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ORACLE

iv. Yolanda Montex

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THERE WAS A TIME WHERE ONCE I KNEW SOMEONE WHO DIDN'T DESERVE WHAT SHE GOT. Back months ago before today, I once knew Yolanda Montez not more than three months ago, she was one of my closest friends here in Blue Valley. As she was once running for school president for Blue Valley High, and had heck even Henry King Jr. as her boyfriend. All before that stupid incident that happened the day of voting...leaving her left with nothing.

But if only I knew what she did the night before election results, I would have put some common sense in her, and deleted the photo she had taken that night. But instead just like everyone else, I was like everyone else when Yolanda was giving her speech going into Class President that her nudes were sent. And after that day she just ghosted everyone...including me.

And it wasn't like I was going to judge her for it. Maybe I would slap her for doing it, but afterwards I would have tried to comfort her. Knowing that it wasn't her fault and more Henry and Cindy's fault. Because it wasn't Henry's right to share Yolanda's nudes even if she sent them to him.

Heading to my locker I could notice Courtney looking at Yolanda Montez as I changed my books out. Not long afterwards I could hear an argument between Cindy and Courtney. As Courtney stood up for Yolanda, something that I never was able to put myself to doing. Just like everyone else in Blue Valley when Cindy bullies Yolanda.

I just never could take on Cindy Burman, well I could but I don't need the drama and everlasting "threat" she makes herself be. And blow everything that I have worked hard for in high school...but Yolanda was my friend back then. When I first moved to Blue Valley from Gotham City. She was one of the first people here and Blue Valley High to take a chance on me. That was truly nice to me.

Before Artemis Crock. Before Courtney Whitmore. Before who I am now. Yolanda Montez was a friend who was there for me through and through. And she was willing to help someone like me in return for me being kind and respecting her. And with everything she did for me I repaid her by allowing what happened to happen.

Finally arriving at the Whitmore-Dugan's house, I watched as Courtney quickly exited the house still ready for the first day of looking for possible recruits at Blue Valley High School. Which wasn't my main idea of finding recruits when it comes to stopping the ISA, when they're all middle aged adults wearing latex and leather suits. That they must've worn for decades while fighting the Justice Society.

"I have an idea." Courtney told me as I looked over to her while continuing down the road. "What if we used the past yearbook and looked through a possible recruit for someone like...Wildcat?"

"You mean Ted Grant's former position." I mentioned as I knew Courtney was looking at me as I smiled at some people continuing my way down the road.

"You know about Ted Grant?" She asked as I nodded.

"Who doesn't in the superhero world? Ted Grant is a legend including when it came to training young heroes. He helped train people like the Black Canary, Green Arrow, and even trained Batman early on when he was looking to help Gotham." I continued, "I heard stories from Black Canary herself, who enjoyed sparring with him one on one when she was younger."

"Is that why you decided to join the JSA?" Courtney asked me as I shook my head slightly.

"Not in the slightest possibility. It was more of a coincidence. If i didn't join you I'd be investigating the situation myself." I started off taking a quick breath before continuing. "But the point of the story of Wildcat or Ted was he was resilient and was willing to fight against all odds. Even when the world shut down Ted Grant. Wildcat rose up against all odds. When recruiting someone we need someone who has their own resilience and their own way to fight against their odds and help people from the ISA."

Courtney didn't respond to me as I continued my way to Blue Valley High school parking lot, as she was flipping pages through last year's yearbook. I knew she had some sort of idea of somebody she wanted to be Wildcat. Even if I didn't take much interest in looking at what she was looking at exactly. I had some sort of idea of who she wants to be the next Wildcat.

Once getting parked and into the hallways of Blue Valley, I split up from Courtney going to my locker grabbing my days worth of notebooks and textbooks needed for classes. After grabbing everything from my locker and shutting it, I noticed Courtney was standing near Yolanda. Facing off Cindy Burman and her right-hand Jenny Williams.

And unlike many people. Nobody has done what Courtney Whitmore just had done in the hallways trying to help Yolanda Montez like Courtney had just done. Nothing that I would have done.

Walking to class, I finally sit down ready to sketch my next portrait to practice a new technique of portraits. Water colors.

Mr. Designer has challenged me this week to use watercolors to "open up my perspective" in art. And allow myself to use more colors and see if I could truly make the same masterpieces with just paint and a canvas. And I respected him for that.

Since art connects every artist to one another, no matter their speciality as I noticed Cameron took his seat beside me as he was focused once again on his floral designs. Surprisingly even if I knew that, I never truly have gotten to know the whole story about his art, or much about him after we moved into high school. Since I walked a different path than him, being with Artemis and more of the 'jocks' even if I never considered myself to be a full "jock".

Looking back at my canvas I just sat there trying to imagine who, and how the expression of my art was going to be about. Was it going to be someone famous? Was it going to be family? Was it going to be some random subject I choose in the class? Now who was I going to choose?

My hand started moving. What, I question how I can't decide what I want to do. But my hand and nerves have taken over once again and my simple sketch has started out with the basic features of any human face, a sketch until it turns into more complex lines, until I have to layer it with watercolors.

Getting into my groove nothing was going to distract me from my art, as my focus wasn't on the JSA, wasn't on my family, and it surely wasn't on my sports. It was just a piece of art. One that I could put all my feelings or the feelings of my subjects into one expression, one moment.

When running into Courtney at the end of the day, she mentioned something about having a possible recruitment. And how she will update me more later tonight through text, as I still had my practice to get to. I quickly watched as Courtney left the high school and started heading home. Ready to possibly recruit this new person.

Great.

Finally walking back inside I went to get changed in the locker room, as my clothes were changed from my casual day clothing to my more tight and comfortable athletic clothing. As I closed my locker and kept my bag there until the end of practice. I heard a noise calling out for me, before I could check my phone for any messages.

"Grayson, you coming?" One of my teammates yelled through the locker room door into the locker room.

"Yeah." I responded before finally heading out ready to get my muscles worked out.

A few hours passed as I was finished with practice, and the sweat was still stuck on my body as I quickly towel dried myself off, and changed back into my casual clothing before heading out of the school, and back home finally.

When getting home there wasn't much happening as my parents both weren't home at the moment. Looking back I noticed Cameron as he was finishing his walk back home. I gave him a quick smile before heading in after fighting with my keys for a few minutes. Why did I have so many keys???? It's beyond me on how many keys I have.

Once getting in, I set my keys down at the coffee table beside the door. As the door closed behind me, I heard a noise in the kitchen.

"Shit." The voice rang out as I heard yet another object fall to the floor, sounding like metal hitting the tile.

Mom!

Quickly walking to the kitchen I noticed my mother was attempting to try to make a nice family dinner once again. "You could have called me mom." I reminded her as she looked back at me, not even noticing I was in the room at first, until I saw she smiled at me.

"I didn't want you to rush home to help me. Plus I didn't need your father to hear about this." She silently moved back to pick up the bowls on the floor, as I helped her.

Handing her the bowls, "How about I help you, and we both say it was a team effort." I told her as she nodded.

"I guess neither of us can beat Alfred."

"Or Uncle Jay." I butted in as we both laughed softly at the same time.

Waking up the following day, I heard a couple hundred texts about meeting in the back gym after school today. In which Courtney knew I had nothing better to do. Not practice, and not going to support Artemis during practice. Just my after school sketching, but Courtney didn't need to know about that. Nobody did...at least for now.

Walking into the small gym I see the surprised look on Yolanda's face as she brushes it away and just ignores me. Like usual. But she has a point. But before I could even think about walking out Courtney looks back at me and I know she's on to something. So I continue my way into the gym allowing Courtney to speak on whatever the topic she's on about.

"I blew up Henry's car." Courtney blurted out getting Yolanda's attention again. As I remember hearing about the car incident that Courtney committed.

"What?" Yolanda asked not to even believe Courtney as she continued on explaining how she didn't blow it up out of spite or anything. And that it was accidental.

"You accidentally blew up a car?" Yolanda asked her in a disbelieving tone as I knew that Yolanda wasn't going to let her guard down easily. Even with persistence.

"So the enemy of my enemy is my friend?" Courtney explained logically as I shook my head wanting to see what would happen. As Yolanda sat down and Courtney joined her. Slowly I followed in suit trying to make sure Courtney wasn't pushing Yolanda too much.

"I should have never sent those." Yolanda explained as I knew deep down Yolanda was still hurting. And everyday she thinks pushing people aside is just a way for her not to get hurt badly from anybody else. Including after she trusted Henry King and then he pulled that stunt with her.

She paused and I watched as Yolanda started tearing up as her voice started to crack.

"I knew he could be a jerk. But he was so nice to me." Yolanda mentioned as she shook her head. "After a few months...it was getting serious...but I guess not for him. I don't think he ever saw me as anything more than the next girl." Yolanda continued to explain as the emotions that clouded up around the area as I looked towards Courtney who was listening to Yolanda. Still trying to figure out what to say next.

Yolanda looked towards Courtney, and I when she worked her out her hatred for Henry King.

"I don't wanna hate anyone. I did. But I Hate Henry King." Yolanda let out spitting her hate for him. Not caring that she wanted to care about people. And she wasn't wrong. She had every right to hate him, and I believe that. He did it to her.

She may have created the "sin". But Henry King and Cindy Burman are the true bad guys of the situation. They caused her to go through hatred. And go through the problem that she played such a small game in.

Courtney quickly mentioned to Yolanda about coming over to show what blew up Henry's car, and unlike last time. From all the texts that I received. Courtney was able to persuade Yolanda to come with us to her house right now.

Once getting down to the Whitmore-Dugan basement, Yolanda and I watched as Courtney grabbed the cosmic staff from its crate and she showed Yolanda how the staff started glowing and I shook my head. As much as I respect Courtney, dangerous criminals are still hiding within this town. Who knows how many. We have an Iceman, and a guy who has mind powers calling himself Brainwave; who we did put in a coma. Or more like the staff did. But the point is Courtney needs to be more careful.

When all the light stopped from the cosmic staff, Courtney finally told it to take a break.

"What is this thing?" Yolanda asked as Courtney was proud of herself.

"It's called the cosmic staff. It belonged to my dad." Courtney answered.

"I thought your dad was that garage guy." Yolanda told Courtney as I looked at the two of them.

"Pat's just my step-dad." Courtney told Yolanda, assuring her that Pat wasn't her real dad even though Pat is going all his way to protect her. "My dad was Starman..." Courtney started as Yolanda looked blankly at her.

The room was silent until Courtney continued.

"From the Justice Society of America." Courtney tried to get Yolanda to follow where she was going.

"Not everyone is going to remember nor look into the Justice Society of America, Courtney." I reminded her as it was true. Not everyone knows about the JSA and everything they did unless they were like me. Or somebody who was a superhero fan.

"My dad was a superhero. And so is Amanda's family." Courtney mentioned as I narrowed my eyes on her.

"Courtney, not everyone needs to know about my family." I reminded her as it is supposed to be on the down low. Including people since it's not only for my family, but for the public's protection and my friends.

"We both got costumes and everything." Courtney told Yolanda trying to impress her as I noticed Yolanda's face thinking this whole situation was insane.

"Oh, god." Yolanda said as I looked at her trying to make this situation better.

"We now sound like the people who go to comic con, Courtney. We have suits, Yolanda. Suits." I was reassured trying not to sound like I'm unprofessional or that I just confirmed I played a full party in this.

"Let us show you." Courtney told her as we all headed upstairs to Courtney's bedroom which looked different than what I thought it would be like.

Eventually after Courtney suggested that we both suit up to make Yolanda confident in trying on the Wildcat suit. I luckily had my suit to put on so Courtney wouldn't be alone. But with everything going on it was taking awhile for Yolanda to put on the suit. Even Courtney and I were sitting and waiting for Yolanda to finally come out from the closet.

"No one else is home, it's just the three of us." Courtney mentioned to Yolanda trying to comfort her again.

"And neither of us are going to judge you, Yolanda." I assured her trying to comfort her. After understanding Yolanda's reasoning from not coming out of the closet. Including since she barely knew Courtney, and even if she knew me. She still had a reputation that she didn't want to put anyone else through.

Once she finally took the steps out of the closet, the whole suit looked a few sizes too small, as it was meant for a man bigger around than her curves and her much skinner body tone than Ted Grant ever had.

"It smells like gym class," Yolanda miserably mentioned as she looked at Courtney and I could tell she wasn't enjoying it. Until I noticed Courtney was about to jump in,

"It's authentic."

"So I have to wear this sad-ass catsuit, while you're," She paused as she looked at Courtney before wording her next comment, "what, Miss America? And Amanda being fitted in the batgirl suit?" She mentioned it was only fair, as the suit fit me like it did my mother.

"Stargirl." Courtney corrected Yolanda as we both gave Courtney the same look.

"Okay..." She finished as Courtney got up ready to help Yolanda, I inspected the cowl, as it looked similar yet different from the Batsuits cowl. In which it had some sort of technology...

Noticing that Courtney looked back at me I got up and noticed that she was wanting the cowl, as I stood up handing it to her, as she handed it over to Yolanda. Who still was unsure about this whole thing. And probably is now thinking I'm drinking into the "new girls" drama of playing dress up.

When Yolanda went to put it on, she immediately coughed and moved it away from her face. As I could only feel like the smell in that cowl must be terrible. After years of a boxer sweating in it being Wildcat, and fighting bad guys. Would only make it worse than wearing Hourman's suit.

"Oh my god! It smells worse than the suit." She gagged a bit more before putting it on due to Courtney's pressure.

When she finally put it on, it was like magic before all of our eyes. As I knew the suit had to do something cool. As it always fits Wildcat skin tight. And looking in the cowl I noticed something was different with it. As the magic finished we all were least to say shocked with the results.

"It's one size fits all apparently." Courtney mentioned to Yolanda still being surprised as I noticed the slight nervousness that Yolanda was going through.

"You look great Yolanda." I assured her that Courtney agreed with me as she looked at us with a small smile.

"So what could Wildcat do?" Yolanda asked with a change in pose and posture. More happy than she has been in awhile.

"Good question." Courtney puzzled as I shook my head knowing what he could do.

"Many things. He was more agile and skilled in boxing. And the suit just gave him more advantage over his rivals or the bad guys." I mentioned as they looked at me as I knew it wasn't the answer they were looking for as we all headed downstairs with Courtney's idea.

Courtney instead of checking a better source decided to use the worst source of all...Wikipedia! As we tested and experimented with it around the house, we found out that she cut through the toaster. Making it unusable.

Next, we arrived near a fence and Yolanda tested the agility of being able to walk through the fence, and kept in a straight line until doing a flip off the fence and landing on her feet on the grass. After we finished near the fence, Courtney thought it would be best if we headed up to the American dream clock tower to test the last theory.

Wildcat jumping off tall buildings and landing on his feet.

I didn't agree with this voicing my opinions as I could tell Yolanda was nervous about this. As Courtney 's reassurance wasn't helping her feel any better, including since the source material came from a site that can be changed by anyone. Plus Yolanda wasn't one to think about doing this type of dangerous stuff, and has been through a terrible time for the past couple months, and doesn't need this.

"Yolanda you have a choice, and if you can't do it now. They're is always another time and place. One that isn't forced." I reminded her as she looked at the two of us, determined to face her fears as she grabbed onto the rails.

"I'm not gonna do it anymore." She finished her sentence about jumping off the building until her movement stopped and she froze. And I knew at that moment she wouldn't, but before she could even fall, I grabbed her wrist with a light grip and slowly pulled her back to the center of the tower's floor, and let go of her wrist.

I paused hugging her in the back as Courtney put a hand on her shoulder before we left.

A little bit later, below the American Dream as we stood beside the building, Yolanda finally asked about this Iceman again, "His name is Icicle, the one that killed your dad?" as Courtney responded with a 'yes' before she looked at the both of us.

"Who came up with these names?" Yolanda raised the point as I felt the same way, but then again with all the names I'm called Batgirl...and my family is the Batfamily. Like we aren't that clever with our names, but our identity is hidden....most of the time.

"That's what I've been saying." All of us chuckle.

"At least you guys don't have a man that dresses up like a Scarecrow and goes around with his toxin trying to make people see their greatest fear. Like the dude calls himself Scarecrow. And then we have our version of this Icicle named Mister Freeze. Not to be confused with Captain Cold in Central City." I mentioned as the two looked at me, "Okay, the point is. The names don't matter no matter how stupid they sound. At least it keeps our identities a secret from the bad guys." Courtney nodded as I looked at her.

Yolanda attempted to leave, as I knew her parents would be mad at her. Before Courtney could say much more I noticed the lights of a car coming by. And not just any, Henry's car approached as the Staff knocked down Yolanda, and I quickly and silently joined them down behind the bushes.

"Henry." Yolanda said with venom in her voice as Courtney explained everything and she thought everything made sense. Including Brainwave the mass killer and telepath is Henry's father. And he did all those terrible things to her.

Before I could think any longer in my head, Yolanda pointed out a valid statement on our mission, "I mean, wouldn't the villains be visiting Brainwave at the hospital?" She asked as I nodded at her. As she wasn't wrong about that as Courtney cheered with happiness.

Once getting to the hospital Courtney wanted Yolanda to Climb, while she wanted me to help her figure it out. Since I could somehow help Yolanda in the Wildcat suit, that I've never put on. Learn to climb.

Maybe I should have stayed home.

Like seriously staying home would have been easier.

Yolanda looked towards me as I shrugged my shoulders.

"We're none. Chill Courtney, Yolanda needs time to focus." I personally told Courtney before quieting down watching Yolanda climb up the building. Until she got somewhat of the hang of it, before falling back down a few floors.

But before I could even worry about helping her, or giving Yolanda advice. I heard footsteps from a distance, and I could tell someone was approaching my position. Not even without a second thought did I grab my grappling hook and launch it above and a few feet beside Yolanda's current location, but I quickly pushed the button once it was secure heading up a few feet in the air.

Enough away to not be noticed off the side of the building. Hearing Beth's voice as she was talking to the security guard allowed Yolanda and I enough time to head up to the right floor, as she opened a window and went in.

But before I did, I looked back down to notice nothing was below me. And I slowly entered the room that Yolanda was in carefully. Before I could fully turn to Yolanda, sticking my upper half out the window I quickly pushed the button again and the hook and line came back to the machine.

A few minutes passed since we entered the room. When Courtney gave us enough time, Yolanda silently walked out and I quickly made a silent escape as well. Dragging my cape along with me.

I'm glad I'm not Batman. With his long brooding cape.

Entering the King's room. As Henry sat down on the chair as I quickly hid, seeing Yolanda was about to slash Henry until she heard him speak.

His sad little message made Yolanda make enough noise to make him turn around. As he searched the room he almost looked at the two of us. Side by side.

But when he leaves, Yolanda and I are about to get out of there and meet up with Courtney. We hear the door open again...but this time it's none other than Principal Bowin.

Shit.

I quickly go on to notice when she opens a case she had a fiddler. Wait...a fiddle.

The Fiddler.

Oh Shit. Was she??? Was she married to the Fiddler?

When she finished, she was frustrated, as it seemed like she couldn't do what her husband could do. Wake someone with the fiddle. Including if it's Brainwave.

But damn, the principal is in the ISA.

I paused in my thoughts.

Go figures.

"With the violin." Yolanda mentioned as I corrected them.

"It's a fiddle. Like the Fiddler." I mentioned as they both looked at me ready to leave and finish this another time. Even if I knew Yolanda probably wouldn't be able to join due to her wanting to fix relationships with her family.

But as we got out of the window, Courtney mentioned our names again as we approached the top of the building. Wanting to be done from this long night.

Splitting up from the two, I knew I had to head home. As Courtney mentioned she was going to text me later if Yolanda joins. Knowing that I needed to get my suit off and just sleep, I couldn't stay any longer. And besides I have a feeling Courtney will somehow get Yolanda on our side.

Somehow.

"You look like you've had a rough night." A familiar voice said as I entered the house. Turning I noticed my dad sitting on the couch sprawled across it, as he looked at me.

Smiling and shaking my head, I knew he stayed down on the main floor waiting for me to return home from "recruiting the new JSA" or "suiting up and fighting bad guys".

"Just tiring is all. Why are you still up dad?" I asked him as he laughed.

We both just looked at one another before he answered my question, "You know Tim has a way of rubbing off." I snorted as he mentioned Uncle Tim, and his sleeping habits.

"Ok but you're not Tim, dad. Plus you have work in..." I looked at my watch as the time read '11:42', "5 hours." I reminded him as he gave a small chuckle.

"I can't just be a loving father waiting for his daughter." He asked calmly, making me smile as I went to sit with my dad for a few minutes in his arms.

"We aren't exactly normal people, dad." I remarked on knowing that our family is the least from a normal family. We've come back from the dead, we've fought the Joker, we wear the most bizarre suits and have such fearful names.

It was these moments sitting on the couch that I feel reminds my family, or just my father and I. How unnormal we are, but despite our double lives, we still are a family. And I know no matter what I have a family that has my back, or at least my parents do. Even if some people are afraid to mess with my dad in town, due to him being a bit intimidating at times, he is very lovable.

An hour later, after conversing with my dad for a bit longer I decided to allow myself to go change for bed. And allow myself a few hours of sleep before waking up and having JSA, or being Amanda Grayson, the daughter of the lead Detective of Blue Valley, the young girl with potential to go to the Olympics with her acrobatic and gymnastic skills.

Having a few more texts from Courtney I decided to roll over on my bed and finally sleep looking at my drawings and posters scattered on my bed's inner wall. As sleep slowly came over my eyelids, until I finally was peaceful again.

Hours later....

I opened my eyes, as in my mind I sighed as I turned over towards my phone. Noticing that Courtney had yet again texted me. But this time it was different, and shorter. Tapping my phone screen I looked at it to notice the few words sprawled across the lock screen...

'She's in.'