Adrian Kent decided to investigate the matter of the Adrian Kent Fan Club at Metropolis University personally. After all, he wasn't running for State Councilor like his father, so how could someone start a club in his name?
As he stepped out of the general education classroom, he ran straight into someone familiar.
"Adrian, these are mint cookies I brought for you," Jena of the Wonder Twins said as she approached, holding out a small paper bag with eager enthusiasm.
"Cookies?" Adrian frowned, looking down at the bag. "I don't like eating cookies."
Truthfully, he was rather indifferent to sweet snacks in general.
"How is your brother?" he asked instead.
"He's recovering well," Jena said with a bright smile, "but he still has some way to go before he can get out of bed. Simone asked me to thank you and Clark for his help. If it weren't for you both, he might not have survived."
Jena, a vibrant girl with short hair and an energetic presence, drew glances from many passing students. Even though she was young, her maturity and confidence made her stand out.
"May I ask you something?" Jena said, eyes shining with a mixture of hope and curiosity. "I've seen many heroes in the Justice Society: Wildcat, Midnight Doctor, Green Lantern, Flash. Maybe one day I could become one too."
"So your goal is to become a superhero?" Adrian asked, one brow raised.
Jena nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, I want to help people too."
Adrian paused, then shook his head. "So‑called heroes are people with deep insight into powers and purpose. But you, Jena, I don't believe you have that insight yet."
Jena's face fell slightly, but she didn't give up.
"Alright," she said with a sigh, "I admit I don't have insight. I don't have a clear expectation of becoming a superhero. I just hope you'll take us in. With your strength, maybe we can face things ordinary people can't."
"What forces do you mean?" Adrian asked, genuinely curious.
"Things normal people can't handle," she explained. "For example, that alien we fought before. We stood no chance against someone with that power."
"But you defeated the vampires," she continued, "so if you take Simone and me in, maybe we can help."
"Your ability is to transform into animals, right?" Adrian asked.
"Yes," she answered, "but I can't fully transform yet. Only partially."
Adrian looked at her steadily, then said, "I won't turn you away. But I don't play philanthropist. If you want to stay, make yourself valuable."
Without waiting for her response, he turned and began walking toward the place designated as the fan club's activity room. Jena immediately followed.
"But I must state in advance," she called out behind him, "that I will never be used as a mount—no ostriches, no donkeys, no horses, nothing like that!"
Adrian ignored the comment and continued on.
Soon they reached a long hallway outside the activity room. Adrian activated his x‑ray vision and peered inside.
The room was empty.
No members. No banners. Nothing.
Adrian frowned, then opened the door and stepped inside.
At first glance the room was overwhelming. The walls were plastered with portraits of him:
His university graduation photos, secret shots taken during classes, press photos from his questioning by the Metropolis Police — even photos from Smallville Police Department files. The collection was obsessive.
On the walls, alongside those photographs, were drawings of dark cosmic terrors — monstrous beings beneath the ocean, unsettling void entities under a starry sky, and abominable creatures lurking just beyond human vision. Some were original art; others seemed modified versions of his own sketches. The atmosphere was eerie, like the lair of a devoted cult rather than a simple fan club room.
Activating his x‑ray vision again, Adrian scanned for hidden objects in the room.
There was nothing beyond what met the eye: portraits, documents, and some strange ritual‑like tools — skull decorations, candles, crosses. This was less a fan club, more a shrine to obsession.
Jena stood beside him, eyes wide as she took in the bizarre scene.
"It looks like something created by your most fanatical supporters," she said thoughtfully, "to express loyalty and faith."
"You know about faith?" Adrian asked, lowering his gaze to her.
"Of course," she said with a small huff, "I may be young, but I know more than you think."
And just as they were speaking, the activity room door opened and a girl walked in.
Her makeup was smoky and bold, her hair shaggy, her presence rebellious. The moment she saw them, her expression changed dramatically.
"Adrian Kent? I can't believe it's really you," she said excitedly as she stepped toward him, clasping his hand in both of hers. "I thought you'd still be in prison, or worse. But you made it back. I knew you would. You're always the Dark Lord who rules his kingdom."
Her words came in a rush, wild and intense.
Adrian remained expressionless.
"And who are you?" he asked.
The girl hesitated for a moment, then smiled proudly.
"I'm Hanna Duncan," she said. "I'm your loyal fan. I collect and organize everything about you, past and present. I know so much."
Hanna's eyes gleamed with a blend of fervor and obsession. It was clear she wasn't just a casual admirer — she was disturbed.
"So you've been following me?" Adrian asked coldly.
"No, no," Hanna said quickly, raising her hands defensively. "I only gather what's publicly available. I didn't invade your privacy, and I wouldn't harm you."
"Fans aren't something I need," Adrian said bluntly, stepping back. "If anyone keeps digging into my life, I'm not going to be pleased."
Hanna blinked, taken aback by the icy note in his voice. Her words faltered.
She took a deep breath and steadied herself before speaking again, eyes burning with fanatic dedication.
"I am your devoted follower," she said, nearly trembling with intensity. "No matter what happens, you cannot stop my loyalty. I love your "cthulhu" series. Your writing showed me mysterious worlds, things humans barely understand. Everything you describe is so elusive and eerie, it draws you in and refuses to let go."
She took a step closer, eyes gleaming with passion.
"And I know, Adrian Kent," Hanna whispered. "You appeared in every strange event in Smallville — the school dance mystery, the coach's self‑immolation, even this vampire massacre. I know it was you using your abilities to face those anomalies."
Her voice lowered as she continued.
"I worship you like a dark prophet. I will follow you into the abyss. I will devote myself to the unknown, to darkness itself, if it means gaining power — and your favor. I, Hanna, offer myself as your loyal servant. Please… give me this chance."
Hanna's words were wild, unfiltered devotion — the kind of intensity only a fan driven beyond reason could display as she knelt before him.
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
What was this? cthulhu worship and a borderline unhinged fan?
After a long moment of silence, he finally spoke.
"Do you have an ancestry?" he asked suddenly.
Though the question was unexpected, Hanna looked up and replied, "Yes. My father is Chinese and my mother is American. We moved here when I was eight."
Adrian paused, apparently recalling something of his own past, but then said, "Never mind. You don't have to tell me. Now answer this — how many people are in your so‑called fan club?"
"About ten people," Hanna replied eagerly.
"Ten," Adrian murmured. After considering for a moment, he said, "I'm giving you a task. If you complete it well, I won't disband your fan club."
Hanna's eyes widened in shock. "What task?"
Adrian pointed firmly.
"You will rename the Adrian Kent Fan Club — it will now be the Jonathan Kent Fan Club."
She gasped, taken aback.
"Your job is to help my father succeed in his campaign for State Councilor."
===
Look up "_Zeph" on Patreon to get access to chapters in advance.