Hey guys, this chapter is short, but if I have time I'm going to post the next part tomorrow. (it's much longer) Thanks for the reviews, but I really need those song suggestions, so please let me know. I don't bite.

I only own the plot

Irey was both physically and mentally exhausted when she walked through her door. It was around two in the morning and she was so tired she didn't even bother taking off her costume, her cowl pooled at her shoulders and her vibrant red hair stuck out in all directions. The speedster had yet to notice her mother sitting on the couch in the dim room as she went through her mail. Artemis sat calmly on the couch, it was clear that she had been crying earlier.

"The league called." The archer broke the silence. Irey almost jumped out of her skin as she turned to her mother.

"Oh My Gosh! Don't scare me like that!" she snapped before a wave of guilt washed over her as she realized she never told her mother. "Mom, I'm…"

"Save it! I don't want to hear any excuses. I need to tell you something."

"But…" the speedster started but was silenced by her mother's glare.

"Irey, honey I'm so proud of you. You've grown up and matured through the past few months. I know you've been through a lot. I know you have many responsibilities, but there's something you need to know."

"Mom…"

"Don't Mom me Irey, hear me out. What you're doing is huge, but this…" The archer's voice broke as she pointed to the Flash emblem on her daughter's chest. "…Is a target. Irey are you sure your ready to do this?"

"Mom I have to. It's my responsibility to protect the people. I know the dangers. I know the threats. And believe me I know the sacrifices."

"But are you willing to take those risks and make those sacrifices?"

"I am, someone has to protect the city."

"The league can…" Her mother began.

"No! The league can't Mom! You and I both know that. These cities need their own hero, not some bunch of super humans in space. They don't know these streets like I do. They don't know how it all works. They don't know these people. I do!"

"I know you do Irey! But that doesn't mean that it's your responsibility."

"YES IT IS!" the speedster shouted, throwing the yellow fabric that she still held in her grip on the ground at her mother's feet; it was Jai's old costume. "THIS is why it's my responsibility. This is my burden to bear!"

Artemis clutched the fabric in her hands, tears threatened to sting at the mother's eyes. "Irey…that was not your fault. Don't blame yourself for his choices."

"I should've stopped him, I should've seen the signs! He was my brother damnit! And I let him walk away!"

"You're not responsible for that!"

"Jai was family, it's my mess to clean up. It's my duty."

"IREY! That doesn't mean you take up the whole damn mantle! Honey, your only 20 years old!"

"Mom." Irey's voice dropped to a whisper as she almost pleaded, "It's been too long, someone has to fill the shoes. It's my job to protect the family legacy."

"I don't care about upholding the family legacy! I care about your safety Irey!"

"Don't you think that I'm not careful? Mom, I need to do this. They would've wanted me to, why don't you?"

"Irey, it's not that I don't want you to, the question is are you ready to. I don't want to see you get hurt or ending up like your…" The archer's voice broke again. "I don't want to lose you too. Irey, you're all that I have left." It was the bitter truth.

"I'm ready, I can handle this Mom."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, positive. What did the league want?"

"They wanted to interest you with an invitation to join their ranks."

For all her life all she'd ever wanted was to someday make it to the league, but not like this. She would not be a replacement for the last Flash. If she were to join them it would be by her own right, she would earn it. She grew up on the basis that good things come with hard work and aren't handed to you.

"Not now, maybe when things settle down." She partially lied.

Artemis gave the yellow costume at her feet an almost glare before looking up at her daughter. Irey looked even more like her father at that moment now she was donning the red. They were almost identical to the freckle appearance wise; Irey also had some of his personality traits such as his sense of humor, though she got her stubbornness from her mother. The archer remembers having a similar conversation with Wally when he decided to take over after Barry died.

"I'm proud of you Irey. It takes a lot of courage to do what you're doing; all I ask is that you're careful. I love you so much I couldn't bear to lose you too."

"I promise Mom. I love you too."

Tell me what you think, and give me your song suggestions please, and review it will seriously make my day.