SECRET ORIGINS Part 5 – Apollo

Star City, 2018:

Young Bowen "Bow" Aero Sherwood, Self appointed Justice League fanboy, was watching the news report of Green Arrow's latest sidekick Artemis being accepted into the Titans, and was downright gleeful. Bow was a young, dark skinned boy with his dark brown hair in an Afro-Buzzcut style and dark colored eyes. As he watched the news he was just happy to see Green Arrow on good terms with one of his sidekicks, especially after the very public, harsh split he and Speedy, or Red Arrow now, had years ago. Bow could really only hope that The Arrows had managed to patch things up. He'd been following many Superhero careers with interest, he had all the merchandise.

And he wanted nothing more than to be a hero himself.

He had been drawing up various possible costumes in his sketchbook, though none of them really managed to click with him yet. He'd also need some kinda gimmick. AND he'd need to convince someone to take him under their wing. Yeah that would be a bit of a problem.

He did always enjoy using a Bow however, and was a fairly good shot with it. He thought out loud to himself, "Maybe I can convince Green Arrow to give me a try?" he wondered out loud, continuing to sketch. "And I wonder if my dads would be okay with it? I mean they're supportive, but super-heroics are very dangerous. They'd be scared I'd end up like the second Robin..." he thought to the news of Batman having lost his second partner to the Joker, and how much more ruthless he began to act before he found another to take up the mantle.

He could try Red Arrow, but then he remembered how nasty Red Arrow tended to act. Maybe he could help him improve? Red Arrow could use some optimism in his life, and Bow was a shining beacon of optimism.

Though he eventually decided that Green Arrow was a safer bet in the long run. He began trhowing together a costume and getting ready to rush into the city and find the superhero. He just needed an excuse for his dads.

Oliver Queen, the Green Arrow, out on patrol. The night had for the most part been a dull one. He was hoping to have run into Roy again, and try to patch things up. Roy can't hold a grudge THIS long could he? Then again, knowing Roy, he probably could. As he was thinking about this, something caught his eye. It looked like a kid dressed in a white, sleeveless crop-top with a Quiver on his back, the brown strap going across his chest, and a god strap going across the other direction. On his Chest was a Red Downward Arrow, and he had a single gold Shoulder pad on his left shoulder. HE wore purple coloured pants with a simple belt, and white boots with Yellow soles and a yellow toe area, as well as another Red Arrow down the front of the Boots. The outfit was complete with a White domino mask across his eyes and a Bow in his hand. He waved up at Green arrow, jumping as if to get his attention. Ollie for his poart only had one thing to say to this situation.

"Oh for god's sake..."

Bow saw Green Arrow coming closer and was frantically, and happily waving to him. He was psyched to meet his hero and offer his help.

"Kid...what the hell are you doing?" Green Arrow asked, sounding more annoyed than anything. That wasn't what Bow expected.

"Hey um...My name's Bowen, Bowen Aero Sherwood. Big Fan of the Justice League, can I be your sidekick?" he asked quickly.

"Kid, I appreciate the excitement but-" Green Arrow began befiore stopping and giving him a confused look. "Bowen Aero Sherwood?" he asked incredulously.

"Yeah my name is a bit of a dad joke. My dads love their puns." Bow admitted, rubbing his head.

"Anyway, I appreciate the enthusiasm, but super heroics aren't fun and games you know." he calmly tried to explain.

"Well yeah I know." Bow replied, "I've done my homework. I still want to help people, make a real difference you know? I'm a crackshot with my bow and I'm willing to learn." he pleaded.

Green Arrow sighed. "I'm just worried kid. Go home, try again when you're older alright?" he said, before moving to leave the roof.

Well...that could have gone better. Bow thought to himself as the hero left. He wasn't about to let this rejection put him down, nor was he gonna give up so easily. Looking over the edge of the building, he caught sight of a woman being mugged in an Alleyway. He quickly went down the fire escape, fully intending to prove he can be a genuine hero.

As he landed in the alley he rolled to a kneeling stance and drew an arrow. "Back off, leave her alone!" he yelled out. The two crooks turned to look at Bow and just snickered.

"The hell is this? Some punk thinkin' he's green arrow?" the lead crook said, walking towards him with a tire iron in hand. "Run away little boy, let the real heroes come after us." he mocked.

Bow didn't move, keeping the arrow drawn and a calm look on his face, prompting the other mugger to laugh. "Aw look he thinks he's brave." he said, beginning to approach him. And then a boxing glove arrow flew down and nailed the second mugger right in the face. Bow quickly took the distraction tio rush the leader and tackle him, knocking him flat and delivering a punch to knock him out. He turned around to See Green Arrow entering the Alleyway.

"Run along miss, we can handle it from here." Arrow said, and the woman thanked them and ran. Green Arrow cuffed the mugger and motioned for Bow to follow him, before headed back up to the rooftop. "You're gonna do this with or without my help aren't ya?" he asked the young hero in training.

"Well, yes?" Bow sheepishly admitted, prompting Arrow to laugh a bit.

"Good lord you remind me of Roy. Kid was so optimistic back in the day." he wistfully said, before walking over and smiling. "Alright kid. Tell ya what, if you're gonna be a hero regardless, you may as well learn from the best Archer there is."

Bow's eyes widened and his smile grew. "You mean-?"

Green Arrow patted him on the shoulder. "I'm sure Artemis won't mind if I took on a second sidekick." he said.

Bow let out a cheer. "Thanks Mr. Arrow."

"Please, just call me Ollie. Oliver Queen." Ollie replied, "Now, let's see if we can figure out a name for ya, Bowen Aero Sherwood."

Bow slipped back into his room through the window, still high off the idea he was gonna be a Superhero. As he turned around though, his Dad's were already waiting for him. "Uh….I can explain." he stammered.

Lance chuckled. "You went out and tried being a superhero." he deadpanned, motioning to Bow's outfit.

"Yeah kinda..." Bow sheepishly responded.

George nodded, "Good for you. Anyone take you under their wing?" he asked.

"Uh yeah, Green Arrow." Bow replied, surprised at how well they were taking things.

"Lance, you owe me twenty bucks." George said chuckling.

"You're both cool with this?" Bow asked his parents, completely baffled.

They both shrugged, "Bow, you'd be making a difference, you're a superhero fanboy, AND you're a good kid. I think the life of a superhero is perfect for you." Lance said with a smile. "So, what's the name?"

Bow put on a smile and gladly proclaimed, "Apollo"

Some time later, Artemis was waiting for her mentor, prepared for the night's patrol. Her surprise, therefore, at seeing Ollie arrive with a new kid was pretty real. "Um...who's the kid?" She asked, smirking slightly.

Oliver patted Bow on the back. "This is Apollo. He'll be joining us more often now." he explained.

Artemis stifled a laugh. "Apollo huh? Picking up strays now, Ollie?" she quipped.

"Actually Artemis, he came to me. Kid's enthusiastic, not a bad shot either." Oliver explained as Bow walked over and offered his hand.

"Bowen Aero Sherwood." he said with a smile. "Everyone just calls me Bow." Artemis raised an eyebrow as she shook his hand. "Yes I know. My dads thought it was funny." he sheepishly admitted.

"Alright then Apollo. Hope you realize I'm gonna be running you ragged as the Veteran sidekick~" she joked.

"Another replacement, Oliver?" another voice chimed in. Everyone turned to see Green Arrow's former sidekick, Roy Harper, AKA Red Arrow approaching.

"Aw come on Roy, we gotta do this all over again?" Ollie groaned, facepalming.

Roy walked over. "Considering you keep taking on new sidekicks like stray dogs, yeah we're doing this again. Doesn't seem to be too hard for you to replace-" He began, before Bow let out a tired groan.

"Roy is it? Will you just stop for a second? Please?" Bow said, surprising Roy, he walked over and offered a handshake to Roy, surprising the former sidekick,. "Maybe we got off on the wrong foot, I'm Bow, it's so cool to meet you." Roy looked at him confused. "Look...I don't know what happened between you and Mr. Queen, but it's been like, 4 or 5 years hasn't it?" he asked.

Roy scoffed. "Doesn't matter how long it's been." he replied, turning to leave.

"Doesn't it?" Bow asked, stopping Roy by grabbing his arm. "You guys were unstoppable together. You were like Batman and Robin, nothing ever beat you, nothing ever broke you." he said, and his words seemed to be having an effect. "Maybe it's not my place to ask, but isn't five years long enough? Shouldn't you guys let old wounds heal?"

Roy sighed deeply. "Kid...you sound like me when I was younger." he said, turning back to Oliver and the two looked at one another for a while. "I'm still bitter about where we left things but...he's right. We should patch things up." Roy told his former mentor.

Oliver smiled and hugged Roy, "I've been willing to for Five years Roy. I don't expect you to want to work together but I still want us to be on better terms." he replied, Roy returning the hug as Artemis gave Bow a shocked look.

"Bow...you literally did the impossible. HOW?" she asked, completely dumbfounded.

Bow just shrugged, with a smile. "My dads always told me I have a way with people. I'm everybody's friend." he replied.

The four archers then heard police sirens off in the distance, Oliver looked towards the direction and turned back to Roy. "Well, care to join us Roy? It'll be just like old times." he asked as he notched a zipline arrow.

Roy smirked and set his own. "Wouldn't have it any other way Ollie."

The two fired off their ziplines, and zipped off into the distance, Artemis and Bow following close behind on their lines, with Bow happily cheering.

To Be Continued….

JUSTICE LEAGUE DATABASE – HERO BIO

NAME – BOWEN "BOW" AERO SHERWOOD

ALIAS – APOLLO

AGE – 17

SPECIES – HUMAN

HEIGHT – 5'7"

HOME – STAR CITY

POWERS – NONE

WEAKNESSES – NORMAL HUMAN WITH NO POWERS, NAIVE

EQUIPMENT – ARCHERY BOW WITH MULTIPLE TRICK ARROWS

MENTOR – GREEN ARROW, ARTEMIS CROCK(OCCASIONALLY)

This one took a while didn't it? Bow was surprisingly hard to write for. Still I managed to get it done. So yay!

Having said that, I do agree with slowing my work down a bit to prevent burnout and give me more time to do my own things. Therefore I'm setting a schedule. AT LEAST one chapter per week. If I finish more, I'll post more, but I don't intend to delay posting a chapter to either this story or Joining Forces As One for longer than a week.

On that note, progress on the next chapter of Joining Forces As One is going rather slow as well, mostly due to not knowing how I'm gonna handle the current Arc. I have an overarching plan for major events in the Arc, just not the tiny moments to link it all together.

Anyway I also realized last couple chapters I have to add a bit more information due to World building. Yes, Aqualad is the Young Justice version. As is Aquaman. Young Justice is very good. Likewise, both Green Arrow and Roy Harper are in their Young justice designs, and Artemis should be obvious.

The other thing is I have a full roster of the Teen Titans. They're minor characters to the grand scheme of this story but I'm still gonna list them in case they appear. Nightwing, Kid Flash, Superboy, Miss Martian, Aqualad, Cyborg, Raven, Starfire, Beast Boy, Blue Beetle(Jaime Reyes), Robin III(Tim Drake), and Artemis.

Also yes I am aware of Bow's fathers. I still haven't seen past Season 1, too many other shows I'm watching ^^;

I Do NOT own DC or She-Ra, all characters belong to their respective owners.

Please leave a review if you enjoy~

NEXT TIME: A Badass little Snowflake.