Chapter 21
Aku aku manages to get into Coco's mind where it's succumbs to darkness, which worries him. He uses everyone ounce of his strength to make himself light up so that he can see his way. He floats along the path as slowly as possible, noticing that the crystals that were ligt up last time have lost every speck of light that makes Aku aku very uncomfortable but he can't explain why. He continues going forward when he notices a dim, purple light on the other side of the path. He cautiously go towards it when he hears someone humming some sort of lullaby, to lull someone to sleep. Aku aku would have find that sort of thing comforting but in this circumstances, it's borderline creepy and can't help but keep his guard up as he continues onwards towards the light. He goes through the opening to see the source of the light in the middle of a large room to see a woman in a purple aura with Coco head lying asleep on her lap while the mysterious woman has been stroking her hair, humming a lullaby like a mother.
"Nadia? Is that you?" the woman turns when she heard her name.
"Hello Aku aku. I presume you came here to figure out what happened." Aku aku nods his head with a stern look on his face.
"And to confront you. Whatever happened out there has something to do with the crystal that you're trap in where it had risen some sort of crystal zombies to attack us." Nadia looks miffed,
"Everything Coco sees, I can see as well, so I wouldn't see my husband be in complete pain. You know that I would never rise out something as horrific as the undead, they were under N. Tropy's control." Aku aku agrees,
"Oh I know that, what I want to know is the power that Coco suddenly had that destroyed all of the zombies causing her to take an immense toll on her body and by the looks of it her mind as well. Would you know anything about that?" Nadia is at a lost for words and just look down at Coco, trying to avoid Aku aku's eyes.
"You know that N. Tropy isn't the only one that has control over the all powerful crystal. While you can't physically get out, you still have the power to possess Coco, to use her to contact us and tell us what is happening in the cave you're trapped in. I understand you're desperate, and want to be free, to be back with your family but if you keep doin things that heavily effects Coco then there's a chance we will never get to save you and Neo in time and maybe lose Coco in the process." Nadia stays silent while she thinks about what Aku aku said. She sighs deeply,
"You're right. I was being selfish. At least let her rest, I'll take care of her mind while you take care of her physicality, however I'll still be around if you ever need me." Aku aku nods his head,
"That sounds like a good compromise. Also a couple of things. Would you know anything about dreams?" Nadia seems confused,
"People have dreams when they're asleep?" Aku aku rolls his eyes,
"What I mean was Coco was shouting for Neo in her sleep, would you know anything about that?" Nadia sighs,
"This is only a guess but I think because our minds are entertwined, she's starting to see my memories in her dreams. When I was captured all I can think about is Neo, I'm sorry that's out of my control." Aku aku nods in understanding,
"And the veins glowing purple?" Nadia shakes her head,
"I don't know anything about that I'm afraid." he looks at her eyes to see that they're sincere and telling the truth.
"But I have studied these crystals for years, so I can try and recall some of my memories." Aku aku smiles at her.
"Thank you. I'll leeave you to it then so you and Coco and can rest." Nadia stands a little as the wise mask's about to leave.
"Oh, Aku aku?" Aku aku stops and turns to face her,
"Do you think I can use the opportunity, with Coco's permission of course to get to know our new friends and even talk to Nina and N. Gin? It will be nice to talk to people, especially talking animals!" her eyes lit up with excitement.
"I absolutely love animals and the fact they can talk back is astonishing!" Aku aku gives a slight chuckle,
"You can thank your husband for that, but I don't see why not, with Coco's permission?" Nadia nods her head,
"With Coco's permission." she said affirmatively. Aku aku takes her word turns again to leave,
"Then I shall take my leave however if there're things we need to be aware of concerneing Dr Cortex and Dr Tropy, then don't hesitate to let us know." Nadia gives a little smile,
"You'll be the first to know. Take care Aku aku."
He decides to get out of the room so that he can meditate and imagine be back in N. Gin's kitchen with the group and successfully managed to be back in one piece.
"Ok, everyone. I have talked to Nadia and she realised how selfish and that she will be more aware of what she's doing, at the moment her and Coco are resting, and so am I." Tawna grudgingly accepts his answer but doesn't want to push further seeing how tired the mask is, however Pinstripe has other ideas.
"Before you do rest, you might want to talk to Nina?" Aku aku raised an eyebrow.
"Why? What did you say?" he looks behind Pinstripe to see Nina still sitting on the Mech but with tears at the corner of her eyes and a dark look shadowing her expression.
"They're my parents?" she said in a dark voice, knowing Aku aku has a lot of explainging to do.