Selena
Making my way downstairs of the palace, I quickly dipped into the library and stopped at the desk. The person already there was young, probably even younger than me and nearly jumped when he saw me. He adjusted a pair of square glasses on his face before putting away a couple stacks of papers he had out and facing me. "Y-yes? Can I help you?"

Something told me this guy just started working there, but I brushed it off. "I need a cookbook. Do you have those?"

He nodded quickly and leaned over, pointing to the stairs that led to the actual books. "Section 6 should have cookbooks, instruction manuals and anything of that sort. Just follow the signs."

"Thanks!" I told him before quickly rushing down the stairs and starting to look around.

Since Sam was working late, I figured I could make dinner for the both of us. Only problem was, I had no idea what I could make, so I decided to consult in the library.

I followed exactly what the newbie told me and found a variety of books. After a bit of searching, I chose "Dining Dishes For The Inexperienced" figuring it would be easy enough before heading right back up. I plopped it on the desk and smiled. "This one please!"

The young boy began to scan it before handing it back. "Anything else? Are you sure you don't need some entertaining book to read while you cook, or just for fun?"

I would have said no and gone on my way, but it had been a while since I really read anything outside of those magazines that Sam keeps getting, so I settled down. "Any recommendations," I paused and noted a name tag on his uniform. "Dylan?"

Dylan thought to himself before naming a couple spots and sent me on my way.

I began to rummage through the library, finding pretty much every type under the sun but none really caught my interested. However, while pulling a few books out, another one from behind slipped out and fell on the floor.

It was dark blue with a leather cover, but bore no title. I found myself bringing it up to Dylan and handing it over. "What's this one?"

Dylan took one look and grinned. "You found another one? I love these series! We keep finding books just like that one in the library! They're actually a favorite of mine! I can't believe you found another one!"

I picked it up and examined it, knitting my eyebrows together. "Why isn't there a title?" I asked, glancing up.

"Because it's not just any ordinary novel, it's a diary! A real diary of someone who lived in Atlantis a long time ago!"

"Oooo..." I found myself interested and opened up the first page.

To whoever it may concern, this is the 5th diary of Q.C.

I have chosen to share my experiences in my daily life of Atlantis for the benefit of others, and to provide a second perspective on everything that has been happening.

I trust this will be informative, and at least a little entertaining.

Signed, Q.C.

"Who's Q.C.?" I wondered out loud, then looked at Dylan for answers.

Dylan practically exploded from excitement. "Nobody knows! That's actually pretty interesting! The other four diaries are all signed just 'C' but now there's a 'Q'? Maybe 'C' was just their last name and maybe they're signing their full initials now? Lots of people speculate on their name too, and what gender they are, but nobody has any way of knowing. We think it might be a girl. Also, don't worry about reading the first few, they're just about them growing up but this one might be the more interesting one! There's a couch downstairs if you want someplace comfortable to read it!"

I began to nod and decided that sound like a good idea. Sam wouldn't be home for a couple hours, so I'd be fine if I took some time off.

I navigated my way down the stairs and settled on the cushions before opening more up to see what it had to offer.

Dear Diary,

Life is going well so far. Everyone is getting comfortable with the way Atlantis is changing, and I am getting the hang of my new life. There is a lot of pressure admittedly, and there are many who would like to see me fail so they can someone find a way to take my place, but I do not intend to give them the upperhand.

As for my new married life, it is going well. I'm starting to get used to having a husband around to kill any spiders who get into my room, and he is more than happy to have someone around. That little goofball is, and will always be, the love of my life.

It is strange though, having new family around, and though my new "Brother In-law (Even though I'm pretty sure they are just best friends but who can tell?) isn't too great at conversation, he is a funny one to be around. He really understands what it's like to be suddenly placed in a position of power so suddenly. It's nice to talk to him.

Here's to hoping for a better tomorrow.

-Q.C.

"Why can't they be more specific? What kind of position of power are they talking about?" I mumbled to myself before flipping to another random page.

Dear Diary,

I always knew this day would come. We're going to have kids.

I'm not sure what to do or say to him, but he has to know and soon. He's alway wanted kids, and admittedly, I do too, but it's so much to take in. We're still so young, or at least I am, and I always imagined having kids at an older age, but life doesn't exactly go with what you want, doesn't it?

It's actually a funny story of how I found out! I met a sorceress! I'm not really sure how she got into Atlantis but her and her friend needed to be treated at the hospital but the doctors were having a hard time getting close to her friend because she didn't trust any of them, but I finally got through to her. I guess she liked me more than them.

Long story short, she ended up doing some sort of scan or something? I don't recall her exact words but she mentioned hearing more than one heart beat in me and asked if I was pregnant. I was incredibly surprised to hear the news, and sure enough, when I got checked out down by the lab, they confirmed it.

Amazing how these things work! I might have asked more, but she had to go. Something about needing to get back to the right place at the right time. I wonder if I'll see her again...

Also, I've met a new scientist down by the lab. Cute one too, he's practically like a baby compared to the rest of him. But, there's a reason why he started so early: He's a genius. Great scientist and a wonderful engineer as well. Plus, he's now "Poseidon's Pupil" as others are calling it, which is a more fancy way of saying he's his new favorite. Jerold will have to step up his game now.

Professor Niall Pikalus. He's going to do great things one day.

-Q.C.

I nearly dropped the book at the name. "Pikalus was Poseidon's favorite? No wonder he loves the guy..." My voice trailed off and I began to search for more things concerning the people I know now.

Dear Diary,

Poseidon is acting... Off.

Crime in Atlantis is becoming higher with the population of the krakens growing, and while I hate stereotypes, a lot of the criminals are krakens. There is no arguing with statistics. Poseidon is getting more and more stressed about upcoming things that he's starting to lose his charm.

I hate how so many Atlanteans are beginning to treat them differently, and with my baby on the way, I'm more worried about this world they'll have to grow up in. Just because some krakens are bad doesn't mean all of them are, why doesn't anyone else see that? In fact, my best friend is a kraken and he's perfectly normal! He's kinder than most of the people I meet on a daily basis in fact!

I'm starting to worry that Poseidon is going to make a rash decision, and his training with the Nexus is not helping.

As much as the Nexus is important, I think it's too dangerous for how close he's getting to it. I swear it's like it's more in control of him than he is of it. I'm not sure if it's alive or not, but it's definitely dangerous. Very dangerous.

I see him with it in the dead of night, and though I have noticed a surge in his power levels, I think getting too close to it isn't a good idea.

I've gone to Rasmus and told him about my doubts, but he's too blind to see what's going on. He always has been.

I worry for the safety of Poseidon's mind, and for the krakens.

-Q.C.

"Whoa..." I mumbled to myself. "Why haven't I heard this side of Poseidon before?" Worry began to consume me as I remembered Cody. "Maybe I shouldn't let him get too close to the Nexus..."

Dear Diary,

We are at war.

I don't know what it was, but Poseidon has snapped. He declared that krakens are our enemies and demanded we take action against them. At first all the councillors agreed except Rasmus. They're all so scared that they're willing to do anything.

We aren't allowed to go to war unless everyone on the council agrees to it, so I hoped that Rasmus would stop this madness, but Poseidon got to him before I did. I don't know what he did, or what he said, but our next meeting, Rasmus agreed to it and said nothing more. I tried talking to him later but he didn't seem in the mood for talking.

Now I'm scared what Poseidon did, and/or what he said.

I wish I could say that Rasmus acting weird and avoiding any "Unnecessary" conversation was the least of my problems, but we are at war.

It's currently one day in, but it's already going terrible for the krakens. Soldiers flooded the streets and since they got the head start and most didn't know what was going on, they slaughtered everyone in their path with little to no hesitation. It didn't matter if they were a child or not, they just killed.

The krakens, of course, fought back, destroying the soldiers. I know it was self defense for them, but the Atlanteans don't see it that way. They seem to think it was their faults in the first place, and now all of Atlantis seemed to have turned against them.

I want to say out of it, but I wish I could help the krakens somehow. I might have a very high position, but I've never felt so helpless in my life.

The krakens were forced out of their homes and retreated to the outskirts of different sectors, mainly sectors one and three.

Their former homes are now bloodbaths.

Why is this happening?

-Q.C.

I could barely say a word as I stared in shock. Why didn't I read about this part of Atlantis?

Dear Diary,

It's only been a week, but the war is over.

People are celebrating that we won, and no one seems to care about the collateral damage we have done. They cheer, drink to the end of the war and are talking about making it a holiday, and it sickens me. I can barely go outside without smelling blood in the water.

The first couple days of the war that were outside of the first day were relatively tame. I think the krakens were all too shocked and needed a little time to lick their wounds. There were a couple small raids where they stole supplies, but that was it.

Day four and five were a nightmare.

The krakens suddenly just attacked us and fought us from the inside. Nobody knows where they came from, but they somehow got into the heart of the city. From there, so many Atlanteans started to die and Poseidon only became more wrathful than before.

He lead his army to the front lines and killed as many people as possible. He was vapourizing some into dust, and his eyes were bleeding with pure power. If he didn't have such a powerful body, I'm certain he might have just faded away on the spot.

So many died that day, and it went on for two days straight before the krakens fell back.

Poseidon was furious when he saw how many died, and I screamed and pleaded at him to stop, to make peace and just let them go, but he barely even heard me.

Then, he did something insane.

He called upon the Titans for help.

The Titans are his mortal enemy, and normally, they would have tried to kill him on the spot for even suggesting a thing, but he seemed to make a deal with them, something about loosening their cage a little, and they agreed to it.

That was all day six, but day seven is where it all came crashing down.

The krakens got in again and this time, they all tried to see if they could escape. They scattered, I guess it was every man and woman for themselves, and they all aimed for getting out.

Some actually did escape through the portal after the somehow managed to open it, but it seemed to be only around ten or so before it was shut down again. After that, the portal became a graveyard due to all the krakens attempting it again, but being shot down.

Very few got into the palace, but I saw one get pushed into the Nexus and vapourized on spot. I could have sworn she shouted something as she died. Her words still haunt me. "Kraken" something, she said.

It always makes me wonder, if you knew that you were dying and you had a last word, what would you say? Something important, right? So what was so important to her that she used her last words on it?

But now, the war is over. Soldiers searched around, killing another left, and now there isn't a kraken in sight. A few popped up here and there, but they're all dead now.

Every single one, besides the ones who escaped. I have no idea what happened to my best friend, but I can only assume the worst.

This wasn't war, this was genocide.

-Q.C.

"They're all dead? Oh no... KrakenKid..." I whispered to myself. This was horrible and I hated having to have just learned this, but I had to keep going. No stopping now.

Dear Diary,

Poseidon doesn't talk much now. He's lost his charm.

I barely see him around, he keeps disappearing and returning in the dead of night.

He's not the only thing that's changed, the Nexus has started to as well.

Sometimes it feels like it's whispering to me, and watching everyone. It feels more alive now, and I'm not sure why. I catch Poseidon talking to it sometimes. I can't ever catch what he's saying, but it's like he's confessing his sins to a priest.

In other news, the kids are growing up. Slowly, but still too fast for me. They've certainly got our humor, and they're practically inseparable. They keep wanting to see more of their father and I don't know what to tell them.

What do I do? I think I'm falling out of love and it's the worst feeling in the world.

-Q.C.

My eyebrows knitting together as I read the words. "Oh honey..." I whispered before going on.

Dear Diary,

There might be hope yet.

Today I encountered something I never thought I'd see again: a kraken in Atlantis.

I found him by the ever growing crystals in Sector Four. I nearly thought I was hallucinating until the poor thing started to run away. I managed to catch up and assure him I wasn't going to kill him.

He didn't believe me but I don't blame him. He was beyond traumatized and after what Atlantis did, its understandable. Atlantis killed everyone he knew, and now still hunted for him.

I snuck some food out for him because he was so scrawny and he ate it like he had never eaten before. After that, I tried to make conversation but he wasn't up for it. He left quickly.

I never even got his name... But still, perhaps this is a chance for Atlantis to mend what it's done. Poseidon might not be able to do it, but this future may not be in his hands.

Atlantis has princes now.

-Q.C.

"Huh... That didn't work out too well, did it?" I mumbled to myself before flipping ahead.

Dear Diary,

Atlanteans are starting to disappear left and right. We're not really sure why, or where they're going, but most have a common thread.

Most of them are outcasts, people who aren't accepted by Atlantis.

Most would say they ran away, maybe left Atlantis all together, but there are exceptions. One particular one that stuck with me was a male in his late 20's, the first to disappear. I remember his file so well

Apparently he used to be engaged to be married with a woman he had dated for years. However, she was a soldier and died in a small war that ultimately lead to nothing. Her body was later reported to be carrying a three month year old child. No doubt he was devastated.

Makes you wonder what happened to him. He did have a stable job and house and that happened years ago, so why did he disappear now?

Darrel Lewis O'Malley, what did you find that made you leave?

-Q.C.

"Darrel... I feel like I've heard that name before..." I mused.

Dear Diary,

The boys grow up so fast.

C kinda reminds me of his father when he was younger, he has his charm and leadership while J takes after me, a little more of a jokester and has a heart of gold.

I love them so much and though I do get busy, Rasmus is a huge help and babysits them while I'm out.

But as they begin to get to their double digit ages, things changed a bit.

Though they did make a pretty great friend named Professor Pikalus, also known as Poseidon's Favorite, they found out about what Poseidon did.

Both took it hard. J hides his feelings under a bunch of jokes and smiles while C can't do the same. He's ashamed and I know it. I wish I could fix what he did, or at least somehow give them a way do they can live without having those sins hanging over them.

Poseidon is getting more distant. He left Atlantis saying he had unresolved business with some people.

It's been a week and he hasn't so much as sent a letter.

I don't think he's coming back.

-Q.C.

The letter J and C stuck in my mind, but I didn't focus on it too long and went onto the next one.

Dear Diary,

Poseidon isn't coming back, and today, Atlantis was attacked.

They came out of nowhere in the middle of town, baring guns and many other weapons I've never seen before. Though I didn't see it, there was a huge speech there by their leader before they scattered.

I would still end up running into their leader, and my heart nearly stopped when I did.

It was the same boy as before, the last kraken. He ran right into me without thinking and froze when we met eyes. He had a gun with him and I was defenseless, but he didn't do much as lift a tentacle to hurt me and just bolted. He might have thought about it because he went for his gun, but decided against it when he looked into my eyes again.

I didn't know what to tell anyone, so I just didn't.

They said his name is KrakenKid, and he's the leader of the Tide Changers, a new resistance group.

The tides are ever changing, aren't they?

Many people dislike this new change, but me?

I always welcome new beginnings.

-Q.C.

"Awww... Such a softy, aren't you, KrakenKid?" I giggled to myself, then self consciously looked around and hoped nobody heard that. That would have been hard to explain.

As I returned to my book, I noticed I was getting to the last couple entries.

Dear Diary,

C is acting weird again.

Before, he and his brother were both being weird with their training, but that's normal when it comes to the energy they were working with.

C however, keeps sneaking out at night. I think he's seeing someone he's not supposed to, but it's hard to tell. He is a teenager, it could just be a party or something, but I'm not so sure.

He seems so bitter about Poseidon lately, more than normal.

J has noticed as well and is going to talk to him about it.

Hopefully it goes well.

-Q.C.

"So he had a rebellious side..." I snickered under my breath. "Don't we all?"

Dear Diary,

I can't do it anymore, I need a break.

It's all been so stressful and with all the pressure on me and the kids, we all need to have a vacation.

So I'm leaving, marking this as my last entry in this journal. I'll have another one with me while I'm away, but this one is over.

I don't know when I'll be back, or if I will at all, but I just need to get out.

Maybe out there we can escape his sins.

-Formally Q.C.

I carefully shut the book, a million things going through my mind before I stood up and made my way over to where Dylan was. He smiled when he saw me.

"So? How is it?" When I didn't answer right away, his eyebrows knotted together but I slammed the book on the table. He yelped but I looked him right in the eyes.

"I need more, give me the next book." I demanded, getting him to take a defensive position.

"We never found the next one! Honest!"

My eyes narrowed. "Fine then, give me the previous ones."

************************
I DID IT! ITS FINISHED

Now let's talk about this chapter! This contained a lot more information on what happened in the past, thus being kinda important! Q.C. Isn't blind sided like most of Atlantis and sees them as they truly are, plus gets a front row seat in what goes on.

They also tell of the war and how it went down, plus noting how Poseidon was during this time.

I don't know how obvious it is who they are, but I will say that the Q in Q.C. Doesn't represent their first name.

You'll probably figure it out, I believe in you.

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Writing in a dairy/journal is really fun for me! Be sure to comment what you think and goodbye!

--JustAnAtlantisWriter