Chapter 9: Downtime Side B
Poseidonis
13:00 | August 27
Atlantis
Kaldur walked out of the air bubble around the Zeta Tube entrance into the welcoming waters of familairty. He swam down the corridor where his King and Mentor awaited him.
"Hail, Kaldur'ahm," King Orin spread his arms, welcoming his ward.
Kaldur placed his fist over his forehead, "Greetings, King Orin."
King Orin pivoted and swam off with Kaldur at his side. Together, they swam along the pathway decorated by crystal dolphins. "The Queen and I are hosting a small dinner tonight; I hope we can see you tonight."
"My King, I was actually hoping to meet someone tonight," Kaldur looked down. "Someone special," Kaldur looked back to his mentor.
Orin chuckled, "You may bring a friend."
"Thank you, my King," Kaldur smiled and nodded.
"Then I shall see you tonight," Orin turned into a path leading to the palace. Kaldur himself swam where he believed his old friends would be. Yet, as he swam towards the Conservatory, he looked at the capital's splendor. The colorful spires and domes along the ocean floor, the dome around the city reflecting the city's lights, cast an aura across the streets. Indeed, Poseidonis was a marvel and the jewel of the Atlantian nation. Yet, despite the comforting feeling of the water's pressure and the visage of Poseidonis, his mind was on something else. Rather, someone else. Tula, the girl who had awoken in him feelings he had not thought possible. Such was his mind thinking of his studies and competing with Garth. Then she entered their class and dazzled everyone with her talent and bright disposition. It was impossible to not think of her after meeting her and becoming fast friends.
Kaldur's ponderings halted when he reached the Conservatory. He swam through its halls where Atlentians from all corners of the ocean swam and went about their studies. He entered one of its courtyards, where several more students practiced their magic. He noticed young La'gaan, a boy he met in his final days at the academy. Along with those students, he sawm to his old friend Topo. He was fretting to himself while working on a mural. Kaldur swam up behind him, "excellent worksmanship, Topo," Kaldur made himself known.
"Kladur!" Topo turned to his friend, his tentacled face twitching with delight. "Watch," Topo raised his hand to the mural, invoking a spell, and water swirled around, bringing the mural to life. "Listen," Topo's voice echoed with magic.
Kaldur watched, seeing the tale of how he and Garth saved King Orin from his nemesis, Ocean Master. It seemed like just yesterday to him, the memory as vivid as Topo's mural. But, even then, Kaldur dreamed of the surface world, so when the offer was given, Kaldur took it without thinking. His dream of seeing the surface led him to where he was today and the family he had formed on the surface.
"Kaldur? I mean, Aqualad?"
Kaldur shook his head, "Forgive me, Topo, but might you know where I can find Tula and Garth?"
"On the roof at their studies," Topo offered, and Kaldur took his leave to find them. Kaldur sawm up followed the sounds of combat, and peered just over the roof's edge. Garth backflipped and formed a shield blocking Tula's spell. He watched Tula, his heart beating faster, from just a glance from afar. Kaldur hauled himself over the roof and swam towards his friends.
Queen Mera noticed his arrival first. "Kaldur'ham! Welcome back, it is good to see you," Mera embraced Kaldur, foregoing formalities.
"It is good to see you as well my Queen," Kaldur pulled back and saluted her all the same. "Forgive my interruption; I can come back if need be."
"No, we were just finishing, I have another class." Mera nodded to her students. "Shall I see you tonight at dinner?"
"You shall, my Queen," Kaldur bowed slightly.
"Then we shall talk then; take care, Kaldur," Mera smiled brightly and swam away.
Kaldur barely turned to his friends when Tula embraced him. "Kaldur! You look well!" She smiled, pulling back beaming at him.
"Surface life agrees with you, Kaldur," Garth looked at his friend's lips pulled back in a more muted display of happiness.
"You speak as if I have been gone for," Kaldur began.
"Two months," Tula and Garth said in unison.
"That long?" Kaldur looked down, unsure how to receive that. "Then I must make up for lost time," Kaldur reached over, taking Tula's hand in his own. Tula gasped softly as a familiar fuzzy feeling in her stomach resurfaced. She looked into Kaldur's pale green eyes, and it was like the day they first met again. His eyes were deep and held a particular sorrow to them. Yet, Tula always felt comfort when looking into those eyes. They held unfathomable depth, capable of great hope and love. A love she had believed faded when he left for the surface.
"Tula?" Kaldur looked at her, and she snapped out of her thoughts.
"Yes, I will join you gladly, Kaldur, but we have another class." With more effort than she dared to admit, Tula pulled away from Kaldur and swam away.
"I wish I could invite you as well, my friend," Kaldur turned from Tula's retreating to his old friend.
"I made that call long ago, Kaldur," Garth shook his head and chuckled briefly. "Still, it was good to see you, my friend," Garth placed a firm hand on Kaldu's shoulder.
"Likewise, let's catch up after dinner," Kaldur offered.
"Ah, I'm afraid I have my own prior engagement, but you and Tula go ahead." Garth swam back and then joined Tula. Far from Kaldur's ear, Garth swam up to Tula.
"Well?" Garth looked at Tula.
"I," Tula looked away, "I don't know."
"Tula, when we kissed," Garth swam before her, stopping her.
"I know Garth, but when Kaldur held my hand," Tula crossed her arms and looked down.
"Tula," Garth felt his heart tighten in his chest. "Kaldur left, I stayed…because I have always had feelings for you." Garth swam back, "I never once regretted it." Garth swam on and left Tula to her thoughts. Tula remained momentarily before the first horn for her next class surged her onward. She shook her head and pushed her turmoil down. Now was not the time; her studies had always been her greatest passion. Now, it was time to focus on that.
Poseidonis Science Center
16:00 | August 27
Atlantis
Prince Orm swam up with the head scientist. Inside the science center, under heavy guard, was their latest discovery. A discovery he brought forth thanks to information from his 'friends.' Of course, his brother was too preoccupied with his galavanting on the surface to come here. So here he was under orders from his King to follow up on his own discovery. Orm folded his hands behind his back, balling them into fists. "Prince Orm!" the head scientist swam to him with a data pad. "This discovery is nothing short of amazing."
"Thank you," Orm nodded to him, "what can you tell me about it?" Orm asked merely out of obligation. He was no fool; his 'friends' were surface dwellers, and their agendas coincided with his for the time being. But to trust 'him' was foolish at best and downright idiotic at worst.
"The creature is ancient, beyond Poseidonis itself." The scientist held his data pad up, and it scanned. "Despite being frozen for that long, it still lives." The head scientist looked at the data pad with bewilderment. "There seems to also be minimal brain activity. Though it's strange beyond that."
"How so?" Orm raised a brow.
"There seems to be no central brain we can detect as if the entire body acts as a brain." The head scientist looked on at the creature with keen eyes. "This has become the science center's top priority."
"Security protocols are in place; nothing is getting in Prince Orm," the guard Captain assured her Prince.
"Good, see that nothing happens," Orm nodded and took his leave. He swam out of the science center, and after being a distance away, he put his finger to his ear. "The target is in place," Orm turned to the city. "Do what you must to secure it."
"Understood, civilians?" the voice came over the comms.
"Expendable," Orm frowned, "over and out." Orm swam towards the palace; he had a dinner with his brother to attend to after all.
A few hours later, near the science center, a drill disrupted the peace of night. A squad of black armored soldiers emerged from the hole. "Stop!" Two patrolling mermen guards swam to the disturbance. From the hole, a soldier burst forth, opening fire on the guards with an energy rifle. The rifle electrocuted the two guards, bringing them down. The Soldier turned to organize his squad, and one of the mermen grabbed his trident, not falling unconscious from the blast. He aimed his trident, and before he could fire an energy blast, something slammed his head into the ground from above.
The Soldier turned, rifle raised, to see Black Manta stepping over the merman. "That was careless, Rodan." Black Manta glowered, swimming to the squad. "Do not let it happen again."
"Yes, Sir!" Rodan saluted Black Manta.
"Status report," Black Manta activated his helmet's comms.
"Beta Squad in Position."
"Gamma in position."
"Omega in position."
"Excellent, begin phase two," Black Manta took command of Alpha squad and moved to the Science Center.
Poseidonis
20:04 | August 27
Atlantis
"A gigantic echinoderm, frozen but still alive!" Orm grinned proudly as he told everyone of his prize finding. "Our data is still preliminary, but Doctor Volkor believes the first findings to be very promising."
Kaldur watched his Prince go on and leaned over to Tula. "I've been thinking about returning to the Conservatory with you and Garth."
Tula's eyebrows shot up, and her heart fluttered. Mera intervened before she could speak. "You have been gone for a while, Kaldur; your sorcerer skills have not been kept up to par. You would not be in the same class as Tula." Mera smiled apologetically, "Or Garth, for that matter."
"Perhaps I would require a tutor," Kaldur leaned over, bumping his shoulder against Tula. She smiled, then rolled her eyes, taking some food out of her mouth. They conversed for a few more hours and asked questions about the frozen creature to Prince Orm. As the dinner died down, Orin and Mera stood up. Aquaman put his arm around Mera and smiled at his guests.
"Before the night ends, we have an announcement to make." Orin put his hand over Mera's stomach.
"I am with child," Mera announced with a broad grin.
"Oh, congratulations!" Tula was the first to hug the queen.
"An heir to the throne at last!" Kaldur sawm up, shaking hands with his mentor. Orm rose to his feet, and Kaldur flinched before stepping back and bowing. "Forgive me, My Prince, I did not mean."
"No," Orm chuckled, waving Kaldur's apology away. "None is happier than I; congratulations, brother." Orm clasped wrists with Aquaman and placed his hand on his brother's shoulder.
"Thank you, brother," Orin squeezed back firmly, smiling fondly at his brother.
"Superman to Aquaman, Tokyo Bay emergency, we need you ASAP."
"Ah, duty calls forgive me," Orin kissed Mera's hand. Mera slipped her hand free of Orins and looked down.
"Swim with me," Orin swam away from the group, and Kaldur joined him. After they exited the great hall, Orin led Kaldur to the palace's Zeta tube. "Batman has made me aware of your predicament," Orin looked at his protégé with an understanding look. Kaldur looked away slightly, feeling somewhat ashamed.
"I speak from personal experience," Orin felt a tug at his heart. Seeing Mera saddened at his departure never ceased to make his heartache. Yet, Orin had a duty he made a long time ago at the founding of the Justice League. "It is hard to live up there and love down here," Orin stopped by the Zeta tube and punched in the coordinates for the Tokyo tube. "I am sure you shall make the right decision." Orin squeezed Kaldur's shoulder before Zeta tubing out.
"Kaldur," Tula's voice made him turn to find her floating by a pillar. "Swim with me?" she jabbed her thumb into the reef garden outside the palace.
"Yes, I should very much like so," Kaldur swam at Tlua's side as they swam out towards the gardens.
Several black-clad soldiers took positions around the city. Atlantean patrols unknowingly swam toward the soldiers. "Omega squad is in position, and we're ready to begin phase three."
"I would like to!" Kaldur and Tula began at the same time. They both shared a laugh before Kaldur held up his hand. "Tula, I have thought about it," Kaldur said, taking her hand. "I have missed you terribly and would like nothing more than to stay here with you."
"But," Tula sighed with a sad smile tugging at her lips.
"But," Kaldur smiled back, "I am needed on the surface." Kaldur raised Tula's hand, putting it against his cheek. "I wish you could join me and meet the family I have formed on the surface. They have become as great friends as you and Garth are to me."
"Kaldur," Tula felt her heart fluctuate between pain and love. He was going to leave again, and though a small part of her that had come to find fleeting feelings of Garth arose, it paled to her feelings for Kaldur. "You should know, Garth and I, we were about to start something before you arrived."
Kaldur felt like the water around him turned frigid. "I see," Kaldur put his fist over his shattered heart. "I understand, I have been gone a long time."
"Wait-by Posidon!" Tula reached out before explosions rocked the palace behind them!
Kaldur turned to see palace pieces blown off and fell on the Atlantean patrols. He gasped as more explosions rocked the city across Poseidonis! His training kicked in, and he swam to Tula, grasping her shoulders. "Tula!"
"Yes!" Tula snapped from her shock and found her resolve.
"I have to protect the queen, go and find shelter at the conservatory." Kaldur squeezed her shoulders for emphasis.
"No," Tula wrenched herself from Kaldur's grasp. "I am trained as a combat sorcerer; I shall not hide while my queen and teacher are threatened."
Kaldur smiled, "Just so," The two swam back to the courtyard.
They arrived just as several armed squads were storming the palace. Queen Mera raised her arms, bringing up two magic circles. One protected her from the energy blasts, and the other sent magical apparitions of electric eels. They wrapped around their targets, shocking them into submission. But there were too many, and a whole platoon of soldiers rushed into close-quarters range.
A sphere of magical energy flew between the queen and the soldiers. It impacted the ground before exploding into a maelstrom of magical energy, blasting the soldiers away. Tula swam down, glowing magical marks around her body alight with arcane power. "My queen!"
A squad of soldiers popped from cover behind a set of pillars at the end of the courtyard. They raised their rifles, and just as Kaldur dropped on them, he turned the barrel of the first against his comrade, blasting him. He smashed the first with a mace from his water bearer, knocking him out. Several soldiers rushed in, and Kaldur fell back, forming a shield with his bearers. Two magical blasts from Tula destroyed the pillars, and the supporting arches came down, crushing the reinforcements. Kaldur turned his head and nodded to Tula, with her arms outstretched, energy crackling around her hands. Kaldur looked back as more soldiers moved to attack them. "More reinforcements!"
Tula swam up to the rubble; she rotated her arms, forming a magical tornado sucking up debris and unconscious soldiers. She guided the other end towards their attackers and fired debris and their own soldiers against the upcoming reinforcements.
"This is Gamma squad; we need backup!" the Soldier yelled as a water whip cracked against his visor, knocking him unconscious. An energy blast whizzed by Kaldur, and he was forced back with his shield back up. Two soldiers came up from below the courtyard's edge. They hefted torpedo launchers over their shoulders. The first one took aim, their reticle over a retreating Kaldur, and fired!
"Kaldur!" Tula shouted as the torpedo swooshed past her. Kaldur's tattoos glowed brightly as he wrapped himself in a magical cocoon at the last second. The cocoon imploded, tossing Kaldur back. He was stunned, defenses down.
The second Soldier took aim before the first forced his launcher down. "Wait!"
"What?" The second Soldier pushed him off.
"It's him; I just realized it's Black Manta's Augh!" the Soldier blasted by a magical blast. The second raised his launcher before he was hit by a magical projectile. Satisfied with Kaldur's attackers subdued, Tula prepared to assist Kaldur.
"Tula!" Garth came from the right side of the palace! His face scrunched in concern, and his focus was so solitary that he overlooked the Soldier that came around the corner from which he had come.
"Garth!" Tula used her magic to launch herself faster than her friend. The Soldier fired, and she could not conjure a spell in time. She flipped them and reinforced her body with her magic as best she could. She was shot in the back, shocking her. She went limp in Garth's arms, and he pulled her close.
"Enough!" Mera shouted as blue arcane tattoos snaked around her arms and crawled up her cheeks. She threw her left arm like a spear, and huge magical tentacles shot out from the ground. The mass of tentacles smashed and grappled soldiers. She threw out her right arm to more tentacles attacking the soldiers. Finally, tentacles raised before her, blocking the energy shots. From behind her, a giant magical octopus apparition rose from the ground.
"My queen!" Kaldur recovered from his earlier attack and swam to her side. Kaldur's eyes widened when he noticed Garth cradling Tula on the ground.
"Thank Poseidon; you are safe!" Prince Orm appeared behind them with a fresh platoon of guards.
"Prince Orm!" Kaldur swam up to the Prince as he and his men took a defensive position.
"Kaldur, it is good to see you well," Orm nodded. "We must secure the palace; Mera must be their primary target!"
"I," Garth pursed his lips, shaking his head clear. "I saw several explosions in sectors one, two, three and five."
"None in Sector Four?" Kaldur glowered at the attackers. "Then your finding is their true prize!"
"I must protect the queen and the heir; I cannot spare any troops." Orm shook his head.
"Go, I need no protection!" Mera scowled as her tentacles swatted more soldiers from the area.
"Mera no, if you suffered any injury, my brother would never forgive me." Orm shook his head.
"He is right, my queen; this battle is mine." Kaldur looked at an opening made by Mera and Orm's combined attack.
"And mine as well," Garth said, putting down Tula gently.
"Your place is with Tula," Kaldur said with more venom than he intended. Kaldur swam away, not allowing Garth to answer.
At the science center, head scientist Volkor grasped a sidearm. The last of his guards had locked themselves in the main chamber with the echinoderm. Outside the main gate, they could hear the sounds of battle and shouting. It had been like this for nearly an hour now, and their pleas for reinforcements fell on deaf ears. Suddenly, the battle died out outside the main chamber. "Prepare yourselves!" Doctor Volkor raised his sidearm.
Just then, an explosion from the ground scattered his front line. Then, a second explosion behind them threw his squad into chaos. Two squads of black soldiers emerged from the holes, attacking a pincer. The defenders stood no chance, falling to precise energy shots before Black Manta shot Volkor with his helmet lasers. The smoke cleared, and several Atlantean guards floaded around the room. "Target secured," Black Manta smirked before activating his commlink. "Manta Sub, begin phase four."
Outside, a huge black Manta Ray shaped submarine glided above the Science Center. Its belly opened up, revealing a powerful laser. It charged up for a few seconds before it fired on the Science Center dome. "Reinforced, as you predicted, Sir," Rodan swam up next to Black Manta.
"Yes," Black Manta looked at the creature, "secure the perimeter; nothing gets in."
"Understood," Rodan swam down to the gathered soldiers. "Black Guard, teams of four, secure the center." Rodan pressed his hand to the side of his helmet. "Alpha Squad, secure the rest of the building."
"Roger that," Alpha squad leader responded before signing out.
Outside, three soldiers floated unconscious outside the Science Center entrance. Kaldur holstered his water bearer on his back and entered the code to open a side door. His ear caught the sound of disturbance in the water. He turned, reaching back to his water bearer tattoos glowing in preparation. Garth sawm down, and Kaldur glared at his friend. "You should be with Tula."
"The Queen looks after Tula; she sent me here to help you," Garth glared back. "You are my friend too, Kaldur," Garth's stare softened, reminding Kaldur of the fact.
Kaldur flinched, ashamed of the jealousy gripping him after Tula's confession. "Let us go," Kaldur turned, finished punching in the code, and entered the Science center. The two traverse its corridors, finding the signs of lost battles everywhere. "Something is off; these men are dead." Kaldur frowned at the bodies.
"What do you mean?" Garth visibly paled; this was the first time seeing death. Still he did not lose his nerve for the sake of both of his friends.
"Tula wasn't killed; the palace attackers' weapons were only meant to disable." Kaldur raised his head; as they reached an intersection, he noticed shadows on the wall on the left path. Kaldur looked to Garth, who had become distracted by the bodies, and let him swim ahead.
"Hands up!" two soldiers came from the left corridor, snapping Garth out of his stupor.
"What?" Garth looked around, seeing Kaldur was gone.
"You're dead-Augh!" the left Soldier was thrown aside by a kick. The left Soldier was swiftly unarmed, as Kaldur cut his rifle in half with a sword before wrapping him in a vice with his whip. "Are you both Atlantean?"
"What? Yes!" The Soldier choked out.
"Good," Kaldur threw a left hook, knocking the Soldier out. "I, too, have my studies," Kaldur smirked at Garth before removing the Soldier's helmet. "Grab the other one."
Inside the main chamber, the laser continued melting the dome. Soldiers moved to attach cables to the frozen creature. From the main entrance, two of the patrolling soldiers returned. Black Manta did not order Alpha squad to reinforce them. As the two Soldiers approached the target, he noticed two devices on one of their hips. Those were not standard issue for his crew.
"Impressive, isn't it?" Black Manta swam up behind the two. "Aqualad," Black Manta activated his thrusters, swimming away as Aqualad turned and fired the rifle set to stun Black Manta. Black Manta arched his back, turned on a dime, and fired his helmet lasers, destroying the rifles. The explosion sent Garth and Kaldur flying back. Black Manta fired again, barely missing them, his lasers exploding against the opposite wall. Kaldur drew his water bearers and formed his two signature short swords. He deflected Black Manta's next shots, then one of the Black Guard sawm around the target firing at Kaldur. He blocked the shots, dodged the last in a side spin, and threw out a water whip. He grabbed the Soldier's leg and pulled him down. Black Manta fired, and the lasers hit the Black Guard.
Black Manta Glowered, "Such a waste, you really have no ambition?" Black Manta balled his hands into fists. "Aren't there others willing to die for their king?" Black Manta gazed at Garth as he struggled to remove his damaged helmet. "This fool for example!" Black Manta's helmet eyes glowed an angry red.
Kaldur clicked his tongue and threw a water whip around Garth's abdomen. Black Manta fired, and Garth was yanked into cover behind a nearby pillar with Kaldur. Black Manta's Black Guard soldiers immediately opened fire. Kaldur removed his helmet and grabbed Garth by the shoulders. "Get your head in the game, Garth!" Kaldur pushed off and swam back to the fray, making a shield with his water bearer.
Garth gritted his teeth before bringing his hands together. "I summon the power of the tempest!" he broke cover, unleashing his spell as a massive magical tornado flew at Black Manta. He dodged in time, but his squad got hit and sent flying across the room. Kaldur swam like a strike barracuda at Black Manta. The Villain threw out a hand, knocking Kaldur's wrist aside, and hit him with a upppercut, sending the young hero reeling. Garth swam in, firing a bolt of magical lightning. Rodan and Black Manta, the only ones still in the fight, moved aside. He fired back at the young heroes, forcing Kaldur to form a shield and Gartht to create a lighting field to shield himself.
Black Manta's right shoulder opened to reveal a miniature missile launcher, and two micro missiles fired. They exploded against the shields, sending the heroes reeling. Rodan moved in, firing, forcing Kaldur left and Garth right back to the pillar he took cover in. Black Manta grabbed Rodan's shoulder, "Forget them! Secure the line!" Black Manta pointed as the Manta sub finished melting the dome and lowered the wench.
"Rah!" Kaldur sawm for Manta, swinging his short swords. Manta swam down, planted both feet against Kaldur's stomach, and rotated and rolled with the momentum kicking him off. Manta righted himself, firing his helmet lasers. Kaldur spun the lasers, grazing the armor's back, and delivered two horizontal cuts. Manta ducked and threw a back-spinning kick, forcing Kaldur away. He finished the spin, firing his lasers forcing Kaldur to form a shield. Kaldur saw Rodan attach the wench to the target. "Garth, the cable!"
Garth ducked back into cover; he had been trading shots with one of the recovered Black Guard. Manta's men were well trained, and he now realized what his teacher meant by improvisation. The Black Guard was using his experience to keep Garth pinned. Garth gritted his teeth, watching the target being taken before them. He formed a bright ball of energy and threw it at his attacker. The ball exploded into a bright light, forcing the Black Guard into cover and disorienting him. Garth turned and threw his arm out, but an energy shot hit him in the arm. "Agh!" Garth spun and used the momentum to throw out his other arm, firing a ball of lightning at the target. The ball struck the wench and exploded, knocking out Rodan with it!
Black Manta growled and fired lasers at Garth, who dove back into cover. The target landed hard on the platform, cracking a chunk open. A tendril of the target plopped on the ground. It stirred momentarily. Black Manta was wrapped by water whips and pulled to Kaldur. The young hero sent an electric shock meant to disable Manta.
"Grrah!" Manta roared and broke free from the whips in an explosive show of strength. Kaldur flew back, hitting the wall. "If I can't have it, NOBODY CAN!" Black Manta turned as another missile launcher opened up on his right shoulder. He fired a micro missile at the target. The missile exploded with a force beyond its small package! Garth showed up just in time to freeze the water before them into a shield to stop the blast! The explosion rocked the Science Center, destroying the target into mulch and ice. When the smoke cleared, Manta was gone along with most of his Black Guard.
The Ice shield around Garth and Kaldur shattered, leaving the two unharmed. They looked up to see the Manta sub ignite its engines and glide away. Garth and Kaldur looked around at the destruction left behind. "Are you well, my friend?" Kaldur looked to Garth, who held his injured arm. "I'll live," Garth chuckled, though not without a grimace.
"Good," Kaldur smiled, relieved, "let's regroup with the rest; if Black Manta has departed, his forces can not be far behind him." Kaldur swung Garth's good arm around him, and they began to swim to the palace.
Poseidonis
21:08 | September 3
Atalntis
"Our city was damaged, many of our brave guards were killed, but it could have been far worse." Orin placed his hand over Mera's belly. She put her hand over his and smiled gratefully at her husband. "I am grateful to you all," Orin looked at those gathered. Prince Orm, Kaldur, Tula, and Garth in an arm sling.
"This is all that's left of the creature, and it is already regenerating." Orm held a piece of the echinoderm. "But, with the dome compromised and the Science Center in ruin, we cannot study it." Orm looked to Kaldur, "Perhaps the surface world would like to try?"
"I'm sure they would be eager to do so," Orin nodded. "Kaldur?"
"Please," Kaldur stepped up and saluted his King. "Call me Aqualad, My King."
Orin smiled, pleased, "Then let us return to the surface world. Take your time; I shall go myself later." Orin looked to Mera, who was pleased to keep him longer. After they left, the group of friends spent a bit more time together before Kaldur was ready to go. Kaldur stood by the Zeta tube and looked back. He had said goodbye to Garth, but Tula was nowhere to be seen. So he turned to the Tube and was about to enter the coordinates for the cave when a voice caught his attention.
"Leaving already?" Tula, with a bag over her shoulder, swam up to Kaldur.
"Tula, I looked for you, but," Kaldur paused, looking at the bag on her shoulder. "Are you going somewhere as well?"
"I should hope so," Tula momentarily dropped the bag. "Kaldur," Tula wrapped her arms around his shoulders and leaned in, pressing a kiss against Kaldur's lips.
"I," Kaldur pulled back, confused. "Do not understand, you and Garth," Kaldur left the words hanging in the water.
"Garth is my friend, and that will never change." Tula looked down, remembering talking to Garth.
"Just keep him safe, for both our sakes." Garth smiled, though it did not quite reach his eyes. Still, she hugged her friend, knowing he had given his blessings and had let her go.
"But the short moment together again made me realize my feelings for you are deeper than I thought." Tula pushed off from Kaldur, "So I have decided to join you, just as you believed in what you were doing; I believe it now, too."
"Tula, this life is not an easy one." Kaldur reached up, grabbing Tula's hand.
"Yes, but it is one I have chosen to walk with you." Tula reached up with her other hand, cupping his cheek. "Will you have me then?"
"Nothing would make me happier." Kaldur closed the distance, and the two shared one more kiss.
"So, off to your friends now, then?" Tula smiled, pulling back.
"Yes, but allow me to go first; you can swim in when the Zeta tube starts again." Aqualad brought up the console and typed away. "You shall need a code name if you intend to join the life."
"Oh, what do you recommend?" Tula cocked her hip to the side.
"Aquagirl?" Kaldur raised a brow.
"Bit derivative," Tula smiled, "but yes, a fitting name for one who fights with our king."
"Alright, I'll see you on the other side." Aqualad turned to the Tube and entered.
Mount Justice
23:30 | September 3
Rhode Island
The team gathered as Batman called ahead for a mission. Tom was getting ready to take command of his first mission when the Zeta Tube whirred to life. "Recognize Aqualad B02," Kaldur materialized before the team as they all rushed to greet him. M'gann was first hugging him tightly. "We missed you!"
"I missed you all as well," Kaldur smiled, hugging M'gann back. "Did I miss anything important?"
The team all looked at one another and shrugged. "Nah," Wally shrugged.
Artemis and Red X shared a knowing look, "boring few days," Red X said.
"Uneventful," Artemis grinned, crossing her arms.
"I see," Kaldur smiled. "Please allow me to introduce you to someone." Kladur moved to the terminal by the Zeta tube and typed a command in. He stepped away, and the Tube whirred to life.
"Recognize B11 Aquagirl," the light shone bright, and a redheaded tan girl appeared before the team.
"Hello, my name is Tula, actually, but Kaldur insisted on a code name," Tula smiled, shrugging.
"Tula will be joining the team if that is alright with you all," Kaldur offered his hand. Tula took it and stood by Kaldur.
"Yes!" M'gann flew over and hugged Tula, surprising her. "Another girl, I'm so happy!"
"Oh, you're welcome?" Tula smiled, patting M'gann's back.
"No complaints from me," Wally crossed his arms.
"Really?" Artemis gave him a withering stare.
"What?" Wally shrugged.
"Ugh, unbelievable," Artemis walked past, shaking Tula's hand. "Welcome aboard, Wally is the weird one, so watch out."
"Hey!" Wally protested.
The Zeta Tube whirred to life, "Recognize Batman Z01."
The Dark Knight walked in and looked at Kaldur and Tula. "I take it the decision has been made?"
"Yes," Aqualad looked at Tula with a smile. "The decision is made; I am here one hundred percent."
Batman nodded, "Good," he walked to the center and started the holo terminal. "Because your next mission is here."
The Zeta Tube whirred to life again, "Recognize Wonder Woman A03," Wonder Woman in her armor appeared before the team.
"Mom, what are you doing here?" Tom smiled, walking up to Wonder Woman and sharing a hug. Kaldur blinked and looked at his friends.
"Oh, that, yeah, we'll catch you up later," Wally grinned and shrugged.
"Just wanted to see you; I am heading to the United Nations for a meeting." Diana pulled back, placing a hand over his shoulder. "Forgive me, Batman, I did not mean to interrupt." Wonder Woman squeezed Tom's shoulder before taking the Zeta Tube back out.
Without missing a beat, Batman continued, "We detected a massive power surge from the Bialyan desert…"
Whoa, this one took me a while. A lot is going on in my life. But here you all go! Thank you for your patience! On to some questions and concerns and what have yous.
First, thank you, LegendaryMob, for sticking this long, but I did say some of this would be a retelling. As for Red X, well, the persona is still somewhat cocky, and he smack-talks all the same, just not on the level of OG Titans. Remember the past I've revealed; this Red X is not the Teen Titans show Red X. He's a bit more, and the reveals will keep coming. His skills are slowly being revealed, and Kobra is not some pushover to be done by Robin and Red X before they hit their prime. Also, the next chapter will reveal one crucial plot point about Red. This is why he seems like an "okay fighter" to you. But it's all part of the plan. So, if you stuck around this long, I hope you stick around for that chapter at least.
Thank you for sticking with it; I won't take as long to write the next chapter. Hope this one fills you for the time being.