I've been sitting in the "fortress of solitude" for three weeks. Kal has me able to speak English, one of the dominant languages of the planet, as well as several others. I can control my powers in the sense slight aggravation no longer has me seeing red, literally. I am bored beyond reason. The other man, Batman as he is to be called, comes and visits often. It really isn't much of a solitude with the two of them flying in and out as much as they do. The Batman thinks I'm a danger, a liability, I can't be trusted because there is no proof that I am who I say I am. Kal knows though, he knows I am his cousin. He is so much like his father, that unwavering dedication to the greater good is a family trait. So I've spent my days training and learning about Earth. Kal promised me this weekend I would be able to leave the fortress and see the world I am to call home.
"Are you sure this is a good idea Clark? She's highly unstable and I still don't trust her." I scowl at the man in black, knowing full well he's watching me from the corner of his eye.
"Batman, she's safe. I know her, she's the last family I have and I'm not going to keep her locked in her forever."
"I only want you to keep her here until we can trust her."
"Like I said, I'm not keeping her here forever." I smile to my cousin, he knows that I am trying my hardest to adapt. Batman sneers and looks directly at me, assessing me with his cold hard gaze.
"Take a picture, it'll last longer. I don't understand your problem with me. I've busted my butt day in and day out to earn your seal of approval, not that it matters to me what you think but it matters to Kal. I work hard, I've gotten my powers under control, I learned several languages. All I want is the opportunity to be normal, to live my life the way my parents wanted me to. Can't you just leave me alone?"
I turn and leave the room, tired of his constant oppression. I hear Kal and him arguing but I'm done listening. On my planet I was a trained warrior, ready to take her mandatory spot in the guard. I didn't have these powers, I was a nice normal girl in a nice normal family. I wander through the halls of history, seeing the creation and destruction of my people. I hear a faint heart beat and turn to see Batman approaching me.
"Kara, I'm sorry if I seem a little hard on you. You've told Clark…Kal… that you were training to be a warrior on your planet. Can you understand why that concerns me? Clark has lived among us since he was a baby, this is the only life he knows. How do I know you won't turn on us? You don't owe loyalty to these people."
"You're wrong you know," his mouth shuts softly allowing me to continue, "I was training to be a warrior for my people but I do owe this place. You kept Kal safe, raised him right, and allowed his to live a life that fulfills him. Your Superman is a public servant, he simply wishes to protect everyone the same way they protected him. I failed in my mission to raise him but he was loved. To me that is as equal to living here as it can get. There is a debt I can never repay."
I can tell he is taken off guard by my response. I didn't even know exactly how I felt until I said it out loud. I take his hand gently and walk him down the halls of my people, maybe if he knows where I come from he'll know a little of who I am.
"Kara, I have a friend I would like you to meet, someone who may help you transition to Earth a little easier." Kal announces through the fortress. I fly to the great room leaving the bat in my wake.
Before me is a goddess of epic proportions. Her long, raven, hair is topped with a tiara. Her strong and muscular body decorated in an armor of reds and blues. Her wrists covered by metal bracelets that shimmer slightly at all times. I stop in my tracks and bow my head to her, she is a warrior and I will pay her the proper respects. Kal clears his throat after I stay frozen for several moments. I look up to see an amused smile on both of their faces.
"Forgive me, it is customary to bow your head to warrior on Krypton until they address you. I am Kara, ma'am." I bow my head again and am met with a lyrical but strong, commanding voice.
"I am Diana of Thermyscara, better known to the people as Wonder Woman. I am not sure how much Clark here has told you about me so I will fill in the gaps. I am the princess of Thermyscara and its ambassador to the rest of the world. I am also one of this worlds protectors. My sisters and I are warriors of the Gods, particularly Hera. I have been told you are a warrior of your home. I have spoken to your cousin, and if you would like, I would like to invite you into our sisterhood. Our training isn't easy and your powers will be made useless. If you train with us you will live as one of us morning, noon, and night. We all feel it would be in your best interest to learn from the Amazons. Our level of discipline and honor will help you tremendously." She finishes.
I look to Kal very unsure. This woman is obviously to be highly regarded but does he really want to send me away? As if seeing the question in my eyes he shakes his head and laughs.
"Kara, this isn't because I don't want to spend my time with you. If anything I would love nothing more than getting to know you and Krypton. I am trying to think of what would be best to help you adjust to Earth. I want you to experience all this world has to offer by training you to work alongside me first and then allowing you to live as a normal person. I thought you could live with Diana for a while and then Batman. They are my closest friends and I know you would be well cared for in both homes. You are an adult though, the decision is yours." I look again to Diana. She can offer me a life similar to what I know, which would make living here easier. I'm not sure what the other can teach me but if Kal trusts them than I will too.
"Thank you Ms. Diana, I would like very much to train under you with your warriors. I would also like to learn from you Batman, you may be stubborn but if Kal says I can trust you I will. When will we begin?" I end the sentence with a deep breath. This is going to be fun.
I grip my sword as the steel vibrates wildly in my hands, I deflect another life ending blow and pounce under my opponent coming up behind her and pressing my blade to her throat. My pulse is pounding to the pace of my panting. My opponent double taps arm and I drop my weapon. She grabs my arm with respect and admiration. Lyla smiles brightly and pulls me into a hug.
"That was your best spar yet, Kara!" She laughs infectiously. We spin around hysterically, much to Diana's amusement. She was the toughest teacher I had ever had, but was the most compassionate as well. She walked down the stadiums steps and places her hands on our backs.
"Girls, you are both making so much progress. I am very proud of you both." I beam under her encouragement. "You've been here for two months and have already shown such growth my sisters."
Lyla and I arrived on Thermyscara within a week of each other and were immediately thick as thieves. She is a harbinger, a teller of the future, an outcast the same as me. On the island our powers were removed from us and we were assigned to the same room. I love Lyla like a sister I always wanted. She is a fiery whirlwind of passion and energy. She can also be stable and courageous, many nights when I lay awake crying and missing my home she'd cuddle into my bed and bring me peace. She has become my best friend in the universe.
"Diana, what are we to focus on next? We have mastered sword art, the history of our sisters, survival basics, and mystic beasts and animals." Diana laughs and shakes her head at me.
"Kara, you are very eager to learn, it is one of my favorite things about you. You have both been working extremely hard. You leave us in a month Kara, I feel it is safe to say you have earned the title of sister, you too Lyla. This next month you two are to spend any spare time not training with the rest of our sisters enjoying the island. Believe me Gotham is not nearly as agreeable."