Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 7

Sora lay in the tub alone, Kairi asleep out in the bedroom. For a second he'd had hope, they'd fought together, side by side but then Riku had taken Pinocchio again after helping him free him. He leant his head back, staring up at the ceiling. Was there any way to save him? No, there had to be! They could not lose Riku, not like this. Riku would hate what he was being made to do and that made him hope that Riku was so far under control that he wouldn't remember any of it once free.

At least Kairi was coming with them when they left in the morning. He was looking forward to having her at his side, where she was always meant to be. It was always meant to be the three of them, it had since she had come to their World. He trusted her to watch his back and he would watch hers. Together they had more of a chance to reach Riku too, she'd been the one he'd responded to after all. That hurt a little, but whoever was controlling Riku probably thought she was the lesser threat since she hadn't been travelling and didn't have a Keyblade.

He was just dozing off when he heard movement, looking over to the door to see Kairi stripping off. He opened his arms and she crawled into the tub with him, pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

"Sleep Sora," she murmured, and he smiled, nuzzling at her before closing his eyes, feeling her shift against him to get comfortable.

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Riku stared out of the porthole as the ship travelled towards the World Hook was from, following a possible lead on another Princess. He'd fought beside Sora and felt nothing, that was good, he didn't need him anymore. He didn't like Hook or his crew but for now he had to work with them in order to gain a new home, one that looked like paradise compared to the pathetic Islands he came from. Still, he didn't need a home yet, not as long as Maleficent needed him.

He went to walk to his bunk and stumbled, feeling lightheaded for a second before he shook it off and took off his boots to lie down. He kept getting dizzy spells, having to drink more and more water, and he didn't know why…the answer forever slipping through his fingers. It wasn't important, he had a job to do.

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Kairi watched as Sora flew the Gummi ship with a grin on his face. Apparently it was the first time he was getting to fly the whole trip. Donald usually flew on the way back to Traverse Town since by then Sora would be getting tired. Hopefully, it'd be a peaceful trip with no crazy whales or anything. He was getting good at shooting down Heartless too, though what they were doing flying around in ships had her stumped.

She leaned forward as something appeared in the distance before them. "Is that?"

"A World," Sora shot her a grin. "Excited?"

"And nervous," she admitted, leaning against his chair.

"You'll be great Kairi," Goofy told her.

"Thanks," she smiled at him.

They all watched as the World grew larger, taking in what they could see.

"Prepare for landing," Donald announced.

"Land where? In the sea? We'll drown!" Kairi swallowed. Well, Sora would be fine but the rest of them?

"Not with my magic, we won't. Just leave it to me," Donald smirked.

While she was very grateful they'd taken Sora's heritage well, she wasn't sure how much she liked the…duck. Sora brought them closer and then reached for her hand, obviously worried for her.

"Here we go," he stood and led her to the clear area of the ship, the other two joining them. There was a flash of light and then she felt water around her, immediately holding her breath.

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Sora felt his body change as water closed over him, taking a deep breath before his eyes snapped open and he looked around for Kairi. He stared, eyes wide, as he took her in, she…she was beautiful, not that she wasn't always, but now… "Kairi?" he called her name, could she understand him now? "Kairi it's okay, open your eyes," he urged, hoping she could understand him because otherwise things were going to be complicated.

She opened her eyes, still holding her breath, reaching for him, and he quickly wrapped his arms around her. Her eyes were now wide with fear and he knew she was running out of air.

"It's okay, just breath," he urged, and she frowned in confusion. "The magic worked Kairi, trust me."

He watched as she took a hesitant breath, seeing the look of wonder on her face as she began breathing perfectly normally. "Sora?"

He grinned at her. "You're okay, you're incredible," he told her, and she finally looked down, seeing her own tail for the first time, her eyes going wide.

"I…I'm a…" she stammered.

"A mermaid," he finished for her before leaning in for a kiss, one they didn't need to break for air.

"Oi! That's enough you two!" Donald yelled.

Sora sighed as he pulled away and then blinked as he took in Donald and then Goofy. Okay then. Goofy didn't make a bad turtle but what was Donald meant to be? Some kind of weird octoduck? That wouldn't fool anyone!

He let go of Kairi, letting her look herself over and then she looked at him. "We don't look alike at all."

"Different kind of mer probably, it'd explain why you sound like…like someone with an accent to me. We can understand each other, but the languages are almost different enough that we're lucky we can. Hercules mentioned different types of being similar to me," he explained.

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Kairi nodded, unable to stop studying her body. Her clothing was gone though thankfully she was wearing…seashells to preserve her modesty. She looked more human than Sora did, the mer parts restricted to just a tail and no fins, claws, sharp teeth… if they looked more like she did now then maybe things back home wouldn't be so tense since they didn't look dangerous.

Her tail was sleek and long, the scales red though not the same shade as her hair thankfully, closer to vermillion she thought. She reached down to touch, finding them smooth to the touch. She'd never thought she could be a part of this aspect of Sora and Riku's lives but now…maybe this World could become their new home? Then again if there was no land at all, would Sora be alright?

"You're beautiful," Sora murmured in her ear, and she giggled, spinning to face him again, yelping when she lost control but he steadied her easily. "Need some swimming lessons though, come on." He took her hand and began teaching her what he'd been born knowing. There was more to swimming with a tail then she'd thought!

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Riku walked into Hook's cabin to find Maleficent waiting for him. He bowed his head briefly and then waited silently for instructions; something must have changed for her to come to them.

"Hook tells me you have been progressing well against the Heartless on board," she praised him and he straightened up. "Show me," she motioned and several Heartless appeared.

Riku summoned Soul Eater and took them down in seconds, ignoring a sudden sensation of dizziness as he finished.

"Good, very good. Now, I'll grant you a marvellous gift." She moved closer to him. "The power to control the Heartless." She raised her arms and green energy surrounded him.

Riku took it in, feeling its power, looking down as he clenched his fists. He'd never imagined such power! The thought that he'd once been able to use water and even ice to a much smaller degree not even crossing his mind.

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Sora kept Kairi close as they swam through the ocean, it was very different to home, the water colder than the tropical seas he was used to. Ariel seemed nice, though rather wary of him which hurt but didn't surprise him, not when he looked rather different to the locals. He was just sick of being judged on his appearance – as a human he was small and unless wearing tight fitting clothing he looked scrawny and weak since his muscles were sleek and didn't show obviously while in mer form everyone assumed he was dangerous, savage. He shook it off, it didn't matter, there were Heartless here which meant a Keyhole that needed sealing. He knew Kairi was thinking they might be able to live in this World and maybe she could with the World Order spell but it was obvious that he and Riku would not be welcome.

Would they ever find a World where all three of them could live together?

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Triton stared at the four strangers, his eyes going to the male, sensing his power but also alarmed by his appearance, although he refused to show it. strangers showing up "from an ocean very far away", right when those creatures did? The girl looked like one of them, but the boy did not. He had never seen anything like him…though the ancient stories…were just that, stories. The sooner they were gone, the better.

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"Come to my grotto. I want to show you something." Ariel pointed to a large boulder on the sea floor. "There it is. See?"

They followed her and entered the grotto, finding it full of items that could only have come from humans on land. That made Kairi happier, that this World had a surface too but…she'd seen the way the King had looked at Sora. As nice as it would have been, they wouldn't be making a new home there. Even now, Sora was hanging back and Kairi hated it.

"Look at all the wonderful things Flounder and I've collected. I think it's all from the outside world," Ariel smiled as she showed them. "Someday, I'm going to see what's out there. I want to see other Worlds. Does that sound strange?"

"No, not at all. I used to feel the same way," Kairi assured her before realising her slip up.

"Used to?"

"We still do, we want to find a World where no one cares about…" Sora waved a hand at himself and Ariel looked guilty.

"Sora… you saved us from those creatures," she smiled shyly at him and Sora stared before running a hand through his hair, smiling back. "Hey, why don't we try looking for that Keyhole you were talking about?"

"But your father said," Sora frowned.

"Oh, he treats me like a little girl. He never wants to let me do anything. He just... He just doesn't understand."

"Ah, I know what that feels like," Kairi told her. "My parents keep trying to make me stay away from Sora and Riku just because they're different. I've never let that stop me."

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"Oh," Ariel looked between them, seeing the slump to the boys shoulders and she felt horrible. She had let his appearance influence her reaction to him and that…that was wrong. He had fought to protect them when he hadn't even known who she was.

She swam up to him, seeing the surprise in bright blue eyes…they actually glowed slightly, maybe he came from deeper waters? She reached out and put her hand on his arm, careful of the fin coming from his elbow, feeling him tense before he relaxed. "I'm sorry Sora."

He shook his head, smiling at her. "You haven't done anything to be sorry for Ariel, I know I look scary. It's the teeth," he whispered like it was a secret, and she laughed.

"So who is Riku?" she asked only to regret it as they both seemed to sag.

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Ursula gazed into her cauldron at an image of Sora, Kairi, and Ariel, laughing to herself. "Those impudent fools will never find the Keyhole," she sneered. The image of Ariel floated out of the cauldron with Ursula's hand movements. "But the girl could prove useful. And I've got the Heartless on my side."

She then looked at the other two, smirking. "So that is what darling Riku looks like," she looked the boy's image over. Now that was what a mer should look like! She had missed her chance with the other boy but perhaps this one could be useful.

"Triton, my old friend... Your day is coming," she cackled.

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Sebastian was not at all happy as they entered the sunken human ship. The King would not like this at all! These strangers were not a good influence on Ariel at all. Just looking at the boy made him wary, he was dangerous, that was obvious. Yet the girl, Kairi, showed no fear or hesitation, holding his clawed hand, swimming close, he'd even seen her kiss him!

Hearing him snarl when the shark appeared, had Sebastian clinging to the end of Ariel's tail, Flounder nearby. The shark actually seemed surprised by him and then Sora launched himself at it, that strange weapon appearing in his hand. Kairi hung back with them, sending magic at the shark to help. Soon it had been run off and they opened a chest to find a crystal shaped just like the strange indent back in the Grotto…he had to tell the King!

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"Ariel, you've disobeyed me again!"

They turned to see King Triton entering Sebastian on the floor near him. Sora felt her flinch back a little at the censure and was mad at the king for it. He got wanting to protect someone, he and Riku had spent their lives keeping Kairi safe, but this felt more controlling than just wanting her safe. Honestly, her Dad was a bit of a jerk, reminded him too much of Kairi's Dad.

"I told you not to leave the palace!" he snapped and then he looked past them and Sora's eyes went wide even as the King lifted his trident.

Ariel grabbed his arm, but there was no way she could physically stop him. "Daddy, no!"

A bolt of lightning fired from the trident, Sora grabbing Kairi and shielding her, even as the bolt destroyed the crystal.

"How could you..." Ariel swam from the Grotto, leaving them with the King who whirled to face Sora.

He pushed Kairi behind him, he would not let her get hurt just because the King was mad about them trying to do their jobs.

"You children are not from another ocean. You're from another world. Aren't you?" he demanded.

"Uh…" Sora didn't know how to deny it when he seemed so certain.

"Then you must be the key bearer."

"How did you know?" Sora asked warily.

"You may fool Ariel, but you can't fool me. Your young lady doesn't know her dorsal fin from her tail. And as for you… you do not belong in this ocean."

Sora refused to flinch, holding his head high. It was nothing he hadn't heard before from other mers even at home.

"As the key bearer, you must already know... One must not meddle in the affairs of other worlds."

"Of course I know that, but..."

"You have violated this principle. The key bearer shatters peace and brings ruin."

"Stop it!" Kairi yelled at him, shocking the King. "Do you even hear what you're saying? Your kingdom is being overrun by Heartless, the Keyblade is the only way to permanently destroy them. Once the Keyhole is sealed their numbers will drop. You're just too stubborn and proud to let anyone else fix things," she glared as she moved to float beside Sora.

Triton glared at her and she glared back. "I thank you for saving my daughter. But there is no room in my ocean for you or your key." With that he left and Kairi said something very impolite under her breath in response.

"Let it go Kairi."

"It's not right!"

"He's the King, we'll just have to find another way to reveal the Keyhole."

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Sora made swimming seem so natural and easy, then again he was used to having a fins and a tail. He'd helped Kairi get the hang of it quickly too, but it was a bit different for him and Donald. Thankfully, Sora didn't mind them grabbing onto his tail for help, a strong enough swimmer that they didn't really slow him at all.

Goofy was proud of Sora, despite how the King had looked at him and spoken, he hadn't hesitated to offer to go after Ursula. Their King would never treat someone the way this King had treated Sora. Yeah, Sora looked a little scary, but his Heart was Light and that was what mattered.

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Sora watched as Ursula vanished, looking around, catching the Trident as it began to sink. He could feel the power in it, the power of the seas, but he ignored it. The sea-witch may be gone but something told him she wasn't dead. "Let's get this back to your Father," he told Ariel.

"Thank you Sora, Kairi," the princess smiled at them.

They swam back to the Palace and Sora handed over the Trident to the weakened King.

"Daddy, I'm so sorry," Ariel told him.

"Please don't be angry with her," Kairi pleaded as the King straightened up, strength restored.

"It's my fault," he admitted, focusing on his daughter. "You followed Ursula because... I wouldn't let you follow your heart. And when you found that crystal, I lost my temper and destroyed it."

"Oh, yeah, the crystal! Why did you destroy it?" Goofy spoke up.

"The crystal held the power to reveal the Keyhole. The Keyhole is dangerous. I had to keep you away from it at any cost."

"Daddy..."

King Triton looked at Sora who straightened up instinctively. "Key bearer, I have one more request: Seal the Keyhole. My trident also holds the power to reveal the Keyhole. Will you do it?"

"Of course," Sora nodded. "That's what we had in mind from the start." He didn't know why the King was so suspicious of him because of the Keyblade.

"Where is the Keyhole, Daddy?" Ariel asked.

"You should know better than anyone," he smiled at his daughter. "It's in your grotto."

"Really... Sora, let's go," Goofy called excitedly.

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Kairi smiled as the light faded, one more Keyhole sealed.

"Tell me, Kairi. Your world, what's it like?" Ariel asked her, and Kairi winced.

"I'm so sorry we lied to you Ariel," she offered, and the Princess smiled at her.

"It's okay. Besides, if you can travel to other worlds, maybe I can, too." She swam upwards in a spiral, looking towards the surface. "So many places I want to see... I know I'll get there someday. I'll find a way somehow. I'm sure of it."

"Well, if you find it, do me a favour and leave me out of it," Sebastian sighed and they all laughed at the poor crab.

Ariel pulled something from one of the shelves and handed it to Sora. "This is from my collection. I want you to have it."

"Thank you Ariel," he grinned at her. "You want to know about our World?"

"Yes please."

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Riku smirked as the Heartless did as he wanted. It was taking time to train the ability Maleficent had given him but he was finally getting the hang of it. The next time they met, he would have a surprise for Sora.

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Sora held Kairi's hand, pulling her through the water, loving it as she laughed. He spun, pulling her fully into his arms before kissing her. Convincing the others to stay a while hadn't taken much, though they were keeping their distance, giving them time to themselves to play. "You make such a beautiful mermaid," he told her.

"More beautiful than the girls back home?" she asked teasingly.

"Definitely," he kissed her again. "Legs or tail, I love you," he whispered.

"I love you too," she smiled at him. "Now that the King likes us better, we should bring Riku here once we get him back, it'd be a good place to recover for a while."

"Sounds good to me, no one to try and separate us," he agreed happily. It would be wonderful to have time in the ocean together, all three of them. It would help Riku recover from whatever had been done to him and they could share all parts of their life with Kairi for once.

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Kairi looked at Sora and giggled, making him look down at himself. "You make a cute…vampire?" she guessed thanks to his pale skin and fangs.

"Well you're a very cute witch," he smirked, and she looked down at the short, artistically torn, dress.

She reached up to find a pointy hat on her head and she was wearing ankle high black boots too. Her stockings were fishnet and a bright purple, adding some colour at least. Sora was in black and white, the only colour on him was an orange pumpkin mask. She glanced at Donald and Goofy and just stared, Donald appeared to be missing a rather important part of his body!

"What is this place?" Sora asked as he stared at them too.

"Somewhere rather spooky," she shrugged. "Let's take a look," she took his hand and they took off into town.

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"Let's get to work," the doctor turned his motorised chair.

"To make a heart, first take a container with a lock..." Jack began reading, and the doctor pulled out a pulsing box shaped like a human heart with a large keyhole on it.

"We need the key to this thing first!"

In answer, Sora summoned the Keyblade.

"You're really gonna unlock it for them?" Donald demanded, and he shrugged.

"Why not? If they succeed, we won't have to fight the Heartless, right? Besides, I want to see the Heartless dance, too. Don't you?"

"Not really."

"An artificial Heart though?" Kairi asked him, staring at the container. "Sora…I don't think that's a good idea. A Heart isn't that simple."

Sora looked at her, seeing her worry, and sighed, the Keyblade vanishing. They watched as the two went around gathering ingredients and trying to find the key to the container.

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"Oogie Boogie, give me back the heart!" Jack demanded as they rushed into the room.

"You want it? Well, then come on over and get it!" he cackled before swallowing it to their surprise. "Now, let's see if I can get their attention. Oh, Heartless!" he called but there was no response. "What?!"

"Sorry, but that thing never got unlocked," Kairi taunted. "See, I was right," she murmured to Sora.

"Fine, you were right," he grumbled playfully, summoning the Keyblade. "Let's do this!"

Kairi nodded and got ready to fight.

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"Sally, why didn't I listen to you?" Jack murmured as they returned to the lab.

"Don't feel bad, Jack. We'll come up with another plan for Halloween. Next time, we'll do it together." They held hands, staring into each other's eyes.

He then stepped away from her and approached them. "I guess we have no choice. We'll have to cancel the Heartless Halloween festival for now. Here, I want you to have this," he offered something to Sora who took it, revealing a Keychain. "Visit us any time, Sora. Next year's Halloween will be the scariest ever!"

"Thanks Jack! and we'll try."

"Thanks for everything Jack," Kairi agreed, giving Jack a quick hug.

"Time to go!" Donald announced so they left the lab behind to head back to the ship and Traverse Town.

They hadn't had to go back after Atlantica since they'd spent the whole time in water but now they were going back to resupply.

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Riku stood on deck, watching as a ship approached in the darkness, smirking at the sight as Hook gave the order to ram it and take it aboard. Time to deal with that thief.

TBC…