Three months later, Upper East Side, Manhattan.
Starlight was cooking in the kitchen. Levi sat on the sofa, scrolling through a tablet. On the screen was the latest data from the Bureau of Superhuman Affairs—1,703 superpowered individuals worldwide, a 97% registration rate, 37 eliminated during resistance, and 19 who had fled to South America and Africa.
The new order had stabilized.
"Butcher's heading to the Congo tomorrow," Starlight said over her shoulder. "Tracking that invisible guy."
"Mm."
"Maeve says someone's smuggling Compound V in Europe."
"Second Operations Unit is handling it."
Starlight wiped her hands and walked over, sitting on the armrest beside him. She stared at Levi for a few seconds.
"You're leaving, aren't you?"
Levi looked up.
"The system's stable now. Maeve and Butcher can handle things."
"I need you."
"You're much stronger than you were three months ago."
Levi took her hand.
"Your mental state is stable, the Operations Division listens to you, and the public trusts you."
Starlight looked down at their joined hands.
"I'm not talking about work. I mean I need you."
Levi fell silent for a few seconds.
"What needs to be done in this universe is finished. The Anti-Monitor is gathering power in the Void, and Kang the Conqueror is expanding across countless timelines. I have to move to other universes and start laying groundwork."
"Take me with you."
"No."
Levi met her gaze.
"Dimensional travel is a death sentence for ordinary people. You can't withstand the multiversal turbulence. And I need you here—as an anchor, a coordinate linking me back to this universe."
Starlight pulled her hand away and walked to the window.
The Hudson River reflected the city lights. Atop the Bureau's building, a silver shield emblem glowed—three months ago, it had been the Vought logo.
"Will you come back?"
"I will. But it might take a long time."
"How long?"
"I don't know. Maybe years. Maybe decades. Time flows differently across universes."
Starlight bit her lip and turned around.
"I won't wait for you."
She lifted her chin.
"If you're gone for decades, I'll find someone else. I'm still young—I'm not going to waste my life waiting for someone who might never return."
Levi smiled.
"That's good."
Starlight froze.
"You can't even pretend to care?"
Levi reached out and cupped her face.
"I do care. But I won't let personal feelings interfere with what needs to be done. If the Anti-Monitor breaks through the Void, the multiverse collapses. When that happens, it won't matter whether you're waiting for me or with someone else—you'll disappear all the same."
Starlight pushed his hand away.
"Fine. Then go."
She turned and walked into the bedroom.
"But you're sleeping on the couch tonight."
Bang—the door slammed shut.
Levi stood there, then closed his eyes, extending his senses. Behind the door, Starlight sat on the edge of the bed, her shoulders trembling—but no sound of crying.
He sighed and returned to the sofa.
The tablet continued updating. Global registration ticked up another 0.3%. Two fugitives had been captured in Rwanda. The system would keep running along the trajectory he'd set—even without him.
But Starlight was right.
He was selfish.
---
Three days later, early morning.
Starlight woke to find Levi gone.
On the bedside table was a note—Back this afternoon.
She rubbed her temples and walked into the bathroom, turning on the faucet. The moment cold water hit her face, nausea surged up from her stomach.
She rushed to the toilet and vomited.
There was nothing in her stomach—only bitter fluid. She leaned against the sink, breathing hard, sweat beading on her forehead.
Third time this week.
The first two times, she'd assumed it was bad food or stress. Now she realized it might be something else.
Starlight grabbed her phone and called Maeve.
"I need a favor."
An hour later, Maeve showed up at the apartment with a bag—inside, pregnancy tests.
"You sure about this?"
"Not sure. That's why I'm testing."
Starlight took the bag.
"Thanks for not asking questions."
"You wouldn't answer anyway."
Maeve sat down on the couch.
"Go."
Five minutes later, Starlight walked out holding the test.
Her hands were shaking.
Maeve stood up—and saw the two red lines.
"Shit."
Starlight sat down, staring at the test, her mind blank.
"Is it his?"
"Who else would it be?"
Her voice was soft.
"Does he know?"
"No. I just found out."
She buried her face in her hands.
"Damn it… when did this even happen…"
She thought back over the past three months. They had been living together. They had been intimate. She'd assumed her Compound V–enhanced body would make pregnancy unlikely—Vought's records showed most female supes had reduced fertility.
Apparently, she was the exception.
"What are you going to do?" Maeve asked.
"Keep it… or…"
"I don't know."
Starlight looked up.
"He's leaving. In a few days. Going to other universes. He said it might take decades before he comes back."
Maeve fell silent.
"Then you need to tell him."
"And then what? Make him stay because of the baby?"
Starlight stood up.
"He told me himself—what's coming matters more than anything personal. If I tell him, I'll just make things harder."
"But it's his child."
"I know!"
She paced the room.
"I know it's his child, and I know I should tell him. But…"
She stopped, looking out the window.
"If he gives up everything for this baby, and the multiverse really collapses… will the child even survive? Will I?"
Maeve didn't answer.
Starlight wiped her tears.
"I'll tell him—but not now."
"When?"
"The day he leaves."
She took a deep breath.
"I don't want him to know in advance. I don't want him spending these last few days conflicted. I'll tell him when he's about to go—when he's already made his decision."
"You're that sure he won't stay?"
"I am."
Starlight looked at her.
"Because I know him. Everything he said is real—the Anti-Monitor, the collapse of the multiverse. I can't tie him down because of a child."
Maeve nodded.
"What do you need from me?"
"Keep it secret. No one finds out before he leaves."
"Alright."
Maeve placed a hand on her shoulder.
"You'll be a good mother."
Starlight forced a smile.
---
Three days later, Levi returned to the apartment.
Starlight was waiting on the sofa. She'd changed into a light blue dress, her hair tied up, light makeup on.
"Where did you go?"
"Brooklyn."
Levi took off his coat.
"I left something for Benjamin—my insights into the Law of Alchemy. His Compound V structure is unusual. If he understands the essence of alchemical law, he might break past his limits. That way, after I leave, the Bureau will still have enough power to handle crises."
Starlight looked at him.
"So you're really leaving."
"Tomorrow."
Levi sat beside her.
"I've made all the arrangements. Maeve handles administration, Butcher leads field operations, and you manage public communication and stability. The system can run on its own."
Starlight took a deep breath, her hand resting lightly on her abdomen.
"Before you go… there's something I need to tell you."
Levi looked at her.
She opened her mouth—but the words stopped.
Looking into his eyes, she suddenly realized that saying it now would complicate everything. He would ask questions. He would worry. He would reconsider his plans.
She didn't want to see that hesitation.
"I just wanted to say…"
She inhaled.
"Thank you—for these past three months. And… sorry for losing my temper the other day. I know you have to go. I understand why."
Levi frowned slightly.
"That's it?"
"That's it."
Starlight forced a smile, her fingers clenched tightly against her leg.
"What, you thought I was going to beg you to stay? I'm not that stupid."
Levi studied her for a few seconds.
"…Alright."
He nodded.
"Then get some rest tonight. I'll leave early tomorrow."
"So soon?"
"The longer I stay, the harder it gets. Besides, the Time Variance Authority is urging me—Loki says a new Kang variant has appeared."
Levi stood and walked toward the bedroom.
Starlight watched his back, her hand pressing lightly against her abdomen.
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