"Take a look at this."
A holographic projection flickered to life, showing a video clip. The Homelander in the footage was no longer the smiling, charming man from earlier. His face was cold, and beams of high-energy laser shot from his eyes, instantly exploding the heads of several terrified, screaming civilians.
Judging by the victims' clothing, they were clearly powerless, ordinary people with no ability to resist.
"So the truth is… Vought scrubbed this entire video from the internet and is now launching a PR crisis campaign for him?" Bruce's eyes were cold.
"Whoa… he's like an evil Superman!" Peter whispered, stunned.
"He's got powers just like Clark," Bruce said, putting the device away and patting Peter on the shoulder. "If someone like that lost control… this is what you get. But let's not dwell on it now—we'll help you finish your mission first."
The two headed downstairs, where the atmosphere was lively. The first Peter Parker was playing games with Ryan, and Charles and Becca Butcher were deep in conversation, already acting like old friends.
As Bruce and Peter came down, Becca stood up and hesitated. "Are you two… leaving?"
At that moment, Charles sent Bruce a telepathic message.
"I didn't read their thoughts, but during the chat, Becca let some things slip.
She and her son Ryan are basically being held here against their will. She hinted several times that we should leave before we cause trouble.
Also… Ryan likely has powers, though they haven't awakened yet. But I can tell—he's strong."
Bruce had already uploaded this world's intel into the team's shared channel. The first Peter could see it, though Charles—being a non-member—could not. Bruce simply shot Charles a look to let him know he understood.
Then he turned to Becca. "Ma'am, would you like to come with us?"
Becca's face changed immediately. She rushed over, pulled Ryan behind her protectively, and looked at Bruce with fear. "Who… who are you people?! We're not going anywhere. Get out of my house!"
"Please, don't be alarmed," Charles said quickly, raising his hands in a peaceful gesture. "We're not here to hurt you or your son. We just want to help. It's clear to us—you're being kept here. You've lost your freedom, haven't you?"
Charles had already gained a fair bit of trust from Becca during their earlier conversation. Her expression shifted, clearly conflicted.
But in the end, she still shook her head. "I don't know what you're talking about. My son and I are fine. Everything's normal here. Please—just go. I'm begging you, please go!"
"It's Vought, isn't it?" Bruce pressed, his gaze locked on her.
"You used to work for them—ran the Homelander's social media accounts. Then you vanished. Why? Because you learned something about him, didn't you? Something they didn't want getting out. That's why they're keeping you here. Isn't it?"
Bruce had done a quick background search on Becca and Ryan. He only found fragmented information on Becca, mostly buried deep. As for Ryan, there was almost nothing.
Still, it was enough for Bruce to piece some things together. He glanced meaningfully at the young boy now clinging to his mother, innocent and unaware.
Becca, meanwhile, was clearly shaken by Bruce's words. They struck a nerve. She looked like she was about to break.
Then, suddenly, she reached under the couch cushion, pulled out a handgun, and with trembling hands, pointed it straight at Bruce. "Get out. Leave my house—now!"
Her expression was full of panic, and her hand was shaking uncontrollably. It was clear—she was terrified. But even so, like any mother, she was ready to do anything to protect her child.
"She's scared, Bruce," Charles said softly, shaking his head.
Peter one stood frozen, awkwardly glancing at Bruce.
'He was just telling me not to scare them… and then went full Dark Knight on her? Seriously?'
Bruce said nothing. He slowly began walking toward her.
That only made Becca panic even more. "Stay back! I swear I'll shoot! I will, I really will! Don't come any closer!"
Bang!
She finally cracked under the pressure and pulled the trigger. But even as she did, she shielded Ryan's eyes.
There was a metallic ping, and the bullet struck Bruce in the leg… but only sparked off harmlessly and clattered to the floor.
"See?" Bruce said, calm and steady. "I can protect you. So maybe you can put the gun down, and we can talk properly?"
He kept walking until he reached her, and gently took the pistol from her hand.
That gun had held every ounce of her courage. Once it was gone, so was her strength. She collapsed to the floor, clutching Ryan tightly.
Through sobs, she cried out, "Why?! Why won't they leave us alone? Haven't we suffered enough? You don't know anything! You don't understand! Please—leave. Just go. They'll be here soon, and they're monsters. You'll die, all of you—you'll die!"
Seeing her on the edge of a breakdown, Bruce raised an eyebrow and turned to Charles.
"You and Peter take care of them. I'll deal with whatever's coming, and then we all leave—together."
He could already sense movement approaching rapidly outside. Without another word, he turned and walked out the door.
Charles helped the shaken mother and son back onto the couch, then sighed and looked at the Peter one.
"Is he always like this?"
"Uh… Mr. Wayne's actually pretty gentle most of the time," Peter one explained quickly. "But once he's in Batman mode… yeah, he gets intense. But I swear—he's one of the good guys."
He turned back to Becca and Ryan, smiling gently. "Don't be scared, Ryan. Remember what I promised? Once we get to the new place, I'll take you out and we'll have the best day ever."
To everyone's surprise, Ryan was already calming down faster than his mom. He nodded at Peter one, then hugged Becca tightly and gently wiped away her tears.
"Mom, I believe them. They're not bad people."
____
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