The Wrath of Dr. Poison Part 2
Star City
January 29, 3021
14:23 UTD
Lian was finishing her day at school. Olivia was once a student at Star Academy after graduating from middle school at the age of 12. But because she surpassed every student in high school, Libby graduated again with valedictorian honors earlier than expected. As a result, Olivia Queen, heiress of Queen Corporations and founder of the Crime Prevention Center, became a university student for a bachelor of law and economics.
Lian remained in school just like the rest of the students. She is now 13. And a freshman of Star Academy. In the past, many boys feared her because she is known to beat up delinquents. And because of her status as a tomboy, girls judged her because of her love for sports. Though Lian doesn't care. She likes being alone, but doesn't mind if anyone wants to be her friend.
"So you're Lian the Brawn, huh?" Lian turned around. It was a boy with dark hair and grey eyes. Dressed in a dark blue dress shirt and a black vest. And matching pants. Judging by the clothing, Lian could guess he is one of the elites from one of the wealthiest families in Star City.
"Shouldn't you boys avoid me like the others do?" Lian asked, half-jokingly. Then she sees some boys staring at her curiously. But Lian took one glare, enough to scare away the boys from afar. The boy talking to her, cannot help but find this funny.
Lian raised an eyebrow as she turned ro him. "What?" Lian scoffed. Tommy stopped laughing.
"What, those guys don't know what you got." Tommy responded.
"So, what?" Lian shut her locker. "Shouldn't you be home with your dad, Merlyn?" Lian recognized him in the articles by name and appearance.
"Actually. I was hoping to invite you to a martial arts school my dad is opening in the next two months." Tommy told her.
Lian is confused. A boy she just met, inviting her to a martial arts school. It does seem like a red flag to her. Wondering if they had met. "Why would you be interested in inviting me? I don't know you?"
Tommy then leaned forward towards Lian as she didn't react much. Placing an elbow on the locker. His shadow towering over Lian. But she didn't seem interested.
"Just a thought. To think there weren't many girls like you. You can be the symbol of the society of martial arts. I can teach you any kind of combat you want. Cause to me, you have the fire no one else have." Tommy smiled. Thinking he can charm Lian into joinkng him in his training.
In response, Lian pushed his arm off the locker, and just glared at him. "Not happening, bro." She puts her backpack on her back and left. "Get lost." Leaving Tommy stunned, but amazed. No other girl rejected him before. But he likes the way she rejected him. And that didn't bother him.
But she didn't seem to remember him since the night on the rooftop. The way she defeated him after a failed sneak attack. The eyes of fury and fire.
11 years ago...
"Lian, ever wonder about how a story takes a turn for fate?" Her father, Will is sitting next to Lian as he tells her a story. Lian shook her head in response.
"Well, there's this interesting story I have waited to tell in a long time." Lian held her teddy bear eagerly to hear the story. "Ooh, I want to hear it." Lian said.
"It's called the Archer and the Assassin." Will then cleared his throat and began to tell the story. "On every sunset, the archer left his mentor to be on his own terms of protecting the people of the city he held dear. But even as a man, he felt empty. But little did he know was that he caught the eyes of lady assassin."
"And what did they do, Daddy?" Lian asked, waiting to hear what happens next. "On that night, the assassin ambushed him, and they fought. For some reason, they weren't willing to finish each other off. Instead, they fell in love. But the question is: Was it right for them to love? To forget everything they stand for?"
Later, after Lian was sleeping, she would hear some half-shouting from outside of her own room. It was her mother. Lian slides off the bed and walks out of her room to find out what is going on.
Curiousity got the better of her as she peeked from the side wall to see her mother talking on the phone.
"I have to leave, Mom! And I can't take care of Lian anymore!" Jade told her mother on the phone. "What if they had gotten to her because of me?!"
"You can't leave her like you left us, Jade! If it were up to me, I wouldn't leave her."
"Well, I'm sorry I wasn't the daughter you needed. I didn't have a choice." Jade took a deep breath to calm and ran her hand on her hair. "I can't stay for long. Will knows it and he can take care of her. Give Lian a hug when she goes to see you, Mom."
Jade hung up the phone. Then hears running. She figured Lian hears everything. But not the reason why. She went to her room to see Lian lying on her bed. "Lian, I'm sorry. Did you hear me?"
"Why did you tell Grandma you can't take care of me anymore?" Lian sniffled, fearing that her mother doesn't love her anymore. To her surprise, Jade ran her hand on her daughter's head. "Mommy has a mess to clean up, Lian. Someday, you will understand." Jade told her, regretfully as she kissed her forehead.
For many years, the Adachi Clan were trained the ways of the samurai since the Golden Age. My ancestor, Kazumi Adachi founded the clan to counter against the invaders that dared to take Earth as their prize. Inspired by the legend of Tomoe Gozen.
67 years, my mother and her mother before me had been trained to lead the clan in order to preserve life. However, dishonor befell as my mother joined the 9th Circle as she aided the League of Shadows.
I had to flee when I encountered my older brother. I was once Emiko Adachi, but currently, I am Emiko Queen. And I cannot return to the clan until I am ready to defeat my mother and restore the Adachi Clan. As for my brother's children, the least I can do was to watch them grow.
—Emiko Queen
Lian was having a quick dinner with her uncle. While Jim was being easy on the meal. Lian was devouring her plate of chicken and pasta. Much to his surprise.
"Whoa, slow down kiddo. I never thought you'd be this hungry." Jim said. Thinking it must be teenage angst that has gotten to Lian being this hungry.
"Sorry, Uncle Jim. I was going to get started on my homework." Lian said after swallowing her food. Before continuing to finish her plate.
"Lian, it's the weekend. We have all the time in the world." Jim then sees his phone vibrating, it was from a contact known as Mal Duncan.
"One second." Jim then picks up the phone. "Yeah, Mal?" He held his cell phone up to his ear. As he let's Mal talk, Him kept nodding. "Yep...uh huh. Alright, see you there." He hangs up.
"Sorry, Lian. Work caught up with me again." Lian just kept it cool like she can handle it. "It's cool, unc. Just do whatever you need to finish." Lian assured him after taking another bite.
"I'll be on the way now." Jim grabbed his bag and opens the door. But not before letting Lian stuff she has to do. "And Lian, don't open the door to anyone, unless it's your Auntie Mouse knocking."
"I know, Uncle. Love you." Lian told him. Just like that, Lian bolted to her room. Closing the door and locking it. "Finally. I thought I have to wait long." Lian goes to her closet and grabbed her bag. There she puts on her her red top and black cargo pants. Leather boots, dual sai stepped to her belt. And her bow and arrows. Her mask tied to her head.
Now as Speedy, she climbs out the window and ran up the stairs till she gets to the rooftop. There she can hear the cars honking as she sees the city from the top view. It was amazing to her to feel free.
"Awesome. Now to put myself to the test." Speedy said to herself. She puts herself into a starting position like a race of some kind before sprinting. As she runs she leaps from roof after roof.
Using her summersaults on any spot she can find. "Whoo-hoo!" Speedy cheered in excitement. Then she aims her arrow at the taller building in the city and shoots at it with a cable attached like a grappling hook. Then pulls herself up to reach the top and lands it, acrobatically.
"Man that felt good! Who would've thought this training would pay off?" Speedy said to herself.
Then Green Arrow joins her while he also reach the top of the same building as well. "Good, right on time. Let's get going!" Green Arrow said. Speedy agrees as they sped off from the roofs. Green Arrow shoots his arrow to swing around the water tower. But as he lands, he felt a sprain leg as he knelt down. Speedy stops when she sees him wince in pain. "Ugh!"
"You okay, G.A.?" Speedy asked. But Green Arrow brushed it off. Then he takes out a sports tape and wraps it around his leg. "I'll be fine. We need to keep going." He lied. Speedy could tell he was not okay. But rather exhausted.
"Dude, you don't look fine to me." Speedy said as they continued running and jumping. "Doesn't matter, the sooner we head to Gotham, the better."
The Quiver
February 2, 2031
18:21 UTD
Emiko called Olivia to come to the Quiver to discuss something important. While Emiko meditates, she was connecting herself to the trance of tranquility. Taking a deep breath. Then she feels a tap on her shoulder.
Emiko opened her eyes to see Libby next to her. "Hey, aunt. You wanted to see me?" She asked.
"Olivia, come sit down, there is something I would like to discuss with you." Olivia sat down next to her in the dojo. She wanted to hear what it might be, so she was used to quiet conversations.
"So, it kinda sounds urgent. Is this about interesting news in Japan, or with your friend, Nyssa?" Olivia asked.
"I called you here because you have a gift. When I started training you, I realized your destiny as the next Black Canary must be fulfilled. But that will have to be up to you to decide. While you were trained with your powers, you might need to extend your skills of combat and ninjutsu."
"So, what are you saying?" Asked Olivia. Interested for what will come next. "You're going to be 13 next year. That was the age I teach students. I had been thinking about teaching you the ways of the Onna-Musha. You are not just a descendant of nobility, but also a descendant of vigilantes."
Then Emiko presented Libby a naginata. Metallic, smooth, but also sharp on the top side. Carved with the hole shaped like a canary. Olivia became amazed with the gift.
"Whoa! It's amazing."
"I made this for you as a gift for your 13th birthday. But seeing how much you progressed. I thought now is the time I passed this onto you. Many members of the Adachi clan had a traditional to make those blades and pass them onto younger relatives for future generations. I know one day you will succeed in the Black Canary line." Emiko said. "The cry of the Canary must be heard once again."
Then a man, an old friend and former bodyguard of her father, John Diggle, who came back to work alongside Emiko to watch over Olivia (and Connor in secret) entered the lair to inform the heiress.
"Yes, John?" Asked Olivia.
"Sorry for the interruption, Miss Queen. But Mr. Merlyn wishes to see you." John informed Olivia. Though the Queens and the Merlyns are rivals. They remained civil acquaintances for the sake of the public. Olivia was well aware that the Merlyns were also a family of criminals whose archery skills rivaled that of her father, Oliver.
"Thank you, John. Accompany me." Olivia said to her bodyguard.
"At once, Miss Queen."
"Sorry, Aunt. I have to go. I'll see you tonight for dinner." Emiko nods to her niece. And goes back to meditation.
Even if Olivia is a skilled combatant, she is still a public figure to Star City that she is most likely targeted by enemies now that she is the future head of the Queen Family. John is like a second father figure since her father died. Emiko is currently the acting CEO for Queen Corporations until Olivia turns 18 to take charge of the industry. And had been friends with his twin children, John Jr. or JJ for short, and Sara. With Connor, being a secret son of the billionaire not revealed to the world, it is enough for Olivia to work on tracking down criminals from the shadows. While also balancing her occupation as a student and heiress.
"One more thing, we will have to hold on the meeting of the Crime Prevention Center. Make sure to call Mr. Trent so that he cancels the defense classes for today and reschedule for two days."
"Yes, Ma'am."
Waiting at the entrance of Queen Manor, Tommy Merlyns is the only one present, his father was supposed to be the one meeting with the Queens for an opening of a New Museum.
"Tommy, I didn't expect you to show up, but is your father here?" Olivia asked.
"I apologize, Miss Queen. But my father has other business partners to deal with. If you ask him, they are such a pain." Tommy replied. And bowed to be polite in a greeting. "And condolences for your loss of your father."
"Don't worry, you and your dad are always welcomed." Assured Olivia. "And thank you for remembering my dad."
"We have matters to discuss if I recalled about the reopening of my Grandfather's museum." Tommy recalled.
"Yes, thankfully John already reminded me. So can I treat you to lunch or..."
"Please, I don't mind speaking over lunch. But it's on me. No need to pay." Tommy assured her in order to please the Queens in order to keep out of suspicion.
"Huh, I never heard anything about your grandfather's museum. But I am interested, tell me more." Olivia gestures John to accompany her with Tommy I to the limousine. With that, the three got inside and ride all the way to the shir down museum.
When they arrived at an abandoned museum. It was once owned by Jasper King, inside King Manor. Olivia was confused, wondering if this is his mother's relatives' home because of a different surname.
"This museum..." Tommy began as he took Olivia and John on a tour around the old museum. "My grandfather, Jasper King, was a treasure hunter. His only love was history and archeology. Loads of mask, art, and scrolls. Anything you can name."
"I heard of a Jasper King. Is he like your mother's father? I mean the surname is different." Olivia asked.
"No, he's my dad's dad. If you're wondering why the surname is different. Get ready to hear this story. My family are treasure hunters. Call it greedy, or maybe a pushover, but my family has a thing for history and artifacts. After my grandfather opened the museum, it was a success, until one fateful night at the gala, the artifacts were stolen by robbers, and the guests were massacred. Only at least 14 had been recovered. But not enough to keep the museum opened. And because the King name is big these days, my grandfather changed his name to Jacob Merlyn. My father took a similar interest in treasure hunting since then. He hopes that by reopening the museum, it will keep the memory of his father alive, but to also remember the King name. Once I come of age, I will not only revive the King name, but to also be the head of King Clan. At least that what my father told me."
"Really? It's amazing that your dad is dedicating himself to the family. If my dad were here, he'll probably be amazed and jealous." Olivia said.
"There's also something else." Tommy adds. He leads Olivia and John to a secet art room. Where Malcolm had held it sealed for a very long time.
"That room, it contains my father's sacred treasure. One more valuable than gold and jewels itself." Tommy removes a purple velvet veil from the portrait. It reveals a painting of a woman. Dark blonde hair and green eyes. Wearing a pale blue dress.
"Who is that? She's beautiful." Olivia said, amazed. John was also stunned for how lifelike the painting looks. "Last year, my father painted this. In memory of my late mother, Rebecca. He wanted to add this to the artifacts to make sure she can never be forgotten. I was only 5 at the time when my mother's life was taken too soon at the hands of a metahuman. We were both devastated (my father and I). I can only remember the times when she cradled me, telling me stories of the Japanese and Egyptian Mythology. Such precious memories that led me to similar interest as the rest of my family."
"Wow, I never knew that side of the story. I'd be lying if I said I don't understand the loss. But it sounded like your mom loves you. Very much. Even if my aunt and my mom is all that is left, I still thought of my dad, every day."
"Being at my father's side is my only obligation, since he is my only family left. Back then, my childhood ended very quickly. If it means facing this world, so be it." Tommy finished the story. Painfully looking at the painting of his mother.
Gotham City
February 3, 2031
1:24 ETD
Green Arrow and Speedy landed in the bay of Gotham. The city where crime rules the night. While it was mostly minimized by the day when no one has their worries. But when the sun sets, it gets worse. If Star City wasn't the highest for the crime rate, Gotham has their own highest.
"Shouldn't Batman get involved? If the source of the illness was coming from here?" Speedy asked, after reading articles of one of the most legendary vigilantes and detectives, Batman, Speedy had been inspired to do some crime forging aside from the stories of Green Arrow.
"He can't, not anymore. Besides, he's probably old by now." Green Arrow replied. Hiding behind the containers. Green Arrow then spotted the truck they need to sneak into ok order to get to the location he didn't tell Speedy until they get there.
"Fair point." Speedy replied. Green Arrow spots some vile of green serum. Under his command, Green Arrow made silent hand gestures like a soldier to sneak into the truck. By the time the staff for the logistics lifted the serum and finished. It was the moment when Speedy was ordered to get in first, then Green Arrow comes next, only to feel his ankle a sting of pain, and hadn't climb up yet.
Speedy noticed this and quickly pulled him up. Green Arrow felt exhausted, but he only cares about the mission being done. "Check out this serum." Speedy said as she unveiled the cloth from the serum. It was glowing with green.
Green Arrow recognized the serum he had seen before. He had heard rumors of illegal fights, being established with the addition of serum. He did not watch those fights, but he had passed one of those fight clubs and noticed one of the fighters walking in holding the serum.
"These are the vials of cobra venom." Speedy glanced at him hearing what he knew about the venom.
"How could you tell?" She asked.
"I saw one of those that one of the combatants used for illegal fights as some sort of drug upgrade. Whoever is using this to spread in Star City, this is bad."
Then the truck stops as they felt the screech. Green Arrow and Speedy then hid underneath an empty box as the carriers lifted the vials off the truck. Green Arrow and Speedy waste no time to sneak away to get off.
To Green Arrow's surprise, it was Gotham University. "Gotham University? Why would a bad guy bring that stuff in the school?" Speedy blinked as they both looked at the building hiding behind a bush.
"Don't know. But I figured the instigator might be working or hiding here. Let's move." Green Arrow said as Speedy nodded. They both snuck around the school till the coast is clear. grabbed their bows and shifts them into crossbows and fire their cable arrows to hang on the walls of the school before pulling themselves up and climb on them.
They reached the school roof and used the vents to crawl inside. Thinking the school kitchen near the cafeteria will do for the clear exit from the vents. Green Arrow looks through the air vents and looks through the holes of the air vent.bOnce he sees no one here, he quietly uses a silent screw-gun to unscrew the screws and open the vents to come out of.
Here they are in the school kitchen. It seemed grand for a university cafeteria. But the meals saved in the fridge seemed well-made. "Wow." Speedy gasped as she grabs two of the sandwiches, one for her and the other for Green Arrow.
Green Arrow peeks through the window behind the door to see if there are any henchmen in the cafeteria. It was clear too. It was strange that usually the main villains have their henchmen to guard the perimeter. But his guess was that he might be well-off and didn't felt the need to be guarded.
"Here, got some sandwiches for you." Speedy whispered, thinking he might be hungry. Green Arrow brushed her off, needing the both of themselves to focus.
"Not hungry." Green Arrow said.
"Dude, you've been pale this past week." Speedy points out by the bags in his eyes. "And your aura was getting weak." She said. Green Arrow was surprised that she can read his aura now. "You can see aura now. Great. But let's just to find the guy who started the epidemic."
Speedy remained concerned for Green Arrow's stubbornness and wincing since they arrived in Gotham. But needed to keep an eye on him if he was going to keep being like that.
Then Green Arrow opened the door to check if they were any thugs around the area. And as predicted, there were a few "security guards" guarding strolling the vials on a cart to give to their boss. Prompting Green Arrow to use hand commands again for Speedy to use the vents again by giving her the map he had gained from one of his tours in universities.
Speedy nodded and climbed back into the air vents. While Green Arrow takes care of the guards. He checks through the door again and sees that the close is clear. But due to his ability to sense aura, Green Arrow felt that someone is close and following him.
And then he takes out his sword and blocks an attack behind him. Green Arrow tumbles back and sees the face of his attacker. "Not a bad reaction." It was a girl his age, silver-white locks of hair and and brown eyes. Wearing black and orange suit. And a face mask that covers her lower face.
"You seriously think I'd let my guard down?" Green Arrow remarked. Holding out her sword.
"When there's vigilantes, there was always a fun game of hunting." Said the girl. She walks around in a deceiving way to catch her enemy off guard.
"Enough. What are you going on about? Are you here for the same reason?" Green Arrow asked.
"What do you think?" The young mercenary showed Green Arrow a vial of green venom in his hands, that was dropped on the floor by accident.
"Of course." Green Arrow said as he deflects the attack by the girl. Then swats upward on the girl's sword. The girl's sword spiraled downward as she makes the cross slash.
Green Arrow mostly uses his defenses, feeling how wrong it would be to fight a human being, even a criminal with a blade. "You got two choices: walk away or be arrested. Your choice." Green Arrow tried to convince her. Thinking she was just lost and just went to the life of crime to run away from her problems.
"Sorry, but this job is important to me." Retorted the girl. She then spins her blade across Green Arrow and he just ducked back. And blocks another attack with his katana. "Stop holding back, would ya?! You're starting to bore me!" Said the girl.
"Just who are you?" Green Arrow asked. The young mercenary seemed unfazed, but she just stared at him and replied, "Call me, Ravager." She replied.
While Speedy was crawling through the air vents in to see if there was anyone operating the chemicals. She was already given a gps device to see where she needs to go. The first thing any smarter bad guys would use, who might possibly be a university professor, working behind the scenes, is the chemistry lab.
"Any bad nerds working behind closed doors, the lab is the place to go." Speedy whispered.
"Hello?"
A voice boomed in her mind. She was probably hearing stuff from outside the vents. "Probably some henchmen talking outside."
"I am here to guide you, sister."
Speedy shook her head.
"Who is this? Is someone following me?" Speedy asked.
"Do not be frighten. I am communicating through your mind."
"Whoa, but why me?" Speedy asked the anonymous voice.
"I can help you seek the answers that led to your origin. For now, let me assist you on your mission, until the time is right. Just turn right to the chemistry lab."
Speedy then puts down the gps and follows the voice. "Whatever you say, mystery voice."
"Call me, Dubbilex."
A middle-aged man, with tan skin and dark hair and goatee, dressed in a lab coat was using white rats as test subjects for his experiments late at night. Another reason how a mad man can find ways to smuggle their equipment.
With a young woman strapped on a table, unconscious. A snake inside the cage, with fangs attached to suction pipelines siphoning venom from it.
"Now that I have one of those test subjects."
To be continued...
Author's Note: I'm gonna stop on this part for this part for now until I can come up with the rest of the plot.
Earlier, we see Lian and Tommy meeting each other for the first time in person.
Also we have Isaac Maru.
Dr. Isaac Maru/Dr. Poison- A descendant of Dr. Isabel Maru, a psychopathic bioterrorist from World War I (and one of Wonder Woman's past enemies). Isaac Maru was a former university student in Gotham, but was wanted for the attempts of genocide after he gained an obsession of poisons after finding a journal from his ancestors that formulates the equation of poisons. And instead of using poisons for killing, he decided to use it to give people powers, but at the cost of their free wills.