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ORACLE
ii. Laced In A Cape
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AFTER HAVING A LONG PHONE INTERESTING CALL FROM ARTEMIS. The first time she told me the story of what Brian told her, I laughed until I noticed her voice was more stern and serious than normal. That Henry’s car was blown up by this mysterious person, a girl from what Brian could tell. And how this woman carried a glowing stick blew up Henry’s car. 

Which I always could find weird. Hilarious deep down since Henry can be a real big jerk at times, but I also felt some sort of feeling for him. Since the car was his father's. And I already know how cold and humanless King Sr. already seems. But how he’s going to act to Henry because of this. But that wasn’t the biggest issue since the report most likely will go to my father. 

But the glowing stick is what I’m questioning, and how it could blow up a car. Instead of drinking my night coffee, I just sat there in the dining room overlooking the living space just thinking away. About what could have happened at that drive in, since I didn’t fully go. Not even the sound that I could barely hear rang in my ears and was processed.  

“Mandy? Mandy?” My mother’s voice finally processed through my ears as I looked up at her, seeing her light brown eyes shone in the light of the dining room. 

“What are you thinking about?” She asked me to give me the whole Barbara Gordon motherly look she gives every time she knows it’s something, even when I say it’s nothing. 

I freeze. 

In the moment of thought, I knew it wouldn’t be long before my mother would ask me again. Or figure it out herself. 

“As you know I talked to Artemis earlier...she said from some of her jock friends who know King. That his father’s car got blown up by a girl with a magical glow stick. That somehow shot light out of it.” I spoke up with a small squeak in my voice towards the end of the sentence. 

“Wait, you're telling me that Mr.King’s car got blown up by a magic glow stick.” She muttered as my mind thought for just a second that she thought I was crazy. 

“You’re not crazy Amanda. Now follow me. I must show you something in the basement. I think it’s time you knew.” My mother’s voice spoke while she used her hands to move her wheelchair forward out of the dining room to the hallway. 

As I knew that I shouldn’t have kept her waiting. Walking out of the dining room across the hall wasn’t too bad for me as I caught up with her, as I saw her start to wheel herself onto her wheelchair lift for the stairwell for the basement. 

When she finally got down, I carefully headed down the stairs avoiding the lift that took half of the steps. Once down I saw my mother as she went over and grabbed a few boxes. Moving across the room she finally sat it down on a small wooden table that had been in the basement for years. As I took a step forward sitting on the old wooden bench that has sat in this spot in the basement since we moved here. 

She pulled out some old photos and files that must have been printed by the bat computer years ago due to the wear on the ink on the paper. But most of it...was the same thing I have seen from my mothers years of crime-fighting before the accident that occured. 

“Mom...I know that you, and dad...heck even Bruce and the rest of our close family are crime-fighters.” I spoke up knowing that she knew this and this is probably just what she was starting on. But I always remembered I got some sort of impatience from my father. 

She just shook her head as I knew she rolled my eyes at my immature behavior...in her opinion.  

“No...now listen Mandy. Back then there was a group called the Justice Society which disappeared after their deaths by the Injustice Society about ten or so years after their deaths. Batman used to be a part of the team until the creation of the Justice League years back.” She mentioned as I looked at her and stared at the photo that was displayed on the picture. One that didn’t have the dark brooding figure of Batman.

“So you’re telling me this group died. Wait, do you think the glowing stick has something to do with it?” I asked her knowing that I believed the same thing. “Wait it was this...Star man’s weapon?” I started out as I could see my mother nod. 

“I believe so. Because why else would it be explained in a similar way to what the cosmic staff was put there. Temperamental, but useful to Starman who it worked for. As he was able to blast energy at his opponents.” My mother’s voice rang as I looked back down at the picture to see more of the pictures of these heroes. From this age before the Justice League.

“So if the staff is working. Does that mean something bad is here...in Blue Valley?” I asked my mother knowing that even she couldn’t fully answer that question. 

I looked at her knowing the question was splitting her mind in a battle between an answer to give me. An answer that would satisfy her, even through all the years with Batman and the Bat Family...I have never seen my mother so confused in the years that I have known the family secret. “It’s possible…” 

Before she finished her sentence my mother moved her wheelchair in a flash. Record time as she was looking around the basement for something as she finally found it. Grabbing the metal case that was surrounded by some other various cases that contained old weapons that my parents kept. But if those are weapons is this...eeeek. Maybe it’s the Batgirl suit. 

“I never thought that I would have to ever give you this...not my own daughter after…” She spoke until she couldn’t complete the sentence as deep down I knew that it haunted her. That she never really wanted me to continue the legacy, but I know when I was born I got my mother’s intelligence. As I knew what she already meant. 

“Mom, it's ok. But if a teenage girl has the cosmic staff, and if this is not just a coincidence. This girl is going to need someone who knows at least something about crime-fighting. Dad, and you trained me with the family before. And besides I don’t even know if I would need to lace up the cape.” I spoke up as she used her fingerprint to open up the case as a body like form came up with the suit that was folded neatly. The suit that didn’t even look like it had been through anything. 

“I know I can’t stop you because you have both your father and I’s drive to be a hero. I will allow it…” She started as I smiled knowing that she was about to continue with the whole rules of being a hero. “But you already know that there are going to be some rules with this.”

“First, you contact one of us if you’re ever in really bad danger or you get hurt. Second, never ever tell anyone outside of this family or someone you can really trust your identity Mandy. And lastly, don’t you get yourself killed out there. No matter if it’s some petty thief or someone like the Joker you can still get yourself badly injured or killed...and I don’t think any of us could handle it if you died.” She spoke up looking me in the eyes as I knew I couldn’t break her trust, her faith in me in becoming the third Batgirl. 

After a hard night of sleeping due to the feeling that something was going to happen I woke up later in the morning. Later than usual...which was weird since my dad wasn’t here to wake me up. Which means he either had an early patrol or that he’s still sleeping himself because of a late patrol. 

Upon arriving at school I wasn’t able to catch up to Artemis as I was a bit late today, even though I was still thirty minutes early to school. But instead of my morning talk with Artemis before the others arrived to play hallway football to “challenge” Artemis. I saw Courtney walking down the hallway watching to make sure nobody followed her into the home ick class. Which was weird for the new girl to be going into a classroom that she didn’t even need…to go into. Unless…

She’s the girl with this so-called Cosmic Staff. 

Later on in the day, after grabbing a tray and walking out of the lunch line after paying, I caught the brown eyes of the artist that lived in my neighborhood in his check flannel and jeans. Cameron Mahkent. The boy who lost his mother when he was younger, and his father always seems to travel on business trips for his mission of making a “better America”.

There was a time...no, there still is the small part of me where I always thought the shy, yet artist boy was cute...not that I would tell that to his brown eyes in front of everyone. Because I actually haven’t ever been able to hold a friendship with him. Well I never tried, so why would I ever be able to tell him that I kinda like him. 

Ok maybe I have some sort of crush on him. But I never got my father’s genes that made him go and flirt with somebody multiple times. Sometimes in moments like these where we both catch each other’s eyes that I wish that I had the guts to go tell him. 

Sitting down with the Jocks that I call friends, rather than listening to Artemis talk about her usual gameplay for her football practice. I couldn’t stop thinking about Courtney Whitmore being the girl who wielded the Cosmic Staff. So many questions on the Cosmic Staff and Courtney were running through my head, that I didn’t even notice that lunch was about to end. 

Looking at the banner I could see one last thing before leaving. That Courtney Whitmore was staring at the Open House. That was the moment I knew that the open house was going to find something due to how she was expressing. 

Later that evening, it was just my father and I for once since my mother had some paperwork to finish at home. And do some investigating for Bruce, due to him needing someone who understood the Bat Computer. Sitting on the bleachers my father and I were just sitting there watching Principal Bowin. The one person who once gave me detention for some pointless reasoning last year before my gymnastics practice. 

Every year she gives the same Open House talk about Blue Valley High, just with different statistics from the last year. At this point I know I could repeat it in my head when she says it. Why couldn’t Bette have moved here? It would have sometimes been easier. Because she was probably one of my only true friends before coming to Blue Valley. 

Looking down in the crowd I saw Courtney looking for someone. As my dad was probably in his mind also since this wasn’t his favorite thing in the world. Well I can’t say he hasn’t enjoyed a few parent nights at Blue Valley, but tonight just wasn’t his night. 

Everytime I heard clapping I would clap too. Until the voices of Larry and Paula woke my senses fully up hearing them yell the words ‘Go Prairie Dogs’. Sometimes I wonder why they aren’t just in Metropolis because from what I have heard from Jon is that Metropolis High has one of the best football programs in the states. 

After the rest of the introduction everyone went off the bleachers and onto the gym floor...well except some people who decided to chat in the bleachers about who knows what. 

Later on glancing over I saw Courtney go over to an older man...most likely her father or some sort of father-like figure...step-father. Courtney looked very motivated for some reason. And afterwards I watched as he was trying to grab a cookie before he ran into Mrs.Zarick, the wife of Mayor Zarick. 

My father and I were standing with the Crock’s, The King’s, and another family. As Paula got into her talk about Artemis going into the NFL someday...which I could see. She is the best Football player at Blue Valley High. Even if I was on the football team I wouldn’t be as great as the all-star Atremis Crock. 

First, because that isn’t my passion, Second, why would I need football? Yes I watch some football but that’s only because some of my friends are on the team. 

Moments later Henry King Sr. walks away after excusing himself like he was looking for something. Like something was going on, even though his facial features never show any sort of emotion. Something had to be going on as I didn’t see the dirty blonde curly hair of Courtney Whitmore either. 

Odd. 

Later on I was in a private conversation with Artemis as she was explaining the workout her parents are making her do this week. Which is some sort of hardcore workout to improve on her running and throws for football practice. 

But not long after when Artemis looked at something I caught Courtney in my eye seeing that she had a distressed look on her face. The worry that she had. The face didn’t get off my mind. Turning back I got back into my conversation with Artemis. 

Yet the picture of Courtney’s face didn’t leave my mind once. 

After leaving the open house night, I headed home seeing that Courtney had a distressed look on her face. Like someone got to her, as I remember how she went over to her step-father. It’s like someone was threatening her on something. But the question is when, and that is what I’m going to find out. 

Once my parents were in the room for the night, I quickly went downstairs trying not to wake them as I crossed the hallway. Knowing that it is possible they can hear me due to them being trained by the Bat himself, well my father mainly. But quickly I rushed on my toes to the basement door quietly creeping it open. 

Creak (creeeee). 

Going down to the basement running carefully down the stairs I head over to the cabinet that contained everything from my parent’s old day. Grabbing the metal case from the night before I quickly pulled it to the wooden table.

Quickly looking down at the case I saw the reflection of my face seeing the way my hair was shaped as some of the hairs were moved from where my brush placed them in the morning. Looking at the scanner I saw the different scanners for identity that were placed on by Bruce years ago. Since he can never have too much security in his life. 

Using my fingerprint and then scanning my eye the case opened up. The suit was propped up as it was still neatly folded as everything of the suit including the boots were in the case. Grabbing the suit I quickly took it out of the case as I quickly started changing into it. 

First putting on the basic armor, I quickly strap it on as I continue putting the top and then the pants. Quickly putting the whole suit together before brushing my hair back into a quick ponytail, as I look at the cape. 

Putting the cape on was to say the least complicated...the first two attempts left me almost tripping on my feet and then tripping on the cape. Even though I have been trained during my times in gymnastics how to balance myself. 

Ugh. 

Finally getting the cape attached to the suit felt magical as it just added itself to the suit. Like nanobots adding it to the suit. Grabbing the classic yellow boots I slide them on quickly as they fit perfectly surprisingly. Lastly I looked at the cowl.

The details ran through the bat shaped cowl, one that reminded me of the times I saw Batman on Tv when I was younger, running away from the cameras but sometimes you could see the reflection. All the way to Kate being Batwoman as she stood tall on Gotham buildings when her red wig would flow from her cowl. 

Now having it in my hands even through these gloves makes me feel what it must have felt for my mother when she was a teenager who just dressed up in her own suit that she made, before one was made for her with all the equipment she needed. This suit was the one that cost her everything that once gave her the joy of helping the people of Gotham, by giving them the gift of Justice. 

Putting it on I could smell the stench of the old sweat that would have been my mother’s or Stephaine’s when she wore the cowl and the suit. Pulling my hair out it went around my head and the cowl like the many times I saw Batwoman with her bright vibrant red hair.

Closing the case quickly I glanced to see the reflection of myself, as I feel all grown up from wearing this suit. Knowing that when my mother was this age she first suited up as Batgirl to go fight crime on Gotham’s streets. Knowing that this legacy must continue and help stop whatever is in this town. 

Quietly running up the stairs I head to the garage, as I grabbed the keys on the side of the motorcycle sitting on it. As this is my first time riding any form of a motorcycle by myself I open the garage and quickly twist the key, and a turn of the gear. Then to the clutch and the throttle as I took my foot off the ground at the right time.

In a short matter of time I was quickly speeded out of my neighborhood as the scenery was changing fastly as I was going super fast. But quickly out of the corner of my eye I could see the bright light of the cosmic staff itself with Courtney on it riding it. 

Following the light I speeded down the town all the way out close to the highschool as I turned off the motorcycle and started running towards the place where I was seeing school buses being moved into a robot of some kind.  My mind was running with possible situations that would require a robot being squished with two buses. Of course I knew this was the place that Courtney would be showing up. 

Using my grappling hook I blasted the hook up to one of the most steady street lamps I could find at the school. As it wrapped around the metal of the lamp I quickly moved my hands back and forth to check the stability until I knew it’s fully there. 

Pushing myself off after a bright light was blasted at the manly figure I looked over to see Courtney coming down from the cosmic staff I finally flipped and landed on my feet. As the man...oh crap it’s Henry Sr. looking over at the both of us. 

“I’m Stargirl.” Courtney’s voice echoed through my mind as I could quickly glance and see the details on her suit matched the old details of Starman’s suit. As she put the staff on her shoulder she used her left hand to point behind her at the robot. “And that’s my sidekick.” She yelled as part of me could just feel the energy coming off the person most likely inside the robot from what I can tell. 

“And that’s…” She stumbled. 

“Batgirl.” I started not even feeling the truth as I saw Henry Sr. get up as I looked at him wondering why I couldn’t have seen this. A Telepath right in front of my eyes before. Now this is something to tell my mother, since Henry Sr. wasn’t really the most relatable person I have ever met in my opinion. 

As the staff buzzes near me, I walk behind Stargirl, as he starts throwing cement blocks at us as used the staff to flip over them and to land on her feet. As I was able to jump over them in a handspring as in between the second one I landed on the ground and pushed myself over the second one. 

Watching as Courtney knocked him over she shot another blast when she was on top of the car. As she was moved back by most likely Henry himself. I quickly used the grappling hook and swung it around the cosmic staff pulling her enough so she wouldn’t fall back onto the robot. 

Looking forward Henry had tons of signs and posts that he used his mind to pick up. Quickly grabbing my bow-staff I released it as I hit some of the posts being thrown at me and Courtney with it until I was hit with a post that knocked me down as my bowstaff fell beside me. 

Looking over I could see Stargirl struggling to grab her glowing staff as most likely Henry was talking to her telepathically. Still not getting up I attempted to grab my bow staff that was right beside me if only I could get one of my hands out from under this pole that is being held above me telekinetically. 

Not long after I was able to get one of my hands out seeing Courtney screaming as Henry placed a hand on him, until the person in the robot was able to turn on his bright lights blinding me until I couldn’t feel the pole being as hard pushed on me. 

Bright light was all that I could see. 

Right next to me Courtney was holding the Cosmic Staff at Henry’s forehead as his eyes and mouth were glowing brightly as he was yelling in pain. Being able to use my hand I use it to shield my face as everything around the both of us starts to float as I quickly go to grab my bow staff before it could hurt one of us. 

Next thing I know Henry Sr. ends up on the ground as I lift the pole off me and help Courtney up as I check on Henry Sr. And checking his pulse as he was still alive but his pulse was faint. When Courtney looked at me I heard the voice of the Robot meaning someone was in there. Looking back up once more I was finally able to tell Courtney about Henry Sr.’s condition. 

“He’s alive” I answered with my voice lowered knowing that we all would have to do something with him. Including changing him since we can’t take him to a hospital like this.

“What do we do with him?” Courtney asked as she looked at the two of us. 

“The one thing we can do. Take him to the hospital.”  I answered by putting my bowstaff in my pocket. 

After dropping Henry Sr to the hospital I headed back with Stargirl and her sidekick. Riding on my motorcycle I followed them, parking the motorcycle in the alleyway next to the pit shop. 

“Who are you?” Courtney asked me with her cowl still on. 

“I know you’re Courtney Whitmore.” I answered, seeing her face as her eyes widened. 

Unhooking the back of my cowl I take out parts of my hair as I move it enough to take it off revealing my face. 

“Amanda?” Courtney asks as her eyes widen and I look at the robot wondering how long it took to create that invention. As I glanced back at Courtney. 

“Hi.” I answered with a quirky voice more than anything. 

“How did you do?” She asked me as I laughed. 

“First rule of trying to have a secret identity. Don’t be obvious including when you go into the home ick classroom when first you don’t have that class. And two you carrying a duffle bag which is very suspicious.” I spoke up as she looked at me as she looked off her cowl as the robot opened up and I stepped back drawing my hands. 

As it opened up I could see a man, wait it’s Pat Dugan, her step-father.

“How did you know?” Courtney asked as I looked at her. 

“I took a wild guess, my parents are ex-heroes from their days. The suit used to be my mother’s and aunt’s. I was trained in self-defence when I was younger just to protect myself.” I answered honestly as Pat looked at me. “I’m related to Batman.” I continued. 

“Hints the whole Bat style outfit.” Courtney answered. 

“But why come?” 

“To Investigate. If a glowing staff that blows up cars comes around, and then you have a very intense face after going out to the hallway. You kinda hinted that something is wrong. Growing up with detectives helps with understanding someone’s thoughts without talking to them.” I spoke up. “Whatever this town has going on with it, I want to help. If there is anyone like Henry Sr. out here then it’s something more than just a villain here or there.” I continued as I looked around this Pit Shop. 

“Do you know the Justice Society?” Courtney asked as we both sat down next to each other. 

“Only the basics of the Golden Age heroes, that they died. That they were the first team formed to stop the Injustice Society.” I answered as she looked at me as Pat was grabbing her some water to drink along with a towel to brush off her dried blood. “Wait, was Henry Sr. a part of the Injustice Society?” I asked as I was piecing everything together slowly. 

“He was Brainwave.” Courtney answered me as Pat came back and handed Courtney a cup. She was in a gray jacket that was over the rest of her costume. 

“Will he die?” Courtney asked as not even I could fully answer that question due to his mind short-circuiting from the pure blast of light and his abilities. 

Part of me just feels guilty for Henry Jr. even if he isn’t the best person to say. But that doesn’t mean that he deserves this. He doesn’t deserve his father being in a hospital bed. And knowing that I can’t tell him it’s hard because it could take off some of this burden. 

Courtney got up and picked up the staff as she wondered more about it. As Pat explained it and it’s origin. 

“I never thought there would be another Starman.” Pat told Courtney as he looked at her. 

“Stargirl…” Courtney spoke. 

“Or Batgirl.” Pat continued as I could tell Courtney had something to say about this. 

“Us three took down Brainwave. We’ll find the others that killed my dad and the JSA and we’ll get justice for them too.” Courtney answered as a part of me was shocked that Courtney was Starman’s daughter. But that could make sense giving her the passion and story to get justice for her father. But also getting Justice for all the fallen heroes gives her a good drive to go after this Injustice Society if they are still out there. 

Pat might not think about it at first. 

“We all stopped that freak together.” Courtney answered as I got out of my mind for a moment to listen back to the conversation. “You Pat...you helped out come on, sidekick, don’t flake on me now.” Courtney continued as Pat went back into the conversation. 

“The last time I was a sidekick my partner got killed.” He leaned back on the couch. 

“Yes, but this time you have a freakin robot. And a trained fighter with a stealth suit to help you. You can do this. Pat.” Courtney started off with trying to pep talk Pat into joining her. “The staff chose me...and I chose you.” She continued off. 

“Batgirl, Stargirl and Stripesy.” She spoke up as her voice took down a pitch as she figured something out. “How about...S.T.R.I.P.E?” She asked as she thought it was good as she had a slight ‘ooh’ at the end of her sentence. 

Her explaining the acronym that needed work as I smiled and my mind was laughing inside as I looked at Pat’s face. 

“So which one of the bad guys is next?” Courtney asked us both as I shook my head knowing that I got myself into something I couldn’t back out of now. 

If only I knew what would happen sooner than later. Love, Drama, and maybe just some cool action scenes. And SUPERHERO landings.