Metropolis
Adrian studied the damaged list of superheroes who had refused to align with him, a document he had taken from Batman. His brows drew together as he examined the torn sections. Only a portion had been destroyed, yet even that was enough to obscure key details.
After a moment, he handed the list to his secretary.
Hanna stood beside him, composed and attentive. Once a member of his fan club, she had grown into her role with quiet competence. A Chinese American woman, she remained one of his most loyal supporters. Alongside others like Betty, who liked to call herself the Modern Agatha Christie Detective Queen, she had transitioned from admiration to active service within Adrian's structured administration.
All of them knew who he truly was.
Adrian had no concern about betrayal. He had already accounted for that possibility.
"Give this to Simone. Have her assign people to monitor and control everyone listed," Adrian said, his tone calm and direct.
Hanna adjusted her black rimmed glasses and nodded. As she took the document, hesitation flickered across her face. She had wanted to say something, perhaps invite him out, but when Adrian turned away, her courage faltered. The concert tickets in her hand suddenly felt heavier.
She had changed since joining him. The naive university girl was gone, replaced by someone who understood the weight of power and consequence. Still, seeing Adrian carry the burden of his decisions without ever showing relief stirred something in her. She had hoped to give him a moment of ease.
"Is there anything else?" Adrian asked without looking back.
Caught off guard, Hanna straightened. "No, nothing."
Adrian paused, then added, "Where is Betty? I have not seen her lately."
"She has been organizing documents," Hanna replied after a brief thought. "I have not seen her much either."
"I see." Adrian nodded, then dismissed the matter.
That afternoon, after finishing his work, Adrian headed to the hospital.
He pushed open the door to Martha Kent's room and immediately noticed the unexpected company. Lois Lane and Chloe Sullivan stood near the bed. Both women froze for a moment at his sudden appearance.
"Adrian," Lois said first, recovering quickly.
"Adrian, it has been a while," Chloe added, though her tone carried hesitation.
Adrian acknowledged them with a nod before turning his attention to his mother.
"Mom, how are you feeling?"
"I am fine," Martha said with a faint smile. "I told the doctor that already, but he insists I stay two more days."
"That is reasonable," Adrian replied. "Take it as time to rest."
Martha let out a soft, humorless laugh. "Rest? I thought becoming a senator would keep me busy. Instead, everything fell apart. No Senate seat, no work at the Talon, just the farm. Every day feels like the same pause."
A brief silence followed before she spoke again.
"Have you heard anything about Clark?"
Adrian hesitated for a fraction of a second, then shook his head. "No. I have people searching, but there has been nothing."
It was the truth. Clark had made sure of that.
Martha's expression dimmed. Chloe and Lois exchanged glances, both disappointed.
After a moment, Martha looked directly at Adrian. "Are you still going through with this?"
"I do not turn back," Adrian answered.
"Then tell me," she said, her voice tightening, "are you trying to rule the world? If you are using your power for your own will, and it does not make the world better, then you have already failed your father."
Adrian said nothing.
"Jonathan believed in you," she continued, stepping closer. "In both you and Clark. He believed you were meant to make this world better. That responsibility was always yours. Hardship was never meant to break you, only to shape you."
She reached for his hands, her grip firm despite her condition.
"I know you are hurting, Adrian. But this path is not protection. It is the beginning of something worse. You are meant to protect people, not control them like this."
Adrian met her gaze. For a moment, something unreadable passed through his eyes.
"This is also protection," he said quietly.
"It is not," Martha replied, shaking her head. "Your father would say the same. There are lines you cannot cross."
Adrian did not argue further.
"I will always love you, Mom," he said instead, pulling her into a brief embrace.
Then he stepped back. "I have things to attend to. I will come again."
As he turned to leave, the door opened.
Rachel hurried in, carrying a bag of fruit. The moment she saw him, her face lit up.
"Brother!"
She rushed forward and jumped into his arms. Adrian caught her easily, a faint softness appearing in his expression. He set her down gently and brushed her hair back.
"What were you doing?"
"I went to get Mom her favorite fruits," Rachel said proudly, lifting the bag. "Do you want some?"
"I will pass," Adrian said, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Take care of her. I will visit again soon."
"You are leaving already?" she asked, her excitement fading.
"Just one day. She will be home tomorrow," he said, lightly tapping her nose.
Rachel pouted but nodded. "Fine. One day."
After saying goodbye, Adrian stepped out into the hallway.
He had barely taken a few steps before Lois and Chloe followed him.
"Adrian," Lois called.
He turned slightly. "If this is about an interview, I do not have time."
Lois folded her arms. "Is that all you think we are here for? Chloe and I are your friends."
Adrian said nothing.
"You have known Chloe since school," Lois continued, her tone sharp but controlled. "Or does being in power mean you have outgrown that?"
"I have not changed how I see people," Adrian replied evenly. "If you are here as friends, I will listen. But avoid topics that lead nowhere."
Lois nodded once. "Fair enough."
Beside her, Chloe exhaled quietly, relieved that things had not escalated.
She understood both sides too well. Lois was deeply opposed to Adrian's actions, while Adrian would never bend under pressure. It was a collision waiting to happen.
Still, Lois had insisted on this conversation.
And Chloe could not ignore the strange thought lingering in her mind, one she had not fully voiced.
Lois had once mentioned dreaming about a man flying through the sky.
A man who sounded very much like Clark.