Chapter 4: The Truth Comes Out
A full week passed by as Scooby-Doo and his pals continued their search for the city of Atlantis. Despite the numerous obstacles they had to overcome, the crew of the Odyssey felt that they were acquiring a wealth of knowledge. The monuments they were finding, the messages in the glyphs matching those on the map, the evidence of the ancient road. The signs kept pointing to the possibility that the group would find something after all. But the Mystery Inc. gang still had questions, the most prominent of which was: what did Scooby really see?
"It still doesn't add up," Velma was saying the next day. "Everything we've found so far seems to be pointing to an ancient civilization that we still don't know the reality of."
"So, like, why would there be creepy fish-men down here if there really isn't an Atlantis?" wondered Shaggy.
"Let's not jump to conclusions, guys," Fred insisted. "I still don't know if there is anybody else down here. I'm beginning to think we've just been following a really old trail that hasn't been worn away yet."
"Then why would Scooby wake us up if he didn't see anything?" Daphne asked. "And if he did see something, where did it come from?"
"That's the mystery," replied Velma.
Suddenly the explorers stopped and found that they were standing on a small cliff overlooking a few yards of sand-covered ground. At the end of the cavern was an exit whose other side was hidden by what seemed to be a waterfall. Velma checked her GPS, but the signal was too weak to reach any lines on the surface. Then after glancing at a common map, she said, "We've been on this trail for a week at least, so if I'm reading the map right, we should be about sixty miles west-southwest of Santorini by now."
"So, now what do we do?" asked Shaggy nervously.
"We look behind that wall of water for a closer look," said Fred.
"Like, I was afraid you'd say that."
But before any of them could suggest another course of action, there came sounds of shouting and running, and the group found themselves surrounded by a small group of men with three women. They were clad in blue or green garments and wearing fish-like masks and helmets, and they were all carrying hooked spears. Scooby and Shaggy jumped into each other's arms and shivered with fear while Fred, Daphne, Velma, and the others looked at these newcomers in surprise. Then Fred said, "They're not fish-people. They're humans."
"But then who are they?" asked Daphne.
Then the group realized it and Velma said, "It can't be. Atlanteans?"
Mr. Milton looked at the armed warriors and said incredulously, "But… that's impossible."
"N-n-not for them," Shaggy stammered.
Then the armed warriors approached them, causing the explorers to tense up, and then took off their helmets to reveal their faces. The Atlanteans had deep tan complexions while their hair was dark or bright in color from light brown to blonde, and one of the women had red hair like Daphne. Then the man who led the group said to them, "Wai ghen ra, kishibin? Bara ghen ra ka?"*
"Wh-wh-what did he just say?" wondered Shaggy.
"I ron't row," gulped Scooby.
Velma stepped to the front and said in response, "Gish ak ida nam-du. I-man ghen musafirin."*
When the Atlanteans heard this from Velma, one of the women approached and asked, "Ra ghen musafirin?"*
Then Velma said in Greek, "Naí. Eímaste taxidiótes kai fíloi."*
"Ah! Miláte ti glóssa ton Achaíoi."*
"¿Hablas español?"
"Sí, señorita."
The group was amazed to say the least, for their expedition to find the lost city of Atlantis was finally getting results. It seemed they had found the people of that city, and to their utter surprise, these people knew languages both ancient and modern. When Scooby and Shaggy and the others wondered about it, Velma explained that the language of the Atlanteans was likely tied to the Indo-European root dialect. Then Captain Walton decided to try speaking to the Atlantean guards in English.
"We are explorers from the surface world," he explained. "We have come here hoping to see for ourselves if the legend of your city is true."
"Then you shall see it for yourselves," the first of the guards replied. "Follow us."
With that, the explorers followed the guards along a path that went behind the falls to another cavern, in which were several boats requiring poles to move along. Scooby and his pals boarded one boat while the rest of the crew boarded three others. Then it was only a short trip down the underground canal until they passed into a cavern so high that the ceiling was barely visible. Waterfalls poured in from the ceiling as well as several beams of sunlight. And in front of them was what they had been looking for all this time.
"Atlantis!" Scooby and the gang murmured in unison.
There was no more doubt from anyone. They had finally discovered the lost city of Atlantis, hidden from the world for nearly four thousand years, and it was marvelous. There were no walls around the city since the Atlanteans had no need to fear attack. Every building was built from mud bricks like most ancient buildings had been, and most of the houses in Atlantis were arranged in a square formation outside a marketplace. But the most surprising part of Atlantis was its intertwining architecture. There were a number of temples and meeting places that were built in the style of the Greeks, but there were some buildings that resembled those from Egypt. There were even towers there resembling ziggurats from Mesopotamia, which confirmed Velma's theory that the Atlanteans had had contact with all three civilizations before theirs vanished under the sea.
When the boats pulled up to the docks and everyone disembarked, the guards led the explorers through the streets of Atlantis to meet their superiors. As they passed through the streets, Scooby and the gang were surprised to see how unusually pristine the city looked despite being so ancient. Nearly every building had been refurbished, lanterns illuminated every road in Atlantis, and most of the fine houses and temples were ornately painted and bore depictions of lions, bulls, and fish. In the village squares, large statues of the ancient kings of Atlantis stood like great guardians of stone. If all that wasn't amazing enough, the city was alive with activity. Men and women in sea-colored garments went about their daily business, merchants were selling wares of food and drink, pottery, jewelry, and fine silk and fabrics, and even children in short clothing played merrily or walked beside their mothers and fathers. As the Mystery Inc. gang and the Odyssey crew passed by, the people of Atlantis instantly noticed them and began talking among themselves in excitement and wonder.
"Keep calm, gang. They're just curious about us," encouraged Fred.
"Like, I just hope everyone in Atlantis is friendly," whispered Shaggy.
Eventually, the guards led the gang toward the royal palace of Atlantis, which had a very Mesopotamian form, and they stopped before a small flight of stairs. At the top of those stairs were a few more guards and a lovely young woman who seemed just Daphne's age. Like her fellow Atlanteans, she had a deep tan complexion, and her shoulder-length hair was a clear, pale blonde. She wore a sea-green top and skirt which left her stomach exposed and wore jeweled bracelets as well as a single anklet over her right foot.
The crew looked upon this girl in wonder, and after hearing the guards' explanation, she said to the Odyssey crew, "Welcome to the city of Atlantis, outsiders. I am Mirasephon, princess of Atlantis and heiress to the throne."
"Like, hi," Shaggy said with amazement.
"Reah. Rello," Scooby added.
The princess Mirasephon smiled at Scooby and Shaggy and the rest of the gang, and then she said, "Come, my esteemed guests. I must bring you to my mother and father."
With that, the group followed Mirasephon (or Mira, as Scooby and the gang addressed her) into the palace, and on their way through, they got a surprise at the intricacy of the architecture. The walls were overlaid with marble tiles, the columns capped with gold, and several statues of Atlantean philosophers, artists, leaders, and kings lined the halls. Soon the group came to a large chamber where a short walkway of stone divided a reflecting pool filled with small fish. At the end of the room were a man and a woman seated on thrones of marble and gold, and the group immediately knew that they were the king and queen of Atlantis. They both wore blue clothing and Atlantean jewelry, but while the king wore a Mesopotamian crown, the queen wore a golden crown that resembled one worn by an Egyptian queen.
The princess Mira approached the two monarchs and bent on one knee and said, "Dearest Father and Mother, our scouts spoke true. Newcomers from the surface have found our city of Atlantis and they stand before you now."
The king and queen were intrigued at this and approached the Mystery Inc. gang and the rest of the submarine crew. The group knelt as well, and then the king said, "I am Mardeshek, king of Atlantis and ruler of the world beneath the waters."
"And I am Anamarhet, the brightest jewel of the Ten Kingdoms," declared the queen.
The submarine crew got down onto their knees to show respect, and while Fred would've preferred to speak for everyone, it was Captain Walton who spoke first. "Your Majesties, we thank you for your welcome and wish to extend to you and yours our hands in friendship."
King Mardeshek said to the captain, "You presume much, outlander, to expect a warm welcome so soon. Nevertheless, we gladly extend friendship to you and yours as you have shown us peaceful greetings. By what names shall we address you and yours?"
With that, the crew of the Odyssey introduced themselves and then Scooby-Doo and the gang did the same. When the introductions were done, King Mardeshek said to the crew, "What has brought you to the sanctuary of our city?"
"Only a thirst for discovery, Your Majesty," Captain Walton replied. "We have journeyed to find Atlantis for only this purpose. We are people of science who seek to share the discovery of truths with the world."
"It's true, Your Highness," said Fred. "Hardly anyone on the surface believes that Atlantis exists. The knowledge of your city's existence would provide so much for everyone to learn; culture, mythology, art, science. The possibilities are practically endless."
"Not to mention all those tasty undersea buffets to try out!" added Shaggy.
"Reah!" agreed Scooby.
The king and queen and Princess Mira all laughed, and then King Mardeshek said, "I believe that you mean what you say, and so shall it be. You are all welcome to stay."
Scooby and the gang looked excited and so did the others as they followed the royal family into the palace. It seemed they were in for a real treat.
A/N: Princess Mira is based off Kida from Disney's Atlantis: The Lost Empire, but I decided to depict Atlantis as a different type of city that just "underwater Greece".
Translation of Velma's conversation with the Atlanteans:
- Who are you, strangers? Why are you here?
- It's all right. We are travelers?
- You are travelers.
- Yes. I travel with friends.
- Ah! You speak the language of the Achaeans.
- Do you speak Spanish?
- Yes, miss.
Hope you all enjoyed seeing Scooby and the gang find Atlantis for the first time! Feel free to review if you like, and please keep it constructive.