In the Golden Light - A Justice League AU

Chapter 29 - The Coup, Part 1

! 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: Gore, Fear}

Lazuli stirred in her sleep, only awoken by the feel of her unborn children moving about. They didn't kick or anything; they just stirred. Tiny forming bodies stretching and testing their limbs. They had pressed their tiny paws against her. She curled up and whisked her tail over her belly, smiling. Her mind drifted to Goldwath, wondering how he was doing.

Ultramine had gone lenient with her visiting the surface world every now and then to visit Goldwath. The last time they met, he had told of his time back with the League. When he had first returned back to them, he was welcomed with open arms, and it made him feel like he was home. Ever since then, he was back to doing regular League business, dealing with threats and especially dealing with Dazzling Hawk and the Zealot Rebels. He was afraid; he suspected they were plotting something big, something that would shake the League to their core. He did not feel ready. But he admitted that he still heavily missed her, a lot. He missed having her by his side, to which Lazuli also agreed. She also missed having him by her side. She missed his embrace, the protection of being under his wing. Everything. 

She sighed. Someday soon, we'll finally be a family together. Soon.

She suddenly found herself catching a commotion going on outside. 

Angling her ears, she decided to get up and see what the ruckus was about. As soon as she left her room, she had to press her ears to her skull; the shouts were deafening, the sounds of howls and growls of pain and snapping teeth heightened. She felt a painful pang in her stomach. What in Aquaman's name is going on?! she thought in a panic. She turned her head to where the source of the shouting was coming from: in the direction of the throne room.

Walking ever so slowly, she found herself freezing up as she got closer when someone was thrown right at her. She ducked in time, hearing the Atlantean grunt in pain. She turned back to them to help, realizing it was Zamu. He was covered in multiple wounds, slight to moderate bleeding, but he held strong as he rolled to his stomach, groaning. "Zamu?" she questioned as she helped him up. The guard coughed, breathing wheezed and heavy. She nosed his shoulder. "Are you okay? What's going on!?"

"Your Highness!" Zamu gasped once he gained his breath. He jerked his head to her, eyes wide. "It's not safe for you to be out right now! Get out of here! Quickly, before they find you!"

Lazuli tipped her head, confused. "Who, Zamu?"

He grasped her paw. "Go! Run! Save yourself and your children! I will try to save your parents but you are top priority right now." 

"WHAT'S GOING--"

Zamu nudged her away and ran back, to which she followed.

That's when Lazuli saw it.

The throne room was a bloodbath.

Atlanteans were jumping the guards and her parents, some she managed to pick out to be guards of the King themselves. What she thought were loyal guards were now nothing more than reduced traitors, swarming the King and Queen with their teeth and claws. She hid by the throne, peeking out at the carnage.

Amongst the messy crowd, one individual stood out to her. One she had a run in with Goldwath, one she knew growing up as the Atlantean who once threatened Atlantis by kidnapping the King and Queen before her father and mother, her grandfather King Varevuk and grandmother Queen Orro, many years ago.

Suizul.

Lazuli's heartbeat quickened, trembling. Was this what Goldwath meant by his suspicions the Rebels were plotting something? It had to be; Suizul is a Rebel member as she learned. She crouched into obscurity, eyes darting at her paws. She had to tell Goldwath about this. Tell the Justice League! She looked back. Get out of here, gotta get out of here! She tried to run like Zamu had instructed her to do, but not only was she worn down by her children, she also felt her leg getting caught in someone's jaws. Looking back, she saw it was one of her father's guards, who had caught sight of her and broke away from the crowd to chase after her. Their eyes blazed in passion as they dragged her.

Immediate panic seared through her body as she thought about her children. No no no! She can't fight in this condition! But how could she get away? She struggled as the Atlantean dragged her out into the open, exposing her presence in front of the traitors. She kicked once, failed, and kicked again. She felt herself squaring the guard's chest. When they had jerked back with a grunt, letting go of the princess, she turned around and raked her claws across their face, digging beneath fur to reach the flesh. Never in her whole life did she attack her fellow Atlanteans. She would mostly have play fights with Zako and Oraca, but they made sure not to harm one another. 

The guard, though fazed by her attack, retaliated by rearing up and striking her down on her back. Lazuli gasped at the pain. She fought back against her aggressor and dodged their snapping jaws. She tried her best not to flinch, but the sound of potential death snapping at her face scared her internally. She lashed out again at them, and the two of them stood front to front, panting heavily. She was awaiting for another retaliation when suddenly, the former guard paused, widening their eyes and turning tail. Lazuli jerked her head up with a small smirk.

Serves them right for attacking the heir of Atlantis--

A stab jolted her out of her thoughts, making her howl. A familiar voice followed that only meant betrayal. 

"Heyyyyy, Lazuli, old friend~! Been a while~"

The princess turned around, her eyes wide.

Oraca!?

{To be continued. . .}