Lirin: hi am back. didn't take me too long to get this one finished.
Sora: that's great Lirin. I love you for getting this done so fast.
Riku:have you even read this Sor? You seem to be a sissy in it.
Sora: Lirin is that true?
Lirin:a little. but don't be mad Sora. it all leads to what happens later. I promise you won't be a sissy in the end.
Sora: that's good to know i guess. but I should be a sissy now! (pouts to make Lirin feel bad)
Riku: hey Sora it's the girl fromThe Ring. (sora jumps into Riku's arms) she was right to make you a sissy.
Sora: meanie (sticks tounge out)
Lirin: get a room.(rolls eyes)guess i'll do the disclaimer. I don't own Kingdom Hearts orThe Ring or The Exorcist the Beginnings. Now that that's done on with the chapter.
Chapter 3: I'll Still Fight
Sora and crew were greeted by Donald and Goofy the second the brunette stepped foot on the ground. Riku just laughed at his friend being glomped to the ground by there other hyper friends. That was until the two turned and glomped him too causing Sora to laugh at the silver hair boy. Soon the boys were back on their feet getting escorted to the castle where everybody else was waiting. Most of the teams had already arrived and was waiting for dinner and the pre race movie night. Cid had gone to make full repairs to Sora's ship, Mickey was talking to the worlds representatives, and everyone else was in different groups chatting away. Minnie greeted the group and had some broom servants show them to their rooms. Sora and Riku shared one, Tidus was paired with Captain Hook (he was let out to watch the race for good behavior also he has no part in the story except being Tidus's silent roommate) and Selphie shared a room with Yuffie and Aeris.
After ditching the bags in the rooms Sora and everyone went to go and talk with people. Riku spotted Leon and Cloud and went to have one of those silent conversations the three were experts at. Sora was catching up and old times with Donald and Goofy. Tidus and Selphie just kind of walked around together feeling weird about not knowing anyone there. The two soon found themselves outside in the flower gardens with no one around.
"This is kind of weird." Tidus finally admitted to his friend. He even put his hand on his head in that manner saying 'I feel so uncomfortable right now'.
"What's weird? The fact we know no one or the two of us being alone together?" the girl had this really serious tone that rarely happens. It caused the boy to really think about what she had said. It was true that not knowing anyone had a major stomper on the fun. But it was also weird being alone with the girl he liked. He let out an audible gulp before speaking.
"It's both Selph." he finally admitted. The comment caused the girl to tilt her head in confusion. Seeing this Tidus continued to talk and clear the confusion up. "Umm, Selph I have something I've been meaning to say for a while now. But I've been too afraid to bring it up."
"What is it Ti. You know you can tell me anything. Even if its really stupid." the brunette girl mentioned.
"Well you see Selph, we've been…" he was stopped mid sentence thanks to bad timing of Sora.
"There you are guys." the brunette boy said stopping in front of his friends. "Dinners ready and after that Mickey is going to give us the rules and race course. So come on and lets go eat." Tidus and Selphie exchanged sorrowful looks because their perfect moment was ruined. "Did I just interrupted something?"
"Don't worry about it Sor." Tidus said with a note of sorrow in his voice. "Lets go." the brunette boy turned and started walking leaving his friends behind for a few moments. "Sorry Selph. We'll talk later alright." the girl nodded her head. Slowly the two followed their 'leader' to the dinning room.
The meal was set up in a buffet style so people could have what they wanted without having to wait for waiters to come and run the chance of not having what they were looking for. The chefs prepared many dishes from all the different worlds. There was everything from seafood to gross live bugs for the undead to pastas and meat. It was impossible for people to not find something they enjoyed. Even the desserts were severed with the regular mean. This make Selphie squeak with joy and the three boys sweat dropped. After getting their food the four found a table seating with Leon, Yuffie and Aeris. Soon the teens were lost in idle chatter and eating the food.
Almost two hours later the meal was over and everyone was waiting for Mickey to explain what was going to happen.
"I like to thank everyone for coming to our first Race Across the World." the mouse king began his speech. "I trust that everybody competing has received their blades and helmets. Both must stay on all the time unless you want to get disqualified. The teams will consist of three people which were to be form before you all got here. Now the race will take you through four different areas were three monsters must be defeated before the team can continue. And if a member as fallen and unable to finish a replace can be given. But this is only allowed once per team. So try not to get badly injured. Also a medical staff will be on hand incase needed and a representative from each world is here incase someone gets lost.
Now the first world is the land of spooks Halloween Town. There the races will battle with a giant deadly pumpkin. This thing can spit fire from its carvings and crush a person if it land on you. Another is the werewolf. Its speed is tough to match and his claws may contain poison. So watch out if it tries to scratch you. The third in the world is none other then Halloween Town's annoying trio Lock, Shock and Barrel. The trio will do anything to get you off the blades as beware. And if help is needed then Jack Skellington is on hand to help.
The next world will be the Deep Jungle. Here you must battle the leopard Sabor. Like the werewolf, the leopard's speed is near impossible to match and will try and kill anything that moves. The second creature is the poisonous anaconda. The snake will wrap around you and then sink its fangs into you kill you that way. The final battle is this the strong ape Kerchak. One hit from this ape and you could be knocked out cold for weeks. So please people be careful when traveling through here. This is the most dangerous world except for the final one. And for the world we have Tarzan at the ready incase of emergencies.
The third land is Agrabah. Here the battles are less dangerous but just as tricky as the others. One battle will be with over grown scorpions. These things are not poisonous but can hide in the sand and attack from below you. Another enemy is the be a gang of thieves. They are easy to take out. But they will try and steal the blades, helmets and weapons from you. So be cautious when fighting. The most powerful fighter will be the Genie Jafar. This villain like many before him are not afraid to kill or hurt you. He can also change shape and look like your friends. It is best to remember that you are fighting a genie and not get distracted by the magic. And should help be needed Aladdin will here.
The fourth part will only be open to the first three teams. Until then this will remain a mystery to everyone except the staff and organizers. But you can know that you will working as a team to get through just because the battle will be that dangerous. Also there are five enemies to destroy.
Now that you know how this is going to work the teams can make their plans and prep work. Good luck to all the teams and please try to keep the race clean. Although you are allowed to interfere with other racers. Now go rest and please think about joining us for a movie starting in a little while." Mickey finished his speak and turned to talk to the representatives making sure all the arrangements were ready and all the safety precautions setup.
"So what now?" Tidus turned to his friends for a plan.
"Let's go to the room and make a plan. We can't go into this thing clueless and make mistakes." Riku stated calmly. The other three nodded and left the hall and went towards Sora and Riku's room.
"So Sora your our captain, who do you want to go where?" Riku asked sitting on his bed. The brunette closed his eyes to think for a moment. He know that Tidus was the weakest of the three and should probably go to Agrabah. That was an easy call. He and Riku could do either of the others. He just need to decide if he wanted to face his fear now or never. The room remind silent while the keyblade master thought.
He opened his eyes with a look of determination showing in his blue orbs. "I've finally decided. Ti you can take on Agrabah. Forgive me for giving you the easiest land but the others will need the experience that Riku and I have."
"It's alright Sor." the blonde said to accept his world.
"Riku I want you to handle Halloween Town."
"Wait Sora what about your fear of…" the silver hair boy tried to question
"Don't say it." the brunette boy snapped "I know and I'll be fine. Plus its about time I got over the silly fear anyway. So you take Halloween Town and get us an early lead. I want to finish in the top three and get to the fourth leg and win this race."
"Umm Sora what fear are you and Riku talking about?" Selphie asked being totally clueless. Tidus also had a look of confusion on his face. Neither knew about Sora's fear of snakes and that was the way the brunette wanted to keep it.
"It's nothing Selph. So don't worry." Sora said giving the best smile he could manage at the time. "Now that we have a plan what do you guys want to do?"
"I want to see the movie." Selphie nearly screamed out.
"Sounds good to me Selph. But to you mind if we go and finish our chat somewhere?" Tidus asked locking his bright blue eyes with her green ones. The girl only nodded and a slight blush started to form on both their faces. Soon the two had run out of the room to find a quiet place to talk.
"So do you think he's finally going to ask her?" Sora asked the last person in the room.
"It's about time." the silver hair boy said smirking. "So shall we head towards the movie now? Or to you want to skip out?"
"Movie." the blue eye decided. He hit Riku on the back of the head and ran out the door. The older teen jumped up from where he sat and ran after his friend to get revenge.
"What did you want to talk about?" Selphie asked after the two stopped. They were back in the garden with no one in sight.
"Well Selph…," Tidus got a little lost for words at the moment.
"What Ti?" she asked very innocently tilting her head.
"Umm," he did that nervous neck grab. "Selph will you," he castes his eyes down to look at his feet, "willyoubemygirlfreind?" He blurted the last part out so fast Selphie didn't catch only of it.
"What?" she asked feeling completely lost now.
"Forget that." he grabbed her shoulders pulling her close and lightly pressed his lips to her's. "Selph I really like. And I want you to be mine." he whispered after pulling away stilling holding her close.
"I like you too Ti." the brunette said wrapping her arms around his waist and snuggling her head into the crook of his neck. "And I would love to be your girlfriend." Tidus snaked his arms around the girls neck and held her even closer. They stayed like this until some random person came by announcing the movie was starting soon.
Tidus let his new girlfriend go after pecking her on the cheek. "Shall we go?" he asked grabbing Selph's hand. The girl nodded her head and allowed him to lead the way to the movie room.
Inside the theater the new couple found their friends seating in the back with two empty seats next to them. "About time you guys got here." Sora remarked with a big grin on.
"Yeah. If you took any longer then we would have stopped saving your seats." Riku commented with the same express as Sora.
"So what are we watching?" Tidus asked sitting next to Sora.
"Not sure. The dear king wont tell us." Riku answered. A few minutes after the four teens stopped talking the movie was playing the previews to a movie the group knew oh so well. Sora let out a small groan was Riku let a smirk appear on his face. Mickey had chosen to play Exorcist the Beginnings. Sora didn't really like scary movie and this one really freaked him out. Riku knew about this and also knew that Sora would soon be clinging to him for dear life. The older couldn't be happy about the king's choice. Tidus squeezed Selphie's hand as the opening battle field scene appeared.
By the end of the movie Sora was on Riku's lap holding the teen for dear life. Riku had his arms wrapped around the younger trying to get him to calm down slightly. On the other side of where Sora used to sit Selphie was in Tidus's lap but not because she was scared. The two teens were lip locked as if they had been watching some romance movie instead of the horror film that just ended.
"Sora it's time to go back to the room. Can you get off me now?" the silver boy asked slightly annoyed because the younger was causing him to get slightly hard. Sora just whimpered and clung tighter to his secret crush. "Fine have it your way." Riku adjusted his grip so Sora wouldn't fall when he stood up. Looking over Riku saw the rest of his group still making out with no signs of breaking apart. He cleared his throat causing the two to jump and end the kiss. "Time for bed. Ti you have a long day tomorrow so get going." the oldest ordered. Slowly nodding Selph and Ti got up and walked back to their rooms. Tidus took the time to walk his girlfriend to her room and grab one more kiss before he went to bed.
Riku carried Sora all the way back to their room and dropped the boy on one of the beds. After the silver hair boy went to the bathroom to get ready for bed leaving the younger alone in the room. A few minutes later Riku came back wearing only his boxers. He looked over at his friend to see the boy curled up in a ball and hugging himself. "Sora get ready for bed." Riku ordered. The younger one looked up from his position with eyes that clearly said 'I'm too scared to move. That devil thing might try and get me'. Riku shook his head at how pathetic his friend was being. "Sora how many times do I have to tell you that its only a movie and the monsters in them can't hurt you?"
"But Riku…" Sora started to complain
"No buts Sora. Now get some sleep. We have a race to win tomorrow." Riku waited for his friend to settle in bed before he turned out the lights and went to bed himself.
Around midnight a huge thunder storm started and woke Sora. The boy sat bolt right up and was panting. Just then a flash of lighting creaked lighting the room and sending the trees's shadows in there. He tried to call for Riku but his voice decided not to work. Knowing the only thing he could do to find some comfort was get out of bed and curl up with his friend.
"Riku?" Sora softly said trying to get his best friend's attention. "Wake up Riku. I'm scared." hearing the soft shaky voice of Sora the silver hair teen cracked his eye open to find out what the other wanted.
"What's wrong Sora?" the teen asked very sleepily.
"I'm scared Riku. Can I sleep with you?" he put on a small pout and puppy dog eyes to hopefully get his way. The older teen know that the other would not give up so he rolled over allowing the other on the bed. "Thanks."
"No problem. Now get some sleep." Ruki said wrapping his arms around the other to give more comfort. The brunette cuddled closer and was asleep in five minutes. Riku quickly followed the other into dreamland for the rest of the night.
The next morning Riku woke to Sora tossing and turning kicking the blankets off the bed. "Sora what's wrong? Are you having a nightmare again?" the older asked with concern evident in his voice. Blue eyes slowly opened to reveal the shine in them gone.
"Riku," the boy crocked out, "I don't feel great." Immediately Riku's hand flew to Sora's forehead to see if he was warm. Some point during the night the small brunette developed a fever.
"It will be alright Sora. I'll go see if I can get you something." Riku put on a pair of pants and a shirt and quickly left the room to find someone who could give him something for Sora.
About twenty minutes later he returned to the room to find Sora sleeping again breathing kind of hard. "Sora time to wake up." Riku whispered shaking the other. Just like before blue shine less eyes opened. "Here Daisy gave these to me for you." Riku handed Sora the pills and water and watched the other swallow them. "Now the question is: who do you want to replace you?"
"No one. I can still fight." Sora seemed determined to compete in the race even if it took all his strength to do it. "Plus I'm gonna face my fear today."
"But Sora, what if something happens to you out there?" Riku tried to protest and stop his younger friend.
"No worries Riku. And if something did happen then Tarzan will lead the rescue group to save me. So don't argue with me any more. I've make up my mind." the brunette had a determined glare that told Riku 'nothing was changing his mind so stop trying'.
Lirin: well there's chap 3 people. Sora is sick and still willing to fight. Danm he's crazy
Sora: do i really have to fight the anaconda?
Riku: yes unless you want a replacement you have to fight it. (Sora storms off to pout in a corner)
Tidus: I can't wait to get fighting
Selphie: please becareful Ti. I don't want you hurt or end up dead. (gives bf puppy-dog eyes and a pout)
Tidus: relax Selph. I'll be fine. Plus how can I get hurt when I have you waiting for me at the finish line? (Gives small kiss the Selph)
Riku and Sora: GET A ROOM! (Tidus and Selph ran to find one)
Lirin: okay people the next chapter is when the race starts. and a little mischief happens between two racers (Cloud and Sephiroth makeout session)
Leon: is that gonna be bad for my team?
Lirin: i'll have to read and find out like everyone else Squall (Recieves growl and glare for Leon)
Leon: please send us you opinions weither it good or bad. and please convence her not to put the Cloud Sephi pairing.
Lirin: shut up Squall (holds 2x4 giving evil murderious glare) thanx for reading everyone. and note the guys are right. no quota met means story stops here. later
