June 19
Black Beetle had approached form the west entrance of the cave. The hallowed out artificial cave had been there chosen place to meet in person. Illuminated by stand alone lights one each level, Black Beetle stared across to the east entrance were Deathstroke strolled in and stopped in place. Death stroke nodded at the large alien, who returned with a nod of his own before both stepped aside to allow their respective parties in.
On the west wend the Reach party walked in with the Ambassador and their head scientist followed by several of their masked, faceless soldiers. On the east end, Vandal Savage, Ra's Al Ghul, Black Manta, the Brain, Kaldur and Artemis in her Tigress form. They were followed by the henchmen of the previously mentioned members. All parties approached the circular platform, metal in nature that sat out of place in the caves lower levels.
"Ambassador," Savage greeted.
"Savage," Ambassador replied in kind.
Black Beetle stepped forward. "As head of security for the Reach, I must insist," he said as he pointed towards the east side on the cave. "No masks be worn at the summit."
"Simply because you insist is no guarantee," Black Manta replied icily.
"Manta," Ra's al Ghul said in almost a coo. "If you wouldn't mind. After all we are among friends."
Black Manta verbally growled before removing his helmet. An African American male's head came into view. Sections of his hair greying, showing his age otherwise his face had no visible signs of age. No wrinkles, laugh lines, or discolorations. A goatee was the only thing defining characteristic, making him look villainous.
"Good genes," Silver Magic muttered in her head telepathically. I felt amusement from the mental link from several parties.
"Satisfied," Ra's al Ghul said as he noticed all of his party had official unmasked. Black Beetle gave no verbal response, just a hum in agreement.
"Excellent," Ambassador said. "Then with these formalities out of the way."
"Let us begin," Savage said.
"And the rest of the Light?" Ambassador inquired. "Won't they be joining us?"
"Our more public members are occupied," Ra's answered. "Conducting damage control to mitigate your recent defeats."
"And in any case, we are sufficient," Savage replied as if he was almost slighted.
The Ambassador political façade vanished with their responses. His pleasant, eager-to-please smile was not replaced with an annoyed and angered frown. "Fine," he said, though his tone stated otherwise. "I know you called this summit but the Reach has come with grievances against the Light," he said with the frown. "Please explain how the young Earth champions were allowed access to the Bialyan scarab temple under your control?"
"If I may respond," Kaldur spoke aloud.
"No, you may not," Black Beetle interrupted. "Manta, keep your whelp meat silent."
"Beetle, your insolence grows progressively less," Black Manta responded with a pause. "Charming."
Savage raised his hand pausing anything else Manta had to say. "My friends, I think we can all agree that in recent days no one has done more, sacrificed more, for both the Light and the Reach, than Kaldur'ahm," he replied. "That is why he was entrusted with security for this summit. And why he's entitled to a voice here."
"Of course," Ambassador replied, gesturing to halt Black Beetle who stepped forward to say more. "He may speak." Black Beetle glared in response.
"Thank you, Ambassador," Kaldur said as he stepped down onto the metal platform. "We acknowledge your concerns over the action of my former team. But you must acknowledge that the Light could not have known the significance of the temple of that ancient Earth magic could overcome Reach technology to free Blue Beetle and Green Beetle from your thrall. If the Reach had been more forthcoming about how long ago their scarab was sent to infiltrate Earth with a beetle warrior the Light might have made the connection to the temple and certainly would have provided better security for it."
"I told you, I wanted to study how Blue Beetle's scarab had crashed prior to putting it back on mode," the female head scientist spoke for the first time in an almost whine. "If you had followed my advice, we would have known about the temple and-" Ambassador cut her short as he whirled around to face her and stopped her mid-sentence with a glare. "Apologies," she said as she bowed her head. "I spoke out of turn."
"No, my dear," Manta spoke, "You were quite correct to call your master's tactics into question. The Light has provided everything the Reach required and you aliens have let it all slip away."
"I don't believe this is a productive direction for our discussion," Ambassador replied.
"No?" Ra's al Ghul questioned. "Your public approval ratings are at a record low. As are sales of the Reach drink which you had hoped would enslave the populace."
"You allowed the young heroes you kidnapped to be rescued by the very teenagers whose meta-genes you enhanced," Savage replied.
"After allowing their escape as well," Black Manta continued.
"Worst of all, Blue Beetle and Green Beetle, had slipped from your grasp and fallen into the hands of the enemy, the Justice League," Kaldur finished.
"Rest assured, both Beetles will soon return to the fold," Ambassador replied. "In fact Black Beetle has been summoned to Earth from his post guarding access to the Key Chamber on the War world."
"To kill Blue and Green," Black Beetle said with a sneer.
"So that their scarabs may be reset and installed upon new host bodies," the scientist replied. "That will forever be slaves to the Reach."
"They can try," I muttered in my head before realizing it spread through the link.
"So do not question us on that score or any other," Ambassador snapped. Someone doesn't take criticism well. "Remember, the Earth is now the property of the Reach. And per our original agreement the Light is merely our favored agents amongst the humans."
"Show the proper respect or suffer the consequences," Black Beetle stated making a fist with his hand in a threatening gesture.
"No agreement exists that makes a slave of Black Manta," he replied in third person stepping forward.
"No agreement exists that guarantees the life of Black Manta, "Black Beetle replied as he walked forwards as well.
"Manta guarantees that himself," Manta replied. I rolled my eyes, the speaking in third person was getting old fast. I watched as a weapon appeared from the right shoulder of Manta's suit while Black Beetle was forming a weapon of his own in his chest.
"It seems we have a stand-off," Ra's replied.
"No, we don't," Black Beetle replied back not taking his eyes off Black Manta who stood before him. He threw his left arm back and quickly knocked Black Manta off his feet propelling him into the air. He landed on his back and slid several feet. Tigress and Deathstroke jumped to action and moved to fight the Black Beetle. Landing kicks and hits with their weapons of choice that did nothing but annoy the alien, until the end of Deathstroke's staff hit the middle of the alien's chest and released an electrical shock that startled Black Beetle.
The Reach soldiers began shooting from their staffs towards the other side. Tigress jumped in front of Ra's al Ghul protecting him from several of their shots. She backed into him and he caught her easily.
"Apologies, Great One," Tigress replied.
"Not necessary, child," Ra's replied. "You have my-"
"He's caught interest in the necklace just like we expected," I informed the Team through the link as I watch Ra's al Ghul trail off his sentence and focus solely on the necklace around Tigress's neck.
"I would hope he did, I was trying to make it obvious," Artemis relied in the link as she ran forward and took out her crossbow and shot off arrows towards the approaching Reach soldiers stopping them in their tracks with the expanding polymer foam. Deathstroke and Black Beetle continued fighting one-on-one. Before Manta, who had recovered saw his in and ran at the Black Beetle and was about to begin round two.
Kaldur approached the pair and separated them. "Enough! We are allies, not enemies," he said playing the part. "Any conflict between us only benefits our true opponents. The Justice League and their sidekicks."
"Kaldur'ahm is quite correct," Savage said as he approached the trio.
"Agree, we must not allow petty disagreements to drive a wedge between us," Ambassador said his political façade now back. No, please do, I thought to myself, makes our job that much easier with you take out each other. "Gratitude, Kaldur'ahm." He turned towards Black Beetle, "Stand down, Warrior."
"Ambassador!" Black Beetle protested.
"Stand down," Ambassador replied again with clenched teeth. The former replied with a growl as he walked away and aimed his laser at the forms of his trapped soldiers. He shot off a hit that vibrated the foam away, releasing them.
Kaldur look to his father and with a nod from Manta he put away the weapon in his right shoulder. "Should we not be concerned that Superman, Batman, the Lanterns and the rest will soon return to Earth one again sway public opinion to their side?"
"Superman and those accused with him will never leave Rimbor," Savage said confidently. "The attack we forced them to make on that world plus a few well placed bribed has guaranteed their convictions."
"And the Green Lanterns are forbidden by Guardian treaty from returning to Earth now that we've convinced Un Secretary Tseng to welcome us here," Ambassador replied. "As for public opinion, I wouldn't be concerned-"
"Ra's is watching Tigress like he's about to approach," I informed.
"Get ready everyone," Nightwing replied. "It's about to be showtime."
"-on the foundation of half-truths," Ambassador spoke as I focused on his word intermittently. To focused on Ra's who had now turned his whole body towards Tigress. He began to approach her cutting off the Ambassador about discrediting the League.
"Great on?" Tigress replied in mock confusion. Ra's reached forwards quickly and grabbed the necklace and ripped it from her neck. She returned to her original appearance. Blonder hair replacing brunet in a flash of yellow. Her eyes widened with mock surprise.
"Artemis," Savage spat out her name.
"I don't understand?" Ambassador said confused. "I thought Artemis was dead?"
"So did we all," Savage said angrily, "But it seems Tig ress is Artemis."
"This is a glamour charm," Ra's Al Ghul said holding the yellow stoned necklace in his hand. "Created I'd wager by Zatanna or Doctor Fate to hide Artemis's true identity."
"But Kaldur'ahm killed Artemis," Ambassador asked, "If she lives, and in disguise as his lieutenant. Then that means—"
"That means Aqualad duped them all," Black Beetle declared, "Including his own father." He let out a series of dark chuckles.
Ambassador let out a heavy sigh. "Ugh, kill them both."
Black Beetle stepped forward his forearms changing into large blades. Manta ran forward and stood between Black Beetle and Kaldur. "No, you will not kill my son."
"He's right," Deathstroke responded pulling out a gunt. He fired off a shot. I flinched as the gun shot rang out and jumped as I saw Kaldur fall to the ground. I felt a hand on my shoulder and met Superboy's gaze. I took a deep breath and nodded before turned back to the scene unfolding in front of us. I watched Artemis fall to the ground as another shot rang out. "The Light takes care of it's own."
I watched as Black Manta moved to cradle his son in his arms. Kaldur's lips moved as he said something to his father before going completely limp. I heard a slight beeping before a hologram of him appeared on the other side of the room.
"If you are watching this, then your summit is truly over," his voice said. "The Light and the Reach deserve each other. Both sides play at being partners, but the Reach believes the Light to be their naïve tools of conquest. When in fact the Light has manipulated the Reach from day one."
"Shut this off," Savage ordered angrily to Deathstroke.
"How?"
The hologram continued. With a screen appearing behind him of the alien wanted signs for the six Justice League members. "It was the Light that brought Earth to the Reach's attention by sending the Justice League to Rimbor. The Light set their trap and the Reach snapped at the bait. Fulfilling the Light's desire to thrust our world into intergalactic spot light. Part of their perverse survival of the fittest scheme for the planet. Which they believe will transform the Earth and the Light into the eventual rulers of the Milky Way. Though the Light made the deal to help Reach take Earth they have also sabotaged the Reach's efforts," a slide show of Black Manta shaking hands with the Reach Ambassador and then another was four pictures of the Runaways. "They kept the enhanced meta-teens out of the Reach's hands. They added a neutralizing agent into the Reach's drink, "a picture of the Reach cans appeared. "So that the Earth's population would not become servile. They turned public opinion against the Reach and they intentionally allowed the Team access to the scarab temple to cleanse Blue and Green Beetle. So you see, any agenda either side imagined they shared was not but a carefully crafted illusion. I trust I have shattered that illusion as well as whatever remains of this sorry alliance. Good night." The image vanished.
"Kaldur," Black Manta said from his place holding Kaldur's body. "Kaldur, what have you done?"
"He has done in death done more to damage my plans than any living creature has wrought in fifty thousand years," Savage said angrily, "I'd be impressed if I wasn't so—"
Ambassador let out an angry yell stopping his rant short. "You earthlings are a pestilence and a plague!" he yelled furiously. "You dare sabotage us! D are betray us! Have you forgotten who controls the War World? The Light is fortunate we do not carve up your planet as we speak!"
"That would indeed impress," Savage said as he walked up to meet the Ambassador head on. "As I have the War World's crystal key."
"That is all I needed to know," Kaldur's voice said echoing through the cave. He stood up unharmed his father still in shock still knelt on the ground.
"Kaldur? You're—"
"Alive?" Kaldur asked cutting off his father. "Yes."
"If you would?" Artemis spoke. I turned to see her on the ground with a hand raised to Rah's al gul. She sighed and placed her hand on her hip. "And I always heard "The Great One" was such a gentleman," she said sarcastically as she rose from the ground. I smirked and held back a laugh at her antics.
"Impossible," Savage spat out in shock. "Deathstroke killed you both."
"Just for a little while," Deathstroke said. Suddenly, a sword found its way to Savage's throat. Deathstroke approaching with a glowing green eye. "After all, I wouldn't want to do any permanent damage," Deathstroke transformed into Miss Martian. "To my best friends. Not what a little misdirection and Hollywood special effects will do instead."
"For we value our true friends," Kaldur declared. "And unlike you we are not short on them." As our cue, al of us began to step out from out hidden places. Bumble Bee and Guardian at one location. Superboy, Silver magic, and myself at another. Nightwing, Batgirl, and Kid Flash at their place on the other side of the room.
"Hey there, Vandy?" Kid Flash called Savage in a baby voice, "You miss me?"
"Well played," Savage said, "Well planned, but the Light always has contingencies." The Brain's top began to glow bright purple and within seconds several entrances to the cave closed including the one behind me and the cave's top opened up to reveal the night's sky with the moon and War World in full view.
"Incoming," Robin replied through the link, signally himself and the others disguised among the League of Assassins goons that have been on standby. At least three dozen of them fell out of the sky and surrounded the groups of the Team.
"I've had my fill of your interference. Do not expect to survive. Kill them all. Superboy may present a problem. But we'll deal with him when the other children lie bleeding on the ground."
"Still you refer to us as children," Kaldur said with an air of arrogance. "No wonder our successes mount, you consistently underestimate us."
Around the room, some of the LOA participants began to pull off their masks to reveal the faces of the other members of the Team. Blue Beetle revealed himself and formed two sonic cannons and aimed them towards the Reach soldiers.
I took that as my que and I lunged forward at the nearest Reach soldier, propelling all my weight into him as I placed two hands on their staff. With his equilibrium off, I kicked off with my feet and swung over him pulling the staff with me knocking him to the floor. I yanked the staff out of his hands and turned around. Using his own staff, I shot several times in the chest before he fell unconscious. I turned and launched the staff at a Reach soldier that was heading shooting down at someone below. The scepter hit him in his shoulder knocking him off the ledge onto the next level.
I ran off the edge of my level and launching myself to the next level. I landed in a crouch and ran towards Silver who was currently fighting off two LOAs on her own.
I ran at the group and jumped in the air, spun, and landed the heel of my foot into the side of one of their head. They fell towards the ground landing with a satisfying thunk. I jumped back as Silver kicked the other goon and land on top of mine.
"I had that," Silver Magic said annoyed.
"Oh I'm sure you did, I just did it better," I said with a smile before waving as I launched myself off the edge and landed on the bottom floor.
"It is true," I heard Savage's voice echo from his place. "The Light has always underestimated you young heroes. But no more, it is time." I turned to see Klarion appeared from a portal. Savage stepped into and vanished but not before Klarion made the sword Miss Martian had aimed toward Savage into a large snake projection made of fire.
"Cowardly meat!" Black Beetle roared. I turned and watched as he had tossed hit Superboy and sent him flying. He stepped forward with his arm in the shape of blades and pierce Ra's Al Ghul's heart from behind. My eyes widened in shock but I didn't have time to dwell. The villain was taken away. I began to run towards Black Beetle. Lifting up the rock floor and flung it towards a pair of Reach soldiers. The large rocks hit them both and the fell to the floor under their weight.
I continued running flinging out my hand and focused on the metal of Black Beetle's exoskeleton and flung him back into an alcove somewhere. I helped Superboy up before her nodded and jumped away to continue. I began to run towards the alcove were I had sent Black Beetle but my attention got diverted.
"-will teach you to be ruthless, Kaldur'ahm," I turned to hear Black Manta address him. As his red eyes of his helmet began to glow. "Even if I must beat the lesson into your skull."
I begun running towards them focusing on the metal bands around my arms. The metal bands on my hands formed a shield the I flung just as red rays shot out of eyes from Black Mantas helmet. The lasers hit the metal and rebounded into the ceiling causing rocks to crumble down.
I propelled myself and landed a punch with my left hand. I moved to punch him again with my right hand but he caught my wrist. Black Manta turned towards me. "You dare to interfere."
I smirked. "More like assist really," I smirked as I kicked my left foot out and hit him in the chest before kicking off and flipping away.
"You are so soft, my son, that you now allow a mere girl to fight for you," Black Manta taunted.
A large fist in the form of light blue flowing water hit towards him and he dodged. Kaldur was behind me using his water bearers. I grabbed some of the water and formed a lasso the formed around Black Manta's form and I flung him into the middle of the water between Kaldur and I.
"Make no mistake, Kaldur can and has fought his own battles long before he knew you were his father," I declared. "He can and will defeat you on his own. I have an insect infestation to deal with in the mean time." I looked over his father towards Kaldur. "End this."
He nodded and I turned away and summoned the metal to me. Using it to deflect a shot that was aimed towards my shoulder. I turned my gaze towards the Reach solider, my new target. I began to run towards and launching myself onto the metal disc, dodging his shots as I flew towards him. I held my right hand out, gathering loose gravel in their air. I formed around my fist and punched the Reach soldier in the his mask. Send him flying with the stone shaped fist into the wall of the cave.
I heard thrusters activate and turned to see Black Beetle launching off the ground with the female scientist clutched in this arms. I began to fly towards them along with Blue Beetle and Miss Martian. Black Beetle shot down at us. I dodged and got shot knocking me off my metal disc. I turned towards the lone Reach soldier. I caught myself on my disc with my hand and landed on a ledge of the cave. With the metal disc in my hand I flung it at him. It hit him in the chest and he flew into the rock wall behind him. I summoned the metal disc back to me and looked up. I saw Miss Martian and Blue Beetle looking annoyed. I grimaced in response. Another thing to take care of later. I looked down and noticed only the Team stood. All Reach soldiers and LOAs were unconscious or trapped.
I looked down and immediate launched myself to the lower level. I landed on my metal disc and flew towards the lone figure. "Kaldur," I called and immediately launched myself at him. He caught me easily and I wrapped my arms around his neck. I vaguely heard my metal disc hit the ground nearby. I let out a noise that was a combination of a laugh and a sob as I wrapped my arms around his neck.
"You did it," I spoke to him in Atlantean, "You can come home."
His hold on me, slacked. I pulled away to look at him. "I feel like I have failed."
"Why do you say that?" I asked quietly in English, as I slid down his body and planted my feet on the floor.
"I had hoped to end this tonight," Kaldur stated as he looked down as he stood of his father's unconscious body. "But Savage escaped with Klarion. As did Black Beetle with the Reach's head scientist. Luthor and Queen Bee never showed. And even Ra's Al Ghul will no doubt—"
"Are you kidding me?" Dick cut him off. "Kaldur, you won!"
"Won?" Wally said in disbelief. "Dude, you triumphed!"
"You've crippled the Reach and literally broken the Light in half!" Artemis continued picking up the yellow glamour charm. "Even took down Deathstroke before the summit began! And since we holographically recorded the entire deal, we'll be able to use their own words against them to clear the Justice League!"
"Kaldur," I spoke softly. "You're mission is done," I said quietly. "You just played a major part in stopping the invasion. You just demolished their entire alliance. You and Artemis are safe." I leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on his lips before resting my forehead on his. "You did not fail."
From the corner of my eyes, Beast Boy tackled hug Artemis. She let out a surprised laugh. "What was that?"
"I'm still just so glad you're alive!" Beast boy said with watery eyes. He released his hold. Silver took his place almost immediately. "And that Aqualad's not a traitor!" He turned to Dick. "No more faking anyone's death for at least a year. Okay?"
"How about no faking anyone's death ever?" I asked releasing my hold on Kaldur and smiling at Artemis.
"Yeah, seconded," Wally agreed putting an arm around Artemis's shoulders.
"Agreed," Kaldur said squeezing my hand. I felt the smile on my face grow wider.
As the others began to talk about the major win, I watched as Kaldur moved to look over his shoulder at his unconscious father on the ground. I squeezed his hand and caused him to look at me and I gave him a look hopefully communicating that everything was going to be okay. At least I hope it would be.