Crash!
The barrier shattered, and Adrian grabbed Green Lantern by the throat while simultaneously using Heat Vision to push back Supergirl Kara, who had charged forward.
Seeing his teammates repelled, Wonder Woman launched herself at Adrian. The air roared as she struck with all her might, but Adrian's punch sent her flying the instant she reached him.
Thud!
Diana adjusted her posture mid-air and landed on her feet, but her arm, weakened from blocking Adrian's attack, hung uselessly at her side.
Is this my limit? she thought. Even now, in the present, I can't defeat him?
Gritting her teeth, Wonder Woman's eyes blazed with determination. She refused to be bested, knowing that to fail now would tarnish her pride forever. Casting all doubts aside, she stomped the ground and became a streak of light, charging Adrian again.
Kara intercepted him, seizing his arm in an attempt to force him to release Green Lantern.
Bang!
The clash of superhuman strength rang out as Diana lunged forward, grabbing Adrian's other hand and wrapping her arm around his neck, attempting to neutralize him.
Batman, standing nearby, watched in disbelief.
Are these the future Homelander and Superman? he wondered. Even Wonder Woman and Green Lantern are struggling. If their full power is unleashed, no hero could stand against them.
The battlefield around them seemed to tremble under their combined might, the air vibrating with raw force. Batman resolved silently: he would uncover Adrian and Clark's weaknesses, whether they were allies or enemies, for their threat could not be ignored.
Bang!
The force of Adrian's retaliation ejected the few heroes clinging to him. Kara and Green Lantern were thrown back, leaving only Wonder Woman locked in a desperate stalemate.
Adrian's gaze flicked toward Wonder Woman, noting a small, partially revealed coin that once obscured the "Homelander" emblem on her chest. Curious about her potential future significance, he fired a controlled, low-powered Heat Vision blast, destroying the coin without harming her skin. The emblem was fully revealed, confirming his observation.
Wonder Woman, mistaking his precision for humiliation, roared, pressing down on Adrian's neck to drive him into the ground.
But Adrian resisted effortlessly, stepping back and shrugging off her assault.
Diana countered with a lightning-fast strike to his chin and followed with a high leg sweep toward his abdomen. Adrian leaned back, dodging with minimal effort.
As she closed in, swinging both fists like hammers, Adrian did not evade—he met her force head-on. Their blows collided, a thunderous impact resonating through the stone-paved ground.
"Ah!"
While Adrian struck with his leg, Wonder Woman cleverly deflected, thrusting her shoulder forward in a body slam that pinned him against the hard floor. Boom!
The impact tore a deep crater into the ground, gravel scattering like rain. Wonder Woman, pressing down, was about to claim victory when she suddenly found herself sprawling across Adrian, her chest pressed against his head, feeling his faint breath.
Enraged and humiliated, she leaped from the pit, retrieving her twin swords, intent on settling the score to the death.
Adrian, momentarily confused, caught himself and exhaled deeply, observing the chaos around him.
Boom!
Debris flew as he launched himself out of the crater, landing with heavy impact. Wonder Woman, furious, prepared to continue. But overhead, the roaring of police helicopters interrupted her focus. Spotlights swept the area, revealing their positions, accompanied by sirens from nearby police cars.
"We have to go!" Kara tugged at Diana's arm.
Diana, glaring hatefully at Adrian one last time, sheathed her swords and followed.
Once the others departed, Adrian approached Clark, leaning against a container, regaining his strength.
"Let's go," Adrian said coldly.
"Where?" Clark asked, clutching his aching chest.
"Home," Adrian replied simply.
Clark hesitated, glancing at the red kryptonite ring on his hand and then at Adrian's shoulder, which had just blocked an attack for him.
"Why did you do that?" Clark asked quietly.
Adrian's expression remained unreadable. "I told you, we're no longer connected. Jonathan isn't my father, Martha isn't my mother, and you're no longer my brother. We walk different paths."
Clark's eyes flickered with emotion. "You shouldn't have done that, Adrian."
"I found that woman Diana annoying," Adrian said casually. "Blocking her blow for you was part of my entrance, nothing more. Don't mistake it for protection. No self-pity required."
"Is that so?" Clark murmured, distractedly looking at his ring.
"Maybe it is, maybe it isn't—but it doesn't matter anymore," Adrian said with a shrug.
Clark clenched his fists, striking the container behind him. Boom! A hole tore through the metal. The red kryptonite ring on his left index finger shattered into powder.
Exhaling deeply, Clark looked at Adrian's back. "I'm sorry, Adrian. I made so many mistakes. I ran from this town, from you, from our parents. Chloe was right—I was a coward, avoiding responsibility. I thought freedom meant unrestrained indulgence, but now… I know what I truly want."
Adrian didn't turn, but a faint upward curve of his lips betrayed a trace of approval.
"If you don't leave, Clark, the police will surround you—the century's most notorious robber," Adrian said.
Clark glanced up at the circling helicopter. Then, a dark red glint in Adrian's eyes preceded a loud bang. The searchlight vanished as Adrian's Heat Vision blasted the helicopter, forcing it to retreat.
Clark exhaled, realizing Adrian's actions, though extreme, were measured and precise this time.
___
Support Me😁, uploading daily isn't easy.
Sending Powerstones count as one (And you get bonus Chapters for every 100 Powerstones sent)
Or
You can become patrons, That's the greatest form of support I can get (Which will also grant you access to chapters way ahead of web novel)
Arigato 🫣
patreon.com/Zphyr