The Tides of Change --- Justice League: The Throne of Atlantis

Chapter One

I was lying on a coral reef somewhere out in the ocean, staring up at the schools of fish, and the large expanse of blue above them. I think I was somewhere near the Mariana Trench.

I was only out here in the first place because I just needed some space. Peace and quiet just for a little while. Somewhere to calm my whirlpool of thoughts into something more manageable. I frequented this spot as often as I could, coming here when I was overwhelmed, or to just enjoy the view.

Mother knew I was out, I always made sure to tell her before I left so that she didn't worry. Although she always sends my two personal guards with me as a precaution. I usually end up ditching them at some point anyway. I was too fast.  They would usually spend the entire time looking for me.

Throughout thousands of years, the members of the Atlantean royal bloodline have been granted certain abilities or gifts. Each one, unique in its own right. Some of them are more subtle, like my mother's ability to debate and understand anyone's side of things. Or like Orm's "leadership" as our father always said. I disagreed and always thought that his gift was his ambition.

My gift, on the other hand, was a bit more...noticeable than theirs.  I had unnaturally quick reflexes and could swim incredibly fast. No one has been able to beat me yet.

It comes in handy when making fun of Orm. Although, I haven't been able to do that lately without him snapping at me. I mean, he usually snaps at me, but not like this.

Orm had always been a bit standoffish, but ever since our father passed he's been getting even more so. All he ever spoke about anymore was going to war with the surface world to get revenge. He constantly tried to fight for his case, explaining that war was the only way to keep our people safe, but I didn't believe that.

No matter how many times he tried to make me see his side of things I always denied it. I understood where he was coming from, but I didn't agree with the direction he wanted to take. I knew that there had to be another way other than war.

Our mother was aware of Orm's intentions and each time she would refuse his request.  But that only made him more determined. Honestly, Orm was starting to scare me with how he talks nowadays.

I believed that part of the problem was his "friend", Black Manta. The way he acted around Orm unsettled me, encouraging his thirst for war, basically manipulating him. There were times when Black Manta wouldn't be seen for days, sometimes even weeks. Also, he's never taken off the weird helmet of his.  I don't ever remember seeing his face once.  I tried asking Orm about all of it once, but he just brushed me off like an irritating minnow saying that it was none of my business.

My blonde hair waved in the gentle current, and I smiled as some fish who were braver than others came closer to inspect me. I sighed deeply, a content smile on my face.

Sadly my short rest didn't last for long. All of the fish who had been happily swimming around me suddenly scattered, hiding among the coral.

Humming in confusion, I sat up and glanced around. In the near distance, I saw two shapes approaching.

Thinking it was my personal guard I smirked and slipped down, hiding myself in the coral. When they came close enough I'd swim out and scare them from behind.

But something wasn't right. As they came closer, I saw that there was also a third shape with them. Weird. But now I could also tell that all three were in full armor.

Heix and Rei never wore full armor. And that specific type was soldier's armor. They also both have too much pride to ask for help.

I decided to stay hidden, pressing myself up against the coral. The three soldiers who were definitely not my guard swam past my hiding place and thankfully didn't see me.