incoming transmission ... :: from @billyandhismultiples / billy ryerson: Don't worry. l have everything under control.
meme || accepting.
Artemis wishes there was more she could do.
Being an ordinary human often left people living in a world of metahumans powerless. But the archer has never let her strength be dimmed by her self-doubt. She always does what she can as a hero, each skill she had been trained with from friends and foes alike to help those who couldn't help themselves.
โ There's one more, a kid, โ she calls, turning her head to the side to allow her voice to echo of the walls. The building they were in was already leaning at a dangerous angle, and the hoards of Billy Numerouses holding up the crumbling concrete is scary.
She knows he says that he has it under control, but they need to hurry. Each second that passes by only makes the hairs on the back of her neck stand more. Her skin has a wet sheen from sweat and they're both coated in the residuals of airborne concrete particles. The foundation of the building isn't going to last much longer, and she worries that Billy won't be able to hold out either. The overuse of his powers must be exhausting, as is lifting the imaginable weight. Her communicator beeps with the lack of a signal, and she only hopes that someone will hear about this soon.
She continues her crawl through the small gap. Her eyes finally spot the small figure. The child trembles in fear and their eyes are wide, tear tracks streamed across reddened cheeks. Superman's logo on their t-shirt is bright, even in the dark. Artemis coughs and tries to offer a smile, โ Hey, kiddo, โ she begins. โ I'm Artemis! I like your shirt. โ
The child doesn't reply. They both look up the groan of steel and rocks trickle from the corners of rock around them.
โ It'll be alright, we're going to be okay. How about we go find one of your parents? โ she tries again. Was Billy okay? She cautiously glances around, but maintains her grin. It is stiffer than she intends. โ It's going to be fine. There's a guy out there trying is best to hold up the building but we've got to get out of here now, yeah? โ
She knows that there are some criminals out there that would never even deign to help in a situation like this. While Billy Numerous was annoying, the archer knows that he's a decent guy.
Artemis directs the child to begin crawling, pointing in the direction of the safest passage out. A small line of pebbles crumbles once more to trail down her cheek, her green mask undoubtedly now smeared with grey. It is like the passing seconds are hours, and it only adds to the amount of pressure she is under. They need to get out of there now.
Panicked yelling can be heard from beyond the edges of the building, and the child looks back at her with wide eyes. โ Someone you know will be outside. I'm sure they're looking for you, โ Artemis tries. The child sniffles but turns around to continue onwards. The signal against her ear piece finally sparks to life and the blonde exhales in relief, needing to lean down further so she can manoeuvre past one of the collapsed support beams. Light is finally streaming outwards and Artemis cannot help her own sigh of relief when the child, then her, are finally free.
She scrambles to her feet, quickly guiding the child with a grin towards a firefighter who stands on the other side of a barrier. โ Good job, kid, โ she says, smile reassuring. It drops when she turns back to the firefighter. โ Take care of them. โ Now she needs to help take care of one of her own.
She doesn't stay, immediately waving off her care so that she can run back to the other side, where a series of her ally's clones are still struggling to hold up the collapsed building.
How the hell Billy had managed to keep it steady without breaking any bones. She can tell it's not easy on his body, any copies of his body.
โ You did it!" she calls out, raising her hands up to clutch at her cowl. It is overwhelming, but she can't even begin to imagine how he is feeling right now. โ They're coming to help you, hang on! โ
Her grin is wide when vehicles drive forth around her, positioning themselves in a way to stabilise the tower before it came crashing down to crush them all. People rush about, yelling across each other with directions and commands.
โ Never thought I would say this, but well done! โ
