Lines Between

Hope and her friends were on the Excalibur flying towards their next destination. They were talking to her father about what had happened in Hogwarts.

"Why was Mum there?" Hope asked. "Were you checking up on me?"

"Hope, we had no idea you were there," her father assured. "Dumbledore contacted us and Kairi went there to lend a hand."

"I thought we don't meddle in the affairs of other worlds," said Hope crossing her arms.

"Unless Heartless are involved, that usually indicates an off world presence"

"Voldemort did mention that somebody told him where to find the Prophecy," said Rex.

"No doubt to spread some chaos," her father nodded. "Either way he'll never know about that Prophecy about him."

"How's Harry?" Hope asked.

"He's taken the loss of his godfather very hard," her father sighed. "Given time, he might recover from the shook."

"What does the Ministry say about old Moldymort return," said Frank.

"They've got a lot to say indeed," said her father. "Both Kairi and Dumbledore have convinced the Minster that the Dark Lord has returned. He's not very popular at the moment.

"I wonder why," said Frank. "Oh, what happened to that little witch we scared in the forest?"

"Dumbledore was able to find her, but she's now afraid of raccoons and falcons. She seems to think they're out to get her," said her father.

"What about those Heartless we reported?" Rex asked.

"Yes, that does some to be the most troubling," her father nodded. "You saw that when Umbridge attacked them they seemed to have gotten stronger."

"Yes, it was almost as if they were feeding off her anger," said Rex.

"I've scanned those Heartless' and while they were mostly the same as any other there was some off about them," said Toodles. "I've sent my finding to the Datascape."

"This is indeed troubling," said her father. "I'll in from the High Council at once. Just be careful, there's more going on than we thought."

Then the screen went blank.

"Be careful, be careful," Hope huffed. "That's all he says."

"Ah, don't take so hard, Princess," said Frank. "He's a messy back trying to keep the multi-world safe."

"He can't make time for his only daughter," said Hope crossing her arms.

"What seems to be a lack of love, could very well be a deep understanding," said Rex, who was now sitting cross-legged.

"How does that make sense?" Hope snapped.

Suddenly the whole ship shook.

"Sorry to break this conversation up, but we've got company," said Frank. He pulled up the screen and they saw several Heartless ships firing at them from behind. "I need you to on the guns."

"On it," said Hope.

She and Rex manned the gun consoles and the two began firing at the Heartless ships that appeared on the targeting screen. It was hard trying to shoot straight while Frank did some fancy flying.

"Can't you keep the ship steady?" Hope yelled.

"Unless you want to be blown to smithereens," said Frank as he concentrated on flying the ship.

Finally after a while they managed to destroy the last of the Heartless ships and they all sighed in relief.

"That's the last of them," said Frank. He then looked at the monitor. "And it seems we've reached our destination."

Hope and Rex moved over to look at the monitor and indeed a new world was coming into view. Hope recognised it at once, it was Atlantica. She recognised it, because the world was practically covered in water with only a few landmasses here and there.

"It's Atlantica," said Hope.

"The underwater world," said Frank and shuddered. "I don't do water very well."

"We do not have any choice in the matter," said Rex.

"But it's always been a peaceful world, hardly any Heartless show up there," said Frank.

"I'm afraid that's not entirely true," said Toodles. "I've just scanned the world and there have been several sightings of Heartless in the water. Also, Princess Arial's daughter, Melody, has gone missing."

"That's never a good thing," said Frank.

"You think she's been kidnapped?" said Hope.

"No, by the information I've gathered it appears that she had run away," said Toodles. "However, when she was a baby the Sea Witch Morgana user the hottest in order to retrieve King Triton's Trident."

"I've heard of her, her older sister was Ursula was it not and she joined forces with Maleficent," said Rex.

"If Morgana gets hold of Melody she could use her as a hostage and get the Trident," said Frank.

"She would rule this world," said Hope horrified.

"Then we best get down there," said Frank.

"Wait a minute, if we teleport down there will drown and my magic is nowhere near as powerful to transfigure us," Hope pointed out.

"Then it's lucky you have me," said Rex. "I can make sure that we survive."

"Well, looks like going for a swim, goodie," Frank muttered.

Atlantica: Ariel's Grotto

Hope and a friend soon found themselves in an underwater cavern. The cavern was full of junk, knives, forks, old bottles, but it was well organised as if someone had arranged them perfectly.

Hope then notice that she had a dolphin's tail, instead of legs, and it came with a dorsal fin. She was also wearing a seashell bar, made her feel quite embarrassed. She then notice that she still had a crown pendant around her neck.

The other two looked a strange sight. Frank's bottom half was replaced by a green octopus' tentacles and it was bare-chested and his Stetson was gone, he still had his host and pistols, much to his relief.

Rex looked an even stranger site, his bottom half was replaced by blue hermit crab shell and legs, he was still wearing his armour and cape for some strange reason he still had the hood up. His sword was still strapped to his back and sheathed.

"This is going to get some getting used to," said Frank.

Hope realise that he had a point, it was a lot harder swimming then swimming on the Destiny Islands at least back then she had legs. They were all swimming around mindlessly not able to control their movements.

"Where are we?" Rex asked.

"I think where in someone's personal grotto," said Hope gesturing to the stacks of bits and pieces around them.

"I think this used to belong to Ariel," said Rex looking around. "Can't the record she used to collect human wreckage from ships before she became human."

"Shame she's not here to help us," said Frank.

Then just as he said it a redhead mermaid with a yellow fish swam into the grotto. They stopped abruptly when they saw the three of them floating around.

"What are you doing here?" the mermaid asked curiously.

"Uh, floating around at the moment," said Frank.

"Are you Ariel?" Hope asked hopefully.

"Yes, do I know you?" Ariel asked swimming up to her.

"No, but you know my parents," said Hope.

Ariel looked at her curiously from her dolphin tail, to her pendant and then to face. When realisation struck she gasped.

"You must be Hope, Sora and Kairi's daughter," she said.

"That's me and that's Rex and Frank," said Hope smiling awkwardly pointing at her two friends.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Flounder," said the fish.

"Then you must be had help define my daughter," said Ariel.

Hope felt very awkward now. "Not exactly… but will help regardless," she said.

"I thought you became human," said Rex.

"I did, but my father turned me back into a mermaid so I can help find my daughter," Ariel explained.

"We'd be happy to help, but we don't really know how to swim," said Frank looking slightly embarrassed.

"Don't you will do is know how to swim," said Ariel shaking her head in disbelief. "Don't worry we'll show you how to swim here."

"Just follow me," said Flounder.

It took a while for them to get the hang of the new forms, but in no time at all they were swimming perfectly. The only problem Hope could see was that they wouldn't be able to use most of their moves, but there was nothing they could do about that.

"That's better," said Hope.

"Ariel we should go to the Palace to talk to your father," said Flounder.

Ariel nodded in agreement and looked at Hope and the others. "Just follow us and will lead you to the Palace," she said.

Atlantica: King Triton's Palace

Ariel and Flounder led them across the ocean floor and Hope could hardly believe this experience. She'd been to other worlds before, but nothing like this it actually felt like another world.

Soon they reach the Palace which was made completely of coral and at the gate was a merman and a red hermit crab.

The merman was obviously the king, because he wore a yellow five pointed crown that resembled a sea star. He had a long thick white beard, but despite his age he looks powerful as if he could create typhoons.

"Daddy!" Ariel yelled and rushed to hug him. "I have been able to find her."

"Don't worry, Ariel we'll find her," he said. Then he noticed Hope and her friends. "Who are they?"

"Oh, Daddy, this is Sora's daughter Hope and a friend Rex and Frank," said Ariel pointing them out. "Guys, this is my father, King Triton and Sebastian."

"So your Sora's daughter, I'm assuming that you're here to help in the search for my granddaughter," he said.

"We'll help in any way we can," said Hope.

"Das good to hear, because we can really use the help," said Sebastian. He then realised something. "Wait a minute, you're older tan Melody, how is that possible."

"Other worlds have a different time axis," Rex explained. "For example one month in one world might be one year in another."

"Thanks for clearing that up," Sebastain said crossing his claws.

King turned and then led them into the Palace throne room. "I'm sure she'll turn up soon," King Triton reassured.

"I hope you're right Daddy," said Ariel not looking to sure.

"Why did she run away anyway?" Frank asked.

"We had an argument and I'm afraid I was a bit… strict," said Ariel.

"She suddenly takes after her mother," said Sebastian rolling his eyes.

"Don't worry, you have us to help this time," said Hope.

And when the entered the throne room, Ariel gasped. "Daddy! The Trident!" she said pointing.

They all turned and saw a stand, no doubt held the Trident, was empty. Sebastian quickly swam over to it looking horrified.

"But that's not possible," he said. "Nobody can remove the Trident from the stand except you, sire. You or one of your descendants."

"Then clearly it is possible or else the Trident would still be here," said Rex.

Ariel then noticed something on the floor it was a seashell necklace with the word Melody engraved on it.

"Melody," she said picking up the necklace. "But how could she have gotten here?"

"Clearly the same type of magic I used on us," said Rex.

"Morgana," said King Trident. "If she gets her hands on my Trident…" He then quickly turned on his men. "Double the search parties! I want every creature in the ocean on patrol!"

"How are we supposed to find her," said Ariel.

"I may be able to help," said Rex. They all looked at him. "Now that we have something that belonged to Melody I can use a tracking spell in order to locate her."

"You can do that," said Hope.

"It's only a matter of locating her aura," said Rex and extended his hand for the necklace.

Ariel handed it to him and he began to wave his hand over it muttering some kind of incantation. His eyes began to glow bright blue and the necklace began to glow. It then shot out of his hand and headed out of the Palace.

"Quick, we can't lose it," said Rex.

"Go, will catch up with you later," said King Trident.

They nodded and swam after the necklace.

Atlantica: Ice Deeps

Swimming at the necklace was not easy, because it was moving so fast and they were afraid of losing it. Soon found themselves surrounded by icebergs, which made it even harder to chase after the necklace.

"Did your spell had to make a necklace shootout like that," said Frank.

"At least it's leading us to Melody," said Rex.

"Not much good if we lose sight of it," said Hope.

"As long as we keep at this speed we should have a problem of losing it," said Rex.

Soon they saw massive iceberg coming to view with a cavern carved into it. Rex quickly swam faster and grabbed the neckless before it entered. They didn't want to alert Morgana about their presence.

"So there it is," said Ariel. She then looked at Flounder. "Swim back as fast as you can and tell my father. We'll try and find Melody."

"You surely want to go in there," said Flounder.

"Don't worry Flounder, we'll be fine," Ariel assured.

Flonder didn't look convinced, but regardless swam off.

Ariel looked at them. "You guys ready?"

They nodded and saw into the carven.

Atlantica: Morgana's Lair

Morgana's lair was just one huge ice cave underwater, but that was no problem for Melody, because she was now a mermaid.

Melody was a twelve years old girl with black hair and a red fish tail and wore a night shirt. She was in fact human, but Morgana had turned her in a mermaid for the day and would make her on permanently if she stole the Trident from the man who stole it from her.

She met Morgana when she ran away from home. She had found a neckless with her name engraved on it and her mother was very cross that she went over the wall of their castle to the sea, which was forbidden.

She found Morgana, who was sitting on her shell like throne. Morgana was green skinned with white hair and her lower half was a black octopus.

"Oh, there you are, darling!" Morgana shrieked excitedly the moment she saw her. "Oh, I was so worried about you." She then noticed the Trident in her hand. "And look! You brought back my Trident. Cleaver girl." She then turned serious and one of her tentacles began to reach for the Trident. "Now, if you'll just hand over the—"

"Melody, don't! Don't listen to her!" cried the voice of her mother.

They turned and saw Ariel with Hope, Rex and Frank. Melody stared at her mother in shock.

"Mum," she gasped.

Melody and her mother stared at each other in bewilderment.

"You're a mermaid?" the both gasped.

"Well, this is awkward," said Frank.

"Ariel, how nice of you to come," said Morgana smiling evilly. She then looked at Hope. "And you brought dear little Hope with you."

"How do you know my name," said Hope.

"I've got friends in high places," said Morgana. "And how could I not know about the daughter of the man you killed my sister." She then turned to Melody, who was still processing this. "Sweetheart, hand me my Trident now."

Melody just stared at her mother. "All this time, and you never told me?" she said.

"Kept the most important secret in her whole life from our own daughter," said Morgana.

"Parents keep secrets from the children in order to protect them," said Rex.

"Melody, if you give back Trident to her you never forgive yourself," said Hope.

"You can't trust her," said Ariel.

"I've given her what she most wanted," said Morgana. "You're the one who lied to her all those years."

"I was trying to protect you," said Ariel.

"By fencing me in?" Melody scowled. Hope looked at the girl and four moment she could see herself. "You knew how much I loved the sea. Why did you keep the truth from me?"

"Melody, listen to me," said Ariel swimming over to a daughter. "If there's one thing in my life that I could do over, I—"

Melody pulled away from her mother. "Too late, mum," she said.

"Melody, no!" Ariel yelled.

It was too late, Melody handed the Trident over to Morgana and she laughed in triumph.

"All the power of the seven seas at my command!" she yelled as lightning shot out of the Trident.

Hope, Rex and Frank charge said Morgana, but she snapped her fingers and three Sheltering Zone appeared. They swatted the freer them away with their tentacles making them slam against the cavern wall.

Morgana then wrapped one of the tentacles around Ariel and pulled her towards.

"Mum!" Melody yelled. Morgana then pointed the Trident at her.

"Your mummy was only trying to protect you from moil!" said Morgana evilly. "What she did, she did out of… love," she said grasping Ariel's chin she then looked down at Melody. "Little Melody's been a very naughty girl, stealing from her own grandfather."

"My… my grandfather?" Melody gasped as realisation hit her.

"King Triton, ruler of Atlantica, commander-in-chief of all the oceans!" Morgana yelled mockingly. "Or at least he was, until a certain little thief came along."

"You used her," Frank growled clutching his chest.

"She's got no one to blame but herself," said Morgana. She then smiled evilly at her. "Tell me, Melody. Is been a mermaid everything you dreamed? Was it worth it?"

Then one of the Sheltering Zones grabbed her and Morgana swam to the cavern exit, but before she left she looked at Melody one last time.

"Oh, and by the way, your time as a mermaid has just about expired. Catch you later," she said and swam away.

Hope and the others finally recovered from the Sheltering Zones. Two of the Sheltering Zones swam down towards them, but this time there already and the wayward dodge their attack.

Hope then summoned her Keyblade and ended at them. "Blizzard!" she yelled.

An ice crystal exited from the tip of her Keyblade and slammed into one of the Sheltering Zones freezing it in its place. Rex then place the palm of his hand on the other one and next second it shot backwards and slammed straight into the wall.

"What was that?" said Frank amazed.

"That was my Force Palm technique," said Rex.

Then suddenly Melody gasped in pain. "What's… what's happening?" she gasped. She looked down and saw her fishtail was turning into a pair of legs.

"Melody!" Hope yelled.

Frank would be pulled out his pistol and blasted the last Sheltering Zone's tentacles. This caused it to free Melody, who is now clutching her throat, and Hope swam towards her and grabbed her quickly swimming up to the waterline above the cavern, where there was some fresh air.

The Sheltering Zones turned and was making its way towards them, but only for a huge jolt of electricity and vanished. Frank was holding a smoking pistol with a huge smirk on his face.

"What do you call that?" Rex asked.

"Spark Shot," said Frank. "I mostly use it to paralyse my enemies, but underwater it gives a nasty electric shock."

The two of then then followed Hope, who managed to get Melody to the surface.

"How's the kid?" Frank asked.

"She's fine, but a little shocked," said Hope.

"It's my fault," said Melody. "It's all my fault. How could I been so stupid."

"That doesn't matter right now," said Rex and the stared at him. "What does matter is to correct that mistake, before things get worse."

He then handed Melody her necklace and she took it and nodded.

"Then we best get outside," said Frank.

Hope then grabbed Melody and they swam out of the cavern.

Atlantica: Ice Deeps

They jumped out of the water and onto the icy ground, and the first thing they saw was that the sun had set and Morgana had created an ice castle. All around were King Triton and his forces and Ariel, who somehow managed to free yourself from Morgana, had her arms around who they guessed was Melody's father, Prince Eric.

"Fools! I have the Trident now. And all the creatures of the sea are in my power!" Morgana yelled. "I'm the Queen of the Sea, and you will all bow down before me!"

She then shot had been at the Trident and began hitting King Triton's forces making them all forced to bow down. Melody lodged in horror as her mother was forced to bow down to Morgana.

"Mum!" she yelled.

Rex knew they would be next, but he only had time to reverse the spell on one of them. He looked at Hope and began muttering an incantation.

Hope saw that she was glowing next second she was back into a human form. She turned and looked at Rex, who was now forced to bow in front of Morgana and seconds later Frank was doing the same.

She realised that he turned her back to human so that she and Melody could get to the Trident.

"Stay close to me," she said to Melody.

Melody nodded, understanding what they had to do.

They then ran towards Morgana's ice castle. They jumped to one icy edge to another slowly making their way towards Morgana, who was too busy trying to get King Triton to bow to notice.

"That's it Triton. Bow down! Bow down before me!" said Morgana.

"No, you're Majesty. You mustn't," cried Sebastian.

"I'm sorry, Sebastian," said King Triton before he was forced to bowed. "I have no choice."

"It's over Triton! I said and is used to… oblivion" Morgana cried in triumph aiming the Trident at King Triton.

"I don't think so," Hope's voice cried out.

Morgana turned and saw Hope swinging her Keyblade down towards. Morgana quickly blocked it with the Trident and glared at her.

"You…" she snarled. "Just what do you think you're going to do?"

"Beat you, what else," said Hope.

However, Hope backed away and casted a Fire spell. Morgana had no time to block it and it hit him in the face causing her to drop the Trident. Then Melody came out of nowhere and grabbed it.

Morgana blew the smoke out of her face and only just realised what had just happened. She stared at Melody in horror knowing what's going to happen next.

"Grandfather?" said Melody looking down at King Triton. "I think this belongs to you."

Melody then tossed the Trident down to King Triton. "No!" Morgana cried.

Morgana pushed Hope and Melody out of the way and they both fell down towards the ground. They close their eyes and brace themselves, but it never happened.

They open their eyes and saw that Rex somehow stop them from falling by extending his hands towards them and gently brought them to the ground slowly.

"How did you do that," said Hope blinking incredulously.

"A little trick I learned during my travels," said Rex.

King Triton grabbed the Trident and glared up in Morgana, who was now quivering in fear.

"Never again… will you or yours threatened my family!" he roared and began waving the Trident around. "There will be no escape for you… ever!"

He then fired a beam straight at Morgana and she screamed as she was frozen in place and then her ice castle began to crumble. She then began to sink below the waves never to be seen again.

Melody found herself in a father's arms been carried to a mother. "Dad?" she said.

"Oh, Melody, I was so afraid we'd lost you," he said and brought it down next to another.

"I'm so sorry, mother," she said hugging her mother.

"Oh, no, sweetie. We're sorry," she said gently. "We should have told you the truth."

"I didn't mean to hurt anyone. I just hoped I'd be a better mermaid than a girl," she said.

"Oh, Melody, sweetie, it doesn't matter if you have fins or feet, it doesn't even matter what world you're from. We love you for who you are on the inside… our very brave little girl."

"Just like your mother," said King Triton swimming up to them.

"Oh, grandfather!" Melody yelled giving him a big hug.

Hope, Rex and Frank just watch the scene happily. Hope started to wonder if her relationship with her father was anything like Melody and her mother.

However, these thought in remaining ahead, because her the tip of her Keyblade to glow as did Melody's necklace.

Then a being shot out of Melody's necklace and up into the sky creating a large keyhole. Hope point is a Keyblade up at it and are being shot out. Then like it did before, they heard something open and Hope felt herself getting stronger.

"I believe you just learned how to use Thunder," said Rex.

"And it looks like we got to get going," said Frank.

"Please, give our love to your parents," said Ariel looking at Hope. "And your father would be so proud."

Hope didn't know how to take this, but she was glad that she could help such a loving family.