AN: Yay! Updated chappie! See, I told you I'd come out with another one soon! I don't know what's up with teachers. I'm getting more homework than I used to get, and this is the END OF THE YEAR! I just don't get it. Grrr...they make me mad. Only 12 more days of school, also translated to 12 more days of torture. Well, it won't be THAT bad, but still...Oh, thank you Lord! I am so happy! Know why? 'Cause this chappie isn't all messed up with the paragraphs! Hip hip hooray! (totally cheesy) It's normal now. It's not a freak! OK I'll just stop!

Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts. At least I own some characters in this fic, like Iqui and Vern. Hooray! I own them! :P

Chapter 12: Power or no power?

"Wow, this is a cool place you've got here." Sora said.

"Thanks. I found all of these things from sunken ships. Hey, I know where there is a sunken ship that I haven't explored yet. Flounder told me about it. Do you wanna see it?"

"Sure." Goofy said.

"I think people are so fascinating. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have legs?" Ariel asked, touching her fins.

"Oh, yah, sometimes." said Sora, quickly glancing at Donald and Goofy. "Hey, where's Vern?"

"I don't know. I could have sworn she was in here with us!" Donald said. Everyone quickly swam out of the grotto to where Vern was. She looked a little distraught, and she was talking to herself.

"Vern, where were you?" Donald asked.

"I was right here this whole time. I...uh...just didn't feel like going in there that's all." Vern was shifting her eyes back and forth. She wasn't good at lying, or not looking suspicious for that matter.

"We were worried about you!" Sora said, swimming up to Vern.

"You were?"

"Yah, you could have been hurt by some Heartless, or wandered off into danger. We just want you to be safe, like I want Iqui not to wander off into unknown territory, especially alone."

Wow, I guess he still cares about me, Vern thought. She started thinking about how cute Sora was, then she remembered what Ansem had said. No, stop Vern. You can't hang on to him, she thought. Vern wanted to hurt Kairi. She hated her so much that she wanted to kill her, all because of her jealousy. But she didn't know if she could trust some stranger. Plus, she was on a mission to save King Mickey, and she didn't want to leave her friends. Vern thought about this while Ariel tried to talk to her.

"Hello...can you hear me?!" Ariel said, waving her hand in front of Vern's eyes.

"Huh? Oh yah, sorry, what do you want?"

"We're gonna go to a sunken ship and look for some things for my collection." Ariel said. They all swam through the ocean until they finally came to the ship.

"This is it!" Ariel exclaimed. They went in the ship. There was barely anything there, except for some crates.

"Man, guess this one's been picked over." Donald said. "Come on, let's go." When they swam out, a huge great white shark appeared, and it looked hungry (p.s. this is not Bruce, this shark is not part of the Fish are Friends, Not Food Club).

"Watch out! It's a shark!" Sora yelled. The shark charged at them at top speed, breaking them apart. Vern was about to create some underwater whirlwinds when she heard the voice again.

"Ansem?" she whispered.

"It is Ansem. Have you made your decision yet?"

"Uh, this isn't exactly the best time. If I stay here too long the shark will kill me!" Vern exclaimed looking around at her friends fighting the shark.

"Not if it can't see you. I have everything straightened out for you. Right now, you're just air to it."

"Wow!" Vern said. "I think I have decided, but I have a question for you. Why are you doing all of this? You wouldn't want something in return?"

Ansem's chuckle sounded so evil. "All I ask is that you use your powers that I will give you to help me."

"Help you do what?"

"Keep the Heartless alive. Sabotage Sora's plans."

"What? Even though Sora doesn't love me I'm not going to hurt him! I've been on this journey destroying those Heartless and you want me to help keep them alive? Are you crazy?!"

"Maybe, Vern, maybe (for Heavy and Doug-inside joke). I created the Heartless. Sora destroys them. I do not intend to hurt Sora. He would do much damage to me with his Keyblade anyway. But remember what I offered you. Total power. And I'm not even asking for your soul."

Man, he's giving me the creeps, Vern thought. "I...I can't do it."

"What? You're giving up so much power?"

"I mean I can't not get more power. I want those powers, and I can't believe I hate a girl I haven't even met."

"So it's a deal?" Ansem said. He finally appeared, invisible to everyone but Vern. He was tall and wore a long cloak. He reached out his hand.

"Deal." Vern said, shaking his hand. Vern looked up at Ansem. She could barely make out his face, but all she could see was a devilish smile.

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Thanks for reading! Now please review (well, you always do!) Thankies! (oh, that's a word I made up just now.) I don't know why I typed it. I like fanfiction.net 'cause I'm learning new things, like thank you (with respect) is domo arigatou. Yah, thanks Zanisha for that info. And thanks for responding back to my reviews for NBtM! Lylas!