My name is Oliver Queen. I wasn't sure about this so-called Justice League at first. Batman wanted me to keep these people honest. There's this Cadmus business looming over our heads. It's had me doubting my role as a member of the Justice League. The Batman and the Question are the best investigators we have on the case, but I still have my doubts. There are some bright spots. Besides Black Canary, I found myself becoming somewhat of a big brother to Supergirl. Today's a special day for her. Canary and I wanted to take her someplace to celebrate, but she wanted to be here of all places! Sometimes she can be just as much a killjoy as her big cousin.

"Heads up!" Supergirl's cry snapped me out of my thoughts. A giant piece of concrete was headed my way.

"Aw $#!" I sidestepped it just in time, but I tripped and landed right on the pile of rubble beside me.

"Sorry, Ollie. Are you okay?" She flew towards me and landed beside me.

Actually, I wasn't. I had hit my knee in that sensitive place and it hurt like crazy! Man, I hate that! I kept up a brave front because I didn't want to ruin her day.

"Yeah, Kid. I'm fine." I was rubbing my head as Kara helped me to my feet. I waited for the knee pain to subside before I tried to walk.

"Hmmm. Yeah so, where were you anyway? You seemed 100 miles from here."

She was right. Supergirl and I were in the training simulator room. I should have known better than to space out like that.

"You okay, Ollie?" This time it was Superman's voice over the loud speaker. He was observing from the simulation's control room.

"Yeah! Good to go, Clark!" I decided to change the subject. "I think Kara needs a greater challenge!"

"Yes!" She slammed one fist into the other hand. "I'm ready! Give me someone other than Queen Bee!"

"You heard the lady!"

"Alright," said an amused Superman. "How's this?"

He pushed a sequence of buttons and an attack drone appeared. It transformed into Atomic Skull.

"Much better!"

Before Kara could attack the drone, a giant glowing circle suddenly appeared. When the glow disappeared, some sort of robot was standing there. I don't know how he did it, but the simulated Atomic Skull was now lying dismantled at his feet. The robot's face and hands were green but most of his exterior was purple. He had short blonde hair huge purple eyes. Although his body was facing Kara and me, his attention was clearly on the control room. He even smiled a bit. I had never seen him before, but the symbol on his forehead and chest were those of…

"BRAINIAC!" Kara darted toward the stranger and left me in the dust.

"Yes?" His head turned to Kara. "Uh oh!"

He touched something on the side of his belt and was surrounded by a mini force field. Kara wailed on it as the robot tried to speak. His voice was calm and controlled.

"Please." WHAM

"Calm down." WHAM

"I'm not going to hurt you."

I reached out and grabbed Kara's arm before she could land another blow.

"Whoa there, Sparky, let's hear what he has to say."

The android sighed and said, "Thank you." Again, his tone was even. He dropped his force field.

"Yes, I am a Brainiac, but I am not the universe conquering Brainiac you are acquainted with. He is my distant ancestor. I am Brainiac 5, and I have dedicated myself to doing good to make up for my predecessor's crimes. I have come to get help. I have come for…"

"BRAINY!" Clark flew right up to the android and gave him a "Superman" hug.

"S-Superman!" As the "Brainiac" tried to talk, I stepped back with surprise.

For a moment they seemed forget that Kara and I were present. I felt her poking me in the ribs with her elbow.

"Just because he's seriously cute doesn't mean that we should trust a 'Brainiac.'"

"I'm not getting a bad vibe off the kid. Besides that, Clark seems to know him well enough." There was one more thing that I couldn't let go. "'Seriously cute', huh?" I winked at her. She huffed and turned her back on me.

There was a lot of playful banter on Superman's part. Their conversation was that of two good friends. From what I could pick up, Clark seemed to be quite fond of the little guy.

Soon enough, he was leading the android to us.

"I know that you guys have already met somewhat, but proper introductions are in order. Green Arrow, Supergirl, this is a dear friend of mine. Brainiac 5 is part of a team of superheroes from the 31st century."

I pushed past Kara. "Ah, a fellow glutton for punishment." I extended by hand to him. "Pleased to meet cha."

"Likewise, Green Arrow, Sir." He took my hand. "I assure you that I do not find being a superhero punishing. In fact, despite so-call pitfalls, it is ultimately most gratifying."

"I'm sure it is, Junior. Besides, don't call me 'sir.' It makes me feel old or like I'm in the military or something."

Brainiac 5 cocked his head to the side. "In a manner of speaking, Green Arrow, you ARE in the military or something."

Superman couldn't stop smiling. I found myself smiling as well. I had only known him for a few minutes, but I couldn't help but take a liking to this kid.

Now it was Kara's turn to push past me.

"Hi! Uh, sorry about…"

"Understandable," he cut her off.

They shook hands. She used her free hand and traced the "Brainiac" symbol on his chest with an index finger. That kid works fast doesn't she? His expression of bewilderment was priceless.

"So, Mr. Brainiac 5, is this visit business or pleasure?"

"Ummm. I- I- "

"I see," Kara mocked. "Well, it was nice meeting you." She walked back toward me.

The Brainiac 5 kid seemed lost in thought. It would be amusing to see how long he was going to stand like that, but I sensed some urgency in his visit. I decided to snap him out of it.

I cleared my throat loudly. I saw him come back to himself.

"Ah, yes…the mission…um, really important."

Superman seemed to get amusement out of seeing his friend fumbling for words. Brainiac 5 closed his eyes and stilled himself. He let out a sigh then straightened himself up. He then took one look at Supergirl and then at Superman as he began to tell his story. Despite his machine-like exterior, there was something about him that was almost childlike and… human.

Author's note: I know that the time frame from when Superman first arrived in Metropolis and the time Green Arrow joined the Justice League did not happen in a space of two years. Also, in the episode "Far from Home" in the Justice League Unlimited series, Kara is celebrating her 21st birthday not her 16th. I just changed everything around for storytelling reasons. After all, this is just a fanfic. It's not canon. Umm kay?