Authors Note-
You can read up to 40 chapters ahead on my Patreon - Mad_verse [ Your support will help me in continuing this fic]
...
After the Hulk incident, Ivan didn't delve too deeply into it; he just instructed the Red Queen to keep tabs on him. Bruce would undoubtedly seek out his girlfriend, Betty. He should have no trouble with the three special items Ivan had given him. If he did, it wasn't worth Ivan's effort to intervene.
Time flew by, and before anyone realized it, several months had passed. Tony Stark faced the poisoning incident and Vanke's attack, uncovering generational grievances. Ultimately, fate favored Stark. Following Howard's clues, he discovered a new energy source, transforming Stark Industries, freeing it from weapons production restrictions, and steering it toward new energy development.
Tony's transformation brought immense joy to Howard. Though Tony's newfound success was partly thanks to his father, seeing his son chart a new course for Stark Industries filled Howard with pride as a father.
During this period, Ivan dedicated himself to absorbing energy from the energy converter, fortifying his body. He understood Earth's crises and believed mastering a stronger force would increase survival chances.
One day, after a solitary training session, Ivan was greeted by the sudden appearance of the Red Queen's image.
"Dr. Ivan, you're out. Master Clark contacted you three hours ago. It's urgent. Should I respond?" she informed.
"Clark? What does he want now? If it's about Diana, forget it. He's always squabbling with her. He fails to see that fights are often a sign of affection. But maybe he's wary since she's older!" Ivan retorted.
Red Queen rolled her eyes, understanding Ivan's reluctance to deal with Clark. Perhaps he didn't want to shoulder responsibility. She projected the message onto Ivan's eye mask—a shadowy figure speaking intermittently: "You are not alone, we..."
After viewing it, Ivan grasped the situation. "Ah, the day has come. The Kryptonian stragglers pose no real threat. With Clark's power, handling them should be a breeze. But his attitude is key. Despite their enmity, they're still compatriots. He shouldn't expect me to clean up after him."
"No, Master Clark understands that he must face this alone. He reached out to you to arrange for the safety of Dr. Morgan and his wife, Abigail, who are still on the farm. He knows his identity may be exposed this time, potentially endangering those around him. To safeguard them, he may reach out to others for assistance. He may have already begun arranging new identities for them, but he didn't disturb you while you were training."
"So that's it. If Clark can't handle such a simple matter without resorting to this ploy against his people, then all the lessons I've imparted to him have been in vain."
Red Queen couldn't help but roll her eyes at Ivan's narcissism. Though using parental pressure as a tactic might have some truth, it wasn't as straightforward as Ivan made it out to be.
"Alright, Red. I just wanted to let you know that you have my permission. If you can't reach me in the future, handle it yourself. Anyway, how did you manage it?"
"I informed Kerry and had him handle it, but it so happened that Miss Tina was headed to the farm, so I asked her to take care of it. Dr. Morgan and his wife have already left, and their new identities were prepared. She opted to stay on the farm for a few days, feeling connected after living there for years. With her strength and Simba's presence, I agreed. Now that you're done training, should I recall her?"
"Let her be," Ivan sighed, understanding Tina's attachment and feelings toward him. However, he needed help to make some promises.
"Dr. Ivan, the Kryptonians' strength isn't to be underestimated, and their technology surpasses Earth's. They might target only Clark's farm. Aren't you concerned for Tina's safety? Despite her strength, there's always cause for concern."
"Worried? What is there to worry about? If anything, I'm concerned for the Kryptonians who might stir up trouble at the farm. Let's hope they're smart enough to steer clear of Tina. She won't go easy on them."
Ivan couldn't shake the image of Tina's fierce side from his mind. Even with his strength, she could make him break into a sweat. Who knew Tina, typically submissive, possessed such a terrifying aspect?
Once, when Ivan left Skull Island for an experiment, leaving Tina with their four children on the farm, chaos ensued. Chris, Kyle, and Clark played too much, going out of control, and they destroyed half the farm, infuriating Tina. She displayed her formidable magic, terrifying Ivan upon his return.
Reflecting, it was plausible Tina harbored a darker side. Her yin physique, rapid cultivation, and emotional instability could quickly breed darkness. Ivan took it upon himself to guide her emotions, mitigating negativity. Yet, remnants lingered, susceptible to specific triggers.
Ivan couldn't shake the memory of Tina's terrifying transformation from his mind, sending shivers down his spine. Wanting to change the subject swiftly, he turned to the Red Queen. "Red Queen, any updates on the Kryptonians invading Earth this time? How many are there? Given Krypton's destruction, there can't be many, right?"
"Yes, there are only a dozen Kryptonians, some researchers with limited combat abilities. The strongest among them is General Zod, accompanied by a few loyalists. Zod initiated the rebellion on Krypton but survived its destruction. Now, they seek to rebuild Krypton using the Kryptonian genes hidden within Mr. Clark. Unbeknownst to them, their efforts are futile."
Ivan sighed inwardly. The plot unfolded predictably with General Zod's arrival on Earth. However, their ambitions to revive Krypton were doomed from the start. Even if Clark were willing to cooperate, which was highly improbable, the Kryptonian genes within him had long disappeared. After learning this truth, Ivan pondered the potential devastation General Zod would face—his lifelong beliefs shattered.
Despite pity for General Zod, Ivan resolved not to interfere, leaving the matter to Clark's discretion. He hoped Clark would navigate the situation wisely. If Clark faltered, Ivan would intervene. However, if Clark's suspicions proved wrong, it would be disappointing, serving as a test of his judgment.
--Skipping a few hours--
Clark indulged in a covert vacation in Hawaii to avoid Diana's pursuit. Observing the beauty around him, he couldn't help but admire the serenity of life.
"While strength is crucial, balance is key. I've decided to treat myself to a well-deserved break. Yet, Diana always insists on dragging me into unnecessary conflicts. Why must I deal with such troubles? I prefer a gentle and virtuous woman," Clark mused, enjoying a luxurious lunch at his private beach villa.
His tranquility shattered as he tuned into the TV, witnessing a sudden disturbance. Every electronic device across the globe displayed the same erratic message:
"You are not alone..."