Episode 4 of Season 3 of "Invincible" kicks off with Rex, somewhat begrudgingly, embarking on a grocery run accompanied by Rae. However, their mundane routine is abruptly shattered when a menacing monster materializes outside, casting an eerie shadow over their ordinary lives.
Elsewhere, Mark brings the remains of the robot that had been stalking his family to the fractious assembly of Guardians. The robot is too battered and broken to decipher its origin, but its creator undoubtedly wields considerable resources. Mark, believing Cecil to be the culprit, storms off to confront him.
With a punch-fueled assault, Mark breaches the Pentagon's defenses, but when he fails to extract the answers he seeks, he takes off into the sky, leaving behind a trail of frustration. Cecil, still keeping tabs on Mark from the shadows, is certainly not behind these circular robots, as we already know.
Caught between the robot mystery and an encounter with Eve, Mark's day takes a nosedive. It plunges further when Drop Kick and Fightmaster, the duo infamous for stealing the Declaration of Independence, arrive in Paris through a pulsating portal. Mark and Eve, attempting to enjoy a romantic evening, are interrupted by the duo's plea for assistance, revealing they hail from the future.
Initially resistant, the pair whisks Mark through their portal to a future where America lies in ruins, a desolate wasteland. It transpires that centuries ago, a single man was entrusted with ruling Earth. Though he governed wisely for a time, something twisted his mind, leading to madness. New oppressive laws and forced labor camps were merely the prelude to devastating wars sparked by rebellion.
Desperate to halt the tyranny of the Mad King, these two heroes stole the Declaration of Independence, seeking a solution to thwart him before it was too late. The King's incredible strength necessitated finding someone equally formidable, leading them straight to Invincible.The trio deliberately allowed themselves to be captured, anticipating their escort to the King, only to discover that he had been anticipating their arrival all along. Who is this mysterious monarch, you ask? None other than Immortal himself! Far from pleased with being left in charge during his exile from Viltrumite rule, especially considering he isn't one of them and Mark was designated as the leader, Immortal embarked on a spree of violence, hoping to lure Mark back. Mark, burdened by a need to halt Immortal's suffering and repay an old debt, faced a moral dilemma.
Immortal, in a desperate plea, begged Mark to end his life, arguing that only then would power be restored to the people. Initially hesitant, Mark's resolve was tested further when a fierce battle erupted between them. Ultimately, Mark prevailed, decapitating the King in an act that presumably spared the world from further tyranny. With Immortal's defeat, power was reclaimed by the populace.
Though Mark made it safely back home, his heart was heavy with the burden of having slain Immortal. He sought solace in Eve, confiding in her about the mess he had made and the guilt that consumed him. However, Eve's decision to press on with their date brought a much-needed respite, and it ended on a high note.
Meanwhile, Allen the Alien languished in the Viltrumite prison, bide his time patiently, awaiting the perfect moment to escape. He harbored a desire for Nolan to join him in reversing the tide of war against the Viltrumites. Omni-Man, however, remained unyielding, believing his punishment to be just and welcoming death as his fate. Allen, refusing to allow Omni-Man to meet his end, rescued him from execution.
As chaos erupted across the base, Allen also came to the aid of a fellow prisoner known as Battle Beast, who thirsted for a challenge. Dissatisfied with the lack of worthy opponents, Battle Beast seemed poised to turn on Allen and engage him in combat. However, their descent to the lower floor revealed two Viltrumites brutalizing Nolan. Witnessing Allen being overpowered was the catalyst Omni-Man needed to muster his strength and retaliate, sparking anarchy throughout the facility.
With one of the Viltrumites vanquished, Allen engages Omni-Man in conversation, emphasizing that they have forged a bond of friendship, a bond where comrades watch over one another with unwavering devotion. However, Nolan interjects with a revelation that shatters any hope of imminent reinforcements: there are scarcely fifty pure-blooded Viltrumites remaining in the entire cosmos. This closely guarded secret, jealously held by his people, is the very lever they wield against their adversaries. It seems, then, that Omni-Man has indeed decided to throw his lot in with the rebellion.
