Next Step Forward
12/31/1941, London, England
Namor had been sitting in a bar, he had been looking around with curiosity at everything that was there, he had went and grabbed at a bottle that was there and had drank it, he wasn’t a major fan of Surface Alcohol, but there seemed to be a celebration, so he had decided to go and enjoy himself as he had looked around before seeing that there was Toro and Jim had been walking by in civilian clothes.
“Hey, Namor!” Toro had said towards him with a smile as he had went and approached him, “Are you enjoying the New Year too?” he had asked, and hearing that, the Atlantean had shrugged a that, “I had wanted to walk and I saw that there was a party, so…” Namor had went, looking bored at that, “Are you alright, Namor?” Jim had asked of him now, making Namor shrug.
“I just wish that my friends were here.” he had said towards them, making the two of them give a look at that, “I thought… we were friends?” Jim had asked and hearing that, Namor had shrugged at that, “We are, I just meant my childhood ones.” he had told them, “I take it you and the fellas all had some fun in the New Years? Tipping Sea Cows and stealing some of the hard stuff?” Toro had asked.
That had made Namor confused, “Fellas? I wouldn’t call Dorma and Nammu fellas.” he had said towards each other before the two of them had looked at each other before they had gotten more curious, “Were they gals?” Toro had asked of him, making Namor cock his head now, “Of course, Dorma and Nammu are not mens names.” he had said towards them.
That had made Toro raise his eyebrow at that as he had grinned towards him now, “So which was your gal friday?” he had asked of Namor which had made the Prince angry and glare at him, “They are my friends, they’re not like Sandy.” he had told them and hearing that, the young man and The Synthezoid had looked at him with interest at that.
“Alright then, you can’t just leave us with that.” He had said, “How about we all go and talk somewhere more private?” he had asked and hearing that, the three of them had went and headed towards one of the alleys that was there, all three of them looking at each other as they had went and started to fly up to find a place more private so that they could discuss more about his past.
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12/31/1941, Big Ben, London
Namor had flown to the top of the Clock Tower and as they had done so, Namor had sat on the ledge, looking down with the others doing the same and as they had done so, the trio had all looked down upon the city and all of the people there, they were all curious for different reasons as Toro had looked towards him, “So… what’s life in Atlantis like?” he had asked of him.
Hearing that, Namor had sighed and leaned back to look at the stars, “It was nice, I remember when I was little and my grandfather had exiled the last cloner, I remember swimming through the waters with them to the Arctic and avoiding the sea beasts there, I remember meeting Sandra and falling in love with a girl on the surface.” he had said towards them with a smile.
That had made the two of them look at him, “So you and those two… Dorma and Nammu… you never–?” “No!” Namor had said, disgusted at that, “Nammu is more like an annoying little sister, and Dorma… I was in love with Sandra until recently… I don’t know if there is anything there for now.” he had said towards them and hearing that, Toro was confused, “What kind of Atlantean name is Sandra?” he asked.
“The Surface Dweller kind.” Namor had said towards him, “I met her back in 36’, her father was a wealthy man in Long Beach and we had some passion back then.” he had said towards them which had made the two all the more curious, “Huh, you’ve had an interesting life.” Jim had said towards him and hearing that, Namor had shrugged towards him, “That’s not even the half of it.” he had told them.
Toro had grinned towards him, “If they look like you, then you mind introducing me to a few of them?” he had asked and hearing that, Namor had sighed, “None of them look like me” he had told them, making the pair of them confused at that, “Atlanteans have blue skin, and no one but my cousin Namora has wings at her ankles.” he had explained towards them.
That had made them even more confused at that as they started to hear the clock moving, “Well then, congratulations on another year of life.” he had said towards the two of them, going to walk off of the ledge, just as the clock rung, he had grinned before going to fly now, doing a deep curve so that he could be flying in the night sky as he had hoped that those he cared for were having fun right now.
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1/1/1942, Atlantis, Arctic Ocean
Dorma had woken up from her slumber, the ritual to welcome the new year filled with as much sadness as there was joy as She had woken up, looking at everything around them before seeing that Nammu was walking in now, “Nammu.” she had said towards her oldest friend, going and getting up now as she had spoken, “There’s no news about Namor yet.” she had said to her.
Hearing that, Dorma had given a shaky smile, “No news is good news, correct?” she had asked of her handmaiden who had given a sad smile, “I guess, though I still say that Sandy’s saying is too optimistic.” she had said, making Dorma smile as they had both headed to the balcony where they saw that there was a group of people who had been listening to a person.
It was Byrrah in his purple cloak, while the rest of the royal family had grieved, he had paraded around them all as if they were readying for an election like what The States did, “There’s also something else.” Nammu had said towards her, “The Engineer that had been responsible for the studying crashed vessels had started in the construction of a new vessel, one that utilizes the algae instead of the Black Stuff.”
That had made Dorma curious, “And do you have a diagram?” Dorma had asked of her, making Nammu grin at that, “I do, and you are going to enjoy it.” she had said, pulling out one of the images that had been made, “They call it The manta.” she had said towards Dorma who liked that, “And I cannot wait for the first test flight.” her servant had said towards her.
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1/8/1942, Bute, Scotland
Namor had been in the waters, looking around at everything that was there before he had brought his head up and saw that the two boats were there and they were very subtle, one almost wouldn’t have thought that they were Nazi Vessels, when he began to see that his enemy was approaching now it had made him angry right about now, “Namor.” U–Man had said with a wicked glare.
“Meranno.” he had said as well, the two of them glaring at each other before Namor had readied his trident, both of them glaring at each other as the Atlantean in Green had spoken, “I take it that the rest of your team is hiding around here somewhere?” he had asked, but Namor had only glared towards him, “You don’t deserve an answer, you don’t serve anything.” he snarled before shooting forward.
The man had smiled towards him now before cracking his neck, “Welp, Pluto and Schmidt said I might need to kill my kind.” he had told Namor before the prince had shot forward to tackle him, not caring about whatever lies he had spouted right now as he had went to beat him, punching his jaw before Meranno had went and kneed him in the gut, the two of them going and starting to wrestle.
At least until there was a noise which had made the two of them confused at that when they had seen that there was wave that had made the two of them get pushed away and that had made the pair glare as they had seen that there was a noise which had made them confused at that as they had noticed that the vessel which had started to sink from the hole that was there.
Seeing that, Namor had went to go and attack at them again before Meranno had went and uppercut him to the surface, making him a bit disoriented as he saw that the creature that he had seen in the mansion was there as well, “Fresh meat!” They had shouted out towards Doctor Spectrum and that had made the Atlantean angry, he had went to fly upwards,only for Meranno to grab at his ankle.
“GRAAGH!” He had went in anger, going to hit him in the head as Zarda had went and leapt over while Meranno had slashed at his chest, making namor bleed, wondering how he had gotten claws that sharp “Set if off!” Meranno had shouted out towards the second vessel, confusing Namor as he had looked towards the strange device which had released a shockwave.
That had made him fall back into the water, disorientated and he was in the water, trying to right himself as Meranno had went and kicked him in the gut in anger and as he had looked at everything that was there, “Have fun!” Meranno had said towards him as there was a flash above the two, Meranno pressing a button by the side of his helmet, covering it up as the energy hit him and made Namor black out.
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Namor had gasped awake and as he had looked around, Namor had realized that he was in a fishing net as members of The Navy had went and started to get him down, making him confused, “What–?” “It was a strange device.” Jim had said towards Namor who had been stretching now, one of the medics going to work on his chest wound now, “The supplies were captured, but the others escaped.”
That had made the Atlantean angry at that, “Where’s Meranno?” he had asked of them and hearing that the group had all looked at each other at that, “U–Man.” he had responded once again, and hearing that, the Prince had gotten angry, going and punching a tree, hard enough that the hole was large enough to make the group of them all look towards the Prince there.
They had appeared confused at the sight of his anger and so he had went and turned his wrath in their direction now, “Meranno escaped!” he had snarled towards them, “We were able to get so much, it doesn't matter if we lost one.” Zarda told him, but they didn’t understand, they didn’t understand at all, their homes were safe but his was a target for them.
Namor had glared, wanting to argue, but The Human Torch had spoken, “Look, we should go and report back to the honchos, they might know something we can use to catch Meranno and that Vampire.” he had said and hearing that, the soldiers had all looked at him, “Baron Blood?” one of the gray haired ones had asked, making them all looking towards him, “Baron Blood?” Zarda had asked reminding him of the vampire.
Hearing that, he spoke, “Yeah, back during The Great War, there was a vampire who worked for The Germans, real nasty sort.” he had said, making the group all look, “Great to hear,” The Human Torch said, “We know our enemy, now we better get ready to tear them all apart.” he had said and hearing that, the others had all nodded at that, as they had started to get up to deal with it.
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2/14/1942, Atlantis, Arctic Ocean
Nammu had given a hollar of joy as she had went and put on the throttle, the builders that had developed The manta had worked perfectly for them and it had moved like a dream as Tiny had followed after her, the Sea Beast by her side and was appearing quite happy right now with her while Dorma was unsteady and a bit spooked by what was going on, “Can you please be a bit more careful?” she asked.
That had made her handmaiden turn back towards her lady, “Sorry, it’s just… it’s SO fun to be this fast!” she had said, the helmet that she was wearing helping her move everything that was there perfectly before noticing that there was something, it was one of the patrols that was there so Nammu had decided to be playful as she had went and started to get in close.
That had surprised them and made them start to split up, a bit worried by the sight as she had went and headed upwards, “Nammu…” Seth had said as he and Dara had both looked at what she was planning, “Nammu.” Dorma had said to her, but She wasn’t listening, “NAMMU!” Dara had shouted out and hearing that, Nammu had simply laughed as they had breached the surface now.
They had flown upwards and as they had gotten into the air, they had been surprised at how they were able to glide in the air and as they had done so, the others had started to smile as well, glad for it as they had chewed towards them, going and falling into the water again, all of them glad for that as they had went and had fun with each other at this moment right now.
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2/14/1942, Compo Beach, Westport
Cass had been enjoying herself in the water, laughing and splashing everything and as she had done so, Cass had turned to see that Lizzie and her parents were talking, they had looked angry, so she had decided to go and have some fun now, heading towards a bit further down and as she had done so, Cass had went and started take off the water socks that they had made her wear.
She had went and started to get her little wings at the ready before she had noticed that there was a boy that had smiled towards her, “Whatcha doing?” he had asked, seeing her and reacting, Cass had went and put her feet down, not showing her little wings, “My feet got itchy.” she had said towards him, “Cassandra Kendal.” she had said, trying to imitate her big sister as she had said that.
The boy was awkward and had went to take her hand, “Phillip Rice.” he had said to her before giving a wet kiss to her hand, making Cass giggle towards him, “Cassandra!” Her sister had said, heading over with her parents close behind, “Lizzie!” she had said before two more adults had approached as well, “Phillip! What are you–?” a woman had asked when they saw each other.
“Mr. Kendal, good to see you again.” he had said with a smile, “And to you, Mr. Rice.” he had said and hearing that, the two kids were all the more confused by that as Phillip spoke, “Do you wanna go play in the water?” he asked, making her grin, “Yes!: She had said, the two of them going and running towards the water and as they had done so, the adults there smiled at what they could be.
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2/14/1942, White Cliffs of Dover, Kent
Namor had been sitting on the edge of the cliff and as he had done so, the Atlantean had seen that there were some more boats, some more that were making him smile at that as Namor had seen that there was Toro who had looked happier than he usually was which was making him a bit confused, “Why are you so… happy?” he had asked and hearing that, Toro had grinned.
That had made the young man smile at that, “It’s Valentine’s Day! Of course I’m happy.” he had said towards him and hearing that, the Atlatnean was confused, “I heard that term before, what’s a Valentine’s Day?” he had asked, Sandy had tried to tell him about it, but there was never time and then, then there was the attack…” he had said towards him now.
That had made the boy shrug at that as he had went and spoken, “It’s basically when you fall in love with someone and show it today.” he had said towards Namor and hearing that, he had went and leaned back in confusion, “I don’t understand, we should be showing that every day, not just the one alone.” he had said towards him and hearing that, the teen shook his head at that.
That had made the Prince confused even more, “It’s just… it’s a day to celebrate love.” he had said towards Namor who had went and nodded at that, “Anyone you’d wanna celebrate with?” Toro had asked of Namor who had went and thought about that, “No.” he had said words him, “Sandra once, but not anymore–” “What about Dorma or Nammu?” Toro had asked of him.
That had made the Atlantean pull a face, “Nammu? She’s basically like that friend you wrestle with all the time growing up!” he had said towards him, making Toro give a look, “And what about Dorma?” he had asked, hearing that from him, he had went and thought, “I… that’s a good question.” he had said, making Toro grin a bit wider at that as he had went to stand up now.
He had looked at the ocean and had decided to go for a swim as he had went and stepped off the ledge, going and flying downwards and as he had done so, the Atlantean had seen that there was a few others that were under water and seeing them, he had grinned now and went to fall into the water, looking around them with one of the Atlanteans approaching him and grabbing his hands.
“It is good to see you, our Prince.” she had said and hearing that, they had went and started to circle him and remembering what they had told him, he had decided to go and celebrate love with them with a smile as he had thought of Red Heads and Blondes right now as he went to go and kiss one of them deeply, deciding not to come out of the water until the next day.
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3/30/1942, Falsworth Manor
Namor had been going through some spear work against each other and as they had done so, the two of them had went and used such force, it had made them grin at each other as they had went and slammed into each other with a bodycheck, Namor going and punching her into the face and making her nose bleed right now as she had went and kneed him in between the legs.
He had grinned, glad that he had a cup there as he had went and started to charge forward once more and as they had heard a voice, “Stop!” John Falsworth had said out loud and hearing that, they had both pused, turning and looking towards the man who had been looking healthier than before, “What can we do for you, Commander Falsworth?” Zarda had asked of him.
Hearing that, the man had approached, scratching at his neck as he had entered the sunlight, “We have a mission for you over in the sea.” he had said towards them and hearing that, Namor had grinned towards him, “Ah, but wait, why Zarda?” he had asked and that had made The Utopian glare before admitting, “Yes, why am I involved in the mission?” She had asked.
Hearing that, the man had went and revealed it, “In Germany, there’s some tests that the scientists there are conducting to create Super Soldiers.” he had said, showing pictures of the victims, how warped and broken they had appeared, “Every once in a while, there’s a success and one of them is working with U–Man.” he had said towards them and hearing that, Namor got angry now, “Where?” he demanded.
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3/30/1942, Faroe Islands, Atlantic Ocean
Namor and Zarda was on the coast and as they had looked, the two of them saw the float that had been set up, it was the only link that the submersible had to the surface and now they were going to watch, “How do you think we should do this?” Zarda had asked, wearing baggy fisherman’s clothes with her hair in a cap while Namor had been dressed in a similar way.
“I say that we cut the line, if none of them can use the lift, then none of them can escape.” he had said, “But what about U–Man and The Super Soldier, they might be able to escape?” she had asked and hearing that, Namor had looked to her, “How long can you hold your breath?” he had asked of her, “Two hours for fun, six if I’m serious.” she had said to him, making Namor nod, “Good, tomorrow is when we’ll strike then.”