Afterlight

Chapter Thirteen

"You can always try another approach; even change your subject when a scientific strategy or experiment fails."

― Ada Yonath

"The Zeta tube records indicate that Miss Martian frequently travels to Chicago," I stated as I hacked into the zeta tube. I sifted through the information, attempting to find anything else that would be useful.

"Then we're in the right place," Tigress looked at the alley we stood in. I shook my head at her voice.

"Not quite. She uses a zeta tube on the other side of the city," I carefully removed the cable connecting my tablet to the tube and tucked it into its proper pocket.

"We can get there quickly if we run," Deathstroke mused, "We can't risk the Manta-Flyer being spotted. I'll radio for them to meet us on the other side. Get moving."

I grunted in annoyance and climbed up the fire escape of the building next to us, flipping onto it and sprinting across the rooftop. I leaped over the gap between my building and the next, landed in a roll, and kept moving. I could hear Tigress behind me, a few feet away and running at a carefully controlled pace. The heavier footsteps of Deathstroke could be heard as he ran to catch up.

Our steady pace got us to the other side of the city in a little over an hour, complicated by random helicopters and policeman. Tigress snorted in disgust as we weaved our way through the junkyard. I ignored her and unsheathed my swords as I searched for a hiding place. I quickly found one and settled into it, prepared to wait.

I didn't wait very long. A few minutes later, the zeta tube whirred to life. I nodded at Deathstroke, "They're coming."

"Take your places," He said smoothly.

We climbed to the top of piles of cars and waited for Miss Martian to appear as the light from the zeta tube died away. I unsheathed my swords and held them loosely at my side, the picture of relaxation. Around me, Deathstroke and Tigress did the same.

Miss Martian stepped out, followed by Lagoon Boy. I narrowed my eyes at the sight of the unexpected hindrance to the mission. Deathstroke wouldn't care if the Atlantean was killed in the attack that was about to happen. I would have to discourage him from attacking the boy.

Miss Martian and Lagoon Boy walked a few steps before stopping. Lagoon Boy was the first to speak, "I can't wait anymore. I have too many questions. Why have you been avoiding me? Why haven't you been returning my calls? What's going on between you and Conner?"

I stifled a laugh at the unexpected questions as Miss Martian answered, "Nothing, I-I mean not what you're thinking."

"Then what, Angelfish? Please," Lagoon Boy begged. I couldn't help myself, and chuckled darkly at the nickname. The pair turned at the sound.

"Well, this is awkward. I hate to interrupt such poignant interspecies romance, but we have pressing business with the Martian," Deathstroke slid his katana from its sheath, reflecting light onto their faces.

They cringed at the flash and their lapse in concentration was rewarded with an attacking Deathstroke. Lagoon Boy went down with a boot in the face as Miss Martian took to the air. I leaped down to join Deathstroke as pain flared in my head.

"Artemis, that's you right?" Miss Martian hesitated and dodged an arrow, "Kyara, what are you guys doing?"

"It's me, M'gann, and I'm here to kidnap you," Artemis confirmed. I rolled my eyes and dodged Lagoon Boy's fist, purposely blocking Deathstroke's view of the Atlantean.

"What?" Miss Martian gasped as she blocked more arrows.

"Would you two stop being so dramatic? We need your help to fix Kaldur, and with Deathstroke here, we can't just ask you to come in. Fight, M'gann," I snapped at her. I ducked as Deathstroke swung his sword over my head and almost hit Lagoon Boy.

"Kyara is right. La'gaan can't suspect either," Artemis said calmly. Miss Martian nodded and blocked more arrows before throwing a car at Tigress. Tigress ducked underneath the car and glared, "You don't have to make it look that good."

"No, that's convincing. Tigress, keep dealing with Miss Martian. I have to make sure Deathstroke doesn't kill Lagoon Boy," I flipped in front of Deathstroke, forcing him to change the direction of the swing of his sword, and kicked Lagoon Boy back a few feet.

"Get out of the way, girl," Deathstroke said as Lagoon Boy roared and began to puff up. The Atlantean rushed at us. I leaped out of the way, but Deathstroke leaped into the air and kicked the boy in the face.

As Lagoon Boy stumbled backwards, I twisted around him, swords singing as they opened up shallow cuts on his chest. I snarled when Lagoon Boy swung a hand wildly and knocked them out of my hands. Deathstroke grabbed his arm as I ducked and threw him into a pile of cars.

"What do you mean, kill him? You wouldn't," Miss Martian's voice rose in panic as she threw another car at Tigress.

"I didn't say I would, but Deathstroke might. Just keep fighting and stay out of my way," I hissed as I shot a beam of light at Lagoon Boy. Deathstroke snorted at my move and threw an explosive at Lagoon Boy, engulfing him in flames.

"La'gaan!" The horrified scream of Miss Martian ripped through the lot. She lifted Tigress into the air with the intent to throw her.

"You said you wouldn't kill him!" She screamed as Tigress threw explosives at the ground below her.

"He's alive. Calm down and do your part," I cautiously followed Deathstroke as he approached the fallen Atlantean.

Lagoon Boy scrambled for his comm unit, "Lagoon Boy to base, we are under-"

I wrenched the communication device out of his ear with a beam of light, crushing it with a harsh thought. Lagoon Boy gaped at us as we approached, fear and anger evident in his face as we loomed over him. I smirked at him, a sword crystallizing in my hand.

"I'd hate to see a wounded animal suffer," Deathstroke slid his sword from his sheath.

"He's not on the Light's hit list. Leave him," I stared blankly at Lagoon Boy.

"Then let me give him some anesthetic," Deathstroke kicked him in face before I could react, knocking him out with a single blow.

I nodded with satisfaction and looked at Miss Martian and Tigress. Miss Martian was slumped over in ring of fire, defeat in her expression. Deathstroke approached her and locked an inhibitor collar around her neck, the electrical charge knocking the Martian out. I retrieved my swords as the Manta-Flyer landed.

Deathstroke grabbed Miss Martian and carried her into the ship. Tigress and I followed them into the ship, where Miss Martian was secured in a cell. I stayed behind and oversaw our departure and made sure that we were on route to the main ship. Once I was satisfied, I stepped into the hallway, intent on grabbing a drink of water.

Ten feet from the door to the kitchen, someone grabbed my shoulder and spun me around, slamming me against the wall. Deathstroke loomed over me, his one visible eye brimming with anger and suspicion. His arm slammed against my neck, cutting off my air supply.

"What game are you playing?" He hissed, "I saw the way you blocked every fatal move from me."

I clawed at his arm, kicking him in the stomach. He didn't move, so I pushed outward with my light, forcing him off of me. Swords formed in my hands as he recovered. I watched him warily, narrowing my eyes as he chuckled.

"Pathetic," Deathstroke chuckled, "Answer the question."

"I blocked every fatal move because killing a member of a Justice League team would have destroyed us. The Justice League always avenges those who die," I snapped, "The Light can't afford that right now."

"A weak excuse," Deathstroke relaxed, "But I won't question you. From what I understand, the Reach is going to experiment on you. You'll be dead, and I won't have to deal with the mess."

"It's the truth," I dropped my swords as Deathstroke walked away.

In a surge of movement, I stumbled into the kitchen and closed the door, collapsing into a chair. I stifled my growing panic, forcing myself to take deep breaths. I had messed up today and if I lived, Deathstroke would kill me, or, even worse, tell the League of Assassins. He would blow everyone's cover if he opened my mouth, and I couldn't do anything. I was watched too closely for me to do anything.

"I- I don't know where to begin," Miss Martian admitted as her eyes began to glow green. Black Manta had left us a few minutes ago after ordering Tigress and me to make sure that Miss Martian did what she was supposed to do.

"What do you mean? You were the one who did it," Tigress spat, moving forward until she was a foot away from Miss Martian.

"Breaking a mind is easy, but putting one back together is a whole different story. I don't know where to start," Miss Martian said quietly. I watched her from my position by the door, eyes narrowed behind my mask.

"Go inside and figure it out," I said. Okay, I was being a little harsh, but Miss Martian had abused her psychic powers. I hated psychic powers after my experience with Psimon, and I couldn't help but compare his actions to her, "You've helped restore minds before."

"You have?" Tigress asked, glaring at Miss Martian.

"With J'onn, just coma patients and lost memories," Miss Martian shook her head, "I can't do this."

"You have to," I stepped forward, "Thanks to your actions, everyone's cover is ready to be blown away. This entire operation could be ruined, and people will die."

"Kyara!" Tigress snapped, "What's wrong with you? You sound like them."

"No, she's right. I have to try," Miss Martian took a breath, "There is one problem. Kaldur's mind will see me as dangerous and will attack me. Someone needs to go with me."

"Kyara," Tigress suggested, "Kaldur trusts you."

"I don't know. My natural defenses…" I trailed off, raising my hands in a gesture of uncertainty.

"I can bring you in, I'm sure of it. Just relax as I do," I took a step back, and Miss Martian looked at me pleadingly, "He trusts you. He – Look it will work the best with you."

"Okay," I took a seat in the chair across from her, staring at Kaldur's vacant eyes, "Let's go."

I felt her nudge at my mind, and I struggled to keep myself from lashing out at her as she began to take control. It was a slow process, her working to bring our minds together. Suddenly, I felt something click, a burning pain gathering at the front of my skull. A murmured command had me opening my eyes.

I inhaled sharply at the sight that greeted me, "Oh, Kaldur."

The Atlantean's mind was in ruins. We were in something that I believed to be Atlantis, and for a moment I believed that we were underwater until I remembered that this was simply his mind, and it was an ugly one. The building around me and Miss Martian were in ruins, bits and pieces floating around. I could feel the despair and loneliness this place held, and almost cried at the thought.

"This is what I did," Miss Martian said somberly, "I'm a monster."

"No," I said absentmindedly as I touched a broken column, "Just learning, and a little too willing to protect your friends."

"So like you," She murmured, making me frown. She smiled apologetically, "Sorry, I – "

"Ugh!" I was slammed forward as the stream of magic hit me. A look at Miss Martian revealed that she had been attacked me. I steadied myself, looking at my attacker. It was a girl, an Atlantean with swirling tattoos. It couldn't be… "Tula?"

She released another burst of magic, and I called up a shield of light to protect us, "Miss Martian, explain, now."

"Manifestation of his mind…a – a way to protect himself. She was his first love and died under his watch. She's not real, just a figment," Miss Martian stuttered out. I believed her, but I could see that she didn't believe herself.

I lowered the shield, allowing the next attack to pass harmlessly through me. Miss Martian screamed though, the beam still hitting her. I swam over to her, grabbing her and shaking her, "Snap out of it. It's not real! I don't care about your guilt, only fixing Kaldur."

"No, it's all my fault. I can't fix it," She whispered, hollow eyes fixed on Tula, who was watching us with narrowed eyes.

"You're right, it's your fault," I snapped, ignoring her sob, "And now, you have to fix it if you want to make amends. So, get over yourself and move."

"Alright," She breathed, "Tula's not real. She's not real."

I tugged her along as I swam, heading towards the worst of the ruin. That had to be where Kaldur was, I couldn't think of anywhere else he would be. Miss Martian couldn't see it, but I was so afraid. As much as I hated to admit it, I still had feelings for him. I was terrified that I wouldn't be able to help him, moreover, that I was going to hurt him more than I already had.

"Kyara? There," Miss Martian pointed at the least damaged place, taking the lead.

We swam down, catching sight of the lone figure sitting on a bench inside the ruined dome. My feet touched the worn stone as I reached out to him, "Kaldur?"

I recoiled in alarm as he looked at me. His face was…gone…nonexistent. Words filtered into my ears, "What is left of Kaldur'ahm? And I, and I… What is left of Kaldur'ahm? I'll never finish in time…"

I blinked, realizing that he was speaking in Atlantean and English at the same time. I responded in is Atlantean first, repeating it in English, "Kaldur, it's me, Kyara. You're alive, please…"

"Kyara…is dead…gone…to shadows. She will not help…I…cannot help her, have failed…her…all of them," He repeated over and over again. I winced, my eyes burning.

"See, I don't know what to do," I jumped, having forgotten Miss Martian was there.

"I'm gonna try again," I said grimly, grabbing Kaldur's shoulder, "Kaldur, listen to me. We're here. You haven't failed us. We know you haven't."

"Please, Kyara, please," His voice echoed through my ears, pulling out of my grasp. I gaped at the swirling vortex that opened above us, that was pulling Kaldur in.

"No!" I latched onto his arm, ignoring the way Miss Martian fell to her knees in despair, "Kaldur, listen!"

"We'll help you save yourself! Fix everything! Kaldur, you're not alone," I screamed, "We can help you!"

He wasn't listening, and I was losing my grip on his arm. In a last desperate attempt, I shouted, "Don't leave me, Kaldur! Don't leave me alone. I promised you we were going to end it, and we will! Together! I'm not going to leave, I swear!"

Just like that, it was over. The vortex disappeared and I was tugging Kaldur back to me. He looked at me, his face visible. Something peaceful was in his eyes, something I had never seen. I stepped back, looking at Miss Martian. She was smiling at us, suddenly confident.

"I know what to do," She announced, grabbing Kaldur's hand, "We rebuild."

I came to with a start, doubling over in exhaustion. Tigress handed me a cup of water that I gulped down, "I feel like I've been standing for hours."

"You have," Tigress said, moments before Black Manta stepped inside.

He glanced around before stepping over to Kaldur and looking at him, "He is unchanged. You have failed, witch."

"No, she hasn't," I said as Kaldur blinked slowly, his head turning towards his father's voice.

"Father?" He asked slowly, each syllable laced with hesitation.

"I am here, my son," Black Manta gripped Kaldur's hand.

"He's not there, not really. We have a long way to go. This could take days, even weeks," Miss Martian admitted.

"As long as my son makes progress, you are safe. Keep working, Martian," Black Manta said roughly, "Tigress, escort her to her cell."

"Yes, sir," Tigress gripped Miss Martian by the arms and tugged her out of the room.

"You plan to kill her after she heals Manta," I stated as I looked at Kaldur's prone form.

"Yes, it is what she deserves after what she has done to my son," Black Manta didn't bother lying, "If it was up to me, I would torture her for weeks before ending her life."

"If it was up to you?" I looked questioningly at Black Manta.

"The Light has ordered me to give her a merciful death," Black Manta admitted, "I am not happy with this decision, but I will follow it, as you have followed their decisions."

"Yes," I closed my eyes for a moment, "The Reach sub has docked, hasn't it?"

"Ten minutes ago," Black Manta confirmed, "Go."

"I wish you all the luck with Manta," I began to walk towards the door, fear swelling inside of me.

"As I wish you all the luck with the Reach," I started with surprise at his civil tone, "I do not like you, Oblivion, but I know that you would do anything to save him. Thank you."

I didn't turn around as I said my final words, "I don't need thanks for what I have done for him, and I don't expect or want it."

April 10, 2016

When the Reach transport linked up with the main sub, five Reach guards surrounded me and escorted me onto the sub. A snarl twitched its way onto my face at the show of control by the partners of the Light. I didn't like being pushed around like this.

"Oblivion, how nice to see you," Ambassador was waiting for me at the end of the hall.

"I wish I could say the same to you," I didn't bother disguising my hostility, "I am not happy with this."

"Yet your employer has ordered you to accept our offer," Ambassador's voice remained light, "I think you will find that the Reach has much to offer a human with your abilities."

"I doubt that," I muttered, "What are you going to do?"

"Scientist will tell you. Come," Ambassador walked beside me as he led me to the lab that I had visited with Kaldur. The guards trailed behind us, making my hands twitch. Ambassador noticed my unease, "Leave us. She will not try anything."

"Unfortunately," I sighed and followed him to the lab.

Scientist was inside, tapping away at a tablet. She set it down when we entered, "Greetings, Oblivion. You are just in time. I have finished the final preparations for the first part of our test. Step inside the testing hall."

I reluctantly did as I was told, stopping just behind a red line painted across the floor. The walls had holes in them, and I was sure that they contained tools designed to encourage meta-genes. To my surprise, a door at the other end of the hall opened to let Black Beetle in.

"Scientist, is she ready?" I shuddered at his voice.

"I believe she is. Ambassador, we do not need you," Scientist said, "Oblivion, be ready."

Ambassador left as I looked at Scientist, "For what?"

"This," Black Beetle raised his arm, the armor morphing into a plasma cannon.

The plasma cannon ripped across the floor as I rolled out of the way. I came up with my swords in my hand and ducked under another beam, "What the hell?"

"Pause," Scientist said to Black Beetle. He stopped and waited.

"Take your position on the markers," She ordered, pointing to two glowing lines on the floor.

I did so hesitantly, and tucked my swords back into their sheaths. Scientist nodded at Black Beetle, who raised his arm again. Before he fired, cuffs of some sort rose out of the floor and wrapped around my legs, preventing me from moving. I stared in horror as the beam shot towards me.

At the last second, instinct took over and a bubble of light surrounded me. The beam shattered against the bubble, hitting the walls and the floor. I swayed as I held the shield, the plasma cannon was difficult to protect myself again.

"Stop," Scientist's voice rang out. Black Beetle paused, "Again."

"No!" I screamed as another burst of energy was sent towards me. My light rose to meet it, standing strong against the attack.

We repeated this process several times, until I fell to my knees, the restraints having been removed after the fifth time. A headache pounded behind my eyes, but we still continued to do the same test over and over. It finally ended when my shield disintegrated. I rolled out of the way of the shot, the energy singing my hair.

"Thank you, Black Beetle," Scientist nodded to him. He walked out of the room at the dismissal.

"Get up, girl," I pushed myself up, swaying on my feet, "You are wondering why we did this."

"Of course," I wiped away the blood that had trickled out of my nose.

"Our previous assessment of your abilities indicated that you absorbed energy that hit the energy shields that you emit. However, it now appears that your abilities reflect energy instead of absorbing it," Scientist explained, "We had planned to experiment based on that assumption. However, that can be corrected."

"Corrected?" I asked, dread gathering in my heart.

"Yes, your meta-gene will be manipulated so that energy is absorbed," I watched her warily. I wanted to escape and avoid all of this. After my experience with the League of Assassins, I didn't want my powers to be touched, not anymore.

Scientist touched a button on the wall that opened the door leading to the lab designed for those with active meta-genes. I nervously stepped after her, my breath coming out in short gasps. We stopped in front of a pod.

"Remove your armor and put this on," She shoved a black jumpsuit at me.

I stripped my armor, mask, and bodysuit off and tugged the suit on. It clung to my skin, the fabric feeling alien against it. Two assistant scientists stepped into the lab as Scientist pushed me into an open pod. I jumped as restraints snapped my arms, stomach, and legs against the pod's surface.

An assistant pressed the button to close the pod. I struggled as I was incased in the pod, but found that I didn't have the strength to conjure any light. I was hyperventilating now, and black was filling my vision. Tears slid down my face as several metal contraptions slid out of the wall.

A chittering sound echoed through the lab. Scientist was pointing at her tablet while she ordered her assistants around. One looked at me and entered a command into her tablet. I screamed as a needle slid into my neck, pumping me full of a freezing liquid.

"Please, no. I can't-" I abruptly cut off as another tool aimed itself at my chest and shot a beam of some sort towards me. It seared through me, burning my body and sending blood trickling down my chest.

I couldn't hold on for much longer as the beam continued to burn through me. Out of the corner of my eyes, I spotted several more of the same contraptions lining themselves up with my body. At the same time, they began to shoot through me, pain raging through me.

It was too much to handle. I slumped forward against my restraints, the blackness on the edge of my vision engulfing me in blessed silence.