Kieran's eyes popped open when she felt a presence hovering over her. She thrust out her hand on instinct and grabbed the person around the neck. She rose into an upright position and squeezed, eyes unseeing and panicked.
"It- me-"
Kieran's vision cleared, and she released Alex immediately. The redhead fell to the ground and gasped for air. Kieran jumped down and hovered over Alex, hands unsure and shaking.
"Shit, Alex! I am so, so sorry!"
Alex waved her off and took several deep breaths before saying hoarsely, "Jess warned me you would react like that, but I – I was worried about your temperature."
"My temperature?"
"It dropped below freezing," Alex grunted. "Fuck, you are a lot stronger than you look."
Kieran wrung her hands together and asked, "Okay, can you tell Supergirl and Kelly not to kill me?"
"Dude, you have nothing to worry about. I've had worse."
"If you say so." Kieran looked around. "What happened? Where am I?" she asked.
Alex pulled herself to her feet and massaged her throat. "Right now, you are in a med room at the DEO. I'm the only one with access to it, and the security system has been temporarily disabled to ensure your privacy. As for what happened," Alex shrugged and scratched the back of her neck, "I have no idea. Jess showed up at your apartment when you didn't come to work. She found you passed out in your bedroom. Kara heard her scream and brought you straight to me with explicit warnings not to run any experiments while you were unconscious. Kelly is staying with Jess until Sam gets here with Ruby. Do you remember anything?"
"I remember getting in the shower, stepping out, and then an explosion? Maybe," she said.
"An explosion?"
"Yeah, like someone took a picture with the flash up way, way too…high." Kieran frowned and added, "Alex, was there something in the room when Jess found me?"
"How did you – never mind. Yeah, on the bed. It was a notebook, a box with no key, and a letter from someone named Rumpelstiltskin," Alex said wryly.
"Rumple," Kieran repeated, confused. "Why would Rumpelstiltskin be sending me a letter?"
"You and I have the same question."
"Not for the same reasons, I assure you. Can I see the box?"
"Yeah, of course. But would your reasoning have anything to do with why James showed up to the DEO with a rumor that you aren't the real Lena Luthor from this world, and that you might be from another universe?"
"Yes, yes, it's true. I need the box, please."
"How about I ask three questions, and you give me an honest answer?"
"You're not going to let it go, are you?"
"Not in the least."
"Fine. I'll answer."
"Good."
Alex retrieved the box, journal, and letter. She handed them to Kieran, and she sat down on the chair by the desk.
"First question, what's your real name?"
Kieran re-read the letter before she tossed it, realizing it didn't give anything more than what she remembered the first time, and she put the box in her lap. It wasn't heavy, but it had considerable weight. Kieran ran her fingers over it, memorizing and cataloging every dent and indentation on the top and sides. Alex's question registered in her mind moments later, and she made a dismissive gesture.
"My name is technically Princess Lena Kieran Mills from the Enchanted Forest. I prefer Kieran."
Alex started laughing, but when Kieran looked up, she stopped and said, "Oh, my God. You're not kidding."
"No, I'm not."
"You're telling me that you're an actual Princess from the Enchanted Forest? Like in Disney?"
"I am. The fictional characters you grew up watching on television were real people that I interacted with for fourteen years of my life."
"Cinderella?"
"Real."
"Jasmine?"
"A bitch, but real."
"Snow White?"
"An even bigger bitch, but yes, she's real."
"What about Merida?"
"I never met her, but I heard rumors about her."
"Holy shit. Does that mean the villains are real too?"
"Yes, and before you ask, Captain Hook is real and not as creepy as the cartoon version. Jafar is real, but the last time I heard, he was in a desert prison for crimes against the state, and Lady Tremaine died after Drizella stabbed her. It was a big deal in the realm, and Cinderella fought for her stepsister to be released on self-defense charges. They live together and have mended their relationship. I'm not sure if Anastasia joined them. She was always the sister closest to Lady Tremaine," she said distractedly, still trying to figure out how to open the box.
Alex gaped at her and asked, "What about the Evil Queen? Was she a hag or was that just in the movies?"
"I can assure you my mother was never a hag," Kieran snorted.
"Mother?"
"Indeed. The reason I am a Princess is that my mother was the Queen."
"Wait, does that mean Snow White is your –
"No," Kieran said, looking up. "That bitch is not my family and never will be."
"That sounds like a fairytale I'd like to hear."
"Snow White is not up for discussion."
"Fine, fine. How did you get here?"
"I was pushed into a portal that exploded. I crash-landed in Luthor's living room, and it was Lex that decided to make me part of the family. Lionel wanted nothing to do with me, but Lillian felt as if I would be a good thing for their reputation. I needed the resources to find my way home, so we made an unspoken agreement."
"When did you regret it?"
"The day after," Kieran sighed. "Also, you do know you have exceeded your three-question limit?"
"All of those were follow-up questions to my initial one."
"If that is the game we are playing, I'm not sure I want to continue."
"Come on, Kieran, please?"
"Wow, was that as weird for you as it was for me?"
"Extremely. Anyway, why are you so cold?" Alex asked.
"My organs are made of ice."
"Come again?"
"I'm cryokinetic," Kieran said, finding an inscription on the bottom of the box. "But in my world, it meant that my body adapted to my abilities, and I am made of ice in a literal sense. What you see now is a shell."
"Prove it."
Kieran rolled her eyes and flicked her wrist. Alex yelped as an icicle materialized in Kieran's hand and elongated until it was inches away from Alex's throat.
"Okay, okay, I got it."
Kieran de-materialized the weapon and brought the box closer. The inscription was in Elvish, so it took a little longer to translate it as she hadn't read Elvish in over a decade. Kieran mouthed the words slowly and traced them with her finger. Alex cleared her throat expectantly, and Kieran realized she'd been asked a question.
"I'm sorry, what did you say?"
"Are you in love with my sister?"
"No, I hardly know her. Do I find her attractive? Yes. We've talked about it, sort of. I planned on mentioning it again last night for our dinner, but she never showed up."
"That was our bad. We found an alien fight club, and Supergirl ended up being the star attraction."
"How odd."
"You have no idea. I have never seen my sister win so much money by punching someone."
"Let me guess, she donated it to charity?"
"The moment we arrived back at the DEO," Alex huffed. "She didn't even want to consider saving it."
Kieran grinned and figured out what the inscription said: Hell's Gold will reveal what you need to know. Hell's Gold? Why did that sound so familiar? Kieran touched the circular depression in the center of the box and racked her brain. That's when it hit her. But her ring was back at her apartment because she never put it on after her shower. Kieran groaned and put the box on the bed.
"Be right back."
"Where are you-
Kieran disappeared in a cloud of red smoke. She showed up in her bedroom and checked the drawer for her ring. Once she found it, Kieran returned to the DEO and sat back down.
"-going," Alex finished lamely.
Kieran smirked and placed the ring in the spot indicated on the box. She pressed down, and the top popped open.
"I told Winn that circle was important."
Alex stood and leaned over, and Kieran shifted to the side for Alex to see inside. They found a vial of black liquid, a folded map, and a phone. Alex grabbed the map and unfurled it. She stared at it and squinted in confusion.
"Do you know anyone in Maine?"
"Not that I know of."
"Oh, well, this is for sure a map of Maine. I used to date a girl from Portland."
"How did that go?"
"I have no idea. She ghosted me after like three months."
Alex shrugged and folded the map back. Kieran picked up the phone and studied it. She knew it was an iPhone, but she had never used that particular kind. Her experience with phones was touch and go for almost three years. There were several instances where she crushed the screens or overloaded the system when she got excited. Technology was not her friend for a long time, which was ironic considering what she did for a living.
"No way! I haven't seen one of those in years," Alex said.
"Which one is this? I know it's an iPhone, but I didn't use technology a lot when I was younger."
"Don't you run a company that-
"Yes, yes, I get the irony. Can you tell me or not?" Kieran huffed.
"It's the first generation, and nine times out of ten, it's dead. I would be surprised if it still worked."
"No, it works. The person who gave it to me-
"Rumpelstiltskin-
"-wants me to use it, so he would ensure it would work."
"I can't believe you know Rumplestiltskin."
"He's known in my old world as the Dark One."
"That does not sound like a person you should accept gifts from."
"Considering this is the first piece of information from my world in over a decade, my options are limited."
"Fine, but don't do anything without me. Winn should have a charger in his ancient box or whatever."
"His what?"
"Nothing, a stupid name with an even stupider story. Give it here."
Kieran handed her the phone, and Alex went over to a trunk in the corner. Kieran grabbed the vial and popped it open. She sniffed it and gagged immediately. Now that, she remembered. Memoria Nectarii was a powerful potion, and the Dark One wouldn't send it unless it was necessary. Kieran glanced at Alex, whose back was turned, and she quickly drank the black liquid. Alex stood and looked back at Kieran.
"I found…." Alex trailed off. She glanced at the empty vial and Kieran's face. "What did I just say about doing things without me?" she sighed.
"It is a harmless potion known as Memoria Nectarii," Kieran explained.
Alex grunted and made her way back to Kieran.
"What does it do?"
"It's a potion created from someone's blood that allows an individual to view that person's memories."
"You drank a vial of blood from a stranger?"
"Blood is the least disgusting thing I have put in my mouth."
Alex narrowed her eyes and said, "I sincerely hope you are not about to die because I would hate for your last memory of me to be me punching you in the face."
Kieran gave a wry grin and said, "Please make sure that phone is charged once I wake up."
"Yes, your Highness," Alex scoffed.
"That was-" Kieran wavered a little bit and grabbed Alex's arms. "Whoa," she muttered.
"Okay, your nose is bleeding. Is that normal?"
"Yes, it happens," Kieran said, her word slurring a bit.
"What the actual fuck?" Alex helped Kieran lie back on the bed. "Why did you- hold on, okay?"
Alex shouted something in the background, but Kieran couldn't hear her. Her eyes glazed over, and she sank into the depths of her subconscious.
Kara entered the room and glanced at her sister.
"I heard you in space. What happened?"
"Your girlfriend is an idiot," Alex grumbled.
"Not my girlfriend, but- oh, hey, she got the box open!"
"Yeah and drank the blood of someone called the Dark One."
Kara paused and scrunched her face.
"Well, no, I can't be grossed out. I ate a live snake once."
"That is not even in the same category," Alex hissed.
"Whatever. Sam, Jess, and Ruby are in the control center," she said.
"Good. And that other thing?"
"Nothing. He's disappeared."
"That means he's got something prepared. You know he's going to go after his biggest threat."
Kara's face darkened, and she said, "I'm not letting him get close to her."
"Then you better come up with a plan soon." Alex looked down and Kieran and brushed hair from her face. "Because I think she's getting answers I doubt he wants her to know," she said.
Kieran found herself in a bathroom next to the Dark One in front of a mirror. There was a window that overlooked a lot of trees and a bunch of buildings. She saw a Town Hall, a hospital, and a police station. Kieran looked back at the Dark One and frowned. He seemed different. Her last memory was of him being scaly and wearing a cloak that brushed against the grass. It was a fleeting interaction, one that Kieran would barely count as a meeting. Regardless, the version beside her wore a tailored suit and had shoulder-length hair. Kieran tapped the mirror, and the spell activated.
"Hello, I'm sure you already know who I am, so I will save time by not introducing myself. I apologize for the location, but there needs to be a reflective surface for this kind of interaction to work. I'm not sure which child is watching this, but I'm sure you are wary of my presence. I cannot blame you, but I'm here as an ally. I wish I had positive news, but I'm afraid there is no good way to say this. Your mother is dying."
Kieran's breath caught in her chest.
"There's truth to the broken heart theory. The curse and death walk hand in hand, even when life aches to be chosen. Your mother's magic is the only thing keeping her alive. She's unaware of this, so caught up in her routine that she has missed the warning signs, and I am giving you this memory to ask for your help. Please, you and your siblings are the only ones who can repair your mother's heart. She has people here who can keep her going, but only you can get her to live again. The flag is your starting point. We're here in Maine, but your mother cast a curse that brought many people from the Enchanted Forest to the Land Without Magic. It hides us from the rest of the world, but we are here."
Kieran read about Land Without Magic in the castle library. She knew it wasn't her realm, as magic users were more common than people knew, so it had to be another one.
"The magic needed for cross-universe communication was tricky to navigate, but I did enough to ensure you can get at least one call. Just one, and there is only one number saved in it. Use your time wisely as I cannot promise longer than a minute. Please heed my warning. I fear your mother – my friend – has very little time left."
The memory ended, and Kieran was thrown back into her body. She gasped and rolled over to her side, expelling the potion from her system. Hands moved her hair away from her face, and she knew it was Alex. She tried to talk, but the Dark One's words echoed in her mind, and the thought of losing another parent triggered something deep inside of her. Kieran pushed Alex away just as her magic wrapped around her, and she screamed.
Alex hid in the alcove with Winn and J'onn. The entire DEO shook as if it was two seconds away from collapsing. Kieran was still in the med bay, and her magic was steadily growing out of control.
"Fuck" Alex exclaimed, clutching the box to her chest.
"We have to get her out of here, or she'll destroy the whole building!" J'onn shouted.
"No one can get close to her, and bullets sure as hell aren't working," Winn added.
"We already have someone," Alex said, jerking her chin.
Kara navigated the magic storm with ease, and she bent down in front of Alex.
"Brainy and I have a plan. But we're going to need your help," she said.
"Anything!"
"Good. Follow my lead and prepare a car to take Kieran back to L-Corp with the others."
Alex nodded, and Kara took the box from her. A nail was jammed into the hinges that kept it open, and Kara took out the notebook. She stole a pen from Winn's pocket and turned to an empty page. She scribbled out a letter with her super speed and closed the notebook. Kara put the journal back in the box.
"What are you going to do?" Alex asked.
Kara grimaced.
In her mind, Kieran was stuck in a never-ending loop of hearing the Dark One warn her that her mother was dying when her heart shot into her throat. Her eyes opened, and the sky passed by her at a rapid speed. Kieran never got the chance to scream before Kara swept her into her arms, and she sucked in large breaths and clutched at Kara's shoulders. They hovered over National City, too high for anyone to see them.
"Do you trust me?" Kara whispered.
Kieran gave her an odd look but nodded, and Kara touched something in her ear. Her entire countenance changed, and she frowned.
"I apologize, Miss Luthor. You were about to destroy the DEO, and I had to resort to extreme measures to shock you out of your trance. Are you stable enough to return to solid ground?"
"Y-yes," Kieran stammered, confused.
Kara nodded and flew back down toward the DEO. She entered through the main opening and placed Kieran on the ground. As soon as Kieran looked up, she found every agent in the building with their guns pointed at her. Kieran raised her hands on instinct, and Kara walked from behind her. She was in full Supergirl mode, hands on hips included.
"Lena Luthor," she said. "By order of the DEO, you are under arrest for destruction of government property and domestic terrorism."
"What?" Kieran exclaimed. "I did no such thing!"
"Agent Danvers, she's all yours."
"No, wait – I didn't do anything!"
Alex pushed her way through the crowd and cuffed Kieran, using a bit more force than necessary. Kieran squirmed and fought Alex's grip as she was dragged from the atrium. Just when she was about to break free and make a run for it, Alex removed the cuffs and hurried them down a hallway to a back stairway.
"I need you to listen to me carefully," Alex hissed, navigating them down a maze. "Sam is waiting for you in the garage to take you to L-Corp. You have one hour to erase anything dealing with non-research-related things before agents show up to arrest you for escaping federal custody and assaulting a federal agent."
"What? Alex -
"Listen to me, do not waste that hour, Kieran. Get your ass in and out of L-Corp. Kara's going to meet you there when the coast is clear."
"But I don't –
Kieran yelped as she was pushed into the back stairwell. She caught herself before she fell, and Alex locked the door from the other side. Alex put her hand against the glass in apology before running back the way she came.
Alex stopped in a blind spot from the cameras, and Winn gave her a hesitant look as he approached her.
"Just do it," she said. "Think of it as your freebie."
"Fine, but I'm not happy about this."
Winn cocked his fist and slammed it into the side of Alex's face. She went down, and he had to force himself to stay in the blind zone.
"For fuck's sake, Winn. I said a black eye, not a concussion," she said, getting to her feet.
"Sorry," he whined. "I don't punch people that often."
"Fuck – damnit. Just go make sure you erase the footage."
Winn nodded and ran off. Alex held her eye as she jogged back to sound the alarm for Kieran's arrest.
Kieran ran after Sam as she practically sprinted down the hall by Jess' desk. No one was telling her anything, and it felt like she was out of the loop. Jess was in Kieran's office, packing up a cardboard box, and Kieran's heart was still in her throat. What was going on?
"Hey, babe. You got everything?"
"Yes. I already deleted my hard drive and the main hard drive for the company. The laptops from each employee have been wiped clean, and they are all prepared for the DEO's arrival," Jess said. "I ordered a full sweep for the entire building, and I made sure that anything paper or non-electronic went to the incinerator. I have security watching to make sure that everything is destroyed."
"Good. Let's double-check everything so we can get out of here."
Kieran had enough, and she shouted, "Can one of you tell me what the hell is going on!"
"Come here." Sam grabbed Kieran by the arm and opened her private room. When the door slid to the side, Sam dragged Kieran inside. "Look, I know this is happening fast, but we had maybe two hours to prepare for it. Shortly after Jess found you, Lex escaped from prison. We knew he would come for you, but your power show at the DEO will reach his ears, so we had to change our plans. Neither of us wanted you to go anywhere alone, so Jess and I made an executive decision. As of right now, Ruby, Jess, and I no longer exist. Winn erased us from National City and Metropolis. He sent letters to Ruby's school that she was withdrawing for personal reasons. Jess emptied our bank accounts, and we're due at the airport in twenty minutes. From you, I will hear no arguing. So shut up, do what you need to do, and be ready to go ASAP."
Sam kissed her on the cheek before leaving. Kieran placed a hand on her stomach and tried to digest everything. Lex was free? Kieran released a shaky breath. She hated that her best friends were uprooting their life for her, but Sam was right. She would've hated having to do it alone, and Lex would probably come after them if he couldn't get to her.
They would be safer together.
Kieran snapped into action and gathered her paperwork, folders, and equations into one massive pile and placed it in a box in the corner. She hesitated before typing in a code, and flames from the machine destroyed everything she'd ever worked on. She went outside to her main office when she remembered she didn't have the box from the Dark One but found it on her desk. Kieran was glad someone stuck a nail in the hinges to keep it open. She removed the phone and took out her ring from the indentation but left the journal and flag inside. Kieran slipped the ring on her finger and powered on the phone. It was connected to a block to keep it from dying, and Kieran was glad it was unlocked. She went to the contacts, and as the Dark One said, there was only one number saved. Kieran assumed the area code was for Maine, and she hit the number before she could talk herself out of it.
Kieran placed the call on speaker and waited. It kept ringing and ringing until she heard-
"Hello, you have reached Mayor Mills. I am unable to come to the phone right now. If you leave a message, I will get back to you as soon as possible. If it is an emergency, please contact the local police department."
Kieran was relieved and disappointed it was the voicemail, her heart soaring at the sound of her mother's voice. But she remembered the Dark One's warning. She had one minute to make it count. When the beep sounded, Kieran started speaking.
"Hi, Mom, it's me. Kieran. I know this is weird, and I wish I could explain, but I don't have time. The Dark One gave me your number. Ask him what happened if you want any details. Um, I've been in this realm for twelve years, and I'm somewhere called National City, but I'll be leaving soon. Today's date is September 22nd, 2019." Kieran's voice cracked, and she let out a tearful laugh. "I have so much I want to say to you, but just know that I'm coming, Mom. I promise. I love you!"
No sooner than Kieran stopped speaking, the phone went dark.
"Fuck!"
Kieran was going to throw the phone against the wall, but Kara stopped her. Kieran stood and pushed her back, but that time, Kara didn't move, and Kieran wasn't stupid enough to try again. Kara took the phone from her and grabbed Kieran by the shoulders. She brushed a stray tear away with her thumb and cupped her cheek.
"I'm sorry about before, but-
"Lex escaped. You did what you had to do."
"Kieran, I- look, while you were on the phone, Sam, Ruby, and Jess went downstairs. Someone is waiting to take you to the airport. And as much as it pains me to say this, it's time to go."
"You think Lex is going to stop with me out of the city?"
"No, but it might slow him down. We're giving you a head start."
"But this is my home," Kieran cried. "I fought hard to make National City mine."
"And it will always be yours, but your happiness and safety are more important than anything else to me right now." Kara dropped her forehead to hers, and her hands trembled as she held Kieran's face. "Once you leave National City, you'll be gone, okay? But I swear I'm going to take care of Lex and Lillian for good. I want you to find your family and live in peace. Even if it isn't here."
With me went unsaid, and Kieran mourned something that she would never have. Kara brushed their lips together, giving Kieran the chance to move away. But Kieran kissed Kara back, pouring everything she would probably never be able to say into the kiss. Kieran wanted more time, but it was between saving her mother and leaving behind a love that would never get the chance to grow.
"You have to go," Kara whispered.
"But we just –
"I know."
There was a tug in her stomach, and Kieran opened her eyes and found herself in the garage. Kara vanished and reappeared with the box. She gave it to her, and then she reached under her suit to remove a necklace with the House of El crest. Kara slipped it around Kieran's neck and kissed her again. It felt final, and Kieran's heart physically rejected the idea. She clutched at Kara's suit, ready to beg her to come with her, and the superhero gently pried her fingers away.
"Goodbye, Princess."
Kara was gone.
Sam pulled Kieran into the car, and Kieran felt an uncomfortable ache in her heart. It grew stronger the further the car drove away from L-Corp. When they arrived at the airport, Kieran ran onto the plane with Sam, Jess, and Ruby. Brainy was sitting in the cockpit, and he nodded at Kieran. Sam dragged Kieran to the back of the plane and sat Ruby beside her. Ruby grabbed Kieran's hand, and Kieran could barely muster a smile at her goddaughter. The car was already gone, and the plane lurched forward. Sam held Jess as they rolled away from National City.
In a matter of a few hours, Lex had once again ruined her life. It felt like they were in the air and over National City in a matter of seconds. And when there was nothing but clouds, everything hit Kieran at once. Ruby's tiny arms went around her, and Kieran released deep sobs that were twelve years overdue.
Kara watched the plane and fought every urge in her body to go after it. The comm in her ear came to life, and Alex's voice came over the line.
"We received word that Lex was spotted with Lillian across town. Do you have a lead on Lena?"
The question was intentional, a recorded confirmation of what they'd just done, and Kara said, "No. Are the employees giving you anything?"
"No, they all say that Lena hadn't come into work that day. The cameras are saying the same thing. I did reach out to NCPD, and they found a car ditched near the train station. The license plate matches one of L-Corp's, but the driver is long gone. We're at a dead-end."
"What's our next move?"
"For now, you are free to return to base, Supergirl. The FBI will take over from here."
"Copy that."
Kara removed the comm from her ear and crushed it. J'onn flew to her, and he put a hand on her shoulder.
"We did the right thing," he said. "Our job is to protect aliens of all kinds, even those from another realm. Kieran was a lost soul in a strange world. She was never meant to stay."
Kara flinched and touched the spot where her necklace used to rest.
"No. I suppose she wasn't," she sighed.
J'onn stared at her curiously.
"You loved her."
Kara laughed humorlessly and said, "No, but I could have. And that's the worst part."