AN: Hi Everyone!

I have not posted my stories on any other website than Fanfiction. If you see this story or my other ones on other sites it's not me posting it.

I hope you enjoy the chapter.

TIMELINE & DATE:

I think Season 3 happens during 2021 with the last few episodes happening after Homelander's Birthday Special which is July 4th. So I put the action for the last few episodes to happen towards the end of August or first week of September.

For this story I am moving the date up by one year so Chapters 1 through 15 happen during the last week of August first week of September 2022.

My reasoning is that in the show they have a presidential election coming up. In the real world the next election is 2024 and campaigning starts around two years before the election so it fits nicely with the real world and makes future date calculations much easier for me.

As I'm starting the time skip I won't be providing exact dates only months and years and sometimes only years as we get further along the timeline.

Chapter 27

Date: September 2024

Teacher: "Which country do you hate the most?"

Chubby Little Boy: "Uh…it's…uh…I think US and Japan" The subtitles displayed humongous on the massive screen while the audio filled the silent hall loudly.

The image changed to a group of toddlers wearing red hats, fake rifles with bayonets clumsily stabbing straw men wearing Japanese imperial uniforms.

Teacher: "Harder! Faster! Kill them!"

More clips played showing grade school students in tiny army uniforms jumping on fake grenades shooting fake rifles at oddly American look-alike targets and playing war games, all cheered on by parents and teachers.

The clip changed back to the classroom.

Teacher:" What do you want to do when you grow up?"

Chubby Little Boy: "Uh...Kill!...Kill…the Japanese and Kill the Americans!"

I let the video play for another minute showing more instances of how children were taught to hate and fight America.

The hall was silent for a moment so I took initiatives before the ensuing onslaught of boos started.

"The Chinese government is teaching its people, it's next generation, to hate us!" I said firmly but passionately.

The reaction was predictable: booing, yelling, slurs and overall outrage.

I let the crowd have its moment.

"They envy us! They envy you! And they hate you!"

I was speaking at a rally in Pennsylvania for Singer-Neuman trying to swing the rust belt state back in their favour.

I'd been politely ripping on China since I started supporting Neuman in her bid but so far it's been all the politically correct talking points tariffs, IP theft, human rights abuses you know the nicely packaged speak democratic talking points.

"When they were broke, isolated and dying after their cultural revolution we extended a hand in friendship!" I continued.

But with two months left before the election I knew it was time to make a splash and get the media's attention. Something everyone could talk about.

Neuman's party lackeys were going crazy right now trying to figure out how they were going to spin this. Hell I could hear Victoria grinding her perfect teeth.

She's definitely pissed, not because I'm bashing the Chinese of course, as a deep government insider she knows enough about the shanningens of the commie party.

"They industrialized. They progressed. They reduced poverty and entered the modern age!"

No she's pissed I sprung this on her. It won't last.

They'll tone down my message in post interviews while taking all the credit and re-shuffling how their policies will bring China to heel.

"They got RICH off us!"

We both know it is much easier to unite Americans against an outside common enemy.

"And what do they do in return?"

The enemy has to be big, simple to understand, plausible and foreign enough to not think about it too much but always be there in the background just lurking, waiting to get YOU!

"They spy on us! They steal from us! They block our companies from their markets!"

Make it simple.

"They took our jobs!"

Make it personal.

I was after all talking to simple hard working people, the common clay of America you know…Morons.

But if the commies were stupid enough to officially promote this kind of shit to their population in state schools of all places then I'll take the free win.

"And now they are teaching their children to hate us! To one day destroy us! To be better than US!"

The crowd burst into outrage again.

I let them stew in it.

They were morons but unfortunately they were my morons so I had to try to take care of them, try to throw them a bone once in a while because none of the politicians, even with Neuman's good intentions, gave a shit about them.

Opening up to China had really screwed the working class Americans. Steps were being taken to reverse that though only because the higher ups were starting to see cracks in the relationship.

The moneyed interests were souring and real competition was beginning to come from the Chinese.

Still the government generally moved at a glacial pace. You really had to know what you were doing and have the right connections to get anything done.

Being hyper focused on rowdy supes for the last two decades likely hasn't helped at all.

"Are we going to let them?"

The 'No' was resounding.

"Are we going to go down without a fight?"

"NO!"

"Are we going to let them spew their hatred to the world to take advantage of us?"

"NO!"

Frankly I didn't really care one bit about the Chinese and their commie government. They could teach whatever nonsense they wanted to their population.

The issue I personally had was that they've fucked with my Hong Kong park.

You fuck with my multi-billion dollar park then I fuck with you.

Ever since the protests almost a decade back they've slowly started to pick on the park more and more but it's only in the past year that they've started to try to burry us in an avalanche of complaints, safety inspections and regulations.

Not the Disney Park, no, that one was still kosher to them, Disney bowed down, just Vought Land.

I don't kneel for anybody.

We refused to take down the slogans "Truth, Justice and the American Way" along with various themed rides and it escalated from there.

Ashley even went over to try and sooth the relationship but seems like it's a no go from the party officials.

Retarded 'wolf warrior diplomacy' thing going on.

"Of course not! We are Americans! We don't bow to anyone!" I shouted to the jubilee of the crowd.

So fuck them.

They are presenting America as the boogeyman to their people.

I'll show them how scary we can truly be.

"We beat the commies once we will beat them again!"

I let the crowed settle before I continued.

"How we fight them is also important!" I said more solemnly now.

The crowd was waiting in anticipation.

"When we beat the Russians we didn't do it by dropping bombs. We didn't put troops on the ground. We didn't even try to teach our children to hate them or kill them like some savages."

The people were hanging on to my every word.

"No! We did it by being better than them! We provided a better life for our people and for the world! We invented things, created wealth and prosperity! We invested in education and we were smarter and more united than they could ever be!"

If only these morons would read a history book…tsk, tsk, tsk, their willful ignorance is my gain.

"They put a man in space, we put people on the moon!"

"They made a satellite, we invented the god dammed internet!"

"We were better than they were at every single turn! Wealthier, more prosperous and smarter!"

I said firmly looking over the crowd.

"And that is why everyone should vote for President Singer and Vice President Neuman!"

"They are the only ones that I can trust to pass the education reforms, to increase funding to our schools, to decrease class sizes and increase the quality of teachers! To provide lunch so that our children don't go hungry! So they can focus on learning and have all the tools needed to succeed!" I paused.

"And of course to remove the failed 'No child left behind' policy which is holding back our students as teachers are unable to disciple and have order in their class rooms!"

"We must ensure that it is American children who will create the future!"

"So that Truth! Justice! And the American Way! Prevails in the world!" I finished passionately.

The resounding cheers and following USA chants indicated these morons ate it all up.

Oh, the things I do for my country.

Scene Break

Date: November 2024,

Election Celebration party.

"Make sure you keep your phone on!" I shouted as Ryan and Zoe rushed off.

"Yea, thanks Dad!"

I couldn't blame them, it was getting late and it was done deal the moment they called Pennsylvania.

Sure the party was in full swing but it was filled with old farts, boot lickers and self-important guests.

You know politicians, wannabes and their entourages.

I could already hear the horse trading and backhand dealing for the spoils has already started.

Little tadpoles gathering around the big fish hoping to get some crumbs.

Speaking of the big fish the woman of the hour was approaching, her confident steps unmistakable to my ears.

"Victoria."

"Homelander." She responded in kind.

"Congratulations are in order Madam President."

She gave me a sly smile.

"It's Vice-President."

"Ah, a slip of the tongue." I responded. "Then again the Democrats are likely to sweep both the House and the Senate and considering how many you have wrapped around your fingers well…we all know where the power will be in the presidency."

"Is that so?" she asked and stepped in closer. "Are you perhaps counting all the members in Vought's pockets as well?"

I smiled and stepped in myself.

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe I am, maybe I'm not. Perhaps we should set up a meeting and cross reference. Make sure they aren't double dipping."

She tilted her head and her big brown eyes looked at me.

"Perhaps, us politicians certainly love to double dip." She said her lips popping the P.

I could smell her excitement. She was extremely happy about tonight and her body, her posture showed it.

I didn't even need my super senses.

I could feel the heat coming off her.

"Still." She suddenly said her tone changed. "You and Starlight?"

Ah, I see now.

"You are well informed."

"I have eyes where it matters." She said.

"Ah yes, unfortunately the government lackeys are not nearly as subtle as they think. I catch them with my 'good' eye every now and then." I pause.

She waits for an answer.

"That's personal." I said with a warm smile.

"And this isn't?" She asked coyly.

"This is business."

"Is it now?"

"I'm a man of my word." I responded firmly.

"Really!"

"Really. Have I let you down so far?" I asked coyly.

"You have not."

We held our gaze for a moment. The silence speaking louder than anything we could have said.

She smiled.

With her mouth, her eyes…with her everything.

"I need to go mingle John. The sharks wait. My people will be in contact with yours."

"Always a pleasure to serve my country!" I said loudly as she walked away. "Anytime, any day!"

"I know!" She answers back her voice fading in the buzz of the party.

The absolute balls on that woman.

Scene Break

Date: November 2024,

Election Celebration party.

Zoe saw Ryan stop right before they entered her suit.

"What's wrong? Are you ok?" she saw the confused and weird expression on his face.

He stood there for a moment in silence as if looking at nothing concentrating on something far away.

"Ryan?" She grabbed his shoulder.

"Huh…sorry…I was just…ugh" he said as his face contorted in confusion. "I think your mom and my dad are…?"

"Are…what?" Zoe asked.

Ryan took another moment.

"Ugh…nothing…just talking about politics and stuff." He said shaking it off.

"You can hear them?" she asked confused.

"Yea, it's in and out sometimes. I have trouble concentrating on specific things when it's too far away it's easier to try to just ignore everything."

"Huh, that's pretty neat, I guess." She said and pulled him in.

The room was massive.

"Nice." Ryan said looking around.

"I got a separate room from my mom but it's connected to her suite. She's had like a million meetings in there today."

Zoe said as she went and crashed on the bed.

"Ugh. I'm so tired of talking with old people. I'm so glad this election is over. I think if I had to stay for another photo-shoot I was going to kill someone." She said as she shifted and stretched on the bed.

Ryan couldn't help his eyes lingering as her dress bunched and rode up her legs.

He felt heat around his cheeks as he sat next to her.

"Yea, I know what you mean. You were pretty much a prop today."

"Tell me about it." She said and grabbed his arm to pull herself up.

"I hope you don't mind I'm going to change. I'm tired of being in this dress."

"No, yea of course."

He saw her take some clothes out of a bag and head to the washroom.

He looked around the room in silence for a moment.

"So like, my mom said you can pretty much do whatever your dad can right?" She suddenly said from the washroom.

Her voice slightly echoing.

"Yea pretty much. I'm just not that great at controlling it yet."

The sliding door of the washroom opened a bit as Zoe popped her head out.

"That means you can see through stuff right?"

"Yea?" Ryan asked confused.

She looked at him and with big eyes pouty eyes.

"So like I'm changing…don't peak!" And popped her head back in.

"What! No! I'm not…I haven't …I won't." He said flustered as he felt a full blush come on.

"Really?" Zoe popped her head back out. "You haven't?...That's kind of disappointing actually…and a bit insulting. I certainly would have." She said and popped back in.

"What but you just said?" He said confused.

"I know what I just said. I just figure you'd look at all the pretty girls and ignore the ugly ones right?"

Ryan had to stop himself from starring as she came out in a tight long sleeved top and wide flowy shorts.

"Right." He said absentmindedly and caught himself. "No, I mean I don't. No usually. My dad said I shouldn't it's not nice."

"But you do sometimes." She plopped down next to him in bed cross-legged.

He was silent but the flush on his face was all the answer she needed.

Zoe laughed.

"It would be weird if you didn't. I know I would! I'd check out all the girls and the boys!" she said laughing.

"It's not like that!" Ryan responded more firmly. "Sometimes I can't control it. Do you know how freaky it is to look at someone and see their insides? Everything they ate, their blood pumping, their intestines and all the stuff in it." He said a bit distressed.

"Ok, yea, that can be weird. Sorry." Zoe said genuinely and Ryan smiled.

They stayed in silence for a moment.

"So…how about I show you mine and you show me yours!" Zoe said all of a sudden.

It took a moment for Ryan to register what she said before he become redder than a beat.

"W...what?"

Zoe laughed and playfully slapped his knee.

"No not that! Don't be a pervert! Our powers I mean."

"Wait you have powers?" he asked confused.

My mom gave me V during the whole Soldier Boy thing a while back, to protect me. It's supposed to be a secret but I think it's only fair you know."

"But that's super dangerous! My dad said V shouldn't be given to anyone let alone to any adults. Most people die."

"Well…I'm not anyone now am I?" She said with a hint so pride. "Plus I'm sure my mom wouldn't have given it to me if I was going to die."

"Right." Ryan said.

They said nothing for a moment though Ryan was painfully aware of her hand lingering on his leg.

"So what else can you do?" she asked.

"Well like your mom said I can do pretty much everything my dad can. Super strength, speed, hearing, X-ray vision, laser eyes and flying. Though I don't thing I can show you most of them I don't want to break anything…or burn the hotel down."

"But you can fly right? So can you like float up to the ceiling?"

"Sure" He said with a big simile and floated up. He rotated halfway so he looked as if he was walking upside down on the ceiling.

"Wow! That's really awesome! You think you can take me flying one day?"

"Yea I don't see why not." He said as he floated down back on the bed. "What about you?"

"Well…I'm pretty strong, probably not as strong as you. I'm pretty sure I'm bulletproof and…well…promise you won't be scared?"

"Uh…sure?"

Zoey opened her mouth and four tentacles with teeth came out that hissed at him.

"Woow!"

The tentacles quickly retracted.

"I know, scary and weird." She said and he could feel she was sad. "I wish I would have gotten something cool like your flight. I've had to be super careful not to show them, even with my strength not to accidentally hurt someone."

"Well I'd be lying if I said they weren't freaky." Ryan responded. "But it's kind of cool in a way. No one would expect that!. Plus don't worry you don't need to worry around me. I'm way stronger and tougher than I look." He said with a big smile which seemed to cheer her up.

"So what should we do?" she asked. "They're likely gonna stay for another two hours or so at least."

"We could watch a movie, I guess." Ryan said and shuffled next to her.

He saw she suddenly got a mischievous smile on her face.

"You pick the movie. I'll be right back!" She said and went to her mom's suite next door.

She came back a moment later with a bottle of champagne.

"If they are celebrating I think we should celebrate as well." She said firmly and popped open the bottle.

"Won't your mom know that's missing?"

Zoe just shrugged her shoulders and took a swing.

"Eh, it will be too late by then. Besides this is the one night my mom likely won't mind. She'll be too busy riding the 'high'." She said poured some in a glass and handed him the bottle.

Ryan looked at her for a moment then shrugged his shoulders and took the bottle.

"Well I guess I can't just let you get into trouble alone."

He said with a smile and took a swing.

Scene Break

Date: November 2024,

Election Celebration party.

I turned my gaze away from the ensuing teenage shenanigans with both worry and excitement.

Ryan will have to learn the hard way that girl is her mother's daughter through and through and yet I couldn't help but smile.

'To be that young again!'

At the very least Ryan was going to have a somewhat normal teenage years, at the very least much better than I had.

So lost in my thoughts I was that I actually almost missed Maeve and Starlight coming over.

Both wearing stunning dresses in theme with their costumes.

I couldn't help but smile as I watched them approach.

"What's got you smiling so much?" Maeve asked.

"Oh, nothing, I just think we're going to have a good four years ahead of us." I said coyly.

88888888

AN:

CHINA! CHINA! CHINA!

Alright so at this point Ryan is about 14ish. I had aged him up to 12 at the beginning of this story. I know in the show he looks like he's 17 or something but that's just how it is with actors.

Zoe is the same age as him for simplicity. Different from the show is that she's not a cold blooded killer after taking V. She was normal girl, or as normal as you can be when your mom is Victoria Neuman and your grandfather is Stand Edgar.

Now did Victoria tell her daughter to cozy up to Ryan? Eh…questionable but possible. However what's more plausible is that Ryan is a boy her age, they've been stuck together the whole day, they have powers and she doesn't have to worry about hurting him.

Also as stated by HL, Zoe is also her mother's daughter, she looks up at Victoria, she admires her and will try to emulate her even if Victoria doesn't necessarily want that.

So overall a bit of column A and a bit of column B.

Let me know what you think in the reviews and don't be surprised if I use your idea.

Thank you for reading!