Hey everyone!
Previously on Supergirl: How awesome was the Flash crossover!? Kara and Barry definitely made a great team, and I lost it when Cat broke the 4th Wall by saying that Kara, Winn and James "look like the racially diverse cast of a CW show."
So since Cat deduced Flash's identity, do you think she'll start to have suspicions about Kara again? (Something I'll play with in this chapter)
Previously on Arrow: No more Olicity?! Felicity has actually gone through a lot this season – becoming CEO of Palmer Tech, getting paralysed, getting engaged, and now breaking up with Ollie.
Anywhoo, this chapter will probably only make sense to those who have either read Scott Snyder's brilliant run on Batman (New52) and/or have seen the Batman vs Robin DC Animated feature. I'll be taking bits and pieces of both and "hero-swapping".
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CHAPTER 7: If she's green, she's got to be seen
STAR CITY MORGUE, 5:30PM
"I'd hate to state the obvious, but it looks like our victim – a Mr. Daveed Jabr – was victim of a home invasion and assault," the pathologist said. "Cuts to the major arteries, but what did the job was the cut to the throat."
"Sever the jugular and make him choke on his own blood," Detective Lance replied.
"Well that's Star City for you after dark," the pathologist said. "Speaking of which I should be going."
"Certainly," Lance reached into his wallet and produced a fifty dollar bill. "Not a word to anyone."
"Deal," the pathologist said as he snatched the bill. "Just make sure to turn the lights off on your way out."
"Good night," Lance said. He waited for the pathologist to leave before he took out his cell phone and turned on the camera.
"Felicity?" he asked.
"I'm here, Detective," Felicity replied through the phone's speaker.
"Oliver not with you?"
"We've had… complications. The wedding has been cancelled indefinitely."
"Sorry to hear about that."
"But let's focus on the task at hand," Felicity said. "So what have we got?"
"Our victim is one 'Daveed Jabr', age forty-three," Lance started. "Strength coach for the Star City University wrestling team. Also runs a part-time personal training service from his studio in the glades. Pathologist says home invasion and assault."
"But you're sceptical?"
"One, we ran his name through the database and this is obviously a fake ID. Secondly there's something familiar about the handiwork."
"Give me a sec," Felicity said. "Okay, got something. Daveed Jabr, born in Lebanon. Enlisted in the French Foreign Legion at the age of eighteen, trained in Morocco before being stationed in Afghanistan. That's when the trail goes dark. He suddenly shows up in Star City in 2014 as an accredited trainer."
"It gets better," Lance said. He panned the camera towards a tattoo on left shoulder. "Look familiar?"
"League of Assassins," Felicity said. "There was an attack in National City yesterday. Connection?"
"I thought the League had been disbanded," Lance said. "I didn't believe it. I started to worry about members forming their own factions." He moved the camera to Jabr's hands. "Callouses on the knuckles as well as scars from cuts on the forearm consistant with martial arts training."
"Check the palms and calves," Felicity asked.
Lance turned Jabr's wrist. "Palms are swollen like rock. Reminds me of Ted Grant, Laurel's kickboxing trainer."
"So this guy was a teacher," Felicity commented. "And it looks like he outlived his services."
"But who was he teaching?" Lance asked.
"Is the murder weapon there?"
"Not really interesting," Lance said as he produced an evidence bag containing a knife. "The knife is specially weighted for throwing. Stainless steel, serrated edge."
"Wait-" Felicity interrupted. "Hold it closer, there's a symbol on the handle."
It was an owl.
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CATCO WORLDWIDE MEDIA, 6PM
"Keeera, you know that intentionally working back after hours to get overtime is not professional," Cat called from her office.
"Just organizing the prints, Miss Grant," Kara replied.
"Tomorrow. You. Home. Now. Go," Cat said.
"Yes, Miss Grant," Kara picked up her handbag. "Have a good night."
"Oh and Keeera," Cat said. "Do you know what day it is?"
"Uh, Wednesday?"
"Miss Martian made her appearance on Monday," Cat sighed. "The Flash – or Barry – didn't even bother sticking around and he was only in town for a day. Apparently this world's version of him doesn't have that same sense of publicity. Is this girl going to do a runner as well?"
"Well, it is a school night," Kara smiled as she made her way to the elevator. Once the doors were closed, she reached under her sweater and pushed a button on her suit's utility belt.
"Alex, the bugs are in place."
"Let's roll out the red carpet for M'gann," Alex replied.
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From a rooftop across the street, Alex sat next to Hank as the two of them looked down at Cat's office balconly.
"Is this really necessary?" Alex asked.
"I know it's her idea, but I want to know what she get's asked and how she will answer. Sure you want to be out here with you shoulder in a sling?"
"I'm fine. I think we were quite clear: 'nothing about identity', 'nothing about DEO'," Alex replied.
"But Cat Grant can be clever, " Hank said. "She was able to make Kara admit that she was Clark's cousin with little effort. Speaking of which-"
"Sorry I'm late!" Kara said as she landed behind them carrying three ice cream cones.
"This isn't a picnic, it's a… special operation!" Hank exclaimed. "You know what flavour I prefer don't you?"
"Cookies and cream?" Kara offered him the cone.
"Martian's kryptonite."
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Cat sat at her desk typing at her keyboard.
tap-tap-tap
The sound came from her balcony. Getting out of her she, she opened the door and stepped outside.
"Hello? Supergirl? Is that you?"
Nothing.
"Must be a breeze."
She turned around, only to see an attractive teenage girl with brown hair and green skin sitting at her desk.
"Hi!" M'gann said.
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OLIVER QUEEN'S APARTMENT
Oliver kept typing Felicity's phone number into his cell phone.
"Come on Felicity, pick up," he said aloud. For the past half hour, all he got was either the busy tone or voicemail.
Damn it.
He stepped towards the window of the apartment and looked out at the skyline.
I should be out there, he thought.
His phone rang-
"-felicity, I-"
"It's Lance," came the reply.
"Detective, I-"
"Oliver, I just heard the bad news. I'm sorry to heart it," Lance replied. "But there's bigger fish to fry: an Assassin teacher was killed last night, presumably by a student-"
CRAAAASH!
The window shattered as a figure burst through and kicked Oliver hard.
"Oliver? Oliver!?" Lance's voice echoed through the phone.
Oliver got back up and confronted the figure – just as tall as himself, dressed head to toe in black. It's eyes were concealed by a pair of gold-plated goggles that gave it an avian appearance. Slung over either shoulder was a set of knives and a sword.
The Talon unsheathed a pair of knives.
"Oliver Queen: THE COURT OF OWLS HAS SENTANCED YOU TO DEATH!"
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"So you're Supergirl's new sidekick," Cat started as she switched on her notetaker.
"I don't think that's official yet, but K-, I mean, Supergirl has been helping me settle in," M'gann replied.
"So are really from Mars? How long have you been on Earth?"
"I'm from Cydonia, to be exact. I only just arrived last week."
"But NASA has seen dozens of probes to Mars, and there hasn't even been the slightest hint of life on the surface."
"That would be because the surface and all life on it was incinerated during the war. Most of the remaining survivors have been forced to live underground."
"The war?"
"Between the green and white martians."
"White Martians? Like the one that attacked recently?"
"That was a recon scout."
"So there are more of you," Cat replied. "So, that green guy who stopped Supergirl when she went off the rails…"
"That was my uncle J'onn."
"'Uncle J'onn'," Cat repeated. "And your name would be-"
"No comment."
"Oh? Well, forgive me for being blunt, but I fail to see the family resemblance. Your uncle definitely looks more like martian while you look like a cheerleader covered in food coloring."
"Well, given all the negative press Uncle J'onn has been getting, I thought this appearance would make things easier."
"So that's not your real form?"
"I can assume any appearance I choose," M'gann replied as she morphed into a mirror image of Cat.
"Oh my-" Cat gasped.
"You like?"
"Please change back!"
M'gann changed back. "I just love seeing how people react to that!"
"You have a sense of humor. So, powers and abilities. You can obviously fly and you have super-speed."
"Yes and no," M'gann replied. "By changing my form, I can also shift my weight and density. We combine this with telekinesis to move around."
"And that's how you saved the kids at the hospital. What else can you do?"
"I also have telepathic abilities."
"You can read minds?"
"As well as speak non-verbally," M'gann replied. "Your full name is Catherine Jane Grant. Mother of Adam and Carter. You began your journalism career after finishing high school as an intern at the Daily Planet. Published your first gossip column at twenty-one. Was offered a position as a White House Press secretary but turned in down as you didn't agree with the President's views on-"
"All of that is available on Wikipedia."
"Carter likes to watch Game of Thrones on his iPad after you go to bed and you will only use aloe-scented toilet paper which you order in bulk from a producer in France."
"That's… let's move on. About you shape-shifting ability. You could turn into anyone or anything you like, and even what I'm seeing now, as well as what we published the other day-" she pointed at a cover photo depecting Supergirl and Miss Martian together "-is just a 'wardrobe selection'."
"Correct."
"I want to see it."
"See what?"
"Your true form."
"That's a bit… you saw how scared people got when they saw Uncle J'onn-"
"Will you, or won't you?"
"Alright," M'gann changed into her natural green martian form.
Cat only gave a shrug. "You look harmless to me. I'm curious, could you mimic another superhero's abilities?"
"You mean, could I actually become… Supergirl?"
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"She's on to us!" Kara panicked.
"Abort mission!" Alex yelled
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"It would only be an illusion. I would look and talk like Supergirl, but in order to duplicate her powers I'd have to create the image in your mind," M'gann explained. "But seriously, why would I want to do that? Just having one Supergirl is awesome enough isn't it?"
"It is. So, Superman stands for 'truth, Justice and the American Way'. What do martians believe in?"
"Equality and fairness for all sentient beings."
"Ever been to Gotham?" Cat asked.
"Huh?"
"Supergirl's new costume is basically a carbon copy of what Batgirl wears."
"Oh, I wouldn't know anything about that," M'gann smiled sheepishly. "I mean, why would she hang out with a bunch of people who go out at night dressed like bats? Did you know that there was apparently this one time years ago when Batman used kryptonite and kicked Superman right between the-"
"Helloo," Supergirl called as she descended onto the balcony. "I see you two have gotten acquainted."
"Speak of the devil," Cat said. "We were just discussing your upgrades. A bit expensive on a vigilante's salary, don't you think?"
"It's a tailored fit," Supergirl replied. "I was just coming to collect Miss M. It's getting late-"
"Wait just one second you two," Cat interrupted. "Supergirl, it's obvious that you're made some interesting connections lately. And Miss Martian-" she took a step closer to both of them – "Thankyou for saving my son's life."
"We're just doing our duty, Miss Grant," M'gann said.
Cat sighed. "Any luck finding Garfield Logan?"
"We're still looking," M'gann answered. "He could be anywhere."
"One more thing: It's obvious that you're still new to this and you've got access to some good teachers," Cat continued. "Supergirl, her cousin, Flash, the Batman, the Arrow – they give it their all. It may feel like fun and games now, but there will come a time when your limits and convictions will be tested."
"That's deep…" M'gann said.
"And when that time comes, the decision to take whatever steps, whatever sacrafices, has to be your choice and yours alone. No one can force it, no one can demand it."
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It was just Oliver and the Talon.
But still, Oliver knew, he had to be careful. Never know who's watching or who else could show up. And that meant not going all the way.
Oliver threw a kick to the solar plexus; a spear-hand to the jugular. Each strike was blocked effortlessly.
"All, play time's over."
He threw himself forward, wrapping his forearm tight around the Talon's throat into a choke-
And the Talon didn't so much as flinch.
Oliver brought up his other arm to tighten the choke. It only took eleven pounds of pressure to collapse a windpipe, Oliver had to be pushing at least a hundred.
He must be on something, Oliver thought. Some kind of steroid? Mirakuru? Venom?
Finally there was the sickening CRUNCH of the neck bones breaking.
Oliver let go and dropped the Talon - who merely got back up and popped it's neck back into place.
What the hell?
The Talon pounced, plunging one of it's knives through Oliver's back, another lodged in his bicep.
"How do you wish to die, Oliver?" The Talon taunted. "Shall I snap your spine? Bleed you out? Cut off your feet? I know - I'll just hurt you more!"
He hooked Oliver hard against the temple, another jab to the ribs, a knee to the gut.
Oliver could feel his bones almost floating in his body. Blood was filling all the wrong places.
Finally the Talon lashed out a spin kick that sent Oliver through the window and spiralling down to the ground below.
"It is done," the Talon said. "And now Star City shall see just how much the Arrow has failed them."
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Next chapter:
- M'gann's hunt for Beast boy begins
- The identity of the Star City Talon will be revealed – and the revelation will change Team Arrow forever!
Until then, Follow , Fav, Share (if viewing on a mobile device) and REVIEW!