Cody

Twitching. That's all I could do at first.

When I finally came to, I just twitched my arms a bit, trying to get a feel for what was going on around me, or more importantly, where I was. The surface I was laying on wasn't terrible, but not exactly pleasant either. It reminded me of those really crap hotels with beds that were okay at first but after sleeping on them, your back suddenly hated you. The thing is, I don't remember checking into a hotel, crappy or not.

Come to think of it, I was finding it hard to remember what happening in general. What could I recall?

Hmm... I think Professor Pikalus and I were talking on the phone? Yeah! That sounds about right. Then... The cell towers? Why would the cell towers go down? Something would have to be really wrong with them for it to cease working.

Hold on... Voices. I hear voices... AM I GOING INSANE?

Wait... False alarm. Just other people talking. They sound so familiar... What are they saying? I can't quite make them out... Most of them are distant, but one is clearer than the rest. Irish. It has an Irish accent. PIKALUS!

I shifted in the bed, wanting to get up but then a wave of exhaustion washed over the determination. Sleep sounded so appealing. What if I just passed out again?

"-at all? Wait, hold on. I think he's waking up! 'Cuse me for a moment."

He? Who's he? Am I he?

A light touch interrupted me. "Cody? Cody, hey! Get up!" Yeah, he's talking about me.

Flickering my eyes opening, the light was blinding at first but slowly and surely, I adjusted to it. The white face and glasses were the first thing in my sight. Blinking the confusion away, the Irishman smiled. "Thank goodness you're awake! We have a bit of a situation."

"Si-... Situation?" I echoed. I propped myself up with one arm. "What do you mean by-" I broke off. My eyes searched the area around us, and soon noticed how familiar it was. The smoothed stone walls with patterns on them and the thin propped up bed supported by the walls were something I had seen before. With the fountain in one end, an oak cabinet mirroring it, and the bars and encrypted door finishing it off, I knew where we were. Long ago, I spent time here, trapped and wishing for a way home.

KrakenKid's jail. Just as much as a nightmare as ever.

"Oh no." My voice barely a whisper. "What happened?"

Pikalus rubbed the back on his neck. "Yeah, that's what I was going to tell you. Looooong story so I'd stay sitting if I were you."

Though I did take his advice, now I sat up, legs dangling over the side of the bed. Nodding for him to continue, the mad scientist began his story. "Well for starters, we were invaded by KrakenKid's army. They started it off with taking down the cell towers, essentially taking out our communications. Of course, we didn't know that they were attacked until it was too late. They took over the lab, taking out the guards and then springing a surprise attack on us. I was taken out before the fight even started. Then from what they tell me, KrakenKid led his armies right into the heart of Atlantis, taking over for a short time and left. They took almost everyone important."

Staring at the creeper faces on the floor, I inquired more. "Who did he take?"

"Most of our generals, important scientists, four legionnaires, some of the main guards and parts of the council." Upon hearing about the council, a spasm ran through me. "RASMUS?" I shouted, instantly getting hushed by Pikalus.

"Keep your voice down! We haven't been visited by him yet and I'd rather not be. Nobody's sure what he wants from us. Besides, Rasmus is fine! One Eye made herself caught in order for him to escape."

I let out a breath, a little relieved but still, a part of me remained unsettled. "Does that mean that others are in here like us?" He nodded.

"Yep. That's who I've been talking to. We are all exchanging information to get the full story."

Thinking back, another thought occured. "You said almost everyone important was taken. Who escaped besides Rasmus?"

"Well... From what we know, most of the people who escaped the raid were female. Rasmus and General Guppy were the two main males who are now off the radar, along with several females. PebbleTeen was targeted but according to one of the legionnaires, was saved by the Sneaky Sisters. They all left after that. As for Tanith... We aren't sure. She's not here but no one has seen or heard from her on the day of the invasion from what I found out. One of the legionnaires was supposed to get her out of there along with the other citizens, but her house was empty."

"Wait..." I paused. "She called me that day."

Pikalus's eyes widened. "What? What did she say?"

"Tanith told me to run and hide because they were coming... It was a little before they attacked too. After that, the call cut off and I didn't really know at the time who she was talking about but, did she know or something?"

The Professor just took that in for a while. "Who knows? The point is, that she is among the people who evaded KrakenKid's line of attack. Now," He clapped his hands together. "How do we escape?"

I opened my mouth, but another voice spoke before I could. "You aren't going to."

All of the mumbling previously that was throughout the room ceased. Some gasped, but all still refused to say anything, which included me.

Humming a strange tune, the kraken swiftly swam close to the cells making anyone inside scramble back. It was only at ours that he stopped, smirking to himself. "Ah, doesn't this remind you of old times? You in my prison and me, going to get everything I want?"

Standing up, I approached the edge of it, Professor Pikalus stayed behind. "Don't you remember what happened last time? I escaped, just like I'm going to now!" I retorted. The yellow eyes narrowed. "That's not going to happen. I learned from my mistakes. Now I've upped the security, you aren't going anywhere for a long time. You'll die in that cell!"

"Really?" I bared my teeth. "Why haven't you killed me yet? What's your big plan?"

"Do you really think I'm that stupid?" KrakenKid chuckled. "I'm not telling you anything. Why would I do that? So you can distract me? Well penguin, I'll tell you one thing: You lose. I'm taking over. The only reason you aren't dead is because you still have use to me. The second you don't," Pulling out his signature gun, it hummed to life. My heart palpitated as he lifted it up, pressing it against the bars. "I'll kill you where you stand. Understand, or did your small brain not comprehend that all?"

I narrowed my eyes to mirror his. "No, I got it. You're a wimp. You won't fight me because you know you'll lose."

"I'm being smart! Even with your low rate of winning, I'm not taking any chances. Now," A devious smile creeped up onto his face. "You're coming with me to fulfill some of your use."

Opening up the door, I took steps back. Professor Pikalus was quick to my aid, shielding me with his body. "No you don't! You'll have to get past me first."

Aiming the gun at the scientist, the purple being only laughed. "Gladly."

"No wait! Don't shoot!" I interrupted, cutting in between the pair and then facing the professor. "Pikalus, don't do this. I'll be fine. Not my first time I've dealt with him like this." Soon I turned to the other. "Fine, I'll come with. Just don't shoot him."

"Good choice. Now-"

"KRAKEN! KRAKENKID!"

I jumped at the sudden voice. Upon hearing it, KrakenKid whipped around, still holding his gun and pointing it at the new comer, but lowered it once he saw who it was. "CannibalCrab? What is it? I'm a little busy so can it wait?"

Rushing into the room, he stopped a couple feet from KrakenKid. Taking in deep breaths, he shook his head breathlessly. "N-no. It's... Very important." Huffing, reluctantly he shut the prison door. "Fine then." He hissed and approached his main general.

"KrakenKid, he's back."

The kraken gave him a blank stare. "He? Who's he? Do you mean-" He broke off as if suddenly realizing. "Hold on, is it the guy from last time?" The crab nodded gravely.

"He's in the tunnels as we speak."

Growling, the leader of the Tide Changer's eyes flashed. "Well then send your crab soldiers after him! His gun doesn't affect them."

"I know it doesn't and I would have if it hadn't been for him taking over the patrol."

"The patrol who was scanning the caves? They were just Illithids and-" KrakenKid broke off, his face filling up with horror. "Blooper. Blooper was with them!"

CannibalCrab gulped and nodded. "Yeah. We found the patrol and the Illithids were all dead. Blooper wasn't with them. I sent some of my crab soldiers as a scout but only half came back, all injured and saying that not only does he have him, but he has a regular gun with him along with his special one. You know the one."

"Let me speak with the survivors. I want to know where he was!"

CannibalCrab hesitated, rubbing his neck sheepishly. "Well I might have eaten them, but I did get his location. He barricaded himself in near the entrance of the tunnels so there's only one way in."

The kraken looked away, but his tentacle tightened into a fist. "Cannibal. Tell the troops to hold the fort here and meet me by your house. We're going after him."

As he left the room without another word, the cannibal followed. "Sir, are you sure that's a good idea after last time? Kraken? Kraken!"

Soon they were out of sight. I finally spoke. "What was that about?" Professor shrugged. I let out a long sigh. "Well, this is our chance. Somehow, we need to get everyone out."

I pondered for a moment, then snapped my head up. "Wait, what about your hulk mode? Can it break us out of here?" He hesitated. "Well, yes but Cody, even if we do break out and take out the guards around us, the Conch Command is full of people. We'll never get everyone out like that."

I paused for a moment but then met my eyes with his. "Do it. We have to try something." Nodding, he took a deep breath. Pikalus's eyes closed. Soon, his hands balled into a fist and muscles started to produce rapidly. His skin turned a sickly pale of blue before deepening. When his eyes opened, I could tell this was not the same person. Hulk let out a roar and smashed the bars, soon making a hulk-sized-hole, which was big enough for both of us to exit.

Six of the guards in the actual prison all rushed and started attacking but Hulk was having none of it. Swinging the bulky arms around, two of the melee Tide Changers were slammed into the wall and sank to the ground, not dead but out like a light.

My brown eyes darted around until a double chest at the end of the area presented itself. Bolting towards it, I forced it open, grinning at the containments. It was all of our stuff that was previously confiscated. Snatching my spear from the middle of it, I turned only to be met with an Illithid. They swung but I ducked in time to avoid it, then took the end of the spear and hitting in the stomach. Taking steps back, then quickly attempted to hold their pained area, but I then proceeded to hit them on the head. They collapsed. Illithids were never the smartest of the soldiers.

Glancing up, all of the other guards were knocked out and Hulk was starting to revert to his normal form. I made it to him right when Pikalus returned. He blinked rapidly and shook his head. "Now what?"

Blasting alarms made us jump and my heart sped up. "No, no, no! I thought we were in the clear!"

I ran a hand through my top feathers, pacing around and the other hand clutching my spear. "Maybe we can surprise attack them? No, there's too many so that won't work... Pretend they all just started fighting and go back to our cell and escape later? But then there's the hole and we can't explain that."

"Cody, I hate to interrupt but THE ILLITHIDS ARE COMING!"

"ARG!" I screeched, shutting my eyes tight. I brought my hands up and buried them in my face, still holding on to the spear. "I JUST NEED TO THINK! WILL EVERYONE JUST STOP!"

At the last word I flung my arms out and my eyes open. Energy flowed from within me to the spear and blue sparks flew everywhere. A gasp might have come from the Professor and everyone else watching, at the time I didn't care. All I could feel was the energy and soon, I felt much different than before. I took in deep breaths and started glancing around. For some reason, there was something very off.

A little more than half of the people in the cells were paused, still looking either in awe or shock, but didn't move at all, not even to blink. Glancing at the entrance, all of the Illithids were the same way. "W-what?"

Professor eventually said something. "Uh Cody? What did you do exactly?" The two of us searched for some sign but I shrugged. "I-I'm not sure... Did I-?" He nodded. "Cody, I think you froze time."

"I didn't know I could do that! What? How long does this last?" I spun around and found myself examining the glowing crystal on my Atlantean spear. "I have no idea, we'll have to test that later but Cody, this is our chance."

Looking up, I found he was correct. "Right! Who isn't frozen besides us?" I checked each cell. "It looks like the council members and the generals are all immune to it. Okay, everyone listen to me! We don't know how long this will last, but we need to act quickly in case! Those of you who are unfrozen, get a frozen ally and get out of here! Professor, help me free them!"

The two of us acted fast, opening all the one's we could. Each person did what they could to help the people who weren't immune and fled. Soon, the last person, having no one left, just dashed away, thanking us.

"That should be everyone. Let's get out of here."

Journeying to the tunnels, Pikalus and I searched every corner, careful not to end up in a dead end. While speeding down the path, two sudden figures moved in the middle of it, taking refuge in the walls, both injured. One of them that was more hurt leaned against the wall while the other examined his wounds. Neither noticed us yet, but we still froze in our tracks.

"I'm fine!" The heavily injured one insisted, peeking out around the corner. His partner scoffed. "Yeah, fine. You know, took a bullet that practically burns your insides until you're dead, and perfectly fine. Just stop moving so I can get it out."

"I need to get back out there! He has my son Cannibal! He freaking caged him! The only people who ever did that to me-" His head turned and locked on to mine, narrowing. "Are right there! What do you think you're doing penguin?" KrakenKid growled and pulled out his gun and aiming it at me.

"KRAKENKID! I know you want to kill the penguin, that's normal, but please stop moving! I'm trying to remove the bullet!"

KrakenKid rolled his eyes and grumbled, but placed it down anyways. Even as the crab worked to remove it, his death glare never strayed from me. I returned it. Finally, the crab got the ammunition out, KrakenKid striding towards me and Pikalus. "You're going back to your cell." His gun pointed threateningly. In response, I took out my spear, Pikalus deciding on his gun and even Cannibal decided to join in.

"You and what army? I got this far for a reason. Do you hear any people coming? They won't be, it's just you and me."

"Then I'll take you back myself!"

"What about your son?" Professor spoke up. The pair froze up, exchanging looks. The yellow eyes moved from us, to the connecting tunnel and back again before letting out a sigh.

"I can't believe I'm saying this but Cody, do you want to make a deal?"

I raised my eyebrows. "I'm listening."

"Okay, you and your professor help me and CannibalCrab get my son back. If you succeed, I'll let you slip by. I will say this, when I came back from escorting my son back to the safety of my base, I'm sending out a patrol to cover all of my lands and I will be leading. If I find you, I won't allow another slip up. Deal?" He held out his tentacle.

I waited a moment before shaking it. "Deal. Let's do it."

All of our weapons our, we approached the opening. The plan was simple: Get in, Cannibal and Professor fight this "Annon" guy, Kraken and I get Blooper and we all run once we're done, going our separate ways.
However, it didn't exactly go to plan.

The area was fairly big, two people already within it. One was a guy wearing a suit with a sniper rifle and a guy fawkes mask on, the other was a smaller kraken in a makeshift cage whose eyes lit up at the sight of his dead.

"Back for another round I see. At least you're getting smarter and brought back up, though taking me on still shows you have a lot to learn."

Professor was supposed to be the one to lead the attack, but he just stared at the man in shock. "It's you... Anonymous."

All eyes were now on Professor Pikalus. "You know him?" I asked. Pikalus gave a slight nod. "I might have built him a gun to kill KrakenKid."

"WHAT?" KrakenKid shrieked, taking a threatening stride towards him. "YOU CAUSED THIS?" A low laugh emitted from Annon. "Well look at that. This is interesting. However, I think there's still something missing... Oh right!"

Slipping out a dagger from seemingly nowhere, it flew across the room with only a quick flick of the arm and impaled itself into my arm. I let out a cry. "Bloodshed." His voice suddenly deeper.

KrakenKid switched his gun for a sword. For a moment, I thought he would attack Pikalus. I was only half right. He did attack, but instead charged for the Annon instead. He swung, but Annon simply moved a little out of the way. Even with a mask on, you could tell he was smirking. However, KrakenKid just kept swinging the sword in Annon's direction. In this moment, the rest of us took this as the distraction and quickly made our way over to Blooper's aid. CannibalCrab stopped halfway and decided to charge at the enemy instead to help out his leader.

Taking out his hammer, Professor took out some of the bars, allowing the child to get out. A shot rang out and looking over, KrakenKid had taken another hit. His eyes darted around but rested on the freed kraken. "Everyone! Get out!" He took out his main gun and began to shoot all around the ceiling making it rumble. Bits of it began to fall. One landed right where Annon was, but he juked out of the way before it hit him. The five of us made a mad dash out of harm's way.

"CODY!" I moved to the side once hearing it and a second later a boulder fell where I would have been. A smaller rock blocked my path but I jumped it. Nearing the end, more and more rummage piled up but I made it.

Whipping around, the others followed until the entrance to where Annon had kept Blooper was blocked off. All of us just panted until CannibalCrab broke the silence. "... Where's KrakenKid?"

I turned to either side of me, but the purple being could not be found. Each of us stare at the blocked off area in horror realizing one thing: He was still in there.

"NO! NO! NO! THIS WASN'T SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN!" Cannibal screeched. Low rumbles still were happening around us. He suddenly turned to me and Pikalus. "You have to help get him out of there!" I opened my mouth to speak, but Pikalus beat me to it. "That wasn't part of the deal. We don't have to do anything."

Shocked by his harsh words, I gazed up at him. "Professor, we can't just leave him in there with that mad man!"

"He was going to kill us Cody. He has tried to kill us in the past! For pete's sake Cody, he's a villain!"

"That doesn't mean we leave him to die!" I argued back.

"Okay fine. But what happens when we get in there and that crazy man has already killed him and kills us both? We barely got Blooper out, you think KrakenKid's going to be easier?" The inside of the area shook a little. "Plus listen to that! It's going to cave in any second now. If we don't get out in time, it'll not only kill us, but the very guy we're trying to save. I'm sorry, but I'm being realistic here! The only people who can truly save him is someone who's on the inside and there are only two people in there. One of which, probably will kill KrakenKid and the other IS KrakenKid and isn't in any shape to save himself."

Gulping, I tried to think. "Is there another way in?" But Blooper was the one to shoot it down. "No, he caused a cave in on the other side so it's blocked off."

A gunshot rang out coming from inside the cave. It wasn't from KrakenKid's gun.

"Hey... Does he have a different gun with him?"

"No... He doesn't. He was in such a hurry that he only took that one."

Silence passed through the air, but soon it was filled with Blooper's voice. "He can't be dead! Maybe it missed him! Maybe he took the gun and shot the other guy! Or what if... Come on, he can't be dead!" But no one could agree with him. The odds were stacked against it. "Come on guys! He's KrakenKid! He can't die! My Dad cannot die!"

Then came the sound of mining. "See! There he is!"

"Or it's Annon." Professor pointed out.

As the sound came close, the weapons were drawn. We all waited for one of the males to pop out.

But no one expected a female to instead.

A multicolored tail popped out as the war medic backed out of the hole. Glancing back, she blinked at us all. "Oh hi." Though previously, she seemed to get busy with something, she took time to wave to us. When no one responded, she spoke again.

"I don't know if it's a bad time or not but can I get a little help here? It's kinda hard to back up and do this at the same time."

Getting out of the little tunnel she made for herself, Tanith dragged out a very familiar injured kraken. Blooper was the first to react, quickly helping her carry him to a flat space. The three of us quickly crowded around.

"Tanith? How'd you get in there? I thought all areas were blocked off."

"Backdoor. I guess whatever caused that cave in also allowed a little opening for me. I took a quick peek in and found this guy. My job is never done is it? I swear you people think you have nine lives when it comes to combat, taking such dangerous risks and getting hurt easily. Why are all of you so impulsive? Anyways, enough of my rambling. Tiny kraken!"

Blooper perked up. "Quick question, do you know if your kind responds badly to magic? Healing magic?" Blooper frowned. "I... Don't know?"

Tanith hummed. "Well, mind if I see by healing up some of those injuries?" When his head shook, her hand passed over the scratches, a golden ray spilling from her hand. She watched as they disappeared and smiled. "You aren't! That makes my life SO much better!"

Hands working fast, the bullet was removed and her healing magic fixed the leader up. "What happened to him?" The general asked. 

"He passed out from blood loss. Lucky for him, I am here to patched him up." Nodding at her work, she straightened herself out. "Hey, I suggest taking him to whatever hospital you guys have. Make sure to pump some blood back into him. He is to rest for a minimum of 39 hours, got it?"

The crab carefully lifted the kraken and agreed. Soon, the Tide Changers left and we did the same, getting out of the caves as fast as possible and making our way back to the palace. Thinking back, I turned towards Tanith.

"Where were you?" I asked her.

"Hiding out. The invasion kinda forced me into it. You two okay?" Both of us nodded. Eyeing the stab wound on my arm, she was quick to heal it. "Thanks."

"No problem!" The hybrid grinned. "Let's go home."

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

Holy crap, that took a while! Late update I know but once again, HOLY CRAP THAT TOOK A WHILE!

Anyways, I hope you like this chapter! Once again, like the Invasion, this chapter has been in the planning since the beginning and here's the final product! Be sure to comment and tell me how I did with this! Also, don't worry, there will be an chapter after this explaining a few things before we continue on. I have many things planned! Farewell!

--JustAnAtlantisWriter