| STAR CITY
| August 7, 20:37 PDT
ASTRA ARRIVED IN a back alley photo booth in Star City, the exact coordinates which Roy said to meet, dressed in her hero attire. She hadn't spoken to him much since the night at the shipping docs where the boys tried to convince the archer to join the team. But once the boy actually decided to call her to patrol the city with him, she eagerly agreed. She also wanted to mention her promotion from Barry, and her role as team leader.
She just missed her friend honestly and there was a lot to catch him up on.
The girl had an insulated comm in her ear and she pressed her finger to the button to contact Roy. "Yo, Speedy where the hell are you?"
The comm beeped and Roy replied "it's Red Arrow now. And look up."
Sure enough, standing on the ledge of the building adjacent to her, a smirk plastered on his face, was Roy in his new hero suit. The girl quickly used her powers to fizzle up to the roof next to him.
"You seriously went with Red Arrow?" She asked with a smirk, "That's original, Red."
The boy rolled his eyes under his domino mask. 'Red' was a nick name she'd given the boy because of his auburn hair and the red uniform he wore as speedy. Roy had expressed many times his dislike for the name.
"Shut up," the boy replied, shoving her shoulder, "honestly I'm surprised you're even allowed to meet up. Dosen't Flash have a rule about his protégés never leaving his sight?"
Kamila crossed her arms, "dude, that's literally bull shit he let do whatever as long-"
"As you don't end up hurt, dead, wanted or lost. Yeah I know." Kamila noticed how he was scanning the city, because technically they were supposed to be patrolling. She decided to sit down and swing her legs over the edge of the ten story building, knowing there really wasn't any arm in doing so.
"Besides," she continued, "I'm not his protégé anymore."
She wasn't looking at the archer, but that didn't mean she couldn't feel his shock as he proceeded her words. It was common knowledge among their friend group (consisting of Dick, Kaldur, Wally and the two of them) that she loved working with Barry. Kamila often talked about all the missions they went on, like fighting Abra Kadabra and figuring out his magic was all fake, or really any of their typical rouges - like Captain Cold, who Kamila is pretty sure was in attendance to the West-Allen wedding...
Anywho, it would come as a shock to anyone that Astra and Flash parted ways. Which is why Roy's half frozen reaction was easily predictable to the girl.
"You actually went solo?!" He eventually asked.
Kamila shook her head and explained the situation to him, much like she had to Wally the other day. She explained what her and Barry had agreed to, and what it would mean in the eyes of both the Team and the Justice League.
After having to explain it to her mom, step-dad, Wally and now Roy, Kamila was seriously just sending an email to the rest of her teammates and the JLA about the situation. Much less time consuming.
"-so yeah, that's it," she finished.
Roy had eventually taken the spot next to her, and he nodded his head, "yeah okay... so you got promoted to a solo hero basically?"
"I guess? Barry said I out grew his teaching or whatever that means."
Roy hesitated, like he was organizing his thoughts as if they were small folders on a desktop. He had a weird look on his face and then shook his head.
"What?" Kamila asked.
Eventually he hesitated and said, "so... you think that's gonna give you some respect? I mean, being told by a founding member of the JLA is big... it'll totally help you get in easier too..."
Kamila grinned, "I didn't really think of it like that! Holy shit- Roy you could be totally right!"
The archer furrowed his brows as if he got an idea, then smirked. "I've got some intel about a kidnapping... a shadow's job. You know about Dr. Roquette, right?"
⤉
ROY WILLIAM HARPER was determined to be a hero. To be respected. For people to see him in uniform and recognize him as his own person. Not a sidekick to Green Arrow. Not a second thought. Not Speedy.
He wanted to be Red Arrow.
As he listened to Kamila's explanation, he kept picking up on all those things he has been craving for what felt like years now.
Respect.
Not a sidekick.
My own hero.
Trust.
Respect.
The Justice League.
My own identity.
Respect.
Not just a second thought.
Respect.
Respect.
Respect.
Respect.
That's all he's wanted since he stormed out of the Hall of Justice. He wanted to be respected. He wants to prove himself and gain their respect. He didn't know why. He wasn't the type of person to thrive off of constant validation. He didn't care if the Justice League praised-
He didn't care if-
He didn't care-
He-
He shook his head.
He wanted them to respect him. He wanted the Justice League to take one look at his costume, his weaponry, his skills and think Him. He will join our ranks. He is the next generation of heroes.
Roy let himself wonder through his thoughts. What if sticking with the team would've gotten him that respect. What if he ruined his chances by walking away.
What if they don't even consider him?
What if they think he's in the wrong for walking out?
What if they-
What if-
What-
"What?" Kamila asked next to him, snapping him out of his thoughts.
He snapped out of his looping state, as if it never happened.
⚡︎
KAMILA 'ASTRA' CARTER was determined to be a hero. To be respected. For people to see her in uniform and recognize her as Astra. Not just a sidekick, but as the first sidekick. Not just another hero, but the youngest heroine to ever fight crime. She wanted to be known as Astra.
Since Roy had walked out of the Hall and she caught up with him shortly after, she kept thinking about how she could get everything she's been craving since she was eight. Since she was twelve. Since she was thirteen.
That respect for the public, from going out on her own.
That trust people could put in her, knowing she was responsible enough to be trusted.
Not just a second thought, pushed away when a different hero stepped up.
Not just a girl in over her head, told by some intoxicated thugs to stop while she's ahead.
She wanted the Justice League to see her efforts and improvement.
She didn't care for their respect, but she knows she earned it. She didn't care for it... But... sometimes she wanted them to take one look at her suit, her powers, her determination, her skill and think Her. She is going to join us one day. She is the start of a new generation.
Kamila let herself space out as she ran along roof tops to Roy's appointment. Lost in thought. What if leaving with Roy would've given her that respect? What if staying with the league just proved that she wouldn't be able to do this in her own?
What if she really is in over her head?
She shook her head as she climbed though Roy's Kitchen window.
A/N
Word Count: 1298
Short asf chapter and ik I could've just merged with the next EP, but I need to be so fucking clear with Kam and Roy's parallels so this got its own chapter.
That's all.
Infiltrator is next <3