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Supergirl, Girl of Steel Issue 0

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Tragedy 


"Kara, we must hurry!"

I turn my head away from the holographic controls I had been manipulating. The download that I had been doing into a series of memory crystals pauses as I do so, “Father?”

He entered the room, “Kara there’s not much time left.” Taking position behind me he puts hands on my shoulders, “What are you doing?”

I start manipulating the light constructs once again completing the download to the data crystals. Despite my father’s warnings, I feel like all the information I’m downloading is important and that we can't afford to let a single piece of data be lost. My father is about to say something when another tremor strikes. His laboratory shakes as the planet shudders from the forces that we both know will eventually tear it apart. As the ground beneath my feet rocks, I shut my eyes and try to force back the tears I feel coming. 

I still can't believe it, my home is dying and everything I’ve ever known will be gone. For a moment I’m swarmed with emotions and memories. Never did I think so many could come at once. Rumors from my uncle about something terrible happening, the mocking cries of politicians and even some of my friends, the night father & mother shared with me that it was all true. The memory of me shouting, screaming at them they were wrong, and finally the sobbing I had as they held me; as I realized the world was coming to an end.

Krypton is going to die, but we will live, my father had promised that night. My father and Uncle Jor-El had the foresight to see what was coming. Together they were going to save our family, a small part of the House of El. Together they worked endless hours to prepare the ships that would carry us to safety. Uncle Jor-El had also been searching for what would become our new home. Even I had played a small role, working on various side projects for my father related to the ship. However my personal project was the one I considered the most precious. I wanted to record and save as much of our personal data as was possible which was what I was downloading now.

“Kara,” he stressed, squeezing me lightly, “There is no more time.”

I turn my body so that I can look at father face to face. He’s still dressed in his scientific grab and not the ship-suits we’ll need for the journey. This surprises me, as I’m already in mine. The garment is skin tight colored blue & red with the red reinforcing structural support laced through the top. My hair is tied back and I’m ready to board the craft.

I turn away from him for a moment just so I can take the crystals from their slots at the computer, “I’m sorry father I just…couldn’t leave these behind.”

He stares at me seemingly wanting to say so much but not able to find the words. He raises a hand to stroke my face, “Kara, my daughter, such a large heart…it will serve you well.”

“Zor-El! Kara!” together we turn to see the arrival of Allura, my mother. She was still in her Justicar red cloak with its gold trim flowing behind her. I can see she did not have an easy return home; her clothing is covered in fine dust and small particles of debris. She reassures both of us that she’s alright to forestall any worry from us. Holding me tightly she looks to my father and says, “It’s…started.”

“I know,” father replies his voice quiet. Taking my mother’s hand he tells both of us, “Follow me.” We go with him into the wide open area of the lab. I remember happier times here, the large silver inlayed floor with clear crystal showing the power streams which flow into the controls and lighting. Huge curving windows would normally allow one to see the landscape of Argo City normally illuminated by the red glow of Rao. Now though, now there’s smoke rising from the city, buildings collapsing, and intellectually I know millions are dying as I watch.

Around us as we move towards the ship where there are a few Artificials returning to their power alcoves and repair stations. They had completed the last of the work on the spacecraft that shall carry us from a dying Krypton. I feel sorry for the Artificials, the poor servant machines, they don’t know what’s coming. Maybe that’s for the better as like most of the people and machines on this planet they would have nowhere to run anyway.

My family steps up to the ship. It is sleek and designed to cruise through slipstream with ease. I regret that my father won’t be able to use this ship as he intended, to explore. We move past the stardrive and life-support sections and to the life bearing part of the craft. I look over the compartment where we’ll all be but, something is wrong. I start to voice my thoughts, “Father why is it…,” but then stop in my tracks when I realize the problem.

“Kara,” my mother says noticing that I’m stopping, “there is no time.”

I spin on my heels glaring at my parents, “There’s only room for one!”

Mother and father glance at one another. Clearly this is no surprise to them and now they need to decide who will speak first. My father eventually begins, “Kara, there...there wasn’t time to complete a larger vessel. The deterioration of the core, it has accelerated. My brother…he confirmed it weeks ago.”

“No, you said we were all going, that…that we might lose our home but we would all be together, with our family we would…” tears are streaming down my face as I can’t believe what I'm hearing. On top of everything else my parents, lied?

Mother comes forwards her face kind and gentle. Like when I was little she takes my hands, holding them in hers, “Kara, we love you. We love you so much we…we lied because if you knew the truth,” she stops tears filling her eyes. She takes a breath and looks back at me, “I’m sorry that one of our last acts together is this but…my daughter, my Kara, you must live.”

“NO!” I nearly scream at her, “I can’t lose Krypton, my friends, my home….you.” I buried my head into my mother’s body, “Please…don’t send me alone, there…there must be another way!”

My father touches my shoulder which causes me to pull my head away from my mother’s body. I stare at him with wet eyes. My parents look lovely together, mother with her elegant beautiful blonde hair, the same hair I have. My father’s warm blue eyes, eyes I have. He is distressed as he speaks but reaches to me with his words, “Kara, you aren’t alone. We will always be with you in your heart, never will we stop being with you.”

“Daughter, please we ask that you go…not to leave you behind, so that you can live. Live to grow and find love of your own, to become the woman we know you will be,” my mother pleads through tears.

I cry some more and hug them tight. I just want to stay; better to die here with everyone I know than be alone on some alien world; I don’t want any of this! Another shake brings part of the lab’s ceiling down. We all duck as pieces of debris fall while there are explosions from outside and a few faint cries of terror. My father shakes his head reaching a decision as he declares, “It’s time.”

We start to move but horror comes over my face, “What about…Jor-El, Lara,” I put my hands to my lips, “Kal-El…” The thought of my baby cousin dying, it’s almost a greater horror than losing my parents and Krypton.

Mother reassures me, “There was time to prepare a ship for him Kara and it’s another reason you must go. Kal, he’ll need you to watch over him, to protect him.”

I think about my cousin a bundle of joy with bright blue eyes. Kal, you need to go for Kal, I tell myself before I slowly dip my head to show I understand. Tightly I grip my parents, to feel their presence one last time. I try to be brave and say, “I’ll find Kal-El mother, father, I promise I will protect him.” It’s a promise to them I intend to keep, with my life if I need too.

Father touches the side of the ship getting it ready. While he does this mother holds onto me for a long time, “Kara…my baby,” she wants to say more but can’t. I give her one last hug unable to let go till my father tugs me gently. Having opened the life section, he guides me to compartment where I’ll sleep in hibernation till it’s time to land on Earth. Mother slides data crystals in, but there’s another, one that she tells me to hold.

“Always remember my daughter, we love you, across time, across space…we will always love you.” She strokes my head.

“I love you, mother, father…” I reach and take his hand. We hold one another my father lovingly looks at me and smiles.

“It will be alright Kara, my beloved daughter; you’re just going to sleep and when you wake up, you’ll be at your new home.” He reaches in and kisses me one last time. I try to hug him in the compartment but it’s tough.

“I love you….” I tell them again. It’s the only thing I want to keep saying to them.

Master Zor-El, the launch window closes.

The computerized voice of Axion, the lab’s artificial sentient ends our farewell. My parents pull back with great reluctance. Once they are out of the ship my father presses the button to seal the compartment. A large circular crystal rolls into place and there’s a hiss as the atmospheric seals are secured. I press my hand to the crystal as I feel the ship tilt. The computer counts down while my parents stand there. They hold each other, fighting back tears as they say, we love you Kara, through the crystal.

“I love you…” I say it again, making sure they see my lips. Then there’s a rush of acceleration and I feel the ship launch into the air.

The ship’s acceleration presses me back into the contouring ship couch. I’m still look out through the crystal portal. My eyes grow wide as I see the destruction. Argo, my home city, is burning. Great rips in the surface of Krypton causes shears of rock to rise. From some of these fissures, liquid green molten rock flows. I can’t see any detail but I know millions, billions are dying down below. Huge towering clouds of fire and energy rise in places. I cry as I watch my home die.

The visions of horror are replaced by the atmosphere which thins to blackness and then…stars. I’m…flying in space; the thought thrills me for a moment. The ship turns and I think I catch sight of, Kal-El’s ship? There a brilliant flare of light and swirl of energy, a slipstream window. There’s a slight hiss and I can feel the first stage of the hibernation process begin. My eyes grow heavy, as the sedative works to slow my body down.

I clutch the crystal my mother gave me tighter, I dare not let it go in my slumber. My head slowly turns and I look out the hatch. Krypton is there in its death throws. A tear slips down my cheek and then there’s a blinding flash. A terrible…terrible flash; I shut my eyes not from the pain of the light, but for what it represents. My eyes open and I see the expanding cloud of debris and energy that was my home.

The ship screams alarms and I only partly think about them as I drift off to sleep, mother…father…Rao…watch….over…

I dream.

I dream of home then of my parents. Soon I’m flying through the air, escaping with them, escaping the end. I want to save everyone, my friends, my extended family, even the faces I don’t know but saw in the streets.

But…I can’t save any of them.

They’re gone…all of them.

Rao…help me.

And then...I woke up.

                                         


Reunion


I feel warm light on my face.

Slowly, I open my eyes feeling strange as I do so. There’s a strange tingle on my skin, as if a low energy is flowing over me. Not wanting to wake up I roll over and bury my head deeper into a pillow, pillow? My eyes snap open and I realize I’m not in my ship but some sort of sleeping area. It’s got blankets, pillows, and is quite comfortable, but it’s not my ship! I pull away the covers finding myself still in my ship-suit.

I move to stand up but the universe spins as I get try to rise. A sigh escapes my lips as I grasp the soft bed to steady myself. Eventually the space around me stops spinning and I feel stable enough to try and walk. My first steps are unsteady, Sheoul, forgot…I've been in hibernation but…it shouldn’t be this bad. Confused I grip the bed's frame which is made out of strange material I've never felt before. Its backing is some sort of brown substance with organic looking patterns in it. It's like nothing I’ve seen before but even more confusing are my surroundings. I'm...on Krypton? The walls rise at a standard Builder's Guild angle, made of the clear crystal and Kryptanium metal laid underneath. I glance down and the floor is constructed in a similar manner but I also see through the crystal, aqua-crystal? I look around see other odd things. Clearly technological but not of Krypton or any world I knew of. Scared, I try to run but my legs feel weak. I’m about to fall when someone catches me.

I feel a breeze as if there was a gust of wind coming through and I suddenly find myself in a strong pair of arms hold me. My eyes move up seeing a man dressed in blue and red. He has dark hair and reminds me of someone for a moment. The man is athletic, reminding me of someone from the military guild yet when I look into his face; I see soft blue eyes, a warm face which smiles reassuringly to me, he says something but I don’t understand it. It’s an alien language and for a moment I tense with fear.

He notices my fear and quickly changes how he speaks, “I’m sorry, is that better?”

I nod, “Where…” my voice croaks, I can barely talk, as if my lips and voice hasn't been used in a long time, “Where…am I?”

He guides me to the bed, “Sit down, you’re still weak after the hibernation period.”

I take his advice sitting on the bed and feeling my body struggle to come out of the stupor. He gets up and I notice he’s strangely dressed. He wears a blue body hugging suit which had red trunks and featured a bright red cloak or cape, with red boots. He moves over to begin working with one of the strange machines I didn’t recognize. My head dips and eyes close as I try process everything that I've seen. My mind is struggling to catch up with everything that's happened. Krypton, my parents...my ship, but where...where am I?

He sits beside me and offers a glass filled with clear liquid. “Have some aqua.”

I take the glass and sip it. The cold aqua is surprisingly refreshing and I feel a bit better after drinking it. Getting my voice back I ask, “Where is this place? How am I back on Krypton?”

He visibly reacts to the word, as if I've spoken a hidden truth or dark secret, “You’re from Krypton?”

“Yes, but where are we…what is this place?” I’m putting more pieces together in my mind, “You speak Kryptonian but not at first…” with a scared look I back away, at least I try too on my still shaky legs. He rises revealing what is worn on his chest. I gasp from the shock and struggle to speak. 

“You’re…you’re..,” he’s wearing the family coat of arms, the crest of the House of El. It’s across my own chest, albeit in a slightly different style.

“My name is Kal-El,” he says with a calm voice trying to reassure me.

“No…you can’t be!” I scream. I rush looking for an exit, this has to be some sick joke! Unable to find an exit I spin back at him and yell, “What are you doing wearing my family’s symbol, where am I!”

He reaches out with a hand trying to reassure me, “Please, I’m not trying to harm you, just tell me your name.”

I try get away but my legs give out causing me to fall to my hands and knees. It's too much I begin to sob, my mind has processed everything since I woke up. Krypton's final moments. My parents and our tearful goodbye. How alone I was. I shut my eyes tears falling from them to the clear floor, “Mother…father, where am I?”

I feel him draping his cape over my body like a protective blanket. He must kneel beside me because I feel him putting a hand on my shoulder along with bringing his voice closer to me, “My name is Kal-El  my parents were Jor-El and Lara-El. They sent me to Earth to escape Krypton’s destruction.” I listen unable to comprehend what he says for a moment. I turn my head slowly to look at him through my damp eyes. His face…it looks so much like Jor-El’s, what if?

“My name, is Kara Zor-El,” I tell him, “My parents were Zor-El and Alura Zor-El. They sent me to follow Kal-El to our new home…to protect him but, he was a baby.”

The man his eyes widen in shock, “Zor-El was my father’s brother, you’re his daughter?”

“Yes…" I say nothing else for a moment. Both of us seem to be in shock. How could he be so old, if he's Kal-El where have I been? What happened to me? Part of me wants to believe him but part me is also afraid. I raise my hand and touch his face which either because he's still stunned or wants me to do so, allows it. As I touch him he so very much reminds me of Jor-El and of my father in a way. It’s the eyes; they are so kind, just like father’s. I don’t know why he’s older. I don’t know what will happen in the next hour, days, or even longer. All I know is this man is family and, he’s all I have left.

"Kal-El?" my voice croaks. 

“Kara,” he says softly, "It's me." 

I don't say anything before I bury my head into his chest. Kal wrapped his arms around me and hugged. I’m not sure how long we were like that together, but I realized we both needed it. One of us was grieving the loss of everything we knew. The other now knew he wasn’t alone.

Neither of us would be alone again. 



New World



I can't do this....


I protectively clutch the small bundle of notebooks and textbooks to my chest. As if they would shield me from the unfamiliar and frankly, terrifying environment in front of me. My fear is completely irrational. The only things that can hurt me on this planet are fragments of my homeworld. Yet as I stand at the perimeter of the my new daily environment for the next year I can’t help but want to take to the sky and fly back to the farm. My head dips as I do seriously consider this but that causes me to drop my glasses.

“Griff…” I curse bending my knees and reaching down to pick up the fallen eye-wear. I still can’t get use to the things. On Krypton no one ever had eye problems. Genetic manipulation ensured that. Of course I'm not on Krypton. We didn’t have ‘superheroes’, ‘supervillians’ (well not like Earth), nor people who would give anything to have me in their lab studying or worse dissecting me. On Krypton I was Kara Zor-El, just another teenage girl working to decide what guild she would move into, who she may fall in love with, and what she and her friends would be doing after studies. Now I’m Kara Linda Kent, a regular ‘Earth Girl’. I pick up the glasses and put them back on my face. I really think they are silly but Kal-El, Clark, says they’ll help.

I think back to the conversation I had with him and Aunt Martha & Uncle Jonathan. I had tried everything to convince them, my intelligence is greater than most people on this planet let alone my age! I was ready to move into guild apprenticeship on Krypton, why do I need to continue schooling? I remember, with some embarrassment shouting, you can’t make me!  They all had taken it, sitting there in the family room Aunt Martha next to Clark on the couch, Uncle Jonathan sitting in his big overstuffed arm chair. Clark, wearing a buttoned up shirt, blue jeans, without his glasses he wore in his ‘secret identity’ spoke first,

“Kara it’s not so much about studies but spending time with people your own age.”

I had countered with, “I’m older than you!” Technically, I was. I had spent nearly 32 year in hibernation aboard my damaged ship, the reason I’d arrived later than Kal-El. Chronologically yeah I was older, biologically well...

Aunt Martha in her kind voice said, “Kara we love having you here, but sweetheart you need to start meeting other people.”

“I know plenty of people!” My argument sounded so lame upon reflection, “Lois, Pete, Lana, the Hendersons…”

Clark replied, “Kara you’ve been here for nearly seven months now.” He got off the couch and came over putting his hands on my shoulders. It still amazes me how much he’s grown. Sometimes I just can’t help but think of him as that cute bundle of smile and laughter that he was as a baby. “It’s time for you to start exploring the world.”

And that was the crux of the argument as the humans’ would say. I knew exactly why they wanted me to go to school, but the simple fact was, I was afraid. Even with months of living on Earth, learning the language, elements of the culture, the history…this place was still…alien.

A strong and callused hand touched the back of my neck. Uncle Johnathan was standing with Clark now touching me softly, “Angel, you’re not going to be doing any of this alone. We’ll be there with you.”

I think back to my time on the farm. Nervously meeting Kal-El’s parents and how Martha had walked up to me and hugged me so tight I couldn’t breathe. The first emergence of my powers and Clark helping me control them. The nightmares, Krypton’s destruction played out in my head, causing me to scream myself awake. How Ma and Pa Kent would come and sit with me as I cried.

My eyes glance up to see the entire Kent family around me. Naturally we hugged.

“Where’d you learn that word?”

My memories are interrupted as I snap my head up to see another person standing next to me. He’s my age and had sandy brown hair along with soft grey eyes. I see he’s wearing a red and yellow jacket with Smallville Crows written on the back. Like most kids in a rural town in Kansas he wears a T-Shirt with jeans and boots. I stand up wondering what I look like right now; blonde hair back in a ponytail, glasses now back on my nose, a blouse with a vest over it, skirt, and tights on my legs. Nervously I shuffle my flat clad feet as I say, “Excuse me?”

“That word, when you dropped your glasses sounded…French?” He had a puzzled expression on his face.

Embarrassed I let some of my native Kryptonian slip I cover it up, “Um something like that I…was swearing.”

He laughs, “I figured as much, must be nice to do it in another language.”

Still a little uncomfortable I shrug and respond, “Well it’s my first day, I’m…a little nervous.”

“Ahhh,” he said as if that explained everything. He offered a hand, “Well as one who also was nervous on their first day here I offer my services in guiding you through the hellhole that is Smallville High School.” His description of ‘hellhole’ doesn’t help and he quickly notices, “Sorry, was trying to be funny. Really it’s not that bad.”

I start to move towards the school. Busses are dropping students off though most are milling about outside. He walks with me and I decide to keep talking, “I hope you’re right I…I’ve never been to school before.”

“Really?” he’s amazed, “I mean I didn’t recognize you and it’s hard to not know everybody here when you’ve been in classes with them since the fourth grade, but seriously? We’re you homed schooled?”

“Something like that,” I offer. I don’t feel like going into my generated backstory. Clark’s grumpy friend in the black suit had made me go over it for hours it seemed not long after I arrived. 

The nice young man says, “Well seriously, it’s not that bad maybe we can compare schedules and I can give you some tips?”

I look at him again. In a way he reminds me of Clark. Same Farmer’s looks, friendly smile, and the eyes warm and reassuring. I am supposed to be meeting people, “I’d like that.” I realize that I don’t even know what to call him, “I’m sorry I didn’t ask your name.”

“Richard Malverne,” he said, throwing out a hand.

I take it and shake it, always been fascinated by that human custom, “Kara Kent.”

“Kara, pretty name.”

I smile, “Thanks.”

I look to the high school and take a sigh, alright brave new world here I come…



Training


The sun is low on the horizon and cast a lovely glow over my room. It's a lot different from the one I have back in Kansas. Instead of four walls covered with some posters, a bookshelf, and a creaky window; I have what loos like a Ancient Greek master bedroom. Ornate white marble columns rise up from my balcony which overlooks the beach to connect with the ceiling. A large white sheet covered bed awaits me as I stumble in. Normally I'd admire the beautiful sunset over a gorgeous beach but today, I'm just too damn tired. 

“Uhhhh….” I sigh as I throw myself face first down onto the bed. The soft cotton and comfortable mattress help catch me as the warm rays of the sun tingle my skin as I lay there. I’m just going to pass out right here, I tell myself. Forget the call to dinner, to spending time down at the beach, I’m just going to sleep forever here and it’s going to take Martian Manhunter and his mental powers to wake me up.

“Kara?” the voice calls out from the hallway.

I ignore it till the voice calls again. It’s friendly one and I’d normally respond but my desire for sleep outweighs my longing for friendship. “Go away….”

The voice much closer now and in my room responds, “Come on Kara, what are you going to do lie there all day?”

“Yes,” I answer, my eyes shut, “I’m just going to stay passed out here and you can let that redheaded sadist know I’m dead. She’s won.”

I feel myself rolled over which forces me to open my eyes. Standing over me arms crossed with a smirk on her face is another blonde. She has a heart shaped face with blue eyes, in a way she and I look a lot alike. She wears a red short toga like top something normal for the island. The blue jeans that are popping out underneath it however are distinctly hers, “Come on Kara, Artemis isn’t trying to kill you.”

I lift my head up and with animated eyes exclaim, “Hard for me to tell!” Before collapsing my head back down on the bed.

My friend throws herself onto the bed, landing on her back and lying next to me. While she's dressed in the red Amazon top and blue jeans I'm dressed a bit more traditionally. A short Amazon fighting dress colored blue hugs my frame along with silver bracelets over my wrists. My dress is being dusty and dirty from the day. Cassie turns her head and says, “Alright out with it Kara, otherwise I’m getting Diana’s lasso and making you spill your guts.”

I give her a look, “You wouldn’t…”

Cassandra Sandsmark smirks, “Oh I don’t bluff Kara Zor-El.”

We stare at each other for a moment before breaking out in laughter. Cassie and I let our laughter wash over us as we just rest there on the bed. Cassie, Cassandra Sandsmark was in a way a lot like me. We had both lost our parents, Cassie’s dad dying not long after she was born, her mother during an attack by Wonder Woman’s enemy Circe. Also like me she had received extraordinary abilities. When Circe attacked Diana and Cassie’s mom at an archaeological dig Cassie had been gravely wounded.

The only way for Wonder Woman to save her was to use the amazing properties of her own Amazon blood. A transfusion had saved Cassie but also changed her. She possessed many of the Amazon Princess’s abilities, incredible strength, healing, the ability to fly. I had jokingly heard Cassie refer to herself as ‘Wonder Girl’. She lived on Themyscira now, training in her abilities much like I was. However between the two of us I fully expected Cassie to survive the experience.       

The blonde turned her body, resting on her side looking at me using a hand to prop up her head while her elbow resided on the bed, “So, is this really about how Artemis is treating you?”

I sighed, “It’s a lot of things.”

It had been nearly a month now. A month since I had decided that, I could no longer just be Kara Kent soon to be high school senior. Seeing what was happening on my adoptive home, what people like Kal, Diana, and even normal humans like Bruce did every day to keep people safe. I had all the powers of my cousin and I was just going to hide them? In a way I hadn’t. All through my first year at Smallville High I had used them, quietly of course. Saving a friend here, helping a small disaster there. I had just moved into the role without thinking about it.

I could do so much, I remember thinking that one night sitting in the loft above the Kent barn. I had been up there, staring into the crisp clear night sky star gazing. For a while after I had first arrived on Earth I had gone up there to my enhanced vision to try and peer at Krypton’s sun, Rao. I could see it during the right time of year, a faint red dot so very far away. Eventually though I had stopped looking towards my old home and focused on this one. This was why I had told the family I wanted to wear her family’s crest, wanted to help Clark protect his home, my new home.

To show I was committed to this I made a request, one I was now starting to regret. If I was going to become a hero, I needed training. And what better place to get that then under Wonder Woman’s guidance? I knew the request had hurt Kal's feelings a little bit. Clark had done a lot to help me master my powers but I knew I needed more if I was going to face the dangers he and his costumed friends did. In the end he had realized that too, so not long after her summer break from school had started, we flew to Themyscira. 

It had been hard telling Rich, Laura, and all my friends that I was going away for a while. Especially since Richard and I had been somewhat crushing on one another. My friends though, they had thrown a going away party that I still remember, especially as it had been my first kiss. Thanks to a little Batman gadgetry I had the ability to send emails and messages but with all my training it was hard to keep up steady correspondence.

“Kara,” Cassie said somewhat breaking my train of thought. “You’re doing fine.”

I turn my head to look at her, “Am I?”

I must admit when I first showed up on Themyscira I was a little…alright, a lot over confident. How couldn’t I be? I mean I had super-strength, near invulnerability, and could fly. Let’s not even get into the fact I can shoot lasers from my eyes, blow out freezing hurricane force winds, oh and did I mention the flying? Sorry but that one really is my favorite. So on my first day facing off with one of the younger (younger is subjective by the way as all the immortal Amazons are older than many human civilizations) Amazon warriors, I was feeling pretty good. 

That feeling ended twenty seconds later when my first punch was grabbed, my arm twisted around my back, and then my face shoved into the ground. Seems I didn’t quite put it in my head that the Amazons are for the most part, warriors. Wonder Woman might be their champion in Patriarch’s World but that didn’t mean any of the others were lesser in quality and strength. I don’t quite much remember what happened after that. I do remember looking up in the sky with my trainer, Artemis staring over me.

Her ponytail red hair dangling off her shoulder, red and gold armor she wore glinting in the light. The one Amazon who was rumored could at the least, tie, in a fight wit Diana told me, “Lesson one Kara Zor-El, your abilities mean nothing…if you’re not trained to use them.”

That first day had continued to see me taxed and pushed in ways I never expected. I later learned I did indeed pass out eventually and was carried to my bed by somebody. For a month now I had been training, learning how to fight with my powers, use them, and it didn’t feel like I was getting any better. I said as much to Cassie.

The blonde haired half-Amazon pulled me up into a sitting position. She took my hands and held them, “Kara you’ve been at this for a month you know what I’ve seen?” I didn’t answer. Cassie continued, “You came here a little sure of yourself and that ended quickly.” I looked away remembering again my lovely first day, “But you’re greatest strength isn’t what the yellow sun gives you.”

I raise an eyebrow as Cassie continues, “No matter what you don’t give up. You don’t let the world bring you down.” She lowered her head for a moment, “When I first came here I didn’t know what I was going to do. How could I go on, losing my Mom…getting these powers, I didn’t think I was ever going to master them. It took a lot of work of Diana, Artemis, my sisters…” she referred to the Amazons in general, “Too get me to see what I could do.”

“Cassie…” she didn’t let me finish.

“You though, you lost your world, your whole…way of life.” Cassie shook her head, “I can’t even…imagine that…yet,” she focused on my blue eyes, “You have never let that crush you.”

I feel the pangs of lost I usually do when thinking about Krypton. My voice softens but unlike a year ago, I don’t cry, “I had a lot of help, just like you.”

“You did but…” Cassie touched her hand to my heart, “You also were you.”

I smile and pull Cassie into a tight hug, “Thanks Cassandra.”

She hugs back and says, “You know I hate that name.”

“I know,” I reply but not feeling the least bit bad about using it. After disengaging from our hug Cassie asks me if I’ll join her for a sunset swim. I nod yes and she leaves to change. Sitting on the bed I look out over the shores of Themyscira and think about the future.

I’m going to make it, I decided, and I’m going to make a difference. 




Girl of Steel


The fire was roaring out of multiple floors of the AMX building. Icky black smoke billowed from the broken windows and filled the skies above Metropolis. Red and white firetrucks had pulled up to the building. While many had tall ladders raised, most couldn't reach up to the highest floors where the fire blazed. To get firefighters up there normally the elevators would be used. They would bring their hoses and equipment up to lock into outlets on the higher floors and this all worked well in theory. However the fire had knocked out several elevators and as a result the firefighters had to climb the last several floors. It was slow going and the fire was spreading out of control. 

There was a huge first responder presence outside the AMX building. Cops, Firemen, and paramedics; Metropolis finest worked to fight the fire, treat the wounded, and for the police, keep the crowds under control. Part of that was to keep the media out of the way as well. One officer on this task had his work cut out for him.

“Miss please…” the officer tried to keep his patience.

“Listen buddy,” the sharp voiced reporter stated. Her dark brown nearly black hair went down to her shoulders and she had focused intelligent eyes squarely on him, “This is a major story and if you want to get in the way of the freedom of press, you’re welcome to try.” Lois Lane told the cop.

The officer didn’t budge though and Lois knew that she had only so many favors with the MPD. I don’t think Inspector Henderson would like to get me out of the back of a squad car…again, Lois sighed as she gave the officer another look. She turned and headed back to the young man who was snapping pictures.

“What’s the word Miss Lane?” Jimmy Olsen asked while still focusing down the end of his camera.

Lois crossed her grey clad arms. Her grey suit jacket matched the feminine slacks she wore. She glanced up at the fire knowing getting much closer wouldn’t really matter. Nobody else who worked for one of the papers, news channels, or blogs would be getting near that fire. Well, all but one reporter, Lois thought with a smile. Any moment now a certain Man of Steel she knew both in and out of cape would arrive, and thanks to Clark I’ll have the inside scoop.

“Hey Lois.”

The Midwestern accented voice, cheery and friendly from behind her caused the Pulitzer Prized Winning reporter to spin on her black shoes and glare half dumbfounded & half concerned. A dark haired bespectacled man stood before her. He wore a light navy blue jacket, buttoned up shirt with tie, matching slacks, and simple shoes. The suit she knew hid a more athletic frame than people would have suspected along with a red and yellow S over his chest.

Clark Kent tilted his head, “Lois, everything alright?”

“Um, well Clark,” Lois glanced to Jimmy who snapped more pictures, the redheaded freckled reporter was entirety focused on capturing images of the ongoing disaster. With that covered she leaned in a bit and quietly spoke, “What are you doing here?”

Clark gave her a somewhat puzzled look of his own, “Well I’m here to cover the fire with you.” He dipped his head a bit, “You know, partners, the job we’ve been doing for the past four years?”

Lois shook her head, “No not that I mean shouldn’t you be you know…” she jerked her head towards the building. Clark didn’t respond so Lois continued speaking almost in a whisper, “You know…up, up and away?”

“Ah,” he answered as if he was just realizing what Lois meant. “Well I think this will get handled.”

Lois was still confused, “So what, you called the League for this?”

“No, somebody else,” Clark said with an impish smile. His face though was soon filled with expectant pride, like a proud parent about to see their kid do something for the first time. Lois despite her initial confusion was no fool. After thinking about it a little bit, she realized why Clark was acting the way he was.

“You mean…” her voice trailed off.

“Look!” somebody yelled, interrupting them, “It’s Superman!”

Head turned as they spotted a red and blue streak flying into the building, right through one of the cauldrons of flames. From the crowds a cheer went up as they assumed, incorrectly, the Man of Steel was on the job. Lois knowing better than the rest now wanted to run past the policemen and firefighters; to see what was going on first hand but she felt a strong hand on her shoulder. Clark gave her a glance that conveyed, just sit tight. Even from dozens of stories below they heard what sounded like a tornado of wind.

Lois turned her eyes and saw the black smoke that had been coming out of the building suddenly get pushed out, blown away by whatever tremendous force had just expelled the flames inside. She stole a quick glance to the first responders. More than one of them was listening to their radios with wide eyes or confused expressions. Lois managed to catch a hint of one conversations the officers were having,

“It’s not him, than who?” the police officer said into his mic before turning to look up.

Everybody was looking up as a figure emerged from the building. Jimmy lowered his camera for a second, stunned by the sight like most of them. Lois took in the details with her writer’s mind; the sunlight caused her hair to glow some like a halo. She wore the same tight blue top that Clark did but it had a few differences. Some red seams ran through the top and arms. Her shield was different, same shape as Clark’s but rather than a yellow field for the S to sit in; it was outlined in gold, with the blue suit filling the empty space. Gold coated the ends of her sleeves as well.  

A belt went around the waist which held a red skirt that featured a gold hemline. As the figure descended her bare legs were revealed to be in red calf high boots topped with gold. A billowing red cape fluttered as she flew down to the Metropolis Fire Chief. Lois noted the cape also had gold trim. She immediately approved and smiled, look out Metropolis there’s another one and, she’s going to be heart breaker.

“Chief, the main fire is out and I checked for anyone who was trapped,” the costumed girl told him as she landed. Her cape settled behind her and the blonde young woman noticed everyone staring at her.

The Fire Chief took a minute to respond, “Thank you…um…”

She nodded, “Happy to help, now if you’ll excuse me.” She leapt into the air, an arm outstretched, cape flaring out behind her. Jimmy raised his camera and as he had so often in his short career, snapped the perfect shot. The caped woman flew up and into the sky to the stunned amazement of the crowd, police, and firefighters.

Lois turned to Clark who as expected had a smile on his face.

………………………….

 I can’t believe it…

Seriously I can’t. My first day wearing the cape and it was…amazing! I wonder if this how Kal felt first time he appeared as Superman? After getting my cue with the fire I went on patrol of the city. Part of me wondered how much action or trouble I could run into, apparently a lot. 

After the fire I picked up with my hearing a robbery at a jewelry store. Three masked guys were trying to steal the merchandise and the cash from the store. They were confused as to why a woman in Superman’s colors and symbol was there but they recovered quickly enough to start blasting me. Bullets bounced off me and though I knew it would happen I did sort of wince at first. Luckily they didn’t notice and soon a few super-strong blows brought them down.

The day was a whirlwind after that. There had been a pile up on one of the expressways. I flew in and used my hands as a Kryptonian ‘Jaws of Life’ to rip open damaged car frames to free trapped motorists. There was quite a bit of petty crimes, muggings, breaking up fights, and stopping a couple of kids from having a game of chicken by landing between their speeding cars. And I helped a little old lady cross the street. It had been a great first day in my cape.

I soared over the night sky above Metropolis enjoying the view as I glided above the sparkling lights that glowed from the buildings. I can’t believe all this, here I was soaring above this city, with powers I couldn’t even have imagined back on Krypton. To think just a little over a year and half ago, I let out a soft sigh as memories flooded back in. I adjusted my flight, moving to a hover above the sprawling city.

Mother, Father, I wish you could see me now. My eyes traced up to the sky. Telescopic vision lets me peer into the heavens to a particular spot in the cosmos. A faint, twinkling, red dot was there. My eyes close as I remember everything I lost…

“Kara…”

The soft voice of Clark reaches my ears and I open my eyes and remember all I’ve gained.

I fly towards The Daily Planet the building may have been updated over the years but the big bronzed globe atop glowed in soft yellow lights. Waiting on the rooftop were Clark and Lois.

“Hi cuz,” I say as I touch down with a quiet whoosh from my flight. He stands there out his jacket hands in his pockets. At first he doesn’t say anything and I wonder if something is wrong. So much so I use, “Kal?”

“Kara…,” he walks over and wraps me in a big hug, “I’m so proud of you.”

I manage to slip my arms around his upper body and squeeze back, “Thank you Kal, I couldn’t have done this without you.”

“You didn’t need much help,” Clark answered back still holding me and looking down.

I shake my head, “No, not just this,” I touch my repurposed ship-suit’s S-Emblem, “But everything since I got here. I didn’t know what my life could be after I lost Krypton…but thanks to you, Ma and Pa, my friends…” I felt my eyes getting wet, “I have a new home.”

Clark, the big sap got a little teary himself and hugged me again. We stayed like that for a little bit before Lois coughed and walked over. “Is this a private party?” She smirked, but I knew she meant well.

“Not at all,” I tell her accepting a hug. Lois congratulates me letting me know that the whole city is abuzz about the girl in the Superman symbol.

“Guess I’ll need to talk with the press,” Clark smirked giving a sly look to Lois.

She elbowed him, “Oh you will but first I thought it be nice to show you two tomorrow’s edition.” Lois went over to where she had put her bag. She came out with a copy of The Planet. I have to admit, I’m taken aback.

The front page featured a large color photo of me in my new costume. I’m awe struck by the picture. Jimmy caught me in midflight, taking off from scene of the fire where I made my first appearance. The headline though was crafted by Lois I saw, she had written the story.

METROPOLIS MEET SUPERGIRL

Supergirl, I read with approval. I looked up from the paper and smiled, “I love it.” I gave Lois another hug but paused part way through as I heard, “Sounds like there’s an armored car being hijacked…”

I turn to Clark who smiles, “Looks like a job for Supergirl.”

I grin and head for the edge of the roof. I take one glance back and promise, “See you guys in a little bit.” With that I soar up into the sky, arms outstretched in front of me as the city rushes by. I have one more reason to smile as I hear Clark’s voice back at the planet,

“Go get them, Girl of Steel…”  

The End

Thanks for following along everybody, Kara will be back in Issue #15! 

Supergirl, Girl of Steel Issue 0 is a special look at some key moments in Kara Zor-El's life before she became Supergirl. From the heart wrenching lost of her home planet to the first time she dawned the House of El crest. Enjoy this special issue before the newest arc begins for Girl of Steel.

What is that arc you may ask, well it's about 'The Fastest Man Alive' ;) 
© 2016 - 2024 Mad-Man-with-a-Pen
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literfull12's avatar
The way you write Kara is just incredible. It shows you have an understanding of her character, more than most, anyway. Always glad to read one of your girl of steel stories, man.