Greetings fellow readers and writers! This is the eleventh volume of Path of the Keyblade Master and I hope you like it! Okay, we're picking up pretty much where we left off in Volume 10, with Kairi assuming the throne of Radiant Garden, Tess and Malcolm lost in Enchancia, Aiden transporting some unknown horror down a deserted road, Riku teaming up with Finn and Jake in The Land of Ooo, Sora tumbling endlessly through the primal darkness, while Alegra, suffering from the early stages of an extended Alzheimer's, has gone not only to find our heroes, but to find a successor, and what a successor she'll locate. For not only will this story cross Kingdom Hearts with Sofia the First, as well as Attack on Titan, Fullmetal Alchemist and other things which will be revealed later, but also Sabrina the Teenage Witch, specifically the live action show staring Melissa Joan Heart.
Now you're no doubt wondering; 'Hey, AndrewK9000, WTF? Why are you crossing so many things that have nothing to do with each other?'
Well, the answer is because I can, and because it's how the story unfolded in my imagination. I see something on TV, in a movie, in a book, manga and so on and get inspired. I chose Sofia the First because, while a show aimed for kids, it has lots of potential in fan fiction, especially in terms of a future history of the show. Attack on Titan was an obvious choice because, hey, Keyblade Wielders vs. Titans, how can you go wrong?
As for Sabrina the Teenage Witch, that's another story in itself. A few years ago I tried to cross Sabrina with Wizard 101, the result being 'Sabrina's Quest.' It seemed like a fantastic idea at the time but stalled and puttered out. One of these days I may go back and try to finish it but for now, it remains in the back of my mind and unfinished online.
Time wise, the story takes place between seasons 3 and 4 of Sabrina, about two years after 'Conquest of Shamballa,' ten years after the start of Sofia and after the end of season 1 of Attack on Titan. I know it sounds confusing and complicated, but it all fits together in a Wibbly-Wobbly Timey-Wimey manner. For now we'll alternate between Kairi, Tess and Malcolm, while occasionally checking in on Aiden, Riku and Sora. Don't worry, their stories will be told fully later.
As for the rest of what will be in this story, we'll just have to wait to see how the story unfolds and I'll give credit where credit is due. Everything involved in this story, with the exception of the story itself and my original characters, belongs to their respective owners, so please don't sue me, I'm only trying to tell what, I hope, will be a fantastic story.
As usual, there'll no doubt be those who find this story terrible. Well, that's your right, just don't leave hateful reviews for the sake of hating, for, as always, THIS IS FAN FICTION!
And now, without further delay, let the story begin!
Prolog: Right Back Atcha
…Castle Oblivion…
"So, just how are you going to wage war on The Realms of Light?" asked Regina.
"Huh?" asked Columbina as she sat in front of The Interocitor, glaring at images of Kairi as she settled into her role as Queen of Radiant Garden.
"Sorry," said Columbina, "I was planning on how to wage war on The Realms of Light."
"Well? What's the plan?" asked Dio Brando, "you've been looking at The Interocitor for over a day now. What? Are you trying to curse Kairi across time and space?"
"Not a bad idea," said Young Xehanort, "but not practical."
"You'll need something personal of Kairi's," said Regina, "a hair or blood sample, even a piece of clothing she wore."
"Good luck getting close," said Gaston as he worked out on a set of weights, bench pressing almost a tone of steel, while Lady Tremaine spotted, "with all those do-gooder heroes surrounding her, Kairi's all but untouchable."
"No one's untouchable," said Lady Tremaine, "just less touchable than others."
"In the meantime, we're just sitting on our collective asses while Kairi and her fellowship are getting ready for us," said Dio Brando. Just then the screen of The Interocitor was filled with static.
"Oh, not again!" said Dio Brando irately, "what's with this thing!?"
"Damn thing's brand new and it keeps crapping out!" said Gaston as he set the weight down and walked over to The Interocitor.
"It was working perfectly!" said Young Xehanort, "but now we're getting interference!"
"You can bet that Alegra had something to do with it," said Columbina, "she always interferes!"
"Well, it ends now," said Regina. "Insano! Get in here!"
"What?!" snapped Insano as he walked into the room, his lab coat stained with grease and a large wrench in his gloved hands, "what is it?!"
"We need you to figure out how to get past the interference on The Interocitor," said Regina.
"That's all?!" snapped Insano, "you interrupted my work on Neutro 3.97 for a trivial repair job!?"
"Yes," said Regina in a matter of fact manner, "got a problem with that?"
"As a matter of fact, no," said Insano. He then walked over to The Interocitor, "let's see now…I'll have this fixed in a jiffy."
"You do that," said Columbina in a distracted manner.
"Just what is going on in that diabolic mind of yours?" asked Regina.
"How to crack a Keyhole without a Princess of Dark," said Columbina.
"Oh, Darklight," said Regina in a knowing manner, "you're still irked that she ran away. Don't worry, she'll come home when she gets hungry."
"This goes beyond a parent fretting over a disobedient child!" snapped Columbina, "I made Lady Darklight! I can unmake her just as easily! All that is need to find a suitable replacement."
"Another potential Princess of Heart?" asked Regina, "after all the trouble you went through to break Bethany Greenhill?"
"If I have to, I'd go through the trouble all over again," said Columbina, "but in the meantime, we have more pressing manners to attend to. My friends, we are going to amass the largest army of Heartless, Nobodies, demons and other creatures of evil that The Realms of Light has ever seen!"
"Maleficent tried that before and it didn't work," said Young Xehanort.
"I am not Maleficent," said Columbina, "no, my friends, this will not be like before. This time the light of The Realms of Light shall be extinguished once and for all."
…Radiant Garden…
"So, what do you think?" asked Yuffie as she showed Kairi into one of the rooms of the castle, a room outfitted as an office. In the middle was a large oak desk with a plush chair, while the walls were lined with empty bookcases spaces to hang portraits.
"It's a little Spartan," said Kairi in a slightly uncomfortable manner.
"We thought you'd like to put in your own finishing touch," said Yuffie, "you know, your own books, pictures and knickknacks, you know, make it your own."
At that Kairi walked around the office, taking off her shoes to get a feel of the carpet, then walked over to and sat in the chair.
"You know," said Kairi as she leaned back, "this is a really nice chair."
"I'm so glad you like it," said Yuffie as she grinned widely, "I'll tell the decorators to come in and you can tell them what you want." With that she happily skipped out of the room.
"Perkiness like that should be illegal," said Kairi. She then laughed at the thought that, as queen, she could make it illegal, then sighed at the ridiculousness of such a thought. She then looked at the desk and realized it had a built-in holographic computer interface, no doubt installed by Ansem.
She fiddled with the computer, getting used to the controls and exploring the various programs already on it, then activated the feature that allowed her to plug in her smart phone. A few moments later she hand uploaded her phone's pictures, then activated a program that holographicly projected the photos around the room, some as framed photos on her desk, some as bigger photos on the walls.
All of the pictures were of Sora, Riku, Aiden, Tess and Malcolm, some of them individually, some of them in various combinations, with one on the desk with the five of them and Kairi on the small island with the Paopu Fruit tree.
"Oh, guys," said Kairi remorsefully as she looked at the images of her friends and loved ones, her eyes beginning to brim with tears, "where are you?"
Just then her phone chimed with a reminder. Pulling herself together, Kairi exited her new office. Out in the hallway were two uniformed citizens of Radiant Garden, part of a recently formed unit of royal bodyguards. They escorted Kairi through the castle corridors to a larger meeting room where Ansem, Quistis and Leon were waiting.
"Your grace," said Ansem as he, Quistis and Leon stood up and bowed.
"Sorry to keep you all waiting, everyone," said Kairi as she walked to the table, "and please, stop it with all this 'your grace' and 'your majesty' stuff. I may be queen of Radiant Garden now, but I'm still Kairi, plain and simple."
"We know," said Quistis, "but it wouldn't be proper if we didn't use your official titles."
"That's okay when we're in public," said Kairi, "but when it's private, like this…" she sighed and slumped into one of the chairs, "what difference does it make? Let's just start the meeting already."
"Whatever you wish, your grace," said Ansem as he, Quistis and Leon sat down.
"First on the agenda," said Quistis, "the state of defense for the remaining worlds of The Realms of Light. Beginning with Radiant Garden; the situation could be…better."
"We're organizing the people to help increase the defenses in and around the city," said Leon, "aside from the automated defense system, which is being upgraded as we speak, the city militia is training to better fight The Heartless and any other creature the enemy throws at us."
"I've called for additional SeeD operatives from headquarters," said Quistis, "it'll be a while before reinforcements arrive and are in position on the various worlds, but the tech heads back at HQ are working on some new weapons that'll prove more effective against Heartless and other dark creatures."
"We're attempting to set up additional defenses around the Keyholes of the worlds," said Ansem, "while progress has been made in repairing the planetary shield generator."
"That's good," said Kairi, "at least we'll be safe from a space attack. What about our friends from New Zumakali?"
"Nikolai and Katarina have been in contact with Reddik and Rakel on New Zumakalis," said Ansem, "they're doing everything they can to assist us as the rest of the realms, but they have issues of their own to attend to."
"They've got their own world to protect," said Quistis, "they've got to find and seal their own Keyhole, then they have to keep that one safe."
"There just aren't enough New Zumakali to go around and help everyone," said Leon, "call it being selfish, but they've got their own well being to look after."
"I understand," said Kairi, "have Nikolai and Katarina pass on my regards to Reddik and Rakel, thanking them for any help they can send. Moving on, how are Snow White and the other Princesses?"
"Snow White and Aurora are almost fully recovered," said Ansem, "while Cinderella, Belle and Jasmine continue to grow weaker."
"And Alice isn't improving either," said Quistis, "she keeps drawing and tearing up her drawings. At this rate, she'll have to be sedated, just to get some sleep."
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that," said Kairi, "is there anything that can be done to help Cinderella and the others?"
"Aside from recovering their powers?" asked Leon sarcastically.
"Not funny, Squall," said Quistis irately.
"I may have an idea or two that could alleviate their weakening conditions," said Ansem, "though this will only treat the symptoms, not cure the issue."
"Do what you can for them," said Kairi, "now, has there been any sign at all of Darklight, Columbina or the other baddies?"
"Nothing since Neverland and The Enchanted Domain fell," said Quistis, "they're laying low for some reason, which doesn't make much sense. Darklight's been on a nearly unchecked rampage and took out six Keyholes without breaking a sweat."
"She didn't seem like she tired easily when I saw her," said Kairi, shuddering at the memory of Darklight revealing her true identity.
"There hasn't been a sign of Regina or any of the other villains either," said Leon, "either they're messing with us, planning something, or something seriously wrong is going on with them."
"If only we could find Castle Oblivion," said Ansem in a frustrated manner, "if only there was some way to spy on Xehanort and the others in his cabal."
"Too bad we can't use magic to spy on them," said Leon irately, "why is it that bag guys always are able to use magic to spy on good guys, but not the good guys?"
"Oh, good guys can spy using magic," said Quistis, "we just don't like it."
"Isn't there some way for Tron to spy on the enemy?" asked Kairi, "I mean, he helped find me when I was trapped in that VRMMORPG."
"Tron is an amazing computer system, yes," said Ansem, "I know, I built him, yet he is not infallible, nor is his resources and capabilities limitless. He's been searching for Radiant Garden and running several different programs. I fear to ask any more of him without pushing his systems too far."
But then Ansem stood up, a surprised yet inspired idea on his face, "of course! Of course! I am a fool for not thinking of such a thing before!"
"What are you talking about, old bear?" asked Quistis.
"There is a way to spy on the enemy," said Ansem, "and a better way to find Castle Oblivion! I should have thought of getting one long ago! Excuse me, your grace!" he hastily bowed and rushed out of the room.
"What the hell was that about?" asked Leon.
"I don't know," said Quistis, "but if he thinks he just had a good idea, then it probably was a good idea."
"I guess the meeting's over then," said Kairi as she stood up, with Quistis and Leon standing up too.
"Are you alright, Queen Kairi?" asked Quistis as Leon walked out of the room.
Kairi was about to answer that she was but hesitated, unsure as to how to answer without making Quistis think that she wasn't alright.
"I figured as much," said Quistis in a knowing manner.
"Is it really that obvious?" sighed Kairi, "I feel like I'm on the edge of a cliff and just a touch will push me over." She sighed again, "Whoever said ruling a kingdom was fun didn't know what they were talking about."
"You want to take the crown off and forget the whole thing?" asked Quistis.
"Absolutely not!" said Kairi as her hand went up to touch her forehead. Even though she wasn't wearing her diadem right now, she could still feel it and its magic, "I wouldn't give it up for anything." She sighed again, "I just wish I didn't have to bear the burden alone. I miss Sora and the others so much."
"We all miss them," said Quistis, "we'll find them and bring them home, somehow."
"I know they'll come home," said Kairi, "I'm not worried about it that much. I'm more worried about what I don't know. What the hell is the enemy up to? I also want to know what Sylvia and Lara are up to with Yen Sid and Merlin." She then irately set her teeth, "I especially want to know what Alegra's up to."
"She said she'd work on getting Sora and the others back," said Quistis.
"She also said she had Alzheimer's," said Kairi, "that it was slowly destroying her mind. I'd feel much better if I knew what she was doing right now. Knowing her, she's probably looking for someone to meddle with; some hero or heroes to use in a pinch. Or worse, some poor, unsuspecting soul she hopes to recruit to one day take her place."
"I hope that person is up to the task," said Quistis, "I wouldn't ask for Alegra's job even if you paid me."
"Me neither," said Kairi, "but whoever Alegra picks, I wish him or her all the luck there is, they'll need it."
…Spellman Residence…Westbridge…July, 1999…
A happy Sabrina Spellman walked into the kitchen where she found Aunt Hilda, Aunt Zelda and Salem sitting around the table, "I've got the best news!"
"The Great Pumpkin is making an appearance this Halloween?" Salem asked, "if he is tell him I'm looking for him; that deadbeat owes me $50."
"No he's not," said Aunt Zelda, "the last time The Great Pumpkin came to the mortal realm, it caused a great panic in 1938."
"I thought that was Orson Wells fault," said Sabrina.
"He only took the blame because he wanted the publicity," said Aunt Hilda.
"And yet another historical fact turned upside down due to magic," said Sabrina, "anyway, Jenny's back for the summer."
"That's wonderful," said Aunt Zelda, "I hope you two have loads of fun together."
"Just keep her away from the closet," said Aunt Hilda, "I don't think Drell's going to let us change her back from a grasshopper again."
"I fully intend to keep my friends out of the other realm," said Sabrina as she sat down and grabbed an apple, "you know, I have a good feeling about this summer. I mean, I know that Valerie's in Alaska, but when I last talked to her she sounded like she was alright and insisted that I have fun, so I'm going to take her advice and make this the best summer vacation ever."
"I wouldn't jump to conclusions so hastily," said Aunt Zelda, "you have your Witches License now, and sometimes when a witch initially gets her license, there's a brief but horrible period of bad luck."
"Really?" Sabrina asked hesitantly, "what happened when you got yours?"
"Well," said Aunt Zelda, "when I received my witches' license, nearly everyone in the immediate family; that means Hilda, your father, all our aunts, uncles and cousins, they all broke their legs at the same time."
"And mine caused a city to catch on fire," said Aunt Hilda, "don't ask me which one, it's too painful to remember."
"I think I can guess," said Sabrina, "what about you, Salem? What manner of mayhem did you cause when you got your witches license?"
"I never caused any mayhem when I got my license," said Salem, "if you have to know, I actually had a run of good luck."
"Oh really?" Aunt Hilda asked, "I remember a certain earthquake that happened when you got your license."
"That was a coincidence," said Salem, "it was never proven that I had anything to do with it."
Just then a letter popped out of the other realm toaster.
"Uh-oh!" said Salem as he saw the letter, "it's a black letter!"
"Is that bad?" asked Sabrina.
"It's never good," said Aunt Zelda as Aunt Hilda retrieved the black envelope from the toaster, "at best it means that something has gone wrong in The Other Realm and we've been asked to help solve the problem."
"Let me guess," said Salem, "Drell's having another mid-century crisis."
"Oh please," scoffed Aunt Hilda, "Drell's a complete egomaniac, but he wouldn't use the black letter system to deal with his depression," she then frowned in thought, "or would he?" she then shrugged her shoulders, opened the envelope.
"Well, whatever's wrong in The Other Realm," said Sabrina, "as long as it doesn't mess up my time with Jenny, I'll take care of it."
"I wouldn't be so hasty to offer your services in a magical crisis," said Aunt Zelda, "at least until you hear all the details."
"Oh, come on," said Salem, "it's probably nothing. I'll betcha fifty bucks it'll be cleared up by dinner."
It was then that Aunt Hilda gasped in shock and horror as she held the letter in front of her at arm's length.
"Okay, it'll take longer than that," said Salem.
"Hilda, what's wrong?" asked Aunt Zelda as she and Sabrina walked over.
"Is Drell asking you to marry him?" asked Sabrina.
"I would marry him if it would make this go away," said Aunt Hilda in a shocked tone, "everyone, Zotarius is back!"
"What!?" exclaimed a horrified Salem.
"That's not funny, Hilda," said an irate Aunt Zelda, "Zotarius is dead."
"Well, if he's dead, he's still moving," said Aunt Hilda, "here, read it," she then handed the letter to Aunt Zelda.
"Who's Zotarius?" asked Sabrina.
"Someone you'll never meet," said Aunt Zelda as she read the letter, "he's dead," she then dropped the letter after reading it, "okay, maybe he's not dead."
"Okay, this has gone far enough!" said Salem as jumped off the counter to the floor and walked over to the letter, "Zotarius can't be back, he just can't be!" he then read the letter.
"Will someone tell me who Zotarius is?" asked Sabrina, "and why is he so scary."
"He's earned the right to scare everyone," said Aunt Hilda.
"Zotarius was the most vile, wicked and downright evil warlock to come out of The Other Realm," said Aunt Zelda, "he nearly conquered The Other Realm and left a lot of bodies in his path."
"Dozens of worlds across time and space were destroyed because of his ambitions," said Aunt Hilda, "millions died, and now he's back."
"But you said he was dead," said Sabrina.
"That letter is enchanted with proof that he's not only alive," said Aunt Zelda, "but he's taken back his own family's spell book and fled with it."
"And he's coming for me!" said a terrified and trembling Salem as he looked up from the letter, "HE'S COMING FOR REVENGE!"
"Revenge for what?" asked Sabrina as she picked up Salem and held him in her arms, "wait, did you and Zotarius…"
"They were roommates in college," said Aunt Hilda, "long story short, Salem got close enough to steal Zotarius's spell book and let The Witches Council swoop in and finish him off."
"But he's not finished," said Salem, "he's back and he'll be coming to finish me off!" he then sobbed pathetically.
"Is he really that dangerous?" asked Sabrina.
"He once blew up an entire planet on a whim," said Aunt Zelda, "it wasn't part of his campaign of total dominance over existence. He murdered a world because he felt like it."
"Well, what are we going to do about it?" asked Sabrina as she picked up the letter, "I mean…what are we supposed to do about it? We got that black letter, so aren't we supposed to…" she then looked down to read it
"Not with that letter, you're not!" said Aunt Zelda as she snatched the letter away from Sabrina, "you're not going after Zotarius! He'll destroy you in a heartbeat!"
"You wouldn't last ten seconds against him, Sabrina," said Aunt Hilda, "even now that you've got your Witches License."
"And he hates Half-Witches with a vengeance," said Aunt Zelda, "something about keeping magic pure and free of mortal taint."
"He'll take one look at you and crush you like a bug," said Aunt Hilda.
"And he'll crush me too!" sobbed Salem.
"Well…you two are going to fight him," said Sabrina, "everyone else in The Other Realm is, right?"
"Oh, we're not going to fight him," said Aunt Hilda, "the letter's just a warning."
"The ones who are going after Zotarius are supposed to get a red letter after the black one," said Aunt Zelda. She then looked at the toaster, "right about…now."
But nothing happened.
"Well, that's a relief," sighed Aunt Hilda and Zelda, "All we've got to do now is sit tight and hope for the best."
"Are you kidding me!?" exclaimed Salem, "We've got to get out of here before he finds and drops a meteor on the house!"
"He really hates you?" asked Sabrina.
"He swore a blood oath to find and destroy me after I took his spell book," said Salem.
"You really did that?" asked Sabrina, "wow, I'm impressed you actually did something that brave."
"I was young and stupid at the time!" sobbed Salem, "I wouldn't have gotten anywhere near the guy if I knew he'd swear blood vengeance on me!"
"Wait a second," said Aunt Hilda, "you've got nothing to worry about."
"Of course I do!" sobbed Salem, "haven't you been listening to me? He's coming for revenge!"
"He won't be coming after a cat," said Aunt Zelda, "he's been gone for over three hundred years."
"That's right, he doesn't know you've been turned into a cat," said Sabrina.
"Huh? Oh! You're right!" said Salem cheerfully, then spoke with bold smugness, "Well, I wasn't really scared. I'll betcha he's completely forgotten about the whole thing."
It was then that Alegra Wells appeared out of nowhere and walked right into the kitchen, "oh, he remembers, Salem Saberhagen, and he will come for you when he's ready.
"NOOOOOOO!" exclaimed Salem as he jumped out of Sabrina's arms, dashed out of the kitchen and into the living room "DON'T LET HIM FIND ME!"
"Well, that didn't go as well as I hoped," said Alegra.
"What are you doing here, Alegra Wells?" asked an irate Aunt Zelda.
"Whatever mad game you're playing," said Aunt Hilda, "go recruit your aces elsewhere!"
"Is that all you have to say to an old friend whom you haven't seen in…in…" said Alegra, whom then frowned in confusion, "wait…how long has it been?" she then looked at Sabrina, "and who are you? Wait…wait just a moment," she then walked right up to Sabrina, "yes…yes, you're Ted's daughter, Sabrina! I thought I recognized part of him in you!" She then eagerly shook Sabrina's hand, "I can't tell you how pleased I am to meet you, young Sabrina."
"Uh…thanks, I guess," said a confused Sabrina as she shook Alegra's hand. She then looked at her aunts, "who is this crazy lady?" she whispered.
"Another person we hoped you'd never have to meet," said Aunt Hilda.
"Sabrina," said Aunt Zelda, "this is Alegra Wells, a very old and not so dear friend of the family."
"I knew your father and aunts when they were teenagers," said Alegra, "and before you ask, I'm a semi-immortal time traveler who's dedicated her vast life to defying the forces of darkness."
"Whatever you want us to do, forget about it!" said Aunt Hilda sternly.
"And don't you dare involve Sabrina!" said Aunt Zelda, "she's only just gotten her Witches License! She's barely begun her life as a fully-powered witch!"
"Which is why she's perfect for what's about to happen," said Alegra, "a young witch with her entire life ahead of her would be more open to what I have to offer."
"Don't even bother!" said Aunt Zelda, "now go back to whichever dimension you just came from and leave this family alone!"
"Will someone please tell me what's going on?" asked Sabrina. She looked at Alegra, "just who are you and what do you want with me?"
"I just told you who I am and what I wanted," said Alegra, "wait…did I tell you why I came here?"
"You came to warn Salem about Zotarius and to recruit Sabrina into stopping him, duh!" said Aunt Hilda.
"Oh, my dear Hilda Spellman, you truly know nothing," said Alegra in a sympathetic manner, "you and your sister have been isolated from the bigger picture for far too long. As for Sabrina, since she is legally an adult in the eyes of her fellow magic users, I believe it's up to her to decide to accept my offer."
"Can't I at least hear what she has to say?" asked Sabrina, "I'm gonna go crazy if I don't get some answers soon."
"And answers you shall have," said Alegra, "I'm over 2,200 years old and I've spent most of that time jumping around time and space, solving one horrific, near apocalyptic crisis after another. This I do by influencing heroes to stand against the forces of evil, while at the same time recruiting other heroes to be my 'aces,' pinch hitters if you will, to come in at the right time to save the day and drive the darkness back."
Alegra then looked at Aunt Hilda and Zelda, "I'm not here to recruit you or your niece as one of my aces."
"Oh, that's a relief," said Aunt Zelda as she and Aunt Hilda sighed with relief.
"I'm here to see if Sabrina is up to taking my place," said Alegra.
"Oh," said Aunt Hilda. She then did a double take, "SAY WHAT!?"
"You…you're retiring?" asked a startled Aunt Zelda.
"Alegra Well's retiring!?" exclaimed Salem as he walked back into the kitchen.
"I'm not retiring yet," said Alegra, "I fully intent to keep fighting the good fight for as long as I can," she then frowned with worry, "which may not be that long. I'm not well, not well at all. It won't happen today or tomorrow, or even in a hundred years, but I'm slowly and surely losing my mind."
She then looked at Sabrina, "which is why I need to find another immortal or near immortal to take up the mantle I've carried for 2,200 years. I need to find someone willing to travel across dimensions and the ages, to find heroes and point them in the right direction, to enlist other heroes to join the fight when they're most needed. I need someone who is ready, willing and able to stand firm against the darkness."
"And you think I'm the one for the job?" asked Sabrina.
"You certainly are among the top candidates in my book," said Alegra, "despite some of your more…unsavory exploits. Oh yes, I've heard of your magical misadventures, how you've struggled to master your powers while dealing with the trials and tribulations of mortal high school life. You must admit, you have been more than a little naughty at times."
"Oh not this again," said Sabrina, "I went through all this at the family reunion in Hawaii. Yes, I've used my magic for selfish reasons a lot, but Katrina was the evil twin."
"I'm not talking about your sister," said Alegra, "I'm taking about you. I know you're the good twin, which is why you're my first choice to take my place. After three years of magical mayhem and teenage angst, your heart remains as pure as you were before you came into your powers. In fact," she then looked at Sabrina in an appraising manner, "if I were a gambling woman, which I am," she then frowned, "oh right, I do owe those people money."
"What about my heart?" asked Sabrina.
"Are you saying she's…?" asked Aunt Zelda.
"A potential Princess of Heart? It's a distinct possibility," said Alegra.
"All this time she's royalty!?" exclaimed Salem. He then crawled up to Sabrina, "I'm sorry for all the times I've been mean, sarcastic and all around rotten, your majesty! Please don't cut off my head!" he then sobbed pathetically.
"Whoa! Hold on a second!" said Sabrina as she held up her hands, "I'm not some kind of princess!"
"But you can be," said Alegra, "If circumstances play out just right. It's a long and extremely complicated story and there's no time to tell it with full justice, so I'll have to employ a technique I picked up when I visited Gallifrey before The Time War."
Alegra then walked right up to Sabrina, "Now hold still. This will be extremely uncomfortable. It'll be over in a flash," she then frowned, "but boy will it hurt." Without further warning, Alegra grabbed Sabrina by the shoulders and deliver a sharp head butt to Sabrina's forehead, earning a cry of pain from the young witch as she staggered back.
"Are you crazy!?" exclaimed Sabrina as she clutched at her forehead, but then gasped in shock as her mind was flooded of images. She saw The Realms of Light, The Heartless, Sora and the other Keyblade Wielders, the various Princesses of Heart and other heroes, Young Xehanort, the other villains and Columbina.
"Sabrina! Are you alright!?" shouted Aunt Zelda as she and Aunt Hilda rushed over.
"I…I'm alright," said Sabrina as she nearly fell over, "that…that was…" she then looked at Alegra, "you…and Sora, and all those worlds!"
"That's the general idea of things," said Alegra as she clutched at her forehead. She then walked up to Sabrina again, "and now for the details. Brace yourself!" without waiting for a response, Alegra grabbed Sabrina again and delivered another head butt.
This time Sabrina saw images of Bethany Greenhill, then Lady Darklight. She saw Kairi separated from Sora and the others, of Kairi returning to Radiant Garden and crowned queen, of Lady Darklight shattering the Keyholes and flooding six worlds with darkness.
"Oh gosh!" said Sabrina as she sat down, exhausted from the second surge of information, "Kairi, she's all alone against that horrible Darklight! And don't get me started on that rotten Columbina."
"You'll have worse things to say about her soon enough," said Alegra as she sat down with her forehead in her hands, "can someone please get me an icepack and some aspirin?"
"I got it," said Sabrina as she pointed at the kitchen counter and zapped in two icepacks, two glasses of water and a bottle of aspirin.
"Much obliged," said Alegra as she opened the bottle and swallowed several pills, "I normally don't resort to such a drastic sharing of information, but time is of the essence. Now, about Kairi; technically she's not alone, not if my friend Silvia and the others back on Radiant Garden have anything to say about it.
"But even with an army of heroes and Princess of Heart, it's only a matter of time before Columbina gathers enough darkness to overwhelm the rest of The Realms of Light and moves ahead with her plans. I still don't know exactly what she needs The Sampo for, but knowing her, it can't be good."
"And that Lady Darklight," said Sabrina, "She was an innocent girl, and Columbina, she destroyed that girl's life. Isn't there anything that can be done?"
"I'm doing it right now," said Alegra, "I'm about to recruit some heroes to help bring Sora and the other Keyblade Wielders home."
"I mean about Bethany," said Sabrina, "can't you do anything to help her? Isn't there a spell or something to heal her cracked heart? Hang on a second," with that Sabrina zapped herself upstairs to her room, where she retrieved her spellbook and zapped herself back into the kitchen.
"I'll bet there's a spell just for healing cracked hearts in here somewhere," said Sabrina as she began flipping through the pages of the spellbook.
"I'm afraid no magic can heal Bethany's corrupted heart," said Alegra, "I fear her heart has been forever tainted by a dark magic ritual most foul. Death is the only release for Bethany Greenhill."
"Well, what about stopping her heart from cracking?" asked Sabrina, "you're a time traveler for crying out loud!"
"Yeah, just go back in time and stop Columbina," said Aunt Hilda.
"You know better than that," said Aunt Zelda sternly, "it took the combined power of The Witches Council just to turn back the clock one day, and that was so Sabrina could relive her first day at Westbridge High."
"It would take more power than your people can summon to undo what was done to Bethany," said Alegra, "no, changing history isn't the answer. We can't save Bethany, but we can save countless others if we act now."
"What do you want me to do?" asked Sabrina.
"Come with me and help," said Alegra, "there's still time before the disease rotting my mind advances to the point where I can't focus my energies, before I lose the ability to traverse time and space, assuming I'm not too late to stop Columbina from destroying The Realms of Light."
"That's not going to happen," said Sabrina confidently, "count me in."
"No!" said Aunt Zelda, "you're not going!"
"I thought we made it clear that it's not your decision to make, Zelda dear," said Alegra, "Sabrina's of age in the eyes of her magical peers."
"She's still a minor among mortals!" said Aunt Hilda.
"Oh, that's right, you are half mortal," said Alegra to Sabrina, "well, no one's perfect. There's practically perfect, but not full perfect. But if you're worried about her safety, then…"
"Darn right we're worried about her safety!" said Aunt Zelda, "there is no way we're letting you take Sabrina on some whirlwind adventure where she'll most likely wind up dead, or worse!"
"How bad can it be?" asked Sabrina, "we bounce around time and space for a while, recruit some good guys, find some missing good guys, defeat some bad guys and I'm home in time to hang with Harvey and Jenny," she then looked at Alegra, "we can get back in time, right?"
"That's the beauty of time travel," said Alegra, "you can arrive exactly whenever you wish."
"Then what are we waiting for?" asked Sabrina, "I'm ready to go now!"
"Over our dead bodies, young lady!" said Aunt Hilda, "you're not going!"
"We'll ground you if we have to," said Aunt Zelda.
"We'll take away your magic and turn you into a pumpkin if we have to," said Aunt Hilda, "we'll do whatever we have to but you're staying right here!"
"Oh come on!" exclaimed Sabrina, "that's not fair!"
"Fair or not," said Aunt Zelda, "there's no way we'll allow you to risk your life this way!"
"That's not what the Zelda Spellman I knew would say," said Alegra, "whatever happened to the Hilda and Zelda I knew who wouldn't think twice about risking your lives in order to save countless innocents?"
"We grew up," said Aunt Zelda, "and we never did anything this foolhardy."
"What's foolhardy about saving an entire universe from the forces of darkness?" asked Sabrina, "and who knows what else Columbina's gonna take out if she has her way?"
"We still won't let you go," said Aunt Hilda, "you're no match for someone as evil as her."
"If she's as bad as Alegra says she is," said Aunt Zelda, "she'll eat you alive."
"Ooo, I hope not," said a disgusted Sabrina.
"She's no cannibal," said Alegra, "at least I don't think so. Regardless, Sabrina would be a target wherever she goes. If Columbina were to discover that Sabrina was a potential Princess of Heart, she'll come after her and spare no expense in snuffing out her light, or worse, try to crack her heart and create another Princess of Dark."
"That's not going to happen!" said Aunt Zelda, "we won't let her!"
"I'm sure you won't," said Alegra, "and no doubt call in your extensive family and friends to help. But last I checked, Columbina and Darklight cracked open six Keyholes and flooded those worlds with darkness and God knows how many Heartless, not to mention all the worlds sundered by Darkness during Maleficent's reign of terror, and who knows what other horrors Columbina can call upon?
"My point is that while you and your fellow witches are indeed powerful, if you try to make a stand, you would fail and Sabrina would be lost to the darkness in one form or another. On the other hand, she would be safer with me than here in Westbridge."
"Oh really?" asked Aunt Hilda, "how so?"
"You honestly doubt we couldn't protect our niece?" asked Aunt Zelda.
"Oh, I'm sure you'll give your best shot," said Alegra, "but the last thing Columbina expects is for a potential Princess of Heart to actively work against her, with me, that is. And on a related note, the last thing Zotarius would expect is for his most hated enemy and former roommate to do was to go after him, with me, that is."
"He, she's right," said Salem, "Zotarius would never think that I'd try to take him out."
"Yeah, he's probably thinking that you're hiding in some grimy, cold hole somewhere," said Sabrina.
"Hey, I've hidden in some nice holes in my time," said Salem irate, "never underestimate a good hole in the wall."
"So, what do you say, my friends?" asked Alegra to Aunt Hilda and Zelda, "will you lend me your niece for a while? I'll understand if you say no, but if you say yes, then more than a few innocent lives will be saved, as well as reuniting a few separated soul mates."
"Please, Aunt Zelda?" pleaded Sabrina, "I promise I won't ever ask for a car again. And I'll never complain about doing chores around the house. Oh, and this can count for my birthday present. And Christmas, and graduation next year."
"I still don't know," said Aunt Zelda thoughtfully, "I still say it's a bad idea."
"And what about her parents?" asked Aunt Hilda, "What will they think?"
"What Ted and Diana don't know can't hurt them," said Salem, "and we'll be back in a day or so," he then looked at Alegra, "right?"
"Give or take a few hours," said Alegra, "my method of time travel isn't 100% exact," she then looked at Sabrina, "but if all goes well, you'll be back in time to enjoy the rest of the summer with your friends and loved ones."
"And you're sure she'll be safe with you?" asked Aunt Zelda, "remember the time you asked us to help you stop that necromancer on Elokaz IV? You promised that we'd be safe then."
"And there was the time we had to stop that swarm of magically mutated hornets," said Aunt Hilda, "you said we'd be safe then too."
"Yeah, well, fighting the good fight isn't always peaches and cream," said Alegra, "but it's certainly fun."
"That time I almost got my hands cut off on Usenivon Prime sure wasn't fun," said Salem.
"I told you not to go into that saloon!" said Alegra sternly, "you're lucky they only wanted your hands."
"But I had a system for winning," said Salem, "and I wasn't the only cheater in the saloon."
"You were the only cheater that got caught," said Alegra, "now are we going to go or not? The good fight waits for no one."
"Please?" asked Sabrina of Aunt Hilda and Zelda.
"Oh, alright," said Aunt Zelda finally, "you can go!"
"Yes! Thank you!" exclaimed Sabrina joyfully as she rushed over and hugged her aunts.
"But only if you promise to stay safe and not take any unnecessary risks," said Aunt Zelda.
"And make sure Salem stays out of trouble!" said Aunt Hilda, "and no gambling!"
"Hey, I've learned my lesson," said Salem.
"I doubt we'll have much chance for gambling along this adventure," said Alegra, "anyways, we had best be on our way."
"We're leaving right now?" asked Sabrina, "shouldn't I pack or…" she then shrugged, "what am I saying?" she then flipped her finger and zapped in a packed suitcase, then zapped in a smaller suitcase for Salem.
"I hope you packed enough snacks for the road," said Salem.
"Leave all travel expenses to me," said Alegra, "which includes food and lodgings. Oh, and you will need your spellbook for this, Sabrina."
"Already taken care of," said Sabrina as she pointed at her spellbook and zapped it down so it could fit in her pocket.
"I do wish you'd reconsider, Sabrina," said Aunt Zelda worriedly, "the life of an adventurer is not for a young woman with her whole life ahead of her."
"I know, but I feel like I have to do this," said Sabrina as she pocketed her spellbook and grabbed her and Salem's suitcase, "I'll be back home tomorrow, safe and sound."
"Just know you can come back any time before that if you change your mind," said Aunt Hilda, "we won't think any less of you if you do."
"I'll be alright," said Sabrina, "seriously, how bad could it be?" she then looked at Alegra as she picked up Salem in her free arm, "I'm ready."
"So am I," said Salem, "look out, Zotarius! I'm coming for ya!" With that he, Sabrina and Alegra vanished.
"Well…that was…something," said Aunt Zelda in a deflated tone as she and Aunt Hilda sat down. "I never realized how quite the house is without Sabrina, and Salem."
"I miss them already," said Aunt Hilda, "I have this horrible feeling that we'll never see them again."
"I just have this horrible feeling that there was something I needed to tell Sabrina," said Aunt Zelda, "something dreadfully important, but I can't remember." She then frowned and paled with horror, "wait…I just did! I know who Columbina is! And if I'm right, then Sabrina just walked into a trap!"
"What is this place?" asked Sabrina as she, Salem and Alegra found themselves inside a crystalline bubble that hovered inside a infinitely vast vortex of chaotically changing colors and lightning.
"This," said Alegra as she indicated the swirling chaos around them, "is The Space-Time Vortex. Before you is all of time, from The Big Bang to the death of the last star. The Time Lords of Galifrey used organically grown time machines to get around The Vortex: TARDIS, Time and Relative Dimensions in Space." She then indicated the bubble, "my method is much simpler. Not only does the bubble protect us from getting lost in the raging rapids of time, but also filters out the more madness-inducing aspects of The Vortex."
"How do you make the bubble?" asked Sabrina.
Alegra produced a small stone from her pocket, "it looks like an ordinary pebble, but it's an experimental time machine from another world I picked up on my travels. But it's just a means of protecting against the negative effects of The Vortex."
"So how do you travel through time without getting lost?" asked Sabrina.
"Obviously she's got a compass," said Salem.
"Close," said Alegra as she rolled up her sleeves and revealed a tattoo of a compass on her right wrist, as well as a stopwatch on her left wrist, "I got these with enchanted ink a long, long time ago, they allow me to navigate The Vortex. Put together, not only can I go backwards and forwards in time, as well as all directions in normal space, but also across realities."
"But how do you know where and when to go?" asked Sabrina, "where and when you need to go?"
"Instincts," said Alegra, "instincts honed over centuries of fighting the good fight. I didn't understand it at first," said Alegra, "but I've had plenty of time to figure it out, time enough to know how to teach it to you, when you're ready."
"Oh, I'm ready," said Sabrina, "I'm ready to learn."
"One thing at a time, young grasshopper," teased Alegra, "first things first; finding Sora and the others. As it turns out, I have a lead on where some of the Keyblade Wielders are. They're on Earth C-3991, in the Kingdom of Enchancia."
"Enchancia?" asked Salem, "then what are waiting for? Let's go pick them up! And we can have lunch along the way. There's this little tavern in the village near the Royal Palace of Enchancia, I forget the name, but they serve the best Sheppard's Pie ever, no questions asked."
"We're not going to Enchancia yet," said Alegra.
"We're not?" asked Salem, "but I'm hungry now!"
"We'll stop for lunch later," said Alegra, "right now we've got heroes to recruit to stop the impending doom looming over Enchancia."
"Okay, so where to first?" asked Sabrina.
"Ah, that's the thing," said Alegra as she smiled eagerly as she pulled out a silver item the size of her fist and inscribed with white runes, "we've got a plethora of heroes to choose from. The question is which heroes to counter which villains." With that the silver item hovered in the air and projected thousands of images of various people on various worlds.
"Infinite worlds," said Alegra, "full of infinite possibilities. My instincts and skills can narrow the choices down," with that the multitude of images were reduced to a mere dozen, "but picking the right heroes in an adventure unto itself. Fortunately," she indicated the silver item, "this little beauty provides us with full profiles on my potential aces. Just touch an image to bring up the profile."
"But how do you know which one to pick?" asked Sabrina, "which hero to face which villain?"
"Oh, I almost forgot!" said Alegra irately as she pulled out another silver item, this one with black runes. The item hovered and projected images of Zotarius, along with Davis Blackwood, Halenio'ketalc and a few people wearing outfits that would fit in a Steampunk setting.
"That's Zotarius?" asked Sabrina.
"Yep, still a flamboyant jerk," said Salem.
"My info on these malcontents and more is available for your perusal, Sabrina," said Alegra, "as well as the potential heroes."
"You want me to choose?" asked Sabrina.
"Well, if you're going to take my place one day, then you'd better learn how to do the job," said Alegra.
"What if I pick wrong?" asked Sabrina.
"Then we'll be in a lot of trouble," said Alegra, "I picked wrong more than a few times in my early years, and I still pick wrong now and then. But things always turn out for the best, though not always the way I planned."
"And if you pick wrong, you can always pay up and play again," said Salem.
"Somehow I don't think this'll be like a carnival game, Salem," said Sabrina as she stood before her choices.
…Earth C-3991…Parzoni…The Republic of Parzon…
"Remind me, my fellow Black Triskellion members," said Halenio'ketalc as she, Zotarius and Davis Blackwood, sat in a meeting room in a dark castle. Said castle was located on a hill overlooking a vast industrial city filled with factories and squalid slums. All the way up the hill one could hear the rhythmic clamor machines, while the factories belched smoke into an already pollutant-choked, overcast sky that was illuminated by off-color lightning.
"Remind me," said Halenio'ketalc again, "how long have we been on this flyspeck of a world?"
"I wouldn't call it so much as a flyspeck," said Davis Blackwood as he ran his finger along the table he and Zotarius were sitting at and frowned at the soot his finger picked up, "more like just plain filthy."
"Why did we listen to Columbina and come to this world!?" asked Zotarius, "she said we would find everything we needed on this world to achieve our goals. Well, I am no closer to my revenge!"
"Me neither," said Davis Blackwood. He then looked at Halenio'ketalc, "and your people are no closer to their freedom."
"Don't remind me," said the insectoid sorceress, "yes, this world is brimming with life energy, especially Enchancia and the surrounding kingdoms." She then pointed out the window, "this is not Enchancia. Or am I in error?"
"We should have committed out full resources to a full-scale assault on Enchancia," said Davis Blackwood, "and not waste time allying with this polluted charnel house of a nation."
"Oh, is that all you have to say of my beloved Parzon?" asked a man at the doorway of the room. The man was tall and thin with a pallor complexion with a receding gray hairline and near- colorless eyes, wearing a black military uniform with a long cape. With him were two uniformed bodyguards and several uniformed attendants, all wearing gas masks, "and here I thought we had done everything to make your outworlders welcome."
"Lord Xenu," said Davis Blackwood as he, Zotarius and Halenio'ketalc bowed, "I hope we're finally ready to move on with the next phase of the operation."
"Are you now?" asked the uniformed man, Lord Xeno as he walked to the table and sat down with the three villains, "are you that impatient with the way things are going? I thought our efforts to destroy Enchancia and bring the world to its knees were going well."
"They are, if you're satisfied with mere terrorist tactics," said Zotarius irately.
"Hit and run raids and random massacres can only frighten a population so far," said Halenio'ketalc, "you push a nation, they'll push back."
"And boy, did you push Enchancia," said Davis Blackwood, "kidnapping and raping a princess, all to impregnate her with the seed of one of your…fertile nobles."
"Well, you try running a republic who's gene pool is tainted by pollution," said Lord Xenu, "we're a land of machines and industry! We never had the luxuries of magic Enchancia and the other nations take for granted!"
"And you honestly thought that mating with one of Enchancia's heirs would breed magic into your people's gene pool?" asked Halenio'ketalc, "just one princess?"
"Well, it didn't work," said Davis Blackwood, "your breeding steer failed to get Amber with child."
"It wasn't supposed to be Amber!" snapped Lord Xeno, "we were supposed to abduct Sofia, but things went wrong and Amber was taken. I tried to convince that idiot, Dubois, to use Amber as leverage to get Sofia. But no, that child-raping moron had to be satisfied and insisted that he have his 'bride' then and there. At the time I had to oblige him, long story."
"So, Amber wasn't what you wanted for Parzon?" asked Davis Blackwood.
"Absolutely not!" said Lord Xenu, "that spoiled halfwit of a princess, while her bloodline is pure nobility, her genes do not suit the needs of Parzon."
"And Sofia's do?" asked Zotarius.
"Not only is the rightful bearer of The Amulet of Avalor," said Lord Xenu, "but she also possesses incredible latent magic in her blood. Her offspring would be magic users of unparallel skill, and I, that is, Parzon, wish to have those offspring under our thumb."
"Then why haven't you taken Sofia and ravaged her already?" asked Zotarius.
"Simple politics," said Lord Xenu, "to make a long story short, Parzon cannot invade Enchancia without appeasing our immediate neighbor, Ustoria, while Enchancia cannot likewise invade us. But they're on the verge of a treaty with Ustoria, a treaty I have tried to thwart to no avail. No, Enchancia is coming for revenge. I intend to stop them before they get here."
"Which is why you need us and our skills," said Davis Blackwood.
"Alchemy and two forms of sorcery," said Lord Xenu, "yes, Parzon needs your talents, as well as the talents of some of our other allies."
Just then the assembled villains heard a loud bellowing roar from deep within the castle, a roar that caused great discomfort to Halenio'ketalc as she stood up and covered her ears.
"By Vykkao'shatl'uq!" exclaimed the insectoid sorceress, "someone shut that thing up!"
"I thought I made it clear that the creature was to be silenced!" snapped Lord Xenu at one of his attendants, whom hastily bowed and ran out of the room.
"I do apologize," said Lord Xenu to the assembled villains, "my scientific experts are doing what they can to keep the creature under control. And I know how sensitive Raztonians are to sound."
"You honestly think that abomination in the dungeons is the key to a final victory over Enchancia?" asked Zotarius irately as Halenio'ketalc calmed down, "using the genetic material of a live specimen to grow living weapons is one thing, but only if the living weapons can be controlled."
"Initial tests have proven successful so far," said Lord Xenu, "especially with the Enchancian villages that have been eradicated."
"And how many Parzon handlers have died as well?" Halenio'ketalc, "I would never risk my people's lives the way you do. Raztonians value each other, no matter what cast you're in."
"I guess that's the difference between our cultures," said Lord Xenu, "as for the loss of Parzonian lives, acceptable collateral damage. Be at ease, my friends, you'll all have what you desire."
"So long as I have access to the rare elements in Enchancia's soil that'll allow me to test my own Alchemic formulas," said Davis Blackwood.
"And I get the pick of Enchancia's magical texts and items," said Zotrarius.
"And my people are allowed to harvest the life energy of Enchancia and the surrounding kingdoms," said Halenio'ketalc, "while leaving enough humans alive to provide a suitable slave labor population for Parzon."
"All you desire shall be yours," said Lord Xenu, "Enchancia will fall and Parzon shall rise. Now, if you'll all excuse me, I have other matters to attend to. Running a republic is an endless labor of love."
At that the three villains bowed to their host, whom then left the room with his bodyguards and attendants.
"Insufferable piece of goblin dung," muttered Zotarius, "I should erase that smug smile of his and replace it something hideously humorous."
"You do realize that he can hear us," said Davis Blackwood as he looked around the room, as if examining for listening devices, "or someone in his pay, that is. A man like Lord Xenu doesn't reach his level of power without being able to control his people."
"It doesn't matter," said Halenio'ketalc, "he's probably aware that we plan to betray him. Parzon may be land devastated by industry, but there's still viable life energy to be harvested. Why settle for part of a world when you can have all?"
"Oh, he knows we plan to double cross him," said Davis Blackwood, "just as I know you two plan on double crossing me."
"I sense plots to stab me in the back as well," said Zotarius.
"Just as you plan to betray me," said Halenio'ketalc, "it's a matter of who strikes first and when?"
"Well, since we're all planning on destroying each other, we might as well keep working together," said Davis Blackwood, "we can't betray each other if we're all looking over our shoulders."
"True," said Halenio'ketalc. Just then the creature below them bellowed again, causing the insectoid sorceress to groan in agony and cover her ears again, "by Vykkao'shatl'uq! I will destroy that monstrosity myself!"
"As much as I detest the thing in the dungeon, we need it," said Zotarius.
"For now," said Davis Blackwood.
"Yes, for now," said Zotarius.