288 The Boys: Homelander's weakness?, Annie vs Kimiko and Compound V is in the Hands of A-Train.

Homelander suffered a severe blow after returning unsuccessfully from an event that Madelyn had organized for him.

Homelander stormed into Madelyn's office, visibly angry. However, when he saw her, she was playing with her baby.

"Homelander?... What happened?"

Madelyn didn't understand what had gone wrong. Although dealing with the "villains" she had set up wouldn't have been difficult, she had expected that he would take an hour to attend interviews and please the fans, meaning Homelander would be gone for at least that long before returning.

Madelyn smiled at Homelander. Despite his anger, she wasn't worried, given the affection he had for her or more accurately, the affection she had fostered in him.

Homelander glared irritably at the baby in Madelyn's arms, though she didn't notice. Madelyn mistakenly thought she had everything under control. If she were truly in control, she would know that her baby would make Homelander very jealous. And of course, Stan Edgar didn't warn her about that.

"WHAT'S GOING ON?" Homelander snapped, emphasizing the stupidity of the question. "That bastard with the bleached hair keeps showing up and messing with me!!"

Madelyn stopped rocking the baby and placed him in a crib before turning on the TV to check the news.

...

"Damn it…"

Madelyn covered her eyes as she lamented losing three powerful "villains" for nothing. She saw that Homelander was stressed and ready to kill someone.

Madelyn knew she needed to act.

"Sweetheart, don't worry," she said, gesturing for him to sit beside her.

Homelander looked extremely upset but couldn't help glancing at her a few times. After a moment's hesitation, he sat down. Madelyn placed her hand on his head, Homelander resisted for a moment but eventually gave in and lay on her lap. She began to stroke his hair.

"Dear, don't worry, let him dance... In the end, he'll fall just like all those who dared to challenge you~"

"That bastard is…"

"Yes, I know he's strong, but you're Homelander. There's no one above you. He just caught you by surprise, didn't he?"

"…Yeah"

Homelander wasn't an idiot. He knew Allen was dangerous, even for him, but the reason he lost was due to a lack of combat skill. Indeed, when Homelander managed to land a headbutt, it was Allen who ended up bleeding.

Homelander felt better. He was stronger, faster, and more resilient than Allen, so he would ultimately prevail.

Convinced of this, Homelander calmed down, unaware of a concerning fact that Madelyn noticed while watching the incident footage.

'It seems like this young man grows stronger every time he appears…'

Madelyn's thought was both a certainty and a curse. Allen was becoming stronger as he gained more control over his power. Given the unstable nature of Sentry's original power, it wasn't surprising that even Allen struggled to manage it all at once.

...

Allen stepped into the living room to find Annie with Kimiko on the couch. She seemed to be teaching Kimiko how to use the remote.

Kimiko had a scowl on her face, glaring at the blonde with an apparent desire to hit her. Annie, on the other hand, seemed to ignore Kimiko's feelings, excited about helping her adapt to normal life.

Allen was astonished and realized there was a significant misunderstanding.

"I... I'm sorry!" Annie apologized to Kimiko.

Annie had thought Kimiko was like a Tarzan with no common sense or ability to connect with modern society. This made sense since Kimiko had come out of the bathroom naked and didn't want to talk.

Allen sighed. Kimiko had some traumas that made her choose not to speak. Additionally, her limited English skills made communication difficult.

From Annie's perspective, there was a closed-off, aggressive, and dangerous girl with no common sense, and she felt a desire to help her.

From Kimiko's perspective, Annie was a crazy person dragging her everywhere, saying a bunch of things she only partially understood, and expecting her to comply.

Allen explained everything to Annie, who was then very embarrassed by what she had done. She pulled out her phone and started using a translator.

Allen gave Kimiko a new phone.

Kimiko glanced at Allen, she used the phone to indicate that if Annie kept bothering her, she'd end up with a broken nose.

"Huh?" Annie, annoyed, started blinking the lights.

"It looks like they're getting along..." Allen remarked, not wanting to get involved.

...

(The next day)

Allen arrived at a café where Butcher and Frenchie were waiting for him. Butcher's eyes lit up with a sly, corrupt politician's grin, and a gleam similar to that of a rabid fox. Frenchie, on the other hand, smiled like someone who had just enjoyed a bit too much medicinal marijuana.

If Allen weren't Allen, Natasha would be screaming about the bad influences Allen was hanging out with.

Natasha – Hmm...

Actually, she was currently both angry and worried, just as any mother would be upon seeing this pair.

2B – 'Master, I think those two aren't in a condition to be of much use to you.'

Rebecca – 'Those two would fit right into Night City, hahaha.'

Bocchi – 'Um... why is that man looking at us like he's about to pull out an axe?'

(A/N: From now on, the dolls' comments will appear as if they are In the Chat, but in quotes to emphasize that only Allen can hear them, making them more participatory even if they don't manifest physically. 🗿)

Allen chuckled at Bocchi's comment.

Allen sat down across from the pair, each eating a hamburger.

"Hey there, kid," Butcher said with a grin. This guy seems to get cheerful every time he sees Allen.

"Hi~," Frenchie said, taking a bite of his hamburger while eyeing Allen suspiciously, wondering if he was real or just a hallucination.

"Butcher, can you say 'Here's Johnny!'?"

Butcher was taken aback by Allen's words. The Chat and Frenchie began to laugh. Butcher smacked him on the back of the head before turning to Allen with a serious expression.

"Let's get serious, ladies!"

Allen interrupted with an incredulous look. "Butcher, you're the kind of person who definitely looks like a potential killer. Do you really want to talk about that here?"

Butcher smiled and threw a photograph at Allen.

"Our savior friend Ezekiel is having an event tomorrow. So for now, we will go somewhere else hehe."

Allen looked at the picture and was surprised to see it was Popclaw, A-Train's girlfriend. Since Translucent had died without giving Butcher any information, Allen thought they wouldn't be in contact with her anymore.

Members of the Seven are very particular and take great care of their image, which is why even personal relationships are treated seriously. A-Train maintained a secret relationship with a woman who was also a superhero and actress. The photo showed her as a slender, Caucasian woman with short hair.

Felicia – That woman has no eyes for men…

Gwen – Allen, are you going to let this continue, or are you going to stop it?

If Allen lets The Boys contact her, she might end up dead. But Popclaw is not innocent either, as she ends up killing someone.

[I.M] "I'll let the story unfold but will prevent her from killing or being killed."

(A/N: [I.M] = Incognito Mode, making it easier to know when Allen is speaking, but only his chat can hear him.)

Frenchie looked at the photo and then at Allen, wanting to ask about the Asian girl. Of course, he knew what kind of person Allen was, and he believed nothing bad would happen to the girl.

"Allen, how's the girl doing?" Frenchie asked, taking a bite of his hamburger.

"She's doing fine. She had trust issues with others, but in general, she won't harm you if you don't show hostility," Allen blinked and looked at Butcher. "In fact, I'd like her to join the team after some training."

Butcher raised an eyebrow. "Wait, I just thought of something. We should form two teams: one tactical and information-gathering led by me, and another for reaction and attack led by you... and when needed, like now, we can merge them."

Butcher's idea surprised everyone, including Allen. It was true that Allen was taking a different path from The Boys original. After all, his actions were too conspicuous. Additionally, this would reduce the danger for them.

Kara – That... isn't a bad idea.

Raven – It sounds problematic, but not a bad idea, especially for Starlight, who now can't fulfill her dream with Vought.

Starfire – That's great! And when you conquer that world, let me come help you fight crime as it should be!

Tony – I have a bad feeling about this…"

[I.M] "Tony, can you make some Vibranium claws for Kimiko?"

Tony – Huh?... Well, I could, but do you know how hard it is to obtain that material?

Allen smiled and bought a kilogram of Vibranium, sending it to Tony through a private email.

"That sounds good, Butcher," Allen said, getting up. "Butcher, I have things to do this afternoon, so let's go…"

Butcher laughed heartily. This lunatic had been in a good mood lately, and the reason was simple: he had beaten Vought a few times in a row.

"Haha, fine. You go after Hughie, and I'll handle MM."

...

Hughie was at his father's house packing a few things after receiving a call from Butcher saying that Frenchie and Allen were on their way.

Hughie called Robin to let her know.

"Hughie, is this really necessary?"

"I'm sorry, but I have to do this."

"It's very dangerous, and you're not bulletproof."

"Robin, I know, but I have to do this. You know I'll never feel right about myself if I abandon those who saved you."

"*Sigh* I know, I understand you, and that's why I love you... but don't take unnecessary risks. If it's too dangerous, just run."

Hughie smiled. "Thanks for understanding. I'll see you tonight."

*Knock knock*

Hughie looked at his bedroom door to see his father standing there. Hughie frowned. He knew why his father was there, and it always ended in an argument because, unlike Robin, his father didn't approve of him getting involved in something so dangerous.

"Son, how about I take you out for pizza?"

"Dad, I'm not a kid anymore."

"Come on, you used to love going." Hughie's father approached and looked at Hughie's backpack.

Hughie saw his father's intention and got annoyed. "Yeah, when I was eight! Please, I can make my own decisions now. I know you don't like the idea, but I've already decided what I'm going to do!"

Hughie grabbed his backpack and left the apartment. Outside, Allen and Frenchie were waiting.

Frenchie looked at Hughie and spoke in a calm voice, "My father was bipolar... one day he tried to suffocate me with a Hello Kitty pillow..."

Hughie and the Chat were unsure of how to respond in this suddenly awkward situation.

Allen patted Frenchie's shoulder. "*Cough* What Frenchie meant to say is that there are a lot of crappy parents out there. Your dad loves you and is worried about you doing dangerous and stupid things with a questionable group of people."

"..." Hughie opened his mouth but couldn't respond to that argument and began to feel bad.

"Allen?! No, wait!"

Allen pushed Hughie inside. "You know what to do, Hughie," he said with a smile.

Hughie cursed at Allen, and as he entered, he noticed that his father had been listening.

"Dad..."

"W-What's going on, son?"

"I don't think you're wrong to worry about me, but I don't think I'm wrong either. Even so, I shouldn't have gotten upset and spoken like that. I'm sorry."

Hughie hugged his father, and he returned the hug. Hughie then said goodbye and left, not saying anything further as he walked ahead. Allen and Frenchie bumped fists.

...

Hughie, Frenchie, and Allen met up with MM and Butcher outside Popclaw's apartment, who was A-Train's girlfriend.

"What the hell is this, you cheap bastard?!" MM broke out as he saw the team inside the old truck Butcher had gotten.

"Yeah, sure, you want me to bring a damn limo to spy on two Supes?!"

"We need to plant microphones before A-Train arrives," Butcher said.

Hughie raised his hand. "That's not necessary. I just need the IP address and to download a file, and we'll have access to all their cameras and microphones, and any other electronic device."

Butcher, Frenchie, and MM looked at each other, feeling old. Allen shrugged; times were changing.

Hughie and Allen disguised themselves as technicians, with Allen sporting black hair and glasses that concealed his eyes.

The woman opened the door and looked at them quizzically. For a moment, her attention fixed on Allen, and she smiled.

Hughie coughed. "Hi, we're here to install the new router, which will give you up to a thousand megabytes... that's a lot!"

She smiled and let them in. As Allen entered, she looked at him with a blatant gaze and slapped him on the butt. This surprised him; even though he was aware of his attractiveness, it wasn't common for a woman to do that.

2B – 'Requesting permission to take that bitch out!'

Rebecca – 'I'm going to kill her!'

Artoria – 'Ex-ca...'

Gwen – What a shameless b*tch!

Diana – I feel like using my newly sharpened sword.

Maria – Tsk... if only I were there...

Ruby – @$#$&#

Kara – You b*tch!!

Raven – I'm tempted to try some forbidden spells on her...

MJ – Hehehe... someone doesn't want to live much longer ~

Natasha – I'm sure she'd look great in a maximum-security prison in Russia... maybe in the Black Dolphin...

Emma Frost – Calm down, girls~ there's no need to lose our heads over a shameless b*tch. I already have five teams working on creating a portal to that world... no need to get impatient. Fufufu🖤

Allen tried to keep the Chat in check to prevent things from spiraling out of control. As for Popclaw, she started sweating without knowing why, though it was easy to tell it was all the murderous intent directed at her.

...

Hughie finished installing the program, and they left the place. The woman winked at Allen and gave him her number. However, Allen's expression was one of total indifference; this woman had caused him many problems, to the point where he felt he shouldn't make an effort to save her later.

As in the original story, Hughie came face to face with A-Train, but this time he didn't hate him as much since Robin hadn't died. However, A-Train was still not Hughie's favorite person.

A-Train didn't recognize either of them.

...

In the truck, Frenchie and Butcher mocked Allen and A-Train for having a trashy girlfriend.

They watched through the images as A-Train impatiently questioned Popclaw about Compound V.

"You know that sh*t is messing you up..."

"That's not true... I..."

"You killed a woman by turning her into mush..."

"She's alive!"

"But not thanks to you."

"Listen, Madelyn gave me an ultimatum. She's not happy with my performance. If I lose this race against Shock Wave, I'm out." A-Train clenched his fists. "No one wants the second-fastest... I don't want to end up in Team B like a loser."

"Like me?" Popclaw said annoyed and hurt.

"No, not like you, I was talking about Jack The Jupiter honey."

She confronted A-Train about his promise to reveal their relationship to the public, which he never did. It made sense, as he needed Madelyn's permission for that. But there was another reason beyond fearing Madelyn; deep down, A-Train didn't believe Popclaw was suitable to be introduced as his public girlfriend.

After convincing Popclaw, she took out an orange bag and handed it to A-Train. He opened it and pulled out several vials with blue liquid.

...

"Bingo!" Butcher shouted.

Allen silently observed the Compound V.

In his Chat, there was also silence, as this liquid could turn people into mutants in Marvel's case and metahumans in DC's case.

[Host: Each of those vials will provide ten fragments...]

'Huh?... Looks like I have one more reason to get personally involved.'

===

A/N: These two changes are small but will be very useful for the story. 🍷🗿

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