Hey there! Glad to see someone's reading this! I don't really think this story's too popular, but I really wanna write it, so oh well.
Anyhow standard disclaimer applies here, so on to the story!
Merlin and the others entered the tower. It seemed normal enough. A small room that was hardly furnished. In fact, the overall size of the room, and doubtless the size of whatever rooms were above it suggested that it wasn't the roomiest place to live.
Yen Sis stood at the top of the stairs winding up the tower, his hand on the knob of a door.
"What took you?" He asked, despite the fact that he knew exactly what had gone on outside.
"Millicent was unsure about joining us." Merlin replied, smiling to the girl that followed nervously behind him. "I helped her feel a little more comfortable."
Yen Sid looked at the girl wearily. He had no emotion on his face as he stared… what was he looking for?
Millicent at first seemed terrified by the look, but soon just stared back.
Yen Sid stifled a gasp when he thought he saw something in Millicent's gaze. Was it courage, defiance, malice… or all of the above?
Yen Sid sighed and gave Millicent a gentle smile before turning away.
Millicent, a little surprised, turned away, as though she was ashamed.
Merlin looked at her concernedly, but turned when he heard the door open.
"Come now," Said Yen Sid. "Let's not dawdle here any longer."
Yen Sid stepped through and Merlin followed. Millicent was after him, then Flora and her sisters, then Jafar.
The six teens gasped in amazement to see that the door had led to an enormous space, devoid of anything but more stairs leading to another door.
Yen Sid turned and looked at his new students with an amused smile. "Not all is as it seems my young students. My tower may seem small, but in reality its expanses are limitless, as long as you know what doors to take."
The old sorcerer led the teenagers up to the other door. This time it led to a wide hallway, though Merlin doubted that this was the only place the door could lead to.
Yen Sid gestured to the doors along the hall. Six of them to be exact. "Your rooms. You will each stay in one of them, as they have already been furnished to your liking as well as I could manage. Flora, Fauna, Meriwether, I've placed your rooms together on this side of the hall. The rest of you are on this side."
Yen Sid continued down the hall, followed by the others. He entered a door that lead to yet another large empty space. In the middle was a curved stairway leading to an important looking door.
Yen Sid led the way to this door and into the large room beyond.
Merlin stared in wonder at the large round room. It must have been over one hundred feet around, and its ceiling must have been fifty feet tall high.
"This," Yen Sid explained. "Is where I will train you in your powers."
"I thought you said none of us were to be your apprentices?" Said Fauna.
"That is correct. However, an apprentice is one to whom a master teaches a trade. For me, that would be my magic. My apprentice will learn magic from me, as well as gain some of my wisdom. However, the rest of you are here to learn something else. To use the power you already possess… and how you must use it in the future?"
"I still don't understand what you're talking about." Said Jafar. "What is supposed to happen that you have to prepare us for?"
"Yen Sid sighed heavily and turned to one of the large windows overlooking Twilight Village. "Are you all aware of how precious light is?" They all nodded, except for Millicent who seemed unsure, and Jafar who just moved his head disinterestedly. "It is very precious indeed… up to know, we have all been blessed with it. From the great cities, where technology reins supreme, to the kingdoms who hold dear the ways of old, to the jungles where the animals govern in peace away from man.
"Ours is a complex world, made up of many different parts. The only common factors being light… and darkness. We all share the light my students, but there are many greedy beings who seek to take it for themselves. Wars are now being raged, and soon… I fear our world will be torn apart." Merlin and the others gasped in fear. "Do not fear, all shall end well enough. But this cataclysm will be a terrible catalyst, foreshadowing a dark and terrible danger to all that exists.
"There is hope however… have you ever heard of the Keyblades?"
"Keyblades?" Meriwether almost gasped. "Of course. The great Key Bearers are legendary!"
"Indeed. However, a time is coming when they, too shall meet their end, in a war too terrible to speak of. But the legacy of the Keyblades shall not end. Someday their legacy shall be revived by a single warrior, who will bring an end to the darkness.
"This warrior shall be the savior of all. He shall be the key to awakening the light, and then our world shall return to its former glory… And you shall all play a part in his destiny."
Merlin gaped in wonder. He turned to see the three fairies chatting excitedly, and Jafar stroking his chin in thought.
But Millicent… somehow, she seemed sad. How could she not be excited to know she'd play a part in such a wondrous destiny? Was there something she knew that Merlin didn't?
Yen Sid motioned for calm, as he continued. "To begin, we must know what your powers are. I can only foresee so much after all. I confess, I never even knew your names before now. Come, first we shall see your powers, Flora, Fauna, and Meriwether."
The fairies stepped forward, or rather floated, as excited as they were, and took out their wands.
Flora took a deep breath and waved her wand, causing grass and flowers to bloom out of the stone floor.
Fauna shyly followed, waving her wand so that birds flew into the window at her command. She smiled at the birds as they flew and wondered through the room, which now seemed as thought it was outside.
Meriwether proudly stepped up next, and waved her wand. A gentle breeze floated through the room, and light dew formed on the ground.
The three fairies' combined power had miraculously changed the room into a beautiful paradise.
"Most impressive ladies," Said Jafar. "Power over plants, animals, and the weather. Most impressive indeed. But now it's my turn." Jafar produced a staff shaped to resemble a cobra and pointed its head at Archimedes.
"Who, who? What-what?" Archimedes blustered frantically, before becoming entranced by the eyes of the snake staff.
"You will do as I say…" Jafar said hypnotically.
"I will do as you say…"
"You shall fly to the other side of the room and take a little nap…"
"…A little nap…"
Archimedes flew in a daze from Merlin's shoulder to the other side of the room where he fell asleep on the ground.
Merlin walked over quickly and picked up his snoring friend. "Nice parlor trick." He said, trying not to voice the annoyance he felt. "But is that all?"
"No," Jafar replied. "I can also disguise myself, as well as disappear and reappear wherever I choose."
"Sounds like an act at a child's party." Meriwether scoffed, prompting Fauna to giggle.
Jafar simply turned away in a huff. "And what about you Merlin?" He said defiantly.
"Well…" Merlin replied modestly. "Not really that much. I can disappear and reappear like you…"
"Humph!" Jafar smiled, but nearly fainted when his staff floated up and butted heads with him of its own accord.
"Oh yeah," Merlin added with a grin, as he held up his wand. "And I can make inanimate objects move."
"Very impressive." Jafar growled as he grabbed his staff out of the air.
"Anything else…?" Yen Sid asked.
"Well, yeah…" Merlin replied. "I can kinda see the future sometimes…"
"Really?" Flora asked. "That's amazing!"
"Yeah… except I can't quite figure out how it works yet. The only time I really ever saw the future it was a vision I didn't quite understand. I'd been hired by a king, King Pendragon, because he knew I had gifts. And I had a vision of two dragons. A white one and a red one. And the white dragon ate the red dragon. I finally realized that it was a vision of a war that would soon take place between Pendragon and his enemy, and that he'd win."
Yen Sid stroked his beard and smiled thoughtfully. "Most impressive."
Merlin smiled modestly and turned to Millicent.
"What about you?" He asked kindly. "Would you like to show us your powers?"
"Uh… well, I don't know…" She said softly. "They're not that special. I really never expected to have an opportunity to learn from Master Yen Sid. I just thought he could help me with my… my problem." Merlin nodded sadly, understanding what she meant.
"My dear, you should not count yourself out so soon." Yen Sid said gently. "You can do great things, if you only try."
Millicent gave Yen Sid a grateful smile. "Well… alright. I'll try my best." She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, as if she was concentrating.
Slowly, the dew on the ground cooled, and then became frost. Merlin noticed the temperature in the room drop slightly, as the flowers and plants began to wither from the cold.
No longer finding it safe, the birds flew away, and the breeze became a chilling wind.
Flora, Fauna, and Meriwether stared in disbelief as the wonderful scene they'd created gave way to cold, cruel frost.
"My flowers." Flora gasped. "You killed them."
"I-I'm sorry!" Millicent muttered, looking terribly distraught. "I'll try to revive them…" She raised her hands, and slowly something began to grow.
But all it was was a few grey vines. Devoid of any life whatsoever.
"Nice job." Said Jafar, sarcastically. "Vines are much nice than flowers in my opinion anyway."
Millicent lowered her head in shame. She should have known better. Nothing beautiful ever came from her powers. Her powers were useless compared to the others'.
"Leave her alone." Millicent was surprised to see Merlin walk up to Jafar and glare at him… for her sake! "She tried, and that's what counts. Power over ice is far more impressive than hypnosis in my opinion anyway."
Jafar growled at the way Merlin used his words against him. "Sorry Merlin, didn't mean to insult your girlfriend." Jafar said the word like an insult.
"Enough." Yen Sid commanded. "Jafar, Millicent did no worse than any of you." Yen Sid obviously directed the comment to Jafar specifically. "She did very well in fact. However, we will need to help her develop more controllable uses for her powers. The rest of you shall also have to train. Now, it is time for you to head to your rooms and rest. We shall begin tomorrow."
Merlin and the others nodded and turned to leave.
As they left, Jafar noticed that Millicent stayed near Merlin still and sneered.
Millicent slowly approached Merlin and walked beside him.
"Thank you…" She said quietly. "No one has ever done that for me before."
Merlin just smiled. "I said I was your friend, didn't I? That's what friends do."
"Yes… but I'm afraid you're my only friend. After what I did…"
"Don't worry about it. I'm sure Flora and her sisters understand, and don't take anything Jafar says or does seriously."
"I'll try." Millicent looked away, but suddenly stopped. Merlin stopped as well and they faced each other. "Merlin… um… do you think, maybe… you and I could…"
Suddenly, before Millicent could finish, Flora walked up and tapped Merlin on the shoulder.
"That was really wonderful what you did with Jafar's staff." She said sweetly. "Maybe you could teach me sometime? I'm sure my sisters and I could use magic like that someday."
"Well, of course," Merlin replied. "But right now I'm talking to…" He turned to find Millicent gone. He looked around, but she was nowhere in the room.
"Millicent?" Flora asked. "Oh don't worry, she probably felt a little warm and had to cool off." Flora spoke with a hint of bitterness, but cheered up again. "Anyway, I'll talk to you later?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah sure. Later."
"Great. Well, good night." Flora flew off.
"Night…" Merlin looked around once more before moving on to his room with a sigh.
---
Millicent sat alone in her room. To her amazement, it was a very simple room, with grey walls, and only the necessary furniture. Just the way she liked it. Truth be told, she had no great love of color or beauty.
Beauty… the very thing she'd never possessed.
Idiot! She chastised herself. You should have known he'd be more interested in one of those pretty little fairies instead of you. And those fairies… acting all high and mighty, and treating me like an imbecile just because their precious garden couldn't take a little cold. And that Jafar! I'd rather pick a horde of brutish goblins or creeping creatures than ever have to work with him!
Millicent sighed heavily as she flopped onto her bed. What am I doing…? Do I really think Yen Sid can help me? Maybe he can't… but I can't give up hope… She placed her hands together and admired her ring… one of the few possessions she had in this world, even if she didn't remember where she got it. Maybe I'll finally get some answers here…
---
The Twilight Village Tavern was quiet that night. The regular bar-flys and patrons talked amongst themselves quietly as they sipped their drinks and kept warm near the fire.
The only real noise came from the noisy man talking to the bartender. "I tell you, it can't fail!" The tall blond man said excitedly. "Someday, this place will be a bustling city, and what it truly needs is transportation! Just picture it: train stations, railroad, tram cars, all transporting people wherever they want!"
"I still say you're crazy Sid." The Barkeep replied, drying a glass.
"Fine." Sid huffed. "But my idea will change this village, you wait and see!"
Sid took a sip of his beer, but jumped slightly when the door to the tavern slammed open.
All heads turned to see a man in dark armor walk in, carrying a long staff topped by a round green stone.
The man walked up to the bar, and the bartender stepped slowly up to take his order.
"Absinth." The stranger said in a dark voice that made the barkeep's blood chill. The stranger was handed his drink and he lifted his helmet just enough to show his mouth. The bartender noticed his skin was pale, and badly scarred-- Perhaps by a burn.
The stranger gulped the entire glass down and readjusted his helmet. "I'm looking for someone…" He said. "I've managed to track them to this village. But the trail's gone cold. I need some information." He held up a bag of Munny.
"I might know something…" The bartender said slowly. "Who're you looking for?"
"A demon… with pale green skin and piercing yellow eyes… trying to pass herself off as a girl, about sixteen years old."
"Really. And just what are you after her for?"
The stranger growled slightly, and it was obvious that he was frowning behind his dark helmet. "…She murdered my wife."
---
All around Merlin was dark, though he somehow knew he was in a city.
He turned to see a boy standing nearby, scowling at something in front of him, though Merlin couldn't see what.
The boy was about sixteen years old, and wore blue pants and a yellow sleeveless shirt. His eyes were blue, and his hair was silver.
Merlin felt a presence near the boy, though he couldn't see anything. It manifested itself more in a musical way, in a haunting melody that made Merlin shiver. He thought he heard it speaking to the boy, though he couldn't discern the voice, but its words chilled him none the less.
"You see? It's just as I told you… While you toiled away trying to find your dear friend, he simply… replaced you with some new friends. Evidently, he values them far more than he does you, now." Merlin saw a look of hate pass over the boy's eyes, as the presence began to take the shape of an eerie green light. "You're better off without that wretched boy. Now think no more of him and come with me… I'll help you find what you're searching for…"
---
Merlin woke with a start, covered in a cold sweat. What was that dream he just had? Who was that silver haired boy, and --more importantly-- who or what was that presence…?
He shook his head to clear it, trying to get that haunting tune off of his mind.
"If that was a vision…" He gasped. "…Then I have a feeling we're all in big trouble."
Ah, interesting turn of events, eh?
I'm betting all of you know who Millicent really is, but I'm not gonna say. Both in case someone hasn't guessed, and because I like keeping the mystery. Anyhow, you'll find out more about the mysterious stranger later.
Oh, and the character, "Sid" is purposefully supposed to remind you of Cid from KH, in case you were wondering. It's an homage to Final Fantasy, in which there has been a different variation of a "Cid" character in almost every game.
And expect more dream/vision sequences like this, cause they're ment to tye the story in with KH and KH2.
Okay, so I didn't see too many reviews for the last chapter, so please review this time! I know people are reading this, so just review already! Unless you wanna flame me, in which case you can stop reading this. I mean, honestly, why read something you dislike! But for everyone else, reviews are highly appreciated!
Later!