I apologize for the delay and for the sloppiness of this chapter. I was in a car accident last week and it has taken me a while to get back into the mind set of writing. Thankfully, no one was hurt aside from being a little shaken up. Thank you for your patience and I promise to get back to my regular posting schedule as soon as possible.
"Wally! I can't hold the bioship any longer! We're going down!"
"If you want to keep your Team alive, keep them out of Gotham City."
"Brace yourselves!"
"Wally?... Wally!"
Wally woke with a gasp, bolting into an upright position and immediately regretting it. His ribs and back screamed in protest, still damaged from being slammed against the wall of the ship by the violent ocean current. If he was in this much pain, he could only imagine how rough the others were.
Feeling a strong hand on his shoulder, Wally forced his eyes open to look at the figure waiting by his bedside. His eyes landed on the dark-skinned, webbed hand on his shoulder, tracing up the black, eel-shaped tattoos and finally came to rest on the familiar Atlantean features of Kaldur'Ahm.
"Kal?"
The years had not been kind to Kaldur. The dark shadows beneath his eyes and the tired sag in his once proud shoulders made him look far older than he was. Most noticeable, however, was the dull, defeated look in the Atlantean's eyes. Kaldur always carried a look of strength and determination, but now the former leader looked broken.
"It is good to see you, my friend." Kaldur gave a light squeeze to Wally's shoulder and a warm smile spread across his face for the first time in years.
Wally couldn't help himself. Despite the screaming pain in his muscles, he swung his arm around Kaldur in a brotherly embrace, letting the Atlantean's arms hesitantly settle around him as well. Seeing his old friend, Wally was painfully reminded that he and Kaldur had never resolved things after his undercover mission. Wally had blamed Kaldur for risking Artemis's life and even started to question the older hero's loyalties. Now, he had no idea what could have made him doubt Kaldur. Aqualad, Robin, Kid Flash, and Speedy had been the first sidekicks and the four of them had bonded over their similar roles. They had been partners, friends, brothers… and for the past several years, Kaldur had thought he was the only one who survived! No wonder he didn't stay on the surface world. He had lost everything that ever tied him there.
When Wally finally pulled away, he took a moment to take in his surroundings. The air was cool and damp, smelling of the ocean salt. There were medical supplies but no form of technology in the room, which was odd for a medical ward. There were no windows, only one air-tight door, and a rather large vent streaming in fresh, cool air. It didn't take Wally long to realize that this must be one of the human-friendly medical rooms located in Atlantis.
"We're still in the ocean?" Wally asked, confirming his thoughts.
"Prince Artur was able to contact us when your plane crashed. We brought you and the rest of your Team here for treatment. I have contacted Batman and he insists that you remain here until all of you have recovered." Kaldur reported, watching as the concern twisted the young speedster's expression.
"How bad?" Wally asked, worried about his Team's condition. Connor had been shot with Kryptonite, M'Gaan and Artur were badly affected by the explosion, who knew the extent of Damien's injuries, and Lian had been thrown by the current just as violently as Wally had.
"Superboy suffered the worst. He is still unconscious, though we predict a full recovery with time. Miss Martian is attending to him now that her own afflictions have healed. Linx suffered a mild concussion and severe bruising from the impact of the crash. She and Prince Artur are with Robin, who is still unconscious. Robin has several fractured and bruised ribs, a broken wrist, dislocated shoulder, head trauma, and several lacerations that our medics have cleansed and sutured. You, Wally, damaged your ribs, struck your head, and tore several muscles in your back during the crash, although with your rapid healing, many of your injuries have already begun to mend."
"I'll be fine, I'm more worried about Connor and Damien. I can't believe Artemis hurt them so badly… She was going to kill Robin, Kaldur." The Atlantean turned his eyes to the floor, sad but unsurprised. He knew Wally was feeling the same betrayal that he, Connor, and M'Gaan had felt the day Artemis reappeared alongside her father. But Kaldur had long since given up hope for the blonde archer. This was no misunderstanding, no undercover mission, no con; Artemis was their enemy and there was nothing she wouldn't do for her cause.
"I regret to say I am not surprised. Artemis is no longer the loyal archer we fought alongside. If she had truly intended to kill the Team, then you are all fortunate to have escaped with your lives." Kaldur responded, watching Wally wince at the accusation. It wasn't easy to accept that the love of your life was trying to kill you.
Kaldur opened his mouth, wanting to offer some form of comfort to his former Teammate, but before he could speak, he heard an urgent knock at the door, preceding the entranced of one of Atlantis' guards.
"My apologies, Kaldur'Ahm. We have a situation." The guard announced, looking troubled by the news he carried.
"Speak." In King Orin and Prince Arthur's absence, Kaldur had been appointed to oversee the underwater kingdom, but it had been no small feat keeping the peace in Atlantis when it's citizens were so invested in the surface world's wars.
"Superman's supporters have arrived. They are demanding the return of Miss Martian, accusing Atlantis of holding her against her will under order of Batman." Both Wally and Kaldur growled at the accusation. Yes, Batman had insisted that M'Gaan - as well as the rest of the injured proteges - remain in Atlantis, but only for their own protection! M'Gaan was not a captive, she chose to stay with her wounded friends!
Despite his injuries, Wally left the comfort of his cot and followed Kaldur to the entrance of the medical ward to find La'Gaan, accompanied by several of Superman's water-friendly allies. Apparently, they were willing to fight for M'Gaan's release if the situation called for it.
"La'Gaan, there is no need for hostility. Miss Martian is here of her own will. She is tending to Superboy as we speak…"
"She's been missing for days, Kaldur'Ahm. Either she is a captive or a traitor! Superman will not stand to lose more of his allies to Batman's selfish ways!" Kaldur's eyes darkened at the retort, taking the accusation personally.
"If memory serves, La'Gaan, it was Superman's recklessness that claimed the lives of our allies, Superman's lack of control that maimed Impulse, Superman's false assumptions that murdered Red Arrow and Cheshire Cat!"
"How dare you?!" La'Gaan's rage filled the room, prompting his followers to arm himself for a battle, while Kaldur and his guards prepared to defend themselves and their patients. The commotion brought M'Gaan, Artur, and Lian rushing into the entrance hall to see what was going on. Unfortunately, the sight of the Martian standing next to Wally and Kaldur only served to heighten La'Gaan's outrage.
"Superman, you were right." The green-skinned Atlantean hissed into his communicator.
"There is no reasoning with Kaldur'Ahm and his followers. Miss Martian has abandoned us. Proceed with the attack."
Within seconds of the transmission, the entire building began to tremble. The colour faded from Kaldur's face as he realized Superman's intent. He was going to overthrow Atlantis, starting by destroying their medical bay. Already the ceiling was beginning to crumble and water poured through the cracks in the walls.
"You fool! Robin and Superboy are unconscious, if this building comes down, you'll drown them both!" Kaldur shouted, knowing neither Superman nor Lagoon Boy would have thought through the consequences of their actions. If Connor and Damien were conscious, they'd be able to swim to the surface with the help of the Atlanteans, but in their current condition, they'd never make it!
The water was already rising past their knees when Wally realized they had no other option. They'd have to risk the swim and pray their comrades could make it to the surface. Wally sprinted to Damien's room to collect the wounded bird before racing to meet the rest of the Team in Connor's room.
"Kaldur can hold them off, we've got to get Damien and Connor to the surface!" M'Gaan announced, using her ability to create a protective barrier around the team, excluding herself and Artur. As the walls around them crumbled and room filled with water, M'Gaan morphed herself into a mermaid and helped Artur push the encased Team towards the surface.
"This is wrong…" Wally muttered, his eyes lingering on the crumbling building they were leaving behind.
"Kal's our friend, we can't just leave him there!"
"Wally's right. I have a bad feeling about this… The barrier will take you to the surface. Once there, try to talk Superman into stopping the attack. I'll go back and help Kaldur." M'Gaan announced through the mental link.
"I too will stay and fight. Kaldur'Ahm is my mentor, adviser, and friend. I will not abandon him now." Artur agreed.
"Be careful Aqualad." Linx whispered, watching as the Martian and the Atlantean dove back to the depths of Atlantis while the Team drifted steadily to the surface.
As the minutes past with no sign nor sound of their Team, Wally and Linx began to worry. They could no longer see Atlantis through the dark waters of the ocean, but the bright gleam above them proved they were nearing the surface. Both Connor and Damien had started to stir as the barrier rose, and once awake, Robin was able to contact Batman for retrieval. They were mere meters beneath the waves when they heard it. An agonizing scream tore through their mental link and the barrier dissolved, plunging the four heroes into the chilling ocean waters - as cold and consuming as the sudden silence in their own minds.
"M'Gaan!"