Chapter 63 : Battle of Times Square’s conclusion

[Author note : uploading this from my phone… Visit my Patréon page (e instead of é) by searching for Cathbel on their website. Enjoy !]

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Supergirl's face twitched almost imperceptibly when she heard the words of the canary wearing vigilante who was getting back up. Her hearing was sometimes (most of the time) a curse… Especially when she had to hear men objectifying her like this. If only it was a rare occurrence. Unfortunately, it was far too common for her liking. At least, this one didn't say anything about wanting to 'bang the trollop' or things like that. He only called her a 'babe'. Almost flattering… Or not.

Earlier, with the winds blowing and her breaking of the sound barrier, it was hard to make out what was happening here. Apparently, the fighting had started small, with only two people : a man and a woman. And for some reason, the man in question - more of a boy, really - carried their family's shield on his chest. That much, she heard from the commentator shouting over the sound of destruction. The other was identified as 'Wonder Girl', a blonde young woman, not unlike herself.

However, currently, these two were no longer fighting each other but were rather engaged against another group. In fact, from two Metahumans or possibly aliens, there were now almost a dozen people fighting. One of them, while extremely skilled despite his young age, didn't possess powers that she could see. One was knocked out, the other getting pummeled by the man wearing their family's shield.

If she were to draw conclusions from appearance only, there were a few she might consider to be villains at a glance. The armor-wearing one for one. His appearance was frightening and would never inspire confidence if he was a hero. The man-beast laughing uproariously as the young blonde woman was doing her damndest to knock him out, was another.

Kara was puzzled and unsure what to do, who to fight. However, there was one thing she was sure of : the fighting had to end !

« Enough ! » She yelled and as she did, unknowingly created a powerful shockwave of sounds that knocked back or down anyone not strong enough to withstand it. In the distance, the windows of a few buildings even cracked or shattered.

Thankfully, it did stopped the fighting for a while. And, as the gazes of every fighters gathered on her, the young woman couldn't help but feel self-conscious. What was it that Kal said ? Always project the image of confidence, wasn't it ? Alright, then ! She couldn't show them that she didn't mean to do that. She opened her mouth once more, but this time, her volume was lowered enough to be heard, without bursting eardrums.

« I do not know the reasons for this fight, nor do I care, but it stops now ! Otherwise, prepare to face my wrath ! »

Inwardly, she cringed at what she just said. It sounded so… lame ! And a little egomaniac, as well. Like they should fear the idea of her getting involved in their battle. She didn't like it… Especially when she knew that they were people already, who feared her and her cousin because of their powers. Hopefully, they would desist from further fighting.

For a while, there was silence in Time Square. A lull of calm and tranquility after a, at first festive, and then troubled night. When no one said anything and seemingly stopped what they were doing, Supergirl hoped for a peaceful resolution of the conflict… Unfortunately, it wasn't to be.

A level and commanding voice suddenly sounded on the field, it ordered :

« Omega-level threat in the field. Prepare for retreat ! »

Kara turned to the voice, noticing a woman with white and an orange and black full-face mask, strapped with an impractical number of weapons on her person. A quick X-ray peek notified her that the woman was also quite young ; perhaps a couple of years older than her. Before she could react, the barrel of the woman's gun was aimed in her direction and, because she was preoccupied using her X-ray vision, she couldn't dodge the high-caliber, armor-piercing round fired at her. So, she was thrown back by it.

When she managed to stop her momentum, the flattened bullet fell off her forehead and to the ground. Her surprised expression soon turned into a displeased frown as she said through gritted teeth :

« That's not very nice ! »

* * * * *

For once, Kid Flash was speechless. The new arrival was… stunning, to say the least. And he wasn't only talking about her beauty or her magnificent, if a bit immature, curves. Her earlier shout was still ringing in his ears, despite his extreme healing factor. And then, she went and took a bullet from a sniper rifle to the head. Considering the beast of a gun that fired the shot, Kid Flash had no doubt that any other person taking it would have burst in a spray of blood and gore. It was actually impressive that their enemy, a relatively diminutive woman could move the way she did while carrying it around.

Supergirl on the other hand seemed barely fazed. Only annoyed. And that was another thing that left him speechless. When someone tries to hurt you, it's natural to be angry, but the young woman didn't seem very incensed. Irritated, yes, but that was it.

Sure, the speedster had heard about her cousin, Superman. The Man of Steel with so many different powers as to make Metahumans like Kid Flash feel inferior. The beacon of hope and justice that was able to talk down criminals or fight them with a mild demeanor. He assumed it was because everyone else was so much weaker than him that he never appeared to struggle or lose his temper. Seeing it with his own eyes on his younger relative however… Left him speechless.

He had to give to the white-haired woman : she had some guts. Attacking a Kryptonian and then proceeding with her attempt at retreating sure took some… Was it wise, however ? Considering what Supergirl said, maybe she and her accomplices would have been able to leave without trouble from the new arrival.

The following seconds answered his inner query : it was a calculated move on the Ravager's part ! Supergirl decided to charge at the one who attacked her first, proving that maybe she was more affected mentally than what she showed on the outside. As she neared her target however, the orange and black-clad N.O.W.H.E.R.E. enforcer jumped back while throwing pebble-like objects on the ground which burst in a green cloud. When Supergirl passed through the cloud, just as she was about to reach her opponent, she suddenly stopped, coughed and started to clutch at her own throat. She wheezed, looking at the Ravager with a mix of confusion and growing panic.

« That, little Kryptonian, was something I reserved for your clone relative over there. Given his genetic make-up, I doubted it'd have much of an effect if I ever needed it. But for a pureblood Kryptonian like you ? This weaponized Kryptonite fog can be quite debilitating. Even deadly… I have no doubt that in time, you'll be able to flush it out of your system. It'd be probably even safer if it was day time, but… » She looked up at the black night sky. « … No luck, for you ! »

She raised her left hand with her index finger out, twirled it once and turned her back on her enemy. Soon, the other members of the Ravagers followed after her.

* * * * *

As the wannabe heroes and the sidekick started to crowd around the Girl of Steel, worried. Robin gestured for everyone to take a step back :

« Let her breathe ! She's already having enough trouble as it is ! »

Meanwhile, he was crouched where the 'pebbles' were thrown on the ground, taking fragments and putting them in containers, and swabbing the pavement before putting it away in another one.

Once he was done, he took one look at Supergirl still struggling to breathe and declared :

« We have to take her to S.T.A.R.labs… I know someone there who can help ! »

* * * * *

Half an hour later, in front of S.T.A.R.labs.

A passed out Supergirl had been put on a gurney by Solstice and Wonder Girl before they carted her into the facility, accompanied by a young African-American intern. Meanwhile, Robin stood ramrod straight, arms crossed as he took in the appearance of Superman's clone, unconsciously adopting the demeanor of his mentor, when conducting an interrogation.

« Why did you help us ? » He asked after he let the silence stretch for a while.

Superboy shrugged and replied uncaringly :

« I've already explained myself to Wonder Girl. She was the one I was fighting. I didn't touch any of you… » He said as he gestured to the other boys still present. « I don't owe you an explanation. » A pause, and then he asked : « By the way… Wasn't there one more of you ? »

Kid Flash face-palmed :

« Dammit ! We forgot about Aaron ! »