All characters, settings etc associated with Young Justice and DC, and The Little Mermaid, are not owned by me. I am not making any profit off this fiction venture.

Some lines are from Young Justice Episode 119: Misplaced.

Chapter Warning(s): coarse language, violence, electrocution (the magical kind)

Maelstrom

Kalladura'ham

"We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future."

George Bernard Shaw

29

Mount Justice, Happy Harbor, Rhode Island : November 5, 2010 – 22:36 EDT

"Yes!" I cheer, shooting up and flinging my hands into the air. I continue in Atlantean, ~"La'gaan, thank Poseidon!"~

~::: Aqualass! :::~ he exclaims, grinning wide on the screen, his large red eyes bright.

~"I have been trying to get in touch with Atlantis for hours,"~ I say, dragging my hands over my head as my smile refuses to be tempered.

~::: I think we got your messages, :::~ he says, still grinning, ~::: a few teams have been sent out to those coordinates you gave us. :::~

~"So the same thing occurring on the surface-world has occurred in Atlantis?"~ I ask, my smile disappearing.

~::: All those over 18 disappearing? :::~ He sighs, his grin gone and his new expression making him look at least seven years older, ~::: Yeah. :::~

~"Can you give me a report?"~

~::: Ummm…okay this office is weird, :::~ La'gaan moves out of view of the camera and then he exclaims triumphantly, ~::: Okay, yeah. Atlantis is doing pretty good. :::~ He comes back in view of the camera and explains as he thumbs across a tablet, ~::: The Conservatory and like trained kids have been coordinating transport. The military trained kids have been setting up refugee centres. Guys like Sha'ark are in their city-states dealing with stuff there. I helped out with getting some communication set up. Topo's been helping to keep the minds of the youngest off all of this. :::~

He looks up, ~::: We saw your broadcast, by the way. :::~

~"Atlantis is doing well then?"~

~::: Yeah. Not many have been trained for an…event like this but some of the oldest have been trained for if they have to take leadership of a squad or something so they've been kind of taking command here. :::~

~"Good. Does Atlantis require my presence?"~

~::: Um…maybe? :::~ He rubs the back of his neck nervously.

I cannot restrain my suffering sigh.

~::: I guess things are worse on the surface? :::~ He ventures carefully, ~::: What with how many more people there, and well, planes and stuff – I heard planes crashed into the Pacific, South Atlantic...Lots of human kids on there…I do not…we don't have a casualty list or anything yet. That isn't really a priority right now. With the healers and stuff gone though the sick kids aren't doing very well. We are trying to help but… :::~

~"Keep doing what you are doing, La'gaan. I need to remain on the surface, try to end this."~

~::: Okay. I mean. :::~ He straightens his shoulders, deepens his voice and says seriously, ~::: Understood. :::~

~"Aqualass out."~

He salutes me then I kill the connection and rest my face in my hands.

At least Atlantis is doing relatively well.

There are too many things to think about. If this was just national I could handle this easily enough, get assistance from Atlantis, but it is planet-wide. We are on our own and I, as leader, have to consider everything.

I will never understand why all of those supervillains want to rule the world. It is far too stressful.

I want guidance. The entire planet is relying on the Team, and the Team is relying on me, and I do not know what to do.

I press the heels of my hands against my eyes then stand from my desk. I grab my tablet and promptly add to the list I had begun compiling after everyone had completed their initial assignments and spread out to help at a variety of refugee centres.

Vehicles – planes, trains, cars, subways, ships, boats
Communication – all social media (Pansy + webmasters of R & KF's fansites), establish info hub, compile documents for (refugee centres, medical emergencies, infrastructure emergencies, areas to stay out of etc.), planetwide video (hope, togetherness, kids etc.), spread to mystic online comm (Zatanna + Atlantis)
Atlantis
Areas without Internet access? - get oldest kids to start a chain?, distribute via Bio-Ship etc? outsource to Atlantis? – can Atlantis afford that?
Refugee Centres – blankets, food, water, first-aid, radios, smartphones, TVs, computers, major cities have one for each district (rec centres, schools, town halls, malls, shelters etc.)
Medical Centres – focus on largest kids' hospitals get partners to as many as possible, collaborate, distribute advice for immediate emergencies, those already gone?, panic attacks?, R – compile database of areas with immediate medical equipment available and precise purposes…get a fucking medical degree in the next ten minutes

Nabu would be helpful now.

Is sacrificing one of us necessary though? Could Nabu even reverse all of this himself? We need to know more about how this occurred before I will be able to bring myself to losing one of the Team, or myself, to Nabu perhaps needlessly.

I look up from my tablet as I walk into the souvenir room to find Wally staring at the Helmet.

"I finally got through to Atlantis," I report. "No adults there either."

"So just how desperate are we?" he asks, looking at the Helmet.

"We both know that anyone who puts on the Helmet and allows Nabu to posses him or her will never be released from being Doctor Fate," I say.

"So, not that desperate."

"Not yet."

But it is getting really close.

"Guys," Zatanna cuts in, walking into the room. "I-I'm ready to try my father's locater spell."

Thank Poseidon.

The Team gathers in the aptly nicknamed War Room. Robin pulls up a projection of the planet and Zatanna holds her hands and wand out to it. Her voice echoes, "Etacol retnecipe fo yrecros!"

A circle appears at the epicentre of the sorcery and Robin confirms, "Coordinates locked: Roanoke Island. You did it."

Zatanna lowers her hands silently.

I ask, stepping forward, "Robin, can you get Rocket authorization for the zeta-tubes?"

He looks at me, surprised, then nods, "Yeah."

I pull up Rocket's cell number and call her via the Cave.

::: Hey, ::: she answers her phone.

"Rocket, it is Aqualass. You are in Dakota City?"

::: Yeah. :::

"Head to the alley off 17th and 6th," I order, pulling up the coordinates for the zeta-tube in Dakota City.

::: Any particular reason why? :::

"You want to help take down the people who did this, right?"

::: Heck yes. But how – there is nothing but a phone booth here. :::

"Walk into it."

::: Okay…but if this is something – hello, ::: she stops talking for a moment.

/ Recognized, Rocket A04. /

"What in the name of-" Rocket spins around, staring at the interior of the zeta-tube. She turns back around to look at us, "Did you just teleport me?"

"Basically," says Robin.

"Rocket, welcome to the Cave. You know myself, Robin and Kid Flash. This is Superboy, Artemis, Miss Martian and Zatanna. Team, Rocket." I turn and gesture to the holographic projection of the planet, "This is where the source of the sorcerer responsible for this is."

"Right," says Rocket. "Is this normal for you guys?"

"This is a little weird," Artemis admits.

"Alright, so what's the plan?" asks Rocket.

I answer, "Striking hard and fast is generally the best way to-"

Pop!

"It works!"

Rocket shrieks and shoots into the air beside the boy, simultaneously surrounding the black haired boy of about 10 with one of her force-bubbles.

"Who are you?" I ask immediately, striding forward, "Where did you come from?"

"Quick, read my mind!" the boy exclaims.

M'gann gasps, "He's Captain Marvel!"

Rocket looks sharply at M'gann, "What?"

"Yeah, and I'm Speedy Gonzalez," Kid Flash snorts. "Look, just because he believes he's Captain Marvel-"

"Gee, Wally, do I really have to bring you nachos and pineapple juice to get on your good side?" the kid smirks.

What.

"How did you…" I trail off, staring at the child.

"I transform into an adult, duh," he says, shaking his head. He flashes a grin at Rocket, "Hi. You must be Rocket. Billy Batson slash Captain Marvel, at your service."

Rocket glances at me. I nod and she lowers the force-bubble.

Billy continues, "Okay, so look, there are two dimensions. This one, the one with all the kids," he gestures around us, "and the one Captain Marvel can go to, with all of the adults."

"That does explain the sorcery," Zatanna says. "Split into two dimensions, but that-"

"Is very powerful sorcery," I continue, crossing my arms over my chest. "It goes against the order of the universe, the mystic energies that comprise the universe, so to sustain an artificial split of one dimension into two would require-"

"The sorcerers responsible to keep up the spell the entire time," Zatanna finishes. "Which is why the sorcerer isn't moving from Roanoke. But they would need at least one kid sorcerer and one adult sorcerer to keep this up, so that they can maintain the spell in either dimension without disrupting the already present mystic energies even more and forcing the dimensions to collide with one another again like they're supposed to."

"There are any number of adult sorcerers to choose from, but I can think of only one child who would have the power and focus necessary to uphold this sort of spell," I say, turning to Zatanna.

"Klarion," Zatanna surmises.

"Simply disrupting Klarion's concentration and therefore his spell will not be enough though. Doing so would simply result in-"

"His mystic energy being lost and either one or both of the dimensions being torn apart by the competing mystic forces," Zatanna finishes, furrowing her brow. "Ugh."

"Or the adult sorcerer or sorcerers themselves would be torn apart for trying to keep the dimensions from merging like they're supposed to," I muse. "Our only option then is a coordinated attack." I glance at mini-Captain Marvel, "You can travel to the adult's world and communicate with the League, correct?"

"Yup! What do you want me to say?" asks Billy.

"We need a coordinated, simultaneous attack. That will be the key to this mission, despite the uncertainties regarding our opponents. Striking hard and fast, simultaneously, is generally the most effective strategy against sorcery. We will have to hope that our theory is strong and the two dimensions will revert to their natural state and merge back into one."

"Got it!" he mock-salutes me. "I'll tell Batman!" He shouts something. And vanishes.

I blink, staring at the spot he had previously been standing in.

"That was freaky," Rocket comments, looking between Zatanna and I. "You two sure about this?"

I glance at Zatanna. She shrugs, looking uncertain, "Without knowing who the sorcerers involved are...well, anything is dangerous so I don't really…"

"Theoretically there are very few ways one could accomplish splitting a dimension into two so precisely," I explain. "In sorcery the natural state of something is 99% of the time the most powerful. If all goes according to plan the dimensions should revert to their natural state when those manipulating it are disrupted. It should work."

I hope.

"So…who's Klarion?" asks Rocket.

"He's a Lord of Chaos, basically a god," Zatanna says.

"Think of the most annoying person you know, multiply that by about a thousand, and then add in the ability to do whatever they want," Robin says. "And a cat."

Rocket grimaces.

"That would be Klarion," I say.

"You know, I like cats, but I think I'll make an exception this time," Rocket comments.

"Can your force-fields contain magic?" I ask.

"I have no idea. I know that kinetic energy makes my bubbles stronger," Rocket answers. "So, you know, punching it will just strengthen it. I can store that kinetic energy in the belt too, and then use it to power myself up."

"Try containing Zatanna."

Zatanna raises her eyebrows as a bubble forms around her. She raises her hands and recites, "Yortsed S'tekcor elbbub!"

There's a moment of hesitation, then the bubble explodes into nothingness.

"Dang, that could have made it a whole lot easier," says Rocket, lowering her hands. "Was that backwards?"

Zatanna nods.

"Cool."

November 6, 2010 – 00:42 EDT

"The Helmet is an absolute last resort," I state as I put the Helmet of Fate into a duffel bag after we finalized the plan. "It will not be used unless I give the word. Am I understood?"

The Team murmurs their agreement.

I look pointedly at Zatanna and rest my hand on her shoulder, keeping her from following the rest of the team into the Bio-Ship, "Zatanna, you should know that Nabu is searching for a host capable of wielding immense mystic power. We are the only magical members of this team and the only reason Nabu let me go was because of Kent Nelson. If you put on this Helmet, the chances of Nabu letting you go are extremely low. You are his ideal host."

"You don't want me to put it on," she says, licking her lips.

"No, I do not. You have much to live for beyond being Doctor Fate."

"You'll put it on though."

"Because I have a greater chance of being released. You have virtually no such chance."

Zatanna nods. She looks frightened, but resolute. It is the latter that concerns me.

Roanoke Island : November 6, 2010 – 01:12 EDT

With Zatanna having hidden the Helmet nearby, the Team enters. Artemis and Robin move in first, distracting Klarion with their projectiles. Klarion, having clearly sensed his charmed defenses being broken, turns and brings up a shield that successfully blocks the projectiles. He sneers, "That the best you've got?"

He retaliates with a blast of magic that Rocket attempts to block for Artemis and Robin, but fails, the magic ripping right through the force bubble. Superboy, Kid Flash and I advance on Klarion immediately.

A bright red force-field pops up from the pentagram and I'm sent flying backwards thanks to it. I hit the ground and inwardly curse as I roll over swiftly and grab my fallen water-bearer.

I shoot up and sprint around the enclosed pentagram, searching for some sort of opening.

::: Zatanna, can you spot anything? ::: I ask.

::: No, ::: she answers and out of the corner of my eye I can see her behind me, getting to her feet. She must have gotten hit. To my right, Teekl –who has grown to the size of Wolf – occupies Superboy, and Miss Martian has yet to stop chucking boulders at the force-field.

::: Can you channel mystic energy? ::: I ask.

Zatanna answers promptly, ::: I should be able to. :::

Mystic energy shoots up from the pentagram and on impact Artemis and Robin are thrown back and knocked unconscious. I snap up my hands, barely managing to catch the mystic energy before it collides with my chest. I shout, the mystic energy surging up my channels and ripping across my body. I grit my teeth and look up, glaring at Klarion through the red force-field. He frowns and the force behind the mystic energy increases.

I scream.

::: Don't shout, Billy. I've linked you to the rest of the Team telepathically, ::: Miss Martian says abruptly.

I grit my teeth, feeling blood drip from my nose as the mystic energy slices past my armour. I buckle and drag my fingers across the ground. It hurts. It hurts. Dammit, it hurts.

::: That is so coo – it's the gem, at the centre of the pentagram! Destroy it, and we win! ::: Billy exclaims.

I push myself up to my feet and glare at Klarion, now focusing most of his sorcery on me, trying to take me out. Behind him is the gem stuck into the ground at the centre of the pentagram. I turn my head back to where I know Zatanna is – I need a distraction. But she's reaching for the Helmet instead.

"ZATANNA!" I shriek, suddenly numb to the pain rippling across my body.

I whip around, the mystic energy surging across my body as I flick my hands out towards Zatanna. I send the mystic energy slicing past my armour straight into my channels. It surges through my channels and out of my hands as electrical charges that slam right into Zatanna. She screams and careens backwards, the Helmet clattering to the ground behind her.

::: What the fuck are you on girl? ::: Rocket exclaims and I see her diving down.

"You just shot your own te – The Helmet? You brought Nabu!" Klarion shouts in excitement, the mystic energy attacking me vanishing for a split-second in his excitement.

I take advantage of the split-second given and scramble forward. The mystic energy returns quickly though and I ignore the pain rushing across my body, the dirt burning beneath my hands and feet as I work to send the suddenly returned mystic energy into the ground instead of inside my body. I can feel my channels beginning to bleed, my nose spurting blood as the strain on my body grows.

"No!" Klarion shouts and I hit the ground next to Zatanna, screaming in agony as the mystic energy surging into my body intensifies. "You're ruining it!"

Zatanna rolls to the side, narrowly avoiding a blast of mystic energy from Klarion, and I push myself onto my hands and knees, trying to restrain my screams. It feels like my skin is being peeled away from my body, like my blood is boiling right out of its veins. Tens of millions of shots are being fired at my muscles from the inside, making me jerk and twitch as I reach out with one of my hands for the Helmet. The tips of my fingers brush across the smooth metal and the glow from my channels intensifies as the mystic energy surges from them into the Helmet.

Zatanna shouts, scrambling to her feet, "TEMLEH OT EM!"

The Helmet flies out of my reach and into her hands. She shoves it on her head.

I scream. I don't know whether it's because I know Zatanna is gone now, or because of the pain, but I scream.

Then the pain is gone.

My head hits the ground. I taste copper. My entire body is shaking from the exertion of trying to keep the mystic energy away from the others and away from my vital organs. My entire body is tingling. I want to cry in relief.

"Klarion, this ends now," Zatanna as Nabu declares.

I push myself onto my feet, pushing away the trembling, well aware that I cannot fall right now.

::: Billy, tell Zatara, ::: Miss Martian orders. Billy vanishes from the link and Miss Martian darts over to me, grabbing my shoulder and wincing at the blood that comes away on her glove, ::: Aqualass, are you-? :::

::: Rocket, get Robin and Artemis to safety, ::: I order. ::: Kid, you're grabbing the gem. Miss Martian, with me. :::

A murmur of agreement crosses the link and Rocket grabs Robin and Artemis to set them down behind us, sheltered in the corn.

I create a pair of hammers and dart towards Klarion's force-field. I put every ounce of my anger into pummelling that damn force-field. Miss Martian flings a pile of boulders at the force-field on the opposite side, her anger palpable through the psychic-link.

Zatanna!Fate vanishes, replaced by merely Zatanna, then Fate returns, and back again. Klarion laughs, "See? When the world's divided, the Helmet splits too! You're not all here, Nabu, and you're losing hold on that poor, soon-to-be dead girl! Oh poor girl, she gave herself for nothing!"

"No, Witch-Boy. Fate decrees her sacrifice will not be in vain."

I pound away at the force-field. On the opposite side, Miss Martian does the same. I do not restrain myself, not this time, and Zatanna!Fate sends a surge of mystic energy so immense I can feel my hair stand on end.

Klarion is shouting protests, but the force-field is falling. A large golden ankh is used to restrain him and I turn, shouting, "Kid!"

Kid Flash darts out of the cornfield and in the next instant he's next to Miss Martian and holding the gem. He tosses it up to Zatanna!Fate. She grabs it and recites, "Yam eht owt emoceb eno ecno erom!"

Four adult sorcerers – Felix Faust, Wotan, Wizard and Blackbriar Thorn – appear on the remaining points of the pentagram and collapse.

"Boy, they sure don't make evil immortal sorcerers like they used to," comments Klarion. He snaps his fingers, "Oh well. It was fun while it lasted." The golden ankh vanishes and he rises, calling for his familiar, "Teekl!"

Teekl bounds away from trying to pin Conner while contained in one of Rocket's force-bubbles, and slips through the bubble. Teekl shrinks back to normal size and leaps into Klarion's arms. They vanish through a portal, with Klarion taunting, "See you later armadillos – unless I see you first! Hahahaha!"

I hate Klarion.

Behind me are Batman, Zatara, Red Tornado and Captain Marvel, restraining the sorcerers, but I really do not care right now. Zatanna is still Doctor Fate.

"Aren't you gonna stop him?" exclaims Kid Flash, looking up at Zatanna!Fate.

"To what end? Klarion is Chaos personified, he cannot be contained."

"Nabu," I snap, drawing attention to myself. "Release her."

"No."

"You can't do that!" shouts Artemis.

"She has her own life!" adds Robin.

"Kent would never allow you to-"

Zatanna!Fate cuts off Kid Flash, "Kent Nelson did object, strenuously, so I released him to proceed to the afterlife. He is gone."

There's a moment, then I step forward and remark, "She is not an ideal host for a Lord of Order, Nabu Although her body has a natural affinity for the mystic forces she is physically fragile and will perish due to the stress that will be put upon her in the actions required of Doctor Fate. There are other options."

"You offer yourself, again."

"No," I shake my head. "I...am needed here. But I know people who would take the mantle of Doctor Fate."

Zatara steps past me and says, "Such as myself." He lifts his arms up, "Take me instead. My skills are already at their peak and I am physically stronger, better able to withstand the strain of your power."

I start, "That is not-"

"All true. But if I remove the Helmet, what guarantee do I have that you will don it?"

"My word," says Zatara. "Ekat em daetsni."

Zatanna as Doctor Fate lands in front of Zatara and removes the Helmet. Zatanna blinks a couple times then looks up and her eyes widen in delight, "Dad!"

"Zatanna," Zatara moves forward, embracing her in a hug.

I spread my lips into a thin line, fighting the urge to pluck the Helmet out of Zatanna's hand and just shove it on my head. I need to get my head in the game and keep it there. I have to stay here. Annex was right. Right?

"Remember, I love you," Zatara kisses his daughter's forehead then pulls away, taking the Helmet of Fate from her. He turns to us, focusing on Batman, "Take care of my girl."

"You have my word," says Batman.

Zatara puts on the Helmet to the tune of Zatanna shouting, "No, please! This was my fault! Dad don't! DAD!"

Zatara is Doctor Fate.

I shut my eyes tightly for a moment then open them to see that nothing has changed. Zatara is still Doctor Fate. He rises into the air, taking the adult sorcerers with him, completely ignoring Zatanna.

"Leave these to Fate."

Zatanna buckles, staring up at the spot where her father had vanished as Doctor Fate. Kid Flash, Artemis and Robin dart towards her.

Rocket lands beside me, hugging herself as she stares at Zatanna. She glances at me and asks softly, "It always like this?"

"No," I answer. "This was a bad day."

Mount Justice, Happy Harbor, Rhode Island : November 6, 2010 – 02:42 EDT

I am currently alone in the Cave, save for Red Tornado that is. Technically. He's running diagnostics though so he is out of commission for a few hours.

The others are with their families. Well, technically Zatanna is with Batman and Robin, and Conner is with Black Canary but…it is all relative. Black Canary and Conner may as well be family. Zatanna…

I contacted my parents, Annex, and Anassa the instant the others left, confirming that I was in fact alive and I was, all things considered, fine. Although it is obvious that my parents wish to see me I know that they understand my responsibilities to Atlantis, to the planet, and they are prepared for not seeing me for another week or so.

Annex and Anassa, as the rulers of Atlantis, obviously have to do quite a bit to assist in the recovery from the dimension split. I would logically so be one of the last priorities on their list. I merely contacted them to assure myself that they were well – I never did consider what would happen to those who were pregnant during the split, such as Anassa Mera. It turns out they were still entirely treated as adults and sent to the adult world. Annex was well as well. Contacting them also ensured that they were not concerned for me or the Team or the rest of the League either so that would be another task marked off their undoubtedly lengthy list of things to check on and do.

I need to just…be by myself for a bit.

I need to analyze what happened so that I can get back into a less-emotional headspace and write my report.

The casualty lists are beginning to come in though. A bunch of kids died, either from the vehicles that crashed or from medical equipment failing, or from surgeons vanishing in the middle of operations, or from any other number of causes. More than just Katie's younger brother died.

I checked the lists from Metropolis, but they are not completed yet. Once they are I will have to check on Lee, Casey and Carver. Poseidon, I hope they survived.

We could not save everyone. That would have been impossible. I just…have to remember that.

All of those kids though!

Zatanna lost her father, even though I could have…if I was better suited for sorcery I could have…

I could have done a lot of things.

I glance down at my arms, bandages covering them, complete with charms. I will be able to remove the bandages soon. The damage was not terrible.

I rest my forehead on the desk and my hands clench into fists beside my head. I grit my teeth and try to force myself to smile, to get some endorphins running through my system. The endorphins are there for an instant then they vanish and I rise sharply, beginning to pace my bedroom. The bedroom is too constricting. Too small.

I head for the training rooms. Rhythmically, I begin to pummel the training post. I block its arms and kick its core. Soon, I'm just hitting it. There's no rhythm to my movements. I'm just shouting and hitting things, relishing the sting that arises across my knuckles when I hit too hard or off-angle. My bare foot stings as I kick the post and send it ripping up from the floor and flying across the room.

A frustrated, strangled shriek rises from my throat.

I move to the next training post and begin to pummel it.

WHUMP!

I am not as good at long-distance as some others, such as Roy or Artemis, but I have been trained. I can survive long-distance.

WHUMPWHUMP!

I can survive anywhere with enough water. I am a survivor. Just like Matim.

CRRSH!

Just like Patera and just like Matim taught me.

WHUMP!

Unlike those kids.

I can take down anyone. I simply cannot save everyone.

WHUMPWHUMP!

I cannot save a 14-year-old witch from Fate. I cannot save her father.

CRRSH!

I cannot save a child from an illness.

CRACK!

I cannot save hundreds of children from simultaneously crashing land vehicles, ships, and aircraft.

CRACKRRSHUMP!

The training post collides with the opposite wall. I had kicked it clear out of its constraints.

Damn.

I can only take down the enemy and then save the innocent. It should be the opposite – save the innocent then take down the enemy.

I toss the training post with the rest of the ruined equipment then head to the showers, stripping as I walk. I stand beneath the spray of the shower for a few minutes then begin to rip off my bandages. My arms are basically healed, but there are still a few spots where blood seeps through. I hadn't taken a shower after the mission either. I couldn't. I just went straight to trying to work on the report and contact my parents, Annex, and Anassa.

Dirt and blood is pulled off my body and swirls down at my feet before retreating to the drain. The water is stained now. Disgusting, like that sewer water in Gotham when we were hunting Clayface.

Clayface. When my focus was shot. When my head was not with the surface-world. When I tried in vain to focus but then Bialya happened and I lost it all. Then Taipei happened and Sportsmaster planted that seed – You really think there's a mole on your team? Then India happened and I needed to seize back control. Then the telepathic training exercise that went wrong – the exercise where Artemis died, where I was more of a soldier than I was Aqualass, than I was the leader. The exercise where I lost my focus entirely, where my head was in the wrong place and because of that the entire team died.

It was a train for failure exercise, but…no. No, I cannot accept that. I cannot accept that there was no possible way for us to succeed in that exercise, in that mission. Accepting that will merely pave the way for more beliefs of inevitable failure, for giving up before it – whatever 'it' may be – even starts. People say that certain situations are unwinnable, that certain people are undefeatable. That is based on reputation, is it not? And reputation rarely displays every truth of the situation or person in question. I would know, a king, a monarch who cannot afford to show any signs of weakness, who must always present himself as indomitable, trained me. I could not how myself as weak, to do so would just lead to an onslaught of insults because according to many a girl cannot be training to be a superhero, she is too fragile.

Then Harm happened – Artemis asked me after that incident if Atlantis had ghost stories. I directed her to all of the books in the library on Atlantis. Zatanna started trying to find out more about that sword, and asked me about any enchanted weaponry Atlantis had. Surface-dwellers are always unnerved by the power Atlantis's weapons hold. It always scares them.

Matim knew of that fear and I suspect that she exploited that when she hurt the humans she did. She's killed so many people. She's done so many terrible things, all in the apparent name of protecting those she cares about. My parents were, or are, I do not even know anymore, criminals. They try to stop, but it keeps pulling them back in. Their pasts keep coming back to them.

I lean heavily against the wall, the water rushing over my body in a steady tune that keeps me calm.

Blood does not matter. I know that, I have always known that. Who raises you though…that matters. That has to matter.

A man who spent much of his life fighting for a terrorist, a man who felt such anger that he left his family and started killing, a man desperate for respect, that man raised me. A woman desperate to keep the people around her safe, desperate to prove herself against the assertions of those who said that she would amount to nothing but great evil, desperate to find someone who cared about her no matter what, desperate to destroy any hint of the pain she experienced as a child and anything related to it and so she killed, that woman raised me.

I suppose I really am their daughter.

I have spent my nights before this tossing and turning, dreaming of my parents in chains, of Atlantis turning against me, of Annex shouting that I was a traitor. Of Topo and La'gaan tossing away their figurines of me, of Tula and Garth just looking at me with such distaste that I feel physically ill.

I am their daughter. I am on the other side though, because they wanted to spare me of the horrors of their lives. They wanted me to have better experiences, to be better. I suppose that is common, parents wanting their children to be better people than them.

Matim was right to tell me to consider where my duties lie – with Annex or with Atlantis – but I knew the answer even before she asked.

Originally, I was trained as a soldier, but Batman and Annex were right. I cannot behave as a soldier. I cannot behave like an unimportant face in the ranks. I cannot be a soldier.

Those children, when I came to their aid they were so happy, so joyous. They saw me as their saviour, as a hero.

Soldiers are frightening to many children. I know that. That is why often when children are involved, Annex and I are called in, or the soldiers involved manage to secure the area long enough for them to get rid of their more frightening accessories and rescue the child. That is why I had to learn the lyrics to all of The Little Mermaid songs.

I am not a soldier. I am not a soldier because I cannot be one. Since taking on the name of Aqualass my duties have lain with Atlantis. We were born from a warrior culture so Atlantis has many soldiers and many of those soldiers double as heroes. Atlantis does not need more soldiers, does not need more women and men following orders and swimming in lines, their ranks displayed proudly. Atlantis needs people like Matim and Patera, people who question the orders, who refuse to swim in lines, who argue for change. Atlantis needs to change, and the hands of the soldiers are tied.

I cannot be a soldier. The hands of the soldiers are lashed to the will of their superiors. Superiors who, I loathe to say, may be restricting Atlantis from the change it so desperately needs.

I need to be a hero. I need to be a leader. For those children, for the Team, for Atlantis and for my parents.

But I cannot do anything for Atlantis right now except stay out of the way. Matim is correct. If I try to help her that will simply be construed as Aqualass conducting herself in a, possibly, treasonous manner. If I try to help her and patera that will simply delegitimize Aqualass further. It will simply give the Purists more reason to protest against me, to attack.

They are all correct – Matim, Batman, Annex – I need to focus on the surface-world. I need to get my head in the game. I need to play this damn game and to do so successfully I need to keep only an eye on Atlantis. For now.

Okay.

I grab the soap and quickly lather myself.

I can do this.

I rinse then shut off the water and stand there, dripping, staring at the tiles on the opposite wall.

I have to do this.

With my ripped bandages in hand I stride out of the shower room and grab my dirty uniform. With the uniform and bandages in hand I head out of the locker room and bypass the room with the zeta-tube. My channels glow as I keep the dripping water from hitting the floor.

/ Recognized, Red Arrow B06. /

I still with one foot in the living room then glance down at myself.

Right. I am naked, and surface-dwellers have a rather overt objection to nudity. In Atlantis there are rules prohibiting it in particular circles and after you hit 11 you're expected to adhere to those rules, but otherwise nudity is simply…not taken quite as seriously as the Surface takes it.

"Kalla?"

I stomp down my instinct to go make sure that he is okay and instead sprint across the room and to the stairwell. I reach my bedroom in record time and throw on a clean uniform.

"Kalla?" Roy calls from outside my room. "Can I come in?"

"Of course," I say, tossing my dirty uniform and bandages into my closet. I will clean them up later.

"Fuck," he says, walking in. He is in uniform. He crosses the room in three long strides then wraps his hands around my biceps, looking frightened, "You're okay?"

I nod, my hands moving to his wrists, "I am fine. You?"

"I didn't have to do the shit you did." He hesitates. He licks his lips then nods, "Yeah, I'm good."

"What have you heard?" I question with a frown, unwilling to release his wrists just yet.

"Everything, I think," he answers. "You should have been in the adult world."

I cock an eyebrow.

"You're more mature than me."

I keep my mouth shut, though I could argue that.

He frowns, "You're blaming yourself for the Doctor Fate stuff aren't you?"

I sigh and step back, gesturing as I speak, "I am the only other magical member on the team. If I were more proficient, if I could do more with it, then perhaps the pressure of the magical support would not have all been on Zatanna and we would not have required the Helmet."

"It would have ripped you apart, using more magic," Roy points out logically, crossing his arms. "Your arms," he scans the small drops of blood on my channels, "that was probably from you trying to channel too much magic again."

I stare at my arms and shake my head, "Yes, but if my physiology were proper then this would not have happened."

"You don't know that. You're gonna drive yourself insane if you focus on 'what if's,' and you know it. You've told me that enough times. There's still a chance that Zatanna can get her dad back. Maybe Nabu will give him up."

"You have never worn the Helmet," I argue, growing irritated by the fact that he is trying to be logical when I do not want logic, I just want him to listen. "Nabu will never let Zatara go. He almost did not let me go, despite my apparent potential."

"You still saved the entire planet," Roy says. "Fuck, Kalla, I need that rubber band again. If it weren't for what you did then the casualties would be a lot higher than they are. You ruled the entire world. I just contained mobs of angry parents and tried to get in touch with you."

"I am glad you are well, Roy," I remark.

Silence. Although he looks as though he wishes to say something.

I start quickly, "Bu-"

"I've been a jerk lately," he says.

I blink, shut my mouth, then open it again and remark, "I am not blameless. I have been…off since this Team formed, and then chose me to lead. It was a surprise and I did not adapt well to it. I fear you have taken the brunt of my frustration over it. For that, I apologize."

He shrugs, "I knew you were frustrated. I just did a crap job at helping. Which, yeah, sorry."

"In regards to this mole issue," I venture cautiously, "I still do not believe that there is a mole. I have faith in my team. But," I lick my lips and continue slowly, "I recognize that my position within the Team may give me some blindspots. Spots that, if there is a mole on the Team – which I do not believe – could have been exploited during my investigation."

He keeps his mouth shut, though I can tell that he wants to say something.

"As such," I say, "if you wish to continue your investigation then go ahead-"

His eyebrows shoot up.

I add hastily, "But, I do not wish to hear any specifics of the investigation. If you find concrete evidence of a mole, then tell me, tell Batman, tell Black Canary and tell Red Tornado. I do not want to hear anything that is based on your dislike of the members of my team. I want facts."

"Absolutely," he nods. "Facts. You know, I can be a decent detective."

"This also does not give you free reign to be a jerk to anyone on my team. They are my friends and you have been cruel to them and I do not appreciate that at all. Your cruelty to them only makes my job harder."

He nods, "Okay."

"Understood?"

"Yeah."

I cross my arms dubiously, "Tell me."

He recites, "I can investigate but I have to do everything I can to not let my personal feelings get in the way. You only want facts, which I can spread to the supervisors of your team plus you, and I have to not be an asshole to your team. And," he side-eyes me, "apparently I need to be treated like a child."

"Apologies. I have been in Leader Mode for too long." I shut my eyes and rub the bridge of my nose, "Apologies."

"I guess leading a group of hormonally charged superpowered teenagers is pretty stressful."

"I have had a realization recently, which both lifts a load and puts another one on me," I explain, rubbing up to my eyebrows. "Also, I had a few long conversations with Matim that were…eye-opening."

"About what?"

"I would prefer not to speak of it right now," I yawn, my limbs growing heavier by the second.

"How long have you been up?"

"What time is it?" I ask.

"Six in the morning."

My eyebrows shoot up. How long was I in the shower?

"Kalla?" Roy ventures, taking one of my wrists and pulling it away from my face. "It's six a.m."

"Over a day," I say. "The exhaustion just hit me."

"Everyone knows we keep fucked-up hours and go for days without sleeping because of missions – but your mission was to effectively rule the entire planet and defeat a Lord of Chaos. Pretty sure even Batman slept after that."

"Batman may have. I doubt that Annex has."

"Yeah, but he's in charge of a country. I doubt any world leader got any sleep last night, this morning, whatever. You're in charge of a group of teenagers, all of whom are probably sleeping." He pushes me toward my bed, "Go to sleep. I'm sleeping in whatever room is across from yours."

"That's Artemis's."

He pauses at the door then glances back at me, "I can work with that."

I nod then flop onto my waterbed. I stare at the ceiling, trying to will myself to remove my uniform and get in my surface-world pyjamas.

Wait.

Oh Poseidon, he is going to go through her things.

I shoot up and across the hallway, "Roy!"

"Shit!" he shouts, throwing a book at my face.

I catch the book – Alice in Wonderland – and set it on Artemis' dresser. I raise an eyebrow at him, "You cannot go through her things."

"I'm investigating."

"There are things in a teenage girl's room that she does not want anyone – much less a guy who hates her – finding," I state, grabbing his hand and dragging him out of her room.

"What the hell do you have in your room?" he asks incredulously.

"A hidden gateway to the lair of the kraken," I deadpan, releasing him in the hallway.

"You didn't go through anyone's things during your investigation did you?"

"Because I respect boundaries."

"When you're investigating someone there are no boundaries that cannot be crossed."

"Do not cross them when I am in the same building."

"Fine. I'll sleep in the TV room." He turns and begins to walk away then barks, "That was a pretty terrible investigation though if you didn't even rifle through their things!"

"Goodnight, Roy!" I retort.

"Morning," he points out with a smirk then walks around the corner.

I roll my eyes then head back into my bedroom for some much-needed sleep. It's the first decent sleep I have had in weeks. Finally, I know my job, I know what I need to do. It's a welcomed relief.

A/N: 119 is done. Halleluiah.

Also, I do what I want. Because Raquel.

R&R