10712/Age of Darkness: Heart to Heart

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Age of Darkness: Heart to Heart
Date of Scene: 12 January 2020
Location: Inner Sanctum, Fortress of Solitude
Synopsis: Kara creates a simulation of Kal-El to talk to. She gets a surprise during the conversation and all attempts to not cry are thrwarted. Hope is renewed.
Cast of Characters: Supergirl, Superman
Tinyplot: Age of Darkness
Tinyplot2: Superman Returns


Supergirl has posed:
It is a dark time indeed. With the loss of Superman, the world isn't as it once had been. The bad guys in Metropolis think it means open season, though they have met strong resistance thanks to the other heroes picking up activity there. In honor of the fallen hero.

Supergirl was one of them. Just as she had been covering when he was missing, she did what she could in Metropolis now. On top of her Justice League and Alpha Flight duties. She was putting off college, for now. It would have to wait until a better time.. Despite her parents being a bit upset about that. They knew her stress, her need to serve, now moreso than ever.

When the sliver of hope that Superman might be alive in a coma was brought to light, she had come here to the Fortress and begun researching. It was where she spent her spare time now. She often slept there.

She also had been working on a little side project and now, she looked at the crystal. "Here goes nothing. I hope this works." She slid the crystal into place and hoped the simulation would be functional. She kind of really needed it to be.

Superman has posed:
For a few seconds there was nothing. The screen in front of her scrolls in Kryptonian, mostly mathematical algorithms meant to show what was being run in the background. The crystal turns a deep shade of blue, almost the color of the depths of the oceans under a beautiful, sunny sky, and makes a slight humming sound.

Then, in front of Supergirl, the air shimmers, and standing there, was her cousin. He was in his "costume", with the large "S" symbol on his chest glowing slightly, reflecting the deep blues and silvers of the room. A large smile was firmly in place on his face, and his eyes, full of warmth and light, looks at her with a bemused expression. If she didn't know any better, she would think this was Kal El himself. Superman.

The vision of Superman remains quiet. Contemplative. His hands clasped firmly behind him. The cape almost seems to move on its own, as though there was a breeze present. Everything seems so...real.

Supergirl has posed:
When it works, there is a little delighted squeal from Kara. It takes all that is in her not to go try to hug it. She knows it's a simulation. After all, she worked with the computer to create it. But to see him there! It was perfect.

Maybe.

Now came the test. This was built using what was known of Superman, from her and the computer itself. Hopefully the simulation would be good enough to help her through, as the simulation of Kal's father had helped him. Certainly Kal was not her father but he was like a father figure in a lot of ways.

"Hey, Kal. You don't know how good it is to see you. Even this version of you. I ..." She pauses and clears her throat. "I miss you. A lot."

Superman has posed:
The vision of Superman shimmers for a second, as it stabilizes in the room. Kind of takes you out of it a bit. Then, that smile and those eyes. It /felt/ like Superman. Seeing her look on her face, "Kal's" smile widens a bit. "Kara. It is good to see you too cousin. I miss you. More than you could ever know," Strange. It even /sounded/ like him, right down the the inflections of his voice, and his expressions.

Kal's smile slowly fades into a frown, and Kal El's expression changes. "I sense you are upset Kara. Sad even. Is there anything I can do?" The image stands there, unable to step forward, but it was as though he wants to give you a hug as well. "Has something happened? I can have Kelex help you with anything you need. I cannot." Was that awareness?

Supergirl has posed:
She's trying to keep it together. Superman wouldn't cry just because he was feeling overwhelmed. She shouldn't either.

"With you missing, everything is going crazy. I don't think Metropolis realized how much you stop all by yourself. Now a lot of us are trying to take up the cape, so to speak."

She catches her bottom lip between her teeth and looks to the floor a moment. She closes her eyes. A count of ten then opening them again and looking at him, eyes a bit shinier than they should be.

"I'm not sure he can help other than to try to find where they might have you hidden. We have to find you. Remember how eager I was to put on the cape and start doing good three years ago? I was positive I was ready. I...I'm trying so hard, Kal. Trying to be like you. I thought I was ready."

Her voice is closer to a whisper, as though it is hard to admit even in this place. "I'm not ready. I'm not good enough to fill your boots. I need you to come back."

Superman has posed:
"I see." Superman's expression grows concerned as he listens to his cousin. "It is good to hear that everyone is "taking up the cape" as you say. It makes me proud to know that others have stepped up and are doing their best. We all do our part, especially you cousin. I am proud of you."

The visage of Superman smiles, regarding Kara for a few seconds listening to her. "I am sure you are doing your best at finding me, although it seems strange to say that." The vision pauses for a second.

"You are doing an amazing job, Kara. You are ready. I couldn't be prouder of what you have accomplished and what you are doing. You bring honor to the name El every day. If I am gone, I could think of no other person I would be more proud of assuming the job as Earth's greatest protector."

Suddenly, there was a breeze. A cool touch, almost like a whisper that brushes Kara's cheek. The vision of Superman hasn't moved, but something was there. Then, it was gone, like a spectre, into the shadows. A touch upon her cheek.

"You are better than me Kara. You always have been. Stronger. In spirit and in conscience. You don't need to fill my boots. You have your own trail to blaze. You are the greatest hero this planet has ever seen, and you will eclipse my heroic efforts in time."

Superman's eyes grow fonder as he regards his cousin with a thoughtful expression. "You are Earth's Greatest Hero Kara. You just haven't realised it yet. If I am gone, you must find the strength to move on, and keep this planet and everyone on it safe from harm. Remember what this stands for..." Kal's hands move to touch the "S" on his chest. "Hope. You are Earth's greatest hope Kara. Remember that."

Supergirl has posed:
Those tears she was holding back break free. They trail down her cheeks. Silent lines that mark how much those words mean to her. From him. Her cousin. The one she was sworn to protect. Yet failed. Still, here he is believing in her. When she doesn't believe in herself.

Then that soft caress on her cheek. A touch of wind in a place there can be none. "Kal?" So hopeful, so wanting it to be him. She brings her hand to her cheek, trying to capture that 'hand' but it is gone so quickly and there is no sense of there having been one there for her fingertips.

The voice of Superman continues, words she hears but cannot agree with. There is no trickle of tears now. They flow freely and strong. Suddenly she rushes forward, to hug the simulation. Only, her arms go right through it, making it jump and flicker for a moment before returning to the strong visage of her cousin. She stares up at him.

"Thank you. I..don't believe that. But I will try. I will keep hope. And I will find you. No matter what."

Superman has posed:
The visage of Superman shimmers a bit as Kara moves through him. "It is okay to cry Kara. I wish I could join you. It proves you are the woman...the hero I know you to be. We must never forget that those feelings you are feeling now are what make us equal to all living beings. We may have a few other perks here and there, but never forget, we are all in this together."

Superman's smile widens. "Love. Faith. Hope. Kindness. Laughter. Joy. Sadness...if I am gone, you must keep those emotions alive. They are all counting on you. To lead them. Always remember, cousin. I am so very proud of you. You are the best of us." A shimmer in the hologram as Kal continues. "No matter where I am...with Rao, or elsewhere...always remember. I will be with you. Always."

Then, almost as soon as it began, something changes. The original programming takes hold, as though the spirit of Superman was now gone, and the A.I. takes hold. "Kara Zor El. Are you well? Do you require me to summon Kelex?" Something had changed.

Supergirl has posed:
Supergirl's breath catches in her throat. She knows. Beyond a shadow of a doubt.

It was him. Somehow. Rao be praised, it had been Kal. She refused to think it was a glitch in the program, an error on the part of her or the computer. No, that had been him. For that brief moment in time, he had been with her.

The tears on her face continued but they were for a different reason. Be him with Rao or alive somewhere, he had been here for that window and he had let her know those things. It hadn't been the program reflecting her hopes he was proud. He was. Of her.

The tears of happiness flowed as she nodded to the image. "Please summon Kelex. With a box of Kleenex."

Superman has posed:
The vision of Superman truly smiles, and nods. "As you wish, Kara Zor El."

With that, the sound of Kelex moving closer was easily heard. "Mistress Kara. Are you well? Here is the requested box of tissue." The robotic being hovers close by, ready to get whatever was needed, the box of tissue in its hand. "Is everything okay?"

Supergirl has posed:
Looking up at that vision of Superman, Kara reached her hand to the cheek that had been touched.

"It will be, Kelex. It will be."