The comeback kid
We were mucking around on public transport, as we do, when we caught the eye of an elderly couple sitting nearby. They smiled fondly at our antics so I gestured to LJ and said: "You'll have to excuse my daughter. This is what happens when you buy a monkey, shave it, amputate its tail, teach it how to talk and convince it that it's human. They get all entitled and stuff."
LJ didn't miss a beat. "You'll have to excuse my Daddy," she told the couple. "I won him in a raffle - he was last prize."
Be it comebacks or be it stories, LJ's creativity and wit continues to impress. She's started playing by herself, as well - My Little Pony games, usually before I wake up in the morning. LJ says they're going well but she's not 100 per cent happy with them. "I think I need an adult there to help shape my ideas into something really cool," she opined. And while I appreciate the compliment, let's face it: her epic personal canon proves she has no real need of me at all. Her latest crossover classic leaves no doubt of that.
----------
They met high atop the mountain range - far from prying eyes and unwanted ears. Such paranoia was unusual for Dr Strange; then again, the situation in which he’d found himself was far from normal. And so the Sorcerer Supreme had turned to the god of thunder, Thor, and the king of Atlantis, Aquaman, for assistance.
“ Recent events are of grave concern,” Dr Strange began, “though such will not be evident to our more technology-minded allies. Like myself, the two of you have connections to older and more mystical worlds and so I believe we should confront this crisis together. Hopefully, we alone will prove its equal without panicking our friends or alerting our opponents.”
“Of course we will,” Thor said confidently. “Asgard is the mightiest of all magical realms and, with its power on your side, this evil shall quickly be vanquished!”
“The thunder god speaks true,” Aquaman smirked, “though with but a hint of exaggeration. Fair Atlantis is the universe’s true capital city of magic and, with its king and his army in your employ, all foes shall be felled!”
Thor scowled. “Asgard.”
“Atlantis,” Aquaman sneered.
“Asgard!” Thor roared, raising his enchanted hammer.
“Atlantis!” Aquaman bellowed, balling his fists.
“Enough!” Dr Strange sealed their mouths with magical gags. “This is a time for co-operation, not egotistical rivalries! I had believed Amora wanted the Locket of Lavaworld to render her minions immune to poisons and gases. Now I fear her purpose may have been even more sinister.” He removed the gags. “I ask you, Thor, to check Asgard’s library for any information that may be of assistance. Aquaman, you and I shall do the same in Atlantis’ library.”
“Outrageous,” Aquaman exclaimed, proudly jutting his chin toward Thor. “My kingdom shall, as always, provide the answers we seek.”
“Your library is all wet,” Thor scoffed. “Asgard’s wisdom shall be our saviour this day.”
“Atlantis!”
“Asgard!”
Dr Strange sighed. “I fear I shall regret taking this course of action.”
Meanwhile, at Arkham Asylum, nefarious events were unfolding. Mr Freeze, Venom and the Lizard had combined their talents to stage a stealthy jail-break. Black Manta hurried up an ice ladder; the Scorpion was more reluctant but allowed himself to be led back to Villainville. The Enchantress greeted them all at the castle gates, favouring Manta with a kiss. Before Scorpion could react she kissed him, too… and the former private investigator became another of Amora’s willing slaves.
“I require your services for a most special mission,” she said. “One that you in particular, Manta, should enjoy.”
The aquatic villain’s yellow eyes flashed ominously.
Light-years overhead, in Asgard, Thor rifled through the royal library. “I’ve never been one for reading,” he muttered to himself, “but if this is the path to victory… and bragging rights over Aquaman… then let the battle be joined!”
“Shhh!” the librarian hissed.
“Apologies, milady,” Thor squirmed. He resumed his research and, to his surprise, found mention of Atlantis in one of the books. Thor checked the reference against other tomes and found further citations! Tucking the books under one arm, Thor made his way to Asgard’s throne room and the Allfather himself.
“Books, my son?” Odin asked mirthfully. “Midgard has changed you for the better.”
“Now is not the time for jest, father,” Thor replied, sternly yet with respect. “I would know more of Asgard’s ties with the city of Atlantis. Moreover, I pray you tell me of the alliance our cities once shared… an alliance forged, it seems to me, to turn back the invading forces of Jotunheim!”
Leagues below, Dr Strange - gifted with temporary gills by a spell - surveyed the Atlantean library. “Aquaman, precisely how many of the books here were written by you?” he asked.
The sea king’s face flushed with embarrassment. “Doctor, please, your vision is too narrow! You are standing in the autobiography section, that’s all! There are plenty of sections within this glorious library not associated with my outrageous crime-fighting adventures!”
“This one is a cook book.”
Aquaman grabbed Dr Strange by the arm and swam them both into the ‘ancient history’ section. After a few minutes of searching, they made discoveries identical to those of Thor. “Atlantis and Asgard were once allies,” Aquaman said. “It would seem Thor’s father, Odin, formed a pact with my ancestor Arion - the greatest wizard of his era! Together, they led the armies of Atlantis and Asgard against the forces of Jotunheim and defeated them… but it doesn’t say how.”
“We should liaise with Thor,” Dr Strange decided, “pool our information with whatever he has found. Perhaps there’s some connection to Enchantress’ plot - she is, after all, a native of Asgard. Maybe the locket is part of a strike against Atlantis.”
Aquaman punched a fist into his palm. “Then there is no time to lose!”
An Asgardian incantation transported Dr Strange and Aquaman to Thor’s location. They arrived in the throne room just as the argument between thunder god and Allfather was picking up steam.
“I will not be questioned by a churlish, disrespectful boy,” Odin snapped. “I have said I will not speak of matters past, therefore this audience has ended!”
“How stubborn can you be, old man?” Thor snarled. “Midgard is imperilled once more, as it was when you apparently allied with Atlantis. This time the threat is one of our own - Amora the Enchantress! You would turn your back on those you once protected out of, what, pride? Foolishness? A fear of the past?”
“Odin fears nothing!” the Allfather roared, his fury a terrifying thing to behold. “You forget your place, arrogant prince!”
Aquaman stepped forward. “Then allow me to claim mine.” His voice echoed through the throne room and silenced the debate. “I am Arthur, born Orin, king of Atlantis and rightful ruler of the seven seas,” he proclaimed. “I stand as successor to Arion, wizard-mage of the Atlantean golden age, and call upon the Allfather to honour an ancient bond!”
Odin’s one eye was dark with scorn. “You would make demands of me, fish king?”
“No,” Aquman replied, his tone just as dangerous. “I would make demands of your honour.”
Odin rose from his throne… and slumped. “I had hoped this buried,” he said, defeated, “such hope was foolish. Follow me.” He led them back to the library. “Your ancestor, Arion, was one of the finest mortals I’ve known,” he told Aquaman as they walked. “When Jotunheim invaded Midgard, his people stood side-by-side with mine in defence of the realm. Laufey, lord of Jotunheim, lost face with his frost giants when Arion bested him in single combat. A brute to the core, Laufey responded to that insult with genocide. T’was the frost giants who sunk Atlantis. And it was your ancestor who wove magic to give his people gills and save their lives.”
They arrived at the library and went to its back wall. Odin looked at Thor and Aquaman with a sad smile. “We were younger then, Arion and I. Much like the two of you… our blood was on fire. We wanted revenge on the frost giants and, by sharing our knowledge, we devised a retaliation most terrible. It began with three mystic artefacts: the Infinity Sword, the Ring of Gavache and Arion’s own wand. Potent on their own, the combination of these forces would be truly devastating.”
“A weapon of mass destruction, as Iron Man would call it,” Thor intoned.
“The mortal term is a fitting one,” Odin nodded.
“What was the result?” Dr Strange asked.
“The weapon was never used,” Odin said. “Arion and I discovered the merging of such magic would destroy its wielder as surely as its target. Noble sacrifice is one thing but, with a war going on, neither Atlantis nor Asgard could afford to lose its king. As only Arion and I knew of this plan, we agreed to keep it secret.” He placed a hand against a section of wall. “I locked the necessary spells and rituals in this hidden alcove.” Odin opened the secret chamber and found… nothing!
“By the Vishanti,” Dr Strange gasped. “It all makes sense now. The Enchantress has the plans for the weapon. Her forces already tried to reclaim the Infinity Sword; they will quest for the ring and wand next.”
“Madness,” Odin said dismissively. “The power will destroy Amora. Utterly.”
“Not with the Locket of Lavaworld in her possession,” Dr Strange said. “Its existence was unknown prior to the sinking of Atlantis - it is, relatively speaking, a ‘new’ ancient artefact. With the locket around her neck, the Enchantress will be protected from the weapon’s potency…”
“… and free to turn it against the heroes,” Thor gasped.
“I’ll go to Super Hero City immediately,” Dr Strange said. “The Justice League and the Avengers will need to form a plan of attack.” He cast his spell once more and vanished.
“Arion’s wand is in Atlantis,” Aquaman said, “but I know not where. I shall return there now and ensure its safety.”
“And I shall come with you,” Thor said, clapping a hand on Aquaman’s shoulder. “A threat to Atlantis shall be considered an attack on Asgard, just as it once was.”
Odin placed his hand on Aquaman’s other shoulder. “Asgard’s prince cannot make that promise - but its king can. I bear responsibility for this terror and, as a wise ruler so recently pointed out, honour demands I take action to rectify my mistake. Odin shall ride at your side, Arthur of Atlantis, if you’ll have me.”
“Outrageous!” Aquaman cried.
“We’ll take the Bifrost to Atlantis, for it is quicker,” Thor said. “But we need to make a stop on the way.”
The Bifrost deposited them on the frozen tundras of Jotunheim… in the midst of a very surprised horde of frost giants. Odin’s fury was palpable. “Are you crazed, Thor? These beasts mean to kill us!”
“My father you may be, but hear me well and stay thy hand,” Thor commanded. “Times have changed and we have naught to fear from the Jotnar.” He looked the leader of the group in the eyes. “Do we, servant of Konkar?”
Somewhat reluctantly, the frost giant lifted an enormous horn to his ice-blue lips. Its booming call summoned the newly-appointed King of Jotunheim. Konkar greeted Thor and Aquaman warmly but, at the sight of Odin, brandished his club and axe. “The destroyer,” Konkar boomed. “You’ll rue the day you set foot, once more, on Jotunheim!” Odin drew his sword and spear, grinning cruelly. Giant and Aesir fell on one another and began to tussle; Thor and Aquaman pulled them apart.
“There is more at stake than ancient grudges,” Aquaman said, hurrying to explain the situation. Konkar, struggling in the sea-king’s grip, listened and finally relented.
“I know of what you speak,” he said darkly. “Amora stole those spells years ago. Never did I believe she would use them, given the power’s price. If this locket shields her as you say, then I’d wager she’ll not hesitate to wipe out the heroes and rule Midgard.” He grunted. “Trouble is, such a victory would make her lust for more, putting Asgard and even Jotunheim in her sights.” He drew up to his full, very impressive height. “The sins of my people’s past play a role in this, Thor, and so I shall come with you.” He shot Odin a snide glance. “Such is the duty of a king.”
The unlikely quartet rode the Bifrost to Asgard. Thor, Odin and Konkar donned breathing apparatus and followed the sea-king back to the library. “The royal palace of Atlantis has seen many a renovation in its day,” Aquaman said conversationally, pointing to different pieces of architecture as they swam. “Rooms have been shifted and re-purposed hundreds of times. To find Arion’s laboratory, we’ll need to consult the archives and find out which room it’s now become.”
As they entered the library, Odin looked upon Aquaman’s many, many books. “You are more like your ancestor than you know,” he chuckled. “Noble, opinionated and possessed of enough pride for 10 men.”
“Neptune’s ghost!” Aquaman exclaimed. He had found the location of Arion’s former laboratory on an old Atlantean map. “It’s my son’s nursery!” The heroes swam for Arthur Jr’s room at top speed. The infant prince was sleeping soundly in his cot; Aquaman pleaded for his friends to creep around the spacious chamber. “Mera will kill me if the baby wakes,” he whispered. “She’s not had a decent night’s sleep in months! Now, Odin: what are we looking for?”
“A trident,” the lord of Asgard replied. “A small, roughly carved wooden trident. An item of deceptive capabilities. I remember teasing Arion about it once, telling him it looked for all the world like a child’s plaything…”
All eyes turned toward Arthur Jr’s toy box. “Well, how about that,” Aquaman laughed. “I knew it was a family heirloom, I just didn’t realise how important my boy’s favourite toy really was!”
Thor shook his head. “Only in Atlantis…”
“I couldn’t agree more, thunder god,” snarled a cold, metallic voice. “This is the sort of stupidity that makes it clear the time has come for a new king of the seas!”
From out the shadows sprang Black Manta, Mr Freeze, Venom, the Lizard and the Scorpion! “Keep them busy,” the undersea terrorist ordered, “while I get the wand!” His cronies went on the attack, each targeting a different hero. The Lizard looped his tail around Aquaman and slashed with vicious claws. Venom’s symbiote oozed over Thor while Scorpion’s pincer-like fingers clamped around Odin’s wrists. Mr Freeze levelled his weapon at Konkar, determined to prove his technology was more than a match for a frost giant’s natural abilities.
In his cot, Arthur Jr woke up and shrieked. “That tears it,” Aquaman fumed. “I’m going to get the tongue-lashing of a lifetime from my dear wife and it’s all your fault!” He clocked Lizard with a booming uppercut and the heroes. Thor was delighted to find Mjolnir’s lightning amplified by the water (Venom was decidedly less impressed). Konkar laughed off Mr Freeze’s arrogance, sucking up the ice to increase his own potency. And poor Scorpion, on his first day as a big-time supervillain, learned one does not go toe-to-toe with the lord of the Norse gods (not if one wishes to stay conscious, anyway).
Aquaman shot over to the toy box and snatched up the wand. “Victory!”
“Don’t celebrate yet,” Black Manta sneered. “You may have the wand, Aquaman, but I have the one thing in this room you value even more.”
“You villain!” Aquaman growled, moving to leap at his arch-enemy. Odin grabbed him from behind and held him fast.
“Good choice, old man,” Manta said, tightening his grip on Arthur Jr. The baby shrieked and wailed. “His lordship can’t be thinking too clearly, risking his son’s life like that. Just as well he has level-headed friends, eh?”
As the villains gathered behind their leader, Odin spoke to Aquaman. “You are more like your ancestor than you know, Arthur, but do not repeat his mistakes. We had fire in our blood, he and I, and our lust for battle nearly cost us dearly. The world may yet pay a price for our sinful blindness.” He let his words sink in. “Battle is honourable and victory intoxicating but there is nothing - nothing - more important than a son. When the pages of books crumble to dust and when songs of glory are no longer sung, it is they who are our true legacy.”
Arthur relaxed in Odin’s grip. He hefted the wand in his hand but for a moment, then threw it on the floor at Black Manta’s feet. “Here. Take it, damn you.”
Manta laughed. “So you can make the right decision! I’d reward your newfound clarity, Arthur but, well, I am the villain, after all.” With that, he threw Arthur Jr out the nursery window, leaving him to the mercies of the ocean!
Aquaman dove after his child while Thor and the others charged at the villains. It was to no avail; pink smoke wreathed around their bodies and transported them away. The Enchantress’ magic had sealed her minions’ victory. “Cowards,” Konkar roared.
Aquaman returned, moments later, with his son in his arms. “I am grateful to you all,” he said, cradling the now-happy baby, “and ashamed, as well. Had I valued my people’s history as much as my own, we would have found that map faster and been winners this day. I apologise.”
Once again, Thor clapped a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “There is nothing to apologise for,” he said, then looked meaningfully at Odin. “None of us should be sorry. This day has an old alliance been reborn and, with Allfather and Jotun king battling side-by-side, a new one been forged.” He smiled. “Mayhap tensions between a father and son have been resolved, as well.”
Odin, ever taciturn, merely nodded at his son’s insight.
“Know this, Arthur of Atlantis,” Konkar said, “my people owe yours a debt impossible to repay. When the time comes to battle Amora and end this mad scheme of hers, you will have the armies of Jotun at your disposal.”
“Mighty though they are,” Thor said, “I’m sure the forces of Atlantis will prove to be the most noble on the battlefield that day.”
Aquaman smiled. “That’s most kind of you, thunder god, but if you are the embodiment of Asgard’s valour, then the Aesir shall truly be covered in glory when the final confrontation comes to pass.”
“Atlantis,” Thor said.
“Asgard,” Aquaman replied.
“Atlantis,” Thor said emphatically, one hand reaching for Mjolnir.
“Asgard,” Aquaman snapped, passing Arthur Jr to Odin and balling his fists.
Odin looked down at the baby and sighed. “Maybe this will be sorted out by the time you take the throne, little one,” he said, then flinched as two proud heroes hurled each other through the nursery wall. “Somehow, though, I doubt it.”
----------
Greet the Fire as Your Friend,
SF
LJ didn't miss a beat. "You'll have to excuse my Daddy," she told the couple. "I won him in a raffle - he was last prize."
Be it comebacks or be it stories, LJ's creativity and wit continues to impress. She's started playing by herself, as well - My Little Pony games, usually before I wake up in the morning. LJ says they're going well but she's not 100 per cent happy with them. "I think I need an adult there to help shape my ideas into something really cool," she opined. And while I appreciate the compliment, let's face it: her epic personal canon proves she has no real need of me at all. Her latest crossover classic leaves no doubt of that.
----------
They met high atop the mountain range - far from prying eyes and unwanted ears. Such paranoia was unusual for Dr Strange; then again, the situation in which he’d found himself was far from normal. And so the Sorcerer Supreme had turned to the god of thunder, Thor, and the king of Atlantis, Aquaman, for assistance.
“ Recent events are of grave concern,” Dr Strange began, “though such will not be evident to our more technology-minded allies. Like myself, the two of you have connections to older and more mystical worlds and so I believe we should confront this crisis together. Hopefully, we alone will prove its equal without panicking our friends or alerting our opponents.”
“Of course we will,” Thor said confidently. “Asgard is the mightiest of all magical realms and, with its power on your side, this evil shall quickly be vanquished!”
“The thunder god speaks true,” Aquaman smirked, “though with but a hint of exaggeration. Fair Atlantis is the universe’s true capital city of magic and, with its king and his army in your employ, all foes shall be felled!”
Thor scowled. “Asgard.”
“Atlantis,” Aquaman sneered.
“Asgard!” Thor roared, raising his enchanted hammer.
“Atlantis!” Aquaman bellowed, balling his fists.
“Enough!” Dr Strange sealed their mouths with magical gags. “This is a time for co-operation, not egotistical rivalries! I had believed Amora wanted the Locket of Lavaworld to render her minions immune to poisons and gases. Now I fear her purpose may have been even more sinister.” He removed the gags. “I ask you, Thor, to check Asgard’s library for any information that may be of assistance. Aquaman, you and I shall do the same in Atlantis’ library.”
“Outrageous,” Aquaman exclaimed, proudly jutting his chin toward Thor. “My kingdom shall, as always, provide the answers we seek.”
“Your library is all wet,” Thor scoffed. “Asgard’s wisdom shall be our saviour this day.”
“Atlantis!”
“Asgard!”
Dr Strange sighed. “I fear I shall regret taking this course of action.”
Meanwhile, at Arkham Asylum, nefarious events were unfolding. Mr Freeze, Venom and the Lizard had combined their talents to stage a stealthy jail-break. Black Manta hurried up an ice ladder; the Scorpion was more reluctant but allowed himself to be led back to Villainville. The Enchantress greeted them all at the castle gates, favouring Manta with a kiss. Before Scorpion could react she kissed him, too… and the former private investigator became another of Amora’s willing slaves.
“I require your services for a most special mission,” she said. “One that you in particular, Manta, should enjoy.”
The aquatic villain’s yellow eyes flashed ominously.
Light-years overhead, in Asgard, Thor rifled through the royal library. “I’ve never been one for reading,” he muttered to himself, “but if this is the path to victory… and bragging rights over Aquaman… then let the battle be joined!”
“Shhh!” the librarian hissed.
“Apologies, milady,” Thor squirmed. He resumed his research and, to his surprise, found mention of Atlantis in one of the books. Thor checked the reference against other tomes and found further citations! Tucking the books under one arm, Thor made his way to Asgard’s throne room and the Allfather himself.
“Books, my son?” Odin asked mirthfully. “Midgard has changed you for the better.”
“Now is not the time for jest, father,” Thor replied, sternly yet with respect. “I would know more of Asgard’s ties with the city of Atlantis. Moreover, I pray you tell me of the alliance our cities once shared… an alliance forged, it seems to me, to turn back the invading forces of Jotunheim!”
Leagues below, Dr Strange - gifted with temporary gills by a spell - surveyed the Atlantean library. “Aquaman, precisely how many of the books here were written by you?” he asked.
The sea king’s face flushed with embarrassment. “Doctor, please, your vision is too narrow! You are standing in the autobiography section, that’s all! There are plenty of sections within this glorious library not associated with my outrageous crime-fighting adventures!”
“This one is a cook book.”
Aquaman grabbed Dr Strange by the arm and swam them both into the ‘ancient history’ section. After a few minutes of searching, they made discoveries identical to those of Thor. “Atlantis and Asgard were once allies,” Aquaman said. “It would seem Thor’s father, Odin, formed a pact with my ancestor Arion - the greatest wizard of his era! Together, they led the armies of Atlantis and Asgard against the forces of Jotunheim and defeated them… but it doesn’t say how.”
“We should liaise with Thor,” Dr Strange decided, “pool our information with whatever he has found. Perhaps there’s some connection to Enchantress’ plot - she is, after all, a native of Asgard. Maybe the locket is part of a strike against Atlantis.”
Aquaman punched a fist into his palm. “Then there is no time to lose!”
An Asgardian incantation transported Dr Strange and Aquaman to Thor’s location. They arrived in the throne room just as the argument between thunder god and Allfather was picking up steam.
“I will not be questioned by a churlish, disrespectful boy,” Odin snapped. “I have said I will not speak of matters past, therefore this audience has ended!”
“How stubborn can you be, old man?” Thor snarled. “Midgard is imperilled once more, as it was when you apparently allied with Atlantis. This time the threat is one of our own - Amora the Enchantress! You would turn your back on those you once protected out of, what, pride? Foolishness? A fear of the past?”
“Odin fears nothing!” the Allfather roared, his fury a terrifying thing to behold. “You forget your place, arrogant prince!”
Aquaman stepped forward. “Then allow me to claim mine.” His voice echoed through the throne room and silenced the debate. “I am Arthur, born Orin, king of Atlantis and rightful ruler of the seven seas,” he proclaimed. “I stand as successor to Arion, wizard-mage of the Atlantean golden age, and call upon the Allfather to honour an ancient bond!”
Odin’s one eye was dark with scorn. “You would make demands of me, fish king?”
“No,” Aquman replied, his tone just as dangerous. “I would make demands of your honour.”
Odin rose from his throne… and slumped. “I had hoped this buried,” he said, defeated, “such hope was foolish. Follow me.” He led them back to the library. “Your ancestor, Arion, was one of the finest mortals I’ve known,” he told Aquaman as they walked. “When Jotunheim invaded Midgard, his people stood side-by-side with mine in defence of the realm. Laufey, lord of Jotunheim, lost face with his frost giants when Arion bested him in single combat. A brute to the core, Laufey responded to that insult with genocide. T’was the frost giants who sunk Atlantis. And it was your ancestor who wove magic to give his people gills and save their lives.”
They arrived at the library and went to its back wall. Odin looked at Thor and Aquaman with a sad smile. “We were younger then, Arion and I. Much like the two of you… our blood was on fire. We wanted revenge on the frost giants and, by sharing our knowledge, we devised a retaliation most terrible. It began with three mystic artefacts: the Infinity Sword, the Ring of Gavache and Arion’s own wand. Potent on their own, the combination of these forces would be truly devastating.”
“A weapon of mass destruction, as Iron Man would call it,” Thor intoned.
“The mortal term is a fitting one,” Odin nodded.
“What was the result?” Dr Strange asked.
“The weapon was never used,” Odin said. “Arion and I discovered the merging of such magic would destroy its wielder as surely as its target. Noble sacrifice is one thing but, with a war going on, neither Atlantis nor Asgard could afford to lose its king. As only Arion and I knew of this plan, we agreed to keep it secret.” He placed a hand against a section of wall. “I locked the necessary spells and rituals in this hidden alcove.” Odin opened the secret chamber and found… nothing!
“By the Vishanti,” Dr Strange gasped. “It all makes sense now. The Enchantress has the plans for the weapon. Her forces already tried to reclaim the Infinity Sword; they will quest for the ring and wand next.”
“Madness,” Odin said dismissively. “The power will destroy Amora. Utterly.”
“Not with the Locket of Lavaworld in her possession,” Dr Strange said. “Its existence was unknown prior to the sinking of Atlantis - it is, relatively speaking, a ‘new’ ancient artefact. With the locket around her neck, the Enchantress will be protected from the weapon’s potency…”
“… and free to turn it against the heroes,” Thor gasped.
“I’ll go to Super Hero City immediately,” Dr Strange said. “The Justice League and the Avengers will need to form a plan of attack.” He cast his spell once more and vanished.
“Arion’s wand is in Atlantis,” Aquaman said, “but I know not where. I shall return there now and ensure its safety.”
“And I shall come with you,” Thor said, clapping a hand on Aquaman’s shoulder. “A threat to Atlantis shall be considered an attack on Asgard, just as it once was.”
Odin placed his hand on Aquaman’s other shoulder. “Asgard’s prince cannot make that promise - but its king can. I bear responsibility for this terror and, as a wise ruler so recently pointed out, honour demands I take action to rectify my mistake. Odin shall ride at your side, Arthur of Atlantis, if you’ll have me.”
“Outrageous!” Aquaman cried.
“We’ll take the Bifrost to Atlantis, for it is quicker,” Thor said. “But we need to make a stop on the way.”
The Bifrost deposited them on the frozen tundras of Jotunheim… in the midst of a very surprised horde of frost giants. Odin’s fury was palpable. “Are you crazed, Thor? These beasts mean to kill us!”
“My father you may be, but hear me well and stay thy hand,” Thor commanded. “Times have changed and we have naught to fear from the Jotnar.” He looked the leader of the group in the eyes. “Do we, servant of Konkar?”
Somewhat reluctantly, the frost giant lifted an enormous horn to his ice-blue lips. Its booming call summoned the newly-appointed King of Jotunheim. Konkar greeted Thor and Aquaman warmly but, at the sight of Odin, brandished his club and axe. “The destroyer,” Konkar boomed. “You’ll rue the day you set foot, once more, on Jotunheim!” Odin drew his sword and spear, grinning cruelly. Giant and Aesir fell on one another and began to tussle; Thor and Aquaman pulled them apart.
“There is more at stake than ancient grudges,” Aquaman said, hurrying to explain the situation. Konkar, struggling in the sea-king’s grip, listened and finally relented.
“I know of what you speak,” he said darkly. “Amora stole those spells years ago. Never did I believe she would use them, given the power’s price. If this locket shields her as you say, then I’d wager she’ll not hesitate to wipe out the heroes and rule Midgard.” He grunted. “Trouble is, such a victory would make her lust for more, putting Asgard and even Jotunheim in her sights.” He drew up to his full, very impressive height. “The sins of my people’s past play a role in this, Thor, and so I shall come with you.” He shot Odin a snide glance. “Such is the duty of a king.”
The unlikely quartet rode the Bifrost to Asgard. Thor, Odin and Konkar donned breathing apparatus and followed the sea-king back to the library. “The royal palace of Atlantis has seen many a renovation in its day,” Aquaman said conversationally, pointing to different pieces of architecture as they swam. “Rooms have been shifted and re-purposed hundreds of times. To find Arion’s laboratory, we’ll need to consult the archives and find out which room it’s now become.”
As they entered the library, Odin looked upon Aquaman’s many, many books. “You are more like your ancestor than you know,” he chuckled. “Noble, opinionated and possessed of enough pride for 10 men.”
“Neptune’s ghost!” Aquaman exclaimed. He had found the location of Arion’s former laboratory on an old Atlantean map. “It’s my son’s nursery!” The heroes swam for Arthur Jr’s room at top speed. The infant prince was sleeping soundly in his cot; Aquaman pleaded for his friends to creep around the spacious chamber. “Mera will kill me if the baby wakes,” he whispered. “She’s not had a decent night’s sleep in months! Now, Odin: what are we looking for?”
“A trident,” the lord of Asgard replied. “A small, roughly carved wooden trident. An item of deceptive capabilities. I remember teasing Arion about it once, telling him it looked for all the world like a child’s plaything…”
All eyes turned toward Arthur Jr’s toy box. “Well, how about that,” Aquaman laughed. “I knew it was a family heirloom, I just didn’t realise how important my boy’s favourite toy really was!”
Thor shook his head. “Only in Atlantis…”
“I couldn’t agree more, thunder god,” snarled a cold, metallic voice. “This is the sort of stupidity that makes it clear the time has come for a new king of the seas!”
From out the shadows sprang Black Manta, Mr Freeze, Venom, the Lizard and the Scorpion! “Keep them busy,” the undersea terrorist ordered, “while I get the wand!” His cronies went on the attack, each targeting a different hero. The Lizard looped his tail around Aquaman and slashed with vicious claws. Venom’s symbiote oozed over Thor while Scorpion’s pincer-like fingers clamped around Odin’s wrists. Mr Freeze levelled his weapon at Konkar, determined to prove his technology was more than a match for a frost giant’s natural abilities.
In his cot, Arthur Jr woke up and shrieked. “That tears it,” Aquaman fumed. “I’m going to get the tongue-lashing of a lifetime from my dear wife and it’s all your fault!” He clocked Lizard with a booming uppercut and the heroes. Thor was delighted to find Mjolnir’s lightning amplified by the water (Venom was decidedly less impressed). Konkar laughed off Mr Freeze’s arrogance, sucking up the ice to increase his own potency. And poor Scorpion, on his first day as a big-time supervillain, learned one does not go toe-to-toe with the lord of the Norse gods (not if one wishes to stay conscious, anyway).
Aquaman shot over to the toy box and snatched up the wand. “Victory!”
“Don’t celebrate yet,” Black Manta sneered. “You may have the wand, Aquaman, but I have the one thing in this room you value even more.”
“You villain!” Aquaman growled, moving to leap at his arch-enemy. Odin grabbed him from behind and held him fast.
“Good choice, old man,” Manta said, tightening his grip on Arthur Jr. The baby shrieked and wailed. “His lordship can’t be thinking too clearly, risking his son’s life like that. Just as well he has level-headed friends, eh?”
As the villains gathered behind their leader, Odin spoke to Aquaman. “You are more like your ancestor than you know, Arthur, but do not repeat his mistakes. We had fire in our blood, he and I, and our lust for battle nearly cost us dearly. The world may yet pay a price for our sinful blindness.” He let his words sink in. “Battle is honourable and victory intoxicating but there is nothing - nothing - more important than a son. When the pages of books crumble to dust and when songs of glory are no longer sung, it is they who are our true legacy.”
Arthur relaxed in Odin’s grip. He hefted the wand in his hand but for a moment, then threw it on the floor at Black Manta’s feet. “Here. Take it, damn you.”
Manta laughed. “So you can make the right decision! I’d reward your newfound clarity, Arthur but, well, I am the villain, after all.” With that, he threw Arthur Jr out the nursery window, leaving him to the mercies of the ocean!
Aquaman dove after his child while Thor and the others charged at the villains. It was to no avail; pink smoke wreathed around their bodies and transported them away. The Enchantress’ magic had sealed her minions’ victory. “Cowards,” Konkar roared.
Aquaman returned, moments later, with his son in his arms. “I am grateful to you all,” he said, cradling the now-happy baby, “and ashamed, as well. Had I valued my people’s history as much as my own, we would have found that map faster and been winners this day. I apologise.”
Once again, Thor clapped a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “There is nothing to apologise for,” he said, then looked meaningfully at Odin. “None of us should be sorry. This day has an old alliance been reborn and, with Allfather and Jotun king battling side-by-side, a new one been forged.” He smiled. “Mayhap tensions between a father and son have been resolved, as well.”
Odin, ever taciturn, merely nodded at his son’s insight.
“Know this, Arthur of Atlantis,” Konkar said, “my people owe yours a debt impossible to repay. When the time comes to battle Amora and end this mad scheme of hers, you will have the armies of Jotun at your disposal.”
“Mighty though they are,” Thor said, “I’m sure the forces of Atlantis will prove to be the most noble on the battlefield that day.”
Aquaman smiled. “That’s most kind of you, thunder god, but if you are the embodiment of Asgard’s valour, then the Aesir shall truly be covered in glory when the final confrontation comes to pass.”
“Atlantis,” Thor said.
“Asgard,” Aquaman replied.
“Atlantis,” Thor said emphatically, one hand reaching for Mjolnir.
“Asgard,” Aquaman snapped, passing Arthur Jr to Odin and balling his fists.
Odin looked down at the baby and sighed. “Maybe this will be sorted out by the time you take the throne, little one,” he said, then flinched as two proud heroes hurled each other through the nursery wall. “Somehow, though, I doubt it.”
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Greet the Fire as Your Friend,
SF