"Kara Zor-El. Daughter of Zor-El and Alura In-Ze. Niece of Nim-El, Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van, and cousin to Kal-El," Kelex says. "Minutes after Kal-El was sent to Earth, Kara followed in a similar pod. Both are the last surviving Kryptonians. Kara was meant to protect and raise Kal-El and teach him about Krypton so its legacy would be remembered."

"Thank you, Kelex," Clark says.

"You have a cousin," Conner states.

"I had no idea."

"Kelex said she was sent to Earth with you, to protect you. How is that possible? She's just a kid." Dick says. He and Bruce accompanied Conner and Clark to the Fortress of Solitude, needing to know more about the new Kryptonian who destroyed half of S.T.A.R. Labs and a city block yesterday evening.

"Kryptonians age slower on Earth," Conner begins.

"But Clark has been here for over thirty years and he looks like an adult. If she's been here the same amount of time, it would show."

"Unless she hasn't," Bruce adds. "Kelex, how old was Kara when Krypton was destroyed?"

"Approximately seventeen Earth years."

"That would make her nearly fifty," says Dick.

"How is that possible?" asks Clark.

"The Phantom Zone," Brue states.

"Come again?"
Bruce pulls up all information on the Phantom Zone on the Fortress computer, if you could even call it that. It's a giant hologram depicting visual and written information. "Last year, when Conner was imprisoned in the Phantom Zone, we discovered he wasn't the only Kryptonian who had been sentenced there."

"General Zod," Dick says.

"He and his family might have not been the only Kryptonians to escape with Conner. Time doesn't pass in the Phantom Zone."

"How would she have even gotten trapped in the Phantom Zone?" Clark begins. "And if she was and escaped, shouldn't she have been on Earth this whole time? We would've noticed her if she was, been able to help her."

"Kelex said she left Krypton after you, it's possible the shockwave from its explosion knocked her pod off course."
"And into the Phantom Zone," Dick finishes.

"That doesn't explain why this is only the first time we're seeing her. We need to find her," Clark insists.

"I know you think she's your family Clark," Bruce starts. "But she attacked the Team unprompted. She attacked Conner when she saw him wearing that 'S'. What do you think she'll do to you when she sees you? She thinks you're dead."

"Which means someone has to have told her that. Whoever did clearly doesn't want her to know about me. She's being influenced. She needs help, not a fight."

"She didn't seem too interested in talking last night," Dick says.

Bruce narrows his eyes. "Just because she wears that symbol doesn't mean she's innocent. It doesn't mean someone's corrupting her."

"She's looking for a Mother Box. I only know of one person who's ever shown interest in obtaining them," Clark defends.

"Even if she were with Darkseid, it doesn't mean she's being controlled or manipulated."

"And if she is? Are you just going to shoot her with kryptonite? Not even give her a chance?"

"That depends on how big of a fight she puts up."


"What do you mean nothing?" Cassie demands.

"I mean it's league business," Dick says again. "She's Kryptonian and possibly working with Darkseid. And Mary is helping her. This isn't a joke."

"If it's as big of a deal as you're making it out to be, this should be an all hands on deck situation!"

"They told us to sit tight, Cassie. Until they tell us they need us, we have our own assignments."

She scoffs and Dick sighs. "Anyone else have any questions?" No one speaks. "Good. Now, on a different matter, we're sending a covert team to Santa Prisca."

"Santa Prisca? What business do we still have with the League of Shadows?" asks Cassie.

"They're a group of terrorist assassins. Our business doesn't end." Dick pauses. "Batman thinks Lady Shiva is organizing an attack in Gotham. Better to be prepared and have intel. Tigress will lead Orphan, Robin, Spoiler, and Arrowette on the mission."

Cassie doesn't hear the rest of Dick is saying. She doesn't doubt it's important, it's just she's not part of it. Her mind wanders to the battle with Kara.


"Of course the Justice League are the ones who get to deal with it, all I get are stupid bank robberies and the occasional Gotham bad guy," she says to Barbara.

They're in Babs's house currently, it's where Cassie goes anytime she needs to let off steam.

"What is with you?" Barbara asks. "You're still out there fighting. Why do you want to be part of some giant battle where you could get yourself killed?"

"No it's not that, I just-"

"Is it because of Tim?"

Cassie pauses. She and Tim broke up a bit ago. They had tried to make it work after he joined Batman Inc. without telling her, but after many months of a strained relationship, things ended. He went in his own direction and she joined the Outsiders. Things were fine. Except he's part of the Batfamily. He's out doing a bunch of important things and going on missions for Nightwing and the League. And now he's doing them with Stephanie.

"What? No. I joined the Outsiders to make a difference and not sit on the sidelines. But now it's like they're benching me even more than they did before the Outsiders were even a thing."

"Right," Barabara says. "It's not because he and Steph are all of a sudden doing all the things you two used to do together. Because she's also part of Batman Inc.?"

"No, of course not. If anything I want to take my mind off that. And Cissie's gone to Santa Prisca with them so you get to hear about my problems."

Barbara sighs. "Look, Cass, I know you want more action. But action is overrated. Look what it did to me. I know you want to feel like you're doing something, but those bank robberies and occasional Gotham villains are how you help. One day you'll be part of the League, but you're still young. Enjoy it."

"Cissie just insults the rest of the team with me," Cassie says. "I think I like her advice better."

Barbara laughs, "I know."