I have a confession to make: I loved Atlantis 2: Milo's Return. Although nothing like the first movie in terms of quality, it was still a fun piece of animation, and expanded on the personalities of the team rather nicely. If the idea for a "Team Atlantis" spinoff had gone ahead, I can safely say that I'd be watching right now (possibly in my underpants) like the disgusting woman-child I am. The idea of a sort of Scooby Doo/Hellboy/Disney mash-up is just awesome, and after watching Atlantis 2, I knew I had to have a shot at writing a Team Atlantis-esque story, using one of my favorite mythical monsters.
I tried to keep the feel of the original movies, albeit with a touch more darkness in places. There is some gore, some gross moments, and a bit of death. (In other words, nothing that wasn't in the original.) There is also no shipping beyond some mild Milo/Kida moments, so you'll have to go elsewhere if you're looking for some hot Vinny on Mole action...
So please, enjoy, and don't be afraid to review. I won't bite/have a nervous breakdown if given some constructive criticism. These characters are all awesome, and I want to do them all justice. So please, tell me if I screw up.
Prologue
The sea was lashing against the steep, jagged cliffs, far in the distance, marking the faintest roaring in Mavis' ears. Quietly, shifting her weight carefully across the creaking floorboards of the old house, she crept towards the stairs, stopping for a moment to peek through the door to the bedroom. Inside, the two children slept softly in their little beds, Alistair's red hair peeking from the gap between blankets and pillow, Beth a small lump cocooned in the covers. Mavis smiled slightly at them, then slipped their door shut, and quietly made her way down the stairs.
The door of the great old house creaked, startling loud in the darkness, as she eased it open. Outside, a scant few stars gleamed through a thick blanket of cloud, and the ocean roared louder. Holding her lantern in front of her, Mavis began to walk down the rocky path that led to the stables, her lamp's faint glow doing little to dispel the warm, damp mist that had rolled in from the sea again. The sweet salt tang of the sea carried with it a strange undercurrent, she noticed. A faint, sour smell that hit her in the back of the throat. She wrinkled her nose, and quickened her pace.
The stable was dark and quiet, a single faint light gleaming from one of the stalls. From within came the sound of deep, laboured breathing. Mavis peered over the top of the stable door. Inside lay a large chestnut horse, its lithe limbs stretched out stiffly on the straw, its flank rising and falling in a difficult, jerky motion. In the deep straw, beside the sickly horse, her husband Thomas sat, one hand between the creatures ears, gently rubbing its ears.
"How is he?"
Thomas looked up from his patient.
"He's holding on. He'll make it to the morning, I think."
Mavis pushed the stable door open and slid through. The horse's ears flickered a touch as she settled into the straw beside her husband.
"And the others?" She asked.
"All better than this one, at least."
Mavis sighed slightly, peering down at the horse's crusted eyes.
"I just hope this doctor from overseas knows what he's doing."
She gently patted the horse's damp neck, the sour smell of decay still clinging to the back of her throat.