Kryptonian Berries - Part 1

Kryptonian Blueberries

by Ghassy

PART I

Karen Starr laid on her back, taking in a sky filled with from the rooftop of her high-rise apartment complex in New York. Normal humans wouldn't have been able to see the stars, thanks to the cities light pollution, but with her honed, Kryptonian eyesight, she could see them all with crystal clarity. Not that it mattered much; none of the stars were hers... No, she didn't mean to diminish the splendor of the sight. The star filled sky was beautiful, even if it wasn't her own.

She was wearing her civilian getup; an untucked, green designer T and a belted pair of blue jeans. She liked wearing her Civie clothes around the apartment. They'd never stand up in battle, but they were far less restrictive than her skimpy costume. It felt nice laying there on the roof, letting the cool, nighttime breeze blow through her hair (She didn't have it up in pigtails; what was the point? She was in her own home after all). The serenity of it all helped her forget about her troubles. Of course, nothing took her mind off her troubles better than driving her fist into a supervillian's face, but recently, there just hadn't been many incidents of villainy that required her support. She couldn't say that was a bad thing; the whole point of hero-ing was to reduce crime. But she couldn't help but feel bored without anything meaningful to do. And boredom, almost inevitably, lead her to reflect on how empty her life now was.  

Terra...

Yes, she had Terra to look after now. She was young, confused and alone... much like herself actually. Misery loves company? Perhaps, but having someone like Terra to teach the ways of the world made her more confident in herself. More importantly, it gave her someone she could relate to; someone one who could be her friend. And as Karen reflected on it, it became apparent that was what she truly needed.

She felt something vibrating in her left pant pocket; her communicator, naturally. She fished the circular device from out of her pocket, pressing the button to see who it was. A hologram of Allura appeared, with her shoulder-length blond hair and form fitting blue jumpsuit. Allura's and Karen's relationship was...complicated. In some ways, Allura was Karen's mother, except Karen's real mom was from another universe.... and dead. Everyone from Karen's universe was dead but herself, but now wasn't the time to reflect on such a sobering fact.

She pressed another button, activating the message. "Hello, dear," The hologram said in Allura's sultry voice. "Work on the colony has been lighter than usual lately, so I thought I could drop by and see how you're doing for a day or two; make sure you're getting along okay." Patronization; just what Karen wanted. "You know, we could really use a hand like yours on the colony; I know my own daughter's busy with that silly Justice Club or whatever, but there's no reason your talents need to go to waste." Allura just didn't get earthlings. Neither did her own mother. The similarities only served to make her feel even more miserable.   

Allura's voice then took on a hushed tone. "I understand what you've been going through these past few years. It's taken a toll on you, I know has. I just want to let you know that I'm.. here for you, Karen. I always have been. See you soon, Allura." I understand...Karen scoffed at that. Had Allura ever seen her entire universe destroyed in a blink of an eye? Had she ever had everyone she knew and loved deleted from existence?... She didn't hate Allura, not at all. She was a very nice woman. She just... wasn't her mother. She never could be, no matter how hard she tried. And because she did try hard...

No, Karen wasn't going to take her frustrations out on Allura. She was a good person, if a bit prejudiced. The frustration just got to her sometimes. She stuffed the communicator back into her pocket as she stood up, stretching her slender arms in a yawn. She needed to let Terra know, so she would be prepared. That girl was quirky; Karen honestly didn't know how'd she react to an unexpected event. That was part of her charm, but it could get troublesome if left unattended.

Karen made her way to the door that lead back into the sky-rise. She went to grab the doorknob, but she gripped it too hard, tearing it from the door frame. "Damn," she said to herself. "I did it again." The landlord would pissed off when he found out what she did to one of his doors again. She thought it best if she let him find out on his own. She turned around and chucked the doorknob into the distance. It shot up into the sky and out of sight in mere seconds. Evidence disposed of, she opened the door 'manually'.

Karen walked down the hall and, carefully, opened the door to her apartment. The apartment was essentially a penthouse, generously paid for by billionaire industrialist Bruce Wayne. It was spacious, chic, and had all the modern amenities. Honestly, Karen thought it was a bit much, but she wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. She walked through the apartment to the Den, where Terra was. Terra was sprawled out on a cushion next to a large plasma TV, wearing her own pair of jeans and designer T. She was flipping through channels, a bored expression on her face.

" In Tehran today...Head-on, apply direct... Kobe goes for the three pointer and...Oompa Loom... I have a bad feeling about this..." Terra gave a slight moan. "Man, there are SO many things on. How can you watch them all?" Karen smiled a bit, leaning over Terra. "Usually, we don't. We just pick the ones we like and, well, watch them." She ruffled Terra's short black, hair a little. "I'll take that." She said, pulling the remote control from Terra's hands. Terra looked annoyed for a moment, but Karen knew she was just messing with her. They had a kinda of understanding Karen hadn't felt since.. well, since arriving in this universe.

"Terra," Karen continued. "My mom's coming to see us, she'll probably be here soon."

"Your mom?" Terra said, a puzzled look on her face.

"Well, kinda.. sorta... But not really. It's...complicated, to say the least."

"Oh," Terra said. "What's a mom?"

Karen ran her hand over her face, but her smile showed through it. Yes, Terra's quirks made her a handful at times, but it also made her undeniably cute. That wasn't the only thing about her that was cute; her beady eyes, small nose and overall petite form made her seem like the little sister Karen never had, even though Terra herself. Karen's form, on the other hand, was anything but petite. Puberty, it seemed, had been exceptionally kind to her.

"Well," Karen started, trying to explain. " A mom is... someone who cares for you, raises you, nurtures you; that kind of stuff."

Terra pursed her lips, turning her eyes towards the ceiling in thought. "Hmmm... Yeah, I had one of those back underground. Did you?"

Terra's question caught Karen off-guard. "Well, yeah...had. Like I said, it's complicated, and if you don't mind, I'd rather not go into it right now."

Terra had a troubled look on her face, and for a second Karen was afraid she might have upset her. But her smile quickly returned. "Ok, whatever you say, Karen."

Karen smiled back, relieved she didn't have to dredge up more uncomfortable memories. "Let's see what's on the local news," she said, flipping over to a local broadcast channel. It was in the middle of the 10 O'clock News, showing an on the scene report. A female reporter with a nice red coat was standing in front of what appeared to be a factory, and next to her stood...

"Luthor." Karen said, her words suddenly filled with bitterness. What was this sleazeball doing in her city? Terra stared at Karen in confusion; at a loss for her sudden anger.

"I'm here live with the Founder and CEO of LexCorp, Mr. Lex Luthor," The reporter said, "To witness the beginning of the newest addition to the LexCorp family, LexSweets Incorporated. Tell me, Mr. Luthor, what inspired you to get into the candy business?"

"I'm glad you asked that, Ms. Brown," he said in that smooth yet slimy voice that made Karen just want to gag. He steepled his fingers, a disgusting smirk on his bald face "What else but candy can bring a smile to a child's face? For too long, the antiquated and costly practices of other corporations have kept untold numbers of underprivileged children from experiencing the joy of chocolate. But LexSweets is poised to change all that. That's what LexCorp is all about, after all; bringing people joy."

"What a bunch of bullcrap!" Karen shouted at the television in anger. Terra looked at Karen with genuine concern. "What's wrong?" she asked innocently.

"Oh, nothing," Karen responded, trying to sound calm in front of Terra. "Just another businessman lying through his teeth."

Terra wasn't convinced. "He says he wants to bring joy, right? Isn't that what we want to do?"

Karen forced a smile. Terra's heart was in the right place, but her naivete left it open for rampant abuse. "What people say and what people actually mean are two different things. You'll come to understand that." Terra remained unconvinced, but she didn't argue either, instead turning her attention back to the broadcast. Karen wondered how long it would take to teach Terra the ways of the world. She was definitely strong, but without proper understanding of how things operated, she could be easily abused. Karen knew she couldn't shield her forever. She just hoped she'd catch on soon.

"How very thoughtful of you," The reporter continued. Karen scoffed; she (and the entire station, for that matter) was probably on Luthor's payroll. "Is there anything else you'd like to add."

"Yes," Luthor said, looking as genial as a bald, corporate supervillian could be. "In fact there is. I have an invitation to extend to one 'Power Girl'..."

<i>ME?</i> Karen thought, her mind skipping a beat. Why's he inviting me?

"...Tommorrow morning, to tour our new chocolate factory." Luthor continued. "Now, I know there has been some bad blood between me and your family in the past, but consider this a burrying of the hatchet. Let bygones be bygones, as they say. Bring as many guests as you like, they'll be greatly appreciated."

This was a trap. It was so obvious a trap that Karen wondered why someone as smart as Lex Luthor would try to pull it on her... unless it wasn't a trap, and she was being paranoid...which is exactly what Luthor would want her to think. Damn, this was harder than she thought.

She turned off the television, unable to listen to more of Lex's garbage. Terra, on the other hand, beamed with an eager look on her face. "Oh, can we please go to the factory tomorrow? It seems so interesting. I wonder what candy tastes like. Hope its better than sushi." She pretended to gag.

Before Karen could respond, she began to feel the building quiver. Was she under attack?.. Of course not, that was just Allura's spaceship landing. She chuckled sheepishly at her own paranoia. "Hey, Terra," She said, grabbing her by the arm. "Mom's home. Wanna meet her?" Terra nodded in reply. "Then come with me, she'll be waiting for me on the roof. And don't ask about the doorknob. Please, just don't."

Terra nodded once more, so off they went to the roof of the apartment. Resting on the rooftop was a glistening, tear-shaped spaceship. It sat there, producing a humming sound that dissipated as the engines began to deactivate.  Terra was awe struck by the sight. "Wow, so your mom's like... E.T. or something; I saw that on TV... does her finger glow?"

Karen laughed, throwing her arm around Terra's shoulder. "You'll see for yourself soon," she said as she waited for Allura to emerge.

Part of the metallic spacecraft peeled back, allowing the female Kryptonian to exit. She stepped from the ship, shaking her long, blond hair, which had grown messy from being cramped inside the spaceship. She strode towards them in her tight, blue and black jumpsuit, showing off a body that had surrendered little to her 40-odd years. Her womanly hips swayed side to side, and her chest had a bounce not unlike Karen's. Her face was warm and inviting, with rosy-red cheeks and not a single wrinkle. If Karen hadn't known better... But of course, she did. There was no use playing 'what ifs'.  

"Karen!" Allura said, throwing her arms around her (somewhat) daughter. Karen responded in kind, although with a little less enthusiasm. "I've missed you so much," Allura continued in her sultry voice. "We've got so much catching up to.. who is this?" She said, noticing Terra for the first time.

"Hi, I'm Terra. That means Earth in Latin." she said, offering Allura a handshake with a wide grin on her face. Allura shot Karen a puzzled glance. "You're living with a human?" she said, with a hint of indignation.

"Well, technically," Karen tried to explain. "She isn't technically a human."

"I'm from underground!" Terra chimed in.

Allura gave Terra an odd look. " I... see." She turned back to Karen, resting her hands on Karen's shoulders. "Look, its not that I dislike humans, I just feel your wasting your talents on them. You're capable of so much more."

Karen pushed her semi-mother's hands off her. "I've made my choice, Allura, and I'm sticking by it. Not you or anyone else can change it."

Allura smirked. "Every bit as stubborn as my daughter, aren't you?"

"Where do you think she gets it from?" Karen responded in kind. The two stood in silence for a moment before Allura resumed talking. "I need to cloak the ship." She reached down and pressed a button on her belt. The spaceship flickered for a second before turning invisible. "So," Allura continued, "What do us girls want to do together?"

"OH!" shouted Terra, raising her hand. "Let's go to the factory thing that Luthor guy invited us to!"

"Hmm?" Allura said, mildly intrigued. "What kind of factory is it?"

"A candy factory!" Terra said enthusiastically, almost jumping with excitement. "It's a place where they make sweet things that taste real good. This guy, Luthor, invited Karen to tour it tomorrow. And she can bring whoever she wants!"

"Hmm.." Allura said, placing her hands on her hips as she thought it over.

"I don't think this a good idea," Karen butted in. Allura frowned. " Why not?"

"He's evil!" Karen said with conviction. "Your nephew fights him on a regular basis!"

"So what?" Allura said dismissively. "He's only human."

"He's really smart!" Karen argued.

"Pfft, maybe for a human." Allura replied nonchalantly. Karen grit her teeth at Allura's stubbornness. Sensing the tension between the two, Terra tried to defuse the situation. "Karen, if this guy turns out to be as bad a guy you say he is; don't you think the three of us could take him?"

As bad a guy you say he is...HA. Karen scoffed at the notion. There was no doubt in her mind about Luthor's vileness. It was a simple fact of nature. Still... Terra had a point.

"I geuss," Karen admitted, " We'd be able to take him. He is just a human, after all."

Allura clapped her hands, a cheery smile returning to her face. "Wonderful! Now, would you girls kindly lead me to where I'll be spending the night? I don't want to be unprepared for the tour tomorrow." The girls lead Allura down to their apartment, where they made an impromptu bed for Allura out of the den's sofa. With a potentially big day ahead of them, the girls all turned in early. Karen slipped into her button up night-gown before sliding under the covers of her bed. Despite her reservations about the upcoming trip, Karen soon fell into a deep, untroubled sleep.

By the time Karen had awoken the next morning, light was already seeping into the room through the window blinds. Crap, this late? she thought to herself. She slid her legs over the side of her bed, then stretched her arms over head, releasing a tremendous yawned. As she did so, her chest pressed up against her already taut nightgown. The strain of her breasts forced the topmost button on her gown to burst off, landing on the floor. Karen blushed, covering up her exposed cleavage with her arms. This was one of those times where the enormity of her bosom proved a hindrance more than anything else. It was hard enough finding the right cup-size for them, and most of her tops had to be mail ordered (Though the fact that she wore her standard heroing leotard most of the time made it easier for her). It made talking to the opposite sex difficult, hell, even the same sex was difficult sometimes. It was as if there was a magnetic force, pulling their eyes down towards her large, soft breasts. Her cleavage was like a black hole; once you spotted it, your eyes could never escape. Karen could understand why, but it frustrated her to no end how that was the only thing most people saw in her.

She looked across the room towards Terra's bed. There lay Terra, cuddled up snugly in her black and white striped PJs, still soundly asleep. Karen smiled. Terra never fixated on her chest. She was a person to her, and more importantly a friend. despite her naivete, she could relate to her, and they had a deep understanding of each other. They were so intertwined, Karen scarcely thought what she could do with out her.

Karen went over and place her hand on Terra's shoulder to break her slumber. "Wake up, sleepy head," Karen said playfully. "Don't want to be late for the tour, do you?" Terra's eye flickered opened, and before Karen could react, she had clamored out of bed and had begun stripping off her night clothes. Karen turned away, blushing again. "So," Terra said  cheerfully as she continued to disrobe, pulling her top off of her own perky breasts. "We're going in our superhero getups, right?"

"Well," Karen tried to find the words as Terra pulled he pajama bottoms off from her slender legs. "Yeah. He invited Powergirl, not Karen. It'd make no sense to wear anything else." Terra quickly ran over to the closet, pulling one of her suits down from the rack, which she slipped into with ease. "Well?" she said, placing her hand on her firm hips. She was wearing a black and white form fitting suit that covered her torso. It was low cut (what super heroine suit wasn't?) and ended with white gloves for her hands. To cap it off, she wore black boots that stretched all the way up her calves. "What do you think?" Karen gave her a thumbs up. "You look great, Terra. Go wait out in the den with Allura. I'll be done in a minute."

Terra nodded, then went through the door to join Allura. With a sigh, Karen removed her night gown, then went over to the closet herself to retrieve her leotard. Her fuller curves filled her suit much more snugly than Terra's did as she put it on, but she managed it well enough. She  studied herself in the mirror, making sure her hair was in line and her suit was on straight. It wasn't that much unlike Terra's, only white with blue gloves and boots, topped off with a red belt around the waist and opening that gave every villain a great view of her cleavage before she punched their face in. she also had a red cape held in place by a golden plate, which Karen admitted was a bit much, but since she had saved her city so many times she thought she deserved to be a little flamboyant. She didn't spend much more time appraising her body; she was aware of her beauty, but she wasn't vain. After a quick overview, she joined Allura and Terra, who were waiting for her in the main room.

Allura was already in her blue-black jumpsuit, sitting on the armrest of the couch while sipping a mug of coffee. "Can you believe it?" she said, pulling the mug away from her luscious lips. "Humans actually have to MAKE their own beverages. Shouldn't they all have automatons or something do menial tasks like this?" Karen giggled slightly to herself. Allura was a kind women, but she often took for granted the benefits of being a member of an advanced alien race. "There are such robots," Karen replied. "But they're much too expensive for the average human to afford."

"Hmmph," Allura grunted, taking another sip of coffee. She didn't hate humans, not at all. She just did not have a very high opinion of them. "So," she continued, placing her now empty mug on the coffee table. "You all ready to see this guy's chocolate factory?" Terra, who was standing next to Karen, nodded vigorously. Karen, not entirely convinced, gave her own curt nod. Allura stood up, placing her hands in her hips. "Then it's time to get this show on the road. Thus guy won't be waiting for us forever." With that, Allura quickly herded the girls out of the apartment and onto the roof, where they soon took flight. Karen was forced to carry Terra, as there were no spare rocks lying around for her to fly on. Neither one of them seemed to mind much, though.

"Hey," Terra said playfully, squirming in Karen's arms which were wrapped around her belly. "You're squeezing me!"

Karen smiled back. "Oh, I'm sorry. Would you rather me let you go?"

Both of them giggled, the wind blowing through their beautiful hair. Karen landed both of them a block away from the factory, and they were both now incredibly at ease. What ever nefarious plans Lex Luthor may have had planned couldn't have been farther from her mind. All she could think about was her friend and how excited she was to be here. It filled her with warmth to see her so happy for once. No matter what happens here, Karen thought to herself. This'll be a day to remember. I know it will be.


TO BE CONTINUED