The night before the day of Battle, Lorne spent his final evening with his children. Lorne was hesitant to put his children to bed, but he did. He gently kissed them and spent the rest of the evening with his wife.

The next morning, before the sun rose in the sky, Lorne ate breakfast with his wife Mary. She had gotten up early to make breakfast for him. It was their last chance to be together unless Lorne somehow won the battle. Mary decided no matter what she would only show a happy and pleasant face. She knew how much pressure her husband was under. What he really needed now was to know how much he was loved.

Lorne dressed in his best suit of clothes. As usual, he wore his costume under his clothes. It seemed strange but if he didn't, the suit wouldn't look right. Mary came over to him and gently fixed his tie.

"I need to go." Lorne finally said.

"I know," Mary responded.

Lorne had a pained look in his eyes.

"I want to leave before the children wake up. I don't know if I could leave if I see them again," said Lorne.

Mary realized keeping Lorne there longer was actually cruel to him. Taking a deep breath, she gave her husband what might be his last hug. She wanted her last hug to contain all of her feelings and emotions. Finally, she looked into the eyes of her husband and gave him her most passionate farewell kiss.

"I love you," she said.

"I know," Lorne responded cooly but seeing the pained look in his wife's eyes he quickly added, "I love you too." After those last words, he passed through the back door in the kitchen and flew away.

"He tried to leave me with a Han Solo goodbye. Still trying to act cool." Mary laughed but eventually started crying as she sat down at the kitchen table feeling the loss of her husband. She felt so alone.

***

Lorne quickly flew beyond Earth's atmosphere and headed towards his parents' Jupiter home. Along the way, he discarded his civilian suit and morphed into the form of the Invincible Hero. Lorne and his parents agreed to meet at their home on the day of the battle. The entire trip, from Earth to Jupiter, took less than thirty minutes.

Many thoughts ran through Lorne's head as he traveled to his parents' home. He mostly reflected on his life with Mary and his kids. He thought about his time on Earth. As he neared the satellite home orbit around Jupiter, Lorne realized he no longer had the time to think his sentimental thoughts. If he wanted to have a chance to reunite with his family, he had to fight for it! Now it was time to fight! Lorne squeezed his knuckles until they made a cracking sound.

Flying into the satellite home, Lorne made his way to the game room now turned into the war room. As he entered he saw his parents sitting away from a massive group of humans. The humans seemed to take over the room. Lorne was a little astonished by the presence of all these people. He only expected to find his parents and BS42 in the Jupiter home base. The last time he conferred with General Brady they agreed Earth's forces would remain on Earth.

Those present included his friends from the Earth Protection Division. Ever since Earth learned of the impending crisis, the EPD was absorbed into the newly minted Allied Army of Earth (AAOE). Leading the army as the Supreme General was General Brady. It was universally agreed General Brady was the natural choice as the Supreme General of Earth’s Allied Army since his EPD service was exemplary and he had already forged so many strong relationships with Earth's heroes.

He wasn't the only military leader present. In fact, the room was filled with many such people.

The strongest heroes of Earth were there. His friends Big Time and the Pretty Pugilist stood with shining smiles. Major Muscle, Mechaton, Phantom Cat, and finally, off to the side making faces into a mirror, the Cosmic Monkey were here. They were the people he knew the best.

Lorne looked at the Cosmic Monkey and thought, "I won't miss this weirdo at least." As if sensing someone was watching him, the Cosmic Monkey looked over and gave a big monkey smile to Lorne. Lorne awkwardly nodded and then turned his attention to the remaining forces in the room.

As Lorne looked around, he was surprised to see quite a number of Super-Villains. What were they doing here and why weren't they constrained in any way? What a dangerous mess this could turn into. Of course, as he thought about it he realized at his current level of power he could take out everyone here in less than a second. When he thought about it like that he realized Earth still lacked a clear understanding of the crisis they faced.

Lorne found General Brady, sitting at a big table. He loved those big tables. General Brady beckoned Lorne to come over. Just as Lorne was about to head over he noticed his father giving him a look indicating he should come to him first. Seeing this, Lorne gave General Brady the ‘one-moment’ finger and headed to his father.

His father quietly sat in his chair far removed from everyone else in the room. He wasn't happy about turning his home into a command base for Earth. "What did the humans expect to do against a Zimwarn fleet of ships?" Lorne's father wondered. Lorne came to his father as requested.

"Lorne, these humans seem to think their presence here is going to help things. You need to explain to them they're only bringing more harm to Earth by behaving like this. I do appreciate the loyalty they are showing you, but someone needs to explain to them what's going on," said Lorne's father.

"Did you try to explain it to them, Dad?" Lorne asked.

"If I try to explain it to them I might hurt them. I know how attached you are to these humans," Lorne's father said.

Lorne was stunned for a moment. His father sounded more than aloof, he sounded cold. Lorne thought for a while and realized it made sense. Here they were, his family, forced to give up their lives for these humans. His father was backed into a corner but wasn't a coward. He wouldn't sacrifice others for his own survival. Maybe his father was being cold because he was so prideful?

Lorne looked at his mother and for the first time in his life saw a cold expression also coming from her. His mother had always been someone above mundane affairs, but she was a sweet and thoughtful woman. She was always kind to others and even though she held herself apart from the world she still greeted the world with kindness and concern. This coldness was strange. It wasn't just any kind of coldness, it was like a coldness born from pride. ‘Was this the look of a courageous woman facing her destiny with grace and boldness?’ Lorne wondered.

"I'll help them understand Dad, thanks for caring." Lorne turned and walked to General Brady. Lorne's father made a strange look after his son's comment. He looked at his wife who simply shrugged her shoulders. She didn't know why Lorne thought his father cared about the humans either.

General Brady looked somber, but at the same time, confident. "What do you think of the little army we've put together? I think this will give us a shot. What do you think Lorne?" asked General Brady.

"Never hit someone who's smiling at you," Lorne remembered this saying from somewhere. Unfortunately, Lorne was about to give the good intentioned General Brady and his friends a huge blow. If he didn't, they wouldn't even know how they died today, and they might implicate Earth in all the Zimwarn political drama. The last place Earth needed to be was in the middle of a conflict between titans. As the old human saying went ‘never get in a land war in Asia.’

"General Brady, I appreciate your good intentions. I'm truly touched, but you can't help me today. If you try to help, not only will you sacrifice your life and everyone else's lives, you may bring destruction to Earth. The Zimwarn Empire isn't something that can be stopped by us winning a little skirmish outside of our solar system. Earth doesn't even have ships to parry the Zimwarn Warships. What chance do you think this little army of yours has? The only people who have a chance in this fight are my parents and me. You need to let us deal with this," Lorne said bluntly.

General Brady's body and face changed. The steely determination of an old soldier burst forth from him. "Now listen here, Lorne, these people are coming to our home. They think they can just take one of our own and do as they please. A human may be petty and weak, but we're not cowards. We still know what's important! Don't think we're just going to let them kill you and your family! Think about your wife and kids, don't you want to see them again? Let us help you, son. Let Earth give something back to you. You've always stood with us, as far as I'm concerned you are one of us! Today we stand together, or we fall together." General Brady insisted. His voice had gotten louder the more his passions grew. As he finished, those present started clapping and shouting their support of the General's fighting words. Even some of the super-villains applauded.

Lorne was really touched by all of this. He closed his eyes and took in all the warmth and good intentions. Finally, he said in a quiet voice, "I understand."

Hearing Lorne says he understood, General Brady puffed out his chest in pride. Lorne's parents were surprised by the strong support they received from those gathered. Even they were a little touched by the humans' support of their son. ‘If you want to know who your real friends are, just wait until you're in trouble. Then you'll know who are and aren’t your friends. This General Brady seemed like a true friend.’ His father thought.

"Listen up everyone, I have something to say." Lorne began to speak and suddenly his image blurred slightly.

"I appreciate your good intentions, but do you really think you can help me? Aren't you just asking to die if you go with us? Lorne asked.

As he finished his comment, they suddenly realized every person in the room had been caught and constrained. No one, no matter if they were a weak human or a mighty hero, could move.

"Look at the situation you are in right now. I was just talking with you. How many of you realized what I was doing? If I had used my laser vision all I would need to finish the job is to get a broom." Lorne continued. Terror was written over the faces of his friends.

Lorne never demonstrated this kind of power before. When Lorne revealed he hadn't mastered even a millionth of his strength two years ago, they thought he was exaggerating. Now they knew he was telling them the truth. Saying is one thing but seeing is believing.

"You are my friends and you are all heroes, even those super-villains in the room. You've really restored my faith in humanity seeing your willingness to protect your home. The fact even my enemies were willing to risk their lives to support my family and I in this confrontation really blew me away. You can't know how grateful and humble I feel right now.

That's why I can't let you help. If just one Zimwarn person can defeat you in an instant, imagine what an army of them can do. Don't think I'm the most powerful of my race. I'm still extremely weak. Our only hope today is the Usurpers sent people even weaker than me to tie up their loose ends. This scenario is unlikely.

Please, everyone, go home. Whether my parents and I live or die, I promise you Earth will be safe. If you help, all that will happen is you'll die, and Earth will become the enemies of the Usurpers Empire! Becoming enemies of the empire means Earth will be dead before the day is over." Lorne finished his exhortations. With another blur, everyone was free. It was as if they were never restrained.

Lorne turned to walk back to his parents. Suddenly, he heard the grizzled old voice of General Brady.

"He's right! This attempt to stand against the massive Zimwarn Empire was a mistake. Everyone should go home," said the General.

"As for me, I resign as Supreme General of the Allied Army of Earth. Listen to me kid, I don't care if you have to tell them I'm your maid just tell those guys I'm with you and not with Earth. Maybe you're going out to die, but an old man like me has no business living when a young guy like you is about to give his life for his planet," the old General roared.

"You're not getting rid of me either Lorne." This time it was Big Time speaking. "The first time we met you saved my life. Ever since that day, I've always wanted to put my life on the line for you, but you never needed me. Maybe I won't be of any help to you, but I'm going to try my best. Even if I can buy you half a second that's what I’ll do!" Big Time was just as determined as the old General.

"Don't forget me!" Now it was the Pretty Pugilist. "You and I never hit it off romantically, but we've been fighting together as friends for years. You think I'm going to miss this last chance to fight with you? Forget it. I don't give up without a fight!" Darwina roared like General Brady.

"Ya' hear that kid? The Three Amigos fight together! And just like always I'll be standin' there with you givin' all of my support!" The General said passionately.

"As for the rest of you!" The General turned to look at the remaining leaders and heroes. "Vice-Supreme General Gu Kong will take my place and lead our forces back to Earth.” General Brady yelled. “Vice General Gu!"

Vice-Supreme General Gu stepped forward. "Yes, sir!" he shouted as he saluted.

"Take our forces back to Earth and reinforce Earth's defenses in case the invaders choose to ignore their pride as members of the Zimwarn Empire and attack Earth despite the sacrifices the Longoak family and ourselves may be forced to make. You will not make an aggressive move. You will only attack if you are attacked first. Is that clear General?!" General Brady barked out his orders.

"Yes, sir! I have received your orders. We will depart immediately!" Vice-Supreme General Gu turned and right away started organizing the retreat.

Lorne was surprised when he felt his father place his hand on his shoulder. He turned to look at his father who had a grin on his face.

"This General Brady is quite a man. Very loyal. Your friends too!" After his brief comments, Lorne's father returned to his mother. Lorne's mother was also smiling in a friendly way.

Lorne knew now chances were slim. His father actually complemented some of the humans. To his recollection, his father had never shown any real interest in humans. He mostly kept his distance and lived like a hermit with Lorne's mother in one of their homes.

"Ah, Mechaton!" General Brady suddenly cried out.

"Yes General Brady," Mechaton turned to face the General.

"Give me your meanest nastiest Mech and get these kids some of those space armors you created," said General Brady.

"Yes, sir," said Mechaton and then turned to carry out the General's orders.