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[Raising Kids in DC] Chapter 140: So Superman Was Just a Kansas Farmer’s Dream
🕑 Added 2025-02-24 15:19:17 +0000 UTCAt that moment, Clark felt like his whole world had crumbled.
God, if John ever found out about this, he'd never hear the end of it.
Seeing Clark looking utterly dejected, his mouth shut tight as if refusing to speak, Lana's patience began to wear thin.
She reached out, pressing a hand against Clark's head, her eyes glowing an eerie shade of purple. "You've definitely seen the magic stone. Since you won't tell me where it is, I'll just have to find it myself."
As soon as she spoke, a sharp pain surged through Clark's head. It felt as if something was being forcibly shoved into his brain and violently stirred.
Clark groaned in agony, trying to break free from her control.
But under the influence of magic, even with his superhuman strength, he was utterly powerless to resist.
Using dark magic, Lana delved into Clark's memories—and soon enough, the images she sought emerged.
Clark saw them too.
Boom!
A violent explosion rocked the air as a spaceship plummeted from the sky, crashing into a farm.
Blinding light erupted alongside the blast, sending shockwaves rippling across the ground.
The explosion at the farm quickly drew the attention of Jonathan and Martha Kent.
The couple rushed to the crash site, where they found the spacecraft buried in a crater. Inside it was a baby.
Stunned, the two exchanged a look before stepping forward to lift the infant from the wreckage.
Alongside the baby lay a pure white, prism-shaped crystal.
As they took the child into their arms, they also collected the crystal.
Lana abruptly released her grip, stepping back as the memory ended.
Freed from her magical control, Clark's headache instantly vanished, and the projected images in his mind dissipated.
Already disoriented by Lana's words, Clark now felt completely dazed after witnessing the vision.
If that memory was truly his own, then it meant he had arrived on Earth in a spaceship.
Just like the murals in the Avachi tribe's caves described—he had descended amidst a rain of fire.
Did that mean… he wasn't human?
A surge of confusion and fear engulfed him.
If he wasn't from Earth, then was he an alien like the Martian Manhunter?
And if he was an alien, was that why, in the future, he would harm John and Loki… and betray his godfather?
Lana, satisfied now that she had her answer, ignored Clark's turmoil. She picked up the magic book beside her, preparing to head to the Kent farm and seize the magic stone from Jonathan and Martha.
However, just as she turned to leave—
Boom!
With a sharp sound of something piercing through the air, Peter suddenly appeared before her as if teleporting.
Startled, Lana instinctively staggered back.
But before she could react, Peter had already snatched the magic book from her hands.
Holding the book, Peter glanced at Clark, frowning. "Clark, are you okay?"
Clark, stunned to see Peter appear at such a critical moment, hesitated for a second before hurriedly responding, "I-I'm fine, Godfather."
"You—!"
Lana's voice trembled as she watched Peter effortlessly take the book from her grasp. "Are you… a sorcerer?!"
"A sorcerer? No, I don't know a thing about magic."
Peter casually flipped open the magic book, examining the illustrations of the magic stone inside before shaking his head.
"So this is why you reincarnated—to get this stone, right?"
Intimidated by Peter's presence, Lana didn't dare make a move. Instead, she nodded solemnly.
"This is what I've been searching for all my life. If I obtain this magic stone, my power will increase a thousandfold. No one will be able to stop me then!"
Her voice grew more and more frenzied. "We've pursued this stone for centuries, and now it's right there, in the Kent farm. If we work together, we can take it. With its power, we'll be able to conquer the entire world!"
"Conquer the world?"
Peter cast an unimpressed glance at the manic witch in front of him.
"You think you can conquer the world with just a single magic stone?"
Shaking his head, he added, "You really underestimate this world. Your companion doesn't even have such grand ambitions—she just wants love and wealth. Now that's what a normal girl should be chasing after."
Lana's eyes widened in disbelief.
"You… you met someone?"
"She said her name was Elizabeth Pars."
Peter's tone remained calm as he continued, "I already sent her back. Don't worry, you'll be reunited with her soon."
"You—who exactly are you?"
Lana's voice wavered as she stammered, shaken by Peter's casual revelation.
"I'm this farm boy's godfather."
As soon as the words left his lips, a divine white glow enveloped Peter's hand, and the magic book instantly burst into flames.
"No!"
Lana let out a shrill, despairing wail as she collapsed to the ground.
Feeling her soul being forcefully pulled away, her consciousness faded into darkness.
As she lost consciousness, her body crumpled forward.
With lightning speed, Peter moved in front of her and caught her before she hit the floor.
The faint scent of alcohol on her breath made him frown. Turning to Clark, who still seemed lost in thought, he asked, "Did you guys drink?"
"N-No, Godfather. The witch possessing Lana was the one who drank—I didn't touch a drop."
Clark quickly explained to Peter.
Peter asked, "Witches like whiskey too?"
After steadying his emotions, Clark thanked Peter. "Thank you, Godfather. If… if you hadn't come, she might have already gone after my parents."
"No need to thank me."
Peter then said, "Next time you're in danger, if you're outmatched, don't try to fight head-on. Just use your super speed to escape."
Clark nodded firmly. "I'll remember that, Godfather."
Just then, Lana woke up. Feeling groggy, she drowsily asked, "W-where am I?"
As she blinked her blurry eyes open, she realized she was in Peter's arms. Her face immediately turned red.
Looking down, she saw that she was wearing a dress—one she had bought but never worn, only occasionally trying it on in secret at home. Her embarrassment shot through the roof.
"Hic!"
Just as she was flustered, her body suddenly betrayed her with a hiccup. A strong whiff of alcohol surged up, clouding her mind.
Overwhelmed by the sensation, she passed out again.
Peter sighed helplessly as he looked at Lana, unconscious in his arms. He gently placed her on the sofa before turning his gaze to the mess all around him. Rubbing his slightly aching forehead, he thought to himself,
"I need to come up with a reasonable excuse for Neal."
That Night, at the Patrick Farm
Peter hung up his call with Neal.
"Godfather, what did Ms. Neal say?" Clark asked anxiously.
"I told her the farm was robbed. By the time I got there, I gave the thief a beating, but he still managed to escape. Some furniture got damaged in the process."
Clark scratched his head at Peter's somewhat believable explanation. "And… does Lana remember what happened? I mean, after she was possessed by the witch?"
"She said she doesn't remember."
"That's a relief."
Clark let out a long breath, finally feeling the weight lift from his chest.
If Lana doesn't remember, I won't have to face any awkwardness with her later.
After thinking for a moment, he hesitated before asking, "Godfather, am I really from outer space?"
Earlier, he had shared with Peter his memories of witnessing a spaceship descending.
Sitting on the sofa beside him, Peter nodded. "Yes, Clark, you came from the stars."
Clark hesitated before asking, "Are you afraid of me because I'm an alien, Godfather?"
Peter looked at him in surprise. "No, of course not. Why would you think that?"
Clark's expression darkened. "I'm afraid… What if I was sent here with some kind of mission? My dad once told me I had a purpose. But what if that purpose is something bad? What if I hurt you?"
He lowered his head, his voice heavy. "I had a dream about Apokolips… and in that dream, I caused destruction. I'm afraid that one day I might hurt you, Godfather."
"I don't want to be an alien. I don't want to be burdened with some grand responsibility."
Peter thought for a moment, then asked, "Didn't you once say you wanted to see the world? That you wanted to be a hero?"
"I don't know anymore." Clark shook his head. "But an alien can't be a hero, right? If I weren't an alien, and I saved a cat from a tree, people might see me as a hero. But if they know I'm an alien, no matter what I do, I'll never be a hero because…"
He let out a heavy sigh. "Because people will never trust an alien."
"Godfather, I don't want to be a hero. I just… I just want to be a farm boy."
Peter wasn't expecting Clark to be so conflicted about his identity. Seeing his godson's low spirits and his desire to hide away on the farm, Peter was a little surprised.
I can't let Superman go off track.
Clearing his throat, Peter tried to inspire him. "But, Clark, your godfather has a dream. A dream that only you can fulfill."
Clark blinked and looked at him. "What dream, Godfather?"
"A Superman dream."
Peter turned to Clark and traced an "S" on his chest. "Do you remember what this 'S' stands for?"
"It stands for hope, Godfather."
"That's right. Hope. Whether you're an alien or a human, whether you face betrayal or loyalty, I hope you can become a symbol of hope for many people. A symbol… a Superman. Even if that dream seems impossible."
Clark was stunned by Peter's serious tone.
After a long pause, he said solemnly, "I understand. For you, Godfather, I will fulfill your Superman dream."
Peter: "..."
Wait… so the reason Superman exists is because of my Kansas farmer dream?!
