17 Chapter 17

-[Gotham City]-

-[Dante]-

He sat in a car in front of a particular house. Two days had passed since the Amazo mission but Dante's work wasn't done.

"Are you ready?" He turned to the owner of the voice who sat beside him to see Batman giving him a serious look.

"Why do I have to sit at the back?" Green Arrow complained from the back but was largely ignored as Dante nodded.

With that confirmation, they all got out of the vehicle, walking to the front door of the house and knocking on the door.

They didn't have to wait long as a dark haired woman in a wheelchair opened the door, a gasp leaving her mouth.

"Good evening Mrs Crock. May we come in?"

-[A Day Earlier]-

Batman and Dante stood in the mission room, the dark knight looking through some information on the cave computer system.

"I got the files you sent earlier. What do you intend to do with all this?" Batman asked.

"During the previous missions, it occurred to me that there will be missions that require certain skills. Having more members and a variety of skills on the team gives room for different ways to approach and complete a given mission. I intend to recruit her." Dante explained as a photo expanded on the screen showing Artemis in her costume and another of her in civilian attire.

Along with it were reports of her vigilante activities to prove his point that she would be a good fit for the team.

"And how did you take notice of this candidate?" Batman asked, turning to him. It was a good question seeing as how Dante lived in Star City and not Gotham.

"I was looking for possible individuals to recruit and started with Gotham. Among the sightings of vigilantes, there was one that popped up a few times, a young female archer in a green costume." He explained as Batman analyzed his every word. "I intended to investigate after our previous mission but I caught sight of her after we captured Ivo. Using the facial recognition software here in the cave, I was able to figure out her identity."

"How certain are you that she wasn't working with Ivo? Seeing as how your files here contain her identity as well as that of her family, you must be aware of that possibility." Batman questioned.

"I'd considered it but it is very unlikely. Though her family is less than ideal, she herself has not been implicated in the family business. I do not believe she will be a risk to the team." Dante answered, Batman staring at him in silence for a moment.

"I had already investigated her before you brought her up." Batman revealed, only mildly surprising him. "Green Arrow and I will head over to recruit her."

"I must object in that case." Dante said immediately. "With all due respect, I would like to handle this personally. This team won't grow if we allow you to do everything for us. For that reason, I want to be the one to recruit her."

-[Present]-

The three of them stood in the living room in front of a nervous Paula Crock.

"I apologize for the shock. Neither you nor your daughter are in trouble." Dante said to calm the woman down.

"What is this about?" The former criminal asked, her eyes fleeting between Batman and Green Arrow.

Dante had asked to be the one to handle this so he was the one who would do most of the talking. "We're here to speak to your daughter. I have an offer that I believe would interest her."

"I suppose you wouldn't mind me asking what that offer is." Her point was fair. She was the girl's mother after all.

"Naturally, I would need your permission before I can properly discuss anything with her." Dante agreed, getting a nod from the woman.

"The Justice league has formed a covert team of young heroes. The offer is simple. We would like for her to join that team." Dante explained, gaining a stunned silence from the woman.

"The fact that you're here means you know of our family's…activities. Judging by your age, I'm guessing you're also a part of that team." She said, her tone somber as she faced Dante who nodded.

"Even knowing that, you're still willing to recruit her?" Though she hid it well, Dante could hear the hopeful and almost pleading tinge in her voice.

Dante nodded in affirmation. "Yes. I don't believe it is right to judge her for actions that are not of her own doing. Artemis is her own person, regardless of family ties."

A large deal of Artemis' insecurity came from the fact that she had to hide her relation to Sportsmaster and Cheshire. It was an issue that led to her making some questioning decisions to protect her identity.

It was also an issue that Red Arrow capitalized on to pressure and threaten the girl. With Dante, the leader of the team, being aware and also being the one who personally came to recruit her, a decent amount of that insecurity would calm down.

He nearly missed how Paula's eyes began to get teary only for the woman. "Thank you." She said quietly.

"Artemis! Could you come out here, please?" She called out.

"Just a second!" The voice of her daughter came from the hallway.

They didn't wait long as moments later, a girl with long blonde hair and blue eyes walked into the room, her eyes shooting open upon seeing Batman and Green Arrow. "Mom! What did you do!?"

"She didn't do anything. The person we are here to see today is you." Dante corrected, drawing Artemis' eyes to him.

"Why?" She asked cautiously.

"We are aware of your late night activities." Dante said, causing Artemis to speak up.

"And you came to stop me?! Well you can for-"

"No. That's not the case. We're here to extend an invitation." He said, interrupting her and catching her attention. "The Justice league has formed a covert team of young heroes. As the leader of that team, I would like for you to be a part of it."

"Wait, what?" Her shock was immediate but Dante continued speaking.

"I believe you'll make a great addition to the team. I've already discussed this with your mother. The decision is left to you." He finished as Artemis' eye shot to her mother questioningly.

"I…" she started before trailing off, not knowing what to say. She was silent in thought for a few moments before she finally spoke. "One condition; you don't tell the rest of the team who I am…who my family is."

"You are entitled to your secret identity. If you feel the need not to share it, the decision is yours." He assuaged, noting the sad look on Paula's face.

"Then I'm in. I'm so in!" She agreed, the excitement that he'd been feeling from her finally showing itself.

"Great." Green Arrow said, speaking up for the first time since they arrived. "We'll introduce you as my new protégé and niece. We're both blonde after all."

"Ignoring the man behind me…" Dante started, getting a look from the archer. "Welcome to the team."

He extended a hand which she quickly grabbed in excitement.