Flying over Midway City, her cape dancing all around, Supergirl couldn’t wipe the smile from her face. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been this happy.

She’d been back in her proper time for nearly a month and things hadn’t been this good for as long as she could remember. Her bright blue eyes focused on the green sloping lawns of Midway City Park below, with the shimmering duck pond in the center. She swooped down, flying behind trees lining the edge of the park for a quick change from Supergirl to Linda Danvers.

Coming out from behind the trees, Linda walked over to where Mattie Harcourt and Cutter Sharp sat on a picnic blanket with lunch spread out before them.

“Linda!” Mattie grinned, “You’re actually almost on time.”

“Barely.” Cutter said consulting his watch, “Ten minutes late Linda.” “I think that’s a new record.” Mattie replied.

“Traffic was pretty rough.” Linda replied, sitting down on the blanket. Cutter handed her a diet soda. She left out the part where she had to save a school bus from careening over the side of the Midway City Memorial Bridge after it had been clipped by bank robbers trying to get away after robbing the First National Bank on Main St and 1st Ave. “And my last tour group went a little later than I expected.”

“I can’t believe you’re working such a thankless job.” Cutter said, “Tour guide at the museum? It can’t pay all that well.”

“Technically I'm not a tour guide. My primary job is supposed to be cataloguing items for exhibit. But, with it being Spring there are a lot of field trips happening right now. So, we all have to pitch in. Mostly importantly, I’m around art. It’s a great environment.” Linda replied, “And the pay isn’t all that bad. And it’s just temporary until I get accepted to Midway City University in their Fine Art program.”

“It probably doesn’t hurt that you work with that cute Craig Morris either, does it?” Mattie asked knowingly.

“Craig and I are just friends.” Linda said, blushing fiercely. True they were just friends, but there was a strong attraction between the two of them. One that had only grown during the past few weeks since his brush with death. “Besides, with Dick back in the picture…”

“How is that going?” Mattie asked.

“We’re taking it slow.” Linda said, “We have our first date tonight.”

“Why take it slow?” Cutter asked. “You two are crazy about each other. And you were getting really close before…we went where ever we went.”

Both Mattie and Cutter fell silent, thinking of the missing months from their lives. The last thing they remembered was watching the ray of destruction coming toward them, and then they were being released from containment cells by Supergirl. There had been no dreams, no thoughts, just what felt like a moment of darkness.

“Has Supergirl figured out where we were?” Mattie asked finally.

“I don’t think so.” Linda replied cautiously, “She said she was flying over the ruins of Leesburg and saw the containment cells there, and there you all were.” Linda did not know how to explain the Time Trapper’s manipulations to them, nor did she want them to feel guilty about the Pocket Universe versions of themselves that he had substituted for them in the moments before the destruction of Leesburg.

“So, I suppose there is no real chance that anyone else survived.” Mattie said, biting the corner of her lip.

“I’m not sure.” Linda shrugged, awkwardly. “You should ask Supergirl.” Mattie’s frown deepened.

Cutter reached out, taking her hand and squeezing it tightly, “You gotta let go of that survivor guilt honey. It’s a useless emotion. We all oughta be happy that we’re doing so well here. I have a job at Channel 8. You start at Midway City Memorial Hospital next week. Linda is working at the museum, trying to get into MCU. Her dad is on the police force, and he and mom have just bought a great house. Dick is working at the TV station. We’re all very lucky. Let’s not worry about how it happened. Or why it happened. Let’s just be thankful that it happened.”

Mattie pulled her hand from his, “I need to go to the bathroom.” She jumped up and rushed away to the public restrooms by the park’s north end.

Once she was out of earshot, Cutter sighed and looked at Linda, “Please don’t be mad at her. She’s just having a hard time with it. Last night she woke me up because she was crying. She feels guilty. That we lived and no one else did. It’s been hard for her.”

“It was hard on me when you were all dead.” Linda replied, nervously nibbling at the corner of a ham and cheese sandwich. “But, we weren’t. I still wish we knew how we ended up in those containment things.” Cutter sighed.

“Supergirl said she was going to look into it.” Linda said quietly. “But I don’t know if she’d going to find anything.”

“The reporter in me wants to know. And it could be the story I need to really make myself stand out at the Channel 8.” Cutter replied, “I’m just a production assistant to Johnny Drew. Not even a real reporter. I was lucky to get that much. I think the Station Head only hired me because I was from Leesburg. I think he thinks he can exploit it.”

“Do you really want to work for someone like that?” Linda asked.

“Linda. It’s Channel 8. They have some of the top-rated syndicated programs in the country. Johnny Drew is this close--” Cutter held his forefinger and thumb scant inches apart, “from signing with 20/20 or Dateline NBC. And Wanda Five’s talk show is one of the top-rated syndicated programs in the mid-west. She’s in line to be the next Oprah.” Cutter chuckled, “Of course I want to work there.” “I’m back.” Mattie returned, sitting down. She smiled softly.

Linda returned her smile, “I’m glad.”

“So, did Supergirl ever find out what happened to Blackstarr and Kara of Argo City?” Cutter asked. “The guys at work keep talking about how they battled all over Midway City until they both just disappeared in a weird explosion of golden light.”

“Not that I know of.” Linda replied, “She and I haven’t gotten a chance to talk lately. That happened while she was fighting Chryseis.”

“At the Museum where you work.” Cutter said.

“Yeah. I was late that morning. By the time I got there, the crisis was over.” Linda finished her sandwich, taking a drink of diet soda.

“I think I’m going to invite Supergirl out to dinner.” Mattie said, “I think it would be a great idea. She saved you, then she saved us. I mean, it’s the least we could do. We should have her over for dinner. Maybe we could do that at your parents’ new house.”

Before Linda could respond, the alarm on her watch went off. “Ah, I’ve got to head back to the Museum. My lunch break is nearly over.” Linda said. “I’ll talk to you guys later.”

Linda rushed off. They watched her disappear behind the trees over by the side of the park.

“Are you sure that she’s Supergirl?” Mattie asked, as the blur of red and blue streaked off into the afternoon.

“What more proof do you need? We see something red and blue streak off behind those trees, and here comes Linda. Linda disappears behind those trees, and there is a streak of red and blue. She still hasn’t managed to explain how she survived the destruction of Leesburg. She was supposed to be at home that day.” Cutter replied.

“I don’t know…” Mattie hesitated.

“Mattie. Look who survived. You, me, Dick, and Linda’s parents? A bit odd don’t you think.” Cutter said.

“Linda was mixed up with some odd people for a while there. Remember that Buzz guy? Maybe it’s somehow wrapped up in that?”

“No. It’s somehow tied up to Supergirl. And Linda Danvers is Supergirl.”

“How did she manage to save all of us?” Mattie asked, “And since when would Supergirl only save her friends and family?”

“I don’t know. It’s something only Linda can explain.”

“We need to talk to her and let her know what we suspect. If only so she doesn’t have to do dumb stuff like run behind trees to change to Supergirl and act like she was late due to traffic rather than stopping crime.” Mattie said.

“Well, she still couldn’t just change between Linda and Supergirl out here. Someone would see,” Cutter said, motioning to the people all around them. “But, at least it would make her life easier.”

“I still don’t understand how she’s Supergirl.” Mattie replied, “I mean Supergirl is at least a foot taller than Linda.”

“I’m sure there’s a really interesting story behind it.” Cutter said, biting into his sandwich.

Cutter looked to the sky where the red and blue streak had gone. His expression was unreadable.

Supergirl was halfway back to the museum when she heard the explosion below her.

“I’m going to be late. Again.” Supergirl groaned. Jocelyn has spoken to her last week about her excessive tardies in the mornings and after lunch, and her missing days of work. She had mumbled some really lame excuse. How did you explain to your boss that you were late getting back from lunch because the Royal Flush Gang had tried to rob the bank?

“Maybe I can take care of this quickly.” Supergirl streaked down toward the explosion’s origin. One of Midway City’s most popular restaurants was on fire, smoke billowing from shattered windows.

There were screams from inside and people fled the burning building.

Without a second thought, Supergirl plunged into the flaming building whisking people to safety. Setting them a safe distance from the flames on the sidewalk. In the distance she could hear sirens.

“I wish I had super-breath at moments like this. I could just extinguish the flames with one single breath.” Supergirl said, pulling a man from the flames.

“Need a hand?”

Supergirl turned to the sound of the voice to see Starman Will Payton standing there.

“That would be great.” She smiled. “Want to get people to safety? And I’ll take care of the fire?”

“Sure.” Starman took the man Supergirl had pulled from the flames and got him out of the restaurant.

The wings of fire exploded from Supergirl’s back. Closing her eyes, Supergirl concentrated—pulling the flames toward her, her wings drawing the fire into their fiery feathers.

Within a moment, the restaurant was no longer burning. Smoke drifted harmlessly from burnt and singed surfaces. Supergirl extinguished her wings and began helping Starman get people outside where ambulances were waiting.

Once the danger was over, Supergirl and Starman took to the sky.

“I’m so late for work.” She groaned, shaking her head as they hovered above the city. From up here, the city sprawled out in ever direction, with the river glistening like a strip of silver in the bright Spring sunshine.

“You need to find a different job. One that doesn’t interfere with your hero career.” Starman smiled at her.

“If I get into MCU…” Supergirl let the thought trail.

“You’ll have a hard time scheduling classes around disasters and super-crime sprees.” Starman replied.

“Maybe.” Supergirl frowned.

“Actually, my showing up at that restaurant down there wasn’t coincidence. I was looking for you.” Starman replied.

“Oh? Is there some disaster that we need to go and stop?” Supergirl’s face creased with worry, “Another crisis? Have Blackstarr and Kara shown up?”

“No. Nothing like that. Don’t worry Linda.” Starman laughed, “I just wanted to say good-bye.”

“Good-bye?”

“Yeah. I’m going to head off to Opal City for a bit. Hang out there with my sister and Jack. And then after that… I’m not really sure. I might travel the world a bit. Or maybe the galaxy.” Starman looked at the blue sky above them longingly.

“Wow.” Supergirl said, her eyes tearing up, “I didn’t expect that.”

“Why are you crying?” Will asked her.

“I… I just have appreciated you being a part of my life. You were here for me after Leesburg, when I had lost everything. You gave me some stability.” Supergirl said, wiping at her tears, “And you were my friend.”

“It’s not a forever good-bye.” Starman chuckled, “It’s a until I see you again kind of good-bye. Besides, your friends and family are back. You’re parents are getting that big house in the Magnolia District and it makes sense for you to move in with them. You don’t need me for a roommate anymore. Besides, I need to go and figure out my place in the universe.”

Supergirl looked up at him.

Will leaned in and kissed her lightly on the mouth. “I’ve wanted to do that for awhile now.”

He smiled and flew away.

Supergirl hovered in place, watching him fly off into the afternoon. She stayed there for a very long time, wiping at her tears.

“Linda,” Jocelyn sighed, “It’s nearly five o’clock. We close in fifteen minutes. And you’re just getting back from your lunch break at noon.”

“I’m sorry. But, there was a fire downtown at the Riverside Bar and Grill. It seriously messed up traffic.” Linda replied, knowing it was a weak excuse.

“Linda.” Jocelyn sighed, adjusting her glasses. “Look. We spoke last week about your attendance and your frequent tardiness. I told you that you needed to improve immediately. It’s only five shifts later, and you’ve been late three mornings, left early twice, and now today from lunch…”

“I’m sorry, Jocelyn. It’s not something I’m doing on purpose.” Linda nervously toyed with a button on her sleeve. “There are just all these things happening.”

“You were late yesterday because there was an accident on the bridge. The time before that due to a bank robbery on the Upper East Side. Last week it was because of some hostage situation in Southeast.” Jocelyn tapped her manicured nails against her desk.

“That’s all true Jocelyn.” Linda said.

“Linda, according to your resume and paperwork you live in Genoa Park. There is no way you should have had issues with any of those things. Genoa Park is only a few blocks from here, and within walking distance. Something you mentioned a dozen times in your interview with me and the museum director.” Jocelyn sighed.

Linda opened her mouth to respond, then closed it firmly.

“You’re going to fire me aren’t you?” She said finally.

“I’m afraid so honey.” Jocelyn sighed, “I hate doing it. But, I just don’t have any choice. The other tour guides are having to work extra to cover your absences and no-shows. They’re complaining. A lot. And you have all those items from the arctic expedition sitting in crates in your workspace not even touched. The exhibit they're for open next month.”

“I’m sorry.” Linda replied, “I’ll clear my locker out. And, if you could, just send me my final check.”

She got up and left.

While in the locker room, loading her things into a box, Craig Morris came into the room.

“Hey.” He said.

“Hi, Craig.” Linda smiled at him sadly, “I guess you heard?”

“Yeah. When you didn’t come back from lunch Jocelyn went on a tirade. We all knew what that meant.” Craig said, “I just don’t understand why you would be late this week after she talked to you last week.”

“Things came up.” Linda shrugged, putting the last stuff from the locker into the box.

“I’ve got to get back out there and help close up.” Craig said finally, “I’ll give you a call later this week. Maybe we can get together to have dinner or something?”

Linda smiled at him, “That would be nice.”

“…Billionaire Phillip Decker arrives in Midway City this week to dedicate the opening of his new high rise apartment building in downtown Midway City. The Decker Tower is going to bring the luxury living to our city in a way we’ve never seen before. Decker is also expected to make an announcement about his upcoming reality show filming here where he plans on finding a new executive to be in charge of his offices here in Midway City.” The female newscaster said, her bright artificial smile lighting up the screen.

“I personally can’t wait to go on the tour.” The male newscaster beside her said.

“What makes you think you’re getting that assignment?” The woman laughed good-naturedly.

“Because you got to go to the reception at Thorul Enterprises last week.” The man laughed. “It’s my turn to enjoy the good life.”

They both laughed buoyantly.

“For Midway City’s number one news station Channel 8, I’m Johnny Drew.” The man said.

“And I’m Joan Raymond.” The woman said, “Have a good evening. And don’t forget that Good Morning Midway City is your source for morning traffic and weather updates.”

“Stay tuned for Wanda Five,” Johnny Drew said, “Her guests today will be local stage actor Derek Ames, gardening tips with Val King, and psychic to the stars Selena Moonstone.”

Sylvia Danvers muted the television as the front door to the apartment opened.

“Mom?”

“Hey, honey.” Sylvia smiled as Linda came over and gave her a hug. “How was your day?”

“It was all right.” Linda said, sitting down next to her.

“I saw you and Starman on television at the restaurant downtown.” Sylvia , “How was work?”

“Terrible.” Linda sighed, “I got fired due to my lousy attendance.”

“Oh, honey. I’m sorry.”

“It stinks.” Linda agreed. “And Starman left Midway City today.”

“You should move in with your father and I.” Sylvia said, “Our house has three bedrooms. There is more than enough room.”

“I don’t know Mom…” Linda hesitated, “I kind of like having my own place. And I am nearly twenty-two. Plus, if I get accepted to MCU, I might move into the dorms.”

“The dorms?” Sylvia asked with a raised eyebrow. “Don’t you think that might make it a bit difficult to be Supergirl? With Starman as your roommate it worked because you were both superheroes. In the dorm you’d have non-super powered roommates.”

“Well, when I met with the recruiter, she showed me a few private rooms.” Linda said, “Although, they do cost a bit more… and without my museum job…”

“We’ll figure it all out Linda.” Sylvia smiled, “You should go and say hello to your dad. He’s in his office working on a model before he goes in for his shift.”

“It stinks that he could only get a nightshift.” Linda frowned.

“Well, the Police Commissioner told him that with his experience as soon as a position on their Special Crimes Unit opens, he’d be a shoo-in for that.” Sylvia smiled, “Although, I am going to worry. Both you and your father dealing with super-villains…” Sylvia shook her head.

“What about you Mom? Have you started looking for a job?”

“I met with Father Sanders down at Our Lady Queen of Heaven church yesterday. He said there are no paying positions right now, but of course there is always a need for volunteer help. Especially with cut-backs.” Sylvia smiled. “You should come to Mass with us on Sunday. They have a very beautiful church.”

“I would, but I’m going to have Sunday dinner with the Ma and Pa Kent, and Clark will be there. I haven’t gotten a chance to talk to him since I’ve been back from the past.” Linda said. “I’m going to go check in on Dad.”

“OK, honey.” Sylvia gave her daughter a quick peck on the cheek.

Linda got up and headed for her dad’s office.

“Dad?” Linda knocked lightly on the door to his office.

“Hey there, come on in!” Fred Danvers said, setting down the model he was working on and closing the glue.

“How are you?” She gave her dad a big hug. He hugged her back. When she had gotten to the ruins of Leesburg, where the Time Trapper had left the containment cells, she had let Sylvia and Fred Danvers out first. Spending a full thirty minutes with them before letting Cutter, Mattie, or Dick out. She had explained everything to them, including her encounter with the Time Trapper—only leaving out that the Time Trapper had substituted their Pocket Universe counterparts for them. That was guilt she didn’t want her parents to have on their consciences.

“Good. Just keeping busy before heading off to work.” Fred replied. “I saw you on the news rescuing a school bus and saving those people from that fire. You’ve been busy today.”

“Yeah. And this morning around 4 a.m. I stopped some gang bangers down in the Red Zone from killing each other and some of the boys in blue.” Linda frowned, “I worry about you working the night shift Dad. The Red Zone is pretty awful. Crime down there isn’t like anything we had in Leesburg.”

“Leesburg was a small town. Midway City is… well, it’s a city. It’s not anything I can’t handle. I worked a beat in Metropolis back before your mother and I got married and moved back to Leesburg.” Fred Danvers said. “Besides, in Leesburg there were demons, and monsters, and more super-villains than you’ve dealt with the whole time we’ve been here.”

“Dad… are you sure you and Mom want to live in Midway City? I wouldn’t be offended if you guys wanted to move out to the suburbs where it’s safer.”

“We want to be close to you. And besides, a smaller town would just be a reminder of Leesburg.” Fred’s expression grew grim, “Work will help me stay distracted from over thinking the Leesburg thing. I just worry about your mom. Sitting around, watching TV all day. Her meeting with that priest didn’t go well. He pretty much made it sound like her help wasn’t needed.”

“Oh, Dad.” Linda hugged her father tightly. “Just promise me you’ll be safe. I don’t want to lose you again. I missed you so much.”

“I’ll be safe.” Fred chuckled, “I’ve been doing this a long time. Besides, in a few months there will be an opening on the SCU and I’ll be on a more normal shift, mostly pushing pencils and cleaning up after Supergirl again.”

He ruffled his daughter’s hair.

“Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go get ready.”

“OK.” Linda said, watching her dad go.

“I had reservations at the Riverside Bar and Grill,” Dick said pleasantly, “But, well, it got trashed today. But, of course, you knew that. I saw it on the news.”

“They don’t seem to know what caused the explosion.” Linda said, picking at her salad. “None of the people there had any idea what happened. One minute they were eating. The next minute it was blowing up.”

“Let’s hope that doesn’t happen here.” Dick grinned, “But I’m sure if it did, you’d be able to handle it.”

“I’m not sure what you mean.” Linda frowned. She took a look around the restaurant.

They were having dinner at the Skyline, one of the ritziest restaurants in all of Midway City. Located at the top of Midway Financial Building, it dated back to the 1960’s. The entire east wall faced the mountains that lined Midway City on the other side of the river. The view at night, when all the lights were blazing was quite exquisite.

“I’ve not had a decent dinner out the whole time I’ve lived here in Midway City. Mostly just take-out Chinese, and totally delicious Tai food.” Linda said. “This is much nicer.”

“Well, this is a bit spendy. But it’s our first date since Leesburg. So I thought I’d spring for the best.” Dick’s blue eyes sparkled.

“It’s lovely.” Linda smiled. She reached across the table, taking Dick’s hand, and looking deep into his eyes. “I’m having a lovely time. The movie earlier was awesome. And this is just amazing.”

Dick smiled at her. “Yeah, it’s pretty good.”

Just as the waiter came up with their appetizers the windows offering the view of the mountains exploded.

A blonde girl rolled across the floor, her hair disheveled and her white jumpsuit singed and torn.

Blackstarr followed her in through the window.

“You cannot keep running from me!”

The girl pulled herself to her feet, pointing a bazooka stolen from STAR Labs several months ago at Blackstarr.

Dick and Linda scrambled under the table, as another explosion rocked the restaurant. People were screaming and rushing toward the elevator.

“That’s Blackstarr!” Linda exclaimed. “She terrorized this city a few months back. Then she just disappeared without a trace.” Linda did not add that when Chryseis had sent her back through time, not shortly afterward, and she had faced Blackstarr then too.

“Who is that woman trying to kill her?” Dick asked.

“Her name is Kara of Argo City. Blackstarr destroyed her home.” Again Linda left out the part where in the past Blackstarr had sent Kara of Argo City away. And that she had never been able to track her down. At least not before Blackstarr had shipped her halfway across the universe, only for her to end up on Krypton shortly before it’s explosion.

“I don’t intend to keep running Blackstarr! I intend to end this, here! And now!” Kara pulled the trigger of the bazooka and an energy charge streaked through the air, slamming right into Blackstarr. The woman only absorbed the energy.

“You have learned so very little,” Blackstarr laughed. “I’ve pursued you through space and time all these months. Your pathetic weapons cannot harm me!”

“I WILL KILL YOU!” Kara shrieked.

“They’re going to kill each other.” Dick said to Linda, “No one is looking at us. If you need to turn into Supergirl, it’s cool.”

“WHAT!?” Linda looked at Dick in surprise.

“Oh, you don’t have to fake it.” Dick said, “I know that you’re Supergirl. It’s a no brainer. I mean, you survived the destruction of Leesburg. You ended up here in Midway City. Just the same as Supergirl. Only your friends and family survived Leesburg destruction… it’s pretty evident.”

Linda looked at him in total shock.

“I’m sorry. Could you repeat that?” Linda blinked, unable to believe her ears.

“It’s OK. Change into Supergirl. I know that you are Supergirl.” Dick said. “Really.”

Linda glanced toward where Blackstarr was bombarding Kara of Argo City with photons. The girl was barely holding up. She looked younger than she had back in the 1940’s, leaving Linda to believe that Kara of Argo City had yet to be sent back in time.

“Dick, I…” Linda hesitated. Kara was really no match for Blackstarr. Although the girl had super-strength and flight powers, she seemed to have no concept what Blackstarr’s powers were and the fact that a mere bazooka stolen from STAR Labs was not going to be sufficient to stop the powerhouse. Not only that, but the restaurant was full of people. People who were going to be endangered by this battle.

“Just go and take care of it.” Dick told her, “Really.”

Linda shook her head, unable to believe what she was hearing. In the corner of her eye, she saw a ricochet from one of photon blasts pounding into Kara arcing through the air toward some of the diners crowded toward the back of the room.

Linda looked at Dick. There was no time to debate this. People needed help. Kara needed help. Blackstarr had to be stopped.

In a flash, she transformed into Supergirl, gaining nearly a foot in height and long wavy blonde hair in the place of her shorter brown hair.

“Oh… wow…” Dick blinked. “I thought you wore a wig and boots with lifts as Supergirl.”

“Nope.” Supergirl replied. She rushed through the room, hitting Blackstarr with all of her might.

The impact sent Blackstarr flying out of the window, hurtling away.

“Supergirl?! Oh thank Rao!” Kara exclaimed, her eyes haunted and her face streaked with grime and sweat.

“I need you to get the people in this restaurant to safety.” Supergirl told the girl.

“But, Blackstarr—“

Supergirl cut her off, “You get the people out of here. I’ll deal with Blackstarr.”

Supergirl dove out the window, chasing after Blackstarr. Several feet out of the building, as the wind whipped around her face, Blackstarr came flying toward her.

“We meet again Supergirl! Those black holes should have torn you to pieces.” Blackstarr hissed.

“And that punch should have killed you.” Supergirl retorted, “Obviously things didn’t go the way either of us expected.”

Supergirl punched Blackstarr in the face. The woman cried out, just before making gravity drag Supergirl down to the ground, smashing through the pavement below.

Looking up, Supergirl watched as Blackstarr flew down toward her.

“She’s more powerful than last time.” Supergirl moaned. Her head felt like there was a hammer beating it over and over again.

Despite the pain, Supergirl pushed herself from the crater her landing had created and hit Blackstarr with everything she had, dragging the woman out into space, wanting to get her away from Midway City and innocent civilians.

Supergirl and Blackstarr were hurtling past planet Venus before Blackstarr wrenched free from Supergirl’s grip.

“I defeated you in the past!” Supergirl shouted, although the sound was mostly lost in the vacuum of space.

“And I am stronger now! I was merely a girl then! Only having begun to understand what I was capable of.” Blackstarr’s voice filled her head. “I have consumed and absorbed a hundred worlds! Nothing can stop me!”

Supergirl punched Blackstarr, but realized the futility of it. Blackstarr wasn’t lying. She was stronger now. The girl she had faced back in the 1940’s had only recently discovered the powers of the Universe that she tapped into. This woman fully understood the forces she controlled.

Supergirl had no idea how she was going to defeat this woman. She had barely defeated her in the past, and that was when she had a fraction of her current power. She’d been barely in her teens.

“I see the fear in your eyes girl.” Blackstarr’s voice was taunting. “I will ravage and devastate your home planet. I have been toying with Kara of Argo City, taking her on a journey through the Universe. I absorbed her entire world, sending her and the other survivors to that pitiful little colony where she met your cousin.”

“You talk to much.” Supergirl’s words were swallowed in the vacuum, but she knew that Blackstarr could hear them in her head.

Supergirl slammed into Blackstarr with all of her strength, hurtling them toward the Sun itself.

As they neared Mercury, Supergirl felt her density increase and herself pulled toward the surface of Mercury—hurtling through space toward it’s red molten surface.

“Enjoy your death!” Blackstarr’s voice echoed in her head.

Supergirl watched as the red blazing surface of the planet came closer and closer. She did not know if she could survive the heat. She was nearly invincible. She was bulletproof. She had weathered the massive charge of the bomb Blackflame had detonated on Krypton, but she did not know if she could survive slamming through the molten crust of Mercury and being submerged in the lava. She had the Angel powers, but she was still learning to control them—as they were different than the ones she’d had before.

She tried to break free of the forces that Blackstarr used against her. She summoned the Angel powers. Everything around her exploded in fire as she entered Mercury’s atmosphere. She at first did not realize it was her doing and that the wings of fire were burning from her back, rather than the conditions of planet Mercury effecting her.

She sank through the molten surface, the liquid magma burning her. She could feel the wings of fire siphoning and drawing the intense heat, but not even they could cope completely with the unfathomable temperatures of Mercury’s surface.

She found the strength within to push herself up, propelling herself from beneath the surface and back into the fiery atmosphere.

She headed for space, her skin on fire, her hair a torch.

In the vacuum of space, the cold air snuffed the flames, leaving Supergirl hovering in place as her entire body throbbed. Her skin was angry red and throbbed with a pain beyond anything she had ever experienced before. Her costume was little more than blackened rags, barely enough to keep her modest.

“You are only too mortal girl!” Blackstarr cackled, coming up to where Supergirl floated—consumed by intense pain. “And it will be your undoing!”

Supergirl overcame the pain just long enough to hammer a solid blow to Blackstarr’s face, sending the woman reeling away from her. In the vacuum of space, just that one blow was enough to send Blackstarr hurtling dangerously close to the surface of the sun.

Blackstarr gained control of her free-fall, and sent herself rocketing back to Supergirl.

With a barrage of high-density light, Blackstarr blasted Supergirl, sending explosive ribbons of brilliant lancing pain traveling through her body—making the nerve endings and burnt flesh throb a thousand times more brightly.

“YOU WILL DIE SUPERGIRL!” Blackstarr’s voice was so loud that Supergirl thought her mind might explode beneath the pressure.

Blackstarr unlocked two small black holes on either side of Supergirl.

“You are going to destroy the entire galaxy!” Supergirl cried out. “We’re too close to the sun and the galaxy’s center!”

“I have destroyed more galaxies than you could count. I’ve devoured portions of this Universe in my quest. What is one more? Just because I was born on Earth does not mean I have any affinity for it or care one way or another if it all dies.” Blackstarr laughed.

Supergirl felt the black holes tugging at her, causing the molecules that made her up—that part of her that was still ectoplasmic in nature, to go ballistic. The last time Blackstarr had pinned her between two black holes she had been sucked into one and ended up on Krypton. This time, she had no such illusions. The Blackstarr that had done that had been weaker, less experienced. This Blackstarr knew exactly what she was doing. And in her severe injured state, Supergirl was not going to be able to resist the colossal pull of the black holes.

“The girl is right… you are going to destroy the entire galaxy. And if you kill her, you will destroy all of existence.”

Supergirl heard the voice in her head.

She looked toward Blackstarr, feeling quiet dread as a second woman stepped from empty space next to Blackstarr.

The woman looked nearly identical to Blackstarr, except her face was gaunter and far more haunted.

“But, Jurden, you were always misguided and never fully comprehended the forces you command.” The woman said to Blackstarr.

“RACHAEL!” Jurden hissed, “You were destroyed! I felt it!”

“No, I am afraid not dear sister. I escaped the Allied invasion after the fall of Berlin, and ended up in England.” The woman replied, “And, I am the one true Blackstarr.”

“IT IS IMPOSSIBLE!” Jurden screamed in the void.

Supergirl watched this unfolding before her, fighting against the black holes on either side of her as they grew in strength and grew in size.

“No. I merely disappeared. I was scattered across the universe by Power Girl. The disruption to the Universe caused by the Anti-Monitor’s Crisis gave me the ability to reform. Since I have wandered the Universe, exploring, searching, noting the changes the Crisis wrought. But of course, you were unconscious on a planetoid. You did not witness the Crisis. Sleeping through the whole thing. I was there Jurden. I saw the Universe before, and I saw the Universe after. And it changed me. Made me stronger.” Rachael said.

Jurden spread her arms out, “You shall find the same fate as Supergirl!”

The angry expression on Jurden’s face quickly faded to surprise and then fear.

“See? You have no control. I have negated your influence. And I am draining your control over the very essence of the Universe. Drawing all of your power into me.” Rachael smiled darkly, “And you will soon find that you are becoming quite human again… and… well, you are well aware of what happens to a mere human in the vacuum of space.”

Supergirl felt her stomach turn as the vacuum of space tore Blackstarr—Jurden apart. She exploded into a thousand pieces.

“And, now that the unpleasantness is done,” Rachael—Blackstarr, turned to Supergirl. She extended her hands, and the black holes pinning Supergirl dissolved. “You should not be out here Supergirl. Lord Xenon’s agents can see you clearly here. And they will see that you are weak. If you are destroyed, all hope for existence is lost.”

“Who are you?” Supergirl asked once she had recovered enough to speak.

“My name was Rachael Berkowitz. Once. But, now I am only Blackstarr.” The woman replied.

“I don’t understand.” Supergirl replied.

“Ask Power Girl. She would be able to explain. Perhaps. The Time Trapper would be a better source, however.” Blackstarr replied, “Now, if you’ll excuse me, there are corners of the this Universe in flux. I must observe and determine the nature of the disturbance.”

Supergirl watched as the woman faded into space. Bits of Jurden floated around, drifting closer to the surface of Mercury. Eventually they would fall into orbit around Mercury until the intense heat would incinerate them.

Supergirl floated there, her body still healing from her fateful plunge into Mercury’s surface. Her skin was still angry and red beneath, and her head felt like it might burst. However, she wasn’t sure how much of the pain might be related to the immense pressure created from being stuck between two black holes.

“I guess I’m pretty much indestructible now.” Supergirl said, turning toward Earth’s direction. She needed to start heading back, but she still hurt too much to want to consider flying at the speeds necessary to get back to Earth in a timely matter. Of course, she would start running out of air if she didn’t start back very soon. No telling how much her super-healing was going to affect the air levels. She had not tested her ability to go without replenishing her oxygen supplies since the Linda/Matrix merge. Before, she had not really needed oxygen due to her make-up. But, now she was more human and she knew that she could only make it so long in space without fresh air. Also Blackstarr’s warnings about Lord Xenon—the Anti-Monitor’s agents being able to see her sent blossoms of fear through her heart.

Despite the pain, Supergirl started back toward Earth.

It had only taken a few minutes for her to fly this far when she’d been fighting Blackstarr, but in her weakened condition, the flight home took several hours. By the time she got there, she was mostly healed. Her skin was it’s normal pigment and her hair had grown back. She was having a hard time breathing however, and judged that she was nearly out of air.

When she entered the planet’s atmosphere above Midway City, she found that dawn’s first light was falling across the city. She flew past the Midway City Finance Building, seeing that the remains of Skyline were merely a smoldering shell. There were still police and emergency vehicles crowded at the base of the building and there were firemen poking through the trashed insides of the building. It looked like all was safe here.

Flying toward Genoa Park, Supergirl headed straight for her apartment. She slipped in through her bedroom window, and crashed in her bed, laying there and falling deeply asleep. She slept for nearly seventeen hours.

Epilogue:

The ringing of the phone awoke her, and Supergirl found that she had completely healed and there wasn’t a mark or scar on her.

Reverting to Linda mode, she answered the phone.

“Hello?”

“Linda! It’s Dick. I guess you got home OK after fighting Blackstarr.”

“More or less.” She replied.

“Have you eaten yet?”

“Not yet. I’m starving.” Linda’s stomach growled loudly in agreement.

“How about I pick up some Tai food and come over?” Dick suggested.

“That is a great idea. We need to talk anyway…. Since you know my big secret.” Linda said, the unreality of transforming into Supergirl in front of him last night recurring to her like something out of a dream.

“Cool. I’ll be over in a bit. I’ve got that Kara girl with me. I’ll bring her. I didn’t know what else to do. She had nowhere to go.”

“Definitely bring her.”

“See you in a bit.”

Linda pulled herself out of bed, still wearing the remains of her Supergirl costume.

With some time to kill before Dick arrived, she went into the living room and started sewing up a replacement. She was going to stay with the hot pants and baggy blouse. At least for now. There was something classic about it that she couldn't quite put her finger on.

THE END

NEXT ISSUE: A threat from the past arrives, along with a threat from the present, and a threat from the far future.