Mount Justice, August 8, 09:58 AM
The sun shined brightly in the sky, the ocean breeze cooled the hot air and the waves crashed against the sand. The team, save for Wally, walked out of the cave. M'gann ran out of the cave with the boys behind her.
"Hello, Megan! We should hit the beach every day." She said gleefully.
"It's almost like the silky beaches of Themyscira." Hunter raised his arms soaking in the sun.
They decided to have a beach day given that summer was near its end. Hunter had to run home to Paris to get his swim shorts. Hunter wore red shorty shorts, M'gann wore a simple two-piece bikini while the boys wore regular swim trunks.
"First a moment of silence for our absent comrade." Robin said morosely.
"Poor, Wally." M'gann said full of pity.
After a moment of silence, Hunter spoke, "Wally wouldn't want us to be depressed, he'd want us to have fun." Hunter turned to the team, "Come , I'll show you how we have a beach day on Themyscira."
"How's that?" Kaldur asked curiously.
"Well, first we test feats of strength by having foot races, as well as swim races, wrestling all that sort. Then we dine like it's our last day on mother Gaia. Lastly a bonfire at night." Hunter looked up contemplative, "If you want to have the utmost accuracy then we can all swim nude."
Robin gawked, "You swim nude at Themyscira?"
Hunter shrugged not seeing the big deal, "Well yes. We don't have swim gear so we just swim as bare as the day were all born."
Another moment of silence, "Usually Wally would be here to make a dirty innuendo." Robin said.
Hunter's eyes widen and a shiver went down his spine, "Thank Athena and Artemis he's not then."
After everyone put on sunblock they all entered the water. Robin and M'gann would splash each other with water while Hunter would fly up and drop Kaldur and or Superboy. Hunter flew higher than the tip Mount Justice before he dived down. This caused a large shockwave sending everyone to drift back to shore. Hunter rambled to apologize but everyone else laughed it off.
Later when everyone got their fill of the water Robin took out a mini grill. They grilled hot dogs, they were the first Superboy and M'gann ever had so Hunter took it upon himself to make sure they were perfect. He added ketchup, mustard and even grilled some fries on aluminum foil. He was delighted when they both smiled at the taste.
Afterward, instead of a foot race, they played volleyball. Since they had an odd number they would alternate in and out as referee. It was decided that Hunter and Superboy would always be on opposing teams to be fair. Things got a bit out of hand when they got too competitive and the ball popped when Hunter blocked a spike from the clone.
They then had an arm-wrestling match between Hunter and Superboy. They found a nearby boulder they could rest their arms on. Robin explained the rules, first hand to touch the boulder loses and both elbows have to remain on the boulder. After a few playful glares and smirks, the two began. It was a stalemate before it looked like Superboy was winning but before he could force Hunter's arm down the boulder broke into pieces. Everyone began to debate over who won but Hunter spoke up and claimed that Superboy won fair and square.
Moving away from the physical activities everyone began to play with sand. Robin, M'gann, and Kaldur piled up sand on Superboy. Hunter, on the other hand, decided for a more precise project. After Superboy got up he presented them with a small replica of Parthenon. He even used small sticks to carve out the murals of the gods. If there was one thing the Greeks had a knack for it was architecture.
Before the sunset, they were called in by Red Tornado, "What do you suppose our mission would be?" M'gann asked.
"I don't know but I doubt it would put a damper on the day we had." Hunter smiled.
When they gathered in the mission room in full gear they were met with some familiar faces such as Batman, Red Tornado and Green Arrow. However, they were also met with a new person.
It turned out that they had a new teammate. Artemis, Green Arrow's new apprentice. At first glance, Hunter could already tell that she was capable of handling herself and her eyes suggested that she's seen combat. Hunter knew that he already liked her.
"Welcome, Artemis." He greeted shaking her hand, "A new team member is always a welcome sight. You didn't hear it from me but I'm glad we have a new female on the team."
"Uh, why?"
Hunter gave her the only answer he could, "When you meet Wally you'll know why."
Just then the zeta-tube flashed on.
RECOGNIZED
KID FLASH B-O3
"The Wall-Man is here so let's get this party star-" Everyone watched as Wally ran in with a bunch of beach supplies and tripped over an umbrella. He looked up to see everyone already suited up,"-ted. . ."
"Wall-Man, huh?" Aqualad stepped aside to reveal their new teammate, "Love the costume, what exactly are your powers?"
"Ok, I really like her." Hunter whispered to M'gann.
Wally got up, "Uh, who is this?" He looked to the others for an answer.
"Artemis, your new teammate." She greeted before they can.
"Kid Flash. Never heard of you."
"Um, she's my new protege." Green Arrow stated.
"What happened to your old one?"
Once again the zeta-tube flashed on.
RECOGNIZED
SPEEDY B-07
Speedy walked in, in a brand new attire, "Well for starters he doesn't go by Speedy anymore. Call me Red Arrow." He said sternly.
Green Arrow spoke first, "Roy you look-"
"Replaceable." Roy snapped walking towards the group.
"Great another irritating ginger." Hunter chimed in.
"It's not like that. You said you were going solo." Green Arrow replied with a frown.
"So why waste time finding a sub? Can she even use that bow?" He asked skeptically eyeing Artemis.
"Yes, she can." The blonde walked up to Roy, sizing him up.
"Who are you?" Wally asked.
"She's/I'm my/his niece." Both blondes replied.
"Another niece." Robin smirked.
"But she is not your replacement." Aqualad announces stepping forward, "We have always wanted you on the team, and we have no quota on archers." Kaldur said.
"And if we did you know who we'd pick." Wally pipes in.
Artemis rolled her eyes, "Whatever Baywatch, I'm here to stay."
"You came to us for a reason." Aqualad said breaking up the tension.
"Yea, a reason named Dr. Serling Rouqette." He says.
Robin recognized the name. He pulled his wrist computer out and searched her up. Her image showed up on the holoscreens for everyone to seem.
"Nanorobotics genius and claytronics expert at Royal University in Star City, vanished two weeks ago." He read as the information came up on the big screens.
"Abducted two weeks ago by the League of Shadows." He corrected.
"Whoa. You want us to rescue her from the shadows?" Robin asked.
"Hard-core." Wally said.
"I already rescued her." Roy stepped forward, "Only one problem the shadows coerced her into creating a weapon." A new screen appeared showing a canister and a robotic insect, "Doc calls or the fog, comprised of millions of microscopic robots, nanotech infiltrators. Capable of disintegrating anything in their path. Concrete, steel, flesh, bone. 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. Providing them access to weapons, strategic defense, cutting edge science, and tech." He explained.
"Perfect for extortion, manipulation, power broking. Yeah. Sounds like the shadows." Artemis says.
Wally scoffs "Like you know anything about the shadows." Artemis only smirks in reply, "Who are you?!" He snapped irritated.
"Roquette's working on a virus to render the fog inert." Roy stated.
"And if the shadows know she can do that-" Robin said.
"They'll target her." Red Arrow finished, "Right now she's off the grid. I stashed her at the local high school computer lab." He said as another screen appeared of the local high school.
"You left her alone?' Green Arrow asked.
"She's safe enough for now." He said calmly.
"Then lets you and I keep her that way." The elder man offered.
"You and I? Don't you wanna take your new protege?" Roy asked disgruntled.
Batman silently put a hand on Green Arrows shoulder.
Green Arrow sighed "You brought this mission to the team it's their mission which means it's hers now too."
"Then my job's done." The ginger scoffed walking away.
"Never seen denial so irritated." Hunter muttered to himself.
RECOGNIZED
SPEEDY
"That's Red Arrow B-07. Update." He said right before he left the flash of the zeta-tube.
Wally glared at Artemis who glared right back.
"See what I mean?" Hunter asked the archer.
Artemis scoffed before looking away from the speedster, "Oh definitely."
Happy Harbor, August 8, 9:59 PM
The stars twinkled in the clear night sky above as a cool nightly ocean breeze blew. Dawned in his black armor, Hunter was posted on the roof with Superboy and Miss Martian. He had his sword and shield with him just in case. If the League of Shadows were to get their location then he may need to draw blood.
Everyone else went to the computer lab to protect the doctor. Hunter requested to be a lookout alone with Miss M and Superboy. He's trained in the dark on Themyscira many times. He's not as proficient in the dark as Batman or Robin but he can still hold his own.
"Even out here I can feel the tension between Kid Flash and Artemis." Hunter whispered.
"Give it time they'll get used to each other." M'gann replied.
"Can anyone truly get used to him?" Hunter asked skeptically.
Kladur spoke telepathically to the martian, "Miss Martian, link us up. We do not want the shadows intercepting our com."
She nods "Everyone online?" She asks.
"Ohh. This is weird." Artemis says as she felt her mind linked.
"And distracting." The doctor adds "Coding a disturbing algorithm virus on a kiddie computer with less ram than a wristwatch is hard enough. Now, I have to hear teen think in my skull." The professor says dropping her head into her hands.
"Well that's just rude." Hunter said.
"Lady, do you always complain when someone tries to help you?" Wally asked.
"Pot, kettle. Have you met?" Artemis sassed.
Hunter chuckled but quickly silenced himself.
"Hey, hey. I do not need attitude from the newbie who drove Red Arrow off the team." He shot back.
"That is so not on me." She snaps.
"He wasn't even on the team to begin with." Hunter says, defending Artemis.
"Fate of the world at stake." The professor reminds the arguing pair of teens.
"She started it." The ginger said.
"How bout I help Miss Martian, Superboy and Wonder Warrior patrol the perimeter." Artemis says.
"Good idea." Aqualad says.
"You might cut her some slack. It was her arrow saved your butt against Amazo." Robin said.
"What? No, it was Speedy's I mean Red Arrows Arrow, right?" Kid Flash stammered.
"Not so much." He said
"You should just admit it." Hunter added.
"Hmmph. Still not giving her the satisfaction." Wally said stubbornly.
"You know I can still hear you." She says from a different room.
Hunter can hear Wally groan. He smiled, 'Those two are so attracted to each other." He said offhandedly.
"Excuse me!?"
"Dude!"
Hunter slapped his hands over his mouth, "I forgot you can hear me."
"I couldn't get the Justice League." The professor groaned.
"The virus won't be of much use of we cannot find the weapon. Can you track it?" Aqualad asked.
"My utility fog is not a weapon. It's science, brilliant science and of course I can track, but if have to go online. Might as well right a billboard with this address on it and 'assassinate me' written in neon." She says.
"We will protect you." Kaldur said assuredly, "Warrior did you get that?"
"Loud and clear." Hunter stood up picking up his sword and shield, "It's only a matter of time before they arrive. I'll be ready to cut them down."
"Tracking fog now." The doctor said.
"I'll fly above and circle the perimeter." Hunter said before he began to fly upwards.
Before he could fly high he collided with someone. Acting on instinct he quickly grabbed the person's arm, twisting it behind their back before slamming them down onto the roof. Coming down from the combat high he quickly realized that it was Superboy. He let go of his hold and jerked back.
"I am so sorry Superboy!" Hunter quickly apologized.
The prince helped Superboy up from the ground dusting off his shirt. He kept dusting off the black shirt until Superboy caught his wrists. Hunter slowly looked up and met the clone's eyes.
"It was my fault I didn't notify anyone I was changing my position." The clone said.
Hunter felt his face go hot, "It was an honest mistake."
"Warrior, how's the sky view of the perimeter?" Aqualad asked.
The Amazon looked away from Superboy, "Give me a sec." He quickly replied.
He gave Superboy a sheepish smile before flying upward. The night sky was clear so it would be easy to spot anyone within a three-mile radius. He didn't see anyone who seemed to be a suspicious character.
"Mmm, that boy."
Hunter nearly fell out of the sky when Artemis' voice rang in his head. Artemis is outside and the only other boy manning the perimeter is Superboy.
"He could hear you, we can all hear you." Miss Martian scolded.
"Oh, I know."
Hunter decided he didn't like her all that much, "Aeriel perimeter is all clear."
"Good." Kadur replied, "Miss Martian, Dr. Roquette has located the fog. Reconfigure the bioship so that Robin and Superboy can pursue." Aqualad said after a brief pause.
Hunter felt the bioship flying over his head. He watched as the ship landed by the school's side entrance, "Ready."
The ship's ramp slid out and Robin ran out of the school and joined Superboy. The Amazon watched as the two entered the ship and flew away.
Hunter kept his gaze on the ship until it was no longer in view, "Stay safe." He whispered before he continued on his assignment.
He circled the school precisely five times before he heard the commotion. The clang of metal and the grunts of Kaldur.
"M'gann, Hunter, Artemis, Kid we are under attack in the computer lab!" Kaldur notified everyone else.
"On our way!" Artemis replied.
Hunter dived down the sky, "Coming in hot!"The prince angled up before he flew through a window in the computer lab. He showed up just in time to stop a flying sai blade from killing the doctor with his bracelet. He saw the masked assassin fighting Aqualad and quickly wielded his sword and shield. He acted as a wall between the doctor and the fight ready to attack should the assassin gain the upper hand.
"Almost." The assassin said locking blades with Kaldur, "Poison slowing you down?"
"Jellyfish toxin, I'm largely immune." Kaldur replied before the masked woman headbutted him knocking him to the ground, "Largely." She raised her blade for the final strike but an arrow knocked the blade from her hand. She grabbed her wrist with a yelp.
Hunter looked to the entrance to see Artemis with another arrow ready to fly, "Don't move."
Hunter raised his shield and tightened his grip on his sword. This woman and he had stark contrasting fighting styles. She was trained to fight in the shadows while he trained to fight in the heart of a battle. Should they face each other one on one he's not sure who would win.
Kaldur got up with his blades in hand. She glanced back at him, "This gig's getting interesting." She said before pulling out a collapsible short sword.
Without hesitation, Artemis shot a barrage of arrows at the assassin. The marked woman easily deflected the arrows with her blade. Hunter used his shield to block the broken arrows from getting near the doctor.
Just then M'gann and Wally burst into the room. The assassin took immediate notice of them, "Maybe a little too interesting." She said before deflecting one last arrow before dropping a flash bang grenade. Wally ran at her not only ran through smoke nearly cooling with Artemis.
Noticing how close they were the two recoiled back. Everyone looked to where the assassin once stood to see nothing but air.
Wally began to lay in on the archer, "This is all your fault, you were on perimeter how did that shadow get in!?"
M'gann stepped forward, "That's not really fair, I was outside too."
"As was I." Hunter added putting his sword and shield on his back.
"Outside being distracted by her!" The ginger stammered, "Besides I can't be mad at you."
"You gave me mouth to mouth." He added mentally.
"We heard that!" Everyone scolded.
"Pig!" Hunter added.
"Dang it!" Wally groaned walking away.
"I didn't do half as well during my first battle and I know you couldn't have been Green Arrow's sidekick for long," M'gann assured putting a soft hand on Artemis' shoulder.
"Focus everyone, the shadows will be back." Kaldur reminded.
"Robin to Aqualad." The Boy Wonder said through the earpiece, "We're over Philadelphia, we've located the shadows next target. Star Labs. We're too late. It's destroyed. Totally destroyed. The Fog decimated it." A somber mood befell everyone, "Star Labs is cutting edge science and now it's in the hands of the enemy, what's our next move?"
"Rescan for the fog." Aqualad looked to the doctor, "We're moving the doctor."
Hunter stood off to the far corner of the gift shop on the docks. Even from where he stood he felt like he was caught between a rock and a hard place. Wally and Artemis would always glare at each other whenever they would even make eye contact.
The prince eyed the two as they once again glared at each other. The tension was so thick he could cut it with his sword.
"Stop it, both of you." Kaldur reprimands.
"What?" The two reply innocently.
"I can hear you glaring." The Atlantian replied.
After a moment Hunter heard Kaldur being attacked. His first instinct was to go and help his friend but his place is here. The whole plan depended detaining the assassin here away from Dr. Roquette. Silently he took his sword and shield from his back.
The double entrance doors burst open and a man in a dark purple suit stuck to the wall above. Hunter recognized him, Black Spider, another assassin. The Amazon flew across the room only to be cut off by another villain, Hook. The hero quickly dodged the large hook flying toward him.
He grabbed the chain of the hook and yanked the man towards him into a close line. He flew to cover the doctor but the hook caught his shoulder and dragged him back. The assassin whipped his arm and threw Hunter through the wooden wall.
Hunter rolled on the dock before he quickly stood up. Hook climbed through the wall, retracting his hook. The Amazon raised his shield and pointed his sword at the villain. The hook shot forward and Hunter easily spun around and dodged the hook.
Wonder Warrior used his sword to cut the chain that connected the hook. He quickly grabbed his lasso and with a quick flash of gold the lasso ensnared the man. Hunter pulled Hook towards him and kicked him down cracking the wood below.
He picked the man up slumped him over his shoulder. The prince walked back in the gift shop to find Wally and M'gann with Black Spider who was strung up in his own webs. He placed the assassin on the floor next to his cohort.
"Where's the other one, where's Artemis?" He asked.
"She went after the third one." M'gann informed.
"Let's go and help her." Hunter proposed.
The other two nodded before M'gann telekinetic lifted the two prisoners from the ground. They flew quickly down the street where they held the real Dr. Rouqette. When they arrived they found Kaldur, Artemis and the doctor outside of the shop.
"She got away." Artemis said.
Wally dashed next to her, "Oh from you? Oh, big surprise." He asked sarcastically, "Notice we got ours." He gestured to the two captured villains.
Hunter landed, "Kid Flash, shut up."
The redhead rolled his eyes before he saw a cat mask on the floor, "Cool, souvenir." He picked it up.
"Her mask." Aqualad observed, "Did you see her, her face?"
Artemis didn't face them, "It was dark."
"It's alright." The team leader replies, "Superboy and Robin neutralized the Fog and Dr. Rouqette is safe. Thanks in no small part to you."
Hunter approached Artemis and held out his hand, "Welcome to the team."
The blonde looked down at the hand before taking it. The two shook hands as Miss Martian landed next to them, "I've always wanted a sister. Here on Earth, I mean." She rambled, "I have twelve back on Mars but trust me it's not the same."
"I wouldn't know but thanks." The archer replied.
Hunter and M'gann nudged Wally who stood off to the side, "Ow." He looked hesitant before he conceded, "Yeah. Welcome." He said reluctantly before shaking hands with her.
Hunter looked down at the mask in Wally's hand. He has a feeling that won't be the last time they will see that assassin.