Popularity Level Increased

"So be it." President Ellis made his decision. "Anthony... I need a detailed proposal. Costs, staffing, jurisdiction... I want the most detailed proposal possible... one that can shut those old fools in Congress up."

"Of course, Mr. President." Homelander's smile was dazzling. "Vought... is always at your service."

He walked back to the desk, picked up a pen, and casually wrote a number on Ellis's notepad.

A... ten-digit number.

"What is this?" Ellis asked, confused.

"Oh, this is Vought International's... projected tax payment for next year."

Homelander's smile carried a deeper meaning.

"We are a patriotic company, Mr. President. We firmly believe... in giving back to society."

"Not only will we pay taxes lawfully to the IRS..."

Homelander lightly, rhythmically tapped the desk with the pen.

"...we will also pay all the... 'friends' who support us the... 'taxes' they deserve."

"..."

"I understand." President Ellis froze for a moment, then revealed a brilliant smile as well. "Mr. Starr, I believe... we will work together very happily."

"I've always believed that."

Homelander put away the pen and headed for the door.

"Oh, right." He stopped at the doorway and looked back. "About that treasonous vice president... do you need me to 'take care' of him? You know, Heat Vision... quick, clean, and no evidence left behind."

President Ellis's heart suddenly clenched.

Looking into Homelander's azure eyes, he felt an inexplicable chill rise within him.

"N-No need." Ellis's voice trembled slightly. "We... we are a nation ruled by law. He will stand trial!"

"What a shame."

Homelander shrugged and pulled open the door.

Click! Click—!!

Outside, the camera flashes instantly drowned out everything.

Five in the morning, the White House South Lawn. An emergency press conference.

President Matthew Ellis had changed into a clean suit. Though weariness showed on his face, he was visibly exhilarated.

He stood shoulder to shoulder with Homelander.

"...Tonight was one of the darkest moments in United States history." Ellis faced the cameras, his voice ringing out. "But it was also one of our most glorious moments!"

"We witnessed betrayal, but we also witnessed... true heroism!"

He turned toward Homelander beside him.

"I, Matthew Ellis, on behalf of the United States of America, offer my highest gratitude to this hero... Mr. Homelander!"

The flashes erupted again.

"Ding! Popularity Points gained +115420!"

"Ding! Popularity Points gained +125781!"

"Ding! Popularity Points gained +135688!"

"..."

He stepped forward, took the microphone, and wore a humble smile.

"Thank you, Mr. President..."

He looked around, his gaze sweeping across every camera.

"I am merely... an American who did the right thing."

"Tonight's threat has ended, but new threats emerge every day."

"Therefore..." He paused, then dropped the bombshell of the night. "I am pleased to announce that my company, Vought International, will enter into a deep partnership with the Ellis administration..."

"We..." He spread his arms as if embracing the entire nation. "...will protect the United States. From coast to coast, from the skies to the depths of the sea. With us here... you are safe."

Cheers drowned out his final words.

Aboard the Helicarrier, Nick Fury expressionlessly turned off the screen.

"Hill."

"Yes, sir?"

"Raise Homelander's threat level..." Fury's single eye narrowed. "To the highest level."

"...Yes, sir."

Ashley's call had already come while Wu Yanzu was flying away from Washington.

"Sir! Oh my god... sir!" Ashley's voice was shrill with overwhelming excitement, and she had even forgotten to be formal. "Anthony! You did it! You fucking did it!!"

"Calm down, Ashley." Homelander floated in the stratosphere, where the sea of clouds below was dyed gold by the rising sun, just like his mood. "It was only work."

"Work?!" Ashley screamed in the top-floor office of Vought Tower. "Sir! You call this work?! You saved the president! You saved the United States!!"

"Our PR department has gone insane! CNN, Fox, MSNBC... they're all running with the press releases we gave them! Time tore up the cover they had prepared for this week and replaced it with that photo of you 'holding up the wreckage'! The headline is—Atlas of the New Era!"

"The advance box office for Homelander: Origins..." Ashley's voice trembled. "...has tripled in the past hour. The entire industry is speculating that its box office might break the all-time record!"

"Good." Bathed in the morning light, Homelander spread his arms as the Stars and Stripes Cape snapped behind him. "Now this is fucking life."

"Ding! Popularity Points gained +540812!"

"Ding! Popularity Points gained +612404!"

"...!"

"Current Popularity Points: 31202524!"

"Ding! North American Popularity Level increased—Household Name!"

"Ding! Ability enhancements: Super Strength (1,500 tons), Steel Body (Planetary+++), Heat Vision (6000°C), Super Speed (Mach 55)!..."

"Ha... hahahahahahaha!!"

Ten thousand meters above the ground, Homelander let out unrestrained laughter.

Avengers Tower, top-floor lounge.

On the massive 8K screen, Wu Yanzu's "humble" speech on the White House lawn played on repeat.

"...I am merely... an American who did the right thing."

Bang!

Tony Stark viciously smashed a thirty-thousand-dollar whiskey glass into the screen.

"That fucking blond bastard!" Tony Stark's eyes were bloodshot from exhaustion, and his body still carried the smell of dockyard oil and blood.

He had only just returned to New York in miserable condition, flying in a backup suit of armor with Pepper, who was still burning hot.

And this was what greeted him.

"Look at him! Look at that fucking face of his, slathered in hair gel!" Tony pointed at the perfect frozen smile on the screen, trembling with rage.

"Fuck... 'did the right thing'?! That bastard! He was there from the beginning!!"

Steve Rogers wore a tank top, having just finished his morning workout. He stared gravely at the screen. "Tony, calm down. What happened?"

"Calm down?!" Tony sprang up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "I'll tell you what happened, you old popsicle!"

"That blond bastard! He got there at least twenty minutes early! He saved the president, and then... then he fucking hid in the sky! Watching the show!!"

Tony pointed at his chest. "He just watched Killian and those 'barbecue grills' tear more than a dozen of my precious suits apart like scrap metal! Watched me get beaten into the ground! Watched me get trapped inside a tin can, waiting to die! He did it on purpose!!"

Natasha Romanoff walked in from outside. She had just finished communicating with S.H.I.E.L.D., and her expression was equally grim.