DC: Starting With Homelander As My Child!

Clark couldn't help but look at the other with a hint of regret, apologizing softly.

This single sentence felt like lighting the fuse to a bomb.

A dull sound echoed as the parasitic demon, having absorbed excessive energy, became surrounded by erratic arcs of electricity and gradually began to crystallize.

Finally, the creature cast a hopeless glance at Clark, then let out a furious roar and exploded on the spot!

The blinding white light illuminated the entire night.

At the moment of the explosion, Peter used his super speed to move in front of Clark, pulling him close and shielding him.

The shockwave from the explosion rippled through the surroundings.

Boom!

The parasitic demon's body disintegrated into dust along with the violent blast.

For a moment, Azu stared blankly at the purple particles drifting in the air, muttering, "Did we... win?"

Ignoring the pain and the burning sensation on his body, Peter looked down and asked Clark, "Clark, are you okay?!"

Clark nodded, slightly uneasy. "I'm fine. Did it die, Godfather?"

Peter, his expression complex, gently patted Clark's head and said, "Yes, it's dead."

This kid really was fearless, using such a dangerous method to deal with the parasitic demon—and he actually succeeded!

If the parasitic demon hadn't tried to drain his life force, things could have turned out very differently.

Honestly, this kid has a bit of a protagonist's luck.

"You shouldn't have been so reckless, Clark. That was really dangerous."

"I-I know, Godfather."

Clark realized that his actions had been a bit risky.

But when he saw the parasitic demon about to attack his injured godfather, he felt as though he'd been thrown back into the dark, freezing waters of the Smallville River.

In his mind, cold, dreadful hands were dragging him forward, pulling him down.

To escape that drowning feeling, he acted instinctively.

Feeling a bit guilty, Clark apologized to Peter, "I'm sorry, Godfather, I shouldn't have been so impulsive."

"No, don't apologize, Clark!"

Peter immediately reassured him, "Though it was impulsive, Clark, you did great!"

Cough, cough.

As Peter was speaking to Clark, the Martian Manhunter coughed as he stood up, saying, "Thank you, Mr. Podrick, Clark, and John. Your courage and wisdom saved me."

If it weren't for the three of them, he thought he might not have made it.

Curious, Azu asked, "Mr. Jones, are you really a federal detective?"

Currently disguised as the Black man, John Jones, the Martian Manhunter didn't quite look like a typical federal agent.

"Actually…"

The Martian Manhunter's skin gradually shifted from human to a green hue.

In his true form, he introduced himself, "I am not from Earth. I am the last Martian, and my true name is J'onn J'onzz."

Clark and Azu stared in shock at the green-skinned being, even more stunned to hear he was the last of his kind.

Peter, hearing the introduction, fell into deep thought.

This guy had powers similar to Clark and Azu, and he seemed trustworthy.

If he could convince him to work at the farm as a sort of guardian, J'onn could protect Azu and Clark and even train them in their powers. Plus, in his disguise, he could help with the farm work if things got busy.

Peter's gaze toward the Martian Manhunter filled with hope.

But how could he persuade this guy to become the farm's guardian?

The next morning...

Because of what happened with the parasitic alien, Peter gave Clark and Azu the day off to rest at home.

Clark sat watching TV absentmindedly as Azu placed a bowl of popcorn in front of him.

"Where's Godfather?"

Not very interested in the popcorn, Clark looked up at Azu.

"Dad said he was off to hire a caretaker, although I don't think we really need one."

Azu shrugged, munching on some popcorn as he said, "You seem a little down."

Clark's small face looked troubled. "A little. After all, yesterday, I killed something."

"He wasn't human; he was an alien. Aliens don't count as people."

Azu shared his perspective with Clark. "Don't worry, Clark, you're not a bad kid."

Clark glanced at a TV program about Hawaiian volcanoes and nodded, "Thank..? You know... I don't want to be a bad kid."

Azu put down his popcorn. "Nobody likes being the bad kid. Dad once said, bad kids are like bad apples—people won't let them grow."

"If people think you're going to turn into a 'bad apple,' they'll be planning to cut you down before you even bear fruit. That's what Dad said... it's a metaphor, you know? They think that if you grow up and become someone harmful, they'll destroy you."

Azu repeated his dad's warning about becoming a "bad kid."

Clark asked in surprise, "Is that true?"

I wouldn't know, Azu thought.

But he answered seriously, "Of course, but don't worry—if you don't want to become that, you won't. Destiny's script is never written in advance."

Thinking back on his father's words, he said, "Dad says life always leaves us a choice unless we truly give up. You can shape your own fate."

"Yeah. I want to be a good kid."

"Then be a good kid."

"Will you help me?"

Azu patted his chest, "Of course. I'll help you so you don't become a 'bad egg'."

"Thank you." Clark sincerely thanked Azu.

Not used to such earnest gratitude, Azu stammered, "Uh… Cla-rk, th-ank you for saving me and Dad. If you hadn't forced that parasite to explode, Dad and I might've been in real danger."

Just as the two were discussing being "good kids and bad kids," the door creaked open.

A black man in sunglasses entered.

Clark and Azu stared at John Jones standing at the door.

The Martian Manhunter, holding a suitcase, took off his sunglasses and greeted them, "Good morning, John, Clark."

"Mr. Jones?!"

Azu looked at him in surprise, "Are you… here to work at the farm?"

The Martian Manhunter's expression froze, his good mood abruptly vanishing.

What a cheeky kid!