Mara, Sheriff Don, and the coroner met at the Midvale coroner's office. The body of a random homeless man who had been attacked near the mausoleum was brought out. "The body is of a 50-year-old male, lacerations and defensive wounds appear on both hands, what remains of the chest and torso indicates a frenzied attack, the subject has been almost entirely disemboweled," the coroner said. "Subject's left foot is missing, chewed off at the ankle."
"A trophy maybe," Sheriff Don assumed.
"In all my years, I've never seen injuries like this," the coroner said. "The killer took two toes from the victim's left foot. Best guess, it was a surgical saw."
"This continues to point to a shape-shifting humanoid capable of beastly acts as well as precise cuts," Mara said.
"Or the beast is working with one," Sheriff Don said, eying Mara antagonistically. "Maybe even a beauty and beast scenario."
"An interesting theory," Mara said, giving nothing away. "Email me the autopsy report when it's ready," she ordered the coroner.
The next day, Mara went to classes and then strolled around Midvale. She bumped into her shrink and then had a chat with the sheriff on any updates to his investigation. As she left, she ran into Tyler. "Are you in trouble?" he asked concernedly.
"Your concerns are misplaced. I command the sheriff's office and I have royal immunity," Mara assured him. "Your father is a frustrating entity."
"Welcome to my world," Tyler said dryly. "Are you coming out to the Raven dance this weekend?"
"As a royal, I'm obligated to be at social functions," Mara rolled her eyes.
"So, are you taking someone or just going to stand off by yourself?" Tyler asked curiously.
"I tried to bribe you once to be my partner. I won't be embarrassed again," Mara narrowed her eyes.
"Is it possible for you to ask someone out without bribing them?" Tyler asked.
"Even if you were my partner for this dance or even this semester, it would only be temporary. There's no possibility we would ever go beyond first base and marriage is out of the question," Mara said rudely.
"Thanks for clearing that up," Tyler said taken aback, and walked off.
Mara stared after him for a moment and then made her way into the forest.
Mara came upon the bee hives just outside the school. There, she encountered Lonna Leing aka Insect Queen, a Xanthu. "Your Majesty, my hive is your hive," she said politely.
"I need you to use your bugs to track down the creature in the woods," Mara said.
"These bees tend to stay close to the hive. Unless the creature attacks the hive, I won't know about it," Lonna said.
"I suggest you expand your abilities to other insects then," Mara pressed.
"Can't you find the monster on your own with all your powers?" Lonna asked.
"I seek to empower my subordinates. Do you feel empowered?" Mara asked.
At the Raven dance, Mara was dressed in white with a House of El crest seal on her chest. Despite it being called the Raven, everyone wore white. Tyler awkwardly showed up at Mara's dorm room. "I got your text. Wow, holy shit, you look amazing, beautiful."
"Please remember that I'm five years old," Mara mocked.
"Wait...are you implying I'm some kind of pedophile?" Tyler asked incredulously. "As I recall, you initiated first."
"It's not abnormal for a five-year-old girl to ask an older man on a date. Quite disturbing for the man to reciprocate," Mara pointed out.
"Well...fuck me," Tyler realized.
"I'm merely jesting with you. You're fine...probably...most likely," Mara said.
"Glad we got that figured out," Tyler said stunned.
"Follow me," Mara ordered.
The two went to the dance floor which had an ice theme to it. Polar Boy had frozen the hall making it extremely cold for normal humans. Quantum Kid acted as the DJ with just his thoughts. Miss Thorn then came up to Mara. "Princess Mara, what a wonderful surprise."
"This is Tyler, the private at the Talon," Mara introduced.
"And you're Miss Thorn: double-cap, no foam, two pumps of sugar-free vanilla," Tyler smiled as he recognized her.
"Small town," Miss Thorn smiled back.
Mara eyed the two smiling at each other and became instantly annoyed. "Fetch drinks," she ordered Tyler away. As Miss Thorn departed, Ulu came up to Mara. "I can't believe you brought him here," he said of Tyler.
"What's your deal?" Mara asked slightly curious.
"He painted over my beautiful mural," Ulu said pissed off.
"Scram," Mara ordered him away.
As the dance continued, Mara made pleasantries with everyone present and then took a break from it all. Tyler found her alone. "Ulu said you destroyed his mural. Did you?" she asked accusingly.
"I could give you a million excuses but the truth is...I might be an asshole," Tyler considered. "I suppose I was resentful because my mother died when I was young, my father sent me to military school, and I ended up working at a coffee shop at twenty-nine, but I swear I'm not a terrible person."
"Did you think I was going to judge you over some lousy prank? My father has committed mass genocide and destroyed countless civilizations, and my brother dreams he could do the same. Your issues may be solved if we extract the thetans from you," Mara said.
"The...what?" Tyler wondered.
"Thetans, it's a concept I've been learning from Professor Lemnos. I can help you join our church. There's a membership fee but I can waive it because you're poor," Mara said vaguely. "But you should consider yourself blessed. Not very many humans have been able to get close to my level of power. So, put into perspective that all of your mistakes and failures led you to me and ask yourself whether you would want it any differently."
"Wow...just wow," Tyler said amazed.
On the dance floor, Mara and Tyler danced with each other formally while everyone else watched. Over the music and chatter, Mara whispered in his ear. "I won't cry for you. I won't crucify the things you do. And when you're gone, my hands will still have more blood on them than yours."
"The fuck?" Tyler wondered.
The fire alarm then went off and the sprinkler system activated. Instead of water, red wine rained down on them all ruining their white clothes. In short order, the whole hall was flooded with red liquid. The three seminarians from before then ran off having done the dastardly deed. Mara gave an annoyed look as her white dress was ruined. Several students brushed by her, falling to the floor as they did when they impacted her.
"I've assessed the situation and I'm leaving," Mara said as she went back to her dorm room.
A week later, it was the Parents Day. Kara, Brainiac 5, and Kon arrived at Midvale High wearing their typical black. "Certainly, these years were the best of your life," Brainiac 5 said.
"Are you implying everything went to shit as soon as I graduated this place?" Kara asked annoyed. "I just hope Mara is happy to see me. I left a dozen messages on her phone with no reply."
"I'm sure she will," Brainiac 5 said with false sincerity.
Principal Ream made a speech to all the students and their parents. "Midvale High was created to mold children to learn and grow in the right way, the only way." The parents all clapped to this. "The stories of murders in the forests have been greatly exaggerated, I assure you, so let's make this Parents' Day the very best."
Mara walked up to Kara, Brainiac 5, and Kon. "Oh, how I've missed your accusing eyes and cynical sneer," Kara mocked.
"I figured you were spying on my every move," Mara said cynically.
"You didn't attempt to hide your tracks at all," Kara rolled her eyes. "Using your royal rank to sack the sheriff's department and the Talon. Shocking abuse of authority."
"Since you abandoned me here, I've been slightly inconvenienced by all the murder and mayhem," Mara shot back.
"Is Midvale...too tough for you?" Kara challenged. "I went to school here for four years. Are you giving up after four weeks?"
Kara, Brainiac 5, Kon, and Mara had a chat with Principal Ream in her office. "Mara's assimilation has been rocky at best," Principal Ream began.
"Because I refuse to go along with this culture of dishonesty and denial permeating this society starting with the non-stop hypocrisy concerning my late aunt, Alexandra Danvers," Mara said bitingly.
"I've always encouraged you to speak your mind, Mara, except for...that," Kara glared. "Your sharp tongue cuts deep. I can cut deeper."
"The psychiatrist, Dr. Kong, hasn't given us the results we want," Principal Ream brought up.
"I'm not a lab rat," Mara said offended.
"Perhaps, a family session is in order," Principal Ream suggested.
"No," Mara refused.
"You know...I was going to say I don't have time for such bullshit but your automatic defiant response changes my mind," Kara said pissed off.
"And here I thought I couldn't manipulate you," Mara mocked.
"It couldn't hurt," Brainiac 5 advised.
"Of course, I'd do anything for my little girl," Kara said with false sincerity.
In Midvale, Kara, Brainiac 5, Kon, and Mara had a stroll around the town before arriving at Dr. Kong's office. "So, who wants to start? How is it for everyone with Mara away from home?"
"For me, it's been hard for me...but only in a sexual context," Kon joked.
Kara gave Kon a dirty look. "It's been torture for me," she said with false sincerity.
"Enough! My mother has been lying to me, keeping secrets, secrets that must be addressed," Mara said as she stood up. "Who was Vicki Donaghue and why is she romantically linked to your sister?" she asked as she opened a folder with her profile.
"They were just friends. This investigation of yours doesn't prove anything. Alex was an innocent woman," Kara said dismissively.
"After reading your hidden diary library in the basement, I'm not so sure," Mara revealed.
"Mara, stop!" Kara stood up to her. "This is neither the time nor place."
"Actually, this is exactly the perfect place," Dr. Kong corrected.
"Well...shit," Kara muttered but quickly recovered. "I'm not going to debate a millennium-old witch hunt with you right now."
"If you won't tell me the truth, I'll just have to excavate it, myself," Mara said fiercely.
Mara and Kara then tore out of the office. Kon smiled thoroughly amused. "Thank you for this...thank you," he said appreciatively.
Outside, the argument continued between the Queen and Princess of Earth. "What the fuck was that? You think you can ambush me with this shit?" Kara asked angrily not caring if anyone overheard.
"Did you really think I wouldn't figure it out?" Mara mocked.
"You don't know the full story. Your aunt did nothing wrong," Kara said defensively.
"Oh, but that's the problem, mother. I have only heard your heavily censored version, but it's painfully obvious the truth," Mara countered and walked off. Kara followed after her, past the statue of Alex, and into the church.
"Surely, you can find something more morbid to distract you," Kara mocked as they were now alone.
"This is personal," Mara said obviously. "You might as well tell me the truth."
"Alex internally fancied Vicki and was jealous when I gave her attention. In truth, I did everything to make her jealous. But I fixed Alex with a mind-control restriction. While here in Midvale she was pure," Kara revealed.
"And how did you manage to fix her?" Mara asked.
"I persuaded a meta-human to do it for me. Don't think I can't do it again," Kara threatened.
"Alex never married. You expect me to believe she was celibate her entire life?" Mara scoffed. "Did the mind-control you put on her ever wear off?"
"What difference does it make?" Kara asked scornfully.
"It means you imposed a religion onto this planet, a religion that condemns your own sister to hell. So, is this all a cynical attempt to manipulate and control humanity or do you really believe Alex is in hell?" Mara asked.
"It's not all or nothing, Mara. It's possible...her faith was enough," Kara said befuddled.
"And is suicide an indication of faith?" Mara asked.
"People do crazy things when they grieve," Kara said knowingly.
"Or perhaps crazy people come up with false religions full of contradictions to make them feel better," Mara accused.
"I won't have you question the sincerity of my faith," Kara said angrily.
"I'm not questioning. I'm stating matter-of-factly that you're a fraud," Mara clarified. "And I won't take part in it."
"If you leave the faith, you will never be on the throne," Kara told her.
"And put Kon on the throne instead? He's a psychopath," Mara rolled her eyes.
"That's right," Kara said seriously. "This faith belongs to Alex and it's going to live long after I'm gone. Barney will make sure of it."
"Let's be real, it's not Alex's faith. It's the faith of Jeremiah," Mara pointed out. "Your loyalty is to him, not Alex."
"Get out! Leave me!" Kara ordered Mara. She obliged exiting the church. Kara walked over to a pew and rested her hand on it, shaken and stirred.
Mara found Kon alone in the forest away from everyone. "What are you doing here?" Mara asked him as he stared at a pond with his X-ray vision.
"Fishing," he replied.
"But you don't have a fishing pole," Mara noted.
Kon fired an energy sphere into the pond forcing all the dead fish to the surface. "Impressive," Mara said dryly.
"Don't try to be nice. It doesn't suit you," Kon mocked.
"I'm leaving the Christian Church and handing the throne over to you," Mara informed him.
"Ha! You act like you always had it in the bag. We're twins, remember," Kon said dismissively.
"There's no doubt now unless...," Mara considered.
"Unless what?" Kon asked curiously.
"If you join me in the Church of Scientificity. I have no doubt they can fix you," Mara invited.
"Fix me? There's absolutely nothing wrong with me," Kon rejected.
"You may have been born disturbed but every moment you breathe on this planet, you're absorbing thetans. They're latching onto you, whispering in your ear, possessing you, weighing you down, and giving you pain and misery," Mara said.
"No shit?" Kon said wide-eyed.
Mara gave him an odd look as he wasn't taking her seriously. "You inherited mother's depression and anxiety. I did not. I'm as happy as an Insane can be," Kon assured her.
Mara found Kara in the basement library of Midvale High. Kara stared at portraits of her friends, classmates, and even enemies she killed. Kara twitched as she noticed Mara enter the room. "So, you found my library. That didn't take long," Kara said dryly.
"A room of lies and half-truths," Mara said cynically.
"You'll find that many of the truths we cling to...come from our own point of view," Kara replied.
"I have a new truth now. Through the Church of Scientificity, I have freed myself from my pain and misery toward the bridge of knowledge and tranquility," Mara said to her.
"The church of what?" Kara thought she misheard.
"Church of Scientificity. They can free you from the thetans that have been troubling you," Mara explained.
"What you're describing is a brainwashing cult," Kara doubted.
"It's the only way to end our pain and suffering," Mara insisted.
"What do you know of pain and suffering?" Kara snapped. "I lost my planet, my parents, and then I lost my Earth family and friends when I came here. I had to start over with your father. You're a spoiled brat who was given everything."
"You've been controlling my every move, grooming me to be your replacement," Mara pointed out.
"And do you know why?" Kara asked. There was an awkward silence between them. "You think there is a contradiction between my faith and Alex's fate, but there isn't. Ever since I came to this time, I've been working with Barney to build a time machine to go back to the 21st century."
"Impossible. You'll die trying," Mara said stunned.
"It's a risk I'm willing to take...for just one more moment," Kara said as she looked at Alex's portrait. "I may die, end up in another universe, or another time period with no way of coming back."
"Then, take me with you," Mara offered.
"I'm willing to die for this, but I won't let you die with me," Kara refused. "If I succeed, I will come back the moment I leave. So, you see, I can change Alex's fate from hell to heaven, death to life. There is no contradiction."
"This is suicide. Just give up your pain. I know the way now," Mara beseeched her.
"I refuse," Kara said adamantly. "I've made wrong choices in my life, turned right when I should have turned left, I know what my weaknesses are. I don't need to give me a tour of them and be hoodwinked by some con men. Guilt and pain cannot be taken away with a magic wand. They're the things we carry with us, the things that make us who we are. We lose them, we lose ourselves. I don't want my pain taken away. I need my pain!"
There was a silence between them. Kara gestured for someone else in the room to come forward, it was Lemnos. "Now, I'll seal away your mind to make you perfect just as I did to Alex. You're going to forget all about this scam religion, your little investigation into Alex, and even this conversation. This won't hurt a bit."
"Lemnos," Kara ordered.
"As you wish, Your Majesty," Lemnos said as he placed his hands on either side of Mara's head. "It is done," he said.
"You make parenting super-easy, barely an inconvenience," Kara said pleased.
"As it should be, Your Majesty," Lemnos smiled.
Kara then softened as she assumed Mara's memories were reworked. "Now, Mara, let's go upstairs and enjoy Parents Day."
"Absolutely, mother," Mara said while giving Lemnos a look.
As soon as Mara was upstairs, Kara turned to Lemnos. "You've done well. I hope that wasn't unsettling for you."
"Not at all, Your Majesty," Lemnos replied.
"I will not forget this kindness," Kara said appreciatively.
"It is but my honor to serve you, Your Majesty," Lemnos bowed his head to her.
Kara and Mara went around town to various government offices making it clear she was in charge and not her daughter. "Your sacking of this town's institutions is impressive for your age, Mara, but the game is up. I know we've had our difficulties lately, navigating this queer mother-daughter relationship. But I'm always here for you, Mara. Always."
"Sometimes when I touch something or someone, I get these very violent impulses. I don't know how to control it," Mara admitted.
"Your Insane nature is on the spectrum of who you are. Change your disposition to be more positive, like a dove. Your brother is more like a raven, more potent, more powerful. But without the proper training can lead to madness. If I could help you, I would, but I'm not Insane. Someone from your own blood must help you, preferably not your father," Kara advised.
"Father created a hologram of his mother, Rhea," Mara brought up.
"Be careful, Mara. Rhea was an Insane of great strength but her vengeance pushed her too far, and even she couldn't save herself...from me," Kara warned.
Sheriff Don came out to meet with them. "I hope we have a new understanding, sheriff," Kara said to him.
"We do," Sheriff Don nodded. "Just an aside, your daughter and my son have become kind of close. I'm not looking to create a fuss."
"I pity any boy caught in Mara's gaze, but he must be one of the good ones. Mara wouldn't tolerate anything less," Kara permitted.
"He has his mother to thank for that," Sheriff Don said reflectively.
"Well, that makes two of them," Kara smirked.
That evening, Parents Day was about to end. "As I come here, I'm reminded of all the fun investigations and the hunting down of bad guys but that was my path. You have a different path, one where you do nothing but study and not make waves," Kara ordered. "Now, don't be a stranger. If you need me for anything, I'm only a split second away."
"Thank you," Mara said and then hugged Kara.
As soon as Kara was gone, Mara went back to her usual demeanor and headed inside the school.
Mara barged into Principal Ream's office. "You're a shape-shifter," she accused.
"Where do you get off?" Principal Ream asked outraged.
"I have X-ray vision. I've known all along. I'm going to tell the Daily Planet," Mara threatened.
"You're not going to tell anyone, Mara, and it wouldn't matter if you did. Rol's parents already know what happened and fully support my decision not to involve the authorities," Principal Ream said fiercely.
"And why would they agree to that?" Mara doubted.
"Because Rol was crazy as fuck. His visions were driving him mad and he attempted to murder you twice. His tragic death was convenient for all of us," Principal Ream said.
"Wait till my mother hears about this," Mara said.
"She already knows," Principal Ream smiled. "My presence and friendship with your mother is symbolic of the peace treaty between Earth and Durla after years of conflict. Now...kindly get the fuck out of my office."
"This isn't over," Mara said defiantly and left.
That night, Mara and Dawnstar had a chat. "I can't believe my parents want to send me to a clinic to fix my wings," she said outraged.
"Your parents want you to reach your full potential. I'm shocked and appalled," Mara mocked.
"And what if my wings never do develop?" Dawnstar asked rhetorically. "What if I'm a freak and my parents hate me and call me a sinner?"
"There's a wide gap between physical disability and behavioral disability, a very wide gap, almost like apples and oranges," Mara told her.
"Wait...are you implying my wing development is akin to homosexuality?" Dawnstar asked.
"Are you?" Mara shot back.
Their conversation was interrupted by a note underneath the door. Mara picked it up and read the message. "I have to go."
Mara ventured down into the basement library and then went inside a tunnel system she had never gone down before. In sleep, he sang to me. In dreams, he came. That voice that calls to me and speaks my name. And do I dream again for now I find you're there, inside my mind," Mara said down the dark halls.
"My power over you grows stronger yet and though you turn from me to glance behind, I'm still there, inside your mind," Lemnos said as she entered a hidden chamber underneath the school. Here, Mara saw a collection of holocrons, devices that contained memories.
"Those who have seen my face are drawn to me," Mara said as she proceeded to dance with him in the waltz.
"It's me they'll hear," Lemnos smiled.
"Your/my spirit and my/your voice in one combined," they said together completely in sync together.
After the dance was over, Lemnos took out a device. He scanned Mara with it which showed a very low thetan level. "You're finally free."
The next morning, Mara was in the quad when Ulu came over. "Scram," Mara said immediately.
"Wait...do you think I'm some kind of monster or something?" Ulu asked offended.
"No, I just hate you," Mara clarified.
Ulu walked off in a huff completely dismayed.
At the Talon, Mara read a book from her smartphone. Tyler went to sit with her and gave her a cup of coffee. Mara glanced at it but said nothing. "So...would it be inappropriate if I asked you out to dinner?" he asked hopefully.
"No," Mara said, giving nothing away.
There was an awkward silence. "You're going on a date with me. That's an order," Tyler said boldly.
"Too strong," Mara corrected. "But I accept if I have nothing better to do."
"Did I do something wrong? Ever since the Raven, you've been ghosting me, treating me like shit, etc," Tyler noted.
"It's not you, it me...specifically my rank being far above yours, private," Mara explained.
"Wow...what the fuck?" Tyler said softly and walked off to get back to work.
Mara ignored him and continued her reading in peace.
Sheriff Don then entered the Talon. "Well...shit, the mayor is dead," he said to his son.
Author's Notes: The trick to the Kara vs Mara exchange was to show the positive and negative sides of their characters and arguments in such a way that one doesn't dominate the other on the moral high ground. Whereas Wednesday (TV) creates an easy resolution between Morticia and Wednesday, I wanted to go further with this divide. I did notice that they were going for a gay analogy with Enid going so far as to suggest conversion therapy. Enid resists this and seems happy with her existence as a lone-wolf reject. However, this narrative of accepting who you are and not needing to be changed goes out the window when Enid finally becomes "straight" on her own in the final episode.