Chapter 4

Ariana's POV

We've just arrived at the blacksmith's workshop in town and saw him at the counter. Once again, I recognized him as Tails.

"Man, TOO many look-a-likes. You must be the blacksmith, correct?" I asked him. He nodded.

"I'm sure am, ma'am. How can I help you?" I took out my kayblade and how it to him. He looked at it in shock. "Whoa! What an incredible sword! I never saw anything like THIS before!"
"It's called a 'Keyblade.' I really need to have this fixed up."

"Sure, no problem. This'll take me a second, ma'am." He said as he takes the kayblade from my grasp.

Oh, PLEASE don't disappear and reappear back into my grasp. I begged to myself as he walked away. I then sighed in relief.

"Hey, what is up, milady?" Gingalain asked me.

"It's nothin', Gingalain. It's just that the keyblade kinda has a mind of its own and whenever someone besides me gets the hold of it….it usally disappears then reappears back into my hands. It's weird like that."

"Well, it's probably a sacred sword. Only YOU can weiled such a weapon like it." Safir commented. I chuckled.

"Maybe you're right. Say, why can't ya remove your helmit so I can see your face?" I asked. He turned his head away from me.

"A warrior like I should NEVER should do such thing." I sighed.

"OK, if ya say so." Then the blacksmith returns with my keyblade, which is now looking brand new.

"Here you go, ma'am. All fixed up and ready to go." He said as he handed me my keyblade.

"Thanks so much, Ta- I mean, sir."

"It's no problem. Feel free to stop by anytime." I nodded as Safir, Gingalain, Palamedes and I left the building and start heading out of the town, but just as we were about to leave, we saw Lancelot standing by the exit, waiting for us. He looked up to see us.

"I see that your sword's all fixed up." I nodded.

"You bet it is." He smirked as he then took out a map and handed it over to me.

"This will lead you to the lake where you'll meet Nimue. Be careful." He said. I nodded once again.

"Thanx, Lacelot and don't worry…we'll be alright. C'mon, let's go!" I said as we started out of town to the woods.

About like hours later we're all still somewhere in the woods, looking for a path that should lead us to the lake.

"Man! This is like finding a needle in a haystack!" I said. Palamedes took the map from me, checking it yet again.

"Hmm…We should be able to follow this path here."

"OK, didn't we just TAKE that one already, Palamedes?" I asked. She shooked her head.

"I don't think so, Ariana."

"Alright then! Let's go!" I said, but then we heard a branch crack.

"What was that?" Gingalain asked. Then…ten of the Heartless appear all around us.

"Ha! Looks like they've just rolled out a welcome mat for us, guys!" I quickly took out my keyblade and got into my fighting stance as the other three knights did the same. "Let's take 'em out!" Each of us then charged at one of the Heartless and began fighting them. Everytime one of us killed one of them, MORE of them start showing up. Safir killed some that were about to attack me from behind while Palamedes and Gingalain doubled teamed on two of them. I then finally got more ticked as MORE of them shows up again. "OK, that does it!" I quickly took out my Light Medallion then called out, "Light!!"….but nothing happened. I looked confused as I tried again to go into Light Ariana. Once again…nothing happened. "What the heck? I CAN'T GO INTO ANY OF MY SAGE FORMS!!!!!????" I screamed. Then one of the Heartless scratches me from behind as I screamed in pain. More of them then tackled me to the ground as I struggled to break free.

"Ariana!!" The three knights yelled, but suddenly a gust of wind appears as the Heartlesss then disappears off of me. As I got up, I saw who done it. My eyes widen.

"SONIC!!!" I screamed. The familiarblue hedgehog turns around to look at me and smirks.

"Hey, Ari! You OK?" He asked. I nodded as I then saw a sword in his hands, but I quickly shook my head.

"How did you get into the book?"

"Long story. At least I got to you in time, didn't I?"

"Yeah, I'll say." I smiled. He smiled back.

"Sonic, behind you!" Said a male voice. Sonic quickly grip his sword as he sliced the Heartless in half that was about to attack him. "A knight MUST be on his guard, remember?"

"Sorry, Caliburn. It's been a while, OK? Cut me some slack, will ya?" My eyes widen.

"Caliburn!!??" I looked at the sword again as it suddenly spoke, "That's right, I am the sacred sword known as Caliburn." I screamed and fell onto my rear.

"Ahh! A talking sword!!!" I screamed.

"And you call yourself a knight. Pathetic. You're more likely a knave."

"Hey!" I yelled as I got up to my feet, now looking mad. "I'm no knave! I'm Ariana the Echidna, the Protector of Time and the chosen wielder of the keyblade! I've been fighting those Heartless since day one!"

"You're nothing but an amateur." I finally snapped.

"Oh, why you little-!?" Sonic quickly broke me and Caliburn apart.

"Break it up! This isn't the perfect time to argue!" He said.

"Make him stop calling me a knave then!" I said. Sonic sighed.

"Look, Ari. You gotta calm down. Besides, we NEED to see Nimue first." I sighed.

"You're right. Let's get goin'." He patted me on the back as we started off to the lake with Sonic and Caliburn leading the way. "I still don't understand though. How come I can't go into any of my Sage Forms?"

"It's probably because you never been into a world that is in a story book." Sonic said. "I'm sure you'll be able to soon."

"…I hope you're right, Sonic."