She could remember the smile on her lips, the rush of adrenaline fuelling her and just like that; the world started up again.
Power. It was a strange thing, something that people like Pan adored and people like Henry disliked. Artemis was more in the middle; she wouldn't say she enjoyed power, but it was useful in most ways.
Especially in Neverland. Which brings us back to what was happening right now.
Artemis was a daredevil, a risk-taker, a wildcard. She knew this, her family knew this and it never become more useful than right now. Many people would decline; shooting at arrow into the ground on an isle and zip lining over crocodile infested water, just for a flag.
However, this was like a simple reconnaissance mission to help the resistance stop the Evil Queen. Except this was a test to prove she can survive Neverland and become a 'Lost Boy' (well Lost Girl in her case; but whatever.) and the only evil on his island was a magical insane teenage boy with major control issues and terrible shoe sense.
But we can let bygones be bygones.
Lucky for them; Will and Furs were spineless morons or this wouldn't have been achieved (so quickly). Tucking the flag into her belt; Will and Furs cowering in a corner, there 'weapons' in the creek (creak) with Felix yelling at them (some truly colourful words, that made Artemis grin)
It was clear this would be a truly treasured memory for her.
Cutting the rope from the arrow in the ground, winding it around her hand she pulled on it twice. Rufio popped up, earning another string of colourful curses words from Felix. Grabbing his end of the rope. Artemis turned giving the boys a little wave as Rufio easily pulled her up.
Climbing up, she joining Rufio on the top, the two instantly taking off into the forest.
The leaves beat past them, like fans they were going so fast she couldn't even hear the familiar crunch of the leaves and twigs under their feet. All she could hear as was the cold wind and they (practically) flew through the forest.
"And release!"
The arrow flew from the bow hitting the coloured scoring ring, just inches away from the bullseye. Artemis sighed, lowering her bow looking down at her boots.
"That was incredible." Robin praised, patting her back his bright blue eyes shining in the morning sun. "I missed." 8 year old Artemis replied, frowning. She had known Robin and his Merry Men for about 2 years now, after he rescued her from the Queen's guard for stealing some apples.
With her brother dead, Robin and his Merry Men had happily 'adopted' her as one of their own. With Robin instantly invested in her learning to protect herself. "You did not." Robin replied wisely.
Artemis glanced up at him. "I'm pretty sure to not miss, is to hit the target."
Robin smiled nodding. "That is true, but you did not miss." he insisted. Artemis looked back at the target. "I don't understand." she said, Robin bent down, placing a hand onto her shoulder.
"You may have missed the target today, but as long as this," Robin said pointing to her heart. "Is straight and true, you will never truly miss. You will hit bullseyes by the dozen one day, Artemis I promise. But, you must never let this loose its aim." he said, gently placing her hand over her heart.
Artemis shut her eyes feeling her rhythmic heart beat against her hand. "Do you promise to do this?"
Artemis opened her eyes. "I will. I promise."
"Go! Go! Go!" Rufio shouted, there plan flowing into motion like a well-oiled machine. The objective was simple, steal the other team's flag and return it to their own and protect it with their lives still sundown.
Which was in about 2 hours.
Ten of the boys were with her and Rufio running through the forest, tossing the white fabric between them like a ball as Felix's team started to chase them.
Her legs were burning, but the rush of chaos and chase was fuelling her more than anything in the world. Despite the situation a smile was starting tug on her lips.
The whizzing of air alerted her instantly, ducking as an arrow whizzed past her head embedding itself into a tree.
Apparently attempted murder also made the list of things they were allowed to do.
Rolling her eyes, digging her heels in. She skidded to a halt, sliding her bow off her shoulder loading it at lightning speed she fired.
The arrow flew, nicking the two of the boy's arms, before landing into one of their legs. The boy howled in pain, falling to the ground pulling half of them down with him.
Rufio let out a hoot of laughter as he ran past her, their white flag flying though air and into Curly's outstretched arms. Marcel (a hazel eyed, red haired boy jumped onto a few logs, pulling himself up into the trees.
Phase 2 was initiated.
Smirking Artemis looped the bow back onto her shoulder, following Marcel's lead as she pulled herself up into the trees.
Arrows were instantly released into the trees, but the strong branches and colourful leaves covered them from any real danger.
Another interesting and amazing thing about Neverland was its trees. Strong, tall and powerful with branches that could either keep you safe or (like everything on this island) end your life.
But you were alright if you knew where to step.
Once you were up into its branches they could take you anywhere. The branches on the top were thick and winding allowing them to jump from tree to tree without having to worry too much about falling to the ground.
Rufio appeared on the tree next to her, grinning like a madman. "Come on, boys!" he roared out. The Lost Boys were screaming, both from below and with her, above the ground. "The game is on!"
Whether of glee or possible terror it was unclear to her; but there smiles were infectious and there happy, wild-like spirits were definitely better than them all trying to kill her. She couldn't help it, she smiled.
~
"Go! Go! Go!" Curly yelled as he and Rufio helped the other boys down to the ground. Turning to her he tossed the flag to Artemis who tucked it into her belt.
"You ready?" he asked, shooting her a worried look as Rufio helped Tiny the youngest down the tree. Artemis took a deep breath, glancing behind her. Phase Three. Felix's team was gaining on them, and they didn't sound happy.
But it had to be her.
"Yeah, I'll be okay." she said, though the rest of her felt the complete opposite. Curly nodded, not seeming to believe her, but trusting she would do her part.
For some reason his worried look and trusting eyes made a feel warm inside.
Curly smiled clasping her shoulder gently, smiling at her his blue eyes glittering the fading sunlight. "Be strong don't die."
"I make no promises." Artemis replied cheekily. Curly chuckled, before walked to the edge of the tree slowly climbing down. "Good luck Artemis."
"Thanks Curly." she whispered as he disappeared from her view. Felix's group of boys became louder. Rufio coughed, staring at her his head poking out from the tree. "Er, I—"
"I know." Artemis said, deciding to save him from his awkwardness. "Thanks Rufio." she said, giving him a small smile, before turning around, lightly touching her arrow zip-line.
"There she is! She's go the flag!" Felix shouted suddenly. "Hello boys," Artemis greeted, holding the flag up, giving it a light wave, before sticking it back into her belt. "Looking for this?"
"Get her!"
Glancing at them, giving them a mocking wave. She dove; the zip-line taking her safely to ground, before she broke off into a run again.
"Artemis, hurry back with that water!" Robin called for their camp. "Yes, Robin." answered Artemis, trudging along the path to the well. Usually someone went with her, but they were dealing with a very important 'grown-up' conversation that she was definitely not allowed in.
Sighing to herself as she started to lower the bucket; the sound of twig's snapping made he stop. "Hello?" she called out, taking hold of the small bow around her shoulder. "Is someone there?"
Another sound. Artemis swallowed hard edging closer towards the well. The sound got closer, she ducked down, clutching her bow between her hands.
"Hello?" came an unfamiliar soft voice. Artemis looked up, pressing herself against the well. A man with golden hair and bright blue eyes appeared, he was dressed well in shiny white coat with golden swirls around.
He smiled at her, and instantly all her fear faded. Who could be cruel with a smile like that? "Hey there, little one." The man cooed, bending down. "What are doing here by yourself?" he asked.
Artemis swallowed wanting to answered, but for some reason she felt shy too. "My name's D-James. My names James." The man, James said softly. "What's yours?"
"Artemis." she whispered. "Artemis." James repeated, sitting down across form her, crossing his legs. "It's a beautiful name. Do you know what it means?"
Artemis shook her head. "The moon, the hunter."
Artemis's eyes widened. "Really…why?" she whispered edging closer to him.
James nodded. "Well, Artemis was a brave powerful Greek goddess." he explained. "In fact she was the goddess hunting and the wild, animals, the Moon. And she even protected little girls like you."
"She sounds wonderful."
"She does." James said, smiling. His pearly white teeth and blue eyes glittering. "Artemis, can you be brave and tell me where your parents are?"
"I don't have parents, I had a mom, but she threw me out and I had a brother; his name was David. It was short of Davinemen, but he's gone too. I do have a Robin though!" she said, grinning hopefully.
James grinned back, but his eyes changed holding something, something heavy. Something she would later realise was guilt. And as she took his hand, it was the beginning of something painful and wonderful.
The beginning of finding her family. Her real one, and as James better known now David Nolan. Took her back to Robin, she ran into Robin's open arms, not knowing she ran out of the hands of her biological brother.
"End of the line, girly." said one of Felix's boys from behind her. As Artemis skidded to a halt, any close she would tumble down into the rushing waterfall below. Felix's Lost Boy's surrounded her, making her edge backwards carefully.
Her fight or flight was kicking in, but she desperately fought it.
She couldn't run.
Not now.
She just had to trust Rufio, Curly and Pan. Artemis swallowed hard digging her heels, they were not the most trustworthy and she only met Curly today.
But she didn't really have a choice.
The last light of sun was skimming the surface. It almost done. Almost over.
"Nowhere to run. Give us the flag, Artemis." Felix drawled walking forwards, leaning on his club. The boys were glaring at her, bows drawn, swords out, knives too.
"Oh, Felix." Artemis started straightening up; dropping the look of kicked kitten. Her eyes glittering dangerously. "If only I could."
Felix's eyes widened. "What are you talking about?" he growled out.
Artemis sighed, feigning disappointment. "Well…you see you saw me taking the flag; which I did. But…." she said, drawing out her 'but'. "You didn't see me give the real flag to Rufio, who gave to Curly who then gave it to Jack. Who then, gave me this." Artemis said, pulling out the 'flag' from its place in her belt.
Giving it a light shake it unfolded itself revealing to be one of the Lost Boys white shirts. The boys around her shared horrified looks.
Artemis smirked. "You see Felix, I never had the flag, never ran away with it. And the whole making you all chase us through the trees, was a distraction so Jack could get that to ours. Which is safely hidden back at the edge of Crocodile Creak. Which none of you have time to go back for because-" she paused, pointing up at the sky which had gotten darker.
"Game over." Artemis finished, folding her arms behind her back, watching Felix and the boy's faces contort in a strange mixture of anger, annoyance and disgust.
For a split second she thought they might attack her. Toss her and leave her to the mercy of waterfall.
Then the sound of clapping broke the silence.
Artemis couldn't the instant rush of relief she felt when he walked out of the trees, clapping grinning from ear to ear.
"Well, I must say Artie that was impressive. One the most exciting game in a while." Pan praised, making his way towards her, sending her his classic cheeky smile.
Before turning around facing his Lost Boys. "Wasn't she brilliant?" he asked, the boys didn't answer, a few nodded slightly; others awkwardly shifting on their feet.
"Bloody brilliant." Curly said interjected, walking out of the trees, Rufio and the rest of her team coming to join them. "Girl's got more brains than half of us and shoots like nothing I ever seen before."
"Yes." Pan agreed pacing, (unknowingly to Artemis) shooting Will and Furs a dark look from the corner of his eyes. "Definitely Lost Boy material. What do you think Rufio?"
Artemis glanced over at his, the red-head smirked at her. "She's, she's alright." he said, Artemis smiled, she definitely won him over. "Felix?" Pan asked, glancing at the taller boy.
Felix stared at her, before giving her a smirk. "Girl's got guts and smarts. Fine with me."
Pan smiled. "Then its settled." he said, walking back to her, his green eyes locked onto hers as he placed at hand onto her shoulder. Even though her clothes she could feel his magic pulsing from his hand, into her, like a buzzing electricity.
"Everyone I'd like you to welcome, Artemis. Our first Lost Girl."
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