A/N

Welcome back to another chapter which I have brought you - on schedule I might add - which can only mean one thing.

Not quite sure what that thing is yet though...

Episode VI: Visiting an Old Friend, Part II

Aqualad.

Once, that name brought both relief and calmness to her troubled soul. Now, it brings nothing but a cold, deep anger. Kaldur took everything away from a person who didn't have anything else to give. Her only joy in this life was listening to Kyle's silly mannerism and phrases.

Artemis may have never get this chance again; Kaldur will be here tonight, and that's the opportunity she has been looking for.

The others can save Mera from Black Manta's nefarious plan to destroy Aquaman's reign by taking down the only person who helps keep Atlantis safe whilst the King is on the surface.

Tonight may just be a night which doesn't just decide the fate of Atlantis, but the fate of Artemis herself. Maybe Kyle wouldn't want her to do what she is planning, but thanks to Kaldur he is no longer here to argue his case.

Ever again.

Everyone needs to focus, Robin states, perhaps sensing the tension around the team. I know.. I know things are going to be difficult, but we need to stick together and do this as a team.

After Artemis and the team looked over the documents within the building - ancient Atlantean was a pain to translate, but luckily M'gann managed to tap into one of the soldier's brains - they found out that the reason the army was missing was quite simple really.

They are making their move tonight.

Queen Mera is holding an open conference of sorts, inviting the public to ask her questions and learn about the future of Atlantis. Unfortunately, the questions posed today may be a bit more direct than the Queen would expect, and since the team found out first-hand that Manta's troops are everywhere, perhaps it wasn't the best choice the compassionate Queen made during her reign.

Security isn't as tight as it should be, evidenced by the fact all five of them sneaked into the conference without any trouble at all. They aren't even Atlanteans and they got past the guards, which makes it quite scary how many of this particular crowd is here to deal a decisive blow to Aquaman's Atlantis.

M'gann, try and probe as many as possible. We need to find out which ones are Manta, but make it as quiet. We don't want them knowing we are watching, Robin makes his order, moving closer to the crowd as casually as he can.

On it, the Martian responds, brow furrowing as she concentrates.

"You good?" Wally slides over to where Artemis is wading, his voice laden with concern and his - fishy - face giving off a tiny smile.

"If you get away from me," she retorts with a bit more venom than she wanted to.

"I get it," the speedster shrugs, though doesn't move from the new position he has made himself comfortable in. "We're all just as nervous as you. Kaldur's going to have a nasty surprise if he thinks he's walking out of here."

"Oh, he won't be walking out of here," Artemis mutters.

Wisely deciding to not prod the archer further, Wally turns his attention to the crowds as instructed. It doesn't take long for the speedster to grow bored and begin watching the other members of the team; everything about speedsters are quick, especially how fast their focus runs out.

Unsurprising, considering that speedsters spend most of their time zooming around and watching the world go by then in slow-motion. She can only imagine the frustration of having to stand still after experiencing the rush of the speed force.

For her, being just an average human is actually more of a benefit than a curse. If there ever comes a day when she's had enough of the constant battles and bruises, she can simply leave.

Wally can't. No matter how much he wants to stay away from this life, having those kinds of powers makes it impossible.

Every time he walks by as someone is about to run over, he can't do anything but help. In the end, she guesses that's why most 'superheroes' have an easier time living this life.

When someone has the power to save lives and change the future for the better, it'll be too selfish to ignore that and have a peaceful, happy life.

No-one here even dislikes the Queen, let alone would want to kill her, M'gann conveys her findings, much to the surprise of the team.

According to the plans they found, the Queen is certainly their next target. The only logical solution is they are going to ambush the Queen when she is at the most vulnerable, and surrounded by crowds which can easily infiltrated.

How? I thought this is where they are? Conner asks.

Okay, so we don't know where they are, Robin starts, but what we do know, is that they are coming here at some point. The 'how' is all we need to find out.

What's the plan then? Split up and cover as much ground as we can? Wally suggests.

Artemis dismisses the idea immediately, though doesn't state as such. If she's being honest with herself, the Queen is supposed to be her priority, but she still can't shake away the side of her which is here for Kaldur and Kaldur only. Aqualad has caused too much hurt and destruction for him to escape Atlantis, and the Queen is perfectly capable of handling herself, should Kaldur's tales of her abilities be true.

Then again, nothing which came out of Kaldur's mouth can be trusted.

The Atlantean certainly played them all.

Today is the day they play him right back.

Only this time, they're going to play dirty.

We can't, because only M'gann can know for certain where their allegiances lie, Robin answers, rubbing his chin in thought.

That's not good, M'gann suddenly says, eyes focusing on the entering preccession following Mera.

Much like earthly royalty, both Aquaman and Mera have a very large accompaniment of courtiers and guards following their every move, especially on public occasions such as these.

The perfect place for spies to infiltrate.

They're in the precession! M'gann warns them.

How many of them? Robin questions, eyes darting in between the crowds in front and the Atlanteans trailing between Mera.

That's the thing, M'gann worriedly responds, All of them. And, one of them feels familiar.. Kaldur.

The team immediately tenses as though Mr Freeze had just rooted them to the spot. Despite all the planning and the preparation, nothing could prepare them for this feeling.

Anger. Pain. Regret.

Having a Green Lantern apart of their team certainly made them properly appreciate the power of emotion, but this is a different kind than what Kyle had.

At least he could wave his ring and use those emotions to fight for good, but for them, these emotions are doing the opposite.

Breaking the silence, Conner is the first to ask the question they had all been waiting to ask.

Which one?

Reluctantly answering, M'gann states, The lead guard, right behind Mera.

Don't do anything stupid, we need to stick to the p-

Robin's desperate attempt to halt their fury is fruitless, as he is cut short by the combined roar of Kryptonian and human alike. Both Artemis and Conner waste no time in charging full speed at the one the Martian identified as Kaldur.

Seeing the team break with action, the hidden soldiers break formation early, and begin to swarm around Mera. The Queen appears to be surprised, but makes no effort to escape or cower, instead stands proudly in the centre of her would-be assassins.

It doesn't take long for chaos to ensue as half of the team splits after Kaldur and the other rushes to defend the Queen.

Right before Conner reaches Kaldur - who hadn't even bothered to move out of the way - a bright day of light crashes into the clone, sending him soaring across the room.

Fired by none other than Black Manta himself, the villain watches Mera from behind his helmet. Though no-one can see underneath, they assume Manta's face is one of pleasure and satisfaction.

"A brief setback," Manta begins, nodding to Kaldur and his group of soldiers as they meet Artemis halfway. "Deal with them.. the Queen is mine."

Robin's eyes flicker between both of the situations, annoyed at the way Conner and Artemis ignored his orders. After this is over, there's going to be a lot of explaining to do.

This situation just got a whole lot messier because of it.

"Step aside Mera, and perhaps I may let you live," Black Manta menacingly offers, waving away his personal guard and gesturing for them to hurry to where Kaldur is battling against the rest of the team.

Luckily, both Kid Flash and Miss Martian have no trouble accepting the Boy Wonder's orders and join him in defending the Queen. They form a defensive wall, shielding the Queen from Manta until they can figure out a way of helping her escape.

"I see your arrogance has not diminished," the Queen retorts, elegantly brushing aside the heroes and standing just a few feet away from Manta. "Atlantis will not bow to you."

"Oh but they have Mera, just look around you," the villain begins to charge up his lasers whilst speaking.

However, he is interrupted as Robin crashes into his helmet, leaping over the Queen and knocking the villain directly into the path of Kid Flash, who strikes Manta half-way across the room.

Grunting, Manta regains his footing and blasts his lasers towards the group, barely missing as the team manoeuvre out of the way.

"Go, I don't wish for you to be harmed," the Queen places a hand onto Robin's shoulder.

"Don't worry your grace, we're feeling the aster," the Boy Wonder responds, and smirks as a moment of realisation spreads across Mera's beautiful face.

"It's good to see you are still with us," the Queen smiles, waving her hand and firing water towards Manta. "Aquaman has been worried."

"About us?" Wally interrupts, "Never."

"I've had enough of this," Manta groans.

Once more, the eye sockets of his helmet begin to grow a violent red. Though much like before, a sudden intervention shatters his attack.

Miss Martian's telekinetic powers are the saviour this time, sending the super villain soaring into the air and directly into the path of the now unhelmeted Kaldur.

"Now to get two birds with one stone," the Martian quips, brown furrowing in focus.

"How does it feel, huh!? How does it feel to betray everyone who fought side-by-side with you!?"

Artemis' questions pierce through the sounds of ferocious battle, although apparently falling on deaf ears. Yet again, the traitor doesn't respond, instead attempting to grab ahold of the human.

Deftly avoiding the grapple, the archer whacks the Atlantean with her bow and moves aside, noticing Conner scramble towards Kaldur.

The clone barrels into Kaldur, inflated body connecting with an audible grunt.

Stretching his arms as far across the massive body of the Kryptonian as possible, a surge of electricity channels from Kaldur's body, causing Superboy to wince in pain and halt with foreword motion slightly.

Utilising the momentary hesitation to his advantage, the traitor manages to swim to a safe distance.

The pause in the action allows both sides to regroup, and Kaldur takes the time to remove the helmet which has been concealing his face the entire time they had been brawling.

Artemis didn't know what she was expecting. Perhaps, his life of villainy would change his appearance somehow - horns sprouting, or eyes turning bright red.

However, the face looking back at her was the same one which assured her whenever she felt down, or encouraged her to see the good in people. The sad reality is the Atlantean they had known looked the exact same now as he did before his betrayal.

"It appears as though I am the one you are here for," Kaldur finally speaks, his eyes fixed on the two.

"Guess your little bodyguards weren't enough to stop us," Artemis venomously retorts, motioning to the unconscious bodies of the soldiers who accompanied Manta and Aqualad on their mission.

"I wouldn't expect them to," he replies.

"You are both as formidable as ever."

Somehow, Kaldur's words seem more like an insult than a compliment, despite the cool smile on his face.

"You don't get to speak to us like friends," Conner crackes his knuckles. "You lost that right a long time ago."

"When you killed Kyle," Artemis spits out, eyes welling with tears of sorrow and rage. "And you are going to pay for that. With everything."

For a moment, Artemis notices a flash of something behind the eyes of the Atlantean. A minuscule twinkle of the hero he used to be, but just like that it was gone, faded into the background of an Atlantean who threw away his friends for his father.

"Enough talk," Kaldur finally ends the brief and emotion-filled conversation, taking a battle stance and preparing for the inevitable onslaught.

"For once," Conner grunts, "I agree."

Being the first to charge at Kaldur, the Kryptonian unleashes a mighty battle roar, plowing towards the enemy with a rage unmatched by even a Red Lantern.

Kaldur begins to meet the charge, but is halted as the unconscious body of his father is thrown into his path.

The sudden appearance creates hesitation on Kaldur's face, and with a solemn smile, he grabs a small device from his pocket and places a hand on his father.

"I'm sure we will meet again," he sighs, and with that, disappears into one of Klarion the witch-boy's portals.

"Damn it!" Artemis yells out, the frustration leading to her throwing her bow away.

"Don't worry," Conner assures with an uncharacteristic calmness, "he can't run forever."

Looking at the Kryptonian, the feelings of anger and sadness subside, and is replaced with a growing sense of failure.

"Cowards always run forever," she replies, wading away from the clone and into a secluded corner of the now body-strewn arena.

"An unfortunate turn of events."

Conner's attention is brought away from Artemis as the Queen herself - and the rest of the young team - joins him in watching Artemis.

"But a victory nonetheless," she adds, flashing the clone a brief smile.

"We'll talk about this later," Robin interrupts the moment, motioning for the clone to move away with a frustrated glare.

"Whatever," the clone mumbles and trods away.

"Your team is as fractured as Atlantis," the Queen comments, turning to Robin, Kid Flash and Miss Martian.

"And we don't even have half the leader Atlantis does," Robin scolds himself. "I can't even get my team to follow simple orders."

"I wouldn't say that," Wally grins, placing a welcome hand - or fin - on Robin's shoulder.

"You have their respect, young Robin, and in time, you will also have their command. A good leader doesn't make a soldier follow orders. A good leader allows the soldier to follow them. You are well on your way to doing so."

The Queen's words are wise, and quite frankly they are words which Robin needed to hear. Someone just needed to tell him he's doing an okay job at this whole 'leading' thing, and who better than the magnificent Queen of Atlantis herself.

"Then again, I find it intriguing that all of you are here.. considering that word around the League is you are missing.. or presumed dead after the explosion at Mount Justice," the Queen adds, examining the young heroes with a considering gaze.

"About that.. would it be hard to ask that you keep this on the downlow? What we are doing," Robin begins before taking a moment to consider his next words, "we need to do it ourselves. Some for closure.. some for answers."

"Considering my life may well be owed to you, perhaps I shall - as you land-dwellers say - 'turn the other cheek' to this."

"That's all we ask for," Robin says, exchanging a polite nod with the Queen before she swims away.

"So that solves one problem, and begins another," Wally shakes his head.

"Maybe not," M'gann wonders out loud, "We know that the Light has an interest in having Atlantis under Manta's control, so would it be hard to imagine they would like the same for another one of Earth's more mystical lands."

"Theymscira," Robin finishes M'gann's thoughts, nodding to himself.

"The land of the Amazons themselves. For once, this mission might actually be some fun," Kid Flash childishly chuckles, wafting his tail around with excitement.

Apologising mentally beforehand, Robin spoils his fun. "We can't risk it Wall-man. This has to be women-only; I'm pretty sure Themyscira has some serious man-detecting magic, so we are going to sit this one out."

Considering it, M'gann glances over to where Artemis is pondering to herself and then back to the two boys in front of her.

"Well, just me and Artemis aren't going to cover that much ground. I say we bring another girl into the team."

"Who?" Robin incredulously asks, before momentarily realising who the Martian is thinking about. "Of course."

"Zatanna has proven to be useful so far."

"Don't act like you aren't enjoying this Robin, we all know how much you wanted her to be on this team ever si-"

"Shut up Wally!"

A/N

There we go folks, here's another as promised. Please leave a review and let me know how you're feeling about this so far. Without spoiling anything, you might be enjoying the next few chapters!