Chapter CLIX: Searching For Harmony, Onwards To Atlantica! Part V

Underneath inside the depths of the ocean, Mickey, Cait sith and Riku had begun their search for Ariel's daughter Melody and their lost friend in arms, Nozomi.

They had so far explored a vast part of the ocean, they had looked through forests of tall seaweed. Been into the darkest crevices and creepiest of shipwrecks. Then to cover more ground the King had suggested that they divide into two groups which would enable them to save a vast amount of time.

This was why at that moment Riku was searching with Ariel alone for any traces of her daughter or his lost friend. The two of them were now looking within a hidden cave that the mermaid princess had used so many years ago to collect the odd and unique objects of humans.

As Riku searched through the many unique and aged objects that were in Ariel's vast collection, he sighed disappointed as he traced his finger over the frame of a faded painting and said, "still no trace of them at all..."

Then removing his hand he swam upwards some more as he continued to look around, it had been quite a few hours or more now since they began searching. There'd been nothing so far at all! This was not a good sign and with each passing moment the anxiety in his heart was growing more and more!

Worried Riku put his hand to his chest as he asked aloud, as he looked up to the single light that shining from the cave's opened ceiling, "Nozomi where are you? Where could you have-"

"If only for one moment!"

Hearing this one note of singing, the dark grey shark tailed merman turned down and saw below him that was Ariel cradling an object in her hands as she sang aloud deeply worried too, "I had shared with you all I know!"

At these words the white haired keyblader was becoming worried about his fellow explorer and so quickly he descended and as he reached the same level as the marine princess he heard her sing with an amount of regret, sadness and worry in her voice, "The sea wouldn't be a mystery! Oh why did you have to go!"

Hearing her sing this, Riku then saw she was suffering from the same pangs of anxious pain he was. Then realising this he began to speak as he asked, "Ariel are you-"

Then as the saddened mermaid turned to look at him, "ahoy there mates!"

Turning at once both Ariel and Riku saw that Mickey and Cait sith being carried by the mouse King had returned! The small cat then seeing he'd got their attention spoke up as he asked with seemingly no care in the world, "ya found any traces of 'em in this treasure trove?"

To which sadly all in reply all Ariel could do was shake her head while Riku gave an audible regretful answer, "no... there's no trace of them here either." Hearing this the King quickly echoed the same sadness and worry as his two comrades as he said, "aww no... that's too bad fella's."

Riku nodded in reply as he said, "yeah... it is, it is too bad."

Cait sith in his bubble seeing the gloomy atmosphere that was beginning to settle on everyone spoke up as he told them all, "oh c'mon mates! This ain't no time to become saggy faced and sullen! We gotta get a move on and search the length of all these darn murky depths!"

Hearing him bolstering everyon,e Riku then couldn't help but tell him, "it's just like you to tell us that! You don't suffer from any worries whatsoever do you?"

At this one comment the small black and white cat told him straight, "what are ya talkin' about there Snowdrop?! Of course I'm worried about our lost lasses! But I know we ain't gonna find neither of 'em if we keep gettin' down in the dumps!" Then somehow dislodging his bubble from Mickey's hands he rolled himself forwards in the waters as he led the way and said, "now c'mon! Get ya tails movin' and make yer strong strokin's so we can find 'em already!"

With that as the small cat began to disappear through the entryway of the cave, Mickey went after him as he manoeuvred his seahorse tail and said, "hey! Wait up there Cait sith!"

Seeing his two friends move on, Riku revealed a small smile as he said, "who'd think a small volleyball swimming cat would be the one leading the way here!" Then shaking his head he added, "life's just filled with weird surprises!"

Ariel hearing this comment from her fellow explorer replied as she began to pass him, "yeah... it does, doesn't it?"

Then watching her, Riku saw the smile on her face quickly vanish as it was replaced with that same terrible anxious worry again. Seeing this as he followed after her, Riku felt pained again inside too as he thought to himself, 'What can I do?' With that the merman and mermaid left the cave as they went to catch up to their two fellow explorers.

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Still swimming, singing and laughing together Nozomi and Melody were gliding through the waters without a care in the world! The young female keyblader couldn't believe what she was doing! She'd been able to conquer one of her biggest fears and overcome one of her biggest flaws! It was just too good to be true!

As she swam upon her back with her arms outstretched looking up to the shimmering surface, she said aloud grinning from ear to ear, "this is just so amazing! It's like a dream! I wonder what-"

"Nozomi?"

Opening her eyes as she was interrupted from her thoughts, the female keyblader then saw swimming above her was her fellow red tailed mermaid friend Melody. Looking at her the puzzled girl heard her say, "are you doing okay?"

Quickly in response the pink finned mermaid nodded as she replied smiling, "yeah! I'm totally fine! I just can't believe how much fun we're having!"

Melody nodded as she told her smiling just as brightly, "yeah I know! It's so cool and-"

Seeing her stop in mid speech, Nozomi saw Melody's eyes widen and as she did she became worried as she asked, "Melody? Are you-"

Then suddenly smiling again the young girl grabbed her friend's surprised hand as she told her, "c'mon!"

"Huh? What the-?!" But before Nozomi could ask a proper question, Melody was pulling her down below into the depths of the water again! As she did the perplexed and tugged mermaid looked ahead to try and see what her friend had spotted. Then looking she saw an opened dark coloured cave of some sort, but from it Nozomi could see a flood of bubbles emerging from within it. However these were not average sized bubbles, they were enormous ones! They seemed to also shimmer and shine in the seas depths with an array of glorious glittering colours!

Nozomi was awestruck as she gazed at this incredible sight! Then coming to a standstill as they arrived before it, Melody had let go of her hand and as she did she could see her friend was now looking at the spectacle with wide eyes herself. Smiling as she saw her doing this, the young mermaid asked her with a smile, "so what do you think?"

Snapping her out of her awestruck moment, Nozomi turned to her as she asked, "huh? What?"

Seeing that she wasn't quite with it, Melody laughed as she asked her perplexed friend, "do you want to try and go in?"

At this question Nozomi paused, for before she would be completely doubtful and cautious with her inability to swim and the various possibilities of things going wrong in an unknown place like this and so on! But now! Smiling as she felt her excitement fuel her inside Nozomi told her first, "absolutley!"

Then with that she suddenly launched herself forwards into the cave's mouth and into the huge flood of coloured bubbles that were pouring out from inside! Melody seeing her go quickly followed suit as she smiled excitedly and cried out, "hey wait up!"

Entering the darkened cave the young mermaid discovered going further inside, it was a long and deep spiralled like cavern! It kept going deep down below as far as the eye could see! It looked almost endless! But amidst the darkness of the cascading and spiralling cavern there was a flurry of brightly coloured bubbles that were drifting everywhere and illuminating the darkness making the whole place magical somehow! Melody was absolutely dazzled by the spectacle before her! Then-

"Woooow!" Surprised Melody looked above herself and saw that Nozomi was lying upon one of the bubbles while riding it! Looking at her amazed, the young red tailed mermaid watched as her friend hugged onto the bubble as though it were a huge cushion! She then heard her say aloud blushing happily, "wow! It's so soft!"

Watching on Melody saw her do something else incredible! She suddenly launched herself from the bubble and landed upon another one and bouncing upon it she laughed aloud, "and so bouncy!"

Seeing Nozomi do this a smile quickly came to Melody's face! Then instantly she cried out, "hey!" Then getting her friend's attention, the red tailed young mermaid told her, "let me have a go!" With that she launched herself forwards and quickly landed upon her own colourful bubble as she started to chase after Nozomi on it!

Watching Melody as she attached herself to her own bubble, Nozomi smiled even more brightly as she laughed aloud! Then with that the two young mermaids started to ride down the spiral cavern of bubbles!

As the two of them travelled downwards and bounced around the fun spiralling ride, the younger of the mermaids started to sing aloud again, "Everything's newer and brighter and more colourful then before!"

Then as she sang this Nozomi chipped in her own line as she landed upon another bubble, "so watch us soar!"

Instantly as though reacting to the singing words that both of the mermaids were singing the bubbles seemed to shine with light! Then suddenly the two girls were led down a certain pathway in the cavern that launched them both forwards at a fast speed! Though the two of them were startled they didn't feel any danger whatsoever and so continued to smile and laugh!

Melody then sang aloud again her feelings of happiness, "In this moment I can shine! I've got a fin and a great friend who's fun!"

Nozomi hearing her say this as she looked back smiled herself more as she sang her own little verse, "thank you so kindly! That's really something to say! I wouldn't be here without the care and your supportive ways!"

Then suddenly as Nozomi sang these words, the two bubbles the girls were upon erupted out of another cavern! As a huge foamy flood of smaller bubbles flowed forth from the spout they came from, the two girls were amazed beyond all measure! However before the two of them could say anything normally, the two bubbles they'd both been upon floated up to the surface and then-

SPLASH!

POP!

The girl's bubbles broke through the surface of the waves and then popped! Startled Nozomi then cried out, "hey whoa!"

Then before even Melody could register what was going on, the two girls suddenly landed on something sleek and smooth! Surprised at this weird event that had just happened and feeling this odd new sensation the young girl looked around herself and asked, "we just-"

Nozomi though interrupted her as she asked, "what the heck happened there?! Where have we-?!" Then suddenly water spouted forth from ahead that surprised Nozomi into silence! Looking at this sudden eruption she had to ask dumbfounded, "what was that?!"

Melody quickly realising though couldn't believe it herself, as she told her shocked friend, "I think we've made it onto the back of a whale!"

Silent as she heard this, it took a moment for the information to sink in as Nozomi repeated, "a whale?"

Melody however didn't answer her, instead she pulled herself carefully over the whale's back as she made it to just ahead of it's spout, she couldn't believe the sight of the sky she could see before her!

Seeing Melody move forwards Nozomi then decided to quickly follow after her! Quickly making it beside her, she had to speak her thoughts as she was a little worried, "I hope we're not gonna be bugging this big guy too much! I don't wanna get on the bad side of a whale!"

Hearing her say this Melody smiled as she told her, "don't worry about it Nozomi! I think we're okay on here!"

Listening to these words, Nozomi had followed her friend's lead so far and they'd been okay up to this point, so she decided to trust her on this and replied, "okay Melody! I'll take your word for it!"

Nodding at her friend's words Melody then turned her attention back to the beautiful orange tinged sky before them, as she did she saw again the warm pink coloured clouds that surrounded the shining dawning sun. As she saw them with a gentle smile, she heard Nozomi say behind her becoming just as caught in awe, "wow... this is beautiful!"

Melody nodded to her as she continued to smile away gently and as she did she began to sing again softly to the skies above, "For a moment I can feel! All the dreams I've been dreaming are real!" Then taking her golden locket into her hand she grasped it as she sang softly, "Wish my mother could hear it! The sea is my song, For a moment, just a moment..." then looking to Nozomi for a moment continuing to smile she looked back to sun as she finished gently, "I belong..."

Hearing her sing these words, Nozomi felt she couldn't add anymore to it and so she simply looked towards the sun too, she felt warmed inside just as much as her young friend. But as she sat on quietly she thought about Riku, Mickey and Cait sith... she prayed inside that the lot of them were safe and sound. Then reaching her hand up to her gold crescent moon locket that was upon the black choker around her neck. She couldn't help but think of her own mother... how she wished she could sing to her like Melody could... But looking above she had a feeling that her mother would be smiling down at her right now... and her master would he too-?

"Nozomi?"

Breaking her out of her thoughts, the pink finned mermaid turned to her friend who was looking up to her curiously, she asked her looking a little concerned, "are you all right?"

Hearing the question quickly the female keyblader told her, "yeah, yeah! I'm fine don't worry about me Melody, I'm okay..." then looking ahead she told her, "it's just such a wonderful view... isn't it?"

Melody hearing her say this, then was quiet but looking at the view herself she replied with a gentle smile again, "yeah... it is..." with that as the two young mermaids were carried on forwards they continued to gaze up at the wondrous sky that shone upon the two of them.

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Continuing their search elsewhere Riku had once again been left with Ariel. The two of them were now circling a darkened rock formation where so many ages before, the mermaid princess remembered that here is where she used to sing and play with Sora, Donald and Goofy. It was when all of them were preparing for the sea concert... this had eventually led to her meeting Eric.

Standing beside a tall flat rock which acted like a seat, she stroked it softly as the fond memories replayed in her mind from before. But as she thought of Melody her heart surged painfully inside and as it did, she gently took one of the blooming yellow sea flowers that were upon the rock into her hands. Quietly she cradled it as she whispered sadly, "oh Melody... where could you be?"

Hearing her whisper these words, Riku turned away from the spot he was looking in. Looking at the Mermaid princess from behind he could feel the pain she was in and he knew she shouldn't suffer in silence like this. So he swam towards her gradually and then making it to her he asked, "Ariel?"

Startling her out of her melancholy moment, she quickly turned to him as she asked, "oh!? Yes Riku?"

Smiling gently at her, the white haired merman asked, "are you alright?"

At his question the worried mother became saddened more as she held the flower in her hands just a little more tightly again. She answered him honestly, "I'm just full of worry... if Morgana's got to Melody! I just don't know what I'll do!" Then feeling her pain rise more within she told him, "I shouldn't have denied her so much... but I just wanted to protect her! I..."

Seeing that she was hurting badly, Riku told her calmly, "I know... I understand how you feel."

Ariel quiet as she heard the sad gentleness in his voice, looked up at him with astonishment as she asked, "you do? You-"

"Yes, because the lost friend of ours that we're also searching for... I too have denied her the truth, because I too want to protect her..." Riku then couldn't help but expose his own insecurities to someone who was also experiencing a similar pain to him.

Looking from Ariel he then looked up to the shimmering ocean surface and as he did, he revealed more, "because inside of her... she holds something that's very powerful in her heart that could change the fate of all worlds..." then as he looked up, the mermaid noticed that he'd become more sad as he said," but if I tell her what it is and... how she's come to have it... I think it'll break her completely," then looking back to Ariel he told her truthfully, "and I don't want that to happen at all..."

Seeing the suffering that Sora's friend was going through, Ariel couldn't help but whisper sadly, "Riku..."

The shark tailed merman hearing the sympathy in her voice, looked up and smiled to her with understanding as he told her, "so I understand what that suffering's like, and it's not easy to deal with it quietly." Then he told her thinking it would lessen her own worries, " so I think you should expose your feelings so it doesn't hurt you as much... because having you listen to me has helped me right here and now."

Ariel listening to Riku was surprised at this suggestion, for she hadn't really done anything to help him, so she had to object, "but revealing my own feelings right now won't help us find Melody more quickly! And... your friend she might be-"

"We will find her!" Riku told the princess as he interrupted her, then looking at her seriously though with that still calm gentleness he continued, "and Melody too! I promise you that me Mickey and Cait sith will find them!" Then becoming quiet after a moment he told her finally, "and revealing your feelings will help in the search, it won't weigh as badly on you if you share the burden with all of us."

Listening to these words of wisdom, Ariel was stunned inside as she could sense Riku's strong resolve and is it resonated inside of her, she looked back to the yellow flower that was still inside of her hands. Holding it gently for a moment as she also felt the surging ache in her heart, she realised Riku's words to be true.

So looking back up to him, a gentle acknowledging smile was now on her face and so nodding to him, she turned her head up to the waves above as she sang aloud her feelings that were so full of hope and her wishes, "I will find you my darling! And the moment that I do..." with that she held the small yellow flower in her hands close to her heart as she sang aloud again, "I'll hold you close, my Melody! And sing the song of the sea with you!"

As these words were sang, a single beam of shimmering light came from the waters above and as it did Ariel felt her feelings grow tenfold as she sang again, "Sing the song of the sea with you!"

Hearing the sweet notes from this mermaid princess, Riku couldn't help but smile as he felt her feelings flow forth. He could see now that as Ariel stared up to the ocean's shimmering light that she definitely was feeling better then she was! His words of wisdom had healed a part of her pain and as he realised this, he turned himself around and closed his eyes as he thought of one special person, "And I soon will be together with you!"

Surprised Ariel turned around to look at the shark tailed merman's back and as she did she asked him her eyes widening slightly, "Riku did you just?"

Looking back at her, he asked her almost mischievously, "did what?"

Ariel then told him, "I thought I just heard you-"

"I have no idea what you're talking about!" He told her as he turned away from her again. Then swimming a little further forwards he said, "and I'd say we've searched everywhere we can here, we better move it don't you think?"

Hearing this Ariel could see he wasn't going to admit what he'd just done, so smiling she replied feeling much better, "all right then! I agree! Let's go!" With that she swam up towards him.

As she did, Riku turned back to leave again, as he did he thought to himself with a quiet smile, 'I've become way more soft than I used to be!'

Ariel following after the shark tailed keyblader felt grateful for the relief that he'd given to her, however she felt she had to tell him, "Riku?" Hearing her the white haired merman looked to her and as he did, he heard Ariel tell him looking on with a gentle seriousness, "don't wait too late like I did to reveal the truth... you might come to regret it."

Listening to these words, Riku instantly took it to heart as he told her, "I won't... thank you Ariel."

Glad she was able to give him her own advice, Ariel nodded and with that both Merfolk continued their search for their precious lost ones.

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Feeling great as the two of them continued to ride the back of the whale they were on, Nozomi and Melody sang aloud together, "In this moment, in this moment! We belong!"

Feeling her heart beating strongly as the waves continued to splash and the wind blew in her hair, Nozomi had never felt so amazing! This was one of the most fun things she had ever done! She just couldn't wait to have the chance to show off her new talents to Riku, Mickey and Cait sith! 'Just wait till they see this!' She thought to herself smiling away, 'They'll never believe that I can now both-'

SPLISH! SPLASH! SPLISH! SPLASH!

Turning around surprised as she heard these sounds, Nozomi then saw with delight, "wow! Melody look!"

Hearing her friend the red tailed mermaid turned herself over and as she did, she then saw with her friend the three white baby seal pups they'd met earlier! The group of them now were splishing and splashing happily in the sea as they too had learnt to swim!

Amazed as she saw what they were doing too, Melody couldn't help but smile happily as well as she said, "hey! They've learnt to do the same as we have!"

Nozomi nodded then quickly concluded, "yeah! I bet they must have been tagging after us all this time! And we didn't even know! They've really got the art of stealth right down!"

Nodding happily Melody replied, "yeah they have!" Then as they travelled on forwards and she looked at the sun again, she told Nozomi, "hey! We should go and thank Morgana for this! She really deserves the praise!"

Turning as she heard Melody say this, Nozomi nodded as she told her happily, "definitely yeah! That sounds like a good plan to me!"

Glad for the agreement Melody smiled and then turning to the ride they were on she asked," Mr whale? Could you please take us to Morgana's?"

At once there was a positive hymn from the whale as he was only too happy to oblige! As he quickly moved himself to go in the right direction, Melody said to him, "thank you!"

Pleased Nozomi then put her fist in the air as she declared, "yeah thanks! Now let's go! Full steam a-"

Hearing her stop in her tracks, Melody looked up to her friend as she asked puzzled at her pause, "Nozomi?"

Breaking her moment of her distraction, Nozomi turned back to Melody as she replied, "oh sorry? Um? As I was saying there full speed ahead!" She laughed as she punched her fist into the air again.

Still a little puzzled though Melody quickly turned her attention back to the front as she smiled again at the various parts of the icy scenery they passed as they travelled forwards. Nozomi beside her gazed on too with a smile on her face, but then as they continued on and she heard the splishing and the splashing from the happy group of white seal pups behind them. She turned her attention back to the bracelet on her left wrist, for looking at as it gleamed in the light she could see that the bottom part of the dark blue gem in its centre was beginning to turn red... what could this mean?

Curious she looked back up ahead and looking at the scenery that was around them, she couldn't help but feel comforted and feel maybe it wasn't a worrying issue. For looking on she could see they were approaching the glacier they'd emerged from and gazing at it she felt Morgana would probably be able to give her an answer...