When Krang raised the banner of rebellion and declared his intent to overthrow Namor's rule—the situation hadn't actually reached that absurd a point yet.
Krang was certainly a powerful Atlantean. In fact, he was likely the strongest among them after Namor himself, but the gap between the two was immense. Had Namor not been bewildered by the sudden betrayal of his own army, he could have settled the matter with this upstart on the spot.
Furthermore, Namor couldn't understand why the surface-dwellers were so brimming with confidence. Namor was temperamental, but he wasn't a fool. Realizing there was something suspicious about his opponents, he quickly retreated to the royal city of Atlantis, intending to consult with his loyal subordinates before making his next move.
As the Lord of the Seven Seas, Namor possessed a group of super-powered underlings who were essentially bottom-tier celebrities in the superhuman world. This group, known as "Deep Six," served as an "Atlantean version of the Avengers" and included members like Orka, the human killer whale, and Tiger Shark, a cyborg enhanced with Namor's own DNA. They were Namor's most devoted followers.
In short, they were far more loyal than a traitor like Krang.
Namor swiftly gathered his subordinates and convened a meeting. He tasked the sorceress of the group with addressing any magical issues, while commanding Atlantis's scientists to investigate information regarding the weapons used by the surface-dwellers.
He didn't believe a word of Krang's rhetoric about "Namor being too soft on the surface-dwellers." Namor might have been reluctant to wage a formal war with the surface for various reasons, but he would never buy Krang's excuses. If Krang were serious, his first act should have been to turn around and slaughter those surface-dwellers.
"And now, the surface-dwellers are systematically constructing oil rigs, which only proves that Krang is using a clumsy lie to attempt to overthrow the legitimate King of Atlantis."
The habitually irascible Namor couldn't help but chuckle at the thought. Krang's lie was so inept that it was almost comical. But it didn't matter; before long, he would return at the head of the Atlantean grand army.
When that time came, he would show Krang exactly who bowed to the surface-dwellers and who exterminated the surface invaders.
Almost the very next day, having received the analysis of the depth charges from his scientists, Namor took his trident and his army and struck back. They reached Atlantis (another city) with almost no resistance. Namor pointed his trident at his enemies, and the army behind him charged forward.
"Namor the Incompetent, you actually dare to return?"
Krang was a blue-skinned Atlantean who, due to biological enhancements, appeared more fish-like than the average citizen. He led his own troops to face Namor. Namor, in turn, looked upon the traitor with nothing but contempt and mockery.
"The only reason you were able to bewitch my army was through the power of a sorceress. Her charm magic has long since lost its effect, and I have already found a solution for the surface-dwellers' depth charges. Now, tell me, Krang, what other tricks do you have up your sleeve?"
Krang said nothing. He simply reached out and produced an ancient, blue crystal box inlaid with gold filigree. Although Namor possessed no sensory abilities, he instinctively felt a sense of threat. With a roar, he ordered his men to attack while hurling his trident directly at Krang.
Namor's trident was intercepted by a powerful energy shield. However, Namor had already lunged forward, reclaiming his weapon in mid-air and bringing it down with a heavy blow. He was on the verge of success; the energy shield erected by that unknown sorceress was nearly at its breaking point.
But Krang had already slightly cracked open the box.
An endless, biting cold wind howled out from within. In an instant, a massive iceberg was forged within the depths of the sea. The Atlantean army and Namor's royal guard were all encased in ice. Only Namor, shivering violently, continued to resist.
Krang closed the Casket of Ancient Winters and stepped forward, seizing the trident Namor still gripped.
"It's over, Namor. I am doing this to prevent the destruction of the Atlantean people."
"Bullshit!"
"What a shame." Krang looked at Namor. "It seems your death is inevitable—"
A beam of rainbow light suddenly enveloped the center of the battlefield. Krang's arm was struck by the light and instantly vaporized. Amidst his agonizing wails, he watched his victory slip away in an instant.
The beam then connected back to Avengers Mansion. Thor tossed the frozen, dehydrated Namor aside. Seeing the Avengers, Namor reached out a trembling hand.
"I... Atlantis needs your help... Avengers."
Let's rewind the clock a few minutes and see what was happening on the other side.
After Thor had once again traveled to the Realm of the Elves to help the Elven Queen hold back Malekith's army, he returned to Asgard. The moment he landed, Heimdall, who stood guard over the Bifrost, turned his gaze toward him.
"Midgard is under attack. Atlantis has been frozen over."
Hearing this news, Thor was a bit bewildered. Atlantis was within the sphere of influence of Olympus. Why was his comrade telling him this?
Then he heard Heimdall's second sentence.
"Amora has stolen the Casket of Ancient Winters."
Thor, who had intended to go see Odin, froze for a moment. He then asked Heimdall, "Does Odin know?"
Seeing Heimdall nod, Thor immediately flew toward the dungeons. Heimdall watched Thor depart in silence and let out a sigh.
Thor burst into the prison area and arrived in front of Loki's cell, slamming his hammer heavily against the cell's energy shield. Startled by the thunderous noise, Loki sat up and broke into a smile, watching his brother roar and strike the cell again.
"Loki!"
"What is it, my dear brother? Have I upset you again?"
Loki stood up and walked to the edge of the cell, examining the space more closely than ever before. Odin's All-Father power fortified this place to the point that even Thor's hammer could not breach it.
Thor questioned him in a rage, "You know exactly why! You directed Amora to steal the Casket of Ancient Winters and freeze Atlantis! What were you thinking? Are you trying to start a war between two pantheons?"
Loki paused. However, he did not answer the question directly. Instead, he looked at his brother with a face full of mirth. "Actually, this wasn't my idea."
"Are you suggesting Amora would dare enter Odin's vault to steal an ancient artifact without your instruction?"
"Actually, it was your father's idea, brother. The Great All-Father has not fallen into the Odinsleep, yet did he stop a mere sorceress?" Loki flashed a triumphant smile and leaned back against the energy wall of the cell. "Think about it, brother. Why would Odin indulge my behavior?"
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