Chapter 189: Flash Bore (REWRITE)

Homelander stood alone by the window. Beside him was a mirror, reflecting his image—a stoic figure staring out at the scenery, lost in thought.

Then something strange happened. Though Homelander hadn't moved, the reflection in the mirror suddenly turned its head, looking at him.

"Why the long face, big guy?" the mirror Homelander asked.

Homelander showed no surprise or fear at this bizarre occurrence. Instead, he simply glanced at his reflection as if it were completely normal, then turned away.

He sighed, "Nothing seems to be going my way lately. First Stormfront dies, and now that bastard Phoenix Warrior—I have no way of dealing with him. What if he actually kills me?"

Homelander paused, then turned back to his reflection and stepped closer. "I mean, Stormfront almost got taken out by him."

"No, you can handle him!" the mirrored Homelander insisted confidently, as though nothing in the world was beyond his reach. "You're the best—there's nothing in this world you can't do. And he? He's just an opportunistic upstart, a snake who slipped into the ranks, a coward biding his time. He's not worthy of being your opponent!"

Despite the pep talk, Homelander still looked unsure, a hint of fear and hesitation evident on his face. The mirrored Homelander pressed on, "Remember when we were locked in that dark room as a kid? Who was it that helped us get through all of that? It was me. We survived that together. If we could handle that kind of pain, why be afraid of some sneaky bastard now?"

"Yeah, I always pull through," Homelander nodded slowly.

"No matter what happens!"

"No matter what happens."

"And now, I'm going to help us get through this, just like always. You and me, working together!" the mirror Homelander said, his voice full of resolve.

"But... what if that guy really does have the power to kill us?" Homelander lowered his head, his voice trembling. "What if I'm just a showpiece in front of him, unable to fight back?"

"Why do you care what that insect thinks?" the mirror Homelander snapped. "Tell me the real reason—say it out loud!"

Homelander lowered his head further, seemingly too afraid to speak the truth.

"Say it!" the mirrored Homelander shouted, his tone suddenly harsh and demanding.

Homelander flinched, then rubbed his nose and muttered, "I... I want them to like me. I want them to love me."

"That's it!" the mirrored Homelander said. "And yet, it seems you never get that love, do you? Madelyn, Maeve, Stormfront, even your own son—so why do you keep chasing after it, even when you know it leads nowhere?"

Homelander pursed his lips, looking like a hurt child on the verge of tears. He shook his head, "I don't know."

"Don't fool yourself. You know the answer," the mirrored Homelander sneered. "Deep down, a part of you is still... human!"

"No!" Homelander shouted, immediately rejecting the idea.

"Some part of you," the mirrored Homelander continued. "That dirty, shriveled, pathetic part of you still cries and begs. And that's why you're afraid of that little upstart, that Phoenix Warrior!"

"Look at me, big guy, look at me!" the mirrored Homelander commanded. "We have to cut that part of you out, like a cancer. Only then can you become who you were always meant to be—pure, clean, like marble."

Meanwhile, after some obstacles, Jon had finally succeeded in utilizing the Super Seven's connections and resources to track down rogue heroes.

Today, Jon used a Polyjuice potion concoction to transform himself into Gravity Wave user hero, standing before an old mansion.

Not all heroes had dirty secrets. Even among the Super Seven, there were some like Starlight and Maeve who were relatively clean. Jon was careful not to make mistakes—killing someone by accident could easily backfire. If he had access to Vought's records, things would be much simpler.

Jon's target today was named Flash Bore, and Jon had set his sights on him because Flash Bore was a notorious predator—a man in his sixties with an unhealthy fixation on young girls.

The tricky part was Flash Bore's ability. As his name implied, he could teleport anywhere in the world with just a thought—provided he'd been there before. It was similar to Hughie's ability, only more advanced, as Flash Bore could teleport with objects without leaving his clothes behind like Hughie did.

"How are you planning to do this? Need me to seal off the whole house so he can't escape?" Alessa, asked from within.

"No need for that—it takes too much energy. I've got a better idea, though you're not going to like it," Jon replied.

"Like I care," Alessa retorted coldly.

"You'll see soon enough," Jon said.

Jon glanced at his watch. Based on his intel, Flash Bore wasn't home yet. He had a habit of going out for afternoon tea at three o'clock and returning around five—a very predictable routine.

The time was about right, and Jon looked over to the side, spotting an elderly figure approaching.

The man was graying and had a kind, grandfatherly face—hard to imagine he was a monster who had destroyed the lives of countless young girls.

Jon squinted at the man, letting out a cold laugh.

He closed his eyes briefly, muttering an incantation, and his body began to change.

Within moments, Jon had transformed into a girl—a long-haired, pale-skinned beauty in a purple dress, with an angelic face.

It was Alessa's form.

"So this is your plan?" Alessa's voice echoed within him, tinged with displeasure.

"Yup, told you that you wouldn't like it," Jon said.

"Change into someone else!" Alessa snapped.

"No can do. This is the only form that came to mind," Jon replied.

"What about the other girls who you know? Turn into one of them!" Alessa demanded.

"Nope, not gonna work. They are not cute enough," Jon said. "It has to be someone cute enough to lure him in."

Alessa fell silent, clearly displeased.

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