"It's not that you become a hero and then earn recognition—
It's recognition that makes you a hero!"
"Obadiah the Iron Monger—who knows nothing of love—
Don't underestimate the bond between brothers!"
"In the name of Homelander—Leon Stark!"
"In the name of Iron Man—Tony Stark!"
"We deliver justice upon you!"
"Take this—!"
"Our burning-hot combo technique—
The Armstrong Cyclone Jet Armstrong Cannon!"
On the massive glass façade screen covering one side of Stark Tower, the scene played in explosive IMAX glory.
Iron Man—wearing the Mark III Armor—fired his chest-mounted Unibeam at full power toward Homelander Leon, who stood braced behind his shield in a Soldier Boy Suit.
The beam struck the shield—
And was mysteriously absorbed.
Leon then pressed the shield against his own chest—
Spread his arms—
And unleashed a super-amplified chest beam, instantly obliterating Obadiah Stane's Iron Monger Armor in a single blast.
Bathed in sunset light, the Stark brothers stood back-to-back.
A dramatic voice-over boomed:
"The Stark Brothers—Resurrection of a Miracle!"
Cut.
On a darkened screen, bold golden lettering appeared:
HOMELANDER: MAN OF STEEL
"Starring Homelander in his first live-action superhero origin film—
Homelander: Man of Steel!
Now showing worldwide in 3D, 4D, IMAX, Blu-ray, Red-ray, Green-ray, Any-ray!"
"…What the hell?!"
"I don't remember filming this!"
Standing on a street near Stark Tower, Leon stared up at the promotional footage for a movie he had absolutely never participated in.
Arcee had used her AI-generated virtual imaging tech to fabricate an entire Hollywood-scale superhero origin film out of thin air.
That was terrifyingly impressive.
But who came up with that absurd storyline?
Leon would respectfully nominate them for "Most Unhinged Screenwriter Alive."
More importantly—
Would anyone actually watch this?
"Hey! Homelander!"
"Can we get a picture with you?"
Leon blinked out of his daze as two American high school boys—one Black, one white, clearly best friends—ran up excitedly with backpacks slung over their shoulders.
"Of course, gentlemen."
Leon flashed his signature radiant smile and gestured them over.
They nearly vibrated with excitement, flanking him on both sides and snapping rapid-fire selfies.
Afterward, they each pulled out limited-edition Homelander Leon collectible cards from their backpacks and asked for autographs.
Leon reached to accept—
Then caught sight of a familiar yet distant figure walking briskly past, clearly trying to avoid him.
"Oh—sorry, guys. Duty calls."
He tapped his Bluetooth earpiece and vanished instantly.
The boys looked disappointed—
But ecstatic nonetheless.
Homelander was even more handsome in person.
Approachable.
Friendly.
Like the cool older brother next door.
They had just upgraded from fans to lifelong loyalists.
And if that was the reaction from straight teenage boys—
The girls were far beyond saving.
…
Elsewhere.
"…Helen."
"Hey, Helen. Let me explain."
Leon flashed in front of Dr. Helen Cho, blocking her path.
"Who are you?"
"I don't know you."
Her expression was cool, composed—every inch the elegant ice-queen scientist—as she attempted to step around him.
"I see…"
Leon murmured softly—and did not stop her.
She walked past him.
A few steps later—
Her composed mask cracked.
Disappointment flickered in her eyes.
Not even going to try to stop me?
"Eek!"
A startled cry escaped her lips.
Leon had swept her up from behind and shot straight into the sky.
…
Three hours later.
"Remember me now?"
"Ugh—don't ask!"
At an altitude of 2,500 meters, atop a cloud faintly tinted red by the sunset, Leon hovered effortlessly using his Bio-Field, holding a thoroughly exhausted Helen Cho in what might as well have been a throne in the sky.
"Where were you for two and a half months?" she asked, tracing circles on his chest. "I knew the one messaging me wasn't you."
"How?"
"Woman's intuition."
She winked playfully.
"Helen."
"Hmm?"
"Can we negotiate something?"
"Go on~"
"I actually liked that cold expression you had earlier—the one where you tried to reject me but couldn't. Could you bring that back?"
"Get lost!"
"Yes—exactly that look. Half angry, half helpless. I love it."
"You—!"
Helen clutched her chest in exasperation.
And the more she reacted, the more satisfied Leon looked.
After that—
They talked lazily, filling in two and a half months of absence in one long stretch.
Then suddenly—
"Leon."
He blinked.
It was the first time she'd called him by name without any honorific.
"I don't care how many foxes you keep outside," she declared boldly. "As long as there's still a place for me in your heart—you're my man."
And she initiated round two.
Leon?
What could he say?
He didn't move.
…
Another month passed.
During that time—
The Daily Sign-In System hadn't produced anything noteworthy.
Leon was almost used to it.
Which was, frankly, terrifying.
Until today.
After spending an entire day indoors with Helen—
The System finally decided to intervene.
[Prompt: Would you like to complete today's sign-in?]
'Too tired. End it all.'
Leon's mind was in post-enlightenment tranquility.
[Ding. Sign-in complete. Congratulations, Host, for obtaining: "The Boys World Travel Card."]
[The Boys World Travel Card: Upon use, you may travel to the world of The Boys. You will receive a randomly generated identity or directly replace an existing character in the storyline.]
[Quality: Single-use consumable]
[Description: In the Marvel Universe, you develop cautiously. In The Boys universe—you strike with iron fists.]
Leon stared at the notification.
"…Well."
"…Now this is interesting."
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