***Author's note: Hi! I'm so sorry for the long absence. A lot has happened since I last posted. My mental health took a hit and I'm also working on an original story. This story is *not* being abandoned. My updating schedule is just going to change to 1-2 chapters a month. The entire first book is planned and scenes are already being planned for the next ones.***

The sun warmed the chilly autumn air as Milo draped his coat over Kida's bare shoulders. His wife tended to lose track of the surface's seasons and while he kept spare clothing in his apartment for her visits, she insisted on taking a walk first. After spending the vast majority of her life below the surface, Kida adored the surface plants and animals, always insisting they take a walk whenever she visited, saying they were always different each time she visited. Atlantis didn't exactly have many seasons.

"With the assistance of Tirulia, Corona, and Ulsted, we're making fantastic progress on preserving my people's culture and history in writing. I have brought the copies you requested so you can translate them from Tirulian into Atlantean," Kida smiled as she reached up to trail a hand through the red and orange leaves, other hand holding his coat closed. "We've also negotiated an agreement with Atlantica regarding further research of our crystals and their magical qualities."

"That's wonderful!" Milo said. "The texts are unclear on the nature and capabilities of the crystals. I suppose there could be texts lost during the submergence that contained more information. However, it is possible that such research was never done. The crystals have always been an integral part of Atlantean culture. Everyone has one, yet how they work and everything they can do is a complete mystery! So much of Atlantis's past revolves around them, we could-"

"Milo," Kida laughed, stopping and cupping his cheek. "Your mind is beautiful. It is no wonder you teach the world's heirs."

Cheeks warming, Milo readjusted his glasses with a quiet chuckle.

"Tell me, what are your students like this semester?" Kida inquired.

Smiling, Milo looked up at the sky. "I have a wonderful group. There are a few especially bright and curious minds this year and I'm hoping they'll take one of my classes next semester. The historic community could really use more fresh perspectives."

"And what of the daughter of Maleficent? You said that she is in your class, did you not?"

Ah Mal. Such a fascinating young lady. There was a brilliant and keen intelligence behind her mask of indifference and apathy. He wished she would participate more. The world would benefit from her perspective. Too many people chose to hide behind their comfortable histories and too many noble bloodlines forgot that the majority of the population did not live in the same luxury.

"I haven't had the opportunity to interact with her as much as I'd hoped," he admitted, adjusting his glasses. "She holds herself back during class and has rarely offered her views or opinions whenever we have discussions about the different ways histories are recorded and passed down."

Slowly, Kida nodded. "I do not understand how ones who grew up in isolation are not eager to engage with the world. Of course, my people do not carry the same trauma. Perhaps you can inspire their curiosity."

"I hope to," Milo sighed. "However, before I can do that, they need to feel safe enough to be able to explore the world. I hope to help them feel safe enough to do so."

Expression warm, Kida stepped in front of him and took his hands. Meeting his eyes, Kida leaned forward and kissed his cheek. "If anyone can accomplish such a feat it is you, Milo."

"I-thank you."

"I do not need thanks when I speak the truth," Kida replied as she returned to his side.

Hand in hand, the pair walked silently along the campus trails. While they had many–many–years still ahead of them, small moments like this would forever be precious. Quiet moments at peace in one another's company.

"Is that them?"

Gaze following his wife's, Milo watched a group of four students make their way across the courtyard with a basket and blanket in hand. If it weren't for their distinctive hair colors and style of dress, they could pass as any other group of students.

"Yes, that's them," he confirmed, Kida brightening, eyes glittering with curiosity.

"Which one is which?" she asked. Her blue eyes tracked them as the four young adults began to arrange the blanket on the grass and empty the basket. Milo smiled. Her thirst for knowledge animated her more than anything else.

"Mal is the young lady with the purpled hair, and the young lady with the blue hair is Evelyn, daughter of Grimhilde," he explained. "Carlos is the young man with the black and white hair."

Leaning forward, Kida scanned the rest of the courtyard. "And where is Jay?"

"Jay is the young man with long brown hair."

"Are you certain?"

Confused, Milo nodded. "Yes, I'm certain."

"But his hair is not the same as the others? It is a 'normal' color."

He…he hadn't thought of that. "Not all the residents of the Isle have unique hair colors," Milo told her. "His Highness Ben apparently just happened to choose three people who do."

"I do not understand," Kida frowned. For a moment, she just watched as the students started their picnic. Then she smiled and snatched Milo's hand, tugging him forward. "Introduce me."

"Oh, um, Kida," Milo started as he stumbled after her, "I don't know if that's a good idea. They're very wary of strangers."

"If we are introduced we will no longer be strangers," she disagreed, not slowing her pace.

"That isn't how that works."

As he attempted to pull Kida to a stop–even after training with some of the Atlantean soldiers at her request, Milo could only just slow her down, let alone stop her–movement in the corner of his eye caught his attention. Another group of students were making their way across the Green towards Mal and her friends.

Normally, he wouldn't be concerned, but the rumors and stories floating around campus the past few weeks made him wary of students from the mainland interacting with those from the Isle. And not because of Mal and her friends. No, he didn't trust those from the mainland to be civil.

Apparently Kida agreed. His wife's entire demeanor changed, eyes darkening as she tensed.

They were too far to hear when the two groups met, Mal and Evelyn both rising to intercept the other students. Behind them, Jay shifted closer to the girls while Carlos retreated to gather up the picnic supplies.

Kida no longer had to pull Milo along after her; he was running too, intent on reaching the students before anything got out of hand.

As they approached, the voices grew louder and louder, and not just because they were drawing closer; both parties had resorted to shouting.

Jay, Evelyn, and Mal had all stepped forward, nearly face to face with the other students, with Evelyn kept safely between the other two and Carlos ducked behind them. Something was said, Evelyn stumbled back, and Mal and Jay closed ranks to shield her from the mainlanders.

They were almost there. Just a little further and they could stop this.

"Hey!" Kida shouted, catching the attention of the groups.

Jay glanced towards them, eyes widening. Open and distracted, he didn't see the boy across from him throw a punch. Fist connected with face and Jay staggered back, blood already starting to drip from his nose.

"That's eno-!" Milo began.

And a wave of green lightning surged out from Mal as she screamed, all of the students thrown back a few feet, Kida barely keeping her feet.

Milo staggered to a halt, staring in shock even as Mal's eyes went wide. Before he could react, the daughter of Maleficent whirled towards her friends, yanked them to their feet, and all four bolted, abandoning their picnic entirely.

This wasn't good.

"Go!" Kida ordered as she stalked towards the other students. "Help them!"

Without questioning it, Milo chased after Mal and her group. They were already out of sight, but the rumors of the four of them sharing a single room had been the talk of the campus, even among the teachers, so he knew where to find them. Or at least where to start looking.

Slowing as he approached the dorm, Milo gently opened the door and peered at the room listings posted in the entrance to all the dorms. It wasn't difficult to find their information listed near the top. Even the ladies were listed; Prince Ben must have thrown some weight around to make that official. He briefly wondered if there was a similar listing for them in the women's dorm, just in case they decided to switch rooms.

Taking a moment to gather his wits, and courage, Milo touched the crystal around his neck. He only had one chance at this. If he did this wrong they would never let him assist them in the future. They needed help, and he wasn't going to let them down now. One last deep breath, and he made his way to their room.

Through the door, he could faintly hear frantic voices and rummaging. Careful, he knocked and immediately all noises behind the door stopped.

"It's Milo Thatch," he called. "Mal, are you all okay?"

Silence.

"Mal?"

"Why do you care?" she snapped. "You're just going to blame us like everyone else. We didn't do anything wrong!"

"You're right," he agreed. "They started it and they struck you first."

Once again, the room went silent.

He was about to settle down on the floor when Mal asked, "What?"

"I said you're right," he repeated. "You didn't do anything wrong."

"Then why are you here?"

"Because I want to make sure you four are alright, and you need an ally right now. I don't intend to let you be punished for trying to protect yourselves."

Nothing more came from behind the door and he didn't push them to talk. After a few minutes, he sat down and made himself comfortable. He didn't know how long it would take for the guards to arrive, but he intended to be there when they did.

Nearly an hour passed before he heard shouting outside and approaching the dorm. Pushing himself back to his feet, Milo moved to intercept the newcomers before they got too close to the room. Outside, he found Kida arguing with a pair of guards, his wife happily in their faces.

"What's going on here?" he asked, adjusting his vest and glasses and attempting to channel his authority as husband of the Atlantean chieftess.

"These men want to take the children," Kida hissed.

"We've told you," one of the guards groaned, "We are not taking them. We're here to escort them to an audience with the king and queen."

"They are innocent!"

"That isn't for us to decide," the other guard said. "Our orders are to bring them in."

Before Kida could argue further, Milo stepped between them. "We will escort them. Your presence will not be necessary."

"No offense meant, Professor, but we do need to be here."

"Very well. Stay here and I will go get them," Milo insisted and, when Kida glared at them, the guards relented.

This wasn't going to be easy.