The Strike of Tigress: Chapter 2

         Everyone stared at Wally, who was still standing with his finger pointed up. Kaldur finally stepped up and said, "Wally, I know you're still not over what happened, but revenge won't be the answer." "Kaldur's right, I was a bit shakened myself, but still it isn't right at all," M'gann piped in with an innocent tone. Wally glared and said, "Do you know what it's like, having to run around for 8 years, looking for the man who killed our teammate?" He turned and started walking, "I guess you guys don't need my help then."
As he walked, he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned and saw that it was Dick. Dick, with a sad look, whispered, "Wally, I know what it's like, wanting revenge for a loved one. So I'm not going to persuade you not to. About this, you help us; I'll personally help you find Sportsmaster. And this will be between us." Wally looked at him in surprise and smiled, "Deal." He turned and said, "I thought it through. I'll help you guys."
        Batman looked at him and said, "Good, now go to sleep, all of you. We've got a lot to do tomorrow night."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Wally sat and stared at the fireplace. He stared at the fire absently as it flickered. It was one of his ways of keeping his sanity, just sitting and staring. He remembered what happened after Artemis' death.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Kid Flash entered the bio-ship with Artemis' body. It had been minutes after the explosion. M'gann had set up a bed in the ship for Artemis. Kid Flash gently set the body onto the bed and sat down in front. He numbly stared at her face. Artemis looked so…… peaceful, like more than ever. Kid reached out his hand and started tracing her jaw line with the back of his fingers. He couldn't help but notice her perfectly shaped face and her blonde hair, which was streaked in blood. He whispered, "You're beautiful, you know that?" He leaned in and kissed her cheek.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Wally blinked and shook his head. He sighed and sat back. He missed Artemis. All he wanted was to have her back. He touched his chest and took out a chain necklace. He looked at it and remembered. The necklace had a lightning bolt and an arrowhead. Artemis gave him the chain with the lightning bolt for his 16th birthday. After she died, he broke off the arrowhead from the arrow that saved his life from Amazo, drilled a small hole in it, and added it to the chain. It now served as a reminder of her. Wally felt that the chain was few of the things he had left of her. He closed his eyes and remembered his 16th birthday.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        They were at the lounge at the Cave. The Team had finished taking down the ice fortresses and Wally had saved Queen Perdita. Wally had recently found out about Megan's and Connor's relationship together, but heck, he didn't care anymore since he already saved a ten-year-old queen.
       "Wow, thanks, M'gann, for the cake!" Wally said.
       "Anytime, Wally, hey, it's time to open the presents!"
        Wally looked through the presents. Every one of them looked intriguing to open, but Wally set his eyes on a small box first. Curious, he picked it and asked, "Who is this from?"
       "It's from me."
        He turned to see that it was Artemis, who was trying not to make eye contact with him. He looked at back at the box, puzzled, and carefully tore away the wrapping. Wally opened it and widened his eyes, pleasantly surprised. "Is that a..?" he asked. It was the chain necklace.
       "Yeah, I saved up all my money on it."
        He couldn't believe it. Artemis, the girl with all those snarky comments, saved up all her money for one present for him! He smiled and traced the lightning bolt with his finger. He then put it on and looked at it. He said, "Thanks, for the gift, Artemis."
       "You're welcome, Wally."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Wally jumped when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Dick, who had a worried expression on his face. "You okay?" Dick said. Wally looked back at the fire, "Yeah, I was just… thinking…" Dick sighed and went to sit on another armchair next to Wally. An awkward silence came. After about ten minutes, Dick finally came up with a question, "You were thinking about her, were you?"
       "Yeah…… I never forgot what happened…."
        They sat silent for another ten minutes until Dick blurted out, "Why do you want revenge so much?" Wally sighed, "Artemis was everything to me, even though I never told her of my feelings. And Sportsmaster, he took that everything from me."
       "Wally, I know I said I'll help you find him, but killing him won't solve everything."
        Wally looked at Dick and angrily stood up, "You know, there's not one day. ONE DAY! That I'd never stop thinking about it, killing Sportsmaster. Every time I think of what happened, killing him comes to my mind and that idea never leaves!"
        Dick calmly stood to face him, "So you're saying that killing him will let go of your guilt?" Wally stiffened and glared. He turned and grumbled, "I'm going to sleep. I can't believe I even talked to you about this."
       "Wally, look, I'm—"
        Wally ignored Dick and sped away towards his bedroom. He shut the door behind him. He sighed and looked at his suitcase. He then walked towards it and took out his pajamas. By the time he did that, he stopped. He rummaged through all the clothing and stopped. It was his Flash costume, though that wasn't what he was looking for. He carefully lifted the costume and took out a tough piece of fabric under it. It wasn't just a piece of fabric, it was Artemis' mask. It was the same one she wore when she died.
Wally lifted the mask to his face. He looked at it and stared. It felt as if she was here still, like she was staring right back at him. Wally sighed and set the mask back into the suitcase. He stretched and went into his bed. He stared at the ceiling and slowly fell asleep. As he fell asleep, he swore he could hear her voice calling him. Like a ghost.