I was currently teaching Iris how to stick fight. She was good with a gun, but she wasn't the best with hand-to-hand combat. I wanted to find out who else had been at the docks, but I didn't have any information because I hadn't even seen the other person. I couldn't search when I didn't have anything to go off of. One thing that I did think was whoever it was, it likely wasn't going to be their own only appearance. I dodged Iris's attacks before I hit her in the shoulder because I figured that hitting her in the face wouldn't be a very good idea.
"That's variable acceleration. When both fighters are at the same pace, you switch it up to throw your opponent off their game." I explained.
"That was nice. Where did you learn that?" Iris questioned. I would say that I learned it from Yao Fei, but I couldn't even be sure that I had met Yao Fei. There was only one person from my past that I knew I had also met in this timeline, so I decided to go with that.
"His name was Maseo Yamashiro." I told her. "He taught me the way of the ninja."
"Did he give you those scars?" She asked. Again, that was something that I couldn't answer. I really wanted answers, but I was pretty sure that there was no way to get them? I didn't even know if something like memory tea would work because I didn't think that it could bring back memories that didn't exist. For some reason, this world was starting in 2012 when I returned from the island and I didn't know if there even was anything from before I got here. I didn't know how the physics of something like that worked. Even if I was smart, science was never a strong point for me, especially when it came to multi-dimensional travel.
"One of them." I told her.
"What about the others?" She inquired.
"I'm really not lying when I say that I don't know." I declared. It was a good thing that I had the excuse that people were known to block out traumatic memories. "A lot of what happened to me is a mystery, just like I don't know how I managed to have these healing powers, or why I have scars if I have healing powers. If I knew more about it, I would tell you."
It was then that I hit her in the back of the knee, knocking her to the ground. She would be fine though. I wasn't going to intentionally injure her because that would her ability to do her job.
I went over to my computer because I kind of did want to go after the next person on the list, even though I was concerned about the Royal Flush Gang. I needed to figure out who the mystery hero was, but I didn't know if they were going after the list or it was just a coincidence that they had chosen the same person that I had.
"You have some really nice moves." She told me.
"Yeah, and I'm gonna use them on him." I explained as I brought up the page. "Scott Morgan runs water and power in the Glades. He also has been known to increase prices and turns it off when they can't pay. He has no compassion, even when these people are freezing. He's indirectly responsible for over 20 deaths."
"Listen, I get why that's bad, but we haven't really reached winter yet." Iris proposed. "I've been doing some of my own research on crime in this city and I found this. These people call themselves the Royal Flush Gang. They have been robbing banks all over the state and they recently they recently arrived in Star City. She shot a cop and the doctors don't know whether or not he'll live."
"You know that the police are going to be highly involved in this since one of their own was shot." I pointed out.
"The police in this city are not equipped to handle something like this. They have enough problems. I wouldn't say that they're corrupt, but it's definitely not the most funded department." Iris explained. I wished that I could do something about that, but I didn't have the power to do something about, nor did I think anyone would listen to me if I did. Plus, it wouldn't make sense for me to want to help them considering that I was just seemingly wrongfully accused. "Not to mention, they have a tendency to hit multiple banks in each city they go to."
"What do you expect me to do?" I challenged.
"You're supposed to take out criminals with a bow and arrow. It's not that complicated." She pointed out.
"Well I don't know where to start with these guys." I pointed out. "I may able to heal from any injury, but I can't see the future. I don't know where they're going to be. I know how to fight Scott Morgan."
"I understand that you want to make a difference, but there's more than one way to do so, Olivia." She pointed out.
"Did I tell you what happened at the docks? There was someone else there." I declared.
"Who was it?" She inquired.
"I don't know. I don't know who they are or what they want, but I need to find out." I proposed.
"Well maybe they'll be after this Royal Flush Gang." She declared.
"Or they could be going after the list." I remarked. "If there is someone else out there, I need to find them. Not to mention, I can't stop all of the crime in this city."
"It sounds like you need to learn how to be a better hero." Iris declared. "Now I need to get you home."
I followed her to the car. I knew that she was doing what she thought was right and I also felt like I probably would end up going after the Royal Flush Gang. I was just concerned about this other hero. One of the main things that I was concerned about was the fact that they could get hurt, or that they could hurt someone else.
The following morning, I was talking to Thea. One major difference was that Malcolm had not gone anywhere. I figured that he knew whatever had gone down with the Gambit, but I also couldn't be sure that either of them was directly involved with it. I didn't know if Malcolm had sabotaged The Gambit or if he was planning the Undertaking, but I was pretty sure that someone was.
"Haven't you noticed Mom has been acting weird lately?" Thea questioned before she stopped. "Wait, of course you haven't because you don't know her like I do."
"Well you don't really pay attention to her either." I countered. "And you have an extra six years of knowing her."
When I got down, I couldn't help but notice that Mom was in a good mood.
"Guess who I just hung up with?" She asked. I was pretty sure that I knew who it was, but I wasn't supposed to know. "Janice Bowen. She's Carter mother."
"Oh I remember Carter. You always said that he was the perfect child." I stated.
"Is he perfect?" She challenged.
"According to you he is." I replied with a smile. "Carter Bowen just won the National Chess Championship. Carter Bowen just won the archery competition."
"I'm sure that I didn't say it like that." Mom retorted.
"Olivia, did you hear that Carter just got accepted into Harvard, Yale and even Oxford despite not even applying?" Thea quipped.
"That's because he got a perfect score on his SATs." I told her. This was fun.
"Did you hear that he cured cancer too?" Thea responded.
"Okay I get." Mom interrupted. "The point is they're coming here for brunch tomorrow and I expect you both to be here."
"I have plans with Linda." Thea retorted.
"Bring her here." Mom replied.
"Can I invite someone too then?" I questioned.
"If you must, but both of you will be here." Mom ordered. "I haven't seen the Bowens in years and I expect my family to be as excited to see them as I am."
You know I couldn't help but wonder how Malcolm was going to react to it. I didn't know how he felt about the Bowens.
"Okay." I replied.
"I hate you." Thea replied before she walked off.
At that time, my phone rang.
"I need you to come to Star City General." She told me. "I'll explain when you get here."
It seemed like she was still trying to get me to do something about the Royal Flush Gang. I also liked that she didn't feel the need to lie and someone attempting suicide because that was really a scummy thing for John to do. Suicide isn't a joke and it shouldn't be treated as such.
I was preparing to take the limo there because I didn't have my own car. Mom still seemed to be strict on not letting us drive until we were 18 and that was still a year and a half away for me. That was when the door opened suddenly.
"Hey how do you like sports cars?" Tommy greeted me.
"I'd be willing to take a ride in one, but I don't have much time to hang out. Can you take me to the hospital where you work?" I requested. He looked confused, but he still ended up taking me probably because he wanted to spend time with me. "So how are things going with Dinah?"
"That's what I want to talk to you about. I want to take the next step with her, but I'm not entirely sure what to do." He explained as he took me out to the car.
"And you thought asking your stepsister who's never been in a relationship for advice would be a good idea?" I quipped.
"While that is true, you're still a girl and I'm pretty sure that you have an idea on how to impress a girl." He told me.
"Well this car isn't going to be it." I retorted. "You just need to be honest with her and show her how much you care."
The two of us arrived at the hospital shortly after. I was pretty sure that he had not been following the speed limit and I wasn't used to my hair blowing everywhere with the top down. We met Iris just as the ambulance got there.
"What's going on?" Tommy asked. She was probably a little bit surprised to see him, but I couldn't help but wonder if she would try to use that to her advantage.
"Miss West." Stan's wife greeted her. "I can't thank you enough for arranging to move my husband from County Ward to Star City General. Now I can be assured that he's getting the best care available."
"You should be thanking her." Iris replied. "This is Olivia Queen. She had about your husband's incident and wanted to help. She's paying the bill."
"Who is her husband?" Tommy asked.
"He's Stan Washington. He was making a deposit at the bank that was robbed." Iris explained.
"I'm sorry that that happened to him." I replied as I let a single tear fall from my eye. I was glad that I had gotten better at acting since I had done this the first time.
"I can check on them. I don't know if I can operate on him, but I can still check on him." Tommy offered.
"This is my stepbrother Tommy Merlyn." I introduced. "He's a doctor here at this hospital."
"He should have just kept quiet." Jana replied.
"My dad was a police officer and I spent some time in the academy myself." Iris explained. "We were taught to protect and serve, even if it is harmful to our wellbeing. I just hope that things turn out better for him than they did my father."
"Thank you." Jana remarked before she went to check on her husband.
"What the fuck?" Tommy asked me.
"Tommy, I'm sorry that I didn't tell you why we were coming." I improvised. Iris had put me in the tough spot. "I didn't even plan to ask you to take me but I thought you would want to know about this."
"Yeah, and I'll do whatever I can to help, but I didn't think you would lie to me." Tommy replied before he went into the hospital.
"Okay, I'll deal with these guys, but I don't appreciate having to lie to my family." I told her. "I just have to make a phone call first."
I took out my phone because I had to make sure that I had a guest for the brunch.
"Hello?" She answered.
"Hey, Courtney. I kind of need a favor from you." I remarked.
"What is it?" She inquired.
"My mom is making me come to this brunch tomorrow. My sister is bringing her girlfriend and she said that I could invite someone. Do you think you can come over tomorrow morning?" I asked.
"I should be able to. What do I need to wear?" She inquired.
"Something nice. A dress probably." I answered.
"I have some of those. I guess I'll see you tomorrow then." She declared.
"I'll see you." I agreed before I hung up.
"Do you have a crush?" Iris asked me.
"I don't know what you're talking about." I said with a blush.
"You do, don't you?" Iris teased.
"Let's go catch some bank robbers." I stated. I had to say that I did not think Iris would tease me. It was definitely not something that John would have done.
We headed back to the lair and started to look over the footage.
"That guy right there has a temper." Iris replied. "He's the one that shot Stan Washington."
"It looks like he's got a class ring." I noted.
"I'm gonna guess high school because these people don't seem like the type to go to college." Iris remarked.
"That ring should be able to get us an idea of who the shooter is." I declared.
"Yeah, but we can't zoom in enough to find out where's it from." She pointed out. I then went to grab my coat.
"But it will have left an impression on the guy's face. That will be in evidence lockup." I argued.
"Please don't tell me you're going to break into the police station." Iris declared.
"Okay I won't." I agreed. The thing was I didn't actually need to do it, but I needed Iris to think that I did. As soon as I was outside, my phone rang again. "Hello?"
"So what color are you going to wear because I don't want to wear the same?" Courtney asked me.
"I haven't decided yet, but I probably wasn't going to wear anything green." I answered.
The next morning, I decided to tell Iris what I had found. I was wearing a short-sleeved salmon dress.
"When the ace guy punched the bank manager, the ring left an impression. I found out that it's a ring from Larchmont High." I explained. "I cross-referenced all students with hair color and height."
"That seems like it would be a long list." Iris noted. "Please tell me you have more than that."
"I do. I checked for any that had unconfirmed whereabouts and got one: Kyle Reston. He dropped out during his senior year and no one has heard from him since, along with his family." I added.
"There were two other guys in the robbery." Iris stated.
"As well as a woman." I replied. "They were 24 people in the bank. Stan Washington obviously didn't make it out, but only 22 people left the bank. It means we're looking for a family, but right now I have to meet mine."
I went downstairs to find that everyone was there and dressed up…except for one person. However, almost immediately after I got down, I heard the doorbell. I went to get it because I was pretty sure who it was.
"Hey, sorry I'm late." Courtney stated. She looked really pretty in her green dress, but I didn't have a crush on her. I then took her to the dining room.
"Everyone, this is my friend Courtney." I introduced.
"It's good to see you, Olivia." Janice greeted me.
"Yes, we're very happy she's home." Mom declared.
"And you returned a celebrity." Carter noted.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"You're a teenage billionaire heiress that was lost for five years." He stated. "I'm surprised that networks aren't busting down your door for interviews. My agent tells me that everyone wants to hear from you."
"Aren't you a neurosurgeon?" Linda asked.
"I know." Carter replied before he proceeded to ramble about something that I did not understand. "And the next minute, people want me to be the next Dr. Oz."
"I don't think you want to be him. He sounds like a grifter to me." I replied. I had learned some rather unfavorable things about him, but I was pretty sure that he hadn't done them yet.
"Yeah, I don't trust him either." Linda replied. I noticed that she kind of stuck out. "Thank you for having me by the way."
"Well, I just feel as Star City's more fortunate, we should help those in need." Carter replied. He really was full of hot air.
"I think I'm going to let you be the hero." I replied.
"Where is Tommy by the way?" Carter asked Malcolm.
"Well he may not be a neurosurgeon, but he is an accomplished doctor in his own right. He's taking care of a police officer who was shot in a bank robbery." Malcolm explained.
"So do you have any plans for after you finish school?" Janice asked me. "Will you be interning at the company in the summer?"
"I'm actually opening a teen club. We're going to start construction soon." I explained. I then heard a faint buzz and saw Courtney take out her phone.
"I'm sorry. My mom wants me home." She said before she hastily exited. "I'll see you at school tomorrow."
Okay, that was weird.
"Olivia, I've got a call from Pepsi." Iris interrupted before she handed me a phone she then whispered in my ear. "The Royal Flush Gang was just spotted a few minutes ago."
"Well it looks like I have a business emergency.' I replied. Mom was going to be so mad at me.
Iris told me that they would probably go through the sewers. That was definitely the smarter way to rob a bank.
I decided to shoot the bag. They were numerous rounds of ammunition going through the air. I found that the police were also there because they had heard the same information that I had. I even had a shot on one of them, but an energy blast crossed streams with one of my arrows. I started to follow them as they fled but I ended crashing into someone. It was a girl wearing an outfit with blue stars holding a staff of some kind.
"Who are you?" I asked. However, instead of answering me, she ran. I then noticed that the police were coming and I had to make my escape.
"We have a problem." I told Iris. "There's another vigilante."
"Who is it?" She asked.
"I don't know, but she got in my way before I could catch the gang." I replied. "I'm pretty sure that she's the same one from the docks too."
The following day, I went to school and came across Courtney at lunch. I couldn't help but notice that she was limping a little.
"Are you okay?" I asked her.
"Yeah, I just tweaked my ankle a little." She retorted. "I'm really sorry that I had to leave yesterday."
"Don't be. I didn't end up staying much longer after you left anyway." I explained.
"So do you wanna hang out after school today?" She questioned. Even if I did like her, I was pretty sure that I wouldn't be able to spend time with her due to my hectic life.
"I would but I have to work today." I said. It was only partially a lie. I also needed to see Derek.
"But your club isn't even open yet." She replied.
"I know but I have to meet with the construction crew to let them know what I want to do and what I don't want them to do." I pointed out. I was going to open this business for real this time.
After I talked to the construction crew, I made my way to the bar.
"So where are you going now?" Iris asked me.
"I looked into Derek Reston and found out that he used to work for my father. I also found out that there was a bar that he used to go to after work." I explained.
"And what are you going to do if he's there?" She replied.
"I'm going to give him a chance to do the right thing." I stated.
"Olivia, he already had the chance to do the right thing. It's called not becoming a criminal." Iris declared.
"He became a criminal because of something that my father did." I argued.
"That's not your fault. They're not victims." She retorted.
"Yes they are." I replied. "My father did as much harm to the city as a lot of people on the list. So I'm going to try to make it and I'm going to give him the chance to do the same."
I headed to the bar where Derek was playing blackjack. If he was so good at it, why didn't he just become a dealer or better yet, count cards? Those were completely legal ways to make money, even if casinos didn't like it. It was probably even more lucrative than robbing banks.
"Wanna deal me in?" I questioned as I took a seat in front of him.
"Olivia Queen, what are you doing in the Glades?" He asked me.
"My dad used to bring me here. There's a Ms. Pacman machine that I used to have the high score on." I remarked.
"Well the last time that I saw your old man, he was making a speech promising me and my crew that there was no way Queen Consolidated was moving production to China." He explained. "It wasn't even a week before he shut it down. I got nothing from it."
"My father made some mistakes." I said. "He did some things that he shouldn't have and that sometimes lead those who they hurt to do things that they shouldn't, but I guess you know all about that, but you don't have to stick with that. You can change. If my dad had another change, I think we would change as well."
"That was a nice speech, but it's not going to help me get my house back." He pointed out.
"I can though. Queen Consolidated has business all over the world. I can talk to someone and you can be working within a few days." I explained.
"How about you go to hell? Do you honestly think that I would accept a job offer from the daughter of the man who ruined my life? Especially since you're not even half my age. You don't know what it's like to be me and you never will."
"Okay." I replied as I reached into my purse and pulled out a card. "Well if you change your mind, here's my work number. You know I have more in common with you than you think. We both have to live with the consequences of my father's actions. His life may be over, but our lives are not set in stone."
I then slipped a bug into his pocket before I made my exit. Of course I knew that they wouldn't change their minds. I just wanted to focus on trying to save Derek this time. Maybe I could convince him to give himself up. I didn't want him to get shot.
"What's this?" Iris asked as she noticed me listening to the conversation.
"I dropped a bug in Derek Reston's jacket." I explained.
"I thought you were going to give him a second chance." She remarked.
"I am, but I'm also not stupid enough to just expect him to take it." I replied as I heard them talking about how they were going to go for one more.
"So what's the plan?" She asked.
"We're gonna take them down." I replied.
That night I headed to the benefit that Tommy was hosting for Stan Washington at Dinah's restaurant. I supposed since he didn't need to throw do a benefit for CNRI, this was the next closest thing.
I found Tommy and Dinah at the door. Unfortunately, I didn't have the time to invite Courtney.
"It's a pleasure for you to join us tonight." Dinah told me.
"Are you being sarcastic?" I asked. It seemed that even though she didn't hate me anymore, she still didn't seem to like me very much.
"No, I'm glad that you showed up." She answered. "I know we haven't gotten off on the best foot, but I am happy that you're starting to find your way."
"So, Tommy, any word on Stan Washington?" I questioned.
"Well I was going to wait to make the announcement, but since we're family, I guess I can tell you early. The prognosis is good. He'll probably have to go through rehab and spent some time in a wheelchair, but we don't think he'll be permanently paralyzed. He was even awake for a few minutes."
"That's great news." I replied. "Speaking of our family, have you seen them at all?"
"Yes." Tommy stated. "But before you go, I need you to put on this wristband."
"Why?" I asked as he wrapped it around my wrist.
"We have to follow the law and that means no serving minors alcohol." Dinah explained. I gave my best fake pout. "Sorry, Livvy, but no booze for you."
I eventually ended up finding Thea and Linda over by the wall.
"So what are you two up to?" I asked as I noticed that they were also wearing wristbands.
"I can't believe Tommy is making us wear these." Thea declared.
"Well do you blame him?" I challenged.
"So where's that girl you like?" My sister inquired.
"Courtney? I don't like her like that. She's just a friend." I replied with a blush.
"Olivia, I don't even know you that well and even I can see you like her." Linda stated.
"I don't and I didn't have time to invite us since I just found out about this like an hour ago." I pointed out as I saw Mom walking over. I knew that this was not going to be good.
"I'm surprised to see you here." She declared. "I would have thought you were too busy."
"Mom, I'm really sorry about yesterday. I said that I would be there and then I left, but I'm here now." I apologized.
"It seems like there's been a lot of apologizing from you lately." She noted. At that point, Iris came over and I wished that she hadn't done it at the worst possible time. "Let me guess, you have to leave again?"
She was really good at making me feel bad. It made me just want to let them get away with it, but I couldn't do that. I had to do what was right. The biggest question that I had was if was the right thing to do, why did it make me feel so bad? I really hoped that I would be able to make it up to her.
I headed to the bank. I really wanted to make sure that things would go well. I noticed that there were only two of them. It was just Derek and Kyle this time. Kyle came out after me. I shot an arrow at him.
"I came prepared." He said as he pulled out a shield.
"Does it work on this though?" A voice said before I saw an energy blast. The voice was distorted. Kyle jumped to the ground to avoid it. It left a mark on the floor. He then started shooting again.
"If you're going to be here, you need to work with me." I declared before Kyle attacked me. I started to fight with him. At that point, the security guard got up. He took his shot at Kyle, but Derek jumped in the way.
"No." The other vigilante shouted before shooting out an energy blast. It blocked the bullet but Derek was definitely hurt. I didn't know if it was fatally though. At that point, I knocked Kyle out.
"Call 911!" I told the security guard. I heard running and I tried to go after the other vigilante. I made my way…only to notice that she was flying on her staff. Well it would be very hard for me to catch her. I needed to find out how to figure out who she was.
I headed back to the lair. I actually didn't know if Derek had survived or not. I hoped that he did.
"So I have good news and more good news." She remarked.
"The good news is Derek Reston is going to be okay. Well he's going to be in jail for a very long time and Kyle will probably get life, but he's going to be okay. The better news is Stan Washington is awake." She told me. "So what's got you so down?"
"It's stupid. It's just this other vigilante." I explained. "I don't like not knowing who she is."
"Well now you probably know how the cops feel about you." Iris quipped. That was different. I wasn't trying to arrest her. "You know I think your dad would be pretty proud of you for what you did tonight. Maybe there's more than one way to save this city."
"Maybe." I agreed.
I headed home where I found that my mother was helping herself to a drink.
"Mom, can we please talk?" I requested. "I just wanted to say that I'm sorry that I'm never around anymore. I want to…but starting a business is hard. This is something that I really want to do well. I want you to know that I'm not doing these things because I don't want to be around you."
"I know that you aren't." She admitted. "I'm sorry too. You don't deserve that. I just thought that we would be closer like when you were younger, but I supposed that you've grown up a lot and seems like you don't need me anymore."
"So listen, I know it's late and also a school night but I was thinking we could go somewhere together." I offered. This was one thing that I didn't want to change.
So we went to Big Belly Burger and got some food. I couldn't help but laugh when Mom tried to eat it with a fork.
"Mom, it's a burger." I told her. The good news was that I had had a bit to eat earlier, so I didn't have to order two burgers. I probably could have added calories by adding cheese, but I didn't like cheese…at all. She grabbed the burger and took a big bite out of it.
"That is a good burger." She said. "I bet Carter Bowen doesn't know where to get the best burger in Star City."
"At least I have one thing on him," I remarked.
"No, you have everything on him." She replied.
So, Olivia finally changed something for the better, even if she needed Courtney's help to do so. Speaking of Courtney, when will Olivia figure out that she's Stargirl? Please don't forget to review.