Chapter 8: Epilogue

"Hello, this is Angela Chen. We still have no news of the criminal Deathstroke alias Grant Wilson. He is still wanted. Though the search for Joker's body continues. The Coast Guard reports it is extremely unlikely that Gotham 's most notorious criminal survived the crash. In related news, billionaire Lex Luthor was again rigorously grilled by the DA 's office over his alleged connection to The Joker and Wilson's rampage. His statements have been questioned both by local law officials and industrialists, Bruce Wayne and Mia Queen who announced immediate termination of their partnership with LexCorp."

Mercy was watching the news from one of LexCorp's offices. She was slowly recovering from her injuries with her arm in a sling. Host Angela Chen continued her reporting.

"… And on a lighter note Joker accomplice Harley Quinn was returned to Arkham Asylum for another round of rehabilitation…"

Television showed Harley Quinn in a straitjacket being locked up in a police van en route to the psychiatric asylum. She was struggling with the camera.

-"I WANT A LAWYER! I WANT A DOCTOR! I WANT A CHEESE SANDWICH!"

Amused, Mercy observed her nemesis being taken to the van.

"Now, that's funny!"

She pounded with laughter before grimacing painfully after her injuries.

Mia was packing up to go back to Star City. Diggle was helping her carry her luggage.

"Are we sure that Deathstroke was not killed in the explosion?" asked the young woman.

"Our ARGUS agens went over the wreckage of the Lexwing with a fine-tooth comb," replied his godfather. "They found no human remains. Nor the Joker. Not Deathstroke. And now that Wilson's identity has come to light, he's not going to risk staying in Metropolis. All police forces are mobilized to find him. Not to mention all the governments after him. He's gonna be quiet for a while. I don't think we'll see him in Star City any time soon. And even less in the city of Superman. Since the kryptonite Joker stole was destroyed. He has nothing left to take out Superman. No more resources. No bank accounts. He has nothing left. He's not gonna risk facing the Man of Steel with anything."

Mia rejoiced to see the downfall of her enemy. Even if she hadn't stopped him, he was no longer a threat to anyone. Nevertheless, she could not rejoice that it was Luthor who unmasked her.

"Luthor exposed Deathstroke's identity to escape justice. While this guy is shady. According to the Boy Scout, Luthor has several contacts in the criminal mafia in Metropolis. But every time, he always manages to get away with not being charged. He always escapes justice."

"Luthor is having serious problems right now," Diggle reminded her. "Between the suspicions of complicity with Joker and Deathstroke, he will have terrible financial problems. With the destruction of one of his labs. The destruction of his properties in Metropolis with the loss of his Lexwing. Luthor's going to lose money in all this. Not to mention all his killer robots being destroyed. Money that was lost."

This news pleased Mia.

"That he doesn't expect my help in his mess. Queen Consolidated wants nothing to do with LexCorp. Luthor is left to his own devices in his legal, financial and media mess."

She stored her arrows and bow in a large case.

"You did a good job, Mia," said Diggle. "Even though Deathstroke is still out there somewhere, you thwarted his plans for domination. With Batman and Superman, you have formed a great trio."

"I hope it doesn't become a habit," Mia replied, lifting her case.

"You know, your father was reluctant to work as a team when he started shooting arrows in Star City. After we met, he got over his fears. Together, we fought to save Star City. Like you, you did it today in Metropolis with Superman and Bruce. You can be proud of that."

"Thank you, John," said the young woman with gratitude.

Later, Mia was at the airport. She was about to board her company plane when she saw Bruce in the distance with Lois. Both exchanged goodbyes.

Mia approached them, hearing their conversation.

"I still wish you'd change your mind about Gotham." Bruce told the young woman.

"I adore you, Bruce." Lois replied with a broken voice. "But now there's a lot about you I don't know and I'm not sure I wanna know."

Mia felt sorry for both lovers. Lois had discovered that Bruce Wayne is Batman, at the same time that she had fallen in love with him. She could not accept having a lover with a double life. Love seemed inaccessible to a vigilante. This is the heavy burden of having two identities. Mia wondered how her father had done when he started dating her mother. Could she have a romantic relationship despite being Green Arrow?

Bruce smiled tenderly at her.

"I understand."

"Take care of yourself," said Lois, kissing him.

And she walked away, leaving Bruce somewhat saddened.

"So you really loved her?" asked Mia with sympathy. "I'm sorry it didn't work out."

"Between Lois and me, it's nothing more or less than what I've had with other women," Bruce simply explained, not wanting to talk about his disastrous love life.

Mia chuckled with amusement, then resumed her seriousness.

"One thing I wanted to ask you. How do you know about me? How do you know I'm Green Arrow? John told me you used to be a team. I need to know. Please."

Bruce stared at her for a moment, then spoke sympathetically.

"Mia, I knew your father. And not just as Oliver Queen. I knew he was the Green Arrow. A long time ago, we were partners. We were friends too. He and I had the same goal. Doing justice to our cities. That's what brought him and me together. And of course, there was also your godfather John Diggle. He was not yet an ARGUS agent at the time. We have fought together. I was saddened to hear of his passing. I miss him every day. So when I heard that Green Arrow was back in Star City at the same time that Mia Queen was in charge of Queen Consolidated, I immediately made the connection."

Moved, Mia repressed her emotions and smiled tenderly.

"Thank you for telling me."

Bruce smiles back at her.

"And having known him, I'm sure he would be proud of you if he saw you now. I am."

"Sincerely, I think our association is more than beneficial," Mia replied. "We should see each other more often."

"Deal," said the billionaire from Gotham.

Both shook hands with their recent coalition.

They headed for their respective planes when they saw Clark Kent walking quietly towards them.

"Hey, Clark," said Mia happily.

"Come to make sure we're leaving?" asked Bruce.

"Actually, I thought we worked well together." replied satisfied Clark. "Not that I wanna make it a regular event."

"Who knows," replied Mia. "Maybe we will meet again in new adventures."

"Lois is all yours now." said Bruce in a neutral tone. "If you can handle that."

And he ended his sentence with a mischievous look at the reporter.

"But you'd better be good to her because I know where you live."

Mia laughed, before giving the men a last glance.

"I have to go, boys. Star City needs me." (Speaking to Clark.) "See you soon, Boy Scout!"

And she flew back to her city.

Green Arrow would continue to look after her city. She would continue to honor her father.

Thank you for reading. I enjoyed writing this story. Now, I'll take my previous stories and finish them.