Post by BijuuGuy on Feb 20, 2023 21:47:55 GMT
“Hope, help, and compassion for all."
General Information
Full Name:
Kara Zor-El
Codename or Alias:
Supergirl, Kara Danvers, Maiden of Might, Girl of Steel, Last Daughter of Krypton, Girl of Tomorrow
Anonymity:
Kara has thus far successfully maintained her dual identity from most prying eyes. Supergirl is known throughout the world as the cousin of Superman, but more recently as a hero on her own. Actively working with the DEO and partially with the Justice Leauge, Supergirl is well-known by most people. Her identity as Kara, however, is known by those closest to her. She has revealed who she really is to a select few people and plans to keep it that way for the foreseeable future.
Gender:
Female
Race:
Alien (Kryptonian)
Age:
Physical Age: 25
Chronological Age: 49
Place Of Birth:
Argo City, Krypton
Occupation/Status:
Superhero
Agent of ARGUS (SWORD and DEO as its extensions)
Journalist for CatCo
Alignment:
Hero
Factions:
Champions
Advanced Research Group United Support (ARGUS)
- Sentient World Observation and Response Division (SWORD)
- Department of Extranormal Operations (DEO)
Canon Or Original?:
Canon (Action Comics)
"I'm the Girl of Steel. I don't bend, I don't break, I don't stand down for anyone."
Powers/Abilities:
Kryptonian Physiology
Normally, like all Kryptonians, Kara's capabilities are no greater than a normal human of her physical conditioning. However, once charged by the energy spectrum of a yellow sun, she becomes able to perform various inhuman feats.
Solar Energy Absorption
Under optimal conditions, this is the main source of Kara's superpowers as they are contingent upon exposure to solar radiation from a yellow sun star system. Her biological makeup includes a number of organs that lack analogues in humans and whose functions are unknown. It is believed that between one or more of these and her bio-cellular matrix, "yellow" solar energy is stored for later use. This allows for the use of these powers to fade when yellow solar radiation is not available instead of immediate failure. Their body is a living solar battery, capable of storing incredible amounts of radiation that would kill most species with severe cancer. However, this biological function is by no means perfect; extreme exposure to solar radiation, such as getting too close to a sun (no matter what phase it is currently in) will dangerously overcharge a Kryptonian’s stores, to the point where they will contract terminal cancer. In addition, Kara's metabolism is tremendously enhanced by solar energy, allowing accelerated healing abilities and burning calories at a superhuman rate, making her practically immune to gaining weight. Due to her increased metabolism, Kara is unable to get drunk on Earthly beverages. Various alien concoctions are most definitely able to intoxicate Kara, however.
Heat Vision
By concentrating every solar energy reserve she has in her body, Kara can emit blue energy beams of variable intensity and temperature from her eyes. Due to her control over the beams, she has demonstrated being capable of burning through stone and welding metal, causing small explosions and fires, disintegrating meteors, melting the ground beneath her and physically repelling enemies with similar durability making it useful in combat. At full power, the beams could overload a target with energy, very likely killing them if the pure heat itself doesn't to that first, as well as pierce otherwise extremely durable defenses. If she does push her heat vision to its limits, the energy used will require a period of recharge, basically forcing Kara to rest, as her abilities become weaker for a time. In addition to its typical capabilities, Kara has personally utilized it for more mundane uses, such as heating up beverages and cooking food.
Super-Hearing
Kara's hearing is sensitive enough to hear any sound at any volume or pitch. With skill and concentration, she can block out ambient sounds to focus on a specific source or frequency.
Enhanced Vision
Kara's vision processes the entire electromagnetic spectrum as well as allowing vast control over selective perception and focus.
- Electromagnetic Spectrum Vision
Kara can see well into most of the electromagnetic spectrum. She can see and identify radio and television signals as well as all other broadcast or transmitted frequencies. Using this ability, she can avoid detection by radar or satellite monitoring methods. This also allows her to see the aura generated by living things. - Telescopic Vision
This is the ability to see something at a great distance, without violating the laws of physics. Though limited, the exact extent of the ability is undetermined. In function, it is similar to the zoom lens on a camera. - X-Ray Vision
The ability to see through any volume of matter except lead. Kara can see things behind a solid, opaque object as if it were not there. She can focus this ability to "peel back" layers of an object, allowing hidden image or inner workings to be observed. The exact type of energy perceived—such as x-rays, cosmic rays, or some other energy invisible to normal humans—is unclear. This ability perceives an ambient energy source though, it does not involve the eye projecting a concentrated, possibly toxic, beam to be reflected back from objects. - Microscopic Vision
The ability to see extremely small objects and images down to the atomic level. - Infrared Vision
Kara can see with better acuity in darkness, and to a degree in total darkness.
Flight
Kara is able to manipulate graviton particles to defy the forces of gravity and achieve flight. This ranges from hovering to moving in any posture, in any direction. While very similar to their super speed, the application is clearly different, as are the various levels of speed. When flying, Kara is one of the fastest people on, at the very least, Earth. Her current flight speed is around Mach 3 (2301.81 mph).
Invulnerability
Due to the interaction of her dense molecular structure and supercharged bio-electric aura, Kara is nigh-invulnerable to extreme energy forces as well as most bullets and other high-end weapons. Her skin is diamond-hard, and will significantly injure anyone who strikes them that does not possess significant super strength; if not outright break their hand. Underneath a yellow sun, Kara is also highly resistant if not immune to most blunt-force and lacerations, falls from virtually any height, explosions (up to and including nuclear warheads), toxins and disease, and even the cold vacuum of space. Kryptonians are virtually indestructible, only able to be critically harmed with strength relative to their own (like by another Kryptonian or someone with equal/greater strength), powerful energy weapons, or kryptonite or magically inclined weapon. Because she only recently fully embraced her powers, Kara doesn't have as fine of control and grasp over her abilities than she could have, thus making her weaker than a fully "awakened" yellow sun Kryptonian could be.
Superhuman Stamina
Kara is able to maintain continuous strenuous physical action for an indefinite period of time. This is based on her body converting yellow solar radiation directly to energy, but is limited by physiological and psychological needs to eat, drink, and sleep.
Superhuman Strength
Kara's strength is augmented by yellow solar radiation interacting with the greater than human density, resilience and biological efficiency of her musculature. Her strength is both an act of conscious will on energy fields as well as actual physical strength. It is this act of conscious will that enables her to perform physical feats that are beyond the mere application force, such as moving a mountain top without said rock crumbling under its own mass. Currently, Kara is nowhere near a Kryptonian's full potential but is still considered to be in the strength class of up to and possibly above 100 tons.
Superhuman Speed
Kara is able to move at incredible speed by sheer force of will. This extends to her perceptions and allows for feats such as catching bullets in mid-flight as well as covering vast distances in little or no time. Her speed also greatly amplifies her agility and reflexes, with all of those aspects working in unison to provide Kara a significant advantage in battle. At full speed, Kara can move faster than the speed of light, only bested by those using the Speed Force. She is able to deliver dozens of strikes in the course of a second if need be, a trait made infinitely more dangerous by the raw power that can be placed behind each blow. This hypermetabolism also includes a Kryptonian thought process, allowing Kara to think much more quickly than even the brightest human mind is capable of. Kara's current speed stands just above 1 Mach (780 miles per hour).
Super-Breath
Kara is able to create hurricane-force winds by exhaling air from her lungs. She can chill the air as it leaves her lungs to freeze targets. She can also reverse the process to pull large volumes of air or vapor into her lungs and even hold it for an extended period of time (1.5 hours).
Longevity
When exposed to yellow sun radiation, Kryptonians age much slower, if at all, than normal. While probably not immortal, Kara will likely outlive most of her companions.
Total Recall
With the properties of yellow sun radiation, Kara is capable of recalling details and memories, however long ago, with complete clarity. This extends to an eidetic memory. For example, she is able to name every person she's personally saved. She can easily remember whole chapters from textbooks and get the necessary information from a text by simply reading it once.
Intelligence/Skilled Tactician
Due to growing up in an advanced civilization, Kara has vast knowledge about other alien species as well as their abilities and heritage. On Krypton, Kara was a studious child, spending hours studying Kryptonian history, and other necessary fields. She also has deep knowledge of Kryptonian customs and its religion, often seen meditating during stressful times and even praying to Rao. Kara easily excelled at advanced high school level math and sciences on Earth, even boasting to Alex Danvers of knowing Calculus by the age of 4. She often carefully calculates how much force she uses (when not clouded by emotion) to ensure that whoever she's battling, doesn't end up dead or mortally wounded. This extends to objects, as she needs to exert only a certain amount of force to, for example, kick a door down or lift a car.
Kara added to her intelligence with a BA degree in communications and media, becoming adept in the field and choosing to pursue something of the sort as her normal career. In addition, Kara chose to educate herself, albeit unofficially, in other various fields such as genetics, IT/robotics and psychology. Most of these are because Kara followed her sister's educational path and when she joined the DEO.
After becoming a DEO agent, Kara's tactical and leadership skills evolved further. Kara typically battles in a way where she can outsmart her opponent and carefully map out her enemies' weak spots, coming up with adequate strategies to take them down without killing them. While brute force might be the simplest answer, Kara has learned the necessity of coming up with an actual plan to neutralize her opponents. Her intellectual growth has earned her quite a lot of respect from her peers. Her growth has given the DEO (and SWORD by extension) more incentive to give her undercover missions, knowing that she won't simply start punching her way through.
Her intelligence is further demonstrated in her career as a journalist. Kara's thirst for truth and justice, to analyze the story form all sides and investigate the right people has given her quite the reputation at CatCo. It is the field, where Kara relies more on her wit and instinct, rather than her abilities.
Indomitable will
Kara's willpower goes above and beyond the expectations one might place on her. Surrender isn't a word she particularly likes. Kara will fight to the bitter end if it comes to that and has proven time and again to be hopeful even in the darkest situations. She has lost more than anyone could comprehend and while she does balance her hopefulness and pain, Kara knows she needs to overcome that pain. She can't afford to be hopeless, because the people of Seattle look to her as their beacon. Her will is strong enough to mostly reject the most powerful of minds, as well as any hypnotic substances.
Multilingualism
Kara is capable of fluently speaking English and Kryptonese. She also knows some Russian, French, and Spanish.
Expert hand-to-hand combatant
Since joining the D.E.O., Kara has been taught by Alex to better handle herself in battle against opponents with formidable powers of their own, including using their own momentum against them. Ultimately, even with her powers temporarily disabled, Kara has become a highly trained combatant, able to compete against the more experienced Alex and various adversaries. Combined with her raw strength, Kara is a force to be reckoned with.
Known weaknesses
Despite Kryptonians' innate gifts when under the effects of a yellow sun, they aren't entirely invincible. Several weaknesses have been observed and exploited throughout the years of their escapades on Earth and elsewhere.
Red Sun Radiation
As miraculous as a Kryptonian’s physiology is under the effects of a yellow sun, it is the exact opposite under a red sun. Kara is drained of their powers in this circumstance, only slightly different from an ordinary human being. In order to regain their powers, she must be bathed in yellow sun radiation for a sufficient length of time after no longer being exposed to any red sun radiation.
Kryptonite Toxicity
The irradiated blast fragments of Krypton are toxic to Kryptonians under the effects of a yellow sun. Physical contact with the xenomineral causes rapid decay of Kryptonian cells, greatly weakening empowered Kryptonians and rendering them vulnerable. Wounds inflicted upon Kryptonians with kryptonite in any form affect them as if they were a human being. Kryptonite also has many forms, some of which are able to be created from nothing, making Kryptonite an exceptionally valuable resource and means to control a Kryptonian or outright kill them.
Magic Vulnerability
Kryptonians have no inherent resistance to magic, and will be affected by it as if they were an ordinary human being.
As miraculous as a Kryptonian’s physiology is under the effects of a yellow sun, it is the exact opposite under a red sun. Kara is drained of their powers in this circumstance, only slightly different from an ordinary human being. In order to regain their powers, she must be bathed in yellow sun radiation for a sufficient length of time after no longer being exposed to any red sun radiation.
Kryptonite Toxicity
The irradiated blast fragments of Krypton are toxic to Kryptonians under the effects of a yellow sun. Physical contact with the xenomineral causes rapid decay of Kryptonian cells, greatly weakening empowered Kryptonians and rendering them vulnerable. Wounds inflicted upon Kryptonians with kryptonite in any form affect them as if they were a human being. Kryptonite also has many forms, some of which are able to be created from nothing, making Kryptonite an exceptionally valuable resource and means to control a Kryptonian or outright kill them.
Magic Vulnerability
Kryptonians have no inherent resistance to magic, and will be affected by it as if they were an ordinary human being.
Weapons/Items:
Lead-based glasses
As a teenager, Kara was given a pair of lead-lined glasses by Jeremiah Danvers to help her control her X-ray vision. She continues to wear them as an adult to hide her identity as Supergirl.
Earpiece
While Kara has super hearing, others around her often don't. When on assignment, she wears a small earpiece to contact whoever she needs to in a jiffy.
Smartphone
Digital Camera
Laptop
"We can't let bad odds, or whatever it is we're afraid of, stop us from doing what we know is right."
Appearance
Image:
Physical Appearance:
Be it genetics or simple luck, Kara Zor-El exhibits an effortless glow. It could be argued that most Kryptonians are genetically gifted, as most known people from the planet have proven to be above average in terms of appearance. Kara, however, has never placed great value on her physical appearance. Paradoxically, at the same time, she does put in a modicum of effort to look presentable and apt when facing colleagues and sources. Kara stands at 5'5" and has the classic combination of blonde hair and blue eyes and is in top superhero shape, although that is largely due to her Kryptonian physiology. Kara does, however, engage in regular exercise, be it crimefighting or simply jogging.
Kara has naturally wavy hair and it's long enough to reach her chest. She employs a variety of hairstyles, the most common ones being a ponytail and simply letting her hair loose and rest on her shoulders. Kara does occasionally don braids and other more time-consuming hairdos, depending on the occasion.
In terms of make-up, Kara uses simple and light tones. She doesn't like to doll up too much and thus employs natural colors, which compliment her already existing natural complexion.
Clothing and Armor:
Supergirl has kept her original and most well-known suit throughout her current career. Much like her cousin, Kara's suit is fairly simple in design and function. It needs to give Kara ample protection, help her move around better and look stylish. Kara's suit was made by the DEO, as a way of recruiting her into their ranks. The suit consists of a blue, long-sleeved top with red accents and her family crest on her chest. The sleeves reach to just about where her wrists begin. A small strip of fabric continues to go between her thumb and index finger, across her palm and connecting on the other side. The crest itself is red, with golden highlights, but no yellow as a backdrop. The suit was constructed in a way to feel unique to Kara, while retaining that necessary Super-esque look. Connected to the top is a red, knee-length cape. The suit has Kara wearing a red skirt, with the top and skirt separated by a golden belt. Underneath she has dark stockings and the suit is finished with thigh-high red boots. Supergirl's whole suit is made of thin, reinforced kevlar (with the boots having additional leather) provided by the DEO.
When not on duty as Supergirl, Kara employs various outfits. Many of her looks consist of simple plaid shirts, jeans, and heels. Several other outfits have Kara wearing a tidy shirt with a pullover on top, along with a skirt or well-fit pants. She often wears blazers on top of her various shirts and loves long coats for outdoorsy activities. Kara's outfits are extensive and she likes to play around with her look, using a variety of colors and clothing combinations.
"Life is complicated. Messy. And has a high body count. We box up our pain, ignore it, and try to move on. "Try" being the operative word. We may even get a moment's peace. Until something comes along. Something that rips off that scab and sends all that old pain surging back through you."
Personality
Bad Habits:
Suppressing emotions
While Kara is an emotional person and, as the years have gone by, gained more of a control over said emotions, she can in certain circumstances, shut off her emotions if they become too much to bear. This typically occurs when she experiences some kind of trauma or loss. While she may be emotional fresh off the event, she will gradually (sometimes very quickly) shut those feelings down. It's most likely a combination of the more cold side of a Kryptonian's personality and Krypton's destruction, an event that still closely haunts Kara. In light of such circumstances, Kara will likely seclude herself from others and become more cold and stoic than usual. She will prefer to fly around as Supergirl than constantly remind herself of the pain as Kara Danvers.
Comparisons to Superman
It's no secret that Supergirl entered the caped heroes scene much later than her cousin, who already had impressive feats and a legendary status under his belt. While Kara has managed to craft her own identity and make Supergirl her own hero, she still has struggles accepting that she's just as good a hero as Clark. Her public reception has been largely similar, with people often placing her in the shadow of Superman and claiming her to be a government lackey for working with SWORD and the DEO. At the same time, a sizable chunk of Earth's (and other planets') population consider Supergirl to be an admirable hero and someone worthy of the Super title. Kara herself constantly places herself in Clark's shoes, wondering if she really is cut out for that sort of life and debates whether she really is as capable. She was sent to Earth to protect Kal-El and now that the roles have more or less reversed, Kara sees herself as inferior. Kara often feels that what she can do, Superman can do ten times as well. This can sometimes lead to Supergirl being brash in her decisions, feeling the need to constantly prove herself.
Sexual Orientation:
Heterosexual
General Personality:
Kara Danvers is seen by those who know her as an intelligent, caring, selfless, and with a clear sense of right and wrong. Some might say that Kara is still naive, as she is an incredibly forgiving and empathetic person. She sees very few people as irredeemable and more often than not tries to quell a conflict by focusing on her opponent's virtues and their potential of doing better. In many circumstances, Kara sees herself doing the same thing in an emotional fit as whoever she might be facing. But there is always a better way. This can put her in conflict with her subordinates, who can't look past a person's mistakes and feel they've gone too far. She always tries to see the inherent humanity in people and it's proven to be one of her greatest assets.
On the flip side, Kara is a very emotional person. With the weight of Krypton's destruction still affecting her, Kara is even more protective of Earth and the family she's established here. This can cause her to act irrationally sometimes, making decisions based on whatever feelings she may have at that moment. She can jump into conflicts much quicker than need be, with unforeseen consequences. Those decisions seem rational and right at the time, but afterward, she will reflect on those decisions and try to better herself. Her emotions still sometimes get the better of her, however. Kara's anger issues are no secret to her family and close friends. Knowing what lengths her biological parents went to in order for Krypton to ensure its safety and survival, Kara's feelings towards them have become clouded. She will always love her parents but has a much harder time coping with their flaws. Her anger has caused her to lash out before and it was not always for the right reasons. Ironically, Kara has problems dealing with her own flaws. Her somewhat headstrong nature to handle situations with no plan has given her some significant losses and while she has since grown into a much more capable leader, those issues still persist to some degree. Her sister keeps a close eye on Kara for that reason, having prepared for the possibility of Kara's anger getting the best of her and would probably end with her going on a rampage.
In addition, Kara's sense of right and wrong, while clear, can be very rigid. This puts her at odds with herself since she is very forgiving and believes in second chances. But at the same time, what she considers wrong can actually fit in a more morally gray section. She feels that if a person were to dip into moral grayness, it's only a matter of time until they'll cross certain lines they can't come back from. An example of this would be Batman. While he has a strict no-kill rule, he has no problems keeping tabs on his friends and using countermeasures against them. It's something that Kara could never understand and is why she can be surprised whenever someone is willing to cross some lines, while never even approaching others. Those cases bring forth Kara's naivety and while she knows that the morally gray path is an enticing one, she tries her best not to go down that path. Of course, it can be argued that she has done exactly that in the past, all the while saying to herself that what she did clearly defines as being "right". Sufficed to say that Kara is already in the murky gray area, often conflicting her own ideologies of what it means to be a hero.
Kara's dual identities have always caused a dilemma for her. She is Kara Danvers and Supergirl and sees the necessity of both. Still, she often wonders whether she should only be Supergirl or just journalist Kara Danvers. The world has plenty of heroes, making Kara question if she's really needed as Supergirl. She can make a difference as both, but perhaps it's more effective if she plays on just one part of her being. Like most heroes, Kara keeps her Supergirl persona a secret (albeit arguably in a shoddy fashion). Naturally, she does this to protect those closest to her and so that she can have a reasonably normal life. The juggling of those two lives has proven difficult over time. The constant excuses for needing to leave a dinner date or a meeting to stop a burglary do take a toll on Kara. And the endless fight for justice as Supergirl is equally as tiring. It would be dishonest to say that Kara has not thought of hanging up the cape and letting Clark be the true paragon of hope. At the same time, Superman himself has told Supergirl time and again that he needs her fighting the good fight. After all, she is the only family he has left from Krypton. Of course, both of their memories of their home planet vary greatly. Nonetheless, Kara finds that family should stick together, which has convinced her enough to stay in the game.
Her dual personas do make it difficult to be truthful with her friends. As some know she's Supergirl and others don't, it creates an awkward dichotomy between some of Kara's acquaintances, where she has to pretend to only know Supergirl as a source for her articles. The same goes for her friends. While she would love to tell all of them who she really is, Kara feels like that would only put them in severe danger. At the same time, holding on to that secret can only create a much larger rift in the future. It's something Kara struggles with daily and there seems to be no clear answer in sight.
Having spent half of her life on Krypton and roughly a similar amount of time on Earth, Kara maintains her Kryptonian part. This makes her more attuned to her stoic and stern Kryptonian side. It's something akin to a skill, where she can get herself into the right mindset of a Kryptonian. A highly advanced race when it still existed, Kryptonians were ambitious, quite serious and even militaristic in the case of some people. Growing up in such a household, Kara can effectively use her Kryptonian personality to handle situations in need of a more strict approach. As such, Kara fit in quite well at the DEO, becoming an effective agent for the organization. She can definitely be cold when needed, something even her sister encourages when facing certain foes. "Be cold. Be Kryptonian." is what Kara has been told to be when required. Once again, it sometimes puts her at odds with herself, but it's an effective technique to use. Zor-El and Alura, for all their kindness and loving natures, did indeed pass on that vital Kryptonian personality trait to Kara.
As a part of being a Kryptonian, Kara can be considered to be religious. She believes in Rao, the Kryptonian god of the sun, who has been considered to be the sole Kryptonian god for centuries. It is common for Kara to exclaim his name in moments of surprise and delight. The faith of Rao has been taught to her since she was a child and while she isn't a full-on Raoist, Kara still holds on to that belief as part of remembering Krypton. She does use several meditative techniques that can be considered prayers. Her faith in Rao is something she keeps extremely private. Kara has only informed Alex and Clark of her beliefs and holds somewhat of ownership over this. She's really the only one practicing it and even then she performs these meditations sporadically. Kara prays to Rao only when in dire or truly murky situations, as it is said that Rao's flames can eradicate even the tiniest kernel of uncertainty and help one to truly understand a situation. These meditations aren't too different from regular techniques, but it's the faith that separates them. When meditating, Kara will chant Kryptonian verses in the name of Rao.
As a superhero, Kara has largely adopted the "no-kill" rule. It isn't perhaps as rigid as some others', having even said herself that if there really is no other way (she means that as an absolute last resort), she will do what needs to be done to protect those she cares about. Having seen more death than most throughout her lifetime, Kara finds that she doesn't need to add to the already high death count. It is another one of those moral discussions that Supergirl often finds herself pondering about, whether alone or with others.
Despite these "flaws", Kara is still someone who is inherently good. Her motto: "Hope, help, and compassion for all" is one that she follows very closely. She's a hero for the people and protects anyone in need. The same goes for her loved ones, for whom she has an unbreakable bond with. Kara will protect those closest to her until her dying breath and it is most likely her most admirable quality. Supergirl is someone anyone would want in their corner if things got dire. While she is an alien, her time on Earth has greatly shaped her personality and really is much more empathetic than she would be, were she raised entirely on Krypton. Kara is awkward, sometimes even downright clumsy and yet exudes wisdom and maturity often uncommon amongst others her age. She isn't disillusioned by the darker elements in the world but rarely allows herself to be engulfed by them. It is certainly possible, as mentioned previously, but Kara's willpower knows no bounds. She truly is a hero in the purest sense of the word and that is why Supergirl will likely go down in history as one of the greats.
Face/Voice:
Melissa Benoist
Anything Else
After being trapped in a space pod for over two decades, Kara developed a fear of confined spaces and to this day struggles with claustrophobia. This is especially evident when stuck in small rooms for a long period of time.
Has visited 12 different planets, aside from Earth and Krypton.
Kara loves to eat potstickers, sticky buns, fried sugar pastries, pizza, and her adoptive mother Eliza's lasagna. Her favorite dessert is Eliza's homemade chocolate pecan pie.
Kara is fond of romantic comedies and musicals, and has seen Working Girl multiple times and still cries at the end. Her favorite musical is The Wizard of Oz, but she hates opera.
"Some days you wake up and want to change the world. Others, you just want to break that same world in two. But most of the time you just have to get on with the business of living."
Character's History
Siblings:
Alex Danvers (Adoptive Sister)
Mother:
Alura Zor-El (Deceased)
Eliza Danvers (Adoptive Mother)
Father:
Zor-El (Deceased)
Jeremiah Danvers (Adoptive Father)
Other Family:
Astra (Aunt, Deceased)
Kal-El (Cousin)
History:
Krypton
Kara's story begins 13 years before Kal-El's birth. She was born in Argo City, to scientist Zor-El and judicator Alura Zor-El. One would think living in a highly advanced civilization would be vastly different from life on Earth, but the similarities were surprisingly striking. Well, despite the fact that Kara often traveled to other planets when on vacation with her parents. Kara has many stories about her ventures on planets like Starhaven and Sedenach, to name a couple. Once, her father took her to the Well of Stars, a region of space, where time doesn't pass. Those trips were as much for leisure as they were for learning, as young Kara learned quite a lot about different alien species and cultures. Besides these lavish excursions, Kara spent most of her time going to school and studying constantly. As a member of the great House of El, much was expected from her. She was to follow in the footsteps of either Alura or Zor-El. However, choosing another path wasn't typically frowned upon, as long as it benefited Krypton as a whole. Kara typically wound up accompanying her father in his lab, learning of different scientific projects and seeing how Krypton's finest worked. While there, Zor-El also showed Kara the very same pod in which she would arrive on Earth years later.
Kara's real passion on her home planet was history, however. Studying Kryptonian customs and religion hours on end made her quite an expert in Kryptonian history. In addition, she excelled in astronomy and maths, which is why she was more drawn to her father's career. Kara's knowledge in astronomy came both with the before mentioned voyages into space, as well as spending time with her aunt Astra. The two had a close relationship, often spending hours outside at night, learning constellations and with Astra telling Kara about her own ventures into the great unknown. Astra also gave Kara a special beacon, which would let her contact Astra almost immediately from anywhere on the planet. They would use this as a part of a spy-esque game, setting up "secret" meetings. Unbeknownst to Kara, the beacon was Kryptonian military tech, forbidden to be shared with civilians and thus, Astra asked Kara to keep it a secret. It would make it more fun that way, according to her. Astra was relatively close to Alura, her sister, but the two didn't meet much due to Astra's military duties. There was growing tension between them as well, because of Astra's views on the government and justice system.
Kara's family was very close to Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van, both of them working closely with Zor-El on various projects. Kara was among the first to hold newborn Kal-El and would babysit him from time to time. By that time, rumors and conspiracies about Krypton's impending doom were already afoot. It was no secret that the planet's natural resources were being vastly depleted, eventually causing the planet to become unstable and destroy itself. The government firmly denied such rumors and claimed that they would never let such a cataclysm happen, they were simply far too advanced. Astra, on the other hand, fully believed and had evidence that Krypton was dying. Being a military general, Astra tried to use her considerable influence to persuade the Kryptonian government to take action and either begin evacuation measures or fully focus on the effort of saving their planet. When the leading figures turned her down, Astra took matters into her own hands. With her husband, Non, and several loyal followers, she began a series of operations that tried to persuade the top minds to either figure out a solution or immediately begin evacuation to other planets. Meeting resistance at almost every turn, Astra turned extreme, killing those who wouldn't cooperate and effectively attempting a coup d'etat. Zor-El and Jor-El were also approached by Astra. Trying to rally them to her cause, the brothers rejected, but Astra spared them, saying that she would never hurt family. Zor-El tried to persuade Astra with the revelation that he might have found a way to save Krypton or at least a few cities. Astra wanted to believe them, though felt it might have been a trap and retreated. In addition, her efforts to overthrow the government were met with stern resistance and with her numbers being less than ideal, she was forced into hiding. Astra quickly became one of the most wanted criminals on Krypton, with the police and military given orders to bring her and her followers in, dead or alive.
The news of Astra's disappearance and following wanted status spread quickly. Kara tried to reach her aunt several times with the beacon. While Astra didn't answer, Kara occasionally received brief messages from her aunt, saying how the news about her was wrong and how her objective was to save Krypton from itself. But her meeting Kara was too dangerous for both of their safety. Astra had already made a fatal flaw in her plan to stay underground, however. By contacting Kara, even through voice messages, she had placed herself on the radar. From the moment Astra disappeared, any and all methods of communication were tracked, with only a handful of devices, frequencies, and encryptions bypassing that. Astra's and Kara's beacons were two of such devices. Alura and her team, being primary officers in the manhunt, were granted access to advanced military technology. Alura used Kara's beacon, which she stole, to send a fake message to Astra, begging her to meet her niece. Astra eventually agreed to meet Kara in secret, only to be met by Alura. She, Non and several of their followers were arrested right then. They were sentenced for life within Fort Rozz, residing in the Phantom Zone. The fact that Alura chose the law over her flesh and blood severed any goodwill between the two sisters, Astra overcome with rage and resentment.
Kara was kept in the dark about the sentencing, with Alura saying that Astra remained in hiding. Alura was to bear the burden of using her daughter to flush Astra out for the rest of her remaining life. Kara had many questions, but something far worse was about to occur. The news of the imprisonment would be overshadowed by sudden reports of Krypton's core becoming unstable. All those years of quelling public fear were for nought, as the planet began to tear itself apart. The population was woefully underprepared for such an event. With no real measures of evacuation in place, most of the population watched helplessly as the planet swallowed and destroyed everything. As a means to keep at least a fraction of Krypton alive, Kara's parents lead her to Zor-El's lab, where the escape pod was. In the time she hadn't been at the lab, Zor-El and Jor-El had managed to build another one. Kara didn't have time to ask why there weren't more pods. She could only hear her parents and relatives leading her to the small ship, along with Kal-El being placed in an identical one. Unsure what was happening and where she would go, Kara cried out for an explanation.
"We cannot keep you safe anymore, dear daughter. But you will be safe somewhere else. Yes, you will travel far, but the planet you're going to is as much full of wonders as Krypton. That planet's yellow sun will give you extraordinary abilities. Abilities that you can use to protect young Kal-El and make a new life for yourself. You two will be among the last survivors of Krypton. The spirit and hope of our people and the house of El reside within you. We have no doubt you will go on to do great things. We love you, Kara."
An unfathomable emotion enveloped Kara, unable to firmly grasp the effective extinction of her people right before her eyes. She wouldn't have much time to react, however, as the shockwave from the explosion managed to reach her and knock her pod off course. She still saw Kal's pod heading in the supposedly right direction, whereas she was spinning around the cosmos, unsure whether she would survive. Before she regained her senses, Kara had already been pulled into the Phantom Zone by a gateway, with her pod's flight capabilities shut off. The necessary life-support systems still worked though, but it was a while before Kara was effectively put to sleep. During that time, the pod roamed around the Phantom Zone, often passing Fort Rozz and other peculiar sights of the dimension. Kara was eventually put into hibernation by the ship's life-support equipment but by then, she had already sustained psychological and emotional trauma significant enough to haunt her to the present day.
Kara had no clue what would come next. She was stuck in a different realm. Kal was headed to Earth and their planet was destroyed. Everything she knew, everyone she loved, gone in the blink of an eye. Was she ever going to see anyone again? All hope seemed lost. The terrifying nature of being stranded in the Phantom Zone forever was enough to frighten Kara to the bone, even in her deep slumber.
First Contact
As Kara woke, she desperately wanted to get out. The confined space of the pod had an irreversible effect on her psyche, eventually developing a fear of confined spaces. Even with the pod functional, she still felt the need to escape. Realizing there was no way out until she reached her destination, Kara tried to calm herself down. Her ship eventually managed to turn all systems on once again and continue the journey towards Earth. It was a voyage that felt far longer than her sleep and at that time, Kara had no knowledge of the time that had really passed.
When she finally reached the Sol System, Kara first gazed her eyes upon the yellow sun. Almost immediately, she could feel a rush of energy go through her. The power of a yellow sun her mother had talked about. She saw all the various planets, though nothing got her attention like the blue orb she was going to inhabit. There was water everywhere, along with several green masses of land. It was mesmerizing, to say the least. For a fraction of a moment, Kara forgot that she was all alone and instead, with her parents, visiting a strange new land filled with curious lifeforms she couldn't wait to study more about. Her joy was soon met with the sound of her ship entering Earth's atmosphere. After several minutes of descent and awful noise, the pod crashed in Nevada desert, coincidentally away from most prying eyes. She was finally here. The pod opened, at last, allowing Kara to breathe in the fresh air of her new planet. It was intoxicating at first. She wanted to get out so bad that she basically jumped several feet into the air from the pod before landing on the ground. It was a high jump and her very first experience of what she would eventually be able to do at a much higher degree.
The liberation Kara felt was indescribable. It was also met with a large dose of confusion. What was she do to now? Where was she to go? What happened to Kal?
Kara wouldn't have to ponder on those questions for long, as she saw a streak of red and blue fly from a distance straight towards her. Fear gripped the young Kryptonian. She was still a 13-year-old girl physically and anything unknown would immediately be deemed dangerous. The figure reached her quicker than she could react and was then faced by a towering, built figure of a man in front of her. Seemingly intimidating, his expression was kind and welcoming. The outfit of red and blue, with a cape, no less, was impressive if a bit odd. But the crest on his chest, donning red and yellow colors with a familiar shape was of the most importance. It was the sigil of House El. A sigil that would have a different meaning on this planet, but still retain that same core ethos. Was she truly on Earth or still dreaming? The figure noticed the confusion and caution in Kara's face, and while feeling slightly confused himself, he quickly put the clues together.
"I thought I'd never meet you."
The wonder in Kara's eyes quickly showed as Clark revealed himself to be Kal-El. The conversation that ensued confirmed Kara's expectations that she was indeed on Earth. It didn't take the two long to figure out that Kara's arrival was delayed much longer than ever expected. Kal-El had become Superman during those years and was one of Earth's mightiest protectors. Kara's mission was essentially rendered moot, as it seemed that Clark was now the one who needed to protect her. The strange feeling that the young infant whose diapers she had changed as if only yesterday was now a larger than life superhero. Myths and legends of such heroes were told on Krypton, though none of them actually seemed to exist. It was like facing a titan, but one that was devoted to protecting you. Truly the strangest feeling.
Clark ensured Kara that he would keep her safe. He wanted to give her as much of a normal childhood as he could, one not too different from his own perhaps. There were two people in mind who were perfect for that exact task. People that could give her all their love and provide her with a safe home until she reached an age where she'd be able to decide for herself. That decision being whether to use her newfound abilities or not. Clark couldn't force her. It wasn't her duty to be super anymore, but he wanted to give her the choice when the time was right. Even as a young man, Clark exuded wisdom beyond his years. In addition, he really had no idea what the young girl was going through. He was but an infant when Krypton was destroyed, having pretty much no memory of the place. Kara, on the other hand, spent her entire life there until now. He wanted to understand her pain but at this time, he couldn't. The only thing he could do was provide a good home. She was his family. Possibly the only family he had left, even if he didn't really remember her. He still felt indebted to her for some odd reason. Clark couldn't tell at that moment, but in the future, Kara would make it perfectly clear how much she owed to him as well.
Kara was placed into the Danvers family, just on the outskirts of Midvale, bordering Oregon and Washington. Jeremiah and Eliza Danvers were both scientists, who once helped Clark fully understand his abilities and what he could accomplish. He and the Danvers family would grow to be good friends. When Clark came to them with the newly arrived Kara and her pod, the Danvers family took her in as their own immediately. Any family of Clark's was a family of theirs. Alex Danvers, however, initially disagreed.
Alex was an only child until then and when Kara came into the picture, she was placed in the role of a protective sister, rather than the only child receiving her parents' affection. It caused Alex to resent Kara and her alien heritage for a while. This became especially apparent when Kara first began to experience the full extent of her powers, as well as the nightmares Kara consistently experienced as a result of her entrapment in the pod and the Phantom Zone. Kara was this wunderkind from another planet, with powers most could only dream of. Yet, Alex's protective nature slowly took root still.
Kara initially didn't have much control over her powers besides quick physical feats. She would often find herself beaming heat vision whenever frightened and grabbing something harder than she should have, breaking whatever object she was holding. Her super-hearing and -vision became hindrances as well, with her being to hear almost everything and everyone and seeing everything as an x-ray. To help with this, Jeremiah gave Kara a pair of lead-lined glasses, which helped her control her vision at least. Despite the overwhelming nature of her powers, Kara was steadfast in wanting to control her abilities. This caused a small friction between her and her parental figures, as they wanted Kara to become her own person at first, before any would-be superheroics.
The girls would grow their bond as Kara enrolled at Midvale Junior High. She excelled in most of her subjects and it was also when she discovered her passion for journalism. The next few years saw sizable development in their relationship, as Alex became more accustomed to Kara's origin and the two began experimenting with the Kryptonian's abilities. It was also during this time that Jeremiah was declared KIA during a covert mission for the DEO. An event that shook the family to its core and brought back buried resentment in Alex. However, the two would be brought together again as they became embroiled in a local conspiracy, leading to the death of one of Kara's few friends at the time, Kenny. It reinforced Kara's desire to help those in need and boldened Alex's resolve in trying to protect her sister from the less savory aspects of life. They finally managed to form a bond that could withstand anything.
Seattle
In her later life, Kara moved to Seattle and enrolled in Seattle University, studying communications and media. Naturally, much of her decision was based on the experiences at Midvale, but a part was also because of Clark, who had opted to follow a similar path. Kara was determined to follow in the same noble tracks as Clark, hoping it would eventually make her at least half the person her cousin was. Kara's studies made it clear that she eventually wanted to become a journalist herself, although she felt less confident in her abilities as a writer when reading various exposes and articles by Lois Lane and Clark. Nevertheless, Kara persisted in her path and after graduation, built up the courage to apply for an internship at CatCo media.
"Oh, for God's sake, I told them not to send me any more Millenials."
The first months as Cat's assistant proved to be more difficult than Kara had imagined. Ms. Grant was a very demanding woman, to the point of ludicrousy. Her morning latte needed to be an exact temperature, otherwise, she would very dramatically dispose of the cup. She required a meticulous daily plan to be laid in front of her and nobody was to come and see her unless they'd set up a meeting through Kara or if Cat personally asked to see them. As one would expect from an assistant, Kara ran most of Cat's errands, from getting her food to picking up her prescriptions from the pharmacy. Kara proved to be exceptionally good at her job (although some of that was because she used her a couple of her abilities to her advantage) and she slowly began to tear away the wall between herself and Cat, with the two slowly starting to grow closer.
Her beginnings at CatCo also introduced her to Winn Schott, the media outlet's resident programmer. Kara would quickly find him to be her closest confidant and the two would often gossip about Cat's rude demeanor and demanding nature. Unsurprisingly, Winn quickly developed a crush on Kara, but the two would soon enough find that they worked best as friends. Despite this initial awkwardness, Winn became one of Kara's best, and really her first true friend in Seattle.
A short while before Kara began to work for Cat Grant, Alex also moved to Seattle. Having spent a few years apart, the sisters were beyond excited to live in the same city. While Kara had been a resident of the city for a while, Alex instead opted to attend Stanford for her degrees. She eventually ended up getting a PhD and also conducted genetic engineering there. Despite her academic success, Alex grew up as a troubled woman, opting for hard-partying and heavy drinking to subdue her insecurities and homosexuality. After a night of drinking and clubbing, Alex was arrested for DUI. While arrested, she was approached by Hank Henshaw. The director of the DEO offered her a position at the organization, further elaborating that she was just as special as Kara and that she owed it to her father to become the woman both Jeremiah and Hank knew she could be.
Alex's following years at Seattle were largely spent at the DEO, training to become a fitting agent. To Kara, Alex would say that she got a job at the FBI, before the DEO would become a more public organization. The elder Danvers quickly rose in the ranks of the DEO, becoming one of their best agents and Henshaw's second-in-command. Around a year before Supergirl's first outing, Henshaw handed the reigns of director over to Alex and went on to become Checkmate's Chief Science Officer, as well as one of the leading figures of SWORD, DEO's parent organization.
Supergirl
Having been on Earth for quite some time, Kara was no stranger to superheroes. While Clark was the first one she came across, she quickly began seeing news reports, pictures, videos, and articles about the escapades of other masked and caped beings. There certainly were a lot of them hopping around, but that didn't stop them from being any less inspirational to Kara. She had been told before to not get involved in that life, as it always took a part of you away. Quitting was an option down the line, but even that came at a cost, which some people couldn't pay. And yet, Kara saw it as a part of life, a part of her being, quite literally. Life was always going to take something away and you would eventually give yourself away anyhow. So why not do what you can to, at the very least, try and make the world you're living in a better place. Especially with gifts such as hers. Still, with her current job and trying to build up her career, that aspect of her life was something she couldn't immediately act upon, especially with the words of Jeremiah and Alex still haunting her.
However, fate had other plans. Disaster struck in more ways than one, although Kara's Tinder date that night was among them. She had been on only a couple of dates during her entire life and each one was as awkward as one might expect. Back then, she was still unused to Earthly customs, but even as a young adult, Kara's dates tended to be lackluster. It was partly due to her own priorities, which didn't include finding love at that time. Tinder certainly wasn't a place for that anyway. When on the date, Kara could suddenly hear lots of people at the bar look at news announcements on their phones, with many gasping in shock that a plane right above Seattle might come crashing down due to an engine failure. Kara asked the bartender to show the news on the television, which showed Flight 237 in peril, headed for Geneva. Because of a prior talk with Alex, Kara knew her sister was on that very plane, headed to a conference. Seeing her sister in danger, Kara's fight or flight instinct kicked in and she bolted out of the bar.
It was the time to make a decision, although Kara had already made up her mind. She didn't have a suit nor did she have a proper grasp on her abilities thus far. Yet, her sister was in danger, as well as hundreds of other lives. She couldn't wait for Clark or anyone else to show up and if she didn't do something, those people would very likely die. Yes, death was a daily occurrence and even if there were a plethora of superheroes around, even they couldn't be everywhere. But if she could stop at least one tragedy, then revealing herself would be worth it.
Kara took off to an alleyway and prepared for her first flight since she was a kid. Her first few attempts ended up only levitating her a bit, leaving her to take a few breaths before trying again. This was something she couldn't give up on. It was the point of fully embracing her powers and unlock a path she previously closed off for herself. All of Krypton's memories came flooding back and the words her mother said before Kara was blasted off to space resonated with her more now than she could have ever predicted. She wouldn't hide her gifts any longer. She wouldn't hide her true self any longer. She was Kara Zor-El, a proud Kryptonian and hopefully, a future hero people could look up to. For most, Supergirl made her debut after the rescue of the plane. For Kara, the very idea of Supergirl started years ago, but it was that singular moment, in that alleyway, where she would sacrifice everything to save someone she loved.
And then, she took flight. For the first time in years, Kara felt the evening breeze on her face. The speed and adrenaline were enough to kick her instincts into high gear. She began speeding towards the plane, which was almost right above her and had three of its four engines blown. Scanning the plane with her x-ray vision, Kara saw that even if she cooled the engines down, they were fried enough that the plane couldn't fly on its own anymore. Meanwhile, onboard, Alex tried to help those that she could, all the while knowing that she could only do so much. Kara, noticing that the plane was at a low enough altitude that it would smash straight into Elliot Bay, flew below the plane. She dug her hands into the metal body, in an attempt to veer and balance the plane enough so that it would more gently slide into the water. It was a close call and while the eventual landing would damage a cargo ship and part of the plane's right wing, Kara managed to save the plane along with the passengers and crew on board.
Kara herself was immediately under the spotlight of several news choppers as she climbed out of the water and onto the wing of the plane. While many took pictures, she was far enough for her face to be unrecognizable. She looked around for a few moments, taking in the feat she had just accomplished. It was unlike anything she'd ever felt. It was frightening, exhilarating and fun, all at the same time. She just saved a large airliner from certain doom. And it wasn't long until this feat and a picture of her in the spotlight would grace everyone's screens in Seattle and beyond. A new hero had emerged, the likes of which Seattle hadn't witnessed before. The news truly spread like wildfire throughout the state and country, naturally reaching the ears of Clark, the DEO and other professionals in the field.
The rescue of Flight 237 was almost the only talking point that same night and the following day on every TV channel. Everyone was trying to piece together who this new unknown figure was. While Kara did receive some criticism because of accidentally sinking a cargo ship in the Bay, and basically leaving the plane stranded, most laid praise on the new heroine, for saving hundreds of passengers. It had been the most exciting moment of Kara's life and she wasn't afraid to show it, especially to her sister, who was only just then recovering from the shock. Alex was grateful, certainly, but she was also worried about Kara revealing herself to the world. She wasn't supposed to do that. Ever. Alex expected Kara to keep her powers hidden for... well, forever. Kara, on the other hand, would quickly remind her sister that what she did then, was what she had wanted to do for a long time. She knew that helping people when given such gifts, was the best thing she could do. Saving that plane was simply the very first significant thing in the path Kara truly wanted to pursue.
As a measure of protecting both Kara and the public, Alex revealed her true position as director of the DEO and took Kara to their headquarters right in the middle of Seattle. It was mainly hidden due to the ordinary appearance of their skyscraper, along with various service tunnels helping agents deploy without unwanted attention. At the same time, it didn't matter much, as Alex stated that the DEO was to go public in a few months' time. A direct order from the higher-ups at SWORD, wanting their daughter organization to be more visible and present in their daily operations. Having a metahuman in their midst wouldn't hurt their reputation much, so when Kara would fully become an agent, SWORD brass saw little concern in that.
While naturally shocked by Alex's reveal, Kara had to admit that she always saw Alex as more of a spy than a cop. The aspect of Alex working for the government had always troubled Kara, somewhat having an idea of its corrupt nature and politics, but she knew her sister well enough. Alex was trying to mend things from the inside and fight for what was right, even if it meant going against the orders of her superiors (of which she had very few).
With Kara revealing herself to the world, Alex, and by extension the DEO, had to register her as a metahuman. Kara did have a choice of either doing that or continuing to operate as a vigilante, but she chose the former. Sure, life as a vigilante would give her more freedom, at the expense of the possibility of arrest at all times, but Kara saw it as a crutch. She wanted to help people in the most honest way possible. Working with her sister and the DEO, as complicated as the organization might have been, was the best option for her. As the director, Alex could give Kara certain liberties when operating as a hero. She didn't have to outright state she was working for the government to the public, only that she was working with them. To some, the phrasing wouldn't make much of a difference. Others saw it as Kara being not only a hero but someone who didn't see herself above the law. However, Alex couldn't register her as a meta until she had a cover identity. Through bureaucracy, she kept Kara's true identity from being revealed for as long as she could.
Luckily enough for Alex, a saving grace came in the form of Cat Grant. While she was worried about her sister's true identity being revealed to the world, CatCo was all over the fact that a new, possibly female, hero was in the mix. It was the first time Seattle had its own resident superhero and Ms. Grant had to be the first one to get the scoop. Daily Planet and Daily Bugle could try all they wanted, but it was indeed Cat Grant who fully got a hold of the story and the privilege of naming this female hero. Super-strong, flying figures were certainly the norm these days, but it was the addition of Kara's extreme durability shown through various phone-filmed clips which lead Cat to the conclusion that this heroine was indeed another Kryptonian. Call it a gut feeling and while Cat wasn't 100% certain, it mattered little. This new hero was super enough to deserve a fitting name. Thus, that very next day, #Supergirl was trending. Unable to contain her excitement, Kara secretly told (and showed) Winn who she was. She needed to tell someone who she knew she could trust and it would make it far easier to explain her sudden disappearances later on.
Because of the rapid news output, Supergirl was already a thing before Alex could come up with a codename herself. In that way, she could save Kara's real identity from being revealed and at the same time, have her truly operate as a superhero, even if she was against that whole idea. Kara couldn't have been more ecstatic, however. She could finally do what she had dreamed of for most of her life. As a proper hero, Kara would need a suitable outfit. But as someone, who wasn't officially supposed to be a part of the DEO, Alex and Winn took liberties in making her outfit. As such, Supergirl was truly born. Donning a similar, yet distinctive outfit in contrast to Superman, Kara finally set out to make a name for herself and be the hero she always believed she could be.
Familial Ties
Just before Kara had enrolled at Seattle University, the DEO had caught a foreign signature in the Sol System heading towards Earth. Being the size of a small asteroid, many of Earth's major organizations noticed the same phenomena. But as SWORD was one of the leading groups in space-related matters, took it upon itself to deal with the object. Identifying it to be a UFO, instead of an asteroid, SWORD attempted to capture or destroy it before it reached the planet. With their efforts being futile, the only thing they could do was slow it down, until it crashed in Nevada desert. SWORD handed the reigns over to the DEO, who were in charge of that sector. The DEO quickly established its Kryptonian origin and with Clark's knowledge from the Fortress of Solitude, identified it to be Fort Rozz, Krypton's maximum-security prison within the Phantom Zone.
Fort Rozz housed extremely dangerous felons, a majority of who Alura Zor-El had imprisoned, making them particularly hell-bent on revenge. The DEO attempted to quarantine and dismantle Fort Rozz, but their forces were stopped by the various, now superpowered, criminals of the prison. Among those were Kara's aunt Astra and her husband Non. Being forced to retreat, the DEO detained those they could and continued to hunt the ones that managed to escape, along with the aforementioned Kryptonians. With Fort Rozz being present years before Kara became Supergirl, the DEO and a handful of other smaller organizations had managed to capture a sizable chunk of the alien fugitives. Most of the ones not caught by the DEO would eventually be handed over to their custody anyhow since the DEO and SWORD were the primary organizations in such matters, especially when it came to Kryptonians. The area surrounding Fort Rozz was marked as a no-fly zone, with the DEO maintaining a presence there and kept monitoring the prison complex.
When Kara revealed herself as Supergirl, it was as if the flood gates had opened. Any and all Fort Rozz fugitives that were underground came after Kara, seeing her as a suitable subject for revenge. While Superman was the more recognizable of the two, it was Kara who was geographically closest to the villains along with the fact that several of them identified her as the daughter of Alura. Supergirl was, unbeknownst to the public, hailed as a wanted woman. Throughout several months, she managed to capture most of the prisoners who actively came after her. One of them, Vartox, killed himself in the fear that if captured, his true motives were revealed. Kara's investigation with the DEO eventually lead her to come face to face with Astra.
Bewildered by this reemergence, Kara tried to get answers as to how she was alive. Instead, Astra immediately attacked Kara. The ensuing fight wasn't a very long one, as Astra's combat knowledge helped her swiftly best Kara. Astra hesitated in killing her niece, with her face still reminding her of the time they had on Krypton. Astra told Kara the truth of what had happened. Betrayal and imprisonment by Alura's hand made Astra bitter, with any and all compassion turning into hatred and developing a thirst for revenge. After all, Astra was only trying to save Krypton, no matter the cost. The survival of a whole civilization was worth a few lives. Kara was confused by these revelations, to say the least. She hadn't seen her aunt in a long time and now she was trying to kill her. Kara certainly had little to no idea how corrupting Fort Rozz was, especially with Non by Astra's side. It was partially due to his influence as well, that Astra became so vindictive. Kara wasn't sure who to believe. At the same time, knowing that Astra had been trying to kill her for months was enough to convince Kara that Astra may have very well been lying to her face.
Astra expected that killing Kara would be far easier, but her emotions got the better of her. She fled and Kara was left with even more questions than she had prepared for. Demanding answers, Kara confronted Alex. The elder Danvers lead Kara to a room within the DEO, that contained a partial Kryptonian database, modeled after Alura's appearance. Alex explained that this supercomputer was discovered within Kara's pod, which the DEO had taken when Kara first arrived at Midvale. Clark tried to stop them, but Henshaw's threats of taking Kara away were enough to convince him. It was either the pod information or Kara herself. The hologram was extremely helpful in teaching the organization about Krypton and Fort Rozz, in particular. While Kara knew that the hologram was not truly her mother, seeing the image of her sent her emotions into overdrive. Kara demanded the truth, which the program quickly gave to her. Alura did indeed use Kara to draw Astra out of hiding, as she had broken the law and no matter the nobility of her intentions, had to be brought in as a fugitive.
Kara wasn't sure what to believe after that. Her mother, the greatest woman she had ever known, used Kara to trick Astra. Kara believed that Alura tried everything in her power to save Krypton, but she didn't really do anything to prevent their home planet's destruction. Astra, at the same time, was doing whatever she needed to ensure that their home was safe. Kara couldn't believe that someone who had tried to kill her for months, was actually the woman she thought Alura was. Selfless, with noble goals and willingness to protect those she loved. Alura knew that Krypton was dying and yet denied it to everyone, the same went for Zor-El, who claimed to have found a way to save at least a few cities, but of use was that now. Perhaps even he was lying to convince Astra to drop her mission. Kara didn't know what to make of it. Astra had tried to kill her for months and her quest for revenge seemed to have changed her for good.
The Kryptonians fought for numerous times over the next couple of months, with Kara constantly trying to get through to Astra. Non was always by her side, however, making that far more difficult. Kara managed to foil many of their plans and with the DEO, eventually managed to piece together their true mission. The Kryptonian inmates were working on a device to enslave all of mankind and eventually turn it into a New Krypton of sorts. During that whole debacle, Alex suggested using Kryptonite on numerous occasions. Kara strongly disagreed, certain that she was able to reach Astra and stop her without resorting to extreme methods. Nonetheless, Alex and the DEO had Kryptonite weapons at the ready, should the need arise.
By that point, Kara was able to get through to Astra on a small scale. In an attempt to shut down their operation for good, Kara requested a meeting. Just the two of them. Of course, while Astra agreed, her forces followed along, in secret. The same went for the DEO, who covertly stayed in the shadows unless needed. Kara couldn't let this go on any longer. She tried to get to Astra, to have her stop this madness and surrender peacefully, without further bloodshed. Both of them had lost enough. Yes, Astra, Non and their followers would be arrested. However, they would ensure the survival of another world. Kara added that if Astra still decided to go through with her plan, she would fail nonetheless. If Kara and the DEO wouldn't be able to stop them, Clark and the world's other superheroes would.
Astra almost agreed but Non, having listened in, was not convinced. He called in his forces, with the DEO responding in the same way. A large battle ensued, with Astra's forces gaining the upper hand because of their abilities. The DEO quickly resorted to Kryptonite weapons, however, and managed to either subdue or kill most of them. Kara, Astra, and Non engaged in a furious battle themselves. The Kryptonians raged across the skies, striking so hard that the very earth below would shake. For Kara, the battle wasn't easy. She was facing two military veterans, endowed with the same powers as she had, along with combat prowess above her own. Yet, it was Kara's resourcefulness that helped her gain the advantage, if only for a moment. At that moment, Kara dealt a well-placed punch, strong enough to incapacitate Non for a bit. Astra subdued Kara right after then, however. She was ready to end Kara Zor-El, for not seeing her way. For not wanting a new chance for their people. At the same time, she still wasn't strong enough to kill her own.
It was that moment of hesitation that allowed Alex to sneak up on Astra and strike a sword embedded with Kryptonite through her heart, killing her almost instantly. It was an act of emotion, triggered by seeing Kara in danger. She didn't want to do it but knew she had to. As Astra fell to the ground, Kara watched in shock. Right before Alex struck Astra, Kara saw hope in her eyes. She could have come over to Kara's side. But now it was all rendered moot. To say that Kara was angry, was an understatement. Nobody was supposed to die and yet, corpses lied before their feet. Alex wasn't even supposed to be there. Kara had a plan, or so she thought. She was getting through to someone without punching their lights out. It was supposed to be her defining moment. But all she could feel at that moment was rage. The seeming distrust of her own sister and the organization she pledged to work for. But there was an equal amount of anger towards Non. The bastard who manipulated Astra all along to follow a darker path. To claim what was not his.
Kara's eyes lit up, first looking at Alex with pure ferocity. Her attention then went towards Non, who she could hear booming towards her. Just as he was about to reach her, Kara dodged his strike and immediately grabbed him by his collar, throwing him several feet away from her. What Kara wanted now, wasn't justice. It was revenge. The anger that had been building up for decades was at its tipping point. Having gained his composure, Non taunted Kara for being weak and unable to see his grander vision. Because of meeting her again, Astra had also grown weak and he wasn't surprised that she perished. He promised Kara that if she didn't stop him, he would complete his mission and as an added bonus, kill everyone she loved. He would never get the chance to do that, however, as Kara immediately began blasting him with heat vision. Meeting hers with his own, it was a standoff of who could put out enough energy and outlast the other.
It was the raw nature of her emotions that enabled Kara to push her heat vision to its very limits. Consumed by fury, Kara unleashed every ounce of energy and anger she had inside her towards Non. Her frightening scream could be heard by anyone in the vicinity, with most simply stopping in their tracks to gaze at Kara's ferocity. She didn't let up and Non eventually couldn't match her raw power. The sheer amount of heat and energy overpowered the elder Kryptonian and effectively fried his brain, killing him on the spot. Not a moment after, Kara collapsed herself, having used up a significant amount of her solar energy. The fight was over and while casualties on both sides were extensive, it was clear that the "good" guys had won.
Kara awoke within the DEO and then the gravity of the situation fully hit her. Her aunt was dead and she had just killed a person. Alex was in the room with her, trying to comfort her sister, but Kara couldn't focus on anything or anyone else other than her grief and guilt. Was this truly the life of a hero? Constant death and loss. The miscalculations and conflicts that could never truly be solved. Her emotions had been going from one extreme to the other and the strain broke her. Alex stayed within the room, all the while knowing that she was a part of Kara's pain. If it wasn’t for her, Kara wouldn't have been forced to kill Non. The room remained silent, with only the sobs of both sisters filling the void. Supergirl was supposed to be a beacon of hope, not a means for revenge. Kara felt as if she had betrayed every ounce of her very being.
Having healed for a few days, Kara felt confined within the spaces of the DEO. She wasn't ready to talk to Alex yet and certainly wasn't ready to continue any superhero duties. She wanted to go to either Ms. Grant or Winn, but they were human. They couldn't possibly understand what she was going through at that time. The only person that could even remotely understand, was Clark. Without a second thought, Kal-El agreed to aid his cousin. He took her to the Fortress of Solitude. Clark tried to get her to go with him when she was still young, but Kara quickly refused, believing that it would bring back memories of Krypton. Now, she was ready to fully see what relics of her old world were still present. Clark provided Kara with a key to the Fortress so that if she ever needed a place to go to, she could. The two spent a while there, with Clark ardently listening to every word Kara had to say.
Clark gave Kara some much-needed perspective on the matter. She couldn't blame Alex for trying to protect her. Alex didn't see the good in Astra. She saw Astra's actions, not her inner intentions or who she really was. Kal couldn't justify Kara killing Non. He didn't try to but he understood how it happened. Controlling one's rage was crucial, especially for people as powerful as Kal-El and Kara. It was a mistake that she would have to live with. It should drive her to do better, to learn and find a better way. That experience would haunt her for life, though it would also be the driving force of her future deeds. Clark reminded Kara that one bad decision doesn't make a bad person. She shouldn't give in to that inner darkness, as there's always light. There's always hope, even in the most dire of situations. Kara knew that she would have to look into herself and decide what to do next and how to do it. Clark could only help her so much. Such moments with her cousin reminded her of how lucky she was to have him and vice versa. Hope was the very heart of the House of El and Kara would go on to do her very best to keep that hope alive.
When Kara returned to Seattle, she mended her relationship with Alex and slowly got back on track with everything else. The remaining Fort Rozz fugitives were eventually captured and kept within the DEO, with some sent to SWORD. Fort Rozz itself was to be dismantled and though that would require significant funds and personnel, SWORD was well off enough to afford such a valuable operation. Kara herself had a tough road ahead of finding true balance with her roles as Supergirl and Kara Danvers. She eventually told Winn what happened and was comforted to find that while not agreeing with her actions, he still stuck by her. Supergirl was off to a rocky start, but it was what she needed to evolve as a hero and become something better.
Paragon of Hope
Kara Zor-El's reputation in Seattle remained as strong as ever. A large part of that was because of Cat Grant's exposes and interviews with Supergirl. She effectively built the heroine up from the ground up and Supergirl herself freely admitted that. Thwarting the schemes of some of the galaxy's most dangerous felons had earned her quite the rep. Ms. Grant made sure to expand her influence far beyond just Seattle. Soon enough, the whole country and parts of the world got wind of Supergirl's heroics. The Girl of Steel was a constant talking point and though she was still compared to Superman, Kara had successfully managed to build a "brand" of her own.
The heroine's image and feats would increase even further as time went on. She became a hero to the people, helping practically anyone and everyone to the best of her ability. She became a household name in Seattle and her fame reached even further as well. "Hope, help, and compassion for all" became essentially Supergirl's slogan. Cat's honest portrayal of Supergirl's heroic, and not so heroic, moments made Kara an exceedingly relatable figure. It was the idea that even larger than life figures made mistakes and that, while extraordinary, could still fumble every once in a while.
Kara was soon approached by Clark, who offered her a position among the Champions. He had been thinking about recruiting her far earlier, but he had decided correctly by waiting and letting the young heroine properly gain her wings, so to speak. Kara accepted, though said that her primary duty would still be Seattle and her job at CatCo. The Champions were a grand group of young heroes, but Kara still knew that her true loyalties stood with the people of Seattle and her family. The DEO wasn't too happy with Kara's decision, but as long as Supergirl remained an agent, they would allow her to take part in the group's operations when needed.
Kara Zor-El's evolution into a hero had not been simple, by any means. Her journey was still far from complete, only in its first real stages. Yet still, Kara had lost more in her short life than most could handle. Despite the moments of darkness, Supergirl reminded herself (sometimes with aid) that it was never going to be easy. But it was going to be worth it. Doing something greater than oneself was something Kara had always dreamt of. Now that the opportunity was present, she would have to prove herself worthy of the responsibility. A daunting task indeed, but Kara had faith that she was up to it. Her story brought her to this very moment for a reason. It was up to her to forge the path forward. She was far from done. The Girl of Tomorrow was only getting started.
Role Play Sample:
Soaring through the skies of Seattle was one of the many joys Kara got to experience as Supergirl. It was a feeling of freedom unlike anything else. And yet, looking down, she could only be reminded of the strife the Emerald City had experienced in recent times. Factions at odds with one another, each believing that they were fighting for peace and order. Kara thought where she fit in that. She wasn't aloof to the fact that, she too, was a part of the system some of these groups were trying to uphold and others were attempting to dismantle. But she believed that she was doing the right thing. She was helping those in need, those who couldn't always do that themselves. That had to count for something. It had become a point of debate more and more, however. What would she be if not for the support of the people? It would be easy for her to simply fly away. Nothing was stopping her, she had no bounds that could hold her. Kara Zor-El knew better though. She had the teachings of everyone who came before her and were with her, at hand. They were not to be squandered.
Kara's attention was caught by a nearby police siren. She made chase and reached a robbery in progress. An easy job. The felons immediately opened fire on her as they saw her. A trick that had gotten old a long time ago, but was still somewhat amusing. With a few well-placed strikes, Kara swiftly dismantled the operation and handed the criminals over to the authorities. Some onlookers applauded, others looked at her with a strange disappointment. She knew why. But in her heart, she knew she was doing the right thing. Supergirl just hoped those in disbelief would also see that somehow.
With a brief, apologetic look at some of the citizens, Kara flew up, up, and away, ready to thwart the next band of crooks that crossed paths with her. The life of a hero was many things. It was seldom boring.