Tanith

"What do you mean you've met him before?"

Professor's eyes flashed dangerously. Whenever it came to Cody's brother, both him and Cody could get that way. However, I shook it off and started to explain myself.

"I mean I've met him before! It was just before I came to Atlantis!"

**********

Many Months Ago...

I gasped when I saw it. For what seemed like centuries, I had been searching for it, and there it was. My heart filled up with inexplicable joy as I ran forward, making a jump for it, then landed right in front of it.

"YES!" I cried out, throwing my hands in the air. "THANK THE SPIRITS OF ADFECTUS AND THOSE WHO HELPED ME TODAY FOR GETTING ME OUT OF THAT FORSAKEN LAND!" I screamed and whipped around, glaring at the jungle behind me.

"I hate you so much... I would burn you if you weren't important."

Hate wasn't something that came too easily to me as it would for others, but when it came to things like mazes, even I couldn't hold back. In my opinion, jungles are the mazes of nature. 32 hours I had spent trying to get out of there, and finally it had ended and I could see fields again.

I let out a hefty sigh, and soon realized how utterly dry my throat was. I wasn't really used to being on the surface, so I kept forgetting that I needed to actually drink water. Normally my lungs would just get it from the water around me. I quickly whipped out my canister, putting up to my lips but found myself dissatisfied when there was little left.

"Are you kidding me?" I mumbled, putting it away and sighing again. "I don't even know where... Oh right." Finally it came to me, I had no idea where I was. Shaking my head, I quickly brought out the map on me and started to cross reference.

"I was supposed to come out here, that is, if I actually got through the jungle right... I was a bit iffy about the temple part so... Oh no."

As I looked from the terrain and the map, back and forth, I slowly realized I wasn't where I should be. I should have come out near a mountain, then would have crossed it to get to the ocean but not a mountain was in sight. In fact, the one part I assumed I was in, was the part where the map ended. I didn't think I needed it when I bought it but now it was starting to look like I was wrong.

So very wrong.

"No... Noooo!" I slowly started to crumbled to the ground. "Come on! I am NOT going back in there! I just got out of that stupid twisty place! There's so many vines and they just don't agree with me!" I shouted to no one particular, but when nothing happened, I looked back at the tree filled hellhole I crawled out of in utter hopelessness.

"Take up the job, Tanith." She mimicked a voice sarcastically, covering her face. "You miss war, don't you? It'll help you heal! It'll be a lot less stressful for you! Closure! You'll get over PTSD and be happy again! It'll be fine!" I shook my head. "It'll be fun, he says. Yeah, such fun. Sheesh, I haven't even gotten there and I can't even function properly."

Then, the one small thought that had been in my mind the whole time started to take over. "If it's a real place at all and this isn't just a prank... Still not entirely convinced it isn't. I mean, that guy- Rasmus was it- sounded professional over the phone but Atlantis? I thought that was just a story for hatchlings so they could fall asleep at night." However, something just felt right about it. Looking up, I scanned the area. "I guess I'll find out."

I found myself traveling along the edge jungle, never straying inside and trying to get a good vantage point. It wasn't working out

I still saw nothing I was seeing on my map, which meant I was far off of it. As I slithered along, a figure started to come into view. They were coming out of the jungle, something in their hands. I perked up and started to move faster, calling out to them. "Hey! Stranger!"

They quickly whipped around in my direction and nearly did a double take.

They were a chicken, full of white feathers, a yellow beak and blue eyes. They wore a brown cloak, but it was around some strange armor that was colored blue, and looked as if he was ready to go out to war. They looked to be male by my guess, and he blinked in confusion as I came to a stop right in front of him. A familiar presence came off of him, but I couldn't place what it was. I ignored it, and quickly asked a question.

"Do you know the area by chance?"

"Uh... Yes?" His voice had an accent that sounded familiar, but I couldn't quite place the origin.

"Great! Mind telling me where we are? Could you point it out on this map?" I shoved it into his hands eagerly, wanting to know the answer as soon as possible, and especially wanting to hear good news. However none came.

He sucked in a breath and gave me a side glance. "Sorry to tell you this but we're actually not on this map. We're quite a while away from any point on here actually, how did you manage to do that?" He asked, a humorous tone in his voice.

I groaned as he handed it back. "The jungle. I have no idea how to navigate those but they are the devil, no doubt about it." I put my face in my hands. "I'm never going to make it in time."

"In time for what?"

"Job interview. Long story, but to complete it I need to meet them in person. I had this map and I should have made it there right on time but now," I glanced down at the map. "I doubt I'll make it. I don't even know where I am!"

The chicken thought to himself for a moment. "Well, I might be able to help. My house isn't too far from here and even if I can't help, I'm sure the others in the village will." He smiled, then slipped his backpack in his hand onto his shoulders and made a motion for me to follow. When I did, he started to ask questions. "What's your name?"

"Tanith. You?"

"Joe." He held out his hand for me to shake, which I promptly did. "No last name, Tanith?"

I raised an eyebrow. "I could ask you the same thing, Joe."

Joe locked eyes with me for one moment, but then laughed it off. "Fair enough!" He hesitated, looking me up and down before carefully choosing his words. "I promise I'm not trying to be offensive right now- I'm already off to a bad start but are you a Naga or... Something?"

I chuckled to myself. "Every time... Every single time..." I muttered under my breath before raising my voice. "Dimidium Anguis actually." I opened my mouth to say more but to my surprise, Joe beat me to it.

"Oh! Is that the race of snake people who worship spirits and know magic?" I couldn't help but be surprised at him actually knowing. I hadn't met a whole lot of people who had.

"That would be us! You've seen our kind before?"

He grinned lightly. "I came across a town of them before, so yeah! Quite nice people, they helped me along with my quest. But..." He glanced over, knitting his eyebrows together. "From what I know, they don't really leave town that often. I never met them other than in their own village, so why did you leave?"

Everyone who knew that my people never left home always asked me that question. Telling them every single thing that led up to me leaving forever would take a while, so I always answered simply. "I wasn't happy." I said. "I didn't feel at home anymore." But every single time, I still felt the weight of my actions.

Joe's eyes softened. Not sympathetic, but empathetic.

Most people don't realize that there is a difference between the two. Sympathetic means that you feel bad for someone, but empathetic means you understand what they're going through.

Often by experience, or having done it yourself.

"Huh." Was his only response before we walked in silence.

About ten minutes later, we arrived in a small town filled with wooden houses. Majority of them were filled with humans, but some other species came up too, like Ents or other plant-humanoid creatures. Joe lead me to a large house and knocked on the door before waiting. I raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything.

It wasn't long before an old woman with fading black hair opened the door. Her eyes were a pale violet color, and stared deep into my soul. She wore purple robes and had tan skin. I instantly got a rush of power coming off her. It was only then, when I realized something I had dismissed before. The feeling I got from Joe with I first met him, I now knew what it was: Absolute power. I spared a glance at the chicken when he wasn't looking. How much power did he have?

"Martha! How are you doing?" The old woman's mouth curved and her eyes became warm in an instant.

"Joseph, my dear! I am well, thank you for asking. Polite as always. I envy the woman who has stolen your heart." She spoke humorously. "Back so soon?" He nodded. "I hope you found what you were looking for. Who is your friend? I haven't seen them before."

Joe gave a nod in my direction. "This is Tanith. She's a bit lost and since even I'm still getting used to the area after all this time, I figured I'd come to the smartest person I know."

Martha gave a wholehearted laugh. "You're too much. Of course I'll help after a praise like that! Come in, come in!" She ushed the two of us inside and closed the door. "Now, where are those maps of mine?"

The chicken and I both stayed near the entrance as she started to walk in and out of rooms, grumbling to herself as she did. There were papers everywhere, mostly in piles but some were scattered. However, there seemed to be a clear path throughout the halls, like someone had made sure that there were no papers in their path. I couldn't help but glance at one of the piles.

Some were maps, but a symbol caught my eye and I quickly snatched it up. Joe noticed. "You probably shouldn't touch things without permission..." He warned. I barely heard him and examined the writings. There were circles, symbols used as the lining and latin as the text to explain it. Circle magic. I realized immediately. There were few who used it, and even less who had the original writings, in latin no less.

Martha strode into the room again, holding a box full of papers. "I found my maps. In fact, I not only have around here but miles outward of our town as well! Now, where did-" She paused when she saw me. My eyes shot up and met her's. Words left my mouth before I even realized what I was saying.

"You're a witch."

However, she didn't flinch. In fact, a smile formed on her face. "That would be me." She chuckled and started to wiggle her fingers, little sparks coming off of them. "I was wondering when you'd put two and two together. After all, it takes one to know one, doesn't it?"

I didn't flinch either, but Joe gave me a surprised look. "You're a witch too?"

I huffed. "Magic user. Not the same thing. Witches often need tools to do their more advanced magic, though there are few who can do it alone. Magic users can use something, but don't normally need it. Plus, witches often use incantations, I don't need that."

Martha rolled her eyes. "Witch, magic users, mage, it doesn't matter. We all do the same thing. Now, do you want to get to where you need to go or not? I haven't got all day! I have animal sacrifices in two hours." She instantly received horrified looks from two people who were at least half animal or more. "Kidding!" She snickered, shaking her head. "Ah, always gets people. To the living room!"

Surprisingly, Martha's living room was actually pretty tidy compared to what I had already seen. With a wave of her hands, a box in her hands was lifted and papers began to neatly spread across the table. She took some out, replacing others until finally satisfied. "I'm going to get some tea and cookies. Either of you interested?" She got two grins and took that as a yes before leaving.

"Thanks Martha!" Joe yelled before turning to the maps. The backpack he was wearing slid off of his shoulders and plopped to the ground as he searched them. "Martha used to be a mapmaker, I knew she'd have these. Where do you need to go?"

I paused as I moved to the other side of the table. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"I've seen crazy things, I can take it." He challenged. I smirked.

"Really? Try Atlantis."

As expected, his head shot up in shock. "What?" He blurted out instantly. "Did you say Atlantis?" I nodded firmly. I expected a million things, but what I got wasn't any of them. "I'm from there."

He said the words, almost in a whisper then shut his mouth, like he didn't mean for it to slip. I raised an eyebrow. "Wait, really? It's real?" He nodded, almost carefully. "Why the heck would you leave a place like that? It must have been amazing!"

Slowly, a softened smile formed on his face. "Yeah..." He sounded a million miles away. "It was. I miss it sometimes but-" His head jerked suddenly, like he was trying to snap out of his thoughts. "I had a job to do. Plus," He met my eyes. "Sometimes it didn't quite feel like home. The only time it did was with-" He stopped and huffed, shaking his head as he did. "It doesn't matter. The point is, I know how to get you there. Come with me. MARTHA! WE GOTTA GO!" He yelled before speeding out the door, scooping up his backpack and one of the maps as he did. I followed behind soon after, catching up.

"What kind of job?" He gave me a look. "You mentioned a job you needed to do, so what job?"

Joe hesitated. I could tell he was choosing his words carefully. "I'm researching someone important to me. It's a long story, but I've come up with something that could really help me with it and I've been gathering supplies and knowledge since then. In fact," He glanced back at the backpack he kept with him. "I had just gotten something from the jungle temple. Your species actually helped me with some of it. I guess me helping you is a way to pay them back!"

As we got closer to the edge of town, I had another question. "So, if you're from Atlantis, mind telling me what it's like? Give me a heads up?"

Joe stopped in his tracks for a moment, then turned his whole body to me. "It's as beautiful as they say in fairy tales, but there are often times where it doesn't even do it justice! It's breathtaking and being there can be a dream come true. They have a king-"

"A king? So I'm going into a monarchy? Not sure if I like the sound of that."

"Yes, a king, but he doesn't act like one. He'll treat all of his citizens with love and respect, and it really feels like he understands and knows everyone like the back of his hand. It might be a monarchy in the end, but it doesn't feel like it."

I laughed. "I'm guessing you liked him then."

"You have no idea." I heard him say under his breath, but I couldn't ask before he interrupted. "Let's get you down to the docks."

"Docks?" I questioned. "I'm can breath in the water, I'll be fine." I protested.

"Ships will get you there faster. I'll have them take you to right above it with this map," He waved one of the maps he took from Martha's house around. "And then all you'll need to do is plunge into the water, go all the way to the bottom and find a huge circle thing, that's the portal. Have someone open it and you'll be in. Any questions?"

I thought to myself for a moment. The thought of going on a boat make my stomach queasy. I never liked vehicles, and a boat wasn't any different. Finally, a thought came to mind. "Do you want me to say hello to anyone? Do you want me to talk to anyone for you?"

He hesitated. "... No." His gaze diverted. "It's best that they forget about me. Don't even bring me up, I don't really matter anymore. But..."

"But?" I prompted.

He finally met my eyes, the blue eyes mixing with mine. "If you could just take care of the king, that'd be great. He's got a lot of stress on his shoulders, maybe help him out a little bit? Like I said, they need to forget about me, but if you could do that, I'd be a lot happier knowing he has more help."

I just chuckled. "If that's what you want, sure. I'll give him a hand from time to time."

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

Present Day

Professor stared for a long time. When he said nothing, I spoke for him. "I actually forgot about most of that to be honest but," I looked to my side to see the pair of kings coming back down after a long time. Both were rambling about some sort of lobster or something. "It all came back when I saw him. I never even gave most of it a second thought but now most of it makes sense!"

The memory faded, and without either of us stepping back into the portal, we were home. Glitch was nearby, but only watched us with a strange all knowing sense. Finally, a single tear dropped from Professor Pikalus' face.

My eyes widened. "Professor! What-"

"You're lucky." He smiled, quickly wiping it away. "You're lucky that you got to see him. He was okay then? Happy?" Hesitantly, I nodded. He strayed for a moment, but then started to walk away. "Just remember how lucky you are to have seen him before he died."

"Professor-"

"I'm fine." He whipped around and shot a smile. "I just need to get some work done." He paused before offering. "Wanna come?" I nodded and the two of headed towards the bottom of the lab. I glanced back but Glitch was already gone.

As we entered the lab, one of the scientists ran up. "Jill? What is it?" The irishman asked.

She stopped, took a breath, then spoke. "You know that power thing we had?" I tensed up remembering it. "It's gone."

His eyebrow raised. "Gone?"

She nodded. "It's just gone! Nobody took it or anything, it just disappeared! We think it lost stability and faded."

Professor let out a disappointed sigh. "Dang it! I was hoping to use that for something..."

I shrugged. "It's probably for the best. Like I said, it's too destructive for its own good. Nothing good could have come from that."  

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FINALLY!

Sorry but lots of things came up so I wasn't able to update but here it is! Enjoy!

When I first was doing this book, I never thought I'd actually do chapter with Joe in it, given I knew he'd die but then I had this idea and I changed my mind! Maybe I'll do more memories in the future...

The phrase, "A kind stranger" helping her out seems a to make a lot more sense doesn't it? Actually, the whole description might make a lot more sense.

I hope you liked it! Be sure to comment, and I'll see ya later!

--JustAnAtlantisWriter