Hello fellow readers! In case you didn't know, I DO plan to finish this story; I have a rough outline of how it will all come to an end. *dundunDUN* Anywhoo, it will probably end up being around 15 chapters, plus an epilogue. It's a pretty dramatic story, but the situation is pretty dramatic so :P More enjoyable moments are coming in the next few chapters. Enjoy this one for now, and you will be thanked if you review! (;

That's How You Survive: Chapter 8

A few weeks passed on in the lives of the teens. For Artemis, it seemed like years since her first dream, yet it continually plagued her every night. The steep cliff, the gentle breeze, the innocent crabs…all such picaresque qualities. But then Wally would appear with shock and fear written on his face. Artemis always remained calm as she strung her bow, aiming her arm back…

It was safe to say that time was running out, for both Artemis and the enemies.

As for the rest of the team, life went on as normally as it went for teenage superheroes. M'gann and Superboy were now a public thing, enjoying their quiet moments in the isolated Cave. The strange pair made dinner together, played with Wolf, and fixed up Superboy's gadgets. Occasionally, another team member (usually Robin) would walk in on there "quality time." This led to Robin explaining how it was awkward for humans to "observe" others being intimate, resulting in the two aliens blushing and apologizing. Thus, the couple stuck to their antics in more private areas, leaving behind a snickering bird boy.

The Boy Wonder could not be held as a completely innocent one though. His relationship with Zatanna grew deeper, and soon enough they were a youthful pair. Not old enough to worry about their reputations or "serious" teen problems, they got along well, sneaking around and pulling pranks on the JL and their mentors. When one was missing so was the other, the two always joined at the hip.

Kaldur smiled as he watched Robin and Zatanna disappear from the living room, laughing together hand-in-hand. Behind the Atlanteans' eyes though were the dark, swirling thoughts related to the recent threat against his team…

Essentially, his family.

Roy had been spending more and more time at the Cave, usually at night in the marble-floored kitchen. He and Kaldur sat on the rotating barstools, exchanging troubled thoughts as well as coffee. So far, Red Arrow had been protecting Paula Crock from any potential danger: assassins, bombs, and sketchy neighbors. Sticking various trackers and cameras around the Crocks' apartment was not difficult; Artemis finding them was the real worry.

Artemis. The archer was stuck at a major dilemma in her life. Her birthday, the final deadline, was not far away. She knew that the League of Shadows weren't joking around about her mother; they had an uncanny reputation for using loved ones to get what they wanted. And the sad part was that her own father was behind it all.

He wanted Wally dead, whereas she just wanted her mother alive.

They've done too much to her already. He's done too much to her. Giving her the blame…sending her to jail…breaking her own two legs…

Artemis hung her head in her hands. Sheets were tangled around her legs, and her long, blond hair was splayed in all directions. She sighed and leaned back against the headboard.

Wally was the only one that made her feel irritated yet cared for at the same time. But her mother was the dedicated giver, always striving for Artemis to have a perfect life. As much as she wanted to think about who was worth saving, she couldn't do it. Because at that moment, M'gann knocked twice on the door.

"Ohhh, Artemis! T-Time to go out for our…our team bonding day!" she exclaimed in a slightly wavering voice.

Artemis, who was too groggy to notice the change in M'gann's voice, groaned and pushed her covers off. Why did M'gann watch that damn inspirational soccer team movie?

M'gann floated away from the door, releasing her focus from Artemis' thoughts, while simultaneously linking up with both Kaldur and Conner. Since this was one of the rare times Artemis slept at the Cave, a chance for finding information was available, and Miss Martian took it upon herself to search for details. Saving her teammate was her number one priority.

"Guys…" M'gann said, her voice quavering, "I-I know who the victim is."

"Who?" Superboy questioned in a desperate tone.

"It's…it's…"M'gann slumped down against the wall across from Artemis' door.

"Who is it, M'gann," Aqualad prodded gently. "You can tell us."

"It's our favorite speedster." Tears ran down the Martian's green face. "Wally."

As Conner held a weeping M'gann in his arms, he and Kaldur were let in on the details of the situation. Kaldur's eyes widened as he took in this new information. The problem was even worse than he thought, considering there was a time limit to Artemis' job. Likewise, Cheshire was not the only attacker; the entire League of Shadows was threatening both Artemis and her mother.

Kaldur slowly began to piece together the Team's future. He knew in the end that there was going to be a fight to the finish. Conner and M'gann were both aware that this was the fate the team was heading for. A battle was coming…the Shadows versus the protégés.

"We will not let anyone from our side be lost," Kaldur'ahm thought firmly. Conner looked up with his steely blue eyes as M'gann cried in his sleeve.

"We will protect our family."

Both of the heroes nodded. As Kaldur quietly rose from his spot in the kitchen, three important facts circled his mind.

Sportsmaster was behind the call of Wally's death.

The deadline for Artemis' decision was her birthday.

No matter what happened in the future, a life was going to be lost.