Riku's insecurities and Ariel learns to walk.

Sora vs King Triton = The Talk? (Not really, but from another's perspective it would! XD )

jyundee/art/Modern-Day-Ariel-774956883 by Jyundee on DeviantArt

I literally just googled Modern Ariel and this was at the top of the search in Images. I absolutely LOVE the design so go give this artist the love they deserve! Also, I think that's a skirt? A dress? If it is a skirt, just picture it ending around her knees, either black tights or leggings underneath and black shoes more in line with short heels or something. My mind keeps switching between what Larxene has or what Kairi in KH3 wore. IDK. I'll let you guys figure out what she's wearing.

Ursula watched from her lair. Floating next to her cauldron, she heard everything that boy told Triton.

Two years into the future, came back due to his death. Fascinating. Perhaps Maleficent was correct in her meeting earlier and that boy is serious.

The thought of her teaching that old fools daughter made her laugh for several minutes.

But then she actually entertained the idea. Teaching those girls her magic.

After all, she has no children, no apprentices. The only contact with anyone is when she makes a contract or meets with Maleficent.

Her laughter and cheer faded.

No one to pass on her skills.

According to her fellow witch, Keyblade Wielders can perform untold wonders in the magical field.

And yet, this boy years into the future… wants herself and the others to teach these girls instead of himself?! She has half a mind to beg herself!

Ursula crossed her arms.

She has a lot to think about.

~/~

"Daddy..?"

Ariel's voice startled the weary King.

Sighing, he turned to face his youngest daughter.

"Oh, Ariel. By trying to keep you safe, I almost doomed us all! That young man is correct, our world would have perished." He finished in a pained whisper.

She quickly swam up to him and gave him a tight hug.

After a while, she pulled away. "So, what do we do now?"

He looked at her for a long time. Really taking a look at his daughter.

Ariel has always been curious of the Humans, but after what happened with Athena… He banned music and watched her wilt. But even then, she was always looking to the surface, wondering what was out there from what few memories she had.

And now, Sora is offering to teach her how to defend herself in ways he can not comprehend and he's… relieved. He remembers Xehanort, what he and his friends were capable of.

Barring other wielders like Xehanort, there will be no question of her safety. And with those other girls, she won't be learning alone.

Perhaps she could even make friends among them, she only ever had Flounder and Sebastian.

A father could only hope.

He reached out and cupped her cheek.

~/~

As Sora put his Keyblade away, Keyhole sealed using the Crystal Trident from the wreckage, Ariel and Triton swam into the grotto.

Well, Ariel nearly bowled them over in her excitement while King Triton was more subdued.

Sora faced him. "You have questions."

The king merely nodded.

Sora braced himself with a nod.

~/~

Back in the Gummi Ship, they beamed in separately. First Kairi, then the rest of the girls, then Sora.

Why?

Kairi quickly dragged out the bag full of clothes and hit the button for the girls.

Ariel did in fact, arrive in just her seashell bra. But, she now had legs! (With Sora's magic and no Ursula involvement, she got to keep her voice.)

As Ariel was quickly distracted by her surroundings, the girls helped her get dressed as Sora waited patiently below and answered Triton's questions.

When they were sure Ariel was decently clothed, Kairi beamed up Sora.

When he looked at her, he smiled and held out his hand to help her steady on her feet.

Stumbling to her feet, she fell into his arms.

"Careful! You're taking your first steps after all." He grinned as her smile got wider.

Somehow, that statement means so much more now.

~/~

About two hours later…

Everyone was taking turns helping Ariel get used to walking. She was very unstable on her new legs. Eventually she got the hang of it.

And now, they were making a detour to Neverland to seal the Keyhole at the clock tower for that Gummi piece.

Sora had the girls stay due to it being a quick in and out.

That left the girls alone.

"Thank you again for helping me walk."

"Of course!" Alice piped in with a smile.

"Anytime." Jasmine nodded to her fellow princess.

Ariel just smiled, grateful. It was more than she ever expected. Here she was in a ship among the stars themselves! Sora, though already knowing her in the future, vouched for her to her father!

Ariel was left speechless!

Her father actually let her go. To live her dream. This was actually happening…

Then something made a strange sound.

"I got it!" Kairi suddenly jumped up and went to the controls. After pushing a button, a rectangular screen with people on it blinked into existence on the glass dome.

"Riku! Donald, Goofy!" She greeted. Alice waved, while herself and Jasmine looked at it shocked.

"Hey Kairi!" Riku..? Greeted back. "I see the ship is more crowded than last time, huh?" He crossed his arms playfully.

Kairi giggled before nodding. "Riku, I'd like you to meet Princess Jasmine of Agrabah and Princess Ariel of Atlantica. Girls, meet my other best friend, Riku. With him are Donald Duck and Goofy." She gestured to each respectively.

"Hi ladies!" Goofy waved while Donald waved.

"Hello." Both girls spoke at the same time before facing each other in embarrassment. The rest chuckled goodnaturedly.

"Where's Sora?" Riku asked after looking around.

"He made a quick stop at Neverland to seal the Keyhole and get the gummi block so we can get to Hollow Bastion. He said it should be quick and will be back shortly."

"I see. And he left you in charge?" He teased.

"I'm helping too!" Alice declared proudly.

"Sora showed her how to use the teleporter before he left." Kairi explained. "She's to bring him up when he's done."

Alice nodded proud that she has an important job.

"I see." He nodded along, indulging her. "And how is Ariel? From what Sora mentioned, she's learning how to walk?"

Ariel nodded. "It is a lot more difficult than it looks." She spoke wryly.

"You'll get it." Goofy encouraged.

"Yeah!" Donald agreed.

"Thank you."

"Where are you now?" Kairi asked curiously.

He was silent for a few.

"I'm on Monstro helping Gepetto find Pinnochio."

From his tone alone, she understood his struggle and nodded.

"Oh!" Alice shouted as she spotted a flashing light and quickly got up to go to the terminal. Pushing a button and Sora returned in a flash.

"Alright! Good to go!" He grinned, holding up the Gummi block. "Hey guys! How'd it go?" He asked as he started the process of fusing the Navi-Gummi's and installing them.

"Eh, we're at Monstro but trying to figure out how to get out." He winced.

Sora slowly looked up with a shit-eating grin. "Did you read my notes?"

The trio glared at him. Sora snickered. "Yes." They deadpanned.

"On an unrelated note, I have some more Keyblades. Unfortunately, Kairi is the only one in my group who can use them at the moment until we find either Aqua, Terra or Ventus."

The girls were first, excited, but groaned at the end. He looked at them.

"The reason Kairi can is due to her meeting Aqua herself as a little girl over a decade ago. Whatever happened then is what allowed Kairi to use the Keyblade like myself and Riku, here." Gesturing to his friend onscreen. "With that said, finding them is what I'll be doing while you ladies trin with Maleficent and her… uh, friends?" Coworkers? Allies?" He tilted his head while trying to find the right word to describe said villains.

Thankfully they nodded, seeming to follow his reasoning. He slumped relieved.

"Our next stop is Hollow Bastion so we can get started. According to Maleficent, she already has the other girls captive." He winced. "So that saves time trying to find them, atleast. Where are you going to go next?"

"We haven't collected any Navi- Gummi's yet, so that'll be our priority."

Sora nodded. "Got it! I'll keep you posted on what happens. But Riku." He suddenly turned serious as the installation finished. Standing up, he faced Riku all serious.

"Somewhere around the point I originally neared Hollow Bastion, the old you behaved very differently. I can only assume you encounter Master Xehanort when he's just a Heart, or Ansem Seeker of Darkness. One of them possessed you at that point. When I fought you to free Kairi and the Princesses, you were already possessed. You vanished after I beat you, calling yourself Ansem, and the next time I saw you was behind the Door to Darkness. You need to be very careful. So you have a choice."

Riku looked depressed remembering what Sora said the other night about it. Slowly, he looked up to Sora.

"With these Gummi's I can warp back to any world I went to previously and vice versa. Your choice is this: I can either continue on to Hollow Bastion. OR I can double back for you and take you with us so I can properly look after you. What do you want to do?"

Sora crossed his arms and regarded his friend who changed so much already.

Riku was silent as Donald and Goofy put a comforting hand on him as he thought of his choices.

Eventually, he looked up. Face showing his insecurity.

"I would rather you look after me. If what you say is true then I would be very vulnerable to them at this point. I'm not… I'm not strong enough to face them on my own yet. I'd much rather be there, knowing you have my back."

Sora smiled with pride. "Thank you, Riku. For both your honesty, and for trusting me. I'll double back to Agrabah and then just fly around in the area until you escape there. Don't worry about Gepetto and Pinnochio. Last time, they somehow made it to Traverse Town, ok."

Nodding, the trio relaxed. Goofy patted Riku's shoulder and then reached over to cut the communication.

Next Chapter is Hollow Bastion!