The island of Themyscira was silent, despite the exotic wildlife that roamed the tropical mountains and the wood/steel warship hybrids that rocked slowly as they were docked on the clear, blue water. Inside one of the giant, salmon-colored marble temples sat Diana's mother on her throne, listening to the 1940's-style HAM radio retrieved from a fighter pilot's airplane. Key's broadcast had just finished and Queen Hippolyta sat with her fist resting on her chin as she was in a state of anger instead of shock.
"We were right. They have been planning this and lied to us. There is only one solution. Diplomatic counsel was a weak decision. We will fight them and take Atlantis down."
"Lyta? Are you sure? There will be no turning back." Hippolyta's friend, Mala asked her quietly as a few Amazons stood with their heads held high as their queen had spoken.
"I know that. I doomed our kingdom when I decided to make peace with the Atlanteans. Prepare the ships and the anchors. We're going to the depths." Hippolyta said, standing from her throne and quickly walking from her temple and down to the docks, her friend quickly behind her.
"What do you think has become of Diana? Do you think she's been taken? Or could she be-?" Mala said before stopping herself. Hippolyta turned around and held a finger close to Mala's face. She breathed deeply and closed her eyes for a second.
"I'll have Artemis get a few of the girls to search for her."
"Well, my Queen..." Mala said, her voice trailing off and breaking.
Hippolyta rose an eyebrow and could tell what her most trusted friend was about to say.
"Artemis went with her for protection. They're both gone."
"Damn." Hippolyta screeched under her breath as she walked with a fast pace to the warship docks.
"We need to calm down, everybody!" the Flash said as he watched Sage draw his gun and aim it at Orm.
Orm held Superman by his neck in one arm and Wonder Woman by her legs. Arthur tackled Orm but his brother kicked him in the face and he was tossed back into the damaged tent. Sage fired a bullet at Orm's back and was barely surprised when it crushed against the skin of his shoulder and the Atlantean didn't even acknowledge it. Superman fired a short blast of his heat vision at Orm face's and he screamed in pain, dropping them both and allowing Diana to kick him in the stomach and send him to the ground.
"Lantern!" Superman yelled as Green Lantern flew beside him and instantly formed a construct that resembled a straight jacket that covered Orm's whole body, only leaving his head uncovered.
Orm wiggled around violently and screamed in anger as he looked at Arthur with a disgusted look.
"Why are you aiding them, halfling? You betrayer! They were against us! They want to destroy us!"
Arthur shook his head and walked over to Sage, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
Sage nodded and put his gun back in his holster. He motioned his head behind him and pointed to the computer screen Batman was projecting onto the back of the tent. It showed a live satellite feed focused in on the coast of the lower U.S. with lots of thermal activity showing up in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The bulk of the activity was centered on two separate dots on the globe. The red and white energy gathered in numbers and everyone inside the tent felt their heart drop. The impending doom was emanating from the projection. A few soldiers and F.B.I. agents ran in with all the heroes and watched as the live feed kept enlarging in size.
"What is that?" a soldier asked.
"Atlantis. They're preparing for war. Serin's plan worked. She has to be working with Key. There's has to be a connection." Arthur answered.
"Not just Atlantis..." Diana said, her voice quiet and unsure. For the first time, Arthur could not hear confidence or bravery in her dialogue.
"Themyscira must know that they are preparing the Orca. Remember why me and Artemis were arrested, Arthur? The supposed bomb with our writing on it. We were set up. To start the war. And now, Atlantis is coming for America and my country is coming for yours."
"It will be catastrophic. If they reach the coast, it's all over. We can't stop them from the water. But if we send out ships to take them out, they won't stop. Lives will be lost. Panic. The end of the modern world." Sage said, his fear stuck in his throat.
"Arthur..." Superman said, grabbing the Atlantean's shoulder.
"Can you try to diffuse the situation? You came here to try and help us. You mentioned being a king's son. You can stop this, can't you?"
"Well... no." Arthur sighed.
"Why not?"
"I was arrested as well."
"Framed like the princess?" Flash asked, folding his arms.
Arthur gave a big fake smile and dug his fingers into his eyes as he realized he was trapped.
"No. I stole a dolphin from the soldiers' quarters and went on my own crusade I guess you could say. The main judge is named Serin. She has been trying to get to the High Council for decades now. And a serial killer in Atlantis, just by coincidence, killed the entire High Council, leaving her the next candidate. And it doesn't matter if she chooses partners or runs it by herself, she will control Atlantis."
"You think she is conspiring something with Key? That she has more knowledge then she's led on?" Superman asked.
"Wait... a dolphin?" Green Lantern asked.
Arthur shook his head and ignored his comment.
"I know she is." he continued, responding to Superman's questions.
"We need to get back there, Arthur. Sabotage the Orca somehow. This all begin and ends with their superweapon." the Man of Steel said.
Arthur looked at Orm who had given up trying to escape and was staring at him. He walked over to his brother and once again, Orm stretched his muscles and tried to break out. Arthur held his face still and slammed his head briefly into the ground.
"Orm! Stop! You have strong magic thanks to the king. Could you teleport us back to Atlantis? Do you have enough will and energy?"
"Why would I help you now? Hm? I thought we were on the same side for once." Orm growled.
"We are! Serin is going to take over Atlantis. Do you realize that? We need to stop her. Can you get us back down there? You're the only one who can stop them. We need you, time for being rivals is over. This is bigger than me and you. Or you and this country. This involves everyone." Arthur replied.
Orm and his brother stared into each other's eyes for a moment before the elder let out a breath of hot air and gave up the struggle against Lantern's construct. He nodded slowly to Arthur and opened his mouth, trying to calm down and speak softly.
"I can take three others including myself." Orm said loudly, getting the attention of everyone inside the tent.
The heroes looked down at him, shocked by his new serious attitude.
"Diana... if you want to rescue your friend, we can do so. Arthur, I believe you have something of our father's to take possession of."
Arthur gave a small smile and turned to Lantern, nodding with trust. Lantern aimed his ring at Orm and the construct vanished into a transparent vapor. Orm stood up slowly, holding his hands up and showing that he meant them no further harm. He shook hands with his brother and slapped his back playfully before standing with the rest of them.
"Who else wants to come and help?"
The Flash cautiously raised a hand and Arthur nodded, bringing him forward.
"Hm. Your speed will help decrease the weight involved with the transportation summon. Good. Now..." Orm said, standing up straight and feeling important for the first time in years.
"We will be back shortly. Me and Arthur will try to find the Orca's weakness. The Flash and Diana can scout the main quarters of the High Council building and try to find more on Serin's plans. We cannot let the Orca take off because I fear that even you won't be able to stop it." he continued, looking at Superman.
Superman nodded and looked at Diana, giving her a brief smile as she stood next to Orm and the others.
"Let's get some space." Orm said, walking over to a clear space where no tents were pitched.
The heroes followed him to the open space and watched as Orm knelt down on one leg and began taking deep breaths as his fingertips connected with the asphalt. Arthur held onto Diana and the Flash's arms, locking them all together. He looked over at the Flash and then at Diana.
"Don't let go."
"What's going to happen exactly?" Diana asked.
"Orm can transport people. I'm guessing since he can control water molecule as well, he can take control and put a hold on other types of molecules as we rip through space-time. Quantum tunneling stuff or 'magic' as the uneducated call it." the Flash replied.
Arthur was surprised by the Flash's intellect and snorted.
"Science degree. I know a lot."
Orm took one last deep breath before a blast of warped, clear energy surrounded the outline of his body. He stood up and looked to the sky for a second, a sharp pain hitting his core and making him scream in agony for a second. Arthur nudged the Flash and he grabbed hold of Orm's flailing arm, pulling him close. The energy increased, spreading from Orm to the rest of the group. Orm ceased the screaming and began shaking as he focused on the others. Within that instant, the five of them could feel power surging between every inch of their body. They all became tense, their muscles tightening and lungs constricting as they struggled to keep a breath within. Flash gave a last look at Green Lantern, his best friend as he watched him and the rest of Washington D.C vanish in a blurry flash of blue and yellow.
