Under the Sea

"Ladies. Gentleman. Welcome... to Atlantis!"

Jubilee and Gwen rushed to the window followed by Jen and Walt. The large undersea city-state sprawled before them. It was full of spires and domes and pyramid like structures that made one think of the ancient past but the materials and techniques used and incorporated into it were extremely hightech and modern looking.

"Whoa..." Gwen and Jubilee both said making Walt chuckle and nod. Jen also smiled looking out the window but shaking her head. "First Doom and now Namor? You know he's... different?"

Walt chuckled and nodded. "He always has been. But not necessarily a bad person. Atlantians are just a little different. Honestly I always found them a bit refreshing that way."

Jen blinked then shook her head. "You really have been lurking around in the background in this world a longtime... how do you know Namor?"

Walt smiled sadly looking at the bouquets they'd brought. "Through loss." He looked up. "Ok. Those who are coming with suit up but anyone who wants to stay in the boat decide now. Also don't forget to be on the very best of behavior with Namor and the Atlantian people. We're guests here. Don't start any trouble and if it does happen let our hosts take care of it unless they ask. With the exception of your physical abilities your powers will likely work and be affected kind of differently down here under the water. Especially you Jubes. We don't want a point blank steam explosion down here. Experiment with your powers carefully down here."

They all nodded and he smiled. "Ok. Suit up get those deep sea charms I made on. Let's get wet!"

---

" Presenting his Majesty in the name of Father Neptune, Namor the First, Prince of Atlantis, Emperor of the Deep, Lord of the Seven Seas and Supreme Commander of the undersea legions come to greet his guests from the surface world!"

Walt bowed to Namor as the Atlantean and his routine approached them. The girls followed suit. The proud prince Namor smiled and motioned with his hands. "I greet you and bid you welcime to Atlantis my friends! Please rise!"

Walt smiled and did so. "Thank you for your hospitality and meeting with us my friend."

Namor nodded and then proceeded to take Walt's hand. "Come no need to be quite that formal. You're looking well!" Namor squeezed his hand hard. "Too well considering... you damn wizards and your cheating! How do I know it's really you?"

Walt grinned and squeezed back equally as hard. "It's me but I'll prove it." He gestured to the wreaths they'd brought. "I'd like to pay my respects if you'll permit us?"

Namor smiled sadly and nodded easing his grip. "You would. Granted. Follow us. Help my friends carry their kind offerings," he ordered. Several Atlanteans bowed and helped carry the wreaths as they followed Namor and his routine. "You've never forgotten?"

Walt shook his head. "I haven't... I'm still sorry it turned out the way it did and that I haven't been back in so long."

Namor shook his head. "It's understandable... you tried to help me in your way and I appreciate that. I just..." he sighed. "It's hard to admit but I wasn't up to the task then. Even with your advice and guidance I... wasn't good enough. I thought I'd make more attempts in the future someday but... grief is funny sometimes."

Walt nodded. "It's different for everyone. I'm sure she was happy like I am knowing you found some measure of peace. In a way you're stronger than I am... it took me a lot longer."

Namor chuckled. "I suppose so... anyway somethings happened and even her preserved body is gone now. I'm still saddened by the loss but thinking of her now... only the happy memories come forth." He looked at Walt over his shoulder. "If I'm not mistaken it's becoming like that for you as well finally?"

Walt nodded. "Yes. It finally is. I was successful in my quest many, many times... but never in my goal. That final realization... that there really was no hope... it was... almost as bad knowing all my efforts had been in vain... but it wasn't as bad as losing her and my quests had made me too strong. The many people I met along the way? The experiences we shared? Those things all happened. Changed me. Helped me." He smiled over his shoulder at the girls. "And I'm changing still."

Namor nodded. "Indeed. This is why you are a 'wise one'. Wisdom isn't just something one possess though everyone has different levels of it naturally. The truly wise grow even wiser still. Their experiences add to that store of wisdom."

Walt chuckled. "I am glad to see your own store of wisdom has grown."

Namor laughed. "I am too! It was not so in my youth and I still have a tendency to get carried away... but I have also changed and grown some over the years." He winked. "If only a little.... you came once seeking knowledge, then again offering me what you had found with your sympathy. What is it you seek this time?"

Walt nodded seeing the mausoleums and monuments ahead coming into veiw. "Two things. To honor the dead... and then to make a proposal of sorts."

Namor nodded. "Just so you know you're not exactly my type... but maybe the others..." he saw the look on Walt's face and grinned. "A jest. Only a jest!"

Walt grumbled. "It's not funny from you. You have a bit of a reputation."

Namor grinned. "And you do not? Ah, yes! I see... it's like that because we're similar but different that way. We can recognize one another."

Walt paused and sighed nodding. "Yes... we both enjoy the opposite sex of different species outside our own and can see the beauty in others some might not. But the ladies with me I care about dearly so please have a care?"

Namor nodded smiling. "As you say it shall be done." He looked more solemn. "We have arrived... thank you for this kind gesture necromancer."

Walt saw the monuments. "While I'm here do you wish to speak with them, my friend?"

Namor shook his head sadly smiling at the monumets to his wife, his mother and ones raised to the fallen Atlatean warriors. "I often do. I haven't need for you to summon them forth to say what's in my heart. Thank you for the offer though."

---

"Hmmmm... I see." Namor said. He and Walt were watching the ladies having fun playing some Atlatean ball and hoop game with their hosts. It was like an aquatic version of basketball but played on a field a little like a football field.

"What do you think?" Walt asked.

Namor stroked his chin. "I think you're dangerous and your timing is poor."

Walt had a sinking feeling. "Trouble?"

Namor nodded. "Yes. That's why I couldn't come to you pn the surface and why your reception wasn't as grand as would be fitting..."

Walt shook his head. "Don't concern yourself with that. How can I help?"

Namor smiled. "We'll talk about that later... let's start with your dangerous thinking first."

Walt blinked and nodded. "You're not wrong but I'm trying to be responsible with-"

"No," Namor said waving his hand. "Not that! I'm interested in your proposal of course. We tried something similar before with the mutants and it went well for a time until outside forces mucked it up. Honestly I should have approached them again about this Krakoa business. I should thank you for the excuse to work together. And while I'm wary of Doom we have worked together before and it was the child you were really after. I'm in and we'll see about Atlantis's involvement."

Walt nods smiling. "Thank you. But what did you mean then?"

Namor smirked and shook his head. "You're in a relationship with those three. That's not easy. Trying to make things work and please three women longterm is difficult- what is so amusing?"

Walt laughed and shook his head. "You're not wrong." He leaned in and whispered a number into Namor's ear.

Nanor blinked then stared at him. "You're not dangerous... you're insane! Why would you court folly so wizard! One wrong move and they will tear you apart! Or are your appetites so prodigious that you need that many women?"

Walt shook his head. "I'm not sleeping with all of them. But enough of them. I didn't plan for any of this... and I work hard to please them." He smiled. "Making them happy, makes me happy. Having a family. It brings me more joy than I've ever known."

Namor smiles. "Then I'm happy for you... but for your enemies it provides a plethora of "weak points" to use against you. Politically, tactically and psychologically."

They watched the girls throw a ball. Jubilee passed to Gwen while detonating a tiny Plasmoid to create a cloud of steam blinding her but also their opponents. Gwen passed the weighted ball to Jen who threw it through the other teams ring goal from nearly the length of the 'field'.

"They'll all need to be like that," Namor said. "Strong, trusting each other, willing to share, give and take..."

Walt nodded. "Teamwork... they are. They're stronger like that everyday... and that inspires me to be stronger as well."

Namor smiled. "Good. That's the only way you'll make it work... but what are you willing to do for them?"

"I'd do anything-" Walt started to say but Namor held up his hand.

"I know... and that's what is most dangerous of all," Namor said giving him a pointed look.

Walt nodded. "I see your point." He smiled. "You really have grown wise."

Namor laughed. "Not yet but I have much experience now that I had not before and like you I'm trying to do better!"

Walt smiled. "Alright... now tell me about your troubles."

[Walter Stark Penny Polendina F.R.I.D.A.Y Neopolitan Pyrrha Nikos Nora Valkyrie Yang Xiao Long Blake Belladonna Kali Belladonna Sienna Khan Willow Schnee Glynda Goodwitch Zwei Ahnassi Lifts-Her-Tail Senko Sayoko Shinozaki Roberta Cisneros Haruna Sasha Blouse Ilulu Rachel "Raven" Roth Manami "La Brava" Aiba Tsuyu "Froppy" Asui Haruhime Sanjouno Anastasia "The Baroness" Cisarovna/DeCobray Demona Mystique Pirotess Lydia Aela the Huntress Serana Mission Vao Curie Ada PAM KL-E-O Merida Gwen "Gwenom" Stacy Jubilation "Jubilee" Lee and Jennifer "She-Hulk" Walters

Will Return In

Ancient Evil

Coming Soon]