Chapter 15 (edited)

Jonathan Kent was a righteous man, just like Martha Kent, who had instilled a sense of justice in Superman during his childhood.

It was because of their influence that Superman could grow into one of the greatest heroes of all time.

Having great power doesn't inherently make someone a hero; in fact, it often leads to temptation and corruption. Without restraint, people might easily lose themselves to power and become villains. After all, it's far harder to exercise self-control than to indulge in selfish desires.

Kara, too, had been deeply influenced by Jonathan and Martha's teachings. She had long admired superheroes, dreaming of becoming one herself. She had often told the Kents that her biggest dream was to become a protector of others.

But this time, even Jonathan felt conflicted and hesitant. After all, Kara had killed someone. While it was an act of self-defense, the morality of her actions left Jonathan uncertain.

Killing is undoubtedly a grave sin and one of the most unforgivable acts. However, the circumstances here were different: Kara was attacked, first harassed by the man and then shot. Without her Kryptonian powers, she would have died.

Was this not self-defense? Surely, one couldn't claim that Kara's abilities made her fair game for such attacks? Great power does not make someone a target for harm. By that logic, would it be acceptable to rob someone just because they're rich? Or beat someone just because they're strong and healthy? Such reasoning was absurd and dangerous.

Still, what troubled Jonathan the most wasn't the act itself but Kara's chilling remarks afterward. Her comments hinted at a future where she could become a remorseless enforcer, someone who saw herself as judge, jury, and executioner.

She had promised that she would never harm anyone undeserving, but her phrasing was ominous. Jonathan feared what Kara might become one day.

Martha, on the other hand, was far less concerned about philosophy or morality; her maternal instincts worried solely about Kara's safety. She had spent the entire day fussing over her adopted daughter, checking and re-checking to ensure that she wasn't hurt or injured. She even opened Kara's eyelids multiple times to ensure her eyes hadn't been damaged or that no shrapnel was left behind.

Kara found it both endearing and a bit overwhelming, repeatedly assuring her adoptive mother that her Kryptonian physiology would have crushed any shrapnel instantly. Still, she couldn't help but feel grateful for the care Martha showed her.

That afternoon, Jonathan took over and brought Clark home from school. Only then did the house grow a bit quieter.

When Clark returned, he ran up and hugged Kara tightly. He had heard rumors at school about his sister being involved in a murder case, and he was worried.

"It's okay, Clark. Your sister is fine," Kara reassured him with a warm smile.

Clark looked her over carefully to ensure there was nothing wrong, then loosened his grip. "People at school are saying bad things about you," he muttered. "They say you're trouble, and it's your fault."

Kara raised an eyebrow at this, her lips curling into a wry smile. She knew exactly what those people were saying—it was the same age-old victim-blaming nonsense. She thought to herself how absurd it was that people still believed a girl's appearance somehow justified an attack.

Shouldn't the focus be on punishing the actual criminals?

She tousled Clark's hair affectionately. "Don't pay any attention to them. If they're bothering you, just ignore them. And if someone tries to hurt you, come tell me—I'll handle it."

Jonathan, overhearing this from the other room, rolled his eyes and quickly ushered Clark away. He didn't want Kara filling her younger brother's head with reckless ideas. The Kent siblings already had enough power to cause serious trouble if left unchecked.

That evening, Martha cooked a hearty dinner to lift everyone's spirits: steak, fried fish, rice, potato and pumpkin soup, and a large vegetable salad with fresh produce from their farm. Kara appreciated the effort, even if she found the local dishes a bit bland compared to her preferences for more flavorful cuisines.

After dinner, as Kara was getting ready for bed, she received calls from her two best friends, Dani and Jennifer.

Dani was the first to call, bombarding Kara with questions since she had left earlier and missed the aftermath of the incident. Kara patiently reassured her that everything was fine.

When it was Jennifer's turn, there was an awkward pause before Jennifer finally spoke. "Kara, I believe in you. I know you're not a bad person."

Kara chuckled softly. "Thanks, Jennifer. But seriously, what were they expecting? If that guy had aimed his gun at you, you wouldn't have stood a chance."

Jennifer shuddered at the thought, her voice trembling slightly. "It's just… when I saw him shoot, I thought I saw sparks… on you?"

"Must've been your imagination," Kara said quickly, brushing it off. She had no intention of explaining her Kryptonian invulnerability.

Sensing that Kara didn't want to dwell on the topic, Jennifer wisely changed the subject. "So, what's the plan for the weekend? Are we hanging out, or are you going to stay home playing the perfect farmhand?"

Kara groaned. "Ugh, don't even start with that nickname. And no way am I sticking around here—Mom and Dad have been smothering me all day. Let's meet up and do something fun."

Jennifer laughed, and the two spent the next few minutes planning their outing. For a brief moment, everything felt normal again. But deep down, Kara knew her life would never truly be the same.