Fic: Cry Little Sister [3/?]
Title: Cry Little Sister [3/?]
Characters: Artemis, M'gann, ensemble
Pairings: Some Artemis/Wally and Megan/Conner
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: References to illegal genetic experimentation, assassins, violence, spoilers for entire series (so far). Also follows the assumption that Megan is a white Martian.
Summary: A series AU. Artemis is another Cadmus experiment, released by Dubbilex into M'gann's care.
Part 3: M'gann discovers that Artemis is just as stubborn as Superboy.
A/N: To clarify, Artemis is an experimental human with the instincts and skills of heroes and villains telepathically programmed into her brain. So she can fight like Black Canary for example, because she's imprinted with Black Canary's fighting skills.
--
July 21st
In retrospect, it had been foolish to assume Artemis would listen to her about staying in the cabin.
The blonde had a distinctly aggressive tone similar to Superboy, which made so much sense yet none at all. She’d also grown more vocal about her desire to leave the cabin but M’gann hadn’t paid much attention, distracted by Superboy’s sudden bouts of rebellion.
His anger was still pounding in her mind when she came to the cabin one night to realize it was empty but for a G-Gnome blinking longingly at the moon.
“Do you know where she is?” M’gann demanded and it blinked red eyes before reluctantly projecting an image of a black-clad figure racing throughout Happy Harbor. Of course.
She decided to take the G-Gnome with her; it could be useful in her search and she was sure that the creature wished for a taste of freedom.
Happy Harbor was not so happy at night, the sky a bluish haze of clouds and darkness against the moon. M’gann soared through the air camouflaged, her form a faint smear against the clouds. The G-Gnome was tightly grasped in a third arm.
ARTEMIS!!!!!!!!!!!! she projected. There was no answer, but she did feel the familiar hum of the girl’s mind. She flew toward it praying her uncle didn’t feel her presence or her panic.
She soon came upon a group of humans, many of them crying out in pain or fear. Their emotions were irritating to bear and she set up a mental block, sacrificing her wider mental scan for Artemis.
Why had the link led her here? What was so special about angry humans? She squinted down and noticed a figure weaving through the bodies, limbs lashing out faster than most could see. The technique was far superior to any civilian and there was a flash of blonde hair -
Stupid, stupid human.
Artemis was the source of panic, diving at the humans with cheerful abandon. Her imprinted skills were on full display as she whooped with glee. They were moves only a few beings, let alone humans, could ever dare to manage. Bodies crumpled and panicked cries pierced the night, shouts of outmatched men hurting her head.
Enough, M’gann thought, and she rippled into color. She was too high for them to notice her so she swooped down, hard enough that the resulting pressure blew the humans out into the street. Artemis was just barely standing as M’gann grabbed her and flew them toward the docks.
She gracelessly dropped Artemis into the water and waited for her to surface, anger simmering within her. After a moment a head popped up, the girl spluttering in the water.
“What the hell are you doing?” Artemis shrieked, bobbing up and down the black waves. The G-Gnome croaked sadly.
“I told you not to leave the cabin,” M’gann said coldly. Her insides were burning. “You could have been hurt. The League could have found out. Cadmus could have found out.” And they would all be dead.
“You worry too much,” Artemis scoffed. She dragged herself up a pier and lay on her back, spitting water. “Besides, I can take them.”
“Like you ‘took’ those civilians?”
“They were attacking some boy. They deserved it.” Artemis lifted her head and scowled. “Besides, it’s hard being cooped up in that place. I ran out of things to think about.”
“I don’t doubt it,” M’gann muttered and flew over to the human. She cleared her throat. “You can’t risk your identity being discovered. It endangers everyone in the city.”
“I’ll wear a mask,” Artemis argued. Her eyes were gleaming with excitement. “I’ll make up a codename; I can be Happy Harbor’s Batman.”
“Batman is in Gotham.”
“You know what I mean.” Artemis grinned. “Come on, what’s the worst that could happen?”
You could be caught. You could be killed. You could hurt people. You could be discovered by the League.
“I’ll think about it,” M’gann finally said. She lifted Artemis into the air and sighed. “Now let’s go home.”
“What home?” Artemis grumbled. She didn’t know how to answer.