" I actually agree, I'm sure your charm could keep anyone in line."
Madeline furrowed her brow and looked at Alex,"And what do you mean by that?"
"I mean your a manipulative bitch." The kind smile on his face only angered her more.
"Can you two stop arguing like children, we have better things to focus on." Edgar cut in before Madeline could respond.
"Sure, that's actually what I came here for."
Alex walked over to Edgar's desk and pulled out a classified document that he handed to Edgar.
Edgar skimmed through the document with clear interest.
"This implant is at least military grade tech, if you want to begin trails you'll have to wait until we find a suitable candidate,"
Looking at the diagram, Edgar noticed the capabilities listed and enquired further,
" This Sandevistan looks promising, able to enhance a user to that of a speedster."
"Yes, while it can't come close to my level it can allow soldiers to fight on par with the average supe while being perfectly contrable with the backdoor I plan to wire into its software." Alex added.
Edgar was more than pleased at this as the biggest problem with using supes was the inability to control their powers, making them unpredictable. However he also noticed a key point in the document.
"And what about the risk of psychosis, can you solve that?" This question was reasonable.
"No sir, that's why we need extensive trail runs to test the variables and mitigate the risk." Alex answered.
Madeline watched the two discuss the details of the tech and grew impatient,"Can you two discuss this another time,we have a show tomorrow don't we?"
Alex and Edgar looked at her.
"Of course, it's not like my groundbreaking combat cybernetics could ever hold a candle to parading around a new supe."
The sarcasm in Alex's voice wasn't hidden.
"I'm glad you think so," Madeline ignored the sarcasm while she pulled out a script from her pocket and handed it to Alex," These are your lines for the event, if you have any questions then don't ask me."
Alex skimmed through the script with a smirk ,"I do actually have on question," Alex looked directly at Madeline, "What idiot wrote this?"
Infact, he already guessed it was her.
A vein bulged on her forehead," just read the fucking lines!"
"Sigh...well I'll see you later Stan, we'll talk about the cybernetics after the show."
Alex walked to the wall preparing to phase through ,"You too Madeline, We'll talk about your rapid aging hahaha."
Smash!
A whiskey glass was thrown at the wall, unfortunately Alex had already walked through it.
"Was that necessary?" Stan looked at Madeline who was red with anger.
"That prick should learn some respect!"
Madeline straightened her hair and started conversing with Stan about Homelander.
Back with Alex...
"You know man, your a Really good listener,"
Alex was currently walking in a hallway with his arm around Black Noirs shoulder, "Sometimes I feel like everyone should just get along, right?"
Noir nodded and used some sign language to communicate.
"Exactly, all they think of is themselves and not about the people they hurt!" Alex wore a proud expression,"People like us are different, we wouldn't hurt a fly!"
Noir nodded again, finally finding a kindred spirit.
The two continued to converse in their own fantasy's until eventually the next day arrived.
Alex looked washed his face in a mirror while crowds of people could be heard outside.
He was about to go on stage.
"Looking good John, you'll kill it out their."
Looking at his brother who was pacing back and forth from nervousness in the reflection Alex continued," I'll be right by your side if you mess up."
John stopped pacing and looked at his brother's back," What if they don't like me though?"
"Who gives a fuck, It's not like they can hurt you." Alex stated matter of factly as he finished washing up," I've got to go now, I'll see you on stage."
He left the room.
Madeline was currently standing beside Edgar and keeping the crowd distracted.
She noticed the time and spoke to the crowd,"And now please welcome to the stage, our beloved Alexander!"
Wearing a luxury suit and tie, Alex walked onto the stage amidst the flashing of camera lights and cheering.
The entire venue was packed full of people, some even had his prosthetics.
He swiftly wore his brightest smile and stood centre stage.
"WELCOME EVERYONE, I HOPE YOUR NOT HERE JUST TO SEE ME?!" The question elicited a laugh from the audience.
"Now then, today is a very special day for me and everyone else here!" Alex held both of his arms outstretched to emphasize his point, " And that's because the world will bare witness to the newest and strongest hero in the history of Vought, And that hero is..."
The crowd quited down as the excitement threatened to overflow.
"....My very own brother, THE HOMELANDER!"
The crowd was shocked at the news and watched as the roof above Alex opened up and a blue clad figure floated down Infront of Alex.
Alex didn't say anything else and let Homelander take centre stage.
"H-hello, friends" Homelander nervously spoke his first words as a reporter asked the first question.
"The Homelander, what made you join Vought? He questioned.
"I ...I augh" standing in a daze while looking at the size of the crowd, he was momentarily
lost for words.
However this didn't last long however as a smirk formed on his face ,"Have you ever heard of the White Hall Tigers, probably not right?" His question received no response ," well back in the day me and Alex used to dream of making it big in baseball with our club."
As he said this images from their childhood flashed through his mind of the countless experiments and.surgerys they went through reamerged.
"We used to play with our dad everyday, Alex would have to run miles just to catch the ball after I hit it, we would dream everyday of reaching the big leagues," he laughed as he spoke," Anyways my point is that while our baseball carees didnmake it , Vought is the big leagues for people like us and allows us to do some good in the world with our abilities."
"The Homelander, New York is alot different from a country baseball club, how are prepared for what this city throws at you?"
Images of the brutal fights with his brother flashed in his mind. Sometimes Vogelbaum would force them to fight until only one of them was left standing, and other times they would receive relentless beatings from strength enhanced guards to train.
Homelander didn't respond as Alex took the stage again.
"I'm glad you asked, because today we have another guest that will be teamed up with the Homelander as he learns the ropes!"
Alex noticed the curiosity and announced, "Please welcome to the stage...my personal friend, BLACK NOIR!"
Noir walked onto the stage and stood side by side with Alex as the spotlight shone down on them both.
"Mr Noir can you ans...!"
"Mr Alex, what do you think about...."
As the two recieved countless questions and enquiries, they failed to notice Homelander with a fierce expression on his face while his spotlight had been removed.
He was glaring daggers at Noir as Alex and the audience gave him what was supposed to be his Madeline looked at his back with with clear irritation.
A short while later... Backstage.
Madeline walked Infront of John as she insulted Stan.
"What was he thinking putting both of them onstage with you!" Her tirade continued, "This was meant to be your moment John, and they stole it from you!"
"Madeleine I don-" he was cut off
"You should be fucking upset about this!"
She tried to anger him.
"If Stan thinks Noir should teach me then maybe he should." John quickly responded.
"Noir isn't their to teach you he's their to watch, to make sure you follow the script" after correcting him she continued, " You've always been jealous of Alex, and now you finally got your chance he took it from you."
"It felt good right, all those people looking up to you, wanting to be with you, wanting to fuck you...?" She leaned in to his ears and slowly moved her hand down his chest.
"Y-yes." John admitted as he felt her hand leave his body.
"That's the future I'm building for you," she leaned back and started walking to a side room," and you should keep your name as Homelander from now on, 'The' Homelander just doesn't sound as good."
Madeline walked into the side room after looking at the erection in Johns pants with a smile.
John was left standing in the hallway alone.