First and Foremost: This is NOT my idea. My fellow author on the Batman Beyond Collaboration Series we're doing came up with the idea, but told me that since my OC; Cardinal, was in it. This is from a dream Malaizjan DeJesus had a couple of nights ago. I did have another story started, but once she told me about this one, I couldn't stop thinking about it. Sure I'm the one writing it, but BIG PROPS to Mala for the idea and it just goes to show that I'm not the only one that thinks a story can come from a dream. :)
You Just Messed With the Wrong Speedster
Mt. Justice (Team Year Two)
Artemis was trained by her father and very nimble from a young age; but the skills the twins had were unparalleled. The blonde archer asked them to teach her some of their gymnastics/acrobatic skills. Dick and Reiena had agreed and Artemis was making great progress; as she could pull off a move while holding her bow perfectly after just two weeks.
"Team, we have a situation; everyone come to the briefing room." Batman said over the caves speaker system.
The three Gotham citizens ran out of the weight/gymnastics room.
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Everyone was ready in a heartbeat for whatever the situation was, and they stood lined up in front of Gotham's protector, Batman.
"Emery City, a small town near Central City, has reported that Mirror Master has stolen several items. Flash is on another mission that he CANNOT be pulled off of right now, so I'm sending Kid Flash after Mirror Master. He's not going to be alone as Robin and Cardinal are going as well. They will need a keen eye as lookout, so I'm sending Artemis on this mission." Batman stated.
The four teens named nodded but just then a holo screen came up and Aquaman was on it.
"We have a problem in Atlantis. Several strong Atlanteans have gone missing, along with Aquagirl and Tempest. Among the ones missing is also Queen Mera." Aquaman stated, worry in his voice at the end of his statement.
Kaldur was tense at hearing that his two best friends in Atlantis and his queen were missing.
"Very well; Aqualad, Superboy, and Miss Martian will head to Atlantis to help Aquaman find the missing Atlanteans." Batman added to the mission handout. "Move out."
With their assignments, the team split into two and headed to the vehicle bay. Kid Flash was ready to run, and the twins and Artemis each had their own motorcycles. Aqualad, Conner and M'gann headed into Bioship and were ready to go.
"Good Luck my friends." Kaldur said over everyone's comm links.
"Be careful, alright guys." Cardinal said to the Atlantis bound team.
With that done, the motorcycles started up and Kid Flash took off, with the twins and Artemis following him. Bioship soon left out and headed in the opposite direction to dive under the water to head for the beautiful city of Atlantis.
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Three Hours Later
Kid had gone on ahead to slow down Mirror Master and the others caught up soon enough, and the way Kid was fighting; Mirror Master wasn't going down so easily. Artemis was the first off her bike when she saw Mirror Master hit her boyfriend with a light blast from a strange five piece mirror. Artemis had her bow ready and launched an arrow and it struck the mirror.
It was odd that the mirror didn't shatter, but at least it was knocked out of the Central City Rogue's hand. With that done, the twins took charge and started fighting hand to hand with Mirror Master. Robin and Cardinal had read files about Mirror Master and they were somewhat surprised, as the files said he wasn't much at hand to hand combat. Artemis ran over to check on Kid Flash and he was alright, just a little stunned.
"Artemis, something's not right with Mirror Master, he's usually easy to defeat, but this timeā¦..I don't know." Kid Flash said, watching the fight.
"I'll head to an elevated spot and see if I can find anyone else around. You help the twins." Artemis said, and before they separated; the speedster and archer shared a kiss.
With that, Kid Flash sped off to help Robin and Cardinal while Artemis launched a grapple arrow and headed to the overpass that was close by.
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Not far away, hiding in the shadows, was a figure; hiding and watching the fight. The figure started to move as Artemis shot an arrow that attached to the overpass.
"Time to get Flash once and for all." The figure said as it came into the light. He, as it was revealed was dressed just like Flash, but the colors were reversed and his eyes were almost a blood red iris and the entire sclera was black. "And what better way than to get to Barry than to hurt his nephew and bring HIM down."
With that said, this new villain SPED away to get to the overpass where Artemis was.
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Fight with Mirror Master
Robin and Cardinal were still fighting Mirror Master; but now with Kid Flash and his speed, the fight was turning in their favor. Artemis watched from above and was scouring the area to see if there was anyone waiting to go after Wally. Just as she got her arrow knocked in case she had to fire it; a familiar sound was close to her. As the 18 year old turned around a familiar streak ran past her a couple of times, but she knew it wasn't Kid Flash for two reasons: 1. Her boyfriend was fighting Mirror Master and 2. This streak was much taller than Wally, in fact it was about as tall and Barry. Artemis pulled the arrow back in defense and that's when the blur stopped right in front of her.
"Hello, I noticed that you're sweet on the red haired brat; that's perfect." The figure said.
"You're Zoom; I've heard of you, now I see how Flash came home bruised last week." Artemis stated.
"For future reference you can call me Professor Zoom." Zoom stated.
Artemis started to reach up to her comm link but Professor Zoom sped away and Artemis didn't have time to locate him before she felt a mind numbing pain in the back of her neck. The young archer fell to the ground and Zoom was standing over her with his left hand held up in a karate chop action.
"Good night, Artemis; let's see what happens next." Professor Zoom remarked. With Artemis knocked out; he picked her up and left her bow and arrow behind along with her comm link. Once he was sure he had a good grip so he wouldn't lose her; Zoom took off running to his hideout.
Back at the fight with Mirror Master; Robin had managed to get ahold of the bag on Mirror Master's side. Knowing that he had to get the bag back; the master of reflections pulled out one of his aces in the hole.
"You want to get those items back, just try." Mirror Master stated as about 20 copies started popping up.
Robin and Cardinal backed up to Kid Flash as the multiple Mirror Masters came to close them in.
"Got any ideas, KF?" Robin asked.
"Only one is real but the others can fight just as he does." Kid Flash stated; remembering another encounter with this rogue.
The twin wonders nodded and went to work with birdarangs and fireballs. Kid started spinning around and as each of the copies started firing reflection blasts from their own special mirror weapons. As the young speedster spun around and moved the small tornado, the copies around him were destroying themselves. There were about three copies per twin and they were able to destroy them easily. The three young heroes came back together and were smiling, but what they didn't see was that the real Mirror Master was able to get to his own mirror weapon and sent a blast at Robin.
It hit him and he was sent flying and the bag of stolen items fell from his grip. The boy wonder was sent back very far and Cardinal and Kid Flash went to check on him. They were too distracted as they saw Robin with a couple of burn marks from the blast he took head on. Mirror Master walked over to where the 'children' had been and grabbed the back, and then disappeared into his own reflection in a nearby store window.
"Bro, you alright?" Cardinal asked, worried from the look of the marks.
"Yea, just caught off guard." Robin answered.
"Dude, don't let Bats hear you say that." Kid Flash said with a grin.
"Funny. What about the stuff he stole?" Robin asked. The three of them then looked over to where Mirror Master had been and saw that he and the bag of stolen goods were gone.
"Let's catch up with Artemis and we can figure out a plan." Kid Flash said. He then sped over to the overpass he and his girlfriend had kissed under and ran up one of the pillars that connected to the lower road.
The twins were pretty much a step ahead as they were on grapple ropes already heading to the overpass. When all three got to the asphalt part of the road; they stopped in their tracks. From a small distance they saw a bow and arrow lying on the road without an owner. As they got closer, the three friends also saw a small button like item.
"Mirror Master wasn't working alone." Cardinal said as she picked up the bow.
"I knew they could work together at times, but they've gone too far this time." Kid Flash said.
"We'll find out who took her and get her back, Wally; don't worry." Cardinal stated; placing a hand on her 'older brother's' shoulder as comfort.
Kid Flash had picked up the arrow that was left behind and squeezed his hand around it so tight that it broke in half. The twins looked at each other with worried looks on their faces.
"We'll have a better chance of finding her back at Mt. Justice. You can't run with that much anger on your mind, just take Artemis' bike back." Robin remarked, knowing that when he started running while angry, the 18 year old speedster wouldn't stop for anything, not even food.
Kid Flash only turned to them with anger in his eyes, but it wasn't toward them, it was toward the person that took his girlfriend. "Alright."
With that said, the three headed back to the bikes and took off for Happy Harbor to track down their friend/teammate/KF's girlfriend.
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Unknown Area; Three Hours Later
The room was dimly lit and she felt that something was wrong. As the blonde opened her eyes, she caught sight of the person that she had last seenā¦Professor Zoom. The girl tried to get up but soon realized that she was not only really groggy, but couldn't move her arms and legs. One other thing that she noticed was that her breathing was restricted.
"Zoom; what's going on?!" She asked as she struggled, but even after a minute, the blonde realized it was no use.
"Why my dear Artemis, I'm only using you to hurt Barry. That's right; I know who Flash is and seeing how you interacted with his nephew, I had the perfect plan form." Professor Zoom remarked, a large grin on his face.
"You've never seen him mad when it comes to me being messed with. Wally will come for me, and so will Robin and Cardinal." Artemis stated; a bit of anger at the fact that she was being used as bait.
"Ah yes, the twins; they'll soon be here with you. I hope you enjoy your stay." Zoom said, and with that he walked off.
"You're a coward to use bait to get to Wally and Barry." Artemis remarked.
Suddenly, Artemis' body was seizing up and she screamed in pain. This went on for a couple of seconds then stopped.
"They'll be as shocked to find you here, I'm sure of it."
Artemis was then sure that Professor Zoom had another plan than just to emotionally hurt Barry, but she wasn't sure how this evil speedster was going to do it or WHAT he had in mind. She tried once more to get free; but from the shock she took a bit ago she couldn't breath right, and whatever was restricting her breathing wasn't making it any easier. "Be careful, guys."
Just so you know for future reference, Zoom's attitude and mindset is based off of Justice League: Flashpoint Paradox.
So, what's Zoom's plan for Barry and was Wally right, is Mirror Master working alone or is there something else going on with the Central City Rogue, you'll just have to wait and see.
