young_swimmer:

Below or above the surface, Atlantis was Atlantis. Not much had changed in the city and with the people even though it was now an island on the surface of the water. There was still rebuilding to do, but the population of the city went about their daily lives and politics and government never took a break.

It was Cait's first weekend in Atlantis as part of the deal with her mother and Arthur. Ty was with her and so far Arthur had been on his best behavior. Ty was stressed and Cait was stressed, but they were able to handle it. For now.

Today was a council meeting and Cait was looking forward to it. She had an ace up her sleeve and with any luck, after the meeting she won't be betrothed to Cerdian.

She took a deep breath and walked into the council chambers.

young_swimmer:

The few days after the attack had been very busy for Cait. Atlantis didn't run itself and there was so much to do it wasn't even funny. Cait knew what her father did and what went into running a kingdom, but she never realized how tiring it was. Cait was exhausted at the end of each day. She collapsed on her bed in the evening and didn't move until sunrise.

The work was hard, but thankfully the council was supportive and so was Lord Garth. They got through the few days while Arthur was recuperating from his injuries. When the royal physician informed her that Arthur would be ready to resume his responsibilities, Cait readied herself to go home to San Francisco.

She was in her room gathering a few things to take back with her since she had very little there.

dc_parent:

Arthur walked through the ruins of Poseidonis. The jewel of Atlantis lay mostly in ruins and was now floating on the surface of the ocean. Her sister city of Tritonis was in ruins on the ocean floor. Arthur's kingdom was in ruins, but the people were alive. They would rebuild and Atlantis would flourish again. Arthur would spend the rest of his life making sure of that.

He looked around at the ruins of the city and the people moving about. Arthur already had the council on his back for a meeting, but he told them it could wait. He had to make sure his people were provided for first. A good majority of the newly resurrected citizens had been evacuated to Cerdia, but even Cerdia couldn't hold all of the citizens of Poseidonis. Personnel essential to rebuilding were here now and ready to get started.

Arthur looked over at Mera and smiled. No matter what happened they'd get through it together. His gaze wandered and fell on Ash. Arthur had heard she had assumed the throne and with Garth's help led the surviving people of Atlantis to safety in a remote area away from the two ruined cities. When word that the dead had been restored to life, Garth and Ash led the people back to Poseidonis and they had just arrived.

Mera. Garth. Dolphin. Cerdian. Ash. Just one person was missing from his family. Cait. Thoughts of his daughter added some weight to his shoulders. He had to find her and see if she had been brought back. He couldn't imagine having to go through the rest of his life without her in it.

dc_misc:

At the Hall of Justice, where the YJLA was currently taking refuge, everything seemed calm and quiet. In spite of the recent Black Lantern attacks, the team seemed to be holding up well, and many of the members were currently resting and recovering from helping out with various relief efforts.

Yes, all seemed well and good for the Young Justice League...

Outside, a dark cloud grew over the Hall of Justice...and a horde Black Lanterns closed in on the Young Justice League.

young_swimmer:

Caitria of Atlantis, RISE!

Mera of Atlantis, RISE!

Cerdian of Atlantis, RISE!

Ataam of Atlantis, RISE!


Way beneath the surface of the Atlantic Ocean in the underwater kingdom of Atlantis the dead were rising. Lids were pushed off of the sarcophagi in the royal crypt and in a small cave some distance from the city.

dc_parent:

Arthur sat quietly and listened to the council debating...something. He honestly hadn't been paying attention to what was being said. It was a meeting of the Royal Council and he always had problems paying attention to the prattling on of the council members, but now it was worse. His heart and his head wasn't in anything right now.

He brought his focus back long enough to hear General Nakesh finish the report about the state of Atlantean military forces and their readiness. Something was building on the surface and Arthur didn't think it would stay confined to the surface.

Arthur nodded his thanks to Nakesh and looked to Ozell. Ozell was the current chairman of the council and ran the meetings. Hopefully this meeting was over.

dc_misc:

Throughout the U.S., every network, and many cable stations break into their regular coverage. The image of the Daily Planet comes on screen, followed by an image of a blonde woman with a tear streaked face. In the background, there's the ruins of a LexCorp facility.

"This is Carol Phelps for the Daily Planet." she begins, composing herself as she goes into field reporter mode. Even at her age, this is usually a Lois Lane job, but she's on assignment elsewhere - and this is very specific news. "And today, I'm sure the world will join us here at the Planet in mourning. Metropolis' first son, our visitor and protector from the stars - Superman, is dead. The tragedy occurred following a battle with noted business tycoon and former politician Lex Luthor, who appeared to have gone back to his criminal roots. The pair, along with a large number of robots and automated weaponry battled for hours in the skies above Metropolis. What brought about the conflict isn't certain.
What we do know is that Superman defeated Luthor and the apparent weapons, containing the damage to a small section of Metropolis around the LexCorp facility behind me, at significant cost to himself. At that point, and unknown third party arrived on the scene. We have not yet identified this person, who appears on cameras only as a shadowy outline. The stranger had words for Luthor and Superman both - we are attempting to find out what was said even now. Whoever the unknown party was, however, he then..."
she pauses, struggling to find her voice. "He slew first Lex Luthor, and then Superman, using some sort of lightning based weapon. We are not replaying the footage here, as the graphic nature of the images may be too shocking for some viewers, but it will be made available once authorities have had a chance to review them.

For now, a great deal remains unknown. What we do know is that the city... the planet, is without its first son. Superman is dead."

dc_parent:

Garth of Atlantis woke with a start, looking about the room he shares with his wife in Atlantis.  Normally, he sleeps well and fitfully, but early this morning, the shadows have taken on a different cast. They seem deeper, darker than usual. He's not certain what is wrong today, but he doesn't wish to disturb his wife with his misgivings. He wishes Cerdian were here, to ask his opinion. The boy had come a long way from the shy, uncertain youth into a deeply thinking and feeling young man who stood by his friends and was loyal to his king and kingdom.

In short, everything a father could ask for in a son.

Sliding out of bed, Garth goes to begin his daily rituals, working a few wards that he wants to teach Cerdian the next time he's home. He needs to remind him to spend more time with his mother. She worries so much for their son at times that it takes him back to the days when he was just a baby and she refused to put him down. Their discussions over it were legendary.

"You'll unman him if you don't let him stand on his own, Dolphin."

"He's a baby, Garth. Besides, I know he's safest when he's in our arms. There will be plenty of time for him stand on his own." she told him.

A knock on the door breaks Garth's concentration. Messengers never come this early, unless King Orin needs him. Orin has called for him less since Caitria's passing, and Garth isn't sure what to do about that. He cannot say that he knows how Arthur feels, but he wishes to help his friend.

He rises and answers the door, greeting the messenger with a smile. The young man hands him a parchment and bows, leaving Garth to read the note in private.

As he reads the missive from Dick Grayson, one of his oldest friends, Garth feels his knees weaken, then give out from under him completely. He tries to speak, but the only thing that escapes him is a series of loud, wracking sobs that echoes through the house.

Ironically, he now understands /exactly/ how his king feels.
 

seasiren:

Asherah had not been able to say more than a word to anyone before the funeral. She had been looked over by one of the healers who had seen to a few very minor cuts and bruises but over all Ash had been fine. That did not leave her feeling very good. It didn't seem fair that she was fine when other people weren't. She was angry at herself.

If only she had been better. She wasn't a brave person. She knew that. She had always known she was not very brave. She remembered that in her world she sometimes heard her parents arguing when they thought she would not hear them because they thought she was as timid as a tuna. They each had different ideas on how to change that so she would be a better princess.

She thought that perhaps she had changed during her time on this world. Cait had been very inspiring as an 'older sister'. Cait was capable of making up her own mind. Cait could talk and say what was on her mind without stammering. Cait was what Ash thought a good princess should be and now she and Mot--Mera are both dead and laying in the royal crypt.

She takes the time to clean her face off again and stands up feeling like she had been sitting too long in a court yard on the palace grounds.

"I should g-go," she says out loud managing to say most of that out loud without much of a tremor in her voice , which was a great improvement. It hurt to be in Atlantis maybe she should see if the Teen Titans will have her aid in fighting the other Titans. She thinks she should try and do that. Even if the thought of fighting scares her and makes her feel like little more than a frightened child which was counter to the progress she had thought she had made.

dc_titansofmyth:

Oceanus and his wife Tethys approached the domed city of Poseidonis. The world's oceans were once under their rule and would be once again. The usurpers, Poseidon and his followers, would be driven out and Oceanus would once again claim what was rightfully his.

Tethys was next to her husband as they approached the domed city. Poseidon's rule over the oceans would end and his mortal worshipers would properly be worshiping Tethys and Oceanus. The Titans would once again take their rightful places.

The two walked confidently up to the gates of the city.

young_swimmer:

They had to spend a few days in Poseidonis before coming back to Titans' Tower due to Cait's wounds, but eventually she was well enough to make the trip. The physicians wanted her to wait longer, but Arthur needed to get back here and Cait didn't want to leave him around Ty for any longer than necessary. To be honest, she was surprised San Francisco was still standing after Arthur had already been there for a few days.

Once they reached Metropolis they called the Tower and Cait asked Ty to come and get them. Cait was in bad enough shape with two healing stab wounds, she didn't want to add any additional misery by flying.

Cait smiled after they appeared in the Tower. Teleporting wasn't her favorite method of travel, but it was still better than flying. The important thing was that she was home. Nothing felt better than coming home.

"Hello?" she called out.

young_swimmer:

Cerdian had given Cait the kick in the ass she needed to get things moving to rescue her father. No one else was going to rescue Arthur. The Atlantis stuff...well that was something she would deal with later. Getting Arthur back on the throne was the most important thing at the moment. Her issues with him could be worked on later. Maybe. It depended on Arthur.

She slipped into her uniform and called AJ, Cerdian and the Titans. They didn't have to go, but she would ask for their help.

all_powerfull:

The entire world is reeling from the aftermath of the near disaster with an elder god's rise. Nowhere is more hurt than San Francisco, including Titan's Tower, and the ravaged bay. Normally, he tries to be very careful not to overuse his powers, tries not to leave the world too affected. But this is special - its both home, and its just before Cait's birthday. As such, all of his normal rules are off.

First there's the city. He isn't so bold as to try and fix the trauma and pain and all, but he can blanket the area with positive psychic impressions, and push people towards good dreams and limit the nightmares. Its a start. Then there's the damage done - using Calculator's memory of everything he's seen while above the city, he slows time until he's effectively moving at 99.999% of light speed, and begins transmuting everything back the way it was - but clean, lacking all the dirt and wear and tear, making the city as new as if everything had just been built. Even at his speed, it takes most of a day.

Then he turns his attention to the Bay - its been most ravaged of all. Death and decay fill it, lifeless fish and other creatures float on the water and litter the sea floor. Somewhere between ocean master's magic and bending time, he starts by accelerating the processes, the decayed things rot away, and become fertilizer in very little time. The spawn slime and acid is disintegrated so things can grow anew, and for good measure, he takes decades of pollution with it. With Poison Ivy's powers, he grows new plant life, then speeds its growth, rebuilding the shattered ecosphere.

Ocean Master's magic and telepathy helps him locate examples of the sea life that should live there, this time leaving out all the invasive species that had moved along the coast. He teleports a few breeding pairs of everything that should be there from elsewhere, restocking the bay. There's not near as much life there as before, but there's the bare bones for recovery.

He's given her not just San Francisco back, but renewed the city, and especially the Bay, and helped the people towards some kind of recovery, but there's one step left.
Reaching out into the ocean, he finds what he's looking for - and he returns a pod of Pacific White-Sided Dolphins to the Bay area, working just one bit of magic. One of the pregnant females undergoes just a little bit of magic, boosting her health and suitability as a mother, and the timescale is time-sped up just right.

When Cait wakes up tomorrow morning, amidst all of the astounded other headlines and reports of various signs of hope will be one that should stand out to her - just to make sure, he plants a suggestion in the lead editor's head, and makes sure there's a good photograph of the pod in the Bay, used as a sign of hope and renewal for the damaged region, making sure when she wakes, there'll be a newspaper nearby with a photo and large headline about the birth of a brand new baby pink dolphin in San Francisco Bay.

lantern_kid:

There's a flash of green light, and the heroes arrive abruptly.

"Go!" the Green Lantern declares.