Scene 34 - Crossing Paths
Ember waited outside the mountain for further instructions with Wonder Girl, Superboy, and their respective mentors. The moment was tense as Superman kept relaying the fight inside the mountain with his x-ray vision. "It is very busy in there," The Man of Steel said and when Nightwing gave the signal, he blasted a hole in the mountainside and everyone rapidly jumped into the fray to help their teammates.
While the other four went to attack the tank-like things, Brianna punched a fireball towards a trooper sneaking up behind Nightwing as he watched the battle from his vantage point. "You're usually careful," The brunette said as she joined him on the walkway.
"I'm observing the troopers' attack pattern."
He then threw a batarang at someone behind her and both of them got into battle positions as some more troopers swarmed them.
"You did not want to believe!" A familiar voice rang out and the pyro gave one more punch to the last trooper standing and joined Dick who was looking down at the scene of Aquaman, Lagoon Boy and… Kaldur?
Superboy joined in, "None of us wanted to believe this! How could you betray us?"
Incensed, the blonde Atlantean raised his voice and unsheathed his water bearers, forming them into the shape of swords. "You dare question me?! After all of you let Tula die!"
Brianna was rooted to the spot and did not notice that Nightwing had already jumped over the edge and landed in front of the ex-leader. It had been so long since she last seen the Atlantean…
"Kaldur that was a mission! Aquagirl knew the risks, no one wanted to-" Dick attempted to persuade his friend before he was interrupted by the impatient La'gaan, "Neptune's Beard! Don't coddle this traitor, he has joined forces with our king's greatest enemy."
Kaldur'ahm turned his head towards Orin, "Did you mean the king who hid from me the true identity of my father?"
The blonde monarch replied sternly, "That was my error in judgement, Kaldur'ahm. No one else need suffer for it."
His ex-protégé retorted, "All will suffer if Black Manta demands it." His voice dropped dangerously low, "Blood is thicker than seawater."
From her vantage point, Brianna was unable to see what was going on but she saw the propellant and smoke of a small rocket and the brunette knew it was all too late.
"No!" She screamed and in the nick of time, Superman intercepted the rocket and it collided against his chest harmlessly. Dark smoke filled the air and Ember saw Kaldur disappearing into a hole at the side of the mountain followed closely by Nightwing and Superboy. She decided to follow suit for back up.
"No, it's a regular reunion special!" The pyro heard Conner speak and as she entered the cavern, she saw Aqualad allowing the water from his weapons splash onto the floor.
"Fine, all three of you can take me down-" Nightwing whipped his head quickly to notice that Brianna had joined them and he turned his head back to focus on Kaldur. "- Or you can save everyone from this bomb," The Atlantean stepped back to reveal a pentagonal shaped object stuck to a pillar. Dick reeled back in surprise.
Brianna looked at her ex-boyfriend darkly. He had certainly changed quite a bit since their last meeting. The bottom part of his hair had been shaved off, leaving a small crown of blonde hair near the top of his head and he looked a little ridiculous. His features were filled with seething anger and wrinkles appeared on his forehead.
"I am told the yield is quite impressive." As Kaldur'ahm finished his words, Superboy charged at him but the Atlantean easily grabbed Conner's arm to restrain him and punched him in the chest. The half-Kryptonian fell to the floor and Kaldur's hand wrapped around Superboy's neck, electrocuting him. Ember unsheathed her knife and threw it at her ex as Nightwing ran forward. The projectile was intercepted by Kaldur who did an arm swipe, sending the knife flying away and embedding itself into the wall.
"Looking beautiful as always, Brianna," He said casually as he turned his gaze on her before looking over to Dick, "You have two minutes."
A little repulsed by his words, Brianna angrily sent a stream of flame towards him and he quickly dodged it by diving into a pool.
"They're getting away!" Cassie's voice came over on the comms system followed by La'gaan saying, "We'll stop them!"
Nightwing was kneeling in front of the alien explosive, "Negative, we have a bomb down here; alien tech. I cannot disarm it."
Conner had already stood up and he was rubbing his neck gingerly, "I'll get it out."
Dick immediately raised his hand up, "No! Might have pressure… or motion sensors." He pressed the comms device in his ear, "All squads, evacuate to bio-ship now." The next few moments was a blur as the Team rapidly scrambled towards the vehicle. She vaguely remembered strapping herself into the chair as the ship took off at top speed and the explosion occurred shortly after, illuminating the area around them. The ship rattled from the impact as M'gann did her best to fly them out safely from the blast zone and she recalled holding on to her seat tightly. The Martian succeeded and a collective sigh of relief was heard on board.
Once they rescued Superman from the water, the Team immediately began to ask what happened and whether Aqualad lured them into a trap. Ember did not notice the eyes on her as she stared out of the window, allowing Nightwing's words to go in one ear and out of the other. Her mind was too preoccupied with her "reunion" with Kaldur'ahm and the fact that he was on the other side now was cemented into her mind. The sight of him renewed something inside her, a little spark of happiness that he was alright and she hated that feeling. Brianna tore her mind away from that emotion. No more wishful thinking that he could be turned back to their side, he ruthlessly sacrificed all the Kroloteans on the island. She had to stop thinking of him as a good guy from now on.
There was a celebration aboard the Manta-Sub as Black Manta was finally accepted into The Light and the Partner's competitor, the Kroloteans, was wiped out from the bomb. Kaldur pretended to be happy for his father, putting on an act as they feasted and drank heartily from their wine glasses. He knew that once Manta had a seat at The Light, things from here on out would be a lot more aggressive and even more dangerous than before.
For now, the Atlantean was content that he could finally see Brianna's face again. She looked well and stood up strong and proud in their confrontation earlier but he was a little disheartened to see the look of hate she shot in his direction. "Kaldur'ahm, are you alright?" His father asked and he noticed that everyone at the table stood up had had their glasses in hand. Coming up with a quick lie and standing up at the same time, "I'm just worn out, father."
The older man nodded, "I understand. You had quite a trying day and you deserve some rest. Go to sleep after we toast." He then made a short and uplifting speech as several toasts were made and the troopers slowly got a little tipsy and high. Kaldur'ahm excused himself from the table as he retreated to his room to slowly savour the short period of time he had spent with Brianna and began to think about his love for her and the dates they shared. Her declaration of affection for him played out in his mind and a lone tear was shed before he fell into an uneasy sleep.
Author's Note: Season 2 episode covered in this chapter is "Alienated". For the previous episode, "Earthlings", Brianna was still destroying the Zeta platform.
As you can see, seeing Kaldur triggered old feelings and memories inside of Brianna. Having crushed on someone myself, I still feel remnants of old feelings whenever I see him even though he already has a girlfriend. We won't really truly forget someone 100%. Brianna's still human after all. ;)
To piggythelaw: Thanks! I liked writing the contrasting scenes between both of them. =)
To Ilana Lunus: Nah, she won't overanalyze. Brianna is like a counsellor for the Team to help them get over trauma.
To murdercrowther: Thank you for the compliment!
To Molly Grace 16: You're right, she won't get over him that quickly. This will be frustrating for her...
To Eszra: Thanks!