It was a calm afternoon in Metropolis.
High above the streets, Supergirl moved freely through the sky as she circled the skyline.
There was nothing happening around the city, just a peaceful boring day.
So she allowed herself to drift around, waiting for action.
“Supergirl, over here.” She stopped.
Her head turned toward the source.
Standing atop one of the nearby buildings, waving toward her was the nice weird butler from Gotham.
Without hesitation, she changed direction and flew straight toward him, landing lightly on the rooftop.
“Good day, Mr.
Alfred,” she said with a bright smile.
“What brings you to Metropolis?” She had spent enough time in Gotham to pick up certain habits, and addressing him as the Iceberg Lounge staff did came naturally now.
“It is a day off,” Alfred replied, “I decided to visit Metropolis.
It is, after all, the opposite of Gotham.” Supergirl nodded quickly.
“Good choice.
Metropolis is much nicer.
Brighter too… I mean, no offense.” “None taken, Supergirl.” She blinked a little surprised.
“This is the first time you’ve called me Supergirl.
What changed?
Am I not a lady when I’m not visiting the Iceberg Lounge?” “Of course you are,” Alfred said.
“However, it is my day off.
I would prefer to speak less formally.” Supergirl blinked yet again, then broke into a grin.
“Wow.
You can speak less formally?
I didn’t know that.
I don’t think anyone knows that.” “I am still a person,” Alfred replied.
“Maintaining the role of a butler at all times can be… tiring.” She folded her arms, studying him with exaggerated suspicion.
“I also didn’t know you could get tired.
Are you sure this is a vacation?” she asked.
“Be honest.
Did the Penguin fire you or something?” “Of course not,” Alfred said calmly.
“The Penguin would never dare.” She laughed at that.
“Okay, fair.
But this is weird.
You actually act normal outside of work.” Alfred gave a small shrug.
“Do not grow accustomed to it.
I will return to my usual self tomorrow.” “Got it,” she said.
“So what are your plans?” “Nothing in particular,” Alfred replied.
“I intended to explore.
If you are willing to guide me, I would appreciate it.” Supergirl brightened immediately.
“Yeah, sure.
That sounds fun.” Alfred added.
“But first… where is the Man of Steel?” “There was an explosion near a dam outside the city,” she said.
“He was called to help handle it.
He probably won’t be back for a few hours.
Why?” “I am something of a fan,” Alfred said.
“I thought I might meet him while I was here.” Supergirl smiled.
“Really?
I’ve been wanting to introduce you two.
He’s just been busy.
This is actually perfect timing.” The distant sound of rotor blades interrupted her.
Both of them looked up.
A helicopter approached from the side, descending steadily toward the rooftop.
Supergirl frowned immediately.
“What do they think they’re doing?” she said.
“This isn’t a landing zone.” “Yes,” Alfred replied calmly.
“But do not concern yourself.
They are here for me.” She turned to him, confusion flashing across her face.
“For you?” Alfred lifted his hand slightly.
“They requested this.” Supergirl’s eyes followed the motion.
At first, it was subtle.
A faint weakness.
A slight discomfort.
Then he opened his palm.
Green.
Her expression changed instantly.
“Mr.
Alfred!” she gasped.
“That’s kryptonite!” The effect hit immediately.
Her strength drained, her body weakening as she stumbled back, trying to steady herself.
The helicopter landed fully.
Men rushed out.
They moved quickly, grabbing her before she could register what was going on and dragging her toward the aircraft.
She struggled, but the kryptonite kept her weak, her movements slow, uncoordinated.
“What is going on?” she demanded, her voice strained.
“Why are you doing this?
Let me go” Alfred walked beside them relaxed.
“I was promised certain… benefits,” he said.
“In exchange for helping in capturing you with minimal damage.” Her eyes widened.
“You are truly a fool.” The words barely settled before one of the men pressed a device against her.
Electricity surged through her body.
Her vision went dark.
——— When Supergirl regained consciousness, the first thing that registered was the color surrounding her.
Everything was white, walls, floor and ceiling.
It was an artificial and sterile environment with no objects inside.
She tried to move and immediately felt the restriction.
Her hands were locked together inside a solid metal casing, a rigid box that forced her wrists to remain side by side.
The design made even basic movement awkward, forcing her to rely more on her core just to push herself upright.
She slowly rose to her feet.
Her body did not respond the way she expected, she was still too weak.
The absence of sunlight prevented her from recovering.
Even standing alone was difficult for her at the moment.
Still, she steadied herself and looked around again, scanning every inch of the room.
“Where am I?” she called out.
“Why did you bring me here?” The room offered nothing in return.
She took a few steps toward the door.
“Who are you people?” she asked again.
There was no response.
She lifted her bound arms and struck the metal door with force.
“Let me out!” she shouted.
“Why are you doing this?!” This time, something answered, but not in the way she wanted.
The metal casing around her wrists flickered faintly, a subtle warning she barely registered before the current surged through her body.
Pain exploded, forcing a scream out of her as her legs gave out beneath her.
She hit the ground hard, her muscles seizing under the electric shock.
When it stopped, she remained there for a moment, breathing unevenly, her body still trembling from the aftershock.
Slowly, she lifted her head again, anger now replacing the confusion.
“Why are you doing this to me?” she asked.
Still, no one answered.
Her frustration deepened, but this time it wasn’t directionless.
Her thoughts turned to the last clear memory she had before everything went dark.
Alfred.
She had trusted him and he tricked her.
Kal-El had warned her more than once not to involve herself with Gotham’s underworld, not to trust the Penguin or anyone associated with him.
She had ignored it, brushing it aside as overcaution.
Now she was here, alone in a sealed room, restrained and weakened.
Time passed without meaning.
She sat on the ground, her thoughts shifting between anger and unease.
At times she focused on what she would do once she got free.
At others, the possibility crept in that she might not leave, that no one would find her.
Eventually, the silence broke.
The door opened.
Several men entered quickly.
The one in the lead said.
“Grab the girl.” Supergirl pushed herself upright, glaring at them.
“Who the hell are you people?” she asked.
None of them answered.
Instead, the lead man spoke again.
“Block her mouth as well.” They moved toward her at once.
“Stay away from me!” she warned, her voice rising despite her weakened state.
The leader raised a small device and pressed a button.
The response was instant.
Electricity surged through the restraints again, far stronger this time, forcing another scream from her as her body collapsed under the shock.
The moment her resistance broke, they closed in.
Something hard was forced over her face, sealing her mouth and preventing her from speaking.
All that remained were muffled, frustrated sounds as she struggled against their grip.
Her arms were seized, her movement controlled completely as they lifted and dragged her out of the cell.
The corridor beyond was just as empty as the room, but without the whiteness.
The group moved quickly, the man with the remote taking the lead while the others kept her restrained between them.
Then, abruptly, he stopped.
His hand moved to his communication device.
“What?
Where is he now?” His tone sharpened instantly.
“Dammit… understood.
Buy us as much time as possible.” He turned back to the group.
“We move through the eleventh section.
The butler breached the fourth and is already heading toward the ninth.
We don’t have time.” They started running.
The men holding her didn’t slow down, pulling her forward with force as they rushed through the corridors.
She had no choice but to move with them, stumbling forward to avoid being dragged entirely across the ground.
Her thoughts raced alongside her.
The butler?
Alfred?
Confusion replaced her anger.
That didn’t make sense.
Then the distant sounds reached her.
Gunfire.
Explosions.
Screams.
With every second, the noise grew louder, closer, echoing through the corridors in violent bursts.
Then they reached a turn.
The group stopped.
Screams echoed from just beyond the corner ahead of them.
Supergirl lifted her head, her eyes focusing forward.
From around the corner, a figure stepped into view.
Alfred.
His white mask and gloves, both stained with blood.
He walked toward them calmly.
“Apologies for the late arrival, my lady,” he said in his usual manner of speech.
“They hid their tracks well.
I hope they did not treat you too poorly.” Supergirl stared at him, confusion overtaking everything else.
The man leading the group spoke, his voice full of anger.
“Do you realize what you’ve done?
This is a military base.
You’ve just made yourself an enemy of the government.” Alfred did not stop.
“You used Clayface to impersonate me in order to kidnap a young lady,” he said calmly.
“You caused Superman to damage my master’s establishment.
You damaged my reputation, and you harmed a valued client of ours.” He stopped a few steps away.
“You made me your enemy.”