She arrived on Earth in a mysterious Symbio-Ship with false
memories and awesome powers and abilities beyond that of mortal men and women....

Issue #6

Who Is Power Girl?

Part Six: Origins

Written By Paul Daimler

Power Girl tasted blood in her mouth and her body was consumed by pain even as her powers ebbed away again. None of this was noticed by her as she looked up in the air at the Earth 2 Superman and an adult Kara of Argo City floating above them.

Beside her an Earth 2 doppelganger Power Girl stood, fists clenched, gaping at Superman and Kara of Argo City as well.

"Mother?" Power Girl blinked. "Did you say you're my mother? How is that possible?"

"It's a long story." Kara of Argo City replied. "One that might not even be true for much longer. You are in flux again. And your history is fluid again. How you handle yourself in the next few hours will determine who you are and who you'll be."

"Come again?" Power Girl blinked pulling herself to her feet.

Power Girl's Earth 2 doppleganger—Power Girl 2 turned and looked at her, her fists clenched tightly. It looked as though she might launch herself at Power Girl again. Power Girl didn't know if she could deal with another onslaught. She had only survived the beginning of the battle because her powers had been back in full force. But, since then her powers had faded out again. Even her exo-skeleton, given to her by Superman of her Earth, was shorted out and had been since getting her butt handed to her by Brainiac 2.5 at the Dawn of Time.

"Kal?" Power Girl 2 asked, practically foaming at the mouth. "Who are these people? And, why does that lady next to you look like my dead mother?"

"It's complicated Kara. Let's go back to my Fortress and we can all talk this out and figure it out without pounding on each other."

"I don't know that any of this makes sense." Power Girl said, wiping the blood from her lip. "You're too young to be my mother."

"I was lost in time sweetie." Kara called down. "We can talk about all of this back at the Fortress of Solitude."

"Kal... I don't buy any of it." Power Girl 2 said, "Just so you know. I don't trust these two. I think they're up to something and I don't think it's smart to take them back to the Fortress."

"Why are you overreacting?" Power Girl asked. "I don't ever remember being so volatile. I remember being a lot more even-tempered. Although I did pound on Wildcat more than I probably should of, but in my defense he did refer to me as Power Chick and Babe far more than anyone else—and anyone else would have gotten their face beat in the first time they tried that."

"I AM NOT OVERREACTING!" Power Girl 2 screamed. She pulled back to punch Power Girl with all of her might. However, before she could even snap her fist in the direction of Power Girl, Superman was between them blocking the punch.

"KARA! CALM YOURSELF!" Superman screamed.

"I CAN'T!" Power Girl 2 screamed back as tears exploded from her eyes. "When she's near me I can see an entire different life in my head! She's messing with my memories! And, in them I see you and Lois abandon me after that battle with the Anti-Monitor and I see my entire life taken from me, wiped away in a minute and replaced with lies and false memories and fake pasts and powers that come and go and change and I don't know who I am! DON'T YOU GET THAT?!" Power Girl 2 screamed at Power Girl. "When you're around, I don't know who I am! I'm not the Supergirl of Earth 2! I'm not Superman's cousin! I'm not Karen Starr Software Expert at UCC! I'm someone without a past!"

"I've never been that angry..." Power Girl shook her head, feeling Power Girl 2's own rage in her own head. "I've spend a lot of time confused, but I've always known who I was, even if I didn't know who I was."

"Sweetie," Kara of Argo City said, landing next to Power Girl, "You have to accept that you've spent a lot of time afraid and confused. Since the Crisis you have allowed yourself to become sad and bitter and longing for a past that was no longer yours."

"But, it is still mine. And, it's all right here." Power Girl spread her arms out, gesturing to Earth 2 all around her. "It's been here the whole time. All those years struggling to make an Atlantean heritage fit, trying to figure out why my powers were changing all the time. Always feeling like I didn't belong... I didn't. I never belonged there. I belong here."

"But, sweet daughter," Kara began, "You don't belong here. This place is no longer your home. Don't you remember what Superman said to you earlier, when you first saw him at the Daily Star? He hasn't seen you since the Crisis. You haven't existed here since the Crisis on Infinite Earths left you in the newly recreated Universe. That Power Girl was created the moment you set foot here, being born from your fears and insecurities. She isn't real. You are."

"TELL HER I'M REAL! KAL! TELL HER I'M REAL!" Power Girl 2 screamed, struggling against her cousin. Superman managed to keep her back.

"Just calm down, and let the woman speak." Superman said sadly.

"Then, I'm home. I'm finally home." Power Girl replied.

"You're not. This isn't real. Earth 2 doesn't exist anymore." Kara of Argo City said, her voice very soft and very tender. "This is a dream world."

"Then how are we here?"

"Because that shimmering light you went through at the Dawn of Time—the First Light which is the Source from which all creation came holds all realities and all possibilities and everything that ever was and ever will be. Just because Earth 2 is no more, doesn't mean that it's shade is gone. This is the ghost of Earth 2. A dream. And, it's only solid and real because you're here. You are one of the last real survivors of Earth 2." Kara of Argo City took Power Girl's hands and held them tightly, squeezing them.

"I'm real! I swear I'm real. This is all real! TELL HER TO SHUT UP!" Power Girl 2 continued screaming as her tears became hysterical sobs. "Tell her to shut up! Kal, make her shut up! Or I'm going to pound her! I swear! I swear by Rao and by Krypton and by all that is good, I will pound that witch until she's dead!"

"Kara, calm yourself. Everything will be alright." Superman said soothingly, his voice filled with pain over his surrogate daughter's blight.

"NO! IT'S NOT GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT! SHE'S GOING TO TAKE EVERYTHING FROM ME!" Power Girl 2 shrieked, tossing Superman aside.

She lunged at Power Girl, knocking Kara of Argo City aside.

In those instances, Power Girl could feel the murderous rage in her doppelganger and knew that if she got her hands on her, she'd die and Power Girl 2 would be all that was left.

Although her strength powers had faded again, she still could fly.

Power Girl leapt into the sky, pushing herself as fast as she could go.

She could hear the screams of Power Girl 2 behind her.

It had been a full day since her last attempt on Ambassador Kirkarius's life. And the man had gone into hiding. It had taken some time, but Anath had discovered his whereabouts after tapping into his cell phone using equipment Lady Star-Fyre had given her. Using the equipment, Anath had traced the signal to a small sleazy motel not far from Roosevelt Municipal Airport

With high powered binoculars, Anath surveyed the motel and watched the room the cell signal emanated from. She had been watching for several hours, and had detected no movement, only that the curtains to the room were tightly drawn.

Anath put the binoculars away and headed toward the motel, moving at super-speed to avoid detection. She would appear as a blur to most people if she moved in front of them—a temporary darkness like a puff of smoke. She reached the door to the Ambassador's room. Without hesitation, she kicked the door in. The door splintered from the force of the kick, sending a shower of wood fragments into the room. The door tore from it's hinges, landing with a loud crash on the floor. Anath pressed forward into the room.

"Well, well." Ambassador Kirkarius said from where he sat in a chair. He was pointing a slender silver pistol at her. Anath recognized it as the MS76. The same weapon she had used to render Power Girl powerless. Although, it hadn't quite worked that way. Lady Star-Fyre had given it to her, telling her it was a proto-type—the only one of it's kind, made especially for her by her weapon's master. "If it isn't Anath. The president's former mistress and current art student in America. Come here dressed as an assassin to kill me. To betray her country and her people."

"I come here to kill you to honor my country and my people." Anath replied. The MS76 had only made Power Girl's powers flicker on and off. Would it have the same effect on her? Would she truly miss her powers? She had only agreed to them when Lady Star-Fyre mentioned that a meta-human assassin might have a better chance of killing the Ambassador and assisting the rebellion in Bialya. She had never wanted to be a meta-human hero or villain. She just wanted to fight for her people and do the best that she could for them. "For crimes against our people, you must die. And if you shot me with that weapon, and rob me of these powers, then so be it. But, not even that will stop me from putting a bullet between your eyes. I do not need super-powers to pull a trigger."

Anath pointed her pistol at Ambassador Kirkarius, using the scope to target the spot she wanted to put the bullet.

"How do you know what this weapon is capable of? Lady Star-Fyre told me that it was one of a kind."

Anath could not keep herself from gasping.

"Lady Star-Fyre? She gave you that weapon?" Anath felt her blood go cold and her heart freeze in place. Had she been double-crossed? She'd heard whispers that Lady Star-Fyre could not be trusted—that she only funded the rebellion and the insurrection because it suited her needs to have Bialya's leadership change. And, it was also widely known that both of her sisters had ruled Bialya for a time, both under the guise of the Queen Bee.

Anath was quiet for several moments, considering all of this. Lady Star-Fyre had betrayed her. And, if she was working with Ambassador Kirkarius, then she was working with the President. And, she was involved with the regime. And therefore probably just as responsible for the death of Anath's family and village.

"Then, after I kill you, I will hunt her down." Anath said finally, her blood boiling.

"Now, Anath don't be rash. I gave Lady Star-Fyre very good money to have her assassins, her so-called Hate League assassinate you. And, I am here as a trap. I figure that they should be here... oh, right about now."

Anath spun around to find the five members of the Hate League blocking the doorway.

"Hello Anath." Serpentina said, her voice smooth and slick. The green scales of her dress sparkled in the afternoon sunlight.

"Serpentina." Anath nodded. She looked from Serpentina and the rest of the Hate League, back to Kirkarius, who was watching with a wide smile. He was obviously amused by this twist. He also had relaxed his grip on the MS76. "It doesn't take a genius to figure out I've been replaced."

"Replaced?" Kirkarius blinked. "What does that mean?"

"It means that I was contracted to kill you. I took the job for a very nominal fee due to my own grudge and hatred of you." Anath replied, "But, it looks as though my employeer has sent in the big guns."

"They are here because I contracted them to take you out." Kirkarius said, sounding nervous. Sweat began to form on the man's forehead.

"Really? Interesting. The only person I'm aware of that jobs for the Hate League go through is the same person that hired me to off you." Anath said, her mind whirling as a dozen pieces began to fall into place. She'd been double-crossed. Had Star-Fyre been playing her this whole time?

"Lady Star-Fyre?" Kirkarius gasped as his own mind grasped what was going on here. "She said... no. That's impossible. Her family has long supported our regime... she is loyal to her people... she—" Kirkarius paused, then he regained his composure as he looked from the Hate League in the doorway to Anath standing between them. "It would appear that we've both been played against one another by Lady Star-Fyre. Perhaps we should talk. Perhaps we are not enemies after all. Let us be allies and show Lady Star-Fyre that we do not appreciate being toyed with."

"I would never ally myself with you." Anath said coolly, "We may both be conspired against by the same woman. But, that does not make you and I allies. You are my enemy and a scourge upon this Earth. You are a cancer that has eaten away at our people. You are a blight upon my soul."

Anath made her decision in a moment, even as Serpentina lead the other members of the Hate League into the room.

Anath moved quickly. She snapped the trigger of her gun, sending the bullet spiraling in Kirkarius's direction. Then with a blast of super-speed she dashed over to him, liberated the MS76 from his hand and was back in the place she'd been standing before the bullet tore through Ambassador Kirkarius's skull, sending a shower of brain tissue and skull out the other side as the man fell backwards. It happened so fast that Kirkarius was dead before his brain could even comprehend he was being shot at.

"Very impressive." Tamaria said, stepping into the room. Her hands glowed with arcs of solar energy.

"We were contracted to kill Kirkarius too." Morbid Doll was petulant, "And, now you've cost us a lot of money by doing it for us."

"Perhaps Lady Star-Fyre will allow us collect Anath's fee." Sahara the Amazon said.

"I doubt it you're going to be alive to collect anything." Anath replied coolly. She had already figured out the odds in her head, she had only a very slim chance of making it out of the room alive—and even that would involve some pretty painful wounds. She felt the cool metal of the MS76 she'd taken from Kirkarius in her hand. Another one was in a holster at her hip. Two MS76's, one high powered handgun in her other hand, and a small rifle slung over her back, plus a handful of small grenades and various other explosive items. There were five of them and they were all highly trained and much better than she was.

"I like your bravado." Serpentina said, smiling wickedly. "But even you can't be dense enough to think you can take us all. You are enhanced. Super-speed, increased strength and stamina. But, that's not enough against the five of us."

"Maybe I don't have to take you all." Anath shrugged, mainly talking to buy time as her mind tried to put together a reasonable escape. "Maybe just a few of you. Enough of you to get out of here."

"Impossible." Serpentina laughed. "We are unstoppable."

"There is no such thing." Anath replied.

With that, Jade Tiger sprung across the room to deliver a round-house kick to Anath's face.

Anath's super-speed saved her from the blow enabling her to avoid it.

As the other four members of the Hate League surged toward her, Anath fired a single shot from the MS76 in her hand. The red laser ray struck Morbid Doll directly in the chest.

Morbid Doll laughed, removing a knife from her belt. "It's going to take more than your little laser to hurt me. My skin is pliant and soft. It's plastic, baby. It can take any impact. Any weapon. And regenerate."

"Not anymore." Anath said, "Feel that weird tingling yet?"

Morbid Doll frowned as the weird tingling feeling enveloped her.

"Doll!" Serpentina screamed, "That was the MS76 she shot you with!"

"The what?" Morbid Doll asked, just as Anath punched her square in the face.

"Did you feel that? How did your suddenly soft and easily damaged flesh take that?"

Blood exploded from her nose and Morbid Doll fell to the ground as for the first time since her meta-gene had kicked in, she felt pain in her flesh. It was more than she could cope with. Years of feeling no pain of being impervious to injury, and Morbid Doll passed out that second her head slammed against the floor.

"And now there are four." Anath said, as the four remaining members of the Hate League surrounded her, forming a circle blocking her in the center of the room.

"The MS76 is not going to be very effective on the rest of us." Sahara said, drawing a sword. "The rest of us do not rely on a meta-gene as Morbid Doll does."

"Perhaps." Anath said, sizing the other four women up. While taking out Morbid Doll had reduced the numbers in her favor, she would have preferred if she could have taken one of the other four out. Morbid Doll as the weakest of the five. Her only asset was her skin being plastic. She was a poor hand-to-hand combatant and bad at figuring out how to handle herself in battle.

"It is true." Tamaria said, "While my powers come from genetic splicing and experimentation, I am Tamaran. We do not have meta-genes."

"You do have a big mouth." Anath retorted, "And you are close enough to hit." Anath snapped off five shots in quick succession from the pistol she'd used to assassinate Kiurkarius at Tamaria.

Tamaria was fast enough to evade all but one. The bullet lodged it's self in her leg and caused the woman to break formation, leaving a space in the circle they'd formed around her. Anath used the break to bolt, moving at super-speed through the door and out into the afternoon.

Moving as quickly as her legs would take her, she moved far away from the hotel and toward Century City. She could loose them in the city, and find a place to hide out until she could figure out her next step. If Lady Star-Fyre had turned on her, then she wasn't safe.

Power Girl had flown half-way across the globe before Power Girl 2 caught her over the frozen wastes of Antarctica. Power Girl 2 ripped Power Girl from the sky, and the two of them plummeted to the icy landscape below.

They slammed with such intensity into a polar ice cap that it shattered, sending massive daggers of ice flying in all directions. Power Girl 2 took the brunt of the impact, saving Power Girl. Although her super-strength and super-stamina had returned—she wasn't invulnerable. Nearly invulnerable, but not enough that slamming into the polar ice caps wouldn't have killed her.

"Why are you doing this?" Power Girl moaned in pain as Power Girl 2 promptly began throttling her again. Her near invulnerability was all that kept Power Girl 2's fingers from crushing her neck like an aluminum can.

"BECAUSE YOU'RE EVIL! YOU ARE GOING TO DESTROY ME! YOU'RE GOING TO STEAL EVERYTHING FROM ME! AND LEAVE ME HALF THE WOMAN I WAS MEANT TO BE!" Power Girl 2 screamed, irrationally.

"You're killing me!" Power Girl said, choking on the words. It was so difficult to get them out when those super-strong fingers were trying to choke her. "You're a hero! Heroes don't kill!"

Power Girl 2 did not respond, she merely screamed gutturally, like a wild animal.

"STOP!" Power Girl screamed. As the adrenaline flooded her system, it felt like something clicked in her. And with a flood of energy, her super-strength increased. "GET OFF OF ME!"

Power Girl brought her fist up, slamming it into the side of Power Girl 2's face. She thought she heard something crack. Power Girl 2 screamed out, releasing her grip on Power Girl's neck. Power Girl knocked the woman off of her, pulling herself to her feet.

"I've about had it with you beating on me!" Power Girl yelled, "Not cool! We're the same person! Don't you get that?! We're the same person! Just because I'm from Atlantis and Kara of Argo City appears to be my mom now, doesn't mean I'm not still the same old Power Girl from Earth 2. I'm the same! I just have a different background!"

"SHUT UP!" Power Girl 2 said, covering her ears. "I'M NOT LISTENING!"

"You're going to listen. And, you're going to listen good." Power Girl said, going over and pulling Power Girl 2's hands off her ears. "Listen to me: I am you, and you are me. Whether we're from Krypton or Atlantis, we're still Power Girl. And if we believe anything different, and allow ourselves to let ourselves be defined by what the world wants us to be or says we should be, then we are nothing. We are only what they think we should be. And, that's no kind of life."

"Stop. Please. Stop." Power Girl 2 was sobbing again, "Please. Just shut up. Shut up. Shut up. Shut up. Just stop talking."

"No. You have to hear this. We have to hear this. We're just as good now as we were then." Power Girl said.

"Listen to her Kara." Superman said, landing next to Power Girl 2. "She's telling you the truth."

"No. I don't believe it Kal. I can't believe it." Power Girl 2 shook her head defiantly.

"But, you must. The world will change. And, if you want to survive you have to change with it. Otherwise you will never find your place. You have to stop fighting to be what you were, and start fighting to be who you are now." Superman said, holding Power Girl 2 tightly, hugging her with the strength he was known for and with the love of a father for his only daughter.

"Shhh... it's OK. It's OK Kara. I promise you. It's OK." He soothed her as best he could. "Just cry it out. Let it all go. It's all right. It's all going to be all right."

Power Girl watched this, tears welling up behind her own eyes. The past years of pain and hurt surfaced in her heart in a way they never had before and she realized that she had walked around with a chip on her shoulder since the Crisis. Whining, undermining herself, being a big baby because she just couldn't accept that this was the way it was now.

Kara of Argo City landed next to Power Girl.

"Are you OK?" She asked, putting an arm around Power Girl's shoulders.

"I'm not sure. I'm so confused." Power Girl shook her head.

"It's OK. This is a confusing place." Kara of Argo City replied. "And, it's more confusing out there... outside of this shadow world."

"I should go over there." Power Girl said.

Power Girl walked over to Superman and Power Girl 2. She tapped Superman on the shoulder.

"Give me a minute with her." She said quietly.

"I don't know..." Superman said, but then he caught Kara of Argo City's eye and took a step back. "Sure."

Power Girl took Power Girl 2's hands in her own.

"It's going to be OK. I promise. Everything is going to be OK now." Power Girl told her doppelganger. "There is no reason for us to fight. It doesn't have to be one or the other. We can both be without somehow disparaging the other one."

"I don't know what you mean." Power Girl 2 sniffled.

"Yes. Yes, you do." Power Girl replied firmly. She hugged her doppelganger tightly.

The two Power Girls flickered in and out for a second like a fading TV signal, and then their flickering ended and one Power Girl stood there. She was wearing a version of her original costume, only slightly updated. The gold buckle on her belt was smooth and unblemished.

"Are you OK?" Kara of Argo City asked.

"Kara?" Superman asked unsurely.

"I'm fine. For the first time in a really long time I feel completely fine." Power Girl said quietly. She touched her forehead. "I remember everything that was and everything that is. And, I'm OK. It's all OK."

She ran into the arms of Superman and Kara of Argo City, hugging them both tightly.

After several long minutes, she pulled out of their embrace.

"I think you promised meatloaf?" Power Girl said, "I'd love to see Lois."

Superman smiled widely, although he still seemed a little confused.

"Let's go." He said.

"Are you coming?" Power Girl asked Kara of Argo City.

"No. I'm going to wait here." Kara of Argo City said, "After you've had your evening with Clark and Lois, meet me back here."

Power Girl felt a tremor of fear interrupt the happiness flooding her, her blue eyes clouding over as she saw the expression in Kara's eyes.

"What's wrong? I can tell by your eyes that something is wrong." Power Girl said.

"It's time to go my daughter." Kara said. "Back to our Universe."

"This is my Universe. Earth 2 is my home." Power Girl said defensively.

"She just got back!" Superman protested. "And we dealt with whatever weirdness split her into two there."

"Please, Superman..." Kara of Argo City shook her head, then turned to Power Girl, "This isn't your home. Not anymore. As I told you earlier, this isn't really Earth 2. At least not the one you remember now. The one you lived on. The one you came from. It's merely a shadow of what Earth 2 was. A memory given odd life by the First Light."

"A shadow..." Power Girl said softly. Had Earth 2 ever been this perfect? Or was this just how it was in her memory? She realized it didn't really matter. This world wasn't real. She could feel it in her bones and smell it in the air. There was something canned and artificial.

"Why can't she stay?" Superman asked.

"Because this world isn't real." Kara said, putting her hands on her hips. "She has to return with me. If she does not leave this place, then she can never leave."

"I miss my home. My family here." Power Girl said, realizing after all of these years what she had lost during the Crisis. Her place and heritage had been stolen, erased and replaced in the reformed Universe. Only regaining these memories and standing here in a ghost world, did she realize the depth of this loss.

"This is not your home anymore. This world is a memory. It's not real. It's not breathing. If you stay here, it will take the life from you as well and soon you'll be nothing more than memory." Kara said, "This world is a trap. Had you not merged with your doppelganger, she would have killed you and you would have ceased to be. Didn't you listen to anything you just told yourself? About accepting who you are now?"

"I know." Power Girl said, able to hear that fear and desperation in her voice that she had heard in Power Girl 2's voice earlier. "I just don't want to lose it all again. For once, I finally feel like I belong."

"You do belong. Out there in your world. The real world. And, you can feel the truth of that in your heart. And in your soul. Your Earth 2 ceased to be after the Crisis. You survived where many did not. The new Universe made a place for you. But, your mind fought has fought it every step of the way. That's why your new origins never made sense. It's why the Universe made reasons for your powers to change and activated a meta-gene within you. It's why everything has happened the way it has for you. You have never accepted your new place in the new Universe. You can't keep fighting the truth."

"What is the truth?" Superman asked defensively.

"The truth is that I am your mother. When Brainiac 2.5 knocked me through the First Light it sent me back through time. I landed in World War II America and became the Golden Age Power Girl. And, then during a battle with Blackstarr that opened a portal through time and space, I was sent even further back through time, landing in Ancient Atlantis. There I met and married the only son of Arion, Lord of Atlantis and his bride Lady Chian. Your father Zarion. We had two children. Your older brother Khater and then you." Kara of Argo City said quietly, "There were certain genetic flaws in both you and your brother when you were born, flaws created by the mixture of my alien DNA and your father's homo-magi DNA. Your grandfather Arion used a combination of magic and science to save you both. This enhanced both of you, so that you were more than just empowered by my heritage, but stronger. Also an inherit connection to magic flows through your veins. While it's often been exploited to control you, ultimately it gives you powers beyond what you currently have—once you figure out how to unlock that. It was the same flaw that allowed Gar Danuuth to attempt to use you as a vessel for his return—and the reason your grandfather had to send you to the future for your own protection."

"I don't know what kind of malarkey you're peddling lady," Superman said. "She's my cousin. She isn't related to some Atlantean lord. Her parents are Zor-L and Alura. My brother and sister-in-law."

"I don't want to be Atlantean and alien." Power Girl moaned, "I'm Superman's cousin."

"You still are. My people are direct decendents of the Kryptonian. My great-grandfather was Koulverian and Daxamite and his wife, my great-grandmother was Kryptonian. Her name was Lorea-El. She was the first cousin of Kal-El and Zor-El." Kara of Argo City said. "After that our lineage remains Koulverian. Our people settled one planet, only to have Blackstarr destroy it when I was a child. My parents fled into space with the other survivors where we colonized Argo City. It was from there Superman rescued me."

"I'm his first cousin here." Power Girl said.

"Karen... sweetie... You have to decide. Once and for all. Do you let yourself stay in a past that no longer exists? Do you refuse to grow and evolve and become what you need to be to survive? Or do you stay here and never change and one day just simply cease to be?" Kara said. "You are my daughter, and you were very little when I had to leave you, but even then I could see the spirited woman I met in my own time sparkling in your eyes. The strong woman who would not stand in place while the rest of the world moved on."

Power Girl felt the conflict, sharp in her gut and even sharper in her heart.

"It's just not fair." Power Girl shook her head. She looked at Superman, tears filling her eyes. "Kal... you have to understand. It's not that I don't love you. But, my mother is right. My real mother."

Superman frowned, and turned away as tears filled his own eyes. He turned back to Power Girl and Kara of Argo City after wiping them away, "I understand. And, while I don't like it, I support it. You have to live."

"We have four hours before the gateway to this world closes forever." Kara of Argo City said quietly. "Have dinner with your surrogate parents from this world. Meet me back here when you're done."

Power Girl smiled brightly, "Really?"

"Yes." Kara of Argo City nodded.

"You heard the lady." Superman said, a bit more gruffly than he usually sounded. "Let's go have dinner Kara."

Power Girl followed Superman into the sky, giving one look over her shoulder to see Kara of Argo City standing alone in the snowy terrain.

"You cannot avoid us much longer!" Sahara cried out from the small air glider she rode in. She continued firing grenades from a launcher, attempting to hit Anath.

"I do not like this." Serpentina said to Jade Tiger in the two-person air glider they shared. They were several feet behind Sarhara. "This battle has become far too public."

"I agree." Jade Tiger said, "We have to get her out of the city and somewhere less conspicuous."

Tamaria fired solar-bolt after solar-bolt at Anath, each one landing only scant inches from the woman's feet.

"We've got her on the run." Jade Tiger said, "It will tire her out sooner. And, we're close enough on her tail to prevent her from finding a safe place to hide."

"This battle is far too public for my tastes." Serpentina said, "We need to wrap this up. Power Girl lives in Century City. Attracting her attention would be very bad."

"I believe the battle draws to a close." Jade Tiger purred as one of Tamaria's bolts caught Anath's heel, knocking her on her butt.

Anath landed roughly on the ground, pain exploding through her whole body.

As Tamaria and Sahara in her air glider drew close, Anath knew that she only a few moments or she'd die here and now.

Part of Anath's mind cried out that perhaps it would be OK to die today. She had killed Kirkarius. She had sent a message to Bialya's government, and struck a blow for the rebellion. She had gotten some small measure of vengeance for her family and village.

NO! Her mind screamed out. The president and his entire regime still ruled Bialya. And, Lady Star-Fyre conspired with them—playing both sides of the war. She could not die. Not yet. She would fight every step of the way. She just didn't know with what. She had exhausted her own supply of grenades and run out of bullets several minutes ago. All she had to fight with was her hands and her wits. And her wits were fading fast as battle fatigue and pain consumed her.

Just as Sahara's air glider came near her, Anath got to her feet and leapt up, landing on the front of Sahara's air glider.

"What?!" Before Sahara could recover from the surprise, Anath had pulled the sword from the sheath at her side and with a single swipe had decapitated the woman. Leaping from the air glider before it crashed into a building, Anath landed on her feet.

As the building the air glider and Sahara's headless body had crashed into went up in flames, Anath put the sword out in front of her.

"Very good." Serpentina said as she and Jade Tiger drew near in their air glider. "You just killed Sahara."

"It will be the much sweeter," Tamaria said coldly. "Now instead of splitting the price on your head five ways, we only have to split it four ways."

"You will collect nothing." Anath said, "I will not die today. Not by your hand. Not by any other. And any of you left standing at the end of this, will go back to your mistress Star-Fyre and tell her that I declare jinkar upon her."

"Jinkar?" Serpentina asked with a raised eyebrow. "The Bialyan word for death grudge. Nice. She will find that quite amusing as she toasts your death at our hand. You may have gotten lucky with Sahara's death and with de-powering Morbid Doll, but you're luck will run out. And then you will die as ordered."

"Your false pride and overblown ego will be the death of you." Anath said.

She threw the sword, aiming it's blade for the engine on the underside of the air glider.

As the blade pierce the engine, sending smoke and fire belching out in all directions, Serpentina and Jade Tiger leapt from the air glider, landing safely on the ground where they covered their heads even as the air glider exploded in mid-air.

Anath took the opportunity to flee, moving as quickly as she could, even though her entire body protested every move.

"She's not coming." Kara of Argo City sighed heavily. It had been nearly four hours since Power Girl had left with Superman, and the gateway leading out of this dreamworld would be closing soon. With heavy heart, Kara took to the sky, heading for the window that would take her back.

She felt the tears welling up. So much sacrifice for her daughter, only for her to throw her life away here in this fake reality. The fates were particularly cruel. And, Kara of Argo City thought of her son's fate and of her daughter's destiny—the one that would see her saving the Earth from being enslaved by Adramalek the Terrible. All for naught.

"Hey! Wait up!"

Kara of Argo City paused, turning to see Power Girl come streaking up beside her.

"Were you leaving me?" Power Girl asked.

"I—" Kara stopped, "I thought you weren't coming. I thought you had decided to stay here."

"Well, I must admit, it was a bit touch and go there. My life was so much simpler here than it is out there. But, Kal reminded me over dinner, life is always easier when you're a kid. And, the truth of it is, I don't belong here anymore. All those years of my new reality cannot be erased. And, sure I may not be simple, but it's like I told that doppelganger earlier—this is who I am now. I need to just accept it and move on."

"You make me proud daughter." Kara said, smiling. She gave her daughter a tight embrace.

"It's going to be weird trying to get used to you being my mom. Last time I saw you, you were younger than me." Power Girl replied.

"You'll grow used to it." Kara of Argo City said, "Time travel is something you will have more than your fair share of experience with when all is said and done. Now, let's get out of this world before the gateway closes and we get trapped here forever."

Kara of Argo City led the way, taking her out into space. Once they reached a spot just past the moon, Kara of Argo City came to a stop, at a sparkling area, where a square gleamed lightly like molten gold.

"This is our stop." Kara of Argo City said pleasantly.

Both of them flew through the area.

The world around them shifted and blurred and there were multicolored lights dancing madly. It reminded Power Girl of when she had first entered the First Light.

Then it was over and they were both floating in the vast empty whiteness of the Dawn of Time. Not far from them Brainiac 2.5's damaged ship had begun to rotate around the First Light, it's rotation steadily degrading.

"Back where we started." Power Girl smiled, "Now, let's get back to Earth. I miss my cat. And, we need to let Supergirl know you're OK. I think you should move to Century City with me. That way we can get to know each other better. And, then you can tell me all about Dad and my brother, and Ancient Atlantis and what space was like. I want to know everything."

"And you shall." Kara of Argo City smiled. From a concealed pocket in her cape, Kara removed a small crystal in the shape of the Star of Arion. The crystal glowed and shimmered, humming with a life all of it's own. "There should be technology at Superman's fortress that will help you unlock this."

"What is that?" Power Girl asked.

Kara of Argo City put the crystal star against the smooth buckle of Power Girl's belt. There was a flash of light and the crystal became one with the buckle.

"Only you can remove that. It will explain everything. Our entire history and it will help you find your brother." Kara of Argo City smiled sadly.

"Why do I need this? Can't you just tell me?" Power Girl asked confused.

"Unfortunately not. I cannot return with you. My destiny lies elsewhere." Kara's smile faltered as tears brimmed over her lashes. "I wish I could return and truly get to know you as an adult. However, know that my love goes with you and the love of your father. If only he could see you, as I see you."

"Mom?" Power Girl's stomach was in a knot.

"I made a deal, so I could come here and rescue you. You're powers are going to cut out again now that you've left Earth 2. You're on-again off-again powers are back, and you would have been trapped here... even if you would have found your own way off Earth 2... even if you would have figured out to bond back into your doppelganger. You would have been trapped here, and your rocket boots would have gone out.. and you would have died." Kara of Argo City was openly crying. "I couldn't have that. Too much rests on you making it back to the Earth of your Universe. You may not be destined to destroy the reborn Anti-Monitor like Supergirl. But, you are going to save the Earth. Many times over, and one time in a circumstance only you are equipped to stop."

"So? You're leaving me? Why does everyone always leave me?" Power Girl fought back her own tears.

"Don't think that. I crossed time and destiny to come for you. I endangered reality to save you. Superman of this world has fought to keep you in his life despite your best efforts to chase him off. Supergirl will come to think of you as a sister—not just a distant cousin through her adoptive parents on Krypton. You have Oracle. And your business partners. You have all your teammates in the Justice League Europe, as well as your family from the Justice Society. You have the meanest cat in the world. You have more people than you realize. And, there will be more. I have seen a glimpse of what the future holds for you dear daughter... and you life will be full of love and family." Kara of Argo City said, "Now give your mother a hug and a kiss goodbye."

Power Girl wanted to resist, to argue. But she couldn't. She hugged her mother tightly, forcing down all of her tears. She gave the woman a quick peck on the cheek, and then was swallowed by a bright glowing light. As the light enveloped Power Girl, she looked one last time at her mother—only recently found and saw the sad bitter look that crossed the woman's face for one moment, before she had faded completely.

After the light faded, and Kara of Argo City remained alone in the void of the Dawn of Time, Alexander Luthor appeared next to her, stepping from billowing clouds of golden light.

"Well, done." Alexander said, "I know how difficult that was."

"I doubt it Alexander." Kara retorted bitterly.

Before Alexander could reply, a door opened in the space between them.

Kara and Alexander flew through, finding themselves in the Time Trapper's lair.

She stood there, looking at the purple-cloaked creature—unsure if he was a man or a woman. That was part of the mystery of the Time Trapper. Who or what really lived under that hood?

Alexander made his way over to the massive crystal globe in the center of the room, peering into it deeply.

"So, I upheld my part of the deal. Your daughter is safe and sound, back on her Earth." The Time Trapper said. "Now it's time for your part of the deal."

"Not so fast." Kara or Argo City said, "You offered to help me save both of my children."

"And you have. Power Girl will save her brother, when the time is right. Had she remained in the First Light, and never left that dreamworld, then she would have ceased to be and your son would have died. Now, that fate has been avoided. And, it's your turn." The Time Trapper said, his voice full of kindness Kara did not trust.

"I suppose it is." Kara said, her voice heavy. "Send me on my way."

"As you will..." The Time Trapper gestured and a doorway opened. "Take your time. We are outside of time here. That portal will be there for as long as you need and not a moment will go by in the time and place you are going."

"My destiny awaits." Kara said coldly.

"Not your destiny. But, then again, that's the point. You're buying someone else more time." The Time Trapper's voice sounded weary beneath his hood. "And in many ways, time is running out."

Kara of Argo City did not say another word. Closing her eyes, she said an old prayer. One that her mother had taught her. One she had taught her daughter when the girl first learned to talk. Without a look back or a parting word to the Time Trapper, Kara of Argo City plunged through the doorway.

The doorway disappeared once she was completely through.

Once she was gone, the blonde woman who had called the Time Trapper's lair home these days came out from hiding.

"So another pawn falls into place." She said quietly. Her tone dark and troubled.

"These are strange days we live in my dear. We are running out of time. Kara of Argo City has just bought us more time. Let us just hope it was enough." The Time Trapper said.

"Indeed." The blonde woman said, crossing her arms. "But, I am liking this less and less."

"Saving all of existence can be dirty work sometimes." The Time Trapper replied.

When the light faded, Power Girl found herself standing in the middle of Liberty Park in downtown Century City. A nearby building was in flames and there was a flying woman firing energy bolts. From back here, it looked like Starfire of the Teen Titans.

Power Girl flew toward the ruckus.

As she drew close she saw that it was not Starfire, although it was a Tamarian woman. She was firing solar-bolts at Anath. On the ground, a woman wearing green scaled armor and holding daggers in both hand drew near Anath. There was a woman in a light green martial arts jumpsuit and a long ribbon of dark hair held back with solid jade chopsticks.

"My favorite assassin. And it looks like she's in trouble." Power Girl said, flying over to the women.

Flying up behind Serpentina and Jade Tiger, Power Girl picked both of them up and flew up into the sky. "And who might you two be?" She asked, "I can't imagine you're very good people to be attacking Anath like that. Despite Anath not being a very good person."

"Our identities are no business of yours. We have private business with Anath." Serpentina said. The woman looked down at the ground below. It was too far of a drop to risk. Stabbing Power Girl with one of her daggers would paralyze the woman, sending them all three plummeting to certain death below.

Power Girl felt her powers ebbing away. Frowning she tried to figure out what to do with the two women. She didn't want to drop them, but she couldn't let them go. She doubted she would be much of a match for them without powers.

As she swooped down low toward the ground, Jade Tiger delivered a kung-fu chop to her neck.

Power Girl screamed, dropping both women several feet to the ground. Power Girl careened out of control, crashing into a building.

Laying in the rubble, thankful her invulnerability had remained in effect enough to protect her, Power Girl marveled at the fact she'd been knocked through two buildings in the span of a day.

Pulling herself to her feet, Power Girl made her way to the gaping hole in the building she'd come through. She looked out to see Anath still fending off Tamaria.

"We're retreating." Serpentina said to Jade Tiger, "Power Girl makes this mission too dangerous."

"Agreed." Jade Tiger replied, "I just received a message from Morbid Doll. She's at the transport down by the docks."

"Yes. Let Tamaria know that we're retreating. Perhaps she will finish off Anath before retreating. If not, we will track Anath down later. She will have limited resources now. Lady Star-Fyre will have leaked to the Bialyan President that Anath is a traitor." Serpentina said.

Jade Tiger relayed the message, using the transmitters that they all wore in their ear.

"I almost have Anath! She will be dead in moments!" Tamaria said in defiance.

"Power Girl is here." Jade Tiger replied. "Serpentina has called a retreat."

"One more minute—" Tamaria did not complete the sentence, as Power Girl landed beside her and belted her.

"I'm not sure who you are," Power Girl began, "But, I am certain you were trying to kill Anath just now. Rather than stunning her or trying to put her out of commission. Based on that one-side conversation I just overheard."

"Do not presume to touch me homo-sapien pig!" Tamaria hissed, firing a bolt directly into Power Girl's left shoulder.

Power Girl belted Tamaria, feeling the sting of the bolt. Her invulnerability was slipping away, just as her power of flight and strength had moments ago. Tamaria's head snapped back from the punch.

"You will pay for that!" Tamaria screamed, clasping her hands together to deliver a deadly bolt. It slammed into Power Girl's gut.

Power Girl screamed as the pain cut through her. She collapsed, the air being knocked out of her lungs and landed roughly on her back.

What a lousy time for my powers to be gone, Power Girl thought as she landed roughly on the ground. She was just thankful it was a grassy knoll in the park and not cement or asphalt. She tried to pull herself to her feet, but Tamaria fired another solar-bolt at her. This one struck her in the chest and it hurt twenty times worse than the last one.

"I guess this is just the day for me to get the snot beat out of me." Power Girl mumbled, gritting her teeth against the pain.

Tamaria stood above Power Girl, arcs of solar energy dancing around her clenched fists. Tamaria fired bolt after bolt, each one slamming into Power Girl. With each one she felt like her insides were cooking and the taste of blood in her mouth became more pronounced.

Power Girl pushed herself up with her arms and tried to crawl away, but another bolt from Tamaria knocked her back down, landing roughly on her stomach. With every bit of her strength, Power Girl rolled over on her back, looking up at the Tamarian who was following her.

"You weren't part of the deal." Tamaria said, the energy crackling as she intensified it. "But, maybe I can still collect on your death. I'm sure someone out there has a bounty for you dead."

Power Girl willed her powers to return, being tired of this on-again off-again thing. But, they were nowhere to be found.

It figures, she thought. I survive Brainiac 2.5 and myself in some weird dreamland version of Earth 2, only to die back on my own Earth in a park by some Starfire knock-off.

Tamaria's eyes went wide and then blank.

Power Girl didn't even register the gunshot until the woman had collapsed at her feet.

Standing behind her, smoking gun in hand, Anath looked down at Power Girl. "You killed her." Power Girl said, pulling herself to her feet.

"She was going to kill you. And, me as well." Anath replied, looking at Power Girl from behind her dark goggles. "She was a paid assassin."

"That doesn't make it right." Power Girl's body fought the movement. It only wanted to lay down and rest. She had been through the ringer today.

"Perhaps." Anath replied. "Just so you know, Kirkarius is dead. I killed him less than an hour ago."

"Does it make you feel better?" Power Girl asked.

"What do you think?" Anath shook her head, "There are still others in Bialya responsible. Others who will have to pay for their sins. I will not feel better until they are dead and their regime is defeated."

"I think you know that I have to vow to stop you." Power Girl replied levely.

"And, I also know your powers have gone out on you again. Otherwise Tamaria would not have worked you over so easily and had you in death's sights." Anath said, pointing the pistol at Power Girl's gut. "It won't kill you. But, it will stop you. And, give me time to escape. The price on my head will be great. I've killed two members of the Hate League today, as well as Ambassador Kirkarius. And, I have done so publicly. They will hunt me. If you apprehend me and put me in a cell, I am easy pickings for them."

"Shooting me will only make me mad." Power Girl said.

"It will wound you." Anath said, "And that will be enough for me to escape."

"Not really." With swiftness Anath had not been expecting, Power Girl grabbed the pistol from the assassin's hand crushed it. "My strength is back."

Anath gasped as Power Girl's fist slammed into her face. Blackness descended immediately over her.

Power Girl felt her powers draining from her body even as Anath hit the ground.

"I better get that appointment set up with STAR Labs." Power Girl muttered, "My powers are going in and out much faster."

The police pulled up, led by Detective Ian McLean. He came rushing up to Power Girl.

"What's going on?" McLean asked her. "There were reports of some sort of super-villain throw down here."

"There was some sort of super-villain throw down." Power Girl shrugged. "The woman unconscious on the ground there is the woman responsible for the murder of Ambassador Kirkarius and for that woman laying over there with a hole in her head. She's probably responsible for that headless woman over there too. I'd suggest you get some dampners on her. She has super-speed and increased strength. If she wakes up before you get her controlled, she'll be gone."

"Thanks Power Girl." Detective McLean said, watching as the super-heroine walked away.

She would have flown away, but the rocket boots had run out of fuel at some point and she couldn't fly at all. As she passed a news stand, she stopped and looked in horror.

On the front page in big bold letters it said: SUPER-CAT SAVES CITY.

"Oh. My. God." Power Girl slapped her forehead, recognizing her cat from the picture despite the red cape. "This cannot be happening." Several streets away, her powers kicked back in and Power Girl flew off into the afternoon, heading for some civilian clothes so she could head into the office.

THE END

NEXT ISSUE: Power Girl begins treatment at STAR Labs to restore her powers. But, can her doctor be trusted? It's not a question easily answered when your doctor is the woman formerly known as Giganta the Gorilla Woman.