Pairings:
KaldurxTula, WallyxArtemis, RobxZatanna, M'gannxConner. Be prepared for break-ups.

Summary:
Short chapters, one for each of the team in this pic: gallery/#/d5covlh as to what the heck happened and how they got that way.

Rating:
T for references, near-death, and language.

Multi-chapter?
Yes.

AN:
Because little superheroes all beaten up and ready for me to band-aid is just fun to write. These fics have been written to fit in with Season 1 & 2.

Don't be afraid to leave a comment! It gives me a little thrill when I see [New Review] in my emails :3


It was not like Kaldur to swear, but shit. As if the pounding in his head did not send painful blasts of hot blood to his senses, then the burning of his left side made up for the lack of feeling in his right. He groaned.

"Is the Atlantian awake?"

"Ruin the mystery, why don't you?"

"Who says I do not like to be blunt?"

A shot rang out, jerking Kaldur right out of the remaining drowsiness and into the real world – into the searing sensation under his arm, the brutal sizzling that had begun to form a crust of blistered skin, the pain that crunched his whole body between its teeth.

"Ooh, smell that? Cooked fish. That is you, poor boy."

"Black Manta," he coughed. It was not healthy to speak, not with the dusty feeling in his mouth, but he could not hold back the growl of that half-man's name.

"Well done. You should be pleased to be alive." The now-limp body was nudged with distain by the black toe of is boot. The blood seeped out and evaporated, leaving a copper scent in the air. "I am afraid I cannot say the same my friend here."

"Funny – most people do not murder friends."

The dark leader swung his foot, landing a perfect hit to the teen's gut. Kaldur would not allow him the satisfaction of seeing pain spread over his flushed features; he used the roll to land on his palms, ignoring every nerve that screamed at him as his bare skin hit the floor veined with bright red.

"Tell me, son-" Kaldur almost leaned away as the cool breath hit his face. "-do I look like most people to you?"

"You look like a coward who hides behind armies and the fear you place over your victims," he replied boldly. "And I am not your son."

Black Manta straightened. "Ah, I see – your dear king has been keeping secrets, Aqualad. I, however, can bring you into the Light." His voice was deep and gravelly, a soulless echo of Kaldur's full, smooth vibrato, his chuckle a humourless sound in the smoke that filled the air from the hero's naked hands. "Pun intended, of course."

"You killed the woman I loved – why should I listen to anything you have to say about Aquaman?"

"Because your beloved king is lying about your origins," he answered over his shoulder, releasing a spray of water from the gun built into his armour. "If it is the truth you want, feel free to contact me when you come to your senses. Until then..." The man stood at the edge of sight, a step off the curtain of steam. "...do try not to die, Kaldur'ahm."