Firstly, I'm not taking the comic spin-off(s) of the DCAU into account. I'm only classing as canon that which was in the animated shows.

Secondly I don't own the DCU or DCAU, they belong to DC Comics and WB respectively.

Chapter One

Legion HQ

Metropolis

Earth

09:02 – East America Time

February 04, 2991

"They never stood a chance," Cosmic Boy, now simply called Cosmos said, nudging Quantum, the former Kid Quantum, in the ribs causing him to frown.

Quantum pushed his arm away. "Nope, not when the Legion's about."

Light Lass rolled her eyes. "You two barely did anything," she accused. "It was all me and Timber Wolf that did all the work."

Cosmos, Quantum, and Light Lass were sat in the main lounge, in the Legion of Superheroes headquarters, telling the former Supergirl; now known as Argo, how they had taken down a group of super-villains, just yesterday. Argo would have joined them herself, and she had wanted to. Regrettably, the enemy had taken residence in a solar system with a red super-giant at its heart, which would have rendered her abilities useless.

Kara was listening intently to them tell the story with a smile on her face. She enjoyed listening to them exaggerate and/or warp the truth. It certainly made for a more entertaining story.

Cosmos had just started to embellish yet another encounter when Kara began to feel a little light-headed. The room around her began to spin and quickly it grew worse until she had no idea what was up or down. Her head began to pound as though it wanted to split in two, causing her to feel nauseous.

Then it stopped.

She opened her eyes and looked up to tell the others only to find they were gone. Instead of the lounge, she found herself floating in the ruins of what appeared to be Metropolis, but not the one she was used to. No, it was the city as it had been long ago back in the early twenty-first century, except in ruin.

Then, nausea struck her again as did her painful headache. She closed her eyes tightly and as quickly as it came, it once again vanished. She opened her eyes to find that she was back in the lounge feeling both confused and concerned.

Kara looked at the others. "Did you see that?" she demanded, practically shouting.

"See what?" Cosmos asked, looking around, to see if there was anything there. "I don't see anything."

"I thought I saw the city in ruins," Argo said irately. It had seemed so real. "Like it had been destroyed centuries ago."

The others shrugged. "I didn't see anything," Light Lass said.

"I didn't either," Quantum added his tone more concerned than the amused one from the others.

"You sure you didn't just imagine it?" Light Lass asked, with a slight shrug.

Argo shook her head. "No, I'm certain that I saw the city in ruins, but it wasn't our Metropolis."

"It wasn't?" Quantum asked, confused. "Then what Metropolis was it? I know there're a few cities around on other planets called Metropolis. Was it one of those?"

"No, it looked like the one from back in the twenty-first century. Only in ruins."

"You sure?" Cosmos questioned. "Because we didn't see anything."

"I-" She paused rubbing her eyes. "I thought I saw. I don't know what I saw."

"You okay?" Cosmos asked. "You wanna lie down?"

"Yeah, maybe that's a good idea," she said, slowly standing up. "I'll go take a nap."

"Maybe you should get yourself checked out in the medbay just in case," Light Lass suggested.

"No, I think I'm good. I probably dozed off for a moment and had a quick dream, or hallucination or something. It was nothing."

"Okay, if you're certain," Cosmos said. Still looking concerned. "Enjoy your nap."

Kara nodded as she made her way out of the room. She didn't know what she had just seen, but she hoped it had been a dream and had not been real. If it was a vision of a possible reality, then what did it mean, and what had caused it? Could it be someone was messing with time?

For now, she would simply try and sleep it off and hope it truly was nothing.

Secret Government Facility

Outskirts of Keystone & Central City

United States

11:35 – Central Standard Time

March 07, 2007

Over the last year or so, Galatea, also known as the Supergirl clone; much to her chagrin and frustration, had been without her powers. When she was in her room or cell, it was because of the red sun lamp that hung over her. When she was not in her cell, it was because of the inhibitor collar they made her wear.

At first, she had been furious at her predicament, especially when she discovered that Supergirl had put her into a coma for almost two months after electrocuting her with giant power cables on the Watchtower.

Slowly, though, with multiple visits from her father, Emil Hamilton, she had begun to accept why she had been depowered. She had not obeyed orders and they claimed she was too powerful to be let loose, especially if she couldn't be trusted.

Having lived as a human for a year, she felt she could appreciate them more, even if she didn't really like being captive here. That wasn't to say that she had been chained up, far from it. She had been given lessons, as well as training with various martial arts, which she could never have learned properly if she'd had her full strength. She'd been able to let loose with her sparring partner, and she had learned a lot because of it.

She also had many visits from her father, which she greatly appreciated. From him, she had learned much about the sciences, and he had been very impressed by how intellectual she was, which made her feel happy.

His praise meant a lot to her. Especially when she knew that she'd been made for the sole purpose of destroying supers, such as those in the Justice League, lest they got out of control. The problem was, that in their opinion, it was her who had gone out of control, and that had led to her being here, without her powers. Still, she wouldn't want to swap her time here for anything else. She had learned so much in such a short time, and that information would be invaluable in the future. Given she was ever allowed to use it.

About a month ago, it had all stopped. The lessons, the training, everything. The only interaction she had gotten from the outside world since was when they put a tray of food through the hatch under the large steel door.

Not even her father had come to visit, which was strangest of all. He had visited her twice every week, sometimes even visiting three times. For him not to show up at all during the four or so weeks, was unusual and out of character.

It concerned her deeply. It made her feel caged and trapped. Why had it stopped and what did it mean? She didn't know. She just wanted things back as they had been.

Her isolation was interrupted by the sound of clanking by the door. Galatea looked towards it, from where she was sat, on a chair directly beneath the red sun lamp. The large steel hatch opened and four armed men strode in, followed by Doctor Quentin, who worked with her father.

"Put on your collar, please," he urged, passing it to her.

She did so before she was led out into the corridor. Usually, she headed right. This time, however, they headed left.

"Where are we going?" she asked him, her eyes straining at the white light of the brightly lit hallways.

"You'll find out when we get there," he told her.

"Where's Daddy?"

"Dr Hamilton couldn't be here. He's been quite busy with something else."

Quentin was lying. She didn't know how she could tell, but there was something about his eyes that suggested he wasn't being entirely honest.

"Did something happen to him?"

"No, nothing. He just had to be away from the project for a while."

Galatea cringed. She hated when her existence was called 'the project'. It made her feel like less of a person. Technically, though, she wasn't. She was a clone of another person and the very fact that the other person was out there somewhere, made her feel inferior. Like a cheap knock-off. The worse insult was when for a time she had started having dreams related to her progeny.

These dreams turned out to be visions. She was seeing what Supergirl was doing, sort of like an echo. She had wanted them gone, and had even sought to kill her to make it so. While she had ultimately failed, the visions had stopped on their own. That didn't stop her from wanting to destroy Supergirl, though.

Apparently, she would never get the chance. Her father had told her that Supergirl had vanished, and hadn't been seen in perhaps a year. It was a shame because she still often dreamed about snapping her neck.

"Okay, in here," Quentin said, directing her into a room.

She stepped inside to see a single chair with straps on the armrests.

"What's going on?" she demanded.

"Guards, get her in the chair."

"What are you going to do to me!?" she said, as she leapt back free of their grip.

"Don't make it hard on yourself," Quentin warned. "It's been decided that you're too big a risk, and must be terminated." He smiled cruelly. "Don't worry, we already have your replacement in the works."

The guards grabbed ahold of her and started to drag her towards the chair. She tried to get free, but in her state, they were stronger. Suddenly the lights went out.

"What's going on?" Quentin asked, his voice loud in the darkness.

Galatea, who was still struggling in their grip, felt a click in her collar. Something had not only knocked out the lights, it had also knocked out the object restraining her ability to absorb the yellow solar radiation.

Deciding to use the opportunity presented to her, she used the martial skills she had learned over the last year, and managed to get one arm free. She ripped the collar from her neck, before using it to bludgeon the person who still had hold of her second arm. She then ran into the darkened corridor. Seeing light at the end of the hallway, she ran for it, knowing it was her key to freedom.

"Stop her!" she heard Quentin yell. "If she gets in the sunlight, her cells will start to react."

She ran as they opened fire. In her weakened state, she felt a bullet graze her arm, slicing open her tunic and the flesh underneath. That didn't stop her though and she continued to sprint forward.

She made it to the source of light, which was a large window that looked down into a car park. Despite it only being a few seconds, she could feel the yellow sunlight begin to affect her. It made her feel more alert, more energetic.

Unfortunately, she couldn't stay. Her pursuers were right behind her, their footsteps echoing on the hard floor as they ran after her. She continued on, quickly finding a fire escape.

Pushing it open and stepped out onto a catwalk, and promptly began to run down the metal steps. She paused as a door on the ground floor burst open and several armed soldiers pointed their guns at her.

"You can't flee," a man in a black suit told her, before addressing the soldiers. "Kill her before the sun charges her. And someone find out who set off that EMP."

They opened fire, and she spun around, bullets striking her back hard. At first, she thought they'd penetrated her flesh considering how much it hurt, but she found that they were just bouncing off. It was rather obvious that she still wasn't up to full strength, however. She knew because she could feel it and it hurt like hell.

The man calmly pulled out a pistol. "This holds a Kryptonite bullet," he said as he calmly pointed it at her. "It was made just for you. And I'm a good shot," he bragged.

Panicking, she jumped into the air, the bullet clipping the bottom of her boot.

"Damnit!" he yelled. "Who has the green rock?" he asked those around him. With a lack of response, he shouted an order, "Someone go and get the green rock and kill her before she gets out of control."

"Too late!" she snapped. "You want to kill me? I'll destroy you!"

She charged at them, bowling the troops aside like they were nothing. She grabbed the man clad in black by the neck and lifted him off of the ground. With a look of disgust, she slammed him hard into the wall, blood bursting from his mouth.

"Don't do anything stupid," he wheezed.

"I'm not the one that started this. You should never have tried to kill me."

"We'll stop you."

She shrugged before she tossed him aside. With a sick smile, she flew up high into the sky. After embracing the sun for a few minutes, she dived back down, striking the centre of the facility hard, smashing clean through the roof and all four levels. As she struck the Earth, she created a crater inside the building and a ground quake. No longer fully supported, the building began to collapse in on itself.

They had thought she was dangerous before. Now she would show them just how dangerous she could be. This place would be nothing but rubble by the time she was done.

Legion HQ

Metropolis

Earth

17:50 - East America Time

April 15, 2991

"Good mission," Phantom Woman, the pitch-black eyed and black-haired Bgztlian woman commented, as she walked alongside Kara upon their arrival back on Earth. When they had first met, she had been called Phantom Girl, but as with getting older, she had changed her name, as had several others.

"Yes," Kara said simply in response.

Phantom Woman stopped and looked back at her. "Everything okay? You've been mopey all day."

"It's nothing. I'll be okay come tomorrow," Argo reassured her.

While this victory marked yet another successful mission, for Kara, it was also the eleventh year she had been in the future, which was now her present.

It was around this time every year that she remembered back to everything she had left behind back in the twenty-first century, on that Earth. To all the people she would never see again.

The Legion of Superheroes was the fourth family she had known. The first had been her biological family on Argo. Her second had been Kal-El, or Clark and the Kents. The third; and one that had existed consecutively with the Kents, was with the reformed Justice League. There, she had developed into her own person with the help of Black Canary and Green Arrow. Even so, she had still lived under the shadow of Superman.

When she, Green Lantern and Green Arrow had been transported here to the future, an opportunity had come to her. They had found that one of them never went back, and so she stayed here. One of the main reasons was Brainiac 5. At the time, a decade ago, she'd had a crush on him. Now, it was obvious that it would never work. They were just too different from each other, and he simply didn't understand her, nor understand women for that matter. She had then dated Timber Wolf for a while; twice in fact, and it hadn't lasted. Either time.

She'd had on and off relationships over the years with other Legionnaires and even some from the civilian population. These days, though, she put all her focus into being a hero. She had cemented her decision when she had dropped the Supergirl moniker and adopted Argo as her new hero name. That was three years ago, and now on the eleventh anniversary of her being here, she thought back onto what she had left behind.

They were all dead. All of them. Kara wondered how Clark had taken the news that she had decided to stay in the future? For him, she would have been as good as dead, and now he too was dead, literally. After all that he had done for her, she had left him, left all of them.

That wasn't to say she was unhappy. She was happier here in the future than she had been back in the past. Here she didn't have to hide behind Karen Kent. Here, she could be herself.

"You're back," Brainiac 5 commented coolly as he stepped into the room, focusing on her, ignoring Phantom Woman. "I need to speak with you, Argo."

Kara made her way over to him, but not before waving to her friend. "I'll see you later."

"Sure, I'm off to go clean up," she replied, moving off to grab a shower.

"What is it?" Kara asked him.

"I don't think you're supposed to be here," he said, without a hint of emotion.

Kara frowned. "Excuse me?"

"There have been ripples detected across time. I decided to investigate what could be causing it, and it appears that you were never meant to stay here."

As he spoke, it triggered the memory of what had happened to her. Of how she had seen the city in ruin. She had dismissed it as some waking dream, or at least that's what she had told the others, but she had known something was wrong. Now, she had at least a semblance of an answer. "I wonder if that's what that was," she muttered under her breath.

"What did you say?" Brainiac asked.

"I saw something strange happen just over a month ago. I thought I saw Metropolis in ruins."

"That will be a result of the time ripples, and the problem may be centred around you. You were never meant to remain here."

"But you said only two went back to the twenty-first century. You told me that I was meant to stay here. Was that a lie to get me to stay?"

"No, it wasn't a lie. Supergirl vanishes from the history books. However, a year after, a hero named Argo turned up. She shares your description, including your uniform and abilities."

Kara looked down at her attire. Her Argo costume had some similarities to her last Supergirl costume, such as that it was blue, though now it was midnight blue, was cape-less and had a large 'A' on the chest instead of the 'S'.

"I don't understand?" she said, looking back up at him.

"I cannot go into too many details, but Argo is instrumental in winning some great battles. If she isn't there, then our future might not exist."

"Are you certain?" Kara asked, unsure. After all this time the thought of going back genuinely scared her.

"I will have to confirm it, but it does appear that you are destined to return to the twenty-first century."

Argo stared at him for several minutes unsure what to say. Finally, the words came to her. "If it's true that I have to go back, then I can return at any time, right? As long as I get there eventually and at the right time?"

"I don't know. It's a predestination paradox, so when you do go back, it was when you were meant to go back anyway."

"Then there's no rush," Kara said.

"We can't leave it forever. If we do, then time could be irreparably damaged."

"I know. Just give me time to think about this." Kara moved off, feeling confused and deeply unsettled regarding what she had just been told.

Mack's Bar and Grill

Keystone City

United States

12:24 – Central Standard Time

March 07, 2007

Smoke plumed up high into the sky. Something which didn't go unnoticed by the Flash. He turned to the two young blonde women he had been trying to impress and had been happily succeeding at.

"Sorry ladies," he said gesturing to the smoke, "but it seems I'm needed."

"Aww do you have to?" the one with blue eyes asked.

"We don't get this close to a superhero very often," the one with brown eyes added.

"Hey, if it's nothing I'll be back in a flash. If not, then I'll be back in a minute or two after I've dealt with it." With that, he was gone in a blur of red.

An instant later, he was stood outside what had once been some government facility. The term 'once' was apt, because it was now rubble, with injured strewn about everywhere.

The place was a few miles outside the city limits and was well away from the main roads. It was camouflaged by dense woodland, the only indications it existed were the small road and the large radio tower, which wasn't so large anymore. Whatever had happened, it appeared to have been pretty disastrous.

He quickly moved over to the nearest man, who judging by his white lab coat was some kind of scientist or doctor.

"What happened?" he asked glancing around.

"The white devil," the man wheezed. "Should have killed it when we had the chance."

"But you won't!" a familiar feminine voice boomed from overhead. "You can't kill me."

Flash looked up to see the Supergirl clone floating over him. He felt intimidated, but didn't let it show. "You won't get away with this!" he warned.

"People have been saying that all morning. I suggest you go on your way," she threatened. "This has nothing to do with you."

"No can do." He reached for his hidden ear, activating his communicator that lay beneath his cowl. "This is Flash, I need some heavy hitters at-"

He never got to finish as Galatea rushed him. He easily moved out of the way but didn't anticipate her sending out her laser vision. The twin beams struck him in the knee. He staggered but managed to keep his footing.

Flash turned to see her rushing him. With a limp, he tried to move out of the way, but he was too slow. He was knocked out cold, with a single punch.

Legion HQ

Metropolis

Earth

06:21 - East America Time

June 06, 2991

Kara sat in the lounge eating her breakfast, which was a simple bowl of cereal. Despite warnings from Brainiac 5, she had decided to stay put here in the present. At least until it was proven to her liking that she had to go back. In truth, she was trying to convince herself that she didn't need to go back.

She smiled as Chameleon stepped over to the table. "Mind if I sit down?" he asked her.

"Sure, I was feeling a little lonely. The others aren't up yet, and the ones that are, are either on monitor duty or are running the training course."

He sat down and began to talk to her. Argo frowned when she couldn't understand a word he was saying to her. He sounded distant, distorted. It took a moment before she realised that not only was he fading out, so was the building.

Kara stared as she saw the late-thirtieth century city of Metropolis beyond, replaced by ruins of a much older city. The destruction stretched out as far as the horizon. Every direction she looked was the same. Nothing but the decay of a civilization long gone.

She began to fall as the new nightmarish reality solidified around her. Before she hit the ground, she forced herself to float, looking around at the post-apocalyptic wasteland around her.

Argo flew forward, over the decaying city. Using her x-ray vision, and super hearing, she looked for survivors. Seeing none, she started to panic.

Then, the world around her began to brighten, as the Metropolis she knew began to coalesce back into being. She looked back to the Legion Headquarters, which stood tall and proud as it always had done since she had arrived in this century.

Still feeling uneasy about what had just happened, she flew as fast as she could back to the tower.

Outskirts of Keystone City & Central City

United States

12:46 – Central Standard Time

March 07, 2007

Superman and Wonder Woman had responded to the Flash's call for help. Currently, they were following his communicator beacon, which took them out of the city, seemingly towards a large plume of smoke.

The two found the source of the smoke, which was a large pile of rubble, that appeared to have once been a structure of some kind. All around were injured. They would need help and quickly.

Superman turned to Wonder Woman to speak, when a blur of white hit him with such concussive force, that even the Amazon felt it.

The powerful strike, knocked Superman clear over the horizon, and out of sight, leaving the Amazon to face off with the Argoan clone alone.

"Stand down and give up," Wonder Woman ordered, having quickly recovered from the surprise of the sudden attack.

The clone responded with a mid-air roundhouse kick, sending the Amazon spiralling out of control. She quickly recovered.

"No, you give up and leave!" Galatea shouted. "This has nothing to do with you!"

"I'm afraid it does. Where's Flash?"

Galatea pointed down to where he lay, amongst other injured below. "Take him and leave."

"I cannot let you harm anyone else."

"If that's your choice."

The clone shot forward and threw a left hook, which the Amazon was barely able to block. She tried to kick the white-clad woman, but the clone caught her leg, and threw her down hard, towards the ground.

Wonder Woman was able to stop herself, before she hit the concrete below, and flew back up. She tried to uppercut her foe, but the Argoan clone moved back, clear out of the way.

Having overshot, Galatea took advantage. She grabbed hold of the Amazon's legs and threw her back down. This time, it was a lot harder.

Wonder Woman crashed into the ground, cracking the pavement. In a moment, the clone was atop of her, striking her hard in the face, until the Amazon lost consciousness.

She climbed up off of the fallen woman with a sneer. "Pathetic," she mumbled, as she flew back up into the sky.

She scanned the horizon for any sign of Superman. Then, she spotted him, coming in fast. Galatea smiled as she prepared herself for combat.

Legion HQ

Metropolis

Earth

13:37 - East America Time

June 06, 2991

Kara let out a heavy sigh. She had just finished explaining what had happened to Brainiac 5 while he sat there silently, taking mental notes on everything she said.

It was clear to him that the disturbance in time was centred around her. She was a major player in events that had happened far in the past. If she wasn't there, then the present would be destroyed.

Brainiac folded his arms across his chest. "From the data, and everything you've told me, I believe the destroyed Metropolis is what will happen if you don't go back."

"But why am I seeing it and no one else?"

"Because you are the key. The longer you stay, the more chance that the present will cease to exist."

"But it was so primitive on Earth back then," she argued, immediately cringing when she realised how much like a child she sounded. "I like it here. I don't feel out of place."

"If you don't go back, then the present will cease to exist."

"So I have to go," she mused. "At least I'll get to see Clark again." She slowly looked around the room, taking it all in. "So, when should I go?" she asked after a few moments.

"I think you should wait until you have said goodbye to everyone."

Kara slowly shook her head. "I don't think I can say goodbye. It makes it too final. I plan on coming back."

"You should still say goodbye."

"I'll think about it."

Secret Government Facility Ruins

Outskirts of Keystone City & Central City

United States

12:53 – Central Standard Time

March 07, 2007

Superman threw a left, then a right, then another left. It was all for nothing, though, as his fists found nothing but air.

He was growing frustrated. The clone kept dodging his attacks. No matter how hard he threw a punch, she simply moved out of the way. What made it worse was the smug grin on her face.

"You're all power, but with absolutely no skill, or finesse," the woman clad in white mocked. "I, on the other hand, have had training."

He tried to change how he was attacking, with faster, weaker shots. But she still easily avoided them.

"I'm bored," she said, right before delivering a powerful right hook to his chin.

Superman rolled over and spun seven-hundred-and-twenty degrees, head over heels before he managed to right himself.

"Come on boy scout, you have to try harder," she said derisively. "You haven't landed one hit yet."

He suddenly flew forward, striking her on the chin. She was knocked upwards but recovered in time to avoid a second strike.

"Lucky hit," she said. "I'll make sure that doesn't happen again, boy scout."

Superman tried hard to ignore her. "Just give it up. I called back-up while you were battling Wonder Woman. More will be here soon."

"It'll be too late. By the time they get here, you'll be a smear on the pavement," she said, rolling her shoulders, loosening off the tension that had built up in them.

Taking a deep breath, she shot forwards, punching him in the face as hard as she could, sending him hurtling off into the distance once more.

She grinned. So pleased was she at her accomplishment, that she failed to notice the dark blue blur that shot towards her from the side.

Legion HQ

Metropolis

Earth

11:24 - East America Time

June 07, 2991

"So, this is goodbye?" Saturn Girl asked sorrowfully.

"We'll miss you," Triplicate Girl added, looking depressed.

"We sure will," Chameleon added.

Cosmos looked to Brainiac 5. "Are you certain about this?" he asked the intellectual.

"I have run trillions of calculations on the matter," Brainiac explained. "Her presence in the past is integral to the survival of our present."

Bouncing Boy's large face looked sullen. "Then this really is goodbye."

"I don't plan on staying longer than I have to," Kara assured her friends. "But it's something I have to do."

"This way," Brainiac said. "It's time."

Kara followed. This was truly it. She was going back to the dark ages.

Five minutes later, Kara was stood in the machine that would send her back in time. As not to dilute the time-stream, she had given up her Legion Flight Ring, which was more of a symbol than anything remotely useful to her. Still, her middle finger felt naked without it. She'd worn the thing for eleven years, and it had become part of her. Now, it was gone.

She closed her eyes and began to breathe deeply. She was nervous. She hadn't seen any of them in over a decade, despite the fact that to them, she would have only been gone for perhaps a few months, maybe a year.

It would be a shock. When she had left, she had just turned twenty-one. Now, she was thirty. To them, she would have aged a decade in only a few months or so.

Would they even believe it was her? Maybe they'd think she was her clone trying to fool them. She did wear her hair shorter these days, though not quite as short as her psychotic clone.

"Are you ready?" Brainiac 5 asked her.

"No, but I know I have to do this," she mused. "Now, where are you dropping me off?"

"The location on Earth has been randomised. It is my belief that you'll arrive exactly where you're supposed to."

"And the date?"

"March seventh, twenty-zero-seven."

She inhaled deeply. "A year from their perspective," she commented. "Then, let's do this."

He activated the controls, and a sphere of energy formed around her before everything went white.

Updated Dec 2017