A/N: Big thanks to Gabriel's Trumpet, GraysBetween, Hina Kita, SirJacques, Guest, 42-Worlds-Apart, and Robin Rani for the reviews.
Reintroduced
"Team, meet your newest member, Artemis."
Mount Justice
August 8, 19:55 EDT
Wally gathered with the rest of the Team to meet their newest recruit. What immediately stood out for him was the blonde hair and the Asian features behind the mask. He ignored the initial connection made in his head, since it was so unlikely that he wouldn't be the only wizard and superhero. He looked her over. A light green arrow sat proud upon her chest. Her feet looked snug in high combat boots and she showed off her physical abilities with a stunning midriff. However, it was the full set of green arrows poking over a shoulder that concerned him.
"What happened to Speedy?" asked Wally. The new girl glared at him while Green Arrow rubbed his hood.
"He told me that he wants to go solo," Arrow said. "He believes that by doing so he'll put himself in a better place to get into the League."
Robin scowled. "He's still angry about the Hall, isn't he?" Arrow nodded.
"Well who cares about him," the new girl said. "The name's Artemis, and the way Ollie here put it, sounds like you need an archer and here I am. Does it count for anything that I saved Kid Crushed here?" Wally glared. The fact that it was her arrow that had saved him from Amazo still stung. And if she were who he feared she was, he would never consider thanking her for saving him. Assuming she found out about his secret.
"She does have a point, Kid Flash," Kaldur said. He turned to Artemis. "Welcome to the team. I am Aqualad, but when we are off duty, you may call me Kaldur." She nodded.
"I'm M'gann, or Megan," the Martian said, getting close to Artemis. The archer stiffened. "I've always wanted to have an Earth sister. I, uh, have twelve back on Mars."
Artemis forced a smile. "Nice to meet you too." Her eyes turned to Superboy. "And who are you, handsome?"
"Oh, that's Superboy," Megan said, not letting the clone speak. Wally didn't register the jealousy in the Martian's voice.
"And then there's Boy Wonder here, who isn't allowed to reveal is identity," Wally said, jabbing Robin's side.
"I guess you wouldn't mind telling me who you are, won't you Kid Flash?" He gave her a smirk meant to infuriate her.
"Oh, if you're who I think you are, then we already know each other."
Artemis raised an eyebrow. "And where do you think you know me from?"
Kid Flash looked at his gloves, pretending to be checking his nails. "Oh, but there's no fun in just telling you. I'm sure you can figure it out." He paused, looking away from his hand as it dropped. "Actually, I don't think you will. You seem to be more the cunning type and less, clever."
Artemis glared at him, as if he had brought up a bad memory. "Maybe Speedy was right in skipping this team. Obviously you're nothing if an idiot like you can be on it."
Before Kid Flash could respond, the zeta tube glowed and a computer voice announced, "Recognized, Speedy, B-06."
"Well for starters, he doesn't go by Speedy anymore. Call me Red Arrow." They looked over, a few surprised by his changes. Gone was the red suit he had worn as a sidekick. Now, only the upper torso was red. The rest was black and grey.
"Roy. You look—"
"Replaceable."
Green Arrow blanched. "You told me you were going solo."
"So why even waste time finding a sub? Can she even use that bow?"
"Yes, she can."
"Whatever," Roy said, pushing past her. He pressed a few keys on a holo-keyboard and files on a scientist appeared. "This is why I'm here. Dr. Serling Roquette. Nanorobotics and claybotics expert of Royal University in Star City. She was abducted by the League of Shadows two weeks ago."
"A rescue mission?" Robin said, grinning. "Thanks for the early present Roy. You know my birthday isn't until December."
"I've already rescued her. Only one problem: the Shadows have already coerced her into making a weapon. Doc calls it the FOG. Comprised of millions of microscopic robots, nanotech infiltrators capable of disintegrating anything in their path. Concrete, steel, flesh, bone. But it's true purpose isn't mere destruction: it's theft. The infiltrators eat and store raw data from any computer system and deliver the stolen intel to the Shadows." Red Arrow paused. "Providing them access to weapons, strategic defense, cutting edge science and tech."
"Perfect for extortion, manipulation, and power broking. Yeah, sounds like the Shadows to me," Artemis said. She made it sound so obvious.
"Like you know about the Shadows," Wally said. She gave him a bemused smile and he glared. I'm supposed to be the clever one here, not you.
"Roquette is working on a virus to render the FOG inert, but the Shadows will suspect that she can do so. She's off the grid, stashed at the local high school's computer lab. She's safe enough for now, but the Shadows will come after her soon," Red Arrow said.
"The Team will handle this," Batman said before Red Arrow could continue. "You are free to join them."
He stared at them for a good minute. "I'd suggest you all get moving. I have better things to do than be a baby sitter." He walked into the zeta tube.
"Recognized, Speedy—"
"That's Red Arrow, B-06. Update." With that, Red Arrow disappeared.
Happy Harbor
August 8, 21:07 EDT
Artemis glanced over at Kid Flash. They were crowed around in the computer lab of Happy Harbor High School. "Could you get rid of that smug look?" It disappeared as he tried to appear shocked.
"What smug look?" Robin laughed behind his hands as the two glared at each other.
"Fate of the world at stake here!" Roquette said. "Writing this program is hard enough on a computer with less RAM than a pocket watch, but with teen speak in my head too?" She rubbed her temples. "Why couldn't I just get the Justice League."
"Hey lady, do you always complain when someone tries to help you?"
Artemis turned to him. "Kettle, meet pot."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You shouldn't be criticizing her." Robin leaned onto a cabinet. "It was her arrow that saved you from Amazo."
"That was Speedy, uh I mean Red Arrow." Kid Flash looked over at Robin's smug grin. "What's with the look?"
"You should ask her."
Artemis turned to face them. "Ask me what?" They both looked shocked, and she didn't understand why until she noticed the slight echo in the room.
"Keep it in your head. Oh, and it's none of your business, replacement," Kid Flash said. Artemis glared.
"I'm going to go help Superboy and Miss Martian with the patrol."
"That'd be a good idea," Aqualad said. He turned to Kid Flash. "There is no reason to be hostile to Artemis. She is a member of this team."
Kid Flash turned away. "I know that. However, if she's who I think she is, then I don't know if I can trust her."
Aqualad frowned, remembering what little Kid Flash had told him about Hogwarts. "Is this because of the social set-up of your school?"
He nodded, turning to face Aqualad. "If it's what I think, then everything will make sense on the First of September."
The mental link went silent as the Team focused on the mission of protecting Roquette. Robin slipped away from his spot on a table before reappearing right behind her, watching the code be written. Kid Flash paced in front of Aqualad, his hands behind his back as he chewed at his lips. He was able to keep it up for six minutes before leaving the room. "I'm going to look around. I think I heard something."
"Go ahead, Kid. Make sure to report in every five minutes."
He nodded. "Read you loud and clear, Kal." Wally stepped out of the classroom and into the hallway. Wandering, he tried to keep his thoughts low; he had already let one thing slip through on a previous mission. If Artemis really is the one from Hogwarts, then how is a Slytherin like her a hero? Am I missing something or is she just an abnormality? I can imagine Ron having a hernia over this. He shook his head, entering the pool room. There was a strong odor of chlorine, but he also noticed something else.
It was strangely and delightfully feminine. Before he could investigate, a dark figure dropped from the ceiling. Hitting the floor was much more painful than he had expected, but then again only Robin had ever dared to drop on him in such a manner. He then felt a blade at the back of his neck, just piercing his suit.
"Assassin! Assassin in the pool room! I thought you all should know," he shouted into the link.
"Well, that's one sidekick down." He struggled to keep still, wanting to tell his attacker he wasn't a sidekick, and maybe even take her down a peg. She stepped off of him, releasing the pressure that had been on his body. Before Kid Flash could get off the ground, the assassin was ensnared by a net and sent rolling across the floor. Looking over, the first thing he spotted was the mask.
"Cheshire." He stood up, watching as Artemis walked up next to him, an arrow notched.
"Kid Flash." Cheshire turned to face Artemis. "Oh, I know you, Artemis. How is mother? Father dearest told me that she finally got out of prison. I'm sure your friend here would love to know more about your…family."
"So she's related to some dark wizards and witches. Big deal," Kid Flash said, assuming he knew what they were talking about. "I already knew, and it doesn't matter anyways. She's here, with us. Against you."
Artemis turned on him, giving his head a hard whack. "What the hell are you talking about? Cheshire is my squib sister!" She panted for a second before sighing. The pool room had gone cold. "You weren't supposed to know that."
Kid Flash smirked. "And I thought those in Slytherin were supposed to be deceptive."
Artemis rolled her eyes. Cats out of the bag, literally. "We're ambitious, Kid Idiot. What are you, a Hufflepuff?"
Cheshire hobbled over, stopping between them. "Hate to interrupt my little sister's first date, but we're forgetting what's the most important issue: me." She sliced the ropes with a sai, turning one on each hero. "Trying to kill Doctor Roquette."
"Then you should have chosen a better field of combat, assassin." Two tentacles of water, long and thick, emerged from the pool and grabbed Cheshire's legs. She was tossed about before being slammed hard enough into the water to pass out.
"Ravenclaw." Artemis turned to Kid Flash as the others restrained Cheshire.
"What?"
"I'm in Ravenclaw. Got my powers by ignoring Snape and frying myself nearly two years ago."
Artemis stared at him for a second before letting her jaw drop. "You're Kid Flash? Nerdy Wally Weasley – "
"West, actually. My last name is West. My mother is related to the Weasley's, but we aren't like them, other than the abnormal support of muggleborns."
Artemis shook her head. "Not the point." Her voice went low. "This ruins so many fantasies of mine." She took a step closer. "Yet it does do a bit more."
Kid Flash frowned. "What does that mean?"
She smiled. "I'll tell you on the train, West."
A/N: Finally! Stupid college, taking up so much time. Don't worry. My update rate was a complete lie.
Edited 17 March 2016.
