In Vienna, Kara met with European leaders to discuss future borders and relations. "In the past, Germany has become too strong. It has caused numerous wars and conflicts. In accordance with my rule that all countries have the same GDP, I'm splitting Germany into three countries. In the southwest will be Switzerland and Saarland. In the northwest will be North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, Schleswig Holstein, Hamburg Brenen, and Hesse. In the east will be Austria, Bavaria, Saxony, Berlin, and the rest of East Germany."

"For how long will Germany be divided, Your Majesty?" Rhine President Otto asked.

"This isn't like the Allied occupation after WW2. I intend for Germany to be divided into three permanently," Kara told him.

"Your Majesty, we have serious political and cultural differences with the Swiss. You can't just add them to our territory," Saarland President Hoffman said.

"I'm sure you'll work it out or I'll hand you all to the French," Kara threatened.

"And what of territories that lie outside of this zone? Historically, the lands of Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, and Croatia have been a part of the German empire. It was called the Holy Roman Empire, I believe," President Krenz brought up.

"Those territories will be reorganized as a single country in time," Kara said vaguely. "I am also appointing Ferdinand Hershberg as regional governor. His jurisdiction will cover the Netherlands, the three German districts, and Italy."

"Another Holy Roman Emperor?" President Otto scoffed.

"I can assure you all, he is neither holy, roman, nor an emperor," Kara smirked. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm late for my music lessons," Kara said and then left the room so the Germans could squabble and bicker with each other behind her back.

Kara entered the music room and sat down with Brainiac 5 at the piano. "Okay, I got this," Kara said and then rapidly moved across the keyboard in an incomprehensible mess. "Holy shit," she realized how bad she was.

"Your body is faster than your mind can keep up. Take it slow," Brainiac 5 said gently.

Kara struggled to slow herself down and play a simple tune. "Barney, I want you to be my court composer."

"I'll add it to the list of occupations you want me to do," Brainiac 5 noted.

"Consider it an honor," Kara said defensively.

"I neither feel nor require honor," Brainiac 5 replied.

"I keep forgetting how you don't really give a shit about anything. I feel bad for ordering you around everywhere, but I really shouldn't," Kara realized.

"I am your eternal humble servant," Brainiac 5 replied.

"So, don't lie. How good am I compared to you?" Kara asked as she finished the tune.

"It really doesn't matter," Brainiac 5 evaded.

"No, tell me. I can take it," Kara allowed.

"Compared to me, you're like a child prodigy," Brainiac 5 began.

"Alright, alright," Kara smiled.

"And I am God," Brainiac 5 concluded.

"Damn," Kara said stunned.

"I want this drone to be a model of virtue. Keep your hands off women, work hours every day, teach students music for free, and sit on committees to help poor musicians," Kara ordered.

"As you wish," Brainiac 5 replied.

"After this, everyone is going to like me. Maybe one day, I'll like myself," Kara said sadly.

Rome

Pope Barney sat on his throne as he listened to a concert of Italian musicians. With him were several cardinals, bishops, priests, and civilian local rulers. He remained emotionless throughout the entire concert as he calculated every human imperfection and had no emotional appreciation for it. He did, however, notice the composer was late to his own concert. Lieutenant Amadeus eventually arrived and took over as the conductor. From that point on, Pope Barney noticed fewer imperfections in the music and Amadeus' own talent. Once the concert was over, everyone applauded.

Amadeus was then hauled into the pope's office to be chewed out for being late again. "Why? Why do you humiliate the Holy Father in front of His Holiness' guests? The more license I give you, the more you take," Pope Barney scolded.

"If His Holiness is not satisfied, he can execute me," Amadeus said boldly.

"You will be reassigned to Vienna," Pope Barney told him.

"No, Your Holiness. In all humility, execute me. I'd rather die!" Amadeus said dramatically.

"I have no intention of executing you. You will remain in my service and learn your place, lieutenant," Pope Barney replied. Pope Barney then dismissed him from the room. Amadeus proceeded to leave the room and gave a low bow to the concert attendees with the intent of showing his ass to the pope. The Swiss Guard then kicked Asmadeus out of the doorway and closed the door.

Vienna

"How is he?" Kara asked as she ate breakfast in the palace.

"Quite remarkable for a human," Brainiac 5 allowed. "He composed a serious opera last month."

"Now...tell me how you really feel," Kara smiled knowingly.

"It was tiresome," Brainiac 5 admitted. "He's a young man trying to impress beyond his abilities."

"Sounds like someone I know," Kara said pleased.

"It's the most promising work by a human in years," Brainiac 5 said honestly.

"Well, assign him to Vienna," Kara ordered.

"I already have," Brainiac 5 replied.

"Make him do an opera in the national theater," Kara said. "But in English."

"English is not advisable for opera. Why not Italian?" Brainiac 5 advised.

"English is the language of God. Hence the King James Bible," Kara said obviously.

"All educated people agree that opera should be in Italian," Brainiac 5 said condescendingly.

"Plain English for plain people," Kara countered. "I want to meet this young man. Arrange a pleasant welcome for him."

The next morning, Kara met with Brainiac 5. "What do you have for me today?" she asked expectedly.

"Amadeus is here but late," Brainiac 5 reported.

"It's one thing to be consistently late to the pope. It's another to be late for me," Kara glared.

"Here's a composition for you to ponder while we wait," Brainiac 5 said, handing her a datapad.

Kara glanced at it and then started playing it on the piano. Kara struggled at first but then easily finished it. Kara had a tendency to ignore the rules of music and do her own thing as she usually did with all things. Kara's Kryptonian ability to be technically flawless was being countered by her general personality. Amadeus finally arrived on the scene.

"Ah, Amadeus," Kara identified looking him over.

"Your Majesty," Amadeus said as he took a knee and kissed her ring.

"Ah, please, I'm not a holy relic...yet," Kara said embarrassedly. "I'm a great admirer of your work."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Amadeus said giving her a bow. "The pleasure is mine, the honor is mine, absolutely."

"You see that, Barney. That's how you brown nose," Kara said pleased.

"You know, I composed a variation of your theme," Amadeus said.

"Oh, really?" Kara asked intrigued.

"A funny little tune but it yielded good things," Amadeus added.

Kara frowned at that but quickly recovered. "So, down to business. I am going to commission an opera from you. Now, did I decide whether it was going to be English or Italian?"

"You came down on Italian," Brainiac 5 lied.

"You sure? That doesn't sound like me," Kara doubted.

"Let it be German, please," Amadeus pressed.

"Well...if you mix English and Italian together, you get German," Kara shrugged. "What's the story about?"

"A harem in Turkey," he said.

There was a long awkward pause. "Do you think that subject matter is appropriate for a national theater?" Brainiac 5 asked him.

"Why not?" Amadeus asked obliviously. "I mean, I won't be showing concubines showing their...," he said and then laughed nervously. "It's decent. It's highly moral. It's full of proper German virtues."

"And what are proper German virtues?" Kara questioned. "As an alien foreigner, I'd like to know."

"Love," Amadeus said vaguely.

"Holy shit," Kara said amazed.

"You set the language, Your Majesty. I'll set it to the finest music ever offered a monarch," Amadeus said confidently.

"German, it is. There's just something about German...I feel I'm a German in another life," Kara said thoughtfully. "Now, play my theme."

Amadeus went to the piano and then played the Superman theme perfectly. Kara watched intently as Amadeus began to modify the theme to make it a more epic version. After he was done with the theme, Kara wiped away a tear. "Thank you."

For the opera performance, Kara sat in the front row. She had learned her lesson from being isolated from the public in her own box. Amadeus had been promoted to captain (O-3) and was now in charge of the entire opera performance. The crowd of elites watched, hearing German in an opera setting for the first time in their lives. Amadeus was in his element as the conductor having the time of his life. After the performance was over, Kara was the first to stand up. The crowd applauded, amazed by it. Kara went backstage and congratulated the cast.

"Well, Amadeus, good shit," Kara smiled. "I mean, an excellent effort. You have shown these people something that hasn't been seen or heard in hundreds of years. As for the story, that was quite new. I never knew you could bring so many prostitutes on the stage singing about their profession and still have it be the greatest of virtue."

"So, then, you liked? You really liked it?" Amadeus asked excitedly.

"Well, of course, I did. It's very good. But I had some thoughts," Kara said getting serious.

"Such as?" Amadeus asked concernedly.

"It has...how should I say...it's evading me at the moment...fuck...too many...notes. That's it. Too many notes," Kara told him.

"The fuck?" Amadeus wondered. "I require those notes, no more, no less."

"My dear fellow, there are so many notes one can hear in an evening," Kara said simply.

"This is absurd," Amadeus shook his head.

"Don't take it too hard. Your work is ingenious. It's quality work," Kara told him. "And there are simply too many notes, that's all. Just cut a few, and it will be perfect."

"What notes did you have in mind, Your Majesty?" Amadeus asked passive-aggressively.

Kara walked over to him and stared him down with a look that could kill. "Just joking, of course! Have as many notes as you want!" she chuckled.

Amadeus laughed nervously. "Well, okay then," Kara smiled amused, and then walked away with her escort.

Kara, Brainiac 5, and Mara walked together on a road. With accelerated growth, Mara looked as though she might be three in appearance. She had her father's dark hair and eyes but had an uncanny resemblance to her mother's face and voice. "I have an excellent idea, Barney. I want Mara to learn music."

"You want me to teach her music?" Brainiac 5 asked.

"I was thinking Amadeus," Kara corrected. "What is your view?"

"It's an interesting idea but it could give the wrong impression. It could hint of favoritism. By serving you in all capacities, I shield you from such accusations," Brainiac 5 said.

"Right, we can't have that, can we?" Kara narrowed her eyes at him, assuming he was trying to monopolize all influence over her. "There will be equal opportunity tryouts for all applicants."

Amadeus felt entitled to the position immediately and refused to submit his work for evaluation. He was promptly fired from his commission and reduced in rank to junior enlisted. His wife, Maria, came to Brainiac 5's office to plead her husband's case. At the time, Brainiac 5 was tutoring an opera singer. He analyzed his pupil's singing with some disdain and was then notified that Maria was asking for him. He stopped the lesson with his pupil and went to see her.

"Your excellency," Maria addressed.

"How can I help you?" Brainiac 5 asked, already knowing the answer.

"I've come on behalf of my husband. I brought samples of his work so he can be considered for the appointment," she said embarrassedly.

"Why didn't he come, himself?" Brainiac 5 quizzed. "You're not here because he sent you. Let me look it over."

Maria handed him a folder of handwritten music. "Sir, we're desperate. We really need this job. When my husband lost his commission, our lifestyle took a serious hit."

"You are still provided for," Brainiac 5 said unconcernedly.

"For someone of his talent and work habit, he should be more than just a corporal," she said.

"Let me offer you some refreshment," Brainiac 5 evaded. "Do you know what these are? The nipples of Venus."

"Wow," Maria said having no idea what they were.

"They're Roman chestnuts in brandied sugar. Try a nipple," Brainiac 5 encouraged.

"I'm not sure I should," Maria said apprehensively.

"Try one. You might find it surprising when you suck the very tip," Brainiac 5 said.

Maria tried one and nodded. "They're wonderful," she said surprised at herself. "Thank you, your excellency."

"You don't need to call me that. It keeps me at a distance. You know, I wasn't always in charge of your economy and every occupational department. I'm from a small town on the planet Colu," Brainiac 5 said warmly. "These are the originals?" he asked of the music.

"Yes, Sir. He doesn't make copies," Maria replied.

Brainiac 5 gave her an odd look and then looked them over. He quickly scanned each page and then handed the folder back to her. The originals were a first draft copy with no corrections of any kind. In some ways, it was beyond Brainiac 5's own ability to author music. There was something missing, something organic, something within the brain chemistry and the very spirit of humanity that he could not replicate, himself. It was more than just technical perfection. This was art, human artistic expression.

"Is it not any good?" Maria asked.

"It's fine," Brainiac 5 said giving nothing away.

"So, will you help us?" she asked needily.

"I dine with the queen this evening. One word from me and the post is his," Brainiac 5 assured her.

"Thank you, Your Excellency!" Maria said thrilled.

"Come here tonight if you wish for your husband to have his post back," Brainiac 5 ordered.

"What for?" Maria asked obliviously.

"This is a post all of Vienna wants. The price, simply put, is to have sex with me," Brainiac 5 replied.

"Do you even have a penis, Sir?" Maria said uncertainly.

"I do and it's fully functional," Brainiac 5 assured her.

"But I'm a married woman," Maria excused.

"I'm quite aware," Brainiac 5 said condescendingly.

"Then...no, I won't come," Maria shook her head.

Brainiac 5 and Maria simply stared at each other wondering who would blink first. "Good, the post is his. As the princess' royal tutor, he will be commissioned a major. You may go," he dismissed her away.

"Thank you, Sir," Maria said taking the original copies and then quickly leaving the room.

At breakfast, Brainiac 5 discussed the matter of Amadeus to Kara. "I don't like to talk badly of other musicians."

"But?" Kara asked intrigued.

"I have to tell you. Amadeus is not to be trusted alone with young women," Brainiac 5 reported.

"Really?" Kara asked fascinated.

"One of my own pupils, a very young singer, told me she was molested twice in the course of the same lesson," Brainiac 5 said.

"Well...shit," Kara sighed. "At least it's not my own daughter, right?" she said brightly. Brainiac 5 merely stared at her. "That...came out wrong," Kara admitted.

Amadeus was not given his commission back due to these credible accusations nor was he allowed to be Princess Mara's tutor. Brainiac 5 hired spies around Vienna to keep an eye on him. He could have done it, himself, but he wanted to see how dependable human spies could be. With the accusations against Amadeus unable to be substantiated, Kara commissioned him back to a captain. She went to his outside concerts and then eventually summoned him back to court.

Kara and Brainiac 5 remained sitting when Amadeus came in. "Amadeus, are you aware that I have declared Adventures of Supergirl to be unsuitable for theater?" she asked him.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Amadeus said bewildered.

"Yet, I hear you're making an opera from it. Is this true?" Kara asked accusingly.

"Who told you this, Your Majesty?" Amadeus asked apprehensively.

"It's not your place to ask questions. Is it true?" Kara demanded.

"Yeah," Amadeus said nonchalantly.

"Tell me why," Kara ordered.

"Your Majesty, it's only a comedy," Amadeus excused.

"What you think is scarcely the point. It's what Her Majesty thinks," Brainiac 5 corrected.

"Amadeus, I am a tolerant woman. I do not censor things lightly. When I do, I have good reason. Adventures of Supergirl cannot be made into an opera. It will stir up uncomfortable feelings in myself and the empire concerning...Alex. No movie, film, play, opera, etc., etc., etc., is to have Alex in it. You can say and do anything about me...but not her," Kara said seriously.

"I have taken out everything that could cause offense," Amadeus argued. "I hate politics."

"As do we all. In these dangerous times, it's not wise to provoke me simply over a theater piece," Kara said darkly.

"Your Majesty, this is just a frolic, a piece about love. And it's a new version, entirely new. The people will go mad for it. It's harmless. It's a parody, a satire," Amadeus said defensively.

"A parody...of Adventures of Supergirl?" Kara wondered.

"Your Majesty, only opera can do this. With opera, with music, is no longer noise, it's perfect harmony," Amadeus said enthusiastically.

"Amadeus, music is not the issue here. It's your judgment of literature that is being questioned. Even with Alex taken out, it would still be a vulgar farce. Why waste your spirit on such rubbish?" Brainiac 5 advised.

"Wait...Adventures of Supergirl is not rubbish," Kara said offended.

"I want elevated themes of a legend, a god. You are the eternal in us. You are so lofty, you shit marble," Amadeus said.

"Yes, yes," Kara nodded.

"I am a vulgar man, but my music is not," Amadeus assured her.

"You are a passionate man, and I am very persuadable," Kara allowed. "Before I will have the public see it, you will show it to me."

"Where?" Amadeus wondered.

"Here, on this floor. Show me everything," Kara ordered.

During rehearsals, Kara came by the theater to watch. As decreed, Alex was nowhere to be seen. The script wrote her out completely and modified events to make sense of things. Kara eyed the opera rehearsals apprehensively and felt a sudden pain as she noticed the differences. All of Alex's lines, actions, and interactions with her in her book were omitted.

"No...this is nonsense," Kara said softly. "I want to see the scenes with Alex in them."

"Your regulation," Brainiac 5 reminded her.

"Oblige me," Kara ordered.

"Rewrite the script with Alex back," Brainiac 5 ordered Amadeus.

"Certainly! Certainly!" Amadeus said pleased.

Having memorized the previous script, Amadeus began again with the inclusion of an actress for Alex.

On the night of the performance, Kara saw Alex on the stage singing her lines with perfection. The opera went on for four hours, beyond Kara's usual attention span of one hour. Only her narcissism to see herself on stage kept her focus but some in the audience were yawning. Transfixed on Alex, Kara cried at the end. Despite its amazing achievement, Kara didn't want to see it again and she wanted the opera restricted to the people as well.

"Nine performances? That's all. This is some bullshit!" Amadeus said to Brainiac 5 the next day.

"I know. Outrageous," Brainiac 5 said unconcernedly. "Perhaps the public would prefer the subject matter as a film or a TV show rather than an opera."

"What could the people not like?" Amadeus asked cluelessly.

"I can speak for the queen. You made too many demands on the royal ear. The poor woman can't concentrate for more than an hour. You gave her four," Brainiac 5 pointed out.

"What did you think of it? Did you like it at all?" Amadeus asked.

"I thought it was marvelous," Brainiac 5 said sincerely.

"Of course, the best opera ever written," Amadeus said arrogantly. "So, why didn't they come?"

"An opera about the queen is taboo for the people of Vienna. They don't know whether to clap or not," Brainiac 5 told him.

"Could you give me a lesson?" Amadeus pleaded.

"Of course," Brainiac 5 agreed.

Brainiac 5, the Master of Music, took charge to restart the theater. Knowing the preferences of the audience, his theme was the Egyptian gods. It was short and to the point. The music was technically brilliant. Brainiac 5 was able to conduct the orchestra perfectly and direct the actors on the stage. After the opera was over, Brainiac 5 was given a standing ovation.

"Holy shit, Barney," Kara smiled impressed. "You knew when to stop the music so the people could clap."

"Indeed," Brainiac 5 nodded.

"This, here, is the greatest opera written as of yet," Kara declared to the crowd. "My composer, my friend, you are the best," Kara said to Brainiac 5 for the whole crowd to hear. She then departed the theater with her escort.

Amadeus then arrived on the scene to congratulate Brainiac 5. "Did my work please you?"

"I never knew music like that was possible," Amadeus said sincerely.

"I know," Brainiac 5 replied.

Shortly thereafter, Brainiac 5 sat down with his spy, an enlisted maid that worked in Amadeus' house. "Don't send me back to that place! I'm frightened of Amadeus," she said tearfully.

"Why?" Brainiac 5 asked curiously.

"He drinks all day, then takes medicine and it makes him worse. When he speaks, he makes no sense," she said.

"Is he working?" Brainiac 5 asked calmly.

"I suppose so. He sits there all the time working on that silly opera. Ever since his father's death, he's never been the same," the maid said.

Brainiac 5 simply stared at her. "I will have you reassigned," he promised her and then dismissed her away.

Amadeus put on an opera in honor of his father, a passion piece. Amadeus and his father hadn't gotten along very well. In his opera, Amadeus was able to hash out their differences and bring closure to himself. The audience was small, and the applause was light. Kara wasn't even present for it. In truth, many went to Amadeus' operas to get a glimpse of the queen. After the performance was over, Brainiac 5 met with Amadeus.

"Not very successful, was it?" Amadeus mused.

"Not all art is for public consumption. Sometimes, art can only be properly felt and understood by its author. You have my sympathies," Brainiac 5 said to him.

Kara and Brainiac 5 spoke of Amadeus at the palace. "Amadeus may be a lost cause. He has succeeded in alienating all of Vienna. He's in debt and never pays it back," Brainiac 5 reported.

"Why is anyone in debt? We got rid of the currency," Kara said confused.

"He used the provisions we quota him as currency on the black market. He purchases alcohol and drugs not supplied to him by us," Brainiac 5 explained. "He's frequently at unauthorized bars and brothels until late at night and is often seen stumbling about in the morning. During one of his better operas, he could no longer continue as a conductor. He then passed out behind the stage."

"Put him under house arrest and rehab him. He's not to work again until he's better," Kara ordered.

"As you wish," Brainiac 5 replied.

Amadeus was forced into rehab and stopped working. He kept his rank of captain during this time and was well provided for. His black-market debts were erased by the Crown. After he had finished his rehab, Kara invited him to the palace. A healthy-looking Amadeus entered the palace and found the entire royal family waiting for him. Mon was first to greet him with several hunting dogs. The hunting dogs obnoxiously barked and clawed at Amadeus freaking him out.

"Pay no attention to them. I treat them like my own children," Mon said of them.

"Which of them do you wish me to teach?" Amadeus asked sarcastically.

"All of them," Mon said deadly serious.

"Mon, get these dogs out of here, God damn," Kara said peeved.

"Kon, get these dogs out of here," Mon ordered. Kon, looking as if he were three, summoned the dogs to him and left the room. Mara, also looking as if she were three, eyed Amadeus curiously.

"Come, let's hear some music and crap," Mon said irreverently.

Mara sat at the piano with Amadeus and waited for his instruction. "Please play me something, just to give me an idea," Amadeus said gently to her. Mara glanced at her parents as if asking for their permission.

"Go ahead. Act as if we weren't here," Kara encouraged.

"If you're going to play, you need to get used to an audience. Play!" Mon ordered.

"Mon, really?" Kara shook her head dismayed at him.

"Maybe if I played first, it would encourage the girl," Amadeus suggested and then started playing a rather sophisticated piece. Amadeus went faster and faster as he got into it. Mara simply watched him as he did. Finally, Amadeus finished the piece.

"Shall I?" Mara asked.

"Of course," Amadeus allowed.

Mara got on the piano bench, closed her eyes, and played the same exact piece perfectly from memory without even seeing the keys. Her fingers raced across the piano keys in a perfect replication. Amadeus simply stared stunned. Mara then opened her eyes when she was finished.

"Your Majesty...I don't think anyone can teach her," Amadeus said astounded.

"No doubt the Kryptonian in her," Kara smirked at Mon. She then turned to Amadeus. "We didn't bring you down here to teach her technique. She can copy everything you do like a machine. What I want you to teach her is human imagination, ingenuity, and soul."

"That, I can do," Amadeus smiled.

Author's Notes: Amadeus is a great drama/music film and deserves a lot of critical praise. It's also a dishonest historically inaccurate hit piece on Salieri that gives the audience an overall net-negative education in history. Salieri was not a murderer, a rapist, a thief, or any of those things. The controversy of the Marriage of Figaro is overstated in the film. Emperor Joseph II of Austria was keen on having the opera if it could get through the censors. The opera was eventually given approval before Mozart even started the music for it. Additionally, the film merges Mozart and his Librettist, Lorenzo Da Ponte, as one person. It was Da Ponte who pitched the changed lyrics and dialogue to the emperor, not Mozart, who only did the music. Emperor Joseph II was an enlightened monarch, not the bumbling idiot present in the film. As per usual, real life is generally stranger and more interesting than fiction.