122. Fear the Black Tempest part 3
With a hiss, a sliding door opened and the light from the hallway filtered quietly into the dim infirmary. Raven shuffled in, her cloak hanging over her shoulders like wilted flower petals. Her shaded eyes darted about the room.
"............"
Aqualad was not in the basin....he was not in the medical bed....he was not in the room.
Raven's eyes slowly, patiently searched about.
She noticed steam wafting in from an adjacent room. A low, red light glowed behind it.
Raven quietly walked over and passed through the thin frame. She was in the lavatory. One ninety-degree turn to the left and Raven was staring into the shower stall.
Aqualad—clad in swimming trunks and a soaked white shirt—sat on the tiled floor of the shower stall. He rested his hands on his knees and hug his dark head. The shower faucet was aimed hotly at him, drenching him from head to toe. Rivers and streams of water ran endlessly down his clothed limbs and puddle into the drain on the floor. He looked like some granite statute that belonged to a fountain. He must have been there for nearly an hour.
Raven made an effort to concentrate on the water more than Aqualad's skin. Once meditated, she fought back a flush and moved her lips: "Keeping dry?"
Slowly, Aqualad glanced up at her. His draping mat of wet hair was hung blackly over half his face. In an exhausted manner, he chuckled and shrugged into the stream pouring over him. "I'm helpless....I know..........I-I can't seem to get enough water. But....I-I feel a lot better than yesterday, if you're curious."
He reached a trembling hand up, gripped a handle on the side of the shower stall wall, and twisted.
The faucet lessoned to a trickle. It was quiet enough to talk in reason. The warm, red-reflecting steam remained.
"You don't have to do that on my account," Raven said.
"I could use a break, I suppose...," Aqualad sighed. He leaned back with his shoulders against the tile wall. "I may have gills...but even I come up for air every now and then."
Raven pulled her hood down and sat on a bench across from the stall. "So, you are feeling better?"
"Kinda sorta...."
"Do you have a more definite answer than that?" Raven asked. "Or am I to draw my own conclusion?"
"Well...can't you?" Aqualad remarked, glancing at her. "Beast Boy has told me in the past that you're empathic."
"And you're telepathic," Raven droned. "Small world."
"Yeah....small ocean," Aqualad smirked. "Tell me....am I healthy?"
Raven hesitated for a moment. Swallowing. "Yes....you're very......healthy."
Aqualad smirked. "It never fails...."
"What do you mean?"
"What, you think I've been blind?" Aqualad chuckled. "Every time I'm so much as in the same room as you and the alien girl, I can't help but think that you're not your true selves. It's like...I intimidate you or something."
"Ridiculous," Raven glared. "I do not know about Starfire...but I know for a fact that I'm very capable of controlling the things I say and do under pressure---"
Aqualad slowly, sensuously, drew his wet, black hair back from over his head and shook some of the drops of water loose so that they streamed down to his smooth chest beneath the soaked shirt.
Instantly, Raven blushed. She looked away, biting her lip.
Aqualad smiled. "Right....good control...."
"I did not come down here to be......provoked...," Raven mumbled.
Aqualad raised an eyebrow. "Provoked?"
"You know what I mean."
"Yeah, Ms. Empath...I suppose I do," he hung his head again and sighed...resting his arms on his knees. "You and Cyborg—all the Titans for that matter—you've been very kind to me. And I know that I haven't done much to deserve it."
"Need I list the many ways you saved our necks during the underwater quest to stop Trident??" Raven inquired. "Or the manner in which your companion Tram repaired the T-Sub?"
"We were seeking the same goal...the same outcome...," Aqualad remarked. "I helped you for my own sake."
"I can understand that," Raven nodded. "Perhaps it would help you to think that—in assisting you on the eve of Atlantean Junction—the Titans are looking out for themselves too."
"Heheh," Aqualad shook his head. "How could that be?"
Raven stared. "You tell me."
"...............," the ocean dweller glanced at her with his dark eyes.
"...............," she kept staring.
"Ever the empath," he smirked. A beat. He breathily insisted: "Raven, there is nothing that you need to know that I haven't either told you or the rest of the Titans. There was an attempted execution on my life. Senator Chasma wishes to prevent my people—the Idyllists—from reuniting with Atlantis...."
"And an evil sorcerer by the name of Slizzath is regaining power," Raven added. "In what may be a supernatural-political conspiracy to threaten King Orin and the central structure of Atlantis itself."
"...........," Aqualad nodded. "Uh.....yeah....I told you that too. So you remember, good. But where are you going with this?"
"I think it's important to know where you are going with this, Aqualad," Raven said. She leaned forward. "Or better yet...where you were intending to go with this."
"Wh-What do you mean?"
"I sense much...much fear in you."
"Fear??"
"Terrible...paralyzing fear....about everything that's going on. About what has brought you here."
"Pfft...I'm no coward!" Aqualad spat.
Raven blinked. "I did not say you were, Aqualad," she gently remarked.
The dark-eyed Atlantean bit his lips. He turned his gaze from her this time.
Silence.
Raven took a deep breath and said: "There's been one constant thing that all of us—the Titans—have marveled at since you arrived here. You have....trusted us so easily. True, you worked with us before. We discovered together how priceless our combined strengths can be. But that's no base for what's recently transpired, Aqualad. No ocean dweller puts his future's fate in the hands of my kind that easily...that quickly."
"I....I-I have reason to....," Aqualad awkwardly said.
"I'm sure you do," Raven said. Her violet eyes appeared glassy...cold...and strangely soft all the same. "A reason that you're hesitant to tell us."
"If I choose to be."
"Perhaps...but I'm sure you would find victory in this mission much more attainable if you were to share with us the nature of your concerns."
Aqualad sighed and closed his eyes. "I assure you...everything will work out. I just....I-I just need distractions to hold Chasma and his goons at bay until I'm better enough to face him and the Atlantean Senate on my own."
There was a hand on his shoulder.
He opened his eyes and traced the wrist to Raven's arm.
The girl knelt over him and stared into his eyes. Not once did she blush this time....
"Aqualad....if you trust the Titans....if you TRULY trust the Titans...it isn't enough for you to send us on blind missions to your homeland. You must also share with us the truth. Otherwise...nothing will become nothing. A victory is not a victory if we don't know what the potential defeat is at the same time."
"..........," Aqualad looked off. "I.....I can't tell you.....not right now......"
"Because of fear?" Raven asked.
"Because of guilt," he force himself to say. His jaw was clenched after that was uttered. He hugged himself against the wall of the shower stall.
"..............," Raven stood up. She took a firm breath. "Though I would have wished for your confession, I'm likewise glad that you related that to me just now. I'm here to help you, Aqualad. And if you're wondering, I'm not much of an expert on fear. But guilt.....guilt I can understand completely..."
He looked up at her, his lips slightly parted.
But the girl was already turned around. She placed the hood of her cloak over her head and shuffled out of the room.
"...............," Aqualad stared. He reached a weak hand up and turned the knob. The warm shower streaked down on him again. He hugged himself and hung his head while thoroughly drenched. A shuddering sigh filtered out of his soul...
-T-T-T-T-T-T-
"EEEEEP!!! We have become a morsel!! WE HAVE BECOME A MORSEL!!!"
"Starfire!! Stay calm!!" Robin barked. He gripped hard on the controls of the T-Sub and pushed the thrusters into full gear, struggling to pull the vehicle out from the swallowing throat of the mysterious beast. A gigantic tongue shook and quivered beneath the bouncing sub. The submersible rattled back and forth, its hull clanking against the wrap-around row of gigantic, pointed teeth.
"Nnnnnngh!!!" Nova'm trembled, clutching tightly to Starfire. "I don't like being a morsel!! Oh, please save us....please save us......erm....Kory, what's the name of our people's goddess again??"
"X'HAL!!!" Starfire shrieked as she and Nova'm tumbled over with a huge lurch of the monster's jaws. They collided with Robin at the controls.
THWUMP!!!
"Nngh!!" The Boy Wonder's gloves slipped loose of the controls.
The T-Sub slipped towards the esophagus.
"RAAUGH!!" Robin let out a warcry as he leapt up and grabbed the controls with an iron grip.
LURCH!!!
Nova'm and Starfire went sprawling the other way as the T-Sub got caught in the back of the creature's throat.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!
A deep moan shook through the vehicle, rattling the occupants' bones. Drool and saliva streamed in currents across the outer surface of the cockpit bubbles over their heads.
"Robin, I implore you!!!" Starfire quivered. "If there is a birdarang somehow fashioned for this exotic situation, do not hesitate in employing it!!"
"I've got a better solution!!" the caped hero shouted. He freed one hand and wrenched it over towards a communicator built into the vibrating dashboard.
-click!-
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!
"AAAAIIIIEEEE!!!"
"Keep it down!! Both of you!!" Robin sweated. He leaned his masked face towards the communicator. "Cyborg...come in! Cyborg! Do you hear me?!?!"
-T-T-T-T-T-T-
"Boo-ya!!! Feel that rocket grenade up your tailpipe?!? That's Cyborg's greetings card! HA!!!"
The android Titan sat before the big screen of the Main Room. He had a remote headset on and was busily playing Unreal Tournament on Xbox Live.
"Oh yeah!! Nobody's messing with me, dawg!! I'm the king...and this king's reign is full of lead rain!! HA!! Just try and---"his human eye bugged at his character's death on screen. "What?!?! Oh, I'm so gonna pawn your ass now, fruitcake!! Get your red butt over here!!"
Cyborg's built-in communicator started to chime.
"Uh uh...don't be taking my flag now!! I'll rocket launch your head to the rings of Saturn so fast, your mom will suffer an aneurism from long range!!"
The communicator chimed some more.
"What?? Aw Hell...brb guys...," Cyborg said. He switched the Xbox Live headset off and lifted his metal arm up, flipping open a compartment. "Hello, Robin. Can you be quick? This is kinda important---"
"Cyborg!! What button initiates the sonic blaster?!?!"
"Whoah! Take it easy, man. Can't you see I'm in the middle of a game—"
"Dammit, Cyborg...tell me how to use the sonic blaster or as soon as I get back I'm taking you to Radio Shack!!"
"Okay! Okay!! Jeez," Cyborg frowned. "It's the orange button underneath the three gray knobs."
"What three gray knobs?!?!?!"
"To the left of the auxiliary thruster control."
"Has h-he informed you of the thing that goes 'zap'?!?!"
"K-Kory, you're squishing me!!"
"Nova'm, get off my grebnaks!!"
"Oops! I'm s-sorry..........wait, your 'what'???"
"Quiet the both of you!! Cyborg, are you SURE that'll do it?!?!"
"You'll be good to blow, man," Cyborg said. A beat. "Um....I AM talking to Robin now...right?"
"Over and out!!"
"Aaaack!!"
"It is swallowing us—"
-click-
"...................," Cyborg blinked. He shrugged. "Who cares what they're doing. They're way outside international borders anyways. Now, where was I...." He grinned evilly and switched the headset back on. "All right!! I've got a frag with your punks' names on it!!"
-T-T-T-T-T-T-
"This should do it!!" Robin swung his hand over and jabbed on the orange button.
Beep!!
Whurrrrrrrrr-CHTUNG!! A huge cannon emerged from the top of the craft's hull.
"Do pr-proceed upon firing it!!" Starfire trembled.
LURCH!!!
"Ackies!!" Nova'm tumbled again.
Robin gripped hard to a random joystick.
Whurrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. The photon cannon swung about by one hundred and eighty degrees. It aimed point blanc at the huge, red uvula of the monster's throat.
A warbling sound wafted painfully upwards from the monster's vocal cords.
Robin fingered the trigger, teeth gritting. "Here's hoping the sonofabitch has a gag reflex."
-click!-
ZAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP!!!!!!!!!!
A loud blast of energy rocketed into the creature's throat.
LURCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All three pilots gasped as the T-Sub was rocked back and forth inside the huge mouth and....
SWOOOOOSH!!!!
Water rushed in as the jaws opened. The rows of sharp teeth parted and the T-Sub shot out into the bright, blue sea like a missile.
Bubbles rushed all around. The T-Sub spun a few times before drifting calmly backwards.
"........................," Robin, Starfire, and Nova'm panted. Their eyes were firmly planted on what swam before them. A huge eel of sorts. Pale, rubbery skin. A giant-scale model of a salamander's skull. The lizardy monster writhed about, coughed up painful air bubbles, and then shimmied down towards the ocean floor with a huge sweep of its kicking tail.
Silence....
Nova'm and Starfire stared at the exiting beast. ".......................................did we hurt it?"
Robin glared at them.
ZAP!!!!!
Something brightly flashed in impact against the hull of the ship. The T-Sub shook. Robin and the other two nearly tumbled again.
"What now?!?!" Nova'm cackled.
"You enjoying this yet, kid??" Robin growled. He stood up tall—leaning against the seat—and looked around. "If that wasn't the monster just then...then what—"
ZAP!!!!
Another flash.
The T-Sub shook.
There was a burn mark on the right side of the hull. Fresh.
Robin looked beyond that. And he gasped.
Three shapes were coming straight at the vehicle. And as they got closer, they turned out to be humanoid figures riding underwater cycles. Each figure gripped tightly to a spear with a free hand while steering with the other. On the approach, they let out bubbly war cries. The spears charged up. And...
ZAP!!!
Z-ZAP!!!
ZAAAP!!
They discharged...
Three shimmering bolts of destructive energy soared at the underwater craft.
Nova'm and Starfire sweatdropped.
"I don't suppose they're animal rights activists?"
"I do suppose you can shut up!!" Robin grunted.
"Brace yourselves!" Starfire shouted.
And they did....
FLASH!!!!
-T-T-T-T-T-T-
Somewhere in a nondescript part of the Atlantic, a tiny cargo submarine chugged along through the waters. It was an unusual ship, constructed from what looked like a bunch of small dinghies welded together. However ugly, it swam at a remarkable speed and made good time....Atlantis bound.
Inside, dozens of small Renzukka merrily lined the interior like drunken dwarves in a mead hall. By lanternlight they chattered and minded the piloting instruments. They were all tradesmen, merchants, and deliverers. Nets hanging along the inner walls held in dozens upon dozens of crates and junk and odds and ends. A door in the rear led to an even thicker cargo hold.
The ship was passing off as a cargo vessel. Nothing more. The perfect thing for an ousted Idyllist Ambassador to ride covertly back into his destination.
Tram proudly piloted the ship from a tall stool placed goofily high in front of three portholes. He clung his crustaceous fingers to a makeshift wheel made out of a hubcap and pushed on screwdrivers and beer bottles that acted as gear shifts to the propellers. He looked back and winked a fish-eye at Beast Boy. "Venzrykk zu-u-u vlyn zug!!"
Beast Boy simpered. He turned back to face a Renzukkan cook who was just putting the finishing touches on two dishes which he happily held up for the changeling. Two piles of unscaled fish and raw mollusks. "Luzzuki zuki zugzenraak!" the cook grinned.
Beast Boy gulped, took the plates, and smiled as best as he could. "Th-Thanks....um....I'll be going now before I throw up on what I'm about to eat...."
The cook merely smiled and said: "Vrenzzak e-e-ezem gorg!!"
"Yeah.....," Beast Boy hobbled his way down the crowded, small interior. He nearly tripped over a Renzukka or two. They laughed merrily and tried to invite the changeling to sing to a melody or two with instruments that looked like.........shark livers. But the Titan politely refused as he hobbled on through the low door and entered the cargo bay.
Thwap!! He shut the door hard behind him.
I looked up from where I sat inside the thin corridor full of crates and materials.
"Yeesh....," Beast Boy exclaimed. He walked over, holding the plates up like a waitress. "I'm telling you...these guys are starting to creep the Hell out of me." He handed me a plate and scooted himself over into a corner. "I swear....they're pretty much Ewoks with all the fur shaved off."
I simpered. I looked at the food available....the parts that weren't moving.
"But...guess we can't complain, ya know? They're doing us a lot of good--not to mention Aqualad—by giving us this free ticket to Atlantis," he said. He picked through his plate and held up a small fish. "I can handle sardines." The fish twitched and thwapped Beast Boy in the nose with its tail. His face scrunched up. "Only...when they're kinda sorta dead." He looked my way. "You think we'll starve or something---" He stopped, blinking.
I finished slurping up a tentacle, burped, and looked his way curiously.
".............................," Beast Boy sighed. He placed his plate down. "Not all of us are that brave, man......or stupid."
I shrugged. I smiled and went after clam mussel.
He scratched the back of his neck and looked around. "What do you suppose they're shipping in all these boxes anyways? Dreamcasts?"
I smirked, having my fill.
"Man...," the changeling groaned. He hung his head towards the floor. "I feel like things have been nonstop since yesterday....s-since Aqualad stopped by." He glanced up at me with a genuine look "As soon as I saw the poor sap in the condition he was in, I couldn't think of anything but....but doing my best to help him, ya know?"
I nodded. I smiled slightly.
"Heh....it's freaky talking about Aqualad while you're standing there before me looking like the real deal."
I glanced down at my wetsuit. I shrugged.
"I guess....he's always been like a big brother to me," Beast Boy said. "N-Not that I want to make you jealous or anything."
I gave him a silly look.
"Well....I think you're cool, Noir," Beast Boy had a crooked smile. "I think you're really cool. Sorry if that sounds wyrd or something..."
I shook my head.
He sighed and scratched his neck again. "I.........I was never really nice to Aqualad. At least, not the first time we met. I was so big-headed and stuff...I kept trying to prove myself as better than him. There was a mission we were on—the Titans—and I thought I could show off all my shape-shifting powers. And—of course—Aqualad's a badass and stuff. I had no chance of looking better than him. Kinda the same story with you."
I rolled my specked eyes.
He giggled. "Hehehe...anyways. The cool thing is, Aqualad didn't care about who was best and stuff. He just wanted to get our mission done—and that meant keeping Trident from causing an ecological disaster and invading Atlantis. And once we worked together—guess what? I think he ended up liking me a little. Heh...I don't know why. I'm a pipsqueak compared to him."
I blew him a kiss.
"Oh put a sock in it."
I chuckled breathily.
"Girls don't dig the pipsqueak," Beast Boy folded his arms and grumbled. "Instead, they like angsty, tall, dark, and nimble guys with athletic bodies..........." His voice trailed off. He winced and barely glanced at me.
I whistled innocently.
"Ugh....," Beast Boy grunted. "I'm depressed now. Please stop eating like that so I can throw up for the both of us."
I smirked. I finished a bite or two before putting the plate down. I stood up, stretched, and let forth a relaxed sigh. A beat. My eyes trailed the cargo holds around us. I scratched my chin. I thinned my eyes...then brightened as I spotted something. I walked across the interior, reached in through some netting, and yanked out a golden harpoon.
SW-SW-SW-SWISH!!! I spun it around into a pose. I looked it over...up close. I gripped the end of it like a swordhilt. I started twirling the weapon and parrying invisible blows and jabbing at transparent enemies.
Beast Boy watched.....amused. "Do you ever NOT train, dude?"
I smirked and continued trying out the weapon. I didn't have Myrkblade with me. I would have to make due with.....whatever Atlantean materials I could find. But only as an emergency.
Garth isn't a swordsman......
"Dude....you so look like a buccaneer right now or something," Beast Boy chuckled.
I gave him a look.
"Any others where you found that?"
I glanced around. I reached besides a crate, pulled out a miniature trident, and tossed it at the changeling.
He flinched...but caught it awkwardly. Blinking, he sighed with relief, and stumbled up to his feet. He tried twirling the weapon in a fashion identical to myself....but failed.
I merely smiled and held a hand up for him to pay attention.
He looked at me.
I slowly made a pose for him to emulate.
He did so...
I slowly twirled my harpoon with one hand.
He slowly, cautiously mimicked me.
I nodded. I held a finger up. I twirled, then ended with an upswing and a jab.
"Okay...can do...," Beast Boy summoned some courage and started the twirl---
I let out a shrill whistle.
"Ack!" Beast Boy lost his concentration, slipped in mid-jab, and dropped his trident.
CL-CLANK!!!!
Beast Boy's forehead sizzled.
I chuckled breathily.
He growled and pounced at me.
I tossed the harpoon off at the last second--
WHUMP!!!
"You dirty cheater!!" He tried to grab my neck and put me in a choke-hold. "Some big brother you are!!"
I smirked and pinned him down to the ground. I encased my right hand in murk.
"Okay....no murk rubs....NO MURK RUBS!!!!"
I gave him a smoking dutch rub. He squirmed all over.
"Aack!!! Hahahaha...KNOCK IT OFF!!!"
I didn't.
-T-T-T-T-T-T-
FLASH!!!
The T-Sub shook again.
A warning alarm went off and some of the lights inside started to flicker.
SWOOOOOSH!!!! The Atlanteans streaked by, riding their underwater bikes. As they arched around for a second approach, their raised tridents started to glow brighter and brighter.
"They are attempting to give us the zap again!" Starfire cackled.
Nova'm gulped. "Shouldn't we....like....fight back or something?"
"No...that'd only make things worse," Robin breathed.
"Then what'll we do?!?!"
Robin clenched his fists.
The Atlanteans came charging the front of the T-Sub. The tridents became three glowing orbs, shimmering through the murkiness of the deep.
And it was then that Robin realize how dark it was there and then. His eyemask widened. He turned and looked at Aqualad's pendant on the dashboard.
It had stopped glowing. It now rested still and dull atop the autopilot mechanism.
"It is.......dead??" Starfire murmured.
"I don't think so," Robin shook his head. "In fact...I bet it can't wait to get a good view out the window."
"????" the two young Tamaranians seemed confused.
SWOOOOSH!!! The Atlanteans charged. Their tridents started to spark as they took aim....
GRIP!! Robin grabbed the pendant. He stood straight up and held the golden starfish against the glass.
Suddenly...the starfish exploded with light.
FLASH!!!
Starfire and Nova'm covered their green eyes momentarily.
Robin squinted and kept holding the pendant up.
Bubbles arose in the middle of the water as the three biking Atlanteans came to a stop. They seemed to 'gasp' underwater. They regarded the pendant with shock and marvel as its gold aura refracted through the bubble of the cockpit and reflected off of their figures.
Gradually....one by one....their tridents stopped glowing. The threat was over.
Robin took a deep breath. Not once did he lower the pulsing item in his hand.
"I don't get it....," Nova'm muttered. "Why aren't they pulverizing us?"
"And for what reason is the pendant glowing so magnificently?" Starfire asked. She hovered up and besides Robin's shoulder.
Robin pointed down through the bubble with a free hand. "Because it's home....."
Starfire looked. She saw for the first time beyond a downward slope in the ocean's floor a beautiful assortment of buildings carved into coral with lit windows and spiraling towers and accommodations of all shapes. Between the buildings, humanoid figures swam or rode bubbling bikes in a spirit of hustle-and-bustle business.
A pure, underwater community. And as Starfire squinted her green eyes, she could see similar settlements scattered abroad across the flat, oceanic plain. And they numbered in the hundreds.
"The Hidden Valley....," she murmured.
Nova'm took a peek, his jaw dropping.
Robin watched as one biker—presumably a guard—rode over till he was within arm's reach of the T-Sub. With a firm face, he glared at Robin and then motioned for the Boy Wonder to follow. All three bikers holstered their tridents and cruised downwards towards a large settlement in the center of the valley.
"Well then....," Robin smiled slightly as he sat down into the cockpit and grabbed the controls. "Let's see if the Idyllists live up to their names."
Nova'm gulped: "After that welcome....I'm not so sure."
".........."
The T-Sub chugged along through the water towards the cluster of buildings.
-T-T-T-T-T-T-
"So....I'm thinking that Atlantis has gotta be really old fashioned," Beast Boy gestured. "I mean...they've got a king for crying out loud. I know Orin is Aquaman and stuff...but to live under the absolute rule of a monarch is only asking for trouble, I don't care WHAT ocean you crawled out of!"
I nodded. We sat across from each other in the thin corridor of the cargo hold. Our backs to the crates.
"I mean....I'm only assuming it's an absolute rule. I know Aqualad talked about a Senate and stuff, but that could always be for show...you know? Maybe Orin thinks he's making a democracy, but in fact he's only trying to create a bluff to distract the people so he can continue....um....iron fisting."
I smirked.
"Okay...so....," Beast Boy scratched the back of his neck. "...I give in. I don't really know anything. But I guess that's what frightens me. We're going into a dark, dark rabbit hole here and Aqualad's expecting us to half-ass forth a charade as him until Robin and Starfire get here? He better be right about how important his ambassador presence is...or else this is gonna be a long, seasick trip for nothing."
I casually looked at my left hand. I made sure the fake skin still blended seamlessly in with the non-metal part of me. Nothing seemed disturbed. I sighed.
"Of course you know, Noir...."
I looked up at him.
He smiled gently. "I'm with you in this. You shouldn't have to feel pressured. Even when or if you're doing covert stuff, I'll just hang out in a pocket as a lizard or something and we can work on the mission together."
I thought of a green parrot. The fair face of Ms. Cartwright flashed before my eyes. I winced.
Beast Boy's face sank. "What??"
Suddenly, the door flew open.
A Renzukkan rushed in, hopping; "Zykzykalorenz zakka vik!!"
Beast Boy raised an eyebrow. "Sprechen sie what the hell??"
The Renzukkan bore a fishy smile. "Atlantizzz!!"
The changeling brightened. "Dude! About time!"
The little person ran out.
Beast Boy and I hopped to our feet and followed him down into the front of the awkward ship.
On either side of us, huddled Renzukka looked out of portholes and murmured in excited gibberish. Tram leaned back casually in his chair as we arrived. He glanced back at us with his bulbous eyes and pointed a twig-like finger out the front porthole. "Kuzazorenz zu-u-u-u blenzaaavagraat!"
"Yeah, you and me both, pal," Beast Boy muttered. "Now lemme see." He leaned in and peered through the window.
I too got a good view. My specked eyes widened slightly.
Before us—beyond a stream of criss-crossing submersibles—was a huge, glass dome covering a majestic city of towering buildings of various shades of cyan, blue, and gray. Inside the dome, huge fountains of water stretched impossibly high in the air like solid bodies of tubing, rippling and quivering in aquatic glory. There were lights shimmering all around, creating an artificial 'daylight' inside the submerged urban environment. Smaller glass domes surrounding the city were clustered with huge, Atlantean submarines. Sleek and beautiful. I saw large crowds of people of all shapes and sizes swim between submarines and domes and other structures. And I wondered if Atlantis was always this busy....or if in fact—because of the political Junction in the next few days—the entire world's oceans-full of civilizations were gathering at this very spot as I breathed.
"Snazzy....," Beast said. He smiled at me. "Can anyone say....'Zanarkand'?"
I gave him a wyrd look.
"Vyku....," a random Renzukkan muttered. "Bendykdyk zorruruzik."
"Zaki??" Tram uttered. He looked out a nearby porthole. He suddenly sighed: "Zu-u-u-uy...."
"??????" Beast Boy and I glanced out.
I squinted my eyes.
A lone, small submarine of Atlantean design was streaming our way. It was dark with shaded windshields. Red lights blinked on the front frame.
"If I didn't know better.....," Beast Boy gulped. "...I'd say it looks like a squad car!"
I glanced at him. I glanced back out the porthole.
More like a customs officer......
The submarine slowly chugged to a stop above us, beyond view.
"Zaklakkan vrezorrak....," a little one uttered.
Everyong glanced up.
So did the two of us Titans.
We noticed the boarding hatch at the top of the craft. The same way we entered. There was a loud THUD!! and the whole ship shook from the top hatch down to the floor.
Beast Boy and I stood on wobbly knees as the shaking stop. Then metal scraping sounds could be heard through the hatch.
"Zeyorraganzziut!" Tram barked.
I gritted my teeth.
We were being boarded......
"Dude...I'm not kosher with this at all," Beast Boy gulped.
Tram spun around in his seat and waved at us. "Zakal! Zakal!!"
The other Renzukka crewmembers started tugging at our limbs and urging us to the back of the craft.
I grabbed Beast Boy by the shoulder and swiftly yanked him back with me as I rushed into the cargo hold.
"Ackies!!"
I closed the door shut behind us and motioned for him to find a place to hide.
"Dude....but where?!"
I squished my two hands together for emphasis, then pointed at the crates again.
"Oh....heheh...guess I could blend in." Beast Boy simpered. He shrunk down to the floor and became a chameleon. On scurrying lizard paws, he zipped up over a box and hid inside a metal crack.
I....on the other hand.....would find it next to impossible to hide in a crate. So I stood by the door and peered through the thin crack between the frame so that I could have a look in on what was going on in the front of the ship.
As I squinted, I could see the Renzukka parting to form a distant circle around the hatch. Tram stood at ready with his back to the seat. He seemed to be prepared to face whatever came out of that passage way first.
Clank! Clank! CLANK—CREEEAK!!!
The hatch opened.
A tall, well-built humanoid dropped down...followed by a second. Both Atlantean men seemed to be armed with miniature tridents. These tridents sparked threateningly...like high-powered tasers. The two looked around with firm expressions till their eyes set on Tram—who they rightfully assumed was the pilot. The first stepped up and uttered to him.
"You there!!"
"Zykall zree?"
"Can you speak Atlantean basic?"
"Zakla rorunzig threezag ruzuk e-e-ezak."
The other Atlantean craned his neck. "He understands basic, he just can't speak it."
"Ugh....," the first one ran a hand over his face. "Poseidon, how I hate having to listen to these little lobsters' gibberish." He stood up straight and glared down at Tram. "Ahem. Listen to me, little one, and do listen straight. By order of Senator Chasma and the voting party of the Transportation Council, all entering cargo and transport ships must be subject to an immediate customs search. Being that we are in the midst of a thick, political atmosphere...it is important that all submersibles and passengers follow a strict screening."
Tram looked perplexed. He leaned his head to the side and uttered: "Gazykk?? Zenzorak zi-i-i-i vakazukzu ze Orinz zlakka??"
"Look...I don't want any arguments," the first Atlantean frowned. He palmed his trident and uttered: "This is a decree by the council. Certainly King Orin would have approved of it. It doesn't matter if it's breaking normalcy!"
Tram's eyes went firm. "Zeklykzak venverorraz klazavazyk!"
"NO, I'm not going to radio in the Transportation Council!! What I told you is what I told you!! There's no need to bother the Council Authorities with King Orin's statements at this time, and I'm not going to let a sniveling piece of shell fungus like you tell me different!!"
The Renzukka grumbled all around them.
Tram folded his arms.
The second Atlantean smirked. "He's quite the precocious little bugger, isn't he?"
"Yes," the first turned and nodded at him. "I think he's missing a few lessons on respect...." That said, the Atlantean spun around and kicked Tram hard across the face. THWACK!!
"Znnnkk!" Tram fell back with a grunt.
I gritted my teeth.
Renzukka gasped and rushed to him.
ZAP!!!!
The Atlanteans' tridents sparked.
"Nobody move!!!"
The little people cowered and drew back.
The one who kicked Tram grinned. "Now we're going to search your ship whether you like it or not. But....if you were to ask me, you pieces of hermit crab droppings have no real business in Atlantis anyways. Good luck achieving anything at the Junction. Heheheheh....our civilization really doesn't need more....'appetizers'."
The other laughed.
Tram looked up, rubbing his shell of a jaw.
"Heheheh," the leader turned around, smiling. "I'll check the cargo hold—"
WHAM!!!!
He flew back from my fist and slid across the floor, groaning in pain.
The other gasped. He raised his sparking trident. "Allright!! Who goes there---" His eyes went wide and he gasped.
I marched firmly towards him, glaring.
"P-P-Prince Garth....," the Atlantean guard stammered. "You're....y-you're alive!!"
I narrowed my specked eyes.
Prince?? Now that's a new detail.
But no time for that now......
GRIP!!!!!
The cowering man was powerless as I brought my hand around his throat and harshly shoved him against the wall of the interior.
He gasped. "I-I'm sorry!! I-I-I'm so sorry, my lord! In whatever way I have offended you, I offer my deepest apologies!!"
I grimaced in anger.
How could be so dense??
I glanced down and noticed Tram getting up, rubbing his aching joints.
I fiercely grabbed the man and forced him to face the Renzukkan pilot.
The guard gulped. He uttered: "I ask you for your forgiveness of our mean and cruel actions..." He took a shuddering breath. "Any friends of the Idyllist ambassador are surely innocent and granted passage to the city of Atlantis."
I smirked.
The other guard got up, groaning. He rubbed his chin and glanced at me. His eyes narrowed.
"Lord Garth....y-your throat...."
I looked his way. I looked down.
Tram blinked. He cleared his throat, shrugged, and casually uttered: "Zuuklaa-aakan vrazzyk e-e-eklenzorraganzraat."
The guard I was holding gasped. "What's this?!?! A murder attempt??"
I let go of him with a shove.
He shyly turned around and faced me with a half bow. "I am deeply distressed to hear of this, my lord."
The other guard murmured: "And what miscreants would have done that to your throat??"
I glared at him.
He backed off like he had been wounded.
Okay......I think I got the 'pissed prince part done right'......
I looked at Tram. I gestured something....anything.
Tram pretended that he 'understood'. He nodded. He faced the two men and spoke: "Zaaklakkan venzraaksi claatazuk."
The guard I punched scratched his head. "Well...by all means, this is something to bring to the Senate."
"We understand now why you employed your Renzukkan friends for transport," the other nodded. "You must make your return covertly."
I blinked.
These must be pure underlings of Senator Chasma. Either he hasn't informed them of his personal attempt on Garth's life, or it wasn't Senator Chasma at all.
But......whatever it takes to get out of these morons' hair......
"Do you desire an escort into the City, my lord?"
I shook my head.
"Very well...we wish you luck on your journey. Be careful on your way to the Embassy, Lord Garth. If whoever tried to end your life is here...then who knows how great their presence—and awareness—may be."
I nodded.
Heh......indeed......
"Zykal vree!" Tram pointed and shook his head. "Cacklazzyk vruunanak clun!"
"We will keep this meeting a secret," one guard said. He gulped and his face turned read as he simpered: "I assume you shall do the same??"
I smirked at the loser and nodded.
"Whew..."
"Let's move," the other said.
They both shimmied up the hatch.
I sealed it shut behind them.
A beat.
The submersible shook as their craft detached from us and throttled off.
And that's when all the Renzukka cheered.
"Vree!! Vree!! Vree!! Zazukaaaa!!!"
I smirked as they all gathered and danced around me.
I glanced at Tram.
He gave me a fishy thumb's up.
I returned the gesture.
The door in the back creaked open as Beast Boy sauntered out. "Whew man...that was close. Too close."
I shrugged.
He scooted through the happy Renzukka and put a hand on my shoulder. "Dude....I so wouldn't want to be a member of the paparazzi if you're the new prince in town."
A funny thought struck my head. I chuckled breathily.
Beast Boy raised an eyebrow. "What??"
I managed to gesture something. But he couldn't understand.
"Whatever...dude. Tram, let's get this bucket of bolts to Atlantis already."
"Vryk-zan!!" Tram saluted and hopped into the cockpit seat.
I continued chuckling. Shaking my head at myself.
Artist formally known as Noir......
I let out a crazy sigh and slumped to the ground with my tired back against the wall.
-T-T-T-T-T-T-
Inside the two guards' submarine....
The Renzukka ship got smaller and smaller as it chugged away towards Atlantis.
The guard at the controls of the ship let out a whistle. "Man....we almost had our necks scaled there. Damn....it's tough what happened to Garth, isn't it?"
"Tell me about it," the second in co-pilot's seat nodded. "What do you think this means for the Junction?"
The driver shrugged and flipped a few switches. "I don't know. I only hope Garth does the right thing and warns the Senate. Otherwise, I'd be tempted to go tell the authorities myself. But so much for that. We made a vow, right?"
There was no response.
"Hey....you listening??" the pilot looked over. His eyes widened.
The other guard's body was twitching. His mouth hung open. His eyes wide. Something was poking out through his chest. It looked like a white sword. Only...the whiteness was like steam.
"Holy Poseidon....," the pilot murmured.
RIIIIIIIP!!!!!!!
The 'sword' slashed up through the chest of the guard and came out the shoulder. Warm, red blood sprayed out and stained the windshield.
"AAAAAAAH!!!!!" the pilot shrunk back in his seat and howled in terror. "AAAAAAA-AAAAH!!!!"
The bloody carcass of his former colleague slumped over. The white sword hovered in the air. And as the terrified guard's eyes followed it, he realized that it belonged to an 'arm' of a human figure shaped entirely by white steam. The figure lunged forth and grabbed the guard's throat with whispy hands. A face materialized into flesh and blood. A devilish grin took up the guard's vision.
"And you know what the funny thing is??" Miist giggled. "I'm still thirsty....unless of course, you'd do me and my master a favor and share everything you saw on that ship just a moment ago....."
The guard trembled. With a quivering lip, he nodded.
-T-T-T-T-T-T-
The T-Sub broke the water's surface inside the old hangar bay of the Hidden Valley building. The front cockpit bubble peeled open. Starfire and Nova'm flew out while Robin hopped onto the metal deck surrounding the pool. The building was carved into an ancient coral formation and the floor and walls of the inside looked like smooth marble. Electric lights were nestled in curved grooves in the wall at each four corners, reflecting off of the pool's waters in a kaleidoscopic fashion.
Three loud splashes.
The Boy Wonder and the two Tamaranians looked over as the three biker guards surfaced. They tethered their vehicles and hopped onto the deck. Dripping, they walked over towards the youngsters. The guard in front gestured with a frowning face. "Let me see the pendant, surface-dweller."
Robin held the glowing starfish up for the three to see.
The two guards in the rear murmured. The front one reached for it.
Robin held it away from him. "It was entrusted to us...," he said, eyemask thinning.
"By who?" the guard glared.
"He goes by the name of Aqualad," Robin said. "He is the ambassador of the Idyllists."
Gasps. From the guards as well as all around.
Nova'm looked around, suddenly realizing that a crowed of curious Atlanteans had gathered inside the cargo bay and were looking at the three strangers in wonder. At the sound of the 'ambassador', they seemed filled with concern and dread.
"You speak of Prince Garth...," the guard uttered. "...but no word has been heard of him in two days."
"I can imagine why," Robin nodded. He firmly added: "He was sent to the surface-world against his will."
"What???"
"Propelled through an Expulsor."
More gasps.
"Are you trying to say....," the guard leaned his head to the side, "...that there's been foul play at Atlantis?"
"Not only that, but Aquala---Garth is alive," Robin said. "He sent us on an important mission for him...for he is presently too weak and dehydrated from his experience to bear this burden by himself."
"What burden?"
"Before I go on, I must speak to an authority here," Robin said. "For the sake of the Idyllist ...
"You are surface dwellers," the guard spoke. "We found you nearly choking one of the native leviathans to death. Why should we trust you?"
"Leviathans??" Nova'm blinked. "So is that what you call one of those maniacs that swallowed us—mmfmfmfmf!!" His mouth was covered by Starfire's hand.
Robin glared at him, then looked back up at the guard. "We did what we could to keep from being eaten." He emphasized. "Now...as to trusting us, you should have every reason to. Garth trusted us. More of 'us' than you see here. And all surface-dwellers too."
Silence.
The guard took a deep breath. "Follow me...," he said. He walked off towards a nearby pair of doors that lead into a grand, ivory-colored hallway.
Starfire leaned in towards Robin. "G-Garth??" she murmured.
Robin nodded. "Apparently. And a prince, no doubt."
"Heeeee," starfire cooed with hearts in her eyes. "Even better."
She floated off on a cloud.
Robin blinked under his eyemask.
Nova'm scratched his red head of hair. "What's her problem?"
"Kid....I wish you could tell me."
The three walked off together, following the guard....watched by many Atlantean eyes.
-T-T-T-T-T-T-
"Your honor...the surface dwellers from the rogue submersible. They claim to be on a mission sent by Prince Garth himself."
"Send them in..."
A huge pair of coral-carved doors yawned open. Starfire, Robin, and Nova'm were lead down a long hallway fitted with an elliptical table with over three dozen chairs for seated council members of the Idyllist colonies. On one side of the lengthy room was a wall plastered with hanging banners of Idyllist families. Opposite of that and on the other side of the table was a huge array of large, glass windows looking out upon the ocean floor. Submarines, underwater bikes, and swimming Atlanteans could be seen at random from the displays. As the three visitors approached, a tall, white-haired man stood from the far end of the chair. Scrolls and other manuscripts littered the tabletop, suggesting a last-minute review of political materials.
As Robin emerged at the head of his group of three, his eyemask narrowed.
The Boy Wonder saw the man's eyes. They were black with tiny white irises. Much like Aqualad's.
"You've come a long way, young strangers," the man uttered. The escorting guards stood protectively around him. The man's face was firm, with prominent cheekbones. He looked a bit more weathered and exasperated than he did suspicious. "Surely you would have expected nothing more than bitter resentment upon your arrival here."
"We don't even know where 'here' is, sir," Robin spoke. "We set our craft on autopilot and let its guidance system take us here blindly."
"Guidance system? How?"
"Through this...," Robin held up the golden starfish. It shimmered brightly.
The man's dark eyes narrowed. He reached a hand out for it.
Robin didn't move it this time.
The man held the pendant up. He murmured: "Garth....."
'Yes, sir," Robin nodded. "Your prince is alive. I am Robin, the leader of the Teen Titans. We fight for truth and justice among the world of the surface dwellers. On one occasion, toxic waste from a tanker sunk into the sea...and Trident—a villain of Atlantean notoriety—attempted to salvage the material for his own evil purposes. But with Aqualad's help, we were able to defeat the villain and quarantine what we could find of the waste. Since then, we have remained in relatively good terms with your prince. We're thankful for saving our necks way back when...and he's shown his thanks to us just recently, since he was near-death from his expulsion to dry land. He has given us fair warning about a possible conspiracy to pressure the Idyllists out of the Junction...and other hints of danger that would take a while to explain."
"So he is alive.......," the leader murmured.
"Yes, sir."
The man looked at Robin. "The name is Ivan, young man. Praetor Ivan."
"Ivan...Garth is undoubtedly gaining his health back as we speak," Robin spoke. "At the same time, we have sent one of my teammates—Noir—into Atlantis, posing as your prince. The plan is for Noir to steal the attention of the Senate and King Orin long enough for us to coordinate an effort on the part of your people to intercede on Garth's behalf and unlock a conspiracy that could undermine the future of the underwater world as everyone knows it."
"And just what threat are we talking about?" Ivan asked.
"Chasma...," Starfire spoke up. She hovered forward and clasped her hands together while gently emphasizing, "Senator Chasma. That was whom Garth claimed was responsible for his expulsion."
Robin glanced quietly at Robin...then at Ivan.
The Praetor stared at the girl. The firmness in his face seemed to melt away some...as if the gentle honesty of the alien girl broke the tension. "Chasma....I would not doubt much coming from him. There has to be a threat far greater than that."
Starfire nodded. "Yes, Praetor. Garth speaks with concern about an evil force emanating from a being named Slizzath."
The guards behind the leader shifted uncomfortably.
Ivan took a deep breath. There was something akin to a flicker in his eyes. "Slizzath......"
Starfire nodded.
Robin stared at the man.
Praetor Ivan took a deep breath. He placed the pendant on the table. He closed his eyes. "I......cannot help you..."
Robin's lips parted. Starfire blinked.
Ivan slowly turned around and walked towards the end of the room. He opened a door, walked through it, and closed it behind him.
Silence.
"But.....but......" Starfire murmured.
Robin's fists clenched.
Nova'm scratched his neck. "So....um....does this mean we swim all the way back home?"
-T-T-T-T-T-T-
"Zaa-aaclacan thru zezug vrakazyllenzorragz zu-u-u," Tram said as he stood with us before the side hatch.
I blinked. I looked at Beast Boy.
"Beats me, man," he handed me a cloak. "But if I were him, I'd be telling him the same thing I'm telling you."
"......."
"Gotta be inconspicuous, man!!" Beast Boy smirked. "Lookin' all Aqualadish...you're far too noticeable and princely and handsome to NOT be recognized on the streets of Atlantis. We gotta get to the embassy, right? Well let's get , dude."
I nodded. I donned on the cloak. There was a hood in the back.
Tram smiled. "Zuruukuk rororazzarick ryiz." He handed me a sheet of paper.
I took it from him with a slight bow. I opened it up. My specked eyes thinned.
It was a map...a very complex and chaotic one with Renzukkan scribbles all over it. But I could pretty much make out a red line leading from the docking bays (where we were) to the embassy (where we needed to go).
"Way cool, man," Beast Boy gave a thumb's up. "Next time I see you...hopefully I'll learn enough gibberish to say thanks. Until then..." Beast Boy held a hand out for Tram to give him a high-five.
Tram eyed the palm....shrugged...then leaned up and licked it with an amphibious tongue. SLUUUURP!!!!
Beast Boy tried to hide his grimace. "Okay.....g-guess I'm not eating with those fingers for a while."
"Vrg Vrg Vrg!!"
I smirked and turned towards the door.
"Hey!" Beast Boy whistled.
I glanced back at him.
"Alley-oop!!" Beast Boy jumped, turned into a squirrel in mid air, and perched on my shoulder. The green rodent whispered in my ear: "Let's get to foraging, black eyes."
I rolled my optics. With a grin, I pulled the hood over my head and hiding the changeling. I waved back at the Renzukka and marched on through the doorway....
-T-T-T-T-T-T-
We stepped out onto the courtyard. The width and breadth of the city yawned open before us. My mouth dropped as I looked up and up....careful to not drop the hood covering my head. I knew that at any moment...at any second...the slightest unveiling of my cloak and everyone around me would likely drop dead in shock at the 'returning prince'.
A furry Beast Boy crawled forward parallel to my chin and looked out. Together we eyed tall, opal skyscrapers. Arching tendrils of solid water. Bridges with fountains and hanging gardens. A huge, urban spectacle of beauty...and beyond it—above the huge dome sky—was the flickering atmosphere of pure, uninterrupted ocean.
"Whew....," Beast Boy whistled. "Sure kicks Seaworld's ass."
I nodded.
All around us, crowds of excited, politically-charged people wandered the streets and courtyards. Families on pilgrimages from afar were there to see the unification of an underwater globe. Religious groups and secular institutions alike had gathered. Atlanteans, Idyllists, Renzukka, and other. This was the eve of something great and grand.
And I was playing a central role in....all of it.
Nothing to stress over......right?
I sighed.
"You okay, dude?" the green squirrel breathed into my ear. It tickled.
I chuckled breathily.
A citizen walking by me glared with suspicion.
I cleared my throat, adjusted the hood firmly over my head, and marched off where the map would lead me.
"That's right...less hyperventilating and more walking."
I couldn't agree more.
And yet...as we progressed...we were completely ignorant of a body of white steam perched on an overhang above us. After seeing what he had waited for, the stranger bolted off in a streak of frothy, ivory air.
-T-T-T-T-T-T-
Inside a huge, spiraling chamber...elaborate seats lined the many floors like layers to a bee hive. Every five seats had a special chamber that was separated by gold bards and synthetic mockups of coral formations. But all of it was ornate and richly constructed.
No expense was spared in the architecture of the Senate room.
Over eighty-percent of the delegates were present, and all had their Atlantean ears tuned in to one who stood near the top of the spiral...facing the center podium far below.
Senator Chasma....
"I insist—dear sons and daughters of Atlantis—that now is not a time for mourning. The tragic disappearance of Prince Garth is untimely. But to let it constitute as a setback in this time of great unification would be the truest tragedy. We owe it to the people...we owe it to our great and mighty King—who has done so much during his rule to invite peace onto our lands—we owe it to all who have fought and died for this moment to come to fruition....we owe it to them all to pursue Junction at all costs. And as it is so...I propose we vote to accept new candidates for the Idyllist ambassador. For time is of the essence, my fellow Atlanteans. We cannot delay Junction. We cannot delay the future!!"
There was standing applause in response to the fervor of Chasma's speech. Most seemed in agreement. The others were simply swept up in the political passion. It was like a maddening renaissance. Pathos ruled supreme.
Chasma smiled. "And to continue on with today's proceedings, I gladly hand the chair over to the representative from Poseidonis...Princess Tula."
More applause.
Across the spiral....on a lower level...Princess Tula stood up from her seat besides her two fellow senators. While being applauded, she cast a distrusting glare up at Chasma. A glare that only the old man saw. Undaunted, she took a breath and spoke to the Senate.
During the speech, Chasma sat down besides his fellow delegates. He leaned his head on his hand and smiled gently to himself.
Behind his booth, a curtain opened and a messenger briskly walked in. He knelt besides the Senator's chair and whispered into his ear.
Chasma listened...his eyes tracing the corner of his vision. He grinned.
"Is he certain they're here??" he asked.
The messenger nodded and whispered something else.
A beat.
"Tell him go enact Phase Two...," Chasma said. A beat. He scratched his chin and thought aloud: "And if they're here...then the other Titans must be at the Hidden Valley by now." His brow furrowed. He leaned in to the messenger. "And while Miist performs his duties....send Fryte to the land of the Idyllists. He'll have some.......test subjects there."
A beat.
"You may go," the Senator said with some indignity.
The messenger nodded and quietly hurried off.
Chasma leaned forward, smiling wickedly. He eyed the majestic Tula in her mid-speech.
His lips moved. "So....princess....let's see what little faith is left in you now. Sooner or later....you too will become a child of the Black Tempest...."
-T-T-T-T-T-T-
"Zazzyk venderryk!" Tram uttered to the other Renzukka crewmen. He stepped up to the cockpit as the other little people rushed to their stations. They were preparing to pull out of dock. "Vazzyk cattarorizarak."
"Vrygyt!"
"Vrygyt ziul vaza Tramzz."
Tram pulled at some controls and flipped a few switches. "Zattarag venzorarak." He looked over and pointed at an open hatch. "Kazzaklik zu-u-u klizaak! Zaz! Zaz!" He barked.
"Vrenzyk," a Renzukkan handyman nodded. He marched over to the hatch to push it closed. But just as his fishy hand reached the frame---
SWOOOOSH!!!!
Steam exploded into the tiny ship.
"ZZZAAZZ!!!" the Renzukka cried out in shock and pain as a human figure in the shame of white gas flew amongst them, banging their hard skulls into bulkheads and producing blood.
"!!!!!" Tram gasped, his fish-eyes gleaming in horror.
The steam spiraled into a pillar....then morphed out with legs and arms. Flesh and blood appeared, and soon Miist stood before the little person. He grinned like a devil while six foreboding Atlanteans filed into the small ship, clad in black robes and shawls.
"Z-Z-Zenkerorz...," Tram stammered.
Miist teleported over towards him in a puff of white and grabbed him by the collar. He lifted the flailing Renzukkan up off the cockpit. The young fiend licked his lips and stared the fish-person in the face. "It's gonna be so....so delicious sucking those warm, squirmy guts of yours outside of that pathetic shell you call a body..." He held his left hand out and turned it into a blade of burning steam. "...but first, I need some help here. You see....I can zip back and forth across the Ocean as fast as I care or don't care to! But these friends of mine...hehehehe...they need to carpool the Grand Pool of the Atlantic."
THWUMP!!!!
The villain dropped Tram to the floor. He aimed his foot at him, which turned into a steamy trident that glistened.
Tram trembled.
Miist's eyes narrowed. "Heheheh....you know what I want. Take us to the Tower....Titan's Tower......"