A/N: And here is Shadow's Apprentice Re-Write, while there will plenty of familiar scenes and pieces, overall it's been reworked to hopefully have more consistent writing style and flow. Hope you guys enjoy this version :)

Summary: Alice, agent of shadows, credited with dozens of assassinations, stolen intel and artifacts. No one ever saw her, or her partner Cheshire. But the Justice League received a tip to capture-rescue them, leading them to a child by the name of Artemis who doesn't exist and is heir apparent to the shadows. They offer her something she's never had, a chance to choose her own destiny.


Prologue

"Begin."

Single word, one meaning, the fight has started. Two against one, both opponents are older, stronger and have more experience. It's a test, there's always a test. With nothing more than her bare hands, she has to take down her two older, stronger and bigger opponents. Failure is not an option for any of them, they aren't supposed to hold back, they won't hold back. Holding back is a failure in it's own way. She won't fail, she won't hold back.

Three children, aged 9-13 years. The oldest of three children at thirteen launched into a ferocious attack, her batons whipping through the air and barely seen. Covering her face was the same Cheshire mask she'd been wearing for years, while no one could see her true face, the opponents and spectators knew exactly what her expression was. The second child at eleven with deep brown skin attacked as well, his face hidden by a Manta's mask to match that of his father's allowing for no confusion as to who he belonged to. Just like the oldest, he had only two batons for weapons though they were colored ocean blue as opposed to Cheshire's pitch black ones.

The youngest of them dodged the flurry of attacks from the batons, using her background in acrobatics and circle walking to avoid being hit. It had been days that they had been fighting, almost nonstop except for a handful of breaks to eat or rest. Each one wasn't long. The youngest child dubbed Alice for her mask and blonde hair flipped away from her two opponents, landing lightly on her feet.

While Cheshire and Manta's masks covered all of their face, hers was different allowing for the bottom part of her face to be seen. The mask she wore was blue, covering all of her forehead, her eyes and down to her upper lip leaving her bottom lip and chin exposed. Two options were placed before her, either she go with an offensive plan or she follow a defensive one. Harsh words of her father told her she would always be on the offensive, no matter what. The best defense was a good offense, that's what he always said to her and her sister anyway. Offensive it was.

Hands open, she dodged the various swinging batons, narrowly avoiding being struck by them as she twirled her body away from their grasps. It wouldn't last forever, she needed, she wanted, one of their barons. The boy launched at her with a grunt, she turned her body to the side as he went slightly past her. With him in this position, she twisted his arm around and forced him to give up the baton in his grip before flipping him over herself. He went down with a hard smack in the concrete floor and he gasped for air upon contact.

She opened her mouth to apologize for that, but immediately cut herself off as her other opponent hit her head sharply with the baton. No apologies here, no remorse, no mercy. It was her turn to attack now, she had a weapon, now she could better block the attacks and make attacks of her own. Her attacks were strong against her Cheshire mask opponent, even if she were at a disadvantage she wouldn't halt her aggression, she wouldn't fail this test.

On a balcony above the fighting children were three adults, two men as fathers to the children and a woman who had served as their trainer on a number of occasions. Talia Al Ghul was heir to the Demon, to Ra's Al Ghul's league of assassins. As she was heir to his world he had created, the League of Shadows had been trying to gain an heir of their own for years now. Centuries ago, the pact had been started for an heir to be brought forward. And now three of the potential heirs were below.

"My father has spent time with each of them," Talia said, her hand resting on the railing as she watched the children fight. "In and out of training. After his assessments and my training, here are my reports to you. Manta, since you've brought us one child, I will start with him."

The Black Manta nodded solemnly, his large helmet still on as he said, "Very well."

Talia answered plainly, "Kaldur'ahm is too soft and gentle. I suspect too much of his mother in him, too much time spent with her and not here."

The second man, Sportsmaster, spoke in defense of his… ally, "Maybe in time he will get over it. Anything can be trained out of a person with enough discipline and force."

"He is still on the young side, that softness can be removed from him with more training here and in the Shadows," Black Manta offered, tone distorted by the helmet.

Talia did not seem convinced, her green eyes gave nothing away to show she was swayed, "I highly doubt it. He bears a gentle soul and obvious bleeding heart. If he cannot strike an opponent when they are down, without the fear of his life or another's, then he will not be a sufficient heir to the shadows."

It was clear by Black Manta's stance he wasn't pleased with the information, but there was nothing he could say ti change the opinions of either Talia or Ra's. Their decision had been made. But as his child was the only boy, he would remain a contender as when he was of age and so was one of the other children, they would be placed together and produce an heir of their own. So he would not complain terribly.

"What is to be done," Manta asked gruffly.

Talia's smile reminded the men of a wasp, "I will leave that up to my father, so long as your son improves, he may still serve the Light. My father will speak with you later this evening." Talia tilted her head to the side as she looked at the blond man. "Sportsmaster, your turn. Let us start with your eldest."

Sportsmastwr said nothing, though he did glance to the side at the battle waving below between his children and Manta's son. Talia spoke with some annoyance in her tone, it wasn't a secret that the woman had a slight disliking for his eldest daughter as she was an untamed girl.

"Jade has the mind and soul of a survivor, much like her mother," Talia remarked simply. "She could be a ruthless killer and strong asset if not for her wild and untamed nature."

"She lacks discipline," Sportsmaster admitted, he sounded annoyed.

Talia agreed. "Discipline, respect and loyalty. She lacks many things. Her and Kaldur'ahm both are lacking in their commitment to this life, Jade more so. Of this, you are aware."

Sportsmaster spoke with gritted teeth, "Yes."

"My father believes she should be transferred from the shadows to here in order to instill in her the loyalty and commitment, however," Talia paused briefly, "by doing so eliminates her as an heir to the shadows."

The man's eyes widened at this, "I am not sure i can agree to that."

Talia's expression shifted to a smile once more, only this one seemed better. Like she cared. "You haven't heard what I have to say about your youngest."

Talia turned her attention to the fighting below, she watched as the youngest of the three continued to dodge all the attacks thrown her way with skills well beyond her age level. At nine years old, Artemis showed that she was destined to become an heir to the League of Shadows. The one in question now had two barons in her hand, leaving her opponents with only one to fight her with. Each had their bare arms and legs exposed, showing off how many bruises and scrapes they received from each session.

As this fight progressed, she noticed Artemis had the most scrapes while Jade had more bruises and Kaldur'ahm had less than the others. This wasn't due to his ability to avoid injury, his Atlantean skin was denser than humans which served in his favor. Should Artemis get more injured in the future, Talia was prepared to place her into the Lazarus Pit to enhance her physique. The time for that wasn't now though and it wasn't something she intended to share with anyone outside of her father as he was the one who approved the use on her. She was an asset they couldn't lose.

"Out of the three, she is the best heir to the shadows," Talia told them, her eyes trained on the blonde girl below as she attacked her opponents at the same time. As expected, Talia was met with surprise from the two men.

"Artemis?"

"But out of the two girls, Jade seems to be more of a fit."

Talia faced the men, her expression pleased and stern, "While yes in ruthlessness Jade wins, but while she has the ruthlessness of her mother, she has her father's shorter temper and lack of control." Sportsmaster clenched his fists, but said nothing. Talia smirked. "Ruthlessness isn't the only thing required to be heir of the shadows. Artemis is a balance between Jade and Kaldur'ahm. While she possesses a kind heart, she has the soul of a warrior. She is in fact loyal to her father. In time, I believe she will become loyal to the cause."

Sportsmaster turned his gaze back down to the fighting below, he could see his youngest holding her own against her opponents. Though she was huffing now, her stamina still needed work as she was younger and had not trained as long as the other two.

"That is why my father intends to have Artemis remain here, as my protegee," Talia said, bringing Sportsmasters' attention back to her. "You can relax, Sportsmaster, she will not remain here long. Two months out of the year. Once in the winter and once in the summer. You will never know when exactly we will take her. Only know that should she not return from a mission or she is gone in the night, look for an arrowhead. If you find one, then you know she is with us."

Sportsmaster didn't like that, but he was in no position to argue. All he could do was accept it. And while he wasn't pleased with his youngest being taken two months out of the year, he knew the training she received would only propel her forward into becoming the best assassin and servant the Light had ever known. And that was enough for him. It had to be enough for him.

"That is all," Talia replied to them, a clear dismal to the men.

Neither man argued, they simply walked away to think more about what Talia's words meant. However before they left her alone, they noticed the fight below had ceased and Artemis was the only one standing. The nine year old was hunched over slightly, her breathing ragged and skin shining with sweat, but her opponents were both on the ground, unable to get up from the floor. Scrapes and bruises littered her exposed arms and legs, blood dripped from her temple and down her chin from her busted lip. Despite it being clear how young she was, the expression she wore, the wounds and scars she carried, were that of someone no less than four times her age.

Talia spoke, her voice smooth and full of sinister pride, "Well done Artemis, Heir of Shadows."

Artemis gulped for air as she looked up to the second story where Talia stood, the raven haired assassin looked at her with pride. Oftentimes that meant she'd exceeded expectations, that she did more than win. And then the words from Talia sunk into her. Heir to the Shadows. Never had she been referred to as heir in the singular sense. Only in the group with her sister and the boy whose name she wasn't allowed to know. Did this mean…

Artemis swallowed thickly and glanced at her father who was further away on the balcony. He gave her a stiff nod. It was true. Artemis swallowed again at that as she straightened her stance, squared her shoulders and held her head high. There was only one thing left for her to say. To accept this honor. Her mother's voice whispered in her ears, 'Please sweetheart, promise you will never forget who you are!'

Artemis was disappointed to know that was a promise she wouldn't quite be able to keep as her mantra consistently changed. It would change once more. Her older sister stood up from her spot on the ground, the boy after her, each watching her through the eyes of their masks. What their expressions were, Artemis couldn't tell. Though their body language didn't tell her much either. Her eyes lifted to the balcony once more, she locked eyes with Talia and responded to the words expected of her, accepting her destiny. All she had to say was her name, field designation, her age, her legacy and her new title. There was no turning back now.

"My name is Artemis, named Alice in the field. I'm nine years old. My sister Cheshire, my father Sporstmaster and mother Huntress are servants of the Light. And I, Artemis, am Heir of Shadows."


Four Years Later

Artemis let out a heavy sigh as she leaned back against the metal chair provided for her in the interrogation room, her grey eyes focused on the fluorescent lights above. Escaping this place wasn't hard, she managed to find 17 openings from the walk she had here alone, but she didn't take one. There was a job she had to do, two plans were working in her mind right now and she was ashamed to admit she wasn't sure which option to follow. She was heir to the Shadows, but the declaration she made was a long time ago and she wondered if she could truly turn away from it. It wasn't a choice she ever considered she'd have. And it wasn't one she ever realized she wanted. But today brought her a surprise. One in the form of the Justice League pulling her from a burning building that no doubt would have claimed her life if not for them.

However she couldn't find it in herself to be grateful for what they had done. They may have saved her life, but she was still in another cage and was presently trapped. Not necessarily by the interrogation room, there were plenty of ways to get out, but she did find out this particular room was on a space station. There'd be no way for her to get out of here without risking a crash, she'd never flown a spacecraft of any kind before.

Artemis brought her head down to look at the one way glass across from her, it only showed her reflection, but she knew the Batman and the Martian were there watching her. It was a waiting game now. And that was something Artemis found herself good at, just waiting. She wasn't sure how long they'd leave her in this room, but she wasn't in any hurry to go anywhere. Not really.