Supergirl watched the avenues below from the skyscraper ledge she perched on. It was the middle of the night in Argo City, and the sky had a fragile purple shade as the double moons of Krypton shined brightly above.

"Where are you Blackflame?" Supergirl whispered, watching the few automobiles out at this hour go by. Although they didn't call them automobiles here and they didn't look like the cars back on Earth. However, she had been unable to pronounce the word for them, so they would remain to her automobiles. Her Kryptonian had been extremely rusty when she'd arrived here. It had improved greatly over the past six months, but she still was unable to pronounce many words and if Zor-El or Alura spoke too quickly she got lost.

Growing weary of waiting, Supergirl took to the sky, her red cape billowing out behind her. She knew that Superman only had his powers because of the reaction of Kryptonians to the yellow sun; but since her powers were not Kryptonian in nature she still had her powers here. Here she was becoming the greatest hero of Krypton. Not that there was much competition or need.

Krypton was relatively crime free. Most of her energies were spent preventing accidents and saving people from mishaps. Kryptonians for the most part were peaceful people, spending their time trying to further their science, technology, and culture. Although there were a few bad apples.

Such as Blackflame. She and her gangs had been terrorizing Krypton for several years now, and in the months directly before Supergirl's arrival here she had become bolder and less concerned with Krypton's security forces. For the first time in countless years, people had been murdered on Krypton-and it was Blackflame and her gang that were responsible.

Since then, Supergirl had focused her time on tracking Blackflame and her gang. She had caught several gang members, but Blackflame had many agents. And she had yet to come face to face with Blackflame. She did not even know what she looked like. Her only real hope was that one of her gang members would lead Supergirl to her.

<"Any sign of her?"> Supergirl turned to the sound of the voice. Standing beside her were two people. One male, one female.

<"No."> Supergirl said. It was the male who had asked her the question. <"No sign of her gang either. It's been a quiet night. I saved a man from falling to his death from his apartment balcony, but other than that nothing.">

<"Most nights are. Krypton is a peaceful planet."> The male in black and dark blue said, his mask obscuring his face, but not his piercing blue eyes.

<"So they tell me."> Supergirl replied, <"So I've seen. Except for Blackflame and her gang, there is no real crime here. How did the two of you come to be heroes when there is no significant crime? It seems as though you are not really needed. The security forces here should be sufficient.">

<"Because of Blackflame."> The girl said, her cape billowing out before her in a blaze of red. Her orange jumpsuit was decorated with gold striping, and a large golden bird adorned her chest. Her blonde hair danced in the wind that reached them up here, and her orange domino mask framed her bright emerald eyes. <"She killed his parents two years ago. And the security force was unable to track her down. They still haven't found her. He donned his uniform and named himself after a bird of prey. Now as Nightwing he fights to destroy Blackflame and all she stands for.">

<"And she was on the security force."> Nightwing continued, <"Her partner and lover was killed by Blackflame's gang. She quit when she realized they were unable to bring Blackflame to justice.">

<"And inspired by Nightwing, I chose the name of another bird of prey, and became Flamebird."> The woman looked at the cars streaking by below. <"And I will not rest until Blackflame is brought to justice, and crime is again abolished on Krypton.">

<"Let's hope it's soon. She bombed a house of worship yesterday and killed the priest. A man of God and a man of peace died for no reason other than Blackflame wanting to prove her point."> Supergirl said, <"It is senseless.">

<"Her crimes do appear to grow erratic and unpredictable. I am beginning to worry as she becomes more and more dangerous."> Nightwing said quietly.

<"I agree."> Supergirl said, <"However, it is early… and I need to get some sleep. I will relieve you two later this afternoon.">

<"Sleep well, Supergirl."> Nightwing said, waving as she flew off.

<"You are falling in love with her, are you not Sol?"> Flamebird asked, looking at the dark haired young man.

<"I am."> He looked at the woman, noting the concern on her face. <"Do not worry so Kir. I have nothing to fear from Supergirl.">

<"I am your sister. I am going to worry. She is not from this world. At some point surely she is going to go back to her home world. And what then? You will be here with a broken heart."> Flamebird crossed her arms, her emerald eyes watching the image of Supergirl disappear into the horizon.

<"I am a big boy. I can take care of myself."> Nightwing looked at his sister and smiled brightly, <"However, for now let us concentrate on tracking Blackflame and her gang. For our parents. For your Tel. For justice.">

The two of them turned their rocket boots on and began flying throughout the city.

<"Do you ever wonder what it must be like to fly without boots?"> Nightwing asked, his thoughts still on Supergirl.

<"Of course I do."> Flamebird said, her own thoughts on Supergirl. Hoping against hope that the beautiful girl did not break her brother's heart. <"How divine it must be to be able to fly of your own volition, without having to worry about the fuel packs in your boots or the mechanics failing.">

Supergirl flew through Argo City, heading toward the tall building with it's glittering steeples and expansive windows looking out over the glittering gem of Argo City. This was the side of the city where aristocrats, bureaucrats and scientists lived. Her adopted father being one of both.

To Supergirl, it was weird that the city was divided up by what the people did for a living. The working class lived on the south side of Argo City-and there it divided depending on what industry the people worked in. Here in the upper-west side of Argo City those who were well to do and worked in the government and in the Scientists Guild, as well as those who did nothing more than enjoy the wealth they had inherited-along with meaningless titles.

Supergirl landed on the balcony going into the living room.

<"Kara!"> Alura rushed over to her adopted daughter, giving her a hug. <"You have been gone all night! Zor-El and I have been worried!">

<"I'm sorry mother. I was out looking for Blackflame."> Supergirl hugged her mother. She had tried to explain to her adoptive parents many times that Kara was not her name, but the name of the one she was looking for. But her Kryptonian had been very poor in the beginning and she never quite got the meaning across. By the time her Kryptonian had improved, it had been several months and she had grown used to her adopted name of Kara Zor-El. And from what her adoptive parents had explained to her, Kara was the name of a Kryptonian goddess of myth who had defended ancient Kryptonians against evils.

<"Kara… I realize that with your great powers you feel a need to defend the people of Krypton, but our Security Force is more than up for the job of handling Blackflame. I worry that you are putting yourself in danger by hunting that villain."> Alura frowned, <"And as your father and I have told you many times, vigilantism is illegal here on Krypton. If you are to be caught as Supergirl, then you would face trial and if found guilty you would be exiled to the colony on Boron III.">

<"Mother… Blackflame has been evading the Security Forces for years now. Her criminal career has left many Kryptonians dead. I have these great abilities and powers; it would be a crime for me to not use them to help people here."> Supergirl frowned, using her super-speed to change from her Supergirl costume to a dress that Alura told her girls her age wore. It wasn't quite to her taste, but it did seem to match what other girls in her classes at University wore. She was still unable to transform from Supergirl to Linda, even six months after being struck by the Staff of Ra. Of course, that was a whole other life ago.

<"Oh, Kara. I just worry so."> Alura gave her a hug, holding the girl tightly. <"Zor-El and I were unable to have children. When you fell from the sky that day, I knew that the great god Rao had sent you to us. And your time here with us has been a joy. Your father has a light in his eyes I have not seen in many years. Not since before he and his brother Jor-El began their research.">

Supergirl hugged Alura tightly, knowing that Jor-El and Zor-El must have discovered that Krypton was going to be destroyed by the problem in it's core already. She wondered how long Krypton had, how long she had. She had met Jor-El and his wife Lara several times, but there was no sign of Kal-El yet. She knew that he had arrived on earth as an infant; so as soon as they announced they were going to have a child-she would know that it would soon be time.

<"Where is father?"> Supergirl asked.

<"He is in his lab. Working on something. He won't tell me what."> Alura's frown deepened.

<"He is probably just worried that you'd be bored with it."> Supergirl smiled brightly at her mother, <"I'm going to go in and tell him hello.">

Supergirl left Alura to watch after her. Once her back was to her adopted mother, her smile faded. She respected Zor-El for shielding Alura. In her time with them, Supergirl had realized that Alura, while generous and loving, was also very sensitive and emotionally weak. Zor-El had told her this during the adoption process, explaining that the loss of their only child during childbirth many years ago-and her inability to bear any further children had left Alura fragile. Supergirl had sworn that she would do whatever she could to protect her new mother, but she had also known that she could not shrug her responsibilities.

Supergirl knocked on the door to Zor-El's lab before it slid open.

<"Kara!"> Zor-El greeted.

<"Hi Dad."> Supergirl walked over, giving her father a hug as he sat at his console checking read-outs and graphs. She looked at them, able to determine that she was looking at a diagram of Krypton, but she couldn't quite read the information. She was still learning to read Kryptonian. And most of the words on the read-out were unfamiliar to her.

<"Did you catch Blackflame?">

<"Not a sign of her. I did save a little girl from being hurt in traffic."> Supergirl smiled.

<"I know that your mother worries. And when she speaks to me of it, I agree with her. But, you know that while I worry, I understand and approve of your desire to help the people of Krypton. Those with great powers have great responsibilities."> Zor-El smiled at her.

<"Thanks Dad. That means a lot."> Supergirl found it ironic that the Danvers had mirrored Alura and Zor-El's sentiments. Sylvia Danvers had hated her identity of Supergirl and worried ceaselessly; Fred Danvers had worried but understood.

<"Eventually you will catch Blackflame. She is only able to avoid capture so long. And then she will be given a fair trial and shipped to Boron III.">

<"Mom is convinced I'll be joining her there."> Supergirl smiled, taking a seat next to Zor-El.

<"I know you will be careful. And despite what the media says, and your mother believes, the Security Forces and Justice Guild have more important worries and concerns than whether or not you are out there saving people's lives and trying to catch Blackflame."> Zor-El patted her on the shoulder.

<"What are you looking at here Dad?">

Zor-El looked at his adopted daughter, his good-natured expression growing dark and grim.

<"Planetary read-outs of Krypton.">

<"What does it all mean?"> Supergirl asked, pointing at the Kryptonian words. She could only pick out a few things, and nothing of significance.

<"I'm not quite sure yet. Jor-El is just asking me to go over his findings, add mine to them, and then he and I are going to go over them again to determine what it all means.">

Supergirl could tell that Zor-El was lying to her, but there was no sense in pushing it. She knew what it meant. Krypton's days were numbered, something she knew before she'd ever arrived here. Blackstarr's attempt at killing her had only sent her further into the past, and through space to Krypton. From what she remembered Krypton had exploded sometime before the beginning of World War II, with Kal-El being sent through space in some form of suspended animation. She wished she remembered more clearly, but when Kal had explained everything to her she had been just Matrix, and it had been during the time Matrix had become incredibly confused and slightly dangerous-before assuming the Supergirl identity permanently. So much of that time and those memories were jumbled and mixed up. She wished that she had asked again whenever she and Linda had merged. But so much of her life since that time had been dealing with her own drama. She felt incredibly selfish, now that she considered it all.

<"I see."> Supergirl frowned at the read-outs, <"When you understand better, please tell me. Perhaps I can somehow help.">

<"I will."> Zor-El replied.

Supergirl leaned in, giving her father a kiss on the cheek, <"I am going to go and get some sleep before University.">

She left the room, leaving Zor-El to stare at the readings before him and hoping against hope that there was somehow to prevent it. In his heart he knew that even with his adopted daughter's awesome powers, there was nothing she could do to prevent the holocaust that would come when Krypton's core finally exploded.

Supergirl hated University here on Krypton. Despite all it's technologic advances, Krypton was a very male-chauvinistic society. Women were not encouraged to do anything other than marry and be decorations on their husbands' arms. She had met quite a bit of resistance to enrolling for any classes of real substance at University. It was only with Zor-El and Jor-El's intervention that she'd gotten into Justice classes, and Science classes. They had passed her off as a immigrant from the planet Daxam to help explain her deficiencies in the Kryptonian language. It had worked, although her male professors were loath to call on her during class and were more harsh when grading her work.

Sitting in class, she listened to the professor go on and on in her criminology class. Since crime was nearly obsolete on Krypton, it was mostly a history class. Flipping through her text book, she found an entry on Blackflame.

"The criminal known as Blackflame was actually born not on Krypton, but on Daxam. She came to Krypton an orphan, having been rescued from a derelict ship on which she was the only survivor. The ship had been attacked by pirates and only the young girl had survived. Her real name is unknown, but she was adopted by a wealthy Kryptonian family and given the name Zora Vi-Lar by her adopted parents Vi-Lar and Laie Ton-Al. Her father was a top ranking official in the Scientists Guild and lived in the city of Kandor. At the age of sixteen, Zora rebelled and killed her mother before running off with many of her father's prototypes. With these prototypes, Kira began her reign of crime, responsible for the resurgence of crime on Krypton. She began distributing illicit substances through other delinquents, and built her crime organization. She also abandoned her Kryptonian name of Zora Vi-Lar, and adopted the pseudonym of Blackflame, naming herself after an ancient goddess of war in Krypton's long-ago myths."

The picture of Blackflame accompanying the article was of a sixteen-year-old girl. She had seen it a few times in holovids that Nightwing and Flamebird had given her, but there were no good pictures of her now-ten years later. There were descriptions that she wore a black jumpsuit and a red cape, with a black domino mask.

"Stereotypical super-villain garb." Supergirl muttered in American.

<"Pardon me Kara Zor-El? Did you say something?"> The professor asked.

<"Oh, no. I mean, yeah, but I was just talking to myself.">

<"I would ask that such outbursts remain restrained. Such things might be tolerated in Etiquette classes, but in Criminology…">

The professor allowed his sentence to remain unfinished, and the male students laughed at what went unspoken.

Flying through the early evening sky, Supergirl marveled at the beauty of Krypton. It occasionally struck her as to how odd this all was. She was now Superman's cousin. Adopted. But his cousin nonetheless. It boggled the mind. For all these years she had been Supergirl, people had just assumed that she and Kal were cousins. While they had never really corrected the misconception, they both knew that it wasn't really true. She knew that it hurt both of their hearts in some way, Superman's because he was truly an orphan and her because she had no real connection to anyone or anything. When Matrix and Linda Danvers had merged, it had been such a blessing since suddenly Supergirl had a family. She wondered if that was why their loss felt so much more devastating. She had not had a family, and had truly appreciated them when she got them. Then they were taken away from her. She knew that this new family would be taken from her as well; Krypton would be destroyed by forces within it's own planetary core. It was all too much to consider sometimes.

"I think I am just doomed to misery." Supergirl said sadly, heading toward her destination. She was supposed to be on patrol looking for Blackflame, but she had to take care of something.

She landed on the platform outside of Jor-El's laboratory. She did not knock; instead she let herself in through the sliding door to the platform overlooking the glittering city Jor-El and Lara called home.

<"Greetings Jor-El.">

Supergirl startled the man out of his work at the computer console where he typed in information and scowled at the results.

<"Kara! What a surprise!"> He smiled at her, but the expression was strained.

<"I'm here Jor-El not to visit, but to discuss what you and my father have discovered.">

<"Has Zor-El told you?">

<"No. But, I know that you and he have discovered that the planetary core of Krypton is unstable and that it will not survive much longer.">

Jor-El did not show any sign of surprise, <"When you fell from the sky, I knew in someway that you would be a harbinger of the end of times. Ancient myths speak of the goddess Kara returning in Krypton's last days. Most people chose not to believe such things. Krypton is technologically advanced and well past such superstitions. However, I am of the opinion that ancient myths and beliefs have some basis in reality. And you knowing of Krypton's destruction, only affirms that for me.">

<"I know of Krypton's impeding doom."> Supergirl said sadly, <"Not even I have the power to stop it. If only I did.">

Supergirl looked in the corner of the room at a strange contraption, <"What is that?">

<"It is a prototype rocket ship."> Jor-El said quietly, <"Your father and I have gone to Government Leaders and the current Council of the Scientists Guild. None of them believe us when we warn of what is coming. They do not want to believe. We have been too comfortable for too long here. They do not realize that the threat of Blackflame is a symptom of our coming doom. That all of our years of peace now face entropy even as our planetary core continues to deteriorate toward complete instability.">

<"So you are planning on making a rocket ship to escape Krypton?">

<"Yes. That is a working prototype. My calculations tell me that we have a few years. By that time, my son Kal will be born from his birthing matrix and will be old enough for us to make the trek through space. Your father has a prototype as well that he is refined so that you, your mother, and he can escape the holocaust as well.">

<"Kal? Your son is on his way?">

<"His essence is already in the birthing matrix. He grows as we speak. His gestation will be standard. He will be born during Krypton's last days, and grow to manhood somewhere in space.">

<"Where are we going?"> Supergirl asked quietly.

<"I am not sure yet. I have been unable to locate a hospitable planet as of yet. Daxam is a possibility, but the Daxamites are not particularly sympathetic to Kryptonians. They are distant cousins to our race, exiled a millennia ago for crimes lost to history.">

Supergirl looked at Jor-El, <"There is a planet called Earth. It is located within this solar system. It's called the Milky Way. It would make a nice place for your son to grow to manhood.">

<"Earth?">

<"Yes. It is beautiful. I think that our family should find it quite livable and we would be able to carve a place for ourselves there.">

<"Where is it?">

<"I can give you the coordinates."> Supergirl walked over to his computer, typing in the information.

<"That is so far away from here."> Jor-El said as the computer processed the coordinates.

<"It is. But, it is my home world. And I would love to go home; and take my new family with me.">

<"Then Earth it is."> Jor-El said.

<"I am going to leave now. I need to track down Blackflame. I'm going to bring her to justice.">

Jor-El looked at his niece, studying the S-shield on her chest. <"That symbol seems very familiar to me for some reason.">

<"It is the symbol of your destiny."> Supergirl said before going out onto the platform and flying off into the darkening evening.

It was just before midnight when Supergirl saw the small cluster of sky-cycles hovering close to the ground, heading toward the Argo City Museum of History and Science. There were four cars moving slowly and stealthy toward the massive structure made of a shimmering gold metal.

"It's too late for any one to be heading toward the museum." Supergirl said to herself, flying down toward the car, staying high enough that she would not be readily visible if any of the drivers were to look up.

The sky-cycles lowered themselves to a stop in front of the museum, and the four riders disembarked. Supergirl could see that they were in navy blue bodysuits with a black flame on the back.

"Blackflame's logo." Supergirl whispered, watching as the four riders rushed to the museum's entrance.

One of the riders removed a small gun-like device from a pouch and a ray of glowing light struck the lock on the museum's massive double doors. The lock melted away and the door creaked open with a slight push from one of the other riders. The four riders disappeared into the museum.

Inside they headed straight for the display of priceless gems and stones. The four riders began stuffing gems and jewels into pouches on their sides, alarms going off as they reached through the stasis fields that protected the precious items.

<"Blackflame is going to love these."> One of the riders cackled, a ravishing female with golden hair called Tosh Vel-On

<"They should bring a nice price on the black-market."> A dark-haired male called Jer-Em replied casting handfuls of stones contained in a glistening gold ore.

<"You know the mistress will keep at least a few for herself. She does so love pretty things."> A tall male named Cor-En with brownish-red hair said filling his own satchel to the brim with rare nightstar rubies from the south pole of Krypton.

<"You should all stop yapping. It's none of our business what Blackflame is going to do with these. We do need to worry about those alarms--which will bring the Security Forces within minutes. If we want to escape we had better hurry!"> A red-haired girl who's name was Mina Kev-Ta said frantically.

<"Or maybe something worse than the Security Force.">

The four criminals spun around to see Supergirl leaning in the archway leading to the display area for the precious gems and stones. She smiled brightly at them.

<"It's Supergirl!"> Jer-Em dropped a hand-full of gems.

<"GET HER!"> Mina Kev-Ta shouted, pulling a small ray-device from a holster on her side. Without missing a beat, Mina fired a ray of bright red light at Supergirl.

The ray crashed slammed into Supergirl's chest, bouncing off into the wall where it gorged a small crater.

<"Well, that was pretty ineffective. It did sting a little though!"> Supergirl flew at Mina, ripping the ray-device from her hand and smashing it before the girl could fire another shot. <"You look like a smart girl, what are you doing hanging out with Blackflame?">

<"Blackflame has freed my mind from the establishment. She has shown me the truth. What the government bureaucrats want for me is not what I have to take. I am free!"> Mina staggered back, even as Jer-Em, Cor-En, and Tosh Vel-On rushed out toward their sky-cycles.

<"Your friends have deserted you."> Supergirl said, pulling the pouch stuffed with jewels and gems from Mina's side. <"You are no more free under Blackflame than you were in the establishment. You are just acting in the exact opposite way they want you to. What do you want?">

Mina pulled a second ray-gun from the holster on her other hip, pointing it at Supergirl.

<"Shut up! This phaser harnesses anti-matter. I doubt even you can resist it's devastation.">

Supergirl looked at the phaser, frowning. Anti-matter… something about the sound of it sent a tremor of unease and fear through her.

<"Devastation. Theft. Robbery. Murder. How do these things that Blackflame has you do free you? You have blood on your hands. If you pull that trigger and shoot me with anti-matter, you will kill me and have more blood on your hands."> Supergirl hoped her Kryptonian did not fail her now. <"How does having blood on your hands free you? Please explain this to me. I would like to understand.">

Mina's lip began to tremble, <"I have been liberated by Blackflame. You are just a symbol of the establishment. Your mind is enslaved as well.">

With a concentrated psi-blast Supergirl knocked the anti-matter gun from the girl's hands and into a million pieces.

<"My mind is my own. You would do well to consider your mind and it's true owner."> Supergirl let loose another psi-blast, striking the girl directly.

Mina cried out before collapsing unconscious to the museum floor.

<"I suppose that it makes you feel superior Supergirl, to attack a teenage girl.">

Supergirl spun around, to find a woman in a black-jumpsuit with a red flame outline on it's chest and a red cape standing there in the arch-way.

<"Blackflame I presume."> Supergirl said.

<"Oh yes."> The woman put her hands on her hips, her dark eyes glittering from her domino mask. <"I have heard about you. You've stopped more than one of my henchmen. And thwarted your fair share of my operations. You and those meddling do-gooders Nightwing and Flamebird. They are common though. No real powers to speak of. Nothing that can't be reproduced with rocket-boots and stun phasers. You on the other hand are quite special. Super-human strength, independent flight, those mental blasts you just displayed. You are a remarkable specimen.">

<"Thanks."> Supergirl glared at the woman, <"But even with the compliments, I'm going to kick your butt.">

<"So haughty."> Blackflame laughed, <"Did you think that perhaps this robbery was a set-up to capture you Supergirl?">

<"If so, you'll fail.">

<"Oh, I doubt that very much."> Supergirl replied, preparing to let loose a psi-blast.

<"Oh really? I think I can persuade you."> Blackflame laughed.

At that moment, her three henchmen appeared, however they were not alone. They held anti-matter phasers to the temples of Nightwing and Flamebird, both of whom were bound with handcuffs.

<"Sorry Supergirl."> Nightwing mumbled.

<"They caught us earlier, after you left us on patrol."> Flamebird struggled against Cor-En's grip, despite being handcuffed and having the phaser to her head.

<"So, you see Supergirl, your choice is simple here. Either surrender yourself to me, so that I can study you and hope to replicate your powers, or I'll kill Nightwing and Flamebird."> Blackflame grinned widely, aiming her own anti-matter phaser at Supergirl. <"The choice is yours.">

TO BE CONTINUED

Next Issue: While trying to save Nightwing and Flamebird, Supergirl discovers the shocking truth about the destruction of Krypton. Will she defy destiny and fate to save a world? And who is the mystery man who shouldn't exist, but for some reason does? And why does his appearance mean doom for Supergirl? All this and more in "The Supergirl of Krypton Part 2".