I stepped into a world of its own wonder, a world that somehow survived being engulfed by an ocean and dragged below the sea. Through all that, Atlantis still somehow managed to maintain itself. I smiled as I saw Kida but before I could approach her and greet an old friend, I ducked down into hiding as I saw new faces following her.   Those are not Atlanteans... In this case they must be surface dwellers, but how did they get here and why are they here?   I chose to remain hidden amongst the foliage and follow the group from a distance, trying my best to keep my cloak from brushing against weak twigs, hoping to maintain a silent presences. 

Kida proceeded to introduce the group to her father, much to his dismay, later treated them to meal of her culture's unique dishes, then she and this lanky, glasses clad man, Milo I believe, snuck away. To a swim... Oh Kida how naughty 

I lightly laughed to myself at the silly thought as I  made my way to the remaining group. As I was watching the remaining group, scanning over them curiously, my eyes landed on the one I believe to be Rourke.  Something about this man ticks me the wrong way..  My suspicions were confirmed as he and a blonde lady, Helga maybe, from the group took off together. I silently followed them as they talked about a page from some book and how they have to act as soon as Milo returns. I watched as a dark aura began to emit from Rourke.  Darkness... What are you planning to do to this world?

Milo and Kida had resurfaced, Milo began ranting wildly about the world's light source, life source, the heart of Atlantis. Every stranger to Atlantis had their weapons pointed in Milo and Kida's direction, "Guys what's going on? What's... what's with all the guns? Guys?" Milo's eyes suddenly widen to the volume of his large glasses. "I am such an idiot. This is just another treasure hunt for you. You're after the crystal." He said bitterly, as they subdued he and Kida. Rourke smiled sinisterly, "Oh you mean this? The heart of Atlantis?", he held up a torn page, "What a smart man, we all have you to thank for leading us here." And with that the group made  it's way to the king's chamber.  Don't interfere.. It's not your fight..  I followed behind at a distance, finding a new hiding spot as I continued watching events unfold.

"Now Old King Cole, it's written :The heart of Atlantis lies in the eyes of her king, care to enlighten your guest as to what that means?" Rourke spoke as if this were merely a kind gesture on the king's part, though he had stormed into his palace, guns drawn. With as much malice as elder man can muster, the king spoke, "You will destroy yourselves." Rourke frowned at his answer, "Maybe I'm not being clear with you.." He raised his gun and shot the king. I gasped in horror as Kida screamed, breaking free, making a bee line for her injured father, cursing at Rourke. "Where. Is. The. Crystal. Chamber." Rourke said, unphased by his own actions, pausing between each word, cocking his gun for another shot at the king if he failed to grant his wish.  His aura is growing darker...

Suddenly Rourke understood the riddle and proceeded to excavate the outlook on the king's palace. "This is it boys, we're in." He smiled sinisterly. I watched as the group poured into the hole, making their way through a passage leading to an opening where a huge, magnificent, pulsating crystal hung over a pool of bottomless water.  Under different circumstances, this would be breathe taking..  I thought to myself as I notice Kida separating from the group as a beam of light locked with the crystal around her neck. As if in a trance and lighter than feather, she walked across the pool directly under the crystal, only to beamed up in its light.  Soon the pulsating crystal ceased as it merged with Kida, and lowered her back to the water below, hovering above it, walking back to the group. Splashing waters around her bent away as a repelling magnet.  

Impatiently, Rourke ordered  a metal box be built around her, ordering all to be careful and not to touch the charged being.  As soon as the box was ready, the group began to make its way back to the surface, aside from the few who saw the error of their ways. 

They saw the light in themselves...

I stepped out of my hiding spot, cloak draped over me head, "Please tell me you aren't going to let him take Kida? She spared all of you, now it's time you all spare her people. " I said stepping forth, in full view of the group. They looked at me in confusion, but Milo nodded and began gather the strongest of the Atlantean warriors, teaching them and Rourke's turncoats how to operate the ancient Atlantean machines. I smiled as I watched the small army begin to head after Rourke, into the bowls of the dormant volcano. 

Time to save Atlantis

I rode with them, impressed by Milo, a scrauny lanky man, taking charge of his little army.  It's amazing what you'd do for someone you love

Everyone did their best to follow Milo's actions while avoiding getting shot. I noticed while a dark skinned man,   his name was Sweet? , was cutting the ropes to release Kida's prison, that Rourke's aura had begun to grow even darker, then he threw Helga from the rising craft. In horror I watched her fall, as Milo flew in to confront Rourke, she fired a flare up to the rising craft. I couldn't see Milo and Rourke fighting as the smoke began billowing around them, but something inside told me to fly up to the one on one, noticing Milo was not fighting a normal Rourke. Something had happened to Rourke, somehow charged Kida had corrupted the evil man's greedy heart and changed him into a raging crystallized beast, hellbent on destroying Milo. I leaped from my Atlantean craft, keyblade drawn, blocking this creature's attack, causing him to fall into the craft's propeller just as Sweet had cut Kida's prison free.  Milo and I jumped for my stationary craft just as Rourke's craft began its descent and the remaining group began to pull Kida back to her people. Everything seemed to going well until Rourke's craft crashed into bottom of the sleeping volcano. 

"THE VOLCANO IS COMING TO, EVERYONE EVACUATE!!!" I almost stopped  as I recognized the shouting voice.

Axel...

  I peered down to see him standing at an entrance opposite from where we entered, smiling up at me before disappearing through a corridor. My heart stung a bit from seeing him, he looked like he hadn't slept in days, his hair was even more of a mess than normal, and though his eyes were rimmed with bags, I could see tear stains on his face. 

I felt tears well up in my eyes as I shook away the now stained image, and remember that the goal was to get Kida home before the volcano erupted, killing us all in the process.  Flying faster than we flew in, we made it back to the kingdom and released Kida, whose charged form activated the city's guardian defenders, saving the city before an ocean of lava encased could encase it.  The people cheered and Milo patiently awaited for Kida's return. 

I know what happens when that crystal chooses you... Please come home Kida  I smiled as I watched her be lowered down in a beam of light, right into milo's arms. She smiles and hugs him tightly, Milo just grateful for her to be back, safe and sound. I take this as my cue to leave and began to head to outskirts of Atlantis. 

"So, have you been here this whole time?"

.