Bruce was done with yet another case of cat and mouse with Joker and Harley and was in no mood to go out again. Testing the hostages took longer than expected and what's worst explaining to Commissioner Gordon why it was confetti all over the beach. Bruce sat in his chair and rubbed his temples. Before long he was in a deep slumber. His butler and father figure Alfred soon interrupted it, tapping away on his shoulders. He had forgotten to change out of his bat suit. What seemed only minutes to Bruce was hours. It was once again night and the beating headache had not past.

"Excuse me master Bruce-"

"Not now Alfred no reports just a glass of water and aspirin." Bruce plopped down in his bat cave and removed the mask from his face.

"Very well sir…" upon saying that Alfred left. However, not before placing an invitation to a wedding on top of his keyboard. Not just any invitation, it was Aquaman's and his new wife. He had completely forgotten the wedding. He check the time it was only 5:30 pm and the wedding didn't start until eight.

It's been so long after the death of Queen Mera, it was about time. Besides a select few and myself no one knew what really happen with Mera but she put up a good fight. In any case, Bruce Wayne or Batman rather promised to attend the wedding.

"Huhhhhh" he sighed. "Must everything be so damn hard?"

Alfred had finally returned with as promised a glass of water and aspirin. In the other hand he held a tux.

Without even looking Bruce knew that Alfred had bought his best waterproof suit down. He closed his eyes meekly rubbing his aching temples. "Could I at least have the aspirin first?" He sighed again, which only made Alfred smile.

"Certainly sir." Alfred extended the tray and left the suit on a nearby chair. "I'll draw your shower sir. The gift is in the Bat mobile and so are you necessary requirements needed for this occasion. You' re newest product the gills have finally finished testing. They'll last only eight hours I'm afraid."

Bruce had already taken the pills and down the water. Wishing it were something just a bit stronger. "Yes Alfred…"

"Oh and sir?"

"Yes, Alfred?"

"Do enjoy the party." he gave a slight bow before exiting the bat cave. Bruce sighed again something that had become quite a habit. He grabbed the suit and headed for the exit as well.

"We're looking at a long night," he said gruffly.

Ariel eldest sister was getting married and was of course the first of her many sisters to do so. King Trident, her father, had finally decided to let down his guard enough to let his eldest daughter find love. This might very well be the only time this window may be open.

Poor Ariel was so anxious to know the ins and outs of the city above and tonight she over heard the sea discussing the humans from up top attending the affair. Supposedly they are friends of King Arthur Curry. It was also said he had friends from all over the galaxy. But 'What is a galaxy?' Ariel wondered. This was of course a question for Sebastian.

Ariel swam as swiftly and graceful as she always did. Her fiery crimson hair swayed and stretched thru the water as easy as her long teal tail. As she passed the other sea creatures everyone greeted her in awe. She finally made it to the under water palace.

Sebastian was out on his usual mid-day survey of the royal grounds. While calculating the palace growth of sea sponges, Ariel had come along with her usual seashore questions.

"Sebastian, you have to know more. What is a galaxy? Where are these other guests coming from? How do they walk on two fins and breathe beneath the ocean? Are they stepping on us when they are above?"

"Ariel can't you see I am busy? Why didn't you ask your sisters or your father? " He said losing count once again.

"They are not scholars on the ocean and shore, Sebastian. I know that I am the one who should only care for the greater good of the mer-people but who will want to serve an ill-educated royal family?"

"Ariel this subject is not to be tinkered with like you're many other toys you may find in the sea. You are a princess and with that place come the responsibility of the kingdom to come." Ariel dropped her head and sigh in defeat. She understood fully her role in life, a life that was chosen for her. But the taboo aching heart inside her wanted something new and dangerous. Something that removes her from her sheltered dwelling was all she had ever hoped for. "Now your sister's wedding is just before sunset shouldn't you be getting prepared? I must finish my survey before we are off."

"Yes, Sebastian." She murmured and swam away. "I'll be happy with knowledge." She argued aloud to herself. "There must be something more that the blue of the ocean or the tails of mermen."

"Hi Ariel!" greeted her best and trusted friend Flounder. Ariel looked at him still swimming with a sad face, before focusing back on the path. "What's the matter?"

"Life Flounder, it doesn't get worse than this. I have to go I'm expected to be the maid of honor today."

"Feel better buddy. Talk to you later." He gave her a snuggle against the cheek before swimming away. This made Ariel feel just a bit better.

"Maybe something's didn't have to change." She swam along.

…

Bruce had showered and dressed in his waterproof black tux with two built in air tanks just in case, already on his way to the grand affair. Ten minutes before he had decided now was time to apply the gills.

He placed the bat sub on autopilot setting the coordinates. Bruce then went over to the next room and found all he would need for the wedding: the gift and his webbed gloves.

Without reading the container. He took out six thin strands of the micro magnetic gelatin and applied three each to both sides of his neck. They molded to the skin. In seconds they began to burn a hole where they sat releasing antibiotics that would activate and rebuild the missing tissue in eight hours. It became more painful for Bruce to stand. He dropped to his knees scratching at the dead inflamed skin. He picked up the container and read the fine print: Must be in water. It took all his strength to make it to his seat and quickly ejected himself into the sea taking his webbed gloves with him.

It was then the burning ceased and he was able to breath normally. "I guess I will swim the rest of the way." He smirked.