Author's Note: Hi guys! Nice seeing you again. I felt bad for not posting in a while, but I really couldnt bring myself to finish this chapter cause it was originally going to be really, really long. That and because of Young Justice might being cancelled. Hopefully, it won't be, because it's WAY more better then that Teen Titans imposter of a show. Anyways, I hope you guys will enjoy this chapter, no matter how short it is.

Disclaimer:
I do not own Young Justice
Young Justice belongs to Greg Weisman, Brandon Vietti, Cartoon Network, Warner Bros. Animation, and DC Entertainment
Ariane Prince/Shadow Heart belongs to me

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Chapter 10: Origins – Aqualad

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"Hey Dick!"

"What's up?"

"Did M'gann tell you?"

"About the camping trip? Yeah, why?"

"I can't ask? Jeez."

"That wasn't the point…"

"Haha. I know. I'll see you there."

"Yeah, lates."

MOUNT JUSTICE
JULY 20, 21:46 EDT

We, Robin, Superboy, Kaldur, M'gann, and I, were standing around in the kitchen talking about various things until Wally blasted into the kitchen with various camping supplies.

"I gathered a couple of chairs, some firewood, scourged the pantry for graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows and now we'll cozy up together outside," Wally began slowing his words down when he saw us, "just the two of us?"

Robin smirked. "We're gonna need a lot more stuff than that if we're gonna go camping!"

M'gann gestured innocently to us. "I hope you don't mind. I invited all the others to join in the fun with s'mores!"

I winked mischievously. "The more the merrier, right?"

And with that, Wally groaned.

"Why so serious, Wally?" I asked creepily.

Robin in turned groaned. "Ugh, don't say that, Ree. I've already had my fill of bad encounters with Joker."

I turned around, giving the Boy Wonder my confused face.

Robin face palmed. "Never mind, let's just go."

After setting up the camp, Wally, Superboy, Robin and I sat around the campfire while Kaldur and M'gann stayed behind a bit back. The scent of smoke wafted through the air

"This was a great idea, don't you think, Wally? Camping in the great outdoors?" Robin asked snidely.

"I don't remember inviting any of you, besides, I didn't say anything about camping, and I said a camp fire. Big difference between just a camp fire and the whole camping thing. I don't like camping… outside…" Wally rambled.

I scoffed. "You're such a girl. Even more so than me!"

Wally rolled his eyes. "The only time I like camping is when I'm with that special someone…" Wally turned his head slightly to where M'gann was sitting, his eyebrow raised in a suggestive manner.

"Dude! Kinda bordering on creepy."

"And besides, she's taken by yours truly," I said.

"Well, I think all of us camping is a wonderful idea!" M'gann exclaimed.

Wally smirked at both Robin and I. "She doesn't seem to think so."

"She's probably on a sugar overload," Robin responded.

"S'mores are pretty good," I agreed, taking a bite out of my own s'more.

Robin laughed. "You got a little something there, Ree," he said while rubbing off some of the gooey marshmallows off my face and licking it.

I grinned. "Thanks."

"Get a room guys," Wally groaned exasperatedly.

"When you admit that M'gann is mine!" I retorted.

We spent a few more minutes talking about random subjects and making s'mores, occasionally giving some to Kaldur and M'gann.

"So this is what you do when you go camping?" Superboy asked, then gesturing to the tent. "Sleep in these flimsy things called tents and sit around the fire?"

Wally crossed his arms. "Yeah. That's pretty much about it so if you feel like heading home, I can sit out here with Ms. M… alone!"

Robin leaned back on the log, a smirk on his face. "You're just as subtle as a train wreck, you know that?"

"You're not going to catch any fish unless you go fishing dude," Wally said, stuffing a s'more in his mouth. He leaned back, turning to look at Kaldur. "Sorry, no offense."

Robin turned to Superboy. "Anyways, Wally's wrong. When people sit around campfires, usually they tell stories."

M'gann immediately perked up. "Oh! I would love to hear your story, Kaldur. Cuold you tell us how you became Aqualad?"

"I was thinking more of a ghost story type of thing, but I guess. Whatever." Robin shrugged.

Kaldur looked at M'gann thoughtfully. "I suppose I could do that if you do not think it will be too boring."

M'gann and I objected however.

"You kidding Kaldur? I've been meaning to ask you about Atlantis for a while now," I said, my attention full on Kaldur.

"Well, I grew up in the city of Shayeris, which is a city in Atlantis. Surface dwellers think all Atlanteans are the same, but our kingdom has many cities, many cultures.

When I was twelve, I completed my education and began mandatory service in the Atlantean Military, which is the standard for all at that age. After a while, I was transferred to the prestigious Conservatory of Sorcery in the Atlantean capital of Poseidonis. Queen Mera is the Head Mistress of the Conservatory and wife of King Orin, Aquaman.

It was a very different time for me. Is was… difficult, as it would be for anyone at age fourteen I supposed, but also a time in my life where I met friends that I know will be with me for a lifetime.

Then came a day – a horrible day – when Poseidonis was attacked by the Ocean Master. I can remember it vividly, as if it happened only yesterday. I was the day Aquaman nearly met his end.

Aquaman and Ocean Master fought for what seemed like hours. When Aquaman and Ocean Master clashed, it seemed to shake the very foundations of the city.

Ocean Master had gained the upper hand and nearly defeated Aquaman. Rather, Aquaman was defeated.

Garth, a fellow student, and I intervened on the King's behalf. It was the only thing we could think of doing. The danger did not occur to us. The only thing that mattered to us at the time was that our King was in trouble. It may have been one of the most foolish things Garth and I had ever done, as we nearly met out own end. We had no hope of defeating him whatsoever, but the time we spent engaged in battle against the Ocean Master was time enough for our King to recover. That was all he needed as Aquaman triumphed over Ocean Master. He was able to drive him away from the city and save us all.

Aquaman is a being of two worlds. On the surface world, he fights for justice for all beings. Under the sea, he is a leader to many. Both carry the weight of responsibilities, overwhelming responsibilities. Only even the best of men can carry for so long. Even Aquaman cannot do both forever.

Realizing that on the surface, Batman, Green Arrow, and Wonder Woman had taken on apprentices that could one day take over their respective mantels. King Orin had been contemplating the same idea. With this in mind, he approached both Garth and myself with the possibility of becoming his protégés.

I must admit, the possibility intrigued me immediately. I had never been to the surface world and I am the first to admit that I am a bit of an adventurer. Many is the day in class that I would dream of visiting distant oceans and possibly one day, even the surface world.

Both Garth and I seriously considered the King's offer. Garth ultimately chose to continue his studies with Queen Mera at the Conservatory of Sorcery. For me, however, the chance to visit the surface world was a dream come true. So at the age of fourteen, I became Aqualad.

I miss my friends Garth and Tula, but the chance to work with my mentor and King was an opportunity I could not pass up. I like to think the work I am doing makes a difference.

The rest of the story you know. Aquaman brought Aqualad to the surface world, and now I am here with you."

M'gann was amazed by Kaldur's origin story. "Wow. So you wanted to be Aqualad?"

Kaldur nodded. "Yes, the opportunity arose. I could think of no other path."

Wally turned to M'gann, a grin on his face. "Yeah? If you think he wanted to be Aqualad so bad? Let me tell you about how I got started."

I have a feeling that it will be a while until the next chapter will be posted... I'm really glad you guys are sticking with me through this story. I'm determined to finish this! I hope you guys will also continue to stick with me also. I hope you YJ Readers have a good week and I'll see you on the new chapter.

Till next time YJ Readers!

~DoubleRaineBow~

PS: If you can guess where the face at the beginning of this chapter comes from, I'll make a oneshot for you and your YJ guy of choice. I'll do this to the first 5 people who correctly guess it.

PSS: So I looked at some of the comments and I just wanted to make sure that you guys are talking about this face:
ovo
Not the question marks at the beginning? I could be wrong, but I just wanted to make sure.