"Kara?"
Adrian paused, surprised as he sensed the unexpected presence inside Kent Farm.
Using his x-ray vision, he confirmed it. She was sitting comfortably in the living room as if she belonged there.
Kara had come to visit his family.
That was not something he expected after they had gone their separate ways at the cemetery. The timing felt deliberate, almost calculated.
Was she tracking him?
His brows tightened slightly.
"Is this true? Someone impersonated me? She said her name was Kara, looked exactly like me, and could lift a car?"
Kara sat on the sofa, speaking with Martha, while Rachel sat nearby with a book in her hands. Though Rachel appeared focused, her eyes kept drifting toward Kara.
She was alert.
There was something off about this woman. The way she spoke about Adrian lacked familiarity, and Rachel noticed it. Still, Martha seemed at ease, even trusting.
"The girl claimed to be Kara, looked exactly like you, but had a strange temperament. She even attacked Adrian and Clark."
Martha had already grown comfortable enough to recount the story.
The mysterious girl had appeared late at night, unclothed, claiming to be Kara. Adrian had let her in, but her behavior quickly turned unstable. She threatened Jonathan, which led to a confrontation with Adrian and Clark.
Kara's expression shifted with interest.
"That's… unexpected. Someone who looks exactly like me and even uses my name."
She had only ever considered the possibility of alternate versions of herself through time travel. That was manageable. This was something else entirely.
Then realization struck.
"Wait."
She stared at Martha, stunned.
"She entered the house without clothes… which means Adrian saw her?"
Martha nodded, slightly embarrassed.
"It was dark, and he gave her clothes right away."
Kara covered her face instantly.
If the woman looked identical to her, then that meant everything matched.
Her entire body had been seen.
"That idiot…"
She clenched her teeth, irritation rising just as the front door opened.
Adrian walked in casually, as if nothing had happened.
"Why are you here?"
He looked at her directly, catching the edge in her expression.
"You and Clark are my cousins. Visiting family is normal."
Kara shrugged, though her tone carried irritation she barely concealed.
"I spoke with Mrs. Kent for a while. Learned quite a bit about your childhood."
There was a hint of mockery in her voice.
"That must have been dull. I was a quiet kid."
"Hmm. That's unfortunate. Childhood memories should have something worth remembering. Otherwise, it feels like flipping through an empty album."
Kara tilted her head.
"You don't seem like the type to care about that. I figured Clark would be more sentimental."
Adrian ignored her and moved to Rachel, starting a conversation with his sister instead.
He would not give Kara the reaction she wanted, especially not in front of Martha.
"Adrian, it's been a while since we all had dinner together like this. With everyone here."
Martha spoke softly, emotion slipping into her voice.
Jonathan's absence lingered in every quiet moment.
"I saw Lionel Luthor on my way back."
Adrian's tone shifted.
"Has he been here?"
Martha hesitated.
She knew Adrian did not like Lionel. That feeling had only grown stronger over time, especially after Jonathan's death.
"Yes. He brought materials related to the state senate campaign."
She steadied herself as she spoke.
Lionel and Lois had both encouraged her to continue Jonathan's work. Running for office had been his goal, and she believed in it too. Keeping busy helped dull the grief.
Adrian considered this.
"You might need to pause that."
Martha looked at him, confused.
"Why?"
Adrian stood.
"Because I intend to shut down Congress before they shut down the government."
The room fell silent.
---
"No. I refuse."
Inside the Capitol Building in Washington, the Senate President stood at the podium, adjusting his glasses as he read from prepared remarks.
"I hereby declare, under Article One, Section One, Clause Twelve of the Constitution, that Congress is adjourned. The United States government will—"
"No."
The interruption cut through the chamber.
The Senate President turned sharply.
Green Lantern stood behind him.
"You are not authorized to be here. Leave immediately."
Hal Jordan did not move.
"Lower your voice. This is not your stage anymore."
He turned to face the assembly.
"No one here is leaving."
A wave of tension spread through the room.
The Senate President raised his hand, anger overtaking him, but before he could act, a blur crossed the room.
Barry Allen appeared, catching his arm mid-motion.
"You don't want to do that."
The President pulled back.
"What is this? A terrorist threat?"
Hal met his gaze evenly.
"No. A warning."
"You don't have the authority to dissolve this government."
"You were elected to serve people, not yourselves," Hal shot back.
"You argue endlessly while corruption spreads. Most of you represent your own interests, not the country."
His voice carried conviction shaped by years of experience.
"You don't have the right," the Speaker snapped.
"I do. I am a Green Lantern. Sector 2814. I protect this world."
The ring on his finger glowed.
Barry stepped forward slightly.
"If he enforces that authority, things will escalate fast."
The Speaker hesitated.
"What if I refuse?"
Hal exhaled.
"Then next time, it won't be me."
"What will he do?"
"I don't know. But it will be worse."
Five minutes later, the decision was reversed.
"The House resumes session. The motion to shut down the government is withdrawn."
Hal gave the Speaker a firm pat on the shoulder.
"That wasn't so difficult."
The Speaker's expression suggested otherwise.
As they exited, a woman glared at them.
"You think this ends here? You will pay for this."
Hal paused.
"I'm ready for that. You won't be around to see it."
Outside, Barry exhaled.
"This feels wrong."
Hal gave a dry smile.
"Good. That means you still care."
They stopped.
Two figures waited.
A Green Lantern hovered nearby, and beside him stood a blue-skinned elder.
"Ganthet," Hal said.
The elder stepped forward.
"Take me to Homelander."
---
Back at the farm, Adrian stepped outside after receiving the call.
The night air was still.
Under the windmill, Hal, Gardner, and Ganthet waited.
"A Guardian of the Universe."
Adrian studied him.
"We've never met."
Ganthet's voice was calm.
"I know who you are. I have watched this world. I have seen what you are doing."
"I come as an ambassador."
Adrian glanced at Hal, who avoided eye contact, then at Gardner, who watched with quiet amusement.
"And your advice?"
Ganthet met his gaze directly.
"Stop."
Adrian's expression did not change.
"Stop what?"
"Your actions. Your control over humanity."
Adrian let out a faint laugh.
"I am human."
"No. You were raised among them. That is not the same."
Silence settled between them.
"You do not belong to Earth."
Adrian nodded slightly.
"You're right."
His voice remained steady.
"Krypton is gone. Its leaders failed, and everyone died."
His eyes hardened.
"I won't allow that to happen again."
He stepped closer.
"So tell me, from the perspective of your Guardians… am I wrong?"
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