Canary Cry

Chapter 18: Alpha Male pt.2

Leading the way with renewed confidence in his stride Kaldur walked through a thick line of trees, coming across a clearing. Captain Marvel landing beside the Atlantean and Kate, prints in the soft dirt and shell casing littering the forest floor by their feet. The larger man crouching down to inspect the prints further.

"Guess this is where Mayor Hill's monkey business went down," Captain Marvel stood, looking to Aqualad and Kate, "So, at least we've confirmed his story right?" Aqualad seemed to not hear him, taking steps forward, "Aqualad?" Captain Marvel asked, concern pulling his voice up.

"My apologies Captain, I am... plagued by doubts," Aqualad glanced at the raised eyebrow he could feel from Kate, "But I am working through them, with help from a friend." The older male grinned softly at the girl and she returned it. A peace settling in the space between while Captain Marvel's eyes bounced back and forth between them not understanding.

"Um..."

The captain's next set of questions were cut off by a rustle in the bushes off to their left, the sound of bird's wings flapping filling the quiet air.

"Does anyone else hear that?" Kate questioned in a whisper, head on swivel.

"Hear what?" Captain Marvel asked in response, painfully oblivious.

"Exactly." Aqualad breathed.

Kate could feel the ground begin to rumble rhythmically below her feet, a second later the pounding could be heard and with every step it got more severe. The rocks on the ground bouncing with the intensity.

It was only when the pounding was all they could hear that a loud trumpet sound and the largest elephant Kate had ever seen broke through the tree line and rushed at them.

Captain Marvel was the first to react, pushing off the ground and flying at the elephant, knocking it back. Its large feet dragging cavernous marks in the soft ground. The elephant used its trunk to grab the hero and swing him around. Throwing him into a tree.

"Oh shit." Kate cursed when she felt more vibrations coming from a different direction. Aqualad's head whipped in her direction before he turned to see another elephant, larger than the other break through the tree line behind them.

Aqualad was frozen as the original elephant started to rush at them, Kate grabbing him and pulling him to the side. Both falling to the ground. The two barely missed being stepped on like a pair of ants.

"Get behind me!" Kate screeched, pulling the boy back onto his feet before digging her feet in and screaming at the original elephant. The beast being knocked back, trumpeting loudly in protest and rage. It came at her, Aqualad using one of her water barrers to grab her around the waist and move her out of the way. Leaping up and catching her, trying to get out of range but being unsuccessful.

The original elephant lashing out with its trunk and landing a hit on Aqualad's back. The boy letting out a yell as he and Kate tumbled to the ground. Kate turned midair to not land on her head. That's the last thing she needed to do. The girl rolled onto her stomach, eyes meeting fangs dripping in drool and bright red eyes.

"Good kitty." She breathed before slowly backing up, feeling the ground shaking below her, the waves coming from behind her. She knew it was the elephant but didn't risk breaking eye contact with the large cat in front of her.

Kate saw Captain Marvel's cape out of the corner of her eye taking care of the original elephant. The girl taking the hand up offered to her by Aqualad, standing back-to-back. Kate still facing the tiger. Aqualad watching as Captain Marvel gets hit away by the second elephant's trunk.

"Any ideas Aqualad?!" Kate asked over her shoulder. Hands coming up in front of her, her boots digging into the ground.

"Yes!" He answered. Kate feeling his heat against her back recede as he sprinted at the second elephant.