I awoke to someone holding my arm. I heard a voice, but couldn't make out the tone or the words.

I reacted to the worst and grabbed whoever's arm was holding me and threw it and the person away from me as I stood and immediately put my arms into a fighting stance.

"Hawkgirl, wait, it me!" I recognized the person as Miss Martian now. I relaxed and apologized to her.

"Oh, Megan, I'm so sorry I thought you were-"

"Hold on, you have something in your-"

"Ow!" I shouted as she pulled whatever was stuck in my back out. It looked like a little dart.

"Come on, Kid Flash is in trouble." She took my wrist and led me down the school hallway to a big water-container-thing. Kid Flash was floating face-down on top of the water.

Miss Martian levitated him out, as my ears picked something up farther away. It sounded like...fighting…

"Miss Martian, you can handle this, right?" I asked as I was running out. She nodded.

I used my wings to boost back into the computer room where I remembered the doctor was. The doctor we were supposed to protect.

Artemis was also there. She had an arrow pointed at someone with a cat mask and green and black clothes.

"Hmm, this gig's getting interesting," the cat-mask persona said as she pulled a sword out and brandished it.

Artemis let a few arrows fly, but the masked person just sliced through them. Now I wished I had some sort of weapon. I decided to go hand-to-hand. Er, hand-to-sword.

I jumped in front of Artemis and used my metal gauntlets to block the person's sword as tiny sparks flew. I sent my fist in her direction, which she dodged, but I surprised her with a slap of my wing and sent her back to the ground.

She stood as I heard Miss Martian and Kid Flash approaching. "Maybe a little too interesting," she mused.

I didn't have time for another attack as she cut another arrow from Artemis and threw a smoke bomb just as Kid Flash lunged for her. I couldn't see what happened, but the assassin was no longer in the building.

"She's getting away, you're letting her get away!" Dr. Roquette shouted angrily.

"And you could've defended yourself as long as we had from her?" I glared at her. She was definitely not grateful to us for saving her life a few seconds ago.

"This is all your fault!" Kid Flash accused Artemis. "You were on perimeter! How'd that Shadow get in?" Artemis didn't answer.

"That's not fair." Miss Martian spoke calmly. "We were outside too." She stood by me.

"Outside, being distracted by her." Kid Flash found a way to point the blame toward Artemis. "Besides, I can't be mad at you," he added, looking back. "You gave me mouth-to-mouth."

"We heard that!" Everyone except me responded.

"What's-"

"Don't even ask." Artemis interrupted.

"I didn't do half as well during my first battle, and I know you couldn't have been Green Arrow's sidekick for very long." Miss Martian consoled Artemis and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Yeah, you should've seen me in my first fight. I passed out, twice, in the span of about three hours." I chimed in. Artemis gave me a confused and surprised look. "I wish I was kidding."

"Focus, everyone," Aqualad took charge. "The Shadows will be back." He appeared to listen to his comm. I guessed it was Robin and Superboy. "Rescan for that Fog. Find it. We're moving the doctor."

I was to be with Aqualad and the doctor with the plan, so I stayed above where Aqualad waited.

I heard a small rustle in the leaves, barely even audible, but I was on high-alert anyway.

The unseen attacker caught me by surprise. He shot some kind of sticky red stuff at me, binding my mouth,body, and wings. I burst out using the edges of my bracers, but the attacker was nowhere in sight or sound.

"Aqualad, watch out! There's someone in the trees." I warned over the psychic link.

I was just a moment too late, as I saw our leader be taken by the attacker. I heard fighting, and as Aqualad was thrown onto the side of a van I rushed to his side. We were both ready for a fight.

The attacker made himself known as he landed in front of us. He had on a purple outfit that made me wonder how he moved in it, as a sound came from behind.

I moved out of the way just as someone with a large hook for a hand slammed his metal hook into Aqualad's back.

"Oh, you're going to pay for that," I threatened, getting into a fighting stance.

He smirked and rushed at me, while I used my wings to push my body backwards. I felt the sticky stuff against my wings again, as I grabbed onto the bit still attached to the purple-guy and pulled him into my fist.

As he lay on the ground, I focused my attention on the hook-man, as he threw the metal piece attached to a chain at me. I jumped over and sent a double kick to the middle of his chest, but he just shrugged the attack off and came at me again with the hook.

Remembering the plan, I feigned surprise as the metal hook collided with my chin, sending me crashing to the ground. My head hurt, but I was still conscious as I pretended not to be.

"The Martian could return at any second and I'm not keen on evening their odds. We end Roquette, now." I heard the voice of the masked-cat-lady, and heard three pairs of footsteps retreating.

I groaned, rubbing my head once they were safely out of my hearing range. I stood again and looked at Aqualad, who nodded in silent command to continue with the plan.

While the three assassins were busy with Kid Flash, Artemis, and "Dr. Roquette," Aqualad and I would be busy guarding the real doctor in a small store down the street. I stationed myself by the doctor's side, scanning every inch of the place and keeping my ears open for any trouble.

"I've almost got it!" She exclaimed. Good. We were running out of time, and fast.

"Footsteps approaching, and fast." I told Aqualad as soon as I heard the titular sound. I steeled myself, ready for any assassin this League of Shadows brought. "Up on the roof."

"Uploading now!" Dr. Roquette said. "And by the way, you said you'd protect me!" I kept my eyes out for whoever was on the roof, ignoring her biting comment.

I heard something rolling behind me before I saw it. It was like what the masked-cat-lady used to escape us the first time.

"Get behind me," I instructed to the doctor. For once, she listened. I got into a fighting stance as I listened for the assassin's footsteps.

They never came. Instead of footsteps, I heard a whizzing sound, and then Aqualad suddenly had three darts that looked like what Miss Martian pulled out of my back in his chest.

"Let's test the limit of your jellyfish immunity, shall we?" She hummed. Jellyfish what-now?

We both rushed at her, Aqualad with his water-swords and me with my gauntlets. She dodged Aqualad's attempt, and used my punch motion to throw me in his direction, knocking us both down to the floor. Aqualad didn't get up, and his swords reverted back into water.

I shook my head and stood again, readying myself.

"Well, aren't you a new face?" The masked-cat-lady mused. She rushed towards me, bringing out a small dagger-thing from her belt. "Let's see if you're any better than your friends."

I said nothing, but blocked her attack with my bracers and used my free leg to unbalance her. She jumped back up after a split-second, and slashed at me with her dagger. I either dodged or blocked the attacks, but I could feel her advancing on the doctor. I wasn't going to let her.

She sliced at the air one more time, but before I could react she sent a flying kick straight at my face. I felt the kick connect and flew to the side.

Before I could right myself again, I was caught by my wing, which made my bad shoulder scream out in pain, and was thrown against the wall.

I felt a searing stab of pain when I realized the assassin had dug her dagger into my wing, pinning me against the wall. It hurt to move at all, and I was forced to watch as she turned and stalked towards Dr. Roquette. "Now doctor, time for my appointment." She said.

"No!" I shouted in vain as the masked-cat-lady produced another dagger and pointed it at the doctor. I tried in vain to pull the dagger out, but every move I made sent jolts of pain through my wing.

I looked at the computer as I heard a sound, as did the assassin.

"So you've finished the virus, eliminating the reason for your elimination." She pointed her dagger at the doctor. "Though not the entertainment value."

"Don't!" I begged, leaning helplessly against the wall. She glanced at me, then threw the Doctor onto the ground and pointed her dagger.

"Lucky for you, my orders were clear. You live to program another day. After all, doctor, the Shadows may find another use for you." And then she simply walked away.

I leaned there, unable to sit or move very much because of the dagger. My head reeled. My wing hurt. My heart beat furiously against my chest. I had survived an assassination attempt, and protected their target. All in all, I'd say that was a win. Now, if only I could get this stupid hurting dagger out…

I dared to grab onto the handle. As I friended my teeth, I yanked the weapon out of my wing and collapsed on the ground. I looked the dagger over. It had blood on it, but otherwise it was a perfect specimen. I decided to wash it off once I was back at the Cave and keep it for now. I did need a weapon, and this seemed quite versatile.

I heard something outside. I placed my hand over the small hole in my wing and knelt down next to Aqualad.

"Aqualad, Kaldur, wake up." I gently nudged his side. I felt and heard him come to, and he sat up.

"Hawkgirl, where's-"

"Dr. Roquette is fine," I said, moving to the side so that Aqualad could see for himself.

"But you let the assassin get away." She accused at me.

I frowned. I've had about enough with her complaining. "Well, excuse me for having this," I held up the bloody dagger, "stabbed into my wing, pinning me against the wall, and making me immobile unless I wanted to be in excruciating pain."

The doctor was silent, but glaring, as we all turned to the door. I put the dagger in my belt and helped Kaldur walk outside as Artemis was standing there, staring into the distance.

"Artemis, where's the assassin?" Kaldur asked.

"She uh, she got away." She sounded ashamed. I looked off down the road, wondering where she could've gotten to.

"Oh, from you?" Kid Flash caught up to us with Miss Martian close behind. I narrowed my eyes at him, knowing that the two of them alone together was a bad combination. "Oh, big surprise. Notice, we got ours."

"Don't feel bad, Artemis." I put my free hand on her shoulder and smiled at her. "It's not your fault Wally is a big jerk." I glared back at the kid in question, using his real name on purpose, as he narrowed his eyes back at me. He then looked down at the ground at the assassin's mask, which I hadn't noticed before.

"Cool, souvenir." He said, picking it up.

"Her mask. Did you see her-her face?" Kaldur asked, pulling the darts from his chest. I winced. It must've hurt.

"It was dark," was all Artemis said. I figured she must've fired at the assassin and managed to knock her mask off, but the masked assassin was too fast to see and got away. I was proud of myself for figuring the fight out.

"It is fine. Robin and Superboy neutralized the Fog, and Dr. Roquette is safe. Thanks in no small part to you." Kaldur said. Artemis turned to face us. "Welcome to the team."

I couldn't hold in my excitement any longer, and walked as fast as I could without my wing hurting to embrace my new teammate. Artemis was surprised at first, but then returned the gesture.

"Sorry, I've been told I'm a hugger." I apologized with a smile once I ended the hug. Artemis gave a small smile.

"It-it's fine, really." Kaldur and Megan also came up, as Kaldur gave her a handshake.

"I've always wanted a sister. Well, here on Earth I mean. I have twelve back on Mars, but trust me, it's not the same." She said, then gave a apologetic glance at me. "Uh, no offense."

I shook my head. "It's alright." I considered Superboy to be my only sibling, with the rest of the team like a group of super-close friends.

"I...wouldn't know." Artemis replied to Megan. "But, thanks."

Megan beat me to hit Wally's side, as he begrudgingly welcomed Artemis to the group as well. She offered her hand as the two shook, and we all started walking back to Mount Justice. I was glad for the short walk, I didn't think my wings or feet could take much more.

Once we were back inside, the rest of the team went to the Zeta tubes as I went to the kitchen to wash my new weapon off.

I liked how, once it was clean, it seemed to gleam in the light. It looked dangerous, and I was glad the weapon was now in my hands instead of the assassin's. I tried a couple of practice swings with it, liking how lightweight it was, and yet it was powerful enough to cut through my wing and into the wall.

The thought of the stab wound sent a new shock of pain, as I stumbled forward a bit, leaning with my hands on my knees. I went to the medical room, but since it was late into the night -or early in the morning?- Dr. Richards wasn't there.

I guessed I first had to close up the wound so it could heal properly, so I found a roll of what I thought could be used to block the bleeding, and wrapped the white material around my wing as I tucked it in so it wasn't in an awkward position.

I surveyed my work. I figured Dr. Richards would be back tomorrow, so I could see him then. Until tomorrow, however, I guessed the wrapping would have to do. It still hurt, but the pain had subsided once I wrapped my wing, and I opened the door to my room.

Collapsing onto the bed and not even bothering to pull the sheets over me, I promptly fell into a deep sleep.


A/N: Don't you just love it when writers torture their characters? I know I do. *innocent smile*

Filler chapters set during "Denial" and "Downtime" will be the next 2-4 chapters, depending on how long I want it to run.

Reviews, followers, and favorites are all still appreciated.