Return of a Speedster

The In-Laws (Part One)

Mount Justice
July 5, 2019
0900 EST

The couple's embrace is interrupted when a different green clad archer enters the room and separates the loving couple. He then punches the young speedster in the face, knocking him out.

The male archer is then punched by the female archer.

Before they can do anything else, Green Arrow is restrained by Flash while Batman and Mr. Graves restrain Artemis.

After a few choice words and a moment to cool down, the two archers are released. They apologize to each other, and are sent out of the room. Artemis drags Wally to her room to tend to him, as Barry and Oliver exit the Cave.

Once they enter her room, Artemis places Wally on the bed. he begins to stir and come to.

He grunts and simply says, "Oh Ouuuch. Is my face bleeding...?"

"Oh calm down you big baby," Artemis retorts from her position sitting next to him. "And no. Your face is not bleeding. Besides he didn't even hit you that hard."

"Your uncle has some attachment issues," he replies.

"He's not my uncle, but yes he does."

There is a brief pause. then Wally speaks up, "So...umm. When are we telling the rest of the family?"

Artemis freezes with terror.

Upon seeing this, Wally sits up and hugs her. he tries to reassure her.

"We don't have to tell him, if you don't want to," he says, referring to her father. "I could do it for--"

"No!" she exclaims. "I'll...no...we will do it. Together."

"Together," he replies comfortingly. "Do you want to start with my parents first. Because I don't want to be punched in the face twice in the same hour."

She chuckles and they laugh together.

Wally gets up and goes to his room to change. He comes back sporting a pair of jeans and a Flash T-shirt. He finds that Artemis has changed into a similar outfit, except with a brown jacket and a Green Arrow T-shirt.

"Ready?" he asks. She nods yes.

He picks her up bridal style and runs to the living room. Here, the rest of the Team has sat down to watch a movie. He tells them that they are going out for a few hours, and if not back by five to look for them. They all laugh and jokingly say good luck. Mostly to Wally.

The young couple leaves via the Zeta Tubes, and arrive in a back alley in Central City. Wally carries Artemis to his parents' house in Keystone City. He seats her down on the front porch and knocks on the door. Wally's parents greet them and lead them to the couch.

They have a short conversion. Many congratulations are shared. Tears are shed.

After an hour, the couple leaves for the Zeta tube. They head to Gotham.

Here, they exit the phone booth, and walk to Artemis's mother's apartment. Here, they are greeted warmly. Paula, Artemis's mother, also faints when she sees Wally.

"You're alive!" she exclaims weakly as her daughter embraces her; helping her to the couch.

Paula sobers up from the shock, and starts to talk, "So....what do you want with my daughter?"

Wally chuckles.

"I see where you get your personality from," he tells Artemis. She jokingly punches his shoulder.

Artemis speaks up. "Mom. There is something I need to tell you."

There is a tense pause.

"We're getting married!"

"Ohhh that's wonderful!" Paula ecstatically exclaims, and embraces her daughter. "When is the wedding?"

"We....haven't decided yet," Artemis responds. Before her mother can respond, she says that they have a few others to tell. Her mother states that she understands.

After saying farewell, Paula tells Wally good luck and that he is going to need it.

Wally carries Artemis to their next destination: a small apartment in Star City, belonging to to Artemis's sister Jade, A.K.A. the villain/anti-hero Cheshire.

They arrive at her apartment and knock on the door. Wally braces for anything.

Unbeknownst to them, Jade's husband Roy Harper was there as well. It is he who opens the door. Once he catches sight of Wally, he pushes Artemis aside and punches him in the face. Twice.

"Seriously!" Wally exclaims. "What is it with men in your family and them punching me in the face!?!"

Upon hearing this, Jade approaches the door and steps in between Roy and Wally, while holding their daughter Lian.

"Roy! Stop!" Jade shouts.

"Wait! Roy?" Wally asks confused, still reeling from that last punch. "Why are you here?"

"I'm looking after my wife and daughter," Roy replies earnestly. "What? Did you expect to go off and join a planet hopping army instead? Grow up, man!"

He turns toward Artemis and says, "Oh. Congratulations on the engagement, by the way. He's a real piece of work."

Artemis is confused. "Wait!?! How?"

"Nightwing and Joe texted me. Said you might be coming over to share the news personally," he responds.

Roy guides them back into the apartment. They sit on the couch. Upon entering the main room, Artemis asks Jade if she can talk to her for a moment. In response, she hands Lian over to Roy, who then joins Wally on the couch.

"So who's this?" Wally asks as Artemis and Jade go to the back room.

Once she closes the door, Jade immediately speaks up. "I know why you are really here."

Artemis just sighs. "He's not much, but he deserves to know."

Jade pauses and thinks for a moment. She sighs. "That boy has really grown on you."

Artemis chuckles. "I know, right. .....So...you'll help us?"

"Yes," she replies. "But first,...when is the special day?"

They share a laugh.

About an hour later, they exit the back room and approach the couch. Here, Artemis quietly chuckles at the sight of Wally and Lian playing. She can't help but think that Wally would make a great father. Artemis approaches and sits down next to Wally. She informs him that they will be leaving soon, and joins in with whatever game he is playing with Lian.

Jade pulls Roy over to the adjoining kitchen, and informs him that she is going to go out for awhile--with Wally and Artemis. He knows what she is up to. He kisses and embraces her passionately. He wishes her good luck, and says not to be afraid to ask for help. She smiles and replies that she knows. he doesn't fight her on this. He knows that this is something that Artemis and her have to do.

Upon finishing their conversation, Jade goes into the back with Artemis and they change into their costumes. they return to find Wally in his Kid Flash costume. They share a glance, and head to the door. Jade bids Roy and Lian good bye, saying that she'll be back soon.

Little does the group know what is facing them at their next destination.