Aquatic Kingdom Hearts
Chapter 29: The City of Atlantis; A Humble Request
Back with The Crew
A search party had gone underway for Frey, as the group trudged on in the cave. Eric was in front as he ran up ahead with Dax on his shoulder, and Max following in front, sniffing out Frey's trail, if there was ever one. The Digger and crew followed close behind as well, digging through all the rock and blocks that the vehicles couldn't get through. Ariel followed next to Eric, with Wally behind her, looking around with much fear an uncertainty. They knew that in running this search, they would run the risk of running into either one, or most of those monsters from before…and that was the last thing they needed to have done to them right now.
As they continued the search, Ariel shouted out, "Frey!"
Followed by Eric, "Frey!"
Wally shouted, "FREEEEEEEE!"
It was then from a little tension in the search, Eric sighed, "How many Freys did we bring on this trip? FREY!"
They all continued to search for their missing teammate, even when they didn't know they were being watched. Hidden within the shadows were armored warriors, much like the one that had saved Frey. They were all male, young teens or adults, and they watched with much distaste and warning for the strangers. They held their retractable spears and shot out their blades at the ready. If the strangers came too close to their home…they were prepared to slay them on sight at any given time.
Ariel looked at Eric, and saw how distraught he was at this delicate point in time. She walked up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder, getting his attention, "We'll find him. Frey's a tough person when it comes to this…"
Eric smirked at that, and joked for a moment, "…yeah, but mix a few pretty girls in the mix and then you have to worry for him."
It was when Max was sniffing out Frey, he sniffed at something else. He stopped for a moment as his eyebrow rose up from confusion at the scent. As he tried to uncover the scent, he saw something move up ahead, and that caused him growl at first. When Eric and Ariel saw the change in attitude, they walked over to him. Eric knelt down next to him as he asked, "Max? What is it, boy?" And then Max barked fiercely as he chased forward to whatever it was near the cave to where they were going.
Afraid of losing someone else, Eric shot up and ran after Max, shouting, "Max, stop!", but then saw something move in the shadows to where Max was going. Nearly frightened by whatever it was coming after them, the strange hunters jumped and ran out of there, heading down the cavern path. Eric then shouted, "Hey, who are you?", and chased after both his dog and the people.
Ariel spotted the people as well, and turned back to the crew, "Everyone!", and pointed to where Eric and Max were running towards, "Come on! Follow them!", and ran after Eric, with Wally following behind.
Sitting in the Digger, next to Mole, Jack looked at that in confusion and at Mole in the same light as they both asked each other, "Them?", and the convoy proceeded to follow the two teens forward.
As the chase went on, Ariel and Eric followed Max as he chased the strangers in the shadows. As Max jumped and scampered after the strangers as they inhumanly hopped around from destination to destination, Ariel and Eric tripped and stumbled over the rocks as they struggled to keep up with Max in following the strangers. However, they stopped as they saw a crack that wasn't big enough to crawl out of, but had light shining through it. But Max stood there, barking at the crack, indicating that there was no way that they would be able to get through it.
Dax, on the other hand, pointed out, "Oh boy. Dead end ahead.", and then looked at the teens, still determined to get through, and sighed, "And they're not listening…"
Ariel stopped at it, feeling the crack to see if there was anyway to squeeze through it. The crack was too small to get through; not for Max or any of the two teens. She looked to Eric who had caught up, and shook her head, "There's no way to get through here."
Eric looked at the crack in the wall and felt the smooth surface of it. He sighed knowing full well that Ariel was right; there was no way to get through there. That is until he got an idea at that point; he looked at his left hand to where he wore the Zeus Fist. He rose up his left hand, and then remembered on how he activated the gauntlet weapon. He then said with a half-smile, "No way through, eh?", and then squeezed his fingers into a fist, causing the crystal embedded the back of the gauntlet to glow. And then the clawed knuckles and wrist guard shifted out, turning back into a fingered glove and forearm guard.
Eric balled up his left hand into a fist again, and drew it back as he answered, "Then we'll make a way through.", and then with the gauntlet's power flowing through him, Eric shot forward a mighty punch to the cavern wall. Suddenly, a huge explosion of blue power shot through the cavern wall, sending out a huge debris of rubble and dust clouds for only a few seconds.
After the shock, Max ran out and stopped at a ledge covered in grass, moss, and vines. Following him out now, was Ariel, Eric, Dax, and Wally came through. As Eric ran out and reached to the ledge, he shouted out loud for those strangers who had disappeared, "WHO ARE YOU?!" His voice echoed off the walls of the massive and endless cavern they had just entered in to. But then his jaw just slumped open and hung that way as Dax did the same, only more comical, as they and Max saw what they had run into.
Ariel ran over to Eric as she stopped and asked, "Eric. Are you okay? When you ran out like that after the explosion, I was worried…", but then stopped as well as she too stared out at the distance in complete shock and awe.
When Wally walked up to them, he too saw the amazing view and just whirred out, "oooooOOOOOOhhhh!"
Suddenly, from behind them, the Digger broke through the cavern, creating a highway like opening. After the Digger had stopped fifteen feet away from the kids, the others followed after them. Milo was the first to catch up to the teens, and then stopped as he stopped and looked at what the kids had their eye on currently. And like the two, he stood there, looking at the sight in awe. The others followed after him and they stopped with them, gaping in awe at what they were witnessing now.
Where they were at this point was a huge cavern, as big as probably Texas. The ground below them was covered in a fog like mist that shrouded the chasm bottom that seemed to glow dimly red for some reason. But then they looked forward and saw a massive waterfall, endlessly pouring downward to the rocky floor below. And where the waterfall was flowing from was a massive island around the size of Manhattan Island squashed together in a huge circle of sorts. And on the island, ruin islands were scattered about the small patches of land on there, and in the center of the island…was the Lost Imperial City of Atlantis.
They stared at it in compete amazement as Cookie shot out with his eyes bugging out, "Sweet Mother of Jefferson Davis!"
Gibbs just stood there in awe as he muttered, "Great Hurricanes of the Pacific Line."
Audrey was just as amaze by it as she said, "It's beautiful."
Ariel looked over to Eric, who was still in awe at this. She squeezed his arm to her as she got his attention and asked, "It's amazing. Have you ever seen anything this incredible in your life?"
Eric looked back at Atlantis, and then back to her as he answered, "Still do.", at that compliment, Ariel blushed again as she shyly looked away from him for a moment.
Then Sweet walked up to both Milo and Eric as he patted the two on the shoulder, "Milo, I gotta hand it to you and your nephew here.", he said proudly, "You guys really came through."
Then suddenly, their attentions were turned back to the cavern entrance. As they were looking back, the stranger Hunter/Warriors leapt out of nowhere, surrounding them and pointing their combi spears, and their wrist blades at them and their necks. A little startled, Sweet gulped, "Uh, I take that back."
Immediately, Eric reactivated the Zeus' Fist, and drew out the Seablade with his right hand. Rourke and Helga reached for their guns, as Rourke asked, "Holy cats. Who are these guys?"
Milo stepped up, examining the Hunters, and saw the armor. Etched into some parts of them, mostly their left wrist guard, was Atlantean writing. At that realization, Milo smiled as he answered, "Well…they gotta be Atlanteans."
Helga heard that as she looked to Milo, and stated, "What? That's impossible!"
Cotton's Parrot squawked out, "Don't eat me. Don't…eat me."
Cookie gulped as he looked around them unnervingly, "I've seen this back in the Dakotas. They can smell fear just by lookin' atcha.", he then whispered to them, "So keep quiet."
Jack scooted on over to Eric, and simply whispered in muse, "So um…how you say 'Eat them first in Atlantean'. Eh?"
It was then that the leader, a fellow dressed in familiar armor, and wore a mask designed of a crab look on it, walked up. He slammed the tip of his spear into the ground, as he demanded, "Neshika gem dat pren dat byn Yok. Lebasinacog do weren tope. Letsell du pine gop!"
Mole, who was behind Eric and Milo, tugged at their pant legs, mumbling, "I theenk it's talking to you."
The man then demanded out loud, "Lebasinacog do weren tope. Letsell du pine gop!", and slammed the tip of his spear on the ground once more.
Eric, putting his Seablade back but keeping the Fist activated, walked over to Milo and urged him, "Uncle Milo, please try to calm them down."
Gulping a little, Milo stepped forward, and then talked back to the warrior haltingly, "Leb…a sina…cog, do we…ren tope. Letsell du pine…gop."
The warrior stopped for a moment, pulled two tubes from his mask, and removed his mask, showing him to have a hard face in his thirties. His hair was cut short, but on the back was a small warrior's tail to it, that stretched to his neck. But the most distinguishing feature about him was the vertical slash scar on his right eye, and where his right eye should have been, was a fake eye made of the same glowing crystal as was around his neck. The warrior looked at Milo with much curiosity; there had been no one outside their home who could speak their native language…no matter how boorish or provincial it was. He then raised an eyebrow as he asked Milo, "Browm de duk namhenmuk kabdok eh dek?"
Milo then said in great halting in his reply, "Kag, eh….wegenaeh…Prede."
The warrior then asked himself, "Kag wegenaeh…", and then looked to Milo with certainty, "Wegonose spredos es en an?"
It was then that Milo decide dto try something; or rather confirm something of his own. He spoke to the man in Italian, "Ita, suem amice viator."
And hten surprisinglingly, the warrior responded to Milo in the same language, "Dices linguam Romae."
Then Eric walked up, and asked in French, "Parlez-vous franscais, Monsieur?"
The man nodded as he responded, "Oui, Monsieur."
Mole immediately lit up to that as he chirped, "They speak my language."
But then all their attention was turned as someone swung down to them, shouting, "Unctat!", and then landed in between everyone. It was none other than Kida as she retracted her grappling rope, and with a very seasick looking Frey at her side. But before she said anything to her uncle, she looked to Frye and asked, "Kanebos es an utoh?"
Frey, not understanding and not caring what she said, merely groaned, "I'll be fine, but you might want to stand back.", and then gulped a little as his face was flushed green, "I think that after all that swinging, I'd have made a mess of your armor about now."
But before that, Eric and Ariel ran over to Frey, to give him a nice hug…nearly making him throw up. As they did so, Ariel nearly balled out from the loss of her friend, "Frey, you had us all worried there."
Eric broke the hug as he commented, "Though I figured you'd be alright…", and then looked to Kida as he teased, "…I didn't know you'd be occupied."
Frey just grimaced at Eric as he just said, "If by occupied you mean getting chased around by those bat things, swinging on a cable by a crazy wild girl in a loin cloth skirt, and then having your personal boundaries not respected…then yeah, I was pretty occupied."
It was then that Mole, being the crazy sly one of them at this point, he walked up to Kida. He then beckoned her over, "Pardon, Mademoiselle." She then kneeled over to listen to Mole as he whispered something, "Ah, voulez-vous…", and after the whispering was finished, Kida went wide eyed as she gasped….and then punched Milo right in the face.
Sweet clapped at that scene as he cried out, "Oh, I like her."
"Me too.", Jack smirked at the scene.
"What about Helga?", Ariel asked dryly placing her hands on her hips.
"Who?", Jack asked, earning a groan from both boys, Ariel, and even Helga who stuck her finger in her mouth, pretending to blow chunks.
"It's about time someone hit him," Audrey muttered as she smugly pointed to herself, "I'm just sorry it wasn't me." It was then that the other Atlanteans removed their masks as they spoke to the crew. However, they all spoke different languages, and that got Audrey pretty confused as she looked to Eric and asked, "How do they know all these languages?"
Eric thought about it for a moment and theorized, "I think their language must be based on a root dialect. I think it's kind of like the Rosetta Stone or the Tower of Babel."
Then Rourke walked behind Milo and Eric as he suggested, "Well, if that's the case, then maybe English is in there somewhere.", he then shoved the two out of the way and then stepped forwards authoritatively as he said with a smile, "We are explorers from the Surface World. We come in peace!"
After hearing that, Dax just had to joke in, "Take me to your leader."
However, Kida smiled at this and declared in flawless English, "Welcome to the city of Atlantis!" She gave them a dazzling smile that had Frey blushing; however, he shook it off, muttering to himself it was nothing. She then walked up to Eric and Milo, "Come, you must speak with my father!" and pulled the two ahead and the rest of the group followed.
But then the big fellow Kida called Unctet, stopped her as he asked, "Kida, you know we can't allow the outsiders to enter the city."
Kida sighed as she explained, "Uncle Akuda, you also know that these people came in peace.", she then looked over to them and smiled naively, "They are welcome here.", and then turned back to her Uncle, "And I know you can support me with my father on this?"
Akuda shook his head stating, "Kida…"
"Unctet….", Kida looked to her uncle in a pleading way, "…I'm asking you as your favorite niece."
After hearing that, Akuda sighed in defeat as he warned her, "I better not have to regret this later.", and then with her, the two led the way as Rourke ordered the team to salvage what was left from the crash and rendezvous in the city. They drove over a well-built wooden rope bridge that led to the city. But much to dismay, it was over an ocean of lava as it remained active and hot. So one false step and that would be it for anyone.
In The City
When they had reached to the other side of the bridge, they had entered the main island of Atlantis. As they travailed over the bridges and lands of Atlantis, they were in awe at its wonder. Even though there were ruins of the once ancient city, it was still spectacular as the city was converted from the ruins. Even the wildlife looked amazing; strange pterodactyl creatures flew on overhead. And what was really amazing was the towering icon that was the center of the city, was where they were going at this time.
On the convoy, Frey had gone back to driving the truck he was given as they traversed with the others. However, he noticed that Ariel was looking at him, pretty happily. He had ignored the weirdness of it, but then finally sighed as he asked, "Okay, Ariel…what is it?"
Ariel smiled as she said, "So…you and that Atlantean girl, eh?", she then tapped her chin in thought as she teased, "I guess you would try and…."
Frey interrupted her as he shook his head, "No, I didn't try to ask her out.", he then pointed out, "Trust me, there's nothing going on between me and that girl.", when he turned to look at Ariel, he saw the incredulous looks that she, Dax, and even Sebastian were giving him. He then ridiculously overreacted as he replied once more, "I'm telling you, nothing happened!", but then blushed in secret at what happened at when and how he and the Atlantean girl, Kida, had first met after the chase.
Ariel turned away with an all-knowing smirk as Sebastian commented, "Teenagers…"
While along the scene, Milo, who was riding with Helga and Rourke, was having a field day on this. His excitement was pumped up as he started to explain to the two, "Now what's really amazing is that if you deconstruct Latin, you overlaid it with a little Sumerian, throw in a dash of Thessalonian; you'd be getting close to their basic grammatical structure. At least you'd be in the same ballpark…"
He went on and on, with Rourke rubbing his sore temple. Seeing the discomfort that Rourke was in, and Milo's enthusiasm, she sarcastically commented, "Someone's having a good time."
At that comment, Rourke half-smirked as he finished, "Like a kid at Christmas."
Then Helga looked worried for a moment as she looked to Rourke and stated quietly, "Commander….there were not supposed to be people down here." She then stated, with much distaste for what was planned, "You know this changes everything, right?"
Rourke huffed as he simply answered, "This changes nothing."
"But…"
"We proceed…according to the plan and the deal.", Rourke finished, getting his point across. It was after that was finished, the one called Akuda pointed out that they were getting close to their destination: The Atlantean Palace.
In the Palace
When they had entered the palace, and went past the two guards at post, they entered the royal throne room. As the doors opened, they saw that the throne room was split down by a pond in the center of it, with a few rocks in the middle. The room itself was in plants and moss, but gave it the look of beauty with technology and nature long forgotten. At the end of the room was a massive statue, with the head at the side, and water coming out of the eyes; a weeping King so to speak. And posted in front of the statue, was a tented throne, with a man, in his fifties, dressed in robes, long hair and a beard, with blue tattoo markings on his face, and his eyes all white, due to being slightly blind.
Standing next to him was a woman in her twenties and physically fit; in comparison she was just as beautiful as Kida could be when she got older. Her hair was long and done in a ponytail that went down to her back, and a bang and few strands of hair went down over her left eye, but didn't hide it. She also had a blue tattoo of a double crescent moon under her left eye, with what appeared to be a tear drop at her eye duct. She wore a light and dark blue dress that went down to her ankles, and that exposed her shoulders, with sleeves that ended at her elbows. The dress also exposed her back a little as it was held together by dress strings you'd find on a corsette. And like the king, Kida, Akuda, and the other Atlanteans came across, she too also had a crystal pendant around her neck.
Kida and Akuda led the team leaders; Rourke, Helga, Milo, Eric, Ariel, Frey, and Jack down the rocky path to their King and Princess. When they got to them, Kida and Akuda put their hands together and knelt down with their heads lowered, almost praying, but merely giving them their proper respects to the king. When Kida turned slightly, she nodded her head to the group, urging them to do the same. Only Milo and the kids did it, with the others a little perplexed by it.
Jack scooted up behind Milo and the others, and whispered to Eric, "What do we do now, Mate?"
"We wait for them to get negotiations out of the way," Eric said, "Then; we ask them for help with getting a way out of here. Any questions?"
"Just one!" Jack said.
"And?", Frey asked.
"What is that lovely warrior's name?" Jack asked pointing to Kida, "Normally I don't go for girls with white hair or in their teens..."
"It's Kida," Frey said rolling his eyes, "Helga will be heartbroken."
"She'll get over it," Jack said with a shrug, "They always do."
"Before or after they slap you?", Ariel asked.
Then Kida spoke in Atlantean to the King and Princess as she announced, "Greetings Tatop and Sisteg. Akuda and I have brought the visitors from the outside."
Being the voice of reason and concern for this, the elder girl looked to Kida as she concern stated, "Kida! You know the law. No outsiders may see the city and live. Why have you done this to endanger our people?"
Kida shot up a look to her elder sister and father as she explained, "Sukikkado, Tatop. These people may be able to help us.", she then pointed to Eric as she explained, "They can activate out long lost technology. I've seen that boy use one of our weapons. The one in the forgotten temple; the Fist of Zeus."
At the mention of that name, Akuda and Suki looked much surprised at this turn of events. But the King, looked surprised and yet slightly enraged by this as he calmly asked, "You have seen him use it?"
Kida nodded, "Yes, Tatop. Against the Xenos when they attacked them in the temple."
The King growled as he stated, "By bringing them here, you've endangered us all. If the Xenos track their scent, they will come here and destroy us all. We do not need their help."
Then Kida pleaded, "But Father…"
Then the King shouted at Kida with much disappointment and anger, "That is enough. We will discuss this later.", and with that, Kida sighed with much defeat at this.
Then, breaking the ice a bit, Jack strolled up with his usual attitude and interrupted, "Excuse me. If I may…interrupt for a moment…", getting the attention of the Royal Family, Jack then asked as he pointed out behind him, "Was that your giant lobster and crab men in the front? Because if they are I have a few complaints to protest about your welcome mat."
"Jaaack!" Ariel pleadingly groaned. The First Princess muttered something angrily to Kida. "What did he say?" Ariel asked Milo nervously.
Milo cringed, "She said something along the lines of 'Who is that ill-mannered and appalling vermin? Who let him inside?", Milo groaned at this as he muttered in a panic, "He's gonna get us kicked out!"
"Jack!" Ariel snapped as she stood up along with the others, "Stop being impudent!" she dragged him back.
"Was that another crack about my personal hygiene?" Jack retorted.
Then stepping in to save the day, Rourke stepped forward dramatically, "Your majesty, on behalf of my exploration crew…may I say it is an honor to be welcomed into your city."
Milo looked pale as he pointed to Rourke, "Eh, excuse me…commander."
"They're not exactly rolling in the welcome wagon for us.", Eric finished.
Jack nodded at that as he pointed out, "Pretty much, lad. I've seen the looks that King and Princess are givin' us before. Usually they give it when they kick me out of a tavern shortly after."
Then the King scowled at Rourke, in perfect English to them all, "You presume much…to think if you are welcome here."
Then Rourke chuckled full-heartedly, "But sir…we have come a long way looking for…"
"I know what you seek…", the King stated, getting his point across, much to Kida's dismay, "…and you will not find it here. Your journey has been in vain."
But then Rourke pleaded the King to understand, "But we are peaceful explorers; men and women of Science."
The King then chuckled as he pointed to Rourke, Jack, and Eric with the Seablade on his back, "And yet you all bring weapons."
Then Rourke chuckled as he said smoothly, "Our weapons are simply to move…obstacles that we may encounter. Like those Xenos your people talk about."
Then Princess Suki pointed out, "The Xenos are an obstacle to our people, yes. But some obstacles, cannot be removed with a mere show of force."
Then the King stood up with his scepter/staff as he commanded, "Return to your people, you all must leave Atlantis. At once."
Then Jack shrugged as he smirked nervously to Milo and Eric, "Well…I'm convinced."
But Rourke wasn't giving up as he went on, "Oh, your Majesty, be reasonable."
Then Eric tapped on the commander's shoulder, "Um, Rourke…"
"Not now, son.", Rourke swatted his hand aside.
But Eric wouldn't give up as he said, "Commander, trust us on this. We'd better do as he says or we're all dead."
Rourke took the lad's words into consideration, but knew they couldn't leave yet. Then Rourke respectfully tried one more time, "May I respectfully request that we stay for three days, sir? That would give us time to rest, resupply, and figure out a way to get back, and be ready to leave on the third night."
The King turned his head away to scowl at this idea. But then Suki placed a hand on her father's shoulder as she suggested, "They have come a long way, Father. The Hunter/Warriors can keep an eye on them for all of us."
Sighing in defeat, the King then looked to the explorers as he nodded, "Very well. Three days. That is all."
Rourke nodded at that and they all left the throne room. But when Frey turned around to see the Royal family, he caught Kida looking at them very saddened. He didn't understand why at the time, but he felt sorry for the girl. But just before Eric took a few steps away, the King saw the sword on the boy, and stopped him, "You. The one with the black hair.", Eric turned around to see wha the King had to say, and then he said, "I know of who you are. The Seablade was enough proof to show that you are the Seablade Bearer.", slightly confused by that, Milo stopped as he saw Eric and Ariel just stand there, seriously listening to what the King said next, "As the Seablade Bearer you must know that one must not meddle in the affairs of the Three Powers of the Sea.", and then gave the boy a stern look, "And you have violated that principle. The Seablade Bearer can only shatter peace and bring ruin."
After hearing that, Eric looked slightly confused by the King's outburst. Ariel on the other hand, looked enraged as she defended Eric, "You're wrong!"
But then King shook his head as he stated, "I would mind your tongue in my presence, Mermaid Princess.", Ariel, looking a little stunned by that, but then the King said, "Yes. I know who you are. The pendant you wear around your neck bears the symbol of Merpeople royalty. And you should also know that your people as well as the Seablade bearer are not welcome here.", and then sighed as he felt his age upon him, "Though I shall put up you existence here for now. But on the third day, I suggest you leave with the others."
Before Ariel could reply to that angrily, Eric rested his hand on her shoulder, and said, "Come on, Ariel. We're not gonna win this argument."
Ariel pleaded, "But he…"
"It doesn't matter right now…", Eric said as he led her away, "Let's just get back with the others.", and with that said, the two walked out the door, and the guards closed them.
Kida stood there, feeling ashamed of herself for not speaking up. She also felt saddened that there wasn't anything she could say to them. However, her troubled thoughts were switched to frustration to her family as her father spoke up. The King sat back down on the throne as he stated, "Your heart as softened, Kida.", he sighed as he rubbed his head to clear away any troubled thoughts, "A thousand years ago you would have slain them on sight, instead of saving one and the rest."
Kida sighed with much anger as she and Akuda stood up, and walked angrily to her father, "A thousand years ago, the streets were lit and our people did not have to scavenge for food, and dodge and run away from the Xenos at the edge of a crumbling city!"
Suki, who had lit a lantern with her crystal, sat by her father to help him rest. She then dabbed a moist cloth on his forehead as she looked to her sister and replied, "The people are content, Sister."
"That is because they do not know any better!", Kida replied with frustration as she suddenly remarked, "We were once a great people. Now we live in ruins and are nearly going extinct by the Xenos.", she then sighed as she sadly stated, "The kings of our past would weep if they could see how far we have fallen."
The King scolded his daughter before she went on, "Kida…"
Kida shook her head as she sat down next to her father and politely stated, "All I am say is if these outsiders can unlock the secrets of our past…", and then hopefully looked to her father and sister, "…perhaps, with their help, we can save our future."
Suki looked at her sister for a moment in thought about that. But then the King sighed with much grimaced as he stopped Suki from her help and responded to that, "What they have to teach us, we have already learned."
Kida looked to her father and pleaded, "Father. If we keep this up, then our way of life will surely die."
The King stubbornly retorted, "Our way of life is preserved.", Kida then lowered her face with hopelessness as the King cupped her cheek, with her placing her hand on his as he said to his two daughters, "Kida, Suki. When I am gone, and when one of you takes the throne, you will understand the burden I have lived with."
Kida broke the tender moment as she walked away, muttering, "All I understand is that you have us living in a time of fear and ignorance.", as Kida went away elsewhere in the palace, Suki followed after her.
This left the King and his brother alone with their thoughts. It was then when the girls were gone, Akuda spoke up, "Brother, what if that boy and his companions can help us?"
"Akuda…", the King scolded.
Akuda pushed it further, "You saw what he was armed with. He carries both the Fist of Zeus and the Seablade. He is the one to help our people return to the surface."
"We cannot know that!", the King shouted with stubborn defiance.
Akuda looked to him confused as he asked, "Why are scared, brother? This is a good thing; Atlantis can finally be lifted from the darkness."
The King sighed as he sat back down in his seat, his head in his hand as he rubbed from his troubled thoughts. He then answered, "Will it be a good thing to return to the surface...with the power we possess?", he then looked to his brother troubled, "We do not even who will be victorious from the battle against Hecate's disciple. Him…or them?", he then sighed sadly, "That, and how would you tell your youngest daughter…that her destiny is to leave her home…to help in this fight?"
Princess's Chamber
The chamber was not as mighty looking as the King's throne room, but it was big all the same. The room was held up by pillars, and blocking the light as much, robe cloth was hung up on the pillars to keep wandering eyes shut out. There were also two beds on each side of the chamber room, indicating that the princesses slept in the same room. There was also even a vanity mirror made by clear white crystal, not like the ones they wore around their necks. There was even a closet constructed to look like a conch shell, and a fitting room made of only light blue cloth as the walls.
Then before anything else, the doors opened as Kida walked in there, with her sister following behind her. Suki looked to her sister, and tried to get her attention, "Kida. Kida. Kida!", and then stopped as a strange creature popped up in front of her. it was a small dog-sized creature, with six stubby legs with three pawed claws on the feet, a beaver-like tail, a power bill-like snout, and black friendly eyes as it barked happily to see the girls. Suki scolded, "Obby, not now!"
The creature whined with disappointment, but then turned towards Kida. It yipped happily as he made his way to her. Kida smiled as she knelt down and scooped up the playful creature, "Obby!", and then nuzzled the little creature cheek-to-cheek as she spoke to it like a mother would to her baby, "Who is a good lava dog? Who is the smartest, cutest, and bravest lava dog in the whole kingdom?", she and Obby laughed full heartedly as she hugged the lava dog as it purred in her arms. But then the moment was ruined as Kida looked to her sister; she gave her youngest sister a scolding face.
And then Kida put him down as she walked over to the fitting room, with Suki following behind, "Kida, you have got to stop doing such reckless behavior.", she then stated, "Besides, you know what awaits you in three days. Father said that you must be married, by your 8800th birthday."
Kida sighed as she took off her armored sandals and calf guards, "Sister, you know this decree is wrong."
Suki sighed as she rubbed her head, "Kida, you have only got three days left."
Kida sighed as she took off her wrist guards and gloves, "Sister…", and turned toward Suki looking at her disappointed, "I hate being forced into this. It would mean I would have to give up being a Hunter/Warrior.", and then she knelt down to Obby as she hugged him playfully hugged him, "But if I do marry…I want it to be for love."
Suki sighed at this, knowing full well this was hard on her sister. She walked over to her as she scooped up Obby from her arms and spoke to her sister, "Kida…it is not only father's decree.", Kida listened as she walked behind the fitting room, as she finished by taking off the armored breastplate, belt and loin cloth skirt. Suki finished explaining as she petted Obby and sat him back down on the floor, "you know that Father cannot live forever and Uncle Akuda will not have enough time to keep an eye out for you. And I will eventually have to be Queen when I find my King.", she then sighed as she looked at Kida getting finished dressing, "Father, Uncle, and I just want to make sure that you are taken care of."
Kida sighed as she stepped out, fully dressed up. She was now wearing a blue loin cloth skirt that ended at her knees with a red horizontal stripe down the center. She also wore a light blue tube top bikini, and had on two ankle bracelets on her right ankle, and she still had on her crystal pendant. She sighed as she sat down near the open pillars, "Please try and understand. In the past 10,000 years when we were banished here, you and father have always sheltered me. Aside from being a Hunter/Warrior, I have not done a thing on my own. And when I do go out, you and father always insist on Uncle Akuda to have bodyguards follow me.", she then sadly looked out to the city, and said, "I have no real friends either."
Obby looked at Kida and grumbled, causing Kida to chuckle as she apologetically said to him, "Except you, Obby.", Obby smiled at that, but then Kida looked to Suki as she walked by, "And aside from scavenging food amongst the ruins or fighting the Xenos, I've never gone out to see what lies outside Atlantis."
Suki sighed as she pleaded with her curious sister and placed a hand on her shoulder, "But, Kida, like me, you are a princess of Atlantis."
Then Kida slapped Suki's hand away as she protested, "Then maybe I do not want to be a princess of Atlantis anymore!", and just sulked at the window.
Suki just grumbled in frustration as she walked out the room. But then she turned towards Obby and said, "Calypso forbid you should have any younger siblings.", and then stormed out of the room, leaving Obby confused. Kida huffed at this unfair choice, even what her father said this morning. But then she got up and looked outside the city, and over to where she saw the camp of the explorers. She smiled at seeing them; she was so curious about their world. She asked herself what was different, how much had changed up there, how many of them looked so different and had different ideas and beliefs. She just had so many questions she wanted to ask them, but mostly…she wanted to see Frey once more.
Back Outside
Camp
The team had set up base camp near the edge of the city as soon as they could salvage as much as they could. The camp was pretty far yet close to the city, which was probably on how it needed to be done at this point. The last thing they needed to do was to antagonize the King, or much start much confusion and fear among the people. The crew awaited the others when they got back. As they came back, Jack mused with a question, "So what now?"
Frey sarcastically grumbled, "Well, you, the King, and the elder princess got along so well."
Sweet stepped up as they got there and asked, "So…how'd it go?"
Milo shrugged as he answered, "Well, the Royal family doesn't see eye to eye on this. The young princes; she seems to like us, okay. The older princess; I think she's a little indecisive about who to like or trust. Their Captain of the Guard; he seems to hold some respect for us. But the King…", Milo scratched the back of his head in thought, "I don't know, I think he's hiding something."
Rourke then stopped as he crossed his arms and looked to the group, "Well, if he's hiding something…I want to know what it is."
Helga, who seemed to be in deep thought, was thinking of a way to find out what it was. Then she looked at Ariel and Eric, and especially Frey. She knew that Ariel could befriend the Princess with no problems, Eric would too. And Frey…well it was pretty obvious the way the Atlantean girl looked at him there was something there. "Someone has to get to know that girl," Helga said.
Suddenly, Jack and Mole raised their hands up, eagerly awaiting to be volunteered.
"I will go!" Mole cried.
"No, no!" Jack cried, "Pick me!"
"Someone with good people skills," Vinny said, pretending to be in thought as he tapped his chin.
"I will do it!" Mole piped.
"I have remarkable people skills!" Jack cried.
"Someone who won't scare her away," Dr. Sweet said, pointing out the fact that these two would scare her.
"I volunteer!" Mole cried.
"I've only scared away a few women," Jack said.
"Someone who can relate to her seeing that she's a teen.", Milo pointed out, seeing where this was going.
"You can count on me, Mon Capitan!", Mole cried out.
"Believe it or not, Mates, but I'm a kid at heart!", Jack replied.
"Someone who can speak her language," Packard said.
"Have you heard about my gift of native languages?" Jack asked, "I can speak Pelogosto..."
"For ze good of ze mission I will go!" Mole said nobly.
"Yes, I have entirely honorable intentions," Jack said with a golden grin.
"Good going, kids.", Rourke said, patting each Eric, Ariel, and Frey on the back. The couple looked surprised as Frey paled. Both Jack and Mole's mouths were hanging open by surprise, and then Mole burst out into tears comically.
"Great," Helga said, "Now that that's settled."
"Wait a minute!" Frey cried out before the others were gone, "I am not going near that girl.", he then crossed his arms in defiance, "I'd rather eat a bowl of broken glass."
Helga walked up to the boy as she placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, "Oh, I think it'll be easy for you. From what I've heard, you're quite the lady's man. That and the fact the girl's obviously has a crush on you. I'm sure things'll be pretty easy for you on this.", and then she and the others walked away.
Audrey walked up to Frey as she punch/tapped his shoulder, teasing, "Go get'em, Tiger.", and then walked off.
Eric walked up to Frye as he crossed his arms in amusement, "Well, this is a first. You're actually turning down a girl."
"No!", Frey cried out, and then nervously claimed, "I'm not turning her down. I just, you know, I'm just not interested in…"
"Girls who run around in midriffs? Like I did when I still had fins and a tail?", Ariel asked.
Frey nodded to that, "Yeah…No, that's not it!"
"They should've picked me," Jack grumbled, "I'm great with girls! The women of Singapore should build a statue in my honor."
Ignoring Jack's ranting and Mole's bawling, Ariel grabbed Frey's arm as she pulled him along, "Come on, you'll be find. Eric and I'll help you."
"Thanks!" Frey sighed as he looked to his friends. He then looked at Jack and sighed, "Stop taking it so personally, Jack."
"I'm not talking to you," Jack replied with his arms crossed. He heard Mole scuffling up the road. He hurried over and slung an arm around him, "I'm going to talk to me new best mate, Mole.", and with that, the two walked over to the camp, and hoped there was a nearby pub.
Next Chapter: Questions and Answers; I Want to Know