A.N.: So, This chapter is going to be Depths. Sorry that there isn't another chapter in between this. I couldn't think of more. I do hope you like it though. There will be a few more chapters after this one before the end. I will then start on the prequels and sequels to this one as well as my Percy Jackson story and my Yugioh Zexal and Naruto stories I have come up with.
Shout out to Dextra 2 who was the only one to review the last two chapters yet.
Disclaimer: I do not own.
Ch. 21: Depths
"28…29..30," he hated doing this. It should be him lying there, not her. The repetitive beat was like a drum, dramatizing even more the already brimming scene. "She's dead," he said.
March 19, 11:42 EDT
"They're both going to wind up our responsibility, aren't they?" Mal asked.
"Not necessarily," Nightwing replied, knowing that was a lie. "Bart, Impulse, is staying with Jay and Joan Garret in Central City. Red X, the original Robin, is recuperating in a secure location." Which meant he was at the mansion with Alfred, Jason and Barbara.
"Um, hm," Mal said. "They're both going to wind up our responsibility."
"Doesn't everything?" Superboy retorted. "I mean where are we on identifying the Light's new partner?"
He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "No progress," he answered. It stung, knowing that was his fault. He had set them back with his short Renegade stint. To make matters worse he still had no clue where Tim was.
A familiar laugh brought him out of his contemplation and he looked up as M'gann and La'gaan entered.
"Oh my god," M'gann said, still laughing. "Don't eat so fast."
"I can't help it Angelfish," La'gaan replied in between eating crab cakes from a plate in his hand. "The idea of cooking crabs is amazing enough, but making them into little cakes?"
"Ooh, you're gonna choke,"M'gann said, though she was still laughing slightly.
"If only," he heard Superboy mutter.
"Here," M'gann said, taking a crab cake from the plate. "Let me." Wincing, he gave Superboy a sympathetic look.
"Mm," La'gaan said. "If that's not true love I don't know what is." He was looking directly at Superboy. "Chum."
"Call me when it's time for the debriefing," Superboy said walking towards one of the halls.
"Recognized: Artemis-B07," the computer announced.
Nightwing kept a stoic face as all eyes turned to the archer that was entering the room.
"Time for the briefing," he said, knowing Superboy would hear.
"Artemis!" M'gaan exclaimed, rushing over to her former teammate, in her haste almost knocking the plate of crab cakes out of La'gaan's hands.
"Hi M'gaan," Artemis greeted, returning the hug she had found herself in.
"How's Wally?" M'gaan asked.
"He's…Wally," Artemis replied. The two laughed together.
"Welcome back Girl," Mal said, walking up to Artemis.
"Hey Mal," she replied.
"We have so missed you around here," Superboy said, joining them.
"Conner!"
"I relish this opportunity to finally fight beside you Archer," La'gaan said, joining M'gann.
"Um, thanks La'gaan," Artemis said. Judging by the tone in her voice she had as much trust in La'gaan as he and Superboy did.
"Okay Gamma Squad, listen up," he said, turning all their attention to him. He had activated the main computer's large central screen, a smaller one in front of him. "The mission is Cape Canaveral, covert op. to safeguard the first Mars com. sat. There are people out there who don't even like the idea of aliens and who will do anything to scrub this launch." He resisted the urge to point out a now distressed M'gaan that there were also people who didn't like the idea of clones but she didn't see him, Superboy or Jim worrying about it (At least right now). Right now wasn't the time to let his emotions rule him. They had a mission to do.
"But, that's why I came back," Artemis said to M'gaan. "Because not all of us feel that way."
"So why are you going?" Mal asked him.
"Let's just say that after running this team for a year," he said, moving his wrist and adjusting the glove on it, "I'm peckish for a little action." Not that he hadn't had enough of that already but that was not something he wanted to talk about right now.
Later he found himself standing watch with Artemis from one of Cape Canaveral's towers.
"If nothing else, we have a nice view," Artemis said.
"Miss M.," he said, activating his com. link. "Link us up." He felt the familiar power of her telepathy and immediately his barriers went up, shielding his thoughts.
"Link established," Miss M said.
"Good," he replied. "Begin areal sweep of the Cape's perimeter."
"Hey Boss," La'gaan said. He resisted the urge to groan both aloud and mentally knowing what the Atlantean was going to say. "I'd be happy to join my Angelfish on that assignment."
"Negative Lagoon Boy," he said letting his annoyance known in his tone. "You're right where I need you, giving me maximum coverage in the water, on land and in the air, in case there's any attempt at sabotage."
"I know I'm not Wally's favorite person right now," he said hours later. "But, it is nice to have you back." For a moment, he felt like the 13-year old boy again, still crushing on his best friend's crush.
"It's nice to be back," Artemis replied as she drew out her collapsible bow from her utility belt. "I didn't realize how much I'd been missing it. Which is pretty much exactly what Wally's afraid of." She tested out the bow's string. "He's afraid the rush that comes with the mask will get its hooks in and I won't give it up until my dying day."
Ouch, Wally always had a way with getting to people but that was harsh. She'd been the one who made the decision, not him. If it had been up to him he'd still have still been Renegade and it would be him that would be him the Team would be mourning after this mission, not her.
"I know exactly what you mean," he said.
He definitely wasn't bored as he watched from his perch. The feelings he could sense coming from Superboy and Miss Martian kept his own emotions rolling as he worried whether he had done the right thing putting them together. Judging from what he was allowing himself to receive they were arguing big time, most likely over the whole telepathy thing just as he had shown them less than a week ago. He had to admit he was on Superboy's side on this one. M'gaan had definitely gone too far trying to make Conner forget he was mad at her.
"Eavesdropping?" a familiar voice asked. He rolled his eyes. If anything having a brother/younger twin that he could speak to anytime kept things interesting.
"Like you're one to talk," he replied.
"Whoa, heads up Minnows." La'gaan's voice interrupted. "We've got bad guys. Black Manta's troopers working some kind of platform beneath the surface just offshore. I'm taking them down!"
"Delay that," he ordered, knowing La'gaan would most likely ignore him, but hoping otherwise. "Wait for backup."
"I'll scrounge a rebreather from the cargo hold and help the rookie out," Superboy said.
"Rookie!" Lagoon Boy exclaimed. Nightwing held back a groan. Thanks Conner. Now he was going to be even more likely to run off and get himself kidnapped. "Neptune's Beard. I don't any help from the Boy of Steel."
"Lagoon Boy, stand down!" he ordered, sensing the Atlantean's transformation.
"Sorry, you're breaking up," La'gaan said, followed by the sound of obviously faked static.
"There's no static on the Psychic Link," he exclaimed. He was terrified. As much as he trusted Kaldur he knew Lagoon Boy was still in danger from Black Manta's men. He didn't want to have another Team member kidnapped by the Light like Tim. His terror grew as he used his telepathy and the Psychic Link to discover what was happening. Lagoon Boy was in a serious fight.
"Company!" Artemis alerted, turning his attention to what was happening around him. Black Manta's troopers were coming onto the shore in waves. He watched as Artemis shot a grappling hook with her bow catching their attention. He followed her as she rode the wire down to the ground. The troopers shot at them but always missed. Hiding from them on a dumpster he called Superboy through the psychic link.
"Superboy, you have that rebreather?" he asked.
"Negative," Superboy replied. There was annoyance and exasperation in his voice. "La'gaan didn't restock.
"Then take the Helm," he ordered. "Miss Martian, gill up and help Lagoon Boy. Superboy, we need cover fire down here."
"Acknowledged," M'gann said. "Bio-ship reconfigured for manual flight…La'gann, I'm on my way."
He and Artemis watched as the Bio-ship headed their way and began firing on the troops.
"That's our cue," Artemis said, leaping out from their hiding place. He pulled her down as shots were fired at her.
"I know you're rusty but are TRYING to get yourself killed!" he exclaimed. He suddenly flinched not just because of the close call but because of La'gaan's sudden mental silence in his mind. He leaped up and watched in horror as a missile erupted from the water, heading straight towards the com. sat.
He ducked behind the dumpster again.
"We're on the wrong side of this wall," Artemis said.
"Superboy," he said.
"On it," the clone replied.
He sighed in relief as the bio-ship fired just in time, destroying the missile. The spotlights around the satellite suddenly turned on.
"We're really on the wrong side of this wall," Artemis said.
They watched the bio-ship attack more of the troopers on the other side of the wall before ducking back down.
"The troopers' helmets, designed to enhance vision underwater, right?" Artemis asked as she pulled out a flare arrow and attached it to her bow.
"Move!" he exclaimed as the night erupted with bright light. Both of them jumped over the wall, finally free of the troopers' fire.
Attacking all the troopers in his path, he was still able to keep notice of the Bio-ship destroying another missile that was quickly followed by another. Finally done with his group of troopers, he turned and watched in horror as the one that Artemis had just downed got up again and was about to attack her from behind. He rushed over to her but was too late. Not even a split second after the trooper had started to swing his knife at her; Artemis had turned and knocked him out again with her bow and another arrow.
"What?" she asked shrugging at his surprised expression. "I'm not that rusty."
Sensing a familiar presence and hearing a disturbance in the water, he turned and watched as a familiar Atlantean surfaced from the water. It was time.
"They've taken La'gann," M'gann said. "I'm going after him."
"Priority is the missiles," Superboy said. Sure enough more and more missiles were shooting from the water and attacking the surrounding towers. "There are too many! I'm not keeping up!"
He felt M'gann use her powers to try and destroy the missile launcher only to release the last one. She was able to turn it and make it attack the launcher, sending her flying back. "La'gaan," she thought weakly. He and Artemis shared a mournful glance. M'gann was about to lose more than just La'gaan.
"Kaldur, you don't want to do this," Artemis exclaimed, making him return to the mission at hand.
"I believe I do," Kaldur said, using the water around him to create two swords and a huge dragon which aimed at them.
"Ahh!" he exclaimed as the water threw him back and then continued to do the same with Artemis.
Suddenly, the satellite began to launch. They turned and watched as a missile obviously fired by Kaldur headed towards it. Artemis immediately shot an exploding arrow which was able to intercept the missile.
"The rest on me," she said.
"Artemis, behind you!" he exclaimed, rushing to intercept Kaldur who had a huge water hammer in each hand. He was able to dodge one but the second one hit, throwing him back and allowing Kaldur to attack Artemis with the one that had missed. She stopped it, but Kaldur stabbed her in the chest with a water sword from his other hand.
"Welcome back," Kaldur said.
"Artemis!" he exclaimed in horror, watching Kaldur withdraw the sword and Artemis fall back. He knew that it wasn't real but that didn't stop his heart from feeling like it was.
He rushed over to her. "I've got you," he said, catching her. "Hang on." He gently laid her on the ground.
"Move out," he heard Kaldur order the two troopers that had come with him. "The mission is a failure." Just as he said that the sound of the ship exploding filled the air. He could sense Kaldur's surprise. "We are done here."
He sensed Superboy and Miss Martian join them but he was focused completely on his role. He pretended to pump her chest and blow air into her mouth.
"I can't hear her heartbeat," Superboy said, playing his part.
"28…29..30," he hated doing this. It should be him lying there, not her. The repetitive beat was like a drum, dramatizing even more the already brimming scene. "She's dead," he said.
March 20, 4:00 EDT
Blüdhaven
He stared at the picture he had pulled up on his wrist computer. It was the one he had taken years ago, back when he had still been Robin, naïve of the true darkness of his past. It had been a different life, one he had left behind. He may have let go of his crush on Artemis but he still cared a lot about her. He hated to see this happen
"We'll laugh about this someday," he promised, just as he had done five years ago at the start of school. He had been a strange 13-year-old genius freshman who had suddenly rushed up and taken her picture. She hadn't known his identity then. It had been a simple joke. Now, it was a promise that she would make it back from her mission. He would make sure of it.
The presence of others caught his attention and he turned off his computer, alert.
"Wally?" he asked.
"No," Kaldur said, stepping out from behind a stack of boxes. He nodded his head. They watched as Wally appeared from another spot followed a few seconds later by a hooded figure. The person pulled back their hood to reveal Artemis. Good, they were all there.
I take it our ruse was successful," Kaldur said.
"Almost too successful," he replied. "The Team and the League are in mourning. They may never forgive us."
"And still only we know the secret?" Kaldur asked. He knew why Kaldur didn't mention the others. Though they knew the secret. It was them who would take the fall if this meeting was infiltrated and their cover broken.
""The secret, and the other: that you've been under deep cover within Black Manta's organization since leaving the Team," he replied. "How'd it go on that end?"
"Successful as well," Kadlur said. "I've proven my loyalty to my biological father. He is moving me up the ladder, bringing me closer to the Light and their unknown Partner."
"Not without cost Kaldur," he said, remembering Tim, La'gaan and Artemis as well as his own stint as Renegade. "The Com. Sat. wasn't supposed to be destroyed. And La'gaan definitely wasn't supposed to be captured."
"It was the only way to save his life and maintain my cover," Kaldur said.
"I'm not blaming you," he said, walking over to Kaldur. "I know you've been forced to make impossible decisions. Like choosing between saving the Kroloteans on Malina island,"
"Or saving my friends," Kaldur finished. "I will find a way to help La'gaan and find Tim. You have my word."
He winced. Kaldur still hadn't been able to find Tim or any hint that the Light even had him. They hadn't said anything about it, even during his time as Renegade.
"I'm afraid they are suspicious of Renegade's absence and Red X's disappearance," Kaldur said.
"I figured as much," he replied. "I would be surprised if they weren't." He frowned. Maybe it was time for his original self to become Robin again. It would certainly throw the Light off their game.
"So what now?" Artemis asked.
He walked over to her, holding the glamour charm he had gotten from Zatanna just a few days ago. He put it around her neck.
"Uh, dude, why are you giving bling to my dead girlfriend?" Wally asked.
"Glamour charm," he answered. "Courtesy of Zatanna. Physiomorphic spell, I think. She said it backwards."
"Wow," Wally said, moving to stand beside him and Kaldur. He stared at his girlfriend. "You look…exactly the same."
"To the four of us," he said. "And only us. But to anyone else, you're an entirely different person." The words tugged at something at the back of his mind, a revelation that seemed to be hiding from him.
"The more impressive trick is how you got something so specific from Zatanna," she said, "without revealing who or what it was for."
"We have a history," he replied, ignoring the familiar laughter this caused in his mind from his origin self. He was focused on the beeping that meant their time together here was running out.
"Dog," Wally said, elbowing him.
"It is time," Kaldur said.
Artemis nodded. Wally walked over to her and hugged her which inevitably turned into a kiss. He turned away as Kaldur gave him a solemn glance and left for the dock where the ship was waiting.
"What could go wrong," Artemis said.
"Don't say that," Wally joked.
He walked over to them and with a knowing glance he and Wally headed for the roof while Artemis departed for the dock.
On the roof, they watched as the two entered the ship and it slowly disappeared under water.
"We're through the hard part," he said. "They're in."
"Who are you kidding?" Wally said in the same angry tone he had used with him all night. "It only gets more dangerous from here."
A.N.: Wow! 3,000 words, that's twice my usual size. I just couldn't find a good place to split it without making it uneven. Don't worry. There's still more left before I call this story complete. Probably 1 or 2 more chapters. For those of you who have been sticking through this, you'll get a special treat for March 20th and March 21st SFAB time. These two dates are my and Dick's birthday's. So of course I have to finish this off with it and a surprise.
That being said, I am happy to have written this but sad that it has almost come to an end. Sure there will be prequels and a sequel but I will always love this story.
Please Review so I can update soon.