Mount Justice

August 27th, 06:17

Not for the first time, I wondered why I didn’t just sleep in instead of waking up early and taking up console duty for the team’s first mission since my getting benched.

Watching a guy called Clayface hurl the kids around while they were fighting in Gotham’s sewers made me irrationally irritated. Not in sympathy for them, because I already had a ‘tether’ of Infinity keyed to Megan, and I could warp in and shut the whole clown show down in a moment’s notice.

I was angry because Kaldur was spacing out. Artemis was finally back after taking time to think, having come to the correct conclusion that I knew she would have figured out eventually—the job was terrifying, but she was too crazy to settle for a normal life anyway, so she might as well continue giving it a go. A perfect rationale—she’d certainly get very far with it.

And now, Kaldur had an opportunity to show Artemis that her eventual and likely horrible demise would not be because he was a bad leader.

He did not capitalize on this opportunity to prove his competency.

“I’m paging Batman,” I said. I was wearing a headset with a microphone, watching a video of them via Robin’s bodycam in the Mission Room. “If you’re gonna keep screwing things up, Aqualad.”

“No,” Aqualad said, shaking his head briefly and putting on his game face. He ran up to Clayface, dodged right, jumping off the sewer wall to land on top of the monster while all its limbs and attention were taken up by the team for one pregnant moment. He charged it full of electricity, causing it to spasm and cry out in pain before finally, finally, slumping down, all fight having left it.

I clapped my hands close to my microphone. “Whoo-hoo! Mission success. I give you a C-grade, Kaldur.” And if I was giving him a C-grade for this, I could only imagine what Batman would say.

000

“Hit the showers and head home,” Batman said to the parade of terrible-smelling young heroes who had just spent their morning hunting after a sentient sewage sludge monster.

“I am home,” Superboy growled, walking past Batman.

“Not you, Aqualad,” Batman said.

Dang. Seeing him get in trouble felt… wrong, really. Like it shouldn’t be happening.

I considered running up to Artemis and Megan, who were both likely commiserating about the grossness of this mission, but then when I saw Artemis, I… felt rather guilty.

I knew what I was doing, flirting with her as much as I did. It was on purpose. But now that I was dating Megan, I knew I had to figure out a way to let Artemis down gently without crushing her feelings—which I could see in the way her heart sped up whenever she looked at me, or how her voice changed slightly when speaking to me. Perhaps she thought she was being subtle, but… nah.

Dammit. More yucky feelings stuff. I hated it.

I elected instead to stay out of the way and let Kaldur and Batman finish their chat before talking to Batman myself, about my groundedness.

Finally, once Batman elicited one rather intense reaction from Kaldur before turning his back on him and fiddling with the computer, I walked up to them both, “Yo, Batman! On the subject of my house arrest—what’s up?”

Kaldur stepped back while Batman hummed. Without having to wait even a moment, the older hero turned around to face me and said, “Darken your hair.”

I blinked at the sudden request. Then I pieced out—he meant with Infinity. I frowned in concentration, focusing on the light that hit my hair. That took… concentration. This wasn’t just about redirecting light smoothly around my form, or absorbing all light—but only absorbing a particular amount of light at a particular point in space.

Focusing intently, I centered my attention on the strands of my hair, visualizing the light bouncing off them.

I started with a slow pull, trying to siphon only the necessary wavelengths to darken the visible color. My concentration deepened, and I felt the subtle resistance of nature itself pushing back. Manipulating light at this level wasn’t natural; it wasn’t chaotic. It was measured, rigid, and annoyingly technical.

The first attempt left my hair looking patchy, parts of it darker while others gleamed brighter. Batman raised a brow but said nothing.

Gritting my teeth, I tried again. This time, I focused on defining a specific point in space—each strand—adjusting the flow of light until the darkening effect spread evenly. Slowly, my hair deepened to a darker hue, the vibrant color dimming until it matched what Batman was probably imagining.

"There," I said, stepping back and shaking my head slightly, letting the strands catch the light—or rather, the lack of it.

Batman tilted his head, studying the effect with his usual unreadable expression. "Better. You'll need more precision if you want to avoid detection by heat sensors or cameras, but this is a start. I want you to work on darkening your skin as though it has been tanned. And I want you to work on your eyes as well.”

“Is this about my secret identity?” I asked with a thoughtful frown.

“Yes,” Batman said. “You will be expected to go to school once I have finished sorting out a paper-trail for the three of you who live in the Cave.”

School.

I wanted to hate the idea, but honestly, this sounded fun. “Like a public school?” I asked with a slight grin, “Yellow school busses and leaving apples on the teacher’s desk? And cheerleaders? Do American schools really have cheerleaders or is that just a TV thing? Can’t say I hate the idea, honestly.”

Batman cracked half a grin—more positive emotion than I had ever seen on him before—and gave a nod, “Work on what I’ve told you, Gojo. It’s either that, or having to wear a wig and lenses.”

“Aye aye, captain,” I said with a sharp salute. “But this means I’m free, right? I can go wherever I want?”

Batman nodded, “In a civilian guise, and while not using any magic. Can you do that, Gojo?”

“Easy,” I chuckled. I’d just make sure no one saw anything.

Kaldur, who was hanging back, looked on the floor in consternation. I threw my arm around him and dragged him away from Batman, all the while he still looked… defeated.

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“You were right, Gojo,” Kaldur said, “I was not at my best today, and would something have gone wrong, I would have been to blame.”

“What’s the matter, Aqualadder?”

“It’s just,” he sighed, “I have been thinking of home as of late. And who I have left behind. The girl I love.” I inwardly winced. Had I maybe dazzled him so much with my relationship with Megan that he had gotten lovesick? Kaldur gave me a side glance, “This had nothing to do with you.”

“Now why would I ever think that?” I asked, “So… what does this mean?” I asked, my tone more serious, “You’re… taking a break from the team? After we just got Artemis back?”

“I don’t know,” Aqualad replied, and I frowned at that.

So there was a shot that he’d leave. Just like that. Over a girl.

“I’m going to Poseidonis to see her,” Kaldur said, “And to finally tell her how I feel.” Poseidonis? He didn’t mean…!

“You’re going to Atlantis?” I asked, “Can I… can I come?”

Kaldur looked at me flatly, “You wish to tag along to see me confess to the love of my life and perhaps decide to leave the Titans behind.”

“Forget all of that,” I said with a scowl, “I want to see an underwater city. I promise I’ll stay out of the way. I’ll be the picture of politeness as I immerse myself in your rich Atlantean culture—come on man, I’m desperate, I really want to see an underwater city, please, please, please let me come!” I fell on my knees, clasping both hands together. “Please, show me Atlantis!”

Kaldur clenched his jaws, “Perhaps another day, Gojo?”

“And if you leave the team, would you come back to take me?” I asked, getting up on my feet.

“Fine,” Kaldur relented angrily, “On a single condition—you bring Megan. She will watch you.”

“I’m not her dog,” I said with a frown, “I can watch myself. But sure, of course I’ll bring her. Honestly, that works perfectly for me. I was afraid asking to bring her might end up pushing things too much.”

“We’ve gone far beyond that point,” Kaldur said.

I reached out through Megan’s telepathic link, Guess who got us free tickets to Atlantis?

000

Apparently, our Zeta Tube could take us straight to Poseidonis, no need for boats or submarines. Megan hung onto my arm eagerly as she grinned, casting about everywhere in the opulent hallway made of colorful stone that housed the Zeta Tubes.

Ahead of us, Kaldur strode confidently, his posture straight and composed. He glanced back briefly to ensure we were following before launching into what sounded like a well-practiced tour-guide routine.

"When Aquaman first joined the League," Kaldur began, his voice carrying a quiet pride, "it marked a significant turning point in Atlantean relations with the surface world. It was not simply an act of solidarity but also one of diplomacy, a chance to foster understanding between our cultures. The Zeta Tube connection to Poseidonis was established soon after, serving as both a symbol of unity and a practical measure for communication and aid."

Megan gasped, her grip on my arm tightening as she nearly bounced in place. "Oh, I know! The cultural exchange initiatives that followed were just incredible! I read everything about them. Did you know Atlanteans developed an entirely new trade dialect just for surface interactions? And the way they integrate magic and technology? It's so cool! Their architectural designs alone—oh, Kaldur, did you ever see the Hall of Tides reconstruction?!"

Kaldur blinked, momentarily thrown by her outburst, before a small smile broke through his usual calm demeanor.

"It is indeed a remarkable achievement," he said, his tone warmer now. "The Hall of Tides was a collaborative effort, blending traditional Atlantean craftsmanship with surface innovation. It stands as a testament to what we can accomplish when we work together."

Megan nodded vigorously, her green face practically glowing with enthusiasm. "And don’t even get me started on their art! I mean, the way they use bioluminescent pigments is genius! Oh, oh! And their oceanic myths—like the Tale of the Emerald Abyss—do you think we could see the original manuscripts?!"

I shot Kaldur a look, one eyebrow raised. "You’ve created a monster."

He chuckled softly, gesturing ahead as we reached the Zeta Tube platform. "Then let us hope Atlantis lives up to her expectations.” Then he turned ahead to look at a man who had turned the corner to face us—Aquaman, dressed in his trademark gleaming and skintight shirt of golden scales, tight pants, golden bracers, and a belt made from the same gold. And like his mentee, he too seemed to be fine walking around shoeless at all times.

What was the beef with Atlantis and shoes? Strange stuff.

“My king,” Kaldur said, giving him a salute before slipping into his native language. I looked around and found that this room, and all the rooms connected to it, made up a network of pressurized buildings containing only air. Tunnels stretched out from this building, allowing surfacers to travel to certain parts of Poseidonis. Not all the parts, but there was only so much you could do. I could see a lot of tubes under construction as well. And a few humans milling about in the air-spaces, looking like they were on a tourist visit.

Can you handle the water? I asked Megan. Or should I use Infinity on you?

I can compact myself to handle any water pressure, she said, I’ll be fine. And I can grow gills to breathe underwater. What about you?

I could try filtering the oxygen out of the water, I said, And add it to an aura of air trapped inside my infinity while I’m underwater. Then I can just let out the carbon dioxide and replace it with more oxygen, careful to keep the air composition at twenty percent oxygen at all times.

“We are too rude!” Aquaman boomed, voice filled with good cheer, “Kaldur, your friends hardly understand us! Why don’t we try for English while they are around? Greetings, M’gann! Your uncle J’onn has told me a lot about you,” Aquaman said, “And you, Satoru Gojo, correct? Did you color your hair black? A decent disguise, but I’m afraid you’d need a little bit more to conceal yourself. However, I am glad to be finally meeting you. The both of you, really! You are both invited to tonight’s banquet, and as guests of Atlantis, I give you free usage of our diving gear.”

“Oh, uh,” I looked for the words for a moment, “Your highness? Your majesty? One of those is right. Anyway, thank you,” I nodded at him.

“Thank you very much, your majesty,” Megan said.

Was that one the right one?

She ignored me and continued, “We are very excited to use this opportunity to acquaint ourselves further with your beautiful culture that emphasizes important values such as sustainability and ecology. The work you have done to preserve Earth’s rich biosphere is truly inspiring. As someone who comes from a planet with little life, I’m relieved that there are people who don’t take it all for granted.”

I wanted to butt in and interrupt at some point just to tease her a little, but I couldn’t deny it any longer—her excitement was seriously cute.

King Aquaman grinned proudly, nodding his head, “Thank you, young lady. I am honored to know that even a Martian not from this world holds my deeds in such high regard. I will do my best to honor your belief in me.” He paused for a moment, putting two fingers to his head, like he was using telepathy or something, “I have sent someone for you two to get your bearings as I steal away Kaldur for a minute to catch up. Is that quite alright with you two lovebirds?”

Megan giggled, “Of course, your majesty. Please, go ahead.”

Kaldur gave us a nod, “See you tonight at the banquet.”

Hey, crazy idea, Megan, but what if we stalked Aqualad after he split off from the king? Then we can watch him be lovey-dovey with this secret Aqualass.

I hate that idea, Megan thought urgently. I grinned knowingly at her.

You just hate it because you know you want to do it. But hey, as long as they’re in a public place, it won’t really be… illegal. Stalking them invisibly and all that.

No, Megan sighed, We can do other things, Sa-chan. I already made so many plans for what to do here. Seeing the Atlantean museum and all its exhibits. Apparently, they’re meant to have an exhibit commemorating all the drowned Africans that the Atlanteans had found during the Trans-Atlantic slave trade hundreds of years ago. And I really wanted to get a better look at their waste treatment—

Sure, sure, I chuckled, Let’s do all of that. And you can tell me why you think it’s a big deal.

You’ll love it, Sa-chan. And if you don’t, that’s only because you have bad taste, she said, sticking her tongue out at me.