"Mera, please take Kaldur'ahm home. I have a few questions for Batman." King Orin asked politely.
The Queen strode up and pecked her husband on the cheek, " Be home soon."
"Yes ma'am." he responded as she left in a zeta beam, the young, and particularly excited, Aqualad in tow.
It took him a minute to remember to breathe. It had been a while since he had been in Atlantis, and seeing the hallway that came from the tunnel was just breathtakingly huge. Kaldur'ahm stumbled from the Zetatube, still trying to gain full use of his much tinier body. He swam up to the window, his little eyes overlooking the big city he called home. Queen Mera laughed at the young Atlantean's excitement. "Come now, Kaldur'ahm." She held out her hand and he took hold, never taking his eyes off of the beautiful underwater kingdom.
Mera led them to the dining hall, blocking Kaldur's view. He frowned before hearing his stomach rumble, he giggled when she looked down. She helped him up to a chair and proceeded to sit beside him. A waiter came out with a smile as he saw the young blond. "Hello, your magesty," he bowed to the Queen. "And hello to you, young one."
Aqualad smiled up at him "Hi!" he waved excitedly. Mera smiled lovingly while giving the waiter the orders. He responded respectively before leaving.
When they finished, Kaldur jumped from his seat and swam circles around the now standing Queen. She caught him with ease, hugging him close. "What next, my dear?"
"I wanna see the city!" he smiled brightly. She smiled and let him go. He swam to the door and opened it to reveal his friends. The raven-haired teenage boy had his back to the door, but the redhead saw him. "Garth!" Kaldur exclaimed, racing towards him.
Garth, believing it was an attack, lit up his arms and aimed a hand towards the approaching child, scaring the boy. Kaldur stopped dead in his tracks, eyes wide with horror. Garth saw the similarities the child had to his friend, as well as the horror, and lowered his hand. He approached Kaldur carefully, "Kaldur'ahm?" he questioned. He gently grabbed hold of the child in an attempt to comfort him, but the young Atlantean began kicking and crying for his mother, still terrified.
Queen Mera burst through the entryway and Kaldur swam into her embrace, burying his face in her shoulder as he cried. Garth felt a wave of guilt hit him, hard. Tula spoke behind him, "Is this...is this Kaldur?"
Mera nodded. "There was an accident." she explained. "His friend, a magician, changed him, herself, and his entire team into children."
"This is why you requested our assistance, is it not?" Garth said, holding his hands behind his back.
"Yes. But I seem to have hold of it now-"
"My Queen," a servant interrupted. "My apologies, but we are in need of your assistance. It is urgent that you come with me immediately."
Mera raised a brow, but went with the man. "Garth, Tula, will you please watch over Kaldur. He says he wishes to see the city. Please take him on a tour."
"Yes my Queen." they responded in unison. Mera nodded and left.
Tula turned to Kaldur. He was glaring at Garth, she laughed and it caught his attention. "Kaldur, are you ready to go?"
He shook his head and backed away, "No."
Tula frowned and looked to her boyfriend for assistance. He sighed and kneeled to the boy's level, "Kaldur," he said softly. "I am truly sorry I scared you. I thought you were a bad-guy. My instincts took over, and I feel very bad that I almost physically hurt you."
The dark-skinned child stared at him for a moment, then sighed. "Okay."
Garth smiled and returned to his normal height, his hand lingering in the space between the two, palm up. Kaldur smiled and took hold. With his other hand, he held onto Tula. The boy swung from the teenagers' holds, his feet kicking through the surrounding water.
After about two hours of touring, Kaldur got bored, and shared his boredom with his older friends. "I'm bored," he complained.
Tula agreed with a nod. "What do you suggest we do?" Garth asked.
The toddler thought for a moment, his face lighting up when he found an answer. "Hide and seek!" he half-shouted.
Both teens laughed and agreed. Kaldur declared Garth the finder and swam off, Tula far behind. Kaldur rounded a corner and came face to face with a terrifying black helmet. The metallic voice shook with laughter at the sight of the boy's fear. "Aquababy now, huh?"
Tula swam in between her young friend and the villain, "Why are you here, Manta?" she spat, her good-natured and kind personality long gone.
"Taking care of business," he replied cryptically. His gaze went back to the boy hiding behind the redhead.
"You wouldn't," she sneered. "He is a mere child!"
"So are you," he proclaimed, aiming a laser at them. "As if that makes a difference." The weapon buzzed to life and lit up, red, ready for fire.
Sorry this one is kinda short, but hopefully the next chapter will be done soon to fill the emptiness! :D
Thank you for reviewing. Each and everyone, along with the favorites and alerts, make me smile so big it would impress the Joker. :)
Next: Beauty and The Batdad- The little Bird returns to the Batnest.
P.S. Yes, Kaldur was calling for Mera when he called for a mother. ;)