Chapter 63: There is No Such Thing as Homelander, Just a Kansas Farmer's Dream

Smoville Salon Club.

Peter sat with the farmers, listening to the mayor recount the news regarding the wildfire.

Upon receiving Jonathan's call, he had rushed directly to the scene.

"The Governor has already declared a state of emergency, mobilizing all forces to extinguish the fire and protect the lives and property of our citizens. Currently, more than 500 firefighters have been deployed to the front lines, along with four large fixed-wing firefighting aircraft dropping chemical retardants over the fire zone."

However...

The mayor's tone suddenly shifted. "The weather remains the critical factor going forward. The entire state of Kansas is gripped by record-breaking temperatures, and shifting wind patterns are compounding the difficulties of containment."

The mayor glanced around the gathered crowd. "Therefore—for everyone's safety, it is strongly advised that you evacuate before noon tomorrow."

Upon hearing the mayor's call for evacuation, the people below immediately broke into low murmurs of discussion.

Jonathan listened to the mayor's address with a deeply furrowed brow.

The recent livestock attacks had already dealt heavy losses to the farms, and now, if the wildfire were to encroach upon Smoville...

"Don't worry, Jonathan."

Peter offered a reassuring look to the preoccupied Jonathan. "The fire may not necessarily spread all the way here."

Jonathan nodded slightly. "Yes, let's hope things don't get that bad."

After exchanging a few more words, Peter directed his gaze toward the club's television set.

The screen was broadcasting live footage of the raging wildfire.

In a fleeting instant, Peter caught a glimpse of a human figure flashing past within the flames.

A person completely engulfed by fire, moving freely amidst the raging blaze.

Staring at the television screen, Peter paused for a moment before a thoughtful expression settled over his features.

***

Meanwhile, at Smoville Elementary School.

In the principal's office, the Martian Manhunter removed his hat and shook hands with Vice Principal Henry Greller.

As the vice principal, Henry Greller's primary responsibility was maintaining school discipline.

Whenever he reprimanded students, he always attempted to project the image of a lovable John Wayne, though with limited success.

(John Wayne: A motion picture actor renowned for portraying tough guys in Westerns and war films.)

"John Jones, I am Peter Patrick's butler."

The Martian Manhunter explained that due to Peter's absence, he was attending the school in the capacity of a guardian to address the matter concerning John.

Henry blinked in surprise as he looked at the distinguished-looking Black gentleman standing before him.

With a slight cough, he said to the Martian Manhunter, "Peter Patrick used to be one of my students. I remember now."

He offered an apologetic smile from behind his desk. "There are simply too many students. After four or five years, they all start to blur together; you end up calling a boy by his older brother's name, and so on—it's inevitable."

"Indeed so, Mr. Greller."

The Martian Manhunter nodded in agreement.

Just as the vice principal was beginning to recount the altercation between John and Whitney, the door was shoved open roughly, and Whitney's father strode in aggressively.

Harrison, dressed in a tailored brown Savile Row suit, offered a brief nod to the vice principal before turning an unceremonious gaze upon the Martian Manhunter. "Are you John Patrick's guardian?"

The Martian Manhunter replied with an unperturbed expression, "I am his butler."

"Good. I am quite busy and have to appear in court in fifty minutes, so let's get straight to the point."

Harrison, a professional attorney, spoke with undisguised impatience. "John viciously assaulted my son and subjected him to verbal abuse. I demand a public apology from John to my son, and the school must administer appropriate disciplinary action."

The Martian Manhunter glanced sideways at the astonished vice principal, his expression remaining entirely calm.

"To my knowledge, Mr. Harrison, your son has been given after-school detention seventy-four times—twelve of which were for bullying outcast students—and he has skipped fifty-one of those detentions."

The Martian Manhunter dropped a revelation that left Harrison stunned.

"On one occasion, he was suspended for placing a firecracker inside a young girl's shoe. A little girl named Irma Swope nearly lost two toes because of that petty prank, and Miss Swope happens to have a cleft lip."

As he mentioned the girl's cleft lip, his tone chilled with frost. "Mr. Harrison, you clearly fail to realize that the law you hold in such high regard protects your son just as much as it protects John. The moment you file for an apology and compensation on the grounds of physical and verbal abuse, then..."

"I trust the school will likewise file a claim for damages against Whitney on the exact same grounds."

With that, he directed his gaze toward the vice principal. "Am I correct, Mr. Greller?"

The vice principal swallowed hard, staring in utter shock at the Martian Manhunter before him.

Though his mind was spinning in confusion, he quickly regained his composure.

Realizing that the Martian Manhunter had seized the upper hand, he immediately put on a stern and professional facade, turning to Harrison. "I believe Mr. Jones is entirely correct."

"You... you people!"

Harrison's mouth hung open as he glared at the Martian Manhunter. "You won't get away with using such despicable tactics to escape punishment, you—!"

Swallowing back the angry words hovering on his lips, he hesitated, knowing full well he could gain no advantage against this imposing Black man. With a final disgruntled glare, he stalked out of the room.

***

John soon learned of how the Martian Manhunter had thoroughly dismantled Whitney's father inside the office.

This greatly improved his impression of the family butler.

The following day, as the family packed their belongings to head to Metropolis to temporarily escape the wildfire, John covertly approached the Martian Manhunter to express his gratitude.

"Thank you, Mr. Jones."

"Your powers should not be used for such trivial matters, John. I am teaching you to discover your true potential, not using it as an excuse for petty retaliation," the Martian Manhunter said as he packed his luggage. "You should follow Clark's example and exercise restraint with your abilities."

John scratched his head, putting on an utterly innocent expression. "I didn't mean to, Mr. Jones."

As the two were speaking, Peter walked over and asked, "How is it? Are your things packed?"

"All set."

John quickly shot a meaningful glance at the Martian Manhunter, silently pleading with him to keep his secret.

Observing John's expression, the Martian Manhunter was left somewhat speechless.

*You're still hoping to keep it a secret when your father has known all along.*

Peter patted John on the shoulder and said, "Check and make sure you haven't forgotten anything. We might be staying away for quite a while before we can come back."

"Dad."

John looked around the room with a melancholic gaze. "Will we... will we ever come back?"

Peter ruffled his hair gently. "Of course we will. This is our home. We're simply going to stay in Metropolis for a little while. Don't you like the big city?"

"No, I just... Dad, I just want to stay on the farm and be a Kansas farmer, protecting the farm and protecting you."

"Oh? Didn't you used to say you wanted to be a superhero, John? Don't you want that anymore?"

"No. Superheroes aren't real. I think... Dad, it's just a dream that a lot of people share."