Opening Scene: Superman Observes the City
Superman hovered silently above the city, his keen eyes scanning the streets below as the sun began to set on the horizon. The fading light cast long shadows across the crumbling buildings, giving the city an almost ghostly appearance. He had spent the entire day watching, listening, trying to piece together the nature of this world and the people who inhabited it.
It was strange. From this vantage point, the city looked like any other—cars moved through the streets, pedestrians hurried along the sidewalks, and the lights in office buildings flickered on as the evening approached. But there was something fundamentally broken about it all. He could hear it in the conversations of the people below, feel it in the way they carried themselves. There was a weariness, a quiet resignation in their voices, as if they had long since accepted that things would never change.
Superman's super-hearing picked up bits and pieces of conversations as he floated in the air, his mind trying to make sense of the undercurrent of fear that seemed to grip the city.
"…just another day. Homelander will clean up the mess when it suits him."
"…you think The Seven even care about us? They're all in Vought's pocket."
"…doesn't matter. Heroes are all the same. They protect themselves first."
The words stung. These people had no faith in their heroes. They didn't believe that anyone would come to their aid, not unless there was something to be gained from it. Superman's heart ached for them, for a world that had been so twisted by corruption and greed that even the concept of heroism had been poisoned.
He had seen glimpses of The Seven, watched as their faces plastered billboards and advertisements all over the city. On the surface, they looked like the heroes from his world—bright, powerful, larger-than-life. But there was an emptiness in their eyes, a hollowness that Superman couldn't ignore.
He had yet to meet them in person, but already he knew that they were different. They weren't like the Justice League. These weren't heroes fighting for the greater good. These were people controlled by something far more sinister.
Superman's gaze fell on one of the larger billboards, this one featuring Homelander standing tall and proud, his cape billowing dramatically in the wind. The words "Protector of the People" were emblazoned beneath his feet, but even from here, Superman could sense that it was a lie.
What kind of man are you, Homelander? Superman wondered, his fists clenching at his sides.
He had heard the name repeated in nearly every conversation he had listened to throughout the day. People spoke of Homelander with a mixture of fear and reverence, but there was no love, no admiration. In his world, people looked up to heroes. They believed in them. They believed in him.
But here, people seemed to believe in nothing.
Scene 2: Vought's Smear Campaign Begins
Inside the polished offices of Vought International, a flurry of activity was underway. The PR team had been working around the clock ever since the mysterious new supe had appeared on the scene, and now, they were ready to begin the next phase of their plan.
Ashley Barrett stood at the head of the conference table, flipping through a series of slides on the large screen behind her. Each slide featured a headline, a news article, or a social media post, all carefully crafted to undermine the credibility of the unknown hero.
"Here's what we've got so far," Ashley began, her voice shaky but determined. "We've already pushed out a few op-eds in key outlets, focusing on the dangers of unregulated supes. We're highlighting the need for oversight, accountability… you know, the usual."
The executives in the room nodded in approval, but it was clear that Ashley was still nervous. This was uncharted territory for Vought. They had dealt with rogue supes before, but none of them had made such an immediate impact. None of them had ever been this… heroic.
"The social media team has been doing their part as well," Ashley continued, flipping to the next slide. "We've got influencers posting about the risks of vigilante justice, questioning the motives of this new supe. We're slowly building the narrative that he could be dangerous."
Madelyn Stillwell, seated at the far end of the table, observed the presentation with a cool, calculating gaze. "And the people?" she asked, her voice as calm and controlled as ever. "How are they reacting?"
Ashley swallowed hard, nervously adjusting her glasses. "So far, it's working. The public is… confused. They don't know what to make of him. A lot of people are already comparing him to Homelander, but we're steering the conversation toward the dangers of unpredictability. If we keep feeding the idea that he's a wildcard, someone who doesn't answer to anyone, we should be able to turn the tide of public opinion."
Stillwell smiled faintly, pleased with the progress. "Good. Keep it up. The last thing we need is for people to start believing in a hero we don't control."
One of the executives leaned forward, his voice low and cautious. "What about The Seven? Should we be involving them more directly?"
Stillwell's expression hardened slightly. "Not yet. We don't want Homelander going off-script. This is delicate. If Homelander sees this new supe as a direct threat, it could… complicate things."
Ashley nodded, flipping to the final slide. "We'll monitor the situation closely. For now, we're focusing on the media. If the public starts seeing him as a potential danger, Homelander won't even need to lift a finger."
The room was silent for a moment, the weight of their plan settling in. Vought had controlled the narrative for years, shaping public perception of heroes to suit their needs. But this new supe—he was different. He operated outside their influence, and that made him unpredictable.
Madelyn Stillwell stood up, smoothing her jacket as she addressed the room. "Make sure we stay ahead of this. I want updates every hour. And if he makes another public appearance… we'll be ready."
Scene 3: Superman Encounters Starlight
As night fell, Superman descended toward one of the city's quieter districts, his mind still racing with everything he had seen and heard. He had spent the day observing, trying to understand this world, but the more he learned, the more disillusioned he became. This wasn't just a city that had lost hope—it was a world that had been poisoned by its own heroes.
As he flew lower, his super-hearing picked up the faint sound of footsteps. Someone was moving quickly, their heart racing with fear or urgency. Superman's eyes narrowed, focusing on the source of the sound. In the distance, he saw a figure—a young woman dressed in a bright, glowing costume, her blonde hair catching the dim light of the street lamps.
One of The Seven?
Superman landed softly on the rooftop of a nearby building, watching as the woman hurried through the streets below. There was something about her—she didn't carry herself with the arrogance or the swagger he had expected from a member of The Seven. She was… anxious. Nervous.
Before he could make a decision, the woman stopped suddenly, glancing around as if she had sensed his presence. Her eyes flickered toward the rooftops, and Superman stepped forward, revealing himself.
For a moment, the two stared at each other in silence, the tension between them palpable. Superman could see the surprise in her eyes, the confusion.
"Who are you?" she asked, her voice quiet but firm.
Superman floated down from the rooftop, landing gently in front of her. He could tell she wasn't a threat—there was no malice in her expression, only curiosity.
"My name is Superman," he said simply.
The woman's eyes widened slightly. "Superman? I… I've never heard of you. Are you new?"
Superman nodded slowly, his gaze never leaving hers. "I'm not from this world."
The woman seemed to process his words for a moment before shaking her head. "What do you mean, 'not from this world'?"
Superman sighed, realizing how strange this must sound to her. "It's complicated. I'm from another universe. I was brought here… by accident."
The woman hesitated, clearly unsure of what to make of his explanation. But there was something in her expression—an openness, a willingness to believe him—that gave Superman hope.
"I'm Starlight," she said finally, offering him a small, uncertain smile. "I'm… part of The Seven."
Superman nodded, though he could sense the discomfort in her voice when she mentioned her affiliation. "It's good to meet you, Starlight."
Starlight glanced around, as if worried they were being watched, before stepping closer. "If you're not from here… you probably don't know what's going on, do you?"
Superman shook his head. "I've been trying to understand this world, but it's… different. The people here don't trust their heroes. And from what I've seen, they have every reason not to."
Starlight's expression darkened, and for a moment, she looked away, her voice filled with bitterness. "It's not like the stories, Superman. The Seven… we're not heroes. At least, not the way you'd think."
Superman frowned. "What do you mean?"
Starlight sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "It's all a show. Everything we do is scripted, controlled by Vought. We don't save people because it's the right thing to do. We do it because it's good for business."
Superman's heart sank as her words confirmed what he had already suspected. This world wasn't just different—it was corrupt to its very core. The heroes here weren't heroes at all. They were products, manufactured for public consumption.
"I can't accept that," Superman said quietly, his voice filled with conviction. "Heroes are supposed to stand for something. They're supposed to inspire people, give them hope."
Starlight looked at him, her eyes filled with a sadness that made Superman's chest tighten. "Not here. Not anymore."
For a moment, they stood in silence, the weight of Starlight's words hanging heavily between them. Superman could feel her pain, her disillusionment with the world she had once believed in.
"I don't know how things work in your world," Starlight said softly. "But here… people like you don't last long."
Superman's eyes hardened with determination. "I'm not going to give up. Not on these people. They need to see that there's still hope. That there's still something worth fighting for."
Starlight watched him for a long moment, as if trying to decide whether to believe him. Finally, she nodded, though there was doubt in her eyes.
"I hope you're right," she whispered. "I really do."
Scene 4: Vought Watches Starlight's Meeting with SupermanFrom the moment Starlight and Superman had exchanged words in the quiet streets of the city, eyes were watching. Hidden cameras, expertly positioned by Vought to monitor their prized heroes at all times, captured the entire encounter. Inside Vought Tower, deep in the surveillance room, a team of analysts watched the feed intently, their expressions tense.
"Madelyn's not going to like this," one of the analysts muttered, adjusting his headset as he replayed the footage of Superman introducing himself to Starlight.
"You think?" another analyst replied, leaning forward as the conversation between the two heroes continued. "This guy's a problem. We have no idea what his intentions are."
The head analyst, a seasoned Vought employee who had seen his fair share of rogue supes, turned to the junior analyst at his side. "Send this up to Stillwell. Now."
The younger analyst nodded quickly, scrambling to send the footage to the upper floors of Vought Tower. Within moments, the video of Superman and Starlight's meeting was in the hands of Madelyn Stillwell herself.
Madelyn Stillwell stood behind her desk, her sharp eyes fixed on the screen as she watched the interaction between Superman and Starlight. She didn't say a word as the video played out, her expression unreadable, but the tightening of her jaw and the slight narrowing of her eyes told the story. This new supe—Superman—was becoming more than just a nuisance. He was dangerous.
Her gaze lingered on Starlight, watching the way she seemed to be drawn to Superman's words, his ideals. There was a vulnerability in Starlight's expression, a hint of hesitation that didn't sit well with Stillwell. She had always known Starlight was a potential liability—too idealistic, too naive—but now, with Superman in the picture, the situation had become far more precarious.
Stillwell turned away from the screen, her mind already calculating the next steps. They couldn't afford to let this go unchecked. Superman was gaining influence, and if he managed to turn one of The Seven—especially someone as visible as Starlight—against Vought, the entire system could start to unravel.
Picking up her phone, Stillwell dialed a direct line to the PR department.
"I want this meeting with Starlight buried," she said, her voice calm but firm. "No leaks, no speculation. If anyone asks, it never happened."
There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before the PR director's voice responded. "Understood. We'll make sure no one finds out."
Stillwell ended the call and stood in silence for a moment, her thoughts racing. She knew this wouldn't be enough. Superman was too public now, and if Starlight had been influenced by his ideals, there could be more trouble on the horizon.
She picked up the phone again, this time dialing a number she rarely used. It rang only once before the voice on the other end answered.
"Send Homelander to my office," Stillwell said, her tone clipped. "We have a situation."
Scene 5: Homelander's Growing Paranoia
Homelander arrived at Stillwell's office mere minutes after receiving the call. His cape swirled behind him as he entered the room, his confident stride and perfect smile in place, but there was a tension in his eyes—a flicker of something darker beneath the surface. He had already heard whispers about this new supe, and his curiosity had been piqued.
Stillwell didn't waste any time with pleasantries. She motioned toward the screen behind her desk, where the footage of Superman's meeting with Starlight was paused. Homelander's smile faltered slightly as he looked at the screen.
"Who the hell is this guy?" Homelander asked, his voice low and dangerous.
"That's what we're trying to figure out," Stillwell replied, folding her arms as she studied Homelander's reaction. "He's not one of ours, and he's not following the rules."
Homelander's eyes narrowed as he took in the image of Superman on the screen. There was something about the way this new supe carried himself, something that irritated Homelander on a fundamental level. Superman's posture, the way he spoke to Starlight—it was as if he thought he was better than them. Better than him.
"Seems like he thinks he's a real hero," Homelander said, his tone dripping with disdain. "Saving people. Inspiring hope. What a joke."
Stillwell raised an eyebrow, watching Homelander carefully. She knew him well enough to sense when his insecurities were bubbling to the surface, and this was one of those moments. Superman's presence was getting under Homelander's skin, and that was both an opportunity and a potential problem.
"We can't have someone like him running around unchecked," Stillwell said, her voice measured. "He's a wildcard, and he's already starting to influence Starlight. If he keeps this up, it could destabilize everything we've built."
Homelander's jaw tightened, his eyes flashing with anger. The idea that someone—a nobody—could come into his world and start turning people against him was intolerable. Homelander was the hero, the one everyone looked up to. This Superman was nothing but an outsider, a threat to his dominance.
"So, what do we do about him?" Homelander asked, his tone more menacing now.
Stillwell smiled faintly, the gears turning in her mind. "For now, we watch. Let him play the hero. Let him get comfortable. And when the time is right, we'll make sure the public sees him for what he really is—a threat."
Homelander's smile returned, though it was colder now, more dangerous. "You just say the word, and I'll take care of him."
Stillwell nodded, satisfied. "I know you will."
As Homelander turned to leave, Stillwell's gaze lingered on him for a moment longer. She knew she had to manage this carefully. Homelander's ego was fragile, and if Superman pushed him too far, things could spiral out of control. But for now, she had him where she needed him—ready to act, but not yet unleashed.
Scene 6: Superman's Resolve Strengthens
Superman stood atop one of the tallest buildings in the city, the wind whipping through his cape as he looked out across the darkened skyline. His encounter with Starlight had left him with more questions than answers, but it had also given him something else—confirmation. This world was far worse than he had imagined.
Starlight had told him the truth. The Seven weren't heroes. They were puppets, controlled by a corporation that cared more about profit and power than about saving lives. Everything here was corrupted—tainted by greed and manipulation. It was the complete opposite of everything Superman stood for.
He had spent his life fighting for justice, for hope. But here, in this world, those concepts seemed like relics of a forgotten time. The people didn't trust their heroes because their heroes had betrayed them. They had become symbols of everything wrong with this society.
But Superman wasn't going to turn away. He had faced impossible odds before—stood against beings far more powerful and dangerous than Vought or The Seven—and he had never given up. He wasn't going to start now.
Superman clenched his fists, his resolve hardening with every passing moment. He knew what he had to do.
I'm going to show them what a real hero is. I'm going to show them that there's still hope, even in a world like this.
He lifted off the rooftop, soaring into the night sky, his mind set on his next move. He couldn't sit idly by while this world continued to suffer under the control of Vought. He had to act. He had to make a difference.
Superman flew across the city, his eyes scanning for anyone in need of help. He wouldn't wait for a crisis to unfold—he would be proactive. He would inspire hope through his actions, one life at a time.
As he soared over the city, Superman's super-hearing picked up a faint cry for help—a voice in distress. Without hesitation, he changed direction, speeding toward the source of the sound.
He found it quickly. A car had flipped over on a narrow road near the outskirts of the city. A man was trapped inside, unconscious, as smoke billowed from the engine. Superman didn't hesitate. He landed beside the car, ripping the door off its hinges with ease and carefully pulling the man from the wreckage.
Within moments, the man was safe, breathing steadily as Superman laid him down on the grass beside the road.
Superman stayed for a moment, watching as the man slowly regained consciousness. When the man's eyes opened, his expression was one of shock—disbelief.
"Y-You… saved me," the man stammered, his voice weak.
Superman smiled softly, offering the man a reassuring nod. "It's going to be okay. You're safe now."
The man blinked, still processing what had just happened. "Are you… are you with The Seven?"
Superman shook his head. "No. I'm not with them."
The man looked confused, his brow furrowing. "Then… why? Why did you help me?"
Superman's smile widened slightly, his voice filled with quiet conviction. "Because it's the right thing to do."
For a moment, the man just stared at him, as if trying to understand the words. Then, slowly, he nodded, his expression softening. "Thank you," he whispered.
Superman stood, his cape swirling around him as he prepared to leave. "Take care of yourself."
As he flew into the sky once more, Superman's heart swelled with hope. It was a small victory, but it was a start. If he could show people—one by one—that there was still good in the world, still something worth believing in, then maybe, just maybe, he could turn the tide.
But he knew that his actions wouldn't go unnoticed for long. Vought would come for him. The Seven would come for him. And Homelander… Homelander would be watching.