Multiverse's Ghost Rider

"What just happened?!" Hughie looked bewildered at the scene before him.

Soldier Boy, too, seemed puzzled. "Why did you kill them?" he asked.

Homelander looked at him, his voice strangely gentle. "Because they betrayed you. They left you to rot in that Russian test chamber for all those years. I want to avenge you."

Soldier Boy's eyes narrowed in confusion. "And why would you want to avenge me?" he asked.

Homelander hesitated for a moment before saying, "Because you... you are my father."

Butcher's gut twisted at those words, a deep sense of unease washing over him. It sounded ridiculous and suspicious, but if there was even a kernel of truth in what Homelander said, it meant their plan was likely dead in the water.

"Don't listen to him! Kill him!" Butcher barked.

"No, don't listen to the bearded bastard!" Phoenix Warrior stepped forward, handing over a stack of documents to Soldier Boy. "You used to be Vought's poster boy, right? You should know—Vought's records are legit; they can't be faked."

Soldier Boy glanced through the documents, his face shifting to one of disbelief. "This… This can't be true."

Homelander started to speak, but Phoenix Warrior cut him off. "You should take a break, Homelander. Let me explain."

He turned to Soldier Boy. "In the autumn of 1980, you were summoned to Vogelbaum's lab for some experiments—a genetic experiment, to be exact. Do you remember that luxurious room, June, and the crystal glass? You know what you did then."

"Turns out Vogelbaum took it to the next level. A kid was born in the spring of 1981—a boy."

As Phoenix Warrior spoke, he placed a supportive hand on Homelander's shoulder.

Homelander maintained a smile, though he was clearly struggling to keep his emotions in check. Tears threatened to fall, but he held them back, desperate not to disappoint his father.

"To be honest, Soldier Boy," Jon said, shaking his head, "I feel bad for what you went through, but I also envy you. You were the world's greatest superhero, the leader of Payback, and when you were gone, all that fame, all that glory, didn't die. It passed on to your son, who, with no support at all, rose to greatness on his own. You really are a winner in life."

Soldier Boy's expression softened, a look of confusion on his face.

"Not just that, Father—I avenged you by taking out Black Noir," Homelander added. "That bastard lied to me. I thought he was my friend, but he kept everything about you from me. He let you suffer all these years, so I killed him. Your enemy is my enemy, Father."

"And the mastermind who sent you to suffer, I got him too," Homelander continued, his voice trembling with emotion. "Stan Edgar, the CEO of Vought. I put him behind bars, and I took over the company. Soon, Father, this entire country will be ours. And I will make you a hero once again."

"No, there's no need." Soldier Boy shook his head, pausing for a moment before adding, "You've already become the focal point; that's enough. What father wouldn't want his son to shine even brighter?"

"I'm proud of you, son," Soldier Boy said, embracing Homelander.

Homelander, finally receiving the validation he had longed for, couldn't hold back his tears any longer. "Thank you, Father."

"No, I'm sorry, kid. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you all these years—that you had to carry so much alone. But you didn't let me down," Soldier Boy whispered softly.

"Are you out of your mind, Soldier Boy?" Butcher interrupted, taking a step forward. He glared at Soldier Boy, pointing at Homelander. "That bastard isn't your kid—he's just some freak made with your damn sperm!"

This time, Homelander couldn't hold back. Rage filled his face, and his eyes began to glow red. "You ungrateful wretch!"

"Stop right there!" Phoenix Warrior stepped between them, putting a hand up to Homelander's chest. "How many times do I have to remind you, Homelander? Today's not the day for you to get your hands bloody. Let me handle this small fry for you."

With those words, Phoenix Warrior summoned flames into his fist, lunging at Butcher and sending him flying with a powerful punch. Butcher collapsed, his breath gone.

"Nooooo!"

Hughie screamed, charging blindly at Phoenix Warrior, but Jon caught him by the throat. In the next moment, flames engulfed Hughie, turning him into nothing but ashes.

Phoenix Warrior turned back to Homelander and Soldier Boy. "Alright, that's dealt with. Let's head back."

Homelander nodded and turned to Soldier Boy. "Come on, Father. There's someone I want you to meet—my son, your grandson."

Moments later, Homelander, Soldier Boy, and Phoenix Warrior took off, leaving the scene behind.

Shortly after they had gone, Butcher—who had initially seemed lifeless after Phoenix Warrior's blow—began to breathe again, his fingers twitching.

Meanwhile, on a nearby street, a figure suddenly appeared, dropping from the sky. Startled drivers slammed on their brakes.

"What the hell is this?" the driver cursed.

In the middle of the road stood a naked Hughie, struggling to his feet with an incredulous look on his face.

He distinctly remembered being burned alive by Phoenix Warrior. He hadn't even had time to use his power to teleport away, so why was he suddenly here?

It seemed there could only be one explanation: Phoenix Warrior hadn't killed him. Instead, he had deliberately sent him away.

"Butcher!" Hughie suddenly thought of his friend, taking off running towards the mansion.

He realized he could use his powers, and with a snap, he teleported directly back.

There, he found Butcher, unconscious but breathing steadily. Hughie breathed a sigh of relief.

"I'll get you out of here." Hughie picked up Butcher, using his teleportation ability to carry them both away.

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