Mark faces Conquest in a brutal second fight after initially believing him dead. Conquest escapes captivity, confronts Mark and his allies aboard a Viltrumite ship, and engages in a fierce battle that pushes Mark to his limits. Despite severe injuries, Mark ultimately kills Conquest. Nolan honors Conquest with a proper burial, acknowledging his warrior status despite his actions.
After a harrowing first encounter where Mark barely survives defeating Conquest, the story takes a darker and more intense turn. This second battle between Mark and Conquest is not only brutal but also reveals deeper layers of the Viltrumite Empire's threat and the resilience of Mark and his allies.
Mark, left barely alive after his initial fight with Conquest, slowly recovers. Cecil takes him to see what is believed to be Conquest's body. Mark inspects the corpse himself and is convinced that Conquest is truly dead. However, this is a deception; the body is actually a clone, while the real Conquest is hidden and buried elsewhere.
Cecil plans to extract vital information from Conquest about the Viltrumite Empire and its threat to Earth. Confident in his plan, Cecil is proven wrong when Conquest effortlessly breaks free and heads straight for the Viltrumite ship. Cecil's reaction is one of shock and dread.
Inside the ship, Conquest is immediately confronted by General Kregg, to whom he shows submission. Conquest reports his failure to bring down Nolan's son and secure Earth for Thragg's arrival. Thragg, the Viltrumite leader, harshly criticizes Conquest but surprisingly forgives him, assigning him one last mission: to intercept a team returning from Earth and ensure none survive.
Suddenly, an alarm blares as an unidentified object approaches the ship at incredible speed. Despite attempts to evade, the ship is torn in half by the impact. Amidst the chaos, Mark demands to exit the ship and confronts the attacker—Conquest, alive and standing before him.
Mark is stunned, unable to comprehend how Conquest survived. Conquest greets Mark like an old friend and reveals his orders to slaughter everyone, especially eager for a rematch with Mark. He mocks Mark's allies, particularly Oliver, and declares that Mark will be killed last to enjoy the spectacle.
Oliver impulsively charges at Conquest but is easily swatted aside. Nolan arrives and tackles Conquest, who calls Nolan a traitor and expresses delight at the prospect of killing him. Conquest acknowledges Mark's strength, nearly rivaling Nolan's, and taunts him before the fight intensifies.
Mark demands to know how Conquest is alive, but Conquest reveals he was encased in steel and buried deep beneath Earth, a containment attempt by Cecil. Mark is furious at Cecil's betrayal but is interrupted by a powerful punch from Conquest.
As the battle rages, Viltrumite soldiers swarm the area, firing indiscriminately. Oliver is hit and ordered by Nolan to retreat to a nearby planet to recover. Conquest, however, pursues Oliver, forcing Mark to chase and intercept him just in time.
Mark locks Conquest in a chokehold, but Conquest fights back fiercely, smashing Mark through the terrain and delivering brutal blows that shatter Mark's ribs. Despite severe injuries, Mark refuses to release his grip.
Conquest escalates the attack, punching through Mark's body and causing life-threatening damage. Yet, Mark's determination does not waver. Eventually, Conquest goes limp, succumbing to the chokehold. Mark collapses, utterly broken but victorious.
Nolan and Oliver arrive just in time to aid Mark. They remain by his side, helping him heal and refusing to leave him unattended. Nolan digs a grave for Conquest, choosing to honor him with a proper burial despite Oliver's protests.
Nolan explains that Conquest, despite his misdeeds, was one of the greatest Viltrumite warriors and deserves respect. Oliver argues that Conquest deserved to rot in the sun, but Nolan counters that Conquest's actions were in service to the Viltrumite Empire, making him a greater man in that context.
The story closes with Nolan and Oliver leaving the grave behind, focusing on Mark's recovery and the ongoing threat of the Viltrumite Empire.
This brutal second encounter between Mark and Conquest not only showcases intense combat and character development but also deepens the narrative surrounding the Viltrumite Empire's menace. Mark's resilience and the complex dynamics among the characters set the stage for future conflicts and revelations in the Invincible saga.
