01x08 - Downtime

[bunniefuu]

[MAN GRUNTING]

[GRUNTING]

[GROWLING]

[FOOTSTEPS]

[SNICKERING]

[ROARS]

[ROARS]

[ROARING]

[MOANS]

I need to talk to Aqualad.

The rest of you, hit the showers and head home.

Head home? I am home.

Just Aqualad.

I am sorry you had to intervene. I know the team performed poorly...

The team performed adequately. The problem was you.

You're their leader, and your head wasn't in the game.

No, you're...

[SIGHS]

Correct.

Of late, I am not even convinced I belong on the surface world.

For so many years, it filled my every thought...

...but now that I am here, my dreams are of Atlantis.

Atlantis...

...or someone you left behind?

You can split your time between the surface and the sea...

...but not your mind.

Either you're here 100 percent, or you need to walk away.

Make a decision, Kaldur.

And make it soon.

COMPUTER VOICE: Recognize, Aqualad B-02.

[IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE]

[SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE]

Watch this. Did it work? I can't tell if it worked.

TOPO: I'll never finish in time.

Topo, the workmanship is magnificent.

Kaldur, wait, wait.

Watch. Listen.

TOPO: Our beloved king was at the mercy of the vile Ocean Master...

... but two young students, Kaldur'ahm and Garth, intervened...

... allowing the Aquaman to triumph.

Impressed with their valor...

... Aquaman offered both young heroes the opportunity to be his prot�g�.

Garth chose to continue his studies at the Conservatory of Sorcery...

... but the brave Kaldur accepted his king's offer...

... and became Aqualad.

TOPO: Kaldur? I mean, Aqualad? Oh.

It is very good.

Oh, thank you. Um...

Do you think it's all right I put myself in?

I know I was not really there, but l... It is fine.

Do you know where I might find Tula now? And Garth?

TOPO: On the roof, at their studies.

[BOTH GRUNTING]

Your technique is excellent but your choices remain predictable.

Combat sorcery demands improvisation.

Kaldur'ahm. Oh, it's so good to see you.

Kaldur.

Apologies, my queen, I did not mean to interrupt.

It is well, I have another class. Will I see you at dinner?

Yes, your majesty. We shall talk then.

You look well, Kaldur.

Yes, surface life agrees with you.

You speak as if I've been gone for years but it's only been...

Two months. Two months.

That long? Then I must make up for lost time.

Tula, would you accompany me to dinner tonight at the palace?

I wish I could invite you as well.

I made that choice long ago.

We have another class but I will see you tonight.

You have to tell him.

VULKO: It is disturbing, to say the least.

The creature is frozen...

...has been frozen for millennia, yet somehow it still lives.

We have even detected brainwaves.

Needless to say, Prince Orm...

...the study of this find has become the science center's highest priority.

All security protocols are in place.

No unauthorized personnel get in or out.

Excellent.

Would you like me to turn that on?

No.

Well, would you like to help me make dinner?

No.

Let's see, we're gonna need some brown sugar, a little butter...

...some salt, cooking oil, vinegar, a few eggs, a couple of tomatoes...

...some milk, a bowl of flour and a few cups of...

[OBJECTS CLINKING]

Oops.

I'm sorry. I should've paid more attention.

It was too much at once. Too much at once. Hello, M'gann, that's so me.

I... Uh...

GUARD: Hold, intruders.

[GRUNTING]

BLACK MANTA: That was careless, Alpha Squad. Don't let it happen again.

No, sir. All squads, report.

BETA LEADER: Beta Squad ready. GAMMA LEADER: Gamma Squad ready.

DELTA LEADER: Delta Squad ready. EPSILON LEADER: Epsilon Squad ready.

Phase one complete. Initiate phase two.

ALPHA LEADER: All squads report Manta Stings in place and ready.

Phase two complete.

[GRUNTING]

"Just Aqualad."

[GRUNTING]

[ALFRED CLEARS THROAT]

Master Bruce wishes to see you.

What's this? Training.

Hand-eye coordination.

One-on-one? Lf you think you can handle it.

d*ck: Ha-ha-ha. Yes.

ORM: A gigantic echinoderm, frozen, yet still alive.

Of course, at this point, our data is quite limited...

...but Doctor Vulko thinks the creature is very promising.

I am considering rejoining you at the conservatory.

ORM: Can you imagine...

You realize you left your studies some time ago...

...your sorcery skills have not kept pace.

You would no longer be in Tula's class, or Garth's.

Perhaps I will require a tutor?

[LAUGHTER IN DISTANCE]

[LAUGHING]

Here, let me get that.

And that, and this, and those and these. How about that?

This too. I got it.

Thanks, Uncle Barry. BARRY: You're welcome, kid.

You're a lucky lady, Iris, our Wally certainly isn't that fast.

Not when it comes to clearing the table. WALLY: Mom.

Neither is my Jay, believe me.

I know, I know, you're a retired speedster...

...and since it's your birthday, we won't argue.

Wally's fast enough when he wants to be. We're suddenly out of ice cream.

MARY: Wally.

Uh... Happy birthday.

We have an announcement.

I am with child.

Oh, that is wonderful.

Congratulations. An heir to the throne at last.

Apologies, Prince Orm. I did not mean...

No fear, Kaldur. No one could be more thrilled at this news than I.

Thank you, brother. Thanks to you all.

SUPERMAN [OVER RADIO]: Superman to Aquaman.

League emergency in Tokyo Bay. Rendezvous at the Watchtower.

Acknowledged.

It seems I must take my leave.

Swim with me.

Batman has made me aware of your dilemma.

I know from personal experience...

...it can be difficult to live there and love here.

COMPUTER VOICE: Recognized, Aquaman 06.

I am confident you will make the right choice.

Omega Squad is in position. Initiate phase three.

[IN UNISON] There is something I must... Ha-ha.

L... Please, Tula.

I have made a decision...

...to stay in Atlantis with you.

Because of you.

Kaldur, I'm sorry.

We wanted to tell you sooner, but Garth and I...

...we are together.

[GRUNTING]

Careful, get these people out.

[GRUNTING]

ALPHA LEADER: Alpha Squad requesting reinforcements.

[GRUNTING AND SCREAMING]

This att*ck was precision-planned.

The initial explosions lured our patrols into ambush.

AQUALAD: Tula!

Garth, look out!

Aah! No!

Tula!

[GRUNTING]

Surface communications are down. We cannot reach King Orin.

Summon more troops to the palace. The palace was not the only target.

I witnessed explosions in Sectors 1, 2, 3 and 5.

Nothing in Sector 4?

Explosions all over the city except where the science center is located.

Where your giant sea star is secured.

Then it is all a diversion.

But with the king away, I must protect the queen and the heir.

I need no protection, go.

No, Mera, if you suffered any injury, my brother would never forgive me.

The prince is right, my queen. This battle is mine.

GARTH: And mine.

Your place is with Tula.

[MANTRA TROOPS GRUNTING]

TV ANNOUNCER: Next up on the Comedy Classic Network, an episode of Hello, Mate...

[TV TURNS OFF]

This came in the mail for you. You opened it? Mom.

Just read it.

ARTEMIS: I've been awarded a full Wayne Foundation Scholarship...

...to the Gotham Academy?

But I didn't apply.

It's not that kind of scholarship. You qualify or you don't.

Gotham Academy is very prestigious. You should be thrilled.

Yeah, I'm not switching schools. All my friends are at Gotham North.

You're going, or you give up your extra curriculars.

Mom, don't make threats you can't enforce.

Artemis, this is a chance to better your life.

A chance I never had.

Okay, Mom, I'll go.

I'll go for you.

[THUNDER RUMBLING]

[g*nf*re]

[GRUNTING]

BLACK MANTA: Objective secured.

Manta sub, initiate phase four.

You should be with Tula.

The queen watches over Tula and sent me after you.

Check the perimeter.

As soon as the sub melts through the dome, we take our prize and go.

You have a plan?

Kaldur?

[GRUNTING]

I too have my studies.

BLACK MANTA: Impressive, is it not? Aqualad.

Such a waste.

You really have no ambition beyond serving Aquaman?

Aren't scores of others willing to die for their king?

This fool, for example.

[GARTH GRUNTING]

Garth, get your head in the game.

I summon the power of the tempest.

Forget them, get the job done.

Garth, the cable.

[YELLS]

[GRUNTING]

If I can't have it, no one can!

AQUAMAN: Our city was heavily damaged.

And many Atlanteans were injured.

But it could have been far worse. I am grateful to you all.

This contains all that survived. It is already regenerating.

The creature requires further research...

...but with the dome compromised and the science center in ruins...

...we cannot safely secure or study it here in Atlantis.

Perhaps the surface world can do better.

I'm sure they will be eager to try.

Kaldur?

Call me Aqualad, my king.

Kaldur, l... We...

That is... I wish you both nothing but the best.

Have you ever wondered what would have happened if I had stayed behind...

...and you had become Aqualad?

Never.

No, neither have I.

COMPUTER VOICE: Recognized, Aqualad B-02.

Made your decision?

The decision is made. I am here, 100 percent.

Just in time for your next mission.

The Watchtower detected an immense power surge in the Bialyan desert.

BLACK MANTA: I was unable to secure the objective...

...and was forced to execute Plan B.

OCEAN MASTER: You did well. Everything falls into place.