You're afraid
Like I make my deals with the devil
You've been at it for years
But couldn't reach that next level
Let's keep it real
This is no competition to me
Even if everyone around you acts
Like they don't see
Lena sat at her desk, her head in her hands as she watched all the videos linked to the envelope- Phillips's envelope-, read all the information in reports, looked over all the employees put on the project. Rhiannon's number, her serial code, made sense now- Kryptonian Remnant, that was the project name. But Rhiannon hadn't been the only subject in the program, Lena knew that. There were eleven others, each made from Kara's eggs- apparently, there had been six males and six females. They didn't have the same DNA patterns as Rhiannon, and from the photos included they didn't look the same either- so they were not Rhiannon's clones. These children, if Lena could call them such, each had different paternal structures. Rhiannon, however, seemed to be the only subject who had been created with more than two biological components- or, parents to put it simply enough. Lena watched the time lapses of Rhiannon's development in horror, she watched as they grew her in an artificial chamber- she stared in horror at the cords attached to the base of Rhiannon's neck and ran down her spine, along with the accompanying cords attached to the back of her arms and legs in some Matrix-esque mockery. She watched as Rhiannon awoke for the first time, screaming and fighting in fear like a wounded animal- unable to understand what was happening, unable to understand why the cords were plugged into her body and why her limbs didn't fully work.
She watched the videos Phillips took while BiGen was under Lex's hand, the videos of Phillips cutting Rhiannon apart and studying her on the inside. Lena watched as they injected a Kryptonite-based serum into Rhiannon's bloodstream, weakening Rhiannon just enough to cut her open or stick needles into her skin. She watched the autopsy videos for the dead subjects, watching as Phillips tried to justify their causes of death. She saw Lex's son, how he mirrored his father- how he stared emotionlessly down at a comatose Rhiannon. She watched as they abandoned Rhiannon in her cage for nearly a year, how they mistreated her and abused her- how they siphoned the tissues and organs and everything from the dead subjects and transferred their power to James Luthor, Lena's one and only nephew.
With shaking hands, Lena closed the current video she was watching- a video where a scientist, Ida Williams (who was now deceased, apparently), was teaching Rhiannon to read, write, and speak English. Lena shut the folder and stared at the surface of it as she tried to process what all she had seen. That poor, poor girl... Lena ran her hands through her hair, shaking her head as she reached for her phone.
"Lena? What's wrong?" Kara answered almost immediately, sounding oddly concerned- more concerned than she should be for 'just taking Rhiannon out to eat'.
"I.. I know more about her now." Lena managed to say.
"Is that Lena? Is Sam with her?" Lena heard Rhiannon's voice in the background, as curious as ever. Hearing her voice made Lena feel even worse, because now Lena knew the extent of Rhiannon's pain.
"Yeah, it's Lena.. please hold still." Kara said. From the crackling sound, Lena guessed Kara was trying to fit Rhiannon with some sort of outfit.
"Hi, Rhiannon." Lena forced out, though she was frowning now. "Is.. everything okay?"
"I'm going to fight Mon-El!" Rhiannon's voice broke out before Kara could speak. It was a childish statement, though Lena could tell Rhiannon was being a little smug. Deep down, Lena was proud of the girl for sticking it to some dude-bro. But then Lena realized what was happening.
"She's getting into a fight?! Kara, you said you were-"
"I know, I know!" Kara grumbled. "Believe me, I tried to talk her out of it. I'm not supporting her on this one."
"Tell Sam hi!" Rhiannon's voice said again.
"I, uh.. I will." Lena said, not sure if she should bring up Rhiannon's past with her on the phone. "Look, Kara, we need to talk. It's kinda important."
"We can talk at the Christmas party, I promise." Kara said, her voice a little hurried. "But, I gotta go.. I need to make sure Rhiannon doesn't do anything too extreme." And with that, Lena heard the phone line go dead. She sighed in annoyance, shaking her head. Lena knew she shouldn't of left Kara alone with Rhiannon, especially since Kara hadn't had any experience with children of her own. Lena hadn't either, so she wasn't trying to judge; but it was part of the reason Lena had wanted Rhiannon to spend some time with Sam- even though she knew it was important that Rhiannon and Kara formed a bond. But Sam had a child, she knew what to do and would be more understanding than either Kara or Lena herself, and it seemed as though Rhiannon seemed to get along well with Sam (although Lena didn't know why, mostly because Rhiannon had only been with Sam a handful of times).
Lena just shook her head again and opened the folder back up to try and read some more, although she didn't want to. According to one of Lex's reports, Rhiannon was created from fourteen genetic 'donors', as he referred to them. Kara was the main basis of Rhiannon's DNA, somehow Lex and Phillips had been able to extract the soul remnants of the gods from artifacts recovered by Diana Prince. How they'd gotten their hands on the artifacts Lena didn't know, but all the same Rhiannon was not just Kryptonian- or a god. The 'remnant' part of Rhiannon was quite literal and figurative, though she paused at something in Lex's writing.
Of course, Lex had written, power tends to corrupt. Had we created an all-powerful being, one with the likeness of the aliens which come to our world, seeking to conquer, the absolute power would corrupt this being. That is why, as a fail safe, human DNA has been added to her genome to balance it. The absolute power would not just corrupt the individual at hand, but also their genetic structure- no being can handle this much power physically, at least none made by man. The human DNA added will not dampen the power given to my project, but rather limit the potential being of destruction we have created.
First and foremost, she is a weapon. She is a weapon that, if ever used, can alter the course of history as we know it- a weapon with unparalleled strength and power, one with destructive power that no man should ever wield. I ask myself if she is a mistake, and although she is powerful- more powerful than the Superman himself, or his cousin- I can see in her eyes that she does not wish to be the weapon I have made her to be. I know that it was her who killed the other subjects, in no fault of her own really aside from the fact she was testing her powers. It is my fault that I did not attempt to teach KR-12 to control them before she was allowed in such close proximity with the other subjects. Yet... In her eyes, I see the same innocence my sister's held on the day she arrived; perhaps that is why I have modeled her in part after my dear sibling.
Rhiannon curiously tapped the padded vest over her chest. Kara had strapped elbow pads onto her arms as well, along with knee guards and a throat guard. Rhiannon had impatiently allowed Kara to strap the items onto her, mostly because Kara explained that they were going for a fair fight.
"We're going to put you and Mon-El in a room that will dampen both of your powers." Kara had explained after getting off the phone with Lena. Rhiannon had nodded as she tied her hair back into a bun- just like she'd had to do whenever Phillips had sent her on a mission- and pulled the combat shorts on to protect her thighs, hips, and tailbone. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
Rhiannon blinked calmly and nodded, "I've fought bigger creatures than him before." She admitted, which sent a small wave of pain through Kara's being.
"Mon-El has fought creatures before too," Kara said slowly, choosing her words carefully. She wasn't trying to defend him, but still- she wanted to prepare Rhiannon.
"You come to his defense a lot." Rhiannon murmured, watching Kara curiously. "From what I've seen in other peoples' heads, and in yours... you didn't have a very sturdy relationship."
Kara blinked in surprise, her mood souring. "You've been in my head?" She asked, frowning. "I'm your mother, I'd appreciate it if you kept that in mind."
"I'm perfectly aware of our positions." Rhiannon told her, her eyes still locked onto Kara as she picked the head gear up, holding it close to her chest. "What I'm trying to say is he treated you... he treated you like a lesser." Rhiannon said, searching for the right words, then softly added, "'You are my kryptonite'. He said that to you."
"It's not okay for a man to be vulnerable with his partner?" Kara asked. "Kryptonite hurts, Rhiannon."
"Kryptonite hurts you." Rhiannon corrected. "It hurts me, too. To the point of making us sick, to the point of poisoning us. Kryptonite doesn't affect him."
"He didn't mean it literally," Kara snapped, "I know it doesn't hurt him."
"He called you his weakness." Rhiannon frowned. "That's not how relationships work. He called you annoying, he was possessive."
"Not everyone is perfect." Kara snapped. "What do you even know? No one's loved you before," Kara regretted the words instantly, and she could see Rhiannon visibly sadden. Rhiannon closed her eyes briefly before she shook her head and spoke, her voice shaking.
"You don't know that. You don't know everything about me, mother." Rhiannon said as she pulled the head gear over her face. Kara opened her mouth to speak, to try and apologize.. but she didn't know how. Deep down, she knew Rhiannon was right- she knew that she and Mon-El hadn't had the best relationship. But the look Rhiannon gave Kara begged her not to speak, and so she didn't.
"Fighting him won't solve anything, you know. You've no reason too, really." Kara said anyway after a few moments.
"The way he's lived his life is enough." Rhiannon shrugged. "Besides, I just want to put him in his place... and it'll be a challenge... I haven't sparred in a long, long time."
Kara shook her head, though she watched Rhiannon carefully. It was evident that Rhiannon was something different; something raised savagely, yet.. in her own way she could be gentle. Kara wasn't sure what about Mon-El was triggering this attitude in Rhiannon, but deep down she wondered if it was related to Lex Luthor or James Luthor. Nonetheless, Kara truly didn't speak anymore. She simply offered Rhiannon a nod and motioned for the girl to follow, where Kara led her toward the transparent octagonal shaped room that she and Alex often sparred in. It had been modified to take away both Mon-El and Rhiannon's powers until they exited the room, and by the look on Alex's face Kara could tell she was rather excited to watch the showdown. Mon-El was already inside the room, arms folded over his chest. The room hadn't yet been turned on, but as soon as Rhiannon had entered the room through the sliding door Alex was behind the control panel with Winn; ready to start the fight. Rhiannon and Mon-El stood across from each other. Rhiannon was already testing the padded floors, a neutral expression upon her face.
"Why don't you step away from this while you still can?" Mon-El asked, and Rhiannon wasn't entirely sure whether or not he was making playful banter or not. Rhiannon didn't truly care, either way she only saw him as James- and deep down, Rhiannon's burning hatred was beginning to release itself again. Her buried emotions were bubbling to the surface, and Rhiannon didn't know if she wanted to stop them.
Mon-El attacked first, rushing toward Rhiannon to try and catch her off guard. Rhiannon stumbled backwards, still trying to examine everything about Mon-El. She needed to figure out his strengths and weaknesses, and she studied him with the eyes of a hawk. He swung at Rhiannon, which she blocked. Pain flared in Rhiannon's forearm, but she ignored it and dodged another attack. While Mon-El was already aiming for Rhiannon's face and upper torso, Rhiannon was figuring that she'd need to go for Mon-El's legs and knees to disable him or throw him off guard. One of his punches caught Rhiannon in the shoulder, which forced her to stumble back as her face contorted into pain. Rhiannon ducked beneath another punch when it was thrown at her, her own fist striking Mon-El just below his lungs- directly into his liver. He stumbled back, a surprised look upon his face; but after a handful of seconds he charged at Rhiannon again and kept on swinging.
Rhiannon's goal was to tire him out, to try and get Mon-El to overexert himself. Without his powers, it seemed to be working. Sweat glistened against Mon-El's face, it dampened his hair as well. When Mon-El threw his next punch, Rhiannon grabbed his arm and wedged it between her side and own arm. She thrust her fist into his gut, then drove her forehead directly into Mon-El's chin, just below his own head gear. She felt his teeth clack together as he stumbled slightly, but caught himself. Rhiannon could feel his anger growing as he tore himself from Rhiannon, a scream tearing itself from his throat as he rushed forward- his arm catching Rhiannon and flinging her down in the process. She hit the ground with a grunt, just as Mon-El's foot planted itself in her side. Rhiannon cried out in pain, she could feel the wound in her abdomen tearing itself open.
Mon-El was sneering at Rhiannon, she could feel it- but she wasn't going to let him win. Rhiannon drew in a ragged breath, bracing herself as Mon-El drew his leg back again. Rhiannon glanced toward Kara; she could see the horror in Kara's eyes, that this wasn't just a spar anymore. Kara was already moving toward the door again when Rhiannon twisted in a fluid, cat-like motion; her arms wrapping around Mon-El's leg. She twisted again, forcing Mon-El to the ground lest he wanted a broken leg on top of a bruised ego. Mon-El cried out, but Rhiannon was already groaning harshly between breaths as she let loose a snarl that had only escaped her lips once before- the time the purple creature had tried to pet her, and she didn't want to be touched. This time, it was different. Rhiannon leaped forward, her smaller form straddling Mon-El as she began to bring her fist down upon his mask. Beneath her knuckles the heavy plastic split open, tearing through Rhiannon's nearly healed knuckles and Mon-El's cheek. Imra and Kara were already racing toward the door, yelling at Alex and Winn to do something. Rhiannon could hardly tell when Kara locked her arms around Rhiannon's waist, heaving Rhiannon away from Mon-El's shaking body.
Finally, Rhiannon had snapped- and all she could see beneath the mass of blood was James's sneering face, along with the hatred Phillips had whenever she saw Rhiannon. Of course, Rhiannon struggled to dive back into the battle even if it was over. She wanted to keep fighting, to finally fight the battle she'd been losing for years- even if it was against the wrong person. Deep down, Rhiannon knew Mon-El was not bad. He was good, and he was trying. He'd grown better than he had in past years, and yes Kara had helped him- but all Rhiannon could see was James. All Rhiannon felt beneath her pain, fear, and slight arrogance was hatred for James, hatred for Phillips.
KR-12 is back in her cage, tired and disappointed. She wants to sleep, but when she closes her eyes all she sees is bright flashes of light, flickering patterns, Lex's face, the smell of her old cage, the noises of the truck that had moved her long ago. She remembers the room Lex had often brought her into, and she feels- for a moment- as if she is back in the room, getting bigger and bigger. The empty space inside her was devoid, but now it is starting to fill up. She remembers things that Ida and Finch said, and now she slightly understand a little more- although she's not sure why. KR-12 had blacked out during the procedure, as she usually did, so perhaps they had done something to her while she was sleeping. It wasn't too farfetched, really. But either way, Ida had chosen KR-12 because of Lex's notes- because KR-12 was docile. She had been docile for so long, played gentle and happy, but now they know she isn't like that anymore. She understands that her chance to get back at Phillips has gone away now because of her mistake, that now it might not ever come. KR-12 berates herself in her mind, scolding herself. KR-12 knew she should've waited until a better time.
Later, KR-12 finally finds herself beginning to sleep- not the sleep she has when she passes out, but actual sleep. When she sleeps, KR-12 has strange and colorful dreams- dreams with no meanings, and yet at the same time KR-12 feels as though they are more than just dreams. She sees the eyes of her mother, and the red eyes of another. She sees flashes of gold, of fire... but when she wakes, she wakes with something bothering her. She remembers Ida saying something, although she isn't sure of the meaning yet. Something about a mission, a mission Lex had for KR-12. But what could that be?
Later, Ida comes back for KR-12; but Ida is alone, and it is nearly time for the lights to go off. Ida has something in her hands, something familiar. Lex had showed it to KR-12 before, and sometimes he had allowed her to play with it. The 'thing' was one of KR-12's favorite toys, a cube with different little colors. Lex had told KR-12 its name before, but she hardly remembered it now. KR-12 loved to solve the cube back then, it was her favorite pass time while Lex administered the injections after he asked his questions- or, well, it was her favorite aside from the rectangle box on the wall. Ida hesitates, but she opens a small compartment on the glass wall of KR-12's cage and drops the cube inside. KR-12 is hesitant to approach it, but she takes it into her hands and begins to work with it.
I've seen you solve it. KR-12 freezes when she hears Ida's words. Ida smiles, smoothing her hands against her lab coat. Her smile does not sicken KR-12, not like Phillips. In fact, Ida's smile is more comforting than anything. You've played with the Rubix Cube before. The word 'Rubix' did not have a Kryptonian translation, but hearing it jogged KR-12's memory.
Yes, KR-12 says simply. Speak Kryptonian?
Yes, I do. Lex taught me. KR-12 can tell Ida is telling the truth. KR-12 doesn't think Ida truly wants to hurt KR-12, not like Phillips does. You knew Lex.
Asked questions. Lots of questions. Kept company. KR-12 confirms, nodding. Gets lonely here.
I know. I'm sorry. Ida sympathizes.
Sorry? KR-12 had never heard that word before, but Ida simply nods.
I will teach you to speak. That way, you can understand more. Yes? Ida's words are sincere, she wants to help. KR-12 realizes this, but she is wary.
Teach? Why teach? She asks, her eyes narrowing. Teach so you can hurt me?
No. Teach so you can learn, so you can understand. Ida says.
