The one where Lena Luthor saved Christmas

Chapter 3

'Distressing scenes here in the city folks as Supergirl is throwing down with what appears to be Santa. No information yet, but it's not a good look for the girl of steel. Children everywhere who are excited to go to bed tonight must be deeply distressed and upset with National City's hero. Viewers with young children who haven't yet seen, please keep your little ones away from screens tonight.' The news anchor said, grave tone despite the surreal nature of the story.

Lena agreed, it really wasn't a good look. Supergirl was throwing punch after punch at the jolly figure in red, who looked largely unaffected. The discarded presents in the street really weren't helping matters. It looked as though he was matching her punch for punch, and actually managing to wind her on occasion. Whatever this was, Supergirl needed to finish it, and quickly. She and Eliza both refilled their glasses, eyes glued to the screens. She really hoped Kara was safe and out of the line of fire.

'Alex, what is that thing' Kara huffed, out of breath.

'We don't know yet Supergirl. Robot for sure, maybe along the lines of Red Tornado? We know the military haven't been developing anything like this again. Whoever made it, whatever it is, had to know what they were doing. That thing hits hard!' Alex said, somewhat pointlessly. She really didn't have a lot to offer Kara at the moment.

'No, really. Hadn't noticed Alex. Just keep trying to get some information, Winn, can you see about coordinates for who might be controlling this thing?' Kara replied sarcastically. She was the one being hit!

'That's a negative Girl of Steel. Whatever shielding this thing has, it's stopping me detecting signals in or out. Should be impossible if it's being externally controlled, it would need an input. Might mean an onboard computer and pre-given instructions.' Winn mused. He wondered what the instructions might be, nothing nice probably.

'That's not good. So you're saying the only way to take it down is by taking it down? Like in public…' Kara trailed off, implications of her latest battle starting to set in.

'Well unless you want to invite him home for Christmas Supergirl' Alex replied, frustrated. Poor Lena, invited over and then left with their mother. She hoped they were getting along well.

'This is bad. This has to look bad. That has to be the idea right? Supergirl murders Santa on Christmas Eve?' Kara sputtered out, worried. She was starting to have a panic attack. She was hyperventilating! Rao, she'd never be able to celebrate again. She had Santa pyjamas! She left out cookies every year (the only time Alex was likely to get any)!

'That does look pretty awful for you' Alex agreed quietly. This was a PR disaster. Kara might become even more unpopular than the Luthors for this.

'Yeah, for sure, not a good look. Adults might be able to tell the difference, but you're probably going to lose the little ones forever' Winn chimed in, unhelpfully.

'But the small ones are my favourite!' Kara whined. Really, she had to get this under control.

'Yeah I know Ka…Supergirl. You're a real sap. Now you're not going to like this, but your heat vision might be the way to go. You're punching him over and over, but whatever he's made of, he's not slowing down. You are.' Alex stated, consulting her scanners. The robot wasn't showing any wear whatsoever, a feat given Kara's power. But her sister had started to panic, which was impairing her ability to concentrate.

'So punching Santa is bad, but melting his red and white face off isn't going to look worse?' Kara responded sceptically.

'It probably will, but we're running out of options here. You're going to get tired eventually' Alex replied. She was nothing if not pragmatic, and Supergirl couldn't afford to lose.

'Fine. I'm sorry for any kids I manage to scar for life tonight.' Kara said sadly, before beginning to blast the robot.

'I'm sure the DEO can stump up for therapy.' Alex said, though who it might be for, Kara or the Children, she didn't know.

'Folks, we're now getting images of a burning Santa Claus. He hasn't really slowed down per-se, but Supergirl's heat vision seems to have had some effect on the famous red and white suit. Whatever's happening down there, it sure looks horrifying.' Lena had to agree. It was one thing for the Super to have a battle with a fairy-tale in the middle of National City, it was quite another for her to set him on fire. Lena only hoped Kara wasn't being too affected by all of this, her friend loved the hero and the holiday.

The anchor had appeared lost for words, but soon managed to get his bearings. 'Oh, he's down. Santa Claus is down. And Supergirl won't stop hitting him. Saint Nick is out for the count and our beloved Hero is turning into the villain of this piece. Why won't she stop hitting him? I'm sure this situation has some reasonable explanation, but I'm just not seeing it. Does our Kryptonian friend hate Christmas?' He rambled, confused. Almost as soon as Supergirl had scored her first damage, the figure had hit the ground, unconscious.

'Alex, he just stopped, why did he just stop?' Kara whispered, overwhelmed. She hadn't expected her attack to be so effective. She hadn't even realised he was out for the count until Alex had shouted in her ear to stop hitting him.

'I think he's done what he was meant to. Look at the news feeds, Jesus. They have some great pictures of you taking down a beloved children's icon' Alex replied, looking at the live feeds. Supergirl was trending on Twitter, and not in a good way. #SupergirlVSanta was number 1, with #SupergirlKillsChristmas starting to gain traction.

'Have they not clicked that the guy is a robot, or some new big bad. I mean how could he have possibly been beating me otherwise?' Kara questioned.

'NO!' Winn and Alex said together.

'He doesn't appear to be one unless you're right there or have our scanners. It appears, at least to the public, that you've taken down the real Santa. He's not getting up. Jesus Christ Kara, this isn't going to end well.'

Lena looked on from her perch on the sofa, before making her excuses to Eliza and getting up to leave, promising that she'd be back later. There was something that she had to do. Something she could do for Kara, and by extension, Supergirl.

As she left the apartment, she took out a phone, before hitting number 1 on her speed dial.

'Jess, get me James Olsen's number.' She stated, before hanging up and calling her driver, intent on heading to her office.