"No! Artemis, don't cry. I'm right here! All of you, I'm right here!" They huddle together, crying. Can't they see? I'm not gone.
A hand clasps onto my shoulder. I turn, and find Tula looking me right in the eye. "They can't hear you, Kid Flash."
"But… but…" She holds her hand up.
"It's over."
Tears slip down my cheeks, and she wipes them away softly. "Don't cry. You died a hero. The world is saved because of you. They would've never been able to stop it if you didn't join them."
"But what about Artemis? What about us? We pledge to quit together, to avoid this. We planned on going to Paris. I was going to propose to her tonight!" I fall onto my knees, and my body racks with unheard sobs. Tula kneels beside me.
"You will do what I've been doing. You will watch. Will protect. There's nothing more we can do, but sit and wait. We won't be alone forever. She will return to you someday."
"But I can't wait til then."
"Kid Flash, look at me." I turn to her, and find tears in her own eyes. "Love is an eternal flame. It burns with a passion unlike any other. And it never, never, burns out. There will come that day when you two are reunited, just like there will be that day that Kaldur'ahm and I will be together once more. Until then, we must protect them."
"And you're not alone." She stands. "I'm here. I know I'm not them, but I'm still here for you. Now come on. Eternity awaits." She holds out her hand.
I look back at my friends and family, then back at Kaldur's lost love. She rests patiently, her hand still waiting. With one last tear, I grab ahold of it.
It's time for my vigil to begin.
I can't believe... am I the only one who cried? He was... he was my favorite, right next to Robin. I just... can't believe...
I don't own Young Justice. If I did...