When the Atlantean rebels place the city of Poseidonis under siege, Aquaman mourns the death of his love.

Following the defeat of the invaders, Aquaman reaches a stand off as their army surrounds the city with food becoming more scarce. While Aquaman is dealing with the grief of having killed his wife in self defense. Aquaman then wallows in his self grief, standing beside her casket, until Mera bursts out calling him a hypocrite resuming her attack, revealing she survived because of her different physiology.

Following Aquaman admitting he hates himself over the fate of their child, Mera leaves this plane of existence. Before Aquaman has a breakdown for his lack of ability to save his own child, despite all the other lives he's saved. While the enemy sees fit to continue waiting to demoralize Atlantis.

The general then sets to attack at the next time, spurring Aquaman to come to grips with himself and set out to come up with a plan of his own. Upon some self reflection Aquaman comes up with a plan, to utilize the tides.