New Justice: Trail of the Leagues
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Note: This chapter has a very familiar title if you have read mine and Sigma's other work. We like to reuse titles across stories…
Vigilante Injustice
September 2018
"Ms. Foster!" Rae sighed, trying to do her job – Joel Foster's mother, Penny, had moved in, and since then, she has been making Rae's job hard; always taking the food Rae was preparing and redoing it or changing it; sometimes the changes making no sense; cooking on her own…. worst off, she kept forgetting who Rae was and yelling at her and Clark. "I got that." Rae added.
"Who are you?" Penny snapped, seeming to be hiding the bowl she was stirring in so Rae couldn't get to it. "Get away! Before I call the cops." She held out the spoon threateningly to Rae.
"I'm just…" before Rae could finish, Penny had hit her with the spoon. Rae groaned. This was worse than being hit by villains as the Flash – at least then she could hit them back.
"Penny, she's my employee!" Cat called, walking in with Annie, a stern look as she dealt with her mother-in-law and Rae took a step back.
Annie went into a cupboard that Rae knew held the alcohol and took out a bottle, along with three shot glasses. Annie poured one and slid it over to Rae, who stopped it from falling off the counter. "Drink, you need it…" Annie said sympathetically, and Rae didn't waste a minute, taking the little shot almost wishing it would do something. She made a face at the taste of the drink though – since alcohol did not do anything for her, she had never really gotten into drinking it, so the taste was not something she was used to.
"Give me one," Cat said, stepping out to the table. Penny was still in the kitchen and Annie complied with the request, giving her sister a shot and taking one herself.
"Okay, I have been good and not asking," Rae said, not wanting to have to ask this question. "But I got to… Is there something the matter with Ms. Foster?" Rae had figured it was none of her business, but this was getting hard on her – along with working for Cat Grant, she had been reinventing Kryptonian dishes for the Sanctuary and having Kara test them out, plus her work as the Flash. One thing in her life getting harder was not a good thing.
"Early signs of dementia," Cat answered for Rae. "Maybe Alzheimer's, but unfortunately Joel does not see it. To him, she's just his mother. Forgetful but his mother. He has not admitted there's a problem yet. Lucky Carter is in school most of the days now." Carter had been home-schooled after he had become blind to help him adjust, but now Cat had found a private school in the city that was great for people with disabilities. "With my work and Joel, we're not here a lot so I am sorry Rain you're getting stuck with her. You have been good to us, taking care of the kids when it was not your responsibility for no extra money. This is definitely not in your job description." Rae didn't know how to respond to that at all, so she didn't
"I'm going to try to be around more," Annie said with a nod. She didn't live in the penthouse anymore but was around a lot and her job was just a consulting one, so she could get away easily.
"And I'll try to work from home when I can," Cat said.
"Okay," Rae said, not sure how else to react but was saved when she heard her communicator bing in her bag. "Oh, sorry, I need to take Clark for a walk." Rae took a shot Annie had poured for her as Clark lifted his head. He had been as far away from Penny and the kitchen as possible – while wooden spoons could not hurt him with his powers, he did not like it when Rae was threatened, or Penny yelled at him.
"Go," Cat said with a wave of her hand. "I'll see if I can get the kitchen back for you."
Rae gave a smile as she grabbed her bag and called for Clark, heading out of the door.
"What do you think she's actually doing?" Annie asked. Since figuring out Rae was the Flash she had listened closely to the bings coming from Rae to now know her cellphone and communicator were different. It helped if her cellphone rang Rae went for it right away but the communicator she did not. She could easily tell them apart now and knew when Rae was going out as the Flash.
"Saving the day," Cat said with a shrug, knowing the same as Annie as she smirked.
…
Rae looked down at her communicator once she was outside. It wasn't an emergency or one of her League members though – the Justice League's systems had informed her of two new potential members who had gained some publicity with the public, the computer deciding it was time for the League to investigate them.
"Interesting," Rae said, already in her Flash outfit as she and Clark headed for a zap tunnel.
-New Justice-
Rae ended up in the Watchtower. She had picked up lunch for her and Clark on the way there, which consisted of burgers and hotdogs, fries, and a milkshake for her. Clark had a couple of burgers off their bun and was eating them, along with a bowl of water for hydration, as they waited for the other members to show – Rae had sent out a message asking whoever was free to come to Watchtower.
Adam came in through the Zap Tunnel, followed shortly by the three Canaries.
"What's going on?" Sara was the one to ask.
"I guess you four are the only ones free," Rae said, putting her burger down. "Which is fine since this does not need many members. I need volunteers to go check out two new potential members?"
"Who?" Sara asked, curious. It had been a while since they had potential members. They had looked at rumors but so far no one was up to the quality of the Justice League.
"The computer has identified two new vigilantes who have made quite a splash. Big enough for us to go. One is of a bit of a concern," Rae said bringing up a photo of a man with dark hair, a mask over his face, and in a red outfit.
"He looks familiar," Dinah said, frowning.
"He's in Bludhaven, going by the alias Robin, which is a bit of a concern because that was Nightwing's former hero name," Rae stated. "He's even using the same outfit," she pulled up a picture of Dick when he was younger as Robin on the screen. "We do not like people just taking other heroes' identities – only family and sidekicks have a claim to that, and Nightwing had no family and as far as I know, no sidekick either." Rae stated. "This Robin seems to be doing well, but we need someone to go to him, see if he does have a claim on the name or if he's just stealing and then if he can get League membership. I can't – my boss thinks I'm walking the dog."
"We'll go," Dinah said immediately. "Canary mission. Go find this Robin and then we can go see Tim."
"No," Sara said right away, turning to her cousin with a glare.
"Oh come on isn't it time to forgive and forget," Dinah said with a frown. Knowing why her sister was angry. "Or at least just get his side on what happened."
"No," Sara added more firm in that.
"Who's Tim?" Rae asked, confused.
"Dinah's little brother," Laurel stated with a smirk at Sara's kneejerk reaction. "He lives in Bludhaven. Sara and him never got along. Then things happened a few years back."
"That's an understatement," Dinah said. "But we'll take Bludhaven. Me and Laurel." Dinah turned to Laurel who gave a nod and the two Canaries were out.
"Who's the other one?" Sara asked, alone now of the Canaries.
Rae decided not to get into family matters, moving on. "Okay. Gotham, a Black Arrow… Not what his calling himself as the public has named him since he's an archer. We don't have a good picture of him. He comes in the middle of the night, takes out criminals and then disappears. Possible he has a sidekick, but his doing pretty good."
"I'll take that one, obviously. Take the Atom here with me," Sara said. Adam was stealing some fries to a slap from Rae hand and a tiny growl from Clark. Adam turned at his name as Rae chuckled at his reaction, not realistically bothered her fries were being eaten.
"What…? Oh yeah… sure," Adam said, picking up a fry as Rae was not looking.
"Hey, don't steal the boss's food," Rae joked, still smirking, as Adam ate his winnings.
The two opening a zap tunnel to Gotham.
"Well that's taken care of now we can…" Rae paused as Clark looked up from his last burger, curious. "You know, maybe I should have warned them about the main Gotham Zap Tunnel." While most cities had more than one zap tunnel for ease there was a main or default one that if you didn't specifically pick the one you want it went there. Rae knowing Sara and Adam were just going to the main one. Clark gave a bark as Rae shrugged. "Ah well, they'll figure it out." Rae took the last bite of her burger and packed up the last of the fries, grabbing her milkshake. "Come on boy. Let's get back before Ms. Grant and Captain Grant question how long it takes to walk a dog." Clark gave a bark, finished eating his food, and then followed Rae out.
-Karry Universe-
Sara and Adam came out of the zap tunnel and paused, stunned at their surroundings - looking around at the cave like area with the big computers. It was all switched off, in what could only be described as mood lighting, but it was obvious where they were.
"Oh my god – it's the bat mobile!" Adam called, running towards it as fast as he could. "I made a model of this a couple of years ago."
"Why does that not surprise me?" Sara asked, moving forward and looking around. "This must have been Batman's headquarters…" Sara was looking around at the dust gathered around. "How do we get out of here?"
"We could take the car! If it's in here there must be a way for it to get out," Adam said with a smile on his face, bigger than Sara had ever seen – this included the threesome they had been involved in a while ago. Adam went to put a hand on the car.
"Don't touch that," a new voice said calmly, and Sara turned fast, taking out her bo staff towards the new man standing in the cave with them. He had appeared out of nowhere at one side of the cave above them, coming down some stairs. He was older man with graying hair. "I always expected it to be the Flash who would show up here first."
"Who invited the Third Doctor into the story?" Adam asked, making Sara and the newcomer turn to him. "What? He looks just like the Third Doctor... from Doctor Who? No? The longest running sci fi show…?"
"We get it," Sara said, rolling her eyes seeing why Rae called him one of her nerds. "Who are you?"
"Alfred Pennyworth," Alfred said, straighten his tie. "I was Master Bruce Wayne's butler and you can put the bo staff down, Ms. Lance." Sara seemed stunned he knew who she was.
"Ms. Garrick was very good when everyone died from her old League, but she forgot to unauthorize access to all computers connected to the Justice League's system. The Bat Cave was the most connected and still has access. I've been keeping an eye on all activities since – including Mr. Barry Allen being the Reverse Flash and the identities of all those in the new Justice League. I think Mr. Wayne would approve of most and Mr. Cray, I have told you not to touch the Batmobile."
Adam took a step back as Alfred moved towards the computer. "Is that how you knew we were here?" Sara asked, still not lowering her bo staff.
"When the Zap Tunnel activated I got an alert and came down from the mansion above, as I said, expecting to see the Flash," Alfred stated simply.
"You still work for the people who live here?" Sara asked.
"No, Master Bruce left me everything when he died. I apologize for the mess down here but with no one using it I have not been down here for a while. And yes Mr. Cray, he left me the company as well," Alfred added seeing the question on Adam's face – he did work for Wayne Industry after all. "I had expected the Flash to come here eventually though. There are some things I have for her, but since she sent you, I assume this is about the Black Arrow?"
Sara finally lowered her bo staff, seeming a little less concerned.
"He usually comes out at night," Alfred added. "I have been tracking his movements and can analysis where he will most likely show up tonight."
"Well that's helpful," Adam stated. "This system seems very similar to what we have in Watchtower, only without my upgrades." He had a smirk on his face as he said it.
"Interesting. Now, I do have one request," Alfred said, moving closer to Sara now. "If this Black Arrow makes League qualifications, you bring him here. This place was meant to be used by a vigilante to protect Gotham; I know Master Bruce would have preferred a member of his 'bat family' to take over, but failing that, he also wanted a new member of the Justice League to take over."
"Okay," Sara said with a nod.
"Well, as we wait," Alfred said. "I will go get something to eat. And Mr. Cray, we can talk about you moving up in the company too," Adam raised an eyebrow as Alfred left.
"Why has Rae never introduced us to him?" Adam still had a smile on her face. "Or tell us about this place."
"Rae's not good at telling us things until its needed," Sara said knowingly, taking a seat and looking around. "Although she may have just forgot this one," she wiped dust off the nearest surface as she said this.
-New Justice-
Laurel and Dinah had exited the zap tunnel into Bludhaven. Having no idea where to find this Robin, all they could do was walk and wait – and as they were in their hero outfits, pictures being taken of them, the people of Bludhaven not used to the Canaries in their city.
"We should have planned this better," Laurel muttered, "maybe brought our bikes with us… We have no idea how to find this Robin."
"Want to go back to the zap tunnel and come back later?" Dinah asked her cousin. "Perhaps have one of the nerds find them for us?"
"And where would the fun in that be?" A voice called – Dinah knew that voice. Jumping from the top of a small nearby building was Robin in the flesh, his red and black outfit recognizable. "Canaries. What are you doing in my city? Nothing big enough here for a Justice League visit."
"We're looking at what's big enough for a Justice League visit," Laurel said slyly as Dinah remained silent, trying to figure out why this Robin was familiar. "And this isn't your city; Nightwing might be dead, but this is still his city, unless we say otherwise. Besides, Flash is not too happy with you."
"That hurts," Robin said making a face. "What have I ever done to the Flash?" His eyes kept darting to Dinah though, making her uncomfortable.
"You took Nightwing's former alias and his costume," Laurel said, aware of the people with cameras on the street filming, but since joining the League she had got use to this sort of thing from the public. "You don't get to use his legacy unless you are family or a sidekick. And we know you're not either."
"There's no law written down in some superhero legislation I missed is there?" Robin smirked, folding his arms. "Besides, I may not be family, but was his sidekick… or at least I was going to be. Nightwing trained me and he was going to introduce me to the League before he was killed. Took me a while to decide to use what he taught me. To come out here. I have proof if you want…"
Robin never finished as Dinah came forward grabbed his arms and looked him in the masked eyes, surprising him. "Tim…" Dinah whispered.
"Dinah," Tim smiled, knowing who the Canaries were – he knew his sister and cousin had the same power as the Canaries, and it had been hard not to know the Lance sisters or his own sister, even with this outfits.
He was very aware of the people now – it usually didn't bother him as he had played it up for the cameras a bit, hoping the Justice League would take notice of the good work he was doing, but now this was about family; he didn't want to risk it.
"I think we should go somewhere for private," Tim stated thoughtfully.
"You think?" Dinah hissed, and Tim took something off his belt, tossing it on the floor as fog suddenly covered the two Canaries and Robin, and when it was gone, the three were gone as well.
-New Justice-
"Why does Sara get to use the cool bike?" Adam complained as he flew overhead. Sara was on the street below on Batgirl's former motorcycle, riding through the streets. Just like the Batmobile, this bike was tricked out.
"Because you are able to fly and White Canary cannot," Alfred said on the coms. "And according to police scans, if this Black Arrow is looking at the same information we have, he should be..." At that moment an arrow flew past both the Atom and the Canary, hitting into a nearby building and sticking to it. It had a wire connected and a man in a dark outfit slid to the building, smashing through a window.
"I think we got him," Sara said.
"Ongoing robbery. It's a museum," Alfred's voice said. "King Tut's exhibit in currently on display."
"Adam, go to the window. I'll take an alternate route," Sara ordered, stopping the bike on the sidewalk and going in through the front and seeing the guards tied up. She untied them quickly.
"Thanks, White Canary," a guard said.
"Go," Sara demanded, heading up the stairs on Alfred's direction.
When she got there, she saw Black Arrow using some impressive moves on the robbers. Adam had gone to the window and shot out at one of them, the last one conscious seemed to see Adam and the vigilante and head for the door. Sara easily knocked him out with her bo staff. "Not so fast," Sara called, then looked up. "You either." She told the Black Arrow.
"Sorry, not sticking around," Black Arrow said with a clear voice changer on as he went for the window.
"Whoa, not so…!" Adam was saying but Dark Arrow leaped and jumped off him. In midair, he used an arrow with a string on it and connected it to the top of the next building, using it to leap forward. "What type of Vigilante runs from the Justice League?"
"I told you to guard the window!" Sara snapped.
"White Canary, that belt I gave you is more than just useful for the motorcycle. There are some gadgets in it," Alfred's voice said. "Right hand, third pocket – push the button and then aim." Sara used her right hand to take a device from the belt Alfred had given her and did as instructed. A wire came out that, so Sara could do the same as Dark Arrow had. Following him.
"I don't get any of the cool stuff," Adam mumbled with a pout, flying off after Sara.
"Then make them yourself," Alfred stated in Adam's ear, surprising the man. "Your skillset at making that suit more than qualifies yourself to make unique weaponry."
Sara landed on the building, a moment after the Black Arrow and ran in front of him. "We just want to talk!" Sara called, bo staff out.
"Maybe I don't want to talk," Black Arrow responded. "But if you can beat me in a fight, I will give you a few minutes." Sara smirked, putting her bo staff down. She would do this hand-to-hand if she had to. She held up her right hand, moving her fingers towards her threateningly. Black Arrow moved.
Sara dodged his attack, using his arm to flip him over, using his own force against him. Black Arrow use his feet to swipe at Sara legs. Sara jumped over them, but distracted, let Black Arrow get up and attack. Sara took the blow but put one out of her own out. The two twisting and turning on the roof as they threw out punches and kicked.
Black Arrow grabbed hold of Sara's arm, bringing her close. "You're good!" Black Arrow said, the two stopping for a moment.
"You too," Sara said, impressed.
"Do you two want a moment alone?" A voice said, and Sara and Black Arrow turned their heads. Adam had joined them on the roof, along with a female with blonde hair in a black and yellow outfit that Sara didn't recognize. She did remember there were rumors Black Arrow had a sidekick. This must be her.
"Well, she is a pretty woman," Black Arrow said and something about the way he said it stirred a vague memory for Sara.
"No…" Sara said after a moment, grabbing Black Arrow's hood. She had been respectful of his identity during the fight and had not even tried, but now she twisted, in one move ripping off his hood and grabbing his mask with her other hands to look at a face she never thought she would see again. "Tommy!"
Thomas Queen, normally called Tommy, took a step back, snatching his mask back.
"You know me?" Tommy asked. Sara's mask covered her face almost fully, and since joining the League she had started using a voice changer herself. Sara now took that off though, to stand face-to-face with her ex. "Sara?" Tommy seemed almost as shocked as Sara had been.
"You're dead," the two said together.
"You two know each other?" Adam was the one who asked.
"We dated," the two said together.
Adam laughed. "Wow, you do not do breakups well. The two exes I have met you have fought with." Sara gave Adam a glare that shut him up.
"You got some explaining to do Thomas Queen," Sara said angrily, turning back to the man in front of her.
-New Justice-
"A clocktower? Really?" Dinah asked, looking around Robin's lair. Tim clearly lived here and operated his vigilante work from here. One part was set up with computers and weapons, while the other was clearly a living area.
"Dick set this up and left it to me. Apparently, Batgirl suggested it," Tim said, hanging his weapon up on hook and then grabbed a picture from the computer. "See, we were friends." Tim held out the picture which Laurel took – it clearly showed Nightwing and Tim together, arms around each other and smiling. "I am choosing to continue his work."
"What are you thinking?" Dinah asked, clearly angry about the fact her brother was out on the street playing hero. "You can get hurt."
"As can you," Tim pointed out airily.
"That's different," Dinah said.
"How?" Tim asked, and Laurel took a step back, keeping of the argument.
"I'm a meta human," Dinah said. "I have an advantage you don't."
"So? I know Sara is White Canary," Tim said, much to the surprise of the two. "And unless something's changed, she's not a meta human." Tim had a smirk on his face as he said it.
"Sara is a trained assassin who could kill you a million different ways with one finger," Dinah pointed out.
"You're kidding, right?" Tim asked, a concerned frown coming across his face.
"Sorry, but no," Laurel said trying not to smirk. She had never understood why her little sister and Tim did not get along. Yes they all got estranged from Tim a while back but Sara and Tim went back further. This was funny.
"Damn," Tim mumbled. "Okay, I gotta try to be nice to Sara."
Laurel resisted a chuckle at this.
"You don't have any of that training," Dinah said on edge now, and Laurel could see this could go on.
"Dinah, come on," Laurel said, putting a hand on her cousin. "We know everything now. He's Tim, your estranged brother and he was friends with Nightwing. Let's go back to the zap tunnel and report to Flash." Laurel gave Tim a nod as she dragged her cousin to the stairs. They had to head back to the zap tunnel.
"Is that why you came here?" Tim called after them. "Just to report me to The Flash?"
"She is leader of the Justice League," Dinah pointed out, at the head of the stairs.
"So?" Tim asked. He wanted in on the League, but knew Sara was a big influence on them, and she and Tim hated each other. The two Canaries paused. "I don't need to be in the League to be a vigilante."
"You don't need the Justice League permission, true. But it's helpful," Laurel said and Tim knew she was right. If the Justice League came out and said they did not like someone the public too would turn against them. The Justice League held that type of power over public opinion.
-New Justice-
"Hey, he does not need to explain anything to you!" The young girl Sara did not know said, making Sara turn to her.
"I do, Speedy," Tommy said.
"Speedy?!" Sara snapped, anger growing, and Adam took a step back from the girl. Sara now knew what Rae was talking about, not liking people taken the names of former heroes. Former friends. "Speedy was a member of the Justice League. She died." Sara pointed out, referencing Thea Queen, the original Speedy and her friend.
"I'm honoring her," this Speedy wannabe stated.
"You don't get to," Sara said, taking a step forward. "You did not know her. That name is not yours." Sara turned to Tommy. "How could you let her take Thea's name?"
"Thea?" Tommy said, shocked. "Thea was Speedy?" Sara realized Tommy did not know so she nodded. "Wait… Thea is dead?" Sara nodded once more. "And… Oliver?"
"Green Arrow," Sara said.
"Change your name," Tommy said, suddenly forceful with his sidekick. She looked like she was about to say something, but Tommy gave her a look. She nodded and moved away, hands in the air.
"Sorry about Mia." Tommy said when Mia had moved away. "When I came here she was trying to be a vigilante but wasn't doing well. I saved her a few times and now she hangs around me. I let her since… well I know I am not stopping her and don't want her dead." The way he said it, Sara thought he wasn't too fond of having her hanging around but let it go.
"Tommy… how are you alive?" Sara said.
"No one calls me that anymore," Tommy said. "I go by Thomas and I was saved from the Queen's Gambit."
Sara remembered the events that lead her and Oliver to their vigilante games, but had always thought Tommy had died then, not being with Oliver upon her return and obviously not with her in her venture into the League of Assassins.
"When the ship sank," Thomas started, "I managed to get to a life boat but a storm knocked me off course. I must have been on the ocean for weeks, I was starved… not in good shaped but I washed up on an island. I was saved by those islanders: Men I now consider my brothers, they took me in. They brought me back to health and trained me in fighting techniques and weapons. I spent years there; I came back barely a year ago and found out about the Justice League's death. I took up for Gotham, feeling honored bond to protect my real world with skills I received while I was away."
"Why did you not come home?" Sara asked. "Moira… Your mother lost her husband and her children." Moira had taken in Tommy, obviously after the death of his parents.
"I was… Well I thought about it, but I did not know Oliver and Thea were dead," Thomas said, seeming upset. "I just… I don't know how to…" Thomas took a breath, seeming lost.
Sara took a step forward and whispered in his ear: "I'll let you think."
She moved back, giving Adam a nod and the two retreated, leaving Thomas alone with Mia.
Sara got back to Batgirl's old bike, and Adam flew overhead as they went back to the Batcave, using the entrance for the vehicles to get in and out. Sara parking the bike and left the belt Alfred had given her on a chair.
"Ready to go?" Alfred asked. He had a duffle bag in his hand.
"Yeah," Sara said.
"Well if you could give this to Flash for me…?" Alfred said, holding out the bag. "Along with this." There was a little computer chip in his hand that Sara took both.
"Sure," Sara said as Alfred opened a zap tunnel for the two, and they left.
-New Justice-
Rae was in Watchtower after leaving work. Kara was there with her, as were Clark and Krypto, who were laying down. Kara and Rae were tossing a ball back and forth seeming to decide what to do that night while the dogs followed the ball with their eyes.
"Why don't you cook?" Kara asked, catching the ball and throwing it back.
"Between designing your restaurant menu and having to battle Penny Foster for the kitchen, I am tired of cooking," Rae said, catching the ball and then tossing it back. "With our powers and the Justice League tech we can go anywhere in the world. We can go to Italy for real Italian food… or eat in France." Kara chuckled as she caught the ball.
"I'd love to bring you to France or Italy and see the sights," Kara said, "But I would like to know in advance, so I can get us tickets and really see the place. And choose great restaurants."
"Okay," Rae said with a smile as Kara began to go on about them going on vacation together. "Plan something… soon, but let's do something today. Chicago pizza? Florida beach? Please Kara."
"Okay," Kara said with a smile as their game of catch continued. "We just need to choose."
That was when the zap tunnel activated and in came Dinah and Laurel.
"I can't believe him!" Dinah said, seeming angry.
"Whoa, okay, what happened with Robin?" Rae asked, catching the ball and not tossing it back to look at the two Canaries.
"It's her brother," Laurel said showing the picture to Rae.
"Wait, your bother? You have a brother?" This was Kara who spoke.
"Estranged," Dinah stated, emphasizing this word.
"They haven't spoken in years," Laurel explained. "Sara was kind of the reason, long story."
"Okay," Rae didn't want to get into family drama, "And the name?"
"He was Nightwing's sidekick," Dinah muttered, glaring at no one in particular.
"Oh, okay," Rae said, a little surprise Dick had a sidekick. "Then I suppose he's allowed to use the name."
"You're not going to force him to stop?" Dinah asked, and Rae shook her head. "He's my little brother…"
"Not my call on whether he's a vigilante or not. I see nothing wrong with him," Rae said with a shrug. "If you want him to stop being a vigilante, that's on you, but it's his game in the end." This was some family thing she really didn't want to get into.
"Want to go back and shout at him?" Laurel asked her cousin, a small smirk on her face.
"Every fiber of my being wants to shout at him," Dinah stated. "He's risking his life night after night and… and…"
"You can't be there to protect him?" Laurel supplied, a small smirk on her face at this as Dinah fell silent, her mouth open. "You may be estranged, but he's still your brother – my cousin, I know how you feel. But Nightwing trained him and he clearly knows what he's doing."
"I just wish…" Dinah stated, looking between Laurel and Rae now before shaking her head. "It doesn't matter."
Before Laurel could pursue this further, another zap tunnel opened and out came Sara and Adam.
Rae was lad of the distraction as she turned to her third in command. "How was the Black Arrow?" She asked.
"He's Tommy," Sara said making Laurel and Dinah turn to her at this. "Yes, Thomas Queen. And he goes by Thomas now. He's back from the dead."
"Did anyone but Robert Queen actually die in that ship wreck?" Laurel asked seeming stunned at this information. Sara shrugged still seeming in shocked.
"Talk about a family affair," Kara muttered, watching from the back now as the drama unfolded before her.
"He's good though," Sara spoke, remembering their fight. "Really good. His little sidekick was going by Speedy, but he made her change it when he heard Speedy was Thea." Rae nodded seeing, there was more to this.
"And Alfred wanted us to give you that," Adam said, poking Sara to remind her to hand the bag and chip to Rae. "You could have told us the Zap Tunnel was in the Bat Cave you know."
Clark gave a bark at that making Rae smirked as she threw the ball to her dog who caught it in his mouth. Then she looked at the items Alfred had handed over.
"I completely forgot about the Gotham Zap Tunnel – and Alfred – until today," Rae admitted as she checked over the items, noting that the duffle bag was locked.
"Maybe give him a call sometimes? He was Batman's right-hand man and I think he feels a little left out," Adam stated, surprising himself at the authority in his voice. He liked Alfred though. Rae gave him a look at that, but Adam didn't quite catch her eye. "Anyway… I should go," Adam said, his job done.
"We should go too," Laurel said, still taking in the information that Thomas was alive. She needed to grill Sara some more on this.
"Did you find Robin?" Sara asked, following Laurel and Dinah toward a Zap Tunnel now.
"Oh yes," Dinah stated. "But I think you may need to go there soon to take him out of the game."
"Oh?" Sara asked curious about that.
"His Tim," Dinah said.
"More than willing to kick Tim butts," Sara said with a smirk as they went through the Zap Tunnel and to their own base.
"What is that?" Kara asked once alone again, looking at the computer chip Rae was holding.
"It's a Justice League chip. It will only work on our computers," Rae said thoughtfully. "Once I finish watching it, the lock on the bag will unlock, giving me access." Rae was unsure why Alfred had given her this. She had met Bruce's butler once or twice but had never really spoken to him. It was why she had forgotten about him.
"Want to watch?" Kara asked, seeing the way Rae was looking at the bag.
"I… um… will tomorrow," Rae said, deciding on that. "How about we go to South Dakota?" Kara raised an eyebrow. "There's a restaurant there that serves unusual types of meats and it's all you can eat style. They keep bringing meat out and then we can go see Mount Rushmore."
"Why do you want meat suddenly?' Kara asked.
"Because meat is good," Rae said. "Besides, maybe unusual meats like Elk will give you better ideas on what type of meats to substitute into some of these dishes." Some of the recipes had easy substitutes – chicken and beef working – but several dishes Kara had said were just not right with the usual meats.
"I like. Let's pick up Chris and bring him as well," Kara said with a smile, "can't have him fill up on Kryptonian jam again." Rae laughed at this – ever since she started making the jam, Chris had been slightly addicted to it. It was funny. The two kissed at this, and then left their dogs following them.
-New Justice-
It was the next day at lunch time that Rae went to Home Base with the duffle bag, the computer chip, and of course, Clark by her side.
"M'Gann, can you give me a minute alone?" Rae asked; M'Gann being the only one in here. Donna was out at her job after all and M'Gann had yet to find a real human life. It was sad in a way, but not Rae's concern.
"Oh… um… sure," M'Gann said, going to the Zap Tunnel and leaving.
Rae put the chip in the computer, letting the technology read it. Then a video started, and Rae paused, seeing Barbra Gordan. She remembered seeing Barbra in Flashpoint, but she tried not to remember her that way. She tried to remember her friend as she was supposed to be.
"Hello Bruce, Dick, and the Justice League," Barbra said, making Rae blink. This video had been for the entire League – well the old league. "If you're watching this I am dead; there's so much I would want to say to all of you. Bruce, thank you for taking me under your literal wing – I loved every minute of my life, and that was in a large thanks to you. Dick, we had some good times. Clark, I hope you will live a little as Clark Kent, not just Superman." Rae had to chuckle at that; Barbra had not known about his real family but had known his human alias. "Rae," Rae was shocked she was mentioned by name. She was friends with Barbra but had not considered themselves too close. "I hope you figure out who you really are too, not just as the Flash someday."
Rae remembered Barbra having tried to get her to talk. Some of the things she had said made Rae wonder if Barbra had known she was gay. It hadn't been the right time though. "I wish I could say something to all of you, but there are many of you. Know I loved you all. You were all family. But this is not the reason I made this video."
Barbra took a deep breath. "Lately I have been thinking of image. I know the world loves the Justice League, but when I think of the people who inspire the world I think it's Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash. You, super heroes with big powers. You wear the bright colors, you say witty lines off the top of your head – like seriously, how do you think of this stuff? It's almost like it scripted – I know us darker heroes are not as inspiring. I would like to think I inspired someone like that though because… well, I want my legacy to continue. The legacy of Batgirl. I want you to find someone I inspired and train them. I want you to make a new Batgirl. Someone to take my place. Please do this for me. For my family."
With that, the video ended, and the lock on the bag unlocked. Rae looked inside and saw a familiar outfit and weapons.
There was almost a letter: "Flash," Rae read out loud. "I remade the outfit. Any alterations needed should be easy to do. I included all of Barbra's former weapons and some new ones I thought of. Please do as she asks and find someone who deserves the title of Batgirl. And come by some time – you're doing a fine job as leader of the Justice League, but I am sure there are some words of wisdom from Master Bruce I can pass along. He'd be so proud of you. Sincerely, Alfred."
Rae had tears streaming from eyes as she finished reading, her heart feeling torn from her chest as she considered all the people she had lost once more. Flashpoint was a mistake, she knew that, but at least they had lived in that alternative timeline. She missed her old League, but she knew in her heart this new League was what was meant to be. Still, remembering all the deaths her Barry had caused for her was hard.
Taking the outfit in her hands, she looked over the perfect replica of Barbra old outfit. Knowing the original had been destroyed with its owner. But she knew she had to do as asked. Clark rubbed against her leg, sensing her sadness and wanting to cheer up his mistress
That was when the inter-world system alerted her of an incoming communication.
"It's Prime earth," the A.I., MIA called out as Rae put the outfit away.
Rae pushed the button, wiping her face to try to regain some composure as she pulled up the video phone.
"Hey Rae," Cisco said. "Can we…? Wait, are you crying?"
"No," Rae said using her arms to wipe away more tears.
"You are," Cisco said. "Puffy eyes. What's wrong? Can we help?"
"Nothing," Rae said, realizing something odd about the call. "Wait, you're not at STAR. Where are you?" That was when she saw the backdrop and a porthole behind him. "Is that… is that a boat?"
"Yeah," Cisco said, and Rae paused, wondering what they were doing on a boat.
"Will you just ask her already?" Barry's voice spoke, and he appeared on screen, Rae smiling. "Hey Rae. So, we need to ask you something kind of important."
"Okay," Rae said, wondering what was going on.
"Your Thea died, if I remember?" Barry asked.
"Yes," Rae said, slowly wondering where this is going.
"Is the story able to get around? Can you bring her back to life if you got a new Thea?" Barry asked.
"I'm sorry… what?" Rae asked. Clark even looked up the screen with a confusion.
"Well, we have a stranded Thea here," Barry said, and could see Rae was confused. "When the parts of the multiverse were destroyed there were people off their worlds at that moment. We call them Stranded People. We have a Stranded Thea here – she was traveling with a world hopper from her Earth, but they have since separated. Thea needs a new home and you're the only world we know without her now."
"We don't have an Oliver here either," Rae pointed out. Thea and Oliver had been inseparable on her world, and she knew they were on others too.
"That's okay," Barry said. "Her Oliver died when they were teens. She basically lived his life. Has the history most Olivers have, actually."
"Um… okay I guess we can try it out. See if she fits in," Rae said, not sure what else to say.
"Good, and Rae if you ever need to talk just call," Barry said, knowingly. Rae nodded as the call ended then a portal opened. Rae quickly prepared herself Thea walked out, in a familiar red outfit and with her weapons tucked away.
"Erm… Hi," Rae said looking at the copy of her. "I'm…"
"Rae," Thea said smiling. "My Earth had one of you. We were friends." Rae smiled at that. She had to call a Justice League meeting for this.
-New Justice-
Once the League was together inside Home Base, Rae introduced them to Thea, who told them about her world. Her similar history to Oliver, Lian Yu and all that. She had lost Oliver young, so didn't remember him much, which helped.
"So, you want her to take our Thea place?" Laurel asked, defensive for the memory of her friend.
"I know it seems weird to sort of replace our Thea with a new one," Rae said, wondering if this was dishonoring her friend more so than someone just taking their hero name, but it was another version of said friend. "But she needs a world. Look, I made no promises this was permanent. Sorry Thea." Thea gave a nod at that, understanding. "In two days, we'll do a membership vote for Black Arrow, Robin, Black Arrow's sidekick, maybe." Sara rolled her eyes at that, having an instant dislike of the wannabe-Speedy. "And Thea." Rae added. "If Thea wants to stay and gets into the Justice League at that time then she can stay permanently. Does that sound fair?"
Rae's eyes were on Thea as she asked this. Thea gave a nod at that, and the other members of the League agreed. "Let's give Thea a fair chance like we would anyone else. Nothing our Speedy did can influence you, either way. This isn't her. Get to know this version of Thea – bring her out on missions. Let's see what this Speedy can do."
"Actually... I go by Red Arrow," Thea said.
"Red Arrow? Nice," Rae said with a nod. It figured if she shared history to Olivers, she would go by an Arrow name and color scheme compared to a childhood nickname. "And I got to get back to work… I really do not know how long I can use the walking the dog excuse."
"Have fun with Cat Grant," Thea said, making Rae give her a look and then laugh. She gave Kara a kiss and took the duffle bag with the new Batgirl suit in it before running out with Clark.
"Are you two together?" Thea asked Kara, who gave a nod. "Rae did always have a thing for Kryptonians. Male or female." Thea gave a nod at that and Kara chuckled.
"Nice to meet you," Kara said, heading out herself as all members gave Thea a nod or greeting before moving out.
"We've got to head back to Bludhaven," Dinah said, turning to Sara. "Show Tim a thing or two."
"Actually, I got to do something else," Sara said, headed out herself and leaving Dinah hanging, but Dinah shrugged, leaving Laurel and Thea alone.
"Laurel?" Thea said making the woman turn to her. "I get it. You loved your Thea, and this is weird." Laurel didn't say anything but the look in her eye said it all. "I'm not her. Not really, we might have some things the same, and there might be some difference. I know other worlds said I took Oliver's history, sunk on a boat. Lian Yu for five years… etc."
"Yeah," Laurel said with a smile.
"Well, my Oliver died when we were teens. I was crushed. I fell into a depression. The only reason I didn't overdose or worse was because of you." Laurel tilted her head as that. "Well, my Laurel. You had been Oliver's girlfriend when he died – you could have just left me. You had no reason to come after me, but you did. You set me straight, made me live… became like a sister to me. I know we do not have that history, but I would like to have it again."
Laurel gave a small smile at that.
"I've got to pick up my son from school, but I can bring you back to the Canary Cave. You can use the computers to look stuff up," Laurel said opening up a zap tunnel.
"You have a son? You and Oliver?" Thea asked.
"Actually, he's adopted," Laurel said, "but Oliver wanted kids, I know he would have approved of my boy," with that, they stepped through the zap tunnel.
-New Justice-
Thomas was a construction worker, working on a new building that was just past it's foundation. It was an honest living, and meant he could slip away if he had to.
"Whoa, pretty lady you can't be here!" One of his workers called and Thomas looked up at this to see the familiar form of Sara. "But maybe…?"
"You don't complete that sentence, John," Thomas said warning his coworker. "Trust me, this one is too much for you."
"Like I was too much for you, Tommy," Sara said with a smirk as John shrugged and went back to work, a few of his coworkers laughing at this though.
"I'm taking five!" Thomas yelled out now, grabbing Sara's arm and bringing her away from the others.
"A construction worker? Seriously?" Sara asked, looking over Thomas. He was wearing blue jeans, a white t-shirt, and one of those yellow helmets. He looked good. "I never pictured you in construction. I always thought you would be a doctor or something."
"Well, while I was away I found I liked working with my hands. Besides, being a doctor would not allow me easy excuses to get away. How did you find me?" Thomas asked, confused.
"You're using the last name Merlyn – as in the last name you were born with before being adopted. Arthur could have found you with a computer," Sara said, rolling her eyes.
"You haven't found me until now," Thomas pointed out. "And who's Arthur?"
"I thought you were dead until now, and Arthur is Laurel's son," Sara said, forgetting Thomas did not know who Arthur was. The little boy was so cute – he would run into Sara's guest house every morning to hug her and called her 'Aunt Sara'. She had gotten used to the boy. "This is not the reason I am here though."
"Look, I have not decided when to tell mom…" Thomas started, having been thinking of the mother who raised him and how he had been bad to her now by letting her think he was dead.
"That's not it either," Sara said, leaning in to whisper no one would hear: "The League is doing a vote in a few days. You, maybe your sidekick, and a couple of others. I'm going to recommend you get in." Thomas seemed shocked at that. "You are good. You deserve a spot. Although I'm not recommending your sidekick get in."
"Yeah, that seems fair," Thomas said, not thinking Mia was up to League standard anyway. He was surprised Sara thought he was.
"There is another thing you should know: One of the people we will be voting on is a world hopper," Sara could see the confusion on Thomas' face. "Oh, you remember that TV show Sliders?" Thomas nodded. "Alternate worlds do exist, and some were destroyed, leaving people off-world homeless. We are considering letting one stay here. A member of the old League who is now dead and it's… well it's an alternate version of Thea. I thought you should know so you're not surprised when she gets in."
"You think she will get in?" Thomas asked.
"Flash wants her in. I can tell," Sara said, having been able to tell that easily. Rae was usually very good with new members by not letting her personal feelings affect her vote, but this time Sara could see the longing in her eyes. "And if she's half as good as our Thea, she deserves in."
Thomas wasn't sure how to feel about an alternate of his sister possibly staying, assuming her life. He guessed he did not have a choice in the matter though.
That was when his phone binged. "Robbery," Thomas said, having set up an alert of local crimes. "Damn, it's Joker and Harley. I got to go."
"Need a hand?" Sara asked, and Thomas actually smirked at this.
"If you think you can keep up," Thomas said, and the two were off.
….
By the time they got to the bank they were both in their outfits. Mia had shown up in her outfit before they had arrived, and seemed to be having trouble, being outnumbered.
"Yellow Arrow!" Thomas called, but the new name Mia choose didn't seem to be sticking for her. "Back off! Get some distance. She's better with arrows than fighting," he made this last comment to Sara, who already had her bo staff out and was going to take on the Joker.
"How about some pie?" Joker said, taking out a cake and throwing it at Sara. Sara dodge the explosion from the pie before it hit her.
"No thanks. Too many calories," Sara said coming in for the attack. Joker used some type of punching fist on a spring on her. It hurt when it hit, but Sara was able to dodge it, getting in a punch or two.
Thomas was fighting against Harley Quinn, using hand-to-hand. Sara notice a few arrows fly pass, likely from Yellow Arrow.
"Hey is that Frost?" Sara heard Yellow Arrow's voice and turned.
"Killer Frost," Sara said, remembering the woman. She had been a member of the Injustice Society that had kidnapped Replicate's mom – one of the only who had gotten away from them. "Careful!" Sara ditched battling Joker to push Thomas out of the way of an Ice blast.
"Come on!" Killer Frost called to the two.
"Not so fast!" Thomas said, taking out his arrow and aiming it at Joker. The arrow in mid-air turned to a string and wrapped itself around the Joker.
"Where did you get these Arrows?" Sara asked as she ran to stop Harley from freeing Joker and use the back of her bo staff to knock the Joker out.
"Found a supplier," Thomas answered, taking out another arrow as Killer Frost took Harley's arm.
"No! We need Mr. J!" Harley yelled.
"We will get him," Killer Frost said, "just not now." Harley seemed to trust Killer Frost as she summoned her powers and a wall of ice appeared on the street. Sara and Thomas moved to stop any police bystanders from getting hurt, but the two villains escaped.
"Seems they got away," Thomas sighed, looking down at Joker and Sara heard Thomas' phone ring, remembering he had been at work.
"Go I got this," Sara said, and Thomas gave a nod, moving off as Sara went to help get Joker transferred to a holding cell.
-New Justice-
Sara was going to come with her. Was going to show Tim just how good she was. Maybe convince Tim he could not be a vigilante. Dinah knew it was low, but it had been bugging her. Her little brother use to get beat up by bullies in school and now he was running around fighting harden criminals. But Sara had ditched out and Dinah went alone.
Exiting the Zap Tunnel, she knew where to go as she headed to the clocktower her brother lived in – but she didn't get there. Drawn to the crowds running away, the Grey Canary's vigilante instincts kicked in as she moved swiftly in the direction of a fight, pausing only to see Robin himself in battle with an unfamiliar figure. For a moment she had to pause, surprised at how skilled her brother actually was.
The unfamiliar bad guy stuck a blow though that knocked Robin to the ground and Dinah had to move, jumping forward as she let out her Canary Cry, surprised that it didn't immediately knock the bad guy back, but it was distraction enough for Robin to jump back to his feet and strike a blow to the other man.
Dinah moved forward, removing two batons from her belt as she went to strike the man. The sudden change of two-on-one seemed to intimidate the other guy as he stuck another blow, this time at Dinah who moved back to avoid it, then at Robin who simply ducked, but the bad guy used this opportunity to run, abandoning the scene as Dinah sighed to herself, rolling her eyes as she looked to Robin now.
"I had that," Tim stated, looking annoying.
"Vigilante need backup. It's why most work in teams. Not alone," Dinah pointed out. "Anyway, don't you have a job to get to?"
"You've seen where I live, this is my job," Tim replied. "What about you?"
"I'm not here to discuss me," Dinah growled. "Who was that anyway?"
"He goes by the alias, The Dragon – good martial artist, he's been trying to gain followers for a while, but I keep beating him back," Tim explained.
"Beating him back? But not stopping him?" Dinah frowned.
"He's good at slipping away quickly," Tim shrugged, noticing the people gathering now and photos being taken. "Shall we take this elsewhere?"
"Sure," Dinah nodded, putting her batons back into her belt as she indicated for him to lead the way. A second later though, he had vanished, using a zip line to move to the roof of the nearest building. "No fair!" Dinah commented, annoying already.
…
She knew where her brother would be though as Dinah ran up the steps a few minutes later of the old clocktower Tim apparently lived in, finding him still in his Robin outfit, apart from his mask, and on the computer.
"You don't just abandon me like that!" Dinah rounded on her brother, moving into the room.
"Sure, I do," Tim didn't even look around from the computer. "This is my city to protect, I'm not going to hold back just because my over-protective sister is in town. Besides, I'm looking for the Dragon. I put a tracker on him before you arrived."
"Nice," Dinah commented, sitting on a chair as Tim sighed before turning to face her.
"Okay, what is it? Why are you here?" Tim asked.
"Can't a sister visit her brother unannounced?" Dinah asked, slyly. "Besides, here." Dinah took the picture of him and Dick out of her pocket. She had it with her and had planned to return it anyway. The Justice League did not need it.
"You've had years to visit me," Tim commented, taking the picture back at this. "You didn't even reach out to me so no, you can't just visit me again unannounced."
"What do you want? You were the one who ran out," Dinah said. "Left a note on your bed saying you were going to live with dad in Bludhaven. You know mom was crushed."
"But you never called dad. Never came," Tim said. "All for Sara."
"Don't," Dinah said annoyed. "Don't bring Sara into this. You're the one who lied. You're the one who made up stories. You're the one who tried to break Laurel and Oliver up." Tim looked down at that. "And you're the one who ran away without even an apology. And I never understood why."
-New Justice-
Laurel walked back into the Canary Cave.
After picking Arthur up she had brought him out to dinner and then Moira had agreed to watch the boy do his homework. Laurel was thankful since she wanted to see what this other Thea was doing. When she walked in, she saw Thea had used their white board and seemed to be tracking something.
"What are you doing?" Laurel asked curious.
"Noticed you have been having problems with Cheetah," Thea said.
Laurel blinked. It was true a woman they'd called Cheetah has been causing some problems in Starling lately. She had been robbing banks and easily got away from the three Canaries; even having some sort of following behind her, even though the Canaries had no idea how. It was very confusing but so far had not been so alarming to alert the rest of the League for help.
"I think I know where she is," Thea said, and Laurel looked over all the work Thea had done. She had used every sighting of her Canaries had collected and with some help from MIA, the A.I., and had got a possible location for him. "There is one thing alarming. I used Justice League systems to run a scan of the area. There are heat signatures consistence with a bomb in the area. I think she's making an explosive."
"That doesn't match her M.O, but let's head out," Laurel said with a nod. "You can use Dinah or Sara bike."
"Do I look too much like your Speedy?" Thea suddenly asked, and Laurel gave her a once over. True, the costume was similar; the same red color with hood, but there was enough difference such as it wasn't so lace-y as their Speedy's outfit had been, and this one was all-red instead of passing into black like theirs had.
"I think you can pass as a new vigilante," Laurel said with a nod and a smile. The question making it clear that Thea did not want to completely take over her dead alternate place. "Come on…"
-New Justice-
"I get it I suck," Tim said still looking at the tracker. "Maybe that's why your so against me being a vigilante. And don't pretend you're not. But what I did to you guys has nothing to do with my now. My past is gone."
"Tell me why," Dinah said. Grabbing her brother arms and taking the tracker away from him. This was more important than some random villain. There was always a villain. "I know you and Sara always had a thing." Dinah, Laurel, and Sara had always been super close, but Sara was closer to Tim age. The two though had always had what Dinah describe as a weird sibling rivalry. The two got on each other nerves. Their personalities clashing, but it had become worst before Sara, Oliver, and Tommy had appeared to die. "I get you and Sara were never close, but you lied."
"I didn't…. well I did…. But…" Tim said.
"Why did you go through so much trouble telling Laurel that Sara was dating Oliver behind her back. She was dating Tommy," Dinah said. "She had been dating Tommy for a while. All you had to do was ask anyone, but you kept at it. Almost convince Laurel that Sara was lying about who she was dating. You caused a ton of drama before we realized you were making up stories."
"I knew Sara was dating a Queen," Tim said. "I did not know it was Tommy…."
"So you assume Sara who loved her sister more than anything went after her fiancée when there was another Queen boy. All you had to do was ask. Then when Sara, Oliver, and Tommy looked like they were dead. When we were all crying we found a note from you. I am leaving. We did call dad, remember? To let you know. You refused to come to the memorial. You were an ass," Dinah said.
"Yes I'm an ass," Tim said. "I made mistakes. You know Dick almost did not want me as a sidekick. I begged him. He finally consented and I did well. I figured it out. I can do this." Tim grabbed the tracker back.
"Well then let's see how good you are Robin," Dinah said. "Me and you will stop this Dragon together. Then I will past my judgement."
"Fine, try to keep up," Tim said with a smirk as the two went off.
-New Justice-
Rae ran through the streets of Coast City with the duffle bag over her shoulder. It was night and she came to an alley where a vigilante in black with a black mask was fighting a large man. There was a woman on the floor and Rae realized this vigilante had been saving this woman from attack. She punched the large man at speed, knocking him out. Clark, who had been running just behind her, barked as he came up.
"Red?" Rae said, knowing Red Tornado would be at Watchtower.
"Yes Flash," the robot voice answered.
"Are there any police vehicles near my location?" Rae asked. It was a moment later Red answered in the affirmative. "Patch into their system, give them my location and tell them a would-be-rapist and his victim are here."
Rae heard the siren a minute later, and when the police arrived, Rae grabbed the vigilante and ran off, leaving the two cops to deal with the two. Rae brought the vigilante to a top of a building.
"Not a bad job, Stephanie," Rae said, knowing if she had not arrived Stephanie would have handled the situation. Clark flew up and barked at Stephanie too, as if saying 'good job' to the girl.
"You know it's me?" Stephanie asked taking off her mask, shocked.
"Been having the League systems keep an eye on you since the thing with Mirror Master. When a new vigilante appeared in Coast City, I knew it was you. I keep my eye on you. You've been doing pretty good, but that outfit sucks." Rae tossed the duffle bag to the floor by Stephanie's feet. "Go on. Open it."
Stephanie slowly bent down and opened bag, taking out the outfit and seeming stunned.
"Is this…?" Stephanie asked, even though she knew what it was. She had loved Batgirl.
Reaching her hand in, she took out he weapons, holding them. She had seen these used so many times, but to hold them. "But… I can't… I can't just take her name…. her outfit… weapons… it feels wrong."
"The original Batgirl, Barbra," Rae said, figuring Stephanie should know her name, "she wanted someone to take her place. Someone she inspired – and as far as I can tell, it's you." Rae had been going over all day at her job how to honor her friends' request, it was when she remembered Stephanie poster and her admittance to looking up to Batgirl that it became obvious. "There is a condition to this."
"What?" Stephanie asked.
"You need to have White Canary train you. You're not bad, but you need to be better. You're nowhere near Justice League standards yet, and every vigilante needs someone to help them improve," Rae stated, and Stephanie nodded. "And…." Rae took out a device. "It's a communication device. If you get in over your head, if you need help, contact us. I don't want to deal with your brother if you get hurt or killed." Stephanie laughed at that. "Do we have a deal?"
"Yes," Stephanie said taking the device off Rae. "Of course!" More than anything she wanted to continue Batgirl's legacy.
"Okay Batgirl, I'll tell White Canary to come by," Rae said, turning but didn't leave. "Work hard," she stated, "In a few years you can be in the Justice League." Rae didn't wait for a response as she ran off Clark following, leaving Stephanie alone with her new identity.
-New Justice-
It was a couple of days later when Rae had her day off that everyone managed to get together for the membership vote.
"So, this is the first time we have done a multiple people vote for people not connected," Rae said, getting her head around this sentence alone. They had voted the three Js in together, and the Aquas together, but that had been an all or nothing vote. "We have 14 members, not including the Lanterns who are still away." Rae was starting to get worried about this Lantern War keeping her Lanterns away – she hoped they were okay, "8 votes allows any one of these guys in, while a tie is a reject. Since we have 4 votes to do, keep your reason short and simple. You can put further information into the system later – especially for someone who votes against who gets in… in case they are curious and want to improve." Rae stopped for breath as she looked at the gathered League.
"Okay. First up Mia Dreaden or the Yellow Arrow," Rae pulled up her picture at this.
The pros and cons were listed, with more cons – Sara voted against, but Adam seemed to be for her, saying she just needed some experience she could get it in the League like he had.
"If she's voted down, can we vote again later on?" Adam asked curiously, having been reminded that it was his brains that had got him into the League more than his skills.
"We can," Rae confirmed with a nod. "It would just show she was once rejected in her Justice League file. Everyone have their votes?" There were nods and Rae let Donna start off the votes. Everyone was against except for M'Gann, who very rarely voted against and Adam, who said he thought she deserved a chance. "12 against, 2 for. She's rejected." Rae finished with her vote. "Now… Thomas Queen or the Black Arrow."
This was completely the opposite with Sara giving glowing recommendation of him, pushing him over. The only against votes were Caitlin and Jess – Caitlin had expressed she was just unsure as a lot of his recent past was a mystery; Thomas not having been specific on where he went. Jess was swayed by his girlfriend's concerns.
"12 for and 2 against. Black Arrow is a new member," Rae said happily. "Next up is Tim Drake, Robin."
Dinah teaming up with her brother, not to mention their talk since, had changed her mind for her brother joining now. Winn said no, without much explanation, while Kaldur and Selena felt he needed more experience. Sara hit no fast, mumbling something that Rae knew was family drama.
"Well, that's unusual for White and Black to split," Rae joked about it. Sara and Laurel always voted together while Dinah was usually with them too, although Dinah sometimes split off. "But 10 for and 4 against Robin is in."
There was a breath as everyone knew who the last one was.
"Finally, our world hopper," Rae said. "Thea Queen, this one known as Red Arrow. Now remember, if she gets voted in she's allowed to live here and assume Thea's identity. If not, we call Prime and tell them to find her a new home," Rae said, trying not to show how nervous she was. She wanted this Thea to stay for some reason, but she could not let that influence her League.
Red Tornado, Caitlin, Jess, Donna, Kaldur, and Selena all voted against – mainly for the same reason that they all felt wrong letting this Thea take their Thea identity. This was fair in Rae's eyes, even if she wanted her in. The group was shocked when all three Canaries voted for her, but Laurel quickly explained her reasoning, with Thea helping against Cheetah, even if the villainess had escaped them yet again – Thea had helped stop the bomb Cheetah's gang set up though.
When it came to Kara, it was 6 against and 6 for.
Rae was giving Kara a nervous look now – if Kara voted against, even if Rae voted for, Thea was gone. Rae saw Kara finger going for no, but then Kara paused and looked at Rae. Kara stared at Rae before going and pushing yes. Rae let out a breath as she went and pushed yes herself. "8 to 6. Thea gets to stay." Rae tried to keep serious at this. "So, who wants to volunteer to tell our new members they are in?"
"I got Tommy. Besides, I got to tell him he has now inherited the Batcave," Sara said, heading for the zap tunnel to head to Gotham.
"I'll tell Tim," Dinah said, glad to be spending time with her brother.
"Thea's at the Canary Cave anyway," Laurel added. "We're going to plot how to bring her and Tommy back to life; possibly need to get Moira in on it." Laurel left with that, and soon everyone followed going back to their own lives.
It was then that Kara and Rae headed to the Sanctuary.
"Kara?" Rae said, unable to keep quiet. "Did you vote for Thea knowing I wanted her to stay?" She had to ask – she had seen Kara going for no, had felt Kara about to say no.
"I was thinking no because I was not sure how I would feel if Prime asked us to have a new Clark," Kara said truthfully. "But I also knew you wanted her. And the Canaries had said yes – and you and them were the people who knew Thea the best, besides Red Tornado. Why should it bother me she was taking Thea identity? So, I put aside the world hopper thing and just thought: Was she qualified to be in the Justice League? And my answer was yes."
Rae grinned at that and kissed Kara's cheek.
"Thank you," Rae whispered. "But never vote based on what you think I want."
"Never," Kara said with a smirk. "Just let Prime know they can't dump everyone Stranded who was in our old League on us."
Rae chuckled as she nodded.
"Hey, I'm hungry," Chris called out. It was the weekend, so he had no school. Rae had to smile when she had saw him heading out in the mornings though; Kara had enrolled him in a private school nearby where he had to wear a uniform. He looked good in it. "Rae, can you make jam or pie or something?"
"Yeah," Rae said, messing up Chris' head as the dogs came running out. Rae had left Clark here that morning after all. She then went into the kitchen to get cooking. "You know you need to update this kitchen!" Rae called out as she got ingredients ready. "Vintage 60s is so last year," she joked at the old-style kitchen Kara hadn't changed since the days John and Martha Kent had used it.
Post Chapter Note: Wow. So, the third vigilante injustice chapter. This chapter kind of scarred both Millie and Sigma trying to write it. Not an easy one so I hope you enjoyed it. Maybe help heal the scars by telling us it was good because I am honest this one was hard.
Karry Master OUT!