A/N: Hello everyone, it's Lia!
I'm happy you guys all seemed to like having Barry and Wally in the last chapter, don't worry, they will be appearing a lot more, especially in the future. I can't do a story about Artemis without having some sort of Spitfire in it:)
So I mentioned this in an earlier chapter, but I'm doing a story on Fictionpress with Punisher164. It would be really cool if one of you guys checks it out. It's called The Team and it's under the Action category. Anyone who likes Young Justice, Teen Titans, or the X-Men would like it. I have the URL posted on my bio. So...PLEASE check it out.
Anyways, back to the story. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. Not a lot of action but there is definitely some disagreements and new developments. Also credit for Lori Anders goes to Awsomaniatica, I hope I portrayed her right.
The New Archer in Town
Chapter Five: The Decision
"I can't believe you met with Batman without telling me!" Artemis declares unhappily. She crosses her arms across her chest and glares at Oliver across the basement. He sat on a table while she was sitting on the practice mats. Roy was cleaning some sort of weapon and Diggle and Felicity were over by the computers. Everyone was staring at Oliver.
"What she means is that you should have told all of us. Right Artemis?" Diggle asks. Artemis' frown deepens.
"I said I'm sorry. It was a month ago and it didn't seem like a big deal at the time." Oliver states.
"Still, how come we are only hearing about this now?" Felicity asks. "I mean we are a team." Oliver sighs as the rest of them nod.
"Are you going to join?" Roy questions. Oliver shrugs.
"I told him no, but I've been thinking about it. I don't know, it doesn't sound like a really bad idea." Oliver admits. "It might be kind of cool to hang out with other people like me, like us. People who understand about keeping secrets." Everyone nods.
Artemis thought it would be fun if he did. She could meet other sidekicks like Robin and Kid Flash. They would be like her, they could be her friends.
School had yet to get better for her, even after three days. She hung out with Jackson at lunch but the boy seemed almost afraid of her, as is everyone else in her school it seemed. Harry annoyed her everyday. It sucked. Plus, she hated the uniform. It would be nice to meet other kids like her, have friends like them.
"I'm still thinking about it." Oliver tells them. They all nod. Oliver changes the subject. "So, Roy, Artemis, why don't you guys suit up and we can go patrol."
"Sounds good." Roy, putting down the rag he had been using to clean the laser gun. Artemis nods, standing up and walking over to her area of the wall to grab her uniform. She walked away to go change and Roy walked in the other direction.
The younger members of the team gone, Oliver turns to Diggle and Felicity.
"What do you guys think?" Oliver asks.
"It could be nice, but Oliver, you're already keeping so many secrets. Do you think you could keep another?" Diggle asks.
"That was what stopped me from accepting originally." Oliver says.
"I think you should just go for it." Felicity states. Diggle and Oliver turn and look at her. "Seriously, you're already lying so much, what is a few more? This could be an amazing opportunity for all of us."
"I just, I already lie to Laurel, my mom, and Thea so much." Oliver states. "I don't want to have to lie to them even more by adding in all this Justice League stuff."
"Maybe its time to stop lying and just tell them." Felicity suggests. Oliver and Diggle give her incredulous looks. "I'm serious. Do you not trust them or something? I mean your mom was part of the Undertaking and all but in the end she did the right thing. You love Laurel right? And Thea is your sister and is dating Roy for crying out loud! Maybe the secrets were needed at first but they really aren't anymore. If you truly trust them, just tell them already! And Diggle," Felicity turns to Diggle. "Carly would understand. They would all understand, maybe not at first but they would eventually because these people that you are keeping secrets from, they love you. And I know they still will even if you tell them the truth for once."
Diggle and Oliver exchange looks. Felicity had a point, but Oliver knew he wasn't ready to tell them, not quite yet.
"But it's for their safety." Oliver argues.
"Really Oliver? Laurel has been attacked how many times? And it's not just because of you. There will always be danger for people; it's a fact of life. You not telling them that you are the vigilante isn't protecting them at all. It's protecting you." Felicity states. Oliver looks at her and she rolls her eyes. "Do I have to tell you everything Queen? You're so scared that if you tell them you are the Hood that they would reject you."
"Tommy did." Oliver says sadly. Felicity's face falls and Diggle stares down at his feet.
"I'm sorry Oliver, I didn't mean...I..."Felicity stumbles over her words, her confidence lost.
"Whose Tommy?" The three adults turn to look at Artemis. She had a confused look on her face. Roy had appeared as well and the three of them had noticed him either. Roy wasn't confused; he only had a sad look on his face. "Really, who is Tommy? I mean you said once that he was your best friend but just who is or was he?"
Artemis looked around at all of the sad adults and Roy in the basement. She had already conjectured that he was the boy in the picture with Laurel and Oliver from when they were in high school that was in Laurel's living room, but she didn't really know who he was and how he fit in. Well, besides being the best friend.
"Not now Artemis." Oliver states. Artemis opens her mouth to protest, but Oliver cuts her off. "I said not now." Oliver says in a harsh voice. He walks away, grabbing his hero costume as he went to go change. Artemis looked down at her feet, hurt. Why wouldn't anyone tell her?
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Laurel threw another punch that Ted Grant expertly deflected. Laurel sighed in frustration as she wound up and threw another punch, this one lower. Again, Ted blocked it.
"You're broadcasting your punches Laurel." Ted states. Laurel nods. She then makes it look like she is about to punch him, but alters her attack and sweeps his legs out from under him. Ted falls to the ground, laughing. Laurel leans down and gives him a hand up.
"Laurel, you know it's not nice to beat up your elders." Ted says jokingly. Sure the man was probably in his fifties or sixties, but he didn't look it. He was still physically fit and had most of his gray hair.
"You're not old Wildcat." Laurel says.
"Why thank you Black Canary." Ted replies as they walk away from the boxing ring in his gym. Ted had been training Laurel for years. He had known both of her parents and had started training Laurel when she was still in high school and her dad had thought that it would be a good idea for her to learn some self-defense.
"Ted..."Laurel trails off. He was the only one that knew her secret, which is why he had begun to call her Black Canary. He puts his hands up into the air.
"I know, I know. You hate the nickname. But work with me, I think it is good. It could be your hero name." Ted says. Nobody else was around, but Laurel still felt the urge to look around to make sure of it before turning back to Ted.
"I'm not about to become the next Starling City vigilante." She states.
"You could. What about that new team thingy...the Justice League. I'm sure they would like you." Ted suggests. Laurel laughs.
"As if." She replies. They stop in front of the girl's locker room. "Thanks for everything Ted. See you next week?"
"I'm counting on it. Work on your punches, you're going to need it. Plus we aren't done talking about this." Ted tells her. She rolls her eyes and pushes open the door, walking into the locker room.
Laurel was walking home from Wildcat Gym when she heard the rustling from behind her. The street was abandoned. She heard the rustling again. She spun around just in time to see a sketchy looking guy approaching her. She smiled to herself as he tried to grab her.
She responded with a swift kick to the gut. Doubled over, she kicked him again where it would hurt. She watched as he fell to the pavement.
"Wow, you weren't even a challenge." Laurel says, shaking her head. She turned and continued home to her apartment.
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"This place sucks." Artemis declares as she drops her brown paper bag at her usual place across from Jackson. He looked up from the current book he was reading and nodded. "Harry is such an annoying prick."
"You can say that again." Artemis and Jackson spin in their seats to see a girl standing near their table, carrying a tray of food. She wore the typical SCSE uniform but wear it looked awkward and uncomfortable on Artemis, it looked good on the girl. She had wavy auburn hair that went down to her shoulders. She had blue eyes that flitted around the room nervously.
"What do you want?" Artemis asks narrowing her eyes. She squirmed a bit.
"I just wanted to say hi. It was pretty impressive when you stood up to Harry. I'm Lori by the way." The girl says. She points to one of the many empty chairs at Jackson and Artemis' table. "Can I sit?"
"Be my guest." Artemis says. Jackson's eyes began to bug out; trying to comprehend why a third person was joining his old table of originally just one. Lori smiled, placing the tray on the table and taking a seat.
"Jackson right?" She says to Jackson. He simply nods, his eyes as big as saucers. Artemis rolls her eyes.
"Ignore him, he's not used to having company and has yet to learn some manners." Artemis says, kicking him in the shin under the table.
"Ow! What was that for?" Jackson asks, putting his book down on the table to rub his shin.
"You could be a little more polite." Artemis says.
"Says the girl with zero knowledge of manners, loves to piss off the teachers and swears quite often." Jackson replies. Artemis kicks him in the shin again.
"Would you quit that?" Jackson asks. Artemis just smirks as Lori giggles into her hands, trying to hide it but failing. Jackson's cheeks burn bright red.
"You guys are funny, way better then the other people I used to sit with." Lori states, pointing to a table of girls huddled together, gossiping and looking around the lunchroom. Every now and then one of them would laugh and flip their hair. Artemis makes a face.
"You sat with them?" Artemis asks incredulously. Lori shrugs.
"I've known them my whole life. Their dads were all businessmen with my dad before the whole scandal." Lori says, opening up her milk carton.
"Scandal?" Jackson asks curiously.
"Yeah, by dad is Samuel Anders. Last year the vigilante revealed the secrets he had been hiding. He had been embezzling money from his company to feed his underground fight ring. He's no better then a criminal. After it went public, my mom and I moved out and wanted nothing to do with him. She got a divorce and we got millions." Lori explains sadly.
"I'm sorry." Artemis says quietly. "Dad's suck."
"But you're living with Oliver Queen, he's a good guy for the most part. At least that's what I've heard." Lori states.
"He's not my real father, or even my adopted one. My real one sucks though, believe me." Artemis says quietly. The three of them were quiet for a moment until a grating and irritating voice was heard behind Artemis.
"Well look, I guess there are now the three losermigos." Harry says, his friends laugh. Lori and Artemis roll their eyes while Jackson looks terrified. Artemis spins around in her seat to face him.
"What do you want Merlyn?" Artemis asks, narrowing her eyes.
"Nothing with you Crock." Harry looks away from Artemis, his eyes landing on a terrified Jackson. "Why do you always have to have girls protecting you Jackson? I'm starting to wonder if you are even a guy at all." Jackson looks like he is about to cry. Before Artemis could say anything, Lori cuts in.
"All I see is two guys behind you Harry. At least we like Jackson. I don't see any girls falling over themselves for you." Lori responds. Harry looks at her flustered.
"There are plenty of girls who like me!" Harry states indignantly.
"Where are they then?" Artemis pretends to look under the table. "Harry's girlfriend, are you down here? Hello?" Lori and Jackson begin to laugh and even Harry's friends try to hide their chuckling. Harry looks furious.
"You...you..." Harry couldn't think of a reply.
"I bet you haven't even had your first kiss yet." Artemis responds. "I had mine when I was nine."
"This isn't the end Crock." Harry states.
"Bring it Merlyn." Artemis replies coolly. He and his friends stamp away over to their table. Artemis turns back to her friends.
"You guys don't have to stick up for me." Jackson says quietly.
"But we want to." Artemis says. "It's what friends are for."
"Did you really have your first kiss when you were nine?" Lori asks a few moments later. Artemis nods.
"He was eleven, our dad's did some business together. We were friends." Artemis says, nonchalantly. She quickly changes the subject and lunch continues on without any more incidents.
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It was late, or really early depending on how you looked at it. They had already taken down another name on the book that night. The numbers were drastically beginning to dwindle down. Oliver sat on his floor, staring out the large doors to his balcony. Should he join the Justice League? Is it really a good idea? Should he tell Laurel and Thea and his mom?
He had so many questions running through his head at once that he was beginning to get a headache. He couldn't go to sleep though. At least tomorrow is Saturday, or today is Saturday. Since hiring a new manager of the club, he had had less to do for it. One of those things had to be there every Saturday night. Now he only went once a month on Saturdays. It was nice to have the possibility of a night off if he ever decided not to go out and patrol.
It would also be helpful if he joined the League. He could be gone for a few days on a mission and not be worrying. He continued to stare out the window. His door creaked open behind him. Spinning around, he saw Artemis approaching in her pajamas.
"Hey kid." He didn't miss the look of annoyance he gave her. "What's up? Nightmare?" Artemis nods. "Come sit with me." Artemis walks over to him, taking a seat besides him.
"No screaming tonight, that's good." Oliver says. Artemis just nods. "You want to tell me what it was about? Was it another memory?" She shakes her head.
"It was my imagination of what happened the night my mom was paralyzed." Artemis says quietly. "They were running and both of them were going to be caught so my dad paralyzed my mom as a distraction. She was left alone in an alley and the police came." Oliver puts an arm around her shoulder.
"It was only a dream Artemis." Oliver assures her.
"I miss my mom." Artemis says quietly.
"I'm sorry Artemis. Maybe I can see if we can visit her some time, would you like that?" He asks her. She nods. "Good. I'll call Gotham Prison tomorrow." They lapse into silence for a few moments.
"I think you should join." Artemis says.
"You do?" Oliver asks. Artemis nods.
"Yeah. It's a lonely life being a hero. We have to keep secrets and keep ourselves away from others. Who better to understand that then other heroes?" Artemis argues. "Oliver, don't you want friends? A family?"
"I have a family." Oliver says, thinking of his mom and Thea.
"Another family, a family like you, like me." Artemis tells him. Oliver nods, what she was saying was making sense. "Plus, think of all the good you could do. You wouldn't just be helping the people of Starling City, you would be helping the people of the world."
Oliver lets that sink in for a moment. He pictures himself, Flash, and Batman taking on a whole drug cartel, ending a serious threat in Detroit. He sees himself and Artemis taking down a corrupt businessman in Florida, giving thousands of people their money back. He wouldn't just be helping the people of Starling City; he could do what he does best for so much more people.
"You're right Artemis." Oliver says.
"So you going to join?" Artemis asks.
"I think I will." Oliver replies. In the dark, he misses the wide smile on her face as she pictures herself with people like her. As awesome as Jackson and Lori are, it would be nice to have a place where she belongs, a family.
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Oliver dialed the number to what he sure was a non-traceable burner phone. He sat in a seat in the basement, his team surrounding him looking on with excitement and curiosity. After the second ring, the phone is answered.
"I see you changed your mind." The deep voice of Batman says.
"I have." Oliver responds. "When should we meet?"
"Not now. We are still working on our secret location. When it is done, I will call." Batman instructs. "Welcome to the team Starling City Vigilante." Oliver looked around his team, that morning Artemis had come up with a new name for him to be called once he is a more public figure.
"Call me Green Arrow."
A/N: And Oliver is officially a member of the Justice League! Wow, where could their secret hideout be?:) Like I said, not a lot of action. There will be another short time skip in the future. I have an idea for the next chapter that involves Batman, be ready.
Also, after Batman, what other heroes would you guys like to see in the story? Post a review with your vote. We can have...
*Barry and Wally show up again
*Aquaman and Aqualad
*Green Lantern
*Another suggestion
Tell me whom you guys want to see and I will have them come in. Have an awesome week!
