Clark Kent followed Diana and Bruce Wayne to the Justice League.
Their appearance with him left the other members stunned.
"This is unbelievable—isn't this the same Clark Kent we've been with all this time?"
They crowded around him, looking him over from head to toe.
Aside from appearing a little younger, with less life experience showing in his face, there was hardly any difference. Their curiosity about the Clark Kent before them was overwhelming.
Questions flew from every direction.
They didn't even wait for Clark to speak before laying out evidence before him.
The strongest proof was, of course, photographs and video recordings.
"You might doubt whether these photos and videos are real. After all, in this world many things can be forged. But as Clark Kent himself, you should be able to tell the difference, right?"
Bruce Wayne stood at the front, his tone serious.
He lowered his head slightly, locking eyes with Clark.
Clark took a deep breath and nodded. "There are things I want to understand too. If that really is me, I'll know."
In chaotic Gotham, he had barely managed to endure staying for over half a month. It was his curiosity that kept him there, nagging at him every time he thought of leaving, filling him with a sense of unfinished business.
Now, at last, he had the chance to face the truth.
He flipped through the photos again and again, and replayed the videos.
Though he was certain he had never done what was shown, they were undeniably things he might have done.
If he had carried any doubts before, they were gone now.
Whatever the Justice League asked, so long as he knew the answer and it wasn't something dangerous, he responded.
Afterwards, the members told him they needed more time to think.
Clark Kent was soon escorted back to his hotel.
Lying on his bed afterward, he still found the day unbelievable.
"This world really does have some absurd things," he muttered.
But his thoughts quickly shifted.
Some things were far too unsafe to keep on his person.
If they were that dangerous, he needed to entrust them to someone reliable.
With that thought, Clark, who had been ready to rest, got up again and immediately hurried toward downtown Gotham.
His pace was swift.
But when he arrived at Lorien's clinic, frustration welled up in him.
"I've known Lorien for so many years—how could I forget today's his day off?"
He drew in a deep breath.
Resolutely, Clark pulled out his phone and called Lorien.
At that moment, Lorien was still out shopping with Gwen and Wanda.
When the call came in, he was surprised.
He and Clark had known each other for years, and Clark knew well that he never worked on holidays.
For him to call at this hour, it could only mean one thing—it had to be something serious.
Lorien paused briefly, then answered.
"Lorien, I have something—something very important. I need to leave it with you."
Clark wasted no time, stating his request as soon as the line connected.
Lorien replied, "Meet me at my place in an hour."
After ending the call, Lorien looked to Gwen and Wanda.
Both girls turned their eyes toward him.
"We've already bought nearly everything. We can head back now."
It was obvious Lorien had something important to deal with. Knowing that, they couldn't pretend otherwise.
"My meeting is in an hour. We still have time."
Lorien checked the time and smiled at them.
They glanced at their watches too, then exchanged a look and a smile. "Then let's keep shopping a little longer."
...
In space, General Zod and the officials of Earth's nations still couldn't come to terms. These people were infuriating. All they had to do was hand over one man, yet they kept circling around with excuses.
Infuriating!
"Clark Kent—just hand him over!"
Zod had never encountered a race so utterly inept at negotiation.
"We're still investigating his identity!"
"I told you—no need to investigate! He's in Gotham City!"
Faora had already passed along the critical information.
But when those officials heard "Gotham City," their expressions immediately turned strange. It was clear they were unwilling to hand him over.
Completely unsatisfactory.
But to say they were unwilling was unfair.
If they could, they'd hand him over instantly.
The only reason they kept stalling was that Gotham was a special place. Even they had to think twice before barging in to take someone.
It was far too dangerous.
"Just give us more time. We'll find a way to hand him over to you."
The officials stammered, repeating the same excuse.
"I don't want to hear more of your delays. If you won't hand him over, then we'll find him ourselves!"
As Zod watched the fear in their eyes, he cut the communication without hesitation.
Then he boarded a small ship, leading his squad toward Earth.
They needed a landing site.
With Faora waiting to receive them on Earth, that would be no problem at all.