Chapter CLVI: Searching For Harmony, Onwards To Atlantica! Part II
"Mmmm...?" Mickey mumbled as his consciousness was beginning to awaken again. Though he ached a little he was feeling refreshed somehow, opening his eyes he asked curiously, "what was-?"
"It's worked Eric!"
Hearing this voice the king didn't recognise it, his vision was still bleary and it didn't help that it was dark due to the fact of it being night time. Trying to get his focus back he asked, "who is-?"
"Wow! Your magic still works after all this time, that's amazing Ariel!"
At the mention of this name, Mickey had finally managed to get his focus back and as he did he recognised that name as he repeated, "Ariel?" Then finally as he said this, he moved himself as he sat up right and shaking his head a little he turned his head. It was then he saw the two of them.
The first figure he saw was a woman, her red hair was tied back into a bun with a golden tiara in front of it which was embedded with an emerald and a couple of pearls. Around her neck was a golden necklace with another emerald, she also wore a pair of emerald earrings. He saw that she was wearing a lilac coloured gown. It was clear this woman was one of nobility.
Then looking at the second figure next to her, who was clearly this woman's husband. He was dressed in a white suit which had a black belt around his middle which was tied with a golden buckle. The suit was also covered in golden lines and cuffs along with Epaulette's along his shoulders. He also wore black trousers underneath the rich decorated coat and finishing off his image he wore a pair of black trousers.
For after using her 'Cure' spell to fix up and heal their unusual visitor, Ariel was standing over this individual and as she saw him looking at her and Eric she asked him concerned, "are you all right now?"
Listening to this question and after seeing the two of them, Mickey was surprised but looking at this young woman he recognized her as he asked almost in disbelief, "princess Ariel!?"
Hearing her name being called by this individual, the former mermaid was surprised as she heard the recognition in his voice, "you know me?"
Immediately the king still surprised replied as he explained, "yeah! Though it was a real long ago and Sora-"
Instantly hearing the name of her keyblader friend, Ariel interrupted him as she said, "Sora! So I was right! All three of you are connected to him!"
Mickey hearing her say a specific digit, he repeated it confused, "three?" Then looking beyond both the prince and princess he saw both Cait sith and Riku lying unconscious on the floor. Seeing them immediately his worry kicked in as he ran over and cried out, "fella's!"
First looking to his feline companion who was the nearest and not moving he asked him, "Cait sith!? Are ya okay? Can ya hear me at all? Can ya-"
Quickly moving in and seeing that her help was needed again, Ariel told the king as she moved him aside gently and sat herself down, "here let me," with that she moved both of her hands over the black and white cat and gently lifting her head up she said simply, "Cure..."
With that the green glowing healing spell descended from her hands in moments, quickly it covered all of Cait sith's body and removed the aches and pains he'd acquired. Then finally rid of his concussion the small cat stirred and awoke as he sat himself up and shook his head. He held it saying, "awww! Yikes lads! What truck did we smash into there!"
Hearing him awaken, immediately Mickey was relieved as he cried out, "Cait sith!"
At the mention of his name, quickly the small cat turned himself over and looking to his mousey pal he cried out, "Mickey mate!"
Glad to hear that he was all right the king sighed a huge breath of relief as he asked him, "you okay there now? You're not hurtin' there are are ya?"
At this question the small black and white cat replied to him, "well other than a dull ache mate! I reckon I'm ship shape!"
Quickly glad to hear this the king replied, "that's good!" Then looking up he saw Riku was still lying on the ground and so seeing him quickly he told his small friend, "sorry Cait sith! You'll have to excuse me!" With that Mickey went to attend his fellow keyblader.
Looking at him go and seeing Riku was on the ground in the distance unconscious, the small Scottish cat couldn't help but comment, "ah? So even old Snowball got knocked out huh?" Then turning around he saw that he had a little audience gazing at him! This made him jump and step back in surprise at seeing both Ariel And Eric who were staring down at him.
Seeing the small cat's attention was now upon her and her husband, Ariel smiled down to him as she greeted him gently, "hello there!"
Overcoming the surprise, quickly Cait sith recovered himself as he said, "oh?" Then seeing he was in the presence of royalty he instantly acted upon the proper conduct that was needed, "well forgive me for not noticin' ya earlier there! It's me pleasure ta make ya royal acquaintances!" With that he reached his small right gloved hand forwards as he told both the princess and prince before him, "me name's Cait sith!"
Gently amused by this as she let out a small chuckle at this introduction, the princess reached her own hand down and took his out as she replied, "nice to meet you! I'm Ariel."
Nodding glad to hear this pretty name, Cait sith's hand was released from hers and in turn the prince smiling at him shook his hand too as he told him, "and my name's Eric."
"Glad to know ya!" Cait sith responded as he finally took his hand back from the royal prince.
Ariel glad to see that this little crowned feline was friendly smiled, then looking up she saw that Mickey was attending his comrade with his own 'Cure' spell. Seeing him do this she hoped the white haired young man was all right. However before she could make a step to move forwards and inquire suddenly she felt shivering at the bottom hem of her dress, looking down she saw that it was none other than the royal musician of her father's court, "Sebastian?"
The small red crab contuining to shiver as he looked at Cait sith was even more nervous now! For if there was one thing to fear above all others for both fish and crustaceans like him. It was a cat!
However the object of fear not noticing the terrible emotion that was overtaking the small crab walked over to him as he greeted him, "howdy there chum!"
"AGGGH!" Sebastian cried out as he quickly darted around and away from the cat and as he did, he ducked behind Eric's black trouser legs!
Seeing the stir he'd caused with confused eyes, Cait sith asked, "oi what's up with you mate?"
Peeking out from behind the safety of Eric's legs, Sebastian couldn't bear to say a word! His eyes were wide with fear as he looked up and saw that Cait sith was coming over to him again!
Finally recognising the fear that was in the small red crab's eyes, the still confused cat asked him, "what's got you so spooked?"
Then breaking down entirely from the stress and fear, Sebastian wailed as he cried out bowing his pincers and head on the ground, "OOOOHHHHH! Please! Don't take a munch at me! I know I don't deserve to live man! But I! I! Oh Please! Please!"
Hearing this now hysterical crab go on at him like this Cait sith, along with Ariel and Eric, they all looked on with awkward and puzzled gazes...
However finally getting what was going on, the small cat spoke aloud with a sigh as he said, " oh so that's what this is about?" Then looking down and seeing the hysterical crab now making a fountain of tears as they flooded out of him, Cait sith told him, "ya can relax yaself mate! I ain't gonna be chewin' on ya!"
Hearing this comment, instantly Sebastian stopped in his wailing... then he asked looking up pitifully, "really?"
At this question immediately came a response, "of course not crabby! 'sides I'm not really one for fish anyway! Give me a good old cup of white milk and a red hot sausage and I'm happy any day of the week!"
Listening to this response the little red crab was really surprised! A cat that didn't eat fish? However before he could think more about this, a question was asked to him, "Sebastian why are you here?"
Turning around the royal musician then saw it was Ariel asking this question to him as she gazed down curiously. He instantly froze again, what was he to say?
It was then at that moment that finally Riku awoke and as he did he ached all over, "Owww... that really hurt there!"
As he sat himself up Mickey became relaxed and relieved as he spoke his name, "Riku!"
Hearing him the keyblader looked to him as he asked, "your majesty?"
Seeing his comrade look at him, the mouse king said, "it's good you're awake! Ya had me worried!"
At this comment the white haired keyblader told him with a small smile, "sorry I did that!" Then as he shook his head a little more, he looked around himself and saw that Cait sith was standing next to a woman in a lilac coloured dress and a white suited man was beside her. As he saw them he gazed around at the rest of the garden and saw the few blooming trees, the green grass he was sat upon along with the high walls that surrounded them.
Looking everywhere though there was something that he had to ask Mickey, "hey where's Nozomi? Is she-"
"OUT! OUT TO THE SEA!"
Hearing this sudden shout put Mickey and Riku on high alert as they turned around to see a small red crab shouting out hysterically and it looked like he was crying too.
His eyes widening Riku repeated, "out to the sea?" Then instantly he had a flash as he remembered them all being thrown out through the door of time! He'd caught a glimpse of Nozomi being thrown away into the air before his consciousness had darkened! This was bad!
Mickey watched in seconds as his comrade got up in a hurry and ran over to where the small crab was making his tearful confession. Seeing him go immediately the king chased after him as he cried out, "Riku!"
Ariel and Eric were becoming horrified at the news that was being told to them and quickly the princess of the kingdom asked the Royal Musician, "gone out to the sea? You mean-"
Sebastian wept aloud again as he told them both, "yes! Yes! Melody! She! She's gone out to the sea! I tried to stop her but I..." the small crab couldn't continue though as he collapsed onto the floor as he started sobbing again.
Cait sith not knowing who this 'Melody' was though said looking down at Sebastian, "ya're gonna need to learn to relax on the waterworks mate."
Ariel though quickly becoming distressed at the news had to ask, "what do you mean!? Where could she be going!?"
However suddenly stopping her from going on, Riku had walked over and quickly shocking everyone he'd picked up Sebastian in his open hands and he asked the small crab urgently with worry, "what'd you see!? Where did Nozomi go!"
Shocking him, Sebastian asked perplexed, "what? Who? What're-"
"Nozomi! What direction did she fly in?! Where'd you see her go!" Riku demanded of the small red crustacean!
Cait sith hearing him say this finally noticed too that their female keyblader teammate was nowhere in sight! Quickly becoming worried too he asked, "the lass isn't-"
Sebastian was becoming more frightend by the moment as he saw the serious intent in Riku's eyes as he heard him ask again shaking his hands hard as he was trembling with fear and agitation, "tell me where's she's gone?!"
"Riku stop it! The king cried out as he ran forwards to try and calm things down!
His hands still shaking Riku stopped for a moment and looking back he saw Mickey quickly running up to him, seeing him coming he spoke, "your majesty..."
"Look I understand ya worry! But shaking that little fella ain't gonna make us find her lightning fast! We gotta calm down and think about things calmly here!" The king told him as he looked at the white haired keyblader with seriousness in his eyes.
Riku hearing this as he still held Sebastian in his hands had to say something, "but Nozomi she can't-"
Quickly to diminish his worry despite the audience that was around them, Mickey told him, "she'll be okay! Besides the thing that she's holdin' inside of her, won't let her call it quits that easily! Though I'm worryin' about her too, I know Nozomi will be okay!" Then taking a deep breath the king told his friend in arms with a smile, "so calm down... alright?"
At the words of the king, Riku was silent and though the worry was still racing in his heart. He knew what his majesty was saying was the truth, so gently he kneeled down and let Sebastian get off of his palms and as he did he apologised to him, "sorry..."
Sebastian could think of nothing to say to this young man and so all he did was nod his head to him as he scooted over and stood next to Ariel. The princess hearing the name that these two had spoken asked curiously, "Nozomi? Who's that?" However that was not the most important question! Which she figured out as she asked,"what're you all doing here?"
Mickey seeing that there was no way to properly conceal this and knowing that Ariel was a friend of Sora's...he decided to set things straight, "I better fill in ya fella's about what's goin' on and then ya can tell us ya worries too about this Melody ya were all talkin about.'"
Ariel seeing what this mouse being was going to do for them, she looked to her husband and as she nodded to him he said to the king, "very well then, please tell us everything."
With that as Mickey began to explain why they'd all made an appearance, Riku in the meantime stood away a little looking down and depressed. Seeing him do this Cait sith quickly ran up and then sitting himself upon his comrade's shoulder he told him, "cheer up Snowdrop! I'm sure that old banshee of ours is alive and well! Don't be frettin' too much!"
Hearing him say these words of encouragement, Riku looked to him and replied, "yeah she probably is...thanks Cait sith."
The small cat nodded at this as he turned himself around to listen to what Mickey was gonna tell these new guys.
Riku in the meanwhile looked away from the giving and exchanging of information for a moment as he saw the full moon in the sky. As he did he held his right hand to his heart as it continued to twist with anxiety for her, "please be safe... Nozomi." He whispered gently into the night air...
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Still looking on with widened eyes as she'd seen this purple and blue long sleeved girl drop in from nowhere, the young long black ponytail haired girl replied to the question that had been asked to her, "who am I? Uh shouldn't I be asking who you are?"
Nozomi still a little spooked herself replied feeling awkward, "uh... yeah? I guess... um?" For this was really weird! How were you supposed to greet someone in these types of circumstances! Her brain whirled trying to think of something, but it was obvious if things were gonna make any kind of progress she'd have to talk first! So trying to move herself up gently without tipping the boat over she told the girl rubbing her head, "well... my name's Nozomi, if that's anything to you?"
"Um okay?" She replied for hearing this girl say her name, she wasn't sure of her as she looked at her. However she was glad to see that this person was friendly enough to make introductions with, so giving her the benefit of a doubt she moved herself forwards and sitting up properly she told her reaching her hand forwards, "I'm Melody."
Seeing this girl move her hand forwards, Nozomi was surprised that she was willing to reach her hand out to a stranger so quickly! However she was glad to see that she hadn't scared her too badly as she reached her own hand forwards and as she shook hers she said, "nice to meet you!... Despite the situation!"
Melody hearing this she couldn't help but laugh a little as she saw that they were both awkward when it came to meeting people! As she detatched her hand from this girl, she decided to ask her, "so where'd you come from? How'd you end up on my boat like this?"
"Boat?" Nozomi repeated, for then looking around she finally recognised she was on one! Surprised she looked back to Melody as she began to reply, "I was-" then the pain kicked in again! "Ow!" She cried out as her head winced!
Seeing this happen quickly the ponytail haired girl climbed over as she asked worried, "oh no! Are you all right!?"
Nozomi in the meantime was still aching like mad! But then suddenly she felt a couple of concerned hands on her head! Surprised she looked to see it was Melody who'd come over to her! Looking at the young girl as she was stroking her black hair she heard the girl ask, "are you still hurting? Is it really bad?"
Nozomi hearing this was surprised, for it wasn't often she had people running to her aid like this for a simple headache, but seeing the concern that was in Melody's eyes she told her smiling gently, "I'm fine! It stings a bit, but I'll be okay!"
"Really?" The young girl asked and in reply Nozomi nodded still smiling. Feeling relief the young girl told her, "that's good..." then thinking back to her question she asked, "so what were you going to say?"
Seeing that her caring attendant wanted answers, Nozomi had no idea what to say at first and so she started to reply again, "well I? Ow!" Once again there was another throb of pain that hurt her.
Worried Melody quickly asked her, "oh no! You're not suffering from amnesia are you!?"
Still aching, Nozomi was caught off guard by this diagnosis as she looked at Melody surprised and asked, "amnesia?"
Melody nodded really worried now for her, seeing the anxiety in her eyes Nozomi was silent still with perplexed surprise. But then it suddenly occurred to her as she remembered Riku's annoyed face as he'd grabbed her on several occasions to remember about the world order! Plus the fabric of time was in jeopardy right now! For there was no other way she was gonna be able to explain away her appearance in this type of situation! For who would believe she just dropped out of nowhere and made it here!
"Ow! Yeah I uh! Ow! Ha ha! Um... I can't remember a thing! Uh how did I get here?" She replied laughing really awkwardly as she held the back of her head with one of her hands and sweated like mad. In the back of her head she thought to herself annoyed, 'oh man this is so weak! I'm really not good at getting around these kinds of things! There's now way she'll-'
Then suddenly Melody grabbed her free hand and told her sadly, "oh no you poor thing!"
Shocked Nozomi thought to herself, 'she believed me!?' But then keeping on with the act she replied, "yeah... yeah I am poor!" Then a laughing a little more she looked down and added gloomily, "in more ways than one..."
Melody then seeing her do this told her, "that's so sad! I'm sorry you can't remember anything..."
Hearing the melancoly that was in the young girl's voice, Nozomi told her genuinely feeling bad for having to lie like this, "yeah... yeah it is..."
There was then a long silence between the two of them as the full moon continued to float on high in the night sky and the sea continued to sway gently to and throw underneath of them...
Nozomi then though decided to ask as it occurred to her, "so uh? Melody?"
Hearing her name the young girl looked to her friendly acquaintance and as she did she heard her ask, "so what're you doing here? Why're you in this boat in the middle of the ocean?"
Melody listening to this question as it was being put to her was quiet for a moment... she debated, was it safe to tell this girl? But then as she looked to Nozomi again and saw her lilac eyes looking at her curiously and knowing she had no memory of before. She felt she was safe enough to confide in...
"I... I've runaway from home," she told her looking at her knees as she pulled up her legs.
Nozomi hearing this was shocked with surprise as she asked her, "runaway from home?"
Melody nodded, "yeah... that's right..."
Quiet as this set in, Nozomi though felt she had to ask, "why? Why did you do that Melody? Was there something at home that upset you?"
Hearing this sentence, the young girl pulled in her legs a little more as she corrected her, "it wasn't something, it was someone!" Then looking to Nozomi who looked at her worried she told her sadly, "it was my mother..."
Nozomi hearing this asked, "your mother?" To which in reply Melody simply nodded and as she did, the keyblader asked her, "why? What did she do to you? What was it that was so bad?"
Melody shivered at this as even just talking about it was making her sad, "she... she wouldn't let me be myself..."
Puzzled by this Nozomi asked her, "be yourself?"
Nodding at this Melody explained more, "yeah... you see in everyone else's eyes I'm just weird."
"Weird?" For looking at this girl Nozomi couldn't see anything strange about her as she asked, "weird how?
Melody went onto explain why, "because I can talk to fish and... I love the ocean and being in it, being free to swim in and go everywhere... it's such a wonder thing!"
Listening to this Nozomi though she was nervous around water and seeing the expanse of the sea all around them as it sparkled and shone in the moonlight. She could understand how someone could feel so free swimming in it, that feeling she envied as she told her simply, "yeah, that is wonderful."
Melody glad for someone 'human' understanding her nodded, as she continued on with her explanation, "but my mother... she just wants to keep me away from the sea... in every way she can! She just doesn't understand me!" Then she paused for a moment as she spoke further, "then tonight at my Birthday... I just know the truth now! I'm no good there... and I hate it! I hate being confined and... not understood! That's why I've runaway! I don't want to go back..."
Nozomi hearing this was quiet, for she didn't know the whole story of what was going on with Melody at her home and what had happened at her Birthday, so she couldn't really say if it was wrong or not what she was doing... for she knew her mother must have a reason for keeping her away from the ocean. But there was one thing she could understand, not being understood by others and feeling like an outcast. So reaching her hand forwards it was her turn to comfort the young girl as she stroked her head herself and said, "sounds like you've had it tough huh?"
Melody surprised as she heard Nozomi say this after a moment nodded her head, smiling a little. Then as Nozomi removed her hand Melody told her, "yeah... but there's something else I've discovered."
Surprised the young keyblader repeated curiously, "discovered?"
At this questioning tone Melody replied, "yeah!" Then taking her golden locket off for a moment she showed Nozomi as she told her, "it's this!"
Looking at the golden pendant the girl asked, "a locket?" Then looking at it further she saw it had inscribed across it's top, "Melody' seeing this she asked, "it's got your name on it?"
The girl nodded as she told me, "yeah! I found it when I was swimming earlier in the day, in the darkness... it was shining and it felt like it was calling out to me! … again my mother..."
"Your mother what?" Nozomi repeated curiously.
Melody was quiet for a moment before she continued on, "when I opened it, she... she knew what it was, but she wouldn't tell me anything! Then she said I couldn't come in the sea anymore!... I just can't trust her! I know she's hiding something from me and I've got to find out what!"
Listening as Melody continued on Nozomi was getting more and more curious as she asked her, "why? What's in that locket?"
Hearing her ask this question, Melody looked at her for a moment surprised... but then looking back at the necklace she thought about whether or not she should show Nozomi?... However after a moment of silence the girl decided she should, for after all she'd shared everything else with her so far! So holding it firmly she gave her a little warning before opening it, "just don't freak out okay?"
Nozomi curious at this asked as she furrowed her brow, "why would I freak out?"
Melody though didn't give her an answer as she opened up the locket and in moments a floating bubbling image emerged magically from the pendant as it glowed and shone in the moonlight! This left Nozomi with her mouth wide open in surprise as she saw the image before her!
Unbeknownst to the two girls though a small group of three dark shadows were swimming in the water as they all headed straight for the floating boat that was within their sights!
Looking on the female keyblader was presented with a sight she'd never seen before, a golden glowing city under water with bubbles floating here and there. But the sight that surprised her the most was the image of people with fish tails swimming and gliding around the city, so carefree and happy! It was breathtaking!
Melody watching Nozomi's reaction had her lips pressed as she hoped she wouldn't get a negative response from her.
Looking on though as the enchanting image continued to dance before her eyes and the pretty music continued to twinkle forth, Nozomi breathless spoke out her thoughts, "those! Those are! Those are... Fishy people!"
Melody hearing this comment was silent for a moment, but then snapping the image away she couldn't help but laugh and giggle leaving Nozomi baffled as she told her, "no! Those are Merpeople!"
Not understanding what was so funny Nozomi just blinked confused as Melody wiped away a happy tear and said, "you really have lost your memory if you can't remember that!"
Feeling awkward at this point and glad that her surprised comment had just proved her case of 'amnesia,' Nozomi giggled a little as she replied, "yeah... I must have? Yeah... Merpeople." With that she turned over the edge of the boat for a moment as she looked into the dark depths of the ocean, as she did she asked internally, 'people who live under the sea?'
Then suddenly as she thought this, something popped up from underneath the ocean right under her nose! Something long dark and pointy! "Aaagghh!" With that she jumped back and fell over again into the boat!
Hearing her cry and seeing her fall over, Melody became worried again as she cried out, "Nozomi!" With that she quickly went to her as she asked, "hey are you okay!?"
The keyblader then told the holder of the Merpeople locket, "I! I just saw something pointy pop from the sea!"
Hearing this Melody repeated, "pop up from the sea?" With that she quickly looked over the edge and into the water! There she saw beginning to swim around them was a tall dorsal fin and looking at it she knew what type it was, "a shark's fin!"
Quiet hearing this one particular word, Nozomi repeated, "a shark?" Then quickly making it beside Melody, the female keyblader looked at the creature's pointy fin as it continued to swim around their boat. Surprised, she'd only heard about sharks from school and the odd story's Wairu would tell her now and then.
Looking at it she asked Melody feeling a little on edge as she imagined the big horrible teeth these creatures were renowned for, "is that creature dangerous at all to us on this boat?"
Hearing the concern the young girl told her, "I'd say no... unless we get it mad?"
"Oh, okay?" Nozomi asked her, then looking at the shark fin as it continued to swim around them, she was gonna try not to do that! However looking at the fin she couldn't help but comment, "but that fin's a lot more tiny than I thought it would be?"
"Hey! Who're you callin' tiny!?" Came an angry tone.
"Aaggh!" This voice quickly took both Nozomi and Melody by surprise as they cried out and both ducked down! Then cautiously they moved back up and looking over the edge they saw this 'fearsome' shark was looking up at them both annoyed!
Nozomi looking over the edge and seeing what the creature was before them, couldn't help but let out a series of giggles! For this thing in the end wasn't a shark! It was more like a little piranha but it had shark like qualities as it had a tall dark fin on it's head and was coloured a dark grey shade with black stripes on it's back. His yellow eyes looked at the female keyblader annoyed.
Melody seeing the irritated look on the shark's face, she quickly turned to her acquaintance as she told her, "Nozomi come on! Don't laugh!"
Hearing her the female keyblader replied recovering, "sorry! Sorry! I couldn't help it!" Then looking to the little pirhana thing she told it, "no hard feelings there huh?"
The little creature mutterd to himself under his breath, "you wish!" However keeping face he replied smiling to the girl," sure! Sure! None at all!"
Then looking at the girls he decided to initiate the plan properly, "so what brings two pretty things like you out to sea?"
Hearing the question Nozomi couldn't break from her own act as she scratched the back of her head and replied, "um? Different kinds of stuff?"
Melody listening to Nozomi say this decided to explain things more clearly, as she turned to the shark and him, "my friend here has lost her memory and I'm trying to find the meaning of this locket?"
Nozomi was surprised that Melody was calling her a friend already, while acting curious the piranha shark asked, "locket?" With that Melody showed the creature and as it shone in the moonlight he told her, "ah? So that's what was shinin' back there! You got me and my pals curious with that thing!"
Nozomi hearing this one word repeated curious, "pals?"
With that suddenly on either side of the boat two shapes emerged from the waters with two loud splashes! They were tall and white creatures with long flapping wing like appendages with flat faces that had red eyes. They looked at the two girls with wide sharp toothed smiles! Shocked by the sudden appearances of these two creatures Nozomi cried out wide eyed in fright, "whoa! Agh!"
Seeing her reaction Melody calmed her down as she put a hand on her shoulder and told her, "it's okay! Don't worry! They're just Sting Rays!"
Repeating this word Nozomi asked, "Sting Rays?" With that the two creatures went back into the sea and with that they calmly swum around the boat. Watching them as they started circling them, the female keyblader couldn't help somehow but feel like they were predators surrounding them?
Melody though used to the creature's of the ocean turned back to the shark as she asked him, "can I ask you something sir?"
"Call me Undertow!" The shark told the girl with a smile.
"Okay, Undertow? Do you know what this locket is at all? Can you help my friend with her memory?" The hopeful girl asked the small creature.
At this question Undertow replied acting sadly, "sorry there Angel face I can't..."
Instantly Melody became despressed as she said, "oh..."
However hearing her become sad, Nozomi walked over as she told the young girl, "Melody don't be depressed! We'll get our answers somehow! Just give it a bit of time and-"
"Or you can meet someone who can help ya both?" Undertow said as he interrupted the female keyblader.
Surprised Nozomi looked over the edge as did Melody and as she did, the keyblader asked, "meet someone?"
Undertow grinned as he told her and her friend, "yeah! A friend of mine! My pal's and I can take ya to her!"
Becoming suspicious thinking it being too good to be true, Nozomi asked, "to her? Her who?"
At this the question the pirahna replied with his teeth bare and smiling, "to Morgana's!"
Melody quickly becoming excited at the mention of this name asked the small shark, "and she can tell me what this locket means? Why it has my name on it?" Then looking to Nozomi she asked, "and she can bring my friend's memory back?"
Hearing her eagerness and seeing she was so concerned about her, Nozomi said, "Melody..."
The shark seeing he'd got her right where he wanted these two said with a chuckle, "oh sure kid! Morgana's the best! She'll help ya both!"
Seeing the crafty smile on this creature's face, Nozomi wasn't so keen at this prospect So quickly before Melody said another word she grabbed her by the arm pulling her to one side on the boat as she asked her, "Melody!?"
Hearing the concern in her voice the young girl asked surprised and becoming concerned herself at what she was doing said, "yeah?"
Looking at the pirhana who was continuing to grin, Nozomi turned back to her as she asked, "do you think this is a good idea? I mean we don't even know these guys or this Morgana!? Do you think it's just wise for us to-"
"What else can we do though?" Melody asked as she interrupted her. Nozomi was made to be quiet as her young friend continued, "I mean...? Who else are we going to find out here in the middle of the ocean? I've met you and I know you're okay? So why not these guys?"
Hearing her young logic, Nozomi looked behind her friend again and saw Undertow continue to smile sinisterly at them, as he did she had to protest though, "well yeah but how can you..."
Melody then told her, "and how else are we going to recover your memory Nozomi! We've got to find someone who can help us! We have to go! There's no other choice right now!"
Pausing as she heard the heed in her voice, Nozomi still felt uneasy about this. Something was nagging at her inside that this was a bad idea! But... the points Melody had brought up were valid and though she didn't like it... she was right, there really was no other option in sight. Literally! So sighing she succumbed as she said, "okay then... Melody, let's do it."
Glad to see that her friend was seeing it her way, Melody turned around as she told Undertow, "there let's go!"
With that in moments pleased at the result the pirahna then cried out, "you heard her flatso's! Let's make a tuna and split!"
With that quickly the two sting rays extended their tails and wrapped them around the front ropes of the boat as they both began to tow the boat forwards. With Undertow leading the way forwards for the two sting rays, boat and girls behind him.
Feeling their vessel move underneath them Nozomi was quiet as she still felt foreboding inside her somehow, then she thought she heard something. Looking up she asked, "did I just hear some hissing sniggering?" Then turning around again she asked further, "or was that just me?"
Melody in the meantime sighed as she sat herself at the tail end of the boat, hearing and seeing her do this Nozomi made her way over carefully. As got herself there, she sat herself next to her friend and asked her, "are you all right there Melody?"
Hearing the question being put to her, the young girl bowed her head as she told Nozomi, "I'm okay... I'm just hoping I'll find the answers I'm looking for, and..." With that she looked back into the distance.
Seeing her do this Nozomi asked her, "and?"
However shaking her head Melody smiled sadly as she told her, "it's nothing... don't worry."
Depressed for her as she said this, Nozomi looked back herself and inside she had a feeling what it was Melody was doing and so all she did was smile sadly too. Then after a few silent minutes an icy mist began to come in, as it did she rubbed her arms as she said, "wow... it's getting cold!"
Melody nodded at this as she was beginning to feel it too, however she remembered, "oh yeah that's right!"
Curious Nozomi watched as the young girl went forwards and from underneath the benched seats of the boat, she brought out a big green blanket! Seeing it the female keyblader was surprised but before she asked, her friend explained, "it's a lifeboat blanket, for emergencies!"
Seeing her smile as she said this, Nozomi replied with her own smile, "oh? Okay, great!"
With that Melody put the blanket over her and herself and as she did this, she sat herself a little away from her as she said, "now we won't be too cold huh?"
Nodding Nozomi replied, "yeah! We won't!" But then looking at Melody it looked like she was still cold as she shivered slightly...
The female keyblader seeing her like this thought to herself and in a moment she had an idea of her own! Moving herself over she put her arm around Melody's shoulders and as she did this she told the girl as she looked up at her with surprise, "now we'll be both be warmer! Right?" She asked her smiling.
Melody hearing this though still a little surprised smiled too, she wasn't used to friendliness like this from another person and so she told her, "yeah... we will," then snuggling herself into Nozomi's arm and shoulder feeling her warmth she told her feeling sleepiness take it's toll, "goodnight... Nozomi..."
Hearing her drift away into sleep, Nozomi smiled kindly as she told the young girl, "goodnight..." With that she looked back into the distance and as she did she whispered quietly feeling her worry pulse in her heart, "please be safe... Mickey... Cait sith..." then one last name came to her lips as sleep finally claimed her too, "Riku..."
With that the two girls drifted on forwards as they were both taken into the depths of the icy, white mysterious mists... to meet the woman known as Morgana.
