S TRIKE. STRIKE. STRIKE. STRIKE. Unpredictable movements were barely seen in the moonless night as bodies clad in black hit the ground one after the other. The swarm of hostiles was slowly diminishing, but they did not slow even for a moment. The swish of carbonite arrows accompanied the sounds of physical strikes, further eliminating targets besides the woman. Chocolate orbs broke focus for a moment, as a break in attacks came, now gazing over to the warehouse that bore flames touching up to the heavens. Time was quickly running out for those trapped, the faint echoes of screams carried from the blaze and out along the whisps of the breeze.
”Cover me!” The womans voice cried out, knowing she had to move quickly if they were to rescue those the hostiles attempted to burn. Her movements were quick, one foot in front of the other as she closed the distance between the warehouse and herself. Another arrow sounded behind her as it met it's target, the thud of a pursuer hitting the ground lifelessly. Without hesitation, the woman kicked forward as she reached one of the doors, knocking it down and into the flames within. Arms raised to shield from the heat, eyes blinking away at the brightness of the angry flames. Focus was crucial, time was critical. Movements forward were made with haste yet caution knowing her death would mean the deaths of those trapped, and that was not something neither of them could accept.
Brown hues landed upon frightened eyes, those of a young boy cowering behind a table. Three others were crowded up next to him and another lying on the ground already burned.
"I've got 4. A fifth wounded. We are out of time!" The woman said, the com in her ear trasmitting her concern to the hooded man beyond the doors.
"I've got them!" Another voice echoed suddenly in her ear, one belonging to her daughter. The womans gaze caught site of the young meta, and was both angry and grateful for her arrival.
"You were supposed to stay outside and help Oliver!" The girl shook her head, moving towards the group of terrified people.
"You can't get them all out by yourself! I've got them, finish the search! GO!"The girl replied sternly, knowing this was no time to be arguing with her mother.
The woman nodded and vanished back into the flames, searching for others. The young meta turned and took only a second to focus her mind and errect a telekinetic barrier that would protect the victims from the flames. She motioned two towards the door while she has instructed the other two to carry the injured man. They were only a dozen steps from the exit when a large support beam above suddenly broke, sending chunks of wood hurtling downwards on top of them. The loud crash caused the woman, who had another injured victim in her arms, to look towards where she had seen her daughter.
"ARIA!!" A panicked cry sounded out, and movements became more quickened. Even with the barrier, her mother knew extended that amount of her abilities around those she was escorting out was already stretching it.
"Aria!" Another voice sounded in her ear, Oliver, who had seen the front of the building cave in and heard the panicked cries of her mother. The hooded man rushed for the building, stopping short when he saw a thin hand sticking out from under from rubble. Avaren got the man in her arms free of the building before following Oliver back inside. They worked together to move the large beam free from those it had trapped underneath, managing to get it adjusted just enough for three of them to slip out and towards the door.
The young meta and two other bodies did not move, and crimson liquid stained the ground next to them. Oliver dropped down next to the Aria, a look of worry glazed sharply across emerald hues. He carefully cradled the young girl in his arms, quickly moving her out of the building while Avaren moved the final victims out. A final footfall outside the door and an explosion sent them tumbling forward as the warehouse finally collapsed in on itself. Avaren lie there for a moment before raising her head, glancing back at the scene behind them. Sirens grew louder as they neared, the duo now moving to get those they had retrieved the help they needed. Olivers focus remained on the girl, placing her on the stretcher for the medics to tend to. Avaren could see pain fill his eyes as he stepped back, rubbing a frustrated hand across the back of his head.
"This wasn't your fault Oliver... She knew the risks." Avaren said quietly, knowing he would blame himself for letting her daughter fight with them. He saw her as someone he needed to protect, just as he needed to protect his city. The three of them had become close over the years, bonding together like family. Oliver was never a fan of Aria suiting up with them, but she wasn’t a little girl anymore, and they both had to come to terms with that.
“She has 2 broken ribs, and her shoulder is dislocated, but she will be fine. We are taking her to Starling General.” The medic said, loading Aria into the ambulance. Oliver gave a short glance to Avaren, features serious and stern.
“I don’t accept that. We shouldn’t have let her come. She’s too young, too green.”“She is more powerful than both of us combined Oli. She isn’t a little kid anymore, and it’s time we both realize that. You and I have been through hell together, and we have survived far worse than a few broken ribs. You can’t put this on yourself, we both promised her that, that we would let her fight, let her grow, not hold her back.”“And look what happened!” Emerald hues flickered with frustration, boiled words exploding over the surface as a hand motioned towards the injured girl. The womans gaze softened, a light hand placed upon his arm.
“Oliver.. you know better than anyone, no battle is ever simple. There will always be risks, and that is something we have learned to live with. Aria is a survivor, same as you, and that makes her strong. We can’t hold her back anymore.”Gloved digits covered the womans hand upon his arm, a sigh and softened gaze now matching her own.
“You’re right, I’m sorry. I just don’t want to see her hurt, either of you. I’ve watched her grow up Avaren, since she was a little girl. That’s who I see when I look at her, that little girl I rescued from Damien Darhk all those years ago."“And now she is a beautiful powerful young woman, who is more than capable of holding her own.” Avaren reached up, a gentle thumb wiping away blood from a fresh gash on his cheek.
“You’re not invincible either Oli, but that doesn't mean you are going to stop fighting. Now come on, we should follow them to the hospital. There’s nothing more we can do here.” 
