Chapter 45 (edited)

Late at night, Kara woke her family, believing the roar of the approaching plane would wake them anyway. She explained that she had received a call for help from Gotham City, though she only referred to the caller as "Batman." She assured her family she would handle the situation cautiously.

Jonathan, understandably worried, expressed his concerns about her identity being exposed. Kara reassured him, promising to wear a modified version of Batman's suit and rely on physical strength rather than her superhuman abilities to avoid drawing attention.

When Alfred arrived in the plane, Kara realized she might have overestimated the noise it would make. The sleek aircraft, clearly a prototype of the Batwing, landed silently in front of the house. She sighed, acknowledging she had woken her family unnecessarily.

Alfred piloted the plane alone. Its near-silent engines ensured no one nearby would be disturbed. It hovered gracefully, a few meters above the ground, as Alfred deployed a rope ladder.

Kara heard the urgency in Bruce's voice during their earlier conversation, deducing that Gotham City was in crisis. After bidding farewell to her family, she climbed aboard the aircraft. Clark, eager to help, stepped forward, but Kara stopped him with a glance.

"Not yet," she said softly. "You need more time to grow."

Unlike many accounts where Superman offers wisdom to Kara, here she found herself guiding her cousin, who yearned to prove himself.

The plane sped towards Gotham City, closing the distance quickly. During the flight, Alfred briefed Kara on the situation.

Bruce had recently suffered a severe attack after helping the police capture Carmine Falcone in a high-profile operation. During his investigation into Falcone's operations, Bruce was exposed to a fear-inducing toxin, leaving him poisoned and vulnerable to terrifying hallucinations.

"Thankfully, Lucius Fox and I managed to detoxify him in time," Alfred explained.

Lucius, a trusted ally and Wayne Enterprises' technological mastermind, had been instrumental in Batman's operations, designing much of his equipment.

"After recovering, Master Bruce learned that Rachel Dawes had been targeted. He managed to rescue her from Arkham Asylum, but in doing so, he uncovered a dangerous conspiracy."

Kara's brow furrowed. "What conspiracy?"

"The League of Shadows, led by Ra's al Ghul, plans to use a device stolen from Wayne Enterprises to vaporize a fear toxin across Gotham," Alfred explained.

The toxin, concocted by Jonathan Crane—a deranged psychiatrist known as the Scarecrow—was designed to spread chaos.

Kara's expression darkened at the mention of Crane's name. "Jonathan? Did you say his name is Jonathan?"

"Yes," Alfred replied, a little startled. "Jonathan Crane."

Kara clenched her fists. "How dare someone with that name disgrace it like this. He's done for."

Alfred glanced at her, bewildered by her sudden intensity. Kara dismissed his concern, focusing instead on the mission ahead.

Alfred continued, recounting how Bruce had been forced to confront the League's operatives. Despite his efforts, Wayne Manor had been infiltrated and set ablaze.

Kara looked out the window as the plane flew over the smoldering ruins of the manor. "What a shame. So many treasures gone to waste," she muttered.

Alfred nearly lost control of the plane, startled by her cavalier tone. "Miss Kara, I hardly think this is the time for such remarks!"

Kara smirked. "Relax, Alfred. Just a thought."

The truth was, Bruce's call for assistance had stirred something deeper in her. Gotham's shadows threatened to engulf not only him but the city he fought so hard to protect. Kara vowed to stand by his side, using her strength and cunning to tip the scales.

As the plane approached its destination, Alfred pointed to a concealed entrance beneath the city. "This is where we've relocated for now. Master Bruce calls it... the Batcave."

Kara nodded, steeling herself for the battles ahead.