"Gulp…"
Pete swallowed hard, his wide eyes fixed on the two brothers locked in brutal combat.
"Who do you think's going to win this time?" he whispered, voice trembling with both awe and fear.
Chloe kept a steady hand on his shoulder, concern etched on her face.
"You really don't need to go to the hospital, Pete?"
Pete gave a weak grin. "Nah… You only see something like this once in a lifetime. I'll hang on."
A few feet away, Lana stood frozen, her gaze torn between admiration and dread. Despite watching Adrian overpower Clark moments ago, worry still shadowed her expression.
"Ugh!"
Clark gritted his teeth, fury burning in his eyes. As his strength faltered under Adrian's, he lunged forward, slamming his head into Adrian's skull with a loud crack.
Bang!
Adrian staggered back, dazed for a split second. Then anger flared inside him like a storm. Gripping Clark's fist, he rose slowly—his boots lifting off the ground until he hovered midair.
With cold fury, Adrian dove down, delivering a savage headbutt.
Boom!
The impact rippled outward like an invisible shockwave. Clark's body hit the ground with a thunderous crash, cracking the earth beneath him as dust burst into the air.
He lay still, gasping for breath, barely conscious.
Lana exhaled shakily, both relieved and unnerved.
That fight had shaken her to her core—seeing Clark like this… and seeing Adrian like that.
Adrian landed lightly, standing over his fallen brother. His tone was calm, but every word cut like a blade.
"Clark, you're wrong. You're the angrier one. When you're furious, you try to dominate your opponent, but you can't let your fear show through it. You may not look like the usual Clark right now, but I can still smell your fear."
He leaned forward slightly. "You reek of weakness."
Then he turned, walking toward Jonathan.
"Adrian!"
Jonathan, supported by Jessica Brooks, clutched his side and shouted, "Destroy the red kryptonite ring on Clark's hand!"
Adrian stopped and looked down at Clark's hand. Sure enough, a crimson ring gleamed on his brother's finger.
"Red kryptonite…" Adrian murmured.
He remembered enough from stories and his own knowledge—each color had its curse.
Green weakened Kryptonians.
Gold stripped away their powers.
And red… red made them reckless, immoral, dangerous.
Was that why Clark had changed so drastically?
Adrian crouched, reaching for the ring—but Clark's eyes snapped open.
With startling speed, Clark hurled a lead box straight at Adrian.
Adrian's X-ray vision pierced the metal instantly. Inside—green kryptonite.
A trap.
A cold smile touched his lips. "You really think that'll work?"
He caught the box—and the next instant, it exploded in his hand.
BOOM!
Green dust burst outward, filling the air in a glowing haze.
Clark bolted, escaping the toxic cloud.
"Adrian!"
Jonathan's voice broke with panic as the green radiation swirled around his younger son. Rage flashed across his face.
"Clark, you sour radish bastard!"
Ignoring his own injuries, Jonathan ripped off his jacket to shield his face and rushed toward the cloud—but Clark blocked his path.
Clark's clothes were torn, his breathing heavy, but his eyes gleamed with manic triumph.
"It looks like I've finally won this little war—freedom versus control."
He sneered, voice trembling with resentment.
"Do you know how I feel right now? Not excited. Not proud. Just vindicated. I proved your favorite son isn't untouchable. Your pride in him was worthless."
Jonathan's expression darkened. "How dare you treat your brother that way?!"
"Why not?" Clark snapped. "You were ready to use green kryptonite against me first, weren't you? I'm just returning the favor."
"Move, Clark!" Jonathan growled. "You know what that stuff does to your brother!"
Clark's grin twisted. "And what if I don't?"
His gaze shifted toward Jessica and her father. "All I care about is what's mine—and stopping Adrian from standing up again. Anyone who gets in my way is the enemy."
Jessica felt a chill crawl down her spine. Supporting her father, she backed away quickly.
Clark didn't follow. He smirked. "Go ahead. A mile? Maybe two? It won't matter."
Lana suddenly stepped forward, voice trembling but firm.
"I'll stop you, Clark!"
Clark's head snapped toward her. Chloe and Pete joined her side, defiant.
"We'll all stop you," Chloe said.
Clark's jaw clenched. "Good. Try."
But before he could move—
a sharp whistle cut through the air.
Adrian dropped from above like a meteor.
THUD!
The ground cracked beneath his boots as he landed, his fist already flying. The blow sent Clark skidding backward, his body bouncing off the earth like a ragdoll.
The dust settled.
Jonathan blinked, stunned—then relief flooded his face.
"Adrian!" he gasped, gripping his son's hand. "How are you? You—"
"I got out before the dust fully spread," Adrian said calmly. "Inhaled a bit, but nothing serious."
Of course, the truth was different. Kryptonite didn't harm him, not like it did Clark.
But for now, he'd keep that secret.
Lana took a step forward, words dying on her lips. Her eyes softened as she watched him turn back to face Clark.
Adrian's expression was unreadable, his voice cold and steady.
"This ends now."
_____
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