P. M.

6

"How about some stories?" Robin suddenly suggested.

"Oh, I would love to hear your story, Aqualad!" M'gann requested the Atlantian.

"I was thinking more of 'Ghost Stories'," Robin added before shrugging his shoulders. "But I guess that works too."

"I suppose I could do that, if you do not think it'll be too boring," Kaldur, despite saying that, had a smile and looked excited to tell his story.

"I hardly believe the origin story of a superhero will be 'boring', Kaldur," Peter commented, interested in hearing about the Atlantian's civilisation.

"Yeah, I'd love to hear it!" Miss Martian added.

"Well, I grew up in the city of Shayeris, which is a city in Atlantis," Kaldur began telling his story. "Surface dwellers think all Atlanteans are the same, but our kingdom has many cities, many people, and many cultures."

"So, the name Atlantis refers to your entire civilisation, not just some small kingdom or large city?" Peter asked.

Kaldur nodded. "Yes. When I was twelve, I completed my education and began my mandatory service in the military."

Aqualad then continued with his origin story. He spoke on how he was trained in the Conservatory, which was commanded by Queen Mera, Aquaman's wife. He described his friends there, and how it was, as any military, very challenging. He then talked about how, one day, a villain with the name Ocean Master attacked the city of Poseidon and nearly killed Aquaman. Kaldur said that he and another student, Garth, intervened to save their king, and while they were thoroughly outmatched, they did give Aquaman time to recover and defeat the distracted Ocean Master. Aqualad, realising that he has too much responsibility as a King and a Hero, decided to take a protégé like Batman and Green Arrow, so he offered the position for Kaldur and Garth. While Garth turned down the offer, choosing to continue his studies, Kaldur chose to accept Aquaman's offer.

"So, at the age of fourteen, I became Aqualad," Kaldur began wrapping up his story. "I miss my friends. Garth, Tula... but the chance to work with my mentor and king was an opportunity I could not pass up. I like to think the work I am doing makes a difference," leaning forward, Kaldur smiled with pride. "The rest of the story you know. Aquaman brought Aqualad to the surface world... and now I am here with you."

"Wow," M'gann seemed very amazed by the story. "So you WANTED to be Aqualad?"

"Yes, the opportunity arose, and I could think of no other path," Aqualad replied.

"I hardly believe anyone without a special situation like me or Superboy is brought to this occupation against their will," Peter commented.

"Yeah, you think he wanted to be Aqualad so bad?" Wally asked, pointing at Kaldur before pointing at himself. "Let me tell you how I got started."

Wally then began telling the story of the Flash and how it actually traces back two generations. The original Flash, Jay Garrick, got his powers from a lab accident. Jay, who did not hide his identity back then, became one the greatest heroes. He met one of his fans, one day, who talked with him for hours and hours. This fan managed to recreate the explosion that gave Jay his powers, and gained powers himself. The original Flash retired after he became old, and passed the mantle to the fan, now the current Flash. Wally, who was related to that Flash, found his notes one day, and asked for powers himself alongside being his partner, to which the Flash refused. Wally still tried to recreate the formula from his memory with his own chemistry set.

"Let me get this straight," Peter stopped Wally, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You tried to recreate an EXPLOSIVE formula, one which you didn't remember the full components to, in your ROOM without any actual protective gear at all?" He finished with a disappointed glare at the red head.