Serena closed her eyes and placed a hand over her amulet. Suddenly, it began to pulse with light, floating up and pointing towards the west.

"Follow me." Serena smiled. "My amulet will guide us."

Hayden nodded and the three began to swim through the graveyard before heading back out into the open ocean.

"How long will it take us to get there?" Hayden asked curiously.

"It's not far from here." Serena replied. "I was surprised myself by how close it is the first time I went."

Hayden nodded, relieved the journey wouldn't be too long. Sally on the other hand, had decided to take it easy and ride atop his head. As she sat Sally began to sing a quiet tune. "Under the sea, down where its wetter that's where it's better take it from me!"

"What is with you and my head?" Hayden laughed, using a finger to playfully poke at Sally.

She giggled. "I like your hair it's soft, and blue!"

Hayden and Serena both chuckled at her comment as they swam along, happy to see Sally so excited.

"You know, for one who has had such trouble trusting others, you've been relatively calm about all this." Serena stated nonchalantly.

Hayden's eyes widened. "Your reading told you about that?"

"My talent allows me to extract any and all information I need to make proper assessments." Serena explained. "Your thoughts, feelings, memories, I saw them all."

"Then you know my childhood was not a pleasant one." Hayden replied, his voice soft. "Fear became the enemy and avoidance became a survival instinct. Ulma was the first person I ever allowed myself to truly trust."

Serena nodded. "That's why you're so desperate to save her. She's the only person who ever made you feel like you weren't a freak. Her love and compassion is something you admire. In the darkness, she became your light."

Hayden felt a smile form on his lips. "Yeah, that's exactly right. Without her, I don't know where I'd be. Probably, hiding from my father and scrounging for scraps on the Isle."

"Everything happens for a reason Hayden. You were meant to find eachother." She assured him.

Hayden stared at her curiously. "Why is that?"

"I cannot tell you the details, but you are like two sides of the same coin, ying and yang, fire and water, waves and embers. Different yet connected." She smiled warmly. "You balance each other. She calms your fire while you warm her waters."

"I understand, thank you." Hayden smiled. He had always known deep down that what he and Ulma had was special, but he had no idea it went that deep.

"We're here." Serena announced, snapping him from his thoughts.

Hayden looked up and his brow furrowed in confusion. "But this is just a rock wall. Where's the cave?"

Serena giggled, taking his hand in hers. "Looks can be decieving."

Before he had time to ask what she meant, Serena pulled him towards the rock wall, swimming at full speed.

"Serena stop!" Hayden cried, trying to pull away. "Were gonna......crash."

His eyes widened when he realized they were now standing inside a cave. "How....?"

"It's an illusion, to protect the cave from those who would seek it out with malicious intent." Serena explained.

"Well couldn't you have told me that before dragging me towards a rock wall!?" Hayden deadpanned.

Serena snickered, a smirk growing on her face. "What's the fun in that?"

Hayden rolled his eyes as they entered a large chamber towards the back of the cave. "It would have saved me from the heart attack I just had."

"Who dares enter the Cave of Talents!?" A booming voice echoed through the cave.

Serena gave Hayden a knowing look and slowly he swam forward. "My name is Hayden Underworld. I've travelled here to save my best friend, Ulma Hook. I was told if I could retrieve her amulet, that it would restore the energy that was taken from her and save her life. Please, I only come here asking for help."

"Tell me child," the voice boomed. "What would you give to save her life?"

Hayden stared into the cave, his heart pounding. He didn't have to think twice about his answer. "Name your price. Her life is worth more than anything you could take from me."

A booming laugh echoed through the cave as a figure emerged from the depths. Light filled the cave, revealing walls lined with amulets of all shapes and sizes. In the center of the room, an orb glowed with power.

From the darkness, an elder cecaelian emerged. Her hair was gray and her skin wrinkled with age. She wore a head piece made of pearls and a conch shell amulet around her neck.

"I'm am Daria, guardian of the Cave of Talents." She introduced, circling him curiously. "You hold great power for one so young. Tell me, what is your power worth to you?"

Hayden stared at Daria, unsure what to say until Ursula's words echoed in his mind. The guardian will be able to see into your heart and mind. As long as you speak honestly and prove your actions are pure, she will help you.

"I never wanted the power I've been given." Hayden admitted. "The power I possess has caused nothing but fear and trouble for me. I would much rather live my life powerless, than lose the girl who's love gives me the strength I need most."

The guardian's eyes crinkled as she smiled. "True love is a rare and valuable treasure. I propose a trade, power for power. Your powers for her amulet."

Serena's eyes widened. "Hayden you can't--"

"Deal." He answered, ignoring Serena's protests.

"Good, very good." Daria smiled. "Then touch the crystal ball and relinquish your powers."

Hayden reached out and placed his hand on the crystal ball. Closing his eyes as a familiar warm feeling washed through him before slowly dissipating. He opened his eyes and stared at the guardian. "There, I did what you asked. Now where's Ulma's amulet?"

"You truly are here of pure heart and honest intent." She smiled, opening her hand to reveal a glowing amulet unlike anything he had ever seen. A glowing blue orb with a swirling silver setting (shown above)."This amulet is only granted to those who have been blessed by the god Poseidon himself. Your friend has a great battle ahead, she will need her strength and your help."

"But I gave you my powers." Hayden replied as she placed the amulet in his hand. "How can I help her when I have no magic?"

"My boy," the guardian chuckled. "I didn't take your powers. It was a test to see if your intentions were pure and to allow me to see inside your heart."

"So you're a reader, like Serena." Hayden realized, that's why the feeling felt familiar.

"Very good." Daria smiled. "Now, I believe you have somewhere to be. You've been gone a week."

"A week!?" Hayden shouted. "But I only left a couple days ago!"

"Time passes different once you enter the cave. It gives those who enter a false sense of time and makes it harder for those searching for the cave with malicious intent to accurately locate it based on witness accounts." The guardian explained.

"Everyone must be so worried about me!" Hayden realized. "I need to get home."

"Allow me." The guardian smiled, touching the crystal ball and creating a portal from its light. "This will take you back to the place where you first entered the water."

"Thank you." Hayden smiled at the guardian before turning to Serena and Sally. "And thank you both, for helping me get here."

"Anytime." Serena smiled.

"Will I see you again?" Sally asked.

Hayden nodded. "I'll find a way to come back sometime, I promise. Maybe I'll even bring Ulma."

"Yay! Another friend!" Sally cheered.

Hayden laughed as he began to step into the portal. "Well goodbye everyone."

"Wait!" Serena cried.

Hayden turned, trying to keep himself from being sucked completely into the portal. "What is it?"

"Hayden you need to be careful. I saw something when I read your memories. Not everything is how you believe it to be. Your--"

Hayden didn't get to hear her finish before the portal sucked him through, leaving him on the beach where his journey began. He stared at the amulet in his hands and pushed Serena's warning aside. He had already been gone to long. It was time to save Ulma.

Author's Note

The fun is about to begin!

                             -Meloetta246