Popclaw didn't want her boyfriend taking too much Compound V. She was afraid he'd get addicted. She also hoped they could make their relationship public.
But A-Train flat-out refused. According to Vought's marketing research, staying single made him more appealing to fans. To maintain his popularity, love had to be sacrificed.
In that regard, superheroes weren't much different from pop idols—carefully crafting personas and maintaining public images at all costs.
In the end, A-Train still took a dose of Compound V before his big race—essentially using it as a performance enhancer. Billy and the team decided to infiltrate the event and try to steal a sample of the drug.
Unfortunately, they were too late. Though they managed to sneak into the venue, A-Train had already taken the drug and—unsurprisingly—won the speed race.
Luckily, MM noticed something strange: Popclaw had also been injecting herself with Compound V at home. The team rushed to her apartment and, before long, they got the break they needed.
After injecting herself, Popclaw became noticeably hyperactive. She worked out intensely, burning off her excess energy.
That's when her landlord came by. Amped up on the drug and full of pent-up energy, Popclaw ended up sleeping with him. But things got out of control—she literally crushed the man's head… with her thighs.
His skull burst like a watermelon—completely obliterated.
Viewers outside the screen were stunned. The scene was shockingly graphic, definitely R-rated, and enough to make anyone's scalp tingle.
Deadpool howled in disbelief.
"Holy hell! So dating a superpowered girlfriend is that dangerous? Yikes… though I gotta admit, that looked kinda fun."
He was already imagining how wild things could get for someone with a healing factor like his own. The possibilities seemed... exciting.
Hughie stared at the screen, dumbfounded. He instinctively glanced at Annie.
Annie's face turned bright red. She looked nauseated, shocked, and incredibly embarrassed all at once. Covering her mouth, she couldn't say a word.
Thor smacked his forehead.
"That guy... what a tragic way to go."
Stephen Strange looked toward Billy Butcher.
"You're remarkably calm. You watched someone die and didn't even flinch."
Billy shook his head.
"Don't twist it, mate. I couldn't save him."
Back in the video, Hughie watched the horror unfold through the surveillance feed. He was visibly shaken and blamed Billy for not stepping in.
But Billy explained that going toe-to-toe with Supes should always be the last resort—and even then, the odds weren't great. Had they intervened, they would've blown their cover and maybe died for nothing.
The smarter play was to identify their weaknesses and take them down one by one.
And Billy had found Popclaw's.
He wasted no time confronting her. While she was still in a panic after the incident, he showed up with a camera and recorded the crime scene.
Then he threatened her—either she tells them everything she knows about Compound V, or he uploads the footage for the world to see. Not only would her reputation be destroyed, but her future with A-Train would also be gone forever.
Billy was ruthless and sharp-tongued. It didn't take long before Popclaw caved.
She revealed that A-Train was just a delivery boy—he would pick up Compound V and drop it off at a storage facility. After that, it was out of his hands.
Billy took that intel straight to a deputy director at the CIA—someone he clearly knew from the past. Billy wanted the CIA to take action, but the official said they needed a physical sample of Compound V before they could get involved.
Watching the screen, Hughie lit up.
"So you do have connections with the government!"
Billy shrugged.
"I told you, I used to work with them. But things are different now. If these videos ever get leaked, well..."
He gave a cryptic smile that made Hughie's stomach twist. He swallowed nervously.
"But... we are doing the right thing. Aren't we?"
Billy nodded.
"Of course. I've never doubted that."
Back in the video, the team was making real progress. Working together, they were more efficient than ever. Hughie had changed, too. In a short time, he had gone from a naive, soft-spoken guy to someone brave and quick-witted.
Along the way, he and Annie had grown closer. The chemistry between them was undeniable.
Outside the screen, the real Hughie and Annie exchanged awkward glances. Deadpool, ever the troublemaker, burst out laughing.
"So you two are the official couple now, huh? Hughie, buddy—you better be careful. Don't wanna end up with your head popped like that guy's!"
He mimed fireworks with his hands, making Annie even more flustered. Her face turned bright red.
Hughie rubbed the bridge of his nose, visibly uncomfortable. After all, he had only just lost Robin. Getting involved with Annie too soon might make him look like a heartless player.
Billy, noticing his discomfort, said thoughtfully,
"See what happens when you finally grow a pair? Life gets interesting. But let me give you some advice—some women are better left alone."
Annie shot him a glare.
Her eyes accidentally locked with Hughie's again, and both quickly turned away, as if they'd been electrocuted.
Back in the video, the investigation was picking up speed. The team traced Compound V to a warehouse, where they found an Asian girl locked in a cage. A-Train had been bringing doses there and injecting her with the drug.
It was clearly a covert human trial.
Their search then led them to a hospital—and what they discovered there was even more shocking.
Inside the nursery, they saw newborn babies being injected with Compound V.
One of the infants opened his eyes—and laser beams shot out from them.
Both Billy and MM recoiled in horror.
"Bloody hell," Billy muttered. "That's a goddamn super-baby!"
At this point, the truth was undeniable.
Billy cursed under his breath.
"So much for 'chosen ones'—they're nothing but freaks cooked up in a lab."
Back at their hideout, the team held a meeting. MM had done some digging and shared what he'd found.
Since 1971, Vought had been using various cover organizations to distribute Compound V to over fifty hospitals across the country.
They had been disguising it as a vaccine—injecting it into newborns to create superpowered individuals.
_____
T/N:
For readers who would like early access, my Patreon is available for just $4 per month. You'll unlock 50+ advance chapters and help support ongoing works.
🔗 patreon.com/user?u=79514336
You may also search Translator-Sama directly on Patreon.
Your support is sincerely appreciated