Disclaimer: Monstro…
Sora: Riku! Where've you been?
Riku: Well, some extremely ugly fag hag bitch thing told me that you gave me up for a somewhat-talking duck and a tall dog…thing, so I agreed to help her.
Sora: Huh? You're not making any sense, Riku…
Riku: I know, it's just to see your adorable pouting confused face
Sora pouts.
Me also no own Learn to be Lonely, from the acclaimed Phantom of the Opera. Kudos to whoever who can find the reference. It's not that hard.
Warning: Blah blah, CoM spoiler and all that. Quite formal Mickey, so no Mickey-speak, except for one welp.
Author's Note: Okay, so fanfic dot net screwed up and seemed to have not delivered my review replies, as confirmed by Shattered Mirror. Such a pity, since I forgot what I wrote in there. The delay in notifying me of The Writer's new stories was also regretted.
Stupid ff dot net. Oh right, I'm using its services. My bad.
Er, yeah, my memory's not that good.
But mostly, from whatever bits I recall, it's to thank you guys for pointing out the spelling mistakes, and to promise to check through, which I did this time. Still, I'm only human, so it'll be nice if you guys can help me look through and point out further errors. Muchas gracious, or something like that.
And anyway, since the review replies didn't go through, let me thank all my reviewers here again. Readers are great, but reviewers are gold.
Thanks to:
Fugitive, glad you liked it. Kairi is difficult to portray in all her elements, and it was unfortunate Square and team did not give her greater prominence.
talimthewindmaker, thanks again for those errors pointed out. If you received my reply, I blamed "Deep Drive" on the KH2 Original Soundtracks, since I listen to it often. Battle music in TWTNW is named, well, Deep Drive. Personally, I prefer Sacred Moon, the normal TWTNW non-battle theme. Slat was my fault though. And my sympathies to Kairi too, as mentioned to Fugitive as well.
And of course, dear friend and reviewer, Shattered Mirror01! I cheered you for your exams, so it's a pity you did not receive that. Thanks for pointing out spelling too. Also, I offered you a slight sneak peak thing, though you may have already watched it.
For all who are interested too, visit it on YouTube. Since the link doesn't show, it's triple w (dot) youtube (dot) com (/slash) watch?v4itvyMRs9cM. Courtesy to my sis, leafyaki, for providing the link. It's to die for.
Without further ado…
IV. The Emperor – Mickey
Another light extinguished.
Another twinkle in the sky ceased to be.
It's the third one this week.
I found it pointless resisting the sigh which was struggling to escape. I knew the time would come sooner or later, when darkness once again grows in power and threaten the balance.
Then, it shall be my job, as King, to wield my weapon once more.
Goodbye, Minnie. It shall be some time before we meet again. Have faith in me.
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As fate ordained, I shall not be lonely in this journey.
I would rather I was, though. Why extend the suffering?
However, for the greater good of the world, my power alone would not suffice. Two other individuals will have to come into play.
But they are so, so young…
Well then, wise Donald and loyal Goofy, serve me well now. Please be successful in aiding the Keyblader of Light. I shall pray for your safety.
Meanwhile, I would find my way to the other fallen Master…
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Traversing worlds after worlds, complete with never-ending battles against beings of darkness and the masterminds behind them, left me exhausted. However, I cannot rest yet, nor can I fall.
The darkness is pervasive, overbearing, suffocating…
If I shall falter, the boy who fell prey to darkness may not be able to escape his nightmare.
Consequently his light shall fall, as light and shadow are one.
Then all would be lost.
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My dear friend Ansem…
Why did you not come to me earlier? Why did I not detect your distress?
Look where our mistakes led us. Two young boys of impeccable powers and purity are now forced to lose their childhood in this struggle. Their once-innocent and carefree eyes shall be tainted by images which should be reserved to us, beings of authority. Those orbs shall dull, and become battle-weary.
We owe them much. So much.
However, they are very strong, and their strength will bring the worlds forgotten peace. And it will reunite them once more, and they shall return home together.
For now, let me atone for my lack of foresight, and use my powers to help the lost one.
So come to me, Riku.
Let us bring momentary serenity to the realm of light for now. Following that, we will traverse darkness together, and you shall search for Sora, as he would do the same for you.
And there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.
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As one burdened with power and responsibility, I have learnt to be lonely.
I have learnt to find my way in darkness.
And I have learnt to be my one companion.
But I have seen so much, experienced so much, that it mattered little to me.
Yet this young boy, a mere teenager, was placed under similar circumstances as well.
And he must face the same trial.
Now, we are kindred spirits in the realm of darkness, and I relish his company.
So, while we are searching for an exit, let me comfort you.
You shall laugh in your loneliness no more.
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Riku has escaped for now, to face his side of trial. Sora's on the other side.
Burdened by darkness, Riku is still lost.
Let whatever power I have be his shield for now, and protect him from the dark being residing within his body; the imposter who calls himself Ansem.
May he find his way.
And I will find my way out of here as well. Your heart will guide me, Riku
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It seems my absence was not without its purpose.
Riku has grown immensely powerful, and it's not just with my help, but also thanks to this man.
DiZ, I know you, don't I?
However, let us leave that aside for a moment. Riku shall require my aid once more.
Though I said "I'll save you, pal!", I'm relatively certain Riku does not require any saving. Not in a million years.
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Dear friend Ansem, you would have loved to meet this boy.
He changed my view on darkness quite completely. He made darkness his power; yet wield it not for evil.
He intrigues me, greatly. Now I understand the choices of the Keyblades. These boys are truly special.
Let me accompany you on your road, Riku. The unexplored road to dawn.
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Finally, the roads converge once more.
Welp, more work for me then. Sora and Riku will both require my attention.
And I intend to do no less than get them together once again.
But nooo, Riku just had to make it difficult. Nonetheless, I understand his concern.
This pair of best friends is really something else. One boy searches, the other evades. I wonder if this is how best friends operate.
It's time to meet Sora.
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Some clues at last.
Ansem the Wise, lead me to you, so we can end this.
You owe these teenagers as much as I do, so we shall return the favor.
Your traitorous student, Xehanort, shall, ironically, be my path to you.
The journey into darkness seems less foreboding each time.
I wonder, is this a good thing?
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Ansem. Is revenge all that matters?
I understand how you feel. Your students robbed you of your research, stole your identity, and stripped you of your dignity.
However, these boys taught me more than Heartless, Nobodies and the darkness within hearts.
They taught me of friendship, loyalty, forgiveness and love.
Perhaps it is we who should be learning.
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My friend, I forgive you.
If only… if only we could return to Radiant Garden and chatted once more of politics and economics, of blue skies and green seas, and savour sea-salt ice-cream among smiles and greenery and fountains.
Yet, I am not always in time.
This is the price you pay for your mistake, the heaviest penalty.
But thank you. You bought us time, and a new opportunity.
Allow me to take your place, and fulfill your last wishes.
And bring Riku and Sora back to their island.
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The Emperor – King Mickey Mouse
End notes: Okay, my apologies to all who wanted more welps, gollies and goshes. It's slightly easier to write angst, and I picked easy paths. Guilt is fun to write, unfortunately, and I know King Mickey is more than just the superficially cheerful mouse if he were to be "Your Majesty".
However, it felt as though I killed off more than I should. Mickey is a cheery sort, mostly, like Sora. I probably focused too much on linking him to Ansem the Wise, and the dark path he traveled together with Riku.
Well, please comment on this then. What? You don't know how?! Which planet do you live on?
Periwinkle button down there, stupid.
I'll compensate all these angsty stuff with a White Day fluff. Yep, another item on my list now.
IV. The Emperor – Fathering, Stability, Authority, Power, Order, Leadership (Not too difficult to guess, eh?)