Chapter CLV: Searching For Harmony, Onwards To Atlantica! Part I

A rainbow arched over the grand blue skies as pink and white blossoms fluttered down from above, dressed in her warm yellow gown with her hair tied back, with her prince wearing his regal white uniform beside her smiling warmly at the transpiring events. Ariel couldn't have been happier for today after so long she was finally seeing her father again! For that day was a day of true celebration, for she was introducing him to her beautiful baby his first grandchild, Melody.

The tiny baby was a wonderful joy to gaze upon, she had dark black hair like her father in contrast to her mother's vibrant warm red hair which was tied at the back with a white bow that had a pink shell shape in its centre. But she had the same beautiful deep sea green eyes as her mother. She was dressed in a sweet little white frock with pink lacings around her cuffs and collar along with a pink little belt. This made her look like a darling little shell herself.

However this was no ordinary meeting for this small baby was the symbol of union! The joining of sea and land, for Ariel's father was Triton! The king of the seas and of the people of that realm. The Merpeople!

For some years before this celebratory time something miraculous had occurred, a mermaid and a human falling in love! But it did not come without hardship...for a darkness had manipulated events so the realm of the sea would fall... however with the help of some special friends this force had been dispatched and with the aid of her father allowing her to become a human, Ariel could finally be with her prince Eric.

Then after thinking of all that time that had gone by... she looked at her baby as she reached her tiny hands up to the raining blossoms that came flooding down, the smile on her little face made Ariel smile as just as warmly in return.

The proud and happy grandfather gazing upon his grandchild smiled with just as warmly with affection, he then decided it was time to reveal a little something he had prepared that was held in his strong hands, "my precious Melody," with that he revealed the small gift as he held it by a delicate chain, it was a golden sea shell with her name inscribed across its top, "I'm giving you this locket so that you'll never forget that part of your heart will always belong to the sea..."

With that as he said those words, he opened the locket and in moments a sphere of magic emerged containing a glorious image. For inside this floating bubble was an image of the golden city that lay under the sea, 'Atlantica.' In amongst it's many dazzling and glittering towers were the images of Merpeople as they swam and glided through the enchanted city as a pretty tune echoed out.

The small baby was joyful at the sight as she giggled and laughed at the wonderful present she'd been given. This made her mother smile warmly at both her and her father who was smiling with just as much happiness. Then gently he closed the locket as he moved to give it to his granddaughter.

But then-

"Melody!"

Suddenly her baby was snatched from her and her father's hands by a long black and green tentacle that emerged from the sea!

"HEE! HA! HA! HA! HA! A party!"

At once as this maniacal laughter filled the air, everyone present was shocked! For suddenly someone arrived as she rode upon her two huge devilishly grinning Sting Rays with the tiny baby girl still held in one of her long sticky limbs!

Looking at her everyone knew who she was! That pale almost illish green looking skin with the spots! That white spiked hair! Those black Octopus dress like legs! Sebastian the royal red crab musician of 'Atlantica' cried out her identity in fear as he stood upon the anchor, 'Ursula's crazy sister!" Flounder Ariel's close blue and yellow fish friend cowered with him under the chain at the approach of the horrible villainess.

Hearing this announcement the 'sister' chuckled loudly as she brought her tiny captive up with her tentacle, she playfully put a finger to the giggling baby's chin as she cried out, "I didn't miss the cake and ice cream did I?" With that she laughed out manically once again as the baby gently shook and smiled in her clutches!
Seeing what was being done to his granddaughter, Triton became angered as spoke out her name, "Morgana!" At once the powerful trident in his hands began to glow with fierce power as he commanded the evil witch,"surrender the baby or I'll-"

"Uh! Uh! Uh!" Morgana put to him as she moved the little baby up and towards her, with that she gently held her with her own hands as she gave the tiny girl a small kiss on the cheek! She was using her as a shield!
Triton was horrified at this action as his eyes widened, he lowered his trident ever so slightly as well, Morgana amused by the fact she'd gained the upper hand spoke on as she lifted herself and her captive up the edge of the ship with her tentacles, "Ursula simply would loved to have come but something came up!"

Making it up she had to put a hand to her chin as she thought about it, "now? Now what was it?" Then finally making it onto the ship it came to her as she told all who were standing there, "oh yes! You all SHISH-KABOBBED HER!" She cried out as her rage was revealed!

Looking at her everyone watched with anxious wide eyes as she continued to hold the innocent little baby girl, who was continuing to giggle happily away as she was being thrown up and down gently like a ball on one of Morgana's long tentacles as the evil witch continued to rant on,"one minute you're on top! The next your sushi!"

Watching on as she did this an older attendant dressed in a black suit with purple ruffles and white hair was suddenly pulled across to the evil sea witch as she asked him putting her hand under his chin,"now is that fair gramps I ask you?"

However before this gentleman could give her a reply, she pushed him aside as she jumped across to a long netted shroud as she concluded aloud, "but then whoever said we had to play fair?" With that giggling away as she continued to hold the bouncy happy baby girl, she stroked her cheek for a brief moment before calling out loudly in a nearly gentle manner, "oh Undertow!"

Then at this call in moments, something emerged from the dark seas! It was a huge dark grey striped tiger shark! This creature was practically mammoth size as he broke through the crowds of Merpeople, pushing them all aside as they panicked he cried out loudly, "make way little Mershrimp! I'm comin' through!" Then grinning menacingly he made it to the edge of the ship where Morgana was waiting for him!

Ariel and her husband Eric were terrified as they saw what Morgana was planning to do as she leaned over the edge with the baby held by a single long tentacle, Undertow was ready underneath it as he had his huge mouth opened wide, revealing his sharp ferocious teeth!

Seeing this the princess of the Merfolk cried out with worry, "no!"

Morgana then spelled out her terms to her 'captive audience' as Melody was continued to be dangled over certain death, "now hand over the trident or your precious granddaughter will be shark chow!"

Though Triton didn't want that to happen, he was not going to risk the lives of his family as he quickly told the evil sea witch, "you can...have anything you want! Just please don't harm little Melody!"

Hearing this Morgana was pleased as she lifted the helpless baby back up into the air, as she did this she moved off of the ships shrouds as she spoke on with arrogance in her tone, "well, well, I get the trident! Avenge poor unfortunate Ursula!" As she continued to speak on though Ariel noticed something to her right! A rope! Looking up she saw where it lead to, that could work! Morgana not noticing one of the audience members was distracted simply went on, "and gain all the powers of the ocean!" Then amused and enjoying this moment she added with a little humour putting a hand to her head as she thought about it, "and it's not even ten o'clock! Not a bad morning!"

At that moment Ariel decided it was now or never! She was not going to let this evil witch have her way! Quickly grabbing Eric's cutlass from his side she swung it and cut into the rope on the right side of the ship! As she did this in moments Eric cried out as he saw what was going to happen, "hit the deck!"

This immediately sent one of the long booms of the ship that held part of the rolled up main sail flying as it flew forwards and struck the evil witch! This catapulted her into a another set of netted shrouds that sent her flying back into the ocean making her crash into her Sting Ray minions! "AGGGGHH!" Came their alarmed cries!

However doing this had made Morgana let go of the small baby and she was now heading towards her doom as Undertow jumped out of the waters to snap up the baby into his ferocious jaws!Quickly though the baby's father leaped into action as he grabbed a nearby rope and used it to swing downwards with fierce determination!

But the horrible tiger shark was upon the helpless baby as he was ready to swallow her whole! Quickly though Triton acted as he brought forth his trident and he aimed it! Firing forwards a powerful glittering lightning spell raced from it and struck the terrible beast!

In moments Undertow was sped around in a dizzy circle and then in a flash he was miniaturised into one tenth of his original size! He looked like a small piranha with big teeth as he dropped back into the ocean with a 'plop.' The giggling baby girl was caught by the strong and protective warm arm of her father as he swung back around!

As the two of them arrived back safely onto the ship's deck, Ariel rushed forwards as she cried out worried, "Melody!"

Then breaking back to the surface Undertow cried out loud mad, "what have ya done to me!? Look at me! I'm an anchovy! Agh!" For this was horrible for a shark like him! This was absolutely humiliating!

Morgana seeing she'd being foiled raced forwards into the sea as various Merpeople got out of her way! Looking back she cried out as she began to spin on her long slimy legs, "this isn't the end Triton! It's just the beginning!"

In moments seeing what she was about to do, the sea king immediately ordered, "after her!"

With that his royal guards went to intercept and capture the evil sea witch, however her dark spell had activated leaving them unable to snare her as she cried out to all there laughing manically,"you'll never find me! But I'll find you and your precious granddaughter!" As the dark inky cloud came all around her being and her arriving minions they were swept away in the blink of an eye!

Everyone hearing this dreadful omen all felt chilled inside! Especially Ariel and Eric as they held their precious baby girl in their arms, she looked at the two of them confused.

Triton was outraged as he decreed with his trident glowing radiantly, "we shall not rest until that mad woman is vanquished! Find her! FIND HER!" His shout rang out as a strong bolt of lightning escaped from the tip of his powerful weapon and raced into the skies above making an angry storm rage within the dark clouds...

It had been perhaps a few days or more than that since the search for the evil sea witch had come, all present were saddened at heart with worry as they stood upon the beach of the palace as the sun was beginning to set.

Triton had come in person to let them know of the progress of the search, it was not good news as he told both parents "I'm sorry! There's no sign of her! She's vanished!"

Disheartened as her father spoke on, Ariel hung onto her dear husband Eric for comfort, "we'll keep trying! We'll-"

Then Ariel noticed what her young baby was doing as she was reaching her hands into the sea and was playfully splashing into the waves! Quickly she reached down and grabbed her daughter and said, "sweetie no!" The infant girl simply continued to laugh away with joy unaware of the terrible situation that was occurring around her.

Holding her baby close to her, Ariel spoke her worries, "oh we've got to keep Melody away from her!" The princess of the Merpeople then said her sad resolve as she realised, " until Morgana is found, Melody can't go in the sea!... And neither will I!"

Her dear friend hearing her say this was upset as much as Sebastian beside him who was sitting upon a small rock as he protested from the sea waters, "but Ariel!"

Immediately she apologised to him as she explained, "I'm sorry Flounder... but if Morgana's anything like Ursula she'll never give up!" Melody hearing this in the meantime was playing with the golden shell locket she'd been given as she bit into it with her growing teeth as her mother continued to speak on, "this is the only way!"

Triton hearing each of her daughter's words was becoming more heartbroken by the minute as he shook his head, Ariel in the meantime had removed the locket from her tiny daughter as she continued sadly, "Melody can't know about Merpeople, or Atlantica...or even you daddy." Then as she finished she returned the golden locket back to its loving giver and creator.

Sad at her decision but respecting it, Triton replied to his daughter, "very well Ariel, you're right..." With that he left the sad family behind as they hugged one another gently as he went to return to the depths of the ocean, clutching the locket close to his heart.

However passing his royal musician as he continued to stand upon the rock, he whispered his new duty to him, "Sebastian you will watch over her!"

The small red crab hearing this was far from pleased as he asked shocked, his eyes widening, "me?! " Then he fainted as he fell over backwards into the waters crying out, "awww!" For once again the headaches and stress were guaranteed to make a full return!

Triton not paying heed to this reaction looked back once more to his daughter, son in law and precious granddaughter with sadness in his eyes as he turned back to make his way to the ocean, Flounder following him from behind looked on just as sadly at them too as he then turned away to head back...

Holding her daughter over her shoulder, aching with sadness but relieved that she would be safe Ariel held her close. Looking down she then imagined the faces of Sora, Donald and Goofy... what would think of her and her decision? It was upsetting to think of as she shook her head and simply walked on forwards. As Eric walked beside her and saw her do this as they went up the grand marble white palace stone stairs, he could imagine who she was thinking of and he was feeling much the same sadness for her and his daughter...

Unbeknownst to them a pair of curious innocent little eyes were looking over her mother's shoulder as she saw the old man in the distance with the small fish beside him. She saw the golden trinket in his hand drop it into the depths of the sea as it disappeared down to be forgotten and lost in the darkness... like the bond they could have all shared together...

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX

This was bad and Sebastian knew it was! Out of all the things that had occurred in the last twelve years this was the worst! As he swam through the metal piping that led through the water way that was a part of the huge white wall, which had been built to keep the sea away from the palace... his stress levels were off of the charts!

As he swam forwards through it he spoke aloud to himself, "Sebastian you watch over he says! Why couldn't I have just said no all those years ago! I'm too old for this! A crab of my age should be retired, getting a tan, playing sea golf! Not having to go through this!"

At these words he shivered as he thought about the monstrous situation he was in! For he could also see he was near to the end of the tunnel, gulping he tried to calm his nerves as he spoke aloud again, "all right Sebastian! You must remain calm! This is not your fault!" Then emerging from it he walked forwards and making it across a big rock in his path, he saw that he'd made into the small beach that was just in front of the gardens to the palace, there he could see ahead the warm lit up entrance to the majestic halls inside it!

In there he knew who he would be giving this distressing information to, princess Ariel and prince Eric... trying to keep calm he walked on slowly and calmly as he could as he spoke aloud again trying to calm himself down, "all you have to do... is go in there and calmly explain that Melody... has runaway!"

Then shivering at the thought of seeing their horrified and possibly angered faces, it filled him with absolute dread! But he had to get ahold of himself, he was the royal musician for crying out loud! So climbing the garden stone steps he continued speaking on, "there's no reason to lose your head!" Then making it into the gardens themselves he walked across the lawn, he was almost there! So preparing himself as he walked over the green grass where the few blossoming trees and draping vines were over the walls. He reminded himself getting as calm as he could, he approached the stairs, "whatever you do!... You absolutely, positively... must not panic!" With that he finally felt he'd got a hold of himself...

Then suddenly all around him, the ground and earth began to shake and tremble terribly! This made his small little crab legs shake like mad as he asked absolutely bewildered with nervousness, "he, he, he, hey? Wha wha what the? Man? What is-"

For he couldn't know about nor see the white door of time that was shaking and trembling in the corner besides the darkened stairs of the palace! Something was coming through them! Something big and explosive!

Sebastian unaware of what was causing these tremors asked aloud nervously, "wha, what in jumping jellyfish is-"

"AAAAAGGGGGGHHHHH!"

Suddenly the door of time had exploded open as it's doors swung out! Slamming them from the inside four living shapes came flying out of it as they cried out flailing their arms all over the place!

"AAAAAGGGGGGHHHHH!"

This in turn had caused Sebastian to lose his calm and begin screaming out his fright and distress at this sudden turn of events!

Most of the shapes that had emerged from the door of time had all rolled over and over, before collapsing onto the grassy green floor unconscious. This was due to slamming into the white wooden doors. However there was one who was sent flying sky high over the wall and into the distance of the dark blue skies as they screamed away loudly!

"AAAAAGGGGGGHHHHH!"

Immediately panicked hearing these distressing sounds from the palace two figures emerged from the doors of the palace as they both cried out worried, "what is?!" "What's happening here!?"

Quickly then the two figures who'd come out from the palace were revealed to be Eric and Ariel dressed regally with the prince wearing his white uniform once more while his princess was in a gentle lilac gown with a tiara upon her head. They both looked on with confused and stunned eyes to see a group of strangers all lying unmoving across their lawn, along with a panicking red crab that was running left and right all over the place flailing his pincers around!

Eric seeing these strangers there asked, "what's going on here!? Who're these people?"

Ariel staring at them herself was breathless for an answer, but looking at each one of individualy she identified them. She saw a young man with long white hair in a yellow waistcoat and long dark purple trousers. A small black and white cat was beside him with a red cape and golden crown on his head. Then looking at the third figure, she saw he was a mouse like being with his long tail peeking out of his trousers. He was wearing some kind of red costume with white cuffs, silver zips white gloves and yellow trainers. Then in his right hand!

She gasped as she saw what it was, Eric hearing this reaction asked, "Ariel what it is it are you-"

Then he watched as his wife walked forwards in a hurry and bending next to this red clad mouse she touched the object in his clenched white gloved hand... she knew what it was, "a keyblade...?" Then looking to them all she asked further, "are they all-?"

"Urgh?" Then suddenly she heard movement from this individual and quickly looking to her husband she told him, "Eric help me here!"

With that quickly the prince of the palace went to assist his wife to care for these unusual visitors, but one thought was on his mind as he helped her, 'where'd these people come from?'

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX

"AAAGGGGHHHH!"

Still struggling in the air as she was being thrust forwards by this terrible wind, Nozomi was shouting out madly in panic!

As she sailed through the air and through the clouds, she couldn't get any leverage at all! Her wings could do nothing against this turbulent wind as they flapped about her left and right! "Isn't there any breaks on this gust!" Then suddenly as she said this her wings vanished at this one sentence, as the wind ceased too! As it did she blinked confused as she stood in the air! "What's just-" then before she could say another word, she was suddenly sent plummeting straight downwards!

"AAAGGGGGGHHHHHH!"

As she sailed down and down, rolling over and over this felt like it was the end! However suddenly as this thought came she crashed into something! "Owwww!" She cried out madly for whatever she'd hit, it was hard as it swung back and then forwards! A splash sounded out!

Rubbing the back of her head as she lifted herself forwards as she cried out mad, "that really hurt!?" Then turning over she asked bewildered and annoyed beyond all degree, "what the heck was that!? What sent me-"

Then she stopped for looking down she saw she was looking over a wooden edge of some kind! Shocked she then saw that there was a huge deep pool of water underneath her, then looking upwards and around she saw she was surrounded by water everywhere! Quickly retracting back she moved to get up! "what is this?! What-" stopping she felt the whole surface underneath her wobble and shake! "Hey! Agh! Whoa!" Then in another moment she collapsed back down! This immediately stopped whatever she was on from moving around anymore.

Shook up she was looking down as she saw the whole thing was wooden! Realising the predicament she was in, she said aloud trying to get her focus back despite her panic, "okay! Okay! Don't move! Don't panic! Don't move! If I do anything stupid I'll drown and then-" Suddenly as she looked up and moved her gaze forwards and ahead of herself, she saw that she was not alone! For there sitting on the other end of whatever this floating wooden thing was, was another girl!

Looking Nozomi saw that was younger than her. She had black hair likes hers, though hers was tied into a long ponytail behind her with a green hairband. She was also wearing a white vest with a little green ribbon at the top of it and below that she was wearing long white puffed up pants that finished just below her knees. Seeing this costume made Nozomi wonder if she was wearing pajama's? Then looking at her a little more she saw that she was wearing a golden necklace around her neck that had a seashell shape in its centre with the word 'Melody' written across it.

The girl was clearly shocked at her sudden and unexpected arrival as she gazed at Nozomi with her wide deep sea green eyes...

In turn the female keyblader was just as spooked at seeing her... there was a long silence between the two girls. But then partially recovering from the shock a single sentence fell from Nozomi's lips as she asked, "who... who are you?"

This was a true circumstance of finding odd 'boat' fellows and it was clear that this new adventure was going to be an unusual one!

Hey guys here's the beginning of the new Arc! Hope you like it! Just to let you dear readers know I've set up another competition and this one will be the last one I'll be ever doing for this series so if anyone wants to enter it just let me know in a PM okay? Please leave a review when you can? Kay? Laters! ^^