For Want of Peace and Quiet (2)
Deanlu
Supergirl is the property of DC comics and the CW. I am borrowing the characters for a little fun and storytelling. After All, what better way to show the love for hero's than to extend their adventures. In this story Lucy has returned to assist with the World Killers. Lena is aware Kara and Supergirl is one in the same. Lena is working with the DEO. Also Alex and Lena both suspect that Sam is one of the World Killers.
"Rao's light falls upon me.
Roa's Light warms me.
Roa's light strengthens me.
Rao's light gives me hope.
Rao's will be done."
The mantra rang through the cool morning dawn as Sol rose above the horizon of the mountains. Kara sat in the lotus position on the stone edge of a cliff meditating. Her days since arriving were spent early in the morning in meditation. Banyan's biggest concern after watching Kara fight two of her students was her breathing. Her breathing was out of sync with her form and activity. It showed that her main breath zongli was weak. An internal organs fu should be in sync which allowed for improved blood state, consolidated body strength, concentrated energy, and the ability to overcome needs and desires. It would allow Supergirl to become a more fierce warrior and maintain clarity of mind. The meditation in the morning in full sunlight allowed Kara to sync her breathing correctly while the sun recharged her cells.
She began by breathing deeply with her stomach. She worked to clear her mind. Her stomach expanded as she breathed in and contracted as she breathed out. Kara breathed in positive energy. Kara breathed out negative energy and feelings. Banyan taught her that negative emotion and feelings blocked a person's ability to think logically and make correct decisions. Supergirl was taught to count as she breathed out and in. She counted to ten as she breathed in and then backward as she breathed out to keep her thoughts focused. She practiced for thirty minutes each morning. After she would practice her martial arts.
Before meditation she would have breakfast with a strict diet of rice, vegetables, bean curd, and fruit. However, due to her Kryptonian physiology a couple of substantial proteins were added twice a day. Mostly Fish and chicken. Everything was freshly made with herbs that added full flavor. Banyan made sure she had enough calories for her physical body as she expended energy through the day. Also water was a concern too. Without water the nutrients within her body would not have balance and flow correctly. She had many breaks throughout the day allowing for water to replenish her body as she trained. In a normal day this would not be a problem for Kara, but as she trained she needed to be in tune with what her body required.
Kara was required to study basic concepts and theory in the mornings. Afterwards, she would be put through exercises which were practiced repeatedly until she could do them without thought. These exercises developed the whole body. Exercises allowed the body's joints, sinews, and bones to strengthen in such a way that allowed the fighter unlimited power. You had to think of your arms as your head and your legs as a tail. Sort of like the dragons you have seen in Harry Potter. Everything is ingrained in a single movement. The fist is the source of all the art. The leg is the base or the root of the fist.. So Supergirl drilled and exercised on reaction time drills, repeated practice at forms, practiced coordination exercises, and other exercises in the day. She practiced for hours during the day. Until even the Kryptonian had to admit she had been winging it and not trained like the agents she had around her. It also explained why she had been injured so much. She didn't understand her body, its needs, how it moved, and how to use her opponent's strength against them. Alex had tried to teach her, but Kara had only half listened. The young Kryptonian had thought her powers were the end all be all. They would protect her no matter what situation she faced daily. Until they didn't. Kryptonite, plasma guns, and not least Reign. Lena had been partially right when she accused her of having a god like complex. The Super had just thought she couldn't be killed. Until Reign.
"Your thoughts have strayed again. Let go the negative. Breath in a cleansing breath. Let go the corrupt thoughts. Do not allow them to weigh you down. In with the positive thoughts, out with the negative thoughts." Banyan's voice permeated her meditation placing her back on track as the world around her fell into silence again. Kara was now meditating in evening allowing the strenuous days practice to slide from her bones and muscles. She had been here a month. A month. Yet it felt like just yesterday in ways. She still had issues with her klutziness and bumbling at times, but they were less instances. Kara took one last breath opening her eyes as the sun fell below the horizon. "You are troubled." Banyan asked as he sat near her. The young reporter took a minute to focus her thoughts before she spoke. She had found that orienting your thoughts helped a great deal on leading you to your destination.
"Alex didn't want me to use my powers because of the prisoners at Fort Rozz who wanted revenge for what my mother did to them. She didn't want others to find out and use my weaknesses against me. She believed I could fight and win, but she really didn't train me. Why?" Kara stated as she looked up at Banyan. Banyan took a moment to gaze down at the young Kryptonian. He could see the answer she believed it was just behind her eyes.
"Why do you think Alex did not train you?" Banyan asked again turning to stare at the horizon. The young woman stared down at her hands in her lap for a moment. The first stars of evening were had risen to shed their weak light over the night's inky blackness. Up here away from any cities you could see millions of stars.
"I think I was unwilling to listen. I think Alex knew that and trained me the best she could with my resistance. I think I was trying to learn my place caught between Krypton and Earth." Kara took a deep breath again and let it out slowly. She stood. "I know I don't know still how I fit right here on Earth." Banyan stood and walked up to Supergirl. He grabbed her shoulder and squeezed tightly so Kara could feel it.
"You are finding your way like all of us. You may have the difficulty of not being born here, but I believe you have already figured out a lot more than most humans. You are not as lost as you think. Go. Have your evening meal and clean up. You must get a good rest for tomorrow is the run through the forest. You need to be at your best for some surprises." Banyan assured Kara. The young woman nodded and headed toward the communal dining area. Banyan watched as she entered. He headed off to his rooms A call awaited him from the blinking light nearby. He locked the door to his room and situated himself in the chair. He ran his hand over a the 3D keyboard as a holographic image appeared.
"Banyan! It's good to see you. How is Kara?" Eliza Danver's asked her old friend. Banyan smiled seeing the relaxed features of his friend.
"She is much better than when she arrived. Thank you for the vitamins for her. Her bone structure had some problems before you sent them. How goes the work to subversively obscure our kind girl?" Banyan asked the scientist. He knew that Kara being gone for a month had caused her friends and family great concern. Especially Alex and the youngest Luthor.
"Well, both of our friends are intently attempting to find her. Not sure we can keep them away for much longer. Especially with the Reign issue starting to become an issue again. I think they are hard pressed to keep the evil under control even with the Justice League and Superman's help. Jonn isn't happy either that he can't find her. It seems there is pressure from the National Administration that Supergirl show up. I think he has calmed them for now, but even Cadmus seems to not be able to contain Reign. Trust me. They have tried several times."
"So the evil branch of the government could not contain the dark Kryptonian. I can imagine that would make several members of the Administration terrified. How did Superman deal with her?" Banyan was curious to hear more about this dark Kryptonian. He did not want Kara to face her without every advantage.
"You know Kal-El. Sort of like Kara. Bull in a China shop attitude. Except with Kara she has her Kryptonian intelligence she can use. She just doesn't seem to be drawing from that asset. Kal hit the ground. Bloodied the dark one, but only briefly. It was enough to send her into hiding again for a while." Eliza informed as she stretched the sound of popping bones coming through the link.
"How about we allow Alex, Lena, and Jonn to come here? If they could see she is fine, perhaps they would allow her to complete her time here." Banyan queried the elder Danvers. "Kara has forest training for the next four weeks. Masca, the wyvern, has agreed to assist in throwing some surprises in for the young one. Do you think they're observation would help reassure them? I could have the jet ready at Midvale airport tomorrow." Banyan asked Eliza. He knew she wanted to see Kara too. She also knew this would kill several problems with one meeting. It could also open up an entire new set of issues. Eliza's thoughts turned inward even as her face reflected it. Finally, she came to a decision.
"Yes, I think that would be good. If you think Kara would not be harmed in seeing any of us." Eliza hesitantly inquired of the Master. Banyan nodded using his left hand to type out something on the keyboard.
"No, I think she is at a point she needs some answers to several questions. She needs to speak with the people we have listed so she can remain on her path. The jet will be at Midvale airport at 10 am tomorrow. It will wait only two hours and then leave. If none of you are on it I will know you changed your mind about the visit. Kara will be fine Eliza. It will allow you to check her health over. I have limited knowledge in that area so that would be helpful." Banyan declared to the head of the Danver's family. Eliza smiled nodding.
"Alright, we will see you soon. Banyan take care of my daughter." Eliza said cutting the viewer. Eliza looked thoughtfully into the space where Banyan's face had resided on the viewer. Something was wrong with Kara. Banyan would not allow a visit at this critical time unless there was something wrong with the Kryptonian. Obviously it had something to do with Kara's physical and mental faculties. It was also something not easily solved. Eliza ran a hand over her face. This was going to open a can of worms. She was sure of it. She grabbed her phone. She pulled up the text box adding Alex, Jonn, and Lena to the conversation.
Eliza: I need you all to respond to this text right now. Don't ask questions. Just say here.
Alex: Here
Lena: Here
Jonn: Here
It must be a slow night. They responded right away. Hmmm.
Eliza: I need all three of you in Midvale by eight o'clock tomorrow morning. You need a small bag packed for a week. You need your passport. No questions asked. If you are not here by nine o'clock you will be left behind. I will not explain. You need to make sure no one knows where you're going. You need to make sure all business can be taken care of by someone else here in the states. You may not tell anyone, I repeat anyone. Is that understood?
Eliza waited. There was no response for several minutes. She could tell they were thinking. She could tell to from the amount of time waiting that they were not happy.
Jonn: Understood
Lena: I'm on way now. Can you put me up overnight?
Alex: Understood.
Eliza: Yes Lena. Room is ready for you. I will not speak with you until you arrive. See you all soon.
For better or worse it was done now. Eliza moved to place a roast in the oven. Lena would be here tonight. She was sure Alex and Jonn would be right behind her. Once they arrived they would demand answers. Eliza shook her head. Let the fun begin she thought.
Morning came early to the convent. Kara's breakfast and meditation were already over. The young woman and the rest of the students were dressed in green forest robes and backpacks on their back. The colors of morning sunrise just touched the horizon. The cold mountain air caused many of the students to shiver in the wan light.
"Good morning, I hope your ready for today's training. You have a five mile run. Then you must find a way across the Yar River to the granite rubble at the base of Ang Hwa. Once there you must climb the side of Ang Hwa, pick a Ferris flower, place it within the protective holder in your pack. You must return by sundown t the monastery. Be warned! There are dangers within the forest. You will need to use all you have learned and know to complete this mission. To all those that complete this mission there will be rewards." Several students looked at Kara and then at the Master Banyan. He knew they believed her to have an unfair advantage. Especially Jiao-Long, who had taken a deep dislike to the Kryptonian. This forest mission would be the first time to see if the students present would work together or care only for their own needs. It would then split their class accordingly so Master Banyan could taylor the training to their weaknesses. First he had to make sure there were as little unfair advantages as possible.
"Kara Zor-El, approach." Kara walked up to the Master curious to what he wanted. "To make this fair I will need you to wear this bracelet." Kara took the bracelet from the Master's hand immediately feeling the effects of Kryptonite. She hesitated briefly. It wasn't devastating. Just enough to lower her abilities. She nodded as Master Banyan helped secure it to her wrist. "You will not be able to remove this until you return as it needs my print as well as yours to remove." Kara nodded as several students smiled now thinking this gave them an edge. The time here at the monastery had not been easy. Most of the students did not trust her. Nor did they talk with her even though she spoke their languages. Taimuk was the only person who spoke with her at length. Taimuk was also a servant and most of the students looked down on the girl. Kara had come to depend on her, especially in evening when her muscles ached from the repeated use. Even her Kryptonian physiology wearing the bracelet for practice had trouble to keep up.
"Ready?" The gate was opened to the monastery. All the students readied themselves. "Begin!" Master Banyan shouted out. The students took off over the ground heading to the nearby -Ling pulled ahead quickly. His youthful strong body responding to the run as if it was a walk in the park. Kara's weeks of practice allowed her to be about middle of the group heading into the forest. She still had problems at times being near human, but that had been changing as her time at the monastery lengthened. The group began to lengthen out as they moved over the ground. Even though all were in good physical health the trail wasn't as easy as it looked. The ground rose and fell within the wood.
Not a half mile in they came to their first obstacle. A group of fallen trees on top of each other. At least fourteen feet high. The first two students who encountered it tried to go through. They immediately had problems due to the tight fit and a bee's nest. The next six students climbed over the top and dropped down to the other side. Kara followed them over dropping nimbly to the forest floor below. She began running moving passed two of the students who glared at her.
Another mile down the way they had to cross a small ravine with a log that had fallen over it. Though a few students had nearly fallen off when they lost their balance. Kara tackled it with no problems as the trail started moving upward at a steep climb. Concentration and breathing were a must on this run. Out of nowhere there was a strike against a nearby rock. Webbing strung from the rock back into the trees. Two more strikes near Kara and a couple of other students had them dodging through the trees off the trail. The young reporter took cover behind two nearby looked to her right side to see a large spider. It was twice the size of a human nimbly jumping through the trees. Kara's brow furrowed as she pulled from her knowledge on spiders. Spiders don't actively seek out altercation. They attack when they felt they were cornered, being attacked, intrusion into their territory, or in need of a meal. No more than that. Someone had either disturbed this spider or they had entered its territory. Kara dodged a web strike as did her fellow classmate Chen who had hidden behind the trees with her. Both shook their heads in relief. They moved back on the trail and took off running again. They kept the spider in view as it moved away while they ran the opposite direction. It had been close. They all made it through the spiders territory.
Several large rocks had them straining their muscles as they climbed over. The difficulty was they were different shapes, slick with morning dew, and the students were tackling a forty-five degree angle incline. Kara made it over the first one sliding down the other side. She then gripped the edge of the second. The girl of steel pulled herself over only for her hold to slip and to come down on the left side of her face and chin. She winced in pain and wiped the blood off her face. One of the students tapped on her shoulder . Fai held up his hands showing the climbing gloves he had put on. Supergirl growled at herself for her stupidity. She reached in her pack, pulled out the gloves, and put them on. She then took off to conquer the next set of obstacles.
Meanwhile…
Jonn, Alex, Lena and Eliza had boarded the plane, an Airbus A320 Prestige. Alex was fuming as Eliza wouldn't tell them anything after their arrival last night. Not until they had boarded the plane and were in the air. The pilot made the final checks and received clearance for take off. Once in the air the pilot came on the intercom.
"Welcome to Banyan Airways. We hope you enjoy your flight. Just ring any of the flight attendants if you need anything. Our travel time will be 16 hours." The speaker closed and that was all that all Alex needed.
"Alright, what's going on? Does this have something to do with Kara?" Alex demanded even as Lena and Jonn sat around the mahogany table that was in front of them. Eliza had stalled them all night by not being available after they arrived at the Danvers house.
"Yes, this has everything to do with Kara. Why else would I call you three?" Eliza argued back to her eldest daughter. "Kara has reached a point in her recovery that she needs to confront some major demons. You three figure into them. So we decided that you should be there so she can solve her problems." Eliza explained to the three family members.
"Who is 'we'?" Jonn asked as Alex and Lena looked confused. Eliza turned to Jonn. She could tell he couldn't read her mind and it was frustrating him.
"That I wish to not explain at this time. Let's just say there is someone who knows who Kara is and cares for her deeply. He offered to help when he saw what I saw happening." Eliza stated as she felt a hand touch her arm.
"What was happening to Kara that we all missed Eliza?" Lena asked as concern colored her the features of face. Eliza could see she was really worried. Eliza took pity on her as she turned to ask answer the question.
"Kara has been needing a break honey. Between Catco, DEO, and her personal life she has been stretched too thin. She is literally being fractured into multiple pieces unable to put herself back together. Her last few times she was injured shouldn't have happened." Eliza saw Alex and Jonn begin to protest. Eliza turned on them. "I will remind you that this in my daughter who lifted a space station into space, who defeated Superman, and who stopped a ship from taking her sister across the galaxy when it went into hyperdrive. She has not been in good shape since the Daxamite invasion and Mon-El's departure. She needed time. You never gave it to her. Nor did you share with me how bad she had become. This could have been remedied if you had gotten her into a doctor who dealt with mental health issues. You didn't do that. Why, I don't know? Maybe you thought since she was Kryptonian she didn't need the help. Maybe you didn't care." Jonn's eyes glowed red in anger. He couldn't believe Eliza would accuse him of ot taking care of Kara. It was all he had done since coming into their lives. "Stop! Whatever the reason you did nothing. So I did something. She is better. Much better. However, she needs us now. So understand I expect you to solve your personal issues before we arrive. When we land it will be about taking care of Kara. Understood!" Jonn and Alex nodded though they were fuming. Lena, however, seemed to be ruminating on something. "I'm off to bed. We have about six hours till our first stop. There will be two stops for refueling. I also ask that you do not use your phone and power them down. A lot of people would like to know where she is located." All three nodded as Eliza then turned and went to bed.
"How could she? How could she say we didn't care about Kara?" Alex argued with Lena and Jonn. "I have taken care of Kara since day one. The DEO has taken care of Kara." Alex lamented to Jonn.
"Yeah, but have we really? Did you really?" Lena said as she walked over to where there was food set out and alcohol in a special table. Lena grabbed a glass and poured some wine. She grabbed a plate of food and sat down with the two DEO agents again.
"What do you mean? Of course we have." Alex said looking over at Lena curiously. Lena considered her next words carefully.
"Kara told me how she met the DEO and Jonn. She tells me how often she is called into work. I know that you debrief agents and they see a psychologist after for each conflict. Has Supergirl ever done that?" Lena asked staring at Jonn. She already knew the answer. The Martian seemed to squirm under the young Luthor's glare. "Also please don't tell me she doesn't need one. You have been on this earth several hundred years Jonn. Kara will be on this earth several hundred years when all is said and done. Perhaps thousands. A burden like that is not easy to bear, especially if you have to watch all those you love die as you move forward in time." Lena didn't let Jonn off the hook. She knew the requirement for field assignment agents in the government.
"No, we haven't required her to attend mental health sessions after missions. Yes, I should have changed that, but she always seems to bounce back from each mission with time." Jonn said as he got up and made himself a plate. Alex got up now thinking about things over the last three years. She filled a plate still wondering what she had missed.
"I would also ask did you spend time teaching Kara how to fight? I know Alex you have sessions, but Kara is a Kryptonian. She needs to know how to fight with and without her powers. She needs to be trained in stealth. She needs to be trained as an agent. Not just as an asset with special abilities." Lena said as she looked both Alex and Jonn in the eyes. She could see they were realizing how much they had not done. "I want you to think about one more thing. Kara's suit was made by Winn. He did the best at what he had available to him. He has slowly improved it over time. Let's be realistic though. Kara's suit needs more protections built into it. For one there should be a Kryptonite shield over the emblem to protect her heart. It's like a target for the bad guys with kryptonite. Second, a skirt. She needs pants on her suit. Protections for when she is thrown into the ground. Yes, she heals fast, but not that fast. You also need monitors built into the suit so you know when she is getting ready to solar flare or there is problems. Have any of you thought to do these things?"
"No, we kind of just left it to Winn. We really didn't think about the things you mentioned. I keep forgetting she could not come home one day. Hilarious isn't it. I've seen her die so many times. Your right. Mom's right. We haven't really protected her. We've used her." Alex suddenly didn't feel much like a sister. She walked over grabbed a glass and poured some whiskey for Jonn and herself. While Jonn may not be able to get drunk on it he did like the taste. "So what are we going to do about it. How are we going to fix it?"
"Well, first thing, I'm going to make changes that require every agent including assets much have the same number of mental health evaluations and meetings after missions. I haven't done my job. Pam in H.R. pointed that out to me time and again, but I ignored her." Jonn said as he took a drink looking out over the blue sky out the window. He should have known after Mon-El left. Really though he should have known when Kara and Alex had gotten into it over Jeremiah.
"I need to start training her properly. She needs to know how to defend herself with and without her powers. She needs other suits too. A stealth suit would be a good addition. Your ideas for her suit are good. I'd love to see if we can put some type of sun recharger into her suit. Something that could give her a boost to her powers." Alex said as Lena pulled out a notebook pad and started making notes of what they needed to change. "I think we need to tell her about what we suspect about Sam too. I know she feels left out these days. Mon-El being here with Imhra is not helping." Alex said as she looked at Lena. "You and Kara need to talk. She cares about you. But all this secrecy is not helping your relationship. I know you argued with her recently. You need to lay your cards on the table." Lena stopped writing and nodded. "Do we know why Cat isn't speaking with her lately?" Lena asked Alex and Jonn. Alex looked at Jonn. She shrugged her shoulders. "Press Secretary Cat Grant has been busy fending off claims of Cadmus infiltration within the administration." Jonn stated to Lena. "What's really going on is that Cadmus is monitoring her phone, computer, and daily activity to see if Supergirl is influencing the administration. Cat has two options. One, talk to Kara less and not acknowledge the young reporter. Two, Cat quits as press secretary and comes back to take over CATCO. Right now President Marsden needs her. So the first option is the only option." Jonn stated as Lena made some small notes.
"Was Kara ever told that? Oh, wait. Don't tell me. You all thought it would be better to keep Kara in the dark. Geeze, did you ever think it would have made things a little more easier to bear for her if she had a reason she couldn't get in touch? Without even realizing it we are all responsible for isolating Kara away from everyone. No wonder she's feeling alone." Alex and Jonn again grimaced. Lena rose from the table. "I'm heading to bed. You two are complete idiots. Maybe a little more transparency and care could have prevented this from happening. Then again, I'm just as guilty." Lena turned and dropped into a sectioned area with a bed.
"We've really messed up haven't we" Alex declared to Jonn. Jonn nodded his agreement. "We'll fix it. Somehow. Lets get some sleep. We need to be ready to talk to Kara."
Both agents moved off to their beds while back in China Kara slotted her fingers into the crevice of a rock face. She pulled herself up. She was wet and cold. She was exhausted from the run and a little unnerved from the spider too. She was determined to get the flower and get back. She still had her feet and hands she pulled herself foot by foot up the face of the rock till she came to the location of the flowers. Several students sat at the top nearby resting for trip back down the rock face. Kara walked over and dug up the flower that was needed. She placed it into the container in her backpack. She then sat on a rock. Jiao took this moment to harp on her.
"So young Kara, feeling the strain of a human existence." Jiao taunted as he walked over to stand in front of her. "You aliens are all trash. Why you're here I may not know, but you need to leave." He argued as he shoved her on the shoulder.
"I do not want to argue with you Jiao. I have no home to return too. Earth is my home now. You know that. Master Banyan told you all." Kara stated calmly. The other students had moved away except for Fai. He stood behind her covering her back.
"I don't think you're telling me the truth. I don't think you have told any of us the truth. I'm watching you Kara Zor-El." Jiao stepped into her face. "Just you watch your step girl." Then Jiao turned and made his descent down the rock face. Fai went and sat down to rest briefly.
"Well, that's one way to make friends and influence people." Kara sighed as she sat drank a bottle of water and ate the food provided. Tightening her shoulder straps she headed back over the edge. She had a moment of vertigo. She closed her eyes and reminded herself she could do this. She breathed deeply. She moved one hand at a time. One foot at a time. She had just locked her hand into a crevice when she heard a scream. Without thinking she reached out with her empty hand and plucked the hurtling body to her. Her hand lost its hold sliding down the face until she struck an outcropping managing to grab hold. Her muscles strained hard to hold on to the rock face even as she tightened her hold on the student she had caught. The pain was almost unbearable. The young student in her grasp grabbed the outcropping anchoring himself to the rock face. Kara released him and moved her other arm to anchor herself. Her arm was weak though and wouldn't hold. For a moment she held tight. The pain overwhelmed her as she screamed out. The student next to her came up to help hold her to the rock face. Another student that had been below her coming up moved faster and anchored her other side.
"Kara, where are you hurt? Can you climb down?" One of the students asked as he check the arm that seemed the weakest. "Okay, this is what we are going to do. Chen is going to climb down in front of you and me from behind. We moved together." All three nodded and at once began moving. They held Kara to the wall when she faltered. It took time, but they got her down. Once down they moved off to the side.
"Here. Take my flower. You helped me off the wall." Kara offered as the student smiled and shook his head no.
"I'll meet you back at the monastery. He then quickly moved over to the rock to begin his climb again. The student that Kara had saved stayed by her.
"You saved my life. I owe you a life debt." The young man who Kara recognized as Fai humbly stated. "I will help you back to the monastery. Thank you Kara Zor-El."
"You owe me nothing. I would take your friendship if offered though." Kara insisted as Fai helped her stand. They moved down to the river and back across the tree that spanned it. They kept watch for the spider, but it did not show itself.
"Then we are friends now, for life Kara." Fai agreed as they moved through the forest toward the monastery. The sun began to fall toward the horizon as many a student passed them. They came to the first of the rock impairments on the trail when Kara looked at Fai.
"Go, I will get back in time." Fai shook his head no again. Chen came jogging up to the two friends.
"Let's work together. What good is it to have these abilities if you do not help others with them?" Chen declared as Fai agreed with a smile. The friends worked together getting through the rock impairments and the different obstacles on the trail. Student after student passed them, but none stopped to help. They told them they would let the Master know their location and what was happening. By the time they made it past the final obstacle both men were tired. Kara now gritted her teeth every time they hit a bump and hard drop. Her shoulder felt like it was out of socket. Every step had been excruciating, but she had dealt with it by using her breathing and focusing on the end objective. The monastery. It was late when they arrived. The gates were secured for the night. They rang the bell for entry. A small side door opened allowing Fai, Chen, and Kara inside.
All students awaited in the square where the Master had them assembled with their flowers. Fai, Chen, and Kara came to their spots. Fai helped Kara kneel and placed her flower before her. Chen and Fai then took up their spots with their flowers. All was silent now. The three friends knew they had not won. Kara breathed deeply. She concentrated forcing the pain to recede as she awaited her Master's directions.
"Fai, Chen, and Kara you did not arrive before sun down. You have failed in your original mission." Jiao-long crowed quietly inside to himself that he had bested the alien. "However, you have succeeded beyond estimation and expectation. While failing to return the flower in a timely manner against the obstacles in the wood and rock face you have found something more valuable. Come forward." Kara used her one good arm to push herself up even as Chen and Fai came up behind her assisting her. One of the students near her sneered at her weakness. Master Banyan noted the student while the three came forward.
"You three have found life is more important than a flower. You have found friendship to be of greater value. I commend you for your courage, sacrifice, and loyalty. Kara, if you had not caught Fai as he fell he would be dead now. You did not falter in that moment. You just reached out and grabbed him. Chen you and Fair protected Kara when she could have fallen to her death after. You found the most important ideals on the rock. You then accompanied her back making sure she was safe. Kara, you allowed others to help you and made friends. You three have learned so much today." The Master motioned to the nearby servants as he reached for Kara's hand. Kara offered her wrist. The Master removed the kryptonite bracelet. The two servants moved forward quickly grabbing the young kryptonians shoulder. Kara immediately felt a pop even as the others heard a loud pop. The two servants moved away after placing the shoulder back in place. Fai and Chen immediately grabbed the young kryptonian as she swayed and moaned. Her body began healing, but it would take till late the following day for the damage to be repaired. "Taimuk, take Kara Zor-El to the baths. Do make sure you apply generous amounts of liniment during her massages and treat her hands. Fai and Chen you also get the private baths tonight. Servants will attend you also. You three have a rest day tomorrow. Kara, I expect you to lay out in full sun tomorrow." Master Banyan then dismissed the rest of the students. "You have done well. Your rewards await you in your rooms." The flowers were removed by servants. Jiao-Long sneered again before walking off toward his rooms and the open baths.
"Thank you Master." Both Fai and Chen bowed. They then ran to catch up with Kara and Taimuk. "We will meet you after your bath for evening meal. Kara nodded even as Taimuk helped her limp to her rooms. The boys took off to their rooms for their clothes. Kara was bathed by Taimuk. Then she was given medicine to help with the pain. Once that was done Taimuk took her into the massage room where Fai and Chen were located. One of the strong muscular men came in and liniment was applied. Her muscles were worked over from head to toe which caused deep moans and cries. Once done Taimuk helped her to dress. Chen and Fai helped her to the dining hall. They spent time talking and laughing until Jiao-long came in to eat.
"So the losers are rewarded for not achieving the goal in the time allotted. How appropriate? Why do we have this alien scum with us anyway?" Jiao-Long demanded as he pointed at Kara. "These filthy aliens are taking up the planet and the resources. Soon they will out number us. Then what?" Jiao-long hissed into Kara's face. "I'll tell you what. Then they will take over and start to kill us." Kara sat still. She held Jiao-long's eyes, but did not provoke him. "What? Can't even defend yourself? Let's see how strong you really are Kara Zor-El." Suddenly, the students moved away as one. Kara stood and stepped back.
"I will not fight you Jiao-long. You are an honorable young man. I do not know why you are angry with me, but I am willing to talk with you to solve it." Kara stated as she favored her good arm. Jiao-long moved in close to Kara.
"I don't like your kind. I don't like you." Jiao-long struck out at Kara. The young Kryptonian dodged the strike and backed up. Each punch, kick, and strike Kara dodged as Jiao-long attempted to bring her down. She and Jiao moved around the room. He could never reach her. She was just out of reach. The more he missed the greater he became frustrated and his punches became errant and flailed without focus.
"You must focus your breathing Jiao. You must let out the negative and pull in the positive." Kara mimicked the Master. Jiao in a final burst jumped forward crashing into Kara. Both hit the window area and tumbled out into the square. The two students separated as several monks showed up holding Jiao. Kara laid on her back on the ground as Jiao struggled against their hold.
"You weak alien. You could never beat me." Jiao screamed. The Master entered the square holding a hand up to some people following him. They held within the shadows. Chen and Fai helped Kara to her feet even as Chen whispered in her ear. Whatever he was telling her must have been very important because Fai agreed and was talking softly and quickly.
"Enough! Jiao explain yourself?" Master Banyan commanded the student. Jiao came forward stepping into the lighted plaza.
"I demand the right of combat with Kara Zor-El for her place amongst us." Jiao yelled so all students could hear. One of the people in the shadows moved, but was pulled back. "She has no place with us. She is not one of us."
"Kara Zor-El, you have been challenged to right of combat for your place here. How do you answer?" Master Banyan demanded of the young Kryptonian. Fai and Chen nodded to Kara.
"I accept the right of combat against Jiao. We both belong here." Kara responded as Master Banyan nodded. "Circle formation." The students formed a circle around Jiao and Kara. Fai spoke one more time quietly to her. She nodded. Kara now stood on her own. Jiao on the other side of the circle.
"Begin!" Kara was in open hand stance immediately. She had learned more than Jiao had expected. Quickly Jiao attacked. Kara feinted left, right, and then bent backwards as a direct strike came at her. Jiao then began using his feet while Kara blocked each one repeatedly.
"You're weak Kara! You won't even attack." At that moment Kara struck with two fingers halting Jiao's advance. She hit two spots on his chest causing all motion to stop. She pulled back slowly.
"We are not enemies. I do not want you as an enemy." Kara stated as Master Banyan moved into the circle. Kara immediately moved back to resting position as she awaited for the next round.
"Do you stand down Jiao?" Master Banyan asked as he released the points on Jiao's chest Kara had punched to stop him. Jiao now embarrassed shook his head no. Master Banyan pointed to the far side of the circle. Master Banyan moved to Kara. "You will have to render him unconscious Kara for this to end. It is not about you. It has to do with something more. Sometimes we must do that which we must. Do what is right. There is no shame Kara." Master Banyan moved away from Kara. "Begin!" This time Jiao started slower. When he took his strike it landed on Kara's wounded shoulder. Kara held her tongue. They circled each other. Jiao went to strike again. Kara used Jiao's strength against him. It continued this way for several minutes back and forth. Kara wore Jiao down. Then she struck with a quick strike with her leg taking his legs out from under her and a strike to the forehead knocking him unconscious. He hit the ground with a loud splat. Kara returned to rest position with her hands in front of her. She waited now. Fai and Chen took a position on either side of her.
"Kara stands shall remain. Jiao shall remain. Please take him to the infirmary. He's to remain there until I speak with him." Several students picked up Jiao and took him to the infirmary. "The rest of you are dismissed till morning breakfast." Master Banyan walked over to Kara. "Chen and Fai you have shown true loyalty. You are good men. Please return to your rooms. I would speak with Kara." The young kryptonian looked up at Master Banyon. "I have a few friends that wish to speak with you." Master Banyan pointed to the shadowed area. Out stepped Eliza, Alex, Lena, and Jonn. There faces reflected their shock and astonishment. "Do you wish to speak to them tonight or tomorrow?" Kara looked at Chen and Fai.
"We will be here for you. Talk to your family." Fai said as he hugged Kara. The two men walked toward the dormitory as the other students moved there too. Kara looked at her hands. There were deep scratches and cuts from climbing the rock. Her body felt exhausted and sore from her mission and fight. Her mind was unsettled about the fight with Jiao. She looked up as her family approached. Now her family was here.
"Kara." A hand touched her face. Kara looked into Eliza's eyes. "It's alright baby. We're here. Come on let's talk." She received hugs from everyone as they moved to the guest quarters. Taimuk never far from Kara's side.
