The Storm After

Chapter 19 - Crossroads and Sacrifice

(4/10/2033 - Metropolis)

In one swift motion, the entire population of Metropolis was flipped upside down. The nuke that was detonated took with it most of the city as well. The Justice League had adjusted it's priorities towards saving the civilians that were trapped throughout the city. Supergirl flew through Metropolis, she saw destroyed buildings and caved in pavements all around. It was a sight unlike any other, how she wished things hadn't turned to this. Nonetheless, she knew what she had to do, things were simply unavoidable.

Linda had started sprinting, her emotions kicked into overdrive as she was welcomed by her newfound abilities. She didn't know what she was doing, but her heart was telling her that there were people that needed help and she wanted to help them. She raced alongside Nora, the two speeding ahead with their powers towards the danger that lie ahead. Linda's ears suddenly were filled with screams of terror. The volume fluctuated from low to loud rapidly. She grabbed her ears in response. Nora noticed her reaction, it seemed she was still coping with her powers. It was then they spotted something in the distance that caught their attention and made their way towards it. It was a bus, filled with people inside. It had toppled over on it's side and it was most likely a result of what was on top of it. A large gorilla stood atop, roaring into the windows and causing panic to the civilians.

"A gorilla...?" Linda muttered to herself, she didn't know what to make of the situation. It was quite surreal to her, to see a gorilla in the midst of all this. She didn't have time to ponder the thought any longer when a group of armed soldiers approached the gorilla.

"Stop right there, Grodd!" an armed soldier ordered towards the Gorilla. Their presence caused him to cease his actions and he turned to greet them. They pointed their weapons towards him and kept eye contact. Grodd did not seemed fazed by their threat.

"Things are pretty wack right now, but we should go help those people." Nora said. She was right, Linda thought, things were pretty surreal but none of that mattered. She turned her head to look at Nora and gave her a nod.

With that, the two girls sped off towards the bus. Since it was on it's side the entrance was now on the top. They examined the front, trying to find a way to get inside but it was no use.

"Lin, can you lift it up?" Nora asked, Linda turned to her in shock. She turned to look at her hands and remembered what they said about her. That she was the daughter of Supergirl. The thought that she too now had those abilities was jarring. How could she be as capable as her? Could she even doing this? These thoughts fluttered her mind. "Lin! Why are you spacing out?" Nora asked, her voice filled with urgency. It was enough to snap her back.

Linda began to place her fingers under the bus and tried to lift the bus up. She put all of her might into and used it to fuel her action, but it was no use. The bus was not turned around, finally noticing them. He let off a snide laugh at seeing Linda's struggle.

"Pitiful little girl, your valiant efforts have led you nowhere. What are you trying to do?" Grodd asked, mocking Linda and Nora as a result.

"Stop, Grodd! Not another word! You're coming with us!" an armed soldier shouted, aiming their guns at him. Grodd turned back to look at them, an annoyance covered all over his face.

"...Silence!" Grodd shouted, his piercing gaze directed towards the soldiers. After Grodd's loud response the soldiers' demeanour suddenly changed. It was as if a spell had been casted over them. "You have tremendous confidence in those weapons of yours. True, they have now been imbued with anti-alien technology, but that is nothing in the face of Grodd!" He roared.

"Lin, what's wrong?" Nora asked, she started to grow worried. It was to be expected, Linda couldn't get the bus to move. Why were her powers not working? Aren't they supposed to work now? She needed them to work so that she can save those people. She has to save them. Again, she tried but to no avail.