"Miss Grant can't do that. People won't trust Supergirl after that."
"They can't right now." James started, walking next to his friend. "Winn, Kara's dangerous. Someone has to do it and Cat is the best person to do it."
"But Kara will never come back from it. This thing is going to be so public, even a guy living in a cave will know about it." Winn countered, extremely concerned
"I know but people trust Cat and can rely on her while Supergirl is out of the picture."
"I just hope it won't brake Kara." Winn started. "This isn't going to be easy." he said to himself as the two men entered their boss' office.
There, Cat was already sitting at her desk, ready to talk in front of a single camera. The make up artist was just exiting the room. No one could see the almost empty tissue box behind the open laptop. Neither could they see the tissue in Cat's right hand. The Queen of all Media had cried. She had cried because an attempt had been made on her life, because a friend had threatened her, because she was about to expose this friend to the world. Expose her for something that wasn't really her fault, because it was Cat's duty to protect the people of National City.
The broken screen behind Cat hadn't been replaced. It was too early yet. Only the glass on the floor had been cleaned. But Cat was satisfied that there was a proof of the previous night attack, even if seeing it would remind her of the fingers tightly wrapped around her throat. At least, the most fervent Supergirl supporters would perhaps take Cat's warning seriously.
"Miss Grant?" Winn called, making the woman snap her head up
"Are you ok?" James asked settling next to the IT
"I'm about to declare one of the most important people in my life as a vilain but other than that I'm fine." Cat answered sharply, cleaning her glasses for the tenth time. Seeing the look on the men's faces, Cat softened a little. "What I'm about to do is hard and feels like a betrayal but it is necessary. Supergirl has gone off the rails and people should be prepared. So stop looking at me like that, especialy you Winn, and go behind the camera so I can do my job." she ordered, getting her hard professional mask back on again.
The two friends did as told and backed up a few steps. Cat took the time to inhale deeply, taking deep long breaths to soothe her heartbeat. As soon as Kara had left her office the other night, she knew what she had to do. Cat had thought about it all night. She didn't get much sleep, mostly because off the tough call she was about to make, but also due to the fear. Fear of Kara coming back for her, for her sons. And it was those fears that drove Cat to make the right decision because she knew she shared such fears with the people of this city. She knew it was going to be difficult. Kara was her protegee, her friend, the hero of her family. But being in front of the lense made Cat realize that telling everyone Supergirl was now evil was going to be even harder than she had imagined.
"People of National City, this is Cat Grant. You know by now that I've been a fervent Supergirl supporter since the beginning of her heroic acts. This company and myself talked to you about how brave, kind and strong she is. I assured you personnaly that she was safe and a great asset to this city. But something happened. Something changed. Supergirl has changed. It is my greatest regret to tell you that we can no longer trust Supergirl. Last night, she threatened my life in this very office. I know being left down by our idol isn't easy and turning our backs to her won't be either. But our hero has fallen and has become dangerous. So please, it is in your best interest to stay away from Supergirl."
Cat ended her speech with a wave of hand, signaling to the cameraman to turn off his device.
"I want this on every screen of the city twice every hour and on the radio. We need to warn as much people as possible." she said simply, her usual cold tone leaving her.
The office cleared and as soon as everyone was out, Cat unfolded the tissue hiden in her hand and wiped just under her eyes before any tears could fall. People could let their emotions show and express themselves during a crisis. She couldn't.
SSSSSSSSS
Kara was free. Or more exactly, she was flying freely. She didn't have to be careful anymore. Why fly at a certain speed when you could crush the sound barrier? Kara didn't care about the consequences her powers could have. Now, she would make sonic booms without even thinking about all the windows she would shatter into pieces. She was free, full of adrenaline, and it was all that mattered.
But after a while, flying became tirering and made her hungry. Kara stopped and landed in a crowded street, crushing the concrete under her. The young woman had made sure to land next a hot dog stand she had seen earlier. Shoving the man curently waiting his meal to the side, Kara stepped in front of the chariot. The man began to protest but a single look from Kara made him close his mouth shut and walk away rather fast. Everyone in the street had seen or heard the broadcast and for once, no one was really happy to see Supergirl.
"Give me one, human." Kara ordered without preamble.
The poor man seemed rather shocked and didn't know how to react. The only thing he could do was staring at the blonde in front of him, detailing her in confusion, wondering what could push Supergirl to give up on her red skirt and cape. Clearly, Kara was not amused by his lack of reaction and grew with impatience.
"What are you waiting for?" she shouted. "Trust me you don't want to see me angry." the woman warned, threatening
"Uh-Uh, yes." the man stammered, doing his best to get his shaky hands working. "Here, take it." he said handing her the hot dog
"Well finally!" Kara stated with annoyement.
The young woman took her meal and took off fast, so fast the wind knocked the hot dog stand over. After a few seconds, Kara sat on a street lamp and started to eat her stolen hot dog. Her legs were dangling and a smile crawled on Kara's face. This was what she had always wished for. Free to be herself and to use her powers without restrain.
Swallowing, Kara decided to have some fun and mess with the tiny humans of this city. Still with her hot dog in one hand, the young woman chose the perfect candidate. A man in an expensive buisness suit. He had a leather briefcase in one hand and his phone in the other. He seemed so serious and in a hurry. Kara smiled wickedly to herself and used her freeze-breath to freeze the pavement right where the man was about to walk. The result was just like Kara had expected. The buisness man slipped backward and fell on his butt. Kara laughed with pride, still eating her hot dog. Of course, it didn't go unoticed. The man in the suit and a few persons who had stopped to help him looked up and saw Supergirl laughing at loud. They quickly understood it was all her fault.
"What the hell is wrong with you!?" the man yelled, clearly angry
"What? I can't have a little fun?" Kara answered superlicious
"The TV was wright." the man started. "You're insane."
The comment made the young woman suddenly step down from her roost and face the man with a dangerous look.
"What are you talking about?" Kara asked, lifting him by the collar.
It didn't seem to impress the man very much.
"It's all over the news." he started, making her look at the ground in confusion. "Wow, and you're the one with God like power."
Kara didn't really heard his last comment. She dropped him and left as quickly as she came, confused and angry. The young kryptonian stopped by the first TV she found. It was in a store in the next street. Kara stared in disbelief at the wall of TVs, all broadcasting one image: Cat Grant. The woman listened carefully to the message, not noticing the few costumers avoiding her in the store. When the speech stopped and started again, anger filled Kara's face and she unleashed it on the screens. Using her heat-vision, Kara spun and melted all the screens, shouting with hate and frustration. Sparkles of electricity were falling all over. People in the store were screaming and running for their lifes, leaving the store as quickly as possible.
After a moment, Kara stopped the beams, panting. The kryptonian exited the store at super-speed and flew away even faster. No one heard of Supergirl after this.
SSSSSSSSS
"Sir?" Alex called as she entered the armory where J'onn was gathering all sorts of kryptonite weapons. "What is all that?"
"Alex..." Hank sighed. "I don't really have a choice."
"But it's Kara were talking about." the agent countered, closing the door. "We can't use these. It could kill her." Alex said taking a gun full of kryptonite bullets
"You know that's the last thing I want but we have to protect ourselves." the director started. "Listen, I trust your sister but the person we are about to face isn't Kara. She's someone else and her I don't trust."
"I don't like this." Alex said coldly
"Me neither but she is dangerous. I can't afford any casualties and you know Kara would prefer being hurt than hurt someone else." J'onn pointed.
Alex seemed to think for a second, torn between her unconditional love for her sister and her obligation to do the right thing.
"Can we at least use darts instead of bullets?" she finally asked
"Ok" Hank consided with a shy smile.
The two turned to face the door after someone knocked a few times.
"Sir, ma'am. Maxwel Lord is demanding you." Agent Vasquez stated in the door way.
Hank nodded before heading to the lab, quickly followed by Alex. There, they were welcomed by a smiling but still concered scientist.
"It's ready." Max said handing a heavy looking gun to Alex. "I modified this particule beam so it would cure her."
"Will it work?" J'onn asked folding his arms
"It should be. But I guess there's only one way to find out." the scientist answered.
Silence filled the room. The two men were quietly looking at Alex. The young woman seemed to be examinating the gun. At least that was what they thought. Alex was actually staring at the only possible way to save her sister, wondering if it was going to work, to hurt or even kill her. After all, it would be the perfect opportunity for Max. Alex tried not to think about that option. She was thinking about how all of this was going to turn out. She would be the one to take a shot at Kara for sure. If someone had to do it, it was her. She wouldn't let anybody do it anyway. She needed to make sure everything would be done right for her sister. And what about after? Would Kara remember? If she did, how would she react? How would people of National City react? There were too many questions without answer running across Alex's mind.
"Let's go" the agent finally said, sharp and determined.
Hank and Max watched her leave the lab with the gun in hand. Both had a compasionate look on their face because both cared about Alex in their own way.
SSSSSSSSS
What better way to relax than to blow up things with heat-vision? That was what Kara had been doing for the last ten minutes. She had started with a bin, then a bike and now, cars. People all over the street had disappeared the second the first explosion had lit up the surrounding buildings and of course, it didn't take long for the police to show up.
Kara was laughing at the puny humans trying to stop her with their simple bullets. Landing near a cop, still laughing, Kara grabbed him by his throat. The poor man fired three bullets directly in Supergril's head in desperation, in vain.
"You can't stop me." the kryptonian said with a dangerous smile
"Supergirl..." the man chocked.
As a last resort, the police officer punched Kara square in the jaw. Her head only moved as a reflex and the man quickly understood his mistake when he felt his knuckles crack under his skin.
"Pathetic!" Kara snorted before throwing her victim against a bench.
Other police officers were doing their best and many of them had retreated behind their cars, understanding they had no chance. Kara prepared to use her heat-vison, noneaware of the two person watching her with concern, sadness and fear.
SSSSSSSSS
"It's a war zone out there." Cat said with a sigh, looking from her balcony
"I hate being so helpless." Adam started from one of the couch. "I don't know her anymore."
The Queen of all Media had prepared for a late night at the office but her oldest son had surprised her a couple hours ago, just before nightfall. The young man didn't feel like pacing the penthouse like a lion in a cage, wondering what his turned evil girlfriend was doing. So, instead of feeling awkward with Carter, keeping secrets from him, he had left him with his nanny and went to CatCo, hoping to get some comfort from his mother. Turned out she needed some too. It could be seen as selfish to leave his little brother alone in this crisis but it was something he needed to do. So for the last hour and a half, the two had been talking about Kara, until the first explosion roared down the street. From the balcony, Adam and Cat could catch glimses of Kara's rampage as long as she stayed around the intersection near the building.
"Because the woman we see right now is not Kara." Cat stated firmly but still gentle
"I know but it's hard to tell the difference." Adam admitted, joining his mother. "Oh my God, no." the young man breathed out after his eyes caught the scene playing down the street.
Kara was about to blow up a police car while at least four officers were hiding behind it. Mother and son stopped breathing and hoped very hard for what seemed like an eternity. Until they heard multiple heavy humvees arriving. Four black DEO trucks stopped right behind Kara, dozens of agents heavily armed jumping off, giving enough time and distraction for the trapped officer to run for their lifes.
Cat let a heavy sigh exit her lungs as she hung her head in relief. But Adam couldn't breathe. Not now.
The battle was just beginning.
AN: And I'm back! But with a slightly boring chapter if you ask me.
Tell me what you thought about this chapter by review or PM. I will reply happily. All productive advices and critics are welcomed ;) I would like to thank the few guests that posted some reviews and also all the people following this story.
So, yes, I kinda finished this one on a cliffhanger...again lol. Next chapter will be much longer than usual. I'm already hitting the 3k words. It will be all about the epic huge battle that is coming and I will probably post tomorrow since it's almost done.