When Alura, Barry and Clark all entered the Fortress, Kelex was in the middle of a lesson on Kryptonian history with Kara.  While Barry logically knew that he should get back to Star Labs, he wanted to be there for his Kara after they hopefully restored her memories.  She turned to see the trio, and once again worried about the strange man in the red suit with her mother.  While Alura joined Kara and Kelex, Clark pulled Barry aside to learn more about his trip to another Earth.

“Another Earth?  And a way to save Kara?  Better get to the explanation quick, Barry.”

“Right, well, our Earth is one of many in the multiverse…all of them vibrate at different…”

“Spare me the science lesson for now. I want to know how we can save Kara.”

“On this other Earth, I met another version of our Kara.  She also has a Kal.  He had been abducted by Darkseid five years ago…”

“Why am I not surprised that Darkseid is in this other universe as well?  Go on.”

Barry continued despite the revelation from Clark about Darkseid existing in their universe.  If the Lord of Apokolips came to attack, they’d be ready for him.  But restoring Kara and defeating the Worldkillers was the main priority.

“On this other Earth, there is a Fortress just like yours.  The other Kal had been brainwashed by Darkseid and forced to serve as a slave.  But he had an archive crystal, and Karen and their Kelex were able to restore him.”

“How?  The archive crystals are generally only useful as history lessons.”

“With what his version of Jor-El called a memory inducer.  Kelex created it and the crystal…”

“Was able to undo what had been done?”

Neither Barry nor Clark had noticed when Alura walked up and spoke.  She had been listening in after checking on Kara.  More importantly she knew of the memory inducer her husband and brother-in-law had been working on.

“Barry, Clark…this is important news.  Jor and Zor had been collaborating on a memory inducer just a few months before Krypton exploded.  In all probability there are files on the device in your Fortress’ databanks, Clark.  Kelex?”

“Yes, Alura Zor-El?”

“Can you scan the Fortress records for any references to a memory inducer created by Jor-El or Zor-El?”

“Scanning now, stand by.”

Kelex had left Kara when Alura called him over, but not without a long science lesson for her to study.  After twenty minutes of analyzing and reanalyzing the Fortress databanks, the robot came back with an answer.

“Forgive me Kal-El, but with all scientific entries from your Father and Uncle stored in the Fortress there is no indication of a memory inducer.  Perhaps the knowledge was lost due to Krypton’s destruction before it could be completed.”

“And without that knowledge, we have no way to restore Kara’s memories.  She’s going to believe she’s thirteen and have to grow up all over again, but this time with an adult body.”

“Actually Alura, we have a way.  Clark’s Father and your husband may not have completed the inducer in our universe, but…”

Barry adopted a sly smirk as he pulled a small device out from the pocket of his shirt.  To Clark’s eyes it looked like a standard flash drive, but Alura quickly grabbed it from Barry’s hand for a more thorough examination.  As she gently turned the object over in her hands, she noticed the House of El symbol etched in the metal.  She instantly knew what the device was.

“Barry, where did you get this?”

“From the Kelex on the other Earth.  He took it out from his internal mechanics, Alura.  That device has all the schematics and specifications to build our own memory inducer.  We only need Kara’s archive crystal.”

“Well, it’s not here, Barry.  Kara’s crystal is with her own ship at the D.E.O.”

“Then we’ll just have to go get it, Clark.  That crystal and the inducer are the only way to restore her memories.”

“Then I’ll go.  I can get there and back the fastest.”

“No, Clark.  You need to stay with Kara.  I’ll go, besides, from the looks she’s giving me, it’s abundantly clear she doesn’t trust me.”

“That’s just because she doesn’t remember you yet, Barry.  Go, we’ll get Kelex working on the inducer.”

Barry immediately took off for National City while Clark and Kelex began working on the inducer.  Unbeknownst to the group, Kara’s dark clone had begun implementing her own plans of not only stepping out of her cousin’s shadow, knowing and not caring what the ramifications of her actions would be.  Her first stop was the apartment she shared with Barry in Central City.

“How could I have ever wanted to marry Barry Allen?  Look at this place!  This is just too bright and optimistic!  Pathetic and laughable is what it is.  I bet even…”

With a pause in her train of thought, Kara stepped into her closet in the bedroom.  Upon glancing around the bright colors and cheery outfits immediately sickened her.  She knew what her first change had to be.  While still in her Supergirl uniform, she had little options of what to wear for her trip to pick an entire new wardrobe.  After twenty minutes of rifling through all the clothing, leaving a pile on the floor she found the one serviceable outfit.

She pulled the black dress Barbara had given her for the date night with Barry off the hanger and quickly set to altering it.  First to go were the sleeves, cut off, before she turned her attention to the length.  On that date night it had fit below her knees.  With her scissors she cut four inches from the dress and upon looking in the mirror knew it would now fall at her thighs giving a good view of her legs.

But she still wasn’t done.  One final alteration removed the cloth that originally sat below her neck line.  Now the dress had thin straps that hugged her shoulders and a cut that exposed just enough of her chest to be sexy and turn some heads wherever she went.  Her first stop after leaving the apartment was the ground floor where she received multiple whistles of appreciation before reaching the doorman.

“Good Morning Mrs. Allen, on your way to work? Or a lunch-date with Mr. Allen?”

“No Jack, I’m on my way to celebrate my new found freedom since Barry and I split up.”

“Oh…that’s why Mr. Allen hasn’t been around then.  I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Don’t be.  I realized Barry and I weren’t really right for each other.  He’s probably been staying with Cisco.  Not that I care of course.”

Before departing Kara turned back, leaning in close to Jack.  She was close enough that he could feel her hot breath on his ear as she whispered seductively.

“I’ll be free later tonight in fact.  Perhaps after your shift, you’d be interested in meeting me in my apartment for a nightcap?  I’m sure I could make it worth your while.”

“Mrs. Allen…”

“Please, call me Kara.”

“I can’t do that.  You’re a tenant here and as such it’s against policy for employees to interact with residents in that manner.  Besides, my fiancée wouldn’t approve.”

Kara pulled back but only slightly as she traced her fingers up the front of Jack’s shirt before placing one hand on his cheek.  She had a sensual smirk on her face as she spoke her next words.

“No one has to know.  It would be our little secret.”

“I’m sorry Mrs. Allen, it just wouldn’t be appropriate.”

With a sigh, Kara turned away, swaying her hips as she exited the building.  But she had one final comment for Jack and anyone in earshot.

“Suit yourself, but you don’t know what you’re missing out on.”

As she reached the sidewalk, Kara couldn’t help but relish in the feeling of power as she had hit on Jack and quickly made for the alleyway behind the building.  With a quick glance around to find the area deserted she took to the skies.  Her next stop was National City, and Cat Co.  After donning a spare uniform she had kept hidden, she landed on the balcony of Cat’s office which now belonged to James, and opened the doors.

“Supergirl, it’s been quite some time since we’ve seen you in National City.”

“I’ve been away dealing with several world ending crises overseas.  I’m sure that the D.E.O. had things well taken care of, Mr. Olsen.”

“They did, but the city has sorely missed you.”

“That’s why I’m here.  I’ve come to…”

Kara had to pause as the doors of the office opened and turned to see the rest of the reporters gathering.  She had only intended to address James, but if there was a staff meeting about to commence, it was the perfect opportunity to announce her intentions.  A devious smile appeared on her face as James began to speak.

“This may not be the best time Supergirl, as you can see I was about to start a staff meeting.  But since you’re back maybe you could give my team a statement before you go?”

“Oh I’ll do much better than that, Olsen.  I’m about to give you the story of the century.  I just need all of you to do two things.  First-sit down and shut up.  Then make sure you’re recording this.”

“Supergirl…I…”

“Shut it Jimmy!  Part of what I’m about to say is your fault!”

James fell back in his chair at the anger in Supergirl’s voice.  He remembered the incident with the red Kryptonite and even then she didn’t showcase this level of aggression. 

“Now, as I was saying before your boss so rudely interrupted me, National City and the world are about to see an all new and different side of Supergirl.  No longer will I live in the shadow of my cousin Superman.  No longer will I save you people when you stupidly get in danger.  From now on, get your own cats out of trees.  Stop expecting me to be there every time you call because I’m done.  I’m tired of using my powers just to benefit you and be treated as Superman’s sidekick.”

“Supergirl…”

Snapper Carr spoke up, in full investigative journalist mode.  He could see that Olsen was too stunned to speak, and he was immediately silenced as Supergirl spoke again, a clear menace in her voice.

“I’m not finished Snapper.  From this point on, I run this city!  National City will worship me for the powers I have and see me as the Goddess I am…or I’ll burn it and all of you to the ground.”

Supergirl turned to leave and was nearly out the door when James placed a hand on her shoulder.  He’s known her for a long time and just wanted more of an explanation for her new attitude and actions.  It was a mistake on his part as she grabbed his hand and squeezed, breaking the bone in two places.  James screamed in the purest agony as the heroine turned one more time and burned the House of El symbol in the floor of the office.  Then she was gone with a flourish of her cape, flying directly through the glass of the windows.

With Supergirl gone, the reporters that had ducked away as the glass exploded inward recovered and got moving.  This had to be the biggest story in Cat Co. history and Snapper began directing them to their assignments.  James still stood there, close to passing out from the pain as Eve called for an ambulance. 

As James was whisked away to the hospital, Snapper continued issuing assignments for the staff.  He wanted this on the front page as well as Cat Co.’s television and radio broadcasts.  By morning, all of National City and the world would be reading about Supergirl: Supervillain.  Supergirl laughed maniacally as she heard all of this with her super-hearing before flying back to the fortress is Nevada.  Upon arrival she was greeted by Brainiac who had been monitoring everything.

“Welcome back Supergirl…I see you have given National City a first taste of your true power.  No doubt you believe they will cower before you in servitude?”

“They will, if they know what’s good for them.  I do not make idle threats Brainiac.  And if they should choose to reject my rule, I and the Worldkiller’s will show them how destructive we can be.”

“And what of your cousin?  When Superman learns of your plans, he will not hesitate to confront you.”

Supergirl was barely listening to Brainiac as she stripped the blue and red uniform from her body.  She had made her intentions known and knew it was time to show who she really was to the world.  Gone was the optimistic heroine she had been.  Earth was going to be hers and anyone who got in her way would suffer the consequences.  When she reentered the main chamber she was now dressed in the black version of her uniform.

“Kal-El will not raise a hand against me Brainiac.  He knows all too well that I’m stronger, faster and more powerful than he is.  His only choice will be to join me.”

“You know he will resist you.  He’ll still see you as Supergirl no matter what you do or wear.”

“Then he will die by my hand.  With his last breath he’ll know that Supergirl is dead.  Ultragirl stands in her place.”

With that pronouncement, the heroine formerly known as Supergirl had a new crest on her uniform.  Now instead of the S symbol which for so many had meant hope, there was now the letter U with the cape attached and flowing over her shoulders.

As these events unfolded, Barry had accomplished his mission of retrieving Kara’s archive crystal.  Safe in the Fortress of Solitude, none of the heroes knew that the final confrontation with the Worldkiller’s was close at hand.  When he arrived back in the Arctic, Barry saw that Kelex had completed the memory inducer and was just waiting for the final component.  Kara was nervous at what she had been told, but she could feel it in her heart that something was wrong.

(“Mother, you’re certain that I’m really older than thirteen?  I don’t remember any of these events you’ve told me about.”)

(“If all goes well Kara, you will.  You’ve had a wonderful life here on Earth and I miss the woman you became.  While these past few weeks have been somewhat of a blessing, with your youth returned, even if only in memory, the world needs Supergirl.”)

(“I’m scared, Mother.”)

(“I know, but I will be right here with you.”)

 With the crystal in place, Kara was placed into the regeneration chamber with her mother by her side.  As the lid of the chamber closed, Barry let out a breath he didn’t know he had been holding and noticed Kara doing the same.  Soon enough her eyes closed as she fell deep into sleep.  All that was left now was to pray that this worked.