Chapter 10
Brainwave Jr.

THE NEXT DAY...

LOOKING down at my phone I could still hear snoring in as I could see a few messages from Courtney this morning. And since late last night. And all of them continuing on the same topic, of her mother finding out that she was Stargirl, due to the staff. And that Pat is in trouble with her mother, and how bad her mother reacted. And more about how we needed to stop about Icicles. But the newest text was one talking about the cosmic staff going missing, and how she needed my help. 

Running into my closet I look all over for my black turtleneck sweater, my jean skirt, and my black long boots. Along with a red and blue flannel to cover over my arms as I quickly did my hair in a ponytail as I rushed around my house to gather everything I needed so I could head over to the Whitmore house as I was trying my fastest to get there. As I grabbed my bag and headed over to Courtney’s as I was walking fast in heels since running could be an option but I didn’t want to trip and then scurry over looking like I was beat by one of the ISA members. Including at this time of day, or anyday. 

Upon arriving I knocked on the door not hearing anyone until Courtney answered the door, as I didn’t see her mother’s car. “Courtney, are you alright.” I asked her as she grabbed my wrist and pulled me into the house. “My mother wants to leave Blue Valley, today. She is going to the American Dream to pack her stuff.” Courtney told me as my eyes widened. “What?” I asked her, shocked and saddened as I knew my face probably looked bad to her. “She is just so mad about everything.” She told me as I had sorrow in my eyes. “If I know anything about mothers finding out about you dressing up, once she has time to process it she should accept it more.” I told her as she looked at me shaking her head. 

“No Kenna! She wants to leave Blue Valley…..” She told me as I looked at her, shocked, recollecting my thoughts. “When?” I asked her as she looked down and then looked beside me, avoiding eye contact. “Today, after she gets back from collecting her stuff from work and we pack up.” She told me as I shook my head. “You can’t, I...the team we need you, you’re our leader.” I told her as she nodded, “I know, but I don’t think I can change my mother’s mind.” She told me as I looked at her, “But we need to tell Pat.” She told me as I nodded walking back with her knowing something bad would happen if we’re not careful. The ISA is still in the town, and we don’t even know where they are, and now Courtney is about to leave. 

FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER. . .

ONCE we arrived at the Pit shop Courtney knocked on the garage door, looking through the window with her we could see Pat. Once we saw the other garage open we both ran over, or at least Courtney did as I followed behind her. Seeing that her face is still in worry, she also explained that her staff was missing. Which was odd, since her staff usually was in it’s crate. Unless something happened and the staff did something that none of us know about. 

“Is my staff in there?” Courtney asked Pat as he responded with a no, seeing the worry also in Courtney as I was watching this whole scene unfold. “It’s not in its crate.” Courtney told Pat, as he put his jacket on. “It came to me last night, and I said I couldn’t go out, and….where could it have gone?” Courtney continued as she was so worried as you could hear the worry in her tone and her reaction of fear or concern for the staff. “I don’t know.” Pat told her as he looked at her. “We have to find it, and we have to take the fight to Jordan.” She told us as I looked at her with my eyes still in concern and worried that if Jordan is Icicle then he could kill us. Heck, he could even kill me if I wasn’t careful. Speedster 101 from what Wally and Barry told me, extreme cold makes it hard for a speedster due to the atoms, and it makes us extremely weak and our speed goes down making us vulnerable for attacks. 

“Mom wants to leave Blue Valley today.” Courtney told Pat as he repeated it, “Today?” He questioned as she nodded. “Yeah. She went to the office to go get her things. And told me to pack up.” Courtney continued as Pat walked to his car knowing he had to go get her. Still caring about her, even though after the fight, Courtney told me they had. “I told her not to go but. What should I do now?” Courtney asked Pat looking for advice for him. “Just listen to you mom. And go home and pack. Okay?” Pat told her as I could feel more sad now as I looked up and Pat was gone as he drove away leaving Courtney and me standing here without thoughts. Until I could see Mike come out of the garage. Of course he would be here; I thought. 

“Hey.” He told us both as I raised my hand as Courtney turned over. “Can you tell me what’s really going on?” He asked Courtney as I stepped to the side knowing this wasn’t my conversation. “”I’m sorry Mike I can’t tell you.” I heard Courtney say as I could hear the hurt in Mike’s voice. “You really never met me and my dad around, did you?” He asked as even I moved my head in the direction of Mike listening in. “That’s not true.” Courtney says from what I could hear as I turned around not wanting to hear the rest of the conversation as it was more for her and her step-brother than me. As he closed the garage in her face as she looked back at me. 

Walking back into the town we could hear people talking, as I looked at Courtney seeing that she was still sad as we continued walking until I bumped into her almost because she stopped like she heard something. Which was odd since I couldn’t hear whatever she was hearing. Until she looked across and then I could see what happened….it was Henry Jr. Out of all the people it could have been, it was Henry Jr. the one that is no good. And of course caring about Courtney I walked over with her as she spoke to Henry as I glared at him and he looked at me. 

Until I saw him grab Courtney’s shoulder and I glared at him when she gasped and yelled in pain. “Look I’m Sorry.” Henry told her as I went in front of her a bit as I grabbed her shoulder and he looked at me. “Stay away from me!” She told him as I was very tempted to run from him right now, right here in public. Not caring if anyone could see me or not. “Look I don’t know what that was.” Henry told her as I looked at Courtney. “Say the world and I will run us out of here.” I told  her loud enough for her to hear as she nodded. “I could see everything you were thinking.” Courtney told him as I looked at him still angry and still I can’t trust him 100%. 

“Your dad’s awake?” Courtney asked as I excused myself as she and Henry watched me, but I needed to find someone. And when the coast is clear. Once I arrived back home for a moment I could still see Ruby inside. “Hey I thought you were supposed to be in school soon.” She told me as I nodded. “I am, but um...you know that villian I faced...Brainwave while he’s awake.” I told her as she looked back at me as she gave me a mug of coffee. She tapped the glass, “So from what you have told me Mack,  he can read minds, make force fields, oh…and give people seizures of death.” Ruby said as I nodded, “You know I have never heard of anyone being able to do that. I would say I would help you, but you know my powers can even have an affect on people. So my advice to you, is to go with what your heart desires and not with what your team tells you. Because sometimes agreeing with your team can get you so far. Heck sometimes I even agree to Barry when I don’t support the idea. But when I started learning about my powers it was easier for me personally to decide what I needed to do to get my job done as a hero.” She told me as I nodded, “I understand thank you, Ruby.” I told her as I got up and we hugged as I grabbed my bag knowing I had to head to school now collecting my thoughts on the situation. 

LATER THAT DAY. . . 

SITTING at the table between Beth and Yolanda was interesting when Courtney came up with Henry Jr. “Way to go, Court. You just gave away our identities away to the enemy.” Rick told her as I was just sitting here in silence watching everything unfold, “Henry’s not the enemy.” Courtney told us as I knew what this was going to do. “Yes he is Courtney.” Yolanda started glaring at Henry as I knew I might have to hold me or me back from really wanting to jump him right now and throw him, but then my body strength isn’t like Rick’s. “Look if it helps, she didn’t tell me anything. I read her mind.” He told us as I nodded and he stared at me for a moment. “Which he’s not going to do anymore.” Courtney said as she looked at Henry and the two stared at each other. 

Yolanda on the other hand was still full on glaring at every movement Henry was doing. “Listen...my mom wants me and her to leave town today. Forever.” Courtney said as I looked at her still with sadness. “No. You can’t go.” Beth said as I nodded knowing that we had no choice, neither did Courtney. “I know. But if we find the staff and are able to stop the ISA maybe we can all only save the town. But we can also save Pat and my mom.” Courtney said as I nodded, maybe the last part was harder due to marriage wise, but we might be able to. “And save this asshole’s dad?” Rick said as I nodded knowing that it was Henry's last parent, but he had killed so many people, like more than the wreckage of fights between heroes and villains. 

“Courtney. If Brainwave gets his memories back, he’ll kill you but then we’re next.” Rick said as I nodded knowing that it was true. “Unless he could catch me.” I thought knowing this was not the right time. “He’ll figure out all our identities, unless Junior here gives them up first.” Rick continued as I could feel the cold stare Yolanda was giving Henry. But a part of me knew that helping Henry...even after what he has done, would be the right thing. “I’m not telling anyone anything.” Henry said as I could see Wally further down as he looked at me and I told him to cut it out as he put his head down even though his curly hair was still showing, by the time everyone could look over he would hopefully be gone so I can continue to listen in. “We all know if we find Brainwave we should break him into two while we can.” Rick said which would be very very hard. “Rick even though you might want to. If we go after Brainwave and he somehow returns he will kill you all, and then give me to who knows who on that team to use me on the biggest lab wheel seen. And I don’t want that.” I told them as he looked at me and they all started. 

“You’re not going to hurt my dad.” Henry said glaring at Rick, what is with this intense knife digging glaring. “Yeah? Try and stop me.” Rick told him as I knew this was going to end up bad. “Rick.” Courtney said as I looked over at him. “Rick.” Yolanda said grabbing his sweatshirt before Rick removed her hand and stood up. “How ‘bout you try….right now?” Rick said rudely, “Sit down.” Henry demanded. “Stand up.” Rick said back until his lunch went flying into him. He did fall on the floor with his lunch on him. And I wanted to laugh in some ways, but at the same time I wanted to yell at the two for acting like children at this moment. I watched as Wally came over and I looked at him. 

“No worries. Just ignore us like you usually do.” Beth said as I nodded and Wally and I looked at each other. “You know this couldn’t be going any better.” I told him as he shook his head, “So do we join them or do we just stand back here?” He asked as I shrugged my shoulders knowing that this might not be our type of situation. When we looked back we could see Yolanda at Courtney’s throat as Rick was behind her. And I still truly don’t know what to do. Before they could say anything more I walked away following Wally as I knew Yolanda wasn’t that far behind me. 

THREE HOURS LATER. . . 

ONCE I arrived at Cindy’s house all geared up I was lucky to have Kid Flash with me, now that he’s my temporary sidekick. I scanned the perimeter to make sure nobody was here, until I heard a noise and Wally and I jumped back seeing Yolanda, Rick, and Beth here as Rick glared, and Yolanda knew. But Beth was just frozen at Wally who was dressed as Kid Flash. “Who is this?” Rick asked me as I stood in front of Wally. “Kid Flash, he is my temporary sidekick.” I said as he glared at me, “I’m not your sidekick McKenna.” He said as they glared at him. “Is that Wally?” Yolanda asked as I nodded, “I told you he had a suit too.” I told her as she nodded. “You can trust him Rick, he works with a hero, that’s not me.” I said as he still glared at me but stopped acting up as much. 

After Courtney and Henry came I had to explain to them very quickly almost getting back into speed tongue as we headed downstairs to the basement into these dim lit tunnels. Like serious horror movie vibes, mainly IT, with the whole sewer style. Other than the whole sewer and killer clown thing. But you never know at this point if Pennywise could be real, but just dead because the Loser Club “killed him”. All of us lining up was a superhero cliche, until Beth talked about how scary it was and Courtney led us down the tunnels. Until Beth couldn’t hear Chuck. I meanwhile was standing next to Yolanda, as Wally and Henry were in front of us with the others. 

“So no info from Chuck, and no Cosmic Staff. Great.” Rick said as I knew this could possibly be a bad...no terrible decision as Yolanda grabbed my arm snapping me out of my thoughts. Once we got to a two way path we stopped there. As we had to split up, as Courtney, Henry, Yolanda, and I headed one way. As Wally would head with Rick and Beth. “We do some recon and we meet back here in fifteen minutes.” Courtney said as Wally grabbed my arm. “Don’t get yourself killed Flash.” He told me as I laughed. “Well, you know me wanting to get in trouble.” I said back at him as we walked away from each other. Knowing that this could be a bad idea leaving Yolanda and Henry behind us. But you know, I can’t stop her from trying to slit his throat forever. 

Walking with Courtney I grabbed her arm as she looked at me and I looked down the hall making sure nobody was there, and nobody could see us, since she doesn’t have her staff and Yolanda and Henry are behind us. Continuing on the path as Yolanda and Henry were closer behind us I kept Courtney's side as we could hear Henry tell us that we are close to his dad. Until we hid on a wall seeing this big room with science experiments and a man in a cloak with some minions over near Brainwave. Until we saw the staff hanging by the strings until I could hear a voice of the annoying Bitch….Cindy Burman. 

“Daddy! Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, she’s here! That Bitch and her Speedster are here! Let me out! Come on! I wanna kill them, please? Please let me! Please now!” Cindy yelled as we could see the man in the long drapes and hood as he seemed to be maybe Dragon King, as his goons were coming after us. As I was ready to run after them or use my powers against them. Seeing that Yolanda was ready I used my speed and tackled a few until I used some of my backflips to kick some and dodge them at the same time. As I could see Yolanda saving Courtney, and Henry using his powers to blast them away. 

Running around I made a vortex until it blew some away. But then I was able to blast some energy at them helping Yolanda as she looked at me and I smiled a bit, not knowing I could do that. But before we knew it Courtney was being trapped by Dragon King, and Yolanda using her claws and suit went up and got the cosmic staff off from the chains as she broke it out of its chains as she handed me the staff and I ran it to Courtney handing it to her as she blasted Dragon King and we saw his face as all three of us screamed. 

“It’s too late, let’s go.” Henry told us as we ran back into the tunnels as I was hoping to find the others as I was next to Courtney. And then we saw people and found Beth, Wally, and Rick as we all started running from Dragon King’s servants or minions. And worse of all Brainwave. And we ran the other way as we ended up near the end of the tunnels. Not knowing if we would make it as we found these metal bars which were blocking us from the other side. As Rick pulled them apart letting Beth, Yolanda, Wally, and I through until I stepped back and Brainwave was on the other side of us as Courtney was blasting at him and I knew she couldn’t last. 

Once Henry helped Rick, he let Rick through as I moved watching Courtney not giving up as I was tempted to grab both of them. But before I knew it Henry used his telekinesis to let Courtney through the bars as they snapped and I tried using my phasing but that couldn’t help as there was some sort of brain force field up and running that wouldn’t let us through. And part of me saying it’s Brainwave, but the other part of me knows it’s Henry doing this for us. As he is speaking to his father, as the scene feels like a Star wars scene, but 79% worse. As he screamed in pain and Yolanda even tried to help him and Henry was fighting with his dad. 

Until he tried to talk to him as I knew nothing good for him. As then I could hear that his own father killed his mother when he was young. Ok, even though I slightly hate Henry for what he did to Yolanda, man this is just fucked up...how much Henry Sr. screwed up his son with his relationship, and then decides to kill his son’s mother. But then again it’s Brainwave. 

“Stand by my side. Or not at all.” Brainwave told his son as I could see Henry tense up as the world went slower for a moment and I could see the wavelengths coming around the twos minds. And then before I know it Rocks are flying all around him and his father blocks it and then throws him into the metal bars. And this moment is the moment I knew there is no way that even I could save him, even if I have full power, I never have tapped the speedforce, and even if I could change it...affecting the timeline or not could cause damage to everyone else. Kill my friends. Family, heck even Courtney. 

Looking at his sad eyes made me feel something I never had before, forgiveness for someone who I never thought I would forgive. And sadness for someone I never thought I would feel sad for. He looked back at all of us, “I am sorry.” Henry told Yolanda as I could see the tears starting to form under her eyes standing next to her knowing that she may not forgive him for everything, but she does know from what I can tell that she is sad about this, that she does care for Henry still. “You’re right people are good. Don’t let this change your mind.” Henry said before he was crushed to Courtney as she looked sad but I grabbed Yolanda as she cried in my shoulder and Wally and me hugged as she wouldn’t stop hugging. 

Henry Jr. died saving us. Hell he was more of a hero than I can be. I let him die. My father would have been able to do it. And now I have to live with another death on my shoulders. That I could have stopped from happening, but I’m not fully in control with these powers. 

Why did he have to die? 

Henry King Jr. was a hero to us all. 

(Que in Dancing On My Own by Calum Scott, and the tissues as I am crying) 

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A/N: Oh my gosh please enjoy this chapter!!! Or please enjoy every chapter!!!

My gosh I hate writing these Chapter 10’s like man in Burgeon whenever I finish my two Stargirl books and go on my third. I’m just going to make an alternate ending for chapter 10 and twist some changes within that. But man, I hate myself for writing this. 

Thank you everyone for 3K reads and I mean it with all my soul into this book currently trying to finish it. Thank you! Every read isn’t something that is me selling my book, it’s more to share and inspire. So I enjoy reading all of your Stargirl books, like I hope you enjoy mine. 

I am truly sorry for not finishing on Friday and Saturday. I was just a little busy and got tired from this last week of school. I hope to finish early this week or if when this chapter is published I have everything else done. And starting to finish Justice by this next weekend. 

Thank you again! If I haven’t published this before finishing the book. Then see you in the next chapter. 

XOXO -Rosemusic18