Cancerous Thoughts (Batman Beyond/Young Justice Fanfic)

Cancerous Thoughts

The early morning started off with a nice ease of slowness. While the slow atmosphere of the morning might not feel like a big deal, said atmosphere was indeed a welcome to Artemis who lived with three others endowed with super speed. Not long after she started breakfast, she found herself greeted by a familiar gust of wind indicating her family joined her for their morning meal.

A figure appeared at her side with an exuberant gust of wind, placing a copy of Dream Teen onto the counter. A smile spread across her daughter's face, her finger pointing to the article discussing the newest Batman. "Hey. Do-you-think-the-new-Batman-is-our-age? They-speculate-he's-a-teen-or-in-college, but-I-hope-he's-a-teen-like-me."

"No Jadine, you can't date that twerp."

Artemis flinched, planning on bringing the plates over to the table for her hungry family. Her son, however, dashed over, taking the plates and quickly setting the table. Taking a deep breath, she allowed herself to smile. "Thank you, Irwin, though I'm not sure if you were wanting to help me out, or in a hurry to get your food."

Irwin gave her an incredulous look, not liking the friendly teasing. After all, he and Jadine were now fourteen. Jadine whimpered, attempting to give Wally the look he almost always gave in to. "Why-can't-I..."

"Because I said no."

"We can't meet him?" Irwin asked, digging into his food with the same gusto as his father while his sister sulked.

"I said no."

"Your best friend was a..." Artemis' fourteen-year-old son didn't notice Flash look up. "... you called them a bat?"

"He's not him." Wally glared at his plate, frustrated where the conversation was heading. "Never will be. Finish your breakfast so you can get to school."

"But..."

"I said no." This comment from her husband made Artemis sigh. She pushed Jadine over to the table knowing full well speedsters needed their food intake. The twins left with a reminder not to use their abilities at school let alone getting to and from school. When Wally leaned in to kiss her, she stiffened. "What's the matter?"

"Don't you think you're being too hard on the kid?"

Wally frowned, fidgeting with the ring in which he kept his Flash suit. "He shouldn't have let some random kid become Batman. The mantle belongs to Nightwing, not this interloper."

He left with a dash, leaving Artemis to her day-to-day activities. She wasn't going to let her husband's sour mood ruin her lunch date with an old friend. She arrived, a smile on her face. "Hi Helena. I see you decided to dye your hair red now."

The woman waiting for her at the small café in Star City looked up, the corners of her mouth twisting into a smile. "You know I go by Mary now."

Artemis smiled, pleased her old friend remembered what she liked to order. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes. "So, how's my troublemaker godson. If he's not straightened out since his stent in juvi..."

"No. Terry's straightened out. Warren was right about our son taking after his biological father." Mary stared into her coffee, clutching to the cup desperately.

"What then is the matter?" Artemis frowned, taking a bite of her pastry. She opened her eyes, despite feeling pleased with the fact no speedster was there to snatch up her treat.

"Terry's the new Batman."

The blonde nearly choked on her bite of pastry, slamming her chest with her hand. "Wait. What? How did Terry convince Bruce Wayne?"