Welcome back to The Injustice Wars. Last time, the recruits to the Legion got together, and realized that they had nowhere near enough force to face the growing forces of the Regime. Thus a suggestion was made, try to recruit Aquaman. Blaze initially rejects the idea, but eventually relents. Meanwhile, the Enchantress prepares a group of followers for... something. Those who know the Nullverse can probably guess what's coming from them. So what awaits under the sea? Read on to discover...
(Our tale resumes under the sea, specifically in Atlantis, where Blaze and Flash are currently waiting for something, or rather someone, that of course being Aquaman. While this is going on, Blaze is writing an entry in her journal)
"I still can't believe we're doing this. Confronting Drago's killer and trying to get him to join us, or at very least to not join the Regime. Ancestors know we don't need Atlantis at Diana's beck and call. Though I'll be honest, I still can't bring myself to trust Aquaman. But, I have to at least be fair for Barry and Kara. It's been five years since I last saw Aquaman. Who knows? Maybe he's changed."
(As Blaze finishes writing that sentence, the door into the room opens revealing an Atlantean Guard)
Guard: The King will see you now.
(With that, Blaze packs up her journal and follows Flash into a second room, where Aquaman sits upon his throne. As the door shuts behind Blaze and company, he turns around and sees the two standing before him, the door shutting behind him soon after.)
Aquaman: (Upon seeing Blaze) I had heard that Flash was back in action, and that there was another Kryptonian running around on Earth. But you? I never expected to see you again.
Blaze: And to be honest, I expected to see you in chains, not sitting on a throne.
Aquaman: What brings you here?
Flash: The Regime is taking advantage of the chaos resultant from the invasion of an alien called Brainiac to make a comeback.
Aquaman: I'm just going to stop you there. Let me guess. Batman expects me to join his forces.
Blaze: Newsflash, Sea King. We're not here on behalf of the bat. We're doing our own thing.
Aquaman: A new faction? Interesting.
Flash: The Insurgency doesn't appear to be taking the threat seriously, so we're doing what needs to be done.
Aquaman: And you expect me to just drop everything and join up?
Flash: We were hoping to...
Aquaman: Enough. (Bangs his trident against the ground) Already my answer is no.
Flash: But...
Aquaman: You would have my forces fight and die for the surface world, just as Superman did. I cannot do that to my people again.
Flash: But Arthur, you're of the surface as well.
Aquaman: My father was of the surface world, yes. But as king, my duty is to Atlantis. I won't have my people fighting the surface world's war again.
(And with that, Aquaman turns around, intending to leave the room and end this discussion, but then Blaze just lets something slip)
Blaze: Funny, you were less of a coward when Superman had you at his beck and call.
Aquaman: (Turning back around) What did you say?
Blaze: This planet is under threat by alien invasion and the return of the Regime, yet all this time you've been hiding under the sea, dodging justice for what you did as a participant of the One Earth Regime.
Aquaman: A forced participant, mind you.
Blaze: Forced or not doesn't matter. When the war ended, you ran. You hid in your undersea kingdom and had no intention of coming back to face the consequences of your actions alongside the High Councilor that you signed a cooperation treaty with. A real hero would've followed in Barry's example, and turned himself in straight away and faced justice.
Aquaman: (Banging his trident on the ground) Be warned, girl. You insult the King of Atlantis.
Blaze: YOU STOPPED BEING WORTHY OF THAT TITLE WHEN YOU FLED THE SCENE AFTER KILLING DRAGO!
(This is exactly what Blaze was trying to avoid bringing up, and it shows in how both her and Aquaman are locked in a death stare for what feels like forever. But just as the scene hits peak tension, the door is flung open, revealing Wonder Woman standing there)
Wonder Woman: Arthur. We need to talk.
Blaze: Great. Exactly the other person I didn't need to see today.
Wonder Woman: (Seeing Blaze) I had heard that the dragons were back, but could hardly believe it. Now I see what Cyborg and Damian were talking about.
Aquaman: What are you doing here?
Wonder Woman: Surely you have seen the devastation unfolding. Brainiac is up there, preparing his inevitable attack. And you should be aware he's coming for Atlantis.
Aquaman: (Now curious) What?
Wonder Woman: Brainiac collects the notable cities of the worlds he invades. Something tells me a city that entirely functions underwater would be one high on his list to capture.
Aquaman: And how do you propose to know this?
Wonder Woman: A second Kryptonian, one who survived this exact scenario.
Blaze: And one who if I recall left the Regime the second she learned how twisted it really was.
Wonder Woman: Kara Zor-El lacked the spine to do what needed to be done. (Looking to Aquaman) Something I hope is untrue of you.
Aquaman: (Looking back to Blaze) And when was your Legion planning on telling me this?
Flash: Just as you were about to leave.
Aquaman: Yet instead you choose to insult my honor? (Bangs his trident against the floor) Let it be known, I will have no part of your Legion.
Wonder Woman: The Regime will ensure Atlantis is defended against Brainiac's threat. All we ask is that you trust us again.
Flash: Don't listen to her, Arthur! This is the exact same siren song that doomed you last time!
Aquaman: I know, Barry. (Sighs) But as Atlantis' king, I can't take the risk. The Regime has benefitted Atlantis in the past.
Blaze: At the cost of complete subjugation!
Aquaman: When the alternative was, and now is, extermination. (Moves over and stands next to Wonder Woman) Begrudgingly, I must take my stance with the Regime. (To Wonder Woman) On the condition that Atlantis will be preserved above all else.
Wonder Woman: Clark will be happy to ensure that, for your loyalty.
Blaze: (Looking at him with utter scorn) Exactly what I expected out of you. Cowardice. Kowtowing to the bootheel of the High Councilor, just like all those years ago.
Flash: Blaze, I really don't think now's the time to be pissing him off.
Blaze: Clearly the negotiation didn't work, Barry. We've made an enemy rather than an ally. I don't have to hold back against him.
Flash: (Sighs) Fair enough.
Aquaman: Then I do believe it's time for you to leave. (Bangs his trident against the ground) Now.
(Just as everything appears to be going horribly, the lights in the throne room go out, but then from the darkness two red lights emerge, and as power is restored, the familiar diving suit of Black Manta is revealed)
Black Manta: Finally caught up with you, sea king.
Aquaman: Manta. What are you doing here?
Black Manta: What do you think I'm doing here? Taking my vengeance.
Blaze: Get in line, Manta. I've got first shot at him.
Black Manta: Since when do you have something against Aquaman?
Blaze: Since he murdered my beloved.
(This revelation leaves Black Manta oddly speechless, and uncharacteristically vulnerable to attack as Aquaman is ready to rush him, only for Wonder Woman to stop him.)
Wonder Woman: We'll deal with him in due time. For now we must turn our attention to Brainiac. (Into an earpiece) Adam, we're ready.
(And with that, the two are transported away in a bolt of lightning, leaving only Blaze, Flash, and Black Manta in the throne room.)
Flash: That could've gone so much better.
Blaze: I'll admit, I could've held my temper back against Aquaman. It's my fault we lost him to the Regime.
Black Manta: You may have lost the fish man, but you haven't left this place without an ally.
Flash: You can't be serious.
Blaze: What are you talking about?
Black Manta: You're not the only one with a score to settle with Aquaman. I have ever since he murdered my father. I'll tell you what. (Extends his hand) The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Blaze: Can you provide us with some sort of heavy force?
Black Manta: I'm a one man army. But I do have a crew of loyalists, mostly people who lost loved ones in the Atlantean attack on Metropolis. All of us want vengeance against Aquaman and the Regime. It's not much, but they'll fight to the death to get their revenge.
Blaze: If that's all we can get. (Clasps his hand and shakes it) Then welcome to the Legion.
Black Manta: Excellent. I've got a submarine waiting near here. We can use it to get back to your base.
Blaze: Good. Call it around.
(With that, the three exit the throne room, ending our tale for today)
And that wraps up today's update. I admit, I had some problems trying to figure out why Aquaman would join the Regime, but eventually, I came to this. And now we have another member for the Legion, an unexpected one at that in the form of Black Manta. I said there were two original Legion of Doom members in the Legion, and here's the first of them. Expect the other one later on, I need a plan for him. So, how's the rest of the Legion going to react to this? Tune in next time to find out! Same time... same channel!