Chapter 33 (edited)

Kara hadn't seen Dani and Jennifer in three years. They'd all grown more mature during that time, now being twenty-seven years old. Kara had also learned that both were now involved in official work.

Jennifer had become a prosecutor working for the Metropolis justice system, while Dani had taken up a more secretive role in a department she couldn't openly discuss. Kara had called them before her arrival to arrange a meeting after her interview, and the three friends reunited at a nearby restaurant.

Clark, knowing they had much to catch up on, had the good sense to give them their space.

"Really, Kara, you've been traveling the world for years, but you couldn't even call us once in a while?" Jennifer began with a mix of frustration and affection. She'd clearly missed her friend.

Kara gave a sheepish shrug. "International calls were expensive back then, you know."

Jennifer groaned, clearly not satisfied with the excuse, though she couldn't argue against the truth of it. Dani chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "Alright, let's not complain too much. She's back now. Besides, Kara, have you been in touch with Bruce?"

The sudden mention of his name caught Kara off guard. "Bruce? Why bring him up?"

Dani smirked and gave Jennifer a pointed look. "This one here still hasn't gotten over him. No one else seems to catch her eye."

Kara's gaze shifted to Jennifer, eyebrows raised in surprise. Jennifer, flustered, shot back, "What nonsense! I've been focused on my career, that's all. Besides, you've been single too."

To everyone's astonishment, Dani casually revealed, "Actually, I'm not single anymore. I've been seeing someone, and we're thinking of getting married—maybe by the end of this year or next."

Kara and Jennifer exchanged stunned looks. "Seriously?" Kara asked. "You never said anything about wanting to settle down."

Dani shrugged with a small smile. "It wasn't like I planned to stay single forever."

With that revelation, the conversation naturally shifted back to Bruce. Kara sighed and raised her hands in mock surrender. "Alright, just to be clear—I wasn't with Bruce these past three years. We only ran into each other once, by chance, and then went our separate ways."

Jennifer remained nonchalant. "Don't worry. If I ever meet someone better than him, I won't let them slip away. It's just that, well, no one has measured up so far."

Kara inwardly rolled her eyes, thinking Jennifer still harbored an idealized version of Bruce in her head. If only she'd seen him during his darkest days, she might have reconsidered her infatuation.

The three friends spent the rest of their time catching up, sharing stories from the past few years. Kara shared her travels and experiences, Jennifer recounted memorable cases she'd handled, and Dani gave them glimpses into her mysterious line of work.

Dani's current responsibilities included dealing with phenomena and artifacts beyond human understanding—items of power, mysterious ruins, and, more recently, beings with extraordinary abilities. As she explained, Kara realized just how deeply entrenched Dani was in Metropolis' underbelly of secrets.

"Did you know," Dani began, leaning in conspiratorially, "that the Amazons and Atlanteans really exist?"

Kara raised an eyebrow, intrigued. Dani elaborated, "The Amazons live on Paradise Island, hidden by a magical barrier said to have been created by Zeus himself. They're stronger and more physically capable than humans, and some even say they're immortal."

Kara nodded. "I've heard whispers about them. I even tried looking for the island once but didn't try too hard to uncover it."

Dani continued, "Then there are the Atlanteans, the people of Atlantis. They live beneath the oceans and are led by Aquaman. There's a whole civilization down there, though we avoid crossing paths with them."

Kara thought back to her time exploring Earth's oceans. She'd sensed the presence of something otherworldly but had opted not to investigate further.

"And then," Dani said, lowering her voice slightly, "there are the Old Gods and the New Gods. The Old Gods have left Earth, while the New Gods—those from Apokolips—are rising to power. They're dangerous, Kara. They tried to conquer Earth in ancient times."

Kara stiffened, recalling the stories of Apokolips and its fearsome ruler, Darkseid. "What's your department's connection to all this?"

Dani hesitated for a moment before revealing, "We've recently unearthed a Mother Box."

Kara's eyes widened. "A Mother Box? That's Apokoliptian technology! Dani, do you realize how dangerous that is?"

"I do," Dani replied calmly. "That's why it's under heavy surveillance. For now, there's no immediate threat, but we can't be careless."

Kara suppressed a groan. The Mother Boxes were immensely powerful artifacts capable of altering reality, much like the Infinity Stones from another universe she was familiar with. If mishandled, they could lead to catastrophic consequences.

Dani explained that the Mother Box was one of three left on Earth after Steppenwolf's failed invasion millennia ago. The Old Gods, Atlanteans, Amazons, and ancient human tribes had united to defeat him, splitting the Mother Boxes among them to ensure they remained hidden.

As Dani spoke, Kara couldn't help but feel a mix of pride and concern for her friend. Dani's work was vital to protecting the planet, but it also placed her in incredible danger. Kara made a mental note to keep an eye on this situation, even if it meant stepping in herself someday.

Their conversation eventually returned to lighter topics. Kara was glad to see her friends thriving in their own ways, despite the challenges they faced. For now, they could enjoy the moment, leaving thoughts of Mother Boxes and Apokolips for another day.