Chapter Two

Secondary Undisclosed Location

It had been four years since Merlyn the Magnificent….the villainous archer and archenemy to the legendary hero Green Arrow passed away. There was no going back for his protégé now, but he STILL had some unfinished business. While he inspected his new bow, well new for him, he got a call on his comm link.

"Yes."

"Leon, there is a plan about to be put into motion, and I figured you'd want to keep up your mentor's legacy of fighting any that are associated with Green Arrow. Are you interested?"

"I'm all yours...Lord Ra's."

"Very well, I shall contact you when she has been captured."

"I wish to interrogate her first..."

"Be careful, even with her meta power shut off, she can be a formidable warrior…until we speak again."

The call was ended and Leon smiled…..more like smirked. "Finally, I will see what is so special about Green Arrow's daughter." Leon said and with that he readied for his talk.

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Fire and water currents were going back and forth as three spectators watched over the sparring match.

"Είμαι εντυπωσιασμένος με την ανάπτυξη Areina χρησιμοποιώντας μαγεία της φωτιάς. (I am impressed with Areina's growth using her fire magic.)" The only woman of the spectators remarked.

"Είναι λόγω της βοήθειας Mathen, η Βασίλισσα Μερά. (It is because of Mathen's help, Queen Mera.)" The older of the two males said.

"Καταλαβαίνω ότι είναι πλέον μια βαθμίδα 4 οδηγό φωτιά? Αυτό είναι εντυπωσιακό για έναν νεαρό οδηγό σαν κι αυτόν. Kaldur, πώς είναι τα εγγόνια σας κάνει στην εκπαίδευσή τους. (I understand he is now a tier 4 fire wizard; that is impressive for a young wizard like him. Kaldur, how are your grandsons doing in their training.)" Queen Mera stated.

"Κάνουν καλά, Bruce προχωρεί με μαγικό εκπαίδευση αρχαρίων του και ο Jason δεν έχει χάσει τον έλεγχο τόσο με τη δύναμή του. (They are doing well, Bruce is progressing with his beginner's magic training and Jason is not losing control as much with his power.)" Kaldur said.

"Orin'ahm, οι γιοι σας θα πρέπει να επισκεφθεί σύντομα. (Orin'ahm, your sons should visit soon.)" Queen Mera said, but before Orin'ahm could respond, a rouge fire spell came right for them.

Orin'ahm and Kaldur pulled their magical weapons and hard water formed into a shield to protect the three of them. When the shield died down, Areina was seen to have a worried look on her face.

"Ω άνθρωπος, λυπάμαι τόσο Queen Μερά? Υποθέτω ότι πρέπει να συνεργαστούμε περισσότερο με τον έλεγχο τη φωτιά, όταν ένα μαγικό ξόρκι. (Oh man, I'm so sorry Queen Mera; I guess I need to work more with controlling the fire when I cast a spell.)" Areina said as she and her sparring partner quickly swam to the spectators.

"Είναι εντάξει, Areina, δεν είσαι καλά ασκείται με τη φωτιά MAGIC σας, αλλά ακόμη και με μετα τη δύναμή σας μετατραπεί σε μαγεία, ελέγχοντας ότι το είδος της μαγείας μπορεί να είναι δύσκολο για έναν αρχάριο. Λοιπόν, Γκαρθ? τι γνώμη έχετε για την ικανότητά της; (It is alright, Areina, you are not well practiced with your fire MAGIC, but even with your meta power turned to magic, controlling that kind of magic can be hard for a beginner. Well, Garth; what do you think of her ability?)" Queen Mera said as she smiled at Areina then turned to her bodyguard.

"Τόσο πολύ, όπως ο Ντικ και ακόμη Reiena? αλλά ακόμα και χωρίς να μεγαλώνουν μαθαίνοντας τοξοβολία, την ακρίβεια της είναι απαράμιλλη. (So much like Dick and even Reiena; but even without growing up learning archery, her accuracy is unmatched.)" Garth said.

"Ο παππούς ήθελε να είναι ακριβής με Batarang ... δύναμη πυρός μου δεν βγήκαν στην επιφάνεια έως ότου ήμουν σχεδόν 18. Μαντέψτε να πάρει ότι η κατάρτιση του του ήταν εξίσου κοντά και να πάρει εκπαίδευση τοξοβολία από τον μπαμπά. (Grandpa did want me to be accurate with a batarang…my fire power didn't surface until I was almost 18. Guess getting that training of his was just as close as getting archery training from dad.)"

Kaldur laughed, he knew all too well the accuracy of Dick's batarangs, but Areina was trained for one year longer than her uncle had trained under the original Batman.

"Είναι σχεδόν ώρα για το δείπνο, θα πρέπει να λάβει την άδεια μου, αλλά εγώ θα ... (It is almost time for Dinner, I must take my leave, but I shall…)" Queen Mera started to say but suddenly a blast came at the five of them…but it didn't hit anyone as they all moved out of the way.

"Μοιάζει έχουμε εταιρείας. (Looks like we have got company.)" Kaldur said as he and Orin kept their weapons out.

Areina and Garth were ready.

"So, a chance to take most of Father's enemies down at once." A voice said, and this grove Areina, Kaldur and Orin to anger…as they knew the voice all too well.

"Manta!" Kaldur'ahm said as he looked his brother right in the eyes.

"This time I WILL make you and your family suffer; Kaldur'ahm." David Jr. AKA Black Manta II remarked, and determination was in his voice.

This stare down didn't last long as some of Manta's troops came swimming up behind him.

"Let's see how your lovely wife does against me, Orin'ahm." Manta said and with that his troops went after the heroes and they were not backing down.

During the fight, Areina was separated from the pack of heroes and Manta went right after her.

"I still owe you for your attack on my sub." Manta said as he dodged a fireball.

"You had Orin AND my sons, I wasn't going to give up then…and I WON'T give up now." Areina said as she started into hand to hand combat with the villain.

Both Areina and David Jr traded punches and kicks for several minutes. But when Manta's eye beams glowed, Areina launched a shield around her body, a flaming haze was showing to protect her as the beams were launched at her.

"Nice try, Manta." Areina stated.

The beams were reflected back and hit David Jr, throwing him back.

"How about a different target." Manta said as he recovered then turned toward Queen Mera.

"Queen Mera, LOOK OUT!" Areina shouted. She swam toward the Atlantean Queen.

Mera was quick to turn around and use her magic to stop the eye beams heading her way. But what Areina didn't see was that one of Manta's troopers was ready with his spear and launched an electrical attack right at her.

Areina got hit from behind, electrocuted hard for several seconds and then she collapsed.

"AREINA." Orin'ahm cried out, but he couldn't get away from his fight, and no one else could either.

"I'll see you later, nephew...and you as well brother, but right now, I have a mission to complete." Manta said as he swam over to Areina and picked her up. Garth sent a blast at Manta but it was deflected.

It was then that a familiar vortex appeared behind Manta and the Atlantean villain swam into it, disappearing with the second generation fire controller.

With Manta gone and the mission complete...for now, the troopers left the heroes alone and headed out via portals of their own.

"Areina! I'm going after her!" Orin'ahm declared angrily.

"We do not know where my brother has taken her. I'm sorry, son, but we must wait." Kaldur said as he grabbed Orin'ahm's shoulder.

He pushed his father back away from him. "She's my wife! I will NOT leave her in his hands!" he shouted.

"Something is going on, Orin'ahm. Manta was too intent on capturing her. This may be a plot by our enemies. Return to Watchtower and see if they have done anything else." Queen Mera said.

Orin'ahm was still angry and wasn't thinking as clearly as he should be.

"Easy Orin'ahm...your sons will need you. Take a calming breath. Let your anger go for the moment." Garth coaxed gently with the young father.

Orin'ahm listened to Garth and took a deep breath.

"Garth is correct; I will return to Watchtower, you go check on the boys." Kaldur said to his son.

"Dad...I'm sorry-"

"Do not apologize to me. I understand."

"It is perfectly natural to be this upset. Your soul mate is in trouble and you are worried for her." Queen Mera said, easing Orin'ahm's guilt.

Orin saluted the Queen in thanks and then went to check on his sons. Kaldur then left after saluting Mera to return to Watchtower.

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Marik was doing well in his training, and Serenity was keeping an eye on his progress…when all of a sudden something came their way. Serenity put up a wind wall to block whatever it was. When the wall fell, she saw two people standing on her property….and they did NOT belong there.

"How DARE you show yourself, brat." Serenity said as she saw the man of the two.

"Trying to get my future wife by changing her husband didn't help, so why not give her an ultimatium…using YOU as collateral."

"There are two wizards here, Mordred, we'll stop you." Marik said and he made the earth create a wave which threw Mordred and the woman off their balance.

Marik saw the woman get up and change her skin to a diamond hard version. "Um..."

Serenity stood in front of her son. "What do you want?" she demanded.

"Like I said; you as collateral against Meygan." Mordred remarked as he too got up

"Marik, go now. Get your father." Serenity hissed.

"But..." Marik said, worry in his voice.

"Kid, you're not a part of this. Listen to your mother..." Robecca suggested.

Serenity was surprised that a villain was showing concern toward Marik's safety.

"Who do YOU think you are!?" Mordred yelled at Dymond.

"It's the woman we're after, we don't need the boy." Dymond yelled back.

"Says you! To me he's just a bonus!" Mordred chimed.

"Marik, sweetie, while they are arguing between themselves, go."

"No Mommy. I'm not going." he said bravely.

Robecca grabbed Mordred's tunic and hauled him off his feet.

"You listen here. Adults I have no issues fighting with. Kids...HELL to the NAW! GOT IT!"

"Marik, don't argue!" Serenity hissed lowly. "Go now."

Tears came to Marik's eyes and he ran...but he knew he wouldn't be gone long.

Robecca let Mordred go. "Good. He left. And you better not go after him or I'll knock your head off!"

"The brat will be too worried about fighting me to think about my son." Serenity said and with that she went a wind storm around the two.

Mordred was not fazed by it but Dymond was thrown back into a tree and went right through it, her diamond hard body turning the tree into splinters.

Dymond caught the ground with one hand to stop her fly-by and flipped herself upright as Mordred sent the splinters of the broken tree at Serenity.

The millinea old wizard was able to block SOME of the splinters but those that she couldn't block with her wind shield embedded into her skin.

As she backed away, Mordred rushed her with a sword.

Dymond beat him to her, tackling her to the ground, unintentionally saving her from a blind beheading.

"WHO'S SIDE ARE YOU ON?" Mordred angrily questioned.

"My side!" Dymond send a few diamond-encrusted splinters at him, which hit him with enough force to knock the evil wizard out.

Serenity pulled out the last of the splinters from her arm, and was shocked to see what had happened.

"Lady Merline...I need your help. You have no reason to trust me, but I beg you to listen." Robecca implored.

Serenity was confused.

Robecca stood up and stayed a semi-close distance from her.

"I'm called Dymond...for obvious reasons and my fiancé is Manta. The Light charged us with capturing you. I was asked to bring you in."

"You're the one that took care of Bruce and Jason when Orin'ahm was captured." Serenity said, remembering the name.

"I was...I don't want to involve the kids in this war."

"I thank you for that...not many other villains would do such a thing. You care about the children...but why does the Light want me?"

"Your magic; they want to take it from your blood. Manta was also told to get your niece, Areina for the same reason. I fear that this is just a cover for what they really want-my fiancé."

"You care about him." Serenity said, but just as she was about to say she'd help, Mordred started to come to.

"Crap." Dymond marched over and punched his lights out once again. "Ok. I'll try to hurry. I love him, villain or not."

"Why do I get the feeling that it's more than just the magic...the Light is up to something else...Alright, I'll help." Serenity said, but she knew that once captured that was it.

"I fear what they really want is ATLANTEAN magic. Since they couldn't get it from the boys or their father...they will take it from Manta. So I hope that you can help foil that plan once you're 'captured'."

"The only thing is … to make the capture seem real, my niece can NOT know about this...she's good with hiding things, but her anger can be used to my advantage."

"I thank you, Sorceress. I must end this now. I'll try to be very gentle." Dymond raised her fist once again.

Serenity nodded.

Dymond took a breath...and swung. Serenity fell like a sack of potatoes. A small knot formed on her forehead.

Mordred came to. He sat up and rubbed his head. "Ow...what the hell was that about?!"

"I wanted to be the one to knock her out and I like to fight out of my element; besides, you were boring me with the magic junk."

Mordred glared at her. "Either way, now Meygan will be mine...but first, I want to wait till the earth boy gets back."

"No. We go now. Grab her."

Just then a vortex appeared and a head popped out attached to the center. "You got her yet?"

"Coming Ebon." Dymond grabbed Serenity and hauled her over a shoulder before walking through his vortex.

"I'll be right there." Mordred said.

"Boss wants you to return now." Ebon said.

"I want the boy!"

"Too bad, he's not part of the plan." Ebon said, and with that he surrounded Mordred and they disappeared.