Many prisoners surged toward Adrian.
The first man lunged at him, and Adrian casually tore a metal rod from an iron gate, swinging it hard at the man's jaw.
Bang!
The impact sent flesh and blood flying. The prisoner crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
Adrian could have ended this instantly with Heat Vision, but he restrained himself. This was a police station, and too many witnesses were around.
He walked through the corridor, surveying the chaos: frenzied prisoners with wild, bloodthirsty eyes. Shaking his head, he approached the bald man who had insulted him earlier. Lifting him like a predator with ease, he stared into the man's panicked eyes.
"I'm curious," Adrian said, voice cold, "what crime did you commit?"
"Rape!" the man gasped in pain.
Adrian twisted the man's neck before he could finish. "I don't have the patience to listen." He dropped the body to the floor.
Using Super Vision, Adrian spotted another prisoner who had spat at him earlier.
Thud!
Super Speed carried him forward. He grabbed the man's jaw, slamming him into the ground. The prisoner's spine cracked audibly, blood gushing from his mouth. Adrian lifted him by the jaw, a look of terror frozen on his face, and threw him violently into the crowd. The impact rendered him unconscious.
A third assailant tried to ambush Adrian. One punch sent him into the metal grate door, blood spilling from his mouth.
Then Adrian became a blur, moving like a gust of wind. Black streaks of light cut through the frenzied prisoners. Bang! Bang! Bang!
Bodies flew, screams echoed, blood splattering onto Adrian like rain. Though he didn't kill them, every one of these men would be out of commission for months.
The chaos spilled beyond the detention area. Police, alerted by the noise, rushed in. Seeing cell doors wide open and prisoners attacking each other, they realized a riot had erupted.
Though the station wasn't a prison, the detainees were numerous and dangerous. Backup was called from the Smallville Police Department. With superior numbers and firepower, the officers quickly subdued the rioters. The blood-soaked, half-hour chaos came under control.
Amanda Waller arrived shortly after, her eyes scanning the carnage.
"What happened?" she demanded, out of breath, to Nancy.
"Nothing," Nancy replied perfunctorily, "just some unexpected events. Resolved."
Amanda's gaze swept the bloodied corridor. "Take me to Adrian Kent."
She followed Nancy cautiously, avoiding the walls and focusing on the officer's back. Blood scents assaulted her senses, but she pressed on.
In his cell, Adrian stood shirtless, the remnants of the riot dissipated. His shirt had burned to ashes. He glanced up at Amanda.
"Did you do this?" she asked, gesturing to the prisoners carried out by medical staff.
"No," Adrian replied, calm. "They went mad on their own."
Amanda frowned. "Then why can you remain calm?"
"Because I am different." Adrian stepped closer to the iron bars, muscles taut, eyes glowing a dark red. "I see what others cannot—the shadows, the hidden threats. I know things you don't. For instance, your name is Amanda Waller, and you came here under the orders of Lois Lane's father."
Amanda's face registered shock. "You—"
Adrian's eyes flashed dark red. "This is not your place. Leave, or you'll face what you cannot handle."
Amanda suppressed her unease, taking a step back. "No one can stop me," she said.
"Whatever," Adrian muttered, turning his back to her. Amanda's gaze lingered a moment longer before she left, confusion and questions swirling in her mind.
The next morning, Nancy handled the aftermath of the prison riot when two uninvited guests appeared: Lex Luthor and Clark Kent.
"Lex and Clark together in Smallville?" Nancy muttered.
Lex smiled faintly. "Perhaps relationships are determined more by personal connection than status."
Nancy tilted her head. "Perhaps, though I doubt Mr. Luthor would abandon interest for feelings. Let's get to the point: Adrian cannot be released yet."
"He's not guilty," Clark said, stepping forward. "You don't understand the full story."
"Then make me understand!" Nancy's gaze burned into him.
Clark argued, "Even if it was self-defense, Bill was a threat to Lana."
"Justice isn't yours to decide, Mr. Kent," Nancy shot back, "it's the law's."
Lex interrupted. "Leave it to me." Clark nodded.
Lex stepped forward, addressing Nancy. "We respect the law, but fairness has been distorted by humans. Good people don't need it, bad people won't be disciplined by it. This isn't about debate—I have an application here, a bail order signed by your superior. If needed, Metropolis' top lawyers will explain it."
Nancy considered the document, frowning. "This is Smallville, Mr. Luthor. Remember that."
"Of course. May we take him now?" Lex asked, placing the paper down.
Ten minutes later, Adrian's cell door opened. Shirtless, he walked the corridor, muscles taut, past Lex and Clark. Lex handed him a trench coat.
"I heard you caused quite a stir last night," Lex remarked.
Adrian put on the coat. "No. It wasn't me. Devourer of Heaven's chaos gave me insight into what he truly is. That trip wasn't without gains."
Outside, a tall woman in a gray-black wool coat removed her sunglasses: Wonder Woman.
"Good, Adrian. I thought I'd have to break you out myself."
===
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