THE PIT STOP
It's Monday morning. Beth called for a meeting at the Pit Stop before the team headed to school in the morning. The others were both surprised and interested in Beth's discovery and plans.
"So, you are proposing that we befriend this new girl to get close to Artemis?" asked Courtney curiously.
"Yes, exactly," Beth said.
"Uhm, don't we have another choice, one that doesn't require us to take such a long time to do?" asked Rick.
"I hate to say this, but we don't... unless Henry wakes up," Beth sighed.
"The ISA might be doing something now!" Cameron said frustratedly.
"What choice do we have?" asked Beth.
"We do this any other way, we could put the ISA on alert," Courtney added.
"Wait... what about Isaac?" asked Rick.
"I can keep a lookout on Isaac, we are friends," Beth said.
"Wait... there is no way... the ISA couldn't... Brainwave is dead... how are they supposed to... you know... carry out their plan?" asked Courtney curiously.
"I remember my father saying that he could still save America... they must have another plan..." Cameron concluded.
"Then they are not ready yet if not, they would have started already," Rick added.
"Chuck, are you picking up any energy outburst yet?" asked Beth.
"No, I have not, I am still scanning for any potential ISA activity," the AI answered.
"Something feels off," Cameron muttered.
"What is it, Cam?" Courtney asked.
"Henry and Yolanda accident, this red blur, two speedsters and now this... don't you guys think that Barry might be one of the ISA?" asked Cameron.
"There is no way to tell, besides, if he was planning to kill us or capture us, he would've done it already," Beth said. Rick and Courtney agreed.
"Plus, I would have known if Barry Allen was lying," Chuck spoke.
"I still don't trust him," Cameron said frowning.
"Where is Barry anyway?" asked Rick curiously.
"He is running through the woods to see if he could find anything, Pat is with him," Courtney informed.
"This early?" Rick said surprisingly.
"Our best-case scenario is that the ISA aren't ready yet, but if they are, we need to prepare and be ready for anything to happen," Courtney said.
"What about the girl speedster we saw that night?" asked Cameron.
"She seems to be helping us," Courtney said.
"Wait I remember something, I confronted her about the accident, it must be her," Cameron said.
"Cameron, I know you're upset but we must not jump to conclusions…" Rick said.
"Wait… let me replay the conversation between Cameron and the girl that night," Chuck interrupted the group.
"You can do that?" asked Cameron surprised.
"Yeah, he can," Beth answered smiling.
"I can help," a girl's voice spoke
"What can you do?" asked Cameron.
"You are the one that caused the accident, aren't you? The red blur?" Cameron asked again after pausing for a while.
"I… I…" the girl was heard stammering.
"It was you, then…" Cameron growled.
"Icicle… don't jump to conclusions, we can work things out…" Beth said.
"Listen… I know you're upset but…" the girl began to speak but was cut off as a loud motor sound was heard.
"Well… I see I'm not needed…" the girl said. The recording ended.
"That was how the conversation went," the AI informed.
"By the sounds of it, it seems like that girl was responsible for the accident," Rick admitted.
"I know right, she even knew what accident I was talking about…"
"I get your point, Cam, I really do, but judging from the way she fought that night, she seemed to have trouble with her powers," Courtney said recalling the fight.
"Wait, that is true, I remember seeing her falling over and over again," Cameron said.
"Maybe she is new to her powers," Beth said.
"Perhaps…"
Rick was interrupted by a loud crash. Courtney, Cameron, Beth, and Rick hurried outside of their meeting room to see what happened. They saw a huge dent in the garage doors. The group moved towards the door.
"What's just happened?" Courtney looked in surprise as Rick got close to the dent and moved his hand towards the door.
"I would advise against…" the AI said as Rick touched the door.
"Argh!" Rick yelled as he felt electricity running through his hand, knocking him backward, hitting the stack of tires behind him.
"Rick!" Beth screamed. She quickly rushed to her boyfriend's side, making sure that he is fine.
Rick groaned in pain as Cameron helped him up from the pile of tires.
"Rick, you all right?" Courtney asked concerned and worried for him.
"Argh… My head hurts…" Rick groans.
"Chuck, what happened?" asked Beth frantically.
"A speedster…" Courtney concluded.
"Courtney is right, based on these energy readings on the dent, it was a speedster that crashed into the door and charged it when Rick touched it, the electric charges went through his body, knocking him backward," Chuck explained.
"Wait… Chuck, can you track the speedster?" asked Courtney.
"I'm sorry, I can't, I have to scan the speedster first," the AI replied.
"Wait… how many speedsters are there now? There is Barry, and a girl speedster, right?" asked Beth worryingly.
"There may be more," Cameron said gravely.
"Don't worry, we better head to school, I'll inform my dad," Courtney said. Beth, Rick, and Cameron agreed. Cameron still wearing a frown, following the group.
SOMEWHERE IN THE WOODS
"Barry, you see anything?" asked Pat over the intercom.
"Nothing, Pat, I've been running through this part of the woods again and again, unless the ISA has a really good hiding spot, I doubt that they are here," Barry replied.
"Keep looking, those ISA members appeared this area, I'm sure that there will be something here for us to find," Pat said. He walked around the road, looking around when his phone rang. Pat looked at his phone, seeing that it was Courtney calling, he picked it up.
"Pat, you there?" asked Courtney. Pat could hear tell that something was bothering her daughter when he heard Courtney's voice.
"Yeah, is everything fine?" asked Pat.
"Well, a speedster crashed into the garage doors and escaped not long ago, at least, that is what the goggles told us," Courtney explained.
"What? Did you get a good look at the speedster?" asked Pat.
No, we heard a crash and rushed out of the room, we saw a dent. Rick touched it and was shocked, he's fine," Courtney said.
"Wait for a minute Court… Barry?" asked Pat over the com. "You weren't anywhere near the Pit Stop were you," asked Pat.
"No, why you ask?" asked Barry puzzled.
"My daughter says that a speedster might have crashed into the garage doors…" Pat explained.
It couldn't have been me, I've been running around the woods," Barry said.
Court… it wasn't Barry if you're wondering… don't worry about it, Barry and I will investigate, you and your friends better get to school," Pat said.
"We're on our way to school," Courtney replied.
"Okay, call me if anything happens all right?"
"I will, bye," Courtney said before hanging up.
"Barry let's go back to the Pit Stop, we won't find anything here, at least not today," Pat said.
"Okay, I'm coming back to the car," Barry said as he sped back to Pat's car.
BLUE VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL
Jesse walked happily to school. During the sleepover at Artemis's place. Both of the girls had a great time. They gossiped about guys while lazing in the balcony, looking at the night sky while munching on snacks. Then, they played truth and dare, which resulted in a pillow fight. After quite a long while of fooling around, Artemis and Jesse went to sleep at 3 am. The girls snuggled together in the bed as they slept. As she walked down the hallway, she was Artemis, who waved her hand at her.
"Hey, Jesse, wow, I see that you've changed your hairstyle," Artemis looked at Jesse's hair, which tied into a long braid.
"Yeah, does it suit me?" asked Jesse curiously.
"I will stick by the words I said that day. You do look good in this hairstyle," Artemis replied, smiling at her friend.
"Aw... Thanks, sis," Jesse said.
"Well, well... seems like Arty here got a new girlfriend," a voice teased, followed by a roar of laughter. Artemis's heart dropped. She knew that voice anywhere, the sound of Alita Degaton.
Ever since Artemis' parents went to prison, speculations surrounding her began to increase. Upon hearing the news that Artemis's parents were gone, Alita took the opportunity to spread rumors among the girls of the school. She was determined to make Artemis suffer.
"Leave us alone, Alita," Artemis growled.
"Why would we do that? You know, ever since your parents disappeared, so has your protection. Hey! New girl! You better don't mix with Arty here for too long. Otherwise, you might end up becoming a slut like her," Alita chuckles as she got close to Jesse.
"What do you mean?" Jesse asked, confused.
"Oh, didn't she tell you? She is a slut for the school's football team," Alita revealed.
"Alita, I told you to stop spreading rumours that aren't true!" Artemis said furiously.
"Shut up, slut," Alita said fiercely before facing Jesse again.
"So, are you still going to be friends with this slut here?" asked Alita.
"Look, I don't know what happened between you two, but bullying and slut-shaming isn't right," Jesse told Alita. "You're the person that is wrong here. I suggest you move," Jesse finished.
"Oh, dear girl, you have no idea do you, oh well, seems like you chose to be with this slut, guess you are one too," Alita taunted.
"Hey! Leave her alone, Alita," Artemis growled.
People were surrounding them, looking at what was happening. Courtney, Rick, Beth, and Cameron were passing by when they saw the crowd.
"What's going on there?" asked Cameron curiously.
"Let's see," Courtney said as she moved towards the crowd.
"Hey, that's Artemis and Alita, seems to be another feud between them," Rick said.
"Jesse is there too," Beth said.
"Great... another victim of Alita. We should do something about it," Cameron said.
"What's the use, her father is the principal, she already got away with many of her crimes," Beth said as they look on.
"I'm not going to sit on the side-lines and watch her bully the new girl," Courtney decided, pushing through the crowd.
"Wait, Court, you're still injured," Cameron hushed as he tried to follow her.
"What are you going to do about it, slut?" Alita taunted.
Artemis looked at Alita angrily. Artemis landed punched Alita's face, knocking her backward.
"You asked for this!" Alita growls as her friends hold her back.
"Artemis, don't it is not worth it," Jesse said as she was holding Artemis back from hitting Alita. Courtney managed to get through the crowd and helped Jesse to stop Artemis from fighting with Alita.
"Let me go and punch this jerk!" Artemis said furiously.
"What is going on here?" a voice said. The students turned their heads immediately on hearing the voice. It was the principal of the school.
"Father, Artemis here just punched me!" Alita complained.
"Alita, Artemis both of you! To my office now!" the principal said furiously.
Artemis followed the principal frowning. Jesse watched as Artemis followed the principal and Alita. Courtney looked at both Jesse and Artemis concerned. The crowd slowly dispersed after the fight ended. Cameron got to Courtney hurryingly, worried for her. Beth and Rick followed behind him.
"Court, you all right?" asked Cameron checking her bandages.
"I'm fine, Cam," Courtney assured. She looks at Jesse, who was still in shock about what happened.
"Jesse, is it? Are you okay? Did Alita do anything to you?" Courtney asked.
"Yeah... I'm fine," Jesse thanked. In her mind, she was thinking, why did the blondie look so familiar to her. Then, Jesse remembered, they are the group of outcast Artemis talked about on the first day she arrived. "They do not seem to be bad people... I wonder why," thoughts were running through Jesse's mind.
"Don't mind about Alita. She's a jerk. Always picking on new girls," Courtney said.
"Yeah, I kinda learned that the hard way," Jesse replied, trying to smile. "Hey, Uhm... By the way, what's your name?" asked Jesse.
"Oh, I'm Courtney, you can call me Court, this is Cameron, my boyfriend. The one with glasses is Beth, and the guy standing next to her is Rick," Courtney introduced.
"Nice to meet you all, and thank you, Courtney, really," Jesse thanked.
"No problem, Jesse, happy to help," Courtney replied.
"What happened to your arm? If you don't mind me asking."
"Oh, it's nothing, I just got burned by accident," Courtney lied. "Well, technically, I'm not lying," she thought to herself.
"You're really a selfless person, Court," Jesse praised.
"Well, I just like to help people in need," Courtney shrugged.
"So, what's the deal with Artemis and Alita?" asked Jesse curiously. "Artemis is a popular figure in school why would she get targeted?"
"Well, Artemis had always been a star player in our school, she was cocky, got on the wrong side of Alita, but she never dared to make a move on her because rumors had it that every time a coach went against her, they ended up getting fired. When Artemis's parent left, I suppose Alita took it as an opportunity to get back at her. She began spreading rumors of her, destroying her fame." Rick half-explained half-lied.
"I see, but why she never joined you guys?" asked Jesse before she realized she put it out in the wrong way.
"What do you mean?" asked Cameron.
"Um... this may be awkward but, she told me about you guys being... um, outcasts," Jesse said awkwardly.
"Oh, Artemis told you that?" asked Cameron, who was frowning a little.
"Well, that's our reputation in school, no biggie, but hey, you and Artemis are welcome to join us anytime," Courtney said brightly.
"Yeah, don't hesitate if you want to join us at lunch," added Beth, making Rick and Cameron look at their girlfriends puzzledly.
"Thanks, you all are really too kind," Jesse said as the bell rang.
"Oh, gotta get to class," Rick said. "See you guys at lunch."
"Yeah, see ya," Beth said.
"C'mon Jesse, let's head to class," Courtney said. Jesse smiled and followed her and Cameron.
THE PIT STOP
Barry and Pat were back at the Pit Stop, investigating what had happened.
"Wow... that's quite a dent," Pat sighed as he touched the door.
"They say another speedster caused it?" asked Barry as he peered around the perimeter.
"Court said that it's most likely a speedster or someone with electric-based powers, in my opinion," Pat said as he walked into the garage looking around for any unwanted intruders.
"Well, we can't go on anything with only a dent," Barry said, sighing.
"You're right, Barry," Pat agreed as he shut the doors, locking it.
"Um... Pat, where is the projector we found in the woods?" Barry asked.
"It is in there," Pat gestured to the door. "Why'd you ask?"
"I'm going to see if I can make anything out of the projector," Barry said as he moved towards the door.
"Sure," Pat said, following Barry.
Pat unlocked the door. Barry was in awe of the sight in front of him. A fifteen-foot armored robot occupied the end of the room.
"Wow... You built that?" Barry asked in skepticism.
"Yeah," Pat replied, chuckling softly.
"Wow, what did you use to build the robot?"
"Well, I made S.T.R.I.P.E out of car parts," Pat replied.
"I have seen crazy things in the lab on my Earth, but the fact that you managed to build this out of just car parts is just astounding," Barry praised as he admired the robot.
"Thanks, but let us not get distracted here," Pat said.
"Yeah, sure," Barry agreed.
Barry sat down at the table and began to disassemble the projector, trying to see if anything could help him.
"So, seeing anything that can help?" asked Pat.
"Nothing yet... but, wait." Barry was puzzled. These designs looked so familiar to him. He had seen it before, but he couldn't remember where. Barry knew that he'd seen these wiring styles and designs in STAR Labs before.
"Pat, you said that this might have been placed by the Injustice Society, right?" asked Barry.
"Yeah, why you asked?"
"I'm pretty sure I recognize these designs. Unless this is a coincidence, or I'm thinking things someone from my Earth must be working with the Injustice Society," Barry concluded.
"Do you have any idea who would..." Pat never got to finish his sentence as the projector began glowing.
"It's going to blow!" Barry shouted as he immediately grabbed the device and sped it out of the garage heading into the woods, letting the device explode there. Barry pants as he looks at the damaged the explosion had done, it wasn't as damaging he thought it would be, but there is no finding out anything after this.
"Barry, you there?" Pat asked over the com frantically.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Barry replied. "Heading back to you," Barry quickly sped back into the garage, surprising Pat.
"Ah, I need to get used to this speedster in our team thing," Pat sighed as he chuckles softly.
"Well, better get started, I'm not leaving until I find a way to," Barry joked sarcastically.
"Don't worry. I'm sure we will find a way to help you," Pat assured Barry.
Barry nodded while trying to recall where he had seen those designs before.
BLUE VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL
Artemis returned to the classroom 30 minutes late. She was sulking when she walked in. Jesse didn't want to interrupt her friend's train of thought. As the classes went on, Artemis began to warm up and returned to being the friendly girl Jesse knew. The girls were secretly talking during history classes. Soon, it was lunch break, Jesse and Artemis were in the canteen walking with their food.
"Hey, Artemis, a friend invited us to sit together with them, wanna join?" asked Jesse.
"Sure, who are we joining?" asked Artemis, following Jesse.
"Oh, hey Jesse," a voice called out, it was Beth.
"Hi, Beth, is it?" asked Jesse.
"Yeah, I see you decided to join us today," Beth said friendly while Rick, who was sitting beside her, shifted uncomfortably.
"Umm... Jesse, are you sure..."
"Why not?" asked Jesse.
"Just wondering... if we should sit here," Artemis said unsurely.
"I'm fine with it. What about you?" asked Jesse.
"I'm fine. I guess," Artemis said while sitting down as Jesse sat down beside Beth.
"So, how was your first week in school?" Beth asked.
"Don't mind my girlfriend, she is known for talking a lot," Rick joked, earning a nudge from Beth.
"Oh, I don't mind. I like a good conversation," Jesse replied, beaming. "Well, my first week here was quite good, met Artemis. She had shown me around the past week."
"Oh, that's nice of you, Artemis," Beth praised, trying to pick up a conversation.
"Yeah," Artemis shrugged, seemingly not wanting to be here.
As Jesse was about to speak, Courtney and Cameron arrived and sat down at the table.
"Hi guys, oh, Jesse, Artemis, I see you two decided to join us," Courtney said kindly.
"Yeah, thanks for inviting us," Jesse replied as she dug into her lunch.
The conversation was mostly just Beth, Courtney, Rick talking with Jesse while Artemis and Cameron weren't too interested joining in.
"Your father is him? Wow, that must be great. I thought of the name Harrison Chambers when I heard you introduced yourself, but I never thought that you're his daughter," Courtney said.
"So, what brings you here?" asked Rick curiously.
"Mainly, my father's work, he wanted to move here to work on research," Jesse said.
"What kind of research?" asked Cameron.
"I don't know my father never told me about what he is doing after an accident," said Jesse.
"Oh, I see," Courtney said.
"So, you managed to get out of trouble with Alita?" asked Courtney kindly, trying to get Artemis to join the conversation.
"Not at all, I got detention after school, not like it's my first time in detention," Artemis said, slowly opening up to the group.
As the conversation progressed, Artemis slowly began to open up to the group but didn't talk a lot.
After a while of chatting, Artemis tugged at Jesse's arm, motioning Jesse to go.
"Hey, Courtney, Artemis and I are going to head back to class early, it was nice meeting you all," Jesse said.
"No problem, nice meeting you two too, see you," Courtney said.
"See you," Jesse said.
As Artemis and Jesse walked back to class together, they were chatting about the group of outcasts they just met.
"They seemed nice. I don't understand why you don't like Courtney and her friends," Jesse said.
"You wouldn't understand," Artemis said.
"Try me," Jesse said.
"I rather not tell you this now, I hope you understand," Artemis said, hoping that she didn't relay the wrong message to her friend.
"I understand. Tell me when you're ready," Jesse said, cheerfully.
"This girl is quite an optimistic," Artemis thought while chuckling softly.
"Look, I think those boys are looking at you again," Artemis said while chuckling.
"You're changing the topic," Jesse said, rolling her eyes.
"Maybe I am, but I gotta say, those boys have a thing for you," Artemis said.
"You flatter me, Art, but I know how I look," Jesse replied.
"I think you look great," Artemis smiled.
"Really?"
"To a person with low standards, yes," Artemis chuckles as she joked.
"You jerk," Jesse nudged Artemis playfully, chuckling with her.
At this point, Jesse was sure of one thing, no matter how many friends she made, Artemis will always be her best friend.
BLUE VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER
The doctor was checking on Yolanda's injuries. Yolanda lay as the doctor examined her.
"So, how are my injuries, Doctor?" asked the brunette as the doctor seemingly finished examining her.
"You are recovering, but you still need to stay here for another week before you can leave," the doctor informed.
Yolanda nodded silently with her face visibly wearing a frown upon hearing that. The doctor turned around, leaving the ward while the nurses with her followed behind her.
Yolanda laid on the bed, trying to get some sleep. She was having weird nightmares ever since she woke up from the accident. It all has one similarity. All the dreams ended with Brainwave being alive. She shifted uncomfortably in her bed as someone knocked on the door. The door opened. It was her younger brother, Alex.
Alex Montez, Yolanda's younger brother, has always been supportive of her, even after her nudes got leaked, and after discovering Yolanda's is Wildcat, he promised Yolanda to keep it a secret.
"Alex? What are you doing here?" Yolanda asked, surprised.
"Paying you a visit, if that is not obvious enough," Alex said, smiling at his sister.
"I just... didn't expect to see you," Yolanda said.
"Well, consider this your surprise," Alex chuckled. "How is he?" Alex asked cocking his head in the direction of Henry.
"He is showing signs of movement," Yolanda said, her face filled with visible guilt.
"Sis, something is bothering you... isn't it?" asked Alex, concerned.
"Am I that obvious?"
"You were never subtle, to begin with," Alex answered. "So, what is it?" asked Alex.
"Well, do you remember the time when I told you I killed... his father?" asked Yolanda.
"The telepath? Yeah, Brainwave, right? " Alex recalled.
"Yeah... after I killed him, I felt... nothing, and that troubled me, but seeing Henry forgive made me forgive myself for it," Yolanda confessed. "But, now, ever since Henry fell into a coma, I kept on having nightmares about his father," Yolanda said.
"You know, sis, you need to forgive yourself," Alex advised.
"I know, but... these nightmares keep on reminding me about him," Yolanda said with a tone of fear in her voice.
"Hey, sis, he is dead, remember? All those nightmares are none other than a dream. They aren't real," Alex comforted Yolanda.
"I know," Yolanda said while gazing at her boyfriend. "By the way, how are mom and dad?" asked Yolanda.
"They don't talk much about you these days. I tried persuading them to come and visit you, and I got lectured again, so yeah, still the same," Alex explained.
"I wonder what it would take for them to forgive me... it's been more than a year since it happened," Yolanda sighed.
"Don't bother about them. I'll try to talk to mum and dad again," Alex assured.
"Thanks, Alex," Yolanda thanked Alex earnestly.
"You're welcome, sis," Alex replied, smiling. "Hey, by the way, things are cropping up ever since the accident, if your friends ever need my help, I'm available," Alex offered.
"No, Alex, this life is dangerous, what would mom and dad think if you got injured?" asked Yolanda.
"I know what is at stake here, sis. I'm just saying that I'm willing to help if you need me," Alex said.
"If we need your help, Court will come and find you, eventually," Yolanda said. "But for now, keep an eye on mom, and dad, okay? I'm kinda worried for them, I know they treated me badly, but still, they are my parents."
"Don't worry, you can count on me, sis," Alex said confidently.
Yolanda and Alex talked for a while until they were interrupted by someone knocking on the door. Alex went and opened the door. Courtney, Beth, Rick, and Cameron were there.
"Oh hi, Alex, is it? Yolanda's brother," Beth greeted.
"Yeah," Alex replied.
"Hey guys," Yolanda called out as the group walked into the ward.
"Hi, Yolanda. So, what's the doctor's verdict?" asked Courtney
"I'm staying here for another week," Yolanda answered. "My conditions are still good."
"That's good news," Rick said.
"So, anything new happening in school?" asked Yolanda.
"Alita happened," Cameron said.
"Alita? Who did she target this time?" asked Yolanda curiously.
"Artemis Crock and the new girl, Jesse Chambers," revealed Rick.
"Artemis versus Alita is nothing new but the new girl, that's new. Please tell me that you didn't try to break them up again, Court," Yolanda said while deep down, she knew what Courtney's answer was.
"Yeah, that was what she did," Rick said.
"Court, you're still injured, why would you even, oh, forget it, you wouldn't listen to me, would you?" Yolanda ranted in concern for Courtney.
"Well, you know me, Yolanda," Courtney said sheepishly.
"You better keep an eye on your girlfriend, Cam. She's quite wild," Yolanda kidded while chuckling softly.
"Don't worry, I will," Cameron chuckles, wrapping an arm around Courtney.
"Wait, so I assume that the plan worked out?" asked Yolanda.
"Yeah, it worked out quite good, well, plus a few bonuses," Beth said.
"We get to know Jesse, and Artemis kinda came along," Rick added.
"That's nice, but I'm kinda worried. If Artemis is really in the ISA, wouldn't she know your identity?"
"Well, if she strikes, we are prepared," Courtney said confidentially.
"Hope you all are, cause the last confrontation ended up in quite a disaster if I heard correctly," Yolanda quipped sarcastically.
"She is right," Beth said.
"I am?" asked Yolanda in surprise.
"We need help. Wildcat is one of the powerful fighters in the JSA. If we are going to face the ISA soon, we need more help in the case that the old and new members join forces," Beth said.
"I can help," Alex interrupted awkwardly. The group turned towards the boy.
"Alex, you don't need to..."
"Don't worry, sis, I want to help," Alex confirmed.
"Alex, this life is dangerous, are you sure you want to be involved. You are risking your life if you do this," Courtney warned.
"I'm aware of the dangers, Courtney, and I want to help," Alex said.
"Well, he will need training, and what mantle is he even going to take on?" asked Rick.
"Well, we will see when he is ready," Courtney said. "Rick, you're in charge of training Alex."
"Wait, shouldn't we at least ask if the others want to..."
"Nope... all yours, Rick," Cameron said, interrupting Rick.
"I'm sure you will be a great teacher, babe," Beth said, supportingly.
"You better take good care of my little brother, Tyler," Yolanda warned jokingly.
"Don't worry, Montez. He will be fine," Rick assured.
"As long as you don't teach him how to destroy a car first," Yolanda added, chuckling.
"Hey, I was angry, okay?" Rick retorted.
As the group continues to chatter, a warm feeling of calmness filled Yolanda's mind. Then, she heard that voice again, "Everything will be fine, Yolanda, don't worry." Things are looking bright for the JSA, for now.
ISA HEADQUARTERS, UNDISCLOSED LOCATION
Cindy was punching a punching bag, her mind thinking about the previous battle against the JSA. Scenarios keep running through her mind as she struck the bag.
"Cindy?" Stargirl's voice sounded in her head. "How did she know her name?" Cindy wondered. "Why does she looked so familiar? Why do I feel regret and sympathy towards her?" Cindy thought to herself.
Cindy began to have headaches as she thought more and more about that night. Then, memories began seeping back into her mind. Cindy leaned on the wall, groaning in pain as the headache was massive.
"You know what, Courtney. We're not that different you and me. in fact, we're kind of similar."
"How do you mean?"
"I don't know, our dads and stuff. I think if things were a little different, you'd be a lot more like me, actually."
"Or you like me… But the real question is, is that really the you that you want to be?"
The conversation rang in her head as memories began unfolding in her mind.
At this moment, Dr. Ito walked into the room. "Cynthia, are you all right? I heard you... shouting," the hooded figure said coldly.
"Father... Who is this Courtney?" asked Cindy confused.
"You are having hallucinations again, follow me," Dr. Ito said coldly.
Cindy sighed. It was that time again when she has to go through immense pain to get rid of her hallucination. Cindy followed her father to his lab and sat down on the chair. Dr. Ito strapped Cindy to the chair, placed a piece of leather between her teeth, and placed fitted a metallic band on Cindy's forehead. Cindy braced herself as her father pressed a button on the machinery. Cindy screamed and shouted as she felt pain coursing through her entire body while her father watched coldly as her daughter screams of pain echoed throughout the lab.