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Everything was normal. Well, normal as a normal day can be. Kara has finally settled in her new position as Editor-In-Chief of Catco. Alex and Kelly were happily married and settling in quite nicely with their adoptive daughter Esme. Brainy was back from the future and would seem like he’ll be staying permanently despite his own initial concern with possible alteration of the timeline. Nia has gotten her sunshine back since Brainy’s return and was more inspired at work. J’onn was still their ever-reliable father figure though Kara did notice he was flying off to space more often than before.
Then there was Lena. Her ever beautiful and smart and generous best friend, Lena Luthor.
With Lex (presumably) and Lillian’s deaths, Luthor Corp was once again left in Lena’s hands. Though she holds majority of the power and makes the critical calls on the business, the youngest (and only) Luthor has left the day-to-day operations to Sam and has relocated the business back to Metropolis. With Andrea Rojas being part of the leadership team after the dissolution of Obsidian North, Lena was able to focus more on her new project: The Lena Luthor Foundation.
Despite everyone being busy with their own things, the Superfriends still make it a point to meet once a week for a game night or night out at the bar. Kara and Alex still have their Sisters’ Night. What hasn’t returned to normal, much to Kara’s disappointment, was her one-on-one time with Lena. They went from practically living together at her apartment after she returned from the Phantom Zone to barely seeing each other.
Kara decided that she would change that.
In two weeks time, Catco was hosting an Anniversary Gala and Kara intends to invite Lena as her plus one (much like she was the latter’s in multiple LCorp events). And much like how Lena used to take care of Kara’s attire for said occasions, the Kryptonian intends to return the favor. With a little help from the ever reliable Jess, she was able to get Lena’s usual designers and her sizes. It came to no one’s surprise that the cost of the dresses made by these designers were way out of Kara’s budget.
Deciding that maybe jewelry would be a more plausible option, Kara checked out shops recommended by Jess as well. The blonde sighed with disappointment with the prices of each piece of jewelry she knew Lena would like.
“Why is jewelry so expensive?!” She thought to herself as a pair of simple studded earrings that was shown to her amounted to around three times her current annual salary.
Kara was trying to think of another way she could procure these accessories. She was strongly considering using the “Supergirl” card when her eyes caught sight of a necklace. It was familiar, similar to the one Lena wore during the first gala the CEO invited her to. She remembers it being stolen by those goons. They were able to subdue the threat but she never got the chance to check if the stolen necklace was returned.
Kara smiled, an idea forming in her mind. Maybe it was time to take a little visit to the past.
After a quick pit stop at the Tower to borrow Brainy’s ring, Kara returned to her apartment and tried to figure out how she could pull off this “trip”.
“I’ve done this before. Shouldn’t be that hard right?” Kara said to herself as she examined the Legion ring.
The Kryptonian placed the ring on her finger and closed her eyes. Just like she did years prior during her battle with Reign, she shot up to the sky and concentrated. This was going back much farther than she did before and she needed to concentrate and get this right the first time.
Kara felt her body shaking violently from the force around her. As much as she tried to fight it, she soon found herself being thrown violently to who knows where.
Soon she felt her consciousness leave her… until there was nothing.
Kara slowly feels her consciousness return to her. She sits up and studies her surroundings, the place feeling foreign and familiar all at the same time. She gets on her feet and walks around to have a better look of the area and that is when she spots the digital billboard of her best friend (or rather the evil version of her best friend).
The Krypotonian feels shivers run through her body at the sight of the woman and she remembers vividly what almost happened to her when she first encountered the dictator. Her first instinct was to escape, to not risk her presence being known to the woman. But another side of her didn’t want to “waste the trip”. She’s pretty sure that this version of Lena had the same jewelry as her own.
It was stupid, Kara knew. But she knew this could be her only shot.
With only her instinct as her guide, Kara flew to where she remembers Metallo Lena’s headquarters. Stealthy, she navigated the complicated fortress, dodging any and all guards she could encounter.
“If I were a sentimental supervillain who hates the world for taking what used to be my normal life, where would I hide my personal belongings…” Kara thought out loud. There was only one place she could think of and knew she had to start her search there.
Entering what would have been Lena’s office in LCorp, the blonde scanned the area for signs of other people around. Sensing none, she quickly approached the lead-lined vault hidden under the dictator’s table. Using her lazer vision, she made quick work of the lock and was able to access the contents of said vault. Much to her delight, she was correct in most of her assumptions. Picking up the largest box and opening it, Kara felt like she won the jackpot when the piece of jewelry she was looking for was staring back at her.
Her luck quickly ran out when she felt the strong blast of what could only be kryptonite hit her on the back.
“What the hell do you think you are doing?”
Looking up, she saw a face that was so familiar yet so foreign to her. A sickly green glow was emanating from her chest and Kara could feel her energy draining. She knew that she had to leave… now!
But how?
Clutching the necklace close to her chest, she fiddled with Brainy’s ring and tried to make it work. A bright light of a portal opened before her. Kara’s heart raced as she felt the sharp, familiar agony of the kryptonite weakening her. She stumbled, each step more difficult than the last, as she focused all her remaining strength on reaching the portal. The air around her seemed to hum with the raw energy of the rift she had summoned, the blinding light promising escape and salvation.
Kara didn't dare look back. She could feel the malevolent presence closing in on her, each second precious and perilous.
Just a few more steps.
The excruciating pain of the kryptonite radiation caused her legs to feel like lead and her vision to become blurry. Swirling vortex of light and shadow, the portal loomed ahead, seemingly miles away but tantalizingly close. Kara's thoughts were constantly going over every scenario and calculated risk. There was no room for failure. She'd gone too far, gone through too much.
With a final, desperate lunge, Kara hurled herself into the portal. She felt the searing heat of the kryptonite intensify for a brief moment, then a cold, disorienting rush as the world around her twisted and turned. The last thing she heard was Lena’s furious scream, abruptly cut off as the portal closed behind her.
The transition between dimensions was disorienting, a whirl of light and color that left her gasping for breath. When she finally tumbled out the other side, she landed hard on a cold, metallic floor, the necklace still clutched tightly in her hand. For a moment, Kara lay there, panting, her body trembling from the exertion and the residual effects of the kryptonite.
She slowly sat up, looking around. The room was dimly lit, unfamiliar, but the air felt different—less oppressive. She had made it. She was back in her own dimension. Relief washed over her, mingled with the exhaustion that weighed heavily on her limbs.
But the relief was short-lived. A heavy thud and a flash of green light behind her made her heart drop. She turned, dread filling her as she saw Metallo Lena, her chest glowing with the deadly kryptonite, rising to her feet. The malevolent glint in Lena's eyes told Kara everything she needed to know: the dictator had followed her through the portal.
“You can’t escape me that easily, Supergirl,” Lena sneered, her voice dripping with contempt. “I’m not done with you yet.”
Kara struggled to stand, her body weak from the kryptonite’s radiation. She clutched the necklace tightly, her mind racing for a plan. She couldn’t let Metallo Lena win, not here, not now.
Drawing on every ounce of her remaining strength, Kara activated her communicator. “Brainy, I need help. Now.”
A crackle of static was followed by Brainy’s voice, tinged with urgency. “Kara, what’s happening?”
“No time to explain. Just get here. Fast.”
Lena advanced, the sickly green glow from her chest casting eerie shadows on the walls. “You’re not going anywhere, Supergirl. This ends now.”
Kara’s vision blurred, her knees buckling under the weight of the kryptonite radiation. But she stood her ground, determination blazing in her eyes. She wouldn’t let Metallo Lena win. Not here, not ever.
In a flash, Brainy materialized beside her, his face a mask of concern and resolve. He took in the scene, understanding dawning in his eyes. “Hang on, Kara. I’ve got you.”
With a swift motion, Brainy deployed a shield, its shimmering surface blocking the kryptonite’s deadly rays. Lena’s expression twisted in rage as she pounded against the barrier.
“We need to get out of here,” Brainy said, his voice urgent. “Can you move?”
Kara nodded weakly, leaning on Brainy for support. “Let’s go.”
Together, they moved towards the exit, Lena’s furious screams echoing behind them. They had won this battle, but Kara knew the war was far from over. With Metallo Lena now in their dimension, the stakes had never been higher. But as long as they stood together, Kara knew they could face whatever came next.
Alex finished her examination and sat down beside Kara, her expression serious but caring. “Kara, I need you to explain something to me. Why did you go to another dimension, risking everything to retrieve a necklace?”
Kara sighed, her gaze meeting Alex’s. “It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I wasn’t trying to go to another dimension, especially not that one. I wanted to go back in time to find something that is special to Lena, our Lena.”
Alex’s expression softened, understanding dawning in her eyes.
As Kara lay back on the medical bed, trying to recover from the kryptonite exposure, she mustered the strength to continue the conversation. The room was filled with a mixture of beeping monitors and the low hum of the equipment, providing a strange sense of calm despite the recent chaos.
"Alex, I wanted to do something special for Lena. Something to show her how much she means to me. That's why I went to find the necklace. I thought it could be a gift, something meaningful, especially when I invite her to the CatCo gala."
Alex tilted her head, curiosity and concern in her eyes. "The CatCo gala? Kara, that's... wow. That's a big step. But why the necklace?"
Kara took a deep breath, her eyes shimmering with emotion. "Lena used to do these incredible, thoughtful things for me all the time. She'd plan surprises, bring me coffee, be there for me in ways that no one else was. I want to show her that I can be there for her too, that I can make her feel special and appreciated. The gala seemed like the perfect opportunity to do that, to make it clear how much she means to me. The necklace was just a part of that plan."
Brainy, who had been listening intently, nodded in understanding. "A gesture like that can convey a lot more than words sometimes. It shows effort, thoughtfulness, and deep care."
Alex smiled warmly, her hand still holding Kara’s. "Kara, that's beautiful. And I think it’s a wonderful idea. Lena will see how much you care, how much you’ve always cared."
Kara’s eyes filled with hope. "I just hope I don’t mess it up. I want everything to be perfect. Lena deserves that."
"You won’t mess it up," Alex assured her. "Just be yourself. That’s what Lena loves about you. Your heart, your kindness, your bravery. Those are the things that matter most."
Kara smiled, feeling a wave of warmth and gratitude. "Thank you. I couldn’t do this without you."
Alex squeezed her hand gently. "You’re never alone, Kara. Remember that. Now, get some rest. We’ll handle everything else for now."
Alex's eyes widened in alarm as she glanced at the monitors. "Intruder alert! How did she find us?"
The former agent clenched her fists, determination etched on her face as Metallo Lena comes into view. "We need to stop her. Brainy, alert the rest of the team. We can't let her get to Kara."
In a flash, Brainy sent out the emergency signal to the rest of the Superfriends. Within minutes, J'onn J'onzz, Dreamer, and Lena Luthor arrived, their faces set with grim determination. Lena's eyes were particularly intense, a mixture of worry and resolve.
"We need to contain her," Alex briefed them quickly. "Lena, stay close to Kara and protect her. The rest of us will confront Metallo Lena and keep her from reaching the infirmary."
Lena nodded, her jaw tight with worry. "Be careful," she said, her voice barely a whisper.
As Alex, J'onn, Brainy, and Nia headed towards the source of the disturbance, Lena made her way to the infirmary. She found Kara attempting to sit up, her face pale but determined.
"Kara, you need to stay here," Lena urged, her voice filled with concern.
"Lena, I can't just sit here while everyone else is fighting," Kara protested weakly. "I need to help."
"You're not in any condition to fight right now," Lena insisted, her eyes pleading. "Please, Kara. Let us handle this."
Before Kara could respond, the door to the infirmary burst open, and Metallo Lena stood there, her eyes glowing with rage and her chest emanating a sickly green light.
"Where is it?" Metallo Lena demanded, her voice a cold snarl. "Give me the necklace, or everyone here dies."
Lena stepped forward, placing herself between Kara and the intruder. "You'll have to go through me first."
Metallo Lena smirked, her mechanical parts whirring ominously. "So you are the Lena in this universe. No wonder your Kara ran away."
Lena's eyes flashed with anger, but before she could respond, Alex, J'onn, Brainy, and Nia arrived, surrounding Metallo Lena. J'onn transformed into his Martian form, his eyes glowing with power. "Step away from them, now."
Metallo Lena snarled, unleashing a blast of kryptonite energy. J'onn intercepted it with his telekinetic abilities, but the strain was evident.
"Brainy, now!" Alex shouted.
Brainy activated his ring, a pulsing wave of energy shot out, resonating with Metallo Lena’s kryptonite core. She screamed, her mechanical parts sparking and malfunctioning as the counter-frequency destabilized her systems.
Nia stepped forward, her eyes glowing with dream energy. She conjured a powerful dream blast, striking Metallo Lena and sending her reeling. The combined assault from the Superfriends began to overwhelm her, forcing her to retreat.
"You won't win," Metallo Lena hissed, her voice distorted by the failing mechanics. "I'll be back."
With a final, desperate lunge, Metallo Lena escaped through a breach she created in the wall, disappearing into the night.
Breathing heavily, the team regrouped. Alex turned to check on Kara, who was still being guarded by Lena.
"Kara, are you okay?" Alex asked, her voice filled with concern.
Kara nodded, though she looked exhausted. "I'm fine. Thanks to all of you."
Lena's eyes softened as she looked at Kara. "We couldn't let her hurt you.”
Kara took a deep breath and reached into her pocket, pulling out the necklace she had retrieved from Metallo Lena's vault. She held it out to Lena, her eyes filled with a mixture of hope and nervousness.
"Lena, this is for you," Kara said, her voice trembling slightly. "I wanted to give you something special, something that means a lot to you. I know it’s the necklace that was stolen from you before."
Lena's eyes widened in surprise as she took the necklace from Kara's hand. She turned it over, recognizing it immediately. "Kara, this... this is the necklace my mother gave me. I thought it was lost forever."
Kara smiled softly, relief washing over her. "I wanted to find it for you, to show you how much you mean to me. You've always been there for me, and I wanted to do something special for you. I was hoping you would wear it to the CatCo gala with me."
Lena's eyes filled with tears, her expression a mix of astonishment and gratitude. "Kara, I can't believe you did this. It means more to me than you could ever know."
Kara reached out and gently took Lena's hand. "You mean the world to me, Lena. I wanted to show you that."
Lena smiled through her tears, squeezing Kara's hand. "Thank you, Kara. I’d be honored to go to the gala with you."
Kara felt a surge of happiness and relief. "I’m so glad. I wanted everything to be perfect."
Lena nodded, her eyes shining with emotion. "It already is, Kara. You've made it perfect just by being you."
As the team regrouped and began to discuss their next steps, Kara felt a renewed sense of hope and determination. With Lena by her side, she knew they could face any challenge together. And with the necklace now returned, she felt that their bond had grown even stronger. The future, despite its uncertainties, looked brighter with Lena by her side.