298 The Boys: Perfect Plan, Cate's Apology, Death of a Monster and Walker's Wrath.
Stan Edgar turned out to be a terrifying figure... To grasp the magnitude of this, one must seriously consider his actions.
He met Allen and, a day later, had already decided to kill him...
It took Stan Edgar only a glance to know that Allen was someone incorruptible, or at least he was to Stan Edgar.
It took only a glance for him to recognize Allen's potential...
It took just seeing him act twice for Stan to understand that Homelander would be killed by him.
It took a bit of thinking for Stan to conclude that if he didn't eliminate Allen, Vought would fall to him.
Upon understanding and observing Allen's actions, Stan felt genuine surprise and even respect for him. Allen might have been an accident, or perhaps someone created him intentionally, but one thing was certain: he was what Homelander could never be, and that was why he had to die.
Stan Edgar is a rational and discreet man, always operating behind the scenes, waiting for everything to unfold according to his expectations. But Allen was outside of that.
He considered sending Black Noir after Allen, after administering a dose of Compound V to enhance his abilities. However, Stan believed that wouldn't be sufficient.
Before everything culminated in the events involving Ezekiel, Stan had been tracking Allen's movements.
The first step was to find out what Allen planned to do. Initially, he got the impression that Allen wanted to destroy Vought and the Seven. However, that wasn't what Allen actively pursued.
Allen could have gone after Deep; the address of the hospital where Deep was located was publicized at Stan's initiative. Deep was bait, but Allen didn't go there to kill him. The same was true for A-Train; Allen could have killed him in the subway but chose not to.
Stan confirmed his suspicions: Allen's goal wasn't specifically to kill the Seven but something else. After reviewing Kimiko's identity, the "villain," everything became clear.
"His target was Compound V."
Stan Edgar left his desk and took a more active role in the situation.
...
Stan could only speculate about Allen's strength based on what he had observed. However, he didn't rely solely on that, assuming that Allen would be much stronger than when he faced Black Noir. He moved quickly and began assembling his death squad.
Homelander was ruled out; it would be impossible to have him on the same team as Black Noir. Golden Boy was still too young, and Soldier Boy was still trapped with the Russians. So he decided to include Sage in the plan. Unlike most evil geniuses who see themselves as the best in the world, Stan was willing to acknowledge hs limits, and he had no qualms about "using" even Sister Sage.
...
Sister Sage arrived with a scowl at Stan Edgar's office.
"Everything is ready, I assume," said Sister Sage to the man looking out the window.
"Yes, everything is according to your plan," Stan responded as if it had nothing to do with him.
Sage took a deep breath. This unpleasant feeling she had every time she was near Stan bothered her, but it didn't matter. If she succeeded, Stan would give her Madelyn's position and control of Vought International, which put her in a good mood. She considered the possibility that he might be deceiving her, but if there was one thing that distinguished this bastard, it was that he had never broken a promise or contract, so Sage made him do both.
"All right… there's an 86% chance of success."
"That seems low for someone like you," Stan replied, but he showed no dissatisfaction or criticism.
Sage pointed to the wall where a projector began displaying images. "Tsk, you know we're facing a super that even your pair of monsters can't defeat. It's only thanks to me that the percentage is so high…"
"I see. I expected nothing less from the most intelligent person in the world…"
"…" Sage observed every detail in Stan's gaze and saw no deceit in his words. He truly regarded her as the most intelligent, but something about it didn't add up. Stan was always behind an impenetrable facade. "Although there is one step that has a high chance of failing…" Sage continued.
"Which one?"
"The fourth step…"
Sage changed the image on the projector and began her plan's presentation. Stan watched it out of the corner of his eye.
"The attack will be devastating and instantaneous… it has to be, or there will be no chance against the albino kid."
Step one: Lure the albino super
– Use the Ezekiel event, which is connected with the distribution of Compound V across the country.
Step two: Lower his guard.
– First, use Homelander as a distraction. Once he leaves, the albino will relax his vigilance, even if just a little.
– Second, Ezekiel, being a coward, will reveal information and cause unrest among the albino's allies. We will use this to distract him once more.
– Third, Mindstorm will unleash an extremely subtle illusion, aiming to deceive any kind of alert response from someone like him. We assume he has threat detection capabilities based on how he located an organized crime warehouse just minutes after leaving his home.
Step three: A precise incapacitating blow.
– Mindstorm will unleash all his power on the albino's mind. In the best-case scenario, he will end up in a memory or faint... though this won't happen, it will buy us a moment.
Step four: Contain him.
– Cate Dunlap will use her powers to control the albino... it probably won't work, or we'll assume it won't. The chances are low; the albino has energy-related powers and likely has a mental shield. But if he does have one, Cate's power should be sufficient to contain him... for a moment.
Step five: Limit his power.
– Since Mindstorm and Cate will only manage to contain him for a moment, we must prevent him from defending himself with all his power. We will use his allies, who will be scattered throughout the location, making it impossible for him to defend them all.
We don't know the mindset of the albino's allies, but we assume they might be willing to die on the spot, so there's a low chance that this will make him hold back.
– Second… at your recommendation… we will use innocent people who will be very close to him at that time… however, in my opinion and analysis, there's a high chance that this won't be effective. In risky situations, humans react instinctively and are more likely not to protect them. I didn't find any trace of martyr syndrome in his actions.
"You are wrong…" Stan interrupted Sage, and she frowned.
"Am I wrong?" Sage huffed.
"Your assumptions are impressive, and I'd bet they're close to reality. But you're mistaken about one thing…"
"What thing?" Sage was starting to get irritated, but no matter how she reviewed her plan, she reached the same conclusion.
"He won't abandon civilians, even in such a desperate situation, and he won't abandon his allies… of course, he wouldn't do something like sacrificing himself…"
"Are you suggesting he'll break my plan and still ensure no one dies? That's impossible! Why would he choose such a difficult path?!"
Stan relaxed in his chair and leaned back, looking out the window once more. "Because he's not a defective product…"
"Huh?!"
...
Allen struggled to suppress his headache, which would have been easy to manage with magic or just his base resilience if it weren't weakened in this world. Still, this level of attack would only affect him momentarily.
Artoria, Rebecca, and 2B quickly left to search for Mindstorm.
At that moment, unnoticed by anyone, a blonde girl with a hat made her way through the crowd. She seemed harmless and had no intention of harming Allen; she was merely cornered against the wall. This was the main reason the spider sense didn't activate until she was very close.
Allen locked eyes with Cate Dunlap, who had already extended her hand to touch him. If it had been anyone else, Allen would have immediately attacked her, as Mindstorm's attack had not been sufficient to incapacitate him. However...
Cate was destined to become a villain and a very dangerous one at that. This was due to two reasons: one was her upbringing, which made her harbor resentment against people without powers, and the second was Indira Shetty.
Indira had lost her family on Flight 37 and held a grudge against Vought and Homelander. She needed a weapon against them, and that was Cate. The poor girl who was influenced and manipulated. That along with the side effects of the pills meant to control her powers, slowly succumbed to corruption... But none of that had happened yet!
"Tsk…"
Allen could see regret and deep helplessness in Cate's gaze.
'This is low, Stan Edgar.'
The chat was also impressed by the amount of preparation for this attack; it was insidious and targeted Allen's weak points.
Allen could have killed Cate, but he chose not to and relied on his own strength. Someone like him, who had overcome the impossible many times, was not like Soldier Boy or Homelander.
[Allen always has reason to give his best 🍷🗿]
...
*Cate's POV*
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry…
In the end, I'm weak…
I couldn't feel my hands as I dialed that man's number. I couldn't stop my words as I accepted the deal with the devil. I couldn't think of anything until it was too late.
That day, I didn't sleep…
I left without being able to lift my face or look at my brother's photos…
Before I left, my mother and father were at the door. They knew that if I managed to control my power, they wouldn't force me to stay locked up.
Although they had their reservations, they were afraid of Stan Edgar and decided to support me…
Was this the right thing to do?
I don't know…
Maybe he is a bad person… that's what I thought, and I searched for information. I felt allied when I discovered he was a dangerous villain, a monster who killed superheroes.
It's okay, Cate, you're doing something good. You're even using your powers against a villain. You're going beyond your expectations.
I didn't want to accept it… I didn't want to accept it at that moment, but after seeing that person's image all day, I couldn't help but imagine him as evil. And it's not because he was the most handsome guy I've ever seen.
Even through an image, I couldn't feel anything bad about him… but I thought it was my imagination since everyone said he was evil. Maybe my lack of contact with people my age was making my hormones affect my thoughts, like those crazy girls who fall for killers.
That must be it…
…
I was wrong…
I was so naive…
I ran towards him to rob him of his free will, turning him into a puppet for a man who gives me chills and fear.
Those eyes filled with compassion when he saw me, that warm feeling as I approached, that sense of security—even when I was trying to steal his whole life, he never became hostile…
Ah… everyone was right, I'm a monster…
When I touched him, I initiated a connection. Under normal circumstances, it should have been enough for every cell in my victim's body to submit to me.
It's the end…
I gained false freedom… my body may be free, but my soul was captured by the devil…
"What?!"
Lies! This time, it didn't happen! The connection was formed, but it didn't submit to me. That's impossible… not even the slightest bit of him submitted to me!
Nothing, not a single thing!
More than anything, what is this feeling of contempt… It's as if every part of him independent of his will despises me for attempting something as ridiculous as trying to control him.
Who are you?!
Various images flowed toward me like a gigantic river… I didn't understand everything, but I realized this was the record of a story… a massive story that I barely grasped…
*End of POV*
Allen took Cate's hand and slowly pulled it away from his cheek, then laughed. "Sorry, but I can't let you control me..."
Cate's mouth was agape as she struggled to believe what was happening. Allen couldn't hide his satisfaction at winning the bet. In truth, he had his doubts, but the weight of his past combined with his mental strength from everything he had endured made it clear that not just any ability could control him. Of course, there was also the fact that he was infinitely stronger than Cate, but Allen preferred to think it was his mental fortitude.
Allen's smile didn't last long. He immediately called for Clown Crown and changed outfits, then turned his attention to the sky.
"The attack was perfect, a truly lethal strike by a chilling and terrifying man, BUT!"
If Allen had only possessed the powers of Sentry and Spider-Man, he would have been dead. However, Stan Edgar and Sister Sage were incapable of even imagining who Allen Walker was and what he could truly do. Allen had even endured the torture of the sadistic monster Sukuna without breaking. This detail, which defied all conceivable logic, was a huge crack in their plans.
'This won't go unpunished!!'
...
Black Noir descended like a meteor at lightning speed. He was the ultimate weapon, and his mission was to attack Allen with the full intent to kill, regardless of the sacrifice.
This was the real plan. Mindstorm's hunch was accurate. Both he and Cate were mere means to contain Allen long enough time for him to receive the full power of such a monster, without even defending themselves.
The damage would be devastating; the entire area would be destroyed, leaving nothing but a gigantic crater. There would be countless deaths, but it was a price Stan and Sage were willing to pay.
"YOU WILL DIIIEEEE!!!!" Black Noir shouted, though due to his speed, the words were inaudible. He was about to reach the surface, almost tasting the death and destruction...
"...?"
Black Noir was confused. At one moment, there was a shadow very close to him. He had not yet reached the surface, so it shouldn't have been the ground.
"No..." a voice said directly in Black Noir's mind.
Allen appeared...
Noir saw a man with a scowl, golden eyes, and a clenched fist.
Noir didn't have time to think. Raised as a monster and a weapon, he instinctively used his fist to counterattack.
Noir was expressionless, his brain struggling to keep up with the events. Nevertheless, Noir acted and responded to Allen's attack with a blank mind.
Allen didn't care about that and continued his assault. At this moment, his body radiated enough energy to rival the sun, which was already a massive increase in power.
As Black Noir was dazzled, for the first time in his life, he regretted picking a fight with someone.
"Oh..." was all Black Noir thought before their fists collided.
Upon impact, a massive shockwave spread in all directions, pushing trees with the air generated and causing people to cover their ears and fall to the ground.
With his enhanced senses, Black Noir watched in slow motion as his fist slowly turned into a pulp of flesh and blood, followed by his wrist, arm, and finally Allen's fist heading toward his chest.
Black Noir was dead. That made him smile... not a smile of fear or desperation, but a genuine smile of joy.
Noir smiled as Allen's fist touched his indestructible chest and pulverized it, moments later heading towards his heart.
Allen's expression shifted from annoyance to pity and distaste. "I pity you... you were never taught to be a person and ended up dying like a twisted monster... I won't forgive you, and no one who suffered because of you will. But it's not your fault you were created..."
Black Noir could hear Allen's words in his mind. It could be seen as a mockery to say this as Allen's fist was about to kill Noir, but Noir didn't see it that way.
"Don't worry... I'm glad that Father found a perfect product before he died... thank you."
Allen was surprised by Noir's response. Many didn't expect the sadistic, deranged cannibal to respond in such a calm manner. But Allen didn't stop his fist for a second; there was no room for such a thing. Black Noir had been on the verge of killing everyone Allen knew in this world, including Annie and Kimiko.
There was no way Allen would forgive him.
Time resumed, and Black Noir was launched into the sky at a speed even greater than his descent.
Unlike other supers, Black Noir was able to withstand such a blow from Allen without exploding. However, his chest, heart, and organs had been destroyed.
...
...
...
Black Noir regained consciousness in space, silently watching the sunlight. No one knew what a clone like him should feel at this moment or what was going through his mind in his final moments.
"Father..."
Black Noir slowly closed his eyes, bidding farewell to this world with his last words being directed to the man who had only seen him as a product until the end.
Allen remained in the sky. After ensuring that Noir was no longer a problem, he looked down. Artoria had used her second Noble Phantasm to protect the area.
The people at the event would probably never even know what had happened. It was better that way; no one would want to know they were almost killed by a monster and its creation.
Allen sighed in relief. However, his eyes turned cold. He left everything in Artoria's hands and flew at full speed toward Vought.
Just as Stan Edgar's attack had been unpleasant, immediate, and insidious, Allen's response would be equally decisive, without mercy!
...
Allen burst into the Vought building, crashing through a window without any courtesy, startling many employees who fled in panic.
Allen walked through the corridors. Some guards appeared and fired their weapons, but they did not affect Allen, who practically ignored them and continued on his way.
Allen used the system to hack into the network and locate Stan's office.
Amidst the screams and alarms, Allen advanced and encountered Deep. However, Deep knelt without any shame and didn't dare to bother the man in the cape.
Allen kicked down the door and entered.
There was no one there...
'System?'
[All recordings from the last hour were destroyed, including the servers where they were stored.]
Allen pressed his lips together but didn't make a scene. Instead, he walked silently to Stan Edgar's desk and looked at a letter that had been left there.
"For you..."
It was clear who Stan Edgar was referring to.
"Not yet, 2B!"
The girl with short white hair and black clothing appeared and scanned the area.
"Master, there's a false wall!"
Allen approached the wall 2B had pointed out and forcibly removed a metal panel.
There was an elevator...
"Rebecca, stop the elevator."
"Got it."
The girl with green hair and pigtails pulled a cable from her neck and connected it to the elevator.
"Sorry, dear, it's too late. The elevator has already reached the lowest level..."
Allen cut her off and was about to descend when the entire building shook. The elevator connected to an underground train, and once it left, the tunnel detonated. This didn't compromise the building's structure, but it made it impossible to track Stan Edgar and probably Sister Sage.
"Son of a b*tch..." Allen muttered, deciding to go back and check that everyone was okay.
...
Gwen – Was this the end of Vought?
Felicia – I don't think so... Madelyn and Homelander are still out there...
MJ – Stan Edgar was like a hidden boss
Natasha – Well, Allen could kill Homelander now.
Diana – It wouldn't work; Homelander's image is still too good. He would only be seen as a martyr and praised in his death.
EmmaF – Fuck Black Noir for trying to kill my Allen!!
Urahara – I don't feel sorry for Noir, but even a monster like him loved his father in his twisted way.
PercyJ – Unfortunately, that's life. You can't try to kill someone without expecting the other person to respond in kind.
===
A/N:I enjoyed writing smart villains, it's fun to get on the villain's side and think about how to kill Allen.
My new patreon is: Patreon.com/_Aizen