Kai POV
We appeared in an alleyway.
"You seriously want to recruit those two?" Jack asked, giving me a look.
"Relax," I said. "I checked this universe before. Some of the heroes here are actually good, and Stormfront and Soldier Boy happen to be two of them."
Jack narrowed his eyes. "...But I feel a 'but' coming."
"But," I admitted, "the public doesn't care. Everyone still thinks heroes are corrupt or monsters. Doesn't matter if they're good or not. Vought's long gone, and the supes are all in hiding."
Jack tilted his head. "Alright… what about Homelander?"
"Dead," I answered flatly. "He started a full-on superhuman war. Soldier Boy ended it. Killed him."
Jack blinked, letting that sink in. "…Okay. But, how are we even supposed to find them?"
I smirked. "Already did."
Jack frowned. "What? How?"
"Oh, I cast a locating spell while we were talking," I said casually.
He groaned. "God, I keep forgetting how bullshit magic is."
"Most people do," I replied with a grin. "Come on."
We lifted off, soaring above the city. I led, following the pull of my spell, while Jack grumbled behind me. After several miles, the skyline faded, replaced by forest and hills. Finally, we descended in front of a massive mansion sitting on sprawling grounds.
Jack whistled. "Wait… isn't this the place where all the supes—"
"Yeah," I cut him off. "Probably. But I'm only sensing four life signatures inside."
We walked up to the front door. Muffled arguing came from within, cut off the moment I knocked. After ten seconds, the door swung open.
Soldier Boy stood there, looking irritated.
"What the hell? You know the rules," he barked. "No costumes. Not anymore. And Freaky Friday's canceled. Come back next week."
Jack blinked. "…What the hell did he just say?"
"We're not here for that," Jack snapped.
I stepped forward. "We're here to talk. You and Stormfront."
Soldier Boy shook his head. "Yeah, well, now's not a good time. So turn around and leave."
Jack leaned toward me. "Oh my God. Can I please punch him?"
I sighed. "No. We're here to make friends, not enemies."
"But he's being kind of a dick."
I exhaled. "We clearly came at a bad time."
Jack muttered, "Still want to punch him…"
I ignored him. "Look,we're not from here. Multiverse stuff."
Soldier Boy squinted at me like I'd just grown a second head. "…What the hell are you two on?" He shook his head. "Whatever it is, I don't care. Not a good time. Get lost."
And just like that—slam—the door shut in our faces.
Jack stretched his shoulders. "Okay. We tried your way. Now it's my turn."
"Wait, Jack—"
Too late. He reeled back, and kicked.
The door didn't just break, it launched off its hinges like a missile, blasting down the hallway and crashing into the far wall with a thunderous BOOM.
I pinched the bridge of my nose. "...God dammit."
We walked into the living room, and sure enough—Soldier Boy, Stormfront, and two others were already there.
"What the hell?" Stormfront snapped, standing up.
"You two got a death wish, barging in here like this?" Soldier Boy growled.
"We're not here to fight," I said quickly, raising my hands. "We came to talk. Actually, we want to invite you to join our hero team. Back on our world."
"Back on your world?" a woman's voice said. I glanced over and recognized her. Victoria Neuman. Sitting beside her was her daughter.
"They're either high as hell, or insane," Soldier Boy muttered. "Either way, I'm about to kick their asses."
"You could only kick my ass in your dreams," Jack shot back, stepping right up to him.
"Jack, wait!" I tried to cut him off.
Too late. Jack decked Soldier Boy square in the jaw, sending him flying across the room.
Stormfront instantly reacted, lightning cracking from her hands. Bolts slammed into Jack's chest, but he barely flinched. He grinned, eyes glowing, then blasted her with heat vision that sent her crashing back. He wasn't even trying to kill her, just proving a point.
Soldier Boy was already back on his feet, swinging punches into Jack's torso. None of them landed with any effect. Jack just laughed, his eyes lighting up again as he unleashed another blast that sent Soldier Boy sprawling across a table.
"Alright, enough of this," I muttered.
I raised a hand. "Kcaj dnuora reirrab a ekam!"
A glowing barrier snapped into place around Jack.
"The hell, dude?" Jack shouted, pounding his fist against the dome.
"Don't 'what the hell' me. You started this. Now you're on timeout."
He glared. "Don't you dare—"
Too late. I cast again. "Sduolc eht fo pot no noitacol ym evoba rethorb ym dnes!"
In a flash, the barrier, and Jack disappeared. I knew he'd break out if he really wanted to, but for now, he was sitting above the clouds where he couldn't make things worse.
I turned back to the others and sighed. "Sorry about that. My brother's the hot-headed one."
Soldier Boy and Stormfront got back up, still glaring.
"Who the hell are you two?" Stormfront demanded. "I've never seen supes like you. What the hell are you packing?"
"That's the thing," I said. "We're not supes. No Compound V in our veins. Our powers come from different places, different races. Long story. The reason we're here is because I want you to join our hero team. On my world."
Stormfront frowned. "...Your world?"
"Multiverse," I explained. "It's real. We've been traveling, recruiting people."
Victoria finally spoke. "You realize how crazy that sounds, right? Even if it's true, we need proof. Something we can't ignore."
"Fair." I nodded. "Proof coming right up."
I pulled out the Multiverse Gun, activated it, and vanished for a split second.
When I reappeared, I wasn't alone.
Another Soldier Boy stood beside me.
Everyone froze.
"What the hell?!" both Soldier Boys shouted in unison.
At first glance, they were identical, same build, same face, same suit. But the difference became clear the moment the new one opened his mouth.
"Get your filthy hands off me, you fucking monkey!" Racist Soldier Boy snarled, ripping his arm away from me.
"Yep," I said flatly. "This one's from another universe. And yeah, he's exactly as racist as advertised."
The two Soldier Boys squared off instantly.
"No I'm still calling bullshit. This might be some type of Clone or something".
"Who the hell are you calling a clone, bitch?!" the racist one barked.
"I'm calling you the clone, bitch," the first Soldier Boy shot back. "I'm the only Soldier Boy."
"Fuck you, I'm the only Soldier Boy!"
"No, you're not."
"Wanna go, bitch?"
"Bring it, bitch!"
I rubbed my temples. "Okay, yeah, this is getting stupid."
I raised my hand and snapped a bolt of lightning into the racist Soldier Boy's chest. The blast punched clean through him, and he collapsed onto the floor, lifeless.
The room went dead silent.
I glanced back up. "Want me to bring another one? Because trust me—you'd be surprised how many racist versions of you exist out there."
"There's no need, we believe you," Victoria finally said.
"Good," I replied, exhaling in relief. "Then let's all sit down. Hear me out, and I'll explain my offer."
We gathered in the living room. I told them who I was, why my brother and I were here, and the truth about our mission, recruiting others across the Multiverse to join our team. I didn't sugarcoat it either; I explained the dangers of my world and the kinds of villains we were up against.
"So let me get this straight," Soldier Boy said, leaning back with his arms crossed. "You, your brother, and your sister… you're aliens?"
"Technically hybrids," I clarified. "But yeah, that's right."
"And you want us to leave everything behind, join your team, and fight villains in a world stronger than anything we've faced here?" Stormfront asked skeptically.
"And you're recruiting people from other worlds too?" Victoria pressed.
"Exactly."
Zoe, Victoria's daughter, piped up with wide eyes. "And… you know magic?"
"Yes, I do."
I waved my hand, muttering softly, and glowing butterflies appeared in the air. They floated gently toward Zoe, who gasped in delight as they danced around her, harmless and shimmering.
"Wow…" she whispered, chasing them with both hands.
Stormfront smiled faintly at her daughter's reaction. Soldier Boy just shook his head. "Okay, neat trick. But we're still gonna pass."
"Why?" I asked calmly.
Stormfront folded her arms. "Besides your psycho brother trying to kill both of us?"
"He wasn't trying to kill anyone," I corrected. "Jack's… hot-headed. He's the strongest of us, but he has a hard time separating you from the versions of you we've met. One was a Nazi. Another was a raging racist. He let that cloud his judgment."
"Well, we're not them," Soldier Boy said sharply. "I fought Nazis back in World War II. Put Klansmen in the ground too."
"Same here," Stormfront added. "I fought against Germany. And for the record—I was on the right side of the Civil War."
"I know," I said. "And I believe you. If you joined us, Jack would apologize. We need you. Right now it's just me, Jack, and one other member. And unlike here? In my world, people actually like heroes. You wouldn't have to hide the way you do. Identities, yes—but you could actually be heroes again."
Victoria leaned forward suddenly. "Do people with powers get hunted? Even if they're not heroes?"
"Not really," I said. "There's an entire race of metahumans. Some live in secret, sure, but the ones who go public aren't hunted. If they were, the heroes would step in to protect them."
Victoria's jaw tightened. "Then I want to come with you. Me and Zoe both."
The room froze. Even I was caught off guard.
"Are you insane?" Stormfront snapped. "Did you not hear him? His world is more dangerous than ours!"
"And you want to raise your daughter there?" Soldier Boy shook his head. "Christ, Victoria. Think about what you're saying."
"I have thought about it," she shot back. "I don't have a choice. Everyone here knows what I am, including Zoe. We've been hunted for months. Why do you think I came to you two for shelter?"
Stormfront frowned. "I told you, I've got contacts in the government. They could—"
"They won't," Victoria cut her off. "I tried. Every one of them either turned me away or sold me out. Some even gave my location to the hunters. I have no one left. But in a new world? No one knows me. No one knows Zoe. And with his protection…" She looked at me. "It's the only chance we have."
I nodded. "I can protect you both. But I need to be clear, I'm not recruiting assassins. What can you bring to the table besides your powers?"
Victoria's eyes were steady. "I can do more than blow heads apart. I know politics. I know how the system works. I can play their game, gain influence, and use it to protect your team. You can't tell me that wouldn't be useful."
I thought about Hope and smiled faintly. "Yeah. That's useful. And my sister will definitely appreciate the help. Alright, you can come."
"I'm coming too," Soldier Boy said firmly.
"Same," Stormfront added. "Victoria's our friend. No way we're letting her walk into a new world without us."
"That's fair," I said. "But if you join, I need to know, are you in for the team as well?"
"We'll join," Soldier Boy said after a pause. "But if you ever hurt Victoria or Zoe, deal's off."
"Fair enough." I stood. "Come on, my home has everything you'll need."
I snapped my fingers, and Jack reappeared, still sealed in a glowing bubble, lounging with his arms behind his head. With a wave of my hand, the bubble popped, and he dropped to the floor with a grunt.
"You calm now?" I asked.
"Yeah," he muttered, sitting up. "Sorry. Still dealing with my Saiyan side."
"I'm not the one you should be apologizing to."
Jack got the message. He turned to Soldier Boy and Stormfront.
"Look… I want to apologize," Jack said sincerely. "I've got an aggressive side I'm still learning to control. That's no excuse—I should've done better. I kept picturing the versions of you that I hated, and I let that take over. But if my brother's recruiting you, I know you're not them. And I'm sorry."
"We're not," Stormfront said firmly. "I'm no Nazi. He's no racist. We judge by actions. And your actions showed you're too hot-headed to be a hero."
"I know," Jack admitted. "But I'm working on it. Training every day. I'm not a bad guy once you get to know me—just reckless. Comes with being strong."
Stormfront tilted her head. "So you're the strongest. Does that make you the leader of this little group?"
Jack barked out a laugh. "Hell no. That's him." He nodded at me. "He's the leader. Knows way more about this stuff than I do. I'm just the warrior."
"Good," Soldier Boy said gruffly. "Because I wasn't gonna follow you."
"And that's fair," Jack agreed. "I'm reckless, and I know it. probably cuz I'm invincible."
I smirked. "Maybe one day we'll recruit a calmer version of him too."
Jack blinked. "...What?"
"Nothing important." I cleared my throat. "So, everyone ready?"
"Not yet," Stormfront interrupted. She pulled out her phone. "Give me an hour. I want to call someone. Bring a few others."
I arched a brow. "Others?"
"The more the merrier, right?" she said, already dialing.
We waited. During that hour, they asked me questions about my world, and I answered as best I could.
When I told them about Superman, their jaws nearly hit the floor.
"You're telling me there's a good Homelander?" Soldier Boy muttered, reaching for a drink. "And he's an alien? Yeah… I'm gonna need a stiff one before I deal with that."
We waited a couple of hours before the people Stormfront had called finally arrived.
When the door opened, in walked Sister Sage, Crimson Countess, and Black Noir, without his mask. His face wasn't scarred, burned, or mangled. He looked… normal.
Jack's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "Holy shit, his face isn't fucked up!"
Noir frowned. "What?"
"That's… uh, a long story," I said quickly. "Not important right now. Let me give you the short version of what's happening."
I laid it all out, the Multiverse, me and Jack's mission, recruiting from other worlds, and offering them the chance to be actual heroes in ours. At first, none of them believed me. Not until I showed them the corpse of the racist Soldier Boy. Stormfront, Soldier Boy, and Victoria backed up my story, which finally got them to listen.
"So let me get this straight," Sister Sage said slowly. "We're not plotting to overthrow a government anymore? Just… leave this world behind?"
I blinked. "Wait, that was the plan here?"
"Doesn't matter," Victoria cut in. "That plan's dead. This is about starting over. New lives. A clean slate."
Sage sighed. "Shame. I really wanted to try that. But fine. I'm in."
"Same here," Noir said. "There's nothing for me here."
"Ditto," Crimson Countess added with a shrug. "My acting career's tanked anyway."
"Main reason it tanked is 'cause you're not really that good," Soldier Boy quipped.
Countess glared. "Fuck you, Ben."
"Oh, come on, you know I'm kidding," Soldier Boy grinned.
"Alright, enough," I said, raising my hand. "If everyone's in, then gather close. Time to move."
They stepped in, and I activated the Multiverse Gun. In a flash, we were gone.
When we reappeared, it was back in Hope's lab. Hope and Trini were at the computers, but their heads snapped toward us as soon as the light faded.
"What the fuck?" Hope said. "I thought you were only recruiting two people?"
"So did I," I admitted. "Plans… kinda changed. But hey, silver lining, you've got political backup now. Maybe two. If Sister Sage agreed to help."
"First of all," Sage said firmly, "don't call me Sister Sage. Just Sage. Or Jessica. Second… yes, I can handle politics."
Hope tilted her head. "I run a company."
Sage smirked. "Oh, really? This just got interesting."
Hope rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Question is, who's going to be a hero, and who's not?"
"Stormfront and Soldier Boy already agreed to sign on," I said.
"Good. Then I can start drafting contracts and payment terms," Hope replied, already turning back to her desk. "I know their powers well enough."
Jack's head whipped toward her. "Wait, hold up. We get paid for being heroes?"
Hope and I looked at him, both confused.
"…Why are you surprised? You already signed your contract. Both of us did," I said.
Jack blinked. "What? When? I don't remember that."
Hope sighed. "Remember that packet of papers I gave you? Told you to sign your name on the highlighted parts?"
"…That was my contract?"
"Yes," Hope said flatly. "And you didn't read it?"
Jack rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, no. Definitely didn't read it."
Hope slapped her forehead. "Rule number one, always read your contracts! That literally outlined your pay, your benefits, and your responsibilities."
"Okay, fine, my bad," Jack said. "So… how much am I even getting paid?"
"Seven hundred an hour," I said.
Jack's jaw dropped. "Seven hundred?! An hour?!"
"Damn," Noir muttered. "That's more than I've ever made in a day."
Hope finally turned to look at him. She blinked in surprise. "…Who are you? I don't recognize you."
"That's Black Noir," I said.
Hope's eyes widened. "Holy shit, your face isn't messed up."
Noir frowned deeper. "… Ok, that's the second time someone's said that. What happened to the other versions of me?"
"Trust me when I say this, you don't want to know," I told Noir. "And it's not important right now. What is important is that you're in a new world, you can actually be a hero, and you'll get paid for it. Hope will explain the rules, but me and Jack still have more recruiting to do."
I stepped back, activated the Multiverse Gun.
"So who are we grabbing this time?" Jack asked. "A good Darkseid? A chill Thanos? Oh wait, don't tell me… a friendly Doctor Doom?"
"Good guesses," I said with a smirk. "But no. We're going after some Kryptonians."
Jack's eyes widened. "What the actual fu—"
Before he could finish, we disappeared.
Hope POV
And just like that, they were gone.
Trini blinked at me. "Okay… can you explain why Jack freaked out like that?"
"Kryptonians," I said, folding my arms. "They're one of the most powerful races in existence. Under yellow sunlight, they can live basically forever, and if they absorb enough, they might as well be gods. Jack's reaction makes sense, he's half Kryptonian himself. That's part of why he's so strong."
Every face in the room went pale.
"…And he recruited us first?" Noir asked.
"Technically, you guys are second," I corrected. "Trini was the first. And don't ask me why, because even I, the smartest person on this planet, can't always make sense of Kai's logic. Sometimes he has reasons, sometimes it's just whimsy. You'll learn to roll with it."
I turned back to the computer, typing as I finished building Trini's new identity file.
"Here's how this works," I said without looking up. "Kai is the leader of the team. Not me. Not any of you. Him. I'll fund it, organize it, and handle the political and business side, but leadership is his. If you've got a problem with that, too bad. He's stronger than all of you combined, and that's not even counting Jack."
"Wait a minute…" Soldier Boy frowned. "If Jack's the strongest, that makes Kai the second—"
"No," I cut in. "Kai's third. Jack is first. I'm second."
The room went dead quiet.
"…So you're stronger than him?" Crimson Countess asked slowly.
"Yes. But I'm also the smartest of the three of us," I said calmly, still typing. "And to answer the next question forming in your heads: yes, each one of us could easily wipe out a country if we wanted. That's holding back. If we went all out? A planet."
" If you are so powerful, why do you need a team? Why not just take over this planet and make it how you want it to be?" Sage asks.
I finally stopped typing, turned my chair, and looked them all in the eye.
"Because we are not conquerors. Not rulers. Because we're not sociopaths, we're not tyrants, and we're not bored gods. We can't be everywhere at once. We actually want to do good in this world. That's what Kai is building."
Silence. Their expressions were stunned, but no one dared interrupt.
I leaned forward. "But let me make something crystal clear. Kai is probably the kindest person you will ever meet. But he's not naïve. If any of you even think about betraying him, for money, for power, for whatever, I will kill you. Or Jack will. No in-betweens. So don't waste his kindness. He sees potential in you. I do too. Prove us right."
The room stayed dead quiet, the weight of my words hanging heavy in the air.
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AN: for Kai Hero name, I'm thinking of Thunder Bringer, and for Jack, I'm thinking of just calling him Warrior.
Also, I think I got some good love interests for my MCs if you want to see him it's in the info chapter.