A Dragon's Love (Young Justice)

The Loss of An Archer

We've reached the wintery landscape, just outside of Superman's fortress, and have found the scout drone sitting by it. We all creep around to surround it. In camo mode, M'gann flies up to it and breaks off it's communications. 'Communications disabled.' She informs, and the drone falls down to the ground. 'Propulsion disabled.' Artemis shoots an arrow that covers the big red door. It fires random shots, but thankfully misses Artemis. 'And ET's are sealed inside.' She states.

Kaldur jumps up from beneath the ice, landing on one of the drone's wings. It turns it's ray towards him, but before it can fire, Wolf blocks it, turning it away to fire off into nowhere. Superboy comes up and holds the ray in place, as the rest of us jump on top. 'Identifying weapons structural stress points and links to the ship. Here, here, and here.' Robin points, looking at his glove.

Miss M breaks said points, and Superboy begins to pull it off. Suddenly, Wolf jumps up and knocks him away from the cannon, being zapped instead. 'Wolf.' M'gann mutters. Robin looks at his glove, typing. 'There was no indication of feedback. I'm sorry.' 'Can't do anything for him now.' Conner states looking down, before coming back and pulling the cannon all the way off. 'Let's go.'

M'gann brings the bioship over and she begins to attach the cannon to it, Superboy holding it up. 'Rerouting systems to integrate weapon into ship's biomatrix. We'll need to decamouflage for a few minutes.' 'May not have a few minutes.' I warn. Just then, two drones come flying passed us, circling back to attack.

'Miss Martian, open fire.' Aqualad orders. 'Can't, weapon systems are offline to incorporate the new cannon. And that's not fully integrated yet, either.' She informs us. 'Got you covered.' Artemis and I think. I throw two fireballs, and Artemis shoots three arrows. She turns and starts running back, as I fly, both of us thinking, 'Get inside. We're almost there.' I land and turn around just in time to see that one of the drones survived, and was aiming a shot. 'Artemis, behind you.' Miss M states, seeing it as well. She turns around and aims an arrow, but she's too late. The beam hits her, and she disappears.

"Artemis!" Megan and I scream. "Artemis!" I hear Wally. I stand frozen in shock, barely registering Aqualad running forward, using his water bearers to break the ice, and destroy the drone. "They're dead. Every single alien. If it's the last thing I do." I hear Kid growl.

It is then that I begin to comprehend exactly what just happened. Aqualad comes and puts a hand on my shoulder. "We have to go. Now." He tells everyone. I nod as he glances at me, but when I take a step, I collapse to the snow covered ground. Without a word, Kaldur picks me up bridal style and we all head back into the bioship. He sets me into the seat in front of him, and we take off.

It's silent inside the ship, the only actual sound coming from M'gann as she sobs. I'm crying, too, quietly, as I stare out the window. "Nah! Ahh! Ahh! Ahh!" Wally yells. I can hear him pounding his hands on the table in front of him. "There will be time to mourn later." Aqualad begins, standing up. I don't look away from the window, but I listen.

"Now we have a job to do... defend the Earth and ensure Artemis' sacrifice was not in vain." "Back to the cave?" M'gann asks. "The Hall of Justice. The human race must know that there are still heroes defending them." He answers. "There is still hope." I take off my mask and wipe my eyes. He's right.