Yeah another chapter and man was this a tough one. I suck at romance but I am giving everyone a big chunk of Spitfire and Wally love that he so rightfully deserves. I hope I stayed in character enough but I am sorry if it goes a little OOC on you.
Oh on another note I really want to thank CosmicEssence. That was one of the nicest reviews ever and I am happy that I accomplished enough characterization for you to like it.
Chapter 3 Déjà Vu
Batman and the rest walked into the med bay where Alfred was currently looking behind a computer console for the missing boy. Alfred turned and with a small gasped turned to hide his face from the teens.
"It's alright Alfred they know," Batman said walking over to the computer next to Alfred.
"My apologies. I turned just for a moment and when I turned back he was gone. I've searched the whole room but he's nowhere to be found."
"Even when he isn't Robin, he's Robin," M'gann sighed.
"I can go search the cave for you," Flash said. "Should only take me a moment."
"No need," Batman said pulling up security cameras.
It showed Alfred turning around putting the medical equipment away and Dick Grayson sitting up slowly on the bed. He looked around and slid off the bed soundlessly. Keeping himself close to the cave wall he quickly pressed a button next to a door and as it slid open he ran out. That was when Alfred turned back and saw the boy missing.
"Where does that door lead to," Wally asked curiously.
"The main part of the cave," Batman said in frustration and walked through the door. As he entered he looked around the large room and was met with silence.
"I know you're in here," he shouted and the sound of metal clanking sharply echoed through the room. They all turned to the side of the cave where a bunch of large metal poles had fallen over. Batman made a move to go over there but M'gann beat him to it flying over to the corner and rested on her knees. Moving some of the pipes with her mind she found the younger teen huddles in the corner with his arms wrapped around his knees and his arm bandaged. He looked up at her in fear and backed into the corner more.
"I'm not going to hurt you. My names M'gann," she said softly holding out her hand.
"Like I'm going to believe that, how do I know you're not some alien who's going to eat my brain?"
"Because that's disgusting," she said with a laugh. "I just learned how to back blueberry pancakes though. There yummy."
Dick arched an eyebrow to the girl. "Look I'm just a little…disconcerted right now."
"Well, then get concerted and come out." M'gann said remembering her youngest member word plays and held her hand out further. With suspicious eyes Dick grabbed her hand and allowed her to help him up with his good arm.
They walked back to the group.
"Look who I found," M'gann said happily. "Robin this is Aqualad, Superboy, Artemis, Wally, Flash and of course Batman."
"It's nice to meet you but umm, my name is Dick not Robin," he said. Batman turned to Artemis.
"He's too nice. I believe that's a point for me," he said causing the archer to growl. Dick looked at the two in confusion. Batman walked over to a wall that held weapons of all kinds and grabbed two staffs on the side. He threw one to Dick who had it fumble in his hands before holding it to his chest tightly.
"What's this?" he asked.
"I'm going to test you," Batman said.
"Test me…for what?"
"Apparently you are going to be my protégé."
"But I don't want to be you're protégé. I want to go home." Dick said dropping the staff to the floor that clanged and echo through the large cave. Batman glared at the teens.
"But you need to," M'gann said pleadingly.
"I just want to go home," Dick said in exhaustion.
"And where is home," Artemis asked. "I just heard your cousin is dead so…"
"I lived in different foster homes for the past four years and I'll continue to for the next five. Why do you care," He said cutting her off sharply with a glare.
"Well Bats he's got your look down," Flash laughed awkwardly. The atmosphere was so thick it could be cut with a knife. A cough was heard behind the group and everyone turned to Alfred who stood there at attention.
"I believe that maybe a good night rest will make everyone feel better. I can prepare bedrooms for the night."
"I also think that would be for the best," Aqualad agreed.
"Oh can I stay please, please, please," Wally pleaded with his uncle. Flash looked at him skeptically.
"I'll make sure he stays in line," Artemis said coming to his defense in a monotone voice.
"Fine but when I come back tomorrow morning the house better not be burned to the ground."
Wally jumped in happiness and hugged his uncle who after a small hesitation hugged him back lightly.
"Since I obviously have no say in this I'm going on patrol," Batman said making his way to the batmobile and drove off into the night and with a wave goodbye Flash ran out through the cave entrance after the car.
The group began to follow Alfred out of the cave and to the elevator that led to the main house. Dick stood in his spot looking at the staff he had dropped. Superboy walked over to him and put his hand on the teens shoulder.
"If it makes you feel any better I kind of know how you feel. For the past eight months I've had to see three different ceilings and I'm still trying to get used to it." (3)
"The foster home probably won't even notice I'm gone," Dick said.
"Well that's because they aren't your family. Where I came from, you and everyone else helped me see that we can work as a family and now it's my turn to help show you."
Dick looked at the older teen in confusion.
"I'll educate you on the way up," Superboy said leading the younger boy to the elevator and began explaining everything.
aaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Artemis sat on the roof of Wayne manor in a white wife beater and green sweat pants that was too big for her. She sat with her knees against her chest and her chin resting on top of them allowing the spring wind to lightly brush her hair over her back. She heard the sound of a grunt behind her and turned to see an arm grab for the side of the roof and strenuously pull itself up. She rolled her eyes with a smile as she saw it was Wally and went back to looking out towards the city of Gotham.
The red head took a seat next to her in his own grey t-shirt and black sweat pants letting his legs hang over the roof.
"Kind of creepy how a man and his butler have enough teens close to fit us," Wally laughed.
"Alfred said it belonged to Bruce when he was younger. They just never got rid of it," Artemis answered. The two sat in silence listening to the sounds of distant cars.
"I can' get use to not seeing the stars. I live in a crappy part of Central City but at least I know I can always see the stars," Wally finally said looking at the fog ridden city.
"Gotham's always been like this."
"So you're from Gotham?" Wally asked.
"I don't really want to take about it," Artemis said tightening her grip on her own crossed arms.
"Oh sorry…you want to take about me?" Wally asked. Artemis looked over at him with a smirk.
"Well aren't you narcissistic," she said.
"No not me, me. The me that you know. What was I like?"
"Oh…you were…are…immature and you flirted with every girl with in eye sight and sometimes obnoxious…" she stared.
"Oh," Wally said with a small pout. Artemis sighed and moved closer to the red head. "But you are kind, and loyal, and brave and all of that trumps the your annoying habits," she said causing Wally to smile lightly. After a few more moments Wally tucked his knees in; mimicking Artemis's sitting position.
"What about my family life? Is it the same as it is now?" Wally asked. Artemis thought for a minute. She had never really thought about it since she never knew much of any of her teammate's lives. She just wanted to focus on surviving her own.
She smiled as she remembered the time that all the adults had gone missing and she was stuck trying to remember old nursery rhymes that she had caught on TV for a group of five year olds. When Wally came in with the boy he had seemed really upset about his parent's disappearance so it must be better then what he was living with now.
"As far as I know you have the most stable family out of everyone…Do you mind if I ask what made your father so…"
"Angry?" Wally finished. "It started a little bit after I found my uncles journals on how to become the Flash. I think that's why I blame him so much for my problems. My father lost his job and he swallowed his pride to ask my aunt and uncle for a loan to start up his own business for a hardware store. Unfortunately my aunt got pregnant and they couldn't afford to lose any money.
"Then my father started drinking…a lot. At first he would yell at my mom and then it turned violent. One night my mom came into my room and kissed me goodbye. She said she wanted to take me but said the city she was going to wasn't for kids…some city out east called Blüdhaven. With her gone that left only one person for my dad to take his anger out on…me."
"And your uncle didn't help?" Artemis asked quietly.
"At first he didn't know. By the time he realized something was up I had already gotten myself hooked on different drugs weed, cocaine, it eventually turned to heroine and other strong stuff…I just kind of needed an escape. He couldn't have a drug addict in the same house as his daughter. Besides I kind of stole some money for the drugs the last time at this house so I guess I shouldn't blame him," he said. Artemis heard a few sniffs and looked at Wally who was wiping under his eyes. "Stupid allergies," he laughed.
Artemis took a deep breath. "I live in Crime Alley in Gotham," she started quickly.
"I thought you didn't want to…"
"I know what I said," she said cutting Wally off. She knew if he interrupted she would lose the courage to continue. "My paraplegic mom just got out of jail after 6 years and I have to take care of her. My father is an assassin for higher and my sister works for an organization known as the shadows and dresses in a creepy cat mask."
"A creepy cat mask…no way I knew I've seen you before you showed up on my door step," Wally exclaimed. He reached into his pants pocket and pulled out his smartphone. After typing something in he passed it to Artemis and leaned over so the two of them could watch the news video from a few weeks ago.
"…Last night Commissioner Gordon of the Gotham police apprehended the Alice Assassin, the younger of the sister guns for higher was caught after trying to murder Gotham's mayor Hamilton Hill. The Alice Assassin later identified as Artemis Crock age 15 was cornered and outmatched by the Gotham S.W.A.T and was taken into custody. Her partner who goes by the name of the Cheshire Cat used the distraction of the arrest to slip out unnoticed and is still at large. In other news…"
Artemis turned the feed off and handed the phone back. Behind the reporter was a picture of herself in a tight blue leotard that had a picture of the white rabbit on the chest. It ended into a skimpy skirt barely covering her thighs and knee high black boots. Her hair was tied back in a black ribbon and her face glared at the screen in anger as she was pushed into the police car.
It wasn't the picture of seeing her that unnerved her it was that when she drew out the design of her costume before making it, this was one of her designs. If she had went the other way that one night she might not have become Artemis: Green Arrows new protégé. She would have become…The Alice Assassin: partner to Cheshire Cat.
"I have to say that your uniform is much better than hers. A little to revealing for my taste," Wally joked.
"Her?" Artemis said slowly. "You mean me. That could have been me so simply."
"But it's not. You're this really awesome babe who helped convince my uncle to let me into the world that I've always wanted. You're also the first person to listen to my problems in over a year."
"Thanks," Artemis said turning her head to Wally just noticing how close her and the red head really was.
"No problem," Wally said quietly. Artemis became entranced by his lips, his lips that seem to be getting closer to her own. She didn't notice but subconsciously her face was moving closer just as much as his was. They both closed their eyes their lips just mere inches away from each other.
'Thud' the two teens heard and Artemis jumped. They looked down and spotted Alfred dumping a garbage bag into a bin.
"I should go," Artemis said getting up and dusting her pants off.
"Yeah…you must be tired," Wally said rubbing the back of his neck. Artemis turned and threw her leg over the side of the roof and clung to the tall trellis that was covered in vines.
"Good night," she said before climbing down.
"Night…spitfire," he said back whispering the last part low enough that Artemis couldn't hear him. He didn't know where the nickname came from but it seemed to fit in his head. He used his own trellis on the other side of the roof and he slid himself through his room's window. Wally spotted Dick finally out of his blood soaked shirt and dirty jeans and currently looking through the bookcase at the other side of the room.
"How was the view," Dick said halfheartedly with a book in his hands.
"Pretty nice," Wally snickered with a dreamy look in his eyes. He jumped onto his bed and looked up at the high ceiling with his hands resting under his head. Dick sat on his own bed that was separated from Wally's bed by only a small night stand. He opened the book in his hands.
"What are you reading?" Wally asked looking over.
"Tale of Two Cities."
"Wow Charles Dickens, that's some heavy reading. I prefer the comics you know like Archie or Charlie Brown. Who knew we are such good friends when we are so different," Wally said remembering the things that the superheroes had told him.
"We aren't friends Wally. They just stuck us together because we're the outsiders. Personally I think there all crazy." Dick said flipping a page. Wally looked at him with inspecting eyes.
"You're a sad kid aren't you?" he asked.
"Thanks Wally you're too kind."
Dick jumped in surprise as Wally stood up and jumped from his bed to Dicks.
"What are you doing?" Dick demanded dropping the book from his hands. Wally smiled as he laid on his stomach in front of the teen.
"I think you need some cheering up. Artemis and I just talked about our lives and we feel much better. Want to give it a try?" Wally asked.
"I already know everything I need to know about you. You're a drug addict who lives with an abusive family member. You thrive on other people noticing you and you want to be perceived as the hero."
"Whoa…how'd you do that?" he asked.
"Easy deducing, when you were putting on your t-shirt I saw all the needle marks on your arm. Add that with the bruise on your cheek I can see you living in an abusive house hold. When you talk you talk loudly and you joke about everything and of course you always idolized the Flash wanting to grow up like him." Dick said hoping this would get the guy to storm off and leave him alone for the night.
"You…are good. Make sure to tell Batman that you can do the detective stuff," Wally said with a sad smile. He ruffled Dick's hair who scrunched his eyes at the touch. Wally got up and jumped onto his bed and with a yawn got under the covers to sleep. It was silent except for the ticking of the clock on the wall.
"I…I'm sorry," Dick finally said. "I shouldn't have said all that." Wally turned sideways to face Dick still completely engulf by the blanket except for his face.
"It's fine I get it. We're both teens who just found out that we might be living a life we aren't meant to be living. Plus you have some psychopath trying to kill you. I would say that could make anyone feel overwhelmed."
Dick laughed lightly and Wally lifted his head in confusion.
"I was just thinking a few days ago that people are either overwhelmed or underwhelmed. I wonder why no one is just…whelmed."
"I feel like we've had this conversation before."
"Me too," Dick agreed scratching his head with a laugh of confusion.
aaaaaaaaaaaaaa
The next day the group found themselves back in the cave. The four heroes were dressed back in there costumes and Dick was in shorts and a t-shirt. He was once again holding a staff hesitantly as Batman who was now in the form of Bruce Wayne in shorts and a shirt circled him with his own staff in hand.
"I need to know now if you want this before I even waste my time," he said sternly. Dick looked at the staff and then at the group. M'gann smiled at him enthusiastically and Aqualad gave him a small nod. He looked over to Wally who gave him a thumb's up.
"I don't know…" Dick started.
"Well you need to know," Bruce said quickly. "If you are to become my apprentice indecisions like this can get you killed. You need to be focused, confident and willing to put your life on the line."
Dick snickered to himself. "It sounds like all the things I needed to have when I was an acrobat."
"This is more dangerous than being a mere acrobat. So are we doing this or not."
"Fine," Dick said and held the staff to his chest.
"Then come at me."
"What I miss," Artemis heard behind her and jumped coming face to face with Flash.
"You nearly gave me a heart attack," the archer said. Wally who was standing next to Artemis waved hello to his uncle awkwardly and they all turned to watch Dick come at Bruce and it was not going in the teens favor.
He swiped at the older man and completely missed. Bruce ducked and with a twist he hit Dick in the leg hard and the kid went down.
"Again," Bruce said and Dick got up with sweat running down his face. He went after Bruce swinging.
"He's not as good as he used to be," Superboy said.
"He's hasn't been trained by Batman in this time," Aqualad said.
"Oh I can't watch," M'gann said looking away. Once again Dick was thrown to the ground again and again and again.
"This is getting us nowhere," Batman said as Dick got up again. "I don't have time to train someone especially if I have nothing to mold with, protégé from another dimension or not."
"Oh no," M'gann said sadly. If Batman said no then that mean she was going to be sent back to Mars. She couldn't go back to that place not after experiencing all the joys of Earth. Not after she had her new family and Conner.
Artemis growled and looked at Dick who was panting heavily. This was not how it was supposed to go. He was supposed to use his acrobatic skills to show Batman up. He was supposed to except Dick as Robin and help them go after Time Catcher so they can right this stupid change in time. Artemis's eyes widen. She had answered her own question. Dick was a trapeze artist not a fighter…at least yet. She needed to show Batman that Dick was special, the reason why he chose the boy in the first place.
It felt like it happened in slow motion. She reached behind her back and grabbed an arrow, a real arrow one that had the sharp spear at the tip that if her gut feeling was wrong could kill Dick. She pulled it out as she grabbed her bow from her waist and un-collapsed it.
"What are you doing?" Wally shouted as she attached the arrow to the bow and aimed quickly crouching down to one knee. The group turned and saw her take aim and released the arrow. They watched it sail towards Dick whose eyes widen to the sight of the weapon. With speed that Bruce had not thought possible Dick bent backwards doing a back handspring step out (2) with one arm and the arrow whizzed by his leg as they were up in the air. He landed in a crouch with the staff held behind his back.
Everyone stopped dead in their tracks; the only sound heard was the sound of Dicks heavy breathing and the sound of the arrow vibrating in the wall behind the boy.
"What the hell was that for," Dick finally yelled. Artemis stood up straight and collapsed the bow hooking it to her waist with a smile. She ignored Dick's outburst and looked over to Bruce who was still staring at the teen with wide eyes.
"I Believe that was another point for us," Aqualad said.
"That was so cool," Wally said looking from Artemis to Dick. The staff in Bruce's hand clanged to the floor.
"I've…I've seen that move before," Bruce said holding his head.
"Bruce are you ok?" Flash said zooming over to the man.
"My head…it's like a strong vision of…"
"Déjà vu?" Wally asked.
"Yes," Bruce said stunned the teen would guess that.
"I've been having the same problem since last night," he said.
"Me too," both Dick and Flash said at the same time.
"This reminds me of something Time Catcher said," Bruce said taking a deep breath and pulled himself together. He went to the large computer and pulled up a video that was a camera built into his mask. He fast-forward through the fight from yesterday and stopped as Time Catcher spoke to him.
"Believe me it's better for both of us if he's gone. The little kiddies must have told you who I am already. Because they interfered this child must die or things will begin to change. Your time line will cease to exist and the man you are now will disappear with it," he said and Bruce paused the video.
"I do not understand." Aqualad said.
"Because you're from the other time you are an enigma and you're polluting the time line," Batman said. "We might be remembering the place your from because you are here."
"Yeah but that explains why he would want them dead, not me," Dick said.
"You are the thing he changed," Flash said. "You're like the end to the answer to an equation. If your alive then the team can change everything back to the way it was."
"Great," Dick said with a sigh.
"And with that I think that it is time to make your decision," Artemis said with a smug smile. Bruce looked at her and then looked at Dick.
"Fine…obviously your movements is more fluid then I first thought it was going to be. I can give you a try."
"Yes!" M'gann shouted jumping into the air and giving Superboy a tight hug in the moment of happiness. Bruce grabbed a towel and threw it to Dick.
"We need to discuss this with the others," Bruce said to Flash. The speedster looked at him in excitement.
"We're getting the gang back together?"
"Temporarily. Even if I don't want things to change I don't need Time Catcher running all over Gotham trying to find these teens," he said walking over to a cabinet and pulled out a small round disk from the drawer. Dusting it off he pressed a button on the side. "This is Batman and Flash calling to all former members of the Justice League. We are in need of temporary assistance. If available rendezvous at the mountain tomorrow morning," he said.
"We're going back to the cave? We're going back home," M'gann said to the three team members.
"Can I go," Wally asked looking at Flash with puppy dog eyes. Flash looked at him hesitantly. Women, his own baby girl, and villains trying to take over the world he could deal with but he still couldn't figure out how to understand his 15 year old nephew. He looked over to the other teens and they were all staring at him with glares and pleading eyes.
Wally didn't have powers, he never fought a bad guy before, and he didn't have the means to help. All of these things flew through Flash's head but these teens believed in his nephew so maybe he should give it a try.
"Fine, but only if you do exactly as I say," he said once again giving in. His wife was right. He was a sucker for kids and he was going to spoil his daughter rotten when she grows up.
In the meantime Aqualad walked over to Dick who sat on a chair gulping down a water bottle.
"That was an amazing move. Your parents would be proud that you retained all your acrobatic skill after all these years."
"It was just a basic move," Dick said with a small laugh. "I can't believe that the Batman would be so impressed."
"You don't have enough faith in yourself. You are Robin and Robin has always had the ability to get through anything he put his mind too," Aqualad said as he watched Dick place the water bottle next to his foot. The Atlantian arched an eyebrow as he spotted something on Dick's leg sticking out from under his shorts.
"What," Dick said looking down at where the dark skinned teen was looking. "Oh," he said bringing his leg up and rubbing his hand lightly over a long jagged scar on his lower leg.
"What happened?" Aqualad asked.
"To be honest I really don't know. It happened the morning of…of when my family died," he said taking a slow breath as he rubbed the scar. "I just woke up that morning in pain and there was blood everywhere and a large gash on my leg. My parents took me to the hospital and I had to get stitches but no one could figure out where it came from," he said.
"I believe that I do," Aqualad said in a worried tone. He called every one over.
"What does this remind you of," Aqualad said point to the scar.
"I don't know," Artemis said confused. Superboy's eyes widen.
"The arrow from the warehouse," he said anxiously
"But that was before the time shift," M'gann said.
"Then that means…" Artemis said looking over to Aqualad to confirm everyone's suspicions.
"That if we die here…we die back home."
In the comic book after rescuing Superboy he stayed in Wally's room (and ended up sleeping in the closet) for the first week. He was then given a room at the mountain so there's your 3 ceilings
http: /www. youtube. com/ watch?v= ggAy72jPIOc. (If you want to know what a back handspring step out looks like here is a small clip of one. Just get rid of the spaces in the link)
And with that I bid you adieu. Hey look at that I used three French words in this story. Can you pick out the first two? (Lol) Next chapter will have some major guest appearances so I can't wait to get started on that. Let the accidental OOCness begin.
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