Such a valuable prize couldn't be ignored. Marcus searched A-Train's package, finding exactly what he'd expected—a half-empty vial of blue serum. The moment Marcus touched the drug, A-Train's struggles became frantic, his desperation reaching new heights.
"Seems like you have quite the habit."
Nothing else could make A-Train this desperate except Compound V—the vital enhancement drug that pushed superhuman abilities beyond their natural limits.
"Give that back to me! Give it back!" A-Train screamed, thrashing against Marcus's iron grip.
His struggles intensified, but Marcus's hand remained utterly immovable.
"If you want it, then take it," Marcus taunted, void energy beginning to seep from his fingers into A-Train's body.
Over time, the corruption spread completely through A-Train's system, twisting his soul from within. But Marcus didn't grant him the same destructive power he'd given Kraken. Instead, he used the void energy more subtly, planting seeds of obsession and paranoia that would grow over time.
"Not bad. I hope you'll give me a pleasant surprise."
Marcus released his grip, letting A-Train crash unconscious to the pavement. He studied the fallen speedster with clinical interest, then casually tossed the Compound V vial into the air and caught it before he disappear.
A figure descended from above—the red, white, and blue of an American flag made flesh.
"A-Train's here. Looks like he's passed out," Homelander observed, giving the unconscious speedster a light kick with his boot. He had no idea what could have brought down someone as fast as A-Train.
"Company cleanup crew is en route. You can withdraw," came the voice through Homelander's earpiece.
The supposed leader of The Seven rolled his eyes at A-Train's prone form, then launched skyward with a sonic boom, leaving the scene to Vought's damage control specialists.
When A-Train regained consciousness, he found himself in Vought's private medical facility. Soon after, he was sitting before cameras with a practiced smile, delivering his standard apology for the "accidental" death he'd caused. He claimed a medical condition had prevented him from controlling his speed properly, expressing his deepest regrets to the victim's family.
"This guy's probably just acting," Marcus mused, watching the broadcast from his temporary hideout.
These superhumans created by Compound V weren't real heroes like the ones from his previous world. They were more like celebrity thugs serving Vought International's corporate interests.
Later, A-Train walked into The Seven's conference room, his movements slightly unsteady from his recent "medical episode." Homelander glanced at him before continuing his conversation with another member.
"I've met her. Deep Sea vouches for her abilities," Homelander was saying as the other team members filed in.
The last to arrive was a young woman in a white and gold costume, her expression bright with nervous excitement.
"So you're the one Vought picked. 'Starlight,' right?" Homelander said, not bothering to turn around.
"Yes, sir" Annie replied, barely containing her enthusiasm.
"Just call me Homelander," he said, finally facing her. "I assume you're already familiar with the team, so introductions aren't necessary?"
"Of course! You're all my heroes. I've dreamed of joining you for so long. I'm thrilled to have passed the screening process!"
Annie's excitement was genuine—she'd finally achieved her lifelong goal of becoming a superhero with The Seven.
After the brief meeting, the team dispersed to their individual assignments. None of them realized that A-Train's soul had been completely corrupted by void energy. His new obsession was taking root: the desire to destroy everything and everyone in his path.
Blue light flickered in A-Train's eyes as energy fluctuations began building around his body, slowly amplifying his existing abilities.
Stronger. I need to be stronger. There are too many superhumans. Only I should remain. All the others need to die!
The thoughts echoed through his corrupted mind, but he didn't act immediately. Despite his twisted soul, he wasn't stupid. He understood Homelander's overwhelming power—flight, invulnerability, immense strength, and those devastating laser eyes. Even with his enhanced abilities, A-Train couldn't compete with someone so perfectly powerful in every category.
He needed time to grow stronger, to continue improving until he could challenge even Homelander himself.
Through the void energy connection, Marcus sensed A-Train's ambitions and smiled with interest. This would be an entertaining development. It also provided the perfect opportunity to acquire the complete Compound V formula.
"Don't disappoint me, A-Train."
Marcus settled onto a stolen couch, examining the blue serum in his hand. Compound V—the miracle drug that transformed ordinary humans into superhumans and enhanced existing abilities.
"Half a bottle of Compound V... I wonder if I can extract an Aya Essence from this."
Void energy enveloped his hand and the vial, and slowly, a phantom began to materialize—a light blue essence resembling a crystallized water droplet.
"Looks like this substance can only yield one essence at most."
Nearly all the Compound V in the vial had been consumed, but only half an Aya Essence had formed. Though it resembled a complete essence, Marcus could sense its incomplete nature—the other half simply wouldn't manifest.
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