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ORACLE
iii. Iceman
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TWO WORDS CAN DESCRIBE TODAY...TALENT SHOW. The day that has haunted me because year after year no matter who participates it’s always Cindy Burman who wins the talent show anyways. But instead of meeting up with Artemis due to her training this morning with her mother in the gym. Standing by the lockers I saw Courtney arrive as I smiled at her as she smiled at me. 

Knowing that everyone was talking about the Blue Valley High sign was also interesting. Along with the fact that the talent show is here which everyone...not everyone but around 48% of the school participates in every year that I have attended any talent show. Including after eighth grade I never will do one again. 

As Courtney closed her locker Joey Zarick approached her with his card trick. He was going to do a magical act at the talent show. Like he did last year as a Freshman, which might I say from what I have heard he has improved a bit. What I also have heard in the past is that his father, the mayor of Blue Valley, knows how to do magic. 

Courtney grabbed a 3 of clubs as he wanted to pick the card out of the deck as I watched as she placed it back. Until he explained about Jenny and Cindy walking by in their gold sparking attire. Most likely for their dance performance at the talent show. 

When I looked back when Joey finished his trick he showed “Courtney’s Card” which it wasn’t his card it was instead a 7 of hearts. I knew it wasn't her card as she said it was her card impressing everyone as Joey was excited as Courtney was able to keep the card. 

Turning around I almost came so close to hitting Cameron as he looked at Courtney. Until he looked back at me and I noticed he was holding his so-called sketch book from what I can assume due to the position of his hand. 

“Grayson.” He spoke up as I heard his voice and my mind went jambled for a second.

“Mahkent. Good Day.” I spoke in a breathy sentence as I walked away knowing his eyes were following me until I got lost in the crowd. 

After the boring lesson in Spanish class in which my teacher fell asleep half-way through the majority of the time I was talking to Artemis afterwards. I walked out with my mind really wanting to learn something rather than just sitting in the class and earning credit for not doing anything. 

Instead of just heading to my locker I hear Courtney as she approaches Cindy and she talks to Yolanda most likely about being a slut. Across from her locker I finally got to my locker and as I was putting in my books I saw the floral decoration on Yolanda’s locker. It covered the words that were most likely marked over her locker. 

Most likely Cameron Mahkent drew it. 

Since maybe there have been a few times that my eyes glanced at his work during the art shows. What? Can’t a girl attend a show that she sometimes enters in but not under her own name? 

Maybe I just enter into the art shows to see his work and get to walk around appreciating the art like the time I went to the Art museum with my Uncle Damian or better known as the demon in the family. Of course the trip was with Stephaine and Kate along with Jason who bugged Damian. And almost attempted to kill Uncle Jay once or twice. 

In math class Mr.Levine, he was teaching the difference in Fractions as I already knew about this since Tim taught me at an early age in math and understanding computers. This class comes to me like a second nature. Sometimes I wonder why I didn’t choose a more complex course. But I remember I wanted to stay on level to hang out with Artemis and some of my other friends in the normal classes rather than going advanced. 

Sighing. 

The dad jokes that Mr.Levine always tells when he is teaching a different unit. None of us like it, yet he still does it to make sure we’re involved with the class. 

Looking over from my desk I could see Cameron using his pens to create floral designs in his math book. The one’s from earlier which I was correct on. But I always thought that he could draw flowers really well.

Personally I tended to draw more portraits of people I see due to once again my Uncle teaching me how to draw at a young age. But I tend to keep that to myself since I don’t really care to be known for my drawings. 

Courtney was called out by Mr.Levine for talking. But instead of listening I just continued to watch Cameron as he settled back down and detailed more of his flower that was in the middle of the page. The bright yellow detail really attracted my eye as I couldn’t stop watching how his features worked. 

After school with no football practice today due to an event taking over the field today. I drove home to see Cameron walking down the neighborhood as I smiled at him as I drove by. Finally parking I took a breath as I got out of my car and headed up to my room. 

Sitting on my bay window I opened it looking outside, quickly grabbing my old sketch book which hasn’t been used in awhile. Opening it up I saw a few sketches that I had made about two years back when I visited Gotham for a short time during the Summer. Including when it came to visiting Kate and Bette for a couple days.

But before I could do more than a start of the small sketch that I was starting to draw on the thick paper. A text popped up on the screen of my phone. Seeing the name it was Courtney. 

Reading over the message it was one of slight panic as she told me something happened when she was walking into the middle of a field in Blue Valley as it was ice on the grass. As she told me to meet up with her at her house. 

Grabbing my jacket I quickly went downstairs to grab my case as I grabbed the weapons and threw them in the case. Not long after leaving I saw the face of Cameron once more as I smiled at him leaving, making sure the case was hidden on the floor of the passenger's seat. 

Finally arriving at the Whitmore-Dugan household I parked on the side of the road running in as I saw Courtney who met up with me on the sidewalk as she knew what she saw was from one of the ISA members. 

When Courtney talked to Pat I could hear the two disagreeing with the whole idea of going after this “Iceman” or Icicle in their words. Before someone named Mike, Pat’s son walks into the kitchen as he looks at me and I just quickly glance at him, seeing that he is holding a bag of cheetos. 

Not long after, Pat gives Mike some Money and tells him to go to the convenience store to get something to eat. 

Once Mike was gone, Pat told us he didn’t want to go after Icicle as I knew this was most likely a trap but Courtney needs me to go with her. To make sure this Iceman doesn’t kill her like he killed Starman, her father. 

After getting to the Pit Shop I suited up as I walked out of the Bathroom pulling over my cowl and straightening my hair and fixing it for the cowl. Quickly I watched as Courtney got on S.T.R.I.P.E as I knew I should hitch a ride too. She moved over as I held onto the other side of S.T.R.I.P.E. as we moved out of the Pit Shop making sure the coast was clear before heading in the clouds. 

Flying the field there was no ice to be seen. 

Until I got off along with Courtney and Pat was blasted with an Ice blast and a chill came in the air. The suit froze up as Pat was ok, yet he couldn’t move. But instead Courtney moved and I knew that this was going to be a stupid move and yet...I followed her. 

Running down the path Courtney and I were both hesitant as I avoided an ice block knowing Icicle was near. I quickly went to grab a Batarang until Courtney fell over and knocked me down as I grabbed onto her. 

Seeing the ice figure it reminded me more of a man of ice than an Icicle. Like at this moment I know I shouldn’t be joking around. But why wouldn’t this man call himself Lord Iceman, or heck just Iceman. He’s a man made out of literal ice. Like an Ice layer and yet he calls himself Icicle. 

But before he could blast Courtney or I, Pat was able to use S.T.R.I.P.E’s fist to blast him on the road. As I got up I helped Courtney get up, as we both ran and then looked towards the bridge knowing he was there. Not long after I saw a school bus that was going to fall off the bridge.  

Not long after did Pat fly S.T.R.I.P.E to go pick up the bus as Courtney used the staff to shine a bright light as I blocked my eyes until the bus was safe. And Pat came back flying towards us. I watched as Students got off the bus, as Courtney wanted to find Icicle. Who was yet to be found. 

Seeing a card fly, and an old red truck driving down the bridge, I watched as Joey ran to grab the card that flew from his deck. And next thing you knew it. Joey was hit by the car. 

Joey Zarick was dead. 

The innocent, sweet, young teenage boy who everyone knew and most people loved unless you were Cindy. He was hit and killed in a crash. I couldn’t believe Icicle would kill such a kid. Such a kid...unless he had an intent to kill Joey Zarick. But why? 

Once arriving back at the Pit Shop I changed back into my clothes, and instead of staying I hugged Courtney and I knew I had to leave and go to the Ceremony that would be held for Joey. I wouldn’t miss it. But I would return later on to the Pit Shop to check on Courtney. 

During the ceremony for his death, I saw Cameron along with a ton of Blue Valley High Students gather as we oversaw a picture of Joey. As I didn’t listen to what was being said but rather wondering the same question that was in my head earlier. 

Why? 

Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?

The ceremony was held for over three and a half hours, but there was no sight of William Zarick and Denise. Maybe they haven’t heard the news. Or if they have, maybe it’s too painful. 

But no matter if they are good, pure people or evil people no matter who you are. Your child shouldn’t be involved in conflict. Your child shouldn’t have to be killed to prove a message, or to be sacrfised for something...something so stupid. 

After the ceremony ended people flooded out of the place, as some stayed to talk...to mourn...to remember who Joey Zarick was. I watched as many exited the room as I stood up taking one last glance. One last regret as this will haunt me probably for a while. Because I couldn’t save him...I couldn’t have been able to save him. 

And I’m supposed to be taking a mantle of a hero. And I can’t just save someone. I couldn’t save Joey. So why am I doing this? I know people need help. But innocents are being killed in a crossfire between good and bad. And between the thoughts of Courtney, Pat, and I. And this so-called Injustice Society of America. The one’s whole world killed the JSA, these golden age heroes. 

As I walked out I bumped into Cameron Mahkent almost knocking us both over. For a moment I was in shock until I realised what I had done. 

“I’m sorry.” Was all that could come out of my mouth at that moment. 

“It’s alright, it's also my fault.” Cameron spoke up as I heard his voice as I knew I couldn’t last too long without giving away the idea of me having a crush for him. 

We both just quickly glanced at each other for a moment. 

Not long after did I notice that Cameron gave me a small smile under all the sadness in the air from Joey’s death. Quickly helping him I grabbed his sketchbook and handed it to him. The silence around us was somewhat tense to say the least. Both of us were wondering who would speak next if we were to speak again. 

“Have a Good rest of your night if you can, Cameron.” I spoke up before walking out knowing he was once again looking at me as I took my time to exit and head to my car so I could take a moment alone to grieve the loss.  

Later on, once arriving back at the Pit Shop, I could see how Joey’s death affected Courtney. As I knew it got to her. And how she just met Joey that day for him to just die after everything that happened with Icicle. 

I can just imagine her mind is questioning why also. That she is fighting herself because she couldn’t save him. That she could have been at the bridge and saved him from that truck. 

Not long into the conversation, Pat came up with some sort of idea, as he wanted us both to follow him as we both got onto the back of S.T.R.I.P.E for the second time that day. But this time Courtney couldn’t get the look I had on my face. But I couldn’t either.

A bit later we entered a building...a hallway that led into a big meeting room, the headquarters of the Justice Society of America. 

After Pat pulled off the tarp from the table the lights lit up the room around us.  Photos and items of some of the greatest JSA heroes were in this room. Starman, to Dr.Fate, to Wildcat, to Hourman, to Dr.Mid-Nite, and to many other heroes that fell all those years ago. 

This building must be full of other rooms that had multiple other items of other members. And files that would explain everything that the JSA did, and about the ISA, and much more. But before I could even comprehend Courtney’s voice, I trailed me to look back and see a live owl. 

Dr.Mid-Nite owl who was still alive somehow after living here without Dr.Mid-Nite himself. That he was still here...still waiting for him. And that the owl was still healthy. 

But as Courtney looked at Starman’s photo. As Pat explained how we don’t stand a chance against the ISA, as Courtney explains how we need help. As she asks why there can’t be new heroes to fill in some of the old one’s. And how the staff picked her. 

Courtney has gained her passion, her confidence, her drive again. Until Pat yelled at her for touching the thunderbolt, a pink pen that must hold enough power within it. As Pat didn’t want us to continue this. As a kid died today and I have to agree with her. 

We need to continue to bring Justice to Joey Zarick. For his death, and for destiny and Justice for the Justice Society of America. 

Even if Pat told me no more I wouldn’t fully listen to him. I think the only one I would listen to would be my parents or Batman himself. It would take something tragic to happen for me to quit. 

After being home for a bit, instead of really talking to my parent’s about everything that happened. I decided to go to my room before I received yet another text from Courtney. Talking about meeting back up at the headquarters. 

I smiled. 

Quickly sneaking downstairs I headed back to the garage and headed out on the motorcycle as I drove down the streets of Blue Valley fastly as I watched Courtney who was above me on the Cosmic Staff as the grin on my face didn’t leave. 

At the headquarters instead of turning on any lights to attract attention. I turned on my flashlight on my phone so both of us could see. I helped Courtney stuff some of the items in her duffle bag. 

Yes, I knew this was wrong in some ways. But Courtney is right in ways, we do need more help if we want to stop the ISA. Because Blue Valley seems to have something beneath the nose of its face that has been built over multiple years. 

After finishing I watched as the Cosmic Staff came up to Courtney and I as she grabbed it. “Let’s go do some recruiting.” Courtney said, looking at me as I smiled and we headed out of the headquarters. 

If I had only known how much “fun” in some terms of how recruiting would have been before we both had done it. In some words it was a process to say the least.