Addie

December 5

"Team," Green Arrow addresses as we gather in the mission room.

Today I spent the day with Zatanna, as she taught me about the traditions of this mas of christ.

I learned many things! You are supposed to give presents to your friends and family as a thanks for being friends, and being around. You put up a pine tree and decorate it with either a star, or angel on the top. This man named Santa comes and gives presents as well, flying rooftop to rooftop, on a sleigh drawn by 9 reindeer. The sequence going: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, and Vixen. Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen. Then, for some illogical reason, a Reindeer with a glowing red nose?

I've informed Zatanna that it makes no sense, but she told me to go along with it.

"I'd like to re-introduce to you, you're new team mate," G.A continues.

Out from behind him, the one and only ginger archer steps out of the shadows.

'Merciful Minerva, no!' I complain.

"Roy!" K.F shouts.

"It is good to see you, my friend," Kaldur welcomes.

'Great Hera, what did I do to anger you this much?' I inwardly pray.

"Recognized: Artemis. B0-7."

"Artemis! Just in time," G.A welcomes. "Look who's agreed to join the Team."

"Finally!" Kid exclaims.

"Sure," She deadpans. "Team's needed a real archer."

"Okay, people! Listen up:" G.A begins, moving to a holo-screen. "The Dynamic Duo's on a case in Gotham, but Batman gave me a heads up. Sportsmaster was spotted coming through Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport."

"In full costume? Nervy!" Zatanna notes.

"In street clothes," G.A states. "Facial recognition software picked up the I.D. Find out what he's up to."

"All of us? Seems like overkill for a shadow job," Superboy states.

"Perhaps a small squad?" R.T suggests. "Miss Martian's camouflage abilities seem ideal."

"Thought the sideki- sorry, "ex-sidekicks" could suit up on this," G.A smiles. "Aqualad, Kid Flash, Red Arrow,"

"Good. Stakeouts make me crazy," S.B sighs happily.

"We could use the night off?" M'gann says.

"I want in," Artemis interjects. "With M'gann and Robin out, no one's logged more hours piloting the Bio-Ship."

"Artemis, are you sure?" G.A asks.

"Absolutely," She all but growls.

"If Artemis is going, then perhaps I should as well," I stand. "If things do end up getting physical, Kaldur and I would be the only ones with the strength required to match, and even beat Sportsmasters."

"Adeline, this might not be neccessary-" Haneul begins.

'I'm worried about Artemis,' I say in my head. 'And I want a chance to show red Hawkeye over here that you don't underestimate an Amazon.'

"We don't need you," Red Arrow growls.

"Red Arrow," Kaldur stops. "Perhaps we should? She and I are the only ones who have successfully taken down the Sportsmaster. And if one of us were to be taken down, the other could try to tranquilize his efforts."

"You think she can take down him? With her stature?" He asks incredulously.

"I am an Amazonian Warrior," I begin. "I can take down any beefcake you put in the ring with me, Katniss."

"Adeline," Kaldur stops me. "You are coming. But only as a Plan:B. Understood?"

"Yes, sir," I salute.


Bioship

"I gather you did not join the for the camaraderie," Kaldur deducts as he and Red Arrow lock a bike in place. While Kid, and Artemis sit up front.

"And not to please G.A either," R.A affirms. "There's a mole on our Team, Kaldur. You don't wanna face it, so I will. And suspect number one is Artemis."

"This again?" I ask.

"Don't get so aired up, Princess," R.A spits. "You're suspect number two."

"I hope you have proof," I fold my arms over my chest, already mad at his usage of my title.

'Only Haneul can call me 'Princess' in that tone, and get away with it,' I growl.

"Aiding a known criminal in your own home?" He all but shouts.

"If you saw him, you would've done the same," I defend. "On Paradise Island, we are taught compassion. For everyone. Not just civilians, and heroes."

"And you thought that he could be a hero?" He laughs.

"Well, you're a 'hero', aren't you? So why can't he be? At least he's got a better attitude!" I throw shade at the Archer.

"That's enough," Kaldur breaks us up. "Both of you."

I glare at the Archer, before joining the others in the front.

"You got a plan for us, Kal?" Kid smiles, obviously ready to go.

"Wonderbat, you will take a re-breather, and follow me under the water. Artemis, you are to remain in the bioship, and follow in stealth. Red Arrow, you follow on a jet ski, covertly. Kid, you will follow on the motorcycle, on the roads," Kaldur orders. "Got it?"

We all nod.

"Good. Let's go," He says.

I grab a re-breather from the shelf, and meet Kaldur at the back.

"Artemis, drop in three, two, one," Kaldur counts down.

A hole appears underneath us, and we are dropped into the water.

"Target's heading North. Pursue. But maintain a discreet distance," R.A informs. "And that goes double for you, Artemis. Sportsmaster's proven adept at spotting Martian camouflage, when in motion."

'He's already making me mad,' I growl in my head, as Kaldur motions for us to move.

I use my flight under the water as we speed under the speedboat that Sportsmaster is using.

"He's stopped. Hold your positions. I'm moving in, for a closer look," R.A says.

'Is he the leader now?' I spit. 'Did I miss something?'

Kaldur and I catch up to where Sportsmaster has stopped, and we wait in the shallows.

The current of the water plays with my hair, making it billow around my face.

"I don't suppose you have a hair-tie, Kal?" I ask humorously.

"I'm afraid, you're out of luck," He chuckles.

"Worth a shot," I defend playfully.

A few more minutes pass by.

"Permission to check on the others?" I ask. "I think it's been too long since we've heard from them."

"Permission granted," Kaldur says. "But keep to the shadows. You never know where any of his comr-"

By the time he almost finishes his sentence, I've already exited the water.

You won't ever hear me thanking Batman, but you can certainly read it.

"Thanks for the genes, Bat's. Now I know how to be a ninja."

I wring out my hair the best that I can, then I jump off in search of Sportsmaster.

As I jump silently through the trees, I come to a stop when I hear the familiar, raspy voice of the Sportsmaster.

"I read you, keep them busy."

'This means that there is someone else here,' I deduct. 'Who? Is it that ninja girl from before? Cheshire? Or is it Kobra? Either way, he know's we're here. But to our advantage, he doesn't know how many of us are here. Follow in the shadows.'

I hear a train horn as it comes around the tracks. And I see him heading away from where Red Arrow would've been spying.

My eyes narrow.

'Where is he? I would've heard him move by now if he were around here…' I wonder. Then I smirk. 'Never give a man a job he can't do better than a woman.'

I hear the door of one of the train cars open, a monkey's laugh, the I see a case fly out of the car, only for Sportsmaster to catch it, and the car closes.

'That laugh… I know that laugh…' I try to remember. 'It's coming back… Wait… Monkeys? IVO?! But he's in Belle Reve! Or… or is he…? Did he break out? No. Belle Reve is so secure that even Superman wouldn't be able to escape! Unless it was an inside job?...'

I continue to follow Sportsmaster, until he gets into his speed boat again.

"Kaldur, He's back in the water," I inform.

"And what of Red Arrow and Artemis?" He asks.

"I didn't see them. Good news bad news, I guess. I didn't spot them, but they aren't with Sportsmaster," I say.

"Aqualad: target's on me. So I'll take a dive. He'll think he's in the clear, and you can track him from below .I'll be right behind, using the tracer," R.A informs quickly as I spot him jumping back on his ski.

"And where have you been?" I ask with a motherly concerned tone, as I fly up, and over the whole scene.

"Doing my job," He spits.

Sportsmaster, throws something at Red Arrow, and knocks him off of his ski.

I'll admit.

I wanted to applaud him.

Sportsmaster moves to the back of the boat, and removes R.A's tracer.

I see him reach behind himself, and throw a few things into the water.

'Are those...BOMBS!' I shout in my head.

I speed into a pencil dive, knowing Kaldur would be right underneath them.

As I hit the water, I take Kaldur's arm as quickly as possible, and use my momentum to push him away from the blast, seconds before the bombs go off.

"Aqualad!" Came the muffled yell of R.A as I hear his voice from beneath the water.

I attempt to swim up, but a stinging sensation in my back makes me freeze up, and my breath shortened. Small bubbles coming from my mouth, and wiggling to the surface of the water.

Two things dawned on me in that moment:

One: That I had caught some of the backlash of the explosion.

And two: I already ditched my re-breather.

"Artemis, Kid, W.B, listen up," I hear Kaldur's voice in my comm.

"We're listening," Wally's reply came.

"Throw the fight. We have the tracers locked in," Kal orders.

"Got 'cha!" Wally responds for himself and Artemis.

"Wonderbat, do you copy?"

I can't answer.

"Wonderbat. Do you copy?"

Kal...help! My lungs are burning!

"Addie! Reply!"

His voice grows muffled, and my eyes begin to blur as I sink to the bottom of the river.

With my blurred vision, I see a dark form come up from my side, and the water began to rush around my face.

I feel a pressure behind my neck, and beneath my knees as I assume I begin to faint.

My face hits the cold air of the night as I cough up bayou water out of my lungs.

"Adeline! Are you alright?" Kaldur asks me, swimming us over to the river bank.

I shiver in the night's cold air, but nod my head 'yes'.

"What happened back there?" Red Arrow growls at me.

"What happened?" I ask in disbelief. "Really? Not even a 'are you okay', or a 'does anything hurt'? No? Alright. What happened was, I just got the air knocked out of my lungs by an explosion. You know, the one you should've anticipated when Sportsmaster found your tracer?"

"W.B," Kaldur interrupts. "Is your back alright?"

"It stings a little," I admit. "But I'll live."

I begin to stand up. Kaldur moves up with me to make sure I'm really alright.

"See?" I smile at him. "I'm a big girl. I can take an explosion blast and everything."

"Would you mind me examining it?" He smiles, knowing that I'm downplaying my pain.

"Go right ahead," I give him the thumbs up.

I feel him touch the wound slightly, and I hiss at the contact.

"Adeline-" Kaldur reprimands.

"Kal, I'm fine. Honestly. I can take a few more punches!" I say, practically begging him to keep me on the mission.

"And what happens when you can't take any more?" R.A asks.

"Well, I trust my team enough to make sure that I live if I were K.O'ed," I hint at him.

'Go ahead and say something. Get further into my bad side. It'll just hurt you more when I finally punch you,' I growl in my head.

"Adeline, You are to join Artemis in the Bioship for the rest of the mission," Kaldur orders me.

"Kaldur! Come on!" I complain.

"We will still call you if we need your strength," He explains. "But right now, you are a liability. If I see fit to call you, even in your weakened state, then know that it's an emergency. But as of the moment, I want you away from the fight. Understood?"

"...Yes'sir…" I pout.

"Red, you will transport her back," Kal orders.

"Why do I have to-?"

"She is in no condition to fly, or swim," Kaldur interrupts. "You will transport her to Kid and Artemis, and they will lead her to the Bioship. Are we clear?"

He nods.

I climb onto the back of the Jet ski, and arrow hops onto the front.

"We'll be going fast," He states.

"Don't expect me to hold onto you," I growl, gripping the seat.

We take off as soon as Kaldur dives back into the water.

As we reach the mainland again, Arrow ditches me on the ski.

'Kópanos,' I growl in my head.

Kaldur breaches from the water, and spots me struggling to get down without irritating my back.

He lifts an eyebrow, then decides that I've suffered enough. He takes my arm, and throws it over his shoulders, and he helps me down, so we can meet up with the others.

"-So, we threw the fight, as ordered. After Artemis planted the tracer," Kid boast about Artemis, as Kal and I join up with the others.

"Cheshire's heading North," Artemis says, joining us while holding up the tracer device.

"Sportsmaster was headed South. Kinda like this mission," He growls.

"Maybe he'll double back. Maybe she will," Artemis reasons.

"Either way, they'll rendezvous. And we'll find them!" Wally enthusiastically replies.

"We had better. Sportsmaster acquired an attaché case. We need to learn what it contained," Kaldur says. "If you had stayed aboard the Bio-Ship-"

"I saw Cheshire sneaking up on him," She defends.

"You claim to be the 'almighty, all knowing archer'," I begin. "Shouldn't you have sensed her?"

"I was a bit busy doing my job," He snarks.

"A job that you were absent from?" I sass. "I went to find you two after radio silence went on too long. I saw Sportsmaster, and I saw what gave him the case, but I did not see you. And I am trained to sense, and hear everything in my surrounding area."

"Probably because I was too busy rescuing her!"

"I don't recall her asking for assistance," I get up in his face.

"If you saw what I did-"

"If you saw what you were supposed to, you could've stopped it, and we wouldn't be in this mess," I verbally attack.

"Either way," Arrow ignores me. "You radio a warning."

"And if she found you by hacking our frequency?" Artemis asks.

"It is true. We have come to rely on M'gann's telepathy over our radios," Kaldur defends her as well.

"So let's stop looking to place blame and start looking for Cheshire," Wally interjects, as Kaldur hands me over to Artemis.

"Here. Since, clearly, I can't be trusted," Artemis sasses at Arrow, tossing the device at him. "You track her."

Wally snatches the tracer device out of arrow's hands, and gives it back to her.

"Artemis-" He begins.

"That's fine. I'll follow in the Bio-Ship," She says walking away.

"Go, Kid. Arrow and I will return to the river. And we will all follow, as originally planned," I hear Kaldur order.

As I spot he and Arrow re-entering the water, I see a glowing light from Artemis's hands.

It's a second tracer.

"Artemis?" I question, my eyes widening.

"I'll explain later," She says, helping me into the Bio-ship.

'What have you gotten yourself into, Artemis?' I wonder.

"I think you should explain now," I say in a warning tone.

She sets me down on the recovery gurnie in the Bio-ship on my stomach, then she presses a few buttons, strapping me down to the table.

"Artemis?" I question, tugging my wrists on the organic straps.

"Sorry, Addie," She apologizes. "I have to do this on my own."

"Artemis!" I scream as she moves to pilot the ship. "Artemis get back here! Artemis!"

I feel us land somewhere, where I'm not quite sure.

All I know is that we went the opposite direction that Artemis told everyone.

I hear her walk by.

"Artemis! Don't do this! You have nothing to prove to him! He's the one who has to prove that he's worth our time! Not you!" But it's no use.

"I'm sorry Addie, but I have to do this," She says, a determined look in her chocolate eyes.

"Artemis!" I hollar. "Artemis get back here!"

She left.

I know what you're probably asking:

"Can't you just break free of the bioship restraints?"

Not quite.

The ones on the med bay tables are not meant to be broken, or density shifted through. It's so the patient doesn't attack anyone if they were going crazy.

I hear an explosion outside.

I begin to struggle more and more, wanting to see if Artemis is okay.

"Arrow to Aqualad. Cheshire and Sportsmaster. Rendezvous at my coordinates," Is the next thing I hear over the comms.

"Acknowledged. Sending Kid ahead," Kaldur responds.

I try to reach up to my ear to activate my response, but my arms are strapped down too.

'Good news: They're okay. Bad News: I can't get out,' I list in my head, struggling to get out.

'Wait...maybe that's the idea? It's like one of those finger hand cuff things! The more I struggle, the harder it is for me to get out! So if I calm down for just a minute…' I deduct.

I stop moving so rapidly, and I calm myself down.

I slowly remove my arms from my sides, and slip them over the organic restraints.

I reach up, and toss away the ones around my waist, and head.

Finally free from the restraints, I rush outside and into the Mardi Gras Float Wearhouse.

"Yeah, I figured," I hear Wally Talking to Artemis, as R.A takes on Sportsmaster. "Wait, then how did you and Red end up here? And where's W.B?"

"Just arriving," I say, lowering myself into the room, lassoing a large piece of a float down and making it fall over Cheshire as she attempts to get up.

I see the look of panic in Artemis's eyes as I stand next to her.

Cheshire recovers quickly, and she runs up, and body slams K.F, just as a bright red light flashes from the windows.

"I've got this! Go!" He orders Artemis.

I grab her arm as she runs over, effectively stopping her.

"You will explain this to me later," I growl, not at all pleased with being lied to.

"I promise! Now go!" She rushes, kicking down the door.

"Freeze!"

Klarion, Ivo, The Brain, and the Gorilla from before are all standing in a group together. Ivo holding the case Sportsmaster was given.

"Klarion!" I growl. "Get on the ground! All of you!"

"Don't be absurd! With what we've created tonight, I could-"

"Why waste such power on her? Do what she says! Freeze!" Klarion doesn't even recite a spell.

In moments, all of him and his...associates are completely frozen.

"Oh, for the love of-" I begin just before they all start to shatter.

'1) I'll tell Haneul about this when I return. 2) Artemis better have a golden reason for strapping me down. And 3) I still hate Red Arrow. Not relevant to the moment. But it's still on my mind,' I think as I kick at the shattered ice on the ground.


Mount Justice

Back at the cave, after having confronting Artemis about the events that took place tonight, I have understood her reasoning.

I don't particularly forgive her, but I understand her motives.

I stand next to Haneul as our 'meeting' begins.

"How did it go?" He asks.

I roll my eyes and glare at R.A.

"That bad?" He questions.

"Sexist little, ginger headed, foresight lacking, son of a siren-" I grumble under my breath.

Haneul uncrosses my arms, and takes my hand into his.

"Don't let him get to you, Princess," He says in a softer tone than I've heard.

A soft expression makes it's way into my eyes as I look up at him in confusion.

"Let me be clear. We failed," Kaldur explains to everyone gathered around in the mission room. "Though the Injustice League is in custody, their allies still scheme. And we have learned nothing of their plans."

"Gee… I wonder why…" R.A sarcastically ponders, a pointed glare in Artemis and I's direction.

"And, I suppose it was you who saved Kaldur from your mistakes?!" I defend myself.

"Hey! Who found out Sportsmaster was working for Brain, Klarion and Ivo?" Artemis tries to defend us as well.

"Yeah, great intel! Except Ivo has been in Belle Reve the whole time! And the guards just checked. It's the real Ivo, not a robot," R.A informs rudely.

"We know what we saw, Katniss," I retort, crossing my arms over my chest.

"You know, I'm getting pretty tired of you dumping on her," Wally defends Artemis.

"For once, I can agree with Kid Flash," Haneul steps into the ring. "You don't know this team. Step away."

"As if you're one to talk!" R.A laughs at Haneul. "You've barely been here two months."

"And you've barely been here two days," He retorts.

"And why would you even think that it's their fault?" K.F asks, disappointed in R.A, and waiting for him to make his point.

"Her tracer," R.A states as if it answers everything.

"So? Cheshire ditched it," Wally states.

"No. Artemis ditched that to send us on a wild-goose chase. She put this one on Cheshire," R.A says, holding the small device out. "And why do you think W.B was so late? How about because she was tied down in the Bioship?"

K.F turns to us with a confused scowl on his face.

Han steps back and moves back to my side, holding my hand tighter.

'You didn't have to…' I think, knowing he can hear me.

He squeezes my hand and releases. I don't have to be a mind reader to know what he's thinking:

'I wanted to.'

"Artemis? Are you that freaked out about Arrow joining the Team, you had to prove yourself by bringing down the bad guys solo?" K.F asks. "Please, tell me I'm wrong!"

She doesn't answer.

"Well, Nice going," Wally spits. "What you proved is that you're insecure and selfish. Keep the sai. This is the right souvenir for the mission."

He takes the tracer and storms away.

"So, how will you betray us next time?" R.A spits at Artemis.

"Enough! If making a mistake was a betrayal, we would all be traitors," Kaldur diffuses. "I must report to Batman. The rest of you, get some sleep."

I place a comforting hand on Artemis's shoulder, then I take off to get some rest before I return home.


Okay. This time I'm late. I'll admit.

Alright! Lot's of reviews! Now let's start replies!

Luna Star Phantom: Awesomeness!

chyanne200: Whelp, keep reading to find out!

josephguy217: You're awesome too! Thanks for reviewing!

L.: Well, now you know! Let me know what you think!

Anime hotty lover.18: Yay! Blushes! And yes. Wonder Woman shade is the best kind of shade.

TheWildFiresFlame: well, since Addie is a precursor to Damien, I figure that she can teach Bat's a few things so he doesn't screw up as badly with Damien. Of course she does this unknowingly, but my point stands :)

Brandon1289: Glad you liked it!

-Gargoyle77 Outie 5000!