What's wrong with Superman's brother wanting to be Homelander?

Chapter 110 Scarecrow, Amphibian, Magnetic Man

"But you should have told me sooner, Mom, this is my right!"

Courtney's chest heaved violently, tears welling up in her eyes: "You shouldn't have lied to me for so many years."

You made me believe he is an amazing person, and even made me feel that it was the right thing to do to find him!

And what happened? He was just a gambler, a scoundrel who abandoned his family, wife, and children—why would you hide someone like that?

"You think this will protect me? No, it will only make me more embarrassed and lost after I know the truth, making me look like a laughingstock, a clown!"

"Because I love you, my child."

Barbara had no tears on her face, only a barely maintained calm and trembling shoulders.

An unusual silence fell over the living room.

Only intermittent sobs and sighs could be heard.

Courtney was trembling all over, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

That naive and arrogant mind has suffered an unprecedented blow today.

The image of her "biological father," to whom she had attributed all the best qualities in countless late nights, is now collapsing in an extremely cruel way.

"So—what Lucas said—is all true? I have inferior blood in my bones, I was born a piece of rotten stuff."

Courtney thought silently, her heart filled with regret.

If I hadn't gone to Lucas for my own selfish desires, I wouldn't have lost the Cosmic Scepter, and things wouldn't be like this now.

In this situation, one learns the image of their true biological father.

Although she desperately wanted to know her biological father, she was completely unprepared to face such a cruel truth.

Now, she can no longer deceive herself.

Because the dream was completely shattered.

This feeling is even worse than killing her.

Courtney————

Pat opened his mouth: "I know it's hard for you to accept right now, but none of this is your fault."

You are actually amazing—brave, strong, kind, and with a strong sense of justice. Listen, you shouldn't confine yourself to a narrow corner, like your bloodline.

Just like us, even though you are only my stepdaughter, I have always treated you as my own child. This bond and affection can far transcend the limitations of blood ties.

Pat whispered, his expression full of reluctance.

He understood this feeling all too well. As the original Stars and Stripes, he witnessed his old partner Starman and other companions being slaughtered by the Injustice Society, and carried the guilt of "why am I the only one who survived" for decades.

To alleviate this guilt, he had studied some books on psychology.

People will actively build an idealized filter for the people they care about, automatically filtering out all their flaws and using empty fantasies as the pillars supporting their spiritual world.

Once the truth is revealed, the long-established self-perception will collapse simultaneously. Compared to simple disappointment, the self-denial brought about by the disillusionment of faith is twice as painful.

Courtney is in that condition now, and it's even worse.

To be honest, he thought this result was too cruel for a girl who was going through puberty.

The other party will lose confidence for a long time.

At the same time, Pat couldn't help but feel a little confused.

Even he didn't know about this, so how did that boy who looked about the same age as Courtney know?

He handed Courtney some papers, then looked at Barbara with a suspicious expression and asked, "Honey, I want to ask, does anyone else know about this? Have you told anyone, whether intentionally or unintentionally?"

Barbara immediately shook her head: "Trust me, Pat, if I want to talk to someone, the first person will be you, and no one else."

"This incident is a stain on my life, a nightmare I've finally woken up from. I've kept it buried deep in my heart, waiting for time to wash it away and for me to completely forget it."

Barbara grasped Pat's hand and answered decisively.

"I believe in you, darling."

"Courtney, tell me, how did you find out about this?"

Barbara looked at the girl.

This strong woman did not choose to comfort her daughter in the same way as Pat did.

From a pregnant woman abandoned and penniless, she has risen to become a mid-level leader at American Dream Corporation, providing Courtney with a stable material life.

She believes she has done her best.

Even now, she has no space to deal with her trauma.

"Listen, Courtney, life isn't always smooth sailing. You'll encounter all sorts of problems, some completely different from what you imagined, some even things you'll find repulsive. But you have to learn to accept them, because that's life. You're right, no matter what, you should know the truth, and now, I've chosen to tell you the truth."

"It was Lucas; he told me all of this."

Courtney raised her head, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Lucas?"

"He is also a high school student at Smallwell School."

"I have absolutely no recollection of that name. Maybe that jerk told her," Barbara said. "He'd do anything to have money to gamble."

"Also, why do you all look so disheveled?"

Barbara frowned as she looked at the father and daughter, who were covered in dust, looking tattered and disheveled, and finally remembered her initial question.

"Bang!"

However, no sooner had she finished speaking than a dull thud suddenly ripped through the night sky outside the wooden hut.

next moment.

The heavy wooden panel detached from the hinges and flew out like a cannonball with a broken string, crashing heavily against the living room wall with a dull, violent thud.

A blinding evening breeze, carrying the coolness of the outdoors, suddenly rushed into the room, instantly dispelling the sorrow within. Faced with this unexpected situation, Pat and the others were stunned.

Courtney and Barbara, in particular, were so frightened that they let out a scream.

Pat was the first to react, standing in front of Barbara and Courtney, looking warily into the dark doorway.

Could it be because Courtney used the Cosmic Scepter today and was discovered by members of the Injustice Society hiding in the shadows?

Although the other party had retreated behind the scenes, he knew very well that the group of supervillains had never given up searching for the remnants of his companions.

It shouldn't be like this.

When he returned, he specifically asked Courtney, who said she had only used Starman's scepter in Smallville.

Soon, the sawdust and smoke dissipated.

A tall and imposing figure slowly pierced through the night and walked in from outside.

Pat stared intently.

He is not a member of the Society of Injustice.

Having fought against the Injustice Society for so many years, she knew each of its main members well, and even their scents.

But the terror Pat felt upon seeing that face far surpassed that of his old enemies.

Lucas's face was indifferent, his eyes were dark and unwavering, and his cold gaze swept over the panicked family of three.

An overwhelming, suffocating sense of oppression swept through every corner as he stepped into the room.

"Hey, what exactly do you want?! Courtney is just a child."

Pat let out a low growl.

His voice trembled slightly from extreme tension.

He never expected that the other party would actually come to his doorstep.

Didn't we agree to let Courtney off the hook? Facing Pat's questioning, Lucas's expression remained unchanged: "Child? I'm sorry, Mr. Dugan, I'm petty. Your daughter has provoked me, but my anger hasn't been completely vented."

"The scepter of the universe is just one of the prices she has to pay."

"Listen, I apologize to you on her behalf," Pat said. "A sincere apology, and we can offer you compensation."

"If apologies were enough, what would be the point of vigilante justice?"

Lucas's lips curled slightly, his indifferent gaze fixed on Courtney, who stood frozen behind him: "How about this, if she can take one of my punches, I can let bygones be bygones and just walk away."

Courtney nearly fainted upon hearing those words.

Without even thinking, Pat refused outright: "Impossible!"

He knew better than anyone the terrifying strength of the young man before him.

Even with heavy equipment and several tons of thick armor, he was blasted away by a single punch, and his mech was destroyed on the spot.

Courtney is just an ordinary person.

If I were to take a solid punch...

It would probably shatter into pieces instantly.

The severity of the attack was comparable to facing a heavy truck speeding at high speed; there was absolutely no chance of survival.

"Listen, whoever you are, get out of my house right now, or I'll call the police immediately."

Barbara poked her head out and called out.

She didn't know what had happened, but the sight of the wooden door flying open made her think that some kind of robber had broken in.

However, Lucas's youthful appearance calmed her down a bit.

Barbara tried to continue threatening Lucas, but Pat quickly covered her mouth.

The original Stars and Stripes leader worried that Barbara's words would thoroughly enrage the mysterious young man.

It can fly, possesses unimaginable strength and speed, and likely has other abilities he is unaware of.

Even after fighting against the Injustice Society for so many years, he had never seen such an exaggerated enemy.

His years of experience had taught him that, when faced with such powerful superhumans, those pot-bellied detectives were the most useless sitting ducks.

If they really anger the other party, none of them might be able to escape.

"Waaaaahh ...

Barbara made a muffled, indistinct sound from her mouth.

However, she wasn't stupid and immediately realized the seriousness of the matter.

Pat's face had never shown such anxiety before, and his voice was flustered.

Yes, she could feel her man's hand trembling.

Lucas ignored Barbara, his gaze remaining fixed on Pat, the original Stars and Stripes member: "Of course, you have a second option."

"What choice?" Pat's eyes lit up immediately, and he asked right away.

As long as Courtney doesn't get punched.

"Work for me, be loyal to me."

Lucas plopped down on the sofa in a languid manner, his knuckles tapping casually on the wooden coffee table beside him, producing a crisp, rhythmic thud.

"Loyalty to you?" Pat's expression changed slightly.

Although he didn't understand what stance the person in front of him was on.

But judging from his behavior, it was clear that this young man, who attended the same high school as Courtney, was definitely not a kind person.

Especially when the other party is too young, they can easily go astray if they possess abilities beyond imagination.

However, he seemed to have no other choice.

Even with armor protecting him and at his peak combat strength, he was still no match for his opponent.

Now that the mecha is completely destroyed, he has no chance of fighting back.

Courtney will die if she doesn't agree to his request.

But to make him an accomplice of evildoers—

This is completely contrary to his long-held beliefs.

Silence spread through the living room.

A considerable amount of time has passed.

Pat glanced at Courtney, finally making up his mind. He lowered his head and said, "Fine, I agree, but you have to let them go."

After saying that, Pat felt all the strength drain from his body.

"You're not in a position to negotiate with me. All you can do is pray that I keep my word."

But you're lucky, I am a man of my word.

Lucas said calmly, "However, if I find out that your loyalty is insincere and lacks any real sincerity..."

"My anger won't be directed at Courtney alone. I will vent this resentment fairly on all of you."

"I know that very well," Patte nodded.

"Very good. Someone will come to pick you up tomorrow morning. I will tell you what you need to do then. As for now, you can continue the family meeting you were just finishing."

Lucas got up from the sofa, glanced at Courtney, and left.

"Pat, who is that? Why won't you let me call the police?" Barbara asked Pat.

"Mom, calling the police won't do any good." Courtney shook her head, then looked at Pat with a guilty expression: "I'm sorry, Pat, it's all my fault. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have agreed to his request."

"It's okay, Courtney. From the first day Barbara and I got married, I've considered you all family. I couldn't protect my former companions, and I can't protect my own family now," Pat said solemnly, patting Courtney on the shoulder.

Then he looked at Barbara and said, "Darling, I will always love you."

Barbara looked flustered. "Pat, I love you too. You still haven't told me what's going on?"

Have you heard of the Justice Society?

Having come this far, Pat no longer intended to hide his past.

If he goes tomorrow, he may never come back.

Barbara didn't speak, she just looked at Pat.

"I am one of them, codename Stars and Stripes."

Ten years ago, my comrades were ambushed by the Injustice Society, resulting in heavy casualties.

Although Doctor Fate and Hawkman came to my aid, the Injustice Society is not so easily destroyed.

"So that person was from the Injustice Society?" Barbara asked, looking surprised.

"No, he is a far more terrible enemy of the Injustice Society!"

Pat answered in a very serious tone.

"It's so terrifying that I can't even muster the idea of ​​leading you all to escape from here tonight—"

:

:

The next day.

A black sedan drove into Blue Valley Town.

Pat hadn't slept all night. Looking at the person who came, he said directly, "I am the person you are looking for."

"Yes, Mr. Dugan."

"Can the scarecrow Jeremy Creek set up an answer?"

There is no plot point from the original series. Because Jeremy had been in a coma for many years, his parents could not afford the expensive medical bills and had long since divorced and abandoned him.

Upon subduing Oswald, Lucas immediately had the Penguin bring him back to town from the nursing home. After some minor brainwashing, the Scarecrow, who could unleash lightning, became a senior staff member at the underground research base.

Beside him are Jack Pollan, an amphibious man who can breathe infinitely underwater and whose underwater strength is doubled, and Seth Nelson, a magnetizer who can control all metals and is a weaker version of Magneto.

All three are ordinary people who have been exposed to Kryptonite radiation and gained superpowers, while also being meteorite mutants with minimal cost.