Chapter 80: The City of Atlantis
It was pitch black and hard to see anything, a small flight of an orange flame illuminated Bloom's hands to see the wreckage around her and her friends. She sat up, groaning from the crash but relieved she was not too hurt, but worried for the others and called out to them. "Is everyone alright?" She feels her way around until she feels Flora' beside her, kneeling before her friend to check on any injuries.
Thankfully, she didn't seem hurt but bruised. Rubbing her head from the soreness. "Uhh, I'm fine. Thank goodness that barrier protected us"
They immediately hear the series of collective moans and groans with everyone regaining consciousness.
"Man, my butt is sore." Archie grunted. "What sort of bugs burst into flames?"
"We're lucky to be alive." Layla groans.
A torchlight lid up, bringing more light for them to see more clearly and know where exactly they are. The headlights of the ATV came on and thankfully, they were still working when Herry switched them, stretching his arms and felt somewhat sore.
Groan, Taren propped himself on both his elbows, so far he didn't take many bruises able to feel every inch of himself. and was able to wake up. "Ugh, that was landing." Blinking his eyes and suddenly found staring at a pair of soft gray eyes inches from his after realizing how close they were, his face flushed, but not as much as how red Mirta's was with their bodies very close in a position. Realizing just now, he blinked and sat up. "Oh! I… s-sorry, Mirta, you alright?"
Mirta was able to find her voice to speak through her stuttering. "Uh, ye-yeah, I seem okay…. Thanks." She did seem to be grateful for him saving her.
"Everyone alright?" Flora found them and offered to help Mirta up.
"Apart from some bruises, but what about everyone else or the damages?"
Cid and Odie inspected the vehicles and equipment. "Well, it doesn't look so bad, but it seems we got totaled, and unless you got something to magically rebuild these, we might have to look for an alternative path… or portal our way out." Cid says, finishing his report, and rubbing his sore back.
Aqua had an idea and knew one who could. "I might have." She reached for her pocket and pulled out the dueling gauntlet, she didn't think it would be of importance but seems she was lucky to have it.
The others watched her curiously with the gauntlet and summoned her keyblade to call forth a Kaiju. "Reef Prince Glu-urrgle." Opening a portal to the Kaiju realm to summon the Reef Prince.
"Who.. or what is that?" Neil's first thought of it was some bizarre jellyfish or alien.
Taren immediately recognized him. "Hey, Gargle!" He got the idea of what Aqua had in mind when summoning him. "So you picked him to help us?"
Aqua nodded. "Yeah, seeing as he can build almost anything from the first battle, I figured he could help us.
Gargle spun around to recognize Taren. "Taren. Buddy. OMG!" Leaping onto Taren's shoulder and noticed more unfamiliar humans. "Unknown. Friends?"
"Yeah, friends, Gargle." Taren decided to introduce him to his friends. "Guys, this is Glu-urrgle..or Gargle. He's a new summon partner to one of the VKs.
Gargle glances at them, his optics catching sight of Bloom, Flora, Layla, and Mirta. "Fairies identified. Taren's GFs, seen photos, especially ones from the beach."
"B-beach? What beach?" Taren's face flushed at the Cyber Lord. This also made Bloom and Flora blush at what exactly he was thinking. It would no doubt be about him taking photos of them in their swimsuits and during breaks with their families after the battle. He kept them for privacy, not that they minded but didn't dare show it to the others out of embarrassment, mostly some of them together. They did find some he kept and usually admired them in their bikinis, which they didn't mind… seeing as they got some from him in his shorts and surfing.
"From phone, many pictures of-"
"Less talking, more helping us out in this situation! Thank you!" Taren was able to silence him, but not before it caught on to the others with smirks on their faces.
"Gee, Taren, something you wanna tell us about what happened on a beach?" Atlanta teases him and is eager to know for some scoop.
Bloom coughed to get their attention. "Uh, maybe he's right, we are trapped down here and have no vehicles."
Jay agreed with her, they couldn't afford to waste any more time. "She's right, we need to stay focused."
Gargle's goggled eyes scanned the dirt beneath them and found what they were. "Scanning found. Pumice Ash."
Odie pulled out his laptop which was fortunately not damaged, analyzed the soil, and indeed confirmed the creature's observation. "He's right, we're standing at the base of a dormant volcano."
Cid finds a flare gun and loads it before shooting it straight up. The group watches as the flare travels further and further to show how high it is going.
"That could be a way out of here." Aqua commented, possibly a way for them to reach the surface. But that glimmer of hope was dashed when it made an impact at the ceiling, exploding into a small fireball and quickly burning out. "Or maybe not."
"The tunnels have been solidified from the magma, causing a blockage of an exit." Odie came up with a possibility.
"Unless broken through by an active volcano! Highly dangerous! Water evaporates!" Gargle cries out, jumping into a nearby backpack and closing it in.
"So you're saying this whole volcano can blow any time?" Layla's eyes widen in panic for a moment, not liking the fact that they are standing on a dormant volcano that could go off.
Odie shakes his head and explains to everyone. "Not really, we're completely safe." Earning several sighs in relief to hear this. "Unless of course, you have such a powerful force of impact of great magnitude to trigger an eruption. That should be enough to do it."
Feeling reassured before they hear a few springs and a small spark, they find out it was Cid working on some blaster he was trying to fix until he stopped to see everyone looking at him. Sheepishly chuckling before saying. "Uhh... maybe it would be a good idea to put this on hold."
"Gargle, think you can help get our vehicle fixed up?" Taren asked the water creature who was still inside the backpack.
Emerging from his hiding spot and walked towards the broken ATVs. "Fix and Upgrade. Make them better! ATV Mark II!"
"Maybe a way to start opening up a portal out of here." Taren thought it would be an idea for the keybladers to blast their way through that ceiling to get to the surface, if not use a gateway with the Winx's magic. He noticed someone was missing, then realized Ventus was missing. "Hey, where's Master Ven?"
"Ven?" Aqua asked, until realizing that he was the only one absent among them. "Anyone know where he could be?"
"He was with us until the bridge collapsed." Jay could only hope the keyblade master wasn't buried, he recalled seeing him before… something hit them.
Elsewhere in the debris, the blonde keyblade wielder lay against the rocks, breathing heavily but still alive… at least unconscious. The last thing he remembered was getting the group to cross over, but something struck the bridge and caused a collapse. He must have fallen someplace further from the others. His train of thought was interrupted by a sudden pain in the shoulder, and opening his eyes to find himself in the company of masked figures creeping towards the wounded key blade.
Mildly surprised, but trying to stay as calm as he could whilst hearing them muttering in some language he couldn't understand, how they got here or where they came from, he was uncertain if they posed a threat or not. But was able to move on his own, if he summoned his keyblade now in his state, they may see it as a threat and attack him at once. "Easy… I'm not here for… trouble." Ventus has no idea if they understood him, but reaches out his hand to them and hopes it buys him some time until he can use some magic to heal himself.
One of them knelt in front of him and observed the wound on his shoulder, Ven watched as the figure lifted its mask and revealed a young woman with snow-white hair and brown skin, some he noted to be two small curved blue markings on her left cheek. Her large blue eyes showed no sign of hostility, only worry and concern.
Ventus did not expect this sort of thing, he stayed silent as she held up some blue shining crystal necklace hanging around her neck. It was glowing in a soft blue illumination, allowing her to inspect the bleeding cut.
"It's nothing I can-'' Ventus tries to assure her that it wasn't a concern, he could do it himself. Yet, the woman lifts the crystal over the wound. As soon as it glowed, she let go of it before placing her hand now glowing over his wound. Winced for a brief moment, then suddenly the pain had stopped when she lifted her palm where the blue glowing handprint was left and showed no sign of injury to his amazement.
"Wow." Ventus mumbled, he seemed grateful for her help, whatever that thing did had some magical qualities, and felt it through his body.
"Harpoon Vulcan!"
An explosion sound was heard and some light came from the newly restored and upgraded ATV customized by Gargle's help, shining its lights forward, followed by Ikakkumon with Layla riding him. The woman and the other individuals with her runoff before Ventus could stop them.
"Wait, hold on! They're friends! Wait!"
"Ventus! You alright?" Herry called out to him after spotting him.
"He's alright!' Layla was relieved.
Ventus was happy to see them safe and unharmed, but couldn't let the ones he encountered leave without asking questions. "Follow me!" The blonde raced off to chase after them with his friends behind him. With his strength restored, he used his magic to use Flowmation to leap through the pillars of rocks and platforms to give chase.
Aqua and Taren followed him with Bloom and Mirta flying behind them, they had no idea what they saw but knew Master Ventus found something.
"What did he see?" Bloom pondered.
"No idea, but must be serious." Taren stated that he saw distant figures leaping over the rock platforms, could they perhaps be native to these caves? Then he sees a faint light through the cavern. "Hey, I see light!"
"That could be where they came from!" Ventus was sure of it and found the crack, but lost sight of the possible natives. They reached the crack, it was big enough for them to fit through, and on the other side was a wide open, more illuminated cavern that could stretch on for miles, plus there was vegetation present despite no natural sun down here, yet there was natural light. They stopped at the edge of the ledge and found something that took away their breath
The cracks within the wall grew bigger as the armored vehicle came to a halt. Ikakkumon followed, lifted by Layla's Levitating magic until he changed back into Gomamon. The group then joined the others, and each of them was immediately struck with a collection of shock, disbelief, and awed expressions on their faces as they saw something that was truly spectacular. Yet, they couldn't believe it and assumed their eyes were playing tricks on them, especially Cid, who rubbed his eyes to be sure of it and jaw drops, causing the toothpick to fall out.
A huge waterfall bathed down onto the molten lava that flowed into the chasm, creating clouds from the two elements. Within the center of the circular-shaped plateau was perhaps an island with a towering spire of a city.
"Sweet...mother of holy!" Cid was unable to find the words to swear, he couldn't believe what he was seeing.
"It's beautiful!" Layla was amazed by how breathtaking this place is. "This is the lost city of Atlantis?"
"I can't believe it's here and we found it!" Bloom was ecstatic and jumped into Taren's arms in joy to finally find one of the legends to be true.
"Since signing up for this heroic gig, I would never have thought to find something amazing like this." Archie complimented. However, he would find their moment of joy would not last when surrounded by many masked warriors emerging from their hiding spots to take up their spears. "On second thought, I take that back!"
Gargle lets out a frightened scream. "Danger! OMG! Run for cover!" Scurries behind them for protection, huddling in fear. "Call 911!"
The heroes, keybladers, and Winx take up a defensive stance, and Cid pulls out his trusty pole staff when ready to face them. They noticed three of the warriors had wings and tails among the group.
"Uh, any idea who these might be?" Theresa asked whilst holding her weapon.
"They must be Atlanteans." Jay could only assume.
Cid seemed to be in disbelief. "What? After all this time? That can't be!"
"Guess nobody told them that." Flora found it hard not to, she had seen strange things, but if these were natives of the lost city, then how did they survive this long? Some of the masked individuals had wings and tails, indicating they were not human, at least from her perspective.
"Whatever they are, we'll take them on." Atlanta pulled out her bolas when ready to take them on.
The one Ventus had met and healed his wound withdrew her spear and spoke in a language they never heard from. Waving her free hand and focused on the keyblade wielder. "Who are you strangers and where did you come from?"
"Whatever she said seems to be talking to you, Ven." Aqua whispered to him, obviously it sounded female from the mask. They listened to her speak more and stumped the butt of her staff against the ground. Repeating what she said sounded more demanding. Aqua nudged him to respond.
"Do any of you girls know a language spell?" Taren whispered close to them.
Bloom nodded to confirm. "I know some of it, I'll do my best." Hoping the spell she worked on would do the trick.
Ven clears his throat and uses his keyblade to speak, but speaks in another language similar to her own. No one knew if it worked, but they watched her take the mask off to reveal herself. "We… came here from the surface… we are not invaders. Peaceful explorers."
Staring inquisitively at the keyblader, placed her hands on her hips and responded. "Your manner of speech is odd to us."
Odie joins to add the words to help. "Uh… friends… peace."
"You are… friendly travelers?" She questioned them.
Aqua nodded to confirm this, seemingly getting a close understanding through the translation magic. "Yes, friend, peaceful travel."
"You speak the language of the Romans!" Her language now became Latin.
Noting many languages to speak, Taren tried a language known as Japanese, similar to his. "How about Japanese?"
"Yes indeed!" Kida responded in Japanese.
"Wow, that's amazing." Bloom tried one in Italian. "Saluti." Reaching her hand out to shake.
The rest of the Atlanteans, both human and the winged creatures removed their masks and walked towards them, greeting them in various languages; Spanish, Greek, German, even French.
"How is it they know all these languages?" Theresa pondered.
Odie had a theory about that. "Their language has got to be based on a root dialect, possibly before other known languages existed. Like in the story of Babel."
"You think they know English?" Archie asked.
"Let's find out." Aqua stepped forward to speak. "Greetings, we're peaceful explorers from the surface. We come in peace!"
Kida accepted her words and responded in perfect English to welcome them. "Welcome to the city of Atlantis!" Gesturing her hand out to the island city to them. "Come, you must speak with my father now!"
She grabs Ventus' hand to lead them.
"Come on, we better follow them." Jay tells them.
They climbed into the vehicles and drove them over to a rickety rope bridge connected to the city of Atlantis and suspended over the lava beneath them. As they reached closer to the city, they found many in ruins, most appearing to be statues half submerged in the waters. They could easily assume the Atlantean Empire did not survive without a price and could be perhaps in a state of decline. Yet they cannot deny that the city is still breathtaking for a supposed mythological place. They follow the natives deeper into the city and finally reach the mountain, which was the center of the city, no doubt where the ruler of the city lived.
Finally disembarking the vehicles and ready to meet the king, they were surprised to figure out that the woman with them was, in fact, a princess.
"Okay, let's just hope to make a good impression, and maybe he can help us with where to find the helmet." Ventus told them.
"Hopefully he will be reasonable." Bloom whispers, not wanting to cause an issue with someone of authority.
"And also warn him about Cronus if he ever finds out they still exist." Jay reminded them.
The guards greeted the princess and opened the large doors for her and her guests, inside the throne room was a large pool with stepping stones in front of a supposed throne, behind him was a large statue with its head fallen off and now had water running from its eyes as if it was weeping. A flock of flying creatures flew above them upon the sight of visitors and the doors opened.
"Wow, I kinda expected the place to be more… grand." Neil whispers, only to feel a nudge in the chest by Layla.
"Don't let them hear you say that, it could be disrespectful."
An elderly man sat on a stone piece of furniture, possibly a throne, in front of a broken statue. He wore bluish robes, had a long white beard, was bald, and did not have pupils. The princess mentioned that his name was Kashekin Nedakh. He stood up to greet his daughter but was surprised to see outsiders with her as she bowed before him in respect.
"Greeting your Highness. I have brought the visitors."
"You know the law, Kida. No outsiders may see the city and live." The king told her with disapproval.
The daughter's face is crestfallen and responds. "Father, these people may be able to help us."
"We do not need their help."
"What are they saying?" Herry whispered to Jay.
"I dunno, but something to do with us, and doesn't sound like we're welcome." Jay could assume the king's tone.
"But Father, three of the outsiders wield ancient swords of li-"
"That is enough." The king ended the argument with his daughter, having to reach the limit of his patience. "We will discuss this later."
Aqua and Ventus decided to play as diplomats and approach the king to gain his attention. "Your majesty, my name is Ventus and this is Aqua, on behalf of our team, we apologize for the intrusion."
"While we could say it is a great honor to find the famous lost city, we are peaceful and have no means to bring harm to your city." Aqua started to hopefully pursue him to accept their arrival.
"You presume much to think that you are welcome here." The king retorted, shifting himself to speak before them.
Something like this would be brought up, Aqua's response. "Yes, I can see that. We have come a long way, never assuming there are people still thriving which is good. But we came here looking for-"
"I know what you seek." The king cuts off her sentence. "Your journey has been in vain."
"A little rude, for a king." Neil retorted under his breath.
"Does he even know what we came here for?" Atlanta whispered something the others had thought of when Aqua never finished her sentence.
Ventus had thought of that and had his turn to speak. "We only came here to find some answers and as my friend Aqua said, we pose no threat to your people."
The king of Atlantis lets out a mild chuckle, almost not believing her. "Hm, and yet you bring weapons." Gesturing to the teens equipped with weapons and gear.
"Well after that mecha lobster you have in the ocean is one of the main reasons." Taren argued, earning a nod from Atlanta, Archie, and Herry who agreed with him.
"Some are necessary to protect the people of Atlantis." Kashekim argues, grabbing his staff to lift himself on his feet."Return to your people. You must leave Atlantis at once."
"Hang on, you don't understand why we came here." Taren steps forward to speak. But Bloom stops him by grabbing his arm before he can do anything reckless. "Wait, we don't want to cause any trouble."
Jay agreed with her. "She's right, maybe for now we do as he says."
Reluctantly, the keyblade masters thought of his idea and perhaps it was a reasonable solution. "Alright then, but maybe we rest up for one night and resupply. After that, we'll leave the city and never return."
"Hmm." The king takes a moment of thought of their offer before giving his answer. "Very well. One night. That is all." He will not let them stay a moment later.
They bowed to him respectively to grant them time before leaving. "Thank you, your majesty. May your hearts be your guiding light." Aqua accepts his decision and makes their leave, some glance over to see a defeated and saddened look on the princess of how it went.
"Your heart has softened, Kida." Her father sighs upon seeing the look on his daughter's face. "thousand years ago, you would have slain them on sight."
Turning around with frustration on her face instead of sadness. "A thousand years ago, the streets were lit, and our people did not have to scavenge for food at the edge of a crumbling city!" Using her crystal to light up a lamp for her father as he laid on his throne.
"The people are content." Nedakh said.
"They do not know any better!" She argued, sitting beside her elderly father to try and make him see reason from his stubbornness. "We were once a great people. Now we live in ruins. The kings of our past would weep if they could see how far we have fallen." Picks up a wet towel from a bowl full of water to help her father, dabbing it as she goes on.
"Kida-"
She did not give him a chance to end his sentence and continued on with her argument. "If these outsiders can unlock the secrets of our past, perhaps we can save our future."
"What they have to teach us, we have already learned." Gently grasping his daughter's arm to pull away.
"Our way of life is dying." Kida proclaimed out of frustration, unable to make him understand the state their people are in and strongly believes the outsiders, maybe even the wielders of the enchanted blades could be the key to their survival.
Yet sadly, her father refuses to see her point of view and believes they are safe from the dangers of the surface. "Our way of life is preserved!" Grasping his wrinkled hands onto her hand. Reaching up to her cheek to caress with fatherly affection. " Kida, when you take the throne, you will understand."
Much as she knows her time will come to rule in her father's place, yet unable to bear the thought of them dying. If she cannot make her father understand, then perhaps these outsiders could help her find the lost knowledge of her people before it is too late.
"So guessing our stay here isn't gonna be as welcoming as we thought." Archie complained.
"Well, the princess looks open to talk to us. Her father on the other hand, not so much." Layla easily read her expression and obviously seemed very eager.
"Not to mention he's hiding something, maybe it's the helmet or something else to drive us away." Aqua assumed.
"Helmet?" Gargle was oblivious of what they were talking about.
Taren forgot to fill him in on their mission. "Oh, right, we came down here. We're looking for the Helmet of Ultimate Technology."
Gargle jumped and his eyes widened and leapt onto the startled redhead, grabbing him by the shirt. "HELMET OF ULTIMATE TECHNOLOGY!? It is Water Civilization's property! Belonging to King Tritonus! Thieves!"
"Hey, easy there little fella!" Theresa pulled the creature off Taren, much to his appreciation for the help. "That's why we came down here so it doesn't fall into the wrong hands like Cronus."
Taren stroked his chin to think of a person who could talk to her. "Someone has to go and talk to that princess."
"I will go!" Gargle proclaimed, yet no one paid attention to him.
Flora agreed with her boyfriend. "Someone with good people skills."
Gargle once again jumps and waves his hand to catch their attention. "I will do it!"
"Not to scare her away is important." Cid added.
"I volunteer!" Gargle tries to get their attention, crawling around to speak up.
"And speak their language.
"As the Reef Prince of the Water Civilization! I will go!" Gargle gave a salute and for a moment stood to full height like a soldier with his eyes narrowed.
Aqua smirks and knows one person she would openly talk to, patting on her childhood best friend on the shoulder. "Good for you to volunteer, Ven! Knew you had it in you."
Ven was without words when she volunteered him. "Wait-wha?"
Gargle slumped down and was in dismay to not be selected until Taren kneels down to cheer him up. "Relax, you can still help us by going along with Ventus and ask her your questions."
"Just try to not sound forceful, she may not know about the helmet." Bloom advised him as she knew it was important for them to find it as soon as possible.
They thought to maybe talk to her whilst learning about the Atlanteans and any remnants of their technology that works. Agreeing to help Ventus talk with the princess and perhaps find some answers they need.
The blonde keywielder sneaks back to the palace, only to find the princess walking past the closing doors. Knowing this was his chance to find out what to know.
"So what do we do then?" Odie was not sure how they should approach her. He offered to volunteer along with Jay.
"All we gotta do is go up to her, ask some questions and not take 'no' for an answer." Ventus inhales and decides to do it now. But when he turned around, they found no trace of the princess anyway. Did she run off or did he let himself be distracted too long. "Where did she-"
A hand clasp around his mouth and felt another retaining his other arm, Ventus would have reacted on instinct to take on his possible subduer, yet halted when he heard a familiar female voice.
Jay and Odie jumped when they saw the princess who somehow snuck up on them when their guard was down.
"I have questions for you and you are not leaving this city until they are answered."
Ventus did not expect this, but it would appear the princess wanted to speak with them as much as his friends do. "Well, I-okay."
She silenced him once more and took him far from the palace for only the two of them to speak. "Come with me, your companions can follow."
They followed her out to the outer part of the city, crawling through the ridge in a colum by a waterfall, Ventus was right behind her, along with Jay and Odie who were trying to keep up with her until she led them to a more open space with more ruins, many overgrown with vegetation over time.
"There is so much to ask about your world!" She sounded excited and gazed at the three males, particularly at Ventus who was helping Odie down. "You are a warrior, yes? Obviously by your physique and wield a weapon that proves it." Even noting Jay who wielded a sword from their first meeting from the bridge. "But obviously your small friend must be a scholar, is he not? Judging by his size, he is not fit for something else"
Odie was annoyed by her words, but at least did not say he was a wimp. "Hey, I may not have strong muscles like some, but at least I Happen to be a descendant of one of the great heroes."
Kida felt she offended his pride and apologized. "I did not mean to offend you, but what country of origin do you come from? When did the waters recede?" Taking Odie's glasses to see through them and continuing with her endless questions. "How did you find your way down here?
Ventus stops her and takes the glasses and handed them back to Odie who gladly took them back. "Okay, slow down. We got some questions for you too, but how about we exchange some questions and some answers if we can. Would that help?
Kida understood and decided to allow them to ask first. "Very well, what is your first question?
Jay thought to go first. "Alright, one we've been wondering about. How did all this end up down here?"
Odie nodded. "Yeah, we all heard the legend of Atlantis being flooded and no one has ever found it, until we have."
Kida looks at them before sighing. "It is said that the gods became jealous of Atlantis, they sent a great cataclysm and banished us here. All I can remember is it the sky going dark and… people shouting and running." Her expression suddenly turned to sadness as to what else she remembers
"Then… a bright light like a star floating above the city. My father said it called my mother to it and I never saw her again"
Feeling a wave of sympathy to lose her mother long ago reminded Ventus of how he almost lost his friends many years ago, but lost their beloved master to Xehanort. "I'm truly sorry, if its anything to share I know how it must feel to…. Wait, say that part again? You… what you are saying, that you remember?"
"But that's… impossible!" Odie exclaimed and shocked by this, normally this wouldn't be a surprise if she was a goddess like the oLympions, a demi-god perhaps? "If you were there, that would make you… thousands of years old!"
"Yes?" A simple response from the princess when she shrugged her shoulders, as if it seemed like a normal thing among her people.
"Uh, well, its just we normally expected that of a God or other immortals… normally rare if it were a human like you and us." Jay explained to her for their reactions.
"But, you seem to be looking well and healthy for living so long." Ventus complimented on her looks, still amazed if she were actually around the time the city fell, and so is the king… what could be keeping them alive and immortal? Advance technology? Magic? "So uh, you have a question for us then?"
"Yes, how is it you found your way into this place?" Kida asked him her first question.
"It wasn't really easy if it weren't for this journal." Ventus tells her and shows it to her from Jay pulling it out from his bag.
The moment Kida sees the book, she quickly snatches from Jay's hands and gazes at the open pages. Her expression changes from one of interest to confusion and shock of how they could understand it.
"After we translated it, some myths and legends say you had a power source that advanced your society. We also believe your people may be in possession of something else that came… somewhere." Odie noticed her expression as she was focused on the book
"You mean you can understand this?" she asks, pointing to the runic writing in the book. Kida asked them as if they fully understood its language.
Ventus nodded. "Yeah, as well as my keyblade can translate Atlantean and some help as well, so uh to our question we're looking for-"
He did not finish his sentence when she held up the book in front of the blonde and his friends. "This? Right here? You can read this?"
"Yeah, we learned to read it, just like you and your people." Ventus then noticed how she was unable to read it at all when he saw how confused and down she was. "Wait… you… can't can't you?"
"No one can. It has been lost since the MEH-behl-moak."
"The what?" Jay didn't know what she meant in her own language until Odie answered his question.
"I think she means the great flood. My guess is over time being stuck down here has caused a a lot of things to be lost." It would explain a lot of how their city is in ruins and so much of their culture has been lost over time.
"Show me!" She gave the book to Ventus to translate for her.
"Okay." Clearing his throught and using the magic to translate and speak in her language as he could. Using the dialect, Kida follows and clearly understood him,
"Follow the narrow passage for another league. There you will find the fifth marker." Kida translated exactly as he said it, but in English.
"Yeah, that was it. So apart from using my magic, how was it?" Ventus asked her.
"Boorish, provincial, and you speak it to your nose." She teases the keyblader, but has to give him some credit for trying.
"It's a lot harder than translating Ancient Greek. Atlanta stayed up all night reading the alphabet to get it right." Odie chuckles.
"Now, let me show you something." She led them to a large object that concealed under a large cloth. Kida pulls the cloth away to reveal what's underneath it, it was a craft shaped like a fish, and looked almost as long as a motorcycle. The fish's "Head" made up the front of the craft with its body being slim and where the pilot would sit while three fins stuck out the back with one on each side and another in the center.
"It looks like… some sort of vehicle." Odie was amazed by the craftsmanship, if this is one of their advancements he wanted to know how it works. It seems well preserved and no signs of damage or rust from the surface.
Kida noted the boy's observation and nodded. "Yes, but no matter what I try, it will not respond." She was frustrated and hoped one of them would know the answers.
"Okay, let me have a look. Technology is my specialty." Odie gives a closer look and finds some inscriptions with a hexagon shape in the center and begins translating. "Place your crystal in the slot?"
"Yes, yes, I have done that." Kida responded.
"Gently place your hand on the inscription pad?" Odie asks.
"Yes." Waved her hand and walks back before going in circles
"Did you turn the crystal one-quarter back?"
"Yes, yes!" She continued and was starting to lose her patience
Odie reads the last inscription for her. "While your hand was on the inscription pad?".
"Ye-" Kida suddenly stopped and discovered her mistake. "...No."
Ventus chuckles to hear this. "Ah, well there's your problem.. That's an easy thing to miss. You know, you deserve credit for getting it this far… for even…" He stops at his track to hear Jay coughing, nudging his head to the princess who was crossing her arms and looking at him with a blank expression. "Uh, feel free to give it a try, your highness."
Allowing Kida to use her necklace to insert it into the slot and followed the instructions, but this time keeping her hand on the pad as Odie explained. The inscription pad glows a light greenish-blue before various lines around the craft and even the eyes. They hear a light screeching sound for a moment before the craft begins to rise from the ground with a humming sound.
Kida couldn't believe it and spoke in her language, something that made her sound in disbelief.
"Amazing!" Jay was in awe.
"The legends were right after all!" Odie proclaimed, he couldn't contain his excitement. "This is great! Imagine what other things could work if we helped you remember how to work them. This city will be buzzing by the time we leave! I wonder how fast it can go." Unable to contain his curiosity and wanted to test it.
Jay and Ventus had a concerned look on their faces. "Odie, wait, we don't know how it-" Jay was too late, the flyer shoots off in, ricochets from the walls, pillars, and roofs. They watch as it bounced off until coming right back at the four, causing them to duck as it sails over them and crashes once more into the first wall. This time it was now completely wrecked and beyond repair.
Odie received a mild glare from Ventus and Jay, causing him to sheepishly chuckle out of embarrassment. "Uh… whoops?"
"So… any one for food?" Ventus asked.
"The people of Atlantis are thousands of years old?" Atlanta couldn't believe what the guys told them when they learned about the story.
"Yeah, we think it has something to do with this Heart of Atlantis she spoke about." Jay answered her.
"But how is it possible? Gods, we know but these Atlanteans are mortal as we are." Archie scratched his head to ponder how it was done.
"As do I! I'd kill to avoid having wrinkles in a couple of years! I'd be working as a model for decades." Neil was very eager to know how. "So what is it? Diet? Exercise?"
Taren rolls his eyes."Neil, do any of these Atlanteans look like super athletes?" They can see what he means, everyone here seems to be ordinary and can find many children to grown adults and seniors as they walk through the market. "But no doubt something magic-related has to do with it."
"The gods said something about the Atlanteans destroying themselves when they were using something dangerous, we did find one of their devices that almost destroyed the world." Jay recalled the tail of it during their previous missions. "So, any luck with finding that helmet?"
"Sorry, Jay, we're still looking and not sure if we might have time to check the whole city" Archie told him. "Someone must have wanted to keep it hidden for centuries or the Atlanteans don't want us to."
"Wish we could help these people, I mean living down here must be rough." Atlanta couldn't imagine how they would be stuggling to survive for so long. "ANything about this Heart of Atlantis the book was mentioned?"
"It would… but bad news, we got one page missing." Jay shows them one page
Taren finds the WInx girls walking towards them. "Any luck?"
Bloom shakes her head. "Nope, we also did some exploring and thought maybe come back to look into that journal." She suddenly bumped into someone and stepped aside. "Oh, pardon me." Finding herself facing one of the winged creatures, he was tall and posing with the wings folded around him like a cape, his hair was long and dark with his skin pale grey and two curled horns from the sides of his head. They noticed he had the tattoo lines similar to the Atlanteans and a scar down his left eye and seemed to disapprove of their presence. He was accompanied by two others, one was more impish with reddish brown and white hair, the third was a female but with dark blue skin and auburn hair and wielding a bladed noticed all of them wore the crystals around their necks and even around their wrists as well.
"Uh… s-sorry." Bloom backed away and felt intimidated by his presence. "It's uh… nice city."
"As it once was." The winged creature spoke and casted his stern look on the others. "His highness may have allowed you outsiders to rest up, but if you dare pose any threat to Atlantis. You will learn to regret it."
"Hey, back off, pal!" Taren stepped in to defend his girlfriend. "We're looking to cause trouble."
"And as defenders of Atlantis, it is our duty to see to it." Imposing his authority onto the teenagers, but had halted to see Kida alongside Ventus approaching them. All three of them pulled away and kneeled before her out of respect.
"Captain Nightwing, might I ask what you are doing with our honored guests?" She spoke with authority upon the now named Nightwing who was a captain. Placing her hands on her hips to await his answer.
"Many apologies, princess, but when I received a report from the scouting party of outsiders, I had to be certain they pose no threat to the city." Nightwing kept his head down and dared to look up until he awaited her next response.
"They do not pose a threat to us, as many of them are but young ones." Kida told him, sighs and obviously ordered by her father. Turning to the heroes to apologize for the guards' behaviors. "I should be the one to ask for your forgiveness, they merely serve as protectors."
Taren could not fault her for something she wasn't in control of. "N-no problem, but mind asking… who… what are they?"
"We are Gargoyles, I am given the name Nightwing of the Atlantis Clan." Nightwing gave his name to them, even though Kida had mentioned it briefly. "And these are my lieutenants, Leonidus and Thea."
"Gargoyles?" Flora sounded surprised, usually seen as some evil creatures.
The one named Thea nodded to confirm the statement. "Yes, we were once many from the surface world, we became honorary citizens of Atlantis as its protectors, but a thousand years ago found many seeking refuge when they told us humans had hunted many."
Bloom couldn't believe that not only fairies once lived on Earth centuries ago, but also alongside Gargoyles? Maybe there were some Earth Fairies about and ask what happened. She was saddened to hear about their fate. "That's awful, we're truly sorry that happened to you."
"Yeah, but don't worry no one hasn't seen any so there could be some around. But no one believes in magic by now." Odie assures them and hopes to get on their good side.
"Even so, humans will one day learn of our existence and respond with fear and confusion." Nightwing didn't believe so for a slightest. "But it doesn't mean we believe coexistence is impossible, both our people have lost our homes." Turning his attention to the princess. "We will return to the palace and check on your father before we , princess."
Kida nodded, watching them depart and leave.
"Well, guess we now know Gargoyles really exist." Archie said and was surprised. "Hope not all of them are as grumpy as he is."
Kida could agree without saying a word. "Nightwing takes his position very seriously, he owes a great debt to my father for allowing their clan to seek refuge in return for keeping the city safe even after we were brought down here."
"Yeah, but check out those cool tattoos." Atlanta pointed to someone getting one from a tattoo artist.
"Awesome, hey maybe we could get some befo-ow! Ow!" Taren was suddenly yanked away by the intense pain of his ear being pulled away by Bloom.
"Don't even think about it, Taren." She would have thought he had something in mind for that and promised his mother to not try anything until he's 18… at least something she wouldn't disapprove of.
Kida assumed they were a couple and giggled. "So, perhaps you can tell me more about yourselves." Eager to know more about them. "Your friend, he is called hairy?"
"No, Herry." The son of Hercules corrected her.
"Neil, as you may know, is a top model from the surface." Neil smirks and poses for her.
"You are a… statue?" Kida was confused.
"If only he was and never talks." Archie said.
"No, most people like him pose for… work." Ven explains to her. "It's kinda like showing their physical traits."
It didn't seem to make sense to Kida still and sighs. "That does not make any sense, how could one be a model if not made of stone?"
As 'night' was drawing near, Kida led the group pasedt a small house as she was invited by the family to give them a warm welcome. A couple of children giggling ran by them into the and into the waiting arms of their father while the mother stands beside her husband with a plate of food. The father spoke in Atlantean to invite them with freshly cooked meals.
"They are inviting us to dinner if we wish." Kida translated for them.
"You sure? We don't want to intrude or anything." Bloom didn't want to feel like taking advantage of their hospitality.
"Do not worry, they have enough and are prepared for others." Kida assured her that they shouldn't turn down such a kind offer. Her face turned into amusement to see the hungry faces of her friends; Taren, his small yellow creature, Cid, Atlanta and Herry. "And seems your companions have already decided it for you."
"Oh that smells so good." Herry licked his lips and rubbed his stomach.
"I'm eager to eat anything." Cid couldn't agree more. "How about we get some grub."
"Now you're talking, old timer!" Atlanta grins and makes a head start.
"Hey! I'm not old!"
Making their way over and greet them warmly, they even see a large four-legged purple lizard-like creature with yellow stripes, 5 yellow eyes, and three large mandible like fangs, raises its head and watches the group before setting its head back down on its front feet on side in one of the window ledge. Curious of what other sorts of creatures exist down here as nothing like them exist on the surface.
Everyone was happily eating their meals, Flora, Neil and Mirta took a more vegetarian food and enjoyed the cuisines the Atlanteans have to offer. Bringing out their Digimon partners to enjoy the meals.
Ven and Aqua were beside Kida to try out the green noodles from his bowl and listening to Kida spoke. "So Herry is his name, but not hairy, Aqau is your name but named after the water. The pilot known as Cid, he is nice but always grumpy. And both you and Taren are wielders of the keyblades you spoke of, Bloom, Flora and Layla are Fair folk. Finally.. The little blue water creature you called… Gargle." Pointing to the water creature slurping up a bowl of water. "He's your pet?"
"Well, somewhat when you put it." Aqua giggles and almost thought it was funny. "But, we were wondering… have you seen some sort of helmet? Almost something belonging to his people, that somehow found its way here?"
Kida pondered and thought hard. "I… do believe something we found centuries ago, but my father hid it someplace."
The masters sighed, knowing this will be harder than they thought to convince him before they have to leave.
On the other side of the room, Atlanta, Herry and Cid were sitting together eating their food, Herry was a little uenasy about eating the prawn-like creature with so many eyes and while also alive. "I… have no idea what this thing is."
"Looks like prawn to me, but don't forget to eat the head, that's where all the nutrients are, kid." Cid told him and ate his dead one after ripping the head.
Atlanta held her own and shrugged before doing the same thing he did, earning a response of disgust and groan from her friends.
"Eeew!" Archie flinches while Neil gagged.
"Gross." Herry couldn't believe she did that.
The red haired huntress did not seem bothered while she chewed and swallowed it. "What? I did stuff like this for survival training."
Little did any of them know, elsewhere within the ruins from prying eyes were another group who found their way to Atlantis.
"From what we know, they have not yet found the helmet." The large figure growled under his breath, bearing teeth under the hood as he had to remain in hiding, yet it was not an easy task for one so large. "We should take them out when we have the chance."
"I like how you think, my large friend. But business comes before pleasure." Stepping out of the corner was Cronus, ensuring no one was aware of their presence and kept far from the population. "Remember, the moment they find the helmet or atleast its location, then you and you can have your fun."
Cronus never expected the civilization of Atlantis still thriving after thousands of years, a once advanced and mighty empire back in ancient times, reduced to a mere city struggling to survive. Curious of how the heroes know their way into the passage that he never expected, until he learned about a journal they were using that explained everything. Much as he wanted to be rid of them for good, yet for a rare moment decided to use them to lead him to the lost city. He never thought they would find it, nor would atlanteans still exist today.
Another appeared before them, concealed in a cloak and kneeled before Cronus and gave his report. "Lord Cronus, our spies have reported that they are now on the move, some have joined the one known as the princess of this city."
"Then they must be searching for the helmet." Cronus could only be certain, now was the time to make their move. "Get into position and follow the plan." Making his leave but stopped for a moment to glance back at Cronus.
"No problem." His large associate nodded. "By the way, what was it that you were so interested to find about this place?"
"Oh, just… I found something that has caught my attention" Cronus chuckled and wore a sinister grin on his face with a fiendish scheme in mind. "A very valued prize indeed."
And we're done, decided to end it there for now and finish the final arc of the Atlantis, much of it be different and working on it, such as adding the Gargoyles as according to source material, there was suppose to be a crossover between the two so thougth to make them into a Atlantis Clan or something and serve as citizens and guards of the city. There will be some explaination as to why some are awake at day when they should be stone statues at day, but had some idea when one of the clans had medallions that kept them awake.
So, the heroes are closer to finding the helmet, but will find out they're not alone and the city will be in grave danger. YOu'll have to find out, also while despite having the website back, STILL not getting any alerts of messagres NOR new stories/chapters so will have to keep an eye out for the reviews and messages as I can. hope you enjoy the story, fill free to leave constructive reviews!