Alright everyone first off I've been working my beta to the bone so this one will not be edited for a while(a week at the least). The chapter after this one will be edited because I finished that one before this one and I had been working on this one for a week or so(wrote most of it when I was out of it so I apologize in advance for that) Maybe this will show a few hints but the chapter after this one someone will be joining but it's not Artemis or Superboy I'll give you a small hint. "Sparky!" hehehe think about well on with the story. If you want to wait until she edits it feel free to skip this chapter for the time being
Richard sighed looking down at a random piece of Oath paperwork. Oh how he hated that word. He never could've imagined that being a leader of one of the biggest vigilante groups would mean so much paperwork. "Um your coffee sir." A young waitress said removing him from his thoughts. "Thanks." He said as she put the coffee down on the table and he handed her a five as a tip. She left with a happy smile. He took a sip of it before sitting back. Normally he would've been at Oath's HQ doing this work but after his comfrontation with Batman two days ago he needed some peace and quiet.
So here he sat in one of Oath's most popular cafes sipping his coffee trying to do his paperwork. "Wow doing paperwork at a Cafe isn't that a little cliche?" A voice asked from behind him. Richard looked up and saw a young woman with long golden hair standing there.
She wore a pair of blue jeans and a green arrow t-shirt. "I like to think its uncliche Artemis." He responded as she chuckled. "Mind if I sit with you?" She asked holding up her own cup of coffee. "That would be asterous." Richard replied as she shook her head at his word play and sat down across from him.
"So what brings you to BludHaven Mis?" He asked pushing his paperwork a side. "Do I need to have a reason for visiting one of the leaders of the biggest vigilante group in Bludhaven's history?" She asked with a smirk. "Well most people have to schedule in appointment if they wish to talk to me." Richard stated cockily.
"Well do you think you could pencil me in Mr. Im the greatest tactician the world has ever seen?" She asked sarcastically. He pulled out an appointment book and glanced through it as if thinking. "Well I have an opening at four thirty if your interested." Richard stated with a smirk as she sighed.
"You obviously can't understand sarcasm." She stated shaking her head. "And you don't understand trolling." He replied as she raised an eye brow. He merely pointed at a digital clock that read Four Thirty two. "Well then how long will my appointment last?" She said in such a way that Richard blushed in response. "However long you want it to last?" He more of asked then said. "How about until GA and Flash leave the city then?" She asked with another smirk.
"Sounds good to me." Richard barely managed to say without stuttering. Before either one of them could say another word Artemis's phone went off and she answered it quickly. "Hello?" She asked slightly irritated.
"Woah woah. Slow down M'gann. Whos attacking where? Joker is attacking a warehouse just outside of BludHaven and the league wants YJ minus Robin to take care of it? Alright on my way." She said finishing up their conversation. "Sorry Raze it seems as though I'll have to cut our date short my team needs me." She stated rising from her seat.
Richard rose as well. "Mind if I tag along?" Richard asked as Artemis pondered for a moment. "Well we are missing a bat and I don't think the team will mind if a Wing helps us out. But will Oath be alright without their bird for a night?" Artemis asked teasingly.
"They'll be fine." Richard responded instantly. "Alright then Bird boy I got the coordinates. Lets changed and kick some ass." She responded. They left the cafe and Richard led them to a warehouse where they both changed into their alter egos.
Two minutes later they were changed from Richard and Artemis to Nightwing and um Artemis. "Alright Mis input the coordinates into the bike while I decide which piece of technology I'm gonna test out this time." Nightwing stated as Artemis sighed and inputted the coordinates into his Wingcycle. He grabbed a few random capsules before jumping on the wingcycle.
"Alright whos motorcyle am I gonna use?" Artemis asked looking around the warehouse. "Well Warps so fast he really doesn't need one and RA took his to patrol with GA. So you'll be riding with me." Nightwing answered as she grunted. She got on the Wingcycle and he inwardly smirked. She wrapped her arms around his waist as they took off.
Five minutes later they arrived at an old closed down amusement park. "Figures that Joker would be in one of the creepiest parts of BludHaven." Nightwing sighed as they dismounted the motorcycle.
"Artemis your finally here." M'ganns voice rang inside Artemis's head. "Ya and I brought an ally." Artemis responded through the mental link. "So could you hook him up?" Artemis asked as he heard M'gann nodding. "Got it." She responded as she heard Superboy grunt. "Where you guys at?" Artemis asked through the mind link which surprised Nightwing a little bit because his eyes widened.
"By the farris wheel. Joker is a little more difficult than we expected and without any knowledge of how he fights or anything besides our short encounter last time will be difficult to take down." Kaldur's voice sounded in their minds. "Joker likes to toy around with anyone he deems fun. If he's still fighting with you guys you must be providing him with some entertainment." Nightwing said through the mind link. "Nightwing?" Kaldur asked as he could almost see Nightwing nod.
"Keep him busy were on our way." Artemis said before jumping over the fence with Nightwing close behind her. "Come on Kiddies that can't be your best because if so Uncle J will be sadly disappointed and you don't want that do you?" Joker's voice rang out as Nightwing and Artemis came into sight. Joker then pretended to wipe a tear away from his eye. Joker was standing on top of highest cart on the ferris wheel with the team on the ground clearly out of breath.
"Wow Joker really did a number on you guys." Nightwing stated as him and Artemis regrouped with YJ. "Not really him. He had a lot of thugs." Miss Martian stated glancing over at Nightwing. Joker smiled upon seeing Nightwing.
"Birdboy you came to see your Uncle J!" Joker exclaimed as Nightwing stared at YJ and then glanced at Artemis. "Looks like you guys could use a little pick me up." Nightwing stated pulling out a blue capsule from his utility belt. He threw it to the ground and it exploded releasing a bunch of blue smoke the engulfed Young Justice.
A few seconds later the smoke cleared and Artemis glared at him. "What the hell was that?!" She growled as Nightwing merely smirked while pointing at the rest of Young Justice. They all had the breath back and their exhaustion seemed to have faded as well. "Special smoke pellet it's designed to remove fatigue and help someone get back on their feet." Nightwing explained as Kaldur smiled.
"So how you guys feeling?" Nightwing asked looking at Kaldur. "Much better my friend thanks to you." Kaldur said as Superboy flexed his muscles. "Ahhh that's no fair birdboy their not supposed to have extra lives." Joker yelled as Nightwing smirked. "Don't worry Joker they won't be fighting I only did that so I wouldn't have to worry about them getting in the way of our 'fun' time." Nightwing called out to him making the members of YJ look skeptical.
"What do you mean get in the way of your 'fun' time?" Miss Martian asked as Nightwing aimed his wrist at the ferris wheel and launched a grappling hook at it and once it was stuck in one of the carts he smirked. "Like I said just sit back and enjoy the show." Nightwing said putting to his hand to his head in a mock salute before he reeled himself up to the second highest cart. "Oh no you don't." Artemis muttered firing a grappling arrow at the same cart and reeling herself up as well.
Nightwing landed on the cart and smiled at Joker. "So Joker what you doing out of Gotham?" Nightwing asked smirking while grabbing a few other capsules. "Well I got bored of Batsy and his new birdboy it just wasn't the same you know? I missed my favorite little bird and wanted to seem him again since our last encounter was cut rather short." Joker said pulling out a gun and firing a few bullets at Nightwing who dodged easily.
Nightwing jumped onto joker's cart right when Artemis had landed on the one he had just been standing on. "Hate to break it to you Jokey but i don't swing that way." Nightwing said in a mocking voice. Artemis watched as Joker seemed to find that comment offending as he pressed the trigger faster causing bullets to fly out at Nightwing rapidly.
She pulled out a special arrow that Nightwing had apparently been testing. Roy had given it to her saying she could probably find a better use for it then he could. She knotched it back and launched it at Joker.
Joker who was still distracted by Nightwing didn't notice a rather unique arrow flying at him. The arrow exploded in the air and a giant flame like phoenix roared at him. Joker who had turned to see it gasped in shock.
Nightwing who saw the phoenix smirked slightly upon seeing it. The phoenix flew at the joker and passed through him harmlessly or so it seemed. When the phoenix passed through him and disappeared to reveal the Joker in a very complicated straight jacket. "What the hell?!" Joker asked looking down at his current predicament.
"The special Straight Phoenix developed by the one and only Nightwing." Artemis said smirking. "Oh no fair I was supposed to have some personal time with Wingy here!" Joker cried out as Nightwing smirked. "Sorry Joker maybe next time." Nightwing said with a wink which only infuriated Joker. Artemis jumped onto the cart Nightwing and Joker were currently on and helped him tie Joker up.
"Alright the BludHaven police is on the way." M'gann said through the mind link. "So you guys heading out?" Nightwing asked through the link. "Yes though I wish we could stay and catch up. We have to report to Superman." Kaldur explained as Nightwing nodded. "Well it was nice distracting Joker for ya." Nightwing said out loud to Artemis.
A few minutes later the police came and picked up Joker and Young Justice was beginning to leave. Nightwing however stood on the cart still and was staring towards the setting sun. Artemis turned and looked at him from the ground. "Artemis if you wish to join Nightwing I am sure that we can handle the report." Kaldur said turning towards her. "Are you sure?" Artemis asked caught off card so much that she didn't deny that she wanted to. "Yes it is just a few reports." Kaldur said putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Just make sure to thank him for us and do not worry I will not say a word about this to Green Arrow." He said as she nodded and gave him a small hug. "Thanks Kaldur I owe you one." She whispered before releasing the hug and jogging over to the ferris wheel. Kaldur smiled as he boarded the bio ship and explained that Artemis wished to thank Nightwing and would return later.
She launched a grappling arrow and reeled in and landed on the cart. "Hey." She said barely above a whisper. He turned a little startled by her and smiled gently.
"Hey." He responded as she took a deep breath.
"Thanks for the help. I doubt I would've gotten a good shot in without a good distraction." Artemis admitted bashfully. "Anytime I just wanted to make sure you didn't get hurt." Nightwing replied with a small smile before realizing what he had just said. "Afraid Green Arrow will have your ass mounted on the fireplace?" She asked taking a step closer.
"Nah I just didn't want to see such a gorgeous goddess get hurt." He said taking a step closer to her. While they were obviously distracted by the other they didn't notice that Warp, Flash, Green Arrow and Red Arrow had arrived and were watching the whole thing. Before they knew it they were in the others personal space something that they both preferred no one to enter.
"You think I'm beautiful?" She asked softly. He shook his head with a small smile on his face as he looked into her eyes. "I think you're the most beautiful thing on this earth." He said before she could say another word. A small silence went by as Warp pulled out his camera and zoomed in waiting for the perfect opportunity.
"What would you say if I asked if I could kiss you?" He asked as she looked down into his mask(remember shes still taller then him for now!). She reached up and pulled off his mask something that no one could do without serious injuries(unless you're a member of Oath). Warp snapped a picture with her hand on his mask. "I'd say shut up and kiss me." She replied as they both leaned in closer and began a very intense kiss.
Green Arrow looked ready to tear Nightwing apart. "Easy Ollie last thing we need is a dead Nightwing on our plate." Flash joked as Warp began taking pictures like crazy until he got the perfect one. "Fine but if he hurts her I'll have his ass over my fireplace along with the others." Green Arrow said growling. "If she hurts him I'll rip her to shreds." Red Arrow stated with a small growl. "Oh come on guys we should be happy for them and I mean they both got overprotective people on both sides so I'm pretty sure they won't hurt each other." Wally said trying to ease some of the tension off while the two heroes broke apart.
"How was that?" She asked barely above a whisper. "Asterous." Nightwing responded initiating another kiss which was short compared to the previous. "So where does this leave us now?" Nightwing asked as Artemis smiled. "With you taking me to dinner or on some other type of date every thursday night unless we have very important business to attend to." Artemis replied as Nightwing smiled. "I think I can live with that." He responded as Warp showed everybody the perfect picture.
It showed Nightwing and Artemis kissing passionately with the setting sun in the background giving them an orange glow. "Great use of the camera now we can tease Richard for the next few months." Red Arrow stated with a small smile. "Months try years with Artemis." Green Arrow stated with a big smile.
Present time-
Artemis stared at the picture Wally had taken and given the couple. She smiled sadly because of the news Ollie had just given her. Richard had apparently gone rogue and it was hitting Artemis pretty hard and she refused to believe it. Her Nightwing would never abandon her even if it cost him his life. "Never." She repeated with tears in her eyes. The tears were about to drop until a knock on her window.
She wiped the tears away and set the picture down before going over to window hoping to see Richard standing there in his Nightwing outfit like he was known to do. When she opened it there was only a white envelope with her name on it. She looked around but was unable to see the figure in the darkness of the night.
Richard stood in the darkness watching Artemis hoping she would pick up the envelope which she did. She took it inside and closed her window and he was about to go back to Slade before realizing he still had a little bit of time left before he had to go and so he sat on the ledge watching her.
He pulled out the duplicate he had of the picture and smiled grimly. "This better turn out the way I plan or else I'll never forgive myself." He muttered as he continued to watch Artemis before having to return to Slade.
When he arrived Slade was smirking. "Back so soon?" He asked as Richard nodded. "Sorry it took so long master I just had to see her one last time in order to further my conviction that I'm doing the right thing." Richard replied slightly bowing as he said master. "And did it?" Slade asked curiously. "It did master it reminded me that if I don't do this her life could be taken and I could've prevented it." Richard stated as Slade smiled.
"Then Richard rise it is time for you to see your new uniform." He stated as Richard did as he was told. Slade let him through the warehouse until he stopped at the armory. They walked inside and inside was a variation of his Nightwing uniform only with some serious modifications.
The blue in the uniform was dyed red and instead of black it was now grey with two S's on the utility belt was nonexistent and Richard stared at it curiously. "When you put on his uniform you are no longer Richard Grayson. You are not Robin. You are not even Nightwing. No when you put on this uniform you are Nightstroke my sole apprentice and my son." Slade explained with pride in his voice as he said son. "I am honored Father." Richard said bowing slightly with a fake smile on his face that Slade bought.
End. 92 reviews so far almost there people xDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD And each of these filler chapters will have a little Richard in them at the end until his first job with Slade. Superboy and Warp is next well after someone joins oath.