Lena was standing in the Island's hangar, hands clasped behind her back as she waited for the Javelin to touch down. They'd agreed the Island was the safest place for the ship to land — partly because Lena still wasn't authorized for the Watchtower, but mostly because they were coming back with an extra passenger. Her and Kara's new adopted daughter, Cora Till‑Ex.

The Island was the perfect place to introduce Cora to Earth. It was, in so many ways, a small piece of Krypton preserved on the planet's surface — familiar architecture, familiar air, familiar sky. A gentler transition than dropping her straight into National City.

From here, they'd use the Island's Zeta Tube to return home quietly, avoiding the press entirely. The most famous couple in the city adopting a daughter would be headline material, and Cora deserved privacy long before she faced cameras.

Lena was incredibly nervous. She still wasn't sure what kind of mother she'd be — her own had been more of a cautionary tale than a role model. But she'd spent the past day getting everything ready for Cora's arrival. She and J'onn had crafted a cover story, including an Earth name: Cora Essex. It was close enough to her real name that Cora wouldn't forget it, but still sounded human.

The story was simple. Cora was the daughter of an old, undisclosed family friend from Midvale who had passed away unexpectedly. Rather than letting her be placed in foster care, Kara and Lena had taken her in. They had the means to give her a home — and Kara, more than anyone, understood what she was going through.

Lena had set up one of the guest bedrooms for Cora, though she'd refrained from decorating it too much. Cora was old enough to make those choices herself. They'd also decided to hold off on enrolling her in school until she'd caught up in all her subjects. While she was likely ahead in math and science, Earth history and English would take time — and so would learning to control her powers.

Lena was grateful Zatanna had come. Her sister didn't say much, but her presence alone was grounding — a quiet reminder that Lena wasn't doing this alone. The others — Jeremiah, Eliza, and Karen — would have to wait until Cora was settled. Eliza had sent over some of Karen's old clothes, just to give Cora something to wear until they could take her shopping.

Lena was pulled from her thoughts when the hangar doors rumbled open. The Justice League's starship glided inside, engines humming as it came to a stop. Her breath caught when the ramp lowered and Kara appeared — and beside her, half‑hidden behind her cape, was Cora.

Kara guided the girl gently toward her.

"Lena, meet Cora. Cora, meet Lena," Kara said softly.

"Hello," Cora murmured. Her voice was small, careful, like she wasn't sure how loud she was allowed to be.

Lena's smile warmed instantly. "Hey, sweetheart. I know we're not your parents, and Kara and I aren't trying to replace them. But I hope we can give you a good home here on Earth. And once things calm down on Argo, we'll take you there to visit. I promise."

Cora's eyes flicked around the hangar — the architecture, the lighting, the air itself. "I'd rather see more of this planet," she admitted. "This place looks too much like Argo. But... I do feel weird. Stronger."

Kara stepped in gently. "That's the yellow sun. It's charging your cells. Pretty soon you'll have all the powers Kal and I have."

Cora swallowed, unsure whether that was comforting or terrifying.

"And don't worry," Kara added, her tone softening. "You're not expected to control everything right away. You'll be spending a lot of time here on the Island with us, learning how to manage your powers before we even think about school."

"Okay." Cora said as she finally pulled herself out from behind Kara and walked up to her other new mom.

"Cora, I'm guessing you already met your Aunts Alex and Sam?" Lena asked and Cora nodded as both aunts walked off the ship, along with Clark.

"Well, now it's time for you to meet my sister, your Aunt Zatanna." Lena said as Zatanna walked up to them.

"Hi, Cora. It's nice to meet you. And Kara's side of the family isn't the only one with cool powers," Zatanna said with a playful lift of her brow.

Cora blinked up at her, unsure whether she was joking.

Zatanna grinned. "Watch."

She lifted one hand, fingers poised elegantly, and spoke with that smooth backward cadence that made her magic feel like a song.

"Sthgil roloc, dnarrats!"

A ribbon of shimmering lights burst into existence, swirling around Cora in soft spirals — pinks, reds, golds — matching the streaks in her hair. Cora gasped, stepping back instinctively, but the lights only danced around her like gentle fireflies.

Zatanna twirled her fingers again.

"Srewolf morf riah, worg!"

Tiny glowing blossoms bloomed from the ends of Cora's hair, drifting upward before dissolving into sparkles. Cora reached up, touching her hair in disbelief.

Kara laughed softly. "She likes you."

"Oh, I'm not done," Zatanna said, smirking.

She snapped her fingers and murmured:

"Tfil em pu, htooms!"

Her feet lifted off the ground, her cape fluttering as she rose gracefully into the air. No sudden movements, nothing threatening — just smooth, effortless levitation. Cora's eyes widened, her mouth falling open.

Lena folded her arms, pretending to look unimpressed. "Show‑off."

Zatanna winked mid‑air. "Always."

Then she raised both hands, palms outward.

"Nruter ot em, yletam!"

Every loose screw, bolt, and tool in the hangar lifted a few inches off the ground, orbiting her in a slow, controlled halo. The metal glinted in the hangar lights, turning lazily like planets around a star.

Cora stared, breath caught somewhere between awe and disbelief.

Zatanna slowly lowered herself back to the floor, the tools settling neatly into place with a soft clink. She knelt so she was eye‑level with Cora.

Her voice softened.

"Ecalp reh ni ytefas."

A warm, shimmering bubble of light enveloped Cora for a heartbeat — not trapping her, just embracing her — before fading like a sigh.

Cora blinked, stunned. "That... was amazing."

Zatanna smiled, brushing a strand of hair from Cora's face. "Welcome to the family, sweetheart. You're not the only extraordinary one here."

Kara's hand settled gently on Cora's shoulder. Lena's eyes softened, her nerves easing just a little.

And for the first time since stepping off the Javelin, Cora smiled — small, shy, but real.

Before Cora could think about anything else, a sharp, excited bark echoed through the hangar.

She barely had time to turn before a white blur shot through the air, streaking toward them like a furry missile. Krypto wasn't running — he was flying, tail wagging so hard it threw off his aerodynamics.

"Krypto—!" Kara started, but it was too late.

He swooped down, skidding to a stop mid‑air before dropping onto Cora with all the enthusiasm of a super‑powered golden retriever. He knocked her clean off her feet, sending them both tumbling across the floor in a tangle of limbs and happy barking.

For a heartbeat, everyone froze.

Then Cora laughed — a bright, startled, genuine laugh — as Krypto wriggled on top of her, licking her face and whining with pure joy. He hovered a few inches off the ground even while doing it, paws paddling like he was swimming through the air.

"I— I think he likes me!" Cora giggled, trying to sit up as Krypto floated around her in excited circles.

"He's been waiting all day to meet you," Kara said, relief softening her voice.

"And he's usually a little calmer," Lena added, though her smile said she didn't mind the chaos one bit.

Zatanna snorted. "Define 'a little.'"

Krypto barked proudly, then floated back down to nuzzle Cora's cheek.

And just like that, the tension in the room melted.

Cora wasn't just a new arrival anymore — she was a kid with a flying dog who adored her.