"Hey! Lovebirds! We're here!" Says Namine, waking the two keyblade wielders from their slumber
"Morning already . . .?" says Xion, letting go of Roxas's hand and stretching
"It's only been an hour since we left Hollow Bastion you know. . ." Namine says.
"So where are we?" Asks Roxas.
"Well, you two were pretty worried about what we should do about the heartless, so for now, I thought we should go to a world where we don't have to worry about them." Says Namine
"Oh, Atlantica? It feels like it's been a while since we've talked to Ariel." Says Roxas.
"Yeah, though I do feel bad. We haven't check on Winnie the Pooh or Piglet in a while" says Xion
"Yeah. . . We can go back eventually though. I've been trying to look out for more torn pages, so if I find any, I'll let you guys know" Roxas says. Namine and Xion nod, letting Roxas know they understood what he said.
"Alright, you guys. Ready for a swim?" Namine asks
"Yeah. It'll be nice." Says Xion. The three descend to the world below. The three take a moment to get used to the underwater environment.
"It seems Ariel isn't here." Says Namine, the three looking around for their friend from under the sea. The three swim around through Atlantica and to Ariel's collection room but find she's at neither of those places. Eventually, however, the three find themselves searching through a vibrant coral reef, and in a deeper part of it. They find Sebastion singing to arrive, while nearby fish play instruments. He sings a song of life under the sea, and how much better it is below the ocean than on the surface.
"So, what do you think Ariel?" Asks the crab.
"Oh, I think it's a great song, Sebastian." Ariel says "It's just. . . it's not what I wanna sing." The crab looks saddened by this. "I wanna sing about. . . the two worlds, above and below, living in harmony. The land and the ocean world living together!" Says Ariel
"Da King would make chowder outta me if you sang a song like dat!" Says the crab clutching his head. Ariel crosses her arms.
"If you won't listen, then I'm not going to sing at all." Ariel snaps at Sebastion. She looks away from the crab, who attempts to speak, but chooses to leave and give Ariel some space. On his way out, however, he runs into Roxas, Xion, and Namine.
"Ohh, this is a mess. . . You three are closer to her d'an me, could you try talking to her?" Asks the crab. The three look at each other but don't get a chance to respond before the crab swims off.
"What should we do?" Asks Namine.
"I don't think I would feel right telling her to stay where she's not happy." Says Xion. The three decide they know what they have to do, and they swim towards Ariel.
"Oh, hey you guys," Ariel says, her face changes to that of happiness, though her voice shows her true feelings. "Did Sebastion ask you guys to talk to me? To tell me I should stay down here?" Asks Ariel
"Yeah, but honestly, that's kind of dumb, so we're not gonna do that," Says Roxas, as the three take a seat beside her.
"So. . . What are you guys doing?" Asks Ariel.
"We wanted to tell you to keep going." Says Roxas. Ariel looks confused.
"What he means is, we know what it's like being stuck where you're not happy." Says Xion. Ariel turns to face her.
"You do?" Asks Ariel. The three nod.
"We wanted to remind you that, even if it seems like everyone's against you. There are people out there who will be there to encourage you." Namine says to Ariel. Ariel is stunned but then smiles.
"Thank you, all of you. You don't understand how much I needed the encouragement." Says Ariel. She looks up to the surface, before motioning them to follow her. The three reach the surface and look around at the world above. The four look out at a beach from behind a rock and see a man, the same man that the statue was made to resemble. The three see ARiel look at him longingly.
"You really love him don't you?" Asks Namine. Ariel turns and nods.
"You should tell him!" Xion exclaims, making sure not to speak too loud so they're not heard.
"I can't do that. . . I'm a mermaid, he's a human. How would he react if he saw me?" Ariel says, looking away from Xion to look back at her prince.
"I know it's hard, believe me-" Xion grabs Roxas's Hand underwater. "But I know things may only get worse if you wait longer." Ariel turns back to face the three. "Please, just consider it." Says Xion. Ariel can tell she speaks from experience and nods.
"Alright, I will." Says Ariel. She gives the three a hug before she speaks again. "Thank you, really. You all have made my days here much better. I hope I see you three again soon." Says Ariel. The three nod back. They say their farewells as Ariel swims back to Atlantica. Before materializing back in the Gummi ship.
"That was a really nice thing you did back there Xion," Namine says.
"Thanks. I just wanted Ariel to live a life where she's happy." Says Xion. She tightens her grip on Roxas's hand for a moment. Roxas smiles and does the same. The three take their seats and blast off, awaiting the day they can have another adventure on the sea.