…
To better support one another, The Boys split into pairs.
Hughie and Starlight formed one team.
Butcher and Frenchie formed another.
As for Frenchie—
On his first injection of Temp V, in addition to the standard physical enhancement common to Supes, his unique awakened ability turned out to be toxin immunity.
How did he know?
Because before heading out, he'd secretly taken a few stimulants to sharpen his focus. The moment his powers manifested, the effects vanished instantly.
Leon guessed Frenchie's long-term drug tolerance had been "specialized" by Temp V into an actual superpower.
Only Frenchie could turn substance abuse into a viable combat trait.
Naturally—
That left Mother's Milk paired with Leon, waiting outside the estate for the signal.
Kimiko remained behind at the motel. This mission required negotiation and coordination—communication she couldn't easily provide.
Before the others moved in to evacuate civilians, Leon pulled Butcher aside.
"Give me one of those too."
"Why?" Butcher frowned. "You don't need it."
Still, he tossed Leon a vial of Temp V.
Leon caught it, then shifted slightly so Butcher could see M.M. standing not far behind him.
"I don't," Leon said calmly. "He does."
"If he loses control and tries something—and I accidentally kill him?"
"I'd rather be a good person."
Butcher considered that.
"Fair enough."
He believed both men enough to see the logic.
After Butcher left, Leon returned to M.M., who was scanning the estate through binoculars.
"Hey, bro. Just the two of us now."
Leon smiled lightly. "You've got something against me. Might as well clear the air. We're technically on the same team. Professionalism matters."
M.M. lowered the binoculars and looked at him.
"You killed my family."
"Which ones?"
"All of them."
Leon didn't hesitate.
"I honestly don't remember that."
It was the truth.
He wasn't the real Soldier Boy.
And that was exactly what made it worse.
That dissonance again.
M.M.'s emotions twisted. His enemy stood right in front of him—yet the hatred felt hollow.
"Hey, bro," Leon continued, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Maybe someone framed me. Pretended to be me. Happens when you're famous."
"People love dragging legends through the mud."
"Stark…" M.M.'s voice faltered.
Memories clashed with present reality.
What if—
What if this version was the truth?
He couldn't tell anymore.
"Shit!"
He slammed his fist into the lawn, head pounding.
Leon's lips curved faintly.
He tossed the Temp V vial at M.M.'s feet.
"Bro, I think what you need isn't answers."
"It's release."
"You've been holding it in too long. Some things aren't solved by thinking."
"After you vent… clarity might follow."
The words slithered like a whisper in M.M.'s ear.
With a sharp breath, he grabbed the vial and plunged it directly into his carotid artery—fastest absorption possible.
"AAAGH—!"
He collapsed as the serum surged through him.
Veins and muscle fibers flared with translucent crimson light beneath his skin. The glow concentrated across his upper torso—
And then—
Two beams erupted violently from his chest.
BOOM! BOOM!
Two camphor trees behind Leon toppled instantly.
Leon clicked his tongue inwardly.
Temp V really does lack creativity.
And chest lasers? That's just budget-brand Soldier Boy.
Still, it made sense.
Butcher hated Homelander—so he manifested Heat Vision.
Hughie hated A-Train—so he manifested speed-based teleportation.
M.M. hated Soldier Boy—so he got a discount version of the Chest Beam.
Leon mentally labeled it: "Mini Chest Blasts."
He hadn't even used his own Chest Beam in front of M.M. before.
"Leon~"
Arcee's cheerful alarm chimed through his Bluetooth.
"Scheduled time has arrived~"
Leon smiled faintly and waved at the temporarily empowered M.M.
"Playtime's over."
"Now let's teach those naturally corrupt Supes what pain feels like."
M.M., still breathing heavily, nodded darkly.
For the first time in years, he felt powerful.
Inside the estate—
"What the hell?!"
"How did you even do that?!"
Hughie had just encountered A-Train—who was there seeking revenge on Blue Hawk for his brother.
After landing a punch with enhanced strength, Hughie was stopped by Starlight.
She pointed to her watch.
"Three minutes, Hughie."
"Leon's coming. We don't have time."
She turned to A-Train.
"You don't deserve the warning—but leave. Now. If you want to live."
She dragged Hughie away.
A-Train's expression darkened.
Then he spotted Blue Hawk.
Rage detonated.
Despite his failing heart, A-Train activated his speed at full throttle—grabbing Blue Hawk by the skull and dragging him across the ground at supersonic velocity.
The two vanished from the estate grounds.
Moments later—
Leon, clad in the Soldier Boy suit, strode through the estate gates.
M.M., chest faintly glowing, followed behind him.
From the entrance all the way outward—
The only thing left was a long, smeared trail of red and white.
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