Sinestro battled the Green Lanterns.
"Have to say pinky, you really put your eggs in the wrong basket." Gardner told him.
"Silence!" Sinestro demanded he swatted Gardner away with a mace construct.
He was blasted by an attack from John Stewart.
"If they managed to kill Arkillo theremight be some reward in this." Sinestro said.
"Arkillo's alive jackass, we have him." Gardner told him.
Sinestro smugly looked at Gardner, who realized that he'd been baited. He ignored the glares from his fellow Lanterns.
"Then I suppose I will have to retrieve him. Thank you, Gardner." Sinestro said.
"Your prison break will have to be put on hold." Hal said.
Hal tackled Sinestro before Sinestro unleashed an explosive wave of light to knock him back. Sinestro fired a beam at his former protege before finding himself in a beam struggle with Hal. Sinestro noticed Baz and created a wall to block his attack.
"Honestly, Jordan, that? I expected better." Sinestro stated.
"I've never been much of a planner, you know that. I always prefer to face my problems head on." Hal said.
Kyle created a giant robot that landed on Sinestro. Sinestor landed on the ground hurt, but still not out. He looked around the battlefield and realized things were going poorly. His eyes caught wind of Homelander who was presently blasted away from Superman's heat vision. Then to Stormfront who was fleeing from the Marvel family, and to his surprise, Black Adam. However, an idea soon formed.
The other Earth Lanterns flew down and surrounded him.
"You could make things easier for yourself if you surrender, you know that, right?" Hal asked.
Only for some of his troops to provide support. He recognized one of his commanders.
"This battle is nearing an end, an unfavorable one at that. We will have to retreat." Sinestro told them.
"What of the Homelander?" The soldier asked.
Sinestro glared.
"I would not worry about him." Sinestro stated.
As Stormfront flew away from the Marvel family and their more ruthless rival. She found herself getting blasted by energy beams, however, they were not from the Green Lanterns.
"Are you sure this will work?" Wonder Woman asked Mister Terrific.
"It won't take away her current powers, but it will get rid of her Compound V based abilities." He said.
"What about Black Adam?" Aquaman asked.
"I'll go." Diana replied.
In an instant she flew in front of Black Adam. Mary Marvel proceeded to battle Stormfront in the sky.
"Hold, Black Adam." Diana warned.
Black Adam glared at the Amazon.
"The usurper will face my justice not yours." Black Adam said.
"Then you'll have to go through all of us." Captain Marvel said flying up to his corrupted predecessor.
"I will not indulge in your childish whims, Billy." Black Adam responded.
"Really alright so you fight us, what happens to Khandaq then? You really want to cause an international incident over her." Billy asked.
Black Adam silently pondered Billy's proposal.
"You have already found a way to defeat her, haven't you?" Black Adam asked.
"I just need your permission to change her word of power." Captain Marvel said.
"What is the word?" Black Adam asked.
"It's not so much of a word, but rather a tongue twister in spanish." Billy said.
Adam rolled his eyes, but it appeared to agree with him.
"I concede… for now." Adam said.
They all felt a change emanating from the Rock of Eternity. Stormfront struggled trying to free herself from Mary's hold on her.
"What was that?" Stormfront demanded.
"Let's just say, you've been kicked out, grandma." Freddy said.
"SHAZAM!" Mary yelled out a bolt of lightning.
It struck both Mary and Stormfront who started to fall to the ground. Stormfront got a good look at Mary and to her humiliation she discovered that she lost to a teenager.
"SHAZAM!" Mary yelled out as the same lightning bolt struck her, returning the teenager to her empowered form.
"SHAZAM!" Stormfront yelled only for nothing to happen.
Fearing for her life she tried to use her original powers, but nothing happened. Much to her shock, she was soon caught by Mary Marvel. She gently placed Stormfront onto the ground where she was surrounded by Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Mister Terrific, Stargirl, and the other two Marvels.
"What did you do to me?" Stormfront demanded.
"Your powers are gone, both of them. I figured that even in your empowered form you would still have magic. I've managed to develop a cure for Compound V, now all but one remains." Mister Terrific told her in a satisfied tone.
Stormfront angrily glared at him.
"You fucking c…" She was cut off by Mister Terrific punching her in the face. She fell down to the floor and was binded by Aquaman. Stormfront angrily glared at the King of Atlantis, but stopped after seeing the angered look in his eyes.
"Don't worry grandma, you can start the first Aryan Sisterhood in jail." Stargirl told her.
"Shut your fucking mouth you little trollop!" Stormfront yelled at her.
Stargirl did not appear to be bothered by her comment.
"One hundred one years of life and yet you still clung to hatred. Is that all you have in your heart?" Diana asked her.
Stormfront spitefully glared at Diana.
"Your boyfriend is next, you'll both stand trial for all the lives you have ended and ruined over the years. Something tells me the jury's ruling might be worse for you." Aquaman told her.
"You won't stop him! He is everything we've dreamed about. Our vision of the future will never…" Stormfront was about to say.
When something fell out of her mouth, it was one of her teeth. Although now it looked yellow, completely dirty. A couple more of her teeth fell out of mouth. Stormfront's vision started to blur, her last coherent vision being the confused and shocked faces of the League. Fear started to go through her mind.
"Vat ist…" She was about to ask, but could not remember what she was about to say.
The Justice Leaguers watched on as Stormfront gradually transformed before their eyes. Her black hair turned white and brittle. The skin on her face turned wrinkled and developed liver spots. Her muscles started to go through dystrophy. This caused her to fall to the ground as she could no longer support herself. Stormfront now looked her age.
"How did…" Mister Terrific asked.
"She was way too evil for the power of the Wizard. This is her punishment, she wanted power, and now with it gone she is nothing." Billy said, realizing it.
"But what about Black Adam?" Stargirl asked.
"Adam's not a saint, but even he doesn't want to purge other races, sexualities, and the disabled." Mary said.
"Yeah, so who's moving her because I'm not." Freddy brought up.
"Not me." Billy said.
"No." Mary said.
"Gross." Courtney said.
"I don't think we have to worry about that, she's dead." Diana said.
"How?" Stargirl asked.
"She's gone completely limp." Mister Terrific said.
Diana checked her pulse, she was dead. The Leaguers all felt disappointed knowing she would not end up in a jail cell. At the very least she died knowing her lifes' goals have been shattered and as something she hated: a powerless individual.
The Justice Leaguers flew away leaving her corpse for the police unaware of a party of witnesses. Kimiko went up to Stormfront. She felt Frenchie touch on her shoulder.
"She's gone, I'm sorry you did not get the chance." Frenchie said.
Kimiko glared at Stormfront's corpse, but soon felt a feeling of relief. She had been exposed as the monster her brother had seen before dying. She could no longer hurt anyone ever again. That said she hacked up a loogie and spat on her corpse. She and Frenchie returned to the others as they carried around an ailing Butcher.
Superman and Homelander continued their fight, their struggle taking them up high until they reached outer space. Homelander threw a series of missile constructs at Superman who dodged them all before flying into Homelander's gut. Homelander coughed up blood from the impact. He spitefully glared at Superman who continued to frown at him. Just as Homelander recovered, Clark immediately punched Homelander across the face numerous times. Before knocking Homelander back down to Earth. Homelander got up from the crater, slowly and still in pain. As he looked around for Superman, his mind was dominated by two emotions: anger and fear. He utilized his super hearing, but was still unable to hear him. Until he heard something behind him. He turned around, but found no one.
"Where the fuck are you?! You goddamn alien fuck?!" Homelander demanded.
"Behind you." Superman replied.
Homelander tried to punch Superman, but the Man of Steel caught Homelander's wrist. He started to tighten his grip causing Homelander to let out a groan of pain as his fist opened up. Homelanders' eyes widened as he saw Superman's other hand go to his ring. Slowly he started to pull it off as Homelander snarled like a wild animal. He shot his laser vision at Superman's face who used his heat vision to counter it. Superman struggled as the ring was lifted off of Homelander's finger. Until the ring was pulled off and Homelander's uniform transformed into his original costume.
"No!" Homelander yelled.
The Green Arrow saw this moment. Now, Homelander was defenseless, so he pointed his arrow at him and shot it.
"Gotcha." Green Arrow said, delighted.
The arrow's explosion hit Homelander's face like a punch. His body was covered with a burning radiation and all of the sudden, his powers were gone. Homelander fell to the ground unable to fly.
The ring began to float towards Homelander. Superman caught the ring in his hands, but was slowly pulled towards Homelander.
Watching from the Watchtower were Annie, Becca, Maeve, and Ryan. Annie took notice of Maeve's expression and posture.
"He lost his powers.." Maeve said in disbelief and joy. She started laughing. "Holy shit, he fucking lost his powers!"
"I think we just won." Annie told her.
"Fuck yeah, we did."
Maeve looked at Homelander from the monitor. He looked pathetic, his face was covered in bruises and appeared to be bleeding from his nose and mouth. At that moment, any fear she had left subsided and she smiled upon seeing Superman not struggling.
Homelander reached for the yellow ring, flying towards him. But suddenly, it stopped, no longer following Homelander anymore. The ring flew elsewhere.
"No." Homelander weakly let out, as it dawned upon him.
"It's over, Homelander." Superman told him.
"What did you do to me?" Homelander asked.
"Your powers are gone, you won't be using them to harm anyone else ever again." Superman told him.
"NO!" Homelander yelled out throwing a punch at Superman.
To Homelander's surprise, he saw Superman turn with the punch, only to feel a great pain in his hand. He fell down onto his knees and clutched his hand. Superman turned to face him and Homelander crawled away.
"Please, don't!" He pleaded.
"Don't worry, he's not you." Black Canary told him.
Homelander felt something metallic attach to his wrists. He had been handcuffed by Batman who looked down at him.
"On your feet, John." Batman ordered him before grabbing Homelander's costume to force him on his feet despite all his struggles.
"How are things going?" Green Arrow asked.
"Stormfront is dead. She lost both her powers and had undergone advanced aging. Captain Marvel suspects it was punishment for stealing the powers of Shazam with such an evil heart, might've been a collateral effect of her powers keeping her young. I also found the bisected corpses of Soldier Boy and Black Noir. All your followers already lost their powers, Blue Hawk, Rufus, Smith, all of them." Batman explained.
Homelander looked like he had emotionally shut down collapsing on the ground.
"It's almost over, now we can focus on Sinestro. As well as, focus on civilian efforts." Superman said.
"Good, the sooner Super dick goes to jail the better I'll sleep." Green Arrow said.
"You think I'm done. I'll get them back and you'll all fucking pay for this! All of you!" Homelander said, rising from the ground.
Homelander heard his handcuffs click once more and found he was now cuffed to a car door.
"Sure you will." Ollie said walking away.
Homelander struggled to free himself as the real heroes walked away. Leaving him to impotently struggle.
Sinestro and his corps flew up in the air as they entered the portal. Soon enough once every member had entered it, the wormhole closed. Much to the delight of the Green Lantern Corps and those watching.
"I think it's over now." Superman said a confident smile.
"Don't jinx it." Flash said.
"Homelander and Stormfront are defeated. Vought will likely be in ruin after all that has happened." Martian Manhunter said.
"Good, I want to taunt that breast milk drinking asshole one last time." Guy said.
Hal and Kyle looked perplexed upon hearing that.
"Sounds like we missed a lot." Hal said.
"You have no idea." John told him.
"As much as we'd like to stay and chat, but thanks to Kyle and Kilowog we now know where Sinestro's base is." Hal said.
"You can give us the rundown when we're allowed to stay on Earth." Kyle said.
"Looking forward to it. Be sure to punch him in that giant pink forehead." Guy said.
With that the Green Lanterns save for John, Guy, Jessica, and Simon flew off into space.
"There's still more work to be done regarding the dimensional rift. I think I have an idea as to who the culprit might be." Batman said.
"Why am I not surprised?" Superman asked sarcastically.
Homelander pulled his handcuff as hard as he could, his wrist ached. Still, nothing, his hand hadn't loosen up at all. Then he saw them: Butcher, MM, Frenchie, Kimiko and Hughie standing and watching him in disbelief. He stared back at them.
"Holy shit…." Hughie said.
"Well, well, well…" Butcher said and glared at MM. "What were you saying about my plan?"
"What?" Homelander said. "You want to taunt me? Do any of you want to say something? Because I have a feeling you all know what's going to happen." As Homelander spoke, Hughie walked towards him. "You know I'm going to escape whatever prison the League puts me in, you know I'm going to get a new shot of Compound-V and get my powers back! And when I do, I'm coming for you last! Because now I'm Captain Fucking Ahab with a huge blue and red whale to kill and I won't waste more of my time with a bunch of dipshits from my Ear…"
Just then, Hughie punched Homelander's face so hard he drew blood from his mouth. Homelander fell against the car door he was handcuffed to. His eyes popped in fear seeing his own blood. Frenchie charged at him and kicked Homelander's ribs, breaking the car's door and him falling over it on the ground. Kimiko ripped the handcuff off and broke Homelander's arm in the process.
"Oh, it's on." MM said. He pulled Homelander from Kimiko and punched his face several times, breaking his teeth and cutting his face all over. They started throwing Homelander around taking turns in the beating, until Butcher shouted.
"Boys! Enough!" They all stopped and looked at Butcher. He walked over to the destruction, there was a bunch of tools on the ground, conveniently, a crowbar among them. Butcher grabbed it and walked over to Homelander. "The cunt is mine."
He stared down at Homelander, bleeding on the ground, his teeth broken, his face swollen. Homelander laughed in his pain.
"You think they'll forgive you?" Homelander asked. "The Justice League won't let this go, they just won't. They'll throw in the same hole they were going to throw me."
"You think I give a shit?" Upon hearing this, Homelander's smile vanished.
Butcher swung his crowbar with all his strength, displacing Homelander's jaw off his face. Butcher hit Homelander's whole body with the crowbar, raw blows strong enough to cut through his body as if the crowbar was a blunt blade. Eventually, Butcher dropped it on the ground and pulled Homelander by the collar, there was still life in his eyes. Butcher punched him, again and again until his own fists were bleeding and he felt Homelander' skull cracking.
Once again, Butcher's veins popped up and shined like green neon. The pain was tangible throughout his screams but he didn't care. He kept punching and sweating thicker and thicker as his eyes started bleeding. Somewhen during this, Homelander had died. No one noticed exactly when he died but Butcher kept going, kept punching his corpse.
"H-Hey, I think it's done." Hughie said.
"Let him have this." MM said.
Butcher kept punching. He stopped and put Homelander's corpse sitting with his back against the car. He grabbed his crowbar, put it through Homelander's eyehole and opened the top of his broken skull like a soda bottle. Butcher put his hand inside the smashed brains and pulled out a handful of gray matter. He stared at Homelander's dead eyes but spoke as if he could still hear him.
"This is the night you done what you done to my Becca." Butcher crushed the brains between his fingers.
Finally, he let it go. Turned his back to the corpse and caught his breath, he coughed and watched his own blood drip mixed with green spots. He passed out on the ground and had to be lifted back up.
The Flash, Hawkgirl and Red Tornado found Homelander's body. The bat-handcuffs were shattered on the ground and Homelander's jaw was at least four feet away from his face. The Flash took a closer look.
"Batman is going to have your head if you touch anything." Hawkgirl warned.
"I'm just analyzing the crime scene. They really did a number on him, whoever took off his handcuff had super strength and small hands."
"It might be a trick." Red Tornado said. "There's no way to tell this is really Homelander, it could be anyone."
"No, it's him. Billy Butcher killed him and went in the East direction. The blood spilled there is full of green spots, it's his."
A microsecond later, the Flash was standing in front of the Boys carrying Butcher's passed out body. MM gently put Butcher down and the others followed his lead.
"No way to run." He said, looking at the Flash. Kimiko tried to step up, until Hawkgirl, Red Tornado, Metamorpho and Vixen joined in. "No way to fight."
"Flash to Watchtower, how are these guys even here?"
"I'm sorry, sir." A Watchtower worker spoke through his earpiece. "Everybody was busy with the Sinestro invasion and they managed to get to the station and… We don't know how they even knew how to operate it."
"Alright, fellas. You're under arrest for murder."
"For that connard!?" Frenchie questioned.
"Murder is murder."
They heard a laughter, a weak struggling laughter. It was Butcher on the ground, bleeding from his eyes and gums as he laughed at the situation.
"So this is how it ends?" Butcher asked. He had another crisis, his veins popped up again like neon and he bled more. Flash quickly approached and got a hold of him.
"We got a very sick man, we need to be beam u- -" Flash spoke but was interrupted by Butcher's eyeball popping up blood with green dots against his face.
"Listen…" Butcher said.
"We don't have time- -"
"Listen to me you cunt in red tights! I did it all myself, the boys just stood by and watched it. Maybe they had a little fun with him beforehand but it was me who killed him. I killed Homelander. I killed Homelander…"
"Okay, okay. Watchtower. Beam us up!"
They found themselves back in the Watchtower, the Flash rushed Butcher to their ER. The doctors surrounded him and started working. The Boys ran to see the results, but after a couple seconds, the doctors stopped.
"Come on, guys. Why aren't you helping him?!" Hughie asked.
"We can't do anything." A doctor said. "He was already dead when the Flash brought him here."
The boys all looked at his heart monitor, nothing but a straight line. It was as though the world crumbled around them. No one said a word as they processed what they heard.
"Someone should call Becca." MM spoke up.
They looked at his corpse, it was still glowing green, but despite that Butcher had a peaceful look on his face. It was almost as though he died at peace with himself. The irony of the situation was not lost on them.
Flash rushed back to the League.
"Homelander and William Butcher are dead. Butcher confessed to killing Homelander. Also, Soldier Boy and Black Noir are dead too." Flash told the League.
The Justice League looked at the destruction from the battle, it weighed heavily upon them all. Superman let out an exasperated sigh.
"So who is responsible for all of this?" Superman asked, turning to Batman.
"I'm certain he'll show up about now." Batman said.
It appeared in a puff of smoke. It looked like a small man wearing a goofy-looking Batman costume.
"Bat-Mite." Batman said.
The Justice League were caught off guard by this reveal.
"How did you know it was me?" Bat-Mite asked, his tone indicating wonder.
"I examined everything we knew about this universe. There was nothing of use that someone like Darkseid would want. It was also far too chaotic for our enemies. However, despite this everything felt orchestrated. Especially when it came to Butcher's team. Something would always save them despite how close to death they were. And even though they all ended up in different places, their path led them to Gotham, my city." Batman said.
"That's why you're the greatest detective." Bat-Mite said in awe.
Batman continued to scowl.
"Why did you do all of this?" Batman asked.
"Why? It's simple, while I was languishing away in comic book limbo. I started to look at other universes, that was when I found 'The Boys', and got this idea for a crossover. The idea of the Justice League humiliating the Seven felt too good of an idea to waste. So I decided to think of a way to get you over there. As for the Boys, I thought it would be interesting to see how they would do with a more traditional superhero environment. So I made fake accounts for them and pulled them out of trouble when it looked like they might die. Which was a lot really. So now you know, was it fun?" Bat-Mite said.
"People died." Aquaman told the imp.
"People would have died anyway, I just made sure there was more narrative cohesion. Besides, at least it wasn't the comic version. That was way too grotesque." Bat-Mite said.
"But people still died." Flash sternly added.
"Just put an end to it soon." Batman told the imp.
"What, but I was already brainstorming ways to bring in more characters." Bat-Mite said.
"You're. Done." Batman tensely told the imp.
Bat-Mite let out a sigh.
"Fine. I guess everything is wrapping up anyway." Bat-Mite said before disappearing.
The Justice League all let out sighs.
"Of all the stupidity." Green Lantern said.
"Man, I'm so glad that I don't have to deal with those imps. How do you do it, Clark?" Flash said and asked, turning to Superman.
"Well a ninety-day break gives me plenty of time to think." Superman said.
"So now what?" Flash asked.
"We help those who want to move to our Earth." Batman said.
"What about the rest of the team? Butcher said he killed Homelander." Flash said.
"He said that likely to spare them from any consequences." Batman said.
"They've been through enough. Maybe with most of them gone they will find peace." Wonder Woman said.
"Ruthless criminal or not, I'm willing to honor his last wish." Superman said.
"We have a bigger quarry." Aquaman said.
"After all this will likely be the last time they see each other again." Martian Manhunter said.
"J'onn's right. As long as we're here we should help with rebuilding efforts." Superman added.
The Boys watched as Becca mourned her husband with Ryan by her side.
"We're sorry…" Hughie tried to say.
Becca stopped crying and turned to face them.
"It's okay… There was no stopping Billy." She told Hughie.
"He was a hell of a guy." MM told her.
"He died the way he wanted to. Killing Homelander." Frenchie said.
"I guess you're right about that. I understand he could be difficult, but I appreciate that you stood by him for so long." Becca said.
The door opened up revealing Annie and Mallory with her. Both of them looked shocked upon seeing Butcher's corpse.
"Took him longer than I expected. Still…" Mallory spoke up in shock.
Annie went over to Hughie to try and comfort him.
"Colonel." MM said, his voice still tense.
"What are you doing here?" Frenchie asked.
"I think we should discuss this away from here." Mallory said.
They walked out of the room, sans Hughie and Annie. It was there MM recognized somethings getting carted away. He went over to the stretcher and recognized that it was Soldier Boy who got bisected vertically. The other was Black Noir who had been cut in half horizontally.
"Soldier Boy… What happened?" MM asked.
"He and Noir apparently got into a struggle. It ended with Soldier Boy and Noir getting bisected." Batman said.
A startled MM turned around and saw Batman alongside Superman.
"Jesus!" MM said, surprised by their sudden appearance.
"I'm sorry for startling you." Superman said.
"So he's gone for real now. All those years and I don't get any goddamn catharsis." MM said.
"There is a catharsis, you can walk away and rebuild your life." Superman told him.
"You think it can be that easy?" MM asked Superman, mildly irritated.
"I did not say it would be easy." Superman said.
"I know what you're going through, Marvin. I still live with the pain everyday, but you have a family and friends. So you're not alone." Batman said.
MM was shocked to hear that from Batman.
"Soldier Boy died with nothing. You can live better than he ever could." Superman said.
MM processed the words of the World's Finest. Frenchie touched him on his shoulder.
"They're right. Don't go out live like Butcher, mon ami." Frenchie said.
Kimiko pulled out her phone and showed him her message.
"They're gone now." She said referring to Stormfront as well.
MM sighed.
"You're right, thanks." MM said.
They walked out of the hall. As Superman headed into the room where Becca was.
Superman saw Becca holding onto Butcher's lifeless body.
"I'm sorry." Superman apologized with a look of regret on his face.
"It's not your fault. I blame that bald egomaniac for this." Becca said.
"I know, but I meant before. Maybe if I had reached out to him earlier he would still be alive." Superman said.
"He wouldn't have listened. Especially from you." Becca told him.
"My… Homelander is gone, right?" Ryan asked Superman.
"Yes he is." Superman told him.
"Do you think I could end up just like him?" Ryan said.
"No I don't think you will because you have one thing he doesn't have: A family. My parents made me who I am today. I'm certain your mother will make sure you never become like Homelander." Superman said.
Ryan processed Supermans' words.
"Do you want to keep your powers, Ryan?" Becca asked.
Ryan looked up at Superman.
"It's your choice." Superman told the boy.
"So what is it?" MM asked.
"We're going after Vought. We have the green light." Mallory said.
MM, Frenchie, and Kimiko smiled upon hearing that. Frenchie practically jumped in joy.
"That's fan-motherfucking-tastic news to hear!" MM said.
"We've been supplied Anti-V weapons and now have an official task force. You've all been pardoned as well in light of Homelanders' actions." Mallory added a grin on her face.
MM smiled upon hearing the news.
"I think I can stick around with you for a bit." MM said.
"What's the news?" Hughie asked.
Annie was with him and following her was Maeve.
"We've been pardoned and are now officially licensed, kid!" MM said.
Hughie did not smile, however, much to their surprise. Instead, he had a rather uncomfortable look.
"Apologies, Petit Hughie, I guess you're still hurt over Butcher." Frenchie said.
"It's… It's not that." Hughie said.
"We're staying here." Annie told them.
This caught the others by surprise.
"What?" MM asked.
"Annie and I have been talking about moving here. My dad told me he wants to remain on Earth One too." Hughie said.
They turned to Annie.
"The League allowed it, so long as I have my powers removed. They're giving me a second chance." Annie told them.
"You can't be serious?" MM questioned.
"Look, there's no reason why I should keep doing this. A-Train, The Deep, Stormfront, Homelander, and Butcher are all dead. I'm sorry, but I want to move on from all of this." Hughie said.
MM looked at them solemnly before hugging them.
"I get it. You've chosen a dangerous world to live in. Good luck, you two." MM said.
"Thank you." Annie said.
"I'll try to remain safe." Hughie said.
Frenchie went up to Hughie and Annie. He kissed them both on the cheek.
"Bonne chance. Also, if you ever run into The Riddler. Tell him I solved his riddle: four." Frenchie told them.
Hughie and Annie awkwardly stared at Frenchie, but smiled.
"Will do." Hughie said.
Kimiko went up to them and hugged them both. Tears started to form in her eyes.
"I'll always remember you." She whispered into their ears.
Hughie went to have one last talk with the others when Annie saw Maeve.
"Annie, I just wanted to say thanks. For all of it." Maeve said.
"You're welcome, so what now?" Annie questioned.
"I've agreed to testify against Vought. Mallory says there's a chance I'll only serve a couple of years." Maeve said.
"Are you sure?" Annie asked.
"I'll be fine, Elena told me she'll wait." Maeve told her.
"I hope you'll be alright. You and the twink" Annie said.
"We will." Annie said.
The two hugged one another.
EARTH SEVEN - ONE YEAR LATER
"The product, finally perfected." Stan Edgar cheerfully said. "Lex Luthor's formula reproduced perfectly but the nanites from his Earth. Now, without the bond between the two universes, Vought… I'm sorry, Victory International is free to enter the market with V24 and is officially out of the superhero business."
Edgar received a standing ovation from his board members. Later, leaving the meeting room, he found Queen Maeve waiting for him. Dressed as casual Maggie Shaw and still horribly scarred from her cheek down.
"It's not over, you know?" Maeve told Edgar and his bodyguard stepped in front of her. "Try anything I'll split your spine."
"It's okay." Edgar told his bodyguard. "Queen Maeve, you don't work for us anymore."
"It's just Maeve. And I thought you should know about my new career, movie director. I'm making a documentary all about how this company was founded by a nazi."
"That is why we are rebranding."
"It's gonna take way more than a new name. You're gonna lose."
"We won't." Edgar said bluntly. "We always win. We're a registered trademark. Or are you ready to commit an atrocity to prevent us from making a profit?"
Edgar waited for a response. Nothing, Maeve turned her back and left. As she walked by the hallways, Maeve saw a TV on and stopped to watch Professor Brink from Godolkin University being interviewed. She smiled, as she knew what was about to happen.
Professor Brink was giving an interview in his office. He discussed the real serious possibility of Godolkin University closing doors or at least the Crime Fighting Program. As Brink brushed it off and insisted they were going strong, a group of armed men stormed into his office and pointed guns at him. Brink angrily got up and shouted.
"What do you think you're doing!? You know who I am!? Who's in charge of this operation!?"
"I am." Colonel Mallory said and pushed the warrant against Brink's chest.
Upon reading it, all his bravado died.
"Richard Brinklehoff, you're under arrest." Mallory said as her men handcuffed Brink. Grabbed her phone and made a call. "Boys, how's it going?"
MM had Luke Riordan, Cate Dunlap and Andre Anderson laying down on the ground of God U's campus. He held a grenade launcher pointed at them as he answered Mallory's call.
"I got Indira's pet. Her boyfriend and Polarity's kid were trouble but I took their powers too."
Luke Riordan got up and tried to MM but he was powerless and was easily subdued.
"Get off me!" Luke yelled.
"I know you're angry, kid. But you don't know who your friends are. I can take you to your brother."
"What?"
"Frenchie?" MM spoke on his phone. "You done?"
The Woods were covered in blood, the bodies of dead soldiers laid shattered in pieces over cell doors. Dr. Cardosa desperately ran to the corpses of soldiers and grabbed his sonic weapons and pointed them at Kimiko and turned them on. Nothing happened. Frenchie walked behind Kimiko holding a boom box but it wasn't a regular boom box, there were several alterations to its machinery.
"This won't work on her." Frenchie said. "This is creating a different sound frequency that doesn't let her hear yours."
"Please, I have a family." Cardosa begged.
Kimiko peeked inside the cells and saw the youths in chains. She remembered when Shining Light did the same to her and pulled Cardosa by the collar.
"Eu só seguia ordens…!" Cardosa screamed as Kimiko ripped his face off his skull and ripped his arms off.
Sam Riordan watched curiously from his cell as what he perceived as two puppets engaged in the scene. Kimiko smiled at him and opened his door. 15 minutes later, Sam was free and hugging his brother.
Becca sat in front of her parents and family. They relayed what happened to her for the past few years. Her father was bringing up how Billy destroyed the tombstone.
"Billy destroyed the tombstone. I never thought in a million years he would be right." Becca's sister, Rachel, told her.
Becca chuckled for a bit before her mind went back to her husband.
"We're sorry, dear." Her mother said.
"It's alright, I'm just glad it's all over now." Becca told her.
"What about the boy? Aren't you worried…" Her father asked clearly uncomfortable.
"I'm not worried about that, Dad. Unlike someone that I knew, he'll be raised by someone who loves him." Becca said.
"Whatever you think is best, dear." Her mother said.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean." Her father told her.
"It's alright Dad, I can understand your worries." Becca told her father.
She heard a ding sound and they all got up to join the table. Despite his hearing, Ryan did not come down to the table. So Becca decided to go up the stairs to her son's room and she knocked on her son's door.
"Ryan, dinner is ready." She told him.
"Coming." He said.
He sped all the way down, but dropped a piece of paper. He seemed unaware of it. Becca picked it up, it was a drawing of himself wearing a costume similar to what Superman wore. Her mind trailed back to the past year.
"Mom, I can explain." Ryan said.
"Don't, I know who's outfit that is. The "R" is kind of a dead giveaway." Becca told her.
"I was considering making it a "B"." He sheepishly told her.
"It's your choice, Ryan." Becca told him before hugging him.
"Thanks mom." Ryan said with a smile.
"I love you." Becca told him.
"Love you too, Mom." He said.
Their Mother and son walked down the stairs to join their family.
"Cheers!" MM and Frenchie simultaneously said as they clanged their drinks together along with Kimiko.
"Fucking hell I always knew that God-U was fucked up, but that takes the cake." MM said.
"Oui, what are your thoughts on Vought's rebranding?" Frenchie asked.
"They can call themselves whatever the fuck they want, they'll always be Vought to you and me." MM told him before taking a sip from his drink.
"They can't wipe away the truth, so long as there is a Homelander mural in just about every red state." Frenchie said before having another drink.
"Yeah, though I heard a statue of his in Georgia got torn down by protesters. Fact is, he'll be remembered as a monster by some and he will never enjoy the love he'd get from the fuckwits who worship him now that's he's dead." MM said.
"I'll drink to that." Kimiko texted.
They both laughed upon hearing this before finishing their glasses.
"Butcher would have loved this." Frenchie mused.
"Yeah…" MM said solemnly.
It had been one year since the death of Butcher. Despite all the problems he'd cause, a part of them all missed their deceased leader. Not wanting to sour the atmosphere, Frenchie thought of a different subject to focus on.
"How are things going with Monique?" Frenchie asked.
MM smiled.
"We're taking things slow, but they are getting better. She's still in shock on account of all that multiverse shit. Monique lost someone she knew last year from The Joker's gas attack in Times Square. Some guy named Todd, he worked as a teacher." MM said.
"I hope things work out well. Maybe if things turn out alright, I can finally be your best man." Frenchie said coyly smiled.
"We'll see about that." MM said. "Now how about you two?" He asked.
"She wants to get a mouse for the home." Frenchie said.
"A mouse?!" MM asked, surprised that someone would consider adopting that as a pet.
"Mice remind Kimiko of her brother." Frenchie told him solemnly.
"Oh, I'm sorry." MM apologized.
"Don't it's alright." Kimiko texted him.
"I'm rooting for you two." MM told them.
"Thanks, we appreciate it! On that matter, how do you think Petit Hughie and Annie are doing?" Frenchie asked.
EARTH ONE
There was a trailer on TV for a new show, something very familiar. Images of Vought advertisement, Hughie working on the store. Butcher entered and then came a title card announcing KARL URBAN.
"I'm not gonna piss about it, Hughie. I know what happened to Robin. You ain't alone, son."
When Hughie appeared on screen, title card JACK QUAID. The trailer proceeded to tell the story and introduced the characters they knew played by Erin Moriarty, Laz Alonso, Tomer Capon and others. Until one came as a surprise: Title card, JARED PADALECKI. Cut to the star of Supernatural dressed as the Deep offering Jessie T. Usher as A-Train a Fresca. The trailer went on and played Spice Girls' Wannabe. It ended up revealing Homelander. Title card: CHARLIE VICKERS.
"I'm the Homelander, I can do whatever the fuck I want." Said the former star of the Green Lantern TV show dressed as Homelander and with his hair dyed blonde. The Seven were presented as working in a giant round satellite above the clouds.
The show was called 'Earth Seven', created by Eric Kripke, and was streaming on HBO Max. Hughie turned off the TV, he and Annie were sitting on the couch and had just watched said trailer, both with an odd sensation.
"It looks cool…" Hughie awkwardly said. "They just changed Vought Tower because the audience wouldn't take the Seven seriously if they just worked at a regular building. Most of it they got right except for the actors who didn't want to be associated with Homelander and the Deep but it looks good. I mean, Karl Urban, he's New Zelander and couldn't nail Butcher's accent, he sounds Australian to me and you can tell they filmed it in Canada…"
"We're not going to watch it." Annie interrupted.
"Oh, fuck no. Definitely not." Just then, they heard the baby crying. "I got him."
Hughie went to the baby's room and gave the bottle to his son. Baby Joel arrived 9 months after Hughie and Annie reunited at the Watchtower. Annie came in and took him into her arms.
"You're late for that meeting." She said
"Oh, shit, I am." Hughie ran to get his car keys.
"Did you deposit the first payment on the mortgage?"
"Done. We officially live in DC now." Hughie kissed Annie's lips and Joel's head. "Love you two, bye."
Hughie left the house and went to his workplace, the Hall of Justice.
Hughie entered the Hall of Justice and used his ID to get to a room full of cubicles and people in front of computers taking calls. As he entered, a brunette man snapped his fingers at Hughie to get his attention.
"Hugh Campbell." He said. "I was waiting for you."
They shook hands and the man snapped his fingers again guiding Hughie to his office. Hughie sat in front of him and began to speak.
"I assume you already know who I am and what I did."
"Are you still wearing that piece of jewelry?"
Hughie lifted his pants and showed his ankle monitor.
"4 months in a minimum security prison, plead guilty to facilitating a crime not go down as accessory to murder. All as a condition to stay on this Earth.
"You paid your dues. Well done."
"I also have to pay for baby food and diapers. And a loan I took to pay for a mortgage. That's why I'm here, to ask for a job." Hughie said.
"Really? I think it's great and all but I didn't think we were your style of justice."
"I think you are. It's not just that I need a job, I want to do something that matters the right way, not covered in quite as many guts. Look, the truth is, I never totally fit with the guys and I think it's time I stand on my own two feet."
"Lucky you, the Hall of Justice is never short of spots for newcomers and as much you may have pissed off the League, Batman did write something about on his file that I think makes you a great candidate."
"What Batman wrote about me?"
"Endlessly loyal. Welcome, you now work for the Justice League Unlimited."
"Thanks, Mr. Carr." They shook hands and Hughie was about to leave. Mr. Carr snapped his fingers and Hughie looked back.
"Hey, Campbell, your fiancé is out there waiting for you."
Hughie met Annie outside the Hall of Justice. She stood next to the curb waiting for him, he hugged her and then held her arms.
"What are you doing here? Where's Joel?" He asked.
"He's with your father. I just really wanted to know if you got the job and I knew you couldn't take phone calls during the meeting."
"Well, I got the job." Hughie proudly said.
They looked at each other's eyes. Hughie noticed Annie was out of the sidewalk and noticed the way he was holding her arms. It stirred an old familiar terror, this. If only for a moment. But she saw. And she smiled before saying:
"It's okay. It's okay, Hughie."
They kissed in each other's embrace.
THE END
On behalf of AGoodCraftsMan and myself, Thank you all for reading! We really appreciate all of the kind words and investment.
Although, this is not the end. To see the continuation look at our story "There's a crack in the Multiverse"