Chapter CLX: Searching For Harmony, Onwards To Atlantica! Part VI

After leaving the back of their kind carrier whale and entering the glacier. Nozomi and Melody were still smiling away as they swam through the dark green tinged icy caverns of their generous benefactor, as they turned a corner the pink finned mermaid told her friend, "well we're almost there! We'll have to tell Morgana what we've been up to so far, huh?"

Nodding at her happily, Melody replied, "yeah we will! Also we'll have to-"

Seeing her stop in mid speech as they made another turn, Nozomi was confused but then her red tailed friend quickly pointed forwards as she said excitedly, "look there she is now!"

Hearing this Nozomi looked to where Melody was pointing to and then she saw that there indeed was the black tailed octopus woman. She was smiling away to her small Piranha associate as they seemed to be discussing something together. Looking at them both Nozomi smiled to her friend and as she did she said, "so she is!" Then she suggested Melody, "why don't you go over and make the greetings first?"

At this suggestion Melody was quiet for a moment, but then she nodded as she replied, "sure okay!" With that she swam on forwards as Nozomi smiled and followed after her.

Watching her friend Nozomi saw her swim up to Morgana quickly and suddenly surprising the octopus lady and perplexing Undertow, she hugged her! Giggling as she saw her do this the pink finned mermaid heard her friend say, "oh thank you! Thank you so much!"

Then arriving over finally herself, Nozomi spoke too as she said smiling, "yeah! These mermaid forms are amazing Morgana! So thank-"

Suddenly stopping her in her tracks, along with Melody the two of them were confused and surprised. Both girls could hear their benefactor crying! As she felt her shaking the young red finned mermaid became quickly concerned as she asked, "what's the matter?"

Watching her friend release her, Nozomi started to ask as well, "yeah? Why're you crying Morgana? What's-"

"Oh I just knew this would happen! One taste and you're both hooked!" The octopus woman began to cry out in seemingly despair and sadness as she held a hand to her forehead. Looking at her oddly confused, Nozomi couldn't help but feel this was a bit over the top somehow as she didn't understand what was wrong?

Morgana though continued to pine away as she said, "oh Undertow I'm such a failure!" Her small associate in the meantime was dabbing a small white handkerchief to his yellow eyes, seemingly saddened too. As he did this the distressed woman continued on as she wailed, "such a-!" Then suddenly all at once she snatched the small cloth away from him as she blew her nose into it making a small flood of bubbles float away.

Still not understanding why she was so upset, Nozomi had to ask though still a little weirded out, "uh... why're you saying you're a failure Morgana? What's the problem?"

Hearing the question from the confused blue tailed mermaid, the octopus enchantress seemed to be more recovered as she told her regretfully, "oh my dear... I'm so sorry to tell you this, but the bracelets you're both wearing don't allow this spell to last forever!"

Confused by this Nozomi and Melody looked at her perplexed and slowly the pink finned mermaid asked trying to understand correctly, "what?... You mean-"

"Yes! You'll both be returned to your former human selves when the power from the bracelets runs out!" With that Morgana started to cry away into the handkerchief again.

Realising what this meant Nozomi then looked to her own bracelet again and as she did, Melody too looked at hers as she heard her friend say, "so that's why the stone's turning gradually red?" As she heard her say this, the red finned mermaid saw with a chill down her back that her own stone was gradually beginning to turn red too...

However Morgana didn't reply to her or see the youngest mermaid's terrified reaction as she continued to cry away into her handkerchief. Turning her head away from the transformative piece of jewellery for a moment, Nozomi had to ask her, "isn't there any way you can extend the spell at least? Or get us another couple of these things?"

Morgana hearing this simply shook her head 'no' in reply as she continued to cry away. Seeing her do this, Nozomi asked again not quite believing it, "not at all?" To which simply another shake of the head came as a reply. Then finally she had to ask again, "really?" Once more another shake 'no.'

Melody seeing Morgana shake her head at her friend's questions, she felt a horrible icy fear pierce her heart as she remembered her life before this wondrous event. The terrible loneliness, the alienation... the repudiation! She didn't want that! She didn't!

Nozomi on the other hand though depressed that she wouldn't be able to keep this form for longer, she wasn't as upset about resuming her human form as she said aloud, "well that's a pain! But I guess if it's like that then-"

"Oh please! Morgana! I don't wanna go back to being an ordinary girl!" The young red tailed mermaid pleaded sadly as she held her hands to her chest.

Shocked as she said this, Nozomi looked at her young friend with widened eyes as she asked her, "Melody? You don't-"

"Isn't there some way we can both stay as mermaids?" Melody asked again as she looked at Morgana's hunched over sad form.

Nozomi watching as Melody asked this question, she saw Morgana slowly move over to a nearby raised piece of ice and as she did she cried out a reply to the young mermaid, "oh I'm afraid there's absolutely no possible way!"

Seeing her do and say this, Nozomi then saw her friend quickly become saddened as her head bowed down. As this occurred the blue tailed mermaid swam up to her as she began to tell her putting her hand on her back, "Melody it's okay don't be sad! We'll find a way to-"

"Well there is one way!" Morgana quickly announced as she pointed a hand into the air interrupting her.

Snapping Nozomi and Melody to attention, the pink finned mermaid quickly became suspicious as she wondered why Morgana was giving her friend an audible answer, yet she didn't give her one. Why was that?

However before she could wonder more about this, Morgana quickly seemed to retract her answer as she collapsed back down into her arms as she said, "no what am I thinking! It's far too dangerous!"

Not understanding what she was talking about, Nozomi asked not being able to hide her scepticism, "what're you talking about?"

Melody however wasn't as suspicious as she asked as well, "yeah what do you mean? What's too dangerous?"

The seemingly depressed woman turned herself over and Nozomi looked at her, she saw that the tears and despair had vanished from the octopus enchantress as she started to explain to her and her friend, "well... I could make the spells contained within both your bracelets last longer, " then manoeuvring one of her tentacles she turned it in the air and released a small amount of ink. As she did this a long forked dark shape emerged and as it did, she finished her sentence, "if I had my magic Trident!"

Looking at this materialised object, Nozomi recognised it from the top of the door of time! Seeing she said softly, "so that's a Trident?"

Hearing her friend say this, Melody looked to her friend as she asked, "Nozomi?"

Quickly hiding away her knowledge of this thing so she wouldn't have to talk about the door of time, the pink finned mermaid quickly told her awkwardly with a smile, "oh nothing! Sorry..."

Seeing her friend go quiet again, Melody didn't get the chance to ask anymore as Morgana continued with her explanations distracting her, "oh! But it was stolen years ago by a deranged kleptomaniac!" With that as she said this, she released another leak of ink and as she did it spread around Undertow. It quickly took on the form of a black shadowed muscular Merman with a pointy crown and with his yellow eyes peering through the black muck looking perplexed, he did look oddly sinister? But then suddenly sweeping away the ink that covered him and what made up the Trident, Morgana concluded sadly as she turned away again, "and there's no one to get it back for me!"

Nozomi seeing her do this, felt her suspicions rise up inside of her again. For this was kind of laid out too easily... something felt really wrong here!

However before she could say anything, Melody spoke instead sounding hopeful, "maybe we could get it back for you!"

Shocked again Nozomi asked becoming wide eyed, "Melody?"

Quickly Morgana turned around as she looked on with astounded eyes and asked, "you would both do that for me?"

Melody quickly nodded as she replied, "of course!" Then turning quickly again she looked to her friend as she asked her sounding hopeful once more, "you'll help won't you Nozomi?"

She tried speaking her thoughts, "Melody I..." She was feeling the pressure coming again upon her, it felt uncomfortable as her suspicions were still raging deep within inside of her! She wanted to communicate her feelings, but with Morgana standing just a little ahead she couldn't badmouth someone like this. Especially after she'd been so generous to both her and Melody, but despite this she felt she had to say something, "I don't know... I just-"

"Please Nozomi! You want to be a mermaid for longer with me don't you?!" Melody pleaded as she quickly then grasped her friends hands tightly, as she did she asked again, "please! We have to do this together!"

Hearing the urgency in her voice, Nozomi then remembered again that they didn't have that much time left. Then realising this she thought again of Riku, Mickey and Cait sith! She knew that the more time she wasted, the more she was losing the opportunity to find them all!

However looking up and seeing Morgana, that feeling of foreboding was still strong! But looking back to her young friend again, she saw the sad longing in her eyes and the slight trembling of fear as she felt her hands upon her own... looking to her she felt herself give way as she sighed and said, "okay Melody, I'll do it! I'll help find the Trident with you..." then looking up and past her she finally added, "and I'll protect you from this maniac!" As she aimed her determined gaze straight at Morgana.

The octopus enchantress seeing this hard expression, she simply looked on seemingly baffled by this and her statement. Melody though quickly became delighted as she then shook her friend's hands up and down as she declared happily, "oh thank you! Thank you! I knew I could count on you!"

Nozomi turning her gaze away from Morgana, she looked back down to Melody and as she did, she smiled herself as she told her brightly, "well that's what friends are for right?"

To which quickly Melody nodded and then releasing her hands she swam back over to Morgana and as she did, she asked her now taking her hands into her own, "so if we both find the Trident, we'll you make us both mermaids?...Forever?"

Nozomi hearing this felt uneasy again, for she did like being a mermaid and liked to finally be able to swim as well as sing... she knew didn't want to be this way forever! But when was she supposed to say it? What should she do?

However unaware of her friend's uncomfortable expression and personal dilemma, Melody saw Morgana smile as she told her softly, "even longer if you'd both like..." to which her expression became smug as she looked in Nozomi's direction again. But quickly distracting Melody so she wouldn't see it, one of her black tentacles brought forth a flat slab of white shiny ice that was engraved with a map of some kind. Giving it to the young girl she pointed to it as she indicated her and Nozomi's destination as she announced, "now here is where the scoundrel lives!"

Looking at the map as she held it in her hands, Melody saw what was written down as Morgana pointed at it, astounded she read aloud, "Atlantica?" Then realising with further delight she announced to her friend, "Nozomi! We've got a map that leads to Atlantica!"

Breaking her out of her worried and sad thoughts Nozomi turned around as she repeated curious, "Atlantica?"

Quickly nodding to her, Melody told her, "yeah!" Then bidding her friend to come with her free hand she told her further, "c'mon and have a look!"

Hearing this Nozomi's curiosity overtook her other feelings and quickly moving her blue tail she swam over to her friend. Then looking down she too saw the map and reading the words written across it she repeated, "Atlantica?" Then looking up she questioned looking really curious, "what's Atlantica?"

Melody hearing her friend say this curiously then remembered about her amnesia and smiling as she became amused again, she told her, "it's the city of gold that's in my locket Nozomi! It's the legendary underwater city of the mermaids!"

Astounded at this herself Nozomi repeated, "the city of mermaids!" Then imagining that musical and wonderful image inside the locket again, she couldn't help but smile as she repeated, "wow! So we're gonna be going to that place... that'll be amazing!" But then her suspicions clicked in again! Why would someone like this thief be living in such a beautiful place?

Melody nodded happily and then turning back to Morgana she missed Nozomi's furrowed brow as she had to ask, "So Atlantica really exists? It's not just an old fish tail?"

Then swimming over the both of the girl's Morgana told the two of them in a matter of fact tone with a hint of amusement, "of course it exists dear! Whoever told you otherwise?"

Melody realising who had then spoke the answer as she became uncomfortable with disbelief, my... mother."

Hearing the uncomfortable tone in her voice, Nozomi looked at her friend with worry in her eyes, however before she could say anything. Morgana's face came into view again as she spoke on in her upside down position with a smile on her face, "well I'm sure she didn't MEAN to be cruel and deceitful."

Then as she turned herself back upright, Nozomi then couldn't help but say feeling her suspicions rise more furiously again, "uh? Wasn't that too nasty of a choice of words for you to use?"

However before a debate could occur between the two of them, Melody felt pumped up inside with determination herself! So clinging onto the map closely she told Morgana enthusiastically, "okay! We'll bring back your Trident! You can count on us!" With that the red tailed mermaid took off and swam straight on ahead!

Seeing her go immediately Nozomi cried out, "Melody wait up!" With that the blue tailed and pink finned mermaid chased after her quickly!

As she saw the two young clueless mermaids go, Morgana announced to the two of them, "be careful dears! Enjoy those fins..." then as they both disappeared from view the octopus enchantress became sinister in her tone and looks as she finished, "while you both can..." With that she then tapped her tentacles together like anticipating fingertips. There was silence then for many moments as she made sure the girls were surely gone, then satisfied they were she ascended upwards as she broke the surface!

SPLASH!

"Ah!" She spoke as though refreshed as she brushed her hands through her spiked white hair. Then looking up she saw the opened hole in her glacier, as she did she called out towards it, "you can come out now Uriax dear!"

With that as she said those words, Undertow emerged next to Morgana and as he did he noticed an old familiar sound of a floating spell. Turning around he then saw their contractor who was now floating upon the surface of the water, annoyed he couldn't help but say irritated, "oh look the showoff!"

Ignoring this comment though, Uriax walked over towards Morgana as his glowing white float spell guided his feet forwards leaving him untouched by any drops of water. Stopping before the octopus enchantress he asked her simply with a serious tone with his arms folded, "so things are proceeding well I assume?"

At once Morgana smiled a little more cunningly as she replied clapping her hands, "oh yes! Things have gone absolutely peachy! Those two girls now are on their way to collect what's mine!" She then had to admit as she couldn't believe how well things were going," why those bracelets you created are a complete charm!"

Instantly becoming smug, Uriax replied arrogantly, "of course, they were made with my magic! It's only natural they've worked so well!"

Undertow though wasn't one for this tone as he retorted,"oh yeah they're so charming! So much that you can't even undo my problem can you?"

Hearing this tone being spoken to him, Uriax turned his head and looked at Undertow with his own irritation then before the small shark could blink. He was lifted out of the water and brought face to face with the dark mage! As he was held up by a purple glowing levitation spell he was made to look at the young man with wide shocked eyes as he heard him say, "is that a complaint that's spilling from your mouth?"

Undertow said nothing in reply as he simply gazed on petrified at this sinister masked young man and then as he saw a smile come across his face he heard him say, "your problem is not a part of the agreement we've come to!" Then turning to look at his contractee he concluded, "besides that luxury is being saved for lady Morgana, isn't that right?"

Nodding at this the octopus enchantress agreed as she replied, "indeed! When the great power of Trident comes into my possession I will become the absolute ruler of the seas... " then moving her right hand upwards she concluded, "and with the heartless on my side!" With that she snapped her fingers and instantly a group of purple coloured Screwdiver heartless emerged! As they did she then concluded, "no one will stand against me!" With that she cackled loudly for all the world to hear!

Glad to see she was so enthusiastic Uriax replied, "exactly!" Then turning to Undertow he told him finally, "here you have it! So remember your place pipsqueak! " With that he released the small piranha from his power as he 'plopped' back into the water!

Undertow feeling himself now back in the ocean was relived to be left in one piece, however he still couldn't help but feel annoyed as he looked up to this arrogant so and so!

Feeling delighted still Morgana couldn't help but smile still as she saw Uriax's dominance being exacted and then suddenly it occurred to her, "oh yes!" With that she dismissed the heartless and as she did, she turned back to Uriax again as she told him, "that reminds me... that dear who arrived with our little princess looks to be wary of us and our agenda..." looking to her contractor she told, "I'm worried she might pose a little problem to us."

Hearing this however the dark mage wasn't worried, "oh I don't think so, the solution to this will be real simple!"

At this statement Undertow said to him annoyed, "oh what makes you think so?"

Uriax looking to the piranha shark sharply again he made him shut up instantly as he told him, "if she's suspicious, we'll just have to quell it by giving her proof..."

Listening to this the small shark didn't understand what he was getting at as he replied, "just what're ya-"

Then shocking him silent again, Uriax guided his hand over himself which glowed powerfully with dark blue light and in moments he was quickly transformed! His clothes were removed and there for all the world to see, his warm brown skin was shown along with his lilac coloured purple hair that was tied back into a long braided ponytail! Around his neck was his black collar with a dark blue gem stone in it's centre!

As the spell's light diminished and faded the tail which had now replaced his legs could be seen. It was a dark blue one with a white underbelly, it was revealed to be the tail of a swordfish! His mask was still upon his face as he dove into the water!

SPLASH!

Emerging up to the surface he then turned to Morgana as he told her and Undertow, "and I'll reveal this proof to them myself!"

Hearing his plan and idea, Morgana was all for it as she replied giggling slightly, "aww! I like the sound of that! Very well my dear! I'll let you show them 'OUR' reality! Just be safe out there!" She told him.

At this Uriax replied to her becoming smug again, "of course!" But before he went to leave he told her taking on a serious dark angered tone, "but remember this! You leave that girl Nozomi to me!... You're not to touch her!" Then looking on harshly at Morgana he told her, "understood?"

Morgana could see that he was serious though she couldn't see his face, the octopus enchantress replied simply amused, "oh of course deary! Of course! Absolutely! If that's what you want so badly!"

Uriax knowing this woman couldn't be completely trusted, he thought though he'd got the point across and so thinking this he turned back once more as he said, "good... as long as you understand," with that he left as he dived into the water!

Seeing him go Undertow still annoyed then breathed, "who does that punk think HE is!? Barkin' orders at us!"

Morgana hearing this then replied still seemingly as carefree as ever, "oh relax there small fry! As long as he gives us what we want it's all good..." then as she concluded she became more sinister looking once again, "besides once the Trident is in my hands again.. we'll see who's the one in charge then!" With that she giggled menacingly once again as she thought of the future to come.

Hearing this laughter from above as she had made her way it into the hole in the ice, Jona was once again back in her full Syphinx form as she had made a discovery about the dark blue gem that she was holding! When she was out of water, she would regain her legs and be able to walk on land again! This had been a real amazing find!

However listening to Morgana as she said this and seeing Uriax leave, she whispered to herself, "well things are swiftly moving on!" She then wondered grinning herself, "I wonder how this'll all play out?"

Looking on though as she saw Uriax had left, she knew she had to keep the chase of her observations and also, "I can't miss my yummy honey's little performance!'" With that she turned around and then quickly running through the hole in the ice, she made it back to the outside! Where quickly she leaped forwards!

SPLASH!

With that as she made it back into the ocean she transformed in a pulse of blue light back into her mermaid form as her legs magically came together and formed into her lion fish tail once again! Then quickly manoeuvring herself in the water she went to track down her honey! Racing forwards she grinned as she said aloud to herself, "wait up for me sweetie!" With that she was on her way!