A/N: Thanks to andrea-ninja girl, speedreader1999, Spitfire1017, Player Zero, and Irenerb for the reviews. Hopefully this chapter will be out faster.

Swan Song

Wally West woke up excited for the 17th time in his life. He couldn't say 18, since today was his 18th birthday and Christmas was never as great as his birthday. He then remembered what else it was: a farewell party. He was hanging up the mask today, the first of the sidekicks to do so. Artemis would join him in three months, just before her 18th birthday. They had plans, ones that they found didn't work side by side with the life of the mask.

"Wally! Someone's here to see you!" He stretched, leaving his room and walked down stairs. Standing in the doorway was Artemis, smiling.

"Nice to see you're out of bed, Baywatch. You know what's in five minutes?" Wally stared at her for a second before slapping his forehead.

"Breakfast with your mom. I'm really hoping that Jade and Roy don't stop by." He turned around and headed back up.

"You know they're family," Artemis shouted up at him. "Don't take too long with that shower. You still have to get dressed, run us to the zeta tube, and then get us to the apartment."

"And try not to be late," Wally reminded himself, grumbling. They were out the door in two minutes, five sixths of that time used in the shower. They were in Gotham a minute later and arrived seventy seconds before breakfast was ready.

"Don't be too proud of yourself, Baywatch. I still like some things slow." She slipped away to join her mother in the kitchen before he could respond. Wally grinned. After five minutes, the two Crock women emerged from the kitchen, a bedazzling amount of food with them.

"Maybe I should come over more." Wally glanced over when they groaned. "That was out loud, wasn't?"

"Just like that, Baywatch." He looked up to see both of them smiling. It was infectious and he joined in on the grinning. Wally and Artemis didn't leave for an hour, caught up in talking with Paula. Jade stopped by for a couple minutes, wishing Wally happy birthday and making a comment about 'tastes in redheads'.

"Now where?" Artemis asked. Wally told her that they would be visiting some people before heading to the cave.

"Just got to find that mirror." Digging through his pockets, Wally pulled out a small mirror. "Please try not to vomit when we get to the other side. That happened on my first trip through."

"Through what?"

"The looking glass."

Wally was proud that Artemis didn't vomit after being pulled through the Mirror World by Sam.

"Nice to see you got his girlfriend too," Len said. "Wouldn't want her missing our going away party for Baby Flash." Mark, Jesse and Digger laughed at the nickname.

"Wally. Who are these guys?"

"Flash and I have poker nights with them every other Tuesday. Rest of the time we're running after them." Artemis stared at them as Wally asked, "Is Hartley and Mick skipping? I understand Lisa not being here, but…"

"But we were off getting food for you," Hartley said, arriving. Mick was behind him, carrying a homemade cake.

"Lisa should be here soon, Baby Flash. I'll get those eighteen candles ready."

"Good idea," Wally said, rolling his eyes. "Let the pyromaniac light the candles on my cake. Maybe there'll be a slice that won't get dried out." Artemis elbowed his ribs, glaring.

"You should be thankful that they aren't robbing banks right now."

"We'll be doing it tomorrow," James said, poking his head in between them. "I want to see how soon we can get you to unretire."

"That's not a word," Wally said, glaring.

"Your best friend butchers the English language constantly. I'm still surprised he can find words to chop up."

"Like how my surprise party will be quite the 'prise." Artemis glared at Wally.

"Can't believe you did that." He shrugged.

"I just happen to be feeling the aster."

Wally arrived to Mount Justice via zeta tube. Unlike the birthday two years ago, the computer didn't announce the network shutting down. The two young Marvels, Lieutenant and Sergeant, jumped from above the tubes, scaring him.

"SURPRISE!" Wally looked over to see the rest of the team, along with Tornado, Canary, Batman, and Flash was there.

"Happy birthday Wally." M'gann floated over to him. "I can't believe you're giving up the life."

"I'm just the first one." Wally looked to Artemis. "It's strange, giving this up." He laughed to himself. "Maybe I'll return one day, when I have a job and maybe a protégé of my own."

"Don't think you'll be the only one."

"Wouldn't imagine it any other way."

He leaned in to kiss her, but a feminine groan interrupted them. They looked over at Troia, Wonder Woman's younger sister. "I can't believe a speedster would pick a girl over food. It's as if the stories of the Flash Diana told me are all lies."

"Did she say anything about me?"

"Other than you're a flirty idiot with a girlfriend? Nope." The Amazon walked off, saying something so that only Conner could hear her. He looked over at Wally.

"You don't want to know."

"Ready for cake, KF?" Nightwing asked. The new Robin stuck next to him, still using the older protégé as a guide.

"Of course, Wingy. How many do I get this year?"

"Only two," Artemis said, walking him to a couch. "Maybe you'll get lucky and actually participate in a League/Team mission. That'd be a nice way to finish your career." Smiling, he blew out the candles.

Let us have a joint mission with the League. It was a simple wish, but would be worthy of being his farewell mission. A voice echoed through the cave as M'gann cut the first slice.

"Suit up, team. Briefing in five." The party fell apart fast, everyone pushed by Batman's order. Wally walked in last, shoveling three slices into his mouth.

"Are you sure you want to join us?" Batman asked Kid Flash. He nodded.

"Good. This is joint mission with the League…"

A/N: looks like this'll be out before the last episode. Review with predictions. Also, two more chapters.