Chapter III: Countries Come Alive?
~Riku's POV~
Was I happy to be traveling with strangers? No I wasn't but what choice did I have? Without a Gummi ship it just wasn't possible and seeing as how the worlds weren't connected it made it that much more difficult. The truth was I was curious as to who this Joshua guy was. Tala seemed to be close to him but there was just something about him that didn't seem right.
After Tala had left me to fight the giant snake a lot of things happened. First: all the ninja had came and took it down. Second thing was a very pale guy with long black hair, purple eye shadow and yellow eyes showed up with some guy with glasses. There was a third guy as well. A guy in a black cloak who happened to be Saix with his blue long hair and that X-mark on his forehead.
It took me a few to understand that he was alive. Something was defiantly going on. Tsunade took care of the snake guy. As for Saix, he wanted me to join the darkness. But that wasn't all. Whatever was going on it had to do with Tala as well. Saix had asked about her and when I found her she was with Xemnas. Somehow somewhere there was a connection.
"What do ya say Riku?" I turned to the red haired guy as I was snapped out of my thoughts. I sighed as I was stuck here with him and his two friends.
"I don't think he was listing Italy," his black haired friend Japan said.
"You want to try my pasta?" Italy asked me without opening his eyes.
"Um no I'm ok thanks."
"Germany, Germany Riku doesn't like pasta!"
"Yeah yeah Italy. You be ok He didn't say he didn't like It." the blond haired Germany said.
I sighed to myself. Thanks to Tala's idea to split up I was stuck here with them to see if the heartless or the organization showed up. So far some Heartless have. But as for the men in black (no pun intended) was nowhere to be seen. I was hoping Joshua and Tala were having better luck while I was stuck with Italy trying to get me to play football by poking me.
"Now Italy we have training to do," Germany said to him. It was weird enough calling them after countries but it was weird having to listen to their accents. "Alright, beginning with your interactions in the military with your inferiors!"
"Yes sir! Germ-er, Captain!" Italy said as he saluted Germany.
"Okay, first off. Before they're your inferiors, they're human beings. Thus, it's important to touch them gently," Germany said to Italy as he seemed to be more interested in a cat.
"Um Germany I don't think…." I started to tell the blond German but he didn't seem to be listing to me.
"Gentle? Stroke, stroke," Italy said as he petted the cat he was now holding.
"And sometimes you must be strict!" Germany continued.
"Strict!" Italy said as he repeatedly squeezed the cat's paw. "Squish, squish, squish, squish, squish, squish, squish, squish!" after all the squishing the cat started to lick Italy's face. Though I don't think he liked it very much as he started to scream. "Captain! What's happening? This is mutiny! It's mutiny! It hurts!"
"The hell are you doing Italy?!" I stared to laugh as I watched Germany yell at Italy. Italy in some ways, reminded me of my own air head back home. Though at least Sora kept his eyes opened at all times. "Ok now zin, I'll teach you how to use a hand grenade. First, remove and discard the pin to arm it."
Germany removed the pin with his teeth and tossed it, which exploded tremendously on the cliff in front of us. I was beginning to have second thoughts about this place. Sure ninja's with special powers was one thing but this? It was as if I was at some Military camp.
"Zin throw it at the enemy's position…is how it goes. Think you can handle it?" He asked a dazed Italy. So Italy goes and pulled the pin out and it hits Germany in the head. "Hey don't throw it at…..You've got it backwards! Hurry up and throw it; if you don't you'll go boom!"Italy then screams in horror as he had the grenade in his mouth.
This place was weird alright but I knew one thing, whenever Tala and I meet back up I'm going to have something to say to her. We are never splinting up again.
~Tala's POV~
As soon as we arrived I decided it was a good idea to split up. The place seemed different than Naruto's place. Here there was lots of grass as far as the eye could see. But when you look to the left there was this little house and over to the right a big house. Hence us where I thought splitting up was a good idea…until now!
Joshua and I were sitting at a long table with China, England, France, Russia and America. The names were weird but the way the talked was awesome. They were all discussing something about other countries they wanted to attack and take over. I looked over at Joshua and he just gave me his mischievous grin. That damn Joshua always up to something.
"Ok here's the plan, Britain and France you will go after Italy. Russia you'll go after Germany and China you will go after Japan!" America said to them as he drew his plan on the black board.
"Wait a minute America all I'm hearing is this that we are bloody backups!" Britain stated in outrage.
"That's right Britain because I'm the HERO!"
"Um excuse me," I said as I raised my hand. "Why are you trying to attack Japan, Italy, and Germany?"
"Because they are our enemies haven't you been listing?" France answered with his French accent.
"Ah, France I see."
"OH HON HON HON HON HON. You must have known because of my charming looks, no?" he said while flipping his golden hair.
"No you just look like a fag." I answered him. Britain burst out laughing at my statement. I mean it was true. He was dressed in red pants a dame blue cape. Who does that when you are planning war?
Anyway after that the meeting was over so I left but Joshua stayed behind to talk to Russia who looked pretty cute and sweet. That was until I saw an evil grin on his face and purple dark aura. At first I thought he was a heartless but then he just went back to looking all cute and sweet. This place was getting weirder and weirder.
So while Joshua was talking with Russia I was looking for the exit. I needed to get back to Riku to see if he had any luck finding the guys in black. Though I was starting to wonder if the men in black were even in this world seeing as how no one seemed to mention them. Sighing to myself I left the building and I was deciding which way Riku was.
"Um, excuse me," a soft almost whisper voice spoke to me. Turning to my right I saw that it was a guy who looked just like America only that his clothes were different and he was holding a brown little bear. "Are you in league with that guy in black?"
"Um no are you America's twin brother or something?"
"No I'm Canada."
"You sure you look like America?"
"No I'm Canada!"
"Ok so anyway where did you see the guy in black?"
"Um I can't remember, sorry" I about cursed out loud.
"But I did see him running to the deserted island." Deserted island? Where in the hell am I?
"Um ok how do I get there?"
"Well just go through though those trees and you'll be taken right to it."I gave him my thanks and left him standing there with his bear. He was nice though he was a bit too quite. Soon as I was in the woods I wondered if I should have gone back for Joshua but I decided against it. I was already half way there.
At first I thought I was lost but then all trees were gone and I went tumbling down a hill and landed on the beach. Getting off the ground and brushing myself off I realized there was no one around. The island was indeed deserted. All I could see was water, sand and rose petals as the wind brought them flowing from the breeze. Except there was no breeze so how were the petals flying?
"Tala is it?" My head turned to the sound of name. There I saw a guy with long flowing pink hair holding a scythe. The end was pink and long it looked just like a reaper scythe; just looking at it sent chills down my spine. "Let me properly introduce myself, I am Marluxia number XI."
"How do you know my name?"
"Nothing to be feared my master has told me a lot about you. So Tala, shall we put that power of yours to a little test? Use your Keyblade….." he paused as those creatures reappeared. "And defeat these Heartless."
My Keyblade sprang to action in my hand as I went to work on what he called Heartless. This time though there were different kinds. Some had armor, some were big and fat and then there were the little ones. After defeating them the guy known as Marluxia clapped his hands.
"Well done Keyblade master. These Dark creatures room about searching for hearts and when you slay one the hearts are released. How fascinating."
"What are you talking about?"
"Why the power of the Keyblade of course, that weapon you hold in your hand." Looking down at my Keyblade made me wonder what I was doing here and if it was somehow my fault as to why my home was gone. "You must have so many questions but I trust you know what you need to do. But what do you have to give?"
"I….I don't know what I have to do and I don't know what you are talking about!"
"I should think it's obvious. The moment you left home you had forgotten everything from your past."
"I don't know what you're talking about just me leaves me the hell alone! I yelled as I went to attack him. He was fast as his pink scythe blocked my Keyblade. He pushed against me and sent me falling on to the sand.
"Know your place! You would chain your heart with false memories? Cast your heart aside? You turn from the truth because your heart is weak."
"My, my heart is weak?" I said to no more. My hand was over my chest as his words hit me. Were my memories I had now fake?
"Yes Tala if you want to know the answers to your past came with me. Everything will be reviled to you!" Again I had that urging felling to grab hold of his hand and step into the darkness. My body was reacting on its own moving toward him, getting closer with each step. It was as if I was watching myself on a movie screen.
He was right I had turned from the truth since I had moved. My mother told me it was nothing that my memories would return when given the chance but did she really know and refused to tell me the truth? I was tired of running I needed to know who I am and where I came from.
"Tala! What the hell are doing?" My mind snapped back to reality as I saw Joshua up on the banks where the trees were. "I leave you for five minutes and you're already getting yourself into trouble! What am I going to do with you?"
I was going to answer him until he graceful jumped down the cliff and landed right in front of me. Was he always so graceful? It looked as if he was flying. Joshua gave me one of his heart fulfilled smiles before turning towards Marluxia.
"And who do we have here?" Joshua asked the guy in black.
"I am Marluxia. I have come to take Tala with me. I just about had her before you rudely interrupted."
"Oh is that right. Well I'm sorry rose boy but Tala is mine!" My mouth fell open on that one. Sure I was shocked as to why Marluxia wanted me but Joshua telling him I was his, that was even more shocking!
"You will sink into the darkness! Your heart will be scattered!" Marluxia said to Joshua as he readied to attack him. Joshua didn't have a weapon and time seemed to slow down as Marluxia rushed at him with his big pink scythe while Joshua had his hands in his pockets!
Before thinking I was on my feet pushing Joshua out of the way. I vaguely heard him scream in protest as I saw red flash across my vision.
~Riku's POV~
After setting with Germany while Italy was with Japan I felt out of place. Germany hardly talked to me at all as he sat behind his desk writing in a book.
"So have you seen any guys in black?" I asked, breaking the silence.
"No not that I know of," he answered back. "Though now that I think about it, Japan said he saw someone dressed in all black. Though he took him to be Britain."
"Really where did Japan say he saw him?"
"Well I think he said he was going towards Russia's place." That was all I needed as I headed to the door. "What where are you going? Only a fool would go to Russia's!"
"Thanks for the concern but I have to go." So with that I left for Russia. Russia's place didn't seem that bad. It was pretty cold here but not at all like I thought it would be. There were three people inside when I opened the door. A small boy and two others who seemed to be pretty scared. I walked around them and headed towards the noise of voices.
I opened the door to find…Joshua talking who I guessed was Russia! What the hell was he doing here? I thought he had gone with Tala. Though seeing as how he was here I assumed I was wrong. I stood in the door for what seemed like hours until I finally moved towards them.
"Oh there you are Riku, I wondered where you were." Joshua said as crossed the room.
"Where's Tala?"
"She left me so I went with Russia. We have a lot in common." Rolling my eyes at him I learned my first impression on Joshua was right, he can't be trusted. "So what brings you Riku?"
"I heard a guy in black came this way." I said this to Russia. His purple eyes seemed to take in everything as he stared at me. A warm smile crossed his face that I knew was fake.
"Ah that guy in black? He came this way right before you."
"Really where did he go?"
"Towards the island but there is more than one." More than one? What about Tala? If she is somehow connected to all this then she's….
"Joshua we have to find Tala!"
"For once I agree with you but I'll head to the island you go after the guy who went towards the woods. I'm sure you'll understand why." That was all Joshua said he left and ran for the island. Leaving wondering what all that was about. Taking one last look at Russia I left.
"Bye bye!" I heard him say as I left the room. It wasn't long before I found myself in the woods. I didn't see anyone. Tala had to be somewhere. Maybe she was on the island and if she was what dead organization member was she talking to?
"Why the long face Riku, did you miss me?" I knew that voice anywhere. It was the voice from my nightmares. Turning around I was face to face with my dark part of my heart, Ansem. "You don't seem very happy to see me."
"That's because I'm not. Now where is Tala?!"
"Tala? Oh she is being taken care of buy Marluxia I'm sure you remember him!" Ansem said with an evil smile.
"What the hell is going on the organization is supposed to be dead! Sora and I defeated them!"
"Hahahahaha such simple fools! And yet here I am talking to you! But I am not like those fools in the black hoods. I am me nothing more, nothing less. Do you want me to explain dear Riku?"
I didn't know what to say. Seeing him here was impossible and yet here he was. I thought I had dreamed him up on the beach at Destiny Islands but apparently he was there and now he is here. No matter where I went he would be there. It was like Darkness was still toying me, still had a grasp on me! I couldn't escape
"I'll tell you but you cannot tell Tala or your friend Joshua. Marluxia just like Saix are no more than cheap copies of their original self's. Vixen's work is nothing like I had ever seen. Thanks to master Xehanort everything we have worked for will be complete. So long as we get her!"
"What do you want with Tala?"
"Hahaha the power that girl holds is beyond you and Sora. She just like you had darkness. Darkness powers she can't control. Do you know why she has no memoires Riku? I'll tell you." He says as he leans in towards me ear. "You see how little you know. Things are always working. Darkness will rise and you will have to decide which side you rather be on. Perish with the light or live with the everlasting darkness!"
"I'll never give in to the darkness!"
"Then you have sealed your fate. It seemed my time here is up. Marluxia screwed up. Till next time Riku!"
"Wait!" And just like before he was gone. Ansem knew things, told me things that I wish I didn't now know. Tala was in danger and it had something to do with the upcoming war and this Xehanort person. Whatever it was I had to hurry something was going on that island.
Running as fast as I could I made it to the opening only to see that it dropped down to form a cliff. I looked over towards the water and saw him; Marluxia. Joshua seemed to be holding someone and it wasn't until he moved his hand that I saw it was Tala. Something had happened. Sliding down the cliff I ran over to Joshua. There was blood on his hands. I didn't know if it was his or…..
"Well nice for you to join us Riku," Marluxia said. "I see that you are too late to be of any help. I was just telling Joshua here how useless he is seeing as how he let Tala get hurt. Of course you are to blame as well Riku for leaving her."
"What the hell did you do Marluxia?"
"Well it seems I have made you mad. Use that madness and embrace the darkness within you Riku."
"Never!"
"Hahaha very well then. I shall leave you with your misery till next time!" After that he was gone. I looked down at Tala her side had been deeply cut. She was losing blood. Joshua seemed to be out of it as he just stared down at her.
"What happened Joshua?"
"That guy was going to attack me so Tala seeing as I didn't have any weapon pushed me out of the way at the last minute. I yelled at her and before I knew it she was bleeding. I'm sorry Riku this was my…."
"No I'm the one to blame. Anyway we need to get out of here." He seemed to understand as he held up the pointy sphere as it started to glow. We were headed to another world and hopefully there would be someone to heal Tala. Is she died then…The worlds as we know them will end!
TBC…..
