Chapter CXIII: Into the depths of Atlantis Part XIII

As everyone walked down the palace stairs Nozomi turned and looked as the guards closed the doors shut leaving the nobody girl Meixeng behind with the princess and king of Atlantis. As she looked back she wondered exactly what that girl's relationship was with this lands royalty, but more than that she wondered what on earth they were all going to do now? They only had one night here in Atlantis, what were they supposed to do in a such a small amount of time? How could she and the others convince this king that they meant no harm? What could they do?

Finally making it to the bottom of the stairs Nozomi was coaxed out of her thoughts as Sweet who had decided to stay behind along with Audrey and some of the others voiced his question, "so how'd it go?"

Lifting her head up Nozomi was quiet as she heard Riku respond first, "could've been better, but at least we're not going to be chased out for the moment."

At this Sweet nodded as he responded, "oh, I see... wait what do you mean by 'the moment'?"

To which Mickey then told him, "well the king fella in there has given us only this night and maybe some part of the day tomorrow and then we gotta be leavin'"

Hearing this Sweet replied, "what only that short amount of time?"

Milo nodded as he had been looking in his journal atsome of the notes he'd made during the encounter as he gave more of an explanation to things, "yeah, well you see the king and his daughter don't exactly see eye to eye, she seems to like us okay but the king, I dunno... I think he maybe hiding something."

Nozomi repeated as she said, "hiding something..."

However Rourke continued on himself as he spoke to everyone, "well if he's hiding something I wanna know what it is."

But then Cait sith who had been completely silent up until this point replied, "why do ya need to know what it is?"

Listening to this Rourke was quietly baffled at this simple question from Nozomi's feline head warmer before he responded, "excuse me?"

Seeing that their commander was being a bit daft himself today Cait sith spoke again, "why do ya need to know? What business is it of ours what he might be hidin'? It ain't nonthi' to do with us and besides I think that the more urgent stuff ya lot should be concerned with is winnin' this lots trust."

At these words Nozomi was surprised and quiet but then hearing the question she'd been puzzling over herself she responded in awe, "Cait sith..."

Silently annoyed Rourke couldn't believe that such a small little thing could interrupt him so easily, but then before things became awkward it was Mickey who pitched up, "yeah well I gotta agree with ya there Cait sith... how are we gonna make them fella's trust us? I mean if we could do that then-"

However it was Audrey who now spoke her mind, "well how about that princess Milo mentioned? Why don't we try getting through to the king through her?"

At this suggestion it was then that mutters began to be heard amongst the group, but Helga finally spoke as she responded, "yes, I agree to that someone definitely needs to talk to that girl."

But at this suggestion was heard Nozomi paused again as she thought, 'talk to her? But who should-?' Suddenly then showing his eagerness Mole raised his hand as he called out, "I will go!" Making her look at him annoyed as he had interrupted her thoughts.

"Somebody who's got good people skills" Vinny spoke as he too was considering the situation. Once again Mole popped up and spoke up, "I will do it!"

Sweet then uttered his own thoughts, "someone who won't scare her away." Again on cue Mole spoke up, "I volunteer!"

Then as usual a cigarette in her hand Mrs Packard added in her bored tone, "someone who can speak the language." Still trying desperately to prove his enthusiasm Mole voiced himself with a salute, "for the good of the mission I will go!"

Seeing him popping up in and around almost like one of those pop up mallet animals Nozomi said aloud to herself, "well he's rather eager isn't he?"

Hearing her say this Cait sith replied getting rather annoyed himself, "def' that lass, definitely."

But then before the so-called volunteer knew it as he flipped through his notebook Rourke appeared behind him and put a hand on his shoulder as he told him, "good man Thatch, thanks for volunteering."

This made Milo drop his pencil from his mouth as he uttered in shock, "what!"

However unsurprised by this Riku shook his head as he said, "well that was rather obviously coming."

But then in the background now clearly distraught Mole started to bawl like a baby as tears started to flood down his face, Mickey seeing their digger reacting this way spoke up feeling rather awkward himself, "well I see Mole's takin' it well."

However Milo was still baffled at how he'd been left in this situation and looked at everyone confused and then before she walked off Audrey elbowed him in the back saying, "go get 'em tiger!"

This made Milo rub his arm again painfully and then looking around he asked, "how am I supposed to start to talking to her! I don't even know her and-" however most of everyone had left him standing except Nozomi Cait sith, Riku and Mickey. Turning to them in seconds he said almost panicking as he reached the stairs his hands in desperate prayer, "guys you gotta help me! You can't leave me to do this all by myself!"

Seeing he was becoming rather flustered Nozomi couldn't help but let out a small laugh as she said, "Milo it's okay! Calm down! We'll help you out." With that she turned to Mickey and Riku as she asked, "right guys?"

Hearing her Mickey smiled at her amused face as he gave his reply automatically, "yeah! We'll help out! Besides we've been doin' that for a while now with ya Milo, so why not?"

Riku also couldn't help but be amused as he replied a small smile on his face as well, "yeah, besides we've got nothing else to do right now, so we might as well give some help of some kind."

Finally then Cait sith spoke up himself as he added standing on Nozomi's head giving Milo the thumb's up saying, "yeah right on! We're all with ya on this Milo lad! So don't ya be makin' any threats!"

Smiling glad at the encouragement her friends were giving him, Nozomi turned to Milo again as she told him, "you see? So what do you say? Why don't we try talking to the princess? Lets try and get things sorted out, okay Milo?"

Amazed at the assistance his friends were giving him the linguist and map maker couldn't help but feel the warmth of happiness inside him as he nodded showing his relief, "oh thanks so much guys!" With that everyone climbed back up the stairs again to try and begin the interactions between Linguist and Princess.

Closing the doors behind her with a single hand Kida started to make her way out of the throne room with Meixeng behind her, her golden staff in her hand as her two small monkeys Fuma and Uma continued to ride upon her shoulders.

Watching as the two started to approach from behind a single vine wrapped pillar, Nozomi was the first to ask the others who were watching with her, "well guys how should we approach them anyway?"

Clearly this was something that no one had properly really thought about as she and them turned back from looking and began to discuss, Mickey was the first to make his reply as he said, "well uh... I dunno there Nozomi um..."

But then Riku spoke himself as he said, "well we don't have time for small talk after all we only have one night and we need the info as quick as possible."

Milo nodded as he replied, "yeah! Yeah... um how about 'look we have some questions for you and we're not leaving this city till they're answered!'" Nozomi listening to this was obviously and immediately dismissive of this idea for a first approach as a look of apprehension quickly decorated her features as Milo then asked everyone, "how about that? That should work right?"

Nozomi however only shook her head as she replied, "um... I think that's a bit too... forceful?"

Milo hearing this asked confused, "really?"

To which Nozomi simply nodded as then Milo became deflated, however Cait sith who had been resting on his usual comfy high spot said getting aggravated, "lads! Just talk to 'em for the love of Mike! They ain't bait on hooks! C'mon! Let's just get this talkin' goin!"

Hearing him say this realizing themselves that all they were doing was just dragging this on Milo said, "okay! Okay! Cait sith! Let's do this!"

With that everyone started to make their way from behind the pillar but as they did Riku whispered to the king, "lets just hope that this doesn't end in a disaster!" To which the king simply let out a small laugh as he thought this would probably not be as bad as he might imagine.

However as the two of them joined the others who were now past the pillar they too saw that the two people they wanted to interact with were nowhere to be seen! Looking around everyone was confused, it couldn't have been more than a few seconds!

Nozomi then asked, 'hey where are they? Where did they both go?"

To which Milo replied just as confused, "I dunno... could they have-" Suddenly then before he knew it someone had snuck up from behind and had clamped their hand firmly over his mouth, surprising him and everyone else as they all jumped back they quickly saw that it was the princess Kida!

Looking at her now on edge Nozomi spoke out, "how did she do that!"

Cait sith then replied, "that lass is wicked fast!"

But as he said this suddenly there was a call from above, "sure she is!"

Nozomi hearing this familiar voice so quickly was surprised as she started to call out, "huh wha-"

But then quickly something landed on her head beside Cait sith as he looked at this new arrival baffled as he said, "huh! Who are-" but quickly the small tiny white green-eyed monkey quickly ran down and spun himself around Nozomi's neck as he made a sudden plunge down her long sleeved striped shirt!

Freaking her out in moments Nozomi cried out,"aaaaggggghhh!" As she started to jump and dash around trying to get rid of the mischievous Fuma, however in the process Cait sith was thrown off his usual comfy zone as he landed on the floor hard as he cried out banging his head, "oowwww!"

Riku and Mickey were both shocked at this sudden action and were halted but as they both started to try and act, suddenly the other small white accomplice Uma made her own way and landed on the kings head as she started to race away tickling her way all over the mouse king as he tried in vain to stop her, "ah ha! Ha! Oh stop there ya little! Ah ha! Ha! I can't- however it was no use.

Riku in the meantime started to try and finally act as he called out, "guys!" But then he was stopped in his own tracks as quickly the boss of this little attack, slapped her wand on Riku's shoulder distracting him with a slight shock of pain a she then danced around him before finally ending with her having her staff against Riku's neck as she told them all finishing her statement, "she learnt from the best!"

Feeling the pressure from the long weapon against his throat Riku could only grit his teeth, Nozomi in the meantime still dancing madly trying to stop Fuma looked back and saw what was happening as she cried out distressed, "Riku! Oh! Whoa!" But was cut off as the small white intruder was touching another rather sensitive spot on her back!

Milo in the meantime was still trying to splutter even a single word out against the strong grip of the princess of Atlantis but it was no use as she was clearly more physically trained than he was, quickly she told him, "I have some questions for all of you and you are all not leaving this city until they are answered!"

Hearing almost the same thing he had uttered only seconds before Milo was confused as she released her hand from his mouth for a brief moment as he was allowed to make some sort of a small reply, "well I... okay."

But then quickly his mouth was clamped shut again as Kida turned to her fellow companion as she told her, "Meixeng! Hold fast!"

At once at this command from her Meixeng uttered out a series of clicks from her lips, immediately then Uma pricked her ears and stopped her tickle attacks as she quickly jumped down and ran to her mistress' side and shoulder in seconds squeaking happily.

She then relaxed her hold on Riku as she simply stood aside and put a hand to his shoulder as he looked at her annoyed while she smiled smugly making her reply, "done so!"

Unfortunately though Nozomi was struggling madly as Fuma had not heard the clicks as she cried out, "ah! Stop it cut! It out! Make him stop! Whoa!"

Cait sith in the meantime was shaking his head trying to get rid of the concussion he'd been impaired with as he felt a series of painful ringing in his ears.

Seeing that one of them was causing a noise and making things rather awkward for everyone else, Kida however ignoring it spoke to the other strangers, "now you all are to follow us! And do not try anything suspicious!"

At this command Riku looked at her dismissively as he couldn't help but say under his breath, "this coming from someone who did a sneak attack on us?"

However Meixeng hearing him say this quickly poked his cheek as she uttered, "uh! Uh!" In a taunting tone making him stop in seconds as he looked at her irritated.

Seeing that she was now the one in control Kida was pleased as she said, "good then! Let us make haste!" With that she pulled Milo forwards as Mickey and Riku stared after her.

But..." Oh make this stop!" Nozomi cried out as this was becoming more embarrassing than she could endure.

It was finally then Cait sith got his senses back together shaking himself back to reality as he saw what Nozomi was going through, seeing her struggle he called out, "lass what's he doin' to ya?"

Nozomi quickly replied as best she could squeaking out here and there, "well I don't know where he's going but! Agh! I don't like where he is now!"

Hearing this Cait sith replied, "all right then!" With that he pulled the fur on both his arms as he quickly gathered himself waving his tail to and throw. Then he pounced forwards and landed on her chest as he quickly too entered Nozomi's shirt himself!

More distressed Nozomi cried out, "oh not two!" But then she felt more quick runnings as suddenly there were sounds of punching, kicking, clawing and squeaking.

Quiet she and the others then heard Cait sith cry out,"break it up! Break it up! Ya white miscreant! MMMMEEEOOOOOWWWW!" Then suddenly Fuma finally emerged as he escaped from beneath Nozomi's shirt and in a panicked lightning speed went straight to his mistress' shoulder as he shivered clearly terrified as she soothed him uttering soft cooing sounds.

Cait sith then finally emerged from the top of Nozomi's shirt as he said, "now that'll teach ya for invadin' private spaces!" In the meantime the main occupier of the shirt was clearly drained and exhausted finally able to relax. Cait sith in the meantime turned his head and smiled glad he'd been able to stop the nonsense as he told her, "there ya go now lass! Ya now monkey free!"

However Nozomi herself made her own reply distraught from embarrassment as she said her head bowed with tiredness, "I'm not cut out for this kind of thing!"

Crouching low everyone followed Kida's lead as she led them all down a rather low rocky corridor surrounded by the falling waters of a waterfall as they all made their way forwards. Nozomi doing this spoke up, "well this is the one of the weirdest paths I've ever been through!"

Following behind her perfectly comfortable with the height Cait sith spoke up, "I didn't realise you'd been down so many lass."

Looking back at him all Nozomi could do was roll her eyes as she told him, "ugh, well you would have it easy wouldn't you?"

At this Cait sith asked not liking this tone, "what do ya mean by that lass?"

To which she replied, "oh nothing." With that she finally followed the others out of the corridor, getting out of her crouching position she stretched as she spoke, "ah that's better!" Then walking forwards quickly she went to catch up with the others at the bottom of a small hill with various other vines and ruins scattered about it.

Cait sith getting to the end himself spoke again, "well at least there ain't gonna be anymore drippin's," but as he said this a huge droplet landed on his head, making him completely soaked. This bitterly annoyed him in moments as he growled in irritation.

However down below already Kida had excitedly begun to ask her questions, "oh there is so much to ask about your worlds!" At this point Cait sith had shaken his fur drying himself as he started to quickly make his way down the hill, "you are travellers are you not?"

At this point it was then finally Cait sith landed back on Nozomi's head as she and the others were quiet as she asked this one particular question. Not sure how to respond everyone was quiet but then finally Mickey made the first response as he said, "well, yeah... um how did ya manage to figure that?"

This was rather obvious though but Kida explained anyway, "well none of you originate from this land! You are all so strange and varied, you clearly do not come from the same lands as one another either!" Then turning her attentions she looked back to Meixeng who was busy playing once again with her two beloved monkeys, "Meixeng has told me about all the other worlds that exist! The many sounds and sensations that come with each!"

Hearing that she had described these worlds to Kida everyone looked to the nobody monkey owner who continued to play, but then hearing her name being mentioned made a simple hand gesture to signify that it was nothing that significant. Then quickly the princess snatched away Milo's glasses, "hey!" He called out annoyed.

However Kida was still so excited she simply spoke on almost like a child as she put the glasses on her own face, though upside down with the handles pointing into the air instead of over her ears, "what are each of your worlds of origin? When did the flood waters recede? How did you all..."

As she continued on and on everyone then couldn't help but relax as she became humorous even so much so that Nozomi let out a small laugh as she saw how big Kida's eyes became as she wore the enormous spectacles, even Milo had become incredibly squinty eyed.

Riku himself seeing this rather childish side come out of one who was supposed to be so regal couldn't help but utter a small laugh either as he said, "I think you're asking one too many questions at once."

To which Kida stopped as she asked, "am I?"

Milo too though not being able to see as clearly smiled as he quickly snatched his glasses back as he said, "yeah you are, how about I set up a simple way for this little question session? Like this? You ask one, one of us asks one and then you then us and you know?"

Smiling as she heard this simple little idea Meixeng said, "well that doesn't sound too out of the question," With that she put a hand to the princesess' shoulder as she finished saying, "right Kida?"

Learning her name at last Nozomi repeated it quietly, "Kida." Thinking of how simple and yet exotic it was.

Smiling at her old friends touch Kida made her answer as she nodded, "very well I agree, what is it that any of you wish to ask of us?"

Finally getting somewhere Milo was the first one to ask the most important question that was on his mind as he and the others went on to follow the princess and nobody, "okay, uh? How did you get here? Well I don't mean you personally but your culture, how did all of this, end up down here?" He asked pointing to the vine entwined and rocky ancient ground.

Meixeng hearing this question replied in her usual smug tone, "well this'll be a story to tell hey?" With that she walked on forwards first as obviously Kida would have more to say than her on the subject.

Seeing her go Kida immediately followed after her and as the others did too she began with what she knew, "it is said the Gods became jealous of Atlantis."

Nozomi speaking up asked, "jealous? What would they be jealous of?

Hearing this question Kida replied, "I do not fully know but they sent a great cataclysm and banished us here."

Mickey listening on then said himself rather sad of the fate that had become of this civilisation, "well gee that's awful."

Meixeng in the distance replied, "It sure was! You should have seen the whole thing!"

Riku curious knowing it was going to be bad though couldn't help but ask, "why? What exactly happened?"

Hearing the question Kida replied, "well all that I can remember is the sky going dark and people shouting and running."

Cait sith on Nozomi's head asked, "what were them lot runnin' from?"

Meixeng then told him as she too remembered that terrible day when she had arrived at that time, "a tsunami of huge proportions! It swept away, men, women, children... all of those who were in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Hearing this Nozomi gasped as she imagined the horrible scene that occurred so long ago as it also made her think of the Leviathan as it killed the majority of the crew that they had all been with...

Kida saddened as she also remembered continued on, "yes... and then a bright light like a star floating over the city."

Mickey curious himself repeated, "a star?"

Meixeng then came to a halt next to a certain rock as in her minds eye she imagined this star in the sky and what it must have been like, however Kida continued on as she stood next to her, her back against the rock as she continued on with her memories, "my Father said it called my Mother to it... I never saw her again."

To which as Kida said these words Meixeng remembered when she had first met the little princess, back then... a tiny child who after the cataclysm was all alone and crying and weeping for her Mother ran from her room, she had come to her on the open balcony offering her the comfort and warm touch that though could never replace the touch of a Mother could at least soothe even slightly the aches of loneliness in the heart.

The others unaware of this were all silent as all of this sounded like it had only happened yesterday. They were all equally saddened, Nozomi spoke up, "how terrible... I'm so sorry, I know what it's like not to have a mother."

Milo too nodded, "yeah, same here because I lost my-" but then suddenly something occurred to him, "hey wait a minute! Back up!"

Shocked as he said this Nozomi looked at him queerly as everyone else did as she asked puzzled, "what's wrong Milo?"

Cait sith then asked just as curious, "yeah what's bitin' you lad?"

Milo then told them, "don't you see what they're saying!"

Nozomi clearly not getting it replied, "see what?"

Milo relayed to them as he also asked the question at the same time, "that she! I mean you both! You're telling us that you remember because you were there! Both of you? I mean that's impossible because that would mean you'd both be eighty-five, eighty -eight hundred years old?"

Now really shocked Nozomi's jaw dropped in seconds as she spoke out, "WHAT! You're kidding! There's no way! You guys can't be that old! That's a joke right? I mean..."

However shocking everyone further in seconds Meixeng replied in a quite coy tone, "nope, that's it!" Riku and Mickey along with Cait sith were all just as flabbergasted as the extremely old nobody replied, "and we're still going young if you wanna know further."

Riku repeated in dismay, "still going young? ..." He then shook his head as he said, "I think this is about as shocked as I'll ever be today."

Still dumbstruck Nozomi said nothing but then Cait sith spoke as he said, "well! You two lasses are certainly the most ravishin' naughties that I'm ever seen walkin' around!"

To which taking this cue Milo replied trying to regain his composure, "yeah, I mean wow! Looking good on both sides!"

Hearing the compliment Meixeng put a hand through her long white blue tipped hair as she replied clearly pleased, "well thanks alot."

With that finally recovering himself the king spoke, "yeah... well uh? Do guys have any questions fur us?"

Kida glad that it was now her proper turn asked, "yes! How is that all of you found your way to this place?"

At this question Milo replied, "well I gotta tell you it wasn't easy! Hey uh Mickey could you uh?"

Hearing his name being called Mickey paused for a moment and then remembered, "oh yeah!" With that he pulled the particular thing they needed from his pocket as he said, "here!" Finally passing it to Milo.

Grateful he replied, "thank you!" Then showing it to Kida he continued,"if it weren't for this book we never would have made it and-"

But then suddenly Kida snatched the book from his hands as she opened it and started to look into it herself as she observed the pages in this ancient book, Meixeng feeling what she was doing whispered in her ear, "you see... I told you."

However the others unaware of these words listened on as the Linguist went on, "okay now second question, legend has it your people possessed a power source of some kind, it enabled them to-"

Stopping him in his tracks though Meixeng spoke up as she said halting his question with her right hand, "hold it there boy!"

Milo puzzled asked, "huh? What?"

Kida then told him as she showed him the 'Shepard's Journal' putting it up near to his face, "Meixeng has told me that you can read this! Is it true! You can read this?"

Thinking that this was an odd question to ask Nozomi responded, "yeah of course he can why? Why is that big of a deal?"

Milo becoming just as puzzled agreed as he said, "yeah, I mean that's my job I'm a linguist, I can read Atlantian just like you."

However there was only silence as Kida looked at the book, a readless look on her face but then Cait sith caught on as he revealed something that was now dawning on them, "you lasses can't can ya?" To which Kida and Meixeng looked at the small cat on Nozomi's head quietly as they stared on as he continued, "ya both can't read Atlantian at all can ya?"

Meixeng replied, "nope, well I couldn't anyway, I'm an outsider how would I know how they write?"

This made Kida saddened as she told them all, "no...no-one can, such knowledge to us has been lost since the time of the may bell moch."

Nozomi repeated puzzled, "May bell moch?"

Milo then cleared it up for her, "the great flood."

"Oh," Nozomi said as she quickly became depressed again imagining the painful past.

However Kida letting her excitement wash away the sadness said holding the book close to her, "I need all of you to show me!"

At this demand though Riku answered her, "I'm afraid the only one who can help you here is Milo, we can't read that book, we're not linguists."

Hearing this answer Kida was silent as she said, "oh I see then," with that she shoved the journal back into Milo's possession as she told him, "well you read!"

Having the journal back again the bonafide linguist replied, "okay!" With that he started to speak Atlantian which the others didn't have any understanding about as he continued to talk to Kida as they both walked forwards with Meixeng on ahead.

As Nozomi and the others followed them on forwards she felt depressed inside still as she imagined the tragedies of the past that had occurred to all those poor, poor innocent people and then it made her think of her dreams. Aqua, Terra and Ventus... what had they been through? Had something horrible happened to them? Why was she-

Suddenly her thoughts were stopped in her tracks as she bumped into Riku's back, "agh! Hey what's-"

However Cait sith on her head told her annoyed smacking her again, "lass watch where you're goin'! Stop day dreamin'!"

Annoyed Nozomi replied, "geez sue me! Sorry!" Then turning to whom she bumped into she asked," What's going on? Why've we stopped snowball?"

Turning as he heard her asking, he recovered from the initial surprise he'd just received as he told her, "have a look for yourself."

Curious at this reply Nozomi did just that as she walked around and past him as she saw what Kida had in moments revealed only seconds ago by sweeping away an old brown blanket, a huge... metal fish? Really confused Nozomi asked, "what is this? Why is a fish lying here?"

Hearing her say this Riku and Mickey couldn't help but both laugh at this, while she was just further confused however quickly Milo smiling told her, "oh no Nozomi, this is a vehicle."

At this word Nozomi asked, "a vehicle?" To which Milo nodded and then this further perplexed her... why would you travel on something like that? In fact how could this thing move at all?

Seeing that she was busy debating internally Milo decided to concentrate on answering Kida's question, "so um? What trouble were you having with this thing again?"

Kida then got into the details, "well you see no matter what I try! It will not respond!"

Meixeng then added, "yeah and believe me! I've been here every time when she's tried! And zip, nilch, nothing." Hearing this and considering how long the two of them had lived for, this number didn't even need to be said.

Listening to this Milo nodded as he said, "right okay then!" With that he got down on his knees as he looked at the part that would be in motor bike terms the handles and main riding base. In the centre was a round / square design with Atlantian written around the inner circle, these were the instructions.

As the expert linguist read the ancient Atlantian text quietly Mickey approached him as he asked, "are ya gettin' it there Milo?"

Hearing the mouse king he replied, "oh Mickey? Yeah I'm getting it, its relatively easy."

Nodding as he heard this the king replied, "well that's great! So can you tell us what it says?"

At this question Milo replied in moments, "yep! Now lets relay the instructions shall we? 'place crystal into slot.'

Stopping in her thoughts Nozomi picked up on one single word, "crystal?" With that she looked back to Kida and saw the glowing light blue piece as she then wondered about those as well.

Kida in the meantime said, "yes! Yes I have done that!"

Meixeng then added, "yep! And it was rather an obvious direction what with that little hole there."

However annoyed at these words Kida told her, "Meixeng!"

To which she put her hands up like one would do under arrest as she replied in a mischievous tone, " all right! All right! No more commentary! My lips are sealed."

Satisfied with this at least Kida sighed as she then said, "good, I am sorry what is it you have to say next?"

Cait sith observing this then said aloud, "wow that girl's ruder than a ripe old raspberry!"

Nozomi then replied, "you got that right."

Milo seeing this little dispute again between princess and nobody continued on as he said, "ah right yes, 'gently place your hand on the inscription pad.'

To which Kida replied, "yes!"

With that the list continued on between princess and linguist as they worked through the directions of how to operate this fishy vechile. As they did Nozomi who had been quiet the majority of the time turned her head to Riku as she said, "hey?"

Hearing her he replied, "yeah?"

Seeing that she had got his attention Nozomi asked him, "how do you think that thing works? How can something that's so fishy possibly move around?"

At this question Riku told her shrugging his shoulder, "I don't know how it moves around, but it must have a use of some kind... the only things that come to my mind for what it might be are an aquatic mobile or..."

As she heard him pause Nozomi saw the look of disbelief on Riku's face as the thought occurred to him, but since she could not read minds at all, all she could do was ask, "or... what?"

Riku then shook his head as he was really dismissive of this idea, "... it floats or it can fly, some kind of flying device," Nozomi hearing this knew what she could do was extroidanary but a flying or floating metal fish? However Riku spoke on as he said, "but I know that's not possible, I mean how could it possibly-?"

Suddenly at these words there was a strange squeak of some kind almost like a marine call and then all at once there was a rumble and the turning and twisting of something mechanical. Jumping back at this sound it was then everyone saw shocked with disbelief that Riku's most prepostrous idea had come true!

Looking at it everyone was in total shock and amazement as Mickey spoke out first, "wow! It's floatin'! That's incredible!"

Cait sith himself also called out, "yowzers! Flyin' fillies! It works!"

Kida astounded herself then uttered something in Atlantian which no-one else could understand as Milo replied grinning with amazement himself, "yeah you got that right!"

Meixeng though hearing the noise decided to keep her distance as after all she couldn't do anything to help with ancient technology like this especially with the one thing she had, this action made her two small white companions look at her with concern as they could sense the sadnesses welling up from within her.

Nozomi in the meantime not noticing herself approached the floating fish excited as she said, "wow! It works! It really works! It's a flying fish!"

Milo too just as amazed himself at this wonderous discovery said, "this is! This great! With this thing we could all see the whole city in no time at all!"

Riku himself though he was very happy that Milo and the others were enthusiastic at this discovery he couldn't help but feel that they might be, suddenly though their linguist started to act as he said, " I wonder how fast it goes?" With that he went to touch it.

However seeing this Riku quickly called out, "Milo don't-"

But it was too late as he touched the instruction pad and the entire fishy suddenly rocketed fast forwards at a high speed colliding here, there and everywhere! As it did this seeing how out of control it was Cait sith called out, "runaway fishy!"

Then at these words the fish suddenly riccotched into their direction and as it did so everyone looked on shocked as Mickey called out, "duck and cover fella's!" With that they all scattered and threw themselves forwards lying on the ground as the chaotic aquatic contraption flew straight over them all.

On the ground as she felt it fly over her Nozomi looked up but then saw to her horror Meixeng was straight in its line of tradectory, completely oblivious at this sight she called out, "Meixeng!"

At this shout the nobody girl turned as Uma and Fuma alerted her as well, looking at this vechile coming at her though she quickly focused fiercely as she moved her golden staff forwards and as she did a quick prayer escaped her lips with her left hand and fingers to her lips as she did this the fish came straight at her! But suddenly from nowhere a summoning circle emerged in the air and as it did the enoromous arm and fist of her dusk ape monster appearered as it struck into the fish sending it flying upwards in a chaotic flurrying arch before finally it crashed with a loud bang behind the group of lying heroes.

Seeing this astounded Nozomi as she had no idea that Meixeng could do that! Quickly the circle vanished as everyone else who had heard the crash turned and saw the dark craggy crater that had been caused with what remained of the former floating fishy wonder.

Silent with awkwardness as they all saw this Milo laughed out embarrassed as he was the one who had caused this as he said, "oops... my bad."

To which Meixeng replied back flexing her right hand her staff still there, "yep it was so... anymore bright plans you guys got?" There was then silence as no-one could think...

But Kida quickly came up with something as she said, "I know of something that should be less hazardous for us all."

Keeping her grip tightly on the vine she was holding onto Nozomi thought to herself, 'yeah this really is less hazardous!

For now they were travelling up a huge and winding structure covered in vines and leaves leading them all high into the air, looking around Nozomi could see the other towers of the city along with the rivers snaking all across the land. The life and vitality of all things could be seen from these heights.

As they travelled up Nozomi was cautious as she paced herself with her footing, Cait sith then also spoke up as he was just anxious holding onto Nozomi's shoulder, "lass ya be careful with what yer doin up here!"
Hearing him say this Nozomi replied, "what do you think I'm doing!"

Riku slightly ahead of her, hearing her little whinge then told her, "having problems are you?"

With these words asked Nozomi replied, "nope! Just pacing myself! Just finding it a bit tricky to get my footing down."

At these words he then told her, "if you're having troubles you know you can just fly on up ahead of us right?"

With these words said Nozomi blinked as she realised she could have, in fact she could have suggested it before the whole fish incident but then as she stopped she thought again quietly to herself.

Cait sith still on her shoulder then asked her, "lass? What're ya stoppin' for?"

Nozomi still silent then concluded inside looking to Cait sith she said, "thinking and I got it," with that looking back up to Riku she called to him, "Riku!" Hearing her he looked down as she then told him, "I'm not gonna fly up! I wanna experience this the same way with all of you! And after all... I want Milo to arrive there first, he's been working so hard to get to this point so he should be the first to take in everything."

At these words Riku was silent for a moment but then he smiled himself as he told her, "well thats good to hear, well lets all get going so we can experience this together!" With that he began to climb again and as he did Nozomi below nodded pleased and glad as she was getting to experience something so amazing the same way as her friends.

Up ahead a little Milo called out to Kida as he said, "so I guess I know your name already but we haven't all been completely introduced have we? My name's Milo?"

The princess of Atlantis smiled as she led all the group upwards as she told them, "I know of your name, Meixeng informed me but what of the rest of you?"

Hearing this question asked it was then everyone told her highness in order as the king first sounded off, "well gosh, my name's Mickey! And my friends are-"

Riku interrupted him as he spoke for himself, "Riku!"
Then below him finally Nozomi announced herself as she started to point to her head, "I'm Nozomi and this is-"

"Cait sith! The watchman over this banshee!" He announced proudly as he smacked Nozomi's head which made her annoyed in moments.

Up ahead finally getting to the top Kida told them all, "well I see you are all an extremely interesting group, my full name is Kiragagash but as you all know my preffered name."

Meixeng behind her as she climbed forwards then said, "yes they do... besides it'd be way too much of a mouthful to say every other minute."

To which Cait sith replied from below, "ya right there lassy!"

Meixeng then smiled smugly as she heard this call from below but then finally one by one everyone arrived at the top of the peak they were all climbing and then quietly with amazement they all saw it. The landscape, for there all around and below them were all the towers and streets of Atlantis as the trees and vines wrapped all around them creating a natural ancient utopia where nature and man came together in one place. The waters also added to this effect as they stretched on for miles isolating it from the outside as the huge white clouds hid any sight that showed that there even was an outside world. The whole scene was just like a jade and sapphire jewel, a wondrous creation of nature and man.

As they all gazed upon it everyone was breathless with amazement at the beauty of it all, Nozomi spoke out absolutley in awe,"it's so beautiful..."

Riku behind her nodded as he said, "yeah it is..."

Milo nodded as tears started to begin to threaten to emerge from his eyes, overwhelmed by these powerful positive emotions and this breathless scenery... Kida seeing him do this asked, "what is wrong?"

Mickey hearing this looked to Milo as he asked him, "Milo are you okay?"

With that everyone's attention turned to him as they all looked at him with concern but quickly Milo wanted to erase their worries as he told them all, "oh its nothing, its just I got something in my eye." He said as he took his glasses off and started to rub away the tears that had been emerging.

Watching as he did this Nozomi spoke softly, "Milo..."

But shaking his head again he recovered as he looked at everything again and told everyone, "you know my grandpa used to tell me stories about this place as far back as I can remember I just wish he could be standing here with me."

As he said this everyone was quiet as no-one knew exactly what to say, but then Cait sith spoke up, "lad... he is."

Surprised everyone looked to Cait sith as did Milo especially as they were all very quiet as he continued, "he's here with ya in spirit, he's here with all of us and we all made it here together... as friends."

Milo listening to this usually would be a bit apprhensive espcecially with this comig from a small black and white cat with a crown on his head but... this time," yeah... you're right, all of us are here together."

Nozomi smiled as she and the others looked to the scenery again and as she did feeling the peace and calm wind, she thought about her dreams once more but then one single person whom she was still searching for came straight into her minds eyes... for was her master seeing the same sky she was now?