Vought International Convention Center.
"That was a really slick entrance just now."
"Thanks."
Qi Li and Starlight crossed paths once again.
Only this time, there was no room for idle chitchat.
Having effectively "snatched" the role of guest speaker and host of the welcoming ceremony away from Homelander, Starlight was due on stage in moments.
After greeting Qi Li, she hurriedly glanced over her script, humming a short tune under her breath that Qi Li had never heard before.
Qi Li listened for a moment.
He raised a finger to intercept the thick powder puff the makeup artist was about to press into his face, then casually asked Starlight, who had just set down her cue cards while having her hair extensions adjusted, "New song?"
Having finished memorizing the entire speech, Starlight exhaled a long breath and nodded. "'Never Truly Vanish.' It's a new track from Vought Records. They were originally going to release it at an appropriate event later on, but thanks to you, Bronze, they bumped it up."
Qi Li gave a nod of approval. "It's got a great melody. It should be a huge hit."
"I hope so." Right now, Starlight looked far more nervous than he was.
Noticing it herself, she glanced over at Qi Li's calm, composed demeanor, then felt her own heart thumping wildly in her chest.
Right on cue, Qi Li offered an airy remark: "Don't sweat it. Just take it in stride."
Starlight: "..."
Pope Fletcher's voice shouted from not far away, "Starlight, you're up next! Move it!"
"Fuck! Why am I more nervous than you are?!" As Starlight hastily scrambled to her feet, she couldn't hold it back and let the outburst slip.
"Break a leg," Qi Li said with a wave.
Moments later, a thunderous wave of applause echoed throughout the convention hall.
A few minutes in, the genuinely catchy new song drifted toward his ears.
"We are defended by our heroes.
"From sea to shining sea..."
...
As the song swelled toward its climax, brilliant golden light flared simultaneously from Starlight's eyes and palms.
In an instant, a dazzling, blinding radiance washed over the entire hall, driving the atmosphere to an absolute fever pitch.
The light gradually faded, and the music drew to a close.
Once the performance wrapped up, Starlight picked up her microphone with a radiant smile and officially began hosting the welcoming ceremony for Qi Li.
"He is a true superhero.
"A passionate, consummate professional who safeguards everyone at every waking moment.
"The Venice High School shooting—he arrived first on the scene and subdued two armed assailants.
"The Twin Towers prison break—he scoured the mountains and forests for three days and three nights, bringing every single fugitive to justice.
"The First Citizens Bank robbery—he arrived in the nick of time, ensuring the safety of every depositor's assets.
"The rogue speeders on Santa Monica Boulevard...
"The Los Angeles serial killer...
"The indiscriminate attack at Marshall's Wholesale Club...
"...
"And finally! The feat we all know best! Armed with just a single sword, he stood firm, refusing to yield an inch to the Shining Light terrorist organization!"
As her voice fell,
*Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap...*
The venue erupted into a deafening, prolonged ovation.
Having concluded the lengthy introduction, Starlight finally had a moment to pause and breathed an inward sigh of relief.
God only knew how many brain cells she had burned trying to memorize Bronze's heroic deeds.
Up to this point, Bronze himself probably didn't have as clear a grasp on his past rescues as she did.
Once the tide of applause began to recede, Starlight flashed a bright smile, her voice rising in pitch as she announced with ringing clarity:
"Bronze! A truly deserving superhero! Over the years, he has saved countless lives! He deserves our utmost reverence! Our highest praise! Amidst the cheers and uplifted hands of everyone here, he will claim the long-awaited, well-earned laurel crown that belongs to him!
"And now—please welcome the newest member of the Super Seven! Bronze—takes the stage!"
In that very instant!
Stirring music swelled! Brilliant spotlights swept across the stage!
Under the witness of photo after photo displayed on the massive screens—faces of the people Bronze had rescued over the years—and surrounded by renewed applause from the entire hall, Qi Li gripped his microphone and strode purposefully to center stage, heralding the arrival of his era.
***
In front of the television.
The electric energy of the venue was transmitted in vivid detail to the group gathered on the couch.
Watching Bronze take the stage and share a warm embrace with Annie, who was beaming with genuine joy, Hughie subconsciously averted his gaze. In doing so, he caught sight of Kimiko scowling, her eyes glaring fiercely at Bronze on the screen.
He asked out of curiosity, "Do you know Bronze?"
Kimiko shot Hughie a sideways glance before returning her gaze blankly to the front, neither nodding nor shaking her head.
Over the past few days, A-Train had reviewed the surveillance footage from Popclaw's apartment, exposing Frenchie's identity as an intruder and drawing Black Noir to hunt him down.
Frenchie had chosen to release Kimiko ahead of time, and Kimiko had turned back to save his life from Black Noir.
Now she was no longer kept in chains, having unofficially joined the crew.
Seeing that Kimiko wasn't going to respond, Hughie awkwardly pulled his eyes away.
Right then, the television was broadcasting Annie and Bronze's exchange.
Standing beside Qi Li, Starlight looked at him and said with an amused, incredulous grin, "Anyone who knows our history knows that we used to be fierce rivals."
Qi Li nodded with a chuckle, looking back at her. "That's right! It was vicious! The kind of rivalry where neither of us could stand the other's existence!"
"Whoa—" Starlight's pretty eyes widened in mock shock. "Was it really that serious?"
Qi Li's lips curved upward. "Don't tell me you didn't think the exact same thing."
"I... alright, I admit it. I felt that way too." Starlight raised an eyebrow, adopting a wry, resigned look that said she had been caught. "My agent even went out and bought a life-size doll of you just so I could vent my frustration whenever I felt like it."
Qi Li blinked. "I bet that doll was torn to shreds."
Starlight pressed her lips together and laughed, letting the silence say it all.
A ripple of merry laughter swept through the convention hall.
"Man, they make a great match!"
It wasn't just the live audience sharing that sentiment; countless viewers watching from their TV screens perked up, their thoughts aligning in unison.
Sitting next to Hughie, Marvin watched Bronze and Starlight trading playful banter on screen.
Thinking of his own wife, he unconsciously chimed in with the very same remark.
Hearing that, Hughie bristled with annoyance.
Though only for a split second.
*Ahem!*
He quickly cleared his throat twice to change the subject. "Where's Butcher? Where'd he sneak off to all mysteriously?"
Without turning around as he tried to communicate with Kimiko, Frenchie answered, "He went to see Susan."
"Susan?"
"The Deputy Director of the CIA. She and Butcher go way back," Marvin took over explaining. "If you want to know who hates the Superhuman Military Bill the most, the CIA is definitely at the top of the list. We have Compound V and proof of superhero crimes. If we hand all of that over to the CIA, they can bring Vought down!"
Chapter 82