The frenzy on the red carpet was like a thermal storm, so intense it nearly blew out the TCL Theatre's sound system.
At the center of it all stood Antony.
He was the eye of the hurricane.
The moment he shouted, "You are the real heroes!", a hysterical female fan in the front row rolled her eyes back and fainted on the spot, forcing security to rush in and carry her away.
"AAAAAAHHHHHH—!!!"
"Homelander! Homelander! HOMELANDER!"
Amid the deafening screams, Antony finally stepped into the theater.
Inside the TCL Theatre, the atmosphere was even more extravagant—and even more insane—than outside.
The air was thick with the scent of premium champagne and buttery popcorn. Hundreds of cameras flashed nonstop. The media pit was packed shoulder to shoulder, reporters crammed together like sardines, shoving microphones toward Antony as he entered the grand lobby.
"Homelander! Over here!"
"Antony! What are your box office expectations?!"
"Mr. Stark! Captain Rogers! Does your appearance tonight mean the Avengers are officially partnering with Homelander?!"
Antony ignored the noise.
He was savoring every second of it.
Yes… this is it. This is the kind of entrance an Oscar winner deserves.
Smiling effortlessly, he waved to fans on both sides, occasionally stopping to sign an autograph for someone so overwhelmed they were on the verge of passing out—his movements smooth, practiced, as if he'd done this ten thousand times before.
"Thank you all. Thank you for your support. You are the real heroes!"
After pushing through the packed lobby, the group finally entered the main screening hall.
Tony, Steve, and Natasha took their seats in the reserved VIP section.
The lights dimmed slightly. A spotlight snapped onto the stage.
Ashley, Vought International's head of PR, strode onto the stage in a sharp silver suit and ten-centimeter heels.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" Her voice trembled slightly with excitement, though her professionalism kept everything perfectly controlled. "Welcome to… a night that will go down in history!"
She spread her arms wide, passion ringing through her voice.
"Let's hear it—your loudest applause—for HOMELANDER!!!"
"AHHH—!! WOOO—!!! CLAP CLAP CLAP—!!!"
Antony stepped onto the stage amid thunderous cheers, waving calmly.
"Homelander! Homelander!" the host exclaimed dramatically, gripping his arm. "We all know the story—the Battle of New York! A hero descends from the heavens!"
"But do we really know him?" the host continued loudly. "Before he became Homelander… what did he endure? What pain, what suffering forged this guardian of America?!"
"Tonight, Homelander: Origin will give us the answer!"
"But before that!" the host stretched the moment to the limit. "Let's welcome—Antony Starr! HOMELANDER!!!"
"HOMELANDER!!! HOMELANDER!!! HOMELANDER!!!"
Antony rose from his seat, bathed in the spotlight, and stepped onto the stage.
"As the host said, tonight is about Origin," he said, taking the microphone. "But it's also about the future."
"The Battle of New York showed me many things. Aliens. Chaos. And… the Avengers."
His gaze flicked briefly toward Tony and Steve.
"The Avengers are heroes. Tony Stark. Steve Rogers. They are my friends—great warriors. I'm truly grateful they're here tonight."
Polite applause rippled through the audience.
The host leaned forward theatrically. "But Homelander, the world knows—you were the one who saved New York. You later saved the President. You stopped terrorism almost single-handedly! You changed the world!"
Then he paused—delivering the question Vought had carefully planted.
"But… you're only one man."
"The world is full of threats. You can't be everywhere at once. When you saved Washington, Los Angeles could have been burning. When you stop a crime in New York, Chicago might be in danger."
"So tell us, Homelander…"
"Are you… tired?"
The theater fell completely silent.
Even Tony Stark raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Here comes the sympathy play."
Antony' smile softened just enough—replaced by a look of resolute fatigue.
"Yes… I am tired," he admitted honestly into the cameras.
"I can see through steel, but not through the human heart. I can lift buildings—but I can't hold every hand that needs help."
"I tried my best in New York. I tried my best on Air Force One. But people still get hurt. Some people… never get saved."
"Which is why—"
His voice suddenly surged with power.
"I realized something. One person… is not enough."
"This world is growing more dangerous every day. America—no, the world—needs more heroes."
The host seized the moment. "So you're saying… you want to form a team? Like the Avengers?!"
"No."
Antony raised a single finger.
"We'll be stronger. Faster. More transparent. Worthy of the people's trust."
"Therefore," he said slowly, letting the tension build, "I—Antony Starr, founder of Vought International—formally announce tonight…"
"The Super Seven Recruitment Program… is officially live!"
FLASH FLASH FLASH—!!!
The press section exploded.
"What?! Super Seven?!"
"He's building his own Avengers?!"
"This is the headline of the year!!"
Down in the VIP seats, Tony Stark rolled his eyes and drained his champagne.
"Fuck," he muttered to Steve. "Super Seven? Seriously? Sounds like a shitty country rock band."
Antony raised his hand, silencing the uproar.
"I know what you're all asking. Who will join this team?"
"Yes—we already have someone."
A proud smile crossed his face.
"For months, I've been searching. For those overlooked. Misunderstood. People like me—born with extraordinary gifts."
"Tonight," he turned toward the darkened edge of the stage, "I introduce to the world… the first member of the Super Seven."
"She possesses incredible strength."
"She has an unyielding, rebellious heart."
"Ladies and gentlemen…"
He took a deep breath and shouted the name that would echo across the world:
"—QUEEN JONES!!!"
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T/N:
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