Clark wiped the dust and dirt from his face, spat out the mud from his mouth, and struggled to his feet. His eyes scanned the sky, confusion and despair swirling in their depths. The air was thick with dust and the acrid smell of destruction, a harsh reminder of the power he had unleashed.
Leaning against the crater wall, he gasped, then gripped the edge and began to climb. Every muscle ached, his body heavy and disoriented. Emerging from the pit, Clark's gaze fell upon the devastation around him.
The ground was shredded as if bombed, trees snapped like twigs, and nearby buildings bore the scars of unimaginable force. Wind turbines lay toppled, debris scattered like confetti from a nightmare. Even his friend Pete's car was overturned on the roadside, steam rising from its wreckage.
"No!" Clark's voice cracked, anguish consuming him. He ran to the car, frantically trying to pry open the window. Pete lay unconscious inside, blood trickling from a head wound.
"Pete! Wake up, wake up!" Clark screamed, but no amount of strength could budge the jammed car window.
Pain, guilt, and regret collided in him, threatening to overwhelm his composure. Desperation clawed at his chest as he tried to lift the car, but it remained stubbornly motionless.
Then, a steady hand grasped the car. Clark looked up to see Adrian, his expression calm but resolute. With a subtle creak, Adrian lifted the car slightly and opened the door, allowing Clark to pull Pete out.
Clark didn't speak, only moved swiftly to drag his friend to safety. Adrian nodded, quietly supporting him, and together they moved Pete away from the chaos.
Once safe, Jonathan Kent approached Clark. "Clark, the first thing you need to do is change your clothes."
At Smallville Medical Center, Clark, now in clean attire, ran down the corridor and spotted his father outside a patient room.
"How is Pete, Dad?" he asked.
"Moderate concussion, fractures, head trauma. He's still in a coma, and the doctors can't say when he'll wake," Jonathan replied, his tone calm but carrying an undercurrent of suppressed anger. "It's not just Pete—many others were injured in the quake. Clark, what happened?"
Clark lowered his gaze, unable to meet his father's eyes. "I stole chemicals from school. I wanted to destroy that cave connected to Krypton."
Jonathan's expression tightened. "Why would you do that?"
"I… I didn't want to be controlled, Dad. After the spaceship was moved to the North Pole, I kept hearing that signal. Sleepwalking, it drew me to the cave. I had no choice," Clark admitted, shame and fear in his voice.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Jonathan asked, trembling.
"Because I knew you wouldn't allow it," Clark replied, eyes reddened. "I don't want him to take me away from you, Mom, or Adrian. I… I'm sorry for everything."
"I told you! Clark, think about the consequences!" Jonathan roared, pointing toward Pete's hospital room. "Your actions have hurt your friend, innocent people, even turned a wedding into chaos. You never consider outcomes, never think ahead!"
A doctor stepped forward. "Sir, this is a hospital—please keep your voice down."
Jonathan shook his head, glancing at the injured, then turned and walked away, leaving Clark staring after him in confusion and regret.
Back at the farm, Adrian waited silently as Clark returned, dazed and trembling.
"Adrian?" Clark asked softly.
"I suppose your father reprimanded you," Adrian said, stepping forward. "But it's not irredeemable. If I were in your position, I might have done the same."
Clark's shoulders slumped. "It's all my fault. I keep bringing misfortune to those I care about. That seems to be my existence."
"Perhaps," Adrian replied, "but drifting with the current doesn't mean you can't choose your own path. Hiding your past doesn't solve anything."
Clark's pace quickened as he moved across the yard. "If I stay, everyone I love will be hurt. I have to do something, I have to leave!"
"Clark!" Adrian called out.
"I know what I'm doing. Leaving is my only option. I won't let anyone control me. Don't stop me," Clark said, eyes red as he faced the sunset. "Take care of Mom and Dad."
A gust of wind swept through the farmyard, and Clark was gone in an instant. Adrian watched, expression unreadable, accepting his brother's choice.
Clark first went to the hospital, checking on Pete and the other victims of the quake.
Afterwards, he arrived at the school newspaper office, moving with quiet determination.
"Clark!" Chloe called, standing as he rushed in. "I went to the farm and didn't see you. Where have you been?"
Clark didn't answer. He began rifling through the cabinets, searching urgently.
"Clark? Are you okay? I heard about Pete… what are you looking for? I can help," Chloe said, concern etched on her face.
"It's too late, Chloe. No one can help me now," he said, scanning the drawers.
"Where did you hide those red Kryptonian rings?" he muttered.
Chloe froze. "What do you want them for? You know their influence—I wouldn't let you touch them."
"I know, but it might make me feel… better."
After searching in vain, Clark rifled through a storage box.
"Maybe you should talk to your parents," Chloe suggested.
"I tried!" Clark snapped, stopping to face her. "You should have seen my father's eyes. He looked at me like I'm… alien. If I had done what I should have from the start, none of this would have happened."
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