The Hunt Pt. II

Star City

January 2, 2035

4:01:34 ETD

Lian had just woken up from the dream. What felt like an electric shock from the visions of her past. Her mother talking to her as an infant. And the mention of Roy, her uncle. The question was: what does she mean by the original Roy Harper? Was her father really who he was? Or was he a lab genetic experiment? Who was Will Harper? Something about her life isn't right.

She was on Joseph's bed, sleeping. While Joseph was on the floor, napping in his sleeping bag after letting her rest on his bed. Lian breathed heavily.

It was quiet. The silence seemed to relax Lian for a moment. Grant did not seem to mind his brother having friends over, but Lian cannot shake the thought about the dark aura filling around him. Should she tell Joseph? Or should she just keep it a secret to not cause any emotional pain? An answer she might have to figure another time.

That dream. This time, it was Mom. What were you hiding from me? Why did you have to leave me, and Dad? You could've been more happier if you stayed. I just wanted you back.

Then she went to the bathroom to make a quick phone call to see if her father would respond this time. As she dialed the number again. There was no answer again. Maybe her father was working on too many shifts in the night. He had two brothers who would help him, but why taking too long?

As she tried again for the third time, as she waited for an answer, she finally got the response she needed. "Dad?" She asked. But it was someone else using the phone.

"Lian, I got your message?! What's wrong?! You okay, Streaker?" Streaker is a nickname her uncle, Jim Harper would give her. And Lian realized it was her uncle on the phone instead of her father. "Uncle Jim? Where's Dad?"

"Sorry, Lian, a lot has been going on, your father..."

"What happened? Is he okay?" Lian asked. It was a few seconds of silence. This confirms something is wrong. Her uncle calling from her father's cellphone. And it was as if her father disappeared from the blue.

"I'll explain later. Where are you now?" Asked Jim.

"Don't worry, I'm at a friend's place. I'm fine for now. Joey had been a great help. I'll send you my location through text. Just finish what you're doing and I'll meet you there." Lian assured her uncle. Maybe he has some of the answers, not all of it.

"Alright, Streaker. Just be careful." Jim replied.

"Okay, see you tomorrow." Lian said before hanging up and sending her uncle the location via text. Then another notification on her text was from a familiar contact, it was Connor, and she had been in touch with him, not just Joey.

"Connor?" Lian said. She then looks at the text.

Connor: You alright? We need to talk. Send me your location. I'll be on my way.

Before Lian can respond. She looked out the window to see if any assailants were nearby. Nothing happened yet. But honking cars, citizens passing by. All the more reason the city might need to work on security. Even Star City grew a bigger crime rate than Gotham City.


Meanwhile in the Harper Residence. The group watched as Green Arrow waited for the reply for the text he had gotten. Then his phone sent a notification, a reply had come.

Lian: I'm fine. What's up?

Connor: I'll explain later. Right now, you are in immediate danger.

Lian: What? Wait a minute, what's going on?

Connor: There's no time. I need to know where you are before anything else happens.

Lian: If this is serious, guess it's anything but good. Here, I sent the location right now.

Finally, a link was sent to where Lian's location might be. The others would then see what was on the screen.

"Anything wrong, my friend?" Asked Aqualad.

"Nothing. I just got the reply. She's safe." Green Arrow said.

"It's a good thing the Nightshade poison was minimum. Without the proper first aid, she would've been gone for the few hours before we got here." Said Tornado Girl.

Superboy and Tornado Boy we're watching through the window while the others weren't paying attention for what was outside. "Hey, guys, look!" Tornado Boy alarmed them. The other three saw what was happening.

It was the same girl Superboy saw who snuck out of Metropolis High. "That's the girl that snuck out of school! But wait. She's in a spandex. Why?" Jonny asked. Anybody who saw this wished they have an answer. But then the girl, Jennifer, transformed into a spark of lightning and flew off in a speed of a storm.

"Did you see that?!" Tornado Boy shook his head in a shock to see she has powers. "She just sparked like lightning!" He added. Tornado Girl used her device to scan her before she fled. Then as it was done. She notices the vitals were different from that of a genetically enchanted metahuman compared to a naturally born metahuman.

"She is a metahuman. A natural born metahuman." Tornado Girl adds.

"What do you mean?" Asked Green Arrow.

"Think about this way. Second-gen metahumans whose powers are hereditary. Take Black Lightning, a first-gen metahuman who only has powers based on an enhanced drug after being taken against his will, and his metagenes are rather artificial. But any chance he has offsprings, so the metagene in the veins can mutate through their bloodstreams, which can create a combustion through their cells based on emotion, and element to the powers." Tornado Girl explains.

"Black Lightning? THE Black Lightning?! I saw him on the news before exposing Lex Luthor! He's totally cool!" Superboy exclaimed excitedly. Then he turned to Green Arrow. "When do I get to meet him?!"

"Kid, I am not Justice League. And I'm not the original Green Arrow, remember?" Green Arrow corrects him. "Aww!" Superboy groaned.

"Wait a minute, was she following us when we got here?" Tornado Boy asked. Nobody knows who the mysterious metahuman was. "For all we know, she and I came from the same school. Wait a minute, I think I heard her last name was Pierce. And we both came from Metropolis." Said Superboy.

"Come to think of it, I think Tornado Boy and I saw her somewhere before, but I can't remember just yet." Tornado Girl said. Then name Pierce hit her in mind. She seemed to have remembered whose surname it was. "Pierce, Pierce, Pierce-!" Tornado Girl gasped as she begins to remember a public figure.

"That's it!" She then searched through her phone and shows the group an article of Dr. Anissa Pierce. Renowned Physician and Therapist in the Metahuman Center. "Dr. Anissa Pierce, Physician and Therapist, Graduated on a Masters degree from Metropolis University. And employed to the metahuman center. According to this, her mom's a doctor and Dr. Pierce also has one little sister. Check this out. Her name is Jennifer Pierce." Tornado Girl showed them the photograph of Anissa with her sister. Jonny realized it was the same girl who snuck out of their school.

"That's her. Wait a minute? Dr. Pierce? She was the one I saw the last time I had a check up when I was 6. Looking back, I think she was the only doctor checking up on me cause I was half-kryptonian." Superboy stated. "But who would've thought we saw her sister."

"I can see why she was a devoted doctor dedicated to help children who cannot take back their old lives." Aqualad stated.

"Here's more to it. Six years ago, Dr. Pierce went missing weeks before the Metahuman Center was on a verge of shutdown by LexCorp."

"Argh! LexCorp! Hate hearing that name." Tornado Boy grumbled. Still having a grudge against the Luthor family for all the injustices.

"I think she stowaway in Star City in order to find her to find some traces. Which takes us back to the 100." Said Green Arrow. "Still, I think the mystery girl had given us a lead."

Suddenyl, a series of waves rendered them in massive immobility. The group were forced on the ground as of an invidible force was puttinf them down. Superboy looked up, and was shocked to see a familiar face from rhe shadows. He was a man with white hair and wearing green royal garb. "Great it's...Vertigo...ugh!" Superboy grunted as he tried to get up, but Vertigo uses his abilities to force him back down.

"Count Vertigo to you, peasant." Vertigo corrected him, cruelly. But before he puts a finishing blow on the heroes, Tornado Boy, who avoided getting hit by Count Vertigo, knocks him away from the team (that has yet to come up with a name). Causing the count to spin and fell to the ground while still conscious.

Then a crash came from above the roof and landed in the main floor. It was a young woman with a mask similar to Bane, one of Batman's enemies. "Who's your date for the night?" Tornado Boy joked, but not in a funny way.

"Esté chíco es todo hablar y no muerdé." Said the young woman.

"Acabar con ellos y obtendrá la recompensa." Vertigo said to her in Spanish translation.

"Así qué me gusto." Said the young woman. Then she turned to the young heroes. "Well, Niños. I think it's already past your bedtime. You probably heard of mí padré, Bane. Call me, Vengeance. I will do him un favór and eliminate you all." Vengeance said it was she makes a stance. And she has no Kobra Venom on her, but they suspected that she has already inherit that through her skin.

"Go, find the Red Rider." Aqualad insisted to Green Arrow. He did not want to leave his new companions behind. Superboy, Tornado Girl also went along to make a stance against Vengeance and Count Vertigo.

"What about, you guys?"

"Don't worry about us, we'll take care of Vengeance and Count Verti-jerk." Superboy said slamming his fist into his other palm.

"More children. How it irritates me to see more of them." Count Vertigo taunts them. But the group ignored them as they focus on tbe battle before them.


Back at the Wilson Apartment, Lian walked to the rooftop and stepped outside. Grabbing two cans of soda. Waiting for the enemy to come out once she is in plain sight. What Lian knew about Tommy was that he would take her by surprise.

She sat on the edge of the rooftop. Popping the soda opened and takes a sip while it made hissing noises.

Lian closed her eyes. And sighs as she relaxes for what will come next. "Ah." She breathes as she drinks from the can. Then she feels an aura nearby. She wasn't sure if it was Tommy, or rather Prometheus. But a blade is pointed near her neck. Lian did not react immediately.


Star City

November 4, 2020

10:41:16 UTD

Jim was reading a story to his niece about Little Red Riding Hood. "And the wolf was diced and never will it eat anyone ever again. And the girl in the red hood and her grandmother were free from the quench of the wolf's hunger. The end."

"So Red Riding Hood and her grandma had to wait for a hunter to cut its stomach and pulled them out?" Asked Lian.

"Pretty much so." Jim replied. Lian thought about the perspective of characters in the story. But looks back at the times female characters were portrayed as helpless. And sticks out her tongue. "That's dumb. Why do the girls in the stories had to be rescued? Why can't they fight evil witches, monsters and stuff like superheroes? They should be more like Wonder Woman, or Hawkwoman! Or Black Canary!"

"Whoa, quite the perspective, kiddo. But I think you're going to grow up twice a warrior Batman and Green Arrow were." Jim picks up Lian and spins her around, making her laugh.

"Uncle Jim, do you know where Mommy is?" Lian asked. Jim froze the minute she mentions her mother. Most children would have repressed memories about their absent parents. But for a child her age, she still somewhat remembers her mother. But as she would grow older, she would forget what she looks like in a mask. That's when the talk came to Will, "his brother."

"Shouldn't you have a talk with Jade? I don't think Lian is forgetting about her anytime soon." Jim stated. Will is finishing filing the paperwork for the Bow Hunter Security.

"Jim, we discussed this. Jade just needs to figure herself out before she decided to see Lian." Will stated.

"Wherever she is, for all we know. She could still be wearing a mask, probably hunting anyone on her list." Jim said. But Will stood up and turned to Jim. "Think of what will happen when she grows older. The more she finds out, it will not end well for her."

"Come on. Jade isn't like that anymore. I don't want my daughter to forget her. Even Artemis or Paula did not want her to forget about Jade." Lian had been listening to the conversation between her father and uncle. "The least Jade and I can do is to keep Sportsmaster away from Lian."

"Sportsmaster? What does he have to do with Lian? It's not like he wants to have anything with her." Jim points out. After all, he did remember the last conversation he heard was that Jade told Will that Sportsmaster would he find his own granddaughter with recessive genes. Even if Sportsmaster did not want to do anything with her, he would eventually come to find some way to use her as a weapon.

But Lian wasn't aware of her grandfather's existence since she was only a toddler at the time. Lian wonders who this Sportsmaster was. Was she someone her mother knew? To her, it's a question left unanswered.

To Will, the world of vigilantism isn't safe for her. He does remember the fact that his own daughter was used to seeing the violence and was never scared. As her mother would put it, it was genetic that a child like Lian wasn't afraid of anything.

"You're not thinking about keeping this a secret, right?" Jim asked.

"It's not right. But it's for the best. Unless Jade would want me to tell her. I cannot say."

"No, but I think you should. But not now. She's only a kid." Jim advised. "But you can't keep sheltering her forever. Even if Lian has the right to see her mother."


Star City

August 17, 2032

12:02:15 UTD

Lian and Joseph were in the airport. It was almost two months since the two became each other's first friends. But then her father told her that she had to go stay at her grandmother's for unknown reasons. But hasn't told her why. The two friends did not want to part ways, but they knew that this isn't the end and that they will meet again. It was almost the end of Summer, and this was the last day before Lian goes to Gotham Academy. "Wish I can stay a little bit longer. But Dad thinks it's for the best." Lian told Joseph.

"Same happened to me. Mom told us we're gonna move. New job, new place to live in. It's a bummer." Joseph replied.

Lian and Joseph stared at each other's eyes. To them, they were somewhat connected in an emotional way. They spent months having coffee together, playing mischief in the beach, and even pranking bullies (even if Joseph did not agree to it, but goes along with it), even with Lian teaches Joseph self-defense in order to boost his confidence. But it doesn't mean he will never be the Joseph she knew and adored.

"But maybe it will be a new chance to not be a shy boy anymore." Seeing a ray of sunlight behind Lian, and seeing the smile on her face. Though it was too soon, Joseph had began to develop feelings for her, seeing the courage and strong will in her. That's what made his day. He wanted to ask her out, but he knew it was too selfish. And will only treat her as a friend unless she would like that and decided to wait a few years. But he has a gift for her as a thanks for being his friend. He then takes out a box.

Call it a small crush, but it was the happiest day in winter when they first met, even in the city when things get dangerous. Lian wasn't sure what to feel about Joseph, but she knew there might be more to this friendship. The kind soul and soft spot he has compared to her bold and tomboyish personality. She was glad he never ran away from her as most of her peers had because of how different of a girl she is. "I don't know who long it will take. But maybe the next time we meet, maybe we can try to become vigilantes together." Lian suggested.

Joseph scratched the back of his head. Surprised to hear the idea that Lian wanted to take that risk to make lives better. Though there were warnings that such vigilantism can lead to trouble. As excited seeing heroes and vigilantes saving the day. He knew it was too risky than being a superhero. The first time he heard of Green Arrow and Speedy, he felt hope again after his parents divorced. A spark in her eyes became obvious to him that she is very unstoppable. "Really? I don't know Lian. Not sure if this is a good idea." He said, reluctantly.

"Not saying you should, but Star City needs a protector. When I come back. I will be ready. What about you?" Lian asked.

Joseph paused a bit. He wasn't sure if he wants to become a vigilante Lian thought they can try to be. Considering the dangers lurking around. "Don't know. Maybe I can figure something out for now." He replied. "Before you go. I have something for you." Lian peeked at the small box he was holding.

Lian takes the box he held out and unwraps the gift. As she lifts the small object, it was a red/gold bracelet with lotus pedals embedded in amber. "Joey. It's beautiful." Lian said. Putting on the bracelet.

"I knew you're not a fan of jewelry. But I thought about something that reminds me of you. As a friend, I wanted to give you something." Lian cannot hold back as she just hugged him. "Thanks, Joey!" She said.

"Attention, passengers. Flight to Gotham in D-17 will begin in 8 minutes!" An announcement was said through the speaker as it clicked. Lian then turned back to Joseph.

"Hope we meet again." Lian said as she parted from him.

Joseph waved goodbye after she took the gift before leaving to Gotham. This won't be the last time they met.

To be Continued...


Author's note: We get the first look of Vengeance, a new-gen villain and the daughter of Bane who has no need for Korba Venom when it was already in her veins. Like her father, she has superhuman strength.

We also got a flashback of Lian prior to her departure to Gotham. And as she had questions about her father about who he was, and what he has been hiding from her. While it is clear that she doesn't know who Sportsmaster was.

But Will and Jade had been keeping her away from him in order to prevent him from interacting with her, out of fear that he might get his hands on their daughter. We'll get more to the story later on.