We're back folks! πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰

This next chapter isn't the finale of the Tigroids war yet. But this chapter will feature something that most of you were waiting for Connor and Melody to do.

"We're going to D23?!" Maverick beamed. 😁

No. πŸ˜’

I was originally saving this idea for one or two worlds later. But since several people fell in love while in the jungle. Like Simba and Nala or Tarzan and Jane. It would only make sense to do this now and stop messing around. Besides Melody is the daughter of Ariel. A woman who did an actual love at first sight before the guy even met her.

But before we see it. Let's answer some comments first. ⌨️

SPYRO 101: Thank you! Actually now that you mentioned it. Those 'Mancubs' will meet each other here. And Baloo and Bagheera's relationship is more of the same from the movies here as well. You'll see when they meet each other in this chapter. Also thanks again for helping me write this as always, Pal. πŸ‘πŸ˜

Alton: Thanks buddy! I appreciate your thrilling support! πŸ‘πŸ˜

RustyPete12: Oh trust me. Share Khan ain't no ally cat. And yeah! This peace treaty will also mean some intense ape action for the chapter after this one. Also yeah. I know some people aren't. But since Connor is a black Maverick. It made sense to include that song from Hamilton. Oh and sorry, this chapter doesn't have a Sly Cooper reference. But the next one might. πŸ˜‰ This chapter however is gonna have one small reference to a puzzle in AC Black Flag. Care to guess what it is folks?! Thanks again for your support RustyPete 12! I'm glad you enjoyed that last one. Peace enjoy your read on this one. πŸ‘

Alright! Now that we're all here!

LET'S GET DANGEROUS! 😎


The Bare Necessities Of Love.

Six years ago in the jungles of Saltuvia...

At ten years old. Mowgli was on her own. After Shere Khan burned her village to the ground. She was once the resident and proud adopted son of a wolvoid couple named Raksha and Rama. Both who served under the command of Akela. The chief of the Wolvoid tribe.

But because they refused to submit to Shere Khan's army. The tribe was considered a loose end. So Shere Khan had the Tigroids burn down the Wolvoid village and kill any survivors. Including Mowgli's adopted parents.

Mowgli was one of the only few who escaped. Out of one of the secret tunnel exits. But she lost track of the other survivors and was now on her own.

Mowgli had wondered the jungle for almost a week. It was a good thing she was taught to forage for food. Otherwise she would be starving. But her self defense skills still needed practice.

She was only wearing a short red loin cloth and a red sash over her chest area. A common attire among youth of the Jungle. And her black hair was long, down past her shoulder almost halfway to her back. And her lips were red from some make up and her torso and exposed back and sides had some Wolfoid tribe patterns painted on her in white but slightly fadded. A common style among the wolf kin who adopted her.

Because she was lost and tired that afternoon in who knows what parts of the jungle she was in. She knew there was no one to turn to and no way to go back home. And her bare feet were getting tired. So Mowgli saw a flat white boulder and sat against it. Amd wrapped her arms around her knees and leaned into them. Feeling hopeless.

And alone.

Then. She heard a noise.

"Do-be-do-be-do."

Mowgli heard someone sing, making her head turn to the left to see a big gray bear walking into the clearing with a serene smile as he swayed to his singing. The bear being none other than Baloo.

"Well, it's a do-ba-de-do~ Yes it's a do-ba-de-do~" Baloo sang and clapped as he walked by dancing. "I mean a doobie doobie doobie doobie doobie Doo~ And with-"

Baloo stopped singing as he glanced to his right and saw a young Mowgli sitting with her back against a rock, making Baloo chuckle at the unexpected surprise.

"Well now. Ha ha ha. What have we here?" Baloo said as he got on all fours and started sniffing at Mowgli. "Hey, what a funny little bit of a-"

Baloo was cut off as Mowgli gave him a slap to the snout.

"Go away." Mowgli snapped back, a look of irritation and frustration on her face as Baloo and recoiled and sit on the ground in front of her. But his smile never left him.

"Oh boy, I've seen everything in these woods." Baloo said with a clap of his hands. "What have I run on? What a pretty thing this is!"

"Leave me alone." Mowgli said with a pout, turning away from Baloo as she sat by the rock.

"Well now, that's pretty big talk, little britches." Baloo said, giving Mowgli a slight shove on her shoulder, prompting the young girl to turn to him and stand on her bare feet with an angry look.

"I'm big enough." Mowgli snapped and started to punch recklessly at Baloo's stomach, to which he barely even feels as he looks down at her with a slight chuckle.

But he mostly gave her a blank stare.

"Tsk-tsk-tsk. Pitiful." Baloo muttered before he picked Mowgli up with both hands, making the girl kick her legs about. "Hey, kid, you need help. And ol' Baloo is gonna learn you to fight like a bear."

Baloo set Mowgli down on the ground, the girl glaring for a moment before the bear started dancing about.

"Now come on, I'm gonna show you." Baloo said moving about with his arms up like a boxer, prompting Mowgli to do the same, never one to turn down a chance to learn something, even after all that has happened.

She started to imitate his movements with a determined look as they weaved around each other.

"Yeah! All right now kid, loosen up, get real loosen, then start to weave, weave a little, now move, that's it." Baloo instructed, the girl taking in his instructions pretty well as she threw punches back at him as the two weaved around one another in a dance of combat. "Now give me a big bear growl, scare me!"

Mowgli did so. But the growl was so quiet that Baloo struggled to even hear it. "Roar…"

"Tsk-tsk-tsk. Oh boy." Baloo muttered, before showing a determined look, intent on teaching this kid if it killed him. "I'm talking about like a big bear!"

Baloo then let out a loud growl which shook the jungle around them.

***Loud bear roar!***


Somewhere around the giant snail district...

There was a field of giant heads of lettuce and tomatoes. Two snails name Gale and Cale, were sitting looking bored with their eyes droopy looking and down casted. As the roar shook their district.

***Bear Roar echo!***

Gale and Cale suddened and moved slow to glare at each other.

"I told you to go before we left for meal time." Gale scolded his friend while using a southern country accent. He thought Cale past gas.

"Me? You're the one who eats corn after midnight." Cale countered as he had the same accent while thinking the same thing.

***Bear roar!***

The bear roar from the distance echoed again causing a giant tomato to fall on top of Gale. Which made him glare harder.

"I know who made that roar. And I intend to give that bear one hell of a peace of my mind." Gale snarled.

Then he slowly turned around like the speed of molasses. It would take the time to heat up a TV dinner in the microwave before he could turn all the way around.

And then Gale finally squirmed like the snail he was towards the direction of Baloo's roar. Ready to get back at him for ruining his day.


Back over at Baloo and Mowgli's location...

Mowgli and Baloo were back to sparring.

"Now let's go once more. Now you keep ciclin' or I'm gonna knock your roof in again, you better keep movin'." Baloo instructed as they circled each other with mowgli throwing punches, until one connected with Baloo's lower jaw with an ooph. "Hey! Right on the button!"

Then Baloo tiptoed about like he was staggering, a goofy smile on his face, and playfully fell to the ground on his stomach.

A second later, Mowgli started to crawl onto his back.

Seeing how the bear wasn't really a threat or a bother as she was thinking. Mowgli decided to get on his good side by both giving him a rewarding fatality to the training he just gave her.

As she was climbing on his back, Mowgli's hands and feet started to tickle Baloo, making him laugh.

"Ah, ha-ha, no, no-no, now you're tickling." Baloo said laughing, making Mowgli grin and start tickling him on purpose, making him laugh and squirm on the ground, trying to get away but failing. "No, no, we don't do that here in the jungle, no, you're tickling, I can't stand tickling, heh-heh-heh. Help! Police!"

"Do you submit, you big lug?!" Mowgli teased as she kept tickling.

"I give up, I told ya. Oh, I give!" Baloo laughed out before Mowgli finally stopped tickling, Baloo now sitting up slightly with Mowgli sitting on top of him with her arms crossed and a smug smile, earning a chuckle and a soft fist to her face from Baloo. "Hey, ha-ha. You know something? You're all right, kid. What do they call you?"

"Mowlgi. And as you can tell. I'm the last one standing." Mowgli said with a little sass in her grin.

"Oh. Let me guess. The tiger got to ya too?" Baloo said with a smile faltering.

Meaning he knows abour Share Khan and the Tigroids attack.

"H-how did you know?" Mowgli asked as she slit off him.

"Little Britches. I hear about that atomic whiskers and his army attacking all over the jungle. I stay alive because I'm not part of any tribe." Baloo stated and grinned. "In fact. If you stick with me. It can become yours as well. I learn you everything I know."

"But...How do you get by on you're own?" Mowlgi asked curiously as she seated on her knees looking up at the bare.

"Haha! 'How do you get by' she asked." Baloo chuckled as if he resumed saying. "Look. It's like this Little Britches. All you gotta do is..."

*Clap!*

Baloo clapped his paws as the magic of Fantasia took over for the bear to teach Mowgli his way of life.

"Look for the bare necessities- The simple bare necessities-" Baloo sang and started to dance about, Mowgli imitating him as they went. "Forget about your worries and your strife~ I mean the bare necessities~ Are Mother Nature's recipes~ That bring the bare necessities of life~"

As they passed by a tree, Baloo reached up and grabbed two coconuts and handed on to Mowgli.

"Wherever I wander| Wherever I roam~" Baloo sang as he spun the coconut on his claw and then broke it open with his head, Mowgli trying to do the same, only to fail and rub her sore head. "I couldn't be fonder~ Of my big home~"

Baloo then flapped his arms like wings to imitate bees, with Mowgli doing the same.

"The bees are buzzing in the tree- To make some honey just for me~ When you look under the rocks and plants~" Baloo sang as he tipped a giant rock on its side to reveal hundreds of ants underneath, showing them to Mowgli. "And take a glance at the fancy ants~ Then maybe try a few~"

Baloo then licked a bunch of ants from off the ground, making Mowgli cringe slightly.

"Uh...No thanks. I'm on a low tick diet. I plan to grow abs one day." Mowlgi nervously said with a slight giggle.

"Haha. Suite yourself, Kid. There's plenty to go around without the ticks." Baloo mused as he dropped the rock while Mowgli was still underneath.

"Whoa-" Mowgli doubled back and roll out the way before ir could crush her ans she stumbled on her back.

"The bare necessities of life will come to you~" Baloo sanged on.

Mowgli shook her head and giggled. "What a crazy bear." She muttered as she was taking to him.

Baloo danced by a tree and knocked his hip into it, making it drop a large bundle of bananas.

"Look for the bare necessities~ The simple bare necessities~" Baloo sang as he grabbed one banana from the bundle and threw the rest away before squeezing the banana out of the peel, into the air, and into his mouth. "Forget about your worries and your strife-" Ten Baloo pulled the tree down so Mowgli could grab a banana, only for the peel to open, revealing no banana, making Mowgli glare up at the tree as Baloo walked away. "I mean the bare necessities~ That's why a bear can rest at ease~ With just the bare necessities of life~"

The banana tree then swayed in the wind, dropping a banana in front of Mowgli, making the girl smile and pick it up before saluting the tree in thanks and started to walk off to follow Baloo, only for a bunch of bananas to fall on top of her.

"Now when you pick a paw-paw~ Or a prickly pear~" Baloo then started to pick at prickly fruit with his claws, prompting Mowgli to try herself, only for the prickly fruit to prick her finger.

"Ow!" Mowgli hissed and licked her finger, looking at the prickly fruit with apprehension while Baloo continued collecting them without a care in the world, a stack building on his claw.

"And you prick a raw paw- Well, next time beware~" Baloo continued collecting fruits on his one claw like a giant kabob. "Don't pick the prickly pear by the paw~ When you pick a pear try to use the claw~"

Baloo then ate the stack of fruit in one gulp.

"But you don't need to use the claw~ When you pick a pair of the big paw-paw~" Baloo then pumped into another tree, dropping two mangos, and threw one to Mowgli, knocking the girl down in the process. "Have I given you a clue?~"

"Yeah...Except I don't have claws." Mowgli chirped.

"Nah don't worry about that. You've got Old Baloo here for that. And I'll show you how the environment is used to our advantage." Baloo smiled as he got on all fours like a bear. "Now hop on. We got a couple of stops to make and the beginning of a journey."

"Yeaaah man." Mowgli beamed as she hopped on board Baloo's back and rode him like a horse as he kept dancing.

"The bare necessities of life will come to you~" They both sang together as they rode off.

"They'll come to you~" Baloo sang the last note.

"They'll come to me!" Mowlgi beamed.

"They'll come to you~" Baloo repeated the last note.

And at that moment. The bear and the female Mancub became a pair. Mowgli would soon look up to the bear as a mentor and a father figure.

Hense why Mowgli's nickname for him was 'Papa Bear'.


Back to the present day...

After Mowgli and Baloo reunited at the entry gates of the Cercopia. Baloo told Maverick and Tsunami everything about how they met and how they survived.

"And you never once got caught or found by the Tigroids ever since?" Maverick asked as they finally exited the Monkey Kingdom.

The guards let them through on orders of King Louie.

"Are you kidding? Those little pussycats got nothing on us." Mowgli said smugly as they walked. "Old Papa Bear and I are very good at keeping away from those striped pricks."

"And if we ever did run into them, I've give them the old roundhouse special." Baloo said with smugness while punching the air in front of him.

"Yeah...I don't know if you and Booboo here are aware. But not all the tribes are down. We just got back from the Leonoid encampment to go bargain with the God Monk back over there." Maverick informed them.

Both Mowgli and Baloo were shocked to hear this.

"The Leonoids are still alive!? I thought they were all wiped out." Mowgli exclaimed in shock.

"Yeah. Word spread throughout the jungle that the Leonoids fell and the Pride Lands were now ruled by the Tigroids." Baloo said with a dumbfounded look.

"It's true. They weren't wiped out. They fled. And they've been hiding ever since. Their advisor and Shaman Bageera and Rafiki told us everything about Shere Khan's power. And we came to help." Tsunami stated.

"Hold on hold on. Did you just say Bagheera?" Baloo said before a smile graced his face. "Woah boy! that's a name I haven't heard in quite a long time."

"You know this Bagheera, Baloo?" Mowgli asked the bear.

"You better believe it, kiddo. Bagheera is an old friend of mine from long before you and I met." Baloo said with a big smirk. "Boy, were we quite the pair back in the day."

Only Baloo was the one having fun. Even if he's always too excited to see that.

"Look why don't you both come with us and they'll explain everything to you both?" Maverick suggested since he figured this might take all night to answer their questions.

"Alright. But you better not be pulling our legs. Because-" Baloo almost responded before he felt a coconut smack hard in the back of his head. Making him tumble to the ground

***Boink!***

"Ow! Hey you threw that?!" Baloo winced as he stood up and turned around while rubbing the back of his head.

They look to see the giant snail named Gale standing by a coconut tree glaring at them. He finally after all these years caught up to Baloo to get back at him.

"That's for ruining my lunch! Don't ever break the wind so loud, in our direction. EVER! AGAIN!" Gale exclaimed in anger.

Before Gale the Giant Snail slowly turned around and slithered away at the slowest pace over. Cearly it tool this snail a long time to catch up and he never got over it until now. After a long brief pause of the awkward moment. No one said a word as they were not sure what to say. Until…..

"Mmkay." Maverick could only say before he projected a check point into FELICITY'S system to the gates of Cercopia.

And then he opened the check point to the Leonoid camp Throne room.

"Beam us all back, Hun." Maverick stated.

'At once.' FELICITY answered.

"Who are you taking too- Whoa hey!" Baloo was started as lights began to shift and wave around them.

Causing them to vanish before the eyes of the two gorilla guards standing watch at the city entrance. They both looked shocked.

"I gotta stop putting hot peppers in my banana salad." One of them said.


Back over at the Leonoid throne room...

Maverick. Tsunami. Baloo and Mowgli reappeared at the middle of the throne room as Baloo and Mowgli looked around trying to process what just happened. This was where Connor and the team were suppose to meet up after negotiating with the monkeys and smashing the satellite array.

"What happened?" Mowgli asked in shock.

"Where in the world are we?" Baloo asked whiel scratching his head.

"Aaah. I see you have return. Welcome to my domain." They heard a deep voice say on the throne.

And they turned to see Timon seeing there with a fake leaf crown on his head.

"Timon, what are you doing?" Tsunami inquired.

"What? I was just keeping it warm for His Majesty. Besides I wasn't gonna let Pumbaa do it." Timon said in defense as he got off and dusted the throne and walked off.

"I tend to get beefy on hard chairs." Pumbaa echoed nervously from outside.

A moment later, King Mufasa entered the scene with Rafiki in tow. As the King was both glad to see the two main members of the Guardians return. And more surprised to see another Mancub with them than the bear.

"Ah, I see you have all returned from your journey to Cercopia." Mufasa greeted warmly before his eyes caught sight of Mowgli and Baloo. "And I see you have brought with you some unexpected guests."

Oooh ho ho! This is quite a sight to see." Rafiki said with a chuckle at the surprise in front of them.

"Not just any guests." Maverick stated as he introduced them. "This is Baloo. The kind bear who uses street wise savoir for wilderness survival."

"And is Mowgli, the adopted survivor of the Wolvoid tribe." Tsunami introduced the female Man Cub.

This caught the Leonoid King's attention.

"Is that so? I had heard the Wolvoids were wiped out by the Tigroids." Mufasa muttered, his gaze landing on Mowgli. "However, I was not aware that they had a Mancub with them."

"Yes. Your adopted son and her mate will mostly flip when they see this." Rafiki declared with a grin.

"There are other Wolvoid survivors out there. I just could never find them. I've been with Old Baloo here after since." Mowgli answered the king while she gestured towards the bear.

"I am sorry that it hasn't been easy for you, young one. But you were lucky to find yourself in capable hands since then." Mufasa commented. "I assume you both have been evading the Tigroids since?"

"I'm not just running. I'm preparing. Shere Khan slaughtered my family. And I want him to suffer." Mowgli stated while scowling down at the ground while she balled her fists.

Meaning that Mowgli was training while on the run. To become stronger. And more ready to face the leader of the Tigroids.

"I understand your anger, and your determination." Mufasa started, looking at her with sympathy. "However, I'm afraid Shere Khan is just too powerful. Even my strongest forces could not stand against him. I'm afraid you would not stand a chance against him as you are now."

"So what? We're just gonna keep running while that hellish tiger keeps wasting away our world?!" Mowgli protested.

"Not precisely. We were waiting for the moment of opportunity when the stars turn in our direction. And behold. The Guardians of the Depths have come to help restore peace to Saltuvia." Rafiki stated as he walked around them and gestured Maverick and Tsunami.

"Yeah...We're already working on that by the way." Tsunami meekly stated.

"Have you found the shard you were looking for?" Mufasa asked Maverick.

"Yes and no. Turns out King Louie traded it for a peace treaty with Shere Khan. It's literally on that staff he uses." Maverick answered.

"The source of his power?" Rafiki said with widened eyes before he began to eak and laugh like a monkey. "Hoo hohohohohohooo! This is better than I expected!"

"Uh, Mr. Rafiki? Are you okay?" Tsunami asked with a bit of hesitation. "You haven't cracked, have you?"

"Hahahahaha! Not at all, My Dear! Shere Khan believed the share would make him more powerful! But what that mook doesn't realize is that he just handed his power over to the crystal!" Rafiki beamed as he held his hands up.

"It's a pearl not a….." Maverick almost said as he was confused at first until it dawned on him. Hr remembered one important fact. "Wait a minute...It's a crysta. The pearl is also a crystal." His eyes widened.

Since the Pearl of Asarius has the same trades as a crystal in terms of what they're made of. The pearl has the same principle as a crystal.

"And?" Tsunami inquired.

"Think about it, Mel. Crystals are Silica based material and they can absorb the traits of minerals around them." Maverick stated as he held Tsunami's shoulders.

"Are you catching any of this?" Baloo asked Mowgli.

"I don't know how." Mowgli shook her head.

"It means the pearl has taken in all the powers of his staff, leaving the staff with nothing." Tsunami said with realization. "Which means if we get the shard away from Shere Khan, he will be left powerless!"

"Now you're getting the tune." Maverick quipped.

"The only problem is that once the shard is removed from his staff. The power will become impossible to contain. It will surge without a conduit to contain it's raw power like the staff Shere Khan has." Mufasa stated.

"What if I were to tell you. There is another staff?" Rafiki smirked.

"I'd ask why you're waiting till now to drop that bit of information on us." Tsunami said with a shocked look.

"You never needed it. Until now. Come, I will show you. But you will need to be out of the armor." Rafiki informed them.

"No prob." Maverick shrugged as he shifted back into Connor and Tsunami shifted back into Melody.

Mowgli let out a gasp at seeing the two keybladers in their true forms.

"You... You're both Mancubs? Like me?" Mowgli asked before her head whipped towards Baloo. "Did you know about this?"

"He he he. About that..." Baloo said with a nervous chuckle while scratching the back of his head.

"Sorry, Mowgli. Baloo only found out just before we rescued you. He couldn't exactly find the words so we decided it was best to show you." Melody meekly answered as she was walking out with Connor and Rafiki.

"Don't read too much into it. We're only half human...Man...Man Cub. Damn it, what's wrong with just saying that first word?" Connor stated and rambled a bit as he had trouble with how they say 'humans' in these parts.

But once they walked out. Mufasa's advisor. Bagheera walked in and greeted his king and to check on everything concerning the missions given to the Guardians.

"Your Majesty. How goes the...Baloo?!" Bagheera gasped.

"Hey, there he is! My old chum, Bagheera!" Baloo exclaimed happily as he walked up to him.

"Oooh nooo." Bagheera crowned in shock and horror.

He's had a history of all the trouble Baloo put him through over the years. And ever since joining the Leonoid tribe. He hoped to get away from it all. But apparently trouble has finally caught up to him here.

"How's it goin Baggy?! I hear your movin up in the world now." Baloo greeted as he patted him on the back.

Which made Bagheera stumble a bit.

"Ah! Yes yes well." Bagheera cleared his throat and gave the best smile he could. "I serve as the King's advisor these days. I put all of our...days of..."

He couldn't say the word trouble

"No prob, Baggy. Our days of fun are on hold until we deal with that Blow hard molten tiger." Baloo said with an understanding smile as if he really did understand.

"Yes, precisely, I think we can both agree on that." Bagheera said before his eyes landed on Mowgli, making them go wide in shock. "My word. I had no idea there was another Mancub in these parts."

"Bagheera. This is Mowgli. She's been with me ever since Shere Khan burned her village down." Baloo said with an arm around Mowgli as she leaned into her father figure.

"She was from the Wolvoid tribe. All this time, we had no idea." Mufasa said with sympathy.

"And you've survived with Baloo ever since?" Bagheera asked Mowgli as he was astonished.

"Yes I have." Mowgli said before smiling up at her mentor. "I never would have made it this far without Baloo to teach me."

"Well. I'm sure he's taught you a lot." Bagheera smiled back.

He may not have the patience or tolerance for Baloo's shenanigans. But Bagheera knew that if Baloo could survive this long. Then a wild Man Cub like Mowgli would definitely keep up.

Just then Zidane and Garnet walked in to check on everyone. While Donald was perched on Zidane's shoulder and Garnet was carrying Goofy in her arms. Dug was too busy outside chasing squirrels. Or he thinks they're squirrels.

Goofy was too slow to keep up being a turtle and Donald was tired after that satellite array mission.

"Aaah. That was exhausting." Donald groaned.

"Hey Father. We just got back from...what?" Zidane stopped midpoint of his greeting when he saw Mowgli.

"Is she?..." Garnet almost asked as she was also surprised.

"Zidane, Garnet, this is Baloo, an old friend of Bagheera's." Mufasa introduced before gesturing to Mowgli. "And this is Mowgli, a young Mancub in his care for the past six years."

"You're both just like me." Mowgli whispered, looking over Zidane and Garnet. "I thought I was the only one."

"Yeah...I mean. Yeah, I guess this jungle just holds a lot of surprises." Zidane said as he was processing all of this.

"Ahyuck! Maybe the trees are just in the way." Goofy mused.

"Oh brother." Donald rolled his eyes at his buddy's lame humor.

"It's been just me and my boyfriend Zid here as the only human intersection we've ever had. But...this is. Wow. Where are you from, Mowgli?" Garnet asked sweetly.

"I... Was raised by the Wolvoids as a baby. Before that, I didn't know who my birth parents were." Mowgli said after getting over the shock of meeting two more Mancubs like her. "I never knew them. I assume they're long gone."

"Aww. You poor thing." Garnet said with a sympathetic smile.

"We heard about what happened with the Wolvoids." Zidane added.

"Ah don't worry about that. Mowgli and I know how to dodge and smack every tooth that tries to take a bite out of us." Baloo assured with a grin. Before he rubbed his stomach. "And speaking of 'a bite'. Does this place have a good spot for grub?"

"Did someone say, grub?" Pumbaa called in as he and Timon walked in.

And they both screamed in fear at first seeing Baloo.

"AAAH! SMOLDER! No. Wait. He's brown. I mean hey there! Welcome to the only tribe with no rent." Timon greeted as he realized he wasn't a threat.

"If you're looking for grub. Come follow us. We have a good spot for it." Pumbaa beamed and then he passed a small wind and muttered. Sorry.

"Well, don't mind I do." Baloo accepted before he smelled the wind Pumbaa let out, making the bear pinch his nose. "Ooh, boy, that's a stinker."

"While your friend joins Timon and Pumbaa in stuffing their faces, how would you like it if Zidane and I gave you a tour of the settlement?" Garnet offered with a kind smile, which she returned.

"I'd like that. Thank you." Mowgli said while smiling as she accepted the offer.

After they left. Donald noticed that Connor wasn't there like he said he would. That's what they get for missing the meeting.

"Hey...Where did Connor and Melody go?" Donald looked around and inquired.

"They're being taken to wear so they can find the means to contain Shere Khan's power." Mufasa informed them.

"And if that's the case. Then it would most likely involve several hard trials to face." Zazu said as he perched near the arm of the throne.

Donald's jaw dropped before he composed himself again.

"Nope. Forget it. I'm not gonna get involved." Donald said as he folded his wings in front of him. "I just came back from a dangerous mission. I'm not jumping right into another one this soon."

"Aw, come on, Donald. Our mission wasn't that bad." Goofy said nonchalantly.

"Ah phooey." Donald waved it off as he flew off with Goofy walking out on his turtle paws.

With everyone now busy around the settlement. Connor and Melody were gonna handle the next part of the plan. Finding a mystical conduit to match the staff of Shere Khan. Hopefully they will find it soon. Because something tells them that things will begin to escalate soon.

Just then Mini-Mav walked in while whistling Jungle Boogie while flipping a penny. Then he looked around and wondered.

"What did I miss?!" Mini-Mav asked out loudly.


Meanwhile Down in the Pride Lands throne room...

Down among the foggy heated atmosphere of the golden stone palace that once belonged to Mufasa and his tribe...

Inside the Pride Rock throne room, there was a stone throne painted in red and gold, with decorative tusks set up on either side of the throne. There were several steps leading up to the throne. And there were several fire pits set up to bring light into the room.

And sitting on the throne was none other than Shere Khan himself.

Shere Khan was a formidable looking Tigroid with glowing yellow eyes, orange and white fur with black stripes, and wore white and yellow armor. The armor consisted of a head piece that looked like a set of jaws facing up. On his left shoulder were teeth attached to the armor like spikes, which extended to the chest belt which was over his chest plate. On his right shoulder was the skull of a lion. And he wore gauntlets on his wrists and ankles.

Coming up the throne was a Cheetoid in yellow armor and a metallic tiger jaw like helmet named General Sabor, stepped up and bowed to address his emperor.

"Sire. We have a visitor from the stars who wishes to speak with you." General Sabor said with a low growl.

"A visitor from the stars, you say?" Shere Khan said, glancing at the staff in his hands before addressing his general. "Let him approach."

General Sabor nodded as he held his hand up and signaled the guards to let this mysterious visitor enter.

This was Sea Slayer who came in. Maverick's attacker and Attuma's best warrior. He stepped up to Shere Khan looking tough and mighty. Before he gave a short bow to the Emperor.

"Shere Khan of the Tigroids. I am Sea Slayer of Meridia. And I come on behalf of my Master Lord Attuma." Sea Slayer proclaimed.

"Watch your tongue, Outsider. There is no Lord but Shere Khan." General Sabor growled with a glare.

"At ease, General." Shere Khan said with a raised hand before smirking at Sea Slayer. "As you were saying?"

"My Lord offers an alliance between you and your Kingdom. In exchange for the location of the Maverick." Sea Slayer declared.

"Ah, yes. The Maverick. I've heard a great deal about him from my spy in the Leonoid's so-called secret settlement." Shere Khan revealed to the Sea Slayer. "I'm fully aware that he is currently amongst those insolent Leonoids. However, I made the decision not to launch an attack upon them until the opportune moment."

"You may find that opportunity to be much sooner than expected." Sea Slayer declared. As he walked up a little closer. "You desire power. Over all of your enemies. More than you have now. What if I told you. You have power to reign fire across the cosmos?"

A dark glint could be seen in Shere Khan's eyes.

"You have my full attention." Shere Khan said with a vicious grin.

"As you all probably know. Tomorrow morning. There will be a solar eclipse to gain the full power of Ak'b'al. God of fire. You must give the shade of his dark will a sacrifice. But not of blood. But of the heart, of two female Man Cubs. There is a catch. They must not be keyblade wielders." Sea Slayer declared."Or else their magic will interfere with the light of Ak'b'al."

"That would be impossible." Shere Khan stated with aggravation. "There is only one female Mancub in this world that fits those conditions."

"I beg to differ. The Guardians have brought back another female Man Cub. One that's riped for the taking. The Maverick will be too busy passing a test to try and obtain the means to defeat you. But it's no match." Sea Slayer revealed the first part while lying about the last part. And added. "This Man Cub is a survivor of the Wolvoid tribe that defied you all those years ago."

Dark fire rose from behind Shere Khan's eyes.

"Is that so?" Shere Khan growled, anger spiking at the mention of one of his most hated enemies.

"It is. And it's now or never. To gain the power you require." Sea Slayer declared as he stood up. "You can have the rest. But the Maverick, is mine."

Sea Slayer had a firm determined edge in his voice at the end of his words concerning the Maverick.

Shere Khan let out a dark chuckle.

"Well then, Sea Slayer. It seems we have reached an accord." Shere Khan said as he accepted the deal before he addresssed General Savor. "General! Prepare our forces for an all out attack! The time to strike back against our enemies has come!"

Sabor gave a nodded and lets out a fural roar throughout the castle

***"ROAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOR!***

As Shere Khan's troops were ready and prepared to finally strike back at their enemies. And take two prisoners in addition.


Meanwhile down at the KulKul Lagoon...

Rafiki led Connor and Melody at the mountain peak where ten feet down below was a large Lagoon that runs deep as an ocean. With the lights under the water changing as if the northern light were underneath.

"Down under these waters. Lies the key to taking Shere Khan's power. Swim in. Follow the lights, pass the tests. And it is yours." Rafiki declared while standing next to the keyblader duo.

"So we just have to swim down there to get the staff?" Melody asked before smiling smugly. "This should be easy."

"But! Be warned. You can not dive in as a mermaid." Rafiki held a finger up. "Because the world's light waters are red. You must go in as you are. And if they turn blue. Then you turn as mermaids. Be sure to match these patterns with the lights as they change or you'll be forced back up here to start over. But have no fear. The waters will only change each time you pass a test."

"So red means legs and blue means fins? Huh. If that's how we're eaten, I'll take it." Connor quipped with a shrug.

"Ah ah! There is one more word of caution I must give. Be prepared. The first test will be simple. The second test will be tricky but the final test will be one you are not expecting. And if you pass. You will gain more than just the staff." Rafiki declared.

"Wait...Like a second head?" Connor asked while looking worried.

"No." Rafiki answered.

"Will one of us have to kill the other?" Melody asked while looking worried too. "Or lose a limb? A finger?"

"No. No and no." Rafiki answered.

"...Will I still be black?" Connor inhaled as he was afraid of this answer.

"Yes." Rafiki deadpanned.

"Thank you, Lord." Connor exhaled in relief.

"The third test will test the heart. And you must be honest with the light you will face. And with each other. If you wish to succeed. You must have no more doubts within." Rafiki stated.

"We won't." Melody said with a determined look. "Whatever comes our way in this challenge, we'll face it with no hesitation."

"I have faith in you two young Guardians. May your hearts be your guiding- Oh belay that blessing! The light is red! Go on now! Go go! Get going!" Rafiki exclaimed as he was hooting with excitement once the lights under water turned red.

Then Connor was the first to run off the clip and do a back spin dive.

"REEEEED ROBIN!" Connor yelled out as he dived into the water.

Melody ran to the edge and leaped as she does a swan dive.

"YUUUUM!" Melody yelled as she dived into the water after Connor.

*SPLASH!*


Once they were both in the water. They both used

their bare feet and skilled hands to hover in the water like they were flying in the air and hover as they looked around to see the beautiful multicolored ocean of Saltuvia. And the light streams that formed waves for them to follow.

"Mel? I can't tell because I'm half fish stick. Can you breathe?" Connor asked her out of concern.

Melody took a moment to test if she could breathe underwater. And she found the results surprising.

"I can. I can breathe underwater!" Melody beamed in amazement. "And I'm not even in my mermaid form! How is this possible?"

"Did you remember what Jim the Gentleman Locust said earlier? About the oxygen being two hundred times more than earth water?" Connor reminded her while giving Jiminy Cricket a witty nickname.

"Oh yeah. He did mention that." Melody said as remembered while they continued swimming. "Still. This is pretty amazing. How we can just breathe underwater in our human forms."

"This isn't even a Monday where I'm from." Connor quipped as he started swimming across the light streams.

"But it's different for me since I'm not an Atlantian like you." Melody said back with a little snark. "I wonder when the lights are gonna change colors for us."

"Did you remember the 'I R Shaman' saying that it will only change after we pass one of the tests?" Connor deadpanned.

"Yes. But what is our first test? I'm pretty sure he wasn't very specific on the details." Melody countered as they continued swimming down.

"I sure hope as hell it's not a standardized test. Because if I have to use a pencil. God will kill a kitten." Connor exhaled as he hated those kinds of tests back in school.

"Not to mention none of our papers will remain intact because of the water." Melody added.

"But if this place is a satanic test. It'll find a way." Connor quipped."These mystical waters ain't messin around."

"If this ocean was literally alive and could move on its own, then I really would have seen it all." Melody commented.

"You know, you don't have to crash, burn and sink every quip I make, Mel." Connor scoffed as they were still swimming to follow the lights.

"I know I don't have to. But I like to." Melody said with a smirk.

"Ha. At this rate I'm pretty sure half of the Multiverse will think we're dating." Connor snorted and then pondered. "Wait...Are we dating?"

Melody blushed at the question.

"Well... Um..." Melody stumbled as she was trying to figure out what to say, while looking for something to change the subject, when her eyes caught something. She perked up. "Hey, what's up with the water up ahead?"

Connor looked up to see that the light streams were leading inside of the cave entry of a really large mountain. Which meant that whatever Rafiki was leading them towards was inside the cave.


So Connor and Melody swam right in and went through a tunnel that had light because of the streams. But the tunnel itself bore a similar pattern and size that caught Connor's attention. Even if it was made of stone, she shape and forms felt very familiar

"Okay is it just me or do these underwater tunnels look too much like the ones in Traverse Town? Except it's more prehistoric and smells like a Dollar Tree bean paste." Connor inquired humorously while his voice echoed.

"It's not just you. I'm having a sense of deja Vu." Melody muttered as she looked around the cave, also finding it very similar to the cave in Traverse Town.

Just then they made it to the end of the water tunnel and surfaced up to see an open entry made of red marble and stone work. Connor got out of the water while dripping and he offered his hand to Melody who accepted the help and was helped out of the water as well.

They both walked through the entry and made it into a large open stone chamber made of bricks that look like ancient ruins filled with sand, clay and stone.

Inside the chamber were four stone statutes that were twelve feet tall each resembling a different animal.

One statue was an eagle. One was a lion. One was a shark. And one was...a spider! A furry looking stone statue of a twelve feet tall spider.

"Oh hell naw. Even in the water. Those ***kin punk ass spiders..." Connor groaned ad he covered his eyes so he didn't have to see the spider.

"Oh, come on, Connor. It's just a statue." Melody said with a slight giggle at his antics. "It's not like it's gonna start walking on it's own just to bite you."

"I'm not lookin, Mel. Me and spiders are like the 49ers and Cowboys." Connor denied opening his eyes. While making a reference to Football teams

Melody grew a mischievous smirk as she moved her hand about and formed a hand-sized spider made of water in front of her and silently commanded it to crawl towards Connor and onto him. Thanks to her aquakinesis abilities. She was able to summon some water from back over where they came. And she formed it in the shape of wolf spider and had it crawl slowly on Connor's bare back.

Then the young Princess made a fake gasp.

"Connor, look out! It's a wolf spider!" Melody pointed.

"SHIT! WHERE?! GET IT OFF GET IT OFF GET IT OFF!" Connor shrieked like a girl as he jumped and formed a neon shot gun and shot the water wolf spider to the ground. And he huffed in relief.

Melody broke into a fit of laughter, holding her stomach as she laughed.

"Oh my God. You should have seen your face." Melody got out as she laughed.

"Jesus Christ, Mel! Only someone who eats puppies and over-taxed babies would be cruel enough to toy with a man's phobia for those eight legged assholes!" Connor yelled with a scowl, which sounded hilarious.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Connor. Is there any way I can make it up to you?" Melody asked with a teasing smile.

"You can bite me. That's what?" Connor snorted with his arms crossed.

Melody giggled and blushed as she walked over to Connor on her bare feet and leaned into him to give his left cheek a teasing nibble.

"Woah woah wait a minute now-" Connor jittered as she was biting a bite against his cheek causing him to slip and fall on his butt and she fell on top of him while laughing up a storm.

"Hahahahahaaa!" Melody laughed as she sat up next to him.

And Connor couldn't help but admire how pretty she looks when she smiles.

"You got a cute laugh. You know that?" Connor scoffed with a grin.

"Awe, thank you." Melody cooed and giggled softly before she leaned in to peck his lips.

Connor allowed it as he returned it. He really adored Melody but couldn't find a way to admit it. And he wondered if she struggled with the same feelings.

Then after the kiss he looked up at the statues and wondered about them. Clearly they weren't going to move on until they figured out what they were for.

This was obviously the first test.

"From what I can tell. These statues all resemble predators. Or at least one for each biological background. Land. Sea. Air and...insects….Well arachnid for that matter." Connor pointed at each statue while trying not to acknowledge the spider in that last statement.

Melody looked around, her eyes landing on the floor, noticing several images that made her eyes widen.

"Hey Connor, look." Melody said, gesturing to the floor. "On the floor are four different animals. A snake, a deer, a fly, and a fish. Those must be their prey."

Connor looked on the ground and saw the different floor panels on each corner of the chamber and knew that Melody was right.

"So match a predator with their prey? Huh. Alright then." Connor shrugged as he stood up and held his hands out. Causing the statues to float up in the air with an aura of neon covering them to make it possible.

Then Connor carefully placed the eagle statue on top of the snake panel. He placed the lion statue on the dear panel. The shark statue on the fish panel and then he gave the spider statue the middle finger before he flicked it towards the fly panel.

Once that was done. The statues began to glow blue and vanished. Then an entryway appeared in the front wall and the whole room began to glow blue as the room filled up with water.

Which meant it was time to switch to mermaid form.

"Alright, Mel. One three. One...Two..." Connor held her hand. "Three."

"FOR THE SEA!" They both yelled out and at that instant. They both turned into mermaids. As the water instantly fully rose and filled the entire chamber.

Melody was back into just her sea-shell top and salmon pink mermaid fin. While Connor was back to being a bare chested merman with a neon mere fin. He shrugged since he was already bare chested anyway.

"WOOHOOO!" Melody cheered as she swam about, doing spins and flips in the water as she laughed with joy.

Melody kept spinning and swimming around in joy for a short while until Connor spoke up.

"Ba da ba ba ba~ She's lovin it~" Connor muttered sarcastically before he forced a smile and called out to the girl. "Hey Mel? I'm happy that you're happy to be a happy goldfish again. But I would be more happy to move along in case there's any mer-zombies in this temple."

This got her attention.

"Oh, right. We still have two challenges. Better get moving." Melody said before she started swimming towards their next destination on this journey.


Once they swam together through the next entry way. They were swimming around in different directions across the tunnels. And the tunnels were filled with different humanoid like skeletons. Which creeped Melody out a bit.

"Dang. I'm guessing these poor bastards must've drowned after passing the first challenge." Connor figured since he and Melody are mermaids and able to breathe underwater.

"I just hope we don't end up like that, too." Melody muttered as she glanced at the corpses with a nervous look.

"Technically we're mermaids right now so whatever they got we can't get." Connor pointed out.

"But I thought you said-...I thought Jiminy said that the oxygen is two hundred times over down here." Melody figured as she was a little confused.

"Around the ocean of this planet, yeah. But this underwater temple somehow drained the oxygen level back down to a standard H20 level. My scans just showed me." Orion revealed.

"So the reason we had to become mermaids again is because we wouldn't have survived otherwise?" Melody concluded.

"I'm guessing when Guru Caesar told us to turn when it turns blue, this what he was warning us about." Connor said concerning Rafiki's warning to change form when the lights change. "I mean I would survive otherwise but you...I'll just put a pin in it."

"I'd appreciate that." Melody said with a deadpan tone. "So, what do you think the next challenge is going to be like?"

Once they made it to the end of the tunnel. Connor and Melody's eyes widened to see a large dome like chamber with a few really large dangerous heartless.

"Please tell me you've been practicing underwater combat in the ship's training simulator?" Connor muttered

In front of them were several Heartless. The first kind being Aqua Darkdale Heartless, which looked like those large darkside Heartless, but with the top half being a clear aqua color. The next kind were Moon shark Heartless, which had two blades for fins, and large pinwheels for tails. And the last were Gelatinous Death Heartless, which looked like dark jellyfish with electric blue stingers, and black stick-like arms on the sides.

"Yes." Melody narrowed her eyes as she summoned her keyblade.

And Connor nodded as he summoned his and formed three neon bubbles. Melody filled them with water and Connor thrusted the bubbles towards the three giant Heartless to stagger them.

Sure enough the Aqua Darkdale was stunned and so was the Gelatinous Death. But the Moon Shark growled and swam after them angrily

But then Melody gave the first slash as she knocked it spinning backwards.

But then Connor swam towards the Aqua Darkdale as it slashed its claws towards him. And Connor dodged the first two but yelled. "Ah!" When its claws went across his bare chest leaving open slash marks.

Connor narrowed his eyes as his arms glowed and he shifted his keyblade into a trident and spun it when the Aqua Darkdale was about to punch him. His spinning trident in front blocked it's punch as Connor waved and spun his trident to block more incoming attacks.

Melody was swimming fast away from the Moon Shark as it was chomping its jaws. And then she led it over to the electrical Gelatinous Death Heartless that was charging its tentacles. And as the Moon Shark opened its jaws wide and Melody looked back while smirking and swimming. Before she swayed up out of the way and...

***Chomp!***

The Moon Shark ate and swallowed the Galatinous Death Heartless and choked as he was being shocked and flashed real bright.

***ZAAAAAAP!***

Then Melody spun her keyblade and threw a hard splash into it. Causing the Moon Shark to break into pieces and vanish.

Thus Melody defeated the two Heartless on her own.

Meanwhile Connor was still blocking the attacks and slashes from the Aqua Darkdale. Until Connor counter attacked it with a slash up and yanked it's left arm with both hands and threw it over his shoulder. Then as he tossed the Darkdale in the air. Melody zoomed over and spun her fin to whip into it's skull, sending the Aqua Darkdale back towards Connor who twirled and thrusted his trident right through its head.

Taking down the Aqua Darkdale Heartless instantly. As it vanished into oblivion like its two other counterparts. And then the way out shifted open from the front wall.

Showing that they passed the test.

"So tricky means underwater comeback? Bitch this is what we Atlanteans call Sunday Service!" Connor yelled out to the temple.

Melody turned to respond to his quips, but gasped in horror at what she saw.

"Connor! Your chest!" Melody exclaimed with wide eyes as she pointed to his chest, which had three slash marks from the Darkdale he was fighting earlier.

"Oh. Great. More for the collection." Connor mused, making Melody gasp and Connor snickered. "Nah. Let me get that."

Connor held his keyblade up. "Curaga!" He yelled, causing his body to flash with the spell as the slash marks faded completely.

"See?" Connor gestured to his healed chest.

Melody let out a deep sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness. You had me worrying there for a bit." Melody said as she came closer to Connor.

"Sorry. I can show you how to do a cure spell later. So you can use it in case we get a splinter or something in the next world." Connor assured as he had his arm wrapped around her shoulder.

"I'd like that." Melody muttered before she leaned in and kissed him on the lips.

Just then the room began to flash red with the lights from earlier. As the room's water began to quickly sink.

Connor and Melody nodded as they held hands and Melody held her necklace.

"For the land!" They both yelled.

Then they both changed not only back into human beings. But back in their keyblader outfits instead of their jungle attire.

"What the hell?" Connor inquired


"Come forth..." A deep eery voice spoke from the entry of the final challenge.

"Um... I'm not sure I have a good feeling about this." Melody muttered with a nervous look.

"Who's there?!" Connor called forth as he stood in front of Melody protectively.

"I am your final challenge. You are the first to ever enter the chamber of fate. Pass the test and power will become your reward." The deep voice responded.

Connor bit his tongue as he was kinda nervous about this. Because Rafiki said they wouldn't be prepared for this challenge. Even Melody seemed stared as the ground dried up beneath her bare feet.

"Just stay behind me, Mel. It'll be okay." Connor assured.

"Right." Melody muttered as she followed behind him, keeping as close to him as possible.

Once they slowly began to walk through the entrance. There was nothing but darkness. For the next few long minutes they walked together in silence. Until finally...

They made it to the end as the entire area shifted into a small island of tropical grass and sand. With the sound of the ocean in the background. But all they could see was a white background beyond the waters coming in and out towards the edges of the island.

And at the center was a palm tree. With a star shaped yellow fruit hanging from the branches.

"A paopu fruit?" Connor recognized the fruit.

"What's that?" Melody asked, curious about the fruit that they were seeing.

"These grew back on Destiny Islands. But..." Connor almost answered.

But then the voice spoke again.

"Step forward. Princess of Heart. You will be given three questions. If you answer all of them with sincerity. You will pass. Answer with dishonesty. And you will lose this chance." The voice declared.

Melody felt a spike of fear, before taking a steadying breath and taking on a look of confidence.

"Give me your best shot." Melody called out to the voice as she stepped forward.

"Very well. Princess Melody... You are aware, that the world order exists for the sake of keeping all worlds in the Multiverse connected to the light of which it came from. Until Kingdom Hearts is restored to unite all worlds. The Maverick is the means of connecting the hearts of those who walk these stars until that day comes. Through his actions of defending the innocent lives across all worlds. To fight beside him is an honor many have either dreamed of, or failed to uphold." The voice stated and asked. "Do you swear to uphold all of which the Maverick stands for? Even if you will be judged for it?"

"Absolutely." Melody stated without any hesitation.

Connor felt a certain sense of pride in his heart. And something else he couldn't tell. But he was proud of his Melody to hear that.

"Good...Here is your second question. As you walk the keyblade's path. You will encounter darkness of every shade. For it is a road very few are willing to walk. But for the sake of those who are lost in the dark. You are their hope. And because many cling to darkness. You will make enemies to those who hate the light for the sake of their own actions." The voice stated.

"Do you swear to walk this path and carry this path to light, as long as you live, carrying the keyblade in your hands?"

It sounds like a burden. But it is a road that leads to a great reward that very few have earned. And Connor and Melody are of the same mind.

"I do." Melody said, no hesitation once more.

This next question however. Melody was not prepared for.

"Good...Here is the final ultimate question. You must answer truthfully. Because there is no room for half truths." The voice stated. "The heart may be small. And sometimes may be weak. But no matter what. There is a light inside. A light that will grow stronger from the connections you make to your friends and loved ones. But a dishonest connection is as weak as dying light. And it can not fight darkness if such a light is not true to one another. So I ask you. Princess Melody..."

Here was a question Melody was not prepared for. And neither was Connor.

"Do you love the Maverick?" The voice finally asked.

Connor's eyes widened. "What?" He asked.

Melody's eyes went wide at the question, fear creeping up at the question she has to answer truthfully.

So there was nothing but silence before Melody worked up what courage she had and gave the answer she knew was in her heart.

"I...I...Yes..." Melody whispered very quietly.

"Mel?...What did you say?" Connor asked carefully.

Melody's cheeks burned with how red her blushing was as tears streamed down her cheeks. She collapsed to the ground and she began to cry, having been forced to reveal something very personal.

"It's true... I love you." Melody finally admitted as her tears fell and she sobbed. "You're the only boy who ever saw me as anything but a freak. You... You accepted me for everything I am, without judging me once. "How could I not fall in love with you?"

Connor immediately knelt down on the ground in front of Melody as she was still sobbing and looking down. He reached to touch her cheek but she flinched at first. So he touched her shoulder.

"When I first met you...You were like….A ray of light. Shining down on a bleak path, leading me out of my inner turmoil and helping me feel free. Your humor, your intelligence, your kindness, and your unique appearance. I couldn't help but be drawn in...And when you learned about me being a princess, you still saw me for who I was instead of what I was. And you showed me it was okay to just be…..Me." Melody expressed while she was still crying. "And you showed me that I am more than what I or anyone has ever thought."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Connor asked.

"I was afraid. Afraid that if I told you, you would run. Or try to distance yourself from me." Melody whispered out. "Also, I didn't know whether or not you felt the same way I did. And I was afraid to find out."

Connor smiled at her warmly as he pondered.

"Yeah..." Connor understood that. And he had no regrets for how happy he made Melody.

"And to think. All this time I've been waiting to walk up to the perfect girl that is right for me. Thinking she'd probably be at the mall with other stereotypical cheerleaders or snooty prima donnas at the prom. But...Instead. The perfect girl came up to me." Connor proudly referred to Melody.

Melody looked up at him with tear stains on her cheeks and in her eyes as they were wide, puffy and beautiful to look at.

"You...Y-you really think I'm...perfect?" Melody asked timidly.

"Name one reason I shouldn't." Connor said with a kind grin.

Melody looked down as tears were still streaming, trying to find her words.

"It's just, I've always thought I was imperfect." Melody sniffed a bit as her voice was hoarse from crying. "Being a girl, interested in marine life and the ocean itself, instead of boys, and seashells instead of dresses and shoes. People...Other children my age have judged me for it all time. Sometimes... I've heard people refer to me, as a freak."

As tears kept rolling down Melody's cheeks, she couldn't help but sob every now and then.

What she said has shocked Connor further, and angered him that there were people out there that could be so cruel to someone as amazing as Melody.

"And when I hear those people say that, it..." Melody said, trying not to cry but failing. "Who... who would ever want to be around a freak like me?"

"Stop." Connor firmly hushed her.

"W-what's wrong?" Melody asked with a whimper and hesitation, worried she said something wrong that angered him, or worse, made him hate her.

"I need you. To tell every thought that says you're imperfect and anyone and everyone else you called you a freak to ***k off. You are not a freak, Melody." Connor said firmly and gently as he slowly wiped the tears from her cheeks with his fingers and a neon handkerchief.

"But..." Melody almost said before he placed two fingers on her lips.

"I've been judged by many girls who looked at my skin and walked off. They're weren't a lot of black kids my age on Destiny Islands btw...And. After...After I became the Maverick. I was too busy living and fighting under water to even try to look for someone on land. I didn't even get to meet a lot of Atlantian children because they were all hiding in god knows where." Connor revealed.

"Connor..." Melody whispered, not sure what to say.

"Other black people like me. Like my Dad. We have suffered bigotry that's beyond words. And the world is still adjusting to our existence. Atlantis is no exception to that struggle. One of the many burdens I have is if my adoring public ever finds out that the Maverick is a black kid from the beach. They'll hate me for it. Even when I sleep at night. I can see the looks. Resentment and possible judgments...But I can't let that stop me. So here I am." Connor stated.

And then he placed a hand on Melody's face.

"But no matter what hardships I'll face later on. I want you to know. Melody. That you're the best thing that has ever happened to me. And...I'm sorry for making you feel that this was something that you had to earn." Connor said with a burning passion.

Melody didn't say anything. Just let out a sob as tears of joy ran down her eyes as she tackled him into a bone crushing hug, practically assaulting his lips with hers.

Connor hugged her back. He held her in his strong arms and kept her there as if he's never going to let go.

While they kissed for what felt like an eternity. Before they slowly pulled their lips away.

"I love you, Melody." Connor finally said. While looking into her eyes.

"I love you too, Connor." Melody said back with a big smile as tears of joy fell from them as she stared lovingly into his.

At that moment. The paopu fruit began to glow. And they looked up while Melody was still clinging to Connor in his big strong arms.

"Good...Your love. Will be your best power. Make it forever. Bind your hearts together. And fight as one. Share the paopu fruit and you shall pass." The voice stated.

"Just sham it, don't ham it, big scary voice being!" Connor yelled back as he stood up and he helped Melody stand on her bare feet. "Don't worry this isn't a wedding."

"Once you have eaten the paopu fruit together. Your destinies will become intertwined. And you'll remain a part of each other's lives, no matter what." the voice revealed.

"What he said." Connor added.

Melody giggled at that.

"That sounds wonderful." Melody said as she held up one of the fruits to Connor. "What do you say we go for it?"

"Just try and stop me." Connor smiled as he picked a fruit and held it to Melody while their arms locked and their faces reflected from the light.

And finally. They shared a fruit. And took a bite. Which tasted like the best fruit they could ever have. It tasted like a drink from Smoothie King, if they had candy in it.

"Woah...The last time I tried this it tasted like a wet gym sock. I guess I ate it wrong." Connor said as he was impressed with the taste.

"Maybe you just weren't with a cutie like me." Melody teased as she tasted the sweet flavor of the fruit. "It's very nice."

"Maybe...Hold up. Did you just admit you're cute?" Connor inquired teasingly.

"Well, aren't I?" Melody asked with a cheeky smirk which looked very cute.

"Yeah except whenever I call you cute you either get annoyed or ready to blow my head off with a water grenade." Connor deadpanned with a raised eyebrow.

"Well, that was before." Melody said with a smirk. "Now it's okay because you're cute too."

Connor had a blank expression in response to what she just said.

"Can we have the staff now?!" Connor called out to the voice

Then suddenly a silver feathery dragon-like staff with a snake's head fell onto the sand from the sky. Then Melody and Connor's clothes began to flash as they changed back into their jungle attire.

"Kay? I was expecting something more dramatic like a pedestal or a choir. This dump really is a jungle." Connor remarked.

"What was your first clue? The fact that both of us are wearing only decent looking rags to cover ourselves?" Melody said with a teasing smirk as she picked up the staff. "Either way, we got what we came here for."

Then on that note. The sky on the north view began to ship open and show a way out of the entire temple. Then the sky began to fade and show that it was stone work on the interior. Which didn't matter because they had an instant exit.

"Alrighty then. Lets-" Melody was about to walk out

When they heard yelling from Goofy. Donald and Mini Mav came running through while looking troubled.

"FINALLY!" Donald exclaimed.

"CONNOR! MELODY!" Goofy yelled.

"Thank Godzilla we found you!" Mini-Mav yelled as they ran up to them.

"Kids, calm down! Mommy and Daddy are fine. We were just Tomb Raiding is all." Connor assured them."And we got the-"

"Forget about that!" Donald snapped with urgency. "We have to go, now!"

"The Leonoid village is under attack by the Tigroids!" Goofy exclaimed.

Melody and Connor's eyes widened before they shifted into their armored forms, Maverick and Tsunami.

"Donald! Goofy! With me!" Maverick yelled.

And then they began to run outside towards the battlefield as they were running across the trees.

Hopefully they can put an end to this assault before things get worse. Because they came too close to turn this war around.

The Guardians of the Depths will try to seize control of a negative turn. And bring Shere Khan to his knees. Because the jungle. The Leonoids have hope in them. Can they live up to that hope?

With love. Anything is possible. And Connor and Melody have no more doubts within each other.


THAT'S ALL FOR NOW FOLKS! πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰

Yep! You saw it! Melody and Connor are now a couple!

I know that maybe some of you would've preferred that we drag it out and wait until the final chapter for that to happen, but come on! They were already kissing each other.

"So let's stop ***kin around and go steady!" Maverick exclaimed. 😑❀ πŸ”₯❀

Um…..Yeah. πŸ˜’

Also if you're anxious because this is a mild cliffhanger. Don't worry. I won't kill Mufasa….Again. But some repairable damage will be done and rest assured. The Guardians of the Multiverse will step up and counter this attack.

How you may ask?

Find out in the next chapter!

Thank you all so much for reading! Be sure to Fave and Follow if you like what you see and don't forget to leave comments to let me know your thoughts!

And as always Disney/Square Enix fans!

FISTBUMP! πŸ‘ŠπŸ‘ŠπŸ‘ŠπŸ‘ŠπŸ‘ŠπŸ‘ŠπŸ‘ŠπŸ‘ŠπŸ‘ŠπŸ‘Š