…
New York.
Manhattan Square.
On the stage.
Colonel James Rhodes stood as the official representative of the U.S. military, explaining the "truth" behind the Gulmira incident and setting the stage for the real stars of the day.
After a lengthy stretch of polished, ear-numbing government rhetoric, he finally reached the conclusion.
"…We extend our deepest sympathies to the people of Gulmira. However, I can assure you that the United States government was not involved in the incident."
"As for the two super-powered individuals who eliminated the armed militants occupying the region—Iron Man and the so-called 'Shield Kid'—"
"Their true identities remain unknown. However, due to the intense public speculation surrounding the Stark brothers, they will now deliver a statement."
"They will not be taking questions. Thank you."
Rhodes stepped down and handed the stage over to Tony. When he noticed Leon wasn't beside him, a bad feeling crept up his spine.
"Where's Leon?"
"He said he was nervous. Went to the restroom," Tony replied casually.
"At a time like this?!"
Rhodey rubbed his temples. If Leon didn't show up soon, this would become an official disaster.
Tony stepped up to the microphone.
"Testing, testing. Good—Rhodey didn't crush it."
The crowd chuckled obligingly.
Tony pulled out the statement Coulson had prepared.
"Alright. It's been a while since I've addressed you all. I'm a little nervous, so I'll stick to the script this time."
"Yesterday, two armored individuals eliminated the warlord forces occupying the town of Gulmira."
"Some people say the one with the shield is my brother, Leon. Others say the very handsome one called Iron Man is me."
"Oh, come on. Look at me. Do I seem like the kind of guy who could pull off something that intense?"
"If you woke up every morning like I do—with a different woman each day—you'd understand how physically impossible that would be."
At that moment, a voice rang out from the press section.
"Mr. Stark."
Christine Everhart.
"We only want to know whether you and Mr. Leon Stark are the super-powered individuals who saved Gulmira."
"Please answer directly, instead of dismissing the question with crude humor."
The reporters around her stared in shock.
Wasn't this a no-questions event? Is she suicidal?
Christine ignored the looks and held Tony's gaze calmly.
Tony's mouth twitched.
Of course. The reporter challenging him just happened to be involved with his little brother.
"Well… as strange as it may sound, the official statement speaks for itself."
"As for suspicion—interrupting my statement is one thing. Implying that I'm a superhero without evidence is another."
"I didn't say you were a superhero," Christine corrected.
"You didn't? Great. Because that would be absurd."
Tony smiled—but his eyes kept drifting toward the distant sky.
"Clearly, I'm not hero material. I have flaws. A lot of them. I've made mistakes. Plenty of those, too."
Aside from the opening lines, Tony had completely abandoned the script. He was veering off-track fast.
Rhodey hurried back onto the stage.
"Stick to the script," he muttered. "If you keep freelancing, S.H.I.E.L.D. is going to lose its mind."
"Okay, okay."
Tony agreed—though his gaze remained fixed on the sky.
Then—
A glimmer of gold.
His lips curved upward.
"The truth is—"
"I am Iron Man."
Silence.
Then chaos.
Except for Christine—who remained perfectly composed—the press exploded into shouts and questions.
But Tony raised a hand, calming them slightly. Then he pointed upward—toward the blazing sun.
"And let me say it again—I am Iron Man."
"And this—"
"—is the truth you've been waiting for."
The crowd followed his gesture.
High in the sky, silhouetted against the sun, a radiant golden figure hovered effortlessly—defying gravity like a living god.
A second sun.
Then—
BOOM.
The figure descended.
In a single breath, it shattered the sound barrier and crashed into the fan-shaped clearing at the center of the square—the space Leon had specifically ordered left open.
A violent gust of wind swept outward.
Marble tiles fractured in spiderweb patterns.
The ground trembled.
The light dimmed.
Leon Stark stood revealed.
He wore the Soldier Boy Suit—but no helmet. His presence radiated overwhelming charisma, a lethal magnetism that silenced the entire square.
For several seconds, no one remembered to breathe.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Leon walked steadily toward the podium. Tony stepped aside with a theatrical bow.
"A not-so-pleasant accident gave me the power I possess today," Leon began calmly. "It turned me from a useless, idle playboy into what you now call a superhero."
"We were attacked. Just like Gulmira."
"Before I came onstage, certain people suggested Tony and I deliver the usual speech—safe, rehearsed lines about peace and reassurance."
"But we chose not to."
He leaned slightly toward the microphone.
"Do you know why?"
"Why?!" the crowd shouted back in unison.
"Because I believe this power was given to me by God."
"He granted me strength—and with it, the responsibility to protect."
"So Tony and I went to Gulmira. We hunted down the demons who spread war and terror—and we ended them."
"Anyone who seeks to stain this beautiful world… anyone who harms innocent people… is my enemy."
"No matter where they hide, I will bring them judgment."
"God's judgment."
"That is my conviction."
"I will do what I can."
"I will do what I must."
"I will do what is right."
"A real man—a real hero—does not hide in the shadows. He stands in the light, and lets his strength and justice shine across the world."
"Wasn't I chosen to protect you?"
"To defend our homes, our nation, this planet—wasn't that the mission entrusted to me?"
"But even with this power, I have never forgotten who I am."
"It was my homeland that raised me."
"Past, present, and future—I will carry loyalty to my homeland in my heart."
He raised his voice.
"So remember my name—"
"I am Homelander!"
"And you—my friends—are the real heroes!"
For a moment—
Silence.
Then—
"HOMELANDER!"
"HOMELANDER!!"
"HOMELANDER!!!"
The chant surged through Manhattan Square like a tidal wave.
From this day forward—
There was no more "Shield Kid."
Only—
Homelander.
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