One.
“It takes time, but in the end the time you take helps you become a better hero.” 

― THE RADIO WAS GOING CRAZY IN THE HALL OF THE FIVE AS SHARON PEMBERTON, 36 AT THE TIME WAS RUNNING BACK AND FORTH GIVING MESSAGES TO HER TEAM, AND WATCHING OUT FOR THE JSA. She was waiting for a call from The Justice Society of America saying they have the Injustice Society in custody and are ready to bring justice for the heroes that have fallen from some of the villains. 

I walked around the building waiting for the call as my team was currently on a mission and I was left alone with an android named Veronica Stone who was made to give us alerts and stay so if a teammate was injured. My reasons for not going out tonight was because I needed to stay on the call for the JSA as they had the fight of their life with my ex-lover who I thought I was going to spend my life with, and the rest of the Injustice Society of America. 

Tonight was supposed to be special, I was supposed to spend time with my nephew, niece, younger sister, and my older brother were to celebrate Christmas together even if it was with Henry King Sr. which we later found out was Brainwave after he almost killed me once before I fully got my developed powers. Well my brother would have to leave early anyways, but that was until we both got calls from our teams since I joined in with four other strong heroes to form an undercover hero group called the mark of five. 

The five members being me Starling aka Sharon Pemberton/Carlston, Black Canary aka Dinah Laurel Lance, Troia aka Celest Prince, Hawkgirl aka Shiera Hall, and Green Arrow aka Oliver Queen. In the end each member had their specialities and we formed the team if we didn’t want to be seen to the public eye or to be known by the villains like the ISA. So they went undercover even if the costs were that some of them had children, and others only one had no children. 

“Pat.” I yelled into the walkie talkie as I heard him in the car along with my older brother’s voice. “Any news from Starman.” I said as I heard another voice on the other side. “Starling?” He said over the radio as I turned mine back on using my hands. “Yes this is Starling. I need to know what is going on? Do they need me?” I asked as I heard another voice. “No Starling stay away I don’t need you here, they ambushed us, they knew about our plan. So stay there and make sure the others you have don’t come anywhere near.” My brother said as I scoffed but knew deep down he was right. “How many?” I asked back over knowing the others would want to know. “Multiple. Multiple injuries, Hawkman, Dr.Fate, Flash, Green Lantern, Sandman, many others.” He said as I gasped and dropped the walkie talkie knowing that Hawkgirl, and Troia needed to know as I heard Veronica calling for me. 

“Starman, Sylvester.” Pat said as I knew I should go and help them but my team needed my assistance as I ran back over across the hallways back to the control room with a broadcast from the signals around the area of Star City as we were using the Arrow’s lair instead of our own back in Blue Valley, Nebraska. 

When I ran to the monitors at first I saw nothing then  I started to see Black Canary, and Green Arrow holding down a few of the henchmen that were in cloaks. As they both tied them up with the help of Troia who was looking at the camera knowing I was watching her. 

“Any news on the others?” She asked through the coms as I pushed my com, “Nothing more than a few casualties. We will learn more later from either my brother, or Stripsey soon.” I told her as she nodded and the others continued to fight them. Deep down my gut knows something isn’t right as I walk up to Veronica whose hair is platinum blonde, and her peach skin color, along with her green eyes. 

“Stay with them Veronica. Tell me if they need me for anything I need to check on the others.”  I told her as she nodded, “As you wish Ms.Pemberton.” She said as I turned around and ran back to the other room and nothing but silence was on the radio as she feared for the worse to happen. As I heard something behind me I just shot at the wall with my powers seeing Kiera behind me. 

“What is the update. We finished the mission we just got back. All the gang has been put in jail and will be on trial soon enough.” She said as I nodded hearing nothing more from the radio since I last talked to Pat and them. “Nothing...it has been silent since Pat and my brother have spoken. I fear the worse is to come. Um….Shiera.” I told her as she sobbed and I went over and held her as Dinah, and Celest came in and hugged her as we all watched my phone ring. 

“Pat?” I asked, hearing him groan, getting up like he had been hurt a bit. “Anyone else back yet?” He continued as he asked me. “Yes everyone but Oliver is in here. Pat what happened?” I asked him as he sounded like he didn’t want to tell him. “A few made it out Sharon.” He said as I knew the truth most of them must have died. 

“Who? Who Died? Who lived in Pat you need to tell us now Please?” I asked him, being a little demanding but I needed to know I knew something was wrong, and every feeling in my body was telling me something was wrong. “Rex survived out of everyone he and Ted survived. Ted is badly injured, and Rex has some minor injuries.” He said as Celest breathed again as Kiera was finally relaxed as everyone knew what was going to happen next. 

“Starman is dead, Sharon your brother and all of the others unless they escape like Rex they are dead.” He said as I dropped my phone and tears started flowing down my eyes. “Who killed him?” I asked him knowing deep down I knew who it was. “Icicle...Icicle killed him.” He continued. 

That day at the end of the Golden Age...was Ten long years ago. 

― THE SMELL OF FAST FOOD, AND SLOBBER. Kyra Dugan, 15 ½ with dirty blonde hair, and her bright green apple eyes that were piercing through the light blue tent to the sky. She was focusing on something else during the time instead of closing her eyes and seeing all the pain it brought her since she remembered who she was. That was until she heard the door slam on her brother's door in the back as her eyes snapped towards the door. 

I looked back up into the windshield as I saw we had arrived at the apartments where my father’s new wife lives. Two years of running around the world and he ends up wanting to move to Blue Valley, from the crystal blue salty beaches of California. But like everything sometimes you have to start something new to get another understanding of the past. 

Opening the doors of the sun bound light tan ford that my father drove with his nice collector car from ten years ago attached by a trailer to the back. But when I got out the sun glared at my eyes stinging them as I heard him call for me, “Kyra can you help Barbara grab some of her boxes from her room?” He asked as I nodded heading inside as my black Nike shoes were trapping the heat within them. Once I arrived in Barbara’s bedroom I saw her struggling with some of her boxes as one was about to fall and moments before it could hit the ground my hand caught it. 

“Thank you, Kyra.” She said as I smiled, “It’s nothing, Barbara.” I told her to take a few more boxes out of her hands and take them downstairs and then through the front door out to the moving truck as I looked into it seeing other boxes from the apartment that have already been sat in the back of the truck. I walked out to see my father stare at me until I glance away and head back to the front door almost running into Courtney Whitmore; 15 and my step-sister. 

I knew deep down she felt like my father was a replacement to her father, and even I could see she didn’t really like him yet. But I have a feeling deep down that going to Blue Valley, Nebraska is going to help her see that he is different than she thinks of him, or even knows about him. Who knows if she ever finds out the truth about my father, but one thing is for sure…. he won’t stop trying to be a father figure for her. 

About twenty approximately minutes later everyone was getting in the car as I agreed to sit in the way back alone so I could not only listen to my own music but be able to read my six hundred page book about studies from Egypt events and studies of hieroglyphs; the meaning and translation of Egypt. 

Once I got in I grabbed my book and grabbed my earbuds putting them in my ear as I started a playlist. As every page I turned I got more into the book as it started explaining the end of hieroglyphs in Egypt; after Christianity came over to Egypt back 3500 years ago at the most. The words on the pages are unlike what most people would understand when it showed a diagram of some of the hieroglyphs in an old abandoned tomb that no bodies were ever found in. 

When I closed my eyes I could see flashes, A small tunnel was in front of me as I watched someone who looked like me walk in it as I followed. It was only about four feet tall so I had to crawl through it. But when we got through I saw a woman get stabbed by a man her eyes were green apple soft as she looked the way to the younger girl as she cried out her last words. 

“Run my Sun.” She said as the small girl with light brown hair just stood there as wings came out of her back they looked like they were soft as they looked light brown with white tips on a few. But when I looked back at her eyes as they were no gray with no more light as the man behind her a scar above his eye was laughing at what he had done. He approached the little girl as she was shaking out of fear and she was then crying for her mother. 

As the man came closer and closer the young girl was about to be touched when a sharp club stone hit the man in the face as it made more blood when you heard the grunts of the man as he looked down at the woman. He had wings but he had armor on unlike the women who were now on the sandy ground of the stone structure like one of the tombs of Egypt. 

The man then came closer to the young girl, “My child, come with me we must go. It is not safe here anymore.” The man said being her father, with his brown hair, but piercing blue eyes like the ocean. But before I knew it blood was falling from his mouth as he screeched as he pushed back falling down to the ground before the small girl looked back. She looked like me when I was younger. 

Before I could feel anything I watched as flames came in the man’s eyes as he approached the young-looking me, as I started talking trying to get her away until all I felt was fire around us seeing it come up and it started burning the young girl. 

I woke up to my father shaking me awake, and I looked at him. “You alright Kyra?” He asked me as I nodded as tears were in my eyes. “Just another bad dream, nothing too bad,” I said getting out and grabbing my book that fell to the ground. When I did get out of the car I saw the light blue paint of the house with its white trim and light gray roof. The movers already had arrived and had started to unpack when we got out. 

I glanced around looking at everyone’s reaction, “Is this ours?” Mike said as I looked over at him knowing the answer to his question, “It’s a mansion.” He said making my eyes roll at his thoughts. “What do you think?” Barbara said to Courtney who had her arms crossed until something loud hit the step of the moving truck. 

The small crate that held something more fragile than anything else in the moving truck until I realized some of the items in my crates in there darn it. I did see the reaction of Courtney when she stared at the moving truck looking inside at the crates that were marked ‘AUTO PARTS’ in bolded letters as everyone started to head to the town square of Blue Valley to grab some food. 

We all started heading out as I looked at some of the houses around and the different colors of paint, trim, and even style that they had. The look of individual differences is what I was truly looking for as most of the houses looked so similar, but only the color changed the difference in them. As we walked by one house I could see a flower garden, but also a small front yard before the house, the big tree that blocked some of the windows and porch. 

There was this blonde girl, with bright blue eyes who was walking out to a candy apple red 1961 impala, with a white stripe in the middle of the car that wrapped around. The young lady in the car, the same age as the other girl, had ginger hair, and darker eyes from what I can see from the distance. Before they could see me staring I glanced away and continued to walk as I heard the car engine turn on and the two left the house. 

Sweet and salty was the smell of the food that we were near now, as it took only ten or so minutes to walk from the house into town. People from all around were waving, and smiling which at first it was nice until people continued to smile and wave and it started getting annoying in ways. In the end, truly I know they are trying to be nice and welcome, but I don’t need people to be so nice and welcoming. Mike even at first questioned it until a girl his age walked by and I just shook my head. 

We reached a diner as my father, and Barbara both were happy, “Ah, this is where Pat and I met.” She said happily and also remembering the day she met him. I have heard my fair share of stories that went done that day and how he came to the diner, but that is for another time truly. And everyone knew the story, I just knew more reasoning before the story of how he arrived at this diner after a long day of searching,... ok but again that truly is for another time. 

“Two years ago… when I came to sell my mom’s house,” Barbara said again as everyone knew, “Yeah we know.” Mike said, interrupting more of the story as Barbara just looked in the diner. “Dad has told us a hundred times, you both ordered the corndogs right?” He asked as my father and Barbara just looked at another. “Banana Split,” They said together as even I thought they could be cute sometimes, this wasn’t one of those moments. 

“Pat, why are we here in Nebraska anyways?” Courtney asked as I knew the truth, but couldn’t tell her truth. “I was...I was looking for something.” He responded as I nodded knowing he was indeed looking for something. But we never answered more than looking for something as we entered the diner. 

― THE BUZZ OF THE VIBRATION SCARED ME WHEN I CHECKED MY PHONE. “Are you still available today?” The text said that Maya sent me when I responded with, “Yeah. Are you near?” I asked her as she responded rather quickly. “Yes, I’m about five minutes out.” She responded as I texted a quick, “Okay be out in five.”

As I quickly grab a shirt to cover my sports bra I then grab my shoes and walk down my stairs to see my aunt Helena cooking eggs as the smell of it burns as she gets a call. “Oh my yeah. I’ll be in.” I heard her voice say as I could smell the rotten smell that the eggs bought off. When I walked in I saw she was off the phone. 

“Are you going in for work today?” I asked her as she nodded, “Lawrence needs me to come in today. Will you be good and don’t, don’t do anything your father would do.” She said as I smiled, “Alright so stay calm and be kind. And not stir up any trouble if someone challenges me to do anything or talks crap about me.” I said as she nodded and patted my shoulder walking to go grab her jacket.

“I will be out today Helena.” I told her as she shouted, “Have fun, and tell Maya hi for me.” She told me as I laughed knowing she knew it was too common for me hanging out with Maya or Cameron, or them both everyday most days and most weekends. Before I could even comprehend anything else I heard someone knock on the door as Helena yelled for me as the egg smell went down. 

When I walked out after grabbing my bag heading down the stairs with Maya, “Those eggs smelt bad.” She said as I laughed and she looked at me. “So what is the plan for today?” I asked her as she looked at me. “There is a festival and they have an archery range and it’s about an hour out of Blue Valley, but I knew that you might have wanted to go.” She said as I looked at her nodding. 

“You are ready to lose jv.” I asked as she gasped and threw her arms up and almost hit me in the face as my hands grabbed her hand before it hit me in the face. “You are going to lose old school with your methods. And when I win you must buy us dinner. And if you win which you won't, I will buy you dinner.” She told me as I laughed. 

“Make the best Archer win.” I told her as she laughed and we started driving off passing town as I looked and saw a dirty blonde girl moving her head away; staring at me before. Before we drove off from grabbing a quick bag of fries from the diner, as we knew we would burn the calories beforehand. This was going to be a long day. 

When we were driving all around I continued to look out on the other side of the car as the forest and the outlook of the whole city as I watched the ginger hair of Maya’s kept flowing in with the wind as she was watching the road. “Let me ask you one thing: what did you learn in Star City?” I asked her as we saw a sign saying ‘Leaving Blue Valley, be back soon.’  “That is what we're here for, you know deep down what I did.” She said as I understood the answer not caring how she said it as I scoffed. 

Once we arrived I saw the color all around, “Surprisingly school starts up in the morning are you sure your father is ok with this?” I asked her as she rolled her eyes and I knew the answer. “I told him I was going out not where but while we’re at it let’s just enjoy our time.” She told me as I pulled her shoulder. 

“Are you ever going to tell me the truth about what you did in Star City?” I asked her as she looked back at me getting out of her car standing up as she put on her black leather jacket over her jeans and red shirt. “Someday Lance, Someday.” She said as I finally got out and grabbed my phone so if I ever got a call from Helena or anyone. 

When we both entered Maya looked around until we got up to the back and saw the open archery range as we quickly signed waivers and grabbed a bow. They started to help put the targets up as they gave us an ‘OK’ and we both pulled back the bows and hit the bullseye. 

“You're going to lose old school.” She said as I grinned, “You wish slick.” I told her as she laughed and then grabbed another arrow and shot another bullseye. I grabbed another arrow and did the same. I looked back to see everyone that was around while some were busy there was a small crowd approaching as Maya shot another arrow splitting her last one. 

“So owing the other one dinner. After we go shopping, you're going to lose.” I told her to shoot the arrow the same way as her, but mine missed by one inch due to the wind making her win. “That stupid wind.” I cursed under my breath knowing she could hear me with the look she was giving me of pure I told you so moment. 

― COLDNESS OF THE FLOORING ALL AROUND IN THE SIXTY DEGREE NIGHT. I was in the basement with my light coat on as I was wearing more comfortable clothing than the itchy clothing I wear during the day. My hair is nothing more than a messy ponytail that I put up earlier while unpacking some of my items from all the years before I met Pat, and Mike. 

As I opened one of the crates I saw some old photos of an archaeologist and a small girl along with some old costumes that were filled with dust that covered it. I quickly pulled out the one that was for a female. It had two parts starting with a top that was vibrant reflective green with a golden yellow stripe down the middle, and a vibrant reflective green pants and at the top it has the same golden yellow stripe but it’s in the shape of a ‘v’. With some burgundy boots with some owl claws and legs that the claws wrap around the bottom of the boot. There was a belt around the pants with some other tools and had an owl in the middle, along with black gloves, some cover over spiked arm bracelets, a helmet that had pointed ends like a bird and eye sockets that were white but see through and spiked club. 

“How long have you been down here Kyra?” My father asked me, “For about an hour looking through all my parents' old stuff.” I told him remembering some parts of both of them then others. “You still have those dreams?” He asked as I nodded, “Some nights worse than others I see these dreams and nothing has helped them. They aren’t just dreams Pat they are memories of mine from my past lives before being reincarnated. I see my life, then my death.” I told him trying not to fall off the stool I was sitting on. 

“Let me guess you came down here to look at some of your crates, and look at some photos too.” I said as he shook his head at me knowing I knew what he was up to, “You know for being the only one who also knows about this. I can see right through you Pat. Ever since you took me in and adopted me after my parents death ten years ago.” I told him as he nodded and I started heading upstairs after closing my account and taking an old photo with me one that was from many...many years ago. 

Once I got into my room I moved a box off my bed as my room was finished mostly only for the two boxes that are on the floor full of photos and old antiques that I have had even before Pat adopted me and became my other father. I did look at the photo seeing the detail and the black a white qualities of the older photos as I could still see the perfect features of the person I once knew to where she was somewhere else after my past life. 

When my eyes finally shut when I hit my bed and was warm I started seeing the signs of blood, and wounds, along with shouting. Medical tents made of cloth and nothing more as nurses rushed to the sides of injured men who either had lost limbs, dying, or died from the lost limbs are in the room. As I looked over and saw a familiar face as she was running to help the next patient she was treating as they had to cut off the leg of the soldier as they gave him a cloth and started sawing with the same material they did for four other men so far. 

She did run up to me, “I told you to meet me at sundown.” Her sweet voice said looking at me as the other men do. “My parents were wondering where one of the maids went.” I said as she smiled. “I came here to help the war victims and I'm trying to help as many men as I can. I will be back to your estate soon, after sunset in the forest.” She said whispering in my ear. “I’ll see you then.” I said softly so only she could hear as I ran back in my skirt to the horse wagon as we headed back to the forest. 

I saw a familiar face of one of my fellow friends as he led us back to my parent’s estate as I was watching behind us making sure that nobody was following us. I walked with a small pistol in my hand as I looked around in the trees with one of my fellow friends around the other as I continued to walk around the forest seeing nobody there as we continued to head back to the cart. Until I saw burning at the estate as I saw angry soldiers from the opposing side, I could hear the scream of my mother as she was in the house and I was running towards the estate as my friend tried to pull me back but I ran through the soldiers who looked at me with smirks, “You guys are witches I tell you.” They said coming close to me as my friend got stabbed for me as I cried out knowing that he was dying as I helped him apply pressure. 

“Let him live please.” I said as they beat me up a bit but I was dying slowly as my friend stopped breathing and I cried out as I walked back inside seeing the shadow of her behind me as she gasped and the fire was almost out and I ran in seeing the faces of my burnt parents who passed long before as the ceiling the collapsed on me. 

I gasped awake as I looked over at my clock, 6:15. It’s morning I can now wake up as my body was still recovering from the dream I just had. Grabbing the photo that was cradled to my chest of the woman that I once loved...that I left that same night that horrible dream was about. I looked to see her face one more time before putting it in a small box on my white vanity mirror that I looked at my reflection with. 

Brushing my hair quickly after changing for my first day of Sophomore year. I continued to brush the knotted ends of my hair. As it was from the bad dream that reminded me of 1862. My last reincarnation before I came back in 2003. It never gets old when you get reborn as the flashbacks are the worse part since your memory at first is different. Sometimes you can be stuck with different parents; not me yet at least. 

After I quickly ate something for breakfast, as my father walked down and I washed my bowl quickly hearing footsteps come down the stairs as I closed my eyes and then saw a quick flash as I opened them back up. Walking back and grabbing my bags, I would have rather been homeschooled at this point since my last interaction fully with people at school...I kinda almost revealed my identity on accident. 

Minutes later...I walked out to the car following behind Courtney as I got in the back letting her have her space in the front. Today was going to be different than every other day I have faced. Or for the matter any new school I have ever had to face due to my father wanting me to “Explore The World. And Meet New People.” after promising my parents that he would let me see the world. 

― IN MY RED JACKET I LISTENED AS I HEARD THE FAMILIAR VOICE TO STEPH APPROACH WITH HER LIGHT BLUE DRESS ON TODAY. She walked up as I looked back after talking to one of the students who was on the council as they walked away after we had the conversation about more transfer opportunities as they asked me about my time in Star City. If only anybody knew. 

Upon almost walking in I saw a new car in town that was red with a white stripe in the middle, 1956 Buick Super that overall was in great condition from what I saw. Watching as two teenage girls with two different shades of blond, one with light ash blonde hair, and the other one with beeline honey blonde. 

“New girls most likely.” I jumped out of thought hearing Stephanie who was looking at my eyes when seeing me watching the two girls. “Yes, new girls and both of them look so different, but they do have pretty hair and features.” I told her as she laughed. “And yet you like guys.” Stephaine said as I groaned and rolled my eyes at her as I hit her shoulder as she looked shocked at me. 

“Well we should head in before we look like stalkers.” She said as I laughed, “Or just some idiots that seem like perverts.” I told her as she glanced at me with her narrowing blue eyes. We gathered our stuff as we both headed inside into the crowded hallways of the school. And even through those hallways we still managed to find our way to Cameron. 

Over across the hallway from us I can’t seem to notice as Cindy Burman and Jenny move over to talk to one of the new girls which I believe her name is Courtney from what I heard as I looked back into my locker as they were approaching us. “Ok is it just me or did the new girl just talk to Cindy? And was Cindy just being nice to her?” I asked as Stephaine gave the same shocked look. 

“Not only that but offered her a place on the cheerleading team in your old spot?” Stepahine asked as I nodded, “Are we sure that we aren’t dreaming.” I asked looking over to face Cameron who was glancing into his locker not getting into this conversation as Stepahine looked down the hall where the three of them went and Courtney split up from her. But that is odd, weren’t there two girls?

A flash of time occurred as lunch rolled around today as I sat in the back corner of the cafeteria next to Stephaine and Cameron who was sitting next to Stephaine as I glanced over curious as the same light ash blonde with her white shirt with red linings sat down at the “loser” table, while the other one, and the girl with black hair were missing. Odd. Well not for the black haired girl who usually goes past the football field and either ditches the cafeteria or goes into the forest. But the other girl wasn’t having it, as I believe she was somewhere else. But where? Was my mental question. 

Glancing one more time I do see the brown hair guy who is relative to the black hair girl get up and steal something from the stand of food. Without much focus I then watch as my idiot brother walks up with some of his jock friends with their special “letterman” jackets being football players. I scoffed knowing her couldn’t just leave Yolanda alone; hell she won’t even let me speak to her and I won’t push her to. But my brother on the other hand just does what he pleases to be a dick when he can have fun saying whatever and not have consequences yet. 

How bad I wanted to go over to that table and grab my brother by the ear, knowing deep down I won’t because being seen isn’t my favorite thing to do anymore. While wearing all red; bright ideas. I snapped out of my thoughts about color as I watch Henry fly into the lunch lady and I laugh looking over to see how uncomfortable Cameron and Stephaine look as I fly with embarrassment for my brother’s actions. 

Blending into the crowd as I walked out next to Cameron, and Stephaine as I was in the middle this time since we didn’t want to “stick” around after Courtney was taken by Bowen. Getting into things wasn’t my style after everything that happened with my brother, it’s best for me to just be unnoticed in ways. 

Evening rolled by as I was having dinner with Stephaine at the diner as Helena was going on her marathon run today in Carson City with Lawrence Crock and a few others of his class who have been members for awhile. We did order two burgers and shakes along with fries as we walked back out to my car. 

“Why are we even going to this movie?” Stephaine asked looking at me as I smiled, “To watch over my brother. And who says we can’t just have one night sitting back and enjoying ourselves?” I asked her as she looked over and grabbed a fry out of the bag. When I pulled out I watched as my brother passed us and teased us for being alone. 

“He’s just jealous Maya that you have a true friend that you can be you with. While all he has is his good looking self, and jock friends who don’t know much about him.” She told me as I nodded and laughed until I realised the second part of the sentence. “Ewww! Don’t call my brother hot in front of me. You're my friend and he isn’t good enough for you.” I told her as I could see her blushing and trying to hide it with her hair as she punched my shoulder lightly. 

Driving to the drive-in I caught up behind my brother as I parked a few down, and away from him as it started to get late with the sky turning darker. I sat back taking my glasses off, “I wish that Cameron could have joined us.” Stephaine said as I laughed. “Yes I wish he did, but you know I understand his reasoning.” I told her as she nodded as the trailers started to start. 

About forty or so minutes later I heard talking and laughing as I saw my brother and his jock friends picking on some of the geeks. Like my life couldn’t get any worse with my brother after these last couple months after coming back from Star City. 

“He can’t just leave people alone for one night.” I groaned out in the air knowing he couldn’t hear me due to the distance between us. “He is just an idiot you will be alright once we leave.” Stephaine said, trying to confront me as I watched him continue to pick on one of the students. 

I looked over to see something when Stephaine turned her head at a person with a glowing stick as she popped my brother's tires. My mind was laughing knowing he did deserve it in ways. She did get away with two until someone caught the girl, and she then pushed the person with the staff, Stephaine still being herself couldn’t hear a thing like a weapon, but could hear if someone mentions anything about finances. 

Watching my brother charge at the person, the staff or stick looking thing blinded me as my brother’s friend ran into it as he then threatened the girl which she totally kicked his ass. Yes, my brother was getting paid back for his idiot and rude actions, unlike at home where he could be himself more. The person did ride up on the floating object. As it then hit my brother and Travis again until she hit Henry’s car and then Stephaine looked over at the fire. 

At the same time she did get back up and ran as I knew my father would be mad at him, and question us both since I was here. But glancing to the forest I knew she left the way she came, in what a world could there be a hero here in Blue Valley. 

“Dads going to kill you Henry.” I yelled knowing he would have to ride home with Stephaine and I. “You can drop me off at town square, I could run home from there.” Stephaine said as I shook my head knowing I would make Henry suffer riding with me for a moment for being so cruel to someone. “Henry will just have to suffer the ride Stephaine.” I told her as she looked at me. “I’ll sit in the back.” She said jumping out of the car grabbing our trash before returning back and getting into the back. 

“If you want a lift you better not act like it’s the most terrible thing again.” I told him madly as he looked back at Stephanie and then at me. “I’m taking her home before me. And you will have to deal with it.” I told him as he groaned and just watched out the side of the car as we drove off and I smiled putting my sunglasses on the top of my head as we continued our ways near Stephaine’s house. 

Just as we arrived I watched Stephaine grab her purse as she patted me on the shoulder and I watched until she got up to her porch steps and got inside, “You know you don’t have to be so rude to Stephaine.” I told Henry as he looked at me, “She can see through your act Henry of how you're more soft and kind on the inside when you want to be. But we have one thing in common that we try to act strong, and we try to act rude but it never works out in the end.” I told him as I drove off once again. 

Sitting in a red chair in my father’s office across from him was as awkward as ever as he was asking us questions after we arrived home. I have never once felt too comfortable in this office when it comes down to be across from my father as he looks at us like he can hear what we have to say, because we can never lie to him. 

“Tell me again son, what happened?” My father asked in a stern voice with his hand together as I was picking at one of my nails while looking down at my hands. “Travis and Brian and I were at the drive-in. And we were minding our own business, dad.” My brother said as I knew deep down he wasn’t and that was a lie. 

“The part about the staff, junior.” He said leaning forward looking at my brother more closely as I kept my head to my hands unless I wanted to speak. But I knew my brother was looking at him near his eyes. “Why is the staff even a big deal to him?” I wondered in my head. 

“Someone they had this glowing thing.” He said as he didn’t look at my father and I looked over lifting my head up to see Henry, “It shot..I don’t know. Fire or lasers or something.” He said as I watched my father peak interest studying his emotions which were hard to read other than when looking at his eyes and seeing how the pupils change. 

“I know I should have asked to take the car, Dad.” My brother says as my father comes closer to his face and his emotions and eyes change and I know it piqued his interest even more, like he knows something about this which does interest me a bit to know what he knows. But I should mind my business a bit for now. 

“What did they look like? Who were they?” My father asked sternly once again and quickly so he could have my brother’s answers and then ask what I knew about the situation. “It was too hard to see.” My brother said making it up a bit knowing it was a girl around my age who was in a dark hoodie who did it. As my father glanced at my brother looking for answers and then me quickly as he then turned his head back. 

“Go to your rooms, both of you. We'll talk more about it in the morning.” He said as I got up quickly walking back to my room not wanting to hear anything from anyone right now. I did go and change before I started to continue to re-read the hunger games books once again since Star City because of the content about freedom and diversity of humans that do whatever it takes to have freedom and how one can inspire many others by trying to change the society and standing up for what is right. 

― GOING BACK DOWN TO THE BASEMENT WAS INTERESTING AS I SAW SOME OF PAT’S PHOTOS EVERYWHERE ALMOST STEPPING ON ONE OF THE ONE’S WITH THE JSA. Looking down I noticed that some of his stuff had been scattered as I heard another pair of footsteps. I put my fist in front of me until I noticed it was Pat. After the lights were turned on I saw how much of a mess the place was. 

He was bringing down the destroyed microwave looking at the mess that was made. “Did you go through everything?” He asked me as I shook my head. “No, luckily the person didn’t take any of my weapons, it would have been too dangerous for some people. But…..” I said looking at the crate with the empty Cosmic Staff. 

He did turn the light on also noticing the staff was gone, “Ok before you say anything. No, I didn’t use the staff as my club since I still have my club. And two I couldn’t get the staff to work Pat.” I started looking back through my crate to make sure nothing else was stolen from me. 

“Oh crap.” Was all he could say as he still looked at the crate as we both wondered where in the hell the staff went. Part of me is thinking somehow Courtney took it, but who knows. It could have been Mike for all I know even though it never worked before, but still you never know who can be a hero or not. 

Upon Courtney’s return she came back down the stairs and I saw the cosmic staff not noticing Pat and I. As he was leaning against something as I was thinking about my past a bit. Until she screamed in surprise about how we both were down there. 

“What are you doing?” My father asked Courtney as I turned back watching the two. “Me? I didn’t do anything. Or anything. Oh but you, you don’t get to ask the questions Pat. If that’s even your real name.” She said as I laughed knowing his nickname was Pat. “It’s Patrick.” He said as I knew it already. 

“You mean Stripsey.” She said as I laughed knowing that was his old nickname from the Golden Age days when he was the sidekick to Starman, and good friends to the JSA. “All right give me that.” He said trying to get the staff from Courtney as she moved it. “That’s incredibly dangerous.” He said as I laughed and they both looked at me. 

“What can’t I laugh. The cosmic staff couldn’t be as dangerous as my club at times.” I said as my father looked at me with that ‘you better be quiet’ face as I shut up instantly. “I know. I blew up a car.” She said as I smiled wishing I could have seen the person who owned the car. I got out of the conversation until she started talking to the cosmic staff and part of me was worried. 

“What is this thing?” She asked my father as he laughed, “It’s called the cosmic staff. It’s extremely temperamental.” He continued on talking to Courtney. Until she let go of the staff giving it to Pat as the staff then stopped glowing. It did get me interested as I learned a bit more about the staff until it had to be put back in it’s crate. Well at the end of the day i’m happy that my club can’t respond to me and my thoughts if I ever was able to use it. 

“The Justice Society of America. Was before your time.” He said as I nodded, “The golden age heroes who saved the world multiple times until most of them were killed.” I said as Pat and Courtney both looked at me concerned. “She isn’t lying Court.” My father said as I then started to think about both of my parents. How they both died at the same time from what I heard. From what I can see I hear them screaming a bit. 

“I quit when I was a kid.” Courtney said as I snapped back into the conversation. “Well they exactly didn’t quit. Starman and the JSA died saving the world.” He said as I looked at something in my crate it was a photo back from when I was four almost five years old at the time with my parents holding me in the middle. She looked at a photo of the whole team. “They died ten years ago on Christmas Eve.” He said as I watched Courtney’s reaction to the answer like it empowered her. 

“Ten years ago on Christmas Eve?” She questioned as I think I can see what she was thinking by just her reaction and how she is holding the locket she received from her father from what I heard. Getting up I walked up behind her hearing Pat talk about the risks as I took a photo with me from my crate. I continued listening to the conversation as I grabbed the old JSA photo studying all the faces of the heroes remembering all the names like I did when I was a child. 

“My father never showed up that night.” She stated as I was curious like a cat wondering if it could be possible, kinda like how I am Hawkman and Hawkgirl’s daughter she could be Starman’s. “Because he died saving the world.” She continued as some of the memories came back. I did sit back down on one of my crates. 

Before I could process anything I watched as Courtney went upstairs and my father tried to stop her. “She is even more stressful than you some days.” He said as I laughed as he looked at me with a serious face and I then looked back at some of the stuff within the now open crate once again and I grabbed a journal from my mother that she put in here for me. “Oh boy.” He said as I grinned into the crate grabbing the helmet my mother used that laid next to my father’s helmet and suit. 

I may or may not have been outside listening to Courtney and my father’s conversation without them knowing. Until I walked up finishing my spying as Courtney jumped and my father looked at me. “This is about keeping your mother and you safe. Mike and Kyra too.” My father said as Courtney looked at me. “You understand that?” He asks her as she nods and he looks up at me and I nod. “Okay.” They both said as she called him stripsery again. 

Waking up at night to screaming wasn’t pleasant as I heard Courtney from the other room fall off her bed as I walked up to my door and in the hall. “She’s alright Kyra.” Barbara said as I nodded heading back in my room and waited until she went back to her room and I snuck out to see Courtney in her room. Until she jumped when she noticed me. 

“You gotta stop doing that Kyra.” She whispered as I shook my head. “Sorry, I was worried somewhat when you screamed.” I told her as she looked at me until the staff pulled her out and I quickly knew it wouldn’t be easy to catch her as I grabbed one of my clubs as I ran all the way to the pit shop not being able to catch up to Courtney as my father came to my rescue. I did indeed take my mother’s old suit with me since it can grant me the same powers as her, other than the wings which are a part of our body chemistry and took time for me to learn how to control them. But the metal grants me more abilities. 

“Where did Courtney go?” He asked me as I shrugged my shoulders. “I have no idea. One minute the staff takes her out the window and the next I quickly pack up the armor and metal and start chasing after her. You might need to suit up to.” I told him as he looked at me nodding as we arrived and I went to the bathroom and quickly changed, “Nothing you say will change my mind. I’m coming with you.” I told him as he nodded knowing he couldn’t change my mind. 

Feeling the clouds once again with my wings was nice since it has been years since I was able to fly like this. I flew next to my father who was in a robot he built from car parts a few years back after the end of the golden age JSA. I watched Courtney with the mask on my head that still felt uncomfortable since I never wore it. Until I realised landing was going to be my problem since I forgot how to when going a hundred miles and trying to land on my feet on the ground will be the problem. 

Upon arriving I landed next to my father and in front of Courtney as she was going to hit us with the staff. “Courtney I told you not to touch the staff.” He said as she pointed it at both of us taking turns pointing it at one of us. “Pat?” She asked as I knew this would end so well….