Mara smiled at Mon-El as she walked back from the bathroom. "Hey Mara!" He greeted her with a bright smile. "Hey Mon-El" Mara had a mischievous glint as she watched the man nearly drop the glass in his hand. He looked at Mara like he'd seen a ghost. "I'm sorry...I don't know a Mon-El" He tried to cover up poorly. Mara laughed at him, "It's okay, I hacked the DEO and found out you were using an alias" Mara reassured him before walking over to Kara and the others.

Kara shook her head at her, a small smirk on her lips. "Really?" She questioned her. Mara shrugged, "You're telling me you didn't laugh?" She asked Kara, sitting down next to her. Kara rolled her eyes at her. "Hey, I'm... I am very excited to meet Alex's new mystery man" Winn decided to change the subject. "Hey, do we know what, um, what he does for a living?" James asked Kara, seeing as she was the only one who knew the details of Alex's new relationship.

Kara looked at everyone carefully. "Alex's guy? Cop" Kara answered as vaguely as possible. Mara gave her a side glance before J'onn caught her attention. "Yeah, no way Alex Danvers dates someone who doesn't own a firearm" Winn commented, unaware of the silent conversation occurring.. Mara nodded at J'onn before turning to Winn and James. "Fifty that it's not what you two think" She suggested, holding out her hands for the boys to shake.

James and Winn shared a look before both shaking Mara's hand as Alex walked up to the table. "Hey, you guys" She smiled at everyone, her body tense with her anxiety. Everyone waved before noticing Maggie. "Hey, um... You all remember Maggie, right?"

James was taken back before clearing his throat,"Hey, yeah. Good to see you again" He smiled at Maggie and Alex as he took out a fifty dollar bill from his pocket. Winn on the other hand seemed to be shocked in the best way imaginable. "Alex! I... I didn't know" He smiled brightly looking around at everyone, seeing the smirks on Mara and J'onn's faces as she held the fifty from James. "Did you know?" He asked the pair with suspicion in his eyes.

J'onn rolls his eyes at Winn, "Yes, I knew, I'm psychic" J'onn reminded everyone. "How come you never said anything before?" Alex asked him, feeling a little weight lifted from her shoulder. "It's not for me to say. Good for you, Alex" He smiled at her like a proud father.

Mara walked up to Maggie as she swiped her winnings from Winn. "And how did you know?" Alex asked her, crossing her arms. Mara shrugged, "Same way as Detective Sawyer" She answered looking down at her phone as she said Maggie's official title. "Did you hack the D.E.O again?" Winn exasperated, hitting his head off the table.

Mara nodded, "How else was I supposed to know who my fellow gay was?" She questioned everyone. J'onn rolled his eyes at Mara, holding out his hand. "Phone" He spoke with his D.E.O voice. Mara rolled her eyes back at him, handing the phone with no resistance. "Whatever Granpa" Mara muttered under her breath as she walked closer to Alex and Maggie.

Maggie smirked at Mara, impressed by her actions. "So you're the little genius Alex can't shut up about" She smiled at Mara. The teen did a dramatic gasp of appreciation. "Alex! I'm flattered" Mara exclaimed with a string of giggles. "I'm Mara" She holds up her hand for Maggie to shake. "It's lovely to put a face to the name Mini Danvers" Maggie smiled back. Kara and Alex shared a look at the name as everyone went into an awkward silence. Mara gave a bashful expression. "I'm not a Danvers" She told her. "Oh, my bad. You just look a lot like Kara" Maggie tried to apologise. "It's okay Maggie" Kara spoke up with a forced smile as she fixed her glasses.

Mara saw Mon-El make his way over and thanked the gods he was. "Drinks up!" Mon-El announced with his tray of orders. He handed them out respectively, "Here we go, bubbly club soda for the lady" He handed Kara her drink. He then handed Mara a tall glass with a dark purple liquid. "And a mixed berry milkshake for my favourite little lady" He smiled at Mara. "Thank you" She smiled back as Mon-El ruffled her hair a bit.

"What's up? Mon-El asked after greeting Maggie and Alex. "Um, well, I just wanted to let you know that Maggie and I are dating" Alex told him, curious about his reaction. "Oh, that was the thing. Okay. Okay, that's... Is that like a problem here on Earth or..." He was super confused and wary incase he offended Alex which would make both Kara and Mara mad at him. "Well, on Earth, you know, not everybody supports ladies loving ladies" Alex explained to him.

Mon-El seemed shocked, "Oh, on Daxam it's the more the merrier. Ain't that right little lady" Mon-El held out his fist for Mara. "You know it" Mara fist bumped him. "Woah, you've been teaching Mara about Daxam?" Kara asked Mon-El. The pair shared a look, "Well, in exchange for doing his taxes. Mon-El tells me about the patriarchy system that governed Daxam and I tell him the flaws" Mara smirked before Mon-El left to grab Maggie and Alex drinks.

James turned to Mara, raising his eyebrows. "So, when were you gonna tell us your secret Mara?" He asked her, crossing his arms. Mara laughed at him, "Wasn't a secret. No one asked so I didn't give an answer" She answered swimmingly. Mara sat next to Kara again, resting her head on her shoulder. ""We love you the same anyways" She smiled at her, kissing her forehead softly.

"Hey, do you play pool?" Maggie asked Winn of all the people at the table. Mara almost spit out her milkshake. "Yeah" Winn answered meekly. "No, you don't" Both Mara and James told him, Mara holding back her laughs. Winn seemed deeply offended, "It is geometry with sticks, folks. Pool is easy" He brushed off as Mara laughed at him.

"Mon-El! Play S.O.S by ABBA cause Winn is gonna make us all pray for our souls" Mara joked at Winn. Everyone but Kara followed Winn to the pool table. Mara walked over to Mon-El, the poor man failing to fulfil Mara's request. Kara scrunched up her nose at the pair. Kara felt herself smile as the duo joked behind the bar as Mara helped him with the music.

"Hey, that cop doesn't know I'm the Guardian, right?" James asked Kara, taking her away from her thoughts. "No. Lucky her" Kara licked her lips, turning towards the TV mounted on a wall in the bar. "Testifying today against Luthor is her adopted daughter..." The reporter spoke as footage of Lena Luthor attending her mother's trial played in the background. "Oh, what an awful thing to have to do" Kara sighed, crossing her arms.

James clicked his teeth, "Well, the Luthors have never shied away from doing awful things" he commented, knowing how Kara felt about Lena. " Yeah, but she's not like them. She knows Lillian is evil, she's doing the right thing, even though she still loves her mother.What she did was brave" Kara defended Lena, knowing deep down that she was nothing like her namesake. "If you say so" James shrugged, he had seen this film before and the ending wasn't something he was a fan of. " I should go see her. She could probably use a friend" Kara thought out loud.

"Using her friends, that's exactly what I'm worried about" James twisted Kara's thought. Before Kara could correct him a pool ball went flying across the bar. Winn looked up with wide eyes. "Sorry!" He winced. And just like clockwork, music flooded the bar.

"So when you're near me, darling. Can't you hear me, S.O.S.?" blared through the speakers as Mara jumped up. Mon-El seemed to look at Mara with pride as she danced to the song. She found her way next to Kara as James took the pool stick from Winn. "You okay Kara?" Mara asked her, resting her head against her body. "Yeah..." Kara trailed off looking back at the TV. "Hey, wanna go on a little adventure?" Kara asked her. Mara seemed intrigued.

~~~

Mara nibbled at her doughnut as she held onto Kara's sleeve. One thing she hated about the city was the crowding, attaching to Kara seemed to be her only safety. She looked up as Kara stopped outside a building, "We're here sweetie" She smiled down at her. Mara's eyes went wide as she saw the building name. "You know Lena Luthor?" She asked Kar as they began to walk in. Kara nodded, greeting the receptionist.

"Good evening Ms Danvers, is the girl with you?" The woman smiled at Kara and gave a quick glance to the girl who was in absolute amazement at the building around her. Mara's eyes seemed to blend into a pink and orange combination as the receptionist escorted them to Lena's office. Kara shook her head at Mara who squealed at the various lab tests and brainstorming sessions happening as Lena's assistant escorted them as they got to Lena's office floor.

"Lillian Luthor's defence attorneys tried to downplay Lena Luthor's testimony, characterising her statements as 'the angry rant of an estranged daughter' "

Lenna huffed as she turned to see Kara standing at the door with Mara, who had long given up on her doughnut when she walked into the building. "Everyone in National City has got an opinion about me" She sighed, muting the TV and giving her favourite blonde her attention. "Ungrateful daughter, heroine, bitch" Lena lists off, walking over to her desk to place the remote down.

"Ugh. And they've all called for a quote" She dropped her shoulder momentarily before looking up in slight fear. "Not you though, Snapper Carr hasn't sent you here to shake me down?" She asked, not in the mood to justify her actions through her friend for the CatCo magazine. Kara gave a soothing smile, "No, no. I'm here as a friend" She reassured her. "We thought you could use some fried sugary goodness in your life" She added, holding up the bag of donuts.

"You eat donuts, right?" Kara smirked as Lena walked closer and took the bag out of her hands. "Um, well... I am human" Lena joked softly. "I'm not" Mara spoke out loud, her eyes turning light yellow as she gulped. "Uh..I'm sorry I don't know why I said that" Mara bit the inside of her bottom lip, the taste of iron mixing with the raspberry filling from her half-eaten doughnut.

Lena smiled at her, a small laugh escaping as she did. "No it's okay. I don't believe we've met before" Lena spoke softly. "I'm Mara, Mara Z-"

"Zorl" Lena gasped, her eyes widening as she looked back at Kara. "How'd you know my last name?" Mara furrowed her eyebrows and Lena looked at her again. "My mother. She told me you were special...I..." Lena walked closer to the smaller girl. Mara gulped, looking back up at her, the light yellow in her eyes bursting brighter.

"I'm sorry for what my mother did to you Mara" Lena's voice was soft, almost cracking at the sight of the girl. She didn't know that Mara was a child nor that Kara seemed to be connected to her. Mara smiled brightly, "It's okay. I know you're a good guy. And besides if Lillian didn't kidnap me, I would have never met Kara or you" She explained to Lena, seeing the fear from the woman wash out with a melancholy smile.

"Mara's read all of your papers" Kara spoke up, thankful that Mara didn't hate Lena or Lena hating Mara. Lena seemed a little shocked, "Really?" She asked, a smile on her face as she watched Mara blush deep red and her eyes turn light yellow again. She played with her doughnut, "I mean... Your designs for the Venture were amazing! I did my engineering mid-term on it. And your research papers on nanotechnology alone are..." Mara began to rant, her eyes shining a bright pink.

Lena was impressed, "You understood them? She asked Mara. Mara nodded her head, "I've been reading a lot. Nothing better to do" Mara shrugged, finishing her doughnut and taking a great interest in her fingers. "What about school?" Lena asked her, handing her a tissue to clean her hands. "Waiting to find out if I can graduate. Sent in my last assignment" Mara answered shyly.

Lena furrowed her eyebrows, "How old are you?" she crossed her arms. "Fifteen. Oh by the way your calculations for the energy output for the solar powered kinetic shields are off. You need to balance the energy of the shields with the amount of solar power or else it will explode" Mara told her before her phone began to ring.

Mara looked at the contact before looking at Kara, "It's Ms Cordial" She bit her lip, her eyes turning light yellow. This was it. She'll find out if she'll be graduating with the seniors this year, leaving Henry in Midvale High alone for two years. "You can take the call on the balcony, Mara" Lena smiled at Mara. She nodded a thanks and walked out to the crisp cold air.

"Ms Cordial, how are you?" Mara asked, her fingers picking at the skin. "I'm good Mara, how are you settling with Ms Danvers?" Ms Cordial's voice was soft like snow falling onto a frozen lake. "Really good...Have you heard from the school?" Mara asked her, playing with her sleeves. She could feel this curling motion in her stomach as she heard the movement of paper and pens on Rachel's end.

"Yes..You will be walking with the seniors in a few months and you have been awarded valedictorian too"

Mara was lost for words, unaware she was in perfect view of Kara and Lena who had finished their own conversation. "So...I'm staying? In National City...I'm graduating?" She asked again, it didn't seem real. After her year so far, kidnapped by CADMUS, finding out she's one of the last kryptonians, held hostage by White Martians. She felt like she was gonna wake up any moment and everything was just a dream.

"Yes you are Mara. I'm so proud of you. I've even organised a trip to Midvale after thanksgiving to treat you and Henry" Ms Cordial congratulated her before hanging up the phone. Mara felt tears form as she let out a heavy breath. "I did it" She whispered, looking up at the sky. "I did it Celeste" She wiped her tears before walking back into Lena's office.

Kara looked at her, biting her lip like Mara as she waited for the teen to tell her the news. "Well?" Kara asked impatiently as Mara closed the glass door. Mara smiled brightly, her eyes shining the brightest shade of pink. "I'm graduating!" Mara told her, running into Kara's arms.

Kara held Mara tightly, a smile on her face "Oh sweetie I knew you could do it". Kara held Mara's shoulders. "I'm so proud of you Mara" She smiled at her, using her thumb to wipe away Mara's tears. Lena gave her happy smile too, seeing as she didn't know the girl that well. " You are very bright Ms Zorl, you may even have a future at LCorp" Lena offered her gently.

Mara looked at Lena as if she had grown two heads, "Seriously?" She asked her. Lena nodded, "If you ever need it, you'll have a place here" Lena clarified before Mara wrapped her arms around her waist. "Thank you!" Mara squealed as Lena gave her a shy hug back.

~~~

Kara stood outside the courtroom, adjusting her bag. She looked down at Mara who was playing with the ends of her light blue flannel. Her glasses were on for the first time. Modified by Winn to hide her eyes shifting colour. But from the right angle Kara could see the intense light yellow, she was scared.

"We can leave sweetie, you don't need to be here" Kara reminded her, catching her attention. Mara tried to smile, "No, I wanna be here. I need this" She told Kara. Mara knew that Lillian knew, but she didn't care. She wanted to see Lillian pay for what she did. Mara wanted to show that she overcame what Lilian did, that she had no hold on her.

Kara wrapped her arm around Mara, "Just say the word okay sweetie" She told her as they walked in. Lena sat behind her mother, a row or two behind to be sure. She hated it but it felt right. She smiled at Kara and Mara, feeling her nerves waiver. "Thank you, both of you" She smiled at them as they sat next to Alex who was sitting behind the state attorney.

The hearing commenced with the testimony of John Corben, who was known as Metallo. He had been shot by Lena and then saved by Lillian, who used kryptonite to keep him alive and attack Supergirl and Superman.

The state attorney walked up to the stand, "Mr. Corben, will you tell the court how you know Lillian Luthor?" She questioned him. "She's the doctor who saved my life" Corben answered with full confidence.

Mara rolled her eyes, "Arrogant prick" She hissed, earning a light nudge from Kara. "By turning you into a weapon cyborg?" Webb asked again, more forward than before. Lillians's attorney was fast to intervene, "Objection. Calls for speculation" He calls out, looking at the Judge.

"Objection is sustained" the judge gave Webb a side eye. "Okay, we'll move on. After Lillian Luthor saved you, did she order you to work for Cadmus?" She questions him with more confidence . Corben let out a small laugh, "She didn't have to order me to do anything" He answered before a dark smirk formed on his face. "I believe aliens should be wiped from the Earth" He stated darkly, the whole courtroom turned silent in shock.

"Starting with Supergirl and her cousin" He added into his statement, causing more disruption in the courtroom. Reporters losing their shits, officers trying to keep them black and the judge trying to calm the situation from where they were.

Mara folded her arms sitting back. "I hate him" Both Kara and Mara muttered. Alex tried to suppress a laugh at the pair. "He literally has no heart" Kara added, placing a hand on Mara's elbow. Mara smiled at her, "I'm good".

"And what, if anything, did Lillian Luthor tell you about the Medusa Project?" Webb moved forward to him. "Earth is in crisis. Aliens threaten our safety and way of life, bringing violence and disease. She wanted to save the human race" Corben began to rant, a victorious smile on Lillian's face. "That's enough, thank you" Webb stopped him from talking.

Metallo didn't like that

"It is not enough!" He screamed, slamming his hand on the wood encasing him. Everyone watched him like he was a ticking bomb. "Lillian Luthor is not a criminal. She wanted to save you. Until Supergirl silenced her!" His voice boomed. He looked directly at Mara, causing shivers down her spine. Mara grabbed Kara's hand, not being able to look away.

"This trial is a conspiracy to condemn the one person who wants to save your lives! Your children's lives!"

Everyone seemed to turn chaotic, the judge banging the gavel and shouting "Order" continuously until people settled down. Mara felt her stomach turn in knot as Lilian gave her a side look, Kara and Alex oblivious to the woman as they eyed Corben. "Settle down. We must have order in the courtroom" The judge shouted, everyone had their eyes in her direction.

"Counsellor. Get control over your witness" The judge warned Webb, seeing the angry rile up in Corben. Webb seemed to press down her suit. "Mr. Corben has become antagonistic and clearly is not willing to answer the questions as directed" She held her head high as she spoke with her sharp tongue.

Mara felt dizzy, a wave of nausea flooding her. Her stomach turned and poked at her insides. "Permission to treat the witness as hostile, Your Honor" Webb asked, only for Corben to stand with a wicked smile. "Allow me to treat you as hostile" Corben stated, before ripping open his shirt. A blast of kryptonite shot from his chest.

The court erupted in fear. Everyone was screaming and running away. It was a blur for Mara. One moment she was clinging to Kara for dear life, the next she felt arms wrap around her waist. "Let me go!" Mara shouted, trying to wriggle out of the grip. She didn't feel right. Like someone had drained her of all her energy.

"KARA! ALEX!" Mara screamed before she was thrown to the side. She looked up between her hair. Lillian Luthor walked in as if nothing happened with Corben right behind her. She smiled at Mara coldly, folding her legs as she brushed off the dust on her skirt.

"Ms Zorl, I'm glad to see you again"

~~~

Mara was placed between Corben and a guy that looked like J'onn. Lillian had been eyeing her for the last forty minutes. "I must say Mara, I am impressed, your hair is almost blonde. Staying with the D.E.O has really disciplined you into a young lady" Lillian spoke coldly as she flicked some of Mara's fading ends. "I was gonna dye later but you kinda kidnapped me" Mara rolled her eyes at Lillian. "You sound like my daughter" Lillian commented, sitting back in her seat. She crossed her arms, "You sound like my daughter" her voice was sharp. Mara's eyes turned violet. "Now I see why she hates you" She muttered.

Lillian snapped her fingers. The J'onn lookalike grabbed Mara by her neck with his hand, his red eye staring at her. "You do not comment on my family you insolent little brat" Lillian spat at Mara. Mara gasped for air. Lillian waved her hand, stopping the chokehold.

Mara gasped, her hands on her knees. "wHAT THE FUCK WOMAN!" She wheezed out. "How can you call yourself a mother! No wonder your son went ballistic and your daughter hates you!" Mara snapped at Lillian. Lillain slapped Mara with a loud clapping sound. Mara felt her cheek sting as tears welled up in her eyes.

"You know nothing about family. Your parents sent you away to corrupt this planet. No human wanted you for fifteen years! Why do you think no one ever fostered you? The people of Earth can sniff out evil and you little kryptonian are the evilest" Lillian spat out, watching as Mara clutched her bruising cheek and neck, tears in her eyes.

"You really believe Supergirl cares about a little orphan girl from Midvale? The only thing she cares about is your genetics. Who are you to Supergirl, Mara?" Lillian questioned her before the van they were in came to a stop. Mara stayed quiet as the fake J'onn and Metallo held her forearms and dragged her out.

It was a small warehouse, nothing much to it, just some rations to survive and pieces of equipment. There was a table in the centre with blueprints laid out. "Now, we break my daughter out of jail" Lillian spoke, looking at Mara again. "With your help of course".

Mara gulped as Lillian began to explained. But she couldn't focus on her plan. All that she could think of was Kara and Supergirl and who she was to them. To her.

~~~

Mara was back in the van, bruises littered her face and her lip was busted. Cyborg Superman sat next to her, fixing his circuits that were torn out from his robotic side. Mara had attacked him trying to escape which ended in a lot of pain for her.

She thought that his alias, 'Cyborg Superman' was the most ridiculous name she's heard. Like if he looked like Superman, then okay it makes sense. But he looks like J'onn. How does that make sense?

What's worse is Metallo's faulty kryptonite. Mara sadly remembers the feeling of kryptonite from Lillian's first time kidnapping her. It seemed to hurt him, much to his very subtle ways of hiding it.

"You remember the plan?" Metallo asked her as the van stopped. Mara nodded weakly, not meeting his eye. The trio walked into the prison Mara in between the modified men as they knock people unconscious. Cyborg Superman led Mara and Corben to the cellblock Lena was on. Corben was the first to turn the corner, catching the prison guards' attention.

He blasted them with his fake kryptonite, knocking them to the end of the hall. He grabbed Mara by her shoulder and shoved her towards Lena's cell. "Work alien" He spat at her.

Mara ran up to Lena's cell.

Lena looked at the girl, her eyes wide with fear. "Mara! Kara's been worried sick. What are you doing here!" She asked her, running up to the bars. "Your mom. Now stand back" Mara told her before she began to rip the bars apart with her hands. Once there was enough room, Mara held her hand out for Lena. It was then the youngest Luthor could see the damage on Mara. Her neck was a dark purple, dry blood on her bottom lip and a hand mark on her wrist.

"Mara, what did she do to you?" Lena asked, cupping her face, noticing the hand mark on her cheek. "Let's go" Mara told her, feeling Lena take her hand. "If Lena was bad, I knew it was only a matter of time before you showed up to free her" Mara turned around to see the Guardian, standing on the other side of Metallo.

"I do work for the Luthors, after all" Metallo answered before letting out another blast. Guardian went flying backwards, his body hitting the wall with a loud thump. Mara let out a scream, "NO!" She ran from Lena and past Metallo. Falling to Guardian's side she pressed her ear on his chest.

Thump-Ba Thump

She whimpered, lifting her head. She looked at Metallo with violet eyes, "You could have killed him!" She roared, still kneeling next to his body. Guardian groaned, his eyes opening slightly. "Mara" He gasped. Mara laid his head on the floor, "James" She gasped...tell...tell Kara I'm sorry" She sobbed, even though her tears made her cuts sting.

Metallo scoffed, "Let's go!" He walked up to Mara and dragged her by her hair. Mara screamed and kicked her legs at him, trying her best to get free. But Metallo's kryptonite was hurting her, making her energy depleted. Lena screamed at him, "Let her go! She's just a child" She snapped at Metallo as he walked up to the Luthor. He rolled his eyes at her before releasing Mara from his grip.

She let out a pained cry, trying to catch her breath. Lena knelt down to Mara, cupping her face softly. "Mara, breathe sweetie" She told her softly. Mara looked up at the woman, her eyes a vibrant yellow. Her breathing became more paced and natural as Lena helped her up. "Let's go Ms Luthor" Metallo snarred. Lena gave him a cold stare as she wrapped her arms around Mara's shoulders.

~~~

Mara sat beside Lena as her mother sat in the passenger's side of their getaway truck while Metallo drove them to who knows where. Lillian climbed over to the back of the truck. Mara froze as the woman passed her, her eyes turning into a mix of light yellow and light blue as she brought her knees to her chest.

Lillian sat across from her daughter and the young girl, Lena turning her head at her mother. "Are you okay?" She asked Lena who only stared at Mara's small form. "Don't" Lena hissed at her. Lillian sensed her anger, "You're still angry I had Metallo liberate you from that jail?" She pointed out. Lena scoffed at her, "Don't forget about using my friend's foster daughter to do so? It makes me look more guilty when I'm not" She snapped at her mother, looking back at the beaten up girl she only met last night.

Lillian rolled her eyes at her daughter, "Even if they found out the truth about you, no one would change their mind. The public wants to believe the narrative they expect from us, that Luthors are evil" She reminded the young woman in front of her. "We don't get second chances. Look what they did to me" Lillian sat back, as Lena glared at her, "Stripped me of my medical licence without even a hearing. Or worse, what they did to Lex" the mention of the older Luthor made Mara freeze up more. "He could've fixed this planet for generations" Lillian spoke as if what Lex had been doing was heroic.

"But Superman twisted what he was doing, and they all turned on him" Lillian gave Mara a cold look again, one that wasn't unnoticed by Lena. "Lex went insane" She gritted her teeth. Lillian smiled, almost proudly, "Exactly.And if they could take the brightest mind on Earth and drive him crazy defending himself, imagine what they could do to you" Lillian seemed to have struck a nerve.

Lena stood up, "Stop the van. I'm going back!" She shouted at Metallo. Lillian laughed at her daughter, "To what?" She asked her daughter. Lena gulped at the question, "You have no life anymore, Lena. You have no one on your side" Lillian sounded like doom incarnate. Mara looked up at the woman as her words created webs of lies. Kara is on Lena's side, she will get them help and save them. Mara curled into herself more as she thought of Kara. Of Supergirl.

Was Lillian right? Was Supergirl only caring because she was like her, Kryptonian? Is that why Kara offered to take her in, not because she cared but because she wanted to impress Supergirl or something? No, Mara thought. They both care about her, they both want her to be safe, not to mention when the White Martian attacked. They both acted the same... Mara bit her lip tightly, drawing blood.

'I'd never abandon you Mara. Ever'

~~~

"Move, alien" Metallo shoved Mara forwards. Mara glared up at him, "Call me that again and you'll see how alien I am" She spat at him. Metallo wiped his face with a glare pointed back at Mara. Lena saw the tension between Mara and Metallo, quickly ushering Mara away from him. Mara found some comfort in Lena's touch, the woman distracting her from her own thoughts.

"Don't worry, Supergirl will come. I know it" Lena whispered in her ear. Mara bit her lip, "Yeah, Supergirl" Mara hugged herself tightly. "What is this place?" Lena asked, looking around the warehouse they were in. Mara felt her body sway, the sickly feeling dripping up on her. Metallo's kryptonite shouldn't be affecting her this way. If anything, Mara would have dropped to the floor ages ago.

"One of Lex's facilities" Lillian smiled proudly, "A giant satellite receiver embedded in the top of this mountain monitors outer space for signs of intelligent life" She turned to her daughter and Mara. Shivers encased Mara's body from the pointed look Lillian gave her. "To warn of alien invasion?" Metallo asked, "Bingo! Because we know more are coming" Lillian answered as they walked away from the van.

Metallo smiled, "Which makes me glad I joined the cause" His words were sharp as he gave Mara a side glance. "There's enough here to sustain us for a long time if we need it, but I suspect we won't" Lillian mused, causing Lena to speak up. "Why not? We're fugitives, we can't go back" She scoffed at her mother while also looking at the many objects in the space. "Not yet. But your brother didn't only keep rations for times of emergency. He also kept an arsenal" Lillian explained. Mara rolled her eyes at the woman, "Why is that not surprising?" She commented.

Lillian turned around, stopping in front of Mara. She bent down slightly, looking the girl in the eye, "You're a smart girl Ms Zorl, so I hope that I will not repeat myself when I say that the only reason I haven't had Mr Corben kill you yet is because that shall be a scene for Supergirl. So unless you want not only an early death but also the death of your beloved little hero, I'd shut up". Mara looked at the woman, yellow and violet staring at the dark brown. Mara spat at Lillian's feet.

A loud smack echoed, Lena looked shocked while Corben seemed pleased. Mara turned her head, a bright red mark sitting atop her cheek. "That's your second strike Ms Zorl, don't let there be a third" Lillian hissed before turning on her heels.

"Lex had vaults around the world loaded with all the things he'd collected to level the playing field and defeat Superman once and for all" The eldest Luthor continued her speech about her favourite child. She stopped in front of a small podium and pressed on her tablet, "And one of those vaults is right here" She smiled.

"Ready for authorization" an automated voice sounded out. Lillian turned to Lena, who was still in shock. "All we need is to open it" Corben and Lillian both looked at Lena. Lena let out a breathy laugh, "It's a biometric lock" She pointed out. Lillian nodded at her observation, "It scans for Luthor DNA" She clarified. "Tell me you don't have a bit of Lex frozen somewhere" Lena scoffed at her little joke only to be met with intense stares. "I didn't say Lex's DNA. I said Luthor. Any Luthor can open it" Lillian rectified her previous statement, "And you, my daughter, are part of that family tree" She added.

Mara looked at Lena, her shiny grey eyes looking abnormal in the warehouse lighting. "Kara said you were adopted" Mara furrowed her eyebrows. Lena sighed, shaking her head "You didn't have your green goon force Mara to liberate me from prison because you loved me. Because you wanted to help me." She spat at Lillian, stepping in front of Mara. "You did it because I'm the only one who can open this vault for you" Lena glared at Lillian.

Lillian tried not to bite her lip seeing that Lena saw through her little plan, "While it's true I need your DNA, one doesn't negate the other" Her voice was softer this time. "I still love you. I still want to help you. I promise it won't hurt" Lillian tried to persuade Lena. "The only person you want to help is yourself, I'll take my chances on my own. Mara lets-"

Mara yelped as she felt her body hit the floor, A heavy foot weighing on her neck. She gasped as a man the who looked like J'onn only with a metal Phantom of the Opera mask held her in place with his foot. He looked at Lena, pressing harder "I think you should listen to your mother" He suggested to Lena.

Lena was horrified, "Stop! You're hurting her! She's just a child" She cried out as Mara struggled to breathe. "He doesn't want to, Lena" Lillian grabbed her daughter's attention, "Put your hand on the pad and we can all start getting along again. I promise" She looked at Lena with faux sincerity. "No" She barked at Lillian, watching Mara hit the man's ankle repeatedly as her face began to go red.

Lillian shook her head at Lena, "I'm trying to play nice, now put your hand on the lock and Mara lives. Easy peasy" She grabbed Lena's hand and placed it over the lock. A loud clunk echoed as fake J'onn lifted his foot from Mara's neck. She coughed roughly as Lena ran to her side. "Mara, are you okay? She needs water!" She cried at her mother and the goons around them. Mara felt dizzy, trying to fight the urge to sleep. Lena's cries were ignored as she stared at the marks on Mara's neck and face. Each cheek held a slap mark, her right bruised while her left was turning dark purple and now her neck had a foot imprinted on it.

Mara choked out a sob, the sound making her wince. Her throat was on fire as she curled up on the floor. She let the tears fall to the floor. Lena walked away from Mara, not wanting to cause the girl more hurt. Mara looked across the room, her vision blurry. "Please, Supergirl find me" She managed to say, her voice hoarse.

Mara felt the floor shake. She looked up to see Supergirl standing only a few feet from her. "You came" She gasped, her throat feeling worse. Supergirl looked over at Mara, a flare of anger in her eyes, "You called sweetie" she smiled softly before turning to Lillian and her goons.

Mara could barely follow what was happening before a loud high pitched whine made her head pound. She screamed out in pain, her whole body feeling like it was being pulled apart. Even when it stopped, Mara couldn't move.

"Mara!"

Her body was lifted from the ground, her eyes falling to stay open as she looked at whoever was holding her. "J'onn" She mumbled, her arms falling to her sides. "It's okay, I've got you" J'onn's eyes glowed red, Mara's body felt lighter. "Rest, we're going home" He told her before flying out of the warehouse.

~~~

If Mara had to be hooked up to one more EKG machine, she was going to snap. Alex removed the stethoscope from her chest, "Besides some bruising and your impeccable genetics, you're gonna be just fine" She smiled at Mara. Mara smiled back too, only to drop it as fast. "How's Lena?" Mara asked.

Alex handed her a tablet, CatCo Media's running headline was 'LENA LUTHOR VINDICATED'. "That's good" Mara smiled at the tablet before handing it back. She swung her legs over the bed, swinging them softly. Alex gave her a pointed look, "Hey, no over exerting yourself, doctors orders" She warned Mara who held her hands up.

"Knock, knock"

Mara turned to see Supergirl has the door with a sheepish smile. Mara's eyes flickered dark orange for a moment before she turned to Alex. "Can you give us the room please?" She asked her as nicely as Mara could at that moment. Alex nodded before leaving the room.

Supergirl furrowed her eyebrows, "Little one is everything o-". "Stop it" Mara snapped at her, looking away from the blonde hero. Supergirl was taken back to say the least, "Mara what's going on?" She asked, walking closer to the young girl. Mara gripped the mattress, not meeting Supergirl's eyes.

"You tell me...Kara"

Kara's body froze in place, looking at Mara in shock. Mara let out a shaky gasp, clenching her eyes to stop tears falling. "I was right...I-I was right" Mara sobbed, placing her hands over her face. Kara's heart shattered at the sight of Mara's unfortunate discovery. "How long have you known?" She asked softly, staying where she was to allow Mara to have some control.

"I was suspicious when you went missing but...it didn't occur until I was captured by Armek" Mara's voice was cold as she spoke, her eyes hidden from Kara's view in an attempt to hide her emotions from the woman. Kara mentally cursed at herself, "The painting" She realised too late.

Kara took a step forward, "Mara please let me explain" She begged her. Mara stood up and walked a little away. "Explain what?" She asked her, "You couldn't have told me? That telling me would not only risk my life but also yours?" Mara guessed, keeping her back to Kara. "I get it" She gritted her teeth, her hands tightening around her forearms. "That's the worst part" Mara choked, fighting the tears that tried to escape.

"I know why you did it. You couldn't just tell this random kid your secret identity, I understand. I understand why you took me in as Kara, I get it" Mara rambled, unaware that Kara was crying silently or that she was crying herself as she walked. "But what I don't get is after the White Martians, after using a memory only Kara would know, after everything..."Mara stopped, slowly turning around to see Kara.

Both blondes were crying, they both were holding back as Mara spoke. "Why not tell me then?" Mara asked her, trying to hold herself together.

Kara bit her lip as she clenched her fists. "Mara...I...I can't tell you" She whispered just loud enough for Mara to hear. Mara nodded, clicking her tongue. "Get out" She hissed at Kara.

Kara looked at her confused. "What?" She asked. Mara glared at Kara, "Get. Out" She repeated, her voice holding more weight. Kara attempted to walk over to Mara, only to see her eyes flash a new colour. "GET OUT!" Mara screamed at her. Kara looked at Mara once more before walking out of the room, avoiding whoever was trying to enter. Mara let out a painful sob, her knees losing all strength as her body swayed to the floor.

Mon-El, who was confused at what he had just witnessed, ran over to the teen and caught her swiftly. "Hey, hey. What happened?" He asked, pushing Mara's hair out of her face. Mara wrapped her arms around Mon-El, crying soppily into his shoulder.

"She lied to me" Mara cried out as Mon-El held her close, trying to calm her down

"Kara lied to me"

What do we think?