In the school newspaper office of The Torch, Chloe was holding a cup of coffee as she spoke to Clark.
"I did some digging. Each of these incidents, including the one involving the baseball coach, has involved a conflict with Dana Brooks. Most recently, Coach Chandler benched her after she slapped someone in a confrontation. I heard that Mr. and Mrs. Brooks had a huge argument with Coach Chandler over this."
"It seems like they've been unhappy with the baseball team's coaches for a while," Clark noted.
Chloe shared the information she had gathered with Clark.
Clark had no activities this afternoon and spent most of his time in the newspaper office.
After hearing what Chloe said, he put down the newspaper in his hand. "So, did you mention this to the police?"
"No." Chloe shook her head. "You know, it's hard to explain something that's just a hunch without any real proof. We'd need solid evidence, and I'm just a small-time reporter, not a detective or the police."
"A reporter aiming for the Pulitzer Prize?" Clark said with a smile, holding up the newspaper.
"Clark, you're always so supportive and understanding."
Chloe put on a mock look of disappointment. "If only Principal Morris supported me the way you do."
"Oh, and I have an important lead for you, Clark. If you're interested, I, the future Pulitzer Prize winner and currently 'reflecting' under the principal's orders, can share it with you for free."
"What's that?"
"It's that Mr. and Mrs. Brooks recently moved here from Blue Valley. They're known among their neighbors for being very strict with their daughter."
"Maybe I can help investigate Mr. and Mrs. Brooks," Clark offered, thinking his super hearing and vision made surveillance and investigation far easier.
"Alright, but I don't have a budget to pay for your reporting or investigation fees," Chloe said, shrugging. "I'm broke."
"Then just treat me to coffee at Talon next time," Clark suggested as a discount offer.
"OK, deal."
Chloe agreed, though her mood shifted slightly.
"It's for Lana, isn't it?!" she muttered unhappily under her breath.
"So, this is the town where Superman and Homelander live?" Green Lantern said, surveying the small-town streets and the sparse people passing by. He was speaking to Diana and Kara.
"Yes, this is Smallville. In fact, this is my first time seeing it in this era," Kara replied with a shrug.
"Mm-hmm, it looks peaceful and quiet. If I had to pick a retirement spot, this would be it," Hal said, taking a deep breath and relaxing.
"You're planning to retire?" Kara asked, surprised.
"It's an odd question. I see myself more as an intergalactic cop than a superhero. And like any cop, there'll come a time to retire, right?"
Kara thought about it, nodded, then realized, "But intergalactic cops live longer than Earth cops. Even when it's time to retire from a normal cop's career, you'd still be roaming the universe, wouldn't you?"
"'Roaming' is a good word for it," Hal said, showing his ring. "The Green Lantern Corps is all about wandering the cosmos, drifting indefinitely, regardless of fame or solitude. Today, I'm glad someone finally gets that."
He joked, "It seems people understand the concept of 'cosmic cop' better than that of 'superhero.'"
"Uh…"
Kara pondered a moment and decided that if she could avoid talking to him, she would.
The three of them passed through a farmer's market, crowded with people buying produce.
"Though I'm amazed that you two know Superman and Homelander's real identities, if we encounter them, how do we deal with them?" Hal asked idly after a while.
"We're not here to confront them, Lantern," Diana, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "We're here to try and change something."
"But I recall Batman only sent us to retrieve an item, not to change the future," Hal said seriously to Wonder Woman. "The Flash warned us that attempting to change history would bring resistance from fate itself. A small act, amplified by time and linked to other events, could alter everything, a law we mustn't cross."
"I understand, Lantern," Diana replied, gazing at the busy market crowd.
"I'm not trying to change history, but I believe the particle accelerator—or fate itself—brought us here to do something. Our future won't change; it's already set in stone. But maybe if we do something, this timeline's future will be better."
"We're part of history now," Diana explained. "That's how I see it."
"But that sounds like the exact opposite of Flash's theory. Our future won't change, but we might create an alternate world branching from this moment. That's why I think my mother was wise; she warned me about time matters."
Hal shrugged. "So I left her on the night before my coming of age, because she told me I wouldn't have a future until I came of age. I figure, if destiny has its plan, why not go with it?"
Diana fell silent, her tone serious as she replied, "I once stood in the river of time and felt the prophecies of fate, but in the end, I usually am the one who defies fate."
"Hey, maybe we should put this on hold for now. I see someone I recognize," Kara suddenly interrupted them.
The two followed Kara's gaze and saw a couple selling produce at a stall.
"Is that…?"
Diana's brow furrowed.
"Yes, it's Superman's father and mother. Honestly, this is the first time I've seen them like this," Kara admitted, unsure whether to greet them, but Jonathan spotted her immediately.
"That's Kara!" Jonathan said, taking a deep breath and whispering to his wife, who was arranging produce.
"?"
Martha straightened up, looking toward where her husband pointed and quickly spotted Kara between Green Lantern and Wonder Woman.
"How could this be? Why is she here?!" Martha looked more shocked than Jonathan.
She had recently seen Eric defeat Kara, her body vanishing in a beam of light, yet now here she was at the market.
"Don't worry. I don't think she'll start a fight here. Martha, go back to the farm and tell Eric and Clark that Kara has reappeared. I'll keep her busy."
Though he didn't think Kara would cause trouble in public, Jonathan wasn't fully trusting of her.
"No!" Martha held his hand firmly. "We're going back together. I'm not leaving you here alone."
"Martha, you're pregnant. Her target isn't me; it's Clark and Eric. I'll be fine," Jonathan reassured her while nudging her to leave.
"I don't know what's going on, but have we met before?" Kara approached, looking at the two in confusion.
"I don't know what you're trying to pull, but Clark won't go with you," Jonathan retorted firmly. "And I'll never betray my son. He has his own life, and no one can decide his future. Not even his so-called biological father. If you think you can threaten me, make Clark and Eric submit, well, you're mistaken!"
"We've called the police. If you don't want more trouble, leave," Martha added resolutely.
"So, you really despise me?" Kara asked.
"It's not hatred. It's a stance," Jonathan replied sternly, meeting her gaze.
"Fine, maybe there's been a misunderstanding. I've always respected you both, Mr. and Mrs. Kent," Kara said, trying to explain despite her growing frustration at their hostility.
"I don't think we have anything to talk about," Jonathan cut her off.
Kara sighed and returned, defeated, to her two companions.
"I thought you said the Kents liked you," Hal teased.
"I don't know. I'm talking about the future," Kara replied, dejected.
"Maybe they're just naturally wary of a big sister who could be a bad influence on her brothers," Kara reasoned, holding her ground.
"I remember that at this time, Homelander hasn't obtained the staff yet. If we find Stargirl first, maybe we can help her protect it," Diana suggested.
"Can I ask why you know so much about Homelander's past?" Kara asked, curious.
"As Justice League's number one enemy, wouldn't I know his details?" Wonder Woman wrapped her cloak around herself and turned to leave the market.
"Stargirl's hometown is Blue Valley, a distance from here. If we're going on foot, we'd better get moving instead of standing around."
"…?"
Watching her walk away, Kara was puzzled, but continued on with her.
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