Welcome to the second chapter of People of the Lost Cities, a fanfic of KOTLC! If you haven't read the first chapter, do that before reading this one. https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/1321736922/ Anyways! Like I said last chapter, I strongly suggest that, if you haven't yet, you should read KOTLC so you understand elf culture (ALSO there may be spoilers. Not necessarily in this chapter [fine, slight spoilers of canon characters/names in the N&C]). Happy reading! (WARNING: mention of kidnapping and wiped memories) Chapter 2: Rhian Rhian's face was filled with horror. "What do you mean, kidnapped?" He tried to imagine who would do such a thing. No one, as far as he knew. "How?" "It happened yesterday." Matthew's expression shifted around as he tried to remember the details. "There were a couple guys in black cloaks who showed up on our doorstep, saying they were from the Council. Apparently they had some sort of... Thing? Saying they were allowed to check our house because we have a hairclip from Cyrah. I remember thinking that was weird, because her death was a few years ago, but Dad let them in anyway." His forehead scrunched up. "I was with Lily in her room, but we could still hear them because her room is right above the entry hall. So anyway, the people and Mom and Dad came up to Lily's room because she was the one who actually owned the hairclip. And then one of the people opened her hands and black stuff came out, and then we couldn't see, and then we were all screaming, and then I couldn't hear Lily screaming at all, and then it was light again, and Lily and the lady with the black stuff were gone, and then the other guy touched my forehead–like, here," he gestured to his temples, "and then... I think I lost consciousness? And I didn't remember that whole thing happened, and it was like Lily never existed, and I guess Mom and Dad didn't remember, either, because they didn't say anything." He tilted his head. "You know, I think maybe the thing about the hairclip was just an excuse for those people to come in, so they could kidnap Lily." "Alright," Atlantis announced as she grabbed Rhian's and Matthew's arms, "we're going to my house." Rhian yelped as he got dragged along. "Wait, really? Why?" "For RESEARCH! My family has this HUGE library at our house." Atlantis stopped at the top floor of the mansion, the one with the Leapmaster 500. "Not to be confused with my dad's personal library, which is only a fifth of the size." Matthew's mouth gaped open and he abruptly stopped, nearly toppling his two friends. "But your dad's library is huge!" "Enormous," Rhian corrected, already envisioning the beautiful rows of thousands of books. Rhian heard pride in Atlantis's voice as she said, "Well, the normal library is even bigger." "Okay, then." Matthew shrugged, then called down, "Mom! Dad! We're going to Atlantis's house for a little while!" "Have fun," and "Be back by dinner," were the replies. Matthew shrugged again, and Atlantis commanded, "Winterwood!" to the Leapmaster. It lowered down the necessary crystal, and a moment later, the three were disappearing into the light. "Whoa," Rhian breathed, still amazed at the intricacy of the Hondyurs' mansion. It looked more like a crystal tree than a house, each small cut catching the light. Clearly whoever designed it had put a lot of thought into every small detail. "Boi, you've been here many times," Atlantis commented, "you don't have to say 'whoa' each time." "But it's tradition," Matthew protested, using his amazing poker face. Unfortunately, it didn't conceal his playful tone of voice. "So, uh," Rhian said, desperately changing the subject, "what research, exactly, do we have to do?" Atlantis made a face as they stepped inside. "Oh. Yeah. Well, uh, I was thinking we could research about where pathfinders lead depending on the color, so we could at least sorta know where to look. Hey, what color did they use to leap away, Matthew?" "Blue," he said immediately. "It was blue." "Great! Hey guys, watch this," Atlantic said, stepping onto the winding staircase. "So, you know how this staircase is actually a vortinator, right? Well, my mom made some adjustments a few days ago. Now, instead of having to tell it where I want to go..." She clapped her hands together four times, then held onto the railing as the vortinator whirled her up to the fourth floor. "All you have to do is clap!" Matthew jumped onto a step with Rhian right behind, and they both clapped four times. Nothing happened. "You confused it," Atlantis called down. "It can't figure out how many claps that was. Only one of you do it." Matthew, appearing disgruntled, clapped four times again, and they got swooped up to the fourth story, right next to their friend. "I thought your mom was a skilled Technopath," Rhian noted as he stepped off, slightly dizzy. "Couldn't she have made this thing figure out the right amount of claps?"
Atlantis licked a DNA scanner that was next to the shiny silver doors of the library, and they slid open. "Well, yes, but she did it that way as a safety precaution. Now be quiet," she whispered, and Rhian noticed there were several gnomes reading in comfy-looking chairs. The nearest one waved at him. "The library is a place of mutual quietness and respect," Atlantis explained in a soft whisper. "The rules: you don't disrupt someone else's peace; you don't question what someone else is doing–unless it looks dangerous, of course; if you have something to say, you whisper; and finally, when you finish reading a book, DON'T put it back on the shelves–put it in one of the baskets lying around. If you need help with something, you can ask Miss Cina. She's almost always at her desk in the front." Atlantis paused for a moment, then added, "Actually, we should probably go there now." They headed over to a short round desk on their right. As they reached it, an old gnome greeted them. "Hello, Atlantis." the gnome turned to Rhian and Matthew. "Are these your friends?" "Yes, Miss Cina, ma'am. This is Matthew Shen and Rhian Vacker." Atlantis smiled at the old gnome. "We're looking for a book on leaping crystals; we'd be glad if you could help us." Rhian half expected Miss Cina to ask why they were interested in leaping crystals, but instead she just led them to a section of the library, handed them a book, and smiled, returning to her post. Rhian marveled at the vastness of the library. Each bookshelf was easily twice his height, three times that in length, and packed with books. From the entrance he had been able to see probably fifty rows of shelves, plus some hallways branching off. Rhian estimated that his family's library was less than a third of the size. "'A Guide to the Leaping Crystals of and Not of the Lost Cities,'" Atlantis read the title aloud, breaking Rhian away from his thoughts. "Perfect." He watched his friend as she flipped to the table of contents and found the correct page. "Uh... Are you sure it was blue, Matthew?" "Yep." He now looked slightly uncertain. "Well... Ninety-nine point nine percent sure. Why?" Rhian attempted to peer over Atlantis's shoulder, but she tilted the book away. "It's just, ah..." She looked at a loss for words. "Blue leads to the Forbidden Cities. With humans." "WwHhhAAaAtTt????" You may be thinking. "That's it? But what happens next? How do they get to the Forbidden Cities? Where are they even supposed to start? Lily is ONE GIRL among MILLIONS!" Well, all I have to say is that you should be patient. You only had to wait, what, a day for this one? You're extremely lucky! If I keep going at this rate, it won't be too long until the story finishes. Also in maybe, like, two chapters, you'll get one from Lily's point of view. Next: not yet silly First: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/1321736922/ Previous: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/1321736922/ Credits! The original KOTLC series belongs to Shannon Messenger Umber and Gethen (the cloaked figures) belong to Shannon Messenger All characters and plot belongs to me unless otherwise specified Art by me on Medibang Paint Thumbnail is Atlantis, btw Note: the Neverseen kidnapping Lily IS NOT CANON IN THE ORIGINAL KOTLC BOOK SERIES Hi Hello Lily, stop pestering me. I won't allow your personality outside of my head No ... Yes, I realize that the Evil Lily AU is awesome. So is the Evil Atlantis AU And I realize that you destroy the world in the Evil Atlantis AU. News flash: you also do that in the Evil Lily AU. And you like that one Hello, whoever's reading this. Please ignore me talking to Lily Yes, I also realize that you despise Bob. And that Lady Shvila is the best. Now quiet down Sorry, whoever's reading this. I'd just like for you to know that I am not, in fact, going crazy. This is all for show.
