"Superman..."
"He's Superman!"
"He saved us!!"
A child's shout in the crowd ignited everyone.
"Superman!!!"
"Superman!!!"
"Superman!!!"
The cheers were like an avalanche.
Jack Banks could feel his system panel being instantly spammed by huge numbers.
Global Popularity Value is growing explosively...
Ding! Gained Popularity Value + 2450!
Ding! Gained Popularity Value + 3832!
Ding! Gained Popularity Value + 1109!
...
Current Popularity Value: 2,215,232!
Template enhancing... 'Invulnerability' strengthened!
Template enhancing... 'Super Speed' strengthened!
Template enhancing... 'Heat Vision' strengthened!
...
Mission complete! Received 'Homelander' Exclusive Suit!
The members of the Avengers landed beside him.
Captain America looked at him, his expression complex but full of gratitude: "...Mr. Superman?"
Jack Banks did not reply.
He walked to the life support container and, under the world's scrutiny, slowly tore open the shell of the container with his hands.
Tear—!
Inside, a hundred dazed human children, about twelve or thirteen years old, rubbed their eyes and stepped out.
"Where's my mommy...?" a little girl asked timidly.
The whole of New York fell silent.
Tony Stark's faceplate opened with a clank, his mouth agape, unable to utter a word.
Steve Rogers' shield slipped from his hand and fell to the ground.
Thor widened his eyes, whispering, "By Odin..."
The next second.
"—!!!!!!!"
An indescribable explosion of cheers erupted from every corner of the city!
Screaming, crying, shouting!
Ding! Popularity Value growing explosively!
Ding! Gained Popularity Value +3011
Ding! Gained Popularity Value +4840
Ding! Gained Popularity Value +5526
...
New York City Popularity Index: Frenzy!
America Popularity Index: Respected!
Global Popularity Level: Emerging!
Jack Banks vaguely felt his strength, speed, and durability surge several times over at that moment!
The bare blue fabric on his chest began to glow with a golden light.
Moments later, a majestic, domineering eagle emblem materialized out of thin air, complementing the golden epaulets on his shoulders!
"Hero!!"
"Superman!"
"Hero!!!"
"Superman! Hero—!!!"
The crowd spontaneously began chanting "Hero," and the name that symbolized "hope" in the comics.
Homelander stood there, bathed in the thunderous cheers.
He spread his arms, enjoying every bit of it.
After a moment, he slowly raised a hand, signaling for the crowd to be quiet.
Amazingly, the noisy city of New York gradually hushed.
Everyone looked up at him, awaiting his words.
He cleared his throat and directed a radiant smile at the nearest news helicopter camera.
"Thank you, but..." He shook his index finger and his head slightly; his golden pompadour remained perfectly still in the wind.
"I am not Superman."
He paused, relishing the anticipation.
"I am... Homelander."
"And you..." His smile became warmer, more approachable, as if the murderous god who had just slaughtered aliens was gone. "...are the real heroes!"
"Homelander."
The name, spoken by Jack Banks, echoed clearly throughout Grand Central Terminal Plaza.
It spread across the globe within a tenth of a second via countless microphones and cameras.
The crowd was silent for a single moment.
Then came the overwhelming roar of cheers.
"Homelander!!!"
"Homelander!!"
"Homelander—!!!"
The word seemed to possess a magic of its own.
After the terror of the alien invasion, people needed a symbol.
And Jack Banks had, at that moment, given them the most perfect symbol.
He stood in the cheers, arms outstretched, his expression a mix of sainthood and humility that was utterly flawless.
"Goddamn it..." Tony Stark, standing a few feet behind him, opened his faceplate and cursed under his breath. "That guy... he stole the whole show, didn't he?"
"Tony!" Steve Rogers frowned, but he had to admit that Stark had voiced his own feelings.
This guy... reminded him of himself during his USO tours in WWII.
...They finally managed to get through the interviews.
"...So, has anyone had shawarma?" Tony Stark broke the silence, laboriously removing his battle-scarred armor. "I'm starving. I know a place nearby, wonder if it's still open."
Dr. Bruce Banner, who had returned to his normal state, was sitting weakly nearby and gave a wry smile at the suggestion.
Soon, Earth's Mightiest Heroes discovered what it meant to be utterly silent while eating.
Ten minutes later, they were sitting around, quietly eating... shawarma.
"So," Tony couldn't stand the silence, swallowing a mouthful of meat, and spoke first. "Homelander? Seriously? Did you come up with that name, or your publicist?"
Jack Banks slowly offered a perfect smile.
"Just a codename, Mr. Stark. Like Iron Man. People need a symbol."
"Wow," Tony raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like a press release. I like it."
"Tony." Steve put down his wrap. "This isn't the time for that."
He looked at Thor.
"Thor," Steve's tone was serious, "about the... Tesseract."
Thor nodded, wiping his mouth. "Yes, the Tesseract. My father, Odin, placed it on Earth centuries ago to protect it. Now, it must be returned to Asgard."
"Hey, hold on, Action-Man-Protagonist," Tony interrupted. "That thing almost destroyed my city. You're just going to take it without even filing a report?"
Thor stated gravely, "It does not belong here, Tony."
"He's right, Tony." Steve supported Thor. "Getting it off-Earth is the best choice, better than leaving it with S.H.I.E.L.D."
Black Widow and Hawkeye silently chewed their food, and Banner nodded in agreement.
"Fine, Popsicle-Captain, you win." Stark smiled indifferently.
After the gathering, the next order of business was dealing with Loki, the God of Mischief.
He was currently "enjoying" special treatment—a custom-made Asgardian muzzle that completely shut his silver tongue.
After being "planted" into the floor by Jack Banks, and then pulled out and subjected to mocking by the Hulk as a "weak god," he was now slumped on the ground, glaring hatefully at everyone in the room.
===
please huhu I am in my last year of college let me surviveee hehe
Read 25+ advance chapters in my P@treon
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