Darkness Rises

Season 3. Everyone begins to move on after the near destruction of the Earth. The Reach has been personally escorted out of the galaxy, yet they won't be the last problem the heroes have to contend with. It's far from over when the Light still has their hidden agenda and someone is missing. Starts a couple months after Season 2 Finale.

Disclaimer: It is very important to point out that I have absolutely no ownership to Young Justice whatsoever. There would have been a happier ending to Endgame or I would strongly push for Season 3 to come out, no matter what it took. I guess I'll just have to settle with writing my own.

Watchtower

August 15 16:17

The punching bag didn't stand a chance. Artemis was dressed in black yoga pants and a red tank top as she occupied in the training room of the watchtower. The blonde archer continued to hit the hard bag with great force, sweat dripping down as her loose ponytail was frizzled. She took long deep breaths as her fists made contact, her leg occasionally kicking the bag. The blaring music from the stereo was meant to keep her mind cleared and focused on what was in front of her. It didn't help much.

It had been nearly two months since the Reach Invasion ended. Since Wally disappeared from existence. Artemis struck the bag harder, wanting to push away the impending thoughts. She had done so well today not breaking down. She had to keep it up, yet it was difficult when half of your whole being felt empty since that fateful day. Artemis grabbed the bag and held it still as she leaned her forehead against it, catching her breath. She closed her eyes and immediately saw Wally's face appear in her mind, grinning at her. She barely opened her eyes and stared at the blackness of the bag for another moment before standing up straight.

Artemis had not slept much lately as Wally invaded her dreams. She longed to stay asleep forever if it meant seeing him, but it always panged her when she awoke with the hard truth. He really wasn't there with her anymore. Most days, she stayed at the watchtower to train or out on missions and patrols, anxious to stay strong. That's how she learned to act while growing up under her father's training and how she would continue to live. Just like the Greek Goddess she was named after, Artemis Crock was a strong warrior that never gave up.

Artemis grabbed up the hand towel and wiped her face before proceeding to reach for a water bottle. She turned off the stereo when she noticed the League's magician standing in the doorway, watching her. Artemis took a seat on the bench and gulped down more water as Zatanna approached her.

"That was some intensive exercise."

"I have to keep on top of my game." Artemis merely replied, wiping her face again.

Zatanna took a seat next to the worn young woman and studied her with a concerned gaze. "How are you doing, Artemis?"

Artemis let out a drawn out breath, staring at the ground. "Better,"

There was a pause before Zatanna continued softly, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. "We will all understand if you need to take a break, to take some time off from all of this."

Artemis shook her head and stood up. "I would rather be here than alone."

Zatanna gave her a small smile. "Very well. Don't push yourself too hard and we're here whenever you need any of us."

Artemis walked toward the hall, turning for a moment back to her friend. "Thanks Zee,"

August 15 18:39

After cleaning up a bit, Artemis continued on with her daily routine of visiting the memorial garden. She stood in front of the hologram of Kid Flash, his bold image looming over her. His smile instantly warmed her heart as it always did when she saw him. Just not as much as it would have if he was standing in front of her in the flesh. She found comfort often talking to him about her day.

"The twins were born last night. Dawn and Don. They seem so little, but they are healthy, like the rest of the family. They both have red hair like their mother… and you. Barry and Iris named the boy after you. Donald Wallace Allen. His eyes are more of a greenish blue already so he'll most likely soon have the West family green eyes." She lightly laughed, "It was a bit awkward for Bart to hold his father as an infant at first. I've never seen him so squirmish, but he soon got over it. Dawn Jae is an absolute angel, so sweet and quiet. Iris doesn't think that will last much longer."

Artemis paused for a moment as her eyes began to get watery. "Lian started walking and is getting into all sorts of trouble, able to grab things easier now that they are more in her reach. She often asks for you when I go to visit. She misses you… like I do."

Artemis closed her gray eyes as a few tears escaped. She tightened her lips in refusal to cry. She eventually reopened them to see someone standing nearby from the corner of her eye. Kaldur nodded in greeting when Artemis turned to face him.

"My apologies for the intrusion," He politely replied.

"It alright Kaldur," Artemis assured him as she wiped away the few tears with her hand. "I'm just visiting Wally."

He nodded and gave a tiny smile before turning back to face Tula's memoir, his eyes briefly flickering over it. The Atlantian then proceeded to walk over next to Artemis and stand in front of Wally's. He bowed in respect to it before looking at Artemis and giving her clasped hands a gentle pat.

"Things will turn out alright,"

"I know," Artemis said, "It helps me to feel better talking to him. A little habit I guess I picked up from Dick."

She was told a while ago by their best friend after learning his identity, that he often visited his parents graves to find comfort through hard times. He picked that up from Bruce. The thought of the former boy wonder made her miss him as well. Artemis hadn't seen Dick basically since the memorial service for Wally. He apparently was still on leave from the team.

"Do you know how he is doing?" Artemis asked. Kaldur shook his head.

"He says that he needs some more time to think."

Batcave

August 15 22: 02

Nightwing sat in front of the computer with his mask off. His fingers glided over the keys as he sifted through the various points of information that he gathered so far. The limited calculations they could siffer from the chrysalis's functions, the Reach's virus, the wide range kinetic energy emitted from a speedster along with the rate of speed they could travel.

"Wally was so much better at all this science stuff…" Dick mumbled to himself. He narrowed his eyes at the screen as his fist clenched. Wally West wasn't there to do all this research for him. He had to figure it out himself to find out what happened to his best friend.

Nightwing went back to the Arctic a few times since the incident, trying to pick up any sort of signatures technology wise and record it. He knew that Blue Beetle had already done the same and came up empty, but Dick wasn't going to give up. He even hacked into the League's database to collect the information Blue found for extra comparison. As far as he knew, no one caught on to his presence, except Barbara. She vaguely mentioned the occurrence, but soon dropped it, understanding his drive to know.

Dick rubbed his eyes before going back to his research. He didn't turn when he heard footsteps echoing down the stone stairs. Alfred came in with a tray in his hand.

"Welcome back Master Richard," The butler replied, pouring warm tea in a saucer before handing it to the young hero.

"Thanks," Dick replied after taking a sip and setting it down, turning his attention back to the monitor. "It was a slow night in Bludhaven and I'm sure Bruce wouldn't mind if I used the cave for better computer reception. I must have missed him."

Alfred nodded. "He and Master Timothy went out for the night after reports of Two-Face causing trouble."

"So I've heard," Dick said, reviewing some newer calculations he acquired. The butler raised an eyebrow before pouring himself a cup of tea.

"Does this research have to do with what happened two months ago?" Alfred curiously asked, already guessing the answer.

"Yeah," He answered, not wanting to add more.

Alfred picked up the tray and studied the young man for a moment who never turned away from the computer. "Don't stay up too late," He advised. "Everyone does better with a decent night's rest, no matter how heroic they are."

Dick turned to him and gave a small smile. "Thanks, Alfred."

The butler nodded and began his ascent back up the stairs to the manor. The former boy wonder went deep back into his work, wondering how exactly Wally disappeared like that according to reports from the other two speedsters and Blue Beetle. There had to be other factors there that they hadn't picked up on yet.

"I'm not giving up on you Wally,"

There you go. A start for my version of Season 3. I needed to get those parts out of my system and Wally's case would definitely be important to this fic. The Lian part was slightly in reference to my story Surprise. I do expect to have the other characters begin to filter in throughout future chapters and missions and such for them, so the next chapter shouldn't be as emotional. There is a potential for DC characters not yet introduced in the show to make an appearance later on. Suggestions throughout are always welcome. I will try to update weekly, but no guarantees. Please leave me a review and tell me what you think so far. :D