Damn it, I’m surrounded by those who kill their fathers!

Hearing this, John felt a wave of unease wash over him.

That bastard had completely copied what his father once told him, word for word.

If it weren't for the mirror between them, he would have melted the other man's head with his heat vision right then and there.

Inside the mirror world, after listening to John's words, "Peter" comforted him:

"You don't need my advice, John. The Seven is your team—you trained and nurtured them."

John nodded repeatedly. "That's right, Dad. I did that."

"Exactly. If they don't respect that—or don't respect you—then maybe it's time to weed out the weak and start over."

"Peter" reassured him in a low voice: "You don't need my opinion. You already know what to do, John."

John exhaled deeply. Seeing Peter's encouraging smile, his mood improved.

He glanced at the screen, hesitating before saying to "Peter":

"I'm just... a little scared, Dad. You know I've always lacked a sense of security since childhood. I need your guidance."

"I know. But you'll grow. You'll cast away your fear."

"Peter" took John's hand in his own, offering comfort.

But then, something went terribly wrong.

Sweat beaded on "Peter's" forehead as his body swelled unnaturally. He let out a muffled groan of pain.

At the same time, his body began shifting rapidly—his skin contracting and writhing—until he started transforming into someone else entirely!

Realizing what was happening, John immediately turned away, shutting his eyes tightly to avoid seeing it.

His voice trembled with fury as he hissed, "Damn it. Damn it! Change back, now!"

The figure that had replaced "Peter" was now a bald, greasy-looking middle-aged white man, who seemed momentarily flustered. He quickly tried to explain:

"I'm sorry! I can only maintain a form for a limited time—if I hold it too long, it becomes painful!"

John gritted his teeth, his fingers twitching as his eyes glowed red.

Facing away from the shapeshifter, he clenched his jaw and ordered, enunciating every word:

"Change. Back. Right. Now. Shapeshifter."

Hearing the cold menace in John's voice, the shapeshifter had no choice but to endure the pain and revert to "Peter."

"There. It's fine now, John."

Now back in Peter's form, the shapeshifter panted slightly as he spoke to John, who still had his back turned.

John cautiously peeked over his shoulder. Only after confirming that the shapeshifter had resumed Peter's form did he slowly turn around.

"It's alright, John."

The shapeshifter took John's hand again and reassured him:

"Don't be afraid. I've always been your strongest shield, and you are my spear. Together, we will change the world."

Maybe it was because he had just been startled by the near-reveal of the shapeshifter's true form, but John seemed a little dazed.

The violent, murderous look in his eyes quickly faded, replaced by something almost innocent.

"Yes, Dad. I am your sharpest spear."

Outside the Mirror, in the Mysterious Room

John stood frozen in place, his jaw hanging open in shock as he watched his alternate self's bizarre behavior.

This guy actually had a shapeshifter turn into his father… just to comfort himself?!

Wasn't that just self-deception?

What the hell was wrong with him?!

John was now utterly convinced that his alternate self from that world was mentally unhinged—no doubt about it.

And that bastard shapeshifter—who could transform into his dad—was just as sick!

John clenched his fists tightly, his teeth grinding together, his expression one of absolute disgust and fury.

He had never seen such a perverted freak in his life.

Daring to take on his father's form? That level of disrespect and twisted perversion made him want to smash through the mirror, snap that freak's neck, and grind his face into the floor.

Later That Night

"Are you okay, John?"

At Podrick's farm, Peter glanced at John, who occasionally showed a teeth-clenching, furious expression.

Tonight, Martian Manhunter was in charge of cooking, and Peter had assumed John would eat with enthusiasm.

But judging by his current state, Peter guessed that maybe he wasn't a fan of Martian Manhunter's food.

It seemed like John had developed a reliance on Peter's cooking.

'So my cooking skills really have improved!' Peter thought smugly.

Martian Manhunter looked over at John and asked, "Not hungry, John?"

"No, I was just thinking about something else," John replied, immediately schooling his expression into something more neutral before continuing to eat.

"Dad, can I ask you a question?"

John hesitated for a moment before turning to Peter.

"What is it?"

"Do you… have an illegitimate child somewhere?"

John dropped the bombshell without hesitation.

Peter's brows immediately furrowed. Was this kid asking for a beating?!

"Your ass itching for a spanking, John?" Peter put down his utensils, his tone turning dangerous.

"No, Dad, I—"

Realizing he was about to get smacked, John hastily came up with an excuse.

"No, Dad! I just… saw someone outside today who looked a lot like you, so I was curious."

He had originally wanted to test if Peter knew anything about the mirror world.

But as soon as the words left his mouth, he realized he had phrased it wrong.

"Just because someone looks like me, that makes them my illegitimate child?"

Peter narrowed his eyes at him. "Where the hell did you get that idea?"

He was starting to worry that John was maturing a little too quickly.

First, he'd been going on about 'the philosophy of love,' and now he was talking about 'illegitimate children'?

It seemed like Peter needed to start strictly limiting this kid's exposure to horror movies and questionable magazines.

"I-I saw it in a movie," John muttered, his eyes flickering toward Martian Manhunter.

He knew the alien could read minds.

If he saw John sneaking into the Mysterious Room with Peter's key, he was dead meat.

Fortunately, Martian Manhunter seemed more focused on his meal and didn't seem interested in prying into John's thoughts.

After deflecting Peter's suspicions, John fell into deep thought.

Based on what he had seen in movies… could it be?

Had he actually traveled from that mirror world?

Was he not Peter's biological son after all?

...

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