Chapter 6: Infiltration
Mount Justice
09:58 | August 8
Rhode Island
"Hello Megan!" M'gann thumped her forehead, gesturing to the New England beach just outside Mount Justice. "We should go to the beach every day!" M'gann hugged her boogie board to her chest, smiling like a child on Christmas. She was in a yellow two-piece, with her, Kaldur in black swimming trunks, Robin in his dark red trunks, Connor with dark blue trunks, and Tom with black trunks with a red strike at either side.
"First, a moment of silence for our missing comrade," Robin raised a finger before bowing his head in mock mourning.
Tom took off an imaginary hat and placed it against his bare chest. "May angel sing him to public school rest."
"Alright, enough mourning," Connor ran past them and jumped far enough into the sea to dive in.
"Let's go!" Tom grinned, discarded his towel on a nearby rock, and ran towards the water.
"Wait for me!" M'gann raised her board over her head, running after her friends. Kaldur and Robin followed in last. They spent the morning and early evening playing on the beach. Robin and M'gann got into a splash fight, and Connor inserted himself with a cannonball, claiming victory. At Tom's suggestion, Aqualad used his magic to make a water slide that tossed them into the air and deeper parts of the beach. They stopped around noon to grill hotdogs and burgers with smoothies courtesy of Tom buying a mixer. Then they relaxed on the beach, with M'gann and Robin piling sand atop a relaxing Connor. Meanwhile, Kaldur and Tom made a small sand castle.
It was around 15:00 when the Team was recalled by Red Tornado. They all changed into their costumes and gathered at the center. Batman, Red Tornado, Green Arrow, and a familiar face for Red X were already waiting for them. "Team, this is Artemis; she will be joining the Team from now on."
Artemis and Red X's eyes locked briefly, and Red X raised a brow. "You, uh, really did look into it, huh?"
"Yes, Artemis is my niece," Green Arrow explained.
Red X looked at his Team, and they shrugged; it seemed this was part of the chorus for them. "If you say so, I'm in no position to judge here." Red X crossed his arms. "Good to put a name to the pain in the back of my head." Red X smirked; "this is my Team and friends. "Aqualad, Miss Martian, Superboy, and Robin."
"We got one more coming," Robin said next to Red X.
"Recognize Kid Flash B03."
"The Wall-man is here! Let's get this party star-whoa!" Wally, in orange swimming trunks and weighed down by beach supplies, stumbled out of the Zeta tube to land before everyone. His beach ball bounced off, being caught by Red X. "Sorry, missed the beach by ten minutes."
"Aw, man," Wally untangled himself and stood up.
"Hey Wall-man, love the uniform; what are your powers exactly? Besides a memorable entrance." Artemis shouldered her bow and smirked at Wally.
"Uh, who is this?" Wally stepped up next to Robin.
"Artemis, your new teammate," Artemis cocked her hip, resting her fist against it.
"Kid Flash, never heard of you," Wally grinned, crossing his arms.
"She's my new protégé," Green Arrow stepped up, putting a hand on Artemis's shoulder.
"Well, what happened to your old one?" Kid Flash frowned.
"Recognize Speedy B06."
"For starters, he doesn't go by Speedy anymore," Roy Harper walked into the Cave. "I go by Red Arrow now."
"Roy, you look-" Green Arrow stepped over Artemis before Red Arrow cut him off.
"Replaceable," Red Arrow's eyes narrowed.
"It's not like that; you said you were going solo," Green Arrow raised his hands.
"So why wait to find a sub?" Red Arrow glared, "can she even use that bow?"
"Yes, she can!" Artemis stepped between Green and Red Arrow.
"Yes, she can," Red X also said simultaneously. Artemis looked at him, surprised.
"You'll forgive me if I don't take the word of the 'amnesiac parallel universe traveler.'" Red Arrow stepped past Artemis and Green Arrow. "I didn't come for a social call."
"She is not your replacement; a spot on the Team has been open for you. We don't have a quota on archers." Aqualad interjected, gesturing to the Team.
"And if we did," Wally smirked, "you know who we'd pick."
"Whatever, Baywatch," Artemis rolled her eyes. "I'm here to stay."
"You came to us for a reason," Aqualad cut any further argument off.
"Yes, Doctor Serling Roquette," Red Arrow nodded at Aqualad.
"Nanorobotics and Claytronics genius at the Royal University in Star City. She vanished two weeks ago." Robin brought up his holo terminal and projected her information profile on the main holo screen at the center of the Cave.
"Abducted two weeks ago." Red Arrow narrowed his eyes, "by the League of Shadows."
"Whoa, you want us to rescue her from the Shadows?" Robin grinned with excitement.
"Hardcore," Kid Flash walked up to Robin and fist-bumped him.
"I already rescued her; the problem is something else." Red Arrow produced a device from his belt. It projected an image that linked up with the Cave's holo terminal and projected it for all to see. It was a cylinder with an image of quadruped robots in the top right corner. "The Shadows coerced her to create a weapon for them; Doc calls it the fog. It's comprised of millions of microrobots." Red Arrow put the device back in his belt. "Nanotech infiltrators able to disintegrate anything in their path. Concrete, steel, flesh, bone." Red Arrow narrowed his eyes. "Its real purpose, however, is theft. The infiltrators eat and store raw data from any computer system. The information is then delivered straight to the Shadows."
"Perfect for blackmail, power brokering, and all other shady business. Yep, sounds like the Shadows." Artemis sighed.
"Like you know anything about the Shadows," Kid Flash crossed his arms. Artemis gave him a side glance and smirked. "Seriously, who are you!?" Kid Flash threw his hands up, frustrated.
"Roquette is currently working on a virus to render the fog inert." Red Arrow cut in.
"But if the Shadows know she can do that," Red X crossed his arms.
"They're going to target her," Red Arrow looked to the display, where he brought up an image of a school. "Right now, she's off the grid; I stashed her away in the local high school's computer lab."
"You left her alone?" Green Arrow stepped up to Red Arrow.
"She's safe enough for now," Red Arrow asserted.
"Then let's you and I keep it that way," Green Arrow reached for Red Arrow's shoulder.
Red Arrow moved his shoulder back, "don't want to take your new sidekick?"
Green Arrow opened his mouth to object, but Batman touched his shoulder. Green Arrow sighed, nodding. "You brought this mission to the team, making it her mission, too."
"Then my part here is done," Red Arrow walked off to the Zeta tube.
"Recognize speedy B06."
"Red Arrow, B06, update." Red Arrow glared as the Zeta tube whirred up, and he disappeared in a light. With Red Arrow gone, Kid Flash glared at Artemis, who glared right back. Red X sighed and looked at Superboy next to him. "It's gonna be one of those missions, isn't it?"
"Yep," Superboy crossed his arms, "but when isn't it with us?" He smirked and nudged Red X's shoulder before going to the Zeta tube.
Happy Harbor High
21:53 | August 08
Rhode Island
Miss Martian, link us up; I don't want the Shadows detecting our comms. Aqualad reached out to Miss Martian with his mind.
Is everyone online? Miss Martian's voice filled the Team's minds.
Oof, that's weird; Artemis rubbed her head and sat before Doctor Roquette while she worked.
Not to mention distracting, coding a distributing virus algorithm in a kiddy computer with less RAM than a wristwatch is hard enough. Now I have to hear teen think in my skull? Doctor Roquette glowered at her screen as she typed away.
Hey lady, you always complain this much when someone tries to help you? Sitting by the windows with Robin, Kid Flash munched on a protein bar.
Pot, Kettle, have you met? Artemis gestured to Kid Flash and Doctor Roquette.
Hey, I don't need any lip from the newbie who drove Red Arrow off the Team. Kid pointed his bar at Artemis, glaring.
That's so not on me! Artemis huffed and crossed her arms, hopping off her seat on Roquette's desk.
Fate of the world here! Doctor Roquette gestured to the computer with her hands.
She started it! Kid Flash crossed his arms and turned his head away from Artemis.
Enough, Red X interjected from his place just outside the computer lab, guarding the door. Artemis go outside with Miss Martian and Superboy and help them secure the perimeter.
That, Aqualad sighed, is a good idea. He was leaning against the door frame inside the computer lab. Artemis walked past him and exited the lab. She walked past Red X, who offered her a wave and an encouraging smile. Artemis felt her lips twitch up slightly, nodding.
You might wanna cut her some slack; it was her arrow that saved you. Robin reminded Kid Flash with a grin.
Ugh, don't remind me, and I refuse to give her the satisfaction. Kid Flash glared and leaned against the blinds.
You know I can still hear you! Artemis said as she walked down a flight of stairs.
"Agh!" Kid Flash groaned audibly, holding his head.
Doctor Roquette sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, pushing her glasses up. I couldn't get the Justice League. She made sure to think so everyone could hear her.
The Virus won't be of much use if we can't use it. Can you track the weapon? Aqualad pushed off the wall and walked up behind Doctor Roquette.
My utility fog is NOT a weapon, and yes, I can track it. But I might as well set up a neon sign that says come kill me! Doctor Roquette buried her face in her hands.
Aqualad put a comforting hand on her shoulder. We will protect you.
You have our word, Red X said; he was used to comforting people. War had taught him as much.
Doctor Roquetted sighed audibly, then tapped a key on her computer. There, tracking now.
Outside the school, Superboy walked the east side of the school. His super hearing picked up rustling leaves, and he snapped his eyes to the location. He narrowed his eyes, switching to infrared, but caught nothing. He pushed off the ground and flew up over the school to join Artemis and Miss Martian on the West side. He landed with barely a thud, and Superboy smirked. His flying lessons with Clark were already paying off.
Miss Martian glanced at him and smiled. Superboy nodded and resumed his patrol, with Artemis watching his retreating back.
"So," Artemis began.
"Huh?" Miss Martian jumped slightly and blushed.
Artemis smirked at her before fixing her eyes back on her surroundings. "You got eyes for hot stuff over there? Or do you like yours more, tall, dark, and handsome?"
"I, wait," Miss Martian shut her mouth before scrunching her brow together. "Red X? No, it's not like that." Miss Martian smiled and put her hand over her heart. "He was my first friend here. He's a big brother to me. I mean, I got seventeen brothers, but…" Miss Martian frowned, then shook her head. "He's my chosen big brother." She looked down at Artemis, "do you like him?"
"Well, let's just say our first meeting was… heavy." Artemis winked at Miss Martian, and she giggled behind her hand.
Miss Martian, we're tracking the fog weapon; Aqualad came over the mental link.
Not a weapon! Doctor Roquette reminded them.
The Fog, Aqualad corrected himself, is on the move, reconfigure the Bioship to track it. Superboy and Robin will intercept.
Miss Martian raised her hand and reached out with her mind. Bioship flew down uncloaking, and turned opening its back. Done, Miss Martian called out as Superboy rushed past her with Robin in tow. Bioship took off and flew off, cloaking as it flew away.
I should take up the slack, I'll move east and check the perimeter. Artemis nodded and walked off.
Miss Martian turned to Artemis, retreating back; uhm, I liked talking to you! Like girls, you know?
Artemis walked on and raised her hand. Something told me you weren't getting much of that before. The two laughed out loud and missed a figure jump over the fence behind them and rush into the school. Inside, Kid Flash exited the computer lab and backhanded Red X's shoulder. I'll give the inside a look.
We're already spread out; stay inside with Aqualad and the Doctor. Red X shook his head.
Dude, Kid Flash gave him a withering look. Don't make me say it.
Oh, Red X cracked a grin. I'd say make it quick, but. Red X shrugged. Kid Flash sped off around the corner into the bathroom. After a few minutes, he exited, relieved, and caught a shadow retreating down the hall further from the lab. Kid Flash jogged up and turned the corner. At the far end, the shadow retreated down another hall. Kid Flash ran up and growled, frustrated, seeing the shadow retreat further. Kid Flash used his speed and turned the corner, heading for open double doors. He ran in and slipped on balls left all over the floor. Kid Flash gritted his teeth, hitting his head. He opened his eyes and was met with a boot to the face, knocking him out. Kid Flash's attacker nudged him face-down into the pool.
Red X frowned; Kid Flash hadn't returned. Kid Flash, Red X called out. KF, Red X pushed off the door and glared at the darkened hall. Miss Martian, I can't reach KF, look for him. Our perimeter may be- Red X's thoughts stopped as a ball rolled towards his feet. It exploded in a flash and smoke. "Agh!" Red covered his face with his arm. Then he felt the wind knocked out of him as a force slammed against his sternum, and he flew back, smacking against some lockers before landing face down on the floor. A woman stood where she kicked Red X, placed a disk on the lab door, and pressed herself against the doorframe.
Red X! Aqualad drew his weapons and formed the stored water into blades. The door then blew inward, and Aqualad's eyes widened. Get down! Aqualad mentally shouted at Doctor Roquette, who ducked under her desk. Aqualad cut down in an X, cutting the door to pieces. The woman rushed into the room and threw three shuriken. Aqualad cut one out of the air, but the rest bit into his arm.
"Ohhh, that's gotta hurt," The assassin purred, drawing a sai from her lower back and slashing at Aqualad's face. Aqualad brought up his left sword, locking blades with the mystery assassin. Her face was concealed by a white mask of a grinning cat.
"Atlantean skin is quite dense," Aqualad pushed her off. He slashed, aiming to disable her. The assassin ducked and drew a second sai, cutting up. Aqualed blocked with his right sword and cut with his left. She blocked and stabbed with her right. Aqualad blocked with his left sword, catching the blade with his own.
"Good thing my shuriken are quite poisoned," she purred and pulled back. Aqualad threw a straight kick, catching her and sending her over nearby desks. She curled up and flipped over the desk back onto her feet. "Poison slowing you down?" The assassin teased and rushed him, trading slashes with Aqualad.
"Jellyfish toxin, I am largely immune," Aqualad narrowed his eyes. He swung for her arm; she parried his strike.
"Let's test that immunity," she threw a right roundhouse. She caught Aqualad across the face and spun with the momentum into a flying scissor neck takedown, flipping Aqualad hard onto the ground. She landed on her back, "there, tested." The assassin turned her head at the Doctor.
"Aaah!" Doctor Roquette screamed and rushed from beneath her desk to the exit. The assassin threw her Sai at the retreating Doctor's back. A black gauntlet got in the way at the last second. The sai plinked off the armor. "Oohh, so close," the assassin untangled herself from Aqualad into a crouch. She raised her sai, poised to finish Aqualad off. An arrow cut through the air, knocking the sai out of the assassin's hand.
"Agh!" the assassin held her wrist and stood up.
"Don't. move." Artemis stood in the doorway to the lab's second entrance at the far end of the room.
"Well, things are getting interesting," the assassin stepped back as Aqualad recovered and stood up. She drew a folded kodachi sword from her back and faced Artemis. Red X got fully between Doctor Roquette and the assassin. Then Miss Martian rushed in with Kid Flash not far behind. "Maybe too interesting." She hummed as the Team began to surround her. The assassin, fast as lightning, threw a bomb at her feet, and it exploded in a burst of smoke and light. Kid Flash rushed through the smoke and ended up hugging Artemis.
"Whoa!" Kid Flash pushed himself off her. "She's gone!" Kid Flash growled and turned back to Artemis, jabbing his finger in her direction. "This is your fault; you were on perimeter. How did that shadow get in?"
"That's not really fair; I was outside too." Miss Martian walked up, defending Artemis.
"Well, you were probably being distracted by her!" Kid Flash turned to Miss Martian and jabbed his thumb over his shoulder at Artemis. "Besides, I can't be mad at you." Kid Flash grinned. You gave me mouth-to-mouth.
We can hear you! Everyone on the mental link instantly reminded Kid Flash.
"Aww, dang it!" Kid Flash ducked his head down and walked off.
"Robin to Aqualad, we found the fog's next target. Star Labs Philadelphia." Robin paused before resuming. "We were too late. It's destroyed. The whole building is gone."
Aqualad removed the shurikens on his arm and put his finger to his ear. "Keep tracking the fog; we were compromised. We're moving the Doctor."
"Roger that," Robin signed off.
"Are you injured?" Red X looked over at the Doctor.
"No, no, I'm okay." Doctor Roquette smiled gratefully.
Red X nodded, his lips pulling up slightly. "Where to Aqualad?"
Aqualad looked at the Team and closed his eyes in thought. "To the harbor, I have a plan."
About an hour later, Aqualad crouched by a tree across an office building at Happy Harbor pier. Stop it, Aqualad called out mentally.
What? Kid Flash and Artemis said together.
I can hear you glaring; Aqualad sighed and threw his hand out. "Miss Martian, remain in camouflage mode and make a wide perimeter sweep."
Above Aqualad, a figure took an aim at him. Brown stick goo shot out of the tree, catching Aqualad. He was pulled up into the tree. His attacker cracked him across the face, then delivered two gut punches before drop-kicking him off the tree into a nearby parked van. Aqualad crashed against the van, creating an indent. He fell to his knees, and his opponent flipped off the tree, landing before him in a crouch. He was clad in a dark maroon sneaking suit with a spider logo on his forehead. Aqualad raised himself to a knee when a new opponent jumped from atop the van, smashing a heavy metal hook against the back of his skull.
Aqualad crumpled to the floor unconscious. The smiling cat assassin jumped down from the tree after the spider assassin. "Let's move, we do this before the Martian returns."
Inside, Kid Flash walked before Doctor Roquette while she worked. The front door swung open with a bang, and the spider assassin jumped in. Kid Flash narrowed his eyes and rushed him. The assassin jumped up, stuck to the ceiling, and fired a brown web at Kid Flash. Kid rolled left and threw a nearby trash bin at the assassin. He hopped down and went to trade blows with the speedster. Artemis knocked an arrow and took aim. She felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand, and Artemis turned and let an arrow loose. The hook assassin deflected it with his prosthetic. Doctor Roquette gasped, turning to the new assassin. "Keep working!" Artemis drew another arrow and fired, keeping the assassin at bay.
Doctor Roquette hurriedly typed away at her computer. With everyone engaged, they missed the cat assassin opening the rafter windows above the office. She drew a miniature crossbow and took aim. She pulled the trigger, and a bench flew up, protecting Doctor Roquette. "It's the Martian! Spider!"
Kid Flash went for a tackle, and Black Spider flipped over the tackle and landed in a crouch. He fired a web line at the floating bench and pulled. He jumped, and the bench went past him, crashing into Kid Flash as he stood back up. "Agh!" Kid Flash groaned, crumpling to the floor.
The Cat assassin jumped down, drawing her sai before the Doctor. The Doctor yelped and turned, running away. The assassin leaped after her, kicking her in the back and knocking her down. Artemis drew her bow but immediately rolled out of the way as the hook assassin fired his hook at her. The Cat assassin raised her sai for the killing blow. The Doctor's skin suddenly turned green, and she turned her head one-eighty. Miss Martian smirked as the Cat assassin took a step back. "We've been duped!"
Miss Martian flew up, morphing back into her original self. "You will never get Doctor Roquette."
"Never is such a… inaccurate word," The Cat assassin purred before turning on a heel and sprinting towards the exit. "Keep them busy, I'll find the target!" The hook assassin stepped in, firing his hook at Miss Martian, and she dodged left and threw a bench at him with her telekinesis. Artemis stood, drew her bow, and aimed at the retreating assassin. She passed by the battling Black Spider and Kid Flash, blocking her shot. "I'm pursuing their leader; take care of the rest!" Artemis ran after the assassin.
"You are not the boss of me!" Kid Flash punched Black Widow and turned to the retreating Artemis.
"Just do it!" Artemis threw back, frustrated, as she exited the office. Black Spider came up behind the speedster and tried to grab him in a headlock. "Quit it!" Kid Flash struggled, trying to break free.
Outside, the cat assassin found Aqualad was gone, and she sighed in frustration. "I do not like being played." Her mask goggles turned on, and she found Aqualad's footprints illuminated, leading further down the pier. She sprinted after the tracks and spun about halfway through, deflecting an arrow with her sai. Artemis stood bow raised at her, and the Cat assassin smirked under her mask. "I was hoping It be you." The assassin turned to the nearby building. She jumped and pushed off the wall, hoping onto the roof. She ran across and jumped to the next building. She slid to a stop and swayed, the left arrow missing her. The arrow embedded itself in the chimney fixture before her before it hissed out tranquilizing gas. The assassin coughed before falling onto her back.
Artemis jumped across the roof and neared the downed assassin. She knocked an arrow and stepped up to her. The assassin, quick as lightning, swept her leg out, tripping Artemis onto her back. "Mask filters the gas," the assassin said, eyes crinkling behind the mask, amused. Artemis glared up at her, rolled to her side, and pushed with her hands into a kick. The assassin sidestepped, grabbing Artemis's foot. Artemis pivoted and pushed off the ground into a kick. The assassin ducked, and Artemis stood up using the momentum of her kick. The assassin rushed up behind her, locking her arms behind Artemis. "Better luck next time," the assassin chuckled before she delivered a chop to the back of Artemi's neck, knocking her out.
Inside the building below her, Aqualad drew his weapons and formed swords of water. "We got company!" He had hoped their misdirection would have stalled them longer.
"I'm almost done….and, done! Uploading Virus now!" Doctor Roquette smiled, giving Aqualad a thumbs up. The door behind them creaked open, and Aqualad pushed the Doctor behind him. A ball rolled through the door and exploded into a smoke screen. Aqualad tensed up and raised his swords. It was faint, but he heard drywall sliding against metal. Aqualad stepped back, threw his arm back, and pushed Doctor Roquette behind him as he turned. One of the tiles was slid open from the roof, and three darts flew in pelting Aqualad in the chest.
"that was double the dose; let's stress test that immunity some more." The Cat assassin hopped down into a crouch. Aqualad's vision grew fuzzy, and he shook his head to clear it. He knew his body would filter the venom, but it felt like it weighed a ton right now. Aqualad rushed the assassin, making sure to keep the Doctor behind him. He threw sluggish slashes, and the assassin parried them before delivering a roundhouse kick across his face, knocking him out. The assassin looked at the downed hero and shrugged. "Hmm, double the dose. Good to know if I must kill more Atlentians in the future." The Cat assassin stalked towards the Doctor, "Now it's time for our appointment, Doctor." The front doorbell rang, and the assassin turned to Red X rushing her. "take a raincheck," Red X threw a shuriken at her. The assassin ducked and rushed at Red X. He threw a flying knee, causing the assassin to roll under it.
"I feel like you're taking this personally," the assassin turned sai's raised.
Red X turned at her arms raised. "You kicked me into a locker," Red X's eyes narrowed. He shifted right and stood between the assassin and the Doctor.
"Well, if I say sorry and kiss it better, would you kindly move?" The assassin walked towards him.
"Pass," Red X stood his ground and swayed back when the assassin stabbed with her sai. She followed up, and he parried with his gauntlets. Sparks flew as Red X blocked her sai's, waiting for an opening. She pulled back and turned into a roundhouse. Red X caught her leg, crouched, and punched.
"Aah!" the assassin fell back and rolled into a crouch. The assassin glared daggers at Red X as he stood again. "That's gonna cost you that hand!"
Red X smirked and parried her strikes; despite her anger, she was no less skillful. She went for a stab. Red X sidestepped and snaked his arm around her outstretched one. He flipped her over his shoulder. The assassin flipped forward onto her feet and turned to counter Red X. "Agh!" She was slammed against the wall as Red X rushed her, pinning her, his arm pressed against her throat. "It's over," Red X glared.
"Mrr," the assassin glared momentarily before her eyes crinkled in mirth.
"Red X, I can't reach Aqualad; the fog is neutralized. I say again, the fog is neutralized." Robin's voice came over Red X's comms.
"Well, looks like my mission failed. Do you mind letting me go now?" the assassin teased.
"Not a chance," Red X pressed against her harder.
"Can't blame a girl for trying," a metallic clink caught Red X's attention. He looked down briefly, seeing a ball roll near Doctor Roquette. The ball started beeping, and the Doctor gasped, frozen in fear.
"Crap," Red X grabbed the scruff of the assassin's kimono and spun her, throwing her out of the front window. The assassin crossed her arms over her face, smashing through. Red X ran and jumped, tackling the Doctor to the ground and using his body as a shield. The bomb exploded, and something heavy hit the back of Red X's head, knocking him out.
Outside, the assassin groaned and stood back up. An arrow whizzed by and hit the assassin's mask, sending the Cat assassin sprawling on the ground. The mask slid across the pavement, and Artemis walked up to her bow aimed. "Don't move; where are my teammates and the Doctor." Artemis glanced at the smoke from the internet café the assassin was lying outside.
"Well, you got me," the voice unfiltered by the mask made Artmis gasp. A young Asian woman stood back up, smiling slyly at the archer. "I guess you can take me in for questioning. I wonder how secure your position is with your new friends. Imagine them learning every little dirty secret I know."
Artemis gritted her teeth and lowered her bow. "Just… go."
"Didn't think so," the assassin dropped a bomb, and it hissed into smoke. "So, just like the Cheshire cat, I disappear." She walked into the smoke, and seconds later, she was gone. Artemis sighed and looked at the discarded mask. The door to the café opened and out walked Red X with Aqualad's arm around his neck, and the Atlantian slumped at his side. "Where is she? Where is the assassin," Aqualad groaned. Doctor Roquette walked up behind them like a frightened rabbit and looked around. When she saw no Shadows, she sighed, relieved.
"She," Artemis pursed her lips, "she got away."
"Oh, super," Kid Flash slid to a stop behind her. "We got ours, by the way," Kid Flash pointed behind him. Miss Martian flew in with the assassins tied up and knocked out.
"Her mask," Red X nodded towards it, "did you see her face?"
"It was dark… sorry," Artemis's shoulders slumped.
"Cool," Kid Flash bent down and picked up the mask. "souvenir!"
"It is fine," Aqualad steadied himself and pulled out the darts from his body. "The fog is neutralized, and Doctor Roquette is unharmed. The mission was a success, in no small part thanks to you."
Artemis blinked and looked at Red X; he smiled and nodded. Artemis sighed and felt her lips pulled up slightly. Miss Martian flew down, putting their prisoners down, and wrapped her arms around Artemis. "Oohh, I always wanted a sister," Miss Martian pulled back. "Here on earth, I mean, back on Mars, I had twelve, but it's not the same, trust me."
"I,' Artemis struggled to smile, "wouldn't know." Aqualad walked up to her and offered his hand. Artemis shook it. Red X walked up next to Kid Flash and jabbed him in the ribs with his elbow.
"Ow, yeah, welcome," he mumbled, looking away. Artemis opened her mouth to retort but thought better of it. Instead, she extended her hand, and Kid Flash shook it despite himself as a sign of peace.
"Let's contact the League; you'll probably need to be under witness protection for a while, Doctor." Red X turned to their charge.
"Right," Doctor Roquette sighed, "there goes my life."
The Team gathered around her and waited to be picked up by Superboy and Robin on Bioship. They had succeeded, but something told them things would only get more interesting.
Gotham City
01:06 | August 9
New Jersey
An old phone booth tucked inside an alley whirred to life with light. The hidden Zeta tube teleported Artemis onto the streets of Gotham. She walked out and sighed, tired from tonight's events. She stepped out of the booth and felt like someone was watching. She knocked an arrow lightning quick, crouched, and pointed at the shadows into the alley. "Step into the light."
"Nice moves. You almost made me believe you ARE Green Arrow's niece." Red Arrow stepped from the shadows towards Artemis.
"But we both know you're not, not any more than I was." Red Arrow shrugged, "still, I'm sure Batman and GA have a reason for lying." Red Arrow stepped past her, "I don't trust you; it's bad enough they got Red X running around claiming amnesia. But at least he's not lied about being related to anyone. So I'll make things clear, don't hurt my friends." Red Arrow left the rest unspoken and walked off into the streets of Gotham.
Artemis clenched her fist, but the fight left her as soon as it entered her. She just lied to them about Cheshire. Artemis looked down, feeling shame twist in her gut. Thanks, Dad. Being related to you screws me over once again. Artemis knocked a grappler arrow and took to the Gotham rooftops. Suddenly, she needed to find a mugger or a thief to take her frustration out on.
This one is pretty by the numbers; the next chapter will be an interesting new discovery about Red X. Another clue to his identity. See you guys in the next chapter!