Disclaimer: I own nothing of the DC Universe.

Brazilia, Brazil

Kara Zor-El better known to the world as Supergirl was nervous.

She soared through the skies, her cape billowing behind her as she headed towards Brazil. The sun shone brightly, casting a golden glow over the sprawling Amazon rainforest below. As she neared her destination, her heart fluttered with a mix of anticipation and uncertainty.

This would be one of her first meetings with Abilo, the man who had discovered her spaceship and helped her acclimate to life on Earth. The man had said she could come talk to him whenever she wanted and given recent events, she felt she needed to talk to someone outside of her usual circle.

The Justice League had warned Supergirl about Abilo, expressing their distrust and suspicion towards the man who now headed the Federation, a South American government composed of all the countries in the region. They believed that Abilo's leadership was tainted by his nation's nationalistic, militaristic, and expansionist policies. But Supergirl saw something different in him. She believed in his sincerity and his commitment to his people.

Descending from the skies, Supergirl landed in the heart of Brasilia, the capital city of Brazil. People on the streets looked up in awe, pointing and whispering as the superheroine touched down gracefully. With a smile on her face, she moved forward, navigating her way through the bustling city towards the grand presidential palace where Abilo awaited her.

As Supergirl reached the entrance, two armed guards stepped forward, their rifles slung across their chests. "State your purpose," one of them demanded, his voice gruff.

"I'm here to see Abilo," Supergirl replied, her tone firm but gentle. "He's expecting me."

The guards exchanged a wary glance, their suspicion evident. "Follow us," one of them grumbled, leading the way into the opulent corridors of power.

Supergirl's footsteps echoed through the marble halls as she was escorted to Abilo's office. The anticipation inside her grew with each passing moment, her mind racing with thoughts of what this meeting might hold and wondering if her coming there was one big mistake. She couldn't help but feel a tinge of insecurity deep within her. Despite her powers and her heroic deeds, she still battled with doubts about her place in the world, wondering if she truly belonged.

Finally, they arrived at a set of intricately carved double doors. The guards pushed them open, revealing a spacious office adorned with rich mahogany furniture and South American artifacts. Abilo stood near the window, his gaze fixed on the city skyline.

Abilo turned as Supergirl entered, his dark eyes lighting up with genuine warmth. "Supergirl," he said, his voice deep and resonant. "It's good to see you again. Please, come in."

She took a tentative step into the room, her blue eyes meeting his. Despite the warnings from the Justice League, she felt a connection to this man, a trust forged from their shared history. "Thank you for seeing me," she said, her voice soft.

"Of course," Abilo replied, gesturing to a chair. "I meant what I said. You can come to me anytime. Now, tell me, what's on your mind?"

Supergirl took a seat, the weight of her recent actions heavy in her chest. She looked at Abilo, her eyes searching his face for some sign of judgment or condemnation. But all she saw was understanding.

"I've done something I never thought I would do," she began, her voice trembling with emotion. "I've killed someone."

A silence settled over the room as Abilo's eyes narrowed slightly, but he quickly masked it with a look of concern. "That is a heavy burden to bear," he said gently. "Tell me what happened."

Supergirl's eyes dropped to the floor, her face etched with pain as she recalled the terrible event. She took a deep breath before speaking, her voice barely more than a whisper. "His name was Reaction. A villain who had the power to create devastating explosions with a mere thought."

Abilo's eyes sharpened, his interest piqued.

"He attacked a school, Abilo," Supergirl continued, tears threatening to spill from her eyes. "Children were in danger. I tried to reason with him, I tried everything to stop him without violence. But he wouldn't listen."

Her voice broke, and she paused to compose herself. The memories were still raw, the guilt like a wound that refused to heal.

"I had no choice," she finally whispered. "He was about to kill hundreds of innocent children. I had to act. I... I flew at him at full speed, and..." She trailed off, unable to put the horrifying act into words.

"You did what you had to do," Abilo said quietly, his face a mask of understanding and sympathy. But behind his gentle eyes, calculations were being made. This incident was more than a tragic necessity; it was an opportunity.

Supergirl looked up, her eyes filled with torment. "But I killed him, Abilo. I took his life. It's something I swore I would never do."

Abilo stood and walked over to her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You acted to save lives, Kara," he reassured her. "It was a grave decision, but it was the right one. You mustn't let this define you or destroy you."

She looked into his eyes, wanting to believe him, needing his validation to ease her conscience. But the doubt remained, a dark cloud that refused to dissipate.

Abilo leaned back in his chair, studying Supergirl's face with an expression of empathy. "Kara," he began, his voice calm and soothing, "what you've done is indeed grave, but it's essential to consider the context. The world we live in is filled with difficult decisions, decisions that can challenge even the strongest among us."

He paused, letting his words sink in, then continued with a measured tone, "You acted to save innocent lives, lives that would have been lost without your intervention. It's a heavy burden, but it's also a responsibility. A responsibility that you and only you could bear at that moment."

Supergirl looked into his eyes, searching for the reassurance she so desperately needed.

Abilo leaned forward, his eyes soft but determined. "I understand your pain and your conflict, Kara. But remember, as a leader of a nation, I too have had to make decisions that weigh heavily on my conscience. Decisions that others may not understand or agree with. We must sometimes walk a path that others fear to tread, for the greater good."

He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, his touch both comforting and assertive. "You are not alone in this. I stand by you, and I believe in you. Don't let this one act define who you are. Learn from it, grow stronger, and continue to be the beacon of hope that the world needs."

Supergirl nodded, tears glistening in her eyes. "Thank you, Abilo," she whispered, her voice filled with gratitude and a lingering uncertainty.

He smiled warmly, his eyes betraying none of his hidden agenda. "Always remember, Kara, strength does not come from never falling, but from rising every time we fall. You are strong, and you will rise from this."

o-o-o-o-o

Abilo's comforting words were measured, calculated to win her trust. The game was more complex now, the stakes higher. Supergirl's actions had opened a door, a way for him to draw her further into his web of deception.

"Thank you, Abilo," she said softly, her voice filled with gratitude. "Your words mean more to me than you know."

He smiled, a smile that did not reach his eyes. "I'm here for you, Kara. Always."

As she left his office, the weight of her actions still heavy in her heart, Abilo's mind turned to the future. Supergirl's weakness was now his strength, her guilt a tool to be wielded in his quest for power.

The game was far from over, and he was only just beginning to play.

A SI establishes his own empire in south America and works to convince Supergirl to join him.