Thank you A2ID and Shojobaby for the reviews! I published at a bad time, so I figured I'd only get one or two, or none! Well, hopefully I get some more!
Just a reminder: this takes place before Red Arrow accepts Artemis.
Ch 2~ Fight or Flight
Roy was breathing hard. He ran through the halls, using the occasional red backup light to guide him. The hero ran faster every time he heard one of Sportsmaster's bone-chilling screams for revenge. Even then, his adrenalin was wearing thin, and the pain in his side started to slow him down. It was indescribable, the only thing he could compare it to was a knife, stabbing into his side any time he inhaled or exhaled. Roy was sure he had more than a few cracked ribs. A bellow for revenge reverberated through the corridor. The archer's heartbeat elevated, and his legs began moving faster.
Without warning, Red Arrow slammed into something. The something let out a gasp and tumbled to the ground with him. Roy flipped over, grabbing his assailant, slamming her to the floor with all of his strength, wrapping a hand around her throat.
"I've got you now Cheshire." He snarled barbarically. No mercy. They were trying to kill him, why should he let her get away? His grip tightened, feeling the assassin's throat pulse under his fingers. She clawed at the hand that was cutting off her air supply.
"Not… Cheshire…" Even though the words were hoarse and strangled, Roy recognized the voice of his teammate, Artemis. He released her immediately, backing away as she coughed, gasping for air.
Roy felt an unmistakable pang of guilt. He had been ready to kill his teammate; a mistake that would've cost him his status as a hero. Red Arrow shook away the unpleasant thoughts.
His arm extended out to her. "I'm sorry." He sounded serious, but not regretful. After a pause, Roy felt the archer grab his arm. He hauled Artemis to her feet, about to question her, when heavy footsteps echoed towards them; definitely not any of the other teammates. On his feet already? Roy thought, irritated. The man took an arrow to the eye and was already running, but Roy had taken one swift kick to the side and was already feeling a shameful urge to flee.
Without a word, Roy pulled Artemis down another hallway, then another, repeating the process until the pursuing footfalls disappeared. They opened a door and snuck in to what seemed like a staff break room bathed in eerie red light.
"What's going on?" Artemis's voice was hoarse, but that didn't mask her furious tone. "Its-" A spike of pain caused Roy to stop. He leaned against a wall, then slid down, sitting on the floor. Artemis's calls barely registered in the archer's clouded mind.
When the pain passed, he gasped, breathing as shallowly as possible. "Its Cheshire… and Sportsmaster." He explained, rising ever so slowly from his seat on the floor. "I had a run-in with him." Roy spoke through clenched teeth.
"Oh, that's why you tried to- you know- strangle me," Artemis replied, partially serious, partially angry.
"Look-" Red Arrow attempted to explain himself, but the younger archer interrupted.
"Whatever. Me, my sister, there's no difference in your eyes, I'm sure." She snapped. Artemis knew that she had just slipped up, but why did it matter? He knew anyway. The green archer crossed her arms, waiting for Red Arrow's response.
Roy was speechless. Did she really think that he thought that way? He did, partly, but the fact that Artemis had thrown it in his face made him think. Did everyone on the team see him as hostile and untrusting? Did Robin, Kid Flash, and Aqualad still see him as a friend, or just a teammate?
The red archer's shoulders seemed to droop. "I'm… sorry," he sighed. "I know that apologizing can't really mean much to you at this point, but I mean it." He added firmly.
Roy could see Artemis relax. "Alright- but I don't forgive you." She pointed an accusing finger at him. "Now, let's get back to business; we've got two villains to beat." The green archer said. They started for the door, when Artemis stopped, turning back to Roy.
"Where's your bow?" She asked warily. The question made Red Arrow's heart drop. "It's… not with me."
Great. Two heroes, one slightly crippled and without a weapon, against two of their worst enemies, who were ready to spill blood.
Right on cue, there was a noise in the vent above. Roy tensed and Artemis aimed an arrow. A cloaked figure dropped onto the floor.
"Anybody need a hand?" The sly voice of Robin asked. Red Arrow and Artemis both relaxed.
"Where have you been?" Artemis asked, annoyed but relieved. Through the darkness, the archers could sense his grin.
"You'll see. C'mon." He waved them out of the room and over to a staircase. As the trio climbed the steps, Robin and Artemis noticed Roy lagging behind.
"What's with him?" Robin whispered, making sure his voice was quiet enough so Roy couldn't overhear.
"Sportsmaster." Artemis replied. The two looked back at the injured archer.
Artemis walked down to him. "Let me see." She said. "It's dark; you won't be able to see anything." He replied. She rolled her eyes, then reached for his side. Right as her fingers brushed his skin, Roy's hand shot out, squeezing her wrist tightly. The shock seemed electric where her fingertips met his ribs.
"Don't," He said, trying to keep his voice level. He dropped her hand, both of their arms falling back to their sides.
"Here." Robin tossed her a roll of something. She snatched it out of the air, rolling it out. Thick, stretchy material, slightly sticky; it was a medical bandage.
"Lift up your arms," Artemis ordered.
"I don't need your help." Any sign of acceptance that Red Arrow had shown earlier was gone, replaced with hostility and malice. Artemis ignored his prideful comment, grabbing the beginning of the tape and pressing it to his side. Roy jerked slightly, but didn't protest. He put his arms up and let the archer wrap his midsection. Artemis thought the gesture looked like a sign of surrender, which brought a smirk to her lips.
The team of three continued up the steps to the balcony, which overlooked a dinosaur exhibit, the only lights being the red backup ones.
Artemis opened her mouth to ask their purpose, but Robin raised a hand, a gesture that meant 'just wait for it.' Only a few seconds went by before Artemis had her answer.
A set of heavy footsteps echoed far off, down some distant corridor. After a little waiting, they could hear a second set of footsteps, but they were light and careful.
Cheshire and Sportsmaster entered from different hallways.
"What are you doing here? I hope you weren't following my footsteps." Cheshire snarled.
"Shut up, I know there are two of them." Sportsmaster spat back.
"Ooh, someone's a little testy." Cheshire was toying with her partner, something she would have never done, but the assassin knew he was injured.
"There are three-" Then, more footsteps could be heard, and Artemis glanced over at Robin questioningly. He was smirking. This was his trick. The footsteps were fake- Batman's protégé was drawing them into a trap.
The villain's both ran for a doorway. Suddenly, Cheshire yelled, "Wait!" However, her reaction was too late.
There was a sound like something snapping, and the villains were suddenly in a net, suspended in the middle of the exhibit. The alarms started going off now, red lights flashing.
Robin jumped up. "Let's go. Those cables are strong, but I'm guessing Cheshire has a trick up her sleeve."
Artemis started following Robin back to the stairs, but Roy stood, rigid, staring at the two struggling in the net.
"Come on Red!" Robin said. But the archer wasn't listening.
"You're not even going to stay to fight?" Roy accused.
"Not with you like this!" Robin and Artemis said simultaneously.
There was a grating sound, and metal doors started to come down over the entryways, including the one that led to the stairs.
"Let's go. Now!" Both Robin and Artemis went for Roy, but the archer did something unexpected. He grabbed Robin and threw him back, past the closing door. Next, he snatched Artemis's bow, then threw her past the metal gate.
Artemis and Robin gawked at Roy, dumbfounded. The gate had two feet until it closed completely, so both of the heroes scrambled to their feet. They were too late, slamming into the door as it closed.
"Why?" Artemis demanded. Suddenly, she lifted her arms up. "He took my bow!" Artemis shouted. The archer hadn't noticed her missing weapon on account of Red Arrow surprise attacking them. She turned to Robin for an answer.
Boy Wonder was staring ahead at the gate. "He had a reason." Robin sounded sure, but Artemis knew that he didn't fully grasp the intent of the archer's actions.
"Well? We have to get back in there!" She shouted.
Robin glanced at the solid metal barrier, then back at Artemis, giving her a look that the archer did not want to see.
Uhg, sorry! I meant for so much more to happen in this chapter, I just didn't realize how much stuff there would be, and it just got filled up! So yeah, this chapter was filler-ish, but do you realize what that means?
Next chapter is gonna be crazy! I'm planning one of those omigosh suspense moments, (if you know what I mean… because I don't know if I make any sense to you guys) so get pumped! R&R