Chapter 43: Azu's Dream

Azu puffed out his cheeks nervously and then exhaled slowly, like a "big mushroom releasing spores."

"Da-Dad?"

Turning around, Azu saw Peter's darkened face and immediately realized he was in big trouble.

"John Podrick, what have you done?!"

Peter looked over the mess on the farm, the veins on his forehead pulsing with anger. He hadn't expected that while he was out fighting enemies, the two boys he'd left to guard the home would end up fighting each other.

And judging by the destruction, they weren't playing around.

"Dad, I…I…"

Azu tried to explain, but seeing Peter's unusually serious expression, he couldn't find the words.

"What did I tell you before I left, John?"

"I'm sorry, Dad."

"I left you two at home, and this is how you behave? Destroying the house? You're brothers, but you're acting like enemies?"

Clark, standing nearby, felt nervous and scared seeing Peter scolding Azu. He couldn't bear to watch Azu face the anger alone.

After a moment's hesitation, Clark lifted his head and said, "Godfather, it…it was my fault too. I shouldn't have fought with John."

"Yes, Clark, you're the older one; you should be more responsible. We'll talk about your part in this later."

Peter included Clark in the scolding, though he wasn't entirely without sympathy. He understood kids fought sometimes, even if it led to a disaster like this. What truly made him angry was that Azu had used kryptonite against Clark.

"John, do you remember how you promised me that you'd protect Clark from harm, especially from kryptonite? And now look at what you've done."

Peter's tone grew colder. "Clark is your brother, and you used it to hurt him? Impressive, John—you're only six and already thinking of ways to outsmart people."

"I-I'm seven, Dad."

Azu mumbled, only making Peter's anger spike. "No! Keep quiet, alright? Don't interrupt when adults are talking!"

Azu swallowed hard and took a step back, shaken by Peter's frustration.

"What if something had happened to you or Clark?"

"I'm sorry, Dad. I just...I just wanted to help you."

"I don't need that kind of help, John," Peter forced himself to stay calm. "And if I did, this is not the way. Starting a fight with Clark—that's your idea of help?"

Azu hung his head, feeling hurt and guilty. "I…I just wanted to be like you, Dad."

"But I want you to be better than me."

With that, Peter gave him one last glance, suppressing the urge to scold them more, and headed upstairs. Right now, he just wanted some peace.

Watching Peter leave, Martha and Jonathan exchanged a look. Martha, with her arm around Clark, walked over to Azu, crouching down to gently stroke his cheek.

"Don't worry, John. Dad is just a little upset; he'll be okay soon."

Azu looked up with red eyes. "I'm sorry, Aunt Martha, I shouldn't have fought with Clark."

"It's not entirely your fault. Clark was wrong too."

Jonathan called Clark over to apologize to Azu. Seeing Azu looking so remorseful, Clark regretted his actions as well.

He apologized, "I'm sorry, John. I shouldn't have said those hurtful things."

Azu, though still somewhat bothered by Clark's words, was beginning to reflect on his own mistakes. Feeling regret and guilt, he shook his head, saying, "I was wrong too. I promised to protect you from kryptonite, Clark, and I didn't keep that promise."

At midnight, raindrops continued to patter down, blanketing the farm in a rare quiet after the chaotic battle.

Azu sat alone on the barn roof, letting the rain wash over him as he looked forlornly toward the distant cornfield. His father's words replayed over and over in his mind, and a growing fear that Peter might never forgive him lingered.

The more he thought about it, the more scared and upset he felt, until he was on the verge of tears—when a familiar voice broke through his thoughts.

"Azu."

Hearing Peter's voice, Azu quickly swallowed, forcing back the tears that were about to fall.

"Dad!"

Azu turned, managing a small, brave smile at his father. Seeing Azu's hurt expression, Peter coughed and held out a piece of cinnamon bread.

"Hungry?"

"Mm-hmm."

Azu took the bread and devoured it. The fight with Clark had drained him, and his stomach had been growling with hunger.

"Dad, you…you're not mad at me anymore?"

"Do you understand what you did wrong?"

"I…I understand, Dad. I should protect Clark, not hurt him. I broke the promise I made to you."

Sitting there on the roof, Azu spent a while reflecting on why his father had been angry.

"Yes. A promise is important, especially with family. If you promised to protect Clark from kryptonite, you should keep that promise."

Peter sat down beside him and patted his shoulder. "That's a promise between men."

"I understand. Dad…can I ask you a question?"

"What is it?"

Azu hesitated. "Is Clark really your biological son?"

Seeing the curiosity and determination in Azu's face, Peter fell silent. Kids these days, he thought—so aware already of the difference between biological and adopted. Azu seemed very concerned with lineage.

Peter realized he'd need to correct this fixation Azu had with heritage. Otherwise, if he found out he himself had come on an alien spaceship, he might have a meltdown.

After a pause, Peter answered, "No, Clark's biological father was Kent."

"But why does Clark have the same powers as you?"

"You also have the same powers as me, plus your laser vision. You're even stronger than me. These abilities…they're your gifts."

Azu nodded, looking thoughtful. "I knew it—Clark was lying to me."

Peter sighed, feeling a bit regretful that he hadn't given Azu a stronger talking-to downstairs.

Feeling much better, Azu looked up at Peter. "Dad, I once had a dream."

"What kind of dream?"

"I…I was in a house I'd never seen before. There were photos I didn't recognize, toys I'd never played with, books I hadn't read…and lots of people I didn't know."

"Did you like it there?"

Azu rested his chin in his hands. "No, I didn't like it at all. I hated the loneliness. It was a place without you."