Clark struggled to his feet, his breaths ragged and sharp pain shooting through his chest with every inhale. Dust clung to his hair and shoulders, but he pushed himself upright with sheer determination.
For weeks now, he had believed the changes in his body meant he was closing the gap between himself and Adrian. He thought his training, his gradual awakening of Kryptonian strength, was finally enough to stand at his brother's side. But after this brutal exchange, the truth was crushing.
The gap between them was still vast.
Was his power always going to fall short? Was he doomed to live in Adrian's shadow forever?
Clark's fists trembled. His faith wavered. Deep down, the fear gnawed at him—what if he really wasn't enough? What if his destiny would always be to lose?
Adrian stood across from him, calm and unreadable, his cape brushing lightly against the gymnasium floor. His eyes held the quiet confidence of someone who knew victory was already his.
"You're right, Adrian," Clark spat, his voice hoarse but firm. "I may not be smart enough, but I always know what I stand for. That's our difference."
He gripped the bent remains of the basketball hoop, muscles bulging as he tore free a long metal pole. The screech of twisting steel echoed through the gym, making Chloe and Pete—still watching through the window—flinch at the sound.
With a roar, Clark swung the pole with every ounce of strength he could summon. Air whistled as it cut forward like a spear.
Adrian's eyes flashed. Crimson beams of Heat Vision burst forth, sizzling through the air.
"Ssshhh!"
The metal pole glowed red, melting in seconds until only a jagged stump remained. Clark's strike missed its mark, but he didn't hesitate. He swung again, the shortened weapon slamming toward Adrian's head.
Adrian tilted back, narrowly avoiding the strike, but Clark's speed had changed. He wasn't the same hesitant farm boy. For the first time, he was matching Adrian's rhythm.
Clark's fist crashed into Adrian's chest. The impact boomed, sending Adrian skidding backward across the floor.
"Bang!"
The ground trembled beneath him as he landed hard, pain flaring up his back. For a brief moment, Adrian lay there, a grin spreading across his face. The sting of the blow wasn't humiliation—it was exhilarating.
He's adapting. He's finally fighting me like a Kryptonian.
If not for his Heat Vision, Clark's last strike could have taken his head clean off. Adrian chuckled under his breath as he stood. His cape settled around him like the wings of a predator.
"Very good, Clark," Adrian declared, his voice echoing through the gym. "Your anger drives you, but it blinds you. It makes you strong but stupid. That's why you'll always lose."
His eyes glimmered with a dangerous thrill. "But this… this is what I wanted. Only battles like this unlock the truth of who we are."
Then he moved.
In a blur of motion, Adrian vanished, super speed tearing across the gymnasium. Clark responded in kind, surging forward, refusing to back down.
Their fists collided with a thunderous crack, shockwaves exploding outward. Dust and shards of plaster rained down as the windows rattled in their frames. Both were thrown back, skidding across the floor.
Adrian didn't pause. He lunged forward, seizing Clark by the throat, his grip like iron. The ground cracked beneath his boots as he lifted Clark effortlessly, then slammed him down with earth-shaking force.
"Boom!"
The two brothers crashed through the wall in a storm of shattered bricks and wood. Debris exploded outward as they barreled through, leaving a gaping hole in the gymnasium.
Outside, Chloe and Pete shielded their faces from the flying dust. Pete's mouth hung open in shock.
"This is insane," he muttered, barely able to breathe. "They're fighting like gods. If my brother hit me like that, I'd be… I'd be paste."
Chloe didn't answer. Her hands gripped the window frame so tightly her knuckles were white. Her sharp sarcasm was gone, replaced by raw fear.
"We have to stop them," she whispered, though her voice wavered.
"Stop them?" Pete shot her a horrified look. "Chloe, one of their punches could turn me into a pancake. You want me to go in there?"
---
Meanwhile, at the school's grand auditorium, the homecoming dance reached its peak.
The honor society members collected ballots for the night's King and Queen, excitement buzzing in the air. The band played softly in the background while students whispered and laughed, waiting for the big announcement.
Lana Lang, radiant in her gown, sat beside Whitney, her boyfriend's hand clasped tightly in hers. Despite knowing they had a strong chance of winning, she couldn't stop the nervous tension in her chest. Her heart thudded against her ribs, and her grip tightened.
Then—
Thump!
The sudden noise echoed sharply in the hushed auditorium. Heads turned. The main door slammed shut with a force that rattled the room.
A shadowy figure stood at the entrance.
"Hey! Who are you? You trying to crash the dance?" Tommy, one of the football team's enforcers, marched forward with his usual swagger. It wasn't unusual for outsiders to try and sneak into school events. Usually, it was harmless.
But this wasn't harmless.
Before Tommy could shove the stranger, a blinding flash of light ripped through the air.
In an instant, Tommy collapsed, blood pouring from his nose, his body twitching before he crumpled to the ground.
The crowd froze. Then the screaming began.
The intruder stepped forward, finally revealing his face. Jerome.
He stood there, calm and mocking, watching the chaos unfold like a predator savoring the fear of his prey.
Students rushed for the exits, but panic turned to horror when they discovered the truth. The emergency doors wouldn't budge. Windows refused to open. Dozens of students piled against the doors, gasping for air, their voices shrill with terror.
Whitney's instincts kicked in. He grabbed Lana's hand, shoving through the terrified crowd. His football training gave him strength, but the press of bodies made every step a battle.
All around them, the scene dissolved into madness. Jackets tore, shoes slipped on the polished floor, and students screamed, trapped like animals in a cage.
Jerome simply stood at the doorway, smiling coldly as the fear thickened in the air, spreading through the room like smoke.
The night of celebration had turned into a nightmare.
---