Author's note: All characters belonging to the movie 'Atlantis: the Lost Empire" are the property of the Walt Disney Company. Magoreshehb is my character, though. As for the plot of the story, it takes place after Milo's Return. Even if I believe Atlantis should have remained hidden, I like the idea I am writing this story around very much. And no, I am not forgetting to continue "An Endless Mystery"! This will be a much shorter story, though. 2 or 3 chapters, I think. Please R&R! Thank you!

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The sun came out of the depths of the Atlantic Ocean and let its first beams caress the beautiful and still sleeping city of Atlantis. The Lost Empire had surfaced again for a couple of months, gloriously revealing its existence to the world. It had not taken a long time until the rumour spread all over the Earth, and countless people now wanted to witness this outstanding miracle by themselves. Kida, Milo, Mr Whitmore and the rest of the crew had had to go through backbreaking days to organize all the preparations that were needed for Atlantis to adapt itself to the surface-world and the people who belonged to it. But everything worked out for the best, and Atlanteans could now truly savour the wilderness of the sea and behold the glory of the stars. The Mother Crystal began to shine brighter and brighter, as the sun rose in the sky. It was a peaceful morning.

In spite of the long nightgown she was wearing, Queen Kidagakash shivered slightly under the linen blanket that covered her body. Slightly groaning, she snuggled up to Milo, seeking for both his corporal and psychological warmth. She did not bother to open her eyes when she felt him gather her in his arms and let her head rest upon his chest. A satisfied smile formed on her lips. She was perfectly happy: Atlantis had come to the surface-world again, her culture and people were thriving, her husband Milo was by her side, and everything she had ever dared to hope for had come true. Well, almost everything. Sighing contentedly, she listened to Milo's heartbeat under her ear. It was the one sound she wanted to begin each day with. Kida knew he had exhausted himself way beyond his own limits to help her the last few days. No more than two days ago, she had found him sound asleep in the library, almost buried beneath a mountain of scrolls dealing with the ancient Atlantean foreign policies and diplomatic strategies. She had watched in awe to the gigantic work he had already accomplished but had also ordered him to come with her and get some rest, after having argued that their bed truly was much cosier than his desk.

"Does your highness feel comfortable enough?" she heard him ask, her eyelids still closed.

"I do feel comfortable, my King. Not enough, though." She responded, smirking.

"Maybe I can help?"

"You can give it a try."

Not moving a muscle, Kida felt Milo's body move away from beneath hers and she slightly frowned when her head softly hit his pillow. But then, she sensed him roll on top of her and lean in to kiss her. The kiss he gave her was sweet, gentle, and she did not, on purpose, return it, preferring to savour the wonderful sensation of his lips against hers. When Milo broke the kiss, she did not make the slightest move.

"Jiminy Christmas! What does it take to satisfy you?"

She did not respond immediately.

"Try doing that once more."

Milo gave a small laugh and proceeded to kiss her again. The moment she felt Milo's lips brush against her slightly parted ones, Kida wrapped her arms around her husband's neck and returned the kiss, making it deepen and last longer than the previous one. When he finally pulled back and ran his hand along her cheek, she decided to open her blue eyes, meeting his loving brown ones.

"Hello, love. Now I feel comfortable enough. Thank you."

"Morning, Kida. You're most welcome."

"Have you been awake for a long time?"

"No, not at all. Ten minutes, fifteen maybe. But I wouldn't have minded if it had been more: you know how much I love being considered as your favourite pillow!"

Kida laughed and pushed him aside before she curled up against him again.

"You are indeed the best pillow I ever had. So, what does the King of Atlantis plan on doing today?"

Kida liked to tease him about his newly-acquired royal rank. She knew he was still a little uncomfortable with the idea of being Atlantis's full ruler. Yet, the Queen knew they were both loved by their people and took great pride in Milo's attitude. Although he cringed a little whenever he was being addressed as "your highness", "King Milo" or "your majesty", he had grown to become a great leader and Atlanteans respected him deeply.

"Well, I think I'll first go to the library and continue to sort out and list the different scrolls. I'm almost done with it, you know."

"Yes, I have been told that. May I ask why you were suddenly so willing to sort out all our documents?"

"When you used the spear to bring Atlantis back to the surface, you claimed it was time to share the Crystal's light with the world, and I believe you have taken the right decision. But I have lived in this world longer than you –at least for the moment- and this far I know: if we are not careful enough, the fantastic knowledge of Atlantis will be abused like your father feared it. Trust me, Kida. Man is kind, but men are dangerous here. I think it is my duty to make sure some crucial parts of the knowledge of Atlantis and the Crystal's powers are maintained beyond the reach of the first to come."

"I trust your judgement, Milo. Going back to my question, what do you plan on doing after that?"

"I will check up on the progress the children have made at school. Maybe I'll take the time to give them a small lesson."

Kida smiled tenderly at her husband. She liked to see how involved he was with the young Atlanteans. The children had always liked to have Milo around them. He was, of course, their favourite teacher.

"Fair enough. I will hold court this morning. I certainly hope I won't have to deal with stupid issues." Kida sighed.

"Well, if you need me, let me know and I'll be right by your side, my Queen."

"Thank you. I love you, Milo."

"I love you too. So much."

…

Kida rolled her eyes while she listened to yet another problem she had hoped not to face. She pulled a face and rubbed her forehead in disbelief. Two Atlantean weavers, both very skilled, were violently arguing in front of her.

And what for? Great Kings, this is only a carpet! True, it is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen, but still! There are more important problems I have to deal with.

"Stop arguing, both of you! And listen very carefully. Either you find a solution yourselves to this minor conflict of yours, or –Kida pointed to one of the sharpest spears hanging behind her throne- I shall treat the carpet you are both claiming as your property like King Solomon threatened to treat a baby. Do I even need to make you remember what the threat was?"

The two weavers instantly shook their heads and left the throne room; though they were not satisfied by the Queen's judgement, they did agree upon the fact that, maybe, they had got a little bit carried away by their anger. Fighting a violent headache, Kida wilted on her throne. She noticed with great relief that nobody but herself and the royal guards had remained in the room. That is, until the heavy pair of doors was thrown open by Kida and Milo's Royal Advisor, Magoreshehb, who seemed quite agitated. The old Atlantean man, who had served King Kashekim Nedakh since the Mebelmoak, hurried past the royal guards. He had important news to deliver and was somehow disappointed to find only the Queen in the throne room. He would have liked to inform his King as well. Quickly, he bowed in front of Kida, not even pausing to breathe correctly.

"I am sorry for disturbing you, Queen Kidagakash, but I have to warn you."

"Do not apologise, Magoreshehb, if you have nothing to apologise for. You know you are always welcome here. What do you want to tell me?"

"Outsiders have arrived, my Queen."

"Is that all what you are feeling so worried about? They are not the first ones who have come to Atlantis since it surfaced."

"Indeed, they aren't. But they refused either to name themselves or to tell the guards where they came from and why they came here. They only said they wish to be granted an audience with your highnesses. So I ordered them to wait at the entrance of the city. I have to say I do not feel sympathy for them. They look arrogant. Especially the one who appears to be their leader. He is small, big, wears tiny glasses and doesn't seem to know what the word courtesy means. My instincts rarely mislead me, I might say."

"They wish to be granted an audience with Milo and I…I reckon they did not explain why?"

"No, my Queen."

"Did you notice anything special about them?"

"Again, no, your highness, safe the strange sentence which was written on the ship they came with."

"What did it say?"

"It stated 'Supported by the Smithsonian Institute'."

Kida, who had listened calmly, carefully, to Magoreshehb's words suddenly stood up, apparently shocked.

The Smithsonian Institute…I have heard that name before. I think Milo mentioned it to me, once. I can't remember what he said about that name. But whatever it was, he was less than happy to talk about it.

"My Queen?"

"Will you excuse me for a moment, Magoreshehb? I will be right back. Wait for me, and tell whoever comes in here that I shall not hold court anymore today."

"…Yes, of course, Queen Kidagakash."

With that, Kida walked out of the throne room and got back to her and Milo's room. She undressed quickly and put her usual street clothes on. They were more comfortable. It still amazed her to acknowledge that the Heart of Atlantis radiated such warmth it enabled the Atlanteans to dress the way they had always had. In spite of being now located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantis enjoyed a warm and soft climate. Kida then slipped on her armour, safe her mask, grabbed her spear and ran as fast as she could back into the throne room.

"Come with me, Magoreshehb. We have to find Milo before we decide what should be done."

…

"Okay, everyone, I would like you to write a few lines for your next class. About whatever you want: your Mahtim, your Tahbtoap, your pet, your favourite game or story, the dish you prefer or hate the most, whatever! But do write to practise your skills, please. Got it?"

"Yes, King Milo." The children happily answered with one voice.

"King Milo", a little Atlantean boy asked, "What is the dish you hate the most?"

Immediately, the children pricked up their ears, impatiently waiting for Milo's answer. The scholar giggled.

"The dish I hate the most? Let's see…I think that would be…No, that would definitely be Cookie's bacon grease!"

"Bacon grease? What is this?"

"Remember the sticky substance we used to lubricate the miniature Martag?"

"Yes."

"Well, that was it."

Silence fell. Milo's pupils made disgusted face but they couldn't help laughing at the same time. And Milo laughed with them, praying that Cookie wasn't round about this part of the city to hear that.

"Milo-toap!"

Milo turned around to see Kida running towards him, spear in hand and wearing her armour. Wondering what it could possibly meant, he waited for her to join him and noticed the presence of Magoreshehb behind her. Something was wrong. He could feel it. Instantly serious, he told his young pupils that the class was finished and that they could go home. They didn't need to hear it twice and dashed away. In the meantime, Kida had grasped his hand and kissed him lightly on the cheek.

"Kida, did you not tell me you were holding court this morning?"

"Yes, I did, and I have to thank you for having retold me the story of King Solomon's judgement, it really helped. But Magoreshehb informed me that outsiders have arrived."

"So?"

"My King", Magoreshehb exclaimed, joining the conversation, "they did not behave properly towards us."

The Royal Advisor explained for the second time what was going on and when he was finished, he noticed his King's breath had become spasmodic. Milo turned away from Magoreshehb and Kida, peering at the Mother Crystal which floated peacefully above the city.

"Milo? Are you alright?" Kida asked, feeling concerned by the strange behaviour her husband had adopted. When he responded, Milo's answer was barely audible, for he was clenching his teeth in anger.

"The time has come, Mr. Fenton Q. Harcourt. You are going to pay for what you have done to my grandfather and I. Kida, Magoreshehb, listen very carefully: here's what we are going to do…"