Several months had passed since the group of heroes had banded together and defeated Darkseid and his invading forces since then the public had started to see the heroes in a more positive light as opposed to just some vigilantes taking who routinely took the law into their own hands. The heroes were also honored by the President of the United States for their bravery and valor, the group unanimously agreed on the name 'Justice League' to represent themselves as a team.
Xxx Justice League headquarters xxX
Standing alone in front of a large screen, Cyborg looked sad as he observed the face of his father, Silas Stone, flash on the screen.
"Incoming call from Silas Stone" the automated voice of the computer rang out.
'I am not ready for this' Cyborg thought as he replied "Ignore" to reject the call.
As the seconds passed, the door to the room that Cyborg was standing in opened.
"Colonel Trevor" Cyborg greeted.
"Figured I'd find you here" The colonel replied, "you're always here".
Seeing as Cyborg was not replying, the colonel continued.
"A Naval sub went dark and sank to the ocean floor mid-Pacific".
"Pulling it up now" Cyborg replied as he pressed a few buttons.
On the screen, a huge submarine appeared, and after pressing a few more buttons, Cyborg retrieved the ship's logs.
"Sounds like they are being slaughtered" Cyborg stated as he listened to the ship's last transmission.
"The navy wants their missiles back and I want to know what the hell happened on that Sub" Colonel Trevor replied.
"I'll boom down there and check it out myself" Cyborg offered.
"You want help?" The colonel asked.
"If it was done manually, I won't be able to track anything besides the point of access" Cyborg replied, "Maybe the security cameras could give me a visual".
"I meant you could call the league" the colonel clarified.
"I know what you meant" Cyborg replied, "Until we have answers, there's no need to escalate this any higher".
"Have it your way then" Colonel answered as he began to walk away, "Let me know what you find".
"Sir, the other…" Cyborg started as Trevor stopped near the entrance, "They don't really come in" he informed, "At all".
"Despite what you might want the world to think Colonel Trevor, there is no Justice League" Cyborg stated.
The colonel didn't reply as he walked out of the room.
Xxx Mariana Trench xxX
Finding the Submarine and the bottom of the Mariana Trench, Cyborg soon discovered through the security feeds that someone or something had managed to get in the Submarine but he couldn't find any other information on the intruder since all the other files were corrupted.
As he explored the submarine to look for the missing missiles, he was suddenly slammed into the Sub's hull by an unknown assailant. As he aimed to fire a sonic blast he was suddenly stabbed in his shoulder by another attacker.
"Servos damaged, Suggest retreat" the computer advised.
Turning around Cyborg released a concussive blast from his body to disorient his attackers and rushed outside the Submarine.
Looking at his useless arm, he decided that another confrontation with his assailants would put him in a rough spot.
"Boom us out of here" Cyborg grunted as he passed through the portal that appeared in front of him, "We will need the other's help on this".
Xxx Justice League Headquarters xxX
"What's so important that you had to drag me out of a board meeting" Naruto complained as he entered the League warehouse, Dressed in a navy blue suit and a red tie, "Not that I'm complaining, those meetings bore the hell out of me".
"We found this at the bottom of the Mariana Trench" Cyborg answered as he pointed at the destroyed submarine.
"Is this the same Sub that was reported missing?" Naruto asked as he walked closer to the vessel.
"Yes," Cyborg simply answered, not at all surprised that Naruto knew about the missing sub even though it was top-secret information.
"No energy signatures" Green Lantern called out as he scanned the ship with his ring, "This was all done by hand".
"Who could do that" Shazam questioned, "Besides us?".
"I count four dozen unique handprints moving in sync" Flash provided as he investigated the ship with his magnifying glasses.
"Four Squadrons" Batman answered, "This was a choreographed attack".
"You think this has something to do with Darkseid?" Wonder Woman inquired.
"Unlikely" Batman answered, "The patterns don't fit".
"Bats!" Naruto exclaimed as he walked toward The Dark Knight, "You came as well, I thought you were investigating the scarecrow".
"Someone messed up my plan and I lost my lead" Batman replied as he glared towards Green Lantern, who had advertently played a hand in it.
"I already said I was sorry!" GL exclaimed.
"How did you know I was investigating Scarecrow," Batman asked as he suspiciously looked at Naruto.
Naruto laughed as he patted Batman on the back, "You ask the cutest questions".
"Where's your brother?" Flash inquired as walked near him.
"He left," Naruto replied, "He's back in the vast expanse of the space, having adventures".
"I wouldn't call what he does an adventure" Green Lantern replied, still sore from the humiliating defeat he faced during the Darkseid war.
"Back to the matter at hand" Cyborg called out, "Who do you think that could have done this?".
Picking up the blade that was lying on the table, Naruto tossed it in the air a couple of times.
"This the weapon you were attacked with?" Naruto inquired.
Nodding, Cyborg replied, "I was stabbed with it from behind, I couldn't see my attacker".
"Not surprising" Naruto replied, "You were lucky that you got away with only a stab".
"You know whom this weapon belongs to" Wonder Woman inquired.
"Of course" Naruto replied, "But, just to be sure." and threw the weapon at Wonder Woman who blocked it with ease.
"What the hell?" Superman yelled as he stood in front of Diana, eyes glowing red.
"Interesting…" Naruto muttered as he observed Superman's reaction.
"Why the hell did you attack her?" GL asked as he readied his power ring.
"Relax" Naruto replied as he raised his arms in surrender, "Just take a look at the weapon".
Doing as Naruto had asked, Flash picked up the weapon and investigated it with his magnifying glass.
"Not a single scratch or deformation" Flash answered as he handed the blade over to Batman.
"That confirms it" Naruto called out, "The only ones I know who can make a weapon this light and durable with these particular designs are the Atlanteans".
"You still didn't need to throw it at her" Superman called out to which Naruto just shrugged.
"I agree, Not with Superman, I can take care of myself, but about this blade" Diana replied as she gave Superman a look, "These carvings", She continued as she pointed at the carvings of the handle, "I recognize them from the tales of Atlantis I read as a girl. The city sunk, but its people were saved by the magic of the king's trident but it turned them irreversibly into creatures of the sea".
"That's a fairy tale" Green Lantern scoffed.
"It's true" Naruto revealed, "I have seen it with my own eyes".
"And how did you come across it?" Flash asked skeptically.
"I found it when I was diving in the Atlantic Ocean" Naruto answered, "Prude King. Beautiful Queen, Bratty Prince".
"I find that hard to believe" Shazam replied, Atlantis was considered a myth, there were theories of its existence all around the world but no concrete proof to facilitate them.
"Assuming Atlantis does exist," Green Lantern started, "What does a mythical mystical undersea world need with missiles, and I so dare you to say that five times fast"
"We could go there and ask them" Naruto replied as fished for something in his jacket pocket, "Get ready!" and threw the device he retrieved on the ground.
"No –" Batman started.
Before he could complete his sentence, the device created an invisible dome around them and they vanished into thin air, in their place a large globe of water appeared and splattered on the ground.
Xxx Atlantis, Throne room xxX
Queen Atlanna, the queen of Atlantis, seated on the throne with her shoulders squared, and her back straight, a posture befitting a monarch, in her left hand she held a golden trident, though she was nearing 100 she still looked like she was in her early 30s.
She sat quietly as the doors to the throne room opened, She observed her son, Prince Orm, enter followed by a red-haired woman, Mera, the Princess of Xebel, and her protégé.
The Prince swam to the queen's side and kissed her on her cheek, "Mother" he greeted.
The queen observed Orm as he swam back and floated a distance away from her.
"Your transparent aggression towards the surface world has left Atlantis exposed, Orm." The Queen accused him, "Do you deny it?".
"That ship would have discovered us" Orm replied as he folded his arms over his chest in defiance.
"Nonsense" The Queen replied with a scoff, "Our magic continues to protect us".
As she said that a spark of electricity suddenly appeared in the center of the throne room, then another spark appeared.
The Queen's guards who were standing guard in the background sprang into action as they surrounded the Queen and pointed their spears towards the weird phenomenon.
Just as quickly as it had appeared the electricity disappeared and in its place were the members of the Justice League.
"-Stop!" Batman finished, but it was too late, the teleportation had already succeeded.
The invisible dome protected them from the crushing pressure and lack of breathable air.
"Greetings my Queen" Naruto exclaimed.
"Naruto?" Atlanta questioned as she pushed the guards aside so that she can take a better look, "Naruto!", upon confirming that it indeed was Naruto she rushed towards him and hugged him tightly.
"It's nice meeting you too" Naruto whispered, "My Queen".
Atlanta lightly hit him on his chest as they parted, "I told you, It will always be only Atlanna for you".
"It's been a while" Naruto started, "You still look the same".
"And you have grown" the Queen replied, "Quiet handsomely, may I add".
"Stop! You are making me blush" Naruto replied as he tried to hide his blush.
Hearing a soft cough from the side, Naruto straightened up.
"These are my colleagues" Naruto introduced, "Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Cyborg, and Green Lantern, not their real names, it just what they go by".
Atlanna nodded, "Greetings to my humble kingdom of Atlantis" The queen greeted, "Any friend of Naruto's is an esteemed guest here in Atlantis".
"What are you doing Mother!?" Orm yelled, outraged, "These surface dwellers are the reason why my father, your king, is dead and you are providing them with hospitality instead of having them executed on sight".
"Enough" the queen ordered, "The volcano that killed your father was not the fault of the surfacers but the one who attacked them".
"Death by collateral-" Orm started but the Queen cut him off.
"Enough! I will hear no more of this nonsense" The queen commanded, "You are forbidden from leaving the kingdom till I decide otherwise. Now leave, I have matters to attend to".
The prince cursed as he stormed out of the throne room.
"He has always been a problem child, coddled by his father, unsuitable for the throne" Atlanna stated as she turned to look at Naruto again.
"I apologize for having you witness that" Atlanna apologized.
"Do you remember what I said when the last time we spoke?" Naruto replied.
"There is no place for thank you or sorry in friendship" Atlanna repeated as she smiled at Naruto, a peaceful silence stretching on.
"Just kiss already!" Shazam exclaimed and was instantly blasted away by a burst of water.
Lowering the trident, the Queen asked "So, what can I assist you with", Ignoring the remark made by Shazam.
"It seems that you already know why we are here" Naruto replied as the queen motioned for the others to sit around the nearby table as he adjusted the device to cover the entire throne room.
"The attack on the vessel" The queen stated as she sat at the head of the table.
"More precisely, the missiles that were stolen" Batman informed.
"I'll have that looked into and have them returned by the end of the day" The Queen replied.
"There seems to be a coup happening in your kingdom" Naruto stated, "4 squadrons of Atlanteans, attacked a submarine without your knowledge, this could have been considered an act of war had we not intervened".
"I would like to issue a formal apology to the surface world" The Queen stated, "Mera can have it arranged".
"That will not be a vice decision right now" Naruto replied, "From what I know of your son, he has been poisoned by your King's ideologies, and won't be satisfied until there is a war between our two worlds, I wouldn't put it past him to do something deceitful to take the throne from you. As it stands, you are on the cusp of a civil war, and exposing yourselves to the outside world at this moment will bring more trouble than it's worth".
The Queen hummed in understanding; Mera did not understand how someone could hold such sway over their Queen's decision but decided not to voice her opinion on the matter.
"Then what do you suggest I do?" The questioned.
"You have another son as well, right?" Naruto inquired, "Groom him to become the King that Atlantis deserves".
Nodding her head, the Queen motioned Mera over, "What of my other son? Have you found Arthur?"
"Yes, my Queen" Mera replied.
"Bring him to me at once, It's time for him to take his rightful place as the King of Atlantis".
"Understood" As Mera reached the doors, a blast reverberated throughout the rooms.
"What's going on?" Flash questioned as stood up from his chair.
"Don't leave the sphere" Naruto ordered as others began to get ready to fight, "We are not well equipped to fight underwater, Green Lantern and Cyborg, go take care of the issue outside" Naruto directed.
GL and Cyborg both nodded as they left to investigate the explosions.
"Shazam, Take Mera with you and go find Arthur, bring him back here safely".
Mera left with Shazam, once she got the Queen's approval.
"Flash, Batman, I'll teleport you back to the JL headquarters, you won't be of much assistance here but you can monitor the situation from there and keep us all looped in" Naruto informed as he threw another teleporter device on the ground.
The two agreed with his statement and teleported over to the headquarters.
"What do we do now?" Wonder Woman asked as she stood beside Superman.
"We protect the Queen" Naruto answered, "I doubt Orm would launch an attack without having the plan to deal with her".
Walking closer to Naruto, the Queen spoke softly "You would make an excellent King".
Superman and Wonder Woman gave them some space seeing as they were discussing something personal.
"I told you before, Our relationship wouldn't have worked out in the end" Naruto replied, "I have…. Secrets. You can call me selfish but It would have been unbearable for me to leave you when the inevitable happens".
"We could have been happy till then" Atlanna replied as she held Naruto's face in her palms, "I was willing to leave everything behind for you".
"And I did not want that for you" Naruto replied as he pushed her hands away from his face, his red eyes showing untold emotions, "In the end, you did find love and happiness with someone else. That's all anyone can ask for".
There was a huge rumble as the doors to the throne room were blasted apart. Superman and Wonder Woman were hit with a blue beam that blasted them through the room and into the ocean.
Four figures dressed in black followed after them.
"What is the meaning of this Orm?" The Queen yelled in rage.
"The Surfacers have launched an attack on us as I had predicted, their ships are destroying Atlantis as we speak. We need to eliminate these outsiders and retaliate with all our wrath!" Orm exclaimed as he showed the queen footage of several submarines attacking Atlantis.
Naruto stepped away as he allowed the mother and son to talk.
"Do you take me for a fool, Orm?" The Queen retorted as she got up from her chair and walked towards Orm, "I know all of this was orchestrated by you to wage a war against the surface dwellers, I have eyes everywhere, Orm, and you will face judgment for this treachery and spilling the blood of your own kin".
"I did this to honor the memory of my dead father!" The prince exclaimed, "Peace with the surface dwellers" he scoffed, "It flies in the face of everything my father ever wanted".
"And so, you decided to betray Atlantis and sound the drums of war solely to honor your father's memory?".
"Don't speak to me of betrayals!" he yelled, "I know that I am not the only one with your royal blood in my veins"
"So, you found out" the Queen simply stated.
"Of your betrayal of my father and an illegitimate heir to the throne, then yes. I did"
"I deny nothing, Orm" The Queen replied, "Once your elder brother, Arthur, takes the throne and bridges the peace between Atlantis and the surface, both worlds will flourish in peace".
"A bastard ruling over Atlantis!" Orm exclaimed, his face inches away from his mother, seething in anger, "Over my dead body!" and stabbed the Queen in the stomach.
"Atlanna!" Naruto yelled in horror.
Naruto had not expected Orm to take such a drastic step and murder his own mother, before he could react to the attack, Orm snatched the trident from the Queen's dying arm and attacked Naruto with a wave of electricity, blasting him toward the corner of the room.
Quickly recovering from the attack, Naruto found that Orm had fled, leaving behind his dying mother and a squadron of men to take care of him.
Dashing toward them, Naruto kicked one in the chest, crashing the Black Manta soldier into others.
Quickly dodging the remaining soldier's attacks, Naruto reached the Queen and teleported out.
Xxx Justice League HQ xxX
Naruto appeared in the center and quickly dashed towards the Med bay, ignoring Batman and Flash's voices.
Quickly hooking Atlanna up to a healing pod, Naruto waited anxiously to let the machine do its thing.
As the seconds passed by and the machines failed to heal the stab wound, Naruto threw the tablet computer he was holding and yelled, "Why the fuck is this not working, it's a simple stab wound!?".
Batman and Flash gave the furious man some space and simply stood near the entrance.
"Naruto…" Atlanna called out as she held her hands toward him.
Quickly grasping the hand, Naruto muttered softly, "I'm here…".
"I am dying.." the Queen stated, before Naruto could retort she continued weakly, "There is nothing you can do to stop this, the dagger which Orm stabbed me with was an ancient Atlantean relic meant to pass on the power of the royal family to the heir, It was used to give the new kings a boost in power for the wars they were involved in at the time, we had stopped this custom centuries ago after peace was established in Atlantis, I don't know how he got his hands on it, But what's done is done, there is nothing you can do to undo it".
"Orm…" Naruto muttered hatefully, "I will kill him for this!".
The queen did not let Naruto leave as she held onto his hand, "It's not his fault, It's I who failed him, I should have been more attentive, more strict to his wrongdoings" Seeing the hateful look still etched on Naruto's face she continued, "This expression doesn't suit you, Do you want this to be my last memory of you?"
Naruto relaxed his face and mustered a small smile on his face.
"Much better" Atlanna muttered and coughed up some blood which Naruto quickly wiped away, She then continued "There is something I always wanted to tell you but you never let me speak it out loud".
"I know" Naruto muttered as he tried to stop the tears and maintain his smile, he knew he would break if he heard those words.
"I love you…" she whispered as she closed her eyes.
"I love you too" Naruto replied quickly but it was too late, her hand dropped from his grasp, lifeless. He didn't know whether she heard him or not and that realization caused his dam of tears to finally break.
Batman and Flash silently left the room to let the man grieve.