Chapter One: Family Ties

She didn't want to, but she had to. There had never been another choice for her life, never a question on which path she would have to take, not with her family tree. She just hadn't expected it so soon.

Artemis came home and flung her school bag on the coach, followed by her bow and sheath before collapsing into the cushy furniture herself. It had been a long day with the over-night mission followed by a long and repetitive day of school, and the young archer was glad to be home. Lazily she opened her eyes again and leaned over towards the coffee table, her back popping as she did so, and wrapped her hand around the mail. She liked to make sure her mom was getting the bills paid and that everything was running smoothly-besides her mother never noticed and what she didn't know couldn't hurt her. Artemis leaned back and started to flip through the thick stack of envelopes-Bills, bills, bills, bill-wait. Artemis's eyes crossed over a tiny manila envelope without a return address or any other traceable markings. Aside, of course, from the most peculiar fact of all-her name was stamped onto the letter. Artemis took a quick peek around the room even though she already knew no one but her and her mom was at home-and her mom was out cold, asleep, on her bed. Returning her attention back to the letter, Artemis tore it open in a flash, its contents already held in her hand. No, no, it couldn't be…but it was. Artemis clenched the paper tight in her hand. She had always known what she would have today, but…Maybe it was better that this was happening so soon-after all, she was starting to get attached. The letter was from her dad-Sportsmaster. The letter was short, just two words in length-her dad had never been that sentimental or a conversationalist.

Artemis,

Time's come.

-Sportsmaster & Cheshire

Artemis crumpled the paper tight in her hand and then tossed it into the fire, watching it burn for a moment, watching it turn to ash. Watching it disintegrate as the fire claimed its prize. Fire was symbolic, in a way-not only did fuel the very sun that gave Earth life, but it also stole life away. It proved that no matter what side you were on, there was no way to win.

Artemis flicked her eyes away from the fire, not wanting to see anymore destruction, not wanting to witness anymore damage…even though she knew that in the end, her hand would cause the most.

Oh, she knew what the letter wanted, demanded, craved. It wanted her to do the unthinkable, even though she had known what was to happen from the start. Her hand tightened unconsciously around her bow's handle as the thought invaded her mind-her mission, her only real mission-Kill the Young Justice.

Artemis shook her head and threw her costume on. Some open air and time to shoot would clear her head. She stood up abruptly and opened the coffee table's one drawer, pulling out a sticky note and leaving her mom a quick message saying she would be out for a while. Then she redid her pony tail and snatched her bow. All she needed was some time to clear her head. Artemis walked confidently out of the door, slamming it shut behind her.

Her arrow zipped right through the crook of the man's arm and he dropped to the ground defensively. The criminals must be getting dumber. Before he could react, she leaped into the air and came down hard on his back. The man gasped and then slumped silently onto the street, unconscious. Shaking her head at the man's poor choice of defense, Artemis chained his hand to a nearby street lamp that dimly illuminated the street.

"Good one. Though usually you would have gone for the kill." A smooth voice whispered in her ear, and Artemis leapt immediately into a fighting stance- her arrow's tip softly touching her sister's nose.

"Cheshire." She hissed, her eyes narrowed as she relaxed her stance and stood up. Great, just what she needed.

"That's no way to greet your half-sister. We're family, call me Jade." Her sister said smiling deviously like she always did-it was more of a smirk than a smile.

"We only share a mom and blood." Artemis spat back. She didn't have time for this.

"Calm down, Artemis." The assassin laughed, and then stepped closer-her face close to Artemis's, "And speaking of blood-I hear from your father that you have some to spill."

"That's not your business." The archer retorted, her gray eyes slits. Cheshire shrugged lightly, taking off her mask. Her face really did look like her mothers.

"Actually," the dark haired women growled, "It will be if you screw up-so tell me now. Can you do it?"

Artemis stared unwavering into her sister's eyes.

"Yeah, I can."

"Good." Cheshire said, her mask returning to her face before she slipped away from the light.

(-)

Artemis trudged unhappily into the living room of Mount Justice, once again seeking the comfort of a coach. She slid into the welcoming material easily, and sighed while she tried to enjoy the silence. But soon, she supposed, these halls would always be silent. There would be no more of Robin's laughter, the kitchen timer wouldn't beep furiously in unison with the fire alarm when Megan cooked, Kid Flash wouldn't be cracking bad jokes, Kaldur wouldn't dispatch any words of wisdom, and Conner wouldn't ever work in the garage…they would all be gone.

"Okay, I'll bite-what's up with the sour face? Missing your favorite 'ninja boyfriend'?" Kid Flash asked, zooming into the room. Artemis blinked her eyes open, startled even though she shouldn't have been.

"Uh, no." the archer mumbled, not prepared with a clever retort.

"Okay, than what's wrong?" the speedster asked, cocking an eyebrow. He seemed to be making a genuine effort to be kind, and Artemis shrugged.

"Family. I don't want to talk about it." She replied shortly, hoping Freckles would take a hint.

"Hey, as long as your dad's not planning my demise, I'm okay with it." The redhead tried to joke, making a slashing motion along his neck. Artemis paled even though she hadn't intended to, and Wally felt instantly guilty, "Um, never mind." He said, back peddling as best he could.

Artemis stood up and glared, her arms crossed, and she turned to walk away. However, just as she picked up her bow, Kaldur walked into the room.

"Batman has called us in for a debriefing." He informed them, gesturing for them to follow him. Artemis's eyes widened. So this was it. Her father's plan was going to fall into place in one set up.

Author's Note: This is just something that's been gnawing on me for a while, so I had to post it. Please review if you like it.