Scene 31 - Heartbreak
Kaldur'ahm stood silently in the grotto, staring up at the holographic monument of his childhood friend, Tula. He never prayed but right now, he did it for strength and guidance on his next course of action. The window of opportunity was slowly narrowing and he had to make it through now before the chance was lost forever. It would break Brianna's heart and shake the Team's morale but he had to do it, for the greater good in the long run. He would have to forgo his birthday celebration coming up next week. Dick Grayson stood beside him quietly as he waited for the team leader to continue speaking.
"Like I mentioned earlier, I will use Black Manta's revelation of him being my biological father as a ruse to infiltrate The Light and take it down from within. From here on out, you will be in charge," The blonde Atlantean said his words with steadfast determination and his friend responded with concern, "Shouldn't you tell Brianna? This would really hurt her if you don't."
Kaldur'ahm shook his head, "I have to protect Ember. If a telepath like Psimon ever got his hands on her, he would read her mind easily and my cover would be blown. This is for her own good, I have to distance myself from her totally so The Light would believe that I have cut ties with everyone I've known… and loved. My parents and my King don't know this either."
The younger teen sighed and couldn't help but agree, "The less people know, the better it would be…" He stood face to face with his friend, feeling a little burdened by his newfound leadership. A position he never wanted at all but he had to push his personal pride aside in order for this to be a success.
"Please take care of Brianna for me… and I don't mean dating her." Aqualad said sternly and Dick immediately replied, "Wouldn't dream of it, Kaldur. You have my word."
Both men reached out to shake their hands as a mutual agreement.
With one more sigh and shrug, Kaldur'ahm looked towards the exit, "Time to put my acting skills to the test." He reluctantly forced his legs to move out, each agonizing step closer to their imminent separation.
"No wonder you didn't want to help Tula, you're jealous of her!" Kaldur'ahm said venomously after the start of their confrontation in the empty briefing area while Brianna looked on, dumbfounded, "What are you talking about, Kaldur? I tried opening the doors with my fire, I burned my hands, remember? How is that not attempting to help her? Why should I be jealous?! She was with Garth, I'm with you and you've loved me ever since our first break up years ago. You swore your love for me, remember?" She took a step closer and was shocked when her boyfriend unsheathed a water sword at her.
"Don't come any closer. You were envious of any girls who talked to me. You snapped at Raquel when she first joined the Team. Can't stand anyone talking to a bad boy like me, am I right?"
He slowly circled around her and the brunette blinked, "Kaldur, please calm down. You must be traumatized after learning Black Manta is your father. I want to help you but you keep pushing me away!"
The blonde shook his head, "Help me? You're going to brainwash me with your psychological tactics."
She took a step closer that her chin was just beneath his blade, "No, Kaldur. You've seen that I help everyone on the Team. Please dear, you're just confused. Lower your weapon now and we'll sit down and talk." Brianna looked into his pale green eyes, desperately searching for her any traces of Kaldur'ahm and she thought she saw a brief spark of regret before he began to thrust his sword at her and she flew upwards to avoid his blade.
"Kaldur, snap out of it! I know you're hurting inside. I know you're betrayed by the fact Aquaman hid the truth from you and that you're still recovering from Tula's death, we all are! You're not alone in this! Please let me help you." Ember pleaded as she dodged the water attacks thrown at her. She did not want to harm him at all so she kept pulling evasive maneuvers.
The blonde frowned and yelled, "You don't know anything about how I feel! You've never been betrayed! No wonder King Orin kept me on a tight leash, he was afraid that I would turn evil and join my father! His worst fears will be granted; I will join someone who would truly appreciate me instead of being held back due to my bloodline!"
He threw his water aside and sank down to his knees in anguish. Brianna was sad to see him like this and instinctively, she flew down and touched his shoulder, "That's not true, you're just stressed out. It's going to be alright, Kaldur."
To her surprise, he reached up to touch her hand, giving it a little squeeze. The blonde Atlantean knew this was the last time he would get to hold her and he wanted the comforting warmth of her palm and fingers embedded into his memory. Aqualad exhaled and said calmly, "In that case, we're clearly on different sides. I'm breaking up with you."
The brunette's eyes widened, "Wha-?" Before she could finish her words, Kaldur'ahm electrocuted her.
Her vision was blurry and she struggled to look up at the man she loved. The last thing she saw was his passive face before the pain overtook her and she succumbed to the darkness. It took everything Kaldur had to root himself to the spot as he watched his girlfriend sink into unconsciousness.
Once she was asleep, he knelt down to stroke her cheek, "I am truly sorry, Brianna. I love you too much and I don't want you hurt for what comes next. I hope that you will forgive me in due time." The Atlantean leaned down to press a kiss to her forehead as he couldn't bear to violate her privacy by kissing her lips. He would have to forgo that now and the memories of their kisses would be kept close to his heart.
Hearing footsteps behind him, he turned around and saw Nightwing looking down at both of them. "You should get going now," Dick walked over to gingerly pick up the brunette into his arms. Giving Brianna one last look, Kaldur forced himself to pull away and leave everything behind.
Brianna's head pounded and she felt sore all over as she tried to open her eyes. Her mind was clouded and hazy from recent events. She vaguely recalled fighting with Kaldur and there was water and fire involved. That couldn't be right, their arguments never escalated to using their powers. Everything would be resolved just like old times. With all her might, her eyelids fluttered open and she saw the veteran teammates standing around her.
"She's awake!" M'gann whispered and sat down on the bed.
"Where's Kaldur?" The brunette whispered hoarsely as the Martian fed her a glass of water. Her friends looked around uncomfortably before Nightwing spoke up, "He joined Black Manta."
There was a deafening silence in the room and the tension in the air was so thick it could be cut with a knife. "No, that can't be true…" Brianna shook her head in denial and Dick pulled up a recording of their fight. Her eyes stared blankly as the memories came flooding back to her.
The emotional pain slowly hit her in waves and tears unwillingly streamed down her cheeks. "No… This can't be happening! He loves me, loves all of us!"
M'gann hugged her close and stroked her back soothingly. It's going to be okay. Just rest.
Everyone's heart broke as they watched the pyro they cared about slowly break down from her rather harsh break up between her and their disgraced ex-leader. Nightwing looked away in shame, uncomfortable to see her cry over a ploy. He hoped Kaldur'ahm knew what he was doing and that the whole operation would be finished quickly…
Author's Note: Finally, the chapter everyone has been waiting for! I thought VERY long and hard on whether Brianna should be let in on the secret and I went with "she didn't know" 'cos there would be more things that I can write that way. If I chose the route where she knew, I believe there would be only a handful of ways I can write Brianna being all secretive and pining for Aqualad before it got a little boring. So please, forgive me for putting you through this depressing chapter. It will get better eventually, I promise!
Until then, you will have to bear with me for the Season 2 chapters which can be a little brooding. Don't worry, both of them will meet again on opposite sides of the battlefield and won't you be interested to see how they would react? ;)
To piggythelaw: Yes, they're perfect for each other! ^_^
To Molly Grace 16: Thanks and I'm sorry for making you sad. It will get better in future chapters, I promise. =)
To murdercrowther: I'm sorry that I left Brianna in the dark about Kaldur's secret but there is always light at the end of the tunnel so I do hope you'll keep reading and see how the story ends.
To Eszra: Aww, *hugs* I think this chapter will make you cry even more. =( Stay strong and keep reading!