#15: War Games Part 3

[Drake]

#15: War Games Part 3
“The Storm Rages"
By Drake

Orm erratically tapped his throne as he sat, head rested against his fist, an expression of pure discontent and anxiety forming on his face. Orm’s expression darkened further as the throne room doors burst open and Atlanna, his mother, floated in.

<What in Poseidon’s name are you doing?> Atlanna cried out, swimming forward.

<Mother…>

<I heard the news! You are sending our most dangerous prisoner after your own brother! Have you considered that maybe…>

<THAT FILTH IS NOT MY BROTHER!> Orm roared, standing up from his throne, <Arthur is a traitor. He does not even deserve to call himself an Atlantean.>

<Arthur is Atlantean and he is your brother,> Atlanna argued, <And you would do well to remember that. You simply assume because he has disappeared that he went to the surface…and why should that make him a traitor anyway??>

<Because I decreed it be so,> Orm pointed out, <Arthur has gone to the surface, and he has disobeyed me for the last time.>

<Orm!> Atlanna begged.

<Enough!> Orm shouted, <Leave my sight! I have more important things to attend to…> Orm finished, noticing a new arrival, an aquaman dressed in purple robes.

Atlanna threw her arms into the air emphatically as she floated out of the throne room, leaving the kind of Atlantis alone with his visitor.

<Shira’pon, do you have the prisoner?> Orm got right to the point. The mage on the other hand…

<Your highness, is it truly appropriate to bring Black Manta into this…?> the nasally psychic voice echoed into Orm’s mind.

<You challenge your king?> Orm growled.

<Of course not!> Shira interjected, <I simply spoke my mind…I am afraid for you, my lord.>

<Afraid? Afraid??> Orm stood from his throne, <I am the king of Atlantis! No simple surface dweller assassin can endanger me! Now, bring in the prisoner and leave my sight before I decide to test our ‘danger’ on you!>

The Atlantean mage gulped and swam out of the room. Soon, two guards opened the door and led in a black man surrounded in a faintly glowing bubble. The man sneered as he met Orm’s gaze, a thirst for blood apparent in his eyes.

<Black Manta,> Orm addressed the prisoner in rags, <I have a use for you.>

<After years of imprisonment, after the murder of my family, why on Earth would I help you??> Manta projected as a small metal chip on the side of his bald head glowed crimson. Black Manta had created the chip years ago, allowing himself to communicate with the Atlanteans.

<Because I present to you the promise of freedom and revenge,> Orm explained, <I have someone I need you to kill.>

<Simple Atlantean scum isn’t enough of a target for me to kill for you,> Manta interjected.

<While he is both simple and scum, my target is not of the supreme race of Atlantis,> Orm projected, <But he is my half brother.>

Manta’s expression perked up, <Half brother? Sounds Atlantean to me. What is he—half human?>

Orm looked away, <I…do not know what he is, but know this, he should not be trifled with.>

<I haven’t even accepted the job yet,> Manta interrupted, <You mentioned my freedom…?>

Orm nodded, <Yes. I would cast one last spell on you, sending you to the surface. Once there, your armor would appear before you and your protection spell would disappear.> Orm motioned to the bubble around the prisoner.

<How can I know you won’t use your magic to kill me as soon as I complete the mission?> Manta asked.


<You couldn’t, but is the potential of your freedom and the ability to continue your mission worth the risk?> Orm admitted, <I believe it is.>

Manta didn’t hesitate to react, <Fine. I’m in. What’s the target’s name?>

<Arthur Curry,> Orm began, <And as I said, do not underestimate him. He is stronger and faster than any Atlantean I know, and he has abilities no other Atlantean has ever shown.>

<Since when has a freak stopped me before?> Manta retorted, <Just make sure my swords are sharpened so I can make it quick.>

<It will be done,> Orm agreed, and then began mentally chanting in merman, <Algor mera dios, algor mera dios, algor mera…>

Black Manta began to float away, the glow in his bubble brightening, <Just remember, Orm, when all is said and done, I’m coming after you. I will kill your family and destroy your legacy, and when your kingdom is broken, when you kneel before me begging for mercy, a broken, weak man, I will end your worthless life.>

The psychic chanting stopped. Orm looked up and Black Manta rocketed off.

<I count on it.>

Arthur burst out of the ocean, rain disappearing as it touched his wet skin. The half-aquaman collapsed onto the muddy sand of Metropolis’ docks. It had taken hours, but Arthur had found the surface, and then his final destination: Metropolis.

No one else was on the beach. A torrential storm was raging all around. Arthur had missed a lot in his week or so of absence. It was hurricane season.

The young prince took a deep breath, the first he’d had in ages, and forced himself to leap away. Jump, jump, jump. Ignoring the odd looks, terrified bystanders, and indescribable pain, Arthur leaped all the way to Metropolis University, or more specifically the Hightower Dorm. Once there he pushed his way up to room 16C. He knocked. The door opened.

“Just gimme a sec…I—oh my God!” Jenna DeMarco gasped as she came eye to eye with Arthur.

“Surprise,” Arthur muttered half heartedly with a weak smile before falling to the ground.

Slowly, reluctantly, Arthur opened up his eyes. The light took a second to get used to, but before long Arthur was looking into Jenna’s gorgeous hazel eyes. He smiled. Jenna returned the smile with a concerned look.

“Arthur?” Jenna whispered.

“It’s me, alive and well,” Arthur tried to sit up, but recoiled back down when the pain hit, “Well, maybe not so well.” Arthur’s muscles spasmed as Jenna looked him over. Swimming for hundreds of miles can take a lot out of a guy.

“What happened? Where were you?” Jenna wondered, scanning over Arthur before landing finally on his face. “And why couldn’t you shave?”

Arthur tried not to laugh, but he couldn’t help himself. It hurt, but Arthur laughed, and soon Jenna joined in.

Finally settling down, Arthur spoke up, “It’s all a long story, but first, the important thing: can I pull off a beard?”

Jenna laughed again, “No. Not at all. Totally isn’t you!” And then Jenna did something a little unexpected. She leaned down and kissed Arthur. The young man returned the kiss in kind.

The two separated after a few seconds. Arthur grinned, “I’ve missed you.”

“I missed you too,” Jenna returned the smile, “I just wish I could’ve…”

As quickly as it had come, Arthur’s smile disappeared, turning upside down into a frown, “Jenna, I was in Atlantis.”

“What?” Jenna exclaimed.

Arthur met Jenna’s gaze full force, a newfound intensity in his eyes, “I’m not lying. Atlantis is real. I’m its prince.”

“Oh my God…” Jenna whispered, “It’s like all my childhood dreams come true.”

“No,” Arthur shook his head, “No, it’s much worse. My brother, the king, wants me dead. I think I’m a wanted man. I…I think my dad’s in danger too.”

“Your dad…”

“I have to go…” Arthur explained, tears slowly forming in his eyes, “I just came to say bye.”

Jenna frowned and shook her head, “God, you are so stupid sometimes, Arthur. You really think I’m going to let you go alone? Arthur, I love you! There’s no way I’m ever going to let you disappear on me again!”

Arthur forced himself up and off of Jenna’s lap, “I can’t let you come with me. It’ll be dangerous.”

“Babe, I just let you go off and fight a crazy psychic guy, super powered twins and teen terrorists without me. I’ve never stood by you before, but now, after losing you once, I realize I can’t let you go ever again. I’m going with you,” Jenna argued, crossing her arms, “And that’s final.”

Arthur couldn’t help but smile, <God, I love you.>

<I love you too, Arthur.>

The two shared a brief psychic moment together before Arthur pulled away and began, “First, we need a car.”

“I don’t know how we can get one. The rental places have to be closed. The storm’s awful out there,” Jenna said.

“Luckily for us, we don’t need to rent a car,” Arthur grinned mischievously, “I’ve learned a few things from Brian.”

A bright red, racing striped Lamborghini raced down the highway along what would normally be a beautiful view of the Metropolis shoreline, but the view was obscured by a torrential rainstorm. Hurricane Robert was doing its worst.

“Brian taught you to steal a car?” Jenna said incredulously for the umpteenth time.

“Borrow. I’m going to return it,” Arthur used his acute vision to safely speed down the highway, “And yes, we…got into trouble sometimes.”

“I guess I am into bad boys after all,” Jenna teased.

“Only the baddest,” Arthur projected an image of himself winking at Jenna, causing his girlfriend to laugh.

“You know you should really—“

Jenna was silenced as Arthur swerved to the side, nearly flipping the car over.

“SHIT!”

“Arthur, what the hell was…?” Jenna quieted herself after seeing the reason Arthur had swerved. Three distinct figures stood in the rain. Two were men; one was a woman. The first man was huge, a beast of a human being…or as Jenna soon realized, an Atlantean. The second Atlantean was short and thin, and wore a brightly colored robe. The last woman was fit and athletic-looking, wearing a tight red and black outfit with two swords strapped to her thighs.

<Arthur Curry, exit the car…immediately!> the woman’s psychic voice echoed in Arthur’s head.

Arthur turned to Jenna, his expression grim, “Stay in the car.”

“Arthur…”

<Just trust me!> Arthur stepped out of the Lamborghini and towards the trio. <How the hell did you find me?>

<Tracking magic,> The robed man projected, <Your magical signature is…remarkably high.>

<Magic. Right,> Arthur thought to himself, getting into a fighting stance.

<I take it you’re here to kill me?> Arthur asked.

<Of course,> the woman replied.

<Very well.>

Arthur charged, fighting against all the pain and aching in his body. The brute and women ran at him, each drawing blades from their sides. The mage’s irises faded to black as the sky began to darken further. Thunder roared.

The woman swung her first blade at Arthur. The young prince ducked under the blow and punched the aquawoman into the side of the mountain road. The brute brought his huge sword down, but the Arthur rolled out of the way and kicked the beast of man’s feet out from under him. Before Arthur could do anything else, he was struck away by lightning.

“AAGH!” Arthur rolled nearly over the edge of the cliff. The aquawoman jumped atop him and held her sword at his throat.

<Time to die, prince…>

“Get away from my boyfriend, you bitch!”

The assassin looked up, only to meet pepper spray in return. She recoiled away. Arthur kicked her off of him and a dozen or so yards away.

“Thanks, babe,” Arthur smiled at Jenna, “But you really need to get away now.”

Jenna nodded as the brute and mage began to approach Arthur. The prince turned to the other Atlanteans.

<Last chance, back down now,> Arthur demanded.

<Never.>

The brute charged. Arthur mirrored the giant aquaman. They grappled in the middle of the road, but Arthur soon found himself thrown away—and into a van!

The vehicle tipped over onto its side as the driver and co-pilot cried out from inside. Arthur barely glimpsed something on the side of the van before being thrown off of it and into the sea. Channel 52 News. They were storm chasers.

<Aah!> Arthur psychically roared as he crashed into the ocean. He expected pain, but despite the force he was thrown at, Arthur actually felt…relieved. Calm. Stronger. He rocketed out of the sea and tackled the brute.

<You’re finished!> Arthur pummeled the man, but was knocked off by yet another blast of lightning. He crashed back into the van, ripping a hole in the side.

<You slug…> the brute growled. Arthur stood up as the van’s occupants tried to sneak away, the cameraman filming the entire time.

<Watch it. You’re after me, not these…surface dwellers,> Arthur warned.

<You care for them?> The brute wondered, before grinning wickedly.

<Don’t…> But it was too late. The brute had reached for the cameraman and grabbed him.

“Johnny!” the reporter cried.

<STOP!> Arthur punched the brute away, knocking the cameraman out of his hands. The young prince caught the man and set him gently on the ground.

“You okay?” Arthur asked.

The cameraman nodded, “Thanks to you…”

“Who are you?” The reporter ran up to Arthur, eyes gleeful with the thoughts of a story like this.

“Who am I?” Arthur wasn’t sure how to answer, so he just said what came to mind…

“Me? I’m…Aquaman.”

Thunder rocked the earth as Arthur was blasted away.

“You still rolling, Johnny?” the reporter asked.

“’Course,” Johnny replied.

“This is the story of the month!”

Arthur spent no time on the mage. One solid punch and he was out. The brute didn’t reappear. This was it. Arthur had won.

Jenna stood alone, hiding behind the Lamborghini. She stood up and away from the car.

<Arthur, how are we…?>

Arthur reached out his hand to Jenna, <Just hold on tight, okay?>

Jenna nodded and took Arthur’s hand. He embraced her and whispered, “Hold your breath.”

“What?”

FWOOSH!

They were off, as Arthur rocketed into the sea, soaring through the waves faster than the eye could see. Those Atlanteans were just the beginning. The question now was what waited for him in Amnesty Bay? Arthur had to find out. He had to protect is father and Jenna, no matter the cost.