Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 5

"Sora!"

Donald spun around at Goofy's yell, even as water splashed up before going still. "Goofy?"

"I didn't mean to!" Goofy answered, eyes searching the water. "Sora!"

Donald's eyes widened as he realised where the boy was. Could he swim? No, relax, he was from an Island World, he had to be able to swim…right? So where was he? "Sora!" he yelled, even as Tarzan leapt onto a nearby tree, using the height to see further. It was a lake, not a river, there was no current to sweep him away, so where was he?

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He swam to the bottom, able to hear the distant sound of their cries for him. Just because Yuffie and Herc had taken the truth so well…and he'd kept it from them, would they be mad at him for that? He knew their King had ordered them to follow the Key, which meant him since he wielded the Keyblade, but would they want to if they knew what he was? He was a hybrid freak, not truly human or merman. There was no way to hide it if he surfaced, but their cries were becoming ever more frantic and then he felt something enter the water. They'd come after him? Of course they had…they must think he was drowning or something.

He saw movement, a long body…Tarzan. He jerked back, trying to find somewhere to hide and then the man was in sight, brown eyes widening. Sora shrank away from him, looking away, only to start when a strong hand touched his shoulder. The eyes that met his were not fearful but…worried? Curious fingers moved over a small smattering of scales on his shoulder but then Tarzan was pointing up and Sora hesitated. The man took his hand and tugged, and Sora gave in, letting himself be pulled to the surface.

He hesitated before surfacing but took a deep breath and gathered his courage before letting his head breach the surface of the water. It might take them a second or two since he lacked the most obvious signs, but he still looked different. They swam closer to shore and then Tarzan clambered out onto the grass, shaking the water from his hair.

"Sora!" Donald and Goofy called in relief but then Donald frowned in confusion.

"Sora?" he asked more warily, and Sora flinched slightly.

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Goofy had been about to dive in himself when Tarzan did. Why did he have to be so clumsy?! If anything happened to Sora…he should have surfaced by now! Tarzan surfaced after a while and then a head popped up beside him, and Goofy felt utter relief, calling his name with Donald. But then Donald said it again, questioning and wary, and Goofy looked at his oldest friend in confusion, catching Sora's flinch from the corner of his eye.

Goofy looked back at Sora, realising why Donald seemed confused. It was Sora…but he looked different too. He knelt down, seeing the fear in Sora's eyes, and he held his hand out to the boy. "Aw Sora, come here," he called gently.

Sora made some sort of clicking noise, hesitantly swimming closer. He stared at Goofy's hand before his own rose from the water to touch his. His gloves were gone…so was his shirt and jacket by the look of it.

"Hey there Sora, you okay?" he asked, worried he'd hurt him, but Sora nodded. He looked at the land and then bit his lip. He grabbed the ground and pushed up, twisting around so he was sitting with his legs in the water…except there were no legs…just a long tail, a fin along his spine and from his elbows…

"Is there some kind of magic in the water?" Donald demanded, staring at Tarzan who shook his head. He pulled his wand, going to run a scan over Sora who flinched back as if…as if expecting a blow or offensive spell.

"Easy Sora," Goofy carefully placed a hand on his shoulder. "No one's gonna hurt you. Donald just needs to see what happened."

But Sora shook his head, making strange noises before shaking his head in frustration. He looked up at Goofy and then tugged at his clothes before motioning to himself with his other hand.

"Ya need clothes," Goofy agreed. "Hey Donald, can you go get him his spares?"

Donald glared but it was obvious that Sora was more wary of him. He looked down at Sora before deflating and nodding, heading for the ship..

Goofy sat beside Sora and carefully wrapped his arm around Sora's shoulders. "It's okay Sora, everythin' will be alright," he promised, relieved when Sora slowly relaxed, leaning against him.

Tarzan crouched nearby. He reached out and patted Sora's hand, speaking in the gorilla language. "Sora friend."

Sora smiled at the man and they sat quietly waiting for Donald to return. Though, what good were new clothes going to do? It was obvious his old ones had been ruined by the transformation. So long as he was stuck in that form, the clothes would be no use. Maybe they would be a comfort? Whatever had happened to him, they'd find a way to undo it, they would. They couldn't leave Sora trapped in a foreign form, not because he wat the Keyblade master but because he was just a kid. How old were he and Kairi anyway? They'd never asked…they'd just dragged him off into war.

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Riku staggered, one hand on the wall, the other pressing against his head. His head was spinning all of a sudden and he found himself sliding down the wall, breathing heavily. Water…he needed so desperately to change. Sora…Kairi…his Heart ached with their absence.

Everything was so different…so confusing. He forced his head up as he heard the familiar clicking of her staff on the stones.

"What is this?" she asked. "Are you unwell dear boy?" she came to a stop beside him, and he felt so much calmer near her. The spinning feeling was stopping too as he focused on her. He pushed back up to his feet and she nodded in approval. "Much better, come now, you must continue your training."

Riku nodded and followed her to the training room.

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He watched events from the shadows, unable to act, not yet. Soon though, he would, he would have a vessel. The boy would be perfect, the Darkness taking deep root in his Heart thanks to Maleficent continuing the kind of control over him as he himself had used to make him open the door. By the time he was ready, the boy's own will would be gone, he would be no more than a puppet.

The Keyblade had abandoned the boy but no matter, it was with the other and it would be easy enough to manipulate him into being where he was needed when the time came.

He was very aware of what both boys were, although young Sora's very existence was a shock…and an abomination. That a woman on those wretched Islands had lowered herself to accept one of those things touching her in such a way…to carry and raise its child… and it seemed the son was following in the father's footsteps, his sights set on the girl, as was Riku's. That girl…even after a decade he recognised her, for now she was safe enough where she was. Perhaps as a test of her control over him, Riku could be sent to collect her when the time came for her to join the other Princesses.

He knew so long without changing was weakening the boys mind, body, and Heart. He did wonder if he knew what would eventually happen to him? If he was strong enough to survive anyway. Not that it would matter, he would take the body and make it his own.

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Sora leant against Goofy, letting him offer comfort. They thought something had changed him, how would they react to learning what he was? Once Donald was back he'd change back. He had no issue with not wearing clothing but he assumed they did. Why else would they wear clothing when their bodies were already covered naturally? His tail was in enough water to have restored his energy, he felt good now, despite the previous fight.

Sometimes, being unable to communicate with anyone except other mers in his own mer form was very frustrating. He could understand them just fine, so could Riku and the others so it wasn't because he was half-human. Kairi could understand them a little, but it was more that she was reading body language and tone than the actual language, plus how well she knew them.

Donald rushed back into the clearing with a bag and Sora gave a small smile, pulling himself fully from the water, letting the change happen, rolling into a crouch to cover the bits that his Mum told him it was polite to cover.

"Thanks," he murmured, grabbing the bag to pull on pants.

"Sora…are you okay?" Goofy asked, and he nodded, unable to make eye contact with them.

"What was that?" Donald demanded, and Sora fought not to flinch.

"Sora okay?" Tarzan spoke up, and Sora nodded again.

It had been one thing, telling Yuffie with Kairi there to help, but on his own?

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Donald glanced back at where Cid had made alterations to the ship; a small room to sleep in and a shower. It was quiet so likely Sora was sleeping now. He looked to Goofy then and Goofy stared back. He didn't know what to think about what Sora had told them. It wasn't like they were bothered by someone not being human, though he'd never heard so someone who was half human and half something else. He'd never imagined different species could mix in such a way. It also explained their urgency in finding their lost friend.

That Sora had been scared of telling them…he felt a flash of guilt for it.

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Maleficent stared into cold cyan eyes, the boy standing silently in front of her, waiting for orders like a good soldier. It had taken longer than she had thought it would, but finally he had succumbed fully to the magic, his mind turned to their cause. He had no conscious awareness of being under a spell, it was possible there was some part of him, hidden deep that was, but that was why she was going to test him. Both of the other children were now in Traverse Town, it was time they were reunited.

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Kairi grinned at Sora who grinned back and then they were both wincing at the brief pain as their ears were pierced and the accessory earrings slipped in. Their parents were going to kill them when they found a way to get home…if they went home. The more time she spent with the group in Traverse Town, the more she seriously thought they should find a new home, somewhere they could be accepted.

"All done," Yuffie told them.

Sora stood and took her hand, tugging her to her feet, and examining her new earring, an EXP earring to help her improve faster. Sora two earrings, a Guard and an Ability Stud, both in the one ear. "Looks good on you," he told her. She had a plain, normal, earring in her other ear so it almost looked like she was wearing a standard pair like a lot of girls back home. It meant she wouldn't have to go through it again if she wanted another accessory earring later.

"Same," she told him, leaning in to give him a quick kiss.

"Hey Sora, wanna see what Kairi's been learning?" Yuffie asked, and Sora looked at her before back at Kairi.

"Definitely," he grinned.

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Sora held Kairi's hand as they walked through the Third District, enjoying time with her but his senses alert for the slightest bit of trouble. Only the First District was safe after all and he wasn't going to let her get hurt while they were running an errand for Cid. He was putting the Gummi they'd found in Deep Jungle into the ship and they were taking an old book to someone called Merlin. Seeing her fight Yuffie had been amazing! She'd learnt so much while he was away. Maybe she'd be able to come with them soon, he hoped so anyway.

They found the right door and Sora studied it, grimacing, before casting a very weak fire spell, thankfully it was just enough to react and open the door. They stopped and stared at the lake with an old house in the middle, steppingstones moving about between them and the island.

"Want to swim it?" she offered, and he shook his head.

"Not worth it."

"Race ya then," she grinned and leapt for the first stone, Sora laughing and rushing after her.

Sora walked into the house first, ensuring it was safe, and she giggled at him for it before slipping in through the piece of cloth over the hole in the wall.

"There's something about this musty place..." Kairi walked slowly through the room, holding her hands behind her back. "It reminds me of the secret place back home, where we used to scribble on the walls. Remember?" She looked back at him with a smile, and he smiled back.

"I could never forget." Especially now, after what had happened in there.

"Well, well."

They looked over to the entrance curtain and saw an old wizard in blue robes with an extremely long beard. He was carrying a carpet bag and a wand.

"You've arrived sooner than I expected," he told them, and they exchanged a confused look.

"Wha... You knew we were coming?" Sora asked.

"Of course."

"Who are you sir?" Kairi asked.

"My name is Merlin. As you can see, I am a sorcerer. I spend much of my time traveling. It's good to be home. The king has requested my help."

"King Mickey?" Sora asked to clarify.

"Yes, indeed. King Mickey who Donald and Goofy serve. I see they found the key," Merlin nodded to him. "But what might your names be?"

"I'm Sora and this is Kairi."

"What did the king ask you to do?" she asked, taking his hand again.

"Just a moment..." Merlin walked up to the stairs and set down his carpet bag before reaching the centre of the raised platform. He lifted his wand high in the air. "Presto!"

Dust flew around the carpet bag as it opened and out popped teapots, tables, drawers, and chairs, small at first, but quickly growing larger. The wacky wizard danced around while waving his wand, directing the items from the bag to their respective places in the house. Soon after, the room was entirely furnished, complete with bed, desk, and multiple piles of books.

"There, now. Ahem." He turned to face Sora. "Your king asked me to train you in the art of magic. We can start anytime you like. Let me know when you're ready to begin the training. Oh, and one more thing." He turned to the entrance where a small model of a royal carriage was placed on the floor next to the telescope in the open window.

Magic sparkled in the air and coalesced at the carriage's place, forming an elderly woman in blue robes with a pink bow around her neck, wearing her hood over her white hair and holding up a long magic wand. She smiled at them sweetly. "Hello. I'm the Fairy Godmother. Your king asked me to help, too. I will assist throughout your journey."

"I do not know how much I can be of help but do stop by anytime," Merlin agreed with her.

In answer, Sora handed him the book Cid has asked them to deliver.

"Oh, that book... So, Cid asked you to bring this. Thank you. You wish to know what kind of book it is? I don't even know, myself. In fact, it's not mine. Somehow it found its way into my bag one day. It was such a curious book, I asked Cid to repair it for me. Well, I guess I'll put it here somewhere, for now. This book holds a great secret. The missing pages will unlock it." He pointed to a small bedside table. "I'll leave the book over there. Do look at it whenever you like. My best regards to Cid for repairing it for me. Oh, and about that stone of yours... You should ask the Fairy Godmother about that."

How did he know about the stone Leon had given him?

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Kairi smiled as they left Merlin's, she'd enjoyed meeting Pooh in the book. There was something so…innocent about the bear. At least the door didn't need unlocking again, she'd seen Sora's struggle with the fire spell, she would have to focus on fire magic so that she could make up for his natural weakness in that area.

Soldier Heartless appeared before them, but they were taken out by someone with a sharp looking sword before Sora could call his Keyblade. She gasped in shock and utter relief as she saw who was holding the sword.

"There you are. What's going on?" Riku smirked.

"Riku!" they both called, rushing to him, but then Sora tightened his grip on her hand, his smile fading slightly.

Sora touched Riku's face, frowning. "Riku…"

"Hey, hey, cut it out," he pushed Sora's hand aside, shocking her.

She saw then what he had, Riku was pale, too pale, his eyes sunken and…distant. No…please no.

"Took forever to find you," Riku ran a hand through his hair.

"Riku!" She smiled at him, hugging him as if nothing was wrong.

Riku smiled back and they started walking through the square.

"Where have you been Riku?" Sora asked.

"Doesn't matter, we're finally free." Everything about how he was speaking and acting…was wrong. This wasn't their Riku! Whatever had been controlling him on the Island still had its hooks in him.

"Of course we are," She agreed, stopping him, cupping his cheek in her hand and unlike Sora, he didn't push her away. For a second, she felt him lean into her hand, saw a flicker of their Riku in his eyes. She felt his hand come up to grip her arm, fingers spasming.

"We're here Riku," she whispered, other hand moving to his shoulder. "Fight, come back to us."

Sora moved in, pressing against Riku's back, hands on his hips. "Wake up Riku, please," he begged, before whistling and clicking softly. She saw the stealthy movement, saw the band seal around Riku's wrist, at least he would have some protection now. Surely whoever had him would not be powerful enough to mess with the gift of a god.

Riku showed no understanding of his own native tongue. To her dismay, his eyes became distant and cold again, even as he pulled away from them, standing with his back to them.

A Shadow Heartless emerged from the ground, its antennae wriggling wildly.

"We'll all be together again soon. Don't worry. Just leave everything to me. I know this—" his voice was haughty and cold, and it hurt to hear. It wasn't really him; it wasn't!

Sora saw the Heartless and lunged, Riku turning at the noise, only to stare in shock at the sight of the Keyblade.

For a second, he seemed their Riku again. "Sora, what did you…" there was shock and awe in his voice, but then he turned cold again. "Thief."

"What? Riku no," Sora shook his head.

Kairi gasped when Riku called that sword back, something about it made her feel almost sick. Sora dismissed the Keyblade, obviously refusing to fight him. She took a gamble and stepped between them. "No Riku, please, this isn't you."

He sneered at her and then he was gone.

"Riku!" She cried, feeling her legs go weak, but Sora caught her, letting her sob into his chest.

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Sora carried Kairi into the house, the others quickly converging, but he shook his head and sat with her on the bed.

"What happened?" Aerith asked gently, sitting beside them and placing a hand on Kairi's back.

"Riku…someone's controlling him still. He…he was himself for just a few seconds but," Sora closed his eyes, resting his cheek on the top of her head.

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Outside, Maleficent stood with Riku, gazing at them through the windows of the house.

"You see? It's just as I told you. While you toiled away trying to find your dear friends, they quite simply replaced you with some new companions. Evidently, now they values them far more than they do you," she explained gently, fingers moving over the orb in her staff, magic sinking deeper into his being. She had felt his momentary awakening from the spell, just as she had thought may happen when confronted with them.

Riku stared with narrow, unblinking eyes, at the scene before them, body tense. Slowly he relaxed as the magic worked on him.

"You're better off without them." She bent down to his level, giving him a smile. "Now, think no more of them and come with me. I'll help you find what you're searching for..." she whispered and he looked up at her, nodding obediently. He followed her away without even a glance back.

TBC…