Author's Notes: Here's another chapter. First written in 2019, Arthur and Mera have been on my mind to continue this story. Please read the first two chapters to get caught up. There are no sequel trailers yet, but we will continue with updates with comic influence for now. They are now married and royal leaders of Atlantis, but they need solutions to the continued threat of Black Manta. Keep reading and tell me what you think.

~o~o~

Chapter 3: Heritage

Several years later:

Arthur and Mera were married in a simple ceremony organized by their friends in Atlantis and the staff assigned to help them in their journey as King and Queen. Her father gave her away as well as his parents were invited to the ceremony. Now she could not ignore the signs anymore. Mera knew what it meant; she's pregnant and told her husband it's been several months since her last menses.

Arthur felt overjoyed and excited as they celebrated in countless ways happy and blessed to have a child. He told his parents about it, and yes, it's planned but not necessarily needed, but they had no issues with making babies; they wanted children in their lives.

Now weeks before Mera's news of her pregnancy, they traveled to Washington, DC to meet with the recently inaugurated President of the United States. The new regime is now in the hands of President Biden, but he knows climate change is the greatest threat facing our country and the world. He has a bold plan for a clean energy revolution and agreed to meet with them for dinner as regal leaders of the Kingdom of Atlantis. Pictures were taken earlier in the evening of their arrival and those pictures appeared not only in newspapers around the world but social media as well. They dressed in purple theme outfits to complement their royal status.

The state dinner would reveal the hidden undersea culture of Atlantis, their King and Queen to the world, and to sit down and discuss the President's plans for climate change. They spoke of the oceans, how they're filled with trash and debris, and they needed to speak with him of his ideas to fix this urgent issue.

After the dinner is served, Arthur and Mera, the President and the first lady stood before a podium ready to introduce them. After the introductions, Arthur pulled out his notes then made his speech, but no one drifted off but appeared alert and ready to hear what he had to say. After his speech, everyone in attendance applauded, feeling impressed. Mera felt such pride in her husband, that her eyes watered happy for them and that they had this chance to complete this extremely important goal. They both smiled.

It's midnight when they returned to their hotel, exhausted but deliriously happy, but only a few minutes later when they received a call from their friends, Lois and Clark Kent.

"Clark, is that you?" Arthur asked and put the call on speaker.

"Yes, Lois and I are downstairs in the lobby. We saw the news about your stay at this hotel. Can we come up; I know it's late, but we have champaign and glasses to celebrate the evening?"

Mera nodded yes, of course. "Yes, we're waiting. Room 303."

Minutes later, Lois and Clark entered their suite. Hugs and kisses and congratulations were expressed as well. Clark at once opened the bottle and poured everyone a drink.

"Cheers to Mera and Arthur Curry, the King and Queen of Atlantis," Clark said. Everyone took a sip.

"Thank you all for coming to the dinner. Were you there; we didn't see you?" Mera asked after taking a sip of wine.

"Yes, Clark and I were invited as part of the press corps; we had to come. I have to say that your speech was amazing," Lois replied.

"Thank you, Lois. Arthur and I prepared his speech for days. I'm glad it was accepted and now we wait for change, hoping it won't take years and years," Mera said hoping for the best.

"I hear what you're saying but climate change has been ignored for far too many years, but not anymore. I'm glad you decided to wait to discuss your concerns with the new regime. You made the right call," Clark said.

"Yes, Mera and I discussed our plans to call the White House and you're right. The President is also concerned about climate change and it's an urgent issue and cannot be ignored or pushed aside," Arthur said.

Mera tried not to yawn, but she couldn't help it. "I'm sorry."

"It's late and we'll say good night." She paused, then "When are you returning to Atlantis?" Lois asked.

"Early tomorrow; our flight leaves for Maine at 10am," Arthur replied.

"How about we meet for breakfast downstairs; our room is here at this hotel?" Clark suggested.

"Sure, we can do that. Is that ok with you honey?" Arthur asked his wife.

"Sure, say 8am is fine," Mera replied.

"Good night and we'll see you then," Clark said.

"Good night," Lois said, then they left.

The next morning, they met with their friends but managed to catch their flight back to Maine.

~o~o~

A year later, the lighthouse:

Mera and Arthur arrived back at the lighthouse with their one-year-old son, Arthur Curry, Jr. who they nicknamed AJ. All during AJ's first year, they were both worried that he would not be able to breathe in the surface world, and now he began to walk on his own. Then, feeling worried but also excited, they reached the surface, and he walked down the beach breathing on his own.

Now they couldn't wait to introduce him to his grandparents. Mera and Arthur explained to him that his grandparents were excited to meet him, and they will always love him and be there for him no matter what the future may hold.

Smiling in his mother's arms, AJ loved the water and swimming lessons have begun and to their surprise, he did appear a bit anxious not walking and struggled to be on the ground; he's growing up.

Arthur knocked and his mom opened the door and at once held out her arms. "AJ, come to your grandma and grandpa."

Mera handed him over and he at once cried out, "Grandma," he said, holding him close.

Kisses on the cheek, eyes watered, and she said, "It's wonderful to finally meet you."

AJ touched her cheek. "Grandma?"

"Yes, I'm your grandma." She replied and kissed him again.

"Come in, come in," Tom said to his son and his wife, Mera. Everyone hugged and kissed happy to be together again.

Sitting on the sofa, holding her grandson, Atlanna couldn't help but ask. "Why didn't you bring him after he was born?"

"We wanted to come but he needed to breathe on the surface," Arthur replied.

"Yes, I understand but that shouldn't have been a problem. Both of you are of royal birth," Atlanna said.

"Can I hold him for a minute?" Tom asked happy to finally meet him.

"Of course," Atlanna said and handed him over.

"Oh, my goodness, he looks like you Arthur when you were this small. I cannot believe it," Tom commented and kissed his cheek.

"Yes, we noticed the resemblance that first week after he was born," Mera said smiling at them. "That is true, Atlanna, but we were worried and needed to be sure and that's why we waited. I'm sorry," Mera said.

"We understand, but we're happy you're all here. It's lunchtime; are you hungry?" Tom asked.

Mera glanced at her husband. "Does this remind you of anything?"

"Oh, yeah, I remember," Arthur replied, smiled, leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Our lives changed after that special weekend."

"Yes, it did, and I couldn't be happier," she said and smiled at her husband.

"Me too," Arthur said and smiled at his beautiful wife.

Still squirming to be free, Tom placed AJ on the floor and he at once walked around the room investigating his new surroundings. Everyone watched him walk around and then he walked over to the television, curious about the images he could see and touched the screen.

"No televisions in Atlantis," Mera explained and watched her son but he didn't appear afraid only curious.

Tom and Atlanna didn't know what to say watching their grandson. "We saw you two on TV and watched your speech, Son, you were great and we're extremely proud of you," Tom said feeling emotional.

"Thanks Dad; it was a wonderful experience, traveling there felt amazing, and we did manage a quick tour of the city," Arthur said.

"I can imagine; let's eat," Tom said, and everyone sat down in the dining room. Sandwiches and fruit salad for the adults, while AJ is settled inside a highchair waiting for his bottle.

Tom had a question for his son. "Since the last time we talked, you did not have an update about your brother Prince Orm. Is he still in prison?" He watched his wife, and her head is down busy eating.

"Yes, he is, and the King's Council decided he should stay a few more years. He hasn't shown remorse for what he did to us. Mera and I are concerned because we found out recently that Black Manta, the assassin who tried to kill us, he's alive and as you both know, he still hates me for allowing his father to die on that submarine. I'm sorry Mother."

"I understand," Atlanna said disappointed. "After what you told me about all the horrible ways my son acted to hurt you and our family, he needed time to learn a hard lesson about hate and bitterness that led him to prison and the fact that he's still there, you did the right thing."

Mera spoke up. "Arthur and I have been talking about the assassin and we could use Prince Orm to help us find him, press charges and send him to prison where he belongs."

"Is that true?" Atlanna asked stunned to hear this, but her son is responsible; he needs to fix this problem.

"Yes, it could be an option, but Prince Orm will need to be placed under surveillance to keep an eye on him; I still do not trust him," Arthur replied firmly.

Arthur and Mera exchanged glances thinking of the past. Prince Orm is a sore subject, but they have come a long way because they can talk about him and not feel the tension and jealousy that always appeared only speaking the man's name.

"How exactly would this work?" Tom asked.

"I think we should use an ankle bracelet, the same tracking device he used on me, remember, honey?" Mera asked with a cheeky grin.

Arthur loved the nickname. "Yes, now that you mention it, that would definitely work, especially if he's placed under parole which means if he does something bad, meaning conspiracies," he replied, and they both smiled.

"That could work, but I'm worried. You told me years ago that Prince Orm hired the assassin, and now you want to use him to catch this guy? They could get back together and hurt you or our family. You said it yourself, they both still hate you." Atlanna said thinking of her grandson who could be in danger if caught up inside all of it.

Mera realized that AJ had finished his bottle. She picked him up, rubbed his back, and walked him around the room, agitated and worried about their plan to catch this guy.

Arthur watched her and knew how she felt. He left the dining room and pulled his family close also fearing the worst could happen. Holding them close, he whispered close to her ear. "Everything's going to be okay; please don't worry."

Close to tears, she whispered back. "I can't help it; he's our son, only a child. We have to protect him; please protect him."

"We will, please don't worry." He turned back to his parents. "You should know what I found out something recently. Vulko and I have been talking about how to find this guy. I could not believe what he told me. Let's all sit down."

Everyone took a seat in the living room. He continued. "Vulko told me that this guy, Black Manta, his name is David Kane Hyde, but he doesn't use his last name for some reason. He's human but his ancestry was traced back to… Atlantis." Everyone gasped.

"I can't believe this. Is that the reason Prince Orm contacted him because he knew his name and that he's from Atlantis?" Mera asked curious about him.

"Yes, we suspected that his tech in his costume is Atlantean, but we thought it came from Prince Orm, but now we're not sure where it came from. He's still out there searching for me, Aquaman, who I am and where I live on the surface."

"Does he have the same powers as you?" Mera asked now extremely concerned.

"I'm not sure, but he could have the ability to breathe underwater, but we can't be certain. We all need to be careful. He still hates me and the two of them with their heads together, it worries me. After Mera and I visited him in prison years ago, he wanted to be set free, but that's not happening. He still wants me gone and that hatred has not diminished, at least Vulko thinks it's true."

Atlanna spoke up. "There's a registry of all births in Atlantis and there could be a record of his birth, if he was born there."

"That's an excellent idea, but I have to wonder if Vulko found this information from the registry or if he knew but didn't tell me before."

"We need to be sure about that and contact Vulko to find out as much as we can to be certain especially if he has powers like you," Mera said.

'I will, please don't worry," he said and glanced at his son. "Give him to me." She handed him over.

"I'm holding my son and I have to pinch myself to realize I'm not dreaming but he's here and I'm happy extremely happy." He smiled, leaned over and kissed Mera sweetly.

Atlanna watched them closely. "Have you thought about the safest place for AJ to stay? It has to be Atlantis; he'll be safe there." She shook her head. "I still remember when they came for me here; they found me three years after you were born." She gasped. "Prince Orm knows this place; he knows."

"Are you sure? That happened over thirty years ago?" Arthur asked.

"Vulko came here to teach you, to train you, and he knew how to find you. Do you think your birth is in the registry?" Atlanna asked.

"That does make sense that Prince Orm checked the registry," Mera said sure of it.

Arthur handed AJ back to his mother then stood up, agitated and worried. "Yes, you could be right. AJ will be safer in Atlantis."

Atlanna took her husband's hand. "We had hoped he could stay with us for a few days," she said and glanced at their grandson.

He squeezed her hand. 'Let us take some pictures," Tom said and pulled out his cellphone. "Say cheese." For the next few minutes, pictures were taken of AJ and his parents, especially AJ, walking, laughing and running, he would not be still. They loved every picture.

Mera glanced at her husband. "It's time to go."

They left the lighthouse, not sure when they would return. Kisses, hugs, and bright eyes were revealed as they said goodbye again.

~o~o~

Back in Atlantis:

After AJ is settled in his crib in their bedroom, but minutes later, he's at once asleep. The trip there and back did take a while. Mera felt agitated still worried about what he revealed during their trip.

"Please contact Vulko and let him know our plans and if he can help us."

"Of course, I will in a minute." He took her hand they sat down and squeezed her hand. "I'm worried about you. We will keep him safe; I'll place extra guards here at the castle."

"That's good, but one of us should be here to make sure he's all right."

"Of course, one of us will be here. Come here," he said and pulled her close and kissed her cheek. "I'm sorry our trip turned into our plans to catch the assassin but it's important and my parents needed to know what's at stake."

"Yes, you're right; they needed to know. Tell me something. Were you genuinely surprised that Black Manta could have Atlantean blood?"

"Yes and no; let me explain. When we fought in Sicily, I had a feeling that he knew how to hurt me; I felt it when he shot a beam of light and it hurt. Remember when you found me on the ground, my strength had diminished; I felt drained and it took you finding me, calling me, that enabled me to stay awake."

"Oh, my goodness. Are you saying that it's true, he's Atlantean?"

"Before I answer that, let me contact Vulko," he replied. He pulled out his Atlantean receiver and contacted him. "Vulko, this is King Arthur."

"Yes, I hear you; how are you and Mera doing and AJ too?"

"We're fine, back from our trip. But something has come up. As you know, we're hoping to find and catch Black Manta, the assassin I told you about. Could you search the registry and see whether he's in there as being born here or not?"

"Yes, I did check, and the name came up that he's registered as half-Atlantean, the same as you, but nothing about his powers or anything like that." The call is on speaker and Mera heard it.

"He's like you?" Mera asked, but she could not believe it.

"Thank you, Vulko, but one more thing. We will need a tracking device for Prince Orm. He can be released on parole, meaning his coming and going will be watched, but he can stay here at the castle to help us catch David Kane or whatever his name is."

"A tracking device? Let me look into that for you. The King's Council will be informed about Prince Orm and his release under your protection. I'll be in touch; bye for now."

"Goodbye, and thanks." He hung up.

Mera is stunned for a second. "It's true that you and he are alike, but Prince Orm living here with us; is that a good idea?"

"Yes, he needs to be watched closely until we receive the device, but the assassin is in the registry and now we need to find him and soon."

"Under our protection?" She asked, then shook her head. "I remember when you wanted to ban him from the kimdom. We have come a long way, haven't we?"

He also shook his head. "Yes, we have." He pulled her close still not believing any of it, especially that David and I are the same, but we're not, he thought.

~o~o~

Meanwhile on the surface:

Now in an unknown location in his apartment, David's wounds have healed, but now he's searching, ever searching for Aquaman, who he is, where he lives, all of it. After watching the two of them on national news channels, his blood boiled. King and Queen, he couldn't believe it but there they are, walking around with celebrities, dignitaries and the President and the first lady as well. He snickered impressed but annoyed.

After he regained his strength, he thought it best not to contact Prince Orm in prison. That would be a dumb idea. They must know by now that he is half-Atlantean and can breathe underwater, but only within his costume. He hadn't done it in a long time, not since the confrontation with Aquaman in Sicily. The deep sea, diving suit is now repaired. The man who had found him half-dead in the ocean, he thanked him for saving him, but he had no knowledge of Aquaman, his name or anything about him only that he exists.

His Mother had named him David Kane-Hyde, her maiden name and his father's last name. Even though his life had changed after his mother left him to live his life without her, he became a wanted criminal, a pirate. After his father found him years later as an adult, they continued the bad choices that led to his father's death. During their brief time together, he explained to him that his mother told him that he was born in Atlantis, but the doctors diagnosed him as autistic, she couldn't cope and left him in an orphanage in Gotham City before he reached his teen years.

He grew up there and survived, but his father found him, but he knew his life as a pirate because he had started out with other criminals at sea doing the same by boarding ships, fully armed, killing and stealing. That was the first and last time they boarded a submarine after it reached the surface.

Now sitting at home alone, he thought of the submarine again and what happened but after reliving the incident in his mind, when Aquaman left them to die, he knew it may have been the right thing to do under the circumstances. Aquaman said to leave the sea to its mercy. He hated thinking about it now, but it's the truth. Tears fell, but he had no one to think of him or worry about him. He's alone in the world, with no idea how to reach his mother or even if she's alive.

TBC!

~o~o~

Song Inspiration: All At Once, Whitney Houston.

A/N: I did say it would be a lot of catching up to write them again. Now we know more about the villain, his sad backstory on DC-Wiki, who will be in the background until another confrontation or whatever happens in the future. We shall see. Thanks for reading and tell me your thoughts and a kudo would be nice too. Thanks again.