Happy Harbor

August 8, 21:53 EDT

"So we're in agreement on Teen Titans," I said. Dr. Serling Roquette was busy typing away on her high school lab computer, her fingers a blur over the ancient keyboard. I stood nearby, arms folded, keeping watch while the others milled about in the cramped, dark computer lab. The hum of the old monitor buzzed faintly, a constant background note to our conversation.

"Titans," everyone echoed in unison, their voices overlapping like a half-hearted chorus.

"That sucks," I muttered, the corners of my mouth twitching downward. "But oh well."

"Megan, can you set up a telepathic link?" Aqualad asked, stepping forward. His voice carried that same steady authority, even in moments like these. "I don't want the Shadows to track our comms."

I wrinkled my nose at that. "What does that entail, anyway? Surface thoughts only, right?"

"Right," Megan said, her voice as calm and reassuring as always. "You would have to think very intently in order to be heard. We can test it out a bit before getting started."

Reluctantly, I allowed the energy of my Infinity to ebb away, lowering my mental defenses just enough. "Fine, go ahead."

Megan's eyes glowed softly with a white light that seemed to pulse faintly, like a slow heartbeat. Her expression warmed into a serene smile as her voice echoed—not audibly, but directly in my mind. Telepathic link established.

The connection was instantaneous and disorienting. It wasn't just a voice in my head—it was Megan, her presence, her thoughts. It wasn't invasive, but it was undeniably intimate. Like standing in someone else's personal space but without the physical boundaries.

Artemis' voice followed, sharp and surprised, Oh, this is weird. Her eyes widened, and her lips moved faintly as if reflexively trying to form the words aloud.

No, this was extremely weird. The words weren't just words. They had a texture, a weight. They carried something beneath them—a thread of meaning that transcended sound. It was like hearing with a sense I hadn't known I had, the raw intention beneath Artemis' thought laid bare alongside the words. Her surprise wasn't just audible—it was palpable, a tangle of astonishment and intrigue that hit me like an impressionistic painting brought to life.

This wasn't just communication. It was something far more fundamental, far more connected.

And distracting, the doctor said. I observed the effect again and marveled at what I was hearing—meaning and words intertwined. The meaning didn't come from my own interpretation—I was skipping that step entirely and using theirs. Completely eliminating the chances of miscommunication. Coding a distributed algorithm virus on a kiddie computer with less RAM than a wristwatch is hard enough. Now I have to hear teen think in my skull?

Wow, that's annoying, I sighed. But necessary, I suppose. So we're all on the same channel? No private comms?

Unfortunately not, Megan said, Even if I could set up a conversation between two parties, I'd have to act as an intermediary, so nothing would ever be private.

Wow, it just doesn't stop, Roquette thought desperately.

Kid Flash looked at her in annoyance, Do you always complain when people try to help you?

Hah! I laughed, K.F, you should know a thing or two about complaining.

Tell me about it, Artemis said.

Hey, I do not need attitude from the newbies who drove Red Arrow off the team, Kid Flash thought vehemently.

Not sorry, he's an asshole, I said.

Hard not to be when dealing with you, Kid Flash said to me.

He never would have joined us anyway. He looks down on us.

He just didn't want to be replaced! Wally thought loudly.

How about, Artemis said, I help Miss Martian out patrolling the perimeter while you two have it out with each other? Artemis went out, and Superboy followed, leaving only Kid Flash, Aqualad, Robin and I to watch Roquette.

Fate of the world at stake, Roquette said.

Quit worrying, I chuckled, I'm watching over you. And I won't leave your side either. Every single member of this team could die and you'd still be fine under my watch.

Roquette looked at me in horror.

Christ, Artemis said.

Infinity, Aqualad said chidingly.

Not cool, dude! Robin yelled.

It was just a hypothetical, I said.

Robin looked at Kid Flash, You should cut her more slack. It was her arrow that saved you from Sportsmaster.

What? No, that was Speedy's... I mean, Red Arrow's arrow, right?

Not really, no.

Huh, Kid Flash said, Still not giving her the satisfaction.

I can still hear you, Artemis said.

I couldn't get the Justice League, Roquette thought hopelessly.

Instead, you got the Teen Titans, I said with a grin.

Titans, I heard a chorus from the entire telepathic network that made Roquette close her eyes and growl.

SHUT UP, SHUT UP, JUST SHUT UP, ALL OF YOU, PLEASE!

I chuckled at that. But it worked. We were quiet.

Aqualad walked up to her, Apologies, doctor. But I wanted to ask you if it was possible for you to track the weapon somehow, and make use of the virus you're creating.

It's not a weapon. It's science. Cutting edge science. And of course I can track it, but I'd have to go online. Might as well rent a billboard with this address and "assassinate me" written in neon.

Yes, yes, yes! Let's go, we're getting a fight after all!

Aqualad turned to me with a scowl. Ah, I forgot, I thought, We share thoughts now. Uh, doctor, you don't have to worry about that. If it's just protecting you from a bunch of assassins, between all of us working together, you're the safest woman on the planet.

Aqualad put a hand on her shoulder, We will protect you.

Roquette turned to the computer and clicked on an icon, connecting her to the internet.

I don't think I've mentioned this much before, I thought idly, but I came from the year 2006, and I'm still really jazzed that all phones are basically 95% touch screens. Trippy. You guys have it crazy easy. You even have touch keyboards containing all the letters of the alphabet! You got a lot of things done in just four years, that's for sure.

The hell is that supposed to mean? Artemis asked.

It's my backstory. I'd love to tell you one on one, that is if Superboy sticks to his guns, I grinned, Then you can tell me about your childhood as an assassin.

I'm not an assassin!

Dude! Kid Flash yelled.

Found it, Roquette said, Sending you the information. But now that I've gone online, they've seen me. They're coming.

Megan, Aqualad said, Reconfigure the Bio-Ship to have Robin fly. Take Superboy and Kid Flash. The rest of us remain to guard the doctor.

Kid Flash and Robin zipped away.

Mmm, that boy, Artemis said. Was she referring to Superboy?

I know, I'm hot, I grinned, But keep your pants on! We got work to do!

Wasn't talking about you, blindfold.

Oh my god, those raging hormones are doing nothing for you guys, Roquette commented.

Soon, Robin, Kid Flash and Superboy flew off, and the only ones on the perimeter were Miss Martian and Artemis, who were having a squabble because Megan thought that Superboy had been embarrassed.

Must you challenge everyone? Miss Martian asked.

Where I come from that's how you survive, she said.

Assassins aren't known for their manners, I thought.

What do you know about assassins that make you so damn sure I am one anyway? She asked hotly.

I grinned at that, I've had a hundred-million-yen bounty on my head for as long as I could remember. I killed my fair share of takers before I turned ten and they finally started wising up. I wouldn't exactly call you an assassin—your eyes are way too soft—but you certainly have the training. You got parents in the League of Shadows maybe, ninja girl?

What movies are you watching? Artemis asked in shock.

…Is that true, Sa-chan, Megan asked. About the bounty?

I mean… yeah. But it couldn't be helped. I was born special, and people took issue with that. Old story.

You believe him? Artemis asked, shocked.

He wouldn't lie about something like that, Megan replied hotly, But… I'm not as certain about you being an assassin, of course. And Sa-chan, maybe you should stop saying that?

I wouldn't say it if I didn't believe it, I said, And even if she is, so what? She wants to be a hero, that's good enough for me. I just came to this universe last month and I don't have the superhero mentality down pat yet, but honestly it doesn't bother me. And it clearly doesn't bother Batman or Green Arrow, since they let her in the Teen Titans.

Aqualad looked at me intently. Then he thought, Artemis, is he telling the truth?

Kaldur, don't, Megan said, And Sa-chan, stop it. You told me it's rude to read minds, but how is this not the same? It's also rude to try and get someone to reveal their secrets.

I clicked my tongue at that, Sorry, Artemis. Let's talk after the mission is over. I blinked as my Six Eyes spotted a fast moving object approaching us, having gotten past the perimeter, Perimeter breach. Bogey incoming. Singular. Aqualad, you taking this?

Are you serious?! Roquette looked around in panic. I pointed at the wall, tracking the figure with my finger. Aqualad got out his water-bearers and collected some stored water from a nearby bucket.

The figure arrived, a wild-haired woman wearing a sleeveless green kimono cropped at the thighs, and a white and red oni mask that was smiling toothily. Level one, right? It'd be a fun challenge doing this unarmed. But then again, Kaldur would have more to learn from this encounter than I.

Aqualad closed the distance between himself and the masked assassin in an instant, his movements swift and calculated. I stayed close to Doctor Roquette, my attention split between the fight and ensuring she stayed out of harm's way.

The assassin grinned behind her mask, twirling her twin sai casually, as if she was out for an evening stroll. "What's the hurry, fish boy?" she teased, her tone light and mocking. "Afraid I'll be too much to handle?" She punctuated her words with a quick flourish of one sai, letting its edge gleam in the dim light.

"I wish to make this quick—for your sake," Aqualad replied.

Aqualad sharpened his focus and lunged forward with his water-bearers drawn, slicing through the air. The assassin dodged nimbly, barely stepping aside as she flicked her wrist and sent a pair of ninja stars spinning toward him. They glinted ominously, each coated with a faint liquid sheen. "Venom," I called out to Aqualad, "Watch out for that."

Aqualad deflected one with a swipe of his water-bearer, but the other nicked his arm. He grunted, adjusting his stance. The venom coursed through his body, but his antibodies were brutal in dismantling them. This was venom powerful enough to kill a person in minutes, and Aqualad didn't look ruffled at all.

"Oh, feeling a little sting, are we?" she cooed, watching him with an almost playful gleam in her eyes.

"Jellyfish toxin," Aqualad said. "The best you could bring."

"Don't worry, it'll only make things more... interesting." She lunged, thrusting a sai toward his midsection. Aqualad blocked, and the clash of steel against solid water echoed sharply.

"You will find that I'm largely immune."

She spun low, sweeping his leg, forcing him to shift back to avoid losing his balance. Before he could recover, she launched another series of rapid attacks, jabbing and slicing with her sai, each movement as graceful as it was deadly.

Aqualad managed to parry her strikes, though she was relentless. His focus never wavered, even as her teasing continued.

"What's wrong? Was all that toxin immunity just bluster after all?" she taunted as their weapons clashed again. "I expected more from Aquaman's little protégé."

Aqualad ignored the bait, his jaw set. He lunged forward again, aiming to close the gap. With a quick twist, he sent a jet of water from his bearer, catching her off guard. She stumbled back a step, but only for a moment—before she was right back at him, her grin hidden beneath her mask but unmistakable in her eyes.

She feigned left, then struck at his side, grazing his armor with a sai before he managed to shove her back. She laughed, clearly enjoying every second. "Is that all you've got?" she goaded.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

The woman sensed a gap in Aqualad's focus and immediately capitalized on it, throwing a shuriken at Roquette. I caught it out of the air and looked up at her with a grin, "By any chance, you might not happen to be acquainted with a mouthy swordswoman?"

"Depends," the woman said, "Are you Infinity? Don't answer that—I know you are."

I grinned brightly. Even embroiled in a conversation with me, it was all Aqualad could do to keep fighting. "My reputation precedes me. That's nice. Did the sword lady tell you about me?"

"Fun seeing you in person," she said, "You have personality. I like it. How come you're not fighting?"

"Gotta let the kids have their fun," I shrugged, "You know how it goes."

"Why do you hang out with these losers anyway?" she asked.

"Pizza parties and mouthy speedsters for the most part," I said, "What, is this a recruitment pitch?" I tilted my head and grinned at her. "If your angle is money, then why don't we talk shop? A million a month for starters."

"That could be arranged," she said, and I chuckled. Wow. They really wanted me. "Talk later?" she said as she threw a smoke bomb on the ground, did one last pass at Roquette—a throwing knife, this time—that failed, and then ran away just as Artemis and Miss Martian arrived. We can chase her, I said, Haven't lost track of her yet.

No, Aqualad said, We need to keep Roquette safe from any others.

I can go after her.

Aqualad looked angry now, Did you not just promise a super-villain a negotiation for a possible recruitment? Given the circumstances, it is understandable that I have reservations about you being alone with her.

Gasp! Where did all our trust go?

It's called banter, I said, I wasn't being serious. Anyway, she just got on a bike. She's getting away. Real fast. I won't be able to catch up with her at level one anymore.

Whoopsies.

Then I grinned and patted Roquette's shoulders, I told you you'd be safe.

My earpiece crackled, "Titans, come in," Robin said on the line, "It's… we failed. STAR labs is gone. The Fog decimated it. Now all that information is in the hands of the enemy."

Damn, I thought. "Ah, couldn't be helped," I said with a shrug, "Roquette wasn't even done with the virus."

Doctor, rescan for that fog. We have to move her, Aqualad said.

No we don't, I said, That's such a hassle. She'll slow down on programming the virus.

The assassin is bringing company, Aqualad said.

They'll find us anyway. Then Megan and Artemis get to dance, too, I said, And in the meanwhile, I'll stick around and make sure that nothing touches her.

You can't promise that! Artemis glared, These are the League of Shadows you're talking about! And you're just some… guy!

I rolled my eyes, you're the boss, Aqualad. What were you thinking?

I have a plan, Aqualad claimed.

000

Just like I had predicted, they found us anyway. This time, according to 'plan'.

Black Spider-Man, a dude with a giant hook for a hand attached to a bunch of chain bunched up inside a machine forearm, and, yes, the assassin lady.

We had camped out at a waterfront house where Roquette continued her programming when my Six Eyes detected their arrival.

Assassin lady, a guy with spider powers—that is such a trip, he's not supposed to be in this universe—and a dude with a hook for a hand.

Titans, ready! Aqualad shouted.

I sat next to Roquette as Artemis ran out of the house to join Aqualad, "Sucks that your gig turned you into a target for international assassins. You got a really crappy deal, girl. If I were you? I'd just change my name and move to Indonesia or something. Man, you are screwed."

"Was what you said really true?" Roquette asked, "About being a target of assassination since you were a child?" Why was she asking me this again?

I snorted. Didn't rise to the bait at all. No fun. "Yeah," I said, "But the reason why I was a target also made me uniquely able to defend myself. Ah, Aqualad's down. Sucks."

Roquette looked at me in horror. I gestured and teleported Aqualad's unconscious form into the house.

Artemis, for her part, was doing a way better job distracting the assassins. "I don't see the point in this, honestly."

"I think it's a good plan," Roquette replied.

Any plan with me in it would be a good plan, whether or not it intrinsically worked. This just felt like extra steps.

I stood up and cracked my neck as the assassin lady finally made it through. I tried to grab her with Blue, and she dodged easily. She raised a crossbow at Roquette and I patted her on the shoulder, imbuing her with Infinity. The bolt stopped dead, unable to penetrate before losing all its energy and falling on the ground.

I knew that the assassin's mind would work overtime trying to get around my invincibility, before it would settle on the logical conclusion of taking a hostage—Artemis. At the moment she thought that, and left herself slightly vulnerable, I managed to grab her with Blue. I slammed her down on the ground, and then again, and a third time.

"Infinity!" Roquette yelled as she got up from her chair and faced me with a fierce scowl. "She's had enough!"

"These assassins are like cockroaches," I said, "You really need to beat the fight out of them first." That was true anywhere. And it was my mistake that I hadn't tenderized that sword lady better the first chance I had gotten. I should have broken her arms and legs. Better than what scum like her deserved.

"Name your price," the woman coughed, and I chuckled at her. I stood up and walked out of the house, bringing the woman floating behind me.

"If I had a dollar for how many assassins told me that in their final moments," I chuckled.

"Not talking about me," She said. "I'm talking about you. What's your price?"

"A trillion dollars an hour, with bonuses."

Spider-Man saw me and shot red webs at me that crashed ineffectually at my Infinity. Rather than focus on a nimble guy like him and waste time, I made to grab the considerably slower Captain Hook instead with Blue, freezing him in place. Then I gave him some good old high-impact therapy against the asphalt to get him nice and compliant. Artemis took the lead on Spider-Man, and after catching him in an arrow that released a net of all things, the battle was over.

Roquette joined us outside, transforming into Megan as I lined our perps up, pressing them on their knees against the floor. "Where are the rest of you rats hiding?" I asked, crouching in front of the smiling mask woman, "First of all, what's your name?"

She looked up at me, "Cheshire. Like the cat."

"Okay, Cheshire, like the cat. Tell me everything." She looked over my shoulder at Artemis. I frowned at that. Former classmates, maybe? "Oi, kitty," I snapped my fingers, "Focus. You can catch up later. Right now, I'm asking for information."

"You really think that will work?" Cheshire asked.

Aqualad joined us outside, looking shaky, "Kid Flash reports that the virus has been fully programmed. He's rushing to get it to an access point for the nanites."

"Oops!" I said to Cheshire, "Means you just lost out on a paycheck, didn't it? Man, I'd hate to be you."

"Infinity," Aqualad said, "Go to Roquette. Kid Flash has been forced to leave her unattended to make this delivery."

Miss Martian started pulling ropes from the docks and tied all the villains up nicely. With that done, I warped over to Roquette, who was working in a closed-down computer shop. Very off-the-grid that.

Did it never occur to anyone that we could have just kept her in Mount Justice?

"Ah!" she screamed when she saw me, "You can teleport?!" she sighed in exhaustion, "Look, whatever. So what happens now?"

"I'm angling for a five-star review on this mission," I said to her with a grin, "And I know you haven't exactly had the smoothest ride today. Let's get some burgers. My treat."

"What about the League?"

"The League have no reason to kill you anymore," I said, "But in case they do, I'll be there watching, making sure that nothing touches you." I removed my blindfold and gave her a genial grin, "Trust me, alright? I promise, on my watch, I will die before you do. And I won't die. Nothing can kill me."

Her eyes widened and she looked down and gave a nod, "I could use some food right about now."

000

Happy Harbor

August 8th , 22:09 EDT

Artemis knew this team was a mistake from the moment that white-haired guy opened his mouth. He was a freak, his good looks completely wasted on his terrible personality.

And he had seen through her with those piercing blue eyes of his, eyes that she felt she could lose herself in. It was one point in his favor that he kept those freakish orbs hidden.

The moment he teleported away, Cheshire gave a sad moan, "I was starting to get attached, too."

"The police are on their way," Aqualad said, "I suggest you start getting attached to prison life."

Cheshire looked at Artemis, and she felt her skin crawl at that, "What are you looking at, villain?" Artemis asked.

"We can 'catch up later'," Cheshire said, "What exactly did he mean by that? Catch up on what?"

"I don't know," Artemis replied.

"Ah… so you didn't tell them yet."

Megan put a hand on Artemis' shoulder, "Your past doesn't define you, Artemis. I don't care."

She knew.

They would all know, then.

She looked at Aqualad, who gave a nod at her, "Batman and the Green Arrow trust you, and I doubt that you would have been able to sneak this secret past both of them. I will extend the same faith they have until you give me a reason not to."

"Please don't tell anyone else," Artemis pleaded, "Don't tell Kid Flash. Don't—can you make Infinity stop, too?"

She hated herself for showing this weakness.

Why was she even doing it? It wasn't like she liked this damn team anyway.

She was doing it for mom. To continue seeing her smile. That was enough. For now.

"He'll stop," Miss Martian said, "I will make sure he listens. And I promise, Artemis, I won't tell anyone."

"I won't either," Aqualad said, "Though there is not much to tell as I do not know anything specific."

"That's just sad," Cheshire said, "Lowering yourself to beg for the favor of these children? I thought I raised you better, sister."

"You didn't raise me at all," Artemis snarled. "You abandoned me."

"Oh, please," she said, "It was for the best! Now you've got a gig with the capes-and-tights club and I'm going to prison. Like mom."

Artemis almost lunged at her, had it not been for Aqualad's quick reaction holding her back.

She took a deep breath and stepped back, facing the two heroes, "There you have it. I'm… I'm not from the League of Shadows, but most of my family is. My dad is… Sportsmaster. My mother is Huntress. And my sister is Cheshire. Assassination all stars."

"Oh, Artemis," Megan hugged her, "You can't help where you came from. Why would we judge you for that?"

Artemis slowly pried herself out from Megan's gentle hug, "It's not…" she sighed, "It's not gonna work out," she gave a small grin, "You guys wanted Speedy, and instead you got me. And I lied to you at the start, and… You know."

Aqualad shook his head at that, "Artemis, I appreciate what you've done for the team today. I would like for you to stay. And if we managed to find a way to tolerate Infinity, then we can handle anyone. Including you."

"You attacked your own father to save one of ours," Megan said, "We can't thank you enough for what you did."

"Hah!" Cheshire laughed, "You're the one who sabotaged dad? That's hilarious. You know he'll come after you for that, right?"

"We arrested him once before," Megan folded her arms and glowered, "We'll do it as many times as it takes."

"Correction," Cheshire said, "Your boy Infinity put the screws on him. And Artemis, you really think a kid like that would go out of his way to keep you safe? Or even stick around in this little team? He's not like you—any of you. Enjoy him while it lasts, but the Shadows will have him soon."

Miss Martian's eyes glowed white, and Cheshire slumped over, unconscious. "Not if I have anything to say about it," she said. Then she turned to Artemis, "Stay. Please."

Against her better judgment, she entertained the wild notion that… maybe things wouldn't turn out terribly if she stayed.