Chapter 32: The Truth

"I want to shove an arrow down his throat."

"Which you cannot do. Not yet."

Oliver groaned, lifting his hand to his head. "Don't remind me. Stupid revenge bylines."

"They're there for a reason, Ollie. And like it or not, we are still beholden to the League's laws, as is he – we all swore to abide by their principles in exchange for our release. If we try anything too rash, he will turn the situation to his advantage." Barry pointed out idly as he continued to type on the computer. Wells had been MIA ever since the Grodd incident a few days ago. It was starting to worry him. I knew I should've planted that bug on his wheelchair. Then again, if he really is from the future, maybe it's a good thing I didn't…

"We already know he's up to something!" Oliver argued back feebly.

"And that alone will not satisfy Ra's." Barry shot back lazily. "We must prove, beyond any doubt, that he has gone against the League's code. Only then can we act."

The archer moaned. "Barry…he sabotaged the Gambit…"

"I know."

"…he's blackmailing my parents…"

"I know."

"…he's threatening my sister…"

"I know, Oliver, I know!" Barry snapped. "Do you think I like this anymore than you do? I want to put the bastard in the ground too! If only for your sake. But, and I can't believe I am saying this to you of all people, we have to be patient. We need to think about the big picture. In any case, whatever plot he's concocted won't reach its conclusion until May. We have time."

"…he took ten years of my life, Barry." Oliver whispered. "I won't lie and say there wasn't any good that came out of it. I met you, Kara, Kal, Slade, Shado, Nyssa – people who are family to me as much as my own blood is. But I still lost so much. All of Thea's milestones, the chance to graduate high school with Tommy and Laurel, college, all the people I could've met, could've shared my life with, and for what? For what?" Oliver grit his teeth, willing himself not to cry, and failing.

Barry sighed, pausing in his work. He got up from his chair and brought his older brother into a hug. "I know, Oliver, I know. Kara and I – what happened to us was just a quirk of fate, circumstances beyond our control. And we all thought it was the same for you, except now you have someone to blame. I can't even begin to imagine how you're feeling right now, but I know that you won't be able to move past this until you finally learn why it happened in the first place."

Oliver sighed as his tears subsided. "You're right, Barry, you're right. I'll continue surveillance and wait."

"Good." Barry smiled as they separated.

Later that night, Barry watched the trees pass by outside the window of his train compartment. Suddenly, his cellphone rang; frowning, he took it out of his pocket, noting the caller ID, which said 'Unknown.' He sighed, and accepted the call, lifting the device to his ear.

"Was wondering when you were going to make a move." He idly commented, continuing to watch the trees.

"I just needed a little more time to observe my opposition. I'm sure you of all people can understand." A smooth voice replied. Harrison Wells.

Barry smirked. "Knowledge is power, they say. It makes me wonder – how much do you know, Harrison? Is it alright if I call you Harrison, by the way? I know it's not your real name, but…"

A small laugh echoed from the other side of the line. "Harrison is fine, Barry. As for what I know – well, I know you're departing from the old Queen Steel Mill in the Glades. How is Mr. Queen, by the way? I assume you lot have just found out Malcolm Merlyn sabotaged the boat. I wonder if you're aware about the details for his little Undertaking for Starling City yet?"

"It's all just ancient history to you, isn't it?"

"But of course, Barry. How else was I supposed to play you all like a fiddle? Or at least I was supposed to, except you were less fiddle and more fiddler." Another laugh. "Of course, even I couldn't have foreseen the complication with the island and all. It's all a part of being human, I guess."

"The island – yeah, that would screw up a fair few plans, wouldn't it?" Barry sighed. "I wasn't supposed to be on that island, was I?"

"No." Harrison confirmed. "Nor was Miss Danvers or Mr. Kent. In fact, your companion's little war with Astra wasn't supposed to happen for at least another decade and a half. And as for Mr. Kent, he was actually supposed to land on this planet before her."

"And I assumed you had nothing to do with that?"

"No, no. Even I had gone that far back, there was no way I could've gotten to Krypton in time to meddle with that particular event with such primitive technology at my disposal." Barry could just hear him shake his head. "My meddling was limited to the last fourteen years. But I think you already know that, don't you?"

"I want to kill you." Barry stated cheerfully, placing his chin into his hand, a smile on his face.

"And I wanted to kill you." Harrison responded back, just as jovial. "Alas, I can't. I still need you."

"To go faster, right?"

"Sharp as ever. And you need me to confess to get your father out of prison. It seems we're at a stalemate, Barry. Of course, I could go for a hostage or two…"

Barry clicked his teeth. "Unnecessary and you know it, Harrison. I already have all the motivation I need, and something tells me I'm already close to the speed you need me to be."

"Oh, and what makes you think that?"

"Well, the lack of metahuman attacks for the last couple of weeks. Aside from that overgrown gorilla of yours, nobody has been making trouble lately. I assume you have something to do with that."

"Indeed, I did." Harrison admitted. "They're distractions at this point."

"Figures you'd say that." Barry sighed. "What are you after, Harrison Wells? What do you need me for?"

A long moment of silence, and then, "Everything, Barry. Get faster, catch me, and maybe I'll tell you the details." With that, a click! sounded, and the call ended.

Barry exhaled once more, leaning back into his seat.

Faster, huh?

One aspect of Starling City that made it so appealing to the criminal element was its vibrant nightlife. Even after the sun went down, the streets were still filled to brim with people, bustling about from one club to another, giggling, drinking, retching – everything that had to do with hedonistic revelry. Restaurants stayed open late at night, catering to the partygoers before they made their journey into the bowels of gaiety. It was both a sickening and intoxicating sight.

Thus, Starling City's metropolitan area was still very much active when a woman descended from the sky.

To be more specific, she slammed into the ground like a ballistic missile, her feet cracking the concrete below, right in front of a large, ornate fountain. People shouted and shrieked, shielding themselves from dust and debris, and looked. Over the last few months, the people of Starling had been gradually desensitized to the sight of flying women, but very rarely did the object of their numbed reactions ever bother to mingle with mortals. So, it was only fitting that the woman that appeared be nothing like the Girl in Blue.

For one, her looks were not concealed. The citizens immediately identified her as a fairly attractive, middle-aged woman with long, dark hair, with a single streak of white. She wore a form-fitting black body-suit, which, while not skin-tight, was still rather flattering to her well-cared physique. If she hadn't just destroyed a substantial portion of one of the city's communal fountains, a few of the men present might have even considered making a move.

However, nobody made a peep. As pleasant as she looked at first glance, the deadly expression on her face and the sheer killing intent radiating off her had sufficiently silenced them all.

And then she lifted the fountain, ripping it and many of the pipes beneath it off the ground, holding it above like a scepter of an angry, self-righteous queen, about to pass judgement upon a lowly peasant that had the misfortune of displeasing her.

It was only when she began swinging it, did the screaming begin.

Kara looked up from the sink, a dish bubbling in her hands. Across from her, Kal looked up, and followed her line of sight to the television. They both stared at it for a long moment, taking note of the 'BREAKING NEWS' banner and the sight of what was clearly a metahuman or alien of some sort wreaking havoc downtown.

The next, the balcony door was open, and Kara was long gone, a gust of wind in her wake.

Kal sighed, setting aside his homework, and made his way into the kitchen.

Astra In-Ze was angry.

No, angry didn't quite cover it. Nor did furious.

Absolutely livid was the most accurate term she could think of, and even then, she felt it paled in comparison to how she really felt.

Indigo was dead. Any hopes of getting Myriad to work within this decade, if that, died with her. And that was time they simply did not have, not when Kara and whatever allies she had were closing in on them. The men knew it as well, and already she could hear it, feel it: the whispers of mutiny, of dissent. Everything Astra had worked for since landing on this miserable mudball of a planet was burning up in smoke, and she was powerless to stop it.

And it was all because of these humans! To think she had dedicated all these years to trying to save these ungrateful wretches from themselves. These pests were lucky to have had her land here, a savior that would help unite them in rescuing this planet from a doom similar to the one that had taken her own home. But no, they didn't care about that, they were too self-absorbed, too arrogant accept help from an outsider. Even worse, they had poisoned her beloved niece into doing the dirty work for them. It was inconceivable at first, but now, Astra saw the truth, and it was one she could never, ever forgive.

The humans would pay with their lives. She wouldn't stop until they were all dead, until they all joined her people into whatever hell such unenlightened fools went to when their hearts no longer beat. And then, perhaps when they were all gone, Kara would finally see through their deception and aid her. They could leave this place, explore the stars above, live life quietly, freely, something they would have never gotten chance on Krypton or here.

Filled with resolve, Astra swung the fountain once again, watching it fly and land on the other side of the street, while the humans scurried around as they tried to escape her rampage. Frowning at how so very few had been caught in her attack, she picked up one of their vehicles – a large, silver car – and kicked it into one of the tall buildings dotting the side.

Before it could impact, however, it was stopped, and gently set down to the side. Astra, not surprised, scowled even deeper when the Girl in Blue revealed herself. Those few pedestrians still in the vicinity gave out a strangled cheer: their heroine had arrived.

Astra reached out for another car, but in a blink of an eye, the Girl in Blue was in front of her. Startled, she was unable to react as the vigilante punched her upwards. As Astra ascended, her new opponent burst in the sky after her.

The Girl in Blue continued to punch Astra away, until the other Kryptonian finally countered, looping her elbow around her niece's forearm and landing a jab with her other hand. Augmented with her super strength, the vigilante's head snapped back, her body held in place by her aunt's hold. Her rival sufficiently stunned, Astra grabbed the fabric of her suit, pulling it forward and spinning one, two, three, four times before releasing the Girl in Blue into another part of the sky.

The vigilante shook her head, collecting herself just in time to block Astra's ballistic punch by crossing her forearms together. She followed up with a perpendicular kick to the chin, allowing the force of her blow to tumble her until she was eye-level with her aunt's midsection. Straightening her legs together, she used her feet to "push" against an invisible wall of air, using the extra power from the movement to aid in her downward acceleration as she collided with Astra. Wrapping her arms around the general's abdomen, she flew to where she could see the abandoned outskirts of Starling below.

Once there, both women crashed onto the ground ungracefully, leaving large cracks in their wake. Both now dazed, they used this moment to separate, trying to recover. For several minutes, only breathing could be heard as they stared at each other.

Astra was the first to speak. "Reveal yourself, Kara. There is no one watching, there is nothing left to hide, and I think I speak for us both when I say I'm done with playing these games."

The Girl in Blue watched her carefully, before slowly letting her hood down to reveal her long blonde hair, and bright, blue eyes. Calmly, she pulled down her veil to reveal her nose and mouth. Astra watched her, outwardly stoic, inwardly hungry. She had been content with photos and videos and long-distance glimpses – but that could not compare to seeing Kara up close and personal, the clarity of her soft skin, the curve of her cheekbones, the slightness of her lips.

"…You've become so beautiful, Kara." Astra stated softly, taking in her niece's features. "It is a pity I wasn't there to watch you grow up."

"From what I understand, no matter what happened, you were never going to get the chance." Kara lazily retorted, though the hard glint in her eye showed she had not forgotten the current situation.

"Myriad would've made it possible." Astra responded, her voice filled with spite. "If your mother hadn't imprisoned Non and myself in that hellhole, you and Kal-El would be on Krypton right now, old as I am and with children of your own!"

"No, we wouldn't have." Kara stated confidently. Astra looked at her confusedly, before her eyes widened in realization.

"You know."

Kara snorted. "Of course I do. After Non showed up, it wasn't long before I realized you were involved, as you know. And of course, like the dutiful niece that I am, I searched the archives for the reasoning behind your imprisonment. Myriad stuck out like a sore thumb." Kara spat on the ground in disgust. "You are fool, aunt."

Astra grit her teeth, growling. "And how exactly am I a fool, niece?"

The vigilante shook her head in resignation, moving to stand. "If you can't figure that out on your own, then truly, there was no hope for you at all." With that, she removed her cloak, letting it pool to the ground, before gently setting her sheathed sword down next to it.

Astra stood, her face set into a mask of determination and anger. Kara adjusted her gloves and matched her glare with one of her own. They deliberately began to circle one another, the tension mounting, until finally, Astra charged. Kara met her halfway, their hands clasping together above their heads in a test strength. They pushed and pushed at each other, their pearly whites gnashing, until Kara finally got the upper hand, allowing one of her feet to cross forward and loop behind one of Astra's legs. The older woman fell backwards, landing harshly on the ground. Kara followed up by moving another one of her feet forward, in the space between Astra's head and shoulder, and then drop downwards, trying to move her opponent into an armbar.

Astra, feeling the painful onset of the hold, countered, managing to get up in time and lift Kara's body from ground, and smashing her down to the ground, forcing her to break it. The general tried to stomp down onto her midsection, but the vigilante rolled backwards, landing on her feet. Astra was not perturbed, and quickly tried to slug her enemy with a left hook. Kara shifted her head to the side to dodge and immediately retaliated with a left uppercut, which was quickly evaded.

The two women, fists held high, began to circle each other once again, measuring one another. This was a fight to the finish, and they both knew it. No one could afford to make a mistake.

This time, Kara was the first one to make a move. She faked a left cross, and landed an overhead punch, momentarily breaking Astra's guard. She followed up with a strong kick to the abdomen, creating some more space between them. Then, knowing there was no reward without risk, charged, aiming a powerful haymaker at Astra's face. Astra, seeing the blow coming, banked to the other side and countered with a beautiful right uppercut. Blood and spittle flew from Kara's mouth as the blow connected. Knowing that this was a prime opportunity, Astra continued with another cross and another, and another, watching gleefully as her niece stumbled back with each hit. Confidence, power and satisfaction began to build as her assault continued.

"Fight me, Kara Zor-El!" she shouted as her niece swayed, slightly punch drunk. Astra showed her no mercy and punched her once more, her fist impacting the younger woman's cheek with vigor. "Show me the warrior that killed my husband, one of Krypton's greatest soldiers! That killed Braniac 8, the most dangerous criminal to have ever been imprisoned in Fort Rozz!" A final straight sent Kara's head back, her body flying backwards. She landed on her back, starfished like a defeated prizefighter.

Kara breathed in deeply, clearing her mind. Astra watched her, smirking, as her enemy gradually sat up, her face shadowed by her hair. Had she broken her already? Perhaps her niece's string of victories had swelled her head?

Then, ever so slowly, Kara lifted her head, revealing her bruised cheeks and busted lips. A small trickle of blood was tracking down her face from the corner of her mouth. Her eyes, however, were expressionless. Lightly trembling, Kara thumbed the blood, slowly rubbing at the texture. Then she looked at Astra.

The general saw only a flash of it, the wild look in her niece's eyes and the bloodthirstily elated grin, burn Kara sped forward, landing her own, more powerful uppercut. Astra saw stars as she fell back, trying to retain her footing, but as she herself had proven mere moments before, there was no room for mercy in this battle. Kara gave her no quarter, burying her fist deep into Astra's solar plexus. Astra gagged trying to breathe as she staggered back, but Kara was not letting up, intending to repay Astra for the beating earlier. First a right cross, then a left uppercut, followed by a right hook – combinations rained upon Astra's face and body, the pain almost unbearable. One of her eyes swollen, cheeks bruised, and nose bloodied, Astra could barely stand as her aggressor measured her for a finishing punch. A powerful left hook slammed into Astra's cheek, her body almost twirling with the force of the blow. Astra landed on her knees, one of her forearms against the concrete, desperately trying to get up.

"Rise, Astra In-Ze!" Kara demanded, breathing heavily with a pleased look on her face as she watched her aunt struggle. "You asked for this battle, and you will see it to the end! I will not accept surrender, only victory or defeat! SHOW ME YOUR PRIDE GENERAL!" She roared, fire throbbing through her veins.

Astra's eyes snapped open, and she got up, roaring back. Forget Krypton, Earth, Myriad, Non, Indigo, Kal-El. Forget Jor, Zor, Lara and even Alura. Forget it all. None of that mattered anymore. Here and now, this was about pride. This was about who was the better woman, and Astra would be damned to lose to a mere girl, decades her junior.

With that, the two women charged at each other, augmenting themselves with their super speed. Right before they were about to collide, Kara dropped down, sliding in between Astra's legs. Anchoring herself with her hand, she swung backwards, sweeping the feet of her aunt right from under her. Flipping up, she stomped downwards. Astra caught her foot before it could connect with her heavily abused midsection, wincing at the force, before wrapping her legs around Kara's own, using one to force Kara down back to her back. Flipping her niece over, Astra cinched in a half crab, grimly reveling as her niece yelped in pain.

Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional. Kara repeated that mantra in her mind, biting her lip (which she knew she was going to regret later). She placed her palms flat on the ground and pushed. Her upper body was now in the air, but she could feel Astra trying to lean back. Knowing she had little time, she used whatever leverage she had to augment her leg strength. Kara's chest meeting the concrete, Astra was lifted high in the air, and Kara used her leg to kick and kick until the hold broke.

Relief filled her body as the pain was gone, though her leg was still a tad numb. Kara shook it a little, letting the blood rush back in, but had little reprieve as Astra was right back on the attack. Kara rolled to the side as Astra attempted a stomp of her own. Kara got to one knee, breathing even more heavily as she used another forearm to block Astra's downward punch, then grabbed the fist, refusing to let go. Astra struggled a bit, before punching down with her other hand. Kara, however, caught that one as well, and Astra found herself restrained, struggling even harder. The vigilante payed her no heed, and vaulted her legs forward, landing a double kick to Astra's chin. Astra stumbled back as Kara landed in a handstand, jumping back to her feet. With a quick burst of speed, she grabbed Astra from behind, wrapping her hands around her aunt's waist. Heaving forward, she bridged her body as Astra landed backward on her head, neck and shoulders: a German suplex.

After a moment, Kara let go, lifting herself up from the bridge as Astra fell to her side, tired and spent. Kara watched her, then using her foot, rolled her onto her back. Her enemy's eyes were glazed over, her breathing deep and laborious, her body slightly trembling. She was done.

Kara observed the wreckage beneath her disdainfully, before leisurely walking back to her cloak and sword. Picking up the latter, she unsheathed it, smiling down at the familiar, green glow. Walking back to Astra, noting that her aunt had managed to sit up, but clearly in no condition to fight, Kara's smile widened. Astra watched her approach warily, defiantly, eying the Kryptonite blade as if it were the devil itself.

"I commend you, Aunt. No one has managed to match me like that…ever, to be quite honest." Kara gave small laugh. "At least, not with my powers."

"Now, normally," she continued, swinging blade so its tip pointed downward, "I would ram this right through your heart and be done with it. Unfortunately, I had a crisis of faith a couple of weeks ago after I killed your husband, so guess what? You get to live."

Astra blinked silently in disbelief.

"You'll just have to be unconscious for a little while." Kara's smile glinted with a razor edge.

Astra blinked once again. Then the pommel of the handle met her temple, and she knew no more.

"Nighty night, Aunt Astra."

WOO! I finished this chapter! This is perhaps the chapter I looked forward to the most in this arc. The final battle between Kara and Astra, because we didn't get one in the show.

If Astra is acting OOC to you, that's because she's supposed to be. Remember, she's been put in the absolute ringer for the last few weeks, and her entire world has been pretty much shattered by her beloved niece. She's not in the right frame of mind.

As for the fight, you'll notice that Kara and Astra didn't use their powers a lot. There's a reason for that – as Astra put it, this is a fight about pride. Using their powers would have added nothing to their fight because of that, as it wasn't just about power, but also skill and willpower. Who could take more, who could dish out more, who was simply better. Powers would've just made it into a contest of who could hit harder.

Next chapter, we tie up Kara and Astra's storyline and start moving into the endgames for the boys. Plus, a surprise.