Chapter 16 – Misplaced

A month later

The day Supergirl finally took the skies started like every other day.

It was Saturday. Conner was already on the Cave, her dad was chasing a story with Lois somewhere, and she had just arrived at the Fortress of Solitude to train, like she was doing for the past months. It was weird training by herself, without Superman there to help her, but she knew he couldn't be there all the time. Also, her dad had agreed to let her help in Metropolis, as long as she knew what she was doing. So, she sought the help from the Fortress' AI, so she could learn everything she could about herself and her powers, even when he wasn't around.

Her training with the Fortress' simulator was doing very well so far, and then the lights went off for two seconds before coming back. She frowned deeply, kicking the false-enemy that was still coming at her in the simulation.

"Stop simulation." She said loudly. "Kelex, what was that?"

"Searching," said the AI voice.

After a whole minute, the AI answered. "It appears Earth has suffered from a magic spell, Lady Kara."

"What kind of spell, Kelex?" Claire asked.

"I'm not sure. It's not clear, and it is ancient. My database has no reference for it."

Claire sighed.

"Well, I guess I'll have to get out and find out myself."

"Isn't it dangerous, Lady Kara? Your father would prefer for you to stay out of danger zones."

"I know, Kelex." She said while she went to the zeta-tube. "But I'm a superhero-in-training now. I need to see, and maybe help in what I can. Take care of the Fortress."

"As you wish, lady El."

"See you later."

And then she beamed herself back to Metropolis.

~.~

Metropolis was in complete chaos. There were children and teenagers everywhere, wandering the streets. Some were crying, some were confused, and the few that had older brothers clung to them like lifelines.

She had an idea of what happened, but she needed to be sure.

First, she called her father. It said 'number doesn't exist, try again.' She sighed and dialed Conner, knowing he would probably have a better idea of it.

It rang. Three, four times, before he finally answered.

"Claire?"

"Hey, thank God it's you."

"I can say the same. Where are you? You okay?"

"I just got back to Metropolis. I'm fine, I was in the Fortress. Where are you?"

"The cave. We're trying to figure out what happened, exactly. Zatanna says magic, but doesn't know yet which kind."

"That's what Kelex said to me."

"Who's Kelex?"

"The Fortress' AI." She answered, feeling a little bad because their dad hadn't introduced the Fortress to Conner yet. "So, no adults there either?"

"None."

She sighed. "Can I help you guys in anything?"

Conner was silent for a few seconds.

"I don't think so. Keep in touch. I know dad let you be Supergirl in Metropolis, but the Team and the League don't know about you yet, so…"

"You don't want to spoil anything, got it." She sighed again.

"But if we do need you, I'll call or send a text. Keep your phone charged and close."

She smiled.

"I will. I'll try to help the children and teens around here, have them stay calm until you guys figure out what to do. I hate being useless."

"Okay, do that. As soon as we know something, I'll tell you…"

She heard from the other side of the phone while someone – a girl – asked: "Who you're talking to?"

"A friend of mine. She's terrified, her parents are gone, too."

"Good save." She mumbled.

He sighed. "I need to go. I'll call you as soon as I can."

"Okay. Be careful, Kon."

"You too, Kara."

And then the phone was dead.

~.~

She didn't need to make any speeches. The Team set up a worldwide transmission, and Aqualad, Kid Flash and Robin made sure to everyone on Earth they were trying to fix everything. Meanwhile, they asked to the older teens to take care of the younger people, to stand together.

Claire went to their school. She saw a lot of people going there, to the big sports court, and she went with them. Some seniors had organized a few support groups, to help with the small children and look for anyone who needed help.

She saw Kyle and Lena and went over to them.

"Claire!" Kyle greeted her, relieved. "Your dad vanished, too?"

"Yeah… I saw the transmission and decided to come here."

"And where's Conner?" asked Lena.

"He went to see his girlfriend. She was having a minor panic attack." She diverted easily.

Sometimes, she hated how easy it was to lie to her best friends. They didn't even doubt her. They nodded easily, and showed her what she could do to help. Basically, it was staying with the small kids. Claire liked kids, but after a while she felt she could be doing more. She noticed the small groups of teens coming back with more kids, with blankets, food, everything to keep the children entertained while the problem was solved.

It was then she realized she could do more. Steeling herself, she grabbed Lena's arm and told her urgently:

"I need to see Conner, something's happened."

"Do you need anyone to go with you?" she asked, eyes worried.

"I don't think so. I'll call if I do."

"Okay. Good luck."

"For you too, Lena."

She got out of the school as fast as she could without attracting to much attention, and when the street emptied a little, she ran.

She hopped the stairs of the apartment building they lived in two at a time, really frustrated superspeed hadn't developed yet. As soon as she was inside their home, she redressed. Her outfit wasn't ready, so she went a little like her brother. A pair of dark jeans, bright red combat boots she bought to tease her dad and had never used, and a classic Superman t-shirt. She put her hair in a ponytail, dropped her glasses and completed her outfit with a dark-red leather jacket.

Supergirl would have to fly without a cape today (not that she could actually fly, but she could go close).

~.~

At first, people didn't believe her to be a kryptonian. But then she would grab car doors and get people out of debris they had managed to get in, using her super-strength in full view of anyone, and then they believed her.

She jumped the fast and highest she could to go from one place to another, helping those in need and gathering small children close, bringing them to other schools and places that were serving as support.

People gaped at her, surprise and awe in their eyes, and she would just smile at them and go to find others.

The streaming of the Team kept looping into every electronic device and tv channel, and she kept looking at her phone waiting for something from Conner.

The phone stayed silent, and she kept helping where she could.

When asked, all she said was that she was Supergirl, getting out of the place as fast as she could.

And for the first time in a long time, she finally felt complete.

~.~

She knew everything came back to normal immediately. The Earth gave a little shake, almost imperceptible to humans; lights went off and on; and then adults were everywhere.

She was in the middle of helping a little girl calm down in front of her house, all alone, when suddenly the girl's parents were screaming and the girl was rapidly grabbed by them. There were tears and smiles, and Claire knew she wasn't needed there anymore.

She went off, making sure people find their children, making sure everyone was okay. In the chaos post-crises, no one really took the time to gawk at her, only giving her minor looks, and very few looking twice. Some thanked her, and she just smiled at them, happy to help.

She went to overlook things at her school one more time, before going home to wait for her dad and brother. She helped some parents find their children, avoided her friends (who were looking at her in wonder from afar), when she heard.

"Kara!"

The voice boomed around the sports court, and most people turned to look. Everyone knew that voice.

It was Superman. In all his red and blue glory, looking at her.

She took a deep breath, ready to defend herself. The deal was the she was going to make her debut with him by her side, so there wouldn't be any doubts of who she was. She knew it was high, the possibility of him not liking the fact she went out alone.

She didn't had time to say anything, because in a blur, Superman hugged her fiercely, kissing her temple while holding her tight.

"Thank Rao you're okay."

She sighed in relief and held him just as tight, tears threatening to spill.

"Sorry I went out alone." She whispered.

"Shh… It's okay, sweetheart."

She heard the whispers, people recognizing a father hugging his daughter, and the surprise it brought to everyone.

"Dad… we're making a scene."

He laughed a little and let her go. And then, loud enough so people around could hear it, he said, bright with proud:

"Let's go home, Supergirl."

She smiled, just as bright as him, as both of them took the skies.

Please read and review