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. I don't own the 1971 Hong Kong film this chapter's title is taken from, either. (Orange Sky) Golden Harvest does - I presume.

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

4. 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.

THE COMET STRIKES

"She's mine! Do you hear me? MINE!"

Mary Marvel was trapped in a fetal position on the ground, holding her hands at her head in a futile attempt to protect herself from the barrage above her. Dust and dirt rose from the ground at the impact of the stomping. Mary's head was rattling at the impact of the stomping.

She always thought Mae's pet horse hated her. But she had no idea how literally right she was.

Comet continued to slam his hooves down upon the white-and-gold clad heroine below him. "Everything was fine until you came along!" he screamed. "We had eachother! We were happy! I was content!" The centaur's face was one of pure fury, not that Mary could see. She was rapidly losing her senses, her brain screaming at the agony it was enduring. Comet was obviously no normal centaur - and yes, there were such things. No, Comet's strength was enhanced, otherwise the World's Mightiest Girl would not even feel his kicks. But instead, Mary was barely conscious, or aware of anything... let alone the situation.

Supergirl's horse disappeared a week ago. Mae was devastated, thinking her pet somehow got free of the barn and ran off somewhere. Honestly, Mary was never particularly fond of Comet, but she knew how much he meant to her wife. Caring for the stallion helped focus Mae's energies shortly after she returned to the Kent farm following her split from Luthor. And obviously Mary never wished any harm on the equine. But today, Comet returned - changed beyond recognition. Now half-man, half-horse, Comet revealed his true nature. His curse by Circe; his secret longing for the Girl of Steel; and his deep, deep hatred for Mary.

The latter was evident by the fact Comet attacked her in a brief moment alone at the farm. He could not help but release his bottled-up emotions at the first chance: all logic left him at the opportunity to remove Mary. But when Supergirl returned unexpectedly and saw the assault, the centaur became crazed. After shoving Mae aside, he grabbed Mary by the hair and galloped away - again, much faster than a normal stallion. Which led to him now standing over Mary, pummelling her with his hooves. "Why couldn't you get the hint, you bitch?! Why didn't you leave? Why did you move in?! Why did you have to MARRY MY MAE?! You RUINED EVERYTHING! Mae is mine! Mine mine mine mine MINE!" Mary's eyes watered at the pain she was in. She would be able to take much...

"Comet! Leave her alone!" Supergirl shot like a bullet and, with all her strength, shoved the centaur away, sending him crashing to the ground. Supergirl turned her attention to the almost-lifeless Mary. "Oh God, no... please, no!" She knelt by her side, tears in her eyes. "Mary... my love, please - talk to me... "

Mary slowly turned her head, not even aware blood was trickling from her ears. "M... Mae... "

"It's OK, sweetheart," soothed Supergirl. "I'll... "

She was interrupted by Comet's roaring voice. "You weren't supposed to see this! You weren't supposed to... "

Supergirl scowled deeply. "I wasn't 'supposed to see' you try and kill my WIFE?" At that, she bolted towards the centaur and crashed into him. "Comet, what happened to you?!"

"Stop... stop fighting me, Mae!" ordered the equine. "You don't understand! I love you!"

"You don't know what love is," said Supergirl. "Love isn't trying to murder your rival. Dammit, Comet... I'm so sorry for what you've been through. I can only imagine what a nightmare your life's been. I wish you hadn't lived your life in such torture. But I won't let you kill Mary!"

Meanwhile, Mary struggled to get to her feet... or at least her knees... or at least move. She was in agony - probably had a concussion. But she had to gather her strength. She had to help the woman she loved above all others. Her wife. Her reason for living. She needed to get up...

"It's alright, my child," came a comforting voice. "Let me help you."

Mary painfully raised her head to see Superman's mother kneeling beside her. "M... Martha... " she strained, "Y... you need to... get away. It's... not safe... "

"I won't run when my family needs me," said Martha resolutely. "Maybe I can talk to him. Maybe he'll listen to me."

In the back of her mind - which was slowly clearing - Mary was amazed how Martha was taking the existance of a centaur in her stride. It was obvious this was not the strangest event in the life of Mrs. Kent. But that did not alter the fact Mary had to protect her from Comet's rage; in his delusional state, the half-man, half-horse was a danger to everyone. "Martha... " she strained, though her strength was returning gradually. "Please. Get... get back in the house. Stay out of... "

Mary was cut off by a sharp yank of her hair. "SEE?!" came Comet's hate-filled voice. "You've RUINED EVERYTHING! Mae thinks she HATES ME!"

"Comet!" Martha shouted. That made him pause. "Comet... please, stop this."

"Stay out of this, Martha," warned the centaur, who had evidently managed to shove Supergirl aside and return to the task of murdering Mary. "Take this bitch's advice, and get back in the house. I don't want you to see this, either."

"You think that will make a difference?" asked the elderly woman. "You think we won't forget what you're doing... what you plan to do? We won't forgive you for this, Comet."

"No! Mae will LOVE ME! You'll see!" He returned his attention to Mary, who was struggling to get some leverage. "We're meant to be! You'll SEE! Mae will forget about you and love ME! After everything I've gone through, I'll have the woman I love! I HAVE TO!" His eyes were wild with obsession.

"You'll never have me," Supergirl said as she surprised the centaur from behind. She pinned his arms back with a full nelson, making him release Mary. "Comet, please stop this! Let us help you!"

"Dammit, Mae... " grunted Comet. "St... stop... fighting me!" Then, at great speed, he broke Supergirl's grip and spun her around to face him... and struck her at full strength. Supergirl fell down with a sickening thud.

For a moment, time stopped. Martha stared agape. Comet looked at his fist covered in red, then at the groggy body of the shapeshifter, blood trickling from her mouth. "Oh no... " choked. "M... Mae... I'm... I'm sorry. Y... you... why didn't you listen? You... you made me... "

"YOU... " came a thunderous voice.

Comet blinked.

All Mary Marvel's weakness was replaced with a blinding fury. "... just made the biggest mistake of your life."