Epiphanies of Heroes: Warriors

"You can't just act unjustifiably reckless Alexandra! There is more at stake here and you NEED to see that!" How true the words of a concerned yet scolding mother would be. It became embedded in her early, and she didn't want to accept it then, she was too stubborn and set in her ways to acknowledge the shivering blue eyed child before her that she had no want or need to understand. This stranger appeared, like some lost bundle dropped off by the most unimaginable stork...wearing the prideful red and blue. Then they were finally alone and she saw with her own angry eyes the delicate nature of the strange girl before her. It was the first storm, the first real chaotic storm of their town in quite some time and she was going around the house to tend to things to make sure windows were shut and everything was secure and sound as she gathered lighting necessary for the dark night before them. It was at that moment she witnessed the true desperation.

"WHAT is it?" She had asked and she knew how annoyed her words sounded and she hadn't meant for them to come out that way. Then she noticed how tiny the girl was trying to make herself as she curled into her shell even more shivering badly. "Hey..!"

"It's t..oo.. louuud…." It was then she saw the terrified expression in the girl and moved closer with tender footsteps. Kneeling down she reached out and the hands over the girl's ears tightly she covered with her own. The girl's head slightly turned and trembling blue orbs gazed into her own deep and now nurturing brown ones.

"Does that help?" A slight nod brought her moving closer and quickly she shifted positions just briefly taking her hands off the girl's only to scoot behind her and allow her body to press into the back of the blonde's as she positioned her hands back over the girl's. "I know it's loud..but don't focus on that." She explained with more determination. "Focus on my heartbeat okay? Can you do that?"

"Y…...yess.." The girl sobbed nodding with their hands together over her fragile ears.

"See if you can match yours with mine okay?" Another nod.

During that night, that very late and scary night two things happened and it brought a sense of peace to them both. The human girl acknowledged the alien girl as her sister and..she became her protector, her savior, her warrior…

"When you are faced with a superior opponent you need to use their strength against them.." It was the first of many lessons she would teach her sister not understanding they were lessons even SHE hadn't prepared for nor mastered. It took away from the pain she felt the guilt of having to lie for years to her sweet yet powerful sibling as she protected her silently and guarded the city until everything had collided into fierce battles neither of the Danvers sisters had time to brace as impact after impact came.

"Teach me how to fight." She remembered when the fierce look of determination had crossed Kara's stern features. So that is exactly what She did. She taught her the techniques she'd learned at the DEO and some she had studied on her own time. She explained counter attacks because the hero didn't want to cause any fatalities and was set in her ways of that. She admired her baby sister for that, unable to explain to her she had been put into situations where it truly had been kill or be killed. If she had explained that to the rising Super of National City she feared the repercussions and knew that the blonde would put the blame entirely on herself for not embracing her destiny sooner. And then, the red k incident happened…

The woman whom had been all but a child looking up at her with scared features with shaking hands, that same child now a grown woman but what stood before her what approached her was not one of sunshine, rainbows and pure understanding.

"You didn't want me to come out as Supergirl because you didn't want me to OWN my powers." Then that same woman whom she attempted to shake her head, process through her mind that THIS thing before her wasn't her sister. This darkness...wasn't the one she risked everything to protect day in and day out. She couldn't fathom a word. "I can fly...I can catch bullets with my bare hands..and that makes you feeeeel worthless.."

"No...no I'm proud of you.." She tried to counter but it was too late the monsters had emerged.

"And then when you couldn't stop me from being Supergirl YOU got me to work for you, to retain some control.." Their eyes met and she felt her warm loving sister being drug from her by greedy and vile claws feeling their tearing at her feeling the words that leaked like venom trickling down her throat as she was forced to swallow down the toxic nightmare. The words continued until the creature that tainted her baby sister's body made their way to the balcony and she tried one last attempt.

"Kara...just listen to yourself.." But the woman spun around and fired back like a canon lit and aimed directly at her.

"OH cut the big sister act Alex! We have NEVER been sisters..we don't SHARE blood….and you know the sad truth is? Without me, you have no life..and that KILLS you!" She felt her body trembling by the words that poisoned her through every fiber of her body and soul knowing without even reaching up to touch her face, the tears were slipping out of the corners of her eyes. "Deep down, you hate me….and that's why you killed my Aunt.." The knives that had merely just drug down her weakening flesh now shot into her painfully slow then turning as if to prolong the torture. A few more agonizing words later the beast inside the beauty sped off to deliver more taunting and chaos. Even then, as the once proud agent who could overcome any obstacle no matter the situation, she became all but a child once more. She became that torn and screaming daughter of a father that had been ripped from his home from his family and murdered in the action of what he believed. Or so she had believed…

"..Cause you're either part of the family or your not.." She had seen the actions in those words then but she was too angry at the situation.

"You don't mean that.." The blonde struggled to speak.

"He's my father."

"He's mine too.."

"Then ACT like it!" She had been so unbelievably furious with her with the whole predicament and she had turned and stormed off walking away like a soldier on a mission. It had been a failed one and hadn't even had time to process the aftermath too busy having to tend to others that had been in the crossfire of the betrayal.

Then she had found herself launched into the sky while trying to stop the ship from shooting off, doing everything she could to save the countless lives trapped by the rage of Cadmus. She found no failsafe, no backdoor and her hope was so very quickly dwindling away by the moment. Until…

"Supergirl…" How that name meant everything to her now. She watched her baby sister struggled with the weapons blasting shot after shot at the blonde but relief struck her when she saw the woman unscathed. They locked eyes at the front of the window. She knew time was running out. "Go.." It had taken everything in her to sound calm knowing very well her heart rate her racing pulse would give it all away to her sister. She heard Winn's voice through the com and spoke what she needed to get through focussing once more on the hero before her. Their eyes were locked even tighter on one another and as the blonde shook her head it was she who nodded encouragingly. "Come on…" She nodded once again and watched as the strain was put all on two powerful shoulders so tense as she flexed everything in her arms and Alex knew that her baby sister couldn't take much more of the pressure of an entire monstrous ship. They were losing, Supergirl was draining and the warrior behind the glass knew what she needed to do. Pressing her flat hand to the glass she offered everything, she willingly shed her armor giving to the woman before her every ounce of her spirit and soul if it meant it could restore her sister's strength. Then a hand slapped against the glass and even through the layers between them they both could feel the embrace of their bond. "You can do this.." And the nod from the woman whose hand left the glass braced the nose of the ship once more screaming into her strength even when she knew the energy was seeping from her exhausted body. "You've got this!" They locked eyes once again until the woman turned her face away and howled through the pain until the thrusters ran out of their power and the ship finally halted it's path. The caped hero slumped against the glass and once again their hands met upon the glass.

How proud she was then more so than ever of the little warrior in the beautiful soul that she'd been blessed with unexpectedly as a kid..

"Here's to the Danvers Sisters...we should come with a warning.." They had both laughed in each other's presence yet felt so complete. For Alex may have been an agent a soldier, but her sweet and selfless little sister was just as much if not more of one. So they battled on through heart aches of loss, gains, realizations and struggle. They stood up and fought through everything thrown in their direction no matter how dangerous how powerful. It was as if they were one warrior together in battle. Though for when one rose to fight the other was the armor the protective shield and sword. When one fell, the other was the net the safety and catching the fallen piece. If one was hurt, the other did everything possible to heal the injuries while feeling as if they had taken the wounds into themselves.

Even through the appearance of Reign in which the agent had first felt the true meaning behind 'too close to death's door'. It made her want to take back the words she'd said to her upset sister whom was about to storm off after watching the sparring in the training room. It hadn't been but the first blow dealt that brought the agent barking at others in the facility as she ran with a couple of her most trusted to head out as quickly as possible hearing the reports live and watching on the screen of the DEO chopper clenching her fists feeling her chest pounding with fear as if the grim reaper was dragging his ghastly nails along her heart and whispering whom he had been coming for. No...she wouldn't let it happen.

On arrival the crowd had gathered and everyone was still in a gripping shock uncertain if their city's hero had fallen permanently. Brown eyes flickered around to make sure the monster wasn't close by to bask in the glory of the deathly sight. Then her eyes happened to notice but James and Lena but immediately went directly to the source of her trembling worry.

"Is she dead?" The child asked with a tragic shiver and all the agent could do was hope was pray, to her God and her sister's that the answer wasn't what had her heart clenched tightly and twisting. She barked the orders as if on autopilot and was grateful for her training to kick in when wits and usual clear headedness was faltering.

"I…." She sat beside the bed of her unconscious sister so very broken so battered and beaten. "I'm so sorry...I didn't...I'm not all...I'm the one that pushed you into that fight..told you that Kara Danvers was my favorite person and….then I told you to forget who you were and now I…." With rocking her trembling body she looked away then back to the woman slumbering then away as if in shame in anger at herself at fear of what would happen if the person lying before her would never open those cerulean blues again of such warmth, understanding and strength. "I'm...I don't know if I can do this without you…" Yet under the breakdown her entire being needed so desperately perhaps even more so than the awakening of her sister, she found solace she found strength and she found a new found goal.

The future visitors had been the key to the hero's healing and with it everything had fallen into place. New understandings were met, new pacts were made. The agent no longer dwelling on past pain but focused on a brighter future. Then she had to put the armor on once more and be that warrior her baby sister knew her to be best.

Battles had come, wins and losses had erupted through everything they knew and sacrifices were made. The monster Reign had been banished for the second time, and this time it had been a much bigger blow to send her down to the depths of hell once and for all. Recoveries throughout the city had begun and even at the DEO things had changed. Policies had been driven to ensure the safety of all including more than just their agents but ALL of National City.

Then a few calls had been made out along the city and the agent in charge rose her unnerved brown orbs to the screen as her trusted tech agent brought up the map and activity.

"What is it agent Schott?" She asked as she took smooth steps down the two stairs to the dash stopping before Winn's chair. Immediately the breakdown had been explained and the temporary 'Boss of their agency sighed with a slight contemplation to call in reinforcements. Judging the danger she chose not to, knowing if anyone deserved time away from battle it was her sister. "Send me the coordinates on my bike." She spoke with a fire in her command proud to honor the position Jonn left her in for the time he needed to mourn his father's passing. "I want six of you suited and geared up ready to report to the attack by the time my helmet is on!" She smirked as several agents rushed all over and she easily ran to her locker along the way. She clicked on her com. "Read me Schott?"

"Crystal Boss." It brought another smirk to her face as she mounted her new baby clicking the helmet strap in place.

"Let's handle this threat quickly...I've got a game to catch tonight. Don't we boys!" They yelled out 'YEAH' pleased since she had given several of her qualified agents whom had run her training courses the fastest with the most accuracy and skill a nice set of tickets to the first at home ice rink game of the season. They were all in the mood for beers and cheers and Alex didn't mind footing that bill. She had also asked Sam whom had been surprised at first the incredibly beautiful Kryptonian knew her sports especially hockey.

"You're coming up on the location.." She heard on the com but it would be the last of what she'd hear when a powerful orange light had engulfed her bringing a blast to her body sending it firing into a harsh and brutal impact sending pain ripping through every fiber of her body until blackness ceased her in its hungry grasp.

"You're coffee?" The nice and polite young barista had called out and the short yet fiery latina smiled and lifted her arm waving as she approached to take her drink. It was then the radio on her hip came to life.

"Explosions hit our vehicles! There are bullets flying everywhere and it's as if they're lit on fire! They are blasting right through the protective metal shells! There are soldiers or agents here...they are all in black and have taken shelter with us but the firing keeps coming and...there's another blast! SHIT! These guys just were taken out like a battering ram at pinatas! SHIT!" The woman holding her coffee felt her grip on it clench.

"GET DOWN!" The voice easily carried over the radio which caused her eyes to widen in terror then the explosive sound hit the radio and static took it's place and the detective felt her grip on the beverage slip to tumble down and crash below spraying her boots and jeans but she could care less.

"Maam your coffee!"

"I'll pay it later!" She screamed running as fast as she could rushing to her bike and praying like crazy in both languages she knew too well as she sped off quickly.

"ALEX!" Both Sam and Ruby were startled as the hero jumped up from the couch as their attention was directed away from the movie. It was the L-Corp Boss that noticed the shaking through the blonde before her.

"Kara, what is it?"

"Aunt Kara..what's wrong?" Then those cerulean blues flickered to both the Arias. "Aunt Kara?"

"Shit…" Sam was still fine tuning her power but as the other Kryptonian gripped her wrist and she felt how badly the blonde was trembling she knew it had to be so much worse. "What happened.."

"Wait….her…...her heartbeat….it's.." Sam forced the other Danvers to face her and growled.

"Where is she?!"

"I…"

"Do you have the suit Uncle Winn made you Mom?" Ruby spattered out catching them both slightly off guard as her mother widened her eyes then focused them nodding. "Go. I'll call Aunt Lena. Go Mom, go Aunt Kara..GO!" Where one rushed into the other room to change the other tore away the reporter outfit baring red and blue and her family's crest. Sam returned in one similar but of different colors and nodded to Kara. "GO!" Ruby yelled and both nodded once more and took off out the deck doors blasting off the balcony and into the night sky with etching worry and hope that the agent, their WARRIOR would be okay.

Upon their arrival smoke billowed out the pipes of what was left of a burning factory as fire trucks surrounded the area along with fresh officers on scene and they lowered themselves slowly surveying the chaos before them. It was then a woman whose voice was all too familiar struck out harshly beyond the others and the Kryptonians turned to face the fury approaching. It hadn't take long to be unleashed upon them.

"WHERE WERE YOU?!" The lead detective hollered as she stormed up to the blonde first getting directly into Supergirl's face whom swallowed hard at the rage pouring out of the woman's mouth. "YOU! YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO KEEP HER SAFE DAMMIT! I'm NOT supposed to have to worry with you at her side! Then I come to find out SUPERGIRL hadn't been here?" Kara felt the vocal onslaught stab into her and she felt like she was choking on her own blood as Sawyer pushed the verbal sword further through her not so impenetrable skin. But then the gaze of a violent no longer caged temper landed on the other woman and hell hath no fury like a woman scorned? No, this was beyond that. "And YOU! WHERE THE FUCK WERE YOU WHEN..."

"SUPERGIRL!..." All three women watched a familiar DEO agent approach. "She was concerned about the cops on the scene and innocent bystanders and...she'd gotten everyone out of the building and away from it. She was securing the scene with her team and then..." The blonde could see the shivering in the agent's eyes. "We found.." Before the agent could finish her sentence Kara was rushing toward where the agent had come from. Into the pit of the storm of darkness she surged, like the warrior her sister had taught her she could be regardless if she had her suit or not. Then she felt the rush beside her and glanced over to see Sam keeping pace with her speed but noticed whom the woman had grasped one arm around who loosely held to her body more of held a firm grip on her own suit.

"She wouldn't..." Sam began then heard the growl of the smaller woman in her grip and she remembered above all..it was for Alex.

"We have to hurry...I hear her heartbeat.." The blonde muttered.

"I, I hear it too.." Arias' trembled and the detective gripped tighter. She couldn't help her worry at how weak that tempo was. "Alex...hang on...we're coming.." For the first time through the debris and smoke that several agents and firefighters were tending to, as the two Kryptonians and the detective ventured further into the mouth of the beast, Sawyer felt a sense of unshakable panic. Sam and Kara sensed it immediately.

"Dammit Danvers...don't you dare..die.." She choked out as they came to a brutal slam of stillness hovering over the nightmare around them. The detective gazed around as her mouth opened yet nothing was able to come out by the sight before their eyes. Blood splattered over the broken walls of the building and the remains of the agents that had been sent out not even Winn's latest gadgets could protect. Slowly they lowered and as their feet touched the tattered ground the detective broke away from Sam. "Danvers?" She could feel the fear clenching her tighter for the further in they stepped the more brutal the scene grew. "Alex..."

"ALEX?" Sam and Kara both called out as they surveyed the scene using their x-ray vision to search through the shattering destruction of what seemed like an atomic bomb had struck down.

"Alex?" Maggie cried and felt all their calls grow more nervous and broken each time they called their missing warrior's name. Then, one blast had sent them all spinning around as dust settled by the strike of what sounded like a gun going off and an arm launched out of a pile along with a barely recognizable face only red and smoky grey along the features. "Al.."

"El...may...a...rah..." The struggled and raspy whisper spoke.

"ALEX!" Kara bolted over quickly as she studied the pile paying close attention not to cause more harm and when Sam and Maggie had come over ready to tear the pile off her sister she had to stop them both immediately. "NO! If you move just one thing...just ONE thing wrong...you could crush her!" She yelled and it stopped their attempts. "Maggie, start by the side I'm at and remove the bigger cement boulders slowly. Sam, watch with your vision as you remove the metal pipes and rebar..pay really close attention you two! Alex, Alex we're here.." Kara felt the tears dripping down her cheeks and relief flooded her body knowing her sister really was the true hero, among them all.

Through careful movements they removed the buried agent they all loved so very deeply only to have blessings meeting them all when upon a rush to the DEO the doctors confirmed the agent would be alright. Even with all the bloodshed they had witnessed along the tattered remains, every agent had survived and had all been because Alex had yelled for them to take cover shielding one of them with her own body. Over the span of 72 hours the noble warrior was put back together even though she was put on desk duty until fully recovered. Even the guys, as beat up as they were, that may have missed a game they had come to find out had been postponed because of a bomb threat..had stopped in to check on their captain's state.

Once the woman, whom wouldn't sit still even if her life depended on it, was cleared to leave the building she had immediately called out to her sister most of all because it was what SHE needed most at the moment. Quickly after her shout the blonde had swooshed in to lower down to her.

"You ready for your discharge to home Agent Danvers?" Her baby sister had asked with a gleaming smile. The smile was returned with a nod and signature bad ass smirk.

"Get me the hell outta here Kar. I need to drop the armor for the night.." The blonde stepped forward and hugged her sister then took toward the skies as Alex hung on enjoying the view and how much she had missed this, flying with her sister.

"You know Alex...even a Super soldier needs time off.."

"Then who will keep your cluttzy butt out of trouble if I'm on vacation?" She laughed at her sister whom stuck her tongue out at her. "Hey Kara?"

"Yeah?" The blonde asked as they lowered onto Alex's balcony as both gazed in to see Sam, Ruby and Lena inside waving with smiles. Alex turned to her sister whom turned to her too.

"Thanks." Nothing else had to be said for that one single word to fill their hearts with so much meaning. But for tonight...even Heroes could have a little ounce of rest and relaxation.

**A song wasn't added in this chapter, but for the beginning the song 'Reckless' by Martina McBride came to mind to spur this further. I hope this is still just as inspiring of a tale. Until next time.

-Cya