About ten minutes later, Axel patted Clark on the shoulder and chuckled.
"Alright, Buddy, stop here!"
"Okay, but…" Clark glanced anxiously at the streets of Smallville. Soldiers patrolled in groups, clearly hunting for Axel.
Clark had heard countless stories about Axel's ruthlessness, yet he'd never seen him hurt anyone. In fact, Axel seemed almost gentle—aside from his mouth, which was relentless.
Most importantly, Martha genuinely liked Axel. If he were truly a villain, she would have sensed it. She should, right?
Axel noticed Clark's pensive gaze and laughed.
"You'd better remember how you are today, Clark, because I probably won't see this side of you again. Just like you pretended not to notice me appear out of nowhere, Buddy, I can pretend not to notice you rushing at me like the wind. See? We have a shared secret now, haha!"
With a laugh, Axel pushed open the old Ford's door, hands in his pockets, and strutted toward Smallville.
Clark watched Axel's confident stride, momentarily stunned.
Then it hit him: he'd forgotten that Axel had seen him displayed his abilities earlier.
Should he help the military put Axel in prison? The thought lingered for a second, then vanished. Clark's nature was too pure. He wouldn't act against someone unless they directly harmed others or he witnessed it firsthand.
Axel disappeared into a roadside shop, leaving Clark exhaling slowly.
He would not interfere. After all, his father had died to protect him, and revealing his powers now would make that sacrifice meaningless.
Even knowing Axel had seen his abilities, Clark felt a strange sense of relief. Axel was unusual too. Both of them were anomalies in the world's eyes.
Soon, Axel ducked into a dessert shop and ordered an ice cream from the waitress.
While she prepared it, he surveyed the room and fixed his gaze on three burly bikers wearing metal-studded jackets, tattoos crawling across their arms.
They were sitting together, chatting over their desserts.
"Something happened at the coffee shop. A lot of people died," one said.
"Did you see it?" another asked.
"No, soldiers had it cordoned off. Got a little close, a dozen guns pointed at me, damn it!"
"Not just soldiers. Heard the National Guard's on their way."
"Are they crazy? Found oil under us or something?"
"Who knows. I still have a batch of goods to sell… now I can't!"
"Bring it to the gang meeting in a few days. Boss will compensate. Maybe even give you that girl you've been eyeing…"
"Hey!" Axel's voice cut through the air. He appeared at their table, hand tapping the surface.
The lone biker immediately lunged for him, grabbing at Axel's collar.
Axel caught the wrist effortlessly, twisting it until the man howled in pain.
With his free hand, he grabbed the man's hair, slammed him face-first onto the table.
Boom! The table shattered. The biker was out cold.
Before the other two could react, Axel unleashed a flurry of punches.
Bang, bang, bang!
After a few hits, he wiped the blood from his hand on his white undershirt.
Calmly, he rifled through their pockets, pulling out a phone, three motorcycle keys, seventy dollars in change, and a small bag of rock candy.
"Tsk, damn poor," he muttered, tossing the candy into the nearest man's mouth.
Then he turned to the counter with the cash.
The waitress swallowed nervously.
Axel's white T-shirt, jeans, 1.87-meter frame, and well-built physique made him hard to ignore.
He looked like a non-American Captain America, if only for a second.
She handed him the ice cream. Axel tossed the change onto the counter.
"The extra's your tip. Also, pass a message. If those three lumps wake up, tell them I'm Axel. If they dare, they can find me at the Iceberg Lounge in Gotham."
"O-okay!" she stammered, picking up the coins.
Axel casually patted her backside, then placed another motorcycle key on the counter.
"Nice feel. Here's a motorcycle as a thank-you, haha."
Moments later, Axel mounted one of the three modified Harleys outside.
He turned the key; it roared to life.
Vroom, vroom, vroom!
Axel sped down Smallville's main street.
Two patrolling soldiers froze, then shouted into their walkie-talkies.
"All units! Firebird One spotted Axel. He's on a Harley—wait! He's coming toward me—ah!!!"
From a distance, Axel hurled his bitten ice cream at the soldier's face.
The other opened fire.
Axel shrugged off the bullets, swung the motorcycle tail, and sent both flying.
Screech! The overturned motorcycle scraped the street.
Axel rolled twice, snatched a rifle from a soldier, then grabbed the walkie-talkie.
"Yo, Buddies, I'm Axel," he laughed.