10

Chapter X: Unhappy Homecoming.

Last Time.

"Oh yeah... Kage has... A very strong being inside his mind." He started to explain before shivering. "It... Put out similar energy as Klarion... But on a whole other scale." He finished having each person look down in thought.

Gotham; Naruto's Penthouse, September 5, 17:00 EDT.

The door opened as Naruto, Artemis, Stephanie, and Donna walked through. "I've got an extra bed set up with the girls for you Donna," Naruto said before Paula walked in.

"So... You're finally spending the night Donna. I thought I would never see you again after the carnival." Naruto rolled his eyes before walking to his room.

"You're so dramatic Paula." Paula smiled as the girls walked to their rooms.

"Aww come on Naruto… I still want baby grandkids to spoil." She said having Artemis stop just outside her room.

"MOM!" She yelled as Paula laughed going into her room.

Now.

Atlantic Ocean; September 04, 13:26 UTC-2.

An Atlantean with a squid head was swimming away from a group of people in black outfits, and red hooded capes. He squirts ink and hid behind a reef. "I think I lost them." He said before hearing someone clear their throat.

He turned around to see more people with lightning surrounding their hands.

Mount Justice; September 05, 16:12 EDT.

"Are you sure you'll be alright? We don't have to go home so soon."

Artemis said as she, Robin, Kid Flash, and Spoiler stood in the tunnel.

Kaldur nodded before smiling. "Yes. I'll be going home soon myself." He said before the computer spoke up as the others disappeared in a light.

"Recognized: Artemis, B01 Robin, B02. Kid Flash, B04. Spoiler, B10."

Kaldur looked back to see M'gann, Superboy, Donna, and Naruto putting on his red coat.

"I'm returning to Atlantis, and I was wondering if you three would like to accompany me?"

M'gann quickly nodded. "We'd love to-I would love…"

Donna nodded before Naruto walked to the tunnel. "OK be careful though. I know your mother can swim that far underwater. But you do have some of my genes." (1.)

"OK, dad. I'll keep a clone or two to gather 'Natural' chakra somewhere."

Naruto hugged her before going into the tunnel. "Recognized: Kage, 17."

Superboy looked to the tunnel before looking back to Kaldur. "Why didn't you invite the others to join?"

Kaldur sighed before explaining. "Our friends wouldn't do well in the high pressure from the bottom of the ocean. I thought it would be kinder to make it after they left."

"OK let's go," Superboy said walking to the tunnel before being stopped by Kaldur.

"Actually... I think we should take the scenic route."

Shayeris; September 06, 1:31 UTC-2.

"Welcome to my birthplace, the Atlantean city-state of Shayeris."

Kaldur said looking to the underwater city in the Bio-Ship.

(A/N: For better picture type Young Justice Shayeris.)

"It's... Spectacular!" M'gann exclaimed looking at the city before Superboy noticed something.

"Hey... Are you... Smaller?" He asked seeing M'gann only coming up to his chest rather than being a few inches shorter than him.

"It's the pressure. The Bio-Ship's smaller at this depth also."

She replied as Donna walked up. "Do we have anything on board to help us breathe?" Kaldur nodded before pointing to a case.

"Yes. I also brought swimsuits."

M'gann smiled before shaking her head. "None for me."

M'gann's clothes shifted to a sleeveless top, and pants with fins on them, and gills grew on her neck.

Outside, Superboy and Donna are wearing similar clothes to Kaldur as they swam to his house where Kaldur's parents greeted them.

His father is a bald African-American male, with gills and webbed hands and feet. He's wearing a simple, skin-tight purple Atlantean garment. Around his waist is a lighter colored stripe like a belt. There is a stripe in the same color around the end of his sleeves and over his shins.

His mother has long blonde hair with gills wearing a green top, and a skirt with a purple beaded necklace, and a belt.

(A/N: For better picture type Sha'lain'a Young Justice.)

"Kaldur you look thin." His mother said holding his hands as his father rolled his eyes.

"Sha'lain'a let him breathe." He said before Kaldur motioned to the others.

"Mother, father these are my friends Superboy, Wonder Girl, and Miss Martian."

"Please call me M'gann," M'gann said in Atlantean causing Kaldur's parent's eyes to widen.

"You speak Atlantian!?" Sha'lain'a asked as M'gann shook her head.

"No. My physic abilities allow me to translate and communicate."

Wonder Girl and Superboy nodded their heads. "And the G-gnomes that trained us had us learn the language."

Wonder Girl said as Calvin took Kaldur aside. "Have you visited Poseidonis yet?"

"First thing in the morning," Kaldur replied as Sha'lain'a continued to talk to the other teens excited surface dwellers know Atlanteans.

"Then be careful... Rumors say there's trouble brewing in the capital."

Poseidonis; September 06, 8:06 UTC-2.

Kaldur saluted in front of the Queen of Atlantis.

She's a slender woman with an angular face and green eyes. She has long red hair caught up in a ponytail and wearing an India green halter neck top that exposes her midriff, and a matching pareo around her waist. The top and pareo are fastened together with a golden ring.

She also has a golden crow-like tiara with green protuberances that frame her face, and an India green usekh-style collar with a golden piece at the center. The outfit is completed with a harlequin translucent veil underneath her pareo and around her shoulders, strapped to her collar.

"Kaldur... It's an honor to meet your friends and teammates."

She said with a smile as M'gann waved. "The honor's all ours Queen Mera. I've lived on Mars my whole life, and never met the Royal Family." She explained as Wonder Girl swam up, and raised a hand. She was about to speak until a male voice spoke up.

"There's a certain wisdom in inaccessibility."

They all turned to see a tall, black-haired Caucasian male with a strong build. His hair is relatively short and slicked close to the head, but comes down to the nape of his neck, and he has long sideburns and blue eyes. He's wearing a black and dark red sleeveless tunic and a wide gold collar combining a close-fitting, round, and high collar around the neck and a usekh-style collar on the shoulders.

He also has a wide gold belt with a stylized sea creature at the front and golden braces.

"When the Queen carries the Heir to the throne."

Wonder Girl narrowed her eyes at him for a second as Mera rolled hers.

"And this is my overprotective Brother-In-Law Orm." Wonder Girl glanced back to Miss Martian before leaning in and whispered.

"Hey, could we talk in the link? Without Aqualad." She nodded before concentrating for a second.

"OK... What's wrong?" Superboy glanced to see Aqualad, and the others talk before Wonder Girl spoke.

"I'm sensing 'evil' intent from Orm." The other glanced at her for a moment.

"What?" Miss Martian asked before Wonder Girl explained.

"Dad has an ability that can sense a person's true intent whether they're good or not... And I'm sensing evil in him."

(A/N: Naruto's ability that sensed Kisame hiding in his sword, Sameheda, on Turtle Island.)

"Should we tell Aqualad?" Superboy asked as Wonder Girl looked at him.

"No... Not without some proof at least. Aquaman and Aqualad knew him for all their lives. And without proof, it would put him on guard, and put us on their bad side."

M'gann looked to Orm before speaking up. "I could read his mind... and show the others."

"No. He may have barriers or something to protect him, and he'll just say we were trying to kill him, or that we're going to attack Atlantis." Wonder Girl replied before swimming up to Mera. "I was wondering where Poseidon or Neptune's buildings are. I wanted to pay my respects." Mera looked surprised before remembering something.

"Oh, that's right. Your mother's Wonder Woman. And you are from Themyscira. Of course, I'll have someone show you."

As they left, Orm looked to Aqualad and puts a hand on his shoulder. "I'm glad you, and your fellow champions are here Kaldur'ahm. There have been reports of unrest originating at the Conservatory of Sorcery."

Later, At the Conservatory Of Sorcery.

Aqualad smiled as he introduced his old classmates. "M'gann M'orzz, Superboy. These are some of my former classmates. Ronal." He pointed to a blonde hair teen in a green black-trimmed swimsuit, who crossed his arms.

"Blubber." A whale with arms waved at them.

"Lori Lemaris." A mermaid with long brown hair held back loosely by braids and a headband smiled at them.

She has light amber-colored eyes and a slender frame. Her fishtail is segmented with dark green and turquoise portions and is oriented with the caudal fin being vertical and other fin protrusions along the front seam. On her top half, she's wearing a red and maroon tunic with dual-layered epaulets, silver arm braces, and extra red armlets on her upper left arm.

"La'gaan."

A male Atlantean with amphibious adaptations waved at them. He has green skin, red eyes, and webbed ears, claws, and feet. He has dark green fins on his head, the ends of which he has tied in a ponytail and black shorts.

"And Nanaue Sha'ark." A human shark hybrid snorted before crossing his arms.

"That's King Sha'ark Chum, and don't you forget it." The Atlantian's started asking questions about the surface quickly as the others tried to answer.

Miss Martian swam to Lori and smiled. "I love Mermaids." She said as her legs transformed into a tail, and her pants sifted into a skirt. "What do you think?" She asked as Lori looked surprised at that.

"I'm flattered." She said before Ronel swam away.

"What's the matter, Chum? Feeling outnumbered?" Sha'ark asked before another voice spoke up.

"Kaldur!"

Looking to his left, Kaldur saw the girl on his phone along with a boy she was holding hands with. "Guys I want you to meet Tula, and Garth."

Garth is a Caucasian teenager, with black hair, purple eyes, and a slender build. His hair is relatively long, but a portion of it is caught up in a ponytail at the point of his back of the head, and the rest comes down to the nape of his neck and jawline.

He's wearing a skin-tight swimsuit that exposes his arms and legs. It is predominantly blue-gray, although on the torso it has a midnight blue vest-shaped design, with azure lines tracing its edges and collar area. Around his waist, he dons a matching belt with attached tassets hanging down over his upper thighs. He's also wearing midnight blue bands around his forelimbs.

"Any friends of Kaldur are welcomed here," Tula said as Miss Martian looked at Aqualad, and, frowned.

"Hey, guys."

They turned to see Wonder Girl swim over as Miss Martian looked to Superboy before speaking through the link. "So that's why Kaldur brought us. He loves Tula but she's with Garth, and he didn't want to come alone."

"Topo!" Aqualad exclaimed seeing a squid Atlantean swim by. He swam over and grabbed him. "I want you to meet..." Aqualad trailed off seeing the Atlantian word 'Mirae' burned on his chest.

(A/N: Look at issue #14 of the tie-in comic to see what it looks like.)

"Topo... Who did this?!" He asked before Lori grabbed Topo, and left.

"It does not concern you Kaldur'ahm."

"Ah, Squidboy's Chum and Chum gets what it deserves... Swallowed." Sha'ark said as Superboy looked to the others.

"I couldn't read those symbols." Tula looked down before explaining.

"It's old Atlantean... It means... 'Impure'."

Bar Harbor Wind Ward Home Assisted Living; September 06, 06:01 EDT.

"You have a visitor, Mr. Lockhart." A Nurse said as a man with black hair, and mustache wearing a suit walked in to see an elderly man looking at the sea.

"That's Dr. Lockhart, and I don't have visitors." He said before the black-haired man smiled.

"No need to be cranky Jim... We're leaving."

"Don't be absurd... I don't know you." He replied before turning around and walked over. "And yet you come when I call." The man said as Jim glared.

"Listen here son, I just can't run off with every stranger.." He was interrupted by the man as he walked past him.

"I'm no stranger, and I'm not your son... And don't worry... You won't need your walker."

Poseidonis; September 06, 19:27 UTC-2.

Aqualad, Miss Martian, Superboy, and Wonder Girl swam with Tula, and Garth, as they explained about the Purists, is a group whose goal is to rid Atlantis of the 'impure' Atlantian's who doesn't look completely human.

"With my exposed gills, I'm considered impure," Aqualad said sadly before Tula spoke up.

"Only by the ridged, and ridiculous of standards!"

Before they could continue, they heard people argue. Looking forward, they saw Kaldur's classmates argue with other Atlantian's about being Purists. Miss Martian used her powers to separate them as Sha'ark looked to them.

"This isn't your concern Earthlings." He said before Tula spoke up.

"But it is ours." Tula's and Garth's tattoos came to life as each group left leaving Aqualad to look down sadly.

Atlantic Ocean; September 06, 20:09 UCT-2.

Ronal and the three Atlantian's from earlier had Purists cloaks on along with the others looking at a man on a throne holding a gold trident. "If Kaldur and his friends didn't intervene. Those Fish-heads would have been marked 'Impure'." Ronel said as the man looked down in thought.

The man was wearing a purple suit of armor with a cape. The suit of armor consists of spaulders, protecting his shoulders, and fingerless gauntlets and greaves, covering his forearms and shins, respectively. He also has a belt adjoined by an upside-down crescent moon and wears a helmet that covers his face, leaving only his mouth visible.

Two round opaque red lenses cover his eyes. His suit of armor has an aquatic motif and features protuberances shaped like fins on the greaves and shreds and rips on the base of the cape, making it resemble a caudal fin.

This is Ocean-Master, an enemy of Aquaman.

He looked up at the group and smiled. "Then it's fortunate that they did intervene... For anonymity is the Purist's greatest weapon! Now put on your hoods, my children! They're to you what Neptune's Trident is to the Ocean-Master!"

They put on their hoods as Ocean-Master stood up, and banged his trident on the ground.

"The hour is near! The good King Orin's away... And by the time he returns... Poseidonis will be purged of the impure!" He pointed ahead as one of the group spoke up.

"And what if Kaldur'ahm, and his surface friends?"

"Fear them not... But be ready... Now depart!" When the group left, Ocean-Master took his helmet off showing a smiling Orm.

Star City; September 06, 20:12 PDT.

Naruto, Artemis, Black Canary, and Spoiler were looking at a museum through binoculars before Artemis noticed something.

"Security's been messed with. And the bars on the windows are cut. So are we going in? Cuz I'd like to bust this guy."

Naruto rolled his eyes before taking an arrow and shooting a line down to the museum. "Hey, it could be a hot woman." All of them went down the rope, and into the building.

"So he, or she... is in here somewhere," Artemis said as Naruto nodded taking another arrow out.

As they went into the weapons display, Naruto's arrow lit up lighting the room, and the masked people in it.

"They... It's they."

Black Canary looked to Naruto and sighed. "It never fails. Every time I'm paired up with you. Something like this happens."

"Small price to pay for being with a sexy man like myself."

She deadpanned before hitting a person that tried sneaking up on her. Naruto shot the arrow having it explode in bright light.

"Are they always like this?" Spoiler asked knocking a person in the head.

"Just when things go wrong," Artemis replied seeing a woman take a dagger that's two snakes intertwine with their tail acting as the blade.

Artemis shot an arrow up in the air, and oil rained down on everyone. After taking care of the ones left, everyone ran up to the roof to see a helicopter fly away.

"Damn! Too late."

Artemis picked up a G.P.S. and showed it to the group. "Microbeads in the oil acts as a tracker." Naruto nodded before feeling his phone vibrate.

Picking it up, he saw who it was, and walked away. "Hold on I need to take this." He said before answering it and heard a disguised voice.

"There's going to be trouble at the peace talk in Taiwan."

Naruto sighed before speaking up. "OK, I'll have someone in the League handle-!" He stopped as he heard a beep from his phone. "Sorry, hold on for a sec." He said before pressing a button. "Yeah?" He said before hearing Red Arrow's voice.

"I need help keeping an eye on the peace talk in Taiwan."

"OK... I'll be there." Naruto pinched his nose before going back to the other voice. "I'll be going there." He said, and after a moment the voice spoke up.

"You sure? I know you wanted to see your daughter to school."

Naruto looked up at the moon before sighing. "I'll just send a clone. I'll get the memories from it anyway... See you later." He hung up the phone and walked over to the others. "Red Arrow needs my help tomorrow." He said before looking to Artemis. "Still tracking them?" She nodded before Naruto grabbed her. "Canary, Spoiler, hold on." He finished as they held his shoulder, and disappeared.

Queens Memorial Cemetery; September 06, 20:20 EDT.

Jim and the man were digging a grave.

Danette

Rielly

Heroine

1924-1945.

"I shouldn't be doing this... I knew Danette." Jim said taking the last dirt pile off the coffin as the man pointed down.

"Open her up."

He did that showing a twenty-year-old woman with red hair in a hero costume. "She's well preserved for being in the ground for three score years."

Poseidonis; September 06, 23:45 UCT-2.

Mera woke up to see Ocean-Master with a group of Purists looking at her.

"Sweet dreams my Queen!"

He pointed his trident at her as her tattoos of tentacles that went over her arms, and up to her face lit up. Before she could attack, Ocean Master attacked shocking her with the trident.

"AHH!"

After a moment, she went unconscious, and the Purists took her out of the room.

In another room, the teens were getting ready for bed in pods before an astral projection of Mera came in front of Kaldur.

"Queen Mera!"

"Kaldur'am! I need you!"

They all swam outside and saw the Purists swim out of the bedroom, and Wonder Girl narrowed her eyes when she looked at Ocean Master.

"There!" Aqualad said through the link as he pointed ahead at them. "It is Ocean-Master and he has the Queen!" He finished bringing out his swords. "Hold traitors!"

Four Purists swam over, and tattoos light up on their arms.

Aqualad changed one sword into a mace before hitting one as Miss Martian used her powers to send one flying, and Superboy, and Wonder Girl punched theirs to the floor cracking it. "You will unhand the Queen!" Aqualad yelled swimming after the group as they went outside. Ocean-Master stopped to face them as his group left.

"So... The Fish-Head thinks he can give orders."

"Spend a little time with Royalty, and you think you're one." He continued lifting his trident. "But proximity does not create Majesty Fish-Head. Nor wisdom. The palace has spells in place only allowing defensive spells to be used..." He said before thrusting his trident forward, and shocking them until they fell unconscious. "But outside... Is a different story."

Poseidonis; September 07, 00:41 UCT-2.

"Kaldur'ahm!"

Aqualad groaned as his vision cleared to see Orm looking down at him.

"Kaldur'ahm, are you alright?" Aqualad quickly shot up and looked around. "Queen Mera!"

Orm calmed him down before taking him, and the others to the war room. "I've sent word to King Orin. But 'Aquaman' is on a mission for the Justice League, and cannot be reached. It's up to us to save the Queen."

"And the heir she carries," Aqualad said looking down at the map Orm brought up.

"Of course. Now, my sources found two possible strongholds... But as some of the guards have been complicit in the abduction. I and a few guards I trust will go to one. As you, and your friends go to the other." Aqualad nodded before the others swan away.

"Agreed, swim carefully Prince Orm. Ocean-Master is formidable and dangerous." Aqualad said over his shoulder as Orm smiled.

"So it is said."

Old Roman's Trench; September 07, 01:31 UCT-2.

The group swam along a trench before Miss Martian spike up through their link. "According to Orm. One of the Purists hideouts is along this trench." Wonder Girl looked to her and nodded.

Miss Martian took Aqualad out of the link so they could talk. "I let Garth, and Tula know we're going to a Purists hideout, and had them get help since we're walk-Swimming into a trap." Wonder Girl said before Superboy spoke up.

"Hopefully they'll get here before we're attacked then."

Suddenly a boulder dropped in front of them as Purists surrounded them. The Purists attacked them only to get attacked by Aqualad's classmates. Sha'ark punched one before grabbing him.

"Let's remove that hood... The tasty way." He said bringing his jaw down.

"Sha'ark no!" Lori said knocking the Purists away with her tail as Sha'ark bit only a piece of cloth off.

"Lemaris... Don't ever try that again." He said leaning in close showing her his teeth. "Unless you want to be my chum!" She nodded before speaking up pointing to the cloth.

"You have something in your teeth." He spat it out before replying.

"Nothing good."

S'attiroman Cave; September 07, 01:34 UCT-2.

Mera was on her knees chained to a pedestal as Ocean-Master was standing in front of his throne. "What do you want?" She asked as he pointed his trident at her.

"What do I want? Only what's mine... But first..." He replied before shocking her as the electricity turned blue as it drained her. "I want your power!" He yelled before laughing as she screamed.

"Stop... Please... You'll drain my life-force, and I'm with child." Mera pleaded as Ocean Master snorted.

"Yes, an heir to the Throne. Such a tragedy that he'll not survive the night..." He lifted his trident, and the energy sparked around him. "But at least he'll be in good company! Clean the impure and half-breeds!" Energy pulsed from him, and outside.

Old Roman's Trench; September 07, 01:44 UCT-2.

Everyone but Miss Martian was fighting until the Atlantian's except the Purists, Garth, and Tula fell and held their head. "I... Feel... Weak..." Aqualad said as Tula helped him up, and saw the Purists pick up swords.

Suddenly, ink surrounded them as Topo picked up Sha'ark with him. "I can't see," Tula said before Superboy's eyes glowed red.

"I can." He said seeing everyone clearly and attacked every Purist.

Wonder Girl focused on the direction Miss Martian went in and spoke through the link. "M'gann you read me?" After a moment she saw a cave entrance as Miss Martian spoke up.

"Yes. Sending you a mental location now." Aqualad shook his head, as he, and Loria looked to the others.

"La'gaan, Blubber Sha'ark, and Topo are no condition to fight." He said before Tula spoke up.

"Neither are you, and Lori let us handle-!" Aqualad raised his hand stopping her.

"No... Ocean-Master is too powerful, and his Purists are too great in numbers."

Lori nodded before continuing after him. "Beside... If we 'Fish-Heads' don't fight our own battles... That would just add fuel to the fire for Purists to use."

Teton County; September 07, 00:16 MDT.

"Laser scalpel."

The man said as Jim handed him a scalpel.

"Please don't do this." Jim pleaded as the man cuts Danette down the middle.

Jim covers his mouth before seeing a red female robot with a yellow arrow going down the middle of her body, and another on her head.

"Now... Your turn." The man said doing the same to Jim.

Revealing another robot with yellow arrows in the shape of an 'M' on his chest, and his head.

"Well... Don't you two look pretty as a picture... Remind me to get a camera for our family reunion."

S'attiroman Cave; September 07, 01:55 UCT-2.

A Purist swam in to hear Ocean-Master say he wasn't ridding the ocean of the 'impure', but to have the ones left declare war, and then rule the Oceans after it was over.

"So you used us?!" He said coming in, removed his hood reviling Ronal.

He created eels to attack Ocean-Master who turned it against him. Suddenly, he felt a pull on his trident, before looking over, and sensed Miss Martian.

"Oh, Kaldur's Martian surface dweller. I know just how to deal with you!" He said heating the water around Miss Martian until he heard someone yell out at him.

Looking over, he saw the Team swim to him before hitting Superboy's breather off having him sink. The Team, Tula, Garth, and Lori attacked Ocean-Master as he created a squid to attack them.

"Superboy, hold on." Miss Martian said swimming down and giving him air by kissing him. Wonder Girl looked back to see them and growled at them.

'Remember... She's just giving him air...' She thought with an eyebrow twitch before Garth yelled out.

"I call upon the power of the Tempest!" He threw a strong stream of water at Ocean-Master stopping him from draining Mera.

"So close child. But Ocean-Master is not that easily defeated." He said before looking to see the others with Mera staring at him all in their fighting stances.

"Without Queen Mera's powers, you can't win now!" Aqualad said as Ocean-Master created a red portal, and disappeared.

Poseidonis; September 07, 07:01 UCT-2.

"What do you mean King Orin pardoned Ronal?! He's lunch!" Sha'ark said as Topo, and Lori kept him from attacking Ronal.

"He switched sides, and helped us!" Lori said as Topo stood in front of Sha'ark.

"Sha'ark. Stand down!" He said as Sha'ark growled at him before snorting.

"Neptune's beard I hate being beholden to a squid!" He grumbled before letting up on his attack.

With the others, Aquaman, Mera, and Orm looked to the Team congratulating them. "Once again... Atlantis is in your debt Kaldur'ahm," Aquaman said as Orm nodded.

"Yes... And rest assured I find the 'sources' that led us both into a trap."

Aqualad nodded before speaking up. "Thank you... Now we should return to the surface... For these three start Earth High School this very morning."

"Yeah... Dad left me like a dozen messages reminding me to go to bed early." Wonder Girl said as Miss Martian spoke up after her.

"And besides... Aren't you dying to know what Artemis and the others have been doing?"

Mount Justice; September 07, 6:00 EDT.

M'gann, Superboy, Kaldur, and Donna walked into the cave before Dona motioned for Superboy, and M'gann to follow her.

"What's wrong Donna?" M'gann asked as they went into her room.

Donna sighed before looking at them. "Ocean-Master has the same feeling as Orm... They're the same person." She said causing the other's eyes to widen.

To Be Continued.