We're back folks!
And we are now and finally about to go unda da sea! This was the one world I was looking forward to the most. Because one, I'm a fan of merine life growing up as a kid. I loved going to the aquarium and the 'Little Mermaid' next to 'Finding Nemo' was a masterpiece that represents the beauty of aquatic life while telling it's own magical tale.
The one thing I couldn't stand was the Direct Sequel of 'Little Mermaid' and some of the original songs that were in the KH II version. Because of this. I will be replacing 'Finny Fun' (Yeah I know has a different name but because of that lame line I'm calling it that okay!) with better songs from a familiar film.
"The Wiggles?" Maverick snickered.
Bite me Mav.
You'll figure it folks.
Also I'm about to add in a new element to this story and in this chapter. That will open up possibilities that were not possible in previous chapters. Because of this. I'm also changing a certain style in how I write. For example. Whenever a character is singing, I will not make their lyrics in 'bold' letters anymore. Unless if it's music playing in the background like a soundtrack or music from a radio or stereo or MP3 player. Things like that.
Anyhow. I hope you will all enjoy this chapter. But first let's answer some comments.
KingdomWarrior125: Thank you! Yeah this story is full of surprises. For example you're about to see another in this chapter. So brace yourself.
SPYRO 101: Thank you! Always great to have your help! Hmmmmm Elsa vs Maleficent. You might be on to something.
RustyPete12: Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the final battle in that last chapter. As well as Max showing up and that ending class scene with those three little brats getting a taste of Howard. And to answer your question. We're not going back to Halloween Town a second time. That was their conclusion. The only worlds will be going back to are Hollow Bastian, Beast's Castle, Twilight Town and Arendelle. Every other world and new one will mostly be a one time visit for this story.
Alright. Now that we're all here.
LET'S GET SWIMMIN...DANGEROUSLY!
LET'S GET DANGEROUS!
The Little Mermaid
Somewhere over the Surface of Atlantica...
A horrible storm rushed over the waters of the ocean as a frigate ship that was out sailing and celebrating. Now sinking into the depths of the sea. A fire in addition that caused the ship to split.
All of the passengers were able to get off on lifeboats except for one. Prince Eric of the surface kingdom is what the ocean calls him. And no one was able to come to his aid. accept for a young red headed Mermaid. A sixteen year old Mermaid named Ariel. Princess of the underwater kingdom of Atlantica. For it was she who swam past the danger and saved Eric's life. Pulling him up from the depths, saving him from drowning as Ariel brought him to the shores near Eric's castle.
And at the dawn of a new day with the sun about the shine. Ariel stayed by the prince's side who was out cold. Ariel's friends stood by and watched.
A yellow angelfish named Flounder. Who is Ariel's best friend.
A seagull named Scuttle. Who serves as Ariel's teacher in the trinkets she collects from the service world. Even if Scuttle has about as much knowledge as empty bottle of BBQ sauce.
And a small red crab name Sebastian. Who serves as an advisor and distinguished court composer for Ariel's father. King Triton of Atlantica.
Ariel shouldn't be out here. But her heart is calling to the service world. And it's soon to be called to his human being she just saved.
She just hopes that he's alive.
"Is...Is he. Dead?" Ariel asked looking worried.
Scuttle opened his left eye to check for life. But due to his lack of knowledge in human anatomy, he didn't truly know what to look for.
"It's hard to say." Scuttle said before waddling down to his feet before picking up one of Eric's feet and put his head to the sole of his foot, trying to listen for a heartbeat, which is NOT the right way to do it. Hearing nothing though, Scuttle became downtrodden.
"Oh I-I can't make out a heartbeat." Scuttle said looking down sadly.
Ariel looked towards his face and her face lit up seeing him breathe.
"No, look! He's breathing." Ariel smiled, her heart warming up as she got a better look at his face. Stroking his cheek with her soft hand. "He's so, beautiful."
Then she began to sing to him. Feeling a light within her telling her to.
"What would I give to live where you are~ What would I pay to stay here beside you~ What would I do to see you~ smiling at me~" Ariel sang softly to him as Eric was almost about to wake up.
Sebastian came closer and dropped his jaw seeing Ariel fall for this human. Of all people.
"Where would we walk, where would we run~ If we could stay all day in the sun~ Just you and me, and I could be Part of your..." Ariel sang up to the point when Eric opened his eyes and saw her sing under the glow of the morning sun. "World..."
Eric couldn't completely make out what was happening. Until he heard a familiar voice call to him from near the beach.
*Bark! Bark!*
Ariel looked up to see Max, the Sheepdog, running towards where they were.
"Eric!" A familiar voice called out to Erik, drawing his attention, but forcing Ariel to retreat back into the water. Just as Ariel was making her exit, Max ran up to Eric and began licking his face, fully waking him up. He tried to sit up, while Max watched as the end of Ariel's tail went under water, compelling him to run to the edge of the water to bark out to her happily, while the one who spoke, Grimsby, who is Eric's caretaker, kneeled down to him to help sit him up, relieved to see he was okay.
"Oh, Eric!" Grimsby started, helping Eric to stand. "You really delight in these sadistic strains on my blood pressure, don't you?"
Eric shook his head to collect himself, before smiling.
"A girl..." Eric began, surprising his caretaker as he began taking a few steps back and forth, speaking of the wonder he saw. "Rescued me. She was... Singing. She had the most... Beautiful voice."
Eric stumbled back slightly, Grimsby catching him, a big smile on his face at his antics.
"Ah Eric, I think you swallowed a bit too much sea water." Grimsby said, putting Eric's right arm over his shoulder to help support him as they walk. "Off we go. Come on, Max."
With that, Eric, Grimsby, and Max began walking off the beach, while Ariel, Flounder, and Sebastian, who was standing on top of Flounder in the water, watched on from behind some rocks out in the harbor.
"We just gotta forget dis whole thing ever happened. The sea king will never know." Sebastian said, looking down at Flounder. "You won't tell him, I won't tell him. I will stay in one piece."
Ariel leaned over a large builder watching as Eric walked back home. She had nothing a adornment and determination that they will end up together. One way or another. Because this was destiny calling. And her heart as well.
"I don't know when~ I don't know how~ But I know something's starting right Noooooow!
Watch and you'll seeeeee, someday I'll beeeeeee~ Part of your... WOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRLLLLLLLLLLLDDDDDDDDD!" Ariel sang with passion as the waves splashed over the rock as if the world was calling to her and her desires.
And as Ariel finished singing. She had not noticed as two electric eels name Flotsam and Jetsam were watching. Lurking from the depths of the ocean.
Before they smirked evilly and swam away to report to their Mistress. The evil seawitch. Ursula.
Watching from Ursula's Lair…..
Deep in the dark coves of the exiled sea witch herself. Ursula's greed and use of dark magic led to her banishment. By orders of the king, Ursula was exiled from Atlantica and made her home in the remains of a leviathan lined with a garden of writhing polyps. These polyps were merfolk who had previously gone to Ursula for help but found themselves unable to fulfill their side of the bargain, leading Ursula to claim them as her own and adding them to her collection. Ursula laments her distaste for her living conditions, despite having maintained all of her powerful black magic. From her secluded lair, she awaits the chance to get her revenge.
And judging by what she was observing. Ursula might get her chance yet.
Ursula watched through the eyes of Flotsam and Jetsam using a mystical crystal ball. Seeing everything Ariel did in saving Prince Eric and sinisterly gets the idea that Ariel is calling her heart out to him. This purple skinned plump half octopus lady watched as Ariel left and headed back to Atlantica. And she saw this amusing.
"Oh no no no no no. I can't stand it. It's too easy." Ursula chuckled Hysterically. "The child! Is in love with a human. And not just any human. A prince!
Ursula leaned forward on her seat fighting back how sinister and hilarious this all is. "And daddy'll love that." She mocked and stated. "King Triton's headstrong love sick girl. Would make a charming addition to my little garden."
The sea witch laughed evilly as she admired her collection of polyps. Getting the idea that Ariel will soon join them.
Back on board the Starburst...
(Robbie Williams - Beyond The Sea.)
Somewhere beyond the sea
Somewhere waiting for me
My lover stands on golden sands
And watches the ships that go sailin'
Somewhere beyond the sea
She's there watching for me
If I could fly like birds on high
Then straight to her arms
I'd go sailing
As the music played on the ship's stereo speakers. Sora was driving the ship pass the next gateway while Kairi sat on the co pilot seat this time. While Aiden was sitting with the rest of the team in one of the crew seats, leaning back and talked on the Gummiphone.
"Well Mrs. Nova Prime. I recommend you stop by Arendelle and discuss some legal terms in my new plans called 'Project: Guess Who'. If the Skull comes in to disturb the peace treaty with the U.G.F. . This radar will help you detect if one is in range. No matter who he is." Aiden spoke to Nova Prime on the phone while he leaned back and kicked his feet up. "Oh don't worry. I won't need it. I'm a living bull detector for anything in range and what's going on beyond the scene and receiver. For example, your janitor is a Skrull."
"Take him down!" A Nova officer who was listening nearby made an arrest.
"Nooo! Get off me" The Skull in disguise was heard being tackled and cuffed.
The sounds of an arrest was heard on the phone was heard by the rest of the team as Aiden's phone speaker was loud.
"Hehe. Damn I love my job." Aiden mused while kicking his legs up.
"Hey Aiden, what are you doing over there on your phone?" Sora said from the pilots seat. "Or better yet, who are you talking to? Because it sounds like you just caused a dog pile on the other end."
"Happy to be of service Mrs. Prime. Good luck." Aiden quickly said before they concluded and hung up. Then he answered Sora. "Intergalactic corporal sustainment. I was helping out with some Imperial security. And exposing a conspiracy."
"The Nova Corp are signing a peace treaty with one of the Grand Council of the U.G.F., right there on Xander." Victoria stated to ease Sora's mild confusion.
Sora didn't know any of these names. He recognized Nova from Aiden's story. But that's it.
"U.G.F.?" Sora inquired.
"United Galactic Federation." Victoria explained the acronym.
"Long story short, Spike. The Nova wants one of my machines to make sure this goes smoothly." Aiden stated.
"Okay. Should we go over there and help them out?" Kairi asked.
"Don't worry about that Kairi. The Nova Corp can handle themselves. We're needed in where ever we're going." Victoria assured Kairi.
"Besides. I called in and asked The Fantastic Four and Captain Marvel to give them an extra pair of hands, in case things don't go smoothly." Aiden amused.
"You make everything sound dirty." Victoria shook her head.
"I do?" Aiden inquired.
"'Extra pair of hands'?" Victoria said as her face read un-amusement. "I swear, Can't you even go one day without making some kind of damn innuendo?"
"I can. But where's the art in that?" Aiden asked jokingly.
"How did you two ever end up together in the first place?" Sora inquired about their teen love drama.
"It's complicated." Victoria deadpanned. "I can't live without him even though I can't stand him sometimes."
"To answer Spike, you'll understand when you and Rosebud finally make it official." Aiden said making Sora and Kairi blush before turning back to Victoria, giving her an eye wink. "And you know full well how we ended up together. You saw me for the first time. And from there, you couldn't keep your hands off me."
"Meaning I almost killed you when I thought you were a Ravager." Victoria corrected.
"Please. You couldn't kill me even if I had a strong case of herpes." Aiden scoffed.
"That can be arranged." Victoria smirked before her face dropped and she groaned. "Damn it. Now he's got me doing it."
"Getting back to this peace treaty thing. Do you think it's gonna go well?" Sora asked Aiden.
"If the Thing and Human Torch doesn't end up killing each other, then yeah. The Nova have taken bigger risks than this." Aiden stated.
"Have they ever made peace with planets they didn't know to trust?" Sora asked.
"Yeah but trust isn't always the first bases in making peace." Aiden said. "Faith is."
"Is there a difference?" Sora tilted his head in curious.
"There is. Faith is acting on what you believe to be true. Trust is the abandonment of expectations in an enemies past actions and having expectations in a allies actions. But you can't have trust without faith." Aiden explained how it works.
"It's like how I had faith that I would see Sora again." Kairi said in thought, making Sora slightly blush.
"Spike, I swear if you let her slip away from you, you'll get an ass whooping that could be heard from the other side of the Multiverse." Aiden said both jokingly and seriously.
"Huh what?" Sora was too distracted by how sweet Kairi spoke about him. He didn't notice the humorous threat Aiden just gave him.
"I said look! There's the next world." Aiden quickly pointed at the world coming up ahead.
"Awesome! IRIS. What can you tell us about this world?" Kairi asked the computer.
'Unfortunately there are no Heartless or Nobody activity going on in this world. I believe this world is meant to be an inter way passage to the real next destination. You won't get to the next world until you find the gateway on this one.' IRIS stated the details.
"Meaning?" Victoria inquired.
"It means in this world. We won't have to deal with Heartless or Nobodies. Not until we head to the one after this. Which means we get to cool our heels for once." Aiden explained and exhaled in relief. "Which means...Thank Chocolate Coated God."
"So no fighting in this world? It's about time." Victoria felt relieved. After these past few crazy worlds she needed a break.
"Awe...But I like the action. It makes me feel stronger." Kairi said in mild disappointment.
"Enjoy the silence while it lasts girlfriend." Victoria patted her back.
'According to my records. This world happens to be the home planet of an undersea kingdom called Atlantica?' IRIS revealed a familiar name to Sora, Donald and Goofy.
"The Submariner?!" Aiden beamed.
"No Captain Cold. He's from Atlantis." Victoria snickered at her boyfriend's disappointment.
"Ah crap." Aiden slumped in his chair. "Who lives here then? A walking oblivious sea plant who has a sexual fetish for burger grease?"
"No wait a minute, this is Ariel's world!" Sora said excitedly pointing out the window.
"Yeah, you're right!" Goofy said just as excited.
"Oh boy!" Donald exclaimed, knowing the fun they could have.
"Ariel? Who's that?" Kairi asked, trying to remember if she was told about this world.
"Ariel. She's a friend we made when we visited Atlantica." Sora started. "It's a beautiful undersea Kingdom, inhabited by talking fish, and mermaids."
"Mermaids?!" Kairi asked excitedly, her eyes shining at the possibility of interacting with, and possibly becoming, a mermaid. As someone who grew up on an island, she was always told stories about mermaids, making her want to meet one one day.
"Okay. Well as long as we don't run into any Mafia Sharks and fish that look like the cast for Bad Boys then we should be good." Aiden shrugged as he was game to meet one.
'One more thing. This world has a strong and open connection to Fantasia. Once you're exposed to it. You will become self aware of the natural harmonic environments.' IRIS revealed.
"Okay could you explain by repeating the middle part ? What's Fantasia?" Victoria asked.
"I'll tell you!" Jiminy Cricket hopped up on the dashboard and looked to the team as he explained. "Fantasia is a strong mystical recognition of when we are aware of the music happening all around us. Most worlds have them and only a few who aren't from those worlds can feel it."
"What does that mean?" Sora asked.
"It means something magical happens around us in certain worlds and we're unaware that it happens." Kairi understood.
"Right. Our hearts make us aware of the presents of light anf darkness for example. But as for Fantasia. It's a magical force that makes us aware of when the people around us break out into songs." Jiminy Cricket stated and tap danced a little for an example.
'In fact, The world of Arendelle has a strong connection to Fantasia.' IRIS stated, Surprising the young Maverick.
But Aiden has doubts. He had never seen anyone break out into singing and dancing like a musical. Unless it was on TV or stage.
"No you can't be serious IRIS. Because I've been living in that world for over a decade. And I've never once seen someone break into a song out of the blue. Except for those navy seniors Uncle Kris drinks with." Aiden stated, showing his skepticism.
"Well, like I said, only people who are connected to Fantasia will be able to notice it." Jiminy stated. "So it's safe to say that you didn't notice it when you're there, because you're not connected to Fantasia's magic to even notice it. But most of the worlds we've been to are connected to Fantasia."
This surprised the team.
"Really? Which ones?" Kairi asked, now interested in this topic.
"Well." Jiminy Cricket pulled out his journal and opened it to a list of worlds connected to Fantasia. "Some of those worlds include the ones Sora has been to before joining the Guardians. Like Olympus, Wonderland, Agrabah, Neverland, Mulan's world, Belle's world, Disney Town, even Halloween Town. Even all the worlds of the other Princesses of Heart are connected to Fantasia."
"Gawrsh. That would explain why The King, Donald and I find it normal to be singing every once in a while." Goofy pondered about the times he would be singing like a musical. Even Donald figured about that as well.
'Only those who are from worlds that aren't connected to Fantasia can't become cognizant of it's magic. However. Because this world is not infested with the dark presence of Heartless like last time. And do to its inhabitants passion for the power of music.' IRIS continued to elaborate. 'Once you step down on this world. They're awareness will become yours.'
"Meaning where all going to become permanent stars of a Julie Andrews play. Whether we like it or not." Aiden quipped as he began to understand.
"I'm game." Sora nodded.
"Me too. Especially if I get to meet an actual mermaid." Kairi squealed feeling a little giddy.
"But if any corny music starts happening. I'm clamping my mouth shut." Victoria affirmed as she didn't have confidence in singing.
"Don't sell yourself short Vic. If you can make music with a weapon you can with your mouth. Besides I've heard you sing in the shower all the time." Aiden remarked.
"What?" Victoria gritted her teeth at Aiden stating daggers that he said that last part.
"I mean...You know from outside the hallway of your bedroom door- IRIS! BEAM US DOWN QUICK!" Aiden exclaimed in fear.
"RAGH!" Victoria charged at Aiden but before she could grab him.
Then the whole team was instantly beamed down to Atlantica.
"And now for my favorite part of the day. Collecting info." Jiminy Cricket leaned back and watched their adventure from the monitor.
Down in Atlantica...
Down below the depths of the Undersea Courtyard, near the enlightening kingdom of Atlantica. Everything was peaceful and serene, the schools of fish swimming in the blue waters and going about their day. All of a sudden, seven flashes of light appeared, and from those flashes, the Guardians of the Multiverse appeared, now transformed to blend into the area.
Sora was a merman again, with his grey tail. He was also shirtless, showing off his lean, but muscled chest and arms, his signature Crown Necklace still around his neck. Only he was slightly taller and built from last time he was down here.
Donald was yet again a half duck, half octopus, with his head, to his waist being the same, but below his waist, were a series of tentacles.
Goofy was once again a green sea turtle, with only his head remaining the same as his dog-man self. Plus he didn't lose his hat.
Kairi now had a pink mermaid tail, and was wearing only a pink seashell top. Victoria was exactly like Kairi, except her top and tail were purple.
They both covered each other and blushed with embarrassment. Until they both realized.
"Ah screw it. We've done this before." Victoria sighed and dropped her arms. As she was referring to the time they dressed in revealing outfits back in Agrabah.
"Agreed." Kairi dropped her arms and observed herself spinning around. "Besides at least we know how to make it look good."
"True." Victoria nodded concurring with Kairi.
Finally, Aiden was shirtless too, showing off his own impressive muscles. And his tail was neon. Changing from blue and green every few seconds and it was glowing.
Baby Groot looked the same as a usual baby alien tree, except he morphed his legs into a mermaid tail. "I am Groot." He chirped as he swam around liking his new form.
"Oh Boy! Under the Sea Again!" Donald said, swimming around along with Goofy, who was laughing all the while.
Aiden admired how beautiful and dare say hot Victoria looked with her upper body just having on a seashell bra. But he did not alert her with his thoughts and decided to let his girlfriend make the first move. For Aiden it also felt good to breathe underwater and be impervious to climate changes and bacteria. Even though he already had the last two. That and he was flexing and posing his muscles and exposed torso. Acting like a model from a bodybuilding magazine.
"Now this is more like...Uh. Who ordered the Canine Turtle soup and calamari marinated in duck sauce?" Aiden inquired, giving a weird look to Goofy and Donald's underwater forms.
"Hey! It's not our fault! This is the form we take when we come here!" Donald said as he was offended by Aiden's comment.
"It's fine Duck Dynasty. It's not normal. But it's fine." Aiden assured with a slight tease.
"Ah phooey! Define normal." Donald scoffed with his arms crossed.
"There's 'cosmic fairytale' normal. And there's Ripley's Believe It Or Not museum. am I right Vic-Victoria?" Aiden called his girlfriend after a quip, but then noticed something about her.
Victoria was staring at Aiden, blushing a deep red, and her eyes wide. Aiden took a moment to realize that she's staring at his exposed muscles, and muscular torso. It's been a while since Victoria had seen Aiden shirtless. And this made him smirk. Because that counts as a first move.
"You like what you see, girl?" Aiden said in a Berry White voice, flexing his arms. "I see you staring. And Daddy like."
Victoria registered what he said and shook her head, clearing her thoughts.
"I have no idea what you are talking about." Victoria deadpanned, trying and failing to deny her little moment.
"Yeah. I don't need my lie detecting senses to see the bull in what you just said. You definitely are filling it, Baby. " Aiden said humorously, still mimicking Berry White. Which was ticking Victoria off again.
"How would you like to be steamed fish food?" Victoria glared in a warning tone.
Meanwhile, while the two were having their little banter moment.
Sora and Kairi are busy staring at each other with huge blushes. For Kairi, Sora without his shirt, letting her see his lean form, was quite the experience. If she wasn't under water, she'd probably be drooling. For Sora, he was lost looking at Kairi, her appearance, and being under water, made her look so majestic. So hot!
Before either of the Islanders could find their voices to complement the other, and before Victoria flambeed her boyfriend and his quippish demeanor, a voice called out, catching their attention.
"Sora! Donald! Goofy!" A voice called out, making the guardians turn to see Ariel, Flounder, and Sebastian swimming towards them.
Kairi's eyes widened seeing an actual mermaid. She squealed inside but kept her cool as she looked over at Sora and smirked as he was having trouble trying to stay afloat. Including Donald and Goofy. Those three weren't staying a float properly the entire time they were there.
"Uh...Hi there." Sora greeted Ariel as she swam around him. Amused as she noticed he was trying to stay afloat.
"You forget how to swim already?" Ariel chuckled seeing him try not to sink several times.
"Kinda, I guess." Sora gave a small nervous chuckle.
"You lazy bum." Kairi teased with a giggle as she said with sass. "I told you not to skip polo practice at the gym."
"That's your profession Kairi. Not mine." Sora deadpanned while trying not to blush.
"You mean one of my professions." Kairi mused mischievously.
Ariel giggled at Kairi's antics before noticing she and the others being new to her.
"I see you brought along your friends" she said before turning to Kairi. "Hi, my name's Ariel. It's nice to meet you."
"It's nice to meet you too. I'm Kairi, Sora's childhood friend" Kairi said with a big smile.
"Oh, so you're from the same world as Sora then?" Ariel asked, stunning, Kari, Aiden, Victoria, and Baby Groot.
"Y-yes I am. Um, Sora told you about the other worlds?" Kairi asked, surprised.
"Oh no. My Daddy told me everything about keyblades and other worlds." Ariel explained. "Well that's after Sora came and I was told by….It's a long story actually."
"Yeah. Apparently her father already knew about the other worlds, and he quickly figured out I had a keyblade." Sora said, Surprising his friends who's first time it was being in Atlantica.
"Eh. I've been there before. My Frozen fam knew about other worlds before they knew I was a minor." Aiden shrugged.
"And nothing was a secret from me." Victoria agreed.
"I am Groot." Baby Groot agreed.
"Hi there." Ariel gave a polite wave to Aiden, Victoria and Baby Groot. "Are you Sora's new friends?"
"Please Ma'am we prefer the term co-workers." Aiden quipped and was met with a static slap to the back of his head. "Ow!"
"Be nice!" Victoria scolded before she gave Ariel a grin and offered a handshake. "I'm Victoria. This wise-cracking soon-to-be-dead idiot, is my boyfriend, Aiden. And the little one is Baby Groot."
"I am Groot." Baby Groot greeted Ariel cutely at Ariel.
"Awe. Hello there little guy" Ariel cooed, swimming over to Baby Groot. "I've never seen anything like you before. You're so new, and so cute." She scratched under his chin, just the way he likes.
"I am Groot?" Baby Groot asked Aiden.
"No, you cannot live here with her. We need you too much." Aiden said humorously before addressing Ariel. "Just so you know, when he says 'I am Groot', that's all he can say, even though I can understand what he's really saying."
"Same here." Victoria shrugged.
Aiden glanced over at Sora, Donald and Goofy. Who were still having trouble trying to swim amd float back up.
"Hang in there Spike! It's just like riding a bike!" Aiden called down to Sora condescendingly.
"I never rode a bike!" Sora groaned as he was getting tired of flapping his arms and sinking.
"Well then you're on your own, Titanic." Aiden quipped.
"What's a Titanic?" Ariel asked curiously.
"A split opinion." Aiden quipped before he held his ring up like a wrist communicator. "IRIS, integrate and download my copy of 'Swimming for Dummies' into Sora, Donald and Goofy's neural storage."
'At once.' IRIS spoke.
Then a neon aurora circled around Sora, Donald and Goofy then the trio began to float perfectly.
"Whoa!" Sora steadied himself and was glad to be floating. "Much better."
Ariel, Flounder, and Sebastian looked at the sight in wonder, with Sebastian's jaw dropping at the fact that Sora, Donald, and Goofy relearned how to swim with just a flash of light.
"Whoa! They learned how to swim in just a flash of light!" Flounder said in astonishment, causing Sebastian to sag in despair.
"Oh yay. If this were to get out, my swimming School will be capoot!" Sebastian said dramatically.
"How did you do that?" Ariel asked in wonder.
" I'm connected to an artificial intelligence that stands by whenever I need her for anything complicated." Aiden stated.
"What is an artificial intelligence?" Ariel asked.
"It's...Like a homemade spirit. Anyway. I also have ice powers." Aiden demonstrated by shooting ice at some nearby coral. "And a light bending substance I call. Neon."
Then Aiden waved his hand over the frozen coral causing it to make a beautiful glow of blue and green lights. Much to Ariel's
"That's amazing!" Ariel smiled widely in amazement, before turning her attention to Victoria. "What about you? Do you have magic too?"
"Well if you count my keyblades, yeah. But other than that. My powers are science based. Fire and electricity." Victoria stated.
"You can shoot fire? I always thought it couldn't burn under water." Ariel pondered which Victoria wasn't sure how to answer.
"Now den. What brings you all into da sea?" Sebastian asked them. "Is something going on?"
"Kind of." Sora rubbed the back of his head not sure how to answer that.
"Spike over there and the rest of us are on one hell of a cosmic journey. We're jumping from world to world surveying any trouble and giving it a swift kick in the barnacles." Aiden explained.
"But we came here. And everything seems peaceful here." Goofy stated looking around.
"Oh everything is fine. As long as Daddy is in a good mood." Ariel assured them.
"Good mood? What is he the Godfather?" Victoria inquired.
"I think he's this world's Aquaman." Aiden figured.
"He is." Sora nodded in confirmation. "That makes Ariel here, a princess."
"I am Groot." Baby Groot remarked and how that explains everything while he was floating next to Aiden.
"Yeah this place practically writes itself." Aiden said as he looked around admiring how amazing everything looks under water.
"Oh I just remembered. We got us a concert very soon. Why don't you and your friends sing in my musical extravaganza!" Sebastian offered to Sora and his team. "The first one starts soon, today."
"Really?! That would be awesome!" Kairi said, beaming at the idea of performing and singing with other mermaids, Donald and Goofy nodding in agreement.
"I don't know. I mean, Kairi would definitely make your concert a hit with her amazing angelic singing and incredible dancing." Sora said, oblivious to the fact he complemented Kairi in such a way it made her blush. "But I don't know if the rest of us would do that well. I mean, we don't know anything about singing or dancing."
"Speak for yourself Spike." Aiden said smugly. "I was singing and swinging my tail back when your nurse was still wiping yours."
"I'm not going to lie. His singing and dancing is pretty badass." Victoria nodded on Aiden's music talent.
"Come on Sora. It won't be as fun without you. Please?" Kairi said to Sora, giving him her puppy eyes, causing him to crack instantly.
"Alright. I'll give it a shot." Sora relented, making Kairi smile.
"Thank you Sora" Kairi said, giving him a peck on the cheek, making his cheeks light up.
"Yep. Kairi definitely has Sora wrapped around her finger." Donald snickered.
"She sure does. Ahyuck!" Goofy chuckled, the rest of the team following suit, while Sora groaned.
"Well Leopold Crustacean, you've got yourself some new performers." Aiden said with a deep bow while Victoria nodded.
"Excellent!" Sebastian exclaimed happily before shaking all of their hands in appreciation, the last being Sora.
"I am Groot." Baby Groot politely declined.
"Groot says he's not much of a singer. But he's a good listener." Victoria translated for him.
"Oh no matter. He can watch and cheer for you all. You all are lifesavers." Sebastian stressed before he looked back at Ariel and whispered in Sora's ear. "You all couldn't have picked a perfect time. Cus Ariel's been actin strange lately. She might settle down and perform if you're dere too."
Sora was curious enough to ask why until Aiden asked Ariel.
"So where do you need my magic and money maker?" Aiden mused.
"That's fancy talk for singing talents." Victoria shrugged.
"The concert is being held at the concert stage back in the palace. It's really an amazing site. I can lead you all there." Ariel said gesturing towards the direction of the palace.
"Yes. Dat is ticking. We got plenty of time to practice. But you must go now if you want to make it dere on time" Sebastian said with a bit of stress in his voice.
"Lead the way than Ariel." Sora said.
And with that, they began swimming towards the palace.
At the Atlantica Palace Concert Hall…...
The concert hall was a grand place, surrounded by many columns. And the stage was slightly sunken into the ground, with a few large oyster shells, big enough for people to hide in, where part of the set up, across from it was another sunken platform, with a podium for the conductor, and several fish with instruments to play. The hall was quickly filling up with many fish and mermaids, eager to watch the performance.
The lights dimmed around the stage as everyone took their seats Sebastian stood at the conductor's pedestal ready to start the music.
The team stood with Ariel behind the coral based curtains that were displayed on the stage. As some of the team members look nervous.
"I don't know about this." Sora muttered as he would've felt some drops of sweat falling if it weren't for the fact that they're under water.
"Grow some berries Spike. You're overthinking it too hard." Aiden whispered and patted his back. "If you can bring down giant monsters and restore balance across the multiverse, we can sing Broadway under the tables."
"Who is Broadway?" Ariel asked with a curious smile.
"Our inspiration. So you want me to be the lead singer right?" Aiden asked the Princess
"Of course. Tori told me and Sebastian all about your talents. And we believe the show should start with you." Ariel smiled with encouragement.
Aiden took a deep breath and looked to the stage as the soft music started felt something surround him. Something bright. Something he never felt before. And he could tell everyone else is watching.
Baby Groot was sitting with the audience in front seat VIPs. Since saying 'I am Groot' Doesn't have much lyrics to it. That and Baby Groot is too shy that he doesn't want to sing. They didn't mind that Aiden's best tree friend gets to experience the magic of his friend's music.
Aiden then faced the center stage and constructed a pair of blue neon sunglasses and walked slowly. As he could feel the beat and rhythm. Not only from the music playing in his ears. But also from inside. This is the light.
This is Fantasia.
Once he was out of the curtain and was seen before all the audience with the dim stage lights coming from the coral and glowing seashells above light bulbs.
Aiden began singing. "You stumble through your days~ Got your head hung low~ Your skies a shade of grey~ Like a zombie in a maze~ You're asleep inside~But you can shake awake~" His voice captured the audience.
Aiden walked on his two tail fins like they were feet and started snapping his fingers from his right hand to the increasing rhythm.
Meanwhile, his neon tail begins to shine, and neon lights were lightly shining from his hands
"Cause you're just a dead man walking~ Thinking that's your only option~ But you can flip the switch and brighten up your darkest day~" Aiden voice modulated with the music as he snapped his fingers, causing the neon light he produced to change color and level of brightness with each snap, his tail swinging mildly back and forth.
Meanwhile, the others, as well as Ariel, looked on in awe. Victoria just smiled, once more impressed with her boyfriend, and knowing he was just getting started.
"Sun is up and the color's blinding~ Take the world and redefine it~ Leave behind your narrow mind~ You'll never be the same~" Aiden sang as the light in his hands began to shine even brighter, showing he's about to show off more of what he can do.
"Come alive, come alive~" Aiden sang at these words as he waved his shining right hand around his head as a neon fedora formed, putting in on. After which, he moved his arms behind like he was forming a neon jacket and vest on his torso. Looking like an underwater pop singer before he continued to sway to the music. "Go and light your light~ Let it burn so bright~ Reaching up~ To the sky~ And it's open wide~ You're electrified~"
And on that last note, Aiden held out his hands in front of him and moved them as if flipping out a stack of cards in a big line. And from the neon lights coming out of his hands, a total of six neon mermaids formed, three on his left, and three on his right, and began dancing, the spectacle causing the audience to gasp and cheer.
They swung their mermaid hips and swayed to the music beginning to pick up from Sebastian orchestrating the beats and fonts.
"When the world becomes a fantasy!~ And you're more than you could ever be!~ Cause you're dreaming with your eyes wide open!~" Aiden stepped and waved his arms in a perfect rhythm as the lights changed and the neon streams of light swarmed around the stage. Much to the amazement of the audience to this aurora and to Aiden's amazing singing voice. "And you know you can't go back again~ To the world that you were living in!~ Cause you're dreaming with your eyes wide open~ So come alive!~"
On that note Aiden swam back like a stage slide over to the side of the stage where his team and Ariel stood and watched.
"You're turn Spike. Think you can take the lead for him Vic?" Aiden grinned looking at Sora and Victoria.
"Since this is the total opposite of 'corny'. Count on it." Victoria smirked as she knew she was up next.
There was a time Victoria wasn't up for displaying herself on stage. But the scared little girl who was wounded for life was gone. Now she was a warrior and a singer.
"Guys I don't think..." Sora was cautious about going on now.
"Don't worry Sora. You got this." Kairi encouraged her best friend with a soft hand on Sora's shoulder which made him look at her.
"It's just like what Aid told me once. The whole Multiverse is a dance floor. And we're the dancers." Victoria smiled at Aiden."Meant to keep the music going."
Aiden nodded looking happy that his girlfriend remembered his words from the Shooting Star Milkshake Bar all those years ago.
The neon dancers and neon lights kept the audience entertained while the team talked backstage.
Then it was Victoria's turn as Aiden formed neon stripes around her tail fin. Which added to the effects. Even Sora and Kairi also received some neon patterns around their mermaid tails. Donald and Goofy had some patterns formed around them as well.
And Ariel spun around observing and giggling as she felt Aiden form neon lights around her for effect as well.
Then Victoria started singing and signaled towards Sora and Kairi to swim up and sing after her.
"I see it in your eyes!~ You believe that lie!~ That you need to hide your face~ Afraid to step outside!~" Victoria sang beautifully as she remembered shenwas afraid at one point in her life, but now she's strong, and brave, thanks to the friends and family she made. She gestured for Sora and Kairi to join her in singing as they were swimming and dancing, and they could tell that Sora was beginning to find his courage. "So you lock the door~ But don't you stay that way!~"
And with that both Sora and Kairi found their inner singers, and began to sing while swimming together. soaring past some neon rings Aiden kept forming for effects.
"No more living in those shadows!~ You and me, we know how that goes!~" Kairi sang.
"Cause once you see it, oh, you'll never, never be the same!~" Sora sang as he grabbed Kairi's hand and swam with her through the rings appearing around the stage.
"We will be the light that's turning!~ Bottle up but keep on shining!~ You can prove there's more to you!~" Sora and Kairi sang together while holding each other's hands and twirling around in the water.
Aiden moved to the center of the dancing group.
"You cannot be afraid!~" Aiden sang.
Then Sora swung his keyblade up and shot out some lights which made the audience cheer uncontrollably.
"Der it is Mon! you got it!" Sebastian exclaimed happily as he signaled the music to keep going and the chorus of fish and Mermaids joined the stage as they all started singing. Donald and Goofy were part of them.
"Come alive!~ Come alive~ Come and light your light!~ Let it burn so bright!~ Reaching up!~ To the sky~ And it's open wide!~ You're electrified!~" The chorus sang loud for the whole ocean to hear as they formed up into a dance circle with Aiden and Sora leading as they all began to dance under the bright lights and neon lights forming around the stage. "When the world becomes a fantasy!~And you're more than you could ever be!~ Cause you're dreaming with your eyes wide open!~ And we know, we can't go back again!~ To the world that we were living in!~ Cause we're dreaming with our eyes wide open!~"
This heavy majesty of music and magic even made some of the audience members dance and clap in their seats. Including Baby Groot who cheered for them.
"So, come alive!~" The chorus sang.
Then Aiden formed a long slow spinning ice pillar themed after the ocean with a large blue neon sea shell for Ariel to stand and twirl on top of.
The drums were beating from the octopus that was banging hard.
"Come one!~ Come all!~ Come in!~ Come on!~" The Chorus sang as they swam in unison of rings around Ariel who stood and felt the passion burning for the music.
"To anyone who's bursting with a dream!~" Ariel sang beautifully while spinning on her back on top of the ice pillar.
"WHOO!" Aiden gave a short thrilling howl from below to the rhythm to add to the effect of how good Ariel's singing was.
"Come one!~ Come all!~ You hear!~ The call!~" The chorus sang.
Then Aiden flew up as he summoned his keyblades.
"To anyone who's searching for a way!~ TO BREAK FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!~" He sang with perfect passion and an amazing singing voice.
"Break free!~" The guardians sang with him.
"Break free!~" The chorus sang with them.
As Aiden held his arms up and shot beams of neon and ice out of his keyblades like they were fireworks made of lighting strikes. They definitely had that effect.
Then the singing resumed as Ariel lept off the pillar and landed next to Aiden and Sora. As they danced and sang with everyone else.
"When the world becomes a fantasy!~ And you're more than you could ever be!~ Cause you're dreaming with your eyes wide open!~" Everyone sang, and were dancing in the form of a tropical dance party, swinging their arms to the music.
"And we know we can't go back again!~ To the world that we were living in!~ Cause we're dreaming with our eyes wide open!~" They all sang in unison.
"HEEEEEEEEY!~" Ariel sang that long note, and Aiden used his neon powers to create several neon balls that shot up above Ariel like fire works while the Mermaid Princess took the lead of the group, showing them where to swim as the music continued.
"When the world becomes a fantasy!~ And you're more than you could ever be!~ Cause you're dreaming with your eyes wide open!~" They all sang as Aiden and Victoria danced like a duet while Sora and Kairi were doing the same, along with other mermaid couples who were swing dancing to the music, and several fish began to glow and change color to glow due to Aiden's powers.
"And we know we can't go back again!~ To the world that we were living in!~ Cause we're dreaming with our eyes wide open!~" All of the dancers, including the guardians and Ariel, moved to the center of the stage as they were about to finish. "'Cause we're dreaming with our eyes wide open!~ So COME ALIIIIIIIIIIIIIVVVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEE!~" They all held the note and Ariel echoed the last long lyric 'Come alive' with so much harmony and passion.
Once the song ended, all of the neon light effects dissipated in a puff of glowing glittery lights, ending the show with everyone posing.
The Audience stood up and began to cheer and holler at their performance, even Sebastian was clapping, tearing up slightly, even though no one could see them because they were under water. This turned out to be the best performance ever seen in Atlantica, and the best one Sebastian ever conducted.
When the audience was still cheering and some were departing after the conclusion and the stage was wrapping up. Flounder swam over to them as Ariel beamed at the team.
"You all were amazing! Especially you Sora." Ariel said warmly to the team.
"Yeah well...We did our best." Sora smiled and shrugged before he gestured over to Aiden who was using a neon bottle shaped bubble to drink some blue Gatorade. "Aid over here was the star in our group."
"Yeah! He was amazing!" Flounder beamed as he twirled like a happy fish. "All of those lights and glowing dancers!"
"Definitely Flounder." Ariel chuckled and smiled at Aiden. " That was beyond wonderful Aiden."
Aiden finished drinking and stretched his arms while he smiled at Ariel.
"Believe me, Sea Breeze. When it comes to the nice folk out there. I aim to please." Aiden stated sounding somewhat humble. Then he quipped. "Just don't expect us to make a career out of this. Cause that show was way below our pay grade."
"Hehe. Okay." Ariel smiled cheekily. She actually liked the nickname Aiden gave her. Sea Breeze.
"Hey! I wanted to sing more lines!" Donald complained.
"Sorry Quackward. But when your voice sounds like the apocalypse for the earplugs factory, we need to spare everyone's ear drums." Aiden quipped at Donald's complaint.
Ariel giggled at Aiden's humor before looking to see that her father was making his way over to them, making her remember that she was keeping a big secret from him.
"Thank you all again for helping. But, I need to take care of something. If you'll excuse me?" Ariel said before starting to swim away.
"Yeah sure. Go ahead. We'll be here." Sora said as she swam away.
"Anyone get the feeling Sea Breeze is hiding something?" Aiden asked Victoria quietly.
"Maybe." Victoria replied, before the Guardians turned to see King Triton make his way towards them.
Sebastian swam in front of them once the king was there.
"Your Majesty! As you probably saw during the performance, we have Visitors!" Sebastian said, gesturing towards the Guardians.
"King Triton." Sora said in greeting, bowing slightly. "It's good to see you again, sir."
"Yes, Sora. It is good to see you three again as well. And I must say. You and your friends did an amazing job during the performance." King Triton said in a positive tone before continuing in a stern voice. "Although I certainly hope there hasn't been a need to use that Keyblade of yours."
"Nope. Everything's fine." Sora said, gesturing all around him. "Not a Heartless in sight."
"I'm glad to hear that." King Triton said before looking at the others. "And it seems your team has gotten much bigger. I would be inclined to ask if you would introduce yourselves. But first, let me introduce myself. I am King Triton, ruler of Atlantica."
"A pleasure Your Majesty." Kairi said with a bow. "I'm Kairi, Sora's childhood friend."
"Nice to meet you too young lady" The king said before smirking. "But it seems, by the way the two of you danced together, I would say you are more than just friends."
This causes the two Islanders to blush, and the others to laugh.
"Looks like even the mighty king of the ocean noticed it." Aiden said humorously. "It's a sign Spike."
"Oh shut up Aiden." Sora said, not noticing King Triton's eyes widened slightly looking towards Aiden and seeing a familiar ring on his finger.
"Anyway. It's a pleasure to be here, Your Majesty." Aiden said with a deep bow. "The name is Aiden Elsenov, and I'm-"
"You're the Maverick, aren't you?" King Triton interrupted, Surprising the Guardians that he knew about the Maverick.
"How did you guess that?" Aiden asked and bit his lip.
"Your ring." King Triton pointed at the Maverick ring on Aiden's finger. "I had seen the symbol on that only once in my lifetime. And it was when I was a boy."
"You met a Maverick before Aiden." Goofy asked the king just as surprised as the rest of them.
"Yes. You see, when I was a boy. My father King Poseidon was at war with the Fire Demons of Muspelheim many years ago. And he joined forces with Odin of Asgard. And the Maverick of that time aided our army to vanquish those demons and save our home." King Triton recalled what that event was like. "I was one of their many hostages as a bargaining chip to their aid. But the Maverick. broke every rule and saved my life. And the lives of many."
"Amazing." Kairi whispered and nodded in awe.
"Indeed. If you are the current Maverick. Then the ring must've chosen someone worthy of its power and authority." King Triton shook Aiden's hand.
"I...was going to say that's over selling it. But it's not often I get to meet an Aquaman who's not wearing yellow. So thanks. The honor is all mine." Aiden smiled after a little humor and shook King Triton's hand back.
"Great...He likes him instantly, while we had to earn his trust." Donald grumbled under his breath with his arms crossed.
"Our Gummi Ship needs to chart a course before we can head out to our next destination. We're only here for a while until another gateway calls to Sora here." Victoria assured the king of the sea.
"And until den. Our guests have agreed dey will be in the rest of the upcoming musical." Sebastian stated their agreement.
"We did?" Sora whispered to Aiden.
"Just go with the flow dude. It's not often you get to make an audience scream more than once." Aiden suggested in amusement.
Sora couldn't argue with that. It was fun to sing on stage.
"Well, that sounds like a splendid idea." King Triton said with a smile.
"Well, looks like we're going to be having a nice time here, without having to deal with any trouble." Victoria said with a laid back feeling.
"Indeed. And your participation will be more helpful than you know." Triton said, getting their attention. "You see, I'm afraid Ariel is still infatuated with the human world. A busy rehearsal schedule might be just the thing she needs to stop thinking about life up on the surface."
With those words, the guardians look towards Ariel and see she is somewhat distracted.
And she had been that way ever since she had seen the humans up close. Not only that, but she had fallen in love with one. The prince she saved from the sinking ship.
And it will either pay hard or end in a happy ending.
Or both.
Later at the Undersea Courtyard...
After that moment. Ariel went to the one place where no one was around and she could think. She sat on one of the seashell's looking up at the surface.
While the other Guardians were at the palace rehearsing. Kairi swam over to Ariel and peered over at her face. Kairi smiled amusingly. Being the cheerful and cheeky but encouraging Princess of Heart. This was definitely a situation that was in need of her attention.
"I know that look." Kairi mused.
"You...You do?" Ariel asked Kairi with a nervous smile.
"Yeah. Sora and I always had it when we would look out at our island together. That look of longing and wanting to be part of more." Kairi explained with an optimistic tone.
It was like two teenage girls talking together after class.
"Ummm I….." Ariel nodded looking up. "That's exactly what I feel."
"Plus I had that same look as a little girl. I always wanted to meet an actual mermaid. And yet here I am having some girl talk with one." Kairi remarked with a giggle she shared with Ariel.
"Well, I always wanted to meet another human, to interact with them on the surface." Ariel said, looking up at the surface.
"Yeah. Flounder already told my friends and I about that. And I can understand how you feel." Kairi said, but noticed something else, but couldn't quite put her finger on it. "But it looks like there's more to it than that, am I right?"
This catches Ariel by surprise, before smiling at Kairi.
"You're right. There is more." Ariel said looking back up towards the surface. "You see I've fallen in love with a human."
Kairi gasped, a big smile forming on her face.
"Are you serious?!" Kairi asked. And when Ariel nodded her head, Kairi leaned forward on one of the large seashells, and propped her head up on her hands, looking at Ariel with sparkling eyes. "You have to tell me everything! Like who is he? What's he look like? What drew you to him?"
"Well I...He." Ariel tried to come up with the right words when they heard swimming coming up from behind.
Ariel and Kairi turned to see Aiden. Victoria and Baby Groot swing over to them. Aiden looked exhausted while Victoria had a look of victory on her smug looking face.
"Oh, you two are on break?" Ariel perked up as she needed an excuse to change the subject since she didn't have the right words yet. "Was Sebastian that hard on you?"
"Nah. I can handle da little Curry Crab Rundown." Aiden humorously mimicked Sebastian's Jamaican accent. Before sighing. "I'm just worn out from having to explain to all six of your fan crazed sisters that I'm not single."
"And I stood on 'stand by' to roast any that tried to touch him." Victoria smirked and leaned over to Ariel. "But I was mostly ready to fish fried Aiden in case he got any ideas."
About cheating she meant. She knew Aiden would never, but her inner jealous girlfriend side found it fun to keep her boyfriend on the edge of his life.
Kairi and Ariel found it amusing and funny.
"Oh. I'm sorry about that. They can be quite excitable when they see a handsome guy." Ariel said with a giggle. "I hope they weren't too much trouble."
"No. But I was a bit close to my boiling point watching them try to flirt with my boyfriend." Victoria said, slightly irritated.
"So Sea Breeze, what were you and Rosebud just talking about?" Aiden asked.
"Oh. Well." Ariel started, quite nervous. "It wasn't anything important."
"Really? Claiming you're in love with a human isn't important?" Aiden said smirking, making Ariel gasp at being found out.
"How did you-" Ariel almost asked, but Aiden interrupted her.
"I have quite the number of abilities. Some of which is dishing out a multi-colored ass whooping, being a girl magnet, getting free guacamole at Chipotle and of course, super hearing." Aiden said, pointing at his ears. "I could hear a tiny pebble drop twenty yards away from me if I wanted to."
"It's true. He even eavesdrops whether he wants to or not." Victoria narrowed her eyes at her boyfriend. "Like singing in the shower."
"We are way past that, my Third Degree Babe." Aiden deadpanned with an annoyed look.
Victoria rolled her eyes and smirked at Ariel as she sat next to Kairi.
"So...Who's the lucky dog who captured your water filled heart?" Victoria teased playfully which made Ariel blush and hold her hand up to her mouth to hold back a giggle.
"His name is Eric. I believe he's a Prince." Ariel said, getting their attention. "He's tall, has dark hair, he's kind, energetic, carefree... And his eyes... Oh I can stare into his eyes all day."
"Yep, she's definitely been struck by cupid's arrow." Aiden said humorously.
"So how'd you meet him?" Kairi asked, ecstatic to hear more.
"Well. I came up to the surface one night. Because I saw his ship. I was fascinated when I heard music and dancing on board. When I first saw him and how fun and...Just everything about him." Ariel gushed as she swam around like she was pacing back and forth. "I even heard he wasn't seeing anyone. Because he was waiting for the right...Anyway his ship got caught in a storm and he nearly drowned when it was sinking and crashing. But I swam in and saved his life. He was unconscious when I brought him to shore. And...Well I didn't give him a chance to meet me."
"Why is that?" Kairi asked.
"Because I'm afraid of what he would think if he saw me. A Mermaid." Ariel sighed sadly. "If Only...If only I had gotten to know him more. If only he had gotten to know me."
Victoria knew what this was after hearing the details. She knew what she was about to say would probably make Ariel upset. So she decided to approach this the smart way possible.
Because Ariel would love what she has to say about this.
"I know exactly what you're going through." Victoria stated with a smile.
"You do?" Ariel asked looking at her with perked up expression.
"This may sound mean. But….You don't love him." Victoria stated.
Ariel felt her mouth drop open.
"What!" Ariel and Kairi both shrieked so loudly that they were sure that the entire ocean had heard.
What in the world was that supposed to mean? Ariel didn't love him? If she didn't love him, why did she feel so happy when she saw him? Why did he make her eyes glow and her heart race when he was near? Why did his smile make her want to melt? What in the world was Victoria trying to tell her?
Victoria snickered a little as she realized the turmoil that she was probably putting Ariel through. "Here me out Ariel. You're not in love with him You're attracted to him." She clarified
Ariel lost her shock look as it shifted into a curious frown. Even Kairi was curious as to where Victoria was going with this. While Aiden stood back and smiled. Knowing what she was talking about.
"Is there a difference?" Ariel asked curiously.
Victoria began speaking again. "Definitely. You love someone when you know everything about that person. his habits, mannerisms, his faults. His passions, desires. his heart, the little things that make up who we are." She explained then smirked sinisterly up at Aiden. "Take me and Aiden for example. I love him, even though he may be an annoying wise cracking asshole with no limits to how much he can dish out and no regards for others sanity or limits to tolerate annoyance."
Aiden faked a sniff and wiped a tear. "You are too kind. If I weren't underwater I would be flushing." He faked a whimper.
Which made Kairi and Ariel giggle. While Ariel was still reeling Victoria's wise knowledge on the matter.
"While attraction is liking someone for their looks and the things that you may believe about them. But you can't just love a person by what you believe about them. Until they confirm your beliefs." Victoria stated wisely.
Ariel began to understand and realized she was right. This didn't disheartened Ariel though to find out she doesn't love Eric. This only encouraged her more to get to know Eric. So that way she can earn her right to love him.
"I think I get what Tori is trying to say." Kairi nodded in understanding as she looked at Ariel. "If you want to know that you are truly in love with him. you have to get to know him better."
Ariel began to think it over, and realized that what they're saying is true.
"But... In order for me to get to know him better, I would have to go above the surface to interact with him" Ariel said, looking down. "I don't know if I can do that."
"Hey." Victoria said, getting her attention. "The only thing that's truly stopping you, is yourself. And if you can overcome your doubts, there's no limit to what you can do."
Bolden by Victoria's words, Ariel strengthened her resolve the matter, clenching her fists in determination.
"You're right. I don't care what it takes." Ariel said, smiling. "Some day, I'll find my way to be up there. I will meet him again. And I will get to know him, as a person, and possibly the love of my life."
"Testify Sea Breeze. Just a word of caution though." Aiden said, catching Ariel's attention. "Just don't rush into anything. My Aunt Anna back from where I came from. She got engaged to a prince she had just met that day. and she lowered her guard because of it. She nearly lost her life when it turned out the guy she fell for was nothing but a surprised antagonist and a douchie con artist who wanted to steal the throne. So make sure to take it slow, and get to know him fully well. Explore every layer before you decide to take it to the next level."
"Right. I'll keep that in mind Aiden. Thanks." Ariel said as she took his warning to heart, before she thought of something and turned to Victoria. "By the way Victoria, you said that when you fall in love with Aiden, you made it seem like you fell in love with him because of the bad things about him. But did you also fall for him because of the good things about him too?"
"Definitely. Sure Aiden I couldn't stand Aiden's guts at first but then we found something in addition, it was also common ground. It was the fact that deep down. He's everything I was looking for. He's a boy that understands what it's like to truly suffer. And how to help those in need. And how to find their way." Victoria smiled at her boyfriend and took his hand. "Just like how he rescued me. And gave me a new direction. And a reason to live. "
Aiden gave her a tender look before turning to Ariel.
"You wanna know the stomach wrenching irony in all of that?" Aiden stated.
"What's that?" Ariel asked.
"She made me feel the same way." Aiden stated about Victoria.
Even though Aiden's family did all those things for him. Especially Elsa. Victoria holds a special place in Aiden's life. Something he can't love without.
"I am Groot." Baby Groot pointed out.
"Right. Even though she almost roasted my ass and turned my family jewels into haggis." Aiden quipped at what Baby Groot said before he looked down at his own Mermaid tail. "You mer-folks do have a private collection down in your basement right? Don't answer that. I've read enough books to know the answer."
Ariel giggled at Aiden's joke, even if she didn't quite know what he meant by that. And she gave him and his girlfriend a warm look. Before she looked behind them and noticed Sora. Donald and Goofy swimming up to them.
Meanwhile, Sebastian was listening in on the conversation.
"Dat girl's acting strange again." Sebastian said, holding his head with his claws. "Probably been flittin around on da surface. And da words from dose friends of Sora... Ohhh, da Sea King's gonna have my claws for dis!"
"C'mon guys! We gotta keep rehearsing!" Sora said enthusiastically, getting into the whole performing scene. But Ariel began to think about the previous conversation with Aiden, Victoria, and Kairi, and was too distracted to rehearse.
"I'm sorry, but I don't feel like it." Ariel said before swimming off.
"No, Ariel!" Sebastian called out to her as she swam off, but she didn't turn back.
"Chill out Mr. Krabs. The girls, Groot and I will keep an eye on her." Aiden said before turning to Sora, Donald, and Goofy. "You three stay close by in case something comes up while we're gone."
"Got it." Sora said with a nod with Donald and Goofy following suit.
"Alright then. Let's go ladies and Olive Garden." Aiden said to Kairi, Victoria and Baby Groot before going after Ariel.
"Right behind you." Victoria said, following after her boyfriend. And Baby Groot riding her shoulder.
"See you later, Sora." Kairi said before following the power couple.
"Yeah see you later Kairi. And be careful out there." Sora said with a wave, before looking down in thought. "Man. I hope everything's okay. Ariel looked a bit sad."
Flounder then showed up and swam up to them after hearing what Sora said.
"Don't worry Sora, I've got an idea." Flounder said, getting their attention.
"You do?" Sebastian asked.
"Yep. I know how to cheer Ariel up." Flounder said before swimming away. "C'mon, follow me!"
Sora, Donald, and Goofy share a look before nodding and following Flounder, Sebastian right behind them.
Somewhere over the Shipwreck...
Flounder led them to the sight of a ship wreck.
"Over here!" Flounder said, gesturing towards a spot near the wreck, where a statue of Eric, who Sora and the Disney duo don't know about yet. And it was trapped under a giant stone. "See..."
"Oh no! Dis must be from de human world!" Sebastian exclaimed in distress.
"I found it after the storm." Flounder said as Sora, Donald, and Goofy swam towards the statue. "And I bet it's from a shipwreck. Don't ya think Ariel's gonna love it?"
"But if De Sea King finds out about dis..." Sebastian tried to stress.
"It's better than going to the surface!" Donald said to the panicked Crab.
"C'mon, help me move it." Sora said to his companions, who nodded.
The three tried lifting the stone together. But it would not budge for them. Eventually, they stopped to breathe.
"It's no use." Flounder said looking at the rock sadly. Then Sora thought of something.
"Hey, I know how to move this rock." Sora said, surprising the two Sea inhabitants.
"You do? How?" Flounder asked excitedly.
Sora just smirked and summoned his keyblade, before pointing it at the rock. "Just wait and see!"
Then Sora performed a new spell trick.
Somewhere near the Surface Kingdom's Town...
Somewhere in the village near the castle. Prince Eric walked the streets trying to clear his head about that girl he saw. He wondered if it was all a dream? Or maybe an apparition. Or perhaps. Destiny calling him.
Either way he wasn't sure. He leaned on the rails of the bridge looking out at the ocean. Watching the ocean waves and enjoying the view. Someone who likes the ocean definitely is a step in the right direction for Ariel.
Speaking of which...
Ariel swam near the docks with Aiden in lead. Victoria and Kairi was following close as well. Victoria used her keyblade's camouflage spell on everyone do to her self taught stealth skills adding to her mystical abilities. And it worked to make sure no one there could see them.
Ariel looked around for Eric and gasped joyfully when she saw him up on the bridge.
"There he is!" Ariel whispered and pointed with a huge smile on her face.
The team observed him and none of them could sense Darkness in his heart. Which was a good sign.
"Well. He doesn't seem suspicious looking." Victoria figured as he seemed like a fine guy.
"I am Groot." Baby Groot agreed.
"I think Ariel might have picked the right one. But how can we be sure?" Kairi wondered.
Aiden however was silent as he was looking at him with a look of realization.
"Aiden what's wrong?" Victoria asked him.
"Holy shi- Guys. You're not going to believe this. But when Ariel said Prince Eric. I figured she meant a different one from the one I was thinking of. But apparently there are no such things as coincidences." Aiden humorously rambled on as he tried to say the right words.
"Aid can you please speak English?" Victoria deadpanned.
"Okay. Ladies, and Baby Salad Bowl. Several years ago. I've met this Prince before." Aiden revealed much to their shock of hearing this.
They couldn't believe it! Aiden met Eric before coming here?! BUT HOW?!
THAT'S ALL FOR NOW FOLKS!
Talk about a water rush! Yep! That song during the concert was from 'The Greatest Showman'. And I used the 'Come Alive' from the film. Not the reimagined version. But everyone's voice are different.
"Cause everyone knows my son has that James Maslow and Panic In The Disco type voice." J'son of Spartax stated.
"Dad? What are you doing here?" Maverick asked.
"Nothing wrong kiddo. Just here to sue the author for copyright." J'son stated. Pointing out that his voice actor is Hugh Jackman.
Oops. I gotta go folks!
First I need to point out a fun fact. I was onboard for Zendaya playing the Ariel in the live action remake. But they chose someone else. That's why I had Ariel sing Zendaya's lyrics from the song 'Come Alive'.
Also I bet your all wondering how Aiden came to know of Eric right?
"Hello police? Yeah I'm calling to report a crime of copyright infringement." J'son said while calling the cops.
Oh crap! It will have to wait until the next chapter folks! I better get going! Thank you all for reading!
Let me know in the comments what you all thought of me introducing Fantasia as a mystical force that causes people in worlds from on musical based Disney films to sing.
And as always Disney/Square Enix fans!
Fistbump!