Roy was hesitant about splitting up after he'd been shot at but Artemis managed to convince him that it was safe. After telling her for the billionth time to be careful and giving her one of his brand new "older brother" looks, he took off on his route. She was left to her own patrol and her own thoughts. In a way, she was glad that there was someone after her again. She had been put on high alert, constantly waiting for the other side to make their move. It was tiring.
At the same time, the cold fear she had felt before had returned as she wondered who they were and when they would attack next. Those two emotions had combined that night leaving Artemis physically exhausted and emotionally drained.
As she made her way through Star City she had nothing to protect herself from her own thoughts. The night was quiet and the only action she came across was a simple mugging. She took care of that on autopilot as her mind began formulating different scenarios that she might have to go through. Mostly, though, she wondered about how she'd keep the people she cared about safe. More so with Ollie, as he was still recovering from the gunshot wound.
Artemis was lost in thought when the ice hit her foot and stopped her midstride. She was jolted into reality, cursing herself for letting her guard down. Immediately, she had her bow ready to be fired. Her eyes darted around, searching for her attacker. He didn't even have to step out of the shadows for her to know who he was. There were only two ice villains in Star City and only one who'd recently been released from Belle Reve. Still, he stepped into the light and allowed her to see the smirk on his face. The glow of the streetlamp caught on his eyes making him look sinister instead of just a minor threat, the latter was usual.
"Artemis," Icicle Jr. murmured slowly. "You've changed. Can't say I like the green." His smirk was swiftly replaced by a frown.
The archer shook her head at the memories connected to his face. It's not like they had been really close as kids but they had shared a few training exercises and often saw each other when their fathers met up. They had developed a loose friendship, not because they had common interests but because they need something to pass the time during their father's meetings. More than once, they were found wrestling because one had angered the other, normally with Artemis winning. A few times they were left together for a day or two because their parents were working on some project together away from home. Their not-quite-friendship fell apart completely when Artemis's mother returned from prison and there was no need for Sportsmaster to take his daughter to meetings, largely because he had absolutely no custody over her. Since then, the two had rarely seen each other despite both of them now inhabiting Star City.
"You haven't changed one bit, Frostbite." She saw him cringe at her old nickname for him. "What do you want?" she asked as she pulled out an arrow and chipped away at the ice around her foot until she could shake it loose. The whole time she waited for his answer but got nothing. "Well?"
His usually calm and cool demeanor cracked slightly showing just how nervous he was about being here. His behavior definitely wasn't normal. "I came here to try to convince you to join," he replied. "It'll be easier if you do and none of your goody-goody friends will get hurt… much." As he spoke he gained his typical confidence back. "Most of them will get to live if you just join."
"Join what?" She spun the arrow in her hand and watched Cameron's eyes follow the tip. Narrowing her eyes, she tried to replicate the Bat-Glare but she got the feeling it didn't have the same effect.
"I'm not supposed to tell you much but it's like the club you're in with your little hero friends except the faces would be like the ones from the old days."
Artemis notched the arrow and aimed at Icicle Jr. "I'm not going back to the old days, not for you, not for anyone. You and your club can find someone else to be a member because I'm not joining. Understand?" Cameron nodded slowly.
"Yeah but I don't think you understand. The man in charge of this, he wants you specifically. That's why he ordered the hit on your mother. He's gathered some of the most powerful people in the world." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "Some more powerful than others." He shook his head and met her eyes. "Look, the point is, you won't stand a chance. It's like a game to him. There's nowhere you can run and no one you can hide behind. This guy, the one who runs the team, he always gets whatever he wants, no matter what he has to do to get it."
A warning shot was fired at Icicle's feet causing him to jump in surprise. He let a small yelp escape as he glared at her. "I'm not joining your club, period." Cameron tried to protest but she cut him off. "There's no room for discussion." He raised his hands to show he understood she was a lost cause. "I have a city to protect. Do something stupid so I can stop you and send you back to Belle Reve or leave me alone." She would have loved to tie him up now and leave him dangling in front of the police station but he hadn't done anything illegal since his release from prison.
"How about something stupid but legal?" he asked, eyebrows raised. Behind his mask of mock curiosity, there was a hint of his normal mischievous attitude. Before Artemis could ask what he was talking about Icicle came at her. She brought up her hands into a defensive position.
"This isn't legal, Cam." He only grinned in reply. After throwing a few punches off to the side of her head, Cameron managed to get behind her and catch her in a headlock. Her bow was knocked from her grip and clattered on the rooftop. "Let go," she hissed as she clawed at his arm. His laugh rang through the air.
"It's just like old times, only now I'm winning." Artemis landed a kick on his shin. He let out a hiss of pain and released her. She stumbled away and turned to face him. "Lighten up, Artemis. We're still friends." She narrowed her eyes at him before lunging for her bow. Icicle kicked away before she could touch it, his triumphant smirk plastered on his face. "What is it that the cops say?" He paused and pretended to think about the question. "Ah, yes. Freeze!" He shot ice at both of her feet, freezing her in place.
The archer gave a pained look. "Come up with that one all by yourself?"
He shrugged and stepped towards her. She reached behind her to pull out her knock out gas arrow but he grabbed her arm before she could. "Stupid but legal." He bent down and pressed his lips to hers. She tried to push him away with her free hand but he caught her wrist.
A small blur of red connected with Icicle's jaw and pulled him away from her. He stumbled to the side. "I can barely stand Wally. But Icicle Jr. is taking it too far." Artemis didn't even have to glance at who had spoken. She pulled out an arrow and hacked away at the ice around her feet for the second time that night. Her "savior" advanced towards Cameron. "She didn't look too happy that you were here," he said slowly as Cam rubbed his jaw. Artemis kicked away the remnants of the ice and retrieved her bow and the arrow that she'd shot at Icicle's feet. She watched Roy stare down the ice villain with a frown.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw that another person decided to join their little get-together, dropping down from a nearby rooftop. A familiar silhouette stood against the street lights. "Is this guy bothering you, Artemis?" Black Canary asked cracking her knuckles. She tossed her blonde hair over her shoulder and crossed her arms. Icicle Jr. tried to hide the quick flash of fear that ran through his eyes but Artemis had spent enough time with him as a kid to recognize it. He was truly scared of Dinah. It almost made Artemis laugh, considering Canary was shorter than him. The older woman flashed one of her scary grins. "If he was bothering you, I can make sure he won't want to see you ever again." Cameron's eyes grew wide.
"I can handle this," Artemis said with a nod. She strode up to Cam and jabbed a finger in his chest. "You're wrong, Frostbite. This is nothing like the old days. I'm on their side now." She gestured to Red Arrow and Black Canary, who both nodded. "So, tell your boss that I'm never joining your stupid club. Got it?" Icicle Jr. nodded quickly as he backed away. He stood there for a moment staring at her.
"I hope for your sake," he began slowly, "that you'll change your mind." He hopped off the roof, creating an ice slide to help him to the ground, and ran off. All three of them watched as he ran through the alley and towards the street.
Next to her, Roy notched an arrow and aimed at the villain's retreating figure. "Roy," she muttered. "Don't shoot the messenger."
He lowered his bow and glanced at her. "Was that you attempt at humor?" he asked. Dinah laughed shortly before pulling both of the archers into a hug. "Did the league mission finish early?" Roy questioned once she had released them. Artemis could see the small smile on his face. No matter what happened between him and Ollie he always welcomed Dinah's company.
"Yeah, I was on my way home when I saw Artemis fighting Icicle and thought I'd help out a bit." She gestured to her bike parked in the alleyway. "What was ice boy doing here anyway? Trying to get back into Belle Reve?" Artemis glanced around at the melting chunks of ice.
She sighed. "He was trying to get me back on the dark side." Dinah shook her heads. "Someone wants me on a team of villains and won't take no for an answer. Cameron said it's connected to my mom." The older woman put her arm around Artemis's shoulders. "I could have handled him myself, you know. Why were you nearby, Roy? You were supposed to be on your own patrol route."
"We were shot at. I wasn't going to let you run off by yourself when someone is after you." He had put on what Artemis had come to call his "big brother" face. His sudden change of attitude towards her still annoyed her. She crossed her arms, ready for the I'm-more-than-capable-of-taking-care-of-myself argument.
"How about I patrol with Artemis tonight?" Dinah interrupted before they could argue. They both tried to protest. "No buts." The radio on Roy's belt alerted them of a nearby bank robbery. "Come on. We've got a job to do."