Disclaimer: I do not own either "Hareluya II Boy" or "Aquaman." This story is a work of fanfiction. No profit is being made from it.
Why did I agree to this? Makoto Ichijou asked himself. I know I'm going to regret it.
It was a beautiful summer day. Ichijou, Hibino Hareluya and Yamana Michiru had decided to make the most of it with another trip to the beach. There they had met up with Michiru's childhood friend Natsumi who as always was glad to see them.
At first things had gone smoothly with everyone enjoying the good weather and just being able to hang out without any concerns. Then of course Hibino had started complaining that he was bored and Natsumi had suggested a game of volleyball.
"No thanks. This is supposed to be a relaxing day out" Ichijou had said. He had blue eyes, red hair and wore a pair of black trunks.
"Come on Ichijou, it'll be fun" Michiru had replied. A beautiful girl with brown eyes and gold-brown hair, she was wearing a red bikini with yellow stars.
"What's wrong closet perv? Are you afraid Ore-sama will beat you?" Hibino had taunted. He had spiky black hair and brown eyes. In addition to his black shorts, he also wore a blue aloha shirt.
"I am not! Fine I'll play."
"Excellent!"
Which brought them to where they were now. They had split into two teams, Hibino and Michiru on one side, Ichijou and Natsumi on the other. Ichijou forced himself to ignore the fiendish grin on Hibino's face as the game began.
At first it went fine, just a normal, regular game of volleyball with the ball going back and forth over the net. Then Natsumi leaped high and spiked the ball. Michiru dashed over in time to block, sending the ball back the way it had come. It sailed past Natsumi but Ichijou managed to intercept it before it landed and served. The ball went over the net…
And Hibino jumped into the air with a cry of "in your face!" He spiked the ball with all his might and it slammed right into Ichijou's nose. He fell to the sand with his eyes replaced by swirls and stars spinning around inside his head.
"Yes! Ore-sama scores!" Hibino exclaimed, punching the air triumphantly.
"Hibino that was too aggressive. You're supposed to hit the ball away from the opposing players, not through them," said Michiru.
"Ha! Ore-sama plays to win" he replied.
Ichijou shook his head to clear his wits and then got up. "I'm going to get you for that" he growled.
But then he spotted something and his face changed from annoyed to curious. "What's that?" he asked as he pointed out to sea.
Hibino grinned smugly. As if Ore-sama would fall for a trick like that.
His grin faded as he realised that Michiru and Natsumi were also looking in that direction with the same expression. He turned to see what it was that Ichijou was pointing at.
Hovering just above the water and heading towards the shore was a bizarre-looking vehicle that vaguely resembled a fish made out of bronze-coloured metal with a reflective canopy. As they watched it came to a halt and the cockpit opened. There were six seats but only one occupant. The pilot was none other than the superhero Aquaman.
"Hello my friends" he said with a broad smile. He wore his usual outfit of orange scale mail, green leggings, gloves and boots. His long blonde hair and beard shone in the sunlight. "It's good to see you all again."
"Yoh" said Michiru brightly.
"This is a surprise" said Natsumi. "What brings you back to Japan?"
"I was tracking down some smugglers. A pod of dolphins told me you were all on the beach so I thought I'd drop by" he replied.
"What's the big metal fish for?" Hibino asked. "Can't you swim really fast?"
"You're one to talk" said Ichijou. "I've noticed that since our first meeting with Natsumi you've never once gone in the water again. I'm starting to think you used some kind of trick before and you really do swim like a rock."
Hibino glared at him but before he could reply Aquaman hastily intervened.
"That is a good question Hibino-san" he said. "I came in this minisub because I'd like to show you all something. I think you'll find it very interesting."
"Absolutely" said Natsumi eagerly.
"I'll come too" Michiru agreed.
"Sure" said Ichijou.
Hibino nodded. "Ore-sama will come. Since I can swim just fine and have no problem at all with going underwater" he said pointedly.
Aquaman chuckled. "It's okay. What I want to show you is on the surface anyway."
"Let's get going then," said Hibino.
The four of them got into the minisub with Hibino riding shotgun. The canopy closed and the minisub sped out onto the open sea. Once the water was deep enough Aquaman deactivated the hover jets and the sub smoothly descended below the waves.
"We're not going too deep. I just thought you'd enjoy the scenery" he explained.
The sub cruised through a seemingly endless expanse of sun-lit blue water. Schools of multi-coloured fish swam past, their scales glittering iridescently
Ichijou, Michiru and Natsumi all stared in awe at their surroundings. Hibino's face was neutral but he seemed to tense slightly, unnoticeable unless one was looking for it. Ichijou noticed but decided not to comment.
For now.
After a few moments they surfaced and Aquaman opened the canopy. "Here we are" he said.
They all looked up in amazement at the sight in front of them. It was a large building made of light grey metal with a distinctly organic look, all flowing lines and sleek curves.
"So cool," said Michiru.
"It is impressive" Hibino admitted. "When Ore-sama rules the world, I'll have one just like it."
"What is this place?" Ichijou asked.
"This is my new Aqua-Base. It's a mobile fortress that can travel anywhere in the oceans" Aquaman explained. "I can use it to transport equipment and supplies to disaster areas, secure enemy vessels, rescue people from sinking ships, all kinds of things I can't do by myself."
"That's brilliant" said Natsumi. "You're a genius Aquaman!"
Hibino laughed. "What's this? Do you have a crush on the big strong superhero?"
"Hibino! Leave Natsumi alone!" Michiru chided.
"It's okay" Natsumi replied, her cheeks reddening slightly. "And uh, kind of, yes."
Aquaman smiled gently. "I'm flattered Natsumi-san but I already have a wife."
Natsumi looked a little disappointed for a moment but then smiled. "I understand. Thank you."
He nodded. "Anyway, I brought you all here to give you the grand tour."
"We get to see inside? That's great" said Ichijou.
"Right this way" said Aquaman. He steered the sub into a hanger where several other minisubs were moored and they all disembarked.
Three figures strode over to greet them. The first was a beautiful woman with long red hair wearing a green-scaled bodysuit. The second was a large man clad in bronze armour and with a curved blade in place of his right hand. Finally, there was an older man with a short grey-black beard dressed in a blue outfit. The woman smiled as she hugged Aquaman.
"Arthur" she said.
"Hello Mera" he said warmly. He turned to Hibino and the others. "Allow me to introduce my lovely wife, Mera and two old friends of mine, Murk and Vulko."
The armoured man, Murk, bowed but his face was expressionless. The other man, Vulko, bowed and smiled.
"These fine young people are the ones that saved my life the last time I was here" Aquaman went on. "They are Hibino Hareluya, Makoto Ichijou, Yamana Michiru and Nagisano Natsumi."
"I am honoured to meet you all. I thank you for saving the man I love," said Mera. Like Aquaman her Japanese was a little awkward but understandable enough.
"The honour is ours Mera-sama" replied Ichijou. He, Michiru and Natsumi all bowed politely. Hibino just shrugged. Ichijou glared at him, as did Murk, but before either of them could speak Aquaman raised a hand.
"It's fine. No need for formalities here" he said. "Why don't I show you all around? I think you'll be…"
He was cut off by the sudden blaring of an alarm. An Atlantean soldier came running up.
"Unidentified vessel approaching fast. It's not responding to hailing frequencies."
Aquaman frowned. "Quickly, everyone to the observation deck."
He ran off with the others following close behind except Hibino. Just as he was about to start ranting that he was nobody's lackey the thought occurred to him that there was a good chance there was going to be a fight. He grinned and hurried to catch up.
The group arrived at the main deck in time to see a large black fishing vessel come to a halt in front of the Aqua-Base. On deck was a man wearing a purple wetsuit with dark blue hip-length boots and a metal shoulder harness and belt. Attached to the belt were multiple fishing lures. His head was covered by a yellow cowl with black spots that kept his face hidden in shadow. In his hand was a fishing rod made of silvery metal. There were also several other men, all wearing greenish-yellow wetsuits and orange fish masks.
"Who are these guys?" Ichijou asked.
"The Fisherman, an old enemy of mine" Aquaman replied.
Hibino began laughing loudly. "Hahahaha! You must be kidding!"
"I'm afraid not" he said, unperturbed by Hibino's amusement. "Don't be fooled by his name or outfit. He's a dangerous criminal."
"Greetings Aquaman, my old nemesis" the Fisherman called. "I've come for your Aqua-Base. It will be my biggest catch to date."
"Forget it Fisherman" Aquaman called back. "You're not getting your hands on this base."
"We'll see about that." The Fisherman held up a remote control. He pressed a button and a hatch slid open on the deck. A device resembling a loudspeaker rose up into view. He pressed another button and the device emitted a low humming sound.
Hibino and his friends were unaffected, as was Aquaman. Mera, Murk and Vulko by contrast all collapsed.
"Mera!" Aquaman exclaimed as he caught her and lowered her gently to the floor. He checked her pulse and sighed in relief as he felt that it was fine. "Mera, Mera, wake up" he said. He shook her gently but she remained out cold.
Hibino and Ichijou tried to wake up Murk and Vulko but they fared no better.
The Fisherman laughed. "My sonic weapon emits a frequency that affects the Atlantean nervous system, rendering them completely unconscious."
"But boss, how come it didn't work on Aquaman?" one of his henchmen asked.
"Because he's half-human. I knew there was a chance of that" he explained. "But no matter. The base will be mine! Boys, get him!"
"Sure boss."
A boarding ramp deployed from the ship and the Fisherman's goons charged down it. Aquaman turned to face them
"Keep Mera and the others safe. I'll handle this" he said.
Hibino laughed. "Ore-sama's not missing out on the fun!"
With that he leaped forwards and knocked out one of the henchmen with a haymaker. Two more came at him but he easily blocked their blows and took them out with powerful punches.
Several more goons ran past him and charged at Aquaman and Ichijou. They fared no better as they were quickly knocked out. Hibino glanced over to see how the others were faring. Satisfied that they were handling things he turned back to the next wave of goons.
But his moment of inattention proved costly. A henchman aimed a net launcher at him and fired. With a whoosh of compressed air, a weighted net was fired through the air. Before Hibino could react, the net had wrapped tightly around him. He toppled over and struggled furiously.
Seeing this Ichijou started to run to his aid. But while he was distracted another henchman fired a second net at him. Entangled in the net he cried out in alarm as he fell into the water with a splash! Unable to swim with his arms and legs pinned he sank beneath the surface, dragged down by the weights attached to the net.
"Ichijou!" Michiru cried. Without hesitation she dived into the water and swam down after him.
Aquaman tried to go to help them but three henchmen armed with spear guns fired at him. He easily evaded over the spears and knocked them all sprawling.
Where's the Fisherman? I don't see him…
With a high whirring sound, a polymer line tipped with a steel hook came whizzing towards him. It coiled tightly around Aquaman, binding his arms at his sides. He looked over his shoulder to see the Fisherman brandishing his trademark weapon.
"Right where you belong Aquaman. On the end of my hook" he gloated.
Aquaman tried to telepathically summon sea creatures to help him but to his astonishment nothing happened.
"You look surprised" the Fisherman taunted. "Is it because you can't contact your fishy friends for backup? Did I forget to mention that my sonic device is also driving away all marine life from this area? This time you're sunk. I've won."
Aquaman strained against his bonds but couldn't get free. He looked over and saw Natsumi was being held by two henchmen.
There must be a way out of this mess he thought. But how?
Ichijou strained with growing desperation to free himself as he sank deeper into the depths of the sea but the net remained tangled firmly around him. He was quickly running out of oxygen, his lungs burning in his chest.
This is what I get for making fun of Hibino not being able to swim he thought.
Michiru swam as fast as she could and as soon as she was close enough, she caught hold of the trailing bits of netting. Feeling his descent cease he opened his eyes and looked up at her. She smiled reassuringly at him and began swimming for the surface. Just as his vision was turning black Michiru lifted him up until his head was above water. He inhaled deeply, drawing fresh sea air into his lungs.
"Are you okay?" she asked as she supported him while treading water.
"I'm fine. Thanks" he replied once he'd gotten his breath back.
She accepted his thanks with a nod and then looked over at the main deck. She frowned as she saw what was happening. "Hold on. I'll go around where they can't see us and get you out of this net."
"Good idea. We'll get them by surprise" he agreed.
"This time you're sunk. I've won."
Hibino snarled angrily as he heard that. "Nobody beats the invincible man" he growled. He managed to find some leverage and reached deep, calling on all his strength. With a roar he was finally able to break free, the strands of the net snapping as he flung his arms out. Getting to his feet he yelled, "oi fish sticks!"
The Fisherman turned and glared at him. "Whoever you are you just made a big mistake." He pulled one of his explosive lures and threw it at Hibino.
"Receive your penance at my back," said Hibino. With a grin he reached behind him and pulled out his baseball bat. He swung the bat, hitting the lure and sending it flying back the way it had come.
"Oh no… Aaahh!" The Fisherman yelled as his own weapon blasted him. His suit shielded him from the worst of it but he was still knocked to the deck. The line went slack and Aquaman was able to free himself.
"Hold it" a henchman called. Hibino and Aquaman looked over to see that two of them were holding Natsumi by the arms. One of them had a knife to her throat and her eyes were wide with fear.
"Step away from the boss" he said.
They did so. The Fisherman got to his feet and retrieved his fishing rod. "Smart move" he said. "Now surrender or…"
He was cut off by Michiru throwing a net over the head of the henchman threatening Natsumi. At the same time Ichijou knocked the other one out with a punch to the face.
"Are you okay Natsumi?" Michiru asked.
"I'm all right" she replied as Ichijou took out the other goon.
Seeing that the tide had turned the Fisherman made a break for his ship but Hibino blocked him.
"You're not getting away with attacking Ore-sama" he said.
The Fisherman cast his line forwards, this time aiming to skewer him with the hook. Hibino merely brought his bat up and let the line wrap around it. He then seized the line and yanked hard. The Fisherman was pulled off his feet and sent flying through the air right into a haymaker from Hibino. He hit the deck and lay unconscious.
Seeing their boss defeated the remaining henchmen surrendered.
Soon afterwards Mera and the Atlantians had regained consciousness while the Fisherman and his goons were led away by the Japan Coast guard.
"Thank you again my friends" said Aquaman to Hibino and the others. "Atlantis owes you."
"We were happy to help" Ichijou replied.
"If you really want to show your gratitude there is one thing you can do," said Hibino. Ichijou, Michiru and Natsumi all looked warily at him.
"And what is that?" Aquaman asked.
"Give us some food. Ore-sama is starving!"
Aquaman chuckled. "Certainly."
A little later in the main hall a table had been set with a variety of exotic sea food dishes. Everyone was seated around the table enjoying the food and talking casually.
"So Yamana-san, Arthur tells me you are an artisan," said Mera.
"That's right. I want to be a jewellery designer" she replied.
"Fascinating. I would like to see some of your work the next time Arthur and I come here."
"I would be honoured Mera-san" she said with a delighted smile.
"You are a musician young man?" Vulko asked.
"Yes, I play guitar in my band. I don't know if it's the kind of music that would be popular in Atlantis though" Ichijou admitted.
"You might be surprised. Atlantis has many different forms of music."
"This is really good" said Hibino, thankfully not talking with his mouth full. "What is it?"
"That is elokway" Vulko explained. "I believe your people call it a sea slug."
Upon hearing that Hibino's face immediately turned green. "W, where's the bathroom?"
"Just through there on the left" Aquaman replied, pointing to a nearby archway. Hibino stood and ran through the archway.
"Sorry about that" said Ichijou.
"It's quite all right" said Aquaman. "Although it seems Hibino-san isn't quite as invincible as he thinks."
Everyone laughed at that.
Author's Note: The final scene is a homage to Aquaman Volume 8 #1 in which a disguised Black Manta pretends to be sick after eating a piece of sea slug (a ruse so he can plant bombs).
Also, sea slugs AKA sea cucumbers are apparently quite popular in Japan so I'm not sure if the joke works here. I'll chalk it up to Hibino not being the most knowledgeable guy in the world.
