Artemis found Becca sitting above the cave's entrance, a foot dangling over the ledge. She sat down beside her as Becca stared out at the sunset.
“Whatever Wally told you, Becca...don't listen to him.”
“It's not him Artemis. In fact it's everybody but 당신 and Robin.”
“What did everyone else do?”
“Nothing. But they have this...I don't know. This way about them. Kinda like they're better because they've got powers.”
“Well, Megan is really sweet when 당신 get to know her. Connor and Kaldur have to be...convinced before they give 당신 respect. And Wally will remain an idiot.”
“He's the worst.”
Artemis laughed a little and Becca looked at her.
“Yeah. He gave me a hard time when I first came too.”
“Is that what made 당신 interested in him? That he didn't react like other boys have?”
“What?! No! I do NOT like Wally!”
Becca looked down, a smile on her face. She laughed a little.
“It's funny how you're talking to someone 당신 know nothing about but I know everything about you.”
“How?”
“Just my own skills; things I learned. But no worries, I haven't told anyone and I won't. I respect you.”
“You're nothing like Robin are you?”
Becca looked up, smiling still.
“Only intellectually. But it's nice being compared to the Boy Wonder.”
Artemis tilted her head as a thought entered her mind.
“Do 당신 like him? Robin I mean?”
Becca looked away, a blush on her cheeks.
“Yeah. He's sweet, caring. Playful but very loyal to.”
“Sounds like you're talking about a dog.”
Becca laughed. It kinda did sound like a dog.
“No. But he was raised to be loyal and caring. He was always playful and I can see how that fits into the Robin profile. He's just so...opposite of me.”
“How so?” Artemis asked.
“Well, I'm violent for one thing. I react purely on thought. Emotions aren't really my thing. I tend to do my own thing, for another. I also can be...disloyal. I've never had a mentor before, just my instructor.”
“Isn't that kinda the same thing?”
“Not to me. To me, a mentor is someone who cares for 당신 and encourages 당신 to do better.”
“You've never had that?”
“No. 당신 see, my parents are dead, I'm a convicted criminal, and I have been training to survive.”
“You're a criminal?”
“Not really. Someone I was very close to is on the police force 당신 could say. I was charged for crimes I didn't commit. I thought she would see that, but she just...betrayed me. Broke my family apart and, 더 많이 importantly, sent me into hiding.”
“Sounds like my own 'family' situation.”
“Yeah.”
It was silent for awhile as the wind whistled against the mountain.
“Why don't 당신 just go back and defend yourself?” Artemis asked.
“Because if I do, I'll be killed. She's got assassins after me.”
“She wants 당신 dead?”
“No. She wants my soul.”
“Who is this person anyway?”
“Serepta Alvers. My dear own sister.”
“She wants 당신 dead?”
“Yep. In fact, she's got powers of black magic. I only have my skill.”
“Well, 당신 have me now too. I promise Becca; no matter what happens, I will not desert you.”
“And I you. 당신 have my trust and respect Artemis.”
“And 당신 have mine Becca. Besides, I'm sure if we work together we'll be an unstoppable pair.”
Becca smiled, turning so she could hug the archer.
“Thank 당신 Artemis. 당신 have no idea what you've done.”


The dark mist faded away. She sat on her 왕좌, 왕위 lazily, legs dangling off the arm of the chair. A wicked laugh tore from her red lips, echoing throughout her dark kingdom. Dark shadows moved at the sound, creeping away from her malicious enjoyment. She played with the little sword pendant hanging from her neck. Her black boots showed through her black dress, a slit in the side that just barely covered her hip. The inside of her dress was red and her 상단, 맨 위로 exposed her breasts with it's wide neck line, which met an her stomach. Her black hair flowed around her, bangs hitting her blood red eyes. She grabbed the cane 의해 her throne, inspecting the sharp sword tip. Her black gloves protected her hand and wrist from cuts, but the rest of her white skin was not shielded.
“Oh my darling Becca. How 당신 entertain me.”
She laughed again, snapping a little orb of blue light into the dark.
“Do 당신 really think befriending THEM is going to stop me? No no no. 당신 are very close to this little bird. And I swore to kill 당신 every way possible. Devin was killed 의해 your hands little sister. So 의해 my hands, Robin shall be...clipped of his wings.”




Becca awoke with a sickening feeling in her stomach. She wasn't going to be able to sleep now. Looking at the clock, Becca groaned when it read three o'clock in the morning. She got out of 침대 and dressed in the outfit Artemis had helped her with. She slipped the black leggings on and pulled the purple-almost-black 상단, 맨 위로 over her head. It stopped at her elbows and was skin tight. Her stomach just barley showed as it almost perfectly mirrored Artemis' own top. She secured the black utility 벨트 around her hips, noticing it slip on one side just a little. Long black boots that reached the middle of her thighs completed the outfit; she left weapons and mask off.
She creeped out slowly, but stood straight when a light illuminated from another room. She walked along quietly, peeking around the door frame. She sighed when she only saw Robin working at his laptop. She approached, leaning over his shoulder.
“Can't sleep?” she asked.
“Nope. You?”
“Not anymore. What 당신 working on?”
“Just upgrading security.”
“Never stop working, huh? How long 당신 been up?”
“Since...eleven.”
“You've been working for five hours with no sleep and after that intense training I happened to give us for hitting Wally?”
“Yep.”
Robin pulled away from the computer, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Sore?” Becca asked.
“A little.”
Becca pushed his hand away, gently rubbing his neck.
“Why do 당신 push yourself?”
“Part of being Robin.”
“Then, for one night, just be Dick Grayson. 배트맨 is pushing 당신 too hard.”
“No he's not.”
“Dick...”
Robin bit his lip. Becca watched him as her hands continued to massage his neck and shoulders. She heard him release a sigh.
“I just want to prove to him that I'm not a kid. I can do things he can.”
“But do 당신 really have to loose sleep trying to prove yourself? It's not healthy.”
“It doesn't matter.”
“Yes it does. 당신 know it does. And 당신 also know that 당신 can break some of his rules, right? I'm starting to worry about 당신 Dick.”
“Why?” Robin asked, turning to look at her and causing her to stop working the knot in his neck.
“Why? Is that really all 당신 have to say? Dick, have 당신 really forgotten what it's like to be cared for?”
“No. I just tend to ignore it.”
“You shouldn't.”
Becca stopped speaking ad started working hen Robin turned back to his computer.
“Tell 당신 what, Dick. If 당신 start getting 더 많이 sleep, I'll start giving 당신 massages whenever 당신 want. What do 당신 think?”
“Deal. But what about you? Why are 당신 up?”
“Restless. Living on the run hasn't been the most peaceful thing.”
“Maybe 당신 should tell me what's going on.”
“Later. 당신 need sleep. And I'll even go back to 침대 if 당신 go to bed.”
Robin groaned, shutting off his computer.
“You're like a mother,” he teased as he made his way to his room. Becca kicked him lightly.
“Just go to bed.”
“Night...mom,” Robin said with a chuckle.
Becca shook her head as he closed his door. But it opened again.
“Nice costume 의해 the way.”
As he shut the door, Becca blushed. She quickly entered her own room and reminded herself to thank Artemis for the present.