sokkas-secret-tunnel

[sokkas-secret-tunnel]

Atlantis is Beautiful in Ruins Pt. 2 (Downtime)

Kaldur!Aqualad! x Demigod!Villain!Reader

Part 1

MINORS DNI, 18+ ONLY Word Count: 2.300 Warnings: Violence, Blood, Blood bending, not proof read by a human

--

POSEIDONIS August 27, 12:30 UTC-2

You made your way to the science center. Vandal Savage had a particular interest in the new echinoderm there. You wanted to visit Prince Orm and the echinoderm before you met with Black Manta.

"You have missed many of your studies," Queen Mera swam beside you as you made your way to the science center.

You stopped swimming to greet her. "I apologize, my queen. As Prince Orm's protégé my attention has strayed from the conservatory."

"You were a gifted student, (y/n), but your absences have affected your abilities." Queen Mera grabbed your hand and started swimming to the conservatory. "Garth and Tula are sparing today, I want you to join them."

"But Prince Orm-" You tried to protest, but Queen Mera thought ahead.

"I already informed him that you will be spending today at the conservatory, to continue your studies with me." There was no way to argue with Mera without drawing suspicions, so you followed her to the sparing deck.

Garth and Tula were waiting for you and Queen Mera.

"My Queen, (y/n)!" Garth greeted both Mera and you.

"We have not seen you for some time (y/n)," Tula swam up and hugged you, "Will you be joining us for our studies today?"

"Yes, Tula, although I do not know what we're doing today." You looked toward Mera, hoping this lesson would be short.

"We will be practicing combat sorcery," Mera swam to the sidelines to observe.

'Wonderful, like I don't already practice this with The Light.' you thought, 'If I prove I haven't lost my touch, I might be able to leave early.'

"(y/n), I would like you to be in the first round," Mera looked at Garth and then Tula, "Would either of you like to spar with (y/n) first?"

Garth swims forward, "It would be an honor to spar with you, (y/n)."

"Now, I would like both of you to start on the opposite ends of the roof," Mera instructs, motioning Tula toward her. "Begin."

"I summon the power of the Tempest!" Garth starts off with a heavy attack. You dodged out of the way, forming a sea serpent to bind him. Your attack was unsuccessful, and Garth sent small water balls towards you. It seemed like it was too much effort to dodge, so you let the water balls hit you, but no one saw the water break before landing.

"GO Garth!" Tula cheered from next to Mera.

'This is a waste of time I should be spending at the science center,' you thought. You summoned a whirlpool from under Garth that he got caught in, unable to escape. You used the whirlpool to launch him into the ground, finishing the fight.

"Perhaps your abilities were less affected than I thought," Queen Mera pondered. "Tula, would you care to spar with (y/n)?"

"If I may, my queen, I wish to spar with Tula," Garth spoke.

"I wouldn't mind letting Garth and Tula spar instead," you offered.

"Very well. I would still like you to observe this match (y/n)." Queen Mera waited for Garth and Tula to get in position, "Begin."

Garth and Tula circled each other. Tula attacked first, sending a water stream toward Garth. Garth dodged before he attacked with water balls. Tula also threw water balls back as a counter. Garth used another water stream, which Tula evaded before attempting a direct attack. Garth flipped out of the way, creating a shield for Tula's final water ball.

"Your technique is excellent, but your choices remain predictable." Mera critiqued. "What have you observed from this fight (y/n)?" Mera asked.

'It was anticlimactic. Superboy is a more interesting opponent, and all he does is punch stuff,' you wish to say. "Predictability in a fight is a disadvantage. Your opponent should never be able to guess your next move," you answered, willing this distraction to end. You closed your eyes and rolled your head back.

"Kaldur'ahm!" Your eyes shot open at Mera's exclamation, "Oh, so good to see you."

"Kaldur!" Tula shouts.

"Apologies, my queen." Kaldur swims past Tula and Garth, stopping before you and the queen, "I did not mean to interrupt."

"It is well. I have another class. Will I see you at dinner?"

"Yes, your Majesty."

"We shall talk then." Mera swam away to teach her next class. You took the opportunity to sneak away then. You made it halfway to the science center before Kaldur caught up to you.

"I wish to speak with you," Kaldur swam beside you, "I thought you would have stayed and talked when I approached on the sparing deck. I wish to make up for the lost time."

"Of course, Kaldur," You respond 'There goes my plan to visit the science center,' you lament.

"Will you be at the palace dinner?" Kaldur asks.

"As Prince Orm's protégé, I am invited to all royal events." You inform Kaldur.

"Protégé..." Kaldur ponders, " It is fitting that you would assist Prince Orm as I assist King Orin." Kaldur gives you a sad smile at the thought. "I have missed you on the surface world."

"I have missed you too Kaldur," You reply, "But surely you would rather spend your time with Garth and Tula. You were very close to them during your time at the conservatory."

"Garth and Tula had other classes to attend." Kaldur grabbed your hand, leading you toward the palace. You stared at yours and Kaldur's intertwined hands, a flutter in your chest. "Tula will be accompanying me to dinner at the palace, but I wish to spend my time with you until then." The flutter died at the mention of Kaldur inviting Tula to the royal dinner.

You pulled your hand away from Kaldur, "What would you like to do?"

"Whatever you wish."

"Follow me then." You both turned toward the palace gardens.

"The coral is beautiful this time of year," Kaldur comments, trying to spark conversation from you.

"Yes, quite beautiful." You look towards some pink coral with sea horses swimming around it. "What's it like on the surface?"

"It is very different from Atlantis." Kaldur started, "It feels lighter up there, yet crushing at the same time."

"Are you sure that's not how you feel?" You asked, turning towards him, "You have many responsibilities on the surface and hardly spend any time here."

"I am afraid you are correct, my responsibilities on the surface have consumed my attention... I have been considering staying in Atlantis," Kaldur admitted, swimming closer to you.

"For Tula?" You whispered.

Kaldur shook his head and took your hands in his. "For you."

His answer shocked you, all this time, you believed that Kaldur only held affection for Tula. Never had you let yourself hope that he could hold affection for you, yet he would stay in Atlantis to be with you. If only he knew the truth, what would he think about you then? Is it possible his affections could survive such an earth-shattering secret?

You pulled away from him, still staring into his eyes, "You can't." Without giving an explanation, you swam away towards your room.

--

You skipped the royal dinner, meeting Black Manta's troops at the far edge of Atlantis' protective dome. A tsunami in Japan lured King Orin away, and security patrols were trading shifts. Black Manta's troops set up explosives around the city to distract the city guard, leaving the science center ripe for the taking.

The giant sea star was magnificent, you'd never seen anything like it. It made you regret wasting time instead of being able to witness it without a time constraint.

"Manta Sub, initiate phase four," Black Manta ordered.

The Manta Sub started melting a hole through the science center's glass dome. You stood guard next to Manta as his troops attached cables around the Ice block.

"What is it?" You asked Black Manta, swimming closer to the ice, almost touching it.

"Our objective. Do not touch." Manta ordered.

"So... you don't know?" You could practically see the scowl through Black Manta's mask. Still, you backed away from the sea star to watch his soldiers finish securing it.

You watched two of Black Manta's men come back from patrol, one of which carried a peculiar set of weapons on his thigh; Water-Bearers. You looked to Manta, who also noticed the peculiar weapons, swimming towards the intruders.

"Impressive, is it not? Aqualad?" Kaldur started shooting at Manta, who dodged his attacks before firing back. The laser gun exploded, sending Kaldur and the other flying backward. Kaldur tossed his helmet aside before creating water swords to block Manta's laser beams.

"I've missed you Aqualad, the new suit looks good on you!" You called, sending water bubbles his way.

Kaldur deflected your attack before blocking Manta's blast with one of his troopers. "You have much potential, yet you use your gifts for villainy. Why?!."

"Why not?" You yell back.

"Such a waste." Black Manta chastises Kaldur, "You really have no ambition other than serving Aquaman?" You swam up toward Black Manta, "Aren't schools of others willing to die for their king? This fool, for example!"

You took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of your nose, sighing as Garth finally got his helmet off. Kaldur pulled Garth behind a pillar before Manta's lasers could hit. Black Manta's men started firing at the pillar they hid behind, causing it to crumble. Kaldur emerged from behind a water shield, blasting some of Manta's troops.

"I summon the power of the Tempest!" Black Manta swam out of the way as Garth's water tornado caught you and three of his men, you stood your ground and parted the water. The tornado threw the men away, but you remained untouched.

"'I summon the power of the tempest!'" You broke out laughing. 'Mera was right about his combat strategy, predictable.' "That's child's play!" You called out, "And here I thought a student of the conservatory would put up more of a fight." You rushed Garth, bashing him against the wall. "Your King Orin might rule the people of Atlantis, but the seven seas bow to my command!" You start pulling at the water in his body, throwing him against the wall.

The Manta Sub's laser had pierced through the science center's dome and dropped a hook to attach to the giant sea star. Manta's soldiers rushed to attach the cables to the hook, leaving you and Manta to deal with Kaldur and Garth.

Garth's lightning strikes would have felled the strongest humans, but you blocked them with ease, countering with ice spikes. Several spikes grazed Garth, cutting into his flesh, and causing blood to cloud the water. You focused Garth's blood back towards him, creating blood shards.

"Garth, the cable!" Kaldur called, you turned to see Kaldur battling Black Manta. Your lapse in concentration stopped the blood shards and allowed Garth to hit the cable with a magic bolt. The sea star came crashing back down into the science center, breaking off some of the ice holding it. Its arm started moving. You and Manta moved to recapture the creature before Kaldur captured him. You were inches away from the ice before you heard Manta yell.

"If I can't have it, no one can!" Manta fired a missile toward the sea star's containment unit, causing an explosion.

'That lunatic would've killed me! Maniac!' you thought as the explosion sent you flying backward.

The force was concussive, but you regained your bearings after a moment. Garth used ice magic to shield himself and Kaldur from the explosion. In the cover of smoke, you chose to swim back toward the palace instead of joining Black Manta.

On your way to the palace, you shrunk your costume and mask to fit into an octopus pendant. 'How am I going to sneak back in?' you wondered, trying to avoid any witnesses. 'I could say that I was in a fight with Manta's soldiers, it's not a complete lie.' Content with your half-truth, you swam to where you saw Queen Mera and Prince Orm.

"Oh, (y/n)!!" Mera swam to check on you.

"We worried about you." Prince Orm said, "When you had not appeared at the royal dinner and when explosions went off around Poseidonis, no one could find you."

"I didn't mean to frighten you, I was feeling ill before the dinner, and I went to help when I saw the explosions."

"I am just happy you are alright." Queen Mera said when she decided you were in good condition.

"(y/n)!" You heard Kaldur call from behind you.

"Kaldur!" You swam up to meet Kaldur and tackled him in a tight hug. "Are you hurt?"

"No, I am alright." Kaldur hugged you back before he swam down toward Queen Mera. "It was Black Manta, he was trying to steal the echinoderm that was recently discovered. Garth and I intervened. Black Manta destroyed the science center and escaped. Apologies my queen."

"Apologies? What for Kaldur?" Queen Mera asked

"Black Manta escaped. I failed." Kaldur hung his head in shame.

"Nonsense Kaldur, you helped save the people of Poseidonis. For now, we must find a way to communicate with King Orin, but I assure you he would be proud of your actions today." Mera squeezed Kaldur's shoulder before swimming into the palace with Prince Orm.

"I must check on Tula. We will speak later Kaldur," Garth said before swimming away, leaving you and Kaldur.

"I'm sorry Kaldur for leaving you in the gardens." You started, grabbing Kaldur's hand. "I love you, truly I do..." You took your time to figure out what words you wanted to say next, "But you have always wanted to help others, and you were ecstatic when you became Aqualad. I didn't want to be the reason you gave up on your dream."

"I understand, but how can I be on the surface if my heart belongs here, with you?" Kaldur asks, squeezing your hand.

You brought Kaldur's hand to rest over your heart, "Perhaps knowing that our hearts belong to each other will have to be enough."

[sokkas-secret-tunnel]

Atlantis is Beautiful in Ruins

Kaldur!Aqualad! x Demigod!Villain!Reader

MINORS DNI, 18+ ONLY Word Count: 560 Warnings: No warnings

"Oh, Kaldur! I'm bored! Come play with me!" You called as you dived into the water. The water always felt refreshing against your gills, especially after Robin threw his explosive Batarang you. The water healed you and made you more powerful.

"I won't let you get away!" Kaldur dived in after you, leaving his team to deal with yours. Kaldur was Atlantean meaning he was incredibly fast in the water, but not as fast as you. Kaldur started using his light-up tattoos to try and find you. "You can't hide."

You snuck up behind him in the murky water, "Sure I can," you whispered in his ear before swimming away.

"I will find you," Kaldur started swimming in the opposite direction from where you were.

"I hope you do!" You called while swimming in front of him. You were so fast that all Kaldur was able to see was a blur before you disappeared again. "I have a surprise for you, that is if you can find me."

"I will find you, and you and Ocean Master will pay for your crimes against Atlantis!" Kaldur kept his head on a swivel, trying to catch a glimpse of your movement.

"You always say that, but as soon as we're alone you let me go," You snuck up behind him again wrapped him in a hug, and kissed his cheek. "I think you're a big softie who actually likes play fighting with me."

Kaldur spun in your arms to face you, "Maybe I do." A few chaste kisses were shared between you two before Kaldur pulled away. "I assume you have your escape route planned."

"I'm always prepared," your hand starts to fidget with the strap that holds his water-bearers. "How much time do we have left?"

"I think my team is better than yours." Kaldur wore an uncharacteristic smirk.

"And why's that?" You pout.

"They've been waiting on me for the last five minutes." Kaldur pulls you closer for one last kiss, "Stay safe."

"You too." You say as you watch Kaldur swim to the surface and rendezvoused with his team.

You made your way out of the murky river easy enough, it was only a mile from your location to the open ocean. River water was fine, but ocean water is where you thrived. Once you hit the sea you swam to Infinity Island to meet with your mentors, Ocean Master, and the rest of The Light. You met Ocean Master and Ra's al Ghul when you reached the shore.

"The young heroes captured the rest of the squadron, where they'll be transported to Belle Reve, as you requested." You knelt in front of The Demon's Head, "I await further orders."

"You have done well, I'm pleased with your work." That was a high compliment from Ra's al Ghul.

"I assured you of their capabilities, did I not?" Ocean Master wadded into the sea. "Ra's has another mission for you, do me proud." With that, Ocean Master swam away to play house with his unsuspecting brother.

"How was young Kaldur'ahm?" Ra's asked nonchalantly like he was asking about the ocean temperature.

Feigning ignorance was futile, "He was fine," answering honestly was the best option.

"Not even attempting to lie?" Ra's smiled a little, "You have learned well. Stand." as you stood, Ra's turned inland. "Your next assignment is Santa Prisca."