Disclaimer-Sadly, I don't any of the rights to the DC universe, just to my thoughts.
I now present, the next chapter! Ok, so I know they're not the longest chapters in the world but that means more updating more often!
Warnings-Contains blood, slight torture, and mild language. I think the teen warning should cover the story.
As soon as she regained consciousness, Artemis glared at the assassin in front of her, a silent 'Why?' etched on her face.
Cheshire shrugged. "Everyone had their price, dear sister; one must only find it."
Artemis had never wanted to punch her sister in the face more than right now. Not when she'd left Artemis alone with their father. Not when their mother had actually come home from prison. Not even that first mission with the Team where she threatened to reveal Artemis's secret.
This was a new low, even for her.
For her father? That was a different story.
Meanwhile…
The senior heroes had left the Team, Zatanna, and Red Arrow on their own for this one. They replayed the video again and again looking for any sign of where she was, though it was likely that Artemis herself didn't know.
Robin was again trying to trace the signal, still unsuccessful. He finally shook his head, realizing he couldn't crack it. The rest of them focused on the video but again found nothing.
"Zatanna, if we found one of the Shadows' people, could you have them blurt out where they're keeping her? Like with Morrow?" Robin asked, remembering their last mission with her. They all looked to her expectantly. She nodded smiling.
"Hello, Megan!" The Martian smacked her head.
"So, where now? Robin?" Aqualad asked as the hacker pulled up files on recent Shadow bases.
"Here. This one in Gotham is the most recent. They probably only just moved." The Boy Wonder spoke. "They've probably still got at least a few people there."
At this, Kid Flash was vibrating with impatience. "What are we waiting for? Let's go!" He sped off in the direction of the Bio-Ship's hanger with the others following at a much slower speed.
M'gann activated the ship and everyone steeped on board. There was a new seat for Zatanna but Red Arrow sat in Artemis's normal one. Soon enough, Robin entered in the coordinates and the ship sped off towards the dark city.
1:00 P.M.
The Bio-Ship was touching down when everyone's video transmitters buzzed. They picked them up to see Batman's cowl-covered face.
"They sent another one. Right on time." It was all he said before linking them to the video feed.
Artemis was conscious in the video again but that only made it worse. She looked even worse since the last video had cut out, if possible.
We wanted you to see this one.
The words scrolled on the bottom of their screens. The focus returned to the more battered girl but still with only the one arrow in her left arm. Cheshire stepped in front of the camera, still wearing her smiling mask. In her right hand was another arrow.
She paused only to wave at the camera before turning back to the archer and stabbing the arrow into her lower left arm. They could do nothing as they watched Artemis's eyes shut in pain. She made a motion like coughing but the gag prevented her from expelling the blood. It continually soaked the gag, spreading into designs before marring together.
When the Archer's eyes opened again, they actually looked the smallest bit frightened. The camera zoomed out again, showing only eleven arrows in the quiver and a new message on the floor was revealed.
Tick tock.
Everyone saw her foot start to tap again.
Star-
They knew the consequence and knew Artemis did, too. Her message was cut off as the same man from earlier came to stand in front of her, back to the camera. He proceeded to backhand the archer again. Again. And again. And again. Her head snapped to the side every time, unnaturally and painfully. She fell unconscious sooner this time, no doubt blood loss having a part to play in it. Just like before, there was another slap before the video cut out.
Everyone's reactions were about five times worse than before. They snapped shut their transmitters and Robin turned to them. "S.T.A.R. Labs or Star City?" He asked, voicing their thoughts.
They were about to find out.