Chapter Twenty-Five: Public.
Laurel pounded away at a bag. She channeled all of the aggressions she experienced over the last couple of months after the accident. Barbara watched Laurel's intensity. Her anger flashed through her eyes. Barbara leaned against the bench, and sighed.
"Okay, don't bite my head off, or knock it off," Barbara said. "But, what did the poor innocent bag ever do to you?"
Laurel's eyes turned towards her. She took a few breaths and made her way to the bench. Barbara handed her a towel and Laurel wiped off her face.
"It's final, between Mom and Dad….they're calling it off," Laurel said.
"What, did Oliver cheat on you with your mother as well?" Barbara asked.
Laurel choked on the water she drank at Barbara's words. Barbara leaned forward and kicked her on the shoulder. The woman shook her head, eyes watering.
"Did you have to say something like that when I was drinking?" Laurel asked.
"Too soon?" Barbara asked.
"Much too soon," Laurel said. "Yeah, I don't know what's going on with them, I never thought they were having any problems. But, Sara being on the boat strained everything. If it wasn't for you, I'd go nuts."
"Hey, happy to help," Barbara said. "But….I've got to return to Gotham next week."
Laurel sighed.
"Yeah, I know, I enjoyed the vacation," Barbara said. "But, I have to return home, The Captain would kill me if I didn't go back and finish my studies at GCU."
"Captain….I thought your father was a Lieutenant?" Laurel asked.
"He got promoted, Captain James Gordon, of the Special Crimes Unit of the Gotham City police department," Barbara said. "Of course, I don't know if it's as much of a promotion, as in….someone in the department really hoping he ends up getting killed."
Barbara's worry shined through her voice. Laurel reached towards Barbara, placing her hand onto Barbara's and pulling her over.
"Special crimes in Gotham City really go underneath the weird and the mysterious," Barbara said.
"Well, tell him congratulations, I think," Laurel said.
The door of the gym opened up. Barbara looked up. After the encounter with Lady Shiva, paranoia visited her body.
Just because she's paranoid, doesn't mean they weren't out to get her, at least what Barbara thought. Living her entire life in Gotham City, where locking your doors several times was an action which was all but beaten into her.
Barbara's eyes widened for a second.
"Wow," Laurel said. "I didn't….I've never seen him around town."
Barbara's mouth hung open for a few seconds. The tall young man with slightly unruly black hair and green eyes entered. He dressed in a tank top and tight leather pants as he entered the room, leaned for a few seconds.
"No, you haven't….but….he's been all over the news," Barbara said. "Do you know who he is?"
"Excuse me, can you ladies point me to the front desk?"
Barbara sat up straight and tried to act as if wasn't just talking to the young man.
"Um, yeah, it's right there," Barbara said. "Why do you need to know?"
"Barbara!" Laurel yelled. "Don't be….don't be….I'm really sorry for my friend. There are times where she's a bit too nosy for her own good."
The young man chuckled in response. Barbara shook her head in response.
"I understand curiosity," he said. "My name is Harry Potter."
"I know, you're Harry Potter," Barbara said. "Laurel, he's Harry Potter!"
"Yes, so I heard," Laurel said. "It's a pleasure to meet you Harry. My name is Dinah, Dinah Lance, but everyone calls me Laurel, to back off on the confusion of my mother, who I was named after. This is Barbara Gordon, and don't mind her, she likes to stick her foot in her mouth so often you'd think she'd have the taste of sole in it too often."
Barbara crossed her arms across her chest.
"You really have no idea how big this is?" Barbara asked.
"Oh, he's…the heir to the Evans business empire, and the owner of the Shining Light Enterprises technology company," Laurel said.
Barbara opened her mouth and shut it. Harry smiled.
"Guilty as charged," Harry said. "And….is your sister Sara Lance?"
Laurel tried to act as polite as possible.
"Yes, so you've heard about it," Laurel said. "I'm surprised you did, she gets the brush off, when Oliver gets all of the news."
"Do you think she's dead?" Harry asked.
"I….I don't really know," Laurel said.
The woman wondered what she was thinking. She talked to a stranger rather frankly.
"Well, just keep waiting, and one day she might come home to you," Harry said. "And whatever issues you have, they can be dealt with. Until then, live your life the best you can, and show life won't get you down."
Laurel smiled. She knew he was trying to be nice and lift her spirits. Which she needed, and hoped his words to be accurate.
"And to answer your question, the gym is selling me some of their extra equipment," Harry said. "I'm going to set up shop here."
"Really, Starling of all places?" Laurel asked. "Wouldn't a place like Metropolis or Central City be a better place for a world class technology company?"
"At least you didn't say Gotham," Barbara said.
"Well, there are worse options," Laurel said.
"What like Bludhaven?" Barbara asked. "Because, Bludhaven makes Gotham look like Metropolis."
"I think you're exaggerating a little bit," Laurel said. Barbara crossed her arms and frowned. "Okay, maybe not, but still."
Harry smiled and decided to give his answering.
"While I do have connections in Metropolis and Gotham, among other cities, I want to start here," Harry said. "It's a strategic location, and ripe to have something built for the ground up. Queen and Merlyn are two of the bigger companies in the city, and there's a need for competition."
"Well, I wish the best of luck to you," Laurel said.
"I'm sure I'm going to see a lot more of both of you, if I'm around the town," Harry said. "In fact, I'm having a press conference tomorrow afternoon, if you want to attend, I have a couple of spare tickets for you."
Barbara smiled, it would work out well. She left back to Gotham City in a couple of days.
A second later, both of them looked at Harry, who vanished into the office.
"So, what do you think of him?" Barbara asked.
"Is it bad I'm intrigued?" Laurel asked. "Do you think I'm just reaching out for a rebound on purpose?"
"Nah, more like an upgrade," Barbara said.
Since her trip on the island, Kara allowed herself a bit of time to think. Her powers underneath the yellow sun lead to even more growing pains than a normal unpowered teenager said.
She reminded herself in the words of the dragon.
'Some people are destined to be great,' Kara thought.
The pendant he gave her rested from her neck. It allowed her to feel a bit more ease with who she was.
Kara relaxed as she flipped through the channels.
"Shouldn't you be doing your homework?"
Kara turned around and noticed Alex standing there. The dark haired young woman approached Kara and sat down on the couch.
"Shouldn't you be working?" Kara asked. "And for your information, I have another few days before I have to dumb myself down and go to high school."
"I wouldn't be so sure," Alex said. "I understand what it's like to not work at your full ability. School can be more frustrating when you….."
"Have to dumb yourself down?" Kara asked.
"Yes, I know, advanced race, with advanced science," Alex said. "Are your door knobs even more advanced than anything on Earth?"
"I don't know, we evolved beyond door knobs like before I was born," Kara said. She shifted herself. "Then again, Earth's evolved a lot beyond what we thought. So, our studies were woefully out of date. Then again, the Council didn't know their own head from a hole in Kandor."
Alex bit her tongue to prevent saying what she thought. She needed to remain professional, even if a critique of the United States government danced on the tip of her tongue.
"Does it hurt to bite your tongue?"
Alex closed her eyes.
"You literally bit your tongue," Kara said. "I mean, it doesn't hurt for me…."
"Yes, you dumped scalding coffee all over yourself, and you were more annoyed your shirt was ruined," Alex said.
"Hey, I liked my shirt," Kara said.
"You don't even have to worry about acne," Alex said. "Other than the pimple right there."
"Where?" Kara asked, bouncing up in the air.
Alex smiled in response.
"Seriously, I'm going to have to do a background check on any guy who comes near you," Alex said. "Just to be on the safe side."
"Oh, you're beautiful too, Alex, don't sell yourself short," Kara said. "I would go out with you…if I was a guy, and not your sister. Both those things which are taboo on Earth, aren't they?"
"Well, depends on what part of the world you're in," Alex said. "Oh, it's today, isn't it?"
"What's today?" Kara asked.
"The press conference with the Shining Light Enterprises, where Harry Potter is going to make a big announcement," Alex said.
"No, seriously, you know Harry Potter," Kara said.
"Well, I know of him, he's famous," Alex said. "Not to mention on about ten government watch lists as well, because he's a Class-W meta."
Kara raised her eyebrow.
"A wand waver, someone who can perform magic with a wand," Alex said. "Not he needs a wand, because….he's powerful, really powerful."
"You're not going to take him off somewhere and interrogate him, are you?" Kara asked.
"Well, it's tempting to take him off somewhere," Alex said. She stole a look at the young man on the television screen. Even behind a screen, he captivated pretty much any woman. "For intense interrogation, one on one where I try and pump him for information, really undercover type stuff."
Alex smiled at the thought of it. Then again, most other red-blooded women, no matter what race, shared a similar fantasy.
"Well, he's not….he's not bad," Kara said.
"No, he's not too bad on the eyes," Alex said.
"Hey, I saw him first," Kara said.
"How could you see him first, if we just both saw him on the television?" Alex asked. "You've met him before."
"I didn't say I met him," Kara said.
"Are the rumors Harry Potter was sighted on Lian yu credible then?" Alex asked. "And were the rumors a blonde blur was sighted flying on her way to Lian Yu credible?"
"What's a Lian Yu?"
Alex raised her eyebrow, and frowned.
"Kara, don't ever get yourself captured and interrogated. You're crack underneath interrogation."
"I think he got stranded there, for something," Kara said. "Maybe those wizard people left him for dead. Maybe he saw something he shouldn't."
Alex took a moment to consider it.
"You might be right, Kara," Alex said.
Kara tried not to betray her sigh of relief. She didn't want to explain the alien ship.
"But it doesn't answer the question of why you flew all the way out there?"
"I think the press conference is starting," Kara said.
"Yes, I want to hear it," Alex said. "But, when there's a commercial, we'll be talking about it. I covered for you with our parents, so I think you owe me one."
Kara cracked under the guilt trip.
"Can I ask you a question?"
"What, Kara?"
"What really happened the day of the meteor shower fifteen years ago? You know, in Smallville."
"Still classified," Alex said. "I want to tell you, if it was up to me."
Kara groaned, shaking her head. She looked to the screen where Harry Potter stepped up.
"Starling City, people are wondering, why would I start here of all places? Why not Metropolis? Or Central City? Or even Gotham City? Success there is like shooting fish in a barrel, and believe me, they are avenues which are untapped. But, the future starts now and the future starts here in this city."
Adeline watched Harry's speech and she doubted very much she was the only one taking a close watch at Harry's speech. The young man approached her after the speech wrapped up.
"So, Slade and Oliver?"
"Safely on the island," Adeline said. "They'll get off eventually, you know."
"Maybe they will, maybe they won't," Harry said. "Unless you have something to tell me."
Adeline made a split decision she should give Harry the head's up, based on the fact he saved her daughter's life. Therefore she owed him a lot.
"Amanda Waller knew the moment the ship went down Oliver went down on the island," Adeline said.
"And yet, ARGUS didn't rescue him," Harry said. "Waller has plans."
"Waller plays her cards close to her chest," Adeline said. "I'd be warned, she's extremely interested in seeing what you're up to."
"Just merely trying to change the world," Harry said. "And believe me, some government agency which lacks transparency is not something I'm in the mood to deal with right now."
"Yes, I know, and believe me, you and Waller are bound to butt heads," Adeline said. The woman chose her next few words with care. "She does things for a greater good."
Harry frowned. Talk about an expression which defined the actions of many people. The greater good, Harry recalled all of the times where things were done for the greater good in his life. Dumbledore never once uttered those words, at least in Harry's line of hearing. And to be fair to Dumbledore, the HIVE built up in as a great leader, only to cut his strings like a puppet when he served his usefulness.
"Waller is intimidated by you, just a little bit," Adeline said. "She won't say it, but some of the precautions she's taking, she's treating you like a really big threat."
"And it's good she is," Harry said. "She should be afraid of what I can do to someone like her."
Adeline shivered, glad she didn't incur Harry's wrath. Good thing she stood on his side.
"Won't you get in trouble talking to me? "Harry asked.
Adeline responded by shaking her head. She leaned closer towards Harry.
"She actually wanted me to be your official liaison, to keep an eye on you. Given you're establishing a more public presence."
Harry figured about as much.
"And you're the best of several options, I think," Harry said. "Tell Waller if she doesn't get in my way, I won't get in hers."
"She won't like you directly challenging you like that," Adeline said.
Harry smirked in response. If Waller didn't like him directly challenging her, the feeling looked to be really mutual. Harry didn't like people challenging him like Waller him like this.
"So, the Ministry is being take under wing by our counterparts in Britain," Adeline said. "So, if you don't want to deal with those people, you don't have to."
Harry didn't want to deal with them again. He did everything and done everyone he wanted to do. It was time for Harry to move on.
"Good, I'm glad they're being brought in line. About time someone did."
Lady Shiva stuck close enough to the shadows where she would not be seen. David Cain, the father of her daughter, holed up somewhere, likely with his connections. She would remove those connections one by one, until it was time to flush him out.
She made her way down a dark alleyway and found herself face to face with a pair of green eyes. The woman stepped back, with a respectful moment, but withdrew her sword.
"Allow me to pass, Dragon."
"David Cain has harmed one of my own," Harry said. "Therefore, your mission is my mission."
"Yes, Cassandra opened up and told you, didn't she?" Shiva asked. "It took her several years before the damage had been undone. We might have avoided the anguish if she had been thrown into the Lazarus Pit."
"Or caused even more," Harry said.
"Yes, or caused even more," Shiva said. "I'm not going to mince words, my daughter didn't have a happy childhood. And I'm sure you can relate."
Shiva withdrew her sword for a second. Harry withdrew his. The two of them circled each other in the alleyway.
"You must have done your homework," Harry said.
"I wanted to know a little about the man you were before rebirth," Shiva said. "When others find out, your remaining blood relatives will not last the night."
"I'll send flowers to their graves if someone were to off them," Harry said.
The two moved in and the swords clashed together. Shiva's blade showcased strength, but Harry's power overwhelmed the woman for a second.
Shiva jumped into the air behind Harry. The two of them locked swords once again, evenly matched with each other. She snapped off a kick, which knocked the wind out of him.
"But, I have one last promise I need to fulfill," Shiva said. "I promised my daughter when I dropped her off at Nanda Parbat, I would make it right. Over a decade has passed, and Darhk has given me the only lead possible on Cain."
Harry made his way behind Shiva, grabbing her arms and twisting them behind her back.
"If you think he's telling the truth…..Darhk is a master of deception."
"Perhaps," Shiva said. "But, I disagree in a sense. The look in his eyes showed he told the truth. Recall him if you don't believe me."
Shiva broke free from Harry's grip. The two engaged into a bit more sword play with each other.
"I do enjoy fighting against somewhere where I can stretch my legs," Shiva said. "And you might take this piece of information I uncovered with interest."
"What?" Harry asked.
He backed her against the wall for a second. Shiva slackened, but Harry remained on his guard.
"Cain is working with the same group who was responsible for the Queen's Gambit being sabotaged. The people who poisoned this city, and padded their pockets with their ill-gotten gains."
Harry paused for a second, and it allowed Shiva to kick him away. The two of them engaged in a rapid fire exchange of attacks, both of them connecting.
"Take what you will from my warning," Shiva said. "And, I'm certain you're going to want the other one. As a curiosity, I've already planted a seed in her mind which will lead her down a path."
With her words, Shiva slipped into the shadows. Harry allowed her to leave for now. They would run into each other once more all too soon.
'And my type seems to be the hot and dangerous type, who knew?' Harry asked. 'I should have figured it out a long time ago, but still.'
Thea Queen knew she was way past her curfew, but she didn't care. The tension between her and mother was pretty much at a cold war level. The real problem, as Thea saw it, was all of the time she spent meeting with Mr. Merlyn. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what the two of them were up to.
Her father and brother might be dead, although there was a part of her who didn't believe it. Regardless, Thea made her way across town. She waited at the bus stop for a bus to come.
She caught sight at the sign and realized the bus didn't stop here this late at night. The girl threw her hands into the air in frustration.
'Just great, guess I'm walking home,' Thea said. 'Or hope I can get a taxi.'
Thea went for her cellphone, but a young man with several piercings bumped her and sent her into the alleyway. His three friends entered.
"Out a bit late for a stroll, aren't you?" the man asked.
'Great, a bunch of thugs, just what I need right now.'
The teenager stood as tall as possible looking them in the eye. One of them took a switch blade and put at her throat.
"Look, what do you want?" Thea asked. "Because, if you want money, I'll give you money, as long as you all just fuck off."
"Oh, she's a big tough girl, isn't she?" one of the gang bangers asked. "Look at her clothes, she must have the money."
"Yeah, no one but a rich bitch wears clothes this tacky," the gang banger said. "Look at this necklace, it's faker than my wife's tits."
"But, I bet it's worth a fortune, because the rich bitch said so," the gang banger said. "Thought she'd be taught some manners, but I guess, we're going to teach a lesson."
Thea tried to get away, by kicking one of the thugs in the stones. She managed to get away, but a pair of strong hangs grabbed her.
"Oh, I'm going to enjoy sending it back to your rich bitch parents. You picked the wrong side of town to go through b…."
The thug fell over. Thea winced, rubbing her bruised neck where she grabbed it. Thea looked up, in time to see a pair of arrows sail over her and strike two of the goons in the chest, doubling her over.
The lead gang banger rose up to his feet, but an arrow impaled him. Blood spurted everywhere when he doubled over.
The sounds of sirens echoed, and Thea staggered out into the middle of the street, waving her hands.
A police car pulled out.
"They…tried to mug me," Thea said. "But someone…shot them….with arrows."
The teenager stood up in defiance, trying not to sound too hysterical, even if her voice cracked. Thea wouldn't look weak in front of the police.
"Figured a Queen couldn't stay out of trouble for more than five minutes."
Thea tried to look for her savior, but said savior disappeared into the night.
A woman dressed in a green hood with tight green pants made her way over the rooftop. Sara and Harry waited for her in the shadows.
"What are the odds you run into Thea?" Sara asked.
"Pretty high apparently," Artemis said, pulling the hood on. "She's in good hands, the police picked her up, and the bastards who tried to mug her….well they won't be hurting anyone, any more."
"Good, I'm glad," Sara said. "Keep an eye on her, why don't you?"
"So, you're going to make me babysit the other Queen, now," Artemis said. "Since, when have I become the babysitter for the rich and famous?"
"Artemis, I need you to get close to her," Harry said. "We need to find out what happened, and where we can find Cain."
"Do you really think my father's involved with this entire mess as well?" Artemis asked.
"You never know," Harry said. "But, keep your eye on the ball."
Artemis nodded, for Harry she would do about as much. She needed to figure out to make her civilian identity befriend Thea Queen.
"She does have a knack for archery," Sara said. "So, you have about as much in common."
"Handy information to know, I think," Harry said.
The three disappeared into the night. The League prepared to enact a fairly long term plan, and Harry prepared to move into the next stage of the grand vision he had for the world.
To Be Continued.
So, since we reached the half-way point(well from a plot perspective, not necessarily from a chapter perspective), we'll be returning sometime in October. The second half will be either more than twenty-five chapters, less than twenty-five chapters, or exactly twenty-five chapters, but no more than I feel it needs to be. I know, going out on a limb.