Aquatic Kingdom Hearts

Chapter 33: Save Atlantis; A Daring Battle

Back at the Palace

The teens and Milo had rushed over to the palace in rushing after to see Sweet. When they got there, they saw that Sweet was treating Kida's father, as Kida raced after the others and to Sweet's side. Sweet sighed heavily and sadly as he put away his stethoscope. Kida leaned over and knelt to her father as she looked to Sweet and asked, "Will he be all right? Dr. Sweet?"

Sweet looked to Kida and shook his head as he replied, "It's not good I'm afraid. He's suffering from internal bleeding.", and as the others got there, he stood up and sadly said, "And there's not more I can do except try and make him comfortable."

Kida couldn't believe what she was hearing as she looked to her father. She gently grasped his hand and bowed her head in forgiveness, as well as to try and hide the tears from her face. Those that came with her, which who was pretty much her friends in general, felt sadness in their hearts considering that they felt responsible for this entire disaster. Frey was one of those people as he walked up to her and knelt down beside her. He placed a hand on her shoulder as he looked to her, feeling saddened by this, as he apologized, "I'm sorry, Kida. This is our fault this happened."

Kida looked up and to Frey as he saw that her eyes were letting out a few tears. She quickly wiped them away as she shook her head as she looked to her father, "No. I did this. I betrayed my family by helping Rourke." she sighed as she admitted, "I brought this nightmare upon my people."

It was then that when Ariel and Eric arrived to their side, Sweet shook his head as he encouraged the kids, "Ah, don't go beatin' yourselves up about this. If anyone's to blame it's Rourke; he's been after that crystal ever since that squid-faced pirate told him about it in Iceland."

It was then that when Sweet said that, Frey lit up and looked to Kida, "That's it. Kida, your crystal. Remember back in the cave."

Kida then remembered that, and lit up as she took her crystal, "You're right."

Milo arrived and overheard everything as he asked, "Wha-What are they talking about?"

Frey looked to everyone as he explained, "The crystals. They have some kind of healing abilities.", he then pointed to his shoulder as he explained his previous injury, "Believe me, I saw it at work before."

But just before Kida could attempt to heal her father, she was stopped by him as he stopped her head, "No." He then placed it back down as he heaved with his breath, trying desperately to talk while ignoring the pain, "No more delaying the inevitable. No more… waiting, no more… no more fearing the inevitable.", he then looked to his daughter with calm and accepting eyes, "Unlike those who fear death, like the Kings of our Past, I have accepted death and now await it to come and claimed me."

Upon hearing those words, Kida tearfully pressed her face into her father's side. "Father please!", she begged him, "Please let me use the crystal to heal you!"

"No, Kida.", the King whispered, smiling gently at is daughter, "I have lived over for nearly over a hundred millennia, which is longer than most humans or Atlanteans should live. My only wish now is to finally be able to rest and let my spirit pass into the afterlife as others have done so before me…. To be one with the Heart." Realizing that she would not win this fight, Kida tearfully closed her eyes, and lowered her head down… and was surprised when Frey stepped in and knelt next to her, and Ariel placing a hand on her shoulder to comfort a friend.

However, before the King could finally rest in peace, he noticed something amiss as he asked his youngest daughter, "Kida… where is your sister?"

It was then that Kida, not sure if her father needed to know this, begrudgingly struggled to answer him as she started, "Well, she… um, Father… that is to say… uh…."

"Your Majesty…", Milo started out, getting everyone's attention, explained to the King, "Suki somehow… merged with the Master Crystal itself. I mean, it's hard to believe but she…."

"She has been chosen….", the King replied, in a slip of hopelessness and despair for his first daughter's fate, "… like her mother before her."

This caused everyone, minus Akuda and the Guards, to be slightly confused by that choice of words. Even Kida seemed a bit confused by that; she had not misheard it at all when her father had said the Master Crystal had 'chosen' her sister. It was then that of all the confusion, only Ariel was able to ask the question, "Wait. What do you mean by 'She has been Chosen'?"

The King sighed at this, knowing full well that this would not be easy to explain. However, his time would nearly falter, and he knew more than ever knew his youngest daughter and her companions, would have to know this. He took a strained deep breath as he began, "In times of danger, the Heart of Atlantis will choose a host. One of royal blood, to protect itself, and its people. It will accept no other."

After hearing that, everyone was equally surprised by that. But Eric, who knelt down with the others, asked in order to be certain he heard right, "Wait. You said choose and accept?", the King nodded as his deepest riddle had been answered as he confirmed it, "So then like in the Journal said… this giant crystal… it's alive?"

"In a way… yes, it is.", the King replied as he continued to explain, "You see, the Crystal was given to us by the Great Sea Goddess, Calypso herself. Before it was given the title, the Heart of Atlantis, it was known as the Second Heart of the Sea. With it, she proclaimed that it was the source of all life and giver of life to those who occupied above or below the Ocean Waters. But what we had learned then, was that when our people wore the crystal pendants before you, the Crystal then started to thrive on the collective emotions of all those who came before us, and afterwards. In return, it has provided our people Power, Longevity, Protection. And as it grew…" the king coughed, feeling his time coming before him, "It developed a consciousness of its own… that it spread towards to our robotic constructs that you've seen beforehand.", but then the King grimaced at what came next, "In my arrogance… I sought to use the crystal's power to create a massive weapon of war against our former enemy, Atlantica, which we had constructed as Laputa, the Sky Cannon. But in the end, when we used the Sky Cannon for the first time, we learned firsthand that the Heart's power was too great for anyone to control. Its power overwhelmed us… and led to our destruction."

It was then that after hearing all that, Ariel had finally pieced it together as she stated, "That's why you hid it beneath the city… to keep history from repeating itself."

The King nodded to that, but then stated, "And to prevent Kida or Suki from suffering the same fate… as my beloved wife."

It was after hearing that, Kida shot up, determined to get an answer out of her father as she looked defiant to him, "Father, what are you talking about? What is going to happen to my sister?"

The King struggled as he heaved a little with his condition, "If she remains bonded to the Master Crystal… she could be lost to it…. forever.", it was after hearing that, Kida's eyes went wide with shock and terror. And with that, she ran towards her room, with the others looking at her retreating form. However, their attention was then turned back to the King as he sorrowfully finished, "The love of my daughters is all that I have left. My burden would have become theirs, to protect the Master Crystal, when the time was right." He then removed his crystal pendant as he steadily sat up, and then turned towards Eric, who was still kneeling down, "But now, Seablade Bearer…", and then put his crystal pendant around Eric's neck as the boy looked surprised, "…its protection must now fall to you…. As it was always your true destiny to do so."

"Me?", Eric asked, as he looked at the crystal pendant now given to him.

The King nodded as he lay back down, the strength finally leaving him as he stated, "It is true that the Seablade Bearer will eventually bring ruin… but he will also bring something else…hope. Hope in creating a new world for us all." He then coughed slightly, feeling the end coming to him as he pleaded to the Bearer, "You must… you must return the Crystal, Eric Thatch… Save Atlantis… save my daughter…."

Eric looked at the pleading King, and then bowed his head respectfully to him, "I will, your majesty."

And then, with his final breath, the King smiled at this…. And then laid down as he past away peacefully, going on into the next life. Everyone took a moment of silence at this, even Akuda who bowed his head for his now deceased brother, as did the guards.

After that, Eric stood up as he adjusted the Zeus' Fist on his left hand. After that, he started to walk out of the palace, but not before Milo stopped him, "Eric, wait a minute! Where do you think you're going?"

"To get the Crystal back.", Eric stated, "And to kick Rourke's butt."

Then Ariel stepped up as she stated, "But you can't go alone on this."

"They're right.", came a voice that got everyone's attention. They turned and saw Kida, all dressed in her Hunter/Warrior's armor as she flexed out her wrist blades as they snikted out, and back in the gauntlet. She then stood in front of Ariel and Eric as she stated, "I will help in anyway that I can."

Ariel placed a reassuring hand on Eric's shoulder as she smiled to him, "Count me in too."

"We're with you too.", Frey stated as he and Wally walked up to them.

"Okay, okay!", Milo shouted, trying to talk sense into this, "You're all too young and crazy!", the teens stopped by this as Milo stated, "Do any of you know what you're getting into? This is Rourke, he's got an army, fighting experience, even guns and fish-men pirates. I'm not about to let you all make a choice that'll get you all killed!"

After putting away his tools, Sweet looked to Milo as he walked up and stated, "Well, technically this is your choice, Milo."

Milo raised an eyebrow as he asked, "Excuse me?"

Sweet stated, "Well, originally Rourke may have been Team Leader, but it was you and your nephew that led the way. So I followed you two in, and I'll follow you two out.", he then stated, "Eric's already made his decision… time to make yours, Milo."

After hearing that, Milo started to get a little upset as he sarcastically, but seriously, pointed out, "Oh, my decision. Well, I'm pretty sure we've seen what my decisions have done. I helped lead a band of plundering vandals and monstrous pirates to the greatest archeological discovery in precedence history. Thus, enabling the kidnap/murder of the Royal Family. Not to mention delivering the most powerful force known to man, into the hands of a mercenary nutcase, who's probably going to sell it to some high and mighty dictator.", and then he looked to Sweet as he finished, "HAVE I LEFT ANYTHING OUT?"

It was then that Sweet shrugged as he stated, "Well… your nephew and friends did start that campfire and sent us down that big hole."

And then Milo threw his arms up in frustration as he sat down and sarcastically remarked, "Thank you. Thank you very much."

But then, when the whole thing seemed lost, Eric was the one to step up as he sat next to his uncle and stated, "You know, Uncle Milo. In my experience, When you hit bottom… the only place left to go is up."

Milo sighed, with his head still down as he asked, "Who told you that?"

"Oh, I don't know.", Eric stated sarcastically, until he smiled at what he said next, "An old Idealistic fellow we both looked up to, by the name of Thaddeus Thatch, who told us never to give up on anything in our lives. Remember?"

It was after hearing that, Milo finally lit up as he looked to Eric's smiling face, and then outside the palace. Everyone awaited Milo's reaction, but they didn't have to wait long as he and Eric stood up and smirked determined at each other.

Outside the Palace

Jack, his crew, and everyone else waited outside for the others to come out. They were either sitting patiently, but if they were like Audrey, they were pacing back and forth, waiting for anyone to make a move. Then for a small while, they saw Eric and Milo, accompanied by Kida, Frey, Ariel, Wally, Sweet, and Akuda as they walked past everyone. Jack raised an eyebrow at this as he got up, "Somethin's got them all vexed up for something." He then ran after them as he asked anyone of the situation, "Oy, mates! Where you all going on this little venture of yours?"

Ariel was the only one to talk out as she looked to Jack with determination behind her eyes, "We're going after Rourke."

As after they heard that, Audrey stated, "That's just crazy, you guys!"

Ariel then stopped as she and Audrey were face-to-face as she answered truthfully, "No one said it was the smart thing.", and then continued to follow the others, "But it is the right thing to do."

After hearing that, Audrey huffed as she looked to the crew and Jack as she suggested, "Come on. We'd better make sure that they don't hurt themselves."

It was then that when Ariel and Eric stopped in front of a giant vehicle that resembled a fish of sorts. Before they climbed up on it, Helga ran up to them as she stated, "Listen! Rourke has soldiers on his side, as well as Jones' crew. They have weapons as well as the Whitmore Gliders, meaning you'll be fighting them on both Land and Air. And even if you were able to get to them, there's also those Xenos that'll be waiting for you.", the two teens turned around to face Helga as the two saw that there was much concern in her eyes as she finished, "Look. I want to get the Heart of Atlantis back as much as all of you do, but what you're all thinking about is a plan for mass suicide."

Then Eric climbed up the fish as he sat down on what appeared to be a saddle seat. He then looked to Helga as he stated to everyone, "You're probably right…", and then took the crystal pendant from around his neck as he found the hand pad and crystal port, "…but Rourke doesn't have anything like these in his arsenal.", and then inserted the Key and did the rest of the procedure. And then in a matter of seconds, glowing glyph patterns glowed on the fish, as did the eyes, as it growled to life and levitated off the ground.

After that, everyone aside from the leading party, were completely amazed as Gibbs muttered out, "By Jones' Beard…."

Packard, on the other hand, took a drag form her cigarette as she monotonely stated, "Well… I'm impressed."

Audrey climbed up the fish as well, as Eric pointed out, "It's pretty simple. All you've gotta do is…"

But then Audrey shoved him out of the way, not caring about the details, "Yeah, yeah. Shut up, we get it. okay?", and then slammed her palm on to the pad, despite Eric's warnings. Then suddenly, the fish shot backwards, crashing into the side of the temple it was parked to, shattering the back fin. Those who heard and saw the crash, including the Hunter/Warriors that had gathered around, saw this unexplainable phenomenon on what the young Strangers had done.

After recovering form the small crash, Eric shot a look at Audrey, as he explained, "Gently, okay? This isn't one of the trucks. The controls need a little more delicacy."

Audrey groaned as she straightened her hat out and nodded to Eric, "I'll try and remember that."

Then suddenly, a crowd of the Hunter/Warriors walked up as Eric and Audrey got off, and one of the younger warriors asked, "How is this done?"

Then Ariel and Kida walked up as Ariel stated as she showed her crystal pendant, "All you need to activate them is the crystals.", and then she turned towards Kida smiling, "Show them, Kida."

Kida smirked at that as she ran over to one of the Hammerhead rider vehicles. The warriors and everyone else followed as Kida sat at the control chair and took her crystal, showing and instructing her people, "Half-turn right, quarter-turn back, and remember: keep your hand on the control pad at all times."

Vinny walked up as he asked, "Hey, Eric. Your Majesty. You got somethin' sporty. You know, like a Tuna."

It was then that Akuda smirked, "Actually….there's something else much better than a tuna.", he then pointed out to a few vehicles that both Eric and Frey seemed to get interested in as they ran over to them. Covered in vines, were a type of two-pilot jet like Stingray fliers, all completely unused at all, but still fresh enough to do flight and battle in. Akuda walked up to one of them, opening the crystal blue hatch that led to the cockpit, showing two chairs side by side, with at the pilot's seat, two control pads, and the co-pilot's seat, four controls. Eric and Frey ran up to it, as did everyone else to their respectful vehicle.

Cookie shouted out as he climbed on board of one of the Fish vehicles with Packard, clicking his boom stick rifle, "Saddle up, Partners. Bring jerky and ammo!"

As everyone was seated in, they activated their vehicles; all of them roaring to life as the blue glyphs and blue eyes glowed brightly. Wally jumped in from behind Eric and Frey's vehicle as Akuda joined up owith the two, including Kida as well. Milo and Jack were sitting in a Hammerhead vehicle, along with Gibbs, Vinny, and Marty as they sat in another one, along with Audrey, Sweet, and Cotton in another one. Ariel and Helga sat in another Hammerhead, while everyone else took a Singray or a Fish vehicle of sorts as they all became airborne.

Milo flew up first as he declared out to everyone, "Alright! This is it! we're gonna rescue the Princess! We're gonna save Atlantis… or die trying!"

"I for one, choose life, mate.", Jack muttered, but then shouted, "NOW LET'S GO, YOU SCURVY DOGS!" and everyone else cheered as they zoomed towards the cavern entrance, attempting to bring back the Crystal as well as the Princess. The Atlantean vehicles were whizzing through the air back to the bridge that connected Atlantis to the tunnel that led to the surface. Atlantean vehicles were soaring through the air like a mighty flock of birds. Crowds of Atlanteans cheered them on as they flew across the now dilapidated bridge.

Back in the Cave

The soldiers and pirates worked effortlessly to create a makeshift missile that would blow up the blockage of the cavern above. Getting a safe distance, they fired the rocket straight at the top center. As soon as it reached its destination, the missile exploded, causing a little rubble to sprinkle down upon them. as soon as the debris stopped and the dust cleared, Rourke walked over to a Cliffside, looking up at the handy hole that had been blown open.

Rourke smirked in triumph as he saw the light coming out of the cavern hole above him as he smirked ambitiously, "I love it when I win."

Somewhere nearby in the caverns, the Atlantean flight force was speeding its way to the destination to where the camp would be located. Back with Rourke and the others, they were setting up a giant blimp ship that would get the Crystal up the cavern, and back to the subs parked at the Portal of Atlantis.

Jack and Milo's vessel flew on forward, but then something on the control panel lit up. on a small circular dial, a light lit up, showing a holographic picture of Eric's head and bust as the hologram spoke up, "Uncle Milo?"

"Eric?", Milo asked, confirming it was his nephew.

"Yeah, apparently we can stay in communication on these rides.", Eric explaining that this was a form of communication. Sort of like a car phone as Eric asked, "So… what's the plan?"

"That tidbit of information seems rather essential right now at the moment now doesn't it?" Jack said.

"Like Jack said," Frey stated as his Holo-picture popped up as he asked, "How do you plan on beating these things?"

"Okay here's the plan," Milo said, "We're going to sweep in low and catch him by surprise."

"Well, I've got news for you, Milo!" Audrey interrupted as she spoke up next to Milo and Jack as she and Sweet flew in next to them, "Rourke. He's never surprised and he's got a lot of guns."

"Well, do you have any suggestions?!" Milo snapped.

"Yeah," Vinny said, "Don't get shot!"

"I like him," Jack said, "Good advice. Easy to remember!" he then shouted behind to the others, "Hoist the colors, you rats with wings!"

Helga allowed herself a small smile as she and Ariel flew up close to them, "Hoist your own colors you drunken imbecile!"

"That's Captain Drunken Imbecile to you!" Jack cried. He raised his pistol high in the air. "Ready?!"

Ariel cried, "NOW!" All at once the vehicles charged forward, with ramming speed, in hopes to catch Rourke in time. "Full speed ahead!" Ariel cried. The riders sped forwards carrying the warriors and heroes with them towards the Cavern ceiling hole and the battle that would soon rage ahead.

Back with Rourke

The Blimp was getting ready to liftoff; the pirates and soldiers had already bolted and chained the iron box containing Suki and the Crystal. The ship then lifted off the ground as Rourke smirked in triumph at this scene. He was currently on board with Maccus as he overlooked the scene, but then frowned as he saw something coming towards them from the other tunnel. He saw a flying army of strange vehicles heading right for them, but then he saw who was leading them: Milo Thatch.

"There they are!" Milo yelled pointing ahead.

Rourke jumped back in surprise before yelling to his cronies, "We got company!" bullets and combi-sticks rained down onto his company, but they fought back just as hard. Bullets soared through the air, pinging against the Atlantean vehicles.

Rourke laughed wickedly, "Nice try, kids! But you're going to need more than bullets and sticks to beat me!"

Then suddenly, machine gun turrets shot at the flying vehicles, gaining slight advantage against the Atlanteans. Then suddenly, glider-like propulsion vehicles shot straight towards them, firing right at Milo and the others. Eric and Frey flew in front to shield them; the Stingray fighters were fairly armored as they shielded the lesser vehicles.

While piloting, Eric grunted as he piloted, "Sheesh! I thought Audrey said that Rourke had guns!"

Kida, who stood behind them, stated, "I think Audrey mentioned that he was also never surprised."

As they flew on overhead, one of the turrets shot at the Stingray. Eric made a sharp turn of the ship, causing Frey to slam his hand on his control panel. Outside, the Stingray's horns glowed and then shot out a few powerful shots that shot out like machine gun bullets, and hit the turret, exploding the ship.

Vinny, who was being shot at, also did the same thing as his hand slammed onto the fish's control pad. Out of the Fish's opened mouth, a massive bolt of blue energy shot at one of the machine gun turret trucks, destroying it. The Atlanteans, noticing this, learned of their ship's firepower. Vinny smirked at this as he stated, "Okay, now… thing's are getting good."

Milo and Jack flew up beside him and Mole as Milo shouted, "Vinny, Mole! We can't let Rourke get up to the top of that shaft!", he then pointed out, "the Four of us are gonna act as the decoys!", he then looked to his left and shouted, "Audrey! Sweet! Cotton!", and htne pointed to where Suki and the Crystal were kept, "Fly underneath that thing, and cut her loose!"

Sweet nodded, "We're on it!", and then the three flew under the ship, under the crossfire.

It was an amazing aerial battle; surface ships fighting against the Atlantean technology. However, Rourke's crew and the pirates were losing next to Milo's forces as they continued the barrage. Milo, Jack, Mole, and Vinny kept Rourke and Maccus busy up top, making sure that those below were not getting noticed.

Audrey was sawing at the chains with Sweet's saw in hand, working as fast as she could. She looked to Sweet impatiently as she shouted, "I thought you said this thing could cut through a femur in twenty-eight seconds?"

Sweet huffed as he shouted, "Less talk, more saw!"

The fight continued, but then Maccus looked down from where he stood. He saw the three trying their best to get away with the Crystal, as he snarled, "Oh no, you don't!", and then grabbed one of the strapped on missile depth charges as he dropped one near them.

Cotton saw this as his parrot squawked, "Death from above! Death from above!"

Sweet caught that on as more depth charges were falling. He grabbed Audrey as he said, "Cotton's right. Time's up, girl.", as they made their getaway.

Helga and Ariel both saw this as they flew in right ahead. Ariel stated, "This isn't good!", but then saw Helga standing up as she readied her pistol. She looked puzzled, "Helga? What are…?", and then Helga jumped, as Ariel shouted, "Helga!" Helga then accurately, landed on the balloon, sliding down and then landed right behind Rourke.

Rourke turned around as he saw Helga coming in with a roundhouse kick to the face… really hard. She then growled as she threw in another more kicks to the face, until Rourke caught her foot. And then he growled, "Next time, make sure you know who's side your on!", he chuckled as he threw her overboard, and listened to her scream all the way down. "Nothing personal!", he mocked as he yelled down.

At that moment, one of the Stingray's flew in the air as it hovered overhead of him and Maccus. And then suddenly, three figures jumped up, and only two tackled him. Rourke whirled around in surprise as he saw Frey Asapin, take out his daggers and duke it out with the axe-wielding Maccus. After getting up slightly, he looked and saw who it was that kicked/tackled him as they knelt down, getting ready to kick his ass. It was Eric Thatch and the princess, Kida.

Rourke smirked as he cracked his knuckles as he walked to them both, "Well, Eric, I gotta hand it to you. You're a bigger pain in the neck than I would have ever thought possible!" the two teens growled as they threw two punches at him, however, they were caught by Rourke as he punched them back, causing the two to fall off the ledge as they fell downward. Luckily they grabbed on to the box that Suki and the Crystal were kept in. Rourke growled but still kept his smirk as he walked towards his Gattling mini Gun as he walked over to the ledge as he shouted out to the two, "I consider myself an even tempered man; it takes a lot to get under my skin!", and then carefully aimed it at the two as he smirked evilly, "But congratulations - you just won the solid gold kewpie doll!"

And then suddenly, Rourke shouted out with pain. At the last minute, as soon as Frey had kicked Maccus overboard, he threw one of his daggers into Rourke's back. The pain caused Rourke to arch upward, firing his mini-gattler at the blimp, tearing at it, and igniting the gas inside. Rourke finally got the pain out, and saw that the blimp was comign downward. Rourke, for once in his life, looked shocked and surprised by this as for the first time in his life, he was struck with defeat.

But at that moment, madness struck him as he grabbed one of the battle axes. He then jumped downward to Eric and Kida; the two teens a little scared to see the maddened look in rourke's eyes as he attempted to slash at their heads. Eric easily dodged the slash, as did Kida as she stood at the door, showing the crystalized glass window.

Rourke knelt down, face-to-face with the Princess as Eric went unnoticed. Rourke glared at Kida with a deadly smirk, "Tired, Your Majesty?", he then slashed downward at her, missing her as she quickly dodged it, and struck the glass window inside the capsule. He then grabbed her by the throat, lifting her above him. Eric saw this and then saw a glowing crystal seeping out. he actiavted the Zeus' Fist as he reached out and dipped the finger clawed tips into the crystal as he pulled them out and flexed the now glowing claws.

He then quickly got up as Rourke yelled out to the struggling Kida, "Oh, that's a darn shame. CAUSE I'M JUST GETTING WARMED UP!"

And then Eric ran up to him, and slashed the madman across the chest, creating five slash marks. Rourke let out a cry of pain and released Kida; suddnely, a rope came down as they looked up and saw Frey at the ring center to where the propeller that kept the ship steering right. hE shouted to the two, "Come on!", and the two grabbed it and climbed up as Rourke glared at the teens, attempting to kill them.

Suddenly, Rourke's wounds started glowing the same bright blue as the crystal. The blue color overwhelmed him as he shouted out in agony, covering almost all of him in a crystal like coating with crystal spikes growing out of his back, as well as the fingers and thumb on his right hand to grow into blades, and his right eye glowing yellow, with red glowing vein like cracks all around his body, leaving only the left side of his chest, waist, arm, and head still flesh and blood.

The three teens hung at the circle under the blade fan, and witnessed the whole thing. Frey gulped, "Well… that's interesting."

The three let out a sigh of relief as Kida leaned on to Frey, resting her head on his shoulder, with him doing the same on her head. Eric sighed in relief as he murmured out, "Thank… heaven."

However, their moment of rest came short, as Rourke's right arm slashed at them. The three jumped back as Rourke, still moving, slashed at them, shouting in his own voice, "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME? THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!" The three teens then used their weight to get Rourke to slip under the blades under the airship. However, Rourke saw this as he jumped downward, but not quickly enough as his legs were caught in the blades, shattering into a thousand pieces. He screamed out in agony as he fell down somewhere into the blackened abyss.

The airship then sunk to the ground taking the three teens and the crystal with it. All three of them plopped to the ground and rolled a distance away. The three crashed into the steel capsule and winced. It was then that the airship crashed in the distance, creating an explosion of unbelievable magnitude to where Rourke fell at. Kida groaned a little, but then noticed where she had rolled into. It was a still alive, but very much in pain Helga, as she looked to the teens and grimily smirked, "Hey… guess you kids did pretty good."

Eric groaned, but then noticed Helga as he walked over to her and knelt down. He looked at her and saw that she was hurting badly, "Oh man. We've gotta get you fixed up quickly."

The fight was over as Milo and everyone else landed their vehicles and ran towards the teens. Ariel was the first to land as she ran over to Eric and Helga as quickly as she could. She stopped in front of Eric and knelt down with him as she looked to Helga. She didn't look to good as she looked to Eric and stated, "We have to get her back to the city!"

Before anyone could do anything, the ground shook violently. "That didn't sound good." Jack said nervously.

"The volcano!" Mole screamed, "She awakes!"

Next Chapter: Farwell and Departures; Two Worlds, One Family