RDF1: (Groans)
Dx: What's up?
RDF1: This next chapter. I keep reminding myself why this isn't as good as it could be originally. I mean, it's underwater, Sora's a merman, and we get to hear a few excellent songs from the soundtrack.
LR: So, what's the matter?
Jenny: It's the fact that any 'battling' done here is done solely through reaction commands and singing.
LR: Oh. WHY DOES THE GAME HAVE TO DO THIS TO SUCH AN EXCELLENT WORLD!
Dx: Took the words right out of my mouth.
RDF1: What's also sad is what I am going to add, yet it won't be fully in the story, just a mentioning.
Dx: If it's about him…
RDF1: Yes, considering this IS the Little Mermaid world we're dealing with. I have to make some mention of him because of how disappointing Disney was in leaving him out.
If you have guessed 'Urchin' as the person (merman) whom I made reference to, then kudos to you. Sad to say, I can't fully add him in without completely ruining the timeline, as it would be incredibly difficult to include him in here. Anyone who is an Urchin fan, I whole heartily agree that Urchin should have been in the films. Oh well, time to begin the fic.
Disclaimer: Don't own anything other than the idea(s), etc.
Note: Takuya's participation will NOT be in songs, so much as other things. (LOL) Also, this chapter is for anyone who doesn't like Takuya that much and just wants him humiliated to a certain extent. Just something humorous against him that would otherwise be sad and pathetic.
Note2: Funny how both Pacey8444 and VIIBram have the same part number for Atlantica.
Note3: Sorry if this is shorter than you expect, but I'm trying to set up a few things for the next chapter. Will end off with a visit to Yen Sid's; so don't worry.
LET'S GO!
(Chapter Begin)
(Recap)
Upon arriving, Merlin showed them to their room, which had at least four beds in it, thanks to Merlin's magic. Sora, Donald, and Goofy didn't take long before they were fast asleep in separate beds. Takuya stretched, popping some joints to increase blood/data flow throughout his body, so he could stay awake while talking with Merlin.
"So, what's the news?" asked Takuya, sitting down opposite to Merlin at his table.
"I have spoken with Yen Sid, and he said it is possible for your idea to work," said Merlin.
"Yet, I'm sensing a 'but' in here," said Takuya.
"But," said Merlin, as there was no use in denying it, "I'm afraid it will take some time to construct them. I have left the necessary materials, and the three good witches are doing everything in their power to try and help Yen Sid with such an undertaking."
"Alright," said Takuya, "We'll go by Atlantica and help out there as much as we can before heading on to Twilight Town, after visiting Yen Sid's tower again."
"Very well," said Merlin, "I will inform him of your plans, though he may already know about them. In the meantime, you better get your rest as well. Your battles today must have been exhausting."
"Nothing I can't handle," said Takuya, before standing up, with a short burst of Vertigo forcing itself on him. After straightening himself, he turned to see Merlin's look, and replied, "Okay, maybe I do need some rest."
Not two minutes later could you hear a fourth set of snores along with the first three, As Takuya had found a bed of his own and joined the other three in sawing logs.
(Recap End)
The next morning, the four of them woke up within ten minutes of each other. After having a good breakfast, made by Aerith and Yuffie, who surprised them with her good skills, they left Radiant Garden for Atlantica.
(AN1)
(Gummy Ship)
"Alright," said Takuya, "To Atlantica."
"Uh, Takuya?" asked Sora.
"Yeah, what?" replied Takuya.
"You DO know Atlantica is underwater, right?"
"Yeah, so?"
"Well, being a fire creature and all, don't you think any of your Digivolutions would be hindered underwater?"
"Good point," said Takuya, knowing where Sora was going with this, "But if I can handle staying as Flamon in the Pride Lands, I don't think I could do worse underwater."
(Atlantica)
Takuya couldn't be more wrong. When they landed, data covered his form, something that didn't happen before that he was aware of. When the data went away, something felt different. He felt shorter, and not at all the same as before. His eyes widened as he realized what was wrong and looked at his hands to confirm it.
"Oh boy," said Donald, "Under the sea again!"
"Well," said Takuya, in a decidedly feminine voice with a southern accent, "I declare. It's bad enough I'm proven wrong, but for the World to select this form from my D-Tector…"
Sora, Donald, and Goofy turned around to see, not Takuya, but a short blue girl wearing a helmet, looking like an underwater female warrior.
(AN2)
"Takuya?" asked Sora, trying to get back his bearings form the last time he was here over a year ago.
"In the Digital Flesh, Hun," said Ranamon, her southern accent as strong as the REAL Ranamon's, "And don't worry about anything I say; it's just the personality of the spirit I'm using."
"Sora, Donald, Goofy!" said Ariel, swimming into the clearing, "It's so good to see you again."
"It's good to see you again too, Ariel," said Sora, still trying to find his balance.
"Don't tell me you've forgotten how to swim already," said Ariel, swimming around Sora like it was nothing, and it kind of was.
"Kinda," said Sora.
"By the way, who's your friend?" asked Ariel.
"This is Takuya, but this isn't his natural form."
"'His?'" said Ariel, confused about the boy(girl(?)) in front of her, "She looks like a girl to me."
"Well, Sugar, 'Appearances can be deceiving', and all that," said Ranamon.
"In any case," said Sebastian, advisor to King Triton, "If you don't remember how to swim, you need to practice! Just follow Flounder, he'll show you what's up and down again."
"I believe I can do fine with these legs of mine," said Ranamon, swimming like any human swimmer would, "Why don't you boys go for it?"
"Alright," said Sora.
"Come on Sora, follow me," said Flounder, starting to swim around in basic movements to show the others.
After about ten minutes of practicing, Sora, Donald, and Goofy were getting the hang of it again.
"Now, den," said Sebastian, his accent strong as before, "What brings you back to these waters?"
"Not sure," said Sora.
"If something's wrong," said Ranamon, "It hasn't shown up yet."
"He's right," said Goofy, "Everything seems peaceful right now."
"Well, it is," replied Ariel, "As long as Daddy is in a good mood."
"I don't know if this is good timing or not, but we've got a musical next week and I think it would be a good idea if you joined in," said Sebastian, swimming up to Sora, "Please say yes! Ariel's been acting stranger than usual. Maybe if you're dere, she'll get her head back to the musical."
"Sounds fun," said Donald.
"Why not?" added Sora.
"No thanks," said Ranamon, "MY real voice is bad enough. I don't even WANT to know how badly Ranamon sings."
"Maybe it's not Ranamon who'll be the bad singer," teased Sora.
Ranamon just turned away, ignoring Sora and swam down to the floor to sit on an undersea rock. Sora wondered what was up with Takuya, but figured it was probably Ranamon's form that was irking him.
"So, what do we do?" asked Sora, turning his attention back on Sebastian.
"Just follow the beat and feel de rhythm," replied Sebastian, giving a music cue.
Sebastian guided Sora and the others, who felt the beat in their mind and moved with the melody. Sora even did a finishing pose with Ariel. After they were done, Sebastian congratulated them on a job well done, even going so far as to tell them they were welcome in any performance as long as they spoke to him about it first. Ranamon swam back up, seeing that they were finished.
"So," said Sebastian, "How about trying your dance moves on the real dance floor."
"I don't know," said Sora.
"Aw, Sugar," said Ranamon, "I don't see the harm in it. Besides, it's something to do since there aren't any Heartless around."
"He's got a point, Sora," rationalized Donald.
Sora sighed, knowing he couldn't argue that logic.
"Fine, we'll do it," agreed Sora.
"Thanks," said Ariel, "It'll be good to have friends performing as well."
So, everyone headed for the performance hall where Ranamon took a seat out in the audience to watch and hear the rehearsal. As 'he' watched, 'he' wondered why they were there if there was no Heartless.
'It couldn't be the musicals,' thought Takuya, 'That makes even less sense than Heartless, which doesn't make much in this world to begin with.'
'Well,' replied Ranamon's voice, 'What if it's due to the actual progression of this world's destiny?'
'Don't know Ranamon,' said Takuya, hardly phased as hearing Ranamon's voice, as it IS her body he inhabited at the moment, 'We'll find out soon enough.'
Soon, King Triton swam into the performance hall, hearing the music from outside. Ariel shied away, which intrigued Ranamon a bit, and 'he' swam up to join the others.
"Your Majesty!" said Sebastian, giving a proper greeting for everyone, "We have visitors!"
"King Triton," said Sora.
"I certainly hope there hasn't been a need to use that Keyblade of yours."
"Nope," replied Sora truthfully, "Haven't seen a Heartless yet."
"Well, the Keyblade may not be needed, but that's not to say you haven't been using magic," pitched in Ranamon.
"And who is this?" asked Triton.
"This is Takuya," said Sora, "He's a new friend of ours. Don't worry, 'he' isn't usually in this form, or this chipper."
"I see," said Triton, with a small bit of doubt.
"Your Majesty," said Sebastian, "Sora, Donald, and Goofy wish to join in de musical."
"I don't see why not," said Triton, approaching Sora and speaking softer, "It might be beneficial if you three were to help in this. It might just keep her mind off the human world above the surface."
"I don't know, Hun," said Ranamon, "From what I know of your daughter, she can be quite stubborn; a quality you don't lack yourself, huh?"
"True," sighed Triton, "But it wouldn't hurt to try."
So, they decided to stay for the week and participate in the musical. The next day, in between rehearsals, Ariel was out of the kingdom, thinking about a certain Prince again. Nothing could get her back into the rehearsal, until Flounder had an idea.
"You guys go on ahead, I need to speak with King Triton," said Ranamon.
So, while the others followed Flounder, Ranamon made 'his' way to the palace, and thus the throne room. Having made an official appointment the day before, the guards were expecting 'him' and let 'him' through without too much hassle. When 'he' approached the throne room, King Triton was just finishing a few papers that needed his signature for something or another.
"Welcome, Takuya," said King Triton, "What did you wish to speak with me about?"
"Well, Sugar," said Ranamon, "Ariel seems like the girl who would have many friends around here. So how come she's not hanging out with any of them? I though she would have other merfriends her own age and everything."
"She did," replied King Triton, his voice giving off a sad tone as he spoke, "She had a good friend named Urchin. For the past few years they went on many adventures that would otherwise have killed them, if not for their personalities and great friendship with one another."
"So, what happened to the boy?" asked Ranamon, now interested.
"He left one day, to go on a great journey across the seas, to become a great warrior worthy of protecting Princess Ariel and our Kingdom. We received letters from him about once a month until about five months ago when the letters ceased. We have no idea why, and his last letter gave no indication that they were to stop. There are only two conclusions I could think of, and both I won't share with Ariel. One, he perished somewhere in a battle of sorts, or two, he stopped making contact either by his own means, or someone else's. Neither conclusion could keep my daughter's heart from breaking. She and Urchin were close."
"Well, that certainly explains a lot," said Ranamon, "No wonder she wants to learn more about the Surface World, given what happened down below; Urchin must have been a great friend."
"He was," said Triton, before noticing Sebastian, "You're late, Sebastian. Anything wrong?"
"No! Nothing, your Majesty," said Sebastian, a little hurriedly, swimming up to King Triton.
"So," said Triton, "How goes the song for the musical?"
"Wonderful, your Majesty," replied Sebastian, "I finished just moments ago. That is the reason for my tardiness, sir. I made sure it would celebrate all things wonderful here in de ocean."
"Will it get Ariel's mind off the Human World?" asked Triton.
"Most likely," said Sebastian, "I'm almost sure of it."
"'Almost' doesn't seem to be enough sometimes, sugar," said Ranamon, "I have an idea that just might work."
"You sure?" pressed Triton, "You cannot directly interfere with our world affairs, mind you."
"Of course," said Ranamon, a smile on 'his' face, "I'm not gonna say it WILL work, just that something tells me it will have an effect."
"Very well," said Triton, "Go with Sebastian and see if you can't help Ariel."
"Sure thing, Hun," said Ranamon, with a small salute, courtesy of Takuya's personality, and swam off with Sebastian.
(AN3)
As they approached the clearing where Ariel and the others were, they saw her in the same state she usually was in when not needed by anything in Atlantica, musical or otherwise.
(AN4)
"Dis won't work," said Sebastian as they approached Sora, Donald, and Goofy, "They aren't good enough yet."
"You'd be surprised, sugar," said Ranamon.
"What won't work?" asked Sora.
"You see my point," whispered Sebastian in a deadpan.
"What the little crab means is," said Ranamon, as to try and cover up an insult, "He thinks you don't have what it takes to help Ariel out with this song."
"Really," said Sora, feeling a challenge, "Let's see it."
Sebastian gave the song paper to Sora and the three of them looked it over.
'This IS a challenge,' thought Sora, 'but not something I can't handle. I'll show Sebastian how good I can do.'
"Well," said Ranamon, landing down on the ocean floor for a good seat, "Start the music and let's hear that beat."
Sebastian landed in front of a group of clamshells that doubled as kettledrums equivalents from the surface world.
(AN5)
(Under the Sea)
Sora: The Seaweed is always greener, in somebody else's lake
Sebastian: You dream about going up there…
But that is a big mistake
Just look at the world around you
Right here on the ocean floor
Such wonderful things surround you
What more is you looking for?
Under the sea
Under the sea
Sora: Darling, it's better down where it's wetter
Take it from me
Sebastian: Up on the shore they work all day…
Out in the sun they slave away…
While we devoting full time to floating…
Under the sea
Sebastian: Under the sea
Snails: Under the sea
Sebastian: Under the sea
Snails: Under the sea
Sebastian: Since life is sweet here, we got the beat here, naturally
Sora: Even the sturgeon and the ray
Ariel: They get the urge and start to play
Sebastian: We got the spirit, you've got to hear it…
Under the sea
Sora/Sebastian/Ariel: Under the sea
Snails: Under the sea
Sora/Sebastian/Ariel: Under the sea
Snails: Under the sea
Ariel: When the sardine begin the beguine
It's music to me
Sebastian: What do they got? A lot of sand
We've got a hot crustacean band!
Ariel: Each little clam here
Know how to jam here…
Sebastian: Under the sea
Ariel/Sora: Each little slug here
Cutting a rug here
Sebastian: Under the sea
Each little snail here, know how to wail here,
Sora: That's why it's hotter
Ariel: Under the water
Sebastian: Ya, we in luck here
Down in the muck here…
Sora/Ariel/Sebastian: UNDER THE SEA!
(Music ends)
Ranamon gave a small applause. Sebastian approached Ariel.
"So, what do you think, Ariel?" asked the Crab adviser.
"It's a great song, especially for the musical," said Ariel, a little nervous, "But, it's just not what I want to sing."
Sebastian gasped, his plan failed horribly.
"I wanna sing about how our two worlds can live in harmony – land and sea together!"
(AN6)
"I would be Crab Chowder if the King got wind of that!" exclaimed Sebastian.
"If you won't listen, then I won't sing at all," replied Ariel.
"Hold on, Sugar," said Ranamon, taking Ariel by the hand and leading her away from the others, "I think I have a better way on how to approach that."
Unfortunately, this left Sebastian to think out loud enough for King Triton to hear him.
"Ariel's in love with a HUMAN!" exclaimed the King of Atlantica, "And where's Takuya. I thought 'he' had a plan that would help!"
"He's talking with her right now," said Sebastian, trying to save what little dwindling hope he had of surviving, "Maybe 'he' can talk some sense into her where we could not."
"I hope so," said Triton, "While I agree with Ariel that not ALL humans are bad, I highly doubt any human from this world would prove to be so."
"Maybe if Urchin was here, he could help," said Sebastian, a little sad that the boy wasn't there to help.
"I don't think that would do much good anyways," said King Triton, "He loves enough to let her go if it came to that. I just wish something would help her understand how humans are in this world."
(AN7)
Meanwhile, Ranamon finally let go of Ariel, after getting some distance away from Sebastian.
"I know how ya feel, Sugar," said Ranamon, "But couldn't you keep it inside. You could please your father by at least ignoring the Human World around him."
"Like he wouldn't see through it," replied Ariel, "My sisters always say I'm more like my father than any of them, and I found myself to be proud of that fact."
"Even if it gets you into trouble?" countered Ranamon.
"Daddy told you about that, huh?" asked Ariel a bit sheepishly.
"It's okay. To be honest, I like my world's Digital World more than the Real world at this moment, even WITH the dangers it holds."
"Well, if you want to know why I love the human world so much here, then follow me," said Ariel, heading up to the surface.
When they reached the surface, everyone looked towards shore and saw Eric on the beach.
"Is that him, Sugar?" asked Ranamon.
"Yeah," said Ariel, almost breathlessly.
"That's a fine catch, Hun," congratulated Ranamon, "If anyone can do it, you can."
"Don't make me sick," said Sora, feeling disgusted that 'Takuya' was talking about another guy like that.
Ranamon turned to him, and said, "Sora, Sugar, I'm in the body of one of the most flirtatious Digimon you'll ever meet. That fact that she's female doesn't help matters for me."
It didn't help much, as Sora's face didn't change.
"Why don't we go over and say something?" asked Donald.
"NO!" said Ariel, "Contact with the Human World is forbidden. They can't know about us."
"Oh," said Ranamon, "So, I guess saving his life would mean breaking the law, even if it WAS saving his life?"
"You know what I mean," said/whined Ariel, "Besides, what would he say: 'Let's go for a swim?'"
(AN8)
Soon, Eric turned and headed back to his castle, saddened that the voice didn't return. He was so disheartened by that fact that he didn't notice he dropped something out of his pocket. It landed in the ocean and got swept out to sea. By the time the others reached it, it was stuck between two rocks, and unable to be reached by any of them.
"Hey Sora," said Ranamon, "Isn't there a spell that could work here?"
Sora thought about it, and realized he DID know a spell. He called out his Ultima Keyblade and summoned the charm to him with 'Magnera'. After retrieving the item, he gave it to Ariel and they headed back her grotto.
"Thank you, Sora," said Ariel, "I know he'll want this back. This is great."
Sora was silent, as he had heard the door to the grotto open and King Triton swam in.
"And just who is this he?" said King Triton, interested that Ariel found someone, but wary that it would be this 'human' Sebastian spoke of.
"Daddy," whispered Ariel in fear, confirming her father's fears.
"Ariel," said Triton, "You know how dangerous humans are in this world!"
"You don't even know him!" countered Ariel, "I know that you don't like humans in this world, but they can't ALL be as bad as you say."
"Oh, and I suppose we should just forget that it was HUMANS in this world that took your mother away!" rebutted King Triton; playing a card he never wanted to play again.
"HE'S NOT LIKE THOSE HUMANS!" shouted Ariel, "And I'm gonna prove it to you!"
"So help me Ariel," said Triton, not wanting to shout at his daughter anymore, but she just wouldn't listen to reason, "I will get through to you. Even if this is how!"
He used the power in his Trident to blast the statue of Prince Eric, the human Ariel had fallen in love with. In tears, Ariel swam out of the grotto, Sora, Donald, and Goofy behind her.
"Well," said Ranamon, "No one can say you do anything halfway."
"And what about you!" said Triton, turning to 'him', "You said you could help her with this."
"I wasn't so foolhardy as to think it could actually work. Besides, this isn't just about Ariel's mother is it?" replied Ranamon, "You think Humans may be one reason why Urchin hasn't made contact, or returned to Atlantica!"
"She knows the danger Humans in this world pose!"
"She knows, and still tries to see how much is true. The Pirates that took your wife away were here around decade or so ago, right? I may not know these Pirates, but from what I do know is that they never stay in the same place that long."
"You would never understand!" urged Triton, "Losing the one you love to a place you enjoyed as much as your own home is a betrayal on many levels!"
(AN9)
"Look," sighed Ranamon, "If Ariel is really your daughter, then I'm sure she'll find a way to prove you wrong, even IF you refuse to admit to anyone other than yourself."
With that, Ranamon left King Triton and headed after Sora, Donald and Goofy. When she found them, they were helping Ariel up to the surface, and she had two legs where her tail was before. Ranamon joined them when they got to the surface and took her to the shore. After getting the last of the water out of her lungs, they had to leave her there, after seeing Prince Eric on his way down to the shore. They hid while Prince Eric found her and she was able to return his pendant to him. They headed back to the castle after that, and Sora, Ranamon, Donald, and Goofy headed back down to clearing outside of Atlantica.
"That went well," said Sora.
"Three days might just work," said Ranamon, who had been filled in on the contract details, "If Ursula can mind her own business."
"That's what I'm afraid of," said Sebastian, who was waiting for them in the clearing, "And I double-checked the contract. It IS binding, not even King Triton can break it. Ursula's apart of this world, and as such, so are her contracts, so you can't directly interfere with this."
"Well," said Sora, "It never said anything about us watching, right?"
"Yeah," said Ranamon, "But let's get some sleep first, it's late and Ariel's probably already fighting off sleep as best she can in her new environment."
So, they went to bed, hoping the next three days would prove better for Ariel.
(Time Change)
Everything was going alright for the first two days. The night of the second day had Eric bring Ariel out on the sea in a small rowboat. Sora, Donald, Goofy, and Ranamon joined Flounder, who was already there.
"Hey," said Sora, "Where's Sebastian?"
"King Triton has him for a meeting, since he IS the King's advisor and all," replied Flounder.
"Do you think he'll him about Ariel?" asked Goofy.
"If King Triton find out about this, he may just banish us from this world," said Sora.
"What happened to Ursula?" asked Flounder.
"We couldn't find her," said Donald, "She's disappeared."
"Uh oh," said Ranamon, before making a beeline for the boat, underwater.
"Takuya! Get back here!" shouted Sora, but neither Ranamon, nor Eric or Ariel could hear him.
The looked towards the boat, seeing Eric and Ariel get closer, until the boat rocked, and Ariel ended up in Eric's arms.
Meanwhile, underwater, Ranamon swam as fast as 'he' could, and grabbed the Eels, Flotsam and Jetsam (who were responsible for the boat rocking), by their tails, preventing them from escaping.
"What was that for!" demanded Ranamon.
"We cannot help it if the boat gets in the way of our swimming path," said Flotsam.
"I guess we're in the wrong place at wrong time," added Jetsam.
"Don't play dumb," said Ranamon, "Did Ursula send you to interfere like that!"
"Our mistress is forbidden by her own contracts to directly interfere. However, those that choose to work against the terms of the contract for the one who agreed to the terms aren't bound by those same terms," explained Flotsam.
"And since this world is not your own," added Jetsam, "Then you have no other choice but to not directly interfere as well."
'Not directly interfere, huh' thought Takuya.
'Give you any ideas, Hun?' asked Ranamon.
'Could you please stop calling me that,' replied Takuya, 'but, yes, I do have an idea.'
Unfortunately, Ranamon found out the hard way of why you shouldn't hold onto Electric Eels for too long as Flotsam and Jetsam shocked Ranamon off of them and they swam away. Ranamon was paralyzed and couldn't move until Sora, Donald, Goofy, and Flounder swam up, and Sora casted a healing spell to get rid of the paralysis.
(AN10)
"Thanks, Sugar," said Ranamon.
"What was that all about?" asked Sora.
"Ursula's using every trick she's got to indirectly interfere with Ariel's chances. I'm afraid she's gonna try a last ditch effort tomorrow."
"What should we do?" asked Goofy.
"Anything we can," said Ranamon, smirking, "Indirectly of course."
"We're going to search for her underwater to see if we can't stop her before then."
"Go," said Ranamon, before turning to Flounder, "We may need your help tomorrow. Get some rest and make sure to be here to see if Ariel can kiss Eric by sundown tomorrow."
"What are you going to do?" asked Flounder.
"I don't know," admitted Ranamon.
(Time Change)
Even searching the entire sea, Sora, Donald, and Goofy couldn't find any trace of Ursula. The sun was soon to set and they decided to head back to see Ariel, to see if she was able to complete her side of the contract. When they surfaced, they saw Ranamon, looking peeved.
"Sorry, Takuya," said Sora, "But, we couldn't find her anywhere."
"I found her," said Ranamon, "But Ariel wouldn't let me in the castle to take care of her. She said it would violate her side of the contract."
"WHAT!" exclaimed the three of them.
"She's at the shore if you want to speak with her," said Ranamon, before diving back down to cool off a bit.
Ignoring Ranamon at the moment, they approached where Ariel was and Flounder was there. He said that Ariel had been there since early afternoon, after preventing Ranamon from storming the castle. Just then, they heard Ariel's voice, singing 'Part of Your World' to a hypnotized Eric.
"That's so direct!" said Sora, "She's violating the contract."
"It's not as direct as you think," said Ranamon, surfacing again, "She's using his own will against himself and Ariel, making it his own unwilling choice to leave Ariel."
"If she can get away with that," said Sora puling out the Ultima, "Then the contract can't say anything against this!"
Sora shot out a blast of magic that destroyed the shell around Ursula's neck, allowing Ariel's voice to return to her. Eric woke up out of his trance and saw and heard Ariel speak again. Eric realized what had happened, and that Ariel save him that day.
"Ariel!" shouted Ranamon, "KISS HIM NOW!"
"I don't think so!" replied Ursula, back in her original form, "Take a look!"
They all realized what she meant and saw the sun setting on the ocean, the third day completed without a kiss, meaning that Ariel had failed in her part of the contract. Ursula used that distraction to grab Ariel and jump back into the water. Ariel turned back into a mermaid shortly after that, so she didn't drown.
"Let's go!" said Ranamon, diving down, with Sora, Donald, and Goofy right behind 'him'.
When they caught up with Ursula, Sora yelled for her to stop.
"Oh please," said Ursula, turning around, with Ariel still struggling against her grip, "This is a BINDING Contract. That means you and your little Keyblade have no jurisdiction on this matter."
"That contract's no good!" said Sora, "You broke your side of the deal."
"Oh please," said Ursula, "the bottom line is Ariel and Eric didn't kiss, so that makes her mine!"
"LET HER GO!" shouted King Triton, who came swimming in a fury, blasting Ursula with his Trident.
However, one of Ursula's Tentacles was holding the contract, which protected her from the blast.
"I'm sorry, your Majesty," fake apologized Ursula, "But not even the KING can go around breaking any Binding Contracts as he sees fit."
"You tricked my daughter!"
"And gave her what she wanted: to experience life on the surface world," countered Ursula.
"Daddy, I'm sorry!" said Ariel.
"It's okay, Ariel," said Triton, "And I'm sorry I pushed you to this."
"There's nothing you can do about this," said Ursula, a devious smile appearing on her face, "Unless you wish to take her place, as it is written in the fine print of all my contracts."
"I guess I have no other choice," said Triton, before using his trident to magically exchange his name for Ariel's.
"DADDY! NO!" shouted Ariel, but it was too late.
King Triton fell under the effects of the contract immediately, leaving the Trident to be grabbed by Ursula.
"HEY!" said Ranamon, "That should go to Ariel, or one of her sisters!"
"And a shrimp's going to force me to do that?" countered Ursula questioningly.
"I'll show you a shrimp!" growled Ranamon, before changing into Calmaramon, "Who's the shrimp now!"
It wasn't what he wanted to do, but being called shrimp in Ranamon's body irked not only him, but Ranamon as well. They BOTH wanted to put her in her place. Before Ursula could use the Trident however, a stray spear cut her left arm. Everyone turned to see that Eric had thrown the spear and started swimming back to the surface, before he ran out of air. Flotsam and Jetsam swam after him, only for Sora, Donald and Goofy to get in the way. However, it was all for naught as Ursula laughed and used the Trident's power to grow to the size of a giant. Everyone swam for the surface, knowing that they had to stop Ursula, no matter the cost.
(AN11)
Calmaramon used her main tentacles to launch herself into the air, change into Ranamon to get higher than Ursula.
"Ursula!" said Ranamon, "You give 'Fat lady singing' a whole different meaning."
He changed back to Calmaramon and used "Titanic Tempest" on Ursula. Ursula caught 'her' with her left hand, leaving her right hand open for Sora to jump out of the water and knock the Trident out of her hand. The Trident fell in the boat, giving Eric an idea.
"No!" said Ursula in fear, dropping Calmaramon back into the ocean, "It's not possible."
"It's over Ursula," finalized Sora diving back into the water.
"That belongs to me!" demanded Ursula.
"Well, if you want it so badly," replied Eric, smirking himself, and heaved the Trident like a Javelin or Spear, "Here! Take it!"
The Trident struck true as it skewered Ursula, causing a backlash of magic overloading within her body, destroying her forever. After her body sank into the sea where it disappeared into ink, Ariel resurfaced as Eric was looking for her.
"Ariel," said Eric, "You can come out now. Everything's okay."
When Ariel didn't move, Eric was surprised a bit, but even more so when Ariel jumped out of the water, showing her true form to the Human Prince.
'Dang,' thought Eric, 'I really WASN'T dreaming when she saved me. She really DOES have a tail.'
"You see, Eric," said Ariel, feeling her heart break already at losing yet another she cared about.
"This can't be," said Eric, removing all denials from his mind.
"I wanted to tell you," said Ariel, "But there's a law against Merpeople having contact with the Human World.
"To think," said Eric, his tone being misread by Ariel.
"Eric, goodbye," finished Ariel, turning to head back home to Atlantica.
"All that time we spent together and not once did I suggest we go swimming," continued Eric, surprising Ariel more than she did just moments ago.
Ariel gasped, she was just kidding when she said that to Ranamon, but he actually said that. Eric dived off the rowboat and swam over to Ariel.
"Guess we should do that now, while there's still time," said Eric.
"I'd love to swim with you, Eric," said Ariel, her heart feeling more whole than it had been in years.
"Alright," said Sora, from where he was watching along with Donald and Goofy.
Ranamon noticed King Triton had surfaced to see what had happened, and swam over to him.
"Do you want me to say it?" asked Ranamon, 'his' teasing voice returning.
"It's okay," said Triton, "The only thing I'm sad about, is how much I'm going to miss her. I'll bet the entire Kingdom will seem down for a while. Here, give this to Sora."
Triton summoned a small sphere of energy from his Trident and handed it to Ranamon.
"Alright," said Ranamon, "We'll see you back in Atlantica."
"Thank you," said Triton, before heading down with Sebastian.
Ranamon swam back to Sora and handed him Triton's gift. The sphere transformed into the Mysterious Abyss Keyblade, which Sora sent into Hyperspace.
The next morning, Ariel met with her father, making arrangements for to be able to see Eric. While Triton believed Eric would be but one of a few exceptions, he was still a father, and still felt the need to be strict in order to keep Ariel safe.
"That Eric's a great guy," said Sora, "Not to mention brave."
"Now who's sounding homo," teased Ranamon.
Sora just rolled his eyes, annoyed.
"That's true," said Sebastian, approaching the four of them, "However, he IS still a Human, and the law must be upheld. Ariel can only go see him when he is alone, for now.
"Well, that's a rip off," said Sora.
"Considering the alternative," said Ariel, as she and Flounder swam up to them after finishing her meeting with her father, "I'll take my small gifts as they come. Besides, my father agreed he would turn me human after the festival, so I can be with Eric on the surface."
"That's great, Sugar," said Ranamon, in her ever southern accent.
"I've got to hurry," said Ariel, "I have to meet with Eric soon if I'm gonna make it back for the final rehearsal."
Ariel headed for the surface after that, to spend time with Eric before the final rehearsal that afternoon.
"Speaking of which," said Flounder, "Sebastian, King Triton said this better be your best musical yet, as it's also going to be a goodbye party for Ariel afterwards. King Triton will make the announcement after the performance."
"With Sora, Donald, and Goofy's help," replied Sebastian, "I know this will have a chance at what he hopes it to be. Now, we need to get everything set up for the rehearsal. Let's head to the music hall, sea folk."
(Time Change)
After Ariel returned from the surface, everyone got together to make the rehearsal a blast. After they finished, they had a group supper together before returning to the hall to take their places. When it was show time, Sebastian took his place as the Maestro of the Orchestra.
'Well, Ranamon,' thought Takuya, as the musical performance went on, 'I have to say it wasn't the worst thing in the world, inhabiting your body.'
'Why thanks, Sugar,' replied Ranamon, 'I just hope you get back home to that sweet thang I call a rival.'
'I'll return everything to the way it was, I promise.'
'You'd better, otherwise everyone's going to be wonder why you suddenly got all the spirits upon your return to the Digital World.'
After the Performance, a bubble, much like the ones that had been used in the songs Sora had sung in over the past week, appeared and started glowing a familiar glow. Sora took out the Ultima Keyblade and unlocked the new pathway.
"Sora's what's happening?" asked Ariel.
"A new pathway has opened up," said Sora.
"What!" exclaimed Sebastian, "You're gonna leave us, now!"
"Now, don't get your shell in a knot," said Ranamon, "Just because we have to leave, doesn't mean it's goodbye."
"He's right," said Donald, "It'll never be goodbye."
"That's right," added Goofy, "A-one, two, three, four:
Sora/Donald/Goofy: Even though we're hittin' the road, our worlds are all connected
Sora: Which means
Sora/Donald/Goofy: We are free to come and go
Donald: And sing!
Sora/Donald/Goofy: So don't be sad, and always know, we'll come back soon to say hello!
Ranamon sweatdropped, before deadpanning, "Guys, never sing without music ever again."
This got a laugh of Ariel and her sisters. As they said goodbye, King Triton approached the center of the stage, to announce the union between Ariel and Eric, and the alliance that will be forged from it. Hopefully, this would dawn a new age of peace between Atlantica and the Surface World, or at least Eric's Kingdom.
(AN12)
(Gummy Ship)
After they returned to their human forms, Takuya immediately let out a shout of joy.
"You seem happy," said Sora, relaxing in his chair after so many long hours of having a tail and no legs.
"Well, you try being a girl and see if your not happy being a boy again!" countered Takuya, heading over to the ship's controls, "Anyways, before we head to Twilight Town, we need to make a quick stop first."
"What do you mean?" asked Donald, "I thought we were going straight to the Organization's Headquarters?"
"We are," replied Takuya, setting in the course for Master Yen Sid's Tower, "I just need to stop by and see Master Yen Sid once more before we head off. I asked Merlin to help me with something and with the help of Master Yen Sid, they were able to complete it."
"What's going on?" asked Sora, his nerves feeling slightly perturbed.
"I'll tell you soon enough," said Takuya, activating the ship's engines, "Right now, I need to speak with Yen Sid."
Takuya headed over to the phone and contacted Merlin, asking him to inform Master Yen Sid that they would arrive soon.
When they got to the tower, they immediately headed to the top of the tower. Master Yen Sid was waiting for them when they got there.
"Welcome, my friends," said Yen Sid, "It has taken more time than we thought, but we have managed to complete the charms less than an hour ago."
"Thank you," said Takuya, accepting the charms, "I hope they work, for everyone's sake."
"I cannot guarantee anything, as nothing of this sort has been tested yet, but understand this: Sora's power must be at his greatest to use his charm."
(AN13)
"My power!" wondered Sora.
"I'll explain things later," said Takuya, "Just be patient."
Sora sighs, knowing that Takuya wouldn't budge on the subject.
"Fine," said Sora, "Let's just get to Twilight Town."
With a brief 'see ya later', Sora, Donald, Goofy, and Takuya left the Tower to continue their journey to find Kairi, save Takuya's world, and defeat Organization 13; not necessarily in that order though.
(Chapter End)
I know, I know, it was pretty bad. Look what I had to work with though.
Dx: Not to mention to you had like 1½ songs. If you could even call that last little ditty a song.
Jenny: I'm not sure you could. Takuya was right, Sora should never sing without music.
LR: Well, we better rap this up if we're going to get to the next part.
RDF1: Thanks, LR. Now, time for extras…
(Character Bios)
Name: Sora
Keyblades: Kingdom Key, Star Seeker, Hidden Dragon, Hero's Crest, Monochrome, Follow the Wind, Circle of Life, Photon Debugger*, Rumbling Rose, Guardian Soul, Decisive Pumpkin, Gullwing, Sleeping Lion, Fenrir, Ultima, Mysterious Abyss
*Got from Tron in Space Paranoids
Drives: Valor, Wisdom, Limit, Master
Name: Takuya
Spirits collected: Fire, Earth, Wood, Ice, Wind, Water, Thunder, Metal, Light, and Darkness
Evolutions: Flamon, Agunimon, BurningGreymon, Aldamon, EmperorGreymon
Status: True Hero
New Attack: Atomic Inferno Drill
Next up: Author notes.
AN1: Don't take that seriously. I don't know anything about Aerith or Yuffie, especially not their cooking skills. Just for the sake of the fic, they took classes.
AN2: If you need a picture, then look it up yourself, same for Calmaramon later.
AN3: Trying to keep a balanced mix, so it's not totally one or the other. Still, kind of funny seeing Ranamon do that, right?
AN4: Well, she IS a princess, so I would guess that she has other duties, just like her sisters do.
AN5: Don't even attempt to understand how or why. Just go with it. It's animated, so why argue?
AN6: Funny how this happens years later with her daughter.
AN7: It's like he wishing for an intervention. Yet all he got was Ursula. (LOL)
AN8: Remember this for later and you'll see why I'm making it a joke now.
AN9: Don't read too much into that, it's just he finds a new reason to like the surface world when Melody is born.
AN10: I don't know if they're electric, but needed something to keep Ranamon in check, ya'know?
AN11: I'm not even gonna mention anything about the song. It happens and everyone is in his or her positions afterwards. Don't even want to bother with Ursula's singing. Worse than even Sora's on a bad day, and that's her on a good one. (LOL)
AN12: It should cement after Morgana's destruction.
AN13: If you've been paying attention, then you'll be able to figure out WHEN I'm talking about.
Alright, I think that's all.
Next time: Twilight Town, and the first part of The World That Never Was!
Later,
RDF1