Kingdom Hearts: Simple and Clean

by SoKai4ever

The beginning of an adventure that will change lives, both for the good and the bad. A novelization of the first Kingdom Hearts.

9. Chapter 9

Chapter 9

"Okay guys, prepare for landing." Donald quacked. Sora looked down at his screen, and scratched his head.

"Uh, deja vu, much?" He chuckled. Goofy too snickered, "Yeah, Donald, this world don't seem much different than the last, does it? It's all water!" Donald sighed, and began rubbing his temples.

He knew what was coming after this, "I know, but this world reads as much more hospitable. That, combined with my magic, and we'll blend right in, even if all life lives under water." Sora raised an eyebrow, and smirked. It was his turn to be smug.

"So, what you're saying is, we need to check any world we stumble across, for signs of the King, or Riku and Kairi?" Goofy could barely contain his laughter. Donald just bristled.

"Yes, Sora." He groaned. Oh how he hated those words coming from his mouth. Sora wasn't gonna let this go so easy.

"So, back when we first came across Tarzan's wor--" Sora couldn't finish, "Would you put a sock in it!?" Donald quacked angrily, turning around in his seat. Sora stuck his tongue out in response.

"Uh, Donald?" Goofy asked, eyes fixed ahead of him.

"What!?" Donald asked his ire now directed at Goofy.

"Did ya pull back on the accelerator?" The Knight pointed his finger at the oncoming ocean.

They were nose diving into it!

"Huh?" Donald asked, turning. "WAK!" He hollered, pulling back on the Gummi ship's steering wheel, and acceleration lever. It was perhaps a bit too late though, as she collided with the surface hard, causing a similar, terrific splash of waves, and water all around them.

Sora grunted in his seat, and Goofy held on for dear life as the Gummi ship slowed on the surface of the world's ocean. If it was anything, it was buoyant that much was for sure. Thankfully.

"Why I oughta..." Donald muttered and grumbled various annoyances.

"Well, at least the sky here is a lot prettier. It's, you know, blue. With some clouds, and the sun." Sora chuckled.

"How 'bout some fresh air?" Goofy asked, pressing a button on his display. With a swoosh, the Gummi ship's top slid open, allowing the ocean breeze, and warm air in. Sora smiled, looking up at the bright blue sky.

"Reminds me of home..." he said softly. Donald stood, and walked over to the edge, whilst Goofy checked his radar.

"Ah-yup! You were right, Donald! This doo-dad here says there's life under these waves. Uh, and that it's headed toward our location?" Goofy stood, also looking over the edge.

"Probably the big splash. The locals are gonna want to check it out. Ready you two?" He asked, stepping up, onto the edge. Sora stood as well, "Sure, but what're we gonna do?" Donald smirked, again, as Goofy too stepped up to the edge. Donald produced the Gummi ship keys from his pocket, and locked her up tight, before setting cloaking mode to activate after they'd already jumped out.

"C'mon Sora. Just trust me." Sora nodded in agreement as he too, stepped to the edge.

"One," Donald started the countdown.

"Two, three, you guys aren't as cool as me!" Sora said laughing as he cannon balled into the water. Goofy laughed as well, leaping in with the same joy and enthusiasm.

Before Donald jumped as well, he felt something in him, causing him to pause before he jumped in.

Wait a minute...

Was he having fun? Donald too jumped, giggling and holding onto his staff tightly as he did. With a flourish, and a flick of his wrist skyward, a whirlpool of water began to surround all three, as they descended into the ocean's depths further and further.

---

Sora had closed his eyes tightly, and held his breath even as his vision began to fade to a bright white. He felt himself sinking deeper and deeper, and his lungs began to ache for air. His eyes remained shut, but he began to feel as if he was going to pass out if he didn't get any air.

He was an island kid though.

Holding your breath until you felt like you were gonna pass out in salty ocean water was old hat to someone like him. With a few flicks of his tail upward, he began to head for the surface, in search of fresh air.

Wait a minute.

His tail!?

Sora gasped, as his eyes flung open, and his gaze was directed down toward the blue fish tail that shot forth from his waist.

"Huh!?" He asked, before noticing that he had indeed gasped!

And hollered!

He was breathing water, and he had a tail, now!?

His hands immediately shot to his torso, giving it a few touches. He wore nothing from the waist up, except for his silver crown pendant he treasured so dearly. He was relieved to discover that he was at least still half human! He grabbed at his face, and throat, only to discover he didn't have gills either, apparently.

He wasn't sure how any of this was possible, but Donald had outdone himself this time. Speaking of the grand Mage, Sora wondered where he was.

What some might describe as reckless others who knew and loved him, would call enthusiastic, Sora was just that, having jumped in first.

So, it was no surprise that Goofy was next to float downward. His transformation was much more dramatic however.

"Whoa, Goofy, you're..." Sora smiled widely, and pointed at the Knight, "You're a turtle! Sort of?" He chuckled, as Goofy began to give his new body the once over.

It was true.

Goofy's entire form had been turned into that of a green sea turtle, barring his head, which was still iconicly Goofy. Even his signature hat still sat atop his head.

"Gee, Sora! You're rig-- whoa!" Goofy needed a few moments to adjust to his new form, but he'd get it in no time, presumably. Donald on the other hand, who'd just entered into the scene bore a stronger resemblance to Sora's form.

The one massive difference being that his lower half now had eight suction cup riddled tentacles!

"Hey! Donald! You're an octopus! Well, half octopus, anyway! Cool!" Sora said, examining one of the duck's eight new legs.

"Pretty neat, huh?" Donald asked, smiling and crossing his arms. Sora took a deep breath, (somehow?) and immediately proceeded to try and get the hang of his new appendage.

"Wow, the water feels so warm! This is the coolest!" Sora said through an amazed laugh. Indeed, this was certainly one neat experience for the island boy, and even for the old Knight and Mage.

His eyes didn't know where to look, because there was so much to look at! They'd descended into a small little coral garden of sorts. The beautiful little living structures dotted the sea floor and edges of the cliff around them, whilst a low pillar that held a giant clam, sat directly in the middle of the round area.

"Say, how come we can breathe?" Sora asked.

"Magic." Donald stated matter of factly.

"Yeah, but we don't have gills, we have lun--"

"Magic." Donald quacked.

Sora shrugged his shoulders. Honestly, at this point, things not making sense seemed normal.

The water was crystal clear, and Sora could look up and see the blinding sun's rays shooting all the way down here. This was perhaps the most beautiful world they'd seen yet, and they'd only been here for all of a few minutes!

"Uh, fellers? I think we got company." Goofy added, as he slowly began to float into an upside down position, not of his own accord.

"Hmm, must be the locals." Donald quacked. The small circular area they swam in had what appeared to be some kind of stone tunnel connecting it to something else, and through it swam the greeting party.

A red headed woman, who, like Sora had a fish tail attached to her waist, and bright, kind eyes. Behind her swam a little, yellow, round fish who seemed thrilled at the prospect of meeting new people. Behind him swam the smallest red crustacean. Sora almost couldn't see him. But he could certainly hear him.

"Ariel, wait! Slow down!" He hollered in a thick accent. "Don't leave me behind!" He pleaded, before coming face to face with Donald. "Ew!" He exclaimed, before tucking behind the red head's tail. Donald scowled.

"What do ya mean, 'ew'!?"

The woman giggled, "Relax, Sebastian." She grinned at Sora, "They don't look anything like one of them." Sora was confused already. Naturally.

"Right, Flounder?" She asked, glancing down at her little fishy friend. He too had tucked behind the woman.

"I don't know. There's definitely something weird about them..." he groaned. Sora rubbed the back of his neck, in hesitation, uncomfortably, and chuckled nervously.

"Uh, what do ya mean?" He asked. Donald was ready to fix this, but didn't get the chance.

"Well, they do seem a bit..." the young mermaid paused, "...different." She began to swim around Sora in circles, "Where are you from?" She asked.

"Far away!" Donald interjected.

"Yeah, uh, kind of..." Sora replied, glancing back at Donald. "And we're not used to these waters." Sora added.

Donald bristled.

He hated when Sora volunteered information.

"Oh, I see. Well, in that case, I'm Ariel. It's nice to meet you!" She offered a hand, which Sora took for a shake.

"I'm Sora, and that's Donald, and Goofy." Sebastian looked as if he was going to shake out of his shell.

"Oh, Ariel, King Triton ain't gonna like dis!" He exclaimed. He knew the King disapproved of her talking to strangers.

"Oh, don't worry about it. You guys wanna play?" She asked, swimming high above the group. Sora smiled.

"Sure! What game should we play?" He asked, before feeling a little fin tap his shoulder.

"You're it!" The fish, Flounder proclaimed before swimming away from Sora. The Keyblade Master was very familiar with this game.

"Oh, you're on!" He laughed, swimming after the fish as fast as he could. Goofy too joined in on the fun, steering clear of Sora. He didn't wanna be it! Donald just sighed, and shook his head, unknowingly mirroring the actions of the crab, Sebastian. Sora swam, hard, finally managing to tag the little fishy, and immediately turned around kicking his fin hard in front of him, causing a current to slow down Flounder.

"You're it!" He called. Flounder frowned, before turning to spot Goofy, and headed for him fast.

"Uh-oh!" Goofy said through a snicker trying his best to evade him. Flounder's experience won however, as he managed to tag Goofy, easily. Goofy though had a plan. He swam over to the irritated Donald, and quickly tapped his shoulder, before swimming away.

"You're it, Donald!" He hollered.

"Huh?" Donald glanced over at the Knight turned turtle. "I'm not playing!" He stated, crossing his arms.

"Aw, c'mon Donald! How come you're always such a party pooper?" Sora asked.

"I am not! Look, Ariel, we're sort of looking for someone. It's the whole reason we've swam this far. Have you see anyone else out of the ordinary?" Donald asked the giggling Ariel, as she evaded the pursuing Goofy, and Flounder. She either didn't hear him, or simply ignored him. As did Sora, who too joined back in on the fun.

"Actually we have. Donald, was it?" Sebastian asked. Donald turned, "Right. Who?" He asked, taking the crab's tiny claw with two of his fingers and giving it a tiny shake.

"Nasty beasties. Dey ain't nuttin' but trouble. The King see, him managed to keep dem away from the palace, but when we out here? We see a few from time to time." Donald's brow raised.

"I see. Has your King had any visito--" Donald was cut off. No, not by someone interrupting him, like usual, but rather by a feeling. A feeling he'd grown a little too familiar with, on this journey. It wasn't much different under the water, evidently.

A rush of cold water seemed to flow from the mouth of the opening Ariel, Flounder, and Sebastian had come from. His feathers seemed to stand on end.

The Heartless.

Five dark portals opened simultaneously, and from them emerged an entirely new brand of the monsters. They all wore the same insignia, and had bulbous semi clear domes surrounding their tiny black heads. They still sported the dead, bright yellow eyes, and had four tentacle like appendages sprouting from what would be their neck. Behind that group spawned an armored, pitchfork wielding, golden Heartless, who looked like a demonic scuba diver warrior, and even further behind that one a massive Heartless that resembled a huge puffer fish.

"Oh no! Everyone, get to cover!" Sebastian ordered, as he and Flounder swam toward the open clam shell. Once inside, they locked it up tight, hunkering down. Ariel gasped, and grabbed at Sora's wrist.

"C'mon, through here! I know a place we can hide!" She hadn't anticipated the look on his face, and she really hadn't anticipated the golden almost treasure-like sword. Or was it a Key? His eyes met hers, and with a smile, he nodded.

"You get yourself safe. We'll handle 'em." She released his wrist with a confused look, and watched as he swam directly toward the monsters. Sora was uncharacteristically nervous, about this, however.

Fighting in this entirely different medium was sure to have a whole new set of obstacles to overcome. But when he swung at the first Heartless, the Keyblade cut through it like a hot knife through warm butter. The water provided no resistance to his movements! Donald's magic really was something else!

With one out of the way, Sora's attention was drawn to another, and before he was able to take a swing at it, Goofy had managed to somehow equip his shield to the back of his shell, and slam into it.

"Nice one." Sora smirked, before having to block an incoming attack from the pitchfork carrying beast. It too vanished, with a well placed blizzard spell from Donald. Sora sliced through another, and then stabbed another, before he was face to face with the large fish Heartless. He stabbed upward, but this thing was faster than it looked. With a swim to the side it opened its mouth wide, ready to take a bite out of the Keyblade master, but was vanquished as Donald somehow cast a thunder spell upon it. Sora's body eased, as he turned to face Donald, with a raised eyebrow.

"Uh, how--"

"Magic." Was all Donald had to say.

"Ah. Right. Magic." Sora said with a smirk, dismissing the Keyblade.

Once the fight was over, the local fish population seemed to return to the water, as did the warmer feeling. The giant clam popped back open, revealing a trembling Sebastian and Flounder clinging to each other, unaware that they were now visible. Ariel, who too had just re-emerged found the sight simply hilarious. Her laughter seemed to alert the two, as they quickly swam apart, and out into the open. Sora too chuckled, as did Goofy, and surprisingly Donald.

"Those creatures, they're everywhere outside of the palace. It's becoming a real problem." Ariel said, swimming to face the trio.

"Ya. Outside da palace for now. Dey keep gettin' stronger, and dey keep multiplyin', it won't be long until dey're knockin' King Triton's doors down!" Sebastian hollered, flailing his little claws above his head.

"Maybe we should head back..." Ariel said softly, clasping her hands behind her back, and lowering her head. Sebastian seemed to visibly sigh with relief. Flounder however seemed distressed, "But, wh-what if we run into more on the way back?" He asked. Ariel's gaze once again fell upon Sora. She seemed troubled. Sora was the opposite.

"Don't worry. We can escort you there. These monsters are old hat to us--"

"We'd love to see your palace, is what he means, miss." Donald interrupted. Sora frowned.

"Great! Thank you so much, Sora, Donald, Goofy." Ariel said sincerely. With a glance back and upward, she motioned to the golden trident painting on the sea wall.

"If we follow these, we can't get lost. They mark the path back, see?" Sora nodded.

"What're we waiting for, then?" He asked, smiling. With that, the six of them exited the small coral garden through the rocky tunnel that Ariel and her friends had entered through.

What Sora saw next was enough to leave him speechless.

Just around the corner they swam out into the central coral garden, which was exquisite. Significantly larger, and filled with much more of the beautiful pieces of oceanic life, this area was even brighter. The way the light played off of the flowing water was magnificent, and all around the rocky surfaces or coral pieces, little fishies, jellyfish, and even a large dolphin, swam happily. This world was teeming with aquatic life, and seemed to be much more harmonious than the previous worlds they'd landed on.

In the middle of the garden stood an enormous water volcano of sorts. It spouted hot, rushing water from its wide mouthed top, and Sora couldn't help but notice a light seeming to glow from within. As beautiful as this place was, it was equally as puzzling to leave. Sora could easily get lost in a place like this, with all of its twists, turns, caverns, kelp forests, and stunning views, but Donald was characteristically, not there to sight see.

"You mean like those, Miss?" Donald asked, pointing in the direction directly south east of where they were treading water, where a rock wall with a golden trident painted on stood.

"Yes, exactly!" Ariel replied, as she began to leisurely swim over to the area. Apparently these markers had been made by this King Triton, to help any lost citizens, or folk in need toward the nearest point of civilization. His palace. Sora, Donald, Goofy, Sebastian, and Flounder all followed behind Ariel as she approach the aforementioned wall. The trident seemed to point toward another stone tunnel.

This one however, had a current that seemed to want to pull you in. It was strong, too. Sora reckoned that once they entered into it, they were going wherever that current wanted them to go, which, advantageously, seemed to lead to their destination.

"Follow me. Dis will take us straight dere." Sebastian ordered, entering into the stream, without any hesitation. Ariel followed suit, while Flounder and Goofy followed behind her. Sora readied to swim in himself, but felt a hand wrap around his wrist.

"Sora, listen." Donald began. Sora looked down.

"Uh, okay?" He replied.

"Your friends, I guess if you still want to call Riku that, aren't here." Donald stated. "They couldn't survive down here without my magic." Sora nodded. He agreed with him, but he had no idea where Donald was headed with this.

"Sure, I gotcha. Your King might be though, right? He probably has some magic of his own, right?" Sora asked. Donald was a bit surprised, but if he thought about it, he shouldn't have been.

Sora wasn't the type to only think of himself. He really was searching for the King too.

"Right, he very well could be. If he is, he'll be at this palace. If he isn't here, though..." Worry was evident in Donald's voice. This whole mission, and the seemingly endless searching was beginning to eat away at his constitution.

Sora smiled, "Aw, c'mon Donald. Cheer up! We run on happy faces, remember?" Sora asked, giving the duck Mage a playful punch on the shoulder. With that Sora swam backwards, making a funny face at Donald, right into the stream. Donald couldn't help but laugh.

Man, that kid sure was upbeat, if he was anything. Donald felt better already. He too swam directly into the current.

The gang had been deposited into another cliff faced area, yet this one was far less full of coral. They were still there, but much fewer and farer between.

Across from them directly, stood a tall stone pillar. Reaching as high as the ocean's surface, it almost resembled a chimney, and looked as if it had a circular entrance blocked by a massive round stone. Ariel seemed to eye that place, Sora noticed.

Did she know what that place was?

To their right was more craggy wall, and above was nothing but wide open sea. Below was a small carpet of seaweed, and to their right was a large hole, that presumably housed a tunnel, to the palace, as two golden tridents were painted on the wall, angled into it.

"Dere. Da palace's courtyahd should be just troo dere." Sebastian said with a visible, physical relief evident in his little crustacean body. The crab headed for the palace, whilst Donald and Goofy followed. Flounder took up the rear, and Sora waited for Ariel to finally look away from that stone she'd been staring at since they got there. Once she too headed for the palace, Sora followed behind. He couldn't help but wonder what was in there.

Through the tunnel, they'd found themselves in the courtyard that Sebastian had mentioned. It too was quite the sight. Tall, golden gates surrounded the large, round, open space. The rocky surfaces were gone, barring the sea floor, which held many massive clams, and even a few larger than average seashells.

This place certainly seemed more manufactured than natural, but the architecture of the pergola in the middle was obviously built in the design of a beautiful seashell with that sort of twisty top, and bulbous bottom. Sora couldn't help but think of her.

Kairi.

She loved to pick seashells along the shore. And he loved watching her. Sora felt a warm sensation in his chest.

'I'll find you. I swear. When I do, I'll find you any shore you want to pick seashells on.' He thought to himself.

Meanwhile he was getting left behind by the rest, but that might just have been for the best. Sora watched as several of the humanoid Heartless who weilded tridents of their own materialized behind them.

"Thunder!" Sora cried, and smiled as a few were zapped into nonexistentence. Donald and Goofy turned, equipping their weapons.

"Heartless!" Donald cried.

"Oh no! I thought the palace was safe!" Flounder hollered, as he swam into Ariel's arms. Donald shot a fire spell careening into one of the beasts, whilst Goofy bashed, shell first, into one.

"Ariel, get inside! We'll handle these!" Sora ordered, slicing through the nearest, and blocking an attack from another. The young mermaid nodded, and swam fast toward the golden castle that was just off in the distance.

Sebastian followed behind her, "I'll send da King! Him can handle dese monstas!" The three nodded, whilst grouping together. There were an awful lot of them, this time!

"Ready, guys?" Sora asked, gripping his Desert Key tighter.

"You betcha!" Goofy replied.

"Always!" Donald quacked.

The Heartless to Goofy's immediate right, lunged forward, but that proved to be its last move, as Sora swung horizontally through it, and jabbed at another oncoming trident wielding monster. This one side swam his Keyblade but met its demise at the shield/shell of Goofy, who'd also spun into a second one.

Donald meanwhile managed to cast a strong blizzard spell, eradicating several with one blow. They just kept coming, however. When one or two were defeated, they were seemingly just replaced. Their presence really was growing stronger here. This was getting as bad as the Deep Jungle they'd landed in! Or Agrabah!

Sora blocked an attack from one, and made a swift move to swim underneath it, stabbing upward as he did, vanquishing the soulless diver. Donald stopped an incoming attack from one of the tridents, wrapping one of his tentacles around the shaft of the weapon, and yanking it from the Heartless' grip, bashing it over the head with his staff, as he did. Goofy was beginning to become surrounded, and overwhelmed, but his spin attack here wasn't nearly as difficult to pull off!

Tucking his arms, legs, and head inside his shell, he began to spin, hard, using his shell's edge to slice through baddy, after baddy. Yet, still, they kept coming. Sora stabbed another, sliced one to his left, ducked under an attack to his right, and cut through the attacker's legs. He parried another attack, and after driving another Heartless through, felt a sharp jab in his lower back.

"Fire!" He heard Donald call, and felt the offender disintegrate behind him, the water much hotter being the indicator. He also turned, to see blood in the water.

"Heal!" Donald cast, and Sora managed to strike down a Heartless that was coming for Goofy's back, whilst he felt the wound in his own begin to seal shut. Another set of Heartless spawned, this time one of the large puffer fish accompanying them.

"C'mon, give us a break!" Sora asked, blocking another attack. Goofy bashed through two in a row, and narrowly avoided being decapitated, as he slunk his head inside his shell, while the big fish attempted taking a bite out of it. Sora struck the big fishy, but that wasn't enough to take it down. It seemed to silently roar, and snapped at him, whilst Donald cast a blizzard spell, piercing the monster's side with icicles.

Now surrounded by more Heartless, and faced with a particularly large, enraged one, things weren't looking good.

"Gawrsh, fellers! I think we might be outnumbered here!" Goofy hollered. Sora tightened his grip on the Keyblade.

"We can do this!" Donald was feeling light headed from all the casting.

"We need some backup!" He quacked. Then, as if called upon, the offending hoarde was struck down by a mighty flash of brilliant gold, sparkling light.

The trio were all shocked, yet relieved. Sora turned, ready to greet and thank their savior, but was a bit intimidated, initially.

He was a colossus of a Merman.

His hair was the brightest shade of white, and reached nearly his middle back, whilst his long flowing equally as white beard reached his upper stomach. He wore a golden crown, and held a magnificent golden trident in his large hands. He was nearly four times as wide, and three times as long as Sora was, and towered over the trio. His voice certainly matched his physique. Commanding, powerful, and royal.

"That was too close." He declared. Sora knew it. This had to be THE King Triton.

"As long as I have my trident, I will NOT tolerate these creatures even near my palace." Ariel had swam beside her new friends, ensuring they were alright.

"Daddy! Thank you!" She said with a smile. King Triton was in no mood for her thanks, however.

"When will you listen? It's dangerous out there!" Ariel's mood changed, instantly. Sora watched as she rolled her eyes, and looked in a different direction. He knew that body language. All too well. It was that of a disinterested teenager, who was in no mood for another patronizing speech, or 'lesson'.

"Strange creatures lurk outside of the palace." King Triton continued. Sebastian finally appeared from behind the mighty King, and began a much more formal introduction.

"Behold! You swim before da almighty ruler of da seas: His Majesty, King Triton!" Triton stroked his long, flowing beard, and began to give Sora, Donald, and Goofy the once over.

"And just who, are they?" He asked with a frown. The King of the sea was displeased, evidently.

"They helped us fight off those creatures. They lead us here!" Ariel clarified, smiling at the trio. Triton was suspicious.

"They don't look familiar..." he mused. Sora and Donald shared a sideways glance. Sora could field this one.

"We're from an ocean, very far away, your Majesty." He said with a slight bow. Donald followed suit, but Goofy, wasn't quite in on it all.

"Ah-yup! We're lookin' for the Keyhole!" He stated, as he swam about giggling. Donald and Sora's eyes shot open. For one thing, that wasn't the only reason they were there, and for another, why would Goofy just blurt that out!?

"Ah, wh-what he means is--" Donald was cut off, "The what?" The King asked, his own eyebrows raising.

"What's that?" Ariel asked Goofy, whilst he swam about, as carefree as ever. Goofy opened his eyes, and readied to respond to her, but immediately noticed the daggers that Sora and Donald were shooting him with their eyes.

Goofy in a moment of realization, began to stammer, and seek for words, "Uh, well, it's uh..."

"There's no such thing!" The King spoke loudly, causing everyone to jump. "Certainly not here!"

"But, Daddy--" Ariel couldn't even finish her thought, let alone sentence.

"Not another word! Let me be perfectly clear! You are not to leave the palace! Do you understand!?" Triton asked, readying to turn and lead her back to her room. With a swift pull away from her father, Ariel glared at him, before openly defying him, and swimming out of the courtyard. She was livid, and it was clear. Sora shared a glance at both, before rubbing the back of his neck.

"Uh, I'll go t-talk to her..." he muttered, quietly, and began following after her. Goofy too exited, a bit ashamed by his air headedness, and Donald figured asking about King Mickey now would be pointless. Clearly this Triton wasn't the talkative type, with strangers.

Triton stewed.

He himself was furious as well, and frankly, worried. He turned, heading back to the palace he ruled. Flounder had followed Ariel, naturally, but Sebastian had decided to tag along with the King. The trip back was quiet.

The palace was quite the marvel itself. Nearly every tower, and room was entirely gold, from top to bottom, and filled with treasures, collected by countless mermen who'd offered them as gifts to the mighty King. A concert hall, ballroom, great dining hall, and numerous bed chambers filled the large palace's halls, but none were as important to the goings-on of the sea, than that of the throne room.

Triton and Sebastian finally made their way there, where the King floated to his signature shell shaped throne, and took a 'seat' He'd cooled down slightly, and was now more frustrated, and worried than truly angry. His head held in one of his large hands, whilst the other dismissed his trident, he sighed.

"Perhaps I am being too strict..." Sebastian shook his head, as he swam in front of the ruler's face. Frankly he was tired of the young mermaid's actions. She seemed to enjoy defying her father!

"Not at all, ya Majesty."

"I'm just concerned for her safety..."

"Of course, ya Majesty." If Sebastian was being honest though, he wanted to know what these newcomers were on about. With their talk of Keyholes, and all? He figured he'd try his luck. He was one of his Majesty's closest advisors.

"Dough, I must admit, ya Highness, I am quite curious about dis Keyhole..." Triton didn't like his tone.

"That need not concern you." He said firmly. Sebastian nodded. He understood. That subject was off limits. Decidedly so, apparently. "Now. Have you anything to report?" Sebastian frowned.

"Just as you suspected, sire. Dese monsters, dese, Heartless, as da tourists call dem. Dey seem to come from Ursula's grotto!" That was all it took to restore Triton's mighty fury.

"I knew it! That old sea witch is up to no good again!" He stroked at his long beard, in thought. "I see that exile has taught her nothing." Sebastian nodded in agreement, again.

"Yes, she poses serious danger." Suddenly the King's ire was directed at the little red crab.

"And I told you to keep Ariel away from such danger. Did I NOT!?" He asked, leaning forward, his gaze penetrating through little Sebastian.

"Ya Majesty, p-please, I, uh..." Triton wasn't finished, "Something you've failed to do, once again!" He shouted. Poor Sebastian was nearly about to shake out of his shell.

"Sire, I..." Sebastian struggled for words. "I'm t-truly s-sorry. I-It won't happen ag--"

"I've just about had it with your ineptitude, Sebastian!" Sebastian was ready to sink into his shell, forever, and just disintegrate.

"I'm going to give you one last chance, and I do mean ONE!" The King of the sea shouted. Sebastian nodded along, already agreeing to something, anything the ruler wanted.

"You're going to follow Ariel, and those other three. You're going to listen to, and watch everything they do, and then you're going to come back here, and report to me! And, you aren't going to get caught, either! I mean it, Sebastian! This is it! You've one last chance to prove to me that you belong in my court! Do I make myself clear!?" Sebastian was still nodding, his vision going blurry.

"Perfectly, ya Majesty! Right away, ya Majesty!" He responded, as he hastily swam out of the throne room, and into the hall, ready to complete his new mission. The King watched as his nervous little informant left, and couldn't help but smirk once he was out of sight.

He didn't really mean it.

He liked Sebastian, even considered him a friend, but he equally disliked Ariel's tireless insolence, and disobedience.

No, that he hated.

Almost as much as he hated the idea forming in his head in regards to just who those three were. He sensed it. Something seemed off about them.

Different.

Far too different. With that thought fueling him, he needed Sebastian as motivated as possible for this mission. This mission was of critical importance. For more reason than one.

---

"Oh, man, talk about bein' stuck between a rock an' a hard place..." Sebastian groaned as he exited the palace, and headed back for the courtyard.

"What does he expect of me? I'm only one crab!" He asked himself. He swam until he'd reached the last spot he saw Ariel and her new friends, then left out the way they'd all come in. Sebastian was a worrisome crustacean, but he was observant, and he too had noticed Ariel's earlier staring at the strange rock formation in the cavern just outside the courtyard.

He wondered if she knew something about it. If so, it made sense she'd want to share it with someone other than that fish she hung out with all the time. So that was where he headed.

Out of the tunnel, and into the previous area, he turned left and saw something he could have only dreamed to see. There she was, Ariel, leading her new friends behind the round boulder that Sebastian could only theorize concealed a sort of secret place for the young mermaid.

Where, perhaps, she'd go to have a secret conversation.

One of the benefits to being as small as Sebastian was, was that you could slip into or out of places, unnoticed. Which he'd done, when following them inside. He silently tagged along, hugging the wall so as to stay in the shadows, and listened to every word they said. What he saw next, was more than enough for information for the King. No one knew Ariel had this much tucked away, and no one knew just how much she really did long for change, until Sebastian, right this moment.

---

"He treats me like I'm a little kid!" Ariel pouted, as she, Flounder, Sora, Donald, and Goofy all swam back out to the rocky valley just outside the palace courtyard. She was angry, and no one present knew quite what to do for or say to an angry woman.

"Look, I get it..." Sora said, softly. Her eyes met his, "Obviously you don't. You're here! My father won't even let me comb my hair without his permission, let alone visit another ocean!" She hollered, turning her back.

Sora rubbed the back of his neck, "No, I mean, just parents and stuff, you know?" He asked.

"No, I don't. What's your father like, Sora?" She asked, back still turned. At this question, Donald and Goofy's eyebrows raised. Admittedly, they were curious about Sora's past. They knew and trusted him, implicitly at this point, but they couldn't help but wonder what his life was like on Destiny Islands, outside of the little bit he'd revealed that one time on the Gummi ship.

"Uh, well..." Sora said softly, looking down at his fin. "I don't exactly know my Dad..." That caused her to turn.

"You don't know him?" She asked, angling her head quizzically to the side.

"Yeah." Sora replied. "He died, I think. I'm not sure. I was really little, and no one ever really told me what happened..." Donald and Goofy shared a sideways glance. Ariel swam a bit closer to him, "Oh, Sora, I'm..." she sighed.

"And the way I talked to you. I'm so, so sorry."

Sora looked up, and forced a smirk, "It's okay. I meant, I felt that way about a lot of teachers."

"Teachers?" Ariel asked.

"Yeah, you know, people who teach you like, math, and stuff? In school?" Sora asked, almost more than clarified. How didn't she know what teachers and school were?

"Oh, right." Ariel looked away. "What about your Mother?" She asked. Sora again felt like disappearing into thin water. He hated this topic.

"Uh, she's not exactly concerned with what I do, and stuff..." he muttered. Ariel seemed confused again.

"You mean she just doesn't..." Ariel stopped herself short of asking what she thought.

'She doesn't care about you?'

It would have been a hurtful question, and clearly this conversation was making Sora uncomfortable.

"Well, why don't you all come to my grotto? I want to show you some things!" Sora nodded, and smiled. He was ready to talk about something else.

No, anything else.

The spot the young mermaid had been eyeing earlier was where Sora reckoned they'd be headed, and he was exactly right.

"I keep it hidden, just outside the palace waters. Pretty smart, huh? Right under Daddy's nose!" She giggled. Sora chuckled.

'Yeah, maybe if you didn't stare at it when we swam by.' He thought to himself.

They swam to the large, circular boulder. "Gimme a hand?" She asked, as Sora and Goofy helped to pull it ajar, allowing the whole gang access. Donald just watched on, arms crossed, whilst Flounder did his best to 'assist'. Once they'd freed the entrance, they all swam inside.

It was dark, Sora noticed and the water seemed a bit cooler as a result. After a few twists and turns down the cavernous hallway, the grotto seemed to open up, a bit, becoming a small circular room, of sorts. The sun shone from a small hole that reached all the way up to the water's surface, high above where they currently swam. Most noticeably however, were the hundreds of trinkets, artifacts, and in general pieces of junk from what Sora reckoned was the surface dwellers of this world.

"Whoa..." He muttered softly, as Donald and Goofy also took in the sight. To some it might have been hoarding, but to Ariel, this was her only connection to something different, or new. Her treasures, her odds and ends, her thingamajigs, her gadgets and gizmos a plenty.

Each one had a special meaning, and a story to her, and she wouldn't trade one for anything. Her star piece though, was the statue that sat in the middle. It appeared to be in the likeness of a man, human, and handsome. His knee was raised, whilst the adjoining foot was pressed atop a rock. He looked to be surveying something.

"Gawrsh, you've got quite the collection, Miss." Goofy remarked. Ariel smiled, and turned, "Do you like it? Flounder and I have been collecting for some time now. Almost everything here is from..." her thoughts drifted, whilst her finger pointed to the water's surface. Sora looked up. He'd reckoned right.

"You, uh, really want to know what life is like up there, huh?" Sora asked. Alarm bells began going off in Donald's head.

"You probably know more than any of us though, Ariel! You're an expert on it!" He quacked, wrapping a tentacle around Sora's fin, and squeezing. Sora looked down. If looks could kill, Sora would be dead. He waved a hand dismissively, and chuckled. Ariel was only really half listening though, as she often did.

"Someday," she began, simply swimming aimlessly around the grotto, "I'm gonna go there, and see it all for myself. I know it!" She swam to the top, "Who knows? Maybe there's other worlds out there, too! Besides these two! Do I sound crazy?" She asked, floating back down.

Sora was ready to respond, but, naturally, was cut off, "Yes, you do. There's only two worlds, Ariel! This one, and that one! Apparently!" Donald quacked in response. He didn't like her train of thought, one bit. Sora however, wasn't going to be muzzled this time.

"No, she doesn't! I used to feel the same way." He said, softly. That certainly got Ariel's attention, as short spanned as it was.

"Used to?" She asked, cocking her head to the side. Sora had spoken from his Heart, a little too much. He hoped she wouldn't press the issue.

"I mean... I still do." Sora rubbed the back of his neck, and snickered. Donald cringed. This exchange kept getting worse. Goofy and Flounder just kept playing a game of tag. An idea sprang to Ariel's mind, suddenly.

"Hey! Why don't we try looking for that Keyhole you guys were talking about?" She asked.

'Even worse!' Donald thought! For once, Sora had a similar thought to his duck friend.

"Oh, uh..." he paused. "I don't know. Your old man said--" he was cut off, again.

"I don't care what he said! He never wants me to do anything!" Ariel shouted in response. "He just..." she sighed forcefully, turning her back again, "He doesn't understand! Anything!" Goofy and Flounder had ceased their game, at the sound of her yelling. Flounder rejoined the conversation, "He hates fun! C'mon guys! Please?" He asked, swimming circles around Sora.

"Well sure y'all can help! We need all the help..." Goofy was so naively happy in his encouragement. That was until he noticed Sora and Donald glaring at him for the second time in about as many hours. He was really oblivious today!

"... uh, help, we can get..." he said, each word becoming more and more subdued and quiet. After giving Goofy the death stare, Sora and Donald shared an uncomfortable and unsure look with one another.

"I mean..." Sora began, looking back into Ariel's eyes, his mind searching for ANY excuse.

"Great! It's settled! I know just the place to start looking!" Ariel said enthusiastically, heading for the exit. Flounder followed behind her as usual, while Sora, Donald and Goofy swam in place, still unsure of how to proceed.

"Aw phooey." Donald quacked.

"Well, I guess we've gotta find it one way or another, right?" Sora asked, turning and slowly beginning to leave, as well.

"Sure! Like I said, we can use the help! Right, fellers?" Goofy asked. Donald summoned forth his staff, and lightly bonked Goofy on the head.

"Ow!" He cried, causing Sora to snicker slightly.

"You've helped enough, ya big palooka! Not one more word out of you!" Donald commanded. Goofy rubbed his head, "But, I was just tryin' to be pol--"

"Can it!" Donald quacked, as the trio left the grotto.

"Oh..." Goofy sighed. He hated when he screwed up, but he really hated when Donald was mad at him!

---

Sebastian was sick. His shell shook with anxiety as the group swam right over the top of him. No, not because he feared getting caught, but because he feared the King's reaction when he told him what he'd heard! Things just kept going from bad to worse, too! Now he had to discreetly follow along, and see where they were headed?

'Oh... Da King will not like dis!' He thought, as he slipped outside of the grotto unnoticed, whilst Sora pushed the boulder back into place. While Sora, and the gang, plus an incognito Sebastian tagging along, headed for the spot Ariel wanted to check out, two little ne'erdowellers had also been secretly listening, in one of the many hidden crevices in the young mermaid's grotto.

Two beady eyed, and snaggle toothed electric eels. Flotsam and Jetsam.

They too had been instructed to spy on her and her new little friends, but by someone other than the all mighty King of the sea.

Someone entirely different.

They watched as the group left, and cackled amongst themselves. Across a vast expanse of no man's water, sat the rotting corpse, now half skeletal of a vicious sea monster. It was the last attempt at taking over Atlantica, and inside the long dead serpent, dwelled its summoner.

The eel's mistress.

The horrible, grotesque, obese, hag of a sorceress.

The cunning, manipulative, and devious sea witch.

Some didn't even dare to mutter her name, whilst it sent shivers down other's spines.

Ursula.

Massive in size, her bottom half was that of a black octopus, whilst her top half was that of an obese woman. Her short, brilliantly white hair was in striking contrast to her pale skin, and ugly face. She liberally applied a wide range of cosmetics, such as thick, black mascara, and lipstick, which she was currently globbing on, using her cracked mirror to see. She smiled at her appearance. Her vanity knew no limits. Suddenly however, her cauldron began a low boil.

Her poopsies had discovered something. There, in the murky mist, she watched and listened. Then, she growled.

"Those impudent fools will never find the Keyhole." She said. "But the girl..." she mused aloud, "She could prove quite useful. Naivety like that is hard to come by." She snickered.

"And, I've got the Heartless on my side!" She cackled, throwing her head back dramatically. Ah yes, the Heartless. A gift from that sickly old fairy, Maleficent. How highly she thought of herself.

"Once I get my hands on that Trident..." she growled. "With the Heartless, and that, I'll rule the ocean! From there, all the worlds will belong to me. I think I'll start with that dreadful little castle..." she smiled, referring of course to Maleficent's meeting ground for her little super group of some of the worst beings the galaxy had to offer.

"That silly old Vizier. Tricked into becoming a servant." She chuckled to herself.

"Though, I suppose he should consider himself lucky. He won't have to worry about my tyranny inside that little lamp. No, not like the others." Ursula ran a hand through her hair. She was getting ahead of herself. The task of taking over Atlantica was still at hand, and it wasn't exactly an easy task. She knew that all too well. Plucking a small little sea worm from the wall, she swallowed it whole, and smiled.

"Triton, my old friend..." she began, "your day is coming..." she said menacingly. "Very soon."

---

Ariel had led the gang to a huge open space area. The borders were still rocky, yet, the floor was nearly all sand beneath where they entered. The most notable feature was an old galleon, that had sank years ago. Still largely intact, it looked as if it had been struck by something underneath, causing it to sink rather quickly. It was deep, however, as the sun's bright light was suppressed a bit, causing the lighting in this area to be much dimmer than anywhere else they'd visited so far.

"Cool..." Sora said, softly. He always did like ships.

"Neat, huh? Me and Flounder just found it last week!" Ariel commented. The water here was cooler, and it seemed much quieter here, for some reason. Donald had an eery feeling.

"Right, it's nice and all, can we go? I'm sure your Fath-- and there she goes." Donald sighed, as he watched Ariel swim toward the ship with Flounder in tow. Sora rolled his shoulders, and neck.

"Well, no stone unturned, right guys? Let's make sure the Keyhole isn't here, then try and get her back to the palace." Goofy nodded.

"Sounds good, Sora! We don't want to upset King Tr--"

"I thought I told you to stop talking!" Donald quacked. Goofy shrunk his head back toward his shell, and swallowed hard.

Donald was really mad!

Sora gave Goofy an apologetic smile, then tried to catch up with Ariel. Donald followed behind Sora, but still felt uneasy for some reason. Goofy too began to swim toward the large ship, but paused.

He could've swore he saw movement in the distance. It was a bit darker down here though. His eyes might've been playing tricks on him, even as sharp as they were. He shook his head, dismissing it, and floated down, closer to the sunken ship.

"Let's check inside! Who knows what we'll find!" Ariel said enthusiastically, as she searched the deck for any visible holes. Flounder checked the sides, whilst Sora simply swam around, seeing if he felt that familiar tug in his hand from the Keyblade. Nothing so far, whilst Donald swam idle, arms crossed, and Goofy watched the edges of the ship.

He narrowed his eyes.

There it was again.

Almost like a streak of grey and white. He wasn't going crazy, right?

"Ariel! I found an entrance!" Flounder called from the ship's bow. The mermaid quickly swam over, followed by our favorite trio, and sure enough, there it was. This ship had a hole blasted into her starboard bow.

"Nice goin', Flounder!" Ariel cheered, as she slipped inside, after the little fishy. Sora too swam inside, careful to avoid the rotting wood, whilst Donald was right behind him. Goofy too began to enter, but stole one last glance backward.

Nothing.

The inside of the old ship was much darker, naturally, but already full of treasures. It'd been shipping cargo when it sunk, apparently. Sora was relieved to see no visible remains. The evacuation must've been a smooth one. It appeared the entire crew had made it.

Furniture, previously dry goods, canned goods, bottles of various liquids, and even a few chests peppered the floor of the hold.

"Look at all this stuff!" Ariel hollered. The next room over was separated by an archway. This one also held many items, but it had a large window, to seemingly give any occupants of it a view of the open sea. When she was still afloat that is. Sora reckoned this would've been the captain's quarters. One thing did stand out however.

A large chest, still locked sat in the corner. It was wooden with golden trim and, amazingly, in much better shape than anything in here. The wood still seemed new, and the gold trim was as shiny as ever.

"Take a look at this!" Flounder called, having announced his presence to Sora. Ariel, Donald, and a still suspicious Goofy all swam in.

"Hey! This one is nice!" Ariel remarked, as she swam over, running her hands along its surface. "What do ya think is inside?" She asked, turning to look Sora in the eyes. Goofy's eyes were drawn to the large window.

There it was again.

Only, it seemed larger this time.

"Hmm?" He mumbled to himself, doing his best to try and snatch a better sight of whatever it was.

"Well..." Sora said, softly, before summoning the Keyblade of the Lamp, and swimming forward. Donald still didn't like how flippant he was with it. Ariel didn't need to know anymore than she already did. Sora raised it into the air, and brought the golden weapon down, atop the chest. With a soft click, its lid popped open. Everyone was pleasantly surprised with its contents.

Except for Goofy, whose eyes had been peeled to the window. He saw it again, though this time he got a very clear picture of what it was.

Primarily, because it was swimming directly toward the large glass window, like a torpedo.

"Look out!" He cried, tucking into his shell.

"I told you to sh--"

Donald couldn't finish chiding his old friend, as suddenly a massive great white shark burst through the window, sending glass flying all around.

Thankfully, it was so big that it couldn't fit all the way in, and devour its prey. With a few vicious snaps of its jaws, it yanked backward, freeing itself from the ship, and began to circle the wreck from just above. It knew it could wait them out. Sora had snatched the contents of the chest, a beautiful, crystal model of the business end of a trident, just as he heard Goofy holler, and as the shark burst through, pulled Ariel into the other room.

Flounder was small enough to avoid any damage, and Goofy had managed to knock Donald away, narrowly avoiding a chomp from the ferocious great white.

"Wh--What was that!?" Sora asked, regaining his composure.

"I-It w-was a s-s-shark!" Flounder cried. Sora gingerly handed the crystal trident head to Ariel, and brought the Keyblade forth again.

He swam back into the room with the window,

"Hey, you two okay?" He asked. Goofy was still tucked inside his shell, whilst Donald was rubbing his head.

"I think so." He quacked. He then knocked on Goofy's shell, "It's okay, Goofy, you can come out now. It's outside." Goofy poked his head out, and nodded. Donald sighed.

"Thanks, Goofy. You really saved my feathers." Donald said, looking back at Sora, who was smiling. He was proud of the duck. Goofy though, uncharacteristically, just nodded, and began to swim into the room Ariel, and Flounder occupied.

"Wak!?" Donald was shocked. Goofy was always so polite! "So what? No 'you're welcome, old pal!' !?" Donald shouted. Goofy turned and cringed.

Oh how badly he wanted to say those words!

But Donald told him to be quiet!

Sora chuckled, a little. Until the absurdity of the situation really began to tickle his funny bone. He knew what was going on! He burst into side splitting laughter. This, naturally, as most things did, irritated poor Donald.

"Huh!? What's so funny!?" He asked. Through deep breaths, and laughs, Sora clarified.

"You told him to be quiet! Remember?" Sora held his sides. Donald frowned, gnashing his teeth.

"Why I oughta..." he stewed.

"You're welcome, Donald?" Goofy more asked, than said. Donald's mood shifted.

"Awww..." he waved his hand, and smirked, "I love ya, ya big palooka." The two shared a smile. It warmed Sora's heart. That was until he heard the blood curdling scream coming from the other room.

All three tore into it, only to discover the shark's patience had run out. It'd barreled through the top deck, and was viciously biting at Ariel and Flounder. It still proved to be a bit too large to reach them, however. Sora lunged forward, and lashed at the shark, creating a gash in its side. It winced in pain, and thrashed about wildly, as it tore itself free from the rotting wood's hold.

Black blood flowed from the wound, and as Sora, Donald, and Goofy prepared to swim out and fend the beast off, Ariel stopped them.

"Wait!" She cried. "Don't hurt him, he's just doing what's natural!" She said through deep breaths. They paused. Sora and Goofy certainly hadn't thought of that, and surprisingly neither had Donald.

Harming, and potentially killing a shark for doing shark things didn't seem right. But, that also begged the question:

"How were they gonna get outta here?".

Sora dismissed the Keyblade, whilst Goofy and Donald also did so with their weapons. "Yeah, but, we can't just wait it out, can we?" Sora asked, looking up, trying to catch any glimpse of the big fish.

"No! He'll stay up there forever, if that's how long it takes!" Flounder cried. Ariel stroked his head and smiled.

"It's okay, Flounder. Calm down. I have an idea." She looked up, into Sora's eyes. "Sora. You swim out and distract him," she began, "then I'll sneak around behind him, and punch him in the nose from above!"

Sora hated this plan, so far.

Not only because he hated being the bait, but also because he didn't understand what a punch to the snoot from Ariel would do, that a good old thrashing from the Keyblade wouldn't!

"Uh..." he groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. Ariel handed the crystal trident head to Donald, who reluctantly held it close to his chest, and swam near to the hole that the beast had pummeled into the ship's deck.

"Ready?" She asked.

Sora was not. Not even a little!

"I gotta say, I'm not crazy about this plan." Sora muttered, as he approached Ariel. She simply smiled.

"Sora, I trusted you to get me to the palace earlier, didn't I? We're friends! Please, trust me?" Sora couldn't argue with that logic, and to Goofy's amazement, and Donald's horror, he swam out, and gave a few cautious glances around.

"Holy crap..." he whispered to himself, quietly. It was eerily still. Where had that shark gone?

"Uh, here fishy, fishy, fishy!" Sora said. "Lookie here! A nice, tasty, Keyblade wielder, all for yo-- WHOA!" Sora barely had time to avoid the incoming jaws snapping shut near his midsection.

Instinctively, the Desert Keyblade materialized in his hand, and Sora couldn't help but swing at the vicious shark, causing it to back off, if only for a moment. With the Keyblade gripped tightly, Sora angled the tip at the great white as it began to reassess. Sora could see its apex predator mind working on how to properly proceed as it circled him menacingly. They never stopped facing one another, as Sora swam idle, but kept his front toward the massive fish.

"Uh, Ariel!? Any time now!" He called. Meanwhile, Ariel had indeed slunk out, and swam high above them. Flounder hid inside, watching for any sign of his favorite mermaid, whilst Goofy had his eyes glued to Sora. Donald too watched the young Keyblade Master, but he wasn't one to leave things to chance. With his staff gripped tightly, he waited for any wrong move from either Sora, or the shark.

He'd cast a wind spell on Sora, and a lightning spell on the shark. As much as he didn't want to harm the fish, or interfere with this world's nature, he was not going to just sit by and watch one of his closest friends be devoured by a great white.

Wait a minute.

One of his closest friends?

Donald didn't have time to dwell on that thought however, as he watched in terror as the shark made a swift move, turning away from Sora and bolting in that direction. With the lighting being so much dimmer here, it simply vanished into the shadows, which was tremendously worse for Sora.

"Ariel!?" He called, eyes now darting back and forth and up and down, trying to catch any glimpse of either her, or the shark. Attacks under the water could be done relatively quietly, but the rush of water from a being as big as this one still made some sound, and could most definitely be felt.

Sora turned as fast as he could ready to swing, but was shocked to feel the all too familiar sensation of air.

"Wind!" Donald had cried, and half of his plan had been accomplished. The sharks thousands of teeth collided with the windy shield around Sora, and, as it did, Ariel seized the moment, and descended down upon its back.

She threaded her fingers and raised them high, ready to bring down a powerful bash onto the beast's sensitive nose. She knew the blow wouldn't prove deadly, but would stun the fish for enough time to allow them to leave.

Donald wasn't the type to hesitate, however.

He'd angled his staff at the attacking shark at just that same moment and was ready to electrocute it, world order be damned. He hadn't seen Ariel, but, thankfully, Goofy had.

"Wait!" He cried as he shoved Donald's staff downward.

"Thunder!" Donald had already summoned, and from his staff shot forth a powerful surge of electricity. Powerful enough to fry the shark and Ariel, but instead harmlessly blasting a hole in the rocky surface of the trench wall.

Ariel's combined fists still met their mark, despite all the commotion, and within a moment, the mighty shark was doing its best to flee. It rammed into the rocky wall, and swam away, as fast as its dazed mind would allow. Sora watched as his windy cocoon dissipated, and grinned, before dismissing the Keyblade.

"Nice goin'!" Sora cried, looking in the direction of Donald.

"Thanks!" Ariel replied. Sora hadn't meant her, but he wasn't about to clarify. It'd probably go over her head, anyway. With the shark gone, for now, and everyone safe and sound, Donald picked the crystal trident head back up, and handed it to Ariel.

"Here." He quacked, as he, Goofy, and Flounder swam out to meet Sora and Ariel.

"Thank you, Donald." She replied, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Wak!?" He quacked loudly, before reaching up to rub the spot where her lips had made contact. "Aww..." he sighed, as he began to float ever upward. The rest of the group just laughed.

---

Sebastian had narrowly avoided the lighting bolt from Donald's spell, and watched as a hole blew open in the cliff face. He'd watched this entire miserable series of events unfold, and just kept getting more and more filled with dread.

Ariel had been collecting things from the surface world, she'd grown obsessed with it, these newcomers were from no ocean he'd ever heard of, and to top it all off, in the midst of earning another treasure, whilst searching for something called the 'Keyhole', which his majesty had no interest in discussing, the King's sweet little girl had managed to nearly get eaten alive!

Sebastian watched as they left, shiny new piece of junk in hand, and trembled with fear.

'Oh man...' he thought, as he too left the trench. 'Dis is really it, ain't it? Da King gonna boil me in my own shell and serve me wit some hot butta...' he theorized.

Still, Sebastian was loyal. He'd go, and he'd tell the King, everything he'd heard and seen. If that meant the worst for him, then so be it. He was given a mission, and he'd succeeded. If the King still saw it right to punish him, that was fine. At least he hadn't run out on his duty. The dutiful, and anxious little crab swam all the way back to the palace, and cautiously entered into the King's throne room.

"Y-Ya Majesty..." he said softly. Triton seemed to perk up at his voice. He'd been gone quite awhile. Night was nearly upon the ocean.

"Sebastian. I was starting to get worried. What is it? What have you learned?" He asked, leaning forward.

"Oh ya Majesty..." Sebastian said through a sigh. "It's worse dan we tawt..."

Little Sebastian went on and on, divulging every detail he'd learned. From Ariel's grotto, and its location and contents, to the sunken ship, and even the great white shark attack and these mystery tourists and their special powers.

"Once dey leave, I did too. Den, I headed straight here. And dat's everyting, Sire." Sebastian finished, and hung his head low, shaking it slightly. To his surprise, King Triton didn't proceed to holler at him, or even show any apparent signs of rage. He just calmly rose from his throne, and summoned his trident, before slowly swimming out of the room, past a trembling Sebastian.

That was when the little crab knew just how bad this was. Perhaps not for him, but for Ariel?

This was catastrophically bad.

---

"I thought my heart was going to beat out of my chest when it first blasted through the window!" Ariel said through a giggle, fondly recalling their death defying experience with the shark, that just happened. Sora shook his head, and laughed, "I'm glad you were having such a good time!" He teased, as they were nearing the entrance to the grotto.

"Yeah, I could've done without that!" Donald quacked. Goofy just chuckled, "Aw well. Everything turned out okay!" Flounder was still a little shook up, "Barely!"

The mood was light as they swam their way back to the trench just outside of the palace. Sora once again pulled the rock that covered the entrance to Ariel's grotto aside, with some help from Goofy and Donald, allowing everyone access.

"Gee, Ariel, you sure do seem interested in that pretty crystal." Goofy observed as they swam through the tunnel.

"Well..." she said softly, looking down at her new treasure, "remember that plaque in my grotto?" She asked, as they all finally made it back. Sora, Donald, and Goofy all only just now noticed it. A small carving in the rock wall, just behind the statue of the human man. Sora knew now why she was so happy to have it. It appeared to be a perfect fit.

"Oh..." he said rubbing his chin. Donald too just got the point of it all.

"You wanna know what happens if you place that crystal in there?" He asked. Ariel nodded, eyes still glued to the beautiful piece.

"I never thought I'd be able to fill it, what with Daddy's trident being the only thing that I thought would fit. But, here we are! And it's all thanks to you three! Thank you, Sora, Donald, Goofy." She said softly, making eye contact with each. Sora rubbed the back of his neck and smirked, whilst Donald and Goofy gave appreciative nods back.

Without any further ado, Ariel gripped the crystal piece gently, and rose so that she was now at eye level with the carving. This was the moment she'd been waiting for, for some time now. It was probably nothing, but still, it'd look nice. She sighed, before gingerly placing the trident in, and, with a soft click, it seemed as if this carving had been waiting for its match for a long time.

It began to glow, gently, and, to his amazement, Sora began to feel that familiar tingling in his hand. The Keyblade sensed something, and it ached to fulfill its purpose on this world.

Then, as quickly as the sensation overcame him, it vanished, along with a bright golden light bursting through the grotto, and colliding with the crystal in the wall. Ariel had narrowly avoided the blast herself, and everyone nearly jumped out of their skin, as following the beautiful display of power, King Triton's booming voice echoed throughout the small chamber.

"Ariel, you've disobeyed me again!" His brow furrowed, and his massive hands gripping his golden trident tightly, he'd blown the crystal recreation to pieces. With another thrust forward, he shot forth another burst of energy from his weapon, and with this one blew the statue apart.

Pieces of rock slowly rained down littering the grotto's floor. The gang were all still entirely too shocked for words, as King Triton continued his assault, "I have had enough of your insolence, you disobedient child! You wonder why I allow you no quarter? Because I can not trust someone as immature as you with any responsibility!" He hollered.

Goofy slunk into his shell, whilst Sora and Donald wished they had ones to hide in. Flounder shivered behind Ariel, whilst her eyes, filled to the brim with tears met her father's.

"H-How..." she said through ragged breaths, "could you?" She asked, before kicking hard with her tail, and swimming out of the now partially ruined grotto in a hurry. Flounder was pushed backward by her tail, and subsequently found a chest to pop open, and hide in. Sora noticed a small paper fly out.

He hadn't the time to gather it up, however, as Triton didn't follow after his daughter, but rather turned his anger on him.

"Young man! You're not from another ocean! You're from another world!" He hollered, angling his trident at Sora's chest. Sora swallowed, hard, and glanced back an an apprehensive Donald.

"With all due respect your Majesty..." Donald began, but was unable to finish.

"You're the Key bearer!" Triton lowered his trident, as he stared Sora down. The King of the sea was well aware of the goings on of the galaxy.

Sora was stunned, "H-How did you know?" He asked, as Donald and Goofy sidled up to their friend.

Triton scoffed, and waved his hand dismissively, "You can fool Ariel, but you can't fool me! You don't know your dorsal fin from your tail! All of you! I've never seen such sloppy swimmers. There's simply no way you swam like that all the way from another ocean."

Sora sighed, and hung his head. Clearly they didn't blend in as easily as they thought they did.

"As the Key bearer, you must already know," Triton began, lowering his voice, "one must not meddle in the affairs of other worlds." He chastised. Boy, had Sora heard enough of that. Just about enough.

"Of course I know that! We're always careful to--" He stopped himself short, realizing just how wrong of a statement he was about to make.

They hadn't been all that careful, and a lot of that was Sora's fault. From trying to help Alice, to competing in the games at Olympus Coliseum, to trying to find the King, Riku, and Kairi, with Tarzan, and even getting involved in Aladdin's shenanigans, Sora had, in some way or another thrust the trio directly into each and every world's business. All because he was trying to help someone.

"You've violated this principle." Triton scolded. "You Key bearers..." he growled. "You shatter peace, and bring nothing but chaos and ruin!" He shouted. Goofy had heard just about enough.

"Sora's not like that at all." He replied, swimming in front of his friend.

"Goofy--" Donald quacked, but was cut off, "Sorry, Donald, but that just ain't fair. Sora doesn't just bring ruin, or chaos, or whatever this feller said. He's good! He brings lotsa joy!" Goofy interrupted. Donald shook his head, also swimming in front of Sora.

"No, Goofy, I agree with you. I'm sorry, Sire, but it's true. Sora is a good person. He's never meant any harm, and he's always done his best to help out!"

Sora couldn't believe his ears. The way these two had come to his defense, so quickly, in the face of the mighty King of the sea.

He was touched.

Frankly, Triton couldn't believe his own, either. He was surprised, but admittedly, impressed. The Key bearer had two companions with him, and that was exactly what they were.

Companions.

They'd stood up for him, and were passionate about it. Triton raised his chin, and stroked his beard.

"I thank you for saving my daughter, more than once." The King bowed his head, before continuing. "But, there is no room in my ocean for you, or your wretched Key." King Triton turned, and swam out the way he came in, leaving Sora, Donald, and Goofy all alone. As if summoned, the Keyblade materialized in Sora's hands, in all its glorious, golden beauty. He simply stared down at it.

Was he right about Sora, and the Keybl--

He couldn't even finish the thought, before Donald patted Sora's shoulder.

"Aw, what does he know?" Goofy too gave Sora a playful nudge, "Right, Donald. I didn't really like him anyway." Sora smiled.

"Thanks guys. That meant a lot..." he said softly.

"Yeah, well, don't let it get to your head, or anything. I was just tired of hearing him go on and on." Donald quacked. A comment like that would've irritated Sora a while back, but now? He knew, that was just Donald's way. With that thought in mind he grinned, and patted Donald's shoulder right back.

"Thanks anyway, pal." Donald just smirked.

---

Sebastian followed King Triton out, and back toward the palace.

"Well done, ya Majesty. Dat oughta put a stop ta all dis nonse--"

"Sebastian? Did you follow me?" Triton asked.

"Oh, uh, yes, Sire. I did." The King just nodded in response. Sebastian still followed along, faithfully.

"So, should I go and try ta find ou--"

"No." Triton replied firmly. "I've tried to protect that little girl since the day she was born. And I'll keep trying, but I'm spent right this moment, Sebastian." He sighed, as they neared the gates of the palace.

"Ah. I see, Sire. Well, den, shall I--"

"Go home, Sebastian. My daughter no longer cares about how deeply I love her, and the day I've feared for years has finally arrived, with that boy with the Key showing up. I'm tired. I want to be alone." The King cut him off.

"But, but, Sire--"

"I release you, Sebastian. You, Ariel, anyone. You can do what you wish..." the King swam slowly toward the palace. Sebastian stopped in his tracks, and watched as the old Merman swam away.

"But..." he whimpered, looking from side to side. The little red crab sighed, and turned around.

---

Flounder watched from the safety of the treasure chest, as the heroes plotted their next move. Sora moved closer to the chest, but was unaware of Flounder's presence. He simply wanted to scoop the torn page from a book he saw earlier, up.

"Well, what do we do now, fellers? We can't just leave without lockin' the Keyhole." Goofy stated.

"Why not?" Donald asked. "That King is a blowhard. Let's just leave."

Sora snickered, "No, Donald. We can't just leave because someone was mean to us. We have a responsibility to each and every world. The only way we can make sure it's safe, is to lock it."

Donald sighed, and rolled his eyes, "I guess. But where do we even start looking?" He asked. Sora smirked.

"Well, just before the King showed up, when Ariel had that crystal in the carving on the wall? I felt it. The Keyblade was ready to do something. So," Sora reckoned, beginning to head out of the grotto, Donald and Goofy in tow, "I'll bet, if we can get that trident placed over that carving, something will happen." Goofy liked the thought, but was completely unsure of how to do just that.

"Gee, Sora. You really think the King'll let us borrow that fancy spear of his?"

"Well..." The conversation carried on, past Flounder's ability to hear it any longer, and he knew then, that he was finally alone.

And safe.

Poking his head out of the empty chest, he swam out, and glanced around. The place was a wreck, and he knew how upset Ariel must've been. It broke his heart. He was her ever faithful little companion, and he felt just awful that there was nothing he could do.

He spotted a small statuette of a ballerina in the corner, and scooped it up with his fin. He'd bring it to Ariel, and remind her that all wasn't lost! That might cheer her up! Thankfully, the newcomers had forgotten to close up the grotto, and Flounder was able to simply slip out. He didn't know where Ariel was, but he had a good idea.

There was a small rocky space just across the watery trench he currently swam in that had a flat rock in the center. Ariel would go there to think sometimes, and this wouldn't be the first time he'd find her there. Doing his best to hold onto the little model, he swam his way to his destination, and slipped through the crack in the wall that led there. It was getting darker, but the days were long on this world, so the sun's rays still lit the ocean floor enough to see.

Flounder was relieved. There, on the flat rock, he saw the red headed mermaid. He smiled, and readied to approach, but saw what appeared to be two pairs of beady yellow eyes.

'Those creatures!?' He thought in a panic.

Frozen in fear, he watched and listened on. Fortunately those monsters, the Heartless, as he'd heard them called now, weren't present, but, that could equally be seen as unfortunate, due to just who it was. He recognized those figures, once they exposed themselves.

It was Flotsam, and Jetsam.

Ursula's horrible little familiars.

"The poor child..." one hissed. "She suffers such deep sorrows..." the other finished. Their voices were like sandpaper.

"What a pity." Flotsam sneered. "If only there was something we could do?" Jetsam pondered. They snickered.

"Perhaps," one smiled, the other swimming around young Ariel, "she can help..." Her eyes still stinging from the tears, she wiped some from her soft cheeks.

"Wh--Who're you talking about?" She asked.

"Oh yesssss. She would surely help you..." They said in tandem, as they began to spin around one another, resembling that of a DNA helix.

"She'd make all your dreams come true. Ursula can help..." The two slimy eels vanished in a splash of dark ink, and in their place swam forth the giant, hideous sea witch. As ugly as she was, her charm was somehow unmatched.

"You called, my dear?" She asked with a smile.

"You..." Ariel took a short breath. "You're Ursula. My father banned you, a long time ago. I remember..." she muttered softly. Ursula frowned.

"That he did, sweet, innocent, child. All because of my helping nature." She said with a flourish.

"Helping?" Ariel asked.

"Indeed, dollface." She grinned, wrapping an arm around Ariel. "All I wanted was for people to be free. To think for themselves, and elect someone who they thought fit to lead them, rather than your Daddy. He's not exactly known for allowing any, shall we say, wiggle room." She giggled. Ariel was confused.

"Daddy, doesn't want our people to be free?" She asked.

"Oh, yes, darling! Free, so long as they bow to him, you see. Think what he wants them to think, act the way he wants them to act, and do the things he wants them to do, all under the guise that they themselves are the one's who're actually doing the thinking, acting, and doing, for themselves. You understand?" She asked. Ariel was still puzzled.

"Um..." she mumbled.

"Of course you do. You're such a bright girl. Pretty, smart, and talented. What's not to love about you? Well, perhaps except..." Ursulla purposefully drifted in her sentence.

"E-except? What?" She asked.

"Well, except for your curiosity, and independence. Dear Daddy may not love those traits, my sweet." Ursula smiled. Ariel frowned.

"But enough with the history lesson, darling. You rang?" Ariel looked away.

She was hesitant, but Ursula was a master manipulator. She'd poisoned the young mermaid's mind enough to cause a doubt in her. What did she have to live for, here, any longer? She hated these waters!

"Well, I was just wondering if--" she was cut off.

"No, no, let me guess. This is my favorite part!" Ursula snickered. "You..." she paused, feigning deep thought, "...wish to see other worlds, don't you?" She asked raising an eyebrow. The look on Ariel's face was enough to confirm what Ursula already knew.

"That shouldn't be too hard, deary. Afterall, your new friends come from another world!" Ursula revealed, with a devilish smile. Ariel was stunned, "What!?" Ursula drifted toward one of her eels, and stroked its head.

"But they had special help. That mysterious Key." Ariel was crestfallen. Her new friends had been lying to her? All this time? Sora, Donald, even Goofy?

"Now, now. Cheer up, sweetie! You have something special too!" Ursula approached again, her hideous lips nearing Ariel's ear.

"I--I do?" She asked.

"Why certainly! Now, listen carefully..." Ursula whispered instructions in Ariel's ear. "I think they Keyhole they seek is somewhere in the palace." She hissed. "Now, my dear, if you can take me there, without your Daddy knowing. I can help you get to these other worlds you long for..." Flounder could no longer hear what the horrible hag was saying, but he watched as Ariel nodded, and listened intently.

The look on her face sent chills throughout his little body. His grip on his pitiful little gift loosened, and the model fell to the sea floor, cracking in two as it landed.

---

Sora, Donald, and Goofy had just approached the palace gates. The guards weren't present, for some reason. Which, the gang took as a good omen. Perhaps Triton was allowing visitors at the moment.

"Look, the way I see it, we offer to lock the Keyhole, which, will get rid of all the Heartless, and then we'll be out of his hair. Win, win, right?" Sora asked, as the trio swam through the ornate, tall, golden gates. The palace was a confusing maze of golden rooms, each similarly decorated with various oceanic trinkets, both authentic, and manufactured.

Thankfully, Donald and Goofy knew their way around a castle, and reckoned that the central hallway would lead to the throne room. They'd guessed right, as the walls faded into several stone pillars, they turned the corner to find a empty throne shaped just like a huge shell.

"Huh..." Goofy mumbled. "Maybe he's grabbin' a bite to eat?" He guessed. Donald sighed, "Is food all you think about?" Sora giggled.

"Gawrsh..." Goofy blushed. The mood suddenly turned, however, as all three heads snapped around at the sound of an evil cackle. A horrible, half monster, half grotesque woman held the very trident they sought.

She raised it high, "At last!" She cried victoriously, "The trident is all mine!" The trio was wrong about King Triton.

He wasn't out, he was a weakened, shell of a man, who sat behind the throne, on the sea floor. His muscles were deteriorated, and he'd become so thin his skeletal structure was evident under his skin. His beard patchy, and eyes sunken, he took deep, ragged breaths. It was only now they'd noticed that he, and a terrified Ariel were present. Sora quickly swam to their side.

"Your Majesty! Ariel! What's happened?" He asked, whilst Donald and Goofy equipped their weapons, and kept their eyes focused on the hag in front of them.

"Ursula, no! I didn't want this!" Ariel choked through tears.

"But I couldn't have done this without you, deary! You have my thanks!" She cackled again. "Besides, aren't you tired of following your dear Daddy's orders?" Ursula held the trident with both hands, and smiled. "We had a deal, however, didn't we?" She asked.

"Time for a little journey, everyone! To the dark world of the Heartless!" She hollered. Unceremoniously, none of the beings materialized, and all of Ursula's fanfare was all for naught.

"We cannot find the Keyhole." One of her pets hissed. "It is not here." The other croaked.

"What!?" Ursula's eyes shot open, as she looked back and forth. Indeed, her command for more of the yellow eyed monsters fell short, and the Keyhole was not inside the palace!

How could it be!?

Sora left the sobbing Ariel, and swam to Donald and Goofy's side.

"Hah!" He teased. "Looks like you won't be getting any help lady!" He summoned the Desert Keyblade, and held it tightly with both hands. Ursula wasn't one to be beaten so easily, however. She hadn't anticipated this, but she always had a backup plan.

"I'm afraid you're a bit too late, handsome. I wouldn't celebrate just yet, if I were you!" With that, she vanished into a pool of black ink, her little fiends following her in. Sora swung, but hit nothing, as the ink dissappeared, and with it, the awful sea witch.

"Aw shucks." Goofy groaned.

"Daddy, please!" Sora heard Ariel cry as she clung to the weakened King of the sea. Dismissing the Keyblade he quickly swam to her side.

"The trident..." he croaked, softly, "We must get it back. Ursula, she..." his voice trailed off. Sora nodded, and glanced back and Donald and Goofy.

"Come on. Let's go, guys." With a kick of his tail upward and away, the trio readied to leave, but were confronted by Ariel who swam in front of them.

"Wait. I'm going with you." Flounder too had shown up now, and was busy tending to the ailing Triton, alongside Sebastian, who'd overheard her comment.

"What!? No! Ariel, you can't! Ursula ain't nuttin' to be foolin' around wit, ya silly girl! It's been ya stupidity what got us all in dis situation in da first place!" Ariel hung her head.

"I know. It's all my fault. That's why I have to help. Sora, please." Her eyes met his. Sora smiled, and nodded. With that they began to leave the palace. Ariel's mind raced, but she briefly glanced back and noticed the little red crab who'd just been chastising her was tagging right along.

"Sebastian?"

"Hmm?"

"What're you doing?" She asked.

"I'm coming too! If somethin' were to happen to you, but you still got da trident back, da King would kill me, anyway!" Sora, Donald, and Goofy chuckled at his reasoning.

"He's got a point, Ariel!" Sora said.

"Besides," Sebastian continued, "how exactly was ya gonna go chase down Ursula? Ya don't know where she lives!" Sora's swimming slowed, as he rubbed the back of his neck. The crab had a point.

"Well, uh..." he tried to find the words to justify his eagerness, but it was Goofy who did just that.

"Aw, that's just Sora's nature. He wants to help, even when he doesn't know how!" Sora smiled. As infectious as his own enthusiasm could be, Goofy's optimism was equally as viral.

Donald smirked, "Sure, Goofy. That's just a fancy way for saying he's good, but stupid, right?" Sora stopped, and turned, "Hey!" Everyone laughed.

---

"Well, dere it is." Sebastian gestured to the long dead hulk, in this, the darkest and coldest part of the ocean.

"That's where she lives?" Donald asked.

"Ya. Dat beast was struck down by da King. Ursula, she conjured it up outta nowhere. Dat was years ago, now. Da King smite it down, den banish her to dis part of da sea. She been here, plottin' eva since, I guess." He clarified.

"Yeah, this isn't weird at all." Sora chuckled, as they all began to approach the monster. With its mouth agape, and fangs still bared, the decaying serpent wasn't the most inviting thing to swim, head first into. But, that was where the trident was, so that was exactly what the group had to do.

With a cautious approach and entry, Sora was thankful that, as they swam inside and through the monster's throat, there was no apparent smell. He'd traversed through enough smelly, sea giants, and he'd only been through one. Granted, the last one was alive.

With their weapons equipped, they began to notice that the walls, floors, and ceiling were moving, the deeper inside they swam. There was a hum coming from them.

"Oh man..." Sebastian groaned.

"What?" Sora asked.

"Uh, well, see..." Sebastian stuttered, "Da walls? All dem little wiggly tings? Dem some poor people what come visit Ursula lookin' for assistance." Goofy was horrified, "That's awful! We've gotta help!" He cried.

"We get dat trident back, and da King will do sometin'. No doubt about it." Ariel watched as they swam over the little sea worms. She couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt, wondering why she hadn't been turned into one of them. Afterall, she had made a deal with Ursula just the same. Only the consequences of her actions didn't affect her alone. Up ahead, the path narrowed, and the amount of poor unfortunate souls seemed to double.

"Shhh..." Sebastian hushed the group as they seemed to swim closer and closer to voices. Those awful eels, and the sea witch herself.

They swam into a room that was round in shape, with a crude vanity of sorts on one wall, and a black, bubbling cauldron in the middle. On the far end, a massive seashell was embedded into the wall, and the inside was as black as night. No one appeared to be here. Donald wasn't fooled.

"Come out! You can't run or hide from us!" With that, Ariel and Sebastian took up position behind Sora, Donald, and Goofy, who had equipped their respective weapons. They were ready for a fight.

"Ya time is up, Ursula! We've come for da trident!" Sebastian hollered. Their arrival was met with an eery, still, quiet and calm. Until a low, humorless chuckle came from the dark seashell. It turned into a full throated laugh, as the horrid hag emerged, sans her shiny new weapon, but accompanied by her heinous duo Flotsam and Jetsam.

The sight was intimidating, but Sora wasn't scared at all. He was confident. Sora immediately dodged a bite from one of the eels, and swam low, heading for Ursula herself.

Goofy meanwhile bonked Flotsam on the head, dazing him, whilst Donald raised his staff ready to begin casting.

"Donald! Da cauldron! It's how she draws her power!" Sebastian called, trying his best to avoid any action all together. Ariel had began collecting different objects from the sea floor and tossed a few toward Jetsam who was ready to snap at the unaware Donald. The Mage nodded, and watched as a rock connected with the eel's head. He quickly imitated Sora and swam low.

Angling his staff toward the cauldron he cast a powerful spell. "Fire!" As the firey ball sunk into the glowing liquid, it began to boil harder, and shine even brighter.

Sora was in the midst of avoiding swipe after swipe from Ursula's thick tentacles, trying his best to connect the Keyblade with any of them. For as obese as she was, Ursula was also much quicker than one would think. Sora did however manage to sever one in half, causing her to cry out in pain.

"Poopsies! Help!" She ordered. Jetsam immediately turned his attention on Sora, managing to wrap his body around Sora's fin. Naturally, he was electric, which caused Sora's body to seize as it surged with power.

"Ah!" He hollered. Goofy however was protected by a shell, and a shield. Swimming as hard as he could he collided with the eel, and Sora's tail, causing the eel to let go, but also sending Sora's weakened body careening into the sea wall.

He collided hard, forcing the (air?) out of his lungs. Donald had cast a blizzard spell into the cauldron, and one more strong spell was probably all it needed to explode.

Unfortunately, Ursula and Flotsam too had noticed and descended upon the duck Mage. Ariel had thrown another stone at the eel, but he was simply too fast, slithering to avoid it easily. He hadn't anticipated the hard pinch on his back end however, as Sebastian had grabbed ahold of the eel.

Ursula wrapped her tentacle around Donald's staff and tossed it aside. She was now towering over him, but hadn't the time to do anything more as Goofy once again swam in for the rescue. His shield, equipped upon his hard shell, he slammed into her side, sending Goofy flying backward, slightly, but also knocking Ursula just enough off to stun her.

Ariel had found her vanity now, and simply began throwing beauty products into the cauldron, seeing what might stick. What luck she'd had too, as the small glass bottles and their contents seemed to be making it boil with anger.

Donald in the midst of the chaos had spotted his staff, thrown across the room. All that stood between he and it were two eels, one still trying to fling Sebastian off, and the other's jaws clenched tightly upon Sora's keyblade.

Donald could still cast magic without it, but it wouldn't be strong enough to override the cauldron. A small Heal spell was all Sora seemed to need, however.

"Sora!" He cried, raising his hand and pointing his finger at the Keyblade master. That familiar sensation came over Sora, and, with renewed energy, he swung the Keyblade hard, and knocked the attacking Jetsam aside.

"The cauldron, Sora! The cauldron!" Donald ordered. With a nod and smile, he angled the Keyblade toward the cauldron and readied to fire off the strongest spell he could manage. He closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.

Ursula was still being pestered by Goofy, but now noticed Sora ready to blow her precious cauldron to pieces.

"No!" She hollered, punching Goofy away hard, and swimming a beeline to the Keyblade master. His concentration disrupted, he opened his eyes in time to see the hag on a collision course with him, but not enough time to avoid it. He brought the Keyblade up to block her attack, but it was only enough to slow her down as her tentacles painfully wrapped around the weapon that was full of her weakness.

Light.

"Argh!" She growled as her hands gripped Sora's neck. She began to squeeze, and Donald now had a recovered Jetsam bearing down on him. Goofy was trying to bonk Flotsam again, who'd finally flung Sebastian out of the room.

They were evenly matched, but Ursula was stronger. Sora couldn't breathe, and his grip on the Keyblade was softening. Donald was dodging the snapping jaws of one of the eels, Goofy was trying to hit a fast moving target, and Sebastian was nowhere to be found.

That only left, Ariel. Who had the wherewithal to scoop up Donald's staff, and had it held tightly, angled at the cauldron.

"Ursula! Let them go!" She ordered, causing everyone to stop. Ursula's grip on Sora's neck didn't loosen, and she smiled. She called Ariel's bluff.

"Go ahead, dollface. Do it. Use magic. A-hahaha!" She cackled. Ariel smirked.

"With pleasure!" She swam toward Donald and Jetsam, and with a swift move, tossed Donald his staff, and tackled the electric eel, sending a course of the power through her body. She hadn't ever known physical pain like this, but it was worth it. It was all the distraction Donald needed.

"Thunder!" Donald quacked, and watched as perhaps the most powerful spell he'd cast yet shocked the cauldron with terrific energy.

"NO! STOP!" Ursula cried, as she released Sora's throat, and the Keyblade from her aching tentacles. She was too late to do anything though.

With a tremendous blast of white light, and powerful force the cauldron blew apart at the seams. It pained Ursula, physically, apparently, causing her to clutch at her chest, and breathe in and out dramatically.

Her two pet eels now stunned, Sora took the opportunity, even in his weakened state to slash at them, just in case they regained their strength and began their assault on any of his friends, again.

Slicing through Flotsam, he watched as black blood flowed from the fiend's mouth, before grabbing a wounded Ariel by her arm and lifting her away from his target. With that he ran Jetsam through, and swam backwards. All in the room watched as the dying eels began to intertwine together. With a sickening hiss, and gurgle, they simply faded into Darkness together, a smoky patch of black and red water left in their wake.

"Flotsam, Jetsam! No! My darlings!" Ursula hollered. In a shocking turn of events, the old sea witch seemed genuinely distressed by their demise. Not just for what they could do for her, but she actually seemed to care for the little hench-eels.

"You..." she growled, her hurt now turning to rage. She fixed her gaze upon Sora, and gnashing her teeth spat out at him, "You'll pay for this! You'll all pay!" She screamed, swimming fast back into the large seashell on the wall. Sora still held the Keyblade, but grabbed at his sore throat with his free hand.

Donald was still spent from his strong spell, but through heavy breaths managed to ask, "Everyone okay?"

Sora nodded, and replied in a hoarse voice, "Just about." Goofy's head was still spinning, but otherwise he was fine, "I think so..." he moaned.

"Where's Sebastian?" He asked. As if called upon, the hermit crab came crawling back into the room grabbing at his throbbing head.

"Oh..." he groaned. That was before he spotted an unconscious Ariel.

"Ariel! No!" He shouted, immediately swimming to her side. Sora too had recovered enough to check on her, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Ariel? You okay?" The mermaid laid face down on the floor. Her eyes began to flutter open, as she looked at both Sora and Sebastian. She gently pushed herself up, and now adjusted so that she lay on her hip.

"Wh-What happened?" She asked. Her face was bruised, and her skin had suffered some light burns from the electricity. Donald held his staff so that she could see it.

"You did a very brave thing Ariel. Thank you." He quacked. That produced a smile from her.

"I-I did?" Goofy nodded alongside Sora.

"Ah-yup! We sure are proud! Ain't we fellers?" Sebastian shook his head, "Not all of us! Ya coulda been killed, ya silly girl! What were ya tinkin'--" Sebastian couldn't finish his ribbing just yet, as the room began to rumble and shake. A low groan seemed to emanate, but from where no one knew.

"What's happening?" Ariel asked. Sora equipped the Keyblade once more, "I don't know!" Goofy noticed the seashell on the wall glowing, however.

"Look!" He hollered as he pointed a flipper at it. The ceiling, which was the lower back of the beast's corpse began to split apart, and the seashell on the wall too, began to break into many pieces. The floor too seemed to be giving way, and eventually all eyes were fixed on the head of white hair that was growing larger and larger.

"You pathetic fools!" Ursula's now booming voice cried. "It is I, who rules the Seas now!" She shouted from high above the gang. With the power of the trident at her disposal, and her burning rage over the loss of her pets, she'd elected to become the largest being in the entire ocean. One of her hands could easily have grasped, Sora, Donald, Goofy, and Ariel.

"The Sea and all its spoils bow to my power!" She cried, her voice deafening.

"Oh crap!" Sora hollered, narrowly avoiding one of her now enormous tentacles as it came crashing down.

"What do we do now?" Donald asked.

"We fight, I guess!" Goofy replied.

"Yeah, but how're we gonna fight her like this!?" Sora asked.

"We're not alone!" Ariel called as she was swept up by a passing dolphin. "Get in close, Sora! I'll bet that Keyblade still does damage!" Ariel reckoned. Sora nodded, and swam upward so that all three were now even with Ursula's horrible face. Upon her head now sat a golden tiara, and in her hand was the trident, also now gigantic in size.

"Fire!" Donald cast, and watched as the spell barely nicked Ursula's face.

"A-HAHAHA!" She cackled, again, raising the golden weapon high above her head. "You impudent fools! Feel my power!" Suddenly bolts of lightning began raining down all around them.

"Wind!" Donald hollered, encasing himself, Goofy and Sora all in a protective shell. Sora pushed forward, kicking with his tail as hard as he could. Dodging bolts of lightning, and watching the dark water for any signs of Ariel and the dolphin he kept kicking until he was nearly face to face with the massive witch.

She grinned, sending chills down Sora's spine in the worst way possible. He charged though, and swung, connecting with her cheek. That seemed to earn a response from her, as she hollered out in pain.

"How dare you!" She attempted to take a bite out of him, but Sora was thankfully too quick. Her hand then enveloped him, and attempted to crush the Keyblade Master. Thankfully, Donald's wind spell held on, causing her to open her hand in confusion. In that moment, Sora shot forth, attempting to stab her in the eyes.

Ursula moved her head, just in the nick of time, causing Sora to slice her other cheek. She'd just about had enough, however. With a powerful deep breath, she tried to inhale Sora. The current was strong, and he could tell he was losing, but, just as he felt her hot breath nipping at his tail fin, he received the most unlikeliest of help.

From underneath him swam the great white shark. Sora reluctantly grabbed onto its dorsal fin and felt the power, as it used its far superior swimming strength to free them from Ursula's mighty breath. Gasping for too long, Ursula needed a breather and in that moment, Sora could tell that the shark was dipping and circling back around.

"Sora!" Ariel cried, as the dolphin matched the predator's speed, and depth.

"Ariel!" He responded.

"He's gonna send you right at her belly! It's her weak point, now!"

"What? How do you know that?"

"I don't! Just trust me!" Sora nodded, and held the Desert Key tightly. The shark increased its speed, and, just as it felt as if they were going to collide with Ursula's midsection, it turned left, hard. Sora lost his grip on the dorsal fin, which, unbeknownst to him, was the plan. The Keyblade angled straight, and Sora's body, nearly as straight as a bullet, he pierced through Ursula's soft tummy. So hard, and so fast, in fact, that, he'd ran her through!

After a split second of darkness, Sora slowed to a halt, and turned, only to discover that he was behind the enormous hag now. Like a bullet, he'd dealt what would prove to be a fatal blow.

Black, inky blood flowed from her wound, as Ursula dropped the trident and flailed her arms wildly. From her mouth came the loudest, painful sounding wail Sora thought he'd ever heard, before her head rolled backwards, and then forward.

As if moving through syrup, she slumped forward and fell flat, her giant frame beginning to disappear into the same dark water patch her little eels had, only so much bigger. From those inky waters shone a bright light, and as the beam began to dissappear, the trident, back to its normal size floated, harmlessly. Sora too noticed a crisp, gently falling piece of paper, and swooped in, managing to snatch it before it too faded away.

"We did it!" Goofy hollered, swimming over and nuzzling up to Sora. The Keyblade master smiled, and returned the sweet gesture, only to find Donald also swimming over.

"Way to go, Sora!" He smiled.

"Thanks, guys. I couldn't have done it without you. Or Ariel! Or Sebastian! Speaking of which?" Sora began to glance around. Ariel had been deposited by her dolphin friend, directly in front of the golden trident, and gently took it in her hands. Sebastian swam to her shoulder and smiled.

"Ya done good child..." he said softly. A small tear escaped her eye. They'd done it. She'd almost single handedly destroyed her home, and killed her father, but in the end, she'd saved the day. With just a little help from her friends.

"Hey, Ariel!" She heard Sora call, turning to face him. He smiled, that infectious smile of his and pumped his fist, "We won!" She gripped the trident tighter, and smiled right back.

---

The gang returned the trident to its rightful owner, and within just a few moments, King Triton had everything back in order. Indeed the trident of Atlantica was perhaps the most powerful item Sora, Donald, or Goofy had ever seen, and while Triton wasn't perfect, he was a just and fair ruler. His strength returned, and his powers rejuvenated, he looked like himself now, as he sat upon his shell throne, holding his precious trident.

He stroked his beard, and smiled. Sebastian sat beside him, whilst Ariel, Sora, Donald, and Goofy swam idle before him. Ariel was ready for a tongue lashing, and grounding for the rest of her life, if necessary. She figured she'd get ahead of things.

"Daddy, I am so, so sorry." She said softly, hanging her head. Sora on the other hand wasn't going to let her face the music alone.

"Please, your Majesty. Don't be angry with her." His eyes were locked onto the mighty ruler. His sincerity was evident. Triton sighed, and shook his head.

"No." He said firmly. "It's my fault. I drove you to Ursula, my sweet child." He admitted, his gaze now fixed upon his daughter. "I wouldn't let you follow your Heart, and for that, I'm truly sorry." Ariel was shocked, but grateful. Her head shot back up, and a cautious smile stretched across her face when their eyes met.

"When you found that crystal, I lost my temper. I was afraid too, Ariel. There's so much bad outside of this ocean, let alone with Ursula in it. The thought of losing you fills me with worry. Which I often turn into rage." He clarified. Ariel had never heard her father speak like this! Goofy scratched at his head.

"Uh, I wonder, your Majesty, why didja blow that crystal up? It was so pretty..." Triton sighed again. This part he really didn't like. However, he felt it necessary.

"That crystal held the power to reveal the Keyhole." His grip tightened on his trident. The old Triton was still in there, if even a little bit.

"The Keyhole is dangerous. I had to keep you away from it. At any cost."

"But, Daddy..." Triton raised his hand.

"Key bearer. I have one request of you; Seal the Keyhole." He lifted the trident with one hand.

"My trident also holds the power. Will you do it?" He asked. Sora smiled, and thumbed his nose, playfully.

"You can count on me, sir. That's what we had in mind from the start, if I'm being honest." Ariel smiled as well, "Where is it, Daddy?" She asked. Triton smirked. A mischievous smirk, even.

"You should know better than anyone, Ariel. It's in your 'secret' grotto." The King of the Sea chuckled. Ariel's face practically fell off, but Sora had an inkling, ever since they placed the crystal in the carving on the wall. It wasn't exactly a feeling you forgot.

"Okay, Sora." Ariel said, taking the trident from her father.

"Let's go." Sora nodded. With that, Ariel turned and headed out, followed by Flounder, whilst Sora, Donald, and Goofy all respectfully bowed before the King.

"One more thing before you go." He said softly. "I'm sorry for the way I spoke to you before, but please. In your future travels, try and be a little more discreet. I like you, personally, young man, but I still don't like that Key, or what it brings to a world. I trust you'll heed my warning."

Sora smiled, "Of course, your Majesty. I'll do my best!" Donald turned, ready to leave.

"I think that's what he's afraid of." Goofy chuckled.

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" Sora asked, leaving alongside the pair. Triton watched as the trio left.

'Best of luck, Key bearer. I think you're going to need it...'

---

Naturally, the trip back to Ariel's grotto was brief. After sliding the boulder aside, again, Sora and the gang swam through, and within moments, he could feel that tingling in his hand, again. Just the presence of the trident was enough to beckon the Keyhole's appearance. Ariel swam toward the carving on the wall, and, acting of its own accord, the trident lifted out of her hands, and righted itself so that the head was lined up properly.

A beam of light shot forth from it, and within moments, the carving on the wall transformed into the familiar shape of a Keyhole. The Desert Key appeared in Sora's hand, and angling it at the Keyhole, the same beam of light as on worlds before shot through.

A loud locking could be heard, and a sense of peace fell over the ocean. It was safe. All thanks to the Keyblade Master.

"Nice goin', Sora." Goofy praised. Sora smiled, and turned.

"Ariel..." he began.

"Sora. Can I ask you something?" She asked, looking into his eyes. Sora dismissed the Keyblade and nodded, "Sure. What's up?" Ariel looked down briefly.

"What's your world like?" Sora looked back at Donald, and to his surprise, the duck Mage gave him a reassuring nod.

"Well, it's more like that one, up there." He said, pointing skyward. "I have legs, and I breath air, and I live on an island. You know?" He asked. Ariel hung on every word.

"Yeah. Tell me more." She asked.

"Every day, the wind blows, and the sun shines. The gulls caw, and the palms sound amazing when the breeze hits them just right. I miss it. Really bad." He confessed.

"And, that stuff about your parents?" She asked. Sora hung his head.

"Yeah, that's..." he sighed, "That's all true. About the truth. I'm sorry for lying to you." His eyes returned to hers. Ariel only smiled. She couldn't stay mad at him. How could she?

"It's okay." She began to swim higher in the grotto, nearing the top, "Besides, if you can travel to new worlds, maybe I can too! There's so many new things I want to see..." she sighed. "I know I'll get there. Someday..." A chill ran down Sora's spine. He heard Ariel's voice, but Riku's words.

She sounded just like him.

That want, and need for something new, or different.

"I'll find a way. Somehow. I'm sure of it!" She said enthusiastically.

"I hope you do, Ariel, but promise me something." Sora said sincerely. Ariel looked confused, but nodded, "Of course, Sora. You're my friend. You saved my father's life. What is it?" She asked.

"Don't lose yourself in the process. You're a good person. Stay that way. You'll just hurt the people closest to you, and..." Sora trailed off.

Was he really asking this of Ariel?

Or of someone else? Of Riku?

"Oh. Y-Yes, Sora. I promise. I won't make any deals with any witches to get there." Ariel smiled. Goofy and Donald shared a glance, once again. They knew exactly what Sora was getting at. Ariel swam closer to Sora.

"Here. I want you to have this." She deposited a small charm into Sora's hand. It resembled a small, red crab, and had a lobster clasp at the end of a seashell chain. With a smile, Sora thanked her. Ariel turned her head, slightly.

"I'd love to see how it looks on the Keyblade." She giggled. Sora chuckled, and produced the Desert Key. He snapped the charm on the end of the handle, and watched in amazement as the legendary weapon once again went under a metamorphosis. Within moments, the bright light had faded, and in the Desert Key's place, Sora held a much longer Keyblade.

It had tremendous reach, and was solid blue. Seemingly made of coral, the handle was protected by hand guards that resembled seashells, and at the end of the long blade, a red, crab claw hooked, giving it its signature Keyblade appearance.

"Whoa..." Sora sighed.

"Cool..." Ariel said through a gasp. Sora dismissed the Keyblade, and without warning was wrapped into a hug.

"Come back soon, Sora." He gingerly reciprocated, (much to Donald and Goofy's amusement), and agreed.

"Now that's a promise."

---

Ariel, Flounder, Sebastian, and a few fishy friends, including the dolphin, all traveled with the trio until they had to surface, where they'd parked the Gummi ship. With the goodbyes in order, and Triton's blessing upon any future returns, sans the Heartless and any other fiends naturally, Sora, Donald, and Goofy ascended to the surface and transformed back into themselves.

The goodbye party slowly began to dismantle after that, with most everyone going back to their normal day-to-day lives. Ariel wandered aimlessly, still searching for something, Flounder followed along, ready to have any and all fun, and the tranquility of the world returned. Sebastian wanted a better view though.

He too swam to the surface, and climbed atop a rock that poked just its head above the water. He watched silently as the crew boarded and dried off, and kept on watching as they lifted into the air, and flew back off into space. He watched and he watched them, until he could watch them no more and smiled. He was glad they were leaving, but, equally, he was glad he'd met them.

Day was slowly turning to night, and the sky was beginning to paint itself that magical color, just as the sun set.

'Dem folks. Dey was alright. For land dwellas, anyway.' He chuckled to himself.

He looked up, into the sky, and noticed a star shining particularly brightly. It had been a more regular occurrence in the sky, lately. Shooting stars. Sebastian wasn't one for the surface world, but they sure did have a pretty sky, he thought to himself. Besides, every once in a while he needed some time alone.

To think.

He smiled, and nodded toward the sky, silently wishing the travelers good luck, before he heard a low roar. He turned and frowned. A ship. A big one, too. It was headed right for his little peaceful rock.

'Oh brudda. Always gotta come and break up everyone's good time. Ya humans.' He slipped back into the warm water, and smiled as he descended.

'No, sir, dat surface world. Not for me. No, dis is where I belong. Down where it's betta. Down where it's wetta. Under da Sea!'

---

Sora and his pals were beat, to say the least. After hours of swimming, fighting, getting shouted at, more swimming, evading death, and more fighting, they had earned a rest, and a big one. Donald and Goofy prepared dinner, and played a few games of cards while the food cooked, whilst Sora laid in his room, on his tiny bed, with his newly discovered pair of papers.

One he'd collected in Ariel's grotto, and couldn't make heads or tails of. It showed little characters in a scene, and he could only guess that it belonged to the book Merlin mentioned. He slid it with another he'd found, into his nightstand drawer. Thankfully the pages he'd found had been kept dry by Donald's stubbornly unexplainable magic. The other however, he instantly recognized. It was another report, from this, Ansem. His eyes moved, from left to right:

The shadows that crawl beneath the castle... Are they the people who lost their hearts, or incarnations of darkness? Or something entirely beyond my imagination? All my knowledge has provided no answer. One thing I am sure of is that they are entirely devoid of emotion. Perhaps further study will unlock the mysteries of the heart. Fortunately, there is no shortage of test samples. They are multiplying underground even as I write this report. They still need a name. Those who lack hearts... I will call them the Heartless.

Sora lowered the paper, and frowned. He stood, his limbs, that he hadn't had down on that last world, inexplicably aching, and exited into the galley.

"Heya. We thought you'd had a little sleep for dinner, pal." Goofy chuckled. Donald drew another card.

"It's your turn." He quacked. Sora guessed he was losing.

"Nah, just checkin' out our finds. Speaking of which..." he read the paper aloud, whilst Donald and Goofy listened. Finishing, he passed the paper to Goofy, who'd set his cards down.

"Hmm..." Goofy puzzled aloud. Donald too was confused. This sounded much more ominous than the last one.

'Test subjects'?

Donald sighed, standing to check on dinner. "I don't know. That sounds kinda bad..." he quacked. Sora nodded in agreement.

"Yeah. You know something else, too? That Ursula woman, she tried to summon the Heartless when we were in the palace. Remember?"

"Sure. And?" Donald asked, seasoning dinner.

"And, it didn't work. But she thought it would, and besides she knew what they were. When we beat her, this report just appeared, afterward. That's where I got it from." Goofy nodded along.

"So," Sora began theorizing, "who's the only other person we've seen who knew what the Heartless were, and had one of these reports?" He asked. Goofy's eyes widened, "That Jafar feller!" Donald turned, "Oh yeah..." Sora took his seat.

"And, who did we see at the Keyhole when Jafar was trying to access it?" Donald began to serve, "That tall, skinny lady in black?" He asked.

"The one with the horns?" Goofy asked.

"Bingo." Sora said. "Whoever she is, I think those two had to have been in cahoots with her, and I'll just bet that she's the one who gave them these reports." Donald sighed as he plated the meals, and placed them in front of everyone's seats.

"Aw phooey. It's bad enough that we fly around, messin' up world order. Now we think the bad guys can too? That's just wonderful." He quacked.

"Aw, I wouldn't be too worried, Donald. We've bested the baddies at every turn so far, ah-yuck!" Goofy smiled.

"Yeah!" Sora concurred. "We can take 'em all. What's for dinner, pal?" He asked enthusiastically. Donald smiled.

"Fish 'N' Chips!" He quacked.

With that the Mage turned chef took his seat, and all shared a few glances back and forth.

Sora tentatively grabbed at a potato, whilst Goofy eyeballed his now sweating drink he'd poured himself.

Donald frowned, and furrowed his brow.

He knew what they were thinking, and worse, he thought it too! He sighed, loudly.

"I'll throw on some burgers..." he said, standing and shuffling over to the fridge.

"I'll put this away." Sora offered, grabbing up the plates.

"Sorry, Donald." Goofy said, standing as well, "Just kinda hard to eat 'em when ya been talkin' to 'em all day!" He laughed that infectious laugh of his, whilst Sora and Donald joined in.