The sudden voice of a middle-aged woman outside the barn startled all the Transformers.
They instantly transformed back into their vehicle forms.
John pressed a hand to his chest, took a few deep breaths, and then walked toward the barn door with Teddy beside him.
Peeking out, they saw a middle-aged couple in their fifties standing outside.
"It really is you two. Jonathan was worried you weren't home and thought someone might've broken into your barn, so we came to check," the woman said, patting her husband's arm playfully.
"After all, John's the only heir of the Eagle family. As neighbors, it's only right we look out for him." Jonathan patted John's shoulder. "We country folks are different from those city people. Around here, neighbors are like family."
"Thank you, Jonathan, Martha." John smiled and nodded. "When I wasn't home before, it was thanks to you two for looking after the farm."
"It was nothing," Jonathan said, slinging an arm over John's shoulder. "You talk like the farm was in good shape when you and Teddy were here."
"Hey! Jonathan! It's one thing to insult John, but why drag me into it?" Teddy jumped up, waving his short arms angrily. "With arms and legs this short, how am I supposed to operate a combine harvester?"
"Hahaha! Whose fault is that?" Jonathan laughed, catching the jumping bear and hugging him tightly. "You've been this small since you were a kid!"
"Do you hear yourself? Are those human words? I'm a Teddy Bear! Made of cloth and cotton!"
"You weren't made of cloth when you were eating and smoking weed!"
Jonathan finally let go, and the group shared a few more minutes of warm small talk.
"But from now on, you and Martha won't have to worry about strangers hanging around here." John shrugged with a wry smile. "Teddy and I decided to move back. The city just isn't for us."
"Yeah, I can't even smoke weed in peace in the city," Teddy added quickly. "There's always some punk trying to sell me stronger stuff. Damn it, I just want a puff, not a full-on drug deal."
Jonathan and Martha exchanged surprised looks.
"Are you serious?"
"It's true. We already canceled our rental," John said, spreading his hands. "Man, what can I say?"
"It's good to have you back, really good."
Martha's eyes reddened a little.
To her, John and Teddy were like family. John's parents had gone missing when he was young, and his grandparents had passed away early.
He'd basically grown up under the Kents' care. Before heading off to college, John had spent his childhood on the Kent family farm.
"Alright, enough crying in front of the kid," Jonathan said, comforting Martha. Then he turned to John. "Since you're back, don't forget to come over for dinner tomorrow night. Clark's bringing his girlfriend home."
"Clark got a girlfriend?"
"Yeah. Heard she's a colleague from the Daily Planet."
"Alright then, I'll bring Teddy over."
Jonathan smiled, patting their shoulders in approval before leaving with his wife.
After watching them go, John and Teddy both wiped the sweat off their foreheads.
"Good thing we kept the barn door closed," Teddy said, pointing behind them. "If Martha had seen what's inside, she'd have had a heart attack—even if she didn't already have one."
"Alright, go inside and tell them the alarm's been lifted."
"What about you?"
"Nonsense! I'm going to buy some gifts," John said, walking toward the road with his hands in his pockets. "Clark's our Iron Fist, remember? This is the first time he's bringing a girlfriend home. We can't show up empty-handed and embarrass him."
"Then wait for Bumblebee! This is Smallville, not New York or Washington! You're not walking there on foot!"
...
FBI Academy, Communications Department.
Dante walked straight in with Lucifer and Chloe.
This used to be the weakest department in the Academy, but after absorbing Rising Tide's core members and recruiting elite communication experts, it had become one of the central intelligence links in the entire U.S. Bureau network.
The Agent in charge of the department immediately stepped forward when she saw Dante.
"Officer! FBI Level 4 Agent Felicity Smoak, codename 'Shadow,' reporting!"
"Felicity? I remember—you joined the Bureau through external recruitment, right?"
"Yes. I was originally Head of Cybersecurity at Queen Consolidated."
Dante nodded.
Half of the Bureau's external hires came from major corporations. After all, big companies produced talent far more reliably than random applicants.
Felicity here was proof.
She'd earned her position as head of Communications purely through ability—she'd even defeated Skye in a hacker duel.
"But speaking of which," Dante said, smirking, "you and Oliver… you're dating, right?"
"Uh, yes," Felicity said quickly. "But I can assure you, our relationship won't affect our work."
"I'm not saying that." Dante chuckled. "I'm just saying, if you plan to get married, don't forget to submit the joint report. The Bureau gives a whole month of paid marriage leave."
He teased lightly, then switched gears.
"Not long ago, I asked the Communications Department to put a chip collar on that Teddy Bear. You know about that, right?"
"Of course. And that's what I wanted to report to you." Felicity's expression turned uneasy. "The tracking chip on that Teddy Bear overloaded and self-destructed."
"Oh? That bear's got some nerve?"
Dante's eyes widened.
Good grief, has this punk never been hit by the Iron Fist of law enforcement?
At that moment, Lucifer, ever relaxed, walked over from the lounge holding two cups of coffee.
He knew Chloe wouldn't drink any, so he handed one to Dante.
Dante didn't think much of it and took a sip.
Just then, Felicity added, "But before the overload, the last transmitted data showed their location. Kansas. A small town called Smallville."
"Pfft!"
"Cough! Cough! What? Where did that stupid bear show up?"
The moment Dante heard the name, he spat out his coffee.
"Lucifer… I swear, I want to stab you twice with the All Father's Sword of Judgment right now."
Lucifer wiped the coffee off his face and sighed.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)