Chapter 5: Missing You (Changed to "Where'd you go?)
A/N: Wow guys, I suck, like a lot. Thanks to everyone and anyone who's still reading this. I'm so sorry that I haven't been updating like I promised I would, but believe it or not, not all writing is enjoyable. I've had tons of writing assignments and college essays. And then (brace yourselves for another excuse) I thought I had an idea of where I wanted it to go, but then I really didn't like it anymore so I'm coming up with new ideas. I have a few general ideas for the next couple of chapters, but not necessarily a whole plot lined out. That said, I'm looking for a beta, someone to catch my writing mistakes and bounce ideas off of, heck even someone to keep me motivated because then I'll be more likely to finish stuff because I have to work with someone else.
Anyways I loved you guy's reactions to Kaldur missing and the introduction of Slade. You'll find out more later on. Also note, I do not have a lot of background knowledge about characters, so I apologize for any mistakes in that area.
Disclaimer: I do not own this YJ, Slade, or anything else that is the property of CN and all other rightful owners, yada yada yada
Summary: Artemis found Wally in Central City and helped him take down some baddies. They went to his place, Robin interrupted them, asking for help in a suspicious tone. They met him in Gotham, along with M'gann and Conner. Robin tells him he's getting the team together to take down a mean dude, Slade, and he needs their help.
Word Count:
The Young Justice ensemble got out of the limousine as they reached their destination, a grand manor with a large manicured front courtyard. They followed Robin through the mansion, down winding and twisting hallways. Each present team member had various expressions; Wally had this knowing smirk as he kept sharing glances with Rob, Conner was as stoic as ever, M'gann eyes were wide as she took it all in, and Artemis was still impressed, even after knowing Rob's identity since they were teens. Soon they walked into the library and Robin slid out a leather book, click was heard and the book case whoosed into the floor, revealing a downwards staircase.
"You weren't kidding about those cliché hiding spaces, huh?" Artemis smiled, remembering their conversation while hiding from the Red family.
Robin grinned in reply, "Never said they were bad ideas" and walked down into cavern, followed by the others.
They were greeted by a cave-like headquarter room. The walls were lined with computer and television screens, each showing various scenes around the house, recent news, formulas, and different points of the city. There were work tables cluttered with electronic gadgets in various stages of working conditions. Conner, M'gann, Artemis and Wally took in their surroundings as Dick walked to the computer area. A desk shoved into the far corner caught Wally's eye and he sped over to it. Just like the other tables, it was cluttered. What Wally found wasn't more gadgets, but notebooks filled with writing. Wally grabbed the closest one and read it aloud. "'Frence?' You mean like inference, reference, and difference? You really still do this man?"
Robin typed something into the computer and replied sourly, "I used to. I've been kind of busy the past couple of weeks."
Wally put his hands up in mock surrender. "Sorry dude, why didn't you call us earlier?"
"I thought I could handle it."
M'gann spoke up. "But if Batman struggled with him…"
Robin slammed a fist down on the table, frustrated "You don't understand. It wasn't supposed to be this hard. I was the first to find him, he was on my turf…"
Conner interrupted M'gann as she tried to speak again. "No, I get it. Batman has Joker, Superman has Luthor. This Slade or Deathstroke guy is your Joker."
"Exactly."
Artemis came up and put a hand on Dick's shoulder, "But don't' forget, sometimes Batman and Superman needed help to take them down. If Slade's your Joker, we're your Justice League."
"Literally and metaphorically," said Wally with a grin.
Robin gave them his trademark smile. "Thanks guys."
"Speaking of Justice League, where's Kaldur?" chirped M'gann.
"Deep, deep undercover. So deep I had to hack into the Justice League database to find out because Bats refused to spill. He's trying to capture Black Manta and he's probably close, that's why Bats wouldn't talk. He should be with us soon."
The assembled team shared a look. First Robin and Slade, now Aqualad and Black Manta? These were some top villains their teammates were fighting. While Kaldur was exceptionally skilled, Black Manta was still dangerous.
"I hope he's okay," said M'gann quietly as Superboy put a comforting around her, nestling her into his side.
There was a pause as everybody was alone with their thoughts.
"So you still gotta hack into the Justice League Database, Rob?" asked Wally.
"Actually not as much as I used to. But it's more fun hacking into it than just logging in."
Artemis stared at Dick.
"What?" He said with a smirk. "As you can see, I'm now tall, dark and handsome."
Artemis laughed. "Jeese, same old Robin. I can't believe Baywatch still has rubbed off on you."
"Oh, please you know you missed us," Rob and Wally grinned as they put their hands on each others shoulders. "Bros for life," they fist bumped.
They all laughed.
"Oh, did I miss you guys," giggled M'gann as the laughter died down. "What have all been up to?"
"I think the better question is, 'What have I not been up to?'" Artemis rolled her eyes at Wally.
"Come on guys, let's get out of here. We can relax and catch up in the living room," and led them to the elevator and down a few more hallways before they were greeted by a large open room. There were lots of couches and chairs strategically placed around the room, surrounding tables, a fire place and facing each other too. Wally plopped down on a couch as the butler came in with drinks already. The team sat down near Wally, taking their drinks. Robin dismissed the butler.
"How did-" Conner started.
"I placed the order while we were in the elevator. Plus, I'm bats protégé, " he replied with a "Duh" look on his face. "So, basically I already told you what I've been up to."
"Yeah, as Nightwing," Artemis said and shoved him. "What's Dick Grayson been up to? Have you talked to Babs or Zatanna again? Did you get back together with one of them?"
"What?"
"It's okay, man. I'll be your wingman. I'm so good, you could probably get both back…What?" Wally asked looking at everyone's amused expressions.
"Are we talking about the same Babs and Zatanna? They'd kick his ass and then yours for convincing him to do it." Artemis flicked Wally in the head. "Hey!"
"They would be chalant for sure."
"Well then pick one," Conner said calmly.
Dick sighed, "I already asked out Zatanna a while back. We've been off and on."
"Is she coming to help?" piped up M'gann.
"Maybe, we kind of had a fight."
"Aww… What about?"
"She said I was turning into Batman," he said with a grimace. The team stifled their smiles, eventually Robin smiled in return and shook his head.
"Rob, don't' take this the wrong way, but if you turned into Bats you'd be incredibly boring and scary. And that's not you. I mean who else would help me change the weather and the environment in the Watchtower so we could have a beach party?"
Dick let out his trademark cackle, "Thanks, Wally." Artemis just rolled her eyes.
"No problem, bro."
"Okay, now do you guys want to spill your own adventures, or should I do it for you?"
"Dude! You don't know everything."
"Again? Wally you should know better by now. Hey Conner, how's Superman?" Artemis and Wally instantly turned to the Boy of Steel who was returning a soft smile to M'gann's bright one.
"Uh, good I guess. He's still in Metrocity but helps all over. We've even teamed up to take down some big guys in outer space."
"That's great" Artemis smiled.
"And…. That's it?" Wally received a punch from Artemis.
"We've been talking more. He's gotten used to me. He doesn't fly off every time we talk anymore. Metrocity is where I've been hanging out and where I patrol."
"And people don't call you Superman anymore." M'gann added brightly.
"That's a plus too."
"So are you having a good time to Meggers?" asked Wally.
Her smiled faltered. "There are some bright spots. Bu, right now I've been working with Uncle J'onn on trying to keep peace between the Martians. Things are getting a little crazy. Everybody is still on edge." She sighed. "I just wish everyone could get along. But I'm glad I have Conner, he keeps me sane and happy," she said and her smile returned. There was an awkward moment of silence as the couple had an obvious private mental conversation. A cough rang through the room.
"Hello Megan! What about you, Wally and Artemis? When did you two get back together?"
Wally did a spit take with his soda and Artemis sputtered out "We're not together!"
"But you two showed up at the park together" Megan remembered, now confused.
"Yeah, but that was just coincidence." Wally said rationally.
"Was it also a coincidence that she was at your house last night when I called?" Robin put in, and Wally and Artemis both felt their faces heat up.
"I-I was just passing through, and ended up running into Wally."
"Really? Cause I seem to remember hearing that a mysterious archer saved The Flash's ass during a fight" trolled Robin.
M'gann laughed and Conner smiled. "Sounds just like old times."
"Yeah, it seems like I'm always saving Idiot. I don't know how you've survived this long without me." Artemis said with a smirk.
"I see you've upgraded the nicknames. Very nice." Dick nodded in approval.
"What the hell? Is it seriously pick on Wally day? I'll have you know, Central City has been doing pretty well. And you know why? It's because of "The Flash" and he popped up, striking a signature running pose. Artemis kicked his behind, causing him to tumble and everyone else to laugh.
"Jeese! Arty, do you mind keeping yourself off me? I know I'm irresistible and all…" The fastest man alive gave her a smirk, which she returned with a scoff and an eye roll. "I can't believe you guys think we're dating. I don't know how I survived the last time."
"Yeah, well it wasn't a party for me either, Princess." He said standing up.
"Whatever."
Robin, Conner, and Megan shared a knowing look, before Robin stood up, interrupting Wally and Artemis's bickering. "Alright, I'll show everyone to their room." He looked at the blonde and ginger staring daggers at one another, "Try not keep us up with your screaming, ok?" Dick nimbly dodged the pillow thrown by Artemis and chuckled, until Wally's hit it's mark, knocking him down. "You better sleep with one eye open, West. In case you've forgotten, I'm a ninja."
Everyone smiled and continued to chatter as they followed Rob up the staircase and down the hallways. "Here we are. Get some sleep tonight. You'll need it the next couple of days." And with that, he disappeared into the shadows.
"I don't think I'll ever get used to that." Wally said after a moment of starting at the spot, previously occupied by their friend. Artemis, Megan, and Conner smiled at him. Megan and Conner then walked over to their room together. Wally, not yet tired, looked over at Artemis hoping for a night out on the town, only to be disappointed as she saw her closing the door to her suite. Before she closed the door, her grey eyes met his green ones, and she smiled. "Night, West."
A/N: Yes it's me again. This is short I promise. I know this was more of a filler chapter, but things had to get explain, happened, etc. The next one should be more interesting. BTW, "Failsafe"? I wanted to die because of Wally's reactions. Can we officially call this couple cannon now? I say yes :D. Also I now have a tumblr! If you want, feel free to follow me. The links in my bio. Anways, I'm getting low on ideas so if you have any, feel free to shoot me a message. And I know I don't deserve them, but if you could, Review? Pretty Please. It helps me get an idea of where my writing is… :D Thanks!