Yeah... It's been a little longer than 'tomorrow'. Sorry, that was my bad. My family and I are actually on holiday in our favourite place and I've re-lived all my young memorys (the ice-cream, the pony, beaches, etc.). We had a bit of trouble though so I haven't had much computer time... I'm really sorry. :'(

Anyways, thank you to my reviewers from last chapter: Yuka Muntou, Bookworm2700, and both guests. I love you guys! :D

Disclaimer: I don't own Young Justice

Artemis sat quietly by her mother's bedside. Flowers of all sizes, colours and variety sat in vases lining the windows. They were the only colours in the clean white hospital room. Everything was black and white in Artemis' eyes. She couldn't see the colour of life anymore. She looked down at her mom. The black-haired woman looked so small and vulnerable under the white sheets.

Paula looked up at her daughter and almost shed a tear. Her daughter looked so sad. She knew that guilt would be eating up Artemis' insides, though she was so glad that it was her reading the speech and her that was in the explosion as she exited the stage. Paula would not be able to handle possibility of losing her last daughter. That would be the end of her.

"Artemis." She looked at her daughter. "It'll be ok."

"But what if it isn't!" The blonde girl yelled on the brink of tears.

Paula grabbed her daughter's hand. "Trust me Artemis, it will be ok."

Artemis glared at her mom. "You can't say that for sure, you can't expect me to just accept that."

The older woman sighed. "The best way to find out if you can trust something is to just trust it." At that moment the door opened and a doctor wearing the typical white coat walked in holding a clip board. "Any good news, Doctor Brian?" She asked hopefully.

The man just shook he head. He pulled a seat up and sat where he could see both mother and daughter. "I'm afraid I've got some bad news." Artemis and Paula gripped each other's hand tighter. "You're going to be paralyzed from the waist down for the rest of your life. I'm afraid there's no possibility of you ever walking again."

Paula sighed in relief. Artemis, on the other hand, was horrified. Her mom beamed up at her, which enraged Artemis. "How can you be happy about that?" Artemis spat. She ripped her hand away and crossed her arms across her chest.

"The outcome could have been much worse. It could have been you that was lying in hospital, in a poorer condition. You don't know how happy it makes me to see you safe."

Artemis snorted. "That's right, I don't know. I wouldn't know anything about you because you've only cared about me in the last year." She muttered darkly before stomped out of the hospital room in rage.

Her mom tried calling her back but she ignored her. "Artemis, that's not true! Artemis wait! Artemis!" The door slammed shut behind the teen. Tears welled up in Paula's eyes.

The doctor handed her a tissue to wipe away the tears. He smiled sympathetically at the injured black-haired woman. "Don't worry, it's a teenage thing. Trust me; she'll be fine once she's cooled down, I know, I have 5 daughters; a toddler, a teen and 3 young women. She just needs some time." He smiled encouragingly.

"Thank you." She sniffled out. 'I still can't help but worry about her.'

WWWWWWWOWWWWWWW

Artemis burst through the front doors of the hospital. Some of the people in the waiting room gave the enraged teen girl some strange looks. The young receptionist was shocked. Most girls of that age who were in such a rush to get out were crying.

The blonde ignored the stares that burned into her back as she exited the hospital. She walked stiffly down the sidewalk. Her balled fists hung by her side and her body tensed trying to hold in her fury. She really tried to control it but that was the thing, she'd always had anger issues.

Her walk turned into a jog that shifted into a full pelt sprint blindly moving through the crowds and racing down the streets. After a while of running she crashed to a stop, unable to go any further at such a pace even with the adrenaline from her anger. Her legs trembled as she exhaled raggedly doubling over in momentary exhaustion.

Eventually her breathing evened out and she looked up at her surroundings. It was a dusty and dark alleyway. A large green trash bin stood beside one of the brown brick walls. Smaller, probably once gleaming silver, trash cans were grouped together behind it, some still standing while the others had been tipped over. Rubbish, litter and several unused furniture items were strewn across the ground. Light barely penetrated it even though the time of day was only early afternoon.

There was a very familiar feeling about the place. Artemis had moment of déjà vu. 'I've been here before' she thought giving the small area a thorough sweep, looking for anything that would trigger a memory. Suddenly it clicked and she knew what this place was.

OoO

"Gotta be faster than that Alice." A black-haired young girl, no older than 13, taunted as she slipped away from a blonde girl's attack. The blonde child was only around 8 years old.

The little blonde girl snarled playfully. "That's Artemis to you, Cheshire!" She snapped. Secretly she loved the little nickname. She gave a little grunt as she lashed out with her fists.

Again, the older girl slipped away from the oncoming attack, a huge grin plastered on her face. Her mane of hair bobbed as she flipped back, enjoying the chance to show off. Temporarily she lost sight of Artemis but soon found her perched on top of one of the trash cans. She smirked. "So, I heard there's going to be a new 'Alice in Wonderland' movie coming out?"

The little girl's eyes widened in excitement and she loosened her muscles. "Really?" she asked unable to hide the excitement at this news.

"Stay on task!" She heard her dad yell

"Gullible." The preteen whispered while she struck the bottom of the trashcan that the blonde was perched on with her foot. Her movement was as quick as a viper. The blonde gave a scream off surprise as she toppled ungracefully down with the trash cans. Luckily they were empty.

A round of applause was heard behind the two girls but they both turned a death ear to it. The black haired girl extended her hand to the small girl on the floor. "Better luck next time." She offered.

Artemis smiled, nodding her tiny head while accepting the help up. "Thanks sis!" She said beaming.

OoO

Her chest tightened as she remembered all the things she and her sister had done in this alley. This was where their dad trained them to carry on the family business. The two girls were often pitted against each other, forced to train and fight. There were some unpleasant memories attached the place, such as the reason her sister left.

Artemis heard a rattle behind her and whipped around to see a masked boy sitting atop the trash cans she once had. Still angry over her many things she took her anger out on the cans, just like her sister had all those years ago. The boy cackled lightly and flipped off landing neatly on the ground beside her, just outside of her striking range.

She had to admit, the amount of stealth and flexibility proved he had very impressive skills and he had been trained well, but she wasn't- couldn't let the hero see that she was impressed. That would be a disgrace; and she didn't want the kid to get all cocky.

His grin turned serous when he saw that he had the girl's attention. "Artemis, you must leave, you're in danger."

'Here we go' she thought rolling her eyes and crossing her arms. "As if I'm just going pack up my stuff and leave because some boy in tights gives me a mysterious warning that my life is in danger." He was about to defend himself but Artemis kept going. "I say let whatever's coming for me come. I'm not afraid and I'm not going to depend on some hero to save me."

"Ok, well I was giving you a choice but I guess you prefer it if I used force."

"Come at me." She challenged, eyes blazing like fire as she crouched into a fighting stance.

The boy looked like he was about to accept before he turned skitishly and looked around. His body visibly tensed as he stood protectively in front of Artemis. "They're here." Robin whispered not pausing his rapid scanning for even a second.

"Who's here?" She demanded loudly. She looked around confused.

Robin was about to pull the girl out of the alley when 4 ninja-like people appeared out of nowhere. They wore all black, with their faces covered. Swords, guns, Tasers and several other weapons were strapped to all sorts of places on their bodies, such as the waist, arms, legs, etc.. one flipped off the fire escape he was balancing on and blocked the entrance; the only way out. Artemis gulped.

"Them." Robin ground out gravely.

And that would be the second semi-cliffhanger in only three chapters. (Be afraid, be very afraid! :). I wonder what will happen next... We'll have to wait and see. :D Hope you all liked it! Please review amazing people, and thanks for reading! Good Night! Next chapter: Some time this week.