Hey guys! I don't really have anything to say for this one, so enjoy!
"...We just need to keep him believing us a little bit longer," Kaldur was saying as he walked down an empty hallway with Artemis.
"I know," Artemis replied. "It's just getting harder and harder the longer we're here."
"I agree, but we must..."
"Kaldurahm, Tigris," a voice interrupted from behind.
The two spun around to face one of Black Manta's henchmen.
"Black Manta wants you in the empty cargo room," the henchman said.
"Tell him we will be there right away," Kaldur replied.
The henchman nodded, and took off. Kaldur turned back to face Artemis, who he could tell was trying to keep the concern off her face.
"It will be ok," he said. "Now let's go." He started heading for the room.
"Yeah. I just have a really bad feeling about this," Artemis mumbled as she followed Kaldur.
They arrived at the room, and almost froze in shock at what they saw when they opened the door. Guards surrounded the inside of the small room, and Black Manta was standing off to the side, but that wasn't what was shocking. Bound in chains hanging from the ceiling in the middle of the room was none other than Kid Flash! Wally! He looked bruised, and already beaten. What happened?
Artemis was pretty sure that if Kaldur hadn't subtly placed a hand on her back she would've collapsed right there. Why was Wally here? And what was going on? But she didn't have to wait long before her questions were answered.
"You called for us, father?" Kaldur said, his voice and face the same as always.
"Yes, my son," Manta replied, walking up to the two. "This is one of your former teammates, correct?"
"Yes, father. That is correct."
"You know that I do not doubt your loyalty, but some of my men still do. So I have brought one of your former teammates here to be tortured, and prove that you no longer care about them."
Both Kaldur and Artemis miraculously seemed unfazed on the outside, but both of them immediately went into panic mode on the inside. Kaldur knew what had to be done, but didn't know if he would be able to standby and watch. Wally was his friend. How was he supposed to let his father do horrific things to his friend, and just stand by and do nothing?
Meanwhile, Artemis was just trying to figure out what to do. There was no way she could watch the love of her life be tortured. And there was certainly no way she would be able to cover up how it affected her. But she knew they had to keep Manta believing that they were loyal. What was she supposed to do?
"Father, I am as loyal as I can possibly be," Kaldur said. "This will be a waste of blood shed."
"Yes, I know," Black Manta replied. "However, my men still doubt. This will just be an easy test to prove your loyalty."
Kaldur glanced over at Artemis, who he could tell was struggling. Not so much from her appearance, but rather from knowing how close the two were. Artemis glanced up at him, and he gave her a small nod. He could see in her eyes that she knew this had to be done, but he could also see the pain that was already beginning to grow in them.
"Very well, father. I will do what it takes to prove my loyalty to you," Kaldur finally said.
Wally couldn't believe what he was hearing. Was Kaldur seriously ok with this? And what about Artemis? She hadn't even made a sound! Had they truly betrayed the Team? No, Artemis would never do that. He knew her better than that. Or would she? She was raised by a criminal after all. But she wouldn't betray him, would she? Everything that they've been through together, the love that they shared, was it all fake?
But then he realized how selfish he was being. Of course the two weren't betraying the Team. They were protecting it. In order for the plan to work, they both had to have Black Manta's full trust. Plus, going through with this would keep Artemis safer. It would make Manta be less suspicious of her. And making sure Artemis was safer was all Wally cared about. Plus, he was thankful that it was him and not somebody else.
"Good," Black Manta said before turning to the henchman that was preparing to torture the speedster. "You may begin."
So there's chapter four for ya. I really hope you guys are liking it so far! Please review, and let me know what you think of it! Thanks!