As we carefully exited the cargo hold and sneaked onto the tarmac, the cool morning air hit us like a refreshing wave.
'This alone was worth the fucking cramped flight. I've missed that sweet scent of freedom and the even sweeter scent of bloodthirsty capitalism.'
It was good to be on American soil after years away. The flight had been a long one, spent planning for the future and continuously failing to wake Dawn. Unfortunately, regardless of the hours I spent trying, nothing even made her move, and it started to look more unnatural the longer she slept.
'I'll have The Legend review all the documents and files to see if something can help her. Knowing the Russians, they probably fucked around and did this to her."
Pushing those worrisome thoughts aside, I embraced my return and looked around for any recognisable landmarks, quickly seeing a sign that made me almost laugh. We had landed in the one airport named after a man I had killed.
'You just can't write this stuff.'
Whilst I knew the plane I took was bound for America. It seems we were lucky enough to have hopped on one that arrived in a secluded section of JFK airport, far from the crowds and the bright lights of the main terminal.
~Have we landed, Sir?~ Jamie suddenly questioned with a slight yawn as he and Pixie poked their heads out of my jacket.
"Yes, we have, bud," I replied with a smirk as I scratched his ear before frowning when I remembered the current year. "Unfortunately, all of my hard-earned shit is probably in the hands of my spineless family or those cowards at Vaught. Don't worry, I'll get it all back soon enough, but for now, you and Pixie must stay inside my coat pocket as I find a way to get to the city and see an old acquaintance."
Without any complaints, Jamie snuggled back into my chest, and Pixie followed suit whilst chirping contently in the hamster's small arms.
I closed my coat to secure them but left a small opening for Jamie to witness the sights.
'I'm sure the little fella is interested to see my soon-to-be kingdom.'
With the animals comfortable and Dawn worryingly still unconscious in my arms, I exited the airport by casually jumping over the surrounding fences.
'I can't be leaping everywhere. Some form of transport is needed.'
Despite tormenting myself over Dawn's situation, my 10 hours on a plane were productive, as it gave me plenty of time to realise that my current appearance and company would draw too much public attention. Whilst I did not fear an all-out fight, I had a specific strategy planned that could net me incredible influence when I finally returned to take what was rightfully mine. Additionally, meeting a certain captain underpants was not something I wanted to deal with at the moment. In fact, I was still conflicted about suddenly being both a father and grandfather. Sure, I probably had thousands of little shits running around, but the new me was a little less self-absorbed and was struggling with the news.
I shook my head to ignore that thought process and focused on the first step in my return to power, getting to a secure location without attracting trouble.
That crossed walking and public transport off my list of options.
'I guess it's time for a little grand theft auto.'
It took me only a few minutes to find the airport parking structure. Unfortunately, a flaw in my plan instantly became obvious. Whilst there were numerous cars I could pick from, I had no fucking idea how to hot-wire a vehicle.
'Fuck, I guess I'll have to steal someone's keys as they arrive or leave.'
In such a busy airport, I didn't have to wait long for a car to come near the dimly lit blind spot I had chosen as the crime scene.
As if fate had willed it, the next vehicle to turn the corner was a beautiful black 1967 Chevy Impala with only one occupant inside. Without me understanding why, something primal took over me, and I suddenly had an immense desire to own and take care of that stunning example of American engineering.
'I'm keeping this beauty.'
While the 6ft 4 middle-aged driver with shoulder-length hair parked the car and smoothly exited, I placed Dawn on the ground and made my way over to quickly and quietly incapacitate him.
With a burst of speed, I very efficiently covered his mouth, grabbed him by the throat and dragged him quickly behind his car for concealment, his stylish Ray-Ban's dropping out of his hands in the process.
"Sorry about this, buddy, you have something I need, and I don't have the time to ask nicely," I whispered into his ear as he began to lose consciousness from the pressure on his neck. "Don't worry, you might wake up feeling a bit out of it, but you should be on your feet in no time."
With my impeccable technique, the man was unconscious in seconds. Once his body slacked and he fell limp, I quickly searched his pockets and found his phone, wallet and car keys.
"Jared, is it? I appreciate the cash and phone. You didn't have to be so giving," I said to the guy as I read his ID and grabbed his phone, turning it to his face to unlock it. For a moment, I was sure I recognised him, but for some odd reason, I could not place it.
My head started to hurt the more I tried to focus on it, so I ignored the lingering feeling that I knew the man. With my focus back on the prize, I took out all the money from his wallet and then dropped the wallet on his prone body. Happy with my "gifts", I began walking away but stopped as that feeling intensified along with the headache.
With a small sigh, I assumed it was my guilt talking, and I removed some of Victor's expensive jewellery from my ring and left it in Jared's coat pocket. "This should more than cover the cost of the car, so don't get any bright ideas."
Having finalised the transaction, I walked towards Dawn, slipped her over my shoulder and then strolled towards the sleek vehicle waiting to drive me into the sunset, not forgetting to swipe the Ray-Ban's off the floor on my way over.
'These should hide my fucked up eyes for now.'
Once in front of my new car, I gently traced my hands along its metallic frame.
"You are mine now, Baby. Give me some time, and I'll make you forget all about him," I whispered tenderly as I grabbed the key and gently pushed it into the lock.
With a twist and a click, I opened the door and sat snugly in the comfortable black leather driver seat that contrasted perfectly with the beige interior.
Slumping down in relaxation, I carefully placed Dawn on the passenger side and put on her seatbelt. I took a moment to appreciate the comfort and sighed in satisfaction at the relief provided to my ass.
'All I need is to be alone, have some chicks, drugs and a cold one to make this perfect.'
It had been nearly 40 years since this body had a comfortable throne, and I was enjoying it.
I stretched out and began closing my eyes before snapping myself awake at the idiocy of my ill-timed nap.
'I can take as long as I want to relax when we are out of immediate danger.'
Rubbing my eyes clear, I once again checked that Dawn was buckled in safely, and then with a smirk on my face, I put on the Ray-Ban's, closed the door and smoothly wrapped each hand around the cold black leather steering wheel.
"Damn, you feel even better than I could have imagined," I said as my right hand started the car and then shifted the gear into drive. The whole Impala began to vibrate with the engine's power, widening my smile. "Woo. Listen to her purr. You ever heard anything so sweet?"
~…Are you ok, Sir?~ Jamie interrupted in response to my odd behaviour.
"Fuck!!…Yeah, I'm alright. Ignore me," I said sheepishly after jumping in surprise, feeling incredibly embarrassed that he had witnessed such an intimate moment. "I'm just relieved we got the transport we needed. Go back to sleep."
~If you say so, Sir~ Jamie responded, his voice conveying his lack of belief. ~If you don't require my services, I shall continue to rest, Master Ben.~
'I have no idea why I love this car, but I am not complaining.'
I gave the hamster a slight nod and a pat on the head. Then with a massive smile, I began humming a tune that felt weirdly perfect for the situation whilst I drove the Impala out of the car park and into the rays of the morning sun.
🎵 …Carry on, my wayward son. There'll be peace when you are done… 🎵
My mood having been uplifted, I used the phone's Vought-maps to navigate past any tolls to lower Manhattan, and my mind began to wander back to that small village we had left behind in Russia.
I had fought and defeated Ana, but I had also discovered that an organisation besides Vought was experimenting on humans and creating supes. It made me wonder what other secrets were out there in the world.
I also laughed when I remembered the small gift I left them.
'I hope they brought some wet wipes.'
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Authors note
Hi all, I hope you enjoyed the first chapter based in America. I've decided to make my upload schedule a bit more inconsistent. However, if I don't upload one week, the next week, I'll release two chapters so that you technically don't miss out. The following two chapters are POVs that I hope you find interesting.
Once again, please provide suggestions and comments so I can improve the story and writing.
Fun fact: The hit TV shows Supernatural and The Boys share a creator in the form of showrunner Eric Kripke.
Whilst Soldier Boy, Jamie, Pixie and Dawn all arrived safely in the land of opportunities. A more sinister future befell the village they left behind.
Only an hour after the group had escaped, the sun had just started to rise over the small hamlet. Suddenly, a futuristic helicopter appeared above Victor's modest cottage and landed soundlessly beside a fleet of advanced military vehicles outside. As the aircraft came to a stop, the pilot stepped out of the cockpit in a black suit and glasses. He was the definition of your average young Caucasian man. With a face so unremarkable, even his own mother would probably forget it.
"Are the premises safe for Mr M to enter?" The young man said coldly into an earpiece, his accent indistinguishable.
After a few seconds, he received a positive response. He turned towards the cabin doors, knocked and then opened them to reveal an older man of African descent inside a large luxurious passenger compartment being waited on by two barely clothed female servants. This impeccably dressed man was anything but ordinary; whilst he was obviously in his 70s, his impressive physique failed to stay hidden underneath his slightly dishevelled expensive blue suit and seemed to be bursting with energy beyond the confines of his age. As the man pushed aside the fawning women, he used an ornate cane to help leverage his exit from the vehicle. No longer in the shadow of the compartment, his face was now illuminated by the rising sun and showed his weariness and determined eyes. He began scanning the area for any signs of trouble before turning towards the younger gentleman that now stood by his side reverently.
"Has the cause for the distress beacon been determined, Francis? I was planning a relaxing evening with these lovely ladies, so it better be important." The man said in an aged New York accent whilst gesturing to the women that stayed inside the helicopter.
"Andrei was adamant that your aircraft be diverted here as the situation requires a Chapter Head. He would not provide details over the radio, as he wishes to brief you in person and is waiting for you inside as we speak, Mr M. I am, however, happy to report that the men have collected the villagers for questioning and have finished sweeping the premises as you ordered, Sir," The younger man said in a calm tone as he pointed towards the group of soldiers encased in glowing black and blue armour that had cordoned off the area and were now lining up the village's men, women and children on the grass outside.
With his fun disturbed, Mr M did not bother to answer and slowly walked towards the cottage. As he passed the soldiers, each saluted by slamming their right arm into their chest and yelling the organisation's motto. He responded with a nod each time, ignoring the crying villagers that begged him to spare them, when suddenly a rock was thrown at him. With almost inhuman reflexes, he twisted his cane and released a long thin blade that smoothly sliced the stone in half like a hot knife through butter. As the two sizzling pieces fell to the floor, the soldiers, in unison, all aimed their weapons at the source of the throw, and even Francis produced a bright blue gun that was ready to fire.
The person responsible was a trembling mixed-race boy around ten years old. What was potentially his mother was begging Mr M not to hurt the idiotic child.
"Lower your weapons. I shall deal with this," Mr M said as he sheathed his cane and tapped Francis to stay by his side.
The soldiers all complied and continued with their tasks as Mr M began to observe the shaking boy who held his gaze.
With a kind smile, he walked over to the child and lowered himself to his level. The child recoiled in fear but stayed defiantly between Mr M and his mother.
"Now, why would you do that, Son?" Mr M questioned gently in fluent Russian.
"Because you are all meanies!! One of the robots hit my mum!! I won't let you hurt her again!!" The boy yelled as he shook under Mr M's gaze and pointed to the bruise developing on the face of the woman behind him.
"I am truly sorry. That is unacceptable. My men should not have harmed anyone." Mr M responded with anger on his face before looking disappointingly at Francis. "I was very clear, Francis, we do not cause unnecessary harm. We aren't those freaks."
Francis's facade seemed to waiver in front of Mr M's withering stare before he nodded apologetically.
Mr M then turned towards the shocked child, who was now looking down shyly.
"You are a courageous young man. You remind me of my son when he was your age. What is your name, child?" Mr M said quietly as if lost in thought.
The boy looked up with nervous eyes.
"Alexei, Mister. I'm sorry for throwing the rock. I was really scared and thought you were going to hurt us." The boy replied hesitantly as he stopped trembling but began fidgeting. "Are you going to hurt us?"
Mr M shook his head at the name as if woken from a dream and looked at the boy with a complex expression. "Don't be afraid, Alexei. After all, our job is to give everyone a life without fear. Wouldn't you like that, a world without monsters or pain? Does that sound like the plan of evil men?"
"No, I don't think so. Can I help? We aren't monsters, I promise," Alexei responded with sparkling eyes as everyone around him listened quietly.
"I know you aren't monsters, child. We wouldn't be talking if you were. However, If you want to help, we simply need to hear everything you know related to that home." Mr M said seriously before laughing as he pointed at Victor's cottage. "Can you tell me what happened?"
Alexei looked nervously at the villagers and his mother, who encouraged him with their eyes before he turned back to Mr M and nodded.
"We all woke up because of the loud booms coming from the house of creepy Novikov and his weird daughter. All the men were going to check on it, but mummy told me to stay as I'm only eleven. I didn't listen as I'm the man of the house, and it's my job to protect her. When we all arrived, it looked like a bomb had exploded. It was so scary but also so cool. I got told off at first when they found me, but then we saw the two monsters and the weird room in the floor. Is that what you meant when you said you fight monsters? Can I fight monsters? I know…." Alexei rambled excitedly as if weapons and soldiers didn't surround him.
Mr M went disturbingly quiet and hummed in thought as the boy digressed into other topics and strayed from the original point of the question.
"…then your robots arrived and put us on the grass. It was freezing, and I got scared. After that, they brought everyone else from the village. One of them even hit Mummy when she moved next to me, and that's why I got angry, Mister. I was happy, though, that mummy came to sit with me because she brought an extra coat, and now I'm not cold." Alexei continued happily, raising his arms to show his long thick coat.
Hearing the last part, Mr M chuckled before standing up and interrupting.
"I'm glad you aren't cold. However, you should know these aren't robots, Child," Mr M said as he motioned for the silent Francis to lead the way back to the cottage. "They're humanity's last hope."
As he left Alexei, the boy attempted to race after him but was quickly stopped by one of the soldiers.
"Hey, Mister. What's your name?" Alexei shouted before he looked down in an embarrassed but hopeful manner. "I really am sorry about throwing the rock. Can I come with you, please? I am the strongest at school."
Mr M intended to ignore the little boy's questions, but the voice tugged at the heartstrings of a father and stopped him in his stride.
"My name was lost in this conflict and will only be uttered once more when we have won. For now, I am the one that must apologise, not you, Child. In the end, we all have actions and regrets that weigh on our souls," Mr M said without turning his back. He then continued his path towards the cottage, ignoring anything else Alexei had to say. Once he reached the entrance, he observed the destruction of the once-beautiful door.
He sighed before turning towards Francis, who was faithfully by his side. "Today was supposed to be my off day. You know what to do, make it look like an accident," he ordered, his voice no longer warm but cold and calculating. It was a brutal, heartless act, but he knew it was necessary if they wished to keep their organisation and plans hidden.
Francis nodded as he turned around and reached for his earpiece to relay the orders, his gun drawn.
As Mr M entered the building, gunshots could be heard behind him, followed by screams of terror and pain. Maybe it was the wind, or perhaps it was his imagination, but out of all the screams, one small voice seemed to reach his ears and add itself to the ever-present symphony of pain that haunted his days and nights.
He pushed aside the small amount of guilt that rose to the surface and hardened his resolve. Nothing would stop him and his path. He would allow himself to become a monster if it meant giving his family the world they deserve. Until that day, he would bury his conscience, revel in debauchery, keep his distance and watch his loved ones from afar.
"Just a little longer, and then we will be reunited," Mr M whispered whilst lost in memories of the past. Unable to control himself, he opened an unbreakable V-tech locket and let a single tear run down his face as he looked down at the photo of a smiling young boy devouring a giant ice cream cone.
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Authors note
Hi all, here is the first of the two 3rd person POV chapters. I hope you enjoy them and their impact on future chapters.
Let me know what you think in the comments :)
Fun fact: In the comics, Mother's Milk's hate for superheroes stems from losing his brother and father. His brother dies when the Compound V in his body reacts to him wearing a helmet. Whilst his father dies due to spiralling into a depression soon afterwards.
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