Poseidonis
September 1, 18:25
The fact that it had taken me this long to go to Atlantis left me in a bit of disbelief.
I mean, you'd think someone like me, someone who had discovered that everything comic book artists and writers had dreamed up turned out to be real would at least remember to visit the famous underwater continent… not city.
Kaldur had given me a much needed lecture and correction. The whole continent was called Atlantis and it was divided into eight city states; Lemuria, Neptunos, Xebel, Nanauve, Tritonus, Shayeris, Crastinus, and Posiedonis, where I'd just arrived by Zeta-Tube.
"My friend," Kaldur greeted and swam forward. "Welcome."
"Hey man. Thanks," I clasped arms with him and looked around. "I can't believe I went to space before coming here."
"The Zephyr's first flight. I remember. I can also see how jarring such a thing can be. After all, we are closer in terms of distance."
He started swimming and I followed suit, letting him take the lead since this was his turf.
"You're early, but I don't think the king and queen are currently occupied. Would you like me to show you around or shall I inform them that you've arrived?"
"Please let them know. I'd rather get work out of the way before enjoyment."
He chuckled. "Follow me."
We swam all the way to the royal palace and he had me wait in a pretty spacious and luxurious room. It looked pretty swanky for a waiting room, though maybe it wasn't one since this was a palace.
Nevertheless, I sank down into the couch and the sensation had me wondering how furniture worked here. Clearly they weren't made of normal materials. I brushed my hand along the seat and took scans of it and everything in the room, even the room itself.
There were some security cameras and bugs but I ignored them. I would have been disappointed had I not found any. Instead, I focused on the furniture, the wood, and the stone comprising the building.
They were all similar to their counterparts on the surface, but the Atlanteans had done some neat work to adapt them to submerged life and usage. Possible business ideas came to mind, but I shelved them for later as Kaldur had returned and I was here for another purpose.
Also business, but in an entirely separate direction.
"This way my friend."
Our trip was shorter this time, and it ended with us in a chamber that looked like only important meetings took place within it, with trident wielding guards stationed in every corner.
Aquaman, or in this case King Orin and his wife Queen Mera were both upright when we entered. Kaldur and I swam to meet them and I held the back of my fist against my forehead.
"Greetings, your majesty. Sir, Ma'am."
"Please, none of that Elliot," Aquaman placed his hand on my shoulder. "You can call me Orin."
"And me Mera," my gaze flicked over to the queen, and I noticed the slight protrusion in her lower midsection. Out of the corner of my eye of course.
"Don't look so surprised," she said as her husband let go of me and crossed his hands behind him. "You have done us and our people a great service. This is only natural."
"There was a chance to stop a lot of people from dying. I did what anyone would do. Thank you anyway. I am honoured."
"Please, come. Sit."
While I shook off the faint discomfort at being on a first name basis with the people who literally ruled the world's largest territory, Kaldur did the Atlantean salute instead of sitting down.
"I will take my leave now. The trainees await me on the grounds."
"Alright, Kaldur."
"I will join you once we're finished here," added Mera.
I wanted to tell Kaldur he didn't need to leave since the discussion wasn't supposed to be a secret. However, I reminded myself that this was not my turf. I did not dictate how things went down here so I simply returned his nod and brought my focus back to the king and queen.
"Since we're all busy people, I'll go right ahead and start. I hope that's okay?"
"Please…"
"Okay."
A hologram depicting the flat map of Earth appeared over the table, with the oceans all over the world having more than a few red spots on them.
"My goal today is simple. The red spots as you can see are the localized garbage patches currently sitting in the ocean. Those my company has been able to locate anyway. One of Rath International's main ventures is waste disposal, and we are looking to expand our reach. Roll outs to many states are already happening, and soon other countries will benefit from our unique and environment friendly methods. Since we already had a working relationship, I thought why not show this to you guys and see if you're interested."
"I knew I recognized those locations," said Mera. "Unscrupulous companies on the surface world using the great ocean, our home, as a dumpsite. What exactly are you proposing?"
"And what manner of compensation would it require?" Orin said, likely aware of where this was going.
"It'll take a few months, but soon, Rath Waste Management will have teams of trained people working on each island and the surrounding seas. As for compensation, there will be none needed since one, you didn't dump the trash there and two, I will benefit from the endeavor more than anyone."
"You are offering to do Atlantis, another great service."
The way Mera said it and the way she looked at Orin afterward made me narrow my eyes. Oh no, it wasn't malicious. Actually, it was the opposite. Still, they were acting weird.
"We originally had some doubts about this," they stopped communicating with magic and focused on me. "...since you opted to let your involvement in the salvation of Atlantis' and its people remain secret. With this endeavor however, you will not remain hidden for much longer."
"Yes," Mera drew my gaze to her. "And it'll justify your reward in the eyes of the people."
"Excuse my language but what are you guys talking about?"
"We would love to make you an honorary citizen of Atlantis."
"Oh…" the weirdness around the table disappeared as I considered her words. "I see."
It would be dishonest to hold back the smile worming its way onto my face. So I didn't. Despite the fact that I had no idea what being an honorary citizen entailed. The part about the citizen was clear though. It meant I was now Atlantean.
"I… I don't know what to say."
"It's alright. We are honoured to give you this."
I tried not to think much about it when earlier Mera said I'd done Atlantis a great service. Because it didn't take much effort on my end and also, helping them was a way to cover my bases.
This was some time before the plant monsters and the whole… thing that followed. All I did was give them a device that could detect lies for their questioning of Orm(they had gotten nowhere with him), another device that ensured no harm at all could come to Mera, and finally, a self updating location of Black Manta and his Manta Troops.
These three things allowed them to uncover a purist plan to attack Poseidonis and kill as many "fish-heads," (Atlanteans with inhuman attributes) and their sympathizers as possible, free Orm, and steal the frozen Starro.
Needless to say, this future didn't come to pass. Manta and his troopers arrived to initiate their attack, but it went about as well as you could imagine. Orm stayed in prison and his purists were rounded up.
It didn't even sound impressive when I went over the events in my mind, but I guess from the perspective of people who were responsible for the well being of millions and expecting their own child to join them soon, preventing the death of even one was a more than great relief.
"Thank you for this honour," I said after slowing my mind down.
"You're welcome. Why don't you join us for dinner?"
Shit. I had a date, and I wanted to keep our streak going after I messed it up. Wait, wasn't I technically a citizen now?
"Is it possible… can I bring a guest? She's my girlfriend."
The couple shared a brief look.
"Of course. We'd love to meet her."
"Great. That's awesome," I laughed. Still in disbelief. "I'll go get her now."
I guess Kaldur will be the first member of the team to meet Felicity.
Action: Become an honorary citizen of Atlantis.
Reward: Blessing (400 CP)
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Oa
September 30, 11:23
Was being thirty years old enough to justify a full beard?
It was pretty funny that this stray thought managed to cross my mind while I sat in the presence of the big shots that birthed and ran the Green Lantern Corps.
My chuckle at the absurdity earned a few twitches on the thick and oversized eyebrows of the white haired smurfs. These guys were so uptight and all knowing. It was always fun to challenge the worldviews they'd developed over their billion year lifespans.
"So… how goes the war with The Reach? There were much fewer Lanterns outside."
"Why do you ask questions you already know the answer to?"
"Small talk. You know, on Earth it's a way of filling—"
"We are aware of the phrase and what it means."
"So you also know it sometimes serves as a launch pad for the person using it to jump to what they really want."
"Mister Rath, in all the past times you've been here, we've had some truly enlightening conversations. And thus our opinion of you despite your… radical suggestions, is quite high. Do not make us lower it."
I huffed and crossed my legs, resting my gloved hands atop them. "Fine. But I was serious about the question. How are things on the front lines? I can find out myself but that would be boring and also tedious for a man of my many responsibilities. Also, I'm asking you guys because I always get straight answers from you."
A chuckle rang out from Ganthet and Sayd, the two Guardians who were back on the council because of me. "That would be a first. Most of the less evolved species we interact with believe we speak in riddles."
As for why the others kicked them out? Because they fell in love and were at least willing to show emotion. Not actually act upon said feelings, but just… reveal that they existed. Like I said, uppity. Loveable, but uppity.
Anyway, after Mongul tried and failed to destroy Hal Jordan's home city, I used that as an excuse to request an audience with the Guardians on the pretext that I sensed Parallax working behind the scenes to escape using a would be devastated Hal Jordan.
Confirming my claims came easy after that and I worked together with the Guardians to defeat and seal Parallax properly, thereby removing him from the Green Lantern's main power battery and hence their ridiculous weakness to the color yellow.
It was during this process that I convinced the Guardians of the possible threats—not just The Reach and Apokolips—but others like Sinestro leading his own Lantern Corps, the rise of the Reds, and also Krona.
Though I didn't know much about that last guy, just that he was a super bad guy, like multiverse level dangerous, they heeded my words that they needed to be stronger and more united than ever.
"How many beetles have you guys taken down so far?" I asked after returning to reality. From the disapproving stares, my little jaunt down memory lane, even if it took less than a second, hadn't gone unnoticed.
"Seventeen unwilling participants have been freed from their scarabs. Those that wish to keep them and join the fight are being evaluated and trained. The willing ones are under lock and key and awaiting trial."
"Hmm, sometimes I forget you guys are a police force, not a military one. Okay, time for my real question. What do you guys know about the Omega Effect?"
"What do you hope to achieve with such information?"
"Come on, guess. You guys are like a billion times smarter than me."
"Hmph, at least one of you recognizes the truth."
Hello to you, too Scar.
Dennap followed her sister's (were they sisters?) comment with her own. "Of course we know."
"Then? I don't see the problem."
"You are playing with fire, human."
"That's my job. And so is yours. Or did you recruit all these Lanterns so they could play dress up?"
"Prespostorous!"
I closed my eyes before rolling them. "In case you aren't aware, I've had to fend off dozens of assassinations and ploys from Apokolips in the past few years. I've had to kill so many New Gods I've stopped counting. And now, take a look at this…"
A hologram large enough for every Guardian to see manifested in the room's center. It showed an announcement on the news; the launch of Goode World Studios and an interview between the woman at the head with G. Gordon Godfrey, an absolute twat.
"That woman you see on the screen is not just anyone. She's one of Darkseid's close retainers. She's somehow split herself in two and left her New God half elsewhere so she can advance her master's purposes on Earth without anyone knowing. Godfrey is also a New God, whose role on the planet is to sow discord and mistrust of heroes within the masses. Before any of you say anything smug, take a look at this."
The scene on the screen changed to the image of a pair of virtual reality goggles.
"They're calling them Goode Goggles. Their obvious functions are not important. It is their real one that should make you worried. Goode World Studios is planning to roll out millions of these across the globe. When that happens, they'll have the identities and locations of any user with the Meta-gene. That doesn't paint a very pretty picture does it?"
Forever stoic and unimpressed with anything, the Guardians regarded my news with less worry than that of a wooden chopping board.
"We suspected as much. With the Reach and their holds and efforts being repelled by our Lanterns, it stood to reason that other unstable elements would capitalize on the breathing room. Apokolips was on the top of the list."
"Yes. The nature of their plans however, remained obscured to us."
"And now they aren't," I quickly added.
The Guardians took their eyes off me and began to deliberate within themselves with telepathy. It didn't take long for them to finish and for me to become the center of attention once more.
"We have put it to a vote. We will give you all we have on the Omega Sanction, if you answer one question."
That's it? And Omega Sanction? Isn't it Effect?
"Ask away," I stood up and returned my chair to Subspace, this time with no flash of light. Five years was a long time.
"Did you ask Metron?"
Ugh.
.......
Name: Blessing
Description: As Avacyn grants her blessing to the archmages of the Church, you are able to confer some of your energies to another through a touch. That they might better protect themselves or strike out in your name. Also allows you to have those you bless make use of the warding perk drawing from your power. This allows you to empower others with weaker versions of your powers by bestowing a small portion of your energy from any pool they can channel.
Cost: 400 CP
Source: Celestial Grimoire