A/N: My google docs glitched and I lost the bullet points I had for chapters 18-20 which has really sent me on a freak out mode because I place all of my trust in those bullet points to write anything, so the fact that they're gone made is nuts. However, I found the original notes for this chapter and was able to get it up and running which was a blessing. Hopefully I get the bullet points back cause I did have a plan, but now I don't remember the plan and really don't want to make a new plan. *sigh* but enough about that, hope you enjoy this chapter. Thanks as always for all the support!
Summary: Artemis Crock, sister to the notorious assassin Cheshire, daughter of the ruthless Sportsmaster and merciless Huntress. She was raised in the League of Shadows, groomed to become the killers like her relatives, but she didn't want that, not really. When the Justice League catches her, the Green Arrow offers her something she can't refuse. A chance at freedom. AU
Chapter Eighteen
Artemis sat on the counter beside Raven, who opted to remain on the bar stool holding the tea that had been prepared for her. Despite the beginnings of their friendship, Raven had been to Queen Manor a number of times due to Artemis insisting that they spend time together. The half demon, half human did not understand why the girl had done so, but she supposed that it was likely to do with her heritage and activity in the city. Though she was hesitant ask, she could not stop the question from leaving her lips.
Artemis frowned at this, "You think the only reason I became friends with you is because of all this?"
Raven nodded once, "Yes. I'm, well weird and not your usual crowd-"
"Oh give me a break Rae," Artemis said with a knowing look, "I'll have you know, you are the exact crowd I was looking for. Plus, I hadn't realized you were the one causing those energy surges until, earlier this afternoon. So I definitely became your friend because you're weird."
Raven sipped at her tea, the warm liquid easing her nerves.
Taking that as her cue to continue, Artemis spoke again, "You don't have to worry, we'll figure this all out. Soon as Oliver and Dinah get back, they'll know where to go from here."
"I need to leave, before it's too late," Raven said sadly, she shook her head.
Artemis' shoulders sagged, "Raven, be honest with me. Who are you running from? The Justice League can protect you, they can help you with your powers."
Raven gripped her mug tighter, "No one can help me with this."
Images and memories Raven would have preferred never resurface rushed across her mind, she had to force her heartrate to remain steady or else risk her powers doing serious damage to The- Artemis and the surrounding area. The last thing she wanted was anyone to get hurt, including the first friend she had made since the start of travels.
Artemis let out a soft breath, she turned her gaze towards the nearest window on her right wondering what she could say to help her friend. While Artemis liked to think she was in tune with emotions, she wasn't very good at comforting the others. It was never a skill she had learned or one that came naturally to her, so offering some form of reassurance to her friend was a little bit of a challenge. But she did need to assure Raven that things would be alright because they would be.
When she had first 'joined' the Justice League, she had thought it wouldn't turn out great, but better than what the Shadows would give her in the long run. Yet it turned out to be much better than she could have originally planned to the point she was a junior member of the league now, the new sidekick to Green Arrow and Black Canary. It was more than brilliant.
Adjusting to her new life as a member or junior member of the Justice League was not without it's challenges though, but she could not deny how much better off she was. Raven would be better off with them as well, she just had to convince the girl that was the case. It made her wonder how did Oliver convince her to join the League. On the one hand, she did want to ask him for help on this, but the two were currently having a small disagreement.
"I had my doubts in the beginning to," Artemis said turning her gaze back to the pale girl, "But I know the League can help you. At least give them a chance to help, for me."
Raven pouted at her words, she considered those words, before speaking, "I don't know T or I guess Artemis. What I'm running from, what I have to face… there isn't anything your band of heroes can do."
Artemis shrugged her shoulders, "You never know. Would it hurt to have some allies?"
Raven didn't answer her, instead she just looked back at her tea and was letting her thoughts more or less get lost to her. A silence settled between the two of them, while it wasn't uncomfortable, it certainly wasn't a pleasant one. Uneasily, Raven slid off her seat. There was too much going off her mind right now and she needed a chance to get away from it all.
"Mind if I use your shower," Raven asked, tucking a loose strand of her dark hair behind her ear.
Artemis shook her head, "Knock yourself out. I trust you know the way?"
Raven didn't answer, but her small smile was enough for Artemis. The dark dressed teen left Artemis alone in the kitchen, but she wouldn't remain here for long. No, she needed to find Aqualad. He owed her a story. For the past few year she thought he had died, killed by the Justice League member known as Aquaman. That he had stolen her brother from her, in a way he had, just not the way she thought. Artemis made her way outside, knowing he would be by the water. All Kal ever thought about was swimming. He always kicked her and Jade's butts at water combat.
Kaldur'am stood at the edge of the pool in the backyard of the manor, his eyes focusing on the moon's reflection in the soft waves. Star City was a coast city, so the ocean was nearby, but not close enough for his liking. Being too far away from a large body of water always made him uneasy, though the training he endured as a younger child had made it more than bearable. Despite not enjoying his time there, he was glad for some of the lessons taught to him. Otherwise he would not be as strong as he was now. Though as a child he shouldn't have had to be strong, he should have been safe.
Light footsteps just barely reached his ears. If not for the lack of a breeze, he wouldn't have heard her at all. Learning that the mission had been a success had made Kaldur'am more than happy. It had been his insistence to Aquaman that the Justice League rescue his friends, it was regretful that Jade hadn't been freed yet, but progress was progress. Artemis had been freed, his little sister was free of the Shadows grip.
Yet as she came to his side without making a sound, her steps silent and her presence just as quiet, he wondered how true that was. She always said they were the apprentices to Shadows. Perhaps in a number of ways, they still were. He knew he was still in many ways, good and bad.
"Out for a stroll," he asked her, tone only mildly playful.
When he glanced at her, he could tell she was torn on how to reply. Their was an anger in her expression with some betrayal, but her eyes had lit up in recognition of what he had been referencing. Many a times the pair of them had snuck away from their little training camps, to get away for just a few minutes, to pretend they were like any other child. Of course the illusion never lasted long, but at least they had never been caught.
"Of course," Artemis decided to say looking away from him, "So, you going to tell me how in the hell you're still alive?"
Kaldur chuckled, "I see you still have a foul tongue."
Artemis didn't look at him, her arms crossed over her chest as she repeated her question, "How in the hell are you still alive?"
Kaldur stepped around her so that he stood before, his eyes pleading with her to understand him, to believe him as he spoke, "I wanted to take you and Jade. You have to know that I never meant to leave you two behind."
"Not what I asked," Artemis said shortly, "Besides, neither of us would have left then if you had given us the choice. I was still very much daddy's girl and with Jade starting to slack, someone had to pick it up."
Kaldur's shoulders sagged for a moment at her words. This wasn't the Artemis he liked to see. Closed off from him, words clipped and tone not playing around. She hardly ever used it when they trained, she didn't use it really at all. He'd only ever heard her use it twice, neither time had been again him. However he knew it was understandable. All these years she thought he was dead, but in fact he was alive and with the Justice League, he had left her behind when they had make a pact not to do such a thing. Or maybe it hadn't even been their own promise.
The pair of them knew that they were the heirs to the Shadows, the two of them together following after Jade or her following them as a backup. It really just depended on who you talked to about it. But regardless, as children they had promised each other they wouldn't leave each other behind. While away he had often wondered what had become of Artemis and Jade, it was the reports of Cheshire and Alice marks that told him anything. There was a trail of bodies in their wake at times, but he hoped and prayed with everything he had that Artemis hadn't been the one to strike the blows.
"During a mission with my fa- with Black Manta, I had gotten caught in a cave," Kaldur began, his eyes looked far off as he began to tell the story that changed his life, "I couldn't get out, I could barely sense anything and it was so dark. Getting out the way I came was out of the question, so I swam deeper into the cave, but still no way out… then an Atlantian found me, helped me get out."
Artemis nodded for him to continue. The only thing she knew of how he 'supposedly' died was when he was on a mission with Black Manta. She was nine, nearly ten when she heard the news. Had it only been four years ago?
"It was the King of Atlantis who found me, who helped me despite knowing that he was my father's enemies. He didn't strike me down, he didn't hurt me," Kaldu went on softly, he turned away from Artemis then, "You know how we were raised. Such a kindness to an enemy was far from the correct response expected of us. I thought it was how the world operated it, but he showed me not and gave me a choice."
Artemis frowned, "A choice to go with him? And you took it just like that?"
"I hesitated, but what sold my decision as the glowing baby jellyfish," Kaldur explained to her.
Artemis let out a laugh, "Glowing baby jellyfish made you decide to leave your life behind and betray everything you were raised in? I know jellyfish can get sea turtles high, but this is new."
Kaldur let out a laugh as well, "Not what I meant. These specific jellyfish are very hard to find and very rare. In Atlantian legends, it is believed that they are believed to be drawn out by pure souls. It was how the King was able to find me, the creatures lead him to me."
Artemis hadn't expected it that, but it seemed fitting. Out of the three Shadow heirs, he had always been the softest. In their fights, he held back more than she did and definitely more than Jade who almost never held back.
"That sounds right for you," Artemis commented, she lowered her arms as she smiled at him, "I'm glad you got out. But what I don't understand is that we found a body. I know Batman left a body behind for me, but was it the same?"
Kaldur shook his head once, "Yes. I didn't leave with the King right then and there. I only agreed that I would go with him when I could get my friends. He said he would be at this place in a matter of days… The next mission was there, he fought my father and I. When the fight was over and my father was captured, the King offered me a chance to leave. I did. My father screamed that I was dead to him. I imagine that my father orchestrated that 'my' body be found. It was better to him that way I suppose."
Artemis rested a hand on his shoulder at that, she understood that, "I get it. Believe me I do. My whole family thinks I'm dead so, it's probably best that they do."
Kaldur rested his hand over her own, "Not all of your family."
Artemis looked into his eyes, it took her a moment to understand before she smiled, "No. I guess I did get my brother back."
And with that, Artemis pulled him into a hug. On the one hand she was still angry with him for letting her mourn him, but on the other hand, she was happy he had gotten out. When he had died, Artemis had believed it was the only way that any of them would have been free from this life. Him standing here, him being here was proof enough that their freedom was found in a different way. They were more than free.
Though neither Kaldur or Artemis were aware of it, for the first time in four years all three of the heirs to Shadows were in the same place. Cheshire was hiding in the brush, she knew how to sneak onto the property without being detected thanks to Roy showing her how so that she could stop by when she wanted to see him or to see Artemis. Mostly to see Artemis.
Tonight however brought a new surprise to her. The little boy who had been the second heir was there, dressed in red and black with incredibly short blond hair. He was much older now, which Jade expected now that she had gotten over the shock of him being alive. When the news had reached her, she had more or less brushed it off on the outside like she was supposed to, but on the inside she had been more than angry. Kal was a sweet kid, he didn't deserve to die in this life.
Jade never paid attention to the Justice League before, but due to now knowing about Artemis she had taken a closer look. The one named Aqualad had looked familiar, now she understood why. With a warm smile, she watched the pair of them hug and even entertained the idea of joining the moment, but now wasn't the time. She couldn't reveal herself to Artemis to yet, she couldn't tell her that she knew and that she was okay with her choice yet. Though she vowed that when Roy was found, she would leave a message for her little sister. That would have to be enough for now. As silent as a shadow, Cheshire left the premises as the reunited brother and sister split their hug and were greeted by a new face.
The new face to arrive was a young boy around Artemis' age with fiery red hair dressed in a yellow suit spoke to them in a tone Artemis didn't like, "Green Arrow and Black Canary want you both back inside for debriefing."
Artemis raised an eyebrow at him, she knew the logo on his chest, but his tone bothered her, so the words tumbled out of her mouth, "And who are you supposed to be?"
He spoke tone confidently, proud, "The name's Kid Flash or KF, but you can call me Wally if you want doll."
Artemis felt her eye twitch, "Never heard of you and don't call me doll."
Kid Flash was momentarily caught off guard, he had a minor scowl, "What should I call you then?"
"Artemis is fine," she replied shortly, "What are you doing here anyway? I thought the speedsters were in Central city."
Wally crossed his arms over his chest, "We are, but Green Arrow called Flash and I when he lost track of your friend's attackers. We just got back from a city wide search, found nothing."
Artemis' only reply was a soft huh. It made sense to call the speedsters considering the Flash and Green Arrow seemed to be good friends along with the fact that Star City and Central City were cousin cities. However to bring in Aqualad and the two speedsters seemed like overkill, unless this was an assignment the League had been monitoring before. The surges were relatively new, but if they brought in this many people, then they were more dangerous than Artemis originally thought.
Kaldur shook his head grinning, "Come on you two. Better not keep the others waiting."
Artemis gave the boy a side long glance before moving past him briskly. Maybe that was a little rude, but Artemis never did handle arrogance well. That was the vibe she was getting from him anyway and attitudes like that usually bothered her, so she would be sure to ignore him and take him down some pegs. The three of them made their way back inside to find Oliver and Dinah sitting in the living room with Aquaman and the Flash, both still dressed in their uniforms. Raven hadn't come down yet, likely wouldn't for awhile.
Once everyone was seated, Oliver started the meeting. Based on his posture, Artemis had a feeling she wasn't going to like anything he had to say.
"From what Dinah and I were able to gathered this evening, we are dealing with some kind of dark magic," Oliver explained to them with a look of discomfort.
The Flash added, "Definitely gave KF and I the chills. Whatever magic it is, it certainly does not play around."
Oliver nodded, "No it doesn't. I've been in contact with Zatanna, he's informed me that this magic isn't from our dimension. It comes a different one by the name of Azarath."
Artemis frowned, that sounded familiar, "I've heard that name before, I think, it might have been something Raven had said or written down."
"Zatanna will be coming here to bring Raven to the watchtower, from there he will ask her some questions about what's going on and she'll be kept safe out there," Oliver explained to them, "In the meantime, Aquaman and Flash, you'll need to head up there as well to talk strategy with Batman tomorrow morning as there was a report or two of surges near your homes. Aqualad and Kid Flash can head back there for some scouting."
"Understood," Aquaman said rising to his feet, "Come Aqualad, we need to get back to our posts. Thank you for informing us Green Arrow."
Oliver nodded once to him, but said nothing. The Flash said a quick goodbye before he and his charge sped away leaving the Queen family alone in their living room.
Artemis asked, "What about us? You gave them some directives, but not us."
"The main reason I contacted Zatanna was so that he could take over on this assignment," Oliver told her, his voice held a tone of finality Artemis didn't like, "We have another mission that needs our attention."
Artemis's eyes went wide, "Wait what? No way, the surges were happening in our city, so it's our jurisdiction. Plus, Raven is my friend and I won't just leave her."
Oliver barely held back a glare as he looked to his sidekick, "We're dealing with unfamiliar territory, we need a magician to handle this situation more effectively."
Artemis wasn't buying that, "That can't be it. We can handle this situation. Dinah back me up here, we can handle this. Besides Raven's my friend, I'm going to help her."
"We have another mission to go to Artemis," Dinah said, her voice firm and still gentle.
Artemis shook her head, "You guys cannot be serious. What mission could be-" Artemis stopped abruptly as there was only one mission that Oliver would prioritize over another one in their city. A burst of anger went through Artemis. "This is about Roy isn't it?"
Oliver held her gaze, "I've got another lead."
Artemis felt her bottom lip trembled, whether from sorrow or anger, she couldn't tell, "Roy is dead! You can't chase down every single lead as if this time it will be any different!"
"I haven't given up hope, I will not give up on Roy," Oliver told her sharply.
"You're chasing a ghost," Artemis shouted at him, the words were bitter on her tongue, "My friend, Raven, is alive and needs our help. But you're going to just dump her on the off chance you might get closure on Roy? He's gone! No amount of running after every little bread crumb will change that. At best you find his decaying body."
"That's enough Artemis," Dinah scolded coldly.
Artemis turned her face away from them, "No clearly it isn't. I wish Roy was alive too, I wish he would come home, but I can't just get my hopes up every time you find some measly crumb. You can go off and find a ghost, I'll be here helping my friend in the land of the living."
Not waiting for a response, Artemis raced out of the living and up the stairs, tears falling down her cheeks that she would wipe away soon as she could get her breathing under control. Of course she wanted Roy back, of course she wanted him alive, but there was no evidence to suggest he was and every possible lead Oliver found was little more than wishful thinking. The leads weren't anything, but what he was making them out to be. And that hurt the most. That likely none of the leads were real.
Oliver stared after Artemis with a more than defeated expression. Batman had warned him that his obsessive behavior would only continue to drive Artemis down, but it wasn't like he could really do anything about that besides hide it from her, which would only work for so long. There was no way in this life that he could give up on Roy, he just couldn't. Not when this was his fault, not when he brought Roy into this and had gotten him taken or worse killed.
A hand rested on his shoulder, "Don't be upset with her about this. She grew up where if someone was missing, it meant dead and they were gone. It's likely she still has that mindset."
Oliver glanced at Dinah, "But is she wrong? I mean, there's no proof that Roy is still alive. Maybe I should let it go."
"You couldn't even if you tried," Dinah said softly, she offered him a soft smile, "You'll search until you find an answer or lose yourself playing through every what if scenario. Artemis just, it's hard for her."
Oliver replied, "It's hard on all of us Dinah. We've known Roy for years, he's practically our son-"
Dinah interrupted him, tone a bit stern, "Yes, that is true. However Oliver, you have to realize that Artemis wasn't raised to be hopeful, she wasn't raised to look for things that weren't there. There is nothing on Roy, our lead is little more than a fantasy, you know that... However it's hope for you, a chance. Artemis wasn't raised to see hope or chances. It's going to take more than her being with us for a few months before that changes."
"You think it will change," Oliver asked, brows slightly raised.
Dinah nodded, her expression confident, "When you gave Artemis a chance to be in the League, you gave her the chance to have a hope. Hope for a better tomorrow. You won't give up on Roy, just make sure you won't give up on her either. Show her that your search for Roy is more than just wishful thinking and misguided faith because that's all she sees. Show her that it's family, doing everything in their power to bring their loved one home."
Oliver acknowledged her words with a soft huh and slight nod, but said nothing in response. He would show Artemis that this chase after Roy wasn't just a delusion, but something real and more than that. If Artemis had been taken, he would have gone after her the way he was going after Roy. Tonight he'd leave her be with her friend, let her cool off. Tomorrow, they were going to have another talk before they left on their mission to follow this lead. Hopefully it will turn out to be more and bring their boy home.