Chapter CXV: Into the depths of Atlantis Part XV

Now submerged within the darkened waters of Atlantis, Nozomi stood quietly with Milo beside her as Cait sith continued to sit upon her head. They were all being guided forwards within their glowing bubble as they shone illuminating the darkness revealing more of the decaying pillars and lost forgotten ruins of the ancient civilisation.

Ahead of them was Kida who swam forwards with a gentle grace as the crystal around her neck glowed brightly creating a beacon for them all to follow. Nozomi witnessing the depths they were travelling within couldn't but help but feel her nervousness grow inside of herself for if the bubble she, Milo and Cait sith in burst...

Shaking her head she didn't want these thoughts to plague her, Cait sith on top feeling her do this asked, "oi lass? You holdin' up well?"

Hearing him ask Nozomi was quiet further uncertain of how to answer when she turned her gaze and looked back to see Riku and Mickey who were pushing them all forwards through the darkness. The two of them it seemed weren't finding it difficult at all to manoeuvre them in this uncertain terrain and as Nozomi continued to look at them she wondered how they were doing in all this? Weren't they frightened or at least nervous like she was? But as she continued to look on Riku looked up himself feeling he was being watched, surprised he'd noticed her she was quiet but Riku sensing what might be wrong lifted his right hand up for a moment giving her a single gesture, a thumbs up with a reassuring smile.

Seeing this Nozomi was even more surprised but then Cait sith hadn't got his answer and so smacked his hands on her head as he asked again, "hey lass! C'mon give me a reply here! Are ya okay?"

Annoyed she replied, "Ow! I'm fine Cait sith! All right? Geez..."But glancing back to Riku quickly she saw that he had got back to pushing trying his hardest. Turning back to watch Kida and where she was going a small smile appeared on her face as her nervousness vanished in that one moment.

Milo watching himself quietly was fascinated and in awe of the ancient ruins revealed by the light of Kida's crystal as the bubble that he Nozomi and Cait sith were inside travelled forwards. The linguist continued to watch after the Atlantian princess as she continued to lead the way and he was becoming even more mesmerized by her graceful form as her long white hair trailed and laced behind her making her seem almost like a serene magical figure as he breathed gently, "beautiful..."

Nozomi quiet not hearing what he said exactly asked curious, "what was that Milo?"

However quickly hiding it he coughed as he said, "oh nothing! Just something wrong with my throat," with which he coughed once again emphasizing the fact.

This simply cocked Nozomi's eyebrow as she replied, "okay..." but then looking back to Kida herself she saw that the Atlantian princess was indicating something to them, "oh Kida wants something?"

Turning his head again ceasing his play coughing Milo saw as well what she was doing as she pointed upwards, seeing this gesture he asked, "up?"

Nozomi then said, "she wants us to go up? Okay!" With that she turned back to look to Mickey and Riku who were still swimming themselves, walking over she quickly banged the edge of the bubble getting Riku and Mickey's attention making them stop for a moment as she then spoke to them pointing upwards herself, "guys! Kida wants us to go up okay?"

The king seeing this signal being given to them nodded quickly as he indicated to Riku as well as the white haired keyblader nodded and with that they got underneath the bubble and started to push them all upwards as Kida continued to lead the way.

As they quickly did this suddenly the bubble and swimmers emerged and broke the waters surface as they were now all in a small underwater cave of sorts that had been created by one of the collapsed buildings which held an air pocket that finally allowed the swimmers the chance to breathe and recover.

Seeing them breathing quickly replenishing their oxygen levels Nozomi couldn't help but feel guilty inside since she, Milo and Cait sith didn't need to worry about that since they were safe within their bubble and so asked voicing her concerns, "are you okay guys?"

Kida herself breathing in also asked finally recovering herself, "yes I am fine, are you both well?"

Riku shaking his head relieved at being able to breathe replied to both the princess and his friend, "sure I'm fine! Couldn't be better!" As he breathed in and out deeply again.

The king then talked himself, "yeah... it's just a good thing to breathe again! It was really dark down there."

Nozomi nodded but then Milo asked a particular question, "you didn't find us heavy did you guys?" For he was worried himself at the haul the two of them had to do.

Hearing this herself Nozomi became worried herself as she hoped she hadn't strained them too much but then she was surprised as the king replied, "oh no! You fella's didn't weigh a thing! It was practically nothin' and I'd say was as light as a normal bath time bubble."

Glad again for this Nozomi sighed but then Cait sith spoke up as he said, "well ya did a good job there lads! Now... what is this thing we lot have gotta have a look at?"

With that it was finally Kida who spoke again finally replenishing her oxygen supply, "down below, now all of you follow me!" With that the princess submerged herself again into the dark waters.

Seeing her leave quickly there was practically no time for anyone to react as Milo called out, "hey Kida!"

But then feeling rushed Riku quickly spoke up, "here we go!" With that he took a huge breath as he and the king took the bubble and everyone back under again.

Surprised at how fast they could readily agree Nozomi was quiet as once more she Milo, and Cait sith were led back down below however unlike before it wasn't a long trek as Kida guided them all towards a wall and as she approached it shining her crystal forwards like a searchlight the first thing they all gazed upon was the glittering mosaic of a star.

Seeing it everyone's eyes widened in wonder as the spectacle was revealed, "incredible..." Nozomi breathed, however everyone else remained quiet as Kida indicated for them to come closer.

Nodding Riku and Mickey did just that as they took the glowing bubble closer to the wall so their expert linguist could decipher the ancient texts... Nozomi remained quiet still as she watched Milo read away, however Cait sith decided to voice himself as he asked, "ya gettin' anythin' there Milo?"

Quiet for a moment Milo finally came to a conclusion and so quickly he turned and replied, "yes! Yes! I've got something!" With that he turned to outside the bubble as he told them, "guys! Let's go back up!"

With that all swimmers agreed making a single nod and as quickly they had all descended, they quickly ascended back to the air cave, and as everyone recovered their breaths again Kida asked, " so what did you find? What did you see?"

Milo immediately began to talk excitedly as the others were quiet and recovering again, "it's a complete history of Atlantis!"

Surprised at this Mickey asked him, "what? Ya mean a complete and total history? Word for word?"

Milo nodded really, really pumped, "yeah completely it's almost like what Plato described! Though of course he was off on a few details but..."

As he continued on though Nozomi wondered, "Plato?" As an image of a plate appeared in her head.

However this wasn't the info that Kida wanted to hear as she spoke stopping everyone in their tracks, "the light I saw! The star in the middle of the city! What does the writing say about that!"

Remembering then about the past and the thousands of year old mystery Milo refocused as he replied to the princess, "I don't know yet... but we're gonna find out!"

With that hearing these words Cait sith knew what was gonna happen before they all moved as he breathed out, "well here we go again!" With that once more they were all submerged.

Hastily returning to the glittering star wall everyone was quiet as they gazed at the ancient images, as they hovered and moved around getting a better look at the mural more things were being revealed.

For the images Nozomi could see now were images of people and as they were guided to the left hand side a huge image of a grey giant was shown, its arms spread out wide with something shining from it. As she gazed at the giant Nozomi then saw that there was a ring that was covered in the same glittering mosaic pieces of the star that surrounded the outside of the giant and as she and the others were pulled closer to it, beyond the ring there appeared images of various ships and armies of different civilisations trying to attack it, however they were being repelled away.

As she saw this quietly Nozomi then voiced her thoughts, "this looks like... a forcefield or a shield of some kind doesn't it?"

Hearing these words Cait sith knowing all too well about these types of things replied, "aye there lass! Ya're bang on!"

A small smile appeared on her face for a moment but then Milo asked, "yeah but what's making this shield? What's giving it its energy?" With this question both girl and cat became quiet and as they did Milo turned to their companioning swimmers as he told them, "guys move back again! I want to see the star image again."

With that both Riku and Mickey nodded as they consented to the request and quickly moved everyone up with Kida following close behind as once again they all saw the glittering spectacle. However they moved closer what was revealed however was not more giants and shining shields but a circle of people all around it, each figure was dressed in a cape and crown showing them all to be kings and from each one there was a glittering line connecting back to the star above.

Looking at these shining lines Nozomi saw the spot on each of the figures where it was touching, the chest and as she saw this she asked, "this star its connected to all these people by their-"

However Milo had already deduced the information as he looked to Kida and saw the glowing crystal again around her neck as he said, "that's it!"

Surprised at his exclamation Nozomi stared at him as he quickly turned again and told Kida, Mickey and Riku, "guys! Go back up again! I've got it! I know what we've got here!"

Hearing this info all of them quickly became excited themselves and almost like a stroke of lightning they were all manoeuvred back up to the air cave.

Breathing deeply once more Riku replenished his lungs as he then spoke up, "so what is it?... Milo what have you-"

"The heart of Atlantis!" Milo cried out excited.

Everyone quickly became silent and stared at Milo until Kida asked, "what?"

Once again Milo spoke again, "it's the heart of Atlantis! That was what the Shepard was talking about!"

Cait sith though seeing that his excitement was getting the best of him told Milo, "lad what're ya mutterin' about! Be clear will ya!"

However Milo paid no heed to this as he continued with his rambling conclusion, "it's that image, its some kind of crystal! Like the one you're wearing Kida!"

At these words Kida lifted her own crystal in her hands as she asked, "this?"

Finding this hard to believe no-one knew what to say at first but then Nozomi asked, "a crystal? That's the heart of Atlantis? So... those images they were?"

Milo quickly answered her question, "yes! That's what it can do! I can't believe it though I mean the power source I've been looking for and the bright light you were talking about Kida, they're all the same thing!"

Mickey who'd been quiet up to this point then replied, "incredible... so its connected to everything in this world... all that power creating that shield, those flying fish and all the other accomplishments of this civilisation and Milo you said that it-"

Once again cutting in Milo said, "yes! Its what's keeping all these things, Kida and all of Atlantis alive!"

Riku hearing all this information then said, "all that power..." for he could sense that though it was so great and given so much this also made the crystal incredibly ominous...

Kida though quickly asked desperate wanting to save her people, "so where is it now?"

Cait sith then added, "yeah how can ya possibly hide somehin' that enormous like that! I mean we would have seen somethin' that big and shiny enterin' this city!"

Milo replied, "I know! I know... I mean something like this should have been in the journal!" However something occurred to him as he realised,"unless...the missing page."

However everyone else other than Kida realised what was the cause as Nozomi said in a serious tone, "Rourke...he's must have taken it!"

Swimming back to where they had dived in seemed to take less time then when they had first set off and quickly as everyone emerged from the surface, Riku Mickey and Kida both breathed in and out deeply recovering themselves as they floated in the water.

As they did this Nozomi who was standing still within her bubble turned around as she said, "thanks guys!"

Hearing this Riku nodded as he told her, "its no problem now just get back to the shore okay?"

Nodding at this Nozomi responded, "okay."

Cait sith on her shoulder then said, "right forward march lads!" With that Nozomi and Milo pushed their bubble making it roll forwards and quickly as they all got back to the ruined steps and finally onto the land itself.

As they made it back and travelled inwards just a little all once the bubble suddenly dissipated in a sparkle of light leaving them all standing in the open air once more. Seeing this happen Milo breathed out, "well that was a unique experience."

Cait sith nodded as he responded, "ya got that right lad! But what we were able to learn was even more than-" however he was interrupted as Nozomi turned her head and saw everyone else had finally get back to the shore too though sadly they were all soaking wet.

Seeing this once again Nozomi felt bad as she went back and approached them all as she asked, "guys are you okay?"

Hearing her shaking himself dry the king replied,"oh we're okay Nozomi, just something you have to live with when you go swimmin'."

With the king saying this Nozomi smiled herself as she replied, "yeah I can see that, " then she looked to Riku as she asked him, "how about you Riku? You're not too cold are you?"

To which he looked at her after shaking his head getting rid of a few droplets here and there as he told her, "nope not too much I'll recover."

Nodding again glad Nozomi was then about to ask about Kida's well being when she stopped and saw the Atlantian princess stare all around her, quiet Nozomi said nothing as did everyone else did but then Cait sith who was just utterly baffled spoke up as Milo began to approach them all, "what's up Kida lass?"

Quiet still the Atlantian princess didn't reply immediately but continued to look all around herself obviously wary as she finally gave her reply, "something is not right here," as her senses were telling her something was wrong in the atmosphere.

With these words it was then the others also lost their calm security as they all too became just as on edge for some reason they too could sense something was not right. However Milo though was becoming concerned as he didn't have the same sense as the others as he asked, "what do you guys mean I don't-"

CRASH!

Making everyone turn in moments they all saw a large cloud of dust appear as suddenly from within emerged Meixeng as she seemed to have been struck and flying back helplessly! Seeing this everyone was shocked in moments and most of all Kida as she shouted out, "Meixeng!"

At this outburst suddenly another figure emerged from within the cloud, a heartless! This one was a large body type and had appeared to have struck her with its enormous belly and as everyone watched on it smacked its belly once more showing it was ready to lunge forwards again as it glowed brightly showing that it had had a power up. Seeing this occur all at once the three keybladers summoned their weapons almost simultaneously as they ran to engage the heartless in moments, Nozomi then called out, "Meixeng!"

However at this call suddenly in moments the monkey mistress moved swiftly as she spun in the air and all at once pulled out her long gold staff as she stabbed it into the hard ground and then with a fast spin she kicked the heartless square in the face!

This stunned everyone in moments stopping them in their tracks as they watched the heartless start to fall backwards but as it did Meixeng quickly went over the top of it and landed behind it and as she did she quickly put her hands into the prayer position, and as she did that the familiar summoning circle emerged with the enormous fist of her dusk! As it did she aimed sharply looking on fiercely as she shouted, "bug off!" With that the fist smashed right through the heartless making it dissipate in moments as its glowing heart faded away.

Everyone continued to be speechless at this performance until finally Meixeng shook herself clicking her shoulder blades as her summoning circle vanished, finally she spoke again, "what a total pain!"

Seeing she was all right immediately Kida rushed on over to her as she asked, "Meixeng! Are you all right? Are you-"

However she was cut off as the relaxed unfazed nobody waved her hand as she answered, "yes, yes I'm fine, I'm fine but..." then on cue heartless emerged from swirls of darkness spilling forth from the earth. Looking at them annoyed she then remarked, "we've got a huge infestation problem."

Looking at these creatures Milo hadn't seen them before and as he looked at them he asked, "what the heck are these things! Where did they come from?"

At the question it was Mickey's turn to make an explanation, "they're heartless! Creatures of darkness that feeds on others hearts!"

Riku nodded as he added, "exactly! And these ones clearly didn't come here on their own!"

At these words it was then the instigator himself emerged from the shadows as he replied cooly amused, "indeed..." finally it was revealed as they'd all predicted who it would be...

"Rourke!" Nozomi uttered angrily as she tightened her grip on her keyblade ass she felt Cait sith's fur bristle.

A smile still on his face his arrogance was apparent as he spoke once more, "well greetings again, did you all have a good swim?"

However though not in the mood for jokes Milo quickly too became agitated as he spoke out, "you! You brought those creatures here Rourke!"

Another voice spoke out as she added, "he did... though not alone of course." It was then their lieutenant Helga emerged carrying a pistol in her hand looking just as smug as her captain.

Quiet Nozomi was almost surprised that their lieutenant was in on this with Rourke but then there was no way the second in command would not know of these plans, however the thing that really shocked her were the others who emerged from the shadows.

Audrey, Sweet, Vinny, Mrs Packard, Cookie and Mole along with some of the other crew who were still wearing their gas masks but the thing that made all of them threatening was the weapons they all held in their hands. Guns.

Things were now really on a deadly see-saw, for though all three keybladers, nobody and Atlantian princess were agile and competent in battle there was no way they would be fast enough to miss a whole hail of fast bullets. Looking at them all Nozomi couldn't believe they were all on Rourke's side too! She then spoke out, "Audrey! Even you're helping this guy in this!" However their female mechanic didn't respond as she instead only looked at her coldly as she simply continued to hold the weapon in both hands.

Mickey then spoke himself, "I get it you fella's are all after the crystal aren't ya?"

Smiling further as the walking rodent had figured it out Rourke brought out the single thing that was missing from 'The Shepard's Journal' as he asked, "oh you mean this?"

With that he revealed the ripped page from the journal as it showed a dazzling illustration of a diamond like star surrounded by a circle of stones and it was clear from the wriggly lines surrounding the crystal that it emitted strong light.

Milo then spoke of what was on that page, "the heart of Atlantis."

Rourke then continued to speak on as everyone stared at him angrily, "yeah about that, I would have told you all but it was strictly on a need to know basis and well now you all know."

Milo became truly enraged himself as he finally understood their true real goal and how they were all going to be getting their money, "this has all been just another treasure hunt for you guys! You're just a bunch of mercenaries."

Their former captain hearing this word wasn't exactly pleased as he asked, "mercenaries?" But then his smugness quickly returned as he continued again, "I prefer the term adventure capitalists besides you're the one who led us here, you led us right to the treasure chest."

It was then Nozomi spoke out against him as she said angrily, "Milo didn't lead you here for that! We came here to explore and learn new things! You're just here for your own selfishness and that crystal is not for you to have!"

Hearing this from her Milo became strengthened inside himself at this as he spoke out, "exactly! Besides you guys don't know what you're tampering with!"

However Rourke hearing these pathetic complaints simply said to them waving the page in his hand up and down, "what's to know? It's big, it's shiny and its gonna make us all rich!"

Mickey then spoke up himself as he told them, "that picture on that page isn't some big old diamond! It's more important than that!"

Milo nodded, "that's right and its not even just some old battery that I imagined, this thing is their life force! That crystal is the only thing that is keeping these people alive! If you take that away then they'll die!"

However Rourke was not touched even the slightest by this little revelation as he simply turned to his lieutenant and asked her, "well that changes things, Helga what do you think?"

Everyone was quiet as the lieutenant thought for under a second as she answered, "knowing that, I'd double the price."

Rourke then smiled as he added, "I was thinking triple."

Riku hearing this knowing all the other villains and hearts of darkness he'd come across in the past these two had been the darkest ones yet as he told them both, "you're two of the coldest depraved selfish beings I've ever seen!"

Rourke simply smiled as he replied,"well thanks for the compliment, now I want you all to tell me where the treasure is... or I'm just gonna have to drag it out of you all."

With that the heartless swayed to and throw, ready to attack as they all pounced and ran forwards, Nozomi though gripping her keyblade then replied, "well we're gonna go down kicking and screaming before that ever happens!"

However Milo didn't want this to happen! So he called out to everyone, "guys please don't do all this! We don't have to-"

Unfortunately before he could say another word the battle was already initiated as the heartless came running as Cait sith shouted out, "charge!"

Nozomi immediately ran forwards as she took the "Starseeker' as she struck the shadows in seconds making one vanish in moments, Riku beside her dispatched a group in one go using 'Firaga' and then taking his keyblade he struck another that quickly came his way.

Watching in the distance Meixeng stood now with Milo and Kida who all watched on quietly and as the monkey mistress nobody heard the sounds of battle she listened to the little pieces of info being given to her by Uma and Fuma. From what she was given it seemed as though Mickey had dispatched a large group of heartless too and it seemed like the group was getting rid of all the heartless in record time.

Getting bored and restless Meixeng smiled as she said, "well looks like they're havin' fun there! I might as well join in myself." With that she took her golden staff and gripped it tightly eager to battle herself.

However as she started to make her way over Kida spoke as she told, "Meixeng be careful! Do not do anything rash!"

As she went to leave she smiled as she turned and said cheekily, "yes mother!" With that she proceeded as she joined the fray of battle.

"Lass to yer left!" With that she struck another heartless as it came rushing straight at her, Nozomi smiled as these forces were nothing at all to deal with! Looking she turned back to Rourke to see if she had wiped off that disgusting smug off his face however instead she saw that he seemed only more pleased. Wondering how this could possibly be suddenly from behind her she heard a shout, "well let's play boys!"

Turning Nozomi then saw that it was Meixeng as she was smiling keenly as she battled her own group of heartless as a soldier one rushed at her trying to strike her with a spinning kick, however she simply glided out of the way as she then started to bash a whole lot of them left and right using her staff and summoning circle punches.

Watching as she continued Nozomi was quiet as it was a bit... off putting?

Cait sith then spoke up, "well that girl's certainly battle hungry ain't she?"

Watching on as Meixeng struck left and right almost laughing like a mad woman as she fought on Nozomi responded feeling awkward herself, "yeah..."

Suddenly from behind her she heard 'click!' Turning quickly she struck with her keyblade fast and furiously as something was sent flying into the distance, Nozomi then spoke again, "and another one to dust!"

However Cait sith on her shoulder still was shocked as he cried out, "lass stop!"

With that she did and barely in the nick of time as she now had at the end of her keyblade looking utterly shocked herself, Audrey...

The two of them were completely silent as they stared at one another but then Audrey spoke recovering from her shock as she told her,"well if you wanna finish me off, you night as well do it now... you probably won't get another chance."

Nozomi was startled how could she-

"AAAGGGHH!"

Turning again startled Nozomi saw Kida and Milo had both been overtaken by the masked soldiers and heartless as their guns were put to them. Kida was on the floor with her arms pinned to her back as a gun was pointed right between her shoulder blades. She had tried to fight them all off but sadly the numbers had been too great for her to handle alone, while another had a pistol to Milo's chin as he too had his arms pinned back.

It was obvious to all Milo couldn't have fought back even if he wanted to and as everyone saw this it was Mickey who cried out, "Milo! Kida!"

Meixeng in the middle of her fun battle rhythms stopped in her tracks completely shocked herself as her blood lust had gone entirely as she realised what her brash foolishness had done. "Kida!" She called out however before she could run another step Uma in her shoulder called out and she stopped in her tracks. For now another one of the gunmen was aiming straight at her and if she moved even one more step! She gritted her teeth angrily as she imagined the pain Kida must have been feeling and like her Nozomi, Cait sith, Mickey and Riku also couldn't move... for one wrong action would cost them all dearly!

Rourke in the distance smiling away spoke again as he said, "you know... this is the problem that happens when negotiations go sour... and you people shouldn't even be making all of this fuss." With that he looked to Nozomi's direction as he cocked his head indicating for her to remove her keyblade from Audrey's neck.

Seeing this she was quiet, but knowing she had no choice she removed in moments and as she did Audrey told her coldly before going, "you see I told you so."

Nozomi just looked at her angrily as she walked away, however Rourke ignoring this little number continued, "I mean academics never wanna get their hands dirty, I mean you should applaud us! Think about it for a moment if you gave back every stolen artefact from every museum in the world you'd end up with empty buildings, we're all just providing a necessary service to the archaeological community."

Riku however was getting annoyed himself and so spoke back, "don't try and paint yourself over and sound so patriotic! You're all nothing but common thieves!"

Milo even in this difficult situation nodded as he said," yeah exactly!"

Hearing their former linguist still speaking against him Rourke shook his head as he said, "I gotta admit I'm disappointed, you're an idealist just like your grandfather, do yourself a favour Milo don't be like him, for once do the smart thing." With that he pointed to his brain indicating his own superior intelligence ending in a slight wink showing his slyness.

However it was clear no-one there who was against him thought that way and so now only looked at him with anger in their eyes, however the keys were already in Rourke's hands as he smiled and walked on over and told him, "well I can see negotiating with you is continuing to be a problem so..." with that he clicked his fingers as the masked man holding Kida down clicked his gun showing he was ready to fire making everyone gasp and be even more on edge.

The most horrified was Milo himself as he looked down at the hostage princess, but then he looked to Rourke again who still continuing to hold the page in his face with the illustrated jewel as he asked again, "so... where's the treasure?"

It was then Milo sighed in defeat as he had no choice but none of the others could blame him and so they were all quiet as he looked at the page and revealed the location of the Heart of Atlantis.