Serenity (Discontinued)

8: Downtime

For my sake and yours, I'll skip over the Aqualad stuff. Like developing the bond between you and Megan as best I can. This chapter is gonna be quite shorter in comparison to other chapters. 

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The sounds of a fight are able to be heard outside an abandoned building. Kaldur is hit hard, his WaterBearers falling out of his hands as he continues to roll until he hits a garage door hard enough to dent it, the splatters of clay over his dark skin and his short blonde hair instantly give away the identity of his opponent. As he falls to the floor his tattoos stop glowing. Clayface walks past the rest of the Team who are all unconscious and covered in clay, like Aqualad. Forcing himself to look up, he sees Clayface's shadow step into the light as he laughs. Then watches as his left-hand turns into a square-mace. As Clayface raises his arm to attack, a familiar shadow gets larger as it gets closer to the glass ceiling.

Crashing through the window is Batman, who takes Clayface's full attention, then launches two Batarangs at the villain. Only for them to be absorbed into his arm, for a moment, until they explode and completely destroy his arm. As Batman lands in a crouch before Clayface, the villain strikes once more, but Batman jumps back to avoid the hit. Pulling out a high powered taser that sticks to the right side of Clayface's chest and continues to send electricity through the villain until he loses his form entirely.

Batman's eyes narrow as he stands. Zeroing in on the one person still conscious.

Mount Justice; August 27th, 7:58 EDT

Batman faces the Team as they walk through the Zeta Tube and into the Mountain. 

Batman: I need to talk to Aqualad. The rest of you hit the showers and head home.

Superboy: Head home? I am home.

Batman: Just Aqualad. 

Robin looks up to Kaldur, who returns the look. Looking into the Cave, Robin keeps his eyes away from Batman as he walks past him. Only looking over his shoulder for a second, not even slowing in his steps, his eyes falling to the floor as Batman keeps his focus fully on Aqualad.

Aqualad: I am sorry you had to intervene. I know The Team performed poorly.

Batman: The Team performed adequately. The problem was you. You're their leader, and your head wasn't in the game.

Aqualad: No, you are- (comes to realization as he sighs) correct. Of late, I am not even convinced I belong on the surface world. For so many years, it filled my every thought. But now that I am here, my dreams are all of Atlantis.

Batman: Atlantis... or someone you left behind?

Kaldur's eyes instantly shoot up, stunned into silence. 

Batman: You can split your time between the surface and the sea. But not your mind. Either you're here 100% or you need to walk away. Make a decision, Kaldur, and make it soon.

With that Batman leaves Aqualad alone with his thoughts.

Minutes later. 

Aqualad leaves to go to Poseidonis. As you're still at Mount Justice. The sounds of a comedy show are heard as you're sitting on the couch while Megan stands in the kitchen, reading a cookbook. Smiling as she looks up.

Megan: Enjoying the show?

Y/N: Yeah. Although... why do people here laugh at pie getting thrown in their faces? Where I'm from, this isn't a thing.  But...