Homelander flew to Times Square. When he arrived the cops had managed to contain the crowd from the bomb. He listened to the crowd chant his name managing to somewhat alleviate his anger. He grabbed one of the cops' megaphones.
"Don't worry everyone. I'm here, you're all safe." Homelander told the crowd. Unfortunately, all he heard from the crowd regarding him were"
"Do you think that milk thing is real?"
"It's all fake! You're all just buying into the Super Villain narrative!"
"I'm never going to drink milk again thanks to him."
"I know that I'm wrong, but this feels almost as bad as when he killed that kid in Africa."
"Look there's a crazy clown trying to detonate a bomb who cares about Homelander's secret fetish or whatever?"
"That video was out of context. What you saw was me drinking regular milk I didn't want to go to waste. The clown just put the footage of Mrs. Stillwell's breast pumping to make you think that. I mean, seriously, what grown man drinks breast milk?" He asked.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" The Joker's laugh echoed around Times Square.
"Really? Do you mean to tell me that it was regular milk inside a baby bottle? What a jip!" Joker asked. His face was on the television screen attached to the bomb. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Homeboy. How are ya?"
Homelander started to approach the bomb.
"Oh yeah, nice little nickname you got for me, funny man. Too bad that you can't say that to my fucking face, clown! Because when I find both of you I am going to rip your fucking heads off!" Homelander angrily whispered, his eyes glowing red. Both Joker and Harley feigned fear.
Joker held his hands up in front of him. Harley clutched her chest.
"He seems really mad at us, Mistah J." Harley told Joker feigning ignorance.
"Really? That's a shame because I didn't even show him my concept art for a new costume." Joker said. "Here let me show it!"
He held a photoshopped image of Homelander wearing a diaper, a bonnet, and a pacifier in his mouth. All of them appeared to have the Babies R Us logo and even the Vought symbol. The image was shared to every screen in Times Square only enraging Homelander even more.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Joker laughed his head leaned back. "Oh I'm sorry is someone feewing a wittwle gwumpy?" He taunted in baby speak. "HOOHOOHOOHOOHOO!" He squirmed around so much that his hat fell off his head.
"Does baby need a nappy! HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Harley brought up before falling off her chair due to cracking up.
A furious Homelander readied his laser vision. Instantly gaining The Joker's attention.
"Homie wait! I wouldn't do that if I were you." Joker warned him by putting his hands up. Despite his warning, he still wore his usual grin.
Homelander ignored his words as he fired his ocular lasers at the bomb. However, this only triggered the bomb's detonation as a giant cloud of green gas began to surround the area.
The gas had no effect on Homelander, but the crowd was another story as they began to laugh. Homelander looked around and saw them laughing hysterically as their faces started to resemble The Joker's own. It looked like even gas masks were useless too as he saw a bomb squad member collapse on the ground.
He turned to the Joker and Harley, laughing their heads off.
"I can't believe he actually did it!" Joker shouted enthusiastically. "I told him not to do it, and he still did it! I gotta say! You, my friend, are a huge improvement over Stupidman! HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHAHAHA!" He started to pound on the desk he was sitting at.
Homelander looked on at the scene, he had not been so embarrassed until he spoke at that protest against him.
"Oooooooh, shit…" He muttered to himself.
Suddenly, the gas cloud looked like it was being sucked into something. Homelander looked up and saw Superman inhaling the cloud before flying away. Homelander's rage transferred from The Joker to Superman now.
"Get them to a hospital, now!" Batman told the Flash, handing him a vial.
"On it." Flash said disappearing in an instant.
"Well, it looks like the Justice Losers have arrived. I'll be ending my little broadcast now. Feel free to tune in next time. Same Joker time, same Joker channel! TTFN!" Joker said before the feed ended.
Butcher and the rest of the group watched on in stunned silence.
"Oh fuck that is bad…" Hughie muttered under his breath.
"Evil son of a bitch." Mother's Milk said under his breath.
"How many people do you think he killed?" Frenchie asked.
"I don't know there would have to be at least two hundred people out on one city block in Times Square." Mother's Milk said.
"It can only get worse if that psychotic piece of shit gets his hands on Compound V." Annie said.
"Or any of the other maniacs here." Mother's Milk said.
"I'm staying." Hughie said.
"Agreed, Frenchie?" Mother's Milk said.
"Oui." Frenchie replied as Kimiko nodded.
"Fine, we'll play it your way, Tinkerbell. Let's pay the Cluemaster another visit and see how Compound V got over here." Butcher said.
Homelander and the rest of the Seven were gathered in the meeting room as the League all glared at Homelander.
"Sixty people are dead." Batman told Homelander, his voice completely tense.
"Did you forget about the Clown! He killed them, that's all on him." Homelander defended himself.
"Have you forgotten the fact that he set you off with grade school taunts." Batman fired back.
"I'm sorry, there. Are you happy? I promise you all that next time I'll stop him." Homelander said.
"There's not going to be a next time between you and Joker." Batman replied.
"I'm sorry what?" Homelander asked.
"This little joke of his has shown that he can easily get into your head." Batman explained.
"So what I'm supposed to sit here and take it up the ass whenever he publicly slanders me?" Homelander questioned.
"I reviewed the footage, so it's not a lie." Batman replied.
Homelander sat up from his chair.
"Would you all leave us alone for a bit?" Homelander asked.
The Seven were all silent except for Stormfront and Ashley who followed Homelander's order.
"You can all leave, I can handle this." Batman said.
With that said everyone and the League left the meeting room.
Homelander smirked.
"You must have some balls you know that? Blaming me for all those people the Clown killed. Have you ever considered the fact that they're your fault too?" Homelander questioned.
Batman was silent.
"He wants good people to kill him, and more capable men than you have tried." Batman replied.
Homelander let out a chuckle.
"Are you trying to intimidate me? Underneath that fursuit, you are just a guy. That's it. No special powers. Just a fucking guy." Homelander questioned me.
"You mean like Edgar, he's probably the closest thing you have for a father now. Isn't that right John?" Batman asked.
Homelander was stunned.
"What did you just call me?" Homelander asked.
"That was what Vogelbaum called you, right? John, no last name. Just John. It's a good indicator of all of your problems." Batman said.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Homelander lied, he read Batman's heartbeat. It was still calm and static just like Edgar's.
"Alright, you mean how you were raised in a lab monitored by apathetic scientists who were looking at the next big corporate mascot. Scientists who never viewed you as a human being and more of a lab rat. I know that you also kept the security blanket they gave you, it's still in your room is it not? Or how about the reason you do everything is to gain the love and favor of everyone around you." Batman prodded.
Homelanders' eyes grew red.
"Go ahead, do it." Batman goaded him, completely calm. His heartbeat not even raising a spike.
"You really think this is all going to scare me?" Homelander asked.
"I know you're not going to kill me." Batman said.
"Oh really? Why's that?" Homelander asked.
"Because I know how you think. Tell me something you didn't kill William Butcher last year. Why was that? Was it because he didn't fear you?" Batman asked him.
Homelander was silent trying to think of a reason.
"Or how about your relationship with Edgar, he's not afraid of you either. Do you want to know what I think of you?" Batman questioned.
"What?" Homelander weakly let out.
"I'm not afraid of you. Deep down, I pity you. I saw how you were at Superman's family home. You are not a God, just an angry child lashing out at a world for making him feel unloved. Now go with J'onn, he's taking you to the Watchtower where your son is." Batman replied.
Homelander just stood there processing what Batman said before leaving the room. All he could retort was this:
"You don't get me!" Homelander yelled out in a similar manner to an angry child before leaving the room.
Stan Edgar walked to the house of his adopted daughter and granddaughter. To the world, she was Victoria Neuman. Vought's number one political adversary. To him, she was his daughter Nadia. He saw her sitting on her couch with a worried look on her face.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
She pointed to the kitchen.
"He wanted to speak with you." She said.
Outstepped a bald man wearing a suit. He smiled at Stan.
"Mr. Edgar, I'm Lex Luthor. We have much to discuss." Luthor said, offering his hand for a handshake.
Edgar fought to maintain his composure. He recognized his name, he was the former CEO of LexCorp. Superman's arch-rival. Seeing that he was still alive, despite being in Nadia's presence for some time, only gave him one option.
"Yes, I have heard of you. Why are you here?" Stan said.
"I'm here to offer you a deal." Lex said.
"I'm listening." Stan said.
"I know from experience the Justice League are a hassle to men like us. I saw Superman's speech, we both know what he meant." Luthor said.
"I was already aware of what he meant and their history with you which is why I will be stepping down as CEO." Edgar told him.
"Smart decision, but it won't matter if they don't get you then they will turn to someone else." Luthor said looking at Neuman.
A sense of dread began to cloud Edgar's mind if they couldn't get him. Then Nadia would be a likely target.
"What exactly is your plan?" Stan asked.
"V-24, your personal project. I can make it come to fruition." Luthor told him.
"We haven't officially started the project yet. It's been delayed due to outside forces." Edgar said.
"Yes, I'm well aware of the outside force. I think we both know sending out his ilk would be a military disaster. As someone who has a history of military projects, the key is control of supply and demand. I'm offering you the choice of letting your company shed these narcissistic hedonists and making it a serious company." Luthor said.
Edgar was contemplating Luthor's decision.
"I'll leave you to it." Luthor said handing him a note which appeared to have his location.
Lex walked out of the door.
"What are you thinking?" Neuman asked.
"I'll have to wait and see. In the meantime, avoid using your powers and try not to raise suspicion." Stan told her.
"I will." She replied.
Homelander walked down Watchtower's corridor accompanied by Ryan. They were following Martian Manhunter to a room.
"I hope you're happy with the arrangement." The Manhunter said.
"As long as it works and they do Ryan well, of course." Homelander answered.
The door to the room opened and inside there were more children. They recognized Superboy and Robin, but also a blonde kid wearing a seashell collar, two little black girls, a redhead, a girl dressed in what they identified as Impulse's old suit, and a boy who looked like her wearing an orange suit, they both shared slightly Asian features. With them was the Flash, but not League's Flash, he was the original, the old man. He wore a white coat over his suit as he watched the boy in orange an insane amount of weight.
"Homelander, this is Jay Garrick, the first Flash." Martian Manhunter said.
"I've been told your son is having difficulties in accessing his powers." Flash said.
"You know something about that?" Homelander asked.
"I'm 103 years old and had a lot of time in my hands to study superpowers. I think I can help the boy find out what is wrong. Like with the other children, this one," Flash pointed to the boy in orange. "Was supposed to be a speedster but he ended up different."
"Look all I know is that Two-Face is making a move, I don't know how, but that's all I've heard!" Cluemaster confessed as Kimiko had her hands around his head.
"How is he getting it?" Butcher asked sipping a cup.
"I don't know, alright!" Brown admitted.
"Where do we find Two-Face?" Butcher questioned.
"I don't know!" Cluemaster told him.
"Kimiko break another rib." Butcher told her.
"Wait! Wait! I heard he might be making an alliance with Penguin. They're going against Black Mask about this stuff. Last month, Black Mask and his crew managed to kidnap Freeze's wife. They've been forcing Freeze to work with him." Cluemaster said.
"Who else is he working for?" Butcher asked.
"I remember hearing that Two-Face is working with Scarecrow. I don't know where he's being held up though." Cluemaster said.
"Good, thanks." Butcher said.
Butcher walked out of the apartment and saw Frenchie waiting there.
"What do you know about Two-Face?" Butcher asked.
"He used to be the district attorney here. He worked with Batman and Commissioner Gordon to take down the mob. Until the mob threw acid on him and scarred half his face." Frenchie said.
He showed Butcher a picture of Two-Face. The unscarred side of his face had brown hair, while the other was completely red with burn scars.
"Fucking hell..." Butcher said looking at his wounds.
"Apparently, he makes his decisions by flipping a coin." Frenchie said.
"Alright, and you mentioned this Scarecrow cunt earlier. What is he a Wizard of Oz or bird enthusiast?" Butcher asked.
"Former psychologist and chemist, apparently he created and uses a gas that makes anyone who breathes it in see their worst fears." Frenchie said.
"Alright, get some gas masks." Butcher said.
"I've heard they've become ineffective to his gas now, only he's immune to it." Frenchie said.
"Alright, we just need to be careful. After all, you've made some diabolical concoctions since we've known one another." Butcher said. "What about Black Mask?"
"I've heard horror stories about Black Mask. They say he's just about as sadistic as The Joker, he's a torture enthusiast. I heard he tortured Catwoman's sister to near death." Frenchie said.
"Catwoman?" Butcher asked.
"Cat burglar, she and Batman have a history with one another." Frenchie said.
"You mean they fuck?" Butcher said as ideas started to form in his head.
"Oui." Frenchie said.
"Good, what about Mr. Freeze?" Frenchie asked.
"Former Cryogenist turned to crime to save his dying wife after his employer, Goth Corp, fucked them over. Apparently, he uses an ice gun to freeze people. He's kind of a sad person from what I've heard." Frenchie said.
"Not our problem, Black Mask is apparently holding his wife somewhere here." Butcher said.
"What about Batman and his people?" Frenchie asked.
"Same as always, you told me that you think Bruce Wayne is Batman not just funding him, right?" Butcher asked.
"Yes, when he was eight his parents were shot and killed by some mugger in the Crime Alley." Frenchie said.
"Was the Crime Alley behind the Rape Corner? Wayne must be just another rich cunt who gets off on beating the unfortunate." Butcher said.
"Easier said than done, Wayne is practically the City's philanthropic backbone." Frenchie said.
"Look how well that's working about." Butcher said.
"How you know all that?" MM asked Frenchie.
"Been keeping notes on everything about this world." Frenchie said, showing his notebook. "You think Angels are here?"
"Santa Claus is probably real here. The devil has to be since we're in hell." Mother's Milk replied
"I don't know there's something in this city that's both horrifying and seductive. The more you spend time here." Frenchie said.
"Don't you go native on me." Butcher warned him. "Where would most of the supervillains go to host a sitdown?" He asked Frenchie.
"The Iceberg Lounge. The Penguin's club." He replied.
"Good." Butcher said turning to Mother's Milk.
"Let's bug it." He said.
The Batwing landed on a residential home in Midvale, a suburban town near Metropolis. Batman left his vehicle and found Becca Butcher waiting for him. She was mad and walked fastly toward Batman.
"You said you'd help." Becca said. "Instead you just put me on house arrest just like Vought."
"You are a known collaborator to Billy Butcher." Batman said. "You can't be trusted in our world with him here. And you can't be safe in your world with Homelander there."
"I'm not safe with Homelander? You assholes gave my son to him. You could just kill him and put an end to this nightmare." Becca told him.
"That is not how we do things. Even if we did, killing a beloved public figure would make us look like invaders and make him a martyr." Batman said as he grabbed a screen from the Batwing.
"I figured, I take it that the clown was not a part of your plans?" Becca asked. "How did Homelander act, upset about his little fetish getting leaked?"
"Yes, we're making sure to keep him away from anything Joker plans. Stan Edgar might be resigning as well, from what I've gathered." Batman said.
"I just want to see my son." Becca said, the anger ran out and she just sounded sad.
"That's why I'm here."
Batman gave Becca the screen. She saw live footage of Ryan at the Watchtower, he was interacting with other children, something he had never done before. The smaller black girl threw a lightning bolt at a target in the room. The Flash put his hand on Ryan's shoulder and Ryan kept staring at the target.
"What are they doing?" Becca asked.
"We convinced Homelander to bring Ryan to a training session for his power."
"No. I don't want Ryan using his powers, they are not good for him. No one should have that kind of power." Becca told him.
"You want us to stop it?" Batman asked.
"No!" Becca shouted as she pulled the screen away from Batman. That was all she had from Ryan. "Let me think about that more."
"He'll need to control them." Batman told her.
"I know. Tell me what's the difference between Homelander and your guy?" Becca asked.
"Loving parents." Batman replied.
In the room, Homelander saw Ryan struggling to use his laser vision.
"You got it." Homelander whispered to Ryan. "That's it, don't give up. That's it, that's it, keep going. Little more, little more, you got it." Still, nothing happened.
"Maybe if you- -" Superboy tried to say.
"I know what." Homelander interrupted. "Imagine… Uhm... Well, sometimes it helps to imagine someone you hate, okay? So, try that."
"Back at home," Ryan said. "When I say 'hate' I have to put a quarter in the swear jar."
"There's no swear jar here. So you can hate away."
"I don't really hate anyone."
"You use powers during emotional responses." Robin said, sitting on the other side of the room. "Makes no sense to ask you to do it rationally when all you know about them is emotional."
"I feel like using them all the time." Ryan confessed.
"So why don't you?" Homelander asked.
"Everything here is scary. It can hurt me. Can even hurt you, like the Joker."
"Y-You saw that?"
"Everyone saw that."
"Ryan, I might have lost. This time, I usually always win. But I'm not hurt, and they can't hurt, because you're my son, and you're strong. Whatever you have in there, just release it, when you see what you can do, you'll find how strong you really are."
Ryan tried again, his eyes lit up red. The light became very intense until a powerful laser came out of his eyes and destroyed the target. A screen next to the Flash compared the laser coming out of his eyes to Homelander's and Superboy's.
Becca was sitting on her couch watching this through her screen. Her hands shook, she saw Ryan giving his father a hug. Becca threw the screen on the table and grabbed the bottle of whiskey in front of her.