If we were together: After a year's separation Sora goes on a desperate search to find her friends and to defeat the new foes that have arisen. With Riku's last words to her in her heart Sora makes serious deliberation on just how deep her feeling for Riku go.
Author's Note: This is a long chapter because I had originally planned for it to be an extra to be released once the fic was done… but decided to post it now and split it into two chapters. I'd debated what song to give Sora… I felt it should be tied into Disney in some form, or even the game, I ended up with this conclusion feeling it made the most sense and added a chance for a flashback and character story.
Chapter 15: Sora's Song Pt. 1
Sora was exhausted. So many worlds revisited and still no sign of Riku or Kairi. She was beginning to think what she was doing was little to no good. She couldn't sleep, she barely ate, and though her powers grew and grew she just couldn't seem to concentrate.
Donald and Goofy looked at each other in worry. "What do you think we should do?"
"I don't know, Goofy. We got to come up with something to help her relax or she'll just wear herself out."
"Well… we've gone through all the other worlds… there's one on the list we haven't explored yet… we skipped over it because it didn't have any heartless readings, but I think it's a world we've been to before." Goofy pointed to the map. He let out a yelp when Donald shoved him out of the way.
"Let me see that! Hmm hey yeah I recognize that world. It's Atlantica, it's where we met Aryn, Flounder, and Sebastian."
"Oh Sora made quick friends with Aryn… I'm sure she'll be happy to see him again. Let's stop by and maybe he can find a way to get her to take some time to relax." Goofy nodded his head and thumped a hand into his palm.
Sora stirred on her bed when the sounding alarms went off for landing. "mmmph what's going on?"
"Sora, we've charted a new course. We're headed for Atlantica." Goofy chuckled happily.
"Atlantica?" Sora's eyes suddenly blinked open and shut and the a soft smile spread on her lips. "You mean we'll get to see Aryn and the others?"
"Ahyuk! Yeah, I'm sure Aryn will be happy to see you too, Sora."
"Alright! What are you waiting for? Hurry up!" Sora quickly jumped out of bed and into her seat buckling in."
~Atlantica~
Aryn heard the stir from just outside his father's palace. The sounds had come from the alcove in which he and the others had been practicing for the music festival. "What was that?"
"I don't know," sebastian muttered. "but I'm not going back to find out. I don't like unhealthy surprises." He began to slowly wade backwards in the water. Aryn however, unable to resist his curiosity swam forward, and much to his pleasure spotted three familiar faces. "Sora!" He shouted first swimming right to her and engulfing her in a hug.
"Aryn- OOF!" She fell backward and somersaulted in the tackling hug. Sora had barely breached the sea water… she flicked her green tail around trying to remember the workings of it from before.. but it had been a long year and was quick to forget. It didn't help that the seashells that she had were bigger to accumulate her growth… so far Sora hated puberty. she felt heat rise to her cheeks and she planted her hands on Aryn's shoulders smiling at him.
"That was some welcome."
"Sorry. I'm just so happy to see you…" he paused to take a look at her. He took notice of her growth only in the way a boy could and he couldn't help but get a bit flustered himself. He let out a laugh and took her hands. "Forget how to swim already?"
Sora joined him in the laughter and pinched her fingers together. "A little bit… mind giving me a refresher course?"
"No Problem, man… you just need a bit of practice." Sebastian encouraged. Like they had before the first time they met, Aryn went over the basics and let Sora play a quick game of tag with Flounder to test her movement.
Her body remembered the moves easily enough and it was nice to see that there weren't any heartless in the beautiful kingdom of Atlantica. In fact Sebastian had informed them of an upcoming musical festival in which all of King Triton's children would be participating in, as well as some local talent. It sounded like fun, and when the offer arose her, Donald, and Goofy all jumped at the chance to take part of it.
Still something was nagging at her. She saw Aryn drift away staring up at the sun streaming through the water. when he wasn't looking there his eyes were on her, in a way that made her feel slightly uncomfortable. She had a feeling something was on his mind, and Sora was determined to find out what it was. She glided up beside him touching his hand with a smile. "Hey, you okay?"
"Oh, I'm fine Sora… it's just I've had a lot on my mind lately." He takes her hands. "Actually, if you're willing to listen, I'd like to show you something." Aryn's eyes looked intense. Sora felt the pressure of acceptance immediately, and could hardly turn him down.
Their departure was interrupted by the arrival of the sea king. "King Triton…"
"I hope there hasn't been a need for that keyblade of yours." King Triton commented, both concerned and pleased to see the young key bearer.
"Nope, the coast is clear, not a heartless in sight." Sora gave the thumbs up. Aryn made a sound of impatience and tugged on her hand. "Ah, we'll catch up later your majesty." She swam off with Aryn waving. King Triton prevented Goofy and Donald from letting them go with.
"Leave them be, Sora may just be what the doctor ordered."
"What do you mean. your majesty?" Donald questioned curiously.
"Well I'm afraid Aryn has been a bit distracted lately. I'm afraid he might still be infatuated with the idea of the surface world." King Triton let out a long heavy sigh. "I've tried to tell him so many times how dangerous it is for our kind to assimilate with their kind but he just won't see reason… and lately it's gotten worse."
"Then this might be a good thing that we stopped by. Sora's been distracted herself… not to mention gloomy." Goofy agreed.
"Oh that reminds me," Sebastian, "Your Majesty, our guests dey want to sing in da musical."
"Well now, that sounds like a splendid idea. You be sure to keep those two busy and happy… I look forward to all of your performances."
~Sora and Aryn~
It was a bit of a swim to where Aryn wanted to go. he kept a firm grip on her hand to amke sure she didn't fall behind as they made their way to the surface. When Sora's face broke air she took a deep breath and bobbed in the water looking around. She saw a nearby beach, and someone lingering there. "Aryn!" She shoved him against a rock to hide their forms. "Why did you bring me here? We're gonna get caught, and isn't this forbidden?"
"Don't pay attention to what my father says. I've come up here plenty of times and nothings happened. well aside from her." Aryn pointed to the girl on the beach who knelt down collecting sea shells while the big white dog barked and splashed about in the water.
"Her who? The girl?"
"Yeah… you see funny story…"
~Flashback~
Aryn always enjoyed the fresh air after a storm. The seas had been treacherous, but the sky was now calm and the waves lapped lazily at his chest. He watched the glow of the moon with a smile on his face, but something moving to his left caught his eye. Wood, broken pieces of what was left of a human ship floated topside. Atop one of them was a girl with raven black hair down to her back and garbed in a white dress that was drenched and torn from fighting against waves. She was exhausted from clinging onto the wreckage and had passed out on top of it. Her body began to slip off and without hesitation Aryn leapt over and caught her body keeping her afloat. "Whoa! Hang on…" He pulled her through the waves to the mile or so swim to the nearest shore. There he lay her out on the sand, panting from the exertion it took him to get them there.
"That was close… oh man please don't be dead." He leaned over her, checking her breath and laying his head on her chest to hear her heart beat. He sighed with relief when both pumped strong and he lay out beside her. "Alive… man… you scared me there for a minute." Now that he was sure she was alive he took the opportunity to examine her.
He'd never been so close to a human before. from the waist up she was any other mermaid he'd met, beautiful in face, long elegant arms and hands, slim figure… but below was something new entirely. He lifted a leg touching it in admiration… and immediately dropped it when she began to stir.
He leaned over her again, his face closing in… eyes blinked open… beautiful baby blues that startled him, and gave him flashbacks of Sora. Their eyes were so similar… he was mesmerized by the beauty of them.
He nearly spoke… but the sounds of screaming men startled him. "ERICA! ERICA!" He quickly backed away from her and jumped back into the sea.
~End~
"...and that's what happened. I'd never seen a human up close before, and I couldn't help but come back here and see her again and again. She comes down to the beach every day around sunset staring out at the sea and playing at the waves with her dog."
Sora's eyes had gone a bit dreamy. It was such a romantic story, she'd smiled when he described her beauty… and Sora could tell he was infatuated… which was probably a bad thing but.. hell love was love right?
"Have you talked to her yet?"
"No, and I dont know if I ever will. My father forbids me from interacting with humans… but still I can't help but feel a sort of attachment. She reminds me a lot of you, and it's a kind of comfort I guess."
"Huh?" Sora blinked in confusion. Comfort? Comfort for what?
"Now that you're here though Sora… I feel better. I've missed you a lot, and I wanted to show you this place, and her."
Still confused Sora lifted her arms over her head and lay back letting the water float her around a bit. "I still think you should talk to her… but I guess you're right about your dad and all, and he probably wouldn't like me encouraging you."
"Father just doesn't understand my feelings. He doesn't see that I'm…" He paused in his confession. Lonely? That was the word he had wanted to use but now it didn't seem to fit… longing may be a better term but to admit that to her… it had his cheeks flushing.
"Look don't worry so much okay… come on we should get back to rehearsals. If you want we can come back tomorrow."
Aryn's heart skipped and he smiled at her. "Really? So does that mean you're staying?"
"For a little while, sure at least until the Music festival… but then I have to go. I have things I need to do, people I need to search for."
His face fell. she was leaving again. His heart ached and he reached out and touched her hand and offered a smile when hers closed over it. "Will you come back after?"
"Always…" She smiled.
~The Next Day~
Despite Sora's promise Aryn couldn't help but feel depressed. It had been so long since he had seen her, he had hoped she would stay now that things were peaceful… but that was too much to hope for. His father said she was the key bearer and she had certain responsibilities that kept her from staying in one world for too long.
He wished he could go with her… but couldn't bring himself to ask. Each time he thought he'd bucked up the courage he'd freeze and watch her laugh and sing.
"Darling it's better, down where it's wetter, take it from me!" She sang out with a soft feminine vocal… it was sweet and enchanting and brought a lil smile to his lips.
After the tune Sebastian approached him. "Well Aryn what do you think? It's a great masterpiece isn't it?"
"It's a wonderful song sebastian, it's just… not what I want to sing." He watched Sebastian's face go long and shocked. "I'm sorry… but… i can't keep pretending things are okay here… I want to sing what I truly feel."
"Well what kind of song do you want."
Aryn glanced over at Sora who was still dancing and laughing with her two friends. "I want to sing a love song… to Sora."
"What? The King would have my claws for allowing you to sing a song like dat!" Sebastian gawked.
Angry, and frustrated Aryn raised his voice. "Well if I can't sing what I want then I just won't sing at all!" He sped off, Sora hearing his voice and immediately swimming after him concerned. Donald and Goofy stopped by Sebastian.
"What happened?"
"Oh, how do I get myself into dees situations? Not only has Aryn fallen in love at the worst possible time… but wid Sora of all people!"
"Did you say Sora?" Donald blinked wide eyed and both he and Goofy shared distressed looks. "That's not good. He doesn't know about Riku."
"We'd better go after them and make sure nothing happens." Goofy and Donald give chase to the two merfolk.
Unfortunately the two of them had a big head start… Sora knew where Aryn was going and followed him straight to the surface. It was early so Erica wasn't at the beach. He sat upon the great stone in the water, pounding his fist into it as his anger and frustration continued to bubble and boil inside him.
When Sora broke surface and joined him he calmed some, but not enough to erase the annoyed look on his face. "Aryn what happened? I thought we were all having such a good time."
"We were… I was… it's just…" He let out a heavy sigh. "Sora… I, I don't want you to go."
"Huh?" She contemplated that a moment then her eyes go sympathetic and she smiled. "Oh Aryn I don't wanna leave either, I'm gonna miss you too. I have to go though, I can't just give up my responsibility."
"I know, and you need to find your friends." He took a deep breath… well it was now or never. He turned to her and grabbed her hands. "Sora… I want you to take me with you."
Once again Sora looked at him with utter confusion on her face. "Take you where?"
"Take me to other worlds with you!"
"What?" She was utterly speechless. "Aryn I can't do that! Your father-"
"I don't give a damn about what my father says. I won't be separated from you anymore! Take me with you please! I-" moments away from confessing his feelings Donald and Goofy popped up from the water.
"Sora! We gotta go!" Goofy shouted.
"The King wants to see you Sora! It's urgent!" Donald agreed panting from swimming as fast as he could.
Sora looked between them, and Aryn. All the frustrated feelings and emotions so obvious on his face… but if the King was asking for her it must be an emergency. "Look, Aryn, we'll talk about this later okay? Take some time to calm down. Wait here for me." She pulled her hands from his and jumped into the water.
Aryn watched her go and he grit his teeth and buried his head in his hand fisting fingers through his short red hair. "Damn it… everything's so messed up." he couldn't just sit here anymore. He swam around clearing his head and finally just gave up and sat upon a mound in a lil grotto. With his mind full of fuzz, he didn't hear the approaching figure.
"Oh Aryn, you poor boy."
Aryn jolted at the voice whirling his head and then putting up his dukes when he realized who it was. "Ursula! What are you doing here? my father banished you from these waters!"
"Oh now, now, son no need to raise a fuss. After all I'm only here because of you. I saw what happened between you and Sora, and frankly I'm appalled she wouldn't let you finish expressing your feelings." Ursula held her heart sighing dramatically. "I guess she's too caught up in her own work and duties to really give you any thought."
Aryn lowered his fists but continued to frown at her. "What do you want?"
"Isn't it obvious dear boy? I'm here to help you. I want to make all your dreams come true." Ursula laughed a little.
"My father would never allow me to accept help from you."
"I thought you didn't care much about what your father would allow… and besides if you gave up that easy it can't be true love now can it?" Ursula tucked an arm around his shoulders. "No worries child, I've given up on trying to get your father's trident… instead all I want is to help you… I see a lot of myself in you… reaching for something you can never attain."
"Sora could still take me without your help."
"I wouldn't be so sure… you know the real reason why she won't take you is because you're not like her." She held out a ball and out of it Sora's human form appeared, he battling heartless on two legs with Donald and Goofy beside her. "These are those three true forms. as you can see Sora is really a human."
Aryn's eyes widened at this. He reached out to touch the hologram and his hand passed through it, "Human… She's a human?"
"That's right… so in order to get what you want, you'll have to become human yourself."
"A human?" Aryn's eyes widen and he looked at her. "You can do that?"
"Dear sweet boy, that's what I do." Ursula chuckled some and as she began explaining the rules Sebastian and Flounder had finally tracked Aryn down, only to find him talking with Ursula. Before they could run off and tell the king Flotsam and Jetsum halted their retreat trapping them.
"Now then dear boy… all you need to do is sign a contract… I'll make you a human for three days… and in those three days all you have to do is kiss your true love. Once you do that you'll remain human permanently and be free to travel world to world with your beloved." Ursula paused… "Oh I almost forgot.. there is a little matter of payment. I want nothing much… the only thing I require is your voice."
"My voice?" Aryn touched his throat.
"That's right, sweet cheeks."
When he hesitated Ursula sighed and shrugged. "Oh well, I tried. Far be it for me to twist your arm. You obviously don't want my help. It's too bad about Sora though, she is quite a catch, being a key bearer and all…"
"Wait!" Aryn called out swallowing hard when she came back. Ursula popped out a golden contract with a skeleton pen… he hesitated, taking up the pen and quickly signing his name. Sebastian and flounder shouted at him, asking him to stop. It was that shouting that lured Sora and her friends to them.
"Sora Please! You've got to stop him!" Sebastian begged as Sora pushed through. She tried to reach out, but Ursula sent up a whirlpool blocking her from getting any further in. A light pulled from Aryn, his voice popping out out of him and into the shell necklace around Ursula's neck.
When the whirlpool halted Aryn flailed in the water, his new legs clad only in a pair of white pants and he struggled to swim. Sora panicked.
"Oh no! He can't breathe like that!" She swam forward, grabbed his arm and with all the strength she had swam as fast as she could up to the surface.
Part One uploaded… Part two on its way!
Next Chapter: Sora's Song Pt. 2