Final Arrangements
The White Witch stood before the group she had summoned in the audience hall of her palace of ice. To her minions and the residents of Narnia, she was to be addressed as Queen, thought it was far from the truth. She looked over the members of her council: Shere Khan, the cold, ruthless tiger from the jungle with his assistant the cowardly and hypnotizing python Kaa; the part spider, part crab monster Henry J. Waternoose and the second top scarer Randall, a snake like lizard; the technological and intelligent super with a large white S on his black costume Syndrome; the blue haired warlock in a red cloak who controls the Mystics, Magus; and the emperor clad in blue, black, red, and yellow with a yellow and red striped collar and a mad clown like face whose quest for power led to the destruction of his world, Kefka. This was certainly a fine group of individuals the White Witch had assembled for her cause. "I suppose you know why you're here," she said to get their attention.
"Not really," Magus answered coldly, "but I have the feeling you'll enlighten us anyway." Jadis glared at the powerful spell caster, but continued. Should he try her patience one more time, she would be more than kind to demonstrate her power.
"It seems that the fates have chosen a keyblade bearer for our side of the universe," the White Witch replied. As expected, the others were thrown into some dismay. Kefka smiled deviously at the notion. The White Witch held up her hand silencing the group. "However, that doesn't mean we can't do anything about it." She once again had their attention.
"What do you propose?" Waternoose asked, tapping his fingers together.
"A union," the White Witch answered. "Join me and I'll give you the power over the Heartless to stop this meddling child before anything can be done against us."
"The Heartless you say," Shere Khan replied, liking the sound of having minions at his disposal for man. Jadis smiled at their consideration of her plan, it was almost too easy to win them over.
"Ha, with my brains and weapons, and the Heartless at my side," Syndrome added, "nothing can stand in my way. And when I turn every super into a Heartless, the world will be mine!"
"Easy on the monologue pal," Randall replied dryly, definitely annoyed. Syndrome glared at him. Magus was getting fed up with the charade.
"What is it you want in return for this power?" he asked.
"I beg your pardon," the White Witch answered. An evil grin appeared on Magus' face, Kefka's as well. The Emperor liked the way the warlock thought.
"No one gives anyone power without expecting something in return," he replied. "You promise us control over the Heartless to smite our enemies, but what is it that you want from us?" Magus succeeded in turning the tide against the White Witch for the moment.
"Yeah, he does have a point," Syndrome added.
"Business at its finest," Waternoose replied.
"Why, only your loyalty to each member of this council," the White Witch answered. A nodding of heads signaled her success in regaining their favor. "I would come to your aide should a problem arise, I would hope you would come to mine in such a case."
"Can't argue with that," Kaa added.
"I'm only concerned with your best interests," the White Witch replied. "Together, we will be the most powerful force in the universe. I wouldn't want anything coming between that."
"We can trust each other, can't we?" Kefka asked. The group seemed to agree with him.
"It also helps to hold the proper type of leverage," Jadis added. She snapped her fingers and her dwarf minion cam, holding chains that imprisoned a boy about Nexam's age. He had blonde hair, a bit longer than Nexam's, but not too long, more roughed up than normal, thanks to his captors. The boy wore a black vest with red highlights and a red shirt underneath. He had black pants on, and his shoes were a combination of black and white. His blue eyes were barely open with the fatigue he was feeling. The boy was none other than Kev.
"And who exactly is the kid?" Syndrome asked.
"Why, one of the keyblade bearer's friends," the White Witch answered.
"You fool!" Magus shouted.
"How dare you insult me in my dominion you insignificant worm?" she asked angrily.
"Because you have brought about the destruction of this alliance," Magus answered. "You'll bring the keyblade bearer's wrath upon every member of this alliance not only because we control the Heartless, but you have one of his friends as a hostage."
"Quit being so dramatic," Kefka replied.
"Funny coming from the clown who sought to rule his world only to end up destroying it completely," Magus snapped back. He struck a nerve on Kefka, who covered it up by laughing. A fear of Kefka fell over the room. "One cannot rule over something that doesn't exist. If you should rethink your strategy, send someone to alert me. Better yet, don't find me, I'll find you." He turned around and began to walk away. "The black wind howls. You White Witch will surely perish," he added as he opened a portal and returned to his world.
"Anyone else have any objections?" Kefka asked.
"No, none at all," the other council members replied.
"Good, now leave to your own worlds until you are summoned once again," the White Witch said. "Let our strength prevail over the light." The council nodded in agreement and left to their home worlds. Jadis turned over to Kev. "You my boy will be a useful asset in the upcoming battle." Kev glared at her, pretty much all he could do considering his current situation. "Take him back to the dungeon; I'll deal with him later."
"Yes my Queen," the dwarf replied as he led Kev back to his prison.
"Kefka," the White Witch added, "go monitor our warlock friend and make sure he remains loyal to us."
"It will be done my Queen," Kefka replied, bowing before opening a portal and stepping in it. For now, he would play the trusted second in command role, but as soon as she outlived her usefulness, or what Magus said comes to pass, everything would belong to him. Patience would be the key for his plot to take form, especially since the White Witch had spies all around, hence her knowledge of Nexam.
KH-KH-KH
Terra and Edgar still waited at the Returners' base for Vincent, Zell, and Nexam to return from the Blue Fairy. Edgar tinkered with some of his inventions near the front, modifying his automatic crossbow to shoot faster and with more force and a drill to get past even the toughest armor or skin on a Heartless. And should these devices fail him, that being a rather large "if," there was always his trusty spear for such an emergency. Terra walked into his workshop carrying some food and tea on a tray. He looked up at her and then at the tray. "Just set mine down somewhere and I'll get to it. Just gotta finish a few more tweaks…" His attention was focused on his work, rather strange, though, he would always stop for a woman.
"All right then," Terra replied with a sigh, "Just don't work too hard." She set his food and tea on a nearby table and was about to leave the room when Edgar spoke up again.
"Say Terra," he said while finishing up the final touches to his project, "think I have enough charm to win anyone over?"
"That's kinda a weird question," Terra answered, puzzled at it herself. "Why do you ask?"
"Well, I'm probably gonna need you guys to watch the shop for me on the weekend," Edgar replied as he got up from his work, looking satisfied at it and himself. "I managed to score a couple a dates with a few lovely ladies." His face was smug and proud. Terra seemed a bit agitated by his comment, though Edgar didn't realize it.
"Is that all you can ever think about?" Terra asked with some anger in her otherwise calm, gentle voice as she crossed her arms.
"Ladies and mechanics are my specialty," Edgar answered, "You know that. Is something wrong?"
"Oh, nothing except of all of our friends I could get stuck with, I end up with the pompous self absorbed so called 'lady's man'!" Terra replied rather angrily. "Of all the nerve!" She grabbed the closest thing on the table to her, a small wrench, and tossed it at Edgar's head before storming out of the shop. After the object hit him dead on, Edgar fell down in a daze as Terra slammed the front door behind her. As his now scrambled mind tried to piece together what had just happened, he realized he made a big mistake. Unfortunately for him, as he was trying to stand up to correct it, he tripped on a wire and fell down unconscious. Today was just not his day.
KH-KH-KH
Vincent, Zell, and Nexam walked out of the Blue Fairy's house and back into the Governor's Plaza, only to be greeted by a small group of Heartless. "Don't these things ever quit?" Nexam asked as he swung his keyblade at them.
"Don't think they know how," Zell answered as he punched a Shadow into the air, meeting it with his other fist a few seconds later.
"That's why you have the keyblade," Vincent added as he shot some of the remaining Heartless.
"Yeah, I know," Nexam replied as he slashed the last Shadow. That task complete, they resumed their run back to the Merchant Quarter, quickly disposing of any Heartless in their wake. The information they received from the Blue Fairy needed to be shared with Terra and Edgar, since they now had the Five Judges and their Nobodies to deal with besides the Heartless infestation that was already paining them.
KH-KH-KH
In the space above Tranquil Terrace, a gummi ship hovered overhead. Inside the cockpit were two passengers, Max, Goofy's son, and Gene, a duck that was once a genie but freed after an adventure with Donald's nephews Heuy, Dewey, and Louie. They were roughly about Nexam's age, give or take a few years and on a mission much like the court magician and captain of the guard from none other than King Mickey himself. The task was given to them in a letter.
Dear Max and Gene,
Sorry to put this burden on ya, but we don't have much of a choice. Things are getting pretty hectic with the Heartless and Organization XIII over here, and over on the other side too. You two need to get on a gummi ship right away and find the keyblade bearer on that side of the universe and preserve the world order. Take care and good luck to ya.
Your friend,
King Mickey
However, standing in between the two adventurers and the quest would be landing the gummi ship safely. "Do you know what you're doing?" Gene asked.
"Sorta," Max answered, messing around with some of the controls. Gene looked down and then at the approaching world.
"Please don't crash," he continued, "we really do need to make it out alive and in one piece."
"Yeah, we'll be fine," Max replied. Gene somehow doubted that, but went along with it anyway. "Here we go!" Max added as he took the ship in for a landing. He may have lacked their experience Goofy had, but that didn't stop him from enjoying himself as they descended to Tranquil Terrace.
KH-KH-KH
After defeating any Heartless that spawned in front of them, Vincent, Zell, and Nexam finally made it back to the Merchant Quarter. Quickly they entered their base. "Hey Terra and Edgar," Zell shouted as they walked in, "we got some info you outta hear." To their surprise, no one answered. Vincent started to search the shop portion of the building when he came across a conked out Edgar.
"What the hell happened?" he asked as he woke up Edgar. The mechanic rubbed the sore spot on his head.
"Vincent, Zell, Nexam, welcome back," he said as he began to stand.
"Hey, where's Terra?" Zell asked.
"Huh?" Edgar answered with confusion. Some of the events were still a bit blurry to him.
"What did you do this time?" Vincent asked with a great deal of irritancy. Nexam looked as puzzled as Edgar.
"I think I said something that made her mad," Edgar answered. "Yeah, I think that's what happened." He looked down at the wrench on the floor and his memory was jogged. "She threw a wrench at my head and knocked me out!"
"You lost her?" Vincent asked with a combination of anger and concern. "Do you have any idea what this means?"
"The Turks!" Edgar shouted as he caught on to Vincent's drift. Ever since the two of them arrived here, Shin-Ra has shown a great deal of interest in Terra. Edgar grabbed his automatic crossbow and spear and darted out the door with Vincent close behind.
"Stay here," he ordered as he left the building. Nexam and Zell stood dumfounded without any time to respond.
"Zell," Nexam said, "Can you make heads or tails out of this?"
"Sorta," Zell answered, "I'm not sure, but I think Terra kinda likes Edgar or something." Nexam nodded along. "But, if you haven't noticed, Edgar's kinda a ladies man or something along that line in his mind. I guess he ticked her off big time. Terra really doesn't get mad."
"I hope I never turn out like that," Nexam replied as he sat down in a nearby chair. He noticed the food and tea and took some, giving Zell the other serving.
"Nah, don't sweat it," Zell added between bites, "she's just probably blowing off steam."
"I guess you're right," Nexam replied as he thought about it. "But what about what the Turks?"
"Oh that, right," Zell answered. "Vincent's not the only one who can transform, but from what we got out of him, some guy named Hojo did that to him. Terra's half Esper."
"Esper?" Nexam asked.
"Yeah, back on their world, they were powerful magical beings," Zell answered still eating and drinking. "So she can transform into an Esper when she wants to."
"That's why they want her so bad," Nexam replied understanding the situation. Still he was concerned for his friend.
"Vincent and Edgar will find here in no time man, just relax," Zell added. That was easier said than done for Nexam. His mind worried for his friends here and for Lenne and Kev. He shuddered at any thought of something bad happening to them, trying his best to remain composed. "Hey, you all right man?"
"Oh, I'm just thinking about my friends," Nexam answered, "don't worry, I'm fine."
"Whatever you say dude," Zell replied finishing off his food. "Hey, you gonna eat that?" Nexam shrugged and handed the hungry teen some of his food. All that grub had to be for his metabolism or something.
KH-KH-KH
Terra walked around the semi-peaceful Merchant Quarter. She needed to clear her head, especially with that outburst at Edgar. Should anything happen, she had her sword strapped to her side. "Maybe I was a little hard on Edgar," she said softly to herself as she walked about. "He did ask for it though, the nerve of him…" Terra stopped when she saw two strange characters walk into the district, a humanoid dog and duck.
KH-KH-KH
Vincent and Edgar swept through the city in search of Terra, with Edgar looking frantically for her. It was partially, if not all his fault, and there was no chance in Hell that he'd let the Turks get to her. Incidentally, this happened to be one of his favorite scenarios, the damsel in distress, though Terra could handle herself if need be. Vincent gazed from the roof tops like an eagle in the sky hunting its prey. When his eyes caught sight of her, he jumped from the roof to bring her back safely. On the ground, Edgar saw Vincent and ran in his direction.
KH-KH-KH
The knight in training Max, and wizard in training Gene wondered through Tranquil Terrace in search of the keyblade bearer. "Max, you sure this is the best way of finding the keyblade bearer?" Gene asked.
"Don't know," Max answered as they passed by some merchants, "but it beats sitting around and waiting."
"And that wouldn't work?" Gene asked.
"Yeah, because the keyblade dude probably doesn't even know we're looking for him," Max answered, satisfied with being correct.
"All right, let's ask her," Gene replied pointing at Terra, who was walking towards them. "Excuse me Miss," he continued.
"Can I help you with something?" Terra asked gently.
"Hopefully," Max answered, "uh, you wouldn't have happened to notice someone running around here with a keyblade, would you?" Terra's face lit up with the mention of the keyblade. She took another look at the humanoid dog and duck, realizing there was no way they worked for Shin-Ra. Still, it was a bit suspicious.
"You see," Gene continued for Max, "we really need to find this person, world order and stuff." Terra nodded her head. At this point, Vincent and Edgar arrived on the scene. Terra turned around and faced them; recapping what had just happening, while glaring at Edgar slightly. Vincent nodded.
"We'll take you to him," he added, motioning for Max and Gene to follow him. They nodded and followed Vincent to the Returners' base.
"Terra," Edgar said while they were walking.
"Yes?" Terra asked, wondering what he could be up to.
"Uh," he replied, trying to find the right words to make amends, "I'm sorry for what I said earlier. Terra was surprised by his quick apology. It wasn't that she didn't want to hear it, but the fact that Edgar felt guilty about what he said.
"I'm sorry too," Terra added. They gazed into each other's eyes. The moment would have lasted longer had Vincent not spoke up.
"Ahem," he said, "I hate to interrupt, but we need to hurry. Who knows what Zell could be up too and we need to discuss the new information we obtained." Edgar and Terra smiled briefly and followed Vincent, Max, and Gene.
KH-KH-KH
"Man I hate getting left behind," Zell groaned as he looked for something to entertain himself with. Seeing nothing, he walked into his room and started punching the punching bag hanging from the ceiling. Nexam leaned against a part of the wall that was a safe distance away from the brawler.
"They didn't want to loose anyone else," Nexam replied "at least, that's my guess."
"Still dull as hell," Zell added. Nexam nodded. They then heard the door open and walked towards the front.
"You made it, welcome back," Nexam said. He looked at Terra then at Edgar. Whatever happened was in the past now, and he couldn't help but let out a small chuckle.
"Hey, who are those guys?" Zell asked pointing at Max and Gene.
"The other reason we're here," Vincent answered.
"Well, I'm Max and this is my pal Gene," Max replied.
"We're here because King Mickey told us to look for you," Gene added. "We're supposed to go with the keyblade bearer and stop the Heartless." On cue, Nexam summoned Knight's Oath into his hand. Max and Gene stared at it and nodded.
"Now, what else did you find out?" Edgar asked.
"To expand on what Max and Gene said," Vincent answered, "Nexam and his keyblade have the power to release the captive hearts held by the Heartless and seal the worlds from them."
"That's a heavy burden for someone so young," Terra added. Nexam gave a nod as he thought the same thing.
"We also have a new enemy on our hands," Vincent continued, "the Five Judges and their Nobodies. We don't know what they're after, but they want Nexam and the keyblade."
"Yeah, we ran into one of their goons and his Nobodies," Zell added.
"They're stronger than the Heartless we've seen here," Nexam replied. "I'm putting you guys in danger just by being here, and I'm sorry for that."
"Dude, don't sweat it," Zell added. "It's not like we can't handle ourselves."
"And even if you weren't here, they'd probably come looking anyway," Terra replied.
"Thanks guys," Nexam said with a small grin.
"No, thank you," Vincent replied. Nexam looked at him befuddled. "Now that you've come, we can finally be rid of the Heartless."
"You're a symbol of hope," Edgar added.
"Just don't loose sight of what's here," Terra replied pointing at his heart.
"But what about my friends?" Nexam asked. "I have to find them."
"I'm sure we'll run into them somewhere," Max answered.
"Yeah, we will," Nexam replied. "I don't know how, but I just know it."
"Well, our gummi ship isn't too far from here," Max added, "so we can get going whenever you're ready dude."
"One problem," Gene interrupted, "I think you damaged it a bit when we landed." Max chuckled as he put his hand behind his head.
"That's where we come in," Edgar replied grabbing Zell and placing him right beside him. "We're mechanics, so we can tend to it in no time." Zell grinned with excitement. "Just bring it by the shop in the back."
"Ok then," Gene added, "but I'm driving this time."
"Fine," Max replied as they left to bring the gummi ship. Nexam walked over to the couch and took a long needed nap. He had a lot of information to take in and needed some rest after the day's trails. Considering how much of a wreck his mind was, though he hid it from the others fairly well, Nexam received a well deserved good night's sleep. When he woke up sometime the next morning, he was greeted by Zell, who had to resist throwing a bucket of cold water on him, and by resist, Vincent had threatened him.
"Yo dude, you're finally up," Zell said as Nexam came to. He hated the feeling he had waking up in the morning, taking a few minutes to register everything. "Uh, you ok?"
"Yeah," Nexam answered as he came to, "it just takes a bit for me to fully wake up."
"Well hurry up, everyone's waiting on ya!" Zell ran to the back where the gummi ship was repaired. Nexam stood up, grabbed anything that might have fallen out of his pockets, and followed Zell. By the ship stood a proud Edgar as Max and Gene gazed in awe.
"What do you think?" Edgar asked.
"Whoa, dude!" Max answered as he checked the ship out.
"Made a few improvements," Edgar added, "Zell and I updated the navigation system weapons, and communication. You should be able to handle anything that gets thrown at you."
"Thanks," Gene replied.
"Ah it's nothing really," Zell added. "Oh ya, Sleeping Beauty here finally came to."
"Sleeping Beauty?" Vincent asked. "Couldn't you come up with something better?"
"Short notice," Zell answered. Nexam shook his head.
"Right…," he added, "anyway what's up?"
"It's about time you three headed off," Terra answered.
"Guess it is then," Nexam replied. "I know I said it before, but thanks for everything guys. I really do appreciate it."
"It was the least we could do," Edgar added, "but if you want to keep praising, feel free." Terra glanced at him. "Or not."
"Nexam, you ready?" Gene asked.
"You bet," Nexam answered as he followed Max and Gene into the ship. He turned around. "Take care."
"You too man," Zell replied.
"Come back and see us sometime," Terra added.
"Will do," Nexam replied as he saluted with two fingers on his right hand.
"Go get 'em," Vincent added as Nexam boarded the gummi ship. With Max piloting, much to Gene's objection, the ship rose and left the hanger. Once it was out, it flew into the sky above, leaving Tranquil Terrace behind.
