NOVEL NEXT Tension and The Talk
(Aden's P.O.V)
"Where is the girl?"
Was Roquette's first question when I entered the cafe once again.
"Oh you mean the assassin that was hired to kill you, failed once and just kept on trying? That girl?"
I shot back, looking at her weirdly.
"Yes. What did you do with her?"
I rolled my eyes.
"She escaped. Some of the other masked ninjas attacked us and during the commotion she slipped her bonds and ran away."
The one who answered was Artemis, following me in.
Roquette looked skeptical. She adjusted her glasses while watching us with narrowed eyes.
"Really? But I didn't hear anything."
"They're Ninjas. Their whole deal is being unseen and unheard. Look doctor, I think your priorities need some revaluating. I mean," I gestured at her. "You survived an assassination from the League of Shadows. That's bragging rights in some circles."
"He's right. You held up pretty well doctor. And the good thing is that the Shadows don't have a reason to come after you now. Plus, the Justice League will put surveillance on you for a certain amount of time to ensure you don't get attacked."
Artemis followed up. Trying to appease the Doctor while also subtly changing the subject from the Cheshire thing.
"All in all, it's over."
Roquette breathed out a sigh of relief and looked at us in gratitude.
"Thank you so much. I won't lie, since Red Arrow put me under your protection…I wasn't confident on seeing the next day. But you guys are pretty good. Almost as good as the Justice League."
I smiled at the praise.
"Thank you. Heard that Artemis we're practically as good as the League."
"I didn't say that. I said almost. The teen drama takes away a few points."
Artemis laughed as I glared playfully at Roquette.
"Why'd you have to ruin it?"
The door to the Cyber cafe opened and the rest of the team walked in barring Robin and Superboy. Wally glared at me which killed my mood and brought back some of the same frustration from earlier.
"What happened?"
Aqualad spoke up. Artemis and I looked at each other and she stepped forward to update them on the Cheshire thing.
"You let her get away?"
Wally shouted at us. I crossed my hands on my chest.
"What are you talking about?"
"I know you, there is no way she could have just escaped you like that."
He came up to me and poked his finger on my chest. I was momentarily surprised at the unintentional praise. Still, I didn't like the way Kid Flash was pressing my buttons.
He frowned.
"Kid, that's enough. Dr. Roquette is safe which is the only thing that matters."
Aqualad came between us.
"Teen drama. Yuck."
Roquette muttered while shivering in distaste.
"Hello Megan, Superboy and Robin just arrived with the bio-ship!"
Miss Martian said happily and left the room. Everyone else cleared out leaving Kid Flash, Aqualad and I a bit behind.
"Kaldur, we need to talk."
"I agree."
The stoic teenager nodded.
"Let's do it after we arrive."
"Fine by me."
I followed them out, got on the bio-ship and we all flew off.
An hour later, after handing over Roquette to a League affiliate, I found myself standing before the three veteran side kicks on the team. I looked at the others, Superboy, M'gann and Artemis were no doubt on my side but…I didn't want their help in solving this small group squabble.
"Guys, could you excuse us for a bit?"
Aqualad asked them and I nodded after they looked at me for confirmation.
"I don't like this. It feels like you're all ganging up on Aden for no reason."
Conner told them while leaving.
"We'll be right outside if you need us."
M'gann added and followed after Conner. Artemis looked at me and nodded.
Thick tension permeated the room after they had left. I removed my visor and set it aside on the table as we all sat down.
"This can't go on."
I started, holding up a hand to stop Wally's words.
"If you're expecting me to apologize for the things I said to Red Arrow… you're out of luck."
"You embarrassed Speedy Infront of everyone!"
Wally jumped up in fury.
"He's not a child, Wally. He can stand up for himself, why are you fighting his battles for him?"
I asked him frowning at the younger boy.
"Because, it's always been a dream of ours to join the League together and we have all worked so hard to make that happen." Aqualad answered. " You don't know this because you just arrived recently but getting to the point where our mentors trusted us enough to watch their backs and save civilian lives has. Not. Been. Easy."
Robin's hands tightened into fists as he leaned forward on the table separating us. He picked up from Aqualad.
"You couldn't hope to understand our frustration. Imagine someone building up your hope for months on end, so you prepare yourself, polish your skills until bruises and blisters are a common thing every night you go to bed and when the day arrives bam! Nothing changes."
"Speedy was even more dedicated than the rest of us. I know you think that we just let him walk over us but you're wrong." Kid Flash stood up in anger. " You judged him without even knowing him. How many times have you been in a room with or even interacted with Speedy for you to form such a harsh opinion about him? Frankly speaking, you are a newbie. He's better than you in every way possible and if it came down to the two of you...I think you know who our first choice would be."
Kid Flash spit out at my face.
My mind was instantly assaulted with red hot anger. This little shit...
"Wally! That's enough." Kaldur banged the table with his fist, leaving a debt in it as he addressed the Speedster. "You went too far, Maelstrom is still an integral part of this team and I will not let you ruin that! We are here to settle the disagreement from earlier not to put him on trial."
Even Robin looked shocked at Wally's words.
"Dude, that wasn't cool."
Wally looked away while grinding his teeth.
I breathed in to calm myself down and realized something, I wasn't right…but neither were they. Maybe calling out Red Arrow Infront of everybody was the wrong thing to do but the words I said to him weren't. I understood inconvenience and that familiar hope that turns into disappointment more than most because, that is what my entire my background was like. So I might have jumped the gun and pegged Red Arrow the same as me and I how I used to lash out in the past.
I haven't had an easy life and that's all I'm going to say about it.
I sighed, the anger slipping off my face as I turned to them, earnest.
"Sometimes things don't work out and for a long while you're left feeling bitter at the world, which causes you to lash out on everybody and everything. The people closest to you get the blunt of it." No one interrupted me as I continued, " When you're in a dark place, you try your best to pull yourself out from that hole because if you don't, it just gets deeper and deeper until one day, you wake up and find that all that bitterness and anger has changed you. I thought I was standing up for you guys. Standing up for the team against a bully. I thought I was trying to help knock some sense into Speedy because I can relate to that."
"Wait, what do you mean by that?"
Wally demanded. I clenched my jaw and debated on my next words.
"Things haven't been...easy for me but I am trying my best to handle my shit the right way. The healthy way. By acknowledging that the situation sucks but also understanding that the bad things won't last forever. That is what I was hoping to convince Speedy of."
Robin had a suspicious look on his face while Wally looked like he didn't know what to say.
"Is everything okay Maelstrom?"
Aqualad questioned with a little compassion.
"Don't worry. I have secrets that I am not ready to share yet and that's besides the point. I just need you to know that, anything I said wasn't out of malice. But I am not sorry for my words." Kid Flash looked ready to blow up again but I motioned for him to wait. "What I can apologize for however, is for making you three feel bad."
Aqualad nodded.
"It's a...start. I apologize too for us putting you on the spot like that. Especially during the mission." We all clearly knew who he was referring too. " That sort of behavior could have compromised the whole thing."
Robin smirked.
"I don't have anything to say sorry for because I was a professional throughout the mission."
"Dude, I saw you throw him dirty looks at least twice!"
Wally butted in. Much to Robin's annoyance.
"I wasn't the one talking bad about him! Last time I checked that was you Wall-man."
He said the last part derisively.
Aqualad and I chuckled despite the mood. Things settled down and it was Wally's turn. The mad expression on his face had slipped off by then. He looked contemplative and unsure. His eyes never made contact with mine as he got up.
"I am sorry for saying all that awful stuff. They weren't true, just wanted to make you feel bad."
He made to leave the room.
"Wally." I called out to him. He looked back at me.
"It's okay. We're good."
He smiled and made a thumbs up. The rest got up and left after a few fist bumps, leaving me alone in the room with my thoughts.
So far I could say without a shadow of doubt, being in a team wasn't easy. Just as Roquette said, the drama was off-putting and unwelcome. But sticking around was beneficial to me for now. My dream was to be the greatest hero this world had seen to change things for the better. That meant I needed the experience of working and learning tricks and trades from those who are more experienced before planning my next move.
The one thing I promised myself while sitting in that room all alone, was that the next team I would be in, would have no drama and most importantly, would be under me.