Chapter 10 - Artemis

Aizen can be seen standing on a balcony over seeing Kaldur'ahm and Manta sparing together. While Manta and Kaldur'ahm try there hardest against eachother Aizen drinks, amused at what to him is a slow, sloppy, battle between improperly trained children. Their movements lack finesse and power, they are unoptimized, wasting energy with every motion, leaving many openings and making many mistakes. Even worse, for Aizen they move at the speed of a dead snail, he has enough time between every move to not only analyze their mistakes but also accurately predict what they will do next. After 15 minutes of non stop battle Manta wins the fight with extreme difficulty.

" Manta as you know I have had much success training my organization and newer Shadows as such I would like to offer my ȧssistance in training Kaldur'ahm. "

" I believe that would be of great help, after a few minutes of recovery Kaldur'ahm will join you for a spar.

Is that alright Kaldur'ahm?"

" Of course father, I look forward to training with you Aizen."

1 hour later...

Aizen stands across from Kaldur'ahm waiting for the guard to start the match.

" You, Jeff hold my sword and glasses. If either is scratched or damaged in anyway you will be punished by me accordingly."

" O-o-o-of course sir."

The guard then runs away to Aizen's quarters to put the stuff away while the referee guard starts the match.

Kaldur'ahm's markings glow and he goes to use his water powers. Then suddenly Aizen is in his guard with a fist slammed into his stomach, crushing the lower part of his ribcage.

" Our first lesson is understanding that your enemy will not go easy on you, they will respond with overwhelming force. You must be ready to tactically retreat or adapt accordingly, show me how you will do so."

Aizen's fist is enclosed in water, stopping his movement as Kaldur'ahm headbutts him. Aizen shows his immense flexibility by completely dodging the attack, bending himself almost completely horizontal. Aizen then jumps over a sweeping kick, twists himself upside down in the air punching Kaldur'ahm in the face sending the boy into the parallel wall making a Kaldur shaped hole in it.

" Your strategy was good and you would have gotten a hit off if I was anyone else, continue."

Kaldur drags himself from the wall rushing forward again, this time however he actually has his water weapons and he attempts to slice and slam Aizen all to no avail Aizen just dodges attack after attack. Kaldur, using his experience sets up a trap splashing water around the arena. Then once they go around a few times about 20 water spikes come out of puddles under Kaldur's control. They shoot towards Aizen as Kaldur tries to hit the spots that Aizen would have to dodge to, trying to force a hit on Aizen but as they get close they all flow into one single water stream slamming back into Kaldur.

" Rule 2, Expect the unexpected. Finally Rule 3 never let an enemy come back with a plan, kill them when they are down."

" Aizen!! I said train him not kill him!"

" Manta if I wanted him dead he would be, besides he is an experienced fighter and used to things like that otherwise I wouldn't have been so hard on him. It is important to teach these lessons now so your son doesn't die later. Come get me when the mission starts, I have a call to make."

" Manta to Aizen, Kaldur'ahm and you are being sent out within 5 minutes please proceed to Kaldur'ahm's ship."

Aizen flashsteps into the smaller ship as he puts on his glasses.

"Ready for this mission Kaldur'ahm?"

" Yes, I will not fail."

" I love your enthusiasm Kaldur'ahm, make sure to keep that promise. Just so you know I will be staying out of any conflicts and I will also not be ȧssisting you complete the goal, this is purely so I can judge your success rates."

"Understood."

Kaldur then walks to the pilot seat, the cabin closes and seals and the group is sent off to the Satellite launch site.

" Kaldur'ahm focus on the destruction of the missile I will take care of the Atlantian."

"No, I will take him down to prove to you that I am committed, if it would be ok with you?"

" Yes, keep him alive though our partner may have need for him."

"Understood."

Aqualad goes outside and scuffles with Lagoon boy, quickly resulting in the fish Atlantian's capture.

" Missle failed, I will be going onto the shore to make sure the next attempt succeeds."

" Understood Kaldur'ahm, I will join you."

Aizen the flashsteps onto the shore creating a sonic boom and drawing everyone's attention. Kaldur'ahm uses the distraction to rush forward taking out Nightwing the shooting a missile at the launching Satellite. Artemis takes out the missile, turning her back to Kaldur'ahm who uses that chance to close the distance and kill her as she turns to him.

" Mission success."

BOOM BOOM

The Satellite explodes in the sky behind him mid sentence.

" Yes yes you did. You have earned my official reccomendation and approval, now let's get back to your father."

" Of course, I need to take a detour alone if you don't mind."

" Sure, it would make sense for you to mourn even if she was no longer on your side, I have a few old friends I meet on the battlefield myself. I'll stay on the ship, but I will be coming with."

" Ok."

Kaldur'ahm then leaves on a smaller ship, Aizen taking the main ship back to Manta. "Where is my son Aizen?"

" Oh, mourning."

" Ah, Artemis. So did he get your approval?"

" Thank you."

" It was no favor it was my job, no need to thank me. I'm tired I'll be going to bed."

" We'll talk tomorrow Aizen."

" Of course, goodnight Manta."