(AUTHOR'S NOTE: Yes, we're back to Ani's POV. Any and all lyrics are bolded, just for heads up.)

To be honest, I wasn't all that excited about going to Atlantica.

I mean, not that I was excited about going to any of the other worlds…I guess I just felt uneasy.

It must have shown, too, because Sora, the idiot he is, kept looking at me like I might drop dead or something.

Anyway, long story short? I was totally caught off guard when I was suddenly attacked in a tight hug by a boy—correction, Merman—with raven-black hair tousled by the currents, an electric-blue eel fin wrapping around my own angelfish-like one as his muscular arms snaked around my midsection.

Now, for those of you who don't know, or haven't been to Atlantica, becoming part fish greatly heightens your nervous system. In other words, if you get your scales rubbed the wrong way it's like taking the most ticklish person in the worlds and tracing a feather up and down the bottom of their foot. It also kinda leaves an awkward tingling sensation around your bellybutton…

Anyway.

No sooner had he latched onto me than I heard the familiar plshk of bullet hitting flesh, followed by the also familiar voice of Xcaiyet, "Damnit I hate when I miss one…" As the Merman slowly fell to the bottom of the ocean I looked over to see her with her ears out (though now scaly rather than furred) and the fin of a dogfish shark, neon orange revolver perched on one shoulder. Its color resounded against the same neon orange that made up her Atlantian markings; swirls, dots and knots of pulsing oranges that had, as Axel proved many a month ago, the ability to glow in the dark.

"Was he a Nobody?" Sora asked curiously. I ignored him as I watched Xcaiyet reload, muttering about the stupidity of Sues. "Lemme guess; Kat's sick again, isn't she?" I asked, folding my arms over my chest. Xcaiyet sighed and cracked her neck once to the right, "Unfortunately, yes. That and Barbie had to go and up the Sues around here…she's offering adoption to anyone that finds her! Adoption!"

"Huh? What's a…Sue…?" Sora asked. Again I ignored him as I pinched the bridge of my nose, "Honestly, can that woman not take a vacation or something? Kingdom Hearts, I swear she needs a better hobby…"

"Ani, this is her hobby. Just be glad you haven't met the woman…"

"What's going on here?" Sora asked as Xcaiyet disappeared into a portal. I rolled my eyes, "If it concerned you I'd let you know! Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to explore." With that I swam away towards Ariel's Grotto, a place I knew all too well. "Ari? You in here?"

I was immediately enveloped in slender arms and a mass of bubbles, my vision obscured by the same red hair my other once had. "Ani, you're back! Homigosh, I haven't seen you in ages, how are you?" The Mermaid gushed, looking me over. I grinned at the excitement in her eyes (just a shade bluer than my own) and grabbed her forearms in our usual greeting, "Eh, the usual. Killing heartless, stopping Sues, being stuck with the Idiot Formerly Known as Sora…" I trailed off. Her eyes widened, "Sora's here?" at my raised eyebrow she giggled, spinning us towards the rock doorway, "That means you both can join the musical! Come on!"

"Whoa, WHAT? Ariel! There's no WAY I'm joining the spring musical! ARIEL!"

I waited outside the thrown room stubbornly, feeling as though I were back in time and had just been caught trying to see the surface with Ariel. Although the only difference would be that here I wasn't coming up with a plan to save our hides with said Mergirl. Rather, the red-headed princess had ditched me to speak with her dad …

"Ah-necks?" I turned at the sound of my name to see Sebastian floating there. I attempted a grin, "Hey Sebastian. Long time no see."

"Don' tell me you're here to examine the trone room again…las time ya did dat we couldn't find da trone!"

If this were one of Xcaiy's mangas, this would be the cue for my sweat-drop. I waved a hand in attempted reassurance at the crab, "Calm down, don't get your claws in a bunch. I'm here with Sora and the idiots. And Ariel's under the impression I'll stay to sing in the musical-"

"You're gonna sing in da musical?" The crab cut in. I tried to stutter a counter, but was left in a swirl of bubbles as Sebastian swam inside, "Oh, I can't wait to tell da king!"

I sighed, huffing my bangs out of my eyes—so much for not singing….

Not that I hate singing—in fact, according to the Old Man, I'm quite the alto. But the problem is? I know without a doubt if that moron hears me sing he'll never let me live it down. Next he'll come up to me in the gummi and demand for me to sing! Or worse—sing for Kairi…

Anyway.

"…swim this way, we'll dance and we'll play now…." I frowned, straining to hear the steady but fast-paced beat I'd failed to recognize before. Was that a cat dying just now…?

Realization dawning on me, I quickly swam over, praying it wasn't what I thought it was.

It was.

Sure enough, there stood—err, floated—Sora, Donald, and Goofy, all singing and attempting to dance in time to Sebastian's song. I winced, recoiling backwards. They call that singing? Honestly, that sounds more like they've taken a poor kitten hostage and tried skinning it alive! And drowning it in the process!

…Okay, bad mental image. I should probably find an animal that isn't related to my 'daughters'…

Noticing the song had finally finished, I rubbed my temples to quell the growing migraine, "Amateurs. Complete and total Amateurs."

Then, as if that weren't enough, the idiot brigade must have noticed me, for at that moment I was trapped within a circle of all three of them, Sora and Donald both inching closer as they bombarded me with questions.

"Aanyx! How'd I do on—"

"—think I'm the best—"

"—and that one part—"

"Shut it already, you damn DO-DOS! Honestly, you people are the WORST performers I have EVER seen!" I growled, making the two jerk back in surprise. Recovering quickly, Donald glared and folded his arms over his chest, "What d'you mean, we're bad performers?"

"You lot wouldn't last TWO SECONDS in a musical, let alone an under water one." I replied cockily, mirroring his pose. "And you can?"

"Well, Aanyx CAN sing…" Sora trailed off, scratching his cheek. Donald mumbled and swam away, and Sora gave me an odd look, as though trying to tell me something supportive.

Wait, WHAT? No, you damn Somebody! Stop trying to be friends! Damn it all to hell!

"If you think you can sing, why don't you prove it?" Donald challenged. I raised an eyebrow but shrugged, somersaulting through the currents until I came to a stop at the stage. I nodded to Sebastian, receiving a proud—err, can crustaceans smirk?—look in return as he struck up the band.

I closed my eyes and began to sway in time to the steady beat, waiting for my cue.

I snapped my head up with a grin as I began to sing, swaying to the beat and twirling around. Admittedly, it would have been much easier to do the dance if I had legs, but I could cope. After all, using a fin was like second nature to me…

I slowly got into it, moving more fluidly and a small smile on my lips. The basic movements were a kind of altered Macarena, with lots of dirty dancing moves added in here and there. About halfway through Xcaiyet popped up in the middle of it and my grin grew, letting her sing backup as we danced a sort of altered swing together.

At one final shout of the chorus I threw back my head dramatically, making my hair tie snap unexpectedly and my auburn hair float all around me. Letting out a small growl of irritation I attempted to gather the wavy locks back, only to feel a hand atop my own.

Ariel smiled kindly over at me, giving a small shake of her head, "I like it when you have your hair down, Ani." I sighed, releasing the hair to float around as it wished, "Fine…"

I glanced left. Nothing but ocean. I looked to the right. A face of coral stared back at me. Grinning wide enough to rival the Cheshire Cat, I looked over my shoulder and waved, watching as Ariel swam stealthily over. "Man, this brings back memories…"

"Yeah…"

"On three?"

"You know it!"

We glanced in opposite directions before saying in tandem, "…Three!" With that we took off like torpedoes through Open Territory, heading straight past the outskirts and into what was once the Jade Kingdom.

Arriving in an underwater cave, I slowed my pace, waiting for Ariel to do the same before winking at her and heading surface-bound. "Just where are we going, Ani?"

"You'll see." Was my only reply. I broke the surface first, revealing a spacious cave, and wordlessly gestured for her to sit on the rock in the middle of the pool. "I know how much you've wanted to see the surface, so I'm giving you a surprise."

I could almost hear her face light up in sheer joy, "Oh, Ani—"

"But—it's only a temporary thing. We only get a few hours, and even then I have to teach you to walk properly." I didn't look at her, instead hunting through a worn sea chest. Resurfacing with a small "Ha!" and a golden-colored potion in hand I turned back to her with a grin, "I'm going to go first…after that I'll morph you some legs, kay?"

At her speechlessly eager nod I pulled the cork stopper of the bottle out with my teeth and downed half, wincing from the taste. A greenish glow erupted below the water and I felt my fin split. Wiggling my toes I swam ashore and morphed my top into a sleeveless olive green top, blue bodice, and ankle-length green-and-blue skirt, feet adorned by black flats.

Grinning, I walked toward Ariel, giving her a similar outfit in purple. After several minutes of teaching her how to walk, we headed out to the beach, arm in arm, only to stop short at the sight.

The beach was lit by a full moon, waves creating a steady rhythm on the shore. In the distance sat houses—each aglow with their own firelight—and a combination of dinner-like smells, a castle not far off Northbound. I grinned at the awe-struck look on her face as she took in the surface from a new perspective, "Pretty neat, huh? Being above water."

"Oh, Aanyx, it's beautiful!" Ariel turned towards me, and I could see the appreciation in her eyes. I grabbed her hands, looking her in the eye, "But there's one thing that you have to remember; Humans are not perfect. If anything, they're worse than mermaids." Seeing she was about to interrupt I quickly added, "I'm not trying to be like uncle Triton and tell you that they're all bad, just remember that they aren't all good, either. But I'll protect you, okay? I promise that."

We walked around the shoreline a while, entertaining each other with tales of our adventures. "…And then Xcaiyet shot the damn thing, and—you're not listening…" I broke off, realizing that my cousin's attention did indeed lie elsewhere. Following her gaze I realized a boy—probably no older than 17—was walking towards us. I stood, pulling Ariel up gently by the forearm.

"Um…hi…" The boy said nervously. I refrained from raising an eyebrow, recognizing a little too well the look in my cousin's eye—it was, after all, the same look Axel wore whenever he was around Xcaiyet. "I'm Jim—Jim Hawkins."

"Hi…" Ariel trailed off nervously. Rolling my eyes, I replied for her, "I'm Aanyx Twilight, and this is my cousin, Ariel."

"Nice to meet you…listen…I was just taking a stroll, and...that is…" I held up a hand to stop his constant blabber, "Lemme guess, you want to take her out for a drink, yes? Good. Now the two of you go on and have fun, and remember, Ari, we have to be back home by midnight! Have fun!" I said, shoving the two towards town with another roll of my eyes. Honestly, did I have to speak for this girl too?

Ariel gave me an appreciative glance over her shoulder as the two left, and soon I was alone on the beach. Taking off my shoes, I slipped my feet into the cool sand, looking up at the stars. My thoughts traveled through all that had happened thus far, making me ponder—for perhaps the billionth time—how I was going to bring Roxas back.

I looked out to the endless stretch of horizon and bit my lip, tearing at the chapped skin. A light breeze blew my braid foreword, but I paid it no mind as I watched the waves, "Roxas…where are you?"

"You know worrying about don't do any good." A familiar voice chided. I rolled my eyes, "And you should know I'm worrying anyway." Axel chuckled, sitting down beside me, "Sure is quite the little mishap you've gotten yourself into, eh Ani?"

"I know Ariel will be fine. That boy—Jim—He doesn't have enough darkness in him for me to worry."

"But its still there."

"He's fighting it, though, and that's the big thing…"

Axel shook his head, "And lemme guess—you want us to tail him."

"Find out whatever you can. Don't let any of the others know, though—only come when I'm up here by myself."

"Sure, I can do that. Oh, and just to warn you, it's Luxord in Port Royal next."

"I'll keep that in mind." I grinned, accepting his one-armed hug before he portaled away, leaving me to my thoughts.

The next day I woke in a swirl of bubbles and red hair. Groaning, I attempted to make out what the girl was saying, "—ake up! It's time for the rehearsal!"

"Somebody had fun last night…" I said with a yawn, stretching my arms over my head as I followed Ariel out. She practically glowed with joy, "Oh, Ani, it was the best time of my life! We went to dinner, and dancing—"

"All in one night? Man, he works fast…"

"—And he even asked to see me again! Tonight!"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold on…Again? Tonight?" I held up my hands in an attempt to slow the mermaid down, "But tonight we were gonna…Aw, don't do the lip thing, Ari…" I groaned as her bottom lip trembled, eyes wide in the 'kicked puppy' look. Slapping a hand over my forehead, I looked away, "Oh, scuttle fish…where is he meeting you?"

Ariel gave a cheer of delight, embracing me in a hug, "Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you! He said same time, same place!"

"I'm doing this on one condition, though!" I warned, waiting for her to look at me before I continued, "You're going to tell him. Tonight. I'm not going to be able to give you legs every time you want to sneak out, remember. I've still got lots of worlds to go to, and if he thinks it's permanent then you need to set him straight."

"Can't I just use your potions?"

"No. Ari, those potions are on a short supply, and the fact is that the person who made them—well, he's dead. And they need to last me as long as possible, until I can find a way to bring them all back." I sighed at her crestfallen look, placing a hand on her shoulder, "Look, if he really, truly likes you, then he won't care, alright? Now c'mon, or we'll be late for practice."

"Alright, les try dis differently. Each onna you sing da song, an I'll decide who sings what. Firs' up, Ariel." Sebastian ordered, raising his baton. Sighing I once more began to count out the beat, "Five, six, five six seven eight!" The instrumental part began, and I habitually began to sway my fin to the beat.

Her cue came…and no singing. I cleared my throat—still no response. "Ariel?" Sora asked, finally snapping the girl from her thoughts. "Hmm? Oh, sorry, Sebastian…I guess I don't feel like singing today…"

"Ariel!" Sora made to swim after her, but I pulled him back by the fin, "You stay and work on your pitch. I'm going after her."

"But—"

"It's a girl thing, okay? Now shoo."

I headed for the outskirts, knowing full well where she was headed. Sure enough, I caught sight of her dashing through the large doorway of a run-down castle made of solid Jade. I slowed my pace as I entered, the amount of damage making me falter. Did it really get to be so bad?

Shaking the thought from my mind I swam on, heading through each room. At last I found her in the theater, sitting on the edge of the large jade stage. She held a bag in her arms, one I recognized to be from our childhood. Frowning I made my way over to her. "…I guess…I'm nervous. What if he doesn't accept me?"

"Ari." I scolded, sitting beside her, " Don't tell me you're going to give up! I thought you liked him."

"I do, but—"

"Ari." I attempted to get her to look at me before suddenly getting an idea, swimming behind her. I rested my chin on her shoulder, "You're the spark that sets in motion…All the music of the ocean…"

Ariel groaned, attempting to hide her grin. I pressed on, "You're the fuel that feeds the fire. Inspiration, you inspire."

"Okay, Ani, I get it. You don't have to sing."

"It's your style to win affection. When you smile, it's pure perfection. It shines through everything you do; that something special, something you." I turned once more to face her, extending a hand, "I know you know the words."

Ariel huffed her bangs out of her face, "Never give up, face the music with a smile." Grinning, I joined in, "Never give up, and in a little while, when the world's knock-knocking on your shell."

"When opportunity rings your bell."

"Give up the thought of ever giving up!"

"'Cause I'm never giving up on you!" I finished before adding, with a gentle punch to the arm, "And you'd better remember it."

Night came all too soon, and within its mask I lead the way once more to the cave. Downing the potion I quickly morphed our outfits before leading the way onto the beach. Seeing Jim already there made Ariel grin and start to run towards him. "Ariel." She held back at my stern warning, instead waiting for Jim to head over. "Hey, Ariel. Hullo, Aanyx." Jim greeted. I smiled kindly, "Don't mind me, I'm just here for emotional support."

"Jim…there's something you need to know…" Ariel began, biting her lip and looking down. Noting Jim's sudden worried look, I decided to continue for her, "Don't worry, she's not in trouble or anything…yet…"

"What do you mean?"

"Maybe you should come this way…"

I lead the way back to the cave, jumping straight into the water. As always, the potion wore off immediately, turning my dress into the typical fin-and-wrap combo. "Mermaids…" Jim breathed, eyes wide. Ariel grinned sheepishly, "Yeah, kinda…"

"I wanted to make sure you knew, so that you wouldn't hurt her." I explained, returning Ariel to her original form at her nod. Jim blinked before suddenly seeming to realize something, "Then that means that you're that mermaid that I saw on the ship!"

"Yeah…"

"Backup a sec…you mean you went on a ship?"

"Well I had to…I mean, it was on fire, and—"

"You went on a burning ship? What else have you done that I don't know about?"

"Actually…"

"You know what? Don't answer that. I really don't want to know." I closed my eyes for a moment before picking up where I'd left off, "Okay, so you know what she is. If you still want to go off, I'll give her the legs and you go and do your thing. If not, I'm…" I trailed off, realizing that I was once more being ignored as the two leaned in for a kiss. "What, am I suddenly no longer here? Get your lovey-dovey cooties outta my face, will you?"

"Sorry, Ani." Ariel blushed. I rolled my eyes, re-morphing her human, "Yeah, yeah, just get outta here before you do something that makes me change my mind."

With that I dove back under water, swimming for the beach, "Sheesh, I give the girl legs and she's lip-locked with the first Y-chromosome she sees…"

"And not just any Y-chromosome." Xcaiyet continued in greeting. I stopped short, "What's the dirt?"

"Oh, you're gonna love this; He's not from Atlantica."

"Well, this is just perfect! You've really outdone yourself this time, Ariel! What, is he from Agrabah or something?"

"Better. You know how there's that sector of the Outer Rim? The one that no one's explored?"

I groaned, refraining from slamming my head into something solid, "So lemme get this straight; My cousin is currently on a date with some Outer Rim space-case? Do we know anything about this guy?"

"James Pleiades Hawkins; former troublemaker on the planet Montressor. Discovered Treasure Planet—a world holding the largest treasure known to man—and destroyed it. Currently enrolled in a school known as Spacers' Academy."

"Okay, so what's the space-case doing in a technology-free world like this?"

"Apparently it's part of his training. He must survive a month in a primitive world aboard an ocean-bearing ship before he can graduate." Xcaiyet placed a hand on my shoulder, "At least he knows. Maybe he'll tell her too."

"Xcaiy, he's a teenager. Of course he aint' tellin her!" I groaned. Xcaiyet spared me a sympathetic look, "Maybe you can convince him to…look, I gotta get back to work—there's a mass-breed of Sues in sector 4."

"Yeah, yeah. I'll go deal with it…somehow…"

The next day came all too soon, again with a flurry of bubbles. This time, however, I was surprised to find it came not from Ariel, but from Sora. "—nyx…Aanyx! Wake up!"

"What the fuck are you yelling for?" I growled, pulling the blanket over my eyes. It was promptly thrown off, however, once I heard his next words, "Aanyx, Ariel's missing!"

"You've checked everywhere?"

"Everywhere."

"The Outskirts? Open Territory? The Jade Kingdom? The Grotto?"

Sora stopped short, "The what Kingdom?"

"Ugh, never mind, I'm checking it now." I turned on my communicator as I swam irritably away, "Twilight Morph here, we have a missing Mermaid on our hands." I said. The static made way to an annoyed Axel's face, "You lost her?"

"No, I invited her to tea. Of course I lost her, you big oaf! I need a scan of the area."

"Coordinates?"

"Inner Circle, sector 2-5. Preferably the southern half."

"I hope you realize this is two you owe me, Ani. Some people are getting curious about it all."

"Then I'll tell Xcaiy to make it up to you." With that I signed out, entering the deserted palace once more.

I was immediately ambushed by heartless, making me growl in irritation, "Damnit, I thought we banished you already!" Not bothering with them, I morphed the lot into bubbles, causing them to float away, as I continued onward.

"Come on, I know you need a little magic. And magic is my specialty du jour. Don't just stand there looking sick. Would I kid you? Play a trick? Like I told you, I don't do that anymore!" I stopped dead in my tracks as I recognized the voice. Praying nothing happened yet, I charged my way into the room, only to be trapped in a ray of purple magic. "Come on, you poor unfortunate souls! Poor sweet! Poor dear! Aren't you lucky that I'm ready with a potion and a plan? Aren't you glad you came and asked if I can help you, and I can? When a mermaid comes to Ursula she always gets her man! You poor! Un! For! Tunate! SOOOOOUUUULLLL!" I managed to send Ariel and Jim—both encased in bubbles in their human forms—a glare before the magic brightened. I let out a gasp of pain, closing my eyes as I felt as though something ripped from my very existence. I tried not to scream out as whatever the Sea Witch took was ripped from me, straining to stay conscious as the sudden heavy feeling took over me. "What…did…you do…."

"…Aanyx? AANYX! AANYX!"

(AUTHOR'S NOTE: Phew, nine pages already! Aren't cliff hangers a bitch? Yeah, I'm ending it here for now. Why? Because it's been months since my last update, and I'm actually trying to finish this sucker.

Le gasp! What did Ursula do? Will Aanyx survive? And what about Ariel and Jim? Can their love conquer the lightyears of space between the two's homes? Why did they go to Ursula?

Stay tuned, and all will be revealed!)