October 9th
Deanlu
Supergirl is the property of DC comics and the CW. I am borrowing the characters for a little fun and storytelling. These are little vignettes of the month of October. Yeah, I have no idea why I am writing another set of stories when I have three going right now.
Deep in the Forest
"Throniv iovis khuhp Ukiem." Kara said as she stared at the warm light that leaked through the windows of her family home from the edge of the wood. Inside she could hear the laughter of Eliza, Jonn, Sam, Alex, and Lena. Braniac was regaling them with some story. Ruby was in the corner snickering at something Alex had whispered in her ear. She loved that they were all happy. She had made an excuse to step out of the room for a moment. By the time they realized she wasn't there the deed would be done and protection would be given for another year. No one would be wiser. She turned away from the inviting warmth of her home. She sped deeper into the forest.
She wore a pair of jeans, tennis shoes, t-shirt with a triceratop in the center, and a hoodie with LCorp on the left breast. She needed to be comfortable as possible with what would happen. Hopefully, she would not pass out again from what was to come. Sea fog was already swirling about the forest floor which caused the shadows to project eerie shapes. The moonlight that peaked through the branches of the fall tree gave sparse light on her path, but she had made this trip so many times that she didn't need to see where she was going. She came into a clearing, the full of the moon shining down upon a stone that was flush with the forest floor and rose only six inches above the soil. The stone only appeared for a few nights each year. It allowed for the actions of those who approached.
"Kara Zor-El, you are late this year." A deep voice spoke as three hooded figures approached her. Kara stepped forward onto the stone kneeling down.
"I apologize. I have been very busy protecting others this year. It was not my intention to break my promise or disrespect your positions." Kara stated as she watched the three listen to her excuse. The three hooded figures looked at each other silently communicating. The middle figure nodded to the others.
"Your apology is accepted. However, we will need twice what we took last year." Kara had removed her hoody and set it down. She jerked her head up in anger. The three figures now surrounded the stone platform. Kara shook her head. She could not give twice the normal. It would kill her.
"That is not the deal." Kara stated as she grabbed her hoodie to place it on her body. One moved quickly forward restraining the Kryptonians hand. Kara turned into a fighting stance. The hooded figure removed his hood with his free hand to reveal a pure white face, fangs that broke a concern grimace, and deep, dark green eyes. Kara always had trouble with Venarians. They were on the order of Vampires, however, they did not drain a person of blood. They drained them of life energy. Kara was like a beacon for them with her sun filled cells.
"My mate is with child. She has been having trouble. I know we set this exchange up years ago to hide our presence on this planet. My mate, though, has been having problems. Kara Zor-El, she may lose the baby." Anthar stated even as Rogan brought forward the stone that would collect the precious energy from the Kryptonian to feed their colony for another year. Kara looked toward Poleeo, Anthar's mate. She had wondered why the young woman was here. Kara motioned her forward. Poleeo took hold of Supergirls hand and placed it on her belly. Kara could feel the strong kick and movement.
"Two weeks from now. My energy levels have fallen. The doctor says if I do not have an infusion of energy soon, more than what is doled out from what you offer us, the baby and I may not survive." Poleeo voice fell into a whisper as her eyes fell to where Kara's hands held her stomach. Kara looked toward Anthar seeing the hope and desperation in his eyes. He would fight to take what his mate needed. She could see it in his would only weaken her causing her imminent death.
"Anthar, I will comply with your request under one condition. You retrieve Alex from the house should I lose consciousness when this happens. I was recently ill." Kara thinks back to her Kryptonite poisoning from Agent Liberty and Cadmus. "This may not go as smoothly as in years past." Anthar squirmed a little under the request. His people were terribly fearful of the humans on the planet earth. Their kind had been persecuted for ages. They took great pains to stay hidden. Their hive was located deep within the wells of the earth. The Kryptonians life force energy had made it safer over the dozen years since she came to the planet for them. She had never requested anything from them after the deal had been brokered that night when she was fourteen. Kara had quietly slipped into the forest without anyone's knowledge over the years saving an entire species.
"Yes, if it comes to that I will retrieve Alex Danvers for you. We must hurry Kara. Time is of the essence tonight." Anthar stated as he shook Kara's hand in agreement. Poleeo went to move off the rock only to be stalled by Kara.
"No, this must be a direct transfer. You will stay here even as the rock of Aegis collects my energy. You must not let go till the transfer is done." Poleeo looked toward Anthar who nodded to her. He came over kissed his mate and whispered into her ear. She nodded as Kara readied herself. Kara sat on the rock placing bare feet and one hand down on the stone. She waited for Poleeo to sit in front of her. The stone below would act as a siphon allowing the energy to slip from her. She listened one more time to make sure everyone at her home was still oblivious to her absence. She only heard laughter and gentle teasing. Kara pulled back her hearing to this one point on the stone. Poleeo placed her hand in Kara's free hand and her other on Kara's chest over her heart. Anthar and Rogan stepped up onto the stone and placed their hands on the Aegis.
"Giver of life,
Essence of energy,
Bring to us that which Kara Zor-El has granted.
From this moment,
Let the oath be fulfilled.
Let the essence of Kara Zor-El fill the life stone, Aegis.
Let the essence of Kara Zor-El heal the life within Poleeo."
Anthar and Rogan continued to chant even as a warm, golden light spiralled out of Supergirl's chest. It split into two paths. Between it moved moonlight changing the warm yellow light into a blue calming entering Poleeo and one entering the Aegis stone. Kara concentrated even as she felt the energy drain from her. Unbeknownst to her Lena and Alex had build a monitor into the bracelet that resided on her arm. It had been a gift from Lena. It now shot off a warning alarm inside the house causing the laughter to come to a complete halt. Alex and Lena pulled their watches up to see the alarm warning them that Supergirl's energy levels were falling quickly.
"What the hell?" Alex growled out suddenly looking around the room. She hadn't noticed that Kara had left. Lena was looking frantically around the room.
"Where is she?" Lena yelled as she took off toward the bedrooms. Alex ran downstairs to check the basement. She wasn't there either. Both women met in the family room as John received tracker information from Brainiac. Eliza came in from outside.
"She's not outside near the house." Eliza stated even as Ruby moved closer to her mother. Brainiac stared into space plotting directions.
"She's in the forest. When did she leave here? Why would she leave?" Brainiac asked even as Alex grabbed a nearby black bag pulling out several weapons. Lena joined her having changed using a special device even as John grabbed several weapons.
"Stay here with Eliza." Alex ordered Sam and Ruby. As she turned to leave she heard her mother.
"Bring her back Alex. Bring her back alive." Eliza called even as Brainiac and Jonn took to the air. Alex jumped on the motorcycle sitting outside as Lena slid on behind her anchoring herself to Alex's waist. They took off in the direction of the signal.
"Henson, Alert Beta and Theta teams to be ready for emergency response." Alex notified through her comms. She made a surprised face when Vasquez came through the comms even as Lena and her bounced over the ground on the motorbike.
"Rogan, take the stone and Poleeo back to the hive." Anthar stated as Rogan slid the stone into the pack he carried. He secured it to his back and lifted his friends, unconscious wife. They disappeared into the forest in a wink. Kara sat dazed, but conscious. The cold tingling of lost energy weighing her down even as the memories of Poleeo's childs minimal energy teased her heart and mind. She had seen more in the last few minutes than she had through any mind transfer ever. "Kara Zor-el. Are you alright?" Anthar asked even as the stone they sat on for the ceremony began to sink below the surface of the forest.
"Yes, go. I will be well." Anthar kissed her cheek and disappeared into the night. Kara sank her bare feet into the soil drawing energy from the living plants and microbes in the soil. She had given too much. She could not move. She could not risk any movement or she would fall unconscious. Jonn touched down with Brainiac even as Lena and Alex arrived in the clearing.
"Kara!" Jonn called to the Kryptonian. Lena was off the boke and next to Kara faster than anyone had ever seen. She knew Kara was Supergirl. It had caused a mild disagreement, but she didn't have it in her heart to argue with Kara. Not after she had almost lost her less than a month earlier.
"Kara? Kara, come on talk to me." Lena stated pulling out another monitor from the bag on the side of her outfit. She placed it on Kara's forehead. "Alex. She's like ice." Alex grabbed the hoodie that laid on the ground quickly threading it over her sister's head. Jonn took off the coat Brainy wore and they wrapped the Kryptonian in it too. "Kara, can you tell me what happened?" Lena asked as she grabbed Kara's face forcing her to look at her.
"Lena? I'm sorry love." Kara spoke like she wasn't present. Alex's eyes arched at the 'love' statement. "I promise I will bring Lex home safely. I promise. You just need to let me go to get him." Lena shoved her feelings down, pushing the young Danvers.
"Kara, I know you will bring Lex back. It's okay. But can you tell me what happened?" Lena whispered, caressing Kara's cheek to get her to come back to them. "Come on Sweety. What happened?" Kara's eyes swirled with confusion and pain.
"I told you Love. The Venarian's need my life force energy. It's the one night I can trade it to them for protection." Lena blanched at what Kara revealed. Alex and Jonn looked toward each other confused. Brainiac began searching his data banks find what he needed.
"Venarian's are xenophobes. They made a deal with Supergirl one year after her arrival to stop taking humans for their life force if Supergirl would give up one third of her life force to them during the full of the moon during the month of October. Supergirl saved the entire colony even having…" Brainiac stuttered rereading the information again.
"What? What is it Brainy?" Alex asked even as Lena pulled a device from her pocket.
"Step back everyone. Alex get everyone behind the trees." Alex moved everyone back as Lena looked down at Kara. "Love, listen to me. Stay absolutely still. Can you do that?" Kara nodded fading in out. Lena placed the device on Kara's chest, pushed the button, and took off running behind the trees. Seconds later the clearing was lit in brilliant sunlight. Kara's body elevated for a few seconds off the ground. When the light faded and their eyes adjusted to darkness again Kara floated supine in the air unconscious. Lena and Alex came out from behind the trees. Lena pulled up her monitor even as they all raced back to where Kara was floating.
"That's done it. Her energy levels are low, but not critical." Lena said as she turned away for a moment as her emotions threaten to overwhelm her.
"Beta and Theta team, stand down. Thank you agents for scrambling." Alex stated as the DEO called off. "Lena we have sun lamps at the house. We need to move her back there and then we can start looking for answers." Alex stated as she motioned Jonn to take Kara back with Lena. Lena turned back around her face devoid of motion. Jonn grabbed hold of Kara feeling the warmth of the Kryptonians body once more. Lena stepped to his other side locking herself to him with a special clip. Then they were off. Lena watched them leave turning on Brainy. "Now you are going to tell me what you didn't say."
"Kara Zor-El was named godmother to Alexander, 'Lex', the following year. Anthar and Poleeo had a young son, but unfortunately for Poleeo and Anthar the energy exchange caused Lex to need to stay with Kara since he carried her DNA essence. The Hive rejected him after he was born due to his impure DNA. Kara became a mother." Brainy seemed to be holding back from Alex though.
"There's more. Brainy, what is it?" Alex grabbed him by the shoulders shaking him. Brainy looked at her for a moment, but knew he couldn't hide the information. He was never taught how to do that.
"Lena became 'Lex's' mother also. Kara and Lena will eventually marry if the information in the records is correct and nothing changes." Alex stepped back taking a deep breath as she turned around. She let the information set in, " however, there is an alternate timeline in the records stating the Kara Zor-El died from the sun grenade used in the forest due to a DNA backwash from Poleeo. Her body could not fight it off and three hours from now she will die in Lena Luthor's arms as she seizes."
"What! How could there be an alternate timeline showing?" Alex asked as Brainy went to the motorbike. Alex went to put the helmet on.
"It will depend on what Lena Luthor does or does not in the next three hours." Brainy says as they put on the helmets and race back to the house. Alex shook her head. She would fix it. She would not allow Kara to die. Not again.
One year later…
"Alex Danvers, it is good to see you. Lena Luthor." Anthar comes forward hugging the woman who watched over his child. Lena shifted a little showing Anthar the squirming bundle that was his son. Poleeo came out of the wood kissing her son on the forehead. In a pack on her back another child laid safely protected. Poleeo pulled the young female from the pack.
"Lex, this is your sister, Rayla." Poleeo and Lena allowed the two children to see each other. Their cooing and noises making both women smile.
"Where is Kara?" Anthar asked as Alex looked at her nephew.
"I'm here/" Kara stated as she stepped out from between the trees. She stepped up to the stone that was above ground once more. Her shoes were gone as she on the stone. Lena handed Lex off to Alex as Rogan once again came from the forest with the Aegis. Lena stepped over to the stone placing a monitor on the girl of steel's forehead. She then strapped a sun bracelet onto her wrist. If it worked like it was suppose to Kara would come out of this slightly tired, but nothing like in the past. Kara reached up and pulled Lena into a slow kiss. They slowly broke the kiss and leaned against each others forehead. "I won't be long. Everything will be okay. I promise." Lena chuckled as she kissed Kara's nose.
"Please don't lie to me. I still remember last year. Don't you dare leave Lex or I." Lena whispered across the Kryptonians eyes. Kara nodded as Lena backed off the stone. Anthar and Rogan stepped up with the Aegis placing it in the holder. The women drew back watching as Kara placed both hands on the stone below her. Once more both men chanted as the moonlight filled the clearing. Kara's essence flowed out of her chest a warm, buttery yellow and changing to blue as it mixed with the moonlight. Alex recorded the whole process for later study. Thirty minutes later the last of the essence entered the stone.
"Thank you Kara Zor-El. Thank you for the fulfillment of your agreement once more." Anthar stated bowing to the young Kryptonian even as Lena moved to her wife.
"Kara are you okay?" Lena asked even as the stone withdrew to below the ground and Anthar's group readied to leave. Kara slowly stood up with Lena's help.
"Yeah, just really tired love." The young Kryptonian explained as she stumbled a little. The bracelet around her wrist glowed yellow telling Lena it was working. "I'm okay. I don't feel as bad as the previous times. I promise you." Kara watched as Poleeo and Anthar said Goodbye to their son in Alex's arms.
"Kara Zor-El, thank you for your continued you for our son." Anthar and Poleeo smiled at her even though there was great sadness. Kara nodded as they disappeared into the forest. Alex brought Lex to them.
"Now, do you see how much easier things go when you listen to your wife?" Alex asked Kara even as she cuddled with her son. Kara looked at Lena. They had come so far in a year. It was about balance and being honest with each other. They still had their moments, but the pledge to each other did not allow them to walk both took it seriously. Lena was grateful to Kara. She had given Lex back to her in a the strangest way ever. She wouldn't trade it for the world.
"Yes, Alex. I do." Kara said as Lena wrapped her arm around her wife. They left the clearing walking back to the house. Some things were worth the sacrifice. Kara smiled as Alex made funny faces at Lex. Lena just smiled checking the monitor on her Supergirl once more reassuring herself once more her love was okay.
"Throniv iovis khuhp Ukiem" - Protect those I love.
