DISCLAIMERS/NOTES

1. This is a fan fiction based on characters owned by DC Comics. I DO NOT OWN THEM. This is just for fun.

2. This is a femslash story. If you don't like that sort of thing, you won't like this.

3. Just a reminder: the Supergirl in this story is not Kara Zor-El, but the post-Crisis Matrix with an altered backstory. For more information, see Disclaimers/Notes for the first chapter.

4. Though he's not a writer on this site, I wish to give credit to my good friend Ant Roberts for helping me with the backstory of this chapter's POV character. Though the character's real name isn't even said, Ant suggested his background. And as he told me, you can never overthink a backstory, even if you don't mention it.

NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER

Captain Marvel Jnr. widened his eyes. He had never seen anything like this before.

He and the other heroes with him descended from the sky onto the city street - which was almost nothing more than a crater. Devastation and carnage was everywhere: road upheaved, cars destroyed, buildings demolished. Smoke was everywhere. Junior blinked as he felt his breath catch. He was so out of his depth it was not even funny. After all, he was not Freddy Freeman. With the death of Shazam, Captain Marvel AKA Billy Batson had to take over the wizard's role; in turn, Freddy became the new Big Red Cheese, and in turn, a new Captain Marvel Jnr. was required. And the boy chosen was as different from the Batsons and Freeman as possible. A boy from a life of luxury as opposed to hardship.

Junior was brought out of his musings by the panicked voice of Mary Marvel. "Mae! Mae! Where ARE YOU?"

Superboy placed a hand on the World's Mightiest Girl's shoulder. "Mary, calm down. We'll find her."

"'Calm down'? 'CALM DOWN'?" Mary's face was one of incredulity as she shrugged off his hand. "My wife was alone against an army!" Junior intentionally kept quiet. He knew Mary was exaggerating: according to reports, the battle involved just a handful of villains. Still, it was a credit to her that Supergirl held out as long as she did. For reasons unknown, it took sometime for the Oracle - whatever that was - to gather together a group of heroes to aid the Girl of Steel. And by the time one had, it was too late - the bad guys were gone. But not before one of them - Plastique - caused a massive explosion that decimated the surrounding area.

Miss Martian approached tentatively. "I'm sure she'll be fi... "

"Superboy, check over there," Mary interrupted harshly. "Junior," - he blinked at her authoritative tone - "look over there." She pointed at another area. Nodding numbly, Junior took a gulp.

Superboy frowned and turned to the greenskinned heroine leaning close to him. "Megan, do a search for any brainwaves - meta or otherwise. There might be civilians here." Junior watched as Mary ran her hands over her face. He knew what she was thinking. Mary Marvel's care and consideration for all people was legendary, but Supergirl was her wife. Junior was not surprised that Mary's main concern was her welfare. The World's Mightiest Girl would obviously do whatever she could to help anyone hurt by Plastique, but everyone knew she was focused on finding Supergirl. And everyone knew Mary would feel guilty about that. But it was only natural - who would not emotionally place their partner's wellbeing above strangers'?

Junior inspected the rubble intently, looking for any signs of life, though he was not hopeful. Nothing could have survived this. There was no way...

He stopped when his foot came into contact with something softer than concrete. Junior looked down and saw a hand poking out underneath a large slab of road. Oh no. He quickly grabbed the debris and heaved it up... then gasped at what he saw.

It was a body, obviously a woman's, looking like it was burnt to a crisp. It was naked and bald, with clammy, claylike skin and singe marks, and it was still smoking slightly. Junior had to stifle a barf. The poor woman was clearly dead, no doubt caught in the madness of Supergirl's battle with the villains. Junior felt a pang of remorse. It was a damn shame. But he took a deep breath and closed his eyes; he knew he might have to get used to things like this. He was a superhero now, the second Captain Marvel Jnr. Death and destruction were part of...

"Ma... mah... Marh... "

At the voice, Junior's eyes dated open and his breath caught. He was stunned silent when the body's eyes fluttered open. Oh God - it was still alive! But... how?! "Marh... m... Mar... eee... " Did it - she - just say... ? Junior began to breathe heavily as he leant down to the body. "Mar... y... "

That was unmistakable. "Mary!" Junior yelled, panic in his tone. "Mary! Here quickly!"

Approximately five seconds later Mary Marvel glided over. "Junior, what is it? Have you found... " She stopped suddenly and gasped herself, putting her hands to her mouth. She quickly dashed upto them and knelt down by the body. "Mae! Oh gods, Mae, my darling!"

Junior's confusion grew. Did Mary just call it... ?

"It's OK, Mae," said Mary desperately. "You're going to be OK. I'm here... I'm here."

The claylike woman's eyes noticeably softened at the sight of the white-and-gold clad heroine. "Ma... ry... is... is... anyone... hur... ?"

"Sshh, my love," Mary soothed. "Please, don't try and talk. Save your strength."

The woman's eyes closed briefly in pain. "I... I'm... sorry... co... couldn't... stop them... all... "

"Don't worry about that, Mae," Mary breathed, tears threatening to fall. "All that matters is getting you safe." The World's Mightiest Girl then gently placed her arms under the body and picked the woman up, holding her close bridal-style. "I'm taking you home."

Junior had witnessed all this, slackjawed. This... thing was... ? "Mary," he blurted. "I don't understand. What's going... ?"

"Junior, please - not now," interrupted Mary, rather harshly.

He could not believe what was happening. "Is that... ?"

"Yes, this is Supergirl," Mary snapped. "I'm sorry, Junior, but I don't have time to explain at the moment. Please look for other survivors." Saying no more, Mary carried the woman away.

By now, Superboy had arrived. Junior walked over to him, his eyes never leaving Mary. Superboy seemed to understand the situation, not even waiting for Junior to ask. "Supergirl's a shapeshifter. That's her natural form. The force of Plastique's explosion must have knocked her out of her Human shape."

"God... " Junior continued to stare at Mary and the ugly body in her arms. The body that was, amazingly, Supergirl. Junior could not believe that revolting thing was what the Girl of Steel really looked like. No wonder she took the form of... of...

Junior's thought paused as he watched Mary hold the clammy body tight and rested her forehead against its. Then, incredibly, she kissed those clay lips. Junior was flabbergasted. But he realised something. As he saw Mary mouth "I love you", then gently lift them both into the air and eventually up into the heavens, Junior knew why Mary Marvel was considered one of the purest heroes alive.

She loved Supergirl. She loved her wife. No matter what she looked like. And that was the purest thing of all...