"I'm really quite torn about this." Attuma lamented as Namor, Aquaman, and everyone else watched on. "On the one hand, it'll be nice to tear you limb from limb, Namor. But you being here, with your comrades. Well…it means that Orm failed. What a disappointment he turned out to be."
Namor's fist began to shake. "You corrupted him. You slayed Namora and Atlanna, and you corrupted my son, you son of a bitch!"
Attuma shook his head. "I merely tried to raise him to be a worthy heir to the throne. Guess I failed in that regard."
While all of this was going on, everyone else on both sides just watched and waited for things to tense up.
Barry tapped Cap's shoulder. "I really wish I could understand what they were saying." Barry whispered.
Cap nodded. "So do I, Barry."
"Why are you invading the surface world, Attuma?!" Aquaman demanded to know, pointing his finger towards the blue-skinned king.
"It's quite simple, Orin." Attuma replied, approaching the two closer. "It's very clear that the human scumbags are well on their way to destroying themselves, and taking the rest of the planet with them! They must be wiped out!"
"This is not the way to do it!" Aquaman shouted back.
Attuma sighed. "There is no other way. Soldiers, attack!"
He pointed towards the group, and the scores of soldiers began to charge towards the group.
Mera created more water missiles and fired them towards several of the soldiers while Batman and Black Panther punched and kicked several of them around. One soldier tried to sneak up on the Dark Knight, but he noticed the soldier just in time and knocked him out with a clean punch to the face.
Attuma gritted his teeth towards Mera. "You Xebellian piece of trash! I'll have you executed for this!"
Mera smirked. "You don't have this authority, false king. That will be clear soon enough."
The Flashes super sped around and knocked out as many of the soldiers as they could, and Wasp shrank back and began blasting at them. Hank, with no ants to control, merely shrank in the size and began running up the arm of a soldier, jumping off his shoulder and punching him in the face. With his super strength, the soldier fell to the ground.
Meanwhile, Aquaman tried to punch Attuma in the face, but Attuma dodged at speeds the prince could not keep up with, and he decked Aquaman from behind. Namor jumped up and attempted to tackle Attuma, but his efforts proved just as futile as Attuma dodged, then grabbed him and threw him towards Aquaman.
"I see you've become rusty over the years, Namor!" Attuma taunted as Namor and his son both tried to get up. "And your son…his fighting his pathetic!"
Namor wiped his mouth and charged towards Attuma, but the king bashed both him and Aquaman with his trident, while grinning.
"You can never reclaim Atlantis…"
Just then, Aquaman kicked Attuma in the back, and he and Namor both began decking and kicking Attuma around several times before soldiers took notice and tried to fight off the former king and his son, only to get knocked around, with Aquaman bashing a soldier's head into the wall a few times.
Suddenly, a scowl appeared upon Attuma's face. "Open the doors! Open the damn doors already!"
One of the soldiers opened the gate to the palace, and heaps and tons of ocean water began flooding into the palace, with the surface dwellers' eyes widening at the sight.
"No! NO!" Aquaman shouted, thinking about how likely his friends were to drown as overwhelming amounts of water began to force its way into the palace grounds.
"Good luck to your friends, Orin!" Attuma shouted, before grabbing him by his shirt and throwing him towards the wall.
Aquaman and Namor could not try to fight Attuma anymore. They had to focus on rescuing their friends, before all of them drowned. They looked at each other, and as Attuma swam towards them, they had to dodge him. They were going to have to try and avoid him and his army if it meant rescuing their friends.
Carol wanted her mouth to agape at the sight of the two beasts which were now charging towards the group, but she knew she couldn't let that happen.
'Alright, everyone. I've established a telepathic link between our minds. We'll all be able to communicate with each other now.' Manhunter stated as he swam towards Carol.
Superman felt slightly mixed on the issue. Speaking through telepathy wasn't something he was particularly excited for, but it was a necessity, as since they weren't Atlantean, they could not talk underwater.
The Kraken swung one of its tentacles towards the group, but Superman heatvisioned the tentacle away. 'More of our focus should go towards facing the Kraken!' Superman stated as he swam around the behemoth of a beast.
'Well, we can't just ignore the other beast!' Thor pointed out as he bashed said beast with Mjlonir. He was currently not able to summon lightning at the moment due to being underwater.
'I know, I know!' Superman replied as he was forced to dodge one of the Kraken' mighty tentacles before it struck him down to the ground.
Hal took a look at Thor's hammer for a moment before constructing up his own hammer and bashing three of the Kraken's tentacles with, while trying to avoid grunting and yelling due to being underwater. Alan saw this and shook his head.
'Damnit, Jordan! You think you can fight off the Kraken with just that hammer?!' Alan telepathically yelled.
Hal looked at Alan with a glare on his face. 'You got anything better?!'
Alan nodded, and created two dozen 10-foot long eels that all hissed and swam around the Kraken at speeds that could rival the Flashes. Both beasts roared in confusion, and Superman saw Alan use the opportunity to fly directly towards the Kraken's face and fire at it with a machine gun.
'You gotta think strategically, Hal. Use your abilities with intelligence.'
The only reason Hal did not grit his teeth in anger was because he knew water would just fly in his mouth, and he was too mad to create a shield. 'With intelligence?! Alan, you should've seen me fighting giant crab monsters earlier! Do you really think I'm just –'
'Hal, not now!' Carol yelled as she swam towards Hal. 'Focus on the battle at hand.'
Hal mentally sighed and used the Kraken's distraction to his advantage by creating a twenty foot long sword and stabbing the Kraken with it. Purple blood began to stain the ocean waters, but the Kraken had only been slowed down. Hal stabbed at the beast again while Iron Man and Carol took to blasting at the Kraken.
Meanwhile, the other beast grabbed hold of Manhunter, but he did not squirm or struggle in the slightest. All he did was phase himself out of the beast's hand and swim towards the behemoth as fast as he could, delivering a punch to the stomach.
'Jonny boy, it's gonna take more than a punch to the stomach to take that thing done.' Iron Man stated in a deadpan tone.
'I know, Stark. But this should get him riled up.'
Iron Man stood silent for a moment before replying, 'Why the hell do we want that?!'
Manhunter did not reply to Iron Man. Instead, he began phasing in and out of the beast as it dashed towards him time and time again. The beast's roars only grew more confused as Manhunter repeated the process.
Wonder Woman and Thor swam towards Iron Man as he watched Manhunter try to confuse the beast, until the Martian in turn swam towards them. 'Attack the beast while I distract him!' he commanded.
'That's actually a good plan.' Iron Man lamented, before the Kraken slapped him down with one of its tentacles.
Superman, Carol, and the Lanterns were already battling the Kraken, so Diana and Thor looked at each other before charging towards the other beast while Manhunter continued to phase through it.
Superman heatvisioned two of the Kraken's tentacles off, and the creature roared in agony. It tried to smack the Man of Steel, but he dodged the tentacle and sent out his heat vision towards the Kraken again while Iron Man blasted towards the creature from the opposite side.
The Kraken let out another, slower roar, and Carol took note of this. 'We're making progress! It's getting slower!'
'…Hal, create that giant sword of yours again while I summon up more of those eels!'
Hal looked at Alan before obliging, creating the giant sword again. This time, Alan created three dozen of the eels and had them all swim around the Kraken, leaving it utterly confused. With the Kraken distracted, Hal stabbed at the creature with his sword and Superman, Carol, and Iron Man all blasted at the creature. The Kraken roared and roared, but its pleas were ignored and the five pummeled at the creature until it finally laid dead to the ground.
While the Kraken was slain, the other beast was still standing and let out another roar, albiet one of pain. Wonder Woman had slashed at the creature several times while Thor bashed it in the head with his hammer. Manhunter's strategy of distracting the creature by phasing through it multiple times had worked, and now the beast was off its guard. It grabbed Thor with its gigantic hand, but Superman heatvisioned its wrist and it was forced to let go of the god. Superman blasted at the creature's chest while Wonder Woman slashed it, Manhunter decked it in the face, and Thor bashed at it with his hammer – until it, too, was but a body on the ocean floor.
Carol almost began to breathe heavily. 'Well…not every day you get to fight off creatures like that.' She lamented.
'Thor and I have fought much worse beasts.' Wonder Woman said as she swam towards Carol.
'….Anyone else think Namor and Aquaman will be pissed that we killed Altantis' little guardians here?' Iron Man pointed out as the group began to circle up.
'…We'll cross that bridge later.' Superman replied. 'We got to get to Atlantis to overthrow this King Attuma and liberate Altantis once and for all.'
Superman swam down, towards the dome that kept the city of Atlantis guarded from the rest of the world. Everyone else followed suit, swimming aid to aid the rest of their allies and get all of this over with as soon as possible.
If he was being honest with himself, Superman didn't know how to feel about the fact that they were technically invading a foreign land and deposing their ruler on behalf of a people who, as a whole and not counting Mera, did not ask for their help. But he justified this action to himself, saying that this had to be done, for the good of Atlantis.
Jay and the Vanguard were all struggling to keep their mouths shut for much longer, with the exception of Batman, who activated a button on his armored glove; this led to a small piece of glass with an air breather forming around his mouth. Cap looked at it and wanted to think about how Batman made that work, but he couldn't. He had to focus on not drowning.
Batman could only as everyone else inched closer and closer to their deaths. Aquaman and Namor tried to swim towards the other superheroes, but Attuma bashed at both of them with his trident before they could do so. Mera created a dozen water missiles with the water around her now and launched them all towards Attuma. Namor saw this and looked at Aquaman.
"Let Mera hold off Attuma! We have to help everyone! Now!
Aquaman nodded and swam towards Black Panther. He wanted to help everyone so badly, but he had no idea how he could do so.
"How, father?!"
"…I don't know. Damnit, I don't know!"
Aquaman briefly wondered why Zatanna wasn't conjuring up some spell to allow them all to breath underwater, but then he remembered that she had to physically say the spells, something she could not do underwater. Aquaman's mouth went agape, and even Namor had some concern on his face as he rushed over to Jay. They didn't have enough time to get everyone to the surface, and they only had about a minute before everyone drowned, and half of the Vanguard was vanquished after only a few months of being active.
"You two must feel so helpless, watching your allies drown like this." Attuma said as he grabbed Aquaman and threw him towards the palace walls.
But just then, a few moments before, everyone else showed up, and Alan created a gigantic bubble that consumed all of them. Everyone let out enormous breaths as they could breath again, and they all got up, able to stand once more.
"Thank! God!" Hank yelled out as he just stood there and enjoyed being able to breath.
Zatanna waved her wand around. "Tnarg su retawrednu hceeps!" And red particles began to float around everyone as the spell kicked. "There we go. Just in case anything happens."
Alan had expanded his shield significantly by this point, and it had now consumed the entire room, forcing the water to the very walls. He only stopped expanding the shield when he saw small cracks on the wall.
The remaining soldiers still standing looked around, baffled and confused. Superman took a moment and decked them all in the face at super speed, knocking them all out.
Namor now smirked at Attuma. "It's over Attuma. You're hopelessly outnumbered."
"Damnit, father, do not say things like that!" Aquaman yelled back. "Next thing you know, there's a billion other soldiers and suddenly we're hopelessly outnumbered."
Attuma shook his head. "No, no, your father's right. It is just me now. But –"
Before he could finish, Namor charged towards him and decked him in the face. The Flashes came along at super speed and punched him in the chest and face several times while Wasp, Hal, Iron Man, and Carol all blasted at him. But just then, he ripped his necklace off and opened it up, leading to a bunch of purple energy flying around the halls as everyone merely looked in confusion. Attuma slammed his trident into the center of the necklace which had a purple rock until he himself was engulfed in purple flames.
Attuma let out a hearty laugh. "I really did think I could defeat the surface world without this rock here. But now…now my victory is guaranteed!"
He darted towards Namor and bashed him with the trident, only now the blow was several times more powerful, and Namor was forced onto the ground. He tried to get up, but it was a struggle to do so.
Hal charged towards Attuma and created a sword while Thor jumped up and prepared to strike down at Attuma with his hammer. However, Attuma created a wave of purple energy that sent them both flying back. Carol blasted at him while Barry tried to punch him at super speed and Jay took off his helmet and beat into it, creating several sonic waves that did send Attuma to the wall. However, Attuma kicked Barry in the stomach, then grabbed his leg and sent him towards Jay. Carol charged closer towards Attuma, but he grabbed her hair and yanked it violently. She let out a scream before she was sent flying towards the wall.
Wasp tried to blast at Attuma, but he merely flicked her and Hank away, sending them down to the ground as well. "Ekam ish enots –" Zatanna tried to yell out, but he grabbed her by the throat and threw her towards Carol. Manhunter tried to deck him in the face, but Attuma sent out some purple fire. He saw how the Martian was weakened by it and created a circle of purple fire around Manhunter, forcing him down where he kneeled.
Cap's eyes widened. This power, and its purple flare…could it have been the same thing Schmidt and HYDRA had managed to weaponize back in 1945? He just stood there, trying to figure out how he could help as Batman, Hulk, and Black Panther were all sent towards the other wall by Attuma and struggled to get up. Attuma jumped up towards Alan, who was struggling to hold the shield together, and grabbed him by the neck and bashed him into the floor until he was knocked out. The shield dissipated, but thanks to Zatanna, they could all breath and talk underwater now.
Superman, Wonder Woman, Iron Man, Mera, and Aquaman all tried to battle Attuma, but their strikes and blows did very little against the sea king. Cap gritted his teeth. He wasn't as powerful as any of them, but he couldn't just stand by. He swam towards Attuma and bashed him with his shield, though the blow did very little. Attuma looked at Cap and only smirked.
"A shield, boy? You think you can fight me with nothing but a shield?" He said, before grabbing Cap by his leg and throwing him towards Superman.
"Jesus Christ, how on Earth are we supposed to stop this guy?!" Iron Man finally exclaimed.
"Get the Infinity Stone away from him!" Wonder Woman replied as she slashed at Attuma with her sword.
"Infinity – whatever." Iron Man said. He and everyone else figured that she was talking about the purple rock in Attuma's necklace.
Superman heatvisioned Attuma in the chest, and the king only gloated. "Fool! You have all been defeated already! Orin, tell your forces to give up now!"
Aquaman merely glared at Attuma and tried to rip off the necklace, but Attuma grabbed him by his wrist. Merely grabbing him hurt like hell for the prince, and he grunted. Wonder Woman stabbed Attuma in the back with her sword while Iron Man blasted him in the chest, but it still wasn't enough. Superman and Cap both got up and tried to figure out some way to distract Attuma.
Then Superman heard banging in the Batsub, and he turned around. It was only a few seconds before Orm came charging out the sub, a menacing glare drawn onto his face.
"Fear not, King Attuma! I am free now!" Orm yelled out. Attuma took note of Orm's arrival, but he only had a look of disapproval on his face.
"You are not needed, Orm! I have utilized the stone's power. I have no use for you anymore!"
Orm had a shocked look on his face. "But King Attuma –"
Attuma dodged a blast from Iron Man and charged towards him, kicking him towards Wonder Woman, before looking back at Orm. "I just said I have no use for you! Now leave, or I'll give you another whipping when all of this is –"
Superman then used his freeze breath to freeze Attuma in place. Orm gritted his teeth and swam towards the Man of Steel, but Cap bashed him the face with his shield.
Attuma broke free from the ice, but Iron Man blasted him from behind while Wonder Woman yanked the necklace off from him. Aquaman then grabbed Attuma's trident from his hand – and stabbed him in the chest with it. Orm yelled out, but Aquaman ignored his brother. He charged the now bleeding king into the wall, stabbing the trident in further. Attuma yelled in pain for a few moments before he stopped breathing.
Aquaman breathed heavily as Namor was finally able to get up, and he and everyone else looked in shock at Attuma's body. Aquaman breathed heavily. He didn't like that he just took a life, but it had to be done. And now Altantis was finally free from its tyrant of a ruler.
The group, who had regained their strength, now floated by the entrance to the palace, opposite the citizens of Atlantis, who looked at them with looks of awe and surprise. These were not the glorious and outstanding pillars of civilization that everyone thought they'd be. Rather, they were weak and frail, and the buildings around them were in major decay.
Five men swam towards the group, all clothed in muted red clothing. They were the Elders of Atlantis. "Namor, Orin…you have finally returned and overthrown Attuma." The one in the center stated as they approached them closer. "And Orm has been taken care of…" He added on, noting Orm's unconscious body near the group.
Aquaman nodded. "Sorry we took twenty-five years."
"They were twenty-five years of hell and misery, but we are just glad they're over."
Namor made eye contact with the lead Elder. "I will happily reclaim my throne. Under my leadership, Atlantis will return to prosperity in no time."
To that, the Elders shook their heads. "No, Namor."
Namor's eyes widened. "…What?!"
"Attuma brought us to ruin, but it was your ungodly arrogance that allowed Attuma to rally a revolution behind him and overthrow you. And I see it in your eyes and your words. You still have a lot of pride, Namor. And you of all people should know that surface world saying: Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it."
Aquaman, Namor, and Mera looked at each other, agape, before the Elder approached Aquaman. "Prince Orin, you shall gain the throne of Altantis in his place."
They still stood silent as they tried to wrap their heads around what was going on. "…Are you absolutely sure?" Aquaman asked.
"Yes. We put our complete trust in you. We trust that you will help restore Atlantis to its former glory. …Do better than your father did."
Deep down, Aquaman could tell that he was mainly becoming King because the Elders didn't want Namor back. But that didn't make this any lighter a burden. Before he could reply, the Elder to the near left handed him Attuma's trident, which had been cleaned of the former king's blood. He looked at Mera, who smiled, and at Namor, who looked down at the ground for a moment before making eye contact with his son – and nodding.
Aquaman raised the trident up, claiming the throne of Atlantis, and the crowds afar began to cheer, while everyone else looked confused.
Namor turned to the group. "Orin is the King of Altantis now."
"Aaaah…well, I imagine we'll be celebrating this after we help with the relief teams." Cap said with a smile on his face, to which Superman nodded.
"We can celebrate all we want, after we secure this Infinity Stone." Wonder Woman replied.
Thor nodded. "Diana's right. None of you have any idea how powerful this object truly is."
Superman stood there for a moment before speaking. "Don't worry. We'll take care of it. And then we'll celebrate having two kings on the Vanguard."
They looked on, as the crowds continued to cheer Aquaman on.
"All hail the King." Mera said with a smile on her face.
Aquaman looked around. He had no idea where his life would go from here – but he didn't have a problem with that.