Chosen Chapter 15: We Have History
Part 2
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The following morning, Billie woke up with a content and peaceful feeling. She had dreamt about being in another world, a world where her parents and sister were alive and well. A world filled with magic she had never seen before, where they were all happy and together. It was a dream unlike she had ever had before, as it had almost felt real. However, her peaceful feeling quickly faded when she remembered her own reality. She had fallen asleep agonizing over a way to make things right with Darcy, but she still had no clue how she could.
Billie got out of bed and looked at her phone. Nick had texted her to see if she was alright. She sent a quick message back that she was fine. She got dressed and headed to the bathroom to freshen up. As she walked past Violet's bedroom, she saw it was empty. It looked like Violet had taken her advice and had gone to talk to Arthur at Atlantis.
After finishing up in the bathroom, Billie headed downstairs and found Duncan asleep at the table with his head resting on his laptop. It looked like he had started his investigation into the mayor, though it didn't look like he had gotten very far. Meanwhile, Nathan had seemingly fallen asleep on the couch.
"Morning." Billie said loudly and cheerfully as she slammed her hand on the table, causing Duncan to shoot up with a startled expression.
"Billie, what the hell?!" Duncan called out annoyed. "Not funny."
"Wow, you actually have keypads imprinted on your face." Billie said smirking as she looked at him. "I guess the investigation did not go well?"
"Not really." Duncan admitted as he rubbed the side of his face. "I couldn't find anything."
"Seriously, what kind of detective are you?" Billie remarked.
"No, it's not like that." Duncan said. "I mean I could literally find nothing."
"What do you mean?" Billie asked.
"I mean that the mayor is too clean." Duncan explained. "I can't find a single piece of dirt. Her career has been perfect and I can't find a single mistake."
"That's weird." Billie said suspiciously. "Nobody is perfect."
"Exactly." Duncan said. "And even weirder is that I can't find anything about her past. No childhood or school, no personal life."
"Okay, now I'm starting to get interested." Billie admitted. "What is she trying to hide?"
"I don't know, but it might have something to do with why she hates magic." Duncan said. "She went to a lot of trouble to erase her past."
"So what are you going to do next?" Billie asked.
"We need to find out more, and if the internet can't help us, then perhaps her office can." Duncan said. "I think it's time for a little visit."
"Wait, you're talking about breaking into her office?" Billie asked with a frown. "Duncan, she is the mayor, that's a major crime."
"I'm not going to break in." Duncan replied. "I'm going to astral project in."
"It's still dangerous." Billie said.
"It's the only way." Duncan countered. "I'll take Nathan as back-up. He and his brother were professional thieves for years. We can handle it."
"We're doing what?" Nathan asked groggily as he finally woke up and turned around on the couch to look at them.
"We're breaking into the mayor's office." Duncan replied.
"Okay, cool." Nathan said causally after yawning loudly. "Sounds like fun."
"You guys are crazy." Billie noted. "I guess I can't talk you out of it, right? Just be careful and let me know if you need help."
"So what are your plans today?" Duncan asked.
"Well, I'm still looking for a way to make things right with Darcy." Billie admitted. "But so far I haven't been able to think of a way."
"I doubt there is a perfect way, Billie." Duncan said. "Even though you did not mean to, you really hurt her feelings. I think the only thing you can do is own up to your mistake and apologize."
"Do you really think it's that easy?" Billie asked.
"No, but I can't think of anything else either." Duncan replied. "I think she will forgive you in time."
"I hope so." Billie admitted. "I'll go visit her at her dorm."
"At Berkeley University?" Duncan asked.
"Yeah, why do you ask?" Billie asked.
"Well, I checked the mayor's schedule." Duncan said. "The reason we're breaking in today is because she is giving a speech there today for potential scholarship grantees."
"Great, just what I need, another encounter with the mayor." Billie said as she rolled her eyes. "That will be fun."
"At least you will be able to keep an eye on her." Duncan said.
"Sure, I can do that." Billie said. "Just promise that you'll be careful. We can't have one of the Chosen in jail when Ambrose decides to make his next move."
"Got it." Duncan replied. "I need to get ready. I'm going to go take a shower."
"I'll join you." Nathan said as he rose from the couch.
"Remember to be careful at the mayor's office." Billie said as the two of them headed up the stairs. "And call me if you need help."
Billie turned around and headed to the kitchen. She hoped they weren't getting themselves in trouble, but she started to agree that the mayor needed to be investigated. If she had gone through so much trouble to hide her past, there had to be reason. As much as she wanted to help, Billie had her own issues to deal with first. She quickly grabbed some fruit for breakfast and headed out. Duncan was right, she needed to confront things head-on and apologize to Darcy.
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As a swirling blue portal opened from Magic School, Violet stepped onto the rocky shores of Atlantis. Seeing the ruins of the once beautiful city always made her a little sad. So much history had been lost there, all due to a freak accident. Worst of all, the accident set off a chain of events which almost decimated the entire wizard race. Violet could understand Arthur's desire to save his people, especially since his own father was an evil monster. Arthur wanted to be among the wizards he had read so much about, the good and noble kind.
Violet remembered the vision Ambrose had shown them. The prince of Atlantis saw the destruction and turned his people to stone in order to protect them. He had hoped the other Wizard cities would come to his aid, but they were never able to. Arthur had been trying to find a way to free them for weeks now. Although she supported him, Violet also missed him. She wanted to spend time with him, not just for her sake, but his own as well. Arthur had a tendency to get obsessed with things that were important to him. If he did not find a way to relax, he would drive himself crazy.
Violet entered the courtyard in front of the grand tower and found several colorful tents spread out. Several Magic School students were doing research while being led by Ben McDowell, a teacher and friend of Arthur.
"Violet." Ben said as he noticed her approaching. "What a nice surprise, Arthur didn't tell me you were coming."
"That's because he doesn't know." Violet said. "I need to talk to him."
"I can pretty much guess what it is about." Ben replied. "He definitely needs a break."
"So you've noticed." Violet said. "I came to talk some sense into him. Hopefully he will listen."
"I'm sure he will." Ben said. "As long as you're the one to tell him."
"Thanks." Violet replied with a smile. "So what is going on here? Why are these students here?"
"Field practice, so to speak." Ben said. "These students are all part of Arthur's advanced history class. They wanted to help and we decided it was a good teachable moment. There is so much to learn here."
"But is it safe for them here?" Violet asked.
"Definitely." Ben replied. "We made sure to keep them away from anything potentially dangerous."
"Good, I can only image what kinds of powerful artifacts the wizards had lying around." Violet said. "So where is Arthur?"
"He is inside the tower, with the statues." Ben said. "As always."
"Have you made any progress?" Violet asked concerned.
"No, not yet. Every spell and potion we tried so far has failed." Ben replied. "We know they are still alive inside the stone, but there is no way to free them. Arthur blames himself."
"It must be hard for him." Violet noted. "I'll go talk to him."
"Good luck." Ben said.
Violet nodded and walked toward the tower. When she entered it, she found Arthur standing in the grand hall, surrounded by the petrified wizards. He was busy writing something in a journal and did not notice her entering. He looked tired, as if he had not been sleeping enough for days.
"Maybe this one." Arthur mumbled to himself and he started casting a spell in a strange and probably ancient language. When nothing happened, he threw the journal away and it landed right in front of Violet.
"Oh god, I'm sorry, I didn't see you." Arthur quickly said when he noticed her.
"It's alright." Violet replied as she picked up the journal. "Looks like you need a break. And some food along with it."
"I'm alright." Arthur said.
"Really?" Violet asked with a frown. "Because it looks like you're neglecting yourself in order to solve this."
"I'm the only one who can." Arthur said defensively.
"That doesn't mean that you have to drive yourself insane." Violet replied. "You can't spend all your time in the ancient past. You have a life in the present."
"They've been waiting to be freed for centuries." Arthur argued.
"I know this is difficult." Violet said. "But maybe taking a break is a good thing. Rest and clear your mind for a moment. Maybe new ideas will come naturally."
"Maybe you're right." Arthur replied. "I'm starting to get tunnel vision."
"Good, I brought us breakfast." Violet said as she opened her bag and revealed some sandwiches. "It's tuna. Your favorite."
"How did you know?" Arthur asked with a smile.
"Please, I think I know a little bit about you." Violet replied. "We are dating after all."
"Yeah. And I've been pretty neglectful, haven't I?" Arthur said a little ashamed. "I've been spending all my time here and not with you."
"Look, I know this is important. I support you, but I'll admit it's also frustrating." Violet said. "I miss you."
"I miss you too." Arthur said quickly.
"I'm glad to hear that." Violet replied. "So let's get some fresh air and eat."
Arthur nodded and he took her hand as they headed outside of the tower. They walked down to the beach and sat down on a large rock to enjoy the sun and the slight breeze. The island truly was beautiful, even as a ruin, so Violet could only image how it looked before. It must have been a paradise for the people who lived here.
"So have you learned anything new?" Violet asked. "About the people who lived here?"
"Yeah, I discovered a lot actually." Arthur replied. "We found some records that were preserved by magic. It told us a great deal about the city and its people, including the royal family."
"Like the prince." Violet noted.
"His name is Emyr." Arthur said. "He was meant to take the throne after his mother and grandfather before him. The family history is quite amazing. Every wizard city had its own royal family, but they all descended from the high king, Magnus."
"Wait, as in the Staff of Magnus?" Violet asked. "The staff your father has?"
"Exactly. The eldest and most powerful wizard in existence." Arthur explained. "His children founded the wizard cities all over the world, including Atlantis."
"And Emyr is his great-grandson?" Violet asked.
"Yes." Arthur said. "Magnus' eldest son Neptune founded Atlantis. After his death, he was succeeded by his daughter Cressida, Emyr's mother."
"Neptune." Violet repeated. "Like the Roman god?"
"Not all gods in mythology are actually divine beings." Arthur replied. "Most were just extremely powerful beings that were only worshipped as such."
"I know." Violet said. "So did you find anything that could help us free the wizards? Or stop your father?"
"Not yet." Arthur replied. "But Ben and the students are still looking. I just wish we could free Emyr and the others so we could ask them."
Violet fell silent, as she wanted to say something to comfort him, but could not find the words. They had already tried everything to free the wizards from their stone prison. They could not tell them anything right now. Suddenly a realization came to her, there was a way to ask the wizards for help, just not in the present. She was given the ability to travel through time for a reason, right?
"What if we go ask them?" Violet asked.
"What do you mean?" Arthur asked with a frown.
"I mean go back and ask them." Violet said.
"What? No, Violet, we can't." Arthur said. "We can't alter the past."
"We don't have to." Violet said. "All we need is to know how to reverse the petrification. We won't impact the timeline if we just retrieve some information."
"But still…" Arthur said hesitantly.
"Arthur. I have this special destiny, right?" Violet reasoned. "What if I am meant to help you free the people of Atlantis, to find a way to stop Ambrose? Isn't it worth finding out?"
"Of course." Arthur replied. "Are you sure about this?"
"No, but I have to try." Violet said.
Violet took Arthur's hand and closed her eyes. She focused on the time and place she wanted to go and then opened her eyes again. They were surrounded by a flash of white light as everything around them disappeared for a moment. When the flash of light faded, they were sitting in the same place. Violet wondered if something had gone wrong.
"Did it work?" Violet asked.
"Yeah, it did." Arthur said amazed as he looked behind them.
Violet followed his gaze and turned around. The city of Atlantis was in front of her, untouched by the magic that had destroyed it. The white towers were tall and majestic and she could hear the sounds of its people going about their business like any other day. Violet stood up to get a better look, but she suddenly felt exhausted and dizzy.
"Are you okay?" Arthur asked concerned.
"Just dizzy." Violet replied. "Why do you look so worried?"
"Your nose." Arthur said.
Violet frowned and wiped her nose with her sleeve. When she looked at it, it was covered in blood. She wondered why her nose was suddenly bleeding, though before she could think of an answer, her exhaustion overwhelmed her and everything went black.
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