A/N: Enjoy the surprise appearance of someone everyone was curious about.

"How did you find me?" Nolan asked the woman sternly.

Grace chuckled. "Well, we have a mutual contact. A violent man with a beard and a penchant for saying 'cunt' all the time."

Nolan's eyes widened at that one. Did Butcher sell him out?

"Right… that still doesn't explain how you found me."

The woman scoffed. "You work with a woman named Sam at the Kirkman Theater." Nolan watched her show her badge, which was a CIA badge. "Wasn't too hard to figure out the last name and the address with my resources."

Nolan narrowed his eyes. Behind him, he could hear Sam gasping in slight fear. "What do you want?"

Mallory glanced at Sam, before looking up at Nolan. "Is there somewhere private we can talk?"

Nolan glanced back at Sam, before looking at Mallory seriously. "Here."

Mallory took another look at Sam. "This is really something that should be private-"

"Then it's a good thing Sam knows how to keep a secret." Nolan interrupted, his tone making it clear there was no room for debate.

Realizing that Nolan wasn't budging, Mallory sighed. "Can I at least come inside so that people passing by don't hear?"

Nolan glanced at Sam, silently asking for her permission to let the woman into her apartment. Somewhat nervously, Sam nodded, giving the okay.

Looking back at Mallory, Nolan stepped to the side, letting the woman into the apartment, shutting the door behind her.

"A quaint little place you have, Miss Alcorn." Mallory said as Nolan turned to look at her.

"What's this about?" He asked, getting straight to the point.

Mallory raised an eyebrow at Nolan, before she spoke. "I founded a team, a good few years back when I was an active member of the CIA. We would essentially nail superheroes whenever we found out all of the disgusting shit they do."

"A team Butcher now leads, off the record." Nolan guessed, to which Mallory nodded.

"Yes, though Hugh was a new one. I never trusted any superhero. None of them. So when you came onto the news, I was almost certain Butcher was going to be coming after you." Mallory explained, smirking a little as she continued. "And then today happened."

Nolan raised an eyebrow as he took a seat on the couch, Mallory sitting in the little reclining chair on the side of the table. "I took down Homelander and practically destroyed Vought, with a little help."

Mallory nodded. "I called Butcher when I found out about Homelander, curious as to what he thought. Imagine my surprise when he speaks nothing but praise for you."

Nolan raised an eyebrow at her words. "Praise? Not exactly what I would use."

Mallory chuckled. "Well, his exact words were 'He's bloody good cunt, a damn man, and a bloody fucking good friend.'"

Nolan's eyes widened. He hadn't expected Butcher to really see him like that. "Huh… he didn't tell me."

"He tends to keep his feelings quiet. I used to think he wanted nothing but an excuse to hate the world… but he made it sound like you were some turning point for him, a realization that he could be better." Mallory explained, to Nolan's surprise.

"I uh… I'm not sure what to say to that…"

Mallory smiled. "Well, after hearing nothing but praise for you, from Billy the Butcher, I was intrigued… and I figured I should meet the man who singlehandedly did what I was trying to do for years, and what Billy was trying to do."

Nolan shook his head with a smile. "So all that work just to meet me?"

Mallory opened her mouth to say something, but stopped, contemplating her words. "Well, no… not really. There is another thing. Two things, actually."

Nolan raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"The first is the kid. Ryan."

"He stays with his mom and Billy." Nolan said sternly, shutting down any argument otherwise.

Mallory nodded. "Of course… but when his power's kick in, because they definitely will, he'll need someone to train him… to teach him the control he needs…"

Nolan picked up pretty easily where this was going. "Well, I'd already planned on helping the kid there." He remarked with a raised eyebrow. "But he deserves a normal life, and I will not tolerate anyone forcing him to be a hero."

"Of course." Mallory nodded. "I completely agree. But the thing is, he is Homelander's son… and unfortunately, outside of you, he will most likely be the most powerful person on the planet when he's grown."

"Well, as long as he has a good household, a good family, he'll be fine." Nolan responded. "I don't care what the government will want. I will not stand for that boy being forced into a life as a living weapon." He said sternly. "Because that's exactly what lead to Homelander."

Mallory nodded. "Yes. I saw the files. Homelander was made and raised in a lab as a living weapon." She turned to look at Nolan. "But look, I understand your point, and you are completely right in your way of thinking, but I'm trying to warn you… people will make a move on the kid, under the rader or not."

Nolan sighed. "I know… and I'll make sure they fail." His determined tone left Mallory slightly impressed. "And the second thing?"

Mallory nodded. "Right, with Vought going under, most of the crimes of their supes have been made public. This means that most of their teams have been or will be disbanded."

Nolan nodded. "Yes…" He was with her so far.

"The thing is, not all supes are bad. I've always known that, and Butcher only recently learned that, apparently." Mallory explained, glancing at Nolan. "We don't want to punish the ones who truly want to help… and we don't want to force them to stop their activities because of the actions of so many others."

Nolan raised an eyebrow. "What are you-"

"You mean like a government sanctioned superhero team?" Sam spoke up, surprising the both of them.

"Yes, actually. Thank you, Miss Alcorn." Mallory nodded, looking over at the girl, who returned the nod with a smile. Mallory turned her gaze back to Nolan. "We want to authorize a superhero team, with only proper, real superheroes. Background checks, mental health exams, the works…"

Nolan looked at her with a curious gaze. "Where do I come in?"

"Simple, we want to lead it."

Nolan's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but glance over at Sam, who was shocked as well, but had a big smile on her face.

"Me?" He asked, turning back to Mallory. "Why me?"

"A couple of reasons. Outside of being the most powerful being on the planet right now, you are a real, not one of Vought's creations. You are also a true hero. You only want to help, and you do it, regardless of what anyone has to say." Mallory listed off, looking at Nolan with a raised eyebrow. "The way I see it, your more fit for the job than anyone."

Nolan sighed as he thought it over. His own team? A team of superheroes truly dedicated to the cause? The fight for peace? The protection of innocents?

Back home, while it was never official, he was practically a member of the Guardians of the Globe. He was trusted, he knew most of their secrets, had access to their base…

They truly had been his friends…

But Immortal had been the leader. He was just there to help.

But here? Now?

He had the chance to be the leader of a real team of heroes, make them into just what the Guardians had been.

True protectors of this world.

It was really a no contest.

"I'll agree… but I have terms of my own." Nolan said, resting his chin on his knuckles as his hands rested on his knees.

"Of course." Mallory nodded. "Name them."

"The team will have a set of founding members… the highest rank, capable of making the decisions that would be required of me."

Mallory nodded. "Okay."

"I will also handpick those set of founding members. There will be eight, and I will have them selected before we are introduced to the public." Nolan continued. Mallory once again nodded.

"Is there anyone you have in mind right now?" She asked.

Nolan nodded. "The first is Starlight."

"Annie January?" Mallory asked. Nolan nodded.

"Yes. She's the most recent member of the Seven, and she grew up doing nothing but trying to help." Nolan explained. "So far, she's been nothing but helpful. She was the one who initiated the evacuation at the stadium, and her top priority was everyone's safety."

Mallory could see where he was coming from. "Okay. Who else?"

"Queen Maeve."

Mallory's eyes widened. "Are you sure?"

Nolan nodded. "Yes. Her early years were much like Starlight, but her time in the Seven made her disillusioned. However, she stepped up. She helped Starlight with the evacuation. In fact, if I'm correct, she improved the evac rate while I was killing Homelander."

"But she also allowed her colleagues' actions to go unpunished… she never tried to stop them." Mallory remarked. Nolan nodded.

"That is true, but let me ask you, what was she supposed to do against Homelander, before I came along?"

Mallory had no response to that. He was right, until he had come along, they were basically defenseless against Homelander. "I can manage her, then. Who's the last one?"

"Black Noir."

Mallory immediately protested.

"Not happening."

Nolan narrowed his eyes. "Then I'm not going to lead this team."

Mallory narrowed her eyes. "You do know what Noir has done, right? Who he is, what he is?"

"He's a scarred man, who was used because he had nowhere else to turn to." Nolan replied.

"He's a monster." Mallory responded. Nolan shook his head.

"If he were the monster you claim him to be, Sam would most likely have been on Vought's radar." Nolan countered. "Besides, of all the Seven, he's the only one who actually had some sort of moral compass before Starlight came along, even Maeve. His loyalty was to Stan Edgar, and after seeing his face, I can understand why he felt that Edgar was his only option."

Mallory scoffed. "Yeah, I've seen that trainwreck, and it doesn't excuse his actions."

Nolan narrowed his eyes. "I've done worse than anything Noir has, Mallory. Much worse."

Mallory narrowed her own eyes in response. "Oh, I heard. A former conqueror who slaughtered hundreds of races in the name of his home's great empire?"

Nolan's eyes widened at her words. Butcher had told her.

"Oh yeah, I know about that." She said, glaring at Nolan.

"Hey, Nolan may have done some shitty things, but he's here to help." Sam spoke up, catching the CIA agent's gaze. "He's done nothing but help, and you getting shitty because he picked Noir is completely undeserved."

Both Nolan and Mallory stared at Sam, surprised by how quickly she jumped to Nolan's defense.

Clearing his throat, Nolan turned back to Mallory.

"I stand by my decision. I want Noir on the team." Nolan said, turning back to her. Mallory shook her head.

"Why? Why him?"

"Because A) We need a stealth specialist, B) He's got a moral compass, he's clearly shown that considering he turned over a drive with years of Vought's crimes on it, and C) He's actually competent." Nolan listed off, making his point. "Besides, if supes want to better themselves, we have to give them the chance."

Mallory looked at Nolan, unable to believe what she'd just been told, before she sighed. "It'll be a hard sell, but I'll see what I can do."

Nolan nodded. "Alright."

"Now, about the process for the rest of the team, how will that work?"

Nolan brought a finger to his chin in thought. "Well, like you said before, back ground checks, mental health exams, the works."

"Maybe they can take a physical exam?" Sam suggested, once again surprising the two,

"What do you mean by that?" Mallory asked.

"Well, most supes have a basic set of enhanced strength, durability, speed… maybe have a basic set of equipment to test, so how powerful they are, and then you test their unique abilities." She suggested.

Nolan nodded. "That's not a bad idea. We can see how much they can take, and when we send out smaller teams, we prepare accordingly."

Mallory nodded. "Okay, but there's still the issue of the human element."

Nolan raised an eyebrow. "Human element?"

"The government wants someone, a normal human, to keep an eye on the team. Keep you all grounded, make sure you think of the little guy." Mallory explained.

Nolan furrowed his brow. "How about, instead of one human, a whole team?"

Mallory raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Nolan looked at Mallory. "Your old team. The one Butcher leads. Bring them back to active duty, sanction them."

Mallory nodded. "Instead of making it top secret, make it official. The Boys, your human counterparts, working to keep track of any possible crimes the heroes may commit, and making sure they stay off the high horse."

Nolan nodded. "Exactly. However, I feel that it would make sense if it would be an organization as well."

Mallory looked confused. "What do you mean?"

"Like a separate government division?" Sam asked. "Like the CIA, FBI, just dedicated to superheroes?"

"Exactly." Nolan nodded. "So that way we aren't relying on a few people, but an entire organization, to keep track of the rogue supes that my team would miss."

Mallory nodded. "Okay… So, two separate government teams dedicated to superheroes. One to actually be heroes, and one to keep the supes in check."

Nolan nodded. "Yes, though, there is one thing." At Mallory's questioning gaze, he continued. "I'm limiting myself, or my team, to the U.S."

Mallory's eyes widened, and even Sam was a little shocked at the blatant admission. "Excuse me?"

"People need help all around the world, not just in America. I will not tolerate having us as only active in the U.S." Nolan explained. "When this team is sanctioned, we will be traveling everywhere to help people. Not just sticking to the US."

"You do realize that could cause a war to break out?" Mallory questioned with a furrowed brow.

Nolan scoffed. "Let them complain. We'll go where we're needed, whether it's Texas, or Moscow. And if they want to start a war? Well, most of the superhero population on the planet is within the U.S, and though we'll still protect innocents around the world, we will defend our home."

Mallory furrowed her brow, eyes narrowed in thought. "Maybe there's a workaround." She proposed. "Instead of being sanctioned by the U.S. Government, you're authorized to work globally by the U.N."

"An international superhero team." Sam said, glancing at Nolan. "So that way, you are authorized when you leave the U.S."

Nolan nodded. "I'm okay with that. I do have one more thing."

Mallory raised an eyebrow. "And that is?"

"The superheroes? If they are carrying a dual identity, their personal life will not be disclosed to the identities will be highly classified, and only available to my team, Butcher's team, and the highest government officials."

As she listened to him layout his idea, she couldn't deny that she was thoroughly impressed with his version of events. "Alright. Is there anything else?"

"No requirements, not per se, though there won't be any more licensing, or merchandise of that sort."

Mallory looked at him, confused. "Excuse me?"

"No more movies, toys, comic books…" Sam explained. "Basically, the only check they get is from their work with the government, and whatever job they work as a civilian."

Nolan nodded. "Exactly."

Mallory ran through what they just discussed. "Is that all?"

Nolan thought for a moment, and nodded. "Yeah, that about covers it."

Mallory was curious about one more thing. "I just have one question. You said you wanted to handpick all eight founding members of this team. How are you going to decide the other five?"

"Easy. Give me the files you have of all the available superheroes, let me look through them, and I'll decide before we announce both team's existence." Nolan proposed. Mallory nodded in agreement.

"Okay… I think I can handle that. We can have the files to you by tomorrow if you'd like."

Nolan nodded. "That works. Assuming I'm not out on patrol, I should be here tomorrow if I'm not over training with Ryan."

"Speaking of, you need to introduce me to them." Sam said with a grin. "I've only met Butcher."

"You've only met Butcher?" Mallory said with a chuckle. "You poor soul."

"He wasn't that bad." Sam defended the bearded man.

Nolan chuckled. "I'll make sure to introduce you." He turned his gaze back to Mallory, and offered his hand. "Pleasure to meet you, Mallory, despite the first impressions."

Mallory nodded. "It's nice to meet you too." She said as she shook his hand, standing at her feet. "I'll be in contact with you tomorrow over the list of possible recruits, and hopefully, we can have the team meet together this Friday if everything works out."

Nolan chuckled. "Let's hope so."

Mallory smiled, and looked at Sam. "Pleasure to meet you, Miss Alcorn."

Sam smiled back as she nodded. "Nice meeting you too, Mallory."

Mallory looked at Nolan. "Have a good day, Omni-Man."

Nolan smiled. "Thank you."

And with that, Mallory opened the door, and left, leaving the two alone once more.

After a moment of silence, Sam looked at Nolan.

"So… Jackass?"

Nolan chuckled. "Sure."

Reggie sighed as he held the note in his hand.

He knew his actions were public now. He knew by now Desean, his little tech wiz nephew, had most likely run through the New York Times post by now.

They all likely knew exactly what he'd done… what he'd been doing.

He wasn't in his A-Train outfit. He didn't want to draw attention to himself…

And after today… Well, he wasn't A-Train anymore, was he?

His career was over, everything his brother had worked hard on for him, everything his brother had encouraged him to work for, it was all undone.

And for once, Reggie felt that he deserved it.

His callousness had cost so many people their lives. That girl…

Robin. Her name was Robin.

He had killed her because he was high on V. He had ruined her boyfriend's life.

He could only imagine the pain he'd caused them.

In another lifetime, Reggie probably wouldn't have cared. As long as it wasn't his loved ones, he didn't give shit.

But with nothing really left to lose… he had nothing but time to think.

He wasn't A-Train anymore. A-Train was dead.

Was he still Reggie Franklin? He didn't think so. Honestly, he was too scared to face his brother to find out.

But then… Nathan didn't need him in his life. Neither did his little nephews.

They shouldn't be around a murdering junkie.

"Babe…" Charlotte's hand on his shoulder brought his gaze to her. "You should at least see your brother before you do this."

Reggie shook his head. "He doesn't want to see me. I already know that." He denied. But Charlotte was insistent.

"At least hear that from him…" She said, squeezing his shoulder gently. "If Nathan hates you, he should tell you that."

Reggie gulped. He wanted to see his brother… one last time before he left…

But he couldn't bare the thought of seeing the disgusted look in his brother's eyes.

"I can't, Charlotte."

With those words, Reggie walked up the steps, the note in his hand.

The door seemed to be taunting him. An inch of wood was all that separated him from his brother.

But he knew Nathan didn't want to see him.

But as he walked forward, his fingers grabbing the mail hatch to slide the note in, he was surprised when the door opened, slipping away from his fingers.

And Nathan was there.

The two stared at each other for a moment, both surprised at the presence of the other.

"Reg…" Nathan's voice sounded hollow, and his face looked haunted. "What are you doing here, man?"

"I was… I was gonna leave this note." Reggie admitted, holding the note up in his hands. "I knew you didn't want to see me, after everything came out."

"Is it true?" Nathan asked, looking his brother in the eye.

Reggie averted his gaze, shame filling him. "Yeah…"

Nathan looked at Reggie for a moment, and then cursed. "Fuck! Man, I told you! V was gonna fuck you up!"

"I know." Reggie didn't deny it. His brother was right. He was warned. He didn't listen.

"Why the hell did you even choose to take that shit anyway?!" Nathan exclaimed, stepping outside and shutting the door behind him.

"I… I wanted to make you proud… stay in the Seven."

"Don't you dare use me as an excuse!" Nathan shouted, his face twisted in rage. "What makes you think I wanted to see my little bro high as a kite?! KIlling people cause he's too fucking reckless?!"

Reggie couldn't help but notice Nathan's focus on his V addiction. "You're… your mad about that? Not what Homelander made me do?"

"Reg, I know what Homelander is now. I can't be mad at you when your life was probably on the line there." Nathan said with a sigh. "But abusing V? That was your choice, not Homelander."

Reggie averted his gaze. Nathan was completely right. The Noodle Palace runs were one thing, but… it was his choice, completely, and only his choice, to use V.

"I…"

Nathan looked at his brother, disappointment on his features. "That girl… do you even know her name?"

"Robin."

His quick response surprised Nathan.

"What?"

Reggie looked at Nathan. "Her name was Robin. And I killed her during a run for Homelander, cause I was high on V."

Nathan was actually shocked. He didn't even think Reggie would've known the girl's name, let alone admit what happened.

But Reggie didn't stop speaking. "I have nothing left to lose, Nathan. In another time, maybe I would never have cared." He admitted, a look of guilt on his features. "But I've lost everything. And my mind works fast. I've had nothing but time to think."

Nathan was honestly in disbelief at Reggie's admission. "Bro…"

Reggie swallowed, shaking his head. "I was hoping I could leave the note without seeing you. I know you're pissed at me right now, and I don't blame you."

"Reg… I'm disappointed, not pissed." Nathan's words caused Reggie's gaze to snap up at him in surprise. "It was your choices that led to that girl's death, and I do think you have to pay your dues to that."

Reggie looked away, guilt and shame across his features.

"But I don't think you're some killer, man. Just a guy who did stupid shit."

Reggie looked up at Nathan, and he couldn't help the small smile on his face. "Really?"

Nathan let out a small chuckle. "Don't act so surprised. You're the one with powers and I was still pulling your ass out of trouble when we were kids."

Reggie chuckled. "Yeah, I guess so."

The two were silent for a moment.

"You're not staying, are you."

"...No."

Nathan sighed. "Can I at least know where you're going?"

Reggie shook his head. "I'll keep in contact with you, but I'm gonna make sure that there's no chance I bring you down with me."

Nathan nodded, averting his gaze for a moment…

And then he wrapped his arms around his little brother.

"Don't be a stranger, bro."

Reggie couldn't help the smile on his face, dropping the note to the floor as he returned the hug. "I won't."

When the two separated, they looked at each other for a moment. Then Nathan chuckled.

"Well? Get outta here, man."

Reggie smiled. "Take care of yourself, Nate."

And with those words, Reggie was gone, the only indicator that he was ever there being the split second sound of a train.

Nathan looked at the spot where his brother was just a second ago, and found his gaze drifting down to the note his brother was going to leave.

Bending down, he picked up, but as he went to unfold it, he stopped himself.

Reggie had already told him what he needed to say.

Nathan had told his little bro what he had too.

He looked that note for a few moments…

… and then he ripped it to shreds.

"Take care of yourself, bro."

With a sigh, Mark simply lied in his bed.

His arm had healed already, and outside of an occasional save, he really wasn't pursuing this hero thing anymore.

He just didn't have the same drive for it. Not since…

His dad.

He could still hear his mom every once in a while. Locked away in her room, crying over what he'd said, how he'd left.

She didn't know it, but he knew she'd sneak out some nights to drink with Art.

Cecil would call him every once in a while to check up on him. For a supposedly heartless bastard, the guy cared a lot more than he'd admit.

The Guardians of the Globe, the new ones anyway… They tried to encourage him every once in a while, and cheer him up. But he just couldn't feel it.

Will and Eve, they were the two biggest helps he could ask for. They were always there for him, and they understood when he didn't want to talk about something.

And Amber… she was his rock.

She'd been by his side the entire time through this, when he need someone to talk to, hang out with, even cry… she was there.

Mark tried to encourage himself, but since the big reveal with his dad… he just couldn't.

"Mark Grayson."

Mark was up within a second, hovering in the air as he scanned his room.

"Who the hell was that?!" He asked, scanning his room.

"Calm yourself."

Suddenly, a green flash shined through his room, and Mark snapped in the direction of it.

He was unsure of what he was looking at.

A creature, blue in appearance, wearing a purple cloak with a sash coated in time pieces on it. The creature's eyes were read, it's right eye had a scar passing though it, and in it's hand was a staff with a clock on the top.

"W-Who… Who are you?"

The creature smiled. "I am known as Clockwork, and I am here for you."

Mark raised an eyebrow, suspicious. "What do you want?"

Clockwork smiled. "I want to offer you the chance to see what your father is currently doing."

Mark's eyes widened. "What?" He moved closer to Clockwork. "You know where my dad is?"

Clockwork nodded. "Of course. I sent him there after all."

Mark immediately narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "What do you mean by that?"

Clockwork smiled.

And then all the sudden, Mark wasn't in his room anymore, but a green place, filled with swirling portals showing different things.

"As I told you, I am Clockwork. I am the Master of Time. I keep watch of all timelines, of all universes, in all multiverses.

Mark looked at Clockwork, unnerved. "What does that have to do with dad?"

Clockwork smiled, and gestured to a portal beside him.

Mark was a little hesitant, but he moved forward.

And he gasped.

It was… it was his dad!"

He was standing with a bunch of different men. One looked rather gruff, with a scar going through his right eyebrow, as he stood in a Hawaiian shirt and a large trench coat.

There was another, a short bald man, and a tall, well built black man, along with a tall, skinny man.

"While it's been three weeks since your father's revelation, to him, it's only been days."

Mark's eyes went wide at the ethereal beings' words. "What?!"

Clockwork nodded, hovering closer to Mark as he looked into the portal. "When I found him, he couldn't stop crying, filled with too much regret over what he'd done, what he'd given up."

Mark didn't know what to feel at the news. Perhaps just releif that he was right, his dad did care for him.

Clockwork glanced at Mark. "I offered your father the chance for redemption, by saving this Earth." He explained to the teen. "Unlike the heroes here, many of the ones there are nothing like they present themselves, being the worst scum imaginable."

Mark was silent as he watched his father through the portal, laughing at something the short, bald man had said.

"Is he… does he really regret everything?"

Clockwork nodded. "Deeply."

Mark looked through the portal, watching his dad. Despite everything, a part of him was happy.

His dad really had loved him.

A/N: And finally, we've reached the 20th chapter!

Yeah, that's a milestone for me, and I'm gonna celebrate it.

But anyway, yeah, Mallorie and Nolan finally met each other, and the remaining heroes who actually are good people will finally be able to truly help people.

And Butcher is going to have his own team, along with the rest of the Boys.

Also, yes, I am taking A-Train through a redemption direction.

Opinion on him is split. Some think he can be redeemed, others want to see him dead. I'm among the group that think he can be redeemed, but I'm doing it in a way that is a little more easy to manage. Since this is before most of his big, unforgivable acts (*cough* Popclaw! *cough*)

But it is definitely gonna be a bit before we see him again.

Also, I hope you're happy with the appearance of Mark!

Many of you were questioning if he was going to ever be appearing in this fic, and rest assured, though it didn't happen here, Mark will have a reunion with his father.

But it won't happen for a while.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, don't forget to review, and I'll see you in the next chapter.