Chapter 10: Confrontation Part II

Happy Harbor

August 12, 02:03 EDT

They reached a large cave at the base of a mountain surrounded by a forest. The team surrounded the cave entrance with their new weapons in reach. "Miss Martian, link us up"

Is everyone online? She asked.

One by one the whole team responded.

It looks like there are tunnels stretching out throughout the entire mountain. There's one more entrance on the north side. Thought Robin as he pulled up a holographic map on his wrist.

Miss Martian, Kid Flash, and Robin, take the bioship to the northern entrance and await my signal, ordered Aqualad.

They arrived within moments, we're in position, thought Miss Martian.

Kid, Superboy, switch to infrared and give me a body count, He thought as he studied their surroundings.

I've got about 15 over here, thought Superboy.

About the same number over here too, answered Kid Flash.

Any sign of Arie or Sarah?

Not on my side.

Mine neither. They might be too deep inside the mine for us to see.

Which means there can be more bad guys too, mentioned Artemis.

Maybe we should call for Batman. There's just too many of them, said Miss Martian.

Can you sense for Arie? Replied Kaldur.

I tried to link her up with the rest of us when we first got here, but I couldn't find her. It's like she's not even here or she might be unconscious or worse.

Then we cannot afford to wait for help to arrive. He spotted pipes that lined the ceiling. Robin do you see pipes on the ceiling?

Yea and I've found some old blueprints for the mine, he said as he pulled it up on his wrist computer. It looks like those pipes run throughout the entire mine. According to building records, those pipes are to pump fresh air throughout the mine in case it ever collapsed. The tech is dated though, it looks like it works more like a sprinkler system than a ventilation shaft.

Where's the pump?

It's about 500 meters west of your position.

Good. While I fill the air tank with the potion, Superboy, I need you to create a cave in, just enough to activate the air pipes. Then we move in. Split up and look for any sign of Arie and Sarah, but be careful and stay in contact.

The pump was just where Robin said it was. It was old and rusty, but in working condition. Aqualad broke off the lock to the air tank and poured in the potion. The pump is ready.

Superboy, if you jump high and land hard on this part of the mountain you should cause the cave in we need, said Robin still looking at the blue print of the mine. I'm sending you coordinates now.

We move in the second the potion starts to work, ordered Aqualad. Superboy, go!

Superboy jumped up and with a loud scream came crashing down. The entire mountain shook and a small portion of the mine collapsed trapping a couple of Tenebrians deep inside the mountain. An alarm sounded throughout the entire mine and the pump was activated. The team jumped into action.


Arianna had arrived several minutes before the team. She teleported into a secluded section of the mine where there was a single tunnel and a dead end. She took a deep breathed and sensed around the cave. She could feel the mindless dark entities of the lower level Tenebrians. Then a dark, powerful presence screamed into her mind, it was Zavos. She could also feel innocence and knew Sarah was nearby and alive. Arie breathed a sigh of relief and started down the hall.

She crept down the corridor and peeked around the corner. One Tenebrian, she thought, this'll be easy. It had to be quick and quiet. She waited for him to turn and walk the other way. Then she snuck up behind him with her dagger in hand, when she was close enough she grabbed onto his shoulder and inserted the knife in the back of his neck. With a quick twist the Tenebrian fell and turned to ash.

She continued down the mine and sensed two dark beings coming her way. As they turned the corner, she threw the dagger and it hit one right between the eyes. Then she flung her arm, sending a whip of air straight for the remaining Tenebrian. It threw him back against the wall of the mine. She ran forward, grabbed her dagger from a heap of ash and straight for the Tenebrian and stabbed him in the heart.

She stood above him as he turned to ash. She cleaned her dagger and kept walking forward until she reached a fork in the mine. She stopped and sensed. To the right was Sarah, but to the left, Zavos. And there was something else. It was the team. No she thought to herself, they got here too soon. She blocked herself off from Miss Martian's telepathic link.

She knew she was running out of time. She ran through the corridor, not caring about being detected she threw potions left and right, vanquishing anything that came near her. Then suddenly the ground shook and the alarm sounded. Worried thoughts ran through her mind: Was the team captured? Were they okay?

She broke the block between her and Miss Martian's link. What happened are you okay?

It's Arie? Thought M'gann.

Yea we're fine, answered Robin.

Good, then what the hell did you do?

We just made your job a lot easier. Thought Superboy. Look around you.

She did and she saw the potion raining down on her. She could hear the screams of the Tenebrian minions as they turned to ash where they stood. She laughed to herself. Alright, I give you credit, I would never have thought of that.

Your welcome! Said Kid Flash.

Arie ignored him. I'm going after Zavos. You guys need to get Sarah and get out as fast as possible.

We're here to help you fight, thought Artemis.

You've done enough, now go.

Aqualad spoke up. You do not command this team, I do and we are staying.

Arie was shocked. She wanted to fight back and she was going to, but then she remembered: they were not Tutellians. To them she was not the Araiya, they didn't know what that meant. She was just their teammate. Fine. The Tenebrians that are left alive, aren't lower level, those are all dead. Now your facing Zavos' family and his personal guards, they're stronger and harder to kill. Aim for the heart with one of my weapons and they should go down.

Okay, Miss Martian and I will find Sarah and get her out. Artemis, Kid, and Robin, clear a path for our escape. And Superboy, you are closest to Arie, get to her and help her with Zavos.

I can handle him on my own, thought Arie.

I will not take any chances.

The team spread out through the mine. Mapping an escape route now, announced Robin. Arie have you found Sarah yet?

Yea, I can sense her in the north side of the mountain. You need to look for a large room that would allow for ritualistic ceremonies.

I think I got it! There's a large storage room deep in the north side. The best way out is through the entrance Kid, Miss M, and I used.

The team (except Superboy and Arie) ran north through the mine. It didn't take long before they encountered a wall of Tenebrians in front of an old wooden door. The team stopped in front of them and prepared to fight, but these weren't like the ones they had seen before, these looked human. They all looked similar, the same jet black hair and pale skin, but most noticeable was their piercing black soulless eyes. They all wore long hooded cloaks. Some were young, others older, some men, some women. But they all just stood there waiting for someone to move.

One of them stepped out of line. He walked forward and removed his hood. He looked straight at Aqualad and studied him. He recognized him as Atlantean and spoke in his language, "φύγετε τώρα και μπορεί να ζήσει (Leave now and you may live)," he said with a deep, monstrous voice.

Aqualad stepped forward and looked him straight in the eyes, "δεν αφήνουμε χωρίς Sarah (We will not leave without Sarah)."

The Tenebrian gave a sinister smile, "καλά, θα απολαύσετε αυτό (Good, we will enjoy this)." In a split second, he took out a long stone sword that curved into a hook and attacked Aqualad with one quick and strong strike. Aqualad anticipated it and formed swords with his water bearers. He blocked the hit from the Tenebrian and they began to fight.

The second the leader attacked the other Tenebrians ran forward with similar weapons and attacked the team. The team went on the defensive. They pulled out Arie's weapons and fought.

Distract them so Miss Martian can get to Sarah, Aqualad ordered.

Miss Martian switched to camouflage and avoided the brawl. She flew above their heads and passed them to the wooden door they were guarding. She opened it with difficulty and there before her lay Sarah. She was beaten and bloody. Her hands and feet were bound with iron shackles that chained her to the wall.

Miss Martian gasped when she saw her and flew to her quickly. She put her hand to her neck and felt for a pulse. Sarah woke up and forced herself to speak. "No, please, please don't." she said weakly.

She came out of camouflage, "Sarah, calm down. It's me, I'm here to help," Miss Martian answered gently. She opened the shackles with her mind and could see deep purple bruising from her binds.

Aqualad, I've got her.

Take her to the bioship.

On my way. She picked up the girl with her telekinesis and flew them both out the door.


Superboy caught up to Arie. They reached Zavos' room together. Superboy was ready to break down the door that separated them, but Arie stopped him.

Wait, he'll be expecting that. Her eyes flashed bright blue as she sensed for what was behind the door. Her eyes went back to normal as she turned to Superboy. There are two guards protecting him. They're stronger than the others. Zavos is in the back room. I'm gonna teleport in behind the guards and send them flying your way. Take care of them, I'm going after Zavos.

Wait, Aqualad said to… he didn't get a chance to finish that thought, Arie was gone with a flash of blue lights. "Perfect," he growled to himself.

She landed behind the two guards. They turned and charged at her, but Arie flung her arm across, sending a burst of air that threw the guards back through the door.

Superboy stood between the two as they were sent flying back. He held out his arms and clotheslined both of them as they flew by. They landed on the floor, hard.

Superboy grabbed the mace Arie had given him and slammed it down on the Tenebrian laying on his right. He hit him square on the chest, breaking his ribs straight to his heart. The demon screamed and disintegrated into a pile of ash.

The other disappeared into the dirt floor. Superboy raised his mace ready to defend, but the Tenebrian reappeared through the ceiling right above him. He landed on top of Superboy and brought him to the floor. The mace was thrown from his hand.

Superboy flipped him over and held him down. He reached for the mace, but it was too far away. The demon struggled beneath him. Superboy couldn't get up to reach for the mace or he would lose his advantage.

The demon growled and stopped moving. He looked Superboy straight in the eyes then a barrage of rock smashed into the Kryptonian. He grunted in pain but didn't lose his ground.

Then the demon took a large chunk of rock out of the side of the mine and sent it flying toward Superboy. It slammed him into the opposite wall. The whole mountain began to shake, rocks fell down around them and all throughout the mine.

Guys! This mine isn't going to last long! Robin screamed through the mind link. We've got five minutes tops before this place is gone.

Great. Superboy growled as he picked himself up from the ground. He ran for the mace but the demon kept sending rocks his way. Superboy pushed forward.

Arie, report, ordered Aqualad. Arianna, are you linked? There was no answer. Superboy, where is she?

Don't know. Give me a second. He said as he punched through rocks. He was slowly gaining ground. He reached the mace on the floor and threw it at the demon.

The impact sent the demon flying into the wall. Superboy walked over and delivered the final blow right to the heart.

Miss Martian, I thought she was linked. Said Aqualad

She was I don't know what happened. There's some sort of block. She answered.

Here too, said Superboy as he walked over to where the door once was. The door is gone. I can't get to her.

The cave in had barricaded the door. He knelt down and pulled rocks from the pile out of his way. As he did the cave in started again. More rocks rained down on him and he jumped out of the way.


Arie held up her hand and a gust of wind blew through the door. She walked in and saw Zavos. He was standing in front of a small alter with his back turned to her. He noticed her entrance and spoke in their language. "Little Araiya, I was informed of your coming," he said with a dark chuckle.

Arianna didn't speak she just watched, studying him. Zavos turned around expecting an answer. Arie didn't oblige, she just stood there and stared straight into his eyes. His eyes shifted, his black irises seemed to engulf his entire eyes until they were completely black. This was his show of power.

In that one moment Arie could see everything he was. All his power, all his history, every evil act was imprinted in those eyes. But Arie didn't flinch. "I am afraid I am lacking in my etiquette. Forgive me, your grace, but it has been so long since I have had to appeal to Tutellian traditions," Zavos said to Arie, mockingly.

Arie laughed to herself, but still didn't reply. "I believe it is expected that I bow?" He did so sardonically. "Was that sufficient, your grace?"

Suddenly the ground started to shake and rocks fell from the ceiling, but neither Arie nor Zavos was fazed. "It seems your… pets," he said trying to find a sufficiently insulting and derogatory word to call the mortals, "have met with my children." Zavos laughed to himself as the mine continued to fall down around them. "My children always begged me for pets. Perhaps if one survives, I will allow it to live."

Arie was enraged. From the moment she laid eyes on Zavos, it took all her energy to conceal her hate. He beat her, he made her look weak, he hurt her charges, and kidnapped an innocent girl. She promised that little girl no harm would come to her. And now, on top of it all, the demon stood there and threatened her charges, insulted them.

That could not stand. Now, it was her turn to reveal her power. Her eyes glowed bright blue. The light grew until it filled the room. Zavos was petrified by the sheer magnitude of her power. The light was blinding and it grew brighter still.

Arie could hear Aqualad calling for her, but couldn't respond. His voice was faint in her mind, distant and hers was being stifled by what was to come. She could feel herself slipping back into the recesses of her mind. She was drowning in the power of the Araiya.


Superboy looked in the direction where the door once stood. He punched the wall of rocks, but the more he did the more rocks rained down on him. The mine couldn't take much more. I can't get to her!

Miss Martian started to panic. She was safely in the bioship with Sarah, but Superboy was still deep in the mine and the rest of the team was still fighting. Superboy, get out of there or you won't make it out in time!

But she's still in there.

Arie can teleport. You can't! She screamed.

Suddenly a voice broke through the telepathic link. She is correct. You all must escape before I vanquish Zavos, for the mine cannot resist and it will collapse. You will all be trapped and surely die. It sent shivers down their spines. Robin recognized it. It had been three years, but impossible to forget.

Arie? Thought Superboy.

It is I, confirmed the voice. It sounded like her, but there was something different. The presence in their minds was imposing, whereas Arie had never pried. It was like she looked deep into each and every one of them. She could see them completely and thoroughly; everything they were, are and will be. You have two minutes, it the voice was gone and that powerful presence in their minds disappeared.

Was that really Arie? Asked Miss Martian.

There is no time to debate, thought Aqualad. Robin, you know her best.

Robin didn't want to leave her, but knew it was the only thing to do. I say we finish off these creeps and get out.

Fine, I'm on my way. Superboy took off down the mine, dodging rocks as the fell. He barely made it out of one hallway when it collapsed behind him.

He made it to where his team was fighting. He saw two on top of Aqualad, Artemis was backed up into a corner, and Robin and Kid were surrounded. He took his mace and ran to Aqualad. He hit one hard in the ribs. It was sent flying into the wall taking the other with him.

Both stood up with difficulty. One created a ball of fire in his hands, the other sparked with electricity. They were about to attack when suddenly they stopped. Aqualad and Superboy looked to each other confused. Then they looked around the room. All of them had stopped fighting. They growled loudly at the team then ran back, deep into the mine.

"They're going after Arie!" screamed Robin as he took off after them, the team followed behind. But one demon stopped and turned around. He raised his hand and brought down a wall of rocks between his family and the team.

Robin stopped just before he ran into the wall, Kid Flash wasn't so lucky. He hit the wall hard and fell to the floor. Artemis reached him and pulled him back just as a large chunk of ceiling landed where he sat.

"That was close," he breathed a sigh of relief, but it was short lived. Superboy began to punch through the wall, Robin took out explosives, but the more they hit it the faster the mine came down around them.

Aqualad looked around. The wall wasn't even dented yet and the mine was falling fast. He remembered the promise he made to Arie and he couldn't go back on his word. "There's nothing we can do. Let's go."

"But Arie…" Robin began to say.

"We can't help her now. Move out," Aqualad commanded. Artemis helped Kid Flash up from the floor. Then they and Superboy ran out, avoided falling rocks as they went along.

Aqualad turned to Robin. He was still looking at the wall, but there was no way through and he knew it. He reluctantly turned and ran towards the exit and Aqualad followed.

They ran out. The bioship was idling just outside. They turned and watched the entrance, hoping she would run out in time. Miss Martian came flying out of the ship. "Where's Arie?" she said after scanning the scene.

No one answered. They just waited. What was only a few seconds, felt like hours to the young heroes. "I'm going back," said Robin as he ran forward. Just as he approached the entrance, the ground shook violently, knocking everyone off balance. The entrance collapsed and the mine was gone.