Shadows of the past

Chapter 5

Artemis pov

I remembered the events of my rescue so clearly, Dick had blood related family alive still which made me feel so much better then I did before but if my father found out, then they were in trouble. So far, Dick hadn't come to check on me and was most likely because he was asleep or talking with family. Who can blame him, he spent most of his live believing he was the last of his family alive only to find others still alive, not only that but the path he was on before he became hero was what his parents were before they retired. I didn't believe it at first but after some time, I slowly came to accept it. But looking at this grey ceiling all day has really grown to become boring, I need something less grey to look at and well, I can't find anything that isn't grey to look at. Sighing, I turn my head to see the medical equipment around the room. They had helped take care of me, not because of my status as a hero but because of Dick's relationship with me. They knew who I was and they didn't care. They know who my father is and they don't care, all they care about is someone who is willing to throw away their family troubles and rivals to form a bond with them. I formed a bond with Dick, who comes from the Graysons, a family that my family hates much and well, I don't care what my father, mother or sister say. I love Dick with all my heart. I hear the sound of a door opening and turn my head to face the door to see Dick standing there, he has a smile on his face but also one of concern and anger. As he walks over, I speak. "What's wrong Dick" As he comes to a stop and pulls up a chair, he takes a deep breath before he replies. "It's the team Artemis, they just went to protect the world instead of looking for you, and it all happened after Slade said he would kill you if anyone but me showed up to rescue you" The team, they had said that the world was far more important to save then I was at the time but now that I was save, I still can't believe that they had literally just thrown out the door one of the team leaders. But I guess that Tim and Wally now lead the team and I guess I'm fine with all this. I mean, I think it's better like this then it was before, me and Dick have more time to spend together then we did before. "I know the team threw decided to focus on defending the world instead of me and you left, but now that I'm save, what did you plan on doing" Dick sighed before he slid down in the chair a little, looking at me in the eyes. He then replied. "I didn't think that far but my family has offered a place for us among their group. I said I'd join if you wanted to. But I still think you want to return to the team" I had a choice, Dick really wanted to join his family, and I kinda wanted to head back to the team but seeing how they would turn to saving others over their team leader was something I couldn't overlook. The weeks I spent enduring pain because the team wouldn't help Dick was something I wasn't happy about, but what happens if we join. Do they kill, I have no idea if they do or not. "Well, did they give you a run down on how they operate or did they say they'll tell you if we're going to join" Dick looked down before he looked up again. Taking a deep breath, I watch him as he then speaks. "They did tell me a few things, they do kill their targets if required, but if not, they will simply leave the target knocked out until they collected the money and left. But with the rate of how things are going, this may soon change" Nodding, I look up at the ceiling and think. If we were to join, then we would kill, but if were not to join, then we would be operating as solo heroes, which one was better, working with a team or by ourselves. In the end, I had to choose to go with Dick and join, I mean, I feel as if I needed a new family and Dick was family, he was my love and well, I could tell he had something else he wanted to tell me but he didn't want to tell me yet, and I knew that when he wanted to tell me something, he'd tell me when the time was right. Meaning that I wouldn't push him to talk. "I think we'll join Dick, but I can tell you have something else you want to tell me about but I know that you'll tell me when the time is right" With a nod from Dick and a quick kiss on the lips, Dick left the room, heading out to who knows where.

Nightwing pov

I walked out of the room. Artemis wanted to join and I thought she would choose the team over my family but I guess she wanted me to be happy. But it didn't seem that way to me. As I walked into the main command room. I saw my cousin and uncle talking with each before they turned to see me. "Dick, did little old Artemis want to join or no" Taking a deep breath, I walk up to him before I speak. "Uncle, I think this best if we talk about this with her, she does want to join but we should go over the rules while she's still recovering so that once she's heals, we can head out into the field" With a nod from my uncle, we walk back to the medical room where Artemis looks over. Taking a seat next to her, my uncle stands close to the edge of the bed before he begins. "Ok, so here are a few basic rules, we don't betray or sell out each other members. We always follow orders to the letter. We only kill when it is required or else we knock out the target. And lastly, we never ever negotiate with heroes, never" Nodding, I look at Artemis and she seems to understand as well. With that out of the way, I look at him and then he speaks. "So, you two are going to need different names out there" Looking at Artemis, I nod before I speak. "I'll be taking up the mantle of Red X again, Artemis love, what do you think you'll take up" Artemis looks up before she then smiles and looks over. "I think I'll go with Tigress, what do you Dick" Nodding, I smile and reply. "I agree, it fits you" My uncle seems to agree to before he walks to the door and then speaks. "Good, we'll speak again once you two are fully ready for action. Let's just hope Deathstroke hasn't sold us out to Sportsmaster yet" I hope so two, I don't know how long we could hold out against him in this state. Mind I have no idea to how he'll react to Graysons nursing his daughter back to full health, I can only hope that he doesn't take it the wrong way and decides that Artemis is too weak to live any longer...

So, the riddle reveals itself at last, Dick and Artemis have become mercenaries and lets just say that a 3 month span is going to be between this chapter and the next, so be ready for some tragic things and a new mystery for the team to figure out, till next time, Always be ready for the unexpected.