The Promises we Keep: Chapter 10
By: Ryu Niiyama
Love can be a shield…Love can be a weapon.
Lady El tucked and rolled as she was deposited onto desert sands, coming to a stop on her knees she looked up and was not surprised to see Supergirl floating above her against a backdrop of storm clouds with glowing eyes and her face twisted in anger. Summoning every ounce of her grace and bearing, the sovereign of .Jor:Krypton rose and dusted herself off, her crimson cape flaring in the wind.
"Supergirl. I trust there is a suitable reason for this…abduction?"
The Maid of Might clenched her fists glaring at the nonchalant tone of the High Chancellor. Her calm and poise in the face of Supergirl's power only served to spike her already raging temper higher. This copy, this fraud dared to act as if she had done nothing wrong.
"'I claim blood's price against you. You have attempted to break a bond unbreakable, you seek to trespass upon Te:zehdh."'
The serenity of Lady El shattered in that moment, and her face mirrored the floating Kryptonian above her, if only briefly. Incredulous rage filled her, her eyes glowing with indolent power but just as deadly intent. "You dare accuse me? You, who cast her aside, you who left her to die?! You are an oathbreaker, you joined your house with hers, and you turned your back on that… for what? You have no claim to an offense for Alexandra-El is neither blood nor family in your eyes!"
Kara Zor-El frowned at her Earthling counterpart. She kept her face devoid of the disdain and loathing that scorched her bones, knowing her words would be enough. Let Kara Danvers wage war in the manner of Earth, violence and threats and destructive anger, she would meet her challenge with the law and logic of Krypton. Legally, Alexandra kept her house name just as any other female upon .Jor:Krypton, however with same sex couples the lower caste mate possessed a short name which took the house name they married into. Trivial, but it had the intended effect of implying the full nature of her relationship with Alexandra with brutal efficiency.
The Maid of Might flinched as she thought of Alex within Lady El's embrace, bonding bracelets glittering as she gave a part of her soul that she would never allow Kara Danvers to see. Yet more that the sweet press of skin and immolating kisses and breathless sighs she remembered a warm hand within her own, unafraid of the power she wielded even as she sat in a room accidentally destroyed by negligent sorrow.
She remembered family dinners and forbidden flights, sister nights and mock fights over pot stickers, she remembered a warrior scholar rappelling down from the heavens to protect her, she remembered the terrifying press of a Boeing beneath her grip, she remembered pleas for her to shake off a dark fantasy…where Alex had no place. With an agitated cry, the last Daughter of Krypton half sped, half dropped into a punching crouch feet away from the usurper.
Far be it for Lady El to be intimidated by the display of power as she leapt backwards, her inhuman strength allowing her to avoid the shockwave created by Earth's Protector. She stared at her counterpart, wholly unimpressed and thinned her lips into a line as she saw Supergirl stand up.
"You used her, manipulated her tie to me for you own gain."
Lady El had never been more insulted and outraged in her life by the accusation, even when her right to the High Chancellor seat had been challenged by a Zod when she was sixteen. This even outstripped her outrage at the challenge placed against her son when she named him her successor.
"I manipulated her? Has your time on Earth reduced you to baseless conjecture and wild accusations? Even if that had of been my goal, Kara Danvers, you had poisoned any goodwill my name would have garnered. Manipulated?...She was afraid of me because of you. I didn't take advantage of your relationship…I surpassed it."
Furious, Supergirl leapt forward, rapidly closing the distance, only to pause midair and reflexively catch a small crystal that was thrown to her.
"Read it."
Confusion snapped the molten hold of rage upon her and the Maid of Might almost unwittingly called up the information within the chit. Data was summoned instantly scrolling forth in the form of a cube. Augmented eyes sped through the Kryptonese realizing they were logs, no they were medical records… but not of a Kryptonian, but rather of a human…Alex.
The damage they detailed was horrific. Tears pricked her eyes as she recognized some of the wounds she had inflicted, some by accident and thanks to RedK…some not. Alex had been torn apart again and again over her short life, all for the sake of protecting Kara…for protecting her sister. The word scraped and screeched as she tried to fit it into the Earth ideal of sisters. On Earth, sisters were close until they weren't… until the quest for a mate or the impersonal distance of time either made them strangers or enemies. On Krypton the bond of family was the strongest one of all and if Rao and the matricomp decreed it such a bond could be born of mates as well. For a world that had been obsessed with castes, and intelligent design, Krypton handled marriage with an efficient passion. No couples below 80 percent on the matricomp were allowed to wed and unlike Earth, bondings were rarely made due to infatuation or sexual desire. Supergirl staggered back, her anger draining away until she reached the beginnings of Alex's legal record upon New Krypton. Listed next to her marriage house had been her matricomp percentage.
98.7 percent.
When Krypton had been destroyed the couple that had the highest percentage on record had been her Uncle Jor-El and his wife Lara Lor-Van of the House of El. Even they had been 95.2 percent. Her own parents had been 93.6. The numbers, seemingly benign were like acid within her veins yet she could only stare in muted shock until her eyes glanced over a number that was out of place, but that she'd ignored simply because she thought she knew its value. When the contradicting number registered in her mind and all the implications therein, Supergirl became something that not even RedK could unearth… she became the Witness once again. Destined to lose everything she held dear with no way to reclaim it.
The crystal tumbled out of slack hands with a quiet thump and the Last Daughter of Krypton let out a sound of such mourning that even Lady El's staid composure faltered to hear it. Supergirl surged forward, griping the cape clasps of Lady El's armor levitated them both several feet into the air. Her eyes were completely bluish white, smoldering with restrained fury, as steam wafted from the corners of her eyes while her face was a twisted mask of rage and endless sorrow.
"WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER?!"
Kara Zor-El refused to struggle even as she gripped the unyielding forearms that held her aloft, and she allowed her own anger to truly rise as her irises began to glow with bio luminescence. She spoke clearly as if she were within the Council chambers even though the woman that held her could hear electrons as they orbited the nucleus of an atom.
"I loved her."
With that diplomacy was abandoned and the prowess of the Ze blood began to sing, clamoring for war. Lady El simultaneously wrapped her powerful legs around Supergirl's waist and then slammed her fists into each brachioradialis, forcing the heroine's grip to break in shock, but Lady El hugged her body like a serpent, keeping her grip even as she drew back a fist. Confused, Supergirl didn't react, perhaps expecting the elder Kryptonian to break her hand against Sol laced steel.
Supergirl had lost all true association with pain since coming to Earth. She could withstand punches that could crumble mountains, the hits muted even as they staggered her. Yet as Lady El punched her at point blank range and pain flashed like boiling water across her skin, the surprised superheroine lost her bearings and fell to the ground with her attacker perched above her in tow. Confusion lanced through her even as the pain lingered briefly before the sun still weakly shining down upon them muted the pain. Yet she only had the most minor of reprieves as she watched Lady El raise her fist again, her gauntlet shimmering with angry red.
The Green Lantern of .Jor:Krypton flew as if possessed, an insistent tug of emotional imbalance pulling at her. It was rare that non Star Sapphires/Violet Lanterns could feel the emotional energy of their mates, but Alex had been blessed. Kara Zor-El had always tugged at her soul, that was why she couldn't hold on to her resentment for her sister, but for her bondmate she could sometimes feel Kara's strongest emotions as if they were her own. The flash of sorrow and love had concerned her, but it was the burn of rage…the kind that called to the Red Lanterns that pushed her to take flight.
Something was wrong…she needed to find Kara…perhaps both of them.
Kara Zor-El was a woman of gentleness no matter the world, but there was rage within her. In Kara Danvers it became an albatross, for she couldn't allow herself to feel her anger and pain because Earth wouldn't survive it. For Kara Zor-El of the houses El and Danvers it became a drive, that pushed her to be a better ruler, a better bondmate and a better mother yet it haunted her, seeding doubt where there should only be peace. Yet their rage was not wild and directionless, it was filled with the righteous indignation at a universe that would destroy a world of wonder, and at the cruelty that those that had never known such loss could inflict upon one another.
Her armored fist, laced with red solar emitters smashed satisfyingly into Kara Danvers' face. How she had longed for this moment for years. She was an El, by breeding by training and by sovereignty but the blood of Ze rushed though her veins, fierce and hot and overflowing with burning passion. Her Alexandra had endured so much for the sake of this child, and now finally, finally she could offer her bondmate more than reassurances that she was not the same. The right and obligation to protect, to defend and by Rao to avenge thrummed through her; blood for blood a price would be paid this day.
She could not give Alexandra home while this child sought to ruin it with petulance and jealousy and she would not go to Rao's side until she could give her Light this final gift, this truest expression of her devotion and adoration. She poured the entirety of her brilliance and her passion to create the means to return Alexandra to Earth, and even though that had been knocked askew now the only thing that remained was stopping the ungrateful, foolish Kara Danvers from extracting her blood's price.
Kara Danvers was not as clumsy as she expected, but she was no warrior even though the touch of Alexandra could be seen in her movements, the luxury of power made her lax and foolish and fear of hurting human with her overwhelming abilities made her move with caution that Kara Zor-El would not afford her. Kara Danvers had destroyed Alexandra's home, had taken her father's life and twisted her mother's kindness into a blade of expectation; a kryptonite forged for Alexandra's heart alone. The push, nearly to the point of obsession to make a difference…to matter…it broke Kara Zor-El's heart to see it. The burn of failure knowing that a life by her side didn't eradicate that pain, the shame in knowing that the worldkiller in Alexandra's life bore her face…
With a roar Kara Zor-El lunged forward, but Supergirl was ready this time and she locked arms with her counterpart before tossing her aside with enough force to throw her several meters. Lady El was normal, Kryptonian and while she wasn't as fragile as a human, she was still weaker than the Maid of Might by an order of several magnitudes. Just like everything else in this world, Supergirl would have to counter her with a gossamer touch, delicate when she wanted nothing more than to inflict pain.
Kara Zor-El grinned,knowing that even despite her pain Kara Danvers had no instinct to hurt, to destroy to kill. Her throw tossed the noblewoman back, but a well-timed back flip landed her on her feet. But it wasn't kindness that held her back, but instead this world filled to the brim with fragility. Yet perhaps there was another reason for her reticent blows. If Kara Danvers ripped the armor that shielded Kara Zor-El from Sol then another monster would be born this day. Though the idea offended her, for her beloved Alexandra she would become a monster and bring Kara Danvers to her knees.
Supergirl lunged forward, her movements fast for a mortal but slow enough to predict and counter and Lady El ducked her outstretched hands, crowding close and slamming a back fist and forearm into Supergirl's stomach. The Maid of might bowed over with an expulsion of air, throwing her off her center of gravity enough for Lady El to grip her closest arm and flip her to the ground. Keeping her grip on her arm, Kara Zor-El pressed her hand forcefully on top of Supergirl's hand even as she dropped a knee heavily into the small of her back. It would take so very little pressure to break bones so long as her emitters kept contact with her body. The noblewoman dragged the arm against her torso, preparing to break it at the elbow, Supergirl merely levitated and flipped at superspeed, dislodging her and tossing her to the ground.
The Woman of Steel shook her head and rotated her shoulder, twists and aches lancing through her bones and her sinews. This wasn't like Kryptonite, pain that was an insidious poison that drained her and then pushed her under the waves. This was fire, the flames of Rao, visceral and immolating and permanent. The was the kind of pain that gave her the scar above her eyebrow, the kind of pain that shattered bones and called forth blood like a sweet spring. This was the kind of pain that Alex knew. Even gunshot wound, every cut, every bruise, every broken bone… this was pain that Alex endured for Kara Danvers' sake.
Supergirl paused as she thought of sharp gasps, and thrumming heartbeats, winces and blinked away tears. Bruises and casts, as Kara learned how to survive in this fragile world, when Kara grew too excited when she grew too afraid. She remembered screams and burned flesh when she raged. A hug from her could put Alex in a wheelchair for the rest of her life. Yet Supergirl found her thoughts drifting to that haunting, abhorrent night. Alex clung to Lady El with all her strength, kissing her with demand and need, she arched into an embrace that offered no pain, but instead unspeakable pleasure. She screamed, not in terror, but in joy as she took Lady Kara Zor-El's fingers deep inside…into her body, into her heart, into her very soul. Deeper than she would ever allow Kara Danvers, no matter how much Kara had longed for it locked away within her soul.
The storm clouds seemed to echo her lament as the heavens opened up to douse the two of them in warm rain. Supergirl tilted her head back, feeling the truth wash over her like the rain. She could make amends, she could be the Kara Zor-El that Alex needed, she would make things right and sweep away this imposter. Finally, finally she would be Alex's protector; she wouldn't stand behind her when they should walk through life together. She had been given a second chance; no one would take that from her. She looked down at Lady El, standing steadfast even as the rain fell all around her, the light wind causing her war cape to billow majestically around her. Supergirl frowned at the sight of her…of what she represented.
"I won't let you take away my family!"
Dark azure eyes stared up at her from behind a translucent helmet. They began to glow as resolve filled her, purpose sang within her with warm hazel eyes that shined up like six glittering jewels… a love carefully nurtured had given her everything she'd ever dreamed of…even home. What did this child know of understanding? Did she hold out her hand for Alexandra to take, or did she tug her along at her own pace? Did she not notice if she tripped and fell, did she not see the scars? Kara Zor-El shook her head and glared at her younger counterpart.
"She was never yours to protect."
Supergirl pitched forward, fist out stretched no longer caring about Lady El's suit and the threat it and the woman it encased posed as all she wanted was to remove this intruder from her and Alex's lives. Lady El dove forward and rolled to her feet moving forward just as Supergirl spun and ran towards her. Rather than punching out, she pushed into a kneeling crouch right as Supergirl swung, driving a fist into the side of Supergirl's right knee, causing it to buckle, even as her free hand gripped her cape and tugged sharply down. Supergirl had no choice but to trip fall backwards, her decades of enforced normalcy bleeding precious seconds from her reaction time. That was fine on Earth where her powers granted her a clear advantage, but against the ruler of .Jor:Krypton, who had her warrior skills forged in the fires of civil unrest and survival it was a glaring weakness.
Kara Zor-El straddled her counterpart and smashed her fist into her face once, twice, three times, delighting in the blood spilled even as wounds began to heal under the partially shining sun. She raised her fists, ready to bring down a hammer blow, when a gust of air threw her backwards. Supergirl staggered to her feet, flicking her wet cape behind her and wiping the blood from her nose and mouth. She let out another gust when Lady El tried to rise again, driving the noble onto her back with a whuff of air. Eyes glowed with Rao's vengeance before burning even brighter to blue white fury. She exhaled again, this time the gust was cold, freezing as she used to falling rain to encase her foe's legs in ice.
Lady El struggled, forcing down the panic that wanted to bleed into her mind as Kara Danvers displayed her monstrous powers. Her only regret was that she didn't have a weapon. She didn't bring one in good faith, not wanting to agitate the man that even now Alexandra looked to as a second father. Yet if she couldn't use her body as a weapon, and she possessed neither blade nor blaster, she ran the risk of failing Alexandra and she would die before she let that happen. She stopped pounding her fists against the ice when she felt Supergirl's shadow pass over her.
The clumsy, false human was gone now, even the reluctant goddess seemed to have vanished. Standing over her, drenched from head to toe yet somehow all the more glorious for it, she almost looked worthy of her blood. Almost. Bluish white heat stared at her and she felt no fear, only disgust. She remembers shuddering words, swallowed behind hiccups as the only secret kept between her Ehl:zeht and herself. Words never meant for her ears as Alexandra confessed to Alura and Astra the black night that ended her life as she knew it on Earth. Her mother and aunt had held Alexandra then, and Kara Zor-El who had only been a hesitant friend at the time with longings for more, had crept away and wept until she fell into a dreamless slumber. She vowed on that night that she would do what Kara Danvers could not; she would be what Kara Danvers was not. Never again would Alexandra Danvers cry because of Kara Zor-El. Eyes that would bring death narrowed and Kara Zor-El ran the numbers in her head. She would only get once chance and if Supergirl reacted fast enough…she wouldn't even have that.
Muscles tensed and reacted as laser formed rage erupted, hot and unforgiving ready to destroy everything in its wake.
Alright back to AC:Sparta for me. I need more fodder for this Kassandra/Daphnae fic(s) that my muse won't leave me alone about.