Chapter 8: A Fate That Cannot Be Changed

The sky darkened as storm clouds rolled in over the small town. The air grew thick with humidity, the distant rumble of thunder signaling the approaching storm.

Clark sat in the back of Jonathan's truck, staring up at the sky. His foresight had shown him this moment before.

Today was the day Jonathan Kent would die.

A part of him had once been indifferent. When he was younger, he had seen Jonathan as nothing more than an obstacle—a man who stood between him and Martha. A man whose death would only clear the path for his future.

But time had changed things.

Over the years, he had grown to love Jonathan. He was a good man. A good father. He had taught Clark values, given him a home, a family.

For the first time, Clark wanted to change fate.

He clenched his fists.

He didn't have his powers yet, but Kara did. She was already awakened.

She could save him.

But…

Clark had also seen the consequences.

If Kara used her powers in public, everything would change. SHIELD, the government, and countless enemies would come after them.

Even so… wasn't it worth the risk?

He wouldn't just sit back and watch Jonathan die.

Not without trying.

---

The storm had fully set in by the time they reached the highway. The winds howled, shaking the ground beneath them.

Then, it happened.

A tornado ripped through the horizon, tearing apart everything in its path.

People screamed, cars swerved, debris flew through the air. Chaos.

Jonathan immediately sprang into action. "Get everyone to the underpass!" he shouted, leading the crowd toward shelter.

Clark moved to follow, but then—

"Krypto!" Martha's panicked voice cut through the storm.

The family dog was still trapped in their car, whimpering in fear as the tornado bore down upon them.

Jonathan turned. Without hesitation, he ran back toward the truck.

Clark's heart pounded.

This was it.

He grabbed Kara's wrist. "You need to save him."

Kara looked at him, eyes wide. "But—"

"No powers in public, I know," Clark said quickly. "But this isn't about that. It's about saving Dad."

She hesitated for only a moment before nodding.

---

Jonathan reached the car and threw the door open, grabbing Krypto just as the winds grew violent.

The tornado was almost on him.

Clark turned to Kara. "Go!"

She moved.

With speed beyond human limits, she darted toward Jonathan.

She almost made it.

But just as she reached him—Jonathan collapsed.

He clutched his chest, his face contorted in pain. Not from the storm. Not from the debris.

A heart attack.

Clark's eyes widened in horror.

Kara caught Jonathan's body before it hit the ground, but it was too late.

He was gone.

Just like that.

Clark had seen it coming. He had tried to change it.

But it hadn't mattered.

This was an absolute point in time.

Jonathan Kent was destined to die, and nothing could have saved him.

Not even them.

---

That night, the house was silent.

Martha had cried herself to exhaustion, her body curled up against Clark as she slept.

Clark sat still, staring at nothing. His mind replayed the moment again and again.

No matter what he did, Jonathan would have died.

He had tried, and he had failed.

The universe had taken him.

But as he gazed down at Martha's peaceful sleeping form, a strange thought eased his frustration.

At least now, there was no guilt.

Jonathan's absence meant Martha was free.

One day, she would be his.

And for that, he didn't feel burdened at all.

---

The funeral was held the next morning.

The town gathered, offering condolences. Kara stood beside Martha, silent tears running down her face.

Clark simply watched, expression unreadable.

He had lost a father.

But gained something else.

Fate had spoken.

And he had accepted it.