Disclaimer: If I owned young justice, why am I so poor? DC people have way more money than me.

Okay, it's way late and I should be sleeping, but I read one fanfic and it got me to finish this one. Really, awesome stories make me write more. review make me giddy.

So here's Kaldur's part. For us Robin fans, there's also lots of batfluff. watch how my sleep deprived brain works.

Traitor

Kaldur looked at the acid burn on his arm. Robin had left him a parting gift before his final breaths. The acid had burned away part of the tattoos controlling his powers. It was difficult to use them at the moment, but he'd learn how to manage that soon enough.

The gashes across his chest were healing smoothly, but he had guessed they would. That bird boy never had the courage to kill someone. Brave as the kid was, he had hesitated during the fight. Kaldur had seen the signs of fear, panic, disbelief, sorrow. Guilt. Robin had fought hard to conceal each emotion, to fight Kaldur as any other enemy he faced before, but it was still there. Robin knew neither of them would make it out of there in one piece.

In a way, Kaldur admired the boy for fighting as hard as he had.

M'gann went down far too easily. A few blows from a friend and she was out of commission. Psychological trauma was the only way to win against her.

Superboy was also easy to break. A few well trained blows and the knowledge of someone breaking his arm, someone he trusted explicitly, was all it took to take the boy of steel down. 'Boy of steel?' he thought. 'Boy of stone is more like it. Easily shattered.'

Artemis was a little harder because she didn't quite trust anyone. But she was far too angry to take down anyone. Merely stopping her from using her best weapon was enough.

Kaldur had to use strategy to take down Kid Flash. Part psychology, part tactics, it wasn't as difficult to take out his knee to stop him. How the kid had gotten so fast so quickly still unnerved him.

Yes, Kaldur was pleased the fight with Robin was a challenge. But the boy was also fighting himself. He thought too much of his friends, cared too much for everyone, and even thought he knew Kaldur when he didn't. Like Batman would, he fought with all he had, but unlike his mentor, Robin hesitated to give the necessary blows to take him down.

Honestly, Robin used to beat Kaldur in a fight. Of course, Kaldur hadn't used his powers other than strength in those brawls, but Robin hadn't used his belt in them either. When did the kid have acid in that thing?

Kaldur continued to stare at his reflection. His clothes were different. He tossed aside his Aqualad uniform the day he won those scars. Now he wore black. It was still similar to his old costume, but he wore the black proudly. Three years operating as an undercover agent, a spy, becoming Aqualad, it had finally come to an end. And it was all thanks to one kid.

Robin.

It was all that kid's fault any of this was possible. Five years ago, when rumor of Batman having taken in a kid to be his partner reached the Justice League, Aquaman, King Orin, wanted an apprentice. Within a year Green Arrow also had a child, or rather a teen, helping him in Star City. This only fueled the king's desire for someone to rear as his partner. Then came Kid Flash. By then Aquaman's enemies knew of his fondest wish and were making plans. That was when Kaldur came in.

Up until then, Kaldur had only watched his father from afar. They had a strained relationship to say the least, but they both believed in the same thing. Absolute equality throughout all the seas. The black population of Atlantis and Oceania were treated far from fairly, and once his father ruled the seas, everything would be equal.

'It's a pity the world cannot be at peace with itself.'

Kaldur shook his head to clear it. King Orin's words meant nothing. He was part outsider. So was Queen Mera, being originally from Oceania. They knew nothing of what he and his kind had suffered. His kind were the true rulers of—

'Some day, I'm gonna be my own man,' Robin firmly stated to him. 'One day, no one's going to protect me. I'll be protecting them. We'll all help each other.'

He shook his head again. That boy was the source of all this. If he hadn't opened the flood gates, if he didn't make it possible for a League member to have a child partner, then Kaldur would never have become Aqualad.

"Nothing thus far has worked to overthrow that king." Kaldur's father had told him. For once they were together, actually talking face to face. It didn't happen often. Kaldur assumed it was because of how his mother had died in labor. Being around him must have been painful for this man. "But I've been watching him. My men have watched him closely. He wants a child of his own. He wants someone to raise in his footsteps. He wants a partner like that Bat's bird boy.

"Your mission is to become that partner."

Kaldur, only fourteen at the time, was shocked. Him? Become Aquaman's partner? His sidekick? His, dare he say it, son?

"But father—"

"Once you have his confidence, you'll be feeding me information from the inside." His father pointed out quite a bit more, making it clear how important this mission was. "Gather everything. I need to know the man's weakness. I need to know the defenses of his kingdom. I need to know what makes him shake at night.

"This is going to be a long mission," his father stated flatly. "I'll need you there for as long as possible. If you can manage to gather information on the Justice League as well, so be it. Become the new bright shining hope for the next generation. Do everything you can to gain their total trust. I need to know everything. I need to know everything."

This was a heavy mission, and at fifteen he wasn't sure if he could do this. But when his father, Black Manta, told him what to do, he did it. Now he could truly be of some use to his father.

He nodded his agreement. "I will not let you down Father."

Kaldur remembered how hard it was to become Aquaman's protégé. He came to Atlantis and joined the conservatory to at least have some citizen back ground before trying to gain Aquaman's attention and favor. He wasn't sure how to make that happen. How had that boy wonder caught Batman's eye anyway? What about that Speedy? Kid Flash had appeared while Kaldur was in the school, and even he was a mystery. He needed to become King Orin's favorite fast.

He hadn't counted on making friends with Garth and Tula. But like him, they were outsiders. Garth was abandoned as a child, his mother leaving him to die when she saw his eyes. No one quite understood why. And Tula came from a different region as well, having served under the previous king. Though both were outsiders, they were accepted because of their skills. So was Kaldur.

While at the school, he started to feel comfortable with these new friends of his. He was even thinking of abandoning his quest his father gave him. He could live his own life there, he was beginning to think, and live a life of peace. That was when Ocean Master appeared.

The timing couldn't have been better.

Once he and Garth had saved, even helped, Aquaman take down Ocean Master, everything seemed to fall into place. For a moment Kaldur feared Garth would take the position of Aqualad (King Orin already had a name picked out) but was relieved when his friend chose to continue his schooling. At last, Kaldur had completed the first part of his mission.

As Aqualad, Kaldur had complete run of the palace. He could learn from the libraries there, train with the military, hear the latest news on their scientific breakthroughs, and was privy to nearly all of Atlantis' secrets. He did his best to be the loyal soldier to his 'King', fought at his side, and together saved many lives. Aquaman even brought up the option of 'adoption' to Kaldur's world, by that time having considered him like a son.

"Forgive me my king," Kaldur had responded, "but it is unfitting for one like myself to become one of the royal house."

King Orin looked slightly disappointed, but instead nodded. "I see. The people are not ready." Sadness had crept upon the man's face and Kaldur couldn't help but to be touched by the man's feelings towards him. He only wished his father too would look at him like this.

His king gave a short sigh, then nodded to himself. "Then there must be something I can reward you with for your recent endeavors."

Kaldur tried not to show the mixture of emotions inside him that day. They had fought Black Manta and his men, and Kaldur could not hold back. He had to fight them for real, and it worried him. He did not want to fight his father, ever, but it was all part of their plan. And so far it was working perfectly. In their recent communications, his father had hinted of a higher organization interested in working with them. A powerful group he called, 'The Light'.

Thinking he was working for 'The Light' made things easier on Kaldur's conscience. It wasn't betrayal anymore. It was a higher calling.

A thought struck Aquaman at last and he grinned. "I know! You wanted to go to the surface right? Let's go visit the Justice League!"

If he could go pail, he would have. Kaldur had only been Aqualad for little under a year. Would any of them accept him? Would the Batman know what he was planning? The world's greatest detective would surely be able to see through him, wouldn't he? If he could fool the Batman, he could fool anyone.

"As you wish, My King."

Within the week, the two were at the League's headquarters, Mt. Justice. Kaldur didn't know where or what it was his first time there. Batman had ordered him to be blindfolded when he arrived, and Aquaman, still wanting to impress everyone despite paranoia, had done as requested.

"You can take it off now."

It wasn't the voice he was expecting to hear. It was higher, but not a woman's. A child's? A… Kaldur ripped off the blindfold to see the one who stared it all.

Looking up at him eagerly was Robin, the boy wonder, a huge grin on his face. His costume would change in the coming year, as would his hair style. Most of it was combed back and gelled except for two locks in front dangling over his mask. His pants were green, not black, but still he could tell they were perfect for combat. But the impish grin on the kid's face was what really took him back. He looked like he wanted to play a game or show Kaldur something he made. He seemed so innocent and child like. It was hard to believe he was the Batman's, the Dark Knight's, the most feared man in Gotham (and the League), protégé. He was just too happy.

He thrust out a hand for Kaldur to shake. "Hey there! Name's Robin. And you're Aqualad right? Do you really have gills? What's with the tattoos? Kinda cool, but really hard to cover up if you want to do incognito. At least you'll never have to wear a dress. Do they even have dresses in Atlantis? I mean, they'd probably get in the way while swimming everywhere right? Can't imagine having to do that. I can hardly tread water for half a day before wanting to keel over. How do you do it?"

"Robin."

The boy's grin wilted a little, knowing he was caught at the sound of his name. Batman crossed the room, a none too pleased expression on his face.

"I was not aware Robin would be visiting today as well," Aquaman mumbled beside the still bewildered Kaldur. He couldn't understand why this kid talked so much and asked so many questions. And why was he smiling?

"He wasn't." Kaldur looked up at the looming man, and felt fear nearly take over him. Even his King seemed unsettled by the man. The scowl on his face could freeze the whole sea, and yet it was focused entirely on the boy shaking Kaldur's hand excitedly, still grinning.

"You have tests tomorrow," the Dark Knight continued as if the two Atlantians weren't there.

Robin let go of Aqualad's hand, looking up with a pleading smile on his face. "I wanted to meet him."

"So you hacked my systems, again."

"Not like I could sneak in the Batmobile. Ever since you got those zeta-tubes perfected you use them to meet the League."

"You know why."

"Oh come on! You don't let me meet anyone!" The kid protested animatedly, his grin fading but emotions still clear on his face. "Practically everyone in the League had to hunt us down just so we could meet for a few minutes, and there was no way you'd let me see KF if I hadn't snuck in that one time! Don't you think it's about time your paranoia was given a rest?"

"Say that after Joker's had you locked in a closet with a bomb. Again." Batman's annoyance was beyond evident, and suddenly Kaldur was glad Aquaman wasn't anything like the other Leaguers.

"It was only those two times. And I disarmed the second one myself, thank you." The near twelve year old looked at Kaldur, still grinning. "Don't mind Batman. He's just really self-conscious and doesn't like it when anyone around him gets hurt. HWA!"

Batman's patience was clearly lost as he grabbed the kid's cape at his collar and nearly dragged the kid away. "That's enough. Home. Now."

"But I haven't even said hi to Superman yet!" Robin got his feet underneath him and hurried his pace to match his mentor's. "He said his Ma made me some cookies!"

"The last thing you need is sugar." Batman quickly tapped away at the keyboard with one hand, activating the zeta-beam to take them away.

"You could use some cookie-lovin-goodness. Are you planning on eating my share at this meeting?" The Bat gave his bird a quick scowl only for an impish grin to meet it. "Save me some?"

"We'll see."

"Don't let Flash eat them all. He and KF nearly ate that ice cream shop out of business."

"Uh-huh."

Recognized Batman-02. Recognized Robin-B01.

Batman gave Robin another swift glare and the kid just grinned up at him proudly. The older man gave an exasperated sigh, shaking his head as the beam started settling on the two of them. Robin looked back to the Atlantians and waved excitedly. "Talk to you both next time! Nice meeting you Aqualad!"

Then they were gone in a blinding light.

Kaldur was stunned. When he heard about Robin the previous year, he assumed he'd be just like his mentor, the dark and broody Batman. It turned out to be the opposite. He was the bright honest child who couldn't be cowed by his mentor's darkness even the slightest. His immaturity in their meeting proved he shouldn't be fighting crime but staring in some elementary school play.

Kaldur just stared at the Zeta-tube in shock. He had worked hard to be the best. To be as mature as possible. To be considered wise and stable. To be the perfect soldier to fight along the side of his king.

Robin was merely a boy playing hero, and Batman was his babysitter.

The amount of annoyance, even loathing towards the child couldn't be described. His father, his mentor, was merely taking his kid with him for a ride. It was nothing to do with skill. The man just doted on a willful child. Maybe a smart one for his age, but a willful, grinning child none the less.

They were nothing alike.

King Orin clapped a hand on Aqualad's shoulder and he looked up to him. The king had a kind smile on his face, though a little awkward. "Well, that was interesting. Meeting Robin is a rare occurrence here. Batman tries to keep him in Gotham, but the boy's clever. For those who meet him personally even once, he finds a way to meet you again. Then you really get to know him."

"Is he always so…" Kaldur didn't know what to say. The first people in the superhero community he meets beyond his king are the ones he and his mentor were trying to imitate. And they were nothing alike.

"Chatty? I'm afraid so." The king guided Kaldur towards one of the hallways, intending to introduce him to certain members of the league first. "He's a curious child. Even asked me a thousand questions before rambling on about some bizarre fact. So long as he doesn't talk about Batman's more personal feelings or life, Batman just lets him be. Otherwise, it's a very short visit.

"But you should be really glad the boy was here," Orin's smile relaxed. Kaldur was mystified as to why. "Batman's difficult to warm up to. Robin's presence speeds things up, and he's one of the few Batman can't scare. Without that little bird, I doubt the man would have stayed on the League, and we really do need him."

"How so?" For a moment, Kaldur felt he'd learn something infinitely valuable about the League. Batman was necessary for the League, and Robin was key in keeping him there. Why?

"For many reason." Orin wasn't comfortable talking about Batman for some reason. Maybe the Bat scared him a little. "Now, how about meeting Martian Manhunter? He's a very good friend of mine."

Kaldur remembered how many times he'd seen Robin and the League base since. Robin was always finding ways to sneak in and run around the place when they should be waiting patiently for their mentors to come out of their meetings, usually where they're expected to be. Aquaman would tell stories from time to time of how Robin would start cracking jokes with Superman and Flash, occasionally with Green Arrow and Lantern even, all at Batman's expense and the man would take it because of Robin. Then he heard stories of when Batman wasn't at League operations because of something in Gotham where the bird would be in trouble and need saving. There was even a time when Kaldur was resting and this king had opened his door just to check on him. It was about a week later that he heard Robin was in bad shape because of a villain they were dealing with. Batman wouldn't leave the boy's side.

Every story Kaldur heard about Robin made his blood boil.

Yes he faked concern for the kid, but Aquaman wanted a "Robin", a kid who could balance him out. He didn't really want Kaldur. Every day he felt the pressure building inside him. He told his father about the League headquarters in the mountain and he informed other villains on land so they could attack them. It relieved the pressure a little, but not enough.

When he heard of a new League base, and a new recruitment drive, Kaldur became excited. He was becoming a little complacent as Aqualad, despite his ever growing jealously and anger towards the first child hero. King Orin said he and the other "sidekicks" were first in line to join the League.

That day, the day, July fourth, was going to be the signal to the end of his mission. Unfortunately he had to meet the other "sidekicks" again.

He remembered lining up with the others and spotted out of the corner of his eye the boy wonder. He had survived his many ordeals somehow, made it to thirteen. Batman hand his hand on the boy's shoulder, a small proud smile on his face. "Today's the day."

Jealousy, envy, loathing, all were directed at the two. They started his mission, made it possible. And the way they behaved… Never had his father displayed affection towards him. Never had they bantered. Not once had they stood side by side.

He looked to Aquaman for a moment. They stood side by side, but the king really didn't see him. He was the king and Kaldur the soldier, so they never argued. They had no relation. Despite everything he had done, Kaldur was nothing more than a "sidekick" for Aquaman's ego.

'Maybe being part of the League will make up for it.' But even that was a lie. Speedy, the only one Kaldur felt he could even relate to (both of them had talked about father troubles), left in anger when he saw how limited and uninformed they all were. There seemed to be less shock on Robin's face when he mentioned the space station, so it was likely he knew about it. Kaldur felt again the anger and passion of his true mission at that moment, and felt the fastest way to get even with his king was to join the trouble making kids in venturing into Cadmus.

Kaldur sighed, remembering the new risks and adventures he put himself into after that. They found Superboy. They made a team. The League was merely watching out for them the whole time. The mountain base was opened up again, renovated some. They were sent on missions.

Kaldur was made leader.

How that happened boggled the mind. He was a soldier, not a leader. Robin was the real logical choice, but after fighting along side him, Kaldur knew his strengths and weaknesses. The boy wasn't playing hero, he was one. But he had yet to figure out how teams worked. In a way, Aqualad had learned to accept Robin, loathing him less and less, but he didn't forget his end goal. Being leader of this team wasn't part of the plan.

Kaldur now looked out his window, thinking of why he finally ended his mission. He had enough data, had enough for a long time. He had grown complacent again. He nearly forgot his true mission, the real reason he was with them to begin with.

And again it was because of Robin and Batman.

The two were talking, just talking, in one of the lounges. Kaldur had happened upon it on pure accident. They weren't talking about anything important. In fact, both of them had something in their hands. Why they were there, just seemingly chilling boggled the mind. Robin was leaning his back against Batman's arm, his book propped up and used like a desk for possibly his homework. Batman was looking through computer files on some subject or another. It looked like they were both just studying. Occasionally one would ask the other for their opinion on something. Then Robin asked something completely out of the blue.

"Hey, are we always gonna be Batman and Robin?"

Batman's face was impossible to see, but confusion was in his voice. "Why are you asking that?"

The boy shrugged. "Something people talked about at school the other day. They said all team ups end."

"Oh?" From Batman's tone, Kaldur guessed he suspected a different thought was running through the boy's head.

The boy could tell he knew too. "I just… I don't want this to end. I love working on a team, really I do. But…"

Batman calmly put a hand on the boy's head and tilted it back so they could see eye to eye (or mask to mask in this case). "I'm not going anywhere. Are you?" The boy shook his head. "Then don't ask pointless questions. We may have our teams, but nothing can keep us apart. Now finish your homework. I'm nearly done here."

Batman had pushed the kid's head back up so he could get back to work, but not before Robin could smile.

The scene made Kaldur sick. Robin had everything. Aquaman ruled the seas. His team were filled with misfits and one 'perfect' angel the whole League doted on. He was almost accepted, almost felt like he had a real home again. He had grown complacent.

He nearly forgot his mission. His true mission.

The team's last mission together was by the sea. The villains in question didn't work for 'The Light'. They were easily taken care of but Kaldur couldn't stay with the team a minute longer. It was time to leave.

The fight that ensued wasn't too long. Robin lasted the longest, but with the sea on hand, he couldn't win. Killing the boy wonder was the greatest feat he'd ever done.

He warned the others away from being heroes. 'The Light' didn't want them fighting. They should just be kids, or work with them. Maybe he could turn a few. Wally he could only discourage. Robin had to die. Roy might have to as well, but he wasn't Kaldur's responsibility. Seemed this Cheshire had taking a liking to him. Maybe she could turn him, or kill him. Didn't matter.

What mattered was Robin called in the League, exposed him. This was the first child of the League, their cherished little bird.

Batman would kill him.

So Kaldur ran.

Just stories from Aquaman were enough to scare Kaldur away. Batman wasn't easily detoured. He was very protective of his Robin. When angered, he didn't hesitate to threaten Superman, reportedly his best friend, with Kryptonite or personal details. Criminals told him everything after only a few minutes with him.

Hurting Robin meant pain to the offender.

Killing would surely mean only death.

His father wasn't pleased with his cowardly retreat, but all the information he had gathered on Atlantis was valuable. It was enough to settle the man's rage. For now he kept secret what he knew about the rest of the team. He doubted many of them would return to this way of life, but if they did, he would deal with them.

Robin hadn't been in the news for near a month. Batman had on occasion, but no Robin.

The boy was dead. Kaldur made 'the Light' proud. He had emotionally crippled at least half the League. He took out their secret opps team. He had angered the Bat.

But was it worth it?

He remembered smiling with his team members. He remembered the drills, the trainings, the missions. They had done a lot of good. He had done a lot of good. He had so much with them. Was it worth it to betray them all? Just to satisfy his father?

Slowly Kaldur remembered coming home and meeting his father, Black Manta, after three years of being apart. He reported everything. He told him why he had to leave his mission without consulting him. He explained why he left the team on the beach to die slowly. At the end of it, his father merely nodded.

"Your intel these past few years has helped greatly. We're attacking Atlantis tomorrow."

Kaldur could hardly believe it. "So soon?"

"Nothing like the present." Black Manta stood out of his chair and approached Kaldur. His wounds were still smarting. He gave his son a pat on his good shoulder. "Good job. You have earned your scars with pride."

Kaldur looked back into his mirror firmly. He nodded to himself.

It was worth it.

A/N: so Kaldur betrayed them all but has lots of doubts. he really just wanted to make his father proud. he's jealous of Robin, if no one's figured that out by now, mostly because, lets face it, Robin's the unofficial Justice League member and everyone's golden boy! If the League wasn't Batman's place, I'm pretty sure Dick would have joined them as an adult. yes I know he did a few times in the comics, each time reluctantly. Kaldur just can't be Robin. So he grew up hating the one he wanted to be like or everyone expected him to be like. I know in the show they look like best buds, but if kaldur can fool batman and robin for years as a mole, don't you think he'd hold secret anger issues against someone he'd fake is his friend? Think about it.

Probably will edit later. Shouldn't be up past midnight. next up is the finally, and bootcamp. =P