Tony shrugged. "Sounds like you really understand this brand of obsessive psycho."
Erik's lips curled slightly.
"Because the truth is, most people have a crazy side. The difference is that some are just better at hiding and suppressing it."
Tony almost wanted to argue back.
But then, images flashed through his mind: Wanda gone dark, Stephen Strange corrupted, and even himself turned into a zombie in that video…
He realized something.
As superheroes, they weren't just protecting ordinary people from outside threats—they were constantly fighting the darkness and madness within themselves.
And that inner struggle was often far more dangerous. One slip, and you became someone else entirely.
In the endless sprawl of multiverses, even Tony Stark, as proud and confident as he was, couldn't swear that he would never fall into corruption.
After all, arrogance itself might just be the catalyst for his downfall.
Wasn't Ultron's destruction of countless universes, in the end, a direct result of his own arrogance?
Tony let out a long sigh.
"…Maybe you're right."
Just then, the light screen video began playing the "correct answer."
The camera cut to Homelander, sitting inside the Vought tower, watching the news.
The broadcast featured Stormfront. Since she had parachuted her way into the Seven, Homelander had already resented her. Now, watching her hog the spotlight on TV, his expression grew darker and darker.
His leg bounced restlessly, betraying his irritation.
"Stormfront's heroic deeds saved countless New Yorkers!"
The details weren't clear, but it was obvious she had done something big—something heroic.
Then came her live stream. Excited, she shouted into the camera:
"When disaster struck, I was in Vought's hallway, screaming for action! Do you know what they were doing? Preparing for the next attack?
No! Those bastards did nothing! So I'll show Vought how it should be done!"
Outside the video, Natasha Romanoff raised an eyebrow with interest.
"I see now. These Vought superheroes are more like movie stars—they depend on audience approval and fan popularity to gain their status and influence, don't they?"
"Exactly." Tony shrugged.
"Before Stormfront showed up, Homelander was undeniably the most popular one in the Seven. To put it in modern terms—he had the exclusive C-position. Obviously, Stormfront's stealing his spotlight."
Then Tony turned to Homelander with a smirk.
"So, Homie… how do you feel about this?"
Homelander gritted his teeth but forced a smile, hands on his hips.
"Fake! All of it's fake! Fake news! I urge everyone to stay rational and not be deceived by alien conspiracies!"
Erik couldn't help but chuckle.
"He really does care about public support. Honestly, seeing him scramble this hard to boost his image—it almost makes him look… cute."
To be fair, among villains, Homelander really was in a category of his own.
Look at Thanos, Ra's al Ghul, Darkseid, or Lex Luthor…
Every one of them was completely self-centered.
Mad, cruel, detached—the one thing they all had in common was being utterly unmoved by others.
Imagine you were a die-hard Thanos fan, supporting his "righteous" snap to cleanse the universe. Do you think he'd spare you?
Of course not.
But Homelander? No matter how angry he gets, he still forces a smile for his fans. No matter how cruel his actions, he always spreads "positive energy" to the crowd.
Back in the video, Homelander's patience had reached its limit. His fists clenched tightly, jaw grinding, his cold expression radiating pure frustration.
The scene shifted.
He left Vought Tower and flew to a remote forest, where a small cabin sat lit with warm candlelight and firewood.
Homelander pushed open the door.
"You finally came. You were so late, I was starting to worry."
A woman stepped out of the shadows.
It was Madelyn.
Outside the video, Homelander's eyes widened. Tony looked just as shocked.
"Wait, what? How is she here? Didn't Homelander blow her head off in this timeline?"
Erik frowned.
"Could it be a twist? Maybe it wasn't really her who died—maybe it was a double?"
Natasha asked bluntly,
"Homelander, do you know what's going on here?"
"How should I know?!" he snapped instinctively.
But then his face shifted, as if he'd remembered something. He quickly shouted louder,
"Fake! All of it's fake! Whatever they show next—it's all lies!"
Tony's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Wow, Homie, you're overreacting… now I really want to see what happens next."
The video heated up.
Madelyn appeared in revealing clothes, holding a glass of milk. She caressed Homelander's face with a tender look.
"I missed you. I missed you so much. Are you thirsty?"
Homelander glanced down. Milk.
Seeing his hunger, Madelyn dipped her finger in it and fed it to him.
The mighty Homelander bit down on her finger like a desperate child craving his mother's care, before the two of them fell into a passionate kiss.
Outside the video, Natasha shook her head.
"I'll never understand what goes on in the minds of men with mommy issues."
Tony chuckled.
"Wow. That was intense. Homie, you drinking milk like that… too adorable."
Homelander clenched his fists tighter, glaring at the screen. If he could've, he'd have burned the damn video to ashes with his heat vision. But he couldn't—leaving him too furious even to rage.
Back in the video, Homelander and Madelyn were curled up on the couch watching an old movie.
Through the characters on screen, he vented his bitterness.
"I took down those terrorists, not her! It was me! All me!"
The more he spoke, the angrier he became.
"What, now that media darling gets to be the Seven's spokesperson?!"
Madelyn gently reassured him,
"Of course not. Everyone still respects you."
..
🔥 Hey guys! Let's set a goal for this week: if we reach 100 Power Stones within the next 7 days, I'll reward everyone with 2 extra bonus chapters. Thank you all for the amazing support!