Chapter 3

[3rd POV]

Annie was incredibly excited, occasionally glancing at the back of the greatest and strongest superhero on Earth.

Since childhood, when she watched Homelander's feats on the television screen, she had dreamed of becoming just like him.

She sincerely wanted to protect ordinary citizens and be a hero they could rely on.

Now she was in "The Seven," the number one superhero team.

That was no exaggeration.

There were very few who could rival any of the members, and now she was among them.

"How are you feeling?"

Homelander suddenly asked when they found themselves in the elevator.

"I... I'm fine."

She tried to smile, but it came out too unsteadily, and it seemed this was noticed.

"And really?"

He turned to her with a knowing smile on his face.

"It feels like I don't deserve all this."

She averted her gaze from his blue eyes.

"You're not alone in your feelings,"

Homelander chuckled, recalling Translucent.

"But I assure you, you're not in "The Seven" out of pity. Your abilities are up to standard, and that's what matters most."

"Really?"

Starlight was surprised, not imagining that she could be compared to the likes of Translucent.

"Otherwise, you wouldn't have been chosen. "The Seven" only includes the strongest."

Homelander smirked and confidently stepped out of the elevator, with Starlight quickly following him.

Soon, they entered a big hall where "The Seven" members gathered around a table.

There are monitors mounted on the walls, presumably for more effective city patrolling.

"This is where we meet. And here is your seat."

She pointed to one of the chairs.

"Is it really okay?"

Annie asked with undisguised admiration.

"It's okay."

Homelander nodded and watched with interest as she carefully sat at the table.

"So, how is it?"

"It's cool... I mean, it's good."

Starlight corrected herself when she saw his smirk.

"Well, great,"

He nodded.

"Then let's move on to some rules you'll need to follow, Starlight. Are you ready to listen?"

"Yes, of course. I'm ready."

Starlight sat up straight, placing her hands on the table like a diligent student.

"First, everything that happens here must stay within these walls. That's the most important rule."

Homelander began when he noticed her confusion.

"Second, you report directly to me. Not to Madeline or anyone else, but to me. If something concerns you, you come to me."

"Understood,"

Annie nodded, but she didn't see the point in stating the obvious.

After all, all of The Seven should be reporting to their leader.

"Since I introduced you as a member of "The Seven," we'll be working together from now on. Tomorrow, we'll need to test the level of your powers and, if possible, help you get used to them."

"But I can control my powers."

She protested uncertainly.

"That's what we'll find out,"

Homelander smirked.

"The rest is simpler. Be vigilant in the women's room, as Translucent often hangs around there."

"What?"

She stared at him in shock.

She couldn't imagine Translucent spending time in the women's restroom.

"He likes to peek."

Homelander replied as if that explained everything.

"Why?"

Annie almost whispered.

"Because he can and wants to. That's just who he is."

Homelander answered with a smile.

"And lastly, don't tarnish your own reputation."

"What do you mean?"

"Don't cause trouble on the streets. Don't get caught on camera while drinking or smoking. Watch your words. If your public rating drops significantly, even I won't be able to keep you in "The Seven."

"I... understand."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to overwhelm you. But it's important for you, first and foremost."

He placed his hand on her shoulder, making her look directly into his eyes.

"Now that you're in "The Seven," the hardest part is behind you. You can go and rest in your apartment now. You'll get the keys from Ashley."

Homelander moved to the panoramic window while gazing out at the city lights.

Annie carefully stood up from her chair, glanced at his back, and quietly exhaled.

"Good night, Homelander."

She smiled uncertainly before leaving the room.

It had certainly been an overwhelming day.

"Good night, Starlight."

Homelander's voice reached her.

...

Hughie felt out of place and knew that he didn't belong here.

The death of his girlfriend, Robin was ran through by A-Train.

It had shattered him.

Hughie admired A-Train, but he hadn't even apologized for his actions while justifying his pursuit of robbers.

Vought had simply sent someone who wanted to buy his silence with money.

That had finally driven him mad.

After some time, a British man with a beard and a noticeable scar on his forehead came to see him and introduced himself as an FBI agent.

As the British man was called, Billy Butcher showed him documents proving there had been no bank robbery that day.

Therefore, Hughie couldn't doubt him.

In the end, he was now in a room with monitors showing footage from surveillance cameras in a club.

But not just any club—one where superheroes hung out.

They were drinking, doing drugs, and hooking up left and right, which was not what anyone expected from those who were supposed to be foolproof.

"There it is,"

Butcher pointed to the screen where A-Train himself was sitting on a couch.

A-Train was in his blue costume with an "A" on his shoulders as if to indicate that he was always in the first place.

"Wait... is he really here?"

Hughie asked nervously at the mere thought that A-Train was just a few steps away from them.

"No, this is yesterday's recording. Turn on the sound."

Butcher instructed the security guard.

"You really managed to go through her like a bullet, huh?"

One of the superheroes, who was nearly naked, joined A-Train in drinking.

"That's nothing. I went through her so fast I swallowed one of her molars... Like a bug on the highway."

A-Train replied with enthusiasm.

"You've got to be kidding,"

He commented while laughing as if it was the funniest joke ever.

A-Train laughed along while practically roaring with amusement.

"They're laughing, they think it's funny,"

Hughie began to breathe deeply, clenching his fist in anger.

"You're laughing?"

A new voice rang out, and the camera captured someone Hughie didn't expect to see.

He looked at Butcher, but Butcher was focused intently on the screen, ignoring him.

"Homelander?"

A-Train choked while his friend hurriedly left.

"Does it amuse you that you killed a civilian?"

Homelander asked, and it was definitely him.

"Come on, it's all under control."

A-Train replied while eyeing him warily.

"Really? Because it doesn't seem that way to me."

Homelander smirked, looking at him with disapproval.

"It's all..."

"Didn't you notice her? Or couldn't you stop?"

Homelander asked suddenly.

"I didn't notice."

"You're lying, A-Train. And you know I don't like being lied to."

Homelander loomed menacingly over him.

"Alright, alright! I couldn't stop!"

"How much did you take?"

"I didn't... Okay, I took a little."

"You'll have to stop if you don't want to be kicked out of the Seven."

"For what? Because of some dead woman?!"

"You're losing control of your powers, and your body can barely handle this crap. You're becoming dependent on it, and your heart isn't made of iron."

Homelander responded calmly.

"Robin Ward's death is just the beginning. It will only get worse from here."

"What's wrong with my heart?"

A-Train asked with concern.

"I can see how the drug affects your body, particularly your heart. If you don't want to become another crippled superhero, you'd better listen to my words. Have a good evening."

Homelander smirked, surveying the room.

"And deal with the consequences of your actions."

A-Train was left speechless, simply staring at him.

Homelander calmly left him alone when he realized that A-Train had nothing to say in response.

"Fuck!!"

A-Train shouted in rage and smashed the glass table, along with the booze, with a violent blow.

The recording stopped, and Butcher looked at Hughie.

The intense gaze was unsettling, but Hughie didn't look away.

"What have you decided? Since even Homelander mentioned the situation with Robin, it means they have something to fear,"

Butcher said, stepping closer and looking Hughie in the eye.

"So, what do you say? Will you help take down that bastard?"