.

Terra, despite her pain, couldn't help but smile back, albeit weakly. "You've got a lot of potential, Mark. Perhaps more than I anticipated."

"Soon, Mark, you'll be forced to make the hardest choice. It's the way of the Tetronians: kill or be killed. Weakness is a flaw, a disease that must be eradicated from the empire," said Terra. "Showing mercy to a Tetronian means disregarding their efforts in combat, and they will not hesitate to kill you in return. Your mother understood this—it is our law, our purpose, and our way."

"We fight to stay alive; only the strong conquer and inherit the universe and its galaxies," she added. Terra then questioned if Mark remembered any of this, to which he responded he had no memory of it. Terra explained that he was like a different being entirely when filled with immense power, regenerating her missing arm as she spoke. This stunned Mark, prompting him to ask if all Tetronians were capable of regeneration.

"Not all Tetronians can regenerate. I use Tetronian magic to recover. While some Tetronians have varied abilities, we all have one thing in common: omnicide," said Terra.

"Omnicide?" Mark echoed in astonishment.

"Yes. The ability to kill the unkillable, which applies to us too. When I ripped out your heart, you should have stayed dead. It was a risky move, yet you survived. Not a miracle, but a fact—you actually survived," Terra explained.

"Your resistance to omnicide is unprecedented, much like the Curtechyians'," she added with astonishment. "Mark McCoy, you truly are something else. Possibly the most powerful Tetronian there is and ever will be, aside from Tetramand."

"Tetramand?" Mark asked curiously. "Who's Tetramand?"

Terra realized that Tetra hadn't revealed their full history to Mark. Her silence made him suspicious.

"Terra, who's Tetramand?" Mark pressed.

"Tetramand is your cousin, Mark," Terra said after taking a deep breath, stunning him. "And he's coming to conquer Earth alongside your mother's sister, Tetora."

Mark's eyes widened in shock and disbelief. He took off from Terra's presence, who tried calling out to him. Terra followed, catching up to explain and possibly give reasons why his mother had kept it a secret.

"Mark, wait!" Terra called, struggling to keep pace with him. "Your mother had her reasons. She wanted to protect you!"

Mark slowed, turning to face Terra with a mixture of anger and confusion. "Why didn't she tell me? Why keep something this important from me?"

"She was trying to shield you from a brutal reality. Our world, our laws—they're harsh. She wanted you to have a chance at a different life," Terra explained, her voice softer now.

Mark's expression hardened as he absorbed the revelation. "I need to prepare. If Tetramand and Tetora are coming, I have to be ready."

"And you will be," Terra assured him. "But remember, Mark, you're not alone. You have allies, and you have me. We can face this together." She then embraced Mark, her compassion and affection mingling with a deep, unspoken desire.

With renewed determination, Mark nodded, realizing the gravity of his lineage and the challenges ahead. The journey to confront his past and protect his future had only just begun.