Kingdom Hearts III: The Heart's Greatest Weapon
Chapter 4: Depart for Adventure
Sora and Michael looked around the temple for whatever it was that gave Michael such a spook. In each of the chambers containing a Keyblade, Michael could sense that there was nothing here. Somehow, all the Keyblader spirits that were sealed in this haven were gone.
"You know, it must've been that dark knight fellow that did this." Goofy said.
"Then that Heartless was nothing but a diversion." Max said. Donald couldn't believe he fell for something as cheap as a Heartless decoy.
"It's okay guys. We didn't realize it either. Besides, if we didn't take on that Heartless, more than the wall would be destroyed." Sora said. Riku nodded.
"I'm...I'm just so worried about the other Keybladers. They're now liable to be caught up in another world's problem or even get themselves sucked up into darkness. I can't believe he'd stoop to this." Michael said. Kairi asked who he meant and Michael was referring to the dark knight.
"Do you know him? You guys seemed to know each other." Sora said. Michael nodded.
"Yes. He's...He's actually the first Keyblader to ever come to be. But also, he's the first to be succumbed by the power of darkness. Back when the Heartless....were more monstrous and evil like the one we recently faced." Michael said. The others gasped.
"Really? That guy's a Keyblader too?! But....he didn't look like he had a Keyblade..." Donald said. Michael said that it remained hidden underneath his sword's cruel and dark armor.
"What would he want with the other Keyblader souls? I don't get it." Kairi said. Michael could very well tell what he wanted. If the dark knight had captured the Keybladers and took away their abilities, he would be able to become a powerful force and his darkness could very well engulf every world.
"What?! No....No way." Max stuttered. Sora couldn't believe it. Riku's eyes widened a bit from the shock.
"But...what about these ancient Heartless? How do they affect all of this?" Sora asked.
"Before Ansem found the Heartless and helped them return to this world, they existed before. But they were more cruel and savage, going after every living thing. It was only thanks to the efforts of the strongest Keybladers to seal them away....hoping they would never resurface." Michael said. But Riku was sure they had, taking on the forms of the smaller ones he and Sora have met.
"Yes. Sora? I know we've only just met, but, I need a very big favor of you. Please, can you find the lost Keybladers and help them find their way back?" Michael asked. Sora nodded.
"But...what about the dark knight guy? Can we even BEAT someone like that?" Max asked.
"Of course we can Max. We can't let him get away with this." a voice said. Everyone looked towards the voice and saw Mickey. He held his Keyblade at his side.
"Your Majesty!" the others exclaimed. Mickey smiled and waved.
"I just caught ear of what you were saying earlier. And I've gotta agree with you when I say that we can't let the ancient Heartless loose." Mickey said. Michael smiled.
"Yeah. Don't worry. We'll bring them back. Right?" Roxas asked. Naminé agreed with Roxas.
"But...the dark knight may be someone of whom you cannot defeat alone. Sora, listen to me closely. You need to put together a team. A team of your best friends, allies who you would trust in battle. Only together can you save the Keybladers and defeat the darkness." Michael said. Sora was a little bit shocked since that would mean he would need to try and convince friends like Aladdin, Jack Sparrow and the others to leave and come with them.
"If it's for the good of the worlds, then we'll do what we can." Mickey said.
"Yeah. Come on guys. Anyone feel up for another adventure? We can't do much just standing around here." Sora said. Everyone nodded.
"Yeah. Let's get going!" Donald shouted. Together, everyone exited the temple and returned to the ancient Gummi Ship. Roxas and Naminé, only able to be seen by the temple's magic, vanished along with Ven, returning to their real selves. Sora glanced at Mickey.
"Oh, your Majesty? I forgot to ask before. But how did you get here?" Sora asked. Mickey chuckled.
"The same way Max, Goofy and Donald got here Sora. See?" Mickey said. He gave a whistle and from the skies above them, a Gummi Ship was coming in for a landing. The only difference was it seemed a bit bigger than the one Sora traveled in with Donald and Goofy.
"So, all aboard?" Mickey asked. Following the king, everyone boarded the Gummi Ship and waved goodbye to Michael as it took off.
"So how did it go? Did you awaken the other Keybladers?" Goofy asked. Riku and Kairi nodded, showing them Aqua and Terra's Keyblades. Sora, Donald and Goofy chuckled.
"Way to go guys. Now we should be ready for anything the Heartless will throw at us." Sora said. Mickey piloted the Gummi Ship as it left Destiny Island's world and headed out into the vast space.
"So, where to first everyone?" Mickey asked. Just then, they recieved a radio signal from Chip and Dale back at Disney Castle.
"Hey there guys! Glad to see ya!" Chip exclaimed.
"Yeah! Welcome back Sora!" Dale added. Sora chuckled.
"Say Chip, Dale? What's the closest world to where we are? We're on a search and we need somewhere to land." Mickey said. Chip went to check and the closest world their scanners picked up was a world that seemed to be a town nestled gently beneath a twilight sky.
"A twilight sky?" Sora asked. But after a short pause, everyone knew where Chip meant.
"Twilght Town!" Donald exclaimed.
"Yeah. Maybe Twilight Town is a good place for us to start." Riku said. Kairi agreed and so did Mickey. With their course plotted, they traveled across space before seeing Twilight Town before them.
"All right guys. Twilight Town, here we come." Mickey said. The ship began entering Twilight Town's atmosphere and after passing through it's twilight sky, they saw the town below. Mickey landed the ship in a wide area outside of town and the others progressed inside.
"Since we're here, maybe we should check up on the others. I wonder how Hayner and the others are doing?" Sora asked. Kairi looked around the town, feeling that she never really got to see Twilight Town much last time.
"If they're still here, they should be at their hangout." Goofy said. Sora agreed before he was bumped into by someone. Sora stumbled a bit.
"Hey. Watch where you're going." Sora said. The figure looked back and groaned. Sora and Donald gasped, seeing that the face was Seifer.
"Oh great. Not YOU guys again." Seifer said. Just then, Fuu, Rai and Vivi came hurrying to Seifer's side after they saw Sora.
"What the? Where did you guys come from?" Rai asked. Sora wasn't happy to see Seifer either, remembering how much of a jerk he was then.
"I see YOU haven't changed Seifer. Never wanted to see you either." Sora said. Donald nodded.
"Losers." Fuu muttered. Kairi felt a little annoyed by Fuu.
"So, what brings you back in town then? Thought we saw the last of you at the Old Mansion. Guess that was just hopeful thinking." Seifer said. As Sora figured Seifer was looking for a tussle, he was about to before he heard someone. He looked and saw Hayner, Pence and Olette.
"Sora? Hey! It is! Sora!" Hayner called. Sora waved as the others hurried over.
"Kairi! You're here too? That's great. And Donald and Goofy too!" Olette said. Donald and Goofy chuckled.
"Man. You had us worried for a while. We never saw you guys after you went to that other Twilight Town." Hayner said. Sora apologized for worrying them before Seifer ruined the moment.
"Look at this guys. Looks like the loser crew is all together. How cute is that?" Seifer said. Rai chuckled as Vivi fixed his hat.
"Ugh. Give it a rest Seifer. We're not going to get insulted by your pathetic comments." Hayner said. Seifer growled.
"What was that? You better watch it blondie. Or you're gonna...!" Seifer growled but Kairi broke them up.
"Stop it. Can't you two get along?" Kairi asked. Mickey sighed.
"Is he like this Sora?" Mickey asked. Sora nodded and crossed their arms.
"Well, hey. Since you guys are back again, maybe you can help us with something." Pence said. The others glanced at Pence.
"Like what?" Goofy asked.
"Well, a while ago, we keep hearing really weird sounds coming from around town when it's night. We tried to find the source of it, but keep turning up nothing. Think you can help?" Pence asked. Sora glanced at Riku.
"Sure. We can help." Sora said. Olette sighed.
"Thanks. To tell you the truth, those weird noises have been ruining my good night's sleep." Olette said. Seifer huffed.
"This again? I keep telling you that there's nothing there. Fine. To prove it once and for all, I'll go with you and be there when we prove it." Seifer said. Hayner groaned, but figured he had no choice. Following Pence, they headed back to their special spot in the alley.
"Do you guys see anything yet?" Pence asked. Everyone peeked down the alley nearby and saw it was a bit dark.
"Sorry Pence. But I don't see anything." Sora said. Seifer huffed.
"See? What did I...?" Seifer said. But Riku suddenly cut him short by shushing him. Everyone became silent as they heard a quiet humming and trash cans being moved around.
"Hey. Someone's down there." Goofy said. Sora led the others into the alley and when they found the source, it turned out to be Pete rummaging through trash barrels.
"Wait a second. Does this guy look familiar to anyone?" Sora asked. Pete looked back and groaned, not fully seeing Sora's face.
"What are you squirts doing here? Can't a guy make an alley his home without some kind of disturbance? This is the fifth alleyway I've been through and I ain't planning on moving anytime soon." Pete said. The others felt kinda confused.
"Excuse me. But what are you saying?" Olette asked.
"What I'm saying is..." Pete said as he fully turned around. But just like that, he froze up at the mere sight of Sora, Donald, Goofy and Mickey.
"What?! Oh man! You guys AGAIN?!" Pete exclaimed.
"Pete?!" the four of them exclaimed.
TO BE CONTINUED...