Professor Pikalus

Cody's in a coma.

Nobody wanted to believe it until the doctors checked and confirmed it. I think that deep down, when Cody wasn't waking up, we all knew. No one was taking it well, and no one had the same way with dealing with it.

Rasmus tried doing exactly what Cody would do: Tend to the people. He tried to do everything he could to keep Atlantis happy, and he tried to do it like Cody would. I think the poor guy feels he isn't enough, no matter what we tell him.

Tanith decided a different approach. She did everything she could to stay in the hospital. Often, she'd be by his side talking to him, or helping out there. The only reason she goes home anymore is to get something, or see Larry. Though, according to PebbleTeen, she started taking Larry with her. PebbleTeen agreed to keep an eye on her, and reported that she was having trouble sleeping without Larry. Hopefully, it doesn't escalate to what happened last time...

Sneaky Sam and Selena were alerted of what happened the second I found out. The pair were visiting him constantly but I haven't seen them around outside of there. Both were devastated, and sometimes the doctors say that at night, you can see that Sam snuck in to see him. They can't seem to figure out how she gets in, but none of them have the heart to say anything.

I'd be a huge liar if I said I was doing okay. Truth was, even that was getting to me. I poured myself into science. I needed to be productive or it felt like I was failing him. Even now, while he's in a coma, I feel like I need to prove myself to him.

To my Idol's son.

"Alright, I'm only going to ask this once: What the heck is that?" I eyed the glowing ball of energy inside of a glass, square container. Jill, one of the scientists, simply smiled and nodded at it.

"We just found it nearby the graveyard. We're still doing tests, but it seems to be a part of the Nexus. Or used to be at least. The signature it's giving off is extremely unstable and seems to be a bit different than what we're used to. We had to keep it somewhere because it's still dangerous and gives off shocks every once in awhile. It's really powerful for such a small amount of it! Amazing, huh?"

I examined it closely and nodded. "What are you thinking of doing with it?"

"Making it into a weapon perhaps? We're still working on the details. We did just find it after all!"

I kept nodding along. "Seems appropriate. Do you think we could-"

"Professor!" A familiar voice I hadn't heard in awhile called out to me, getting me to whip around and smile. Tanith stood at the top of the stairs but soon descended down them. "Great to see you!"

"You too!" I returned, starting to walk over. "How's it been going?"

Tanith reached the bottom of the stairs and started to make her way over to where I was. "Could be better." She admitted. I nodded, nobody was exactly fine at the moment. "But, the doctors are saying that Cody should wake up once he heals! And, I've been healing him daily so the chances are going well!" She smiled, then her eyes drifted as she came to a slow stop. "How's work been-"

Then blood drained out of her face when her blue eyes stopped at something. I glanced back, but when saw nothing out of the ordinary, decided to ask. However, as my mouth opened, she let out a hiss and backed up. Without another word, she bolted up the stairs and out of the lab. I followed close behind.

Once out, she made it past the archway before stopping completely. "Okay, I've been saying this all week, but what just happened?"

Tanith whipped around and wildly stared at the door as if waiting for an ax wielding murderer to follow us out, but when nothing did, she faced me. "I have no idea what that weird glowing thing is but I'm getting very evil feelings from it. Sorry about that but I kinda panicked there. What even is that?"

I raised an eyebrow. "It's just detached power from the Nexus. Calm yourself."

"That's... Why would the Nexus feel so much rage and pain?" She mumbled to herself before dismissing it. "Never mind... Just be careful with that thing." I gave a short nod.

"We always are."

"I would-wouldn't say always." This time, someone else spoke what Tanith was thinking. The voice was strangely disordered, but male. It stuttered for a second in the middle of the sentence, and as soon as they heard it, the we both turned towards it. I grinned upon seeing them but the hybrid tilted her head. "After-afterall, if you always succeed, I would-wouldn't have been created."

"Glitch! It's great to see you again! Where have you been?" I so badly wanted to hug him but knew he wouldn't like it.

Glitch was mostly blue but with some white stripes. His body was transparent and always seemed to be shifting, like my mind couldn't quite comprehend what his body truly looked like. He was a creature that walked on all fours and had a formidable face, and somehow could talk without a mouth and see without eyes. He was a mistake, but by far my most favorite pet.

"Around." He answered simply. "I've been jumping dimensions, timelines, other things. Experimenting with my powers. This reminds me, I have something to show the both of you. How convenient I see both of you are together! Come with me."

Tanith stared for a moment before blurting out. "I'm sorry, have we met before, or-?" Glitch shook his head.

"No, but I know who you are. It is great to see you in person, Tanith. Now, we mustn't waste time! I can't keep the portals up forever." Tanith looked like she was going to ask something but went against it in the end. We were just left to follow behind as he led us to the top of the lab, then stopped at a pool of bright blue liquid.

"Go in."

I nodded but Tanith looked skeptical. "What is that?"

"Portal." I answered. "It normally takes us to different time periods, but we can't interact in them. We just see what goes on."

"Like an one sided glass window?" She asked.

"Exactly. We can see them, they can't see us. Ready?"

Tanith grinned. "Yeah. I'm interested to see how this'll work." She said. We both shared a mental countdown before hopping inside and all went black.

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

The world swirled as I focused in on what the heck was happening. Tanith stumbled besides me, blinking rapidly and holding her head. "Head rush..." I mumbled loud enough for her to hear, getting a noise of agreement.

"Where are we?" She was the first to ask, focusing in on the world around us. Though still fuzzy and surreal, almost having a green tint to everything, we both stood next to another portal on the ground. I blinked before squinting around.

"We're out by... The farm land? What's going on her- whoa! That's kinda trippy."

Tanith started to look where I was staring. "What- ohhhh... Yeah, I see what you mean."

We were staring at ourselves. Past selves at least.

"So, what happened anyways?" Past Tanith spoke up as they started to approach where we were standing. Past me was quick to respond.

"Well, we were helping out some farmers with their pest problem. Normally, Cody would handle it on his own but he wanted me to make some pest resistance thing, so naturally I did." It took me a moment to realize it but I got it in the end.

"This was back when Cody was poisoned and we had to cure him and find that snake, remember?" She stifled a laugh as the past me continued to go on.

"How could I forget? I think I promised you a lesson for magic. Still up for grabs by the way. Ah, good and simpler times, huh?" I nodded along.

"-a hit on it before it fled from the farm." I heard Past Professor finish. I sighed, and glanced down at the portal.

"Let's go see what else we've got in store for us, shall we? I already remember how this one ended." Tanith grinned and we both slipped in the portal.

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

The second time was better, we were already getting used to the portal and we were able to shake it off and look around more. This time, Atlantis looked a lot older. Not everything was built yet, and there actually wasn't too much marble.

Tanith and I found ourselves by the rich part of Atlantis. Gold wasn't everywhere like I was used to seeing it, but there still was a lot more than I've ever made in my life. "Royal districts, huh? Why here? Why now?" I said outloud. Tanith just shrugged.

"Hey! Slow down! I'm not as fast as you two, remember?" My attention diverted when a voice called out. Soon, giggles followed and I watched as two young mermaids came out of nowhere. One with a pink tail and blonde hair while the other was slightly older, having a greenish-blue tail and dark brown hair. I was able to recognize them in an instant.

"Sam and Selena." Tanith grinned as she watched them speed around. "They're so cute!"

The sister pair stopped for a moment and waited until an older mermaid caught up, a man. He huffed, having a dark blue tail and slowly made his way over. "Sheesh, I swear you two will be the death of me!" Though he seemed a little tense, his face softened as they looked up. "You two definitely have your mother's speed. Speaking of which," His eyes darted around. "Where is she?"

"SNEAK ATTACK!" From seemingly nowhere, a long figure jumped out and tackled the father, sending them both to the ground. Soon, I was able to make them out as a female with long brown hair, matching Sam's hair color. She giggled, her light red tail coiling around him. "Gottcha!"

The male let out a laugh. "I still have no idea how you managed to sneak up like that."

"All in the art of the trade!" She responded, getting up and holding out a hand to him. "Come on! We gotta get there before it gets dark!"

The father took her hand, only to be dragged away by her. The Sneaky Sisters giggled and followed behind as their father made mild protests. The two of us awed as we watched them run off. "So that's what they were like..." I spoke softly.

We didn't have to say a word between us as we both slipped back in the portal and let it take over.

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

"Oh no." Was the first words leaving my mouth as my sight cleared up. I didn't even have to see anything else except the terrain to know what I just got pulled into.

Tanith however, was extremely confused.

The stretch of land between the beach and the Conch Command, full of coral, crystals and little crabs scurrying around. It was a more mountainous area, much like other parts in Atlantis, but I knew this area all too well.

"It's when I met him." I couldn't stop the growl in my throat. The hybrid decided to not ask any questions and just watch the situation play out. She didn't have to wait long as he came into our view.

Red and orange body, large claws, bushy eyebrows and several legs. There were many things he could be called, most of which were insults from myself, but most knew him by one name.

CannibalCrab. My rival.

He was a little younger than what he is now, but still the same guy nonetheless. He held a cutlass in his hand and started to mow down many of the nearby crabs, humming pleasantly as he did so.

It wasn't long before a younger version of myself came into the situation, approaching him cautiously. "Uh, citizen? Sorry to bother you but this area is being closed off! There's a monster on the loose!" The young Professor called out, catching the crabs attention.

"It is? Huh, never got the memo. Well, just let me collect my food and I'll be on my-" CannibalCrab turned to face the other me and stopped his is tracts. The other Pikalus did the same, and they stared with their mouths open at each other. "-Way..." He finished but his voice sounded so far away.

I've heard of love at first sight, but this was more like hate at first sight.

Both of their narrowed at the sight of the other. "You!" They screamed at the same time. The Tide Changer's cutlass was now aimed more towards past me while the Atlantean brought out a gun, pointing it at the crab.

Other Pikalus smirked. "You've seem to brought a sword to a gunfight."

"Yeah well.... SHUT UP! I can do a lot of damage with this sword!" He argued back.

The two of them glared at each other for a long time before speaking. "You're that annoying scientist right? Professor Pikalus?" Other me nodded confidently.

"And you're CannibalCrab, KrakenKid's guard dog."

"I AM A GENERAL!"

"Keep telling yourself that."

Tanith let out a snort. I gave her a weird look. "What? This is entertaining!" I rolled my eyes and continued to watch, even though I already knew what was going to happen.

The past Pikalus paused for a moment and cocked his gun. "Well, if I kill you right now then that's one less villain to take care of so," I raised it and positioned it to his chest. CannibalCrab's eyes widened. "Any last words?"

He quickly blurted something out before he shot. "If you kill me, the Tide Changers will hunt you down! Whether I'm a general or guard dog, I'm still among KrakenKid's favorites and he'll want revenge! Is that really what you want to bring upon Atlantis?" Suddenly, he smirked. "Especially when you're kingless?"

That clearly struck a nerve with him. "Councillor Rasmus is keeping the city safe! We are still strong!" But there was still hesitation in his voice. "Besides, how would they know I was the one to kill you?"

"Who else has a laser gun?" He pointed out, nodding at the gun. Past Professor Pikalus cursed under his breath and let his arm fall, getting an annoyingly triumphal look from CannibalCrab. "Ha!" He laughed.

Past me looked away for a moment and huffed loudly. "Wanna call it a stalemate and go home? There's no point in keeping this up." CannibalCrab thought to himself but agreed in the end. As they walked away, I grabbed onto Tanith's arm and pulled her inside the liquid once again and we were gone.

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

"Hey!" She protested as we got out. "A little warning next time would be nice!" She gave me a glare but I shrugged it off. As I glanced around, I was the puzzled one this time.

"Where-"

"Wait a second..." Tanith cut me off before I could ask. "This is... My Avia's home."

I shot her a look. "Avia? Grandmother?" She nodded along.

The house was made out of stone, from the walls to the flooring. There was some wooden shelves and tables, both filled with books, bottles, talismans, poppets and tons of other things that you might expect to see in a witch's house. She even had a crystal ball.

As for the "Avia" in question, she had brown hair that had a few gray hairs in it and her hair was up in a messy bun. She wore a strange purple sweater with symbols on it I had never seen before. She had a long tail, double the size of Tanith's that had the pattern of a python on it, tan with flowing, black patterns all around it. Her eyes were a light violet color.

"Avia! Avia!" Squealed a little voice as something slithered into the house. I gasped and awed while Tanith just covered her face in embarrassment. It was Tanith no doubt, wearing a blue sweater with some patterns that flowed like rivers. Her eyes were a bright blue, full of wonder and untouched innocence. Her tail seemed to only be one foot or so, but still made the effort to swim as fast as she could over to her grandmother. She gave a toothy grin, showing off some of her missing teeth.

"Can you tell me a story?" She asked in Latin, giving a sweet smile. Her grandmother laughed and walked into the other room, leaving myself and the young and older Taniths to follow. The two of us stood in the doorway while Avia sat in a straw and wooden chair with younger Tanith at her feet.

"Oh boy..." Tanith muttered to herself as I chuckled. "Why did I have so much energy as a child? Why?"

Avia started to take out a book, but the younger hybrid protested. "No, no! I want a new story! One you've never told me before!"

Avia blinked in surprise but her gaze softened. Her eyes closed for a moment, a purple glow coming from behind her eyelids, then her expression began to change rapidly, from sad, to shocked, to remorseful, then finally settling at happy. Her eyes opened again and she smiled even brighter. "Alright, but don't tell anyone this one, alright? This is just between us."

"Avia was a seer." Tanith spoke out of the blue, gaining my attention. She smiled fondly and stepped out, her gaze fixated on her grandmother. "Though she was never supposed to tell anyone their distant future, she would slip it in every once in awhile. The limit was supposed to be a week at most, but she'd go decades. What you witnessed when she closed her eyes, she was seeing into the future. She'll probably tell about... Let's see, maybe the coming of my sister? I actually don't remember what she said..." She let out a short laugh and waited for her grandmother to start.

I couldn't help but feel curious to the whole situation.

"Once upon a time, there was a brave young snake person like yourself!" She teased, getting a giggle out of younger Tanith. "She was brave enough to know that sometimes, it's better to leaving things behind so you can grow on your own." Tanith let out a gasp but said nothing, now listening intently. "So she left what she knew behind to become a warrior. Yes, a warrior. She might have been a healer, but she still fought nonetheless."

"She'd go through pain, make tough decisions and even experience heart break, but she'd rise above it, and she'd see great things. She'd see lost royalty, find forgotten kingdoms, meet powerful monarchs, magical researchers, sibling tricksters, watch tides rise, fall in love, meet crazy generals and heirs to the thrones. And all because she left." Suddenly, her eyes drifted up and locked eyes with both me and Tanith, we nearly jumped out of our skin when she did.

"Her Avia would one day see a reflection of all this, and be proud." She smiled softly as she met Tanith's blue eyes. "Proud of all she's done and become. I'm so proud, Tanith."

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

"How could she see us?"

"I don't know! Maybe being a "Seer" does a lot more than see the future? I never knew she could do that!"

Tanith and I left pretty quick after that, both being freaked out and shocked. I shook my head and just looked around the lab. "So, we're here now?" The lab looked almost the same as it was now, and yet the surreal feeling was still there. "I don't get it, what's-"

Then came gunshots and explosions. It all happened so fast it was hard to process but suddenly KrakenKid was in the lab and wasted no time to go guns blazing on the whole place. Both of were taken aback by the fact and watched as soon, Hulk was there to battle him.

"Battle of the lab." I said immediately. "Oh, I remember this."

"You do?" Tanith asked.

"Yeah. It's not easy to forget him kicking your butt and then putting you in a coma for a month or so." Tanith's eyes widened and she let out a low whistle.

We both watched as the Hulk launched himself numerous times at the kraken, but he easily sidestepped and shot him with his gun. It went on until Hulk collapsed on the ground, panting.

KrakenKid smirked and slowly approached. Professor began to transform, becoming smaller and more human by the second until he was himself again. When the leader stopped in front of young Professor, the younger version of myself looked up. KrakenKid immediately took his gun and slapped him across the face with it, sending him flying.

Younger Professor grunted as he hit the ground but could barely move. The kraken simply walked past him and right to the special container at the end of the room, not too far from the scientist. He smashed the glass open with his gun hastily and grabbed what was inside.

The Gauntlet.

He held it in his tentacle and examined it like it was a new toy to play with. "You know," He spoke, getting a reaction out of Professor. "I really expected more of a fight from you. I'm kinda disappointed." KrakenKid's gaze slid over to the younger Pikalus' form. "I guess you're more bark than bite, huh Professor?"

He didn't respond right away. "You... You talked..."

The yellow eyes rolled. "Well of course I talk! Sheesh, did you think I was some sort of mindless animal or something? I just didn't have a reason to say anything before. But right now, I have two words for you." He grinned and started to walk away. "You lose." He cackled and started to do an evil laugh.

Neither of us spoke for a moment, but Tanith eventually blurted out, "He's still a dork, even now." And laughed. "An evil laugh? Oh boy..."

I got a snicker out of that.

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

The next location was something neither of us wanted to see: The Conch Command.

Normally, it would have been fine with Tanith but once she saw what was going on, she had trouble watching it all play out.

"The great war..." I murmured, as we stood in KrakenKid's bedroom, watching him dodge a past me and Cody's grip. "The ending of it at least."

"No..." Tanith whispered. "I've heard this story one too many times, I don't need to see it. I... I can't..." Cody took up the Great Sword and you could see his eyes start to become an electric blue. "Why can't we change it from happening?"

"Somethings have to happen I guess..." That was the best response I could manage as Cody got up on the balcony, with KrakenKid backing up. "You can look away if you want."

Tanith's eyes began to tear up. "I don't know if I can... I want to see if it was all true. If this all really happened, even though I don't want it to be. I know it did, but..." She trailed off and didn't say another word.

The two of us could only watch as Cody plunged the sword into KrakenKid, and watch his body fall. It wasn't long before we were alone.

I grabbed her arm and pulled her into the portal, not waiting for a response.

Something told me if I did wait, I'd never get one.

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The palace. Our final destination.

I let Tanith sit down as we waited for some memory to happen. She stared ahead, her gaze was blank. "You alright?" She huffed, looking down.

"I will be. Eventually. I just need to process what happened. I'll be fine, really." She insisted and I nodded. I would be the same if I were in her shoes.

Then, a voice spoke out. "If she needed glasses, would they be called glass eye?" I instantly knew it was Cody's.

But the responding one stopped my heart. "Or just glass?"

I whipped around, and to my suspicions, saw them. The kings. Both of the kings. My gaze went from Cody, to Joe and I was speechless. The brothers laughed and went up the stairs, out of my sight before I could do anything.

I wanted to scream or run to them, but my legs stopped obeying my commands. Finally, I snapped out of it and turned to Tanith in shock. "Did you see that? That was-" My voice faltered when I saw her face was full of shock. "-Joe..."

"I never saw a picture or anything." She said softly, talking to herself. "I never even knew much about him, just what others would say. But... I can't believe it..."

"Atlantis to Tanith! What are you talking about?"

Her head jerked to face me, locking onto my eyes. Then, she said something I didn't expect.

"I've met him before."

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4,000 freaking words. Sheesh, I haven't written a chapter that long in a while! Also, it's so nice to be writing in first person again! I mean seriously I missed it so much! I had to write in third person for like three chapters! And then some in other books!

Anyways, aside from all that, I got to show off memories! YAYYAYAYAYYAY! Smol female characters! Younger male characters! KrakenKid acts tough! First meeting! 

The next chapter's description might be a lot more obvious who the, "Kind stranger" is, though if you still are confuzzled, worry not! It'll all be explained!

I hope you liked this! Be sure to comment thoughts, and whether you guessed the ending/who the kind stranger would be! See ya!

--JustAnAtlantisWriter