The Path to the Body
Chapter 7: Atlantica
Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts or any of the characters involved except Kira and Aubren
Kira and Aubren made their way through the gummiverse when they noticed something floating in the distance ahead of them. Kira squinted her eyes before asking,
"What is that?"
"It looks like a world of some kind, though which one I can't tell," Aubren replied.
"Set course, we're going to investigate," Kira told him
Aubren nodded and adjusted his controls to steer the ship toward it. Eventually they arrived at the gummi dock and disembarked to the world below. As the light faded the two immediately felt different. They were underwater, but they could still breathe. Looking down they both saw their appearances had changed: Their legs were now both large fish tails, with Kira being a light blue color and Aubren's being a dark green, almost black color. Kira's chest was also covered by a pair of sea shells which made her face bright red as she tried to cover more of her torso. She looked to Aubren and saw his bare, muscled chest was completely exposed and that made her even redder.
"Are you ok? You look pretty heated," Aubren asked her.
"I'm fine!" She shouted back hastily.
After adjusting to their new bodies and getting over their new appearances they made their way through the water trying to find any sign of another individual. Eventually they found one when the spotted bright red hair in the distance.
"Come on," Kira said pointing it out to Aubren who nodded and followed.
The two approached the source of the hair and found Ariel sitting on a rock combing her hair.
"Ariel!" Kira shouted happily.
"Kira?" She turned and saw her friend swimming toward her, in a second Ariel had spiraled up off her rock and swam toward them. She tackled Kira into a hug and the two embraced.
"It's been so long, how are you?" Ariel asked her.
"I'm doing well, I'm back and exploring other worlds again, tell me, how are things here?" She asked.
"Things have been well, Daddy is managing things easily and we're in a great time of prosperity," Ariel answered.
"That's excellent news," Kira told her.
Ariel looked past Kira to see Aubren floating a few yards away.
"Who's that? Your boyfriend?"
Kira's face immediately went beat red "No! He's just a friend I picked up along my journey!" She shouted quickly.
Ariel smirked to herself before sighing "If you say so, anyway, Daddy will want to talk to you since you're back,"
Ariel led the way back to the city and there the trio found King Triton sitting upon his throne, he looked up from a royal decree and recognized Kira.
"Kira! Welcome back to Atlantica," he said with a smile.
"I take it the warm welcome means Ursula was wrong?" Kira asked.
Triton nodded and Aubren looked confused.
"When I left Atlantica last time it was because King Triton asked me to, he had heard from Ursula, an evil sea witch, that the keyblade attracted the heartless to a world,"
"That's the opposite of its function," Aubren said.
"I know, but we both weren't sure at the time, and it seems that the Heartless continued to grow in number, but I assume Sora came and dealt with that?" She looked to Triton who nodded.
"Yes, he and his friends came and sealed the keyhole to our world, and showed me that not all surface dwellers are bad people," Triton told her.
Kira nodded, "So then, what can we do to help out around here?"
Triton considered her question before sighing.
"I'm sorry Kira, as much as I'd like to ask for your help there's nothing at this time that we need assistance with,"
Kira looked to Aubren who shrugged. "Nothing? Not even hostile creatures from this world?"
Triton shook his head, "I'm sorry Kira,"
She waved her hand "it's fine, we'll just take a look around if that's ok?"
"Of course, enjoy your stay here," Triton waved a hand through the water to indicate the kingdom.
Ariel, Kira, and Aubren left the throne room and once they were out of ear shot of King Triton Kira turned to Ariel.
"I guess you weren't kidding about the time of peace and prosperity huh?"
"Sorry Kira, I know you like to help others,"
"It's fine, we'll just be moving on to the next world then," Kira said before looking at Aubren who nodded.
The two made their way to the pick-up point and soon they were back aboard their Gummiship.
As soon as they arrived a transmission from Hollow Bastion came over the intercom.
"Kira, you there?" Cid asked.
Kira stepped to the monitor and waved "Hi Cid, what's up?"
"Merlin's got a request for you,"
Merlin stepped in front of the screen.
"Greetings Kira, how are you my dear?"
"I'm doing fine," Kira replied
Aubren meanwhile remained quiet and watched from his seat back a few feet from the screen.
"Excellent news, but I'm afraid this isn't a social call. You see, I've found a book that I think you might be interested in,"
"Oh?"
"Yes, this particular book contains a world you see, and I would like you to come and investigate this world, to see what kind of individuals live there,"
"Of course!" Kira shouted happily.
"Excellent, then I'll see you soon," Merlin said with a nod.
"When you get here I'll take a look at upgrading your gummiship," Cid told her.
"Yeah, that sounds good," Kira nodded.
"Cya soon," Cid cut the transmission and Kira returned to her seat.
"Kira…" Aubren began.
"What's up?"
"About this new adventure, I think it'd be best you drop me off somewhere else,"
"What do you mean?"
"I… don't get along well with those from Hollow Bastion,"
"What?"
Aubren sighed, "I'm originally from Hollow Bastion… I left years ago when I found out I could wield the keyblade,"
Kira hummed to herself as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Well, it'll be fine, I'm sure they'll understand,"
Aubren went to say something but Kira ignored him as she turned to the console in front of her and input directions to Hollow Bastion. Aubren sighed.