A/N: Thanks for the reviews, follows, and favs! I think this was the chapter that everyone wanted with this last one so I'm posting it pretty quick before a mob shows up at my door. Again one of my favs and I've been tweaking it for weeks so I hope it doesn't disappoint!
Disclaimer: I own nothing!
Black Canary tenderly wiped the sweat from her charges brow as he fitfully mutter in Atlantian in his sleep. "You didn't deserve him" she said tenderly "You were always a better man and better leader than him". He gave no indication he had heard causing her to let out a heavy sigh, Aquaman had certainly done a number on them and seemed to have only just begun, if the trail of breadcrumbs her colleagues were supposed to follow was any indication.
Banging on the door turned her attention away, "Its sealed shut" the voice shouted, banging on it a few more times for good measure. "Get through, his highness believes they hid the traitor in there!" Dinah held her breath for a few moments before a blue blade appeared through her welded seem. "Magic" she cursed running to the bank of windows, eyeing the drop to the deck below, she could make it but it was a risk with Kaulder in this condition. She let go a concentrating scream blowing a hall in the wall, the men outside reacting to it "The blonde is in there with him!"
"The blonde" she muttered "I have a name!" she shouted back vowing that they would know that name very well by the end of the day. Gathering Kaulder up, careful not to jostle his wound to much she moved to her exit stopping dead at the edge. Batman's Jet was approaching the station for landing, swaying all over the place, the pilot clearly new to doing so. It handed with a bounce on the deck and continued going until it ran into a wall.
She could hear two familiar arguing voices floating up causing her to smile, that smile fading when she heard Oliver's voice "Run!" She watched as he and Roy barreled out of the smoke, pulling Kid and Artemis with them before diving to the ground and shielding their bodies. Not needing anymore motivation she turned away shielding Kaulder best she could just at the explosion ripped through the station. Even so far away she could feel the heat while she steadied herself from the shaking.
Feeling it was safe she turned back to see them pulling themselves up, Aquaman's men pouring out onto the deck from the lower levels. Behind her the door gave way and landed on the floor with a loud thud. Letting loose a scream she forced back the first round of men and returned to her exit.
"Oliver!" she shouted, the archer finding her despite the fray. Backing up he pulled out one of his line arrows. Setting Kaulder down she pulled off her jacket to use to get down, carefully gathering her charge back up. She leapt, an arrow sailing past her and into a solider that had been sneaking up behind her, Roy behind it with a satisfied smirk on his face. Holding as tight as she could they sailed down the line, Roy and Oliver waiting to catch them at the end "Brace yourself" she muttered to Aqualad.
She felt strong arms catch them as the 4 of them tumbled to the ground in a heap, Red Arrow pulling his friend free and checking his wound. "The bandages held" he said. Artemis was there, letting out a cry at seeing Kaulder's state, slashing the line with her knife and preventing the soldiers from above from following.
"Who did that to him?" She demanded, taking out a solider that was gotten a little too close to Kid Flash for her liking.
"Orm" Roy hissed "when we escaped, Kaulder took the hit for me". Nodding she ran back into the fray, focusing her attention on the entrance they seemed to be coming from. Black Canary joined her, watching her back and allowing her to pick them off as they exited.
Wally continued to run around the deck, giving the archers as much room to fire as he could. "They just keep coming" He shouted wishing his uncle were here to help. Green Arrow nodded turning to Roy "How did you get on?" They couldn't blast the door before them, not with their friends still inside.
"There is a ladder on one of the pylons, far left corner".
"Be careful…Kid cover me!" He said before running over to the edge of the deck, the speedster changing his objective to pushing the men back. Getting to the edge he fired his own grapple arrow into the deck, wrapping the line around his waist and securing it as best he could. Satisfied he couldn't crash into the ocean he slid over the side and took aim. The ladder had a line of Atlantian ships waiting to board and a steady stream of men going up it. Having exhausted his supply of explosive arrows trying to escape the room he pulled two of his foam arrows, taking aim at the top of the ladder. He waited for a break in the line, not wanting to trap any of the men in the substance.
His aim was true and the foam expanded, filling the hole on contact, the men on the ladder turned their attention and guns on him. "Yeah didn't think that one through" he muttered as he began climbing as fast as he could, surprised when the line suddenly began to go up on its own. His foot cleared the deck as the men below began to fire.
Red Arrow and Artemis panting from the effort of pulling him up.
Before either one could say anything the soldiers on deck stopped fighting, everyone looking to the door where Superman and Superboy stood, Prince Orm bound over Superman's shoulder. Superman's eyes alight with rage, Superboy looking exhausted but ready to fight.
Kid Flash let out a whoop seeing his friend and turned to the Atlantian he had been fighting "See that, that's Supey's grumpy face…if I were you I'd run…"
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Robin shouted against the gag as the water finally stopped after reaching his stomach. Aquaman pacing the room, warming up with his trident by doing a series of intricate moves. "What was that? I couldn't quite understand you" the king mused not stopping his routine "I'm mad, Batman is coming, I'm going to pay" he mocked "Yes, I'm sure of two of those but it will be Batman who pays today my dear boy".
That wasn't even close to what he was saying but Aquaman had no idea what Romani curses sounded like with or without a gag. Robin smirked and kept shouting at him, keeping him distracted as he began to work on the locks binding his wrists. Aquaman had underestimated how resourceful he was and he had managed to get one of his picks from his belt before it was taken, hiding it between his fingers. Now with his hands under water he was free to work without Aquaman seeing anything.
A soft alarm causing both to pause their work. Aquaman smiled "Daddy dear is almost here, are you ready to watch him die little Robin". This time Robin didn't want to give him the satisfaction of being unable to answer and settled for a defiant glare. The King reached over and patted his face roughly now pulling the cape from his mouth "I want him to hear you scream as he dies" before focusing on the door, pulling the water back with a wave of his wrist so it would open. Robin on the other hand glanced up at the duct vent in the corner of the room, Batman would indeed follow the trail to him but would not walk right into an obvious trap.
It didn't take long for the Batman to appear, glancing down on the scene with narrowed eyes. Making sure Aquaman was still focused on the door he offered the briefest of nods. "Get ready" Batman signed ready to kick through the vent when the station shook from a distant explosion. Aquaman laughed turning to his captive once more "Sounds like Oliver took the bait, the League will be in need of some new archers now".
Robin felt his heart drop as the king suddenly moved, using his trident to bring the water in the room life in one violent motion. "Come on out Bats or I'm going to see how long he can hold his breath" he shouted as the water swirled around and encased Robin. The young hero desperately holding the breath he had managed to grab before the wave hit, thrashing against the chains that still held him.
Batman kicked out the vent, dropping to the floor, all the water either surrounding Robin or Aquaman, while tossing a series of Batarang's on his way down. Aquaman bringing up a wall of water to intercept them. Batman hit the floor rolling and was already launching himself at the traitor "Release him now" he roared, landing the first punch, leaping back to avoid the golden trident slashing at his throat.
Aquaman's lips curled, "Such manners, what would Alfred say…now say please" he said darkly seeing the kid's eyes were now wide and his struggles were beginning to slow. Batman's knuckles cracked from the pressure "Please, release him" he said softening his voice "I beg of you".
This last statement seemed to please the King and he released the column, manipulating it into a large wall behind him. Robin fell down onto hands and knees, coughing up water and sucking in great breaths of air. Batman ran for his son, the water that had been behind the king, crashing into the Dark Knight and slamming him into wall, Batman slumping to the floor.
"Batman!" Robin cried through the coughs, renewing his efforts to get the restraints off, not caring if his captor saw. He needed to get free, to help.
"Batman" Aquaman mimicked as he charged forward with the trident, intending to impale the man who was still slumped over. Batman moved at the last moment, side stepping and grabbing the trident, using it to slam Aquaman into the wall he had hit himself moments before.
Aquaman was up quickly, his hands bringing another torrent of water at Batman to push him back into the wall, holding him in place. The King advanced placing the bar of the trident against his throat and applying pressure. The Dark Knight gasped, Aquaman pushing harder, Robin calling for his father desperately. "You know what I'm going to do with him when you're dead?" he questioned enjoying the look of fear in his opponents eyes "I'm going to give him to your good friend Ra's as the proverbial olive branch. I will need the support of the Demon's Head and what better way than something he so…"
"Tati!" Robin screamed yanking at the chains "Tati, please fight".
Batman responded bringing his knee into Orin's stomach as he had moved in to apply the last bit of pressure. Aquaman gasped and fell back, the water receding with his lack of concentration. Batman was ready with another series of Batarang's, Orin forced to divert the water in order avoid being hit again. Using the distraction to shoot his grapping gun to the top of the cavern, with a tug he took off, the momentum crashing him into Aquaman's chest, again sending the king to the ground. Releasing the grapple he landed next to him, delivering a punch across his jaw as he tried to pull himself up.
Aquaman cried out in blind rage throwing the column of water at him with both hands, Batman was ready this time, using the line to pull himself up and away from the attack. While in the air, throwing another series of Batarang's at the door, where they blew it off of his hinges, the water rushing out into the hallway outside.
"It's over" Batman said.
"Coward, afraid to fight me with my element!" Aquaman shouted running for the faucet to let more in, a batarang landing exploding rendering it useless. Gathering the remaining water he formed a longer wave, it wouldn't do damage but he just needed a few moments. Thrusting it at Batman he ran to where Robin was still chained, wrapping his arm around the boy's stomach and placing his trident at his neck.
"You could have just encased me in water again you moron or here's a better idea him" Robin quipped trying to pull away "Now you've literally thrown away the last of any advantage you had and hacked him off more than he already is".
"Shut up you brat" Aquaman shouted jabbing the trident into his neck painfully.
"And whose the Coward, rather than confront them directly you hid behind attacking a bunch of children, though you get bonus points for creativity" Robin continued, ignoring the pain, doing what he did best in this position, get his captor off balance and get an opening for Batman.
"I said shut up" he roared again, moving his arm from the boy's chest to cover his mouth.
Batman stopped a healthy distance away, seeing there wasn't much left in the way of sanity in Orin's eyes "What is going to happen now Orin? We both know this isn't how you intended for it to go, your plan has failed, and there is no way the others will follow you, even if you did succeed in killing the Green Arrow or even Superman".
"Really? I'll tell the others I was under duress, to save Kaulder, and even though I failed to save you all I will still manage to pull myself together to fend off Manta's invasion. With Bruce and Oliver out of the way Luthor will be a shoe in for President, it is with that connection…" he spat back pressing the blade tighter when he saw Batman make a move, the Dark Knight freezing as blood began to flow from under the blade.
"Well then there is the little problem of Luthor being locked up too, his eyes got a little too big for his mouth and is in a cell in Gotham as we speak along with enough evidence to bury him with" Batman said seeing Robin's working again on the shackles.
Now Aquaman appeared to take pause before his face curled into a cruel smile "I still have him" he said shaking Robin slightly eliciting a groan of pain from the point of the trident sinking deeper "you will not move when you know with a flick of my wrist you will have to watch him bleed out before your very eyes. With him any of your friends that have managed to survive what I had planned won't do a thing either. So let's talk about what you are going to do to ensure I don't carve a set of gills into his neck" he paused to think for a moment. "Since you're so fond of plotting against your colleagues I want you to sabotage their efforts to stop my invasion, perhaps kill one or two of them, I never really liked Wonder Woman. I don't want you to completely defeat them, just weaken them enough that when I arrive my leadership will lead them to victory".
Batman didn't have time to respond as with a final flick of Robin's wrist the cuff gave way, the free hand yanking the trident down as he flipped up and over the back of his captor. "Worst plan ever and shouldn't have moved your arm" Robin shouted dropping down as he landed and using his legs to sweep Aquaman's out from under him.
Aquaman reached for him, knowing his range of motion was limited due to his other arm still being chained. Robin did a one handed handspring to fall back allowing his mentor charge in and release a few months of pent up rage and frustration. Robin began to work on his other wrist, Batman delivering a series of painful blows to Aquaman's face and stomach before he recovered enough, catching Batman in the side of his head with the trident. Robin cried out as the second shackle fell away, running at the king, leaping with a flying kick. Aquaman's hand closed around his ankle and moved to throw the boy into his downed mentor when he heard a click around his other arm, the brat had placed one of the shackles on him. The thought had barely processed before a small yet powerful foot connected with his nose, the bone breaking and blood flowing "You little" he raged his hand unintentionally letting go of his ankle as it went to his nose. Robin flipped before hitting the ground, landing in a crouch Batman running by in an instant attaching the other shackle, and quickly moving out of the kings reach, tugging his partner back with him.
"You think this can hold me!" he screamed pulling at the chains, the links staring to give way. Batman reached into his belt, throwing one last Batarang at the king's feet, black foam crawling up Aquaman's body. "Hey, I was making one of those" Robin said, as Batman gave a small smile before pushing a button in his glove. The foam crackled to life and became a giant Taser, the Kings cries of rage quieted and he slowly began to drift away, meeting the Dark Knights eyes "I know who you are, I know where you live, I know how you work, and I know just how to hurt you the most, I can tell the world who you are….no prison can contain the great Aqua…"
The room fell silent, Robin latching his arms around his waist, Batman falling to his knees and enveloping him in his cape "Are you all right?" he asked, voice strained.
Robin didn't move relishing the feeling of being safe "I'm okay" he said feeling incredibly tired and wanting nothing more to go home. Batman looked him in the eyes, pulling off his cowl "Are you really okay? I saw what they did, with the trapeze…that alone wouldn't have had you looking like that". Robin looked away not wanting to do this here or now. Bruce's hand gently made him look up while the other peeled away his mask, revealing tear filled blue eyes. "What else was there?" Bruce prodded gently, his son's wellbeing the only matter of importance right now.
The tears fell and Dick huddled against his father's chest "Everything" He said his voice barely above a whisper "he recreated it right down to the costumes. And I knew it wasn't real, I knew he wanted me to react…I tried not too, I really did but up there…"
Bruce hushed him "You have nothing to be sorry for" he said soothingly "you went above and beyond what anyone else in the same position would have not to mention getting a message to me and escaping from the bottom of the ocean". He set his murderous gaze on the sleeping king, wanting to go make him pay for every moment his son had suffered. Dick speaking again startling him from his thoughts "I'm sorry, our plan…we should have listened to you"
"It would have worked much better had the traitor not been in on it" Batman responded noting to bring this up again later and replacing his cowl. Robin replaced his own mask, reluctantly leaving his father's protective hold, remembering something Batman had said "You got Luthor?"
Batman offered a genuine smile guiding his son away and through the maze of corridors towards the surface, he would need Superman to come collect Aquaman and chisel him off of the floor. "Actually Kid, Artemis, and Catwoman did it, I think I'll let him you fill you in though". Robin just smiled "Kid and Artemis teamed up with Catwoman? I'll bet he can't wait", the pair falling into an easy silence, the station oddly quiet in the wake of so much chaos.
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The soaking duo emerged onto the deck as the sun was beginning to peak over the horizon, bathing the entire area with its warm pink light. Atlantian soldiers were scattered across the deck the last pair falling to Black Canary as they made the mistake of getting too close to Kaulder's prone form and Red Arrow who was protecting him. Prince Orm lay unconscious and bound in melted chain and looked as if he had been simply dumped as someone came up the stairs. Kid and Artemis stood slightly away his arms wrapped around her. Flash dropped the soldiers he had been dealing with into the pile that had somehow started forming.
Superman and Superboy were the first to notice them, the pair breaking out into matching smiles, the others following the line of site. Kid Flash was there first after ne noticed his friend clapping him on the shoulder, relieved to see him safe and sound after what had seemed so long "Dude! Wait til you hear what we did with Catwoman, and man she is so cool! Scary but cool". Robin returned the gesture "I can't wait" before moving over to join Roy at Aqualad's side, the archer ruffling his hair affectionately as he sat down.
Batman watched him go and gestured back into the structure "Superman would you and mind chiseling the traitor off the floor and bringing him up with his brother, I left a trail"
"With pleasure" Superman said Superboy trailing behind.
Flash approached gazing across the ocean that surrounded them "So Mr. Contingency plans, how we getting off this tin can with all these prisoners and don't say multiple trips, I'm spent and there is no way Kid can do it once". The statement causing Batman to glance around "How did they get out here?" The speedster faltered looking around as well "You know I don't know…hey Kid how did you two get out here".
Both teens froze, mid story of Luthor's take down, eyes glancing to where the jet had fallen off with the rest of the blown structure. "Let's just say it was a one way trip" Artemis said evasively. Oliver having to cover his mouth to hide the laugh.
Batman suspected he wouldn't like the answer but let it go for the moment, "We can take the Atlantian subs back" he said "Anyone been able to contact the rest of the League?"
Oliver approached collapsing his bow "Haven't had a chance too yet, just finished with these guys before you showed up. These were either the very stupid or very brave ones, most made a run for it when Superman came out with Orm".
Superman reappeared with Aquaman, still encased in the black foam and unconscious, distain written across his face as he dropped him next to his brother "What on earth is that stuff, nearly took the floor up with it".
"Insurance" Batman answered "Let's get the prisoners secured and head for home….we must decide how to proceed with the rest of the League".
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Alfred sat in the chair in front of the computer watching for any sign, any signal, from the pair he had grown to love as a son and grandson. Robin's message hours ago the last contact he'd had with either of them the boy indicating he had escaped his captors and simply needed to be picked up…though with Richard's propensity to find trouble knew there was little chance that had happened.
He risked a glance at the monitor running the news, pictures of his 'grandson' dominating the screen. As it had the first time the site made his heartbreak, the look on the young man's face pure pain and terror. A look the butler had seen so many times over the years as the boy awakened from nightmares. The look always chased away by the loving arms of his father…but not this time. This time the monster had made him relive it in his waking hours and perverted something the boy loved so much.
Letting out a weary sigh and took a sip of his long chilled tea he looked around the cave for something to do to keep his mind off of things, though with all the cleaning this ordeal had caused they were going to be able to serve a state dinner off of the caves floors. An alarm on the panel giving him a start.
Suddenly more alert than he had been in hours, his hand hovered over the caves defense system as he watched the Zeta Tubes spring to live. There was no guarantee the traitor hadn't found his way to the Cave. Two figures emerged and as the light died he felt relief flood his body, the smaller of the figures running to him "Alfred" he cried hugging the old man who gratefully returned the embrace "Master Dick thank heavens" looking up to see Batman as well "Master Bruce".
The elder smiled pulling off his cowl to reveal tired eyes and a deep purple bruise across his temple. Alfred released the boy kneeling down to look him over, cataloging the cuts, bruises, and burns he knew to be on his hands. "Come along" he ordered steering Robin to the waiting med bay. For once he didn't argue peeling off his own mask and hopping up on the table "You need to check him for a concussion after" he said indicating his father.
"Indeed" Alfred said "For now Master Bruce why don't you go change while I tend to Master Dick". Bruce shook his head "I have to go back to the Watchtower shortly, the others are returning and we must decide what to do with Aquaman…and there is the matter of making sure Lex doesn't get out first thing in the morning".
Dick winced as the gash in his neck was cleaned, the trident leaving a deep cut. "Do you have too?" he asked meekly, surprised by the sound of his own voice. In truth he really didn't want his father to leave him he was exhausted and at terrified the dreams that would come when he closed his eyes. "You've done enough for one day, can't you just take the night off, get some rest".
Bruce sat next to him wrapping his arms around his shoulder "Do you want to talk about what happened in Atlantis?" Dick pulled off his mask and rubbed his tired eyes. He was clearly exhausted but while his friends slept on the sub ride back he would snap up moments after his eyes closed with a gasp and settle in closer to Batman.
"I know it wasn't real" he said started "I really do…but being up there like that knowing what he was going to do with it, to you"
Bruce felt the anger swell again "He was trying to hurt me and knew the best way was through you. And I worked" Dicks eyes shimmered with tears "I'm sorry, I acted like a child when I saw it, lost my cool". Alfred sat back from his work and allowed Bruce to envelope the boy "Do not apologize, you were so brave, braver that you should have had to be, and you helped get the others out. And now, most importantly you are home safe".
Dick didn't say anything just wanting to stay there for the rest of the night "Do you have to go?" he tried again after a few moments. Bruce had never been so tempted to blow off the League, but a decision needed to be made quickly, Aquaman knew too much about him and the others. He looked to Alfred for help, his guardian easing Dick off the table "Come along Young Master, we'll get you cleaned up and settled in with a cup of tea. Dick didn't move "Can you at least stay until I fall asleep?"
His resolve melted and he held his little bird a little closer "Of course". Dick again was silent, Alfred with a sad smile on his face "Then at least you will be still long enough for me to take a look at your head".
To Be Continued….