Adventures of Superguy

July 20, 2010 - Happy Harbor, RI

Mt. Justice

21:14:26

“I grew up in the city of Shayeris, one of the city-states of Atlantis. Surface dwellers may think all Atlanteans are the same, but our kingdom is a great tapestry of many cities, many peoples, and many cultures.” Kaldura began, once they had all calmed down from Walli’s impromptu fire safety demonstration.

“When I was fourteen, I completed my education and began my mandatory service in the Atlantean military, which is standard for all at that age. In the training, I distinguished myself and earned the honor of entry into the prestigious Conservatory of Sorcery in the Atlantean Capital of Poseidonis. King Meran is the headmaster of the Conservatory and husband of Queen Orina. It was a very… different time for me. It was difficult, as it would be for anyone leaving home for the first time at that age. But also a time in my life where I met friends that I know will be with me for a lifetime.”

“Atlantis conscripts all of its citizens that young?” Connor asked, incredulous.

“The Atlantean population is much smaller than the surface world’s. We also live much longer than surface dwellers typically do, thus we have a great deal to learn that will serve us all our lives. Cadets like me are not put into combat, it is an aspect of our education system that every Atlantean youth be taught to defend themselves and Atlantis. The ocean’s depths contain threats surface dwellers cannot imagine. Our cities are very safe, but in the hinterlands and the wild depths, one must be able to defend oneself.” Kaldura assured him, but the implications that there were threats underwater that necessitated every Atlantean to be a warrior-wizard like his friend was not at all reassuring.

“My time at the Conservatory was among the happiest of my life. But then came a day… a horrible day when Poseidonis was attacked by the Ocean Master. It was the day that Aquawoman, my queen, nearly met her end.” Kaldura said darkly, staring into the embers of the campfire.

Ocean Master I remember. Aquaman’s brother, scheming to dethrone him. Maybe her sister here?

“Aquawoman and Ocean Master fought for what seemed like hours. When they clashed, it seemed to shake the very foundations of the city.” With deft hands, Kaldura conjured forth the glimmering water from her backpack, forming it into the flitting forms of Aquawoman and a male figure in menacing octopoid inspired armor, with a concealing masked helmet. The small water marionettes flew about and clashed in mock battle, Aquawoman looking noble and defiant while Ocean Master posed arrogantly. The others ohhed and ahhed in appreciation for Kaldura’s storytelling and her special effects.

Then her voice dipped low and her tone grew grim. Tiny Aquawoman was taken by surprise and cast down, with Ocean Master posed arrogantly and triumphant over her.

“Ocean Master gained the upper hand and defeated Aquawoman.” She said curtly.

“Or nearly defeated Aquawoman. While he reveled in his victory, Garth and Tula, my fellow students, and I intervened on the queen’s behalf. Their battle had taken them near the Conservatory, and as we saw our queen in deadly danger, it was the only thing we could think to do. The danger did not even occur to us, only that our queen was in trouble. It may have been one of the most foolish things we had ever done, and we nearly met our end because of it. We had no hope of defeating Ocean Master, but the time we spent engaged in battle against him gave our queen time to recover.” 

As she recounted the tale with pride, she added new figures to her pantomime; a tiny Kaldura with shorter hair, and a long haired young man rendered with great detail, and a young woman with short hair. They conjured water constructs in the forms of sea life, swung water weapons and cast crackling lightning magic, but Ocean Master was unfazed by them. By the end, Tula floated to one side limply while Kaldura and Garth struggled in Ocean Master’s grasp.

“But that time was all she needed, as Aquaman counterattacked and finally triumphed over Ocean Master! She was able to drive him from the city and save us all!” The Aquawoman water sprite sprang from where it lay fallen on the ground, and shot up at the gloating Ocean Master as he taunted the young Atlanteans, hitting him like a torpedo and sending him fleeing beyond the firelight. The team gave a ragged cheer and clapped as Kaldura’s show and tell ended.

Connor saw the pride and adoration in Kaldura’s eyes as she finished the climax of her tale. Some of it no doubt for herself and her friends, but her devotion to Aquawoman appeared entirely genuine and heartfelt. The way she spoke of ‘her queen’ made him feel a bit strange.

I’ve never met anyone as dedicated to their leader as Kaldura is to Aquawoman. I guess it's easier to think highly of a politician who is a superhero, and who personally saved your life.

“Aquawoman is a being of two worlds. On the surface world, she fights for justice for all beings. Under the sea, she is the leader of a great nation that spans two thirds of the world. Both carry the weight of responsibility. But even the strongest of women can only bear such responsibilities for so long. She knew that even Aquawoman cannot do both forever. One day, her duty to Atlantis will mean she can no longer devote herself to defending the surface world and fighting alongside the Justice Guild.” Nodding to Robin and Walli, she continued. “When she learned that Batwoman and Jesse Quick had both taken apprentices on who could one day bear their mantles, Queen Orina had begun contemplating the same idea. After our contribution, Aquawoman came to the three of us with the possibility of taking one of us on as her protege.”

Pride clearly shone in her eyes as she recalled the offer made to her and her friends. 

“I had never been to the surface world, but I have always had an interest in visiting it. Many a day during my studies at the Conservatory I have dreamed of traveling the world to visit every sea and distant ocean, and maybe one day the surface world. Garth had little interest in the offer, our battle with Ocean Master more than enough heroics for him. But Tula and I both seriously considered the queen’s offer. Ultimately, Tula chose to continue her studies at the Conservatory of Sorcery under King Meran, along with Garth. But for me, the chance to visit the surface world was a dream come true.”

Kaldura’s eyes grew a little misty and her tone wistful as she told them of leaving her old friends and life behind.

“And so I became Aqualass, apprentice to my queen, to one day become heir to the mantle of hero she forged on the surface world. I miss my friends; Tula, Garth… but the chance to work beside my mentor and queen was an opportunity to do things I could never have dreamed of. I could not pass it up. I believe the work I am doing makes a difference, both in Atlantis and on the surface.”

The pride she took in her duty was evident. But there was something in the set of her mouth and look in her storm grey eyes that spoke of hidden depths to her decision.

“You know the rest of the story. Aquawoman brought Aqualass to the surface world… and now I am here with you.” She finished, solemnly but with a wry smile.

“So you never thought about turning Aquawoman down?” Connor asked.

“No, as soon as she made the offer, I could not see myself doing anything else.”

Connor looked thoughtfully into the flames as the others asked questions or gave their review of her bit of aquatic theater. Walli was very impressed by Kaldura’s use of her hydrokinesis, and M’gann asked more about Tula and Garth. But Connor’s thoughts turned inward.

Kaldura chose to become Aqualass. She was a normal person, for an Atlantean, and she fought a supervillain like Ocean Master. And she wanted more of it. That’s a hell of a thing. Ever since I arrived here, it feels like this is all something that happened to me. Becoming Superboy, rising from the dead. The only thing I chose to do is join the team.

He looked around at his friends, and smiled.

Best decision I’ve ever made.

His thoughts grew gloomy and his doubts grew with them.

Do I really belong here with them? Kaldura was trained by the Atlantean military, learned sorcery from the Queen of Atlantis, and was mentored by Aquawoman herself. I’ve got this body and these powers, and what the G-Gnomes crammed in my head. I want to be Superboy… but can I be? Is this all some cosmic mistake? This universe needed a Superboy and someone miscast me in the role? 

“Well, obviously, you wanted to be Aqualass!” Walli declared swiftly as the cross talk quieted. “But I wanted to be Kid Quick waaaaaaay more. Let me tell you all about it…”

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