Aquaman

Sea Hunt

by Libbylawrence

Stellar Studios was quiet. Many of the members of Los Angeles’ Infinity, Inc. were off on leave or personal matters relating to family ties. One member was alone, however, and he paced their headquarters with a regal but restless air.

Prince Arthur of Atlantis, better known as Aquaman II, had not embraced the surface world with the joyful exuberance of his younger sister Coral. He liked being a hero among other young super heroes; however, this came more from the tradition loving youth’s desire to emulate his father’s early experiences than from any real pleasure he had gained from forming relationships with the other members.

Father spent much of his solitary youth as a maritime champion. He defended those who made their living or sought their pleasures on the oceans and he only mingled with other mystery-men like the Green Arrow and Wonder Woman on rare occasions. Still, when the opportunity to live among those who breathe air and act as one of their proud defenders first arose, how could I decline? David Knight has become a friend to me. I wish he was among us now. His very normalcy bridges my feelings of being different from others and helps me feel that there may yet be place above the waters for the scion of noble Atlantis! he thought.

He brooded a bit. He knew it. His father had been more the brash adventurer than the philosopher, but he too had been one to dwell apart and think deep thoughts when there was time or his mood made such revelry essential.

Arthur was brought out of his reverie by a noise, and as he looked he saw a visitor standing outside the gates. He was an old man with gray hair and a tan. He looked like a sailor. He reminded Arthur of his own father in some vague way. Perhaps, this old man could herald a new adventure?

“He could be nothing more than one who seeks a boon. Well, this Prince feels like granting an audience if nothing more!” he said.

Prince Arthur ushered the old man inside and led him to a chair. “How may I aid you, sir?” he asked.

The man smiled and rubbed a hand across his chin. “You do have the look of your old man! Those ice-blue eyes cut through you like a brisk wind on the high sea! My name is Jason Deaver. I am a retired Harbor Patrol officer, and your father was my friend. I often wondered what became of him after the late 1940′s,” he explained.

Arthur stood tall and proud as he heard how he reminded this man of his regal and heroic father. “If you knew my father when he was younger, I would greatly value your company. Could you share some tales of his youthful adventures? I have never known him as more than father and ruler. His days as a mystery-man are merely known to me through second hand accounts. He has never been one to talk about his past,” said the earnest hero.

Deaver said, “Of course. I will gladly tell you about our times together. I could do so while we travel. That is why I came here. Once word reached the world that an Aquaman was among the heroes of Infinity, Inc., I knew you had to be my friend’s son and the one man who could help me solve a riddle that has plagued me through my retirement.”

Aquaman frowned. “If my sea-born prowess may assist you, then I shall stand ready to lend it in what form it is desired. Where do you wish to go, and what is the nature of your quest?”

Deaver nodded. “Right! Just like the old man! I like that. When I was younger I heard tales of a lost treasure that dated before the rise of Atlantis, or perhaps I should say it predated the sinking of that fabled kingdom.”

Aquaman said, “Atlantis is my home. The many city-states that once were separate realms united around 1950 under the rule of my father. I have never heard of anything that existed below the waves before the cities that comprise my homeland!”

Deaver said, “The treasure was rumored to be from a lost realm called Valusia, and it consists of medicinal herbs that would heal any affliction. I need such cures since I am dying.”

Aquaman said, “I am sorry. Perhaps what conventional medicine can not do, the healing devices of other societies like that of the Amazons could help you. Why quest for what may never have existed?”

Deaver took his arm firmly and said, “Because I believe in the rumors of Valusia. I have a map. Also, I want to live once more before I die. Let me die if I must, but let me do so after I’ve lived again. Let me experience the old thrill of adventure that your father and I shared. Take me in search of this lost realm in the name of your noble father and what he stands for still!”

Aquaman said, “I shall do it. We shall leave at once. Valusia awaits!”

***

Prince Arthur frowned as he gazed down at the weathered map Jason Deaver had shown him as they had boarded the old man’s boat in the Los Angeles marina.

“I believe the writing upon this parchment is a variant of Atlantean scrip. I cannot translate it, but it resonates with me in some manner. The letters and the odd characters on the borders are clearly related to my realm’s ancient tongue,” he said.

Deaver said, “Right! I felt it to be so. I even have more to reveal to you, lad. The symbol in the right corner is not a map maker crest or a mere decoration. It is a star chart of a sort not known to many these days. Your father himself showed me such a map that he found years ago when his own old man had a lab near the sea.”

Aquaman said, “I know so little about my grandparents. My father’s sire was a scientist who created the abilities to live beneath the waves that made my father a hero; however, the same formula never worked for long on any other user. Father also gained many other powers like that of undersea telepathy that could not have come from a potion or process like that his father tried to perfect. My mother says she feels father’s true origin dates back not to his scientist father but to his unknown mother. She left after his birth. She may have been an Atlantean, and thus his true powers came with maturation and not from his father’s lab work. He has refused to ever speak of his mother, and he denies this theory to this day.”

Deaver nodded understandingly. “Fathers and sons. There is a world of matter between the two. Every boy wants his father’s respect yet can only gain it by supplanting him. Your own father grew up without a mother, or so I surmise from what little you’ve said. He had to have a closer tie to his father, since he was all the family he knew. I know when I was with Aquaman he considered himself nothing more than a man given unique powers by a scientist. He claimed no heritage from beneath the waves or out of a fairy story book.”

Aquaman said, “I want father to be proud of me, and he is. Still, he has always been a reticent man. He keeps a part of himself entirely to himself. I’m a bit jealous that he shared so much of his past with you.”

Deaver smiled. “Lad, he was never a man to talk your head off, even then. We risked our lives together a few times, and we grew close. He was a good friend, yet he never opened up much. That’s just the way of the man. His mother’s absence from his life had hurt him and made him wary of getting too close to anyone.” He added, “The star chart he showed me was like this one. It tells me that the site of old Valencia and the herbs that may heal a man of any illness rests near Africa.”

Aquaman said, “Your illness. I’d like to hear more about it if you’d care to talk.”

Deaver shook his head. “It’s nothing rare. Just a slowly decaying disease that rots away at me inside. I’ll spare you the fancy doctor talk. One death is as good as another.”

They remained silent as the boat followed the course dictated by the map. The sea was calm and the weather fair until a fog enveloped the ship without any warning.

Aquaman concentrated and said, “I sense no sea life. Odd that this area would be deserted of any life beneath the waves. That fog was supernatural, too.”

Deaver said, “Aye. The chill that accompanies it is real enough, though!”

A roar pierced the fog as a huge creature surged up from the waters and loomed high above the ship. It was green with scales and two flat serpentine heads snaking from two long necks.

“Suffering Shad! A hydra? I detected no such creature!” cried Arthur.

Deaver gasped. “Like as not, it will detect us for lunch if you don’t do something, lad!”

Aquaman said, “I’ll stop the beast! You have no need to fear!”

He grabbed a fishing spear and hurled it at the creature with perfect accuracy. It struck the creature through the heart and the beast fell crashing back beneath the waves.

Deaver said, “Why through the heart? Why not slice off those heads? Those long necks made a tempting target.”

Arthur said, “A hydra grows more heads when you cut off one head. It has but one heart, so I did what I had to do.” He turned to face Deaver. “I had to kill it. It was going to eat us both. It was mad with some rage. I’d suspect magic drove it so relentlessly. That means we have an enemy out there who wants us dead. I will not be driven away like sea carrion by some skulking knave. Prince Arthur of Atlantis defies you! Hear me, now, the son of Aquaman offers you challenge!” he cried in a stentorian tone.

Deaver stood behind the hero and said, “I think he heard you, son!” He pointed to the breaking fog, which revealed an island with ornate classical styled buildings.

“It looks like ancient Rome itself!” gasped Arthur.

Indeed, the mysterious island contained many buildings with ornate columns like those found in Ancient Rome. Aquaman’s keen eyes detected a few figures crossing the streets on a hill that rose up in front of them. They were the togas and tunics of the Roman Empire era.

Deaver said, “I can’t see how such a place could fit with the herbs I seek or the origin of said herbs in a pre-Atlantean culture! Have we gone back in time?”

Aquaman shook his head. “No. I think not. Rather, I see this lost island as being somehow locked in terms of development in the era of the Caesars!”

Deaver shook his head wearily. “This is the right location. Shall we still venture ashore?”

They moored the boat in a small cove and climbed up the rocky shore to the outskirts of the city where a massive gate loomed above them.

“The Latin inscription reads New Discovery Island. This is very odd!” said Aquaman.

Deaver said, “We are under attack!” He cried out as a group of warriors dressed like Roman legionnaires rushed out to surround them.

Prince Arthur said, “We come in peace, but if it is war you want, then you shall have it!”

He dodged a spear thrust and ripped the weapon out of the hands of the soldier who had threatened him with it. Spinning around, he smashed it across the brow of the soldier and shoved him crashing into his allies. Arthur jumped forward and used his sea-born strength to send the group tumbling across the shore.

Deaver had also approached the dynamic looking woman, who apparently led the troops. She was a tall, attractive blonde with a golden breastplate, armored skirt and sandals. She was getting ready to hurl a net around Arthur’s broad shoulders when Deaver shot her with a small, concealed gun. She fell into his arms and he dragged her down the shore.

“Get back to the boat, laddie!” he yelled to Aquaman.

Arthur punched a soldier in the chin and followed the old man. As they boarded their boat and departed from the shore, Arthur confronted his friend. “Why did you abduct their leader? I was winning the battle. I do like such tactics as you used. That gun was no ordinary weapon. You also seemed to suddenly forget your desire to find the herbs that will heal you,” he said.

Deaver grinned suddenly. “About the herbs, I fear I lied to you. I am not ill, and all I want from this little quest has been achieved. I wanted this girl and you. Of course, I intend to kill you both, but that will happen soon enough now, eh?”

Aquaman moved toward the grinning old man, who seemed entirely different in manner than he had before. No longer was he the paternal old salt. Now he smirked with a cocky bravado that seemed to rid him of the years of age and reveal him as a much more fit and deadly type than he had appeared.

Before Arthur could reach him, a blinding pain surged through his head, and he collapsed on the deck before Deaver.

“My little device here is set to the exact frequency you and your old man use to control the fish. It lets me cripple you before you can touch me!” boasted Deaver.

Aquaman groaned in pain. “Who are you? You are no friend of my father’s!”

Deaver said, “Aye? I am not his friend, but we are old acquaintances. He knew me as Black Jack, the Pirate King. Now he’ll know me as the man who killed his son!”

***

Later, Prince Arthur opened his eyes to find himself bound to a weird wheel. His head ached, and he could sense nothing from the sea life that had to be somewhere around the large cavern in which he was imprisoned. He heard a soft moan from the other side of the wheel, and he noticed the scent of an exotic perfume.

Apparently the woman Black Jack had taken from New Discovery Isle was bound to the other side of the wheel. She was another victim of the villain’s madness. Arthur cursed himself for being taken in by the old rogue. He had been so very eager to connect with his father’s heroic youth that he had allowed the cunning pirate to trick him completely. Jack had made the second Aquaman an unwitting ally in an abduction scheme.

“Can you hear me? I am not your foe. I was tricked by the old man into helping him. I am sorry that I was to blame for your abduction. I shall make amends or die trying!” he said.

The blonde woman said, “Your good intentions mean no more to me than your claim to be a mere dupe. How may I place any trust in your ability to save me when you clearly are a dolt and dullard, if I may believe your claim of innocence?”

Aquaman said, “I am a Prince of the proud realm of Atlantis. My word is ever my bond. I am Arthur, son of he who once was famous as Aquaman!”

She laughed a rather girlish giggle of amusement. “And I am to be comforted by the fact that your father was a capable hero? Many noble parents have oafish offspring. Still, I believe in the value of good breeding. My father is Imperius, ruler of New Discovery Island. I am Imperia. I have heard of your father, and he is rumored to be related to my own father!” she said.

Black Jack entered the cavern. He was still clean-shaven, but he wore a more colorful costume that was based on the clothing worn by pirates of the past.

“Aye! It matters little to me who you two are except for the fact that your fathers each thwarted me years ago. I never forget a slight or fail to avenge m’self on a foe. My employer wants you two to die for her own reasons, and Black Jack, the Pirate King is all too happy to oblige!” he laughed.

Aquaman struggled with his bonds but he could not break them. He said, “My father never spoke of you. I had heard of you only from the accounts of others. I know he beat you countless times. I shall carry on the tradition with pleasure. I do not like being used!”

Black Jack said, “Nay? You’ll forget the pain when my mistress slays you both.”

He gestured to a woman who approached them from the shadows. She was tall, striking, and Aquaman felt a bit of a chill when she drew closer. She seemed oddly familiar to him. He had never met her. Her ornate green and gold gown, piercing eyes, and flowing blonde hair made her unforgettable. Yet he felt some type of connection to her.

She smiled and laughed as she placed one hand against his cheek. “You feel as though we have met? Is that not the sensation you are experiencing? I am Alanna. Some have called me the Sea Witch. You may call me kinswoman, since I gave birth to your father. He and I met but once, and he fought my efforts to use his life’s blood to restore the ancient race called the Nyal-Amen. He was a bit upset when he learned that I only used his father in order to create a hybrid of surface dweller and Atlanteans to use as a sacrifice in the ritual dark lore claims will usher in the dominion of the Nyal-Amen! They were banished from this dimension long ago, but I serve them, and it was such loyalty to them that led to my banishment from my home and the loss of my royal title,” she said.

Arthur gasped in shock. He could not believe what the woman said, and yet he felt she spoke the truth. Her Atlantean ancestry would have explained his father’s powers far more convincingly than any scientific process created by his human father.

Arthur said, “I am my father’s son. Thus I have naught but contempt for you. I will not be the means by which you free your unholy masters. I defy you, and I shall triumph thusly!”

He snapped the bonds, which held him and freed the woman called Imperia as well. As she fell to freedom on the far side of the ceremonial wheel, Arthur grabbed it and hurled it at the Sea Witch! She fell beneath the heavy wheel and screamed in pain. The very magicks that had bound Arthur to the talisman also wounded her.

She said, “You defy me? How pretty a notion! I have waited in torment at the hands of my displeased masters since your father fought my efforts. I waited until he had produced heirs whose blood could serve as well. Though your own blood lacks the mix of surface and water dweller stock in the proportion his own did, I had planned to double the potency by using my other heiress Imperia to add to the ceremony. Her father was my child as well.”

Imperia tossed back her blonde hair and drew a sword. “You are not my grandmother. I also will fight your foul magic!” she cried.

She charged Alanna as the Sea Witch fought her way free of the wheel. She danced aside as Black Jack raised his weapon again. She spun around and kicked the gun out of his grip before bringing the flat of the blade down on his skull. “You shall not touch me again, you villainous cur!” she said proudly.

Aquaman grabbed Alanna even as a black energy began to crackle around her. “I broke free of the wheel’s magic. I can stop this mad spell as well!” he said.

Alanna cursed as he resisted her spells. She smiled bitterly at the irony. Her own blood apparently gave her heir some resistance to magic. “Arthur! Do you not see that your only reason for existence was to bring forth my masters? That was why I seduced your grandfather. Why fight destiny?” she said.

Arthur groaned as the black fire burned at his skin. He was in pain, but pain was something he could stand. He was a hero and the son of the legendary Aquaman! He twisted away and shoved Alanna across the cavern.

She landed hard but jumped up and said, “Perhaps I should count you a loss. Your pretty sibling should suffice!”

“No! This ends now! I will bring you to justice at last! You won’t hurt Coral!” vowed Aquaman as he rushed forward with Imperia close behind him.

Before they could reach the Sea Witch, the cavern crumbled around them as a weird craft like a distorted submarine smashed through the cavern. A red ray beam burst from the hull and brought the roof down around them.

Aquaman grabbed Imperia, who struggled in his arms. “Unhand me! I am not some decorative plaything to be rescued by you!” she shouted.

He swam to freedom at top speed. He ignored her shouts as they vanished beneath the waves. She breathes underwater too. I guess she really is Alanna’s grandchild! he mused. They came out near the sub, and he saw Black Jack’s battered body being hauled inside by a dark haired woman in leather.

“You Atlanteans and your mad schemes. This time you almost killed my father. I won’t forget that. He swore to kill your family, and I vow to carry on his work!” she shouted.

The Pirate King choked and fought for air. He finally smiled his old grin and said, “Aye! My Black Jacqueline shall make her old man proud and kill you and your sister one day!” He disappeared in the craft as his daughter piloted it away.

Aquaman turned to Imperia. “The cave buried Alanna inside. I fear she may be dead.”

Imperia smiled. “If the body is not found, then her magic saved her. We may hear from her again.”

Aquaman shook his head. “I hope so. I would like to force her to reveal the truth about my father’s origin. Is she truly his mother?”

Imperia said, “She claimed to me my own father’s mother as well. We are related distantly. Perhaps I could forgive your earlier foolishness. Shall we get acquainted on the trip back to New Discover Island?”

Arthur smiled at the blonde. “Imperia, I should like some good to come from this day. I should like that very much.”