Well I don't know when I will be able to post the next chapter but in honor of Wally returning tomorrow here is the next chapter. I love me some Kid Flash. This chapter is of course our first introduction to the team so I've combined a lot of the first episode mixing in Artemis spunk. So I hope you enjoy it!
I have had such a fantastic response to this story and I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been supporting the story! I can't thank you enough :) Huge thanks to Nessa671, Vanessa Masters, j9162, Prnyctina1091, Mark in orlando, Bookworm2700, purplestar, CrazyDyslexicNerd, angelkierra, Guest, Spitfire Chick, I Dance The Merengue, Dextra2, withloveme, The Keeper of Worlds, Irenerb, and Kamil the Awesome. Thank you everyone I'm glad you're enjoying it so much. This upcoming chapters might seem a little boring since they're just the episodes we know and love but I do have some cool side episodes focusing on the two at home that should be fun.
Think of this as therapy before tomorrow's episode if you don't already know about the campaign to save YJ check out yjfanvids on tumblr.
Thanks to silent reviewers.
Disclaimer: I do not own Young Justice or its characters.
Chapter 5: Independence Day
"Come on we don't have time for this," groaned Wally exasperated as he and Flash circled Captain Cold for the hundredth time, he wasn't even sure why the criminal bothered. He could never hit them with his ice ray and always ended up back behind bars anyways. Although maybe the bigger problem would be to question how he kept escaping prison in the first place. Finally, just losing his patience at being treated like a target Wally made a sharp left and grabbed the gun out of the criminal's hand while Barry dealt the final blow.
"Calm down, Kid."
"Oh please! You'll chat it up with the cops, the bystanders, with Cold even. No. No way. Today's the day!" Wally cheered tossing Captain Cold's gun up in the air and catching it exuberantly and striking a pose. "Besides I have to go pick up baggage!"
As if on cue a green arrow whistled past his ear and sprung open releasing net arrow that captured the escaping Captain Cold as he attempted to flee the scene with the stolen diamonds. Figured Flash didn't hit him hard enough.
"Hello Flash. Junior Flash. Next time tie up your prep," commented Artemis idly stepping out from the adjacent alleyway. Even at the horrendous nickname Wally grinned at her appearance just one less thing to worry about. "Baggage really?" She tapped her foot.
"Go, go gadget Artemis."
Artemis scoffed. "Don't make me hurt you."
"Like you could even touch me," challenged Wally leaning forward invading her personal space as the two glared each other down playfully until finally Artemis pulled back flicking him with her ponytail as Barry gave her a welcoming handshake.
"Well, well hello Artemis. Lovely day for a chat."
Artemis shared a look with him as he impatiently vibrated trying to contain his excitement to just bolt off towards DC. "Sorry Flashy," she grinned winningly, "Today's the day." Ecstatic Wally gave her a high five before rubbing his hands together excitedly.
"Can you believe it Artemis? We're going to be superheroes." The two teens had been excitedly talking about their inauguration for weeks much to Barry's amusement and the Wests chagrin. But for Wally he just could not contain the sheer joy he felt at the prospect of joining the League. Artemis just shared a huge grin with Wally, not bothering to contain her excitement either. Turning towards Barry they both gave beamed as Wally picked her up and Artemis dramatically waved while they exploited Flash's catchphrase as they took off towards the horizon. "Back in a flash."
Barry shook his head. "Kids."
"Oh man. I'd knew we'd be the last ones here," groaned Wally placing Artemis on her feet. "We would have been faster if I wasn't dragging you cross country."
"Think of it as resistance training, zip," smirked Artemis sharing waves with the other sidekicks, well excluding Roy who just looked pissed off that she was there at all. He hadn't exactly taken kindly to a tag-along and had grown even more agitated in recent months when she had been able to come on more missions with the Arrow family. Wally was used to Roy's antics but tended to get defensive when the broody redhead crossed the line.
He had known Artemis longer after all.
Walking towards the hall Wally reveled in all the attention as people gawked and whispered excitedly as they passed. Although being called Flash Junior and hearing the usual quip about Speedy being a more appropriate name caused his annoyance to flare. What did it take for these people to get his name right? It was not that hard.
"Glad we're all here," said Aqualad as they walked towards the Hall of Justice.
Wally grinned, "Have all five sidekicks ever been in the same place at the same time?"
"Don't call us sidekicks. Not after today," interrupted Roy before frowning. "And one of us doesn't count." Artemis pulled a face at Roy's blatant disapproval at her presence.
"Gee thanks, arrow boy," she snarked rolling her eyes.
"Sorry," apologized Wally disturbed by Speedy's biting tone, "First time at the hall I'm a little overwhelmed."
Robin looked at him sighing, "You're overwhelmed. Freeze was underwhelmed. Why isn't everyone ever just whelmed?"
"Maybe because the word you are searching for is normal," teased Artemis hitting the shorter boy's shoulder with her bow. "The dictionary was invented for a reason you know."
Robin shrugged at least until they all entered the hall and were greeted with the imposing oversized statures of their mentors. "Oh, maybe that's why." Artemis nodded in mute agreement and Wally still couldn't wipe the grin off his face as their mentors stared down on them in their granite glory. It really was a little overwhelming.
His smile only grew when the doors before them opened to reveal Red Tornado and Martian Manhunter. This was the coolest thing ever! Even cooler then that time he and Artemis snuck into school and messed with the sprinkler system.
"Robin, Speedy, Aqualad, Kid Flash, Artemis welcome." Wally gleefully bumped fists with Robin and Artemis as they followed the two hereos inside the inner sanctum. The rest of the speech consisted of monotonous droning, "You now have unlimited access to the gym, our fully stocked galley – "
"Yes!" cheered Wally.
"SHHH!" admonished Artemis elbowing him purposefully in the ribs. "Think with your brain for five minutes."
Martian Manhunter sent him a look but continued regardless, "And of course our fully stocked library."
"Make yourselves at home," encouraged Barry throwing his arms open. Wally sank into the first available chair – he'd been on his feet all day. Aqualad and Robin also chose to sit while the archers remained standing. This honestly was the coolest thing ever. Artemis shook her head at Wally's enthusiasm as he squirmed hyperactively in the chair and he merely gave her a huge thumbs up at least until Roy yelled angrily as their mentors walked towards a closed door,
"That's it? You promised us a real look inside! Not a glorified backstage pass."
"It's a first step," Aquaman evenly responded while Wally looked on confused. Wasn't this it? He shot Kaldur, Artemis and Robin an inquiring look and they all shook their heads apparently just as confused about the archer's blowup. What was Speedy talking about? "You've been granted access few others get."
"Oh really?" mocked Roy pointing dramatically to the gallery above with photographing tourists. "Who cares which side of the glass we're on!"
"Roy you just need to be patient," said Green Arrow stepping forward.
"What I need is respect," spat Roy turning towards them although he didn't spare Artemis a second glance. "They're treating us like kids! Worst. Like sidekicks. We deserve better then this."
"Look princess don't get your panties in a twist," breezed Artemis stepping forward.
"Hey you're not even a regular player I can understand them benching you."
"Whoa, dude. Sister ease up," warned Wally tensing in the chair while glaring at Roy.
Of course Robin chimed in with, "Technicality."
To which Wally responded automatically, "If you mention that one more time I'll steal your utility belt."
"You're kidding right?" interrupted Roy. "Today was supposed to be the day! Our day. Step one in becoming full fledged members of the League."
"Well sure," said Wally shrugging off Roy's animosity now that it was no longer directed towards Artemis. "But I thought step one was a tour of the HQ."
"And look," added Artemis sarcastically mimicking Roy's previous action as she pointed toward the onlookers. "Here we are. Now smile pretty for the camera." Wally snickered.
"Except the hall isn't the League's real HQ, blondie! I bet they never told you it's just a false front for tourists and a pitstop for catching zeta beam teleporter tubes to real thing – an orbiting satellite called the Watchtower."
"Wait. What?" stated Robin jumping onto his armrest. But Wally watched stupefied as the argument between the League and Roy escalated.
"Stand down, son," began Aquaman stepping forward deliberately.
"Or what? You'll send me to my room?" mocked Roy before he glared at the ruler of seas. "And I'm not your son. I'm not even his." He glared at Green Arrow. "I thought I was his partner but not anymore." To punctuate his point the ex-Speedy ripped his hat off and threw it on the floor marching past them. "Guess they were right about you three," He snipped walking past them. Wally's fists clenched at the snub towards Artemis. "You're not ready." Then he walked out. Wally watched perturbed, blood pounding in his ears, as his Uncle's snub sunk in. He didn't even have the energy to pay attention to the alarm that was being raised as their mentors talked. They had lied to them. Every single one of his heroes had lied to him. He hated liars. What else had they lied about? What was the point of all that grueling training if it all amounted to nothing but a glorified backstage pass.
"Move Wally," hissed Artemis as she urged him to stand by placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. He sighed breathing out his frustration sending her a thankful look. He really needed that. "They're leaving. They probably need our help." She gave him a weak, encouraging smile, probably trying to lift his spirits, and it worked at least until they were told that they weren't trained enough to be part of a "League" mission.
"Stay put," stated Batman bluntly.
"What why?" questioned an annoyed Robin and Artemis huffed in agreement behind him.
"This is a League mission," supplied Aquaman.
"You're not trained," added Flash. Wally felt his annoyance spike as he spoke back to his Uncle.
"Since when?"
"I mean you're not trained to work as part of this team," supplied Barry.
"For now," interrupted Batman, "Stay put." Then it was just the four of them standing like morons in the Hall of Justice as their mentors disappeared into a beam of light.
"Why does it feel like we've been grounded?" growled Artemis crossing her arms defiantly.
Wally had to agree throwing his hands up angrily. "What are we five? How are we ever supposed to be ready when they treat us like, ugh, sidekicks?"
Aqualad looked forlorn. "My mentor, my king, I thought he trusted me."
"Trust!" sputtered Wally angrily pointing towards the ceiling. "They don't even trust us with the basics. They've got a secret space base!"
"What else aren't they telling us?" questioned Aqualad. Artemis sighed coming to stand beside the older boy.
"Probably a lot."
"I have a better question." Robin stated. "Why didn't we leave with Speedy?"
"Because Speedy's a hot head and will most likely get all of us killed," said Artemis. "What? We were all thinking it. He's reckless. I mean clearly our mentors didn't roll out the red carpet like we thought but it's more productive to be on their side then against it." There was a pause before Aqualad filled the strained silence sending them a contemplative look.
"What is project Cadmus?"
"Don't know," grinned Robin cracking his knuckles. "But I can find out."
"I like where this is going," encouraged Artemis leaning over Boy Wonder's shoulder as he hacked the computer system.
"Alright. Project Cadmus, genetics lab here in DC and…that's it. But if Batman's suspicious maybe we should investigate."
"Solve their case before they do," pondered Kaldur before smiling. "It would be poetic justice."
"Hey," quipped Wally. "They're all about justice."
"But they said to stay put."
"For the blotting out the sun mission," said Artemis grinning, slinging her arms around her two partners in crime. "No one said anything about this. Remember Kaldur poetic justice."
"So that's it. Just like that the four of us. A team."
"Well someone has to save you guys so I'm in," joked Artemis.
"Please if anyone is going to be doing the saving around here it's going to be me."
"Wally never say that again someone might take you seriously." Robin snickered into his gloves at Artemis's comment. Wally chose to be the bigger man and ignore it, for now.
"Now," said Wally. "We need a super cool name."
"No." Artemis responded automatically as she pulled out her bow and Robin checked his utility belt.
"But think of the possibilities."
"That's what I'm afraid of."
"The Fellowship of the Sidekicks." Robin punched him.
Aqualad groaned beside her as they watched Kid Flash take off and proceed to botch the rescue of two scientists. Placing them on the roof of a burning building was not going to help. "Does he always have to run ahead? We need a plan. We…Where's Robin?"
"Don't look at me. My brother Mr. Smooth." Artemis sighed before the air was punctuated by Robin's signature laugh as he rescued Wally. "Accompanied by the Boy Cackle." Quickly following behind Aqualad she hitched a ride on his whirlpool joining their partners in a second story office.
"Appreciate the help," bit out Kaldur jilted as the two continued their work.
"You handled it," chuckled Robin typing rapidly at a computer while Wally rifled through some files halfway through a granola bar. Artemis rolled her eyes and proceeded to follow Kaldur out in the hall.
"It's okay Kal they're just kids."
"That is what I am worried about. It's –" his eyes flickered to the elevator and he went silent as they both stared at the very inhuman shape that disappeared behind its closing doors.
"What on Earth," sputtered Artemis the arrow she had instinctively let fly was too slow to hit the peculiar target as it pinged against the closed metal doors rattling to the floor, "Was that?"
"Definitely not human," stated Kaldur in shock.
"This isn't right," said Robin confused quickly scanning the door as he joined them in the hallway.
"Of course it isn't right, Bird Boy," exclaimed Artemis. "Something, let me emphasis something,just got on the elevator. And no I'm not seeing things Wally, so shut up."
"That's just it this is a high speed express elevator. You wouldn't install one of these babies in a two-storey building."
"Then what kind of building would you install one in?" asked Wally stuffing the remainder of the granola bar into his mouth. Artemis rolled her eyes elbowing him, while Aqualad approached the elevator doors ripping them open. Honestly did he even have manners? She sometimes wished her brother would think with his head on not his stomach.
"One with a huge basement," stated Robin answering Kid Flash's question as they all looked down into the infinite darkness of the shaft. "And that's why they need an express elevator."
"Great," uttered Artemis crossing her arms. Robin sent her an impish look. "Great."
"Ladies first." He gave an exaggerated motion towards the shaft. Artemis rolled her eyes firing a grappling arrow at the ceiling before lowering herself down hearing the rest of the team follow suit. It was a few minutes before she whispered, "I'm at the end of my rope."
"Me too." Robin echoed as they jumped onto the platform of Sublevel 26In moments Robin had hacked the door allowing Aqualad to pry it open. Only for them to be greeted with nothing. Big fat zip. The hallway appeared to be deserted and Artemis couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.
"Well now what?"
"My turn," cried Wally excitedly zipping down a hallway ignoring the concerned plea of Aqualad,
"Kid wait!" Artemis regretted her previous assumption that this mission was boring when Wally literally raced into a hoard of mammoth like creatures with glowing horns. Of course her brother chose that opportunity to slip over his own two feet. A shiver of fear run up her spine as she watched in adrenaline induced slow motion as Wally plummeted towards the flow in the middle of herd.
"Wally! Watch out!" In a split second she had sent an arrow flying through the air snagging his costume and pinning him "safely" to the wall. That had been too close, way too close. She was going to have to be more careful.
"No. Nothing odd going on here," uttered Aqualad sarcastically.
Artemis merely stared dumbfounded at the giant creatures and their equally bizarre riders crossing their path. "You think?"
"Does one of you mind getting me down?" All three of them shared a look as they peered at the pinned Wally. "Oh come on." He groused crossing his arms. "Seriously guys real mature."
"You could always vibrate through the arrow," snickered Robin.
"Dude! Not cool!"
Artemis sighed reaching up to pull her embedded arrow out of the wall, inspecting it before returning it to her quiver. "Don't worry everyone he's okay. He'll live to shoot again."
"Funny," spat Wally his feet dropping to the ground. "You used to be so nice. What happened?" They shared a laugh.
"You're okay though," Artemis asked nervously gripping his wrist fleetingly, fingers dancing over his thrumming pulse, as her eyes inspected the hole in his uniform. "Right?"
"Totally. You worry too much Artemis. Thanks for the save."
"Anytime." Tender moment aside it was time for them to get a move on. They were way too out in the open in their current position.
"So what's next?" asked Wally as they wisely decided to investigate in the opposite direction of the creatures that could pulverize them with a single foot.
"Hacking. Sneaking. My specialties," grinned Boy Wonder as they approached a locked room and he rapidly bypassed security.
"We do not have time for this," said Aqualad. "We must inform the League of what has transpired and we must avoid detection."
"I think our problems are bigger then the League killing us right now," quipped Artemis. But the sarcastic words she was going to say next died in her mouth as she stared stupefied at the glowing room full of jars containing peculiar creatures that were clearly of an extraterrestrial origin. Oh God.
"Ok I'm officially whelmed," said Robin recoiling feet retracting out of their glow.
"So this is how they hide the real Cadmus from the world," observed Wally. "They generate their own power with these…things. It's not even on the grid." He squinted at the electrical "bugs" while Robin eagerly typed into the console behind him.
"Kaldur I retract my previous comment. Call the League." Artemis stated taking a massive step away from the containers. It was just too creepy.
"It's not that bad." Her brother simpered. "Just a little breeding."
"Are you even listening to yourself?"
"It's no use," said Aqualad stepping between them as his signal failed. "There is no signal."
Even if Wally thought they could handle whatever nightmare they had just barged into he gulped at his next statement. "We're in too deep. Literally."
"Wally!"
"Whoa," exclaimed Robin shifting through the files. "They call'em genomorphs. Look at the stats on these things: super strength, telepathy, razor claws – These are living weapons."
"They're engineering an army," whispered Wally staring in awe at the figures and shapes on the screen before looking at all of them. "But for who?"
"Wait there's something else Project Kr…"
"Which is?" asked Artemis looking back at the door bow drawn. She could hear someone, or something, coming their way.
"No idea the file is triple encrypted if I could just –"
"Guys we've got company," said Artemis firing an arrow at a genomorph as it charged into the room but the arrow never reached its target. It was deflected by a golden shield and Artemis just gasped in horror. "Guardian!"
"What are you doing here?" spat Wally stepping in front of her. There was an edge to his voice as he stared down the armored man – Wally was not a fan of traitors or liars and this man clearly fell into those categories.
"I'm Chief of Security," the man responded breezily. "You're trespassing. We can call the Justice League. Figure this out."
Wally angrily stared the man down. "You think the League is going to approve of you breeding weapons?!" The team watched confused as Guardian appeared to have an internal argument with himself before unexpectedly ordering his minions on them.
"Time to go guys," said Robin as he threw a smoke bomb on the floor and they ran pass Guardian and his genomorphs in the confusion.
"But Guardian," said Kaldur as they ran, "He is a hero, one of us."
"Does he look like one of us?" questioned Artemis sarcastically gesturing towards the man who was chasing them. Retrieving an arrow she shot it at him expertly encasing the helmeted man in polyurethane foam.
"Well…"
"Just run!"
"Any ideas?" asked Kid Flash racing past her and Aqualad carrying Robin closer to the elevator so he could grant them access before they were captured by Cadmus. Artemis did not want to know what would happen if they were captured.
"I say we leave. This is crazy!" exclaimed Artemis as she took the defensive firing arrows towards their oncoming attackers trying to buy them some time. This was not what she had been expecting at all. She had wanted to prove to the League as much as any of them had that they weren't irresponsible kids but if any of them made it out of this alive it would be a good day. She was dangerously low on arrows and these things appeared unaffected by everything they threw at them.
There was also the second problem. Cadmus reeked of Light handiwork. She could feel it in the way her skin crawled. Only the Light could have managed to brainwash, and she was using the term generously because he was trying to kill them, Guardian. She so did not need this right now. Everything was going right in her life, she did not need her past or the Light budding in. True, her knowledge about her parents' partnership with the organization was limited but she knew they were bad news.
"I…" Kaldur paused in whatever he was saying as the elevator started to move downwards. "We're going down!"
"Yeah."
"Ah, dude up is out!"
"But Project Kr is on Sublevel 52." All four of them shared a look; nervous tension sparking between them. There really was no turning back anymore. Wally placed one of his gloved hands in hers giving it a reassuring squeeze before letting go. That was she needed.
Aqualad placed his hand between them. "Together?" They all nodded firmly laying their hands over his. "Together." Artemis drew an arrow while the rest took fighting stances as the door dinged open.
"Wow," whistled Wally at the apparently growing, glowing pink walls. "Who do you think does their decorating?"
"So not the time," groaned Artemis trying to control her erratic heartbeat. Wally shrugged as they followed Robin creeping along the hallway.
"Which way?" deadpanned Aqualad sighing when they reached a fork.
"Yeah? Bizarre looking hallway one or bizarre looking hallway two?"
HALT! A voice said echoing down the hall as a bipedal genomorph blocked their path, levitating and propelling a bunch of containers at them
"Two it is then," chirped Artemis sarcastically letting some arrows fly at the creature as they ran. "Come on."
It wasn't until they were safely in the room containing Project Kr that she managed to catch her breath. "I keep telling you to work out," stated Artemis snickering as she watched Wally wipe his brow following his lackluster cylinder lift.
"Oh come off it. That thing was made of lead it would have been a challenge for Superman to lift."
"I highly doubt that."
"Stop bickering," commanded Kaldur stepping between the two. "We're trapped. There is no escape from this room and our distress signals are not working. We have bigger problems then you two and your petty sibling rivalry."
"Uh guys," said Robin staring transfixed at a pod that contained a disturbingly familiar figure.
"Is that?" asked Aqualad shakily.
"Big K little r, the atomic symbol for Krypton. Clone?" queried Wally examining the pod quizzically.
"Robin. Hack." Aqualad ordered.
"Right...right. Whoa," said Robin quickly typing at the console expertly. "He's an actual living breathing clone made from DNA stolen from Superman's and grown in…sixteen weeks!"
"What? No way the big guy knows about this."
"Designation Superboy."
"Superboy, huh? He's cute."
"You can't be serious."
Review, comment and critique. Always happy for feedback and thoughts.