Chapter 5
"How's the interrogation going?" Supergirl asked Superman as she and Batman arrived in the observation room at Argus HQ, where they watched Martian Manhunter attempting to perform psychic probing into the General's mind.
"Slow. These Atlanteans were clearly trained to resist psychic probes." Superman said as Superdog came walking up to his mistress, giving her a begging look that she clearly recognized as his begging look, since he was hungry.
"Don't worry boy, I came prepared." Supergirl said as she pulled out a bowl of his dog food and placed it in a corner so he could eat.
"So he's the only one you brought food for?" Green Arrow asked.
"Relax, we brought food for you guys too." Batman said as he pulled out bags of Big Belly Burger.
"Can't be superheroes on an empty stomach." Supergirl said.
"True. Especially since I need to keep my calories up to match my speed." Flash said and Kara smiled at him.
"You did good for your first real battle, since from what I can tell from your brief activities in Central City so far, you haven't encountered an enemy like this before." Kara said.
"Yeah, well, I always knew that I'd have to get my hands dirty eventually. Might as well start now, though I didn't do much fighting." Barry said as Kara put her hand on his shoulder.
"You'll get your chance. But this wasn't the time for it. Besides, you still played an important part in the battle. Just like you will in all the future ones, since we have no way of knowing how long this will last, but hopefully once J'onn breaks this guy, we can get closer to it." Kara said.
"You really think he'll get through?" Barry asked.
"Yeah, I do." Kara said, right as Krypto began growling.
"What's going on?" Oliver asked.
"I think that we have company." Batman said as they all turned to see a young man walk in.
"Who are you and how did you get in here?" Supergirl asked as Green Lantern raised her ring and Green Arrow notched an arrow in his bow.
"I come in peace. My name is Kaldur'ahm and I am from Atlantis." Kaldur said.
"Yeah, those two statements contradict each other." Green Arrow said, only for Supergirl to hold her hand up to hold.
"You could've attacked us when we weren't looking, but instead, you let my dog smell you coming so that he'd alert us. And your heart is beating steadily enough to show that you're telling the truth." Supergirl said and Superman nodded in confirmation.
"Maybe we should have our Martian lie detector confirm that?" Green Lantern said.
"I already have." Martian Manhunter said as he joined them.
"Already?" Wonder Woman asked.
"That other general had his walls up high and breaking them down without breaking his mind, but this one, his mind was wide open. He's telling the truth." Martian Manhunter said.
"Still, we'll remain skeptical. Talk before we change our minds." Supergirl said.
"There are those in Atlantis who disagree with King Orm's decision to wage war against the surface. He is a tyrant who only cares about one thing, conquest and he doesn't care how many lives he takes in the process." Kaldur said.
"That tracks. Especially since in history there's always been proof of rebels rising up." Batman said and Supergirl nodded in agreement.
"So there is a resistance in Atlantis?" Supergirl asked.
"A small one that's little more than a pointless protest considering that Orm rules through fear and too many Atlanteans are scared of him. Only a few like myself have the courage to go against him." Kaldur said.
"Who's in charge?" Superman asked.
"That's the irony of it. Orm is opposed by the woman he's betrothed too. Princess Mera of the Kingdom Xebel. She's not exactly thrilled about the fact that her father King Nereus promised her to Orm, since she detests him." Kaldur said.
"So it's an arranged marriage, I can't believe those still exist, considering they're archaic." Supergirl said.
"Yes, she is not happy and she does not support Orm's rule or his decision to attack the surface. Fortunately, she knows of a way to end the war before it gets too bad." Kaldur said.
"How?" Wonder Woman asked.
"By helping the true king of Atlantis take his throne." Kaldur said.
"What?" Superman asked.
"Orm is royalty through the bloodline of his mother, Queen Atlanna, who is a descendant of the first king of Atlantis, King Atlan, but while he is the only child of Queen Atlanna and his father King Orvax, he is not the first born son of Queen Atlanna." Kaldur said.
"Atlanna had a son out of wedlock." Batman surmised.
"Yes. Before she was betrothed to Orvax, Atlanna met and fell in love with a surface dweller. She was very open minded and I think that she'd hoped to unite our worlds as one. And it was through her love for that man that she gave birth to her firstborn son and the only hope for peace between the land and the sea." Kaldur said.
"The true king of Atlantis. Orm's claim to the throne is weak, since he's the younger brother." Wonder Woman said.
"Exactly. The only reason Orm is king is because his brother doesn't even know the truth about his heritage. And Atlanna kept the circle of trust of people who know about her older son a secret." Kaldur said.
"Makes sense. Who is this guy? What's his name?" Flash asked.
"His name is Arthur Curry. And he is the only one who can end this war before it destroys both of our worlds. And I know where to find him. But we have to hurry, since there's even a chance that Orm knows about his brother." Kaldur said.
"He'll seek to kill Arthur before Arthur can oppose him." Batman said.
"Yes, but even if we convince Arthur to help, that is only the beginning of this journey, since Atlantis will not support him just because he is Atlanna's son. He's also from the surface, which means he'll need to prove his worth as king, but I know a way to do that. I'll explain after we've convinced him to help." Kaldur said.
"Then where are we going?" Superman asked.
"A town called Amnesty Bay." Kaldur said.
"Then let's get going." Supergirl said as they switched into League mode.
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