"You seem in a good mood," Adrian said, watching Wonder Woman finish her session with Rachel. "You even had the energy to teach her swordsmanship."
"She is your sister," Diana said softly, "but sometimes I feel she's like one of my sisters from Themyscira. Teaching her feels like guiding my own. It reminds me of the past, and I enjoy it—the atmosphere, the focus, the discipline."
Adrian nodded thoughtfully.
"Rachel usually has bursts of intense interest," Diana continued. "Compared to swordsmanship, she is still more drawn to darker, deeper things. I hope her enthusiasm for this lasts a while."
"Instead of worrying about her interest fading, perhaps you should encourage her," Adrian replied with a slight smile.
Diana nodded, then started walking away. Suddenly, she paused and turned back. "When do you have time? We could spar a bit in swordsmanship."
Adrian shook his head. "I'm not particularly skilled with the sword."
"Where are you skilled, then?" Diana asked, her eyes sparkling with a challenge.
"If my opponent's speed and strength are below mine, my swordsmanship will be precise. Against someone at my level, not so much," Adrian said lightly, almost teasingly.
Diana's gaze sharpened. "And which type do you think I am?"
"For now… the former," Adrian replied bluntly.
Her expression immediately soured. "Is that so?" she said through gritted teeth, taking a deep breath. "Our sparring isn't finished, so don't get too confident yet."
Without waiting for a reply, she left, barely containing her irritation.
Once she was gone, Rika approached Adrian, reporting that all the superheroes on the list had been captured successfully.
"What should we do with them?" she asked.
"Lock them up. Anyone who resists, eliminate them immediately. No mercy," Adrian said coldly. These masked vigilantes, in his eyes, were little more than criminals interfering with order. He had no tolerance for their morality or their noble ideals.
The supervillains of Gotham were already painfully aware of his ruthlessness. Scarecrow, Two-Face, Riddler, Bane, Poison Ivy, Black Mask—every one of them was behind bars in Arkham or Blackgate, with strict consequences for any escape attempts.
A few remained at large, like Joker, who had gone into hiding since Adrian enforced strict policies. Even Harley Quinn failed to locate him. Adrian suspected Joker had left Gotham altogether—but Batman's presence kept that theory in check. Although Batman was mostly presumed dead, Adrian had yet to locate the body.
As these thoughts ran through his mind, Adrian left the room with Rika. They encountered General Sam Lane, Lois Lane's father, in the corridor.
Since Adrian had seized control from the President, Lane had been forced to align with him. Though he longed to serve the exiled government, they no longer trusted him.
"General Lane," Adrian greeted him. "Do you need something?"
Lane handed over several documents. "All command over state military forces must be centralized. We need to address adjustments to the military, especially regarding mid-level commanders. Implementing this could cause temporary unrest, so it's urgent."
"Isn't that the Department of Defense's responsibility?" Adrian asked, frowning.
"They are handling it, but you are the nominal supreme commander. You should be aware," Lane said cautiously.
Rika, seeing the discussion, excused herself and left.
"Supreme Commander," Adrian said quietly, looking at Lane's greying hair, "I hope the title isn't empty. I know some officers are still hesitant, and your loyalty is questionable." He fixed Lane with a sharp stare. "Lois Lane meets with you often—I know her intentions. Weak beings forgetting their place will face tragic consequences."
Lane said nothing, absorbing the warning. Adrian, satisfied, walked away without punishment. He needed Lane, not his approval.
"Wait," Lane called after him.
"What?" Adrian asked.
"My conversations with Lois are not political. She speaks to me as a friend, for you and Clark," Lane said earnestly.
"A friend?" Adrian's frown deepened. "I don't recall our relationship being that close."
"Yes, but it wasn't as bad as it is now," Lane replied. "She's not opposing you—she's concerned. Rules exist, annoying as they may be. They must be respected."
"No," Adrian said sharply. "I am not destroying. I am allowing rebirth. If I despise your rules, why should I follow them? Change is natural for me, an outsider in your eyes."
He paused, then added, "Remember your place. You are not my elder. Do not present these 'foolish' ideas as guidance."
With that, he left, ignoring Lane's grim expression.
Exiting Metropolis City Hall, Adrian walked the dark streets toward the farm in Smallville. It had been too long since his last visit, and he missed it.
Suddenly, he spotted a group of bikers robbing a pedestrian's handbag. The woman had been caught off guard, falling hard to the ground. The bikers sped away, careless of her plight.
"Hey!" a voice shouted.
Before the bikers could react, a figure in red and gold appeared in front of them, chest emblazoned with a lightning bolt.
Their mouths hung open as the figure raised his fist and struck with incredible force. The lead biker was thrown from his motorcycle, landing heavily on the pavement.
"You're unlucky to run into me," the hero said.
The superhero handing the bag back to the woman was Shazam.
Having just arrived in Metropolis, he couldn't ignore the crime unfolding in front of him.
As he prepared to leave, a figure stood in the street, silently watching. At first, he assumed it was a stranger, but then recognition hit him.
"Homelander," Shazam said eagerly, stepping forward. "You're Homelander, right?"
"You're Shazam?" Adrian replied, uncertain.
"You know me?!" Shazam exclaimed in surprise.
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