My conscience slipped back into place slowly, like a feather falling down to the ground. Where am I? All I can remember is a darkness and the voice, the one thing that connected me to anything other than my own thoughts. A groan escaped my lips and without thinking, I reached up to rub my pounding head. My eyes fluttered… wait fluttered? My vision came into view and I was surprised to see my surroundings. There was a thick cloth like material covering the area providing shelter. Multiple machines connected by random cords scattered around the structure. No one seemed to notice that I was awake, they all seemed to be focused on their own individual works. This is definitely not how I pictured the Lab. There was no glass, no halls, a few scientists… Am I just in a tent? I have always assumed I was in a building of some sort, what happened to that? I looked down and fear and anxiety roared inside one, clawing at the pit of my stomach like a lion into its meal. My hands were bond to a chair with thick steel arms. My eyes traveled down to inspect my body. This is the first time I am seeing any part of myself with my own eyes. I have pretty chocolate toned skin, that much is clear to see. My legs were covered by black pants, and combat boots up to my knees. I was wearing a light blue crop top, leaving my arms and stomach area exposed. On my hip was a squared off holster, I opened it up to find a small pole. I wonder why this is with me.
A man with long blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail, with blue eyes and a long white lab coat walked up to me in my fit. A deep smirk played on his lips and his eyes looked at me with a sense of superiority that made me shrink in comparison yet I could feel myself getting angry, though the reason was unclear. I tried to calm myself, clenching my hand into a fist and though my entire body screamed hostility deep down and even in my eyes all I could feel is fear.
"Archangel, I hope your awakening hasn't been too uncomfortable." I recognize that voice. It is THE voice. The only voice i have ever known. The one voice that spoke to me in the darkness. It is him.
"Allow me to introduce myself, although I trust you recognize my voice. You may call me Dr. Oz, I am your master. I created you for the purpose of-"
"Bringing on the apocalypse and progressing the succession of the Light." I recited from memory. He gave me a knowing smirk. He must approve of my answer.
"I'm glad your mind is focused, Archangel. Today will be your first mission, we'll start you off with something small. Currently we are in the Bialya deserts. Here I have the files to 5 targets that need to be dealt with. Eliminate these targets and bring this last subject to me. He's not one of my own creations, but I'm sure my friends would want their toy back. Feelfree to utilize the foot soldiers as needed." With a click of a button, my hands and feet were released from their bonds and I was free to move. Ever bone in my body told me to attack him, and yet my mind remained terrified of the very thought. He is my creator, my leader, and in a way my father. Obeying his every command is the only thing I can do, for it is only right. It is what I have been made to do, so I must accept. I instinctively read through the files already formulating a plan for their demise, as much as it hurts me to do so. My eyes finally landed on the final file.
Aqualad
Affiliation: protégée of Aquaman. Justice League
Species: Atlantean
Abilities: water manipulation, low sorcery, electricity
"This target has surely been weakened from the desert environment. I shall eliminate this one first." I started stoically without even bothering to look at the rest.
"It will be easier to leave no traces if I simply immobilize him and let nature take its course on him. The rest will require a more creative approach. Since we are able to utilize any additional resources, I am sure the others will be neutralized by Bialian Troops. I will organize them." I stood up ready to get my mission over with. Dr. Oz gave me a satisfied smile before taking the files from me.
"Good girl. I see all of the battle strategies I've instilled in you are in good use. You have his last known coordinates, do try to finish up quickly Archangel."
"Yes " With that I grabbed a comm and left the tent with my unfortunate goals in sight.
Perhaps it is unnecessary for me to get my hands dirty on such an easy target like the Atlantean warrior. I am sure the sun and lack of water will quickly kill him, I could even get the soldiers to take his unconscious body and move it further in the desert to ensure no one finds him, but it is night and this is certainly a rite of passage for me. Truly Dr. Oz intends for me to prove my conditioning is up to par to battle the Justice League. Besides that an Atlantean soldier can likely easily handle a few weak Bialian foot soldiers. The task is better off handled by myself. From what I am being informed, Artemis and Kid Flash have been found and placed in and Soldiers and yanks have been sent to their location to dispose of them. The Martian, Superboy, and Robin are still being tracked.
A bad feeling swam in my gut at the thought of me being the cause of their lives ending. I flew through the still night sky searching for the Atlantean diligently. Surely I am not wrong for doing what my creator asked of me. I am simply doing what I was told to do, they are just unlucky to be the targets. A frustrated groan left my lips as I landed behind a rock. What am I thinking? Dr. Oz would be furious if I did not complete my mission, and he created me. I owe him my life, so I am not allowed an opinion on the matter. I looked from behind the rock formation to see the Atlantean weakly, and slowly moving forward through the sand.
In person, he looked different from what I anticipated. I expected him to be older, or at least taller. Not that he is short, in fact he was probably a few inches taller than myself. His dark skin looked dry, likely from the dehydration, his light green eyes still held a strong confidence despite how tired he obviously seemed. I know he will not be able to defeat me in combat, but the way he is carrying himself almost makes me believe he will. He looked up to the sky and let out a small sigh, I can see his lip quiver a little. He was actually quite handsome, and the air around him was almost admirable despite his current situation. I could feel my face heat up a little as I covered myself behind the formation. What am I doing? I do not want to kill him, I want to help him. A sudden flash of pain hit my head as images of him danced around my head. I can hear him laugh, see his smile, even his voice and kind words.
"Rose, you are a strong and smart leader, I am sure you would have been fine without me." I blush rushed to my face and I gave him a smile.
"Yes, but how can I be fine without my best friend?" That is my voice. Who is he? Why do I remember him? None of that makes any sense, Dr. Oz just woke me up! I have had no life before this! It must be the Atlanteans sorcery. I must kill him quickly. I flew to the top of the formation to give myself a vantage point, before my ear communicator came to life.
"Troop 2 to Archangel." A male spoke into my ear in Biyalian.
"Archangel." I whispered back
"We've located the Superboy, the Martian and Boy wonder must have awakened and is on the move."
"Understood, take additional troops to his location. Leave the Boy wonder to me. I will dispose of him after I handle the Atlantean." I whispered back. The atlantean acted as if he did not know I was here, but I know that his mind game told me otherwise. I spread my wings out and dove down onto him. I landed my foot on his back, knocking him down. With a quick motion, I turned him on his back and my hand around his throat. Frustration builds up in me from the unknowingness of his sorcery. The Atlantean gives me an angry glare before his eyes locked with mine. Those light green eyes soften almost instantly and I would be lying if I said I was not hesitating. His eyes are beautiful, and hold such a familiarity with me that all my knowledge, and mental training on what to do suddenly disappear. I just want to know why he is so familiar.
"An angel." He finally speaks breathlessly. Another blush comes to my cheeks. I have to shake my head to stay focused.
"Believe me, I am no angel. What sorcery did you place on me? Why do I remember you?" I growled with my hand tightening around his neck. I was right, his skin was dry, his gills were in an open position as if to get as much hydration from the air as possible. He gave me a confused look before speaking up.
"I am not sure what you mean."
"Do not lie to me. I remember hearing your voice, Aqualad. You called me by a name I have never told anyone, and yet today is the first day I am seeing the outside world. What did you do to me?!" I lost focus, and that was the only advantage he needed. That was another observation I was right about, he was weakened though I was wrong about how weakened he was. He flipped me onto my back straddling me and holding my hands together and covering my mouth. His grip was stronger than I thought it would be and even though I can tell he was not at full strength, he was strong enough to hold me for a few seconds through my confusion.
"Quiet, there are Bialian soldiers around, and I am certain you do not wish to be killed." I let out a small chuckle. I can easily get out of this hold, cutting off his air supply seems like the least messy way to go about this. The soldiers will hide his body, so there is no need to worry about wasting time with that. My stomach twisted and a deep feeling of dread overcame me. Do I really want to do this? This does not feel right. This is not something the Justice League will do. Well of course, that is the point. I was not made by the Justice League. I was not made for the Justice League. I was made to destroy them for Dr. Oz. What should I do? Do what feels right, what I somehow know is right, or do what I was made to do, for the man who created me?
"And what makes you so certain that I am so easy to be killed?" I questioned The sound of tanks and the clutter of soldiers carrying weapons filled my ears. I must weigh my options. If I let the soldiers have them, my task will be closer to completion. Dr. Oz would likely give me an even worse task to complete after I completed this one. I would be going against everything that was instilled in me, and seem completely ungrateful. If I decide to save him, I will finally be rid of this guilt and choose my own path. The sound is coming closer. I need more time to come up with a logical choice. without a second thought, I grabbed the atlantean and flew us up to the top of the rock formation. I covered the boys mouth and watched as the group pass. Once they did I let go of his mouth before running my hand through my hair.
"Who are you?" He asked
"Experiment: 725, Project: Apocalypse, Codename: Archangel. I was sent to eliminate you." He looked into my eyes, not once wavering. I raised my eyebrow before laughing a little.
"I just told you I am supposed to eliminate you. As an experienced protege of Aquaman, I would think you would take that information more tediously."
"If you really wished to kill me...you would not have saved me." He sounded exhausted. Absolutely weakened. He needs help.
"I needed more time to think of what to do. I do not want to kill you, but I can not go against my creator." I handed him some of my water absentmindedly as I watched the sun begin to rise. He took it with a small smile. My head suddenly started to spin and I can feel a memory coming to me.
"Relax, we don't want to hurt you. We want to help you." Hawkgirl said calmly, giving me a smile and a hand.
"Now do what you were made to do. Destroy them." Dr. Oz commanded me.
"You have your own mind, your own life. You can make your own decisions. Is this really what you want?" Batman asks me through the pain of my electric shocks.
"I don't know about everyone else but I adore you!" Hawkgirl said at the table with all the founding members of the League.
"Angel are..you alright?" I can hear Aqualad say. I glared at him pulling out my knife and aiming it at his throat.
"Decease putting false memories in my head! You are making it very hard to want to help you!" I growled holding my head.
"I can…barely hold a conversation… why do you believe.. I am responsible for that?" He said I lowered my knife and thought for a moment. He is right. The atlantean can barely manage to walk, let alone do magic. So could it be that those were real memories? I finally realized he may actually be telling the truth.
"That can not be correct. This is my first day out of the darkness. How do I know Hawkgirl, or Batman? Why Do I remember them opening my pod?" I can hear more tanks and soldiers moving our way. They must be going towards the Superboy. I do not know why I keep getting these memories, but I am certain of one thing. This boy is not implanting false memories, but triggering something else. I must take out the communicator. Dr. Oz could be tracking me. I must also help this atlantean, and make sure we get out of this desert. Avoid the soldiers and if they find us, pretend to still be in command. I will say that the boy has information pertinent to Dr. Oz and Queen Bee. Then find a way out of Bialya.
"Listen, I am going to help you for the time being. You will need to trust me." I say as I grab his arm. He looks into my eyes and gives me a nod. Time to find a way out of the desert.
BACK TO OZ
The scientist let out a loud yell and angrily pushed everything off of a nearby desk. He turned to the soldier who had dared to tell him the bad news. His experiment betrayed him yet again. This time he was absolutely certain that he had the best to take part in his plan. Psimon was supposed to be one of the best telepaths. One who specializes in erasing memories, and could easily plant a fail safe in her mind once she had returned. That plan was so simple, all she had to do was kill the sidekicks, and then come back for complete reprogramming, completing his part of the deal he made with Queen Bee and having the Light in his good graces. In the end he SHOULD have had his experiment back and his part of the plan with the light would have been complete. How could it have gone wrong?
"You're telling me that the one job I give you,you fail?! My orders for you were to WATCH THE EXPERIMENT. Report any changes in her behavior!" Had his other two experiments been here, this would not have happened. He was currently beginning to regret his decision to hand them off to Ra Al Ghul.
"We had not noticed any changes-" a loud bang echoed in the small tent. The soldier fell, blood pooling around him from the gunshot wound he received. The scientist pushed up his glasses looking down to the soldier in a cold hearted glare. "The scientist pulled out a briefcase filled with frozen blue bullets. He was clever. The scientist always has a back up plan, and these bullets, they were his back up plan.
"Clearly. Someone clean this up! And bring me a squad to hunt down experiment 725."
ROSE
I flew with Aqualad for around 20 minutes until I felt his grip on my hands slipping away. Because of the pounding headache I would get whenever I looked at him, I tried to avoid it for a little while. Dr. Oz is going to be fertilized when he discovers I am helping Aqualad instead of performing my mission, but a voice in my head, this time figuratively, keeps telling me that this is the right thing to do. If only that same figurative voice could give me directions out of this desert or at least to his friends.
Oh no his friends! I have set them up to their doom. My mind thought back to the ear communicator that I left and I cursed myself for having left it there before asking. My emotions got the better of me, I should have asked if their whereabouts prior to leaving the communicator. What am I thinking? I have enough to worry about with the dying atlantean boy I am helping. I needn't add 5 more targets to my list of good deeds for today.
"We have.. to land." Aqualad stated
"Stopping means more time in the desert. Considering your current state, getting out of the desert is your best chance of survival." I replied in a monotones voice.
"I do not... have the strength… to hold your hands…. the rest of… the way."I looked at the boy and immediately realized the state he is in. He looks pale, as if most of his energy has faded with the sun rising. Ordinarily my mind considers all variables in a situation, however, it seems I forgot that native earth- dwellers are not as strong as a creation of Dr. Oz. I am made to be durable and resilient to weakness. If the need be to hold onto something for an hour, I would be fine, but not him. Especially in the state he is in now. I look over to another mountain of rocks narrowing down a cave. Perfect. As I landed down into the cave, I gently set down my new ally, taking his water canteen.
"If you knew you would be in the desert, you should have packed more water."I informed him. His canteen only held about a quarter of the amount left. Considering he drank around a quarter of my own canteen when we were on the rock formation, we are running low on supplies.
"Make sure you all pack extra of the things you all need." I we load some of our equipment in for the mission.
"Yeah yeah, we heard you Rose. You know lately you've been so motherly towards us." Kid Flash said grabbing a few extra snacks.
"She's not wrong though. It's not like the Bialian desert has a convenient store around each sand dune." Robin said, grabbing a few more explosives.
I groaned as my headache increased with the memories. I took in the atlanteans condition once more. He was gradually getting worse. He needs to be in a cool damp environment until we can get to a large body of water. I looked outside of the small cave and growled. The sun was now fully up and the heat was increasing in the desert. This is not good.
"Keep taking small sips of the water. We will have to get going before the sun is at its highest." I took my seat right next to him, no longer seeing him a threat. His hands were shaking and slowly moving towards the bottle. Guilt crept in my heart as I watched the boy struggle to get the water to his lips. He is not like me. His body relies on cool moisture while my own is very adaptive. I should be more sensitive to his needs. Especially considering I had a part in his current condition. With a deep frown I let out a small sigh, pushing back my bangs.
"Here put your head in my lap." I started taking his shoulders and moving him so that his head was using my legs as a pillow. I took the canteen and moved it to his lips, letting him slowly sip the water.
"I am sorry that all this is happening. And that I keep forgetting that you are not as durable as I am. I will try to keep that in mind." The boy looked up at me with kind eyes and a small smile.
"It is well…..Thank you… you are...risking a lot...by helping me." My eyebrows knitted together but a familiar warm feeling filled my core. I gave him a kind smile.
"You are welcome." We sat in a comfortable silence and my hand subconsciously began to play with his hair while we rested. My head began to swim with the events of today. It is not adding up. The sense of familiarity with being awake, or even being able to fly. Now that I think about it, flying seems like second hand nature to me, yet physically learning to fly is something that needs to be taught. If not only being taught a little, I still have to be shown at the very least. The wheels in my head were beginning to turn as I began to put all my collective feelings together.
"I think…I think this is not my first day waking up, I think the reason why I keep having images of you in my head. The reason I felt so mad when I saw Dr. Oz. The reason killing you all feels so wrong, and why I'm absentmindedly helping you. Something happened to my memories as well as yours." I stated intelligently. Now it is beginning to make sense.
"If that is the case… why do I not get...triggered when I see you?" He asked, causing me to think about it for a moment. That is true, would he not be able to start remembering these things as well. The reason being could not possibly be related to his condition. Perhaps it is me. Wait, of course! I snapped my fingers after finally reaching a conclusion.
"Because of my photographic memory and expedited healing. My mind must be trying to repair itself from the memory loss. Atlantean, how did you get out here? What do you remember? What is the date?" I asked. The atlantean gave me a look of confusion.
"I ...do not remember….The last place I remember is being…. in Atlantis stopping …Black Manta...Today should be March 4th." He said weakly. Thinking back to a computer screen in the tent I woke up in I recalled the date.
"See today is September the 4th. You and your friends are in the Bialian desert, and you do not remember how you got here. I look at you, I get the feeling we have met before. Today is the first day I have been out of the darkness, the first day I am seeing the world. I have a photographic memory, I remember everything. There is no sense of simple familiarity on a clear face. I would know if I have or have not met someone."
"What are you saying?...What friends of mine... are here?"
"Robin, Kid Flash, Artemis, and Miss. Martian. I believe now that Superboy and I may also have been with you all. I am saying that I deduce we were a part of some kind of team and something happened for us all to produce such memory lost. We clearly were all knocked unconscious, so it would have been easy to manipulate me into believing you all were the enemy, in which case I was simply subject to doing their labor." I answered piecing the evidence together. If that is the case then whoever put us in this condition is still out in the desert. Even more of a reason for us to get away from here. Suddenly there was a loud crash and the sound of an explosion. The rocks in the cave began to fall and in a split second decision. I pulled the atlantean up into my arms and grabbed the canteen before flying out of the cave at top speed. In Aqualads condition, we can not risk a battle. Especially not when i am sure news of my negligence has reach Dr. Oz. I am certain he is behind this, and will stop at nothing to get me back for punishment. I flew over to another rock formation, hovering in place before I felt a force bring me down to the ground. Thinking quickly, I covered the atlantean boy with my wings before we both fell down onto the ground. An immense pain erupted from my head as I felt something hit right above my right eye. We rolled on the ground a few times before stopping. I grabbed my head letting go of Aqualad.
"Stay here."
I turned around to defend Aqualad to see a boy with black hair and blue eyes with a ripped black shirt. He growled at me and I realized that this was the Superboy. My eyes softened and I looked from him to the atlantean behind me. I thought quickly about his abilities. Kryptonian typically have super strength, heat vision, are able to fly, x ray vision, bullet proof and top speed. He is practically indestructible, but not unbeatable. I looked to my left to see the signs of armored vehicles headed this way.
"You need to go." I said calmly from what I can tell he was like me. A victim of his programming so to speak, Superboy and I share being experiments and having creators that do not want good in the world. I want to help him too, I feel like I have to, but right now it seems like he does not have much thought in his mind. Just primal instinct, driven by rage. I have to handle this delicately. A large boom erupted to our left and something hit Superboy blowing him back. He growled and stood up ready to attack.
"Superboy, wait!" I yelled I felt a ripping pain in my left shoulder causing me to stop and yell out in pain. I could feel a burning in my arm making me realize I had been shot. Superboy ran at the armored vehicles and men and I turned to Aqualad holding my shoulder.
"We have to go." I grabbed his hand, lifting him up, holding him by his waist. I pushed off with my wings pain still coming from my shoulder. Now I could feel the blood oozing from my shoulder, but I flew faster. Until I was a safe enough distance away to turn around to see the armored vehicle. With as much concentration as I could, I let out a large lightning strike at the squad to scramble them as much as possible. The loud thunderous crack echoed in the sky and the lightning was a bright vibrant purple. I did not take time to admire my work, but I took the opportunity to turn and make our escape. My breathing was becoming more and more shaken as I flew and my vision was beginning to fade in and out. My body was beginning to have a tingle, but I could feel Aqualads grip begin to loosen as well. I must hold on until we can get out of the desert.
"...Angelus.." I could hear the atlantean mutter. A darkness began to surround me and we roughly fell onto the sandy ground.
"Please, just stay away from me." I said quietly. I placed my head in my knees terrified of the sight of so many amazing people around me. I do not want to hurt them. I admire them. They are spectacular people, even if I am supposed to dispose of them, I still can not help but look up to them. Silence filled the room as I shook quietly in the corner. I heard someone kneel down in front of me. I hand was placed on my shoulder, causing me to tense up and shake even more.
"Relax, we aren't going to hurt you. We want to help you." A soft feminine voice said to me I looked up from lap to see Hawkgirl looking at me with sincerity in her calm green eyes. My shaking began to die down, she smiled at me. The others stood around her and began to talk about me. I just watched as they spoke, and I watched silently as they discussed me. Then a clap sounded off in the back causing them all to turn around at the new person.
"I. Said. No." I sent an electric shock at him knocking him back onto the wall.
This is…...wonderful! So he is like my brother!
"She was running a little late. Hi, I am Archangel, but you all can call me Rose, that is my real name." I said holding up my mask. All the boy's mouths dropped as dropped at their new discovery, as Ms. M walked up to me with a smiling face
"I thought I told you to leave!" I yelled He laughed slightly.
"But then who would save your ass." I rolled my eyes and laughed.
I instinctively grabbed his hand to comfort him causing him to look at me in the same worried expression. I simply gave him a small, sweet smile to calm him down.
"We will do it together, ok?" His expression softened as I began to pull him towards the Bioship.
"Go, while I am still unable to see clearly." I watched as the green and blonde blur nodded and ran out of the closet leaving me to recompose myself.
"The Watchtower detected an immense power surge in the Bialyan desert." Batman's voice speaks. Forming an image of the Dark Knight in Mount Justice, displaying a map to the Team. "Spectral Analysis revealed elements non-terrestrial in origin." Artemis, Kid Flash, Miss Martian, and Superboy stand before him. "Find out what happened at that site. What landed there?" Batman hits his remote again, changing the screen to show Queen Bee. "Bialya is a rogue state ruled by Queen Bee and not a member of the League's UN charter. All communications are subject to radio silence at all time."
"two clicks from the hot zone." Superboy stateS
"Once we land We will do recon, once we find a place, Superboy, Robin and Wally will set up. The rest of us will be on perimeter watch. Stay vigilant and Miss. Martian be sure to set up mental link." I instruct putting on my mask.
"The Bialyans control the site." Artemis' voice speaks up, her and Robin crawling in the desert to look over a small Bialyan camp.
"Set up here." Kaldur's voice tells Superboy, who drops the device he was carrying on his back. The straps disappearing and only needing one button to fully activate the machine.
"We'll be up and running in no time." Robin says as he types away at the keyboard on the machine.
"Jackpot!" Wally says from behind the Boy Wonder, standing up from his slight crouch. "This site's lousy with Zeta Beam radiation." Robin looking to the speedster.
"Detecting non-terrestrial trace elements from the tent." he informs the Team.
"I'll check it out in camouflage mode." M'gann offers.
"Good idea, go." Kaldur tells her.
"Careful." Superboy says immediately.
"And maintain telepathic contact." I reminded her.
"I will Archangel." Miss. Martian promises.
"I'm in." Miss. Martian informers
"Good," Aqualad's voice comes through the telepathic link. "but tread carefully. Camouflage is not invisible." I looked at him with a smile.
"When we get back, you must tell me the details of why specifically you choose to stay. I thought you were homesick and even if Tula did not return your feelings you would still want to stay." I whispered lightly
"When I was home I realized i'm needed more here and my feelings for Tula simply went away." Kaldur explains
"They're testing something, but it's alive. In pain." she realizes, horrified. "Hello? Can you hear me?"
"I can." A voice chuckles darkly, causing our attention to flip"And an open mind is a dangerous thing."
"Someone's hacked into our link!" M'gann shouts to the Team
"Psimon can't see you." The madman still sounds smug. "Psimon can't touch you, But Psimon can make you all FORGET!"
"Wait what- Ugh!" The Team hears a loud ring, causing all of them to clutch their heads and scream. As soon as it starts it's done and they all wander off in separate directions. Except for Superboy who jumps high with a yell.
My eyes snapped open to see the team standing over us. I shot up and immediately looked for Kaldur, a distant pain in my shoulder. I remember everything, from my true awakening to the voice telling me to forget it all. Once I saw Kaldur next to me I relaxed a little before focusing on the team. Artemis, Kid Flash, Robin, and Miss. Martian. They all seem fine, exhausted but they will live. Aqualad, on the other hand, has had better days. My hand traced his skin and I could feel how hot and dry it was. He was no longer conscious and even no longer sweating, and considering the fact that it was now dark, I can see why. We were left in the sun all day and now it was night. He needs fluids immediately or he may not make it.
"Hello, I am glad to see you are all ok." I state holding my head.
"Here Archangel, let me restore your memories." Miss. Martian moved towards me but I held up my hand with a small smile.
"No need, I remember everything. Photographic memory, combined with expedited healing. Aqualad on the other hand, needs immediate attention. Miss. Martian are you able to summon the Bioship?"
"No it's out of my telepathic range, but I know it's coordinates." I sighed and ran my hand through my bang again. This may complicate things. Robin showed me the coordinates and I formulated our course of action in my head.
"Very well. Listen, Superboy is in a feral state and the only one who can help him is Miss. Martian at this point. You will need to head here. Aqualad needs fluids now, I can fly him to the bioship and bring it to you all. Followed by immediate extrication. Robin, Wally, and Artemis, you must start heading that way to ensure a quicker ETA. Avoid going here, here, and here. Stay on the high ground. I understand this puts you all at risk especially since separating leaves us vulnerable, but this is the best way to make sure we all get back safely. Are you comfortable with this?" I decided while pointing out different locations on Robins holomap. if I could have helped it, I would have preferred to keep us all together. I understand that Miss. Martian would certainly run to Superboy's aid as she can likely sense his current state. Even though I am injured, hopefully unbeknownst to the others, I will be able to get Aqualad to the bioship the quickest, being that Kid Flash is likely out of conserved energy bars. My biggest concern at this point would be leaving my team in the desert but it is night, so hopefully they will be able to hold off until I get back with the bioship.
"We should be fine now that it's cooler and darker, but we're all low on ammo. Artemis is out of arrows, Kid Flash is low on energy, and I've only got a few explosive left." Robin explained
"Our only option is to quickly get back to the bioship. Although I hoped it would be closer, I can still get there and back to you all within 2 hours, I can try to draw as many soldiers away as I can. Be vigilant we do not know who or what has erased our memories. Stay in the defensive and make your way towards the bioship. I will fly as swiftly as possible. Move out." I started scooping Aqualad in my arms, turning to my team for confirmation. They all gave me a nod before I started heading in the direction of the bioship.
Kaldur dreams in his native tongue, that much is obvious. Most of what he said was Latin, meaning I could understand it fully, and may I just say hearing him go on about Tula for 45 minutes was not the most exciting part of this mission. I supposed I should not be too hard on him, and occasionally it did sound as if he did remember me, though he continuously referred to me as an angel. Besides, until about 3 days ago, he was so sure that Tula was the love of his life and he does not even remember what made him change his mind. While I flew I was constantly sending random bolts of electricity into different directions to move the enemy in opposing paths. My energy was running low from the constant use of my powers not to mention the fact that my shoulder was healing at a slower pace than normal. Though I was fine enough to hold Kaldur for the flight, and the bleeding has stopped, I would be lying if I said I was not without pain the entire flight. Needless to say I was increasingly irritable.
As we flew my thoughts traveled back to the events of today. I was so close to being back in Dr. Ozs clutches, it almost makes me sick to my stomach. There is no telling what he could have done to me in the time that I was unconscious. He could have planted a mental fail safe or physically planted a tracker on me to discover my location. I will have to get J'onn to check me over once I get back. My eyes traveled down to the sleeping atlantean in my arms. A smile formed on my lips as I thought of how even though I was going to kill him, he still saw the good in me. The good I did not even think I had in me. He still saw me, and for that I am eternally grateful. My face heated up as I thought of the kindness and faith he has shown in me time and time again. Tula must be a fool to pursue Kaldur. He is truly one of a kind.
Once I finally got to the bioship, I quickly went to work on Kaldur. Taking the IV start kit, a needle and a bag of fluids I quickly set up Kaldur so that within no time he was getting the help he needed. I must say I am glad to have read through a multitude of paramedic books in preparation for our mission. Otherwise this would have been extremely difficult and ugly. Aqualads eyes slowly met mine and a small sense of relief flooded over me.
"angelum meum." He whispered weakly reaching for my face. My angel. We must have a talk about this angel business when he truly wakes up. I took his hand kindly and gave him a small smile.
"Rest, my friend. You are safe now." Lightly I pushed him back down giving a friendly kiss on the head, the same thing my father, Mr. Stewart does to calm me down whenever I am unwell. His eyes gently began to close and my smile still remained. I could feel my cheeks still warm and flushed from the interaction. Perhaps I will leave that part out.
Soon we were moving back towards the rest of my team. Luckily for me, Robins, Kid Flash, and Artemis coordinates were close enough for me to get there in even less time than I had originally anticipated. After seeing a large smoke cloud a smirk played on my lips. It would seem that Robin has broken radio silence.
"Alright Aqualad, time to get our team back together." I turned the bioship towards the cloud and once I seem the 3 small figures of my friends. Once I landed in a safe covered area, Robin, Kid Flash, and Artemis all walked into the bioship. I turned around to throw them the extra water bottles I had in my emergency bag, checking to see if anyone had any injuries.
"I am grateful that none of you were injured during our time apart. I am sorry we had to leave you all behind." I said as I walked over to Kaldur to check on his status. Kid Flash let out a loud sound of relief before he scrambled through my bag to get the extra snacks.
"It's no big deal. You had to help out your boyfriend, and you couldn't carry all of us." A deep blush formed on my face as I fumbled with the cold wet cloth and dropped it to the floor.
"K-kaldur's just my friend! Artemis could you help me get the bullet out of my shoulder?" As if on cue, Kaldurs eyes snapped open and he sat up too quickly. Immediately, I picked up the cloth I had and ran out of some of the water.
"What is happening? Where am I?" I can see the panic in his face so within no time I placed my hand over his and I gave him a small, comforting smile.
"You're safe, and recovering from dehydration, thanks to our Rose." Robin said with a sly smirk who had pulled out the items required for me to get the bullet out of my shoulder. His eyes softened and he returned the smile, placing his other hand on top of mine.
"You truly are an angel." At this point I am sure my face was on fire. Artemis laughed at my embarrassment as I covered my face with both of my hands, much to Kaldurs surprise.
"You sure he's just your friend?" She said as she started the process. Holding on tight to his bed, Artemis dug into the wound to retrieve the bullet. The pain was bearable, but it still hurt incredibly so. Once the bullet was out, Artemis placed the bullet onto a tray and packed combat gauze into the wound. Surprisingly to me, the wound had still been bleeding, slowly but not completely healed as it should have been. It did stop once the wound was completely packed and bandaged up, making me a lot more comfortable. My breath was still a little shaken, but all together I believe I was handling it very well.
"You must have a pretty high pain tolerance to be able to carry Kaldur to the bioship, hook him to an Iv and fluids, then fly all the way to us." Artemis said, impressed by my tolerance. I gave her a small smirk before sitting grabbing a towel and helping her clean up.
"Luckily they did not hit me on my right shoulder, otherwise I would have taken longer to get to you all."
'Hey everybody, I've got Superboy.' M'gann's voice calls out of the link. Thank goodness. Artemis stops what she's doing and looks around while Wally looks up utterly stunned.
'He's back to normal, we're on our way.' She states Aqualad looks to me with wide surprised eyes clearly confused.
'Who are you? And how did you get inside my head?' He questions, though not putting up much of a fight as I gently push his shoulders back down.
'It is fine, she is a friend who will help you with your memories.' I told him. Placing the cloth back on his forehead, he gave me a kind smile before relaxing.
'Hello, Megan. Aqualad's memories. I knew I forgot something.'' the martian continues
'Aw man, me too,' Wally grumbles in the mental link. 'I didn't get a souvenir for the mission.' Completely ignoring how Artemis and Kaldur turn to look at him in varying levels of annoyance.
'Don't worry, got the souvenir thing covered.' Miss Martian assures. We all turned to each other with questionable looks. When did M'gann find time to grab a uh souvenir? Once Superboy and M'gann returned, we were surprised to see that they were not alone. A large Sphere followed them into the bioship much to our surprise. Superboy seemed keen on keeping him...her...it maybe?, who was I to deny my brotherly figure the joy of having it around? After M'gann restored Kaldurs memories, we took off, while I kept watch over Kaldur, being the one us that deeply read into paramedic books.
Soon we were back at the cave and everyone from what I could tell was pretty exhausted. So I sent them off for debriefing knowing it would not take me long to get us out. My shoulder was still taking longer than necessary to heal, which is why I put the bullet into a bag to be tested, after crushing it of course. With Oz having been involved there is no telling what could have been in or on the bullet. Kaldurs condition was getting a lot better especially considering how long we were stuck out in the desert. His skin was getting back to its natural hue, and even though it was not necessarily back to its normal moist demeanor, it was not as dry as it had been. Kaldur was sitting up on the bed, helping me disinfect the equipment that we used. We sat in a comfortable silence for a few minutes, just cleaning up until we were done.
"You are doing a lot better. How do you feel?" I asked, breaking the silence.
"I am well, thanks in no small part to you. Despite having lost your memories and having been in Oz's clutches you still saved my life." His eyes met my own with a tinder kindness making me blush a little and look down to my feet.
"It was thanks to my expedited healing. If I had not begun to remember you, then I am sure I would have done as I was told." I felt a small warmth on my face lifting my head to meet his eyes.
"I do not believe it was the memories that stopped you." My heart hammered in my chest as we looked into each other's eyes. There was an intensity in them that I had not noticed in them before. Typically I could see his kindness in his eyes, and sometimes a bit of uncertainty. Today I could see no uncertainty, but a clear intent and decisiveness that honestly sent flutters into my stomach. It was not until now that I noticed how close we were together. How we were not even a foot apart from each other.
"Hey Rose, Hawkgirl's here looking for you!" Wally Cale's coming into the bioship. Immediately, Kaldur sprang away from me, leaving me confused and a little bit sad. I could see my friend covering his face a bit as Wally came into the bioship. I blinked a few times still trying to process what exactly just happened. Wally looked between the two of us and gave a goofy grin.
"Thank you, Wally I will go ahead and see her. Are you fine to walk on your own?" I asked Kaldur
"Ooh don't worry about Kaldur, I'll help him out. You go ahead and see your mom." Wally said in his kindest voice. I gave him a quick hug, and smiled back.
"Very well, please be careful with him and do not move him too fast." I started to leave before I suddenly remembered to turn around and give Kaldur a hug too.
"Thank you, for everything." Then I quickly ran out of the bioship calling for my mother.
KALDUR
We both watched Rose's white hair bounce behind her as she ran out of the bioship. A smile played on my lips that was not easily erased. Despite the dehydration, and the fact we had experienced extreme memory loss, Rose still worked so hard to keep me alive. I know that she is so much more than an experiment, even if she does not quite see it herself. She is kind, compassionate, brave, and absolutely beautiful inside and out.
"Sooo you and Rose huh?" Wally's voice brought me out of my thoughts causing me to look at him.
"What?" I asked
"I mean, I don't blame you, she is hot. I would go for her myself if me and Megalicious weren't a thing." I gave him a small glare before letting out a sigh.
"We're just friends." At least for now.
Annnnd there's the Bereft! Sorry for the delay and thank you guys for the support! I really appreciate all the love you guys have been giving the story! I am so grateful for all you and can't wait to give you guys the next chapter! Rose is going to school, and making new friends! We may even get some more Aqua-angel moments (not sure if that ship name works but let's try it out!)
-Anna Blue Ivory