Chapter 3: Changing For the Better
The early morning sun peaked over the waters of the Bermuda Triangle, causing an orange glint over the calm waters. The only sounds that could be heard were the slight wish of the ocean and the engine of a ship disrupting the calm. The large fishing vessel lowers their anchor into the water. Mera watches from behind a red moss-stained buoy, her face distorted in disgust as she watched them lower a large fishing net into the water. One larger man with a white beard down to his chest and an eye patch yells gruffly to two other men on deck. Both in matching overalls and shiny green boots, one stood over the edge, motioning with his hand to the other who stood behind what looked like a wheel attached to a giant crank he spun as he lowered the net.
The water splashed next to her. Mera observed her twin, Hila, watching the vessel with intense, green eyes that held the reflection of the buoy. Hila's hair, just as red and as long as Mera's, stood out dangerously against the water.
"Humans always think they can take whatever they want from our seawaters." There's this bitterness in her voice that only ever came in this situation. Hila was always so calm and collected, the complete opposite of Mera, someone known in Xebel as a hothead. One of the many things that made her angry was the increase of fishing in their home. Ruining the catches for the fishermen in the area brought he great satisfaction. She was surprised Hila felt the same way, let alone came with her to do it. Her twin hated anything to do with the world above the surface of the water. Mera did too. She just wasn't going to take them harming her home.
Clank! The loud noise accompanied with bringing the net up vibrated the sea. Mera turned her attention back to the fisherman and their vessel. "Yeah, well, they aren't getting anything good today."
The old man with the beard yelled something and motioned his hand to tell the men on deck to keep it going. The net came up, practically empty. She smiled when she saw the men's frustration. The older one through his hat on the deck and cursed. Dejectedly, the man behind the crank started to pull up the anchor as the other went to speak with his captain.
Nothing like ruining a good catch to make your day, huh?" Mera said, pushing away from the buoy.
"Do you think we should stay?" Hila asked, keeping her eyes on the anchor." To make sure they leave?"
Mera shook her head. Her hair causing small swirls in the water around her. "No. They're going to leave." She glances up at the rising sun. A flock of seagulls cross the clear sky lazily, their shapes resembling almost a perfect triangle "Besides, we can't be late."
.Hila sighed, pushing off the rock and going below the surface water in one swift motion, red curls disappearing behind her. Mera glanced at the ship of downtrodden sailors once more before following.
Break****
Mera follows her sister back to the cave. Schools of unharmed fish pass them buy, their thanks swift and gracious as they move in careful groups. Crustaceans and plankton floated by, low to the rock surface where colorful starfish had plastered themselves. The water was how it needed to be. Undisturbed. Peaceful. The Ultimate Kingdom in Nature.
Her Kingdom.
Hila led them to an opening in a large stone fissure that dipped deep into the sandstone. Hila disappeared into the darkness. Mera checked behind her, making sure no one was watching. They had being spotting spies around their territory lately. Word had been was that Atlantis was behind it, hearing they were planning some attack to start war. But the water was clear, nothing but a few trout moving in a smaller group than usually heading eastward toward shore.
Mera sucked some air that filtered through her gales and dipped into the hole. For a split second, darkness surrounded her. Then, her eyes made for the blackness in the sea adjusted, and she could see every crevice in the rock as if the sun itself had followed her into the cave.
Mera caught up with her sister. It was completely silent other than the swish sound they made as the descended deeper into the darkness. Hila stopped abruptly, motioning for Mera to do the same. Mera looked over her sister's shoulders. The first thing she saw was two piercing golden eyes. It was Doru, guarding the cave. She knew it was his immediately from the bald head and sharp, sleight stone staff he'd carved years ago, and a jagged scar that graced his bare chest from a shark attack back when he was younger.
"Where have you two been?" He asks, his face stone cold, and his voice gruff and heavy.
Mera rolled her eyes, irritated. The feeling coming as fast and as naturally as the waves on the surface. "Move. Now."
He didn't say anything. Crossing his arms, standing his ground. Expecting an answer. Mera knew that he knew he wasn't getting one. This was just wasting time.
Hila sighed. "Doru, please move." Her voice was soft as she leveled with him. "We can't have the king waiting any longer."
Doru seemed to contemplate this, and eventually his arms fell to his side, the tip of his sword grazed the stone wall to his right. Mera pushed past him hastily. Doru grunted, and she heard Hila say something to him and followed her. Mera stared out her sister for a second before shaking her head and continuing down into the cave.
"What?" Hila asks, placing herself side by side with her sister.
Mera refused to look at her. "I know what's going on between you two."
Hila blinked. Her face scrunched up. Something she did every time someone started bringing up things she didn't have good answers for.
"What are you talking about?"
The dark walls around them began to condense. The tunnel went upward. Lights above the surface began to flicker and move. It was starting.
"I know you would tell me if you wanted me to know," Mera replies. "But I'm just saying, I know. And it won't be long before everyone else does too."
Just before Mera reached the surface, Hila grabbed her arm, stopping her. Hila's eyes are big green emeralds that show how terrified she was. For a moment, Mera felt bad for telling her sister what she had said, but she wasn't one for censorship. It would've came out sooner or later. Better sooner than later.
"Please," Hila said, lowering her voice. "Don't tell anybody okay. You know what'll happen if the king finds out."
Mera retches her arm from her sister. "Obviously I'm not gunna tell anyone." She really didn't agree with this relationship. They'd known Doru since they were children, and he was an appointed guardian of Xebel. Someone who is supposed to be protecting the Princesses, not sleeping with them.
"But you need to be more careful," Mera continues, rubbing her arm. Her sister's grip was fierce and left little red marks on her skin. "People will notice and start talking. And Siren-"
Hila gasped. "Siren knows?" She had the right to be scared of that. Siren had a big mouth.
Mera shook her head. The lights above them were fading. Only a few shaky orbs flashed distantly above the surface farther ahead. They were all heading to the communion she was positive they were now going to be late for.
"No, but she's suspicious. You know how nosy she gets."
"I know."
Mera sighed. "Just, be more careful alright? We can't afford the drama. And I know you don't want anything to happen to him."
Hila nodded. Mera, not wanting to go any further on the subject, moved forward. When she reached the edge of the water, she let herself break through the surface. She pulled herself on the gritty stone surface, Hila following on her heels. Mera let herself stop to take a moment to get used to the air. The pressure this deep made the oxygen down here condensed and heavy, almost like breathing in smoke. By the time her gills had closed, her hair was dry, and her skin became softer, the pale, scalier covering made for long amounts of time under in the sea disappearing, being replaced with laxer, porcelain looking skin. A natural change. One she was so used to she barely took the time to notice anymore.
Mera glanced and Hila. Her twin nodded, signaling she was ready. Mera took the lead, heading down the cave. Torches on the walls on either side of the two glowed brightly. A Necessity because just like their skin changed for underwater conditions, the night vision in their eyes changed when above water. Mera hated this change the most. Her eyes were as useless above water as her gills.
Sometimes she wondered who made up their bodies chemistry, or even why. They couldn't live out of the water forever because their gills were attached directly to their lungs and Bronchi. They used the water to filter out necessary oxygen. But they couldn't stay in the water forever, which undoubtedly would be her preference, but their bodies wouldn't stand the conditions of the water for more than maybe a little bit more than a month. Even though their scales protected their skin, it was only a thin coat of them, and the skin under would shrivel, and they excess of water filtering through their systems would eventually drown certain organs that were strictly mundane and meant for those without restrictions to land.
"Can't live with it, can't live without it," she mumbled to herself.
A few more moments, the scenery finally changed. Large stairs dipped into almost a stadium looking clearing. Torches were lit all around them, some hand held, others on long poles that hung overhead, just barely grazing the stalagmites that stared down menacingly and the mer-people.
Mera straightened up, and descended the stairs to the clearing. The people of Xebel formed so that families stood behind rows of soldiers, all in full armor and holding their weapons, their heads bowed as Mera and her sister continued down the path they formed.
The silence was almost unbearable. Mera felt this extreme expectation radiating off of everyone in the room, all of it pointed to her. As if they expected her to grow ten times bigger, ten times scarier, all for them and their future. It made her stomach hurt. That fear starting to peak through her. She shoved it down.
This isn't the time for fear.
Mera's eyes gazed at the throne before her. At the foot, her younger sister Siren stood, gazing at her with contempt. Mera just looked away from her, knowing that letting go of her temper at this time wouldn't be wise. Her derision from her sister would always be there, and it wasn't going to dissipate no matter how much they fought. Even though they had trained side by side, the king had appointed Mera for the throne, not Siren. That's how it was going to be.
The king stood, his golden chest plate making a loud clang with his movements. Somehow the room became even quieter, as if everyone's thoughts had been silenced. Behind his golden mask, Mera could see him smile down at her. Not happy, but pride, and excitement.
"Everyone!" His voice booms through the room, jumping of the stone walls with ferocity. Mera almost shook.
"Today, we have gathered here today for a time we've all waited much too long for." He glances around, letting everyone's excitement build. He looks back at Mera. "But before I say it, I would like to ask Mera if she feels she is ready."
Mera's stomach is in knots, but she nods, not letting it show on her face. "Yes, your majesty. I am ready."
"Good." He turns and moves his hand in a forward motion. The king's appointed sentry that Mera only knew as Frue, walks up to his side, in his hands is the brightest thing Mera's seen that's only rival to the sun. A gold crown, with ivory vines entangled down the sides, a pure, green stone sits perfectly in the middle.
The king smiles when he sees her eyes light up. "I thought you would like this." He picks it up and holds it over Mera's head, and she goes stone still as he speaks.
"This crown was forged by our most skilled blacksmiths. The emerald recovered from the deepest depths of the ocean. This crown was not made for the next queen of Xebel, but for the future ruler of Atlantis!"
Everyone cheers as he places the crown on Mera's head. It fits perfectly.
The crowd quiets down as the king waves his hands. "All of you know Mera has been training for this time since the day she was born. We've waited for this day since the day we were banished from our rightful home. And the gods of the sea have told me it is time for change! For revenge! I know Mera will do what she has to do. She will take Aquaman down, and bring us back to our rightful domain!"
The cheering started again. Everyone was looking at her, even the king. Hila leaned in and whispered in her ear. "You have to say something!"
Mera licked her lips. Her mouth felt dry. Her heart raced. But determination coursed through her veins. This was her destiny.
She raised her hands, signaling for everyone to quiet down. "People of Xebel, I understand your struggle, as is mine. My powers and training is the reason I'm in this position, but I also believe this was meant to be. I am your next queen, and I will take my mission with the certainty of my future success, and for future change for all of us. Revenge is near and just in barely in our grasps! As sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, Atlantis is ours!"
This time the applause and cheers seemed to shake through the rocks. Hila looked happy, and Siren just gave her another dark look before melting into the crowd.
Go ahead, she thought. This is my destiny.
The King stepped before her, smiling down with his grin reaching both its.
"It's time, Princess Mera. Prepare to go to land."
Break****
The fly form of Beast Boy buzzed through the Centre of Jump City. He'd only recently thought up a destination for himself. He'd just been flying around aimlessly for the last hour. He was still antsy about his date the next day with Raven. He thought some time away from the tower would help clear his head, maybe calm his nerves a bit.
But with nowhere to go, he'd found himself thinking about it even more, and a sinking feeling in his stomach as he thought of all the things that could go wrong. He decided it'd be best to find somewhere to actually go.
Hence, why he now flies over the main part of Jump City, being swatted at every now and then but virtually left alone. Not all bad. Focusing on not getting crushed is also a good distraction.
Finally, the many little points of views in his eyes saw a small café. The fake carved letters on the top of the small building read Smudge, a very popular teen hang out during the day. He actually hated the place. The smell of bitter coffee always made him sick, and to make things worse all their food either was made with coffee, or were little sandwiches with the only selections included either ham or turkey, costing a fortune. But he wasn't there to eat.
He buzzed around the corner of the building. The tables outside had green umbrellas over circular glass tables with connecting seats. Waiters with their Smudge aprons ran around with entrees trying to keep up with the afternoon hustle.
Beast Boy glanced around. Fortunately he found the people he was looking for on the table near the corner. Five girls, sitting in their school uniforms under the umbrellas, chatting animatedly. The blonde was who he was looking for. Her big, bright smile, her hair neatly brushed, sipping a latte with whipped cream at the top giving her a little mustache. And suddenly, memories that seemed almost synthetic started to float back to him. An old friend. The person who he fought evil with, the girl he gorged on pizza and popcorn while watching horror movies with, the weirdo who shot milk out their nose just to get a laugh at of him on a bad day, the confused teenager who tried to kill him and his friends, his first crush who he missed dearly.
Terra.
He flew into a plant that sat near their table. He knew she had told him she didn't want to see him again, but he couldn't resist. Every now and then, he'd come by just to see how she was doing. No matter what had happened or how strong she had proved herself to be, he still felt protective of her. No one knew he still came by to check on her, and he planned on keeping it his own secret. No need causing a commotion. He already knew Robin would probably try to butt in, making things bigger than he had to. He'd tell Beast Boy about his responsibilities and other priorities. He'd forbid him from coming back. He'd tell him to move on.
The thing was, he had moved on. He'd come to realize over the last year and a half that there was a big difference between being stuck on someone who wasn't meant for you, or missing someone. He was always going to care about Terra. Beast Boy knew she didn't have a lot of people left in her life, so he thought he'd just take the liberty in checking in on her every now and then. It gave him a warm feeling inside to know she was doing okay. If anything, this is what helped him move on. He didn't need Robin telling him what was good for him when it wasn't any of his business.
There were some things he'd learn during his visits. Terra didn't go by Terra anymore. Strangely enough, she went by Atlee. Beast Boy understood why she would go by a different name when she lost her memory, but he wondered where Atlee came from?
Also, the girls she chose to hang with weren't people he would see as her choosing a friends. But they were nice enough. He'd seen all of them with her before, except the girl sitting right next to Terra. She had long curly black hair and green eyes. She looked really bored. He wondered when she had showed up. Beast Boy hadn't come to see Terra in over two months, but this was the first time someone new showed up in their little clique.
"Oh, my gosh you guys, the waiter inside is so cute." The girl with short brown hair said. Beast Boy knew her as Jenny.
The girl next to Jenny, named Emma, who was super petite and always hair her hair up in weird asymmetrical buns smiled. "So, you need to go talk to him."
"Why are we sitting outside if your man candy is inside?" Third one said. He knew her name to be Nai. She was Asian with a really thick accent. If he had to guess he would say she's Chinese.
Jenny shook her head. "Well one, we always sit outside. Two, don't you see me trying to work up my nerve?" Her eyes averted to Terra. "Atlee, what do you think?"
Terra, or Atlee, wiped the little whip cream mustache off of her lips. "I think you should totally just go for it. No one's said no to you before," she added with a little smile.
Jenny seemed to like her response. "What about you, Capri?"
The new girl, called Capri, who hadn't talked yet, shrugged. "Eh, you should I guess." Her voice wasn't as loud or full of vigor like the others. Beast Boy wondered why she seemed so down.
Jenny shruggered at Capri, brushing off her negativity. "Come on you guys, come in with me. You can order bagels or something and I'll talk with him."
Nai nodded and Emma smiled, the three girls standing up. "Are you coming, Atlee?"
Atlee shook her head. "Nah, I'll wait here with Capri. It's gunna be awkward if we all march in there like a brigade."
Jenny nodded. "Alright." The three girls disappeared into the crowd outside. Beast watched as Atlee waited until the girls had left the two alone, and the blonde took her straw out of the straw holder and use it to blow bubbles into her half full latter cup. Capri started giggling and Beast Boy internally smiled. A big part of the old Terra was still in there, somewhere.
"Things change, Beast Boy."
Yeah, but you didn't change that much at all, he thought. Thinking it was about time to go, he got ready to take off, but something kept his six legs stuck to the leaf. Maybe a few more minutes wouldn't hurt?
"I'm glad I could get you to laugh," Atlee said. "You've been kinda down lately. Is it your uncle?"
Capri nodded and pulled out a packet of sugar and ripped it open. Tiny granules off sugar landed on the table in a neat pile until the bag was empty.
"It's not that big of deal. But he's the only family I've got and he wants nothing to do with me." She threw the wrapper on the table and began poking at the pile. "He won't even take the time to talk to me."
"Do you even know why?"
"It's because of that 'special thing' I told you about." Atlee nodded, understanding what she meant, but Beast Boy continued to be lost. "Just because he couldn't do it, he wants to ruin it for me. I mean, before my grandma died, she told me I was supposed to pursue it. But he told my I should just forget it and move on. But I can't."
"Moving on is hard," Atlee said, sitting down her empty latte cup. "But maybe you have to do it."
Capri shook her head. "I can't! Then everything she taught me was in vain." She brushed the rest of the sugar off the table and got another packet of sugar to repeat. "I mean, you're special too. And you're lucky, you know people just like you and there's an entire place for people like you! I'm on my own."
What is she talking about? Beast Boy wondered, inching a little closer.
"Just because I'm from there doesn't mean I belong there." Atlee looked upset. She sighed. "Why do you think I convinced my brother to let me come here? I'm trying to live a normal life."
"Well, I'm being forced!" Capri looks around, then lowers her voice. "Atlee, I wanna ask something big of you."
Beast Boy could see Atlee looked physically worried. He was starting to worry too. Something, he wasn't sure what, didn't seem right.
"What is it?"
"I got a call from the attorney for my grandma," she said. "My uncle told me she didn't leave me anything, but the attorney contradicted that. She left me something special. Something my uncle doesn't know about."
"Is that even legal?" Atlee asks, shocked. "I mean, he is your guardian."
"Like hell he is," she hissed. "Guardians actually take care of you. He dumped me at a boarding school! And besides, my grandma told this lawyer specifically not to tell him. This is practically like a sign, like I'm supposed to pursue this!"
"Well, what did she leave you?"
Beast Boy was literally at the edge of is seat, well, actually the leaf. This had become very interesting. He wasn't even sure he should be listening, but he was too curious now. He had to find out.
Just as Capri opened her mouth, his communicator flashed and began to make noise. Shit! He thought, jumping off the leaf and flying out of sight just in time befor both Atlee and Capri saw him. He flew across the street and up onto the grocery store's roof, morphing back into his human form. He did a quick glance over the ledge to see that both girls were looking around for the source of the interruption, but Jenny and the other two were headed back.
He let out his breath, not even realizing he had been holding it. He pulled his communicator out of his pocket and flipped it open.
"Beast Boy!" Of course, it's Robin. Who else had this good timing? "We have trouble at West Union Bank. Get there now!" The transmission cut off.
Beast Boy rolled his eyes, but obediently turned into a hawk and headed for the bank. He thought about what he had just witnessed. He wondered if it was important. It almost sounded like that girl Capri had powers. Maybe she was a metahuman. But truth is, it wasn't his business. He couldn't worry about it. Robin's speeches about overstepping boundaries went through his head. Unless he thought it was a threat, he couldn't act upon it. Besides, he didn't want to explain to anyone else how he knew what little he did hear.
He was going to just go ahead and take today as a good day so far. Seeing Terra, or Atlee, had made his mind a little clearer. His crush on his old friend was gone, even if he wished she wasn't. He had to look ahead. His life would change before he even noticed it if he kept his mind stuck on the past. His relationship with Raven might grow into something more, and just the thought of that made his heart race. He saw big changes in his future. Hopefully they were good ones. Terra's words echoed through his head
"Things change, Beast Boy."
Sometimes change is good. He hadn't believed that a few years back, but now, it was something to cling on to.
Hopefully, things were changing for the better
Sorry you guys that this took a while. Came out WAY longer than expected. Had to cut in in half actually. And Mera is a character from the Aquaman comics if any of you were wondering.