Rise of the Green Hood and the Red Shadow Pt. 2

Star City

January 4, 2028

3:09 ETD

After the incident at South Korea, Lian was left with her uncle, Jim Harper, who is her legal guardian should anything happened to her father. Not even the company of relatives can bring comfort to her father disappearing into the night. She found herself sitting on her bay window in her bedroom anger moving into Jim's house.

Her head buried on her knees as she sniffed. The teen she encountered had not speak to her since the night. All she could think about was the words she wished she could've taken back when she also blamed her mother for something she hid for awhile, but she isn't here.

She then walked to a desk. Seeing the picture of her mother helding onto her as a toddler. Just looking at her face is like looking at a mirror. While she had her father's hair color, she only has her mother's face. Resentment and anger grew more as she swatted the picture away from her.

She calmed down the second her window knocked. It was Connor. He was in Star City for some reason. Lian felt better to have company from a stranger tham with her uncle. While Jim welcomes Lian to his home, he has his hands full with the Bow Hunter Security system at line. So he might be busy for awhile.

Liam opened the window for Connor to enter. Connor then climbs in to see how she is doing. "Hey, kid. How are you doing?" Connor asked. The sympathy in his eyes has Lian to think that everything should be okay, but it wasn't as she rubbed her arm. "Well, I had to stay at my uncle's for a while. But I doubt it was any consolation. But my dad was already reported missing since in Korea. So it's either this, or stay at my grandma's in Gotham. I can't go to Gotham, it will put Grandma in stress." Lian sighed grabbing her head. Fingers digging through her hair.

"Did you know something that your father had been targeted for?" Connor asked. Lian shook her head. "Not that I know of. But I am getting the feeling this relates to my mom. Throughout my life, my family had been keeping secrets for why my mom left. I think she did something wrong to make her the target starting with Dad. And maybe...me?" Lian sighed.

Connor then came into thoughts, to see if his intuition is correct. He looks around the room and notices the picture of Lian's parents on the floor. Then then walked towards it and pucks it up. "Can I see the picture?" Connor asked. Lian was a bit hesitant, the picture became nothing more than a haunting item for her to see the face of her own mother.

"Sure. I just can't stand seeing that face." Lian folded her arms and looked away as Connor examines the facial features of her mother.

-8 years later-

Lian, 18 in the future was standing on the rooftop wearing black spandex and mask, armed with an archery bow and dual sai. Arguing with Tommy Merlyn, 19 at this time.

"Lian, I am sorry. I never meant for this to happen." Tommy apologized. Not sure whether or not to believe him, but Lian began to put her foot down.

"Are you, Tommy?! How many more are you going to kill, they were kids just like us! And you and your father! What kind of people are you?!" Lian burst out her own anger. Tommy remained calm as he needs her for his true goal.

"I know, Lian. My father, the last thing I need to do is to end his own suffering. I know how it feels to be used, unwanted. Just like how your mother made you feel when she left." Tommy slowly approached her and gently takes her into her arms behind her. Making the adrenaline fuel into her pumping heart.

"I won't leave you, Lian. I won't leave you like Connor did. When he was a coward for not taking down Talia Al Ghul, permanently. Someday, we will take what we want. Never again will anyone go through the hell we've been through, and no lies will ever break us again. As for my father, you get to have the honor of finishing him. We will rule the League of Shadows together, just you and me."

Tommy rubbed his cheek against hers. Lian hates to admit but feel more intoxicated by his affection for her. He flicked a black rose from his hand like an illusion. He placed it over Lian's hair as she remained silent. Tommy then kisses her on the lips. But to Lian, it was a goodbye kiss.

But the mention of Connor not finishing their enemy, she cannot bring herself to leave him. It was supposed to be Justice, not vengeance. Because Connor is her soul brother, even if she didn't ask for one. He is still there for her. Lian then parted from Tommy. Taking off the rose from her ear and gave it back to him. Tommy was stunned as Lian closed his palm on the rose. With regret and remorse, she looked into his eyes. "I'm sorry. I can't. Not anymore, Tommy. If anything, my place is with my brother." Lian clarified.

Lian then walks away as she didn't looked back. But stops when she has a last say. "Even though I love you. We are still enemies and will always be." Lian says this as she reached the edge of the roof and jumps off to swing on pole nearby and landed on the ground of the alleyway." Tommy cannot help but stared at the rose and knelt down in despair to lost his love, and enemy.

Lian vowed to never look back and regain herself a new start. Tears streamed from her eyelids. She knew she cannot be with the person who is her enemy. "Goodbye." Lian whispered as she sprints on her feet.

-8 Years Earlier in the Present-

"Lian, maybe your mother had been connected to the League of Shadows." Connor deduced. "Maybe that's why they had taken your father."

"What are you talking about? My mom is not an assassin." Lian denied, not believing the theory. "She is not..." Connor remained firm about the theory. "Lian, I know this is going to sound horrific. But this is the only lead we might need to find both your parents."

Lian wanted to end the headache. She wanted to find her mother, just for answers. To search for her father. She won't stand there and do nothing. With her kickboxing skills and Sai she learned from tutorial, she will not ask someone to get Justice for her family. She will get it herself, but not alone.

"I'm going with you." Lian went into her closet and took out her sai. The ones that were held by her mother in her younger days. "These weapons were the last gift from my mom. Left for me when I turn 18, but I found them first, so go figure. Been practicing behind Dad's back. I am not going to stand there and wait for someone to save the day until either one of us ends up dead. Not since President Luthor placed a ban on heroes."

"Not an option." Connor interjects. Causing Lian to spun to his response. "What?"

"What happened back then, wasn't child's play." Connor explains. "You were almost caught because of your recklessness and impulsiveness. You're still a kid, Lian. Don't do anything like this because of what I have been doing."

"You said it yourself, I was picked for you to train me. And now might be the time, so that I can get my dad back."

"No, your father is right. I cannot mold you into something you're not. Like I said, you're still young. I can't let you waste your life for this. I was only recruiting you because of my master's suggestion. But it's a risk."

"Dude, I am all about the risk. Did you not see me fight back in Korea? Nothing scares me. Not even the League of Shadows. Or the Jokerz." Connor was a little disturbed by the smirk on Lian's face, his guess was that she got that from one of her family members, her mother, due to seeing the same smirk on her in the picture.

"So, what if it kills me? My dad could end up dead if I don't do something. Not even the police will help since they're against anyone in a mask. Even Batman, and Green Arrow. Since they've now quitted."

"No one wants to quit, there's just nothing they can do as of now. What I need was for you to do nothing so that you would be safe. Otherwise you will end up in prison for this kind of cause."

Lian said nothing, and just leaned on the wall and crossed her arms. Connor didn't say anything but sighed. "Sorry, kid. But better you leave the fighting to me. I won't rest till I find your father and bring him home." Connor vowed and left the bay window. Lian watched as he left. Just as he thought she wasn't looking, Lian decided to follow.

But before she can do so, a knock on the door was heard. "Lian? Is everything alright? I thought I heard someone talking to you." Lian opened the door and decided to respond before she can leave. "Yeah, Uncle Jim. Just a friend I was talking on the phone." Lian replied. Jim was holding a plate of cheesecake cupcakes with a cup of tea.

"Okay, I just thought you would like your favorite, cheesecake cupcakes and pomegranate tea." Lian thought a little break would not hurt, after all those cupcakes are one of those things that reminded her of her father. And the tea was her mother's favorite, and Lian's favorites beverage as well. How could she deny what was on the plate?

So she accepts this and took the tray. "Thanks." But before she closes the door. "If you want to talk, streaker. Let me know, okay?" Jim lets her know this and Lian quickly nodded. "Goodnight, uncle." She closed the door. While Lian takes a bite of her cupcakes, she took out her phone and uses it to check out a blinking light in her tracker app. One she placed on Connor after using one of her father's gadgets to find him again the next time they meet.

"You think you can drive me away. I'll see you later, Connor. You're going to need me for this." Lian said this as she took a bite of the cupcake.

Japan

January 5, 2028

5:12 ETD

Connor is at the temple of the Phoenix where his master awaits. It was filled with statues of dragons and phoenix, both that the warriors had worship as strength and courage. Some were former members of the League of Shadows that looked to find their way out of the darkness.

They are more than the group of fighters, but also treated each other like soul brothers and sisters. Connor entered the temple and met with his master. She is an old woman who looks a bit youthful for her age, but with grayish-black hair. Wearing red yukatas with black lining.

She is meditating as Connor knelt to her. His master and teacher. "Master Nyssa, I apologize for the long wait. But there is something I had in mind."

"What is it that you have in mind, Connor?" Nyssa asked.

"I must confess. I didn't bring the girl.you looked forward to recruit."

"Why is that exactly?"

"I know most children her age were trained to fend for the world. But she's young and still has a family. Bringing her here now would make her lose a sense of identity."

"Your sensitivity means well, Connor. But there wasn't much time for this world. Vandal Savage was still at large."

"But he's immortal. Forgive me for asking, but what do you expect of the girl?" Connor asked, wanting to protest against risking a kid's life to fight against a formidable enemy.

"Because she is a vessel of an ancient creature that was thought to be a myth to the public. In truth, the myth is true. She has what Vandal Savage wants. But she doesn't know it yet. Which is why it should be early for her train."

"But I don't think I am ready yet, Sensei." Connor looked up, still not willing to take an apprentice. "I am just in the rank of Jonin. I can't just..."

"Which is why it is time. You are now shogun, Connor."

"Shogun? As in I have to be on my own to teach? But Master."

"Enough. You are right about one thing, she is still young. Perhaps bringing her to Japan is out of the question. But still. You are the one to train her." Nyssa suggested. She then turned to the right side of the doorway. "Emiko, attend." A Japanese woman in clad green and black mask with bow and arrows on her back like the original Green Arrow had before his death.

"Aunt Emiko?" Connor asked. From what he heard from his mother, Emiko is his aunt from his father's side, only she didn't disclosed on the identity of his father. And was the one who introduced him to Nyssa. Like him, Emiko was an illegitimate child of her own father, and worked alongside Connor's father. "What are you doing here?"

"Hello, Connor. I heard just now you have become shogun now. Congratulations."

"But I still don't think I'm ready."

"Maybe not. But this will be an experience to explore more for yourself. In your eyes, you saw yourself in that young girl. I never got to know my brother, your father, till I was 16. For your father's wishes, I was to look after you until you came of age. Close to you as in a sister, you must bond with her as her soul brother. You can't beat the burden alone anymore than I had before. Here."

Emiko then takes off the duffle bag containing a green, and black costume and mask with bow and arrows. Connor was at a loss for words to recognized the equipment from the news. "This is..." Connor gasped as he held into the bow.

"That was once your father's." Connor looked at Emiko again. Connor then put two and two together for the identity of his father. "And now, it's yours. From now on to keep in the shadows, you are now Green Arrow."

From that day forward, this is the burden I have to carry, but not alone. This is something I will regret for the rest of my life.

Star City

January 6, 2028

2:32 ETD

"Access granted. Recognized; Connor Hawke, X-04."

Connor went through the zeta-tube he used to get to Japan. It was the Quiver, the original hideout of the Green Arrow, now belonging to Connor, but he is not alone. "Hey, big bro!" It was a little girl, just a year younger than Lian. Blonde like him, and dark eyes. That girl is his younger half-sister.

"Olivia was it?" Connor asked.

"Hey, don't forget I am your sister! Mom and Aunt Emi told me. Gosh I never thought I'd get to meet my older brother and that came true. Just call me Libby. You got the suit already, you look as cool as Dad was."

"Recognized; Emiko Queen, X-05."

Emiko, now in her civilian outfit enters the Quiver. Olivia was happy to see their aunt. "Hi, Aunt Emi! Thanks for finally introducing me to my big bro!"

"You're really excited that the two of you meet, are you, Olivia?" Emiko asked. Libby eagerly nodded. "Is your mother home?" Emiko asked.

"She's busy at a late night shift with her therapy sessions with other kids. It's getting boring by the minute." Libby groaned.

"Hey, Libby. Can you give us a minute? Aunt and I needed to talk a bit." Connor asked. Libby nods. "Sure, bro. Make yourself at home, we got ice cream in a mini fridge, and best of all, a cappuccino machine to the right. I'll be in my room doing homework if you need me. Later, Connor!" Libby waved before she continues on her assignments. Connor then turned to face his aunt.

"Why didn't you tell me the day we met? Does Mom even knew about this?"

"Rest assured Connor. Your father had his reason to leave you behind. After you were given birth, he was ashamed. Not because he had you. But because he deemed himself unfit to be the father he wanted to be for you. However, he had been watching over you from the shadows. Seeing you grown is what he has done to see how much you progress. You both inherit the fond of archery, and martial arts. Your mother thought it would've been better for you not to not find out. But perhaps that day it wasn't time for you to discover your lineage and parentage. Being Green Arrow, he has to leave behind the people he cared for. He cares for his family above all else. Until disaster struck. I was on a mission with him that day when a metahuman trafficking scheme occurred in South America, we encountered one of Green Arrow's enemies, the Dark Arrow. One of the members of the 100, trained by the League of Shadows. It was a never ending battle, until Green Arrow was caught in. Never to be seen again. Your father told me to look after you and Olivia. He cared for the both of you above all else. Just as he acknowledged me as his sister regardless of my background."

Connor was feeling lost. To being the son of a vigilante. And being a half-brother of a girl he met just now. The family keeps growing. But he still feels far out more than he can register.

"There is no wrong in feeling lost. You just need to find yourself more, Connor. Your path is still yours to decide." Emiko advised him. Connor sighed. He hopes so as well. But will it be his father's ghost to decide the path for him? Or can he actually do it himself? Emiko then walks over to a shelf of bō staff and picks one up and throws another to Connor.

"Shall we begin?"

"Yes, Emiko-san." Connor said. As he twirls it and gets into a sparring position.

Later on the rooftop of Star City, Lian spotted Connor above an apartment roof. This time he is wearing a mask. And a spandex and hood. With bows and arrows on the back, Lian grew more interested for what happens next.

She hid near a door cockpit near Connor as she spies on him. But just as she thought he cannot see her, he spoke like he knew already. "I know you are here, Lian. Come out." He said it calmly. Lian sighed and reluctantly came out.

"Argh! I thought I was as stealthy as I was supposed to be. Dad can't seem to notice until you did just now."

"Yet, you lacked the silence in your footsteps. What are you doing in the middle of the night? Shouldn't you be at your uncle's?"

"I said it before and I'll say it again. I am not standing there to wait for someone to do something while my dad is held captive in who knows where."

"And here I thought I made it clear that I would go alone to get answers. You're such a kid, Lian."

"Well, I am not a defenseless one to say the least. Do yourself a favor and let me have some action."

"Look, do you want to spend the rest of your life in prison of you attempt this? Or do you want your family safe by letting me work alone?" Connor warned. Though he was to take Lian as an apprentice, he is still indecisive considering the circumstances.

"Look, I am going whether you like it or not." Lian repeated again.

"Go home, Lian. I don't want you to get hurt. We got lucky last time, but this time is different. The best thing you can do now is stay home where it's safe." Connor says this and left as he acrobatted over the edge of the rooftop, leaving Lian upset as she pouted and folded her arms.

Angry for being pushed away for an opportunity she has to take, Lian approached a nearby trash can and kicks it from the rooftop, unknowingly knocking down a mugger trying to steal an old woman's purse.

As she continued to pout, Lian sensed someone is watching her, while she cannot make out for why she can feel a presence of anyone she cannot see or hear. Lian kept her guard up until she flung a person over planning a surprise attack. But the tables had turned in her favor.

It was a boy around her age, black hair, fair skin and grey eyes, cold as that of an assassin. Lian then pointed her Sai at him. "Stand up and face me."

"Not bad." The boy said to her. Lian looked at him wide-eyed. "Huh?" As then grabbed her leg and rolled her away, only for Lian to regain her balance. The boy stared at her smugly. "You might be an actual challenge. Think you can let others boss you around from something you want to achieve?"

"What are you talking about? Who are you?!" The boy then uses his sword to attack Lian. But she flashed back at him and pushed him away. Then before the boy can react further, Lian kicked him by the stomach.

"What do you think?" Lian then knelt to him, this had some motivation on her to join Connor, regardless of his words. She makes a smirk as some partial gratitude. "My name is Lian." The boy said nothing. But then he spoke as she offered him a hand to get back up. "Tommy." He said his name.

After she helped Tommy up, Lian continued to have one last look before getting going. "See you around." She leapt off the building and uses her Sai to pierce on the wall and slide to land on the ground safely. Tommy just watched in awe. He just met her and already he likes her.

"Huh. I don't know about this girl, but I like her already." Tommy then received a call from his father. "Yeah, Father? Sure, I'll be on my way." He leaps from the roof as well. Lian was making her way to Connor and wherever he is going. Following the tracker he did not know Lian had placed. Never again will she held back from getting what she needs to achieve.

But was stopped when she received a phone call. Lian wasn't sure who it was as she picked up her phone. She wasn't sure if she should respond to an unknown number. But she did so, hopefully it was her father to have picked up someone else's number to call. "Hello?"

"I think I got something you might need." Said a mysterious voice.

At the bay of Star City, Connor, now the new Green Arrow, was scouting around the rooftop of the garage where he notices a group of kids, ages 9-13 were being rallied from the boating dock. To his curiosity, a woman with white hair and tan skin approached the children.

Green Arrow then takes the picture of the incoming woman. Then a girl, around 12, landed behind him, she also wears a mask like Green Arrow's, but in a blue suit and a bō staff behind her back. "Anything?" Asked the girl.

"Good to know you're here, Night Sparrow. Do you recognized that woman?" Night Sparrow then takes a look at the picture. "Yeah, China White, one of the most dangerous assassins and drug lords in the South Pacific. One of Lex's Luthor's scum of the Earth from my dad's hit-list. Never thought I'd see the day you take on the suit."

"Not my plan for this. Let's get a quick view around the perimeter before..." Night Sparrow then sees a moving figure in ginger hair. Then she sees through her binoculars. It was Lian, but in a black mask, armed with her dual sai. "Hold on, is that Lian?"

"What?" Green Arrow whispered as he took the binoculars from Night Sparrow and sees Lian stowing away on an airship. He knew he cannot stand there and leave Lian stranded for this and had to get her out of harm's way. "Night Sparrow..." He said.

To be Continued...

Author's note:

DC Comics, Young Justice and its characters do not belong to me but to the producers of the franchise only. Part 3 will be coming up.

Characters:

Emiko Queen/Green Arrow II - A Japanese-American woman, and younger half-sister of Oliver Queen, and the paternal aunt of Connor Hawke. Like Connor, she was born out of wedlock to hers and Oliver's father, Robert Queen. She was the second Green Arrow. Having met her older half-brother, Emiko worked alongside him to counter against the League of Shadows. She is a close friend to Nyssa Al Ghul, a former member of the League of Shadows and Talia's younger half-sister and enemy. Together, both Emiko and Nyssa had formed the League of the Phoenix. Following Oliver's death, Emiko was entrusted to watch over the well-being of his children (Connor and Olivia). Having found out about Connor's existence, Emiko have taken him in after he had ran away from home due to his stepfather being an arms dealer. With his mother's permission, Emiko trained him to become a vigilante and her successor.

Olivia Dinah Queen - The younger half-sister of Connor Hawke, and Oliver Queen's daughter, and the heiress of the renewed Queen Industries. She is only a year younger than Lian Harper. She has not known of her older existence until her father was killed in South America in a mission he has failed to complete. She is the granddaughter of the first Black Canary before her mother, a superheroine and member of the Justice Society of America. She is an intelligent young girl capable of hacking through computers and skilled in combat from a very young age trained by Emiko.

Zoe Lawton/Night Sparrow - A girl Lian befriended in South Korea for a Kickboxing Tournament. She is two years older than her. Zoe is the daughter of a mercenary and assassin sniper, Floyd Lawton, known as Deadshot. Though she despises violence, she will willingly fight by any means to end crime. Though she is a bit of protector to watch over her team. her main weapon is a crossbow, and for close range, she wields a bō staff that also acts as a spear.

Thomas "Tommy" Merlyn - An heir to Merlyn Industries, also known as the son of the original Green Arrow's archenemy, Dark Archer, who is Malcolm Merlyn. He serves as a rival to Lian and Connor when aiding his father in his crimes. He is a skilled archer and was capable of magic tricks. Following his mother's death, Tommy and his father seeks revenge by taking over the League of Shadows and the 100 for their own vendetta against metahumans. He takes an interest in Lian for when they were young due to their skills and personality.

Nyssa Al Ghul - The daughter of Ra's Al Ghul, and Talia Al Ghul's younger half-sister. As a young girl, she was brought to the League of Shadows by her father after her mother's passing. She was trained to become an assassin under her older sister, whom she trusted above all else and became her right hand. Nyssa, while a member to the League of Shadows at the time, once held the title of the "Demon's Eyes," until she grew into her late teens did she realized the cruelty of her sister being leader of the Shadows. After their father's death, Talia became the new Demon's Head. But Nyssa no longer trust her sister and left. While on the way, she befriended Emiko Queen, who is her age. And the two fought against the Shadows and founded the League of the Phoenix to start a new. Nyssa became aware of the legend of Vandal Savage through the stories told by her father. And sought the answers on defeating him while also rehabilitating former members of the League of Shadows.