Land of Heroes: DC Style comes from Harbinger of Kaos. I just write the reactions, and I still down own any of the characters.
Chapter 2: The enemy below…part 2
The heroes sat back as they watched the image come into focus, picking up right where they left off, with Aquaman's counterpart being held at spearpoint by his own men.
Things were not looking good for the true King of Atlantis as he was surrounded by the turncoats and his Brother stood before him, wearing his crown and wielding his trident.
"For years I have stood in your shadow and watched as you led Atlantis to the brink of ruin, I'll stand for it no more, and neither will your Generals." The usurper spoke as he stepped aside for General Brak to speak to his former monarch.
"This is a battle we should of fought years ago, but you betrayed us by siding with our enemies." The fallen General accused.
"They would prefer a war that would cost thousands of lives as opposed to peace," Aquaman stated, "They are nothing more than war hungry fools."
Superman said, "Are they forgetting about the league and the waves that every metahuman on the surface would bring down on them?
Diana said, "No one ever said villains had to be smart."
The last betrayal to him was enough to push Aquaman´s rage beyond the limit, only one thought was in his mind, to make these men pay dearly for this affront.
He overpowered two of the guards at his sides and delivered two well placed blows before lunging at his former kin, however…
"ZAATT!"
"ARRG!" he yelled as the energies from the trident were released and managed to knock him unconscious.
Orm look with much satisfaction for his cruel deed.
"Take him away." He ordered with utter disgust for the man.
After two guards did so he turned towards Brak.
"General Brak, ready your troops at once."
"Yes my Lord."
With he and the other betrayers went to gather their troops for the coming conflict.
Orm smugly sat on the throne that did not belong to him, feeling immense satisfaction for his victory over his Brother.
"Atlantis shall be the first to kneel at my rule and then, after I show the surface dwellers their place, they too shall bow before me, and one shall be able to stop me." He thought, just as Mera rush in a side entrance, not knowing her love was just taken away to some unknown fate.
"Oh, I shudder to imagine what Orm would have done to Mera if she had arrived just a few moments sooner," Diana said to herself.
Aquaman said, "He probably would have had her arrested for treason as well, after ordering his men to take her away under false pretenses, trumped up charges, or some other method."
"Orm! They say my husband has returned…" She spoke as she came to his side "…is true?" She asked with a desperate hope in her eyes.
"I wish it were…" He said in a tone that betrayed nothing of the treachery that has taken place, he rose to look her in the eyes "…but it is only an unfounded rumor."
Hearing this she covers her eyes in grief.
"I tried to be strong, but without him."
"Don´t worry Mera…" He spoke in a gentle tone as he comforted her "…I´ll take care of you and your son." He spoke ominously.
"He better not be planning what I think he's planning," Aquaman said dangerously, his fists clenching tightly.
J'onn said, "If this Orm is as power mad as the one here, then he most likely is."
"My son?" She asks as she does not like the sound of that, what he says next sets alarms off in her mind.
"I´ve already took the precaution of placing him under my protection."
The woman quickly runs to her child's bed and is horrified to find it empty.
He soon follows calmly and speaks to her, in the same monotone voice.
"This are dangerous times Mera, we can´t be too careful."
"Where is he?" She naturally asks him.
"The Prince will come to no harm as long as you cooperate."
"How can you do this?" She asks as she tries to find some reason for these man´s actions.
"He is mad with power," Aquaman said, "And believes he knows better than me. I learned firsthand that only a foolish leader would seek out war, as it will only lead to ruin."
Superman said, "Wise words."
Lantern said, "Words that I wish more people would live by."
"I assure you I am only doing what is best…for Atlantis." The usurper says to the Queen though in her heart she knows that is not the case.
"Oh Arthur, where are you?"
With the League…
John and the others we currently traveling in the Javelin towards Atlantis in order to warn the King of their discovery of a traitor in their mists.
John once more carried his add-ons to his armor for aquatic combat, plus an additional Gravity hammer in case he needed the extra weaponry. He also carried some modified stun grenades that discharged an electrical charge that stunned the enemies, much like an electric eel, and a Bubble shield that could function underwater.
"Please let Orm be hit in the face by at least one of the Spartan's weapons," Aquamn whispered to himself.
Flash asked, "You say something?"
Aquaman quickly responded, "Nothing."
"Batman, have you found anything with the Watchtower sensors?" Superman spoke to his counterpart, who had gone to the Watchtower to see if he could see any sign of activity from the underwater city.
-No, there is no sign of activity in Atlantis, and that's what worries me. —
"You believe something may have already happened to Aquaman, don't you." The Chief said to the man.
-We are either too late or too early, though I wouldn't get my hopes up for the latter.—
"Well you are just a ray of sunshine aren't you?" Cortana's avatar quipped, trying to lighten the mood.
-…you've been spending too much time with Flash; I'll keep you posted if anything changes, Batman out. —
It was at that moment that Flash chuckled somewhat. He was then slapped over the back of the head by Lantern.
"What? It's Wally not me!"
"Could we have beaten him here?" Diana had to ask as the alternative was not something she was to keen on.
"I hate to say it but no, he had a good head start on us, and in his element, he is faster than us even in the Javelin…" John as he tried to come up with a way to explain the next part.
"Chief?"
"We shouldn't be going in like this."
"What is it Chief? You get a feeling?" Cortana asks as in her experience with him, when he got the feeling something wasn't right it turned out he was right.
"Yeah, a big one, and it's telling me we should be prepared for a fight."
"Gee, you think?" Flash asked.
"That man's instincts in battle show clearly," Aquaman said.
"Isn't that a bit extreme? We aren't trying to cause an incident." J'onn spoke respectfully to the man.
"True, but let's look at the facts, we know for a fact that there is a traitor in Atlantis, we also know he or she is well funded, that proves he is either a high level politician or maybe a member of the Royal court, in case of the later, that person may have already captured or killed Aquaman and usurped control of the city, in that case we are walking straight into a trap."
That put all of them on edge as the man had a good point.
"Why do I think that him being there isn't going to make much difference?" Diana asked.
Before anyone could comment Diana, who was once more at the co-pilot seat and looking at the radar spoke as she saw some incoming vessels.
"Atlantian navy approaching." She spoke.
"Let's hope you're wrong John." Superman spoke to him as he prepared to talk to the vessel.
"You and me both." The Spartan said as he gripped his rifle in his hands, the feeling of danger still with him.
"This is the Justice League with urgent message for Aquaman, we believe his life is in terrible danger."
On board the main vessel the message was received, however the commander of this vessel was none other than General Brak himself.
"Order's General?"
"Destroy them." He replied coldly.
The soldier soon did so.
"BOOM!"
"Damn! We're too late!" Stewart spoke as torpedoes were launched and impacted the ship, thankfully the modified armor held under their assault.
"Gee you think?" Flash asked.
He immediately ducked, half-expecting a batarang to shoot out of nowhere and smack him in the back of the head. when it didn't happen, he let out a breath of relief. However, it was cut short when Lantern proceeded to do so making him glare at his emerald light wielding comrade.
"Move us out of here Sergeant!" Cortana spoke as she disappeared into the armor.
"On it!"
The Javelin soon did as he it got past the ships and bikes due to its better armor and speed.
"We can't outrun them forever; we have to take the fight to them." John spoke as he got up, the others following his example as Superman handed Diana a breathing mask, Stewart powered up his ring and J'onn simply followed as his Martian physiology made the use of the mask unnecessary.
The five soon vacated the ship and rushed the soldiers.
Superman's strength proved to be powerful enough to knock out the soldiers despite their tough bodies.
Diana was using her bracer to deflect incoming fire while also getting in close to engage them, some on occasion chased her through the rocky formation, but even underwater her agility proved too much for them as she jumped and twisted in the water as if she was born in it.
Stewart, erected a shield behind her when three water bikes came up, the riders were coming in to fast to avoid it and had to bail out.
J'onn used the land and his intangibility to his advantage as the riders crashed into the rocks or each other.
"I have a sudden sense of Déjà vu," J'onn said.
The Spartan maneuvered his armor through the explosions while firing his rifle at them, the continued firing but his shields held strong even under the high pressure of the ocean floor.
"John we have to keep moving."
"Superman, we have to make a break for the city!" he said through the com link, firing bolts at two riders coming at him, the high current shorted out the vehicles and knocked out the drivers.
He nodded and told the others the same.
However the flagship soon came and began to fire their entire ordinance at them.
Superman got underneath a massive boulder and used his great strength to drag it along its hull, causing it to capsize.
The all soon broke away from the fight and came to a reef that overlooked the city.
"We're almost there!" Stewart spoke as they passed the reef, however behind them external defense platforms activated and fired spiked spheres at them.
John saw them and came to a chilling conclusion.
"DEPTHCHARGES!"
"Oh crap," Superman said, realzing what was going to happen next.
The warning came too late as they blew up around them.
John was near two when they blew, the explosions dropped the shields by a third due to their close proximity and making him lose consciousness.
The others were knocked unconscious and fell to the sea bed, but John fell in a nearby crack large enough for him, he tumbled down through it, whether by luck or design it curved inward so his form was hidden from the others.
The rogue soldiers soon came upon the Leaguers.
"What should we do with them General?"
"Bring him to is highness, he shall decide their fate." Brak said to his subordinate.
The soldiers did as asked and pick up the four and led them inside.
"Where is the armored one?" a soldier spoke.
Three searched for him, and soon found the remains of his sonic rifle near a canyon.
"Bastard must have sunk to the bottom, humph good riddance I say." The lead man said to the other two, who soon followed him to the battleship.
Lantern said, "If an alien armada couldn't ake that guy down, I highly doubt that bunch of underwater gladiators would be able to take him down. No offense."
Aquaman answered, "None taken."
In the Atlantian throne room…
Superman was the first to awaken, and immediately took notice of his bonds and the lack of strength in his arms, and the device on his head.
"A power inhibitor?"
"You don't still have those do you?" Superman asked, remembering the device.
"Only for use against our enemies," Aquaman answere, though eh would have to make sure about the security around them later.
He looked up when he felt a presence near him and could tell this was not Aquaman.
"Worthless surface scum." Orm said with utmost disdain for him and the other, who from what he could gather were also wearing the inhibitors and were equally shackled.
"Ugh, Where´s Aquaman?" He said weakly as he felt quite drained from the previous battle.
"I thought your kind already took care of him?" He said in a way that betrayed nothing of his involvement.
"No he came back here." Diana spoke next followed by Clark.
"We came to warn him about a plot against his life, an Atlantian plot." He spoke loudly, all unaware that on the balcony Mera was overhearing them.
"A plot against Arthur? Could it be?"
"Lies and deception!" the usurper cried out as he used the trident to electrocute Superman.
"I consider this latest incursion an act of war." He spoke as a soldier carried away the still smoking kryptonian.
"You will be executed as enemies of the crown, and then I'll wipe out the surface world forever." He spoke as he turned and left.
"Wait! Where´s the Spartan? What have you done with him?" Diana yelled.
"He´s dead, rotting away at the bottom of the ocean as we speak."
"YOU LIE!"
He just had a soldier bring the remains of the rifle to them.
"No…" she whispered as the proof seemed undeniable.
Orm took great pleasure from seeing the despair on their faces.
"Take this filth away."
"I can't wait to see you wipe the smug smirk of that bastard's face," John said.
The king of Atlantis said, "I will enjoy wiping it off his face."
Flash said, "Hopefully, if the Spartan is alive he'll do it. If not, that Brak guy at least. Show him what a real soldier is like."
Meanwhile in another section of the city…
Two guards stood near the one of the many pools that led to the murky depths that existed outside the dome that covered the city.
"Why are we here?"
"Wow…they look bored," Flash said.
Aquaman said, "Gate patrol tends to be boring as no one ever used the front door in an attack. However, you never know when someone might try to do so."
Diana said, "I remember my days when I had to guard the entrance to Themyscira years ago…I'm surprised I managed to stay awake for as long as I did."
"Because we were ordered too, look I know you don´t like this post and neither do I, but orders are…"
"What? What is it?"
"Is it me or is there something floating there?" he spoke as he sees a shadow under the water.
"Yeah, there is, think we should check it or call it in first?"
"Better check, if it turns out to some seaweed or something else will be laughed out of the Navy."
Both moved slowly toward the shadow and noticed it did not move at all, once they were two feet away something popped out of the water, a strange sphere with blue lines.
"What is th…" "ZZZAAATT!"
"Well big guy, I'd say the modified stun grenades are working just fine." Cortana said as her Spartan rose from the water and saw the unconscious guards.
"I knew he was alive," Flash said with a smirk.
Lantern said, "Yeah, don't rub it in hotshot."
"Wonderful, now let's see if we can find the others." He spoke as he moved out of the chamber after securing the two men.
As he did Cortana made a system check on the MJOLNIR, having woken up her friend in an underwater ditch she had to make sure the suit was still operating at peak efficiency, thankfully she found nothing wrong, so they made their way into one of the cities many entry points.
John managed to reach an abandoned computer terminal and placed his hand on it to transfer Cortana into it.
"Cortana see if you can find out if Aquaman or the others are here and where."
"On it Chief."
"…"
"Chief got good news, bad news and worse news."
"Start from the end."
"If I'm reading this right the Atlantian Navy is being fully deployed by order of the acting King Orm, I think it's pretty obvious what's happening?"
"They're going to launch a preemptive attack on the surface and Orm must be either the ring leader or accomplice of the coup de ta."
"Got it in one, bad news is, Aquaman is not here and the others have been slated for Execution."
"Good news is I know where, pull me back in and I'll lead you there." She said.
"We have got to get an AI of our own," Flash said, "Seriously."
Superman answered, "And we already said no to getting one."
John did so and once the feel of ice water passed he noticed a Nav marker on his HUD appears, he moved out as fast as he could towards it.
He made his way towards the center of the city where the palace was located and where his friends were being held captive.
"You got to admit, if we weren't in hostile territory right this place would a wonderful vacation spot." The UNSC A.I commented as she admired the beauty of the city.
Flash made to open his mouth, but Aquaman quickly said, "No. I do not care if it might improve Atlantean and human relationship, I am not turning Atlantis into a tourist trap."
"Will ask about that later, how far are we?"
"Not too far, and thankfully there is very little resistance do to the invasion."
"Have you contacted Batman about the situation?"
"Negative, the dome's causing some interference; I'm working on rectifying that."
"Keep me posted."
They soon came to the main entrance and were dismayed to find it guarded by at least 10 guards.
Lantern said, "Is anyone else hoping that he was going to go charging in gun's blazing?"
Arrow said, "Now that would be something I would like to see. Show them what he's like when he's not out of his element."
Aquaman said, "if they are Orm's men, then I have no problem with it."
"Is there a back door?"
"…windows more likely, use the cloak and head 10 feet west until you see a window 20 feet up, we can't afford to lose time with them."
"Aw man," Arrow said, "Cop out."
J'onn said, "It was a smart decision. The last thing he needs is to attract more attention."
He gave a silent nod as he activated his invisibility function and headed in that direction.
Inside the palace…
John had managed to go in deeper into the bowls of the castle in his search for his friends, his cloak greatly aiding him; he paused underneath an archway as two soldiers passed.
"Did you hear? They say the King appeared in the city, could he really be alive?"
"Don't be a fool, did you not hear Orm, and those filthy surface dwellers killed him and desecrated his body as a message to us, oh how I wish I could face them instead of being here."
"You're right, they shall rue the day they dared to murder our king."
Diana said, "And as usual, the rumor mill runs rampant. Unfortunately, it seem Orm's words hold more sway than actual facts."
"So he did come here."
"Orm must have caught him, but he must be held somewhere outside the city."
"First thing first, get the League out then we search for him and find out how to uncover this plot."
The made their way to the lower levels and soon encountered someone heading in the same direction.
From fair complexion, Crown on her hair and high quality robes he would have to guess that this was the Queen.
"Why is she here and with a mace?"
"Let's ask."
Mera was quietly making her way towards the captured heroes, having heard how they attempted to aid her husband, knew they could help her find him and her son.
However as she passed a hallway she was grabbed from behind, making her drop her mace.
"Don't struggle, now I am not here to harm you, I am simply looking for my friends, I am going to remove my hand so do not scream, do you understand?"
"He certainly knows how to make an impression," Aquaman said, slihglty upset at the manhandling of his wife.
She nodded and soon the man, from what she could tell, removed his hand and allowed her to get a good look at him.
She was surprised to finds a large armored man standing before her.
"Are you one of the surface dweller who came to help my husband?"
"Yes ma'am, may ask what your name is?"
"I am Mera, the wife of the one you call Aquaman, please do you know where he is?"
"I'm sorry but no, I know he isn't in the city but that is all."
She bowed her head in sadness for a moment before she regained her composure.
"We must hurry your friends are being held captive and are soon going to be executed." She spoke as she picked up her mace once more and lead him towards the area where they were being held.
They soon found them in a tank filled with water.
"No." He spoke as he activated his thruster and charged the glass.
"What in Neptune's name!" one the guards spoke as the Spartan crashed into the tank.
Both guards moved to the side to avoid the torrent of water, before they stepped back in and raised their rifles.
"Fir..." "WHAM!" "Ugh!"
The Queen soon showed them she was no delicate flower as she bashed one guard and turned on the other.
"Que…" "WHAM!"
Aquaman gained a dreamy expression on his face and said, "I love that woman."
The others just looked at him oddly. Wonder Woman looked on with pride to see the queen standing up for herself and knocking Orm's boys down a peg or two.
The floor was soon flooded as the glass gave way and the water slowly drained.
John started ripping out the shackles and the inhibitors, and lowered them to the floor, Wonder Woman being the last.
"Diana?"
"Cough, J…John? Is it really you?"
"Yes it's me."
"Oh thank the goddess, we thought you dead." She said with relief.
"Heh, the rumors of my demise were greatly exaggerated,
"Oh, I'm going to have to use that?" Flash said, "Knowing bats, though, he's probably already used it."
Flash then ducked under the table as a batarang flew right through where his head used to be. Arrow caught with just as it flew past him. The speedster let out a sigh of relief.
"Where are those coming from?" he asked again.
Arrow then proceeded to throw the batarang back at Flash, nailing him in the forehead.
"Seriously!?"
can you stand?"
"Yes, just allow me a moment to catch my breath."
He did and checked on the others who were starting to regain consciousness.
"Everyone this is Mera, the Queen of Atlantis and wife of Aquaman, she helped me find you."
"Thank you." Superman spoke to the woman.
"There is no need, you came to help Arthur, and it is the least I could do; now I must ask you to continue to do so, for I fear he and my son are in grave danger."
"Your son?" J'onn asked.
"Yes Orm, Arthur's half-brother has taken the crown and hidden him, I fear his life is in peril, please help me." She implored.
"We will ma'am, but first we need to get you safe, we have no idea whose on your side and whose on Orm's." the Spartan spoke as he and the others moved away from the area.
Mera's thoughts turned towards her family and what she would do to Orm should he harm them.
She had no idea the danger both of them found themselves in.
In an unknown location…
Aquaman was currently struggling to free himself from a large rock he found himself chained to.
Below him was an active volcanic fissure, the heat could be felt up to his position and he could tell it was about to get worse before his situation got better.
"Oh, I remember this," Aquaman said, "Orm did this as a death trap to me once. I managed to break out in plenty of time."
Superman said, "Don't forget…this isn't the same Orm or you."
"When I get my hands on those two they shall be begging for death´s merciful care!"
Soon however his attention was caught by the arrival of the ringleader of this nefarious plot.
"Enjoying the view?" Orm mocked a top his water bike.
"Arrogant bastard…" "…Getting rid of me won´t make the people of Atlantis serve you." He said to his former kin.
"I know that whole lineage thing can get messy, fortunately I have a solution." He said as he approached his vehicle´s cargo hold.
"What do you mean?"
Orm simply opened the hatch and pulled out a bundle, it´s cries were soon heard and he revealed none other than his son.
"NO!"
The table cracked as Aquaman gripped the edge of the table so hard.
"That bastard!" Lantern yelled.
"Son of a bitch," Arrow snarled.
Similar remarks came from the remaining members as they realized that he not only intended to kill Arthur, but also his son to help cement his rule.
Back at Atlantis…
The League was currently escorting the Queen to a safer location, mostly because they didn´t know who was still in favor of Aquaman and who was in on the plot.
Diana overlooked the grand architecture of the city and commented on it.
"You´re kingdom is truly magnificent; I see why Aquaman protects it so passionately."
"Unfortunately there are those whose ambitions would destroy it." She spoke.
"Incoming!" The Spartan warned as he sensed danger close, he was proven right as several guards came and began to fire at them regardless of the Queen´s presence.
"Not to self, have those guards fired," Aquaman growled angrily.
He and Diana covered her, him with his shields and her with her bracers, their retreat was hampered by the arrival of three more men who began to fire their laser weaponry at them, Superman taking the brunt of the attack.
"Ugh, still not strong enough to keep this up." He thought as he placed himself before the barrage.
"Stupid power inhibiting and lack of sunlight," Superman muttered under his breath, no one hearing him.
"Stand back!" Stewart orders as he focuses his ring on the bridge their on, soon there is a power build up that reaches critical, resulting in a large explosion and the soldiers falling into the waters bellow.
All the heroes remained aloft in the air and headed for a more secure location.
Meanwhile with Aquaman…
Upon seeing his defenseless child in the arms of his treasonous brother, Arthur rage knew no bounds.
Orm swam to him just out of reach and openly mocked the man.
"A pity, the young prince will be yet another innocent victim of the surface dwellers aggression…"
"RARRGH!"
"…Sadly that will also make me the rightful heir to the throne."
"I WILL KILL YOU FOR THIS!"
"Get in line," Arthur snarled, his rage returning, and the edge of the table almost snapping off from the strength of his grip.
Orm simply ignored this as he plunged his dagger into the rocks surface and hanged the crying child next to his father, before swimming back to his vehicle.
"Well I am off to avenge your deaths." He said as he aimed and fired the trident at the base of rock that held them.
"OOOORRRMMMM!"
Slowly but surely their prison descended to the fiery pit, by sheer luck one of Aquaman´s bonds was weakened by his struggles allowing him to break free.
His child's cries spurred him on as he tried to break the other one to save them, ripping off his sharpened buckle he struck the metal repeatedly but would not give.
"Please tell me that this is going to end well," Flash said, the tension getting to him.
Aquamn said, "I did basically the same thing, only I didn't have to wory about my infant son at this point."
"No! I will not fail now! Not when it counts the most!" He thought before he focused not on the metal band but on another target.
"YARRRRGH!"
Back in the palace…
Superman, J´onn searched every room they could in search of the missing ruler and prince, while the Queen was guarded by the Spartan, Lantern and the Amazon.
The Martian soon phased in through the floor.
"We´ve searched the entire palace."
"But there´s still no sign of him." Superman spoke much to the Queen's dismay as he flew in through a balcony.
"I'm sorry but I could find no trace." John said as he walked in from behind them.
Mera cried at this, thought of her child and husband running rampant.
However all turned to the entrance as they felt someone arrive, and much to the surprise of everyone it was none other than Aquaman carrying his infant son in his right arm.
"Oh, thank Hera," Diana said, glad to see not only Aquaman, but his child safe as well.
Arrow then noticed something.
"Wasn't the baby wearing in red blanket?"
Mera ran and embraced her husband as soon as he was in reach.
"My love you´re safe."
"And so is our son." He replied as he handed him to her.
The child was happy to be near his mother who held him, joy swelling up in her heart as she felt his.
This joy turned to shocked horror as she saw the bloody stump where his left hand was.
"Your hand…"
"Outrageous," Aquaman said.
They all stared in shock as they realized that Aquaman had only escaped because he cut through is own hand out of desperation to save both himself and his son. It took a moment for them all to wrap their heads around the new fact.
".Orm?" He said in a voice filled with utter hatred.
Medical wing…
John had immediately applied some biofoam to the man´s wound, who to his credit did not yell when it was applied as even the most battle hardened Helljumpers never enjoyed having the disinfectant/sealant applied.
Right now his personal physician was working on a substitute for his leader, while the others watched on.
"His own hand, I can´t believe it…" the man of steel says loud enough to be heard by the others.
"I told you he was a madman." Stewart added, regardless if he was heard or not.
Lantern groaned in frustration. He knew of people who would die for those they loved, and it was something he had learned when was in the army, and as a Lantern. Seriously, had he always been this big of an ass?
"Is it madness to sacrifice all for someone you love?" Mera asks the Lantern, who has the decency not to retort, though John feels he needs to add to these.
"During the war…" He spoke loudly making all look at him "…I saw just how far a parent would go to protect their children. I saw as fathers grabbed whatever they could to fend off the Covenant for those few precious seconds they could to give their families a chance. I saw as mothers leave their children in ditches and broken ruins and ran in front of Covenant soldiers to make sure they would live when they would surely die a horrible death." He stopped as he looked at the Lantern.
The others who had seen the images of what was unleashed upon humanity paid close attention to what he had to say next, while Aquaman and Mera, though not seeing his face could feel the emotion in his words even though he did not express as most people do.
"This man…what kind of battle must he have seen to have left him in such a way?" the King thought.
"Far worse than what Orm would ever unleash," Aquaman answered, the image of a planet being burned down to solid glass, burning in his mind.
"They were the unknown heroes of the war; in my mind they performed the greatest duty of all, a parent´s duty to ensure that no matter the cost their children would live to see another day, do not disrespect that man for doing his duty Sergeant, for one day that could be you doing the same."
Everyone thought back to the days when they lost their parents.
Arrow saw his father kill himself to keep so the supplies would last when they were adrift before he was stranded on that island.
Diana imagined her mother fighting battles for her people.
Superman saw his parents sending him off to the Earth before their home was destroyed.
The rest saw images of their own as they imagined what their parents, teachers, or those they looked up to had done to protect those that they had loved, and what they had given to protect them.
Stewart took that to heart and realized the truth in those words.
"You´re right, I apologize your highness."
"No need, I understand my husband´s first impression was somewhat tense for you, but as your friend said, he is quite passionate in the protection of our people, do not judge him too harshly because of It." She replied getting a nod in return.
"Can´t you work any faster?" Arthur asks the surgeon, not for the pain but the urgency to deal with the traitors.
"This is a delicate operation my lord, it can´t be rushed."
"Why not allow me and my companions to clone you a new hand? We have the technology at our disposal." John asked.
"No, this will serve as a reminder of my arrogance and foolishness, you were right Spartan, I let my biased anger cloud my judgment, I only looked for enemies from outside my kingdom and never those from within." He spoke as he looked at the armored soldier.
Aquamn briefly nodded as he felt a phantom pain burn through his stomach. He placed his hand there and remembered the wound Orm had caused on the day of his betrayal. The scar had reminded him that he should never lower his guard, and that even the greatest of friend could become enemies.
"Well he learned a lesson, though it cost him." Cortana said to her guardian.
"Better to lose a hand then a son." He replied.
Before she could continue she intercepted a signal from the Dark Knight.
"Everyone…" she spoke from inside the armor, startling the Queen "… I think Batman is trying to contact us."
"Who…?"
"That´s my partner. I´ll present her later."
"Go ahead Batman." Superman spoke as he pressed the earpiece.
-We have a situation at the North Pole; thermal readings show a large increase in temperature as well a reduction in salt water around the area. —
"If that continues the ecological effects could be catastrophic." J´onn spoke to all; Aquaman immediately began to think about that.
"Is it possible Orm found it?"
"Oh no," Aquaman said, remembering this part.
"Then let´s check it out." Stewart suggested.
"But what about the crisis here?" She spoke as she looks to the pair.
"There may be a connection." The monarch spoke gravelly.
"I think we all know what comes next," Flash said, recognizing the grave tone the king was using.
"What do you mean?" Clark asked the man.
"It´s the Doomsday Thermal Reactor, we designed it to create a polar meltdown."
"What!" Stewart asks in shock.
"Do you realize the dangers something like that could do to both land and the sea? Global warming, extreme climate change, underwater earthquakes and more." John spoke as Cortana ran the scenarios and not one of them good.
"…Yes, it is a weapon of last resort should Atlantis face dire fate, it is also the reason I never had it armed." He said with shame at his carelessness.
"You dismantled that thing, right?" Lantern asked.
The king answered, "Dismantled it, burned all the plans, had them wiped from the databanks, and had the other scientists loyal to me swear an oath. I have no intention of repeating my past mistake."
"Do you want to bet Orm wouldn´t?" Cortana said out loud.
"The Plutonium from the Sub, he must have stolen it and used it to fuel the device." GL spoke as the pieces came into place.
"We have to stop him before it´s too late." Superman spoke in a dire tone.
"And we will…" Arthur spoke as he stood with menacing harpoon for a hand "…I'll see to it personally."
"Oh that looks so bad ass," Flash said to himself as he saw the harpoon/hook hand.
'Maybe I should get that?' Aquaman thought, 'Nah…Mera would kill me if she found out I cugt off my own hand just to look cooler.'
The North Pole…
Aquaman had swam at great speeds towards the location of the Doomsday weapon, bursting out of the water and landing with grace and poise, that would make any world class gymnast green with envy.
He was not alone.
"What is your plan?" John asked the monarch as he and the other flew to his side.
"Find Orm and break him in half."
"Simple and easy, I like it." Cortana quipped
"We need to have a plan in place; Orm may be expec…INCOMING!" He yelled as he saw the incoming laser, from beneath the ice.
"BOOM!"
"Even he can speak too soon," Arrow joked.
Three massive vessels rose from the ice and immediately opened fire upon them.
Stewart Shielded Aquaman, Diana, and himself, while J´onn, Superman and the Spartan flew out to engage the enemy.
At the lead of the army stood none other than Brak, sword held high.
"Soldiers of Atlantis attack!" all the men on their water bikes soon race towards the heroes.
The League did the same, with Stewart releasing his shield to allow Aquaman to engage the renegades.
"Here we go again." He spoke as the fight began.
John silently agreed as he began to fire bolts at the speeders and took a hammer and fire energy bolts near the soldiers so as to knock them of their vehicles.
Batman in his Jet raced to aid his comrade and had a clear view of the destruction of the icecaps.
"Superman the glaciers are already starting to melt." He said over the Comm.
"I know…" He replied as he pressed the transceiver in his ear "…but we have our hands full here." He spoke as the League members currently engaged the rebel Atlantians.
Stewart weaved around the laser fire and created a battering ram that slammed into the riders.
Diana and J'onn double teamed the invaders; Diana using her lasso removed the riders causing their vehicles to spun out of control or slam into the others. Those were grabbed by the Martian and dropped into the sea.
Superman took on the capital ship dodging cannon fire and getting an up-close and personal look as he dove into the hull and ripped them out from beneath.
John weaved through the barrage; those few shots that managed to catch him were absorbed by the shields. He in turn fired back with short burst from his hammer and beam weapon to the bikes noses or used his stun bolts on the riders.
Aquaman was not idle as he commandeered a water bike and summoned to his aid a Killer Whale that slammed down on his enemies, much to the Lantern's and Spartan's surprise..
"I saw it, but I still don't believe it." Stewart spoke.
"That makes three of us." Cortana added.
"You really got to do stuff like that more often," Flash said, "It looks pretty cool."
Aquaman said, "I'll keep that in mind."
"John! Spartan! Follow him! Will keep them busy!" Superman spoke as he dove back into the fight.
Both agreed and soon flew after the monarch, there they met up with Batman along the way.
"There´s not much time if we don´t shut that thing of the entire world is doomed!"
-Gee, you think? — Cortana quipped.
Inside the glacier that housed the device…
Aquaman quietly made his way inside the melting mountain of ice, there was no sign of his treacherous brother but that didn't mean he wasn't around.
He soon stood before the device he had built and now threatened the world.
"I hope he hasn't changed the deactivation sequence." He thought as he approached the keyboard, however…
"ZZAAATT!"
"ARRRGH!"
"Apparently I underestimated you brother..." He spoke as readied to ram the trident into him "…a mistake I won´t again...YARG!" he yelled before following through with his threat however Aquaman dodged at the last moment and pushes him away with a heel kick to the face.
Both struggled for supremacy as Arthur kept him at bay with his weapon before delivering a powerful right cross to the face.
"It´s over."
"You´re right…" Orm spoke as he aimed the trident at the console "ZZAAT!" "…and you lost."
Aquaman could only watch in horror as the controls were destroyed, this proved costly as he was blasted by his treacherous sibling once more.
"As usual, they destroy the controls," Arrow said, "I don't know why they do that. I mean, we got the world's greatest detective with us. If anyone knows how to improvise it is him."
"The tide is against you…" He spoke as he got up and approached the man "…the reactor can´t be shut down!"
The trio arrived just in time to see the men battling it out with great ferocity as Aquaman punched and slashed at Orm who shielded himself with the trident while firing.
Eventually Orm got the upper hand as Aquaman jumped into the air to tackle him…only to receive a potent blast in the chest that launched him off the broken bridge.
He managed to jab his hook into the ice wall and stopped his decent.
John saw Orm head over to ascertain his victory.
"You two deal with the machine I'll deal with Orm." He spoke as he grabs the hammers and runs towards the man.
Batman reached the controls first and did not like what he saw.
"No good, i´ll have to go inside and shut it off manually."
"Inside!"
"Your ring can it protect me from the radiation?"
"Guess will find out." Stewart answered as he covers the Dark knight in an emerald glow.
Orm in the meantime was firing at the true ruler of Atlantis who jumped the walls to avoid being plunged to the dark depths below.
"Orm!"
"CLANG!" the sound of metal on metal was heard as Orm used the trident to block the blades aimed at his head.
"Who the blazes are you!" He yelled at the armored warrior.
"Someone who hates dictators and tyrants." He spoke as he pushed even further into the man.
"Grr, I am no tyrant, I am the savior of Atlantis, I shall lead us into victory over the Surface dwellers, gragh!" He spoke before pushing off the Spartan and aiming his trident.
"Will someone please just break that guy's jaw already?" Arrow said, "I'm getting real tired of hearing him go on and on about how this will save Atlantis. Seriously that is getting old."
John responded by aiming his hammers at him which started to hum with power.
Both men unleashed the energies contained in them and both struck against one another in a contest of wills, John being the heavier of the two had the advantage of the armors weight anchoring him.
"You are just a petty man who wishes for more power!"
"Here here," Aquaman said, understanding Orm's greedy ambition.
"John you have to hold out, the readings on that thing are showing it can do some damage to you!"
John understood that and increased the power output, allowing his energy beams to start pushing back the Trident's.
"I shall hear no more of your incessant prattle land lover!"
Aquaman in the meantime had finally climbed back up and placed himself above the traitor and jumped.
"Orm!"
"What! Ugh!"
Both men fell on an ice bridge below, further weakening it, the trident embedding itself near them.
Arthur got up first before Orm and readied to strike with his bladed appendage, however Orm acted swiftly and swung his dagger at him drawing blood from a slash to the chest.
"You do not deserve to wear the crown or the throne you weak and spineless coward!" He spoke with utter loathing as he approached the King…only for the ground to give underneath him.
"Argh!" He yells only barely managing to hold on at the last second.
Aquaman simply stood at the pitiful figure, who given his battles with both the Spartan and his brother could not hold on much longer.
"Brother! H…help me!" He implored.
Aquman did reached down…and took back HIS trident.
"I believe this is mine."
At moment Orm's strength failed him and he fell into the darkness.
"AAAAHHHH!"
"And thus, ends the short reign of the mad king," J'onn said.
Flash said, "I think you mean would-be tyrant."
Aquaman simply made his way up, though the Spartan met him halfway and extended his hand to help him up.
"Is it over?" Aquaman asks as he takes the offered gesture.
The generator in the background shut down thanks to efforts of the caped crusader.
"It is now, Orm?"
"Dead."
"Good, if you hadn't I would."
Aquaman looked surprised and asked, "Is he serious?"
Superman answered, "The an is soldier first and a hero second. He probably would have and wouldn't even bat an eye."
"Good to know…." He spoke as the other two came to them "…let's go, there is still much to be done."
Back in Atlantis…
With the League's help, Aquamn rounded up all of those who stood by Orm's side during the conflict, right now he was looking on with disdain as Brak spoke in a futile attempt to save himself.
He and the others who took part of the coup were surrounded by men who stood loyal to the king.
"…so you see your highness we had no other choice but to follow the traitor Orm."
Lantern sneezed into his hand saying, "Load of bull."
"Spineless cowards…" he internally spoke before he addressed the man "You filthy cowards, you can't even accept responsibilities for your actions, you nearly plunged our people into a war that would have cost millions of lives. You went as far as show the location and function of the Doomsday device, the Spartan has showed me what would have occurred if I had used it and it would have killed us along with the surface dwellers."
As he spoke the League and his family watched on.
"Look at him, the man's is acting like a Grunt looking down the barrel of a Gauss cannon." Cortana spoke as she watched the proceedings.
"A what?" Aquaman asked, confused by the terminology.
Diana answered, "A very big gun."
"Cowards always look for the way out when the chips are down."
"My king I…"
"Be silent! I should have you and your men be thrown into a fiery chasm, but I shall be lenient and have you all stripped or your ranks, and imprisoned for the rest of your miserable lives in our most secure prison. Guards! Get this scum out of my sights." He ordered.
Once out of their sight the king finally let his tension to drop as he thought about all that happened.
"Sigh, I should have prevented this from happening, my fears over the surface dwellers allowed these to happen."
"A king must look on his failures," Aquaman said, "He must learn from them. Unfortunately, the way he learned was much harder than mine."
Superman said, "At least he has no intention of starting a war with humans, unlike his brother."
Cortana made an appearance as she appeared dressed in uniform.
"Your highness if I may, you shouldn't be too hard on yourself, you are still just a man with many responsibilities and cannot be expected to keep watch over everyone."
"She's right, we all made a lot of bad judgment calls on this one, let's be thankful we managed to fix them before it was too late." Stewart said next to the king.
"You more so than usual big guy," Flash said as he patted his friend on the back.
Arthur simply walked to the balcony and looked at his city.
"All I ever wanted was peace and security for my people."
"With what's happen it will not be an easy road." Superman spoke.
"True, but life has never been meant to be easy…" the Spartan spoke as all turned to look at him "…all we can do is live day by day and try to do right for ourselves and others."
"I see that you're wise in more than the ways of war Spartan."
John shrugs at that.
"I simply have led a…unique life, nothing more."
"If by unique you mean filled with violence and bloodshed, then yes I would say you have a very unique life," Arrow said, remembering the origin of the Spartan.
Aquaman and Mera would call it anything but quaint as he and Cortana gave them a summary of their reality and the war he faced.
"I have lot to make up for, in both our worlds."
"If you need help you need only ask, think of it as a token of friendship." Superman spoke as he and the League stood together and nodded.
"Friendship?" he thought it over as he heard the man of steel's offer "…Yes, perhaps the time has come to get to know our neighbors on the surface."
"It won't be quick, but in time both our worlds will be able to coexist and make this world better than it is."
"I hope to live long enough to see that day." He spoke as he stood by his wife and child and together looked upon the city.
Everyone smiled as they saw the moment. Glad to see that in this world, peace between the surface and underwater kingdom would be possible.
Back in the North Pole…
"Uh…didn't we just leave here?" Flash asked, suddenly having a bad feeling in his stomach.
The feeling was mirrored by the others who saw the familiar landscape from the battle.
In the ruins of the Thermal Generator all was silent; however that quiet was soon interrupted by a rasping noise.
From the crevice where the brothers battled a bloody hand rose. "AQUAMAN!"
"Orm is alive!?" Aquaman yelled.
The other league members stared in shock.
Aquaman simply stared in shock and stood up. He then left, intending go to where his brother had fallen. If he was alive, then he would need to prepare given that his brother had been silent since his defeat.
Flash simply said, "Obvious hinting towards a sequel is obvious."
Another batarang flew through the room and then slapped him in the head.
"Damn it, really!?"
Cut! Okay hope you all enjoyed that. Next up, I think is the Injustice for All. See youalls oon.