Homelander's end

Frenchie pressed both hands to the ground, sweat dripping onto the concrete. Rebar twisted beneath the floor, broke through the concrete, and coiled around Homelander's legs like snakes.

Homelander looked down and gave a violent wrench. Several bars snapped, but more burst from the walls and ceiling, wrapping around his arms, waist, and neck.

"This scrap metal—"

Hughie appeared behind him and plunged a syringe into the back of his neck.

Homelander spun around and fired his Heat Vision. Hughie vanished, reappearing in the corridor five meters away.

The anesthetic spread through his veins. Homelander felt his limbs go numb, his reactions slowing by a fraction of a second.

Now.

Butcher charged from the side and drove a fist into his ribs. Golden energy gathered around his knuckles, and the blow landed squarely.

Homelander staggered back two steps, his ribs cracked. He clutched his side.

"You broke my ribs?"

Butcher shook out his fist.

"We're just getting started."

Mrs. M stood at the corner, her eyes closed as she sensed his movements.

"He's about to use his Heat Vision, straight ahead at Butcher."

Hughie teleported over, grabbed Butcher's shoulder, and vanished with him.

Red beams blasted into the wall, blowing a huge hole through it. Debris flew, and dust filled the air.

Butcher and Hughie appeared to the left. Butcher rushed in and drove an uppercut into Homelander's chin.

Homelander's head snapped back. He bit his tongue, filling his mouth with the taste of blood.

He had never suffered injuries like these. For thirty years, he had been invincible. He had been a god.

Now these insects were biting wounds into him, each bite deeper than the last.

Benjamin climbed out of the rubble, his ribs already healed. With a low growl, he drove his right fist straight at Homelander's