In the Golden Light - A Justice League AU

Chapter 25 - A New Plot

! Before You Read Act 3 !


 {Act 3 has been branded with a content warning for containing the following topics: depression (moments of emptiness and hopelessness), alcohol abuse, verbal abuse, physical abuse, manipulation, gore, death and trauma. Please protect yourself first if these topics will upset you/cause a trigger.}

 {This particular chapter deals with: Manipulation}



Months later. . .

"Oddeth! Oddeth!"

From the palace, a young tan furred female Atlantean ran all the way to the domain of an aged yet strong dark tan furred Atlantean, with fur beginning to gray around his muzzle. There were other Atlanteans gathered, playing cards or chatting to one another. They were all members of this Atlantean, for he had formed a secret task force as a way to monitor suspicious activities and troubles possibly brewing that would be future threats to the Royal Family. There had been a few new strings of suspicions lately that more reconnaissance work had to be done. They all noticed and shouted their greetings to her.

"Hey, welcome back Rita!"

"Rita's back!? Oh thank Atlantis!"

The elder Atlantean turned to his friend, who was panting wildly, and raised a paw. 

"Easy, Rita, breath," he said calmly. "Catch your breath first before telling me what you have to report."

"Ok. Ok." Though ragged and heavy, the Atlantean--Rita--soon began to steady her breathing, closing her eyes and focusing on slowing it down. Once calmer, she opened her eyes again and began to speak. "News from Starshern."

"Oh great, here we go with her."

"Tell me about it."

Oddeth blinked. "What about her this time?"

Rita spread out her paw toes. "She's planning soon to attack the palace! Along with others she has managed to convince and manipulate! She was hosting yet another secret meeting after her shift that I was able to sneak into--"

"Did she or anyone else suspect you?" Oddeth asked, his eyes widening. 

Rita shook her head, saying, "No no! I hid away in the back of the crowd, crouched. She was mentioning how the King was weak for letting his daughter court a surface dweller and now soon to bear his children. She was super angry at how Atlantis was slowly weakening from the inside, soon to be taken advantage of by the surface world. 'I will not bow to those brats when they grow up and take the throne,' quote Starshern. 'My friends, this corrupt reign of impurity and chaos has gone on long enough! From the days of sorcerer Kings to weak and bendable, they've controlled our ancestors for hundreds of years! It is time to rise and give the people their voices back! Take down the monarchy! Down with the Royal Family!' I stuck around a bit more but it was more nonsense so I left."

Oddeth turned his head away from Rita, blocking out what the others from the task force were muttering about. He was processing everything his friend was telling him. How did this cycle come back to haunt him? King Ultramine was a fair and just King, caught up in his own paranoia and in the shadows of his Father, King Varevuk. He knew that Ultrmaine had a fair Queen to ration his actions, and he listened. The two of them were doing all they could to ensure the prosperity of Atlantis. He shook his head.

It was all beginning to sound just like the rise of Lord Orm many years ago...

"It is most troubling," Oddeth said with a sigh. "We must relay this message to the Justice League at once. Atlantis could very well be plunged into a civil war within the next tick of the clock." He met Rita's eyes once more. "Did you manage to catch the time Starshern and her little rebellion is to stage the coup?"

"No, I'm sorry, Sir," she answered, bowing her head. "She said she'd discuss more of the attack at a later date. Which will be in two days, so I will be 'attending' that one."

"No worries. I'll be sure to send all this information. Thank you, Rita. Be sure to prepare yourself for the next meeting; try to get all details that will be most important for us to save the Royal Family."

Rita saluted. "Yes, Oddeth! I'll be sure!"

"If you'll excuse me, I have to be somewhere for a little bit." As Oddeth walked out, he stopped and placed a paw on her shoulder. "By Aquaman, Rita, do not get caught during these hard times; I know I always remind you guys constantly of that, but trust me: Starshern is not an Atlantean to be trifled with. I had to learn who she really was way before you joined..."

"I understand, Sir."

Oddeth furrowed his brows. "Maybe I should send someone to join you for the next meeting--"

Rita shook her head. "No, Sir. I don't want to drag another innocent life to their untimely death in this time. I already sworn my oath to defend the Royal Family until my dying breath. I'll be okay, I promise."

Oddeth sucked in his breath at her words, prepared to retort back, but he nodded sadly. "Get some rest; you're definitely going to need it."