Hello readers, long time no post for me. Did I miss anything, good? Well after being MIA for a while I'm back to writing, well trying at least. I've had a lot of personal things come up but I am hoping to get some things taken care of and come back to the land of FanFiction. I have a new AU tale for you. No Hero/Villain drama this time. Just a different universe for our lovable team to play in. Think Season 1 story line of YJ with changes and I hope you like it.
Warning: Unlike all my other tales, this one is not really planned out. I like to do a full outline of my stories from start to finish before I post but I'm going to live dangerously on this one.
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::: I Do Not Own YJ Blah Blah Blah and All That Jazz:::
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AU: What if Artemis was given the chance of a lifetime with a full high school scholarship to Gotham Academy by doing something she loves to do, Archery. Her abilities could even land her a place in the Olympics but will Gotham Academy be too much for a girl from the streets or will her new teammates be able to help her adjust.
Chapter 1:
Artemis felt her young life drain from her slowly, day after day. Her never changing schedule of school, work, home, would always bring down any attempt of happiness she could discover. Now, Artemis didn't hate her life, she just wanted the choice to do things the way she wanted like every other 16 year old. She would still be there to help her mother, even though both her and her mom did nothing but complain about everything. No one could blame Artemis' mom, Paula for being that way. Being confined to a wheelchair for life can make even the most wonderful of a person into a, well, let's just say not a very tolerable person. Artemis herself would have used harsher language and most likely said it in Vietnamese.
What seemed like another uneventful day of school and work, Artemis came home to a little surprise. Rounding the corner walking into the kitchen she sees her mother drinking tea with a blonde woman and a blonde man sporting a goatee.
"Welcome home Artemis." Paula calls from the kitchen table.
Artemis pauses in her tracks at the sight of the two visitors both over dressed to be from this part of town. "If you two are cops, I didn't do it."
"Artemis." Her mom calls out to her. "That no way to treat guest."
Both blonds laugh at her comment. "No Sweetie, we are not cops." The blond woman responds.
"She's got a little fire in her. I like that." The man pipes up before taking a drink of his warm tea.
"You better not be here to court me either." Artemis snaps back. The blond man coughs his tea back into the cup.
"Young Lady!" Paula raises her voice again and the other woman tries to hold back a laugh.
As the blonde woman gathers herself and hands some napkins to the man, who starts to clean the table and himself. "Actually Artemis we are here for you but not in that way. My name is Dinah Lance and I'm a counselor at Gotham Academy. This man who's currently wearing your mother's hot tea is Oliver Queen, a board member and teacher at Gotham Academy."
Artemis crosses her arms in front of her. "Okay, that explains the clothes but not why you are here."
"We are here to give you a very special offer to Gotham Academy." Dinah answers.
"Gotham Academy?" Artemis questions. "You mean that private school for the Richie Rich brats of Gotham?"
Dinah looks over to Oliver. "Well most of them yes, but we have a program that gives honest, hardworking students a chance to have it a little better." Oliver answers with a smile.
"So how did I get the call for this? I'm no one special."
"Oh but you are, Artemis." Dinah responds. "Even though you're not on top of anyone's academic list, you have other talents which is what brought you to our attention."
"Such as. . . . . ."
Oliver puts his tea cup down. "Archery, my dear Artemis, which is why I am here. I specialize and teach it at Gotham Academy, and I have a very good track record to prove it."
"I haven't done a tournament in years so how do you know it's me you are looking for?"
"It wasn't easy since you didn't use your last name but when a junior high school girl nearly takes first in a high school division tournament, you tend to be remembered." Oliver spoke confidently.
"Now this is not a guarantee that you will get into Gotham Academy but this is an invite. There are others who want this opportunity as well." Dinah added.
"Then give it to them because I don't want it."
"ARTEMIS. Don't you dare say that." Paula cuts in. "They are offering you a chance of a lifetime to have a better life. It's a lot more then I could ever offer."
Artemis turns to her mother. "That's not the point mom. What about you, huh. Who's going to take care of you, and keep this place up, AND bring in the extra cash to keep this place going."
"Artemis, I can take care of myself. We are talking about you and your opportunities for a much better life than this. Do you think I want you to struggle through life like we are now. Do you think I want you to turn out like your sister, Jade." Artemis is taken back by her mom's words.
Paula lets out a sigh then focuses back on Artemis. "Please Artemis, just hear out their offer and give it a chance. If it doesn't work out nothing will chance for you; but if it works, think of the possibilities you could have."
After a few moments to ponder Artemis nods yes and sits down at the table. "Okay, mom." Artemis turns back to their visitors. "Where do we start."
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Dinah and Oliver go over in detail about what needed to be done. First was the initial interview which is what they were here for. Then was an aptitude test to see where she was in her schooling. If she is chosen by the school board she will have an open interview with them before they make a final decision on enrolment.
As Oliver grabs their things Dinah takes Artemis to the side. "Now this is going to sound weird but if you do get the call for the final interview with the board, I want you to promise me that you will be yourself just like you were with me and Oliver."
"Are you sure that's a wise idea."
"I'm positive. Every single student that will be in front of that panel will do and say what they think the board members will want to hear. You need to be different, stand out, and make them take note of you."
"Your serious?"
"Very. I have been doing interviews for the school ever since I started working for them and I have never been more surprised than I have been tonight." Artemis gives her a funny look. "Artemis, you have done things no other student has ever had to do. You know what it's like to fight for the things that you want. That alone will get your foot the door but you have to want it."
"Wow. Is it just me or is this the voice of experience talking?"
Dinah smiles at Artemis. "I was never one of those stuck up rich brats when I was a student there."
Artemis glances over at Oliver. "Only dating one right?"
"Hey, I never said I was stupid." She winks at Artemis as Oliver calls out for them to go. "Night Artemis."
"Night Miss D." Artemis calls out as they leave.
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A month has passed, Artemis and Paula are having dinner when the phone rings from the living room. Paula asks Artemis to get it so she stands and walks to the living room.
"Hello."
"Why, hello Artemis, its Dinah. How are you?"
"Miss Dinah. I'm doing well. Yourself?"
"I am doing good but you are about to do better. What are your plans on Saturday?"
"Saturday?"
"Yes, Saturday. You have a date with the Board of Directors for Gotham Academy."
Artemis pauses then puts the phone to her shoulder away from her head as she turns to the kitchen. "Mom, I got the interview for Gotham Academy."
"YOU DID WHAT!" Paula screams out from the kitchen.
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Saturday is here and Artemis stands outside of double doors to the board room of Gotham Academy looking back at Dinah and Oliver. "I still don't understand why I'm here. Surely the other kids are more qualified to be here instead of me."
Dinah approaches Artemis and stops in front of her. "Relax Artemis. You will do fine. We will be right there with you."
"I know but why does it have to be a meeting. I would feel much better if it was just me and the other students fighting it out in a ring. You know, winner take all kind of thing." Artemis looks back at the doors.
"Something tells me you would have an unfair advantage in that."
Artemis looks up to Dinah "Well, yeah."
Oliver walks up to the girls. "Lady's it's time." Then heads pass them and opens the door to let them in.
As the three walk in, Oliver and Dinah walk to Artemis left to two open seats at the end of a horse shoe wooden table. Artemis walks to the center where a chair is waiting. Artemis scans the table right to left at all who stand behind the table stopping that Dinah. Dinah nods and smiles, so she takes a deep breath, exhales then takes a seat. This catches the sight of a tall dark haired man who looks change from a very proper serious one to a light hearted smile as he looks at her. The man then looks over to Oliver slowly giving her the idea to follow his lead. She sees Oliver motioning with his hand for her to stand back up. As soon as she sees it, she snaps up to attention causing the dark hair man to chuckle then he clears his throat to get the attention of the room.
"Ladies and Gentlemen of the board, I would like to thank you for being here for this scholarship meeting; if we may be seated we can start." As everyone takes their seat, Artemis continues to stand.
"Artemis Lian Crook, you may be seated." The dark haired man announced and she did so. "May we call you Artemis?"
"Yes sir that will be fine."
"My name is Bruce Wayne and I will be conducting most of the interview. The board members have reviewed your file and have given me questions on things to ask. If you are ready we can begin."
Artemis nods in agreement.
"You seem to be a little nervous, are you sure you're ready?"
"To be honest, I'm not ready but I'll give it my best."
"Very well, to start with do you know why you are here?"
Artemis takes in a deep breath. "I was told why I was chosen if that is what you mean."
"Yes but do you know why 'you' are here? Do you think you belong here or do you think that this school is what you want."
"Mr. Wayne, are you asking if I think I belong here or do I think a poor north Gotham girl belongs with the rich and famous of Gotham elite?" She questions him in a very strong tone.
Some members or the board start to whisper among them, as Dinah whispers to Oliver 'And here we go'. One member trying to get the attention of Mr. Wayne but he brushes them to the side.
"Yes Artemis, that's what I am asking. Would you mind answering both questions." Wayne's question gets the attention of the board as he waits, keeping his focus on Artemis.
Wayne's actions took Artemis by surprise but she kept her composure. "Okay, I'll start with the second part of that question. No. Taking someone from a lower class of society to the status of upper class is never a good idea. Too many things are bound to happen most of them not good. Now the question of do I belong here, the answer is just as simple. No."
Her statement gets the board members whispering to each other again.
Wayne keeps his focus on her. "I feel that there is more you wish to add to that Artemis."
"Actually there is. Even thou I have been told that I have done things to stand out, I don't think I have. To me, I have done nothing special to earn any opportunities like this."
Wayne nods. "Artemis, what if I told you that with everything I have read and heard about you that I think you do deserve a shot at this scholarship."
"Well if I earned the attention of the richest man in Gotham, I would want to hear what he has found out about me."
"Then allow me to share with you what I have discovered." Wayne opens her file that's in front of him. "Artemis Crook, 16 years old, mother, father and one older sister. Sister ran away from home at 16. Father has a criminal record that spans for 20 plus years. Mother also has a criminal record and is paralyzed from the waist down. You attend Gotham North high school and work on nights and weekends since you were 15. Have I missed anything so far?"
"Yep. Sister also has a criminal record and I was 14 when I started working." Most board members are shaking their heads at what they are hearing.
"Oh, I did miss that, sorry." Wayne turns over to another page. "Now out of all that which you have been exposed to at such a young age, you have a 3.5 GPA average, you speak two different languages not including English, you have the respect of your teachers, you do NOT have a criminal record of any kind. You work to support you mother, which you also help take care of her as well. You have First Aid and CPR qualifications, also because of your mother I imagine. Your boss speaks very highly of you," Wayne looks up at Artemis. "I spoke to him myself just last week. Question, did you asked off of work to come to this interview?"
"Yes Mr. Wayne, I did."
"Did he tell you anything when you asked for the time off?"
"He wished me luck."
"Would you like to know what he told me?"
"That I have an attitude problem?."
Wayne chuckles. "He told me that if you get this scholarship that he would be both happy and sad about it, saying that he would be sad if he loses one of the best employees that he has ever had but he would be happy to see you finally getting something for all the hard work you have put into others."
Artemis is shocked to hear that her boss would say something like that about her.
"And it's not just him, Artemis. Everyone that we have talked to has told us how much you have sacrificed in order to help them. Most kids your age only want to do whatever serves them, even the rich kids here at Gotham Academy. That is what I see and that is why I think you deserve this scholarship, even with your attitude problem." Wayne closes the file in front of him showing a smile at her.
Along with Artemis, the members of the board sit baffled.
"It is my recommendation to this board that Artemis Crook be awarded the full scholarship to Gotham Academy. If not then Oliver Queen has announced to me that he would sponsor Artemis and pay for her expenses for enrollment."
Artemis looks back at Oliver and Dinah, both smiling and nodding at her then she slowly turns back to Mr. Wayne.
"Mr. Wayne? Are you telling me that. . ."
Wayne interrupts her. "Yes Artemis. Scholarship or not, at least three members of this panel want to see you become a student here. But you do know you still have to say yes."
Dinah and Oliver walk up behind her. Dinah speaks first. "Well what do you say?"
Artemis turns around to face them. "My mom is going to flip out."
"Is that a yes then?" Oliver questions.
"I guess it is." Artemis turns back to a smiling Mr. Wayne. "I guess I also owe you my thanks as well."
"You wish to thank me Artemis, then I need you to continue to make waves here at Gotham Academy and create a future that you never thought you would ever have."
"Yes Sir."
"Oh I also hear that Mr. Queen is looking for another archer for his archery team, you up for a challenge?"
"I haven't backed down from anything yet, why should I start now."
"That a girl, Artemis." Oliver comments. "Let's go tell your mom the good news."
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Artemis gets the scholarship