Card 2: Treasure With Your Heart
-Floor 1: Daybreak Town-
Kioku, Spongebob and Patrick entered the door and they were now in..Daybreak Town? Kioku looked around in confusion as they were inside of the Plaza. Spongebob and Patrick also noticed a huge change as they had gotten new clothes.
"Hey, uh..Patrick.." Spongebob said.
"Yeah?" Patrick said as he looked at the sponge.
"Where'd you get the new duds?" Spongebob said, pointing to the starfish's new clothes. The starfish examined himself and then pointed back. "I could be asking you the same question, buddy."
A puzzled Spongebob examined himself. "Whoa! Now I have new clothes!"
Kioku looked around some more as he was confused by the effects of the card. He stared at the card. "Are..we still in the castle?" Kioku asked. They walked through the door, and entered another world? Was the guy in the black coat serious? Kioku then remembered his words.
Hold the card before you. The door will open,
And beyond it, a new world.
Kioku understood now. This card took them to Daybreak Town. "So that's the power of the card!" Nostalgia overtook the boy and he smiled brightly. Kioku looked up into the early morning sky. "This is the first world I came to.", He looked around, remembering all of the events. "Never thought I would see this place again."
Spongebob nudged the keybearer. "And this is where we first met you, Kioku!" Kioku chuckled and nodded at the sponge's statement. Patrick chimed in, "Yeah, we met Kioku when were trying to get some clothes at a wagon sale, right Spongebob?"
Spongebob nodded confidently, "Yup!" He then shook his head. "NO!"
"We were looking for King Krabs, who had disappeared from the castle that day! We came here to look for Link. Remember?" Spongebob explained. Patrick understood and nodded, "Oh yeah, now I remember!"
Winslow popped out from Kioku's hood. "And, we were told to stick with da Keyblade wieldah, that's what my notes say!" Winslow shook his head. "What a nimrod for forgettin' such important events."
Patrick chuckled. Then a delicious aroma filled the air around them, which made Patrick stomach rumble and sound like a dying whale. Spongebob looked at Patrick in disgust. "Jeez Patrick, I know you're hungry but do you have to kill the mood like that?"
"Sorry, We haven't eaten anything in a while and I'm pretty hungry." Patrick said as he rubbed his grumbling tummy. Kioku's stomach was also feeling empty and it was about ready to growl along with Patrick's. He turned to the direction of the aroma and there he saw a cafe. A sliver of drool leaked out of the corner of the Keybearer's mouth.
"Hey, why don't we go get something to eat, yeah?" Kioku pointed towards the cafe. Spongebob and Winslow exploded at him.
"And just how in the name of Neptune can you be so relaxed, Kioku?" Spongebob scolded.
"Yeah, whatever he said!" Winslow agreed.
Kioku cheesed. "Who knows what's next to come? Besides, we can't fight on an empty stomach."
Patrick chuckled. "I'm with Kioku on this one, Spongebob."
The four of them took their seats at a table, with all of the other tables deserted. Must be the first ones here. Winslow was trying to turn everyone's attention away from food and to the main problem at hand. But that failed, as the three boys were focused on nothing else but food. Kioku picked up the menu and skimmed through it. He sighed with dissapointment as there wasn't much to choose from. Soda water? Rice balls?
Winslow's bantering came to a halt as his stomach growled. "Hey Kioku, they got chinese food on there?"
"Not much to choose from, I was expecting burgers or steak.." Kioku said. He then sighed and raised his hand. "Hello, can we get some service over here?!"
Just after Kioku's call, the candle in the center of the table was blown out and everything around them went dark. The four of them stood up cautiously.
"What the hell was that?!" Winslow wimpered, hopping into Kioku's hood. Kioku summoned his Keyblade, the light from the summoning illuminated the surrounding area briefly. "Maybe they think it's our birthday."
Spongebob summoned his Spatula staff and readied his stance. "No time for jokes!"
Appearing above them was a gang of Shadows, Heartless of the the Pureblood type. They charged at them in a threatening matter. Spongebob spun his staff and raised it into the air as if he was going to use Thunder. His mouth couldn't form the words and he was trampled by two Shadows.
Kioku tried to move his body like his usually does when he fights, but he stood stiff as a board. Luckily, he was able to safely block a Shadow's claw swiping and push his weight against the monster. Just when he thought he had it beat, another Shadow clawed his cheek, causing him to fall backwards to the ground.
The sound of the Keyblade falling to the ground was heard and Kioku was left unarmed. He reached out to his Keyblade, that was far from his own reach. He felt the Heartless creeping all about his body, ready to deliver more attacks that would eventually do him in
"Ngh...No!" Kioku screamed at the top of his lungs, hoping someone would come to his aid.
Soon they heard a familiar voice walking towards them. "Jeez, these Heartless are a pain. Showing up everywhere."
The blonde man garbed in green quickly did the Heartless in with a few swipes of his bandaged blade. Kioku, Spongebob and Patrick's faces lit up with happiness as he rescued them. The man picked Kioku's Keyblade and tossed it at him.
"Learn how to hold your sword, alright?" The man said.
"Wow, thanks a lot, Link!" Kioku smiled. Link paused and sheathed his blade.
"How do you know my name?" Link asked, confused. Kioku's happy expression dropped into a troubled one. What did he just say?
"Link, it's me..Kioku!" He said. "Spongebob and Patrick, too."
Link shook his head, "Nope. I've never seen that likes of any of you." He then turn around and walked away. "You'd better get home before the Heartless come after you again."
Spongebob and Patrick were just as confused as Kioku, who had grabbed Link's shirt to stop him from leaving. "Link, why are you acting like this? We haven't seen you in forever and now you act like we never existed!" Kioku's voice broke as he was nearly in tears.
"Kid, cut it out." Link said as he tried to get Kioku off of him. The keybearer didn't give up. He tried to jog his memory.
"We fought Heartless together over at Hollow Bastion! You helped us take down Vicky and Plankton!" Kioku sobbed.
Link replied bluntly. "No we didn't, and if we did you'd probably just get in the way."
Ouch. Link was as blunt as always. Kioku went on. "We got separated, but before that you told me something that I still remember."
"We may never meet again.." Kioku recited.
"But we'll never forget each other.." Link finished, soon wearing a pitiful look on his face. "Sorry, you've got the wrong guy." He grabbed Kioku's hand and pushed it away.
"AHH! COME ON!" Kioku bawled. Spongebob and Patrick comforted the crying boy, while Winslow pieced things together.
"Say, what if this town is inside of the castle?" The small mouse wondered.
"Then would that mean Link lost his memory too?" Spongebob asked. The irritating, ear piercing wailing of Kioku had struck a nerve, causing Link balled his fists and walked up to him and grabbed onto his shoulders.
"Kioku! Get it together, will you!?" Link shouted, causing Kioku to cease his crying.
Everyone paused and stared at Link, whose eyes were wide. He claimed to not know who Kioku was, but he had just said his name. Link took two steps backwards and put his hands over his mouth. Patrick smiled. "See! You said 'Kioku'!"
"Link, you ol' kidder you!" Spongebob laughed.
Link shook his head in denial, confused at why he had just blurted out his name. He folded his arms and sighed, while Kioku, Spongebob and Patrick thought that he was joking around the whole entire time.
"I really don't know you," Link muttered. He put a hand to his head, as it had started to give a sharp pain. "My..memory..it's.."
Soon, they heard light footsteps approaching them. They all turned into the direction of the footsteps and saw a cute, blue-haired girl stop in front of them. "Shouldn't know, but you remember a strange power.."
The girl folded her arms, "Maybe these are the guys that Zelda was talking about."
Kioku, Spongebob and Patrick smiled brightly and called out the girls name. "Lana!"
The girl was startled and jumped back in fright. She then collected herself and smiled. "I know your names, too. Kioku, Spongebob and Patrick."
Winslow bowed whilst standing atop Kioku's spikey mane. "And don't forget about Winslow, toots."
Link turned to Lana and pointed a thumb at them. "Friends of yours?"
Lana shook her head, which made the Kioku and the others slump their heads. How could two of many people Kioku met on his journey, just simply forget about him? It made the boy pretty sad, along with his companions.
"You forgot too, Lana?"
"I didn't forget, we've just never met." Lana chirped happily. "Although, It feels like we've know each other for a really, long time. Pretty odd, no?"
Lana looked up at the dawning sky, "It's like my brain had forgetten, by my heart helped it remember."
Pretty odd, indeed. We've never met, but it feels like we've known each other. Could this be the effect of Castle Oblivion? As Kioku and friends tried to piece things together, Link spoke up.
"Alright, let's head back to the house. Maybe Zelda might be able to explain things better." Link said, leading the group further into town. They walked for a while, passing the market area, and soon reaching the residential area. Where Link and Lana's other friends were.
"Okay fellas. Jimmy Neutron's special 'Gut Buster Pot. Best served up when your stomach's on E! Dig it!" The young scientist announced loudly. Lana searched the fridge frantically.
"Hey, Neutron! Where's my pie?" Lana yelled. Jimmy chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Well, um...that's in the food?" He smiled, hoping Lana would shrug it off.
"He took everything in the fridge and made the Gut Buster Pot." Zelda added, scooping up some of the soup with her spoon. Lana spazzed out and started to chase Jimmy around the house, whacking him with her Deku staff. Kioku chuckled as he watched them. Sure, they may have forgotten him, Spongebob and Patrick. But at least they are still the same as before. Kioku looked over at Patrick, who was chowing down pretty fast. The boy had began to eat also, as he was very hungry. Zelda, who was sitting next to him, had began to speak.
"It resonates in my heart." She said.
"Heart?" Kioku repeated back to here. Zelda nodded.
"In your heart are your memories of us, and those memories resonate in our hearts." She went on. "So, that's why we know the things we should not."
Link slurped up some of his stew. "So Kioku's memories are affecting ours."
Zelda nodded. "Kioku's memories are very powerful."
Kioku's stomach churned as he remembered the man in black from only moments ago. Sampling a card constructed from his memories. Lost in thought, Zelda's motherly voice brought him back to earth.
"Something on your mind, Kioku?" She smiled warmly at the boy. Kioku shook his head, smiling.
"Glad you could tell..." Kioku said, giving the woman a bright smile. Jimmy and Lana sat in front of Kioku after horsing around.
"So, your friends are somewhere in this castle?" Zelda asked.
"Yeah, we're supposed to be in a castle." Kioku explained. "But when we opened the door, we ended up in Daybreak Town." Zelda, Jimmy, Lana and Link brandished confused looks.
"The heck?" Jimmy said. "But there's no other castle around here 'cept for that giant one further into town."
Kioku, Spongebob and Patrick tried to explain things, but he only tripped and stumbled over his words. Zelda stopped him, giving her a chance to speak.
"This a small town, I'm sure we'll find them in no time." Jimmy winked. Kioku smiled and bowed.
"Thanks!"
Spongebob smirked and pointed to door triumphantly. "Alright team! Let's start the search!"
The group split up into two teams. Kioku, Spongebob, Patrick and Link. And Zelda, Lana and Jimmy. Kioku's team searched the market district of the town, while Zelda's team searched both the residential district and the plaza district. There were Heartless along the way, but they managed to get by as Link retaught Kioku the basics of combat. Along the way they visited Mr. Wizard, who of course didn't know them, and relearned magic. As much as the two teams searched for Yoru and King Krabs, there was no sign of them in this world. Or..floor.
The teamed regrouped and headed back to the hotel on the second floor.
Kioku sighed. "Guess they're not in this town. But, I'm sure they're somewhere in this castle."
Link folded his arms and leaned against the wall behind him. "A reality we can't see. Sorry if we weren't able to be any help."
Spongebob waved his hands. "No, no, it's fine."
"I learned how to fight again thanks to you," Kioku said sincerely. Spongebob chimed in.
"Aaand we relearned magic from Mr. Wizard."
"So..," Kioku started, feeling a lump in his throat. "Guess we gotta go."
The memories and feelings Kioku felt when him and the group met had come back full force and hit him like a freight train. He felt his eyes dampening as tears formed. His bottom lips quivered lightly.
"I can't really agree about this being our first time meeting..but.."
Link's lips curled into a smile and he said a sentence that Kioku and the gang remembered. "We may never meet again, but we'll never forget each other." Kioku looked up at the elf-earred man in confusion.
"Heard it from your heart." Link smiled at Kioku, who was nearly on the verge of tears. "You can handle any shape reality takes. You'll be okay."
Kioku wiped away his tears and looked over at a door on the other side of the room with a sign on it. The sign read,
EXIT
Lead's to the second floor of Castle Oblivion.
Winslow rubbed his chin. "I dunno fellas, seems like we're getting caught in another trap. Patrick shrugged at the mouse's statement.
"We'll never know if we don't try." The starfish said. The three walked over to the door, but Zelda blurted out something to them just as Kioku put his hand on the doorknob.
"Kioku, I just have one thing to say." She started. "Be careful of your memories..."
Be careful of your memories? What exactly could that mean?
"You mustn't let illusions distract you from what is truly important." Zelda nodded lightly. Kioku nodded too, even though he didn't comprehend what she said. She went on. "Treasure what you feel with your heart."
Kioku nodded, "O-Okay.."
The three then waved, earned a gang of waves back at them and they opened the door. Their eyes met pure white as they walked up the steps to the second floor. Even though Kioku didn't really understand what Zelda was trying to say, he took her words to heart.
-Floor 2-
Kioku, Spongebob and Patrick walked into the room of blinding white. It was just like the last floor they were on. Pretty dull. But, a thick tension hung in the air as the three approached the center of the room. Kioku looked around in suspicion, with his buddies Spongebob and Patrick doing the same. Appearing out of a corridor of darkness, was the man in black from before. He stepped out of the portal and bared a teethful smile.
"Well, did you enjoy meeting your memories?" The man said. Kioku and his friends remained silent as they glared at the mysterious man. Without earning a response, he continued on.
"That entire town you just saw, was concieved by your memories." He said. "An Illusion..."
Spongebob gasped. "So, Link, Zelda an everyone else were just Illusions created from Kioku's memories?"
"Correct." The hooded man cackled.
Kioku balled his fisted tightly, hanging his head. "N-n-No.."
Zelda's recent words rang in Kioku's ears. "Treasure what you feel, with your heart."
The hooded man slammed his cane on the floor, the loud noise from impact getting the three's attention. "Don't you want to see your friend's again?"
"You must follow your memories, and find what is important to you."
The man in black spun his cane rapidly and got into a threatening stance with it, as if he wanted to fight Kioku. His menacing smile appeared again. "Show me what you can do."
Kioku looked at Spongebob, then Patrick. In a flash of light, his Keyblade appeared in his hand and he got into his stance. Giving the hooded man a deadly stare. Just as Kioku was about to charge, the sound of another corridor of darkness opened and out stepped another black coat. But it had the curvy figure of a woman. The temperature of the room rose, feeling a bit..hotter.
"Let me in on the action too, Freak." She said in a cocky manner. "Just watching a boring, I need a little exercise to wake me up, y'know?"
The hooded man scoffed and turned to the hooded girl. "And just what are you saying?"
The hooded girl folded her arms stubbornly, "I get bored, what with you hogging the spot light and all. Girls need to have fun too.."
The hooded man took out a card that looked like the card he had handed Kioku moments ago and with the swift fastness he had threw the card at her. She quickly caught it, giggling.
"Perhaps you would like to test him." He said. The face of the girl was slightly revealed, showing a pale white face with black face paint and full lips which were covered with purple lipstick.
The hooded man opened up a corridor of darkness.
"I'm going to go check on 'it'." The hooded man said right before disappearing into the darkness. The hooded girl put the card away and faced Kioku and the others.
"Well, let's get down to business, Mister Keyblade Master." She said. Taking her hood off, she revealing her whole face. She had long, flaming, teal hair put into a ponytail at the top of her head held back, she has two locks of hair framing her face which look like a sharp-angled "M" and purple lipstick.
"My name is Rembex." She smirked. A flurry of green fire blazed in her hands and what materialized in them was a custom made guitar which had partial electricity and flames sparking around it.
"You'd better remember my name well, 'cause I don't want you to forget anytime soon. Got it?" She barked. Kioku, Spongebob and Patrick readied themselves again as Rembex took her stance with the guitar.
"Now," Rembex smirked. "Let's rock!"
