《New Earth: Arrow》Chapter 20
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Ever since she'd spoken to Oliver the previous night, Laurel couldn't stop thinking about whether or not she should put her mask back on. A part of her knew that being the Black Canary was what she'd been meant to do, but another part of her was scared, not of dying, since that was a risk she'd always known would be part of the job and accepted it, but of the effects her death would have on the people she loved. Oliver had told her how her teammates had reacted to her death. Her dad had relapsed hard and had actually had to go into rehab to get the help he needed because of her death, Thea had quit the team, John had shot his own brother and then had willingly gone to military prison for a crime he hadn't committed to atone for what he'd done, Sara had become driven on risking history itself to kill Damien Darhk before he could kill her. And Ollie, well, he did what he always did when he lost people he loved. He pushed those closest to him away, or rather he let them go, and tried to do things alone until he had his back pushed up against the wall.
Her death had basically caused the near destruction of Team Arrow and had deeply impacted everyone she held dear. And she didn't want to put them through the pain of losing her again.
On the other hand, another part of Laurel's mind countered, that same risk had never scared Sara. As soon as she came back to life and got her soul back, she immediately jumped back into the game as a hero. Plus, now Laurel had an actual canary cry instead of the artificial one Cisco had made her. Not to mention that now she had a real costume created by Cisco instead of the makeshift one she'd thrown together, since that one was not as protective as she'd hoped it would be.
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But honestly, the thing that was holding her back the most was that the reason she'd become the Black Canary in the first place no longer existed. She'd originally become the Black Canary in order to make people think she was her sister, and then to honor Sara's memory, but before, after Sara had been brought back, the Black Canary had already existed, so she couldn't exactly quit then. But now she hadn't become the Black Canary yet and she wasn't sure if she ever should. This city had enough heroes now. It had Green Arrow, Spartan, Arsenal, Overwatch, Wild Dog, whatever new name Thea came up with, she wasn't sure it needed her. She wasn't sure the city or the world needed the Black Canary. She was currently sitting in the bunker at the conference table when she heard someone walk up to her.
"Aren't you supposed to be at work?" John asked her.
"My office closed an hour ago." Laurel said.
"You know that's not what I meant. Oliver is at Iron Heights right now, keeping tabs on Peter Declan, so why aren't you there to?" John asked, since while he and Rene were still working on Gaynor, Laurel was Oliver's partner on the Brodeur mission.
"I stayed behind. I needed some time to think." Laurel said.
"About?" John asked as Laurel gave him a look.
"Really John. Don't act like Oliver didn't tell you about our conversation last night." Laurel said, raising an eyebrow.
"Fair enough." John chuckled as he sat down next to her.
"So, where's the big speech?" Laurel asked and John chuckled.
"You really think I came here to give you one?" John asked.
"That's what you do isn't it? The whole reason Oliver kept you around to begin with." Laurel said with a smile as John chuckled again.
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"Fair enough. Oliver did tell me that you were doubting whether or not you should be the Black Canary again." John said.
"Honestly John, the whole reason I became the Black Canary was to assimilate and then honor Sara. But now she's alive and the city doesn't need the Canary to put fear in them. I've lost the whole reason I became the Black Canary in the first place. Not to mention what it did to everyone else after I died." Laurel said.
"Okay first off, that is not on you. We're all responsible for how we chose to mourn, myself included. And let's face it, if any of us spent all our time worrying about that, we'd never suit up. We can't control what other people do Laurel, only what we can do." John said.
"I know you're right about that and honestly, I have come to terms with that. But honestly, I'm not sure why I should be the Black Canary when the whole reason I did in the first place no longer exists." Laurel said.
"Really, by that logic, you would've hung up your mask the moment after Sara got her soul back. Laurel, you didn't become the Black Canary when Sara died, she's always been a part of you. From what I heard, even as a kid, you were obsessed with getting justice for those who needed it, standing up for people who couldn't stand up for themselves. That's why you became a lawyer right?" John asked.
"Yeah of course. It's also why I chose to work for CNRI instead of taking a job with a big firm." Laurel said.
"Exactly. Laurel, the Black Canary is more than just a mantle or a mask. She's a part of who you are. Always has been and always will be. You can't walk away from that and we both know that you don't want to." John said and Laurel smiled.
"I always felt like I was my best self after I put on that mask." Laurel said as she looked over at her suit.
"Exactly. And that's because when you became the Black Canary, you were finally embracing all parts of yourself. You didn't become the Black Canary after Sara died. You've always been the Black Canary, that event is just what finally caused you to embrace her." John said and Laurel smiled at him before looking back at her suit, wondering if maybe it was time to put it back on.
"I need to go meet up with Gaynor, since Rene and I are working undercover for the moment, but think about what I said." John said as he got up and left as Laurel nodded at him and kept thinking as she continued looking at her suit.
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KINGDOM RISE, CASTING CROWNS: Your Way Called Peace (ACT I)
***THANK YOU TO MY FAITHFUL FOLLOWERS. THERE HAVE BEEN SOME EDITS AND ACT I IS COMPLETED AT THIS TIME. ACT II DOES NOT HAVE A DATE OF RELEASE YET BUT IT IS BEING WORKED ON WITH LOVE!!!*** Check out the book trailer with the original soundtrack I composed for the story HERE!!! QUOTE FROM TRAILER: "A tale that was hushed and concealed by the heavens during the final days of the seven warring states of China. Here, in plain words, resonates a love with such fleeting beauty like that of a plum blossom, and fellowship with such force in grace and perseverance like that of a heron." The novel is written in third person in the views of Ying-tai and Xiu Juan who are lovers. Both descendants of Qin, they are separated by the unfortunate events that take place during the 7 Warring States of China and they fight from opposite ends of the world to reunite. In their trials, they are tested against all that they know and the fine line that once divided mankind disintegrates as camaraderie is found amongst the known enemy. OST Track 1: Prayer *PLEASE NOTE: The illustrations in the story do not belong to me. They were artworks done by other amazing artists that inspired me to write what I wrote and to create the characters in the story. Most of the photos shown in the chapters were done by one of my favorite illustrators, Ibuki Satsuki (CHECK OUT THIS PERSON'S WORK! THEY'RE ALL AMAZING!!!) I greatly appreciate and enjoy all of their beautiful pieces of work!*
8 154Pioneer from the Galactic Rim
Year 202x, Earth discovered that they were not alone in the Universe. The governments were made known that Earth, was actually located in the backwaters of the Galaxy and even further from the center of the Universe. Located far away from where many of the other lifeforms were born and interacted. In fact they were so far away that the types of energy Earth is able to utilize, is really limited compared to those from the center of the Universe. It was a wonder, that the people of Earth could even develop to what they are even now. The following year, Earth has decided to join the galactic alliance. A decade later, the regular people of Earth could finally start entering the Universe. Albeit in a different form, from what many may expect. By me, Lostcattears I hope to write something that many will enjoy, and make it worth their time reading.If possible support me on Patreon, only if you think the story is worth it. I am a new amateur author, so go into this as if one is reading a rough draft.
8 365Underground Laboratory: Secrets
Hyle Labs was a government-funded project. Camellia's father was hired to create human weapons of war and armor. Anything that would help Valier win his war. Raven was a test subject. A scientists child used to create a human soldier who would fight continuously. After everything was destroyed Camellia seeks answers for the deaths of so many people, while Raven wants nothing to do with what was left of the underground laboratory. Still, the two find themselves working together along with Curtis, Camellia's bodyguard to find answers. Answers that have a lot to do with test subject Rose and how she survived despite being unable to survive. And while they manage to catch Rose, she isn't so lenient about giving them answers, risking her own life and theirs to keep her lips sealed. however, finding out that her father may be part of the reason the facility was wrecked in such a manner has her asking more questions than she thought.
8 251GOGGLES OF EVOLUTION
The greatest invention of the top scientists of the planet lucadium called "GOOGLES OF EVOLUTION" was sent to earth after the tragedy which occurred on them.
8 138Life Once Again
Again, he must live life once again. But this time it's different. He had never repeated a life in a world that had housed him prior. With all the knowledge he had accumulated across realities, what would that mean for the world he once again visits? This is the first time I'm writing something. I've always daydreamed scenarios and finally got the courage to put one of them to paper. This will be a way to flex my nonexistent writing muscles, or to try and see if I even have any.
8 186Enda (Boyxboy)
Canton Foster is an aspiring Chef until one day he breaks, feeling that he can no longer do it. The students of the Academy have seen one of their own fall and come to a conclusion that Canton is depressed. So he is sent to Bosworth. Bosworth is a facility for mental illnesses. Canton believes that Bosworth Institute is another asylum like place until he wanders away and falls into an old sewer while walking on the beach. The sewer drains off into an enchanted world known as Enda. Enda is a world plunged into war and chaos. Fire, Ice, Earth and Water Clans Fighting endlessly. Above the war and chaos, Canton is given the reason why he fell into this world...one he cannot let go.Because if he does, Enda could be no more.With Clans clashing, underdogs rising, the mysterious beautiful world of Enda sucks Canton in. Until eventually only a lost Prince could save us now...(Warning: if you do not like manga style chapter parts that build up the story, then don't read it. That is all.)
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