Chapter 3: The Search for the Key at Daybreak!
-Daybreak Town: Streets-
(Field theme: The Brink of Daybreak)
Kioku explored the new town he had just been thrown in. As he walked the busy streets, He was greeted by the smiling faces of the townsfolk, even though majority of them weren't from here. Kioku's stomach became tight with nervousness. He continued to walk throughout the city until he managed to find a small accessory shop with a sign that read, "Neutron's Accessories". Kioku needed to know exactly where he was, so entering this shop was pretty much his only hope at this point.
-Daybreak Town: Neutron's Accessories-
Kioku pushed open the door which caused a bell to sound off. The interior of the shop looked exactly like a scientist's lab, with futuristic-like funiture and various utensils that a scientist would use. A boy behind the counter was busy stocking up items on the shelves, while a robotic dog was resting in his dog bed. The boy sported a cowlick hairstyle, and a red t-shirt and blue jeans with a blue lab coat tied around his waist, with eye goggles hanging around his neck.
Kioku rubbed the back of his neck as he strolled toward the counter. "Hey,"
The boy turned around, "Oh hello, come to purchase something?
"Well, not really," Kioku replied with a head shake . "But I am trying to find out where I am. You see, my world was destroyed and I ended up here in this town. My name is Kioku by the way." He introduced himself.
"Hello Kioku, I'm Jimmy Neutron, the owner of Neutron's Accessories. My world disappeared after the Heartless attacked. Me and Goddard had found a way out of there, and my friends.." Jimmy lowered his head.
"Oh, I'm sorry." Kioku apologized, seeing the slight pain in the young shopkeeper's eyes. So those black creatures are called "Heartless".
Jimmy raised his head, "You're in Daybreak Town, by the way." He nodded.
"Daybreak Town? So it's like—always daybreak or something?" Kioku shrugged.
Jimmy laughed, "Something along those lines. I also figured since this place will be me and Goddard's new home we could open up an accessory shop to make a living." The boy walked over to the robotic dog to knelt down and pet him.
"Your new home?", Kioku tilted his head slightly. "But don't people realize that you're not from here?"
Jimmy snickered, nodding at Kioku's statement. "The people here are friendly, everyone always happy and uplifting. Besides, most of this world's population is made of different people from all kinds of worlds." Jimmy explained, walking towards the window. "I sure wish they could see it too."
Kioku sighed. "I hope my friends are okay too, where ever they are.."
Silence set in for a few seconds. Kioku smiled and waved. "Well, I'm gonna get going. Nice meetin' you, Jimmy!" Kioku turned away and headed for the door.
"Wait, Kioku. Be careful," Jimmy warned. "This place may be cheerful and carefree. But the Heartless do come around every once in a while. So stay on your toes."
"Got it, I'll be careful." Kioku nodded. "Thanks for the heads up."
"Alright, take care." Jimmy waved as Kioku left the shop.
-Somewhere in the 2nd District-
Spongebob and Patrick walked around town, looking for Link. They looked high and low, and they still haven't managed to find the man they were looking for. Spongebob lowered his head in discouragement. "Everywhere we've looked so far and we still haven't found anything." He sighed.
Patrick patted his best friend's back. "Aw, don't worry Spongebob, he'll turn up sooner or later." Spongebob sighed and raised his head, "Hope you're right Patrick. Let's keep going."
Winslow sighed. "Didn't you say that exact same statement nearly ten minutes ago?!" The small mouse shouted at Patrick, making the starfish flinch in result.
-Daybreak Town: Waterfront Park-
After leaving Jimmy's shop and walked around town some more, Kioku had now arrived into the more vacant part of town. It was quiet, the only sounds he could hear were the chirping of birds and the townspeople in the distance. This part of town looked like more of a park area, where one would go for a jog or just to sit and relax on the bench. Kioku looked around suspiciously before walking down a few steps. "It's awful quiet 'round here," Kioku yawned, folding his hands behind his head. "Too quiet..."
Kioku gave a quick chuckle. "Aw, what am I worried about, anyways?" He stuck his hand out and summoned his Keyblade in a flash of light. "With this weapon, I could take on a thousand of those Heartless things." Kioku bragged to himself as he gave it a few practice swings. "Besides, those thing couldn't put up a decide fight even if their lives depended on it!"
"Oh really now?" A voice echoed from afar, responding to Kioku's statement. Walking towards them was a blonde haired man, with stern blue eyes and scar in the shape of an X on his cheek. He was garbed in a blue tunic with white embroideries and under it was a white long sleeved shirt. He wore slightly baggy white trousers with the legs tucked into his brown boots, and around his neck was a green scarf. The man carried a sword that was concealed in a blue and gold sheath on his waist. "They definitely will come at you out of nowhere." The man pointed a finger at Kioku's Keyblade. "But if you continue to use that Keyblade, they won't be that much of a problem.."
"Who are you?" Kioku asked skeptically as he backed away from him.
The man shook his head. "But I don't understand, how could it have picked a kid like you?" he groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Kioku shouted loudly, "Hey! Earth to weird elf-eared guy! In case you forgot, I just asked you a question!" Kioku raised his Keyblade at the man, "And whaddaya mean, 'A kid like me?"
The man sighed, "The name's Link, and I think I'll be seeing that Keyblade for a bit." Kioku looked his his blade then at Link. "What, over my dead body, there ain't no way you're getting this!" Link smirked, putting a hand on the hilt of his blade. "So be it. Guess I'll just have to take it by force." Link unsheathed his blade, his sword looked like it was made for a master swordsman, except the blade was slightly bandaged for decor.
"Oh yeah? Then bring it on!" Kioku got in a stance with his Keyblade. "Show me watch you got!"
(Battle Theme: Brawl Before Breakfast/Early Morning Melee)
In the blink of an eye, Link had dashed towards Kioku with a deadly thrust from his blade, causing the boy to quickly dodge Link's second swing. Kioku hopped into the air and attacked Link with three quick strikes from his Keyblade, finishing it off with a final wallop to the face. Link grunted as he jumped back, wiping fresh blood from his mouth. "Not bad." Link chuckled with a devious smirk. Kioku sharpened his glare and retained his stance.
The elf-earred man raised his Master Sword up in the air, and in a flash of light it had transformed into a large Megaton Hammer. Kioku's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, "Oh crap!" he exclaimed as Link had begin to chase Kioku around with the hammer, threatening to crush him with it in a single swing. Link gave the hammer a quick horizontal swing and managed to sweep Kioku's feet from under him, making him fall flat on his back.
"Argh!" Kioku exclaimed as he hit the cobblestone ground with great force. Link then raised the hammer up into the air and got ready to bring it down on the young Keybearer, who let out a feminine, hi-pitched squeal and quickly rolled out of the way as the hammer crashed down onto the ground, the force of the hammer's blow making his body spring up . Link growled and transformed his weapon back into a sword. "You damn pest.."
Kioku's feet planted themselves on the ground. "What in the-", he was cut off as he quickly dodged a quick slash from Link's sword. Their blades clashed and scraped as they swung at one another. Link rolled out of the way of Kioku's quick batter-esque swing and grabbed him by the arm. "Hey! What are you-!" Link threw Kioku over his shoulder, who had quickly recovered and countered with an upward swing from his Keyblade, managing to strike the man in the chin. Link staggered backwards in pain, which gave Kioku the chance to talk.
"Alright, now that I clearly see what I'm up against. I'm gonna run for it!" Kioku turned his back and ran towards the steps. Link looked up and transformed his blade into a Clawshot, a weapon used for long-ranged enemies. "Oh no you don't!" Link yelled. He fired his Clawshot and captured Kioku. "Gotcha!"
"What?!" Kioku shouted. He was quickly and forcefully pulled back over to his opponent with great speed. Link struck Kioku in the neck and knocked him stood up and wiped the sweat from his forehead. Footsteps were heard coming towards them. "Jeez.. Link, you could've gone easy on him." A feminine voice said concerningly
Link looked up and saw that there was a young girl that looked about Kioku's age, with blue hair that was tied into a ponytail, holding a large book.
"Why go easy if the wielder's already strong. Right, Lana?" Link smirked. He sighed and looked down at Kioku's unconscious body. "Besides, I think things got worse..a lot worse."
- Daybreak Town: 3rd District-
Spongebob and Patrick explored the more deserted part of town, still in search of Link. "Gee Spongebob, no one's around. It's pretty scary!" Patrick said timidly, shaking with fear.
"Are you kidding, I'm not scared at all!" Spongebob said bravely, puffing out his chest. Then, a woman's hand reached out and touched his shoulder, making the sponge exclaim in fear and hide behind Patrick. "Pardon me, but did the king send you by any chance?" The woman asked. They both turned to look at her. She was flawlessly beautiful, her brunette hair was tied into a low ponytail, with two from pieces of hair decorated with strings of ribbon tied around them. She wore a purple and white dress with brown boots with long white gloves.
"Who are you?" Patrick asked, his cheeks colored a faint red. "My name is Zelda, and I can tell you everything you need to know."
Spongebob walked from behind Patrick, looking up at the woman. "You can tell us about the king's whereabouts?" Zelda nodded, "Come, let's retire somewhere and talk."
-Daybreak Town: Inn-
Kioku lied on the bed completely unconscious. His Keyblade sat against the wall right next to Link, who was leaning against the wall with his arms folded. Lana poked at Kioku's cheek. "Rise n' shine." She muttered softly, with no reply. Lana lightly smacked his cheek, hoping to wake him up this time. She sighed with impatience.
"You really got him good, Link." Lana smiled mischievously and pulled out her Deku staff. She looked back at Link, waiting for permission.
"Shall I?" Lana asked, batting her eyelashes. Link opened one eye with a smirk, "Do it.."
Lana smirked, raising her staff and quickly slamming it down on Kioku's head, making him jump up quickly and hold his head in pain.
"Ouch!" Kioku yelled out in pain as he looked in all directions. "Good, you're awake. Y'know, to be honest you're kind of a cute sleeper." Lana teased, giving Kioku a flirtatious wink. "All jokes aside, you feelin' alright?" She questioned.
The boy shook his head, "I guess.." he responded, his vision still pretty hazy. "Those creatures that attacked you are after the Keyblade." Lana explained, pointing to the Guardian Locker that sat over by Link. "But it's actually your heart they're after, since you wield the Keyblade."
To Kioku, the girl that was speaking to him was Taiyo, since his mind was still a bit fuzzy. "Wow..I'm so glad you're safe Taiyo."
"Taiyo? Sorry, but my name is Lana." Kioku's mind had finally cleared up, and the image of Taiyo was washed from his minf and was replaced with Lana's.
"Link, you were too rough with him." Lana spun around, pouting at the older man. "He's having hallucinations."
Link scowled back at her, "I was not, he tried to run so I knocked him out. I couldn't let him get away."
Kioku looked over at his Keyblade, reaching out to it. "My..Keyblade.."
"Yup," Lana nodded. "We had to confiscate it from you to shake those creatures off. And come to think of it, that's how they were finding you." She explained.
Link chimed in, "It was the only way to conceal your heart from them. Unfortunately, it won't work for long." Link said as he walked over and picked up Kioku's Keyblade. "Still, it's hard to believe that you of all people are the chosen one." Link spun the blade once, in a flash of light the Keyblade disappeared from Link's hand and appeared back into Kioku's. Link shrugged, "Well, suppose beggars can't be choosers, right?"
"Why don't you two start making some sense! What's going on?" Kioku asked, his voice lowering into a serious tone as his eyes narrowed at the two.
-Daybreak Town: Inn Lobby-
"Okay, you know there are other worlds out there besides this one and your castle, right?" Zelda asked.
"Oh yeah," Spongebob nodded. "Of course!"
"But it's supposed to be secret.." Patrick whispered, covering his mouth.
"They've been secret because they've never been connected..until now." Zelda explained. "When the Heartless came, everything changed."
-The Inn: Room-
"Heartless? You mean those creepy black creatures with those glowing yellow eyes, long ugly antennas, disgustingly sharp claws too?" Kioku asked, adding a description of the monsters. "That Jimmy kid told me about them!"
"They're the ones that attacked you." Lana nodded.
"Those without hearts." Link added.
"It's the darkness in people's hearts- that's what attracts them." Lana explained.
"And darkness sleeps within every heart." Link said, touching his chest. "By the way, every heard of a man named Vlad Plasmius?"
-Inn: Lobby-
"Vlad Plasmius?" Spongebob questioned as his eyes fixed on Patrick, who shrugged in response.
"He was a scientist used to study ghosts, then he shifted his research over to Heartless." Zelda explained. "He recorded all of his findings in a highly detailed report."
"Do you have it?" Patrick asked politely. Zelda shook her head sadly, "It's pages are scattered everywhere." She sighed.
"Scattered as in like, lost?" Spongebob asked.
"To many worlds." Zelda nodded.
"Oh, oh, I know, I know! Maybe the king went to go find them all!" Patrick suggested cheerfully, with Spongebob nodding in agreement.
"Yes, my thoughts exactly!" Zelda smiled.
"Then we'd better find him!" Patrick exclaimed as he turned to Spongebob.
"Hold it right there!" Spongebob objected loudly. "We need that 'key' before we go looking for anything."
"Ah yes. The Keyblade." Zelda nodded.
-Inn: Room-
"So this is the key?" Kioku asked as he held up his Keyblade.
"Correct, you're catching on pretty fast." Lana nodded with a smile.
"Those Heartless have tremendous fear over the Keyblade." Link explained as he turned his back, "Which is why they'll keep coming after you, no matter what."
"Well...I didn't ask for this for," Kioku sighed, just before looking at his Keyblade again. "But i'm not complaining either."
"The Keyblade chooses it's master, so it chose you." Lana said, lightly poking Kioku's nose causing the boy to flinch.
"So..tough luck." Link leaned back up against the wall and folded his arms.
"How did all this even happen?" Kioku asked himself. "I remember being in my room."
Kioku gasped, jumping up from the bed "Hold up! What happened to my town, what happened to my friends? Yoru! Taiyo!"
"You know what? I really don't know.." Link replied with a shrug. "But, what I do know is that the Heartless will find you sooner or later. You'd best get prepared."
"Get prepared? This is all the preparation I need, right?" Kioku asked as he held up his Keyblade.
"True," Link responded as he started to walk over to Kioku. He put his hands on his shoulders and looked into his eyes with a serious glare, making the teen swallow nervously. "But are you ready to fight for your life?" Link asked. What it really that serious? Link made it seem like these Heartless things seem super dangerous. But since Kioku was scared at Link's intimidated glare he just gulped and nodded.
"Alright. Lana, let's go join Zelda. She should be in the lobby with the other visitors." Link ordered.
"Whoa! Link!" Lana screamed as a Heartless had suddenly appeared right in front of her. It was armored, and had an emblem on it's chest. Lana got ready to smash it with her huge Book of Sorcery. "You stupid, ugly.."
"Lana, no time. We gotta leave!" Link yelled as he unsheathed his blade.. "Darn." Lana cursed under her breath. She quickly stormed out of the room and raced down to the lobby.
"Kioku, let's go!" He ordered. Link charged and kicked the Heartless right out the window. Link jumped out after it, and Kioku shrugged to himself and hopped out of the window as well. The two of them stood back to back while a dozen Heartless surrounded them. More Heartless emerged from the ground, and they had started to grow rapidly in numbers. Kioku had then regretted his choice. "L-Link!" the teen yelled in fear.
"Don't bother with the small fry, go and find the leader!" Link ordered. He then made his way out by mowing down some Heartless with his blade to make a path. Kioku gripped his Guardian Locker and charged into the streets.
(INFORMATION: Defeat all of the Heartless while making your way to the Clock Tower Plaza!)
(Battle Music: Night of Fate)
Kioku ran and swung his Keyblade at the some of the Heartless, vaporizing them as captive hearts floated into the sky. He quickly dodged out of a Soldier's attack and retaliated with a few swats from his Keyblade and finished him off with a quick slash. He ventured further into town and saw the townspeople scattered out of the way as the Heartless appeared. Kioku leaped into the air and slammed his Keyblade into a large group of Shadows that dared to attack them. "Back off!"
He then looked around as more Heartless emerged, "Crap, I need to find the leader of this thing before anything bad happens to this town!" Kioku uttered to himself. He heaved his Keyblade over his shoulder and quickly ran further into town.
-Daybreak Town: Clock Tower Plaza-
When Kioku arrived, he saw that the area was vacant since all of the townspeople had taken shelter inside to prevent being attacked by any Heartless. After a few minutes of sitting under the tall Clock Tower, Kioku got up and started walking out. "I thought I sensed something here..guess not.." Kioku sighed as he turned his back and started walking resting his Keyblade on his shoulder.
-Meanwhile-
After running from the Heartless at the Inn, Spongebob and Patrick found themselves hopping from rooftop to rooftop to escape the Heartless that were lurking on the ground. They soon came to a dead end. "Tartar sauce..." Spongebob muttered.
"You mean there's no where left to run?!" Patrick shouted.
"Stay calm, Patrick. I've got it all under control." Spongebob said confidently as he twirled his staff cockily. A Soldier, a Heartless that branded with an emblem, materialized in front of them.
"Spongebob! It's a H-Heartless!" Patrick squealed in fear. "Easy now. It's only one, a little magic and the little guy is history." Spongebob cheesed, readying himself. It appeared that the emblem Heartless had called on some Shadows, those of the pureblood breed. Spongebob's cheesy smile dropped to a nervous chuckle "Uh..heh.."
Patrick summoned his two dual shields "Twin Busters". "That's it, no more runnin'!" Patrick growled as he glared at the enemies.
"Patrick?" Spongebob gasped, shocked at his friend's sudden change in attitude. "If we're gonna die, then we're gonna go out like men!" Patrick gritted his teeth. "Yeah, I'm right there with ya, buddy!" Spongebob nodded.
"Here, try this on for size!" Spongebob shouted as he spun his staff and fired a ball of flames at the group of Heartless, but the explosion from the spell had knocked the two off of the rooftop, causing them to fall into the Clock Tower Plaza. Kioku looked up to see if Heartless had something to do with the explosion, but he only saw a sponge and a starfish falling towards him.
"What in the hell?!" Kioku screamed as he attempted to run. But he was squashed as the two came crashing right on top of him. They all moaned in pain, but Spongebob and Patrick noticed the weapon in Kioku's hand. "The Key!" They gasped in unison.
The ground had began to shake, and forming in front of them was a large, menacing looking Heartless. It looked like an Iguana, but had glowing yellow eyes and black, razor sharp claws and a long, and dangerously scaly tail. It was a deep purple color and had the Heartless emblem right on it's chest. The large Heartless roared, making the sun in Daybreak Town fall and emit a curse-filled night. The three scattered up to their feet. "This must be the leader!" Kioku said as he got into a stance with his Keyblade.
"The leader of what?" Spongebob asked. "Maybe this is what's causing the little Heartless to around town. And If we take it out, we can restore both daylight and peace to the town!" Patrick theorized. "Patrick, I think that's the smartest thing you've said the whole time we've been here." Spongebob said, readying his staff.
The Heartless roared loudly, bearing it's teeth at the three. "No time to chat! It's getting ready to charge!" Kioku yelled.
Winslow's Journal
*Link: A man who resides in Daybreak Town. He, alongside Zelda and Lana, know of the King's disappearance and the 'key'. He made his debut as the hero of "The Legend of Zelda" (1986)
*Zelda: A princess who resides in Daybreak Town. She discusses about Vlad Plasmius and the Keyblade with Spongebob and Patrick only minutes before the Heartless attack. She was the damsel in distress in "The Legend of Zelda" (1986).
*Lana: A young, energetic sorceress who resides in Daybreak Town. She, along with Link, discuss about Vlad Plasmius and the Keyblade with Kioku just minutes before the Heartless attack. She was a great heroine in "Hyrule Warriors" (2014).
CHANGES: Patrick's axe sword "Boulder Buster", has been replaced with two small dual shields, "Twin Busters". These shields are identical to the shields the Buckle Bruiser Unversed use in Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep.