A/N: Sorry guys, another chapter with several POV changes. I promise this will be the last one though. Also, sorry it has taken so long to pop out these chapters. I just moved again and the internet is SUPER limited, most of the time I have to resort to my phone's personal hotspot just to get things uploaded. Anyways, thanks for your continued patience and enjoy!

Hikari's POV

I briskly walked out of the ballroom, the cool night air hitting against my heated skin caused by my built-up frustration. I tried my best to keep my hands from shaking by balling them into fists at my side, but knew I was failing. My feet led me back into the garden and -once I knew no one from the party could see me- changed back to my normal garments.

After witnessing how those people had laughed at Melody and poked fun at her concern for her friend -albeit a creature of the sea-, I felt years of pent up emotions begin to bubble to the surface.

For a moment, I was a little girl again, cowering from pointed looks, hurtful words and the occasional rock or small object thrown at me. I too had been bullied for being different from the other kids back home. Never knowing my birth parents, being raised by an older woman who I wasn't even sure was my biological grandmother, and possessing eyes that - while some found stunning and unique- most saw as strange, unnatural, freakish, were the main factors in my torment.

Having experienced that discrimination and seeing it happen to someone as sweet as Melody, I felt that my heart was going to break from both pain and anger. At that moment, however, frustration seemed to dominate my emotions. My breathing was starting to grow heavier and more fast-paced. I knew that holding it in wasn't going to help. So, I did the only thing I could think of in that instance.

I turned to the closest tree and slammed my fist into the trunk. Adrenaline rushed through me, letting my emotions flow freely as tears began to well up and fall down my cheeks. I punched the tree a second time. Then a third. Then a fourth. I kept hitting the poor thing until my arm grew tired and blood began to paint the bark a deep crimson.

I cradled my pummeled hand as I slid down to my knees, my rage fading and the pain making itself known. However, my tears continued to fall and I was too caught up in my heartache that I didn't care if anyone saw me.

Riku's POV (Third Person)

The silver-haired teen was leaning against the wall that separated the castle grounds and the sea, his arms crossed over his chest. His eyes scanned the garden and briefly passed one of the painted windows that showed the shadowy figures of the party-goers. All had been quiet, no sign of Heartless since the initial attack and when Hikari went back inside to keep an eye on things.

Riku felt his heart flutter at the memory of Hikari in her "disguise". While the dress was simple and not that different from her usual True Form gown, seeing her in such formal attire -with her hair slightly up-done and styled- made Riku think of some of the Princesses of Heart. He felt his cheeks warm up and tried to shake his head to rid of the blood rushing to his face.

You look nice? Really!? Was that the best he could say? Riku screamed internally. How lame of a compliment was that?

In the short time the Keyblade Master had known Hikari, he had come to really care for her as a friend. But that's all it was. A simple friendship.

Right?

The sound of faint crying brought the youth out of his thoughts, turning his attention in the direction of where the sound had come from. He pushed himself off the wall and headed further into the garden, failing to notice a young girl rushing out of the castle and towards one of the wall's grates.

After taking only a few steps into a group of trees, Riku found the source of the crying, though he was quite taken aback.

Kneeling against one of the smaller trees with her back to him, Hikari was quietly sobbing, back to wearing her usual attire. Her shoulders shook slightly and Riku could faintly see her holding her right hand, though didn't see any injuries from where he stood.

Cautiously, the boy stepped forward and placed a gentle hand on his companion's right shoulder.

Hikari tensed up and swerved her neck to look over her shoulder, but relaxed when she saw it was only Riku. As if to try and hide her disheveled appearance, she turned back towards the tree, wiping her wet eyes and standing up, before facing Riku fully, an almost forced smile on her face. "S-Sorry. I got a little sidetracked," she stated with a slightly croaky voice. "Anything happen out here while I was gone?"

Riku didn't reply. Instead, he looked over Hikari with a blank expression, taking note of the slightly dented tree bark behind his companion, a dark red liquid slightly visible in the moonlight. He also saw how the hand she was favoring was tucked behind her and the very subtle look of discomfort in her eyes.

Eventually, he sighed, his neutral appearance giving way to that of concern as he held his hand out, palm facing up.

He didn't have to say anything for Hikari to realize she'd been caught and, reluctantly, brought her own handout, an ashamed look on her face.

Riku had to hold back a gasp when he saw the bruised and bloody knuckle, the crimson liquid slowly dripping down. Something had occurred inside the castle, and the young Keyblade Master was concerned as to what could have happened that would cause Hikari to lose her usual composure. He stayed silent, though, as he summoned his Keyblade and placed it over Hikari's injured hand, casting a Curaga spell.

Slowly, the cut skin began to mend and the blood vanished.

"You don't have to tell me what happened," Riku said simply, breaking the silence. He looked up from his spell before adding: "Just know I'm willing to listen and won't judge."

There were a few more moments of silence before Hikari eventually sighed and explained what had happened. The teasing Melody had received, the hurtful laughter at the young princess's expense and the guilt Hikari felt for not being able to do anything.

"No matter where you go, all bullies are the same," Hikari retorted, gazing into the night sky. "Seeing Melody treated like that, it reminded me of when I was her age and going through the same crap. Genji was there to protect me when we were little, but he couldn't shield me from everything."

Riku remembered back in Radiant Garden when Chise had briefly delved into Hikari's past. Learning that the young Keyblade Wielder had never known her birth parents, bullied for simply being herself and losing the woman who had raised her at such a young age, the silverette wondered how Hikari managed to always have a smile on her face. Now he knew; she had kept it all bottled up and put on a brave face all these years when inside she was like a glass teetering on the edge.

The events that had transpired in the ballroom just happened to be her tipping point.

She wiped away the rest of her tears and turned back to Riku. "Thank you. I didn't mean to put all that emotional baggage on you."

The Keyblade Master shook his head. "Don't apologize." He gave a warm smile. "I'm just glad I was able to help you release all that strain."

Hikari shyly nodded, trying to hide her blushing cheeks by looking up at Melody's balcony. "I should check and see if Melody's okay. Be back soon." She summoned her wings and took off, leaving
Riku to admire her as she faded into the treeline.

Hikari's POV

I was grateful for the cool night air, for I felt that if I had stayed down with Riku any longer, my face would have resembled a tomato. I could only hope that he hadn't seen my bashful expression.

I had almost reached the balcony when a familiar voice turned my attention in the opposite direction, just beyond the wall. Redirecting myself, I glided over the barrier and gently landed on the beach.

"Melody, please! You're making a big mistake!"

Just off the shoreline, I found Sebastian in the water, calling out to said princess, who was rowing out to sea in a small boat.

"What's going on?" I questioned, concerned for Melody's safety.

The red crab turned to me, his eyes wide with worry. "Young Hikari, you must go after Melody. Who knows what could happen to her."

"W-What!?" I stammered. "B-But I..." I trailed off as I watched Melody fade into the night. How could I explain to Sebastian that I was reluctant to go after her because of my greatest fear? That I was deathly afraid of large bodies of water? Something about not being able to see the bottom terrified me, but I didn't know the cause or reason behind the phobia. It's not that I couldn't swim - in fact, I loved the feeling of my hair flowing around me whenever I went underwater- but the moment I couldn't clearly see the bottom, I had a sense as if I was going to drown and not be able to swim back to the surface. That was why I never swam in the lake back in my world.

However, the horrid feeling in my gut that something bad might happen to Melody was pushing past my fear and doubt, even if just briefly. I guess that was enough, for I took a deep breath, holding it for a moment, then releasing it before turning back to Sebastian. "I can't guarantee I can bring her back willingly, but I'll do everything in my power to protect her," I stated.

The old crab sighed as well, nodding his head before swimming back towards the castle.

I looked back towards where Melody had rowed out to sea, clenching my hands once more. Just keep your eyes above the surface, I said to myself. I took one final deep breath before jumping away from the shore and flying after Melody. I was thankful the waves were close to non-existent, for it gave the water the illusion of a solid surface, slightly easing the tension I felt.

It was only a few seconds into flying before the preteen came into view. She must have heard the flap of my wings, for she stopped rowing and looked up at me. I wasn't more than fifteen feet above the water's surface, so it was clear even in just the moonlight she was shocked to see me with wings.

"May I join you?" I asked gently.

Eyes still wide, she nodded, seeming too taken aback to speak.

I gave a small smile before lowering myself softly so as to rock the boat as little as possible. Once I steadied myself, I sat in the seat opposite from Melody, casting away my wings and changing back to my normal clothes.

It took a few seconds before the ravenette recovered from her shock. When she did, however, she crossed her arms over her chest and looked away, a hard look on her face. "I'm not going back," she stated. "Not until I have my questions answered."

I almost couldn't help but smirk at this. Her pouting face reminded me of Chise when she was younger and refused to take her naps. "I had no intention of forcing you, Your Highness," I explained. When she brought her eyes back to me, I added: "I just simply wanted to make sure that you stayed safe."

She was silent for a few seconds, seeming to think over my words, before she eventually sighed, picked up the oars once more and began to row. "I don't see why you care so much," she retorted, keeping her eyes on the water behind her. "Didn't you see what happened back at the party? I'm a freak."

"Well, if that's the case, I guess us freaks have to stick together, right?"

She stopped rowing once more, her eyes growing wide as she returned her gaze to me. "But you're so beautiful, Miss Hikari. You have those huge wings and can fly anywhere you want." Folding her hands in her lap and looking down, she added: " All I can do is talk to fish."

"And you think that makes you any less special?" I asked. When she continued to look down, I let out a long sigh. "You know, even with my wings, I sometimes feel just as trapped as you were behind those walls. I'm bound by my duties, having to continue to fight, unable to return home until things are set right in the world. I haven't seen my parents or siblings in what feels like an eternity. I often wonder if they're safe, or where they are and what they're doing." At some point, my eyes had drifted off towards the night sky, watching the stars, wondering which star was a world where my loved ones were.

"I can't imagine what that must feel like," Melody said softly, bringing my attention back to her. "I don't have any brothers or sisters, so my parents always had their attention on me. Maybe that's why they were so protective... though I still don't forgive them from keeping me locked up," she muttered after a moment's thought, a harsh frown appearing on her face.

I found myself sighing once more. "Though I can't say I know the reasoning behind the wall, I'm sure that your parents had your best interests at heart, however misguided they may be, Your Highness."

The pre-teen nodded, still frowning. There were a few moments of silence before she looked up at me and said: "If you're going to be staying by my side, please, just call me Melody." Her downward lips curled back up slightly, her eyes just slightly greener than my own lighting up.

I offered my own smile and nodded back in agreement. "And you can just call me Hikari. No need for the 'Miss' part."

She held out her hand and I shook it.

"It's a deal."

Riku's POV (Third Person)

Hikari had been gone for quite some time now and Riku was beginning to worry. She had said she wouldn't be long, but still...

"Oh, Riku."

Said teen turned at the sound of his name, seeing Ariel and a man -who he could only guess was her husband, Eric- at the top of a small set of stairs, worried looks on their faces. He headed over to them, bowing in respect.

"Eric, this is Riku," Ariel explained to her husband. "He's friends with Sora, the boy I used to tell you about."

The young king gave a small smile, seeming somewhat distracted. "It's a pleasure to meet you," he greeted, offering his hand.

Riku reached out and shook the man's hand. "It's an honor to meet you, Your Majesty." Turning back to Ariel, he asked: "Is everything okay?"

The red-head sighed. "I had an argument with our daughter, Melody, and she ran off somewhere. We haven't been able to find her for some time now." Looking out to the garden, she cupped her hands around her mouth. "Melody!"

It was a horrified gasp that responded, followed a continuous "Melody's gone! Melody's gone! Melody's gone!"

Everyone looked towards the source, finding a small red crab scurrying towards them.

"Sebastian? What are you doing here?" Ariel asked.

The crab bowed down at the bottom of the stairs, where the Riku, Ariel, and Eric walked down to meet him. "It's all my fault! I tried to stop her!" He clung to the skirt of Ariel's dress, continuing to cry into it hysterically. "I don't deserve to live!"

What Sebastian had originally stated finally seemed to click in Ariel's mind as a worried tone took hold of her voice. "Gone? Gone where!?"

Tears filled the sea creature's eyes as he gestured towards the wall. "Out... out.. to the sea-ea-ea-ea," he stuttered through his crying, before promptly blowing his nose in the fabric still in his claws.

Riku looked at the wall, a thought coming to mind. Could Hikari have seen the princess take off and go after her?

"What do you mean?" The queen now had a distraught look on her face, the king having a similar expression. "Where could she be going?"

Hikari's POV

"To Morgana's."

We hadn't been rowing for too long when -what I could only describe as a chibi-sized shark (although no way cute)- had shown up, stating he could take us to someone that would be more than happy to help. I was getting an odd vibe from the pint-sized creature, eyeing him cautiously with my arms crossed over my chest, while Melody was leaned over the boat eagerly, asking if whoever this person was could truly answer her questions.

The shark chuckled. "Sure, kid. Morgana's the best. She'll help ya."

Melody looked down at the locket in her hand, then turned to me, silently asking for my opinion.

While I was still wary of this shark's coincidental arrival and that his offer seemed almost "too good to be true", I knew that Melody truly wanted to find out the truth. Plus, if it happened to be some sort of trap or something went wrong, I knew I could get her out of there. With that in mind, I looked to her with as neutral a gaze as I could. "I will go wherever you go, Melody. The decision is yours to make."

The young princess smiled, thanking me for the support, before returning her gaze to the shark. "Ok. Then let's go."

Two stingrays rose to the surface, somehow managing to wrap their tails around the loops of rope on the front of the boat and pulling it into the fog, the shark leading the way.

Melody's eyes wandered briefly in the direction of where the castle was, before turning forward as we were taken to Morgana.

It seemed as though the trip was going to be a long one, so I had Melody try and get some rest. She quickly fell asleep, her head on my lap, a blanket that happened to be stored on the boat draped over her to keep her warm.

I stayed up, keeping watch, occasionally brushing my hand through Melody's hair for comfort whenever she fidgeted in her sleep. I gazed out into the ocean, my mind drifting back to my family. Perhaps if this Morgana person was legit, I could ask her where my parents or Sora was, as was the reason we had originally come to this world. I just hoped that for Melody's sake, it wasn't a farce.