So I'm doing something I don't normally like to do and that's get two fics going at the same time. This one is here to detail the time between seasons 1 and 2 focusing on the evolution of the Spitfire relationship. It started as a random thought that came to me while trying to fall asleep so we'll see how it goes. If you like feel free to check out my other which takes place after the end of season 2 and features a fresh OC character :) Thanks!
January 5th 2012
It had finally happened.
After months of bickering, ogling others, and tormenting each other, he had kissed her. Spur of the moment as the clock hit midnight he finally gave in to the feelings he had felt growing for weeks. He counted that as one of the happiest memories he had made in his sixteen short years on this planet.
Why then did it have to end like this? He questioned to no one in particular as he looked down at the prone blond haired girl resting on the hospital bed. He brushed some of the hair away from the green mask disguising her face as he thought about how it had all gone so wrong.
xxx
The team had been granted a few days respite after their rescue of the Justice League to take some time to themselves. Visit with family, see their friends, and just be the teenagers they were, when not saving the day.
Their break did not last long however, because on the 4th Batman had summoned them all back to the cave at the crack of dawn.
He wasted no time in getting down to business as soon as the last of the team had arrived. Ironically, their fastest member had ended up taking that spot.
"We have received intel that the light has stored another supply of their starrotech creation at this location, we believe this to be the place that they used to create in the first place" Batman stated indicating the flashing light on their holo map.
"Wait they have more of it?" Kid Flash couldn't help but interject.
"So it would seem," Batman continued, "your mission here is two fold, objective A is to obtain any remaining starrotech that may still be active, objective B is to disrupt their ability to create it by any means necessary. This is not something we can allow to continue, this kind of tech can not remain in enemy hands," he glanced around at the now eight unit team. "You have your assignment, team dismissed."
xxx
Wally was snapped back to the present as the machines connected to the unconscious blond began setting off alarms. The one that was clearly her heart monitor spiked once, twice, three times before diving into a constant flat line.
Wally's own heart sank as the emergency light above the bed began flashing calling for immediate medical attention to the room.
He felt like he was living in a dream, watching the events take place to a body that seemed to move of its own accord. He was ushered from the room instantly as doctors piled in and set to work trying to save this young hero.
Unable to support himself his legs gave out and Wally fell into one of the stiff backed uncomfortable armchairs so often found in hospital waiting rooms. His head dropped into his hands as his mind fell back into the mission from hell, if he had been faster it wouldn't have happened. It was his fault she was hurt, if he had just paid attention she wouldn't have had to come to his aid.
xxx
January 4th 2012
The bioship touched down just a half mile from the warehouse in question. The team disembarked and spread out scanning the area.
"Not much sign of any outside activity," Robin announced peaking through his hi tech binoculars and scanning the surrounding area.
"Doesn't look like there's a lot going on inside either," Superboy responded, "thermal vision shows only a few warm spots in the building."
"I can confirm," Kid Flash commented, his goggles over his eyes glowing with the tell tale thermal heat vision.
"Okay then," Aqualad said taking charge, "we get in and we get out, no unnecessary risks. M'gann, Zatanna and Rocket to the roof find a way in and try and take our opponents by surprise. The rest of us are going right in the front. Robin find a panel I want all security systems off line. Artemis explosive arrow aimed at the door, fire on my signal. KF as soon as that door is open I want eyes inside, stay mobile, try and figure out where they're stashing their tech."
"Panels hacked, security offline," came Robins voice through their radios, no one had even noticed him leave.
"Good, M'gann link us up," Aqualad said.
Link established, we're on the roof, came the response in their minds.
Good, team Go!
The team made a brake for the door, Kid Flash purposely keeping his speed at a pace the rest could match. Half way to their destination Artemis took drew back and fired, hardly slowing in her run as the arrow zipped the rest of the distance blasting through its feeble lock and leaving it hanging off a hinge.
Robin who was already in place near the door tossed a smoke pellet through masking the entrance of KF who activated his speed and was gone in the blink of an eye. He was inside for several seconds before the rest of the team made their way through the door.
The girls had dropped in through an air vent on the roof and were floating near the ceiling remaining out of sight in the shadows.
Uh guys, Kid Flash said, I don't think anyone's here.
The team was about to agree when the lights kicked on.
"Well, well, well. It seems our young hero's have walked right into our trap," the team adjusting to the suddenly bright lights tried to focus on two shadowy figures not so far away, one clearly holding a feline of some sort."
"I was hoping it would at least be some what of a challenge to lure you here but so be it," the voice continued.
Guys! It's Savage! came M'gann's cry in their minds from her better vantage point up high.
And Klarion, Zatanna added with more venom in her thoughts than most thought possible.
The point was moot however because with a final, "kill them," Klarion had opened a portal which he and Savage stepped through and in there place were dozens upon dozens of armed enemies.
"We need to get out now!" Aqualad exclaimed but as he turned towards the exit there was a crash and a heavy metal plate dropped in front of the door.
Then all hell broke loose as the freakishly large group of henchmen charged. Their opponents were prepared and what was supposed to be a simple in and out mission quickly became a fight for their lives.
So they fought. They split and tried to form some sort of defensive perimeter against the onslaught each calling on their own unique traits. The blinding lights left little cloaked in shadow leaving the boy wonder's usual hit and vanish tactics nearly unusable, and when he tried tossing a smoke pellet to disrupt a group of charging cronies a high powered fan kicked on sucking away all the smoke almost instantly.
"great," muttered Robin, "these guys were ready for us," he relayed tossing an explosive before drawing out his escrima's to counter the group.
The rest had already figured that out as each of the grounded members soon found themselves facing off with at least four of the henchmen. Those in the air tried to create as much havoc as they could but there were simply too many, and it wasn't long before explosions filled the air around them forcing them lower.
Their attackers were armed though surprisingly not with firearms. Some wielded swords, others daggers, and even a few with spears, just what was going on here? they all thought.
There was no time to dwell as the two sides clashed. Robin twirled his short sticks with practiced ease as he ducked a high slash and responded with two quick strikes to one opponents knees. He twirled and parried two simultaneous thrusts and responded in kind forcing his opponents back. The fourth saw the teen's back looked to take advantage of the opening but missed horribly as the boy wonder back flipped with ease over the charging crony. Two quick shots to the mans kidneys had him writhing on the ground as the previous two returned to the battle. They never stood a chance.
Aqualad was also uniquely equipped for battling this type of enemy. Water sword in one hand, mace in the other he was able to deflect and counter attacks from both sides with ease. Aside from that however, the warehouse seemed to be specifically devoid of any additional water. He had to make do.
There seemed to be little rhyme nor reason to Superboy's strategy. A literal wrecking ball he waded through the enemy ranks leaving a path of destruction. He was nicked and cut repeatedly but their weapons could hardly slow the kryptionian's wrath.
Artemis squared up against four angry henchmen. The firsts angry horizontal slash was easily ducked by the young archer, her follow up knee to the gut had the man doubled over. Using his back as support she bent back and laid her own across it and held her bow horizontal launching an arrow into another mans chest sending him flying back. Rebounding off the bent mans back she kicked out behind her catching the man in the jaw laying him low.
Facing just two now she dodged one swipe and blocked another with her bow. She countered with a flurry of quick jabs to one mans abdomen and lower vital organs. As she blocked another slash she caught something out of the corner of her eye. Something that caused her heart to drop.
Kid Flash had been zipping easily through the battlefield dodging attacks left and right and giving out more than his fair share. That was until the trip wire was pulled. He didn't see it, couldn't see it. Thin as floss and clear as glass KF only noticed it after it caught his foot and sent him tumbling head over heels. A group of attackers wasted no time in moving in from all sides.
Artemis noticed Wally's fall, saw his attempts to avoid the numerous attacks. There were too many, and worse than that was moving up on him from behind. She knew it was risky, knew she had her hands full fighting off two goons at once. Well more like one and a half as she noticed one mans sluggish movements, her well aimed punches having the effect she desired. Still she felt protective, felt the need to watch over the boy who had sent her emotions into a raging vortex of confusion.
She ducked the next attack and deflected the predictable follow up slash. Knocking the blade out wide she spun and dropped to a knee drawing an arrow. In one fluid motion she had knocked and fired. The arrow was true and as it opened into the large net it took the man who was leaping at Kid Flash from behind out of the air pinning him to the wall as it electrified.
She smiled as she turned back to her own attackers blocking one swipe at her head but took a blow to her side from the man she assumed she had slowed. Accepting her mistake she tried to roll with the strike but instead she found herself stumbling backwards, her legs not reacting as they should.
Artemis glanced down almost by accident but was stunned to see the crystal handle protruding from her rib cage.
"Oh damn," she muttered as her body suddenly accepted the shock. As soon as her eyes made contact she noticed her movements get sluggish, she felt the pain suddenly spreading through her body, and noticed her legs go weak. The darkness seemed to close in around her as she collapsed to the floor.
Kid Flash noticed the net and with a flurry of punches and kicks to fast for the normal eye to see had the three men in front of him down for the count.
"You know I could have handled th-" he started as he turned towards where Artemis was fighting.
The words died in his throat however as he saw her on the ground barely moving as a man kicked her repeatedly as he clutched at his kidneys with one hand.
"Artemis!" KF screamed as he took off in her direction. His shoulder slammed into the man kicking her but he didn't slow until he felt them collide heavily with the wall and the mans sternum shatter beneath the blow. Satisfied he wouldn't be returning to his feet he was back to Artemis' prone form in a flash.
Guys, he called through their telepathic link, Artemis is hurt, like bad, we have to get out of here, NOW!
Right time to go, came Aqualad's response, his thoughts became instantly more panicked as he glanced Artemis' unconscious body in Kid Flash's arms as he sped towards them quickly to regroup.
Alright, Zatanna, Superboy make us an exit, M'gann disappear and call the bioship, have a med bay ready, Rocket I want a shield around Kid and Artemis now, the rest of us form up in front of them, nothing gets by us.
Aqualad stood defensively in front of Rocket who was maintaining a kinetic shield around the injured hero and her carrier. His water bearers now forming a sword and a shield to better defend against oncoming attacks.
Robin tossed out a dozen smoke pellets hoping they would have at least some sort of more lasting effect. Sure enough the fan kicked on again immediately but so much smoke meant it took longer to clear masking their movements at least a little bit.
Zee floated down just above the group, and pointed to the metal slab sealing the door. "Ezeerf ti!" she shouted and watched as the metal immediately froze solid. Superboy taking the hint sprinted for the barrier and unleashed a punch strong enough to stop Superman. The frozen metal shattered upon impact and the team spilled out into the open air.
"Seal it!" Aqualad yelled out using his voice.
"esir morf eht dnuorg!" came Zatanna's immediate call and the ground in front of the new opening rose up creating a wall of solid earth blocking off their exit route so they couldn't be followed.
The bioship was open and ready for them as they quickly scrambled aboard.
"Kid get Artemis to the medical table, M'gann get us out of here we need to get to the cave-," Aqualad started but Robin cut him off.
"No," he stated as all eyes looked to him, "we're not far from Gotham we need to get her to Gotham Memorial now!"
"Memorial?" asked Zatanna, "but that's an actual hospital what about all the unwanted questions and identities and what not."
Robin shook his head, "Batman's got a private wing sectioned off specifically for circumstances like this. Him and his uh... benefactor have it entirely funded and its full of tech designed to help injured hero's, trust me its the best place we can bring her right now."
"You heard him," Aqualad stated definitively, "get this thing in the air M'gann!"
Guys I need help down here, something is... wrong, came Kid Flash's call through their minds.
Robin, Rocket stay here and radio the hospital, let them know we are coming and what we need. Zatanna, Superboy, with me, we must try and help Artemis any way we can.
The scene that they walked into nearly stopped all three in their tracks. Artemis was unconscious on the medical table almost as white as the sheet she was laying on. The dagger was protruding from her ribs as blood was slowly soaking through the cloth Wally (now out of his mask) was holding around it.
He looked up at their approach, "you guys need to see this," he said his voice shaking slightly. "I was afraid to pull out the knife because we don't know how long it is or if its serrated and doing so could cause irreparable damage to her organs but look." He moved the cloth away a little and the three new comers gasped.
The skin around the handle of the knife was black and looked like it was being eaten away.
"My god..." was all Aqualad could get out as he moved nearer to their wounded friend. "Any idea what's causing it?"
"Some sort of poison if I had to guess, but I really couldn't say for sure," Wally replied.
"I thought those weapons were hurting more than they should," Superboy said drawing everyone's eyes as he examined his arms. They all gasped again as they noticed the dozens of red marks covering his skin. The skin hadn't been pierced but their were clear red lines showing where the blades had made contact.
It was Aqualad who finally said what they were all thinking, "that must have been some strong poison to leave marks on Kryptionian skin, I don't want to imagine what is going on in our young friends body."
It was Zatanna who spoke next finally opening her eyes, "I'm not so sure poison is the right word," was all the explanation she gave before moving near the blond archer. Raising a hand over over the deadly weapon she muttered, "laever ruoy sterces!"
The dagger responded violently, releasing a bolt of red mystic energy and causing Zee to stumble backwards clutching her stinging hand.
"Ah damn," she exclaimed rubbing her hand on her pants, "that's what I thought, I noticed a strange mystic aura when we came down here and my spell proved it. These weapons weren't poisoned, they were enchanted and not in a good way. My guess is Klarion is at work here."
She turned and looked in the direction of the cockpit, Robin, contact the league we're gonna need Dr. Fate to be waiting for us if she's to have any hope to survive, she said through the psychic link.
Fate, why? Came the response.
I'll explain later just do it!
Alright alright, working on it.
Zatanna turned back to the med room, "we really should consider getting it out of her, the longer its in contact with her body the more damage the spell will do. I can teleport it out without having to pull it so we don't have to worry about any serrations"
Wally shook his head, "I told you we can't take the risk," his voice was almost a whisper, "if we knew how long it was then maybe it could work but if the knife has pierced her lung then the blade is the only thing preventing her from literally drowning in her own blood right now."
The team was speechless, no one had thought about that. As much as they hated the situation they had to admit having someone well versed in science on the team certainly proved useful.
"Alright," Zatanna said, "but that means Fate being there when we arrive is that much more important, as a Lord of Order he is the only one probably in the world capable of dispelling an enchantment of chaos like this one."
"He'll be there, he has to be," was all Wally could say as he held on tightly to the soft limp hand that seemed to be growing colder by the minute.
"I'm gonna go confer with Robin," Zatanna stated, "see if we can have something ready for the medical staff and Dr. Fate when we land so their not going in blind."
"Good idea, I'll put together some sort of report for Batman cause we know he'll be all over us the moment we touch down," Aqualad added as the two departed. That left just Superboy and Wally standing guard over their lifeless friend.
The large hulk of a man did something very unsuperboy like then as he placed a hand on the young speedsters shoulder and in a voice as soft as Wally had ever heard from him, he said, "Artemis is tough, probably the toughest out of all of us, if anyone can pull through this its her," with that he walked away, going to join the rest of the team as they closed in on their destination, leaving Wally alone with Artemis.
"Did you hear that?" he asked her weakly knowing she wouldn't respond, "Superboy, the guy who's been shot by a tank and got up like it was nothing just called you the toughest member of the team. Your not allowed to give up, do you hear me? You've got to pull through this, you just have too. Who else is going call me out when I make dumb comments, or hit me when I do something stupid, who else is there for me to argue with at all hours of the day. Truth is, there is no one else, no one else I would want to do those things besides you. So you have to make it, okay? For me, please?" He finished his little monologue as a single moist tear left his eye to run down his cheek feeling like it burned a trail along his skin before it fell from his face.
He squeezed his eyes shut tightly fighting back the multitude of tears he knew would follow if he let them and held onto her hand like a lifeline.
Just as he felt he was regaining composure he heard the voice in his head,
KF get her ready, we're approaching the roof of the hospital, was Robin's statement, and it looks they have a team of doctors and a stretcher waiting for us, good. And is that? Yes, Fate made it here too, she'll be okay man, I know she will.
Wally didn't respond he just carefully scooped the petite young blonde into his arms and waited for ramp to lower. He couldn't help but smile as noticed just how tiny she truly was. How many people had likely underestimated her because of that size only to find themselves face down in the dirt likely with a few broken bones after just ten seconds against her.
The wall in front of him stretched opening a hole in a way only a Bioship could and ramp lowered to the ground. Wally could see the multitude of doctors prepping the stretcher run towards the end of it as he began his trek down. The walk seemed to take ages, just one step at a time, one step at a time, he had to tell himself over and over until he finally reached the bottom and lowered her onto the mobile bed. He had forgotten to pull his mask over his face but with all the commotion and the threat hanging over a girl so young no one even noticed.
The way the doctors rushed off so soon after she had touched the bed, Wally was sure a speedster must have swooped by and grabbed them because he quickly found himself standing alone. To his left he noticed Robin and Zatanna conferring with Dr. Fate and the medical examiner in charge. He quickly made his way over to them as he noticed Robin hand off something that looked like a disc drive to Fate.
Wally couldn't control himself as he finally reached the foursome.
"You!" he yelled pointing at the helmet clad hero. "You have to save her, your the only one who can. You owe her!"
The man blinked.
Wally didn't slow, "if it wasn't for her then that stupid helmet on your head would have ended up in Klarion's hands those months ago when we found it. It was her who made me put it on, you-," his voice seemed to die as the words dropped from his mouth, "you have to save her."
The big man stared intently at the red haired youth for a moment. Eyes unblinking Wally felt as if he was peering into his soul. Without a word and with a barely a sound the purple and gold hero spun on his heel, cape billowing in the wind as he followed the retreating doctors with Artemis on the table.
"We'll do everything we can," the doctor in charge said simply before following suit.
"Come on," Robin said taking his friend by the shoulder, "there's a place we can wait inside."
Wally allowed himself to be led inside wordlessly, his mind was a thousand miles away.
xxx
So a couple things, 1) this chapter ended up way longer than planned but I just couldn't stop writing so I hope you enjoyed this first piece, 2) sorry for the cliffhanger, I don't normally like ending on them but hey makes it more fun :p and 3) I don't know how often I'll be updating. Like I said at the beginning this is the second fic I'm working on so we'll see how it goes. I think this is going to be more fun to write because I like the cast as the young characters much more than the post season 2 adults we have to work with. Enjoy and feel free to review, I enjoy criticism!