Man I really need to update this big boy
————————

Pikalus doesn't take long to answer, already having something in mind.

Professor Pikalus: Math or Gym. What they say about Math and Science is true, they go hand and hand. Plus, I don't mind it too much as other people might...

His eyes shift over to everyone else besides Sam in the room giving him a weird look.

Professor Pikalus: ...Yeah, most aren't a fan. I'm used to it by now. And being active is one of the ways I've learned to handle my anger. Good way to make sure I don't end up breaking someone's house over spilt coffee.

Cody: Wait, has that happened before?

Pikalus suddenly becomes interested in the floor.

Professor Pikalus: Well... Oh look, another question!

——————

Blooper rubs his tentacles together, grinning madly. Selena seems to snicker, fully knowing he's got a list.

Blooper: Bombs, rocket launchers, swords, knives, daggers, short swords, broad swords, ninja stars- basically anything! I'm not picky, if I can fight with it, it's good!

Selena: The question was FAVORITE weapon.

Blooper: Definitely C4 then. Exploding things are fun!

Cody is suddenly aware of the danger of this kid. He slowly backs up. KrakenKid notices and beams with pride.

KrakenKid: My boy's already scaring Cody. So proud...

—————

Sam: Oh it was fine, thanks for askin-

Sam suddenly realizes what you're doing and now wants to scream. She then realizes there's nothing stopping her. Sam screams loudly and runs after her stuff.

Selena: What kind of like? Because yes, as annoying as he can be, he's my best friend and that's not changing. But like like? Well...

She doesn't finish, falling asleep. Nearby, Blooper groans, pouting slightly.

Cannibal on the other hand, is having an crisis.

CannibalCrab: Wha- I don't wanna throw a knife at the person I like! I'll just buy more phones-

KrakenKid gives him a long look.

CannibalCrab: ...Or not. Mmmm...

CannibalCrab has no idea what to do. He eventually decides to just stare at the floor, like he is currently doing, and contemplate life. Then, five seconds later, falls asleep. Apparently he didn't really have much to think about.

———————

Cannibal blocks the screen before anyone else- namely Pikalus- can see the first half of the question. He slams his claws on the desk, shaking the computer.

CannibalCrab: WATCH ME!

Professor Pikalus: Oi! What's the question?

CannibalCrab: Oh right... Oh, how did we meet and were we ever friends?

Professor pauses for a moment but shakes his head.

Professor Pikalus: Yeah, no. Never got to be, we only knew each other for being a general of the other side.

CannibalCrab nods in agreement.

CannibalCrab: We met on the beach where I totally kicked you butt.

Professor Pikalus: HEY! We didn't even get to fight, we just recognized each other, I pointed a gun and started screaming and YOU KNOW IT! Besides, I totally would've beaten you if other Tide Changers weren't around.

CannibalCrab: Oh you WISH

Relationship Backstory Unlocked

—————

Cannibal, who was reading the questions before, falters and the blood drains out of his face. KrakenKid looks over his shoulder and immediately starts laughing.

KrakenKid: Oh boy, that's my FAVORITE story to tell!

CannibalCrab: Shut up!

KrakenKid: So I was on patrol, right? Lucky day, I hadn't gone on one for a while but I decided I needed the fresh air. Larsa and a few others were with me when we see this stumbling figure in the distance!

CannibalCrab: Krakennnn!

Cannibal tries to stop him from telling the story by swatting at his face but KrakenKid starts to move around, dodging him with a huge grin on his face.

KrakenKid: So since they're on our territory, we march over there ready to throw this trespasser off of our territory when we see not an Atlantean Guard or anything, but this crab who can't walk in a straight line. So I look at Larsa like 'Uhh, who the hell is this?' Because no conscious Atlantean gets this close to the Conch Command.

CannibalCrab: Kraken!

KrakenKid: And I was right. No conscious Atlantean would get that close, but Cannibal here didn't realize where he was.

Selena: Wait, was he sleep walking?

Though it seems impossible at first, his smile somehow gets brighter.

KrakenKid: Oh No, not that. As soon as I got close to him I knew exactly what happened. CannibalCrab was drunk as hell.

CannibalCrab: KRAKENKID!

KrakenKid starts cracking up, making both of them stop in their tracks because he already said it and Cannibal knows there's no point anymore. Cannibal's face heats up quickly.

KrakenKid: He- he was so drunk and he just looked me in the eye and cursed me out! The funniest thing looking back! And then he starts rambling about how stupid Atlantis is, throws up, and passes out. We took him back to the hospital and I ended up recruiting him. By far, my favorite recruitment.

CannibalCrab groans loudly, displeased and buries his face in the ground. The others join in on KrakenKid's laughter.

CannibalCrab: I hate you so much...

KrakenKid: No, you don't~

Relationship Backstory Unlocked

——————

KrakenKid snorts upon seeing the question.

KrakenKid: Oh that's easy. Pikalus. Next!

Cody: Wait, whoa whoa whoa!

Cody waves his arms, stopping him before he clicks on the next question. KrakenKid gives him a weird look.

KrakenKid: What?

Cody: I thought of ALL people, it would be YOU! How is it Pikalus?

KrakenKid gives him a look like it's obvious. When Cody continues to stare, he looks to Tanith for confirmation. Then Selena. And keeps doing it until he realizes everyone is staring at him.

KrakenKid: ...It's not obvious? Fine, okay, I'll show my work.

Clearing his throat, KrakenKid points to Cannibal first.

KrakenKid: Cannibal can't lie nearly as well as anyone else here. He repeats himself way too many times, goes into unnecessary detail and fiddles with absolutely anything. Easy tell signs, a child could see it, and Blooper can vouch.

Blooper nods in approval, flashing a grin. KrakenKid moves on, gesturing to himself.

KrakenKid: Contrary to popular belief, I don't lie as much as people think. Honestly, a good villain doesn't need to as long as you've got everything in control.

Cody coughs something suspiciously like 'Liar', getting a glare before he moves on.

KrakenKid: Finally, Pikalus is an ATLANTEAN and he's RESPECTED. Meaning people don't expect him to lie so he gets away with it and can lie more frequently and better than both me and Cannibal combined.

Professor Pikalus nods in agreement. All the other Alanteans suddenly have a slight twig of worry that Pikalus is lying to them about something.

———————

Pikalus decides to force everyone else out of the room while he speaks. As soon as he's clear, he starts to talk.

Professor Pikalus: It's... Complicated. It's basically in my job description to fight and hate him because he's on the other side but lately, we've been on the same side and it's just felt so... Different. And it's weirding me out. Because sometimes I'll look at him and I won't feel the same way I used to- hell, I'll actually sometimes be glad to see him- and it's just too much.

Pikalus takes off his glasses to rub his eyes briefly.

Professor Pikalus: And the worst part of it all is that he's not even that BAD of a person! Yeah we're competitive and we get on each other's nerves to psych each other out but when that's gone he just feels like a different person. One that isn't so bad and that simple fact conflicts me because it goes against everything I am. I'm an Atlantean and he's a Tide Changer and that's how it's supposed to be. But lately is hasn't been that way and now I don't even know anymore.

Adjusting them as he puts his glasses back on, Pikalus sighs.

Professor Pikalus: Is that a good enough answer? Because I don't know what else to say. It's just... Complicated. Feelings are complicated.

———————

After the question is received, there is a pause before puppies rain down from the ceiling. Cody grabs one and cuddles it. Blooper and Selena try and grab as many as they can. Sam doesn't have to try, some come straight for her. Pikalus picks out his favorite breeds and keeps them. KrakenKid takes the runts and only the runts. CannibalCrab grabs the biggest ones he sees. Tanith is just happy and doesn't even think to grab any.

But there's a problem. The puppies keep coming. The room is being suffocating by too much fluff. They start to accept their fate of being killed by fluff.

But the show must go on so from a wave of author magic, they're gone. Well, all but exactly enough for one each. Not heartless.

——————

They try to read the question before static fills their ears so loudly that it's painful. When their eyes open again, the question is gone.

But the Author takes the attention to her.

Atlantis: Every once in a while, someone gets close. Pikalus mostly, but a few others have caught on. Whatever contact they tried to make or connections to me is erased from their mind as soon as they try, and it's gone in a flash. Like they'll be thinking of something and it's suddenly gone, unable to remember why or what it was. They can never know, and neither can you.

Atlantis: Let me ask you a question. Ever suddenly forgotten what you were thinking about and still don't know what it was? Best not to remember. Puppets don't like to know they're puppets.

———————

Tanith brightens immediately, ready to answer.

Tanith: Oh, yes it's a lot more than people think but it's still rare! Think of it like having a red hair gene. Uncommon, but not so rare that nobody has it, not to mention it can be passed around in families, or suddenly appears in the middle of one because a distance relative had it!

She sucks in a breath, realizing she's talking fast but immediately goes back to the same pace.

Tanith: Type of magic can change too! The child of two magical parents will either inherit a stronger version of their parents powers, both of them, or a completely different power due to the new magical energy combination! It's truly amazing!

Meanwhile, Chester is also ready to answer.

Chester: Around 10% in Atlantis, Though it's speculated it might be less. I should know, I'm one of them.

———————

Tanith thinks for a long time. Eventually, she shrugs a bit.

Tanith: Well, I guess the tamest version of it started when my sister, Emil, was born. When my parents were at work, I took care of her and basically it was my job to keep her safe so I got kinda intense about it. Later on it got more dangerous when I started getting into wars.

Tanith shifts in her stance unconsciously. KrakenKid's eyebrows raise but he doesn't say anything.

Tanith: Since I was just a medic, sometimes I felt... Disposable. Like I could die but as long as other more important people are alive, the war can be won. So the idea of making sure I kept the most important people alive, even at the cost of my own life, kinda got into my head. Not to mention I had nothing to lose after a certain point...

Tanith goes quiet. She doesn't want to talk about it anymore.

——————

They both answer at the same time.

Ace&Chester: In a heartbeat.

Then, they look at each other, giving strange looks.

Ace: You have an actual family.

Chester: You don't deserve to die, you haven't lived much life.

Ace: Neither have you, you could give back to society!

Chester: So could you!

There is no winner or loser to this argument. Both genuinely believe in the other.

———————

The two look at the question, and then to each other.

Tanith: That'd be pretty useful! My healing works on me but regeneration usually means much faster which would be awesome to have!

Professor Pikalus: I have some super strength, though my control over it is... Well, it's just not the best. Having control would make it much easier to do things.

——————

KrakenKid doesn't have to think. He just knows.

KrakenKid: Hearing, by far. I went years without having much of a voice growing up, I never want to feel like that again.

Cody feels guilty, Though he's not sure why. . .

——————

Cody doesn't really need to think either. After all, it's always been about him.

Cody: Joe. I'm sure my parents were wonderful people and all-

Cody doesn't seem to notice the way KrakenKid's tentacles curl briefly on reflex.

Cody: But Joe... Well, I know him. We're brothers and I would do anything to have him back again. Anything.

His statement seems to get a worried look from Sam, but she keeps her mouth shut.

——————

Each of them start to eye each other, before nodding alone. They remember the stories.

Tanith: Well I've known everyone for... Wow, has it been a year yet? Probably less but close!

Sam: Selena and I have known Cody and Pikalus for ages, even if Cody dropped off the map for a while.

Selena: And Blooper has been around for at least a year with me.

Professor Pikalus: I think Cannibal and I met around... A few years ago? Hard to say, and KrakenKid and I didn't formally meet until he ATTACKED MY LAB! Before then I just chased him a few times.

KrakenKid laughs at that.

KrakenKid: Good Times. Cannibal and I have known each other for ages! I don't remember the date but more than three years.

Cody nods along.

Cody: Oh, and Kraken and I met in the Sneaky Sister's tunnels a while ago. That was a while ago... Do you remember it?

Cody looks to KrakenKid for confirmation but finds he's not looking back. If anything, he looks uncomfortable.

KrakenKid: We, uh... Knew each other long before then.

Cody blinks.

Cody: Oh. Did we fight before I lost my memory or something?

KrakenKid stays silent.

KrakenKid: ...I think we should call it a day.

He leaves without a second word, with Tanith calling after him. Cody stares, more confused than ever.

****************

Available Characters: All Regular Characters.
(However, you get a strange feeling there's one character that can be temporarily unlocked if you ask for them...)

And we good! Should've got that done ages go, sorry, slipped my mind! Comment any questions you got and farewell!

—JustAnAtlantisWriter