Third Person

KrakenKid started the day with a strange feeling.

It was hard to describe, it was like the feeling had a grip on his head and his heart that he couldn't explain. It gave him chills at first, but then it began to settle, and soon it became nearly unnoticeable. KrakenKid didn't understand what it was, but figuring he wouldn't find out, he ignored it.

Instead, he found himself checking in with Darrel and got a bit of news he wasn't expecting.

"So, today's my day off?" KrakenKid echoed, raising an eyebrow. He didn't remember getting that today.

But Darrel just nodded. "Yes, you don't have anything going on today, so I figured you could use it. Just take the load off."

KrakenKid paused. He let out a long puff as he thought to himself and began to wish that it was some other day. Pretty much everyone he knew would be busy. Blooper was having a sleepover with Selena, CannibalCrab took a personal day to have a little self-time and Tanith mentioned she was going to be out trying every single fruit, sweet and vegetable that she never heard of so that could be hours. Even his guards were taking personal days! "Really? Today is the worst day for nothing to do..." He sighed.

Darrel looked up from his computer screen and stopped typing for a moment. "Have some time to yourself then, you deserve it. The last thing we need is for you to overwork yourself and pass out. Try checking the news or going down to the training room."

KrakenKid nodded along and almost left, but stopped in his tracks. He glanced over and shot a glare. "Training room? What are you suggesting? I'm rusty in my fighting?"

"Don't take it personally, but a bit." Darrel responded without looking up. Clearly, he didn't mind telling him that he needed to catch up unlike how everyone else was.

KrakenKid kept his narrowed gaze on him for a while before stalking back up to his room, mumbling bitterly to himself. Darrel just smirked as he did.

Soon, he found himself endlessly flipping through the news, hoping for something to entertain him, but through titles like "The Labs New Experiments!" that only told about their boring antibiotics or "Hottest Hair Styles!" that was exactly what it said, nothing came up. Nothing he was looking for.

He huffed and sank deeper into his chair and found himself brushing the papers away and putting his head in his arms on the table. His eyes fluttered for a moment, giving into utter boredom.

"Nothing interesting?" KrakenKid chuckled lightly.

"How could you tell? Feels like there never is anymore..." KrakenKid mumbled. His eyes only flew open when he realized he had no idea who he was talking to. Whipping around, his eyes laid on a human woman, having black hair, tan skin and purple armor on. His heart stopped briefly.

Her bright green eyes scanned the room with interest before saying anything. "Things sure have changed, haven't they, Kraken?" She said wistfully, still keeping her gaze on the room rather than him.

But KrakenKid stared right at her, unable to pay attention to anything else. There's no way... It can't be... KrakenKid reached out to her, but his arm when right through her, temporarily distorting her image before it reformed. His hope soon depleted and he fell back into his chair with a sigh. "Oh... It's never the real thing, isn't it? Just another hallucination. I thought I was past the "Fake Ena" stage, but I guess not."

KrakenKid began to rub his temples, trying to forget the whole ordeal and the being in question, but when he opened his eyes, she still stood there, her arms crossed and giving him a bored look. "Oh Kraken... Don't you ever learn? Your hallucinations always go away after you try and touch them."

KrakenKid blinked, yellow eyes widening in realization. "And you're still here..."

"So what does that make me?" Ena shrugged lightly, uncrossing her arms. She began to circle the room, still looking around but glanced at the Kraken once in awhile. "Ghost maybe, but that's not the point."

KrakenKid watched her every move, but ironically, couldn't seem to make any movements himself. He was worried he was dreaming, and that if he messed up, it would end with him waking up.

Waking up meant she would be gone again. All he needed was a couple minutes and he'd be okay to give it up again.

I'm over her, I just want to see her for a while. That's it, nothing else.

What a beautiful lie he kept telling himself.

KrakenKid coughed awkwardly to catch her attention. He shifted in his seat. "Do you-uh... Need anything?"

Ena looked around one last time before nodding. "As a matter of fact, yes." Her eyes narrowed on him, making the kraken even more uncomfortable than before. "You've gotten soft."

KrakenKid found himself speechless for longer than he was willing to admit. "S-soft? What do you mean?"

Her green eyes rolled. "Please, we both know you haven't so much as touched Atlantis in a while. No attacks on purpose, no raids, nothing! You even teamed up with them! Are you the renegade who will lead us to a revolution or did we follow you for nothing? Make a move!"

KrakenKid shook off her look and retaliated. "There's a lot going on and we share a bigger threat than Atlantis. Ace hits us right where it hurts and I can't afford to have two huge enemies at the same time! I'm choosing my battles! It's the smart thing to do."

Ena huffed, glancing down. "I get it, but after everything Atlantis has done, can you really be so close to them?" Her eyes met his and seemed to stare right into his soul. "Because I think we both know that even if Ace wasn't around, we'd still be having this conversation. We both know something else is holding you back."

KrakenKid tensed up, when he heard her say it and his blood ran cold. He finally stood up and pointed accusingly at Ena. "Keep her out of it."

KrakenKid turned around so he could lean on the table for support. Ena just held her hands up in her defense, but showed no sign of dropping the subject. "Why? Because she "Doesn't act like an Atlantean"? That's right, I've seen your diary."

"Hey! It's a journal!" He barked in response.

Her eyes rolled. "Right, journal. But my statement still stands, you've gotten pretty close with her through all the "Feels jams" and shenanigans." Her eyebrows arched. "I'm starting to wonder if she's my new replacement."

KrakenKid scoffed. "She's not a replacement, she's nothing like you."

"Right," Ena's tongue clicked. "Polar opposite. She knows magic and is weak medic, how could I forget?"

KrakenKid couldn't stop himself from glaring. "She's not weak. Weak doesn't mean "Can't fend off ten soldiers with just your bare hands" Ena. There are other ways of being strong. You just never understood that. And she's not holding me back!"

Ena's smile shifted to a smirk, one that had all the answers. "Really? Because I don't recall even saying any names, you just instantly knew who I was talking about." KrakenKid wanted to tell her she was wrong, but could barely even think the words, much less say them. Ena gave a little wave. "I guess I can't do anything. Goodbye, Kraken. See you on the other side."

Her form became fainter and fainter until she was gone. KrakenKid was left standing in an empty room and ready to yell at nothing. He huffed and settled down. "That's enough news for today." He decided.

The arena was empty so lucky for KrakenKid, he wouldn't have to actually fight anyone, which he wasn't in the mood for, and nobody else would be watching him train, which was always stressful and took away the point of training to avoid stress. He step up a couple training dummies and picked up a sword and began to whack at them, not holding back.

He'd be lying if he said he was okay after seeing and fighting with Ena, even if she wasn't really there. He'd also be lying if he said that he was over what happened with her, especially since nobody was sure what did happen. It was easiest to think she was dead rather than hope she would return every day, only to be sorely disappointed.

KrakenKid learned that a long time ago.

When he finally focused in on the real world, the training dummy he forced his frustrations on was shredded to pieces, all that was left was the head and the metal pole it stood on. KrakenKid bit his lip, remembering Darrel's warning of not letting any more be destroyed because the cost was hurting him.

"Really glad no one's around." He muttered to himself. He sighed, loosely holding the sword and wondering if he should even try going for another and risking doing more damage, or playing it safe and calling it quits.

"I wouldn't say that." KrakenKid's heart dropped and he whipped around, hoping that whoever it was, wouldn't be a snitch to Darrel, but he froze in place. "Heh, you look like you've seen a ghost." The ent grinned slyly. "Oh wait, you have, haven't you?"

The oak wood of the tree come to life flickered for a moment but he shook himself, lightly rustling his healthy, green leaves and settled back down. KrakenKid wasn't sure what to say to this one. "...Larsa?" He called to him, uncertain that he was truly seeing his old friend.

Larsa smiled just like he did before, allowing a warm feeling to sprout in the kraken's heart. A feeling of home. "Who else would it be? How's it going, Boss?"

KrakenKid shook his head, starting to wonder if he was in some sort of "Christmas Carol" situation and he was being visited by the "Ghost of his Present" but dismissed the idea when he realized it still was quite a ways away from the holiday. "What is going on? How can you be here? You're dead! I-..." KrakenKid sputtered, unable to look at anything but him. "I buried you, Larsa."

Larsa nodded solemnly. "I know. I saw it. That's not why I'm here. We need to talk about Atlantis."

KrakenKid's shoulders slumped. "Oh." He said softly, sighing. "Right, this again..." He shook his head and signaled him to go ahead. "Let me have it then, what am I doing wrong?"

Larsa didn't seem to relax, his eyes looking around fondly at the arena. "I know Ena was a little harsh on you-"

"A little?" KrakenKid scoffed, crossing his arms defensively.

"-But she just has the same stance as the rest of us." Larsa's gaze finally bore into KrakenKid's, the yellow and green eyes mixing. "She's worried. We both know how she lashes out when she's stressed and believe me, she is." Larsa chuckled to himself. KrakenKid plopped himself down on the floor, making Larsa do the same, sitting across from him. "Ena has a weird way of showing love."

KrakenKid playfully rolled his eyes. "You think I don't know that? I was in love with her."

Larsa shrugged lightly. "That's not why I'm here. I'm here because... Well, I'm worried too. We all are. You've been thinking about an alliance, right?" KrakenKid nodded hesitantly. "Don't do it. Krakens and Atlantis have never gotten along." His eyes narrowed sharply. "And they never will."

"You think I don't know that?" The leader challenged, tensing up now. "I of all people know this! I grew up alone and I could smell the blood of my people for decades! I'm the last person in the world who would trust Atlantis!" He threw his arms up in exclamation and avoided Larsa's ever knowing eyes.

"But?" His former general prompted lightly.

KrakenKid was silent for ages. "But," He sighed eventually. "This Ace guy is dangerous and it's in our best interests to team up with the biggest army we've got, and Atlantis would agree with it, given he's giving them a hard time too. Harder even!"

Larsa moved his head so he could get KrakenKid's attention. "Are you sure that's the right idea?"

KrakenKid held his ground for a moment but caved in. "No... But I don't know what else to do." The words slipped right out of his mouth as he was dying to say them to somebody.

Larsa sighed and reached over, grabbing his shoulder lightly. For a moment, KrakenKid could feel it but it seemed to glitch from solid to wispy and back again. "Boss, you have to trust your instincts and somehow apply logic to it as well. It's not going to be easy, but you have to trust me when I say that I trust you." The faintest of smiles appeared on the ent. "You've always been a trusted leader, and you've always had my back. I'm just here to say my advice."

Larsa let go and stood up. KrakenKid found himself mirroring him. "Don't think Atlantis will change, it never does. That king takes after his father, and I don't need to remind you of his father's actions." KrakenKid flinched remembering it. "Stay safe, and don't forget why we're here."

Larsa slowly faded until KrakenKid was staring at nothing. He didn't realize he dropped his sword he was carrying the whole time until he heard it clatter to the ground. He let out a long breath, regaining his nerves before leaving everything he was working on before, behind.

A shooting range seemed a lot more appealing right now.

It didn't take long to put up the targets and began shooting the dragon. He wished he could do it for hours on end, but out of the corner of his eye, he noticed someone sitting on the sidelines, watching his every move with interest. His gun dropped to the floor, his hands no longer able to function like he wanted them to.

Seeing Ena was more normal than he was willing to admit. Larsa? Less so but still likely. But her? He hadn't seen her in centuries. Since before Larsa or Gnash came to the Tide Changers. He thought he was past seeing her.

The world around him didn't matter as he locked eyes with her amused gaze. He nearly cried, but gulped and held it in. Her indago body made her more noticeable than anything else as her orange eyes stared at him.

"Mom?" He asked, voice trembling. Her eyes only filled with more love, as did her smile.

"It's been a long time, hasn't it, my gem?" KrakenKid couldn't move, simply staring at her. Her eyes were so warm looking at him. She beckoned him forward. "Sit with me for a while. Let's talk."

KrakenKid didn't remember moving but suddenly he found himself sitting right next to her and unable to say anything. His mother looked at his training equipment and sighed. "You've grown so much... I wish I could have been there to help you."

Her eyes met his but he quickly looked away and pressed his back further up against the wall. She sighed deeply. "Everyone else wants me to say what they've said, get the point across more but to be honest, I want what I've always wanted. I want you to be safe."

KrakenKid didn't notice he was drifting closer to her until he nuzzled on her shoulder. It remained there, never glitching, making him relax more. At that point, he didn't really care that he was doing it, because it made him feel like he was home again, his first home. It made him feel like everything was okay.

Tears prickled the edges of his eyes. "Why'd you have to die, Mom?" He didn't like how feeble his voice sounded, but at least he trust his mother to not judge him for it.

His mother chuckled in response, stroking his head comfortingly. "Why did Larsa die or Ena leave? Why are wars fought and genocides commited? Why do bad things happen at all?" She chuckled some more, then sighed again. "You could keep yourself up all night asking these questions. Truth is this: Bad things happen so good things can follow."

Her gaze soon fixated on him again. "Look at you. You've had so much bad happen to you, but have you been crushed by it? A little, maybe, but you have grown above it. You're so much stronger than anyone thought." She laughed. "When you were born, you were so small that they thought you weren't going to survive the night, but I never gave up hope. As you grew, you still were so small, so they named you KrakenKid. "Forever a child," they said. "He'll never be a strong soldier." But I knew better."

She reached down and took his hand, lightly squeezing it. "I knew how strong you were, and how strong you would grow to be. All I've ever wanted to do was protect you. Keep you safe from the evil of this world, and everyone who wished to harm you. You were my jewel in the sea. My precious gem."

His mother began to shift, standing up now and KrakenKid did the same. He held on to her hand tightly, afraid she would fade if he didn't.

Her orange eyes bore right into his and she smiled. "I don't know what the right choice for you to do is, but I do know that you are strong, and you need to make sure you are protecting yourself, and those you love. Make a choice," She hummed lightly, cupping his face in her hands. "And make me proud. Goodbye, my gem."

KrakenKid tried to hold on but it wasn't enough and she was gone by the minute. KrakenKid couldn't move for a long time.

When he finally came to his senses, he stumbled back up to his room and sprawled out on the bed. He stared at the ceiling of his bed and just let his mind wander back to his talks with everyone.

Ena and Larsa both screamed that his treaty plan wouldn't work with Atlantis, which could be true, but what was he supposed to do then? It didn't make sense...

"Am I... Interrupting something?" KrakenKid shot up in his bed, expecting another dead loved one from his past to convince him of some crazy idea, but his eyes only met familiar blue ones. Tanith blinked in confusion, lingering by the balcony. She hesitantly pointed out it. "Should I go or-"

KrakenKid shook his head, getting up. "No, no, it's fine."

Tanith nodded but a concerned look formed on her as she stared at him. Her eyebrows raised as she examined him closer. "Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."

KrakenKid laughed. "Yeah, I've seen a couple today." He answered then started to make his way over to the fridge.

Tanith watched him, puzzled by his statement. "...Is that an expression I don't know about?"

"No, I've just had a long day." He answered, huffing and pulling out a can of soda. He held it up. "Want one?" He offered, but Tanith shook her head and sat at one of his tables.

"I've had a lot to drink today." She began to explain.  "Apparently there's something called "Smoothies" all over Atlantis and there are millions of flavors! They're so good too! It's like if someone took a fruit, turned it into a liquid and added something else delicious to it!" Tanith practically purred just talking about it, her tail swishing happily and he could have sworn he saw her tongue flicker out for a moment.

The kraken blinked the image away and sat down across from her. She managed to break out of her trance and focus on him. "Well what about you? How has your day been?"

KrakenKid hesitated on the answer and sighed. "I've had a lot of pressure about what to do and I'm still not sure. Seeming like everyone is pulling me in the direction that I didn't want to go in and I'm just not sure what to say..." He looked up after staring at the table for a long time and found that the hybrid was intrigued by his every word. She gave a nod to go on, so the kraken decided he should do just that. "I've been thinking about making a treaty, or more of a temporary cease fire so Atlantis and the Tide Changers can join up and focus on Ace rather than each other, but everyone seems to think that it's a bad idea and..." KrakenKid chuckled, unable to believe what he was about to say to her of all people. "I think one of them even suggested something along the lines of attacking Atlantis but-"

"But what? What's holding you back?" Tanith asked, tilting her head.

KrakenKid's eyebrows arched, utterly perplexed. "Uh... Tanith," He stifled a small laugh. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were encouraging me to attack Atlantis. Besides, it's your home, isn't it?" He took a long sip of his soda.

Tanith paused, thinking to herself. "Well, home is where the heart is, right? Besides," She began to look around. "I always preferred this place to Atlantis. Reminds me a lot more of home than it ever did."

The Tide Changer nearly choked on his drink in surprise. "Tanith? What are you saying?"

Tanith smiled lovingly. She reached out and lightly grabbed his hands. "I'm saying, I love you for who you are, KK. Who you are is someone who hates Atlantis for all that it's done, and wants to take his revenge out on it. I'm not going to deny you what you truly want, that wouldn't be fair."

KrakenKid pulled his hands away and looked around uncertainly. He wasn't sure what to think now... Was she saying what he thought she was saying? "I-..." KrakenKid couldn't get the words to form, so Tanith stood up.

"Wouldn't it be better? You could take the throne from Cody and rule both places! Then from there, you could use both armies to take on Ace and wipe him out. No chance of betrayal and you get your revenge." Tanith walked around to his side and put her hands on his shoulders. "I could come live here with you and Blooper... Selena probably could too! Maybe her sister if she cooperates- but the point is, things would be so much better if you just went with it."

KrakenKid blinked, imagining everything she said in the blink of an eye, and couldn't deny he longed for it. He could feel his heart burn in desire, and his mind unable to find any fault in the plan. He stood up, getting Tanith to back off. He turned and grinned. "That's a great idea! I gotta tell Darrel!"

KrakenKid rushed off, leaving behind one Illithid guard, watching him leave. KrakenKid didn't notice them at all. Not how they were watching his whole conversation with Tanith, not how interested they were in what was happening, or how they weren't supposed to be there, and certainly not their unusual blue colored eyes that watched his, and the Tanith's, every move.

They had their eyes on the kraken as he left, but soon turned to the hybrid, whose eyes were fixated on him. She grinned, winking before she too faded like the rest had.

Needless to say, they were dumbfounded.

"That's new..." He muttered to himself, squinting at the floor and complete confused. "It didn't act like the others, it was more subtle and slow but..." He once again glanced down the stairs. "The hold it had on him... How did it activate on it's own? I never so much as touched this one... Maybe all that time and effort I put into them wasn't wasted."

Shaking his head, he huffed. "If this one is activated, maybe it's twin is the same... One can only wonder what it will do... Maybe it will work."

And with that, he left as quickly as he could.

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

*Cracks knuckles* Time to explain myself.

If you didn't get that last part, Ace was watching KrakenKid's conversation with "Tanith" but he's extremely confused. He didn't plan for it to happen, because unlike the other holds he put on people like Professor Pikalus and CannibalCrab, he didn't have to activate it, it did on its own. Plus, it's acting a lot different than the others did.

KrakenKid sees people who weren't there before as the little thing inside of him tries to use the people he loves to override his instincts and logic (Heart and mind in a sense), to get him to act how they want him to.

KrakenKid hasn't attacked Atlantis for a long time, not since the Invasion wayyyy back. Though he doesn't admit it, it is partially because Tanith is there, but guess who just gave him the
"A-okay" on that plan?

Each person represents how KrakenKid was in a different time. 

Ena was when he first started, before he actually figured out how to lead and such. She's more accusing that he hasn't done anything, was there to kind of shove the points in his face. Her form is a lot less stable than everyone else's, unable to withstand through his touch.

Larsa represents after he figured out how to lead, but when he was more tense. He's there to still point out what needs to be said, but giving him a more comfortable ground to settle on. His form was able to touch KrakenKid, but it still glitched.

His mother represents his child side, when he was innocent. She's there to bring comfort and soothe him after seeing everyone else. Her form is really stable.

Finally, Tanith is what he is now. She's there to finally give him the push he needs to do it. Her form is life-like, fooling KrakenKid into thinking she's the real thing.

Also, to give you a heads up on what's going to happen, think about this line.

"If this one is activated, maybe it's twin is the same..."
Now who else wasn't effected by when Ace made everyone crazy but still was somewhat kidnapped by him and, lets say, oh I don't know... Put in a cave?

Anywho, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I cannot wait for whats coming up! Be sure to comment what you think, it's always appreciated, and farewell!

--JustAnAtlantisWriter