CHAPTER 23: The Aftermath

*AUTHOR POV: Sorry guys, I'm not feeling well for awhile now but I couldn't let my readers down not today nor ever so with all my willpower I completed a chapter for you guys. Wish me a speedy recovery. Don't hold back in supporting me with power stones. Thank you*

The helicopter blades sliced through the cold night air as Marcus descended toward the clearing near the cabin. He could still feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins, the echoes of his confrontation with Homelander lingering in his mind. The bastard had fled. As much as Marcus hated to admit it, part of him was relieved. Homelander was unpredictable and dangerous. But now, Marcus had a chance to get Becca, Ryan, and Butcher out of here before things escalated even further.

The helicopter touched down with a gust of wind, the noise drowning out the silence of the forest. Marcus jumped out, his clothes still torn from the battle, the remnants of his confrontation with Homelander visible in the dirt and blood on his skin. Butcher, standing near the edge of the clearing, watched him approach, a mixture of relief and concern on his face.

"He's gone," Marcus said flatly, not bothering with pleasantries. "Flew off like a bloody coward."

Butcher's eyes narrowed as he took in Marcus's appearance. "You expect me to believe that? Homelander doesn't just fly away."

"Believe what you want, Butcher. I gave him a taste of his own medicine. He couldn't handle it." Marcus glanced back at the cabin. "But he knows where you are now. He'll be back, and next time, he'll bring more than just his fists. Homelander maybe arrogant because he feels invincible but he isn't dumb, you know that."

Butcher turned to Becca, who stood by the door of the cabin with Ryan clinging to her side. Her face was pale, her eyes wide with fear. "We've got to go," Butcher said, his voice tense. "If Homelander knows we are still here, it's only a matter of time before he comes back, and I don't fancy our chances with him or any of Vought's dogs sniffing around."

Becca nodded, holding Ryan closer. "Where will we go? How will we—?"

"We're leaving in the helicopter," Marcus interrupted, his voice firm. "Butcher will take you somewhere safe, away from all this."

Butcher turned back to Marcus, a hint of desperation in his eyes. "And then what? What about us? What about...?" His voice trailed off, unable to articulate the fractured bond that still hung between them.

Marcus shook his head. "There's no 'us,' Butcher. There never was, not anymore. I've got my own plans, and they don't involve playing happy family with you. But I'm not leaving you here to get killed. Get in the helicopter and go. I'll handle the rest."

Butcher sighed, frustration and a deep, unspoken sadness etched into his features. "You're a stubborn bastard, you know that?"

"Better stubborn than dead," Marcus retorted, glancing up at the sky, half-expecting to see Homelander's figure barreling down from the heavens but that was just his thoughts because he really made waste of that bastard. "We don't have time for this."

As if on cue, the pilot emerged from the helicopter, signaling that everything was ready. Marcus nodded toward the chopper. "Get them on board, Butcher. Now."

Butcher hesitated for a moment, his gaze lingering on Marcus as if searching for something—a sign of the brother he once knew. But Marcus's expression remained hard, unyielding. Finally, Butcher turned and led Becca and Ryan toward the helicopter, helping them inside.

With a heavy heart, Marcus watched them climb in. He could see Ryan's frightened face peeking out from the window, his small hand pressed against the glass. Becca gave Marcus a grateful nod, but her eyes held a sorrow that cut deep. Butcher climbed in last, pausing at the door. He looked back at Marcus one last time.

"You know, you could still come with us," Butcher called out over the roar of the blades. "You don't have to do this alone."

Marcus smirked, shaking his head. "I'm not alone, Butcher. Not anymore. I've got my own path to follow. Take care of them. Keep them safe."

Before Butcher could respond, Marcus turned away, his decision made. He needed to leave. He had bigger plans to set in motion, and he couldn't afford to be sidetracked by familial ties that no longer mattered.

As the helicopter lifted off, Marcus felt a strange sense of relief. His mind was already shifting gears, planning his next move. He sneezed suddenly, the abruptness of it catching him off guard. He chuckled to himself. "Must be someone cursing me behind my back," he muttered, glancing up at the retreating helicopter before launching himself into the air.

Meanwhile, at Vought Tower, Homelander sat in his dimly lit room, a bag of ice pressed against his face. The pain was mostly gone, but his pride was another matter. He'd underestimated Marcus, that much was clear. The fight had been a rude awakening—a reminder that he wasn't invincible. Not anymore. Not against someone like Marcus, who seemed to get stronger every time they crossed paths.

"How the hell did he get that strong?" Homelander muttered to himself, his mind racing. He remembered their first encounter at the plane incident. Marcus had been powerful but not like this. Now, he was... different. More dangerous. More determined.

He heard a knock on the door and quickly removed the ice, sitting up straight. "Come in," he called out, trying to keep his voice steady.

The door opened, and A-Train stepped in, looking as cocky as ever. "Yo, Homelander, you wanted to—"

He stopped mid-sentence, his eyes widening as he took in Homelander's bruised face. "What the hell happened to you?"

"Nothing," Homelander snapped, his voice sharp. "Just a little... training accident. Nothing to worry about."

A-Train raised an eyebrow but didn't push further. He knew better than to question Homelander when he was in one of his moods. "Alright, man. Just thought you should know that the Seven's meeting got pushed to tomorrow. Figured you'd wanna be in the loop."

"Fine," Homelander grumbled, waving him off. "Just... get out."

A-Train nodded and quickly exited, leaving Homelander alone with his thoughts. He glanced at his reflection in the window, his bruises slowly fading thanks to his enhanced healing. He couldn't let anyone see him like this again, not if he wanted to maintain control.

A sudden knock interrupted his thoughts again, and before he could respond, Maeve walked in. Her eyes went wide as she saw his face, and for a moment, she just stood there, stunned into silence.

"What?" Homelander snapped, his temper fraying. "You gonna laugh, Maeve? Go ahead. Get it out of your system. Or are you gonna pity me like some helpless little—"

Maeve cut him off with a cold, calculating smile. "Laugh? Oh, no. This... this is too good to waste on a laugh." She stepped closer, her smile widening. "I'm just enjoying the view, seeing the mighty Homelander brought down a peg. Makes my day, actually."

Homelander scowled, his hands clenching into fists. "Don't push your luck, Maeve."

Maeve just chuckled, turning to leave. "You know, whoever did this to you... I think I like them already." She gave him a mocking salute and walked out, leaving Homelander fuming.

Back in the forest, Marcus stood in the clearing for a moment, watching the helicopter disappear into the night. The weight of what he'd just done pressed on his shoulders, but he shrugged it off. This wasn't about family or reconciliation. It was about power, control, and the future he was building.

He needed to get back to the city, back to his plans. The helicopter was gone now, and he had no intention of lingering any longer. He turned away, the cool night air brushing against his torn clothes. He needed a change, both of attire and scenery.

As he flew up into the sky, leaving the clearing behind, he felt a strange mixture of freedom and resolve as if some shackles has been broken off along with changes within his system panel.

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SYSTEM STATUS]

Current Ability: Superman (Basic)

•Strength: 95%

•Speed: 94%

•Flight: 96%

•Durability: 97%

•Heat Vision: 96%

•Solar Absorption: 93%

•Mental Ability: 98%

*New Ability Unlocked*

•Telekinesis:60%

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His abilities even stronger than before with a new ability as Telekinesis unlocked, which he believed must be the power of the previous body's owner who was experimented on but wasn't unlocked until now. He finally cut tires with Butcher, the path ahead was clearer now, and with Butcher and the others safely away, he could finally focus on what truly mattered.