There was no going back. Not one bit. Kaldur knew that very well. Part of him knew this is what he wanted. But he always felt a hurtful pang in his heart whenever he remembered: it was just a mission. This was all fake. How was he going to even locate the Manta Flyer? Black Manta himself was still unaware of his beliefs. Hands clenching into fists, the former Atlantean decided to rest atop a boulder. Aquaman has sent quite a few patrols to search for him once his designation was heard when he transported through the Zeta Tubes.

But he only did that because that's where he could start. He didn't want any interaction with his former King. No. He lied. As did his mother. And perhaps Calvin Durham himself.

"Kaldur'ahm!" one of the patrols yelled. They were catching up to him and fast. He had to make a move before they captured him. If he began swimming out from his position now, they'd detect him and imprison him for accused treason. Unless Aquaman still had a soft spot for him. Then he'd start believing there was still a chance that even though he kept such a secret from him, Kaldur would remain as his loyal protege. Why? Why would King Orin do such a thing?

I would have given my life for him.

Though all Kaldur wanted at this moment was to take his life from him. Inching to his right, Kaldur began plotting ideas for a diversion. Perhaps blind their view and swim as fast as he could until he was far beyond their reach. Though that would be quite evident that it was him. They'd find a quick way out of the blindness and catch him. Unless his Atlantean sorcery was involved. His own magical abilities weren't as powerful as most Atlanteans, but hand-to-hand combat was definitely his advantage in this situation.

One of his hands snaked upward to grasp hold to one of his water-bearers. By the sound of the oncoming strokes, the patrol was approaching. They were coming to a halt and nearly right on top of the boulder he was hiding behind. They must have seen me whenever I came throughout the Zeta-Tubes and followed my trail from there. Well if they knew, he had to act quick. Unsheathing his water-bearer, they instinctively formed into dual katana, allowing Kaldur to slice it's large shape in two. One of the patrol toppled over and was nearly sent into the chasm below, but regained balance and swam upward. The members of the patrol acted quickly. Though their expressions were unsure, they instantly switched to violence. This escape was to be as non violent as possible, though Kaldur had to make this look real. Part of it was; though his grudge was with Aquaman, not the citizens.

Adrenaline ultimately kicked in. Kaldur knocked two of the members down, the two propelling into the third that was sent into the chasm. The final member of the patrol was a lot smarter with his tactics. And when Kaldur's eyes locked on him, his green optics widened for a slight second. It was Garth. It was as if Kaldur's own expression was mirrored into his best friend. The one he's known since birth. Surely he wasn't aware of Kaldur'ahm's bloodlines until recently?

Both of the fighters stopped and floated in the water for many moments. It was just staring for those silent, awkward moments. Until Garth's eyes narrowed. Anger replaced the hopefulness.

"Kaldur," he murmured softly. It appeared that he himself were unsure if he wanted to battle his own friend. "You have been my best friend from the start. We've trained together. We've fought together..." his gaze wavers momentarily before he reconciles himself, "...but we've not fought each other. Please, stop this!"

The words touched him. Slightly, but they indeed got to him. Before another word could be uttered, he felt a shock enter his system and make him twitch in response. One of the patrol members had electrified him! He knew he shouldn't have hesitated. Kaldur wasn't able to make much of a move before the world around him went black. All he saw before he passed out was Garth, eyes closed in a guilty manner.

When he awoke, Kaldur wasn't surprised to find out he was in a cell deep within Atlantis' dungeon. A cell this highly guarded was held for the most important purposes. Lucky for Kaldur for being so popular. His hands were handcuffed behind him, and to top that off, they were stuck to the wall. Only his feet could move. A camera was locked on him, staring at him. He wondered who was watching him. Oh that's right! King Orin himself. And as if he were summoned, the door to his prison cell opened.

Aquaman stared at his former protege with saddened, worn out eyes. His face looked so desperate. And all Kaldur felt when he stared back at it was disdain. Hatred. Hastily, he turned his neck to another direction, refusing to even stare at the King. Toes curling, teeth gritting, he wanted to break free of this imprisonment and run. Run from Atlantis and never return. Nightwing and him had created a plan, that was true. But as of now, this was personal.

"Kaldur'ahm, I understand your anger," the King began.

But Kaldur snapped, "No you don't!" his whole body jerked in one rapid motion, his shoulder slamming into the wall, but he was too angered to wince. "You have no idea how big of an issue this is. You had lied to me my whole life! You've proven how selfish you truly are if you are to go to such limits and hide the true identity of my father just because it is Black Manta-"

"-I was only protecting you!" Aquaman interrupted, voice louder. "Manta would have only used you to destroy Atlantis. He would have never cared for you!"

"You do not know that!" Kaldur retaliated. "Perhaps you are wrong! Why do you make such accusations? All you've ever thought of Manta is that he is your mortal enemy! Nothing else." His shoulders were heaving. He could feel the sweat forming at his forehead. "But now that you've shown that you're a liar to your own protege who would have given their life for you, it shows that you yourself wouldn't have made any more of a better parent."

And after those words were said, the King silenced. His eyes widened at the words of his former protege. Once, he had been so calm-headed. So peaceful. He had seen so much of himself in him. Kaldur was like a son to him; but now, as he stared into his eyes, all he recognized was a stranger. An enemy. One he created. Aquaman had never felt as guilty for anything before. Why had he lied? Why? Taking a small step forward, Aquaman wanted to calm him. For things to return to normal and for them to accommodate this deformed relationships.

Kaldur's eyes flared even more as the King took a pace toward him. He jerked in the restraints, and his feet moved around. He went in for a kick, but Aquaman shuffled backward just in time. His eyes round with sadness, he looked downward before they closed. And just like that, he left Kaldur in the cell alone.