Afterlight

Chapter Three

"Above all, don't lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love."

― Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Brothers Karamazov

Batman began by asking the most ridiculous question ever, "Who are you?"

I laid my hands flat on the table, not being able to believe that he would think that my memories were gone, "Oblivion, but I was Kyara Wayne."

"Then you remember who you were," Batman stated, "Then why are you doing this?"

"Does it matter? I asked tiredly, "Just get to the real questions."

Batman sighed, an exhausted sound that didn't fit his scowl, "Why were you in Star Labs?"

"I was given a job," I casually said, "I had to finish it."

"I was supposed to retrieve this little device," I fiddled with my handcuffs, "It was in my jacket, which is no longer on me. Where did it go?"

He ignored me, "What were you going to use this device for?"

"I don't know," I shrugged, "I don't need to. I'm just a tool used for a larger plan."

"Who are the people who control you?" As if that need an answer, but he obviously needed to hear it.

"You know who," I allowed my voice to darken, "The Demon is satisfied with my work. Apparently, my methods are exquisite."

Batman glared at me, perhaps in an attempt to scare me. It really didn't work, and I let him know with the way I rolled my eyes. Judging by the lines in his face, and the rigidness of his shoulders, he was very angry with me. I studied the man, noting the new stress marks on his face and the way stubble could be seen on his cheeks. These last few years had been hard on him.

"Over three years ago, you betrayed the Team while on a mission. Why?" I propped my head up with my hands.

"The League of Assassins offered me a deal, much better than anything you could have given me. It's just, the hero thing? It's so old and useless. Look at all the violence in this world. These people can't be trusted, no, they need control," I hissed.

"You don't know what you're saying," Batman insisted, "Your mother – "

"Don't you dare!" I slammed my hands on the table, "You have no right to assume anything about her. My mother is dead, you asshat. Good riddance, too. She couldn't even protect herself. She was weak and useless. A waste of space in a world with too little."

In a flash, Batman had grabbed my shoulders. His lips were white from how hard he was pressing them together, "Do not speak about your mother that way."

"Why? You don't like hearing about how useless she was? How she made me go through all this training, but never once tried to learn anything? She was defenseless and weak. She deserved to die, and she deserved to suffer for it," I yanked myself free, "I can't see you caring about her, so why the sudden interest?"

"She was your mother. As your father-" It was too much for me. How dare he claim some sort of control as my father when he had never been there for me?

"Father?" I laughed, borderline hysterical, "You were nothing of a father to me. When I came to you, looking for protection, you gave me a suit and told me to beat up criminals. When I was locked in my room and trying to find the strength to get up and do something, you didn't even care. I needed help, and you didn't even try."

"We can get you help now," Batman opened a file sitting on the table, "The Justice League has some of the best people equipped to deal with these problems."

"Oh, so now you want to help?" I laughed, a harsh and bitter sound, "That's convenient."

"This isn't you, Kyara," I growled at the name, "Please, listen to me. Come home."

"This is me," I stressed each word, "I've always had darkness inside of me. All I did was hide it from everyone. The League of Assassins taught me how to be proud of that darkness, how to twist it into something useful."

"The League of Assassins has hurt you-" He attempted to say. He was wrong. They had saved me.

"There you go again, talking about things you know nothing about. It's disgusting," I shook my head, "I don't need help. The League of Assassins fixed me. They made me better."

"They didn't. Look at yourself," Batman growled at me. Anger filled me, hot and heavy.

"Oh, so now you care? You never cared when I was alive, and you didn't look for me when I was gone-" I began to spit the words at them, years' worth of anger coming out.

"I spent months looking for you. The Team and I went into twenty League of Assassins bases, and you weren't there. Ra's al Ghul told me that you were dead," Batman thundered. I jerked back as his words slapped me in the face, "We believed them after we found-"

"No, you're lying! The deal-" I cut myself off, "I will tell you nothing! I'm done with you, Batman."

"Kyara, please," He begged. I shook my head, fighting back tears of frustration. I couldn't do this. I had made my deal with Ra's al Ghul, and I had to believe that he had fulfilled his end.

"Kyara is dead," I made my voice as harsh as possible. Maybe I was in denial, but I couldn't let myself believe that Ra's al Ghul had broken the deal. Everyone would die if I showed doubt.

"You are loyal to the League of Assassins?" I could hear the tint of sadness in his voice, "You won't give up their secrets?"

"I exist to serve them," I said, spreading my arms as wide as the handcuffs would allow, "So, no."

"Then there is nothing more to discuss," Batman looked at the mirror, "Martian Manhunter?"

Thirty seconds later, the door slid open once more. Martian Manhunter walked in, looking his usual calm self. Batman stood and allowed Martian Manhunter to sit. I hid my nerves as the Martian looked at me. I could feel his mind probing mine.

"Greetings, Oblivion," He folded his arms on the table, "Are you sure you will not tell us anything? My method is much more uncomfortable."

"I'm sure. Good job with the inhibitor collar, my mind won't be able to break yours," My voice was harsh, "Let's go."

"I'm sorry. Relax, it will make it less painful," Martian Manhunter advised me.

Unlike the times with Psimon, Martian Manhunter's approach was gentle. He probed my defenses with thin feelers, searching for a weak spot. Good luck with that. My mind was surrounding by walls, and they were very hard to break through.

The Martian continued to search. He kept on going over one spot, which I assumed was where he planned to attack. Martian Manhunter's mental abilities were very good, but I refused to let myself be taken. I stared into his unseeing eyes, daring him to attack.

The first attack came as he threw his mind against mine. I winced at the sharp burst of pain, but kept my walls up. I would have been able to keep them up, if it hadn't been for my inhibitor collar shocking me. I screamed, my walls collapsing. The Martian rushed in, trying to find a foothold in the swirling chaos.

"The League of Assassins," He whispered. I refused to think about it.

"Tell us their plans," I was going to punch him.

Martian Manhunter gave up and began to latch himself onto memories. Most of the memories he got were garbled flashes of noise and sound that I had recalled specifically for this purpose. He seemed to be going for stronger memories.

If he wanted strong memories, then he would get it.

I didn't throw a specific memory at him. I threw one of my strongest feelings at him: pain. I lumped together the pain from torture and fights, and the emotional pain I had experienced over the years. When he attempted to retreat, I grabbed hold of his mind and continued to pump him with the feeling.

"Aah!" He slumped forward. I kept a strong hold on him and continued to work.

Batman slammed me against the wall. The pain shocked me so much that I released my hold on his mind with a feeling of satisfaction. The Bat was livid and looked ready to kill me. Finally, he understood how much of a monster I was.

"Batman!" Superman called from the doorway, "Let her go."

"Do not pull another stunt like that," He hissed before letting me go. I shook off my fear, shaken by the events.

When I looked up, Batman had retreated to a corner and Martian Manhunter had been removed. Superman was quietly talking to Batman, who had calmed down slightly. I smiled at them, the picture of calm. They ignored me and continued talking.

"Would anyone mind telling me the time?" I asked politely.

"Two in the morning," Superman answered before Batman could stop him.

"Don't you think it's a little weird that the Team, that was supposed to be guarding Wayne Labs, hasn't checked in yet?" I asked innocently.

"Superman to the Team," Superman pressed a finger to his comm unit, "Are you there?"

"Trouble in paradise?" I asked.

"We have a problem," Superman hissed to Batman.

They left without another word. I hummed quietly as I sat on the table. They hadn't even asked why I knew that the Team was in Wayne labs, how forgetful of them. I sighed, it was time to get out of this place before I screamed.

I rubbed the inhibitor collar, feeling the way my powers rolled under my skin. The Justice League were idiots. They had assumed that my powers were the same as when I had left. They clearly hadn't taken into account my increase in powers or the way that I didn't care about what would happen if I used them.

I began to focus on my powers, gathering them around my neck. It would have to be one sharp burst, otherwise I would be electrocuted. Even now, I could feel the sizzle of a low electricity charge, warning me away.

I screamed as I pushed outwards, the inhibitor collar bursting open with a sharp crack. I threw it to the floor as it crackled with electricity. Not wasting anytime, I sprinted to the door and pushed it out of its frame with a concentrated burst of light.

Sprinting through the doorway, I dropkicked a stunned hero and kept going. I needed my weapons and costume before I could do anything. I remembered where they kept all of those things, in a room a few hallways over.

Thankfully, the Watchtower was deserted at this time of night. In a matter of minutes, I had reached the armory and had gathered my things. I slid my coat on as I ran, and tied my mask on as I twisted around stunned heroes. A few more turns, and I was at the zeta tubes.

I ducked as a green construct attempted to grab me. Green Lantern floated on the other side of the otherwise empty room. Spreading my arms wide, I called up a shield of light that blocked his next hit. I flicked a finger at him, arrows flying from my fingertip to hit the shield he had formed.

"Drop your weapons," Green Arrow ordered, "You can't leave."

"Watch me," I gritted through clenched teeth.

I threw an explosive disk at him and watched as he flipped with the shock waves. He crashed into the floor, looking dazed and confused. I took that time to dart over to the zeta tube computer and hack into it. It would take too long to create a new I.D. for the computer, but it would be easy enough to reactivate an old I.D.

"Identification activated, zeta tube ready," The computer announced.

I punched the air, victorious, and darted out of the way of another construct. Green Lantern floated above me, blood trickling from a cut on his temple. He frowned at me, "We're trying to help you."

"I don't need your help," I snarled.

I felt light erupt from me in a bright burst, blinding him. I sprinted into the zeta tube as Green Lantern hit the ground again. I smiled as the computer announced my code, "Recognized Astra B10."

When the zeta tube stopped, I opened the door of the telephone booth and stepped into Gotham. Wayne Labs was three blocks away, the meet up point was the next block over. I removed my mask and stuck it into a pocket, and walked through the streets looking like the average citizen. The snow crunched beneath my boots, filling me with the childish urge to make a snowball.

I pushed it away and continued walking. Talia al Ghul had told me that I should look for a woman with a red beanie when I neared the point. I quickly found her, a brunette woman stamping her feet in the cold, seemingly waiting for the bus. I joined her, my breath huffing though the air.

"Lovely weather tonight," I casually said.

"Yes, they expect a flurry tonight. Enough to stain this entire town red," I nodded at the code.

"If only that were true," I finished the code, "But in this city, the snow is as already as dirty as its people."

"The mission was a success. Your distraction lasted long enough for us to retrieve the package," She pulled her coat closer to her body.

"I am glad to hear that. Was anyone hurt?" I kept my voice as neutral as possible.

"On our side, no. No one dead. Protocol was followed when dealing with the Justice League and their brats," The contempt in her voice was obvious, "A wasted opportunity."

"The Demon has his reasons for waiting," I reminded her, "Remember this when you speak of wasted opportunities."

A black car drove up. We stopped talking and opened the back doors, sliding inside. The driver nodded to us, his expression hidden behind a poker face. I placed my mask over my face again, becoming Oblivion once more.

December 30, 2015

I walked through the halls of the headquarters with light footsteps. Ra's al Ghul had sent a messenger to my rooms five minutes ago with a request to meet him in what I had nicknamed the "throne room." He had requested that I wear my uniform, which I had already been wearing. I wondered what the Demon wanted. I had not done anything to anger him since becoming an assassin.

The guards opened the doors at my approach. I hurried through, slowing to a respectful walk as I approached Ra's al Ghul. When I was five feet away, I stopped and knelt, bowing my head respectfully. I touched my fist to my chest in a formal salute.

"Rise, Oblivion," The man ordered, "The time spent doing these salutes is wasted."

I stood, but kept my head bowed, "Thank you, sir."

"How has your time as my soldier been?" Ra's al Ghul asked.

"Excellent, sir. I feel like I am achieving my true potential through these missions," I carefully replied, "It is truly an honor being in your army."

"Good answer," Ra's al Ghul responded, "The reports I have received on your missions have been very complimenting towards you. My daughter feels that you are loyal."

"I am, sir," I hurriedly said, "I am only loyal to you."

"This is good to hear. What I am about to ask of you requires loyalty far beyond what most people have," Ra's al Ghul's voice darkened, "Know that if you betray me, I will kill you."

"I understand," My voice was tiny in comparison to his. I hated him, and I feared what he could do if I ever messed up. If I somehow broke my deal with a misstep…

"Are you aware of the organization known as the Light?" I nodded, "Then you know that we have many assets."

"Recently, one of our assets has become a cause for concern. He is known as Black Manta," I stiffened, "You recognize his name, good. Black Manta has taken on an apprentice, his son."

"You are not happy with this?" I asked. From the way Ra's al Ghul twisted around the words, it sounded like he hated them.

"No, I am not. The son, who goes by Manta, was previously allied with the Justice League. The Light does not believe that Manta is loyal to our cause," Ra's al Ghul fixed me with a stare, "You are to judge his loyalty."

I couldn't help myself, "Sir?"

"Tomorrow, you will meet up with one of Black Manta's ships, which will take you to the main one. From there, you will speak to Black Manta, who has been informed of your job, and will then be handed off to Manta. Manta has been told that for all intents and purposes, you are his advisor and equal. Unless you feel that his judgement is impaired, or that he is displaying loyalty to someone else, you will follow his orders," Ra's tilted his head, "I expect reports after every mission. Is that understood?"

"Yes, sir," I nodded.

"Then you may go. I believe that a new uniform suitable to the ocean has been designed for you," I nodded once more, "I do feel the need to inform you that Black Manta is fighting the Light's decision. He will not make this easy for you. Expect him to be constantly testing you."

"I will not fail you, sir," I bowed and left.

Curiosity had filled me at the prospect of meeting this apprentice. I hadn't known that Black Manta had a son, let alone someone willing to take his place. The prospect of judging his loyalty made me nervous. If I declared that he was loyal, and turned out to not be, then I would be the one responsible for the chaos caused.

My musings were interrupted as I reached the room that I had been looking for. The uniform room was rarely visited, save for assassins getting fitted for their uniforms. The person who designed the uniforms was a retired assassin who had a gift for fashion.

I knocked and entered at the shouted greeting. I was immediately assaulted by the smell of burning rubber, probably another experiment by our resident designer. I pushed my way through the bolts of fabric and into the next room.

"Oblivion, it is so nice to see you," The woman cried as I entered the room. She set her flamethrower down and pulled me into a hug, "I heard you got a new assignment. Wonderful, my dear!"

"Thank you, Silence," Unlike most retired assassins, she hadn't taken a new name upon resigning, "It's very exciting. The Demon told me that you had a new uniform for me."

"Yes!" She shouted and pushed me towards a screen that I was supposed to change behind, "Take these."

I accepted the gear and stepped behind the screen. The gray-haired woman called out details as I changed, "Black body suit with a high neck. Fully reinforced with a Kevlar weave that will stop most bullets. The rubber in it will prevent you from being shocked."

I zipped it up and pulled on the next item, "White armor designed to cover your breasts, arms, shoulders, and hands. It stops just below your bra strap and leaves your stomach exposed. Note the reinforced armor around the torso of your body suit. The armor looks like a metal and plastic combo, huh? It's not."

A murmur of satisfaction escaped me as I examined the next article of clothing, "White armored boots. I added hinges and a separate knee guard for the knee part of the boot. They inner part of the boot should stop at the middle of your inner thigh, and the outer part should stop just below your hips."

"Nice," I took a few steps in them, noticing how they didn't interfere with my movements.

"Sorry, I had to add a utility belt in. I made it as light and small as possible. It's black, too," She added lightly. I groaned as I buckled the thin chain on. It blended in with the armor so that it was practically invisible.

"Black holsters for your back," I snapped them on and slid my swords into them, "Both your boots and gloves have black accents on them. Over the knuckles and around the ankles and knees."

"And finally," She paused for dramatic effect, "A white skull mask, with a built in air filter. Let me see you."

I stepped out, twirling for effect. She made a happy noise and began to adjust the armor. She looked at my lips, exposed by the swirling lace design of the mask, and handed me black lipstick. She clapped her hands together with approval, "I like this new look!"

"It's nice," I admitted, turning my hands over as I inspected the armor covering them. Silence tugged at the neck of my black bodysuit, pulling it up so that it was higher than the white armor protecting my neck. I noted the way it didn't cover the area where my gills formed in water, but the black bodysuit did, "The bodysuit filters water?"

"Yes," She stepped back with an excited grin, "Go get 'em, tiger."

December 31, 2015

The submarine broke through the water's surface at five in the morning. Talia al Ghul and I stood in the loading bay. We watched as a soldier opened the hatch at the top of the submarine and dropped a ramp down. I nodded to Talia and tightened my grip on my duffel, walking onto the ramp.

"Oblivion?" I looked at my mentor, "Just to clarify something. If Manta proves to be disloyal, you are to kill him where he stands."

"Yes, mentor. I will not fail," I pressed my fist to my heart and bowed.

"See that you do not," Talia al Ghul was harsh.

The soldier waited until I was off the ladder before closing the hatch and climbing down himself. They gave me a quick tour of the small submarine before showing me my quarters. I sat down on the small cot as the submarine began to move. With nothing to do for the next ten hours or so, I pulled out a sword and began to clean it.

"Ma'am, we have connected with the main submarine. They are waiting for you to board," I sheathed my sword and stood. Despite being shorter than the soldier, I could tell that I was the most threatening presence.

"Take me to them," The soldier turned and led me back to the hatch. At my look, he climbed the ladder first. I followed after examining the situation, not wanting to step into a trap. Once I was satisfied that I was safe, I scaled the ladder and pulled myself out of the smaller submarine.

I was met with two soldiers, one from the submarine. They walked out of the loading room and into a hallway. They marched through the hallways until they came to a room with a table in it. Five soldiers stood in the room, all standing in battle-ready positions.

I stiffened, prepared to fight my way out of this situation. A man, Black Manta, stepped forward, "Oblivion, welcome. I understand that you will be staying with us for an indeterminate amount of time."

"Yes, I trust that you have been informed of the reason why I am here. However, let me remind you. I am to judge your apprentice's loyalty. Therefore, I am to be at your apprentice's side at all times, is that understood?" My words were clear and crisp.

"Do not patronize me, League of Assassin scum," Black Manta snapped. With the helmet on, it was difficult to judge his emotions, but his tone suggested that he was very unhappy.

"Watch your tone," I retorted, "Unless you wish to prove that you are as disloyal as your apprentice."

"My son is not disloyal," He hissed.

"The make sure he proves it," I shot back.

Black Manta seemed to calm down, "He will. It is time to meet my son and apprentice, Manta."

A man dressed in the same uniform as Black Manta stepped out of the shadows. The only difference between them was that this man was slightly smaller. He walked in a way that reminded me of someone, but I couldn't place my finger on it.

"Father, please," The man reached up and removed his helmet, tucking it under one arm. The eyes and hair were too familiar. He offered a hand for me to shake, "My code name is Manta, but you may call me Kaldur'ahm."

Author's Note: Hello! Sorry for the wait. I did a last minute rewrite on this chapter. Bye!