In the vast expanse of space, Su Sheng gently released Supergirl, allowing her to soak in the sunlight. The rays quickly revitalized her as her body absorbed the solar energy.
Turning his gaze toward Earth, Su Sheng began to enhance his vision. As his sight sharpened, it was as if he had opened a multiplexing lens, revealing a clearer picture of events below.
In National City...
Superman was engaged in a fierce battle with Astra. Su Sheng was surprised—had Superman found Astra so quickly? But something didn't add up. Sam Lane was nowhere to be seen, which meant Astra hadn't been caught off guard by Superman; she had likely revealed herself on purpose. Despite their familial ties, the fight between Superman and Astra was intense, with neither holding back.
Su Sheng intensified his super hearing. The cacophony of sounds was overwhelming, like being in the middle of a crowded marketplace. Concentrating, he filtered out the noise, honing in on the conversation between Astra and Superman. Superman was demanding to know Sam Lane's whereabouts.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The sounds of their battle echoed as they exchanged blows. Suddenly, Superman froze as if he had heard something crucial. Astra took advantage of the moment, landing a powerful punch that sent Superman crashing to the ground.
Boom!
Superman hit the earth, skidding across the ground. Though he didn't appear seriously injured, he remained on the ground, listening intently to something.
"Lois!" Superman shouted in alarm before taking off at high speed.
"What happened to Lois?" Su Sheng narrowed his eyes, shifting his attention to Metropolis to locate Lois Lane's voice. It didn't take long.
Lois Lane had been kidnapped by Nuclear Man!
"This Nuclear Man sure knows how to seize an opportunity, kidnapping Lois Lane just as Superman left Metropolis," Su Sheng chuckled, dismissing the situation from his mind.
"Mmm..."
A soft groan drew Su Sheng's attention back to Supergirl, who was slowly waking up.
"Are you awake?" Su Sheng asked with a smile.
"You..." Supergirl blinked, her memories slowly returning. "It's you, Iron Man!"
"..."
Su Sheng frowned. "Iron Man? Really?" At that moment, he really missed Cisco. At least Cisco had a knack for giving people the right names.
"Astra!" Supergirl's memories came flooding back, and without a second thought, she flew back to Earth, completely ignoring Su Sheng.
Su Sheng shook his head with a bemused smile and followed her back.
In National City...
Superman's sudden departure took everyone by surprise. Astra, as well as Lucy Lane, who saw Superman as their beacon of hope, were left stunned. Watching Superman fly away, Astra smirked and headed straight for the DEO base. She didn't know why Superman had left, but she wasn't about to waste the opportunity. Without Superman or Supergirl, and with Sam Lane already in her grasp, the DEO was leaderless.
If the DEO fell, she could rule National City without opposition, paving the way to turn Earth into a second Krypton.
At the DEO Base...
"She's coming," Alex said quietly, her expression tense.
"Why... why did Superman leave?" Lucy Lane was struggling to accept that their hope had just flown away.
There was no time to dwell on it. Alex donned her suit, activating the kryptonite mode, and charged straight at Astra.
Before Alex could reach her, Astra felt the crippling effects of kryptonite. The wave of nausea and weakness overwhelmed her, causing her to fall from the sky. With the battle suit enhancing her confidence, and kryptonite clearly affecting Astra, Alex was determined to capture her and find out where Sam Lane was being held. But just as Alex reached her, Astra pulled out a shining device and attached it to her body.
In an instant, the effects of kryptonite vanished.
"Hmph, did you really think I wouldn't anticipate Earthlings using kryptonite against me?" Astra sneered, delivering a powerful punch that sent Alex crashing to the ground.
Boom!
Astra followed up with another devastating punch from above, but Alex managed to dodge just in time.
"You... you can resist kryptonite?" Alex gasped in shock.
Kryptonite was the greatest known weakness of Kryptonians. If they could resist its effects, it would make them nearly unstoppable. Alex couldn't understand how Astra had known they would use kryptonite as a weapon. Before the Kryptonians had been exposed to the yellow sun, kryptonite hadn't been a factor. How did Astra know?
Boom!
In the midst of the fierce battle, a figure suddenly crashed down from the sky, separating Alex and Astra.
The impact was so violent that both women turned to look at the center of the collision, where a large crater had formed. Lying at the bottom of the pit was Supergirl, unconscious once again!
"Supergirl!" Alex cried out in shock. She quickly deactivated the kryptonite mode and rushed to her sister's side. Supergirl was in bad shape.
Although she had recovered a bit from the sun's rays, she was far from her peak. Landing in the middle of Alex's kryptonite field had only made things worse, and the force of the crash had knocked her out cold. Astra was momentarily stunned before letting out a long whistle.
The whistle was a signal. Within moments, the sound of approaching forces filled the air. In a matter of seconds, a mixed army of more than a dozen Kryptonians and aliens arrived, hovering menacingly above the DEO base.
"Today, no one can save you!" Astra declared arrogantly, turning her gaze to Alex.
Alex surveyed the scene with growing dread. Supergirl was out cold, and even if she woke up, she would struggle to take on so many enemies. What could she do now?
"Kill them all!" Astra commanded coldly, her hand slicing through the air.
Just as the order was given, a streak of azure lightning shot down from the sky, and Su Sheng landed heavily on the ground!