Another Notice: Because I finished Heart of Courage early, I'm releasing it now, instead of the usual publication date.

Decemberfest: Because it is December, I have decided to release one (or more) chapter(s) every day. Please enjoy!



Part Two:

Robin followed their new team mate outside. That's where he lost him. Robin looked around, but eventually gave up and headed back inside.

He snuck through the base to where the rest of the Team was supposed to be. When he got there, Artemis and Wally were bickering as usual.

"Will you two stop it?" Robin asked. "Make out at the base."

"Yes, right now, we are trying to complete a mission." Revenge said, stepping out of the shadows.

"Go back where you came from!" Artemis snapped at him, sticking a grenade on the generator.

"For your information, blondie." Wally snickered at that. "I was saving a few dozen soldiers."

"What?" Megan asked, looking up.

"Didn't check the base for life forms did you? There were a bunch of guards. If I hadn't gotten them out, they'd have been dead when the bombs went off."

The Team just stared at him.

"Lesson learned, let's go." Revenge said, and walked out the door, but not before bumping into Artemis on his way out.

"That little-"

Wally grabbed Artemis, holding her back from assaulting their new teammate.

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Mount Justice-


"Good job," Batman said. "Shower and go home."

While the rest of the Team departed, Aqualad stayed behind.

"Yes, Kaldur?" Batman asked.

"If I may speak with you confidentially." Aqualad said. "Red Revenge is making the Team..."

"Irritated?" Batman said as more of a statement than a question.

"That is one way to put it, yes." Kaldur said.

"I understand how hard it is to deal with a new addition to the Team, especially the way Revenge acts. But give him time. He is used to working solo and not being noticed. This is an entirely new field for him." Batman said.

"I will do my best to make him feel welcome. I am not sure how I can get the rest of the Team to warm up to him." Kaldur replied.

"Take a field trip." Batman said, stepping into the zeta-tube.

"Recognized, Batman. Zero-Two."

"Don't expect him to reveal his identity." Batman added. 

Kaldur thought. Maybe Batman's suggestion was a bad idea.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Red Revenge stepped out of the transporter to find Artemis waiting for him in full costume.

"Didn't take Boy Wonder long to figure out where I live, did it?" he asked, walking past her.

Artemis glared at him, but ran up beside him.

"Let me guess, you want to talk about why I act like a jerk." Revenge said, still not looking at the archer.

"Actually, I thought we could go out for ice-cream." Artemis said.



"I have a feeling this isn't about ice cream." Revenge said, point blank.

Artemis was dressed in her usual civvies. Revenge was a different case. He wore jeans, and a jacket. His gloves were still on. A hat hung low over his head and sunglasses covered his eyes. He sat deep in the shadows.

"No, it isn't." Artemis said. "How did you know that I used to work for the Shadows?"

"Same way I know Aqualad's father is Black Manta." Revenge said. "Same way that I know Miss Martian's weakness is fire, and that Wally-"

"Okay!" Artemis said. "Why are you on this Team? It's obvious you don't enjoy it."

Revenge chuckled, and it sort of scared Artemis. "No, I do enjoy watching your petty squabbles. It's amazing you get anything done. And for the 'why am I here?' I thought it would be a fun experiment. I grew tired of working alone. Even Batman can't do everything alone."

Artemis looked at him. "You could at least tell us your secret identity."

Revenge snorted. "I don't trust anyone, blondie."

"Stop calling me that!"

"Should I call you Tigress?"

"I never took that name." Artemis said bitterly. "My mother went by that, not me."

"Hmph." Revenge said. He looked at his watch. "Gotta go, ice cream's on me." He put a few dollars on the table and left.

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The girl kneeled. Around her, a circle of computer screens lit, one after the other. Her masters, the Light wished to speak with her.

"Masters." she said.

"Rise young one." the lead voice said. She obeyed.

"You have progressed far, and learned much. We believe you are ready to become a full member of the League of Shadows." a voice to her right said.

"I am honored." the girl said, bowing her head.

"We have one mission for you to complete, one none of our other apprentices have been able to complete." a third voice said.

"Anything to serve the Light."

She could hear the grin in the voice when it spoke again. "Kill the young, heroes."