*peeks in, winces* . . . well, at least it hasn't been three years since this was last updated. That's an improvement over "The Devil's Greatest Trick" . . .

So, yes, hello, friends! I'm alive, this series is alive, and so are a lot of other works that I haven't had the energy or motivation to get to in the past year with all the hell that's been breaking loose. To summarize: I finished my four years of schooling, my dad got a new job, we moved out of state, I finished my old job, I got my internship secured for November, I'm also working a new job in the meantime . . . and I had a very massive, very public fallout last August with two of my former closest friends here on Wattpad that ended up with my confidence to write some books (including this one, for a time) shot. Overall, it's been a very long year.

But hopefully I am now back, and I fully intend to see this series through at least through the end of Supergirl Season 6. Whether I go further or not fully depends on how I decide to handle Flash and Legends . . . which seriously, Legends getting canceled? In the words of Pietro Maximoff, I didn't see that coming.

But enough about me! You're here for the story! So, let's see if I remember how to do this . . . *clears throat* Mon-El learns the reversal of the Blight has two very different outcomes for his teammates, Winn has quite the bomb dropped on his head, Slade is giving the pep talks for once, and Sam really hates the Dark Valley.

Enjoy the continuation of "Battles Lost and Won!"

***

"I'm happy for Kara."

Mon-El turned as Imra joined him on the balcony of the D.E.O., where the Daxamite had retreated to watch the three Kryptonians reunite. "Me, too," he agreed, turning away from the reunion and gesturing for his wife to follow. "When Kara and Alura realized exactly who the other was . . . " His smile grew. "It was almost enough to make me forget why we were there in the first place."

"I understand the feeling," Imra smiled. "When I saw Preya for the first time since her death . . . "

She trailed off, and Mon-El frowned in concern when he saw Imra's tears. "But she's OK?" he asked gently, moving closer.

"She's perfect," Imra admitted with a watery chuckle, and Mon-El wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Imra leaned into his comfort gratefully, closing her eyes. "I have my sister back, and Kara has Argo," she said quietly. "That is a far greater outcome than I could have ever hoped for."

"And hopefully it'll get even better," Mon-El nodded. At Imra's confused look, he grinned. "I have orders from Kara to make sure you and Brainy attend the wedding of the millennium."

Imra's eyes widened in excitement. "They have a date?!"

"When we get Sam back," Mon-El confirmed. "She and Oliver have made it very clear they expect all their superhero friends to attend."

Imra squealed in delight. "Oh, Brainy is going to be happy to have a break!"

"We all will," Mon-El sighed, then paused, Imra's words catching up with him. "Wait . . . why Brainy in particular?" he asked.

Imra froze, then licked her lips. "You need to talk to him," she answered. "With the Blight no longer in existence, I have been extremely lucky in what I now have." She lowered her gaze. "Brainy . . . he is not so fortunate."

***

Sam hated the Dark Forest. She hated knowing nothing of where she was, she hated that she was alone, she hated that she was the only one who could do this, and she hated that it was . . . well, dark.

So when she turned the corner and found a spring in front of her, she almost collapsed in relief. "The Fountain of Lilith," she whispered, stumbling to the spring and crouching.

She cupped her hands and dipped them into the water, then bent down to drink. "No!" Patricia's voice called sharply, and Sam jolted, looking up to find her adoptive mother rushing to her. "It's the wrong well!" the woman shook her head, pointing to the other spring. "This is the fountain that gives strength." She used a trembling finger to point at the water still cupped in Sam's hands. "That water will kill you."

"You're lying to me!" Sam shook her head, refusing to look at the ghost of her mother. "Just, please stop!"

Patricia shook her head, sitting at the edge of the fountains. "This . . . this is the water that gave Reign the strength," she said, gesturing to the other well. "Samantha, I failed you as a mother, and I lost you, and I've lived with such regret ever since. But here, I have another chance, and . . . " Patricia swallowed hard, looking upon Sam with the same love that Sam used to look upon Ruby. "All that remains of me is my love for you. Please . . . you have to believe me."

Sam whimpered, looking down and letting the lethal water dribble out of her hands. "I can't make a mistake," she sobbed.

Patricia nodded in understanding, taking a bowl at the edge of the fountain and dipping it into the other spring. When she lifted the bowl, it was filled to the brim with water. "Drink this," she whispered, holding the bowl to Sam. "Now. Trust me, Sam."

Sam bit her lip to the point it nearly bled, then nodded, shuffling closer and taking the bowl. Patricia smiled through her tears, proudly watching as Sam lifted the bowl to her lips and drank every drop.

***

"Major Lane!"

Lucy looked up from coordinating with the D.E.O. agents when Brainy suddenly appeared from nowhere. "Yes, Brainy?" she asked, seeing Lois step forward out of the corner of her eye.

"Have you seen Mon-El recently?" the Coluan asked, peering around. "I seem to have . . . misplaced him."

Lucy contained a snicker; she could hear that Cisco and Felicity hadn't been so lucky. "I think he went that way," she pointed up the stairs to one of the conference rooms. "He was talking to Imra a few minutes ago."

"Thank you," Brainy nodded, heading for the stairs.

"I don't think I've ever seen you this comfortable," Lois remarked quietly as she joined her sister.

"We haven't exactly seen eye to eye for years, Lois," Lucy pointed out.

"True," Lois agreed with a sigh, folding her arms and watching the trio of Kryptonians with their heads together. "Oh, I love being able to see this."

"Yeah," Lucy agreed with a fond smile. "Everyone here could hardly believe it when Kara said part of Krypton still existed."

Lois opened her mouth, then clicked it shut and sighed. "Of course you know."

"I've known Kara is Supergirl for two years, Lois," Lucy rolled her eyes. "It wasn't too difficult to put two and two together and get four. Supergirl is cousins with Superman. Kara Danvers is cousins with Clark Kent. Kara Danvers, aka Supergirl, is cousins with Clark Kent, aka Superman. Is my math wrong?"

"No, you were always good at math," Lois said with a grin. "Good addition."

"Thanks," Lucy snorted. "Max is better at it, but he's currently keeping an eye on Sam."

"That's the Jekyll to Reign's Hyde, right?"

"That's the analogy we've been using," Lucy nodded.

Lois leaned on the table, looking intently at Lucy. "What can you tell me?"

Lucy couldn't help but smile as she recognized her sister's "reporter" face. That was just like her.

***

Mon-El nearly jumped out of her skin when he felt a hand on his shoulder, then he realized it was Brainy in front of him. He sighed in relief, laughing as he returned to spinning his Legion ring on the table. "You're smiling," Brainy realized, then he scowled. "That is not good."

Mon-El snorted. "No, actually, Brainy . . . it's a good thing."

"Yes, I know what smiling indicates," Brainy huffed as if insulted. "But in your case, I ran a simulation, and there is a zero-percent chance that you would be smiling after what Imra . . . . " He narrowed his eyes. " . . . was supposed to have told you."

"She told me I needed to talk to you myself," Mon-El frowned. "What's – ?"

He trailed off when Winn poked his head into the room. "Hey, Brainy," he waved. "You wanted to talk to me?"

"Hey, sorry, Winn," Mon-El sighed. "Just, uh . . . could you give us a moment? We're just talking about some Legion – "

"Oh, no," Brainy interrupted, gesturing for Winn to enter. "This involves Winn as well."

Winn did a double take. "Involves me?"

"Involves him?" Mon-El asked at the same time.

"Oh, yes," Brainy nodded seriously, rounding the table. "The Legion needs the both of you." Winn frowned in concern, dropping into the chair across from Mon-El as Brainy leaned on the back of one of the chairs. "Killing Pestilence saved the future from the Blight," he explained. "Millions of people were spared . . . including my extremely distant relative."

Mon-El froze. Imra had said she was lucky . . . and Brainy had not been. "The evil one?" he asked hesitantly.

Brainy nodded. "He has created a plague to wipe out all AIs other than himself," he shared. "In short, all AIs are in danger . . . and I can no longer stay there." He looked between the two men. "The future needs heroes," he declared. "The future needs leaders."

Mon-El closed his eyes, chewing his lip as he stood and looked out over the D.E.O. That had been something he had been wrestling with . . . his duty to the future, to the Legion, and the chance to remain in the past with the friends he had made. "The future has leaders," he murmured.

Brainy shook his head. "The future needs you, Mon-El," he insisted. "To fight." He turned, nodding at Winn. "And it needs Winn to take my place in the Legion and save the AIs."

Winn's jaw dropped. "Uh . . . what?" He shook his head, laughing nervously. "No, OK, rewind! First of all, you've told me hundreds – literally, hundreds – of times that I am far below a 12th-level intellect. So how could I possibly be your replacement?" Brainy simply placed something encased in glass on the table, and the blood drained from Winn's face. "How'd you get this?" he demanded. "What is this?"

Mon-El walked over to the table, recognizing the drawing. "That's from the National Archives," he answered.

"You're right," Brainy nodded. "And it's Winn's design."

"The National . . . ?" Winn trailed off, looking at Mon-El in disbelief. The Legionnaire nodded in confirmation, and Winn sputtered in shock. "No," he shook his head rapidly. "How could it – I don't even know if it could've saved Demos if Imra hadn't shown up!"

"Regardless of what might have happened with your friend, this design is the foundation of some of the future's most groundbreaking technology," Brainy explained. "It has saved countless lives. And this . . . this dirty piece of paper . . . is an artifact, treasured centuries from now." He pushed the artifact over to Winn, then sat back in his chair. "The future needs you," he said, looking at Mon-El. "Both of you."

***

There was something rather amusing about the thought that Alex was relieved to see Maxwell Lord taking charge of the scientists in Sam's room, directing Caitlin and Harry in their work to supervise Sam's status. Lena was gnawing on her lip as she looked from Sam to the computers to Ruby, her hand trembling as it stroked Ruby's hair. Alex closed her eyes, rubbing her forehead. If this didn't work . . .

She heard familiar footsteps behind her, and she turned, laughing feebly when she saw the water bottle outstretched for her. "Thank you," she said with a weak laugh, taking the bottle and taking a long drink.

"I honestly think you've been working harder than any of us," Slade chuckled, standing by her side to watch the proceedings in the room. "Fighting a time demon's army is one thing . . . then you helped Caitlin with Cecille and her baby. I'm surprised you're still standing."

"Says the one who has been constantly fighting since we started jumping universes," Alex pointed out.

"Touché," Slade conceded, then looked into the room. "How is she?"

"No changes," Alex replied. "Her vitals are weak, but they're steady."

"Steady's the important thing," Slade nodded. "We just need to make sure she's strong enough to make it to the Fountain."

"She will be," Alex nodded, turning and walking to the neighboring lab to find a seat. "I know she will be. She's a warrior for Ruby."

Slade smiled fondly at the girl with her ends dyed blue, then followed Alex into the lab. "She's not the only one." Alex gave him a quizzical look, and Slade snorted. "Oh, don't tell me you wouldn't walk through fire for her. You've been wonderful with her." Alex ducked her head, hiding her blush behind another drink of water. If he said one more flattering thing about her . . . "You're going to make a natural mother."

Damn it, Slade. "Yeah, and yet I haven't made any steps to make that a reality," Alex grumbled, swiveling on her stool so she kept spinning, keeping her eyes off the man. "It took me forever to find Maggie, so what am I supposed to do? Am I supposed to hope that I fall in love again with somebody who wants to have kids? Or do I try and do this on my own? And if so, how?" She stopped her swiveling and found herself face to face with the man, who was giving her an amused look. She flushed in embarrassment and dissolved into rambling. "I mean, it's not like my job is conducive to being a single parent!" She paused. "Then again, if we don't stop Reign . . . I guess this is all just a moot point."

"It's not like you to be the more pessimistic of us," Slade snickered.

She slumped, glowering at him. "You are not helping," she huffed.

"My apologies." If anything, Slade still sounded amused. "Look, Alex . . . do you know this is what you want?"

"Yes!" she blurted, able to answer immediately.

Slade spread his hands in a "there you go" gesture. "That's half the battle," he told her. "I know you, Alex. You do whatever it takes to get what you want. So . . . when, not if, we defeat Reign, you'll figure out that path." He put a finger under her chin and tilted her head to look at him. "You're good at that, after all," he grinned.

Alex smiled shyly. "You're good at pep talks."

Slade smirked. "Well, someone's got to be your personal cheerleader, and if no one else is available, I guess that duty falls to me."

***

"Going to the future?!" Cisco's eyes were wider than saucers as Winn all but shoved him, Barry, and James into one of the labs. "That's so cool!"

"It's not just going to the future!" Winn seethed.

"Yeah, he wants you to move?" James clarified.

"Yes!" Winn nodded rapidly. "It's insane, right? I mean, I don't know where to begin to solve a problem like that! Like, I don't know what Brainy was thinking, but he is malfunctioning."

"And considering he's a computer, that is an option," Barry nodded.

"Or he's thinking you're the smartest dude he knows," James pointed out, then paused. "No offense."

"None taken," Barry snorted.

"He's probably keeping his options to this universe," Cisco nodded, then yelped when Barry smacked him in the arm. "What?!"

"Be a little more respectful, man!"

"Oh," Winn pulled something from his jeans pocket. "And then there's this."

He tossed something on the table, and James peered down at the paper encased in glass. "And what is 'then there's this?'" he asked.

"Oh, you know, just my design," Winn gave a grin that said he was seconds from freaking out. "Brainy brought it back . . . from the future."

"Whoa!" Barry's eyes widened, and he joined James in examining the paper. "Really?"

"Really," Winn nodded. "Apparently, it's an artifact, and my apparatus saved countless lives, or something."

"Dude, that's awesome!" Barry grinned. "That's incredible!"

Winn grimaced, and James sighed. "Winn, you are a genius," he told his friend. "The only person who doubts that is you. Question is . . . what do you wanna do?"

Winn gestured helplessly, running his hands through his hair. "I made a shrine to, like, a cup of dirt from the future!"

Cisco made a face. "That's weird."

"Shut up!" Winn groaned. "You know, and actually going to the future? Yeah, that's, like, beyond my wildest dreams. But . . . no. This is my home. Why . . . " He shook his head. "I have you and Kara, and Alex and J'onn, and Oliver and William and . . . I mean, countless others! You guys . . . you guys are my family. I can't, that's . . . that's too hard."

Barry rested his chin on his folded hands, watching Winn pace. "The Speed Force is a prison," he said.

Winn paused in his pacing, turning to blink at Barry in surprise. "What?"

"The Speed Force prison is hell," Barry elaborated, making Cisco lower his head. "Wally and Jay . . . they never speak of what they saw while they were there. But when the Speed Force needed a prisoner, I volunteered. I created Flashpoint, I had to serve my time for it. I was told it wouldn't be a prison . . . but I had no idea how long I would be in there. I had no idea what would happen to Central City, to all my friends, my family. Even if it wasn't a prison, I had no idea what I would be going through, what I might face . . . but I could save my family. That was what made the decision for me, even though it felt like the hardest decision ever." Winn swallowed, ducking his head, and Barry smiled sadly. "It's ultimately your choice, Winn. Whatever one you make . . . you'll make the one you know is right."

Winn swallowed hard. Somehow, Barry's words had been so encouraging . . . and so not helpful at the same time. "Thanks, Barry," he finally said.

Barry gave a weak smile in return, then all four looked up when alarms suddenly started blaring. "Justice League!" Felicity's voice sounded over the speakers. "Get over here, now!"

***

"What is that?" Oliver demanded as he and Sara ran down the steps to where Felicity and Lucy were huddled at the main table.

"J'onn's ship," Felicity answered, tapping on her tablet and displaying a beacon. "It just sent out a distress signal."

"You're kidding," Sara stared at the screen.

"Wouldn't that be nice?"

"Seriously?" Zari scoffed, glaring as the rest of the team arrived. "Clearly, this cult isn't in distress. So what's with the signal?"

"Oh, gee," Laurel rolled her eyes. "Option one . . . trap."

"Yeah, I'm with Laurel on that," Rene pointed.

"Regardless, I've been able to access the ship's sensor," J'onn said. "My craft is sitting near a great power source. I believe it might be the site of the terraforming."

"So we've got our target?" Palmer grinned. "Great! Let's go!"

"Kind of great," Kara shook her head. "Sam is still unconscious. We need her around if we're to stand a chance against Reign."

Oliver sighed. "Do we have any other options?"

Everyone around the table exchanged looks, then Max coughed. "Actually . . . call it a 'we're all dying or going to hell' scenario."

"Oh, great," Alex closed her eyes. "Max, what did you do?"

"It's what Lena and I did," Max corrected. "Supergirl, before you came back from Argo . . . she figured out that she could end Reign with a lethal dose of Kryptonite. She refused to do that while Sam and Reign were still connected. But now, with Sam and Reign separated . . . "

He trailed off, letting someone else finish for him. "With the two of them separated, there's nothing stopping us from using it on Reign," Roy concluded.

"That could work," Sara nodded slowly.

Kara looked sick to her stomach at the very thought. Clark didn't look much better. "How long can we wait for Sam?" the other super asked. "Do we really have no other choice?"

"What other choice do we have?" Alura asked, looking between her daughter and nephew. "You can't contain her. You said she's grown invincible to everything that would normally hurt a Kryptonian." Everyone who had fought Reign nodded in confirmation. "Sometimes, the thing we thought we'd never do, the thing that goes against our very core, is the one thing that we must do."

Kara bit her lip. "You've got several of us who would be willing to make that kill so you don't have to, almas," Malcolm reminded her. "You wouldn't have to be the one to kill her."

Kara closed her eyes, looking down. "Kara," Oliver raised his hand, cupping her cheek, forcing her to look at him. "I am not going to see anything like I did when she beat you into the ground. That is never happening again. If Sam doesn't succeed . . . we have to do this."

Kara slowly nodded. "OK," she agreed. "Whatever it takes."

Clark sighed, nodding as well. "Whatever it takes," he agreed.

Kara looked around the table. "Those of you with powers, you're coming," she said. "Palmer, that includes you. We'll probably need your suit."

"You got it," he nodded.

Oliver snorted loudly. "They're in line behind me, angel."

"And me," Slade raised his hand.

"And me," Malcolm held up his, too.

Kara sighed. "You three would sneak aboard, anyway."

"Look at that," Malcolm grinned smugly at Slade. "Our sister knows us so well!"

"No, she just knows she needs us to keep Oliver in line," Slade rolled his eye.

"Hey!" Oliver protested. "I'm right here!"

"We know!" the older vigilantes chorused.

Barry snickered. "Yep. They're brothers."

"Firestorm, you call the shots for the Legends," Sara ordered.

"Yes, ma'am," Jax nodded.

"I'm surprised you're not coming," Nate frowned, folding his arms.

"I'm not a super," Sara reminded him. "If this was just one Kryptonian we were talking about, it'd be a different story. A bo staff and knives that break on skin of steel wouldn't do any of you any good."

"Well," Thea grinned. "You did try to choke Reign with your staff once."

Lucy choked on air. "You what?" Nora gawked.

"Girl!" Lois grinned widely.

Sara sighed. "Oh, go save the world," she huffed, swatting at everyone.

"Burn the bitch," was Mick's helpful advice.

"You got it," Lily giggled.

"Send Mon-El and the Legion the coordinates to my ship," J'onn ordered. "We'll meet them there."

***

Sam's lungs burned, and she couldn't stop coughing as she curled into Patricia's legs. "I can't," she rasped.

"No," Patricia turned, dipping the bowl back into the fountain. "You need to drink a little more."

Sam weakly shook her head. "I can't drink anymore," she denied, still hacking.

Patricia pressed the bowl into her hands. "Yes, you can," she encouraged. "Sam, do you remember? Do you remember when you were little? And you were terrified to go to sleep at night, so I would sing you a little lullaby?" Her hand started stroking Sam's hair, and she started to sing. "Hush-a-bye, don't you cry. Go to sleep, you little baby. When you wake, you shall have all the pretty little horses." Sam swallowed, then dipped her head, drinking from the bowl. "Blacks and bays, dappled grays," Patricia continued, smiling as she held the bowl for Sam. "Coach and six-a little horses."

Whispers trickled through Sam's ears, and she gasped, sitting up straight. "It's working," she realized, then turned to Patricia, who gave her a proud smile. "It's you," she realized, and Patricia nodded. Sam choked out a sob. "I'm so sorry I doubted you!"

"Sam," Patricia shook her head, cupping Sam's face. "I'm so sorry for everything, for all the pain that I caused you."

Sam smiled through her tears, leaning into her mother's touch. "It's OK," she whispered. "It's OK."

***

A startled gasp made Harry look up from his work, and Caitlin dropped her tablet in shock. "Sam!" she backed up.

"What?" Alex burst into the lab, Lena behind her. "What – ?"

All of them stared as Ruby backed away from Sam, staring at her mother . . . who was floating several inches off the bed. "It worked!" Lena's eyes brightened.

"Whoa!" William's eyes widened. "That's so cool!"

"Mom!" Ruby's grin split her face. "You're super!"

Sam grinned, carefully lowering herself back onto the bed, starting to remove the instruments attached to her. "Where are they?" she asked.

"They went after Reign and the witches," Alex answered.

Sam's gaze hardened, and she stood from the bed, putting a hand on Ruby's shoulder. "Don't worry," she grinned. "I've got this."

She disappeared in a blur of grey, and Sara yelped, stumbling away from the door. "Whoa!" Leo swiveled, staring after Sam. "What was that?"

Ruby grinned smugly. "That was my mom!"

***

"Comms check," Felicity's voice rang in everyone's ears.

"Team Flash, connected," Cisco answered.

"Legends, connected," Nate confirmed when Firestorm gave him a thumbs-up.

"Team Arrow, connected," Laurel answered as Dinah fixed the device in her ear.

Kara took a deep breath, her eyes closed. "Superfriends, connected."

"We're connected to the Legion Cruiser," Harry informed them. "We'll be watching from National City."

"Kick their asses, guys," Sara said.

Barry chuckled. "We'll do our best."

"We're en route to the Fortress," Brainy reported as he navigated the cruiser. "ETA, sixty seconds."

Kara could only nod, forcing herself to stay calm. With no update on Sam, they were going in against a ridiculously powerful Worldkiller and three high priestesses who could use dark Kryptonian magic. Even with the massive group they had as they approached the Fortress, there was still a part of her that remembered every time Reign had managed to slip through their fingers. This couldn't be like each of those times. This had to end.

"Hey." Oliver's hand slipped into hers, and Kara looked up into piercing green eyes. "We're ending this," he promised. "Today."

Kara took a deep breath, nodding in agreement. "Today."

"Ready?" Mon-El asked, turning away from the viewport.

"No," Ralph sighed. "But as the only one who's never tried punching a Kryptonian . . . I don't think I get any say."

"Word of advice, Ralph," Amaya said dryly. "Don't even touch that one."

Laurel barked in laughter. "He learned that pretty quickly."

"Approaching the Fortress," Brainy suddenly announced, and Kara, Clark, and Alura moved to the drop area of the cruiser, the rest of the team forming around them. "Ready to drop in ten, nine, eight – "

"Watch each other's sixes," Oliver murmured.

"Copy that, kid," Slade responded.

"Six, five . . . "

"We got this," Zari took a deep breath, trying to convince herself.

"Damn right, we do," Cisco agreed, Barry and Wally sharing a glance as lightning danced in their eyes.

"Three, two – "

"I love you," Oliver whispered.

Kara steeled herself, squeezing his hand. "I love you, too."

"One!" Brainy finished the countdown.

"Go get them!" Sara shouted.

The cruiser opened underneath them, and Kara led the ground crew to the Fortress. When they landed, they found Reign with the Sword of Juru in her hand, the three priestesses whirling from their place around a massive cauldron made from the earth, Imra's forcefield shimmering over it. Kara held her chin high as she stared into Reign's demonic red eyes, bolstered by the mass of heroes forming behind her.

This was ending, and it was going to happen now.

***

You know, you really forget how many people make up the Justice League when you're trying to determine who speaks in a scene, and you realize there are so damn many of them . . . it's going to be really interesting writing crossovers from here on out. XD

Next time should be the conclusion of the episode! The Justice League takes on Reign and the Children of Juru . . . and considering we all know how that battle ended the first time, we'll see what happens to give us the Red Daughter of Season 4.

In other news, if you're interested in potentially reading a few other books of mine:

 - "The Devil's Greatest Trick," my MCU time travel fix-it starring our favorite man of iron and spider assassin, it's back in business!

 - or if you're a fan of One Chicago and the 9-1-1 shows, I've got a crossover called "Danger Zone" in the process. I'm quite proud of it, if you're interested!

graphic by marvelity