A/N: Bastian speaks with the Oracle, who gives him some disturbing news. I know this is kind of a short chapter but I think it fills out nicely. ^_^ Hope you like. Please review!

Chapter 3 – Something's Wrong…

At first, he wasn't sure if he were in the right place. Instead of the bluish light of the Southern Oracle illuminating the surrounding hills of snow, he could see no Southern Oracle. Just the white, sparkling hills of snow. And instead of the black sky, a constant nighttime with no stars and no moon, there was light. Everywhere. No sun, and no clouds, but a haze of gray covering the sky. He could see nothing for miles; the Southern Oracle was gone.

A feeling of dread hit the pit of his stomach and his first thought was that now would be a good time to panic.

But that didn't last long. A second later, a voice came out of nowhere and said, "I am here."

Bastian nearly jumped out of his skin and whirled around, looking for the origin of that voice. He saw nothing.

"Where are you?" he asked.

"Here," the voice replied, sounding definitely female. "Turn around."

He did as he was told, although he'd already looked in that direction. This time, however, he was relieved to see someone standing there. A woman…or girl, rather, as she was quite young looking, stood casually, as though she had not a care in the world, and gave him a stoic look. She wore a white dress, fitting somehow for all of the scenery around her. He knew without a doubt that this was the Southern Oracle, wondering why she'd taken on a different form.

"I find a different form to be necessary when the need arises," she said cryptically.

He stared at her. Had he said something? He wasn't sure…perhaps he hadn't. She was, after all, a supreme being.

"Not a supreme being in your world." This time, he knew he hadn't said anything.

"Okay, so you're reading my thoughts," he said. "That's charming. Sorry if I'm a little slow; this is taking some getting used to."

"The Child would not have had a problem," she said. He couldn't help but notice the lack of expression on her face as she spoke. He could clearly detect the hard tone of her voice and knew that she was annoyed…if not extremely upset. And again, his mind had yet to totally grasp what she was saying to him. There were too many thoughts…too many things to consider, here, that it was hard for him to concentrate. That and the fact that she was creeping him out.

"Yes, well, the 'Child' has grown up," he replied. "I'm sorry, but it happened. I'm sorry I didn't come back more often, but my real life hasn't been so hot lately, you know? And when I got older I just didn't have any time anymore. You understand don't you?"

She stared at him, the expressionless look saying nothing.

He sighed, feeling disappointed somehow. He had wanted her to at least tell him off…he could have handled that. It was better than nothing at all. He couldn't handle silence.

"Look," he said. "Just tell me what it is I have to do."

"There is nothing you can do."

He blinked. "Excuse me? Why was I called here, then? If Fantasia needs my help, then I'm here to help. Obviously, I really didn't have much choice."

The Oracle actually cracked a smile for the first time. "It is true…you had no choice, did you? Growing up. Real life taking over. It's hard, I agree. But it was not I who called you to Fantasia; the Empress in her current state of mind is desperate. She merely wants peace from what is happening to her world, and I imagine that she thinks you are the only hope she has left."

Bastian felt this feeling of dread deepen with each word the Oracle told him. "I..I don't understand. I thought I was the keeper of Fantasia…"

"You are no longer Fantasia's keeper. You have saved us before, many times. And for that the people of Fantasia will always love you. Your presence gives them hope. It is for that reason that I allowed you to be brought here."

Bastian couldn't believe what he was hearing. "So you're telling me I have to leave? Without doing anything? How pointless is that!? There's no way I'm leaving without doing something to help!"

"I have told you. There is nothing you can do. It is better if you returned to your father before he dies."

"No!"

She gave him a quizzical look. "You were against coming here from the start because your father is dying. Now you do not want to leave. What, exactly, do you want?"

He sighed, and realized he had no answer. What exactly did he want? And how would he figure it out if everyone kept making decisions for him? "Look," he said, feeling defeated already. "I've been really lost in my life lately. I don't know what I want at all! I have no clue! My father is dying, yes. My stepmother and stepsister don't get along with me. I'm failing probably all of my classes in college. I'm such a shy, retarded nerd that I can't even talk to the cashier guy at the cafeteria! I spend all my time reading books. So basically I'm still the same as I was when I was a child…so what's the difference?"

The Oracle's eyes met his evenly, and perhaps there was a glimmer of sympathy in her voice. "You have changed, Bastian, because your soul has become lost. You are drowning in your worries and your fears, and you wish for an escape. That is another reason why I allowed the Empress to bring you here. We are your escape, for the time being. We were always your escape; you just chose not to use that route. Instead, you allowed yourself to drift further away from the world of imagination. You may have read those books, or played those games, but you did not allow yourself to 'live' them, as you lived your adventures here. You are afraid of leaving reality, but you do not know how to live in it. Perhaps a short time here will help you regain some of that imagination."

He nodded, feeling relieved, because it was apparent that she was going to let him stay. Amazingly, he had come to the realization that he really did want to stay, especially when he thought she was going to send him back. As she said, this was his escape. He only wished she would give him something to do.

"There is something you can do," she said, in answer to his thoughts.

"Geez, I wish you'd stop doing that," he said, annoyed. "It's like the worst invasion of privacy."

She smiled. "I cannot grant that wish, I'm afraid. Your thoughts provide great insight into your soul. It is hard for you to voice your true feelings. The real you. Not this façade you portray to others. Shy, insecure…I have seen these attributes melt away when courage and self-confidence were needed."

Bastian felt her words glide over him like a soothing blanket…it was the encouragement that he needed…if he could find it within himself to believe that he still had that capability. And then he was reminded of another question he needed to ask.

"I wanted to ask you about the mirror…" he said.

She nodded, her expression becoming darker. "That, I'm afraid, is something I cannot help you with," she replied. "You see, the mirror reflects the 'true self' of the person looking into it. That is all there is."

"But…I didn't see anything."

The Oracle remained silent, and Bastian was confused. What was she trying to tell him? That he didn't exist? His 'true self' was gone? That was absurd…he was standing right in front of her!

But…the 'true self' wasn't necessarily the outward appearance, was it?

"I don't understand," he said quietly. "Does this mean that…my soul is gone?"

"No," she said, smiling a little. "It is hard for me to explain. But, let me put it to you this way. The real you, the real self that is supposed to reside within the miserable shell that I see before me…is dead."

Bastian sighed. "How can my 'real self' be dead when I'm alive?"

"It's not all science in this world, you know," she replied. "You may learn about science and the hard facts in your college classes, Bastian, but in this world, the imagination reigns. It thrives on people's dreams and wishes; you of all people should know that by heart. You've stopped dreaming, Bastian. You've stopped wishing, because you have lost hope."

He became indignant once again. "I stopped because I realized that not all your wishes come true. In fact, mine never come true anymore. My dreams have become nightmares, and things I don't even want to think about. So what is the point?"

She listened, and spoke evenly. "That is why you are dead to this world," she said. "Even now you feel it; you don't belong. You are an abnormality, to speak in scientific terms. I know that sounds harsh, but that is the only way I can explain it to you. That is why the mirror showed you nothing."

All of this was too much for him to handle. An ominous thought filled his head…what if he would waste away to nothing, if he stayed? Never reach home, never see reality again…but die, in Fantasia, because his 'real self' was dead. It was absurd, but somehow horrifying at the same time. He shook his head, and tried to shake that thought away. No, it wouldn't happen! But he wasn't feeling all right, was he? He was feeling a little dizzy, and his headache had consistently gotten worse. What was going on…what could he do? He was confused, overwhelmed, and tired. Wanting to sleep so badly…

"What can I do?" he asked, pleading now with her to help him. "I know I'm not 'The Child' anymore, but I'm still Bastian, and this is still my Fantasia, whether you say I'm it's 'keeper' or not. If it's changed, it's because I've changed, and if I change back, then this world will change back. Now you tell me what I have to do, and tell me now!" His voice went from desperate to demanding in seconds, and for a brief second he thought she might retaliate. But that second was fleeting when she opened her mouth and laughed. Actually laughed!

"What's so funny?" he asked.

"You!" she replied, giggling. This wasn't really happening, was it? The Southern Oracle, giggling? It was yet another thing that bothered him immensely; the Southern Oracle just did not giggle…something wasn't right about it.

And, of course, he'd forgotten that she could read minds. "Of course we laugh," she said. "We just don't often have a reason to. You, on the other hand, are quite funny. Listen to yourself! You're as stubborn as the Empress, who, to give her credit, gives in when necessary. Very well, Bastian Balthasar Bux. You may again attempt to save Fantasia from its blight. I can give you no advice except this: your mind and your heart are two different working tools. Often they may try to lead you in different directions; it is at those moments when you must weigh all the options before trusting one or the other. Think, but feel. Examine facts, but also emotions."

Not knowing how this advice would help him in the long run, Bastian simply decided that he wasn't about to ask anymore questions. "I will keep that in mind."

The Oracle nodded. "Well then. The first place you should go after leaving here is the Ivory Tower. The Empress wishes to see you as soon as possible. Together, perhaps you can devise a way to restore the spirit of your youth, and in the process do likewise for Fantasia." She then pressed her lips in a light, feathery kiss on his forehead. "Travel well, Bastian. You may find that the road gets easier to walk when your heart is light."

***

Soon after his meeting with the Oracle, and after saying goodbye to the little people who helped him, Bastian was on his way. Through the clouds, over glorious mountain ranges, over vast prairies, feeling the wind rush past him like a businessman in a hurry to get to work. Bastian felt exhilaration beyond the wildest roller coaster ride, gripping the soft scales of Falcor's neck as tight as he could. Falcor was laughing.

"Enjoying yourself?" the luck dragon asked, his voice rushing past him in the wind.

"Of course!" Bastian shouted. "I just feel like I'm going to fall off any second now."

"Don't worry!" Falcor said. "I'd catch you if you fell!"

Bastian smiled, and had no doubt that the luck dragon would, indeed, catch him if he fell. So he simply enjoyed the passing scenery. He was vaguely reminded of the 'America the Beautiful' song, and found himself thinking, 'O Beautiful, for spacious skies…'

He also thought briefly that the skies of America, while beautiful, did not hold a candle to the skies of Fantasia. Clear, crisp, and untouched by the pollution of mankind. He could see for miles and miles, and marveled at this change…no city in sight.

It was then that Falcor interrupted his thoughts and said, "Look down, Bastian…it's Atraiu."

Bastian eagerly looked down to see his friend. "Let's go down there, I want to say hello," he said. Falcor laughed again and began to land. However, instead of seeing a young boy, the Atraiu from so long ago, Bastian saw a tall, bronze-skinned warrior astride the familiar white horse. The warrior's piercing black eyes met Bastian's, and his lips pulled into a wide grin. It was Atraiu.

"Bastian, my friend, you have changed," Atraiu stated, dismounting his horse, Artax, as he spoke.

Bastian jumped down from Falcor's neck and clasped hands with Atraiu. "I know, and so have you. But I'm back!"

"Indeed you are. I am sure you have heard of the situation," Atraiu replied.

Bastian nodded. "I have. I'm sorry, Atraiu…I'm sorry. I wish this wasn't happening to you all."

Atraiu smiled. "It does not affect my people, Bastian. The plains people live and die, that has never changed. But we are a peculiar race in Fantasia and always have been. The others, however…Bastian, Fantasia is dying. It is different this time; different in that there is no entity destroying us…"

Bastian knew this; the Oracle had all but told him as such. Basically he was the one destroying Fantasia. "I am trying to stop it," he said. "But I don't know how. I'm on my way to see the Empress right now, to maybe figure all of this out. Will you come with me? It'll be like old times!"

Atraiu shook his head. "I cannot leave my people, Bastian. I would gladly help you on your quest, but soon it will be the Moon of Redemption, a night when the plains people celebrate the passing of their sins to the moon, where they will be forgotten and erased. It is a long tradition and I cannot leave."

At that point, Bastian could not help but notice the lovely young woman walk up beside Atraiu. Bastian's eyes widened as Atraiu put his arm around her and smiled at Bastian proudly.

"This, Bastian…is my wife, Sarene. She is expecting my child."

Bastian heard himself offer congratulations, his mind still in a whir. Wife? Child? Atraiu???

Atraiu gave Bastian a sympathetic look. "I agree, it is all very sudden. But you see why I cannot leave. My family needs me, as do my people. There have also been several of our warriors killed lately by some unknown creature in the wilderness; I have to be here to protect the village."

Bastian nodded, noting again how much he felt so…out of place. "I understand," he said. "Again, congratulations, Atraiu. It was nice to meet you, miss."

"And you, Bastian," she replied, her voice sweet and melodic. Bastian briefly thought that, if he had a wife like her, he probably wouldn't want to leave, either. She was lithe and athletic, with an air of grace and refinement about her, and judging by the way she looked at Atraiu, and the way that he looked at her, they were very much in love. Bastian was happy for his friend, despite the fact that he had no idea what to say.

"Well, I'd best be going," he said, feeling awkward, and climbed back onto Falcor's neck. "See you around!"

"Goodbye, Bastian, and good luck," Atraiu offered, and he and his wife stood and waved to Bastian until he and Falcor were out of sight.

***

Bastian began to feel drowsy and nauseated by the time the Ivory Tower came into view. The sight of it glowing brightly in the distance, however, was enough to make him forget everything else. It was just the way he'd remembered it; nothing had changed. It was still as awe-inspiring and magnificent as before.

"Hurry, Falcor," he urged, and Falcor chuckled.

"Patience, Bastian, patience."

But there was no patience in him. He wanted to see the tower up close; touch it with his hand. He wanted to stand at the top and look out across the beauty that was Fantasia. He wanted to stand and close his eyes, and feel the breeze. And of course, he wanted to see the Empress, to whom he had given a much-needed name so long ago. He closed his eyes and thought of her. The sparkling goddess of Fantasia, the one who ruled with wisdom and peace.

Moonchild.

Would she truly welcome him? Or would she, too, be startled and disappointed? He had no choice; he had to grow up. How often would he have to tell himself that in order to make himself feel better, and less guilty?

No, it was best to face the music when he had to. But he was still nervous…did she know that he'd grown up? Or was she expecting him to still be a child?

All of these questions ran through his head and before he knew it, Falcor had landed on the top of the tower. Bastian reluctantly climbed off and took a deep breath. He turned, and looked at Falcor as if to ask, "Please don't make me do this…"

But Falcor just winked that same, familiar wink, and Bastian offered a hesitant smile. It was the best he could do. With another deep breath, he stepped into the doorway, and down the stairs.

***

He couldn't remember the inside of the tower, strangely enough; and he also couldn't remember if he'd even been inside the tower. None of that mattered now, anyway, he supposed; he was completely and utterly lost. He'd been wandering for several minutes, and the long hallways and stairways were confusing. He felt as though he'd gone in circles rather than making any progress.

But it was very pretty inside. Every so often he would stop and stare at a random painting or sculpture as he passed through. Everything was white. He felt like a smudge. Just a dark smudge on a blank sheet of paper.

This thought didn't brighten his mood any.

After a little while, he finally found a set of large double doors. His heart pounding, he opened them, fearing and anticipating what he would see on the other side.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I know, I am evil. Evil, evil cliffhangers! Stay tuned for chapter 4, coming soon! Please review.