"The Sea itself is our domain: The Straw Hat Pirates are our enemy."
Aquaman finished his speech to raucous cheers and applause. Ever since Atlantis had made itself known to the outside world, they had claimed all of the world's oceans as their territory. In a matter of years they began to control all international travel and trade, and every sort of Evil that occurred at sea. His power and influence spread far beyond that of any other Justice League member… he controlled over seventy five percent of the planet's surface, after all.
The King of the Pirates, Monkey D. Luffy was a menace. He was a threat to Atlantis and the Justice League itself, and needed to be eliminated. Aquaman had utilized every ounce of his resources to discover his quarry, but was disappointed to learn that, despite calling himself a pirate, Monkey D. Luffy could not be found in the water.
The soldiers below him turned to leave. Doubtless they would be returning to their patrols of the world's oceans. Aquaman returned to his throne room as well.
"They need to be found." He seethed to his advisor. "Atlantis must crush them before-"
"Sire!"
Aquaman turned. The man's face was a pale, ghostly white.
"A Princess Shirahoshi is here to see you, sir!"
Aquaman stared blankly at him.
"Who?"
"She claims to be the Princess of a place called Fishman Island." He said. "She says she needs to meet with you. It's very urgent."
"Fishman…" Aquaman repeated, bemused. "I have heard nothing of this place." He turned to his advisor, who looked more surprised than he felt, and shook his head.
"I haven't either, sire." He said. "Perhaps it is a trick by our enemies."
"Has she been screened?" Aquaman inquired.
"She has arrived with a single bodyguard… a fishman called Jimbei. No others have entered the city, sire."
"Hm…." Aquaman said. "If they truly are alone, I shall see them. Bring them to me."
He was completely taken aback when she was brought into the throne room, nervously glancing around left and right at the ornate decorations around them. She was not an Atlantean as he had expected, but a mermaid… the largest he had ever seen, and the most beautiful. She gave him a small smile, and at that moment Arthur thought that if she was here to ask him to marry her… he would.
"It is a pleasure, Princess." Aquaman said, as he rose to his feet and approached her. "Welcome to my Kingdom of Atlantis. I trust that you have been enjoying your stay?"
Shirahoshi pursed her lips.
"I have not." She said, her tone surprisingly harsh coming from such a beautiful girl.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Your people look to me as if they are preparing for war." Shirahoshi said quietly. "I… cannot abide that."
Aquaman softened.
"Ah, I see." He said. "Do not be concerned. There are times where leaders must utilize force to guarantee peace. Surely you, as the Princess of your own island, can understand that?"
She looked at him rather intently.
"Do be perfectly frank, I believe that you are the problem." She said flatly. Aquaman stiffened. It had not been his imagination.
"You come to my kingdom and insult me… to my face?" He asked. "And after I was so gracious to allow you a visit."
"But I speak truly." Shirahoshi said. "I have spoken to your people, King Arthur. I am told how you abuse your station as the King of the World's Oceans to oppress both land and sea. You have affiliated yourself with those on the surface who would control this world. I confess to you, King of Atlantis, that I have only come here to ask you nicely to stop."
He stared at her. Hardly daring to believe it.
"Nicely?" He repeated. "You think you can change me… by asking nicely?"
He advanced towards her, and for the first time he took notice of her bodyguard when he stepped in front of her.
"Ah, you must be Jimbei." Aquaman said pleasantly. "We of Atlantis have never heard of Fishman Island… doubtless after I have my way with your liege I will absorb it into my Empire."
The Fishman glowered at him.
"Our sea will not be seen by your eyes, Aquaman."
Aquaman raised his trident, intent on skewering the fish in one shot, but in one furious blow Jimebi struck him. The king of Atlantis flew back onto his throne, and slumped over. He groaned, shaking his head, and got back up to his feet.
"You…" He rasped. "You wouldn't happen to be with the Straw Hat Pirates, would you?"
JImbei grinned. "I am."
Aquaman got back to his feet.
"I have a lot of questions for you both." He rasped. "Tell me everything you know about Stray Hat Luffy."
Shirahoshi stared at him coldly.
"He is more of a hero than you ever were without even really trying." She said simply. "His rule over these seas will be one of laughter."
Aquaman narrowed his eyes.
"Laughter doesn't stop evil. Violence does."
"Indeed." Jimbei said quietly, as he took a fighting stance. Aquaman grimaced, and raised his trident. He advanced again, and once more he was knocked aside. He stumbled, trying to regain his footing, but found that he couldn't move his body properly.
"What did you do to me?" He rasped.
"I'm stronger than you." Jimbei said simply, as he advanced. "For too long Atlantis… and the world at large… has suffered under your tyranny. You cannot continue this façade of justice. It must end."
Aquaman grimaced.
"You have no idea who you are dealing with." He growled. "I control these seas: You will never leave the city alive."
It was Shirahoshi who responded:
"Control?" She repeated. "You speak as if those you rule exist to do your bidding. You think nothing of their own well being. If you cannot stop us, throwing your resources at us will do nothing but destabilize this country. It would be better for you to simply concede defeat."
Aquman shakily got to his feet.
"I would rather die." He growled. "I am a god of the sea, a son of Neptune, and I-"
Shirahoshi locked eyes with him and screamed. Aquaman's eyes widened. He raised his hands to his head and buckled, falling to one knee. He bent his head as the mermaid stared down at him rather coolly. Outside of the palace, all of the denizens stared up in awe.
"Your own powers pale in comparison to my own." She said contemptuously. "You have used and abused your natural powers for long enough. I will rule this island in your stead.
Aquaman could not stand. In his core of cores, he knew it was true. Her ability to control the ocean far surpassed his own.
"You must listen to me." He said, his own voice ringing out in his own ears. "You must follow in my footsteps. You must aid the Justice League. You must do everything in your power to-"
Shirahoshi screamed again. Aquaman keeled over, completely unconscious. He did not move.
"We must make haste." Shirahoshi said to Jimbei, as he bent over and lifted the man up onto his shoulders. "We must cut this city off from the surface, and allow free trade between the countries of the world. The people must-"
She stopped. She frowned, as she tilted her head upward.
"What in the world is that?"
Deep underneath the city of Atlantis, the creature that had been sealed there for millions of years stirred. The unstoppable Cthulthu stirred. His seal having been weakened by Aquaman out of a sense of fear of the arrival of the Straw Hats, the creature rose upward, intending to raise havoc and destroy the entire world, as it was always meant to do.
And then Luffy punched it and it died.
"No, never mind, it was nothing." Shirahoshi said, shaking her head. "I was mistaken."
Under the guidance of the new leader of Atlantis, the beautiful Mermaid Shirahoshi, and the gentle but firm hand of her right hand man Jimbei, the Justice League lost one of its most critical methods of control. The seas were now free. No longer would the Justice League be able to stop people from enjoying the ocean.
"It's only a matter of time until they come for you, Diana."
Wonder Woman turned to look at him, her brow furrowed.
"No man can destroy me." She said pompously. "My island is impenetrable."
"Even so-"
She shook her head.
"You are weak, Batman." She said. "My warriors will kill any man that steps onto my island. I will continue our bid for justice long after you are gone." She smiled. "After all, you are only men."
"I'm sure the others felt the same." Batman said coldly. "You underestimate the enemy."
Diana said nothing to him. Instead she stepped up onto the side of the building.
"I expect this will be the last time we meet." She said. "I must say, Batman… knowing you was a complete waste of my time."
And then she was gone.
…
"What an interesting city."
Nico Robin stood examining the remains of the legendary Arkham Asylum from a distance. A long time ago, it was used to house the super criminals that ran rampant throughout the world unchecked. Now that the Justice League was established, however, it had fallen into disuse. There was simply no desire to reform criminals in this day and age.
She could tell from her research that the Asylum had been hated and feared by the populace for a long time before its closure. Before the League was founded it was clear that the population greatly suffered at the hands of a government that did nothing to deter crime and evildoers. Robin surmised that it had gotten so bad that allowing a group of so called heroes to declare an absolute war on all crime must have been extremely desirable for some. She found herself wondering if the Justice League had been originally formed out of good intentions.
"It's not safe here."
Robin turned. A handsome man, well dressed and immaculate, had approached her from the street.
"It's not safe anywhere." Nico Robin quietly. "To whom do I owe the pleasure?"
"My name is Bruce Wayne." The man said. "Surely you've heard of me, at least."
"I have not."
"Hmmm." Bruce Wayne eyed her curiously. "You don't seem to be lying. That surprises me. My family used to control Gotham."
"Used to?"
"Well, ever since the Justice League was established I've lost everything." He said cheerfully. "But I've gained so much."
"I doubt that." Robin said, her voice cold. "You're rather well fed for a citizen of this city. And your clothes… those materials haven't been available to the public in years."
Bruce's smile faded.
"It's a hold over from when things were different." He said. "The League didn't see fit to confiscate all of my things."
"An interesting statement to make considering the state is supposed to redistribute wealth equally."
"I see that you have no faith in our government." Bruce said. "I do not care for them much myself-"
"It's the Justice League I detest." Robin said smoothly.
Bruce's eyes hardened.
"Never criticize the League." He breathed. "If you know what's good for you."
"That rather sounds like a threat."
"It isn't." Bruce denied. "It's a warning."
"A warning?" Robin probed. "What will happen if I don't adhere to it?"
She stared at him intently, and he was no longer to meet her eyes.
"Bad things happen to those who defy the will of the League." He said quietly. "They cannot be defeated."
"Four of their number have fallen." Robin said, not bothering to hide her intentions. "It will not be long until you join them, Batman."
Bruce Wayne, or Batman, chuckled to himself.
"I cannot die." He said. "I will not surrender until I crush all crime under my boot. That is what it means to be a hero."
He turned to leave.
"I suspect we will meet again, Nico Robin." He called behind him. Robin watched him go, her lip pursed. A deep feeling of contempt and disgust welled up within her. Any doubts that she had about whether or not they were doing the right thing had long ago been dissipated. The Justice League needed to be destroyed.