The Wrath of Dr. Poison

Belle Reve

June 2025

1:34 ETD

4 years after Jade left after family. She had to leave. She asked her husband to tell Lian that she died overseas. After a mission, she was injured during a massive combat. Her only vow was to end the organization of the League of Shadows, that is currently led by Talia Al Ghul. And the Light's organization.

She thought this was the last moment of her life until she was taken to a hospital. Jade has her head bandaged. She could've been left for dead had Amanda Waller, the warden of Belle Reve, not see how useful she can be for jobs she cannot take.

"So, if I take this job in the Suicide Squad. You can give my family protection?" Jade asked while Waller speaks to her. Holding a folder that held a death certificate.

"That is if you can take it." Waller said coldly. But the look of her eyes, it said otherwise. Jade shook her head in disapproval

"I don't trust you. I know you more than you can think, Waller. You were a target on a mission awhile back. You executed a friend of mine from the Shadows."

"None of us had a choice." Waller responded. Jade doesn't believe her.

"You and your government excuses. I also know you used their children against them. Making false promises. I can put you down right there and now." Jade wanted to vent her anger and vengeance. "You have some nerve trying to track me down."

"You're the best we got. It's either this. Or your daughter can take your place." Waller replied with a smirk. Jade was taken aback that Waller knew she has a daughter. "What are you talking about? I don't have a daughter." Jade denied it.

"You planned this well, Miss Nguyen. Faking your own death when you're ready to actually die. Leaving your child motherless. Leaving her with that clone of a husband, who took the name that wasn't his to begin with. Do not take this personally, Jade. But in the end, we both have a common enemy we despise the most. I am a mother myself. I also have a grandchild. I had already lost two children. What worries me the most was them growing up in this endless war. You had evaded us for too long, Jade. But now is the time you own up for your crimes."

"Sad words, for an executer. Guess I am not the only one with a target on my back." Jade spat. Waller was not at all affected by her threats. Dealing with supervillains and criminals for years. She was ready to "negotiate" as a means for finishing the business. "I think your problem was your psyche."

"Listen to me, it would be best for your daughter to not know her mother was alive, records now said you died in a sinking ship. From now on, Jade Nguyen is dead. You're working for me now...Cheshire."

Jade was handed a contract for the deal. She was left with a choice. Either she joins, or let her daughter be forced to train and join the group of criminals. She sighs. Pressing the button on the pen to open the ink stencil. Signing her signature to not let her daughter suffer for such knowledge.

Star City

February 2, 2031

7:15 ETD

Lian is now 13, and a vigilante-in-training. A secret she has to keep from her family. She wore a red middriff and ripped jeans. Plus a brown sweater. She held her skateboard upward as she was about to exit her uncle's apartment. "Uncle Jim, I'm heading off to meet with Zoe in Star City Chinatown, I'll see you later!"

Chinatown was newly established in Star City due to the people having a thong for pop culture and hype music no one can resist. Plus martial arts classes and shops they can visit for any equipment necessary.

"Be home by 8, Lian!" Jim told her.

"I will!" Lian called back before leaving. She then stops by the stairway and drops her skateboard to her feet as she hops on it and rolls ahead. She then plays some tunes on her headphones she wore over her ears, hearing remixes.

Leaping over one ramp after the other and performing tricks. The joy of being a carefree, fun life. She wished this could last before she can become an adult.

Then Lian skated past the boy with dark hair and grey eyes. Once the two make eye contact, the boy seemed mezmerized by her. The boy kept staring at her in awe. Lian simply smiled and left.

"Where have I seen her before?" He asked himself. But then he just brushed it off, thinking she was just a lookalike he was hoping to see.

Any chance the girl from 3 years ago shows up again. I will take my chances. Though I didn't remember her name, things have been too much.

Tommy then swiftly steals a blue rose from a bouquet a man was holding while passing by. Saving it for the next time they meet. And hid it in his pocket.

In the east side of Star City is their own version of Chinatown. There is a Ramen Restaurant where Lian had been going frequently at the times of stress. Or her boredom from staying at home. There were lanterns hanging on the ceiling and waitresses were wearing traditional uniforms that makes an interest for fashion magazines.

Lian makes her way to the entrance and meets Zoe who called to meet here there. It had been awhile since the tournament.

"I'm starting to think you were a no-show." Zoe joked as Lian walks towards the table. Lian puts down her skatboard and laid it near her seat. "It's not like my uncle had much time, so he's letting me go out at least on the weekends." Lian said.

"I heard there's a martial arts shop where they sell some blades here." Lian said.

"Since when do you take interest in weapons since 3 years ago?" Asked Zoe, though she is trained in martial arts. She never thought Lian would take too much interest in Japanese weaponry.

"Well, since my dad show me the 47 Ronin movie. And the sequel, Blade of the 47 Ronin." Lian said. Then a waitress came to them to take their order.

"Can I take your orders?" Asked a waitress.

"Spicy Chicken Ramen."

"Roast beef, dim sum on the side."

"Is Connor coming anyway?" Asked Lian. But Zoe shook her head. "Not really. He said he had other plans after school.

In Queen Manor, Connor becomes more determine than usual in his training. His eyes focused on a punching bag. Performing a series of jabbing and hook punches, slamming his fists on each side of it.

Then he sprung from level of the handle bars of the pullups after the other. Then he uses the holograms to shoot his arrows to practice his aim while dodging their attacks.

Emiko then arroved in the Quiver to witness her nephew in training. "You seemed a bit more hard on yourself than usual."

"I can't stop, Aunt. Who knows when wn enemy might show up. You said ot yourself that I had to be ready." Connor panted as he threw kunais at two of the opponent holograms, causing them to vanquish like pixels.

"Training sequence completed."

Then a holographic screen shows that the sequence of his similation training was scored 100%. Connor sweats as he breathes in relief. "Still got it." Emiko shook her head and gave Connor a towel.

"When was the last time you ever hang out with friends? Or go out? You may be a young adult, but you're still young." Emiko points out, Connor may have been 17. But ever since he was a child, he had to grow up training under Emiko.

Though Emiko means well. She never meant for Connor to be too grown up. Emiko came from long line of yakuza through her mother, but she had to grow up to survive. She left the life of a yakuza to renew her life.

To Connor, he had to live to anyone's expectations in order to survive the world. No mistakes should be made. Trained to become a warrior that protects the weak. This may not be what he wanted. When Emiko took him in, he asked her to train him as a way out. Away from the past he never wanted to look back again.

But he still thought of his mother and wrote letters to her every weekend to keep on touch. He never wanted to be Green Arrow, but then again, this is worth getting out into the world. To him, being a vigilante was never a game to him. It was a job he has to do every night. He went to Star Academy since receving a scholarship in order to keep an eye on Lian. And had to make sure he tutors her to help her keep up with her grades. Next month, he will be graduating high school. But never thought about what he wanted to do in life.

"You're only 17, an age where you get to go out and have some fun." Emiko points out. Concern for her nephew's over focus on his own goals. Emiko then gives Connor water.

"Where's Lian? She should be here for her algebra lessons." Connor asked. But he had forgotten it was the weekend.

"It's the weekend, Connor. Have you forgotten already? Where anyone have the time in the world to have some fresh air. Go to the movies."

"Says the Onna-Musha who never had time being a kid." Onna-Musha is a word for female warriors.

"True. Back in my younger years, learning the ways of bushido, sometimes you forget what being a child was like. But you cannot forget who you are or used to be. You could use some time to recuperate to feel more young than old. Sometimes it makes you feel alive." Emiko gave Connor an example.

"Aunt, there's no need to worry. After all, I can't have any tjme for childish nonsense. I'm gonna be 18 next year, and it means I won't be a kid anymore." Connor reminded her. Legally, the age of 18 is an adult. But an 18-year-old is still a kid. In Connor's eyes, being a kid is too much of a diatraction.

"Very well. But for your sake. Take a break." Emiko reminded him one more time by taking away the bow staff he was using for training. Connor then looked into her eyes. She was not only his aunt, but also his master. He knew he cannot disobey her even at the rank of Shogun. For that, he bowed in response. "Hai, Emiko oba-san." Connor complied.

Connor doesn't take any breaks. But he does take meditation as a break. It might be his only way to calm his own mind. All he can oicture was a pond surrounding him.

But when getting into a position of a lotus, for some reason, he didn't feel the motive to meditate at all. His eyes squinted, as if they needed to be snap opened. The need for energy running, he cannot concentrate. He shook his head. He guesses that meditation is out of the questions.

"Argh, what is wrong with me? Normally, meditation would be relaxing. But why didn't I feel relaxed?" Connor asked himself. Could Emiko be right about him need to feel like a kid once in a while? Or was it because he spent time training that he had been having too much chai tea?

"Connor, come on. We got to head to Chinatown."

Then he looks up to see Olivia dressed up in normal clothing. A purple t-shirt and ripped jeans. As an heiress, she is mostly dressed casually for the most occasions. But she is a pre-teen, just a kid.

"Libby? Where are you going?" Connor asked, stabding up to his stance.

"Lian is inviting us to..." Suddenly, they heard a shattering crash. "It's coming from the kitchen." Connor said as he and his sister ran to the kitchen and noticed someone laying on tbe floor, inflicted with pain.

In Merlyn Industries building, Tommy was sitting in his father's office after being left in charge of the management. But was ordered not to go after the vigilantes responsible for China's previous failure.

Then the door open. It was China being demoted to bodyguard for Tommy. While next to her is a dark-haired man who is vietnamese descent. "White, Blake, enter."

"What a shame, a top assassin demoted to a bodyguard. Glad I am not the only one." Said Blake. White was offended of the demotion, but she will do what it takes to be back on the top. "What I would give to regain the boss' favor serving his son." White grunted.

"You do realize your old man reprimand you from hunting down those three vigilantes. Before firsthand." Blake said. Blake is actually his surname.

"Dad put me in charge. So for now, I am the man in the house." Tommy said while sitting there like he was royalty. A deadly martial artist alongside his father. "Any word from Tobias so far?"

"Of course, sir. Word is, he is hunting down a chemist capable of placing poison in the aquatic properties." China informed him. Writing down notes on her tablet. "His name is Isaac Maru. Although he is a top student at Gotham University, he was charged with numerous genocide attempts on the other students using poison bombs in the school. But before word even got out, he went under a new alias to transfer to another university to escape arrest."

"Maru? Where have I heard that name before?" Tommy asked holding up his hand to his chin. Trying to remember where have he heard that last name. It can't be just Isaac that he knows about it. "And you said he was using poison. Right?" He asked.

"Well, even the brains can be the death of us." Blake responded.

"Perfect. Maybe he is what my father would need. To rid of the metahumans that cause us nothing but grief."

In the Star City Hospital, Olivia and Connor were visiting after calling 911 of the fainting of a maid working in Queen Manor. A nurse came to let the heiress know about her results in the examinations. "We do not want to upset you with the results, Miss Queen. But Miss Grand was having respiratory jamming through her lungs. And we think this has something to do with the tea she drank. The antibiotics are slowing down for now, but there was poison in her throat from what we can find."

"Will she be okay?" Asked Connor. Then the nurse turned to him. "I'm sorry, but who is this?" Asked the nurse.

"Oh, him? He's my-" Connor cuts Olivia off. "Just a friend of hers. I was helping her get the maid to the hospital." Olivia was about to say that he's her half-brother, but he didn't want for anyone to know his relation to the Queen Household.

"Okay, then. We'll figure something out for you and give you an update. Right now, we will have to run some more test on Atoli." Said the nurse.

"Thanks. I'll cover Miss Grand's medical bills." Libby said before leaving with her brother, but looked at him with a skeptical look. "Why didn't you let me tell that you're my brother?" Asked Libby.

"I may be a Queen by blood, but not by name I wasn't. Besides it's your name, not mine." Connor made it clear that he didn't want to belong to the Queen Family since his father left him at birth.

"You're still mad that Dad left you?" Libby argued. "Besides, he didn't hide your existence from me or my Mom. Regardless, he's still our dad." She didn't want to think badly of her father, but sometimes reality had to be faced.

"No, but he didn't bother to speak to me, or visit me but in the last tournament. Not once did he ever acknowledge me. I may be Oliver's son, but he wasn't the father I needed when I was doing just fine." Connor told her.

"Okay, I get Dad was irresponsible before. But you should know that I am there for you if needed. I am your sister after all." Libby admits.

"Yet, you're still lucky Dad gave you an upbringing I didn't get. You don't get it, I don't belong in your family." Connor said. Before walking away. Then Olivia stopped him by grabbing her brother's hand. "Wait, before you go. Here." Libby takes out her notebook and scribbled down a phone number.

"My mom's a therapist. If you didn't want to talk to me about it, maybe she can help you with it. Don't push yourself too hard. And Aunt Emi wanted me to tell you to take a break." Libby reminded him by passing the paper onto his hand.

"Not you too, Libby." Connor sighed at her worrying. He hated the pity in his sister's eyes. Then he spots Lian and Zoe on the other end of the aisle of the hospital.

"Hey, Connor! Over here!" Called Lian. Connor walked over towards them.

"Lian, what's going on?" Connor asked.

"While Zoe and I were at Chinatown, there was a restaurant we were at. But before we get the chance to eat, any people are getting sick, coughing, vomiting, and not breathing. We didn't consume anything because we think it had something to do with the food." Lian explained gesturing at the customers that were carried on gurries after getting ill.

Zoe then sees the news that was in the TV nearby. "Whoa, it looks like it wasn't just Chinatown. Check it out." She points to the television. Connor and Lian looked at the screen.

"This is Cat Grant reporting live from GBS. Signs of multiple individuals had fallen to a possible illness in Gotham City. Many were sent to the medical facilities for every consumption they had. Some said it was a faulty substance added to the restaurants. But there was a different story."

"I guess Star City wasn't the only one with the epidemic problem." Lian said.

"Whatever happened, Gotham City is our only lead. Until we can find the cause, no one is to touch the water substances." Connor ordered. Then he went to another subject. "Also, you skipped training today, Lian. What were you thinking?"

Lian frowned, thinking he was nagging her. "Bro, it's the weekend. Everyone gets a break." Lian crossed her arms. To Lian, Connor was supposed to get a break too. Yet he was acting like an adult.

"Not everyone gets a break, Lian. You see those nurses and doctors? They were working endlessly in the weekends because of what was happening today." Connor sighed. "You're such a kid, Lian."

"Gee, get a hobby, would ya? You are a kid too." Lian muttered with her snarky attitude.

"What was that?" Connor asked, not hearing her clearly. Lian turned away. "Nothing."

Libby pried between the two. "You two, stop fighting. You two are partners now. You don't want to have a fallout like every dynamic Duo in the world?" Libby reminded them if they want to vent out their problems, they should do it in the dojo in the Quiver. "You two are vigilantes, act like one." Libby told them off.

Both at them stood silent. They have no choice but to agree as the fate of Star City is at hand. "Gear up, Lian. We meet at the bay to ride to Gotham tonight." Connor ordered, Lian nodded. "As long as I get to kick butt. I'm in. I'll see you there, Mr. Uptight."

Back in the Quiver, Connor makes sure he drinks shots of coffee with no cream and no sugar, as part of the diet and remedy to stay up all night when patrolling in the night. Pushing a tire to exercise his arms. Kicking the punching bag hardcore.

Practicing his kyūjutsu, and making sure he does not miss a shot in a bullseye. Libby gets irritated that he spent most nights and evenings training after school, and never goes out when there is nothing to do. "Connor, you have all then time in the world while you're add it. Just take a break."

"I can't. Whatever is next, I have to be ready. It's better to be aware of the possibilities of a crisis up ahead." Connor grunted as he lift a weight, and then throws it on front of him. As the weight drops, it clangs on the floor. Causing Libby to jump.

"Aunt Emi was right. You were stubborn. Are you still mad at me about the conversation we had earlier?" Libby asked.

"No, Libby. I am not mad. Just exhausted. About earlier. I may have Dad's suit. But I am not him."

Libby crossed his arms. "Ugh, you sounded like him." Connor grew a bit annoyed that Libby would compare him to their late absent father. "In a good way. But seriously, you won't be moving by the time you get into patrol." Libby warned her brother.

"I will have to agree that your brother is quite the stubborn one indeed, Olivia." Emiko walked in the room where her niece and nephew are standing. Connor noticed and bowed to her, since she is her mentor, and not just family. "Emiko-sensei!" He greeted her.

"Didn't I told you there was no need to show me formalities, Connor? We are family, even in the most important occasions." Connor lift his head back. "Of course."

"You have worked hard. And have a lot effort within your fighting spirit. However, your heart is like a raging fire deep within the soul. You have trouble balancing between it and water." Emiko states her metaphors.

"That's the thing. Nobody can rest when it comes to responsibilities. You had that too." Connor argued.

"That is true. But there are times you need to sooth your heart, mind and body from the stress you have taken. The more heat you have taken, the more you will fall and lose the will to fight." Emiko protested. "Take your time to rest, and meditate. That's is not a suggestion, that is an order."

Emiko means business. Training her nephew, it was the best memories she had with him. But knew he needs to rest before he can go in combat again. Connor bowed in response, even if to her it wasn't necessary. "Hai." He replied and left the room.

Lian was just minding her own business before her mission begins. It was her second mission before she can come along with Connor. Now she is ready to join him. So she is skateboarding throughout the streets.

Just as she was about to return to her uncle's apartment. She was passing an alley to see three boys, all tall and muscular picking on a blonde boy her age. Lian just stopped and peeled back at the alley.

"I don't want any trouble with you guys!" Said the blonde boy, being cornered against the walls. One of the boys was a brown-haired leader who is much more muscular than the other two wearing black, spikey leather jackets. The leader pushed the boy harder to the wall.

"Or what? Call the police? Good luck with that. We'll just have your phone. And your pocket money." Then one of the teen thugs snatched the boy's bag and shook it upside down, dropping a few items, his wallet, his phone and school textbooks.

Then the thug with the bag was grabbed by the wrist. "Hey!" Lian shouted as she punched the thug by the face, causing him to stumble back. The leader recognized her. "Well, look who it is. Little Red coming out to play again."

"Didn't I told you not to pick on anyone who cannot fight back, Josh?! This guy didn't do anything to you!" Lian pointed at Josh. This isn't the first time Lian hadn't pick any fights around the streets. "How's your dead daddy?" He taunted.

"He's not dead. And talk about my dad again. And you're gonna get a broken nose next time." Lian warned Josh. Josh was offended by this and charges at Lian with his fist. "You're dead girl!" Lian dodges him and spins a kick on his back. But he stood still as the blonde boy watched the fight.

"Boss?" The two thugs ran to their leader in concern. But Josh looked at her in anger. "Forget me! Get her!" He ordered. Lian scoffed as she cracked her knuckles. "Hmph. Cowards." Lian said.

She took care of the two thugs by letting them attack her first before doing a split kick. Knocking them over. But one of the two got back up and swung his fist. But Lian blocked it and threw him.

"You little-!" The second thug then rushed at her again. He swipes two times with his fist clutched. But Lian parried them and head butts them. Josh then gets his minions back up and ran. "We'll be back for this one, red! Just you wait!"

Lian sighs, as if the cycle of street fights rinses and repeats. Then she turned back to the boy. As she approaches him, she helped him picked up the items the thugs attempted to steal. "You, okay?" Lian asked. "Those guys can never learn a thing, can they?"

The boy then stared into her eyes. "Y-yeah. I'm fine. Thanks." He stammered. Then Lian notices a small drop of blood on his forehead. "Your head is bleeding a bit. Did they hurt you badly?" She asked. Taking out a tissue. Considering how hard her first is, they are also soft. The boy flinched when her gently wipes the blood on her tissue.

"No, they were just trying to scare me." Said the boy.

"Doesn't look like that with a cut like that. I'm Lian by the way." Lian said.

"Joseph." The boy felt mesmerized into her eyes. And those eyes felt familiar to him. For some reason, it may be their first meeting, but he felt safe with her. Lian smiled at him Then she takes out her notebook and writes down on a ripped piece of paper. Giving him her number. "Here. Next time this happens again. Let me know." Lian then got her skateboard and glanced back at Joseph.

Joseph was silent as he watched her leave. She smiled at him again. "See you around." Joseph sees her leave as she rolled with her skateboard. He then looks at the paper with her number. He smiled and blushed. Wondering why she was familiar to her.