voicetesting.

[waterblades]

This is. Extremely poor timing.

But as long as everyone made it out, then -- then we have still accomplished something. There is no point in wondering what I might have done differently. We all knew things could go wrong. We tried, as friends, to make the right decisions. Though I do not know if we made the right ones, no one else could have done or found out what we did. The information will make a difference.

I know I owe many people apologies, so I will accept your offer, to a point. You may have this much until matters are settled. After that, I cannot guarantee my cooperation.

Comments

[backwordscompatible]

[She almost doesn't even know what to say.]

Aqualad.

I'm...so sorry....

[Though 'sorry' doesn't even begin to describe how horrible she feels]

This isn't over yet. It can't be.

[waterblades]

Zatanna, I --

[Well, he's not sure what to say. Reassurances are going to ring hollow from him.]

It is not over.

And I am very sorry to you all for the distress I have caused.

[backwordscompatible]

[Would it be wrong to say she's used to such outwardly hopeless situations by now?]

No. Don't be.

I just wish I'd known. That you guys had told me sooner. I...could've helped...[Somehow]

[sciencewhizard]

Kaldur... [ Despite everything he's thought about the Atlantean recently, this... He never would have wanted this. ]

We all still have your back, no matter what.

[waterblades]

That is exactly what I must apologize for, Zatanna. We had decided not to tell anyone else, and we knew something like this could happen. It was -- difficult to come to that decision, particularly because you did help. I am sorry.

[backwordscompatible]

[Oh, yeah. The necklace. She'd almost forgotten about that. Almost.]

[Nightwing, you have SO MUCH 'SPLAINING TO DO]

I can imagine. [And she really could, though this was far above and beyond what she'd done] Nothing is easy anymore. And it feels like it just keeps getting harder.

[waterblades]

Thank you, Wally. I know it hasn't been easy.

[He can't exactly blame Wally for thinking that way. One of the things he likes least about this is how convincing the act can be.]

[totallyhisniece]

We're still a team. Everything's going to be fine, just watch. We'll figure something out.

[waterblades]

[He ventures a small, pained smile.]

I believe an adult would tell us it is called "growing up."

[waterblades]

I'm more concerned for you, now. If it's even possible for you to get out, you should. Black Manta will provide care for me.

[He can't quite suppress a grimace at the idea, but he's very serious about Artemis getting away.]

But the others ...

[backwordscompatible]

Yeah, well, it sucks. Big time.

[totallyhisniece]

Yeah that's not happening. I'm not leaving you alone with them.

[What if he accidentally say something about the plan? She's not risking him getting killed just so she can run away.]

They'll understand. We'll make them, if we have to.

[waterblades]

... Yes. It does suck.

[A beat, and then he laughs at himself. Not a lot, but it is funny coming from him.]

[backwordscompatible]

[If he's laughing, then she can crack a smile. A small one. Blink-and-you'll-miss-it]

We'll get you back, Kaldur. You and Artemis both.

And whatever M'gann did to you, we'll find a way to reverse it.

[waterblades]

They don't trust you, Artemis. All it will take is one fight with the twins or Junior. If the necklace comes off, we both die. You must survive this and get away. Come back for me later.

[waterblades]

Don't forget to save the world.

[Apparently being catatonic makes it easier to find levity in trauma. Besides, this has been gloomy enough.]

[backwordscompatible]

That comes after.

[She really means it.]

[sciencewhizard]

Dude, no- Don't.

[ This has been hard on everyone, he knows, and he's made a big deal on how it's affected his life lately, but no one's had to sacrifice as much as Kaldur. ]

Just make sure you come back, alright?

[waterblades]

[It's only a different hardship, in Kaldur's mind. One requires relentless acting, the other relentless inaction. And for a superhero, even a mostly retired one, the latter is more of a punishment.]

We both will.

[angroy]

[Roy's not even sure of what to say, but he is so not okay with what happened to Kaldur. Not at all.]

Wrong? That's an understatement.

[waterblades]

It will suffice. I could be dead.

[Some people would argue catatonia is worse, but Kaldur isn't so sure.]

[best_dad_ever]

So, how's that headache, fish-boy?

[waterblades]

About as painful as the apparent death of your daughter was to you, I suppose.

1/2

[best_dad_ever]

[Goddamn, Kal. You really went there.]

[waterblades]

Zatanna.

[It isn't really chiding. How can you chide someone for caring?]