Young Justice
X
The Avengers
AVENGING JUSTICE
Rise of the Dark Flash
Chapter 2: Dark Flash Strikes
Artemis ran through the warehouse, her green uniform and blond hair contrasted brightly against the dark grey décor as her boots clanged against the metal platforms. She closed her eyes as she fired two arrows at one time wiping out two thugs.
"Artemis!" Artemis turned quickly hearing her name called, and saw Kid Flash hanging by one hand over a vat of molten metal. "Artemis, help me!"
"Wally… hold on, I'm coming!" Artemis fired a few more arrows before making it to where Kid Flash dangled. But just as she got in range to help him she stopped and glanced down at him.
"Artemis… for the love of God, please help me!" Wally cried out, slipping slightly.
Artemis said nothing as a pair of arms in orange and black armor snaked around her. Tigress rested her chin on Artemis' shoulder and smiled down at Wally. "Sorry, Kid Idiot… Artie and I have more fun without you…"
Artemis watched silently as Kid Flash fell to his death with a look of betrayal on his face.
"WALLY!" Artemis shot up in bed, her nightshirt soaked in sweat and her bangs sticking to her clammy forehead as she struggled to catch her breath. "Wally… Wally…" She hiccupped, hugging herself tightly.
Once she was able to control her breathing, she climbed out of bed and stumbled to the shower to try to wash away the memory of the horrible nightmare.
Once she showered and dried off she pulled on a loose night shirt and sat on the edge of the bed staring at the picture on her night table of her and Wally when they had just gotten together. She sniffled slightly then moved to the hidden closet and removed her suit and armor plates.
As Tigress, she silently left through the balcony of her apartment and stealthily made her way to the Zeta Tube station hidden in an old phone booth a few blocks from her apartment. In moments she was entering the Watchtower. It was still late by League Operating Time, so the Tower was mostly abandoned, much to her relief. She made it all the way to the memorial gardens without running into anyone. Seeing the holographic image of Kid Flash still caused her lower lip to unconsciously tremble. She silently removed her protective mask and approached the smiling heroic image of the young hero. "Hey Baywatch…" She spoke as she came to a stop before him.
"I got the job at Stark International," Artemis said, glancing away for a moment, "I think you and Mr. Stark would be friends… once you get past him hitting on me that is…" She smiled slightly. "I guess I was a little surprised, I figured he was going to be kind of like Dick or Batman… instead he was more like a human Lobo… or Guy Gardner…"
"Pepper is really nice though," Artemis nodded, "She does a good job at keeping him on a leash, which is impressive as he's Iron Man… kinda reminds me of me and you in a way…"
A thought struck her that caused her to tremble in anger. "How long until he goes up against something that's too much for his armor and he leaves her like you left me, Wally?"
"Wally West and Tony Stark are definitely two different people," Artemis' eyes widened as a voice spoke behind her, "I can't speak for Mr. Stark, but I know that if he was given a choice of coming back out of that mess with Flash and Impulse, he'd do it faster than a heartbeat."
Artemis turned to see Black Canary leaning against a tree. "On Monitor Duty, registered you coming on the Tower," Black Canary answered her unasked question as she pushed off the tree. "Thought you might need someone to talk to..."
"It's been two years, Dinah…" Artemis said, glancing back to Wally's hologram, "It isn't getting any easier."
"I won't sugar coat it… It probably won't," Dinah replied standing beside the younger woman. "You know the saying time heals all wounds? Bull shit. You just learn to deal with the pain."
Artemis sighed and nodded, "I've figured that much out on my own… I'm tired, Dinah. I'm tired of asking what might have been… What if I had done something, what if Flash or Impulse… Hell, what if Superman had somehow swept in and saved him like he does everyone else's loved ones… I'm even… I'm even tired of missing and still loving him, Dinah, that's what makes me feel even worse. I'm just so tired…"
"You know, when two people are married," Dinah sighed, not sure how she'd respond to the next statement, "the vows usually end with till death do us part. Wally wouldn't want you to do this to yourself, Artemis." Artemis lowered her gaze to the ground. "It's a painful truth, but Wally is gone. I'm not telling you to just jump out there with both feet. Go out, date, live. I'm not saying completely forget Wally ever existed. That's impossible, especially for you. But instead of grieving his death, why not live for him?"
"I can count on one hand the men I've let close enough to hurt me, and they both abandoned me, Dinah, one intentionally and one unintentionally," Artemis whispered, "Wally passed Cameron in the dust with ease… Wally is going to be a tough act to follow."
"Maybe no one will match up, may have to find a close second, Artemis," Dinah placed a hand on the woman's shoulder, "What would Wally say to you right now?" she asked glancing up to the hologram.
"Stop sulking," Artemis replied, "And then ask me to fix him a sandwich and if he could help him with his homework because he'd probably have slacked off and still not finished classes…"
Dinah hugged the younger woman and held her close for a moment. "I know you loved to argue with him, but maybe you should listen… at least to the first part. I'd kick Ollie's ass out of his green tights if he tried to tell me to fix him a sandwich…" She said with a wink.
"Thanks, Dinah…" Artemis said pulling away from her. "I really do appreciate it. But I have to get to work."
"Take care, Artie," Dinah said as the younger woman walked toward the Zeta Tubes. "We're here if you need us…"
Central City, 6 am
Arrowette yawned as she leaned back on the top of the building near the Flash Museum. "You know we have class in… two hours?"
"One hundred and twenty minutes," Kid Flash said from her side as he sipped on his slushy, "Plenty of time."
"Says you, I don't have super speed to get ready for class," Arrowette rolled her eyes.
"I could help, you know?" Kid Flash winked exaggeratedly.
"I don't think so, Kid Idiot," Arrowette rolled her eyes.
"By the way…" Kid Flash suddenly got nervous. "Got anything planned for Friday night?"
"Sure," Arrowette grabbed his slushy and took a swig. "Not going on a date with you."
"Ouch… that's so crash, Cissie…" Kid Flash sighed, laying back and sliding his mask back.
"I know what you're thinking, and it is cute, but I want a normal boyfriend," Cissie said pulling back her own mask, "And I'm not convinced you're not trying to play Wally and Artemis with us." She put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it. "You're my best friend, Kid Idiot, but you're not Wally West, and I'm not Artemis Crock."
Bart sighed sadly. "You can be better than that, but you can't keep trying to copy him. You're only in his shadow as long as you stay set there."
"You don't understand," Bart sighed, "I crashed the mode. I'm the reason he's not here so I have to fill his spot in history so it doesn't get messed up worse than it was to begin with!"
"What?" Cissie narrowed her eyes in confusion.
"Nothing, it doesn't matter now anyway…" Bart huffed, crossing his arms uncharacteristically.
"Like hell it…" Cissie snapped, but the sound of the emergency seals starting to lower on the Flash Museum doors and windows grabbed their attention.
"Talk later, hero time!" Bart jerked his mask on, pulled her up in a bridal hold and took off running down the side of the building, "KID FLASH ARROWETTE ASSEMBLE!"
The two broke through the glass of the front entrance and slide under the closing metal door right as it was closing. "Made it!"
"A little bit of a heads up would have been nice!" Cissie slapped his shoulder as she pulled on her mask.
"I did say Kid Flash Arrowette assemble…" Kid Flash replied.
"Yeah, after you grabbed me and jumped," she frowned.
"Really? Huh, must have moved faster than the sound of my voice," Kid Flash smiled, "Wonder what it was, break in?"
"Or a fire…" Arrowette rolled her eyes, "great we're sealed in here and going to burn to death…" she sighed.
"Please, like I'd let anything happen to you." Kid Flash laughed.
Both teenagers stiffened at the sound of a dark laugh echoing.
"Not creepy at all…" Arrowette said reaching for her arrows but found them missing. "What?"
"Looking for these?" a voice called as her arrows rolled out from around the corner of the hall.
"Who's there?" Arrowette asked.
"Whoever it is, I'm on it!" Kid Flash said rushing on ahead.
"KF, No!" Arrowette ran after him, "We have to stay together!"
She quickly gathered up her arrows and placed them back in her quiver but kept one on her bow. "KF? Kid Flash? Bart, where are you?" A hand clasped her shoulder and she jumped and screamed.
"SHUSH! It's just me!" Kid Flash said, as she came around and glared at him.
"I ought to shoot you just for scaring me like that!" She snapped.
The emergency lights were the only lighting inside the museum, which gave even the more comical rogue outfit and 'doomsday' device an eerie look.
"You've got a lot of guts wearing that costume, Kid," a dark voice called from the shadows, "Didn't the last brat to wear that yellow suit end up dead?"
"Who's there?" Kid Flash asked, stepping in front of Arrowette and where the voice sounded like it was coming from. "Trickster, if it's you, this isn't funny!"
"Sorry, not trickster…" the voice chuckled, then the sounds of claws scraping the metallic walls slowly growing closer filled the air.
"Cissie," Kid Flash said as seriously as he could, "the only way out with it sealed is the front entrance, there's a panel next to it. Access code is Grandpa Barry and Wally's birth years."
"Are you suggesting I leave you?" Cissie asked, "Not going to happen, Bartholomew Allen."
"Smooth move kiddos, you've given me your names, why not give me your addresses and cell phone numbers while you're at it…" the voice laughed from another direction.
"Ciss… Arrowette, you get the door open while I keep him distracted… I promise, I'll be right behind you…" She gave him a glare. "Would I lie to you?"
"Yes," Arrowette pouted.
"Don't worry, Kid Counterfeit," the voice spoke from yet another direction. "I'm not after her, just you…" Arrowette growled and fired an arrow in the direction of the voice.
"See? So get out of here!" Kid Flash glared at the archer.
"Fine, if you won't leave, I will!" He said as he took off in a burst of speed into the museum, vaguely hearing her cry of shock and anger. "Catch me if you can! I'm even faster than The Flash!"
He glanced over his shoulder and almost missed a step at the demonic armored demon running just behind him. "You're fast…" the monster growled in an almost familiar voice. "But not fast enough…" He said as he overtook the teen, and kicked him in the back of the leg, sending him tumbling into a set of Rogue costume cases.
Kid Flash struggled to his feet, but gasped when a claw dragged across his face, ripping his mask tearing his goggles off. He fell backwards, and gasped in pain and shock from the sting of the cuts and blood seeping down his face. He shook his head and glanced down to see his goggles, Wally's goggles broken on the floor. "Those were Wally's goggles…" Raw anger built in the teen's brown eyes as he glanced up at the monster.
"Then why were you wearing them?" The demon growled.
Kid Flash roared as he tried a super speed tackle, but only crashed into the cosmic treadmill.
He turned to try again only to have an armored backhand collide with his already abused face, followed by a punch to the ribs, causing saliva and blood to hit the floor moments before he did. "Pathetic…"
"How… are you so fast…" Bart coughed as he held his broken ribs with one hand, and his battered body up with the other.
"Not just faster…" the Dark Flash slashed across his chest, ripping his costume, taking the symbol off. He smiled to himself and examined the ripped symbol in his clawed hand as the boy fell flat on his back.
"Do you hear that, Bartholomew?" Dark Flash asked as the teen fought to breath, still struggling to get up. "Your friend is coming to watch you die…"
Bart managed to get to his feet, planning one last desperate attack. He was distracted a moment when he heard the footsteps of Arrowette as she ran to catch up to them. "Cissie… run…" He breathed, before turning back to his foe. He took one step forward before Dark Flash made his move.
"There they are… hang on, Bart, I'm coming…" She breathed, as she pulled an arrow. But what she witnessed caused her to come to a full stop. In a flash of red and black, Dark Flash was on Bart, lifting him into the air with the ends of his clawed fingers going through his belly and on out his back. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" She screamed, and began to fire wildly at the monster.
"BART! NO!" Arrowette screamed, as the monster removed his claw from Bart's body and let him fall limply. She fired every arrow she had, and then threw her bow at him. Some of the shots actually almost hit. She didn't even care at the moment, she took a dive for Bart, sliding on her knees to his side.
"Bart! Bart, c'mon, look at me…" She said, pulling the boy to her lap as a large red puddle began to form around them.
Dark Flash turned to the scene, but something about it clicked, the green costumed blond cradling a bleeding battered speedster…
"WALLY!" The seventeen year old Artemis screamed as Superboy pulled a large slab of metal that was once part of a Dr. Light's base, "NO!"
"Hey babe…" Kid Flash crocked, "Should I change my name to Kid Cabob?" He asked, one of his hands resting on the metal pike that was through his belly.
"What the HELL were you thinking!?" Artemis cried, the uncontrollable tears streaming down her masked face betraying her anger.
"Just doing the job…" Wally coughed, his body beginning to tremble.
"Damn it, damn it…" Artemis chanted, grabbing his hand and squeezing so tightly, it almost took his mind off his impalement. "Don't you DARE leave me… don't you DARE!"
"This is it, babe…" Wally closed his eyes and swallowed hard.
"No, don't you…" Artemis began to panic.
"No, I meant… when they patch me up… this is it. No more masks…" He reached up and cupped her cheek. "I don't want… to see you… look at me like this… ever again…"
Dark Flash held his head and arched backwards as he screamed in rage and pain. A moment later he disappeared in a burst of speed.
Arrowette watched a moment longer to make sure the monster was really gone, before turning back to her friend.
"Bart… Bart, you have to stay awake…" She whispered, stroking his sweaty brow, "Stay with me… please…" She glanced up, toward the entrance, "HELP ME! SOMEONE! PLEASE!"
"This is so crash…" Bart whispered, blood running down from the corner of his mouth, "I couldn't be a hero like Wally… now I can't even die like he did…"
"You are not going to die, do you hear me, Bart," Arrowette spat, tears stinging her eyes, "Do you hear me. You are not going to die. That's an order! SOMEBODY HELP!"
"At least… I'm not alone…" Bart coughed, tears forming in his eyes, "I'm… I'm scared, Cissie… Some… Some hero, huh?"
"I'm scared too," She squeezed his hand hard, "I guess we make a good team… that's why you cannot die on me." Her head whipped back when she heard the sound of hurried footsteps. "Hang on, Bart, help's coming…" She said, refusing to take her eyes off her injured friend.
Her eyes widened in horror when she heard the steps stop followed by the sound of snapping cameras. She quickly covered his face as best she could and turned her angered eyes on the press. "STOP TAKING PICTURES AND HELP! HE NEEDS HELP, YOU SONS OF BITCHES!" The girl snapped at the group of news reporters.
"What's going … NO!" Cissie recognized the voice of Bart's grandmother, Iris Allen, and looked up to see the woman pushing through the crowd of camera men and women. "Ba-Kid Flash!" Iris said, hurrying to their side.
Iris pulled out her cell phone and dialed a number as she took Bart's other hand. "Hang on, I'm getting help, Flash is away but…" After a moment she whispered into the phone. "Hello, Daily Planet? I need Clark Kent."
A-Tower, New York City 9:15 am
Artemis rocked in her heels as the elevator rose to the Avengers Mansion. She watched the numbers go by as she held paper work to her chest. The elevator opened and she quickly walked out, and gasped when she ran into what felt like a wall.
"I am so terribly sorry, ma'am," a voice spoke, and she barely had time to register what was happening as the mountain of a man went to his knees and began gathering her dropped paper. "I was in a hurry and wasn't watching what I was doing. Completely my fault." She looked down to see a blond-headed man in dark cargo pants and an Army tank top practically painted on his muscular torso.
He stood up and towered over her as he handed her paper work back. "Ms. Crock, honor to finally meet you in person. Steve Rogers, ma'am. Friends call me Cap."
"Once she closed her jaw she gave an awkward smile. "Nice to meet you, um… Cap…" She said, taking his hand in a handshake.
"If you'll excuse me, ma'am, I'm running late," Steve said, hurrying into the elevator.
"Bye…" Artemis blinked, then mumbled to herself as she began to compute what had just happened. "Steve Rogers… Cap… Cap…" her eyes suddenly widened. "Holy crap! that was Captain America…"
"Something else, isn't he?" Tony Stark walked up, drink in hand. "It's a toss-up on who's the bigger boy scout though… Cap or Sups." Tony flashed a smile, "Drink?" She opened her mouth to argue, "It's virgin. I'm not pushing for anything, I learned my lesson."
She accepted the non-alcoholic fruity drink, and smiled apologetically. "Sorry about that too, by the way, it wasn't the most professional thing I could have done…"
"Wasn't exactly the most professional for me either, but then again, I seldom go professional. No fun in it. That's what Pepper's for. Among other things." Tony said, turning and walking toward the bar. "Paper work for me?" He glanced back, and sighed at her nod. "No fun in that either..."
"Have you thought about the offer?" Tony sat down on a bar stool. "I think you'd fit good with the World's Mightiest Heroes."
"World's Mightiest Heroes?" Artemis smirked, "Lacking in confidence?"
"Confidence is key, my dear, Confidence is key, but really we don't hold monopoly on that," Tony smiled, taking a swig of his drink. "I mean, Man of Steel, Man of Tomorrow, Last Son of Krypton, for one guy, then there's The Dark Knight, Caped Crusader, and, my favorite to dispute, World's Greatest Detective? Please, I bet he couldn't solve a crossword without that belt."
Artemis chuckled a little, "I have thought about it, Mr. Stark, but I haven't made up my mind."
"Ah, that's fine… here, trade." He said taking the paper work, then placed what appeared to be a beeper in her hand.
"A beeper? One of the most high tech companies in the world and you give me a beeper?" Artemis cocked an eyebrow.
"Looks can be deceiving, Ms. Crock," Tony lifted his glass. "If something happens you're away from us, and decide you not only want in but need us in a hurry. Hit that button. One push and you'll have help on the way. All for one and one for all and all that crap."
"Ok, thank you, Mr. Stark," Artemis nodded, placing the beeper in her purse.
"I've told you, call me Tony." Tony smiled, "Mr. Stark was my dad. I'm not that old yet."
Artemis blinked when her cell phone began to ring in her purse. "Take my armory if you need some privacy. I think I'm going to work on this paperwork with my friend, Mr. Jack Daniels."
Artemis nodded and quickly went to the armory, and pulled out her cell. "Hello?"
"Artemis, hurry, please…" A crying voice spoke through the line.
"Who is… Cissie, is that you? What's wrong?" Artemis asked, her heart clinching in concern.
"Watchtower, Bart… Oh God, there was so much blood, Art-Artemis…" Cissie sobbed. "I can't… I can't lose… Artemis please…"
"Cissie, try to calm down," Artemis tried to sound calmer than she was feeling. "What happened?"
"This… this… Devil… he fought Bart at the Flash Museum… and… he was faster… he hurt him… he hurt him bad… blood was everywhere…Bart turned so white… he looked… d-dead…"
"You're at the watchtower?" Artemis asked, not noticing Tony had entered the Armory.
"The Med bay, please hurry…" Cissie begged.
"I'll be there as soon as I can… bye…" Artemis ended the call, and turned to see the Iron Man armor snapping into place on Tony.
"Nearest Zeta Tube is five blocks away. I'll give you a lift." Tony said, as the Arc Reactor of his chest place started to glow brightly.
"How did you…" Artemis started to ask as the helmet came together over his face.
"Saw you were upset. Dunno what's going on, but looks like you could use a hand, so?" Iron Man held out his hand.
"Thanks, Tony," Artemis nodded, taking his hand
"Hang on," Tony said as he pulled her to him and the sunroof opened. A moment later they were flying through the air toward the hidden Zeta Tube.
Justice League Watchtower
Artemis ran through the halls of the Watchtower to the medical bay, and found Cissie surrounded by Green Arrow, Black Canary and Iris West, with Superman standing a distance away, staring at the wall, obviously watching what was going on with his x-ray vision. "Artemis…" Cissie stood up and ran to Artemis' waiting arms. The two blonds embraced, and Artemis stroked her hair comfortingly. "Ciss, what's happened?"
Cissie sniffled a moment, then struggled through telling Artemis everything that happened.
"How is that possible? Bart's as fast as the Flash, if not faster…" Artemis shook her head. "The only one that came close was Wally and… Any idea who he was, or what he was?"
"I don't know… He seemed angry at Bart for wearing Flash symbols… and he also seemed to freak out just after but I have no idea why… it was so scary… and I don't… I can't lose him, Artemis. I can't…"
"Bart's a fighter, Cissie, he'll be ok…" Artemis nodded confidently.
"Where's Flash?" Artemis glanced around.
"He's on an off world mission with the Green Lanterns, Superboy, Nightwing, and Ms. Martian," Green Arrow answered. "Might be a good thing he's away. If Kid Flash was a target, it's a good bet Flash will be too."
"Your connection with the first Kid Flash could make you a target too, Artemis," Black Canary said worriedly. "You may not be going by the same costume and name, but we don't know how much this Dark Flash knows or where he came from. It might be best to stay up here for a while."
She glanced around at those in the room, then down to the beeper in her purse. She focused on it for a moment before she turned her attention to Cissie, who had gone back to Green Arrow's side, leaning against him. Cissie couldn't save Bart. Green Arrow, Black Canary, even Superman… even Artemis herself, she couldn't save him from the monster that nearly killed him… but she knew what she could do. This wasn't a time for heroes… this was a time for Avengers.
She could avenge him.
Palo Alto, California, 9:30am
A dark red streak roared through the streets, before going up the stairs of a long vacant apartment. Dark Flash stopped at the door and rubbed his face. "Why… What… A…Art… Help me!" The blood red armor retracted into his ring and he struggled with the door. His shadowy eyes twitched as the door refused to open. He growled to himself before slamming his shoulder into the door twice before it finally gave way and he collapsed on the floor. "Help me!" He cried, struggling to his feet. The Apartment was completely empty, but after a shake of his head it was suddenly filled with furniture. A pit bull sat on the couch near the door, barking and wagging his tail.
"Welcome back, Wally," A blond headed girl walked around the corner, wearing only a red jersey, her arms outstretched welcomingly.
He knew her, something about her caused the pain and anger in his heart to be soothed. And he almost subconsciously moved toward her. He passed straight through her, falling through to the floor as all the furniture, the dog and the girl disappeared. He roared in rage, and pounded his fists against the floor as confusion, pain, and rage filled him.
"My dear, dear brother…" He glanced up to see Loki standing by the door. "Do you see what the Flashes cost you? You and your beloved were so happy together… they took it away from you. The Flashes and their allies."
"What happened… what happened to her?" Wally asked, still on the floor.
Loki glanced around, before crouching beside him. "You've been gone a long time," Loki said sympathetically. "She's gone, brother. She's moved on. It would be best to forget about her. Make them pay for all you've lost, dear brother…"
"The Flash… his allies…" Wally growled, his angry eyes looking up through his unruly red bangs, "I will… make them all pay…"
"Excellent…" Loki smiled evilly, "Don't keep any of that bottled up… let it all out… on them all…"
Central City, 10:00am
Artemis, after spending some time convincing Green Arrow, Black Canary and Superman that she'd be ok, and instructed them to call her at the first news they had, she left. She had told them she was going back to New York City. Instead she programed the Zeta Tube to another destination, and approached the Flash Museum.
She had made her choice. Cissie has come close to losing what she had lost. She refused to allow that, and she refused to allow that to happen to let this monster take The Flash from Iris and their children. She glanced to the large bag she had picked up from the Watch Tower, to her spare Tigress outfit. It was time to go to work. But for the first time since Wally died, she wasn't going to face this alone. She pulled out the beeper.
She stared at it for what felt like forever, and then pressed the button with her thumb.
The small screen flashed a moment before two words ran across it.
"AVENGERS ASSEMBLE"