Void energy circulated through A-Train's body, constantly enhancing his abilities. While increasing his speed, it dramatically improved his defensive capabilities as well.
But for the clone, A-Train's current improvement remained pathetically weak.
A single punch to the abdomen sent the newly-enhanced speedster flying again, bouncing off the ground like a rubber ball before sailing through the air.
The blow re-broke A-Train's healing bones as void energy sank deeper, corrupting his skeletal structure at the molecular level.
"What a waste!"
Marcus spoke softly as light gathered in the clone's hand, manifesting the golden Ruyi Jingu Bang. Following the clone's movement, it traced a luminous arc through the air before slamming toward the ground.
BOOM!
The staff didn't strike A-Train directly—instead it cratered the pavement beside him, where Homelander had just landed.
"Well, well. If it isn't my godson's cheap knockoff."
With this mocking greeting, the clone swung the golden staff again, this time aiming directly at Homelander.
While fighting A-Train required restraint to avoid killing him, facing Homelander allowed the clone to cut loose slightly, making the battle less tediously one-sided.
The Ruyi Jingu Bang expanded rapidly with the clone's swing, transforming into a massive pillar that crashed toward Homelander.
Hiss~
Homelander's eyes erupted with crimson heat vision, twin beams striking the incoming weapon.
His laser power was tremendous, capable of resisting the clone's casual attacks with moderate effort.
However, the gap between them exceeded even the difference between Homelander and A-Train.
The clone used minimal force, but completely ignored Homelander's full-power assault. Despite veins bulging across his face from exertion, the supposed leader couldn't even slow the staff's descent.
CRASH~
The barrel-thick golden rod slammed into Homelander, instantly transforming him into a human cannonball that streaked toward the horizon.
After launching Homelander, other Seven members began arriving in succession.
Queen Maeve charged first, harboring special resentment toward this armored warrior who'd humiliated her publicly. As supposedly the strongest woman among The Seven, being beaten in the streets had infuriated her. Under void energy corruption, that anger had festered into consuming hatred.
"You bastard, I'll make you—"
THUD~
Before finishing her threat, Queen Maeve felt devastating impact against her chest, sending her flying backward.
"Homelander's just a weakened Superman without vulnerabilities, and you have nothing of Diana except the costume."
While Homelander's strength was insufficient, he still possessed abilities similar to Clark's. Though incomparable to true Superman, he qualified as high-quality counterfeit merchandise.
Queen Maeve, however, shared nothing with Diana beyond appearance and basic enhanced physiology. Even ordinary Amazons surpassed Queen Maeve's capabilities. This ultra-budget Wonder Woman knockoff posed no threat to the clone.
A black figure suddenly rushed forward, wielding weapons with exceptional skill and precision.
"You're not bad—at least better than those Talon clowns."
The Court of Owls' assassins possessed decent abilities, but only marginally beyond normal humans.
This dark-clad fighter demonstrated more substantial power—in Marcus's assessment, he could crush those bird-themed killers.
"I remember you. Black Noir, right?"
Marcus's figure flashed, one hand clamping around Black Noir's throat and lifting him effortlessly.
Black Noir's combat skills were genuinely impressive, but his opponent was Marcus's clone—a being with access to countless fighting techniques. Against such experience, Noir's abilities seemed amateurish.
Marcus suddenly seemed to remember something, pressing his free hand against Black Noir's mask.
Unlike other Seven members, Black Noir had never revealed his identity, remaining the only team member who hadn't shown his face publicly.
Even Translucent—killed in the earlier bombing—had appeared on talk shows demonstrating his powers.
But Black Noir remained perpetually mysterious, never disclosing his true identity.
"Come to think of it, I'm not entirely sure which world this is."
Marcus thought to himself. After seeing Black Noir, he'd remembered this crucial detail.
In his memory, The Boys universe had two versions. In one reality, Black Noir was indeed a black man. In the other, he was a clone identical to Homelander.
If this Black Noir was simply a black man, that would be boring. But if he looked exactly like Homelander... that would be entertaining indeed.
Void energy surged through the clone's arm, spreading across Black Noir's body instantly. Countless fractures appeared in his black mask as the corruption took hold.
Marcus's fingertips pressed harder. With a sharp crack, the already-damaged mask exploded, revealing the dark face beneath.
"Just a black man. How boring!"
He casually hurled Black Noir aside.
He'd hoped for entertainment, but Black Noir failed to provide the dramatic revelation of being Homelander's duplicate.
After dispatching these opponents, the clone raised the golden staff toward The Deep and Starlight, who'd just arrived as backup.
The Ruyi Jingu Bang extended instantly, stabbing toward both targets.
Starlight received gentler treatment—she'd only recently joined The Seven. At the moment of attack, Marcus dispersed the void corruption affecting her, allowing the staff to merely knock her unconscious.
The Deep received no such mercy. This brain-dead aquatic hero was struck brutally by the golden rod, his arms twisting into unnatural shapes instantly.
"I heard you can talk to sea life. How does garbage like you become Vought's poster boy?"
As he spoke, the clone suddenly swung the staff again, the weapon rapidly expanding as Homelander returned from his forced flight.
The supposed leader was batted away like a baseball.
"Want another beating? Don't worry—I'll satisfy that desire immediately."
The moment Homelander was launched airborne, the clone transformed into cloud form and pursued the flying figure. The golden staff swept through the mist with tremendous force, treating Homelander like a ball in continuous aerial volleys.
Soon, the massive Ruyi Jingu Bang descended from above, slamming the repeatedly-battered Homelander into the ground with devastating force.
"Farewell. Remember to rest up—I'll visit you again soon."
The voice echoed from the dissipating clouds as Marcus's mocking laughter faded into the air.