When Bruce's consciousness returned to his body, he found himself submerged in an endless, pitch-black abyss of deep ocean.
Encased in armor, he felt no discomfort. His hands gripped Homelander's neck tightly, the latter having momentarily surrendered his ability to think.
Bruce ascended steadily, breaking through to the surface at last.
Dragging Homelander's limp body, Bruce walked step by step to the shore.
"Gah—"
As soon as the air hit his lungs, Homelander retched violently, expelling all the seawater that had filled them, and regained consciousness.
This guy's tenacity is something else.
Bruce removed his helmet, watching the sputtering Homelander. Strictly speaking, this wasn't the original Homelander anymore. It was the younger version—Little Homelander.
Due to the N-metal modifications, Homelander had reverted to his ten-year-old self.
Strangely enough, it didn't feel out of place.
Little Homelander shook his head vigorously, much like a wet puppy shaking off water. Then, his eyes landed on Bruce's face.
"Batman, big bro!"
His face lit up with joy. "I can't believe we met again so soon!"
"I told you we'd meet again. Why didn't you believe me?" Bruce replied calmly. "I always keep my word."
Little Homelander nodded, thinking to himself that Batman truly deserved his reputation as a hero. He had every reason to look up to him.
Bruce glanced at the armor he was wearing. It was a creation of the Bat-Homelander fusion and not something Bruce was familiar with. But he could feel an unending surge of power coursing through it.
Perfect. It's mine now.
"Stop dawdling," Bruce said. "Let's head back to the city. There's still cleanup to do."
The crisis caused by Homelander's rampage had ended.
The city had suffered immense damage. Vought International pledged to do everything it could to aid in the city's reconstruction.
To the public, Homelander was dead.
The official story was that Bruce had summoned the power of a demon king to stop Homelander's rampage. After the battle, Bruce succumbed to the backlash of that power and was dragged into another dimension.
This tale of self-sacrifice turned Bruce into a saint-like figure in the public's eyes. Countless people took to the streets to mourn the fallen hero.
"Bruce isn't dead!" some declared with conviction. "He'll definitely come back!"
For many others, the pain was indescribable.
A man born into misfortune yet steadfast in his heroic dreams, who stepped up to save everyone at their most desperate moment.
Stories like this are destined to be passed down forever.
---
At a Vought subsidiary office
With the headquarters building nearly demolished during the clash between Zur and Homelander, Vought had temporarily relocated its central operations here.
The Seven's command room had also been moved to this location.
The first post-battle meeting was underway.
Bruce sat at the head of the table, with Little Homelander to his left.
"The Seven still has a purpose to serve," Bruce said to the others. "But the world of superheroes is about to undergo a profound transformation."
The era when superheroes acted recklessly, unaccountable to anyone, was over.
"While I'm gone, he will represent my will."
Bruce placed a hand firmly on Little Homelander's shoulder.
The boy, initially distracted and scrolling through Homelander's phone, searching for online commentary about his older self, perked up.
Public sentiment toward Homelander had turned overwhelmingly negative. Ironically, the harshest critics weren't the victims of his actions but his former diehard fans.
Little Homelander felt a pang of sadness. So this is what I grow up to become?
Bruce's firm pat jolted him from his thoughts. He immediately sat up straight, feigning attentiveness.
"You won't appear in public again," Bruce said to Little Homelander. "You'll oversee things internally at Vought."
"No problem!" Little Homelander saluted Bruce. "Mission accepted!"
To this day, he still saw himself as Robin.
Even if he became a superhero in the future, he wouldn't abandon that title.
This time, Homelander truly seemed gone for good.
Little Homelander had already decided—he'd don a bat-shaped mask and oversee the corrupt superheroes. He would be Batman's representative!
This meeting was, in essence, Bruce's farewell ceremony.
He informed the others of his plan to travel and stay out of the spotlight for a while. But he assured them he would return.
Kathoom, in particular, urged him to explore the unexplored corners of this world. After all, what's the point of gaining a loyal crew if you're not going to keep them around?
At the very least, they'd make decent cannon fodder when it came time to take back DC.
After the meeting, everyone left with their own thoughts.
Little Homelander, a blank slate, was filled with renewed purpose. Trusted by Batman and entrusted with a great mission, he was brimming with enthusiasm.
Whoever dared break the rules would face his laser eyes.
Imagining his future self basking in glory made him giddy with excitement.
Someone even happier was The Deep.
"Bruce used my powers to defeat Homelander."
He thought smugly, Which means, by extension, I defeated Homelander!
No one's as amazing as me!
A-Train's thoughts were simpler. His standout performance during the city's rescue efforts ensured his place in the annals of superhero history.
With such accolades, he was a shoo-in for the next Superhero All-Star lineup.
He might even call himself the cornerstone of superhero ideals!
---
Bruce left the command room and returned to his private quarters.
Kathoom, still wearing his bandit mask, was seated at a computer, typing furiously with his wings.
"What are you working on?" Bruce asked, curious.
"Something good!" Kathoom gestured for Bruce to take a look. Leaning closer, Bruce saw the screen filled with chemical formulas.
"What's this?"
"The complete synthesis formula for Compound V!"
Kathoom then paused to explain—
"I forgot to mention: the superheroes of this world are all artificially created. It's all thanks to Compound V!"
This bombshell revelation elicited no reaction from Bruce.
He simply responded with an "Oh" and accepted it as fact.
Human nature was far scarier than superhuman abilities, after all. This didn't surprise him.
Kathoom, using means unknown, had gained access to Vought's top-level secrets.
Perhaps the Imperius Curse? Bruce speculated. Which poor executive fell victim to his schemes?
To have access like this, they must've been a CEO or board member.
"Artificial superheroes?" Bruce focused again. "So with this formula, we can create superhumans ourselves?"
"In theory, yes. But we don't have the time."
Kathoom explained, "Superhumans are raised from birth, with some exposed to Compound V even in the womb. We can't wait for kids to grow up.
"For adults, there's a temporary version of Compound V. It grants powers for a short time.
"But there's a downside—you die after five uses."
Though Kathoom downplayed it, his satisfaction with this discovery was evident.
Bruce had a hunch about his intentions: Kathoom likely planned to use alchemy to modify the compound.
Who knows what monstrosity he'll end up creating?
I hope they don't wreck the Wizarding World.
If it really comes to that, Bruce thought, I'll reluctantly step up and take out the evil Owl Lord myself.
While Kathoom was copying the synthesis formula for Compound V, the door to the lounge opened.
Bruce looked up and saw Queen Maeve entering.
"Queen Maeve, is there something you need?" Bruce asked, puzzled.
He noticed an odd expression in her eyes and instinctively kept his distance.
"I knew I wasn't wrong about you," Maeve said with a soft chuckle as she approached him. "When you needed my power, you called me 'sister.' But now that it's all over, you call me 'Queen Maeve'?"
"Uh…"
For a moment, Bruce didn't know how to respond.
Was it just his imagination?
Somehow, Maeve seemed… off.
Maeve gave him a long, searching look before sighing. "Are you really planning to travel the world? I felt like you were saying your goodbyes during the meeting."
"Don't say such ominous things," Bruce replied. "I'll definitely be back."
At least to check on Little Homelander and make sure he hasn't gone astray.
"I'll take you at your word," Maeve said, letting the matter drop. Then she asked, "How long will you be gone? Will you be all grown up when you return?"
Bruce didn't have an answer. Who could predict the future?
"Fine, I won't press you," Maeve said, smirking. "A boy with secrets is more interesting anyway."
She winked playfully. "And don't forget—the promise I made to you still stands when you come back!"
What promise?
Before Bruce could ask, Maeve laughed and left.
He turned to Kathoom.
The owl shook his head immediately. "Don't look at me. I know nothing."
"You definitely know something…"
Bruce had just started speaking when someone appeared in the doorway.
"May I come in?" Starlight asked, pointing at the open door. "I noticed it wasn't shut."
The strange feeling in Bruce's gut grew stronger.
He glanced at Kathoom again and noticed the owl seemed to be suppressing laughter.
Bruce's irritation flared.
He knew it!
It had to be this damn owl's doing!
After spending a little time in Bruce's lounge, Starlight left as well.
Her conversation with Bruce was similar to Maeve's, though her final proposition was different.
"Are you really safe traveling the world alone?" Starlight asked tentatively. "Wouldn't it be better to have a companion? Someone who wouldn't slow you down?"
Bruce pretended to consider it for a moment before firmly declining.
"I'm just going for a walk, nothing dangerous," he said. "Besides, this world doesn't pose much of a threat to me. Even if something does happen, I can handle it—or escape."
Starlight didn't quite understand why Bruce emphasized this world, but his blunt rejection left her visibly disappointed.
"All right, then," she said. "I'll focus on being the best hero I can. When you come back, I'll surprise you!"
With her head hanging low, Starlight left Bruce's lounge.
The moment she was gone, Bruce grabbed Kathoom by the neck.
"Talk!" he demanded, glaring fiercely. "What the hell is going on?"
Kathoom stuck out his tongue, feigning suffocation.
"It was Zur!" he blurted out without hesitation. "He's the one who set this trap for you!"
"I knew it!"
Bruce let go, seething with indignation.
"That scheming part of me! Even though he's technically my second personality, he's ridiculously devious. No wonder he's locked away in the Hall of Thought!"
"Cut him some slack," Kathoom said, massaging his neck. "He fought hard against Homelander earlier. Dragged him into the deep sea while I watched."
"You just watched?" Bruce asked. "You didn't help?"
"Why bother? He didn't die."
With a final tap of the keyboard, Kathoom completed the copying of Compound V's synthesis formula.
"Done. We can leave now."
The harvest from this trip to The Boys' universe had been substantial. The Hellbat armor and Compound V synthesis formula were both worth studying further.
Plus, there was the dagger capable of countering the Killing Curse.
Not a wasted journey.
Just then, Bruce raised an objection.
"Wait a moment!"
Kathoom tilted his head in confusion. "What now?"
"We need to buy some gifts," Bruce said, his expression unreadable. "I don't want a repeat of last year's embarrassment."
---
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