Black Manta grinned behind his metal mask, easiest job he's ever done, kidnapping his own son. He watched the small, blond child cower behind his red-headed friend. Then the boy's face changed, a more determined, angry look crossing his features. Kaldur took Tula's hand and there was a shout from behind, and Manta was knocked to the side as Tula pulled Kaldur close and swam for cover.
"I summon the power of the Tempest!" It was Garth, brows furrowed in concentration and hands curled into fists as a beam of bright blue knocked away the villain.
Black Manta regained his bearings and attacked the Atlantean, leading them both to crash into a wall.
Passersby started to take notice, and fled as the buildings began to crumble and fall as Manta and Garth's war raged on.
Tula swam as fast as she could, away from the fight. Rushing into a courtyard, she ran into Queen Mera, who didn't look too pleased.
"The man whom requested my assistance was one of Manta's henchmen. The guards took care of him, but I came to warn you three. Where is Garth?"
"Fighting Manta, my lady," Tula responded, stroking Kaldur's back as he watched over her shoulder, looking back to where the fight began. "Have you been harmed?"
"No, I have not. Have either of you?"
"No," Kaldur said, turning to face her, then his eyes widened, "Behind you!"
Mera turned just as a spray of thick, black ink shot at the trio. Giant tentacles belonging to a humongous squid wrapped around their waists and pulled them far from each other as they coughed and lost consciousness.
Black Manta was winning this battle. He grabbed the teen by the neck, choking him as he threw him into yet another building. Manta watched as the cylindrical tower fell on Garth, then swam after the fallen boy's girlfriend.
Manta arrived just as the ink began to clear. He patted the squid on the head as a sign of good work, and took his son from it's grip.
He looked to the squid and ordered, "Get rid of these two, we don't need them."
The squid swam into the deep trenches below, Queen Mera and the young Tula in tow as Manta looked to the surface as a shadow crossed the scene.
Up above the waters sat Count Vertigo, lounging on a yacht, waiting patiently. Not a moment too soon did bubbles viciously rise to the surface near the ladder on the side. Black Manta rose from the sea and climbed aboard, his sleeping son in one arm. Vertigo smirked and leaned back in his chair, "Ah, hello David." He eyed the boy, "Successful?"
"Yes," his vader-like voice responded from the helmet, "And got rid of the Queen and a friend. But I have other important things to tend to, so if you don't mind." David handed the boy to the Count, and, in turn, Count handed the other villain a large, waterproof briefcase. Manta nodded a farewell and dove back into the waters.
There was a groan from beneath the rubble and debris, Aquaman dug a bit faster. He'd heard of the attack on Kaldur, and now the disappearance of his carrying bride, his partner and a prized student. Another stone was moved, and he could see Garth. The king hauled him from the wreckage and placed him on a gurney.
'H-Hello, my king," Garth grinned up at the man through his injuries.
"Hello, Garth." Arthur responded as a team of medical atlanteans rushed to his aid.
Garth began telling Arthur of Manta's attack in detail. The king ordered for several search parties to find the missing trio. Hours later, Mera and Tula were found in the depths of a dark cavern covered in black ink. When they met up with Arthur and Garth, the men were told of Aqualad's kidnapping.