Chapter 3
Urchin couldn't believe it, just as rapidly as they appeared the creatures had gone. It was miraculous and scary to think of. As all of Atlantica realized the news Urchin started to wonder where the creatures had come from and where they had all gone.
Furthermore he had no idea where his friends were, which was starting to worry him. "Where are they?" He asked out load to know one in particular.
"You, mean Ariel don't you?" Aquata gently whispered coming into the hallway looking out at the city. "I'm sure they're fine it is Ariel after all." They cracked a smile, she was right it was amazing how many adventures the youngest princess pulled through.
"Your right, but I'd still fell better if she was here." He stated. Her brown hair shook as she nodded in agreement. Of all her sisters Ariel caused the most worry but, oh how she loved her. Throughout all of her crazy adventures, her sister could always pull through and smile and Aquata had always admired her for it.
"They're you are! Da king a wants to a see ya both!" The familiar red crab called coming into the hall. Urchin was surprised by what the little crab conveyed King Triton wanted to talk to him.
"Me to?"
"Yes, have ya seen Ariel mon?" He asked. "I need to ah find dat girl."
"She was outside when the creatures came, looking for Edym." Urchin relayed to the small crab.
"Great, da king won't like dis." He said rushing of to find Triton's other offspring. Gradually the two children headed towards the throne room.
"Urchin, something's been bugging me." Aquata began looking at Urchin to continue. When he nodded that was all the princess needed. "Urchin do you love Ariel?" He was stunned. He had thought it wasn't obvious but then how did Aquata know. Could Ariel have noticed as will?
"What! Ariel, no why does she like me."
"Urchin don't lie to me only Ariel seems oblivious. Even Daddy knows he's been waiting to see if you two would get together."
"Wait, What!" Urchin couldn't believe the last part.
"Of course daddy wants to make you part of the family, so he got it into his head that you and Ariel may end up making his dream come true." She confirmed. "However I'm not sure how that's going to work out, I've always thought that she liked Edym."
Edym again why did he have to be so perfect for Ariel, Urchin was getting tired of it. Realizing her mistake the older princess turned to face him. "Urchin there is always a chance you could still win her."
"Yeah, right I'm a nobody Ariel wants a somebody! I'm pathetic how can I compete with perfect Edym. "
"Urchin give her more credit than that, she's never cared about nobility. You have a chance use it! She'd love you even if you were a turtle, crab, purple, or green. Even as the nobody you claim to be she would love you." Aquata stormed off in a huff, Urchin hurrying to keep up and apologize. He had just learned that Aquata was very defending of her sister and he couldn't help swelling up with hope at what she said. Maybe Ariel and he were in the stars.
Little did he know how wrong Aquata was, the youngest princess would never love a nobody not a true one anyways. But she was right on one account he had a better chance than Edym, for it wasn't written in the stars for Edym to win.
There it was the palace. The party had thought it odd how quickly the enemies had disappeared but where not above turning a good thing away. As quickly as the creatures had gone the merpeople had appeared taking their place searching for missing loved ones and cheering for the guards who had protected their city.
"So this is it." Xigbar said in slight aww. It definitely wasn't home where you could get lost in the endless mazes of rooms and halls. This palace was impressive none the less more likely the size of Castle Oblivion maybe superior.
"Would you care to join us? I'm sure daddy would like to thank you." The red head asked, thankful for the freeshooters help.
"Yes, please come!" Edym asked, noticing the older merman, unsure. That did it for Xigbar if the boy asked he would stay.
"Alright" Xigbar said beaten. Something about this kid made him want to linger even though he should be snooping for more information on this world. "For a little while, though." Then he would search for the ruler of this city, Xemnas would want that piece of information he decided to keep his eye open. Looking for any signs of a way to renter the castle undetected.
As they entered into the palace grounds the guards nodded in their direction from the posts they protected. The grounds where amazing Xigbar had to admit, water plants and statues lined the gardens. One plant caught his eye it was strange looking. It was black with white berries. Ariel caught him looking and went to pick him some.
"They're Garine they help you remember things and regain you strength." She said placing the berries in the palm of his hand. "You can have them."
Xigbar was shocked at this gesture; he had misjudged the girl and couldn't remember why she had annoyed him.
"Edym, here you go." She said flocking over to the boy. "Say, Aww." She smiled holding out the berry to the lad. Now Xigbar remembered why she was irritating. "You must be famished from the fighting." Gently she placed the berries in his mouth and Edym swallowed them with a smile. Before Xigbar could respond to this annoyance a little crab swam towards them from the castle.
"Ariel, Edym there ya are mon!"
"Sebastian!" All three of his party cried as the crab got closer. Noticing the strange look the crustation gave him Xigbar looked away.
"Oh, this is Xigbar he helped us when the creatures came." Edym told Sebastian after noticing the odd stare in the freeshooters direction.
"Then his majesty is sure to want to see him. Come along the king wants to see ya." Sebastian said heading towards the castle. Hastily the children followed leaving Xigbar to wonder how he'd managed an audience with the king.
"Do you think daddy will be mad?" The freeshooter over herd the girl ask.
"Will you did leave the palace, without telling anyone but I'm sure he'll understand." Edym said comforting the mermaid. Quickly Xigbar raced up to the kids.
"The king loves ya Ariel; he's bound to forgive ya mon." Sebastian said. Suddenly it clicked.
"Wait are you a princess?" Xigbar cried.
"Of course she is, princess Ariel." The yellow fish clarified while the others all nodded at the poor freeshooter. A princesses, will at least he was probably in the king's good graces maybe he had unknowingly opened doors Xemnas would want explored, so grudgingly Xigbar followed the group through the palace.
"So, she's a princess!" Xigbar asked again. He still couldn't quit grasp the news. "So are you a prince to?" He turned to the boy.
"Oh, no I'm just of noble birth. My parents are of the Nami family. Besides Triton only has seven children all of which are female." Xigbar looked the boy over deciding to just accept his new found good fortune. "Who are you exactly; I want the truth, please."
"I ahh… can't tell you." The freeshooter cursed Xemnas as the little merman pouted. "Alright ask anything, but I get to chose what to answer and you can't tell anyone." A rapid change went through the blonde and he turned towards Xigbar all smiles nodding in agreement. I shouldn't be doing this.
"What were those creatures exactly?"Xigbar sighed. The kid deserved to know what he was up against, after all his friends and family could already have joined the darkness.
"They're called Heartless. They're created when a person loses their heart and joins the darkness."
"What do they want? Where do they come from?"
"They come from the darkness itself. I have reason to believe they are being controlled by someone. However usually, like you saw today the heartless want more hearts." He revealed.
"Who's controlling them? How can they be defeated?" The blonde asked looking up into the freeshooter's eyes. He was quite scared and Xigbar couldn't help wishing to comfort him.
"It's tough to say; unfortunately I don't know who's controlling them. The only way to kill them though is with a keyblade are a specially made weapon." Swiftly Xigbar summoned his arrow guns to prove his point. Edym was struck with aww… and Xigbar swelled with pride to see his babies receiving attention.
"So where are you from and how do you know all this?"
"Will I'm sure you've guessed I'm not from around here." He began looking around at anything but the blonde. "Umm… will I'm here from another world and how I know about heartless is umm… it's because I'm a nobody! Edym stared at the freeshooter confused. "Like a heartless I don't a heart." Xigbar clarified, causing the blonde to move away.
"So you're like them?" He cried obviously scared and hurt.
"No! Unlike them I'll never hurt you! A nobody is made the same way as a heartless, except that when a person with a strong heart becomes a heartless they keep their body and soul. But unlike a heartless and lower nobody's I can think for myself and will, I'd never hurt you." Xigbar rambled trying to calm the blonde down. Thank kingdom hearts it did.
"So you're a good guy? Killing the heartless protecting others from becoming one." Edym said with noticeable admiration.
"Sort of…" The younger merman looked confused. "Will yeah, we do help others but usually ah… we also do some not so great things."
"I understand you're like everyone else trying to be good, right." Xigbar nodded, better to let him think that than for him to know the whole truth.
"The king he wants to see ya, mon." The crab announced coming to fetch the two mermen.
"Alrighty then!" the freeshooter smiled following the cessation towards the throne room.
Edym racing to whisper in the older merman's ear, "I won't tell anyone, I promise." The freeshooter was definitely looking forward to his time in Atlantica now.
"Daddy!" Ariel cried entering the throne room heading for a hug from her father. All her sister's and Urchin beamed to see her safe. Prying his daughter off, King Triton sat down upon his throne.
"Now, that everyone is here. I feel that in light of the recent developments you all should remain in the palace." All of his daughters nodded their heads in agreement, except one. "Ariel promise me."
"Daddy, what if we take a friend and promise not to go alone?" She pleaded. But of course her father would have none of it.
"No, you will all stay in the palace until further notice!" with the rising of his voice Ariel knew he was done listening and dropped it. She could always try to sneak out.
"Now I understand I have thanks to give." He nodded towards the waiting room. "Sebastian please go fetch them. The rest of you may leave." Slowly all of his family left the room. "Ariel, Urchin on second thought stay." Promptly the two children stopped waiting for his majesty's next command. A trumpet sounded and announced the entrance of Xigbar and Edym.
Like usual the seahorse swam up and announced their presence to King Triton blowing on his trumpet. "Sir Xigbar. Sir Edym, His majesty the king!"
"So you are the one I have to thank for my daughter's safe return to the palace." He began, motioning his arm towards Ariel and Urchin.
"Yes, your majesty I am responsible. I was just doing a good deed for the safety of two children." Xigbar said bowing.
"I thank you both and will see to it that you are rewarded for your help. You are welcome to stay in the palace. Sebastian will show you to a room which you may use freely in your time with us. Edym of course one of my guards will escort you home and I look forward to your next visit." Both mermen nodded their thanks.
"You are both welcome to join us for dinner as will."
"Actually, I probably should head home." Edym said knowing his parents would be worried.
"Of course, you may leave both of you. Sebastian show are guest to his room." Following orders the crab lead them out of the throne room.
"Daddy I'll be back I'm just going to see Edym off!" Ariel said hurriedly following the custation."
"Me, too!" Urchin cried not wanting to be left alone with the king, leaving, Triton alone with his thoughts about the stranger. Was he the one who brought the creatures?
Who is this Xigbar, really?
Hope you're looking forward to chappy 4! :)