"Another world saved and another lane opened huh guys" Sora said proudly aboard the Gummi ship.
"Oh boy, you said it" Donald quacked and Goofy laughed in agreement.
"Where do you think we'll end up next?" he asked
"Who knows" Donald shrugged.
"Only one way to find out" Sora said as they took off in the lanes between.
It sure was nice seeing such old faces and friends again; Ariel, Flounder, King Triton and Sebastion. They're all doing just fine, but there were new ones as well; Captain Jack, Will and Elizabeth. But with new friends came new enemies like Pete and Barbossa. They'd be running into they're kind again no question about it. The only question was, what would this new world be like?
Peering out of the ship it was Goofy who noticed it first "Gawrsh fellas, take a look at that" Goofy pointed a finger out. Following his arm Donald and Sora looked to see where he was pointing.
There it was sitting snugly at the end of his finger ; a new World!
It looked entirely blue from far away and the closer they got it was easy to see why. It was covered entirely in water. Maybe that's why it was so close to Atlantica and Port Royal? There were only two strips of land on it;one island placed on the very top of the world and another at the bottom. In the vast ocean some ships sailed on the water. But some-actually many of them were destroyed; Wrecked, destroyed and sunken completely. There was one thing however which looked very much out of place. It was very large with two bright flashing lights that looked like eyes peaking out above the water eyeing the ships enviously.
"What's that?" Donald asked.
"Not sure" Sora answered. Maybe it was sinking the other ships?
"Ya think it might be a Heartless?" Goofy asked.
"Or a Nobody?" Donald suggested. Maybe it was something else.. something worse?
"Only one way to find out!" Sora exclaimed. With equal determination from his crew they plummeted down to the world below.
The further they descended down to the world the larger the ocean became; it was practically swallowing them.
The gummi ship hovered safely above the water. The three explorers inside had they're heads on a swivel trying to see what else was out there.
"See anything?" Sora asked
"Duhh" Goofy droned "Nope" he shook his head
"Just ocean, ocean and more ocean" Donald said. Like they didn't have enough of those recently. Then suddenly right as he said that there was a violent rumbling that shook the entire ship. Suddenly bursting out of the water was a giant metal construction. It.. it looked almost like a ship.
"What's that?" Sora asked.
"A heartless?" Goofy answered, though more of a question than answer.
"Let's go check it out" as they decided to get a better look of it, so did whatever it was. It was coming right for them; it's bright green-yellow eyes growing larger as it approached! It's face pierced through the water as it raced through the water and rammed into they're ship. They were tossed around inside as it capsized. They made a narrow escape by swimming out to get on top of the floating fractured gumi ship.
"That was close!" Sora panted and soaking wet.
Just as they got out and thought they were safe so did others from whatever attacked them. They were dressed as sailors and came up to look at them; they're glare was a painful thing to bear. Others emerges from the water dressed in heavy scuba gear surrounding what was left of theyre ship.
"Whats going on?" Sora asked nervously though he was ready for a fight if it came to it.
"You'll be coming with us now" said one of them atop the metal construction "Captains orders" there seemed little they could do so they went along as captives.
They climbed off they're gummi ship; what would happen to it they couldn't say yet. A hatch was opened to reveal stairs and they were shown the way down by some of the sailors. The rest followed them or submerged back under the ocean.
When they walked through the hatch they realized something; this was no ship, but a submarine!
"Welcome aboard the Nautilus" They said that they were welcomed, but they certainly didn't feel like such. As impressive as it was it was not a comforting structure.
They were escorted through the submarine. It was dark and dreary around every corner. The stale iron plating reflected a coldness in the place. They were brought into a hallway with a series of doors. They stopped before one of them which was opened before they were thrown into it.
"We'll be back for you later" said one guard "We'll go see what the Captain wants to do with you". The door was promptly shut and locked and it didn't seem like they would be going anywhere anytime soon. It didn't look like a very promising scene.
"So they got you too, huh mates?" a voice called from behind startling the three of them, Donald even jumped in the air squawking. They couldn't handle anymore surprises. They turned to the confined space they'd been left in only they weren't alone. Two beds along the wall on both sides and a small sink, all bland and colorless like the ship itself. But sitting against the wall was a man with bright colors and a big confident smile to contradict the ships dullness. In navy blue pants and a red and white striped shirt he observed his new shipmates.
"W-who are you?" Sora asked.
The mans smile grew and he stood up and they found he was taller than all of them "Ned Land" he introduced himself "Sailor, master harpooner and your new shipmate it seems. Who might you be mates?" He asked cheerfully. The three introduced themselves in they're usual manner. "So your the reason for all the ruckus I just heard. Nice to know you survived the attack. We're there any others?" he peered forward at them.
The three shook they're heads "No it was only us" Sora answered. Ned was happy to know that at least.
"What's the big idea?" Donald asked.
"Who knows?" Ned answered bitterly "That crazy captain, and the professor too! He's sinking every ship he sees on the open ocean! If only I could get out of here.. and with the treasure!" That last bit of info certainly got they're attention.
"Treasure?!"
"Seems like I'm talking your language? Good. 'Bout time someone started agreeing with me round here" the three leaned in with anticipation with each word he said.
"Where's the treasure?" Donald asked
"How much is there?" Sora added.
"Enough for all of us" Ned said with a wave of his hands "and I'd gladly share it with all of you. If only we could get out of here" Donald and Goofy turned to Sora with a knowing and mischievous look. Out stretching his empty hand it was soon filled with the key blade. Ned look astonished. "Well, what in the-"
"This'll help us get out" Sora told.
"Great! Tell you what mates, if you get me outta here I'll row us into the nearest port and we'll use the treasure any way we want. They'll be ships and girls for all of us! I'll swear by my tattoo" he proclaimed "Deal?" He asked flicking Soras spiky hair.
The three looked to each other again. It was an easy decision "Deal" they nodded. Sora shook Ned's hand before turning to the door. Ned picked up his harpoon. Sora aimed the key blade at the door. A light shined from the tip and shot into the keyhole unlocking the door which then creaked open. "Say now! You boys went kidding!" He stood his first step of freedom outside.
"Come on let's get out of here!" Donald yelled.
"Hold on Mates" Ned put an arm out and stopped them "Can that-er.. harpoon of yours open other doors?"
"Uh huh" Sora nodded.
"Well then.." Ned walked over to the door opposite to his "..do this one". Having no reason not to Sora complied and the door opened. The four walked inside to see a stateroom no different than the one they just escaped from. But then they noticed a short, bald portly man in a suite cowering behind the curtain.
"Conseil" Ned called out. The man behind the chair perked up and poked his head over the side.
"Ned.." He said shakily "is that you?"
"Me and our new shipmates here. Prisoners just like you and me". He now stepped outside of the safety of his chair to view them fully. The three introduced themselves again as did Conseil formally.
"What do you intend to do? You promised you wouldn't try anything" he reminded him nervously
"This isn't a one man mutiny anymore!" Ned declared waving his hands "We're all in this together"
"What's your brilliant plan?" he asked, skepticism and worry evident in his voice.
"Bust out of here of course. All of us and the professor"
"Oh!" Conseil let out before he started to mumble "the professor-well you see, it was shortly after the alarm when off. The guards came to bring him to the bridge. They didn't say what for, only that the captain ordered his presence. He was happy to go until the uh- those black monsters came! The guards fought them and the professor ran off and I uh well i-"
"Stayed here?" Ned finished. Consiel nodded.
"Wait! The heartless are here too!" Sora exclaimed.
"Is that what they're called?" Ned asked "Well that's just the type Captain Nemo would call good company" he grimaced. This all seemed to be getting worse and worse.
"They're probably still roaming the ship. And the professor is likely still on the bridge with the captain" Consiel said
"Then it's a rescue mission first" he turned to the other three "Whadda say mates?"
"Yeah let's go!" The four raced off, but not before turning around to see Consiel still cowering back in the room.
"Huh? Ain't ya coming?" Goofy asked.
"Me?! Well I think I'll follow you" he said closing the distance between them. Right as he stepped foot outside his door heartless of all shapes and sizes appeared. Both Consiel and Ned looked shocked, but Sora Donald and Goofy took charge.
"Get back we'll handle this" Sora said assertively, but Ned suddenly stepped up to his side
"Not alone your not". Fighting the Heartless was tough, but as it turns out Ned wasn't such a bad fighter. It wasn't long before they were gone either defeated or retreating back through the halls too fast for them to follow.
"We have em the scare didn't we mates?!" He said confidently to them
"Sure did" Donald agreed.
"Let's continue to the bridge and save the professor" Sora told and all were in agreement there. The team ran off to find- and fight for there were still many Heartless- theyre way through the Nautilus. For all the help Ned was Consiele was quite the opposite.
Eventually they found they're way and the five ran into the bridge. Already there seemingly waiting for them were two men who turned they're backs to see them. One was old with a moustache, dressed in fine clothes. The other was clad in blue uniform with a black beard and stone cold expression.
"Ned!" Professor Arronax exclaimed.
"Mr. Land." the other man said dryly as if expecting him. As it turns out he was "I thought it was you" he stopped to overlook the three new faces "and who might you be?"
The three introduced themselves in they're usual manner. He eyed them suspiciously the whole time.
"The three we most recently picked up.. Yes" he pondered aloud. "I had hoped to speak with you later, but it appears that must be done now"
"Hey what's that supposed to mean?" Sora asked both confused and a little offended.
"Only that I wished to deal with you later at a time more convenient to me" he paused "I am Captain Nemo and this is the Nautilus". So this was the infamous captain.
"The captain is very busy you see" The professor explained, almost apologizing on his behalf "and those little black beasts don't make it any easier on him-or any of us"
"The Heartless, they're not so tough" Sora said confidently grinning and crossing his arms. Nemo studied the boy before him.
"Yep, we went through them like a harpoon through a whale" Ned said matching Soras confidence.
Nemo seemed unconvinced and yet they stood there before him unscathed.
"Impressive feats... tell me how did you come by this place? And how did you get through my ship so easily?" he asked
"Well you attacked us for starters" that outburst did little to Nemo.
"I had never seen a ship such as that before. I needed a better look and of those who travel inside it" he said ominously "and now I have. Show me how you defeated the Heartless" Sora held his hand out and revealed the source of his power. "The Keyblade?" Nemo exclaimed shocked by what he saw "I thought as much. Lock him away and confide him to his room!" he commanded.
"Captain!" The professor exclaimed "I must object to these unwarranted measures"
"That boy will bring only destruction anywhere he goes"
"No he's not like that!" Ned defended his new friends and shipmates as did Consielle
"You know too little of the subject to understand Mr. Land. Even you professor cannot understand its magnitude. The Keyblade has more power than the Nautilus or all the Oceans!"
"How do you know so much?" Sora asked.
"In your meddling I do not doubt you have met many" Nemo chided them "Surely you must know of whom I speak now"
"King Mickey?" Donald asked
"Riku" Sora questioned.
"Ansem the Wise?" Goofy guessed
Nemo nodded "He visited me some many years ago. He stood where you stand now. We talked of many things. Of the Heart, Light and Darkness though our conclusions for all subjects differed greatly. I still have quite a large selection of the notes and books of theories we shared. You may look at them if you wish, to see that I am correct"
"Do those theories involve sinking ships?" Sora responded.
"The Keyblade wielder judges me?" Nemo mocked "That device has brought more destruction than the Nautilus ever could. You do not know of the path I have taken, of the burden I have to bear. There is nothing on the surface for me.. not anymore." his once booming now was now lowered "The sea is where I shall make my home". Before the situation could escalate any further a crew member ran up to them.
"Captain! The Heartless are overrunning the ship!"
Nemo turned to Sora and his companions "We are currently trapped and unable to maneuver. If you are as benevolent as you say, clear my ship of Heartless and perhaps I'll tell you more of Ansem and my motives. If not.. then I shall only be proven right yet again"
"Not really a tough decision" Sora said, but the choice was clear none the less. He Donald and Goofy left the bridge to fight the Heartless on they're own, util Ned came to join them.
"Don't think your in it alone mates" he said. They fought through the passageways of the ship. Back through to theyre rooms and topside. The Heartless were numerous but not too hard for them. They trailed back to the navigators room and fought them there only to pursue them further down a spiraling stair. It was empty and quiet save for them.
"I think we got em all" Goofy said
"Ya think so?" Sora asked. The three of them seemed in agreement until that is they noticed Ned lagging behind.
"Whatcha doin?" Donald asked
"Sshh" he waved his hand "Come here mates and see the ballast" he waved them over with emphasis on the word 'ballast'. The three did as instructed and he opened two wide doors before them. And then they saw it; Treasure! Bright shining prices of gold in chests, diamonds, rubies, crowns , necklaces. Perhaps the only other place to house such things was the Cave of wonders or even Isle de Muerta. "There it is, just like I promised" he said in a voice above a whisper "and it's all ours!"
A sudden barking frightened each of them they slammed the doors shut again. Charging from behind was a small black animal, but it was not a Heartless. It was a seal.
"Esme!" Ned tried to suppress a scream and the seals barking. The others soon joined in; it would surely not look good if they just defended themselves against the Captain to go right ahead and steal his treasure, even if it was wasted. A furious stomping of footsteps came from above and the four were in shock.
Much to they're relief it wasn't any of the crew that came for them.
"Ned!" a voice called. They turned to see Consielles make his way over to them.
"It's all clear down here, come on down". Sheepishly he did as told.
"The captain said that they're outside now assaulting the hull. He wants to send a crew out there to repel them"
"By crew he means us?" Sora asked. Silence followed by a small nod was his answer. "Alright.. So how do we get out of there"
"Follow me" Consielles said and took them to the next room where they were properly fitted for diving gear.
"Well let's suite up then" Ned announced
"No matter what you do on this boat it's wet" Consielle said before sending all four of them down a narrow tube one by one and down to the ocean depths.
They lightly dropped to the ocean floor and saw the awesome ocean depths for the first time. Not only that but the mighty and powerful Nautilus stood well above them and it was under attack.
Dressed in they're scuba gear with surprising mobility despite a lack of fins they found themselves engaged in a 360 degree battle. The Heartless attacked in the forms of all kinds of sea life. Nothing they haven't faced before but no less formidable.
Even as they learned to fight in this new terrain, they emerged victorious and with they're mission complete they returned to the Nautilus where they're gear was taken off.
"I say we should have stayed behind" Ned said once his helmet was off "explore the area more, see if there was any more treasure to find" as much as the others agreed they did have a mission as well.
They retreated back into the Nautilus, slipped out of they're scuba gear and reported back to Captain Nemo on the bridge.
"All gone Captain, just as you asked" Sora said standing before him. "I guess we're not as bad as you thought" Introspective as ever Nemo looked down at them and said nothing for a while.
"I tested the other three here in such a similar way" he eventually said. He was silent for a moment as he regarded the three of them "Very well" he said "My personal library is open to you. Ansem's reports are among them."
"I would very much like to have a look at that myself- if that's alright" the professor requested. Nemo gave him a nod.
"I shall have meals prepared" he said in as friendly a tone as he could muster.
Ned bent down to Soras height "Hope you like Seaweed" he whispered behind his hand.
Nemo turned away from them before Sora stopped him "Nemo-uh captain" he turned over his shoulder to look over at him "What about your motives? Why all this?"
Nemo was quiet for a moment before turning and responding "That is a story for another time. This reading should keep you occupied, for now" he then made his exit.
From there it was nothing but books and reading. Some pictures here or there; architecture of the ship, diagrams of the Heart, questions with only guesses for answers from both Ansem and Nemo. The professor at least seemed to be enjoying this a lot more than they were. Ned and Consielle were of little help here. As they were reading they thought they could hear an organ playing and echoing throughout the ship.
"I say-remarkable!" He exclaimed upon reading some of Ansems notes "and you knew this fellow?" The three of them pondered what they knew, given s many recent developments
"Something like that" Sora eventually answered. Suddenly the doors were thrown open and Captain Nemo stormed in followed by Ned and Consielle.
"Well, explain yourselves" the captain demanded.
Donald and Goofy looked to Sora who was just as confused as they were "Whadda mean?" He asked.
"I'm telling you Captain they don't know anything!" Ned exclaimed. "Tell em Consielle!" He tried to help but only tripped over his own words. Ned then turned to them "Tell em Mates!"
"Tell what?" Goofy asked
"I'm confused" Donald let out
"Me too" Sora agreed.
"Was they're another aboard your party?" Nemo snapped.
"Nope just us" Sora answered.
"I told you they wouldn't know" Ned crossed his arms
"Whatever is the meaning of this?" The professor asked startled.
"It appears we have a stowaway on board" Nemo declared.
"Who?" Goofy asked
"We are unsure for they wear a black hood to conceal they're face"
"Black Hoods?!" Sora jolted up
"Organization 13!" Donald screeched
"It seems you do know him" Nemo smirked.
"They're no friends of ours!"
"No matter they won't remain hidden for long"
"Let's go get em!" Sora charged with his Keyblade in hand. From there everyone seemed to do they're part in helping to locate the black clad assailant. They looked in they're 'rooms', or 'prisons' depending how you look at it. Not that it mattered since he wasn't there. They went on to look at the ballast chamber where Ned was more than ready to sneak a few more bits of treasure away.
"Do you think he's on the outside?" Donald asked
"Maybe we should suit up to find out" Goofy responded. It was then Sora noticed something over in the shadows.
"Look!" He exclaimed quickly and they turned to see just what they were looking for; a tall dark stowaway in a black coat "Let's get him!" He said before leading the charge.
They chased who ever it was deeper into the Nautilus; down the stairs and through more dark hallways. Until they finally cornered him in a room they hadn't stepped in before; they arrived in the engine room and cornered him. His back was to them and his face was conceiled beneath his hood-but now it looked more like a helmet. They heard deep dark breathing coming from him.
"Who are you? What are you doing here?" Sora demanded answers. Silence was his answer, and of course that only angered him more. "Tell me!"
He turned to them now and they found out he wasn't wearing a hood at all, but a helmet. He wore dark armor covered in a dark cape. He seemed to ogle the three of them; Sora specifically behind his helmet.
"All that anger" a dull, deep masculine voice produced from under the helmet said "It must come in handy... The captain of this ship would know all about that" he said in an emotionless voice.
"What's my anger have anything to do with this?" Sora questioned.
He raised a finger to point "You have much potential as the Keyblade wielder. Join me" his hand crunched into a fist "I could train you. Teach you other ways of using your powers. Become my apprentice and answer to me; Darth Vader as your master"
Sora shook his head "I can't-I couldn't. There's something dark inside of you"
Under that helmet he seemed to let out a faint smile or tried to give one reminiscent of one at least. "That does not matter at this moment" he said. "What does matter is this you.. and this ship"
"Hm? Whadda mean?" Sora questioned now a little confused.
"It's an impressive structure would you agree?" He asked and did not wait for an answer "The captain built it for a single purpose...but you already knew that didn't you?"
"I think" Sora pondered the Captains ominous presence and the impression he's left on others "I think he means well" he concluded.
"Is that all you have to say?" Vader asked and Sora nodded "Tell me what do you think draws the Heartless here? What draws them to the Nautilus?"
"You no doubt" he answered quickly, maybe too quickly.
The cloaked stowaway was silent for a few moments. He seemed to be waiting, possibly for a better answer.
"Very well" he eventually said "If that's all you can see he perhaps there nothing else to say. But I will let you know this. The power of this ship is insignificant to the power I can bestow upon you" he said turning to leave.
"Wait-" Sora outstretched his hand.
All of a sudden Heartless of all shapes and sizes appeared. They thought he was controlling them to attack, but when they turned on him they thought differently. Vader effortlessly swatted them away as he made his escape. They followed him as best they could going through all the places he wasn't before until he ran up and out of the submarine. They rallied together with the rest of the crew.
"So that's our stowaway?" Ned asked aloud and Sora Donald and goofy all nodded. "He's above deck" Ned said
"He won't remain hidden for long" Nemo said. With that all gave chase.
They arrived up top to see him overlooking the vast ocean.
"Impressive isn't it?" Nemo said to him and he turned once again to face them.
"The sea? Yes" he agreed. "A seemingly endless bastion of darkness housing all kinds of life"
At that comment Nemo could help, but smirk "It seems what you know of the heart you know less of the Sea" Nemo scolded.
Before the Sith knew what was behind him a giant tentacle reared up from the ocean surface to try and swipe at him. He barely escaped its wrath before more tentacles appeared along with the beasts head. though they couldn't see his eyes he clearly looked at it with contempt before disappearing into a dark portal.
"I'll leave it to you then" he said.
They all had no time to lament over the loss, they had a more immediate problem facing them now. "Battle Stations! All hands on Deck!" The alarm rang out. "Giant Squid!"Sora, Donald, Goofy, Ned and Captain Nemo raced to the top of the Nautilus above water.
The crew was armed with harpoons and for every one of them there must have been five tentacles or more encircling them. They swatted them away as others were entangled by them. Sora and his friends would arrive just in time to swat them away. That was until one of them grabbed ahold of captain Nemo himself. Strangled and suffocating in its grip he was then lifted off his feet and leagues above his submarine.
The giant squids mouth appeared from the water now, continuously snapping at them. Everyone concentrated on attacking that when they aren't occupied with the infinite number of tentacles. Some weighed and wriggled all around the Nautilus holding it into place.
Then Sora slashed his Keyblade across its face. It let out a terrible cry before loosening all tentacles and everything in its grip. This included the Nautilus which was free now and Captain Nemo who fell down and lifelessly into the sea.
Out of everyone to try and save him only one did; Ned jumped in and grabbed Nemo and hauled him back aboard the Nautilus.
He looked up strangely at every one of them "What happened?"
"Ned saved you!" they told him. Nemo looked at the harpooned in shock. This man defied him at every turn yet risked his life to save his. He didn't believe it until everyone else told him it was true.
"Mr. Land" He cleared his throat "you now have free roam of the ship" a prisoner no more. Congratulations and cheers went all around.
Suddenly something strange started to happen. The Nautilus started to glow, brighter than anything else they'd seen this far. Nemo, Ned and the others seemed baffled by it but Sora knew what it meant. Singing above the Nautilus a keyhole appeared and he raised his Keyblade to shoot a bright bean of light into it. the sound of a door unlocking rang out overhead before the light around then diminished back to normal.
"Hm? What was that?" Consielles asked squeamishly
"Incredible" the professor exclaimed. Nemo seemed unfazed.
"Sora, Donald, Goody" Nemo turned to the three of them. There was a moment of silence that passed between them and every second it lingered they're anticipation grew
"You may go about your business. Go and meddle elsewhere in the affairs of others. We" he turned to his weary but loyal crew as well as the professor, Consielle and even Ned "will handle things here"
"Hey! Why do they get to leave?" Ned spoke up.
"They have important business Mr. land as do I" he told him rather brusquely. He turned back to them "you need not worry about your ship, you will find it in even better condition than before. I've added a few touches of my own"
"Well garsh thanks captain" Goofy said.
"Thanks are unnecessary" he said.
"What will you do now?" Sora asked
"Continue on as I've always done. We may even make time to track that stowaway down...There is hope for the future. When the world is ready for a new and better life, all this will someday come to pass, in good time"
"Glad to see you off Mates and I'll be right behind us just wait n see!" He said before flicking Sora's spiky hair for perhaps the final time.
They're work completed yet again they boarded they're gummi ship leaving the Nautilus behind as they continued on they're adventure. And hopefully to find answers to the Sith Lord.