Chapter 82: Battle for the Crystal
With the Heart of Atlantis, along with Kida, who was bonded with the crystal was now in Cronus' hands after they had made their escape. Unable to go after them after the bridge was destroyed, no one had any idea where they could be, but there were other matters at stake. As the king was fatally wounded and in a severe condition, Mirta would easily recover with Flora and Taren to heal her. Gatoman remained beside her partner.
Mirta groaned while she laid on her back, but slowly starting to feel the effects of their work, she was able to sit up but slowly.
"How's she doing?" Archie thought to ask her.
"She should be fine now, we healed her of any damage, but took some time to recover
Flora helped her by holding her shoulder. "Easy, Mirta, you'll be fine."
"Are you okay?" Gatomon asked her.
"I'm fine, thanks, guys. I feel better. But it was my fault for letting my guard down." Feeling it was partly hers to blame for her friends to lose.
"They took you by surprise, none of us knew what to expect." Taren assured her that no one blamed her.
Mirta looks down, unconvinced by his words. "No, if I said something about my condition, I wouldn't be this weak right now."
"Condition? What happened?" Bloom's curiosity made her think that the chain was enchanted somehow to affect fairies, but was confused when Odie looked at it closer and realized it was just an ordinary chain and couldn't have had any effect on them. Except for Mirta.
The magenta haired girl let out a sigh and decided to tell them. I have this rare condition, very rare as I'm actually allergic to iron. Not much, but if I touch it too long, I feel myself growing weaker."
"Is that possible?" Taren never heard of this before and was the first time to find out about it.
Jay provided him with some information that he knows. "There have been legends that iron is believed to repel or harm certain kinds of supernatural, like spirits, using a horseshoe for luck against evil forces, witches, even fairies in some legends."
Bloom had recalled some folklore that she remembered. "I read about that from some books before I found out that I was a fairy, I thought it was just made up." She kneels down to comfort Mirta.
Ventus and Cid return to the palace. "Everyone alright?" The blonde asked, but knew they weren't feeling positive.
"Apart from being attacked by giants and those psychotic nutjobs who tried to kill us, we're good. Especially me." Neil answers his question while dusting himself off, he was fortunate to avoid being hit or scratched with his luck.
"Well there's good news and bad news. "While I was looking for signs of a way out of here, I stumbled upon Cronus and his gang in the caverns, by the look of things they must have a private force with them."
"Why didn't he just leave when he had the crystal?" Theresa thought it was strange for Cronus to stick around for long and not make his escape.
"Cronus said he was after the helmet of Ultimate Technology." Odie confirmed it when he was held captive and overheard them.
"We should get to the bridge and chase after them." Taren suggested and hopefully still has a chance to catch up to Cronus.
"Uh, that might be a little problem." Cid scratched his rugged chin. "While we were fighting, some of those bastards blew up the only bridge we needed to cross the lava. No doubt to keep us from leaving or just to slow us down."
Archie let out a groan over the bad news. "Great, so we're stuck here."
Taren and Bloom shared a look of dismay before they turned around to see Aqua who was with the king. "How's he doing?" Taren asked them, both wore a downcasted look on her face.
Aqua shook her head with dismay. "Not good, he's taken a pretty bad hit and not enough strength to use my magic to heal him."
"There's got to be something we can do." Ventus sighs and thinks about how bad this is. "It's our fault for coming here."
Herry shakes his head and puts a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder. "Don't blame yourself, bro. Cronus would have come here sooner or later."
"Your friend speaks the truth, it is we who have failed asprotectors of Atlantis, now the princess taken and they have the crystal."
Bloom thought of something. "We can help without magic, or those crystals that should do the trick-
"No, child." The king coughed, raising his hand to stop her.
Nightwing kneels down to his king, urging him to accept their help. "Your highness, their magic can-"
"I have lived too long, old friend." Kashekim let out a painful cough. "I have served as king to the people of Atlantis…. and made many mistakes. But I must ask…where's my daughter?" Turning to the keybearers and heroes of the whereabouts of his daughter.
Everyone around him remained silent, unable to tell him in his severe state until Ventus decided to speak up to answer his question as best he can. "She… uh…the crystal…she somehow merged with it."
The King's expression turns from shock to dismay, knowing what this meant and to his fear. "She has been chosen. Like her mother before her."
"What?" Aqua didn't understand what he was saying.
"Uh, yeah, mind filling us in?" Neil raises an eyebrow in confusion. "Like what exactly do you mean by chosen?"
The king tiredly looks at the young hero and to the others and says. "In times of danger, the crystal will choose a host, one of royal blood to protect itself and its people. It will accept no other." The king tells them about the crystal, but from the he described it, as if it was a living being rather than a mere crystal with great power.
"W-Wait a minute. Choose? So this thing is… alive?" Archie thought if he heard correctly.
"In a way. The crystal thrives on the collective emotions of all who came before us." Kashekim explains, yet confirms their question as he continues once he recovers. "In return, it provides power, longevity, and protection. As it grew, it developed a consciousness of its own." Picks up the crystal necklace around his neck and holds it out before he lets out another cough. "In my arrogance, I sought to use it as a weapon of war, but its power proved too great to control. It overwhelmed us and led to our destruction."
The heroes all shared a mutual thought of what the king was telling them that may have shed some light on the mysterious disappearance of Atlantis caused by the king to hide the remaining city beneath the surface with the crystal. It would possibly explain how their culture was slowly fading away and no one was able to read their own writing, or how to use the technology after the disaster.
"So that's how it happened and why you had to hide it beneath the city." Bloom was beginning to understand it all. "You wanted to keep history from repeating itself."
The dying king nods tiredly to confirming Bloom's answer. "And to prevent Kida from suffering the same fate as my beloved wife." The memory of his wife, taken from him at the moment of being bonded to the crystal to save Atlantis brought moments of pain of losing her. He couldn't afford to have his only child share the same fate.
"What do you mean? Wh…What's going to happen to Kida?" Taren asked him, yet he may not like what the answer will be.
"If she remains bonded to the crystal, she could be lost to it. Forever." The painful memories of his wife being taken from him resurfaced. Unable to bear the thought of losing Kida as well.
"And with Kida bonded to the crystal, there's no telling what Cronus will do with a power like that." Theresa didn't like the idea of what he would do with such devastating power.
"With Cronus, it's never good." Herry said.
"All the more reason to stop him." Jay tells them.
"The love of my daughter is all I have left." He takes off his crystal necklace, ignoring the silent pleads of his guards. "My burden would have become hers when the time was right, but now it falls to you." Handing the crystal over to the surprised Ventus. Giving him the crystal necklace to the keyblade master and using the last ounce of his remaining strength to firmly grasp his hand. "Go. Wielders of the Keyblade, heroes of the gods. Save Atlantis. Save my daughter."
They watch as the king's last ounce of life leaves him, his hand slips out of ventus' grip and falls, confirming that he has passed away. The guards lower their heads in sadness of their king's death. The heroes did the same as they could do nothing to save him, Theresa leaned against Jay for comfort, the leader was surprised but accepted anyway.
Taren sees Flora and Blom embracing each other, knowing this was the first time they possibly witness someone to die. He didn't experience it much, but knew at a time in their lives would one day face such tragedies. They needed to do something to save the city and Kida, but couldn't with the bridge destroyed.
"This is a terrible day." Layla felt she let them down
"If Atlantis still had some ships we could be flying out of here and after Cornus." Atlanta muttered, not aware that she just gave Odie a thought of something that might actually be the answer.
"Wait, I think we can!" Odie's face lit up and sprinted off, leaving the palace with the others confused. "Follow me! And bring those crystals as well."
"Odie? Where are you going?" Mirta was trying to get up but still felt weak until Flora caught her.
"You better stay here, you're still not fully recovered." Flora gently laid her back down.
Bloom nods to agree. "Flora, you better stay here with her. We'll be right back."
The rest followed along with Nightwing and the guards to follow Odie to where he was leading them.
"Odie, you got a plan?" Jay can easily guess that Odie has one.
Odie nods at him. "You know it and all thanks to Kida." Guides them down the steps and approaches a large object shaped like a fish.
"Uh, what are you doing?" Layla raises an eyebrow of what he was doing.
But Jay and Ventus knew exactly what he was doing and got the same idea. "I think I know, Odie, why don't you show them." Jay smiles as he knew what would happen.
"You got it. Anyone got a crystal?" One of the guards tosses one to Odie, he inserts it into the slot and activates the flyer, causing it to glow and hover a few feet from the ground. Everyone present, including the Atlanteans except for Jay and Ventus watched in disbelief. "It's simple, all you do is use the crystals to get these up and running."
Excited, Atlanta climbs up and sits behind him. "That's all, no sweat." But she didn't give Odie the chance to explain everything.
Jay and Odie were alarmed and tried to warn her. "Atlanta, no wait!" but it was too late when she pressed her hand on the control pad,sending the flyer crashing into a stone wall backwards, temporarily deactivating it.
The speedster smiled sheepishly and chuckled. "Uh, oops."
Odie adjusted his glasses and relieved they didn't shoot out like the last one did. "Easy on the control pad, Atlanta. You have to do it gently." Taking the crystal out of the slot, but finds the flyer a wreck and unable to fly.
"Say, do you guys have anything sporty looking? I'm thinking of something that reflects my style like a Tuna?" Neil thought of riding one. "Oh, and maybe a helmet, I don't wanna ruin my hair."
Nightwing was in awe that the flyers could now be able to fly with the lost secrets brought by the outsiders. "We now can use the crystals again." And hopefully to save the princess.
The Atlantean warriors were also on the same thought and one of them asked. "How is this done?"
Ventus answers their question. "All you have to do is use the crystals." Climbing on a Hammerhead using the crystal the late king gave him. "Half-turn right, half-turn left, keep your hand on the control pad." Demonstrating this to them of how it can be done, activating the flyer himself. "Jay, you use this one. Me and Aqua have our gliders with us." Both the masters magically summon equipped themselves with armor and transform their keyblades into gliders.
"Wow!" Archie admitted how cool their gliders are.
Atlanta grins and says. "I really want one of those!"
Everyone then chooses their flyers and starts activating them one by one. Taren thought this would be a chance to stop them, so he jumped into one of the flyers that was shaped like a hammerhead. Bloom jumped in to sit behind him due to how fast these ancient machines might be and save the energy for the battle.
Theresa and Jay got on to another Hammerhead, Layla sat beside them until they crossed over the lava to fly on her own. Archie and Herry each have a fish-shaped flyer while Atlanta joins up with Odie.
Neil didn't seem so eager. "Wait, I don't have a helmet! What if it ruins my hair or gets messy-AAHH!" He was suddenly yanked up by a growing vine, lifting him by the ankle and dropped on a tuna flyer.
Everyone looked over to find it was done by Flora with Mirta holding on to her by the arm.
Herry chuckles over how funny it was. "Sorry, Neil, but we got a princess to save."
The warriors and Gargoyles get their own reactivated for the first time in thousands of years, breaking from the vines that covered them and head towards the keyblade masters. The Atlantean army was ready for battle.
"Alright everyone, time to give Cronus and his pals a little something he won't forget." Aqua proclaims.
"Let's do this!" With that, Ventus takes the lead for the group to fly over the lava tunnels, passing over the cheering Atlanteans below them and watching them go off to save Kida. Flora watches them leave, worrying for both Taren Bloom, but also her friends as well. Carefully holding Mirta who stood beside her and wishing them the best of luck.
Meanwhile, Cronus was overseeing the operation with the soldiers and the Tsviets keeping a lookout for any sign of trouble, the giants were also on guard as well. The princess bonded to the crystal was sealed in a metal container without risk of touching her, making certain it was sealed tight and the chains to carry it out of the cave. All appears to be going as he hoped, yet while he has the power of the crystal at his fingertips, they still need the helmet and it's in the heroes' hands and need to get their hands on it.
Azul makes his way over to the god with one of his giant henchmen beside him. "Lord Cronus, we're picking up several fast moving objects heading this way."
Rosso adjusted her gunblade and started firing at one of the flyers, but they were fast and dodged it, she realised it was piloted by one of the Winx club who conjured up a pink shield. She was prepared to fire when a lightning bolt shot across, throwing her off her balance and saw it was made by Aqua. She growls and looks over to Cronus with the others fending them off "I thought you said their tech no longer works!"
"A habit of underestimating them would appear." Cronus admitted and had a pretty good idea about certain people.
Uncertain of what it was until they heard a distant sound and were able to see something in the distance. Scowls and realised the heroes had managed to think of a way out of another situation he put them in. "Get to your positions now!" Ordering them to take action, causing the goons to scurry about and begin firing.
Aqua noticed where they were, standing on top of a dormant volcano if what Odie told them from before. "That can't be good." Pulls out her earpiece. "Everyone, this is Aqua, look where they're standing right now."
Azul stood guard before the container, firing his heavy weapon at the flyers.
Ventus knew they had to take him out and ready for a rematch. He saw the chains around it and thought of an idea to get "We gotta get him away from the container, Taren, you and the others keep them busy. I'll go and get those chains."
Taren nodded. "Got it!"
Bloom joins him as Layla runs to them. "You ready, Layla?"
She nods. "Ready! Magic Winx!" Both of them transform into their Winx form, taking flight in the air and blasting both fire and water against one of the charging giants, catching him by surprise when Layla uses a sticky liquid to conceal his eyes. The red giant tried to pull it off his face, but Taren jumped and swiped his keyblade into the gut that sent him hurtling several feet across.
More of the goons charged to attack them, but were swiftly taken out by Taren and Ventus with their keyblades and used a combo of Seeker Mines and Quake.
Rosso and Azul continued firing their weapons along with the gunners to take out the flyers, but they were moving too fast for some. "They really want to be killed that bad!"
"Then let's give them a hand!" Azul took his sight on the Tuna flyer where Neil was flying. Taking in the shot and grins. "One hero coming down." Yet, unaware that the descendant of Narcissus had a special trait.
Neil saw a show of bullets shot towards him and made a near girlish cry. "AHH!" Ducking forward, one of his hands pressed against the pad and inadvertently caused the flyer to fire a single continuous bolt of lightning out of the mouth, tearing through the ground for a moment before hitting one of the trucks with Azul and Rosso, forcing them to jump out of the way before it exploded.
Herry and Odie couldn't believe what they saw, even the Atlanteans have as well. "Neil, did you do that?"
"Uh, yeah, I guess I did." The male model smiles with confidence that he did that. By luck.
Cid grins and tries it out. "Okay, now things are interesting!" Finding the tables have turned in their favour.
"Guys, we gotta keep them busy until Kida is safe!" Odie reminded them of the plan.
Cronus growls, seeing the keybladers in action and attempting to foil his plans. Brings out a pair of his scythes in each hand before joining the conflict. "If it's one thing I can't stand, it's heroes like you, never learn to quit!"
"Yeah, that's just a common trait." Taren says. "Now why don't you save us the trouble and let us take Kida back."
Despite the odds against the god, Cronus chuckles which seems to confuse the heroes. "Oh, Taren, you spent too much time with Jay to underestimate me so often." Folds his arms and shakes his head to mock the boy.
Before they could ponder what he was talking about when they noticed a large shadow casting over them, taking a look and saw it was a towering bipedal creature with a muscular built Brown-orange torso with four arms, having a demonic looking face with an overgrown lower jaw and two long horns, his lower half was a serpentine dark tail and had a set of protrusions extending out from both sides of his torso. They noticed that he was wielding two different weapons, a large axe and a broad sword without a guard.
"Allow me to introduce you to Nox, General of Destruction." Cronus casually introduces the creature to them. "Nox,meet the Keyblades and the.. Winx. Finish them!" Giving his command and the creature obeyed, bringing up his battle axe with both upper hands and swung down on his new foes, the group scattered and jumped out of the way from the sharp blade before it planted deep into the rocks.
Both Bloom and Layla's wings flapped to carry them in the air for distance, while Taren had remained on the ground to do the same, he saw the tail swung at him in an attempt to crush him with its weight, but dodged it and struck his keyblade at its lower waist, only to clash against the broad sword that Nox used to take the impact and swatted him away.
"This one is a tough one." Layla didn't like how this monster reminded her of the monsters sent by Darkar.
"We gotta take it out but not overuse our powers on top of a volcano." Bloom had to think of a strategy to help her boyfriend. Creating a fireball in her hand and shooting it straight towards Nox from the front, however he blocked it with his muscular forearm and only left a minor scorch mark with a brief smoke. However, it got his attention and glares at the two fairies.
Layla gulps nervously. "Was that supposed to be the plan?"
Bloom shook her head. "Nope." They saw the swinging axe and flew away to dodge it. Her attack didn't do anything, but only just made him more mad.
Nox slithers to continue swinging his bladed weapons, only to be struck from the back by a keyblade, turning around to face the one from before. Taren got him from chasing the girls and thought to help out. Catches the keyblade in his hand and turns to the blonde. "Ventus! We'll handle this one, you get Kida!"
"What do you think i'm doing!" Ventus twirls his keyblade to block each scythe swung by, taking the defence and interlocked with their blades. Surprised how strong the mad god is to par against him.
Cronus backed off as Ventus pushed him. Twirling his blades in each hand. "I fought many who are more powerful than you mortals could ever be!" Glaring daggers at his opponent.
"And I fought those who were as psychotic as you have." Ventus swats his keyblade in a vertical strike, using full force to club him in the face. The god was able to take the beating, yet was surprised by the full force of being sent hurtling towards the iron box and slammed against it, making a grunting sound.
Jay and Theresa noticed their friends in trouble fighting off against a giant monster. "Looks like Cronus brought in the surprise for us." Theresa saw Bloom and Layla dodging the four armed monster swinging his weapons at them and using his tail to saw Taren away, but he swiftly avoids them.
"Let's give them a hand." Jay reached his hand out to the pad to shoot an energy beam like Neil did, streaking up to the creature when out of nowhere a shadowy mist swooped by and bashed against their flyer, the two let out a startled yelp, their flyer took some hit and shook, but Jay was able to get it back up while Theresa clinged to him for support. "You okay?"
"Yeah, looks like they don't want to give us an easy time." Oblivious to Jay from seeing a flushed expression on her face when she hugged him firmly, but had to stay focused on the mission.
Taren was having a hard time knowing how to beat this thing, he had to do something to help the girls. Layla shoots out pink streams of gel over its face, giving them the advantage over his temporary blindness. "Bloom!"
"Got it!" The fairy of the Dragon once again creates a stream of fire, but Nox blocked her attack with his axe and used one of his spare hands to reach out towards her and grabbed her.
"Bloom!" Both Layla and Taren cried out to her as she struggled to free herself. Taren glared at him with his girlfriend in danger, determined to save her, a strong aura building up around him in a bright glow and shot forward with his keyblade in both hands, swirling around with dazzling flames and slammed into the general's back. Causing Nox to let out a painful roar and being forced to release Bloom from his grasp and fly away, this allowed Taren to take the advantage.
A swirling force was building within him, channeling from his heart and into his keyblade, a bright orange aura glows around him and, his keyblade, engulfed in the magical aura takes the form of a sword. Nox charges towards him, gripping tight on the weapons to attack, yet, he was not fast enough when Taren moved faster than a blink of an eye. Barely able to process missing his opponent, Nox suddenly let out a gasp and felt several strikes against his torso, Taren appeared before him and swatted his weapon across, but nox used his sword to take the impact. Taren didn't slow down, he remained suspended in midair and flew in a speed to leave behind several shimmering images of himself.
Layla blinked her eyes and was unable to believe what she was seeing. "How is Taren able to do that?" Asking in a tone of awe.
Bloom was silent and never seen this technique before, yet felt strong power coming from her boyfriend as he was now taking on the large towering creature.
Nox tries to strike his sword but misses, as it was another shimmer, he found the red haired boy high above him. Taren threw his legs high up, forming a crouching position as if creating a force from his feet to jettison him straight down and formed a spinning rotation in a wheel formation as his keyblade slashed Nox right down to the ground. The creature roared and then he was engulfed in a dark purplish aura when he was now defeated and vanished.
Aqua recognised that move and never thought he actually did it. 'That… that was a Bladecharge! How did he do that?'
Not far to witness it, Azul saw the battle and now became very interested in facing the keyblader in another time. 'Well, this just got more interesting.'
"Come on, everything's set and now to play our part." He hears Rosso calling out to him, avoiding being spotted during the battle and doing what they were supposed to do.
"Your right, time to turn up the heat."
Taren sighed in relief to have beaten the monster with, and yet he had no idea what happened or what he just did.
Cronus was pulling himself up, groaning from the attack by a mortal when suddenly he was cornered by Ventus, but also with Aqua and Jay who turned up. All three pointing their bladed weapons at him.
"It's over Cronnus, you lost." Jay kept his guard up, knowing the ancient god would try something up his sleeve.
"This is the powerful god Hera told us about? I didn't think it was easy to beat him." Aqua almost thought this would be a tough battle.
Her words suddenly clicked in Jay's mind, something didn't feel right about this. "Wait a second." Steps forward and reaches out his hand to grab Cronus, only for his hand to phase through it. "It's a trick!"
Ventus realised he was fighting an illusion the whole time. "Then where is he?"
As they pondered, Rosso came out of her hiding spot twith a device in her hand. Pushing the button with her finger and triggered a series of explosions all around the cavern, this caught everyone by surprise of what was happening.
"What's going on?!" Atlanta saw a huge explosion.
"Uhh, I think we've got bigger problems." Archie saw several cracks coming up from the ground.
The battle suddenly ceased, and almost presumed to have won with all the monsters and mercenaries vanished, only to be in another situation. Only much worse.
Odie realised what was happening and as hot boiling lava was emerging out of the cracks that formed. "Everyone! The volcano's about to erupt!"
Cid made a 'tch' sound of the kid making a big deal out of it. "At least I had nothing to do with it." While giving his defence until realizing one of his dynamites was sparkling, realising his mistake and quickly put it out.
"We gotta get out of here, now!" Odie said, which was pretty obvious for everyone to avoid being burned alive by the magma.
Ventus and Jay were able to get the chains together while still intact and connected to the iron box. "First we need to get Kida back to the city before we're all buried in lava."
They both grabbed hold of the lone chain that is still intact and connected it to the box, making sure it was hooked and had a good grip. Jay yells to them. "We have to get Kida back to the city or were all dead anyway!" and tosses it to Tatsurion who wraps it around the tail of Taren and Bloom's flyer while Aqua creates a barrier to give them time. Taren thought it was a good idea for him to be sent back home and returned him back to the Kaiju realm before they get caught in the eruption.
"You may have won this time, young heroes." Cronus proclaimed to the heroes and keybladers, standing next to a portal he created with the others escaped. Yet, he didn't seem mad, but wore a grin. "But at least I have the consolation prize." Pulls out a bag and reveals in his hand was the Helmet of Ultimate Technology that he swiped from under their noses.
Bloom gasped. "The helmet!" He must have somehow obtained it when they were in battle and forgot all about it for a moment. And now it was in his hands.
Cronus lets out a chuckle after seeing the looks on their faces. "Until another time!" With that, he made his departure into the portal as it immediately vanished.
"He got away!" Archie couldn't believe their luck.
Jay's face hardens as if they just lost this moment. But knew they had a bigger priority than chasing after the Mad God. "We've got no time! Let's get back to the city now!"
Taren immediately returns Tatsurion back to his realm before the group rapidly takes off, Aqua and Ventus made certain to keep a good hold of the iron box as they flew out back towards Atlantis through the lava tunnels with the magma close behind them with Ventus and Aqua keeping a good hold of the box. The keybladers conjure a Barrier or Reflect, while the Winx create a protective shield from the globs of lava as they race through the tunnel.
They successfully make it out of the tunnels, only to find the vehicle they used for the travels to be engulfed in the lava and knowingly Cid and Herry would groan in dismay as it was taken by the lava.
"Ah! Damn! I worked day and night on that thing!" Cid muttered after all his hard work, gone.
Flora and Mirta who were with the inhabitants saw them fly back over to Atlantis, they find their friends landing on the platform.
"You're back!" Mirta was relieved to see them back safe.
"Yeah, but we got bigger issues, girls!" Theresa says as they gently lower the box to the ground for him and Taren to use their keyblades.
At the edge of the platform Herry and Atlanta both watch the lava seeping the wall by the lava tunnels.
"Uh, guys, I know you got this covered, but maybe you could, hmm, I dunno… " Neil gives the keybladers a calm look when he says before he went into hysteria. "HURRY IT UP BEFORE WE GET FRIED?!"
With little time to spare, the keybladers successfully open the box with their keyblades and the sides of it begin floating away before they begin orbiting around Kida while the trio backs off a few feet. The carvings in the platform begin to illuminate and spread across the entirety of the palace. Suddenly, the platform beneath them rumbles as the rocks that have the carved faces of the previous monarchs burst through the platform now glowing again. Each one of them began to rapidly increase their orbit as she began ascending high up in the air.
When the Atlantean princess ascends above the top of the palace the rocks begin spinning faster until they form a ring. The crystal shoots out and a beam of light hits one of the ancient guardian statues, making it come to life and stand on its feet for the first time since the Great Flood. The process repeats several times as the statues all across the plateau make their way to the perimeter of the city. They clap their stone hands and form an energy shield as the magma bursts through the wall. The protective dome forms just in time as the magma crashes up against it. Everyone watches in awe as the magma creeps along the force field before covering the entire city entirely without being harmed.
On the outside, bright flash of light instantly solidifies the magma into a harmless rock, lasting only but a moment before the cracks begin to form, spreading across the surface of the shell and rays of light shine through the gaps as the hardened lava crumbles away, revealing the energy dome that has protected Atlantis remain active.
As the dome fades away, the sections of rocks between each of the guardians at the edge crumble away by the impact of the falling debris, causing massive amounts of the water to flow through the gaps, draining away into the hot molten lava and creating huge clouds of steam.
With the danger now passed, the shield dispersed, everyone was relieved that no harm came to them. Ventus looks around and sees a bright light shining down through the clouds, everyone looks up to see Kida, now fully restored to her normal state as she slowly descends towards them until Ventus when the light vanishes.
"Looks like she's back to normal." Aqua was relieved as everyone was.
"Hey, she's coming around." Bloom saw her beginning to stir with her eyes slowly open to see everyone and then turned to Ventus who held her in his arms. "... Ventus?"
Giving her a simple nod and smiles before she looks down at her right hand which is closed around an object and after opening it was a small bracelet, unknown to all, but to Kida it was something that was truly special to her as she once wore the bracelet as a child until she lost it when her mother bonded with the crystal to save Atlantis. This brought many memories of her mother and seeing this given to her could only have been her mother
Closing her eyes for a moment before flinging her arms around the startled blonde keybearer and hugs him. After getting over his shock for a moment, Ventus didn't resist and held her close to comfort her.
Taren smiles to see her back, when he looks over his shoulder, it made his face go in awe and calls to everyone. "Hey, check out the view."
Everyone looked to the direction Taren was facing, and they walked over to the edge of the platform to see what was once a submerged underwater city now visible for all to see with the water much lower.
"Wow, now that is a city known as Atlantis." Archie could hardly believe it.
"I never would have dreamed of this day to come." Nightwing had never seen the city with the rest of it submerged, now with them restored would bring Atlantis back to its former glory.
"Man, this is a city I could enjoy." Cid was very impressed.
Aqua looks to her side and mildly chuckles. "I think someone else is more impressed than just that." She caught sight of Kida taking Ventus' hand in hers, as he accepted it. She thought he deserved it and believed she would make a good match for him. Terra will be in for a surprise when she tells him what happened when she gets back.
"Come on! I wanna take a few photos of the place before we set off tomorrow! I wanna remember the day that we came to Atlantis!" Theresa wanted to have a few photos shot of the buildings and scenes now that the mission was over, she wanted to keep this as one of those fond memories to keep.
"At least this wasn't like the one we were to that tried to collapse on us." Herry says while enjoying the banquet thrown in their honor as saviours.
"Not to mention girls." Neil was waving to the Atlantean girls who gathered around him, obviously taking in the moment as being treated as one of their heroes for saving them. "As you can guess, we fought in such dangers and without me, we wouldn't be here and save the world." The girls giggle and charmed over his handsomeness, yet also giving some attention to the male heroes as well.
Layla couldn't help but roll her eyes, unable to believe that he was one of the actual heroes who saved Earth the first time just by having luck on his side, literally. Sitting with her friends and turns to Atlanta and Theresa. "Does he always act like this?"
"Layla, you have no idea." Theresa shared her thoughts as everyone, but as much as they believed it was a mistake, the Gods say he is one of the seven heroes to defeat Cronnus.
"I can vouch for that, Layla, I was there." Mirta could only help but sigh while taking a bite of a fruit.
"Well, we did save Atlantis, but Cronus did get the helmet that we were supposed to get." Atlanta felt bad that they let Cronus take the win. Yet, no one seems to be a bid down. "But hey, you should have seen how Taren was taking on that monster, it was so cool!"
"Yeah, I didn't know if it was something of a keyblade magic thing, but he somehow used it to save Bloom." Layla still thought to ask him how it happened but thought it was real amazing.
"He did?" Mirta thought of him and hearing the story of what he did, it must have been real brave of him to do that for someone to love and protect. Making her heart flutter just by thinking of it.
"Hey, let's go and have a blast, I wanna enjoy the dance while the night is still young." Thersa thought they should have some fun.
Atlanta grins and leans towards her with a coy look on her face. "Maybe try to get Jay to dance with you?"
The thought of it made Theresa becoming shy and stutter. "Uh, well, maybe he.. Might not be…"
"Wait, do you have a thing for him?" Bloom could clearly tell that Theresa had a crush on Jay that it as it reminded her of when she first met Taren. It brought back memories of those feelings.
"No! I mean, well, he's just a friend." But her expression gave it away and caused the girls to laugh.
"Yeah, right. Jsut like how Mir-" Atlanta suddenly stopped and felt a foot kicking her's, only to find it was from Mirta who was acting all innocently and sipping. Not sure what that was about but went along with it. "Come on, we should have some fun. We can't have the Atlanteans and the boys to have all the fun." Atlanta encouraged them to get up and dance.
"Now you're speaking my language." Layla joined her and decided to have a good time to celebrate.
Bloom and Flora thought to join in, but thought to stay with Mirta. "So, how are you feeling?" Flora asked Mirta.
"A little better now, still that iron really took a lot out of me." Still feeling bad as if she was to blame.
"Hey, if it's all the same, I didn't do much either, guess that Kaiju was stronger than I thought." Bloom assured her as she learned that the creature they thought was a summoned Kaiju. "We just gotta be ready next time and stick together as the Winx Club."
Taking in her words in thought, Mirta gave a warm smile. "Yeah, guess I really need to watch my back. Don't wanna end up as a vegetable again."
"But I would have made a cute pumpkin anyway." Flora giggles to lighten the mood before they hear someone shout out.
"Agumon! Don't eat the whole fish! You'll choke on it!" They hear Taren's voice, something to do with his Digimon
"Did he just swallow an ENTIRE fish?!" Odie sounded surprised.
"Hey! That was my catch, you greedy dino!" Another sounded like Gatomon, obviously angry towards Agumon who somehow ate an entire fish they caught and not shared it.
Everyone eventually had an enjoyable moment before they would have to return to the surface.
Slowly waking up from a good sleep, Taren felt much better and let out a yawn after waking up from a good sleep. Finding himself in one of the royal chambers inside the palace that Kida provided for the heroes for all they have done for her. He took one for a night and felt much better than he thought after the battle. 'Oh, damn. Today was so crazy, and my first time sleeping in the Lost City.'
Groaning while enjoying the bed so comfy, he would have to get out of bed eventually to meet up with the others to a ship the princ-uh, queen Kida found that would provide them the means of travel after their vehicle was totalled by the tried getting up to get dressed and freshen up, but blinked, fully waking up and confused that he can't move. "Uh, what's going on?" His question would be answered as he feels both pairs of arms held firmly around his, as well as his legs.
Then he heard a soft moan, turning to his side and found Bloom who was fast asleep and nuzzling into his left with his arm held by hers and firmly pressed to her chest with a soft smile on her face as if feeling her warmth. His face was soft pink from how adorable she looked. But then turned to his right and found Flora in her nightgown, and didn't do much to hide her developing curves, she had her arm around his torso, while his arm laced around her hip and close to her rear.
'Oh CRAP! How do I get out of this?! Wait, how did they sneak in?!' Taren had no idea how this happened. Could they have snuck in while he was asleep? His face became more crimson and shut his eyes tight and tried to remain focused. 'Okay, Taren, try not to think of any sexy thoughts, just think of your training to remain calm. Do not be distracted by your two girlfriends sleeping. And showing so much skin, they really have … grown much. They smell so good and the sight of them sleeping like this is-NO! Must. Resist. Gotta wiggle out and…'
Until he realised something he missed. Carefully trying to pry his arms out of the girls' embrace and not to wake them up as he sat was able to lift his head up to his shock when he found found Mirta… comfortably snug between his waist and Flora's, hugging him with no intention of letting go with her head on his toned stomach, unable to see the smile on her face and feeling much better than she was. Well, if only for Taren in his situation.
'If mom and Dad found me in bed with three girls, they'll ground me for life! Or worse, Lea would get the wrong idea and burn me to a crisp if he saw me with Mirta!' Mentally groaning in dismay of the thought of it, yet cannot deny thinking this must be what it's like in one of those harem anime. 'I don't know if I should feel lucky or a dead man! This is hell!'
After saving Atlantis, the group had all gathered before a large Narwhale vehicle that almost appeared to be like a submarine as to be their transport back to the surface. They each receive a necklace by Kida with a crystal like all the citizens wear, accompanied by her guards to bid them farewell.
"Atlantis will honor your bravery, I just wish there was more we could do for you." Kida says.
Cid had some ideas in mind while fiddling with his necklace a little. "I can think of a few in mind to help your people get back up and running this place again."
"Although these do look fabulous." Neil was admiring his necklace. "With this, my looks would surely last long to keep up with the modelling career."
Nightwing approached them. "We will take you as far as the surface to meet with your allies. It is the least we can do for you."
Jay nodded and shook his hand. "Thank you, and besides you could find new friends like us one day."
Aqua thanked them for the help and looked to Ventus. "So you decided to stay here for the time being?" She was surprised by his decision to stay for a little longer when he told her his choice.
Ventus nods. "Would help them to learn a few things they missed in the last few thousand years and also to not let another incident like this happen again."
"We'll send some down here to help you out on the way. Gotta need to work on a portal then go the long way." Cid didn't like the idea of facing that oversized mechanical lobster again.
"Make sure you find that Cronus and give him a good beating for tricking us and taking that helmet." Ventus said.
Taren smiles and nods. "Got it."
"Hey, let's take a photo before we head off." Layla smiles as they gather around before the sub to have their photo taken.
Odie had set up the camera with a timer and all took their positions before the picture was taken for their journey to Atlantis.
I apologize for the lack of activities but hope you all had a good festive holiday and lots of presents from christmas. We are now approaching the end of the year so this will be the last chapter of the year. I would have finished this earlier but now want to focus on getting the second season completed while work out ideas for the kanji sub-arc, there will be a war like in the second kaijudo season, but a little different.
Taren has now unlocked a new technique, the Bladecharge and like to thank to cjboughton for the idea. And now for the final artefact, the others will run into a space adventure and one I will give hint for a new year treat, they will run into a robot out in space. But the one in the bed surprise, that was me hehe, he may have somehow gotten out without problems but with how much craziness going about, this is just the beginning. *devious snicker*
Also for the harem, for anyone to have a choice, should I stick to three or maybe add a 4th such as Layla or leave her paired up with Nabu for the canon? Send me your reviews and critics, as well as any ideas.
So wish you all a Happy new year!