Supergirl ~ The Fanatical ~ Part Two

***

"You must deliver Tanya and the journal to the corner of Pacific and First at five p.m.," Kara read off, narrowing her eyes angrily. "If you fail to show up, we will go live with this video and reveal James Olsen as Guardian to all of National City."

Tanya's face fell, and she buried her head in her hands. "I'm so sorry I put you at risk."

"No, no, it's not your fault," James shook his head.

"If they expose your identity, then you're a vigilante!" Tanya protested, panicking. "They could arrest, and then all of those people that you put in jail, they'd know who you are! They could go after you!"

"Tanya, it is not about that right now," James held up his hand, trying to calm her down. "This is about protecting you."

"We have three hours," Kara nodded. "We can find Olivia and her followers before anything happens to James."

***

When Evelyn quietly reported that Ruby had plopped herself down at one of the tables and wasn't budging, Alex put a smile on her face and walked over. "Hey, look," she pointed. "there's no line at Dance Dance Revolution!"

"I don't wanna do it," Ruby shook her head.

Alex chewed her lip, then sat across from. "Look, Ruby," she said quietly, making her look up. "I know you miss your mom, and I know that you're in pain. Please, let me help you."

"All of you made me come here," Ruby reminded her. "I told you I didn't want to."

"I know," Alex nodded, noticing Oliver approach out of the corner of her eye. "Sometimes, when we're in pain, it can feel like we're sinking, like quicksand. And experts in this kind of thing, they say that when we are in pain, the best thing to do is surround ourselves with loved ones who can bring us back to life. So, I'm just trying to help you. Weare."

"Ruby," Oliver said as he walked over and sat down as well, drawing her attention to him. "Take it from someone who has had their whole world turned upside down like you. It isdifficult to get through this by yourself with no one to help you."

Ruby looked at him dubiously. "Really?"

"Really," Oliver nodded. "My dad shot himself in the head so I could survive after our family's boat went down. My mom sacrificed her life so Thea and I could live." He considered telling Ruby that it was Slade who had killed his mother, then decided that was something she probably shouldn't hear. "Thea nearly died; if we hadn't healed her just in time, she would have never recovered. And last summer, I nearly lost all of my friends and family. I could have saved them all if I didn't have the help I did. Ruby, I promise, at this very moment Lena is working tooth and nail to bring your mother back. I know you have been through a whirlwind of change these last few weeks, but I promise you are not alone in this. We're all here for you." He tilted his head to the side, where William, Evelyn, and Zoe were doing very poorly in pretending they weren't paying attention. "Especially those three."

Ruby chewed her lip. "Aside from your trial, I actually liked it in Star City," she admitted hesitantly. "I was in a city where I wasn't reminded my mom was Reign."

Oliver nodded in understanding. "That's completely understandable," he told her. "And hopefully soon, your mom won't be Reign any longer." He leaned in and conspiratorially whispered, "I'd hate to be called a liar."

Ruby giggled. "Thank you, Oliver."

"No problem, Ruby," he winked.

The joyful mood vanished from his face when M'yrnn's voice rose above everyone's. "No! Don't take them!" Oliver was gone from his seat in a second, and Evelyn scampered after him. Alex, Ruby, William, and Zoe brought up the rear, and they found M'yrnn rushing one of the arcade games. "No! You will not harm them!"

"Father!" J'onn burst through the crowd, he and Oliver running to ground M'yrnn. "It's all right, Father! It isn't real!"

"Who is shooting at us?" the elder Martian looked around, eyes blown in terror.

"Oh, my God," Alex swallowed. 'M'yrnn!"

"Where is your mother?" M'yrnn demanded, looking around.

"Is he OK?" Ruby asked in concern.

"He's just confused," Alex assured her. "Let's get him out of here."

"Yep," Oliver nodded, helping J'onn lead M'yrnn out of the arcade.

"It's OK," Alex nodded, trying to convince herself as well as she ushered the kids out after them.

***

"No matches on any traffic cams or ATMs throughout the city," Felicity leaned back in her chair, frowning. "Wow."

"I get the whole 'Supergirl is incredible' deal, but a cult?" Lucy whistled. "That's new."

"Actually, it's . . . " Malcolm counted on his fingers. "About half a year old?"

Laurel sighed, and Lucy shook her head. "Run it against all open security feeds," she said, hoping to stop a verbal spat.

"You got it," Felicity spun around to her computer, Curtis bending over his keyboard again.

Behind them, Kara shook her head, leaning against the main console. "Olivia was so sweet and innocent when I first met her," she mumbled. "And now she's a cult leader." She sighed, looking up as the others gathered around. "I can't help but think this is my fault."

"Wait, how?" Mon-El blinked.

"Coville and his followers were going to hurt people in my name, so I cut my hand to prove to them I wasn't a god," Kara explained.

"Ouch," Rene winced.

Malcolm sighed, face palming while Laurel glared nastily at him. "Seriously?"

"Pun not intended," Rene raised his hands placatingly.

"The point is, the second she saw my vulnerability, she became disillusioned," Kara said. "I let my mask down for one second, and look what happens."

"You can't be all things to all people," Mon-El said. "All you can do is be true to yourself."

Kara smiled fondly. "My mom told me that. It was in her message for me, from my pod when I escaped Krypton."

"I think I'd like your mother," Dig said thoughtfully.

Kara smiled. "She'd like all of you."

"Even the murderers in the room?" Malcolm raised an eyebrow.