Chapter 8: In the Ocean Once More
“What is the point of us being here?” asked Donald, as the cruiser neared Atlantica.
“Yeah, mermen and mermaids aren’t going to help us on dry land, guys!” agreed Aladdin.
“We know that!” said Sora, “But we’re not here to ask for help. We’re here to warn King Triton and Ariel about you-know-who!”
“Sharak is EVERYONE’S problem”, said Jaron, “Triton has a right to know about the danger that threatens us all."
“That’s why Jaron and me are gonna go for a swim, tell Triton, help him out with a little defence and then carry on with our mission”, finished Sora.
“It shouldn’t take more than an hour.”
“Wait-a-minute!” said Donald, “JUST you two?”
“Okay, okay, I admit that we’ll need your magic to help us survive”, sighed the Keybearer.
“And I’m not sure the three of ya will be enough if ya get attacked”, said Goofy.
“So it’s settled then”, agreed the Saviour, “The four of us go down into the depths, whilst everyone else stays behind to guard the cruiser. I’m sure we won’t need anyone else to help discuss the situation with Triton or help us out if we get into trouble.”
“Okay then, let’s get going”, said Sora.
Meanwhile, at the home of Sharak, Maleficent was discussing the current situation with the source of all darkness, as they monitored the manufacture of new artificial Heartless in the production lines of Sharak’s castle.
“That boy’s…army is increasing even more, Sharak”, spoke the mistress of all evil, “Forgive me for saying so but we have so far failed to eliminate him and his friends. We must formulate a more efficient plan of decisive action before he can ruin our goals. One that is guaranteed to work.”
“For the lack of better terminology”, explained the emperor, “We are “still in the driver’s seat”. The Keyblade master and his foolish companions still have no idea of how we are to go ahead with our take-over. And when they finally discover the truth, it will be too late for all of them. As far as a plan of action is concerned…let’s just say that I have something in mind that will be unforgettable.”
“And guaranteed to succeed, I trust?”
“Yes, but let us not discuss the issue of threats anymore. I wish to divert my attention towards this new form of Heartless that has just been created. These…Cut-throats display an incredibly aggressive nature and a lust for blood that seemingly can never be satisfied. They should prove ideal for the attack but they behave a bit too rebelliously. Their obedience needs refinement if the attack is to…”
“Forgive my interruption, emperor”, said Jafar, as he entered the factory with his parrot Iago perched on his shoulder, “But I felt I should warn you that the boy has now arrived at Atlantica.”
“And he wants to talk to that idiot, Triton!” continued Iago, “Tell him that you’ve come back! Well I’ll show that crummy, punk kid that nobody likes a squealer! WHAM! POW! Wants to get help from fish-people does he?! I’ll make sure that he…” Iago punched away at thin air whilst he continued bad-mouthing Sora.
“Iago, the threat that the Atlanteans pose means absolutely nothing”, explained Sharak, “The Keybearer is wasting his time by going there and by doing so, he’s only helping me by giving me more time to complete my objective. There’s no point in launching another assault on him when all will soon be in readiness, and there is certainly no point in attacking a race who are beneath our attention.”
“Oh yeah?! Well, I’m gonna teach those clowns that when they…”
Sharak’s hand morphed into a hawk-like creature, flew away from the emperor and went straight for Iago. The parrot shrieked and flew as high and as fast as he could. Not surprisingly, Jafar didn’t do anything. He too tired of Iago’s irritating refusal to stop talking, more than anybody else did. Likewise, Maleficent just stood still, also weary of the treacherous parrot’s talkative nature.
Iago was panicking like never before as he flew all around the room at top-speed, trying to escape from the creature that was trying to grab him and rip him apart. After a few minutes of frantic and desperate attempts to escape, Iago felt the hawk-creature’s talons grab hold of him, pinning his wings to his body and preventing him from trying to get away. The dark creature flew back to Jafar, releasing a terrified Iago and perching him on top of the vizier’s shoulder. The hawk creature then turned back into Sharak’s hand. The emperor then extended his middle finger to twice its normal length, altered the tip of it to a razor-sharp shape and then held it against Iago’s throat.
“If you are ever insubordinate again, I will rip off your beak and use it as a nutcracker. Is that understood?”
“Y-yes…o great emperor Sharak”, said Iago, shaking.
“Hey, Sharak!”, said a newcomer, who had just recently joined the Council of Darkness, “Pardon me if I’M being insubordinate but the little squawk-box may be onto something.”
Iago had been called many things in his time but never a “squawk-box”. He was just about to argue when Sharak gave him a sideways glare. The parrot decided to shut up before his words could come out.
“Go on, Ursula.”
“Well”, explained the sea-witch, “The way I see it, we have an opportunity to get rid of them here and now. They’re caught wide-open. And I can tell that only three or four of them are going to be swimming around Atlantica. If we send in more Heartless than they can handle, then that’ll leave the rest of those impudent fools crippled and at our mercy.”
“And what if the attack should fail?” asked Sharak.
“If it all goes belly up, then there’s still YOUR plan”, smiled Ursula, “In my opinion, yours is practically fool-proof. If my idea succeeds, they die. If my idea’s a fluke, they’ll reach a dead end, which is your plan, where they’ll die. Bottom line: we haven’t got anything to lose. Whatever happens, we win.”
Sharak stared at Ursula for a few seconds and then slowly nodded his head in agreement.
“Your reasoning is sound, Ursula. Accompany the Heartless to Atlantica and destroy Sora and his friends.”
“You got it.”
Back at Atlantica, Sora, Donald, Goofy and Jaron were now swimming through the vast depths of the aquatic world. The Royal Wizard’s magic had successfully done its job. The four friends were transformed to help them survive the aquatic environment they currently inhabited. Sora and Jaron had been transformed to mermen whereas Donald and Goofy reassumed their respective Atlantean forms of an octopus and tortoise.
The four knew that King Triton would be in his throne room at the palace, so they headed straight for the royal home of the ruler of the seas. They followed the golden trident markings on the walls of their surroundings, leading them to the palace.
In the throne room of King Triton, his daughter, Ariel was discussing with his father about venturing to other worlds.
“But, Daddy…”
“Ariel, contact with others from other worlds could prove dangerous.”
“How?” asked Triton’s youngest daughter.
“I…I cannot say how”, answered Atlantica’s ruler, “But you must understand that I’m saying this for your own good. If anything were to happen to you, I…”
“Daddy, I know you love me and the love I have for you is equally just as great but please, try to understand, I’m eighteen years old. I am capable of looking out for myself.”
“I know that, Ariel, but there are certain dangers involved that are so great, so…unavoidable, that not even the mightiest of people are safe.”
“Especially when one of those dangers threatens everyone who lives in this universe.”
Triton and Ariel turned to see a few familiar faces.
“Sora!”
“Hi, Ariel,” smiled the Keyblade master.
Sora, Donald, Goofy and Ariel greeted one another, whereas Triton looked in astonishment as he saw a face he hadn’t seen in a long time.
“Jaron?”
“Your majesty”, said Jaron as he bowed to the ruler of the seas.
“You know this person, Daddy?”
“Indeed”, said Triton as he shook hands with Jaron, “It has been a long time, hasn’t it, Saviour?”
“Six years, sire.”
“How come you know King Triton?” asked Goofy.
“His majesty is another ally of the council”, explained Jaron.
“I was introduced to him when he started his training”, finished Triton, “That was the only time when I met him. I never thought I’d see you again, Jaron.”
“And until recently, neither did I.”
“What brings you to Atlantica?”
“As an ally of the council”, began Jaron, “You have every right to be informed of the recent turn of events, and I regret to inform you…that the source of all darkness has returned.”
An expression of brief horror appeared on Triton’s face, before turning into one of calm and understanding.
“I see. You are aware that as much as we want to help, it is impossible for us to do so?”
“Yes”, said Sora, “But we didn’t come here to ask for your help. We came here to let you know about Sharak and help prepare for any moves he might make against you.”
“I appreciate it, Keybearer.”
“I don’t understand”, said Ariel, “What exactly is the source of all darkness?”
“A very powerful entity”, explained Jaron, “More powerful and dangerous than anything you can ever imagine.”
“And the reason that darkness plagues our universe”, said Triton, “He threatens the safety of everyone.”
“He’s not as powerful as he once was”, said Sora, “He needs help. And that’s where Ursula comes in.”
“But how can she possibly come back?” asked Ariel, “She’s…”
“She was the last time we looked, I agree, but Sharak has the power to bring people back to life.”
“And no doubt she’ll be coming back here for revenge”, agreed Triton, “With that creature to help her, she could easily take control of this world.”
“Not so long as WE’RE here”, said Sora.
“Yeah, if we stopped her once, we can easily stop her again!” agreed Goofy.
“Your majesty!” cried Sebastian the crab as he swam as fast as he could towards the throne room; “We’re under attack! Ursula and those creatures! They’ve come back!”
“Let’s hope you are right”, said Triton as he looked at Goofy.
“Let’s go!” said Sora as he and the others exited the throne room. When they were outside the palace, they noticed hundreds of Heartless. Screwdrivers, Aquatanks, Sea Neons and Sheltering Zones all swam towards the palace at top speed, with Ursula behind them, directing the attack.
“Judgement Day has arrived, old friend!” roared the sea witch to Triton, “And the sentence is death for crossing me and my new-found pal! Attack! Destroy them all!”
A wave of Screwdrivers headed for their prey, only to be blown apart by the power of Triton’s trident. Sora and Jaron swam to the attack, making short work of several Sea Neons. Ariel followed suit, unleashing her Spiral Wave attack on more Screwdrivers. Donald and Goofy joined the assault, decimating more Heartless.
The power of Triton’s trident was uncanny. Countless Aquatanks were being picked off one by one. Sheltering Zones moved in close to try and isolate the ruler of the seas but failed miserably as Triton stabbed them with his weapon, forcing them to separate into smaller, weaker Sea Neons.
Jaron didn’t even bother using his arsenal of ninja stars and exploding orbs. He knew the water would slow them down if he threw them at Heartless, and prevent them hitting their target. He just continued striking the Heartless with his sword. He waded through various Sea Neons by rotating his sword in a propeller fashion. With his speed greatly increased, he proceeded to weave in and out of various attacks, destroying all in his path.
Sora continued hacking and slashing. Screwdrivers attempted to spear him with their bladed weapons but the Keybearer easily avoided and blocked their attacks and counter-attacked with devastating power. Thundaga spells easily obliterated the Screwdrivers, and more strikes from Sora tore apart another wave of Sea Neons.
Ariel and Donald teamed up to unleash combined Thundaga spells on the Heartless. More and more Sheltering Zones fell one by one and the Sea Neons that were left were easy pickings for Goofy’s Tornado attacks. Ursula couldn’t believe what she was seeing. She’d brought hundreds of Heartless with her to attack and she’d felt sure that it would be enough to eliminate Sora and the others. Several minutes later, all of the Heartless were vanquished.
“I think “Judgement Day” has been postponed, Ursula”, said Sora.
“You’re so called “battle plan” failed as expected”, agreed Triton, “I would have thought you would’ve resorted to more devious means into getting what you want instead of choosing the direct route. You usually do.”
“First time for everything, Triton”, sneered Ursula, “Besides, this was only a little warm-up. The real battle is yet to come. And it’s one that you are all guaranteed to lose.”
Ursula vanished into a cloud of darkness. By the time the cloud had dispersed, she had vanished. Back in the palace’s throne room, Triton congratulated Sora and the others for their help.
“It doesn’t sit well with me”, said the ruler of the seas, “What Ursula did wasn’t her style.”
“It's like she said, your majesty”, said Sora, “The real battle is yet to come.”
“And she’s smart enough to realise that her old tricks won’t work on you or your people anymore”, furthered Jaron, “You know what to expect from her.”
“Maybe, but that doesn’t mean that we’ve seen the last of her.”
“Tell me about it”, agreed Donald.
“If only we knew what Ursula and Sharak were planning”, said Ariel.
“Sooner or later, we’ll find out”, said Jaron, “We’ll stop whatever they’re up to.”
“I have every confidence in all four of you”, said Triton.
“Thank you, sire”, said the Saviour, “But we won’t be alone. We have others who can help us.”
“Come to my grotto”, said Ariel, “I’ve found a few things that could help.”
Sora, Donald, Goofy and Jaron followed Triton’s youngest daughter to her grotto. There she gave them treasure chests. They were filled with Elixirs.
“Thanks for these.”
“It’s okay”, she smiled.
“Well, I guess we’d better get going”, said Sora.
“Good luck”, said Ariel. “See you until next time!”
“Thanks”, said Jaron. “Tell your father the people of this world have nothing to worry about.”
“I think he already knows that, Jaron," smiled Ariel.
The four headed back to the ship, carrying the chests of Elixirs with them. Back at the home of Sharak, Hades and Ursula were in the conference room with the emperor.
“Newsflash, babe”, said Hades, “Your plan didn’t work.”
“Hardly surprising”, said Sharak, “You’re more suited to using your cunning to achieve your aims.”
“Still, it’s like I said before”, said Ursula, “we’ve got nothing to lose.”
“Indeed so. I have all the formidable powers I need for the invasion, yours included, Ursula. It’s just a matter of waiting for the right moment.”
“I’m sure that the real fun is going to start when your regeneration takes place, huh, boss?”
“Oh, the fun is going to start BEFORE my regeneration, Hades”, sniggered Sharak. “And believe me, my friends, the excitement is only going to get more and more bigger from here.”
Hollow Bastion.
At the medical room of the giant castle, Cid was standing by one of the beds, checking on the vital signs of the patient, the boy that had arrived here only yesterday. Leon and Yuffie entered the room.
“How is he, Cid?”
“Alive. Barely.”
“What did the doc say?” asked Yuffie.
“When he took a look at him, he…well I think the x-rays speak for themselves”, said the forty-four-year-old pilot as he showed Leon and Yuffie the x-rays before and following the boy’s operation.
“Oh my god," said Yuffie as she put her hand over her mouth.
“Doc’s not sure when he’ll wake up”, continued Cid, “or when he’ll recover. IF he recovers, that is.”
“So there’s a chance he could be paralysed for life?” asked Leon.
“It sure looks that way. The doc did all he could. Rest is up to the little guy now.”
“Does the doctor know what happened to him?”
“He took a guess, Leon”, said Cid as he took the toothpick out of his mouth, “He thinks what happened to him was done deliberately.”
“Anything else?”
“According to the doc, the little guy looked pretty spooked when Cloud, Aerith and the others brought him in. Whatever freaked him out must have done this to him.”
“Makes sense," nodded Leon.
“Well, not much we can do now except wait,” said Yuffie.
The three exited the room, turning the light off and leaving the teenager alone. The seventeen-year-old lay unconscious in his bed. A few minutes after Cid and the others had left the room, his right-hand twitched started to twitch a little bit and he started mumbling. After a few attempts, he spoke a name.
“Sh…Sha…Sharak.”
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