Chapter 8…. Yay! Well, I know that I haven't been updating lately but hopefully it won't take me too long to update chapter 9… (it shouldn't.. as long as people review that is…. I'm not asking for much… just acknowledgement that people are actually reading this and give me a reason to put up more…) but anyway…. On with the story…
Also check out some fanart on DeviantART under 'Blue-eyed-Demon'
Flash – flashbacks
Italics – thoughts
Bold Italics – thought speaking (usually only happens with Hades)
Chapter 8
Under the Sea
---
The next morning came, dawning Cloud's leave. Sora and the others ran ahead as Cloud said his goodbyes. They were in the center of the First District, the same people hanging around.Cid came up, patting the blonde hard on the back nearly toppling him over.
"You better keep yer sorry ass out of trouble while you're out there, ya hear."
"Yeah, Cid. I will. You know me," he blurted, knowing Cid's response immediately.
"Yeah, that's why I'm afraid, ya bastard." He took a puff from his cigarette, turning to Yuffie. "Come on, ninja brat, I need help opening the store."
"I'm not a brat!"
"Suit yourself. Later, Cloud." Yuffie stuck her tongue out, facing Cloud.
"He's just grumpy cuz he's old. Anyway, you should come check out the tournaments. Leon and I might be there."
"I'll consider it. I'm sure Sora would go, though." She kissed his cheek, running off and waving.
"Later, Cloud!" Kumi giggled, looking over at the blonde.
"You'll come back?" she asked, frowning as the blonde gave her a kiss.
"Of course, with Kira." He looked up at Leon... Squall.
"I hope you can forgive me... for what happened..."
"I'm fine. As long as you don't think I'll kill you. I have others to kill then waste my time on you," he said, smirking. Leon shook his head.
"Maybe I was right about the 'cold-blooded' part," he said, earning a hit from Kumi. "Anyway, you be careful. I'll make it up to you."
"I'll hold you to that."
"I'm sure you will," he said, crossing his muscled arms over his chest. Cloud leaned over to Kumi, whispering in her ear.
"Is everything okay now?" Kumi blushed.
"Better," she whispered back, smiling. Leon looked from one to the other.
"O-kay! What are you two talking about?"
"Ah, nothing. I'll see you guys later." Cloud turned and ran for the gate where Sora and the others were waiting.
"Sayonara, Cloud. Come back soon," Kumi called, feeling Leon wrap his arm around her shoulders. Cloud gave a small wave.
"Sayonara... for now."
---
The ship warped out in front of another strange world. This one seemed to be completely submerged in water. A world under the sea.
"Well, at least Cid's stuff is useful," Cloud joked, staring out at the planet.
"How are we supposed to get in there?" Sora asked.
"Well, I, the all powerful Donald, shall use my magic to get us in." Donald said rather forcefully.
"Still mad?" Sora inquired, a small grin on his face.
"He's not suppose to be here. We're going against the rules of the Worlds."
"If that was the case we wouldn't be here either."
"Goofy! You're suppose to be on my side!" Sora laughed, looking over at Cloud.
"Ah, don't mind him."
"I try not to..."
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?"
"Come on, Donald..." Sora whined.
"I should turn you into a jellyfish!" Cloud moved away, not sure if the mage would back up his words.
"Don't you dare come near me with that," Cloud growled, giving him a death glare.
"Donald!" Sora protested, pouting a bit.
"Yeah, yeah..." He waved his wand, a bright light clouding their vision. They soon found themselves in the water, able to breath. Donald was part octopus, Goofy was part turtle, Sora was part dolphin, and Cloud was part fish. He looked like a merman and could blend in the best. Unless, of course, if he'd had his wing out.
"At least it's not a jellyfish..." he murmured to himself.
"Ariel! Hurry!" They all turned toward the new voices seeing a mermaid, flounder, and crab swimming in their direction. The red-haired mermaid hurried along, looking ahead seeing Sora and the others.
"Oh! Hey, you guys better get out of here. There are these dark things following us." Sora looked to Goofy and Donald. The fish came over, pulling on the girl's hand, worry clear on his face.
"Come on, Ariel." They rushed into a nearby cove seeing how they had come to a dead-end. Sure enough, some Heartless jellyfish came into view.
"Let's go, guys!" It didn't take very long from them to kill them, but when they did the mermaid named Ariel emerged.
"Wow! You guys were great. Thank you!"
"Yeah. You took care of them like they were nothing," the fish exclaimed.
"Aww, it was nothing," Sora said, shyly, as arm behind his head.
"Anyway, I'm Ariel. This is Flounder and this is Sebastian. Who are you?"
"I'm Sora, this is Goofy and Donald." She looked over at the blonde.
"I'm Cloud," he offered, giving a small wave.
"Oh, yeah, sorry," Sora said, a sheepish grin on his face.
"Well, where are you guys from? I've never seen anyone like you before." Cloud tried to answer 'from another world' but Sora swam up, covering his mouth. He chuckled nervously, looking at the mermaid.
"Uhhh... we're from an ocean far away. We're just passing through," he replied, his hand still over Cloud's mouth.
"Oh, well, could you help us get to the palace. My father is probably worried sick... as usual."
"Your father... the palace... You're a princess?"
"Yeah..."
'She sounds upset about it.' Cloud observed.
"What's wrong?" Sora asked.
"Huh?" She looked over at him, grabbing some of her hair to play with.
"You sounded sad when I asked you." She let her hair go, shrugging.
"Being a princess has its weaknesses. Like I'm watched wherever I go and I can't go exploring... Daddy doesn't like it..." She suddenly perked up, changing the subject. "Well, we'd better get going."
"That's right. His Majesty is waiting." Ariel rolled her eyes.
"Sebastian..."
---
"Thank you for returning my daughter. Now I must ask you to leave at once," King Triton commanded. The four faltered, not expecting that sort of a response.
"What? But---" Sora protested. The king leaned up out of his chair, stressing his voice.
"You must leave. I know why you're here but there is no Keyhole." Sora, Donald and Goofy went wide-eyed.
"How do you----"
"I demand that you leave! At once!" Ariel circled in front of him.
"Daddy, what's gotten into you. They saved me. We don't have to fear them. And what's this Keyhole you're talking about?" Triton slammed his trident in emphasis, hoping his demand would reach her this time as she always would disobey him. He couldn't have it happen this time.
"Ariel, I want you to stay away from them and to remain in the palace."
"But-----"
"You will not disobey me. It's dangerous out there and I want you to be safe. Stay in the palace."
"But I ---" She glared at bit before turning and swimming off. The others watched soon following her. The king sighed, leaning on his arm.
"Maybe I'm being too hard on her. I just want her out of harm." Sebastian floated down to his level.
"It's not your fault, Your Majesty." Triton rubbed his chin, thinking about the crab's comment a moment before turning toward him, a glint in his eye.
"Hmmm... you're right. It's yours. If you had been watching her like I told you to." Sebastian gulped. "Ah, she's just young... I hope she'll understand someday."
---
"Oh, I don't care what he says. I'm not staying here. Sora?" He looked up at the princess.
"Hai?"
"I want to show you guys something." She swam through the tunnel they had emerged out of earlier. Once out of the other side she swam down in front of a boulder. "Come on!" she called, pulling the large rock aside a bit. Donald and Goofy swam after her, Goofy having a bit of trouble with his big body. Cloud paused.
"Go on, I'll stay out here and watch for Heartless." At Sora's stiff nod, he entered, leaving the blonde outside.
"Sugoi... where are we?" She spun, arms extended.
"This is my Grotto. This is where I store all my treasures." She began swimming to the top of the Grotto, looking up through the water's surface. "I hope to one day visit new worlds. To go exploring the world outside this one." She started coming down again. "But that's silly. Do you think I'll ever see new worlds?"
"Sure. I believe you, Ariel. I have... the very same dream," Sora answered, trying not to slip and say that he was seeing new worlds. It was then he spotted the trident symbol etched in the wall. "Huh? What's this? It looks like that object we found when we passed the sunken ship." He pulled it out, examining it.
---
'She kind of reminds me of Kira. The way she's full of life and hates restrictions. But she's not her... but I'll find her... soon...' Cloud was jolted from his thoughts as a shadow loomed over him. His eyes widened.
---
Sora was about to place the piece in its place when the sound of boulder being moved was heard from behind. All turned to see Cloud being thrown into the sand. From the shadows emerged...
"Daddy!" He scanned the room finally seeing the crest. Infuriated, he raised his trident, blasting it into tiny shards, nearly hitting Sora in the process. The fragments glittered in the sunlight as they sank into the sand.
"Where did you find that!" The king demanded, anger in his voice.
"Daddy! Why did you do that? What's wrong with you!"
"I distinctively told you to stay away from these people, didn't I? Why can't you listen?" She bit her lower lip, hurrying past him with tears in her eyes. Triton turned, glaring down the Mako eyed blonde below him. "You --" he looked up Sora and the others, "and you. Leave this ocean at once. I already know who you are, Bearer of the Keyblade. I want you to leave this world. We've had enough trouble without you showing up to cause more."
"But we're not ----" He was cut off as Triton raised his hand.
"I'll hear none of it."
"We're here to save ---" Cloud stopped as the trident came into his view, pressing against his throat.
"You will leave this world," he growled, pulling the trident away. With that, he turned and left Ariel's sanctuary. Cloud finally rose, looking over at Sora.
"What was that thing he destroyed?" He shook his head as if to say he didn't know, which in fact, he didn't.
"Well, what now?" Goofy asked, looking up at Sora.
"Maybe we should leave for now. Come back later."
"But we have to find the Keyhole!" Donald whined.
"Not going to find much with her father breathing down our necks," Cloud murmured. Sora nodded, Goofy and Donald understanding. Cloud looked up at the water's surface. "What is this place?"
"Ariel's treasure trove. Where she keeps all the stuff she finds," Sora explained. He nodded, turning and heading out. Once they were all out, he replaced the boulder. They turned suddenly seeing a flock of fish hurrying from the direction of the castle.
"Danger! The sea witch is at the palace!" Going a bit wide-eyed Sora began his way to the palace, being followed by his partners.
---
"You tricked me!"
"Silly girl, you should have listened to your daddy when he told you to stay in the palace."
"Hey!" The sea witch turned seeing the Keyblade Wielder with his friends and ….
'Ahh…. Hades' little pet… they were wondering where he had gone…..'
"Ursula, so help me..." She ignored the king, directing her attention at Cloud, a smirk on her lips.
"You've been a naughty child. Wandering off like that. Poor Kira might take the punishment for you." Cloud froze, his eyes wide and face pale. Ursula cackled, using her magic to leave the castle, Triton's trident in tow.
"Oh, this is all my fault."
"No, Ariel, it's mine. I only wanted to protect you but it only pushed you into doing what that witch wanted. And they appeared, making things harder. Ariel, they are from another world." She looked at them, then back at her father, a determined look on her young face.
"Don't worry, Daddy. We'll stop Ursula. You just rest." Sora swam up closer, protesting.
"You'll be safe here." She smiled at his concern for her.
"Don't worry, Sora. Besides, I have to do this. She wouldn't have gotten the trident if I hadn't given it to her." She looked around a bit, "Where's Cloud?" Sora spun, searching the throne room.
"Gwash, where'd he go?"
"Oh, no. He probably went after that witch alone..." Sora whispered.
"Why would he do that?"
"Maybe it had to do with what Ursula said. Something about someone named Kira..."
Flash
"I'm looking for someone... I fell into darkness and couldn't find the light..."
Flash
"Sora?" Donald swam up in his face, startling the boy.
"Huh? What?" The duck/octopus shook his head, sighing. "Could that have been who he was talking about?" He whispered to himself.
"Sora! Let's get going!" Ariel called. He looked up at the group near the exit. He smiled, nodding.
"Right, let's go."
---
TBC…
Ah, another chapter up…. When I get more reviews I'll update with chapter 9… like I said.. if no one's reading it then what's the point…..
Anyway, you can also check out some of my art on DeviantART under my name 'Blue-eyed-Demon'
Jya matta,
Hotaru Sasaki
Ai shiteru, Kurai Shidosha