The Third Power: TTS AU

Chapter Twenty

"Atlantis?" Rapunzel asked as she quirked an eyebrow. She knew of the lost city but didn't think it was actually real.

Quirin nodded.

"Sadly, I don't know much. If you want more information, I'd go to Xavier."

"We don't have time, though!" Keira said through gritted teeth as she brought her head off of the table.

Catalina nodded in agreement with her sister.

"We don't know how long it'll take to get to Atlantis."

"Well, we don't know the way," Eugene said to the girls. "We should at least see if Xavier has a map or something."

"That still doesn't help the problem that none of you can breathe under water," Fredrick reminded them.

Quirin then snapped his fingers as an idea struck him.

"I think I can help with that, actually," he told them with a smile. "Come to my house once you've spoken to Xavier."

—————

The bubble had started to get smaller as Varian's power rush continued to slip away. The alchemist's dizzy spell had turned into a headache as he fought to keep the bubble big enough.

"We need to go back," Cassandra said, crouching down a little so that her head didn't poke out of the bubble. "There's no way we'll make it to Atlantis before one of us drowns."

"I hate to say it but she's right," Eclipse agreed, floating next to Varian. "You're just tiring yourself out and putting yourself and Cassandra in danger. If we turn back now, we might make it in time to prevent you both from dying."

Varian slowed his pace and looked at the two girls. They weren't wrong. His head was killing him and he could feel his energy slipping away. He sighed.

"I- AGH!"

He stopped and grabbed at his forehead as his headache seemed to get worse, the sounds of the ocean almost completely drowned out by the hammering against his skull.

Cass ducked as the bubble got even smaller. She was almost doubled over by this point but she could still feel the top of the bubble just grazing her hair.

"Ok, we're turning back!" she told the other two in a panicked tone.

She grabbed Varian around the midsection and hauled him into her arms and ran as well as she could back the way they had come.

"No. N-No, wait, we're so close," Varian mumbled. "I can feel it. It's- it's not far. We-"

"We can come back another time," Eclipse assured him, her expression grim.

Varian felt like he was going to be sick. His throbbing head paired with his lack of energy and now the feeling of being jostled around in Cassandra's arms? Yeah, no, it would've been much easier for him to walk, but life had other plans as he felt himself slipping in and out of consciousness.

No, he told himself. Stay with it. You don't know if the bubble will stay or not.

He took a deep breath and raised a hand.

One last effort.

"Ocean, deep and dark," he mumbled. "Flowing down below. Rise with the moon and..." He passed out.

Cassandra let out a gasp of horror as she felt the alchemist slump in her arms and checked the bubble.

It was shrinking so fast.

Cassandra took in as much air as she could before the bubble finally gave in with a gentle splash as water hit the soft sand and she did her best to make a swim for it. She looked and saw Eclipse next to her, panic filling the ghost's large eyes.

I am making it, she told herself. We are not dying down here!

She swam for probably a minute before her lungs gave out.

Cassandra held Varian close as they sank back down the way they had come. Damn it, they'd been doing so well too.

The world began to dim as she joined Varian in the land of the unconscious.

.....

"Let the water flow."

Varian's eyes shot open and he looked around. The bubble was gone and- wait.

He looked down and saw Cassandra was holding him loosely. She was unconscious as they sank down into the depths of the sea, water filling her lungs.

No no no! he thought. What do I do? Wait. Why aren't I unconscious? Wasn't I- Question it later, Varian!

The alchemist freed himself from Cassandra's arms and looked around again. He noticed Eclipse staring at him in complete and utter shock.

"How are you alive?!" she asked.

"I have no clue," he told her. "But we can worry about that later."

He returned his gaze to the blue haired warrior then he closed his eyes, concentrating.

Ocean, deep and dark, flowing down below, rise with the moon and let the water flow. He opened an eye to see a new bubble starting to form. He smiled with relief and continued. Hear my feelings call, louder as you go. Shine in the light and let the water flow. The bubble got wider. Varian could hear something. A voice. Let water flow.

Out of nowhere, Varian felt something ram into him before he landed on top of whatever it was. Opening his eyes and looking down, Varian found himself sitting on the back of a dolphin who was squeaking happily, looking back at him with kind eyes.

There was another dolphin who had picked up the unconscious Cassandra and had her laid across its back.

Varian and Eclipse were stunned. They shared a confused glance until the alchemist returned his attention to keeping the bubble up, fearing it might disappear if he stopped concentrating.

—————

The group walked down the village streets to Xavier's shop and immediately saw the old blacksmith. He was out front at his anvil, admiring a newly crafted sword with a satisfied smile.

"Xavier!" the group called.

Xavier looked over at the call and smiled more at the sight of the small party.

"Ah, hello everyone," he greeted, putting down the sword. "Is there something I can help you with?"

"Yes, actually," Rapunzel said with an eagerness in her eyes. "We were wondering what you knew about the city of Atlantis."

Xavier put a hand to his chin and hummed as he pondered the thought. His eyes then lit up as he recalled the story.

"Ah, yes, the Lost City of Atlantis. An interesting legend to be sure. It all started when-"

"Eh, we're gonna have to skip the, surely, enticing story," Eugene told him quickly but apologetically. "We're in a rush. Can you just tell us where one might find it?"

The blacksmith eyed them all for a moment.

"What trouble is Corona in this time?" he asked.

The party laughed awkwardly.

"So, quick version," Rapunzel started. "Cassandra kidnapped Varian and it turns out Varian is connected to a divine power like I am and now Cass and Varian are on a trip to Atlantis to find Varian's magic item."

Xavier blinked in surprise at the princess. His expression quickly changed to concerned but also a little intrigued. Without another word, he stepped into his shop and came out again a few minutes later with a scroll.

"This is a map to Atlantis I have," he said as he gave it to Rapunzel. "I hope it is of use to you."

The princess and her party smiled gratefully at the Blacksmith.

"Thank you so much, Xavier," Rapunzel said. "We'll put it to good use."

And with that they said their goodbyes and the group made their way to Old Corona to Quirin's cottage.