Justice Mountain – March 4, 2011
Wally sighed while enjoying the beach next to the Cave. It was a quiet day. Kaldur was in Atlantis to clear his mind.
Robin was in Gotham with Batman helping the Dark Knight. Superboy and Miss Martian were inside the cave — Conner watching TV and Megan in the kitchen — the usual for them, as they were the ones who spent the most time in the cave.
You seem happy - said a female voice. Wally took off his sunglasses and blinked when he saw the beautiful Artemis in a black two-piece swimsuit.
You know how to cheer a man up, darling - he said with a smile, and Artemis smiled back at the compliment from the speedster.
I see you're not 100% healed - Artemis said, looking at the scars on Wally's body.
Makes me look sexier - he said with a smile, not paying much attention to the archer's words.
Artemis brought her own chair and sat next to Wally, both soaking up the sunlight to tan. They remained silent, enjoying the peace.
How were you able to tie with Deathstroke? - Artemis suddenly asked.
Training and luck - he answered casually, not giving it much importance.
Deathstroke is considered the best assassin there is - she said.
If he's better than Sportsmaster - he said, and she tensed up.
How do you know about my father? - she asked.
Arrow doesn't have a niece, and Robin works with Batman. It wasn't hard to figure out who you really are and why you didn't tell the truth - Wally said without raising his head, calm as a tree in the forest.
Artemis looked at Wally, who still wore his sunglasses without moving.
Will you tell the team? - she asked, and he just shrugged.
It's your story to tell, darling. I just hope you do it before Roy buries it and tells them himself - he said calmly.
Why did they defend me from him last time? - she asked curiously, now sitting and looking directly at him as she took off his sunglasses to look into his green eyes. Wally observed Artemis's beautiful dark gray eyes.
I don't like to see a woman cry - was his answer, but she kept looking at him.
There's something else - she accused, and he smiled.
Maybe yes, maybe no - he said still smiling as she put the glasses back on him.
You're not your sister, you're not your father. You're Artemis, a member of this team, and whoever doesn't agree with that will feel my fists and kicks - he said with a smile, raising a hand to wipe a tear that was falling from her.
You're you. No one can tell you who or how you should be - he said with a smile, then opened his eyes when Artemis pressed her lips to his. Wally quickly recovered and returned the kiss to the beautiful archer.
Thank you - she said, resting her head on Wally's chest, who just stroked her back.
There's nothing to thank for. You're free to make your own decisions, darling - was Wally's reply before falling silent.
Wally and Artemis spent a while on the beach in complete silence, but when they both felt hungry, they got up and went into the cave for some food. Artemis put on her outfit, and so did Wally, using his stealth style and switching to yellow mode when next to Flash.
Great, you're still here. I have the food ready - said Megan with contagious joy, making Wally smile.
We'll be happy to join you - she said, making the Martian smile even more.
Conner sat next to Wally and across from Megan, while Artemis sat beside Conner and across from Wally, who smiled at both ladies. Everyone gave thanks for the food.
Gotham
Robin and his mentor Batman were stopping Penguin's henchmen. It wasn't anything extraordinary, but Batman couldn't let his guard down, especially with Kaldur in Atlantis working on his emotional issues. Wally was in the cave with Megan and Conner, Artemis should have been with her mother.
What's distracting you? - Batman asked while driving.
Why did you bring Artemis onto the team even though she's Sportsmaster's daughter and not tell us? - he asked, and Batman stopped the car.
Who else knows? - was the next question.
Kid Flash and I. Maybe Roy knows, that's why he doesn't get along with her - Robin calmly answered.
And the rest of the team?
We let Artemis tell them. Unless she causes problems, we'll respect her decision - he told his mentor, who nodded.
She's not her father or sister. She has potential - was Batman's response.
And you can use her to get info on her family - Robin accused, and Batman looked at him.
Wally's right. The League is becoming predictable - Robin said to Batman, who said nothing.
A week ago we detected two robots that looked like Red Tornado. We stopped them from following us to the cave, but Wally wants Red Tornado replaced by another League member until you guys solve this tornado issue. First it was the fake tornado, now these two copies - he told Batman.
It will be considered - Batman said.
No - Robin said, and Batman looked at his protégé with a serious gaze.
It wasn't a request, it was a demand. Replace Red Tornado or we won't be the target of whoever is after Tornado just because you prefer to ignore things thinking we'll clean up your dirty laundry. Either replace Tornado or we will - he said seriously.
Batman looked at Robin seriously, but the boy wonder didn't back down even an inch under his mentor's stare.
The League will take turns supervising them while we find a safe place for Red Tornado - Batman said, and Robin nodded satisfied.
More than satisfactory - he replied.
Kid Flash has shown caution toward Red Arrow - Batman said analyzing his protégé. His interaction with Flash's protégé has shown caution in many things and more patience.
Roy is hard to read. First he abandoned us in the Hall of Justice, then didn't join the team. His reaction to Artemis leaves much to be desired. We can only hope he becomes an ally and not an enemy - Robin said sadly.
Batman nodded at Robin's words.
Understandable. Now you're done for the night. Tomorrow you have a mission abroad - he said, and Robin left his mentor.
March 10, 2011 — Justice Mountain
Activity has been detected in Bialya. Rumor has it they're working with advanced technology unknown to many. Your mission is to infiltrate and obtain information without being detected. Be cautious or you'll cause an international incident - Batman warned seriously.
Bialya, the country controlled by Queen Bee if I'm not mistaken - Kid Flash said, and Batman nodded.
That woman has many metahumans under her control, many of them telepaths - he murmured, looking at Megan, who felt the others' gazes.
Is something worrying you? - Batman asked.
With Megan's telepathic powers, we can avoid detection by radios, but what stops another telepath from detecting us or interfering with our personal communications? - Wally said to Batman, who nodded understanding Wally's concerns.
I can only tell you to be careful - was the Dark Knight's response before leaving, leaving the team silent.
You seem worried - Artemis said, and Wally laughed at the archer's words.
Nothing is easy in this line of work. I just hope we all come back safe and sound. Robin, put trackers on everyone - he shouted at his friend, who nodded.
Sometimes it seems Kid Flash is more the leader and Robin is his second in command - Artemis murmured to Megan, who just nodded. Conner just shrugged, not caring who was leader.
I don't like this mission - Kid Flash said to his friend, who nodded.
I feel the same, but a mission is a mission - Robin said, and Wally sighed knowing it was true.
How badly do you think it will go? - Robin asked.
Bad enough to cause diplomatic problems - Wally answered calmly.
The others all have trackers - he said.