Become a Homelander and a Marvel superstar

"I have no power. Those politicians, those civilians—they could kill me with a single shot!"

John looked completely bewildered.

"Shut up! Listen to me," Ah Zu said coldly.

John immediately fell silent, instinctively shrinking his neck.

"The loss of your power is a necessary trial for you." Azu softened his tone, like a strict father instructing his lost son. "You relied too much on your heat vision, too much on that invulnerable body. You never learned how to use your brain to think about this world."

"When the time comes, I will help you regain your rightful power," Azu said, offering a tempting promise.

Upon hearing this promise, a glimmer of life returned to John's empty eyes, and his inner panic gradually subsided.

If there is anyone in this world who can help him, it is his father standing before him.

But the practical problems remain.

"Father, what do we do next?" John asked. "The whole of America is waiting for my live broadcast, but look at me right now..."

Azu turned his head and looked at the still relatively intact camera equipment not far away.

"First step," Azu held up one finger, "notify your tech team to restore the live stream signal. Make everything that just happened public."

John was taken aback. "All of them?"

"Classify Butcher's group and their every move as a terrorist attack," Azu said sharply. "Tell the world that this is a group of extreme terrorists who have committed crimes against humanity. They are plotting to destroy the White House, destroy Washington, and even destroy the entire country."

"You've been infected with their super virus that they're planning to destroy humanity. You've lost your superpowers and become one of them."

John was stunned.

He opened his mouth, but after a long pause, he hesitantly asked, "Will this... work? Will they believe me?"

He lowered his head, his tone filled with long-standing insecurity and resentment.

"Those ungrateful mortals... many of them don't believe me at all. They've never even respected me. They insult me ​​online, make memes out of me, and laugh at me behind my back. Once they know I've lost my power, all they do is humiliate me and hurt me."

"You've got one thing wrong, son," Azu said with a slight smile. "They laugh at you because you have nothing but strength. They fear you, but they don't love you."

John's eyes darted away; Azu's words had struck a nerve with him.

"Fear is the most vulnerable thing in the world. But once you show weakness, fear turns into anger. That's why you're afraid now."

As he spoke, Azu helped John straighten his collar and hair, which were covered in dust and bloodstains. This small act of care warmed John's heart.

"But love is different. Humans are born with a morbid compassion. They envy the high and mighty God, but they will worship a martyr who falls from the altar for their sake."

"Believe me, son. As long as you listen to me and do as I say, the whole world will kneel at your feet and love you in the future."

John stood there silently, Ah Zu's words echoing in his mind.

Love, worship.

These are the things he has been pursuing in his dreams.

He tried every means to pander to the masses, but he still couldn't get these things.

Now, losing power has ironically become a key?

John carefully considered his feelings at that moment.

It's strange. If it had been a few hours earlier, when he knew he was going to lose his superpowers, he would have gone crazy and broken down.

But now, he finds that although he is afraid, he doesn't have that feeling of despair that feels like the sky is falling.

He glanced at his father standing in front of him.

So tall, so perfect, so powerful.

John suddenly understood.

He wasn't upset because he was no longer fighting alone.

He has a family now.

From childhood to adulthood, he was confined in a cold laboratory, facing ruthless researchers and cruel experiments. He had never experienced anyone helping him up when he fell.

Now, he has a father he can rely on.

A father who was willing to point him in the right direction and protect him.

The feeling of being able to rely on someone wholeheartedly filled John with a warm current.

This made him feel more at ease than heat vision or the ability to fly or teleport.

"I believe in you, Father," John said firmly, taking a deep breath.

The madness of the past has faded in his eyes, replaced by a purer look.

Upon hearing this, Azu understood.

There's still hope for this old guy; the mission is likely to be completed.

He couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.

Thinking of "family," John's gaze unconsciously drifted to the other side of the office.

Ryan was still lying there.

The young man's face was covered in dust, and he was unconscious.

John felt a pang of pain in his heart.

That's his bloodline.

He had tried to mentor the boy, hoping to groom Ryan as his successor, but he messed it up.

When Butcher made his move, Ryan sided with Butcher without hesitation.

I am a failed hero and a failed father.

"What should we do about Ryan?" John's voice was low as he looked at Azu with pleading eyes.

Azu followed his gaze and looked over, his eyes landing on Ryan.

He strode over to Ryan, bent down, picked up the little boy, and carried him on his shoulder.

"He's in my care for now; I'll take him with me. This child needs to relearn many things, and I'll provide him with appropriate guidance. When the time comes, you and your son will be reunited."

John breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing what Azu said.

Handing Ryan over to his father is the safest arrangement.

With Ryan on his back, Azu turned and walked toward the broken window of the Oval Office.

Outside the window is the Washington sky, with golden sunlight spilling onto the lawn.

Azu stopped at the edge of the window.

The sunlight shone on his imposing figure, gilding him with a golden edge.

He turned his face slightly to the side, and the light shone on the contours of his face, creating a half-light, half-shadow effect.

"John," Azu said slowly.

"My name is Starr, Antony Starr."

John paused for a moment, then silently memorized the name.

"Starr is also your surname." Azu's voice was soft, yet it seemed to carry a thousand pounds of weight. "Remember that."

"The Starr family never abandons its family."

After saying that,

"boom!"

With his legs slightly bent, Azu transformed into a blue and red shooting star, disappearing into the sky in the blink of an eye.

John stood alone in the devastated office, staring blankly in the direction where Azu had left.

He tilted his head back and remained motionless for a long time.