*Alex's POV*

I had the Ink Master show playing on the TV's in the studio. The show made me realize just how good Kara was at her craft. I used it as a way to improve our shop and our friends' talents too. It was annoying when Kara wouldn't win but also not lose. Until Kara told me that the reason for her not winning but also not losing was because the judges were giving the others a chance. Otherwise she would just sweep the whole thing and that wasn't fun. It was quite fun watching the bickering. Kara had gained a reputation of not being one to talk to her competition and letting her art speak for itself.

Maggie had to beat my back to stop me from hacking out a lung when I spewed water out of my nose at Kara's comments to that one asshole, Al. I died laughing because I knew Kara was witty like that. I almost spewed again when Kara had smacked down yet another cocky bastard, Bill? Anyway, with Kara being in the show, our shop had increased in customers since Kara had been gaining on everyone. Kara slayed all the competitions so far. Her skull was amazing and I wanted her to actually tattoo me with that thing. Maggie wanted Kara to paint her own motorcycle and carve her gun. Winn was interesting because he actually wanted the insignias of the armed forces.

Kara's best one yet was the one on the Greek Gods. They had to pick a certain god or goddess from Greek Mythology to tattoo whether that be their symbol of power, animal, or the god/goddess themselves. Kara did the twin archers and won. One by one people were being eliminated. Kara made her canvas disappear in the camouflage challenge and the photo realism was up her alley. Lisa lost because of how she missed a detail in her client's design. Jack lost in the dimension and pinup set for a disproportionate pinup. Bill lost because he tried to one up Kara by stealing her design for her client but he couldn't finish it. His complaint for not winning was to look at what Kara was doing because there was no way someone could finish that kind of tattoo in that amount of time without cheating. It was comedic karma when the investigation came out to be that Bill was the one to be cheating and not Kara. Soon it was Sheila, Tommy, Shana, Kelly, and Kara.

Shelia was taken out by the fundamentals of tattooing and it was down to four. Kara told me that I wanted to watch for this upcoming challenge for it was going to be the last one barring the finale. She also told me that it was going to be the most difficult of the challenges for it was going to be taking into account the person's record up till that point and the tattoo itself will be graded down to the last detail. This week's challenge was texture.

*Kelly's POV*

I was hoping I would get into the finale. I want to prove to my ex boyfriend and my brother that tattooing is a good job and I can do it. Mainly it's to prove to myself that I am well rounded and can take my experiences back to work. Plus, Kara had offered me a job at her shop so afterwards I was going to take that job. She had told me that it was out on the west coast in National City. It was perfect because it was on the opposite end of the country from my ex and brother. It was down to four people and only three of us will get to compete in the finale for the title of Ink Master and the hundred thousand dollars.

We headed down to the shop to find out what the next challenge was.

"Good morning challengers." David said, "all of you have done a wonderful job at getting to this point of the competition. However, this challenge will not be like the last challenges. For this challenge, there is no flash challenge."

Uh-oh, this has gotten serious.

"There is a catch however, you will not be using the machines you brought with you in this challenge." David said, "A good tattoo artist also has awareness of the machine used. Before the afternoon, you must build a new machine from these kits. There are no specifics for these machines except for the fact that they must be done and functional by lunch. If you wish to modify your machine to your liking, then do so."

Ah shit! Whelp, that's going to be a problem. I looked at the clock and saw that I still had enough time to get the parts I wanted. I ran to the nearest store that held the parts I wanted, and then ran back to get started. After four hours of building my machine and proving it works to my tastes, I decided to go see how the others were doing. Shana had built the standard machine, Tommy modified his a little as did I. I went to see Kara's and she's got all the parts organized. I watched as she put all the pieces together and oiled them as she went. In under an hour hers was built and running smoother than any machine I have seen. She then put something in it and ran a mixture of what looked like alcohol and peroxide through the machine. Then she put boiling water through before loading it with the black pigment and testing the machine she built by tattooing a black cuff on her ankle. She seemed happy with it so she cleaned the machine with alcohol and peroxide and powered it off.

The judges called time and we put down the machines.

"Alright, now, we will see if the machine works. Please come with your machine to test on this pig skin." David said.

Shana's worked but it was just the standard machine. Tommy's worked a little smoother than Shana's. Mine did well all things considered. Then Kara's was shown and it was the smoothest of them all.

"What parts did you use to get this?" David asked.

"I used a stabilizer and what's essentially a silencer. They keep the machine stable and then it's quiet so you can focus on your work. The needle is changeable from this big head that blends the colors, to the smallest of needles for the fine details. To keep it running in top condition, I used oil to make everything run well and keep the mechanics cool. Then when I'm done for the day or I'm cleaning out the needle, I either soak the needle in an alcohol peroxide mix if I'm in between colors, or run the mixture through the machine to clean it." Kara said.

Chris whistled. We were let off for lunch. Once lunch was over, things got interesting.

"For this challenge, we have brought in four canvases. Each have been given very specific instructions to not budge on where they have decided to put their tattoo." David said.

"Each one of them has a tattoo in the style of one of your specialties. The catch is that you must use the machine you have built. This round will be significantly different from the rest for it will test your knowledge of the other competitors. Your canvases have been instructed to write every detail they want and the style they want it done in. However you will not be picking your canvas. The guest judge tomorrow will be selecting the canvases for you based on what they think is your style. Your saving grace is being able to spend 2 hours EACH with each of your potential canvases to get ready for tomorrow." Chris said.

"Keep in mind that the person sent home this round is being judged based on the entire performance throughout this competition. For some, this tattoo will either hurt you or save you." Oliver said.

*Kara's POV*

Well then, this will be fun. I assumed that the finale will be a tattoo of our own style and whatever we want it to be. So I wanted to make this one of the biggest tattoos I will ever do in my life. The canvases came in and I had to smirk because the canvases were from our first competition, the one with the cover ups. However, it was the canvases that were unhappy with their tattoos. I looked at the others and they looked uncomfortable. The stakes were high with this round as was the competition. I was up against three of the better tattoo artists and there was no wiggle room for error.

The first canvas was the guy who Billy had.

"Hello, how are you today?" I asked.

"I'm doing great, thank you for asking," he said.

"So what type of tattoo would you look for if you were to have me as your artist?"

"I am looking at a photo-realistic tattoo of my daughter." he said as he got a little sad.

"What's her name?" I asked.

"Her name's Sofia. She's my pride and joy, my little daddy's girl. I'm going through a divorce right now and I am trying to fight for custody of her. Her mother isn't the best and I'd like to provide my baby girl the best I can." he said.

I smiled, "Do you have a current photo of her? What's her birthday?"

He smiled, "I do actually, she was born on October 6."

He handed me the picture and it was a well worn picture of the cutest little thing. She had brown hair and blue eyes. She was staring at the camera with a toothy grin standing with a mud pie in her hand. I chuckled.

"She's adorable. If you don't mind, do you have a better photo? One where I could see the entire detail of her?" I asked.

He pulled out another photo, a school photo obviously.

"You really love your little girl don't you? Tell me about her if you would." I said.

He smiled, "I do. I really do. She's always following me around whenever she can and if she hasn't seen me in a while, she clings to my leg like a little koala. She's my outdoorsy girl, absolutely loves anything to do with the outdoors and her favorite thing to do is camping."

I smiled as I sketched his baby girl.

"Her blue eyes gain a giddy gleam whenever I mention camping and anything about dogs to a point where I'm not too sure whether she likes camping or dogs more."

"She sounds wonderful. What of your ex? If you don't mind me asking?" I asked.

"Eh, she isn't the person I married. I have found Sofia curled up on my lap more times than I can count, not just because she's a daddy's girl, but because her mother was never home. She's a nurse so it makes sense, but the hours she keeps is not normal for a nurse. I found out my gut was right and I had come home to another guy in bed with her while Sofia was in her room. I kicked my ex and her boyfriend out to the curb which sucked because her boyfriend just so happened to be one of my buddies." he said.

"Oooh, that sucks. I'm so sorry. How is Sofia handling it?" I asked.

"Well, she's okay. She asks about her mom and due to my promise with her, I told her straight out. I knew that if I waited till she was older, she would draw her own conclusions and I would rather answer her questions and have her understand my decisions and then ask questions for her own sake than speculate. She's a bright girl who's got a future ahead of her." he said.

"That's amazing. Any hobbies that Sofia seems interested in?" I asked.

"She's always got a piece of wood on her. If she finds one, she'd come to me to carve and she'd sit still, watching me carve whatever it was she had. She loves watching me work with wood and is more often found next to me in my workshop than playing with her toys. She plays with her toys in my workshop." he said.

"That's awesome. So what do you think?" I asked as I showed him my drawing of his little girl.

He gasped, "That is amazing."

"Where would you like the tattoo to be?" I asked.

"My left pec please. I like keeping her close to my heart." he said.

"What's her favorite dog?" I asked.

"She likes the terriers. The Jack Russell to be specific." he said.

"Cool, they're great companions and guard dogs if you train them right."

"Yeah, I'm waiting for her to get a little older to get one." he said.

"I'm gonna need you to take your shirt off so that I can take measurements of the area you want tattooed. I do this so I have a good reference and can get the proportions correct." I said.

"Sure thing."

This was fun. When he was done, it felt like only an hour went by, but he shook my hand before moving onto the next person. The next canvas was a female.

"Good Afternoon. How are you today?" I asked as I shook her hand.

"I'm doing well, thank you." she said.

"So what are you looking for today?" I asked.

"I'm looking for a new school representation of my dog on my back." she said.

"Okay, may I see a picture of your dog?" I asked.

She nodded and pulled out a picture of the cutest German Shepherd.

"Any reason for the tattoo?" I asked.

"Yeah, my dog always has my back and she's my protector. So I'd like to honor that." she said.

"Fair. Any reason why you'd like the new school art style?" I asked.

"I wanted it to be different from any other person who does memorabilia for someone. Most people use pictures and life like representations, but I wanted mine to be different. I'll be the only one who knows the true reason why I did it the way I did." she said.

I smiled, "Tell me about your pup,"

"Oh she's a stinker that one. She's my best friend and she will protect me. She's bite trained which is great. She's also police trained and knows when she's got to work and when she doesn't." she said.

"Sounds awesome. Does she like swimming?"

"She loves it. She does a little puppy bark whenever we pass by a pool, it won't matter if it's winter and it's freezing she'd still want to go swim. I always tell her to wait till we get home and then she jumps in the pool. We almost always have a wet dog in the house. We dry her off of course and make her less wet, but she just jumps right back in the pool."

While she was talking I finished the drawing and showed her.

"That is beautiful. I really like the harness idea." she said, "Do you mind if I keep this?"

"I don't, I'd just need it if you are indeed my canvas. After the competition I'll give it to you." I said.

"Okay cool."

I took measurements and soon we were done with her. The next client wanted a tribal cobra slinking around his arm and the last and final client wanted a wolf howling at the moon, so a landscape tattoo, on his back. I smiled as each one left in a better mood than they did when they came in. They seemed nicer and I don't know if it was because I gave them what they want with no problem or what. When the time was up with all the clients, I smiled and got to work drawing each out to scale.

We were given the rest of the night to do whatever we wished. I used the time to work on each of my potential tattoos. It was going to be good. I drew the tattoo in anticipation that it would be a nine hour session with the hope of being a twelve hour session. I put as much detail in the tattoos as I knew I could handle in the time frame. I was happy with each and put them away. The next day will be a definite memory to remember.

*Tommy's POV*

The real competition will be to see if I can do anything to beat out Kara. I knew she was a damn good artist and can pack a lot within a short time. She's really good at time managing and is able to design the tattoo in a way that the proportions come out just right. I don't get it and I was planning on asking her after the competition.

I glanced over at the tattoo ideas she had laying out, which were all the same that we all got from the clients, and I had some work to do. Especially on the areas that aren't my expertise. I didn't look at her landscape one since that one was in her lap and is her current project. If I remember correctly, landscapes are her specialty….great I'm screwed….well, I'll do my best and see what happens.

*Oliver's POV*

This is the competition we've all been waiting for, the deciding round of who's going to the finale. If I'm being honest, Kara's going to win. She's pushed out beautiful work in a very short amount of time for the quality of the tattoo. Kara's been the most consistent with everything and is the canvas favorite.

I watched as most of the canvases got annoyed with the other contestants but Kara was able to get them to mellow out. Which is great. I also noticed that she took measurements of all the areas the canvases want and all her tattoos come out proportionately well. I might do that myself really because her stuff comes out much better. She knows what to do and where to put certain things. She outlines the tattoos in black before doing color, then she goes back over her lines in black to finish out the tattoo and really make the colors pop with the contrast. I also want to see if the machine she built runs better than a regular shop's machine. It was definitely the quietest of the four.

We brought the contestants in before the judge and it was going to be wild.

"Today as our guest randomizer, we've got Eddie Manucian, a chef." David said. "He has been in and out of tattoo shops as well so he has some knowledge, but his task is to pair you to a canvas based on what he thinks is your specialty."

I smiled as three of the artists were sweating while Kara was calm and collected. We brought in the canvases again and they described what they wanted to Eddie and then it was up to Eddie.

"Hmm, new school has to go to Shana. Photo goes to Kelly. Landscape to Kara. And tribal to Tommy." Eddie said.

Oh boy and with that, Eddie was gone because his job was done.

"Good news, you all have twelve hours to complete your tattoo. Six hours before lunch and six after lunch. First time starts…now." David said.

So we were off. Kara and her canvas headed for her station and I really wanted to watch her work. I stood just outside her station and watched her as she had great customer service. She got right into it and showed the guy what she had for him.

*Kara's Canvas' POV*

I was so happy I got Kara as my artist. The tattoo she had looked awesome and I really wanted it.

"Are you happy with it or do you want to modify it somehow?" she asked.

"I'm happy with it. It looks awesome." I said.

"Great. If you need to use the restroom, bring a drink in here, please do so now because once I start, it will be a few hours before I'll be able to let you get up. Only because of where I'll be in the process not because I'm trying to be an ass. I will allow you to adjust a bit because it does get stuffy." she said.

"I'd like a drink please." I said.

"What kind?" she asked.

"Just water would be great. Anything else will go right through me and I don't think you'd like to stop midway for me to go to the bathroom." I said.

"Great. Be right back. You're free to look in my portfolio if you'd like." she said.

I smiled as she ran out. I picked up the black folder that held her portfolio of tattoos she's done. I whistled low at the stuff she's done and I was even more grateful that I got her as my artist. About two minutes later she was back and we got started. I took a sip of water and got ready.

"Let me know if you are going to adjust so I can stop for a second okay?" she said.

"Sure thing." I said.

I laid down on the table and it was surprisingly comfortable. She actually had a place where my head would be and it was super padded. She shaved my back and then put powder on it before laying the outliner on. I felt her do her thing and all. I was getting sleepy so I fell asleep. Next thing I know she's shaking me awake for lunch.

"Comfy?" she asked with a chuckle.

"Yeah, sorry." I said.

"Don't be sorry. I try to make the process comfy for a lot of people and depending on the session, they take a nap while I tattoo them." she said. "So, you have an option, do you want lunch now or do you want to wait till you're finished and the twelve hours are up while snacking?"

"What do we have for lunch?" I said.

"Six inch club sandwiches." she said.

"Cool," I said.

"Awesome. Let me get you prepped so you can go get food safely. And so that no one can get any ideas." she said.

She put a salve on my back and then put a black cellophane on. Once she was done, we went to the kitchen, ate quickly and was back to the table within twenty minutes.

"Last chance to go to the bathroom or hold your pee till we're done." she said.

I took it. As my dad always said, always go to the bathroom even if you don't think you have to. So I went and then came back and sat down for the rest of the six hours. I dozed off to sleep again and soon she was done. I was woken up to her putting a cool salve on.

"Do you mind me taking a picture? Even if I don't win, I'd still like this to be in my portfolio at some point." she asked.

"Sure. I'd like to see the end result." I said.

She took the picture and showed it to me. I wheezed. It was BEAUTIFUL! It was absolutely stunning how the wolf was popping as was the moon. The moon looked like it was casting its light onto the forest below where the wolves were howling. She even managed to get the wolves' eyes to shine in the light.

"Holy shit. I am so glad I got you." I said.

She chuckled and it was a low chuckle, "Well, landscapes are my specialty."

"This is outstandingly stunning. May I have your information? If I'm nearby, I'd like to get another from you." I said.

She laughed and finished me up. She put a salve over the tattoo and then put the cellophane over it. She then handed me her card.

"Alright, for this, let it sit for the next two days. I've made this salve so that it moisturizes and heals the area quicker. After the two days, treat the tattoo as if you're about a week into having it, just cleaning it and using a clean lotion. Keep it sanitized for the rest of the week and then leave it alone for the following, only putting lotion and stuff." she said.

"Thank you so much." I said.

"You're welcome. Have a good rest of the day." she said.

I went to where the other canvases were and we got our photos taken for judging before leaving.

"Hey, how'd your experience go?" I asked.

"It's okay. Definitely not what I expected but it's alright. I actually got Kara's pre tattoo art of my daughter so it worked out." the other guy said as he showed me it.

"Wow, she's good. She did this." I said as I showed him my tattoo.

He whistled, "Damn, that is crazy good. I was hoping for her but Kelly was good."

"Shana didn't do what I wanted. She ignored what I wanted for mine and did it in her own way. At least I got what Kara drew of mine." the lady said.

"Can we all come to the conclusion that we all wanted Kara as our artist?" the other guy said.

"Yep."

We had to laugh.

"Well, does anyone want her info? She gave it to me if I was ever in the area and wanted a new tattoo from her.

*Oliver's POV*

I knew Shana's out. Her client didn't want the tattoo she did and Shana wasn't listening. I looked at what Tommy was doing and it was a good tattoo. Kelly's was good too, a little wonky here and there but overall it was a well planned tattoo. I heard the other two gasp.

"Is that Kara's?" David asked.

"Yes." Chris said, "Damn, she did that in just twelve hours? I know I would have to have at least two good sessions to do that."

"Look at the detail she has. No wonder she's been doing so well in this competition, it's not even a competition for her. I can look at that and feel as if the wolves were compelled to howl at the moon. Kara's use of the negative space and all made this tattoo truly pop." I said.

"I wonder if it's her technique that creates these tattoos."

We went over the standings with the four left and sent Shana home since she didn't do what her client wanted nor did she listen to said client. Which left Tommy, Kara, and Kelly all vying for the title of Ink Master.

"Finalists, congratulations for making it all the way to this point in the competition. For the finale, your canvas will be following you to your home parlor where you will be conducting four six hour sessions. It will be a tattoo of your own making, a tattoo that is in your wheelhouse and it will be given time to fully heal before being submitted to the website for official judging. You will not set foot back here until that final showing where we will announce the winner, live on TV." David said.

"As it was in this round, the winner will be decided based on the performance throughout the entire competition. Pack up shop, meet your canvas, and head home." Chris said.

"We will see you at the live show. Good luck." I said.

We brought in the three people who will be the canvases of the three finalists. Each one was selected because they had minimal tattoos and wanted to be in the finale. I couldn't wait to see what these three people can do in their own home, their own style and everything.

*Kara's POV*

I met my canvas and she was really nice. She had bright green eyes and jet black hair, fair skin. From her facial features she's of Irish descent.

"So what's your specialty?" she asked.

"I'm listed as a landscape, portrait, or photorealism specialist but I am capable and able to do other styles." I said.

"That's awesome."

"Where's home for you?"

"National City."

"Really? No way, I'm from National City."

"Where do you work?"

"Union Tech."

"I'm a block away from there!"

"Where do you work?"

"Um… ." she said with a sheepish grin.

Sheidjfga she's Lena, the CEO of L. Corp.

"Well Luthor, hope not to do you wrong." I said.

"You'd better not." she smirked.

"Considering my career's on the line I won't." I said.

So we headed to the airport and headed home. I texted Alex that LENA FRICKIN LUTHOR is my final canvas. When we got back home, I started on my idea. I was going to do the Mystic Falls from a small area in Kaznia. It wasn't a public waterfall and it was only found by locals. It wasn't broadcasted because of the beauty of the falls. You almost had to stumble across the thing before you even knew it was there. As people kept urbanizing Kaznia, the less people went looking for it. Some avid hiker had gone to Kaznia to search for any waterfalls in the area. The hiker had a goal of seeing every waterfall there was in the world but it was his goal to find the Mystic Falls but he couldn't find it no matter how hard he tried. It was him that coined the name of the falls because of how difficult it was to find. Locals and others who have lived there for years knew the exact location and weren't willing to give it up. It was almost a right of passage for any adolescent ready to cross the bridge into adulthood and again into the afterlife. Some say that the falls were the bridge between this world and the next and most locals actually wish to have their bodies cremated and the ashes poured at the top of the falls so they could make the journey. The falls represent the journey to the afterlife, flowing from this life to the next.

I remember it and it is why I wanted to tattoo it because no one else will know what it is. I drew it up and made sure the proportions were correct. I triple checked the measurements I got off of Lena's back to make sure that the drawing was to scale. Then the sessions began. Over the course of the four six hour sessions, I made those falls come alive. I knew I had an audience because Alex and the others wanted to see me work.

"Well, now I know why she's the owner and the most requested tattooist."

"Hey Holly."

"Hi Kara."

"What's up?"

"Well, I wanted you to do my tattoo. Shana did bad and I do want that tattoo you had drawn up for me."

"Ah. Okay. I am working on the final canvas at the moment so I can do that after it's completed."

"Sure. I don't mind waiting. I'm sure someone can show me around."

"Schott, show her the works will you?" I called out.

"On it boss!"

I chuckled and turned my full attention back to Lena. I made sure all the detail was in there and it was breathtaking. As if you were looking at a painting not a tattoo of the place. I finished in the third session and the fourth day was explaining how to take care of the tattoo and giving Lena the cream I give all my clients to use on said tattoo. I took a picture a day later and showed it to Lena.

"Wow, that is incredible. Now I just want to wear backless dresses all the time just to show off this masterpiece." Lena said.

I chuckled, "So Luthor, gonna stick around a bit more since you know we are in the same city after all."

"Take me to a hole in the wall restaurant, one a person of my status would never ever set foot in because of their prejudiced ways." Lena said.

"Of course my lady. Shall we?" I said as I stuck my arm out.

"We shall." she giggled and took my arm.

"Damn Lovebirds!" I heard Alex yell after us. I chuckled.

*Eliza's POV*

I was watching the Ink Master show and I saw Kara on it. I saw the work she did and it was BEAUTIFUL! I didn't see the other episodes and I was lucky that the show was putting up the past works of each of the contestants. Kara's work was absolutely stunning and I knew that my baby would win. I called up Alex to share it with her and she told me that she knew Kara was on the show.

I smiled and I watched as Kara was the last contestant to be shown and everyone was absolutely stunned by the work she did. If you didn't know any better, you'd think it was painted on or photoshopped. The judges were awed and eventually the show wound to a close and closer to announcing the winner of the season.

"This season's winner is someone who has produced beautiful work. Grinded out tattoos that would take normal people twice the amount of time she did it in and with less detail and skill she did. She was a threat from the start, a threat that had heat to back it up. I have the greatest pleasure of giving you our winner, Kara Danvers!" David said.

I jumped out of my chair and cheered as my baby won. She won and she did it with flying colors. It was fun that she came back as one of the next season's judges.

AN: And there you have it folks, the finale of Ink Master Kara. So sorry it took so long to post but life and other ideas got in the way. It was going to be a bit longer but I ran out of ideas to make it fun and procrastinated to the point of losing interest in the thing. So I narrowed it down to the finale and have the other episodes as a flashback type of thing or a mention.

Hope you all enjoyed. ~Immortalshark