Interlude II: Shifting Tides

As her ship floated in the Oceans Between, Ushio pulled out her Gummiphone. Holding it in her hand, she stared at it, lost in thought. She knew everything that everyone was currently going through at the moment, yet her experiences in the previous world had reiterated the importance of family to her. Swallowing her reservations, she made the call.

The screen lit up as the call was answered. Contained within the screen was the image of her father.

"Hey, Dad." Ushio smiled.

"It's been a while, Ushio. Are you in trouble? Do you need help?" Sora asked.

"No, I'm fine." Ushio said. "I just…I just wanted to talk with you again. Say, is Mom there too? If she is, do you mind if all three of us chat?"

"Of course not." Sora said. Sora looked away from the screen. Ushio could hear him calling for Kairi.

"Hi, Ushio." Kairi popped into the screen next to Sora.

"Hey. As I told Dad, I just wanted to talk to you for a while." Ushio stated.

The trio began to talk. Simple chatter gave way as they told of their journeys. Ushio relayed her fight against the evil scientist with a secret agent platypus, her adventure in the giant spaceship with her robot companions, her jungle trek with a kind man and a transformed emperor, and lastly of her encounters with the Robinson family that prompted her to make the call.

Sora and Kairi told their daughter what they had been up to. After Riku and Kairi had ventured off, they caught up with Sora where Kairi joined him as Riku went his own way. They had encountered the Neo Seekers just as Ushio had and had actually defeated one of them. However, the four she had encountered had never shown up in their journey. The pair stated their own world travels. Apparently, the latest one had involved meeting a hunter who had been transformed into a bear and his journey of self discovery. At the moment, they had taken a break as they had ventured to the same tower Ushio had visited.

The family continued talking as they shared good time, both present and past. Laughter could be heard as the chatter pressed on. Ushio felt warm inside as this was the moments she'd wanted. Her path would continue and she'd probably experience hardships, but for now, it was time for family.

—

A Corridor opened in the moonlit flower garden as Kyra walked out. She looked around, finding only a sole person sitting around.

"Where's everyone else?" she asked as she sat next to the white haired man.

"They've found things that interested them." Iwa stated.

"It's interesting." Kyra replied. "I didn't think he'd head out. I mean, he always seems so busy bossing the four of us around. He's just one of those stick in the mud in our little group."

"Are you sure you should be saying that?"

"Ah, what do I care. He already know I just speak my mind. Besides, the only reason we're really together is because it's mutual beneficial to our goals."

"And what exactly is yours?" Iwa asked.

"C'mon, you should know a girl likes to keep a secret. Besides, it's nowhere as grand as yours. I mean, to think someone like you wants to ca-"

"Enough." he spoke up. "Don't you have other things to do?"

"Yup." Kyra said as she laid down in the field of flowers. "Though it just feels right to take a breather now and again. I mean, as much as I was just watching, I still had to make sure everything was going right. Ah, that reminds me! I saw that girl you've taken interest in. To think of all the ones out there, she draws your eye. So, do you have a crush on her or something?" she teased.

"It's nothing like that." Iwa replied seriously. "There's a connection there that I can't sever even after all this time. She's a reminder for me that I still struggle with my goal."

"Harsh." Kyra replied. "So, what's your plan for her?"

"I'll let her run free for a while; let the others deal with her. If she's still a thorn in my side, I'll deal with her then."

—

Ushio pressed her Gummi Ship onward. Her call with her parents had been a good break for her. Reenergized, her journey started up again as she spotted a world ahead.

As she drew near, a weird sensation fell over her. Something seemed almost electrical to her. A bright light flashed before her as she covered her eyes.

A moment later, Ushio regained her senses. She looked around. Whatever this world was, it appeared to her that she was in travel terminal. Various inhabitants walked around her as she took in what seemed to be a digital landscape.

•[Game Central]•