Summary: What if Kara's pod was programed to offer Kara information via subliminal interface so that during the time it takes to transport Kara to Earth she is educated and informed of what's she's getting into and ready to undertake her mission to provide and protect Kal-El. What they did not account for is the time she spent in the phantom zone where the on-board computer continued the lessons not only covering languages, customs (observed from Krypton) but also information about Krypton's technology and science.

Disclaimer: I own nothing except the manipulations of certain aspects of the DC Verse to create my story. Supergirl, Superman and other recognizable characters is owned by DC comics and the production companies who has the licenses to make the comics, books, movies and shows we love.

Summary: What if Kara's pod was programed to offer Kara information via subliminal interface so that during the time it takes to transport Kara to Earth she is educated and informed of what's she's getting into and ready to undertake her mission to provide and protect Kal-El. What they did not account for is the time she spent in the phantom zone where the on-board computer continued the lessons not only covering languages, customs (observed from Krypton) but also information about Krypton's technology and science.

Disclaimer: I own nothing except the manipulations of certain aspects of the DC Verse to create my story. Supergirl, Superman and other recognizable characters is owned by DC comics and the production companies who has the licenses to make the comics, books, movies and shows we love.

Kara's Dilemma

Chapter One

Krypton was a world of many wonders. It once was a paradise and a place of abundant resources. However, wars have torn its surface apart and it now lay a wasteland compared to its former glory. Despite all the tragedy that has happened upon its surface it was still a world that has reached its peak before it's fall. It has eradicated poverty, hunger, disease, and illnesses. It has mastered the power of the sun and the atoms to safely provide for their daily needs. Upon its' many plains, peaks, and valleys lay a society of perfect genetic beings. Genetic manipulations have been taken to its pinnacle and while cloning has been outlawed ,the people of Krypton has learn to encode the genetic code of their children so that each person knows their purpose and is willing to contribute for the improvement of their fellow men. Technologically Krypton is several centuries ahead of Earth's current capabilities. They have mastered many things we can only dream about but despite all of their advancements, they are still subject to the weakness of the human condition and to the whims of fate as evidenced by the planet's destruction and Kara's dilemma.

Krypton's society is based upon a guild system. The guilds offers up a candidate who is then part of the governing council. Each of the guild is composed multiple houses with each house specializing in a particular aspect of guild life. Each member of their society has an opportunity to pursue a career in anyof the guilds but with the help of genetic engineering each person has a predilection for a particular guild and this this predisposition is often dictated by the family from which they hail from. Kara Zor-El was the beloved daughter of Zor-El and Alura. She grew up surrounded by the many wonders of Krypton and by love of her family, which includes her beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins. Blessed to have been born to a family of wealth and means she was afforded the best possible start in the genetic lottery maybe more so than a typical Kryptonian. The El family, led by her father and uncle Jor-El, is one of the leading families focused on invention of new fields of science and technology. The Ze family, her mother's family, on the other hand is the premier family whose many members are known in their historical archives for their contribution in military advancement and strategy. The Ze family also has a large contingent that participates in law creation and enforcement. She was born with the predisposition to pursue both options (highly unusual, it is normal to have only one predisposition) and the bright and sunny optimism that seeks to make her parents proud.

The simplicity of her tranquil life began to fall apart a few years before Krypton exploded. Kara has always been an inquisitive child and her parents endeavored to keep her mind occupied but with their busy schedule she is often left to her own resources or under the watch of the KELEX droid unit they have in their household. Kara's Aunt Astra usually seeks out Kara whenever she had the opportunity to see if the youngling was doing all right. Astra spent many nights teaching Kara about the stellar bodies that can be seen in the night sky. She was also the one to fill Kara's head with tales of adventures that can be had amongst them. As a member of the Kryptonian military force and often spending months at a time onboard one of the few starships in Krypton's orbit Astra's stories were far more exciting than the tales her parents tell her about their work day. Kara adored Astra so she was understandably heartbroken when her aunt stopped visiting.

Kara was not exactly sure what occurred only that the night after her 9th birthday and her aunt's late night visit it was as if she just disappeared off the face of Krypton never to seen again. Alura, her mother told her that Aunt Astra on a special mission from the council onboard one of their starships and she is out amongst the stars exploring the space beyond. While her mother's explanation is certainly possible something within Kara knew that if her aunt was leaving for a lengthy mission she would have come by personally and said goodbye to her before leaving, just like she has done in the past. There was also something in Alura's melancholy face that told Kara that there was more to the story. Deep inside Kara's heart, she knew that something must have happened to her Aunt, something so awful that neither her mother nor her father can bare to tell her the truth.

The following year was a year filled with tragedy and unrest. Over the previous five years, Krypton has suffered a handful of devastating earthquakes but over the following year leading to her 10th birthday the frequency and severity of these earthquakes and abnormal weather phenomena has increased. Kara's father has spent more and more time in the science guild chambers and with Uncle Jor-El.

Her mother seem to spend more time with Aunt Lara who by some quirk of fate has become pregnant similar to the methods of childbirths before the birthing matrices were developed. Uncle Jor-El petitioned the governing council and the science guild not terminate her pregnancy citing an experiment for possible methods of genetic manipulation that may still be available to them should the birthing matrices fail in the future. A possibility that is not unfounded for the previous year a whole batch of youngling were lost due to an earthquake around one of the main matrix facilities.

The only highlight Kara can recall from that year was the birth of her little cousin Kal-El. He was a born with a healthy tuft of black hair and crystal clear blue eyes not too dissimilar to her own blue orbs. Kara fell in love with him the moment she saw him and always asked her parents for permission to visit with Kal after her daily sessions at the academy.

It was the night before the Argos City Liberty Celebration but the atmosphere in the El family compound was anything but festive. Over the past few months, the tension within the household have risen to almost unbearable levels. Jor-El and Zor-El bickered daily while their wives tried their very best to keep the peace. Kara sought Kal-El's presence as a way to escape the growing tensions. After the evening repast, Kara was summoned by her father to join him at her uncle's laboratory in the lower sub-levels. Upon arrival, she noted that new tunnel has been added with a large gateway in the end. She also noted that large section of the laboratory is now occupied by two pods similar to ones used for interplanetary travel. These pods however looked heavily modified. Some of the modifications Kara can identify others are completely foreign to her.

Kara learned that night of the eventual demise of her planet. She learned of the plan her father and uncle has concocted that involved Kal and herself. She was informed that over the past few years the council has been aware of the dangers of Krypton's core destabilizing. She also learned how the science guild, and the El family specifically, launched numerous drones in an effort to find a new home for the citizens of Krypton and how they have located a few possible options, one being a planet called Earth under a yellow sun in one of the outer spirals of their galaxy. They told her how despite Jor-El's warning and the efforts of many other citizens they have been overruled by the council and their pleas to leave the planet and to establish a new colony elsewhere have been denied. Intent on saving their families they pulled together all the resources their great house can muster in secret and constructed the two pods behind her. They are equipped with newest technology developed to keep her and Kal in a state of suspended animation until their arrival on Earth. She was also informed that the KELEX AI they have included is equipped with an advance-learning matrix to teach her what she may need to know on her new home.

Kara's eyes filled with tears as she listened to her father's words. Each moment that passed filled her being with fear and sadness. She wanted to go to her friends' homes to warn them but she knew that if she did so she will be condemning her father and uncle of going against a governing council ruling, which could land them in the Phantom Zone. Zor-El saw the pain and confusion in his daughter's eyes and gathered her into his arms. He pulled her tight and as the young girl sobbed into his arms, he whispered into her ear how proud he is of her and how happy he is to know that she will continue. He tells her how he wants her to be happy and to take care of her little cousin, Kal. It took a few moments before Kara's tears finally began to slow and she slowly pulled back from her father arms and gave him a kiss on the cheek as she often did before bedtime. She wanted to tell him that she will keep making him proud but before she could their whole compound began to shake. The door at the end of the laboratory opened and Alura and Lara came in along with a one-year-old Kal in her arms. Alura ran for Kara immediately and pulled her daughter towards one of the pods as Lara and Jor-El headed for the other one. Zor-El ran to a nearby console frantically working and shouting at the others to hurry and that they were out of time.

Kara was quickly pushed into one of the pods. Her mother hurried pulled the restraining harness over her head and in the urgency and chaos of the moment it did not really register with Kara that this is it. There are the last moments she will probably spend with her parents. She tried to disengage the safety harness around her but Alura's hands stopped her. Kara's tears streamed down her face as she listened to her mother's words. She begged to be able to stay but the choice was taken from her when her father came over to pull her mother away from the pod while quickly sealing the hatch from the outside panel. Kara frantically banged on the sealed hatch as the engines behind her engaged, she was hurled towards the sky, and away from the only home she has ever known.

Kara's journey to her new home was supposed to take around two to three Earth years. Years she will spend in suspended animation to reduce the trauma of traveling for so long. During the travel process, an AI was supposed to engage her subconscious to teach her. They had a database of information gathered by surveillance drones that can help her survive and thrive on Earth so that upon her arrival she will be better equipped to protect and provide for Kal-El. Unfortunately as stated before, Fate intervened and instead of a two year journey it took Kara the better part of two and half decades to reach Earth. The KELEX AI system, which is a limited AI, did its job, which was to teach Kara and teach her it did. Not only did it teach Kara most of the major languages spoken and written on Earth. It taught her about Earth's financial systems and technological basics. Once those topics were exhausted it proceeded to teach her the lessons she would have may been slated for her based on her genetic disposition and based on traditional familial roles of the Ze and El families on Krypton.

Upon arrival on Earth Kara was heavily disoriented. Her introduction to Clark, as Kal is now known, was both freeing and heartbreaking. She was relieved that she didn't have to face this unknown challenge of raising her infant cousin but also the heartbreaking realization that she has failed in the final task that her family has assigned to her before she could even attempt it. A fully-grown Clark stood as a reminder that her purpose that she was holding on to help sustain her and help keep her mind off her monumental grief is now gone. Clark is a grown man. A man who has recently undertaken the mantle of a hero, and has absolutely no need of her protection or help.

Floundering and grieving her first few weeks on Earth were spent in silence and confusion. She refused to speak any English and responded to any queries in Kryptonese because she knew that once she spoke English then it would cement the concept that her world is truly gone. Clark was unaware of the educational procedure that Kara has undergone tried his best to communicate with Kara using his very limited grasp of the Kryptonian language. From his pathetic efforts, Kara began to grasp the possible dangers that she may encounter in her new home. She soon realized that the information provided by the KELEX system is not only heavily flawed but also very outdated. The outdated information is very confusing when compared to her new reality and after a few embarrassing conversations with Clark she realized that if she didn't limit the amount of information she discloses the potential fallout of what her advance knowledge can bring about could be devastating not only for herself but also for Clark.

This decision was further emphasized when Kara and Clark was attacked by a sub-sect of a secret group run by one of the many villains after Clark shortly after her arrival. Clark lives in a small apartment and he offered Kara access to his fortress of solitude so that she may learn about current Earth culture. Determined to help Clark fight crime she used her technological know-how and her access and created a computer system that while fairly primitive has similar to ones used to on Krypton unfortunately her efforts and inquiries on the world wide web caught the attention of the villain which led to the attack. Fearing for her safety Clark emphasized that she must be more careful in the future. She must never ever call attention to herself for this can only lead to bad things. Shaken at the thought of losing his only blood relative, Clark sought the assistance of Jeremiah and Eliza Danvers to help with raising Kara.

Kara was heartbroken to learn that Kal, sorry Clark, intended to leave her with the Danvers. She listened as Clark tried to tell her that she needs to go but she could not understand that this was not punishment because on Krypton family was everything. Banishment from your family was a harsh punishment reserved for those who has betrayed and hurt their family and their companions. Kara begged him to let her stay with him. She promised never to experiment again, never tamper with alien technology and to use only what Earth has as long as she can stay with him. She swore that she would not call attention to herself again but Clark's limited Kryptonian knowledge worked against him and he did not understand Kara's pain or fear.

Clark's mind is resolute that he is doing the best he can for his cousin and he thoroughly convinced that keeping Kara due to the dangers inherent in being Superman is too much of a risk to the young girl despite her quickly developing powers. Clark also was sure that he is making the right choice for everyone involved and that the Danvers' home would be a better environment for Kara to grow up in since the Danvers would be able to offer her a "normal" childhood while she learned how to control her powers. He had full confidence in Jeremiah and Eliza who helped him learn and control his powers. Jeremiah is also the only other person Clark knew who spoke Kryptonese with any fluency because he learned the language along with Clark when Clark first discovered his ship and the technology within.

Clark turned her over to the Danvers and without another word, for fear of falling apart and giving in to Kara's tears, flew off leaving a hysterically crying Kara behind. Kara retreated to one of the corners of the living room closest to the window facing Clark's departure point hoping that her cousin will turn around and return for her but when he didn't come back Kara's emotional pain began to override her conscious mind. Her emotional turmoil has triggered an overload of her super senses and she reeled from her emotional pain as well as the increased input and inability to control her senses. She collapsed to her knees and curled into herself in an effort to shut out everything around her. Jeremiah approached and tried to offer solace but his entreaties went unheard in the cacophony within her mind.

Alex watched from the entryway into the living room as Kara cried out and begged in Kryptonese for her cousin to come back, to not abandon her here and to please take her with him. She is the perfect image of abject misery and pain. A sight that affected Alex deeply. Alex is a certified genius in her own right has an amazing capacity for learning languages learned Kryptonese over a year ago from her father. Jeremiah encouraged her interest because he wanted to have someone to converse and practice his Kryptonese. Alex saw how badly her father was failing to soothe the younger girl and something within her urged her forward. She stepped around her father and sat next to the prone form in the corner. She gently placed her hand under the girl's chin and encouraged Kara to look up and into her in the eyes. Speaking in careful Kryptonese but with a voice full of determination,

"Kara Zor-El, look at me. Look into my eyes and focus on only my heartbeat. Listen only to me and ignore everything else for the moment. Focus only on me. You are not alone. I, no we, will be your new family. We want you to be part of our family. Now focus, Kara, focus on me."

Kara slowly opened her eyes looked into Alex's eyes and bit-by-bit everything else fell away. The sharp bursts of light that bombarded her sensitive eyes diminished. The loud sounds of clanging and the clamor of voices from around her calmed until all she can hear is Alex's steady heartbeat. Kara reached out to Alex and took her hand within her own as her frantic heartbeat slowed to match Alex's own heart. Kara searched Alex's eyes and found only understanding and concern. Tears once more began to form in Kara's eyes as hope grew in her heart that maybe, just maybe, she was not truly alone. She could belong to Alex's family but the pain of Kal's desertion was still too fresh. Kara firmly grasped Alex hand and held it close to her own chest just above her heart. Alex brought her other arm around the younger girl hugging Kara tightly. The moment she felt Alex's arms encircle her body Kara swore to do everything she can to ensure that her new family would never find fault with her that could lead to abandonment in the future.

The first week was very difficult. Kara still refuses to speak English and generally only responds to queries posed in Kryptonese. Days slowly passed and the pain of Clark's abandonment began to lessen as she focused on the Danvers. Kara slowly come out of her self-imposed isolation. As days turned to weeks, Kara made more of an effort to communicate with the Danvers. She began with short terse sentences asking for more food or to help identify an object. As the length and complexity of the conversations they had increased Kara soon realized that the form of English she learned in the pod was too formal for casual conversations. Determined not to embarrass the Danvers and especially Alex she made every effort to learn the nuances of the English language quickly. The most common and effective method she found was to watch television or listen to the radio in Alex's company.

The Danvers' were astounded by her very steep learning curve since they weren't aware of the lessons she had while in the pod. Kara's apparent knowledge of Kryptonese culture and personal intelligence was not hard to notice and Jeremiah and Eliza was overjoyed to realize that while Clark may not know much about Krypton the same could not be said about Kara. She willingly offered small bits of her life on Krypton normally while comparing how things on Krypton ran versus how they work here on Earth. However, when they specifically asked her questions their curiosity was often met with stuttered replies or stony silence shortly followed by Kara retreating away from them. Alex quickly caught on to this pattern and took it upon herself to try and dissuade her parents efforts to pry into Kara's past and asked them for patience and to wait until Kara approached them on her own.

Kara's physical abilities continue to grow as her exposure to the yellow sun lengthened. Jeremiah often encouraged Kara to spend part of the day outside in the sunny backyard. In the beginning, Kara shied away from Jeremiah's efforts to help. She was terrified of her own power especially when she accidentally broke Jeremiah's rib when she hugged him with a bit too much force. The incident further emphasized to Kara that she does not belong with the Danvers, they are too fragile, and that the only being who can possibly understand her fears wants nothing to do with her because she failed him by not being there to raise him.

She began to retreat back into her own mind and away from the Danvers. Alex saw the fear growing in Kara's eyes and when she tried to go after the girl, her father cautioned her against it. Headstrong Alex gave Jeremiah a withering look before heading for the young girl sitting at the base of one of the large trees in the back yard. Alex sat next to Kara and pulled her into a hug. The younger girl tried to pull away while crying and begging Alex to let her go before she hurts her too. Alex simply tightened her arms around Kara while whispering gently into her ears that it will be all right. She whispered assurances that they were not mad and they understand she did not mean to hurt Jeremiah. Alex held Kara until the younger girl began to believe her whispered assurances and her sobs subsided. Once her tears stopped, Alex sat back and looked into Kara's eyes. She smiled at Kara and helped wipe her tears away.

"It'll be alright Kara. I promise we will not abandon you. I will not abandon you. I know you didn't mean to hurt dad. I know you are scared but you don't have to be. I'll help you."

Kara's eyes once more brimmed with tears. "Thank you Alex. I promise I'll learn how to control my powers so I don't hurt anyone again."

True to her word, Alex spent most of her summer break helping Kara learn about her powers. She worked with Jeremiah to device new exercises and alternate methods to assist Kara in learning to control her new abilities. Alex was Kara's stalwart companion who is ever willing to answer Kara's endless question and can be relied upon not to mock her ignorance. In exchange for Alex's care and patience, Kara slowly began to share some of the things she knew from Krypton compared to the new experience she is confronted with. Kara spoke to Alex of her fears of abandonment and why Clark's departure hurt her so deeply. She also told Alex how she promised to keep her powers under control so not to cause any further burden upon Jeremiah and Eliza. Alex could say nothing in the face of such determination but promised the younger girl that no matter what may happen in the future that she will always be there for her. As the summer days lead to the cooler days of early fall the bond between the new adopted siblings grew and with it Kara's confidence in herself.