Strange grew uneasy under Homelander's gaze and hurriedly changed the subject.
"Teacher, please take care of the Ancient One."
"I have to get back to the New York Sanctum right now! Kaecilius could return at any moment. It's barely guarded, and I can't stay away for long."
With that, he gave Homelander no chance to ask another question.
His right hand swept out a quick circle. Sparks flashed, and a portal opened.
Strange plunged through it and vanished from the rooftop.
Homelander watched the portal close, lost in thought.
Things seemed more complicated than he had imagined.
He pushed the thought aside and looked down at the unconscious Ancient One.
The Sorcerer Supreme's breathing was already faint, and the wound through her abdomen was horrifying.
He picked her up and opened a portal.
Beyond it lay Vought Advanced Medical Center.
Homelander strode through.
Inside, several senior medical staff in white coats were reviewing patient records.
The sudden appearance of the portal drew every eye.
Then they saw who had stepped through: the man in the Stars and Stripes Cape they had been longing to see.
"Oh my God... it's Homelander!"
At those words, hurried footsteps fell silent across the lobby. Doctors, nurses, and security staff froze where they stood.
"Oh my God! It's the boss!"
"Homelander's okay!"
"The boss is finally back!"
Excited cries burst from the crowd, and joy spread across every face.
Weeks of dread, rumors, and panic shattered the moment that red-and-blue figure appeared again.
Staff and patients alike straightened without realizing it. He was Vought's anchor, the invincible symbol of Earth.
Homelander smiled at their excitement even as he gave his orders.
"Prepare emergency treatment. Use Vought's best technology to keep her alive."
"Yes, boss!" the medical director shouted, as if he'd been given a shot