Gabriella was awakened by the sun streaming into her room. The young three year old girl smiled as she got out of her ornate bed. Outside her window was the ocean. Gabriella lay down on her stomach and placed her hand in the water. Seconds later, it was pushed back out when a dolphin calf came to the surface.

"Athena." Gabriella greeted leaning down to kiss her bottle shaped nose. "I'm going to bring Troy over to play with us. Don't worry, he's my best friend. I've got to go find Mama and Papa. You go find your mama, ok?"

Gabriella opened the door from her chambers to the hallway. Along the hallway, were portraits of her family and landscapes of the kingdom. The young girl heard voices coming from the royal throne room. She smiled and raced into the formal room.

"Papa!" Gabriella greeted happily.

Emperor Atlas looked up from his work to see his only child standing at the entrance. He dropped whatever he was doing and stood up. Gabriella giggled and ran to meet him excitedly. Atlas caught her as she jumped into his arms and swooped her up. Gabriella giggled as she wrapped his arms around his neck in her tightest hug ever.

"And how are you, My Little Princess?"

"Good."

"Did you sleep well?"

"I did,"

"What are your plans for today?"

"I'm taking Troy to meet Athena."

"Athena is the new dolphin calf, right?"

"Yes, she is very cute."

"And she is very lucky to have you watch over her, isn't she, Pompadour?"

"Yes, all the animals are lucky to have Princess Gabriela watching over them." Pompadour agreed smiling as he watched the father and daughter.

Four year old Troy was seated on the steps that led into his family's home. He was the son of Emperor Atlas' Army General Copernicus. All his life, Troy wanted to be a general, just like his father. His best friend was Princess Gabriella and today they were going to swim and play with Gabriella's dolphin friends.

"Troy, what are you waiting for?" Copernicus asked as he took a seat next to his son on the step.

"Gabriella." Troy answered. "She and I are going to play today."

"And what are you two going to do today?"

"I'm going to meet her dolphins."

"Princess Gabriella must really like you, those dolphins are very important to her."

"Why wouldn't Gabriella like me? We're best friends?"

"Never mind, you'll understand when you're older." Copernicus said before he noticed Gabriella arriving to meet his son. "Here she comes."

"Troy!" Gabriella greeted excitedly.

"Hi, Ella." Troy replied. "I'm ready to go."

"Ok." Gabriella replied smiling.

"Troy, be respectful, as always." Copernicus instructed. "Your mother and I will come fetch you when it's time for supper this evening."

"Yes, Papa." Troy agreed.

"Good morning, General." Gabriella greeted to her father's friend.

"Good morning, young princess. I hope the two of you enjoy your day."

"Thank you, Sir."

Troy then took Gabriella by the hand and led her away. Copernicus chuckled as he watched them journey off together. Both he and Atlas were prepared for the day their two families would be united in marriage. With Troy, the son of the General of the Royal Army and Gabriella, the daughter of the Emperor, Atlantis would be the perfect kingdom the world would ever know.

Gabriella giggled as she and Troy ran through the streets of Atlantis on the way back to the palace. Her light green dress train flowed behind her. Troy laughed as he ran behind his best friend. Other children playing yelled greeting as they raced by. Atlantis was a very peaceful kingdom. Atlas kept them out of wars and turmoil. In fact, since the kingdom's founding over a thousand years ago, there had not been one act of crime or violence. The royal family was kind to everyone. There were no taxes, poverty or hunger. The Emperor and Empress walked freely on the streets and the princess would attend school with other children intead of having private tutors in the palace.

"Gabriella!" a blonde boy, slightly older than Troy and Gabriella, called catching up to them.

"Hello." Gabriella greeted as she and Troy came to a stop.

"Do you want to come over to my home and play this afternoon?"

"I'm taking Troy to see the dolphins."

"Can I come?"

"I'm sorry, but I told them I was only bringing Troy and with the new babies, it's not a good idea to bring too many people, especially when they aren't expecting them." Gabriella explained. "Maybe next time."

Five minutes later, Gabriella and Troy arrived at the palace. They were giggling as they chased each other. Just then a pair of arms caught both of them. The children's giggled as Empress Kida caught them and began to tickle them.

"Mama." Gabriella giggled.

"And just what are you doing, My Loves?" Kida asked once they settled down.

"I brought Troy to met Athena."

"Athena's the baby right?"

"Yes, Mama."

"Well, you two better get going. I'm sure she's waiting for you both."

"Ok, Mama."

Troy and Gabriella continued on until they got to Gabriella's chambers. They made it to the water's edge. Gabriella knelt down and placed her fingers into the water. Troy sat down next to his best friend as they waited. Just then two dolphins popped to the surface right in front of them.

"This is Athena and her mama, Hera." Gabriella introduced. "This Troy, he's my best friend."

Troy slowly and gently held his hand out. Athena softly bopped the palm of his hand playfully. Both dolphins began to whistle and squeak. Gabriella and Troy, getting the approval, jumped into the water. Athena swam over to Troy while Hera went to Gabriella. The children both grabbed their dolphin's dorsal fin before they dove underneath the water. Both children were always in the water. It seemed that they spent more time in the water than out. More than a few occasions, their parents literally had to dive in and get them when it was either time to eat or time for bed.

Several hours later, Kida walked into her daughter's chambers. When she didn't see Troy and Gabriella inside, she automatically walked outside. She smiled when she saw them sitting on the rocky ledge watching the dolphins and the other ocean life.

"Come and get some lunch." Kida called to the kids. "You've been out here swimming all morning!"

"Yes, Mama!" Gabriella agreed as they walked over to her.

"Your mother is going to join us as well." Kida told Troy.

Troy's mother, Cleo, was Kida's Lady in Waiting and also her best friend. As Kida led them into one of their many banquet halls, Cleo stood up as her son took off for her. Troy hugged his mother tightly as she kissed his forehead softly.

"How were the dolphins?" she asked.

"Gabi and I had so much fun!" Troy exclaimed. "Athena likes me!"

"She went right to him." Gabriella added. "When we got under the water, all the dolphins came and played with us."

"I'd say you've had a big adventure this morning." Kida said smiling to the two children.

"We did and we're going back after lunch." Gabriella stated with a bright smile. "Will you come?"

"I guess we could spare a couple of hours to play with you and the dolphins." Kida agreed.

"Yay!" the children cheered.

Later that evening, both families sat together as they watched the sun go down. The four parents all sat on the steps as the sun disappeared over the horizon. The only sounds that could be heard were the quiet waves splashing against the steps and the laughter from their two young children as they played in the water. Although they spent all day in the ocean, Troy and Gabriella were not quite ready to get out.

"They certainly get along, don't they" Atlas asked Copernicus.

"Yes they do." Copernicus agreed. "Just like all of us."

"Except they will be married in the future." Kida announced. "Together, they will be the best Emperor and Empress Atlantis has ever seen."

As the four adults dreamed about the future, none of them could imagine that one single act was about to take place that would change the people of Atlantis' whole way of life. And in that one moment, a whole chain reaction that nobody could prepare for and it would lead to one of the greatest mysteries know mankind.

Hi! I know it's been like forever since I've been here! Life has been getting in the way and this new creation has been getting any of my free attention. I hope you all enjoy this. I have worked very hard on this and took the time to write everything out before typing it up. Please read and review with any thoughts you may have. Thanks for reading.